cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Review of teaching methods and critical thinking skills.

Background Critical information is needed to inform radiation science educators regarding successful critical thinking educational strategies. From an evidence-based research perspective, systematic reviews are identified as the most current and highest level of evidence. Analysis at this high level is crucial in analyzing those teaching methods most appropriate to the development of critical thinking skills. Objectives To conduct a systematic literature review to identify teaching methods that demonstrate a positive effect on the development of students' critical thinking skills and to identify how these teaching strategies can best translate to radiologic science educational programs. Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted resulting in an assessment of 59 full reports. Nineteen of the 59 reports met inclusion criteria and were reviewed based on the level of evidence presented. Inclusion criteria included studies conducted in the past 10 years on sample sizes of 20 or more individuals demonstrating use of specific teaching interventions for 5 to 36 months in postsecondary health-related educational programs. Results The majority of the research focused on problem-based learning (PBL) requiring standardized small-group activities. Six of the 19 studies focused on PBL and demonstrated significant differences in student critical thinking scores. Conclusion PBL, as described in the nursing literature, is an effective teaching method that should be used in radiation science education.
The roots of collective memory: Public knowledge of Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson:

Claims that Thomas Jefferson fathered the children of Sally Hemings, a slave at Monticello, have received support over the past 35 years from revisionist biographies, DNA testing and other evidence. The claims have also been communicated to the general public through novels, films and other popular media. Both those persuaded by the claims and those critical of them assume that collective memory of Jefferson has been changed importantly, and that a considerable portion of the American public accepts the changes, which also include a new focus on Jefferson’s views and actions regarding slavery more generally. But collective memory at the individual level requires some degree of collective knowledge, and after reviewing the nature of memory of Sally Hemings at the cultural level, we explore the extent to which knowledge and belief about a Jefferson—Hemings liaison and Jefferson’s paternity has spread through the American population. We also consider differences in knowledge by race, education, gender and bi...
Proving Correctness of Autocoded Control Software

We show a methodology to automate the verification of safety properties of control systems software generated by an autocoder. The verification algorithm, due to Feron, transforms an initial proof provided at the modeling level into the corresponding proof at the implementation level. It is based on a series of ane transformations of ellipsoid invariants induced by the statements in the target source code. We use source-to-source code transformations to reshape the autocoded source into a form suitable for application of our algorithm. In particular, we use Simulink and its Real Time Workshop for model design and the CIL/BLAST program analyzers as the basis for our verification framework. Preliminary results show that this approach is a very inexpensive way to guarantee safety without imposing much burden on system designers, because it requires them to provide, via a high-level language like that used for modeling, just the key information about the model that makes the automated proof successful.
The Appendaged Ascospores of Trichomaris Invadens (Halosphaeriaceae), A Marine Ascomycetous Parasite of the Tanner Crab, Chionoecetes Bairdi

ABSTRACTThe ascospores of Trichomaris invadens have two long filamentous appendages which are formed early in ascosporogenesis. The appendages are composed of a uniform electron-dense material simi...
Best Practices: Mitigating the Business Risks of Social Media

Social media is rapidly emerging as an effective means for businesses to engage their customers. Through the use of social media, customers can be made to feel and behave like part of a company’s brand and culture. The benefits of this viral marketing may directly impact a company’s bottom line. However, there are potential pitfalls that may arise out of the use of corporate social media. A prudent company should understand them. This article takes a cautionary look at the downside risks posed by the challenges of social media, and recommends best practices by which companies can mitigate them.
Initial Evaluation for and Management of Bacteremia and Bacterial Meningitis in Infants

The diagnosis of bacteremia or meningitis in young infants may be straightforward or difficult. Clinical assessment is important in segregating a high risk group from the large number of febrile children with less serious infections. Specific diagnostic procedures such as culture of the blood and examination of the cerebrospinal fluid may need to be employed, despite a lack of definitive clinical or nonspecific laboratory test results. The physician who first encounters such children must develop guidelines for the use of these diagnostic tests.
Dimensions of biodiversity in the Earth mycobiome

Fungi represent a large proportion of the genetic diversity on Earth and fungal activity influences the structure of plant and animal communities, as well as rates of ecosystem processes. Large-scale DNA-sequencing datasets are beginning to reveal the dimensions of fungal biodiversity, which seem to be fundamentally different to bacteria, plants and animals. In this Review, we describe the patterns of fungal biodiversity that have been revealed by molecular-based studies. Furthermore, we consider the evidence that supports the roles of different candidate drivers of fungal diversity at a range of spatial scales, as well as the role of dispersal limitation in maintaining regional endemism and influencing local community assembly. Finally, we discuss the ecological mechanisms that are likely to be responsible for the high heterogeneity that is observed in fungal communities at local scales.
Methods for the isolation and characterization of constituents of natural products: VI. Preparation of thioesters of pyruvic acid 2,6-dinitrophenylhydrazone and resolution of a homologous series by thin-layer partition chromatography

