cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microgrid resilience: A holistic approach for assessing threats, identifying vulnerabilities, and designing corresponding mitigation strategies

Abstract Microgrids are being increasing deployed to improve the operational flexibility, resilience, coordinated-energy management capabilities, self-adequacy, and increased reliability of power systems. This strong market growth is also driven by advances in power electronics, improved control systems, and the rapidly falling price and increased adoption of distributed energy generation technologies, like solar photovoltaics and storage. In the event of grid outages, microgrids can provide a backup source of power; providing resilience to the critical loads; however, this requires that the microgrid itself is resilient to physical and cyber threats. Building highly resilient microgrids requires a methodological assessment of potential threats, identification of vulnerabilities, and design of mitigation strategies. This paper provides a comprehensive review of threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigation strategies and develops a definition for microgrid resilience. The paper also develops a methodology for designing resilient microgrids by considering how microgrid designers and site owners evaluate threats, vulnerabilities, and consequences and choose the microgrid features required to address these threats under different situations.
Near-Instant Fault Recovery and Ultra-Reliable Multi-Hop Wireless Sensor Networks

Diversity and Network Coding (DC-NC), which is the synergistic combination of Diversity Coding and Network Coding, was recently introduced to provide near instant link failure recovery and efficient transmission in a wide variety of network architectures. In this paper, DC-NC is applied to a multi-hop Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) and Diversity Coding (DC) is applied within each link in a multi-hop WSN to enable extremely high reliability with very rapid recovery from wireless link/node failures and the loss of data stream(s) at each link and also provide efficient transmission, which are very important metrics for WSNs. Furthermore, the reliability and rapid fault recovery can be extended to broadcasting applications, along with increased throughput.
Vocational Rehabilitation Service Utilization and Employment Outcomes Among Secondary Students on the Autism Spectrum

U.S. policy interventions encourage earlier provision of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services to support students and youth with disabilities such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) during the transition from school to work. We analyzed Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA-911) data using multivariable logistic regression to determine the association of VR services receipt with employment outcomes for students ages 16-21, same-age non-student youth and young adults with ASD. Students with autism received job-related services (job search, job placement, and on-the-job supports) at rates significantly below comparison groups, even though odds of successful employment at VR exit were significantly higher if they received these services. Findings suggest that rates of employment among students with autism might be improved with intentional delivery of job-related services.
Identification and validation of quantitative trait loci for ascites syndrome in broiler chickens using whole genome resequencing

Ascites syndrome is a hypertensive, multifactorial, multigene trait affecting meat-type chickens imposing significant economic losses on the broiler industry. A region containing the CPQ gene has been previously identified as significantly affecting ascites phenotype. The region was discovered through whole genome resequencing focused on chicken chromosome 2. The association was confirmed through further genotyping in multiple broiler populations. The whole genome resequencing analyses have now been extended to the current chicken genome assembly. DNA samples were pooled according to gender and phenotype and the pools subjected to next generation sequencing. Loci were identified as clusters of single nucleotide polymorphisms where frequencies of the polymorphisms differed between resistant and susceptible chickens. The chickens are an unselected line descended from a commercial elite broiler line. Regions identified were specific to one or both genders. The data identify a total of 28 regions as potential quantitative trait loci for ascites. The genes from these regions have been associated with hypertensive-related traits in human association studies. One region on chicken chromosome 28 contains the LRRTM4 gene. Additional genotyping for the LRRTM4 region demonstrates an epistatic interaction with the CPQ region for ascites phenotype. The 28 regions identified were not previously identified in a multi-generational genome wide association study using 60k Single Nucleotide Polymorphism panels. This work demonstrates the utility of whole genome resequencing as a cost effective, direct, and efficient method for identifying specific gene regions affecting complex traits. The approach is applicable to any organism with a genome assembly and requires no a priori assumptions.
Inpatient Initiation of Oral Treprostinil in an Academic Medical System

Clinicians may transition patients on parenteral or inhaled prostacyclins to oral treprostinil for ease of use or to avoid adverse effects related to parenteral therapy. However, few data are available to guide these transitions in inpatients. The purpose of this analysis is to describe the inpatient initiation of oral treprostinil at an academic medical system. This is a retrospective cohort analysis of patients newly initiated on oral treprostinil at Cleveland Clinic Heath System from 2015 to 2017. Demographic information regarding pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) history and previous PAH therapies were recorded. Outcomes evaluated included doses of oral treprostinil utilized, adverse effects related to therapy, and measures of clinical and functional status before and after the initiation of oral treprostinil. Overall, 29 patients were prescribed oral treprostinil, of which 15 patients were included in the analysis. Common reasons for initiation of oral treprostinil included disease progression (6, 40%) and patient desire (4, 25%). The median duration of transition/initiation of oral treprostinil was 4 days (range, 3–11 days). Median daily dose of oral treprostinil on day 1 of initiation was 2 mg (0.25–4 mg). By day 7, median daily dose was 15 mg (0.75–27.75 mg). Common adverse effects related to therapy were gastrointestinal (7, 47%) and headache (4, 27%). No patients required discontinuation of oral treprostinil due to adverse effects within 90 days of initiation. Inpatient initiation/transition to oral treprostinil was relatively well tolerated. Future studies should evaluate clinical outcomes surrounding the transitioning to oral treprostinil.
Crip Collectivity Beyond Neoliberalism in Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower

