cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
State-of-Charge Estimation for Batteries Based on the Nonlinear Double-Capacitor Model and Extended Kalman Filter

State-of-charge (SOC) estimation plays a foundational role in advanced battery management systems (BMS), having attracted much attention in the past decade. It is widely acknowledged that the accuracy of SOC estimation largely depends on the accuracy of the selected model. In this work, we contribute a new SOC estimation method based on the nonlinear double-capacitor (NDC) model, a novel equivalent circuit model distinctly capable of simulating the charge diffusion inside an electrode of a battery and capturing the battery’s nonlinear voltage behavior simultaneously. With improved predictive accuracy, the NDC model provides a new opportunity for enabling more accurate SOC estimation. With this motivation, this paper exploits the well-known extended Kalman filter (EKF) to perform SOC estimation based on the NDC model. The EKF is desirable here as it leads to efficient computation, straightforward implementation, and good convergence in its application to the NDC model, which is low-dimensional and governed by linear dynamics along with nonlinear output. The proposed SOC estimation method is validated through simulations and experimental data under various conditions, showing significant accuracy as well as robustness to different levels of initialization error and noises.
Redeeming Moral Formation: The Unity of Spiritual and Moral Formation in Willardian Thought:

This paper offers an interpretation of Dallas Willard's views on the relation of morality to spirituality by way of a critique of a recent article by John Coe–-or perhaps a critique of Coe by way o...
Persistence and the Gender Innovation Gap: Evidence from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

We document that 85% of patent applications in the United States include no female inventors and ask: why are women underrepresented in innovation? We argue that differences in responses to early r...
Trump’s America in the Indo-Pacific: Southeast Asians Coping with Harsh Realities and Trying to Come Out Ahead

This chapter examines the challenges and opportunities Southeast Asian countries confront as a result of a transformed international order and investigates how Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members are responding to growing uncertainty regarding the US’ role in the Indo-Pacific under the Trump administration as well as an increasingly assertive China. Although neorealists, by focusing on changes in the distribution of capabilities of various regional actors, can explain why ASEAN countries are reevaluating their foreign policies, neorealists have trouble accounting for the range of strategies chosen. More specifically, while neorealism might be able to shed light on why particularly weak countries (Laos and Cambodia) bandwagon with China, it encounters problems accounting for why the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, or Indonesia do not engage in straight balancing behavior. Instead, these countries pursue hybrid strategies which are best explained by neoclassical realism.
EML webinar overview: Mechanical stresses kill tumor cells

Abstract The field of Mechanobiology is in its infancy in that we are just starting to appreciate the molecular processes used by cells to mechanically create the form of organisms. These are robust processes that use stochastic diffusion to deterministically create shapes that have been selected through billions of years of evolution (for background see The Cell as a Machine, M. Sheetz and H. Yu, Cambridge Press, 2018. DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/9781107280809 [10.1017/9781107280809]). One mechanosensing process that is partially understood is the sensing of matrix rigidity. Cell rigidity sensors are roughly two micron sarcomeric structures that pull matrix contacts by a constant displacement of about 100 nm and the force then indicates the rigidity. A major role of this process is to block unwanted adult cell growth on soft surfaces; but in wound-healing, rigidity sensors are lost to enable adult cell growth. If the sensors are not restored upon healing, tumorigenic (transformed) growth on soft surfaces occurs leading to severe cancers if other factors are added such as immortality, and vascularization. Our surprising finding is that transformed cells are mechanically sensitive and will die if repeatedly stretched or exposed to ultrasound. Since nearly all tumor cells are transformed, mechanical therapies can inhibit the growth of most cancers. This provides a novel application of mechanotherapy in fighting cancer.
The Maverick Solutions

From the mid 1960s to the late 1970s, most immunologists espoused either the germline or somatic theory to explain antibody variability. There were, however, a number of investigators who steadfastly maintained that neither theory adequately explained the structural and/or genetic data. Each proposed different solutions that we refer to here as “maverick” because they do not depend on the germline position (for every immunoglobulin V region there resides in the DNA a faithful copy) or the somatic mutation theory (that in the DNA there exists only a very few genes that somatically mutate and give rise to the great variety of antibody molecules). Although each author of a maverick solution depended on different interpretations of much of the data that has been presented so far in this volume, there were six bodies of evidence that the maverick theorists focused on that were difficult to reconcile with either the germline or somatic theories. We will first review these data and then discuss the various alternative theories that were developed that attempted to explain not only these data but also data generally used to support germline or somatic theories.
Grade of Service Steiner Trees in Series-Parallel Networks

The grade of service Steiner tree problem is to determine the minimum total cost of an assignment of a grade of service to each link in a network, so that between each pair of nodes there is a path whose minimum grade of service is at least as large as the grade required at each of the end nodes. This problem has important applications in communication networks and in transportation. It generalizes the Steiner tree problem, in which there are two grades of service. When the network has n nodes and there are r grades of service, an algorithm to determine the cost of a grade of service Steiner tree is given which runs in O(r 3 n) time on series-parallel networks.
Measuring cotranslational folding of nascent polypeptide chains on ribosomes