Abstract Preparation of a homologous series of thioesters of pyruvic acid 2,6-dinitrophenylhydrazone is described. The derivatives are orange, highly crystalline compounds with an absorption maximum at 407 mμ in benzene, and a molar extinction coefficient near 7100. Separation of a series of the derivatives by normal- and reversed-phase thin-layer partition chromatography is presented.
Families in Later Life

As the average age of individuals is ever increasing, families now entering later life are faced with challenges and joys often unique to their generation. Faced with caring for children and caring for elderly parents, and with new relational and health challenges, families in later life carry their own special importance in the family life cycle. Keywords: age; family; marriage; parent
biosynthesis of pre-proparathyroid hormone.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the biosynthesis of parathyroid hormone (PTH), a polypeptide of 84 amino acids whose principal physiological actions are to maintain calcium levels in the extracellular fluid and that is synthesized by way of two successive cleavages of NH 2 -terminal sequences from a larger precursor—namely, preproparathyroid hormone (pre-proPTH) of 115 amino acids. The earliest cleavage occurs predominantly cotranslationally in the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and consists of the removal of an NH 2 -terminal leader sequence of 25 amino acids, thereby resulting in the formation of an intermediate precursor—namely, proparathyroid hormone (proPTH). The leader sequence of pre-proPTH appears to serve as a signal that functions in the establishment of a polyribosome-membrane junction through the attachment of the nascent polypeptide to a transport element, yet unidentified, located in the lipid bilayer of the RER. The growing polypeptide chain is then transferred in a unidirectional manner into the cisterna of the RER. The second cleavage occurs in the Golgi complex 12–15 minutes later by removal of an NH 2 -terminal sequence of six amino acids, thereby resulting in the formation of PTH. After release of the hormone from the gland into the circulation, a third highly specific cleavage occurs in liver and perhaps in kidney, thereby resulting in proteolysis of the polypeptide between residues 33 and 34 and several other sites toward the middle of the molecule. This chapter reviews the experimental evidence in support of the cellular biosynthetic pathway.
Monoclonal Antibodies for Differentiating Some Strains of the Fastidious Gram-Negative Bacteria from Plants

Stable hybridoma clones were produced that secrete antibodies specific to the fastidious, Gram-negative, xylem-limited bacteria from 11 different host plants. One hybridoma clone produces antibodies specific for strains isolated from elm affected with leaf scorch disease.
Are Empowered Teams more Innovative? Joint Effect of Empowering Leadership and Hybrid Reward

This study aims to build framework concerning a moderated mediation model in describing the impact of empowering leadership on fostering innovation at the team level. Drawing upon empowerment theor...
Management of Glaucoma in Patients with Ocular Surface Disease

Ocular surface disease is extremely common in glaucoma patients and a major cause of morbidity. This chapter describes the diagnosis and management of three patients with increasing severity of ocular surface disease. In addition to standard management of ocular surface disease, switching to non-preserved drops is one of the first-line therapies that can have a beneficial effect. In more extreme cases, such as medication-induced cicatricial conjunctivitis and limbal stem cell deficiency, consideration should be given to stopping all topical medication and using oral agents and/or laser procedures to reduce the need for topical therapy (Box 1).
Adjuvant therapy for advanced renal cell carcinoma

Introduction: Locally advanced, non-metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is conventionally managed with surgery. However, patients are at a high risk of RCC recurrence and have poor survival outcomes. An effective adjuvant systemic treatment is needed to improve on these outcomes. Targeted molecular and immune-based therapies have been investigated, or are under investigation, but their role in this setting remains unclear.Areas covered: A comprehensive search of PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov was performed for relevant literature. The following topics pertinent to adjuvant therapy in RCC were evaluated: strategies for patient selection, cytokine-based immunotherapy, vaccine therapy, VEGF and non-VEGF targeted molecular agents, and immune checkpoint inhibitors.Expert commentary: Strong evidence for the incorporation of adjuvant therapy in high-risk RCC is lacking. Multiple targeted molecular therapies have been examined with only one approved for use. Genetic and molecular-based prognostic models ...
An ultra-low energy internally analog, externally digital vector-matrix multiplier based on NOR flash memory technology

