cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inflation and deflation of self-adaptive applications

Autonomic multicore systems dynamically adapt themselves in response to run-time conditions and information for a variety of purposes, such as fault tolerance, power conservation, and performance balancing. Multiple application processes must coordinate their efforts and share resources to achieve system goals. In this paper, we present our inflate/deflate programming model for building autonomic processes and systems. The inflate/deflate programming model provides application-specific knowledge and reactions to a central resource coordinator. The central resource coordinator distributes and revokes resources at runtime to achieve a system goal. We discuss the overall design and challenges involved in our model. We test our design for adaptable programs by modifying programs from the PARSEC benchmark suite. The programs are tested in two sample situations to explore the difficulties of modification and the rewards gained. We find that the first modified program (blackscholes) fairly shares CPU time with other system workloads in an energy conservation scenario (up to 50% more efficient than an unmodified blackscholes). The second modified program (dedup) dynamically takes advantage of core resources as they become available (17% faster performance). If no new cores become available, it is able to more efficiently use existing resources (9% faster performance).
Adhesion between dissimilar polymers. II. Effects of bonding temperature and crosslinking agent

We study the effects of bonding temperature and crosslinking agent on the adhesion of a crosslinkable BIMS polymer (terpolymer of isobutylene, p-bromomethylstyrene, and p-methylstyrene) to a crosslinkable diene polymer, such as polyisoprene rubber (IR) or polybutadiene rubber (BR). The strength of adhesion between these two dissimilar polymers, represented by the work of detachment, Ga, is measured by using the T-peel geometry at various test temperatures and separation speeds. Surface-sensitive infrared-visible sum frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy is used to characterize the surface of BIMS and ensure the existence of crosslinkable species, the p-bromomethylstyrene functional group, on this polymer. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (ToF-SIMS) is utilized to determine the loci of failure of the debonded surfaces and the influence of curative migration, if any, on adhesion. Although a zinc di-2-ethylhexanoate crosslinkable BIMS polymer shows interfacial crosslinking or cocure when bonded to a sulfur crosslinkable diene polymer at 140°C, interfacial cocure does not occur when the bonding temperature is raised to 180°C. On the other hand, if the sulfur crosslinking agent in the diene polymer is replaced by another crosslinking agent, a brominated phenolic resin, interfacial cocure occurs between BIMS and the diene polymer when the bonding temperature is 140, 160, or 180°C. Also, this brominated resin cocures the BIMS and diene polymer phases when these immiscible polymers are blended together in the presence of a metal compound (salt) of carboxylic acid, such as zinc di-2-ethylhexanoate. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 323–335, 2004
Effect of Pressure Cycling on Fracture Energy of Polyurethane/Aluminum Adhesive Bonds

An experimental study was conducted to investigate the effect of pressure-cycling on adhesive bond fracture energy of polyurethane/aluminum adhesive bond joints. Initially, two types of peel tests were conducted to characterize adhesive bond strength and challenges associated with pre-mature polyurethane cracking and failure during these tests are discussed. A modified double cantilever beam (MDCB) specimen configuration was specially designed and opening-mode loading conditions were employed to determine the interfacial adhesive bond energy (GC). The test specimens were pressure-cycled in water-filled tanks for 1 to 4 weeks with an increment of 1 week. The GC of pressure-cycled specimens was compared with both control and water-soaked samples (without pressure-cycling). The results indicated that pressure-cycling decreased GC values to those of the control and water-soaked samples: hence, prolonged pressure-cycling could be problematic to polymer/metal adhesive bonds of hardware installed outboard of sub...
In vivo birthdating by BAPTISM reveals that trigeminal sensory neuron diversity depends on early neurogenesis

Among sensory systems, the somatic sense is exceptional in its ability to detect a wide range of chemical, mechanical and thermal stimuli. How this sensory diversity is established during development remains largely elusive. We devised a method (BAPTISM) that uses the photoconvertible fluorescent protein Kaede to simultaneously analyze birthdate and cell fate in live zebrafish embryos. We found that trigeminal sensory ganglia are formed from early-born and late-born neurons. Early-born neurons give rise to multiple classes of sensory neurons that express different ion channels. By contrast, late-born neurons are restricted in their fate and do not form chemosensory neurons expressing the ion channel TrpA1b. Accordingly, larvae lacking early-born neurons do not respond to the TrpA1b agonist allyl isothiocyanate. These results indicate that the multimodal specification and function of trigeminal sensory ganglia depends on the timing of neurogenesis.
Accelerating browsing by automatically inferring a user's search goal

Discusses a novel method called 'active browsing' which increases the speed and accuracy with which a user may browse libraries for reusable software. Information inferred solely from the user's normal actions is employed by the system to locate software items relevant to the user's search goal. This paper describes our active browsing system and illustrates its operation with an example using typical browsing steps. An experiment, using an automated browsing agent, is described, demonstrating that active browsing accelerates searching. >
Automatic Surface Generation in Computer Aided Design

