cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Absence of an effect of aspartame on seizures induced by electroshock in epileptic and non-epileptic rats.

Seizure facilitation has been proposed as a possible adverse effect of dietary consumption of aspartame. The conversion of this sweetener to phenylalanine and aspartate in the gastrointestinal tract, and subsequent absorption, elevates plasma levels of these two amino acids. Absorbed phenylalanine competes with other large neutral amino acids, including tyrosine and tryptophan, for transport into brain. Theoretically, this competition might reduce brain tyrosine and tryptophan which could decrease synthesis of norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin. Diminished synaptic release of these monoaminergic neurotransmitters facilitates seizures in many seizure models. Our present study evaluates effects of oral aspartame on amino acids and electroshock seizures in normal and seizure predisposed rats. Heroic doses of aspartame produced predictable changes in plasma amino acids. However, none of the aspartame doses altered seizure indices. We conclude that aspartame does not alter maximal electroshock seizures in normal rats or in rats predisposed to seizures.
The inhibition of stearoyl-coenzyme a desaturase by phenyllactate and phenylpyruvate

The inhibition of oleic acid from stearic acid was studied using a rat liver microsomal preparation. Phenyllactic acid and phenylpyruvic acid are partially inhibitory. The may be related to the low oleic acid to stearic acid ratios found in brains of phenylketonuric persons and experimentally phenylketonuric rats.
Photodynamic action of protoporphyrin IX on human erythrocytes: Cross-linking of membrane proteins

Summary When human erythrocytes (≈4% hematocrit) in the presence of 5 μM protoporphyrin IX (pH 7.4, 10°C) were exposed to ≈45 J/cm2 of blue light, photodamage occurred, which was manifested initially by
Differential regulation of anti-inflammatory genes by p38 MAP kinase and MAP kinase kinase 6.

Background Conventional p38α inhibitors have limited efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis, possibly because p38 blockade suppresses the counter-regulatory mechanisms that limit inflammation. In contrast, targeting the upstream MAP kinase kinases, MKK3 and MKK6, partially maintains p38-mediated anti-inflammatory responses in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM). In this study, we explored the mechanisms that preserve anti-inflammatory gene expression by evaluating differential regulation of IL-10 and p38-dependent anti-inflammatory genes in MKK3−/−, MKK6−/−, and p38 inhibitor-treated wildtype cells.
Detection of hairline cracks in textured silicon solar cells.

Using a focused laser scanner, the optical technique described in the present paper can be used to detect hairline cracks of the type occurring in solar cells subjected to surface texturing. The technique is capable of detecting cracks of the order of a few microns, which, otherwise, can be observed only under high magnification using an optical microscope. The technique consists of scanning a solar cell with a finely focused laser beam and recording the photoresponse (short circuit current or open circuit voltage) as a function of beam position. The presence of a crack is manifested by a sharp dip in the photoresponse.
An Integrated AC/DC Super-Grid System -A Mechanism to Solving the North American Power Crisis

The North American electrical grid which used to serve as a reference point for world electrical grid system has become riddled with uncertainties in its performance. This precarious situation is sequel to the series of unprecedented system failures which in many cases have resulted in total system collapse - blackouts. The climax of these ugly events was the infamous and wide-spread outage of August 14th, 2003. In view of the failure of the various actions plans initiated by post 2003 outage committees to solve this problem, the Authors have come out with a model aimed at utilizing the fundamental features of an integrated AC/DC super-grid scheme to address this problem. A ring structure as proposed by Presidential Committee was adopted here. However, the incorporation of optical current transducers (OCTs) and smart systems with energy storage device (ESD) and energy source device (ESD) are unique features of this design. The analysis and simulation of the converter which is the basic component of an AC/DC interconnection system have been performed using the multilevel neutral point clamped (NPC) converter and generalized discontinuous pulse width modulation (GDPWM) schemes. The results obtained proved the capability of this model to reduce avoidable system outages under varying conditions.
The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint Safeguards Genomic Integrity of Skeletal Muscle Satellite Cells

To ensure accurate genomic segregation, cells evolved the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC), whose role in adult stem cells remains unknown. Inducible perturbation of a SAC kinase, Mps1, and its downstream effector, Mad2, in skeletal muscle stem cells shows the SAC to be critical for normal muscle growth, repair, and self-renewal of the stem cell pool. SAC-deficient muscle stem cells arrest in G1 phase of the cell cycle with elevated aneuploidy, resisting differentiation even under inductive conditions. p21(CIP1) is responsible for these SAC-deficient phenotypes. Despite aneuploidy's correlation with aging, we find that aged proliferating muscle stem cells display robust SAC activity without elevated aneuploidy. Thus, muscle stem cells have a two-step mechanism to safeguard their genomic integrity. The SAC prevents chromosome missegregation and, if it fails, p21(CIP1)-dependent G1 arrest limits cellular propagation and tissue integration. These mechanisms ensure that muscle stem cells with compromised genomes do not contribute to tissue homeostasis.
The impact of education histories on the decision to become self-employed: a study of young, aspiring, minority business owners

Although it is well documented that minorities are underrepresented among the self-employed, no study to date has examined how limited educational opportunity might be responsible. Using data from the High School and Beyond Fourth Follow-Up survey and controlling for detailed educational histories, this study finds that most variables associated with academic success actually reduce the likelihood one will aspire to own their own business at an early age. Positive developers of self-employment aspirations include financial resources and having a parent who is already self-employed. Asians and males are also more likely to anticipate owning their own business.
Gender differences in probable posttraumatic stress disorder among police responders to the 2001 World Trade Center terrorist attack.

