cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adaptive Modeling Process for a Battery Energy Management System

Battery energy storage systems are often controlled through an energy management system (EMS), which may not have access to detailed models developed by battery manu-facturers. The EMS contains a model of the battery system’s performance capabilities that enables it to optimize charge and discharge decisions. In this paper, we develop a process for the EMS to calculate and improve the accuracy of its control model using the operational data produced by the battery system. This process checks for data salience and quality, identifies candidate parameters, and then calculates their accuracy. The process then updates its model of the battery based on the candidate parameters and their accuracy. We use a charge reservoir model with a first order equivalent circuit to represent the battery and a flexible open-circuit-voltage function. The process is applied to one year of operational data from two lithium-ion batteries in a battery system located in Sterling, MA USA. Results show that the process quickly learns the optimal model parameters and significantly reduces modeling uncertainty. Applying this process to an EMS can improve control performance and enable risk-averse control by accounting for variations in capacity and efficiency.
Riparian Plant Communities Remain Stable in Response to a Second Cycle of Tamarix Biocontrol Defoliation

Reduced abundance of non-native Tamarix shrubs in western U.S. riparian systems following biological control by a defoliating beetle has led to concerns that replacement plant communities could be dominated by other invasive species and/or not provide some of the ecosystem services that Tamarix was providing. In previous studies, Tamarix decline following biocontrol was accompanied by small increases in native and non-native herbaceous species, with variable responses of woody vegetation. However, none of these studies spanned periods longer than a decade since beetle release. This is an important caveat, given the cyclical nature of plant-herbivore interactions and potential lags in vegetation recovery. We report plant community response to an eight-year-long second cycle of Tamarix defoliation-refoliation in two reaches of the upper Colorado River in eastern Utah, 11–13 years after beetle arrival. Tamarix cover across sites initially declined an average of ca. 50% in response to the beetle, but then recovered. Changes in the associated plant community were small but supported common management goals, including a 47% average increase in cover of a native shrub (Salix exigua), and no secondary invasions by other non-native plants. We suggest that the effectiveness of biocontrol programs must be assessed case-by-case, and on a long-term basis.
A comparison of match outcomes between traditional medical degree and dual-degree applicants.

Background Dual degrees combining and MD with another professional degree (MPH, MBA, or PhD) are becoming more common in an attempt to increase an applicant's competitivity for a residency. Objective This study was designed to assess differences in MD-only and dual degree MD applicants with respect to applicant characteristics and match outcomes. Methods Utilizing the voluntarily-reported publicly available 2017-2019 Texas STAR database, we assessed applicants from 115 medical schools. Texas STAR indicates that over this time period, there were 18,224 responses for a response rate of 43.8%. Comparisons were made between groups using student's t-test and chi-squared analysis. Results Compared to MD only students, MD/MPH applicants had a higher propensity towards primary care specialties. MD/PhD applicants did not differ versus MD only applicants in their selection of primary care specialties, or of competitive specialties. MD/MBA applicants chose more competitive specialties and less primary care specialties. Despite all these differences, match rates were not different comparing MD only and dual-degree students. Conclusions Despite the growing popularity of combined MD programs, such programs do not appear to increase applicant match competitivity.
A Unified Reactor Network Synthesis Framework for Simultaneous Consideration of Batch and Continuous-Flow Reactor Alternatives

Determining the optimal operating mode (batch or continuous-flow) for chemical manufacturing remains a pressing open problem. Focusing on reactors, an accurate determination must account for fundam...
COVID-19 Leads to Accelerated Increases in Children's BMI Z-Score Gain: An Interrupted Time Series Study

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic may have negatively impacted children's weight status owing to the closure of schools, increased food insecurity and reliance on ultraprocessed foods, and reduced opportunities for outdoor activity. Methods In this interrupted time-series study, height and weight were collected from children (n=1,770 children, mean age=8.7 years, 55.3% male, 64.6% Black) and were transformed into BMI z-score in each August/September from 2017 to 2020. Mixed-effects linear regression estimated yearly BMI z-score change before the COVID-19 pandemic year (i.e., 2017–2019) and during the COVID-19 pandemic year (i.e., 2019–2020). Subgroup analyses by sex, race (i.e., Black, White, other race), weight status (overweight or obese and normal weight), and grade (i.e., lower=kindergarten−2nd grade and upper=3rd−6th grade) were conducted. Results Before the COVID-19 pandemic, children's yearly BMI z-score change was +0.03 (95% CI= −0.10, 0.15). Change during the COVID-19 pandemic was +0.34 (95% CI=0.21, 0.47), an acceleration in BMI z-score change of +0.31 (95% CI=0.19, 0.44). For girls and boys, BMI z-score change accelerated by +0.33 (95% CI=0.16, 0.50) and +0.29 (95% CI=0.12, 0.46), respectively, during the pandemic year. Acceleration in BMI z-score change during the pandemic year was observed for children who were Black (+0.41, 95% CI=0.21, 0.61) and White (+0.22, 95% CI=0.06, 0.39). For children classified as normal weight, BMI z-score change accelerated by +0.58 (95% CI=0.40, 0.76). Yearly BMI z-score change accelerated for lower elementary/primary (+0.23, 95% CI=0.08, 0.37) and upper elementary/primary (+0.42, 95% CI=0.42, 0.63) children. Conclusions If similar BMI z-score accelerations occurred for children across the world, public health interventions to address this rapid unhealthy BMI gain will be urgently needed.
Cross-reactive Antibody Response to mRNA SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine After Recent COVID-19-Specific Monoclonal Antibody Therapy.

