cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Test Analysis of RB for 300 MW Indirect Coal W Flame Boiler

This paper introduces the indirect coal W Flame boiler Runback( Referred to as RB) function test of Quang Ninh Thermal Power Plant of Vietnam Phase Ⅱ 2 × 300 MW Unit. Based on the operation characteristics of the indirect coal W Flame boiler,corresponding control strategy is used to lay a good foundation for a long-term,stable,safe operation. The problems appeared in the expeumental process are analyzed,optimizeing and improving the control loop parameters and logic,thus providing reference for the same type unit of RB test.
Study on the extraction and application of rose rugosa pigment

As the research object with rose rugosa pigment,use the single factor experiment to the best extraction conditions rose pigment probes.The results indicated that the optimum extracting conditions were as followed: 0.1 mol/L hydrochloric acid-95% ethanol solution at 60 ℃ for 60 min with the solid-liquid ratio 1∶25.The pigment had the strongest absorption peak at 520 nm.Results also showed that rose pigment kept its stability under the acid conditions of metal ions,H2O2,Vc and food additives,but it was unstable in the effects of Fe2+and Fe3+,and it wasn't suitable for high temperature.
The Use of Statistical Risk Assessment by the FCC in Spectrum Regulation

This paper explores the FCC’s approach to spectrum regulation by examining its quantification of harmful interference, analysis of service rules in its rule-making process, and the content of its final service rules. The paper was developed to support the Interference Studies project of the FCC TAC 2013 Spectrum and Receivers working group. The FCC has traditionally used worst-case analysis to determine whether new service rules will cause interference, and the FCC’s final service rules have traditionally been single-value. However, a worst case-analysis and single-valued rules arguably creates unnecessarily conservative rules that may not result in the maximum benefit to society. Thus, a number of analysts and regulators have argued for statistical approaches to spectrum policy. This paper continues as follows: Section I identifies the FCC’s regulation of interference in the following three contexts: 1. The discussion and definition of harmful interference. 2. The technical analysis of service rules done during the rule-making process. 3. The content of final service rules. In order to better understand the status quo in the FCC’s spectrum policy, Section I examines the three contexts based on the following five distinctions. The first option in each distinction is the FCC’s traditional approach: 1. The definition of harmful interference can be qualitative or quantitative. 2. Analyses of service rules can be worst-case or multi-case. 3. Analyses of service rules can be qualitative or quantitative. 4. Final service rules can be single-value or statistical. 5. Final service rules can be quantitative or qualitative. Section II explains our four findings. In summary, the FCC’s: 1. Technical analysis and final rules fail to quantify harmful interference. 2. Customary analysis of service rules is worst-case. 3. Resulting service rules are almost always single-value. 4. Analysis of service rules is generally qualitative and resulting service rules are usually quantitative. Section III presents the Northpoint case to illustrate the application of the above criteria and findings. “Northpoint” was a controversy about the FCC’s approval of Multichannel Video Distribution and Data Service (MVDDS) — a terrestrial wireless broadband technology. Northpoint, a developer of MVDDS, tried to obtain approval to operate terrestrial transmitters in the face of objections from the incumbent operators of direct broadcast satellite receivers. In Northpoint, the FCC never quantified harmful interference in its technical analysis nor final rules, and it started with a multi-case analysis of service rules that ended in single-value service rules.
Urological aspects of sacrococcygeal teratoma in children

Sacrococcygeal teratoma is the most common extragonadal germ cell tumor of infancy. Associated urological complications, most of which are reported in children with malignancy, include vesicoureteral reflux, ureteral and urethral obstruction, and neurogenic bladder. To evaluate the influence of tumor grade and type on adverse urological outcome we reviewed the charts of 29 children with sacrococcygeal teratoma and correlated urological problems to lesion type and grade. No correlation was noted between tumor grade and the incidence of urological complications. The most common urological complications were neurogenic bladder in 12% of the patients, ureteral obstruction in 10% and vesicoureteral reflux in 7%. The highest incidence of urological complications (81%) was seen in patients with type IV (presacral) disease. We recommend early radiographic and neurourodynamic evaluation in all children with sacrococcygeal teratoma.
Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection Is Superior to Endoscopic Mucosal Resection for Histologic Evaluation of Barrett's Esophagus and Barrett's-Related Neoplasia.

Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection Is Superior to Endoscopic Mucosal Resection for Histologic Evaluation of Barrett’s Esophagus and Barrett’s-Related Neoplasia
Assessing quality of life in Alzheimer's disease: Implications for clinical trials

Abstract Introduction Characterization of the quality of life (QOL) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) scale within the context of a clinical trial may inform its applicability in future trials. Methods Using data from 1322 patients enrolled in two phase-III studies (EXPEDITION 1 [ NCT00905372 ] and 2 [ NCT00904683 ]) of intravenous solanezumab in outpatients with mild AD dementia, correlations between patient- and caregiver-assessed QOL and between QOL and clinical outcome measures were examined. Longitudinal effects of solanezumab over 80 weeks were explored, controlling for patient and caregiver baseline characteristics. Results Caregivers rated patients' QOL worse than did patients themselves. Patients' QOL was correlated, albeit modestly, with clinical/health measures. Patients' QOL changed minimally over 80 weeks, although a treatment effect of solanezumab on QOL was detected. Discussion Further investigations are needed to determine the optimal measures with which to quantify and qualify QOL of patients with mild AD.
TCP Performance Optimization for Epoch-based Execution

General-purpose virtual machine fault tolerance (VMFT) implementations are based on an epoch-based execution model, in which outputs of a VM being protected are buffered and released to the external world at specific time points. Because this execution model increases the size and variation of the per-packet round-trip delay and disrupts the use of the delayed ACK mechanism, the TCP performance of a VM running under this execution model tends to suffer a noticeable drop. This paper describes the design, implementation and evaluation of a set of TCP performance optimizations that are meant to address the TCP performance problems caused by the epoch-based execution model. Measurements on a complete VMFT prototype implementation called Cuju demonstrate that the proposed optimizations are able to eliminate most of these TCP performance losses when MTU is 1500 bytes.
Twitter and Public Health (Part 1): How Individual Public Health Professionals Use Twitter for Professional Development.

Background: The use of social networking sites is increasingly being adopted in public health, in part, because of the barriers to funding and reduced resources. Public health professionals are using social media platforms, specifically Twitter, as a way to facilitate professional development. Objective: The objective of this study was to identify public health professionals using Twitter and to analyze how they use this platform to enhance their formal and informal professional development within the context of public health. Methods: Keyword searches were conducted to identify and invite potential participants to complete a survey related to their use of Twitter for public health and professional experiences. Data regarding demographic attributes, Twitter usage, and qualitative information were obtained through an anonymous Web-based survey. Open-response survey questions were analyzed using the constant comparison method. Results: “Using Twitter makes it easier to expand my networking opportunities” and “I find Twitter useful for professional development” scored highest, with a mean score of 4.57 (standard deviation [SD] 0.74) and 4.43 (SD 0.76) on a 5-point Likert scale. Analysis of the qualitative data shows the emergence of the following themes for why public health professionals mostly use Twitter: (1) geography, (2) continuing education, (3) professional gain, and (4) communication. Conclusions: For public health professionals in this study, Twitter is a platform best used for their networking and professional development. Furthermore, the use of Twitter allows public health professionals to overcome a series of barriers and enhances opportunities for growth.
A Double-ended Converter System with Two Different DC-buses Using Open Winding Permanent Magnet Machine for Traction Applications

In hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), there are usually several different DC-buses of different voltage levels to handle different loads. DC–DC converters are used to transfer energy between differen...
Fluoroethylene Carbonate as a Directing Agent in Amorphous Silicon Anodes: Electrolyte Interface Structure Probed by Sum Frequency Vibrational Spectroscopy and Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics

Fluorinated compounds are added to carbonate-based electrolyte solutions in an effort to create a stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). The SEI mitigates detrimental electrolyte redox reactions taking place on the anode’s surface upon applying a potential in order to charge (discharge) the lithium (Li) ion battery. The need for a stable SEI is dire when the anode material is silicon as silicon cracks due to its expansion and contraction upon lithiation and delithiation (charge–discharge) cycles, consequently limiting the cyclability of a silicon-based battery. Here we show the molecular structures for ethylene carbonate (EC): fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) solutions on silicon surfaces by sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy, which yields vibrational spectra of molecules at interfaces and by ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations at open circuit potential. Our AIMD simulations and SFG spectra indicate that both EC and FEC adsorb to the amorphous silicon (a-Si) through thei...
A future for nephrology

It is interesting that some of my predictions came true and some did not, but I think the jury is still out on many of them. I start to remind everyone on the glorious past of Nephrology, from the physiology, translational and methodological discoveries that have contributed to the development of our discipline. I predict that the Academic branch of Nephrology will continue to excel in three domains: Creative Research,Teaching (Training) and Innovative Clinical Care. I forsee dramatic changes in Nephrology practice in the short term (10 years) and I discuss which areas will have a most dramatic impact. Many developments will likely curtail the growth of CKD and decrease the burden of ESRD on society. The greatest challenge will be to ensure that what can be done to alleviate suffering and premature death from kidney disease will be done, in a cost-effective manner, and that all patients with kidney disease have reasonable and timely access to care for their illnesses. Nephrologists practicing in the second quarter of the 21st Century and beyond will be justifiably proud of their discipline, just as their predecessors have.
Designing social choice mechanisms using machine learning

