cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Constrained ML algorithms for semi-blind MIMO channel estimation

We propose and study algorithms for constrained maximum-likelihood (ML) estimation of a unitary matrix in the context of semi-blind multi-input multi-output (MIMO) channel estimation. The flat-fading r/spl times/t MIMO channel matrix, H, for r/spl ges/t can be decomposed as the matrix product H = WQ/sup H/, where W is a whitening matrix and Q is a unitary rotation matrix. Exclusive estimation of Q from pilot symbols has been shown potentially to achieve a 3 dB or greater improvement in terms of channel estimation accuracy. We develop and present the OPML, IGML and ROML algorithms for the constrained estimation of the unitary matrix Q; they are appropriate for a variety of scenarios, e.g., orthogonal pilots, low complexity, etc. Simulation results are provided to demonstrate the efficacy of the algorithms.
Cocaine Precipitation of Patient-Identified Opiate Withdrawal

Self-reported opiate withdrawal symptoms were precipitated by cocaine use in 27 of35 opiate-dependent men. While 13 had used cocaine to relieve withdrawal symptoms, relief occurred only while they were high from cocaine, followed by more severe withdrawal than usual. Similar symptoms were also reported by 24 of 31 non-opiate-dependent cocaine abusers. Severity of symptoms was greater for the opiate-dependent subjects. These results are consistent with noradrenergic sensitivity in opiate-dependent subjects.
Acyclic stereoselection. 27. Simple diastereoselection in the lewis acid mediated reactions of enolsilanes with aldehydes.

Abstract The Lewis acid mediated reactions of enolsilanes 1–11 with benzaldehyde and isobutyraldehyde have been investigated. With the exception of compound 4, essentially no stereoselectivity is observed.
Outcrop-based reservoir characterization: A composite phylloid-algal mound, western Orogrande basin (New Mexico)

Algal mounds of the western Orogrande basin present an excellent opportunity for studying reservoir behavior because these mounds are superbly exposed and of reservoir scale. Upper Paleozoic algal bioherms form significant reservoirs both domestically and internationally but are difficult to exploit owing to characteristically pronounced facies and diagenetic heterogeneity. Establishing predictive relationships between petrophysical properties and stratigraphy is key to enhancing exploitation success in these systems. This article focuses on a well-exposed, reservoir-scale algal mound complex of the western Orogrande basin (New Mexico) to construct an outcrop-based reservoir model for this and analogous systems. An accurate sequence stratigraphic framework is key for meaningful modeling but is difficult to establish in the subsurface. The studied mound consists of multiple high-frequency sequences with elevated porosity and dolomitization proximal to sequence boundaries, particularly in mound-flank positions. The porosity model indicates that the mound flanks may form a stratified reservoir, whereas the mound core is tight and, therefore, acts as a lateral seal. Early marine cement occluded primary porosity in outcrop mound-core facies. Forward seismic modeling shows that the internal stratigraphic architecture of the mound complex is below conventional seismic resolution. Rock-physics measurements on 20 outcrop samples, however, demonstrate a relationship between dolomite content and the ratio of compressional-wave to shear-wave velocities at in-situ conditions. For a given dolomite percentage, seismic impedance decreases as porosity increases. Accordingly, surface seismic data could potentially be used to estimate gross reservoir properties.
EFFECTIVE RENIN ACTIVITY IN PLASMA OF CHILDREN WITH KWASHIORKOR

Abstract Effective plasma-renin activity has been compared in patients with kwashiorkor and in healthy children. Plasma-renin activity was higher in children with kwashiorkor, and this increased activity may account for some of the physiological changes associated with protein-calorie malnutrition.
Infectious Keratitis: Secreted Bacterial Proteins That Mediate Corneal Damage

Ocular bacterial infections are universally treated with antibiotics, which can eliminate the organism but cannot reverse the damage caused by bacterial products already present. The three very common causes of bacterial keratitis—Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pneumoniae—all produce proteins that directly or indirectly cause damage to the cornea that can result in reduced vision despite antibiotic treatment. Most, but not all, of these proteins are secreted toxins and enzymes that mediate host cell death, degradation of stromal collagen, cleavage of host cell surface molecules, or induction of a damaging inflammatory response. Studies of these bacterial pathogens have determined the proteins of interest that could be targets for future therapeutic options for decreasing corneal damage.
Is the future of statins aligned with new novel lipid modulation therapies

Dyslipidemia is an established risk factor for the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Statin therapy has been proven in a number of clinical trials to lower the risk of acute cardiovascular events and is the mainstay of cholesterol treatment. Despite current optimal treatment for dyslipidemia, many patients fail to reach adequate cholesterol treatment goals and remain at a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular events. Given this residual risk, there is a critical need for additional lipid therapies that could augment the ability of statins to lower the burden of atherogenic lipoproteins and, in some cases, raise levels of high-density lipoproteins. A number of novel lipid-altering therapies have been developed and are currently in clinical trials. In this review, we discuss these promising therapies, which include PCSK9 inhibitors, apolipoprotein B antisense oligonucleotides, microsomal transfer protein inhibitors, thyroid mimetics, and cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitors. Although statin therapy is the current recommended primary treatment for dyslipidemia, emerging novel agents may become adjuvant therapies in the treatment of atherosclerotic heart disease.
Modeling and fabrication of mirrors used in micro-spectrometers for infrared analysis of biofluids

