cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
FPGA Based Implementation of Cascaded Multi-level Inverter with Adjustable DC

In this paper, total harmonic distortion (THD) minimization problem for cascaded H-Bridge multilevel inverters (CHB-MLIs) with unequal DC sources is studied, which the DC voltage levels of CHB-MLI is considered to be dependent on switching angles. Two forms of variations are proposed for DC voltage, considering corresponding switching angles. A simplified THD formulation, independent from the DC voltage is presented. Both Homotopy method and Genetic Algorithm is applied for THD minimization using Selective Harmonic Elimination PWM (SHEPWM). The results show less THD results using GA. The simulation results are demonstrated by experiments on a seven-level inverter controlled by Xilinx SPARTAN3 FPGA (XC3S400-PQG208). The results show that switching angles for minimum THD can be considered constant for desired fundamental voltages.
Bayesian Active Learning for Uncertainty Quantification of High Speed Channel Signaling

Increasing data rates in server high-speed communication busses makes their performance more susceptible to uncertainties in manufacturing processes. As a result, it is essential to understand channel design limitations and performance under tolerances to ensure a robust system. Predicting channel performance under tolerances can become very straining in time and computational resources. To address this, we propose a new active learning based algorithm that starts with no training data to simultaneously derive an accurate predictive model while finding the worst case scenario to ensure channel compliance in reduced CPU time compared to conventional methods.
Tracking T Cell Activation By OX40 ImmunoPET: A Novel Strategy for Imaging of Graft Versus Host Disease

Graft versus host disease (GvHD) is a major complication of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) mediated by donor immune cells reacting against host tissues. GvHD diagnosis is often challenging and superior noninvasive imaging strategies are critically needed. Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging for GvHD diagnosis employing conventional tracers (18F FDG) has largely been confounding, mainly due to its low specificity. Monitoring T cell activation and expansion using Tcell targeted PET tracers seems a more promising approach. We recently reported a novel immunoPET tracer (64CuDOTAmAbOX40) that enables noninvasive imaging of activated T cells expressing the cell surface activation marker OX40. In the present work, we evaluated the utility of this immunoPET strategy to image activated T cells in a major MHCmismatch mouse model of acute GvHD. Lethally irradiated Balb/C (H2Kd) recipients received 5 × 10e6 Tcell depleted bone marrow (BM) cells intravenously (i.v.) with or without 10e6 CD4 and CD8 T cells from C57BL/6 (H2Kb) mice. AntiOX40 monoclonal antibody (mAb) specific for murine OX40 (clone: OX86) was conjugated to DOTA chelate. The conjugate was evaluated by mass spectrometry (average ratio of 1.4 DOTAs per mAb) and radiolabeled with 64CuCl2 (final specific activity 10 15μCi/μg, radiochemical purity >99%). Mice were tail vein injected with 64CuDOTAmAbOX40 (100 μCi, i.v.) at day 7 after HCT and PETCT performed 24h after injection. In vivo OX40ImmunoPET revealed increased radiotracer uptake in spleen, mesenteric LN and abdominal region of mice with GvHD compared with BM control mice (Fig. 1A and B). Interestingly, 64CuDOTAmAbOX40 uptake in spleen, mesenteric LN and abdominal region positively correlated with the GvHD score [spleen, r=0.6, p=0.0018; mesenteric LN, r=0.42, p=0.042; abdomen, r=0.77, p
How brand-cause fit shapes real world advertising messages: a qualitative exploration of ‘femvertising’

Brand-cause fit, the concept that a brand and a social issue ‘pair’ together conceptually, has been a topic of great interest yet it is not fully understood due to inconsistent findings and limited...
Loss of Efficacy to Spinal Cord Stimulator Therapy: Clinical Evidence and Possible Causes

BACKGROUND Although spinal cord stimulation (SCS) therapy has been shown to be efficacious in various pain conditions, the ability for SCS therapy to maintain long-term efficacy has been questioned. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a loss of efficacy (LOE) phenomenon exists with SCS therapy and to investigate if this phenomenon is more apparent in any specific patient population. STUDY DESIGN A retrospective, observation chart review was conducted to evaluate the patient response to SCS therapy over time. SETTING Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. METHODS Patients who received a SCS at the Massachusetts General Hospital, between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2012, were invited to participate. A total of 62 patients were included in this study. Various models were created to analyze pain score changes over time using 2-tailed statistical analysis. Additionally, one-way ANOVA and Pearson's chi-square tests were used to determine if certain patient characteristics were associated with LOE. RESULTS Compared to the visual analog scale (VAS) score at one month after device implantation, pain scores increased 1.95 points after 2 years (95% CI: 1.06 to 2.84, P = < 0.001). There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the groups of patients who did and did not lose efficacy of their therapy. However, those who experienced LOE had a baseline SCS therapy VAS score 3.09 points lower than those who did not (95% CI: 1.69 to 4.48, P = < 0.001). LIMITATIONS This study had several limitations including the retrospective nature of its design, confounders to VAS scores, small sample size, missing data points, and the evaluation of only conventional, low-frequency SCS therapy. CONCLUSIONS Patients who received a SCS had a significant increase in VAS scores over time. Our data did not show any baseline patient characteristic that helped predict LOE. However, patients who have significant baseline response to therapy may be more likely to experience LOE. KEY WORDS Spinal cord stimulation, chronic pain, retrospective study, low frequency electrical stimulation, efficacy, chronic pain therapy.
Directed assembly and micro-manipulation of passive particles at fluid interfaces via capillarity using a magnetic micro-robot

