cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Direct antenna modulation - a promise for ultra-wideband (UWB) transmitting

A novel antenna design concept is proposed based on antenna's nonlinear transient responses. The essential idea is to integrate RF switches into a resonant antenna such as a patch antenna. Driven by modulating signals, the switches are able to shut off and turn on the antenna's radiation slots directly. It is observed that narrow pulses can be generated and radiated this way. Thus, the patch antenna's bandpass phenomenon, which limits the antenna's bandwidth, can be overcomed. The experimental results show that a patch antenna with a resonate frequency 2.4 G and a 30 MHz bandwidth can transmit a digital modulated signal with beyond 400 MHz bandwidth.
Training New Instructors to Implement Discrete Trial Teaching Strategies With Children With Autism in a Community-Based Intervention Program

The effects of training and supervision on instructor knowledge and performance of discrete trial teaching (DTT) within three domains (DTT Technical Skills; Work Session Preparation/Conclusion; and Student Engagement/Management) were examined in this study. Eight undergraduate student instructors received an 8-hr training in DTT and support skills accompanied by a pre- and post-test of knowledge. The instructors then taught a variety of skills to six students with autism in a community-based preschool, where instructor competence was tracked and performance feedback provided using the Discrete Trial Teaching Competency Checklist for Instructors. Competence in all three domains improved over time with performance feedback. However, significant variability was observed within and between instructors, and performance in some areas remained below optimal levels even with regular supervision and performance feedback. Implications for training and supervising instructors to implement DTT with children with auti...
Nitric oxide and carbon monoxide production and metabolism in preeclampsia.

Objective: To elucidate the regulation of the nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO) pathways in preeclampsia and to evaluate the ratio of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) to symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) as a marker for preeclampsia.Methods: Maternal plasma and placental samples were obtained from 20 participants with preeclampsia and 23 controls. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure plasma NO, ADMA, and SDMA as well as placental NO and hemeoxygnase 1 (HO-1). Western blot was used to measure placental dimethylarginine dimethylaminotransferases (DDAH-I and DDAH-II).Results: Placental DDAH-I, placental DDAH-II, placental NO, and placental HO-1 were significantly decreased in participants with preeclampsia. While ADMA and SDMA levels were decreased in preeclampsia, the ADMA-SDMA ratio was not significantly different.Conclusions: Decreased DDAH and HO with preeclampsia suggest that they are important points in the regulatory pathways of NO and CO production that are altered in pree...
Effectiveness of a Care Coordination Model for Stroke Survivors: A Randomized Study

This study evaluated the effectiveness of systematically integrating biopsychosocial interventions with coordinated delivery of care for outpatients recovering from stroke. Care coordination coordinates resources across the health care system and routinely addresses the psychological and social risks affecting patient outcomes, while monitoring patient progress. A randomized pre-post comparison group design evaluated the model's effectiveness with 28 patients (16 intervention group; 12 control group) over a three-month period. The model's effectiveness was evaluated by monitoring changes in patient quality of life, patient depression, patient psychosocial functioning, and patient adherence to self-care and in meeting patient service needs. Repeated-measures ANOVA showed significant improvement for the intervention group in mental quality of life, depressive symptoms, and adherence to self-care practices. This study provides preliminary data that a standardized, problem-solving care coordination model can improve patient care.
A SLC4-like anion exchanger from renal tubules of the mosquito ( Aedes aegypti ): evidence for a novel role of stellate cells in diuretic fluid secretion

Transepithelial fluid secretion across the renal (Malpighian) tubule epithelium of the mosquito (Aedes aegypti) is energized by the vacuolar-type (V-type) H+-ATPase and not the Na+-K+-ATPase. Locat...
Variations in coastal atmospheric refractivity induced by mesoscale processes

A number of mesoscale processes characteristic of the coastal environment can modify atmospheric refractivity. These processes change the gradients of temperature and moisture at the top of the boundary layer and alter duct height and strength. A mesoscale weather prediction model developed at NRL has been used extensively to make mesoscale atmospheric forecasts over the California coastal region. The authors utilize this model to investigate changes in microwave refractivity associated with low-level jets and cyclonic eddies along the California coast. >
Effect of addition of a progesterone intravaginal insert to a timed insemination protocol using estradiol cypionate on ovulation rate, pregnancy rate, and late embryonic loss in lactating dairy cows.