Vector-matrix multiplication (VMM) is a core operation in many signal and data processing algorithms. Previous work showed that analog multipliers based on nonvolatile memories have superior energy efficiency as compared to digital counterparts at low-to-medium computing precision. In this paper, we propose extremely energy efficient analog mode VMM circuit with digital input/output interface and configurable precision. Similar to some previous work, the computation is performed by gate-coupled circuit utilizing embedded floating gate (FG) memories. The main novelty of our approach is an ultra-low power sensing circuitry, which is designed based on translinear Gilbert cell in topological combination with a floating resistor and a low-gain amplifier. Additionally, the digital-to-analog input conversion is merged with VMM, while current-mode algorithmic analog-to-digital circuit is employed at the circuit backend. Such implementations of conversion and sensing allow for circuit operation entirely in a current domain, resulting in high performance and energy efficiency. For example, post-layout simulation results for 400 × 400 5-bit VMM circuit designed in 55 nm process with embedded NOR flash memory, show up to 400 MHz operation, 1.68 POps/J energy efficiency, and 39.45 TOps/mm2 computing throughput. Moreover, the circuit is robust against process-voltage-temperature variations, in part due to inclusion of additional FG cells that are utilized for offset compensation.1
Rapid, Scalable Assembly and Loading of Bioactive Proteins and Immunostimulants into Diverse Synthetic Nanocarriers Via Flash Nanoprecipitation

Nanomaterials present a wide range of options to customize the controlled delivery of single and combined molecular payloads for therapeutic and imaging applications. This increased specificity can have significant clinical implications, including decreased side effects and lower dosages with higher potency. Furthermore, the in situ targeting and controlled modulation of specific cell subsets can enhance in vitro and in vivo investigations of basic biological phenomena and probe cell function. Unfortunately, the required expertise in nanoscale science, chemistry and engineering often prohibit laboratories without experience in these fields from fabricating and customizing nanomaterials as tools for their investigations or vehicles for their therapeutic strategies. Here, we provide protocols for the synthesis and scalable assembly of a versatile non-toxic block copolymer system amenable to the facile formation and loading of nanoscale vehicles for biomedical applications. Flash nanoprecipitation is presented as a methodology for rapid fabrication of diverse nanocarriers from poly(ethylene glycol)-bl-poly(propylene sulfide) copolymers. These protocols will allow laboratories with a wide range of expertise and resources to easily and reproducibly fabricate advanced nanocarrier delivery systems for their applications. The design and construction of an automated instrument that employs a high-speed syringe pump to facilitate the flash nanoprecipitation process and to allow enhanced control over the homogeneity, size, morphology and loading of polymersome nanocarriers is described.
Abstract C36: Receipt, interest, and preferences for communication of cancer survivorship plans for colorectal cancer

Introduction: With a growing number of approximately 1.2 million colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors, there is an urgent need for coordinated follow-up care for this population. National guidelines recommend implementing Cancer Survivorship Plans (CSPs) as the standard of care for CRC survivors. Despite this recommendation, little is known about the use of CSPs in clinical practice and patients9 interests and preferences. This study evaluated receipt and interest in CSPs and preferred modes of receiving CSPs in an ethnically and geographically diverse population of colorectal cancer survivors in New Mexico. Methods: Men and women with a history of local or regional stage colorectal cancer at diagnosis were identified through the New Mexico Tumor Registry. A mailed English- and Spanish-language survey was distributed to CRC survivors with a 62% cooperation rate. Survey items included interest, receipt, and communication preferences regarding CSPs. Descriptive statistics and chi square analysis were used to characterize respondents by ethnicity, primary language spoken at home, and rural urban commuting area (RUCA) codes. Results: Two hundred eighty-nine CRC survivors responded to the survey of whom 42% were Hispanic and 58% were non-Hispanic (NH). The median age was 63 (± 7.6) years and 52% were male. Overall, only 13% of patients reported they had received a CSP with an equal distribution amongst Hispanics and NHs. Only 23% of participants reported that their physician talked to them about a CSP. A significantly higher percentage of Hispanics reported being interested in receiving a CSP (76%) compared to NHs (35%) (p Conclusions: CSPs have the potential to improve the overall quality of life, health, and care delivery for CRC survivors. Although interest in CSPs was high, only a small percentage of CRC survivors reported having received a CSP. Ethnicity and primary language spoken at home are factors that contribute to interest in CSPs and may influence the preferred mode of delivery for CSPs. Citation Format: Jessie Padilla Medina, Kristina Fllores, Myra Murillo, Jean McDougall, Anita Kinney. Receipt, interest, and preferences for communication of cancer survivorship plans for colorectal cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Tenth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2017 Sep 25-28; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2018;27(7 Suppl):Abstract nr C36.
Review of burn research for the year 2013

The diverse medical disciplines that are involved in the care of burn patients is reflected in the robust and varied scientific and clinical research of burn injury. In the calendar year of 2013, over 1000 articles were published in peer-reviewed journals in the area of burn injury. This review summarizes select, interesting, and potentially influential articles in areas of critical care, epidemiology, infection, inhalation injury, nutrition and metabolism, pain and pruritus, psychology, reconstruction and rehabilitation, and wounds.
Integration of Analyses in an EMC Control Plan for Avionics Hardware in Space Applications

