cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Metabolism of androstenedione by human ovarian tissues in vitro with particular reference to reductase and aromatase activity

The ability of granulosa and theca cells of the human ovarian follicle at different stages of development, as well as stromal and luteal tissues from human ovaries to metabolize androstenedione (delta 4) to testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), estrone (E1) and estradiol (E2) with or without exposure to additional amounts of folicle-stimulating hormone was investigated by in vitro experiments. The results show that all the aforementioned ovarian tissues metabolized delta 4 to DHT. Indeed, with the exception of estrogen-secreting granulosa cells from large antral follicle (greater than 10 mm diameter) and possibly also luteal tissue from mid-luteal phase ovaries, the various ovarian tissues preferentially metabolized delta 4 to DHT instead of E (E1 + E2). Although thecal tissue is a major source of delta 4 in human ovaries it is concluded that the granulosa cells do not interact with the theca for the synthesis of E as the follicle enlarges from 1 to 10 mm in diameter. Indeed, excessive thecal delta 4 during this growth phase probably inhibits normal follicular development. However, as the follicle enlarges beyond 10 mm in diameter, and as the granulosa cells begin to preferentially metabolize delta 4 to E, the two cell-types of the follicle may increasingly interact to enhance the follicular output of E.
Mechanistic studies on azoalkane cation radical decomposition

Abstract We report on the oxidative decomposition of two azoalkanes, azo-bis-2-methyl-2-propane and 3,3,6,6-tetramethyl-1, 2-diazacyclohex-2-ene. These azoalkane cation radicals decompose at rates 10 18 times faster than their neutral precursors. This can be attributed to a decrease of 24 kcal/mol in the CN bond dissociation energy on oxidation.
Pre-literate people in New Guinea and Indonesia draw specifically distorted faces, as do 'Western' dyslexics, using a paleo visual-representational mode.

Third World populations with a persisting high percentage of preliterates within individual groups draw specifically distorted patterns of the human face characteristic of ‘neolithic art’ to a degree negatively correlated with the accessibility of reading instruction. A subgroup of ‘Western’ dyslexic youths also draw these distorted face patterns, which, moreover, facilitate infants ‘smiling response’. These findings suggest the persistence of a developmentally early visual representational mode which proceeds in a global way, disregarding differences in characterizing details, whether of face patterns or of lexical symbols.
DISJUNCT DISTRIBUTION OF THE XANTHOPHYLL LOROXANTHIN IN THE GREEN ALGAE (CHLOROPHYTA)1

Thirty-five green algal species, representing 17 orders in 5 classes, were examined for the presence of the xanthophyll loroxanthin by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Of these, 16 possessed loroxanthin, including at least one member of each class of green algae. The distribution of loroxanthin as established by this and previous studies is disjunct within the Chlorophyta and does not appear to have any taxonomic significance. Most of the green algae examined possessed one or more xanthophyll pigments that have not been found in land plants.
Quantitative microchemical imaging of calcium in NaK pump inhibited heart cells

Abstract Quantitative electron probe X-ray imaging techniques have been utilized to determine simultaneously the element content within a single cultured embryonic chick heart cell and its intracellular compartments as well as the average elemental content of several heart cells within a population. These features of microchemical imaging have permitted establishment of data regarding: (1) the heterogeneity of calcium accumulation in mitochondrial, cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments under conditions which elevate total cell calcium without producing irreversible cell injury; and (2) the variability of calcium accumulation from cell to cell within the population sampled. The results indicate that during NaK pump inhibition (K-free HT-BSS, 10−4M ouabain, 60 min) elevation of mitochondrial calcium, measured in situ by electron probe X-ray microanalysis, to levels more than 100 times greater than in the basal state, may not cause irreversible mitochondrial uncoupling and cell death.
Rotation of cylinders of special compressible materials

Abstract In this paper we seek closed form solutions to the boundary value problems associated with the rotation of solid cylinders of finitely-deforming compressible elastic materials. Two exact solutions to the equations of motion will be obtained and some of the qualitative features of these solutions will be studied. The strain energy functions used are quadratic in one stretch invariant and linear in another.
Optimal and distributed automatic discrete control of air conditioning units in data centers

In order to prevent potential failures due to lack of cooling systems, data centers are fitted with redundant air conditioning units. Even though such extra elements provide safety and could be turned off, they are typically on and underutilized, thus wasting energy. We propose a distributed and automatic control of air conditioning units based on dense environmental sensing and data center events handling system that prevent hot spots formation or server/device failures. The control is optimal in the sense of determining and controlling the operation of a set with the minimum number of active air conditioning units while preserving the specified data center cooling capacity. In addition, we present an implementation of such system for a discrete state (on/off) control of air conditioning units in a medium sized data center.
Annular or subvalvular approach to chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation