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of incorporating a progesterone intravaginal insert (CIDR) between the day of GnRH and PGF2alpha treatments of a timed AI protocol using estradiol cypionate (ECP) to synchronize ovulation on display of estrus, ovulation rate, pregnancy rate, and late embryonic loss in lactating cows. Holstein cows, 227 from Site 1 and 458 from Site 2, were presynchronized with two injections of PGF2alpha on study d 0 and 14, and subjected to a timed AI protocol (100 mixrog of GnRH on study d 28, 25 mg of PGF2alpha on study d 35, 1 mg of ECP on study d 36, and timed AI on study d 38) with or without a CIDR insert. Blood was collected on study d 14 and 28 for progesterone measurements to determine cyclicity. Ovaries were scanned on d 35, 37, and 42, and pregnancy diagnosed on d 65 and 79, which corresponded to 27 and 41 d after AI. Cows receiving a CIDR had similar rates of detected estrus (77.2 vs. 73.8%), ovulation (85.6 vs. 86.6%), and pregnancy at 27 (35.8 vs. 38.8%) and 41 d (29.3 vs. 32.3%) after AI, and late embryonic loss between 27 and 41 d after AI (18.3 vs. 16.8%) compared with control cows. The CIDR eliminated cows in estrus before the last PGF2alpha injection and decreased (P or = 15 mm displayed estrus (P < 0.001) and ovulated (P = 0.05) compared with cows with follicles <15 mm. Pregnancy rates were greater (P < 0.001) for cows displaying estrus, which were related to the greater (P < 0.001) ovulation rate and decreased (P = 0.08) late embryonic loss for cows in estrus at AI. Cows that were cyclic and responded to the presynchronization protocol (high progesterone at GnRH and CL at PGF2alpha) had the highest pregnancy rates. Incorporation of a CIDR insert into a presynchronized timed AI protocol using ECP to induce estrus and ovulation did not improve pregnancy rates in lactating dairy cows. Improvements in pregnancy rates in cows treated with ECP to induce ovulation in a timed AI protocol are expected when more cows display estrus, thereby increasing ovulation rate.
Pregabalin or placebo used adjunctively with levetiracetam in refractory partial-onset epilepsy: a post hoc efficacy and safety analysis in combined clinical trials.

AbstractObjective:Some patients with epilepsy require treatment with >1 adjunctive antiepileptic drug (AED) to achieve adequate seizure remission. The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of adding adjunctive pregabalin to an AED regimen that included levetiracetam in patients with refractory partial-onset epilepsy.Research design and methods:Data from the pregabalin and placebo arms of two placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized studies of pregabalin in patients who received adjunctive treatment with levetiracetam in addition to ≥1 other AEDs were pooled for this post hoc analysis. Patients (aged ≥18 years) had ≥4 partial-onset seizures and no 28-day period free of seizures during baseline. Efficacy outcomes included Response Ratio (RRatio), change from baseline in seizure frequency, proportion of patients with ≥50% reduction in seizure frequency, and 28-day seizure-freedom rate. Safety was evaluated using adverse events (AEs).Results:In total, 138 patients were included ...
Characterization of high-resolution HafSOx inorganic resists

Inorganic resists are of considerable interest for advanced lithography at the nanoscale due to the potential for high resolution, low line width roughness (LWR), and high sensitivity. Historically inorganic resists suffered from low sensitivity, however approaches have been identified to increase sensitivity while maintaining high contrast. An aqueous precursor of Hf(OH)4-2x-2y(O2)x(SO4)y·qH2O (HafSOx) has been demonstrated with excellent sensitivity to EUV and electrons, while still obtaining high resolution and low LWR. In this work, we characterize both HafSOx precursor solutions and spin-coated thin films using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) elemental analysis. HR-TEM of precursor solutions drop cast onto TEM grids confirmed the presence of nanoscale particles. HR-TEM cross sectional images showed that spin-coated HafSOx films are initially uniform in appearance and composition for thin (12 nm) films, however thicker (30 nm) films display segregation of species leading to multilayer structures. Regardless of film thickness, extended exposure to the high energy TEM electron beam induces significant migration of oxygen species to the Si interface. These species result in the formation of SiOx layers that increase in thickness with an increase in TEM electron beam dose. Sulfate is also very mobile in the films and likely assists in the significant condensation exhibited in completely processed films.
A 6.4GT/s point-to-point unidirectional link with full current compensation

This 45nm 1.1V unidirectional differential point-to-point link interface achieves 6.4GT/s transfer rate. To support 17 inches, 2-connector channel topology required by MultiProcessor (MP) platform, it utilizes two novel current compensation techniques that optimize the performance/power ratio of the transmitter output swing level and receiver gain/bandwidth.
Synthesis and characterization in monkey of [11C]SP203 as a radioligand for imaging brain metabotropic glutamate 5 receptors.

