cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A model of repetitive mild brain injury without symptoms – risk for Parkinson’s disease with aging?

Abstract Objectives To test the hypothesis that repetitive mild traumatic brain injury in early life may be a potential risk factor for Parkinson’s disease. Methods A closed-head momentum exchange model was used to produce one or three mild concussions in young adult male rats as compare to non-injured, age and weight-matched controls. Six-seven weeks post-injury, rats were studied for deficits in cognitive and motor function Changes in brain anatomy and function were evaluated through analysis of resting state functional connectivity, diffusion weighted imaging with quantitative anisotropy and immunohistochemistry for neuroinflammation. Results Head injuries occurred without skull fracture or signs of intracranial bleeding or contusion. There were no significant differences in cognitive or motors behaviors between experimental groups. Rats concussed three times showed altered diffusivity in white matter tracts, basal ganglia, central amygdala, brainstem, and cerebellum. With a single concussion, the affected areas were limited to the caudate/putamen and central amygdala. Disruption of functional connectivity was most pronounced with three concussions as the midbrain dopamine system, hippocampus and brainstem/cerebellum showed hypoconnectivity. The suprachiasmatic nucleus was isolated from all functional connections. Interestingly, rats exposed to one concussion showed enhanced functional connectivity (or hyperconnectivity) across brain sites, particularly between the olfactory system and the cerebellum. Immunostaining for microglia activation showed inflammation in striatum and substantia nigra with three concussions but not with one. Interpretation Neuroradiological and immunohistochemical evidence of altered brain structure and function, particularly in striatal and midbrain dopaminergic areas, persists long after mild repetitive head injury. These changes may be long lasting and serve as early biomarkers of neurodegeneration and risk for Parkinson’s disease with aging.
What are undergraduate students’ perceptions of a peer coaching model intended to foster effective electronic communication strategies with parents?

Effective parental communication is a professional responsibility that is often overlooked in preparing the next generation of early childhood educators. Preparation programs that incorporate conte...
Trilepton signature of minimal supergravity at the upgraded Fermilab Tevatron

The prospects for detecting trilepton events $(l=e$ or $\ensuremath{\mu})$ from chargino-neutralino $({\ensuremath{\chi}}_{1}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}{\ensuremath{\chi}}_{2}^{0})$ associated production are investigated for the upgraded Fermilab Tevatron Collider in the context of the minimal supergravity model (MSUGRA). In some regions of parameter space, ${\ensuremath{\chi}}_{1}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}$ and ${\ensuremath{\chi}}_{2}^{0}$ decay dominantly into final states with $\ensuremath{\tau}$ leptons and the contributions from $\ensuremath{\tau}$-leptonic decays enhance the trilepton signal substantially when soft cuts on lepton transverse momenta are used. Additional sources of the MSUGRA trilepton signal and dominant irreducible backgrounds are discussed. The dilepton ${(l}^{+}{l}^{\ensuremath{-}})$ invariant mass distribution near the end point is considered as a test of MSUGRA mass relations. Discovery contours for $p\overline{p}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}3l+X$ at 2 TeV with an integrated luminosity of 2--30 ${\mathrm{fb}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ are presented in the MSUGRA parameter space of ${(m}_{0}{,m}_{1/2})$ for several choices of $\mathrm{tan}\ensuremath{\beta}.$
Examination of college student health behaviors and self-reported executive functions.

Emerging adulthood is characterized by maturation of executive functions (EF) and changes in health behaviors (HB). Interestingly, EF are bi-directionally related to many specific HB; yet how EF pe...
The effect of TARP on lending: Evidence from the lead bank’s share in syndicated loans

We investigate the effect of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) on the shares of lead banks in syndicated loans by using quarterly data for the period from 2008 to 2011. We find that TARP capital injections to lead banks have a significantly positive effect on their shares of syndicated loans. Specifically, we estimate that the effect of TARP on the lending of lead banks increases their shares by 6.1% that is equivalent to an additional $50.37 million for an average syndicated loan of $840 million. The significantly positive effect is stronger for a lead bank that is larger, has a greater appetite for risk, and is not under supervisory stress. Overall, our results show that TARP was an effective mechanism for promoting the lending of lead banks. The larger fractional share of lead banks in syndicated loan packages signals both the loan quality and their commitment to mitigating the adverse selection and moral hazard problems. This study sheds new light on the mixed evidence of TARP on lending and contributes to the research and policy debates on the role of stringent supervisory scrutiny in lending.
Effect of Huperzine A on Cognitive Function and Perception of Effort during Exercise: A Randomized Double-Blind Crossover Trial.