The spectrometers in general are used to detect the chemical composition of a sample by measuring its absorption or emission spectra. The intended application of the device is for doing the qualitative and quantitative analysis of liquids. The design, fabrication and characterization of micro-mirrors used in the Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI) operating in the infrared (IR) region are discussed. The miniaturized spectrometer basically comprises three components: infrared emitter, FPI and a photo-detector. The FPI is critical, as it is the wavelength-selecting component. Mirrors in the FPI should have low loss, high and broadband reflectance in the infrared region to operate the FPI in ER region. Mirrors were modeled and optical properties were observed for varying mirror thickness. The mirrors were microfabricated and tested using FTIR. Experimental results of mirror transmittance closely agree with the modeling results.
Processability testing of injection molding rubber compounds

Abstract A simple model of the injection molding process has been constructed using data from a capillary rheometer (MPT) and the Oscillating Disk Rheometer (ODR). For an NR and an SBR compound, the model had an excellent correlation with injection molding trials. The model successfully predicted the effects of adjusting injection pressure, mold temperature, and barrel temperature on injection times and scorch conditions. Such a model enables an injection molder to predict the effect of adjusting molding conditions, optimize his process for a given mold and compound, and control processability of his compounds batch-to-batch.
Comparative Emissions from Natural Gas and Diesel Buses

Data has been gathered using the West Virginia University Heavy Duty Transportable Emissions Laboratories from buses operating on diesel and a variety of alternate fuels in the field. Emissions data are acquired from buses using the Central Business District cycle reported in SAE Standard J1376; this cycle has 14 ramps with 20 mph (32.2 km/h) peaks, separated by idle periods. During the three years of testing, a significant fraction of emissions data was acquired from buses with Cummins L-10 engines designed to operate on either CNG or diesel. The CNG lean burn engines were spark ignited and throttled. Early CNG engines, which were pre-certification demonstration models, have provided the bulk of the data, but data from 9 buses with more advanced technology were also available. It has been found that carbon monoxide (CO) levels from early Cummins L-10 CNG powered buses varied greatly from bus to bus, with the higher values ascribed to either faulty catalytic converters or a rich idle situation, while the later model CNG L-10 engines offered CO levels considerably lower than those typical of diesel engines. The NO{sub x} emissions were on par with those from diesel L-10 buses. Those natural gas buses with engines adjustedmore » correctly for air-fuel ratio, returned very low emissions data. CNG bus hydrocarbon emissions are not readily compared with diesel engine levels since only the non-methane organic gases (NMOG) are of interest. Data show that NMOG levels are low for the CNG buses. Significant reduction was observed in the particulate matter emitted by the CNG powered buses compared to the diesel buses, in most cases the quantity captured was vanishingly small. Major conclusions are that engine maintenance is crucial if emissions are to remain at design levels and that the later generation CNG engines show marked improvement over the earlier models. One may project for the long term that closed loop stoichiometry control is desirable even in lean burn applications.« less
Albumin modulation of capillary permeability: role of endothelial cell [Ca2+]i.

Albumin is required in vascular perfusates to maintain the normal permeability of microvessel walls. The most common mechanism proposed for action of albumin involves binding to the endothelial cell surface to increase the resistance to water and solute flows through hydraulic pathways across the capillary wall. The results of the present experiments do not conform to this simple adsorption model. Ringer perfusion increased the hydraulic conductivity (Lp) of the wall of single perfused frog mesenteric microvessels by 4.0 +/- 0.5-fold. The increase in Lp was associated with an increase of cytoplasmic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) from 59 +/- 5 nM when albumin was in the perfusate to a transient peak of 181 +/- 13 nM, 1–2 min after Ringer perfusion. [Ca2+]i then fell back to close to 100 nM. Processes that reduced Ca2+ influx into endothelial cells (removal of extracellular Ca2+, membrane depolarization) reduced Ca2+ influx and attenuated the increase in [Ca2+]i. The same processes abolished the increase in Lp after Ringer perfusion and restored Lp to close to control values during Ringer perfusion. Thus Ca2+ entry into endothelial cells is required to initiate and maintain the increased permeability during Ringer perfusion.
Survey of Retraining Programs for Inactive Laboratory Professionals

A survey of accredited educational programs for medical technologists, medical laboratory technicians (associate degree and certificate level), and specialists in blood bank technology was conducted to identify retraining programs for inactive professionals and the services provided by the programs. Results from the one-time mailing identified 57 retraining programs within 30 states. The survey results indicate that educational programs designed to prepare inactive professionals to reenter the work force are being offered.
The Interconversion of Foodstuffs in the Blowfly (Phormia Regina) during Metamorphosis I. Respiratory Metabolism and Nitrogen Excretion

The physiology of pupation is of importance not only from the comparative point of view but also from the standpoint of general physiology. The pupating insect is excellent material for the study of the transformation of foodstuffs, since in this process there is a complete reorganization of body tissues while the only exchange between the organism and its environment is gaseous. There have been a number of studies on the subject, among which may be mentioned the work of Frew (1929), Taylor and Steinbach (1931), and Crescitelli (1935). Reviews of the older work are contained in the papers of Needham (1929, 1931) and Hoskins and Craig (1935). However the literature contains little or nothing on the common blowfly ( Phormia regina ).
Identifying the Correct Biotransformation Model from Polychlorinated Biphenyl and Dioxin Dechlorination Batch Studies.