[18F]SP203 (3-fluoro-5-(2-(2-([18F]fluoromethyl)-thiazol-4-yl)ethynyl)benzonitrile) is an effective high-affinity and selective radioligand for imaging metabotropic 5 receptors (mGluR5) in human brain with PET. To provide a radioligand that may be used for more than one scanning session in the same subject in a single day, we set out to label SP203 with shorter-lived 11C (t 1/2 = 20.4 min) and to characterize its behavior as a radioligand with PET in the monkey. Iodo and bromo precursors were obtained by cross-coupling 2-fluoromethyl-4-((trimethylsilyl)ethynyl)-1,3-thiazole with 3,5-diiodofluorobenzene and 3,5-dibromofluorobenzene, respectively. Treatment of either precursor with [11C]cyanide ion rapidly gave [11C]SP203, which was purified with high-performance liquid chromatography. PET was used to measure the uptake of radioactivity in brain regions after injecting [11C]SP203 intravenously into rhesus monkeys at baseline and under conditions in which mGluR5 were blocked with 3-[(2-methyl-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)ethynyl]pyridine (MTEP). The emergence of radiometabolites in monkey blood in vitro and in vivo was assessed with radio-HPLC. The stability of [11C]SP203 in human blood in vitro was also measured. The iodo precursor gave [11C]SP203 in higher radiochemical yield (>98 %) than the bromo precursor (20–52 %). After intravenous administration of [11C]SP203 into three rhesus monkeys, radioactivity peaked early in brain (average 12.5 min) with a regional distribution in rank order of expected mGluR5 density. Peak uptake was followed by a steady decline. No radioactivity accumulated in the skull. In monkeys pretreated with MTEP before [11C]SP203 administration, radioactivity uptake in brain was again high but then declined more rapidly than in the baseline scan to a common low level. [11C]SP203 was unstable in monkey blood in vitro and in vivo, and gave predominantly less lipophilic radiometabolites. By contrast, [11C]SP203 was stable in human blood in vitro. [11C]SP203 emulates [18F]SP203 with regard to providing a sizeable mGluR5-specific signal in monkey brain, and advantageously avoids troublesome accumulation of radioactivity in bone. Although [11C]SP203 is unsuitable for mGluR5 quantification in monkey brain, its evaluation as a PET radioligand for studying human brain mGluR5 is nevertheless warranted.
Measurement of property relationships of nano-structure micelles and coacervates of asphaltene in a pure solvent

We have made some progress in studies towards formation and measurement of the behavior of asphaltene micelles nano-structures that might be formed to serve as elements of nano-materials and also on synthetic strategies for creating such structures. An investigation of the micellization and coacervation measurements of asphaltenes in polar solvents at various concentrations and temperatures are made. The critical micellization concentration (CMC) and the micelle coacervation point (MCP) of nano-structure asphaltene micelles are measured using viscometry. At concentration above the CMC, asphaltene in the solution will self-associate, saturation phase will be formed and then at a higher concentration asphaltene nano-structure micelles in the solution will coacervate represented by a second sharp point of inflection corresponding to the asphaltene MCP and finally, at a higher concentration the aggregation of asphaltenes coacervates will occur. As a result of these measurements, for the first time it has become possible to produce phase diagrams for the whole range of asphaltene micellization and micelle coacervation.
Spatial Pattern and Environmental Correlates of a Midwestern Stream Fish Community: Including Spatial Autocorrelation as a Factor in Community Analyses

Abstract We examined patterns of spatial heterogeneity in the Spring River basin fish community along with environmental correlates to assess the relative importance of geographic distances and habitat differences among sites in explaining community structure. Spatial patterns of the fish community and environmental correlates, as indicated by results of Mantel tests and correlograms, were consistent with the hypothesis that environmental factors were the primary factors organizing the community at the basinwide scale. However, a linkage between mainstream and tributary communites, along with spatial autocorrelation in species composition, suggested contagious biotic processes were important in maintaining community structure, particularly at the interface between the mainstream and its tributaries. Space-constrained cluster analysis and principal coordinates analysis revealed three primary groups of sites, reflecting relatively distinct fish faunas within the Ozark Highlands, Central Plains and mainstrea...
The Urban System: Social Drivers

This chapter explores how social, economic, and demographic factors influence wildlife in urban ecosystems. Recognizing that cities can be viewed as ecosystems where there is interaction among social and ecological subsystems was a key development in the management of urban ecosystems (see Chap. 3). The focus on cities as linked social and ecological systems has led to several different perspectives on how socioeconomic and demographic factors drive ecosystem processes in cities and ultimately impact wildlife conservation and management. Ecologists, managers, and others dealing with natural resources in cities bring unique approaches and perspectives to understanding social drivers of urban wildlife ecology. The goal of this chapter is to provide background information on the use of sociology in understanding the spatial form of cities, human behavior, wildlife habitat structure, and patterns of species richness.
Abstract 5182: Sialofucosylated glycosphingolipids expressed on head and neck cancer cells mediate adhesion to endothelial cells

