cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A compact and uniform approach for synthesizing state-based property-enforcing supervisors for discrete-event systems

In this paper, we are interested in the problem of synthesizing a partial-observation supervisor for a discrete-event system such that it enforces a desired property. We introduce a compact and uniform approach to the problem of synthesizing state-based property-enforcing supervisors. A state-based property is a property that only depends on the current estimate of the past behavior of the system and does not depend on its future behavior. Previous work has introduced a uniform methodology to solve this problem through the construction of a finite structure called the All Enforcement Structure (AES) which captures a game between the supervisor and the environment. Although the AES is a powerful structure that includes all possible property-enforcing supervisors, its construction is computationally challenging since the number of states grows exponentially in the number of states and the number of events of the system. Our contribution is the definition of a compact AES that is equivalent to but computationally more efficient than the original AES. We also provide experimental results to show the benefits of the compact AES over the original AES.
Compliance with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for evaluation and treatment of anemia among patients with solid tumors.

11Background: Anemia is associated with increased morbidity, mortality and decreased quality of life among oncology patients. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recommends evaluation ...
Autonomous protein folding units.

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the identification, characterization, and possible uses of autonomous folding units (AFUs), with special emphasis on studies aimed at understanding protein architecture and folding. Autonomous folding substructures, including even small subdomains may help reduce the complexity of conformational search by replacing the concerted folding of the entire polypeptide chain with smaller local folding reactions that subsequently assemble. It will be interesting to investigate the stepwise formation of a complex protein structure by determining the relative folding and assembly rates of subdomain AFUs. The observation that many AFUs consist of noncontinuous segments of the polypeptide chain, often corresponding to distant regions of the primary sequence, suggests that AFUs may provide an efficient mechanism for restricting conformational space by requiring collapse and compaction of distant stretches of the polypeptide chain at early stages of protein folding. The chapter focuses on the existing experimental data, such that they can be used as a benchmark for the future theoretical development of algorithms for predicting AFUs. In principle, negative results or regions that do not fold autonomously, can provide equally important information for understanding the principles of protein folding as those regions that are AFUs. AFUs can be used as fundamental building blocks in the design of proteins with novel functions.
H ∞ loopshaping control of a steering wheel vibration simulator using complex lead filter

This paper presents the loopshaping control of a steering wheel vibration simulator using complex lead/lag shaping filter. The simulator is used in characterizing human perception of vibration as transmitted to the hand through the steering wheel. Accelerometers are used to record the acceleration at the top of the steering wheel in both the up-down (z) and side-to-side (y) directions. The plant is modeled using frequency response measurements including an uncertainty model generated from measured changes in system frequency response due to variations in subjects' grip force. The resonances in the simulator frequency response and the desired performance requirement require sharp transitions in the loopshaping weighting filters that are difficult to achieve with typical first order lead/lag filters. Complex lead/lag filters were introduced to provide better trade-off considerations. Simulation results to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control algorithm are presented.
Reasonable cause: A qualitative study of mandated reporting

Forty-nine volunteers (29 therapists and 20 child protection workers) were interviewed regarding their experiences with mandated reporting. The results indicated widespread disagreement between the groups about the nature of appropriate reports, the requirements of the law, and the process designed to protect children and help families.
Spores and Their Significance

This chapter describes the fundamental basis of sporulation and problems that spores present to the food industry. The first obvious morphological event in sporulation is an unequal cell division. One purpose of the chapter is to highlight the state of knowledge of molecular mechanisms of sporulation, spore resistance and dormancy, and spore germination and outgrowth, and hopefully, provide a counterpoint to more applied aspects of this system. The chapter focuses on molecular mechanisms, most of which have been examined in Bacillus subtilis. The sporulating bacteria discussed in the chapter form heat-resistant endospores that contain dipicolinic acid (DPA) and are refractile or phase bright under phase-contrast microscopy. Most studies on sporulation, spores, and spore germination have been carried out with species of either the aerobic bacilli or the anaerobic clostridia. The discussion of gene expression control mechanisms has been simplified and concentrates on major regulatory gene products. As detailed mechanistic data is available for B. subtilis, the discussion on spore resistance is concentrated on B. subtilis. The most effective way to kill pressure-germinated spores is by heat, and thus pressure treatments are often carried out at elevated temperatures. In the anaerobic growth environment of clostridia, transition metals would be expected to have important roles in the sporulation and resistance properties of spores. The scientific investigation of sporeformers has greatly contributed to the development of microbiology for the enhancement of food safety and quality.
Etch-A-Sketch filter

This paper demonstrates an “Etch-A-Sketch” filter on a Z-cut lithium niobate (LN) thin-film. The filter consists of two resonators coupled by a reconfigurable phononic crystal that can be programmed by AFM-based post-release piezoelectric domain engineering. Specifically, we demonstrated a band-pass filter at 553MHz with 8.6MHz 3dB bandwidth (BW). Then, we “Etch-A-Sketch” periodically domain inverted patterns on the coupling element which changes the coupling impedance, and reduces the filter BW by 4.6%. This method only requires 80V (magnitude) to achieve domain inversion which is 100x lower than that required for bulk LN, and no DC bias voltage is required during RF operation.
The Principle of Analyticity

