cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multi-variable extremum seeking control for a multi-functional variable refrigerant flow system

A multi-variable extremum seeking control is proposed as a model-free strategy to maximize the energy efficiency in real time for a multi-functional variable refrigerant flow system. For the cooling-only, heating-only, cooling-dominated, heating-dominated, and heat-recovery modes, the manipulated inputs of extremum seeking control include compressor suction/discharge pressure set-point, outdoor unit fan speed, bypass flow valve opening, and superheat set-points for evaporating heat exchangers. The feedback of extremum seeking control is the total power of the compressor motor, outdoor, and indoor unit fans. The proposed control strategy is validated with a Modelica-based dynamic simulation model, in terms of both steady-state and transient performance.
Ordinary Differential Equations

The sections in this article are 1 Introduction 2 First Order Differential Equations 3 Second Order Differential Equation 4 Differential Equations of Arbitrary Order 5 Partial Differential Equations 6 Applications
Sleep, Internalizing Problems, and Social Withdrawal: Unique Associations in Clinic-Referred Youth With Elevated Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Symptoms.

Objective: We compared clinic-referred youth with ADHD + sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT; n = 34), ADHD Only (n = 108), and SCT Only (n = 22) on demographics, co-occurring symptomatology, comorbid di...
The detrimental effects of drains on colonic anastomoses: an experimental study.

Information obtained from animal experiments cannot generally be applied to clinical situations, but such obvious differences as the difference between the healing of drained and undrained anastomoses may be applicable. All 15 of the control dogs recovered, and their colonic anastomoses had only filmy adhesions and no stricture formation. In contrast to this, of those with Penrose drains, nine of 20 died of anastomotic disruption and peritonitis, and the rest had extensive adhesions and varying degrees of stricture formation.
Motivations for Complaint Avoidance: The Role of Motivational Systems and Conflict Expectations

This article examined complaint avoidance as a function of both the strength of people’s motivational systems and people’s expectations of conflict interactions. We suggested outcome expectancies a...
Vibrotactile Feedback Alters Dynamics Of Static Postural Control In Persons With Parkinson's Disease But Not Older Adults At High Fall Risk.

Abstract Background Aging and Parkinson’s disease are often associated with impaired postural control. Providing extrinsic feedback via vibrotactile sensation could supplement intrinsic feedback to maintain postural control. Research question We investigated the postural control response to vibrotactile feedback provided at the trunk during challenging stance conditions in older adults at high fall risk and individuals with Parkinson’s disease compared to healthy older adults. Methods Nine older adults at high fall risk, 9 persons with Parkinson’s disease and 10 healthy older adults performed 30s quiet standing on a force platform under five challenging stance conditions with eyes open/closed and standing on firm/foam surface with feet together, each with and without vibrotactile feedback. During vibrotactile feedback trials, feedback was provided when participants swayed >10% over the center of their base of support. Participants were instructed vibrations would be in response to their movement. Magnitude of postural sway was estimated using center of pressure path length, velocity, and sway area. Dynamics of individuals’ postural control was evaluated using detrended fluctuation analysis. Results Results showed that vibrotactile feedback induced a change in postural control dynamics among persons with Parkinson’s disease when standing with intact intrinsic visual input and altered intrinsic somatosensory input, but there was no change in sway magnitude. However, use of vibrotactile feedback did not significantly alter dynamics of postural control in older adults with high risk of falling or reduce the magnitude of sway. Significance Considering the effects of vibrotactile feedback were dependent on the population and stance condition, designing an optimal therapeutic regimen for balance training should be carefully considered and be specific to a target population. Furthermore, our results suggest that explicit instructions on how to respond to the vibrotactile feedback could affect training outcome.
The Chemistry of Eolian Quartz Dust and the Origin of Chert

Abstract Among the numerous models that have been suggested for the primary and predominant source of silica for chert, we suggest that eolian dust is worthy of further considerations. Such considerations are supported by the common association of Phanerozoic chert with evaporites, limestones, dolomites, or other strata that were deposited within or near arid paleoclimates. This association suggests a direct or indirect causal link between aridity and chert formation. In addition, eolian processes export large quantities of quartz-rich dust from arid climate ergs or loess lands. The chemistry of abraded quartz particles derived therefrom is consistent with chert formation. Abrasion of quartz particles produces an amorphous surface layer and underlying lattice disorder. An inverse relation between particle size distribution (< 64 μm) and the enthalpy of solution of abraded quartz is indicative of the degree of lattice disorder; as particle size decreases, the enthalpy of solution increases. The amorphous surface layer and underlying lattice disorder enhance both the rate and amount of dissolution of quartz dust particles; the solubilized silica can then be reprecipitated and diagenetically altered to the various silica polymorphs that occur in chert. An eolian supply and the chemistry of eolian abraded quartz particles may account for chert formation in disparate depositional environments that encompass deep-sea chert, chert in epicontinental seas including shallow shelves, and chert that formed in continental eolinites, lakes, and soils (arid climate silcretes).
Multi-Union Organizing: Speech by David Sickler 12/7/95 at UCLA

Excerpt} Multi-union organizing is my favorite subject. As a regional director of the AFL-CIO, I have to spin a lot of plates in the air, but organizing is the thing that I'm interested in the most. It's what I volunteered to do as an activist member of my own local union back in the 60s. And for many years it's the key thing I have felt is missing in the whole national labor movement agenda. Not just in the AFL-CIO, but as a priority for all of our international unions affiliated with the AFL-CIO. So the question that is central for the labor movement right now is—Can unions work together?
Purification of human erythrocyte pyruvate kinase.