BACKGROUND: Police responders to the 2001 World Trade Center (WTC) disaster were previously reported to have an increased prevalence of probable posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). METHODS: Four thousand seventeen police responders (3,435 men and 582 women) were interviewed 2-3 years after 9/11/01 as part of the World Trade Center Health Registry. Demographic, occupational, and event-specific risk factors were evaluated for probable PTSD, determined by DSM-IV criteria using the Posttraumatic Stress Checklist (PCL). RESULTS: Overall prevalence of probable PTSD was 8.3% (women: 13.9%; men: 7.4%, P Language: en
Atomic‐Scale Observation of the Ni Activation Process for Partial Oxidation of Methane Using In Situ Environmental TEM

In situ environmental transmission electron microscopy (ETEM) studies on nanostructures, in parallel with conversion and selectivity measurements, have been carried out on Ni/SiO2 catalysts for partial oxidation of methane, in order to elucidate structure–property relationships. In situ ETEM experiments under different gas conditions are carried out to simulate the various gas atmospheres that exist in the reactor. During ramp-up in CH4 and O2, Ni metal particles transform to void-like NiO particles at temperatures above 300 °C due to preferential migration of Ni cations along grain boundaries and extended defects. As the temperature increases, the gas environment becomes more reducing, transforming NiO back to Ni and favoring syngas formation. The NiO reduction mechanism also involves diffusion of Ni cations along grain boundaries and extended defects. This transformation pathway suppresses the formation Ni metal crystallites on the catalyst surface during the early stage in NiO reduction. Syngas formation only takes place during the later stages of NiO reduction, when Ni metal nanoparticles have broken through the NiO shell.
Articular Cartilage Changes Seen With Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Detected Bone Bruises Associated With Acute Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture

Occult osteochondral lesions (bone bruises) have been documented on magnetic resonance images in more than 80% of patients sustaining acute anterior cruciate ligament ruptures. Despite the high prevalence of these lesions, little is known about the histologic changes in the adjacent articular cartilage. Ten patients with acute anterior cruciate ligament ruptures who had a preoperatively documented (by magnetic resonance imaging) geographic bone bruise at the sulcus terminalis on the lateral femoral condyle underwent a 3-mm diameter trephine biopsy of the articular cartilage and subchondral bone overlying the bone bruise at the time of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Biopsy samples of the articular cartilage and subchondral bone were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and toluidine blue. All patients had significant arthroscopic and histologic articular cartilage irregularity in the area overlying the bone bruise. Arthroscopic findings of the articular cartilage included softening (dimpling), fissuring, or overt chondral fracture. Histologic examination revealed degeneration of the chondrocytes and loss of toluidine blue staining in the articular cartilage (loss of proteoglycan). There was necrosis of osteocytes in the subchondral bone, and empty lacuna were visible. This study defines the exact histologic changes of the articular cartilage overlying a geographic bone bruise secondary to an acute anterior cruciate ligament tear. Our findings suggest that a geographic bone bruise found on magnetic resonance imaging indicates substantial damage to normal articular cartilage homeostasis.
Magnetocapacitance in magnetic microtubular carbon nanocomposites under external magnetic field

Abstract A small external magnetic field of 0.072 T was reported to significantly influence the specific capacitances of the supercapacitor with magnetic carbon - metal (iron, cobalt or nickel) oxides microtubular nanocomposite fabrics as flexible electrodes. The decorated metal oxide species and annealing method (microwave-assisted vs. conventional tubular annealing) were discovered to play important roles in the increase or decrease of the capacitance. All the electrodes demonstrated excellent cycling retention performances, for example, upto ~350% for nickel oxide doped carbon nanocomposite electrodes. The corresponding mechanism for the magnetic field influence on the capacitance has been interpreted in term of a synergistic effect of three internal resistances, solution resistance in electrolyte solution, charge transfer resistance at electrode/electrolyte interface and leakage resistance in electric double layer region. The applied magnetic field is able to change the solution resistance due to the magnetohydrodynamic phenomena as well as the electrode resistance (directly corresponds to charge transfer resistance) by the magnetoresistance (MR) behavior.
Bone marrow stromal cells stimulate an angiogenic program that requires endothelial MT1-MMP