Social choice studies ordinal preference and information aggregation with applications in high-stakes political elections as well as low-stakes movie rating websites. Recently, computational aspects of classical social choice mechanisms have been extensively investigated, yet not much has been done in designing new mechanisms with the help of computational techniques.In this paper, we outline a workflow to formalize a principled approach towards designing novel social choice mechanisms using machine learning. In the workflow, we clearly separate the following two goals of social choice (1) reaching a compromise among agents' subjective preferences, and (2) revealing the ground truth. For each of the two goals, we discuss criteria for evaluation, main challenges, possible solutions, and future directions.
Carbocationic synthesis and characterization of polyolefins with Si-H and Si-Cl head groups

The objective of this research was to review and examine the preparation of macroreagents consisting of polyolefins carrying Si-Cl or Si-H termini. These polymers were thought to combine the desirable physical-mechanical properties offered by these polyhydrocarbons with the chemical versatility of Si-Cl and Si-H bonds. A general synthetic method has been developed for the preparation of polyolefin macroreagents with silane head groups. The key to the synthesis was the finding that initiators containing Si-Cl or Si-H groups and a cationogenic moiety are able to induce transferless cationic polymerizations under conditions such that the silicon-functional groups survive. Extensive model experiments provided guidance for subsequent polymerizations. Experimental conditions have been worked out under which none of the electrophilic species (i.e., initiating and propagating carbenium ion) that arise during polymerization would destroy the Si-H function. Isobutylene and α-methylstyrene polymerizations were carried out under transferless conditions and the effect of solvent polarity, temperature, and monomer and initiator concentrations on polymerization details and product characteristics have been determined. Quantitative H1 NMR and IR studies demonstrate the survival of the Si-H function during polymerization and the syntheses of polysiobutylene and poly(α-methylstyrene) carrying 1 Si-H terminus per chain. These macroreagents may be of great interest for the addition of polyolefin sequences to small molecules for purposes of modification or to polymers for the preparation of block and graft copolymers.
Optimization of Anterior Incision Placement for Distal Biceps Repair.

Introduction Damage to the posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) is a known complication when using a cortical button during distal biceps tendon repair. Prior studies show that the trajectory of the drill through the biceps tuberosity can affect the distance from the PIN. We develop a mathematical model to predict the location of the tuberosity based on a palpable bony landmark and patient demographic factors. Methods The medical charts and elbow radiographs of (n = 82) adult patients were retrospectively reviewed. Using standard radiographic software, two observers measured the distance from the olecranon tip to the center of the biceps tuberosity. Multivariate regression analysis was used to build a linear model. The model was cross-validated with five arms from three distinct cadavers. A surgical wire was guided into the volar aspect of each forearm using the model, and a dissection was then performed to assess the proximity of the surgical wire to the insertion of the biceps tendon on the radial tuberosity. Results Olecranon-tuberosity distance (OTD) ranged from 52.3 mm to 77.2 mm (mean 66.5 mm). Univariate analyses revealed males had significantly longer OTD (mean 69.3 mm) compared to females (mean 61.2 mm, t-test, p < 0.001). Increased body mass index (BMI) weakly correlated with increased distance (Pearson's r = 0.22, p = 0.048). Height showed strong positive correlation with increased distance (r = 0.77, p < 0.001). Multivariate regression revealed that significant predictive factors for olecranon-tuberosity distance were height (coefficient = 35.8, p < 0.001), BMI (coefficient = 0.14, p = 0.032), and male sex (coefficient = 3.17, p = 0.0039). The average error in the cadaveric validation, measured as distance from the surgical wire to the distal biceps insertion was 1.8 mm. Conclusion A highly accurate mathematical model can be used to predict the location of the biceps tuberosity in relation to the palpable tip of the olecranon, based only on height, BMI, and sex of the patient. Knowledge of this distance can guide accurate placement of the skin incision when a transverse single-incision approach is utilized for repair of the distal biceps tendon using a cortical button. Diagnostics showed the model to be less accurate near the extremes of the measurement. Since patients with a target incision point far removed from average would most benefit from such a model, we will continue by identifying and enrolling patients at the low and high ends of the range. We further hypothesize that the technique described above could be similarly applied to benefit other procedures.
Consumer Engagement and Empowerment Through Visualization of Consumer-Generated Health Data

Health-related information visualizations, such as infographics, may be used to engage and empower the viewer. These can be tailored to an individual with the inclusion of their personal health data. However, information visualizations must be designed with care to insure that they convey the intended message in a culturally relevant and easily comprehensible way. To that end, we propose a method that relies upon the participation of members of the intended viewing audience. In this chapter, we describe the five steps that comprise our method for developing tailored infographics of personal health data: (1) defining the intended audience and purpose, (2) understanding the data, (3) iterative design, (4) automation, and (5) evaluation. We developed and refined this method over the course of two projects that serve as the context for case studies that illustrate these steps. We conclude this chapter with a look at emerging trends and future opportunities such as the use of consumer health informatics to support self-management and integration with health care.
Elder Abuse Identification and Intervention