An EMC Control Plan is a very valuable tool for outlining the processes needed to suppress EMI and provide EMC for the avionics hardware used in space applications. The EMC Control Plan provides guidance to EMC engineers and avionics hardware designers on methods, procedures, and practices to achieve optimum EMC. The design of an EMC Control Plan for space avionics requires unique challenges due to the nature of the space missions and the space environment. An EMC Control Plan for avionics hardware in space applications can be optimized by the integration of reliability and margin analyses that are uniquely suitable to space applications and avionics hardware. The paper provides a description of the analyses and the rationale for the inclusion of such analyses in the EMC Control Plan, including some examples. The paper concludes by providing a detailed outlined of an EMC Control Plan for avionics hardware in space applications and how this approach fits well with the overall avionics hardware design and development cycle.
Response of freshwater bacterial isolates exposed to used motor oil

In aquatic environments, many organisms, including bacteria, are affected by polluted runoff. The Jones Falls, a tributary that flows into the Chesapeake Bay, is severely impacted by a variety of problems, including a high amount of surrounding impervious surface and stormwater runoff. Bacteria from the stream were isolated, characterized, and subjected to experiments designed to challenge them in media containing used motor oil. Microbial growth was measured (OD590) after this exposure. It was hypothesized that given that the native bacteria in the Jones Falls were likely previously exposed to used motor oil from urban runoff, some species would favor repeated laboratory treatment with used motor oil. The results of growth curve experiments suggest that some bacterial isolates display hindered growth while others display enhanced growth after exposure to used motor oil. Given that microorganisms are the base of the food web, their responses to a changed environment can potentially affect the rest of the aquatic ecosystem. Learning about the microbial species affected by various components of stormwater runoff can aid in identifying release locations and informing mitigation methods.
Interspecific Density Influences the Adaptive Significance of Provisioning Coordination Between Breeding Partners

Cooperation between parents in species with biparental care can reduce sexual conflict and increase reproductive success. If parents cooperate in a conditional way- that is, alternate feeding visits to offspring- this should equalize parental investment and may improve nestling growth. Environmental variation, including competition for limited resources, may influence the need for, and benefits of, parental cooperation. We measured the benefits of partner coordination in offspring provisioning behavior among eastern bluebird partners (Sialia sialis) in which the strength of interspecific density varied spatially. Tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) are a recent (<40 years) arrival in our study area, are aggressive nestbox competitors with eastern bluebirds, and their density varies across the field site. Nesting among higher densities of tree swallows led to reduced parental feeding rates and reproductive success of bluebirds. Partner alternation, however, did not vary with tree swallow density. Additionally, alternation level and provisioning rate only influenced nestling growth in areas of high swallow density. It may be that the benefits of parental coordination may only be apparent when environmental conditions are poor. This study provides an important new perspective on the resolution of negotiations between breeding partners; environmental variation could influence the benefits of parental cooperation in a wide variety of animals.
Dynamic Taxi Ride Sharing using Localized Communication

With the rise of on-demand taxi services, like Uber, Lyft, etc., urban public transportation started to heavily depend on taxicabs. While increasing demand leads to passenger stranding, higher supply may result in traffic congestion. In order to strike a balance ride sharing plays an important role. However, scheduling a ride on-the-fly is extremely challenging and more so with increasing number of passengers. It is non-trivial to find a driving route for the taxi accommodating multiple passengers without extending their journey time beyond a pre-specified tolerance value. The spatiotemporal separation of passengers and high mobility of taxis even more complicates shared ride scheduling. Existing distributed ride sharing solutions failed to address the extremely dynamic nature of the underlying topology where taxis are continuously moving and hence, results in message loss. In this paper, we have proposed a purely distributed ride sharing algorithm aimed at addressing the dynamics of taxi topology using asynchronous localized communication between passengers and taxis. Empirical analysis using large scale single-user taxi ride records from Chicago, show that, our proposed algorithm, ensures a maximum of 76% success in ride sharing and a 97.5% taxi occupancy rate during peak operating hours.
Prostaglandin E2, Produced by Mast Cells in Colon Tissues From Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Contributes to Visceral Hypersensitivity in Mice.

