cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An approach to regulating Dual Series Static Compensator (DSSC)

For power flow control with specific attention to renewable energy resources based transmission in a meshed network, less complex coordinated control can be obtained with the proposed convertible static transmission controller (CSTC) concept which is connected across the substation power transformer and can be reconfigured to the required modes of operation. Dual Series Static Compensator (DSSC) mode or series-series mode available in the CSTC provides superior performance in terms of operating characteristics compared to conventional power flow controllers. In this paper, detailed steady-state and dynamic performance of DSSC will be investigated, and the control structure of DSSC will be proposed to control active and reactive power independently. This paper specifically explores the challenges of the proposed control method. In particular, the proposed control structure is based on line current PLL. The dynamic performance of DSSC is further investigated in PSCAD/EMTDC environment.
Organ-preference of metastasis. The role of endothelial cell adhesion molecules.

The initial, site-specific colonization of secondary organs by blood-borne cancer cells appears to be mediated by endothelial cell adhesion molecules. These molecules are part of the organ-specific microvascular phenotype and are regulated through complex interactions of the endothelium with the extracellular matrix (e.g., distinct matrix macromolecules and growth factors). They are inducedin vitro by growing ‘unspecific’ (large vessel) endothelial cells on extracts of organ-specific biomatrices. In many respects, these molecules are similar to the various classes of chemically different adhesion molecules that regulate lymphocyte traffic, but are believed to be distinct from the inducible adhesion molecules that govern leukocyte adhesion during acute episodes of inflammation. Biochemical and biophysical data indicate that preference of tumor cell adhesion to organ-specific microvascular endothelium may not require qualitative differences of such homing receptors between endothelia, but may be explained on the basis of quantitative receptor differences as well as differences of receptor avidity. Following adhesion, the metastatic cascade proceeds by the establishment of metabolic conduits between the endothelium and adherent tumor cells. This heterotypic coupling represents an early step in the extravasation of cancer cells from the microvasculature, initiating endothelial cell retraction from its basement membrane and recanalization around the arrested tumor cell. These events, together with local growth promoting effects exerted by the metastasized organ, are believed to provide the basis for Paget's ‘seed and soil’ hypothesis of metastasis.
Haplotype Association Analysis of AGT Variants with Hypertension-Related Traits: The HyperGEN Study

Objective: Function of the renin-angiotensin system is important to human hypertension, but its genetic etiology remains elusive. We set out to examine a hypothesis that multiple ge
A 60-year review on the changing epidemiology of measles in capital Beijing, China, 1951-2011

China pledged to join the global effort to eliminate measles by 2012. To improve measles control strategy, the epidemic trend and population immunity of measles were investigated in 1951–2011 in Beijing. The changing trend of measles since 1951 was described based on measles surveillance data from Beijing Centre of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The measles vaccination coverage and antibody level were assessed by routinely reported measles vaccination data and twenty-one sero-epidemiological surveys. The incidence of measles has decreased significantly from 593.5/100,000 in 1951 (peaked at 2721.0/100,000 in 1955), to 0.5/100,000 in 2011 due to increasing vaccination coverage of 95%-99%. Incidence rebounded from 6.6/100,000 to 24.5/100,000 since 2005 and decreased after measles vaccine (MV) supplementary immunization activities (SIAs) in 2010. Measles antibody positive rate was 85%-95% in most of years since 1981. High-risk districts were spotted in Chaoyang, Fengtai and Changping districts in recent 15 years. Age-specific incidence and proportion of measles varied over time. The most affected population were younger children of 1–4 years before 1978, older children of 5–14 years in 1978–1996, infant of <1 years and adults of ≥15 years in period of aim to measles elimination. Strategies at different stages had a prevailing effect on the epidemic dynamics of measles in recent 60 years in Beijing. It will be essential to validate reported vaccination coverage, improve vaccination coverage in adults and strengthen measles surveillance in the anticipated elimination campaign for measles.
Stepwise approximation of an optimally flared tunnel portal

Abstract An optimally flared tunnel portal causes the pressure to rise linearly across the front of the compression wave generated by an entering high-speed train. The wave front thickness ∼ l / M when the flared section has length l and the train Mach number is M. The flared portal would likely be constructed in practice using a set of coaxial cylindrical sections that together approximate the ideal flared geometry. A numerical study is described in this paper to determine how these discrete sections modify the generation of the compression wave. The interaction of train nose `sources' with successive changes in portal diameter produces a `rippling' of the pressure wave profile. Our results show how the amplitude of these fluctuations depends on the length of the train nose and on the number of cylindrical sections, and suggest that an ideally flared portal is well approximated by a stepped-portal fabricated from three or four sections. The results are applicable for train Mach numbers up to about 0.25 ( ∼ 300 kph ) .
Black Non-Hispanic Mothers' Perceptions about the Promotion of Infant Feeding Methods by Nurses and Physicians

