cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Face-to-Face, or Online, That Is the Question

In this lightning-talk paper, we aim to invoke discussion on face-to-face (F2F) instruction versus online delivery of IT courses. As a case study, we experimented teaching a foundational course of information assurance in two consecutive years. We surveyed students and compared the effectiveness of teaching two sections of F2F and online teaching, side-by-side. Based on students' feedback, we argue that while online teaching can be as effective, F2F teaching should not be completely replaced.
Techno-ecologically synergistic food–energy–water systems can meet human and ecosystem needs

Sustainable provisioning of energy to society requires consideration of the nexus between food–energy–water (FEW) flows while meeting human needs and respecting nature's capacity to provide goods and services. In this work, we explore the FEW nexus of conventional and techno-ecologically synergistic (TES) systems by evaluating combinations of various technological, agricultural, and ecological strategies from the viewpoints of electricity generation, food production, life cycle water use, carbon footprint, nutrient runoff, corporate profitability, and societal well-being. We evaluate activities related to power generation (coal and gas extraction and use, transportation options, cooling technologies, solar panels, wind turbines), food production (farming with and without tillage), waste utilization (carbon dioxide capture and conversion to hydrocarbons, green hydrogen), and ecological restoration (forests and wetlands). Application of this framework to the Muskingum River watershed in Ohio, U.S.A. indicates that seeking synergies between human and natural systems can provide innovative solutions that improve the FEW nexus while making positive contributions to society with greater respect for nature's limits. We show that the conventional engineering approach of relying only on technological approaches for meeting sustainability objectives can have limited environmental and societal benefits while reducing profitability. In contrast, techno-ecologically synergistic design between agricultural systems and wetlands can reduce nutrient runoff with little compromise in other goals. Additional synergies between farming and photovoltaic systems along with the use of wetlands can further improve the FEW nexus while reducing CO2 and nutrient emissions, with a relatively small compromise in corporate profitability. These results should motivate further work on innovative TES designs that can provide “win–win” solutions for meeting global energy needs in an environmentally and socially beneficial manner.
"It's What I Have, It's Not Who I Am": A Qualitative Study of Social Support in Education/Employment Settings and Transition Readiness of Young Adults with End-Stage Renal Disease.

This study investigated the role of social support in self-management within education/employment settings for young adults (YA) with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) as well as barriers and facilitators to social support formation. Nineteen YA with ESRD (mean age 24 years, 10 males, 9 African American) recruited from a pediatric nephrology clinic in the Southeast United States completed in-person semi-structured interviews. The grounded theory was used to analyze transcribed interviews to identify emergent themes. Absences hindered participants’ school/work attendance and performance. Social support was necessary for illness management and success in academic/vocational settings. Facilitators to establishing support included self-awareness and view of disclosure as a way to access accommodations. Barriers included fear of judgment, job loss, and the belief that the condition was too personal to disclose. Educators and employers must acknowledge the needs of YA with ESRD to promote development and educational/vocational success. Fear of disclosure and poor disease self-management interferes with accessing social support. Communication skills and autonomy in patients’ medical and personal lives can promote success in education and employment settings.
Comparison of Diagnostic Recommendations from Individual Physicians versus the Collective Intelligence of Multiple Physicians in Ambulatory Cases Referred for Specialist Consultation

BackgroundStudies report higher diagnostic accuracy using the collective intelligence (CI) of multiple clinicians compared with individual clinicians. However, the diagnostic process is iterative, ...
A Protocol for the Development of the Intraoperative Complications Assessment and Reporting With Universal Standards Criteria: The ICARUS Project.

Introduction: Perioperative complications, especially intraoperative adverse events (iAEs), carry significant potential for long-term sequelae in a patient’s postoperative course. These events represent a substantial gap in contemporary surgical literature, with only a fraction of publications reporting intraoperative complications as outcomes of interest. To date, there is no universal standard for comprehensively reporting intraoperative complications in surgical practice and literature beyond the systems developed for grading individual events. We aim to establish a set of best-practice criteria for iAE reporting known as the Intraoperative Complication Assessment and Reporting with Universal Standards (ICARUS) Guidelines. Methods and analysis: We will generate the ICARUS reporting guidelines using the EQUATOR Network development framework and the SQUIRE Guidelines. The initial step involves an umbrella review and meta-analysis of systemic reviews (SRs) assessing the perioperative adverse events of common surgeries. Measures for assessing, collecting, grading, and reporting the iAEs will be merged into a comprehensive list of criteria. Using a modified Delphi methodology, a team of expert surgeons (≥ 200 inpatient procedures/years) will contribute to and evaluate the proposed reporting guidelines. The panel will evaluate both the clinical usefulness and quality assessment and improvement utility of each criterion using a 5-point Likert. We expect multiple survey rounds until consensus regarding the utility of the guidelines is reached. Dissemination: We plan to share then validate the newly developed guidelines within each surgical field. Dissemination will involve publicly shared guidelines, simultaneous journal publications, conference presentations, encouragement for journal endorsement, and application for inclusion in the Equator Network database. The study team plans to continue collecting feedback for future extension of the intraoperative reporting guidelines. HIGHLIGHTS: Intraoperative adverse events are underreported and lack homogeneity in surgical literature We aim to use a modified Delphi methodology to develop the consensus-based, intraoperative complications assessment and reporting with universal standards (ICARUS) guidelines We will disseminate the ICARUS guidelines through journal publications and presentations at national and international meetings; journals and professional organizations will be encouraged to endorse the ICARUS guidelines
Impact of Global Warming/Climate Change on Food Security 2020