Elder abuse is a significant societal and public health concern that has been associated with a loss of financial independence, reduced overall well-being, and higher rates of mortality. Dementia and cognitive impairment are the most salient risk factors for elder abuse. Clinical neuropsychologists may be the first clinical providers that are able to determine whether an older adult is being abused or at risk of being abused and thus have a unique opportunity to intervene and address this devastating problem. To this end, this chapter will describe the various forms that elder abuse may take, provide recommendations for elder abuse screening specifically within the context of the neuropsychological evaluation, and provide guidelines for reporting of elder abuse that will maximize the chances of having a positive outcome for the patient.
Anomaly Detection and Segmentation for Wafer Defect Patterns Using Deep Convolutional Encoder–Decoder Neural Network Architectures in Semiconductor Manufacturing

Abnormal defect pattern detection plays a key role in preventing yield loss excursion events for the semiconductor manufacturing. We present a method for detecting and segmenting abnormal wafer map defect patterns using deep convolutional encoder–decoder neural network architectures. Using a defect pattern generation model, we create synthetic wafer maps for 8 basis defect patterns, which are used as training, validation, and test datasets. One of the key capabilities for any anomaly detection system is to detect unseen patterns. We demonstrate that by using only synthetic wafer maps with the basis patterns for network training, the models can detect unseen defect patterns from real wafer maps.
Counterfactual thinking and age differences in judgments of regret and blame.

Abstract In the current study, we examined whether two different counterfactual thinking biases (i.e., action bias and temporal order bias) influence children’s and adults’ judgments of regret and blame and whether the perspective that participants take (i.e., self vs. other) affects blame attributions. Little evidence was found for either bias in young children’s judgments, and at older ages the temporal order bias had a stronger influence on judgments compared with the action bias. In addition, the results provide new evidence suggesting that there are developmental changes in the effects of self versus other perspectives on children’s social judgments. The findings are discussed in the context of developmental change in counterfactual thinking.
Sexual Orientation: Law & Policy: Democracy and Dissent: Challenging the Solomon Amendment as a Cultural Threat to Academic Freedom and Civil Rights

Some day people will look back on the period we are living in and see that the meaning of American liberty was tested. The more the government tries to justify a range of policies as anti-terrorist, including the threat to cut off funds to universities that merely question the interpretation of Solomon, the greater the battle over the meaning of democracy, equality, and citizenship. The posture of government officials responding to dissent with powerful threats is an unfortunate re-minder of another time when the culture of fear of communism was used to engage in widespread government abuse and scapegoating that were damaging to the constitutional freedoms of liberty and free expression. That is presumably the heart of the dispute in a lawsuit filed last summer by a few professors, several law schools, and SALT, charging that the DOD has denied their rights of academic freedom through threats of losing federal research funds for their opposition to the DADT policy. Around this time, gay and lesbian students on several law school campuses, with the assistance and support of SALT, began to organize in defense of their right to equal citizenship and to be protected by a university policy of nondiscrimination.
Detecting Key Poets and Communities by Constructing and Analyzing Tang Poet Social Networks

Existing scholarship on Tang Poetry often focuses on linguistics or its cultural and social impact of selected poets. In this paper, a framework was developed for constructing and analyzing Tang poet social networks. Specifically, we first built Tang poet social networks by inferring poet relationships embedded in Tang poems and then identified key poets and detected major sub-communities via social network analysis and visualization. The findings of this work, key poets and communities identified, will benefit humanities scholars and the framework developed can, with minor modifications, be reused by other scholars with similar research interests.
Retrograde neurotensin release from dopamine neurons drives long-term depression of substantia nigra dopamine signaling

Abstract Midbrain dopamine neurons play physiological roles in reward learning and motivated behavior. Inhibitory signaling at somatodendritic dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) synapses modulates excitability of dopamine neurons. The neuropeptide neurotensin is expressed by many inputs to the midbrain and induces long-term depression of D2R synaptic currents (LTDDA), however the source of neurotensin that drives LTDDA is not known. Here we show that LTDDA is driven by neurotensin released by dopamine neurons. Optogenetic stimulation of dopamine neurons was sufficient to induce LTDDA in the substantia nigra, but not the ventral tegmental area, and was dependent on neurotensin receptors, postsynaptic calcium, and vacuolar-type H+-ATPase activity in the postsynaptic cell. These findings reveal a novel form of signaling between dopamine neurons involving release of the peptide neurotensin, which may act as a feed forward mechanism to increase dopamine neuron excitability.
Large eddy simulation of hydrogen piloted CH4/air premixed combustion with CO2 dilution

