cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The antibody mining toolbox: An open source tool for the rapid analysis of antibody repertoires

In vitro selection has been an essential tool in the development of recombinant antibodies against various antigen targets. Deep sequencing has recently been gaining ground as an alternative and valuable method to analyze such antibody selections. The analysis provides a novel and extremely detailed view of selected antibody populations, and allows the identification of specific antibodies using only sequencing data, potentially eliminating the need for expensive and laborious low-throughput screening methods such as enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay. The high cost and the need for bioinformatics experts and powerful computer clusters, however, have limited the general use of deep sequencing in antibody selections. Here, we describe the AbMining ToolBox, an open source software package for the straightforward analysis of antibody libraries sequenced by the three main next generation sequencing platforms (454, Ion Torrent, MiSeq). The ToolBox is able to identify heavy chain CDR3s as effectively as more computationally intense software, and can be easily adapted to analyze other portions of antibody variable genes, as well as the selection outputs of libraries based on different scaffolds. The software runs on all common operating systems (Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux), on standard personal computers, and sequence analysis of 1–2 million reads can be accomplished in 10–15 min, a fraction of the time of competing software. Use of the ToolBox will allow the average researcher to incorporate deep sequence analysis into routine selections from antibody display libraries.
Changes in the age dependence of mortality and disability: Cohort and other determinants

Though the general trend in the United States has been toward increasing life expectancy both at birth and at age 65, the temporal rate of change in life expectancy since 1900 has been variable and often restricted to specific population groups. There have been periods during which the age- and gender-specific risks of particular causes of death have either increased or decreased. These periods partly reflect the persistent effects of population health factors on specific birth cohorts. It is important to understand the ebbs and flows of cause-specific mortality rates because general life expectancy trends are the product of interactions of multiple dynamic period and cohort factors. Consequently, we first review factors potentially affecting cohort health back to 1880 and explore how that history might affect the current and future cohort mortality risks of major chronic diseases. We then examine how those factors affect the age-specific linkage of disability and mortality in three sets of birth cohorts assessed using the 1982, 1984, and 1989 National Long Term Care Surveys and Medicare mortality data collected from 1982 to 1991. We find large changes in both mortality and disability in those cohorts. providing insights into what changes might have occurred and into what future changes might be expected.
The Effect of Promotion on Consumption: Buying More and Consuming it Faster:

The authors empirically demonstrate the existence of flexible consumption rates in packaged-goods products, how this phenomenon can be modeled, and its importance in assessing the effectiveness of ...
Aneuploidy rates and blastocyst formation after biopsy of morulae and early blastocysts on day 5

Studies have demonstrated high implantation rates after trophectoderm biopsy of day 5 expanded blastocysts. However, biopsy of cleavage stage embryos may adversely affect embryo development and implantation. No studies have assessed the utility of day 5 morulae and early blastocyst biopsy. This study sought to better understand these slower embryos’ aneuploidy rates and implantation potential. This was a retrospective review of all autologous IVF cycles utilizing PGS at a single academic infertility center. The biopsy of day 5 morulae and early blastocysts provided 22 % additional euploid blastocysts available for fresh day 6 transfer compared to day 5 biopsy of only expanded blastocysts. Aneuploidy did correlate with embryo stage on day 5, even after controlling for maternal age, with 16 % of morulae and 35 % of blastocysts being euploid. The majority (83 %) of euploid morulae progressed to the blastocyst stage by day 6. Experience transferring slower developing embryos is limited, but preliminary pregnancy and implantation rates appear similar to euploid embryos biopsied as expanded blastocysts. The biopsy of all non-arrested embryos on day 5 provides genetic information for all blastocysts on day 6, increasing the pool of euploid blastocysts available for fresh transfer and avoiding the need to cryopreserve developmentally competent embryos without genetic information.
Optimal Lp estimates for the\(\bar \partial \)-equation on complex ellipsoids in ℂn-equation on complex ellipsoids in ℂn

In this paper we prove the best possible Lp estimates for the\(\bar \partial \)-equation on complex ellipsoids in ℂn, and provide examples to show why they cannot be improved.
Generalized chemiluminescence spray cell for liquid chromatography detection: selective detection using O2(1Δg)

Abstract We have introduced a series of improvements to the chemiluminescence spray cell described earlier. The new detector displays dead-volume behavior dependent on both gas and liquid flow-rates; its best dead volumes rival those of standard ultra- violet-adsorption liquid chromatography detectors. A simple, modular assembly, the spray cell is capable of accepting a wide range of chemiluminescent reaction systems; we present data here on luminscence induced by ozone and by singlet oxygen produces chemically in situ. By combining chemical with spetroscopic selectivity, the spray cell becomes a powerful tool for high-performance liquid chromatography detection.
Schizophrenia in Palau: a Descriptive Study:

The authors systematically studies 35 Palauan schizophrenic patients. Although these Western Pacific people demonstrated many of the usual features of schizophrenia, the sample showed an unusual 4:1 male predominance, a proclivity toward violence and substantial affective symptomatology. Male patients extensively abused alcohol and cannabis. The authors postulate that toxic, social change and cultural factors interact in Palau to place men at increased risk for schizophrenia.
Paradoxical Sleep: Effect of Low Partial Pressures of Atmospheric Oxygen

When cats are subjected to an atmosphere of 100 percent oxygen at a sufficiently low pressure, their sleeping patterns are changed: paradoxical sleep disappears and drowsiness increases. This change appears when the pressure decreases to a level close to that at which the hemoglobin begins to dissociate. Return of a cat to a normal atmosphere produces a rebound: the cat spends more time in paradoxical sleep than it did during the base-line period. This finding suggests that a mechanism, closely related to the metabolism of oxygen in the brain, must play an important role in the production of paradoxical sleep. Yet the increase in paradoxical sleep after decompression indicates that still other mechanisms must merge to produce paradoxical sleep.
Abstract 4618: Oral administration of bitter melon extract prevents initiation of prostate cancer in TRAMP model

Prostate cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer deaths among American men. Earlier diagnosis increases survival rate in patients. However, treatments for advanced disease are limited to hormone ablation techniques and palliative care. Thus, new methods of treatment and prevention are necessary for inhibiting progression of the disease to a hormone refractory state. For centuries, Ayurveda has recommended the use of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) as a functional food to prevent and treat human health related issues. We have recently discovered an anti-proliferative effect of bitter melon extract (BME) in a number of cancer cell lines, including prostate, without affecting normal cell growth. Treatment of prostate cancer cells with bitter melon extract modulated Bax expression and induced poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage. TRAMP (transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate) male mice display prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) at 10-12 weeks of age. We examined whether oral administration of BME as a dietary compound inhibits or delay the conversion of normal prostate to PIN in these mice. We have observed prevention of PIN in BME-fed mice as compared to untreated control. Further tissues analyses for mechanism of cancer prevention are in progress and the results will be discussed. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4618. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-4618
Energy saving strategies in the materials sector: The case of aluminum

In this paper we evaluate the energy saving strategies for the materials sector with a focus on the aluminum industry. An interconnected dynamic model is constructed to evaluate the strategies independently as well as in combination, such that the intertemporal effects and different interrelations within the material-energy space are accounted for. Both technical and social levers are considered. Results highlight the challenge of controlling average impact created over the rest of this century at current levels of 2010. Only full implementation of all considered strategies allows us to achieve this target for total energy demand. For other impact parameters of interest like total material or total primary material, even this proves to be inadequate calling for more severe action through either better or more strategies, or stricter rates of deployment. Interestingly results suggest focusing on social levers more than technical levers because of their potential to contribute over 50% of the targeted reductions.
Real-time implementation of a passive ranging algorithm

A significant need exists for automatic obstacle detection systems on-board rotorcraft due to the heavy work load demands that are imposed upon the pilot and crew. Such systems must augment the pilot's ability to detect and avoid obstacles for the sake of improving flight safety. The most important requirements of obstacle detection systems include a large field-of-view, a high update/frame rate, and high spatial resolution. In military systems the requirement of covertness is also present. To satisfy the requirement of covertness Honeywell, in conjunction with NASA Ames, has developed and demonstrated through simulation the feasibility of maximally passive systems for obstacle detection and avoidance. Such systems rely on techniques of passive ranging such as motion analysis and binocular stereo to perform their function through the use of passive sensor imagery. Honeywell's current efforts in passive ranging-based obstacle detection systems involves the real-time implementation of the motion analysis component of such systems. The real-time implementation within a Honeywell flexible testbed environment is the subject of this paper. An overview of the motion analysis algorithm is provided and the issues involved in its real-time implementation are addressed.
Optical spectral characteristics of sprites

A TV slit spectrograph was used to obtain the first optical spectra of sprites. Twenty-five events were observed over a thunderstorm on the border of Nebraska and Colorado on the night of 22 June, 1995 between 0700 and 0900 UT. For 10 of these events optical spectra were measured in the wavelength range from 540 to 840 nm. After correcting for the spectrograph response function, digitized spectrograph video images are used to measure the wavelengths of and ratios between the emissions. All emissions are found to be of the first positive bands of N2. There is no evidence of the Meinel bands of N2+ indicating that the mechanism responsible for sprites produces little or no ionization at 70 km altitude.
Extragalactic Variable Radio Sources

Clues to the origin of the enormously energetic activity in quasars and galactic nuclei may come from observations of the varying radio emission from several objects outside the Galaxy. The varying signals from these objects often seem to come from areas which are only a few light months in diameter.
Experimenter Expectancy Effects in Frontal EMG Conditioning