From about the third quarter of the twentieth century to 2020, there have been increases of weather/climate related events (e.g., drought, heat waves, wildfires) that have disrupted food systems and hence food security for major segments of society. They have been especially injurious to economically disadvantaged populations. These events may be relatively short term or somewhat longer (e.g., a 2 week heat wave, a 7 day flood, a month of extreme cold, a month of wildfires, a 5 year drought). They also may be long-term continuously slow changing conditions. Included in this group are warming of the Earth, melting glaciers, observable and measurable creep of agro-climatic zones towards the poles with expansion of animal ranges (including insects), and invasive vegetation (weeds). There are migrations of terrestrial and marine animals from warming ecosystems that disrupt their life cycles to ecosystems with temperatures that favor their feeding and procreation. Together, global warming and resulting climate changes are the drivers of direct, triggered, and indirect weather events that lessen the world’s human food carrying capacity and diminish ecosystems’ natural resources capacities to meet societal needs. The chapter initiates discussion on reduction of CO2, the driver of global warming.
Optimum Injection of Second Harmonic Circulating Current for Reduction in Submodule Capacitor Voltage Ripple in Over-modulated MMC

In Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC), submodule capacitor value determines the overall cost, size, and weight of the converter. Minimizing the submodule capacitance value without increase in the voltage ripple is a challenge. Injecting the Second Harmonic line frequency component in Circulating Current(SHCC) is a well-explored idea to reduce the voltage ripple in the submodule capacitors. In this paper, this idea is extended to MMCs operating in the over-modulation range. Optimization plots corresponding to SHCC amplitude at any given modulation index to achieve the minimum possible submodule capacitor voltage ripple are presented. From these plots, the most optimal operating point is identified at which the requirement for the submodule capacitance reduces to 15.2% of the conventional operation(unity modulation index, zero SHCC). The price for this remarkable improvement is paid by the slight increase in conduction losses as the SHCC injection increases the arm current rms value. Wide range of modulation indices and SHCC injection indices are considered to obtain different optimal points for different requirements which are presented in detail.
Biomechanics of Reconstruction Constructs

Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries are common among competitive overhead-throwing athletes. Frank Jobe described the first reconstruction of the UCL in 1976, which consisted of a palmaris longus tendon woven through bone tunnels. In recent years, the advent of new technologies has spawned new procedures that use modern implants. Newer procedures have been developed using suture anchors and interference screws. These newer procedures have been aimed at increasing the strength of fixation and avoiding potential complications. To date, there is a paucity of in vivo research comparing these techniques. The purpose of this chapter is to review the biomechanical data available to support the use of the most common reconstruction techniques currently used.
Association Between Dietary Vitamin A Intake and Bronchial Metaplasia in Asbestos Exposed Workers

Asbestos-exposed workers and cigarette smokers have an increased risk for lung cancer. Experimental and epidemiologic data suggest that vitamin A (retinol and/or β-carotene) has anticancer effects. It is unclear, however, whether intervention with supplemental vitamin A can reduce the risk of lung cancer.
Transformation of intact yeast cells by electroporation.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes a rapid and efficient procedure for the transformation of S. cerevisiae by electroporation. Among the advantages of this system are its speed and simplicity, involving few manipulations of the cells following growth and the finding that this procedure can be successfully performed with crude minipreparation DNA isolated from Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) or S. cerevisiae. This method is most appropriate for rapid transformations using low concentrations of DNA when extremely high transformation frequencies are not required. This method may not be appropriate for those transformation experiments using high concentrations of DNA where very high numbers of transformants are desired, as the transformation frequency reaches a plateau value at approximately 100 ng of transforming DNA. However, it is remarkably versatile in that it can be used to transform yeast cells with CsCl density gradient-purified DNA, with linear DNA, and with crude minipreparation DNA prepared from E . coli and from S. cerevisiae. Because of the ease of this method, it should be possible to complete 20–25 transformations in 1 hr.
Deformed distance fields for simulation of non-penetrating flexible bodies