Protein folding has been studied extensively in vitro, but much less is known about how folding proceeds in vivo. A particular distinction of folding in vivo is that folding begins while the nascent polypeptide chain is still undergoing synthesis by the ribosome. Studies of cotranslational protein folding are inherently much more complex than classical in vitro protein folding studies, and historically there have been few methods available to produce the quantities of pure material required for biophysical studies of the nascent chain, or assays to specifically interrogate its conformation. However, the past few years have produced dramatic methodological advances, which now place cotranslational folding studies within reach of more biochemists, enabling a detailed comparison of the earliest stages of protein folding on the ribosome to the wealth of information available for the refolding of full-length polypeptide chains in vitro.
Using Fluid Solutions in Dynamic Scheduling

We review some recent work on fluid approximation of queueing network control problems and present new results. The relationship between the optimal control of a queueing network and the optimal control of the associated fluid model is investigated. A general theory, a number of examples, and a few numerical results are presented. The fluid model replaces stochastic counting processes by their mean rates. Surprisingly, although the fluid model is deterministic and transient, it often contains valuable information about the original problem. We show that, under some technical assumptions, the asymptotic slope (normal vector in higher dimensions) of the switching surfaces for large queue lengths can be found from the fluid model. The implications of the fluid policy for designing manufacturing scheduling and control policies are discussed. Unlike the queueing network control problem, which is usually an intractable dynamic program, very efficient algorithms exist to solve the fluid problem from a given initial buffer state. Fluid solutions are presented for a number of examples, some of them new.
Nonlinear regression modeling of nutrient loads in streams: A Bayesian approach

[1] A Bayesian nonlinear regression modeling method is introduced and compared with the least squares method for modeling nutrient loads in stream networks. The objective of the study is to better model spatial correlation in river basin hydrology and land use for improving the model as a forecasting tool. The Bayesian modeling approach is introduced in three steps, each with a more complicated model and data error structure. The approach is illustrated using a data set from three large river basins in eastern North Carolina. Results indicate that the Bayesian model better accounts for model and data uncertainties than does the conventional least squares approach. Applications of the Bayesian models for ambient water quality standards compliance and TMDL assessment are discussed.
SOYBEAN QTL FOR YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS ASSOCIATED WITH GLYCINE SOJA ALLELES

U.S. soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] germplasm has a narrow genetic base. The objective of this study was to identify G. soja Sieb. and Zucc. alleles for yield and yield component quantitative trait loci (QTL). Two populations of BC 2 F 4 lines were generated from a mating between recurrent parent G. max '7499' and donor parent G. soya PI 245331 with one line in each population tracing back to the same BC 2 plant. Population A was used for the QTL identification analysis and Population B was used for the QTL verification test. The Population A lines were genotyped at 120 simple sequence repeat marker loci and one phenotypic marker locus. There were 11 putative QTL significantly associated with yield and yield component traits across three environments. One QTL for seed yield was found using the combined data. At this locus, the G. soja allele at Satt511 on LG A1 was associated with increased seed yield with an additive yield effect of 191 to 235 kg ha -1 depending on the QTL analysis method. Across environments in the validation population, lines that were homozygous for the G. soja allele at Satt511 demonstrated a 6.3% yield increase over lines that were homozygous for the G. max allele. One seed filling period QTL was identified on LG F with an additive effect of +1 d. This QTL also provided a +1 d additive effect on maturity. These results demonstrate the potential of identifying positive alleles in the exotic germplasm of soybean.
Structural Studies of Order, Disorder, and Stoichiometry in Some High Tc Nb-Base A-15 Superconductors

X-ray intensity measurements have been made on several Nb-base A-15 type superconductors. Order parameters have been determined with reasonable accuracy even in the presence of substantial amounts of impurity phases. Chemically vapor deposited Nb3Ge of near-stoichiometric composition is characterized by a significant amount of disorder, corresponding to occupation of about 4% of the Nb sites by Ge. Annealing at 1350°C converts this material to a Nb-rich A-15 phase and Nb5Ge3. The former has essentially no Ge on Nb sites. From the lattice parameter trends in these compounds and the A-15 region of the Nb-Pt system, a B site radius of 1.43 A for Nb is proposed. This is significantly different from the A site radius of 1.51 A and closer to the normal metallic twelve-coordinated value.
‘Al Pie De La Letra’ Crafting a Report Card for Elderly Spanish-Only–Speaking Patients With Stroke