Controlled assembly of microscale objects can be achieved by exploiting interactions that dominate at that length scale. Capillary interactions are an excellent candidate for this purpose; microparticles trapped at fluid interfaces disturb the interface shape, migrate, and assemble to minimize the interfacial area. These interactions are independent of microparticle material properties and so can be used to assemble objects of arbitrary materials. By using a magnetic robot as a mobile distortion source, additional control over assembly can be achieved. For example, millimeter-scale magnetic robots that are heavy enough to distort the interface have been used to generate long range capillary attractions and collect passive particles that are hundreds of micrometers in diameter. However, for smaller robots and particles, gravity is less important, and capillary interactions rely on interface distortions from undulated contact lines. We use a magnetic microrobot to manipulate passive microparticles at the water/hexadecane interface via an interplay of hydrodynamic and capillary interactions. Furthermore, we demonstrate preferred docking at corners of a square microrobot without the need for high resolution position control. We modulate the strength of docking interactions, allowing structure assembly and release. Finally, we design undulated docking stations with multiple stable sites for cargo delivery. The ability to dynamically manipulate microparticles and their structures at fluid interfaces creates new possibilities for manufacturing of complex microstructures.Controlled assembly of microscale objects can be achieved by exploiting interactions that dominate at that length scale. Capillary interactions are an excellent candidate for this purpose; microparticles trapped at fluid interfaces disturb the interface shape, migrate, and assemble to minimize the interfacial area. These interactions are independent of microparticle material properties and so can be used to assemble objects of arbitrary materials. By using a magnetic robot as a mobile distortion source, additional control over assembly can be achieved. For example, millimeter-scale magnetic robots that are heavy enough to distort the interface have been used to generate long range capillary attractions and collect passive particles that are hundreds of micrometers in diameter. However, for smaller robots and particles, gravity is less important, and capillary interactions rely on interface distortions from undulated contact lines. We use a magnetic microrobot to manipulate passive microparticles at the wa...
Heterodyned photoacoustic effect generated by irradiation of single particles by two laser beams modulated at different frequencies

When a modulated light beam is absorbed by an incompressible particle, the photoacoustic effect can take place through heat diffusion into the surrounding fluid followed by thermal expansion and the generation of sound. When two laser beams modulated at different frequencies irradiate a particle in aqueous solution, the effect of one laser is to modulate the thermal expansion coefficient of the solution in the proximity of the particle at its modulation frequency. Heat diffusion into the same region of fluid from absorption of radiation from the second laser takes place in fluid where the thermal expansion coefficient is modulated so that the photoacoustic effect is produced at the sum and difference frequencies of the two lasers. Here, a theory for the photoacoustic effect at the heterodyne frequency for a single particle and the corresponding experiments with carbon particles of different sizes are reported.
Detection of Novel Coronavirus on the Surface of Environmental Materials Contaminated by COVID-19 Patients in the Republic of Korea

This study aimed to determine the presence of SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces frequently touched by COVID-19 patients, and assess the scope of contamination and transmissibility in facilities where the outbreaks occurred. In the course of this epidemiological investigation, a total of 80 environmental specimens were collected from 6 hospitals (68 specimens) and 2 "mass facilities" (6 specimens from a rehabilitation center and 6 specimens from an apartment building complex). Specific reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction targeting of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, and envelope genes, were used to identify the presence of this novel coronavirus. The 68 specimens from 6 hospitals (A, B, C, D, E, and G), where prior disinfection/cleaning had been performed before environmental sampling, tested negative for SARS-CoV-2. However, 2 out of 12 specimens (16.7%) from 2 "mass facilities" (F and H), where prior disinfection/cleaning had not taken place, were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA polymerase, and envelope genes. These results suggest that prompt disinfection and cleaning of potentially contaminated surfaces is an effective infection control measure. By inactivating SARS-CoV-2 with disinfection/cleaning the infectivity and transmission of the virus is blocked. This investigation of environmental sampling may help in the understanding of risk assessment of the COVID-19 outbreak in "mass facilities" and provide guidance in using effective disinfectants on contaminated surfaces.
Plant-Based Diets for Healthy Aging.