Abstract Large eddy simulation (LES) of constant adiabatic temperature, hydrogen-piloted, turbulent lean premixed methane/air jet flames with varying amounts of CO2 addition are reported. Constant adiabatic temperature is achieved by increasing the fuel flow rate slightly to account for the higher specific heat of CO2 compared to N2. Such flames are relevant to low NOx gas turbines with high hydrogen content fuels and Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR). A newly designed burner called Piloted Axisymmetric Reactor Assisted Turbulent (PARAT) flame burner was utilized. The operating conditions in the experiment were selected to highlight the kinetic effects of CO2 addition by matching the Reynolds numbers, Lewis numbers and adiabatic flame temperatures. The LES simulations utilize a finite rate chemistry solver with DRM19 combustion mechanism with adaptive zoning and a dynamic structure turbulence model. A five-level adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) improves the velocity and temperature gradient resolution. The LES predicts the experimentally observed increase in flame length with CO2 levels caused by a decrease in the turbulent flame speed. The computational results also capture the experimentally observed departure from the thin flame limit and a collapse of the root mean square (RMS) versus mean temperature profiles for the three levels of CO2. The flame structure analysis showed super-equilibrium CO concentrations because of non-equilibrium chemistry effects caused by the external addition of CO2.
Light in the dark/Luz En Lo Oscuro: rewriting identity, spirituality, Reality

AnaLouise Keating published Gloria E. Anzaldua's Light in the Dark/Luz En Lo Oscuro: Rewriting Identity, Spirituality, Reality 11 years after Anzaldua's death due to complications related to diabet...
Birth-related subdural hemorrhage: prevalence and imaging morphology.

Birth trauma accounts for 1–2% of the mortality in newborns with significant intracranial injuries presenting in the immediate postnatal period. However, a significant number of asymptomatic neonates harbor birth-related intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), with birth-related subdural hemorrhage (SDH) being a common occurrence on infant brain CT and MRI studies performed as a standard of care for a variety of reasons. Although clinically insignificant, birth-related SDH is frequently brought up in courts as an alternative explanation for SDH in suspected abusive head trauma. The aim of this study was to determine prevalence, imaging morphology and distribution of birth-related SDHs on brain CT and MRI studies obtained as a standard of care in infants up to 1 month old. We further tried to ascertain the relationship of birth-related SDHs with mode of delivery and birth weight. Infants up to the age of 1 month who had CT or MRI of the brain performed between Jan. 1, 2018, and March 29, 2020, were included in this retrospective observational study. In addition to the imaging data, we reviewed clinical history, birth history including birth weight and mode of delivery, and final diagnoses. Two hundred six infants younger than 30 days (range 0–29 days, mean 11.9 days, median 11 days and standard deviation [SD] 8.4 days) had a CT or MRI study during the study period. Among these, 58 infants were excluded as per the exclusion criteria. Among the included 148 infants, 88 (59.5%) had no imaging evidence of SDH. An additional 56 (37.8%) infants were assessed as having birth-related SDH based on review of clinical data. Within the birth-related SDH cohort (56 infants), only supratentorial SDH was identified in 5 (8.9%), only infratentorial SDH was identified in 14 (25%), while SDHs within both compartments were identified in 37 (66.1%) infants. The most common location for supratentorial birth-related SDH was along the occipital lobes (31/42, 73.8%), with other common locations being along the posterior interhemispheric fissure (30/42, 71.4%) and fronto-parietal convexity (9/42, 21.4%). The distribution of posterior fossa SDH was along the tentorium (38/51, 74.5%), along the cerebellum (38/51, 74.5%) and in both the locations (25/51, 49.0%). The rate of SDH was significantly higher in vaginal delivery group (46/84, 54.7%) as compared to caesarean section group (10/57, 17.5%) (P 0.05). Birth-related SDH is a common occurrence, with our study suggesting a prevalence of 37.8%. The most common distribution of birth-related SDH is within both the supra- and infratentorial compartments (66.1%) followed by infratentorial compartment (25%). The rate of birth-related SDH was significantly higher in vaginal delivery group as compared to caesarean section group.
FPGA for Aggregate Processing: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

In this paper, we focus on current CPU-FPGA architectures and study their usability for database management systems. To focus our scope, we choose aggregation as the query processing primitive for this investigation. We implement a fully pipelined stall-free module that performs aggregation on the FPGA, and also describe a performance model that predicts the runtime of this module with 99% accuracy. We study the performance of this module on two different CPU-FPGA architectures, namely remote-main-memory and bump-in-the-wire. Compared to an implementation of aggregation on CPU, we find that the former is 1.7× slower whereas the latter is 2.2× faster. This significant performance gap suggests two important architectural considerations when designing CPU-FPGA systems, namely the bandwidth ceiling and the resource ceiling, while also highlighting issues of switching times and programmer efficiency. We consider broader hardware trends to study the suitability of the two FPGA architectures for accelerating the aggregation operation, and find that the performance gap is likely to stay in the coming future. Based on these observations, we discuss some challenges and opportunities for CPU-FPGA architectures.
Contribution of chemosensitive serotonergic neurons to interactions between the sleep-wake cycle and respiratory control

