cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Introduction to Renewable Power Systems and the Environment with R

Introduction to Renewable Power Systems and the Environment with R showcases the fundamentals of electrical power systems while examining their relationships with the environment. To address the broad range of interrelated problems that come together when generating electricity, this reference guide ties together multiple engineering disciplines with applied sciences. The author merges chapters on thermodynamics, electricity, and environmental systems to make learning fluid and comfortable for students with different backgrounds. Additionally, this book provides users with the opportunity to execute computer examples and exercises that use the open source R system. Functions of the renpow R package have been described and used in this book in the context of specific examples. The author lays out a clear understanding of how electricity is produced around the world and focuses on the shift from carbon-based energy conversions to other forms including renewables. Each energy conversion system is approached both theoretically and practically to provide a comprehensive guide. Electrical circuits are introduced from the simplest circumstances of direct current (DC), progressing to more complex alternating current (AC) circuits, single phase and three-phase, and electromagnetic devices including generators and transformers. Thermodynamics are employed to understand heat engines and a variety of processes in electrochemical energy conversion, such as fuel cells. The book emphasizes the most prevalent renewable energy conversions in use today: hydroelectrical, wind, and solar. This book is an invaluable for students as a resource to help them understand those aspects of environment systems that motivate the development and utilization of renewable power systems technology.
Misconception-Driven Feedback: Results from an Experimental Study

The feedback given to novice programmers can be substantially improved by delivering advice focused on learners' cognitive misconceptions contextualized to the instruction. Building on this idea, we present Misconception-Driven Feedback (MDF); MDF uses a cognitive student model and program analysis to detect mistakes and uncover underlying misconceptions. To evaluate the impact of MDF on student learning, we performed a quasi-experimental study of novice programmers that compares conventional run-time and output check feedback against MDF over three semesters. Inferential statistics indicates MDF supports significantly accelerated acquisition of conceptual knowledge and practical programming skills. Additionally, we present descriptive analysis from the study indicating the MDF student model allows for complex analysis of student mistakes and misconceptions that can suggest improvements to the feedback, the instruction, and to specific students.
Code2graph: automatic generation of static call graphs for Python source code

A static call graph is an imperative prerequisite used in most interprocedural analyses and software comprehension tools. However, there is a lack of software tools that can automatically analyze the Python source-code and construct its static call graph. In this paper, we introduce a prototype Python tool, named code2graph, which automates the tasks of (1) analyzing the Python source-code and extracting its structure, (2) constructing static call graphs from the source code, and (3) generating a similarity matrix of all possible execution paths in the system. Our goal is twofold: First, assist the developers in understanding the overall structure of the system. Second, provide a stepping stone for further research that can utilize the tool in software searching and similarity detection applications. For example, clustering the execution paths into a logical workflow of the system would be applied to automate specific software tasks. Code2graph has been successfully used to generate static call graphs and similarity matrices of the paths for three popular open-source Deep Learning projects (TensorFlow, Keras, PyTorch). A tool demo is available at https://youtu.be/ecctePpcAKU.
Transoral and Submental Thyroidectomy

Abstract Introduction: There has been growing interest in minimally invasive and remote access thyroid surgery in an attempt to eliminate a visible scar in the neck. This has involved a variety of ...
A 2-D Floquet boundary condition for time-domain finite element analysis of periodic geometries

In this paper, we outline a derivation for an absorbing boundary condition (ABC) that, when used with a recently developed FEM-TD formulation, is capable of effectively truncating the computational domain due to higher-order Floquet modes for electromagnetic simulations of infinite periodic structures in 2D. We demonstrated the accuracy of the new ABC, as well as indicating that the inclusion of this rather complicated ABC in the FEM-TD formulation appears to maintain stable time marching, even for a very large time step.
Outcomes after craniotomy for resection of craniopharyngiomas in adults: analysis of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP)

Craniopharyngiomas occur in suprasellar locations that pose challenges for surgical management. This study evaluates the incidence of complications following craniotomy for craniopharyngioma in adults and investigates risk factors for these complications. Patients who underwent craniotomy for excision of craniopharyngioma were identified from the 2005–2016 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP). Incidence of 30-day postoperative complications was determined. Multivariable logistic regression identified demographic, comorbid and perioperative characteristics associated with any complication and major (Clavien IV) complications. There were 143 cases identified. Fifty-one (35.7%) had a complication, twenty (14.0%) experienced a major complication and there were four (2.8%) deaths. The most common complications were: unplanned readmission (13.3%), prolonged ventilation > 48 h (9.8%), and unplanned reoperation (9.3%). In multivariable analysis, variables significantly associated with any complication were: black race (OR 0.16; 95% CI 0.03–0.84; p = 0.03), hypertension (OR 5.04; 95% CI 1.79–14.17; p = 0.002) and longer duration of surgery (OR 1.27; 95% CI 1.01–1.58; p = 0.04). Hypertension (OR 9.33; 95% CI 1.61–54.21; p = 0.01) and longer duration of surgery (OR 1.51; 95% CI 1.05–2.17; p = 0.03) were also significant predictors for major complications. One-third of patients undergoing craniotomy for craniopharyngioma resection experienced a postoperative complication. While high, this contrasts previously reported rates of two-thirds. Prolonged operative time and hypertension are positive predictors of major complications. This information can assist in counseling patients and decision-making for management. We note that other treatment approaches, such as endoscopic surgical techniques, radiosurgery and radiation therapy likely have different profiles and predictors of complications.
What edits are done on the highly answered questions in stack overflow?: an empirical study