We present a novel penetration depth estimation algorithm based on the use of deformed distance fields for simulation of non-penetrating flexible bodies. We assume that the continuum of non-rigid models are discretized using standard techniques, such as finite element methods. As the objects deform, the distance fields are deformed accordingly to estimate penetration depth, allowing enforcement of non-penetration constraints between two colliding elastic bodies. Our approach can automatically handle self-penetration and inter-penetration in a uniform manner. We demonstrate its effectiveness on moderately complex animated scenes.
Serum differentially modulates the clonal growth and differentiation of cultured limbal and corneal epithelium

Purpose The stem cell-containing limbal epithelium is in proximity with highly vascularized tissue, as opposed to the transient amplifying cell-containing corneal basal epithelium, which resides on top of avascular corneal stroma. We therefore speculate that limbal stem cells are preferentially under the modulation of serum-derived factors. Methods Using a previously reported serum-free, chemically defined culture system for ocular surface epithelium, a culture condition primarily supporting transient amplifying cells of both corneal and limbal epithelia, we compared the clonal growth measured by colony-forming efficiency (CFE), colony size, and BrdU labeling, as well as colony differentiation measured by colony morphology and immunofluorescence staining, with the monoclonal antibody AE-5 against keratin K3 when fetal bovine serum (FBS) was added at different concentrations. Results The addition of 1% FBS decreased CFE and colony size in peripheral corneal cultures but had no effect in limbal cultures. Both cultures showed no obvious difference in colony morphology or BrdU labeling and AE-5 staining. In contrast, at 10% or 20% FBS, CFE and colony size increased in limbal cultures, but dose dependently decreased in peripheral corneal cultures. The presence of a unique subpopulation of progenitor cells in limbal cultures different from transient amplifying cells in corneal cultures was further supported by the emergence of a higher proportion of a unique type (B) colonies in limbal cultures that had high BrdU labeling and heterogeneous or negative AE-5 staining, indicative of their being in a proliferating, undifferentiated state. These colonies showed continuous growth in late cultures and could be passaged into serum-free medium. Conclusion These results indicate that serum contains factors responsible for stimulating limbal progenitor cells into clonal proliferation.
A Review of “Fighting for the Speakership: The House and the Rise of Party Government”

In the early 2000s, political scientists Jeffery A. Jenkins and Charles Stewart, III produced a number of intriguing papers about contested leadership elections in the nineteenth-century House of R...
A comprehensive examination of neural network architectures for analog fault diagnosis

We have performed a detailed comparison of single-output and 1-of-k neural-network architectures used for analog fault diagnosis. Training and testing data are obtained from linear and nonlinear circuits simulated by SPICE. We have used wavelet and Fourier transforms, data normalization and principal component analysis to preprocess the node voltages and extract optimal features for training the neural networks. Comparison of the two architectures using the sample circuits reveal that 1) for circuits with overlapping features across fault classes, the 1-of-k is the superior architecture for analog fault diagnosis, 2) the 1-of-k architecture requires a significantly smaller training set to accurately diagnose faulty behavior, 3) because of its bigger size, the 1-of-k architecture imposes a high demand on computer resources and may become prohibitive for problems with large number of faults and 4) the training time per epoch is longer for the 1-of-k architecture but it requires a smaller number of epochs to reach the prespecified error goal. These results indicate that the 1-of-k architecture provides a more robust and stable analog fault diagnostic system unless it is prohibited by its increased demand on computer resources.
African Honey Bees

SKORIKOW1 has published a map showing the distribution of the three main types of ordinary honey bees, Apis mellifera L., occupying the Palaearctic region, A. indica Fabricius, the Oriental, and A. adansoni, Latreille, the Ethiopian. Madagascar is inhabited by still another form, A. unicolor Latreille. Alpatov, of the University of Moscow, has published statistical studies of South African honey bees, separating two races, called A. adansoni and A. unicolor, the latter being the form with black abdomen and scutellum. But his A. unicolor came from near Cape Town, and were surely not the true unicolor, but the race which Buttel-Reepen (1906) named intermissa. This insect differs from A. unicolor in having bands of tomentum on the abdomen, these being usually conspicuous, but sometimes not evident, when the specimens are worn, or the abdomen is much contracted.
The influence of permeant anions upon mitochondrial energy conservation by means of a K+ gradient

Abstract SCN − , a permeant anion, inhibits ATP synthesis and reversed electron transfer driven by the mitochondrial K + gradient in the presence of valinomycin. Similar results have been obtained with NO 3 − and tetraphenylboron (TPB − ). Although TPB − is the most effective inhibitory anion tested, its mode of action is complex since it also increases cation permeability. Since SCN − enhances K + release and yet inhibits the H + uptake elicited with valinomycin, this implicates H + ion as primary in the energy coupling process.
Anaerobic transformation of 2,4,6-TNT by bovine ruminal microbes.