Objective We sought to investigate whether annular or subvalvular interventions corrected chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation differently. Methods Sheep underwent placement of markers on the left ventricle, mitral annulus, papillary muscles (anterior and posterior), and both leaflet edges. A transannular suture (septal-lateral annular cinching) was anchored to the midseptal mitral annulus and externalized through the midlateral mitral annulus. Another suture (papillary muscle repositioning) from the posterior papillary muscle was passed through the mitral annulus near the posterior commissure and externalized. After 7 days, 3-dimensional marker data were obtained before inducing posterolateral myocardial infarction. After 7 weeks, animals in whom chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation developed (n = 10) were restudied before and after pulling septal-lateral annular cinching or papillary muscle repositioning sutures. End-systolic septal-lateral annular diameter and 3-dimensional displacement of the papillary muscles and leaflet edges were computed. Results Infarction increased mitral regurgitation (0.6 ± 0.5 to 2.3 ± 1.1); mitral annular septal-lateral dilation (4 ± 1 mm); posterior papillary muscle displacement laterally (4 ± 2 mm), posteriorly (9 ± 3 mm), and toward the annulus (2 ± 1 mm); posterior mitral leaflet apical tethering (3 ± 1 mm); and interleaflet separation (+3 ± 1 mm, P P P Conclusions Septal-lateral annular cinching moved the lateral annulus and the posterior papillary muscle closer to the septum and reduced mitral regurgitation unlike posterior papillary muscle repositioning, and thus the key mitral subvalvular repair component must correct posterior papillary muscle lateral displacement.
Situational Detenninants of Shame and Guilt in Young Adulthood

Undergraduates (N = 146) briefly described three shame-inducing situations and three guilt-inducing situations. Shame and guilt situations differed in both form and content. Shame dissipations were longer but less specific in content, and respondents were more likely to use the "projective"second person when describing shame than guilt. The observed content differences were generally consistent with current theory. Guilt was typically induced by specific moral transgressions, often involving harm to others. Shame was induced by specific moral transgressions as well as by nonmetal situations and issues (e.g., failure in performance situations, social{y inappropriate behavior or dress). The analysis of interpersonal concerns indicated that both shame and guilt can arise from a concern with one's effect on another person. Concern with others' evaluations, however, were almost exclusively the domain of shame. Although there appear to be some classic shame-inducing situations and some classic guilt-inducing si...
The poleward migration of the location of tropical cyclone maximum intensity

Temporally inconsistent and potentially unreliable global historical data hinder the detection of trends in tropical cyclone activity. This limits our confidence in evaluating proposed linkages between observed trends in tropical cyclones and in the environment. Here we mitigate this difficulty by focusing on a metric that is comparatively insensitive to past data uncertainty, and identify a pronounced poleward migration in the average latitude at which tropical cyclones have achieved their lifetime-maximum intensity over the past 30 years. The poleward trends are evident in the global historical data in both the Northern and the Southern hemispheres, with rates of 53 and 62 kilometres per decade, respectively, and are statistically significant. When considered together, the trends in each hemisphere depict a global-average migration of tropical cyclone activity away from the tropics at a rate of about one degree of latitude per decade, which lies within the range of estimates of the observed expansion of the tropics over the same period. The global migration remains evident and statistically significant under a formal data homogenization procedure, and is unlikely to be a data artefact. The migration away from the tropics is apparently linked to marked changes in the mean meridional structure of environmental vertical wind shear and potential intensity, and can plausibly be linked to tropical expansion, which is thought to have anthropogenic contributions.
Unveiling the Work–Life System The Influence of Work–Life Balance on Meaningful Work

The ProblemIndividuals, organizations, and government are the primary forces studied in a work–life scenario. Too often these forces are studied independently of one another when they should instead be examined as a system. The most frequently discussed piece of the work–life system is work–life balance. Understanding how concepts of work–life balance are intertwined with meaningful work is important to individual and organizational development in human resource development (HRD).The SolutionThis article introduces the work–life system as a means to examine the three forces, individuals, organizations, and government, and the three work–life dimensions, balance, initiatives, and policy. The first force and the first dimension, individuals and work–life balance, are discussed to demonstrate connections between work–life balance, meaningful work, and organizational culture. Using data from the 2008 National Study of the Changing Workforce, a preliminary ordinary least squares regression analysis illustrates...
Maternal heterogeneity in primary sex-ratio of three tetranychid mites

The influence of maternal age on primary sex ratio was determined forTetranychus urticae, T. pacificus andT. turkestani (Acari:Tetranychidae). All females were allowed to mate once.Tetranychus urticae had the highest production of daughters and the lowest production of sons. The sex ratio ofT. urticae was nearly 2∶1 (daughters∶sons), whereas for the other species it was 0.6∶1. Net sex ratios were all shifted in favor of daughters, suggesting that most son-production occurs late in life. Demographic techniques are applied to tetranychid populations, including the concepts of reproductive concentration curves and expectation of future reproduction based on age and previous offspring.
What is the Right Form of the Probability Distribution of the Conductance at the Mobility Edge

A Comment to the Letter by Keith Slevin and Tomi Ohtsuki, Phys. Rev. Lett. {bold 78}, 4083 (1997). The authors of the Letter offer a Reply. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society }
The relationship between body weight and estradiol-induced activity.