Background and Purpose— Ethnic minorities are at higher stroke risk than non-Hispanic whites yet are less likely to have optimal vascular risk factor control. There is a need to develop culturally sensitive strategies for enhancing vascular risk reduction in minority patients with stroke. This study aimed to develop a postdischarge report card to boost treatment adherence among elderly Spanish-speaking patients with stroke within an urban health system. Methods— This study included a total of 13 Spanish-only speaking participants aged ≥60 years discharged from a local government hospital in Los Angeles within 18 months of an index ischemic stroke and 6 caregivers engaged in focus groups and interviews. Structured interviews were conducted with 11 care providers and 9 administrators at the hospital. Framework analysis examined the data and elicited themes to adapt a pre-existing patient report card tool. Results— Spontaneously using the same phrase, “Al pie de la letra,” several participants expressed a ne...
Steady-State Growth and Chemical Composition of the Marine Chlorophyte Dunaliella tertiolecta in Nitrogen-Limited Continuous Cultures

The marine chlorophyte Dunaliella tertiolecta was grown in continuous cultures under NH4+-N, NO2−-N, NO3−-N, and urea-N limitations. The effect of the nitrogen cell quota (Qn) on the steady-state growth rate (μ) was the same regardless of the N source. The relationship between μ and Qn was well described by the Droop equation, but only up to the true maximum growth rate ^μ (= cell washout rate). The ratio between the minimum cell quota (kQ) and the maximum cell quota (Qm) was 0.19. Hence, there is no substitute for determining ^μ experimentally. That there was no difference in growth response to different N sources suggests that no internal pooling of inorganic nitrogen occurred. Both the carbon (Qc) and phosphorus (Qp) cell quotas under N limitation increased with increasing μ in a threshold fashion: virtually no change in either cell quota up to ∼0.8 ^μ, followed by a rapid and large increase up to ^μ. In addition, in the region of low μ, there was an increase in Qp with a decreasing medium N/P ratio of between 15 and 5 (by atoms). The results generally indicate the physiological limits in cellular constituency under N limitation. The usefulness of this information, however, in describing the response of natural populations of marine phytoplankton to transient nutrient exposures on the temporal and spatial microscales that most likely exist is of limited value.
Constructing the Border Wall – The Social and Environmental Impacts of Border: Mexico-U.S. Border Policy

As of December 2008 the U.S. government has built just over 370 mi (595 km) of fencing along its southern boundary, half of the quantity mandated by Congress in the 2006 Secure Fence Act. Expanding from 73 mi (118 km) of fencing in 2001, the construction of border fencing has unfolded in tandem with massive investments in surveillance and Border Patrol staffing. Enabled by waivers suspending 37 laws and regulations governing federal construction projects, the Department of Homeland Security has planned and constructed the border wall with unprecedented speed and with an unprecedented lack of oversight. As early reports of fence-induced flooding, environmental destruction, and human rights violations prefigure the wall’s future impacts, I argue that the border wall is situated in a complex of security technologies imagined to secure the nation as a whole. Thus, the negative impacts of fence construction are felt locally, while the benefits of physical barriers remain undetermined. Billed as necessary to the very survival of the United States, this scalar disjuncture works to localize and further marginalize the negative consequences of border construction, with significant and lasting consequences for the cultural, political, economic, and physical geographies of the Mexico-U.S. borderlands.
Comparison of male chimeric mice generated from microinjection of JM8.N4 embryonic stem cells into C57BL/6J and C57BL/6NTac blastocysts

To identify ways to improve the efficiency of generating chimeric mice via microinjection of blastocysts with ES cells, we compared production and performance of ES-cell derived chimeric mice using blastocysts from two closely related and commonly used sub-strains of C57BL/6. Chimeras were produced by injection of the same JM8.N4 (C57BL/6NTac) derived ES cell line into blastocysts of mixed sex from either C57BL/6J (B6J) or C57BL/6NTac (B6NTac) mice. Similar efficiency of production and sex-conversion of chimeric animals was observed with each strain of blastocyst. However, B6J chimeric males had fewer developmental abnormalities involving urogenital and reproductive tissues (1/12, 8 %) compared with B6NTac chimeric males (7/9, 78 %). The low sample size did not permit determination of statistical significance for many parameters. However, in each category analyzed the B6J-derived chimeric males performed as well, or better, than their B6NTac counterparts. Twelve of 14 (86 %) B6J male chimeras were fertile compared with 6 of 11 (55 %) B6NTac male chimeras. Ten of 12 (83 %) B6J chimeric males sired more than 1 litter compared with only 3 of 6 (50 %) B6NTac chimeras. B6J male chimeras produced more litters per productive mating (3.42 ± 1.73, n = 12) compared to B6NTac chimeras (2.17 ± 1.33, n = 6). Finally, a greater ratio of germline transmitting chimeric males was obtained using B6J blastocysts (9/14; 64 %) compared with chimeras produced using B6NTac blastocysts (4/11; 36 %). Use of B6J host blastocysts for microinjection of ES cells may offer improvements over blastocysts from B6NTac and possibly other sub-strains of C57BL/6 mice.
Optical scattering polarization measurements of fiber orientation of wood with rough surfaces