Bone marrow-derived stromal/stem cells (BMSCs) have recently been characterized as mediators of tissue regeneration after injury. In addition to preventing fibrosis at the wound site, BMSCs elicit an angiogenic response within the fibrin matrix. The mechanistic interactions between BMSCs and invading endothelial cells (ECs) during this process are not fully understood. Using a three-dimensional, fibrin-based angiogenesis model, we sought to investigate the proteolytic mechanisms by which BMSCs promote vessel morphogenesis. We find that BMSC-mediated vessel formation depends on the proteolytic ability of membrane type 1-matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP). Knockdown of the protease results in a small network of vessels with enlarged lumens. Contrastingly, vessel morphogenesis is unaffected by the knockdown of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Furthermore, we find that BMSC-mediated vessel morphogenesis in vivo follows mechanisms similar to what we observe in vitro. Subcutaneous, cellular fibrin implants in C.B-17/SCID mice form aberrant vasculature when MMPs are inhibited with a broad spectrum chemical inhibitor, and a very minimal amount of vessels when MT1-MMP proteolytic activity is interrupted in ECs. Other studies have debated the necessity of MT1-MMP in the context of vessel invasion in fibrin, but this study clearly demonstrates its requirement in BMSC-mediated angiogenesis.
Measurement of γ -emission Branching Ratios for 154,156,158 Gd Compound Nuclei: Tests of Surrogate Nuclear Reaction Approximations for ( n,γ ) Cross Sections

The surrogate nuclear reaction method can be used to determine neutron-induced reaction cross sections from measured decay properties of a compound nucleus created using a different reaction and calculated formation cross sections. The reliability of $(n,\ensuremath{\gamma})$ cross sections determined using the Weisskopf-Ewing and ratio approximations are explored for the $^{155,157}\mathrm{Gd}$$(n,\ensuremath{\gamma})$ reactions. Enriched gadolinium targets were bombarded with 22-MeV protons and $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays were detected in coincidence with scattered protons using the Silicon Telescope Array for Reaction Studies/Livermore-Berkeley Array for Collaborative Experiments (STARS/LiBerACE) silicon and germanium detector arrays. The $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-emission probabilities for the $^{154,156,158}\mathrm{Gd}$ compound nuclei were measured at excitation energies up to 12 MeV. It is found that the approximations yield results that deviate from directly measured $^{155,157}\mathrm{Gd}$$(n,\ensuremath{\gamma})$ cross sections at low energies. To extract reliable cross sections, a more sophisticated analysis should be developed that takes into account angular-momentum differences between the neutron-induced and surrogate reactions.
Effect of lysozyme (muramidase) on marine and freshwater blue-green algae

Marine blue-green algae, Lyngbya Lagerheimii, Microcoleus chthonoplastes, Plectonema terebrans, Agmenellum quadruplicatum, and freshwater blue-green algae, Anacystis nidulans, Anabaena variabilis, Nostoc muscorura, and Oscillatoria sp. treated with lysozyme (muramidase) formed spheroplasts but not protoplasts. The time needed for spheroplast induction varied with the species. Approximate internal osmotic pressures of the blue-green algae were determined. Marine algae generally had a higher osmotic pressure than freshwater algae.
Irradiated Esophageal Cells are Protected from Radiation-Induced Recombination by MnSOD Gene Therapy

Radiation-induced DNA damage is a precursor to mutagenesis and cytotoxicity. During radiotherapy, exposure of healthy tissues can lead to severe side effects. We explored the potential of mitochondrial SOD (MnSOD) gene therapy to protect esophageal, pancreatic and bone marrow cells from radiation-induced genomic instability. Specifically, we measured the frequency of homologous recombination (HR) at an integrated transgene in the Fluorescent Yellow Direct Repeat (FYDR) mice, in which an HR event can give rise to a fluorescent signal. Mitochondrial SOD plasmid/liposome complex (MnSOD-PL) was administered to esophageal cells 24 h prior to 29 Gy upper-body irradiation. Single cell suspensions from FYDR, positive control FYDR-REC, and negative control C57BL/6NHsd (wild-type) mouse esophagus, pancreas and bone marrow were evaluated by flow cytometry. Radiation induced a statistically significant increase in HR 7 days after irradiation compared to unirradiated FYDR mice. MnSOD-PL significantly reduced the induction of HR by radiation at day 7 and also reduced the level of HR in the pancreas. Irradiation of the femur and tibial marrow with 8 Gy also induced a significant increase in HR at 7 days. Radioprotection by intraesophageal administration of MnSOD-PL was correlated with a reduced level of radiation-induced HR in esophageal cells. These results demonstrate the efficacy of MnSOD-PL for suppressing radiation-induced HR in vivo.
Operational Analysis of Parallel Servers

Multicore processors promise continued hardware performance improvements even as single-core performance flattens out. However they also enable increasingly complex application software that threatens to obfuscate application-level performance. This paper applies operational analysis to the problem of understanding and predicting application-level performance in parallel servers. We present operational laws that offer both insight and actionable information based on lightweight passive external observations of black-box applications. One law accurately infers queuing delays; others predict the performance implications of expanding or reducing capacity. The former enables improved monitoring and system management; the latter enable capacity planning and dynamic resource provisioning to incorporate application-level performance in a principled way. Our laws rest upon a handful of weak assumptions that are easy to test and widely satisfied in practice. We show that the laws are broadly applicable across many practical CPU scheduling policies. Experimental results on a multicore network server in an enterprise data center demonstrate the usefulness of our laws.
Construction of an SfiI macrorestriction map of the Candida albicans genome.