Nonspecific factors such as placebo or expectancy effects may materially influence therapeutic outcome in EMG relaxation training. Yet, controlling for the expectations of experimenters has received little attention even though Rosenthal's Experimenter Expectancy Effect is well-documented. This study examined the effects of experimenter expectancy on frontal EMG conditioning. During training, experimenters were given either no expectancy or led to believe that EMG conditioning would he either difficult (low expectancy) or easy (high expectancy) to achieve. Then, the three groups of experimenters collected data from subjects undergoing 20 min of either contingent or noncontingent reinforcement for frontal EMG decreases. Postexperimental credibility checks indicated that experimenters were unaware they were being studied but could identify their expectancy condition when informed of the three conditions. Differential EMG behavior was observed between groups conditioned by experimenters with no expectancies, with contingent subjects achieving significantly lower EMG levels than noncontingent subjects. Differences were not exhibited, however, between contingent and noncontingent subjects trained by experimenters with either low or high expectancies. These findings suggest that experimenters with prior expectations may covertly communicate to subjects response sets that interfere with acquisition of differential EMG behavior.
PBGUNS: A digital computer program for the simulation of electron and ion beams on a PC

Summary form only given. The SNOW code (for ion beams) and the SPEED code (for relativistic electron beams) have been combined into one FORTRAN 77 program for simulation of any type of axisymmetric or 2-D particle beam on a PC. PBGUNS uses relaxation techniques to do a Poisson simulation of both electron and ion beams of any energy in axisymmetric or rectangular configurations. It uses quadratic equations to simulate electrode boundaries on a rectangular mesh of squares. A typical input data set is between 15 and 40 lines long. A fine mesh automatically covers the cathode and/or plasma region to improve the accuracy of the calculations and to obtain excellent agreement with either theory or experiment. Results are presented for a microperveance 1.9 electron gun. The microperveance was easily obtained with no thermal effect.
Oviposition Preference and Larval Performance of the Western Spruce Budworm (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Many preference and performance studies have been done on latent species of insect herbivores, but few studies have examined whether eruptive species exhibit preferences for oviposition sites that affect larval survival. We used choice experiments to test whether female moths of an eruptive species (the western spruce budworm, Choristoneura occidentalis Freeman) exhibited oviposition preferences for needle age class, for age of host trees, and for host vigor among individuals of one species, Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco. We also evaluated oviposition preferences among three common host species (Douglas-fir, white fir, Abies concolor Lindl., and Engelmann spruce, Picea engelmannii Parry). Females laid more egg masses on older branches (45–60 yr old) than on younger branches (10–15 yr old) of Douglas-fir trees. Also, proportionately more eggs were laid on branches from white fir than on branches from Douglas-fir or Engelmann spruce. There were no differences in the distribution of egg masses when females were offered a choice between 1- and 4-yr-old Douglas-fir needles or between long and short shoots of Douglas-fir. These general patterns were obtained across two generations. However, there were no differences in viability of the F1 or F2 egg masses or weights of F1 female pupae (i.e., fecundity) among treatments for any experiment. Consequently, although female moths of this eruptive species appeared to use foliar cues to determine oviposition sites, we could not link these preferences to any effects on offspring performance because performance did not vary. This contrasts with the tight linkages between preference and performance documented for many latent species.
Noninvasive evaluation of the swollen extremity: experiences with 190 lymphoscintigraphic examinations.

Abstract Lymphoscintigraphy (LS), performed with technetium 99m—labeled antimony trisulfide colloid (Cadema Medical Products, Inc., Middletown, N.Y.), was used as a noninvasive diagnostic examination to evaluate the lymphatic circulation in 190 extremities of 115 patients. Forty-six patients had primary lymphedema, 48 had secondary lymphedema, and 21 patients had other causes of limb swelling. To determine the value of LS in surgical decision making, preoperative and postoperative LS of 16 patients who underwent surgical repair of the lymphatic abnormality were studied separately. Semiquantitative evaluation of the lymphatic drainage and visual interpretation of the image patterns were reliable to differentiate lymphedema from edemas of other origin (sensitivity: 92%, specificity: 100%). Although certain image patterns were characteristic of either primary or secondary lymphedema, LS could not consistently differentiate between the two types. Episodes of cellulitis in lymphedema clearly delayed lymph transport. LS was helpful in patient selection and follow-up after lymphatic surgery, but it did not prove patency of lymphovenous anastomoses. It was diagnostic in the evaluation of lymphangiectasia and was used to document successful surgical treatment of reflux of chyle. LS is safe and reliable and has no side effects. It should replace contrast lymphangiography in the routine evaluation of the swollen extremity. (J Vasc Surg 1989;9:683–90.)
Using stress MRI to analyze the 3D changes in apical ligament geometry from rest to maximal Valsalva: a pilot study.