The belief of modern empiricism in some fundamental cleavage between truths which are analytic or grounded in meaning independently of matters of fact, and truths which are synthetic or grounded in fact, was foreshadowed in Hume’s distinction drawn in the Treatise between relations which are invariable, depending solely upon ideas, and relations which may be changed without any change in ideas ; and a simpler distinction made in the Enquiries between Relations of Ideas and Matters of Fact. Thus, Hume, by offering criteria for analytic truths as well as for meaning, made himself a true precursor of modern empiricism.
Denitrification Using Thiosulfate and Sulfide

Reliable autotrophic denitrification for removing nitrogen from wastewaters can be obtained with thiosulfate or sulfide, or both, as electron donors for enriched cultures of Thiobacillus denitrificans in completely mixed suspended growth systems. The consumptive ratio for T. denitrificans denitrification appears to be close to 1.35, the thermodynamically predicted value. Systems are tested under dynamic loading conditions, and overall operational stability is assessed. (2 diagrams, 1 graph, 6 tables)
Central Banking in an Open Economy

Issues in open-economy central banking are explored using two papers from this issue of the IJCB.
A 150MS/s 8b 71mW time-interleaved ADC in 0.18/spl mu/m CMOS

This paper presents a 150 MS/s 8 bit time-interleaved ADC which has been built in 0.18 /spl mu/m CMOS. Segmentation of the track-and-hold into separate circuits, driving the 1st stage comparators and two interleaved residue paths, together with signal scaling, results in a 45.4 dB SNDR for an 80 MHz input frequency, while dissipating 71 mW from a 1.8 V supply.
Postpartum reproductive function of dairy cows as influenced by energy and phosphorus status.

To determine if energy or phosphorus status would affect postpartum reproductive performance, we assigned primiparous heifers, six per group, to either high (135% NRC) or low (85% NRC) energy, and high (138% NRC) or low (98% NRC) phosphorus in a 2 x 2 factorial design. Treatments were continued from parturition through 84 days postpartum, after which standard diets were fed. The entire experiment was repeated. Reproductive function was almost identical among energy and phosphorus groups. However, no cow with peak serum progesterone below 2.7 ng/ml before insemination conceived to that insemination. Interval from parturition to first observation of serum progesterone (larger than or equal to 3 ng/ml) was correlated with serum phosphorus (r = -.34), glucose (r = -.33) and and growth hormone (r = .51). In addition, body weight change, milk production and glycemia did not seem to affect reproduction markedly. These data suggest that neither energy nor phosphorus status, within the ranges studied, influences reproduction of dairy cows.
Public facing government services a business ecosystem perspective

Government agencies provide a wide variety of services to their constituents. Many services have a public facing component, where the agency or its authorized proxy interface directly with clients. Unlike the private sector, the design of public facing federal services is not subject to market competitive forces, which contributes to reuse of existing designs and a risk-avoidance posture towards change. In addition, there is often little formal systems engineering or process engineering conducted to evaluate current services or potential new services. Transparent and repeatable processes for developing service design options, comparing and evaluating among a suite of service options, testing and forecasting service outcomes, and measuring services for continuous improvement are often lacking in public agencies. The large scale and wide scope of government services, affecting all citizens at various life stages and social conditions while subject to persistent policy and technology change, pose significant complex system challenges to assure cost-effective performance. The contribution of this work is to present a framework and Service Systems Engineering (SSE) approach for understanding and enhancing the process of developing and deploying public facing government services, drawing from Service Science and Service Systems Engineering (SSE) methods. The results show there are few distinct public facing government services, and few classes of data exchanged in these services. These results suggest opportunities for harmonization and standardization of business processes across agencies. Service offerings can be modeled using analytical methods and computer simulation techniques such as system dynamics and agent-based modeling, allowing for a variety of “what-if” scenarios to be considered. The use of these techniques allow agency service designers to apply systems thinking to better understand options for improvements to future public facing government services in a Government Services Ecosystem that includes systems-of-systems and complex systems integration challenges.
Layered peptide arrays: a diverse technique for antibody screening of clinical samples.

: The layered peptide array (LPA) is a recently developed technique designed to measure antibody levels in a multiplex, high-throughput manner. LPAs can assess antibody presence either in fluid samples or from tissues while maintaining the two-dimensional orientation of the life science platform. In this manuscript, we evaluated and assessed the performance of the LPA platform, focusing on throughput capability, sensitivity, and specificity of the assay in several different systems.
Utilization review and reimbursement of cytology services in endobronchial ultrasound-guided procedures: challenge and opportunity.