The opportunistic fungal pathogen, Candida albicans, is diploid as usually isolated and has no apparent sexual cycle. Genetic analysis has therefore been very difficult. Molecular genetics has yielded important information in the past few years, but it too is hampered by the lack of a good genetic map. Using the well-characterized strain 1006 and strain WO-1, which undergoes the white-opaque phenotypic transition, we have developed a genomic restriction map of C. albicans with the enzyme SfiI. There are approximately 34 SfiI restriction sites in the C. albicans genome. Restriction fragments were separated by pulsed-field electrophoresis and were assigned to chromosomes by hybridization of complete and partial digests with known chromosome-specific probes as well as by digestion of isolated chromosomes. Telomeric fragments were identified by hybridization with a telomere-specific probe (C. Sadhu, M.J. McEachern, E.P. Rustchenko-Bulgac, J. Schmid, D.R. Soll, and J.B. Hicks, J. Bacteriol. 173:842-850, 1991). WO-1 differs from 1006 in that it has undergone three reciprocal chromosomal translocations. Analysis of the translocation products indicates that each translocation has occurred at or near an SfiI site; thus, the SfiI fragments from the two strains are similar or identical. The tendency for translocation to occur at or near SfiI sites may be related to the repeated sequence RPS 1, which contains four such sites and could provide homology for ectopic pairing and crossing over. The genome size of both strains is about 16 to 17 megabases, in good agreement with previous determinations.
Collaborative Federalism and the Emerging Role of Local Nonprofits in Water Quality Implementation

While much has been written about collaborative federalism, the focus of this research has been on collaboration between governmental agencies at the national, state, and local levels. However, a growing body of evidence suggests there is a greater role available for nongovernmental actors in collaborative federalism. This article presents a case in which a local grassroots environmental nonprofit organization plays a critical role in the implementation of Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) requirements in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. We conclude that such collaboration provides local governments with a "force multiplier" that can enhance both collaborative federalism and policy outcomes.
Are Basidiomycete Laccase Gene Abundance and Composition Related to Reduced Lignolytic Activity Under Elevated Atmospheric NO3 − Deposition in a Northern Hardwood Forest?

Anthropogenic release of biologically available N has increased atmospheric N deposition in forest ecosystems, which may slow decomposition by reducing the lignolytic activity of white-rot fungi. We investigated the potential for atmospheric N deposition to reduce the abundance and alter the composition of lignolytic basidiomycetes in a regional network of four northern hardwood forest stands receiving experimental NO3 − deposition (30 kg NO3 −−N ha−1 year−1) for a decade. To estimate the abundance of basidiomycetes with lignolytic potential, we used PCR primers targeting laccase (polyphenol oxidase) and quantitative fluorescence PCR to estimate gene copy number. Natural variation in laccase gene size permitted use of length heterogeneity PCR to profile basidiomycete community composition across two sampling dates in forest floor and mineral soil. Although past work has identified significant and consistent negative effects of NO3 − deposition on lignolytic enzyme activity, microbial biomass, soil respiration, and decomposition rate, we found no consistent effect of NO3 − deposition on basidiomycete laccase gene abundance or community profile. Rather, laccase abundance under NO3 − deposition was lower (−52%), higher (+223%), or unchanged, depending on stand. Only a single stand exhibited a significant change in basidiomycete laccase gene profile. Basidiomycete laccase genes occurring in mineral soil were a subset of the genes observed in the forest floor. Moreover, significant effects on laccase abundance were confined to the forest floor, suggesting that species composition plays some role in determining how lignolytic basidiomycetes are affected by N deposition. Community profiles differed between July and October sampling dates, and basidiomycete communities sampled in October had lower laccase gene abundance in the forest floor, but higher laccase abundance in mineral soil. Although experimental N deposition significantly suppresses lignolytic activity in these forests, this change is not related to the abundance or community composition of basidiomycete fungi with laccase genes. Understanding the expression of laccases and other lignolytic enzymes by basidiomycete fungi and other lignin-decaying organisms appears to hold promise for explaining the consistent decline in lignolytic activity elicited by experimental N deposition.
Puritan Political Thought and the “Cases of Conscience”

