cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Unit Commitment and Probabilistic Reliability Assessment of Power Systems with Solar Generation

Solar cell generators (SCGs) offer a renewable and environmentally-friendly source for generating electricity. However, their intermittent nature affects power system reliability. This paper studies the effect of SCGs on power system reliability under various penetration levels. A unit commitment economic dispatch (UCED) model is developed to compute the expected generation output by taking into account normal and contingency operations of conventional generators (CGs) and the forecasted solar radiation and forced outage rates (FORs) of solar farms (SFs). The UCED is applied on a test system consisting of 10 CGs and different penetration levels of solar generation. Then, the expected SCGs power output and the forecasted load probabilistic model is inputted to the probabilistic production costing (PPC) method to assess reliability, compute projected production cost, and capacity credit for the SCGs.
A preliminary study on a multiresolution-level inverse planning approach for Gamma Knife radiosurgery.

Purpose With many plan variables to determine, manual forward planning for Gamma Knife (GK) radiosurgery is very challenging. Inverse planning eases GK planning by determining the variables via solving an optimization problem. However, due to the vast search space, most inverse planning algorithms, including the one provided in Leksell GammaPlan (LGP) treatment planning system, have to predetermine the isocenter locations using some geometric methods and then optimize the shot shapes and durations at these preselected isocenters. This sequential planning scheme does not necessarily lead to optimal isocenter locations and hence globally optimal plans. In this study, we proposed a multiresolution-level (MRL) inverse planning approach, attempting to approach this large-scale GK optimization problem via an iterative method. Methods In our MRL approach, several rounds of optimizations were performed with a progressively increased resolution used for isocenter candidates. At each round, an optimization problem was solved to optimize the beam-on time for each collimator and sector at each isocenter candidate. The isocenters that obtained nonzero beam-on times at the previous round and their neighbors on a finer resolution were used as new isocenter candidates for the next round of optimization. After plan optimization, shot sequencing was performed to group the optimized sectors to deliverable composite shots. Results We have tested our MRL approach on six GK cases previously treated in our institution. For the five cases that have a single target, with similar target coverage obtained, our MRL inverse planning approach achieved better plan quality compared to manual forward planning and LGP inverse planning, with higher selectivity (0.73 ± 0.07 vs 0.72 ± 0.08 and 0.62 ± 0.10), lower gradient index (2.71 ± 0.25 vs 2.78 ± 0.24 and 3.00 ± 0.29), lower brainstem D0.1cc dose (6.10 ± 4.46 Gy vs 8.87 ± 4.82 Gy and 9.17 ± 3.80 Gy), and shorter total beam-on time (62.1 ± 22.9 min vs 83.6 ± 28.2 min and 70.7 ± 16.7 min). For the case that have six targets, compared with manual planning and LGP inverse planning, our MRL approach achieved higher selectivity (0.68 vs 0.57 and 0.47) and lower gradient index (3.77 vs 4.51 and 5.11). The beam-on time of our plan was slightly longer than manual planning and LGP inverse planning (206.4 min vs 204.7 min and 199.3 min). We have also performed sector duration optimization at the isocenters determined by manual planning or the LGP inverse planning, and the resulting plan qualities were found to be inferior to our MRL approach for all the six cases. Conclusions This preliminary study has demonstrated the efficacy and feasibility of our MRL inverse planning approach for GK radiosurgery.
Hematolymphoid Neoplasms Rarely Mimic Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma of Soft Tissue

Context.— Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) of soft tissue is defined as a sarcoma with no recognizable line of differentiation. During the past few decades, advances in ancillary studies ...
A single-arm, prospective trial investigating the effectiveness of a non-hormonal vaginal moisturizer containing hyaluronic acid in postmenopausal cancer survivors.

To assess the feasibility and efficacy of a non-hormonal hyaluronic acid (HLA) vaginal gel in improving vulvovaginal estrogen-deprivation symptoms in postmenopausal women with a history of hormone receptor-positive (HR+) cancer. For this single-arm, prospective longitudinal trial, we identified disease-free patients with a history of HR+ breast cancer treated with aromatase inhibitors or HR+ endometrial cancer treated with surgery and postoperative radiation. Participants used HLA daily for the first 2 weeks, and then 3×/week until weeks 12–14; dosage was then increased to 5×/week for non-responders. Vulvovaginal symptoms and pH were assessed at 4 time points (baseline [T1], 4–6 weeks [T2], 12–14 weeks [T3], 22–24 weeks [T4]) with clinical evaluation, the Vaginal Assessment Scale (VAS), Vulvar Assessment Scale (VuAS), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and Menopausal Symptom Checklist (MSCL). Of 101 patients, mean age was 55 years (range, 31–78), 68% (n = 69) were partnered, and 60% (n = 61) were sexually active. In linear mixed models, VAS/VuAS scores significantly improved at all assessment points (all p 6.5) decreased from 26% at T1 to 19% at T4 (p = 0.18). HLA moisturization improved vulvovaginal health/sexual function of cancer survivors. While HLA administration 1–2×/week is recommended for women in natural menopause, a 3–5×/week schedule appears to be more effective for symptom relief in cancer survivors.
No Demos in the Pandemic