Introduction The roles of pathologists and cytotechnologists (CTs) continually evolve to optimize patient care, particularly with regard to rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE). Having ROSE performed helps ensure sufficient material is obtained for diagnosis and permits appropriate specimen triage for ancillary studies. At our institution, both on-site and telecytology evaluations are increasingly utilized, particularly in endobronchial ultrasound-guided procedures (EBUS). Consequently, time demands placed on the pathologist and CT staff has significantly increased, creating workload management challenges. Material and methods A consecutive number of ROSE procedures were documented for a 3-month time period at our institution. Case type and time spent for travel, adequacy assessment, processing, screening, and sign-out was recorded in order to assess time demands placed on staff by different procedures. Results Average travel/processing time by CTs was variable among ROSE procedures (72.9 minutes), as was adequacy assessment time by pathologists (16.9 minutes). EBUS posed the greatest time challenges with the longest CT travel/processing time as EBUS took almost 40% longer and adequacy assessment took the pathologist 3-4 times longer when compared with other procedures because of the targeting of multiple sites during EBUS with associated procedural delays. Using telecytology, average pathologist adequacy assessment time was reduced from 44.8 minutes to 24.6 minutes for EBUS. The provision of ROSE for EBUS is more challenging from a workload management perspective than for other procedures. Conclusions ROSE reimbursement is low, and no greater for EBUS than for other procedures. Use of telecytology can save time for pathologists and make the service more cost-effective if the number of procedures is sufficient to justify investment in the technology.
Arms and the University: Military Presence and the Civic Education of Non-Military Students

Part I. A Normative and Pedagogical Framework: 1. The closing of the university mind: the military/university gap and the problem of civic and liberal education 2. Education in the regime: how a military presence can enhance civic and liberal education Part II. ROTC and the University: 3. ROTC and the university: an introduction 4. ROTC and the Ivies: before the storm 5. ROTC and the Ivies: the divorce 6. ROTC, Columbia, and the Ivy League: Sisyphus renews his quest to renew a troubled relationship 7. Post-DADT: Sisyphus nears the top of the mountain 8. Pedagogy and military presence: the educational influence of student-soldiers in their own words 9. Winning hearts and minds?: The consequences of military presence for non-military students Part III. Military History Examined: 10. Military history: an endangered or protected species? 11. Half empty or half full?: Military historians' perspectives on the status of military history and the leading departments 12. Military presence in security studies: political realism (re)considered 13. Security studies in the wake of the Cold War university: paragons of productive fiction, or throwing the baby out with the bathwater? Part IV. Concluding Thoughts: 14. Conclusion: placing the military in the university.
Electron Transfer and Thermal Racemization of Ethylenediaminetetraacetato-cobaltate(III)

IN general, electron-transfer reactions which involve no net chemical change have been studied by the use of isotopic tracers. In 1950, Dwyer and Gyarfas1 reported that the mixing of d-tris(2,2′-bipyridine)-osmium(II) with 1-tris(2,2′-bipyridine)osmium(III) was followed by the very rapid loss of all optical activity. This was explained by assuming that a rapid electron transfer process led to redistribution of the dextro and laevo configurations among the two oxidation states. Consequently, Dwyer and Gyarfas suggested that optical activity should provide a second convenient method for the study of the kinetics of electron-transfer processes.
Latina Spaces: Middle–Class Ethnic Capital and Professional Associations in the Latino Community:

This article examines the incorporation of middle–class Latinas in Southern California. Based on three years of participant observation, 30 in–depth interviews, and 50 conversational interviews wit...
Is economic growth for the birds

The environment provides ecosystem services that support human wants. Economic growth is important for raising human living standards. But whether economic growth benefits the environment is unclear. Research into this relationship has focused on a U-shaped association known as the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC). As economies grow, environmental quality initially declines but ultimately recovers and improves. However, environmental quality has been narrowly defined in the research, largely neglecting the availability and range of ecosystem services. Because these services derive from biodiversity, we use avian biodiversity as a proxy for environmental quality. Our results replace the U-shaped relationship with a lazy-S relationship. As economies grow, environmental quality initially declines, then improves over intermediate growth, but ultimately declines at higher growth. The EKC hypothesis has been used to forward economic growth as a means for improving environment quality. Our results call into question policies that rely solely on economic growth for reversing environmental decline.
Spatial genetic structure and asymmetrical gene flow within the Pacific walrus

Abstract Pacific walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) occupying shelf waters of Pacific Arctic seas migrate during spring and summer from 3 breeding areas in the Bering Sea to form sexually segregated nonbreeding aggregations. We assessed genetic relationships among 2 putative breeding populations and 6 nonbreeding aggregations. Analyses of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region sequence data suggest that males are distinct among breeding populations (ΦST = 0.051), and between the eastern Chukchi and other nonbreeding aggregations (ΦST = 0.336–0.449). Nonbreeding female aggregations were genetically distinct across marker types (microsatellite FST = 0.019; mtDNA ΦST = 0.313), as was eastern Chukchi and all other nonbreeding aggregations (microsatellite FST = 0.019–0.035; mtDNA ΦST = 0.386–0.389). Gene flow estimates are asymmetrical from St. Lawrence Island into the southeastern Bering breeding population for both sexes. Partitioning of haplotype frequencies among breeding populations suggests that in...
Factors associated with work-related accidents and sickness among maquiladora workers: The case of Nogales, Sonora, Mexico