The world population of adults 60 years old or older is expected to double from 841 million to 2 billion by 2050. The number of individuals 80 or older will more than triple, reaching almost 400 mi...
Tuning selectivity in nickel oxide-catalyzed oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane through control over non-stoichiometric oxygen density

Despite bulk metal oxide non-stoichiometry often being recognized as a key determinant of catalytic performance, clarifying its catalytic function has remained elusive due in part to the highly complex nature of many catalyst surfaces. In this study, we demonstrate that the non-stoichiometric oxygen (NSO) density for thermally stable nickel oxide cubes can be manipulated without measurable changes in degree of crystallinity, particle size, and morphology. UV-vis spectroscopy, temperature programmed desorption, and H2-temperature programmed reduction analyses all evidence monotonic decreases in NSO density upon thermal treatment; crucially, these decreases persist upon exposure to ethane and oxygen under oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane (ODHE) reaction conditions. Such control over NSO density under reaction conditions is used to tune ODHE ethene selectivity; independent of reaction conditions, at isoconversion, ethene selectivity tracks qualitatively with NSO density. These trends in selectivity, however, do not extend to conditions resulting in higher fractional hydroxyl coverages, for example, in the presence of water co-feeds, where primary ODHE selectivities vary only at the highest treatment temperature used in our study. Overall, this study points to (i) the need for well-defined oxide materials that enable (ideally) the exclusive variation of a single physicochemical property, (ii) the importance of using multiple characterization techniques for quantifying various properties, and (iii) the sensitivity of selectivity trends to surface coverages of reaction intermediates prevalent during their measurement. For the purpose of elucidating structure–catalytic property relationships, the approach reported herein involving the use of well-defined thermally stable faceted oxide crystals has the potential to be broadly applicable within the field of bulk oxide catalysis.
Patient Centered Medical Home Cooking: Community Culinary Workshops for Multidisciplinary Teams

Ideal management of chronic disease includes team based primary care, however primary care medical staff face a lack of training when addressing nutritional counseling and lifestyle prevention. Interactive culinary medicine education has shown to improve knowledge and confidence among medical students. The aim of this study was to determine whether a culinary medicine curriculum delivered to a multidisciplinary team of primary care medical staff and medical students in a community setting would improve self-reported efficacy in nutritional counseling and whether efficacy differed between participant roles. A 4-h interactive workshop that took place within the neighborhood of a primary care medical home was delivered to medical staff and students. Participants completed a voluntary questionnaire before and after the workshop that addressed participants' attitudes and confidence in providing nutritional counseling to patients. Chi-square tests were run to determine statistically significant associations between role of participant and survey question responses. Sign Rank tests were run to determine if pre-workshop responses differed significantly from post-workshop responses. Thirteen of seventeen responses related to attitudes and efficacy demonstrated significant improvement after the workshop compared with prior to the workshop. Significant differences noted between roles prior to the workshop disappear when asking the same questions after the workshop. Delivery of culinary medicine curricula to a primary care medical home team in a community setting is an innovative opportunity to collaboratively improve nutritional education and counseling in chronic disease prevention.
A Scenic River in Rural Ohio Shows Elevated Antibiotic Resistance Genes, Including Acinetobacter Tetracycline and Macrolide Resistance, Downstream of Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluent

Rivers in rural areas receive continual influx of wastewater carrying antibiotics originally administered to humans and livestock. The entry of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) into aquatic systems has been documented for large municipal wastewater treatment plants, but there is less study of the impact of smaller plants that are situated on small rural rivers. We sampled water metagenomes for ARG and taxa composition from the Kokosing State Scenic River, a small rural river in Knox County, Ohio. Samples were obtained upstream, a few meters downstream, and 6 km downstream from the effluent release of the Mount Vernon wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). Through all seasons, the metagenome just downstream of the WWTP effluent showed a substantial elevation of at least 15 different ARGs, including 6 ARGs from Acinetobacter baumannii such as msrE, mphE (macrolide resistance) and tet(39) (tetracycline resistance). The ARGs most prevalent near the effluent pipe persisted 6 km downstream. The taxa distribution near the effluent showed elevation of Acinetobacter species as well as gut-associated taxa, Bacteroides and Firmicutes. The ARG levels and taxa prevalence showed little dependence on seasonal chlorination of effluent. Nitrogen and phosphorus were elevated near the effluent pipe but had no consistent effect on ARG levels. We show that in a rural river microbiome, year-round wastewater effluent substantially elevates ARGs including those of multidrug-resistant A. baumannii.
Photocatalytic C–H activation and the subtle role of chlorine radical complexation in reactivity

The functionalization of methane, ethane, and other alkanes derived from fossil fuels is a central goal in the chemical enterprise. Recently, a photocatalytic system comprising [CeIVCl5(OR)]2− [CeIV, cerium(IV); OR, –OCH3 or –OCCl2CH3] was disclosed. The system was reportedly capable of alkane activation by alkoxy radicals (RO•) formed by CeIV–OR bond photolysis. In this work, we present evidence that the reported carbon-hydrogen (C–H) activation of alkanes is instead mediated by the photocatalyst [NEt4]2[CeCl6] (NEt4+, tetraethylammonium), and RO• are not intermediates. Spectroscopic analyses and kinetics were investigated for C–H activation to identify chlorine radical (Cl•) generation as the rate-limiting step. Density functional theory calculations support the formation of [Cl•][alcohol] adducts when alcohols are present, which can manifest a masked RO• character. This result serves as an important cautionary note for interpretation of radical trapping experiments.
A Multipollutant Longitudinal Study of the Association between Urinary Tungsten and Incident Diabetes in a Rural Population