Serotonergic neurons in the midbrain and medulla are sensitive to changes in serum CO2 concentrations. Medullary serotonergic neurons project to brainstem respiratory control centers and stimulate breathing. Midbrain serotonergic neurons project to thalamocortical circuitry responsible for sleep-wake modulation. There is state-dependent modulation of these medullary serotonergic neurons that may be responsible for state-dependent changes in respiratory rate and breathing regularity. Thus, with projections to both respiratory control centers and thalamocortical arousal circuits, chemosensitive serotonergic neurons are poised to induce both arousal and increased ventilation in response to potentially lifethreatening increases in PCO2. This may have important implications for such clinical conditions as sudden infant death syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, and panic disorder; disorders in which serotonin is thought to contribute to the underlying pathophysiology.
Statistical properties of a novel recursive estimation algorithm with information-dependent updating

Statistical analysis of a recursive parameter estimation algorithm is performed. The algorithm has been used for the estimation of parameters of autoregressive processes with auxiliary inputs and bounded disturbances (ARX processes) with bounded noise. Previous analysis of algorithms used in the bounded-noise situation have been essentially deterministic. Unbiasedness of the estimates is shown under the assumption that the noise is white and zero mean. An upper bound on the covariance of parameter estimates is derived. An improved version of the algorithm is proposed which yields smoother estimates and greater resistance to outliers. >
Design of reliable and secure multipliers by multilinear arithmetic codes

We propose an efficient technique for the detection of errors in cryptographic circuits introduced by strong adversaries. Previously a number of linear and nonlinear error detection schemes were proposed. Linear codes provide protection only against primitive adversaries which no longer represents practice. On the other hand nonlinear codes provide protection against strong adversaries, but at the price of high area overhead (200–300%). Here we propose a novel error detection technique, based on the random selection of linear arithmetic codes. Under mild assumptions the proposed construction achieves near nonlinear code error detection performance at a lower cost (about 50% area overhead) due to the fact that no nonlinear operations are needed for the encoder and decoder.
Chapter 15 Dynamic Properties of the Lymphocyte Membrane-Cytoskeleton: Relationship to Lymphocyte Activation Status, Signal Transduction, and Protein Kinase C

Publisher Summary This chapter examines the dynamic properties of the lymphocyte-membrane cytoskeleton in relation to lymphocyte-activation status, signal transduction, and protein kinase C. Lymphocytes are required to undergo rapid alterations in functional states in response to recognition of foreign antigens. Binding of antigens to specialized receptors on the plasma membrane of T and B cells results in activation, a process associated with a variety of cellular responses, including altered cell morphology and development of polarity, entry into the cell cycle, cell differentiation, and changes in immune-effector activity. The changes in cell morphology that accompany lymphocyte activation have long been of interest to cell biologists investigating the function of cytoskeletal proteins. Evidence for coincident movement of cytoskeletal elements and antigen receptors was one of the first indications of a link between the cell surface and intracellular events, and was thought to be an important component of activation-related signaling pathways controlling lymphocyte proliferation and/or differentiation.
Interaction of substorm injections with the subauroral geospace: 1. Multispacecraft observations of SAID

[1] Subauroral ion drifts (SAID) are the prominent feature of the active subauroral geospace, just earthward of the electron plasma sheet (PS) boundary in the premidnight sector. We explore magnetically conjugate satellite observations of substorm SAID near the magnetic equator and in the topside ionosphere confirming and expanding on our previous results. The SAID channels reside between the hot electron (PS/auroral) boundary at the plasmapause and the drop in the hot ion flux inside the plasmasphere. The overall features are inconsistent with the paradigm of voltage and current generators. Rather, they are explained in terms of a short circuiting of substorm‒injected hot plasma jets over the plasmapause and formation of a turbulent plasmaspheric boundary layer. The short circuiting occurs when the cold plasma density exceeds a critical value of 5–10 cm−3. As the polarization field at the front of the hot plasma jet is shorted out, the hot electrons are arrested, while the hot ions yet move inward. This provides a natural explanation of the long‒known dispersionless auroral precipitation boundary. Enhanced plasma turbulence within the SAID channel provides anomalous circuit resistivity and magnetic diffusion, as with the well‒documented plasmoid‒magnetic barrier problem.
New Factors in Room Equalization Using a Fuzzy Logic Approach

