cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nucleation and Growth of Copper on TiN from Pyrophosphate Solution

In this paper we report on the electrochemical deposition of copper on TiN from pyrophosphate solution. We show that deposition occurs through the instantaneous nucleation of hemispherical clusters followed by diffusion-limited growth over a wide potential range. In this potential regime, the nucleus density increases exponentially with applied potential. The nucleus densities obtained from atomic force microscopy images are in the range of 10 8 -10 11 cm -2 , about two orders of magnitude larger than the highest nucleus density observed in fluoroborate solutions. Such high nucleus densities are essential in depositing continuous thin films because coalescence occurs at relatively low coverages. The near-neighhor distances follow Poisson distributions indicating that the nuclei are randomly distributed over the surface.
Simulations of a monolithic lanthanum bromide gamma-ray detector

We have been working on the development of a detector design for a large area coded aperture imaging system operating in the 10-600 keV energy range. The detector design is based on an array of Lanthanum Bromide (LaBr3) scintillators, each directly coupled to a Hamamatsu 64-channel multi-anode photomultiplier tube (MAPMT). This paper focuses on the development of the GEANT4-based simulations as an aid in the optimization of the detector design. The simulations have been validated by comparisons with various laboratory data sets. We will summarize the current status and latest findings from this study.
Modulation of ricin toxicity in mice by biologically active substances.

Ricin is a highly toxic protein produced by the castor bean (Ricinus communis). It is one of various protein toxins that consist of two subunits joined by a disulfide bridge. One chain facilitates entry of the toxin into the cell while the other chain exhibits RNA N-glycosidase activity, which attacks a specific site on 28S rRNA, preventing polypeptide elongation and leading to cell death. Although ricin and other protein toxins are potential health hazards, no antidote against these toxins exists. Thus, a number of selected compounds were screened for their ability to alter ricin lethality in mice, based on percentage survival and time to death following a ricin LD 100 of 25 μg kg -1 i.p
Smart Cache: An Optimized MapReduce Implementation of Frequent Itemset Mining

Frequent Item set Mining (FIM) is a classic data mining topic with many real world applications such as market basket analysis. Many algorithms including Apriori, FP-Growth, and Eclat were proposed in the FIM field. As the dataset size grows, researchers have proposed MapReduce version of FIM algorithms to meet the big data challenge. This paper proposes new improvements to the MapReduce implementation of FIM algorithm by introducing a cache layer and a selective online analyzer. We have evaluated the effectiveness and efficiency of Smart Cache via extensive experiments on four public datasets. Smart Cache can reduce on average 45.4%, and up to 97.0% of the total execution time compared with the state-of-the-art solution.
Changing their minds? George W. Bush and the limits of presidential persuasion

Leading the public is at the core of the modern presidency. Even as they try to govern, presidents are involved in a permanent campaign. Both politics and policy revolve around presidents' attempts to garner public support for themselves and their policies. At the base of this core strategy for governing is the premise that through the permanent campaign the White House can successfully persuade or even mobilise the public. Yet one of the crowning ironies of the contemporary presidency is that at the same time that presidents increasingly attempt to govern by campaigning, public support for presidential policies is elusive. This paper explores George W. Bush's success in moving the public by, first, examining his success in obtaining support for himself through his nationally televised addresses. It then investigates several key issue areas in the Bush presidency to discover whether public opinion moved in the president's direction. The study finds that the public has been largely unresponsive to the Whit...
Benzodiazepines alter acquisition and retention of an inhibitory avoidance response in mice

These experiments were performed to examine the effects of graded doses of diazepam, flurazepam, or lorazepam given to Swiss-Webster mice either 30 min prior to training or immediately after training in a one-trial inhibitory (passive) avoidance task. A 350 μA footshock was administered following entry into a darkened compartment and retention was tested three days later. Doses of 10.0 mg/kg diazepam and 20.0 mg/kg lorazepam given before training significantly impaired acquisition, while 1.0 mg/kg flurazepam, given immediately after training, produced retrograde amnesia. These results indicate that benzodiazepines affect memory processes and that various drugs of the benzodiazepine family differentially affect acquisition and memory consolidation.
Animal Model of Intracutaneous Melanoma

An animal model which allows for the implantation and development of intracutaneous melanoma is described. Intradermal vesicles are created by a negative pressure apparatus in DBA/2J mice. S91 melanoma cells are injected into the blister cavities. Tumor growth occurs within 7 days and the yield approaches 100%. This model is a rapid, efficient, and applicable system for the study of melanoma growth dynamics and of the effects of systemic and topical anti-tumor agents on melanoma proliferation.
Historical descriptions of some soils and landscapes of Texas