Huperzine A has shown the ability to acutely improve cognitive function in certain populations, and therefore is commonly added to pre-workout supplements. However, its effects have not been studied in exercise-trained individuals. Objective We hypothesized that acute consumption of huperzine A would improve cognitive function during exercise, which may be beneficial for exercise performance. Methods From January to April, 2018, 15 exercise-trained individuals (11 women [height 166 ± 2 cm, weight 60.5 ± 3.0 kg] and 4 men [height 173 ± 4 cm, weight 82.0 ± 11.0 kg], BMI 23.5 ± 1.4 kg/m2, age 30.4 ± 3.6 years) were studied in a double blind randomized-sequence cross-over study, in which they underwent tests for cognitive function (digit span, verbal/word fluency, and Stroop), neuromuscular performance (sharpened Romberg and dart throwing), and exercise performance (estimated aerobic capacity, hand-grip strength, vertical jump, and push-up) after acute ingestion of huperzine A (200 mcg) or placebo. One week separated the two trials. Results No measures of cognitive function differed between placebo and huperzine A trials (all p ≥ 0.296). Heart rates (157 ± 4 vs. 158 ± 4 bpm; p = 0.518) and ratings of perceived exertion (13.7 ± 0.56 vs. 13.9 ± 0.61; p = 0.582) did not differ between placebo and huperzine A trials, respectively. Ratings of subjective difficulty post-exercise (0-10 scale) were significantly higher (5.7 ± 0.38 vs. 6.8 ± 0.38; p = 0.002) in the huperzine A trial than the placebo trial. No differences were observed for neuromuscular or exercise performance measures between groups (all p ≥ 0.497). Conclusions Huperzine A does not enhance cognitive function during exercise despite it being marketed as a cognitive enhancer. Because of its inability to enhance cognitive function, its inclusion in pre-workout supplements warrants reconsideration. Other more practical and effective strategies should be considered.
Pilot Clinical Study Investigating the Thermal Physiology of Breast Cancer via High-Resolution Infrared Imaging.

This descriptive study investigates breast thermal characteristics in females histologically diagnosed with unilateral breast cancer and in their contralateral normal breasts. The multi-institutional clinical pilot study was reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) at participating institutions. Eleven female subjects with radiologic breast abnormalities were enrolled in the study between June 2019 and September 2019 after informed consent was obtained. Static infrared images were recorded for each subject. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to conduct paired comparisons in temperature data between breasts among the eight histologically diagnosed breast cancer subjects (n = 8). Localized temperatures of cancerous breast lesions were significantly warmer than corresponding regions in contralateral breasts (34.0 ± 0.9 °C vs. 33.2 ± 0.5 °C, p = 0.0142, 95% CI 0.25–1.5 °C). Generalized temperatures over cancerous breasts, in contrast, were not significantly warmer than corresponding regions in contralateral breasts (33.9 ± 0.8 °C vs. 33.4 ± 0.4 °C, p = 0.0625, 95% CI −0.05–1.45 °C). Among the breast cancers enrolled, breast cancers elevated temperatures locally at the site of the lesion (localized hyperthermia), but not over the entire breast (generalized hyperthermia).
WNK1 Enhances Migration and Invasion in Breast Cancer Models

Metastasis is the major cause of mortality in patients with breast cancer. Many signaling pathways have been linked to cancer invasiveness, but blockade of few protein components has succeeded in reducing metastasis. Thus, identification of proteins contributing to invasion that are manipulable by small molecules may be valuable in inhibiting spread of the disease. The protein kinase with no lysine (K) 1 (WNK1) has been suggested to induce migration of cells representing a range of cancer types. Analyses of mouse models and patient data have implicated WNK1 as one of a handful of genes uniquely linked to invasive breast cancer. Here, we present evidence that inhibition of WNK1 slows breast cancer metastasis. We show that depletion or inhibition of WNK1 reduces migration of several breast cancer cell lines in wound healing assays and decreases invasion in collagen matrices. Furthermore, WNK1 depletion suppresses expression of AXL, a tyrosine kinase implicated in metastasis. Finally, we demonstrate that WNK inhibition in mice attenuates tumor progression and metastatic burden. These data showing reduced migration, invasion, and metastasis upon WNK1 depletion in multiple breast cancer models suggest that WNK1 contributes to the metastatic phenotype, and that WNK1 inhibition may offer a therapeutic avenue for attenuating progression of invasive breast cancers.
Numerical modeling of the spray/spin coating of the interior of metal beverage cans: complete three-dimensional simulation

In this work we develop a numerical simulation of the spray coating of spinning beverage cans. Though the substrate of the can must be axisymmetric, the coating need not be. We start with an evolution equation, which was derived using scaling arguments and perturbation theory. We then use implicit finite differences and an ADI scheme, with periodic boundary conditions, to efficiently solve the problem numerically. The spray fan is modeled as an expanding ellipse, and we use parameters typical of the coating industry in our simulations. The simulations show that if the can rotates an exact integral number of rotations during the spray process, then the coating layer is almost axisymmetric. But when this cannot be achieved, then three-dimensional effects greatly change the coating dynamics of the thin liquid film and must be included in the analysis.
Familial aggregation of QT-interval variability in a general population: results from the NHLBI Family Heart Study.

