cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Approximating component selection

Simulation composability is a difficult capability to achieve due to the challenges of creating components, selecting combinations of components, and integrating the selected components. We address the second of these challenges through analysis of Component Selection (CS), the NP-complete process of selecting a minimal set of components to satisfy a set of objectives. Due to the high order of computational complexity of CS, we examine approximating solutions that make the CS process practicable. We define two variations of CS and prove that good approximations to optimal solutions result from applying a standard Greedy selection algorithm to each. Despite our creation of approximable variations of CS, we conjecture that any proof of the inapproximability of CS will reveal theoretical limitations of its practicality. We conclude that reasonably constrained variations of CS can be solved satisfactorily, and efficiently, but more general cases appear to never be solvable in a similar manner.
Improved Method of Measuring Thermal Conductivity of Dense Ceramics

An instrument has been developed to measure the thermal conductivity of dense ceramic materials over the temperature range 20° to 200°C. A cylindrical ceramic specimen 1/2 in. in m diameter by 1/2 in. long is used in the instrument. hessures lower than 1μ of mercury are used to reduce heat losses and to permit rapid attainment of steady-state conditions.
Implementing faculty practice: a question of human and financial resources

Two issues confronting nursing education are: improving the relationship between nursing service and nursing education, and achieving status as an academic discipline. The concept of faculty practice addresses both of these problems. By definition faculty practice requires demonstration of clinical competence through practice, and scholarly outcomes of practice which satisfy the research requirement of the nursing faculty role. While scholarly practice by nursing faculty members may benefit the nursing service-education relationship, it is a myth that nursing faculty members were more effective teachers prior to nursing education's move into institutions of higher education. While few argue against the need for clinical competence of nursing faculty members for effective teaching, the need to attain educational preparation for effective teaching must not be overlooked. The vast majority of nursing faculty members hold, master's degree as their highest earned credential. To establish itself as an equal in academe and to increase teaching effectiveness, nursing education needs faculty prepared at the doctoral level. If nursing faculty members add faculty practice and doctoral study to the standard faculty role requirements of teaching, research and service, chronic overload will result. Nursing faculty members cannot solve all the problems confronting nursing education by continuously increasing their workload. Nursing programmes need to assess their resources and priorities. For all of its merits, faculty practice should not be implemented until a programme has adequate resources to support it.
Intent-to-Treat Analysis versus As-Treated Analysis:

This paper provides an overview of intent-to-treat analysis versus as-treated analysis. The first step in evaluating a therapy must be an unbiased intent-to-treat analysis. This is the only sure wa...
EFFECTS OF VEGETATION, INTERSPECIFIC COMPETITION, AND BROOD PARASITISM ON GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER (VERMIVORA CHRYSOPTERA) NESTING SUCCESS

Abstract The recent decline of Golden-winged Warblers (Vermivora chrysoptera) correlates with the loss of suitable nesting habitat, range expansion by Blue-winged Warblers (V. pinus), and eastward expansion of Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater). Multivariate statistics were used to examine effects of those factors on Golden-winged Warbler reproduction in north central New York. Herb and shrub cover were positively correlated with clutch size. Blue-winged Warbler proximity was negatively correlated with Golden-winged Warbler clutch size. Tree cover and perhaps herb cover, after adjusting for brood size, correlated with a reduced number of Golden-winged Warbler fledglings. Herbaceous cover correlated with a greater number of cowbird eggs in Golden-winged Warbler nests. Cowbird parasitism correlated with a reduction in the number of Golden-winged Warbler eggs incubated and proportion of incubated eggs that hatched. However, cowbird parasitism, after adjusting for brood size, did not significantly affect ...
Neo-Hertzian Electromagnetism

In this talk — aimed at modernizing and rejuvenating electromagnetic theory — I shall be concerned (a) with new physical interpretations of some century-old mathematics (first published by Heinrich Hertz, but independently rediscovered by several modern investigators), (b) with the surprising implications for photon behavior, and (c) with needed experimental testing.
Vortex Lock-on and Flow Control in Bluff Body Near-Wakes

The results of recent experiments show the concept of universal vortex wake similitude to be more general than was previously supposed. In this paper these similarity arguments are directed as an example to the case of vortex lock-on in oscillatory flow. This form of vortex lock-on exhibits a particularly strong resonance between the flow perturbations and the vortices, and provides one potential means for modification and control of the basic formation and stability mechanisms in the near-wake. The essential features of active and passive wake control by means of body oscillations and geometrical alterations are discussed briefly. Then the stability characteristics of the near-wake, i.e. absolute versus convective, are considered in terms of recent computations and experiments. As an example, the flow in the vortex formation region has been shown to be absolutely unstable to small disturbances.
Evolution of Chattel Paper: From Possession to Control