Abstract Europeans explorers, immigrants, and travelers have been crisscrossing Texas for almost 5 centuries, recording their observations of soils and landscapes through the lens of their own times. In the early 16th century, Cabeza de Vaca was struck by how the natives among whom he lived used soil as a part of their diet. In the 17th century, as a member of the La Salle expedition to Texas, Henri Joutel described the soils and landscapes he saw in considerable detail, perhaps with an eye to possible future French settlement. To 19th century immigrants, the soil was the source of their future wealth, but also, so they thought, of the source of the various illnesses that inflicted them. With their distinctive micro-topography and large cracks when dry, Vertisols have elicited some of the most interesting early descriptions of Texas soils.
Synthesis of the racemate and individual enantiomers of [11C]methylphenidate for studying presynaptic dopaminergic neuron with positron emission tomography

Carbon-11 labeled dl-threo-methylphenidate (methyl-2-phenyl-2-(2-piperidyl)acetate, Ritalin), a psychostimulant drug widely used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, was prepared in two steps: O-methylation of the N-protected dl-threo-ritalinic acid derivative with [11C]methyl iodide followed by deprotection. The same strategy was applied for the preparation of C-11 labeled individual enantiomers of threo-methylphenidate from N-protected d-threo- or l-threo-ritalinic acid. The subsequent C 18 sep-pak and reverse-phase HPLC purification resulted in ca. 40% radiochemical yield with a total synthesis time of 40 minutes and an average specific activity of 1.5 Ci/μmole (at EOB).
Effects of Light Environment and Pinealectomy on Growth and Thyroid Function in the Broiler Cockerel

Abstract Four replicate experiments were conducted to determine the effects of pinealectomy and environmental lighting on growth and thyroid function in broiler cockerels. Birds were housed in battery brooders under a 14L:10D white light regime for 2 weeks and then allotted to light-controlled chambers. The light environments were 14L:10D white, 14L:10D green (narrow band, 545 nm peak), and constant dark. Surgery was performed when the chicks were 3 to 5 days old. At the end of the 32-day experimental period, weight gain and thyroid weights were measured and plasma triiodothyronine (T3 ) and thyroxine (T4) levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. Pinealectomy significantly (P Birds grown under white light were significantly (P
Play in home spaces in family child care

This was an exploratory effort to describe play patterns of preschool children in the family space of ten family child care homes. Results of observation using the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment scale (HOME) showed an above average level of cognitive stimulation. The Family Day Care Rating Scale (FDCRS) resulted in an above average program quality rating. Subscales of the two instruments were correlated but total scores were not. Event sampling of play in home spaces resulted in descriptive information about the dynamics of play with home furnishings, family members, and pets. Discussion focused on the intentions of the provider to incorporate family space in play and the possibilities for measuring that variable.
Particle Deposition in Internal Cooling Cavities of a Nozzle Guide Vane: Part I — Experimental Investigation

An experimental facility was fabricated to simulate particle deposition on the internal wall of a nozzle guide vane cooling cavity. The facility supplied particle-laden flow at temperatures up to 540°C to a simplified impingement cooling test section. The heated flow passed through a perforated film hole plate and impacted on the internal surface of a vane wall. The particle-laden impingement jets resulted in the buildup of deposit cones associated with individual impingement jets. The deposit growth rate increased with flow temperature and when the film hole plate temperature was elevated with backside heating. At low temperatures, deposit formed not only as individual cones, but as ridges located at the mid-planes between impinging jets. The base diameter of the deposit structures were found to be larger than the impingement hole diameter due in part to an aerodynamic lensing effect. Further studies using a test piece with optical access were used to document the evolution of deposit cones during continuous deposition.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Effects of sand sediment and vertical surfaces (AquaMatsTM) on production, water quality, and microbial ecology in an intensive Litopenaeus vannamei culture system

Growth and production of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) was examined along with water quality, and general indicators of microbial activity in replicate intensive tank cultures with no sediment, sand sediment, and sand sediment together with additional vertical surfaces (sand/mat). All treatments received similar feed and fertilizer input. Initial linear shrimp growth rates was relatively high (1.65 g/week) in all treatments. A reduction in growth rates was seen in the no-sediment and sand treatments, while linear growth continued longer in the sand/mat treatment. Shrimp weight, survival and production was significantly greater in the sand/mat treatment than in the sand and no-sediment treatments. While the latter two treatments yielded similar production, the no-sediment treatment required weekly additions of soda ash during the last month of the 104-day season to maintain a minimum pH of 7.0. Significantly higher pH, in conjunction with lower phytoplankton biomass and ammonia in the sand/mat treatment than in the sand treatment suggests greater carbon fixation by the attached algal community of the sand/mat treatment. This is further supported by similar carbon mineralization rates in all treatments as roughly indicated by water respiration rates in conjunction with greater sludge accumulation in the sand/mat treatment. Phyto and bacterioplankton levels were significantly lower in the sand/mat treatment than in the other treatments. Ammonia, nitrate and sludge accumulation were similar in the no-sediment and sand tanks. The sand/mat treatment had significantly greater nitrite than the other treatments. Water column nitrification rates were similar in the sand and no-sediment treatments and significantly greater in the sand/mat treatment, suggesting that nutrient cycling rates may be greater in this treatment. From a production standpoint, the primary difference in the no-sediment and sand treatments was the need for proactive management of pH in the no-sediment tanks. The quantity of vertical surface area addition tested in the sand/mat treatment of this study yielded higher shrimp production in conjunction with significant differences in water quality and indicators of general activity, suggesting that this relatively high level of vertical surface addition may significantly affect aquaculture production systems.
In search of numerical consistency in parallel programming