The health problems of maquiladora workers were explored in a sample of 497 workers of Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. The workers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire containing four sections: a sociodemographic profile, occupational history, working conditions, and a health profile. Overall, 12.6 percent of the workers reported having an accident while working in the maquila, more than 40 percent of these requiring at least one day of disability, and 18.3 percent of workers reported having an episode of sickness/disease. More than 60 percent perceived health-related risks associated with working conditions. The presence of a doctor or nurse in the plant (odds ratio = 0.30), a perception of risk associated with working conditions (odds ratio = 1.85), and the plant offering information about work-related risks (odds ratio = 0.39) were among the significant predictors of work-related accidents and disease/sickness. The authors discuss the implications of these results for programs and policies to improve safety conditions in the maquiladora industry.
Busulfan pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and low-dose conditioning for autologous transplantation of genetically modified hematopoietic stem cells in the rhesus macaque model

Objective Gene transfer to hematopoietic stem cells has recently been demonstrated to benefit a small number of patients in whom a selective advantage is conferred upon genetically modified cells; however, in disorders where no such selective advantage is conferred, conditioning appears necessary to allow adequate engraftment. To decrease the toxicity profile, we sought to develop nonmyeloablative conditioning regimens and in this work, explored the use of intravenous busulfan in a large animal model. Methods Busulfan pharmacokinetics and toxicity were monitored in young rhesus macaques at two dosing levels (4 and 6 mg/kg). These doses were then employed to condition two animals at each dose level prior to autologous transplantation of genetically modified cells using our standard methods. Results Busulfan pharmacokinetic (PK) data showed the area under the curve (AUC), drug half-life, and drug clearance were consistent within each dose group and similar to those reported in children. Single doses of busulfan were well tolerated and produced dose-dependent myelosuppression, most notably in the neutrophil and platelet counts. Although marking levels reached over 1% early in one animal, the long-term marking was low but detectable at 0.01 to 0.001%. Conclusions We conclude that low-dose intravenous bolus infusion of busulfan is well tolerated, has dose-dependent effects on peripheral blood counts, and allows long-term engraftment of genetically modified cells, but at levels too low for most clinical disorders.
Calcium-dependent switching of the specificity of phosphoinositide binding to synaptotagmin

The synaptic vesicle membrane protein synaptotagmin (tagmin) is essential for fast, calcium-dependent, neurotransmitter release and is likely to be the calcium sensor for exocytosis, because of its many calcium-dependent properties. Polyphosphoinositides are needed for exocytosis, but it has not been known why. We now provide a possible connection between these observations with the finding that the C2B domain of tagmin I binds phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIns-4,5-P 2 ), its isomer phosphatidylinositol-3,4-bisphosphate and phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIns-3,4,5-P 3 ). Calcium ions switch the specificity of this binding from PIns-3,4,5-P 3 (at calcium concentrations found in resting nerve terminals) to PIns-4,5-P 2 (at concentration of calcium required for transmitter release). Inositol polyphosphates, known blockers of neurotransmitter release, inhibit the binding of both PIns-4,5-P 2 and PIns-3,4,5-P 3 to tagmin. Our findings imply that tagmin may operate as a bimodal calcium sensor, switching bound lipids during exocytosis. This connection to polyphosphoinositides, compounds whose levels are physiologically regulated, could be important for long-term memory and learning.
2-Diazo-1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethanone: a versatile photochemical and synthetic reagent.

α-Diazo arylketones are well-known substrates for Wolff rearrangement to phenylacetic acids through a ketene intermediate by either thermal or photochemical activation. Likewise, α-substituted p-hydroxyphenacyl (pHP) esters are substrates for photo-Favorskii rearrangements to phenylacetic acids by a different pathway that purportedly involves a cyclopropanone intermediate. In this paper, we show that the photolysis of a series of α-diazo-p-hydroxyacetophenones and p-hydroxyphenacyl (pHP) α-esters both generate the identical rearranged phenylacetates as major products. Since α-diazo-p-hydroxyacetophenone (1a, pHP N2) contains all the necessary functionalities for either Wolff or Favorskii rearrangement, we were prompted to probe this intriguing mechanistic dichotomy under conditions favorable to the photo-Favorskii rearrangement, i.e., photolysis in hydroxylic media. An investigation of the mechanism for conversion of 1a to p-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid (4a) using time-resolved infrared (TRIR) spectroscopy clearly demonstrates the formation of a ketene intermediate that is subsequently trapped by solvent or nucleophiles. The photoreaction of 1a is quenched by oxygen and sensitized by triplet sensitizers and the quantum yields for 1a–c range from 0.19 to a robust 0.25. The lifetime of the triplet, determined by Stern–Volmer quenching, is 31 ns with a rate for appearance of 4a of k = 7.1 × 106 s−1 in aq. acetonitrile (1:1 v:v). These studies establish that the primary rearrangement pathway for 1a involves ketene formation in accordance with the photo-Wolff rearrangement. Furthermore we have also demonstrated the synthetic utility of 1a as an esterification and etherification reagent with a variety of substituted α-diazo-p-hydroxyacetophenones, using them as synthons for efficiently coupling it to acids and phenols to produce pHP protect substrates.
Globally stationary but locally static space-times: A gravitational analog of the Aharonov-Bohm effect