Background/Aim: Tungsten (W) is a transitional metal found in soil, water, food, and air. Cross-sectional analyses indicate that W is associated with fasting glucose (FG) levels. We conducted the f...
An overview of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and implications for agricultural enterprise recovery from COVID

In this policy and practice brief, we analyze the U.S. Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The PPP provided loans to support businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some businesses received timely relief from the PPP loans, while some were not able to acquire assistance. Production agricul­ture received 617,128 PPP loans totaling $17 billion.[1] The reach of PPP loans across the country was broad. In 80% of U.S. zip codes, at least one farm received a PPP loan. The average size of the loan in agriculture ($27,744) was substantially smaller than the national average ($74,156). The authors conducted interviews with PPP recipients and present some findings from those. The most recent data reveal challenges and opportunities for agricultural businesses, depending on their scale of operations and regional disparities. Community organizations working with small agriculture-related businesses need to be aware of various impacts while providing future assistance. [1] All currencies are U.S. dollars.
Allelic variants of full-length VAR2CSA, the placental malaria vaccine candidate, differ in antigenicity and receptor binding affinity

Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes (IE) sequester in the placenta via surface protein VAR2CSA, which binds chondroitin sulfate A (CSA) expressed on the syncytiotrophoblast surface, causing placental malaria (PM) and severe adverse outcomes in mothers and their offspring. VAR2CSA belongs to the PfEMP1 variant surface antigen family; PfEMP1 proteins mediate IE adhesion and facilitate parasite immunoevasion through antigenic variation. Here we produced deglycosylated (native-like) and glycosylated versions of seven recombinant full-length VAR2CSA ectodomains and compared them for antigenicity and adhesiveness. All VAR2CSA recombinants bound CSA with nanomolar affinity, and plasma from Malian pregnant women demonstrated antigen-specific reactivity that increased with gravidity and trimester. However, allelic and glycosylation variants differed in their affinity to CSA and their serum reactivities. Deglycosylated proteins (native-like) showed higher CSA affinity than glycosylated proteins for all variants except NF54. Further, the gravidity-related increase in serum VAR2CSA reactivity (correlates with acquisition of protective immunity) was absent with the deglycosylated form of atypical M200101 VAR2CSA with an extended C-terminal region. Our findings indicate significant inter-allelic differences in adhesion and seroreactivity that may contribute to the heterogeneity of clinical presentations, which could have implications for vaccine design. Full-length VAR2CSA is a potential placental malaria vaccine candidate and in this study, Renn et al. compare antigenicity and receptor binding affinity of different allelic variants in blood samples from pregnant women. Their data show that inter-allelic differences may contribute to the heterogeneity of clinical presentations, which could have implications for vaccine design.
[Spatial autocorrelation of dengue cases and molecular biological characteristics of envelope gene of dengue virus in Guangzhou, 2019]

Objective: Analyze epidemiological situation of dengue fever,and survey impacts of four serotypes dengue viruses in Guangzhou, 2019. Methods: Information of patients was collected in Notifiable Infectious Disease Report System (NIDRS). Spatial autocorrelation of dengue cases was evaluated using ArcGIS version 10.2. Serum samples were tested by real-time PCR. Virus strains were isolated from positive sera. Then E gene was sequenced. Phylogenetic trees were including PhyMLsoftwarev 3.1. Results: A total of 1 655 dengue cases, consisted of 1 382 local cases and 273 imported cases, was confirmed in 2019. The incidence was 11.10 per 100 000 dengue cases were autocorrelated in Guangzhou. There were 18 high-high clusters. Most of the imported dengue cases were imported from Southeast Asian countries (86.08%,235/273) and African countries (2.56%,7/273). Of 749 serum samples detected by real-time PCR, the positive rate was 93.06% (697/749). Four hundred and sixty-four dengue virus strains had been isolated in 2019. Compared with data from the genotype tree of the former years, no genotype shift was discovered. Serotype 1 was still predominant. Serotype 2 was the significant strain in Baiyun district and Liwan district. Conclusions: Dengue fever was spreading all over Guangzhou in 2019. The suburban areas, which played a more critical role in causing the spread and outbreak of dengue fever, should be given more prominence. Inspection at ports should be enforced to prevent importing cases from African countries and Southeast Asian countries. The risk of serotype 2 cannot be overlooked. Four serotypes dengue viruses prevailed simultaneously in Guangzhou, which warns us to take precaution of severe dengue outbreaks.
Double-talk detection in acoustic echo cancellers using zero-crossings rate