We present methods that can dramatically improve numerical consistency for parallel calculations across varying numbers of processors. By calculating global sums with enhanced precision techniques based on Kahan or Knuth summations, the consistency of the numerical results can be greatly improved with minimal memory and computational cost. This study assesses the value of the enhanced numerical consistency in the context of general finite difference or finite volume calculations.
An integration-proficient int mutant of bacteriophage λ

We have isolated and characterized a novel int mutant of phage λ. This mutant promotes efficient recombination between the phage and bacterial attachment sites, but, unlike wild type, does not promote efficient recombination of any other pair of attachment sites tested in most conditions. IN particular, recombination between two phage or two prophage attachment sites is poor relative to the wild type frequency. We attribute this unusual phenotype to differences in the distribution of int protein binding sites among different attachment sites (Ross and Landy 1982, 1983). We suggest that int protein molecules bound to one of two recombining DNAs interact with empty sites or with bound proteins on the other, and that the mutant protein acts efficiently only if the distribution of protein binding sites within the two attachment sites is that of the attP-attB pair. Similar discrimination among attachment site pairs by wild type int protein may also modulate recombination frequencies.
Depression Predicts Higher Rates of Heroin Use on Desipramine with Buprenorphine than with Methadone

The effect of lifetime depression was examined in a randomized clinical trial in 164 opioid- and cocaine-dependent patients who were treated with desipramine in combination with either methadone or buprenorphine. We examined treatment retention, illicit opioid and cocaine use, and depressive symptoms, and found that opioid-free urines at baseline, but not later in treatment, were greater among the depressed than non-depressed patients. Among the depressed patients, depressive symptoms at baseline, but not later in treatment, were greater in patients treated with buprenorphine than methadone. Desipramine did not reduce depressive symptoms more than placebo. Finally, the depressed patients treated with desipramine and buprenorphine showed the least improvement in opioid-free urines, while the non-depressed patients treated with desipramine and methadone had more opioid-free urines than those patients treated with placebo desipramine. Cocaine-free urines showed no association with depression. This poor outcome with desipramine and buprenorphine suggests that this medication combination is not indicated in depressed opioid-dependent patients.
Reduction of Ohmic Contact Resistance of Solid Phase Regrowth Contacts to n-InGaAs Using a Sulfur Pretreatment

We report an Ohmic contact to lightly doped (5×1017 cm-3) n-In0.53Ga0.47As with a specific contact resistance of ρc=2.6×10-8±1.7×10-8 Ω-cm2, rivaling the lowest reported values on n-In0.53Ga0.47As with significantly higher original dopant concentrations than the epilayer used in this letter. This reduction of ρc was achieved using the combination of a Pd/Si-based solid phase regrowth (SPR) contact with an ammonium sulfide surface treatment before contact deposition. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed that the SPR mechanism still occurred when the ammonium sulfide treatment was used. Both the SPR and sulfide-treated SPR cases reduced ρc versus a Pd/Ti/Au contact. For comparison, a sulfide-treated Pd/Ti/Au contact that does not undergo SPR was fabricated, and it did not have a lower ρc compared with the same contact without the sulfide treatment. This discrepancy indicates that SPR is essential for benefiting from the sulfide treatment.
Subcritical growth of fracture (inelastic fatigue)

A local energy criterion of Irwin's type is applied to a problem of a quasi-static extension of a crack embedded in an elastic-plastic or viscoelastic-plastic matrix. The derived nonlinear differential equation ℳ(σ, l, dσ/dl) + G(σ, l) = G c /Ψ(Δ/l) governs subcritical growth up to the point of gross instability. The creep rupture under sustained loads and fatigue crack propagation both described by the above equation, are shown to follow almost identical mathematical representations. The essential features such as the resistance curves, the dependence of growth rate on the current K-factor and the amount of growth vs. time relations are shown to be strikingly similar.
Regional distribution, ontogeny, purification, and characterization of the Ca2+-independent phospholipase A2 from rat brain.