The efficacy of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines administered after COVID-19-specific monoclonal antibody is unknown, and "antibody interference" might hinder immune responses leading to vaccine failure. In an institutional review board-approved prospective study, we found that an individual who received mRNA COVID-19 vaccination <40 days after COVID-19-specific monoclonal antibody therapy for symptomatic COVID-19 had similar postvaccine antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD) for 4 important SARS-CoV-2 variants (B.1, B.1.1.7, B.1.351, and P.1) as other participants who were also vaccinated following COVID-19. Vaccination against COVID-19 shortly after COVID-19-specific monoclonal antibody can boost and expand antibody protection, questioning the need to delay vaccination in this setting. Trial registration The St. Jude Tracking of Viral and Host Factors Associated with COVID-19 study; NCT04362995; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04362995.
Esophageal Diseases: Radiologic Images

Esophageal diseases are functional disorders (gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), achalasia, esophageal diverticula), congenital abnormalities (esophageal duplication cyst), or tumors (leiomyoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), cancer). In the evaluation of these disorders, no single test provides all the needed information, but the final diagnosis and treatment plan are based on information provided by multiple tests. For instance, in patients with GERD, a barium swallow describes the anatomy of the esophagus and stomach (hiatal hernia, Schatzki’s ring, stricture); an upper endoscopy determines if mucosal injury is present and excludes gastric and duodenal pathology; esophageal manometry defines pressure, length, and position of the lower esophageal sphincter; quality of esophageal peristalsis; and pressure of the upper esophageal sphincter and its coordination with the pharyngeal contraction; ambulatory pH monitoring determines if abnormal gastroesophageal reflux is present, if reflux extends to the proximal esophagus and pharynx, and if there is a temporal correlation between episodes of reflux and symptoms experienced by the patient.
Walking economy during cued versus non-cued treadmill walking in persons with Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND Gait impairment is common in Parkinson's disease (PD) and may result in greater energy expenditure, poorer walking economy, and fatigue during activities of daily living. Auditory cueing is an effective technique to improve gait; but the effects on energy expenditure are unknown. OBJECTIVE To determine whether energy expenditure differs in individuals with PD compared with healthy controls and if auditory cueing improves walking economy in PD. METHODS Twenty participants (10 PD and 10 controls) came to the laboratory for three sessions. Participants performed two, 6-minute bouts of treadmill walking at two speeds (1.12 m·sec-1 and 0.67 m·sec-1). One session used cueing and the other without cueing. A metabolic cart measured energy expenditure and walking economy was calculated (energy expenditure/power). RESULTS PD had worse walking economy and higher energy expenditure than control participants during cued and non-cued walking at the 0.67 m·sec-1 speed and during non-cued walking at the 1.12 m·sec-1. With auditory cueing, energy expenditure and walking economy worsened in both participant groups. CONCLUSIONS People with PD use more energy and have worse walking economy than adults without PD. Walking economy declines further with auditory cuing in persons with PD.
Precision of parameters determined by spectrophotometric measurements

Abstract Karger, A., 1990. Precision of parameters determined by spectrophotometric measurements. Part 2. Precision of the first-order rate constant as obtained by spectrophotometric determination. Chemometrics and Intelligent Laboratory Systems , 8: 217–226. The use of a method suggested by Posener for the precision estimation of nonlinear parameters is investigated by applying it to the spectrophotometric determination of the first-order rate constant. Factors which are directly proportional to the precision of the least-squares parameters of the model equations used are calculated. The factors are given as a function of the time range of the measured absorbance vs. time curve, within which the measurement values are recorded. The proposed a priori estimation of the rate constant precision is used to evaluate different experimental methods. By computer simulation the precision of four different evaluation algorithms are compared to the analytical estimate. The application to experimental data is demonstrated for the alkaline hydrolysis of acetylsalicylic acid solution.
NATIONAL STANDARDS AND GOALS ON CORRECTIONS

The article seeks to highlight some potential barriers to the implementation of the recently promulgated Standards and Goals on Corrections. Basing the analysis on concepts pertaining to the diffusion of innovations, it is pointed out that implementation may be seriously impeded due to the dissonance of the Standards with the realities of the corrections community as a bureaucracy, lack of concrete guidelines for the implementation of the goals proposed, and the absence of any relationship of the proposed goals to considerations of cost and the availability of public revenues.
Ancient Lessons for Our Future Climate

