cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Accounting for Environmental Effects and Statistical Noise in Data Envelopment Analysis

In this paper we propose a new technique for incorporating environmental effects and statistical noise into a producer performance evaluation based on data envelopment analysis (DEA). The technique involves a three-stage analysis. In the first stage, DEA is applied to outputs and inputs only, to obtain initial measures of producer performance. In the second stage, stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) is used to regress first stage performance measures against a set of environmental variables. This provides, for each input or output (depending on the orientation of the first stage DEA model), a three-way decomposition of the variation in performance into a part attributable to environmental effects, a part attributable to managerial inefficiency, and a part attributable to statistical noise. In the third stage, either inputs or outputs (again depending on the orientation of the first stage DEA model) are adjusted to account for the impact of the environmental effects and the statistical noise uncovered in the second stage, and DEA is used to re-evaluate producer performance. Throughout the analysis emphasis is placed on slacks, rather than on radial efficiency scores, as appropriate measures of producer performance. An application to nursing homes is provided to illustrate the power of the three-stage methodology.
Hard X-rays from Starburst Galaxies Near and Far

Compared to other types of extragalactic objects, such as AGNs or galaxy clusters, starburst galaxies might appear to be fairly unspectacular X-ray sources. Their broadband X-ray luminosities range from a few times 1038 to at most 1042 ergs s−1, and X-ray emission represents only one one-hundredth of a percent of their bolometric output. X-ray emission is, however, a direct consequence of star formation, and at energies above ~ 2 keV, X-ray observations offer a view of the starburst phenomenon that is relatively free of the effects of extinction and reprocessing—something which is not available in many parts of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Autonomic Factors in Hyperreactivity of Airway Smooth Muscle

The sections in this article are: 1 Sympathetic Nervous System 1.1 Sympathetic Innervation 1.2 Circulating Catecholamines 1.3 β-Receptors 1.4 α-Receptors 2 Nonadrenergic Inhibitory Nervous System 3 Parasympathetic Nervous System 3.1 General Considerations 3.2 Altered Parasympathetic Activity 3.3 Studies of Asthmatic Patients 4 Conclusion
Los libros de Juan Pablo II

It is rather unusual for a pope to write books. John Paul II was not however the usual type of pope. He was a man who loved the written and spoken word, and left us both a voluminous collection of magisterial works and a good number of books published during his lifetime. This study is centered on six bo- oks written by John Paul II. These books re- flect many of the themes which he as supreme pastor of the Church developed throughout his pontificate: the dignity of the human person, evil, freedom, Christ as the Redeemer of man, salvation history, and many other themes.
Cloud Computing: Virtual Clusters, Data Security, and Disaster Recovery

Dr. Kai Hwang is a Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and Director of Internet and Cloud Computing Lab at the Univ. of Southern California (USC). He received the Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the Univ. of California, Berkeley. Prior to joining USC, he has taught at Purdue Univ. for many years. He has also served as a visiting Chair Professor at Minnesota, Hong Kong Univ., Zhejiang Univ., and Tsinghua Univ. He has published 8 books and over 210 scientific papers in computer science/engineering. He was awarded an IEEE Fellow in 1986 for making significant contributions in computer architecture, digital arithmetic, and parallel processing. He received the 2004 Outstanding Achievement Award from China Computer Federation for his leadership roles in high-performance computing research and higher education. Dr. Hwang has produced over 21 Ph.D. students and supervised postdoctoral researchers at USC and Purdue. He has delivered two dozens of keynote addresses in major IEEE/ACM Conferences. He has performed advisory and consulting work for IBM, Intel, MIT Lincoln Lab., Academia Sinica, ETL in Japan, and INRIA in France.
II. NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery (CB): measuring executive function and attention

In this chapter, we discuss two measures designed to assess executive function (EF) as part of the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery (CB) and report pediatric data from the validation study. EF refers to the goal-directed cognitive control of thought, action, and emotion. Two measures were adapted for standardized computer administration: the Dimensional Change Card Sort (a measure of cognitive flexibility) and a flanker task (a measure of inhibitory control in the context of selective visual attention). Results reveal excellent developmental sensitivity across childhood, excellent reliability, and (in most cases) excellent convergent validity. Correlations between the new NIH Toolbox measures and age were higher for younger children (3-6 years) than for older children (8-15 years), and evidence of increasing differentiation of EF from other aspects of cognition (indexed by receptive vocabulary) was obtained.
State‐Space Methods

The theory and application of state-space representations of linear-time-invariant systems is presented. Time-domain representations, transfer functions, and canonical forms are described as well as how to obtain analytical solutions to systems of ordinary differential equations. Keywords: state-space; LTI; linear; time-invariant; ordinary differential equations; transfer functions; controllability; observability
Attention Deficit Disorder in College Students: Facts, Fallacies, and Treatment