Abstract Estradiol-induced activity was found to be of equal magnitude in ovariectomized rats allowed to achieve supranormal body weight and in ovariectomized animals restricted to preoperative weight. The results suggest that estradiol-induced activity is not weight regulatory.
Entrepreneurs as theorists: on the origins of collective beliefs and novel strategies

What are the origins of entrepreneurial beliefs about new opportunities and the value of resources? In this article, we outline a theory and model of the emergence of entrepreneurial beliefs and novel strategies. We first summarize extant literature by highlighting both the experiential and perceptual (or observational) origins of entrepreneurial beliefs and strategies. Thereafter we carefully explicate the role that entrepreneurial theorizing plays in the emergence of novel beliefs about new opportunities and make links with experiential and perceptual arguments. We specifically discuss three key mechanisms of entrepreneurial theorizing, namely: (1) the triggering role of experiential and observational fragments; (2) the imagination of possibilities; and (3) reasoning and justification. Importantly, we also explicate the social mechanisms of entrepreneurial theorizing and the emergence of entrepreneurial beliefs and novel strategies, specifically by discussing the role of social interaction and self-selection in entrepreneurial activity. Copyright © 2009 Strategic Management Society
The Effects of Inbreeding On Aggression in Wild Male House Mice (Mus Domesticus)

This study examined the effect of inbreeding on aggression levels and competitive ability in wild male house mice. Wild mice were bred in the laboratory to produce males of three levels of inbreeding: male offspring of unrelated parents, male offspring of first-cousin parents, and male offspring of full-sibling parents. Paired encounters were staged between males of the three offspring groups, when the males reached maturity. Less inbred males won more encounters and tended to have higher scores of aggression level than more inbred males. If competitive ability in the laboratory is related to competitive ability in nature, wild mice from this population may benefit from avoiding inbreeding and the consequent decrease in aggression levels and competitive ability.
Forced Copulation as a Reproductive Strategy of Male Lesser Scaup: a Field Test of Some Predictions

I presented evidence that sperm transfer can occur during forced copulation (FC) under natural conditions, and tested predictions of the fertilization strategy hypothesis, with field data from a marked population of lesser scaup breeding in southwestern Manitoba. As predicted, males directed FC attempts at fertilizable females and seemingly had tactics that increased their effectiveness in inseminating such females. Males selected older females (the more productive) when attempting FCs in 1 year of the study. FC rates were highest in the morning when chances of successful fertilization were probably highest. FC rates were positively correlated with annual variations in female reproductive effort and performance, but the exact nature of the relationship requires further study. Mate-and nonmate-defense by males and other behaviours which probably function as anticuckoldry tactics were observed. Contrary to BARASH'S (1977a) prediction, paired males attempted FCs more frequently than did unpaired males. Although pair formation through mate-switches is probably a more profitable strategy than FC for unpaired males, FC may be an important "last resort" strategy for older, experienced unpaired males late in the season. In general, my results provided strong support for the male fertilization strategy hypothesis.
Ecologically and economically conscious design of the injected pultrusion process via multi-objective optimization

Injected pultrusion (IP) is an environmentally benign continuous process for low-cost manufacture of prismatic polymer composites. IP has been of recent regulatory interest as an option to achieve significant vapour emissions reduction. This work describes the design of the IP process with multiple design objectives. In our previous work (Srinivasagupta D et al 2003 J. Compos. Mater. at press), an algorithm for economic design using a validated three-dimensional physical model of the IP process was developed, subject to controllability considerations. In this work, this algorithm was used in a multi-objective optimization approach to simultaneously meet economic, quality related, and environmental objectives. The retrofit design of a bench-scale set-up was considered, and the concept of exergy loss in the process, as well as in vapour emission, was introduced.The multi-objective approach was able to determine the optimal values of the processing parameters such as heating zone temperatures and resin injection pressure, as well as the equipment specifications (die dimensions, heater, puller and pump ratings) that satisfy the various objectives in a weighted sense, and result in enhanced throughput rates. The economic objective did not coincide with the environmental objective, and a compromise became necessary. It was seen that most of the exergy loss is in the conversion of electric power into process heating. Vapour exergy loss was observed to be negligible for the most part.
MASSIVE DIRAC NEUTRINOS, RADIATIVE DECAYS AND NUCLEOSYNTHESIS