Abstract We describe a purification scheme for human erythrocyte pyruvate kinase. Following two ammonium sulfate fractionations, batchwise absorption on CM-cellulose, chromatography on CM-cellulose with fructose 1,6-diphosphate elution, and chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, a 30,000-fold purification was achieved with a yield of 8% from the original hemolysate. Antiserum against partially purified pyruvate kinase was prepared in rabbits and used to follow the subsequent purification of the enzyme. Catalase and immunoglobulin G were identified by immunodiffusion as components of the impure preparation. Isoelectric focusing of partially purified pyruvate kinase gave a single activity peak with an isoelectric point of 7.1 at 4°. The final product was homogeneous as judged by polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis and immunodiffusion. No free NH2-terminal amino acids could be detected. Sedimentation velocity analysis gave a major peak and a faster migrating, minor peak corresponding to 5% of the total. We suggest that the minor peak is due to aggregation of the major component. From sedimentation equilibrium analysis a molecular weight of 225,400 was obtained for the purified pyruvate kinase. The amino acid composition is presented.
A Theoretical Analysis of RF Lesions Using Spherical Electrodes

Lesions are commonly produced in the CNS by positioning an electrode of known tip radius at the site of the desired lesion and applying an empirically determined amount of r.f. current for an empirically determined length of time. The extent of the lesion is then determined histologically, frequently by measuring the extent of the charred area. The extent of the physiological lesion however depends on the extent of denatured protein.
Experimental Evaluation of a Universal Dominant Mode Rejection Beamformer

The Dominant Mode Rejection (DMR) beamformer is designed to operate in non-stationary environments where few snapshots are available to estimate the sample covariance matrix (SCM). DMR assumes that the covariance can be split into orthogonal subspaces defined by the SCM eigenvectors: the first contains the loud interferers and the second contains the remaining signals and noise. The DMR approach requires an estimate of the rank of the interference subspace. Motivated by universal linear prediction, Buck and Singer propose a universal DMR beamformer that computes its weight vector as a linear combination of weight vectors for a set of fixed rank DMR beamformers. This universal DMR beamformer eliminates the need to explicitly estimate the rank of the interference subspace. Under reasonable mathematical assumptions, the universal DMR beamformer is guaranteed to converge to the performance of the best fixed rank beamformer in the set. This paper explores the performance of the universal DMR beamformer for a passive sonar data set acquired with a vertical line array deployed in the Philippine Sea.
A Stochastic Dual Dynamic Programming Framework for Multiscale MPC

Abstract We derive and interpret stochastic dual dynamic programming (SDDP) from the perspective of MPC to argue that SDDP provides a scalable approach to handle complex MPC applications with uncertainties evolving over long time horizons and with fine time resolutions. Scalability is enabled by the use of a nested cutting-plane scheme, which uses forward and backward sweeps along the time horizon to adaptively construct and refine cost-to-go functions. SDDP can also select random paths on-the-fly, thus avoiding the exponential complexity associated with the construction of scenario trees and enabling the construction of statistical performance bounds. Our work seeks to establish connections between SDDP and MPC that allow us to obtain performance bounds for deterministic and stochastic MPC and to propose new MPC schemes that can deal with multiple timescales. We demonstrate the developments using a stationary battery system that participates in multiscale energy markets.
Distributed allocation and dynamic reassignment of channels in UAV networks for wireless coverage

Abstract Providing wireless coverage to users using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) encounters two major challenges: deployment and channel allocation. To this end, solutions to both issues are proposed in this paper. An overloaded UAV attempts to acquire more channels by performing channel bonding/aggregation followed by requesting its chosen peers to move closer for load sharing. The proposed channel reallocation schemes minimize interference caused by channel reassignments, or change in network topology. The simulation results show that when employing these schemes, more data is served with reduced discontinuous service time and efficient usage of limited battery power.
Duodenal ulcer complicated by obstruction: results of medical treatment.