Climate models and efforts to explain global temperature changes over the past century suggest that the average global temperature will rise by between 1.5Âo and 4.5ÂoC if the atmospheric COconcentration doubles. In their Perspective, Schrag and Alley look at records of past climate change, from the last ice age to millions of years ago, to determine whether this climate sensitivity is realistic. They conclude that the climate system is very sensitive to small perturbations and that the climate sensitivity may be even higher than suggested by models.
Workload-Driven Vertical Partitioning for Effective Query Processing over Raw Data

Traditional databases are not equipped with the adequate functionality to handle the volume and variety of "Big Data". Strict schema definition and data loading are prerequisites even for the most primitive query session. Raw data processing has been proposed as a schema-on-demand alternative that provides instant access to the data. When loading is an option, it is driven exclusively by the current-running query, resulting in sub-optimal performance across a query workload. In this paper, we investigate the problem of workload-driven raw data processing with partial loading. We model loading as fully-replicated binary vertical partitioning. We provide a linear mixed integer programming optimization formulation that we prove to be NP-hard. We design a two-stage heuristic that comes within close range of the optimal solution in a fraction of the time. We extend the optimization formulation and the heuristic to pipelined raw data processing, scenario in which data access and extraction are executed concurrently. We provide three case-studies over real data formats that confirm the accuracy of the model when implemented in a state-of-the-art pipelined operator for raw data processing.
Type III transforming growth factor beta receptor regulates vascular and osteoblast development during palatogenesis.

Background Cleft palate occurs in up to 1:1000 live births and is associated with mutations in multiple genes. Palatogenesis involves a complex choreography of palatal shelf elongation, elevation, and fusion. Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) and bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) canonical signaling is required during each stage of palate development. The type III TGFβ receptor (TGFβR3) binds all three TGFβ ligands and BMP2, but its contribution to palatogenesis is unknown.
A role for glucose in hypothermic hamsters

Hamsters undergo hypothermia when exposed to a mixture of 80% helium and 20% oxygen at low ambient temperatures. The hypothermic hamster, rectal temperature (Tre) 7 degrees C, becomes hypoglycemic, and reversal of hypoglycemia is effected with glucose infusion. Hypothermic hamsters at Tre 7 degrees C showed a fivefold increase in survival times from 20 to 100.5 h when infused with glucose which maintained a blood level at about 45 mg/100 ml. A potential role for osmotic effects of the infusion was tested and eliminated. There was no improvement in survival of 3-O-methylglucose or dextran 40-infused animals. The fact that death eventually occurs even in the glucose-infused animal after about 4 days and that VO2 undergoes a slow decrement in that period suggests that hypothermic survival is not wholly substrate limited. Radioactive tracer, [U-14C]glucose, showed that localization of the 14C, was greatest in brain tissue and diaphragm, intermediate in heart and kidney, and lowest in skeletal muscle and liver. The significance of the label at sites important to respiration and circulation was presented.
Deconvolution approaches applied to space-time radar data

This paper considers the operation of multi-element radar arrays in the context of Airborne Early Warning applications. A 2D convolution model is proposed to represent the transformation of data determined by the existence of targets characterized by a given relative velocity and located at a certain angle, into a corresponding Azimuth-Doppler Spectrum. The feasibility of this interpretation is demonstrated by matching of the spectrum generated through convolution with the one resulting from software simulation of the same target conditions. Two methods of discrete 2D deconvolution are explored in an attempt to revert the process, obtaining an estimate of the target characteristics from simulated Azimuth-Doppler Spectra. The advantages and disadvantages of the methods are reported and the possibility of using deconvolution to preferentially retrieve target components over clutter interference is presented.
The kinetics of dissolution of nepheline (NaAlSiO4)

Abstract Nepheline shows first order, congruent dissolution rates, followed by a lowering of the rates due to precipitation of new phases from solution, initially aluminium hydroxides, and later, as the activity of silica in solution increases, amorphous aluminosilicates. The reaction rates obey the law ( Tole and Lasaga , 1981; tole, 1982, 1984, 1985): Rimeas = Ridias − ∑jRiprec where Rimeas, is the measured rate of input of ton i into solution during dissolution of nepheline, Ridias is the true rate of nepheline dissolution, and ∑jRiprec is the rate of removal of ion i from solution, either by precipitation or adsorption, summed over all the precipitated phases, j, that incorporate the ion, i. This law predicts that the concentration of ion, i, in solution should increase asymptotically to a steady state value, Cfinnal, determined by the ratio of the rate of input of i into solution by nepheline dissolution and the rate of its removal from solution by precipitation or adsorption, such that, for a first order precipitation reaction, C final = Ak + A'k − + C ieq where A is the surface area of nepheline, k+ is the dissolution rate constant, A' is the surface area over which precipitation or adsorption takes place, k−. is the precipitation or adsorption rate constant, and Cieq, is the equilibrium concentration for ion i in contact with the precipitated phase. At low pH, rates of dissolution (Ridiss) obey the law: Ridiss = k+(αH+)1.0, while at high pH, the rate law is Ridiss = k+(αH+)−0.2. Nepheline dissolution rates (Ridiss) exhibit a minimum in the pH range 5–7. Initial rates of consumption of protons indicate that in the acid pH region, a positively charged complex is formed on the nepheline surface by adsorption of protrons. It is postulated that it is the rate of breakdown of the surface complex so formed which determines the rate of dissolution of nepheline. Activation energies for the dissolution of nepheline are in the range 53–77 kJ/mole. Addition of 3 m NaCl to the aqueous solution at pH 5 and 60°C lowers the dissolution rate by an order of magnitude. The most stable conditions (i.e. conditions under which a mineral is least reactive) for nepheline are in the pH range 5 ⩽ pH ⩽ 7, and in highly saline aqueous solutions.
Consistency of L4 TM absolute calibration with respect to the L5 TM sensor based on near-simultaneous image acquisition