The importance of Octavia Butler’s 1993 novel Parable of the Sower continues to crystalize, as Butler’s prescient imagining of urban California torn apart by neoliberal divestment comes to fruition. Following in the space opened up by Black feminist scholarship on Butler, the present essay examines her relevance beyond literary and cultural studies. I argue that Parable is a Black feminist crip theorization of political economy that diagnoses the disabling conditions of precarity under neoliberalism and also prescribes collectivity for crip and mad survival. Neoliberalism describes a global stage of advanced capitalism wherein governments are both incentivized and disciplined into enforcing economic policies that include privatization, deregulation, and market liberalization. As Jodi Melamed defines it, neoliberalism requires a certain kind of political governance, that puts the interests of business over the well-being of people (2011). Neoliberal governance engenders what I call “disabling contradictions,” yet the blame for conditions of precarity is deflected onto bodyminds themselves. In Parable of the Sower, Butler theorizes these disabling contradictions of neoliberal governance under advanced capitalism, drawing into focus the political economic systems that cause suffering. Parable also depicts strategies for crip and mad survival that are made possible through the conscious creation of community and networks of solidarity that counter the neoliberal state’s devaluation of bodyminds. Gathering to read and discuss the novel, rather than a distraction from the crises, furthers the emergence of crip and mad collectivities. As such, it is an urgent and timely practice for building futures for crip and mad people.
Parents’ attachment orientation, interviewers’ support, and children’s memory for a mildly distressing event

Parents' attachment orientations predict children's memory about distressing life events, such that parents who are less secure in close relationships tend to have children who are less accurate in their memory reports. This study examined whether socially supportive interviewing would reduce differences in children's memory performance associated with parents' attachment. Children (3 to 5 years, N = 63) and their primary caretakers took part in the Preschool Attachment Classification System (PACS), a moderately distressing event for children of preschool age that is based on the Strange Situation Procedure. Children's memory for the event was then tested shortly thereafter by either a supportive or a non-supportive interviewer. In the non-supportive condition, children whose parents scored higher on attachment avoidance provided lower proportions of correct free recall. However, the association was not significant for children in the supportive condition. In addition, higher parental attachment anxiety predicted lower proportions of correct free recall for children of highly avoidant parents, but not for children of parents lower in attachment avoidance. For direct questions, age differences in proportion correct and proportion incorrect favoured older children. Findings provide insight into interviewing techniques at time of memory retrieval that benefit children of insecure parents.
Analytic methods for geometric modeling via spherical decomposition

Abstract Analytic methods are emerging in solid and configuration modeling, while providing new insights into a variety of shape and motion related problems by exploiting tools from group morphology, convolution algebras, and harmonic analysis. However, most convolution-based methods have used uniform grid-based sampling to take advantage of the fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm. We propose a new paradigm for more efficient computation of analytic correlations that relies on a grid-free discretization of arbitrary shapes as countable unions of balls, in turn described as sublevel sets of summations of smooth radial kernels at adaptively sampled ‘knots’. Using a simple geometric lifting trick, we interpret this combination as a convolution of an impulsive skeletal density and primitive kernels with conical support, which faithfully embeds into the convolution formulation of interactions across different objects. Our approach enables fusion of search-efficient combinatorial data structures prevalent in time-critical collision and proximity queries with analytic methods popular in path planning and protein docking, and outperforms uniform grid-based FFT methods by leveraging nonequispaced FFTs. We provide example applications in formulating holonomic collision constraints, shape complementarity metrics, and morphological operations, unified within a single analytic framework.
Mass Communication Theories in a Time of Changing Technologies

The purpose of theory in the social sciences is to describe reality and, with empirical research, produce generalizable knowledge. In an environment rapidly changing because of technologies, the co...
Tres mil años en el valle de Oaxaca. Un sentido regional de asentamientos prehispánicos

El presente articulo trata sobre el final del proyecto Valle de Tlacuala, Oaxaca de la Universidad de Georgia, que tuvo como objetivo la comprension de los sitios ubicados en dicho valle, asi como de sus relaciones con toda Mesoamerica.
SEVERE ACUTE PANCREATITIS SUCCESSFULLY RECOVERED WITH NECROSECTOMY WITH OPEN DRAINAGE