That the present moment ties multiple crises together-not least because each is a future of pasts that wound(ed) through each other-must be factored into our intercessions and visions If every crisis is also a call to order, then what order, old or new, does the pandemic call us to? Its literality provokes us to keep both the pan and the demos in sight, just as they are being extinguished through borders, disease, poverty, insecurity, hatred, and disposability in the global postcolony We are asked to remember that capital and colony are inseparable, that the nation-state is too suspicious a source of comfort, that the eroding claims of citizenship across the postcolonial and post-democratic fascist failed states are instructive and prophetic, and that the assumptions of place and movement in our frames of the democratic political need revisiting
Infrared Emission Spectroscopy as a Reliability Tool

In this paper we report on a technique based on infrared emission spectroscopy which has been found to be useful for non-contact measurement of the temperature of a hot spot in the gate channel of a GaAs metal/semiconductor field effect transistor (MESFET). The technique was demonstrated on a powered and un-powered GaAs MESFET attaining a spatial resolution of 0.5 microns. A non-destructive submicron-size spot laser beam provided by an HeNe laser excites an extremely small local area of the gate channel of a GaAs MESFET under various operating conditions. Given the state of the experimental test system, we estimate a spatial resolution of about 0.1 microns and a spectral resolution of about 0. I Angstroms. This provides 15 - 100 times finer spatial resolution than can be obtained using the best passive IR systems available. The temperature resolution (less than 0.02 K/micron) of this technique is depend upon the spectrometer used, and that it can be improved further. The information obtained from this technique can be used to estimate device lifetimes for critical applications and for measurement of channel temperature of devices under actual operating conditions. Another potential use of the novel technique can be as a cost-effective prescreening tool for determining the "hot spot" channel temperature of devices under normal operating conditions which can further improve device design, yield enhancement, and reliable operation
FoxO Transcription Factors Are Critical Regulators of Diabetes-Related Muscle Atrophy

Insulin deficiency and uncontrolled diabetes lead to a catabolic state with decreased muscle strength, contributing to disease-related morbidity. FoxO transcription factors are key mediators of insulin action. To study their role in diabetic muscle wasting, we created mice with musclespecific triple knockout of FoxO1/3/4 and induced diabetes in these M-FoxO-TKO mice with streptozotocin (STZ). Muscle mass and myofiber area were decreased 20-30% in STZ-Diabetes mice due to increased ubiquitinproteasome degradation and autophagy, characterized by increased pULK1 and LC3-II. Both the muscle loss and markers of increased degradation/autophagy were completely prevented in STZ-FoxO-TKO mice. Transcriptomic analyses revealed FoxO-dependent increases in ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis pathways in STZ-Diabetes, including regulation of Fbxo32 (Atrogin1), Trim63 (MuRF1), Bnip3L, and Gabarapl. These same genes were increased 1.4- to 3.3-fold in muscle from type 1 diabetics after shortterm insulin deprivation. Thus, FoxO-regulated genes play a rate-limiting role in increased protein degradation and muscle atrophy in insulin-deficient diabetes.
Proliferation and Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Biodegradable Calcium-deficient Hydroxyapatite Tubular Bacterial Cellulose Composites

Advanced biomaterials that mimic the structure and function of native tissues and permit stem cells to adhere and differentiate is of paramount importance in the development of stem cell therapies for bone defects. Successful bone repair approaches may include an osteoconductive scaffold that permits excellent cell adhesion and proliferation, and cells with an osteogenic potential. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cell proliferation, viability and osteocyte differentiation of equine-derived bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (EqMSCs) when seeded onto biocompatible and biodegradable calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite (CdHA) tubular-shaped bacterial cellulose scaffolds (BC-TS) of various sizes. The biocompatible gel-like BC-TS was synthesized using the bacterium Gluconacetobacter sucrofermentans under static culture in oxygen-permeable silicone tubes. The BC-TS scaffolds were modified using a periodate oxidation to yield biodegradable scaffolds. Additionally, CdHA was deposited in the scaffolds to mimic native bone tissues. The morphological properties of the resulting BC-TS and its composites were characterized using scanning electron microscopy. The ability of the BC-TS and its composites to support and maintain EqMSCs growth, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation in vitro was also assessed. BC-TS and its composites exhibited aligned nanofibril structures. MTS assay demonstrated increasing proliferation and viability with time (days 1, 2 and 3). Cell-scaffold constructs were cultured for 8 days under osteogenic conditions and the resulting osteocytes were positive for alizarin red. In summary, biocompatible and biodegradable CdHA BC-TS composites support the proliferation, viability and osteogenic differentiation of EqMSCs cultured onto its surface in vitro, allowing for future potential use for tissue engineering therapies.
The joint effects of individual and firm level knowledge attributes on inventor mobility to entrepreneurial and established firms