Good results were obtained with medical management in a group of patients with severe obstruction of the stomach due to duodenal ulcer. The success of the medical approach outlined suggests the following conclusions: 1 An intensive trial of medical treatment is indicated for all patients with obstruction due to ulcer. 2 Recurrence of adequately managed obstruction is not frequent; 75 per cent of the patients had no recurrence in the average follow-up period of 56 months. 3 A recurrent episode of obstruction may respond to further medical treatment.
Energy and economic efficiency performance assessment of a 28 kWp photovoltaic grid-connected system under desertic weather conditions in Algerian Sahara

Abstract In order to support the growth of grid-tied photovoltaic power plant implementation in the Saharan environment. A detailed assessment analysis of 28 kWp photovoltaic (PV) system installed on the rooftop of Research Unit for Renewable Energies in Saharan region (URER/MS), located in southern Algeria (Adrar), has been carried out and presented in this paper. The monitoring data of the PV system over 12 months (March 2017 to February 2018), are used to evaluate both energy efficiency and the output power losses. The collected experimental data reveal that the environmental parameters variation has a direct effect on the performance of both the energy conversion efficiency and the system losses. From the monitoring data and the performance assessment, it was found that the highest final yield is 5.3 h/day while the irradiation and the ambient temperature are 518 W/m2 and 37.9 C° respectively. The annual production injected to the grid is 45.12 MWh, with 2.4 MWh energy losses are attributed to the grid voltage rise, 1.57 MWh energy is lost due to the array and thermal capture losses and system losses. The yield values of maximum/minimum monthly average reference and array yield values were; 6.7/5.4 h/day and 5.5/3.2 h/day respectively. The annual average PV module, inverter and system efficiencies reached; 11.37%, 96.46% and 10.99%, respectively. Some parameters of measured data; are used to calculate the harvested energy and performance ratio, and then compared with other PV systems installation located in different geographical regions worldwide. Finally, we have studied the impact of the grid voltage rise on the grid-connected photovoltaic system performance on both energetic and economical levels.
Implications of Left Bundle Branch Block in Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: Propensity Match Analysis from the National Inpatient Sample.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC), also called stress cardiomyopathy, is a transient reversible left ventricular dysfunction mimicking acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Studies have shown similar rates of in-hospital complications in TTC and myocardial infarction (MI). Left bundle branch block (LBBB) is associated with increased mortality in patients with MI; however, similar studies comparing outcomes of TTC in the presence of LBBB are lacking. The 2016 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database was queried to identify all admissions with a primary discharge diagnosis of TTC. Diagnosis-specific codes were used to stratify patients based on the presence or absence of LBBB. Both population sets were paired using 1:10 propensity score matching. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to compare various in-hospital outcomes among both groups. Amongst 7270 admissions for TTC, 226 patients had concomitant LBBB. After performing 1:10 propensity matching, 130 patients with LBBB were compared to 1275 patients without LBBB. The presence of LBBB was associated with increased odds of cardiogenic shock (AOR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.21–3.99, p = 0.0097); ventricular arrhythmia (AOR 1.99, 95% CI 1.11–3.57, p = 0.02), acute congestive heart failure (AOR = 1.49, 95% CI 1.01–2.2, p = 0.04), and sudden cardiac arrest (AOR = 3.37, 95% CI 1.59–7.13, p = 0.0001). There was no statistical difference in all-cause in-hospital mortality, however a trend towards worsening was noted. The incidence of arrhythmia and shock in patients with TTC does not correlate with the extent of myocardium involvement. The presence of LBBB in such cases can help recognize at-risk populations, and with timely intervention, life-threatening complications can be avoided. Despite limitations of the dataset and inability to establish causality, prospective studies with longer follow-up are warranted.
Modelling available water capacity of topsoil in a Bayesian paradigm

Abstract Available water capacity (AWC) is a fundamental factor in energy-water nexus. Particularly, AWC influences climate dynamics, hydrological processes, and water management. Measuring AWC is often laborious, time consuming, and sometimes impossible. Pedotransfer functions (PTFs) are therefore used as alternatives to model AWC. Classical statistical-based pedotransfer functions are widely used to model AWC. However, these classical statistical models do not incorporate prior knowledge of the existing AWC data. Therefore, the objective of this study is two-fold: Firstly, to develop AWC PTFs for topsoil using five physical soil properties; and secondly, to evaluate relative importance of the physical soil properties in the Bayesian-based AWC model. Results show that Bayesian PTFs plausibly simulate AWC with percent bias (PBIAS) of
Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, the human form of mad cow disease, triggered a health panic in the late twentieth century but it also greatly enhanced our understanding of prion diseases, a group of fatal transmissible spongiform encephalopathies that could be sporadic, familial or acquired by infection.
Parasitism of the Invasive Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), by the Native Parasitoid, Trichopoda pennipes (Diptera: Tachinidae)