A 41-year-old man was admitted to the hospital with severe acute pancreatitis. Abdominal CT revealed that pancreatic inflammation developed from the peripancreatic region to root region of the transeverse-mesenterium, retroperitoneal and left posterior space. At first, he was successfully managed by conservative treatment under early intensive cares. Despite of such 10 days' cares, the patient was diagnosed with infected pancreatic necrosis and operated on by necrosectomy with closed lavage. Postoperative course was uneventful, but, 2 weeks later, other intensive cares such as steroidal pulse therapy, continuous intraarterial infusion of protease inhibitor and antibiotics and continuous hemodiafiltration therapies, were respectively tried for recurrent pancreatitis, hyperdynamic state and adult respiratory dystress syndrome. These therapies were successful. There after, intraabdminal draiange became poor and intraabdominal residual necrotic tissues and a pancreatic psuedocyst were infected again with fever. The patient underwent a necrosectomy with open drainage to be thoroughly put into debridement of open wound under sedation in the ICU. The patient is completely recovered without any complications. We think that necrosectomy with open drainage is one of useful therapies for intractable severe acute pancreatitis with wide spread inflammation to the retroperitoneal and pararenal space.
Characterization of 1st Generation High-Strain Elastomer MEMS Sensors for Morphing Aircraft Applications

We have developed the first MEMS high-strain sensor based on the recently developed fabrication technology, the Direct Polymer Patterning On Substrate Technique (DPPOST). DPPOST allows lithographically defined elastomer structures to be directly patterned on a substrate in a similar fashion like the lift-off process of evaporated metals. Silicone elastomers (RTV-11 or RTV-615) are used as the matrix materials for the sensor element due to its mechanical properties and widespread availability. Carbon black nano-particles are used to provide the sensing element electrical resistivity on the order 10 Ω-cm. This paper will discuss the design, fabrication, and development of the 1st generation MEMS high strain sensor; for experimental measurements on a highly elastic wing in a low-speed wind-tunnel.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Current treatment of head and neck squamous cell cancer

Head and neck cancer is a heterogenous group of cancers involving the upper aerodigestive tract. In this review article, the most common sites will be discussed, including the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx. Etiology and epidemiology will be discussed followed by staging, treatment, and survival.
How GABA generates depolarization.

was a great advance for the ﬁeldof developmental neuroscience, spawninga host of studies of the mechanism ofreductionintheintracellularconcentrationof chloride ions and stimulating an array ofinvestigationsofthefunctionalimplicationsof early depolarizing responses to GABA.The study began with recordings ofspontaneous giant depolarizing potentials(GDPs) from neurons in slices from therat hippocampus during the ﬁrst postnatalweek. They were several hundred milli-seconds in duration with amplitudes up to50mV, and were generated synchronouslyin a population of neurons. Strikingly, theyhaddepolarizedreversalpotentialsthatwerethe same as those for exogenously appliedGABA, and were blocked by bicucullineor picrotoxin. Their frequency was reducedby NMDA receptor antagonists or channelblockers. Nicely, stimulation of the hilusduring the ﬁrst week of life elicited GDPswith properties indistinguishable from thespontaneous events. Tonic depolarizationby endogenous GABA was also apparent.During the second postnatal week, whenspontaneous GDPs were largely absent,stimulationofthehilusevokedanexcitatorypostsynaptic potential followed by fastandslowinhibitorypostsynapticpotentials,and now bicuculline induced interictaldischarges.The authors were thinking hard aboutthese results:‘Although the present study indicates thataCl
Chapter 2 Column technologies for capillary electrophoresis

Publisher Summary Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is a rapid, high-resolution analytical technique for the separation of a wide variety of charged and uncharged species. Separations in electrophoresis are based on the differential migration rates of species through a solution or gel in the presence of an electric field. Important applications of CE include the analysis of complex biological mixtures—for example, the separation and characterization of macromolecules. The fused silica tubing does not always provide the necessary separation performance; modification of the capillary is often required. The wide acceptance of the technique and practical applications can be attributed to the advances in column technology. It is now possible to move beyond the analysis of amino acids and peptides to that of macromolecules. The chapter focuses on the advances in column technology for reducing solute adsorption, manipulating flow rate, and enhancing the efficiency and selectivity of CE.
Effect of somatostatin analog on water and electrolyte transport and transit time in human small bowel

The present study was undertaken to investigate how a somatostatin analog (201–995 Sandoz), which is now commonly used for treatment of patients with gut hormone-producing tumors, affects water and ion absorption and transit time in the normal jejunum. Six healthy volunteers were given somatostatin analog intravenously at a dose of 1 μg/kg/hr. At the same time, jejunal water and ion movement and transit time were measured using the triple-lumen tube technique [perfusion of a plasma-like electrolyte solution with PEG as a nonabsorbable marker at a rate of 15 ml/min; dye dilution curves ([3H]mannitol, [14C]PEG, BSP) for determination of jejunal transit time]. During somatostatin analog administration, transit time through a 30-cm segment of perfused jejunum increased from 4.0 min to 17.0 min. While the somatostatin analog increased jejunal transit time, it had no effect on net water and electrolyte absorption under steady-state conditions. The effect of somatostatin analog on the proximal small bowel is similar to the action of an eight-times higher dose of intravenous native somatostatin previously studied. The effect of the analog on transit time suggests a potentially beneficial effect in patients with large-volume diarrhea in which no tumor or circulating secretagogue can be identified, such as in pseudopancreatic cholera syndrome.
Genetic Studies: The Linear Mixed Models in Genome-wide Association Studies