Stack Overflow is the most-widely-used online question-and-answer platform for software developers to solve problems and communicate experience. Stack Overflow believes in the power of community editing, which means that one is able to edit questions without the changes going through peer review. Stack Overflow users may make edits to questions for a variety of reasons, among others, to improve the question and try to obtain more answers. However, to date the relationship between edit actions on questions and the number of answers that they collect is unknown. In this paper, we perform an empirical study on Stack Overflow to understand the relationship between edit actions and number of answers obtained in different dimensions from different attributes of the edited questions. We find that questions are more commonly edited by question owners, on bodies with relatively big changes before obtaining an accepted answer. However, edited questions that obtained more answers in a shorter time, were edited by other users rather than question owners, and their edits tended to be small, focused on titles and in adding addendums.
Voice Activated Personal Assistant: Acceptability of Use in the Public Space

Voice interface is becoming a common feature in mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones. Moreover, voice recognition technology is touted to mature and become the default method to control of a variety of interfaces, including mobile devices. Thus, it is critical to understand the factors that influence the use of voice activated applications in the public domain. The present study examined how the perceived acceptability of using the Voice-Activated Personal Assistant (VAPA) in smartphones influences its reported use. Participants were U.S. smartphone users recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk. Results showed that participants preferred using the VAPA in a private location, such as their home, but even in that environment, they were hesitant about using it to input private or personally identifying information in comparison to more general, non-private information. Participants' perceived social acceptability of using the VAPA to transmit information in different contexts could explain these preferred usage patterns.
A Public Health Problem: Consequences of Trauma on Health Outcomes and the Role of Social Support

Abstract Introduction: Extensive research substantiates a negative correlation between stress and health. The implications of traumatic stress are complex, affecting the physical, psychological, physiological, and social health of individuals. The aim of this study was to examine the role of social support in relation to trauma-related health consequences. Methods: Nationally representative data were obtained from the Midlife in the United States study, covering the period 2004-2006, and used in regression models to predict the relationships between types of trauma (adult vs. childhood), measures of social support, and biomarkers of stress reactivity (cortisol, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), and number of health conditions). Results: The study found that an increase in traumatic experiences during adulthood was associated with a higher logged cortisol level, but social support did not buffer these effects. No significant trends were observed with childhood trauma. Conclusions: Results suggest the importance of addressing indicators from multiple domains simultaneously to investigate the effects of trauma and social support on biomarkers of stress. Keywords: social support, trauma, cortisol, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, health conditions
Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 Inflammasome Activation in Human Macrophages is Dependent on NLRP3, ASC, and Caspase-1

The pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1{beta} and IL-18 are products of activation of the inflammasome, an innate sensing system, and important in the pathogenesis of herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1). The release of IL-18 and IL-1{beta} from monocytes/macrophages is critical for protection from HSV-1 based on animal models of encephalitis and genital infection, yet if and how HSV-1 activates inflammasomes in human macrophages is unknown. To investigate this, we utilized both primary human monocyte derived macrophages and human monocytic cell lines (THP-1 cells) with various inflammasome components knocked-out. We found that HSV-1 activates inflammasome signaling in pro-inflammatory primary human macrophages. Additionally, HSV-1 inflammasome activation is dependent on nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like molecule containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC), and caspase-1, but not on absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2), or gamma interferon-inducible protein 16 (IFI16). Ultraviolet irradiation of HSV-1 enhanced inflammasome activation, demonstrating that viral replication suppresses inflammasome activation. These results confirm that HSV-1 is capable of activating the inflammasome in human macrophages through an NLRP3 dependent process and that the virus has an NLRP3 specific mechanism to inhibit inflammasome activation in monocytes and macrophages.nnAuthor SummaryThe inflammasome is a multi-protein complex that forms in response to pathogens and cellular damage. Active inflammasomes recruit pro-caspase-1 via ASC and cleave the cytokine precursors pro-IL-1{beta} and pro-IL-18 into mature IL-1{beta} and IL-18. These cytokines serve to activate other immune cells that either repair the damage or attempt to clear the invading pathogen. Upon activation, the inflammasome also promotes an inflammatory form of cell death called pyroptosis. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a common human pathogen that can cause cold sores, genital ulcers, encephalitis, and blindness. HSV-1 infection leads to induction of IL-1{beta} and IL-18, but whether it is capable of activating inflammasomes in macrophages, which play a role in severe forms of HSV-1 infection, was unclear. Here, we infected both primary human macrophages and a macrophage/monocytic cell line, THP-1 cells, with HSV-1. We found that HSV-1 does activate inflammasome signaling in macrophages in a process dependent on NLRP3, ASC, and caspase-1. This is important because it illustrates the mechanism by which HSV-1 infection leads to inflammasome activation in macrophages, known to be crucial for protection from severe disease in mouse models.
#metoo: Sexual Harassment within Psychology, Social Work, and Marriage/Couple and Family Therapy Training Programs