Attention deficit disorder (ADD), with or without hyperactivity, is a common but highly misunderstood and frequently underdiagnosed condition in college students. It affects students' academic and social success and emotional development. ADD is an invisible impairment of cortical regulation of activity and impulse control that is often hereditary, is as common in women as in men, and does not subside or disappear at puberty. ADD increases the risk of drug abuse, delinquency, incarceration, job failure, marital discord, and divorce. In college students, ADD is amenable to treatment in a multimodal program combining medication; individual, family, and group psychotherapy; career counseling; and cognitive control, together with electronic prostheses and special accommodations in the college classroom.
Associations Between Lower Extremity Ischemia, Upper and Lower Extremity Strength, and Functional Impairment with Peripheral Arterial Disease

Persons with lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD) have impaired lower extremity performance and higher rates of functional decline than persons without PAD.1–3 In persons with PAD, lower ankle brachial index (ABI) levels are associated with greater functional impairment and faster rates of functional decline, although mechanisms of functional impairment and decline in PAD are not fully understood. Understanding whether reduced leg strength helps explain associations between low ABI values and functional impairment is important to elucidate mechanisms of disability in PAD and help identify optimal treatments for PAD-associated functional impairment. This study determined whether lower ABI levels are associated with poorer knee extension power and poorer isometric measures of plantarflexion, knee extension, and handgrip strength in 695 persons with and without PAD. It was hypothesized that lower ABI values would be associated with poorer performance on measures of lower extremity strength but would not be associated with poorer handgrip strength, because PAD affects the lower extremity but not the upper extremity arteries. This study also determined whether lower levels of leg strength in persons with PAD might explain associations between lower ABI values and impaired lower extremity functioning. Statistical modeling was used to determine whether poorer lower extremity strength mediated associations between lower ABI values and poorer lower extremity functioning in persons with lower ABI values.
Macropalaeontology and stratigraphy of lacustrine Miocene deposits at Crnika beach on the Island of Pag (Croatia)

The sequence of Miocene fossiliferous marls of the Crnika beach, along the south west shore of Pag Bay, consists of an alternation of silty and clayey marls, sandstones, coaly clays, coal-bearing strata and sparse intercalations of bentonite in the older part, and of an alternation of calcitic marls and organogenic fossiliferous limestones with several coal strata in the younger part. Some of the strata are highly fossiliferous and rich in various species of freshwater gastropods of the genera Melanopsis, Theodoxus, Pyrgula, Prososthenia, Orygoceras and Valvatawith the new species V. (?Costovalvata) pagana. Bivalves are represented by the genera Congeria, Unio, Pisidium. There is also, a rich ostracod assemblage, and remains of flora: twigs, leaves and seeds of higher and lower plants, and agglomerations of aquatic grasses and algae. Fish bones and teeth, as well as the crocodile tooth, are not particularly common, but they do help to complement the image of the diversity of the biological association that lived in the ancient lake and along its shores. According to facies analysis, the Miocene deposits of the Island of Pag, were deposited on the south-western edge of Paratethys, which has been moved more westward and south-westward within Croatian territory.
Descending Pathways to the Sympathetic Preganglionic Neurons

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses descending pathways to the sympathetic preganglionic neurons. The neuroanatomical organization of the central neural pathways that control the cardio-vascular system has received considerable attention. While it has not been possible to identify any group of neurons in the midbrain that project to the intermediolateral cell column, it is known that the midbrain receives a widespread input from the hypothalamus by the periventricular-periaqueductal system, medial forebrain bundle, and central tegmental radiation. Autonomic responses can be elicited by electrical stimulation. After muscle paralysis with gallamine triethiodide or after transection of the spinal cord at the L4-S level (which leaves the sympathetic outflow to the hindlimbs intact), it was found in an earlier study that stimulation of the motor cortex had no effect on blood pressure or skeletal muscle blood flow. Thus, the autonomic responses elicited by motor cortex stimulation are not because of the activation of the sympathetic outflow.
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Management of Children with Congenital Anomalies of the Upper Extremity

Children with congenital anomalies of the upper extremity (CAUE) present a somewhat uncommon area of management in the specialty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Rehabilitation management of the upper limb deficient patient is generally best served in a larger academic-based institution where there is greater experience treating these patients. But for many patients, travel to those centers might be an unrealistic option. Thus, rehabilitation specialists in remote areas also need to have familiarity with the rehabilitation management of the upper limb patient.
Sibling Influences on Migrant Remittances, Evidence from Nang Rong, Thailand

Using data from Nang Rong, Thailand, this research utilizes a unique research design to analyze the effect of siblings’ characteristics (N = 4,338 sibling pairs) as a determinant of migrant remittances sent as a form of support to aging parents living in rural households. The research advances the study of remittances and intergenerational support by going beyond the prevailing model of remittances, which views these transfers as atomized exchanges between individual migrants and their households. Using characteristics of siblings as determinants of support provision, I find evidence that differences in occupation, gender, and marital status across sibling pairs all have a net effect on support behavior. Underlying these differences is the ability to provide support, competing commitments to family of procreation, and gender norms about care giving.
Hepatitic inherited metabolic disorders