Abstract We consider how inventor- and firm-level knowledge characteristics co-determine an inventor’s propensity of joining another firm. Specifically, we examine the influence of knowledge impact, knowledge specialization, core status within the firm, and knowledge complexity on an inventor’s decision to depart the firm and join either an entrepreneurial venture or another established firm. We then examine how the incumbent firm’s knowledge complexity moderates the relationship between individual knowledge attributes and the inventor’s decision to join another firm. Our study demonstrates that individual knowledge attributes distinctively interact with the inventor’s current firm-knowledge complexity to determine the likelihood of mobility to an entrepreneurial or established firm. The knowledge environment of the incumbent firm may either prepare the inventor for mobility options or further embed the inventor’s work within the incumbent firm. We test our hypotheses using a panel data set of 33,826 inventors in the semiconductor industry.
Persistent fifth aortic arch: a single-center experience, case series

Background Persistent fifth aortic arch (PFAA) is an extremely rare congenital cardiovascular malformation and there is limited data in the literature. The objective of this study is to enhance our understanding and diagnosis of PFAA from echocardiography and computed tomography angiography (CTA) findings, and to evaluate the application of echocardiography in the diagnosis of PFAA. Methods We retrospectively reviewed five cases of PFAA diagnosed from October 2016 to September 2019 at the Affiliated Children's Hospital of Capital Institute of Pediatrics. We described their diagnosis by echocardiography and CTA findings, and medical history. Results Five cases of PFAA were identified in the study. Patients aged from 3 to 48 months and weighed from 4 to 12 kg presented different clinical symptoms upon clinical examination. All the patients completed a primary echocardiographic assessment; however, the first two patients were misdiagnosed by echocardiography and was confirmed by supplemental CTA while the other three patients were directly diagnosed by echocardiography. Surgery was necessary for three patients, two of whom accepted and one refused. The other two patients only needed a follow-up assessment, which showed good results. Conclusions The clinical manifestation of PFAA in our patient population was atypical, and their diagnosis depended on the use of echocardiography. In the case of uncertainty, the final diagnosis was confirmed by CTA. Although the nomenclature and embryonic origin of PFAA remains controversial, the accurate diagnosis of aortic arch abnormalities and associated malformations are imperative for time-sensitive treatments.
When the Math Matters: Improving Statistical Advocacy in Gerrymandering Litigation

Lawyers regularly joke about their supposed inability to address mathematical issues. However, mathematical concepts sometimes are at the core of a legal dispute, and lawyers do a disservice to their clients if they are not able to engage in effective advocacy in these contexts. This article discusses a gerrymandering dispute involving an important mathematical idea – the core statistical concept of regression analysis, particularly multivariable regression analysis – then explaining the underlying math involved and connecting it to the legal issues. The case involved is Gill v. Whitford, in which Chief Justice Roberts referred to the multivariable regression analysis that showed the gerrymandering as “sociological gobbledygook.” This article explains the statistics behind that analysis, connects it to the issues before the Court, and demonstrates that these concepts are employed in many types of litigation. The article concludes that, even facing a skeptical court, lawyers who can understand and explain mathematical concepts in a way that resonates fully with the legal issues will be best positioned to advocate for their clients. With new census results imminent in 2021 and the opportunities for redistricting that will subsequently arise, mathematical understanding in the context of gerrymandering litigation is more critical than ever.
The ideals of global sport: from peace to human rights: edited by Barbara J. Keys, Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Press, 2019, 248 pp., £40.00 (eBook), ISBN 978-0-8122-9599-3

Does sport have the power to change the world, as the legendary Nelson Mandela once proclaimed? Can it foster peace, promote democracy, and advance the overall well-being of humankind, as many beli...
Using Mobile Technology to Unite (for) Children

This chapter examines ways in which innovation in the development context can promote the rights of young people and engage them in their future. It highlights the Connecting Classrooms content and community, work done on the Bee and Digital Doorway as new technology for development, and the newly formed Open Mobile Consortium as a partnership vehicle for change. In approaching the Ethiopian food distribution problem, UNICEF needed to rely on the resources of other groups of experts who were already engaged in mobile phone monitoring and so was heavily involved in creation of the Open Mobile Consortium, featuring groups such as InSTEDD, Cell-life, Mobilsr, Ushahidi, and others. The ability to convene a group of thinkers who might otherwise not sit in the same room, either because of geography or competing business interest, is a change that the open-source framework of development and implementation can engender. Value in the arena of open-source mobile technology in following years will come from those who can synergize and understand the similarities of mobile systems and behavioral models rather than from those who attempt to find the differences. Groups such as the Open Mobile Consortium, an increased focus on mobile phones as statistical and communications tools, and a robust global open-source community all point to a change in the way young people can connect to each other and to the world around them. It was found in Connecting Classrooms and across the board in mobile projects, individual interactions are predicated on group dynamics, and the people with the strongest links serve as main conduits of information and behavior change.
Cytochemical reactions of normal and starving Amoeba proteus. I. Localization of thiols, DNA, RNA and other organic phosphates.