Background and Aims Visceral hypersensitivity is common in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We investigated whether inflammatory molecules, such as histamine and proteases, activate prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (also called COX2) to increase the synthesis of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by mast cells, which activates the receptor PTGER2 (also called EP2) in the dorsal root ganglia to promote visceral hypersensitivity. Methods We used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure levels of spontaneous release of molecules from mast cells in colonic mucosa from patients with IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D; 18 women and 5 men; aged 28–60 years), healthy individuals (controls, n = 24), mice, and rats. We measured visceromotor responses to colorectal distension in rodents after intracolonic administration of colon biopsy supernatants, histamine, PGE2, a small interfering RNA against EP2, or an agonist of F2R like trypsin receptor 1 (F2RL1, also called protease-activated receptor 2 [PAR2]). We investigated the role of COX2, produced by mast cells, in mediation of visceral hypersensitivity using mice with the Y385F substitution in Ptgs2 (Ptgs2Y385F mice), mast cell–deficient (W/WV) mice, and W/WV mice given injections of mast cells derived from wild-type or Ptgs2Y385F mice. Results Colon biopsies from patients with IBS-D had increased levels of PGE2, based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and COX2 messenger RNA and protein, compared with control biopsies. Immunohistochemistry showed that most of the COX2 was in mast cells. Intracolonic infusions of rats with IBS-D biopsy supernatants generated a 3- to 4-fold increase in visceromotor responses to colorectal distension; this was associated with significant increases in PGE2, histamine, and tryptase in the colonic mucosa. These increases were prevented by a mast cell stabilizer, COX2 inhibitor, or knockdown of EP2. Intracolonic administration of supernatants from biopsies of patients with IBS-D failed to induce visceral hypersensitivity or increase the level of PGE2 in W/WV and Ptgs2Y385F mice. Reconstitution of mast cells in W/WV mice restored the visceral hypersensitivity response. Conclusions Abnormal synthesis of PGE2 by colonic mast cells appears to induce visceral hypersensitivity in patients with IBS-D.
Chapter 14 – Office Automation

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the uses of computers in offices. Office automation (OA) refers to the use of the computing and communications technologies to process information in offices electronically. OA began in the mid-1960s with the introduction of word processing systems—computers that manipulate textual material, such as words, phrases, sentences, and paragraphs. Some of the current OA systems integrate the processing of numbers, text, graphics, voice, and video images. OA is concerned with improving the productivity of managerial, professional, clerical, and administrative personnel; the interconnection of all office equipment through local and long-distance communications networks; improving the overall information flow in an organization; and the production of information that is accurate, timely, useful, and complete. Automated offices store, process, and transmit information electronically. Transmission times are reduced from the days or weeks associated with mailing paper letters and catalogs to seconds or minutes. The storage space needed for paper documents is freed for more productive use as information is stored electronically.
Problem Solving Therapy for Home-Hospice Caregivers: A Pilot Study.

This pilot study examined the effects of Brief Problem-Solving Therapy on caregiver quality of life, depression, and problem-solving in family caregivers of hospice patients. Thirty-seven family ca...
Dual regulation by subcellular calcium heterogeneity and heart rate variability on cardiac electromechanical dynamics

Heart rate constantly varies under physiological conditions, termed heart rate variability (HRV), and in clinical studies, low HRV is associated with a greater risk of cardiac arrhythmias. Prior work has shown that HRV influences the temporal patterns of electrical activity, specifically the formation of pro-arrhythmic alternans, a beat-to-beat alternation in the action potential duration (APD), or intracellular calcium (Ca) levels. We previously showed that HRV may be anti-arrhythmic by disrupting APD and Ca alternations in a homogeneous cardiac myocyte. Here, we expand on our previous work, incorporating variation in subcellular Ca handling (also known to influence alternans) into a nonlinear map model of a cardiac myocyte composed of diffusively coupled Ca release units (CRUs). Ca-related parameters and initial conditions of each CRU are varied to mimic subcellular Ca heterogeneity, and a stochastic pacing sequence reproduces HRV. We find that subcellular Ca heterogeneity promotes the formation of spatially discordant subcellular alternans patterns, which decreases whole cell Ca and APD alternation for low and moderate HRV, while high subcellular Ca heterogeneity and HRV both promote electromechanical desynchronization. Finally, we find that for low and moderate HRV, both the specific subcellular Ca-related parameters and the pacing sequences influence measures of electromechanical dynamics, while for high HRV, these measures depend predominantly on the pacing sequence. Our results suggest that pro-arrhythmic subcellular discordant alternans tend to form for low levels of HRV, while high HRV may be anti-arrhythmic due to mitigated influence from subcellular Ca heterogeneity and desynchronization of APD from Ca instabilities.
Rock the Registration: Same Day Registration Increases Turnout of Young Voters

Studies find that same day registration (SDR) laws increase turnout, but less is known about which kinds of voters are most affected. Young people are disproportionately burdened by traditional reg...
Modeling solution vapor equilibria with solvation and solute assembly

Abstract By combining solvation (e.g. hydration) and solute assembly (e.g. ion pairing), solution vapor–liquid equilibrium (VLE) data was effectively modeled without the use of solute activity coefficients. The method assumes that solvent activity is governed by Raoult's law ideality and corresponds to the concentration of free solvent (solvent not involved in solvation). Within the model, solution behavior is dictated by stochastically consistent speciation (solvated solute and solute assembles). Solvation is modeled as a linear decline from infinite dilution solvation (hydration) values to empirically determined saturation solvation (hydration) values. Ion pairing is modeled as a conventional chemical equilibrium to address conditions where the solvent activity residual is smaller than the anhydrous solute concentration (while also considering solvation). These three parameters, (i) infinite dilution hydration values, (i) saturation hydration values, and (iii) ion-association equilibria are held constant across a solute’s full range of concentration and fall within consistent, expected bounds. These speciation states describe solutes and solvent systems that model as ideal, thus avoiding the requirement of a solute activity model. This speciation-based solution model was successfully applied to 24 common 1–1 and 2–2 salts.
A Compact 50kW High Power Density, Hybrid 3-Level Paralleled T-type Inverter for More Electric Aircraft Applications