It is well known that gravitational fields may be locally the same but globally distinct due to differences in the topology of their underlying manifolds. Globally stationary but locally static gravitational fields provide an example of gravitational fields which are locally the same but globally distinct in spite of the homeomorphism of their underlying manifolds. Any static metric on a space-time manifold with nonvanishing first Betti number ${R}_{1}$ is shown to generate an ${R}_{1}$-parameter family of such solutions. These fields are seen to provide a gravitational analog of the electromagnetic Aharonov-Bohm effect. The exterior field of a rotating infinite cylinder of matter is discussed as an exactly soluble example.
An efficient diffusion approximation for 3D radiative transfer parameterization: application to cloudy atmospheres

The three-dimensional (3D) diffusion radiative transfer equation, which utilizes a four-term spherical harmonics expansion for the scattering phase function and intensity, has been efficiently solved by using the full multigrid numerical method. This approach can simulate the transfer of solar and thermal infrared radiation in inhomogeneous cloudy conditions with different boundary conditions and sharp boundary discontinuity. The correlated k-distribution method is used in this model for incorporation of the gaseous absorption in multiple-scattering atmospheres for the calculation of broadband fluxes and heating rates in the solar and infrared spectra. Comparison of the results computed from this approach with those computed from plane-parallel and 3D Monte Carlo models shows excellent agreement. This 3D radiative transfer approach is well suited for radiation parameterization involving 3D and inhomogeneous clouds in climate models.
Subcutaneous Tooth Autografts in Rats

Subcutaneous tissue reaction to cementum that had or had not been exposed to the oral environment was investigated in rats. The implants were surrounded by a connective tissue capsule. Resorption or deposition on cementum was not observed. Where cut ends of dentin were contacting the connective tissue capsule, osteoid deposition occurred.
Reasonable Speed Limits on Suburban Multilane Highways With Curbs

When some two-lane roads with 55 mph speed limits are widened to four through lanes, curb and gutter is installed to address issues such as access control, difficult terrain, and limited right-of-way. Posted speed limits along such highway segments are typically decreased to 45 mph in North Carolina because of guidance in the AASHTO Green Book and elsewhere that vertical curbs should not be placed next to high-speed lanes. Although much money is spent to improve such roadways, the results may be viewed negatively by the public, design professionals, and law enforcement personnel. Drivers may be unhappy about getting tickets or driving more slowly, designers are unhappy about being blamed by the public, and police are unhappy about the increased enforcement burden. To help resolve such a dilemma, in this research the team collected relevant data such as speeds and collisions on four-lane road sections with curbs that have 45 or 55 mph speed limits and nontraversable medians or two-way left-turn lanes. The team found that the speed limit does not seem to make an important difference in collision rates or severities for the roads the team examined. The higher speed limit also made relatively small differences in the mean speeds and speed variances observed. Considering all results, the researchers recommended that the North Carolina Department of Transportation continue its current policy of allowing 55 mph speed limits on four-lane roads with curbs on a selective, case-by-case basis.
Direct Organogenesis from Cotyledonary Node Explants of Cucurbita pepo (L.)—An Important Zucchini Type Vegetable Crop

Cotyledonary node explants from 3 - 5-d-old seedling derived explants of Cucurbita pepo (L.) produced multiple shoots in Murashige and Skoog (MS) salts B5 vitamins containing medium in the presence of N6-benzylamino-purine BAP 1 mg/L + Thidiazuron TDZ 0.05 mg/L. After 4 weeks explants were subcultured to medium containing MS salts B5 Vitamins BAP 0.5 mg/L, Gibberellic acid GA3 1 mg/L and L-Glutamine 15 mg/L. Periodic excision of regenerated shoots from the explants increased shoot efficiency during subculture. The combination of L-Glutamine with BA and GA3 significantly increased the shoot proliferation. Elongated shoots were excised from shoot clumps and transferred to rooting medium containing indole-3-butyric acid (IBA, 1.0 mg/L). The rooted plants were hardened in small pot containing standardized garden soil, well developed plant transferred to greenhouse and survival rate was 85%.
Lorentz Lattice Gases, Abnormal Diffusion, and Polymer Statistics