QT-interval prolongation is associated with increased risk of cardiac death. Although information on genetics and molecular mechanisms of the congenital long QT syndrome is mounting, limited data are available on the genetics of QT interval in the general population. Heart rate adjusted QT intervals (Bazett's QTc, and QT index (QTI)) were assessed by electrocardiography in 2399 members aged 25--91 years of 468 randomly selected families participating in the NHLBI Family Heart Study. Familial correlation and segregation analyses were performed to evaluate the genetics of the variability of QT interval in this population. The parent-offspring (0.14 ± 0.03) and sibling (0.18 ± 0.03) correlations for age and sex-adjusted QTc were moderate, while the spouse correlation was close to zero (0.09 ± 0.06). This suggests that there are familial/genetic influences on QT-interval variability. Segregation analysis results suggest that there is a major effect in addition to heritable multifactorial effects (h 2 = 0.34), but the major effect did not follow Mendelian inheritance. Further adjustments of QTc for other major cardiovascular risk factors did not significantly change the results. Similar results were found for QTI. The QT-interval variation in the general population is influenced by moderate heritable multifactorial effects in addition to a major effect. A major gene effect is not directly supported.
Enzymatic ω-Oxidation III. PURIFICATION AND PROPERTIES OF RUBREDOXIN, A COMPONENT OF THE ω-HYDROXYLATION SYSTEM OF PSEUDOMONAS OLEOVORANS

Abstract Rubredoxin, a red, nonheme iron protein previously shown to function as an electron carrier in the ω-hydroxylation of fatty acids and hydrocarbons in enzyme preparations from Pseudomonas oleovorans, has been obtained in highly purified form. The apparent molecular weight is 12,800. Two atoms of iron are present per molecule, but no labile sulfide. In the oxidized form this protein exhibits absorption maxima at 495, 377, and 280 mµ, with a molar extinction coefficient at 495 mµ of 1.11 x 104. Oxidized rubredoxin gives electron paramagnetic resonance signals at g = 4.3 and 9.4, which is characteristic of high spin ferric ion in a rhombic field. A quantitative comparison of the loss of absorbance at 495 mµ and of electron paramagnetic resonance at g = 4.3 upon the reduction of rubredoxin by TPNH, in the presence of spinach TPNH-ferredoxin reductase, indicated that 1 electron is accepted per atom of iron. The reduction potential is -0.037 volt. Rubredoxin gives intense and detailed optical rotatory dispersion and circular dichroism spectra which indicate that the iron-ligand chromophores are in a highly asymmetric environment.
Towards multi-class blind steganalyzer for JPEG images

In this paper, we use the previously proposed calibrated DCT features [9] to construct a Support Vector Machine classifier for JPEG images capable of recognizing which steganographic algorithm was used for embedding. This work also constitutes a more detailed evaluation of the performance of DCT features as in [9] only a linear classifier was used. The DCT features transformed using Principal Component Analysis enable an interesting visualization of different stego programs in a three-dimensional space. This paper demonstrates that, at least under some simplifying assumptions in which the effects of double compression are ignored, it is possible to reliably classify stego images to their embedding techniques. The classifier is capable of generalizing to previously unseen techniques.
Decisional conflict in economically disadvantaged men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer: Baseline results from a shared decision‐making trial

BACKGROUND Decisional conflict is a source of anxiety and stress for men diagnosed with prostate cancer given uncertainty surrounding myriad treatment options. Few data exist to help clinicians identify which patients are at risk for decisional conflict. The purpose of this study was to examine factors associated with decisional conflict in economically disadvantaged men diagnosed with prostate cancer before any treatment choices were made. METHODS A total of 70 men were surveyed at a Veterans Administration clinic with newly diagnosed localized prostate cancer enrolled in a randomized trial testing a novel shared decision-making tool. Baseline demographic, clinical, and functional data were collected. Independent variables included age, race, education, comorbidity, relationship status, urinary/sexual dysfunction, and prostate cancer knowledge. Tested outcomes were Decisional Conflict Scale, Uncertainty Subscale, and Perceived Effectiveness Subscale. Multiple linear regression modeling was used to identify factors associated with decisional conflict. RESULTS Mean age was 63 years, 49% were African American, and 70% reported an income less than $30,000. Poor prostate cancer knowledge was associated with increased decisional conflict and higher uncertainty (P < .001 and P = 0.001, respectively). Poor knowledge was also associated with lower perceived effectiveness (P = 0.003) whereas being in a relationship was associated with higher decisional conflict (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS Decreased patient knowledge about prostate cancer is associated with increased decisional conflict and lower perceived effective decision-making. Interventions to increase comprehension of prostate cancer and its treatments may reduce decisional conflict. Further work is needed to better characterize this relationship and identify effective targeted interventions. Cancer 2014;120:2721–2727. © 2014 American Cancer Society.
A Classroom Research Study Concerning the Application of a Framework for Planning and Sequencing E-Learning Student Interactions

This article reports on an assessment of a framework for planning and sequencing e-learning student interactions and its capacity to accommodate critical student interactions in a graduate leadership curriculum delivered through hybrid e-learning technologies.
Psychological Theory and Experimental Hypotheses Based on U.S. Army Field Manual 2-22.3

Inherent in any interrogation is the decision-making process, on behalf of the individual under questioning, whether or not to divulge truthful information to the interrogator. The present work suggests a minimum of one testable hypothesis for nine interrogation approaches outlined in the current U.S. Army field manual (FM 2-22.3), to challenge or expound upon psychological assumptions underlying those approaches relevant to psychological theories of values, preferences, and choices.
Evaluation of symptom checkers for self diagnosis and triage: audit study.