A technique for smoothly blending algebraic surfaces and a language for syntactic specification of objects are developed. Their use in automated design is illustrated by a gate valve example in which all fillets, edge roundings and joining surfaces are automatically constructed. The resulting object has an internal representation that is particularly amenable to interactive editing.
Multiple Frank-Hiemiller Signals for Multiple Access Systems

In view of the fact that the Frank-Hiemiller (FH) signal has the property that its periodic autocorrelation is zero, it is desirable to generate multiple FH signals for possible use in a multiple-signal environment and, in particular, in multiple-access communication systems. These multiple FH signals are generated by transformation of an FH matrix whose consecutive rows describe an FH signal. The periodic and nonperiodic autocorrelation and cross correlation of the multiple FH signals are derived, and it is shown that the periodic autocorrelation of multiple FH signals preserves the ideal properties of FH signals and nonperiodic cross correlation is bounded by 1/sin (n/?), where n is the number of phases. In this context, a formula for nonperiodic autocorrelation for FH signals is derived and plots of the autocorrelation of FH signals of length 81 100 and 121 are given. The bound derived for the periodic and nonperiodic cross correlation is applied to find the performance of multiple-access spread-spectrum satellite communications.
Psychiatric Day Programming

This chapter will explore the historical roots of community-based programs in the clubhouse movement and in the partial hospitalization programs set up as part of the Community Mental Health Center initiative. We will examine some of the reasons these programs may be less effective today and how they may be designed and operated to help facilitate specific rehabilitation outcomes. Finally, we will discuss the potential for improved services inherent in the advent of evidence-based practices and the recovery movement.
Self-reported awareness of the presence of product warning messages and signs by Hispanics in San Francisco

This study investigated the self-reported awareness of the presence of product warning messages and signs among random samples of Hispanics in San Francisco surveyed in 1990 and in 1991. The messages that were tested related to cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, and other consumer products. A random sample of 1,204 Hispanics (43.5 percent males) were interviewed by telephone in 1990. The corresponding figure for the second survey in 1991 was 1,569 Hispanics (41.1 percent males). In general, respondents reported low levels of awareness of the presence of product warning messages and signs. The exception was warning messages on cigarette packets which approximately 70 percent of the respondents reported having seen within the 12 months before the survey. There was an increase from 1990 to 1991 in the reported awareness of warning messages for wine, beer, and cigarettes. Smokers and drinkers of alcoholic beverages reported the highest levels of awareness of the relevant warning messages and signs. Length of exposure to warning messages and multiplicity of sources (for example, advertisements and products) seem to produce greater levels of awareness of the presence of product warning messages. Less acculturated, Spanish-speaking Hispanics are less likely to report being aware of the warnings, particularly those that appear only in English (for example, alcoholic beverages). Language: en
Role of growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-I, and insulin-like growth factor binding proteins in the catabolic response to injury and infection.

The erosion of lean body mass resulting from protracted critical illness remains a significant risk factor for increased morbidity and mortality in this patient population. Previous studies have documented the well known impairment in nitrogen balance results from both an increase in muscle protein
From “Cesspool” to “The Greatest Improvement of Its Kind”: Wacker Drive and the Recasting of the Chicago Riverfront, 1909–1926

Wacker Drive is a staple of Chicago’s modern road network, allowing two levels of cars to zip along the Chicago River and connect to nearby highways and streets. The roots of this driving experience date to 1909, when Daniel Burnham and Edward Bennett proposed a comprehensive network of riverside boulevards in their Plan of Chicago. Engineered for traffic efficiency and draped with Beaux Arts garb, Wacker Drive introduced a new functional and architectural rationale to the riverfront. Charting its evolution from a casual idea to one of the Plan’s major accomplishments, this article positions Wacker Drive as an agent of architectural and civic change for Chicago.
Abstract A132: A descriptive study on the factors affecting mortality and disease‐free survival among triple‐negative breast cancer patients