We purified an 80-kDa Ca 2+ -independent phospholipase A 2 (iPLA 2 ) from rat brain using octyl-Sepharose, ATP-agarose, and calmodulin-agarose column chromatography steps. This procedure gave a 30,000-fold purification and yielded 4 μg of a near-homogeneous iPLA 2 with a specific activity of 4.3 μmol/ min/mg. Peptide sequences of the rat brain iPLA 2 display considerable homology to sequences of the iPLA 2 from P388D 1 macrophages, Chinese hamster ovary cells, and human B lymphocytes. Under optimal conditions, the iPLA 2 revealed the following substrate preference toward the fatty acid chain in the sn-2 position of phosphatidylcholine: linoleoyl > palmitoyl > oleoyl > arachidonoyl. The rat brain iPLA 2 also showed a head group preference for choline ≥ ethanolamine » inositol. The iPLA 2 is inactivated when exposed to pure phospholipid vesicles. The only exception is vesicles composed of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. Studies on the regional distribution and ontogeny of various phospholipase A 2 (PLA 2 ) types in rat brain indicate that the iPLA 2 is the dominant PLA 2 activity in the cytosolic fraction, whereas the group IIA secreted PLA 2 is the dominant activity in the particulate fraction. The activities of these two enzymes change during postnatal development.
“Whenever They Judge it Expedient”: The Politics of Partisanship and Free Black Voting Rights in Early National New York

Abstract During the first three decades of the nineteenth century, several northern states extended suffrage universally to white men at the same time that they deprived black males of the vote. Historians have noted this paradoxical pattern of democratic inclusion and racial exclusion and linked it to the concurrent appearance of “Jacksonian Democracy,” an ideology that celebrated the common white man, while marginalizing African Americans in the expanding political process. Black disenfranchisement in New York, however, was not the inevitable corollary of a white racist exclusionary ethos that disqualified African Americans from participation in American democracy, but the contingent product of party politics. Through a case study of black suffrage rights in early national New York, this article seeks to move beyond simply noting the ironies of a rising white man's democracy on the one hand and the exclusion of African Americans on the other by demonstrating the dynamic, political nature of racial const...
An Empirical Bayes Estimate of Market Risk

Starting with a market model of security returns, we describe how the parameters of a distribution for security characteristics can be estimated in a manner correcting for a subtle but significant source of error. When this error is removed, strong negative correlations between "alpha" and "beta" and between "alpha" and "sigma squared," and a strong positive correlation between "beta" and "sigma squared" are observed. With this feature in the prior distribution, and with the results of a regression for a particular security, we develop an empirical Bayes estimate of the security's three parameters alpha, beta and sigma squared which makes use of more information than other estimates described in the literature.
Matrix elements of the transition operator evaluated off the energy shell: Analytic results for the hard-core plus square-well spherical potential

An analytic expression is presented for the off-shell $T$-matrix elements for scattering from the spherical hard-core plus square-well potential. Various analytical properties of the off-shell $T$ matrix, such as symmetry and unitarity, are examined. The typical behavior of the off-shell $T$ matrix is shown numerically. It is found that the behavior strongly depends on the three independent quantities, i.e., the energy and the initial and final momenta, which can be off the energy shell. These results, combined with multiple-scattering theory, can be used to study high-energy many-body collision processes, such as collision-induced dissociation.
URBAN RIOTS AND THE GROWTH OF STATE WELFARE EXPENDITURES

This article examines the relationship between urban riots and increases in state welfare spending in the 1960s. It finds little evidence of a direct relationship between rioting and state welfare spending increases from own funds; but it does provide evidence that state welfare spending increases from federal funds were related to the level of urban rioting. Possible explanations for this pattern of findings are discussed and directions for further research are suggested.
Ileal bypass for hyperlipidemia

Partial ileal bypass (PIB) is a safe, effective, and lasting therapy for the reduction of lipids and lipoproteins in patients with hyperlipidemia. Following PIB, circulating plasma and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol fall markedly, while high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol rises. The average plasma cholesterol lowering is 25% after diet, with a 40% reduction in the LDL-cholesterol fraction; concurrently, the HDL-cholesterol rises about 8%. These effects have been demonstrated to be maintained for up to 20 years. Currently, PIB is being used in the Program on the Surgical Control of the Hyperlipidemias (POSCH), a randomized controlled clinical trial designed to assess the effects of lipid reduction on mortality and morbidity in a postmyocardial infarction population with arteriographically demonstrated coronary atherosclerosis.
Thiazolidinediones and progression of renal disease in patients with diabetes.

Objective Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and appear to have beneficial effects on markers of cardiovascular or renal risk that are independent of glycemic control. We examined the effects of TZDs on renal survival in a predominantly black population with T2DM. Methods We performed a retrospective case-control study in patients with T2DM seen in our nephrology clinic in 2001 to 2002. Cases had T2DM and were on a TZD at presentation or for ≥ 6 months over follow-up. Controls were matched for sex, age, duration of T2DM, and initial creatinine. Reaching end-stage renal disease (ESRD) was the primary end point. Results From 387 records, 43 cases (34 blacks, 31 females) and 106 controls (96 blacks, 83 females) were identified. The baseline characteristics were similar for both groups. Both groups had moderate renal disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate ≈ 40-45 mL/min). Cases had lower systolic blood pressure over follow-up (p = .02), but there was no difference in glycemic control or use of insulin. Renal survival was better among cases (age- and gender-adjusted odds ratio for reaching ESRD 0.17 [95% confidence interval 0.03-0.8]; p = .03). When adjusted for systolic blood pressure over follow-up, the tendency for improved renal survival in cases remained but was no longer significant. Conclusion We conclude that TZDs may protect against the progression of renal disease in T2DM. Prospective studies are required to determine the effects of TZDs on renal survival in T2DM.
Does Cortisol Inhibit Pulsatile Luteinizing Hormone Secretion at the Hypothalamic or Pituitary Level