This convention paper has been reproduced from the author’s advance manuscript, without editing, corrections, or consideration by the Review Board. The AES takes no responsibility for the contents. Additional papers may be obtained by sending request and remittance to Audio Engineering Society, 60 East 42nd Street, New York, New York 10165-2520, USA; also see www.aes.org. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this paper, or any portion thereof, is not permitted without direct permission from the Journal of the Audio Engineering Society.
Frontier-based exploration using multiple robots

1. ABSTRACT Frontier-based exploration directs mobile robots to regions on the boundary between unexplored space and space that is known to be open. Previously, we have demonstrated that frontier-based exploration can be used to map indoor environments where walls and obstacles may be in arbitrary orientations. In this paper, we show how frontier-based exploration can be extended to multiple robots. In our approach, robots share perceptual information, but maintain separate global maps, and make independent decisions about where to explore. This approach enables robots to make use of information from other robots to explore more effectively, but it also allows the team to be robust to the loss of individual robots. We have implemented our multirobot exploration system on real robots, and we demonstrate that they can explore and map office environments as a team.
Aquaporin water channels and endothelial cell function

The aquaporins (AQP) are a family of homologous water channels expressed in many epithelial and endothelial cell types involved in fluid transport. AQP1 protein is strongly expressed in most microvascular endothelia outside of the brain, as well as in endothelial cells in cornea, intestinal lacteals, and other tissues. AQP4 is expressed in astroglial foot processes adjacent to endothelial cells in the central nervous system. Transgenic mice lacking aquaporins have been useful in defining their role in mammalian physiology. Mice lacking AQP1 manifest defective urinary concentrating ability, in part because of decreased water permeability in renal vasa recta microvessels. These mice also show a defect in dietary fat processing that may involve chylomicron absorption by intestinal lacteals, as well as defective active fluid transport across the corneal endothelium. AQP1 might also play a role in tumour angiogenesis and in renal microvessel structural adaptation. However, AQP1 in most endothelial tissues does not appear to have a physiological function despite its role in osmotically driven water transport. For example, mice lacking AQP1 have low alveolar-capillary water permeability but unimpaired lung fluid absorption, as well as unimpaired saliva and tear secretion, aqueous fluid outflow, and pleural and peritoneal fluid transport. In the central nervous system mice lacking AQP4 are partially protected from brain oedema in water intoxication and ischaemic models of brain injury. Therefore, although the role of aquaporins in epithelial fluid transport is in most cases well-understood, there remain many questions about the role of aquaporins in endothelial cell function. It is unclear why many leaky microvessels strongly express AQP1 without apparent functional significance. Improved understanding of aquaporin-endothelial biology may lead to novel therapies for human disease, such as pharmacological modulation of corneal fluid transport, renal fluid clearance and intestinal absorption.
Solid-angle correction factors for five-sided coaxial Ge(Li) detectors

Abstract A previous method for the calculation of solid-angle correction factors of coaxial Ge(Li) detectors is extended to “five-sided” coaxial detectors, and typical results are presented.
On the performance of the cross-correlation detector for passive radar applications

For passive radar target detection, the cross-correlation (CC) based detector is a popular method, which cross-correlates the signal received in a reference channel (RC) and the signal in a surveillance channel (SC). The CC is simple to implement and resembles the clairvoyant matched filter (MF) in idealistic conditions. However, there is limited understanding on its performance in passive sensing environments with non-negligible noise in the RC and direct-path interference in the SC. This paper examines such effects on the detection performance of the CC detector. Closed-form expressions for the probabilities of false alarm and detection of the CC detector are derived, which are employed to quantify to what extent the noise in the RC and the direct-path interference in the SC should be suppressed in order to achieve a targeted performance loss of the CC detector relative to the MF. These results are useful in designing practical CC solutions for passive radar sensing.
Customer relationship management: Finding value drivers

Abstract Despite significant interest from both academicians and practitioners, customer relationship management (CRM) remains a huge investment with little measured payback. Intuition suggests that increased management of customer relationships should improve business performance, but this intuition has only inconsistent empirical or real world support. To remedy this situation, this study identifies a core group of expected CRM benefits and examines their ability to increase a firm's value equity, brand equity and relationship equity which are components of customer equity. Ten propositions explore the anticipated effects of these drivers and form an agenda for future research. These propositions establish a framework for measuring CRM and supporting the link between CRM and performance.
Recent Developments in Empirical Industrial Organization

This article is an annotated bibliography of recent empirical research in industrial organization, with emphasis on material subsequent to that covered by the Handbook of Industrial Organization.
The environmental crisis