ABSTRACTA review of literature in the fields of psychology and social work confirm an exploration of the experiences of sexual harassment of students by faculty and supervisors within training prog...
Eye Gaze Patterns Reflect How Young Fraction Learners Approach Numerical Comparisons

Learning fractions is notoriously difficult, yet critically important to mathematical and general academic achievement. Eye-tracking studies are beginning to characterize the strategies that adults use when comparing fractions, but we know relatively little about the strategies used by children. We used eye-tracking to analyze how novice children and mathematically-proficient adults approached a well-studied fraction comparison paradigm. Specifically, eye-tracking can provide insights into the nature of differences: whether they are quantitative—reflecting differences in efficiency—or qualitative—reflecting a fundamentally different approach. We found that children who had acquired the basic fraction rules made more eye movements than did either adults or less proficient children, suggesting a thorough but inefficient problem solving approach. Additionally, correct responses were associated with normative gaze patterns, regardless of age or proficiency levels. However, children paid more attention to irrelevant numerical relationships on conditions that were conceptually difficult. An exploratory analysis points to the possibility that children on the verge of making a conceptual leap attend to the relevant relationships even when they respond incorrectly. These findings indicate the potential of eye-tracking methodology to better characterize the behavior associated with different levels of fraction proficiency, as well as to provide insights for educators regarding how to best support novices at different levels of conceptual development.
High-throughput simulations indicate feasibility of navigation by familiarity with a local sensor such as scorpion pectines

Abstract Scorpions have arguably the most elaborate “tongues” on the planet: two paired ventral combs, called pectines, that are covered in thousands of chemo-tactile peg sensilla and that sweep the ground as the animal walks. Males use their pectines to detect female pheromones during the mating season, but females have pectines too: What additional purpose must the pectines serve? Why are there so many pegs? We take a computational approach to test the hypothesis that scorpions use their pectines to navigate by chemo-textural familiarity in a manner analogous to the visual navigation-by-scene-familiarity hypothesis for hymenopteran insects. We have developed a general model of navigation by familiarity with a local sensor and have chosen a range of plausible parameters for it based on the existing behavioral, physiological, morphological, and neurological understanding of the pectines. Similarly, we constructed virtual environments based on the scorpion’s native sand habitat. Using a novel methodology of highly parallel high-throughput simulations, we comprehensively tested 2160 combinations of sensory and environmental properties in each of 24 different situations, giving a total of 51,840 trials. Our results show that navigation by familiarity with a local pectine-like sensor is feasible. Further, they suggest a subtle interplay between “complexity” and “continuity” in navigation by familiarity and give the surprising result that more complexity — more detail and more information — is not always better for navigational performance. Author summary Scorpions’ pectines are intricate taste-and-touch sensory appendages that brush the ground as the animal walks. Pectines are involved in detecting pheromones, but their exquisite complexity — a pair of pectines can have around 100,000 sensory neurons — suggests that they do more. One hypothesis is “Navigation by Scene Familiarity,” which explains how bees and ants use their compound eyes to navigate home: the insect visually scans side to side as it moves, compares what it sees to scenes learned along a training path, and moves in the direction that looks most familiar. We propose that the scorpions’ pectines can be used to navigate similarly: instead of looking around, they sweep side to side sensing local chemical and textural information. We crafted simulated scorpions based on current understanding of the pectines and tested their navigational performance in virtual versions of the animals’ sandy habitat. Using a supercomputer, we varied nine environmental, sensory, and situational properties and ran a total of 51,840 trials of simulated navigation. We showed that navigation by familiarity with a local sensor like the pectines is feasible. Surprisingly, we also found that having a more detailed landscape and/or a more sensitive sensor is not always optimal.
Topic Avoidance as a Privacy Management Strategy: Outcomes and Predictors of Parent Well-being and Sibling Caregiving Topic Avoidance

As the population ages, siblings more frequently assume the role of filial caregiver. Siblings often avoid communication about caregiving, and this topic avoidance can be detrimental to well-being....
Optical frequency comb calibrated laser heterodyne radiometry in the near infrared

Using laser heterodyne radiometry with a resolution of 100 MHz we have observed a selection of iron lines in the solar spectrum near 1565 nm with an approximate resolving power of 2,000,000 million. With a laser frequency comb as the wavelength calibration source we have achieved absolute frequency instability on measurements of single lines at better than 13 MHz in a 10 second averaging window, and SNR of over 5000 when averaging up to a 1 hour exposure. An amplitude servo on the laser power creates a stable, repeatable background level, allowing for simple extraction of the line depth.
Review of 'Raising Government Children: A History of Foster Care and the American Welfare State' by Catherine E. Rymph