Elevations in glucocorticoids suppress pulsatile LH secretion in sheep, but the neuroendocrine sites and mechanisms of this disruption remain unclear. Here, we conducted two experiments in ovariectomized ewes to determine whether an acute increase in plasma cortisol inhibits pulsatile LH secretion by suppressing GnRH release into pituitary portal blood or by inhibiting pituitary responsiveness to GnRH. First, we sampled pituitary portal and peripheral blood after administration of cortisol to mimic the elevation stimulated by an immune/inflammatory stress. Within 1 h, cortisol inhibited LH pulse amplitude. LH pulse frequency, however, was unaffected. In contrast, cortisol did not suppress either parameter of GnRH secretion. Next, we assessed the effect of cortisol on pituitary responsiveness to exogenous GnRH pulses of fixed amplitude, duration, and frequency. Hourly pulses of GnRH were delivered to ewes in which endogenous GnRH secretion was blocked by estradiol. Cortisol, again, rapidly and robustly suppressed the amplitude of GnRH-induced LH pulses. We conclude that, in the ovariectomized ewe, cortisol suppresses pulsatile LH secretion by inhibiting pituitary responsiveness to GnRH rather than by suppressing hypothalamic GnRH release.
The relationship between maternal and neonatal anthropometric measurements in term newborns

Objective To determine whether measures of maternal lean mass, fat reserves, or a combination of both best predict the various measures of newborn size at birth. Methods The population consisted of 1205 multiparous, predominantly black women at high risk for fetal growth retardation, who delivered at term at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Maternal body mass index (BMI) was calculated using the reported prepregnancy weight. Maternal anthropometric measurements taken at midpregnancy included skinfold thicknesses, lean body mass, and mid-arm, calf, and wrist circumferences. Weight and 11 other neonatal measurements were made within 24 hours of birth and related to various maternal anthropometric measurements. Results Reported maternal prepregnancy weight was the best predictor of all neonatal size measures except for the neonatal skinfold thicknesses, which were better predicted by the prepregnancy BMI. For example, the range between the tenth and 90th percentiles of maternal prepregnancy weight (46.3–86.4 kg) was associated with 295 g birth weight compared to only 188 g birth weight for a measure of lean body mass. Conculsion Most maternal anthropometric measurements were significantly associated with most neonatal measurements. However, for nearly every neonatal measurement considered, the maternal prepregnancy weight was the best predictor.
Electron correlation methods based on the random phase approximation

In the past decade, the random phase approximation (RPA) has emerged as a promising post-Kohn–Sham method to treat electron correlation in molecules, surfaces, and solids. In this review, we explain how RPA arises naturally as a zero-order approximation from the adiabatic connection and the fluctuation-dissipation theorem in a density functional context. This is contrasted to RPA with exchange (RPAX) in a post-Hartree–Fock context. In both methods, RPA and RPAX, the correlation energy may be expressed as a sum over zero-point energies of harmonic oscillators representing collective electronic excitations, consistent with the physical picture originally proposed by Bohm and Pines. The extra factor 1/2 in the RPAX case is rigorously derived. Approaches beyond RPA are briefly summarized. We also review computational strategies implementing RPA. The combination of auxiliary expansions and imaginary frequency integration methods has lead to recent progress in this field, making RPA calculations affordable for systems with over 100 atoms. Finally, we summarize benchmark applications of RPA to various molecular and solid-state properties, including relative energies of conformers, reaction energies involving weak and covalent interactions, diatomic potential energy curves, ionization potentials and electron affinities, surface adsorption energies, bulk cohesive energies and lattice constants. RPA barrier heights for an extended benchmark set are presented. RPA is an order of magnitude more accurate than semi-local functionals such as B3LYP for non-covalent interactions rivaling the best empirically parametrized methods. Larger but systematic errors are observed for processes that do not conserve the number of electron pairs, such as atomization and ionization.
Dynamic interactions between distribution network voltage regulators for large and distributed PV plants