Objective To determine the diagnostic and triage accuracy of online symptom checkers (tools that use computer algorithms to help patients with self diagnosis or self triage). Design Audit study. Setting Publicly available, free symptom checkers. Participants 23 symptom checkers that were in English and provided advice across a range of conditions. 45 standardized patient vignettes were compiled and equally divided into three categories of triage urgency: emergent care required (for example, pulmonary embolism), non-emergent care reasonable (for example, otitis media), and self care reasonable (for example, viral upper respiratory tract infection). Main outcome measures For symptom checkers that provided a diagnosis, our main outcomes were whether the symptom checker listed the correct diagnosis first or within the first 20 potential diagnoses (n=770 standardized patient evaluations). For symptom checkers that provided a triage recommendation, our main outcomes were whether the symptom checker correctly recommended emergent care, non-emergent care, or self care (n=532 standardized patient evaluations). Results The 23 symptom checkers provided the correct diagnosis first in 34% (95% confidence interval 31% to 37%) of standardized patient evaluations, listed the correct diagnosis within the top 20 diagnoses given in 58% (55% to 62%) of standardized patient evaluations, and provided the appropriate triage advice in 57% (52% to 61%) of standardized patient evaluations. Triage performance varied by urgency of condition, with appropriate triage advice provided in 80% (95% confidence interval 75% to 86%) of emergent cases, 55% (47% to 63%) of non-emergent cases, and 33% (26% to 40%) of self care cases (P<0.001). Performance on appropriate triage advice across the 23 individual symptom checkers ranged from 33% (95% confidence interval 19% to 48%) to 78% (64% to 91%) of standardized patient evaluations. Conclusions Symptom checkers had deficits in both triage and diagnosis. Triage advice from symptom checkers is generally risk averse, encouraging users to seek care for conditions where self care is reasonable.
Digital Badges: Beyond Learning Incentives

The use of digital badges as learning incentives earned through completion of activities in online instructional settings continues to gain traction. From K-12 to higher education and beyond, into practical skill building and continuing education exercises, incentives such as badges borrow principles from gaming to engage and motivate learners. The implementation of badges into online learning platforms and the adoption of digital badges into Massively Open Online Courses (MOOCs) further demonstrates the popularity of this trend. Continued understanding of learner needs and perceptions of badges by educators can ensure that efforts taken to “gamify” learning using badges are well spent.
Partizipative Mediendidaktik. Inwiefern bedarf es im Kontext einer partizipativen Medienkultur einer spezifischen Mediendidaktik

Die vorliegenden Ausfuhrungen zu einer partizipativen Mediendidaktik stehen fur erste konzeptionelle Uberlegungen, um perspektivisch die partizipative Mediendidaktik als spezifische Variante einer konstruktivistischen Didaktik einzufuhren oder allgemeiner als partizipative Didaktik „in einer digital gepragten Kultur“ (BMBF 2010). Damit geht nicht der Anspruch einher, lediglich eine passende medienbezogene Didaktik fur Anwendungen des Social Webs einzufuhren. Vielmehr geht der vorliegende Beitrag von Partizipation als zentrales erziehungswissenschaftliches Strukturelement einer zeitgemasen Didaktik in einer partizipativen Medienkultur aus. Die Spezifizierung einer partizipativen Mediendidaktik ausert sich darin, dass sie dem Aspekt der Beziehung und Interaktion als wesentliches Strukturelement Rechnung tragt und sie im Zusammenhang mit den Inhalten, Methoden, (kompetenzorientierten) Zielen sowie den Medien betrachtet. Medien bilden dabei einerseits in Form von Bildungsmedien ein Strukturelement der Lehr- und Lernsituationen, andererseits stellen sie im Zuge einer partizipativen Medienkultur den gesellschaftlichen Kontext fur das aktuelle Lehren und Lernen der Subjekte dar. Der Beitrag erortert zentrale Begriffe und theoretische Bezuge und legt einen ersten Modellvorschlag vor.
American Indian Entrepreneurs: Unique Challenges, Unlimited Potential

This article addresses the problems and the potential that American Indian businesspeople face in starting and operating businesses. American Indians are the poorest racial or ethnic group in the United States and the vast majority of the 300 Indian reservations do not have functioning economies. This is a disaster for creating economic activity in Indian Country and for addressing the extreme poverty present on almost all reservations. This article examines why that is true from legal, historic, and economic perspectives, and it sets out the potential for improving the number and success of Indian privately owned businesses. The article also addresses the common fallacy that Indian cultures did not understand private property rights and private entrepreneurial economic activity. In fact, American Indian people have supported themselves and their families for thousands of years through what we call today private business, private initiative, entrepreneurship, and free market trade.
Cost-effectiveness of targeted human immunodeficiency virus screening in an urban emergency department.