Review of Catherine E. Rymph, Raising Government Children: A History of Foster Care and the American Welfare State (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2017).
Data and Methodology

A general measure of poverty and affluence (INDEX) was developed and is explained. INDEX differs from other commonly used measures as it is sensitive to geographic variation in the cost of living. Information concerning the sources of the data used are provided, and the methodologies employed in the study are outlined.
Coal fuels for diesel and gas turbine engines

Four major coal fuel projects which were performed at Southwest Research Institute over the past ten years are reviewed. Beginning with the Alternative Fuels for Highway Utilization project in 1979, and the success of carbon-black/diesel fuel slurries, the development of the coal slurries is traced to the current technology. Most recently, full-scale locomotive engines have been operated on 50% coal in water slurries at thermal efficiencies approaching that of diesel fuel performance. The paper is concluded with a recommended engine design for coal slurries.
Fundamental Genetics: Cell Cycles of Eukarya

Overview In eukarya, as in bacteria and archaea, single cells reproduce asexually via a cell cycle. The cell cycle of eukarya, though, is more complex and elaborately regulated. The large, linear chromosomes of eukarya, whose DNA is packaged in chromatin, are replicated once per cycle, and copies are apportioned to daughter cells with great accuracy in a nuclear division phase, mitosis . The phases of the cell cycle and the main points of cell-cycle regulation are described in this chapter. Keeping Track of Chromosome Number Ploidy refers to the number of chromosome sets per cell nucleus. A euploid cell has an integer multiple of chromosome sets. Normal sex cells are haploid , having one set of chromosomes; sex cells unite to make zygotes, diploid cells with two sets of chromosomes. In sexually reproducing eukarya, the haploid chromosome number of a species is N , and the diploid number is 2N . A gamete has N chromosomes, and most somatic cells of plants and animals have 2N chromosomes. Some cells, though, are polyploid – i.e., they have three or more sets of chromosomes. For example, in humans N = 23; a sperm has 23 chromosomes, a skin cell has 46 chromosomes, and a liver cell has 92 or more chromosomes. Mitosis works the same no matter what the cell's ploidy. However – and this is important – the cell's ploidy normally does not change with the phase of the cell cycle, even though the number of copies of the genome does change.
Document Icons and Page Thumbnails: Issues in Construction of Document Thumbnails for Page-Image Digital Libraries

Digital libraries are increasingly based on digital page images, but techniques for constructing usable versions of these page images are largely folklore. This paper documents some issues encountered in creating various kinds of renderings of page images for the UpLib digital library system, and suggests approaches for each, based on both problem analysis and user feedback. Several factors important in determining useful sizes for small visual representations of the documents, called document icons, are discussed; one algorithm, called log-area, seems most effective.
Airway smooth muscle: the appendix of the lung.

It is well accepted that many organs in the human body no longer provide evolutionary advantage and appear to be lacking known function. These include the appendix, most body hair, wisdom teeth, male nipples, and external ear muscles, to name just a few. Even worse, many such organs, such as the appendix or wisdom teeth, can be the source of serious pain and medical problems. In this perspective, it is suggested that airway smooth muscle falls into this category—that of an organ with no essential physiologic function that can lead to serious medical problems. The function of smooth muscle in the airway wall has been speculated on for many years, but when looked at closely from a functional perspective, there really seems to be no need for airway smooth muscle. Indeed, most of the proposed reasons for presence of airway smooth muscle have not been based on experimental validation. In a recent discussion, Seow and Fredberg (1) commented that there is no known disease entity or physiologic deficit associated with loss of airway smooth muscle. They further suggested that perhaps airway smooth muscle was a vestigial remnant of its common embryologic origin with the gastrointestinal system, having no modern function. This conjecture, however, is in stark contrast to much classical thinking. In his extensive review article (2), Macklin could not imagine that such a system was there for no physiologic purpose, stating that “Organized as it is, into a very complex system, this muscle would seem of the utmost functional importance—in fact quite indispensable in respiration.” In this discussion, we consider the validity of 10 possible roles for airway smooth muscle that have appeared in the literature over the past 125 years. The emphasis will not be on whether smooth muscle is indispensable in respiration, but rather whether it is needed at all. These possible roles consist of the following: (1) peristalsis to assist exhalation, (2) peristalsis to assist mucus propulsion, (3) peristaltic contraction in the fetal lung to generate fluid pressure, (4) promoting lymphatic and venous flow, (5) ventilation/perfusion matching, (6) protecting the peripheral lung, (7) protecting airway structure, (8) stabilizing airways, (9) enhancing the effectiveness of cough, and (10) optimizing anatomic dead space volume.
Rapid induction of polyadenylated H1 histone mRNAs in mouse erythroleukemia cells is regulated by c-myc