This paper summarizes the initial investigation of dynamic interactions of voltage regulating equipment when allowed to act together with one or more large voltage-controlled solar photovoltaic (PV) generation plants. The study results are based on an existing large PV plant and distribution circuit in the service area of a major electric utility. The existing feeder does not have any voltage regulating equipment and the PV plant is not allowed to control voltage, hence injects real power only. However, in light of the growing interest in allowing PV plants to control voltage, several scenarios are considered by allowing PV plants to control the voltage at the Point of Common Coupling (PCC) along with the traditional voltage regulators. Further case studies are performed by distributing the large PV plant into six PV plants of equal power rating connected at different feeder locations. This configuration has been investigated to determine possible differences in interactions of voltage regulators between a large plant and distributed plants. The voltage regulating equipment considered are On-Load Tap-Changing Transformers (OLTC), Switched Capacitor Banks (SCB) and also PV plant inverters capable of controlling the voltage at the PCC. The 12.6 MW (peak a.c.) PV plant and its controls, the regulating equipment, and the distribution network are modeled using a Real Time Digital Simulator (RTDS). Initial study suggests that allowing PV plants to actively participate in the voltage control process requires a coordinated control to minimize the number of operations of traditional voltage regulators.
An improved J matrix engine for density functional theory calculations

Abstract To evaluate the Coulomb interaction matrix in density functional theory (or Hartree–Fock theory) within a finite Gaussian type basis set, explicit evaluation of the two-electron integrals is not necessary. Instead, modified expressions can be developed directly for J matrix contributions from entire shell quartets of two-electron integrals. This can substantially reduce the computational cost. In this work we explore the use of the well-known McMurchie–Davidson recurrence relations to directly form J matrix contributions. Floating point operation counts and computer timings indicate that this approach yields significant improvements (typically a factor of two) over the previous J matrix engine.
A Hydraulic Actuated Automotive Thermal Management System: Theory and Experiment

The performance of engine cooling systems can be improved by replacing the traditional mechanical driven radiator fan and water pump assemblies with computer controlled components. The power requirements for electric servo-motors increase with larger cooling demands which necessitate larger motors and/or a distributed configuration. One solution may be the use of hydraulic-based components due to their high power density and compact size. This paper investigates a thermal management system that features a computer controlled hydraulic actuated automotive fan and water pump. A mathematical model was derived for the hydraulic and thermal system components. To experimentally study the concept, a hydraulic driven fan and coolant pump were integrated with electric immersion heaters and radiator to emulate a vehicle cooling system. The dynamic model exhibited a strong correlation with the experimental test data. For a series of operating profiles, the servo-solenoid proportional control valves successfully tracked prescribed temperature set points to demonstrate that a hydraulic cooling system can maintain engine operating conditions.© 2008 ASME
Maximizing output work of PZT stacks while gaining large displacement amplification

A novel design concept is presented for amplifying the displacement of a PZT stack over 50-fold while transmitting a significant amount of work per cycle. Piezoelectric devices, such as PZT stack actuators, have a competitive power density, while consuming virtually no energy for generating a force at a constant position. Despite the salient features, the actual work usable for activating a load is significantly reduced when displacement amplification mechanisms are used for attaining displacements large enough to drive a macroscopic robotic system. This paper addresses how the work produced by a PZT stack is transmitted to a load without attenuation. The theoretical limit of maximum work is obtained and experimentally verified. Conditions for transmitting the maximum work, i.e. maximum work transmissibility, are obtained based on a simple model. A novel displacement amplification mechanism using a flexure-free, buckling mechanism is then presented as a solution that satisfies the maximum energy transmissibility conditions. A prototype device is designed and tested. Initial experiments show promising results.
Dynamic mandatory access control for multiple stakeholders

In this paper, we present a mandatory access control system that uses input from multiple stakeholders to compose policies based on runtime information. In the emerging open cell phone system environment, many devices run software whose access permissions depends on multiple stakeholders, such as the device owner, the service provider, the application owner, etc., rather than a single system administrator. However, current access control administration remains as either discretionary, allowing the running and perhaps compromised process to administer permissions, or mandatory, requiring a system administrator to know all permissions for all possible legal runs. A key problem is that users may download arbitrary programs to their devices, requiring that the system contain such programs while allowing some reasonable functionality. However, such programs may need access to permissions that in combination with other conflicting permissions may lead to an attack, such as allowing voice-over-IP calls. In our approach, we use a "soft" sand-boxing mechanism to first contain such processes, request the stakeholder to authorize operations outside the sandbox that are not prohibited by policy, and maintain a runtime execution role for the process to identify its access state to the stakeholders. We define a proxy policy server that caches and combines stakeholder policies to make such access decisions. Our framework was implemented by modifying the SELinux module and using a remote proxy policy server, although a local proxy policy server is also possible. We incur a 0.288 ts performance overhead only when stakeholders need to be consulted, and new permissions are cached.
Teaching and Providing Recovery-oriented Care Through Problem-posing Dialogue

As the recovery paradigm proliferates throughout systems of mental health care, social workers are being required to provide recovery-oriented services. Yet there has been little discussion about what changes need to be made in social work education to produce recovery-oriented social workers. This article uses Paulo Freire's theory of pedagogy to help social work educators understand how they can develop problem-posing relationships with their students in order to teach students about the relationships that social workers ought to have with people in recovery.
The annealing dynamics of fused silica