We propose a new method to detect double-talk and control filter adaptation in an acoustic echo canceller (AEC). The method is based on computing the zero-crossings rate (ZCR) of the AEC output and comparing it against a suitably-chosen threshold. As the ZCR values falls below the threshold, double talk is declared and the AEC filter adaptation is either slowed down or halted. The zero crossings are very easy to compute by observing the sign changes of two consecutive samples from the output of the AEC. In contrast to most existing methods, the computational burden of the proposed method is minimal and it can, therefore, be conveniently implemented on a low-power, low-resource processor. This computational simplicity is enjoyed without sacrificing for any AEC performance. We will illustrate effectiveness of the proposed method by comparing against the existing state of the art and present guidelines on choosing parameters for computing the sample-by-sample ZCR.
Microbial Interactions with Humic Substances1

Publisher Summary This chapter examines the diverse geochemical and microbial reactivities of humic substances (HS), the role that these complex organics play in a diversity of environments, and their potential applicability to bioremediative strategies. HS are ubiquitous components in the environment and can be readily isolated from nearly all soils, waters, and sediments. They can account for as much as 10% by weight of the total content of many soils and sediments. It is clear that HS interact with microbial populations through a diversity of mechanisms. These interactions may potentially affect the microbial ecology of a specific environment and significantly affect fate and transport of organic and inorganic environmental pollutants. By considering these interactions, strategies for bioremediation of particular pollutants may be improved. HS can be utilized by microorganisms as effective electron acceptors for the oxidative degradation of organic carbon in anaerobic environments. Alternatively, HS in the reduced form can be utilized by microorganisms as effective electron donors for the assimilation of organic carbon coupled to denitrification. These metabolic processes as well as the intrinsic geochemical reactivity of HS are now known to play an important role on the fate and transport of herbicides, pesticides, hydrocarbons, cations, and other important environmental pollutants.
A listing of Rehabilitation Science Programs

McGill University Director/Chair: Mariline Chan, Ph.D., Graduate Coordinator Address: Graduate Program in Rehabilitation Science 3654 Drummond Street, Montreal, PQ H3G1Y5, Canada Tel.: (514) 398-4504 Fax: (514) 398-6360 E-mail: annette@physocc.lan.mcgill.ca Web site: http://www.mcgill.ca/spot/spot.html Degrees offered: M.Sc., Ph.D. 1st Year Accepting Students: 1973 Students Accepted 1999/2000: 22 M.Sc., 15 Ph.D. Web site description: M.Sc. – A two-year program in Rehabilitation Science is available under the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. The full curriculum consists of approximately two years of study for graduates who hold a Bachelor of Science degree in one of the medical rehabilitation disciplines or a related field. The program consists of required and elective course work and a research thesis. A Ph.D. program in Rehabilitation Science is available under the Faculty of Graduate
Intraparietal Sulcus Activity During Explicit Self-Referential Social Status Judgments about Others

Previous research has suggested that the intraparietal sulcus (IPS) supports judgments of social distance, with greater activity observed in response to targets judged to be closer to each other (Yamakawa, Kanai, Matsumura, & Naito, 2009). Amongst other stimuli, activity in the IPS appears to be responsive to targets varying in social status (Chiao et al., 2009; Cloutier, Ambady, Meagher, & Gabrieli, 2012). The current project examined brain responses during explicit self-referential social status judgments of targets varying in either financial or moral status. Using an event-related fMRI design, participants viewed photographs of male faces paired with distinct levels of financial or moral status. During the task, participants were asked to explicitly identify each target’s status in relation to their own. Focusing on IPS activity, results from whole-brain and region of interest analyses revealed an interaction between social status types and levels. The implications of these results are discussed with respect to our current understanding of the impact of social status on the neural substrates of person perception.
Plasma Flow Reversals in the Magnetotail and Their Implications on Substorm Models

Intervals of plasma flow reversals in the magnetotail are considered as times when the observing satellite encounters the process responsible for substorm disturbances. We consider the expected signatures during plasma flow reversals to evaluate the validity of two prevalent substorm models.
The Relationship Between Intuitive Eating and Health Indicators Among College Women

Abstract Epidemic levels of obesity represent a growing public health problem associated with a variety of negative health outcomes. Population level interventions that aim to moderate obesigenic environments have been proposed but remain largely unimplemented. Standard individual level interventions that focus on dietary restraint have been ineffective and in some cases harmful. Intuitive eating, an anti-dieting strategy that relies on recognizing and responding to internal hunger and satiation cues, has been proposed as an alternative approach to healthy weight management at the individual level—but it remains largely untested. This study evaluated the relationship between intuitive eating and various health indicators among female college students. As measured by the Intuitive Eating Scale (IES), it was found that intuitive eating was significantly correlated with lower body mass index (r = -.576), lower triglyceride levels (r = -.408), higher levels of high density lipoproteins (.437), and improved ca...
Spin-orbit cooling and population inversion in nozzle expansions of NH

Abstract Cooling of molecular spin-orbit fine structure in a nozzle expansion is demonstrated with a non-case (a) diatomic molecule, the A 3 Π, state of NH. Not only is cooling rapid, comparable to the rate of rotational cooling, but several population inversions are observed.
Anomalous reflection amplitudes from fractured reservoirs—Failure of AVOA?