The invasive brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), has been an important agricultural pest in the Mid-Atlantic United States since its introduction in 1996. Biological control by native species may play an important role in suppressing H. halys populations and reduce reliance on chemical control. We collected H. halys adults in agricultural areas of five Pennsylvania counties over two years to examine the extent and characteristics of adult stink bug parasitism by Trichopoda pennipes (Diptera: Tachinidae), a native parasitoid of hemipterans. The overall parasitism rate (in terms of T. pennipes egg deposition) was 2.38 percent. Rates differed among counties and seasons, but not between years. Instances of supernumerary oviposition were evident, and eggs were more commonly found on the ventral side of the thorax, although no differences in egg deposition were found between males and female hosts. T. pennipes has begun to target H. halys adults in Pennsylvania and has the potential to play a role in regulating this pest. Adult parasitism of H. halys by T. pennipes should continue to be monitored, and landscape management and ecological pest management practices that conserve T. pennipes populations should be supported in agricultural areas where H. halys is found.
Modernizing data collection for the Consumer Price Index

This article discusses collection of data by US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for use in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), and the new approaches BLS is taking to modernize data collection, including an expansion of its corporate data collection program. As the providers of corporate data, the business community can help the BLS with this modernization initiative. The first section gives an overview of the CPI and traditional data collection methods. The second section explains various types of alternative data BLS is experimenting with and using, and elaborates on corporate data. The last section explains BLS research and uses of corporate data and their advantages for BLS, taxpayers, and the business community.
Impact of maintenance rituximab on duration of response in primary central nervous system lymphoma.

The role of maintenance immunotherapy with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab in primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is unclear. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all immunocompetent adults with newly diagnosed PCNSL treated at our institution between1996 and 2017. We identified 66 patients who attained complete response (CR) after completion of first-line regimen; 20 received maintenance therapy (maintenance therapy group) and 46 were observed with serial MRI scans without maintenance therapy (no-maintenance therapy group). Compared to the surveillance group, there was a significant increase in duration of survival (HR 0.27, 95% CI 0.08–0.98, P = 0.046) in the maintenance therapy group while the reduction in the risk of progression was not significant (HR: 0.61, 95% CI 0.26–1.43, P = 0.259). We are evaluating the effectiveness of maintenance immunotherapy in PCNSL in a prospective multicenter randomized clinical trial.
Rest-activity rhythms and white matter microstructure across the lifespan.

Study objectives The purpose of this study was to examine how rest-activity (RA) rhythm stability may be associated with white matter microstructure across the lifespan in healthy adults free of significant cardiovascular risk. Methods We analyzed multi-shell diffusion tensor images from 103 healthy young and older adults using tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) to examine relationships between white matter microstructure and RA rhythm stability. RA measures were computed using both cosinor and non-parametric methods derived from seven days of actigraphy data. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) were examined in this analysis. Because prior studies have suggested that the corpus callosum (CC) is sensitive to sleep physiology and RA rhythms, we also conducted a focused region of interest analysis on the CC. Results Greater rest-activity rhythm stability was associated with greater FA across both young and older adults, primarily in the corpus callosum and anterior corona radiata. This effect was not moderated by age group. While RA measures were associated with sleep metrics, RA rhythm measures uniquely accounted for the variance in white matter integrity. Conclusions This study strengthens existing evidence for a relationship between brain white matter structure and RA rhythm stability in the absence of health risk factors. While there are differences in RA stability between age groups, the relationship with brain white matter was present across both young and older adults. RA rhythms may be a useful biomarker of brain health across both periods of adult development.
Emotion: An Overview

Having argued that the study of emotional development is important to understanding children’s overall development, we shall now attempt to define more precisely what we mean by the term emotion and how this term might differ from other terms, such as affect, mood, temperament, and personality. This undertaking is not easy even though some attention has already been given to this topic (Arnold, 1960; Izard & Buechler, 1979; Plutchik, 1980a). Even these reviews may leave the reader somewhat confused since one of the most difficult tasks in the study of emotion and emotional development is that of definition. If one were to ask, “What is emotion?”, one would find the answer both hard to come by and idiosyncratic. In Table 3, 28 different definitions of emotion are presented (from Plutchik, 1980a). Clearly, emotion is not easily defined, and there is no agreement about what it might be. For at least 80 years, psychologists have struggled to define emotion and to find a place for it in behavior theory (Strongman, 1978). This problem continues into the 1980s.
Alongwind Dispersion—A Simple Similarity Formula Compared with Observations at 11 Field Sites and in One Wind Tunnel

Abstract Observations of alongwind dispersion of clouds were collected from 11 field sites and from one wind tunnel and were used to test simple similarity relations. Because most of the observations consist of concentration time series from fixed monitors, the basic observed variable is σt, the standard deviation of the concentration time series. The observed σts range from 0.3 to 9000 s. The concentration time series observations also allow the travel time t from source to receptor to be estimated, from which the cloud advective speed ue can be determined. Observed ts range from 2 to 40 000 s, and observed ues range from 0.5 to 16 m s−1. The alongwind dispersion coefficient σx is then calculated from ueσt. The resulting σt and σx observations support the similarity relations σt = 0.1t and σx = 2u∗t, where u∗ is friction velocity. About 50% of the observations are within a factor of 2 of these similarity relations.
Stretching single protein molecules : Titin is a weird spring