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2011; 18:745–753 © 2011 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Abstract Objectives: Although targeted screening of patients at high risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in the emergency department (ED) improves patient outcomes and may prevent HIV transmission, ED-based screening programs incur additional costs and have thus not been widely scaled up. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of ED-based targeted HIV screening as implemented in actual practice. Methods: This was a cost-utility analysis of a rapid HIV screening program in an urban ED. Physicians were encouraged to screen patients undergoing inpatient admission or who had HIV risk factors. The authors measured costs directly and estimated quality-adjusted life expectancy using chart review, literature assumptions, and mathematical modeling. Incremental cost utility was evaluated from a societal perspective using a lifetime time horizon. Results: From June 2008 through September 2009, a total of 3,766 HIV tests were ordered (235 tests per month), of which an estimated 2,406 (64%) represented screening in patients without HIV-related signs or symptoms. Nineteen (0.8%) patients were newly diagnosed through screening during the study period, of whom nine (47%) were eligible for antiretroviral therapy (ART) and maintained consistent outpatient follow-up. Estimated screening costs were $82,300 per year, or $45.53 per screening test, of which $28.01 (62%) was for program management. Targeted screening prevented an estimated 2.1 HIV transmission events over 16 months. Per patient screened, targeted screening saved $112 (95% uncertainty range [UR] = $20 to $225) and resulted in 2.71 quality-adjusted life-days gained (95% UR = 1.71 to 4.01). Cost-utility was most sensitive to the prevalence of undiagnosed HIV in the screened population. Conclusions: Targeted HIV screening, as implemented in an urban ED, is cost saving and increases quality-adjusted life expectancy.
Methoxylated Phenyl Benzo-γ-Pyrone Derivatives (Flavonoids) That Highly Inhibit Erythrocyte Aggregation

Methoxylated flavonoids containing one or three to seven methoxyl groups were compared for inhibitory activity on erythrocyte aggregation in vitro. A serial erythrocyte sedimentation procedure was used, in which the compounds are incubated in blood maintained in thermal and flow equilibria. All compounds tested (30 µmol/liter) significantly inhibited erythrocyte aggregation: hesperidin < tri-O-methylapigenin < tetra-O-methylscutellarein < tangeretin < heptamethoxyflavone < nobiletin < sinensetin. The most active compound, sinensetin, contained methoxyl groups at the 3',4',5,6,7 positions. Compounds with fewer methoxyl groups were significantly less active ( P < 0.01), as were compounds with additional methoxyl groups at the 3 and 8 positions. On a molar basis, compounds containing five to seven methoxyl groups were several fold more active on erythrocyte aggregation than was low-molecular-weight dextran.
A Lacanian Ethics of Non-Personal Responsibility

It is widely believed that Jacques Lacan fails to explain adequately how the subject, allegedly no more than an effect of signifiers in the Symbolic order, can take responsibility for her actions. I argue that the subject can find an appropriate measure for her actions in an awareness of the role her desire plays in her self- and world-constitution. I propose a measure derived from Simone Weil’s ethics of decreation: the subject accepts a “non-personal” symbolic understanding of herself that opens up space in her world of signifiers for all that is unknown, threatening, or demanding about the other’s desire. Lacan’s critics must therefore respond to Weil’s contention that ethics requires almost no “self” at all.
Efficiency of the Chubon Versus the QWERTY Keyboard

There is little available evidence for claims of the efficiency of alternative keyboard layouts. Part of the difficulty in providing such evidence is that available research subjects typically have extensive experience with the standard keyboard, making a fair comparison of keyboard layouts difficult. The purpose of this study was to provide a true comparison of the QWERTY and Chubon keyboard layouts for individuals who type with a single digit by neutralizing prior experience through an inversion of the QWERTY keyboard. A single-subject, repeated measures design was used with a convenience sample of nine participants. Each participant began typing on a preselected keyboard and continued typing until fluency was achieved. This procedure was replicated with each keyboard layout. The words per minute typed at fluency for the ReverseQWERTY was approximately 62% of the QWERTY, indicating that the learned effect had been erased. The average typing speed of the Chubon was at least 5% higher and at most 51% high...
Phase skipping control to improve light load efficiency of three phase micro-inverters