The localization of desoxyribonucleic acids, ribonucleic acids, and sulfhydryl groups in normal and starving Amoeba proteus was investigated. In addition, the distribution of organic phosphates was determined in normal amoebas. In normal amoebas, the cytoplasmic matrix and the karyosome were determined to contain relatively low concentrations of the following: organic phosphates, thiols, and ribonucleic acids. These substances, in higher concentration, are localized in the nucleoli. Desoxyribonucleic acids were indicated to be solely in the karyosomal portion of the nucleus. Within the cytoplasm, the mitochondria were found to contain thiols; the refractive bodies, a high concentration of phosphate and a component which stains metachromatically with toluidine blue; and the crystals, none of the substances tested. During starvation, alterations were noted in the concentration and distribution of the compounds investigated. A progressive condensation of the Feulgenpositive karyosome was observed to occur between the fifth and thirteenth days of starvation, after which time the observed alterations were maintained until the termination of the experiment. In the starved amoebas stained with toluidine blue there was observed a progressive reduction in cytoplasmic color from the fifth to the thirteenth day. The nucleoli were observed to become progressively larger and slightly metachromatic, again leveling off at thirteen days. While considerable variation was noted in the size and metachromatic staining of the refractive bodies with toluidine blue staining throughout the series, the trend appeared to involve a darkening and reduction in size, as starvation progressed. The alterations of the refractive bodies suggest that some constituent may be removed during starvation. The sulfhydryl content of the amoebas treated with trichloroacetic acid, appeared to increase in both the nucleus and cytoplasm during the fifth through the thirteenth day of starvation. The maximum content, reached at thirteen days, was maintained. The major alterations determined in starving amoebas were progressive changes first noted on or about the fifth day of starvation, reaching a peak around the thirteenth day after which the level was maintained. The data establish that there are at least three key metabolic phases in Amoeba proteus during starvation.
Protein Kinase C Increases 11β‐Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Oxidation and Inhibits Reduction in Rat Leydig Cells

Glucocorticoid hormone controls Leydig cell steroidogenic function through a receptor-mediated mechanism. The enzyme 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11betaHSD) plays an important role in Leydig cells by metabolizing glucocorticoids, and catalyzing the interconversion of corticosterone (the active form in rodents) and 11-dehydrocorticosterone (the biologically inert form). The net direction of this interconversion determines the amount of biologically active ligand, corticosterone, available for glucocorticoid receptor binding. We hypothesize that 11betaHSD oxidative and reductive activities are controlled separately in Leydig cells, and that shifts in the favored direction of 11betaHSD catalysis provide a mechanism for the control of intracellular corticosterone levels. Therefore, in the present study, we tested the dependency of 11betaHSD oxidative and reductive activities on protein kinase C (PKC) and calcium-dependent signaling pathways. 11betaHSD oxidative and reductive activities were measured in freshly isolated intact rat Leydig cells using 25 nM radiolabeled substrates after treatment with protein kinase modulators. We found that PKC and calcium-dependent signaling had opposing effects on 11betaHSD oxidative and reductive activities. Stimulation of PKC using the PKC activator, 6-[N-decylamino]-4-hydroxymethylinole (DHI), increased 11betaHSD oxidative activity from a conversion rate of 5.08% to 48.23% with an EC50 of 1.70 +/- 0.44 microM (mean +/- SEM), and inhibited reductive activity from 26.90% to 3.66% conversion with an IC50 of 0.22 +/- 0.05 microM. This indicated that PKC activation in Leydig cells favors 11betaHSD oxidation and lower levels of corticosterone. The action of DHI was abolished by the PKC inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide I. In contrast, addition of calcium to Leydig cells increased 11betaHSD reductive activity while decreasing oxidative activity, thereby favoring reduction and conversion of inert 11-dehydrocorticosterone into active corticosterone. The opposite effect was seen after elimination of calcium-dependent signaling, including removal of calcium by EGTA or addition of the calmodulin (calcium binding protein) inhibitor SKF7171A, or the calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase I (CaMK II) inhibitor, KN62. We conclude that 11betaHSD oxidative and reductive activities are separately regulated and that, in contrast to calcium-dependent signaling, PKC stimulates 11betaHSD oxidation while inhibiting 11betaHSD reduction. Maintenance of a predominantly oxidative 11betaHSD could serve to eliminate adverse glucocorticoid-induced action in Leydig cells.
Gender Differences in Cognition and Educational Performance

Gender differences in cognitive and educational performance refer to the apparent differences in the cognitive abilities of men and women, especially with respect to spatial and verbal tasks. They have been ascribed to both cultural and biological influences. Keywords: achievement; culture; curriculum; spatial ability; verbal ability
Estimation of error vector magnitude using two-tone intermodulation distortion measurements [power amplifier]