Since its inception, Article 9 has authorized both non-possessory assignment of chattel paper perfected by the filing of a financing statement and a possessory assignment perfected by possession. As a result, tangible chattel paper is “quasi-negotiable” because certain purchasers for value with possession can have priority over previously perfected secured parties. The 2000 revision of Article 9 authorized security agreements evidenced by an electronic record or records and created electronic chattel paper as a new sub-type of collateral. To extend quasi-negotiability to electronic chattel paper, it also introduced the concept of “control” as an analogue to possession of tangible chattel paper. The initial definition of control required, in part, the existence of a “single authoritative copy” which is “unique.” Given that an electronic record may be perfectly replicated, this definition created challenges for achieving this standard, but the chattel paper finance industry has developed methods for complying with this definition. Nevertheless, the requirement for a single and unique authoritative copy is more stringent than necessary for the purpose of the quasi-negotiability of chattel paper and is more consistent with a possessory analogue for electronic negotiable instrument and documents. The 2010 revision to the definition of control introduced a more flexible standard that requires a system that “reliably establishes” the secured party as the assignee. This new definition will permit the development of methods of control that are less complicated than current methods and more consistent with the limited nature and purpose of the quasi-negotiability of chattel paper. The new definition may even permit the development of a system that eschews the possessory analogue and that resembles the non-possessory assignment of intangible receivables like accounts and payment intangibles.
The production diversity of subsistence farms in the Bolivian Andes is associated with the quality of child feeding practices as measured by a validated summary feeding index.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the validity of a summary infant and child feeding index (ICFI) and the association with the index of factors related to agricultural production. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey in eight health-post jurisdictions identified as priority nutrition regions. All households with children aged 6-23 months in eligible communities were administered an integrated survey on agricultural production and nutrition-related practices. Quantitative 24 h dietary recall food frequency data and anthropometric measurements were collected for each child. Ninety-one per cent of eligible families participated. SETTING: The northern region of the Potosi department in the Bolivian highlands. SUBJECTS: Two hundred and fifty-one households with children aged 6-23 months. RESULTS: In multiple regression models controlling for potential confounding variables infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices as measured by an ICFI showed positive associations with child length-for-age Z-score (mean difference of 0.47 in length-for-age Z-score between children in the high ICFI tertile compared with the low tertile) child energy intake (mean difference of 1500 kJ between tertiles) and the micronutrient adequacy of child diets (mean difference of 7.2 % in mean micronutrient density adequacy between tertiles; P < 0.05). Examining determinants of IYCF practices mothers education livestock ownership and the crop diversity of farms were positively associated with the ICFI while amount of agricultural land cultivated was negatively associated with the ICFI. Crop diversity and IYCF practices were more strongly positively correlated among households at high elevations. CONCLUSIONS: Nutrition-sensitive investments in agriculture that aim to diversify subsistence agricultural production could plausibly benefit the adequacy of child diets.
The Weak Closure of a Certain Set in l 1

Among the early examples a student encounters in a first course in functional analysis is one which illustrates the inadequacy of sequences in the weak topology. If H is a separable Hilbert space with orthonormal basis {4'n}, then von Neumann noted that the set {4m + mo, m, n = 1, 2, 3, has the origin as a weak limit point, yet no subsequence converges to that point. As norm bounded sets in H are metrizable in the weak topology, any such example must necessarily be unbounded. This will always be the case where a normed linear space has a separable dual. Certainly there must exist bounded, weakly sequentially closed, subsets of normed linear spaces which are not weakly closed (they cannot be convex, however). The purpose of this note is to set down one such example. Perhaps my real motive is to apply the delightful lemma of Erdos [1] (see also [2]):
Emergence of Negative Index in a Lossy Chiral Metamaterial under First-Order Material Dispersion

For a lossless dispersive chiral material, negative index (NIM) occurred only by use of parametric analysis (and not via practical models) to first-order. These findings are re-visited for the lossy problem and the results are compared.
Misdiagnosed Case of a Rudimentary Horn Pregnancy

Objective: To emphasize the importance of knowledge of mullerian anomalies while evaluating a suspected case of pregnancy in a bicornuate uterus. Design: Case report Setting : Obstetric unit in a training and research hospital. Patient : A 25 year old primigravida woman with 26 weeks pregnancy in a non communicating rudimentary horn. Intervention: The exact diagnosis of ruptured non communicating rudimentary horn pregnancy was diagnosed after explorative laparotomy. Conclusion : Pregnancy in a non communicating rudimentary horn should always be considered as a differential diagnosis of a pregnancy in a bicornuate uterus. Lack of experience and knowledge may lead to incorrect diagnosis in such cases, and hence compromising maternal and fetal health.
Flow injection spectrophotometry determines droxybenzene in drinking water