Primary metabolic disorders are a disparate group of diseases that may or may not be accompanied by hepatic manifestations. Those with liver involvement may show a range of histopathologic changes. Proper histologic diagnosis requires correlation with clinical and laboratory data, including evaluation for mutations either via serum protein electrophoresis or through formal genetic analysis. This article is a review of the three most common inherited metabolic disorders which may present with a hepatitic pattern. In alpha1-antitrypsin disorder, there is a broad range of clinical presentations, age at presentation, and histological features ranging from "neonatal hepatitis" to a chronic progressive hepatitis in later childhood and adulthood. Hence, this disorder must be in the differential diagnosis of liver disease of the very young, and in older children and adults, with or without coexistent overt pulmonary symptoms. In Wilson disease, presentation tends to be in older childhood or the adult, with a progressive chronic hepatitis. Cystic fibrosis may feature a characteristic obstructive biliary syndrome, coexisting with the many extrahepatic manifestations of this debilitating disease. Lastly, the progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) syndromes are given as examples of inherited metabolic conditions in which relentlessly progressive cholestatic liver disease eventuates over years in end-stage cholestatic liver disease with cirrhosis. Distinguishing features include absence of elevated serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) in PFIC-1 and PFIC-2, and elevated GGT in PFIC-3. However, molecular studies are required for a confident diagnosis of the rare PFIC syndromes.
Array-Based Expression Analysis of Mouse Liver Genes Effect of Age and of the Longevity Mutant Prop1df

Ames dwarf mice, homozygous for the df allele at the Prop1 locus, live 40% to 70% longer than nonmutant siblings and represent the first single-gene mutant that extends life span in a mammal. To gain insight into the basis for the longevity of the Ames dwarf mouse, we measured liver mRNA levels for 265 genes in a group of 11 df/df mice, (three to four mice per age group), at ages 5, 13, and 22 months, and in 13 age- and sex-matched control mice. The analysis showed seven genes where the effects of age reach p < .01 in normal mice and six others with possible age effects in dwarf mice, but none of these met Bonferroni-adjusted significance thresholds. Thirteen genes showed possible effects of the df/df genotype at p < .01. One of these, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), was statistically significant even after adjustment for multiple comparisons; and genes for two IGF-binding proteins, a cyclin, a heat shock protein, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and an inducible cytochrome P450 were among those implicated by the survey. In young control mice, half of the expressed genes showed SDs that were more than 58% of the mean, and a simulation study showed that genes with this degree of interanimal variation would often produce false-positive findings when conclusions were based on ratio calculations alone (i.e., without formal significance testing). Many genes in our data set showed apparent young-to-old or normal-to-dwarf ratios above 2, but the large majority of these proved to be genes where high interanimal variation could create high ratios by chance alone, and only a few of the genes with large ratios achieved p < .05. The proportion of genes showing relatively large changes between 5 and 13 months, or from 13 to 22 months of age, was not diminished by the df/df genotype, providing no support for the idea that the dwarf mutation leads to global delay or deceleration of the pace of age-dependent changes in gene expression. These survey data provide the foundation for replication studies that should provide convincing proof for age- and genotype-specific effects on gene expression and thus reveal key similarities among the growing number of mouse models of decelerated aging.
Irreversible electroporation in a Swine lung model.

Purpose This study was designed to evaluate the safety and tissue effects of IRE in a swine lung model.
Spin exchange of spin labeled probes in a natural membrane.

Abstract Spin exchange can be seen in kidney plasma membrane fragments with spin labeled probes at concentrations of the labels in the membrane which do not inhibit the (Na + + K + )-ATPase. The second order rate constants for exchange are on the order of 10 7 M −1 sec −1 . The labels must be fairly uniformly distributed throughout the membrane and able to diffuse freely. The viscosity for lateral diffusion in the membrane is estimated to be 100 to 1000 times that for water.
Microstructure of Long-Term Aged IN617 Ni-Base Superalloy

The microstructure of the Ni-base superalloy IN617 that had undergone prolonged aging (approximately 65,000 hours) at a series of temperatures from 482 °C to 871 °C has been characterized by microhardness measurements, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Cr23C6, Mo-rich eta-M6C, and Ti(C,N) constitute the major primary coarse precipitates both within the grains and along the grain boundaries. The secondary carbides were mostly fine Cr23C6, which had a cube-on-cube orientation relationship (OR) with the fcc matrix, and at long times were present in cuboidal and plate-shape forms within the grains and as films along the grain boundaries. Fine, eta-M6C carbides were also observed at low to intermediate temperatures with an OR given by [011] carbide//[011] matrix, \( \left( {\bar{1}\bar{1}1} \right) \) carbide//\( \left( {\bar{1}\bar{1}1} \right) \) matrix. The coarse eta-M6C carbides increased in extent at 871 °C, whereas the counterpart fine carbides were absent. The γ′ phase was found to be present at all aging temperatures up to 871 °C, with a volume fraction ranging from very low to approximately 5 pct at 593 °C, where the peak in microhardness occurs. The observations have also suggested that the presence of a very small amount of γ′ at temperatures as high as 871 °C at long times may be associated with a reaction between the fine eta-carbides and the γ matrix. Ultrafine precipitates of the intermetallic phase Ni2(Cr,Mo) with the Pt2Mo-type structure was observed in addition to γ′ in samples aged for 28,300 hours at the lowest aging temperature of 482 °C. These precipitates were absent in samples aged at higher temperatures. The various observations made have suggested that the long-term thermal stability of the IN617 alloy is reasonably good over a wide temperature range of 538 °C to 704 °C, whereas at higher temperatures (871 °C), the substantial decrease in the volume fraction of γ′ and coarsening and clustering of the carbides lead to a large drop in the microhardness. A modified time-temperature-transformation (TTT) diagram was constructed based on the results of this study and comparison with previous reports.
The Relationship of Gender, Gender Identity, and Coping Strategies in Late Adolescents.