Introduction and hypothesis A method was developed using 3D stress magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and was piloted to test hypotheses concerning changes in apical ligament lengths and lines of action from rest to maximal Valsalva. Methods Ten women with (cases) and ten without (controls) pelvic organ prolapse (POP) were selected from an ongoing case–control study. Supine, multiplanar stress MRI was performed at rest and at maximal Valsalva and was imported into 3D Slicer v. 3.4.1 and aligned. The 3D reconstructions of the uterus and vagina, cardinal ligament (CL), deep uterosacral ligament (USLd), and pelvic bones were created. Ligament length and orientation were then measured. Results Adequate ligament representations were possible in all 20 study participants. When cases were compared with controls, the curve length of the CL at rest was 71 ±16 mm vs. 59±9 mm (p=0.051), and the USLd was 38±16 mm vs. 36±11 mm (p=0.797). Similarly, the increase in CL length from rest to strain was 30±16 mm vs. 15±9 mm (p=0.033), and USLd was 15±12 mm vs. 7±4 mm (p=0.094). Likewise, the change in USLd angle was significantly different from CL (p<0.001). Conclusions This technique allows quantification of 3D geometry at rest and at strain. In our pilot sample, at maximal Valsalva, CL elongation was greater in cases than controls, whereas USLd was not; CL also exhibited greater changes in ligament length, and USLd exhibited greater changes in ligament inclination angle.
Intraorganizational bargaining: The effect of goal congruence and trust on negotiator strategy use

This study focuses on the interaction between the negotiator and bargaining team members and the communicative strategies used in an attempt to achieve consensus, called intraorganizational bargaining. Levels of goal congruence and trust between the negotiator and team members were manipulated, while allowing free interaction with constituents and the opposing negotiator (confederates) in a negotiation simulation. Results show that the level of goal congruence and the level of trust affected negotiator strategy use during caucuses and during bargaining. Implications of this study are discussed and suggestions for future research are given.
Radiation detection with distributed sensor networks

In any assessment of potential terrorist attacks, the nuclear threat takes center stage. Although weapons-grade nuclear materials arc heavily guarded, a plausible scenario involves terrorists detonating a simple radiological dispersion device (ROD) capable of broadcasting nonfissile but highly radioactive particles over a densely populated area. In most cases, a motor vehicle has to transport the device and its payload commonly known as a "dirty bomb" - to the target destination. As a final defense against such a weapon, select traffic choke points in the US have large portal monitoring systems to help detect illicit isotopes. The distributed sensor network project at Los Alamos National Laboratory, in cooperation with the University of New Mexico, is developing a network of radiation detectors that, coupled with other sensors that collect supportive data, is suitable for ROD interdiction in either urban or rural environments. Compared to a portal monitor, a DSN is much less visible, uses less power per detector, is hand carried and thus more rapidly deployable, and simplifies coverage of multiple transport avenues. Also, to function effectively, portal monitoring systems typically require slow or halted traffic, whereas our DSN can be tailored for any moderate traffic speed.
Adolescent pediatric decision-making: a critical reconsideration in the light of the data.

Adolescents present a puzzle. There are foundational unclarities about how they should be regarded as decision-makers. Although superficially adolescents may appear to have mature decisional capacity, their decision-making is in many ways unlike that of adults. Despite this seemingly obvious fact, a concern for the claims of autonomy has led to the development of the legal doctrine of the mature minor. This legal construct considers adolescents, as far as possible, as equivalent to adults for the purpose of medical decision-making. The movement to support independent decision-making by adolescents through providing information to them and securing their consent apart from their parents is encouraged by those legal understandings that hold that unemancipated minors should generally be considered as possessing effective decisional capacity. Such legal structures, however, do not adequately take account of the wide variations in adolescent capacities, the immaturity of most adolescent decision-makers, or the important contributions made by parents to the development of their adolescents through parental partnering in the adolescent’s decision-making. The data available indicate that in general adolescents should be regarded as apprentice decision-makers who should make decisions in collaboration with their parents until at least the age of 18. Steps should not be taken pre-emptively to isolate adolescents from the guidance of their parents. As a general rule, what Piker has referred to as “collaborative paternalism” appears most likely both to protect adolescents from their own untoward choices, while also very importantly helping them with parental guidance to develop into mature decision-makers with the capacity to make medical choices on their own.
Synthetic-fuel plants: potential tumor risks to public health.