Diffusive behavior in various Lorentz lattice gases, especially wind-tree-like models, is discussed. Comparisons between lattice and continuum models as well as deterministic and probabilistic models are made. In one deterministic model, where the scatterers behave like double-sided mirrors, a new kind of abnormal diffusion is found, viz., the mean square displacement is proportional to the time, but the probability density distribution function is non-Gaussian. The connections of this mirror model with the percolation problem and the statistics of polymer chains on a lattice are also discussed.
Multiwavelet Constructions and Volterra Kernel Identification

The Volterra series is commonly used for the modeling of nonlinear dynamical systems. In general, however, a large number of terms are needed to represent Volterra kernels, with the number of required terms increasing exponentially with the order of the kernel. Therefore, reduced-order kernel representations are needed in order to employ the Volterra series in engineering practice. This paper presents an approach whereby multiwavelets are used to obtain low-order estimates of first-, second-, and third-order Volterra kernels. A family of multiwavelets is constructed from the classical finite element basis functions using the technique of intertwining. The resulting multiwavelets are piecewise-polynomial, orthonormal, compactly-supported, and can be constructed with arbitrary approximation order. Furthermore, these multiwavelets are easily adapted to the domains of support of the Volterra kernels. In contrast, most wavelet families do not possess this characteristic. Higher-dimensional multiwavelets can easily be constructed by taking tensor products of the original one-dimensional functions. Therefore, it is straightforward to extend this approach to the representation of higher-order Volterra kernels. This kernel identification algorithm is demonstrated on a prototypical oscillator with a quadratic stiffness nonlinearity. For this system, it is shown that accurate kernel estimates can be obtained in terms of a relatively small number of wavelet coefficients. These results indicate the potential of the multiwavelet-based algorithm for obtaining reduced-order models for a large class of weakly nonlinear systems.
Contrastive rhetoric and text-typological conventions in translation teaching

Abstract: This paper illustrates the relevance of contrastive rhetoric research to Translation Studies and shows how it can be applied to translation pedagogy. After a brief descriptive analysis of the recipe genre in English and Spanish, student translations are examined. It is shown that the work of novice translators is one case in which source-language textual features are transferred into the target text. The effects of explicit instruction on textual features and text-typological conventions are examined by comparing student translations: a significant improvement in the work of students exposed to explicit instruction is indicative of the benefit of pedagogical intervention. The evidence presented also indicates that translation competence is in fact separate from bilingualism.Resume: Cet article se propose d'examiner l'interet de la rhetorique contrastive pour les etudes de traduction et son usage possible en pedagogie de la traduction. Une breve analyse du genre "recette de cuisine" en anglais et en espagnol est suivie d'une presentation de copies d'etudiants. Les traducteurs debutants transposent d'habitude des proprietes textuelles de la langue-source en langue-cible. Or, une comparaison de ces copies montre que des instructions precises engendrent des effets benefiques, en l'occurrence sur ces proprietes et sur les conventions generiques. Elle souligne egalement que la competence traductive doit etre distinguee du bilinguisme.
Densitometric Measurements of the K-α Line of Carbon

(BY CABLE.) DENSITOMETRIC measurements of the K- line of carbon in three orders obtained with a grating having twelve hundred lines. per millimetre show distinct, clearly measurable separation of components in the second and third orders, wave-lengths checking in different orders and on different plates. There are four principal components in the main line at 44.2 A., 42.0 A., 45.4 A., and 46.15 A. The relative intensities of the components apparently depend on conditions of excitation, some of the longer components becoming more prominent at higher driving potentials, thus explaining the divergence of wave-length values obtained by other observers in the third order. Some of these components apparently have a doublet structure.
Asymmetric hybridization between Nicotiana tabacum and N. repanda by donor recipient protoplast fusion: transfer of TMV resistance.

Genetically asymmetric hybrids were recovered by fusion of Nicotiana tabacum protoplasts with irradiated protoplasts of kanamycin-resistant, nopalineproducing plants of N. repanda. Hybrid calli were selected by culture on media containing kanamycin and were regenerated. These plants were morphologically similar to N. tabacum but produced nopaline, indicating they retained genes from N. repanda. Esterase isozyme profiles also indicated that the plants are somatic hybrids, but are more similar to N. tabacum than N. repanda. Chromosome counts showed most of the hybrids had 55–62 chromosomes, which is consistent with extensive, although incomplete elimination of N. repanda chromosomes. The hybrids were largely male sterile, but about half of them set seed when crossed with N. tabacum. Chromosome numbers of the progeny and the pattern of inheritance of kanamycin resistance indicated the continued elimination of N. repanda genetic material in these backcrosses. The N. repanda parent used in these fusions gave a hypersensitive response to TMV, whereas the N. tabacum parent was TMV sensitive. When inoculated with TMV, plants from two hybrid clones gave a hypersensitive response. Plants from the other clones became systemically infected with the virus.
Analyzing the Potential for High-speed Rail as Part of the Multimodal Transportation System in the United States' Midwest Corridor