Titin is a huge protein with many immunoglobulin domains that provide elasticity to muscle. In his Perspective, Erickson discusses three analyses of single titan molecules--two on pp. 1109 and 1112 of this issue and one in this week9s Nature. Molecular pulling on individual titin molecules with laser tweezers and atomic force microscopy reveals that it is an "entropic spring" that eventually loses its ability to recoil (renature) when large stretches of its immunoglobulin domains unravel.
Persuasion and Attitude Change

This chapter reviews contemporary issues in attitudes and persuasion. We describe controversies regarding the underlying bases of attitudes and the debate over whether attitudes are stored memorial representations or constructed on the spot. We review the notion of implicit attitudes with particular attention paid to the various ways in which researchers conceptualize this construct. Next, we review current research on attitude change using the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM) as an organizing framework. The ELM postulates that various motivational and ability factors affect the likelihood of thinking about a persuasive message in either a relatively objective or a biased way. When the likelihood of thinking is low, processing such as classical conditioning, affective priming, mere exposure, balance, self-perception, persuasion heuristics influence. When the likelihood of thinking is high, more cognitively effortful processes are responsible for attitude change. When thinking is high, the number, valence, and confidence in thoughts are important determinants of persuasion. Attitude change can occur in the absence of an explicit persuasive message as research on role playing, mere thought, and dissonance processes demonstrate. A number of theories describe the processes by which information is integrated and combined into an overall summary evaluation. The chapter concludes with a discussion of whether attitudes literally change, or whether old and new attitudes can coexist and jointly influence behavior. Keywords: attitudes; cognitive response; influence; persuasion
Concerted Loop Motion Triggers Induced Fit of FepA to Ferric Enterobactin (LB231)

By spectroscopic analyses of extrinsic fluorophore_labeled site-directed Cys residues in 7 surface loops of Escherichia coli FepA, we characterized the binding and transport of ferric enterobactin ...
Model for the Formation of Uranium/Lithophile Element Deposits in Fluorine-Rich Volcanic Rocks

Several deposits of uranium and other lithophile elements are located within or adjacent to small, fluorine-rich rhyolitic dome complexes. Examples are studied and a model is offered.
Topological noise removal

Meshes obtained from laser scanner data often contain topological noise due to inaccuracies in the scanning and merging process. This topological noise complicates subsequent operations such as remeshing, parameterization and smoothing. We introduce an approach that removes unnecessary nontrivial topology from meshes. Using a local wave front traversal, we discover the local topologies of the mesh and identify features such as small tunnels. We then identify non-separating cuts along which we cut and seal the mesh, reducing the genus and thus the topological complexity of the mesh.
Determining the Secondary Structure of Membrane Proteins and Peptides Via Electron Spin Echo Envelope Modulation (ESEEM) Spectroscopy

Revealing detailed structural and dynamic information of membrane embedded or associated proteins is challenging due to their hydrophobic nature which makes NMR and X-ray crystallographic studies challenging or impossible. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) has emerged as a powerful technique to provide essential structural and dynamic information for membrane proteins with no size limitations in membrane systems which mimic their natural lipid bilayer environment. Therefore, tremendous efforts have been devoted toward the development and application of EPR spectroscopic techniques to study the structure of biological systems such as membrane proteins and peptides. This chapter introduces a novel approach established and developed in the Lorigan lab to investigate membrane protein and peptide local secondary structures utilizing the pulsed EPR technique electron spin echo envelope modulation (ESEEM) spectroscopy. Detailed sample preparation strategies in model membrane protein systems and the experimental setup are described. Also, the ability of this approach to identify local secondary structure of membrane proteins and peptides with unprecedented efficiency is demonstrated in model systems. Finally, applications and further developments of this ESEEM approach for probing larger size membrane proteins produced by overexpression systems are discussed.
Need for Empirical Recognition

The life-in-death theory makes empirical claims, and is therefore subject to empirical verification. Even if this theory were purely analytic or phenomenological, it would be accountable to countervailing empirical evidence. If we cannot use empirical evidence to support or refute this theory, then it cannot be compared with competing theories, which defer to observable reality.
Proteomic profiling identifies specific histone species associated with leukemic and cancer cells

Background Chromatin is an extraordinarily complex structure. Much of this complexity results from the presence of numerous histone post-translational modifications and histone variants. Alterations in the patterns of histone post-translational modifications are emerging as a feature of many types of cancer and have been shown to have prognostic value.
Citrulline and arginine utility in treating nitric oxide deficiency in mitochondrial disorders