Incident solar power on a PV panel is highly variable due its dependence on weather, time of the day and shading which forces the micro-inverter to operate at light loads for a significant period of its operation time. Poor light load efficiency of power converters further reduces the effective power available. This paper proposes a control technique - Phase Skipping Control, to improve light load efficiency of DC-AC stage of Grid Tied-Three Phase Micro-Inverters. This control technique is independent of the underlying topology; however, to establish its proof of concept, Phase Skipping Control, is implemented on a 400W Three Phase Half Bridge PWM Inverter. Improvement in light load efficiency with Phase Skipping Control is calculated theoretically using a proposed loss model for Half Bridge PWM Inverter. Furthermore, a prototype for 400W Three Phase Half Bridge PWM Inverter is developed for experimental verification of light load efficiency improvement using Phase Skipping Control. Experimental results shows 5.43% increase in efficiency at 10% load and 0.46% increase in CEC efficiency of the Three Phase Half Bridge PWM Inverter.
System order reduction in the stabilization of multi-block uncertain systems

We consider the problem of robust stabilization of a class of systems which contain several uncertain/non-linear terms. We present two order reduction procedures which permit one to reduce the stabilization problem for the original system to a stabilization problem for a system containing fewer state variables and possibly fewer uncertain terms.
Tests of the generalizability of Altman's bankruptcy prediction model

Abstract Though developed in 1968 using a small sample of firms from the 1950s and 1960s, Altman's Z-score model remains a commonly used tool for evaluating the financial health of companies. Because of the age of the model and other attributes, such as its small sample of manufacturing firms and the use of equal group sizes of bankrupt and non-bankrupt firms, it is likely that model is not as effective in classifying firms in more recent studies as it was when it was developed by Altman. This study examines three research questions using recent sample data: (1) Is Altman's original model as useful for predicting bankruptcy in recent periods as it was for the periods in which it was developed and tested by Altman? (2) Is the model as useful for predicting bankruptcy of non-manufacturing firms as it is for predicting bankruptcy of manufacturing firms? (3) Is the model as useful for predicting financial stress conditions other than bankruptcy as it is for predicting bankruptcy? Our results are consistent with negative answers to questions one and two and a positive answer to question three.
Enlarging Mediastinal Mass After Cardiac Transplantation

Pseudoaneurysms of the ascending aorta are a rare but potentially fatal complication of cardiac surgical procedures. There are few reports of pseudoaneurysm formation after cardiac transplantation, and previously reported cases involve mycotic aneurysmal tissue. This case report describes a 53-year-old man in whom a noninfectious aneurysm of the ascending aorta developed after cardiac transplantation.
Bradwardine and Galileo: Equality of velocities in the void

In one of his many arguments against the existence of void space Aristotle insists that one of the absurd consequences associated with empty space is that bodies of different weights would fall with equal velocities over the same distance, when, in truth, they ought to fall with velocities that are directly proportional to their respective weights. Speaking first about bodies falling in a medium, Aristotle says {Physics IV.8. 2l6a.l4 20):
A Study on the Thixotropy of Egyptian Bentonite Suspensions

The rheology behavior of water bentonite suspensions has been studied through recording the viscosity measurements to study the thixotropy of the suspensions using local Egyptian bentonite at 5.0%, 6.40%, and 7.5.0% concentrations in the a presence of different salt concentration as 0.0 M, 0.01 M, and 0.1 M NaCl according to API stander, rheological data was calculated by viscometer, deriving first the D0 curve, from 600 to 3 rpm, followed by a typical thixotropic loop, getting the U curve from 3 to 600 rpm, and then the D curve from 600 to 3 rpm. Three rheograms have been derived for each suspension after intensive preshearing, from high to low, from low to high, and from high to low shear rates. Positive thixotropy is observed for all suspensions at 0.0 M and 0.01 M but not at 0.1 M salt concentrations. Thixotropic indexes computed from the normal thixotropic loop, low to high to low shear rates, have been computed and vary from positive to negative. The higher the bentonite concentration, the higher th...
Auroral displays near the ‘foot’ of the field line of the ATS-5 satellite

Summary of an extensive correlative study of ATS-5 particle and magnetic field data with all-sky photographs from Great Whale River which is near the 'foot' of the field lines passing through the ATS-5 satellite. In particular, an effort is made to identify specific particle features with specific auroral displays during substorms, such as a westward traveling surge, poleward expansive motion, and drifting patches. It is found that, in early evening hours, the first encounter of ATS-5 with hot plasma is associated with the equatorward shift of the diffuse aurora, but not necessarily with westward traveling surges (even when the satellite is embedded in the plasma sheet). In the midnight sector, an injection corresponds very well to the initial brightening of an auroral arc. Specific features of morning sector auroras are difficult to correlate with specific particle features.
On Building Models for the Grinding Process

A new technique of building models for the grinding process is introduced. The grinding model is postulated in terms of grain distributions on the abrasive wheel and kinematic grinding conditions. Transverse workpiece profiles are conjectured as sample realizations of the stochastic grinding process. The sample spectrum of experimentally ground workpiece profiles is proposed as a means to estimate parameters in the postulated model through a nonlinear regression method. A model for a specified grinding process was developed based upon ten workpieces ground within a preselected practical region. The model is limited to single-pass surface grinding without crossfeed. The model was evaluated in regard to its validity, versatility, and sensitivity.
Alkaline phosphatase reaction in hair follicles of male beagle dogs during hair cycle stages.