Introduction: Triple‐negative breast cancer patients have a worse prognosis as compared to other subtypes of breast cancer. Patients are usually diagnosed at a younger age. Tumor size is usually larger with poorly differentiated histology and possible visceral metastasis. Several studies have been published on the risk factors for developing triple negative breast cancer. On the other hand, factors predicting mortality after diagnosis among triple negative breast cancer patients is still lacking. Objectives: The study aimed to describe the population of triple negative breast cancer patients diagnosed at Albert Einstein Medical Center from 2003–2007. Demographic data, risk factors and treatment interventions in this population were gathered. The measured outcomes were mortality and disease free survival. Methods: This study was a retrospective review of women diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer at the Albert Einstein Healthcare Network Cancer Center in 2003–2007. Patients diagnosed with cancer metastasized to the breast and causes of death other than from complications of cancer were excluded from the study. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistics and frequency distribution were used to categorize the characteristics of the subjects. Chi‐square test was used for bivariate analysis. Logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis. Results: A total of 214 patients were diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer from 2003–2007. 114 (53%) were African Americans, 84 (39%) were Caucasians and 16 (7%) belonged to other racial groups. The mean age of diagnosis was 56.6 (SD 15.9) years old. At the end of the four year period, 48 (22.4%) of the 214 patients died. Using chi square test and logistic regression, patients who underwent chemotherapy were less likely to die (95% CI 0.14 – 0.83, p 0.02, OR 0.35). The patients with tumor size more than 2 cm or had history of ischemic heart disease had increased mortality (95% CI 1.36 – 8.04, p 0.01, OR 3.3 and 95% CI 1.29 – 49, p 0.03, respectively). Chemotherapy was significantly associated with disease free survival (95% CI 1.49 – 18.65, p 0.01, OR 5.27). There was no significant association between mortality or disease free survival to age and race. Conclusion: Early diagnosis and screening significantly affects treatment and survival outcome. Prompt chemotherapy may contribute to a patient9s survival and disease free status. Tumor size more than 2 cms and the presence of ischemic heart disease were significant predictors of mortality outcome whereas age and race were not found to be associated with mortality or disease free survival. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(1 Suppl):A132.
High-performance iron oxide nanoparticles for magnetic particle imaging – guided hyperthermia (hMPI)

Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) is an emerging imaging modality that allows the direct and quantitative mapping of iron oxide nanoparticles. In MPI, the development of tailored iron oxide nanoparticle tracers is paramount to achieving high sensitivity and good spatial resolution. To date, most MPI tracers being developed for potential clinical applications are based on spherical undoped magnetite nanoparticles. For the first time, we report on the systematic investigation of the effects of changes in chemical composition and shape anisotropy on the MPI performance of iron oxide nanoparticle tracers. We observed a 2-fold enhancement in MPI signal through selective doping of magnetite nanoparticles with zinc. Moreover, we demonstrated focused magnetic hyperthermia heating by adapting the field gradient used in MPI. By saturating the iron oxide nanoparticles outside of a field free region (FFR) with an external static field, we can selectively heat a target region in our test sample. By comparing zinc-doped magnetite cubic nanoparticles with undoped spherical nanoparticles, we could show a 5-fold improvement in the specific absorption rate (SAR) in magnetic hyperthermia while providing good MPI signal, thereby demonstrating the potential for high-performance focused hyperthermia therapy through an MPI-guided approach (hMPI).
Amnesty International: Imperialist Tool

Based upon my over sixteen years of experience having dealt with AI/London and AIUSA at the highest levels, it is clear to me that both organizations manifest a consistent pattern and practice of following the lines of the foreign policies of the United States, Britain, and Israel. You can certainly see this in all of AI's non-work with respect to the Middle East, Northern Ireland, Puerto Rico, South Africa, indigenous peoples living in North America, etc. Effectively, Amnesty International and AIUSA function as tools for the imperialist, colonial and genocidal policies of the United States, Britain, and Israel.
Five signs you may have joined the wrong practice.

If physicians see these warning signs, they should run – not walk – away from the practice.
Betriebliches Umfeld und Funktionsweise von Produktionssteuerungssystemen

Die Produktionssteuerung bildet die letzte Ebene eines umfangreichen Planungsprozesses. Ihre Aufgaben umfassen das Veranlassen, Uberwachen und Sichern der Aufgabendurchfuhrung hinsichtlich Menge, Termin, Qualitat und Kosten4. Fur die Leistungsanalyse von Produktionssteuerungssystemen ist es notwendig, den Zusammenhang zwischen dem Steuerungssystem und den ubergeordneten Planungsverfahren zu berucksichtigen. Diese wichtigen Interdependenzen werden in der Literatur bislang weitgehend vernachlassigt. Daher sollen im folgenden Kapitel ausgewahlte Produktionssteuerungskonzepte und die ihnen vorausgehenden Planungsverfahren vorgestellt werden.
Voices from East Germany: Heiner Müller and Thomas Brasch

Like Franz Xaver Kroetz, Heiner Muller (b. 1929) is a confirmed Marxist, but his historical perspective derives from early experiences in Nazi and wartime Germany, followed by the construction period of the German Democratic Republic. Virtually all of his plays (there are over thirty) are concerned with aspects of this history, either in realistic modern East German settings, or in broad historical and mythic fashion, relating divided Germany’s special ‘misery’ (to use Brecht’s term) to traditions of Teutonic barbarism and Prussian authoritarianism, or to crucial moments in the twentieth century such as that following World War I, when Germany failed to create its own Marxist revolution. Muller’s voice, unlike the voices of the most successful West German and Austrian dramatists, encompasses a wide range of experience and literature. The seriousness and importance of theme, coupled with the openly experimental attitude toward form, make him one of the more interesting of German language playwrights currently receiving attention.
Estimating maize water stress by standard deviation of canopy temperature in thermal imagery