Abstract We performed Monte Carlo simulations of batch transformations of hydrophobic compounds using typical numbers of data points, extent of reaction, and measurement error, to identify the most appropriate biotransformation model to describe such data under different conditions. Highly hydrophobic compounds such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins present special challenges for parameterization due to low environmental concentrations and slow biotransformation rates, which result in high sample variability, few samples, and limited substrate concentration range. Four models of varying complexity (zero-order, first-order, Monod, and Best) were fit to simulated data. Various combinations of initial concentration (S0), half saturation concentration (KS), maximum substrate utilization rate (qmax), measurement error, number of data points per batch run, and extent of biotransformation were simulated. One thousand Monte-Carlo runs were performed for each parameter combination, and AICc (Akaike's...
Sound studies without auditory culture: a critique of the ontological turn

Abstract‘Sound studies’ and ‘auditory culture’ are terms often used synonymously to designate a broad, heterogeneous, interdisciplinary field of inquiry. Yet a potential disjunction between these terms remains. Some scholars within sound studies, by turning to the ontology of sound and to the material–affective processes that lie ‘beneath representation and signification’, reject auditory cultural studies. In this essay, I consider the ‘ontological turn’ in sound studies in the work of three authors (Steve Goodman, Christoph Cox, and Greg Hainge) and offer a few arguments against it. First, I describe the Deleuzian metaphysical framework shared by all three authors, before addressing their particular arguments. Then, I consider Goodman’s vibrational ontology. While Goodman claims to overcome dualism, I argue that his theory is more rigidly dualist – and poorer at explaining the relation of cognition to affect – than the cultural and representational accounts he rejects. Next, Cox and Hainge’s aesthetic th...
Measles antibody level of healthy population in Longgang district of Shenzhen city in 2011

[Objective]To know the distribution law and immune status of measles antibody of healthy population in Longgang district of Shenzhen City in 2011,provide the scientific evidence for effective control and prevention,as well as measles elimination.[Methods]The serum samples were randomly collected from 407 healthy individuals with 7 age groups,the measles IgG antibody level was detected,and measles antibody level of different groups were analyzed by statistical method.[Results]The total positive rate was 73.2%.There was significant difference in antibody positive rate among different age groups(χ2=99.593,P0.05),and the difference in positive rate between men and women was not significant(χ2=1.637,P0.05).[Conclusion]The antibody levels of some age groups are low.EPI should be strengthened,so as to improve the immunity level in the whole population.
Surgical treatment of aortic aneurysm and aortic thrombosis.

(1956). Surgical Treatment of Aortic Aneurysm and Aortic Thrombosis. Postgraduate Medicine: Vol. 19, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Hospital, pp. 7-15.
Plastic enclosures and containers for evaluating the efficacy and safety of pesticides in aquatic environments

Enclosures made of plastic sheeting or tubing and large plastic bags placed in aquatic environments have been used to evaluate the efficacy and safety of aquatic pest control agents under actual field conditions. These methods provide for biological replications of field plots and direct comparison of treatment rates and application methods, formulations, timing, and so on. Both efficacy and safety can also be compared by "before" and "after" measurements with positive controls and the option of using both the natural community of the ecosystem and simulated populations introduced in cages or directly to the enclosures. Although plastic bags or cylinders have size limitations, the plastic sheeting can be used to form enclosures of almost any dimension. Results of two field tests are presented to demonstrate the utility of on-site bioassays for determining the concentrations of rotenone needed to eliminate grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) in ponds and of an experimental piscicide to achieve selective removal of carp (Cyprinus carpio) from a pond containing populations of game fish.
Kalman-Takens filtering in the presence of dynamical noise

The use of data assimilation for the merging of observed data with dynamical models is becoming standard in modern physics. If a parametric model is known, methods such as Kalman filtering have been developed for this purpose. If no model is known, a hybrid Kalman-Takens method has been recently introduced, in order to exploit the advantages of optimal filtering in a nonparametric setting. This procedure replaces the parametric model with dynamics reconstructed from delay coordinates, while using the Kalman update formulation to assimilate new observations. In this article, we study the efficacy of this method for identifying underlying dynamics in the presence of dynamical noise. Furthermore, by combining the Kalman-Takens method with an adaptive filtering procedure we are able to estimate the statistics of the observational and dynamical noise. This solves a long-standing problem of separating dynamical and observational noise in time series data, which is especially challenging when no dynamical model is specified.
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) or Lymphoblastic Lymphoma (LL) after Frontline Therapy with Hyper-CVAD Regimens.