The development of innovative strategies can be used to detect and prevent cancer metastasis once the molecular mediators are known. Cancer metastasis is the spread of cancer from a primary site, from which cancer cells break away and travel to a new organ via the bloodstream or the lymphatic system. However, the molecular signals responsible for the cancer cells to travel from the primary site to a new location are largely unknown. It has been hypothesized that cancer invasion is similar to leukocyte migration during response of vascular tissue to harmful stimuli. In this process, leukocytes travel through the bloodstream, attach to the vessel endothelium, and migrate through the endothelium to the site of injury. Using leukocyte migration as a model for cancer metastasis it is hypothesized that E-selectin is a major molecular mediator for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) metastasis. E-selectin is expressed on the surface of vascular endothelial cells and initiates cell-cell interactions by binding to proteins and lipids on the surface of cancer cells that have sialofucosylated carbohydrate epitopes. We have previously shown that HNSCCs bind to E-selectin expressed on stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) under physiological shear stress. Also, it has been shown that glycosphingolipids isolated from HNSCCs support adhesive interactions with E-selectin-transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells. To further reveal the role of sialofucosylated glycosphingolipids in cell-cell interactions, polystyrene microsphere beads were utilized, in an in vitro model of cell adhesion under fluid flow conditions. Polystyrene beads were coated with sialyated non-fucosylated gangliosides (GM1) or sialofucosylated glycosphingolipids from HNSCCs. The expression of glycosphingolipids on the newly coated microspheres was checked by flow cytometry to ensure that the lipids adsorbed to the beads. When coated microspheres were perfused over cytokine-stimulated HUVECs, the microspheres with sialofucosylated glycosphingolipids tethered and rolled on the endothelium similar to HNSCCs, while the microspheres coated with GM1 did not bind to the endothelium. Treatment of the sialofucosylated glycosphingolipid coated microspheres with sialidase or fucosidase also eliminated adhesion of the beads to the endothelium. Our study signifies the importance of the role that glycosphingolipids play in adhesion to endothelial E-selectin under physiological shear stress. Further studies are needed to determine if sialofucosylated glycosphingolipids should be targeted for patients with HNSCCs. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5182.
Statistical Process Control for Variance Shift Detections of Multivariate Autocorrelated Processes

AbstractA statistical process control (SPC) approach is proposed to detect variance changes in a multivariate autocorrelated process. The initial step involves a multivariate dynamic linear model (DLM) to remove the autocorrelated data structure. Then diagonal elements of the variance-covariance matrix are then calculated from sample residual vectors obtained from DLM filtering. A multivariate exponential weighted moving average (EWMA) control chart is applied to the vectors of diagonal elements. The proposed control charts called MEWMV for monitoring multivariate variance responses are compared to a multivariate sample generalized variance | S | charts, individual S charts and individual EWMS control charts in term of average run length (ARL). Simulation results based on bivariate AR(1) data show that the proposed MEWMV chart applying to observations without log transformation performs the best for various magnitudes of variance shifts regardless of sample sizes and autocorrelation structures.
Observation and nursing care of bone compartment syndrome in children

Objective:To study the observation and nursing care of bone compartment syndrone in children,so as to decrease the complications and improve their quality of life.Methods:The treatment,observation and nursing care in 13 sick children with bone compartment syndrome from January 2004 to December treated in our department were analysed retrospectively.Results:The careful nursing care was given in all 13 sick children after decompressive fasciotomy,all of them recovered smoothly,without incisional infection and dietary discomfort.They were followed up 1.5 years meanly,the incisional pain and dysfunction were not found.Conclusion:Early detection and early decompressive fasciotomy are the key to treat the bone compartment syndrome,and the careful observation and meticulous nursing care are the guarantee to promote the rehabilitation.
The effects of monosialoganglioside (GM1) on long -term learning -memory function and neuron in hippocampal CA1 region of juvenile rats after status convulsion

Objective:To investigate the effects of monosialoganglioside(GM1)on long-term learning-memory disorder and brain injury induced by status convulsion in juvenile rats. Method:Thirty SD juvenile rats were divided randomly into GM1 treated group, SC and normal control group. Status convulsion (over 60 minutes)was induced in juvenile rats by intraperitoneal injection with lithium-pilocarpine. The neuron cells density in hippocampus CA1 region was detected to evaluate the severity of brain injury. Step-down test was used to evaluate the short-term memory function of rats. Morris water maze test was used to evaluate the learning and long-term spatial memory function of rats. Result:In GM1 treated group,the latency of first shock was significantly longer than that in SC model group, however the frequency and duration of shock in 5min were significantly lower than those in SC model group (P0.05). In GM1 treated group, the mean latency to find the platform was significantly shorter and the time for searching the target quadrant was significantly longer than that in SC model group (P 0.05). Histopathological examination demonstrated that in GM1 treated group brain injury significantly diminished and the cells loss in hippocampal CA1 region decreased. Conclusion: GM1 can significantly improve long-term learning-memory function and attenuate brain injury in juvenile rats after status convulsion.
Recombinant Inbred Strain

A recombinant inbred (RI) strain or recombinant inbred line (RIL) is a member of a family of strains that is used to study genetic, phenotypic, and environmental sources of variation. Each RI strain inherits a unique set of homozygous but recombinant chromosomes derived after several generations of intercrossing and inbreeding from two or more parental genomes. Each chromosome consists of a stable and alternating sequence of haplotypes inherited from inbred parental strains.
Instructions for Physician’s Financial Worksheets