Looking back over the stormy times of Revolution and Civil War, Thomas Hobbes came to the conclusion that it was superior force which had been decisive. The sword rather than the heavens had passed judgment upon the people of the Lord. The holy zeal of the early Puritans had run its course; the crusade was ended. Had Thomas Hobbes looked across the Atlantic he would have seen another “Holy Experiment” in decline. The second half of the Seventeenth century saw a debacle of Puritanism of such dimension that not even their most purposeful enemies of an earlier date would have had cause to complain. One recent historian has even called the Restoration of Church and King a “Laudian triumph.” Yet for all this, the Revolution took place and triumphed, if only for a time. In evaluating the political ideas which the Puritans held before and even during their rise to power, subsequent events have too often been taken into account. Puritanism led to Revolution; thus doctrine of resistance to authority must be stressed. The movement failed to hold on to power largely due to the Utopianism of its proponents. This also must be explained. The first view has often led to stress upon a straight line of Puritan thought from Christopher Goodman to John Milton. The second contention based itself on the literal application of Scripture which Puritans were sometimes apt to make. It was their urge “to build Jerusalem on England's green and pleasant strand” which led them into all sorts of follies. We are still inclined to think of the Puritan in sombre dress, his intellectual equipment symbolized by the sword in one hand and the Bible in the other.
Classical and vignette television advertising dramas: Structural models, formal analysis, and consumer effects.

This article identifies and analyzes two types of television advertising dramas: classical and vignette. Drama criticism in theater, film, and television is the source used to identify the elements of advertising dramas—narration, plot, story, and character—and to propose models of the two different types. The two models are employed in an empirical analysis of an advertising sample. Consumer effects of classical and vignette dramas are proposed in terms of the attribution theory of persuasion and the elicitation of empathy versus sympathy responses.
Can citizen science enhance public understanding of science

Over the past 20 years, thousands of citizen science projects engaging millions of participants in collecting and/or processing data have sprung up around the world. Here we review documented outcomes from four categories of citizen science projects which are defined by the nature of the activities in which their participants engage - Data Collection, Data Processing, Curriculum-based, and Community Science. We find strong evidence that scientific outcomes of citizen science are well documented, particularly for Data Collection and Data Processing projects. We find limited but growing evidence that citizen science projects achieve participant gains in knowledge about science knowledge and process, increase public awareness of the diversity of scientific research, and provide deeper meaning to participants' hobbies. We also find some evidence that citizen science can contribute positively to social well-being by influencing the questions that are being addressed and by giving people a voice in local environmental decision making. While not all citizen science projects are intended to achieve a greater degree of public understanding of science, social change, or improved science -society relationships, those projects that do require effort and resources in four main categories: (1) project design, (2) outcomes measurement, (3) engagement of new audiences, and (4) new directions for research.
Politics in the Classroom: It's the Economics, Stupid

The emphasis of various fiscal policy models in macroeconomics seems to ebb and flow with current politics. How does an instructor of macroeconomic principles use current events in a partisan political climate to teach fiscal policy while remaining apolitical themselves? The purpose of this research is to present the obstacles facing instructors of macroeconomic principles who may wish to remain nonpartisan in their teaching. Knowledge of these obstacles will allow the instructor to reflect on whether their own teaching of macroeconomics is politically biased. My approach is to present thoughts of prominent economists on this issue, potential text and media bias, studies regarding political affiliations and ideologies of macroeconomists and their students, and to suggest guidelines for how instructors might assess their own bias.
Liver: DNA methylation controls liver fibrogenesis

New analysis reveals that activation of hepatic stellate cells, the key process driving liver fibrosis, is regulated through epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation.
Analysis of recombinant Phex: an endopeptidase in search of a substrate

X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) is caused by inactivating mutations of Phex, a phosphate-regulating endopeptidase. Further advances in our knowledge of the pathogenesis of XLH require identificatio...
OPC recipe optimization using genetic algorithm

Optimization of OPC recipes is not trivial due to multiple parameters that need tuning and their correlation. Usually, no standard methodologies exist for choosing the initial recipe settings, and in the keyword development phase, parameters are chosen either based on previous learning, vendor recommendations, or to resolve specific problems on particular special constructs. Such approaches fail to holistically quantify the effects of parameters on other or possible new designs, and to an extent are based on the keyword developer’s intuition. In addition, when a quick fix is needed for a new design, numerous customization statements are added to the recipe, which make it more complex. The present work demonstrates the application of Genetic Algorithm (GA) technique for optimizing OPC recipes. GA is a search technique that mimics Darwinian natural selection and has applications in various science and engineering disciplines. In this case, GA search heuristic is applied to two problems: (a) an overall OPC recipe optimization with respect to selected parameters and, (b) application of GA to improve printing and via coverage at line end geometries. As will be demonstrated, the optimized recipe significantly reduced the number of ORC violations for case (a). For case (b) line end for various features showed significant printing and filling improvement.
Variation in Response to Nosema apis, Longevity, and Hoarding Behavior in a Free-Mating Population of the Honey Bee