We study the cosmological implications of massive Dirac neutrinos. The conditions for a fast radiative decay, ν → ν′ γ, with the lifetime τ < 5 × 103 s, and the compatibility of three Dirac neutrino species with the predictions of nucleosynthesis are examined. We use a class of E6 superstring-inspired models as a suitable framework for this discussion, where we find that for lepto-quark masses in excess of about 100 GeV, the tau neutrino must weigh less than 50 eV. If ντ is heavy, the above cosmological bounds also lead to possible enhancements of rare processes, such as τ → μγ, B+ → K+ νν and B0 → τμ.
Autonomous Scour Monitoring of Bridges and Embankments Using Bio-Inspired Whisker Flow Sensor Arrays

Detection of damage to the boundary conditions of structures can be equally important as detection of structural damage. Civil structures sit on foundations which are, ideally, constant over time and are integral to collapse prevention. Any processes that compromise the foundations or the soil around them also constitutes damage to the structure. Bridge structures as well as embankments near roadways and viaducts can be particularly prone to this kind of attack when high-velocity water flows transport sediment away from the bridge foundation (scour). This process can be difficult to detect because 1) it happens out of sight, underwater; and 2) scour holes tend to grow and shrink at time progresses and materials are either carried away or deposited by the water. In this study, use of a buried-rod scour detection system based on magnetostrictive and magnetic flow sensor arrays is investigated. For buried-rod scour detection systems, an array of small, flexible, strain-sensitive rod sensors is distributed around the foundations which generate dynamic signals they are waterborne and static signals when buried. The pattern of static and dynamic signals reveals the depth of scour around the structure. Magnetostrictive sensors are appealing for this application due to their robustness. In this paper the effectiveness signal processing and scour detection algorithms are explored for water-coupled magnetostrictive whisker sensors of varying geometries to determine their sensitivity and the thresholds for false alarms and missed alert conditions at varying flow rates. Experimental laboratory data is utilized for this study.© 2014 ASME
The Promise and the Perils of Dual Citizenship: The Case of Post-Communist Armenia

The politics of dual citizenship have been and remain a contentious issue throughout the world. Since the mid-twentieth century, dualcitizenship practices have evoked responses ranging from outrigh...
Differential components of reactivity and attentional control predicting externalizing behavior

Abstract The present study examined the contribution of early reactivity and regulation on externalizing behavior in preadolescence. Moreover, subcomponents of attentional control (i.e., attention shifting and attention focusing) and negative reactivity (i.e., sadness and anger) were examined individually to test whether a specific combination of factors uniquely contributed to the outcome. A subset of data were utilized from the ongoing, longitudinal RIGHT Track project ( N = 404), in which parents reported on individual factors at age 4 and teachers reported on externalizing behavior at age 10. A hierarchical linear regression analysis revealed a significant interaction between anger reactivity and attention shifting when controlling for early externalizing behavior, where children with high levels of anger and low levels of attention shifting experienced the greatest increase in externalizing behavior over time. An increased focus on specificity is needed in research on the interplay between reactivity and regulation in the prediction of externalizing behavior.
A fast vectorized program for the cyber 205 to calculate the partition function of the 3-D Ising model

Abstract I describe a computer program that numerically estimates the density of states of the three-dimensional Ising model. The program runs at a speed of 110 million spin updates per second on a 2 pipe CDC Cyber 205 and 233 million updates per second on an ETA-10.
Resonance fluorescence from quantized one-dimensional molasses

We study theoretically the spectrum of resonance fluoresence from one-dimensional molasses consisting of two-level atoms with Zeeman substructure. The center-of-mass motion of the atom is treated fully quantum mechanically. The spectrum shows sidebands due to transitions between vibrational levels in optical potentials generated by the laser light. Detailed results are presented for the J g =1/2→Je=3/2 atomic transition in a laser configuration with two counterpropagating waves with orthogonal polarizations
Distribution and speciation of trace elements in iron and manganese oxide cave deposits

Abstract Fe and Mn oxide minerals control the distribution and speciation of heavy metals and trace elements in soils and aquatic systems through chemical mechanisms involving adsorption, incorporation, and electron transfer. The Pautler Cave System in Southwest Illinois, an analog to other temperate carbonate-hosted karst systems, contains Fe and Mn oxide minerals that form in multiple depositional environments and have high concentrations of associated trace elements. Synchrotron-based micro-scanning X-ray fluorescence (μ-SXRF) shows unique spatial distributions of Fe, Mn, and trace elements in mineral samples. Profile maps of Mn oxide cave stream pebble coatings show Fe- and As-rich laminations, indicating dynamic redox conditions in the cave stream. μ-SXRF maps demonstrate that Ni, Cu, and Zn correlate primarily with Mn whereas As correlates with both Mn and Fe; As is more enriched in the Fe phase. Zn is concentrated in the periphery of Mn oxide stream pebble coatings, and may be an indication of recent anthropogenic surface activity. X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy measurements reveal that As(V) occurs as surface complexes on Mn and Fe oxides whereas Zn(II) associated with Mn oxides is adsorbed to the basal planes of phyllomanganates in a tetrahedral coordination. Co(III) and Se(IV) are also observed to be associated with Mn oxides. The observation of Fe, Mn, and trace element banding in Mn oxide cave stream pebble coatings suggests that these materials are sensitive to and document aqueous redox conditions, similar to ferromanganese nodules in soils and in marine and freshwater sediments. Furthermore, speciation and distribution measurements indicate that these minerals scavenge trace elements and limit the transport of micronutrients and contaminants in karst aquifer systems while also potentially recording changes in anthropogenic surface activity and land-use.
The role of mechanism-based pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic (PK–PD) modelling in translational research of biologics