This worksheet (example in Table 8.1, blank forms in Appendix 2) should be filled out with the best financial data or estimates available. The practice statement for the last fiscal year will provide enough data to calculate charges and receipts. Complete Year 1 based on the most current fiscal year and extrapolate across the row, incrementing charges and receipts 6% per year. Then complete the remaining rows based on the dollar amounts for A and B.
A physical model and constitutive equations for complete characterization of S-N fatigue behavior of metals

Abstract A physical model and constitutive equations for metal fatigue, to characterize completely the S-N fatigue behavior of structural materials, have been developed on the basis of the macroscopic behavior of fatigue crack growth. The macroscopic behavior that forms the basis is that at any time during fatigue the fractional remaining fatigue life is proportional to the fractional remaining uncracked section size. A crack growth functional has been shown to describe this behavior accurately, and universally, for a wide range of materials, test conditions, and specimen geometries. By integrating this functional and with the introduction of physical boundary conditions, a surprisingly compact constitutive equation for the stress-life (S-N) fatigue behavior is derived. The constitutive equation represents accurately the sigmoidal shape of S-N high cycle fatigue behavior of single crystals and polycrystals, including the asymptotic approach of the fatigue data toward a physical endurance limit stress. Metallurgical fatigue strengthening effects due to pre-strain, alloying and grain refinement have also been shown to be accurately predictable. The equation is then expanded to include the mean-stress effects in various forms, which facilitated the complete prediction of stress-life behavior and fatigue limit, for any mean stress, solely from the S-N behavior of fully reversed fatigue data. A very interesting consequence of this is a new, master constitutive equation capturing the mean stress effect on fatigue behavior. Extensive experimental data, generated at various mean stresses, have been used to validate the present approach.
Optimization of Silver-alloying for improved photovoltaic properties of CZTSSe

Cu 2 ZnSn(S x Se 1−x ) 4 (CZTSSe) photovoltaic devices are primarily limited by low open-circuit voltages, believed to be caused in part by disorder on the Cu/Zn sublattice. We show that band tailing in the absorber can be addressed by alloying Ag into CZTSSe to replace Cu. We fabricate thin films across the full alloy range of pure-Cu to pure-Ag and show that as Ag is alloyed into the CZTSe system, the gap between the PL and optical bandgap shrinks from ∼110 meV for pure CZTSe, to 0 meV for the pure Ag compound. Improved device efficiencies up to 10.2% are achieved with low Ag-ACZTSe samples. Unlike CZTSSe champion devices the current record ACZTSe device appears to be limited by the interface rather than bulk defects. To achieve optimal efficiency, the annealing conditions were modified to accommodate the significantly lower melting point of the Ag-containing compound. The range of optimal temperatures across the Cu-Ag-alloy range are shared to accelerate improved device efficiencies.
Effect of lenalidomide combined with R-CHOP (R2CHOP) on negative prognostic impact of nongerminal center (non-GCB) phenotype in newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: A phase 2 study.

8520 Background: The non-germinal center B-cell like (non-GCB) subtype of diffuse large cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is associated with a worse outcome when treated with RCHOP chemotherapy. Lenalidomide h...
Perceived popularity of adolescents who use weapons in violence and adolescents who only carry weapons

ABSTRACTPrior research has found that persistently delinquent youth or more violent youth were less popular than their less delinquent peers [Young, Jacob T. N. 2014. “‘Role Magnets’? An Empirical Investigation of Popularity Trajectories for Life-Course Persistent Individuals During Adolescence.” Journal of Youth and Adolescence 43 (1): 104–115]. However, recent research has also found that weapon carrying is associated with being more popular in adolescence [Dijkstra, Jan Kornelis, Siegwart Lindenberg, Rene Veenstra, Christian Steglich, Jenny Isaacs, Noel A. Card, and Ernest V. E. Hodges. 2010. “Influence and Selection Processes in Weapon Carrying During Adolescence: The Roles of Status, Aggression, and Vulnerability.” Criminology 48 (1): 187–220]. The present paper examines the perceived popularity of adolescents who carry weapons in comparison to those who both carry and use weapons in acts of violence or threatened violence. Data consist of two waves from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent ...
QFT + NP = P Quantum Field Theory (QFT): A Possible Way of Solving NP-Complete Problems in Polynomial Time

It has been recently theoretically shown that the dependency of some (potential observable) quantities in quantum field theory (QFT) on the parameters of this theory is discontinuous. This discovery leads to the theoretical possibility of checking whether the value of a given physical quantity is equal to 0 or different from 0 (here, theoretical means that this checking requires very precise measurements and because of that, this conclusion has not yet been verified by a direct experiment). This result from QFT enables us to do what we previously could not: check whether two computable real numbers are equal or not. In this paper, we show that we can use this ability to solve NP-complete (“computationally intractable”) problems in polynomial (“reasonable”) time. Specifically, we will introduce a new model of computation. This new model is based on solid mainstream physics (namely, on quantum field theory). It is capable of solving NP-complete problems in polynomial time.
Distributed balancing control for modular multilevel series/parallel converter with capability of sensorless operation