The difference of optical scattering intensity distributions in the directions along and across the fiber can be used to ascertain wood fiber orientation. However, it is difficult to measure the fiber orientation of wood with rough surfaces, due to the overwhelming of the difference by the scattering from the uneven surface. It has been experimentally found that under polarization detection the peak positions in optical scattering intensity distribution versus fiber orientation appear periodic, and with Fourier analysis this periodization could be used to precisely deduce fiber orientations of rough-sawn softwood and porous hardwood samples under investigation. A sensor consisting of one polarized laser and sixteen photodiode/polarization- analyzer assemblies has been proposed to measure fiber orientation.
Decoupling, effective Lagrangian, and gauge hierarchy in spontaneously broken non-Abelian gauge theories

In spontaneously broken non-Abelian gauge theories which admit gauge hierarchy at the tree level, we show, to all orders in perturbation theory, that (i) the superheavy particles decouple from the light sector at low energies, (ii) an effective low-energy renormalizable theory emerges together with appropriate counterterms, and (iii) the gauge hierarchy can be consistently maintained in the presence of radiative corrections. These assertions are explicitly demonstrated for O(3) gauge theory with two triplets of Higgs particles in a manner easily applicable to more realistic grand unified theories. Furthermore, as a byproduct of our analysis, we obtain a systematic method of computing the parameters of the effective low-energy theory via renormalization-group equations to any desired accuracy.
Management of osteoarthritis in cats.

Osteoarthritis is a condition most frequently recognized in the geriatric cat but may occur in any cat suffering from joint abnormality or injury. Clinical signs include weight loss, anorexia, depression, urinating outside the litter box, poor grooming, and lameness. Radiographs and synovial fluid analysis are used to distinguish this disease from the various forms of inflammatory arthritis that affect the cat. Management consists mainly of envirorunental manipulation and medical management. Agents used for the medical management of painful osteoarthritis in cats include aspirin, butorphanol, corticosteroids, and oral nutritional supplements.
A new look at interruptions

The purpose of this study was to examine the assumptions underlying the communicative act of interruption. Six graduate student groups involving 35 subjects were videotaped. The data for the study were 255 transcribed interruption sequences. A category system was developed and used to code the data. The results indicated that slightly over half of the interruptions served a confirming function, and the remaining interruptions were disconfirmations or rejections. No significant differences between males and females were found in the types of speeches produced. However, cross‐sex interruptions occurred significantly more often than expected.
Partial characterization of the plasma membrane ATPase from a rho0 petite strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Crude membrane preparations of arho0 mutant ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae exhibit Mg2+-dependent ATPase activity. Over the optimal pH range, 5.0–6.75, the apparentVmax of the enzyme equals 590 nmoles of ATP hydrolyzed per minute per milligram protein, with an apparentK m for ATP of 1.3 mM. ATP hydrolysis is insensitive to ouabain, venturicidin, aurovertin, and the protein inhibitor described by Pullman and Monroy; inhibited by oligomycin (at high concentrations) and sodium orthovandate, and it is sensitive to dicyclohexylcarbodiimide,p-hydroxymercuribenzoate, hydroxylamine, sodium fluoride, and sodium iodoacetate. The pH optimum and the inhibitor pattern distinguish the plasma membrane enzyme from the mitochondrial F1 ATPase still present in these cells (this activity is sensitive to efrapeptin, aurovertin, and the protein inhibitor, but resistant to DCCD). In addition, the activity of the plasma membrane enzyme and its affinity for ATP are responsive to changes in the composition of the growth medium, with the highest activity observed in cells grown on methyl-α-d-glucoside, a sugar which results not only in partial release from catabolite repression but also requires the induction of an active transport system for growth.
p38 MAPK-mediated Transcriptional Activation of Inducible Nitric-oxide Synthase in Glial Cells ROLES OF NUCLEAR FACTORS, NUCLEAR FACTOR κB, cAMP RESPONSE ELEMENT-BINDING PROTEIN, CCAAT/ENHANCER-BINDING PROTEIN-β, AND ACTIVATING TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR-2

Previous studies have shown that mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades signal the induction of inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS) in glial cells (Bhat, N. R., Zhang, P., Lee, J. C., and Hogan E. L. (1998)J. Neurosci. 18, 1633–1641; Bhat, N. R., Zhang, P., and Bhat, A. N. (1999) J. Neurochem. 72, 472–478). This study further investigates the role of p38 MAPK in the transcriptional activation of the iNOS gene by transient transfection with constitutively active upstream kinases in the pathway (i.e. MAPK kinase 3 (MKK3b(E)) and MAPK kinase 6 (MKK6b(E)). Expression in C-6 glial cells of either MKK3b(E) or MKK6b(E) resulted in an induction of the activity of a cotransfected rat iNOS promoter-reporter (iNOS-luciferase (Luc)) gene and an enhancement of cytokine-induced expression of iNOS mRNA, both of which were inhibitable by the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580. The MKK constructs also induced cAMP response element-mediated (CRE-Luc) and nuclear factor κB-dependent (nuclear factor κB-Luc) transcriptional activities. Transfection with dominant negative (dn) forms of CRE-binding protein (CREB) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP), the two CRE-binding transcription factors targeted by the p38 MAPK pathway, resulted in opposite effects; dnCREB enhanced and dnC/EBP inhibited iNOS-Luc parallel to their effects on CRE-Luc. In addition, the induction, by MKK3b(E) and MKK6b(E), of iNOS promoter activity was enhanced by a wild-type activating transcription factor (ATF-2), whereas a phosphorylation-defective form of ATF-2 had a suppressive effect. The results of these molecular studies provide evidence for an important role for the p38 MAPK pathway in the transcriptional activation of the iNOS gene in rat glial cells involving the transcription factors nuclear factor κB, C/EBP, and ATF-2.
Two realizations of a general feature extraction framework