The literature reviewed has revealed differences of opinion concerning the location of alkaline phosphates and its relationship to the hair cycle stages. This project was undertaken to determine alkaline phosphatase activity in the hair follicle stages: anagen, catagen, and telogen. Skin biopsy samples were collected over a period of 1 year from 9 purebred male Beagle dogs. At the beginning of the experiment 3 dogs were 2 weeks of age, 3 dogs were 12 months of age and 3 dogs were 21 months of age. The skin biopsies were taken monthly from alternate sides of each animal near the thoracolumbar region. Samples were fixed in 80% chilled alcohol and the alkaline phosphatase activity was determined by Gomori's calcium cobalt method. A total of 250 slides with seven sections per slide was examined. Each slide contained between 14–60 hair follicles. During anagen stage, the reaction of the dermal papilla for the presence of alkaline phosphatase was variable. A weak or negative reaction was observed in this study which was an unexpected finding. The reaction of the dermal papilla to alkaline phosphatase was positive in catagen stage. The cells of the dermal papillae in telogen stage were strongly alkaline phosphatase positive. The reaction was not confined to the blood vessels but occurred in all parts of the dermal papilla in both early and late stages.
order and disorder lines in systems with competing interactions: II. The IRF model

Systems with competing interactions can be often exactly solved on a restricted subspace of the parameter space, called an order or disorder trajectory. A simple method introduced within the transfer matrix formalism allows for the calculation of the free energy and spin-spin correlation functions along the order and disorder lines of the Ising model with all possible interactions around a face of the square lattice (IRF model). The general eight-vertex model is thoroughly examined and shows full analogy with the quantum spin chain results of the previous paper.
Effects of chronic peanut consumption on energy balance and hedonics.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of chronic peanut consumption on energy balance and hedonics. DESIGN: Thirty-week, cross-over, intervention study. Participants were provided 2113±494 kJ/day (505±118 kcal/day) as peanuts for 8 weeks with no dietary guidance (free feeding—FF), 3 weeks with instructions to add peanuts to their customary diet (addition—ADD) and 8 weeks where peanuts replaced an equal amount of other fats in the diet (substitution—SUB). SUBJECTS: Fifteen, healthy, normal-weight (BMI of 23.3±1.8) adults, aged 33±9 y. MEASUREMENTS: Dietary intake, appetitive indices, energy expenditure, body weight and hedonics. RESULTS: During FF, peanut consumption elicited a strong compensatory dietary response (ie subjects compensated for 66% of the energy provided by the nuts) and body weight gain (1.0 kg) was significantly lower than predicted (3.6 kg; P<0.01). When customary dietary fat was replaced with the energy from peanuts, energy intake, as well as body weight, were maintained precisely. Participants were unaware that body weight was a research focus. Resting energy expenditure was increased by 11% after regular peanut consumption for 19 weeks (P<0.01). Chronic consumption of peanuts did not lead to a decline in pleasantness or hunger ratings for peanuts nor did it lead to any hedonic shift for selected snack foods with other taste qualities during any of the three treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Despite being energy dense, peanuts have a high satiety value and chronic ingestion evokes strong dietary compensation and little change in energy balance.
Theoretical intensities for the X1Σg+-np1Πu transitions of H2. A study of the Franck-Condon principle

Abstract The recent availability of accurate electronic and vibrational wave funetions for several H 2 excited states permits an explicit test of the validity of the Franck-Condon prineiple within the Born-Oppenheimer approximation. The transitions from the ground-electronic state ( 1 Σ g + ) to the 1 s 2 p , 3 p , and 4p 1 Π u excited states all are found to have intensities that differ by less than 10% from those predicted by using the Franck-Condon principle. The Condon parabola is presented for the transition from the ground state to the 2 p state. Band-averaged oscillator strengths are given for the transition from the ground state to the 2 p , 3 p , and 4p 1 Π u states and the 2 p and 3p 1 Σ u + states In addition, the use of the natural orbital expansion of the electronic wave function has revealed that the correlation terms in the wave function have a rather small role in determining the value of the dipole transition moment (less than 15%).
Suppression of Infections resulting from a Deoxyribonucleic Acid Virus (Vaccinia) by Systemic Administration of 5-Iodo-2'-Deoxyuridine.