Lack of predictability of clinical efficacy and safety is an important problem facing pharmaceutical research today. Translational PK-PD has the ability to integrate data generated from diverse test platforms during discovery and development in a mechanistic framework. Therefore, successful implementation of translational PK-PD modelling and simulation early in the development cycle could have a substantial impact on overall efficiency and success of pharmaceutical research. Three case studies are presented, which outline successful implementation of the translational PK-PD methodology in the rational development of biotherapeutics across various stages of discovery and development. Emerging developments within the field are also discussed.
The effect of distributed questioning with varied examples on exam performance on inference questions

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the distributed presentation of different versions of a question would produce better performance on a new version of the question than distributed presentation of the same version of the question. A total of 48 four question sets of five alternative multiple‐choice questions were presented during a college lecture course. The answers to all the four questions in each set required an inference from the same fact statement. One question in each set appeared on both a block exam and the final. Each of the other three questions was presented either on an online quiz before class, during class or on an online quiz a week after class. Answering different versions of a question before class, during class and after class resulted in better performance on a fourth version of the question on the exam and final than answering the same question before class, during class and after class. On the final exam, 44 questions were answered twice, first under a time const...
Heme reactivity is uncoupled from quaternary structure in gel-encapsulated hemoglobin: a resonance Raman spectroscopic study.

Encapsulation of hemoglobin (Hb) in silica gel preserves structure and function but greatly slows protein motion, thereby providing access to intermediates along the allosteric pathway that are inaccessible in solution. Resonance Raman (RR) spectroscopy with visible and ultraviolet laser excitation provides probes of heme reactivity and of key tertiary and quaternary contacts. These probes were monitored in gels after deoxygenation of oxyHb and after CO binding to deoxyHb, which initiate conformational change in the R–T and T–R directions, respectively. The spectra establish that quaternary structure change in the gel takes a week or more but that the evolution of heme reactivity, as monitored by the Fe–histidine stretching vibration, νFeHis, is completed within two days, and is therefore uncoupled from the quaternary structure. Within each quaternary structure, the evolving νFeHis frequencies span the full range of values between those previously associated with the high- and low-affinity end states, R a...
Comparing the Cost-Effectiveness of Rituximab Maintenance and Radioimmunotherapy Consolidation versus Observation Following First-Line Therapy in Patients with Follicular Lymphoma

Abstract Background Phase 3 randomized trials have shown that maintenance rituximab (MR) therapy or radioimmunotherapy (RIT) consolidation following frontline therapy can improve progression-free survival for patients with follicular lymphoma (FL), but the cost-effectiveness of these approaches with respect to observation has not been examined using a common modeling framework. Objectives To evaluate and compare the economic impact of MR and RIT consolidation versus observation, respectively, following the first-line induction therapy for patients with advanced-stage FL. Methods We developed Markov models to estimate patients' lifetime costs, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and life-years (LYs) after MR, RIT, and observation following frontline FL treatment from the US payer's perspective. Progression risks, adverse event probabilities, costs, and utilities were estimated from clinical data of Primary RItuximab and MAintenance (PRIMA) trial, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) trial (for MR), and First-line Indolent Trial (for RIT) and the published literature. We evaluated the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for direct comparisons between MR/RIT and observation. Model robustness was addressed by one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. Results Compared with observation, MR provided an additional 1.089 QALYs (1.099 LYs) and 1.399 QALYs (1.391 LYs) on the basis of the PRIMA trial and the ECOG trial, respectively, and RIT provided an additional 1.026 QALYs (1.034 LYs). The incremental cost per QALY gained was $40,335 (PRIMA) or $37,412 (ECOG) for MR and $40,851 for RIT. MR and RIT had comparable incremental QALYs before first progression, whereas RIT had higher incremental costs of adverse events due to higher incidences of cytopenias. Conclusions MR and RIT following frontline FL therapy demonstrated favorable and similar cost-effectiveness profiles. The model results should be interpreted within the specific clinical settings of each trial. Selection of MR, RIT, or observation should be based on patient characteristics and expected trade-offs for these alternatives.
Reconsidering the role of precipitation and food availability in relation to the effect of photoperiod on spring departure of a migratory bird