The relationships among gender, gender identity, and coping in late adolescents were examined. One hundred sixty-nine late adolescents completed measures assessing their masculinity and femininity, as well as their use of coping strategies. Females endorsed greater use of emotion-focused coping strategies than males. Late adolescents who were high in masculinity endorsed higher levels of problem-focused coping strategies than those who were low in masculinity. In contrast, late adolescents who were high in femininity endorsed higher levels of emotion-focused coping strategies than those who were low in femininity. Neither the gender nor the masculinity and femininity of late adolescents were predictive of the use of avoidant coping strategies. Overall, gender identity made an important and independent contribution to the endorsement of coping strategy use. These results emphasize the importance of assessing both gender and gender identity with regard to coping in late adolescents.
Isolation and Characterization of Two Novel, Cytoplasmically Polyadenylated, Oocyte-Specific, Mouse Maternal RNAs

Abstract During early development in mouse and Xenopus, translational activation of stored maternal mRNAs by cytoplasmic polyadenylation requires both the nuclear polyadenylation signal AAUAAA and U-rich cis -acting adenylation control elements (ACEs), also termed cytoplasmic polyadenylation elements, located in the 3′ UTR. Using an ACE-based PCR strategy (Salles et al., 1992) we have isolated two novel cDNAs from mouse oocytes: OM2a and OM2b (for Oocyte Maturation). Each message contains an ACE consensus sequence upstream of AAUAAA, is specifically transcribed in the growing oocyte, and is cytoplasmically polyadenylated upon oocyte maturation. Comparison of the mouse and rat homologs reveals considerable nucleotide sequence homology and conservation of overall gene organization. However, the predicted open reading frames are far less conserved, suggesting that these genes may not be functioning as proteins. The tissue specificity and tight temporal regulation of the RNAs suggest a role for these genes during early development.
Current formulas for water requirements produce different estimates.

Background: Weight-based and energy-based formulas are used to estimate the water requirements of patients receiving nutrition support, yet these formulas have not been validated nor quantitatively compared with one another. The objective of this study was to determine if there was agreement among commonly used formulas for estimating water requirements. Design: This cross-sectional survey design was from the continuous National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2004. To determine estimated water requirements for each participant, 2 weight-based formulas were used (30 mL/kg body weight and an adjusted body weight formula) and 3 energy-based formulas based on 1 mL/kcal (energy needs estimated by the Harris Benedict, Mifflin St Jeor, and National Research Council equations). Simple linear regression was performed between each pair of formulas to determine correlations. The regression line was then compared to the line of equality to determine agreement between pairs. Results: Although the 5 formu...
Review of principal hydrocarbon-bearing basins of the South China Sea area

Abstract As a consequence of exploration for hydrocarbons, and of research programs conducted by academic and international institutions, substantial progress has been made in recent years in definition of hydrocarbon bearing basins, and those potentially so, in Southeast Asia and the South China Sea. Basins and depositional provinces now recognized include: the Thai Basin, the Malay Basin, West Natuna and Penyu Basins, Saigon (Ho Chi Minh) and Mekong (Vung Tau) Basins, East Natuna area, the Greater Sarawak Basin including Central Luconia and Balingian depositional provinces, the Baram Delta/Brunei-Sabah Basin and the Northwest Palawan Shelf. Where hydrocarbons have been encountered, the deposits are commonly associated with rocks of mid- and Upper Miocene age. Oligocene and Pliocene occurrences are locally significant. With some exceptions, most sedimentary basin-fill was deposited within continental to coastal environments. Such sediments are commonly gas-prone. Where oil-prone, there are suggestions that the oil has been generated under conditions of greater thermal maturity. Stratigraphic correlation depends largely on recognition of cyclic successions by means of integration of information derived from seismic stratigraphy, and paleontological and environmental analysis. Structures are commonly anticlinal and fault-associated; the anticlines are commonly suspected to have diapiric cores. Major transcurrent faults of regional extent may have been instrumental in formation of depositional provinces and anticlinal trends.
The tapered resistively loaded monopole on shipboard