Objective To describe reports of low‐income Black non‐Hispanic women about the promotion of infant‐feeding methods by nurses and physicians. Design Ethnographic research conducted over 18 months with interviewing and participant observation of informants. Setting The study took place in a Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children clinic and neighborhood in the New York metropolitan area. Participants 130 Black non‐Hispanic mothers enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children were general informants. From this group, 11 primiparous key informants were selected for close follow‐up during pregnancy and the 1st postpartum year. Main Outcome Measures Audiotaped interviews and field notes were analyzed for mothers' descriptions of infant‐feeding education and support from nurses and physicians. Findings The informants reported limited breastfeeding education and support during pregnancy, childbirth stay in neonatal intensive care unit, postpartum, and recovery in the community. They also expressed trust/distrust concerns and varying degrees of anxiety about the ways they were treated by nurses and physicians. Conclusions To decrease disparities in breastfeeding, this research suggests that health care professionals should focus their efforts on the development of trusting relationships and continuity of care along with clear, consistent breastfeeding education and support. JOGNN , 35, 173‐180; 2006. DOI: 10.1111/J.1552‐6909.2006.00033.x
Bmp7 Regulates Germ Cell Proliferation in Mouse Fetal Gonads

Relatively little is known regarding the signals that regulate the proliferation and sex-specific development of germ cells during mammalian fetal gonad differentiation. Members of the bone morphogene
Human fetal and neonatal movement patterns: Gender differences and fetal-to-neonatal continuity.

Longitudinal quantification of leg movements per minute for human subjects during both fetal and neonatal periods was accomplished from videotapings conducted antenatally (ultrasonography 30, 34, and 37 weeks gestational age) and postnatally (birth and 6 weeks of age). Fetal/neonatal subjects displayed decreasing numbers of leg movements per minute during antenatal development (30 to 37 weeks), followed by increasing numbers of leg movements per minute during postnatal development (birth to 6 weeks of age). Male subjects displayed greater numbers of leg movements per minute than female subjects during both antenatal and postnatal development. Fetal-to-neonatal continuity for numbers of leg movements per minute was found for comparisons between fetal (37 weeks gestational age) and neonatal (during sleep states at birth) measures, and females displayed a stronger and different movement continuity pattern than males. These results indicate a differential time course for neurobehavioral development of male and female fetuses/neonates, and the findings have implications for the clinical assessment of fetal neurobehavioral development and well-being.
CdTe cell stability vs. CdS thickness

We have studied the stability in air of sputtered CdTe/CdS cells with a focus on the thickness of the CdS layer and the substrate used during cell fabrication. The stability of cell efficiencies under light soak is compared for CdTe cells on both HRT-coated Pilkington TEC 15 glass and standard TEC15 glass for a range of seven different CdS layer thicknesses from 0 to 230 nm. Little difference in stability can be found between cells with or without the HRT layer for all CdS thicknesses. The buffer layer helps to produce high initial performance and uniformity of cells by maintaining high VOC for very thin CdS layers. But there is no indication that the buffer layer improves the stability of unencapsulated, sputtered cells under one-sun light soak at open circuit. Devices with the thicker CdS layers show better stability under one-sun light soak in air.
AN AXIOMATIZATION OF QUANTILES ON THE DOMAIN OF DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS

In an environment in which the primitive is the space of distribution functions, we characterize the quantile functions by the axioms ordinal covariance, monotonicity with respect to first-order stochastic dominance, and upper semicontinuity. We show how to characterize the VaR in a similar manner.
Dealing with the common econometric problems of count data with excess zeros, endogenous treatment effects, and attrition bias

Abstract We use experimental panel data to estimate impacts of managed care on medical care use counts free of endogenous treatment effect bias. Our count regressions also allow for excess zeros and correct for possible attrition bias.
Role of gas-surface interactions in the reduction of Ogo 6 neutral particle mass spectrometer data.

The gas-surface interaction effects observed by the quadrupole mass spectrometer are described, and the technique developed to account for them in determining ambient neutral densities is summarized. The total ion current and the ion currents for ions with molecular weights 2, 4, 16, 28, and 32 are sampled for 1.125 sec once every 9.216 sec, for 258 sec out of a 368 sec cycle. An equation is given for the number density of any constituent in the ion source region, and source density data are discussed. The mass 28 background gas is considered to be CO rather than N2, and a CO model is developed. A quasi-equilibrium model of the atomic oxygen interactions is constructed, and a set of surface parameters is determined which provides a reasonable fit to the mass 16 and 32 source densities consistent with the predicted ambient atomic oxygen.
Lyme Disease and Pregnancy

Lyme disease is the most commonly transmitted vector-borne disease in the United States, with many regions of the country at risk. Like other spirochete-borne infections, Lyme disease progresses in stages, making diagnosis in the early stages of the illness and prompt treatment important for cure. An early diagnosis is made difficult by the less-than-ideal serologic tests and the varied clinical presentations of the disease. Although Lyme disease has been reported in pregnancy, the transmission rate to the fetus and potential harmful effects are largely unknown. This review discusses the diagnosis, clinical course, and treatment of Lyme disease with an emphasis on the pregnant patient.
States and the Making of the “Service” Party: The Case of the Postwar Ohio Republican Party