This article quantifies potential public health risks from tumor-producing pollutants emitted from two synthetic-fuel plants (direct liquefaction-Exxon Donor Solvent; and indirect liquefaction-Lurgi Fischer-Tropsch) located at a representative site in the eastern United States. In these analyses gaseous and aqueous waste streams were characterized; exposures via inhalation, terrestrial and aquatic food chains, and drinking water supplies were modeled. Analysis suggested that emissions of ''polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons,'' ''aromatic amines,'' ''neutral N, O, S heterocyclics,'' ''nitriles,'' and ''other trace elements'' pose the largest quantifiable risks to public health. Data and analysis for these pollutant categories should be refined to more accurately match compound-specific estimated exposure levels with tumorigenic potency estimates. Before these results are used for regulatory purposes, more detailed analysis for selected pollutant classes are needed, and more sophisticated aquatic exposure models must be developed. Also, differences in geographic scales among the environmental transport models used need to be rectified.
Bayesian active learning of neural firing rate maps with transformed gaussian process priors

A firing rate map, also known as a tuning curve, describes the nonlinear relationship between a neuron's spike rate and a low-dimensional stimulus e.g., orientation, head direction, contrast, color. Here we investigate Bayesian active learning methods for estimating firing rate maps in closed-loop neurophysiology experiments. These methods can accelerate the characterization of such maps through the intelligent, adaptive selection of stimuli. Specifically, we explore the manner in which the prior and utility function used in Bayesian active learning affect stimulus selection and performance. Our approach relies on a flexible model that involves a nonlinearly transformed gaussian process GP prior over maps and conditionally Poisson spiking. We show that infomax learning, which selects stimuli to maximize the information gain about the firing rate map, exhibits strong dependence on the seemingly innocuous choice of nonlinear transformation function. We derive an alternate utility function that selects stimuli to minimize the average posterior variance of the firing rate map and analyze the surprising relationship between prior parameterization, stimulus selection, and active learning performance in GP-Poisson models. We apply these methods to color tuning measurements of neurons in macaque primary visual cortex.
WHAT UNSKILLED ESL STUDENTS DO AS THEY WRITE: A CLASSROOM STUDY OF COMPOSING

Research on composing by native speakers of English has shown that the processes used by skilled writers can be described and taught in the classroom. Researchers have also examined the composing behaviors of unskilled writers to determine common features and to make recommendations for classroom teaching. While ESL composition research has pointed out the similarities between the processes of experienced L1 and L2 writers, less attention has been directed to unskilled L2 writers and how their composing processes differ from those of unskilled L1 writers. This article attempts to begin to fill that gap. It first examines, from a theoretical perspective, what we know about composing in a first and second language and what we need to know. It then describes a study in which unskilled ESL writers in a “developmental” college writing course wrote an essay in class. The findings from this study are then compared to those of some major studies of the composing process, and conclusions are drawn about the specific needs of unskilled ESL student writers.
Accuracy of Cone-Beam Computed Tomography and Periapical Radiography in Detecting Small Periapical Lesions

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of 2 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) machines and periapical (PA) radiography in detecting simulated apical lesions created with the smallest dental burs available. Methods: By using mandibles from human cadavers, simulated apical lesions were created and then progressively enlarged in 16 roots by using sizes #1/4, #1/2, #1, #2, #4, and #6 round burs. Imaging was obtained after each enlargement with a Kodak 9000 3D (Kodak) CBCT, a Veraviewpocs 3De (Morita) CBCT, and intraoral digital PA radiography. Specificity and sensitivity at variable decision thresholds were calculated and plotted on receiver operator characteristic curves. The area under the curve (AUC) served as an estimate of diagnostic accuracy. Results: The overall AUCs for Kodak, Morita, and PA radiography were 0.767 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.743‐0.792), 0.753 (95% CI, 0.728‐0.779), and 0.584 (95% CI, 0.554‐0.615), respectively. The AUCs forKodakandMorita werebothstatistically significantly larger than the AUC for all corresponding simulated lesion sizes imaged with PA radiography. Between Kodak and Morita, there were no statistically significant differences in AUCs for any of the corresponding simulated lesion sizes. Conclusions: Both CBCT devices demonstrated poor accuracy in detecting simulated lesions smaller than 0.8 mm in diameter, fair to good accuracy when simulated lesion diameter was between 0.8‐1.4 mm, and excellent accuracy when simulated lesions were larger than 1.4 mm in diameter. PA radiography, at best, demonstrated poor diagnostic accuracy for all simulated lesion sizes. (J Endod 2012;38:965‐970)
Development and Psychometric Evaluation of the HPV Clinical Trial Survey for Parents (CTSP-HPV) Using Traditional Survey Development Methods and Community Engagement Principles.