A new crop water stress indicator, standard deviation of canopy temperature within a thermal image (CTSD), was developed to monitor crop water status. In this study, thermal imagery was taken from maize (Zea mays L.) under various levels of deficit irrigation at different crop growing stages. The Expectation-Maximization algorithm was used to estimate the canopy temperature distribution from thermal imagery under a range of crop coverage and water stress conditions. Soil water deficit (SWD), leaf water potential (ψ), stomatal conductance, and other crop water stress indices were used to evaluate the CTSD. We found that the temperature differences between sunlit and shaded parts of the canopy would increase with larger canopy resistance in the sunlit part of the crop canopy. The CTSD well described impact of irrigation events (timing and depth) on crop water stress. All water stress measurements showed statistically significant relationship with CTSD. Although CTSD is not sensitive to small changes in water stress, the result suggests that the canopy temperature standard deviation could be used as a water stress indicator. This index has strong application potential because it only relies on the canopy temperature itself, and is easy to calculate. Moreover, it may also be applied to high resolution thermal imagery from other remote sensing platforms, such as unmanned aerial vehicles.
Continuous Time-Varying Pure Feedback Control for Chained Nonholonomic Systems with Exponential Convergent Rate

Abstract In this paper, feedback stabilization problem of nonholonomic chained system is studied. A new continuous and time-varying design approach is proposed and it is a pure state feedback control. By injecting an exponential decaying disturbance scaled by the norm of the states, u1 drives the initial states away from the singular manifold {x|x1 = 0, |x| ≠ 0] that causes singularity. In addition to the continuity, such a control has the exponential convergent rate that discontinuous control has. The enclosed simulation results verified the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Comparisons made with other existing continuous and discontinuous controls show that the proposed control has superior performance.
Elkay Plumbing Products Division

The division has just finished a project to install a time-driven activity-based cost system that traces costs directly to the processes used to produce, sell and deliver a wide variety of stainless steel sinks. The division sells to customers in multiple channels (retail, distributors, contractors, and wholesalers). The VP of sales wanted a much more accurate cost system so that he could conduct difficult but fact-based negotiations with customers. The new system revealed that the most profitable 1% of the division's customers generates 100% of profits, and that two of the division's largest customers lose 50% of profits. The case describes the design and implementation of the new cost and profit measurement system and identifies the range of decisions made by managers after seeing the enormous dispersion of profits among products and customers. Students must make recommendations about how the VP of sales should approach the division’s most profitable and most unprofitable customers.
Extremal iota energy of bicyclic digraphs

The energy of an n-vertex digraph D is defined by E(D)=k=1n|Re(zk)|, where z1,,zn are eigenvalues of D and Re(zk) is the real part of eigenvalue zk. Very recently, a new type of energy of digraphs has been introduced, which is known as the iota energy of digraphs. The iota energy of the digraph D is defined by Ec(D)=k=1n|Im(zk)|, where z1,,zn are eigenvalues of D and Im(zk) is the imaginary part of eigenvalue zk. The unicyclic digraphs with extremal iota energy are known. In this paper, we consider a class Dn of n-vertex bicyclic digraphs with vertex-disjoint directed cycles and find the digraphs in Dn with minimal and maximal iota energy.
Surgical Site Infection and Colorectal Surgical Procedures: A Prospective Analysis of Risk Factors

Abstract Background: Colorectal surgical procedures (CRS) are associated with the highest surgical site infection (SSI) rate among elective operations. A wide range of patient and surgical characteristics have been identified as risk factors for SSI. Most studies are limited by reliance on retrospective data or subset analysis of data that includes CRS. This study reflects analysis of SSI risk factors using prospectively collected data in an elective CRS population. Patients and Methods: We analyzed data prospectively collected as part of a randomized, blinded trial of skin anti-sepsis in elective CRS to identify risk factors associated with SSI, including superficial or deep SSI or cellulitis within 30 days post-discharge. Photodocumentation, patient questionnaires, and blinded review by an attending surgeon were used to identify SSI. Multi-variable logistic regression was used to identify factors significantly associated with SSI and to calculate predicted risks of SSI. Results: From 2011 to 2015, 787 p...
Herpestype Virus Latency in the Lucké Tumor

Although the presence of a herpestype virus (HTV) in Lucke renal adenocarcinoma cells was confirmed by electron microscopy over a decade ago (2), a definite etiological link between HTV and the Lucke tumor was not established until recently. Tweedell’s recent experiments elegantly demonstrated the oncogenicity of cell- free fractions of “winter” tumor and the lack of oncogenicity in similarly prepared fractions of “summer” tumors (16). In our recent studies we further purified Tweedell’s “winter” tumor mitochondrial fraction, so that a zonal centrifuge purified fraction rich in HTV was obtained. This zonal fraction retained the ability to induce tumors in developing tadpoles whereas other, adjacent fractions did not (9, 11).
Effective Strategies to Influence Performance of Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder Within Inclusive Classrooms

Date Presented 3/30/2017A thematic synthesis of 59 articles on effective strategies found to influence performance of students with autism spectrum disorder revealed five themes, including disruptive behaviors, inclusion strategies, social interaction, video modeling, and teacher training.Primary Au
Streptococci target inflammasome.