During the second half of the twentieth century, at a time when most observers thought they were in decline, parties were in fact transformed in the US. At the center of this change, scholars argue, was the development, at the national level, of a more centralized and professionally oriented “service” model of party organization within the Republican Party. What the emphasis on the national level obscures, however, is the important role that state parties played in the development of a service style of party organization prior to the 1960s. Nowhere was this more evident than in Ohio, where the postwar Republican Party, led by Ray Bliss, had a significant impact on the development of this new, more centralized “service” approach to party organization. The Bliss model represented one of the most fully developed examples to date, at any level, of the service party, as demonstrated by its organizational continuity over time, and its influence on the subsequent institutionalization of a similar structure within the Republican Party nationally in the 1960s and 1970s.
Reactive Vision Based Obstacle Avoidance with Camera Field of View Constraints

The lack of reliable, low power, low weight sensors make automatic obstacle avoidance for fixed wing micro air vehicles (MAV) a difficult problem. Traditional sensors for obstacle detection such as radar are too heavy and too large for MAVs and generating paths around detected obstacles is non-trivial. EO/IRCameras are small and lightweight providing a viable alternative to large sensors. We assume that vision processing provides object segmentation and a range estimate to nearby obstacles. We propose a nonlinear guidance law that directly reacts to image data by pushing the obstacles to the edge of the camera field-of-view, and thus avoiding collision. As the MAV passes the obstacle, the original trajectory is resumed. This method can be used in conjunction with high level path planners.
Decision support for advanced aviation concepts

This paper describes the MITRE Corporation Center for Advanced Aviation System Development (CAASD) research towards simulation of advanced aviation concepts. Research activities are aimed toward improving tactical and strategic decision making methods in the near and long term. We describe how CAASD simulation capabilities assist in determining how to achieve our goals for improving tactical and strategic decision making. For the long term, our simulation capabilities are becoming more agent-based.
A preliminary assessment of behavioral problems in children with mastocytosis.

Objective:The objectives of this study were to 1) review mastocytosis in terms of the behavioral pathology in adults, and 2) to assess a group of pediatric patients with mastocytosis to determine if similar behavioral pathology is evident.Method:Twelve children ages two to eleven referred to the NIH, a tertiary referral center for mastocytosis, were studied. Questionnaires were mailed for assessment of the child's behavior: parents completed the Childhood Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and children four years of age or more were evaluated by their teachers via the Child Behavior Checklist-Teacher Report form. Scores were compared to published normative data and to published data from other medically ill pediatric groups. Pathology was defined as present if the child scored greater than two standard deviations above published age and sex-matched norms.Results:Mean factor scores on the CBCL for children with mastocytosis did not differ significantly from published norms, but individual ratings by parents were si...
LEFT VENTRICULAR VOLUME AND VOLUME CHANGE IN ENDOCARDIAL FIBROELASTOSIS.

Abstract Three cases are described in which the clinical and hemodynamic findings permit a diagnosis of endocardial fibroelastosis. Left heart volumes were calculated from biplane angiocardiograms. For each case, values of the fraction of end-diastolic volume ejected during systole, peak dp/dt, and “myocardial contractility index” were significantly less than those in children with normal left hearts or with congenital heart disease causing pressure or volume overload of the left ventricle. Such reduced ventricular contraction and systolic emptying will lead to an increase in chamber volume if forward flow is to be maintained. Conclusions about left ventricular volumes and volume changes cannot be made on the basis of visual inspection of angiocardiograms but require actual measurement. Increased endocardial tension results from increased chamber volume but is unlikely to be the cause of endocardial fibroelastosis since comparable values for endocardial tension are found in subjects with volume overload and no endocardial fibroelastosis.
Contrasting evolutionary rates in the duplicate chaperonin genes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and M. leprae.

A phylogenetic analysis of chaperonin (heat shock protein 60) sequences from prokaryotes and eukaryotes indicated that a single gene duplication event in the common ancestor of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, 44. leprae, and Streptomyces albus gave rise to the duplicate chaperonin genes found in these species (designated HSP65 and GroEL in the mycobacterial species). Comparison of rates of synonymous and nonsynonymous nucleotide substitution in different gene regions suggested that the 5’ end of the HSP65 gene was homogenized by an ancient recombination event between A4. tuberculosis and M. leprae. In S. albus, the two duplicated chaperonin genes have evolved at essentially the same rate. In both M. tuberculosis and M. leprae, however, the GroEL gene has evolved considerably more rapidly at nonsynonymous nucleotide sites than has the HSP65 gene. Because this difference is not seen at synonymous sites, it must be due to a difference in selective constraint on the proteins encoded by the two genes, rather than to a difference in mutation rate. The difference between GroEL and HSP65 is striking in regions containing epitopes recognized by T cells of the vertebrate host; in certain cross-reactive epitopes conserved across all organisms, nonsynonymous sites in GroEL have evolved twice as fast as those in HSP65. It is suggested that these differences are correlated with differences in the way in which the duplicate chaperonins of A4. tuberculosis and M. leprae interact with the host immune system.
Use of the Social Cognitive Theory to Frame University Students’ Perceptions of Cheating