Modular multilevel converters (MMC) have many advantages owing to their power-stage modularity. However, this modularity does not extend directly to the control. Particularly, the balancing control usually requires central coordination and increases in complexity with the system size. This paper presents a balancing control method for a more general modular multilevel converter with series and parallel connectivity that 1) is fully distributed and 2) can operate without voltage sensors. The key idea is a phase-shifted carrier modulation scheme to distribute the series and parallel interconnections to all switching sites. As such, the modules are always balanced through switched-capacitor-type charge equilibration without voltage sensors, for which an analytical proof is given. Beyond this, we explore the redundancies in the carrier order to further optimize the balancing performance and efficiency. Finally, we extend the control scheme with an optional central coordinator, which offers controllability over individual module discharging rates. Nevertheless, the central coordinator only requires moderate computational power and communication speed, thus allowing decentralized implementation as well.
When Being in a Positive Mood Increases Choice Deferral

Consumers’ choices are often accompanied by unrelated incidental moods. The positive mood caused by receiving a compliment, for example, may persist when one is choosing what service to book or which product to buy. How might being in a positive mood affect consumers’ subsequent, unrelated choices? The present research demonstrates that being in a positive mood can make consumers more likely to defer choice. Four studies show that when choosing requires trade-offs between important choice attributes, being in a positive (vs. neutral) mood makes choosing more difficult and therefore increases the likelihood of deferring choice altogether. The findings further understanding of how incidental factors shape choice processes and outcomes and the role of emotions in decision making.
Fishing: How the Sea Fed Civilization

In Fishing, archeologist Brian Fagan argues that global food historians have overlooked the centrality of fishing and shellfish collection to human existence. While scholars have typically consider...
Comparison of Frequentist and Bayesian Regularization in Structural Equation Modeling

Research in regularization, as applied to structural equation modeling (SEM), remains in its infancy. Specifically, very little work has compared regularization approaches across both frequentist and Bayesian estimation. The purpose of this study was to address just that, demonstrating both similarity and distinction across estimation frameworks, while specifically highlighting more recent developments in Bayesian regularization. This is accomplished through the use of two empirical examples that demonstrate both ridge and lasso approaches across both frequentist and Bayesian estimation, along with detail regarding software implementation. We conclude with a discussion of future research, advocating for increased evaluation and synthesis across both Bayesian and frequentist frameworks.
Mechanics of Multiphase Fluxes Over the Ocean

The study of multiphase fluxes of water over the ocean has long been recognized by scientists (Roll, 1965) as being important to the understanding of the exchange process between the ocean and the atmosphere. Recently, Ling and Kao (1976) have successfully obtained a preliminary solution showing how water droplets produced by both the whitecaps and sea sprays play a major role in the transport of energy and moisture from the ocean. The evaporating water droplets produce a large moisture source for the humidity field, while the latent heat of evaporation contributes to a large heat sink for the temperature field. The resultant temperature stratification further influences the stability of the wind field which in turn affects the exchange processes. Thus the problem was solved by a set of coupled equations governing both the wind, the droplet concentration, the humidity, and the temperature fields. In addition, one must further consider the coupling effect between the surface layers of the atmosphere and the ocean. Under high sea states most of the forces produced between the wind and the sea are through the form drag on the waves. This produces a surface (drift) layer of water to move faster than the orbital velocity of the wave crest, thus causing the crest to break.
Factors predicting survival for cancer of the ethmoid sinus.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine survival and prognostic factors for ethmoid sinus cancer.MethodsFrom the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database for the time period 198...
Applications: Spectral Methods

This chapter begins with two illustrations of the application of the material from the preceding chapters.
HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis and Women: Survey of the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs in an Urban Obstetrics/Gynecology Clinic

Abstract Uptake of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is low among women at risk for HIV acquisition. Of 468,000 women, whom the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates to be eligible for PrEP, only 10,000 unique women have begun therapy through the third quarter of 2015. These data suggest insufficient HIV prevention efforts. This study, conducted at the site of an urban academic medical center with an emergency department HIV prevalence rate of 4%, assesses the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of women toward PrEP. A self-administered survey was conducted among women at a family planning obstetrics/gynecology clinic at Temple University Hospital (Philadelphia, PA). Participants assessed their HIV acquisition risk and answered eight questions regarding knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs toward PrEP. Three hundred eighty-nine surveys met inclusion criteria. Sixty-five percent of women were black, and 73% were between 18 and 33 years of age. The median self-perceived risk score ...
Modular Forms, Elliptic Curves, and Fermat’s Last Theorem