[Objective] To establish a method for determination of hydroxybenzene in drinking water by flow injection spectrophotometry. [Methods] Hydroxybenzene in drinking water was determined by flow injection spectrophotometry,and the best experimental conditions were chosen for that purpose. [Results] In the best conditions,the linear range was 2.0-200.0 μg/L,the detection limit of the method was 0.9 μg/L,RSD of the determination of standard solution was 1.42%.The method was applied for analysis of drinking water,with satisfactory results obtained,and the average recovery was 94.5%-112.4%.The samples were determined by the proposed method and standard method.The results obtained showed no significant difference from those achieved by the international method. [Conclusion] This method is accurate and reproducible,suitable for the determination of hydroxybenzene in drinking water.
Influence of major death causes on life expectancy in residents from surveillance points in Guizhou,2012

Objective To understand the influence of major death causes on the life expectancy in residents in Guizhou and provide evidences for the development of prevention and control measures. Methods The death cause surveillance data in 2012 were analyzed to calculate life expectancy, cause eliminated life expectancy, potential years of life lost and lost rate by using abridged life table and cause eliminated life table. Results The life expectancy was 76.13 years in residents in Guizhou(73.44 years in male residents and 79.15 years in female residents). The life expectancy in females was higher than male residents. The major death causes affecting the life expectancy mostly were circulation system diseases and respiratory system diseases. If the two death causes were eliminated, the life expectancy would increase by 6.05, 3.36 years in male residents and 7.27,4.57 years in female residents. In circulatory diseases, cerebrovascular disease affected the life expectancy mostly, the life lost due to cerebrovascular was 3.37 years in males and 3.23 years in females. In respiratory system diseases, lower respiratory system disease affected the life expectancy mostly, the life lost due to lower respiratory system disease was 1.72 years in males and 2.18 years in females. Conclusion It is essential to strengthen the prevention and control of cardiovascular /cerebrovascular diseases and respiratory system diseases to increase the life expectancy in residents.
Analysis of inspection result of ceramic-dust-touching workers' electrocardiogram

Objective Find out of the changes of ceramic-dust-touching workers' electrocardiogram. Method 581 workers from ceramic-dust-touching workshop and 395 workers from non-ceramic-dust-touching workshop were chosen from a factory manufacturing sanitary ware and appliance for the investigation of electrocardiogram. Results Workers who work in ceramic-dust-touching workshop, density of air-borne dust in this working environment exceed limit of national standard; had obvious abnormal electrocardiogram changes(χ2=43.54,P0.01), moreover, longer working in this job, more workers with abnormal electrocardiogram,with the case rate raised from 10.76% to 35.21%.Change of electrocardiogram mainly be on sinus bradycardia(χ2=22.53,P0.01),and change of abnormal electrocardiogram mainly be on age of 30 to 40(χ2=4.27,P0.05). There is no difference in male and female. Conclusions If workers touch ceramic dust for long time,it may have abnormal electrocardiogram, mainly occurs in sinus bradycardia.Department of Health Supervision should aware of the working condition of factory manufacturing ceramic sanitary and to protect the workers' health.
Robust packaging for fiber-to-grating couplers in a scalable photonics process

We present a photonics process utilizing i-line lithography to achieve 2.5 dB/cm losses in low-temperature-deposited SiN. Lithographically-defined fiber packaging structures are aligned to gratings, enabling compact, durable packaging of multiple fibers on a chip and tolerant of temperatures from 1K to 43 3K.
Cultural Assets and Substance Use Among Hispanic Adolescents

Research on cultural factors and substance use among Hispanic adolescents has focused primarily on acculturation, while specific core Hispanic values and attributes have received minimal attention. The objective of the current study was to examine the relationship between traditional Hispanic cultural assets and substance use among adolescents. A purposive sample of 225 Hispanic adolescents (47% male) aged 13 to 16 years were recruited from community venues (e.g., park, school, mall) in a predominately Hispanic neighborhood. Participants completed a survey to assess cultural factors (familism, simpatia, respeto, and ethnic pride) and substance use in the past 3 months (alcohol and drug). Point-biserial correlations revealed significant associations of alcohol and drug use with greater familism (family connectedness), simpatia (interpersonal relationship harmony), and respeto (respect). Two stepwise binary logistic regressions were performed to evaluate the independent association between the cultural factors and substance use. The interaction of gender with each cultural factor was examined in both analyses. Simpatia emerged as the only cultural factor independently associated with alcohol use. Greater simpatia was related to abstention from alcohol. Both simpatia and familism independently correlated with drug use. Stronger endorsements of simpatia and familism were associated with absence from drug use. Interactions between cultural factors and gender were not observed. Simpatia emerged as the strongest cultural asset that may confer protection against substance use. If replicated, our results suggest substance prevention programs targeting Hispanic adolescents may benefit from the inclusion of cultural assets in the intervention paradigm.
Web Information Extraction Using Generalized Hidden Markov Model