With the availability of high-density genomic data containing millions of single nucleotide polymorphisms and tens or hundreds of thousands of individuals, genetic association study is likely to identify the variants contributing to complex traits in a genome-wide scale. However, genome-wide association studies are confounded by some spurious associations due to not properly interpreting sample structure (containing population structure, family structure and cryptic relatedness). The absence of complete genealogy of population in the genome-wide association studies model greatly motivates the development of new methods to correct the inflation of false positive. In this process, linear mixed model based approaches with the advantage of capturing multilevel relatedness have gained large ground. We summarize current literatures dealing with sample structure, and our review focuses on the following four areas: (i) The approaches handling population structure in genome-wide association studies; (ii) The linear mixed model based approaches in genome-wide association studies; (iii) The performance of linear mixed model based approaches in genome-wide association studies and (iv) The unsolved issues and future work of linear mixed model based approaches.
cDNA cloning, characterization, and expression analysis of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus Rafinesque, 1818) Peroxiredoxin 6 gene

The peroxiredoxin 6 gene (Prdx6) of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, has been cloned and characterized. The sequence of the channel catfish Prdx6 gene consists of 1,003 nucleotides. Analysis of the nucleotide sequence reveals one open reading frame and 55-bp 5′ and 276-bp 3′-untranslated regions. The open reading frame potentially encodes 223 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 24.6 kDa. The amino acid sequence of channel catfish Prdx6 had 85.2%, 77.7%, 74.1%, 73.7%, 73.7%, 73.7%, 73.2%, and 71.9% identity with that of zebrafish, chicken, human, mouse, Norway rat, pig, cow, and Xenopus laevis, respectively. Channel catfish Prdx6 had four cysteine residues. In addition to one conserved at Cys46, the Cys132 residue seems to be conserved among fish and frog. Channel catfish Prdx6 conserved two reactive motifs with peroxidase and phopholipase A2 activity. The channel catfish Prdx6 transcript was detected in all the tissues analyzed, suggesting the gene is constitutively expressed and is involved in protecting channel catfish tissues from oxidative damage. This result will not only provide information for further exploration of the role of Prdx6 in fish pathophysiology but also fill the gap in the evolutionary tree.
Anatomical evidence for cerebellar and basal ganglia involvement in higher cognitive function

The possibility that neurons in the basal ganglia and cerebellum innervate areas of the cerebral cortex that are involved in cognitive function has been a controversial subject. Here, retrograde transneuronal transport of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) was used to identify subcortical neurons that project via the thalamus to area 46 of the primate prefrontal cortex. This cortical area is known to be involved in spatial working memory. Many neurons in restricted regions of the dentate nucleus of the cerebellum and in the internal segment of the globus pallidus were labeled by transneuronal transport of virus from area 46. The location of these neurons was different from those labeled after HSV1 transport from motor areas of the cerebral cortex. These observations define an anatomical substrate for the involvement of basal ganglia and cerebellar output in higher cognitive function.
Trends in worldwide intellectual property protection: The case of the pharmaceutical patent

The protection of intellectual property is of growing concern as an issue in international trade. Both the NAFTA and the TRIPS provide chapters on intellectual property, a subject matter included in multilateral trade agreements for the first time. These provisions were designed to reassure owners of such property that their rights would be protected in participating countries. Few industries are as dependent on adequate protection than the patent protected segment of the pharmaceutical industry. It is only through enforceable patent policies that drug companies can generate sufficient revenues to undertake the costly research and development that make the introduction of new products possible. This article examines recent trends in intellectual property protection on a global basis, focusing on differences and similarities within the pharmaceutical industry both in the European Community and the United States. Despite the focus on the pharmaceutical industry, the trends discussed should be of interest to any firm that utilizes intellectual property in its overseas activities. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Model for the magnetoresistance and Hall coefficient of inhomogeneous graphene

Received 8 December 2008; revised manuscript received 24 February 2009; published 7 April 2009 We show that when bulk graphene breaks into n-type and p-type puddles, the in-plane resistivity becomes strongly field dependent in the presence of a perpendicular magnetic field even if homogeneous graphene has a field-independent resistivity. We calculate the longitudinal resistivity xx and Hall resistivity xy as a function of field for this system using the effective-medium approximation. The conductivity tensors of the individual puddles are calculated using a Boltzmann approach suitable for the band structure of graphene near the Dirac points. The resulting resistivity agrees well with experiment provided that the relaxation time is weakly field dependent. The calculated Hall resistivity has the sign of the carriers in the puddles occupying the greater area of the composite and vanishes when there are equal areas of n- and p-type puddles.
Rotational predissociation of Ar—HD van der Waals complex: space-fixed complex-coordinate coupled-channel calculations