The Landsat archive provides more than 35 years of uninterrupted multispectral remotely sensed data of Earth observations. Since 1972, Landsat missions have carried different types of sensors, from the Return Beam Vidicon (RBV) camera to the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+). However, the Thematic Mapper (TM) sensors on Landsat 4 (L4) and Landsat 5 (L5), launched in 1982 and 1984 respectively, are the backbone of an extensive archive. Effective April 2, 2007, the radiometric calibration of L5 TM data processed and distributed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Center for Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) was updated to use an improved lifetime gain model, based on the instrument's detector response to pseudo-invariant desert site data and cross-calibration with the L7 ETM+. However, no modifications were ever made to the radiometric calibration procedure of the Landsat 4 (L4) TM data. The L4 TM radiometric calibration procedure has continued to use the Internal Calibrator (IC) based calibration algorithms and the post calibration dynamic ranges, as previously defined. To evaluate the "current" absolute accuracy of these two sensors, image pairs from the L5 TM and L4 TM sensors were compared. The number of coincident image pairs in the USGS EROS archive is limited, so the scene selection for the cross-calibration studies proved to be a challenge. Additionally, because of the lack of near-simultaneous images available over well-characterized and traditionally used calibration sites, alternate sites that have high reflectance, large dynamic range, high spatial uniformity, high sun elevation, and minimal cloud cover were investigated. The alternate sites were identified in Yuma, Iraq, Egypt, Libya, and Algeria. The cross-calibration approach involved comparing image statistics derived from large common areas observed eight days apart by the two sensors. This paper summarizes the average percent differences in reflectance estimates obtained between the two sensors. The work presented in this paper is a first step in understanding the current performance of L4 TM absolute calibration and potentially serves as a platform to revise and improve the radiometric calibration procedures implemented for the processing of L4 TM data.
Density Autocorrelation Function in a Classical Fluid from Initial Correlations

A complete set of time-independent orthogonal phase functions ${{\ensuremath{\Psi}}_{s}}$, $s=0,1,2,\dots{}$, is generated via the Schmidt process and used to represent the Fourier coefficient ${R}_{\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}}(t)$ of the time-dependent microscopic density function. The projection of ${R}_{\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}}(t)$ on ${\ensuremath{\Psi}}_{0}$ is essentially the density autocorrelation function. The equation of motion of the coefficients of this expansion is found and formally solved to yield the Laplace-Fourier transform of the density autocorrelation function as a ratio of infinite determinants, closely related to Mori's continued-fraction expansion. A non-Markovian memory function is then readily defined in the same terms. These exact results are illustrated by explicit calculations for the ideal gas. Finally, a perturbation expansion of the memory function is developed, leading to practical approximations.
Biosynthesis of the 5-(Aminomethyl)-3-furanmethanol moiety of methanofuran.

We have established the biosynthetic pathway and the associated genes for the biosynthesis of the 5-(aminomethyl)-3-furanmethanol (F1) moiety of methanofuran in the methanogenic archaeon Methanocaldococcus jannaschii. The recombinant enzyme, derived from the MJ1099 gene, was shown to readily condense glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (Ga-3P) and dihydroxyacetone-P (DHAP) to form 4-(hydroxymethyl)-2-furancarboxaldehyde phosphate (4-HFC-P). The recombinant purified pyridoxal 5′-phosphate-dependent aminotransferase, derived from the MJ0684 gene, was found to be specific for catalyzing the transamination reaction between 4-HFC-P and [15N]alanine to produce [15N] 5-(aminomethyl)-3-furanmethanol-P (F1-P) and pyruvate. To confirm these results in cell extracts, we developed sensitive analytical methods for the liquid chromatography–ultraviolet–electrospray ionization mass spectrometry analysis of F1 as a 7-nitrobenzofurazan derivative. This method has allowed for the quantitation of trace amounts of F1 and F1-P in cell...
“Like Siamese Twins”: Relationship Meaning Among Married African-American Couples