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the perceptions related to ethics and cheating among a representative sample of primarily female undergraduate students, compared to trends reported in the literature. Focus groups were organized to discuss nine scripted questions. Transcripts and audiotapes were analyzed and four main themes emerged: demographics of those who cheat, students’ perceptions of cheating, the role of technology in cheating, and consequences of cheating, including students’ attitudes and behaviors related to reporting cheating incidents. Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) served as the theoretical framework to understand students’ varying perceptions of and justification for cheating, as well as the dynamics of honor code violations, via group discussion. Viewpoints on cheating were regularly discussed and contradictory views were identified related to frequency and justification for cheating. Utilizing the constant comparative method, students mentioned time limitations, and pressure from peers, parents, and professors as reasons to cheat. They also discussed pressures to achieve high grades for acceptance into graduate programs. Students were also reluctant to report their classmates for cheating incidents. Repeated and comprehensive education on ethical behavior is warranted.
The Role of Molecular Interactions in Controlling Methanol Diffusion in Polyimides: A Time‐Resolved FTIR Spectroscopy Investigation

Summary Polyimides are a well-known class of high-performance polymers with excellent properties and a wide range of applications, especially as membranes for gas and liquid separation. In this contribution a molecular level description of the methanol diffusion in three different polyimides is reported. Two commercial polyimides (PMDA-ODA and Ultem 1000) and a third one synthetized ad-hoc (6FDA-ODA) were examined in detail by time-resolved FTIR spectroscopy supplemented with gravimetric analysis. Complementary approaches were employed for the interpretation of the spectral data [difference spectroscopy (DS) and least-squares curve fitting (LSCF)]. Information about the overall diffusivity, the interactions and the dynamics of the molecular species in the polymer/penetrant systems were provided.
Endothelin-1 potentiation of angiotensin II stimulation of aldosterone production

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) binds to specific receptors in cultured bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells and stimulates aldosterone secretion with a 50% effective concentration (EC50) of 300 +/- 80 pM (mean +/- SE). The relative stimulatory potency for ET-1 is significantly less than that of angiotensin II (ANG II). The incubation of calf zona glomerulosa cells in primary culture with ET-1 and ANG II resulted in a significant potentiation of ANG II effect on aldosterone secretion. The EC50 of ET-1 potentiation of ANG II-induced stimulation of aldosterone secretion was 40 +/- 5 pM (mean +/- SE, n = 4), which is lower than the EC50 for ET-1 stimulation of aldosterone secretion. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation of aldosterone secretion, but not that of potassium, was also potentiated by ET-1, but to a lesser degree. ET-1 and ET-1-mediated potentiation of ANG II-stimulated aldosterone biosynthesis increased both the early and late pathways of aldosterone biosynthesis, but the potentiation was greater for the early pathway. Preincubation with ET-1 for at least 15 min, followed by extensive washing to remove bound ET-1, also resulted in persistent potentiation of ANG II-mediated aldosterone secretion. ET-2, sarafotoxin, and vasoactive intestinal contractor potentiation of ANG II action were very similar to that of ET-1. ET-3 and Big-ET-1 potentiated ANG II stimulation only at the highest doses tested and the proendothelin-(110-130) fragment was inactive. ET-1 potentiation of ANG II action is likely to be mediated through an ETB receptor subtype.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Generation X in Law School: How These Law Students are Different from Those Who Teach Them

This article presents the results of a multi-year study that examined the learning styles of law students at three law schools in the age category known as Generation X. Joanne Ingham and Robin Boyle also compared the learning styles of the faculty who teach the Gen X student population in the study. The three law schools included in the study were Albany Law School, New York Law School, and St. John's University School of Law. All three schools are located in different geographical parts of New York State. The Dunn and Dunn Learning Style Model was used. The study's findings support and offer explanations for several characteristics of the Gen Xers. When comparing the learning styles of law students and faculty, the authors found that faculty and students' learning style patterns were very different from each other.
Vanishing of the μ -invariant of p -adic Hecke L -functions

We prove vanishing of the μ -invariant of the p -adic Katz L -function in N. M. Katz [ p-adic L-functions for CM fields , Invent. Math. 49 (1978), 199–297].
Smoking behavior and anger.