Abstract A general feature extraction framework is proposed as an extension of conventional linear discriminant analysis. Two nonlinear feature extraction algorithms based on this framework are investigated. The first is a kernel function feature extraction (KFFE) algorithm. A disturbance term is introduced to regularize the algorithm. Moreover, it is revealed that some existing nonlinear feature extraction algorithms are the special cases of this KFFE algorithm. The second feature extraction algorithm, mean–STD 1 –norm feature extraction algorithm, is also derived from the framework. Experiments based on both synthetic and real data are presented to demonstrate the performance of both feature extraction algorithms.
Cell growth regulatory and antiviral effects of the P69 isozyme of 2-5 (A) synthetase.

Among the many interferon-induced proteins that carry out multiple cellular functions of interferons is the family of enzymes called 2'-5' oligoadenylate synthetases. We examined the anticellular and antiviral activities of a specific member of that family, the P69 isozyme. P69 was expressed in human cells by transfection and shown to be localized primarily in the endoplasmic reticulum. For further studies, permanent cell lines expressing different levels of P69 or an enzymatically inactive mutant were isolated. Constitutive P69 expression caused inhibition of replication of encephalomyocarditis virus but not of vesicular stomatitis virus, Sendai virus, or reovirus. Increasing levels of P69 expression also caused increasing perturbations in cell growth properties. There was increasing accumulations of the P69-expressing cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle; cell-doubling time was increased by P69 expression; and there were many multinucleated cells in the P69-expressing line, indicating a defect in cytokinesis.
Commercial banks in investment banking conflict of interest or certification role

Abstract When commercial banks make loans to firms and also underwrite securities, does this hamper or enhance their role as certifiers of firm value? This paper examines empirically the pricing of bank-underwritten securities as compared to investment-house-underwritten securities over a unique period in the U.S. (pre-Glass-Steagall) when both banks and investment houses were allowed to underwrite securities. The evidence shows that investors were willing to pay higher prices for securities underwritten by banks rather than investment houses. The results support a certification role for banks, which is more valuable for junior and information sensitive securities.
An Essay on Software Reuse

This paper explores software reuse. It discusses briefly some economic incentives for developing effective software reuse technology and notes that different kinds of software reuse, such as direct use without modification and reuse of abstract software modules after refinement, have different technological implications. It sketches some problem areas to be addressed if we are to achieve the goal of devising practical software reuse systems. These include information retrieval problems and finding effective methods to aid us in understanding how programs work. There is a philosophical epilogue which stresses the importance of having realistic expectations about the benefits of software reuse.
Oriented Cell Division as a Response to Cell Death and Cell Competition

The imaginal disc epithelia that give rise to the adult ectoderm of Drosophila can compensate to produce normal adult organs after damage. We looked at the local response to cell death by using two genetic methods to elevate cell death rates. During cell competition, sporadic cell death occurs predictably along the boundaries between populations of competing wild-type and "Minute" cells (M/+). Boundaries between M/+ and wild-type populations show an unusual degree of mixing, associated with mitotic reorientation of wild-type cells toward M/+ territory that they take over. Apoptosis of M/+ cells was the cue, and reoriented mitosis required the planar cell polarity genes dachsous, fat, and atrophin. Clones mutated for pineapple eye, an essential gene, elevate apoptosis by a noncompetitive mechanism. Mitosis was also reoriented near cells mutant for pineapple eye, likewise dependent on the planar cell polarity genes. These findings show that planar cell polarity genes are required for responses to cell death. Oriented mitosis may help maintain morphology as dividing cells replace those that have been lost.
NASA's Research in Aircraft Vulnerability Mitigation

Since its inception in 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration s (NASA) role in civil aeronautics has been to develop high-risk, high-payoff technologies to meet critical national aviation challenges. Following the events of Sept. 11, 2001, NASA recognized that it now shared the responsibility for improving homeland security. The NASA Strategic Plan was modified to include requirements to enable a more secure air transportation system by investing in technologies and collaborating with other agencies, industry, and academia. NASA is conducting research to develop and advance innovative and commercially viable technologies that will reduce the vulnerability of aircraft to threats or hostile actions, and identify and inform users of potential vulnerabilities in a timely manner. Presented in this paper are research plans and preliminary status for mitigating the effects of damage due to direct attacks on civil transport aircraft. The NASA approach to mitigation includes: preventing loss of an aircraft due to a hit from man-portable air defense systems; developing fuel system technologies that prevent or minimize in-flight vulnerability to small arms or other projectiles; providing protection from electromagnetic energy attacks by detecting directed energy threats to aircraft and on/off-board systems; and minimizing the damage due to high-energy attacks (explosions and fire) by developing advanced lightweight, damage-resistant composites and structural concepts. An approach to preventing aircraft from being used as weapons of mass destruction will also be discussed.
Infrared radiation parameterizations in numerical climate models