A free-mating population of the honey bee, Apis mellifera L., was evaluated for response to Nosema apis , longevity, and hoarding behavior. The population varied for all 3 characteristics. Response to Nosema and hoarding behavior fit normal distributions. Longevity responses were significantly skewed to the right. Response to Nosema and longevity was significantly cor related with rs = 0.51.
A Hybrid Optimization Algorithm Based on LM Algorithm and Simulated Annealing Algorithm

In an attempt to rid the LM algorithm and simulated annealing algorithm of their own deficiencies,a hybrid optimization algorithm(SALM)of using alternatively the simulated annealing algorithm and LM algorithm has been put forth.First,agroup of globally optimal approximate solutions were obtained by way of the simulated annealing algorithm.Then take these approximate solutions as the initial values,the SA and LM algorithms were alternatively put in use until at last the satisfactory optimal solutions were found.Our findings indicate that the algorithm,in possession of both the global convergence feature of simulated annealing algorithm and the local convergence velocity of LM algorithm,successfully rids itself of the problem of randomness and probability produced by merely use of the simulated annealing algorithm and at the same time weakens its dependence on the initial conditions in the use of LM algorithm,and thus guarantees the speed and precision of the solving process.
Design of SVC Subsynchronous Damping Controller Based on Improved Biogeography Based Optimization Algorithm

In view of the common subsynchronous oscillation(SSO)controller incapability of suiting the time-varying and nonlinear characteristics of power system,the cosine migration model,the premature judging mechanism,the mutative scale of chaos mutation strategy,and re-scheduling operations are introduced into the improved biogeography-based optimization(IBBO)algorithm to design subsynchronous damping controller(SSDC)optimally based on the mechanism of suppressing SSO by static var compensator(SVC).Finally,eigenvalue analysis and electromagnetic simulation are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the controller developed.The simulation analysis of Jinjie Plant indicates that SVC-SSDC optimized by the IBBO algorithm can greatly improve the damping of the three torsional modes and thus effectively depress the multimodal SSO, ensuring stability of the system and safety of the generator shafts.Moreover,The IBBO algorithm has a faster search speed and higher search accuracy in searching for the optimal control parameters compared with the traditional biogeography-based optimization(BBO)algorithm,the particle swarm optimization(PSO)algorithm,as well as the genetic algorithm(GA).
Online Traveler Reviews as Social Influence: Price Is No Longer King:

Price is a major influence on travel purchases; however, traveler reviews have also become a prevalent source of influence. Theories of social influence and cognitive dissonance provide insight into consumer decisions. This research investigated the effect of social influence in the form of traveler reviews and price on consumer decisions and postdecision dissonance. Student subjects evaluated two resorts for a Spring Break vacation in Cancun using a 2 (valence: positive or negative) × 2 (unanimity: unanimous or nonunanimous) × 3 (price: same, slightly lower, much lower) experimental design. The results reveal that social influence had a strong effect on both resort evaluations and postdecision dissonance. Nonunanimous reviews reduced the prevailing valence of reviews, but increased dissonance. The lack of results for price suggests that price may not be the predominant influence on decisions, as previously thought. This research provides new insight into the effect of traveler reviews on decisions by eva...
Wrapping Deficiencies and De-wetting Patterns in Soluble Proteins: A Blueprint for Drug Design

This chapter unravels a link between wrapping deficiencies and defects in the hydration shell of soluble proteins. The hydration shell of a soluble protein is not uniform: its tightness, marked by the mobility of interfacial water, is site-dependent and modulates the propensity for protein associations. The most pronounced interfacial de-wetting propensity is promoted by dehydrons in the surface of the soluble proteins. Their dehydration is thermodynamically favored and hence may serve as a blueprint for drug design. The result has crucial implications for the designer as drugs may be engineered to expel the labile parts of the target hydration shell upon association. Hence, subtle differences in the location of hydration defects in proteins within the same family may be exploited to enhance drug specificity, as demonstrated in Chap. 8.
Geographically uneven landscapes of Asian corruption

ABSTRACTCorruption plagues all Asian countries to one extent or another. Rather than the universal one-size-fits-all models, corruption must be understood within national and local contexts, that is, as geographically variable. This paper explores this issue in three steps. First it offers a discussion of corruption’s origins and consequences, noting the catalyzing role played by anti-democratic governments, censorship, poverty, illiteracy, and cultural norms. Second, it maps Asian corruption using data from Transparency International and correlates it with several economic and political measures, including national income, the Gini index, literacy, a Freedom House score, and the World Bank measure of government effectiveness. The third part consists of an extended discussion of national variations in corruption throughout the region, focusing on China and other highly corrupt states. The conclusion criticizes the role of anti-corruption campaigns and points to other, more substantive strategies to reduce it.
Analysis of individual Ia-afferent EPSPs in a homonymous motoneuron pool with respect to muscle topography

The spike-triggered averaging technique (26) was used to determine whether the synaptic input from medial gastrocnemius (MG) Ia-afferent fibers to homonymous motoneurons is "topographically weighte...
Support Received During the Transition to Practice for the Secondary School Graduate-Assistant Athletic Trainer.