A fractured reservoir embedded in an isotropic background is equivalent to an anisotropic medium whose symmetry depends on fracture orientation. For this configuration, a variation of PP-reflection amplitude as a function of azimuth, φ at a given incidence angle is often observed. Here we report on an observation of unusual amplitude behavior for reflections from the top Cadotte and Falher formations in the Lynx Field, Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin, Alberta, Canada. Formation microscanner (FMS) images suggest considerable fracturing in the shallower Cadotte interval and resistivity measurements show fracturing in the Falher zone. Interestingly, reflection amplitudes from the Cadotte do not show the expected azimuthal variation consistent with a vertically fractured medium. Reflections from the deeper Falher interval, however, do exhibit large, unexpected azimuthal variation.
Adenosine triphosphate production rates, metabolic economy calculations, pH, phosphomonoesters, phosphodiesters, and force output during short-duration maximal isometric plantar flexion exercises and repeated maximal isometric plantar flexion exercises.

Measurements of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production rates, metabolic economy, intracellular pH, phosphodiesters, and phosphomonoesters along with the force output were used to study 90-s maximum voluntary contractions and two new exercise protocols (20-10 and 30-16 exercises). The 20-10 exercise consisted of thirty-one 20-s maximal voluntary contractions separated by 10-s rest periods. The 30-16 exercise consisted of twenty 30-s maximal voluntary contractions separated by 16-s rest periods. There were no differences in ATP production rates, metabolic economy, intracellular pH, or force output between the 20-10 and 30-16 exercises. The 20-10 exercises accumulated more phosphomonoesters than the 30-16 exercises. These increases in phosphomonoesters may be attributed to increased accumulations of glucose-6-phosphate and/or inosine monophosphate. The increased perception of effort reported during and after the 20-10 exercises was not present during the 30-16 or 90-s exercises. This increased perception of effort may be related to increases in lactate, glucose-6-phosphate, inosine monophosphate, and/or NH3. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve, 20, 336–346, 1997.
Bur Geometry and Its Relationship to Cutting

The relationship between constancy in bur geometry and cutting effectiveness was established by using enamel substitute and simulation technics. A maximum in cutting behavior with an F57 carbide friction grip bur was found at 200,000 rpm and was related to the cutting process. Generally, a linear dulling rate was observed with a pronounced reduction of cutting effectiveness.
Combined Carotid Endarterectomy and Vertebral Transposition or Bypass for Cerebral and Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency

The purpose of this report is to determine the indication for a combined carotid endarterectomy and vertebral transposition or bypass in patients who have transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke and intractable vertebral ischemic symptoms of dizziness and syncope. A retrospective review was made on 49 patients with the combined symptoms of generalized global ischemia, TIA, amaurosis fugax or stroke, and vertebral basilar insufficiency manifested as syncope, intractable dizziness, and unsteady gait. Diagnostic studies employed were carotid duplex scan, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scan, xenon blood flow study, transcranial Doppler analysis, electronystagmography, electroencephalography, and cardiac arrhythmia evaluation. Twenty-one of 49 patients (43%) with internal carotid occlusion underwent carotid endarterectomy plus vein patch or internal carotid to external carotid onlay patch angioplasty and proximal vertebral to common carotid artery transposition (n: 19), or...
Improved Perfusion Conditions for Patch-clamp Recordings on Human Erythrocytes

Various configurations of the patch-clamp method are powerful tools for examining the transport of charged solutes across biological membranes. Originally developed for the study of relatively large cells which adhere to solid surfaces under in vitro culture, these methods have been increasingly applied to small cells or organelles in suspension. Under these conditions, a number of significant technical problems may arise as a result of the smaller geometry. Here, we examined these problems using human erythrocytes infected with the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, a system where experimental differences and the technical difficulty of erythrocyte patch-clamp have hindered universal agreement on the properties of the induced ion channels. We found that patch-clamp recordings on infected erythrocytes are especially susceptible to artifacts from mechanical perturbations due to solution flow around the cell. To minimize these artifacts, we designed a new perfusion chamber whose geometry allows controlled solution flow around the fragile erythrocyte. Not only were recordings acquired in this chamber significantly less susceptible to perfusion artifacts, but the chamber permitted rapid and reversible application of known inhibitors with negligible mechanical agitation. Electrophysiological recordings then faithfully reproduced several findings made with more traditional methods. The new perfusion chamber should also be useful for patch-clamp recordings on blood cells, protoplasts, and organelles.
Enabling the power system of the future