Hidden Markov Model (HMM) is an important approach for information extraction (IE). When applied to Web IE, several problems exist with HMM based approaches due to the lack of consideration on Web-specific features. In this paper we present a Generalized Hidden Markov Model (GHMM) that extends traditional HMMs by making use of Web-specific information for Web IE. In our approach we use Web content block instead of term as basic extraction unit. Besides, instead of using the traditional sequential state transition order, we detect the state transition order of GHMM based on layout structure of the corresponding web page. Furthermore, we use multiple emission features instead of single emission feature. In this way GHMM can better accommodate Web IE. Experiments show promising results comparing to traditional HMM based Web IE.
Integrating Research into a Clinical Practice

While exposure to research techniques is a standard component of the training of most physicians and laboratory directors, the progressive migration of reproductive medicine clinics away from academic institutions and into private practice has decreased the exposure and involvement of many clinicians and laboratory technicians away from clinical or basic science research studies. This chapter explores the benefits of implementing research into reproductive endocrinology clinics and laboratories. Benefits may include the development of a broader clinical knowledge base, enhanced reasoning skills, and improved career satisfaction. The inclusion of research in a clinical practice can proceed in a prudent and measured manner consistent with the aims and assets of the practice. Simple initial tools include journal clubs and focused study, and the use of an invaluable tool, the quality assurance program. Clinicians can establish collaborative relationships with basic scientists by providing careful characterization, documentation, and organization of records for patients (phenotyping) and by providing relevant clinical insights. The benefits of participation in research studies are available to all clinical practices by the careful assessment of resources and sustained commitment to the endeavor.
CD4+ Peptide Epitopes from the WT1 Oncoprotein Stimulate CD4+ and CD8+ T Cells That Recognize and Kill Leukemia and Solid Tumor Cells.

Wilms tumor protein 1 (WT1) is a transcription factor over-expressed in several types of leukemias and solid tumors, making it an ideal target for immunotherapy. A number of class I binding WT1 peptides have been identified and shown to stimulate CD8+ T cells. These peptides are being tested as potential cancer vaccine candidates in a variety of clinical trials. However, the induction and maintenance of a robust memory CD8+ cytotoxic T cell response requires CD4+ T cell help. Herein we report the identification of three HLA Class II peptide epitopes of WT1 using the SYFPEITHI and RANKPEP predictive algorithms. Peptides 328–349 and 423–441 are able to stimulate a peptide specific CD4+ response that can recognize WT1 positive tumor cells in multiple HLA-DRB*1 settings, as determined by IFN-gamma ELISPOT assays. Due to the highly polymorphic nature of the HLA class II alleles, such broad reactivity is critical in the development of a universal therapeutic. In addition, we identified a WT1 CD4+ peptide epitope (122–140) that lies within close proximity to a previously identified CD8+ peptide epitope (126–134). Residue 126 was mutated from an Arginine (R) to a Tyrosine (Y) thereby embedding a synthetic immunogenic analog CD8+ peptide that was previously designed to improve immunogenicity and induce a potent CD8+ response. Mutated peptide 122–140 is able to induce a CD4+ and cytotoxic CD8+ WT1 specific T cell response that can recognize the native WT1 epitopes on the surface of human CML and solid tumor cells. Cross-priming experiments demonstrated that APCs pulsed with either CML or mesothelioma tumor lysates can process and present each of the CD4+ peptides identified. These studies provide the rationale for using the three WT1 CD4+ peptides in conjunction with CD8+ peptide epitopes to vaccinate patients with WT1 expressing cancers.
Rock-physics diagnostics of an offshore gas field

ABSTRACTSeismic reflections depend on the contrasts of the elastic properties of the subsurface and their 3D geometry. As a result, interpreting seismic data for petrophysical rock properties requires a theoretical rock-physics model that links the seismic response to a rock’s velocity and density. Such a model is based on controlled experiments in which the petrophysical and elastic rock properties are measured on the same samples, such as in the wellbore. Using data from three wells drilled through a clastic offshore gas reservoir, we establish a theoretical rock-physics model that quantitatively explains these data. The modeling is based on the assumption that only three minerals are present: quartz, clay, and feldspar. To have a single rock-physics transform to quantify the well data in the entire intervals under examination in all three wells, we introduced field-specific elastic moduli for the clay. We then used the model to correct the measured shear-wave velocity because it appeared to be unreason...
Sexual Harassment of Low-Income Women in Housing: Pilot Study Results