AYAs aged 16–20 with de novo ALL or LL have superior outcomes when treated with intensive pediatric regimens; event-free survival (EFS) rates range from 60–70% compared to 30–40% after conventional adult chemotherapy [Stock W, Blood 2008, e-pub]. This is in part attributed to higher dose intensity (and cumulative dose) of the anthracycline, vincristine [VCR], corticosteroid and asparaginase components. Of note, the intensive hyper-CVAD regimen (cyclophosphamide, VCR, doxorubicin, dexamethasone alternating with methotrexate/cytarabine) was originally modeled after childhood therapy for Burkitt lymphoma. It has been applied as frontline adult ALL therapy without age restriction since 1992. In contrast to conventional adult or pediatric ALL regimens, asparaginase is not administered during the induction or consolidation phases. Modifications to the regimen have included the addition of rituximab for CD20 positive precursor B-cell ALL and LL owing to adverse influence of CD20 expression, particularly in the younger subgroup [Thomas D, Blood 2008, e-pub]. An adapted augmented Berlin-Frankfurt- Munster (BFM) regimen modeled after the CCG experience was developed specifically as frontline therapy for adolescents and adults up to age 30 in lieu of the hyper-CVAD regimen at our institution; accrual is ongoing. We reviewed the previous hyper-CVAD experience in the AYA subset. One hundred two pts aged 13 to 21 yrs (median 19 yrs) with de novo ALL (n=92) or LL (n=10) were treated with hyper-CVAD (15 with rituximab). Complete remission (CR) rate was 97%; 3-yr EFS and OS rates were 65% and 70%, respectively. Preliminary reports from other investigators suggest that an intensified pediatric approach may be feasible even up to age 60. The GRAALL-2003 study reported 42-mos EFS and OS rates of 55% and 58%, respectively, in 225 de novo ALL pts aged 15– 60 (median 31 yrs) [Huget F, ASCO 2008, abstr 7005]. Median follow-up was 37 mos. A similar cohort of pts treated with the hyper-CVAD regimens included 385 pts with a slightly older median age of 35 yrs. Median follow-up was 62 mos (range, 1–180 mos). EFS and OS rates for the entire cohort were 50% and 55%, respectively. For pts below the age of 35, these rates improved to 55% and 67%. Clearly age remains a prognostic factor even with intensive chemotherapy approaches. Outcomes with the hyper-CVAD regimens appear to more closely resemble those of the pediatric approaches than the conventional regimens. Continued monitoring of ongoing prospective clinical trials using pediatric regimens in adults is paramount to delineating the optimal approach.
Biochemical and cytogenetic studies of Poecilia from eastern México. I. Comparative microelectrophoresis of plasma proteins of seven species

Over 2000 fisch plasmas from six species of Poecilia were collected from 33 populations in eastern Mexico and one from western Mexico. These plasmas were electrophoretically separated in 7.5% polyacrylamide gel which was stained for specific enzymes or total protein. Identiflcations of albumin band mobilities were verified by mixing isoaliquots of test plasmas with plasmas of known standards and by comparing test plasmas with plasmas from F1 hybrid progreny of known parentage. In the latipinna complex P. latipinna is polymorphic in albumin phenotype whereas P. velitera has an albumin mobility that is intermediate between two of those of P. latipinna ; an unidentified petenensis-like species exhibits the slowest migrating albumin whose mobility is identical to that found in ihe distantly related P. latipunctata . In the sphenops complex P. mexicana is polymorphic, containing five electrophoretically different albumins whereas P. sphenop s tentatively appears to be monomorphic P. sphenops is characterized by two albumin bands in its plasma that are electrophoretically identical to those of northero P. mexicana and western P. latipinna .
Use of an Ear Tag Based Behavioral and Temperature Monitor (Cow ManagerR) on Dairy Calves (Preliminary Report)

Measuring the behavior of dairy calves canpossiblylead to better understandings of the welfare, nutrition, and management of the calves. Behavioral monitoring systems based on accelerometer technology and proprietary algorithms for behavior categorization are commercially available for dairy cows. During this work, 12 calves (6 at a time)were fitted with an ear tag based behavior and temperature monitor (Cow Manager, Agis Automatisering, Netherlands) to evaluate behavior and ear temperature changes from birth through 90 days of age. To our knowledge, this is the first study to use this technology in calves. The study is still undergoing with data to be subsequently analyzed and interpreted. This paper shows a representative behavior graph of one calf as well as associated health and movement events during that calf’searly lifetime. The ear tag was very useful in monitoring animal movement and behavior over time, and reflected changes were seen during health, or normal large movement events (weaning, pen moves). Since the tag’s algorithms, behavioral activities, and alerts are based on adult cows and animals, some issues were seen which would need to be modified with new algorithms and behaviors to reflect calf behavior. Calf bottle feeding was categorized as rumination. The accelerometer movements are similar but categorization of the behavior associated with that movement is different in calves (nursing on bottles vs. rumination). Also, calves consistently showed up on the health alerts screens as their limited eating and high inactivity as young calves (normal activity) was seen and categorized as potentially sick animals. New algorithms and health mark benchmarks and parameters must be established based on calf behaviors.
Reply to “Comment on ‘Cluster expansion and the configurational theory of alloys”'