The Anger Expression Scale and Smoking Behavior Questionnaire were administered to 580 undergraduate students (222 men and 358 women). No differences were found on the Anger-In or Anger-Control scales of the Anger Expression Scale for Current Smokers, Occasional Smokers, Exsmokers, and Nonsmokers. Occasional smokers had higher scores on the Anger-Out Scale than Nonsmokers. No sex differences were found on the three scales. Implications of the findings are discussed.
Mechanism of increased vessel wall nitric oxide concentrations during intestinal absorption

Vasoactive compounds, including nitric oxide (NO) and hypertonic sodium, may diffuse from venous endothelial cells and blood to the arterial wall during intestinal absorption. This hypothesis was t...
Married and Unmarried, Opposite- and Same-Sex Couples: A Decomposition of Homeownership Differences

Same-sex couples are found to be more likely to own (rather than rent) their homes than are unmarried, opposite-sex couples and less likely than married couples. Age explains the largest share of t...
AIDS Related Knowledge Behaviors Status of Men Who Have Sex with Men and Serological Test Results Analysis in Qinhuangdao

Objective To investigate the prevalence of HIV/Syphilis/HCV infection and the related knowledge and behaviors among men who have sex with men( MSM) in Qinhuangdao for the effective intervention measure and control strategies. Methods Questionnaire with serological testing was conducted by voluntary recruitment and snowball sampling in 2009- 2012. Results The average age was( 26. 9 ± 7. 160) years-old in1 043 participants,and the unmarried participants accounted for 75. 65%. 84. 75% of the respondents were high school and above of education level,and 72. 58% lived in local city more than two years. The proportion of participants knowing correct HIV / AIDS knowledge was 88. 11%. Of all participants studied,86. 10% of respondents ever had anal sex with male in the last six months,and the proportion of condom using with male partners was 69. 38% in the last time. The proportion of consistent condom using was 42. 76%,and the respondents never used condoms were mainly unmarried college youth. 9. 02% of the respondents ever had commercial sexual behavior and 29. 82% reported ever having sex with woman. The respondents never used condoms in Heterosexual sexual behavior,marriage and cohabitation accounted for 69. 70%,6. 81% of the respondents reported a history of sexually transmitted diseases. A total of them were detected in the informed consent,with HIV infection rate of 5. 75% and syphilis infection rate of 7. 19% and HCV infection rate of0. 19%. Conclusion HIV / AIDS related knowledge should be promoted among MSM population in Qinhuangdao. At the same time,the prevention and control of syphilis and hepatitis C should be paid attention and early detection and effective treatment for syphilis in order to reduce the spread of HIV.
Cytokine-Induced Neutrophil Chemotaxis Assay

Chemotaxis is directed migration of a cell type to a distant chemoattractant. When this chemoattractant is a cytokine, the term chemokine is often used. Chemotaxis by neutrophils, specifically polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), plays a critical role in the innate immune response. On an equimolar basis, interleukin-8 (IL-8) is one of the most potent PMN chemokines known. This chapter describes an in vitro chemotaxis technique using PMNs and IL-8 which can serve the investigator as an established model from which new studies can be developed.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Probe to Bone to Detect Osteomyelitis in the Diabetic Foot: A Systematic Review

The probe-to-bone (PTB) test is a commonly used clinical test for osteomyelitis (OM), but its utility has been questioned in clinical settings where the prevalence of OM is low. This article aims to systematically review the accuracy of the PTB test to diagnose diabetic foot OM. We searched Ovid Medline and Scopus databases for studies using the keywords "probe to bone," "osteomyelitis," and "diabetic foot" from 1946 to May 2015. We summarized characteristics of the included studies and pooled the accuracy numbers using a bivariate random-effects model. Seven studies met our inclusion criteria. Pooled sensitivity and specificity for the PTB test was 0.87 (95% confidence interval [CI], .75-.93) and 0.83 (95% CI, .65-.93), respectively. We conclude that the PTB test can accurately rule in diabetic foot OM in the high-risk patients and rule out OM in low-risk patients.
Causes and Consequences of Central-Place Types in Western Guatemala

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the causes and consequences of central-place types in Western Guatemala. The basic integrating feature of the Western Guatemalan economy is trade. Because most people are heavily involved in trade in Western Guatemalan, there is relatively full participation throughout the region in the trade system. The type of trade system varies considerably by local system; however, all systems are commercially integrated by the redistributive role of the rural bulking centers and long-distance traders in the domestic exchange system and by the trade and transport ties between the major Ladino market towns in the import–export exchange system. The southern lowland plantations are also a major factor in the integration of the region. Like all perfect or ideal market models, central-place theory is based on the assumption of perfect competition. Moreover, like all perfect or ideal models, it fails to predict market organization when that assumption is violated. Because of its stringent assumptions, central-place theory is frequently accused of being unrealistic and, therefore, not useful for explaining and predicting the market organization of real systems.
Zum Aufbau förderdiagnostischer Kompetenzen bei Lehramtsstudierenden im Schriftspracherwerb durch videogestützte Lehr-Lern-Umgebungen

Die Professionalisierung von Lehrkraften in Deutschland gelingt im derzeitig praktizierten Ausbildungssystem noch nicht zufriedenstellend (Blomeke et al. 2008). Somit stellt sich die Frage, wie angehende LehrerInnen professionelle Kompetenzen effektiver aufbauen konnen. Da Kompetenzen als kontextspezifische kognitive Leistungsdispositionen, die sich funktional auf Situationen und Anforderungen beziehen (Klieme/Leutner 2006), verstanden werden, steht nicht nur der Erwerb theoretischen Wissens, sondern auch der Anwendungsbezug im Fokus. Als Bindeglied gilt die Analysekompetenz.
Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) in haemophilic arthropathy and arthrofibrosis: a histological analysis.