This study presents various approaches to parameterizing the broadband transmission functions for utilization in numerical climate models. One-parameter scaling is applied to approximate a nonhomogeneous path with an equivalent homogeneous path, and the diffuse transmittances are either interpolated from precomputed tables or fit by analytical functions. Two-parameter scaling is applied to parameterizing the carbon dioxide and ozone transmission functions in both the lower and middle atmosphere. Parameterizations are given for the nitrous oxide and methane diffuse transmission functions.
Alpha noradrenergic agonists promote catalepsy in the mouse.

Alpha adrenergic receptors are important in motor control. Adrenergic drugs reportedly modulate the catalepsy caused by other agents, such as opiates and neuroleptics. We tested a variety of adrenergic agonists and blockers in a nondrug, mouse model of catalepsy. A major cataleptic effect was produced by both alpha agonists, phenylephrine (0.5 to 3 mg/kg, IP) and clonidine (0.5 to 2 mg/kg), and this catalepsy was antagonized by pretreatment with both of the respective antagonists, phenoxybenzamine (alpha-1) and yohimbine (alpha-2) (p<0.0001). The mixed beta agonist, isoproterenol (2 mg/kg), appeared to have a minor cataleptic effect, and this was abolished by beta antagonist. Open-field locomotor scores during the same treatments revealed that catalepsy and hypokinesia are dissociable.
Do β-Defensins and Other Antimicrobial Peptides Play a Role in Neuroimmune Function and Neurodegeneration?

It is widely accepted that the brain responds to mechanical trauma and development of most neurodegenerative diseases with an inflammatory sequelae that was once thought exclusive to systemic immunity. Mostly cationic peptides, such as the β-defensins, originally assigned an antimicrobial function are now recognized as mediators of both innate and adaptive immunity. Herein supporting evidence is presented for the hypothesis that neuropathological changes associated with chronic disease conditions of the CNS involve abnormal expression and regulatory function of specific antimicrobial peptides. It is also proposed that these alterations exacerbate proinflammatory conditions within the brain that ultimately potentiate the neurodegenerative process.
Geobarometry of ultramafic xenoliths from Loihi Seamount, Hawaii, on the basis of CO2 inclusions in olivine

Abstract Abundant fluid inclusions in olivine of dunite xenoliths (∼1–3 cm) in basalt dredged from the young Loihi Seamount, 30 km southeast of Hawaii, are evidence for three coexisting immiscible fluid phases—silicate melt (now glass), sulfide melt (now solid), and dense supercritical CO2 (now liquid + gas)—during growth and later fracturing of some of these olivine crystals. Some olivine xenocrysts, probably from disaggregation of xenoliths, contain similar inclusions. Most of the inclusions (2–10 μm) are on secondary planes, trapped during healing of fractures after the original crystal growth. Some such planes end abruptly within single crystals and are termed pseudosecondary, because they formed during the growth of the host olivine crystals. The “vapor” bubble in a few large (20–60 μm), isolated, and hence primary, silicate melt inclusions is too large to be the result of simple differential shrinkage. Under correct viewing conditions, these bubbles are seen to consist of CO2 liquid and gas, with an aggregate ϱ = ∼ 0.5–0.75 g cm−3, and represent trapped globules of dense supercritical CO2 (i.e., incipient “vesiculation” at depth). Some spinel crystals enclosed within olivine have attached CO2 blebs. Spherical sulfide blebs having widely variable volume ratios to CO2 and silicate glass are found in both primary and pseudosecondary inclusions, demonstrating that an immiscible sulfide melt was also present. Assuming olivine growth at ∼ 1200°C and hydrostatic pressure from a liquid lava column, extrapolation of CO2 P-V-T data indicates that the primary inclusions were trapped at ∼ 220–470 MPa (2200–4700 bars), or ∼ 8–17 km depth in basalt magma of ϱ = 2.7 g cm−3. Because the temperature cannot change much during the rise to eruption, the range of CO2 densities reveals the change in pressure from that during original olivine growth to later deformation and rise to eruption on the sea floor. The presence of numerous decrepitated inclusions indicates that the inclusion sample studied is biased by the loss of higher-density inclusions and suggests that some part of these olivine xenoliths formed at greater depths.
Information theory in the sixties

This retrospective survey describes the major trends in information theory research during the decade of the sixties, with emphasis on channel and source coding.
"Microsome" Fraction of Brain: Structural Changes Induced by Ascorbic Acid