Power systems (defined as the electricity infrastructure of generation, transmission and distribution and the consumer) have served the needs of society for well over 100 years. During this time, the owners of the various components of the power system have integrated technologies to provide reliable and affordable electricity service. The existing power system provides the backbone to integrate new technologies using an optimal approach deploying existing components to support the integration to newer and diverse elements. Some examples of advanced system integration of hardware include advanced HVDC, UHV, solid state controllers, multi-way communication, digital communications, etc. The power system rejuvenation and renewal, with advanced hardware to meet future consumer requirements, will provide substantial benefits. As a corollary, applications of intelligent devices are not immediately required system-wide. Necessarily, as with all other implementations of advanced technology in power systems, system applications focused on the power system rejuvenation, much like urban renewal programs, will begin with demonstrations on critical portions of the power system, meeting focused needs and with easily defined benefits, thus augmenting the existing power system. The full benefits will evolve towards a fuller implementation over time and will ensure that as new intelligent controllers become available, their integration will be easier and the full benefits realizable. (7 pages)
Electron optical investigation of sedimentary dolomites

Transmission electron microscope studies demonstrate a structural distinction between stoichiometric and ancient calcian dolomites of sedimentary origin. A modulated or tweed structure similar in appearance to spinodal microstructures characterizes ancient calcian dolomites, whereas stoichiometric dolomites are homogeneous. Recent calcium-rich dolomites lack a modulated structure, but have a heterogeneous microstructure with high densities of growth defects. Electron and optical diffraction and lattice imaging suggest a fluctuation in interplanar spacing in a coherent lattice. In addition, lattice imaging also reveals discontinuous faults throughout the modulated structure. Ordering and possibly incipient exsolution are suggested, ‘c’ reflections in SAD patterns of calcian dolomites document a new superstructure in at least part of the lamellar structure and raise questions of different ordering states throughout the structure.
Identification of Volatile Aroma Compounds from Oxidized Frozen Whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis)

Abstract Volatile compounds collected on Tenax GC® at 21 °C from oxidized whitefish ( Coregonus clupeaformis ) were separated by fused silica capillary gas chromatography and identified by mass spectrometry and retention indices (I E ). The major volatile compounds found in oxidized whitefish that were absent in freshly caught whitefish included (E,Z)- and (E,E)-2,4-heptadienal, (E,Z)- and (E,E)-2,4-decadienal, pentanal, (Z,E)- and (E,E)-3,5-octadien-2one, (Z,E)- and (E,E)-3,5-nonadien-2-one, 3-octen-2-one, l-penten-3-one, 2,3-pentaneione, and 1-pentadecene. Hexanal (approximately 40% total peak area) was the most abundant volatile compound in oxidized whitefish, and much smaller amounts were found in fresh whitefish. (Z)-4-heptenal,compound reported to be responsible for the off-flavor that develops in frozen stored cod ( Gadus morhua ), was not found in oxidized whitefish.
Report on a premature infant weighing 822 grams

Summary 1. A case of survival of a premature infant weighing less than 2 pounds is reported. The infant grew and developed normally as a healthy child. 2. With excellent nursing and medical care more infants weighing less than 1,000 grams can be salvaged.
A fluid drop model of the elliptical red blood cell.

Der Flacheninhalt der elliptischen Erythrozyten des triploidenTriturus viridescens ist bei gleichbleibender Dicke der Zellen ungefahr 50% grosser als bei diploiden Kontrolltieren. Als Ellipse betrachtet, zeigt die triploide Zelle eine grossere Exzentrizitat als die diploide. Im Kontakt mit der Wand eines horizontal gelagerten Zylinders vergrossert sich die Exzentrizitat elliptischer Quecksilbertropfen mit zunehmendem Volumen; sie gleichen den Blutkorperchen auch insofern, als ihre Dicke weitgehend konstant bleibt. Diese Beobachtungen unterstutzen unsere Ansicht, wonach die endgultige Form der Erythrozyten weitgehend durch die physikalischen Krafte bestimmt wird, welche wahrend ihrer Reifung in den zylindrischen Blutgefassen, vor allem in den Kapillaren, wirksam sind.
Demonstrability and social combination processes on mathematical intellective tasks

Abstract Research on social combination models of group problem solving and decision making indicates that the number of group members that is necessary and sufficient for a collective decision is inversely proportional to the demonstrability of a proposed group response. Mathematics is the preemenent domain of demonstrability. Accordingly, a truth wins social combination process, in which a single correct group member is necessary and sufficient for a correct group response, was predicted for five-person groups on 10 mathematical problems. After taking the problems as individuals, college students took them again as five-person groups or control individuals. They then took the same problems a third time as individuals. Groups performed better than individuals on the second administration, and individuals who had been in groups performed better on the third administration than individuals who had not been in groups. As predicted, the best-fitting social combination model was truth wins. We propose that demonstrability requires four conditions, and that the social combination process on a given task corresponds to the degree to which these four conditions are fulfilled.
Study on Distributed Equipment Command Information System Based on Mobile Agent