Introduction Joint haemorrhage is the principal clinical manifestation of haemophilia frequently leading to advanced arthropathy and arthrofibrosis, resulting in severe disability. The degree and prevalence of arthrofibrosis in hemophilic arthropathy is more severe than in other forms of arthropathy. Expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) has been linked to many fibrotic diseases, but has not been studied in the context of haemophilic arthropathy. Aim We aim to compare synovial tissues histologically from haemophilia and osteoarthritis patients with advanced arthropathy in order to compare expression of proteins that are possibly aetiologic in the development of arthrofibrosis. Methods Human synovial tissues were obtained from 10 haemophilia and 10 osteoarthritis patients undergoing joint surgery and processed for histology and immunohistochemistry. Results All samples from haemophilia patients had synovitis with hypertrophy and hyperplasia of synovial villi. Histologically, synovial tissues contained hyperplastic villi with increased cellularity and abundant haemosiderin- and ferritin-pigmented macrophage-like cells (HMCs), with a perivascular localization in the sub-surface layer. CTGF staining was observed in the surface layer and sub-surface layer in all haemophilia patients, exclusively co-localizing with HMCs. Quantification showed that the extent of CTGF-positive areas was correlated with the degree of detection of HMCs. CTGF was not observed in any of the samples from osteoarthritis patients. Conclusion Using histological analysis, we showed that CTGF expression is elevated in haemophilia patients with arthrofibrosis and absent in patients with osteoarthritis. Additionally, we found that CTGF is always associated with haemosiderin-pigmented macrophage-like cells, which suggests that CTGF is produced by synovial A cells following the uptake of blood breakdown products.
Photosynthetic Versatility in the Genome of Geitlerinema sp. PCC 9228 (Formerly Oscillatoria limnetica 'Solar Lake'), a Model Anoxygenic Photosynthetic Cyanobacterium.

Anoxygenic cyanobacteria that use sulfide as the electron donor for photosynthesis are a potentially influential but poorly constrained force on Earth’s biogeochemistry. Their versatile metabolism may have boosted primary production and nitrogen cycling in euxinic coastal margins in the Proterozoic. In addition, they represent a biological mechanism for limiting the accumulation of atmospheric oxygen, especially before the Great Oxidation Event and in the low-oxygen conditions of the Proterozoic. In this study, we describe the draft genome sequence of Geitlerinema sp. PCC 9228, formerly Oscillatoria limnetica ‘Solar Lake’, a mat-forming diazotrophic cyanobacterium that can switch between oxygenic photosynthesis and sulfide-based anoxygenic photosynthesis. Geitlerinema possesses three variants of psbA, which encodes protein D1, a core component of the photosystem II reaction center. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that one variant is closely affiliated with cyanobacterial psbA genes that code for a D1 protein used for oxygen-sensitive processes. Another version is phylogenetically similar to cyanobacterial psbA genes that encode D1 proteins used under microaerobic conditions, and the third variant may be cued to high light and/or elevated oxygen concentrations. Geitlerinema has the canonical gene for sulfide quinone reductase (SQR) used in cyanobacterial anoxygenic photosynthesis and a putative transcriptional regulatory gene in the same operon. Another operon with a second, distinct sqr and regulatory gene is present, and is phylogenetically related to sqr genes used for high sulfide concentrations. The genome has a comprehensive nif gene suite for nitrogen fixation, supporting previous observations of nitrogenase activity. Geitlerinema possesses a bidirectional hydrogenase rather than the uptake hydrogenase typically used by cyanobacteria in diazotrophy. Overall, the genome sequence of Geitlerinema sp. PCC 9228 highlights potential cyanobacterial strategies to cope with fluctuating redox gradients and nitrogen availability that occur in benthic mats over a diel cycle. Such dynamic geochemical conditions likely also challenged Proterozoic cyanobacteria, modulating oxygen production. The genetic repertoire that underpins flexible oxygenic/anoxygenic photosynthesis in cyanobacteria provides a foundation to explore the regulation, evolutionary context, and biogeochemical implications of these co-occurring metabolisms in Earth history.
Active brokers and their runtime deployment in the ECho/JECho distributed event systems

This paper introduces active brokers and third-party derivation, which is the basic programming construct for run-time remote broker deployment, in the ECho/JECho distributed event systems. We describe its implementation in the JECho system and give examples of using it in ECho/JECho distributed event systems. In particular, we describe the use of third-party derivation in supporting the scalability of content-based event delivery. Specifically, third-party derivation is used both to dynamically construct content-based event distribution trees and to offload potentially expensive client-specific event routing/processing by the run-time creation of remote brokers. Our preliminary benchmark results demonstrate the significant benefits of using third-party derivation.
Inverse-designed nonlinear nanophotonic structures: Enhanced frequency conversion at the nano scale