Today concern about the environment is deep and widespread. It shows no sign of diminishing and, on the contrary, gives evidence of approaching hysteria on some occasions. The recent flap about mercury in tuna illustrates how fast the public jumps at any worrisome news about the environment, even when the concern is not justified. If we are to have a livable environment we must work constructively, but excessive fear and panic will impede progress, particularly when they are directed against the wrong or nonexistent problems.
Radiolytic Preparation of Ultrafine Colloidal Gold Particles in Aqueous Solution: Optical Spectrum, Controlled Growth, and Some Chemical Reactions

Orange− or yellow−orange-colored aqueous dispersions of ultrafine gold particles (∼2 nm) result from the γ-irradiation of deaerated solutions containing hydrolyzed AuCl4- and poly(vinyl alcohol) or poly(vinylpyrrolidone), respectively. The particles have a weak and very broad plasmon absorption band with maximum in the 490 to 500 nm range, i.e., at substantially shorter wavelengths than expected from classical Mie theory using bulk dielectric data; moreover, the specific UV absorption increases as the particles become smaller. The particles are used as seeds in the radiolytic reduction of added Au(CN)2- to yield larger particles of any desired size and improved monodispersity. The particles partially react with oxygen. Chemisorption of 3-mercapto propionic acid strongly affects the electronics of the particles, as indicated by the changes in optical absorption. The early stages of AuCl4- reduction are also investigated. The reduction occurs essentially in two steps: (1) formation, and (2) reduction of Au...
A qualitative study of Latino lesbian and gay youths’ experiences with discrimination and the career development process

Abstract Eight Latino lesbian and gay (LG) youth were interviewed for this descriptive qualitative study. The purpose of this study was to examine the Latino LG youth career development process and to increase our understanding of how multiple identities intersect with each other and the career development process. Six themes emerged: knowing you are different, within-group prejudice, no restrictions to career choice, intersecting developmental tasks, resilience in the face of heterosexism, and contradictory identity management in the workplace. Findings from these themes are discussed in relation to current career theory and research, and in particular Social Cognitive Career Theory.
Characterization of Ambient Temperature Cure Epoxies Used in Adhesive Anchor Applications

Thermo-viscoelastic properties of two commercial, ambient temperature-cure epoxy structural adhesives were analyzed and compared. The adhesives were formulated by the same manufacturer and appeared to have the same base chemistry; however, one system contained accelerators for shorter cure times. In the laboratory, dynamic mechanical temperature/frequency sweeps were performed on both systems to generate dynamic mechanical data and predict creep compliance master curves using frequency-temperature superposition principles. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and moisture sorption analysis were also used to assess the thermal and hygroscopic properties of the materials. Differences were observed in the thermal, hydrolytic, and dynamic mechanical properties of the two adhesive systems as well as in their estimated creep compliance behavior, which were attributed to differences in the curing agent(s) and accelerator(s) used in the adhesive systems. In most cases the dif...
Oocytes react with antibody directed against H-2 but not Ia antigens.

SUMMARY Mouse oocytes at the dictyate stage were tested for the presence of H-2 antigens and Ia antigens, by means of indirect immunofluorescence. Oocytes reacted positively with NIH alloantisera, but were negative with anti-Ia region alloantisera. Results with monoclonal antibodies indicate very low antigen density on oocytes.
Timeliness of Follow-up after Abnormal Screening Mammogram: Variability of Facilities

Time to follow-up varies widely between facilities, suggesting potential for improvement by many facilities, and takes longer for biopsy or surgical consult recommendations than for additional imaging recommendations.
Edge-flames and cellular structures in oscillatory premixed counterflows

Abstract We examine edge-flames in the context of symmetric counterflows of fresh mixture, and examine their dynamics when the rate of strain is varied periodically in time. For a Lewis number of 1, extinction boundaries and zero (in the mean) edge propagation speed boundaries are constructed in the forcing amplitude—Damkohler number plane. Forcing can turn advancing edges into retreating edges. For a Lewis number of 0.3, the fundamental distinction is between flames that display cellular structures and flames that do not. Forcing can convert a non-cellular flame into one with cells; and it can strongly affect the dynamics of cellular structures that exist in the absence of forcing.
Targeting p21 Degradation Locally

Just as the activity of many multifunctional proteins is restricted by subcellular localization, so is their regulation. In this issue of Development Cell , Starostina et al. identify an E3 ubiquitin ligase, CRL2 LRR1 , for the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 that specifically ubiquitylates cytoplasmic p21 to facilitate cell migration.
Stress generation and fracture in lithium insertion materials

A mathematical model that calculates volume expansion and contraction and concentration and stress profiles during lithium insertion into and extraction from a spherical particle of electrode material has been developed. The maximum stress in the particle has been determined as a function of dimensionless current, which includes the charge rate, particle size, and diffusion coefficient. The effects of pressure-driven diffusion and nonideal interactions between the lithium and host material have also been described. The model predicts that carbonaceous particles will fracture in high-power applications such as hybrid-electric vehicle batteries.