In this paper, a new method for estimating error vector magnitude (EVM) degradation of a power amplifier using the intrinsic kernel function derived from two-tone intermodulation distortion (IMD) measurements is presented. The kernel function represents the incremental distortion characteristics of the power amplifier driven by a signal with small amplitude deviation. With a knowledge of the complementary cumulative distribution function (CCDF) of an arbitrary input signal, the Carrier-to-Interference Ratio (CIR) of the power amplifier can be derived and the EVM degradation of the power amplifier may be calculated. For the experimental validation, the EVM of the 16-QAM signals passed through 1.9 GHz HFET nonlinear amplifier is derived by the suggested method and compared with the measured results. The derived EVM shows a good agreement with measured results. The r.m.s. error between the two results over a 20 dB input range is less than 2%.
Harlem service providers’ perceptions of the impact of municipal policies on their clients with substance use problems

Substance abuse is a significant health and social problem in many low-income urban communities. Finding appropriate help for drug users has been identified as a significant barrier to reducing the barm from drug abuse. This report presents findings from a survey of service providers in the Central and East Harlem communities, New York City, conducted in 2000 to identify policy obstacles that impeded clients’ attempts to overcome substance use and related problems. Policies can affect substance users by making access to drug treatment more difficult or by imposing unrealistic expectations on substance users for eligibility for benefit programs. Respondents to the survey were asked to rate 30 specific policies as harmful or helpful to their clients and to assess how the policies acted as barriers or facilitators to getting services and reducing drug use. Eleven policies in the areas of drug treatment, corrections, and Medicaid were rated as harmful to their clients by more than 50% of the respondents. We discuss the implications of these and other findings for drug users’ ability to seek and receive help for their problems.
Tackling antimicrobial resistance at global and local scales

Antibiotic resistance, similar to climate change, is a shared global problem, but unlike climate change, national and local action produces direct localized benefits in addition to improving the global situation.
Understanding diffusion theory and Fick's law through food and cooking

Diffusion is critical to physiological processes ranging from gas exchange across alveoli to transport within individual cells. In the classroom, however, it can be challenging to convey the concept of diffusion on the microscopic scale. In this article, we present a series of three exercises that use food and cooking to illustrate diffusion theory and Fick's first law. These exercises are part of a 10-wk undergraduate course that uses food and cooking to teach fundamental concepts in physiology and biophysics to students, including nonscience majors. Consistent demonstration of practical applications in a classroom setting has the potential to fundamentally change how students view the role of science in their lives (15).
(Z,E)-9,12-Tetradecadien-1-ol Acetate: A Potent Attractant for Male Ephestiodes infimella

Jackson traps baited with 20 mg of ( Z,E )-9,12-tetradecadien-1-ol acetate and placed in crop fields and orchards around Beltsville, Md., in the late spring and summer 1975 attracted 200–300 adult male Ephestiodes infimella Ragonot each/night. Attraction continued for 4 months though the traps were not rebaited. As little as 1 mg attracted more than 100 males each night. Smaller numbers of males were captured in traps baited with 0.1–50 µg of the attractant.
The adsorption of nitric oxide on platinum black

Abstract Adsorption isotherms for NO chemisorption on reduced and oxidized platinum black were measured in the range from −78 to 100 °C. Monolayer coverage, attained by extrapolation of the Freundlich isotherms, yields a 1:1 correspondence between adsorbed NO molecules and Pt atoms in the surface. The chemisorption characteristics of NO on Pt show a close resemblance to those observed on transition metal oxides.
Pediatric Pulmonologists' Perceptions of Family Socioeconomic Status in Asthma Care

Background: Physicians' assumptions about patients' socioeconomic status (SES) have been shown to influence clinical decision making in adult patients. The goal of this study is to assess the factors associated with pediatric pulmonologists' (PPs') subjective ratings of their patients' SES, and whether these factors differ by patient race/ethnicity. Methods: Parents of children with asthma (n=171) presenting for pulmonary care reported their SES using the MacArthur Subjective SES 10-rung ladder. The PPs (n=7) also estimated each family's SES. Two-level linear regression models with random intercepts (level 1: PP's SES ratings; level 2: PPs) were used to assess the predictors of PP-estimated family SES. The analyses were then stratified by race/ethnicity. Results: Parental educational, insurance type, age, and race/ethnic background were associated with PPs' SES ratings. Black/African American families were rated lower than white families, accounting for other demographic factors (b=-0.60, p<0.01), but families of other races/ethnicities were not (b=-0.10, p=0.29). Even when comparing families with the same level of parental education, black/African American families, but not families of other backgrounds, were judged to have lower SES than white families (from 0.77 rungs lower among parents with some college, to 1.2 rungs lower among parents with high school or less; both p<0.05). Conclusions: Racial differences in PPs' ability to estimate families' subjective SES in asthma care may be a function of unconscious societal biases about race and class. Collecting subjective SES from families and PPs during the office visit could facilitate discussions about material and psychosocial needs and resources that influence treatment effectiveness.
Unbound sialic acids in fish eggs.