Objective This study describes the development and psychometric evaluation of HPV Clinical Trial Survey for Parents with Children Aged 9 to 15 (CTSP-HPV) using traditional instrument development methods and community engagement principles. Methods An expert panel and parental input informed survey content and parents recommended study design changes (e.g., flyer wording). A convenience sample of 256 parents completed the final survey measuring parental willingness to consent to HPV clinical trial (CT) participation and other factors hypothesized to influence willingness (e.g., HPV vaccine benefits). Cronbach's a, Spearman correlations, and multiple linear regression were used to estimate internal consistency, convergent and discriminant validity, and predictively validity, respectively. Results Internal reliability was confirmed for all scales (a ≥ 0.70.). Parental willingness was positively associated (p < 0.05) with trust in medical researchers, adolescent CT knowledge, HPV vaccine benefits, advantages of adolescent CTs (r range 0.33–0.42), supporting convergent validity. Moderate discriminant construct validity was also demonstrated. Regression results indicate reasonable predictive validity with the six scales accounting for 31% of the variance in parents’ willingness. Conclusions This instrument can inform interventions based on factors that influence parental willingness, which may lead to the eventual increase in trial participation. Further psychometric testing is warranted.
Peak power tracking in parallel connected converters

A control scheme for parallel-connected converter systems that will transfer the maximum available power from a nonideal voltage source is presented. Monitoring the rates of change in both the average input current and the average input power from the source, the proposed control scheme can dynamically regulate the DC-DC converter system to track the peak power point of the source. The amplitude and the frequency of oscillation due to a limit cycle around the system peak power point are analyzed. >
Client\Server Access: Satellite-ATM Connectivity Using a Knowledge Management Approach

Secure role-based access control (SRBAC) is an entry protocol implemented to protect sensitive database information. An individual's security clearance and role description will determine what privileges they are authorized. This manuscript provides a different approach to secure RBAC designs in a post 911 environment. In order to defend the United States against enemies, foreign and domestic, it is crucial that the combat forces of the United States are equipped with the best communication equipment available. Twenty-one years of information technology experience in a military environment supports this research and contributes a design ideology that could revolutionize the way government agencies communicate. The "mobile secure role base access control device" (MS-Ro-BAC) is a single unit system with the ability to instant connect to other identical devices around the world through Mid Earth Orbit Satellite (MEO) communications. The capabilities provided by the MS-Ro-BAC research would support the 'Global War on Terrorism' and increase the security of US forces and Department of Defense Personnel around the world
Controllably crazed polystyrene: Morphology and permeability

The effects of n-heptane and heat treatment on the structural and transport properties of polystyrene films (biaxially oriented and unoriented) were studied to determine whether these treatments improve the film as selective barriers for separation of molecules differing only slightly in size and shape. n-Heptane treatment of biaxially oriented polystyrene produces a sandwich structure composed of expanded, crazed, surface layers surrounding an apparently unaffected central core. The crazed layers contain a continuous network of interconnected channels. The core provides the total resistance to gas permeation, hence, the overall effect of n-heptane treatment is fabrication of a thinner more permeable membrane. By restricting the stress-cracking treatment to one face of the film, it should be possible to make high flux, anisotropic membranes—a type of membrane which is required for successful development of membrane separation processes. n-Heptane treatment of cast, annealed polystyrene results also in a crazed polymer, but the crazing is in the form of spherical voids, and the films, even with a residual uncrazed core, are too weak to be useful as separation membranes. The crazing process in both types of polymer specimens is characteristic of case II non-Fickian diffusion in which the kinetics are apparently controlled by polymer relaxation processes. Sorption of isopentane into cast, annealed polystyrene does not cause visible crazing but the kinetics are again non-Fickian. Desorption of isopentane into n-heptane-treated polystyrene releases the appreciable residual n-heptane in the film which could not be removed by long-term exposure to vacuum. Analysis of D(0) values for isopentane in n-heptane treated films indicates that the polymer surrounding the visible voids in the film is essentially unaltered polystyrene with only a small fraction of the voids being interconnected by open channels.
Norepinephrine Transporter Inhibition with Desipramine Exacerbates L-DOPA-induced Dyskinesia: Role for Synaptic Dopamine Regulation in Denervated Nigrostriatal Terminals

Pharmacological dopamine (DA) replacement with Levodopa [L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA)] is the gold standard treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, long-term L-DOPA treatment is complicated by eventual debilitating abnormal involuntary movements termed L-DOPA–induced dyskinesia (LID), a clinically significant obstacle for the majority of patients who rely on L-DOPA to alleviate PD-related motor symptoms. The manifestation of LID may in part be driven by excessive extracellular DA derived from L-DOPA, but potential involvement of DA reuptake in LID severity or expression is unknown. We recently reported that in 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)–lesioned striatum, norepinephrine transporter (NET) expression increases and may play a significant role in DA transport. Furthermore, L-DOPA preferentially inhibits DA uptake in lesioned striatum. Therefore, we hypothesized that desipramine (DMI), a NET antagonist, could affect the severity of LID in an established LID model. Whereas DMI alone elicited no dyskinetic effects in lesioned rats, DMI + L-DOPA–treated rats gradually expressed more severe dyskinesia compared with L-DOPA alone over time. At the conclusion of the study, we observed reduced NET expression and norepinephrine-mediated inhibition of DA uptake in the DMI + L-DOPA group compared with L-DOPA–alone group in lesioned striatum. LID severity positively correlated with striatal extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase phosphorylation among the three treatment groups, with increased ppERK1/2 in DMI + L-DOPA group compared with the L-DOPA– and DMI-alone groups. Taken together, these results indicate that the combination of chronic L-DOPA and NET-mediated DA reuptake in lesioned nigrostriatal terminals may have a role in LID severity in experimental Parkinsonism.
General forms for the recursive determination of generalized inverses: unified approach