Context: Transitioning into clinical practice can be stressful for the newly credentialed athletic trainer (AT). The support provided by mentors, peers, and athletic training faculty can increase c...
High strain magnetostriction in a ferromagnet-polymer composite

A magnetostrictive composite material exhibiting the capacity for large magnetostrictive strains was created by suspending magnetic wires in a soft polymer matrix. Magnetostrictive strains as large as 20% were found in an applied field of 600 Oe for this proof of concept composite. Our analysis indicates that reversible strains of over 6% are reasonable for this specific composite. The large values of magnetostriction are due to the mechanical rotation of the wires in the polymer matrix.
On the Use of Radio Frequency Identification for Continuous Biomedical Monitoring

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology is often deployed for inventory management scenarios. In inventory applications, a known or unknown number of RFID tags are queried in a discrete manner and for a single, short period of time, until each tag is recognized by the interrogator device. Passive RFID provides several benefits conducive to ubiquitous deployment, including RFID tags that are energized from the wireless RF interrogation signal itself that obviates the need for a battery or wired power, and antenna assemblies that can be integrated with the chip with only a small footprint. We have utilized these benefits to enable continuous biomedical sensing devices with minimal footprint and batteryless deployment. These devices are fabric-based smart garments with an embedded RFID tag and antenna assembly. However, traditional inventory-based RFID interrogation presents several challenges due to the RFID protocols and regulations that govern their use. In this paper, we discuss the considerations necessary to utilize RFID interrogation to enabling passive, continuous sensor monitoring, and the techniques we employed in developing software to do so.
Ferromagnetism in Fe2CrAl nanowires

The authors have successfully grown Fe2CrAl nanowires on polished Si/SiO2 substrates using the electrospinning method. The diameter of nanowires varies from 50 to 300 nm. These nanowires exhibit a cubic crystal structure with lattice disorder. The nanowires are ferromagnetic with a Curie temperature greater than 400 K, much higher than that the bulk reported value. This higher Curie temperature is attributable to disordering in lattice sites, which causes an enhanced exchange interaction between pairs of iron atoms.
Model Fitting Functions and Optimization

In the previous chapter we described the LISREL model and outlined the functions therein that may be used to fit a model to data. We now describe these fitting functions in greater detail, and with special emphasis on the genetic analysis of twin data. We also discuss how the fitting functions are used to generate optimal estimates of genetic parameters in the twin design. Again, understanding of these issues is not essential for the use of LISREL to fit models to data; we provide this Chapter for those readers wishing to further their knowledge of how LISREL does what it does, and the statistical theory behind the choice of fit functions for particular types of data.
Three-Dimensional Electronic Four Wave-Mixing Spectroscopy in GaAs Quantum Wells

Three-dimensional electronic Fourier transform four wave-mixing spectroscopy of GaAs quantum wells is demonstrated for the first time using wave vector beam shaping and femtosecond spatiotemporal pulse shaping to create four fully phase-coherent, non-collinear optical fields. This technique is an optical analogue of multidimensional and multi-quantum NMR. From a study of GaAs quantum wells, an internally calibrated, yet previously unmeasured two-dimensional projection correlating events between the first two time periods is presented.
Measurement of Extracellular Space in Developing Rat Brain from Electron Micrographs

The neuropil of rat inferior colliculus was studied during the first two weeks of postnatal life. The extracellular space (ECS) was found to be distributed as narrow intercellular gaps about 150A wide and intercellular lakes 0.2–3.0 μ in longest dimension (Fig. 1). Lakes were largest during the first postnatal week and decreased in size and number as development occurred. At the same time profiles of cellular elements increased in mean number and decreased in mean diameter, tending to increase with development the proportion of extracellular space distributed as intercellular gaps. Quantitation of these complex data was necessary to determine any change in the magnitude of the ECS with maturation.
Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Scene Retrieval from Medical Simulation Videos Using Local Binary Patterns Over Three Orthogonal Planes

We present a framework to detect and retrieve CPR activity scenes from medical simulation videos. Medical simulation is a modern training method for medical practitioners, where an emergency patient condition is simulated on humanlike mannequins and the students act upon. These simulation sessions are recorded for later debriefing. With the increasing number of simulation videos, automatic detection and retrieval of specific scenes became necessary. In this paper, we present an automated CPR scene retrieval system which can identify and retrieve CPR activity scenes, using Local Binary Patterns Over Three Orthogonal Planes (LBP-TOP) features. We present a comparative study of LBP-TOP features and Histogram of Orientation of Gradients (HOG3D) features for CPR action detection. We also present the results of decision level fusion of different classifier outputs. Promising classification results have been achieved, suggesting the proposed technique to be effective in detecting and retrieving CPR activity scenes from simulation videos.
Power and phase coherence in sensorimotor mu and temporal lobe alpha components during covert and overt syllable production.

