cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Infection Control Program for a 2009 influenza A H1N1 outbreak in a university-based summer camp.

Abstract Objectives: Describe two 2009-H1N1 influenza outbreaks in university-based summer camps and the implementation of an infection control program. Participants: 7,906 campers across 73 residential camps from May 21–August 2, 2009. Methods: Influenza-like-illness (ILI) was defined as fever with cough and/or sore throat. Influenza A was identified using PCR or rapid-antigen testing. We implemented an infection control program consisting of education, hand hygiene, disinfection, symptom screening, and ILI case management. Results: An initial ILI cluster involved 60 cases across 3 camps from June 17–July 2. Academic Camp-1 had the most cases (n = 45, 14.9% attack rate); influenza A was identified in 84% of those tested. Despite implementation of an infection control program, a second ILI cluster began on July 12 in Academic Camp-2 (n = 47, 15.0% attack rate). Conclusions: ILI can spread rapidly in a university-based residential camp. Infection control is an important aspect of the medical response but i...
Generalized fractal analysis and its applications to engineering surfaces

Abstract Fractal analysis previously developed for surface characterization is generalized and an intrinsic length unit a in this analysis has been taken as lateral resolution of the measuring instrument η. This generalized analysis allows the surface characterization in terms of two fractal parameters-fractal dimension D and amplitude coefficient C , which, in theory, are instrument independent and unique for each surface . A powerful technique is developed for the simulation of fractal surface profiles. Based on the generation of random surfaces of various D and C values, we note that D primarily relates to relative power of the frequency contents and C to the amplitude of all frequencies. A number of engineering surfaces-particulate magnetic tapes, thin-film rigid disks, steel disks, plastic disks and diamond films, all of varying roughnesses were measured to validate the generalized fractal analysis. We have obtained D and C parameters for each engineering surface from the measurements made using two instruments with significantly different resolutions. The variation in C within each surface is attributed to the simplified assumption of lateral resolution as the intrinsic length unit. We found that for a given surface with varying roughnesses, D essentially remains constant and to a first order C varies monotonically with variance of surface heights ( σ 2 ) for a given instrument. Simulated σ shows similar trends to the measured σ for small scan lengths. Coefficient of friction of all surfaces has reasonable correspondence with C . Based on this study, the fractal parameter C may better represent the variance for tribological surfaces.
Ultrastructure of the postmeiotic nuclear envelope in microspores of Podocarpus macrophyllus.

Nuclei of haploid microspore tetrads of Podocarpus macrophyllus show extensive invaginations of the nuclear envelope. Evaginations of the outer nuclear membrane form vesicles as well as direct channels to the plasmalemma through the microspore cytoplasm. Such activity of the nuclear envelope and its outer membrane coincide with the deposition of exine layers of the microspore wall. It is suggested that the greatly increased surface area of the nuclear envelope formed by the invaginations, the formation and blebbing off of vesicles from the outer nuclear membrane, the presence of channels connecting the nuclear envelope to the plasmalemma, and the association of chromatin-like material within the nucleus with the nuclear envelope invaginations are related to the synthesis and transport of exine precursor substances and ribonucleoproteins.
Measurement of Neutron-Proton Polarization at 126 MeV

The n-p polarization at 126 Mev was measured between 33 and 82 deg c.m. by scattering a 41% polarized neutron beam from liquid hydrogen. The energy threshold and angle of scattering were determined by a range-threshold neutron counter. By the use of a conjugate counter to detect the recoil protons in coincidence with the scattered neutrons, the background rate was held to about 10%. Many systematic errors were eliminated by the use of precession magnets to reverse the sign of the neutron polarization. The maximum polarization was found to be 0.580 plus or minus 0.040 at 56 deg c.m. This maximum is higher than that obtained in any of the Yale phase-shift predictions. (auth) of the angular distribution of the dipion decay with respect
Subcellular Localization of Cytokinins in Transfer Ribonucleic Acid