In this article I examined what it means to be in a relationship according to the narratives of married African-American couples. To determine whether there were differences in the narrative experiences of men and women, I examined the qualitative responses of 20 married African-Americans to a question regarding the subjective meaning that couples attribute to being in a marital relationship. Qualitative analyses of the data resulted in four delineated themes: (1) mutual dependence, (2) companionship, (3) commitment, and (4) work. The themes were related to times when an individual expresses confidence that his or her spouse will support them during difficult times, the friendship that develops between couples as a result of time spent together, the couple's determination to remain together and work through difficult times in the relationship, and the amount of time that is necessary to keep the marriage strong, respectively. Most couples expressed relationship meaning to be based on mutual dependence. Su...
Searching for Tables in Digital Documents

Tables are ubiquitous. In scientific documents, tables are widely used to present experimental results or statistical data in a condensed fashion. Current search engines do not allow the end-user to search for relevant tables. In this paper, we describe TableSeer, an automatic table extraction and search engine system. TableSeer crawls scientific documents, identifies documents with tables, extracts tables from documents, indexes them and enables end-users to search for tables. We also propose an extensive set of medium-independent metadata for tables representation. Given a query, TableSeer ranks the returned results using an innovative ranking algorithm - TableRank. Our results show that TableSeer outperforms popular search engines, such as Google Scholar when the end-user seeks for tables.
Comparison of electric field enhancements: Linear and triangular oligomers versus hexagonal arrays of plasmonic nanospheres

We investigate local electromagnetic field enhancements in oligomers of plasmonic nanospheres. We first evaluate via full-wave simulations the field between spheres in several oligomer systems: linear dimers, linear trimers, trimers 60°, trimers 90° and linear quadrumers. To gain a better understanding of the field enhancement values, we compare the results with local fields in a hexagonal close-packed (HCP) configuration with same structural dimensions. We then inter-relate the field enhancement values found via full-wave simulations to SERS enhancements of actual fabricated self-assembled oligomers. We find that linear oligomers provide the largest field enhancement values. Finally, we provide closed-form formulas for the prediction of the resonance frequency responsible for field enhancement in linear oligomers, namely dimers, trimers and quadrumers, modeling each nanosphere as a single electric dipole. These formulas provide with resonance values less than 7% shifted when compared to full-wave results even when the gap between spheres is only about one fifth of the radius, showing the powerfulness of dipolar approximations. The results shown in this paper demonstrate that ad hoc clusters of nanospheres can be designed and fabricated to obtain larger field enhancements than with the HCP structure and this may pave the way for the development of improved sensors for molecular spectroscopy.
The speciation of some tributyltin compounds using Mössbauer spectroscopy in different estuarine sediments

The speciation of several tributyltin (TBT) compounds used in marine antifouling paints was studied by tin Mossbauer spectroscopy in both spiked anoxic and oxic estuarine sediments. These compounds included TBT acetate, chloride, fluoride, and oxide. To assist in the determination of the products, possible speciation products were also examined: TBT carbonate, sulfate, and sulfide. The study indicated that TBTF remains in its polymeric form after interaction with both types of sediments. TBT sulfate is unaltered in the spiked sediments. The data reported in this paper support the hypothesis that the speciation of the other TBT compounds examined in spiked sediments depends upon the nature of the sediment.
Context and idiom understanding in second languages

This article describes the results of a study conducted with fifty-three adult third-year learners of Spanish, French, and German in order to investigate (a) the degree to which idiom type affects the speed and ease of idiom comprehension and interpretation, (b) the effect that context exerts on idiom understanding, (c) the strategies second language learners employ in computing the idiomatic meaning of multiword phrasal units during contextualized and acontextualized reading of texts containing such idioms, and (d) the cognitive processes that are likely to constrain the construction of the right idiomatic mappings between target and domain idioms. Findings indicate that (a) there were significant main effects for lexical and post-lexical level idioms in both the context and the non-context treatment; (b) translation, guessing, and the use of context are highly important in the construction of idiomatic meaning; and (c) the degree of opacity between target and domain idiom, knowledge of vocabulary, graphophonics and syntactic arrangement, and literal meaning of an idiom influence and affect transfer of idiomatic knowledge in significant ways.
Changing the Culture of Science Education at Research Universities

at raising outside research funds. Some studies tion between effective teaching, judged by student and research, by productivity and citations
Sequential learning models for the Wisconsin card sort task: Assessing processes in substance dependent individuals

The Wisconsin Card Sort Task (WCST) is a commonly used neuropsychological test of executive or frontal lobe functioning. Traditional behavioral measures from the task (e.g., perseverative errors) distinguish healthy controls from clinical populations, but such measures can be difficult to interpret. In an attempt to supplement traditional measures, we developed and tested a family of sequential learning models that allowed for estimation of processes at the individual subject level in the WCST. Testing the model with substance dependent individuals and healthy controls, the model parameters significantly predicted group membership even when controlling for traditional behavioral measures from the task. Substance dependence was associated with a) slower attention shifting following punished trials and b) reduced decision consistency. Results suggest that model parameters may offer both incremental content validity and incremental predictive validity.
General pulse tube theory