Abstract Chemically induced differentiation of murine erythroleukemia cells is a multistep process involving a precommitment period in which exposure to inducer leads to cells that are irreversibly committed to terminal differentiation. Certain changes in the expression of cellular proto-oncogenes are an important feature of the precommitment phase. We have identified two H1 histone genes that are rapidly induced during this period. Unlike most histone genes, these two H1 genes encode polyadenylated mRNAs with long 3' untranslated regions. To investigate the relationship between induction of the H1 mRNAs and changes in proto-oncogene expression, we studied two independent series of mouse erythroleukemia cell lines that are inhibited from differentiating because of deregulated expression of transfected copies of c-myc or c-myb. The results showed that induction of the H1 mRNAs was negatively regulated by c-myc. The two H1 histone genes are among the first examples of specific cellular genes that are regulated by c-myc. The timing of their induction suggests that they may play an important role in achieving commitment to terminal differentiation.
Quantum phase diagram of the spin-1 J 1 − J 2 Heisenberg model on the honeycomb lattice

Strongly correlated systems with geometric frustrations can host the emergent phases of matter with unconventional properties. Here, we study the spin $S=1$ Heisenberg model on the honeycomb lattice with the antiferromagnetic first- (${J}_{1}$) and second-neighbor (${J}_{2}$) interactions ($0.0\ensuremath{\le}{J}_{2}/{J}_{1}\ensuremath{\le}0.5$) by means of density-matrix renormalization group. In the parameter regime ${J}_{2}/{J}_{1}\ensuremath{\lesssim}0.27$, the system sustains a N\'eel antiferromagnetic phase. At the large ${J}_{2}$ side ${J}_{2}/{J}_{1}\ensuremath{\gtrsim}0.32$, a stripe antiferromagnetic phase is found. Between the two magnetic ordered phases $0.27\ensuremath{\lesssim}{J}_{2}/{J}_{1}\ensuremath{\lesssim}0.32$, we find a nonmagnetic intermediate region with a plaquette valence-bond order. Although our calculations are limited within a six unit-cell width on cylinder, we present evidence that this plaquette state could be a strong candidate for this nonmagnetic region in the thermodynamic limit. We also briefly discuss the nature of the quantum phase transitions in the system. We gain further insight into the nonmagnetic phases in the spin-1 system by comparing its phase diagram with the spin-$1/2$ system.
Partition of unity method for Helmholtz equation: $q$-convergence for plane-wave and wave-band local bases

In this paper we study the q-version of the Partition of Unity Method for the Helmholtz equation. The method is obtained by employing the standard bilinear finite element basis on a mesh of quadrilaterals discretizing the domain as the Partition of Unity used to paste together local bases of special wave-functions employed at the mesh vertices. The main topic of the paper is the comparison of the performance of the method for two choices of local basis functions, namely a) plane-waves, and b) wave-bands. We establish the q-convergence of the method for the class of analytical solutions, with q denoting the number of plane-waves or wave-bands employed at each vertex, for which we get better than exponential convergence for sufficiently small h, the mesh-size of the employed mesh. We also discuss the a-posteriori estimation for any solution quantity of interest and the problem of quadrature for all integrals employed. The goal of the paper is to stimulate theoretical development which could explain various numerical features. A main open question is the analysis of the pollution and its disappearance as function of h and q.
Instrumentation analysis using parameter estimation of simulated data

References 1 Bayo, E., "A Finite-Element Approach to Control the End-Point Motion of Single-Link Flexible Robot," Journal of Robotic Systems, Vol. 4, No. 1, 1987, pp. 63-75. Devasia, S., and Paden, B., "Exact Output Tracking for Nonlinear TimeVarying Systems," Proceedings of the 33rd IEEE Conference on Decision and Control (Lake Buena Vista, FL), IEEE Control Systems Society, New York, 1994, pp. 2346-2355. Paden, B., Chen, D., Ledesma, R., and Bayo, E., "Exponentially Stable Tracking Control for Multi-Joint Flexible Manipulators," Journal of Dynamic Systems, Measurement and Control, Vol. 115, March 1993, pp. 53-59. Martin, P., Devasia, S., and Paden, B., "A Different Look at Output Tracking: Control of a VTOL Aircraft," Proceedings of the 33rd IEEE Conference on Decision and Control (Lake Buena Vista, FL), IEEE Control Systems Society, New York, 1994, pp. 2376-2381. Tomlin, C., Lygeros, J., and Shastri, S., "Output Tracking for a Nonminimum Phase Dynamic CTOL Aircraft Model," Proceedings of the 34th IEEE Conference on Decision and Control (New Orleans, LA), IEEE Control Systems Society, New York, 1995, pp. 1867-1872. Singer, N. C., and Seering, W. P., "Preshaping Command Inputs to Reduce System Vibration," Journal of Dynamic Systems, Measurement and Control, Vol. 112, March 1990, pp. 76-82. Smith, O. J. M., Feedback Control Systems, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1958. Singer, N. C., and Seering, W. P., "Using Acausal Shaping Techniques to Reduce Robot Vibration," Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, Vol. 3, IEEE Control Systems Society, New York, 1988, pp. 1434-1439. Chun, H. M., Turner, J. D., and Juang, J., "Disturbance-Accommodating Tracking Maneuvers of Flexible Spacecraft," Journal of the Astronautical Sciences, Vol. 33, No. 2, 1985, pp. 197-216. Cook, G., "Discussion: Preshaping Command Inputs to Reduce System Vibration," Journal of Dynamic Systems, Measurement and Control, Vol. 115, June 1993, pp. 309, 310. Kwon, D., and Book, W. J., "An Inverse Dynamic Method Yielding Flexible Manipulator State Trajectories," Proceedings of the American Control Conference, American Automatic Control Council, New York, 1990, pp. 186-193. Isidori, A., Nonlinear Control Systems: An Introduction, SpringerVerlag, New York, 1989.
Liquefied gas level indicator for H2 and N2