Sparked by the #metoo movement, we are once again having an important national discussion about the prevalence of sexual harassment in America. The conversation is a necessary starting point, but it’s focus on high-status workplaces overlooks other contexts in which sexual harassment occurs. This Article focuses on one such area: the sexual harassment and exploitation of low-income women by their landlords. Although it is a significant national problem, there have been no reliable empirical studies about its nature and prevalence. The lack of information causes difficulties. Policymakers and legislators cannot address sexual harassment in housing if they do not know basic facts about it such as how common it is, who is likely to experience and perpetrate it, and what form it takes. The law, much of which is borrowed from the employment context, remains underdeveloped and unresponsive to the unique challenges presented by housing harassment. This Article and the Pilot Study upon which it is based seek to remedy this situation. The Study involved detailed interviews of one hundred randomly selected low-income women. These interviews reveal important insights into who is most at risk for housing harassment, the characteristics of the landlords who engage in it, the form it is likely to take, and how women respond to it. The Study results both challenge and improve upon assumptions made by more theoretical scholarship, and lead to suggestions for changes to both law and policy. In particular, the results underscore the argument for treating sexual harassment in housing as a phenomenon that is entirely different from employment harassment, with a new framework that recognizes the economic reality of low-income housing. From a policy perspective, the results reveal the need for greater regulation of the landlord-tenant relationship, and the necessity of providing more resources to the most vulnerable renters.
Pre-clinical MR elastography: Principles, techniques, and applications

Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is a method for measuring the mechanical properties of soft tissue in vivo, non-invasively, by imaging propagating shear waves in the tissue. The speed and attenuation of waves depends on the elastic and dissipative properties of the underlying material. Tissue mechanical properties are essential for biomechanical models and simulations, and may serve as markers of disease, injury, development, or recovery. MRE is already established as a clinical technique for detecting and characterizing liver disease. The potential of MRE for diagnosing or characterizing disease in other organs, including brain, breast, and heart is an active research area. Studies involving MRE in the pre-clinical setting, in phantoms and artificial biomaterials, in the mouse, and in other mammals, are critical to the development of MRE as a robust, reliable, and useful modality.
A home-based mentored vegetable gardening intervention demonstrates feasibility and improvements in physical activity and performance among breast cancer survivors

BACKGROUND The current study assessed the feasibility of a mentored home-based vegetable gardening intervention and examined changes in health-related outcomes among breast cancer survivors (BCS). METHODS BCS were randomized to either a year-long vegetable gardening intervention to begin immediately or a wait-list control. Master Gardeners mentored participants in planning, planting, and maintaining 3 seasonal gardens over the course of 1 year. Participant accrual, retention, and satisfaction rates of ≥80% served as feasibility (primary outcome) benchmarks. Secondary outcomes (ie, vegetable consumption, physical activity, performance and function, anthropometrics, biomarkers, and health-related quality of life) were collected at baseline and post-intervention (1-year follow-up) using subjective and objective measures. RESULTS The trial surpassed all feasibility benchmarks at 82% of targeted accrual, 95% retention, and 100% satisfaction (ie, experience ratings of "good to excellent" and willingness to "do it again"). Compared with the controls, intervention participants reported significantly greater improvements in moderate physical activity (+14 vs -17 minutes/week) and demonstrated improvements in the 2-Minute Step Test (+22 vs + 10 steps), and Arm Curl (+2.7 vs + 0.1 repetitions) (P values < .05). A trend toward improved vegetable consumption was observed (+0.9 vs + 0.2 servings/day; P = .06). Approximately 86% of participants were continuing to garden at the 2-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS The results of the current study suggest that a mentored, home-based vegetable gardening intervention is feasible and offers an integrative and durable approach with which to improve health behaviors and outcomes among BCS. Harvest for Health led to the establishment of a group of trained Master Gardeners and gave rise to local and global community-based programs. Larger studies are needed to confirm the results presented herein and to define applicability across broader populations of survivors.
Yiddish VP Order and the Typology of Object Movement in Germanic

The ordering of NPs in Germanic languages has received a great deal of attention in the literature on scrambling and object shift. This paper examines the relevant data from Yiddish, and concludes on the basis of a number of tests that the underlying word order in the VP is VO. Among the diagnostic tests used are the semantic constraints placed on shifted objects in Yiddish; that is, they must be definite or specific/generic. It is proposed that this constraint is due to a general interpretation condition which requires the fixing of scope relations in the syntax (relying on the notion of semantically-driven movement developed in Diesing and Jelinek 1995). Examination of the reordering possibilities in Yiddish in comparison with both West Continental Germanic and Scandinavian leads to the conclusion that Yiddish allows scrambling (rather than object shift), placing it in a unique position among the VO Germanic languages. The paper concludes with a discussion of semantically-drivenmovement in the context of economy conditions such as those proposed by Chomsky (1995).
The Neurochemistry of Ethanol Tolerance

Tolerance to ethanol (alcohol) or any other drug is defined as an acquired resistance to the physiological and/or behavioral effects of the drug. Another empirical definition of tolerance is that a given dose of drug has less effect in an individual on his/her later exposures to the drug than on the first exposure. The phenomenon of tolerance, as well as the mechanisms underlying its development, can be complex (Tabakoff et al., 1982), ranging from changes in drug disposition or metabolism (“metabolic tolerance”), to alterations in the function of cells including the neurons of the central nervous system which result in drug resistance. The cellular adaptations to resist a drug’s actions are part of the phenomenon of “functional” tolerance and the processes that contribute to functional tolerance will be the focus of this discussion.
Going with the Flo: The Role of Flo11-Dependent and Independent Interactions in Yeast Mat Formation