Ramenofsky [[1][1]] asserts that our paper [[2][2]] discounts the role of photoperiod in organizing the spring departure programme of American redstarts ( Setophaga ruticilla ) from their non-breeding grounds in Jamaica. We disagree with this opinion and argue here that our research design and
Evolution of classical/quantum methodologies: applications to oxide surfaces and interfaces

Abstract First-principles quantum chemical approaches have evolved in the direction of greater precision for describing properties of small molecules, and with reduced precision, to the description of macromolecules and extended systems. However, traditional methodologies are inadequate to meet the increasing demands for time- and temperature-dependent analyses of molecular and particulate structure–function relations. We describe several of the extant hybrid classical/quantum schemes which have been evolving to meet the challenge of bridging size scales from 1 to 1000 A and time scales from 1 to 107 fs. The current state of affairs is illustrated with examples of applications to metal oxide surfaces and interfaces, and future trends are discussed.
Classification of power system disturbances based on wide-area frequency measurements

The automatic disturbance detection and classification based on wide area frequency data from a nationwide frequency monitoring network (FNET) is very important to improve control algorithm for ensuring power system security and reliability, an essential function for smart grid infrastructure. Moreover, in a future power system mostly consisting of distributed generators and renewable energy resources on which the disturbance has more impact, the analysis of disturbances by classifying and categorizing realtime frequency data is rather critical. Many strategies are used right now in on-line analysis, but none of them has good performance. The big background noise and the irregular pattern characters of each kind of disturbances are main reasons. Artificial intelligence method could be one of the solutions. But the lacking of enough training examples has been the bottleneck to apply the artificial intelligence method in practice. Therefore, two methods to classify power system common disturbances is presented in this paper: an artificial neural network (ANN) and support vector machine (SVM) are designed to discern the otherwise hard-to-classify disturbances pattern, and by constructing the disturbances mathematical model, enough examples are obtained conveniently to train the ANN and yield good performance. In the end of the paper, verification of the constructed ANN and SVMs performance is given by using real frequency data from FNET.
Ethical Conflict in Providing Informed Consent for Clinical Trials: A Problematic Example from the Gynecologic Cancer Research Community

The principle of respect for patient autonomy and the importance of informed consent are well established in the conduct of clinical research. However, in actual clinical practice, how one applies this concept is not always clear. The provocative results of a randomized trial examining “consolidation/maintenance” therapy in women with advanced ovarian cancer who achieved a clinically defined complete response to primary chemotherapy have raised difficult issues for clinicians and clinical investigators regarding their obligations to provide patients with information that may interfere with the conduct of ongoing or future research studies. The Oncologist 2004;9:3-7
Comparison of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Patient Safety Indicator Rates Among Veteran Dual Users

This study compares rates of 11 Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Patient Safety Indicators (PSIs) among 266 203 veteran dual users (ie, those with hospitalizations in both the Veterans Health Administration [VA] and the private sector through Medicare fee-for-service coverage) during 2002 to 2007. PSI risk-adjusted rates were calculated using the PSI software (version 3.1a). Rates of pressure ulcer, central venous catheter-related bloodstream infections, and postoperative sepsis, areas in which the VA has focused quality improvement efforts, were found to be significantly lower in the VA than in the private sector. VA had significantly higher rates for 7 of the remaining 8 PSIs, although the rates of only 2 PSIs (postoperative hemorrhage/hematoma and accidental puncture or laceration) remained higher in the VA after sensitivity analyses were conducted. A better understanding of system-level differences in coding practices and patient severity, poorly documented in administrative data, is needed ...
Coronary Hypertension and Diastolic Compliance in Isolated Rabbit Hearts

Acute pulmonary edema during hypertensive crisis has been attributed to acute left ventricular systolic failure secondary to increased afterload. We tested the hypothesis that the increase in coronary artery perfusion pressure associated with systemic hypertension could also contribute to increased left ventricular filling pressures by acutely increasing coronary intravascular volume and decreasing left ventricular diastolic compliance. Isolated isovolumic (balloon in left ventricle) normal rabbit hearts (n = 13) with pericardium removed and right ventricle vented were blood perfused at an initial coronary artery perfusion pressure of 100 mm Hg; left ventricular balloon volume was adjusted to produce an initial left ventricular end-diastolic pressure of 15 +/- 1 mm Hg; left ventricular systolic pressure was 102 +/- 3 mm Hg. When coronary perfusion pressure was increased to 130 +/- 1 mm Hg to simulate a hypertensive crisis, coronary flow increased from 2.0 +/- 0.2 to 3.0 +/- 0.2 ml/min/g left ventricle (p less than 0.001), left ventricular systolic pressure increased to 116 +/- 4 mm Hg, and isovolumic left ventricular end-diastolic pressure increased to 21 +/- 1 mm Hg (p less than 0.001), which indicated a decrease in left ventricular diastolic compliance. When coronary perfusion pressure was decreased to a physiological level of 70 mm Hg, coronary flow rate decreased to 1.4 +/- 0.1 ml/min/g left ventricle (p less than 0.001), left ventricular systolic pressure fell to 82 +/- 4 mm Hg, and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure fell to 14 +/- 1 mm Hg (p less than 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Effect of joint size and pad metallization on solder mechanical properties