Evidence on the localization of cytokinins in chloroplast tRNA was obtained by comparison of Euglena gracilis var. bacillaris light-grown and dark-grown wild type cultures and chloroplast-bleached mutant strains. The several cytokinins characteristic of tRNA were separated by Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography of the hydrolysates and were quantitatively determined by tobacco bioassays of the eluates. The results indicate that 6-(3-methyl-2-butenylamino)-9-β-d-ribofuranosylpurine (i6 A) is formed in both the cytoplasmic and chloroplast tRNA, whereas 6-(4-hydroxy-3-methyl-cis-2-butenylamino)-9-β-d- ribofurano-sylpurine (c-io6A) is produced mainly in the cytoplasmic tRNA and 6-(4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-butenylamino)-2-methylthio-9-β-d- ribofurano-sylpurine (ms2io6A) is localized exclusively in chloroplast tRNA. The restriction of the methiolation reaction to the chloroplast is supported by results of radioisotope experiments showing that 35S-labeled MgSO4 is incorporated into ms2io6A in the wild type cultures, but not in the chloroplast-bleached mutant strains.
Hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase with altered substrate affinity in mutant mouse lymphoma cells.

Abstract Cells with altered hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT) (IMP:pyrophosphate phosphoribosyltransferase, EC 2.4.2.8) have been selected. Compared to wild type, mutant enzyme has a reduced affinity for the substrate phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate and is more labile to heat inactivation. Mutant cells are resistant to 6-thioguanine at 33–39°C and sensitive to hypoxanthine-aminopterin-thymidine at 37–39°C, but not at 33°C. We hypothesize that a single structural mutation of HPRT can explain these results
Electron transfer between cytochrome P450cin and its FMN-containing redox partner, cindoxin

Cytochrome P450 reductase, which delivers electrons from NADPH to microsomal P450s, consists of a single polypeptide that contains both FAD and FMN. The bacterial P450cin utilizes a similar electron transport system except the FAD/FMN reductase consists of two separate polypeptides where the FMN protein, cindoxin, shuttles electrons between the FAD-containing cindoxin reductase and P450cin. Here we characterize the kinetics and specificity of electron transfer between cindoxin and P450cin as well as discuss the influence of possible binding surface interactions using homology models.
Alcohol use among college athletes: do intercollegiate, club, or intramural student athletes drink differently?

Background: Varsity student athletes are a high-risk drinking group, exhibiting a greater propensity to binge drink than their non-sport peers. Moreover, as intercollegiate athletic involvement increases, so too does alcohol consumption. There is little research, however, which examines drinking behaviors of students who participate in nonvarsity athletics. Objectives: Identify differences in alcohol-related behaviors and associated consequences among U.S. varsity, club, and intramural athletes, and nonathlete college students. Methods: Secondary data analysis of the 2011 National College Health Assessment (n = 29,939). Results: Intramural athletes binge drank more frequently (M = 1.1, SD = 1.7) than club athletes (M = 1.0, SD = 1.6), intercollegiate athletes (M = 0.9, SD = 1.5), and nonathletes (M = 0.6, SD = 1.3) and also experienced greater alcohol-related consequences. Intramural athletes consumed the most during their last drinking episode (M = 4.1, SD = 4.0) and reached the highest blood alcohol con...
Direct measurements of nonlinear absorption and refraction in solutions of phthalocyanines

Direct measurements are reported of the excited singlet-state absorption cross section and the associated nonlinear refractive cross section using picosecond pulses at 532 nm in solutions of phthalocyanine and naphthalocyanine dyes. By monitoring the transmittance and far-field spatial beam distortion for different pulsewidths in the picosecond regime, it is shown that both the nonlinear absorption and refraction are fluence (energy-per-unit-area) rather than irradiance dependent. Thus, excited-state absorption is the dominant nonlinear absorption process, and the observed nonlinear refraction is also due to real population excitation.
A parametric analysis of Lyon's integral equation for liquid-metal heat transfer coefficients

Abstract A parametric analysis is made of Lyon's integral equation for liquid-metal heat transfer coefficients. The parameters studied are velocity profiles, eddy diffusivities for momentum transfer, and eddy diffusivity ratios. The results indicate that computed Nusselt numbers are not highly sensitive to the selected velocity profiles or eddy diffusivities for momentum transfer. Nusselt numbers are dependent upon eddy diffusivity ratios and expressions proposed by Deissler or Mizushina and Sasano appear to produce the best results.
Retinoblastoma suppression of matrix metalloproteinase 1, but not interleukin‐6, through a p38‐dependent pathway in rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts

Objective Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by increased synovial lining cellularity, inflammation, and destruction of cartilage and bone. During the pathogenesis of RA, synovial fibroblasts reenter the cell cycle and multiply in number. RA synovial fibroblasts express high levels of the MAP kinase p38, which may contribute to the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). IL-6 and MMP-1 promote inflammation and joint destruction, respectively. Taken together, these findings indicate that in RA the enhanced cell cycle activity and production of IL-6 and MMP-1 may be linked. Therefore, we sought to determine if the tumor suppressor gene product retinoblastoma (Rb), a negative regulator of cell cycle activity, inhibits IL-6, MMP-1, and p38 in RA synovial fibroblasts. Methods RA and non-RA synovial fibroblasts were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the relative expression of inactive hyperphosphorylated Rb (inactive Rb/total Rb). Ectopic Rb expression was mediated by infection with a replication-defective adenovirus that expresses Rb (Ad-Rb). A control replication-defective adenovirus that expresses β-galactosidase (Ad-β-gal) was used. Cell cycle activity was determined by flow cytometry. IL-6 and MMP-1 expression was examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction and ELISA. Expression and activation of p38 were determined by kinase assays and ELISA. The activity of p38 was enhanced by infecting RA synovial fibroblasts with a replication-defective adenovirus that expresses a constitutively active form of MAPK kinase 3 (Ad-CA-MKK3), an upstream activator of p38. Results Quiescent RA, compared with non-RA synovial fibroblasts, displayed a 200% (P < 0.02) increase in the inactive Rb isoform. Proliferating RA synovial fibroblasts exhibited a 60% (P < 0.12) increase in the inactive Rb isoform compared with non-RA synovial fibroblasts. Increased levels of the active Rb isoform inhibited cell cycle progression and suppressed IL-6 and MMP-1 secretion in RA synovial fibroblasts, although the steady-state levels of IL-6 and MMP-1 messenger RNA remained unchanged. However, Rb overexpression had no effect on spontaneous or IL-1β–induced production of IL-6 or MMP-1 in non-RA synovial fibroblasts. Ectopic Rb expression reduced the activity of p38. Ad-CA-MKK3 infection in RA synovial fibroblasts increased p38 phosphorylation, and MMP-1 but not IL-6 secretion. In contrast, Rb overexpression inhibited Ad-CA-MKK3–mediated phosphorylation of p38 and subsequent increase in MMP-1. Conclusion Rb-mediated suppression of IL-6 and MMP-1 occurs at a posttranscriptional level. However, Ad-Rb reduction of MMP-1 but not IL-6 requires inhibition of the p38 pathway. These results suggest that Rb negatively regulates p38 activation, leading to decreased MMP-1 secretion in RA synovial fibroblasts.
Multi-annual time series of AVHRR-derived land surface temperature

Abstract Seven years of daytime sampled Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) global data from the NOAA afternoon satellites were analyzed. Surface temperature in cloud-free conditions was derived using a split-window formulation with emissivity dependent upon vegetation cover. Results are demonstrated on diverse land surfaces in different climatic conditions. Monthly anomalies of satellite-derived surface temperature are in reasonable agreement with those obtained from conventional air temperature measurements. Impact of satellite orbit drift on derived land temperatures from the afternoon satellites is discussed.
Silent sinus syndrome.

Purpose of review Symptoms of diplopia, abnormal eyelid signs (retraction, ptosis, absent crease), ocular asymmetry (hypoglobus, enophthalmos), and dry eyes from lagophthalmos could all indicate the diagnosis of silent sinus syndrome. It is important for the physician to be updated on this relatively rare clinical entity. Recent findings Silent sinus syndrome lies on a spectrum of other forms of sinus-related orbitopathy. Uncommon presentations and descriptions of sinus involvement other than the maxillary sinus add to the variability of presentation. Radiographic features of disease include an opacified and hypoplastic sinus, a lateralized uncinate process, depression of the orbital floor, and a blocked osteomeatal complex. Management of silent sinus syndrome may include a single or multistage surgical approach, or a nonsurgical approach. Summary This review discusses silent sinus syndrome from a neuro-ophthalmological perspective.
PID27: DOES A DAY STILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE? A DECISION ANALYSIS OF ADULT STREPTOCOCCAL PHARYNGITIS