Mitochondrial diseases arise as a result of dysfunction of the respiratory chain, leading to inadequate ATP production required to meet the energy needs of various organs. On the other hand, nitric oxide (NO) deficiency can occur in mitochondrial diseases and potentially play major roles in the pathogenesis of several complications including stroke-like episodes, myopathy, diabetes, and lactic acidosis. NO deficiency in mitochondrial disorders can result from multiple factors including decreased NO production due to endothelial dysfunction, NO sequestration by cytochrome c oxidase, NO shunting into reactive nitrogen species formation, and decreased availability of the NO precursors arginine and citrulline. Arginine and citrulline supplementation can result in increased NO production and hence potentially have therapeutic effects on NO deficiency-related manifestations of mitochondrial diseases. Citrulline is a more efficient NO donor than arginine as it results in a greater increase in de novo arginine synthesis, which plays a major role in driving NO production. This concept is supported by the observation that the three enzymes responsible for recycling citrulline to NO (argininosuccinate synthase and lyase, and nitric oxide synthase) function as a complex that can result in compartmentalizing NO synthesis and channeling citrulline efficiently to NO synthesis. Clinical research evaluating the effect of arginine and citrulline in mitochondrial diseases is limited to uncontrolled open label studies demonstrating that arginine administration to subjects with MELAS syndrome results in improvement in the clinical symptoms associated with stroke-like episodes and a decrease in the frequency and severity of these episodes. Therefore, controlled clinical studies of the effects of arginine or citrulline supplementation on different aspects of mitochondrial diseases are needed to explore the potential therapeutic effects of these NO donors.
OLIGOPOLY AND THE RESORT CYCLE IN THE BAHAMAS

Abstract Markusen's “profit cycle” and the influence of oligopoly are applied to Butler's notion of the resort cycle. The stagnation and decline associated with the latter stages of the resort cycle can be explained by industrial organization and the oligopolistic position of the major suppliers. The study area of Paradise Island (Bahamas) appears to be a clear example of how the corporate strategies of a major supplier can dramatically influence the resort cycle process. Resorts subjected to long-term oligopoly can experience eventual declines in the number of visitors because of an emphasis on market share and competitive stability, at the expense of innovation and diversification.
Channel multiplier compatible materials and lifetime tests

Certain materials useful in space sensor construction were tested for their noncontaminating compatibility with channel electron multipliers. Gain profiles indicate that the materials tested do not adversely affect the lifetimes of the multipliers. These materials are, therefore, shown to be safe for use with channel electron multipliers in space instrumentation even for the most stringent long lifetime mission requirements. The tests indicate that the multipliers which are to be flown on an extended space mission will have adequate lifetimes to return satisfactory data throughout the entire mission.
The reaction of carbon and water as catalyzed by a nickel surface

Many of the individual steps which make up the reaction of carbon and water to produce CO and H2 were studied on a nickel foil surface using temperature-programmed reaction spectroscopy (TPRS), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS). Surface graphite and carbide, two metastable surface carbon forms, were prepared by dehydrogeneration of C2H2 and served as reactant carbon. UPS of the graphite monolayer in contact with the metal yielded a valence electronic structure that could be interpreted in terms of the bulk band structure of graphite. The fully carbided Ni surface was active for H2O dissociation with an estimated activation energy ≤ 5 kcal/mol. The reaction of graphitic carbon in contact with the nickel surface and adsorbed oxygen occurs directly without isolated prior breaking of carbon-carbon bonds. The estimated activation energy for the direct reaction was 44 kcal/mol. A different catalytic reaction cycle involving carbon-carbon bond breaking followed by oxidation of the carbide is energetically more demanding. The activation energy for direct carbon-carbon bond breaking was estimated to be between 65 and 70 kcal/mol. Following this demanding step, the reaction between carbidic carbon and oxygen proceeded with estimated activation energy of 31 kcal/mol.
R-matrix propagation study of He scattering from NaCl(001) and its Kr overlayer

Abstract For the first time, we employ the R-matrix propagation technique of Stechel et al. to model the diffraction of atomic helium from a bare NaCl(001) surface and also from a NaCl(001) surface with a Kr overlayer. The Kr/NaCl(001) has recently been reported by De Kieviet et al. as the only known commensurate overlayer system with square symmetry. To verify this theoretically, we solve the close-coupling equation. The R-matrix propagation technique is used, since it has many computational advantages and will be shown to yield efficient and accurate results for such systems. Once the final R-matrix is obtained from this propagation method, scattering information is extracted from the S-matrix. We obtain excellent agreement between calculated relative intensities derived from the S-matrix elements and experimental relative intensities for the He/NaCl(001) system, and good agreement for the more interesting and complex He–Kr/NaCl(001) system. Corrections for inelastic effects have been attempted using the Debye–Waller factor, resulting in little or no improvement.
Depth-limited search for real-time problem solving

We propose depth-limited heuristic search as a general paradigm for real-time problem solving in a dynamic environment. When combined with iterative-deepening, it provides the ability to commit to an action almost instantaneously, but allows the quality of that decision to improve as long as time is available. Once a deadline is reached, the best decision arrived at is executed. We illustrate the paradigm in three different settings, corresponding to single-agent search, two-player games, and multi-agent problem solving. First we review two-player minimax search with alpha-beta pruning. Minimax can be extended to themaxn algorithm for more than two players, which admits a much weaker form of alpha-beta pruning. Finally, we explore real-time search algorithms for single-agent problems. Minimax is specialized tominimin, which allows a very powerfulalpha pruning algorithm. In addition,real-time-A * allows backtracking while still guaranteeing a solution and making locally optimal decisions.
Solution of the Entropy Crisis of Supersymmetric Theories