Abstract The space-fixed complex-coordinate coupled-channel (SFCCCC)method is applied to the accurate determination of the level energies and widths (lifetimes) of predissociating states of Ar—HD(υ = 1, j = 2) van der Waals molecule, using the Carley-Le Roy BC3 (6.8) potential for ArH2. The calculated widths are in good harmony with the experimental data of McKellar and in excellent agreement with the close-coupling scattering results of Huston and Le Roy.
Some comments on the DIIS method

Over twenty ways to solve the DIIS equation are introduced and discussed. Some of these solution methods are inherently inaccurate and are never recommended, others have some efficiency or accuracy advantages that may be exploited in different situations. Two of these ways, linear least squares with substitution and elimination, and linear least squares with equality constraint, have the potential to produce solutions that are significantly more accurate than the traditional normal equation solutions. The choice of the most accurate solution approach for a given problem depends on various vector and matrix norm relations which are discussed. The advantage of one of these methods is demonstrated on a model problem, which has a closed-form solution. A simple geometrical interpretation is given for the DIIS method that involves minimization of a function value within a particular multidimensional plane.
Histologic Analysis of Healing After Tooth Extraction With Ridge Preservation Using Mineralized Human Bone Allograft

Background: Ridge preservation was developed as a therapy to prevent severe bone resorption after tooth extraction. The purpose of this study is to determine if there is any difference in the amount of new bone formation 3 months after extraction and ridge preservation compared to that after 6 months. Methods: Minimally traumatic extraction with ridge preservation using mineralized human bone allograft was performed at 38 single-rooted tooth sites in 33 subjects. Sixteen sites healed for an average of 14 weeks (early healing), whereas 22 sites were allowed to heal for an average of 27 weeks (delayedhealing)beforeharvestingbonecoresamples.Histomorphometric analysis was performed to determine the percent of new bone formation, residual graft particles, and connective tissue/non-mineralized structures for each site. Results: All specimens showed evidence of new bone formation, with most of the residual graft particles surrounded intimately bywovenbone.Nostatisticallysignificant differences in the amount of newly formed bone or residual graft particles were found between the two groups. Overall, the early healing groupdemonstratedameanof45.8%newbone,14.6%residual graft material, and 39.6% connective tissue/non-mineralized tissue. The delayed healing group showed mean values of 45%, 13.5%, and 41.3%, respectively. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that waiting 6 months after tooth extraction and ridge preservation using mineralized bone allograft does not provide a greater amount ofnew bone formationorlessresidualboneparticlescompared to that after only 3 months. J Periodontol 2010;81:1765-1772.
Origin and frequency of 2n gametes in Citrus sinensis × Poncirus trifoliata and their reciprocal crosses

Abstract A total of 293 putative citrange F 1 seedlings, derived from 13 crosses and visually identified by their trifoliate leaf morphology, were investigated using six characterized expressed sequence tag (EST) microsatellite primers. Their origins and ploidy levels were simultaneously and unambiguously determined by these markers. Besides a majority of diploid zygotic hybrids, as high as 24% triploid hybrids were produced, only by Citrus sinensis (sweet orange) × Poncirus trifoliata (trifoliate orange), but not the reciprocal crosses. The results indicated that 2 n eggs originated only from the maternal sweet orange parent, contributing the extra haploid genome in the triploids. It was further inferred that the 2 n eggs in sweet orange result from first division restitution (FDR), not second division restitution (SDR), according to the marker genotypes of these triploids. High percentages of self-cross and nucellar origin seedlings were found only from P. trifoliata × C. sinensis , but not from the reciprocals, simply due to their different reliabilities in the visual leaf identification of the seedlings. Survey of leaves indicated that adult triploid seedlings had predominantly monofoliate leaves, compared to diploid hybrids with mostly trifoliate leaves. The possible genetic mechanism and potential applications were discussed.
The microstructure of Asian equity markets

This study provides an overview of six stock markets in Asia, including Hong Kong, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. We find that the Asian stock exchanges have adopted numerous new concepts in terms of market structure, trading method, and the clearing and settlement system. As a group, they provide an interesting setting for empirical investigation due to their unique characteristics not found in the stock exchanges in advanced countries.
Suburban snowmen: Facilitating factors in the careers of middle‐class coke dealers

This article is a descriptive analysis of the structural factors facilitating a career in drug dealing. A field study focusing on the commitment paths of six middle‐level, suburban‐based cocaine dealers was conducted over a 1.5‐year period. A major finding was that entry into full‐time trafficking was instituted by opportunities developed in the context of conventional occupational careers.
Estimation of air concentrations due to the suspension of surface contamination