Abstract Utilization of the difference of thermal conduction in the gaseous and liquid phase of cryogenic fluids provides a means of accurately sensing the interphase boundary. This principle is used to develop a liquefied gas level indicator to display, alarm, and automatically fill liquefied H2 and N2 targets and target reservoirs used with Brookhaven accelerators.
Random Sampling Estimates of Fourier Transforms: Antithetical Stratified Monte Carlo

We estimate the Fourier transform of continuous-time signals on the basis of N discrete-time nonuniform observations. We introduce a class of antithetical stratified random sampling schemes and we obtain the performance of the corresponding estimates. We show that when the underlying function f(t) has a continuous second-order derivative, the rate of mean square convergence is 1/N 5, which is considerably faster that the rate of 1/N 3 for stratified sampling and the rate of 1/N for standard Monte Carlo integration. In addition, we establish joint asymptotic normality for the real and imaginary parts of the estimate and give an explicit expression for the asymptotic covariance matrix. The theoretical results are illustrated by examples for low-pass and high-pass signals.
Verification of myocardial contrast two-dimensional echocardiographic assessment of perfusion defects in ischemic myocardium.

Myocardial contrast two-dimensional echocardiography was used in 21 closed chest dogs to assess its ability to delineate the extent of underperfused acutely ischemic myocardium. An agitated saline-Renografin echocardiographic contrast agent was injected into the left main coronary artery after left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion, and the size of the contrast echo-free area characterizing the perfusion defect was outlined in short-axis cross sections of the left ventricle. In 13 dogs, monastral blue dye was injected after 45 minutes of coronary artery occlusion and before sacrifice to provide anatomic delineation of underperfused zones in equivalent sections. Perfusion defects assessed by contrast two-dimensional echocardiography correlated well with those delineated by monastral blue dye (r = 0.91). Contrast echocardiographic study was also performed in eight other dogs at 5 hours of occlusion, after which infarct size was measured with triphenyl-tetrazolium-chloride. Contrast echocardiographic outline of the perfusion deficiency correlated but slightly overestimated the extent of necrosis (r = 0.88). It is concluded that contrast two-dimensional echocardiography can detect and outline the underperfused “risk area” during acute coronary artery occlusion, and may also permit assessment of the extent of myocardial infarction.
Water Quality in Laboratory Soil‐Water Microcosms with Soils from Different Areas of Thailand

Forty-five soil samples were collected from aquaculture areas in 23 provinces of Thailand to include six soil orders and wide variation in physical and chemical properties. Soil-water microcosms were prepared containing 5 g of soil and 150 mL of distilled water. Microcosms were held on an oscillating table shaker (150 rpm) for 1 wk at 25 C in the dark. Water pH and concentrations of dissolved nutrients, total alkalinity, and total hardness were measured. Differences in properties within soil orders caused wide variation in composition of solutions and differences in concentrations of dissolved substances and pH were not related to soil order. Regression analyses revealed significant correlations between concentrations of soil nutrients extractable in dilute acid (0.05 N HCI plus O.025 N H2SO4) or in neutral, 1 N ammonium acetate and aqueous concentrations. Regression coefficients usually were higher for dilute-acid extractable nutrients than for ammonium acetate extractable ones. Regression coeficients based on dilute-acid extractable nutrients follow: soluble reactive phosphorus (r= 0.816); calcium (r= 0.685); magnesium (r= 0.470); potassium (r= 0.959); sodium (r= 0.977); manganese (r= 0.462); boron (r= 0.399). The correlation between soil and solution iron was not significant and aqueous concentrations of copper and zinc were below detection limit. Hardness was correlated with soil carbon (r= 0.710) and soil pH was a good predictor of alkalinity (r= 0.877). Soil pH and aqueous pH were highly correlated (r = 0.939). Findings suggest that soil characteristics can be used to predict pH and concentrations of several dissolved substances in soil-water systems under aerobic conditions.
Microsporidiosis: Enterocytozoon bieneusi in domesticated and wild animals.