Abstract Relatively large quantities of sialic acids occur in an unbound form in trout eggs. Both N-glycolyl and N-acetylneuraminic acid are found within one cell, the trout egg. Preliminary studies on the permeability of the egg to free sialic acids are reported.
Position-Adaptive Explosive Detection Concepts for Swarming Micro-UAVs

We have formulated a series of position-adaptive sensor concepts for explosive detection applications using swarms of micro-UAV's. These concepts are a generalization of position-adaptive radar concepts developed for challenging conditions such as urban environments. For radar applications, this concept is developed with platforms within a UAV swarm that spatially-adapt to signal leakage points on the perimeter of complex clutter environments to collect information on embedded objects-of-interest. The concept is generalized for additional sensors applications by, for example, considering a wooden cart that contains explosives. We can formulate system-of-systems concepts for a swarm of micro-UAV's in an effort to detect whether or not a given cart contains explosives. Under this new concept, some of the members of the UAV swarm can serve as position-adaptive "transmitters" by blowing air over the cart and some of the members of the UAV swarm can serve as position-adaptive "receivers" that are equipped with chem./bio sensors that function as "electronic noses". The final objective can be defined as improving the particle count for the explosives in the air that surrounds a cart via development of intelligent position-adaptive control algorithms in order to improve the detection and false-alarm statistics. We report on recent simulation results with regard to designing optimal sensor placement for explosive or other chemical agent detection. This type of information enables the development of intelligent control algorithms for UAV swarm applications and is intended for the design of future system-of-systems with adaptive intelligence for advanced surveillance of unknown regions. Results are reported as part of a parametric investigation where it is found that the probability of contaminant detection depends on the air flow that carries contaminant particles, geometry of the surrounding space, leakage areas, and other factors. We present a concept of position-adaptive detection (i.e. based on the example in the previous paragraph) consisting of position-adaptive fluid actuators (fans) and position-adaptive sensors. Based on these results, a preliminary analysis of sensor requirements for these fluid actuators and sensors is presented for small-UAVs in a field-enabled explosive detection environment. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation software Fluent is used to simulate the air flow in the corridor model containing a box with explosive particles. It is found that such flow is turbulent with Reynolds number greater than 106. Simulation methods and results are presented which show particle velocity and concentration distribution throughout the closed box. The results indicate that the CFD-based method can be used for other sensor placement and deployment optimization problems. These techniques and results can be applied towards the development of future system-of-system UAV swarms for defense, homeland defense, and security applications.
Multiclass SAR feature space trajectory (FST) neural network class and pose estimation results

The feature space trajectory representation and neural network is used for classification and pose estimation of distorted objects in SAR data. New feature spaces and techniques to extend the concept to multiple classes are emphasized with initial four class results. On 4 class data, we obtain Pc equals 98.3 percent and clutter PFA equals 0.026/km2.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Improved seedling health, yield, and stand persistence with alfalfa resistant to Aphanomyces root rot.

Alfalfa (Medicago saliva L.) breeders have made substantial progress in recent years to develop cultivars with resistance to Aphanomyces root rot (ARR, caused by Aphanomyces euteiches), yet data showing the agronomic benefits of this resistance under natural field conditions are limited. Two trials were seeded into naturally infested soils with alfalfa cultivars ranging from susceptible to highly resistant to ARR. The trials provided a test of the hypothesis that ARR-resistant cultivars would provide improved performance. In one test, the combination of high rainfall during the 4 wk following seeding on a soil with a slow percolation rate led to a severe outbreak of ARR, with symptoms typical of a syndrome commonly observed in commercial alfalfa fields in Kentucky, Under these conditions, the ARR-resistant cultivars provided dramatically improved seedling health, yield, and persistence. Cultivars having a resistance (R) or high resistance (HR) rating provided the most consistent performance. In the other test, a near-normal rainfall amount on a deep soil with good internal drainage led to moderate disease pressure. In that case, the ARR-resistant cultivars exhibited a slight improvement in seedling health, but yield trends were not as clear as in the former trial. Based on these findings and previous research, we conclude that the use of cultivars with R or HR ratings to ARR may solve a common stand-establishment problem in spring-seeded alfalfa in Kentucky.
Nature of relations between the physical and social microenvironment of the two‐year‐old child

Previous research has demonstrated that high levels of noise, crowing or person traffic pattern in infants' homes are associated with less involved and less responsive caregiving by parents. Based on these previous findings two questions were investigated in the present research. First, does the same pattern of relations appear with older toddlers; second, are these patterns unique to the specific dimensions of noise, crowding and traffic pattern? Subjects were 56 2-year-old toddlers. Based upon repeated home observations the physical and social environments fo the toddlers' homes were assessed using codes from the Purdue Home Stimulation Inventory. Analysis of the interrelation between the phychology and social microenvironments of these toddlers was based upon canonical correlation. Congruent with preovious research, interpretation of the canonical structure revealed that high levels of noise, crowding or traffic pattern in the home were associated with lower caregiver attentiveness and responsivity. Results also indicated that this pattern was unique to the specific physical environment dimensions of noise, crowding and traffic pattern. Implications of these results for alternate care settings are discussed.
Fatal falls in childhood. How far must children fall to sustain fatal head injury? Report of cases and review of the literature