Abstract Degradation of TNT by bovine rumen fluid, a novel source of anaerobic microbes, was investigated. Whole rumen fluid contents were spiked with TNT and incubated for a 24 h time period. Supernatant samples taken at 0, 1, 2, 4, and 24 h were analyzed by reverse-phase HPLC with diode array detection. Within 1 h, TNT was not detectable and reduction products of TNT including 2-hydroxyl-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene, 4-hydroxylamino-2,6-dinitrotoluene, and 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene were present with smaller amounts of diamino-nitrotoluenes. Within 2 h, only the diamino and dihydroxyamino-nitrotoluene products remained. After 4 h, 2,4-diamino-6-nitrotoluene and 2,4-dihydroxyamino-6-nitrotoluene were the only known molecular species left. At 24 h known UV absorbing metabolites were no longer detected, suggesting further transformation such as complete reduction to triaminotoluene or destruction of the aromatic ring of TNT may have occurred. TNT was not transformed at 24 h in autoclaved and buffered controls. This study presents the first direct evidence of biodegradation of TNT by ruminal microbes.
Computer Simulation of Heat Flow in Casting

The use of computers to simulate casting, ingot-making, and welding processes and the inherent solidification phenomena has expanded manifold in the past few years. Indications point to even more extensive use of computer models as research tools as well as adjuncts to process control and process design. Using some heat flow models as examples, this paper illustrates the blending of numerical and computer techniques to simulate casting processes.
Observation of Lower-Atmospheric Moisture Structure and Its Evolution Using a Raman Lidar

Observations of the water-vapor mixing ratio in the lower atmosphere and its temporal evolution have been made with a Raman lidar. Comparison with an independent radiosonde measurement indicated excellent agreement. The moisture structure, observed up to an altitude of 5 km and over an 80-min period during the early morning of April 30, 1985 (the present lidar is limited to night operation), showed temporal variations of several atmospheric features which could not be resolved by balloon soundings. Application of the lidar should provide the opportunity to study details of atmospheric moisture, its structure, and its evolution in a manner never before realized.
Probing vasoocclusion phenomena in sickle cell anemia via mesoscopic simulations

Vasoocclusion crisis is a key hallmark of sickle cell anemia. Although early studies suggest that this crisis is caused by blockage of a single elongated cell, recent experiments have revealed that vasoocclusion is a complex process triggered by adhesive interactions among different cell groups in multiple stages. However, the quantification of the biophysical characteristics of sickle cell anemia remains an open issue. Based on dissipative particle dynamics, we develop a multiscale model for the sickle red blood cells (SS-RBCs), accounting for diversity in both shapes and cell rigidities, to investigate the precise mechanism of vasoocclusion. First, we investigate the adhesive dynamics of a single SS-RBC in shear flow and static conditions, and find that the different cell groups (SS2: young-deformable SS-RBCs, ISCs: rigid-irreversible SS-RBCs) exhibit heterogeneous adhesive behavior due to the diverse cell morphologies and membrane rigidities. We quantify the observed adhesion behavior (in static conditions) in terms of a balance of free energies due to cell adhesion and deformation, and propose a power law that relates the free-energy increase as a function of the contact area. We further simulate postcapillary flow of SS-RBC suspensions with different cell fractions. The more adhesive SS2 cells interact with the vascular endothelium and trap ISC cells, resulting in vasoocclusion in vessels less than depending on the hematocrit. Under inflammation, adherent leukocytes may also trap ISC cells, resulting in vasoocclusion in even larger vessels.
Elastic scattering of two Na atoms

Interaction potentials for the X $^{1}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}_{\mathrm{g}}^{+}$ and a $^{3}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}_{\mathrm{u}}^{+}$ states of ${\mathrm{Li}}_{2}$ are constructed and used in calculations of the elastic scattering of two $^{7}\mathrm{Li}$ atoms at ultralow temperatures. The extreme sensitivity of the cross sections to the details of the interaction potentials is demonstrated. The calculated elastic and spin-change cross sections are very large, of the order of ${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}13}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ at zero temperature. The predicted scattering length for the triplet state is negative with a value of -17.2${\mathit{a}}_{0}$. Pronounced shape resonances appear at energies of 4.9\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}8}$ a.u. in the singlet scattering and 5.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}7}$ a.u. in the triplet scattering.
EFFECTS OF DIABETES AND EXERCISE ON SOFT CONNECTIVE TISSUE PROPERTIES AT THE KNEE IN THE RAT