Results for the recursive determination of different types of generalized inverses of a matrix are presented for the case of the addition of a block-column matrix of arbitrary size. Using a unifying underlying theme, results for the generalized inverse, least-square generalized inverse, minimum norm generalized inverse, and Moore-Penrose inverse are included.
Integration of universal design of instruction in occupational therapy professional education: Responding to student diversity

Application of the seven principles of universal design of instruction in occupational therapy education is intended to meet the diverse learning needs of students and provide full access to educational experiences without disadvantaging some students (Bowe, 2000; Burgstahler, 2001; McGuire & Scott, 2002). The intended outcome is success for all students. Further, universal design of instruction is congruent with the occupational therapy core value of mutual respect, whereby... We treat people fairly and equitably. We acknowledge and support others regardless of differences. We appreciate their qualities, capabilities and contributions (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2003). While the benefits of universal design of instruction in occupational therapy curricula appear to be extensive, a caveat must be included. Use of any instructional design tool is legitimized when grounded in research. Though literature in multiple disciplines is expanding related to universal design of instruction, we need research specific to occupational therapy education.
Clinical Review : Reye's Syndrome Possible Causes and Pathogenetic Pathways

Reye's syndrome of brain swelling and fatty change of the viscera usually begins with a febrile upper respiratory tract infection, followed by the onset of coma. These patients typically assume a flexed elbows, extended legs, and clenched fists posture. Common laboratory findings include a low blood sugar, low cerebrospinal fluid sugar, metabolic acidosis, elevated blood urea nitrogen, ketonuria, aminoaciduria, and, marked elevations in SGOT and blood ammonia. Few children who develop this illness under the age of two years survive.
Role of electrophysiologic testing in managing patients who have ventricular tachycardia unrelated to coronary artery disease

Abstract This study examined the usefulness of programmed electrical stimulation in managing 83 patients who had ventricular tachycardia not due to coronary artery disease. Among 39 patients with a history of sustained ventricular tachycardia, programmed stimulation induced ventricular tachycardia in 14 of 14 patients with mitral valve prolapse or primary electrical disease (arrhythmias without evidence of structural heart disease) and in 13 of 25 with cardiomyopathy (total 27 of 39, 69 percent). Programmed stimulation induced nonsustained ventricular tachycardia in 15 (34 percent) of 44 patients with a history of nonsustained tachycardia (5 of 13 with mitral valve prolapse, 6 of 19 with primary electrical disease and 4 of 12 with cardiomyopathy). Seventy-three of the 83 patients were treated with antiarrhythmic drugs and then followed up for 14.4 ± 11.4 months (mean ± standard deviation). Drug therapy was determined with serial electrophysiologic testing in 31 patients. Twenty-four of these 31 patients had a history of sustained ventricular tachycardia, and drugs prevented induction of ventricular tachycardia in 9 (none of whom manifested symptomatic events) but did not prevent it in 15 (6 of whom had symptomatic events). Among seven patients with a history of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia, drugs prevented induction of ventricular tachycardia in five (none of whom had symptomatic events) and did not prevent it in two (none of whom had symptomatic events). Forty-two patients were treated using the results of noninvasive testing. Drugs suppressed spontaneous ventricular tachycardia in 15 of 15 patients with a history of sustained tachycardia (7 of whom had symptomatic events including one sudden death), and in 26 of 27 with a history of nonsustained tachycardia (6 of whom had symptomatic events including one sudden death). Thus, in patients with ventricular tachycardia unrelated to coronary artery disease: (1) programmed electrical stimulation induced ventricular tachycardia less often than in patients whose tachycardia was due to coronary artery disease; (2) programmed stimulation induced ventricular tachycardia less often in patients with a history of nonsustained versus sustained tachycardia; and (3) suppression of inducible ventricular tachycardia appeared to predict effective drug therapy but drug therapy predicted with noninvasive testing appeared to be unreliable.
Maximum-likelihood modulation classification for PSK/QAM