A vertical monopole on shipboard for communication in the very broad band from 1.5 MHz to 30 MHz is analyzed approximately taking into account its location on the upper deck. The current distribution, impedance, far-field pattern, and efficiency of the resistively loaded monopole are determined and compared with the same monopole located directly on the surface of the sea. It is shown that with an input power of the order of 5 kW, an adequate field is maintained near the surface of the sea over the entire frequency band with a reasonably constant driving-point admittance.
Chromosome analysis of trifluorothymidine‐resistant L5178y mouse lymphoma cell colonies

Cells from small (sigma) and large (lambda) trifluorothymidine-resistant (TFTr) colonies induced by chemical mutagen treatment of TK+/-L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells were examined for chromosomal abnormalities. Analysis of G-banded metaphase chromosomes from 34 sigma-TFTr colonies revealed that cells from 20 (59%) possessed one or more chromosomal abnormalities. The most frequent (16/20 colonies) abnormality observed in cells from sigma-TFTr colonies involved the addition of extra chromatin to the distal region of one chromosome number 11. In 13 of these 16 colonies, the origin of the chromatin translocated to chromosome number 11 could not be identified; the chromatin was not missing elsewhere in the genome. The remaining three sigma-TFTr colonies with an abnormal chromosome number 11 had apparently whole chromosomes translocated, in tandem, to the distal region of chromosome number 11. Chromosomal abnormalities observed in cells from sigma-TFTr colonies with normal number 11 chromosomes included 2N/4N and 2N/4N/8N mosaicism (two colonies), a Robertsonian translocation involving chromosome 10 and a marker chromosome (one colony), and trisomy 7 (one colony). In most (14/16) sigma-TFTr colonies with structural damage to chromosome number 11, the cells within a colony were heterogeneous in that some possessed chromosomal damage whereas others were apparently normal. Analysis of chromosomes in cells from eight lambda-TFTr colonies revealed one colony in which all cells had a Robertsonian translocation involving chromosomes 1 and 16 plus other structural abnormalities. The chromosomes of cells from the remaining lambda-TFTr colonies were apparently normal.
Molecular Structure and Conformational Composition of 3,4-Epoxy-1-butene As Determined by ab Initio Molecular Orbital Calculations, Microwave Spectroscopy, and Gas-Phase Electron Diffraction

The structure and conformational composition for 3,4-epoxy-1-butene have been studied by ab initio molecular orbital calculations at the HF/6-31G* level and a combined least-squares analysis of electron diffraction data and microwave rotational constants. Ab initio calculations showed the presence of three stable conformers, anti, gauche-1, and gauche-2 with the anti form being lowest in energy. The gauche-1 and gauche-2 forms were 0.51 and 2.32 kcal mol-1 higher in energy, respectively. Using calculated values for entropies and zero-point and electronic energies of these three forms, a conformational mixture of 76% anti, 22% gauche-1, and 2% gauche-2 was obtained at the experimental temperature of 298 K. The combined electron diffraction and microwave data analysis indicated the presence of both the anti and gauche-1 forms, with a preference for the anti form [64(17)%]. For this model, the experimental values for the geometrical parameters (rg, ∠α) are as follows (values given for the anti form): r(C−H)...
Cell death induced by topoisomerase-targeted drugs: more questions than answers

Abstract Chemotherapeutic agents that target topoisomerase I and II set into motion a series of biochemical changes that culminate in cell death, but only under some conditions. The realization that stabilization of covalent topoisomerase–DNA complexes is not sufficient to insure cell death has prompted investigators to examine various aspects of the drug-induced death process itself. Several discrete steps along this pathway have been identified, including (a) the processing of stabilized cleavage complexes into frank DNA strand breaks; (b) sensing of the DNA damage, leading to activation of stress-associated signaling pathways and cell cycle arrest; and (c) activation of a preexisting group of enzymes and enzyme precursors, typified by the cysteine-dependent aspartate-directed proteases (caspases), that catalyze the relatively orderly biochemical cascade of terminal events known as apoptosis. The present review discusses the evidence that these steps occur after treatment with etoposide or camptothecin, the two prototypic topoisomerase poisons that are commonly studied. As in any emerging area, a large number of questions remain to be answered about the process of cell death induced by topoisomerase-directed drugs.
Cumulus Cloud Characteristics over Western South Dakota

Abstract Meteorological information from aircraft penetrations of cumulus clouds over western South Dakota has been analyzed to yield distributions of liquid water content, vertical motion and temperature. Ice particles are encountered in only 26% of the penetrations. Medium size clouds (diameters between 0.5 and 2 mi) tend to have higher mean liquid water contents than either small or large clouds; however, large clouds have the highest maximum liquid water contents. Peak values of both up- and downdrafts occur in the larger clouds but mean vertical motions tend to decrease with increasing cloud size. Cross correlations among various parameters show that the locations of wet and dry areas within clouds are not necessarily correlated with vertical air movement.
Electrical Analysis of Multi-board PCB Systems with Differential Signaling Considering Non-ideal Common Ground Connection