Abstract A simple method is derived for the estimation of air concentrations and horizontal fluxes of contamination from surface area sources. This method includes an algebraic correction for dry deposition and accounts for the alongwind variation of the surface source G (x) by using the scaled upwind extent of the source x ∗ = ∫ o x G(ξ) G(x) d ξ to define the equivalent uniform area source. By comparison with more exact estimates, this method is shown to be reasonably accurate, both for the crosswind-integrated situation for which it was derived and also for many cases of crosswind varying sources.
Decentralized control schemes for heat recovery systems

Abstract The application of decentralized control schemes to heat recovery systems is explored. The advantages of decentralized control over classical control are illustrated with examples. A decentralized controller is designed for a heat recovery system. Results, showing the output responses of the closed-loop system subject to step-changes in outdoor and source heat temperatures, are given.
Effect of gentamicin on the subcellular distribution of renal β-N-acetylglucosaminidase activity

Abstract The effect of gentamicin on lysosomal enzyme activity in renal cortex of Sprague-Dawley rats was examined. In rats given 60 mg gentamicin/kg subcutaneously for 8 days, renal β - N -acetylglucosaminidase activity increased by 57 per cent while cathepsin B 1 and dipeptidylpeptidase I activities did not change. The specific activity of glucosaminidase in partially purified lysosomes, however, was only 10 per cent higher. The subcellular distribution of glucosaminidase activity in gentamicin-treated rats shifted towards the less dense mitochondrial and 10,000 g supernatant fractions, which showed a 55 and 80 per cent increase, respectively, of total activity. It is concluded that gentamicin caused an increased activity, and reduced latency, of lysosomal glucosaminidase.
A standard technique for measuring window absorption and other efficiency losses in semiconductor energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectrometry

A Standard technique for measuring window absorption and other efficiency losses in semiconductor X-ray spectrometers is described. This technique is in the process of being adopted as an IEEE and IEC standard. A NBS standard reference material glass, SRM-477, has been developed to promote broad availability for the standard method throughout the user community. Measurements are reported which have been made to establish limits on the geometry of the technique and to determine the effectiveness of the method.
Cholinesterase in the atherosclerotic intima and in fibroblast cultures

Cholinesterase activity was present in the atheromatous plaque of the rabbit's atherosclerotic aorta. Cholinesterase activity was significantly increased in rat fibroblast cultures grown in the presence of hypercholesterolemic serum. Cholesterol ester synthesis in these cultures was inhibited by neostigmine, a cholinesterase inhibitor.
Comparison and evaluation of gridded radiation products across northern Eurasia.

Northern Eurasia is a region experiencing documented changes in temperature and large-scale streamflow, yet little attention has been focused on the large-scale energy budgets over the region. We compare station data and gridded radiation products from reanalysis and remote sensing to evaluate the radiative fluxes across northern Eurasia. On annual timescales, we find that the downward shortwave radiation products, with the exception of those of the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis, compare well with long-term station observations, but that this agreement breaks down with smaller timescales and for downward longwave and upward shortwave and longwave radiation. Of the six gridded products, the Surface Radiation Budget data set performs the best as compared to observations. Differences in radiative fluxes are on the order of 15–20 W m−2 on seasonal timescales, averaged across the region, with larger variations spatially and at smaller timescales. The resulting uncertainty in net radiation has implications for climate and hydrologic analyses that seek to understand changes in northern Eurasia climate and its hydrologic cycle.
Prospective randomized trial of early initiation and hospital discharge on a liquid diet following elective intestinal surgery

Length of hospital stay after elective intestinal surgery may be related to patient tolerance of a diet. We hypothesized that early initiation and discharge home on a clear liquid diet would decrease the length of hospital stay without increasing morbidity. The aim of this study was to determine if early initiation and discharge on a clear liquid diet decreases the length of hospital stay and is safe. Forty-four patients were randomly assigned to either a standard diet or a clear liquid diet. A standard diet (n = 17) was begun after the passage of flatus or stool, and consisted of clear liquids to a volume of approximately 750 ml, then three solid meals, and discharge thereafter. Patients randomized to a clear liquid diet (n = 27) received 30 ml/hr of clear liquids on postoperative day 2, unlimited clear liquids on postoperative day 3, and were dismissed on a clear liquid diet on postoperative day 4. All patients were followed by a daily telephone call and clinic visit. The primary outcome variable was length of hospital stay. The incidence of postoperative intestinal-related sequelae, complications, and readmission rates did not differ between groups. Postdischarge intestinal symptoms were common in both groups but tended to resolve faster in the patients on a standard diet. The length of hospital stay was decreased in the patients on a clear liquid diet compared to those on a standard diet (6.1 +/- 1.1 days vs. 4.4 +/- 0.2 days; P = 0.09), but total hospital costs did not differ. Early initiation and hospital discharge on a clear liquid diet after elective intestinal surgery decreases the length of hospital stay and is safe.
Inhibition of stearoyl-CoA desaturase activity by the cis-9,trans-11 isomer and the trans-10,cis-12 isomer of conjugated linoleic acid in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 human breast cancer cells.