In the Comment, an argument is presented that attempts to point out a conflict between the apparent success of numerous applications of Ising-like models, or cluster expansions with constant effective interactions, with statements made in Sanchez [Phys. Rev. B 81, 224202 (2010)] that bring into question the use of such constant effective interactions to model the energy of formation of alloys. In this response we show that the argument developed by the author of the Comment is fundamentally flawed, circular, and based on misrepresentations and misunderstandings of the results presented in Sanchez.
Obstetric Outcomes in Women with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Abstract Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common chronic liver diseases in the Western world and yet there is little research into its impact on pregnancy. Me...
Improving the power to establish clinical similarity in a Phase 3 efficacy trial by incorporating prior evidence of analytical and pharmacokinetic similarity.

ABSTRACTTo improve patients’ access to safe and effective biological medicines, abbreviated licensure pathways for biosimilar and interchangeable biological products have been established in the US...
Victorian Imag(in)ing of the Pagan Pyre: Frank Dicksee's Funeral of a Viking

Victorians drew on imagery of Druid and Viking funeral pyres as a way of exploring alternative narratives of death and burial, generating a collective attention to what happened to a body after death. I set Frank Dicksee’s oil painting, Funeral of a Viking (1893), against the background of the emergent cremation movement and accounts of the neo-Druid William Price, a proponent for the legalization of cremation in the 1880s, in order to glimpse the work performed by the visualization of the ritualized burning of human beings in the pagan past. Fire produces metamorphosis in the objects it encounters, and Dicksee’s portrayal underscores the notion of a clearly delineated human body transforming into amorphous flame. Moreover, the Viking dissolves into pigment itself, mere aesthetic effect taking the place of a recognizable figure. In fictional accounts such as Paul Du Chaillu’s novel Ivar the Viking (1893), the pyre as a narrative tool similarly forced attention to the body as dematerializing thing and to the language articulating this dissipation. I suggest that the Victorian fascination with pagan fire-death allowed for alternate visions of form–matter relationships that in turn might produce new aesthetic possibilities. As the Christian world insisted on the resurrection of the body in a way that clung fiercely to tangibility and bounded form even in the face of belief in the immortality of the saved soul, the modern moment might be seen, in contrast, as characterized by an embrace of an aesthetic of dissolving form or formlessness.
Disruption of the open conductance in the β-tongue mutants of Cytolysin A

Cytolysin A (ClyA) is a water-soluble alpha pore-forming toxin that assembles to form an oligomeric pore on host cell membranes. The ClyA monomer possesses an α-helical bundle with a β-sheet subdomain (the β-tongue) previously believed to be critical for pore assembly and/or insertion. Oligomerization of ClyA pores transforms the β-tongue into a helix-turn-helix that embeds into the lipid bilayer. Here, we show that mutations of the β-tongue did not prevent oligomerization or transmembrane insertion. Instead, β-tongue substitution mutants yielded pores with decreased conductance while a deletion mutation resulted in pores that rapidly closed following membrane association. Our results suggest that the β-tongue may play an essential structural role in stabilizing the open conformation of the transmembrane domain.
Data-Driven Monitoring System for Preventing the Collapse of Scaffolding Structures

AbstractAs temporary structures, scaffolds have essential roles to hold workers, materials, and equipment throughout construction activities. However, because a safety inspection for scaffolds is p...
Patient-Related Risk Factors for ACL Graft Failure

Anterior cruciate ligament tears are a devastating injury to athletes commonly encountered in pivoting and cutting sports. Reconstruction of the ACL is generally performed to restore stability and return the athlete to a healthy and active lifestyle. Numerous risk factors for primary ACL tear have been identified including sex, activity level, anatomic variables, and neuromuscular control. ACL graft failure has been related to poor surgical technique, trauma, failure of biological incorporation, graft type, infection, and undiagnosed concurrent knee injury. There has been limited investigation, however, into patient-related risk factors for re-tear of grafts following ACL reconstruction. An understanding of these risk factors would enable clinicians to better counsel patients on their expected outcomes. This chapter reviews activity level, sex, age, biomechanical factors, and neuromuscular control as risk factors for graft failure after primary ACL reconstruction. Activity level and age have been shown to be significant risk factors for re-tear of ACL grafts. Athletes returning to high-level pivoting and cutting sports should be counseled on the increased risk of graft failure.
Prognostics of Power Mosfets Under Thermal Stress Accelerated Aging Using Data-Driven and Model-Based Methodologies