We describe a large-scale computational approach based on topology optimization that enables automatic discovery of novel nonlinear photonic structures. As examples, we design complex cavity and fiber geometries that can achieve high-efficiency nonlinear frequency conversion.
Do your high potentials have potential? The impact of individual differences and designation on leader success

We propose an integrated model of leadership potential, the high-potential designation process, and leader success that is intended to clarify the theoretical and practical relationships among these concepts. Drawing on research in the areas of social judgment and cognition, cognitive abilities, personality, leadership development, and motivation and on practice-oriented observations and writings, we propose a process model of potential, the designation of individuals as high potential, and the antecedent and moderating variables that combine to impact success. We conclude that by using this model we can understand better the individual, social, and organizational factors that impact potential and the high-potential identification process, and help develop more successful leaders and organizations.
Exact Characterization of Spatio-Temporal Joint Coverage Probability in Cellular Networks

In this paper, we characterize the joint coverage probability at two spatial locations in a cellular network. In particular, modeling the locations of cellular base stations (BSs) as a Poisson Point Process (PPP), we study interference correlation at two spatial locations $\ell_1$ and $\ell_2$ separated by a distance $v$, when user follows closest BS association policy at both spatial locations and moves from $\ell_1$ to $\ell_2$. With this user displacement, two scenarios can occur: i) the user is handed off to a new serving BS at $\ell_2$, or ii) no handoff occurs and the user is served by the same BS at both locations. After providing intermediate results such as probability of handoff and distance distributions of the serving BS at the two user locations, we derive exact expressions for the joint coverage probability for any distance separation $v$. The exact analysis is not straightforward and involves a careful treatment of the neighborhood of the two spatial locations and the resulting handoff scenarios. As expected, joint coverage probability decreases with the separation in the two locations.
Evaluation of optical coherence tomography distal sensor with high-index elliptical cone epoxy lens

In this paper, we demonstrate common-path swept source optical coherence tomography (CP-SSOCT) distal sensor with high-index elliptical cone epoxy lens. The elliptical cone epoxy lens terminated fiber sensor exhibits enhanced SNR in water over a wide range of incident angles.
A linear well-posed solution to recover high-frequency information for super resolution image reconstruction

Multiview super resolution image reconstruction (SRIR) is often cast as a resampling problem by merging non-redundant data from multiple images on a finer grid, while inverting the effect of the camera point spread function (PSF). One main problem with multiview methods is that resampling from nonuniform samples (provided by multiple images) and the inversion of the PSF are highly nonlinear and ill-posed problems. Non-linearity and ill-posedness are typically overcome by linearization and regularization, often through an iterative optimization process, which essentially trade off the very same information (i.e. high frequency) that we want to recover. We propose a different point of view for multiview SRIR that is very much like single-image methods which extrapolate the spectrum of one image selected as reference from among all views. However, for this, the proposed method relies on information provided by all other views, rather than prior constraints as in single-image methods which may not be an accurate source of information. This is made possible by deriving explicit closed-form expressions that define how the local high frequency information that we aim to recover for the reference high resolution image is related to the local low frequency information in the sequence of views. The locality of these expressions due to modeling using wavelets reduces the problem to an exact and linear set of equations that are well-posed and solved algebraically without requiring regularization or interpolation. Results and comparisons with recently published state-of-the-art methods show the superiority of the proposed solution.
Assessing quantitative EEG spectrograms to identify non-epileptic events

To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of quantitative EEG (QEEG) spectrograms in order to distinguish epileptic from non-epileptic events. Seventeen patients with paroxysmal non-epileptic events, captured during EEG monitoring, were retrospectively assessed using QEEG spectrograms. These patients were compared to a control group of 13 consecutive patients (ages 25-60 years) with epileptic seizures of similar semiology. Assessment of raw EEG was employed as the gold standard against which epileptic and non-epileptic events were validated. QEEG spectrograms, available using Persyst 12 EEG system integration software, were each assessed with respect to their usefulness to distinguish epileptic from non-epileptic seizures. The given spectrogram was interpreted as indicating a seizure if, at the time of the clinically identified event, it showed a visually significant change from baseline. Eighty-two clinically identified paroxysmal events were analysed (46 non-epileptic and 36 epileptic). The "seizure detector trend analysis" spectrogram correctly classified 33/46 (71%) non-epileptic events (no seizure indicated during a clinically identified event) vs. 29/36 (81%) epileptic seizures (seizure indicated during a clinically identified event) (p=0.013). Similarly, "rhythmicity spectrogram", FFT spectrogram, "asymmetry relative spectrogram", and integrated-amplitude EEG spectrogram detected 28/46 (61%), 30/46 (65%), 22/46 (48%) and 27/46 (59%) non-epileptic events vs. 27/36 (75%), 25/36 (69%), 25/36 (69%) and 27/36 (75%) epileptic events, respectively. High sensitivities and specificities for QEEG seizure detection analyses suggest that QEEG may have a role at the bedside to facilitate early differentiation between epileptic seizures and non-epileptic events in order to avoid unnecessary administration of antiepileptic drugs and possible iatrogenic consequences.
Formal methods and finite element analysis of hurricane storm surge: A case study in software verification