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a collective term for a group of positional and geometric conjugated dienoic isomers of linoleic acid. CLA has been shown to have strong inhibitory effects on mammary carcinogenesis both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we investigated the regulation of human stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD, EC 1.14.99.5) expression by CLA in human breast cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7. Treatment of the cells with the cis-9,trans-11 and trans-10,cis-12 CLA isomers (45 microM) did not repress SCD mRNA in both MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. However, the cis-9,trans-11 and trans-10,cis-12 CLA isomers significantly decreased SCD protein levels and SCD activity in MDA-MB-231 cells. In MCF-7 cells, both isomers did not affect protein levels, but they inhibited SCD activity. These results suggest that in MDA-MB-231 cells the cis-9,trans-11 and trans-10,cis-12 CLA isomers regulate human SCD by reducing SCD protein levels, while in MCF-7 cells both isomers have a direct inhibitory effect on SCD enzyme activity.
Lysosomal Acid Hydrolases and Hyperreactivity to Endotoxin in Mice infected with BCG.

Experiments are reported dealing with the correlation between activities of lysosomal acid hydrolases and hyperreactivity to endotoxin induced by BCG infection. Acid hydrolases were determined quantitatively in peritoneal MP, liver homogenate, and plasma of normal and hyperreactive mice. Mice infected with BCG not only exhibited a hyperreactive state to lethal effect of endotoxin, but also responded to endotoxin by rapid increase of acid hydrolases, especially of beta-glucuronidase, in the plasma; whereas control mice responded to endotoxin by almost no change in plasma acid hydrolases. The extent of increase of beta-glucuronidase in plasma of hyperreactive mice was shown to correlate fairly well with the degree of hyperreactivity to the lethal effect of endotoxin. Desensitization of such animals with endotoxin was found to cause a decreased response of plasma beta-glucuronidase parallel with decreased mortality. A large amount of PPD exerted the similar effect to that of endotoxin in hyperreactive mice. Furthermore, the effect of PPD was decreased by desensitization of such animals with endotoxin, a fact which suggests contamination of PPD with endotoxin.
CGA-43089 Effects on Metolachlor Uptake and Membrane Permeability in Grain Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)*

Phytotoxicity of metolachlor [2-chloro-N-(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)-N-(2-methoxy-1-methylethyl)acetamide] toward grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] increased as soil moisture increased. This was found with both unprotected sorghum and sorghum protected with 1.25 g CGA-43089 [α([cyanomethoxy]imino)benzeneacetonitrile] per kg of seed. However, under all conditions, metolachlor was less phytotoxic to protected sorghum than to unprotected sorghum. Metolachlor in sorghum coleoptiles increased as soil water increased. The rate of absorption of metolachlor and the total amount accumulated by excised sorghum coleoptiles was decreased by CGA-43089. Initial uptake of leucine by excised sorghum coleoptiles was decreased by metolachlor or metolachlor plus CGA-43089 but, after 24 h, uptake of leucine was increased by these treatments. Leucine incorporation into protein by coleoptiles was increased after 24 h treatment with CGA-43089. The apparent competitive effect of CGA-43089 on the absorption of metolachlor was most evident in the roots. Leakage of photosynthate from roots was highest following treatment with both CGA-43089 and metolachlor. Metolachlor did not increase leakage of labeled carbon from roots as compared with the control. These data indicate that the decreased rate of uptake of metolachlor in the presence of CGA-43089 was not a direct effect on cell permeability.
First-Trimester Screening for Chromosomal Abnormalities: Advantages of an Instant Results Approach

Protocols that include first trimester screening for fetal chromosome abnormalities have become standard of care throughout the United States. Earlier screening allows for first trimester diagnostic testing in cases found to be at increased risk. However, first trimester screening requires coordination of the nuchal translucency ultrasound screening (NT) and biochemical screening, during early, specific, narrow, but slightly different gestational age ranges. Instant results can often be provided at the time of the NT ultrasound if preceded by the programs that perform the biochemical analyses; this optimizes the benefits of the first trimester approach while improving efficiency and communication with the patient. This article discusses the benefits and logistics of such an approach.
Further Evidence of Abnormal Cytoarchitecture of the Entorhinal Cortex in Schizophrenia Using Spatial Point Pattern Analyses

Abstract Previous studies have reported cytoarchitectural abnormalities in superficial laminae of rostral portions of the entorhinal cortex in schizophrenia, including decreased densities of neurons, poorly formed layer II neuron islands, and apparent displacement of layer II-type neurons deep into layer III; however, findings have been controversial, given the qualitative nature of the descriptions and the normal heterogeneity of cytoarchitecture of the region. The x, y coordinates of Nissl-stained neurons were mapped in layers II, III, and V of entorhinal subdivision ER in 8 prospectively accrued patients with schizophrenia and 8 nonneuropsychiatric controls. Indices of neuron dispersion, nearest neighbor distances, and effective radius were determined. An abnormally clustered dispersion of neurons in layer III was present in schizophrenics compared to controls along with a reduced neuron effective radius, whereas the mean nearest-neighbor distance was normal. In layer II, there was a significantly increased effective radius, whereas other indices were normal. No between-group differences were noted in layer V for any variable. These data provide further evidence for subtle aberrant cytoarchitecture in superficial laminae of the entorhinal cortex in schizophrenia and are consistent with neurodevelopmental models of abnormal neuronal pruning, “miswiring,” and/or migration in the illness.
Text categorization study case: Patents' application documents