The Streptococcus pyogenes surface M protein is a critical multifunctional virulence factor. Recent work sheds light on a new unexpected function of the M protein in activating the host inflammasome to induce macrophage cell death and promote infection.
Effects of long-term exposure of optically transparent pH sensing films

Thin films have a large impact on our day to day lives and they find a variety of uses including optical, electrical, or chemical coatings, biomimetics, and various sensors such as pH sensors. Great interest exists in nanoparticles and organic based thin films, due to ease of fabrication, low cost manufacturing, and easy tunability of various properties compared to the inorganic and semiconducting materials [1]. One advantageous method of fabricating thin films is using the Ionic Self-Assembled Monolayers (ISAM) technique [2]. This method consists of alternate immersions of the substrate in aqueous solutions (most often polymer solutions) which cause material deposition on the substrate's surface based on electrostatic attraction. This process is repeated until the desired film thickness is reached. The method is easy, inexpensive, environmentally friendly, and provides control of structure and thickness at the nanometer level [3-5]. In addition, the generated films are homogeneous and can be conformal [6]. Here we present long-term response of ISAM films based on polymer and pH sensitive dye when immersed in buffers of various pH values.
Do Directors Suffer External Consequences for Failing to Align Executive Pay Practices with Shareholder Preferences? Evidence from Say-on-Pay Votes

We provide the first evidence of external labor market penalties when directors fail to align with shareholder preferences for monitoring executive compensation. When shareholders express disapproval through low Say-On-Pay (SOP) support, directors incur significant external penalties, including lost board seats and compensation committee positions, decreased shareholder support for reelection, and decreased directorial compensation. Shareholders at firms sharing an affected director react negatively to the low support and increase their scrutiny of their firms’ pay practices. Our findings suggest that non-binding SOP votes may provide shareholders with a mechanism to influence director incentives, and therefore, executive compensation.
Behavioral Disorders: A Postmodern Perspective.

This article argues that, at any given time in history, our conceptions and theories of behavioral disorders reflect the basic social and cultural tenets that prevail. In support of this argument, ...
Using domain knowledge in the random subspace method: application to the classification of biomedical spectra

Spectra intrinsically possess domain knowledge, making possible a domain-based feature selection model. The random subspace method, in combination with domain-knowledge-based feature sets, leads to improved classification accuracies in real-life biomedical problems. Using such feature sets allows for an efficient reduction of dimensionality, while preserving interpretability of classification outcomes, important for the field expert. We demonstrate the utility of domain knowledge-based features for the random subspace method for the classification of three real-life high-dimensional biomedical magnetic resonance (MR) spectra.
Acute Kidney Injury

Acute renal failure, now termed acute kidney injury (AKI), is a common occurrence in the pediatric intensive care unit. It impacts the management decisions and outcomes of critically ill patients. This chapter will review the factors involved in measuring renal function in children and recognizing abnormal renal function. The major clinical subtypes of AKI and how to distinguish between them will be addressed as well as some of the more common causes within each subtype. Management of AKI will be reviewed, including the indications for renal replacement therapy. The impact of impairment of renal function on the overall management and outcome of the critically ill pediatric patient will be discussed.
Response of Left Ventricular Volume and Ejection Fraction to Exercise in Normal Persons and Patients With Angina Pectoris

The response of the left ventricle to exercise-induced stress has been of interest to cardiologists and physiologists for many years [1–3]. It is clinically relevant to the problems associated with the detection of latent coronary artery disease and establishing the hemodynamic significance of suspicious lesions. Borer et al. [4] recently demonstrated that nontraumatic gated equilibrium radionuclide angiography could be used to separate persons with a normal ejection fraction response to stress from patients with coronary artery disease in whom ejection fraction fails to increase or even falls with exercise. Prior to this, exercise-induced changes in ventricular function could be assessed only be direct measurements of left ventricular pressure at cardiac catheterization or by contrast ventriculographic calculations of ventricular volume at rest and at peak exercise by using area-length formulae based on certain geometric assumptions concerning ventricular shape [1, 3]. While current nuclear angiographic methods can accurately determine ejection fraction without the need to directly calculate chamber volume, the assessment of left ventricular volume by radionuclide angiography has until now required essentially the same type of area-length measurements required for contrast ventriculography and echocardiography [5].
Importance of Hormonally Defined, Serum-Free Medium for in Vitro Studies Concerning Epithelial Transport