Non-uniform current return path in multi-board systems induces significant common mode noise in high speed differential signals. The effect of the common mode noise on electrical signals considering inductance of inter-board connectors is described in this paper using measurement and modeling results. An effective and accurate method for modeling the common mode noise is proposed to ensure better design practices.
Reversible melting of high molar mass poly(oxyethylene)

Abstract The heat capacity, C p , of poly(oxyethylene), POE, with a molar mass of 900,000 Da, was analyzed by temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry, TMDSC. The high molar mass POE crystals are in a folded-chain macroconformation and show some locally reversible melting, starting already at about 250 K. At 335 K the thermodynamic heat capacity reaches the level of the melt. The end of melting of a high-crystallinity sample was analyzed quasi-isothermally with varying modulation amplitudes from 0.2 to 3.0 K to study the reversible crystallinity. A new internal calibration method was developed which allows to quantitatively assess small fractions of reversibly melting crystals in the presence of the reversible heat capacity and large amounts of irreversible melting. The specific reversibility decreases to small values in the vicinity of the end of melting, but does not seem to go to zero. The reversible melting is close to symmetric with a small fraction crystallizing slower than melting, i.e., under the chosen condition some of the melting and crystallization remains reversing. The collected data behave as one expects for a crystallization governed by molecular nucleation and not as one would expect from the formation of an intermediate mesophase on crystallization. The method developed allows a study of the active surface of melting and crystallization of flexible macromolecules.
A case series of atypical presentations of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a heterogeneous disease primarily characterized by thrombocytopenia and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia. Therapeutic plasma exchange has dramatically improved mortality, allowing for emergence of refractory, relapsing, and atypical presentations. In this article, we describe four cases of TTP presenting with minimal schistocytes, mild elevation of lactate dehydrogenase, and symptoms suggestive of macrovascular arterial involvement. With increasing reports of less common presentations of TTP, clinicians should consider this diagnosis in cases of unexplained arterial thrombosis, thrombocytopenia, or hemolytic anemia. Testing for a disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin Type 1 motif, Member 13 ADAMTS13 activity was extremely useful to help confirm the diagnosis in our series of patients. J. Clin. Apheresis, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
NMR Investigation of Molecular Motion in the Neat Solid and Plastic-Crystalline Phases of Cyclohexane1

The molecular dynamics of neat solid and plastic phase cyclohexane are investigated using solid state carbon, deuteron, and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. Particular emphasis is placed on deciphering the dynamical origin of a line width/line shape transformation in the static proton NMR spectrum of plastic phase cyclohexane near 199 K, and it is examined in terms of rotational, translational, and conformational contributions. It is shown that translational diffusion within lattice defect sites is the probable dynamical mode associated with the static proton NMR line shape modulation. The rate of conformational isomerism by ring inversion in the plastic phase is measured for the first time at two temperatures, and the time scale of this process suggests a mechanistic correlation with translational diffusion within single crystals in the plastic phase. Finally, the time scale and symmetry associated with rotational diffusion in solid-phase cyclohexane are found (respectively) to be long...
Evolution of magnetic field and atmospheric response. I - Three-dimensional formulation by the method of projected characteristics. II - Formulation of proper boundary equations

The method described as the method of nearcharacteristics by Nakagawa (1980) is renamed the method of projected characteristics. Making full use of properties of the projected characteristics, a new and simpler formulation is developed. As a result, the formulation for the examination of the general three-dimensional problems is presented. It is noted that since in practice numerical solutions must be obtained, the final formulation is given in the form of difference equations. The possibility of including effects of viscous and ohmic dissipations in the formulation is considered, and the physical interpretation is discussed. A systematic manner is then presented for deriving physically self-consistent, time-dependent boundary equations for MHD initial boundary problems. It is demonstrated that the full use of the compatibility equations (differential equations relating variations at two spatial locations and times) is required in determining the time-dependent boundary conditions. In order to provide a clear physical picture as an example, the evolution of axisymmetric global magnetic field by photospheric differential rotation is considered.
Limits to local spatial spread in a highly invasive annual grass ( Microstegium vimineum )

The potential roles of seed and microsite limitation in local spatial spread of the invasive grass Microstegium vimineum were experimentally investigated in a woodland and open lawn in central New Jersey, USA. Plots (30 × 30 cm) in three sites previously unoccupied by M. vimineum for at least 8 years (woodland interior, woodland edge, and open lawn) were sown with ~262 M. vimineum seeds in early spring 2008. Seedling emergence, density, summer growth and autumn reproduction were compared to plots in a nearby control population where natural recruitment occurred. Seedling emergence was greatest in the open lawn (54% of seeds sown) where plants showed the greatest growth and reproduction due to high light availability. Seedling emergence was lowest in the woodland interior (24%) and edge sites (9%), and growth and reproduction were greatly reduced there (relative to the control). Plots in the open lawn supported a consistently high density of M. vimineum (>1,000 plants per m2) through the growing period (April to October). The number of seeds in both cleistogamous and chasmogamous spikelets was correlated with shoot dry mass and thus, total seed production was greatest in the sunny open lawn where plants were largest, despite high density there. Across all sites, plants in plots at the highest densities produced the most seeds. Total seed production correlated with levels of light, but not soil moisture. Both seed availability and microsite limitation may reduce the probability of establishment of new M. vimineum populations into previously unoccupied sites. Intraspecific density does not negatively affect survival or reproduction. Light and soil moisture can be limiting abiotic factors in some areas, but poor, natural seed dispersal limits the distribution of this invasive species on a local scale.
Performance Analysis of Multiuser Selection Scheme in Dynamic Home Area Networks for Smart Grid Communications