The equation of Fermat has undoubtedly had a far greater influence on the development of mathematics than anyone could have imagined. After 1847 most serious mathematical approaches to the problem followed the line introduced by Kummer. This approach involved a detailed analysis of the ideal class groups of cyclotomic fields.
Resuscitation of Newborn

This chapter discusses Apgar scoring and anesthetic considerations unique to the newborn. It also discusses newborn resuscitation.
Abstract TMP17: Dodecafluropentane Emulsion in Acute Ischemic Stroke, a Phase One Randomized and Controlled Trial

Introduction: In Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS) the effective therapeutic window remains very short for the vast majority of patients and severely limits those who qualify for acute therapy. The oxyge...
Mie 16–6 force field predicts viscosity with faster-than-exponential pressure dependence for 2,2,4-trimethylhexane

Abstract In response to the 10th Industrial Fluid Properties Simulation Challenge, we report viscosity ( η ) estimates obtained with equilibrium molecular dynamics for 2,2,4-trimethylhexane at 293 K and over a range of pressures ( P ) from 0.1 MPa to 1000 MPa. The Mie Potentials for Phase Equilibria (MiPPE) force field is utilized in this study, as a previous study demonstrated that it provides reliable estimates of η with respect to P. Whereas most studies report only the uncertainties associated with random fluctuations in the simulation output and subsequent data analysis, we investigate the effect of uncertainties arising from the force field non-bonded and torsional parameters. The pressure-viscosity coefficient as a function of pressure is reported for several different empirical models, namely, McEwen-Paluch, Roelands, Roelands-Modified, and Barus. Although the uncertainties increase substantially with increasing pressure, cross-validation model selection provides quantitative evidence supporting faster-than-exponential, a.k.a. super-Arrhenius, behavior with an apparent inflection point in a log10(η)-P plot around 200 MPa. Near-quantitative agreement between simulation results and new experimental data is achieved for P ≤ 600 MPa, followed by significant over prediction at higher pressures.
Changing Federal Statutory Proposals to Address Domestic Violence at Work

Domestic violence impacts America’s workplaces. Individuals subjected to abuse, their coworkers, and other third parties all suffer consequences as a result of domestic violence that occurs or spills over into the workplace. Employees experience decreased productivity during and after actual or threatened violence and may require time off from work to address safety concerns, medical needs, and legal issues. Employers also need to address the consequences of domestic violence. They are faced with significant economic losses from lost productivity, administrative difficulties when employees take unplanned time off, increased medical costs and insurance premiums, and the threat of liability for firing employees experiencing domestic violence in hopes of maintaining a safe workplace or failing to adopt and/or enforce appropriate domestic violence prevention policies. Two pending federal bills attempt to address a real need of employees by providing victims of domestic violence with, among other things, up to 30 days of unpaid job protected leave. But they provide employers little or no assistance in addressing the effects domestic violence has on the employers. This article proposes ways to amend these bills to provide a societal response to the problem of domestic violence at work. Three proposals to change the bills are discussed: (1) reframing the bill to reflect the effect on employers and society; (2) providing employers with the ability to go to court to seek a protection order; and (3) creating a refundable tax credit to recoup a percentage of costs related to prevention, education, and safety policies and programs. Together, these changes could have a significant impact on the potential of these bills to transform the normative response to domestic violence at work and address the very real public ramifications of domestic violence on both employees and employers.
Quantifying the Safety Benefits of a Digital Copilot in General Aviation

Digital Copilot is a prototype information system providing cognitive assistance to pilots in general aviation. This paper presents the methods and results of an analysis quantifying the expected s...
Is Facebook a viable recruitment tool

BACKGROUND Effective participant recruitment strategies are crucial to the success of research studies. A targeted, well-designed recruitment plan provides researchers with a rich bed of information to fully explore research questions and achieve statistically significant responses. AIM To discuss the importance and methodology of participant recruitment in achieving reliability and validity, and to provide an example of a recent study that used Facebook to recruit participants and achieve statistically significant findings. DISCUSSION A targeted Facebook recruitment campaign was highly successful in attracting qualified participants who could provide essential information relevant to the study's research questions. A series of Facebook posts strategically targeted the population of interest and presented them with a short, ten-minute survey. It resulted in responses from 175 qualifying participants, achieving a statistical significance greater than 90%. CONCLUSION Successful recruitment strategies must provide access to the population of interest and in sufficient numbers to provide a good representative sample of the population of interest for the study. Facebook provides efficient cost-effective access to target populations. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE As communication technology advances, nurse researchers must learn to adapt to the changing avenues of communication to reach potential study participants. Effective recruitment and a good representative sample is the key to reliability, validity and transferability of research findings.
Attachment loss and trauma: A descriptive phenomenological analysis of suicidality and depression in veterinarians.