The primary diabetes-related health concerns are neuropathy and cardiovascular changes. Connective tissue changes can also affect quality of life by increasing ligament and joint capsule stiffness, impairing proprioception, limiting function, and leading to greater risk of falling. Our objectives were to evaluate effects of Type I diabetes and exercise on medial collateral ligament properties and overall knee-joint stiffness and stress relaxation. Thirty-four male Sprague–Dawley rats, approximately two months old, were divided into three groups—sedentary controls (n=10), sedentary diabetics (n=10) and exercised diabetics (n=14). Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin injection. Exercised rats ran 5 days/week, 1 hr/day, at 20 m/min. All animals were sacrificed seven weeks after induction of diabetes. Stiffness and stress relaxation of the whole knee joint was tested in distraction and anterior–posterior tibial displacement. The joint capsule and knee ligaments were then sectioned, preserving the medial collateral ligament (MCL). The MCL structural properties were tested by knee distraction at a flexion angle of 40°. Whole joint stiffness was 23% higher for anterior tibial displacement in the exercised diabetic group, and 31% higher for posterior tibial displacement, compared to controls. Whole joint stress relaxation in distraction was 25% lower for the exercised diabetic group. No differences were found for MCL properties. Diabetes and exercise clearly increased joint stiffness. The effects may be due to tissue adaptation, but appear more likely to be due to increased blood flow that promotes increased tissue glycation in the joint capsule.
TRACON Controller Cooperative Shift Changes

The transfer of position responsibility between controllers is accomplished with a position relief briefing (PRB) conducted using standards and a checklist developed by the Federal Aviation Administration. In this study, expert judges indicated the items on the checklist that were referenced in briefings from 5 terminal radar approach controls. Briefings were short and routinely included information on only a subset of checklist items, often only traffic, and often in an order not consistent with the checklist. We explored different models to explain the PRB structure and the partial, unordered use of the checklist. We propose a working model of air traffic control shift change that assumes that controllers convey information from memory and only sometimes use the physical checklist to conduct the briefing.
Travelling waves in two-dimensional reactive Boussinesq systems with no-slip boundary conditions

We consider systems of reactive Boussinesq equations in two-dimensional strips that are not aligned with gravity's direction. We prove that for any width of such strips and for arbitrary Rayleigh and Prandtl numbers, the systems admit smooth, non-planar travelling wave solutions with the fluid's velocity satisfying no-slip boundary conditions.
Logical, syntactic, and morphological notions of subject

Abstract The author proposes precise formal definitions for the traditional terms ‘subject’ and ‘object’, and attempts to show that these definitions can facilitate discussion on case relations in a way that no previously attempted definitions have succeeded.
Radiation-Induced Perturbations of the Electrical Properties of the Silicon-Silicon Dioxide Interface

Interface-state densities and MOS transistor characteristics dependent upon such states have been studied as a function of radiation dose and type. Special MOS devices possessing doped silicon-dioxide layers as well as undoped "control" devices have been utilized. Infrared absorption measurements were performed on silicon-dioxide samples before and after exposure to radiation, as well as for doped and undoped samples. A model based on structural modifications of the silicon-dioxide-films is proposed for the build-up of interface-states resulting from exposure to radiation. It has been found that with the proper doping of the silicon-dioxide films, the build-up of such states can be reduced. Using such doped gate-dielectrics, planar semiconductor devices much less sensitive to radiation have been fabricated.
Correspondence Comments on ‘Robust optimal parametric LQ control with a guaranteed cost bound and applications’

Abstract In a recent paper Hu and Loh (1989) addressed the problem of designing robust controllers with guaranteed bounds on a given performance index. The purpose of this note is to point-out several incorrect results presented there.
Adsorption and surface tension of ionic surfactants at the air–water interface: review and evaluation of equilibrium models

Abstract A series of old and new equilibrium tension models are reviewed and evaluated for single premicellar ionic surfactants at the air–water interface with or without added salt with a common ion. Several experimental methods used to measure surface tensions, adsorbed densities, and surface potentials are also reviewed. The models are based on the Gibbs adsorption isotherm, and classified as ‘pseudo-nonionic’ when the surface charge is ignored or ‘ionic’ when the surface charge and its electric double layer are accounted for. The former models fit and represent well tension and adsorption density data but are not predictive, primarily because the underlying adsorption isotherms, the Langmuir or the Frumkin, are independent of salinity. Ionic models are to an extent predictive, based on the Davies or a combined Frumkin–Davies isotherm, and provide estimates of the adsorbed density and surface potential. Counterion binding is incorporated in the new models using a fractional binding parameter analogous to that used in micellar models. Certain advanced binding models proposed by Kralchevsky et al., Kalinin and Radke, and Warszyski et al. are also examined. The models are tested with tension data at 25°C for sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) in the presence of several sodium chloride (NaCl) concentrations. Both the model predictions and the fitted parameter values are evaluated with respect to physical plausibility and overall goodness of fit to the available data. Although the pseudo-nonionic models can fit the data well, the fitted parameters depend strongly on salinity. The more advanced ionic models can fit the data nearly as well as the pseudo-nonionic models, and provide a plausible description of the surface electrostatics. More detailed electrostatic models, and reliable data on both adsorbed densities and surface potentials at the surfactant–water interface are needed for developing more definitive and less empirical models, and for improving further our fundamental understanding of the adsorption and tension behavior of ionic surfactants.
Experimental and Theoretical Characterization of the Oxygen-Coordinated Donor−Acceptor Adducts of COCl2, COClF, and COF2 with AsF5 and SbF5