In this paper, multiuser selection scheme is employed in dynamic home area networks (HANs) for smart grid communications, to reduce the effects of fading at the receiver part of smart meter. The performance of multiuser selection scheme is evaluated in two cases: in the absence of interference and in the presence of multiuser interference (MUI). In the former case, the closed-form capacity outage probability as well as the numerical values of the bit error rate (BER) are obtained via the probability density function (PDF) of signal to noise ratio (SNR) that is derived from the amplitude distribution property of the classic indoor Saleh-Valenzuela (S-V) channel. In the latter case, the multiuser interference cancellation coefficient as a random variable is added for the calculation of signal to interference noise ratio (SINR). In addition, due to free space path loss and log-normal shadowing, the sum of MUI is treated as another log-normal-distributed random variable by exploiting central limit theorem. Numerical results show that the performance of multiuser selection scheme in HANs of smart grid is due to several factors, i.e., total number of devices in HANs, traffic intensity, modulation scheme, and multiuser interference cancellation coefficient, etc.
Cloning and sequence analysis of cDNAs encoding the heavy and light chain variable regions of an Ab2β anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody possessing an internal image of cocaine

We report here the cloning and sequence analysis of cDNAs encoding the variable regions of an Ab2beta anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody (K1-4c, gamma1kappa) that mimics the configuration of cocaine. The Ab2beta specifically binds to the human dopamine transporter as shown by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy. The sequence of the heavy chain complementarity-determining region 3 of K1-4c is strikingly similar to that of a monoclonal antibody (F11.2.32) specific for HIV-1 protease. Three or four amino acids in the epitope recognized by the anti-HIV-1 protease antibody are also present in the third extracellular loop of the dopamine transporter. This epitope is within the conserved region of the known transporters for dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin in Homo sapiens, Rattus norvegicus, Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster.
Effects of Gibberellic Acid on Seed Traces of ‘Venus’ and ‘Saturn’ Grapes

ABSTRACT Application of 150 or 300 ppm gibberellic acid (GA3) to ‘Venus’ table grapes 7 days after bloom resulted in reduced seed trace number but did not reduce individual seed trace weight. Neither berry nor cluster weight were affected by GA3, although a slight increase in yield was found in one of two years. Pre-bloom applications to ‘Venus’ produced no seed trace number or weight reductions, although a combined pre- and post-bloom treatment reduced seed trace weight significantly in one year. ‘Saturn’ had a slight reduction in seed trace number following a pre-bloom application one year, and a greater reduction was seen following application of pre- and post-bloom GA3 that same year. Post-bloom and combined applications during the following season gave similar reductions in seed trace number. Berry weight was increased for ‘Venus’ but not affected for ‘Saturn’ following the combined pre- and post-bloom applications.
The political economy of land reform in Iran

Abstract With the re-emergence of land reform as a policy issue in the 1990s the experience of Iran is of interest. Iran's land reform (1962–1971) is an important case of a comprehensive and economically successful reform that was implemented by a non-revolutionary state with a dual economy. The improvement in the lives of the peasants did not prevent the disintegration of the political order. It is suggested that land reform's decline during the 1980s was also related to the failure of numerous authoritarian reforms to result in political stability, despite the gains to the peasantry.
ESD-triggered sustaining discharges between wires for space use in vacuum

The anomaly of Japanese satellite ADEOS-II appeared in 2003 is supposed to be caused by arcing discharges initiated due to ESD in the bundled wire-harness of the solar paddle. In order to make the conditions of the occurrence of the discharge clear, it is necessary to evaluate the arcing discharge characteristics in vacuum quantitatively. Therefore we tried to investigate the characteristics of the discharges between two exposed conductors of a pair of insulating wires for space use. The characteristics were obtained as parameters of the pressure in the chamber, the amplitude and the direction of the current flowing in the conductor and so on. We obtained the result that the arcing discharge time is nearly constant to the pressure and is affected by the magnetic field formed between the conductors by the current itself flowing in the conductor.
Current status of marine protected areas in latin america and the Caribbean.