Suppression of Infections Resulting from a Deoxyribonucleic Acid Virus (Vaccinia) By Systemic Administration of 5-Iodo-2′-Deoxyuridine
Anatomical evidence of photoreceptor degeneration induced by iodoacetic acid in the porcine eye

Abstract Iodoacetic acid (IAA) induces photoreceptor (PR) degeneration in small animal models, however, eye size and anatomic differences detract from the usefulness of these models for studying retinal rescue strategies intended for humans. Porcine eyes are closer in size to human eyes and have a rich supply of rod and cones. This study investigated whether IAA also produced PR degeneration in the porcine retina, whether the damage was preferential for rods or cones, and whether IAA induced remodeling of the inner retina. Pigs were given a single i.v. injection of IAA and were euthanized 2–5 weeks later. Eyes were enucleated and immersed in fixative. Forty-six eyes were studied: Control ( n = 13), and from pigs that had received the following IAA doses: 5.0 mg/kg ( n = 7); 7.5 mg/kg ( n = 10); 10.0 mg/kg ( n = 6); 12.0 mg/kg ( n = 6). Tissue was retrieved from four retinal locations: 8 mm and 2 mm above the dorsal margin of the optic disc, and 2 mm and 8 mm below the disc, and was processed for conventional histology, immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy. At 5.0 mg/kg IAA produced mild, variable cell loss, but remaining cells exhibited normal features. At doses above 5.0 mg/kg, a dose-dependent reduction was observed in the length of PR inner and outer segments, and in the number of PR nuclei. Specific labeling revealed a massive dropout of rod cell bodies with relative sparing of cone cell bodies, and electron microscopy revealed a reduction in the number of PR synaptic terminals. Mild dendritic retraction of rod bipolar cells and hypertrophy of Muller cell stalks was also observed, although the inner nuclear layer appeared intact. The porcine IAA model may be useful for developing and testing retinal rescue strategies for human diseases in which rods are more susceptible than cones, or are affected earlier in the disease process.
Quality Assurance as Pedagogy for Academic Forensic Anthropology Laboratories

Abstract A surety-based quality assurance program is the hallmark of an efficient and reliable forensic laboratory, as well as a basic requirement for accreditation and/or certification. Most forensic laboratories are staffed by professional scientists who have completed their education and training. However, many, if not most, forensic anthropology laboratories are placed in academic institutions in which graduate education is a primary mission. This paper examines how a comprehensive surety-based quality assurance program can be used to enhance the educational mission of an academic-based forensic anthropology laboratory, as well as improve the efficiency of the laboratory's work and the quality and reliability of the laboratory's primary product—the forensic osteology report.
Forecasting urban growth across the United States–Mexico border

Abstract The sister-city area of Nogales, Arizona, and Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, is known collectively as Ambos (both) Nogales. This area was historically one city and was administratively divided by the Gadsden Purchase in 1853. These arid-lands have limited and sensitive natural resources. Environmental planning can support sustainable development to accommodate the predicted influx of population. The objective of this research is to quantify the amount of predicted urban growth for the Ambos Nogales watershed to support future planning for sustainable development. Two modeling regimes are explored. Our goal is to identify possible growth patterns associated with the twin-city area as a whole and with the two cities modeled as separate entities. We analyzed the cross-border watershed using regression analysis from satellite images from 1975, 1983, 1996, and 2002 and created urban area classifications. We used these classifications as input to the urban growth model, SLEUTH, to simulate likely patterns of development and define projected conversion probabilities. Model results indicate that the two cities are undergoing very different patterns of change and identify locations of expected growth based on historical development. Growth in Nogales, Arizona is stagnant while the urban area in Nogales, Sonora is exploding. This paper demonstrates an application that portrays how future binational urban growth could develop and affect the environment. This research also provides locations of potential growth for use in city planning.
The Developmental Stake Hypothesis and Changing Perceptions of Intergenerational Relations, 1971–1985

This study examines the developmental stake hypothesis as it relates to changing perceptions of intergenerational relations among members of multigenerational families. The data come from the first two waves (1971 and 1985) of a longitudinal study of multigenerational family members (N = 1,057). We find strong support for the developmental stake hypothesis since, at both time periods, parents (both G1s and G2s) saw less distance in their relations with their children (both G2s and G3s). In addition, all respondents perceived less distance between the G2-G3 generations over time. We also found several gender differences in perceptions of family ties. Contrary to our expectations, only G1 respondents perceived less distance between generations in society in 1985 as compared to 1971.
Long-range recording of vibroseis data: Simulation and experiment

Long-range recording of COCORP vibrators was undertaken in the Adirondacks using a radio repeater to retransmit the vibrator start-up code at ranges up to 100 km. A number of events were recorded at a range of 47 km; these events correspond to reflections from depths of about 9, 13, 16, 20, and 24 km and a possible Moho reflection from 40 km might be present. Simulation of VIBROSEIS recording demonstrates that low-level signals with a S/N as low as 0.05 may be extracted from noise even though reflections have amplitudes less than the least significant bit. Such wide-angle VIBROSEIS recording is practical and necessary in crustal reflection studies for defining the Moho and other deep reflectors.
Preserving the dignity of children around the world: the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child provides a guidepost to the development of child protection policy. Both comprehensive and conceptually coherent, the Convention provides a statement of international consensus that children are indeed persons, legally and morally, and that the state should ensure that they are treated with dignity. At least in spirit, the Convention demands substantial reform of most existing child protection systems.