OBJECTIVE Suicidality and depression are disproportionately prevalent among veterinarians. Researchers for this study sought to explore the lived experiences of veterinarians in order to better identify the factors that contribute to this phenomenon. METHOD Using a qualitative descriptive phenomenological approach, small animal veterinarians in the greater Seattle area were interviewed and provided their respective occupational experiences as they related to depression, suicidality, and coping. RESULTS Analysis of the interviews revealed attachment loss and trauma to be primary factors contributing to veterinary depression and suicidality. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide the basis for future research and trauma-informed interventions to reduce distress and suicidality in this population. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Ambiguities of Prophecy: Old Testament Rhetoric in the American Founding Era

Scholars have long recognized the impact of Hebrew prophecy on the rhetoric of the American Founding era, but they have assumed it is all of one type, the American Jeremiad, a clarion call for political action. In fact, biblical rhetoric during this era mirrors three types of Old Testament prophecy formulated at three distinct moments in ancient Biblical history: before, during, and after the Babylonian Exile of 587 BCE. I refer to these as repentance, Jeremiad, and disappointment. I interpret sermons by three leading Protestant ministers in order to demonstrate that all three types of Hebraic prophecy were prevalent during this era, but only one of them, the Jeremiad, seeks to inspire political action; second, the Jeremiad was prominent only during the Revolutionary War. Before the war, and after the ratification of the Constitution, the two quietistic modes of prophecy, repentance, and disappointment, are more prevalent. I conclude by speculating about what the American founders might think of the contemporary rhetorical landscape, where the Jeremiad has become dominant, drowning out more moderate forms of biblical discourse.
Cognitive impairment, clinical symptoms and functional disability in patients emerging from the minimally conscious state.

Background Although emergence from the minimally conscious state (eMCS) is associated with symptoms including disorientation, memory and attention impairment, restlessness, and significant functional disability, the neurobehavioral profile of eMCS has not been empirically characterized. Objective Determine degree of cognitive impairment, presence of clinical symptoms and functional disability at time eMCS in patients with traumatic and non-traumatic brain injury (TBI, nTBI). Methods Retrospective observational study of 169 adults (median [interquartile range] age: 51 [29, 62] years; male: 116; TBI: 103) who emerged from MCS based on the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised while in an inpatient Disorders of Consciousness program. Outcome measures include the Confusion Assessment Protocol (CAP) and Disability Rating Scale (DRS). Results CAP administration was attempted in 54 subjects. Twenty-eight subjects had valid scores on all CAP items, with a median [interquartile range] of 4 [3-5] symptoms of confusion. Scores in 93% of this subsample were consistent with an acute confusional state. The most common symptoms were cognitive impairment (98% of subjects), disorientation (93%), and agitation (69%). The median DRS score upon emergence from MCS was 14.5 [13, 16], indicating severe disability (n = 140). Conclusions eMCS is associated with an acute confusional state and severe disability. This finding may inform the lower boundary of confusion as well as approach to treatment and caregiver education.
Consumer valuation of carbon labeled protein-enriched burgers in European older adults

Abstract Considering population aging and the adverse health consequences older adults face due to protein malnutrition, older adults’ protein intake is receiving increasing attention. Meanwhile, growing concern around the world’s environmental challenges has elucidated the crucial role of dietary choices. This study gives insight into more sustainable ways of increasing older adults’ (≥65) protein intake in the European Union (EU) to prevent protein malnutrition. A choice experiment (n = 2159) was conducted in five EU countries (the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Poland, Finland, and Spain). Multinomial choice modeling shows that the majority of older adults accept protein-enriched burgers. Overall they prefer red meat and poultry above plant-based burgers. For red meat and poultry burgers, older adults prefer products with carbon labels indicating lower environmental impact. Latent class modeling identified four consumer segments. The largest segment (41%), “Meatlovers”, are not likely to change their red meat and poultry consumption. However, carbon labeling entails some opportunity. “Eco-friendly” consumers (28%) are willing to consume protein from more sustainable sources and herewith constitute the primary target group. “Poultry lovers” (12%) are most likely to shift their protein consumption based on health-related motives. Further research is recommended to identify sustainable protein-rich products for older adults who dislike burgers (19%). Subsequent consumer profiling indicates that intentions to consume sustainable protein-enriched burgers are associated with gender, country, importance attached to health, sustainability and familiarity, knowledge on protein and their environmental impact. In contrast, financial situation, importance attached to price, convenience, and sensory appeal are not associated with older adults’ preferences.
Fast Neutron Therapy for Advanced Lacrimal Gland Cylindromas

Two patients with tumors of the orbit which could not be treated using any conventional modalities were treated with 22 MEV neutrons at the FermiLab Cancer Therapy Facility at the National Accelerator Laboratory in the United States. One of the patients had a long course beginning with an benign lacrimal gland tumor, first removed in 1930, and developed a cystic adenocarcinoma in the mid-1970’s. The second patient was first noted to have a lacrimal tumor in 1974 with rapid growth of a cystic adenocarcinoma. Both patients had arrest of the primary carcinoma following neutron therapy; however, there is possible metastatic disease present in both patients at this time.