This paper addresses automatic modulation classification for PSK and QAM signals under coherent and noncoherent conditions. In particular, the paper extends previous results by treating the classification of higher-state QAM signals. A maximum-likelihood algorithm is presented for coherent classification of PSK and QAM signals. We evaluate the algorithms performance for various PSK and QAM modulation types including 64-state QAM and then compare it with a psuedo maximum-likelihood noncoherent classification technique in terms of the error rate, false alarm rate, and computational complexity. The application of these results to the design and performance of an automatic signal recognizer is discussed throughout the paper.
Multiculturalism and the politics of belonging: the puzzle of multiculturalism in South Korea

South Korea has experienced transformations in both discourse and policy regarding multiculturalism in recent years. The new discourse on multiculturalism implies that Korea is becoming, or should become, a multicultural society. This development can be viewed as an opportunity for migrants to take advantage of the dialogue about multiculturalism. However, migrants in Korea are indifferent to, and even critical of, the new discourse. The goal of this article is to explain this apparent paradox by examining the implications of Korean multiculturalism on multiple aspects of citizenship. Migrants in Korea are critical of multiculturalism because the characteristics of their group identities as defined in multiculturalism are less than desirable. To a certain extent, this unfair representation discourages migrants in Korea not only from welcoming multiculturalism but also from seeking formal membership. In this sense, the Korean case suggests the relationship between the status and identity aspects of citizen...
Localization: Approximation and Performance Bounds to Minimize Travel Distance

Localization, which is the determination of one's location in a known terrain, is a fundamental task for autonomous robots. This paper presents several new basic theoretical results about localization. We show that, even under the idealized assumptions of accurate sensing and perfect actuation, it is intrinsically difficult to localize a robot with a travel distance that is close to minimal. Our result helps to theoretically justify the common use of fast localization heuristics, such as greedy localization, which always moves the robot to a closest informative location (where the robot makes an observation that decreases the number of its possible locations). We show that the travel distance of greedy localization is much larger than minimal in some terrains because the closest informative location can distract greedy localization from a slightly farther, but much more informative, location. However, we also show that the travel distance of greedy localization can be larger, but not much larger, than the terrain size n. Thus, the travel distance of greedy localization scales well with the terrain size and is much larger than minimal in some terrains, not because it is large with respect to the terrain size, but because the minimal travel distance is exceptionally small in these terrains. As a corollary to our analysis, we show that the travel distance of greedy mapping (which always moves the robot to a closest location, where it makes an observation that increases its knowledge of the terrain) cannot be much larger than the terrain size. In theoretical terms, we prove the NP-hardness of minimization of travel distance for localization to within a logarithmic factor of the terrain size. We prove that the travel distance of greedy localization is at least order n/ log2 n larger than minimal in some terrains and that it is at least order n log n / log log n in the worst case. Finally, we prove that the travel distance of both greedy localization and greedy mapping is at most order n log n. Previously, it was only known that it is NP-hard to localize with minimal travel distance and that the travel distances of greedy localization and greedy mapping are at most order n 3/2.
Correctional employee turnover: A longitudinal study

Abstract The present two-year longitudinal organizational field study examined work satisfaction, work performance, employee growth orientation, and tenure with the organization as predictors of correctional employee turnover. In this study, the examination of turnover was limited to those employees who voluntarily left their jobs, organizations, or occupation. Four distinct one-way analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were performed, which revealed significant differences across three voluntary turnover groups for each predictor variable. Through the use of linear discriminant analysis, 78.4 percent of the correctional employees were correctly classified into No Turnover, Intraoccupational, and Interoccupational Voluntary Turnover groups based only on information regarding the four explanatory variables.
Inversion of Waveforms For Extreme Source Models With an Application to the Isotropic Moment Tensor Component

SUMMARY We have developed a new approach to the inversion of waveform data for the time-varying moment tensor. The method produces the source model which minimizes the modulus squared of any linear combination of moment tensor components, subject to the constraint that the data are satisfied within specified confidence intervals. This method allows the determination of possible source models other than the least-squares solution, enabling one to determine the significance of certain moment tensor properties; for example, the presence or absence of a volume change (isotropic component) in the source. Synthetic tests were used to examine the effect of microseismic noise and lateral heterogeneity on the extreme models of the isotropic component. Lateral heterogeneity is found to have a strong effect on the estimation of the isotropic component of the moment tensor. The method was tested by using long-period waveforms from the Global Digital Seismic Network to estimate the isotropic part of the moment tensor of a deep Bonin Islands earthquake. Modelling indicates that more than 10 per cent of the mechanism might have to be isotropic for detection of volume change in the presence of 10 per cent random noise and only 2 per cent lateral heterogeneity. The least-squares solution indicates that a relatively large change in volume was involved in the source mechanism. However, the minimum extreme solution shows that this volume change is not actually required by the data and thus may not be significant. The method was also tested on near-source data from the nuclear explosion Harzer. In this case, in spite of fairly large error bounds, it can be concluded that the source has a clear explosive component.