The demand for high performing, lightweight, reliable inverters, increased the scope of wide bandgap and high-switching frequency based solutions. To achieve such high efficiency inverters, it is vital to focus on the system level design considerations to maximize the benefits of these advanced technologies. This paper presents an improved design based on considerations to further reap the benefits of choosing the right inverter topology; increased capabilities through paralleling devices, with reduced total number of switches; and designing a planarized inverter with PCB based busbar. Appropriate thermal analysis and heatsink design has aided in increased system power density along with the overall efficiency. Demonstration of a SOkW 3-phase 3-level paralleled T-type SiC inverter operating at 40kHz switching frequency for aircraft applications is shown to evaluate the benefits of proposed design methodology. The prototype achieves a high power density of 11kW/L.
Sexual Arousal Discounting: Devaluing Condom-Protected Sex as a Function of Reduced Arousal

Sexual discounting is a growing area of research aimed at identifying factors that reduce people’s reported willingness to have safe sex. One commonly reported reason for condom non-use is that a condom reduces sexual arousal. However, researchers have yet to isolate the specific role of sexual arousal using a sexual discounting framework. We extended past research by measuring how sexual arousal reduced people’s willingness to have condom-protected sex (“sexual arousal discounting”: SAD). College students (n = 379; 67.5% females) selected partners they most wanted and least wanted to have sex with and were randomized to one of two groups. In one group, participants rated their willingness to have sex with a condom if their own arousal decreased (from 100 to 10%) from condom use. The other group completed the same task except their partner’s arousal decreased from condom use instead of their own. We observed a three-way interaction between arousal levels, most versus least desirable partners, and self versus partner groups. Participants’ willingness to have condom-protected sex systematically reduced as a function of sexual arousal. This was observed more with the most (vs. least) desirable partner and in the self-arousal (vs. partner-arousal) group but only when the partner was their least desirable. Men (vs. women) displayed more arousal discounting but only with the most desirable partner. Finally, higher arousal discounting was associated with lower safe-sex self-efficacy and higher reported frequency of unprotected sex in the past 3 months. This study demonstrates how reduced sexual arousal from condom use can be measured as a factor influencing sexual risk-taking.
Focal High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation of the Prostate.

With the advancement of early detection tools for prostate cancer and ability to better localize disease, there has been increased interest in focal or targeted therapies that carry less morbidity ...
Preparation of Poincaré beams with a same-path polarization/spatial-mode interferometer

We present a same-path polarization interferometer that uses two spatial light modulators to encode the most general type of Poincare beam. We demonstrate this design by presenting new results on the encoding of symmetric C-point polarization singularities using spatial modes with high-order topological charges. We also present new results on composite C-points. These are cases where there are multiple C-points in a single beam obtained by combining two modes with composite optical vortices in orthogonal states of polarization. The measurements show good agreement with the simulations.
A computational model of the cerebral cortex

Our current understanding of the primate cerebral cortex (neocortex) and in particular the posterior, sensory association cortex has matured to a point where it is possible to develop a family of graphical models that capture the structure, scale and power of the neocortex for purposes of associative recall, sequence prediction and pattern completion among other functions. Implementing such models using readily available computing clusters is now within the grasp of many labs and would provide scientists with the opportunity to experiment with both hard-wired connection schemes and structure-learning algorithms inspired by animal learning and developmental studies. While neural circuits involving structures external to the neocortex such as the thalamic nuclei are less well understood, the availability of a computational model on which to test hypotheses would likely accelerate our understanding of these circuits. Furthermore, the existence of an agreed-upon cortical substrate would not only facilitate our understanding of the brain but enable researchers to combine lessons learned from biology with state-of-the-art graphical-model and machine-learning techniques to design hybrid systems that combine the best of biological and traditional computing approaches.
The Inhibition by Physiological Orthophosphate Concentrations of Hydrolytic and Synthetic Activities of Liver Glucose 6-Phosphatase