Abstract Most supersymmetric models possess a decoupled particle with mass of order M W which is copiously produced in the early universe and whose decays produce huge amounts of entropy. We show how this problem is avoided in theories in which the hidden sector contains several light fields.
Antiferromagnetically Coupled Impurities in a Heisenberg Ferromagnet

The ground state of a ferromagnetic system with an antiferromagnetically coupled impurity is calculated exactly. The spin of the host is arbitrary, as is the ratio of impurity-host exchange to host-host exchange, but the impurity spin is taken to have ${S}_{0}=\frac{1}{2}$. The ground-state energy, wave function, spin defect, and critical field for a metamagnetic transition are computed. Results are compared with the approximate spin-wave method as employed by Ishii, Kanamori, and Nakamura. It is shown that the spin-wave method is ambiguous and can lead to grossly incorrect results if applied in particular ways.
Mitochondrial form and function

Mitochondria are one of the major ancient endomembrane systems in eukaryotic cells. Owing to their ability to produce ATP through respiration, they became a driving force in evolution. As an essential step in the process of eukaryotic evolution, the size of the mitochondrial chromosome was drastically reduced, and the behaviour of mitochondria within eukaryotic cells radically changed. Recent advances have revealed how the organelle's behaviour has evolved to allow the accurate transmission of its genome and to become responsive to the needs of the cell and its own dysfunction.
Initial experience with laparoscopic ipsilateral ureteroureterostomy in infants and children for duplication anomalies of the urinary tract

Purpose: We report the feasibility of laparoscopic ipsilateral ureteroureterostomy for duplication anomalies of the urinary tract in infants and children, and the short-term results in 6 patients.Materials and Methods: Laparoscopic ipsilateral ureteroureterostomy was performed transperitoneally with 3 and 4 ports for unilateral and bilateral cases, respectively. Cystoscopy, retrograde pyelogram and stent placement in the recipient ureter were performed at the beginning of each case. The anastomosis was carried out with running or interrupted 6-zero sutures. An abdominal drain and Foley catheter were left indwelling in all cases. Demographic data, body measurements, type of procedure and indication, laterality, intraoperative and postoperative complications, analgesia requirement, length of hospitalization and outcome were recorded.Results: Eight laparoscopic ipsilateral ureteroureterostomies were performed in 6 patients (2 males). Mean patient age was 51 months. Diagnoses were bilateral lower pole vesicou...
Auricular fibrillation of twenty-two months' duration, with return to normal sinus mechanism without the aid of quinidine

Abstract The case of a patient with definite auricular fibrillation of 22 months' duration, in which cardiac mechanism returned to normal without the aid of quinidine or related drugs, is presented. Apparently, no such case has been reported previously. Factors possibly influencing the disturbed cardiac mechanism are discussed.
Phosphate-tether-mediated ring-closing metathesis for the preparation of complex 1,3-anti-diol-containing subunits.

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Chegondi, R., Maitra, S., Markley, J. L., & Hanson, P. R. (2013). Phosphate Tether-Mediated Ring-Closing Metathesis Studies to Complex 1,3-anti-Diol-Containing Subunits. Chemistry (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany), 19(25), 10.1002/chem.201300913. http://doi.org/10.1002/chem.201300913, which has been published in final form at doi.org/10.1002/chem.201300913. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.
Standardization of Interface Design for Medical Devices: International Electrotechnical Commission and International Organization for Standardization Medical Alarm Systems

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Standard 9703-1 addresses only visual aspects of alarms and defines alarm categories and visual indicators and degrees of urgency. The approach taken is to limit the proliferation of different alarms in order to avoid confusion and minimize the distraction of hospital staff not directly responsible for devices that are in the alarmed condition. ISO 9703-2 addresses auditory alarms. The purpose is to specify the auditory component of alarm signals to be used to draw attention to the fact that the medical device has detected a disturbance and to indicate the degree of urgency. Some of the criteria considered during development of the sounds include optimal signal recognition in a relatively noisy environment, maximum transmission of information at the lowest practicable sound pressure level, ease of learning and retention by operators who have to respond to the various signals, and perceived urgency of the sounds. ISO 9703-3 deals with the allocation ...
Massive ST-segment elevation without myocardial injury in a patient with fulminant hepatic failure and cerebral edema.