An approach for predicting remaining useful life of power MOSFETs (metal oxide field effect transistor) devices has been developed. Power MOSFETs are semiconductor switching devices that are instrumental in electronics equipment such as those used in operation and control of modern aircraft and spacecraft. The MOSFETs examined here were aged under thermal overstress in a controlled experiment and continuous performance degradation data were collected from the accelerated aging experiment. Dieattach degradation was determined to be the primary failure mode. The collected run-to-failure data were analyzed and it was revealed that ON-state resistance increased as die-attach degraded under high thermal stresses. Results from finite element simulation analysis support the observations from the experimental data. Data-driven and model based prognostics algorithms were investigated where ON-state resistance was used as the primary precursor of failure feature. A Gaussian process regression algorithm was explored as an example for a data-driven technique and an extended Kalman filter and a particle filter were used as examples for model-based techniques. Both methods were able to provide valid results. Prognostic performance metrics were employed to evaluate and compare the algorithms.
Experiments using multimodal virtual environments in design for assembly analysis

The goal of this work is to investigate whether estimates of ease of part handling and part insertion can be provided by multimodal simulation using virtual environment VE technology. The long-term goal is to use this data to extend computer-aided design CAD systems in order to evaluate and compare alternate designs using design for assembly analysis. A unified, physically-based model has been developed for modeling dynamic interactions and has been built into a multimodal VE system called the Virtual Environment for Design for Assembly VEDA. The designer sees a visual representation of objects, hears collision sounds when objects hit each other, and can feel and manipulate the objects through haptic interface devices with force feedback. Currently these models are 2D in order to preserve interactive update rates. Experiments were conducted with human subjects using a two-dimensional peg-in-hole apparatus and a VEDA simulation of the same apparatus. The simulation duplicated as well as possible the weight, shape, size, peg-hole clearance, and fictional characteristics of the physical apparatus. The experiments showed that the multimodal VE is able to replicate experimental results in which increased task completion times correlated with increasing task difficulty measured as increased friction, increased handling distance, and decreased peg-hole clearance. However, the multimodal VE task completion times are approximately twice those of the physical apparatus completion process. A number of possible factors have been identified, but the effect of these factors has not been quantified.
Ammonia-Induced Encephalopathy

Ammonia is one of the principal end products of the digestion of nitrogenous compounds. It is generally recognized to be a normal constituent of the blood and, when present in excessive concentrations, to produce encephalopathy. This has not always been the case. Ammonia is present in very low concentrations in blood and is formed rapidly when blood is allowed to stand for more than a few minutes without being treated to prevent enzymatic production of ammonia. Early investigators thus concluded that normal blood did not contain ammonia. Improved methods for the measurement of ammonia led to the acceptance of ammonia as a normal chemical constituent of blood. The concept that ammonia is toxic to the nervous system is also one that evolved slowly. Early observations by European and Scandinavian investigators revealed a clear association between the ingestion of compounds containing ammonia and the evolution of a syndrome that was identical to hepatic encephalopathy (Van Coulaert et al., 1933; Fuld, 1933; Kirk, 1936). This information was not generally appreciated in the United States until 1952. At that time, Gabuzda and his colleagues (1952) reported their attempts to reduce ascites by treating patients with resins that exchanged sodium in the blood for ammonium ion bound to the resin. Although this produced a prompt and effective diuresis that reduced the volume of the ascitic fluid, the patients quickly became encephalopathic.
Malignant Acanthosis Nigricans, Sign of Leser–Trélat, and Tripe Palms

G.Y. Wu et al. (eds.), Atlas of Dermatological Manifestations of Gastrointestinal Disease, DOI 10.1007/978-1-4614-6191-3_32, © Springer Science+Business Media New York 2013 Clinical signs and features include: Malignant acanthosis nigricans, sign of Leser–Trelat, and • tripe palms are often found together Malignant acanthosis nigricans is rare: in total, world• wide, only 1,000 reported cases [ 1 ] Involves symmetric hyperpigmented plaques with – variable amounts of epidermal hypertrophy, creating a velvety texture; ranges in color from yellow to gray/ black; often has overlying scaling/papillomas (if extensive then cutaneous papillomatosis) Progressive—generally advances with cancer, begins – with increased pigmentation and advances to hypertrophy with accentuation of the skin lines; maybe associated with pruritus Most commonly found on fl exural areas, posterior neck, – or mucosally (particularly the mouth) ( see Fig. 32.1 ) Tripe palms: <100 cases reported, men affected more • commonly than women [ 1 ] Condition involves hypertrophy of the palms and soles – with papillations creating a velvety, rugose appearance often with a yellow hue and exaggeration of the skin lines (they can become distorted with extensive epidermal hyperkeratosis), associated with clubbing and pruritus Leser-Trelat: rare, <100 cases reported worldwide [ • 1 ] Numerous eruptive seborrheic keratoses on trunk and – extremities, possible in Christmas tree like pattern, often with pruritus Controversial whether this is a valid sign as both – malignancies and seborrheic keratoses are common in the elderly (see Fig. 32.1 ) In general about 60% of the time these conditions precede • diagnosis of cancer, 10% are with diagnosis, and 30% follow diagnosis [ 1 ] Associated with gastric, intestinal, pulmonary, uterine, • liver, ovarian, renal, and lymphoproliferative neoplasms; malignancies are often aggressive with poor prognosis The differential diagnosis should include: Benign acanthosis nigricans • Nonmalignant causes of seborrheic keratosis: HIV, trans• plants, erythroderma, acromegaly, age Keratoderma • Pathogenesis of this disease is unclear but hypotheses include: May be related to release of growth factors (e.g., growth • factors tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNFa ] and epidermal growth factor [EGF]) from the neoplasm that act on receptors, particularly EGF receptor [ 1 ] Histopathological features include: Malignant acanthosis nigricans: hyperkeratosis and • papillomatosis with minimal or slight and irregular acanthosis; often alternating acanthosis with atrophy; none or occasionally only slightly increased basal layer hyper pigmentation (see Fig. 32.2 ) Tripe palms: hyperkeratosis, acanthosis, and papillomato• sis; increased dermal mucin with an increased number of mast cells can be seen Leser–Trelat, seborrheic keratosis: varying hyperkerato• sis, papillomatosis, acanthosis often with horn pseudocysts (see Fig. 32.3 ) Malignant Acanthosis Nigricans, Sign of Leser–Trelat, and Tripe Palms
The Theory of Return to Beginnings