Hormonally defined, serum-free media have been developed for a number of different types of epithelial cell lines. Some of these cell lines, such as the MDCK and the LLC—PK1 pig kidney cell line, have been demonstrated to possess the capacity for transepithelial solute transport in vitro. MDCK and LLC—PK1 cells are of particular interest to study in this regard, as their primary function in vivo is to reabsorb solutes. However, the transport properties of many other epithelial cell lines are also of inferest. Although many of the epithelial cells in such cultures possess differentiated functions that are not primarily reabsorptive in nature, these cells often must transport particular solutes across the cell layer, in order to carry out their primary differentiated functions. For example, thyroid and testicular epithelial cells possess the capacity for trans-epithelial transport of select solutes in vivo. Such transepithelial transport ultimately permits the secretion of thyroid hormone in the thyroid and facilitates germ cell maturation in the testes.
Distributed Secondary Control of Virtual Synchronous Generator Integrated Microgrid via Extremum Seeking

In this paper, an islanded microgrid with virtual synchronous generator integration is investigated and virtual synchronous generator dynamic model under dq reference is presented. Moreover, the distributed secondary controllers of microgrid are designed and allocated to each distributed generator by taking advantage of the simple structure of Extremum Seeking algorithm for purpose of adjusting the frequency of microgrid to its nominal value cooperatively during disturbance. The dynamic behavior of overall proposed two-layer system is analyzed. Regarding on frequency changing pattern, modifications is made on variable Extremum Seeking convergence gain and variable virtual synchronous generator inertia constant in order to achieve faster frequency restoration. Finally, simulation results regarding the frequency within microgrid physical network, active power allocation and control among distributed generators are given. Both theoretical analysis and simulation results reveal that the participation of distributed secondary controller recovers the frequency of microgrid to its nominal value quickly even though load disturbance occurs.
A Solid‐Phase Approach to Accessing Bisthioether‐Stapled Peptides Resulting in a Potent Inhibitor of PRC2 Catalytic Activity

Stapled peptides have emerged as a new class of therapeutics to effectively target intractable protein-protein interactions. Thus, efficient and versatile methods granting easy access to this class of compounds and expanding the scope(s) of the currently available ones are of great interest. Now, a solid phase approach is described for the synthesis of bisthioether stapled peptides with multiple architectures, including single-turn, double-turn, and double-stapled macrocycles. This method allows for ligation with all-hydrocarbon linkers of various lengths, avoiding the use of unnatural amino acids and expensive catalysts, and affords cyclopeptides with remarkable resistance to proteolytic degradation. The potential of this procedure is demonstrated by applying it to generate a stapled peptide that shows potent in vitro inhibition of methyltransferase activity of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) of proteins.
Knowledge and Experience Related to Community Supported Agriculture and Local Foods among Nutrition Educators

Improving knowledge and access to local food systems may be a successful approach to improving fruit and vegetable intake. Nutrition educators can play a role in the implementation of local food pr...
Tailored Interactions of the Secondary Coordination Sphere Enhance the Hydrolytic Activity of Cross-Linked Microgels

A series of mannose-templated microgels with immobilized catalytic sites and catalysis-supporting co-monomers was synthesized and evaluated for catalytic hydrolyses of glycosidic bonds. Interactions of the secondary coordination sphere around the catalytic center were implemented between the sugar and surrounding monomers by copolymerization of corresponding acrylates. The obtained microgels were evaluated for their ability to enhance the catalytic hydrolysis of glycosidic bonds in neutral and alkaline solution. The catalytic proficiency of the microgels reaches a remarkable value of 1.4 × 107 at neutral pH when hydrogen-bond-accepting 2-methoxyethyl acrylate is embedded in 20 mol % as a co-monomer, instead of butyl acrylate. The results indicate a strong influence of hydrogen-bond-accepting co-monomers on the stability of the transition state of glycoside hydrolyses in the designed biomimetic catalysts. The overall performance of all microgels correlates very well with the calculated dipole moments of th...
Mixed post-consumer recycled polyolefins as a property tuning material for virgin polypropylene

Abstract Polyethylene and polypropylene are widely used packaging materials that are commonly present in the same waste-streams (e.g., beverage bottle enclosures, laminated flexible packaging). Since these immiscible plastics are difficult to separate with current recycling practices, it is critical to understand the influence of mixed polyolefin post-consumer recycled feedstock composition on key performance properties of recycled blends for widespread industrial adoption. This research comprehensively characterized the optical, thermal, mechanical, morphological, and gas barrier properties of melt blended virgin polypropylene/mixed post-consumer recycled polyolefin materials at different blend ratios. The results strongly indicate that polyolefin beverage container enclosures can be melt blended with virgin polypropylene to tune physical performance properties (74% increased yield stress, 49% increased strain at yield, 160% increased UV blocking, 30–40% gas transmission reduction) and simultaneously reduce environmental contamination. Most measured properties followed the Law of Mixtures which enables highly predictable and tunable properties via precision melt blending of post-consumer recycled and virgin plastic. We hypothesize that increased compatibilization of polyolefin amorphous regions from plastic oxidation and structural changes in the plastic crystalline domains directly influence plastic physical properties. These data fill current knowledge gaps that post-consumer materials can provide value beyond sustainability to justify innovative landfill diversion strategies and realize a more circular economy.
Contribution of Habitual Activity to Cruciate Ligament Rupture in Labrador Retrievers.