A brief review of pulse tube thermodynamics is given. The underlying phenomena are described starting with a very simplified model. The concept of phasor analysis is used to show the fundamental behaviour. The concept of enthalpy flow is expanded to include entropy and Gibbs free energy flows and to apply these for the first time to regenerative refrigerators. A simplified model based on enthalpy, entropy and Gibbs free energy flows is presented to illustrate the effects of temperature gradients, thermal conduction and viscosity. As models become more sophisticated, more features are included. Furthermore, it is shown that, contrary to common usage, the concepts of work, flow and heat flow are not useful when applied to regenerative refrigerators. Rather, the Gibbs free energy flow fulfils the role usually assigned to work and heat flows. Recent advances in thermoacoustic and 2-D flow models are also reviewed.
Level and Intensity of Early Intervention Services for Infants and Toddlers With Disabilities The Impact of Child, Family, System, and Community-Level Factors on Service Provision

Data from a statewide billing and information system for early intervention are used to examine the influence of multiple factors on the level and intensity of services provided in a state early intervention system. Results indicate that child and family factors including entry age, gestational age, Medicaid eligibility, access to third party insurance, and children's developmental skill areas influence the level and the intensity of early intervention services provided. In addition, findings show that county demographic factors also influence service provision, specifically the interaction between rural and poverty status. Implications for social policy are discussed.
Structures with Semiactive Variable Stiffness Single/Multiple Tuned Mass Dampers

This paper proposes application of single and multiple semiactive variable stiffness tuned mass dampers (STMD/SMTMD) for response control of multistory structures under several types of excitation. A new semiactive control algorithm is developed based on real-time frequency tracking of excitation signal by short time Fourier transform. A parametric study is performed in the frequency domain to investigate the dynamic characteristics and effectiveness of STMDs. Time history responses of single-degree-of-freedom and five-degree-of-freedom structures equipped with STMDs at the roof level, subjected to harmonic, stationary, and nonstationary excitations are presented. STMD/SMTMD are most effective when they have low damping ratios and the excitation frequency can be tracked. They are superior than their passive counterparts in reducing the response of the main structure both under force and base excitations. In case the fundamental frequency changes due to damage or deterioration of the main structure then th...
Comparative Studies on Terramycin and Aureomycin: Antibacterial Spectrum, Serum Concentrations and Urinary Excretion

Terramycin, a recently discovered antibiotic, is compared with aureomycin. These antibiotics are very similar in their antibacterial spectra and in the blood concentrations produced following oral doses in man. A relatively marked increase in blood concentrations occurs with an increase in dose of terramycin. This increase was not as pronounced with aureomycin. The cumulative urinary excretion and the concentration in the urine at any given time was greater for terramycin than for aureomycin.
Cytotoxic Activity of Some Indole Derivatives and Indole Metabolites of Streptomyces staurosporeus

The cytotoxic potential and structure activity relationships of several indole metabolites obtained from feeding experiments using Streptomyces staurosporeus, a staurosporine producer, are described. 6-Fluoro-tryptamine and N b -acetyl-tryptamine-5- O -a-L-rhamnopyranoside, a metabolite obtained from the feeding experiment, demonstrated greatest activity with KB cells in culture, by means of an unknown mechanism.
μ -Atomic Lyman and Balmer Series in Ti, Ti O 2 . and Mn

$\ensuremath{\mu}$-atomic Lyman and Balmer series were observed in Ti, Ti${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$, and Mn using a large high-resolution Ge(Li) detector. While the relative line intensities are, for the most part, accounted for reasonably well by a cascade model, systematic differences were found in comparing the intensities in Ti${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ and Ti. The $2p\ensuremath{-}2s$ splitting was observed for the first time in muonic atoms.
Research on Integrated Management Method for Intelligent Community

The Intelligent Community is an important part of building a strong and smart grid.This article mainly bases on the business analysis of intelligent community,accords to its technical features,puts forward the system design of power management platform,and gives out design ideas,logical structure,physical structure and software structure.Through the construction of intelligent community power management platform,it provides a comfortable power environment.It improves the electric service and reflects the excellent electric management of China State Grid corporation.
Molecular weight spectra of ultrafilter rejection. I. A simple HPLC method using homologous maltodextrin polymers

Abstract A method for rapid determination of rejection values over a wide molecular weight range has been developed. It utilizes HPLC analyses of a neutral maltodextrin mixture to establish concentration ratios of feed and filtrate solutions. The working molecular weight range is 2,000 to 80,000 daltons. Data from four types of membrane ultrafilters are reported.
Slow, dense replenishments of a basic magma chamber: the layered series of the Newark Island layered intrusion, Nain, Labrador