Abstract The inhibition by orthophosphate of glucose 6-phosphate phosphohydrolase and inorganic pyrophosphate-glucose phosphotransferase activities of rat liver glucose 6-phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.9) has been studied in detail. Significant inhibitions of both activities were noted over the entire range of pH values studied—pH 5.0 to 7.5 (hydrolase) or pH 5.0 to 6.5 (phosphotransferase). The detergents cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (Cetrimide) and lysolecithin significantly lowered Ki values for Pi with both activities. For example, at pH 7.5, a Ki value of 18 mm was noted in the absence of detergents, while preliminary treatment of microsomes with Cetrimide, to 0.05% (w/v), reduced this value to 2.0 mm, and inclusion of 0.4 mm lysolecithin in assay mixtures led to a decrease in Ki to 4.6 mm. Because of differences in the extents of accompanying modifying effects of detergents on Km values for substrates, net inhibition by Pi of glucose 6-phosphate phosphohydrolase activity was considerably more extensively potentiated by detergents than was that of phosphotransferase activity. Both in the absence and presence of detergents, inhibitions were kinetically competitive with respect to glucose 6-phosphate and pyrophosphate and non-competitive with respect to glucose in the phosphotransferase reaction. The mutually competitive nature of interactions of orthophosphate with adenosine triphosphate, bicarbonate, and pyrophosphate noted in inhibition studies carried out with phosphohydrolase activity also was shown. A physiologically significant regulatory role for Pi, through its effects on activities of this enzyme, is suggested on the basis of these experimental observations.
Robust H∞ controller design for microgrid-tied inverter applications

This paper proposes an H ∞ mixed sensitivity design of output current tracking controller in a stationary reference frame for general microgrid-tied inverter applications. Variations in a microgrid impedance values have been modeled as multiplicative uncertainty in the plant model. Equivalent microgrid voltage has been considered as the output disturbance acting on the plant. Particular weighting functions have been introduced as part of the H ∞ algorithm. Weighting functions have been used for performance tuning by shaping the sensitivity and complementary sensitivity functions of the closed loop system. An 8th order H ∞ controller has been synthesized and system robust stability has been evaluated using modified impedance stability criterion. Controller regulating performance has been validated using PSIM software simulation. Despite the fact that no resonance damping technique is applied, system has shown to be robustly stable under predefined microgrid parameters variations.
The Package “sigloc” for the R Software: A Tool for Triangulating Transmitter Locations in Ground-Based Telemetry Studies of Wildlife Populations

Despite the advent of GPS collars and technology, a large portion of wildlife studies still relies on radio-tracking to study the movement patterns, habitat selection, and space use of individual animals. I present here the “sigloc” package for the R software, which offers basic functions to analyze radio-tracking data, methods to estimate the location of a VHF transmitter using azimuth bearings, and interfaces with other R packages and functions. These tools can be downloaded freely on the internet and provide a powerful environment for the analysis of radio telemetry data.
Modeling certainty equivalents for imprecise gambles

We present results from two experiments on the relative importance of, and subjects' differential sensitivity to, vagueness on both probabilities and outcomes. Subjects in these studies made certainty equivalent (CE) judgments for precise and vague gambles. In the first study subjects responded to gain gambles only; in the second they judged both gain and loss gambles. Model-free analyses of the results indicate (a) a higher concern for the precision of the outcomes than that of the probabilities, (b) vagueness seeking for positive outcomes and (c) vagueness avoidance for negative outcomes and (d) no strong modal attitude toward vagueness on the probability dimension. The greater salience of the outcomes can be explained by the nature of the response mode (CEs). The reflection of attitudes towards outcome vagueness in the two domains can be explained by the distinct goals of the DMs in the two cases, which cause them to focus on the highest (most desirable) possible gain or the largest (most dreaded) conceivable loss. We propose and fit a new model of decision making with vaguely specified attributes that generalize the Prospect Theory model for the precise case. The new generalized model combines the two submodels (preference among precise lotteries and effects of vagueness) and allows estimation of the vagueness parameters. These estimated parameters are consistent with, and confirm, the patterns uncovered by the qualitative analysis.
A NUMERICAL-METHOD FOR DETERMINING OPTIMAL PARAMETER VALUES IN FORCED PERIODIC OPERATION

Abstract A numerical approach for determining values of forcing parameters which maximize performance of a periodically forced system is described. Periodic solutions of the system equations plus a differential form of the time-average performance measure are computed with a shooting algorithm. A nonlinear programming package is used to solve the optimization problem. The algorithm is applied to ethylene oxidation process, using the model of a continous stirred-tank rector (CSTR).
Explaining the growth of government expenditure: Australian government department appropriations since world war two

Abstract Political economists have concentrated on explaining the growth of total government expenditure rather than individual governmental institutions. This paper applies four models of governmental behaviour from the public administration and public choice areas to the growth of the major Australian government departments in the period 1947–1979, and provides forecasts of expenditure for the years 1980–1982. The three models are: budgetary incrementalism, based on the auto‐correlation of departmental appropriations; the degree of bureaucratic monopoly power vis‐a‐vis its financial sponsor; a macro model incorporating social, political and economic incentives for governmental expenditure (e.g. unemployment); and a model based on measurements of the demand of the median voter for government services. The results suggest that a simple budgetary incrementalism model, using a first order autoregression provides the best explanation for institutional growth over the past thirty years and the best forecasts.
Mammaglobin, a breast-specific gene, and its utility as a marker for breast cancer.