When reacted with an excess of the corresponding carbonyl halides, AsF5 and SbF5 form the following 1:1 adducts: COCl2·AsF5, COCl2·SbF5, COClF·AsF5, COClF·SbF5, COF2·AsF5, and COF2·SbF5. All adducts are unstable at ambient temperature, and their dissociation enthalpies were determined from the dissociation pressure curves. Vibrational and multinuclear NMR spectra and theoretical calculations show that all compounds are oxygen-coordinated donor−acceptor adducts, and that the strengths of the oxygen bridges increase from COF2 to COCl2 and from AsF5 to SbF5. Full normal coordinate analyses of the adducts demonstrate that the bridging modes occur below 100 cm-1, justifying the frequently used approximation of analyzing similar weak adducts in terms of their separate donor and acceptor molecules.
AC link Vector Switching Converters for power flow control and power quality: A review

This paper presents a review of converter topologies based on the Vector Switching Converter (VeSC) suitable for power flow control and power quality enhancement in power delivery systems. The key feature of the approach is the use ac link capacitors so that the dc capacitors used in the state-of-the-art technology, namely the dc link voltage source inverter, can be eliminated. The control function of ac link VeSCs is realized by direct ac/ac conversion without frequency change, adopting the strategy of pulse width modulation. Operating principles, equivalent circuits, and the relationship of these converters to their dc link counterparts is discussed. Illustrative examples in terms of computer simulations are also presented.
Oral Hexadecyloxypropyl-Cidofovir Therapy in Pregnant Guinea Pigs Improves Outcome in the Congenital Model of Cytomegalovirus Infection

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the leading cause of congenital infection, producing both sensorineural hearing loss and mental retardation. We evaluated the in vivo efficacy of an orally bioavailable analog of cidofovir, hexadecyloxypropyl-cidofovir (HDP-CDV), against guinea pig CMV (GPCMV) in a guinea pig model of congenital CMV infection. HDP-CDV exhibited antiviral activity against GPCMV with a 50% effective concentration (EC(50)) of 0.004 μM ± 0.001 μM. To evaluate in vivo efficacy, pregnant Hartley guinea pigs were inoculated with GPCMV during the late second/early third trimester of gestation. Animals were administered 20 mg HDP-CDV/kg body weight orally at 24 h postinfection (hpi) and again at 7 days postinfection (dpi) or administered 4 mg/kg HDP-CDV orally each day for 5 days or 9 days. Virus levels in dam and pup tissues were evaluated following delivery, or levels from dam, placenta, and fetal tissues were evaluated following sacrifice of dams at 10 dpi. All HDP-CDV regimens significantly improved pup survival, from 50 to 60% in control animals to 93 to 100% in treated animals (P ≤ 0.019). Treatment with 20 mg/kg HDP-CDV significantly reduced the viral load in pup spleen (P = 0.017) and liver (P = 0.029). Virus levels in the placenta were significantly reduced at 10 dpi following daily treatment with 4 mg/kg HDP-CDV for 5 or 9 days. The 9-day treatment also significantly reduced the viral levels in the dam spleen and liver. Although the 4-mg/kg treatment improved pup survival, virus levels in the fetal tissues were similar to those in control tissues. Taken together, HDP-CDV shows potential as a well-tolerated antiviral candidate for treatment of congenital human CMV (HCMV) infection.
Effects of Anticonvulsant Drugs upon Patterns of Seizure Discharge and Brain Thresholds: Some Implications for Memory Mechanisms

10 cats were trained to perform an avoidance leg flexion at a signal: electrical stimulation of the caudate nucleus or the centre median. Thresholds were found to be elevated by anticonvulsants. In 3 of these cats, seizure discharges were induced by stimulation of the hippocampus and recorded on an EEG. The data are interpreted as indicating alteration of nerve impulse pathways. It is argued that such alteration may underlie dissociation of learning produced by various drugs and states.
Enhancement of Combustion and Flame Stabilization Using Stabilized Non-Equilibrium Plasma