Metallurgical analysis, mechanical testing, and finite element analysis were conducted to understand the effect of joint size and pad metallization on solder behavior. A wide range of design and material variables was evaluated. The pad metallization affected both the intermetallic compounds at the joint interfaces and those dispersed in the bulk solder. NiAu pad metallization resulted in more creep resistant joints than Cu. These effects were more pronounced at lower test temperatures. Solder joint creep resistance increased with joint size. Larger joints were also more prone to brittle interface failure than smaller joints. This was true in both package level tests and board level tests. Finite element analysis indicated that the predicted fatigue life in cyclic drop or temperature cycle testing can be significantly affected by the test vehicle used to generate data for constitutive constants. More creep resistant behavior resulted in lower strain and work for both temperature cycle and drop test conditions. When comparing strain vs. work as a damage indicator, it is seen that work is less sensitive to variations in the constitutive constants.
iMACSIM: a program for multi-level analog circuit simulation

The authors describe a new program called iMACSIM which allows multi-level, mixed-domain simulation of analog integrated circuits. The program performs the simulation of different subcircuits at the behavioral, functional, and electrical levels concurrently. It also enables some parts of the circuit to be simulated using discrete-time algorithms while other portions are processed by continuous-time techniques. Simulations are presented to demonstrate the functionality of the program. >
A Cylindrical Multivalued Logic Transform

In this paper a cylindrical multivalued logic transform is defined. The transform is defined in terms of cylindrical multivalued Walsh functions. It is shown that these functions form an orthogonal set. The number of independent constraints needed to define these functions is shown to be equal to (m+1)/2. The cylindrical Walsh functions form a complete set. Thus, the transform can be used to expand the two dimensional functions as a series of multivalued cylindrical functions.
Epac and PKA: a tale of two intracellular cAMP receptors

cAMP-mediated signaling pathways regulate a multitude of important biological processes under both physiological and pathological conditions, including diabetes, heart failure and cancer. In eukaryotic cells, the effects of cAMP are mediated by two ubiquitously expressed intracellular cAMP receptors, the classic protein kinase A (PKA)/cAMP-dependent protein kinase and the recently discovered exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac)/cAMP-regulated guanine nucleotide exchange factors. Like PKA, Epac contains an evolutionally conserved cAMP binding domain that acts as a molecular switch for sensing intracellular second messenger cAMP levels to control diverse biological functions. The existence of two families of cAMP effectors provides a mechanism for a more precise and integrated control of the cAMP signaling pathways in a spatial and temporal manner. Depending upon the specific cellular environments as well as their relative abundance, distribution and localization, Epac and PKA may act independently, converge synergistically or oppose each other in regulating a specific cellular function.
Automated quantification of volumetric optic disc swelling in papilledema using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.

Purpose To develop an automated method for the quantification of volumetric optic disc swelling in papilledema subjects using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and to determine the extent that such volumetric measurements correlate with Frisen scale grades (from fundus photographs) and two-dimensional (2-D) peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and total retinal (TR) thickness measurements from SD-OCT. Methods A custom image-analysis algorithm was developed to obtain peripapillary circular RNFL thickness, TR thickness, and TR volume measurements from SD-OCT volumes of subjects with papilledema. In addition, peripapillary RNFL thickness measures from the commercially available Zeiss SD-OCT machine were obtained. Expert Frisen scale grades were independently obtained from corresponding fundus photographs. Results In 71 SD-OCT scans, the mean (± standard deviation) resulting TR volumes for Frisen scale 0 to scale 4 were 11.36 ± 0.56, 12.53 ± 1.21, 14.42 ± 2.11, 17.48 ± 2.63, and 21.81 ± 3.16 mm(3), respectively. The Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was 0.737. Using 55 eyes with valid Zeiss RNFL measurements, Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) between the TR volume and the custom algorithm's TR thickness, the custom algorithm's RNFL thickness, and Zeiss' RNFL thickness was 0.980, 0.929, and 0.946, respectively. Between Zeiss' RNFL and the custom algorithm's RNFL, and the study's TR thickness, r was 0.901 and 0.961, respectively. Conclusions Volumetric measurements of the degree of disc swelling in subjects with papilledema can be obtained from SD-OCT volumes, with the mean volume appearing to be roughly linearly related to the Frisen scale grade. Using such an approach can provide a more continuous, objective, and robust means for assessing the degree of disc swelling compared with presently available approaches.
The neural representation of plural discourse entities