Microsporidia are a ubiquitous group of obligate intracellular parasites that infect all major animal groups. Enterocytozoon bieneusi is the most commonly identified Microsporidia in humans and has also been reported worldwide in animals with importance in veterinary medicine (e.g. cats, dogs, horses, cattle and pigs). The identification of E. bieneusi in animals has raised the question of the importance of animal reservoirs in the epidemiology of this pathogen, and the implications of the infection with this pathogen in infected animals. Considerable genetic diversity within E. bieneusi has been found with over 90 genotypes identified based on the ITS nucleotide sequence of E. bieneusi spores recovered from the feces of infected humans and animals. Both host-adapted E. bieneusi genotypes with narrow host ranges and potentially zoonotic genotypes with wide host specificity have been identified. The information presented in this review should be useful in understanding the taxonomy, epidemiology, zoonotic potential, and importance in public health of E. bieneusi.
Origin of the 900 cm−1 Broad Double-Hump OH Vibrational Feature of Strongly Hydrogen-Bonded Carboxylic Acids

Medium and strong hydrogen bonds are common in biological systems. Here, they provide structural support and can act as proton transfer relays to drive electron and/or energy transfer. Infrared spectroscopy is a sensitive probe of molecular structure and hydrogen bond strength but strongly hydrogen-bonded structures often exhibit very broad and complex vibrational bands. As an example, strong hydrogen bonds between carboxylic acids and nitrogen-containing aromatic bases commonly display a 900 cm−1 broad feature with a remarkable double-hump structure. Although previous studies have assigned this feature to the OH, the exact origin of the shape and width of this unusual feature is not well understood. In this study, we present ab initio calculations of the contributions of the OH stretch and bend vibrational modes to the vibrational spectrum of strongly hydrogen-bonded heterodimers of carboxylic acids and nitrogen-containing aromatic bases, taking the 7-azaindole—acetic acid and pyridine—acetic acid dimers as examples. Our calculations take into account coupling between the OH stretch and bend modes as well as how both of these modes are affected by lower frequency dimer stretch modes, which modulate the distance between the monomers. Our calculations reproduce the broadness and the double-hump structure of the OH vibrational feature. Where the spectral broadness is primarily caused by the dimer stretch modes strongly modulating the frequency of the OH stretch mode, the double-hump structure results from a Fermi resonance between the out of the plane OH bend and the OH stretch modes.
Modeling the impact of rock formation history on the evolution of absolute permeability

Abstract We present results of simulations based on a physics-based depositional model of sandstone. The initial rock sediment is modeled as a pack of spherical grains. The absolute permeability is estimated directly from the digitized images of computer-generated rock using lattice-Boltzmann flow simulations. The local connectivity of the pore space is analyzed using the local porosity theory. In the simulated scenarios, the porosity and permeability are reduced by compaction and cementation. The computed porosity–permeability relationships match well the laboratory measurements, and are similar to the power-law of Kozeny–Carman equation. It turns out that the exponent depends on the grain size distribution and cementation pattern. Therefore, it is not universal. The approach and results are also applicable for predicting permeability modification caused by mineral precipitation and chemical reactions in transport problems.
The formation of free radicals and the consequences of their reactions in vivo.

— Mechanisms for the initiation of free radical reactions in vivo are reviewed, including ozone and 1O2 reactions, radiation, one-electron transfer processes, and enzymatic reactions. The roles that radical reactions might play in aging processes and in carcinogenesis are discussed.
Brief paper: A globally stable saturated desired compensation adaptive robust control for linear motor systems with comparative experiments

The recently proposed saturated adaptive robust controller is integrated with desired trajectory compensation to achieve global stability with much improved tracking performance. The algorithm is tested on a linear motor drive system which has limited control effort and is subject to parametric uncertainties, unmodeled nonlinearities, and external disturbances. Global stability is achieved by employing back-stepping design with bounded (virtual) control input in each step. A guaranteed transient performance and final tracking accuracy is achieved by incorporating the well-developed adaptive robust controller with effective parameter identifier. Signal noise that affects the adaptation function is alleviated by replacing the noisy velocity signal with the cleaner position feedback. Furthermore, asymptotic output tracking can be achieved when only parametric uncertainties are present.
Influence of spectral composition of light on cis-trans interconversion of o-hydroxycinnamic acid.

Abstract Spectrophotometric and fluorometric determinations were made of the influence of light transmitted by various filters upon cis-trans interconversion in basic solutions of o-hydroxycinnamic acid. Wavelengths longer than 450 mμ were found to be without effect in interconverting the two isomers. Exposure of basic solutions to light of effective wavelengths resulted in the establishment of equilibria between the cis and trans isomers. Within the range of effective wavelengths, decreases in wavelength were associated with increases in percentage of trans isomer in the equilibrium mixture.
The calculation and use of chemical vapor deposition phase diagrams with applications to the TiBClH system between 1200 and 800 K