The usual vesicular configuration of membrane fragments in the brain "microsome" fraction is radically altered by treatment with ascorbic acid and adenosine monophosphate. Lightscattering measurements and electron micrographs show that the treated membranes assume predominantly planar forms. This change in structure appears to be contingent upon a continued transport of electrons from ascorbic acid.
Continuous Two-Phase Slug Flow Heat Exchanger for Ultra High-Temperature Short-Time Heating of Milk and Liquid Milk Products

Abstract To facilitate research on thermal in activation of enzymes and microorganisms, a slug flow heat exchanger was developed. Nitrogen compartmentalized liquid in the capillary tubing prevented laminar flow and enabled precise estimation of residence times of the fastest flowing fluids in the heating, holding, and cooling sections of the heat exchanger. Nitrogen-to-milk ratio of 1:4 or 1:5; fluid flow of 20ml per min; holding at from 87.8 to 121.1C, and from less than 1 to 60sec, and heating and cooling times of 4 to 5 and 2 to 5sec were used to evaluate instrument performance. Fresh milk and cream up to 30% fat or homogenized cream up to 15% fat were processed satisfactorily. Residence time corrections due to heating and cooling sections were .73 and .0sec, respectively, assuming z=4.3C. Holding time was computed from Y sec = .0854 X cm ±.57. When no holding section was used, heating time was 3.06±.04sec and correction due to heating was .56±.01sec.
Effect of Magnesium on Production of Toxic-Shock-Syndrome Toxin-l by Staphylococcus aureus

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS), first described in 1978 [1], is an acute illness characterized by fever, hypotension or dizziness, rash, desquamation of the skin upon recovery, and a variable multiorgan component [2, 3]. The illness occurs most frequently in young adult women during menstruation and is considered to be caused by Staphylococcus aureus [2, 3]. Strains of S. aureus isolated from menstrual cases consistently express TSS toxin-1 (TSST-1), a toxin that has the capacity to induce many TSS-like symptoms in experimental animals [4-6]. Thus, TSST-1 represents a likely causative toxin. In 1980, studies showed that menstrual TSS is associated with tampon use [2, 3]. In a later study, it was reported that the risk of developing TSS was a function of tampon absorbency rather than tampon brand [7]. Thus, the risk of developing TSS increased with the tampon absorbency [7]. Since these reports, there have been many attempts to explain the association of certain tampons, particularly those of higher absorbency, with TSS. Schlievert and Blomster [8] noted that laboratory conditions necessary for production of TSST-1 were consistent with those present in the vagina, except that air (oxygen) was required for toxin expression, and the vagina is generally regarded as anaerobic [9]. In a subsequent study [9], it was shown that tampons significantly increase the oxygen content of the vagina. These observations, together with a report that tampon components do not support bacterial growth or stimulate TSST-1 production [10], led to the hypothesis that tampons may be associated with TSS as a consequence of introducing air into the vagina. Recently, Mills et al. [11] provided an alternative explanation for the association of TSS with tampon use. These investigators reported that magnesium levels control toxin production. At very low concentrations of magnesium both cell growth and toxin expression were inhibited, at levels of 2-5 pg of magnesium/ml good cell growth and maximal toxin production were achieved, and at concentrations >15 mg of magnesium/ml good cell growth was obtained but expression of TSST-1 was inhibited. It was thus inferred that the association of tampon use with TSS may result from the higher-absorbency tampons binding
The use of doubling to counter resistance in family and individual treatment

Many family therapists are known for their use of experiential techniques (Leveton, 1984; Minuchin & Fishman, 1981; Papp, 1976; Satir, 1972). Family sculpture (Bell, 1984; Duhl, 1983; Papp, Silverstein & Carter, 1973; Papp, 1982), the enactment of metaphors, Satir’s (1972) games using stereotypical roles and her family reconstructions, and family drawings (Leveton, 1977) are all techniques that have developed along with the field of family therapy. Therapists use active techniques in order to gather information about family patterns of interaction, to help the family develop a graphic, dramatic picture of how the members behave, and to effect change in a variety of ways (Bandler & Grinder, 1975; Bell, 1984; Leveton, 1977; Minuchin & Fishman, 1981). Perhaps the least discussed in the field of family therapy are the active techniques derived from psychodrama, particularly the use of the double, which is virtually unknown outside the fields of psychodrama and drama therapy. In the following pages, I address doubling as a technique the therapist can use to counter resistance while working with families and individuals. J.L. Moreno (1941) developed doubling as part of his psychodramatic work with groups. Sometimes referred to as “alter ego,” this technique allows the auxiliary ego (or helper) to speak as part of the protagonist (focus of psychodrama) in order to give voice to and portray actions felt but not expressed by the protagonist. This helper usually begins by standing or sitting behind and slightly to the side of the protagonist, using mirroring to establish the role, and using the word “I” rather than “you.” Because the helper is very quickly perceived as an inner voice, resistance decreases markedly and often suddenly. The power of the technique lies in a paradox. On the one hand, the double (helper) blends with the protagonist and is no longer perceived as a separate person (Leveton, 1984). On the other hand, the double is, of course, the therapist’s voice. Doubling is closely related to Minuchin’s concept of “joining” (Minuchin & Fishman, 1981) and Bandler and Grinder’s (1975) “pacing.” Joining is a way of showing that the therapist is on the family’s side through the use of self. Anecdotes about the therapist’s life that have relevance for the family are an example. The joiner uses anecdotes to establish kinship, stressing the similarities between therapist and client. In pacing, the therapist observes the client closely to get an impression of the rhythm of the client’s responses, speech, and gesture patterns. The therapist induces a trance by matching the client’s behavior. The pacer talks, breathes, and moves at the same pace as the client. Doubling this way locates a therapist not on the side, but at the side of the client, using cues similar to those used by the joiner and pacer in an effort to submerge his or her own personality and become part of what the protagonist is saying. Also used are the double’s own life resources as well as the observa-
Trypanosome RNA editing : Resolved