Abstract: Marine protected areas (MPAs), including no-take marine reserves (MRs), play an important role in the conservation of marine biodiversity. We document the status of MPAs and MRs in Latin America and the Caribbean, where little has been reported on the scope of such protection. Our survey of protected area databases, published and unpublished literature, and Internet searches yielded information from 30 countries and 12 overseas territories. At present more than 700 MPAs have been established, covering more than 300,000 km2 or 1.5% of the coastal and shelf waters. We report on the status of 3 categories of protection: MPAs (limited take throughout the area), MRs (no-take throughout the area), and mixed-use (a limited-take MPA that contains an MR). The majority of protected areas in Latin America and the Caribbean are MPAs, which allow some or extensive extractive activities throughout the designated area. These 571 sites cover 51,505 km2 or 0.3% of coastal and shelf waters. There are 98 MRs covering 16,862 km2 or 0.1% of the coastal and shelf waters. Mixed-use MPAs are the fewest in number (87), but cover the largest area (236,853 km2, 1.2%). Across Latin America and the Caribbean, many biogeographic provinces are underrepresented in these protected areas. Large coastal regions remain unprotected, in particular, the southern Pacific and southern Atlantic coasts of South America. Our analysis reveals multiple opportunities to strengthen marine conservation in Latin America and the Caribbean by improving implementation, management, and enforcement of existing MPAs; adding new MPAs and MRs strategically to enhance connectivity and sustainability of existing protection; and establishing new networks of MPAs and MRs or combinations thereof to enhance protection where little currently exists.
Multiple Less Common Genetic Variants Explain the Association of the Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein Gene With Coronary Artery Disease

Objectives The objective of this study was to identify associations of the cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) gene with coronary artery disease (CAD) with tagging (t) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) chosen to optimally account for intra-genic variation. Background The CETP gene plays a critical role in lipoprotein metabolism, but the common and well-studied TaqIB variant is inconsistently predictive of CAD. Methods From a deoxyribonucleic acid bank of 10,020 individuals, nondiabetic nonsmoking patients (n = 4,811) with angiographically defined, clinically significant CAD (≥70% stenosis) or normal coronaries were genotyped for 11 CETPtSNPs. Myocardial infarction (MI) and lipid levels were evaluated as secondary end points. Results Analysis of single tSNPs, corrected for multiple comparisons (p Conclusions Multiple, less common SNPs and haplotype variants underlie CETP-related CAD risk, for which the common TaqIB variant is simply a poor marker. The occurrence of risk-related variants on separate haplotypes suggests genetic-risk complexity and allelic heterogeneity. (Database Registry of the Intermountain Heart Collaborative Study; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00406185?order=1; NCT00406185).
Characterization of a heat-stable NADP-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase from the obligate thermophile Thermoleophilum minutum YS-4

A thermostable NADP-dependent isocitrite dehydrogenase (IDH; EC. 1.1.1.42) was purified from the obligately thermophilic hydrocarbonoclastic bacterium Thermoleophilum minutum YS-4 (ATCC 35265). This was accomplished by affinity chromatography and electroelution from a nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel. The enzyme has an M r of 60 000 and is composed of two identical subunits of M r 30 500. The amino acid composition has an Arg/Lys ratio of 4:1 and very high levels of glycine. Under nondenaturing conditions, the enzyme has a distinct difference in electrophoretic mobility relative to IDHs obtained from other genera including the genus Thermus. The secondary strcuture consists of 16% α-helix, 20% β-sheet, 25% β-turn and 37% random coil as determined by circular dichroism spectroscopy. The optimum pH and temperature for activity were 7.2 and 75° C respectively and the apparent K mvalues for DL-isocitrate adn NADP+ were 33 μM, and 48 μM, respectively. The enzyme requires divalent cations, such as Mn2+ or Mg2+ for activity. NAD+ cannot substitute for NADP+. Oxaloacetate plus glyoxylate exert considerable inhibition on IDH activity while other glycolytic and tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates have a lesser effect. p-Chloromercuribenzoic acid was inhibitory to the IDH although isocitrate and Mn2+ offered some protection from this inactivation. The enzyme is thermostable, retaining 84% and 57% of initial activity after incubation for 1 h at 60° and 70° C, respectively. Isocitrate provided protection from thermal inactivation allowing the IDH to maintain 21% activity after 1 h at 80° C.
Schrodinger formalism, black hole horizons, and singularity behavior

The Gauss-Codazzi method is used to discuss the gravitational collapse of a charged Reisner-Nordstr\"om domain wall. We solve the classical equations of motion of a thin charged shell moving under the influence of its own gravitational field and show that a form of cosmic censorship applies. If the charge of the collapsing shell is greater than its mass, then the collapse does not form a black hole. Instead, after reaching some minimal radius, the shell bounces back. The Schr\"odinger canonical formalism is used to quantize the motion of the charged shell. The limits near the horizon and near the singularity are explored. Near the horizon, the Schr\"odinger equation describing evolution of the collapsing shell takes the form of the massive wave equation with a position dependent mass. The outgoing and incoming modes of the solution are related by the Bogolubov transformation which precisely gives the Hawking temperature. Near the classical singularity, the Schr\"odinger equation becomes nonlocal, but the wave function describing the system is nonsingular. This indicates that while quantum effects may be able to remove the classical singularity, it may also introduce some new effects.