The theory of return to beginnings is a theory of historical repetition. By historical repetition I do not refer to the belief that historical events repeat themselves, but rather to the claim that the possibilities of historical becoming are determined by logics of repetition. As I discuss below, the content of the events that are classed as “return to beginnings” is the renewal or reordering of political forms, in the widest sense of the term (it remains to be seen how varied this content is, i.e., how radical these changes are). With the theory of return to beginnings Machiavelli introduces into political and, more generally, philosophical thought the idea that “return” or “repetition” is the proper modality for “beginning” or “innovation.” Furthermore, since political freedom is inseparable from the event of changing political form, and this event appears to have the character of a historical repetition, the theory of return to beginnings establishes the historicity of political freedom and thereby seals the mutual interdependence between freedom and history.
Effects of regular exercise on ventricular myocyte biomechanics and KATP channel function

Our results demonstrate that regular exercise significantly increased ventricular myocyte shortening and relaxation velocity and the rate of rise in intracellular Ca2+ transient and enhanced the re...
The evolution of bat robots

The extraordinary skills of bats in supporting dexterous mobility in complex environments based on just two pulsed trains of one-dimensional biosonar echoes has attracted attention from engineers for several decades already. To explore whether it is possible to reproduce at least certain of these capabilities, a diverse set of “bat robot” prototypes have been built. The earliest, most basic of these systems were limited to estimating the distance of sonar targets based on the acoustic time-of-flight. From there, systems improved to take advantage of more echo waveform features, e.g., for target recognition. Two (or more) receivers were introduced to exploit binaural differences, e.g., for target tracking. Rigid ear rotations served to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio be focusing on a target or to determine target direction from the echo amplitudes received across a scan. Biomimetic emission and reception baffle shapes, i.e., “noseleaves” and “pinna,” were added to narrow the sonar beams and create direction-depended spectral signatures. Deformations of flexible baffle structures that mimic the muscular actuation of the noseleaf and pinna shapes seen in bats have been added to these systems. Mobility of the entire systems has been provided by mounting them on pan-tilt units, robot arms, mobile robots, and drones.
Dietary Genistein Inhibits Methylglyoxal-Induced Advanced Glycation End Product Formation in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet.

Background Methylglyoxal (MGO), an important precursor of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), circulates at high concentrations in diabetic patients' blood and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetes and other chronic diseases. Objectives The aim of this study was to determine whether dietary genistein can prevent indicators of metabolic syndrome (MetS) induced by a very-high-fat (VHF) diet or a high-fat (HF) diet plus exogenous MGO, and the accumulation of MGO and AGEs in mice. Methods Male, 6-wk-old C57BL/6J mice (n = 15) were fed a low-fat (LF) diet (10% fat energy) or a VHF diet (60% fat energy) alone or including 0.25% genistein (VHF-G) for 16 wk in study 1. In study 2, 75 similar mice were fed the LF diet (LF) or the HF diet alone (HF) or in combination with up to 0.2% MGO in water (HFM) and 0.067% (HFM-GL) or 0.2% (HFM-GH) dietary genistein for 18 wk. Anthropometric and metabolic data were obtained in both studies to determine the effects of MGO and genistein on variables indicative of MetS. Results Body weight gain, fat deposits, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, and fatty liver were ameliorated by dietary genistein in both studies. The plasma MGO concentration in VHF-G mice was 52% lower than that in VHF mice. Moreover, the AGE concentrations in plasma, liver, and kidney of VHF-G mice were 73%, 52%, and 49%, respectively, lower than in the VHF group (study 1). Similarly, the concentrations of plasma MGO and AGE in plasma, liver, and kidney of HFM-GH mice were 33.5%, 49%, 69%, and 54% lower than in HFM mice (study 2). Genistein inhibited AGE formation by trapping MGO to form adducts and upregulating the expressions of glyoxalase I and II and aldose reductase in liver and kidney to detoxify MGO in both studies. Conclusions Our data demonstrate for the first time that genistein significantly lowers MGO and AGE concentrations in 2 mouse MetS models via multiple pathways.
Enabling Large-Scale Condensed-Phase Hybrid Density Functional Theory Based Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics. 1. Theory, Algorithm, and Performance.