With increasing demand and rising fuel costs, both travel time and cost of current intercity passenger transportation modes are becoming increasingly relevant. Around the world, high-speed rail (HSR) is seen as a way to alleviate demand on highways and at airports. Ridership is the critical element in determining the viability of a large capital, long-term transportation investment. This paper provides a systematic, consistent methodology for analyzing systemwide modal ridership with and without a proposed HSR network and analyzes the potential for high-speed rail as part of the existing multimodal transportation system in a region in terms of ridership. Considerations of capital investment (e.g., network design and HSR speed), along with exogenous demographic, technological, economic, and policy trends in the long-term, are used to project ridership over time. This study represents an important step toward a consistent, comprehensive economic analysis of HSR in the United States.
Towards the integration of shape-related information in 3-D gestures and speech

This paper presents a model for the unified semantic representation of shape conveyed by speech and coverbal 3-D gestures. The representation is tailored to capture the semantic contributions of both modalities during free descriptions of objects. It is shown how the semantic content of shape-related adjectives, nouns, and iconic gestures can be modeled and combined when they occur together in multimodal utterances like "a longish bar" + iconic gesture. The model has been applied for the development of a prototype system for gesture recognition and integration with speech.
The geochemical behavior and isotopic composition of Hg in a mid-Pleistocene western Mediterranean sapropel

Abstract The concentrations of mercury (Hg) and other trace metals (Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, Ba, Re, U) and the Hg isotopic composition were examined across a dramatic redox and productivity transition in a mid-Pleistocene Mediterranean Sea sapropel sequence. Characteristic trace metal enrichment in organic-rich layers was observed, with organic-rich sapropel layers ranging in Hg concentration from 314 to 488 ng/g (avg = 385), with an average enrichment in Hg by a factor of 5.9 compared to organic-poor background sediments, which range from 39 to 94 ng/g Hg (avg = 66). Comparison of seawater concentrations and sapropel accumulations of trace metals suggests that organic matter quantitatively delivers Hg to the seafloor. Near complete scavenging of Hg from the water column renders the sapropel Hg isotopic composition representative of mid-Pleistocene Mediterranean seawater. Sapropels have an average δ202Hg value of −0.91‰ ± 0.15‰ (n = 5, 1 SD) and Δ199Hg value of 0.11‰ ± 0.03‰ (n = 5, 1 SD). Background sediments have an average δ202Hg of −0.76‰ ± 0.16‰ (n = 5, 1 SD) and Δ199Hg of 0.05‰ ± 0.01‰ (n = 5, 1 SD), which is indistinguishable from the sapropel values. We suggest that the sapropel isotopic composition is most representative of the mid-Pleistocene Tyrrhenian Sea.
Geochemistry of Antarctic pelagic sediments

Abstract Information of the chemistry of Recent Antarctic glacial marine sediments and the distribution patterns related thereto is extremely limited. Much of the data are influenced by those conditions of sedimentation peculiar to the Antarctic regions. Unlike other areas of sediment deposition, most of the sedimentary material deposited south of 60°S accumulates away from the Antarctic coast in regions of maximum deposition by melting icebergs. For the major chemical components (SiO2, CaCO3, MgCO3) no distinctive and consistent geographical distribution other than latitudinal is evident. Analysis of 14 cores (80 samples) from the Ross, Bellingshausen and Amundsen Seas indicates sharp geographical differences in trace-element (Cr, Ni, Co, V, Cu, Mn, Ti, Al, Mo, W, Pb, Zn) content. Molybdenum was invariably less than 20 ppm, Pb less than 50 ppm, and Zn and W were less than 200 ppm. For glacial marine sediments as a type, the elements Cr, Ni, Ti, Fe and Al are deficient when compared to crustal abundances. V, Cu and Fe were especially high in Amundsen Sea sediments (average V = 240 ppm, Cu = 185 ppm, Fe = 4.1 percent). Samples from Bellingshausen Sea, as a group, are quite deficient in Cr, Ni and Mn. Values for trace element content of Ross Sea sediments are intermediate between those of Bellingshausen and Amundsen Sea sediments. Study of figures for absolute concentration in the cores from the different areas shows sharp breaks in the elemental depth profiles. These breaks are strongly suggestive of past changes in both sedimentation rates and climatological conditions in these regions. In terms of different metal-ion ratios ( Mn Fe , Mn Al , Cu Al , V Al , Cu Fe , Cr Al , Ni Al , Fe Al , Ti Al , Co Al , Ni Co , Cr V , Mn Ti and Fe Ti ) no strong intercore correlations were noted. Examination of all the data available clearly shows that, on the basis of trace element content, glacial marine sediments have a chemistry distinctly different from that of shelf, deep-sea carbonate and deep-sea clay sediments. Trace element criteria could be useful in identifying the presence of such glacial marine sediments (presently unrecognized) in the geologic column.
Immunofluorescent localization of amelogenins in developing bovine teeth