The sensorimotor dorsal stream is known to activate in both overt and covert speech production. However, overt production produces sensory consequences that are absent during covert production. Thus, the purpose of the current study is to investigate differences in dorsal stream activity between these two production conditions across the time course of utterances. Electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded from 68 channels while 23 participants overtly (Op) and covertly (Cp) produced orthographically cued bisyllabic targets. Sensorimotor mu and auditory alpha components (from anterior and posterior aspects of the dorsal stream) were identified using independent component analysis (ICA). Event-related spectral perturbation (ERSP) analyses identified changes in mu and alpha oscillatory power over time, while intercomponent phase coherence (IPC) measured anterior–posterior connectivity in the two conditions. Results showed greater beta (15–25 Hz) suppression during speech planning across left and right hemisphere sensorimotor and temporal ICs for Op relative to Cp. By contrast, greater intrahemispheric beta coherence was observed for Cp compared to Op during speech planning. During execution, greater beta suppression was observed along with greater low frequency (< 10 Hz) power enhancement and intrahemispheric phase coherence in Op compared to Cp. The findings implicate low frequency sensorimotor and posterior temporal phase coherence in the integration of somatosensory and acoustic feedback in overt relative to covert execution. Findings are consistent with early frontal–temporal forward models involved in planning and execution with modulations depending on whether the task goal is internal or overt syllable production.
The Memory of Slavery

The main aim of this chapter is to reflect on the memory of slavery and to analyse memory spaces in Italy. The chapter highlights the long-standing absence of a public memory of slavery in the Euro-Mediterranean world, while documenting a progressive change in the perception of the cultural heritage of the memory of slavery, even in the Mediterranean. It is instructive, then, to consider how and when the memory of Mediterranean slavery, and specifically slavery in these Italian cities, was marginalised and elided. Examining traces of memory that managed to avoid being erased and still survive may also reveal much about the process. This chapter will frame the relationship between memory and history in the context of new research on slavery. The chapter also analyses some sites associated with the memory of slavery in the Italian regions, particularly those with notable architectural or artistic features. Finally, I focus on the problem of the origin of racism in Europe, drawing on recent studies, philosophical sources and artwork.
Probing diffusion dynamics during hydrate formation by high field NMR relaxometry and diffusometry.

Abstract High-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxometry and diffusometry along with magnetic resonance imaging were used to monitor phase transition molecular dynamics during hydrate formation occurring in water droplets dispersed in liquid cyclopentane. 1D T2 relaxation measurements indicate the extent of hydrate formation as well as a reduction in water droplet size with progression of hydrate growth. MRI intensity maps and T2 relaxation maps indicate spatially dependent hydrate formation rates due to the heterogeneity of the system. Spectrally resolved diffusion measurements indicate a reduction in the porosity of the hydrate agglomerate as the hydrate shell increases in thickness. A novel signal rise observed in two dimensional T1-T2 relaxation correlation experiments indicates complex diffusion dynamics due to coupling between regions with varying relaxation and diffusion. These results indicate the ability to monitor hydrate growth and phase transition molecular dynamics due to evolution of the porous hydrate agglomerate by means of high-field NMR.
Action Research and Systematic, Intentional Change in Teaching Practice:

Action research shifts the paradigm of contemporary educational reform by emphasizing inquiry and placing teachers at the center of research-into-practice. By situating teachers as learners, action...
Obstetric and neonatal complications among women with autoimmune disease

Abstract Background The impact of autoimmune diseases on pregnancy remains understudied on a population level. Examination of obstetric and neonatal outcomes among women with autoimmune disease and their infants can provide important insights for clinical management. Methods Autoimmune diseases and outcomes were identified using medical records. Cesarean delivery, preterm birth, preeclampsia, small for gestational age (SGA), neonatal intensive care (NICU) admission, neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), and perinatal mortality risk was assessed. Poisson regression with robust standard errors estimated relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) with adjustment for maternal characteristics and other chronic conditions. Results Women with T1DM were at increased risk for nearly all outcomes including RDS (RR: 3.62; 95% CI: 2.84, 4.62), perinatal mortality (RR: 2.35; 95% CI: 1.12, 4.91), cesarean delivery (RR: 2.16; 95% CI: 2.02, 2.32) and preterm birth (RR: 3.52; 95% CI: 3.17, 3.91). Women with SLE also had higher risk for preterm delivery (RR: 2.90; 95% CI: 2.42, 3.48) and RDS (RR:2.99; 95% CI: 1.99, 4.51) as did women with Crohn's (cesarean delivery RR:1.31, 95% CI: 1.08, 1.60; preterm delivery RR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.37, 2.49. RA increased risk for SGA (RR:1.66; 95% CI: 1.08, 2.55). Conclusion(s) Despite the heterogeneity in autoimmune diseases, we observed elevated preterm birth risk for most women with autoimmune disease. SLE and T1DM appeared to confer increased risk for a wide range of adverse outcomes.