Abstract The time variation of the volume of fused silica densified by pressure or neutron irradiation is described by a log Gaussian distribution of relaxation times with a temperature independent width parameter. Both isothermal and step-annealing schemes are adequately represented in this fashion for over twelve decades of variation in a reduced time parameter.
Evaluation of the Collision Matrix for Dirac Particles in an External Potential

The collision matrix for a quantized Dirac field in an external electromagnetic potential is evaluated by a method which utilizes the close relation between the theory of positrons and the formal one-particle Dirac theory. The main mathematical tool employed is a theorem by Baker and Hausdorff on exponentials of noncommuting quantities. One obtains the collision matrix expressed as a product of exponentials, involving creation and destruction operators in a way suitable for the calculation of matrix elements in the occupation number representation. In the Appendix the evaluation of the collision matrix for a real scalar field in interaction with a given source distribution is carried out by means of a similar technique.
Measurement of Fish Scales and Back Calculation of Body Lengths Using a Digitizing Pad and Microcomputer

Abstract An Applesoft BASIC computer package called DISBCAL has been developed in conjunction with an Apple II microcomputer, a projection device, and a digitizing pad to measure fish scales efficiently. DISBCAL calculates the linear body scale regression, body lengths at annuli, and associated statistics within minutes after measurement. One new user completed an analysis of 78 scales from bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) in about 4 hours. Location of annuli was by far the slowest part of the analysis.
Analysis of variable stress history on polymeric composite materials with physical aging

Abstract The long-term viscoelastic behavior of polymeric materials below their glass transition temperatures is greatly affected by physical aging. This effect also extends to polymeric matrix composites. The understanding of the effect of physical aging is necessary to allow designers to predict the long-term performance of composites structures. This paper combines an integral-type constitutive law with lamination theory to describe the viscoelastic response of a composite material. The effect of physical aging on the response is included via a reduced time parameter in the integration. Results of composite response to variable load history are examined and aging effects illustrated.
Crystallization and preliminary analysis of crystals of cytochrome c2 from Rhodopseudomonas capsulata.

Abstract Two crystal forms of the cytochrome c2 isolated from Rhodopseudomonas capsulata have been obtained. One crystal form (type I), grown from ammonium sulfate solutions at pH 7.5, belongs to the space group R32 with unit cell dimensions of a = b = 100.0 A , and c = 162.2 A in the hexagonal setting. These crystals most likely contain two molecules in the asymmetric unit. The other crystal form (type II) was obtained from polyethylene glycol 6000 solutions at pH 6.5. Type II crystals belong to the space group P3121 or P3221 with one molecule per asymmetric unit and unit cell dimensions of a = b = 52.4 A , and c = 87.9 A . Both crystal forms diffract to at least 1.8 A resolution and appear to be resistant to radiation damage.
Passive acoustic detection and localization of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) in the tongue of the ocean

A set of algorithms for real-time detection and localization of vocalizing marine mammals has been developed as part of the Marine Mammal Monitoring on Navy Ranges (M3R) program. These algorithms work on a broad variety of vocalizations including sperm whale clicks. The detection algorithm is a two stage process utilizing a binary thresholded FFT as the first stage. The second stage examines the FFT output to determine whether a click is present in a given FFT window. Detected clicks are split out of the data stream and sent to a data association algorithm called a scanning sieve. Time differences of arrival (TDOAs) are calculated which are then fed into 2D and 3D hyperbolic localization algorithms. Software written to implement the algorithms was used to process a data set consisting of sperm whale vocalizations provided as part of the 2nd International Workshop on Detection and Localization of Marine Mammals using Passive Acoustics. Real-time detection and localization results from the data set are provided, along with a detailed description of the algorithms.
Evaluation of the safety of the carbon dioxide laser used in conjunction with root form implants: A pilot study

Abstract This in vitro study was designed to test the safety of the CO 2 laser when used around two different types of implant surfaces, hydroxyapatite-coated and commercially pure titanium, in a pig mandible. The implants were subjected to specific amounts of laser energy and then evaluated for temperature change at five different sites. The CO 2 laser, when used at clinically applicable power densities of 2 and 4 watts in a continuous mode for up to 4 seconds, did not cause a temperature change in excess of 7 °F.
Key articles and guidelines in the management of hypertension: 2015 update.

Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Evidence for optimal pharmacotherapy continues to accumulate at a very rapid pace; maintaining an up-to-date library of key articles for hypertension management can be challenging for busy clinicians. Further, there has been controversy surrounding the hypertension guidelines that were released in late 2013 and early 2014. The lack of congruence and simplicity in the current hypertension recommendations could result in delays with application of evidence to clinical practice. In order to facilitate clinicians’ efficient access to high-impact clinical trials evaluating the management of hypertension, this compilation of annotated bibliographies was created to serve as a resource for any health care professional participating in the management of adult patients with hypertension.
Rotavirus variant replicates efficiently although encoding an aberrant NSP3 that fails to induce nuclear localization of poly(A)-binding protein.