Abstract A simple method for calculating multicomponent gas-solid equilibrium phase diagrams for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) systems is presented. The method proceeds in three steps: determination of stable solid assemblages, evaluation of gas-solid stability relations, and calculation of conventional phase diagrams using a free energy minimization technique. The phase diagrams can be used to determine (1) bulk compositions and phase fields accessible by CVD techniques, (2) expected condensed phases for various starting gas mixtures and (3) maximum equilibrium yields for specific CVD process variables. The three-step thermodynamic method is used to calculate phase diagrams for the example CVD system TiBClH at 1200 and 800 K. Examples of applications of the diagrams for yield optimization and experimental accessibility studies are presented and discussed. Experimental verification of phase field boundaries at 1200 K, H/Cl = 1 and H/Cl = 5, confirms the calculated boundaries and indicates that equilibrium is nearly and rapidly approached in this system under laboratory conditions.
Effects of Boron Nutrition and Water Stress on Nitrogen Fixation, Seed δ15N and δ13C Dynamics, and Seed Composition in Soybean Cultivars Differing in Maturities

Therefore, the objective of the current research was to investigate the effects of foliar B nutrition on seed protein, oil, fatty acids, and sugars under water stress conditions. A repeated greenhouse experiment was conducted using different maturity group (MG) cultivars. Plants were well-watered with no foliar B (W − B), well-watered with foliar B (W + B), water-stressed with no foliar B (WS − B), and water-stressed with foliar B (WS + B). Foliar B was applied at rate of 0.45 kg·ha−1 and was applied twice at flowering and at seed-fill stages. The results showed that seed protein, sucrose, fructose, and glucose were higher in W + B treatment than in W − B, WS + B, and WS − B. The increase in protein in W + B resulted in lower seed oil, and the increase of oleic in WS − B or WS + B resulted in lower linolenic acid. Foliar B resulted in higher nitrogen fixation and water stress resulted in seed δ15N and δ13C alteration. Increased stachyose indicated possible physiological and metabolic changes in carbon and nitrogen pathways and their sources under water stress. This research is beneficial to growers for fertilizer management and seed quality and to breeders to use 15N/14N and 13C/12C ratios and stachyose to select for drought tolerance soybean.
Finite sections of toeplitz‐like matrices

Determinants of large finite sections of Toeplitz and Toeplitz-like matrices are evaluated by an expansion in which the deviation from the identity is parametrically increased. Classical results are reproduced and the inverse matrix expanded as well. The expansion is asymptotically valid only for low-order terms, and so a reordered expansion is introduced. It has the desired asymptotic character and suggests that sharp bounds are also available.
Two-dimensional model of a fault.

We present the results of simulations of a two-dimensional mechanical model of a fault, which is a generalization of the one-dimensional model studied previously [Carlson and Langer, Phys. Rev. A 40, 6470 (1989)]. We incorporate both the lateral fault axis and the fault depth, and consider both cases of spatially homogeneous and depth-dependent velocity-weakening friction. Our main result is that in both cases for small- to moderate-sized events, the Gutenberg-Richter scaling exponent b is unity for a wide range of parameters, as observed in the one-dimensional model, and consistent with measurements for real earthquakes. In addition, in the depth-dependent friction model, we study the activity patterns as a function of depth. We observe that smaller events tend to be triggered near the surface, while on relatively shallow faults larger events tend to achieve their first appreciable velocities at depth, in agreement with certain trends observed in seismological studies of the hypocenter distributions of small and large earthquakes.
Multi-hazard Risk Assessment of Civil Infrastructure Systems, with a Focus on Long Linear Structures such as Levees

Multi-hazard risk assessment enables one to estimate the benefit of expenditures for risk mitigation - a reduction in potential future losses. This leads to improved decision-making in design, inspection and repair of all types of structures, new and existing. It is especially relevant and useful for complex, spatially distributed systems - such as levees, pipelines and railroads - when seeking to allocate limited resources to different `segments' comprising a long linear `lifeline' (or a network of such lifelines). To demonstrate an approach based on random field concepts (to characterize how loads and resistances vary in space and time), the authors assess the risk of sliding (limit-equilibrium failure) of long earth slopes, dams or levees. In this instance, the stochastic model indicates fitting observations: (1) that slope failure events involving very long or very short distances along the slope axis are highly improbable; and (2) predicts the "most likely width of the failure zone" for long earth slopes and embankments. It can also evaluate the mean rate of increase in the `system failure' risk-per-unit length, a key controllable parameter in risk management of a system of long linear structures such as levees.
Superplasticity of whisker reinforced 2024 aluminum alloy composites fabricated by squeeze casting

Some ceramic whisker reinforced aluminum alloy composites having high specific tensile strength, good resistance to thermal fatigue and to wear have been commercialized as components of automobile etc.. However, since ceramic whiskers having high hardness are distributed in soft aluminum alloys, it is extremely difficult to machine them to produce complicated shape components. In order to overcome this difficulty, near-net shape production processes have been employed to produce metal matrix composite components. Squeeze casting is one of the most excellent production methods for near-net shape production in respect of production technique. Most of MMC products commercialized are being produced by squeeze casting. In squeeze casting, a preform made of fibers or whiskers is used as a reinforcement, and a molten metal is infiltrated into it by pressure. However, it is difficult to make a complicated shape preform and to infiltrate a molten metal into it without any damage. Therefore, there is a limit in the application of squeeze casting.