This paper presents computational methods aiming to patent's text categorization in Portuguese language, involving techniques from machine learning and computational linguistics. The algorithm used was the k-Nearest Neighbor method (k-NN) modified which showed good results, although it requires much computational time in the training stage. For the pre-processing step, it was implemented, with modifications, the stemming method called StemmerPortuguese that includes the removal of suffixes, besides the removal of stopwords and treatment of compound terms.
Strategies for Resetting the Human Circadian Clock

Night work, which is voluntarily accepted by millions of workers in industrialized countries, is a major health hazard, involving an increased risk of cardiovascular illness, gastrointestinal disor...
PREVAIL - An e-beam stepper with Variable Axis Immersion Lenses

Project PREVAIL (Projection Exposure with Variable Axis Immersion Lenses) has been initiated to develop an e-beam alternative to ''sub-optical'' lithography (@?0.13 @mm) providing superior resolution and pattern placement accuracy at competitive throughput.
Ways to describe dynamical state-vector reduction

The continuous-spontaneous-localization (CSL) description of state-vector reduction allows one to describe reality by the state vector. The mathematical structure of the theory, based upon a c-number white-noise source interacting with the quantum system, is reviewed. Then this description is generalized in two ways. First, a generalization is made to a wide class of c-number stochastic processes: using the square root of the probability density functional of the process, it is shown how to construct an evolution equation for the state vector which results in state-vector reduction. Second, within this wider framework the c-number source is completely eliminated and replaced by quantum operators, dubbed «index» operators, representing new physical variables which interact with the quantum system
Pressure-flow relationships and power output of breathing

The pressure-flow relationship obtained by Agostoni and Fenn (1960) during maximal inspiratory efforts against various external resistances contains information from which inferences regarding the power output, and the internal impedance of the breathing system can be made. Similar inferences can be made from measurements obtained with submaximal but constant inspiratory efforts. An analysis is presented to reconcile the observed linear pressure-flow relationships with the usually observed hyperbolic force-velocity relationship of muscle.
Oxidative stress, tissue remodeling and regression during amphibian metamorphosis

Anuran metamorphosis is characterized by rapid and drastic changes in the body form and function under the influence of thyroid hormones. We evaluated the involvement of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defenses during intestinal remodeling and tail regression of tadpoles of Xenopus laevis. Oxidative stress resulting from depletion in catalase and reduced glutathione, and simultaneous increase in lipid peroxidation during intestinal remodeling as well as tail regression are probably responsible for cell death and differentiation in these organs. Gene expression data for superoxide dismutase and catalase supports this contention. A dramatic increase in another antioxidant, ascorbic acid content of both these organs during metamorphic climax indicates its multifactor role such as collagen synthesis in intestine and controlled tail regression. These findings suggest that the cellular environment in the intestine and tail becomes progressively more oxidizing during its remodeling and regression respectively.
An interactive cultural transect Designing, deploying, and evaluating an Online virtual-abroad learning experience

This pilot project conducted by researchers from the University of Central Florida (UCF) seeks to answer the question: Does a real-time, two-way, mobile, remote webcasting system have special prope...
Simulation of mine detection over dry soil, snow, ice, and water

The purpose of this simulation is to compare the backscattered coefficients (or backscattered signals) among four different explosives (TNT, COMP B, TETRATOL, and PICRATOL) and two materials (STEEL and ALUMINUM). All six will be independently buried under four different sources: dry soil, and then moist soil independently covered with snow, with ice and finally with water. The four explosives were selected to represent non-metallic mines and STEEL and ALUMINUM were selected to represent metallic mines. The backscattered coefficient of a mine is calculated using the concept of pulse reflections and transmissions at junctions and pulse attenuations in the materials. A short pulse with a constant, initial voltage progresses through four junctions of different materials such as Antenna and Air, Air and Snow, Snow and Soil, and Soil and Mine with resulting pulses reflected, transmitted at these junctions and pulse attenuated in these materials. The product of the transmission ((tau) ) and reflection ((rho) ) coefficients ((tau) 1(tau) 2(tau) 3(rho) 4(tau) 3'(tau) 2'(tau) 1'), the attenuation factors (e-2(alphaairlair)e-2(alphasoillsoil)), and the initial voltage is the backscattered signal from the mine. The backscattered coefficient of the mine is the ratio of the final voltage to the initial voltage in decibel.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.