Abstract : The effect of non-equilibrium plasma on both partially premixed and non-premixed flames was investigated through the development of a newly integrated magnetic gliding arc (MGA) system. The lifted jet diffusion flame experiments showed a significant enhancement of the flame stabilization with plasma discharge in the air co-flow. The counterflow experiments also demonstrated that the extinction limits were extended dramatically. Laser diagnostics of flame temperature and OH distribution using planar Rayleigh scattering and planar laser-induced fluorescence revealed that the plasma-flame interaction at low air temperature was dominated by thermal effects due to rapid radical quenching. Counterflow ignition experiments for CH4-air and H2-air non-premixed flames demonstrated clearly that the MGA significantly decreased the ignition temperatures via kinetic enhancement by the NOx, catalytic effect. Numerical modeling showed that there were two ignition regimes for plasma enhanced ignition, kinetic at low strain rates and thermal at high strain rates. Comparison between experiment and simulation were in good agreement and also suggested the possibility of enhancement by ions, excited species or other mechanisms. Theoretical analysis of minimum ignition energy in a quiescent mixture showed that the production of small hydrocarbon fuel fragments by plasma discharge also led to a significant decrease of ignition energy due to radiation and transport coupling.
A need for careful evaluation of endotoxin contents in acellular pertussis-based combination vaccines

Two batches each of diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis vaccine (DTaP) and that combined with inactivated polio vaccine purchased from foreign markets were tested by mouse body weight decreasing (BWD) toxicity test and Limulus amaebocyte lysate (LAL) test. Three out of the four imported vaccine batches showed the levels of BWD toxicity even comparable to that of DT-whole cell pertussis vaccine. BWD toxicity test is based on endotoxin dose-dependent weight loss of mice and has been used for controlling endotoxin in DTaP. Although of the strong BWD toxicity of the imported vaccines, there was no marked difference in LAL test results between the imported vaccines and Japanese DTaP. However, one imported DTaP batch showed very strong interference with LAL activity of spiked lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The batch interfered not only with LAL activity but also with pyrogenicity and prostaglandin E(2) induction activity. However, the pyrogenicity of the spiked LPS could be recovered from the precipitated fraction of the batch by treating with phosphate buffer to suggest the possibility of recovering in vivo toxicity. As an adequate in vitro test method could not be identified for controlling the safety of the interfering batch, an appropriate in vivo test would be required for testing such vaccines.
Analysis of a combined influence of substrate wetting and surface electromigration on a thin film stability and dynamical morphologies

Abstract A PDE-based model combining surface electromigration and wetting is developed for the analysis of morphological stability of ultrathin solid films. Adatom mobility is assumed anisotropic, and two directions of the electric field (parallel and perpendicular to the surface) are discussed and contrasted. Linear stability analyses of small-slope evolution equations are performed, followed by computations of fully nonlinear parametric evolution equations that permit surface overhangs. The results reveal parameter domains of instability for wetting and non-wetting films and variable electric field strength, nonlinear steady-state solutions in certain cases, and interesting coarsening behavior for strongly wetting films.
Bel Kaufman: A Living Legend

She was one of a kind – a 100-year-old academician, world traveler, a celebrated author, whose historic roots go back to the revered Sholom Aleichem. Bel Kaufman, author of Up the Down Staircase an...
Optical Word Recognition: Case Study In Coherent Optical Pattern Recognition

A coherent optical pattern recognition system using a frequency plane correlator with weighted matched spatial filter synthesis is described. The case study chosen to describe this application of holography is the determination of all pages in a microfilm data base on which a given key word is present.
Cytology of a sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma with unusual coexpression of S‐100 protein: A case report, review of the literature and cytologic–histologic correlation

Sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma (SRCC) is an aggressive variant of renal cell carcinoma; it is an uncommon, malignant neoplasm, and its diagnosis is usually based on the histologic evaluation of a nephrectomy specimen. Patients are treated with systemic therapy and, generally, a nephrectomy is not performed. Therefore, arriving at an accurate diagnosis is critical for planning further management. Cytomorphological findings of SRCC have rarely been reported. This article reports the cytological findings in a case of SRCC composed predominantly of spindle cells and discusses its differential diagnosis in a 50-year-old female who presented with sharp right groin pain. A CT scan showed an enlargement of the right kidney. Cytology smears showed a malignant neoplasm composed predominantly of spindle cells. A panel of immunohistochemical stains performed on a core biopsy confirmed the epithelial nature of the spindle cells. A diffuse positive staining of the neoplastic cells for S-100 protein was also observed. It has been reported in the medical literature that almost all SRCC cases demonstrate negative staining for S-100 protein, with only a single case having been reported as focally positive. The cytologic differential diagnosis of spindle cell neoplasm with expression of S-100 protein should be broadened to include SRCC. Furthermore, the S-100 protein expression in SRCC that was observed in this case merits further investigation. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Adaptation of aversive brain stimulation: effects of pulse frequency.