Strains of the bakers’ yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae that are able to generate a multicellular structure called a mat on low percentage (0.3%) agar plates are given a selective advantage over strains that cannot exhibit this phenotype. This environment may exhibit some similarities to the rotting fruit on which S. cerevisiae often grows in nature. Mat formation occurs when the cells spread over the plate as they grow, and cells in the center of the biofilm aggregate to form multicellular structures that resemble a floral pattern. This multicellular behavior is dependent on the cell surface flocculin Flo11. This review covers recent information on the structure of Flo11 and how this likely impacts mat formation as well as how variegated expression of Flo11 influences mat formation. Finally, it also discusses several Flo11-independent genetic factors that control mat formation, such as vacuolar protein sorting (VPS) genes, cell wall signaling components, and heat shock proteins.
DC Modeling of an LCC Resonant Compensation Network in Wireless Power Transfer Systems

In this paper, an equivalent dc model of an LCC resonant compensation network is presented. The LCC topology is commonly used as a matching network at the secondary (receiver) side of Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) systems. The power delivered to the secondary side is usually rectified and delivered to some energy storage unit or load using a dc-dc converter. In order to design an optimum controller, understanding of the system dynamics is essential. However, the presence of the ac resonant circuit along with the dc-dc converter complicates the small signal modeling of the system. In this paper, an equivalent dc model is proposed for the ac resonant network that allows for a complete dc system. This dc model satisfies three conditions: $i$ ) provides the same energy storage capability as the ac model, ii) delivers the same active power to an equivalent dc load $R_{dc}$ as the ac circuit does to the equivalent ac resistance $R_{ac}$ , iii) demonstrate the same step response as the ac circuit. Finally, the dc model dynamics is compared with the ac model.
Utility of surveillance imaging in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

8558 Background: The optimal surveillance imaging in the management of patients (pts) with non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL) remains undefined. Unnecessary scans increase health care costs and radiation ...
Investigation of the confinement effect on the evaporation behavior of a droplet pinned on a micropillar structure

Abstract Evaporation of sessile droplet suffers from reduced evaporation rate due to the confinement of vapor diffusion imposed by the bottom substrate. However, it is possible to change the evaporation behavior of a droplet by suspending it from the bottom substrate, in particular, supporting the droplet on a micropillar. This is expected to enable diffusion transport in the downward direction that will subsequently enhance evaporative transport. In this study, we investigate the diffusion confinement effect imposed by the bottom substrate and the side wall of the micropillar through numerical simulations and experimental investigation. The approximate solutions for total evaporation rate and local evaporative flux were subsequently derived from the total evaporation rate predicted by the simulation results. The simulation results, agreeing within 5% with the experimental measurements, show that increasing the micropillar height enhances the total evaporation rate from the suspended hemispherical droplet. This enhancement is due to a dramatic improvement of the local evaporation rate near the contact line region as micropillar heights increase. The micropillar heights examined for maximum evaporation rates were observed under substrate temperatures from 60–98 °C. The increasing pillar height leads to smaller vapor diffusion resistance but greater conduction resistance.
The Silver Ratio and its Relation to Controllability

This note investigates the controllability of two unstable second-order systems that are coupled through a common input. These dynamics occur for different types of inverted-pendulum systems. Controllability is quantified by the volume of the state-space that can be reached with unit energy, provided that the system starts and ends at the origin. It is shown that controllability is maximized when the ratio between the time constants amounts to the silver ratio.
Reducing Uncertainty in Pose Estimation under Complex Contacts via Force Forecast

How to reduce uncertainty in object pose estimation under complex contacts is crucial to autonomous robotic manipulation and assembly. In this paper, we introduce an approach through forecasting contact force from simulated complex contacts with calibration based on real force sensing. A constraint-based haptic simulation algorithm is used with sphere-tree representation of contacting objects to compute contact poses and forces, and through matching the computed forces to measured real force data via a regression model, the least-uncertain estimate of the relative contact pose is obtained. Our approach can handle multi-region complex contacts and does not make any assumption about contact types or contact locations. It also does not have restriction on object shapes. We have applied the force forecast approach to reducing uncertainty in estimating object poses in challenging peg-in-hole robotic assembly tasks and demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach by successful completion of contact-rich two-pin and three-pin real peg-in-hole assembly tasks with complex shapes of pins and holes.
Race and ethnicity, gender, and age on perceived threats and fear of COVID-19: Evidence from two national data sources