Aiming at the development demand of the equipment command information system in modern war, the architecture of distributed equipment command information system Based on mobile agent is proposed. The main system components and workflows are presented in detail, as well as the migration communication of mobile agent and the system security guarantee in the system realization are analyzed in emphasis. Study indicates that the system has the quick ability of dealing with global information, it also has good flexibility, anti-destroying ability and expandability. It provides the innovative way to the development and improvement of the future equipment command information system.
Drum drying performance of condensed distillers solubles and comparison to that of physically modified condensed distillers solubles

Abstract Condensed distillers solubles (CDS) is a viscous, syrupy co-product of ethanol production from corn or other starchy grains; CDS exhibits strong recalcitrance to drying due to its chemical composition, which includes a substantial amount of glycerol. The objectives of this study were to determine the drum drying performance of CDS and to compare it to that of a physically modified CDS (MCDS) having a reduced glycerol level. Material type (CDS vs. MCDS), dwell time, drum internal steam temperature, and gap width were evaluated for their effects on the final moisture content, water activity, and color of the dried product. While both CDS and MCDS could be dried to a range of endpoint moisture contents, dried CDS exhibited a narrow range of water activity compared to that of MCDS. Gap width was found to be the predominant factor affecting dried product color. This work demonstrates that drum drying can effectively reduce the moisture content of CDS, even though the water activity of the dried product cannot be reduced beyond ∼0.45. In contrast, MCDS can be readily drum-dried into a shelf-stable, flaked product with a pleasing appearance.
Wrist Pain, Distal Radial Physeal Injury, and Ulnar Variance in the Young Gymnast

In gymnastics, the wrist joint is subjected to repetitive loading in a weightbearing fashion. In this setting, chronic wrist pain is quite common. Because gymnasts ordinarily enter the sport at very young ages and train for several years before skeletal maturity is attained, the growth plates of the wrist are at risk for injury. In addition, imaging studies have identified evidence of injury to the distal radial physis and the development of positive ulnar variance. Recent studies provide more information on the relationships between these findings, as well as factors that may predispose some gymnasts to wrist pain. This article provides a comprehensive review of these issues and offers suggestions for management, preventive measures, and future research.
Maturation of the male germ cells in the rat

Maturation of the male germ cells in the rat shows some slight modifications of the typical procedure in sex cells, a distinct and rather prolonged synapsis occurring before synizesis and a confused stage immediately after it. The clumping in synizesis is not extreme. In the mixed strain of rats both twenty-one and thirty-one tetrads appear in the late diakinesis. This procedure in the male resembles the maturation of the oocytes in only two points, the beginning of the process, the deutobroch nuclei, and the end of it when the haploid number of chromosomes take their places on the spindle.
History of Boulder 1 at Station 2, Apollo 17 based on trace element interrelationships

Correlations among the trace and minor element pairs Cl and Br, Cl and P2O5, and Ru and Os, present in parent igneous rocks, generally survived the processes of boulder breccia formation. Fractions of Cl, Br, and Hg that are mobilized by water leaching or volatilization at moderate temperatures place constraints on the thermal history of Boulder 1 and its component breccias. Since, and possibly during, consolidation, the boulder has probably not been subjected to temperatures in excess of 450 C. The parent rocks of the Apollo 17 boulder and breccia samples studied could have been derived from two initial magmas. Vapor clouds from apparently external sources permeated the source regions of the boulders.
The NASA Advanced Concepts Flight Simulator - A unique transport aircraft research environment

This paper addresses the current and planned capabilities of the NASA Ames Research Center Advanced Concepts Flight Simulator (ACFS) located at Moffett Field, California. The ACFS is used to study many aspects of human factors in aviation safety as well as methods to improve aviation operational efficiency. The ACFS provides full mission functionality and appears similar to high fidelity training simulators but is unique in that no flight hardware is used; the entire simulation is programmable. This capability allows the simulator to be reconfigured to meet any research requirement. This paper describes the current and planned capabilities of the ACFS, elaborates on some of the unique features available to the aviation research community, and describes some of the specific research programs completed recently as well as some future research plans.
Experimental validation of local exhaust strategies for improved IAQ in aircraft cabins

Abstract This experimental study examines the effectiveness of using local exhaust to mitigate cross-contamination within an aircraft cabin. Results of a previous computational fluid dynamics (CFD) study indicate significant improvements over conventional cabin mixing air ventilation systems with an average decrease in passenger exposure to body-emitted contaminants upwards of 60% predicted. This is accomplished through the use of localized suction orifices placed near and around the source passengers which are designed to unobtrusively ingest the individual’s thermal plume and exhaust it from the aircraft cabin before contaminants entrained in the plume can mix with the bulk air supply. To further test and validate the localized exhaust strategies already simulated through CFD, an extensive experimental tracer gas study has been conducted in a business-class cabin mockup and is presented here. Experimental results agree with earlier CFD work and show reductions in exposure to armpit-released contaminants of 30–60% using similar suction methodologies and up to 90% reduction with enhanced designs.