Abstract Used to predict the effects of hurricane storm surge, ocean circulation models are essential tools for evacuation planning, vulnerability assessment, and infrastructure design. Implemented as numerical solvers that operate on large-scale datasets, these models determine the geographic extent and severity of coastal floods and other impacts. In this study, we look at an ocean circulation model used in production and an extension made to it that offers substantial performance gains. To explore implementation choices and ensure soundness of the extension, we make use of Alloy, a declarative modeling language with tool support and an automatic form of analysis performed within a bounded scope using a SAT solver. Abstractions for relevant parts of the ocean circulation model are presented, including the physical representation of land and seafloor surfaces as a finite element mesh, and an algorithm operating on it that allows for the propagation of overland flows. The approach allows us to draw useful conclusions about implementation choices and guarantees about the extension, in particular that it is equivalence preserving.
Intra-operative digital imaging: assuring the alignment of components when undertaking total hip arthroplasty.

Aims The aims of this study were to examine the rate at which the positioning of the acetabular component, leg length discrepancy and femoral offset are outside an acceptable range in total hip arthroplasties (THAs) which either do or do not involve the use of intra-operative digital imaging. Patients and Methods A retrospective case-control study was undertaken with 50 patients before and 50 patients after the integration of an intra-operative digital imaging system in THA. The demographics of the two groups were comparable for body mass index, age, laterality and the indication for surgery. The digital imaging group had more men than the group without. Surgical data and radiographic parameters, including the inclination and anteversion of the acetabular component, leg length discrepancy, and the difference in femoral offset compared with the contralateral hip were collected and compared, as well as the incidence of altering the position of a component based on the intra-operative image. Results Digital imaging took a mean of five minutes (2.3 to 14.6) to perform. Intra-operative changes with the use of digital imaging were made for 43 patients (86%), most commonly to adjust leg length and femoral offset. There was a decrease in the incidence of outliers when using intra-operative imaging compared with not using it in regard to leg length discrepancy (20% versus 52%, p = 0.001) and femoral offset inequality (18% versus 44%, p = 0.004). There was also a difference in the incidence of outliers in acetabular inclination (0% versus 7%, p = 0.023) and version (0% versus 4%, p = 0.114) compared with historical results of a high-volume surgeon at the same centre. Conclusion The use of intra-operative digital imaging in THA improves the accuracy of the positioning of the components at THA without adding a substantial amount of time to the operation. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100B(1 Supple A):36–43.
Exurban Land Development and Breeding Birds

This chapter reviews the influences of exurban development on breeding birds and identifies how positive influences may be enhanced and negative influences reduced. Exurban development affects breeding birds primarily by altering (reducing or increasing) structures required as nest sites, availability of food for adults or nestlings, and the number of predators and competitors. The presence of humans also potentially changes behavior of nesting birds. A given development scheme will likely favor some native species while harming others. Identifying the “best” development scheme will depend on the assemblage of species present and the conservation objectives.
Ray tracing with the BSP tree

Publisher Summary In order to speed up the intersection calculation in ray-tracing programs, people have implemented divide-and-conquer strategies such as hierarchical bounding volumes and octrees. Uniform subdivision has also been used to speed up that calculation. Uniform subdivision is undesirable for applications where the objects may be unevenly distributed in space. This is because the amount of memory needed for uniform subdivision is proportional to the highest density of objects, rather than the total number. Hierarchical-bounding volumes can be difficult to implement effectively but can be used to good effect. Hierarchical space subdivision techniques do not suffer the memory problems of uniform subdivision and are also relatively easy to implement. This chapter discusses the best overall hierarchical subdivision technique currently known. There are two basic modules in a BSP tree intersection code. The first module builds the tree by recursively cutting the bounding box of all objects along a median spatial plane. The second module tracks a ray through the leaf nodes of the BSP tree checking for intersections. The BSP tree is built by InitBinTree( ) and Subdivide( ). RayTreeIntersect( ) is the actual tree walking traversal of the BSP tree following a ray.
System aspmt2smt: Computing ASPMT Theories by SMT Solvers

Answer Set Programming Modulo Theories (ASPMT) is an approach to combining answer set programming and satisfiability modulo theories based on the functional stable model semantics. It is shown that the tight fragment of ASPMT programs can be turned into SMT instances, thereby allowing SMT solvers to compute stable models of ASPMT programs. In this paper we present a compiler called aspsmt2smt, which implements this translation. The system uses ASP grounder gringo and SMT solver z3. gringo partially grounds input programs while leaving some variables to be processed by z3. We demonstrate that the system can effectively handle real number computations for reasoning about continuous changes.