The Newark Island layered intrusion is a composite layered intrusion within the Nain anorthosite complex, Labrador. The intrusion comprises a lower layered series (LS) dominated by troctolites, olivine gabbros and oxide-rich cumulates and an upper hybrid series (HS) characterized by a wide range of mafic, granitic and hybrid cumulates and discontinuous layers of chilled mafic rocks (Wiebe 1988). The HS crystallized from a series of replenishments of both silicic and basic magmas. The LS crystallized from periodically replenished basic magmas. The LS has a lower zone that consists mainly of olivine-plagioclase cumulates and contains minor cryptic reversals in mineral compositions that resulted from replenishments of relatively primitive magma. An upper zone is dominated by olivine-plagioclaseaugite-ilmenite cumulates. Cumulus titanomagnetite and pyrrhotite occur within some oxide-rich cumulates, and the stratigraphically highest layers contain cumulus apatite. At intermediate levels in the sequence, cumulus inverted pigeonite occurs in place of olivine. Several prominent regressions in the stratigraphy of the upper zone are marked by fine-grained troctolitic layers with much higher Mg no. [100 MgO/(MgO+FeO)] and anorthite than underlying cumulates. These layers coarsen upward and grade back to oxide-bearing olivine gabbros within thicknesses ranging from 10 cm to 15 m. Dikes that cut the LS have major- and trace-element compositions that strongly suggest that they are feeders for the replenishments. In the lower zone when olivine and plagioclase were the only cumulus phases, replenishments were less dense than the resident magma and rose as plumes and mixed with it. Precipitation of cumulus oxides in the upper zone lowered the density of resident magma so that subsequent replenishments were more dense than resident magma. Replenishments that occurred after oxides began to precipitate had small injection velocities. These post-oxide injections flowed along the interface between resident magma and the cumulate pile and precipitated flow-banded, fine-grained troctolites.
Concomitant sclerosing mesenteritis and inflammatory pseudotumor simulating gastric lymphoma or linitis plastica

Both inflammatory pseudotumors and sclerosing (retractile) mesenteritis are uncommon conditions of unknown origin. A number of authors have reported patients presenting with complaints that were attributed to one or the other of these entities. In our review of the literature, we were unable to find a single case report of mixed abdominal findings that could be explained by the presence of both conditions. We report a case of the patient presenting with abdominal mass that was identified as having features of both sclerosing mesenteritis and inflammatory pseudotumor on pathologic diagnosis. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Effects of gonadal hormones on the peripheral cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R) system under a myositis condition in rats

In this study, we assessed the effects of peripherally administered cannabinoids in an orofacial myositis model, and the role of sex hormones in cannabinoid receptor (CBR) expression in trigeminal ganglia (TG). Peripherally administered arachidonylcyclopropylamide (ACPA), a specific CB1R agonist, significantly attenuated complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA)-induced mechanical hypersensitivity in the masseter muscle in male rats. The ACPA effect was blocked by a local administration of AM251, a specific CB1R antagonist, but not by AM630, a specific CB2R antagonist. In female rats, a 30-fold higher dose of ACPA was required to produce a moderate reduction in mechanical hypersensitivity. CFA injected in masseter muscle significantly upregulated CB1R mRNA expression in TG in male, but not in female, rats. There was a close correlation between the CB1R mRNA levels in TG and the antihyperalgesic effect of ACPA. Interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6, which are elevated in the muscle tissue following CFA treatment, induced a significant upregulation of CB1R mRNA expression in TG from male rats. The upregulation of CB1R was prevented in TG cultures from orchidectomized male rats, which was restored by the application of testosterone. The cytokines did not alter the CB1R mRNA level in TG from intact as well as ovariectomized female rats. Neither estradiol supplement nor estrogen receptor blockade had any effects on CB1R expression. These data indicate that testosterone, but not estradiol, is required for the regulation of CB1Rs in TG under inflammatory conditions, which provide explanations for the sex differences in the antihyperalgesic effects of peripherally administered cannabinoids.
Peptide binding inhibits protein aggregation of invariant-chain free class II dimers and promotes surface expression of occupied molecules

Efficient egress of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) depends on peptide binding. For MHC class II molecules, invariant chain (Ii) promotes ER exit of newly assembled, peptide-free dimers. This raises the question of whether a mechanism exists elsewhere in the cell that dictates selective expression of peptide-associated class II molecules. We report here that dissociation of MHC class II-Ii complexes at low pH and physiological temperature leads to inclusion of empty class II in protein aggregates, and that this aggregation is specifically prevented by peptide binding. Combined with data showing that antigen exposure increases cell surface class II expression on living cells by a post-translational mechanism, these results provide evidence for peptide-dependent intracellular editing of class II dimers, which limits surface expression of empty molecules unsuitable for antigen-specific T-cell activation.
Effects of plasma on the platelet antiaggregatory action of prostacyclin in pregnancy

Abstract Platelet-poor plasma from 13 nonpregnant, 33 normally pregnant, and eight preeclamptic women was incubated with prostacyclin. The ability of platelet-poor plasma to diminish the antiaggregatory effect of prostacyclin was assessed by measuring this effect on arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation. Platelet aggregation >95% in response to arachidonic acid was observed when incubated plasma without exogenous prostacyclin was assayed. When prostacyclin and platelet-poor plasma were preincubated together, subsequent arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation measured 9.6% in samples from nonpregnant patients, 40.3% in samples from normally pregnant patients, and 78.2% in samples from patients with preeclampsia. The ability of exogenous prostacyclin to inhibit arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation was significantly different in the presence of plasma from nonpregnant, normally pregnant, and preeclamptic women. These observations suggest that a plasma factor may affect the action of prostacyclin during pregnancy.
Structural and energetic characterization of a DNA nucleoside pair and its anion: deoxyriboadenosine (dA)-deoxyribothymidine (dT).