Abstract Antiserum was prepared to the proteins (amelogenins) isolated from fetal bovine enamel matrix. This antiserum was used to localize the amelogenins in the developing bovine molar by immunofluorescent microscopy. Amelogenins could be identified in the preameloblasts before enamel matrix deposition had begun as well as in the secretory ameloblasts. The closely adherent layer of stratum intermedium cells also contained some immunoreactive material, suggesting that they may contribute protein to the enamel matrix. The newly deposited enamel matrix consisted of brightly fluorescent particles. Mature enamel matrix did not contain the immunoreactive protein except in a thin layer along the dentino-enamel junction and adjacent to the ameloblasts. No other portion of the tooth bud or other tissues reacted with the specific antiserum.
An Algorithm for the Reproducible Spectral Subtraction of Water from the FT-IR Spectra of Proteins in Dilute Solutions and Adsorbed Monolayers:

Spectral subtraction and baseline correction via interactive graphics programs have been extensively used for the analysis of weak IR absorption signals which are under strong bands, such as occur in aqueous protein solutions. However, personal bias and uncertainty can result in significant differences in the spectra of the same protein substracted and baseline corrected by different persons. This is demonstrated in the case of albumin adsorbed on the surface of a germanium ATR crystal in contact within pure water. A simple computer algorithm to automatically subtract the water spectrum and remove any baseline tilt or curvature, and thus remove this individual bias and uncertainty, is presented, with a comparison of the results between different persons and the algorithm.
This is what happened to the oil price-macroeconomy relationship

Abstract Many of the quarterly oil price increases observed since 1985 are corrections to even bigger oil price decreases the previous quarter. When one looks at the net increase in oil prices over the year, recent data are consistent with the historical correlation between oil shocks and recessions.
Comparison of rac- and meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acids for chelation of mercury and cadmium using chemical speciation models.

The formation constants of various mercury and cadmium chelates of the stereoisomers of 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA)1 have been determined from potentiometric titrations in the presence of the competing ligand EDTA. The mercury chelates formed at pH 7.4 are the monomeric HgL of the DMSA diastereoisomers and HHgL2 of rac-DMSA. Mercury is completely complexed at pH greater than 3.0 in solutions containing more than 1 equiv of either rac- or meso-DMSA. At high concentrations (10 μM and above) mercury tends to bind to a greater extent to rac- than to meso-DMSA. At pH 7.4, the predominant cadmium meso-DMSA chelate species in solution is CdL, and HCdL is present at a much smaller concentration. With rac-DMSA, however, the predominant cadmium chelate species is HCdL at a low concentration of the ligand, and at a high concentration of the ligand the species CdL2 predominates. Cadmium is completely chelated at pH 7.4 in solutions containing more than 1 equiv of either rac- or meso-DMSA. At pH around 5.5, whi...
Double Z-plasty to enhance rhombic flap mobility.

BACKGROUND. Occasionally after a rhombic flap has been designed, cut, and undermined, it fails to transpose into the recipient wound as easily as had been anticipated. This problem may have occurred because of unexpected skin tension due to previous surgery near the operative site or improper orientation of the rhombic flap. OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this work is to show how unexpected restriction in rhombic flap movement can be overcome by using a double Z-plasty to increase tissue length. METHODS. A double Z-plasty was incorporated into the rhombic flap design in one patient. The biomechanics of the flap were analyzed, and the modified flap was used in three other patients
Measurement of Corticosteroid-Binding Globulin in Man

A method for quantitation of corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) has been developed utilizing gel filtration and 4-14C cortisol. With this method it was demonstrated that exchange equilibrium was essentially instantaneous at 37 C but that 2–4 hr were required at 4 C. Cortisol was demonstrated to exert a protective effect against destruction of binding by heating to 60 C. Increase in binding with decrease in assay temperature was again demonstrated for normal and pregnancy serum utilizing the present method. Values in 19 normal males ranged from 23 to 45 mg/l of plasma (35±3.6). No significant difference was found in 16 normal females (mean 33±4.2 mg/l), and these values were in close agreement with the results reported by us previously after direct isolationof CBG from normal plasma. Pregnant females had a significant increase in CBG by the second month and reached an elevated plateau value of 73 mg/l by the sixth lunar month. Patients with cancer of the prostate given 5 mg diethylstilbestrol daily had ...
Design considerations for a universal input battery charger circuit for PHEV applications

Requirements of the battery charger circuit for plugin hybrid electric vehicle applications are defined and a PWM boost rectifier cascaded with a bidirectional DC/DC converter has been proposed in this paper. Operation of the circuit has been analyzed and its mathematical model has been derived to investigate the design consideration of the circuit parameters. Feedback controller requirements to control the input and output current and DC bus voltage have been studied. Major points to be considered in parameter selection of the voltage and current controllers are explained in terms of the universal input operation. Finally, the mathematical model of the system is implemented in Simulink and its performance for steady-state power factor correction and response to load disturbance have been tested for a 3kW, 90–250Vrms, 50–60Hz input and 48V DC output battery charger circuit.