Rats with electrodes implanted in the medial lemniscus were trained to terminate intermittent electrical pulse trains by pressing a lever. These rats also maintained responding when the lever press produced a continuous pulse train, but only at the higher pulse frequencies tested. This is taken to be evidence of frequency-dependent adaptation of central aversive stimulation.
Axial Turbine Tip Desensitization by Injection From a Tip Trench: Part 2 — Leakage Flow Sensitivity to Injection Location

In Part 1 of this paper it was shown that discrete jets issuing from a tip platform trench were successful in reducing the total pressure deficit due to tip leakage flow. The specific tip cooling system used in Part 1 had all four injection locations active. This paper examines the effect of the individual location of the injection hole on the tip leakage flow. The investigation was carried out in a large-scale rotating rig. Total pressure downstream of the rotor exit was measured using a Kulite sensor. The measurements were phase-locked and ensemble averaged over 200 rotor revolutions. The injection holes are located at 61%, 71%, 81%, and 91% blade axial chord, in the tip trench of a single blade with a clearance of 1.40% blade height. Individual injection at 61% and 71% chord reduced the leakage vortex size. Coolant injection at 81% chord was the most successful in reducing the total pressure deficit in the leakage vortex. Injection from 91% chord had no effect on the leakage vortex. Injection from combinations of holes had greater effect in reducing the leakage vortex size and the total pressure deficit associated with the vortex. It can be concluded that the individual jets most likely turn the leakage flow towards the trailing edge. Most of the leakage flow that is responsible for the greatest total pressure deficit occurs around 80% chord.
Resident perspectives of the open space conservation subdivision in Hamburg Township, Michigan

The open space conservation subdivision (R.G. Arendt, 1996) has been presented as an alternative to conventional large lot residential development. A form of clustering, this planning approach emphasizes the quality as well as the quantity of land preserved. The format offers a means for local planning officials to accommodate residential growth while preserving natural areas, rural features, and wildlife habitat that is typically altered as sprawl spreads outward from urban centers. These preserved areas become part of the residential community, accessible via trails and pathways. Residents share in the ownership of the preserved open space and take responsibility for its management. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of residents' perspectives of open space conservation subdivisions. What is their understanding of living in an open space community? How this process is implemented and how homebuyers respond to lot size and group management of natural areas is important to further application of this planning technique. Interviews were conducted with homeowners in 13 open space communities in southeast Michigan. Responses to questions about the satisfactions and problems associated with life in these communities, as well as understanding of the open space concept, provide useful feedback from residents to those seeking to implement this planning philosophy. Interviews reveal residents are pleased with the access to nearby nature as well as the social aspects of living in their neighborhoods. However, understanding of the open space conservation concept varies considerably among the residents and carries little recognition of the unique features offered by such subdivisions. Greater emphasis on sharing the principles behind the open space conservation approach with homebuyers may lead to a fuller appreciation of their choice to live there. Furthermore, residents' understanding of this concept may be key to their continued involvement in managing local natural areas and advocating this approach to those who live outside these communities.
Improvement in Stroke Performance Measures Are We Moving Forward or in Circles

> Trust but verify. > > —Ronald Reagan Collecting and monitoring performance measure data are resource-intensive, requiring time and effort by a team that includes health care providers treating the patients and documenting their care, quality personnel monitoring and working to optimize performance rates, and quality abstractors, who extract information from the medical record. Recently, an additional group of people have become involved, informatics personnel, who strive to extract information electronically and improve performance measure adherence rates through improved electronic health record (EHR) functionality such as documentation templates and electronic reminders. Article see p 503 With the increased focus on measuring processes and outcomes of care, performance measurement will become increasingly widespread.1–3 The National Quality Forum (NQF), the nonprofit organization created to help improve the quality of health care,4 continues to endorse new measure sets. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Voluntary Pay for Reporting Initiative, which began in 2005 with the voluntary hospital-based collection of 10 NQF-endorsed measures, continues to expand, with 76 measures planned by 2014.1 In addition to the increased burden of data collection, the stakes for performance are rising—the CMS “Pay for Reporting” program has become “Pay-for-Performance,” with reimbursement linked to adherence rates.5 Stroke, one of costliest conditions for Medicare and a leading cause of disability and mortality,6 has been a focus for performance measurement activities. Eight NQF-endorsed stroke performance measures are currently used as part of the voluntary Joint Commission Primary Stroke Center certification and will be part of the CMS Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System program beginning with 2013 stroke hospital discharges.1 In addition, collection of 7 stroke performance measures using certified EHR technology is required if hospitals wish to qualify for incentive payments through the CMS Electronic Health Record Meaningful Use Incentive program.7 Given the increased concentration …
Text(ure), Modelling, Collage: Creative Writing and the Visual Arts

While there exists some inquiry into the relationship between creative writing and composition, very little investigation has been done into the relationship between creative writing – its pedagogy and practice – and the visual arts. That lack of scholarship is likely due to the difficulties we have conversing in meaningful ways across academic units. This conversation essay is an exchange across disciplines and a blending of theoretical approaches and practical experiences that asserts, ‘creative writing and visual arts – both studio art and graphic design – share underpinnings as academic disciplines of practice, have overlapping goals for students, and address common areas of artistic exploration such as the roles of ritual and experimentation, of self-expression and audience, and of intellect and empathy’.