The rotavirus (RV) non-structural protein NSP3 forms a dimer that has binding domains for the translation initiation factor eIF4G and for a conserved 3′-terminal sequence of viral mRNAs. Through these activities, NSP3 has been proposed to promote viral mRNA translation by directing circularization of viral polysomes. In addition, by disrupting interactions between eIF4G and the poly(A)-binding protein (PABP), NSP3 has been suggested to inhibit translation of host polyadenylated mRNAs and to stimulate relocalization of PABP from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Herein, we report the isolation and characterization of SA11-4Fg7re, an SA11-4F RV derivative that contains a large sequence duplication initiating within the genome segment (gene 7) encoding NSP3. Our analysis showed that mutant NSP3 (NSP3m) encoded by SA11-4Fg7re is almost twice the size of the wild-type protein and retains the capacity to dimerize. However, in comparison to wild-type NSP3, NSP3m has a decreased capacity to interact with eIF4G and to suppress the translation of polyadenylated mRNAs. In addition, NSP3m fails to induce the nuclear accumulation of PABP in infected cells. Despite the defective activities of NSP3m, the levels of viral protein and progeny virus produced in SA11-4Fg7re- and SA11-4F-infected cells were indistinguishable. Collectively, these data are consistent with a role for NSP3 in suppressing host protein synthesis through antagonism of PABP activity, but also suggest that NSP3 functions may have little or no impact on the efficiency of virus replication in widely used RV-permissive cell lines.
H1t/GC-Box and H1t/TE1 Element Are Essential for Promoter Activity of the Testis-Specific Histone H1t Gene

The testis-specific linker histone H1t gene is transcribed exclusively in mid to late pachytene primary spermatocytes. Tissue-specific expression of the gene is mediated primarily through elements located within the proximal promoter. Previous work in transgenic animals identified a unique 40-base pair promoter element designated H1t/TE that is essential for spermatocyte-specific expression. The H1t/TE element contains three subelements designated TE2, GC-box, and TE1 based on in vitro footprinting and electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Because GC-box is a consensus site for binding of Sp transcription-factor family members, experiments were performed demonstrating that two Sp family members, Sp1 and Sp3, were present in testis cells from 9-day-old and adult rats and in pachytene primary spermatocytes and early spermatids. A 95- to 105-kDa form of Sp1 is most abundant in the tissues and cell lines examined, but a 60-kDa form of Sp1 is the most abundant species in spermatocytes and early spermatids. Further examination of Sp1 and Sp3 from adult testis, primary spermatocytes, and early spermatids showed that they can bind to the H1t/TE element. In order to determine the contributions of the subelements to H1t transcription, we mutated each of them in H1t promoter luciferase reporter vectors. Mutation of the GC-box and TE1 subelement reduced expression 77% and 49%, respectively, compared with the wild-type H1t promoter in transient expression assays in a testis GC-2spd cell line that was derived from germinal cells. These studies suggest that Sp transcription factors may be involved in transcription of the H1t gene and the GC-box and the TE1 subelement are required for activation of the H1t promoter.
Antenna selection for spatial multiplexing systems with linear receivers

Future cellular systems will employ spatial multiplexing with multiple antennas at both the transmitter and receiver to take advantage of large capacity gains. In such systems it will be desirable to select a subset of available transmit antennas for link initialization, maintenance or handoff. We present a criterion for selecting the optimal antenna subset when linear, coherent receivers are used over a slowly varying channel. We propose use of the post-processing SNRs (signal to noise ratios) of the multiplexed streams whereby the antenna subset that induces the largest minimum SNR is chosen. Simulations demonstrate that our selection algorithm also provides diversity advantage thus making linear receivers useful over fading channels.
Coccidiosis of sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) wintering in New Mexico.

The feces of 212 sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) collected in central New Mexico from October 1982 to January 1983 and from October 1983 to January 1984 were examined to determine the prevalence of coccidial oocysts. One hundred forty-five granulomatous nodules from the viscera of 64 cranes and samples of lung, small intestine, and large intestine from 58 birds were examined by light and transmission electron microscopy for the presence of intestinal or extraintestinal coccidiosis. Of the 212 fecal samples, 160 (75%) were positive for oocysts of Eimeria, including E. gruis in 139 (66%) and E. reichenowi in 118 (56%) of the samples. Eimeria bosquei sp. n. was found in two (∼1%) of the fecal samples. Subspheroid to ovoid oocysts of this new species are 19–27 × 14–19 (23.6 × 17.1) μm with ovoid sporocysts 10–14 × 7–11 (12.3 × 9.3) μm. A rough, heavily pitted outer oocyst wall, sporocyst residuum, Stieda and substieda bodies, and multiple polar bodies are present. The polar bodies, of varying sizes, always ...