Objective The aim of this study was to describe the contribution of signalment and habitual activity in the development of cruciate ligament rupture (CR) in Labrador Retrievers. Study Design Four hundred and twelve client-owned purebred Labrador Retrievers were recruited. Dogs were assigned either as affected with CR or as controls based on signalment, physical examination and radiographic evidence of disease. Clients were asked to complete a questionnaire related to signalment, concurrent disease and a questionnaire pertaining to their dog's activity before development of CR or general activity during the dog's most active years. Results Habitual activity was not significantly different between dogs affected with CR and controls. There was no significant difference in neuter status or body weight between CR affected dogs and controls. Labrador Retrievers with a yellow coat, and Labradors that did not maintain an optimal body weight in the opinion of their veterinarian were at increased risk of developing CR. Conclusions Habitual activity level is not a risk factor for development of CR in Labrador Retrievers. Our study did not show neuter status, sex or body weight to be risk factors for CR. However, coat colour and not sustaining optimal body condition are significant risk factors for CR.
Microgrid Protection Based on Positive Sequence Fault Component Current

When the microgrid is faulty, the bidirectional power flow, multi-source characteristics and various control modes lead to the complexity of the microgrid fault characteristics. The traditional relay protection is difficult to adapt to the existing microgrid structure. Therefore, according to the characteristics that positive sequence fault current is not influenced by the system power supply potential, the positive sequence fault current phase of bus flow into each feeder is used to distinguish the bus fault, feeder fault and fault location, the method is not affected by the operation mode of the system and can be accurately located under various fault conditions, and put forward a new Protection start criteria. The new starting criterion solves the contradiction between the sensitivity of fault operation in traditional differential protection areas and the reliability of out-of-zone operation. Finally, a simulation example is carried out by using Matlab / Simulink software. The result proves the reliability and correctness of the protection method.
Inference from spatial processes

A spatial analysis of variance uses the spatial dependence among the observations to modify the usual inference procedures associated with a statistical linear model. When spatial correlation is present, the usual tests for presence of treatment effects may no longer be valid, and erroneous conclusions may result from assuming that the usual F-ratios are F-distributed. This is demonstrated by extending the spatial analysis of soil-water infiltration data presented in Cressie and Horton (1987). Emphasis is placed on modeling the spatial dependence structure using geostatistical techniques. This spatial dependence structure is then used to test hypotheses about fixed effects in a nested linear model.
Puritans Behaving Badly: Gender, Punishment, and Religion in Early America

Tracing the first three generations in Puritan New England, this book explores changes in language, gender expectations, and religious identities for men and women. The book argues that laypeople shaped gender conventions by challenging the ideas of ministers and rectifying more traditional ideas of masculinity and femininity. Although Puritan's emphasis on spiritual equality had the opportunity to radically alter gender roles, in daily practice laymen censured men and women differently – punishing men for public behavior that threatened the peace of their communities, and women for private sins that allegedly revealed their spiritual corruption. In order to retain their public masculine identity, men altered the original mission of Puritanism, infusing gender into the construction of religious ideas about public service, the creation of the individual, and the gendering of separate spheres. With these practices, Puritans transformed their 'errand into the wilderness' and the normative Puritan became female.
Cost-Related Non-Utilization of Health Services and Self-Perceived Reactions to Race