The geometries of the DNA nucleoside pairs between 2‘-deoxyriboadenosine (dA) and 2‘-deoxyribothymidine (dT) and its anion (dAdT-) were fully optimized using carefully calibrated density functional methods. The addition of an electron to dAdT results in remarkable changes to the two hydrogen bonding distances, the H···O distance decreasing by 0.303 A and the N···H distance increasing by 0.229 A. The electron affinity of the dAdT pair was studied to reveal the correct trends of adiabatic electron affinity (EAad) under the influence of the additional components to the individual bases. The consequence of negative charge in terms of structural variations, energetic changes, and charge distribution were explored. The EAad of dAdT is predicted to be positive (0.60 eV), and it exhibits a substantial increase compared with those of the corresponding bases A and T and the nucleic acid base pair AT. The effects of pairing and the addition of the sugar moiety on the EAad are well described as the summation of the i...
Comparison of Near-Wall Hemodynamic Parameters in Stented Artery Models

Four commercially available stent designs (two balloon expandable―Bx Velocity and NIR, and two self-expanding―Wallstent and Aurora) were modeled to compare the near-wall flow characteristics of stented arteries using computational fluid dynamics simulations under pulsatile flow conditions. A flat rectangular stented vessel model was constructed and simulations were carried out using rigid walls and sinusoidal velocity input (nominal wall shear stress of 10 ±5 dyn/cm 2 ). Mesh independence was determined from convergence ( 20 dyn/cm 3 ) were also the largest for the Wallstent compared with the others. WSS gradients were the largest near the struts and remained distinctly nonzero for most of the region between the struts for all stent designs. Fully recirculating regions (as determined by separation parameter) were the largest for the Bx Velocity stent compared with the others. The most hemodynamically favorable stents from our computational analysis were the Bx Velocity and NIR stents, which were slotted-tube balloon-expandable designs. Since clinical data indicate lower restenosis rates for the Bx Velocity and NIR stents compared with the Wallstent, our data suggest that near-wall hemodynamics may predict some aspects of in vivo performance. Further consideration of biomechanics, including solid mechanics, in stent design is warranted.
Energy Transduction Inside of Amphiphilic Vesicles: Encapsulation of Photochemically Active Semiconducting Particles

Amphiphilic bilayer membrane structures (vesicles) have been postulated to have been abiotically formed and spontaneously assemble on the prebiotic Earth, providing compartmentalization for the origin of life. These vesicles are similar to modern cellular membranes and can serve to contain water-soluble species, concentrate species, and have the potential to catalyze reactions. The origin of the use of photochemical energy in metabolism (i.e. energy transduction) is one of the central issues in the origin of life. This includes such questions as how energy transduction may have occurred before complex enzymatic systems, such as required by contemporary photosynthesis, had developed and how simple a photochemical system is possible. It has been postulated that vesicle structures developed the ability to capture and transduce light, providing energy for reactions. It has also been shown that pH gradients across the membrane surface can be photochemically created, but coupling these to drive chemical reactions has been difficult. Colloidal semiconducting mineral particles are known to photochemically drive redox chemistry. We propose that encapsulation of these particles has the potential to provide a source of energy transduction inside vesicles, and thereby drive protocellular chemistry, and represents a model system for early photosynthesis. In our experiments we show that TiO2 particles, in the ~20 nm size range, can be incorporated into vesicles and retain their photoactivity through the dehydration/rehydration cycles that have been shown to concentrate species inside a vesicle.
Polymeric PARACEST Agents for Enhancing MRI Contrast Sensitivity

Linear polymers of PARACEST agents were prepared by using classical free radical chain polymerization conditions. The Eu3+-polymers exhibited similar intermediate-to-slow water exchange and CEST characteristics as the Eu3+-monomers. This provided an avenue to lower the detection limit of these imaging agents substantially and makes them potentially useful as MRI sensors for molecular imaging.
Rapid detection of vaginal colonization with group B streptococci by means of latex agglutination

Latex agglutination testing for colonization of the vagina with group B streptococci was carried out in 1100 patients. Samples underwent latex testing after 8 to 12 hours of preincubation in selective growth medium. This technique allowed a sensitivity of 91.8% and specificity of 97.6%. This study demonstrates the usefulness of latex agglutination testing in the detection of vaginal colonization with group B streptococci.
The signature and the elliptic genus of π2-finite manifolds with circle actions

Abstract We prove the vanishing of various characteristic numbers, such as the signature and the A -genus, on manifolds with finite second homotopy group and which admit smooth S1-actions. More precisely, we prove the vanishing of various coefficientes of the elliptic genus on non-spin π2-finite manifolds when the S1-action either satisfies a “parity” condition or has isolated fixed points only.