Little is known about the underlying neural structures that mediate the generation and tracking of discourse referents. In two functional magnetic resonance imaging experiments, we examined the neural structures involved in generating and maintaining the representations of multiple referents. Experiment 1 used two-sentence discourses with singular and plural conditions linking back to single or conjoined subjects. In Experiment 2, conjunction type was manipulated in order to keep the number of discourse entities constant across the discourse. Both experiments found greater activation in the superior parietal lobule bilaterally for plural entities relative to singular entities in Experiment 1 and for unconjoined plural entities relative to conjoined plural entities in Experiment 2. This parietal activation suggests that referring to multiple entities evokes multiple representations that need to be integrated and tracked. We discuss these findings in terms of psycholinguistic theories of multiple referent representations.
Upper laser level quenching in ceramic Nd:YAG

Fluorescence decay in ceramic Nd:YAG is distinctly nonexponential for concentrations greater than 1% atomic. This strongly affects the effective upper level storage time for high concentrations. The quenching mechanisms were determined, and are intrinsic.
A GCM Case Study On the Maintenance of Short‐Term Subtropical Wind Maxima In the Summer Hemisphere During SOP‐1, FGGE

In order to substantiate earlier findings of pronounced short-term deviations in Southern Hemisphere tropical convection during the first Special Observing Period (SOP-1) of FGGE, the hypothesis that the observed summertime subtropical wind maxima were strengthened by episodes of enhanced tropical divergence is numerically tested using a fourth-order GCM. FGGE observational data for January 6-20, 1979 suggested that strong convection over the South Pacific helped to maintain a nearby subtropical jet. The dominant term in the zonal momentum budget was the Coriolis force applied to the diabatically driven meridional circulation. The present GCM study simulates these processes to a reasonable degree of accuracy. Experimental reduction of the latent energy supplied to the GCM is used to substantiate that summertime subtropical westerly maxima are largely forced by divergent outflow from the tropics.
Reflections on the Federal Procurement Landscape

This paper, published in the Government Contractor, presents the reflections on the author's service as the Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy from 2009 through 2011. The author identifies his three goals for his tenure as Administrator: strengthening the federal acquisition workforce, driving fiscal responsibility in federal acquisition, and rebalancing the relationship with contractors. The author points to reversal of several negative trends, in particular, decline in the size of the federal acquisition workforce during the years 1992-2009, unsustainable annual increases in procurement spending during those years, and an unhealthy overreliance on contractors in performance of key government functions. In each of those key areas, the author reports on the progress made - increasing the size of the federal acquisition workforce, buying less and buying smarter (particularly through the strategic sourcing initiative), and a better balance in relations with contractors, with more clarity about the proper role of contractors and improved oversight, as well as efforts to increase communication with vendors.
Invited talk: Promises and challenges in light-emitting diodes for lighting applications

Lighting technologies based on semiconductor light-emitting diodes (LEDs) offer unprecedented promises that include three major benefits: (i) Gigantic energy savings enabled by efficient conversion of electrical energy to optical energy; (ii) Substantial positive contributions to sustainability through reduced emissions of global-warming gases, acid-rain gases, and toxic substances such as mercury; and (iii) The creation of new paradigms in lighting driven by the unique controllability of solid-state lighting sources. Due to the powerful nature of these benefits, the transition from conventional lighting sources to solid-state lighting is virtually assured. This presentation will illustrate the new world of lighting including the pervasive changes to be expected in lighting, displays, communications, and biotechnology. The presentation will also address the formidable challenges that must be addressed to further advance solid-state lighting technology. These challenges offer opportunities for research and innovation. Specific challenges include light management and carrier transport. As an example, we will discuss new optical thin-film materials with a tunable refractive index. We will also discuss the hotly debated efficiency droop, that is, the decreasing LED efficiency at high currents.
Determination of a Copper Requirement to Support Gestation and Lactation for the Female Albino Rat

Confirmed pregnant female albino rats were fed a purified diet containing 3, 6, 9 or 12 ppm copper throughout gestation and lactation in order to determine a copper requirement for one generation. A diet con taining 6 ppm copper was found to meet the biochemical needs for rats during gestation, but the combined stress of gestation plus lactation raised the dietary requirement to 9 ppm copper. Evidence to support these con clusions included measurements of serum copper concentration, serum ceruloplasmin activity, liver iron concentration, milk copper concentration and pup liver copper concentration. The results of these studies suggests that the current National Research Council recommendation of 5 ppm does not maximize the copper status of first generation off-spring in rats. J. Nutr. 109: 1529-1533, 1979.
Numerical Integration of the Shallow-Water Equations on a Twisted Icosahedral Grid. Part I: Basic Design and Results of Tests

Abstract The streamfunction-velocity potential form of shallow-water equations, implemented on a spherical geodesic grid, offers an attractive solution to many of the problems associated with fluid-flow simulations in a spherical geometry. Here construction of a new type of spherical geodesic grid is outlined, and discretization of the equations is explained. The model is subjected to the NCAR suite of seven test cases for shallow-water models.