Previous studies find preventative behaviors designed to reduce the number of infections during emerging disease outbreaks are associated with perceived risk of disease susceptibility. Few studies have attempted to identify underlying factors that explain differences in perceptions of risk during an infectious disease outbreak. Drawing from two early waves of American Trends Panel (n=7,441), as well as a National Science Foundation funded, Qualtrics national panel survey from the early stages of the pandemic (n=10,368), we test whether race and ethnicity, gender, and age were associated with six perceived threat and fear outcomes related to COVID-19. Results demonstrate race and ethnicity, gender, and age play a significant role in shaping threat and fear perceptions of COVID-19, but depending on the outcome, relationships vary in direction and magnitude. In some cases, historically marginalized racial and ethnic groups were more likely to report high fear and perceive coronavirus as a major threat to population and individual health, whereas, in others cases, the same marginalized racial and ethnic groups were less likely to perceive coronavirus to be a serious threat to the immune-comprised and the elderly population. We also find women were generally more likely to report high levels of threat and fear of COVID-19. Finally, we observe a clear age difference, whereby adults in older age groups report high-risk perceptions of COVID-19. Findings can inform public health programs designed to educate communities on the benefits of engaging in effective preventative practices during emerging infectious disease outbreaks.
A deformable image registration based method to assess directionality of thoracic aortic aneurysm growth

Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) growth is currently assessed by changes in maximal aortic diameter (i.e., radial growth of the vessel). However, there is growing awareness that longitudinal aortic growth (i.e., elongation) is an important metric of disease status, albeit one that is difficult to measure using current clinical techniques. Previously we have proposed a method to assess 3D changes in aortic wall growth/deformation using deformable image registration with interpolation of the spatial Jacobian determinant to the aortic surface. Here we propose a method to re-orient the Jacobian into directional components relative to the aortic surface rather than the image space, allowing clinicians and researchers to isolate and study the pathologic effects of each directional component of growth separately. To this end, we first perform a deformable image registration between two aortic geometries. Second, we segment the aortic surface and centerline in the fixed image, and use the resulting geometry to construct anatomically-based local coordinate systems at each voxel of the aortic surface. Using the Jacobian matrix field resulting from the deformable registration, we can obtain the anatomically oriented Jacobian components by rotating the Jacobian matrix at each voxel so that it is aligned with the anatomically based local coordinate system. Through experiments on toy cylinders and real clinical cases, we show clear differences between the Jacobian determinant and its directional components, with the directional Jacobian component being able to remove one directional change (e.g., longitudinal) while maintaining the other (e.g., cross-sectional).
Safely Shortening the Observation Time After CT-Guided Lung Procedures.

Abstract Objective To determine safety of shortened observation time without follow-up chest x-ray (CXR) after CT-guided transthoracic procedures (lung biopsy or fiducial placement) in patients without immediate postprocedural pneumothorax (PTX). Methods Consecutive patients that underwent CT-guided procedures between January 5, 2015, and June 19, 2017, were included in this retrospective institutional review board-approved HIPAA-compliant study. Data regarding postprocedural course, complications, and clinical follow-up of the patients were obtained through a review of electronic medical records. Descriptive statistics were used. Results There were 441 procedures for 409 patients performed; 82 procedures were excluded because of predefined criteria. In 312 of 336 asymptomatic procedures (92.9%), asymptomatic patients did not undergo CXR after procedure, with 7 of 312 of these patients (2.2%) diagnosed with delayed PTX 2 to 10 days after the procedure. In 24 of 336 procedures (7.1%), asymptomatic patients underwent CXR within 4 hours with no PTX detected, and despite that 1 of 24 of these patients (4.2%) presented with delayed PTX 7 days after procedure. When no immediate postprocedural PTX was present, rate of observation PTX and delayed PTX was 1 of 359 (0.3%) and 8 of 359 (2.2%), respectively. Average duration of monitoring for outpatients (n = 295) was 2.0 hours with median of 1.8 hours. In 23 of 359 (6.4%) procedures, the patient became symptomatic during postprocedural observation with 1 of 23 (4%) developing PTX. Conclusions Obtaining routine postprocedural CXRs in asymptomatic patients without immediate postprocedural PTX after CT-guided transthoracic procedures is likely not necessary given the low likelihood of PTX.
Rare undifferentiated colonic adenocarcinoma: A diagnostic challenge