Purpose: There is limited information regarding the prevalence and predictors of cost-related non-utilization (CRNU), while there is increasing attention to the rising out-of-pocket cost of health services includ­ing prescription medications. Prior studies have not quantified the role of perceived racism despite its documented relationship with health services utilization. We examine perceptions of reactions to race and quan­tify their relationship with CRNU. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study utilized data from the 2014 Behav­ioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) public use file, an annual, state-based telephone survey of US adults aged 18 and older. We utilized data for four states that provided responses to five Reactions to Race items, including information about the self-perceived quality of the respon­dent’s health care experience compared with people of other races (worse vs same or better) and whether the respondent experienced physical symptoms because of treatment due to their race. The three binary outcomes were: 1) did not visit a physician; 2) did not visit a physician due to cost; 3) did not fill a prescription due to cost. We estimated covariate-adjusted odds ratios associated with each outcome using logistic regression models. Results: The BRFSS sample consisted of 20,366 respondents of whom 8% were African American non-Hispanic, 12% were Hispanic and 73% were White. Three percent of respondents considered their experience to be worse than people of other races. Three percent of individuals reported physical symptoms because of treatment due to their race while 5% of respondents reported becoming emotion­ally upset because of treatment due to their race. The proportions for the three study outcomes were 11%, 13% and 7%, respectively. In covariate-adjusted models, a worse experience with the health care system was statistically significantly associ­ated with CRNU (physician visit: 2.6 [95% CI: 1.6 – 4.3]). The experience of physical symptoms because of treatment due to race was statistically significantly associated with CRNU (physician visit: 2.6 [95% CI: 1.7 – 4]; prescription fills: 2.1 [1.2 – 3.6]). No Reactions to Race items were associated with general non-utilization. Conclusions: Negative perceptions of reactions to race during the time of health services utilization is positively associated with CRNU, ie, foregoing physician visits and prescription fills due to cost. Ethn Dis. 2020;30(3):399-410; doi:10.18865/ed.30.3.399
Analysis of porous structures of cellulose aerogel monoliths and microparticles

Abstract In this work, the porous structures of cellulose aerogel monoliths and microparticles are analyzed and the potential of cellulose aerogel microparticles in drug delivery is assessed. Cellulose dissolved in ionic liquid and N,N-dimethylformamide mixed solvents are regenerated into gels using antisolvent ethanol. The gels are then supercritically dried in carbon dioxide to obtain aerogels. Gel monoliths are cast inside a mold, while the gel microparticles of mean diameter 23–54 μm are obtained by emulsifying cellulose solutions in a surfactant-stabilized oil-in-oil emulsion system followed by regeneration in ethanol. Cellulose crystallinity, porosity and pore architecture, bulk density, and specific surface area of aerogel monoliths and microparticles are determined. In conjunction, the effects of water ingress on changes of pore architectures are assessed. These aerogel specimens show porosity as high as 99%, significant mesopores, and high specific surface area of 358 ± 13 m2/g and 426 ± 12 m2/g respectively for monoliths and microparticles. The porous architecture of the microparticles is responsible for slower release of the drug than when directly loaded into aqueous medium.
A Proposed Blueprint for Operative Performance Training, Assessment, and Certification

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to propose an evidence-based blueprint for training, assessment, and certification of operative performance for surgical trainees. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA Operative skill is a critical aspect of surgical performance. High-quality assessment of operative skill therefore has profound implications for training, accreditation, certification, and the public trust of the profession. Current methods of operative skill assessment for surgeons rely heavily on global assessment strategies across a very broad domain of procedures. There is no mechanism to assure technical competence for individual procedures. The science and scalability of operative skill assessment has progressed significantly in recent decades, and can inform a much more meaningful strategy for competency-based assessment of operative skill than has been previously achieved. METHODS The present article reviews the current status and science of operative skill assessment and proposes a template for competency-based assessment which could be used to update training, accreditation, and certification processes. The proposal is made in reference to general surgery but is more generally applicable to other procedural specialties. RESULTS Streamlined, routine assessment of every procedure performed by surgical trainees is feasible and would enable a more competency-based educational paradigm. In light of the constraints imposed by both clinical volume and assessment bias, trainees should be expected to become proficient and be measured against a mastery learning standard only for the most important and highest-frequency procedures. For less frequently observed procedures, performance can be compared to a norm-referenced standard and, to provide an overall trajectory of performance, analyzed in aggregate. Key factors in implementing this approach are the number of evaluations, the number of raters, the timeliness of evaluation, and evaluation items. CONCLUSIONS A competency-based operative skill assessment can be incorporated into surgical training, assessment, and certification. The time has come to develop a systematic approach to this issue as a means of demonstrating professional standards worthy of the public trust.
A cross-sectional study among medical professionals regarding willingness to work amid COVID-19 outbreak

Background: On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global health emergency. With nearly 25000 fresh cases registered daily, the COVID-19 tally in India rose to 13 lakh till mid of July 2020, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Understanding the inclination of doctors to work in COVID-19 outbreak is essential for betterment of health care services. Objective were to assess the willingness of Doctors to work in COVID-19 outbreak and to determine the factors affecting willingness to work in COVID-19 outbreak. Methods: The study was conducted among doctors working in various medical colleges, specialist hospitals and research centers across various states of India. A predesigned self-administered questionnaire in Google form was emailed to the participants. Data was collected and analysed using SPSS version 13. Results: Out of 342 participants, 61% were willing to work in the COVID-19 pandemic. Female participants and those staying with their family were found to be significantly more afraid of COVID-19 pandemic and also willingness to work was significantly lower among them than their male counterparts living away from family. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic caused emotional distress among the doctors. However our results suggest that during an outbreak majority of doctors are willing to work and will be available in the future. Staying with family drives them away from work more due to fear of infection or death of their family members.