Abstract: The mammaglobin gene encodes a 10-kDa glycoprotein that is distantly related to a family of proteins that includes rat estramustine binding protein (EMBP)/prostatein and human Clara cell 10-kDa protein (CC10)/uteroglobin. Among normal adult tissues, mammaglobin mRNA expression has been detected only in the mammary gland. As an initial step to determine mammaglobin's clinical utility as a breast tumor marker, we evaluated the frequency and specificity with which mammaglobin expression could be detected in primary breast tumors, metastatic breast tumors, and breast tumor cells present in the peripheral circulation. Approximately 80% of all primary and metastatic breast tumors examined were strongly immunopositive for mammaglobin protein, and staining was independent of tumor grade. Among peripheral stem cell collections from breast cancer patients, mammaglobin mRNA could be detected in 60% of cases. Recent work has identified the secreted mammaglobin protein in the sera of some breast cancer patients using both Western blot and ELISA. This study demonstrates that the detection of mammaglobin protein and mRNA in clinical samples may be a useful marker for primary, metastatic, and occult breast cancer.
Attentional dynamics mediated by subcortical mechanisms

Following a salient cue that attracts attention to a specific spatial location, perceptual processing of information at that location is facilitated if the interval between the cue and target is brief, or, is inhibited if the interval between the cue and target is long. The mechanisms mediating these attentional dynamics continue to be the subject on ongoing debate. On one classic account, facilitation and inhibition of return (IOR) are two ends of a continuum, generated by the same underlying mechanism. Other accounts have postulated that these two attentional processes emerge from independent systems. To address these alternatives, we report data from three experiments in which a cue and its ensuing target are presented to the same or different eyes at varying cue-target intervals. Whereas the onset of facilitation was apparent earlier when the cue and target shared the eye-of-origin, the onset of IOR was not affected by the eye to which the cue and target were presented. This finding implicates at least some, if not full, independence in the system(s) that give rise to attentional facilitation and IOR, and, moreover, suggests that facilitation may be more reliant on subcortical levels of the visual pathways than IOR.
Application of a high intensity laboratory X-ray source to EXAFS spectroscopy

Abstract A practically oriented summary for the design and operation of a high-performance laboratory EXAFS system is presented. Emphasis is on an evaluation of total system performance, including both geometrical and crystal diffraction effects.
256 HYPOXIC HYBOXIA (HH) AND CEREBRAL O 2 DELIVERY IN THE FETAL AND NEWBORN SHEEP

The effects of HH on cerebral O2 delivery and on the ratio between O2 delivery and cerebral O2 consumption, i.e. the cerebral fractional O2 extraction, has been studied in 20 unanesthetized fetal sheep in utero and 7 newborn lambs. Cerebral O2 delivery was calculated as the product of cerebral blood flow (CBF), measured with the radioactive microsphere technique, and arterial O2 content (CaO2). Fetuses were studied as PO2 varied from 12 to 35mmHg; lambs, as PaO2 varied from 30 to 150mmHg. All data were corrected to a constant arterial PCO2. Neither cerebral O2 delivery nor fractional O2 extraction varied with PaO2 (unless hypoxia was extreme) in either fetuses or lambs, despite wide differences in their physiologic circumstances. This suggests that the regulated variable during HH is (CBFX CaO2), not CBF. Since PaO2 and CaO2 are not linearly related, CBF must respond to changes in CaO2 rather than PaO2. This indicates regulation of cerebral blood flow at the tissue level. Cerebral fractional O2 extraction is relatively constant between fetuses and lambs despite considerable differences in cerebral O2 consumption and delivery. Thus, the most important determinant of cerebral O2 delivery is not developmental stage, but O2 need.
Antenna patterns and jets

Abstract I discuss the idea that the soft particles associated with a QCD multijet process can be understood as the gluon radiation produced by the underlying hard process (antenna pattern). I suggest a test of this idea in high-energy collisions. In hadron colliders, the test should be insensitive to details of structure functions and parton-parton cross sections. I argue that, at high energies, the distribution of single soft-gluon emission from an antenna pattern is independent of whether there are other soft gluons emitted in the process, so long as the direction of the other gluons is not specified.
Altered egos: gay men reading across gender difference in Wonder Woman

Arguments about representation in comics and other media have largely consisted of simple and direct identity presentation, yet there is growing evidence that audiences construct identification moments in a myriad of ways. Gender identification, for instance, with protagonists in comics may seem straightforward, yet there is ongoing evidence that audience members cross the male–female divide to find themselves within protagonists of another gender. Wonder Woman, for instance, has a considerable gay male fan base. This project approaches Wonder Woman with a semiotic and cultural studies analysis to see how the character is made up of several syntagms that encourage this kind of identification, including same-sex society, fighting intolerance, finding one’s place and thriving in transformation. Rather than a secret identity for the hero, the project calls this relationship an ‘altered ego’ for the reader.