The question of whether fatal head injuries may occur from short-distance falls is one that continues to cause controversy. The records of the Sacramento County Coroner's Office from 1983 to 1991 were reviewed for cases of fatal head injury in children aged 10 ft (3 m) were found. At autopsy, all children had multiple complex calvarial skull fractures, basal fractures, or both; subdural and subarachnoid hemorrhage was found in all cases, and two showed severe cerebral contusion. None had retinal hemorrhage or axonal injury. These are compared with 19 fatalities initially alleged to have occurred from short falls of < or = 5-6 ft (1.5-1.8 m). As others have found, most of these "minor fall" fatalities occurred under circumstances where there were no unrelated witnesses to corroborate the initial history. Autopsy findings in these cases tended to be of unexpected severity for the initially proposed mechanism of injury, and a number of cases showed evidence of accelerative injury (retinal hemorrhage and/or diffuse axonal injury) where no such mechanism was accounted for by initial history. After sufficient investigation, most of these cases (74%) have ultimately been proven to represent inflicted trauma. A thorough literature review on the subject identifies two major viewpoints. One is that short falls have a significant potential for fatality. The other, more widely espoused view is that short falls rarely, if ever, cause serious injury or death.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Life events during surgical residency have different effects on women and men over time.

Background Women represent half of medical school graduates in the United States. Our aim was to characterize the effects of marriage and childbirth on the experiences of surgery residents. Methods This was a prospective, longitudinal study of categorical general surgery residents between 2008 and 2010. Outcomes included changes in faculty and peer relationships, work-life balance, financial security, and career goals over time. Results We included 4,028 residents. Compared with men, women in postgraduate years (PGYs) 1 through 5 were less likely to be married (28.2% to 47.3% vs 49.6% to 67.6%) or have children (4.6% to 18.0% vs 19.0% to 45.8%) (P Conclusion Marriage and childbirth are associated with divergent changes in career experiences for women and men. Women lag behind their male peers in these life events from start to finish of residency.
Nucleation of splitting cracks in columnar freshwater ice

Under across-column uniaxial and biaxial compression loading of columnar ice polycrystals in the brittle regime, a set of cracks that split the columnar grains has been observed. However, both the mechanism responsible for their nucleation and a quantitative description of the stress associated with such events have remained unresolved in the literature. In this paper, we first show that the nucleation of such cracks is consistent with the sliding of grain facets along the column axes, and then describe a fracture mechanics-based model that correctly predicts their nucleation stress.
An unusual reproductive deviation in the Romanov dynasty: the consecutive birth of girls and the direct paternal effect

We describe a previously unnoticed reproductive deviation in the large families of the Romanov dynasty of Russian tsars. Consecutive births of four to five baby girls were observed in a series of generations, usually after the birth of the first girl, regardless of the birth order. This oddity, called “Female tetrad” or F-tetrad, was manifested in large families and was independent of the preceding sex order. In families with more than five children, the following distributions of sex and birth order were observed: FFFFF, FFFFM, MFFFF, MFFFFFMMM, MMFFFFFMMF, and MMFFFFFFMM. The predisposition to the repetitive births of girls depended on the direct influence of the paternal genotype. This trait was transmitted through both paternal and maternal lines. The putative F-tetrad factor(s) has a dominant effect, as well as incomplete penetrance and expressivity. In terms of physiological genetics, this anomaly can be described in the following manner: the first birth of a baby girl in marriages where the father carried the F-tetrad factor significantly increased the probability of the subsequent birth of three to four girls. After giving birth to the first girl, the mother acquired some kind of “reproductive memory,” which altered the normal sex ratio in the next three to five births. Possible genetic causes capable of inducing such an F-tetrad oddity are discussed.
Immunological dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease.

Summary Peripheral blood lymphocytes from Alzheimer's patients and apparently healthy elderly individuals were examined for interleukin-1 (IL-1) production. Our results indicate severely low production of IL-1 by patient's peripheral blood monocytes. The low production of IL-1 in vitro correlated with patients' symptoms and therapy with 1-acetamide,2-pyrrolidone (1a,2p). In addition to low IL-1 production, the number of autologous rosette forming cells (ARFC) was significantly decreased in all Alzheimer's patients whereas B-cell glucose metabolism was significantly higher than age-matched healthy individuals.
CSF monoamine metabolites in children with minimal brain dysfunction: Evidence for alteration of brain dopamine: A preliminary report

Epidemiologic and pharmacologic evidence suggests that abnormalities of catecholaminergic systems in the brain play a role in the pathogenesis of minimal brain dysfunction, but previous attempts to document a neurochemical abnormality have been unsuccessful. To better define central nervous system mechanisms in children with MBD, we have utilized the probenecid loading technique to determine the concentrations of metabolites in the CSF of a clinically homogeneous group of children with MBD. CSF concentrations of homovanillic acid, the principal metabolite of dopamine, correlated directly with CSF probenecid in 26 control subjects (r=0.50, p
Mediastinoscopy: Still the Gold Standard

Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS-TBNA) is emerging as an alternative to mediastinoscopy for mediastinal lymph node evaluation in non-small cell lung cancer. It remains controversial whether EBUS-TBNA is as accurate as mediastinoscopy. Sensitivity appears similar to mediastinoscopy with enlarged nodes, but lower with normal-sized nodes. The false negative rate appears higher than with mediastinoscopy, so nonmalignant EBUS results may be unreliable. Two flawed studies examining costs identify a very small cost benefit to EBUS, which we will question herein. There are scenarios in which EBUS is preferable to mediastinoscopy. However, for routine staging of the upper mediastinum in non-small cell lung cancer, the benefits of EBUS over mediastinoscopy remain unproven.
Attenuation of calcitonin gene expression in pregnant rat uterus leads to a block in embryonic implantation

The peptide hormone calcitonin plays a key role in calcium homeostasis in many tissues, such as bone and kidney. Our previous studies revealed that the expression of calcitonin is dramatically induced in the glandular epithelium of rat uterus between days 3-5 of pregnancy before the onset of blastocyst implantation on day 5. Calcitonin expression is switched off once implantation has progressed to day 6. The coincidence in timing suggested that calcitonin may function as a regulatory signal in the uterus during the early events leading to implantation. Here we report that the implantation stage-specific expression of calcitonin can be specifically attenuated by administering antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) directed against exon IV of calcitonin messenger RNA into the uterine horns on day 2 of gestation. The loss of calcitonin messenger RNA and protein expression upon antisense ODN treatment is accompanied by a severe impairment in implantation of embryos. Based on the observations that 1) treatment with two different antisense ODNs possessing different base compositions produced similar phenotypes; and 2) treatment with the complementary sense ODNs did not affect either calcitonin expression or implantation, we conclude that the effects of antisense ODNs on calcitonin expression and implantation are specific and functionally linked. Our study strengthens the hypothesis that a transient expression of calcitonin in the preimplantation phase uterus is critical for blastocyst implantation.
Bovine T cells do not require auxiliary cells for response to selected mitogens

Abstract Bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBM's) were depleted of monocytes by three techniques: plastic adherence, passage through Sephadex G-10, and carbonyl iron treatment followed by buoyant density separation over Ficoll-Hypaque (FH). Although the resulting cell populations differed in their T and B cell ratios and percentages of residual monocytes, these preparations were generally more responsive to phytohemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (Con A), and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) than control cells containing monocytes. Passage of PBM's over a column of Sephadex G-10 and subsequent negative selection on plastic dishes previously coated with F(ab′) 2 anti-immunoglobulin or peanut agglutinin (PNA) resulted in highly enriched populations of T cells bearing receptors for PNA (99% PNAR + ) and B cells (84% surface-immunoglobulin + , 10% PNAR + , 6% null), respectively. The percentage of monocytes remaining in either cell preparation was less than 0.1%. Reactions of these isolated lymphocyte subpopulations demonstrated that bovine T cells can be strongly activated by PHA, Con A and PWM without apparent need for auxiliary B cells or monocytes. Stimulation of T and B cell populations with PWM produced a pattern of reactivity which was interpreted to indicate that PWM may also activate B cells slightly, perhaps requiring T cell help. The use of this simple panning technique for lymphocyte separation, with its large capacity and specificity, has general application to the further study of cellular interactions.
Purification and characterization of Thermotoga maritima homoserine transsuccinylase indicates it is a transacetylase

The methionine biosynthetic pathway found in bacteria is controlled at the first step, acylation of the γ-hydroxyl of homoserine. This reaction is catalyzed by one of two unique enzymes, homoserine transacetylase or homoserine transsuccinylase, which have no amino acid sequence similarity. We cloned, expressed, and purified homoserine transsuccinylase from the thermophilic bacterium Thermotoga maritima. Substrate specificity experiments demonstrated that acetyl-coenzyme A (CoA) is the preferred acyl donor and is used at least 30-fold more efficiently than succinyl-CoA. Steady-state kinetic experiments confirm that the enzyme utilizes a ping-pong kinetic mechanism in which the acetate group of acetyl-CoA is initially transferred to an enzyme nucleophile before subsequent transfer to homoserine. The maximal velocity, V/K acetyl-CoA and V/K homoserine, all exhibited bell-shaped pH curves with apparent pKs of 6.0–6.9 and 8.2–8.8. The enzyme was inactivated by iodoacetamide in a pH-dependent manner, with an apparent pK of 6.3, suggesting the presence of an active-site cysteine residue which forms an acetyl-enzyme thioester intermediate during catalytic turnover, similar to observations with other transsuccinylases. In addition, the enzyme is highly stable at elevated temperatures, maintaining full activity at 70°C. Taken together, these data suggest that the T. maritima enzyme functions biochemically as a transacetylase, despite having the sequence of a transsuccinylase.