In trypanosomes, mitochondrial RNAs are modified after their synthesis. Uridylate residues are inserted into the RNA transcript or, less often, deleted. In a research article in this week9s issue, Kable et al. (p. 1189) describe the mechanism whereby uridylate residues are inserted into these RNAs. Sollner-Webb discusses the discoveries and ideas that led to this breakthrough and the questions remaining for the field.
Resource availability hypothesis of plant antiherbivore defence tested in a South African savanna ecosystem

THERE is considerable variation in the levels of herbivory experienced by woody species in ecosystems as diverse as arctic shrub tundra, boreal forests, tropical rain forests and African savannas1. An important objective of evolutionary ecology is the formulation of a hypothesis that can explain this variation. One such hypothesis predicts that mature leaves of inherently slowly growing species adapted to resource-limited habitats2,3 such as infertile soil4 are, because of more effective chemical defences, less preferred as a food source by herbivores than mature leaves of inherently rapidly growing species adapted to productive habitats2,3,5-8. In agreement with this prediction, we found positive correlations between the inherent growth rates of nine South African woody species and kudu and impala preferences for their mature leaves. Thus, the resource availability hypothesis of plant antiherbivore defence2,3,5-8 could explain why large African herbivores feed less on woody vegetation of dystrophic savanna-woodlands than on woody vegetation of eutrophic savannas9.
The concept of normative threat

Why are some acts, events, or people elevated to a status of a threat, when no hostile action or direct physical damage appears imminent? Why are some relationships of threat infused with intense emotionality and ethical language? In this paper, I argue that puzzles such as these can be understood if we develop a concept of normative threat. The role of ethical values and beliefs has not been sufficiently integrated with the threat literature. Many writers assume that ethical language tied to constructions of threat serves merely to disguise and palliate the underlying hard reality of struggles for power. This is too simplistic. I offer an approach that takes seriously the normativity of the threat experience for people as members of political bodies. I argue that perceptions of threat emerge and carry a heightened emotional and moral energy when basic features of a political body's normative order appear to be at stake and people believe action affirming their strength as a collective body is required. Normative order comprises a set of principles citizens believe to be necessary for the functioning, justifiability, and indeed ‘reality’ of their political body. A normative threat is perceived as a promise of harm to the political body through defiance of basic principles of order and right that constitute one's group. The paper describes three main types of normative threat: transgression/grievance, subversion/insecurity, abomination/indignant aversion.
The (mis)interpretation of teaching evaluations by college faculty and administrators

Student evaluations of teaching are ubiquitous and impactful on the careers of college teachers. However, there is limited empirical research documenting the accuracy of people’s efforts in interpreting teaching evaluations. The current research consisted of three studies documenting the effect of small mean differences in teaching evaluations on judgements about teachers. Differences in means small enough to be within the margin of error significantly impacted faculty members’ assignment of merit-based rewards (Study 1), department heads’ evaluation of teaching techniques (Study 2) and faculty members’ evaluation of specific teaching skills (Study 3). The results suggest that faculty and administrators do not apply appropriate statistical principles when evaluating teaching evaluations and instead use a general heuristic that higher evaluations are better.
A Symbolic Approach to Freeform Parametric Surface Blends

This paper presents a symbolic approach to the computation of blend surfaces across piecewise polynomial and rational surfaces. Curves in the parameter space of the primary surfaces can be specified as the rail curves, also known as trimlines, of the blend. Several techniques which require various levels of user interaction are presented for defining the cross-boundary tangent curves along the rail curves. The resulting blend is represented as a polynomial surface having tangent plane continuity with the primary surfaces to an accuracy bounded only by the machine precision. Also presented is a normalization method that approximates unit vector fields, an approach that might benefit other applications such as offset approximation and animation curve construction. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Differential-Delay Equation Model of Gene Expression: A Continuum Approach

This paper presents an analytical study of the stability of the steady state solutions of a gene regulatory network with time delay. The system is modeled as a continuous network and takes the form of a nonlinear delay differential-integral equation coupled to an ordinary differential equation. Two examples are given in which the critical delay causing instability is computed.Copyright © 2008 by ASME