By including a fraction of exact exchange (EXX), hybrid functionals reduce the self-interaction error in semilocal density functional theory (DFT) and thereby furnish a more accurate and reliable d...
Cultural interchange in adventure education: exploring the interaction of participants and institutional cultures

This study explores the interaction of participants and institutional cultures in adventure education (AE) through the qualitative method of educational criticism and connoisseurship. Three AE prog...
Financing patterns in transition economies: Privatized former SOEs versus ab initio private firms

Abstract We employ 37,987 firms in 30 transition economies to investigate the relation between the origins of private firms and their financing patterns. We find that relative to ab initio (from the beginning) private firms, privatized former state-owned enterprises (SOEs) finance a higher proportion of their fixed assets from bank finance (especially from state-owned banks) and supplier credit. We argue that privatized former SOEs continue to benefit from the political and financial connections established during their SOE era. We document that country governance, financial development and legal origins play an important role in the financing patterns of privatized versus private firms.
Long-term symptom control following resection of cervical lymphatic malformations: a case series.

Previous literature has reported on the incidence of short-term complications following resection of cervical lymphatic malformations (LMs) in children, however no research has yet investigated the long-term symptomatic course in these patients. This study aims to provide families and providers with an understanding of expectations for long-term symptom control, specifically in association with subsequent upper respiratory infections (URIs). A retrospective chart review produced a case series of patients who underwent resection of cervical LM at a pediatric tertiary care center between 2007 and 2016. Demographic data, disease characteristics, operative details, and postoperative care were evaluated. Telephone surveys were conducted to ascertain the course of postoperative symptoms at the surgical site. Forty-three patients responded to the telephone survey. Thirty-seven (86.0%) had at least one postoperative surgical site symptom during subsequent URIs, with 28 (65.1%) reporting redness, 34 (79.1%) reporting swelling, and 18 (41.9%) reporting pain. Patients who experienced any of these symptoms universally indicated that they developed soon after the surgical resection, and over half reported that they improved over time. Postoperative seroma was associated with swelling during subsequent URIs (p = 0.04). Patients age 7 or were greater were more likely than those under 7 to report pain with URIs (p = 0.006). All 8 patients with drain placement for at least 2 days reported swelling during subsequent URIs. The incidence of the queried symptoms did not vary significantly based on sex, stage, histology, surgical subsite, or presence of residual disease. While preoperative symptoms associated with cervical LMs are also frequently encountered postoperatively, particularly in some patient subgroups, improvement over time should be expected. 4
Red-shifted backbone N–H photocaging agents

Light is a uniquely powerful tool for spatiotemporal control of molecular structure, necessitating the development of new photocaging approaches. This communication describes the design, synthesis, and reactivity of two new photoreactive boronic acid reagents for backbone N–H modification and subsequent photocleavage.
Optogenetic activation of CA1 pyramidal neurons in vivo induces hypersynchronous and low voltage fast seizures

ABSTRACT Increasing evidence supports the idea that the CA1 of the hippocampus plays an important role in the pathogenesis of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). There is however a lack of proof that the over-excitation of CA1 alone is sufficient in inducing seizures in vivo. Furthermore, the relevance of the seizures induced from the over-excitation of CA1 to the pathophysiology of TLE is undetermined. Here, we employed optogenetics to activate pyramidal neurons (PNs) in CA1, which reliably induced generalized seizures in freely moving non-epileptic mice. We showed that repeated photostimulations had a kindling effect. In addition, seizures induced by over-active CA1 PNs were dominated by two distinctive onset patterns, i.e. hypersynchronous (HYP) and low voltage fast (LVF) activities, which are widely recorded in patients with and animal models of TLE. In our study, HYP seizures were predominantly associated with the first photostimulation and were entirely replaced by the LVF type afterwards. This phenomenon suggests that the activation of CA1 PNs, when occurring after the first seizure, could lead to the recruitment of GABAergic interneurons to participate in the seizure generation. These findings suggest that seizures induced from the over-excitation of CA1 PNs likely involved the same hippocampal networks and cellular mechanisms underlying TLE.
Assessing the Effect of a Pre-Birth Child Passenger Safety Educational Intervention on Appropriate Child Restraint Use

Background Motor vehicle crashes (MVC) are the leading cause of death for US children. Twenty one percent of children under 4 years killed in MVCs were unrestrained. Appropriate use of child restraints in infants and toddlers, booster seats and safety belts in older children prevents most MVC-related deaths. When used correctly child restraints significantly reduce the risk of serious injury or death. An estimated 328 children under 5 years were saved by child restraints …