A 49-year-old woman presented in fulminant hepatic failure. The ECG showed dramatic ST-segment elevation, suggesting diffuse myocardial injury. However, echocardiography, creatine Phosphokinase enzyme determinations, and examination of the heart at autopsy (six days later) failed to demonstrate any physiologic, anatomic, or histologic evidence of abnormality. The appearance of ST-segment elevation in this setting should not prompt treatment for cardiac disease or limit the candidacy for liver transplantation of such critically ill patients. (Chest 1991; 100:870-72)
On splitting the area under curves II

Two area-splitting problems involving real-valued functions of a real variable are investigated. The second of these is essentially equivalent to finding all functions a ϵ C1((0, r)) with 0 < a(x) < x which satisfy the functional differential equation a′ (a(x)) = a(x)x for x ϵ (0, r). All solutions analytic at x = 0 (and many which are not) are exhibited in closed form.
Latent Ability to Produce Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in Response to Dibutyryl Adenosine 3′,5′- Monophosphate in the BeWo-NBC Trophoblastic Cell Line

The BeWo-NBC trophoblastic cell line secretes predominantly large forms of hCG± and has almost totally lost the ability to produce hCG² or complete hCG² under normal culture conditions (hCG:hCG±, <0.05). This secretion pattern also exists in some cell lines (HeLa, ChaGo, and EICo) of nontrophoblastic origin (Nature 268: 543, 1977; In Vitro 14: 775, 1978). Accordingly, BeWo-NBC cells were employed to test their response to butyrate, a stimulator of hCG and subunit secretion in nontrophoblastic cells, and to dbT (1 mM N6,O2- dibutyryl cAMP plus 1 mM theophylline), a stimulator of hCG secretion in trophoblastic cells. Butyrate had no effect on ± subunit secretion and produced only slight (1.5- to 2.5-fold) stimulation of hCG/hCG/² secretion in BeWo-NBC cells. By contrast, dbT stimulated hCG/hCG² secretion by 11, 122, and 640 times after 1, 2, and 3 days of incubation with BeWo-NBC cells compared to only 1.8-, 19-, and 70-fold stimulation of asubunit secretion. These results indicate that the ability to produ...
Regulation, efficiency, and Granger causality

Abstract This paper examines whether financial performance Granger causes productive efficiency. Improvements in current period financial performance provide firms with funds to initiate changes that can enhance future period efficiency and profits. Returns to equity and the rate base are used as measures of financial performance. Data Envelopment Analysis is used to compute regulated Farrell measures of cost, technical, and allocative efficiency. The data sample is a panel of 20 US interstate natural gas pipeline companies from 1977 to 1987. Results indicate that improvements in financial performance (productive efficiency) did not statistically contribute to enhancing productive efficiency (financial performance).
A rapid semi-quantitative method for the assay of tyrosinase activity.

Abstract A method is described for the rapid, semi-quantitative determination of tyrosinase activity. The method permits the estimation of activity levels within 30 minutes, is unaffected by the presence of pre-formed melanin, and requires no highly specialized techniques or equipment.
The risk of thromboembolism with the novacor left ventricular assist device

areas for quality improvement. Methods: A prospective evaluation of outcomes was performed in 100 pts (median age 52 yrs; 80% male) undergoing HeartMate LVAD implant as a bridge to transplant (n 96) or destination therapy (4). Results: LVAD survival was 83 4% at 1, 6, and 11 months, 66 15% at 1 year and 42 21% out to 2.2 years. There were 19 deaths (17 deaths 19 days and 2 deaths @ 335, 463 days). Deaths were attributed to right-sided circulatory failure or multisystem failure (14), device malfunction (1); CVA (1); technical (1); hemorrhage (1), and self-directed withdrawal of care (1). Freedom from major device failure was 86 6% at 6 months, 48 21 at 1 yr, and 0% at 1.4 yrs. The median postop LOS for the index admission was 22 days. Sixty-one percent were discharged home on LVAD support (82% of the last 50 pts). Forty-five percent of pts discharged required readmission (median 9.5 days / pt). Freedom from readmission was 50% at 72 days. Of the total of 10,971 days of LVAD support, 949 (8.7%) were ICU, 3280 (29.9%) were in-patient non-ICU, and 6742 (61.5%) were at home (last 50 pts (6795 days of support), 437 were ICU (6.4%), 1050 in-patient non-ICU (15.5%), and 5308 (78%) at home). Conclusions: LVAD therapy results in meaningful 1 year survival. Early deaths attributable to right-sided circulatory or multisystem organ failure account for the majority of deaths year 1. Utilization of in-patient hospital services and significant incidence of device failure remain critical areas for improvement. Better candidate selection with earlier operation in suitable patients may improve early mortality and also reduce the requirment for in-patient services.
Teachers’ reasoning about school violence: The role of gender and location

Abstract This inquiry uses a Cognitive Developmental Domain theory framework to examine how male and female teachers balance different moral and non-moral components when reasoning about hypothetical school fights. The potential impact of teachers’ attributions towards the gender of the intervening teacher and fighting students, and the location of the fight were examined. This investigation found that male middle school teachers expressed more conflict than female middle school teachers when reasoning about whether the gender of the intervening teacher or the fighting student impacted a teacher’s response. When asked to reason about a hypothetical fight, female middle school teachers were more conflicted than female elementary school teachers, particularly when the location of the fight was manipulated. Theoretical implications are discussed.