Abstract Pathological diagnosis of colorectal adenocarcinoma is typically straightforward. However, undifferentiated colorectal cancers can be rarely encountered in daily practice and definitive diagnosis can be very challenging. In this report, we presented a rare case of ascending colon ulcerated mass from a 60-year old man. The mass showed lobulated solid growth pattern, pushing border, no desmoplasia, no glandular formation, no tumor budding, undifferentiated morphology with pleomorphism and multinucleated giant cells, numerous atypical mitosis (>100/5 mm2) and unusual immunophenotype as follows: pancytokeratin+, CK7−, CK20−, CDX2 focally+, SATB2−, DOG1+, CD138+, mucicarmine+. Molecular test showed classic mutations in APC, TP53, SMAD4 and HNF1A, and wild type in BRAF, KRAS and NRAS. Interestingly, KIT, ERBB4 and PIK3CA showed missense mutation, and PDGFRA showed nonsense mutation, although all of them had uncertain clinical significance. Final diagnosis of undifferentiated adenocarcinoma was rendered after combining the growth pattern, immunostains and mucicarmine stain, molecular test findings, and excluding other poorly differentiated malignancies.
Transient Flow in Unsaturated Porous Media

Transient water movement in both horizontal and vertical unsaturated porous media is investigated. The nonlinear partial differential equation governing the one-dimensional flow is solved by the orthogonal collocation method. This method involves the approximation of the spatial derivative terms in the partial differential equation by an orthogonal polynomial and thus the partial differential equation is transformed into a set of ordinary differential equations which in turn can be integrated numerically. The present numerical solutions are found to be in excellent agreement with previous solutions for the cases under consideration. Because of its high accuracy, computational stability and easy implementation, the orthogonal collocation method can be a very good alternative for tackling these nonlinear diffusion problems.
Review of Christopher Partridge and Eric Christianson, eds., The Lure of the Dark Side: Satan and Western Demonology in Popular Culture. London: Equinox, 2009.

Richard Walsh reviews Christopher Partridge and Eric Christianson, eds., The Lure of the Dark Side: Satan and Western Demonology in Popular Culture . London: Equinox, 2009.
Organic thin film transistors: a DC model for circuit simulation

In this paper, a new analytical model for the DC current of organic thin-film transistors is presented. The model is based on the variable range hopping theory, i.e. thermally activated tunneling of carriers between localized states. It accurately accounts for below-threshold, linear and saturation operating conditions via a single formulation. Furthermore, the model does not require the explicit definition of the threshold and saturation voltages as input parameters, which are rather ambiguously defined. The model is also suitable for CAD applications.
Regulation of the L-arabinose operon BAD in vitro.

Abstract A DNA-directed cell-free system to study the l-arabinose BAD operon has been further developed so that the rate of synthesis of enzymes coded for by the structural genes in the operon in vitro is about 5% the in vivo rate. l-Arabinose isomerase and l-ribulokinase, the products of the araA and araB genes, are synthesized at the same rate, demonstrating that the operon is coordinately expressed in vitro. The system is completely dependent upon araC protein which can be supplied either by synthesis in vitro from an araC+ DNA template or by the addition of araC protein extracted from whole cells. The properties in the in vitro system of araC protein from either source suggests that the two products are similar if not identical. Both the repressor and activator forms of the araC protein are demonstrable in vitro using the appropriate templates confirming the essential aspects of the model for gene regulation of this operon.
15 Self-Assembled systems

Publisher Summary This chapter shows how quantitative predictions of the self-assembly behavior can be made, given the molecular structure of the surfactant and the solution conditions. In this chapter, the general principles of self-assembly are discussed without invoking any specific models for the Gibbs energy of aggregation. The chapter summarizes the molecular packing considerations important to the formation of aggregates. The theory of aggregation in aqueous solutions is presented in the chapter. It constitutes the point of departure for all theoretical developments described in the other sections of this chapter. The self-assembly of nonionic surfactants with oligomeric head groups is treated here, the theory of aggregation is extended to binary mixtures of surfactants. The self-assembly of surfactants in non-polar solvents forming reverse micelles is treated next. The aggregation behavior of surfactant molecules in polar organic solvents and in binary mixtures of water and polar organic solvents is examined. A theory of solubilization in aqueous surfactant micelles is formulated in the chapter for hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon mixtures. The chapter develops a thermodynamic treatment of droplet and bicontinuous microemulsions and explicit expressions for the microemulsion characteristics and for the calculation of the interfacial tensions.
The Distribution of Single Electron Pulse Sizes from Multidynode Electron Multipliers, and Single Electron Detection

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the distribution of the pulse sizes resulting, at the final stage of a multidynode device, from the emission of a single electron from the cathode. Evidence from this distribution should be helpful in understanding the secondary emission processes as well as in the selection of photomultipliers for special applications. In addition, the same techniques can be applied to the study of the noise, or “dark current”, characteristics of the device. The noise distribution shows two main groups of pulses. The first group obeys a nearly exponential distribution with a small contribution from the first dynode. The second group consists of a broad distribution of larger pulses, and may be due to ion bombardment of the cathode. The size distribution of anode pulses from single photoelectrons decreases monotonically but deviates significantly from an exponential law. The gain of the tube as determined from the pulse-height distribution agrees well with that determined by a direct method, and is consistent with a loss of between 10% and 50% of the photoelectrons at the first dynode.