OBJECTIVES: Adults presenting with acute sore throats is one of the most common complaints encountered by primary care clinicians, yet the proper management of adult patients with pharyngitis is still somewhat controversial. This study proposes to identify the appropriate clinical management of adult pharyngitis using both cost-benefit analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis METHODS: Cost-Benefit Analysis and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis. Six management strategies were considered in these analyses: empiric treatment, performing a rapid test, obtaining a bacterial culture, empiric treatment with a confirmatory bacterial culture, or a combination of the rapid test with a bacterial culture of negative rapid tests. In addition, the study incorporates differing probabilities of streptococcal disease based upon on previously published symptomatically derived logistic regression scores. Using an internet-based survey, information is collected on undergraduate and graduate students' willingness-to-pay and time trade-off of presented health states. RESULTS: Preliminary results indicate that patients presenting with 3 or more indicative symptoms (3 days of fever> 39°C, tender anterior cervical nodes, enlarged tonsils with purulent exudates, and lack of cough) should be treated empirically. Those adult patients that complain of only two symptoms should be managed by a combination of a rapid diagnostic test with a bacterial culture on those rapid tests with negative results. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents findings that should provide clinicians with a better guide in the treatment of adult patients with pharyngitis. Performing normative analyses of currently accepted clinical management, the study employs adult's preferences as well as variation in severity of symptoms.
Characteristics of Fluidelastic Instability of Tube Rows in Crossflow

An experimental study has investigated the jump phenomenon in critical flow velocities for tube rows with different pitch-to-diameter ratios and the excited and intrinsic instabilities for a tube row with a pitch-to-diameter ratio of 1.75. The experimental data provide additional insights into the instability phenomena of tube arrays in crossflow.
Computational Framework Incorporating Human Behaviors for Egress Simulations

AbstractStudies of past emergency events indicate that evacuating occupants often exhibit social behaviors that affect the evacuation process. This paper describes a multiagent-based simulation fra...
THE CHANGE OF POPULATION IN AMERICAN METROPOLITAN AREAS, 1950-1960

(1963). THE CHANGE OF POPULATION IN AMERICAN METROPOLITAN AREAS, 1950-1960. The Professional Geographer: Vol. 15, No. 6, pp. 24-29.
Natural disturbance in an old-growth landscape of northern Maine, USA

Summary 1. Disturbance histories derived from old-growth forest remnants in Europe and eastern North America have shaped many of our current theories of forest dynamics and succession. Yet the small size typical of these remnants suggests they might not capture the full range of variability that may emerge at larger scales. 2. We investigated the frequency and severity of natural disturbance in a 2000-ha old-growth landscape (Big Reed Forest Reserve) in northern Maine, USA. Given its size, the Reserve provides an ideal opportunity to study, at multiple scales, natural forest processes in a region that has otherwise been dramatically altered by human activities. Using dendrochronological methods, we reconstructed disturbance histories for 37 randomly located plots stratified by five forest types (hardwood forests, mixed woods forests, red spruce forests, northern white-cedar seepage forests and northern white-cedar swamps). 3. We found no evidence of stand replacing disturbance on any plot during the last 120‐280 years (depending on plot). The overall mean disturbance rate was 9.6% canopy loss per decade (median 6.5%, maximum 55%, plots pooled), yet the distribution was strongly skewed toward the lower rates. 4. We found little differences in disturbance rates between forest types, save a slightly lower rate in the northern white-cedar swamps. However, if we ignore forest-type classifications, we see that disturbance rates are clearly influenced by gradients in the relative abundance of component tree species, owing to species’ relative susceptibilities to particular disturbance agents. 5. Synthesis. Relatively low rates of canopy disturbance allow the accrual of shade-tolerant saplings. The abundance of this advance regeneration, coupled with the absence of stand-replacing disturbance, has maintained canopy dominance by shade-tolerant species in all plots, all forest types and throughout the entire landscape. Disturbance histories from individual plots coalesce to form a picture of a landscape in which pulses of moderate-severity disturbance are interposed upon a background of scattered small-scale canopy gaps. The landscape-level mosaic resulting from this disturbance regime consists of patches in various stages of structural development, not various stages of compositional succession.
Two -Stage -To -Orbit Reusable Launch Vehicle Propulsion Performance Study

This study investigated the performance of five Two -Stage -To -Orbit reusable launch veh icles (RLV), with stages propelled by rocket engines, turbojet engines and Rocket Based Combined Cycle (RBCC) engines. Horizontal versus vertical takeoff launch and direct versus lifting ascent trajectories were studied. A method was conceived using a th ree -degree of freedom optimization program, stage inert mass fractions, and a fixed gross takeoff mass (GTOM) to determine the performance of each RLV configuration based on payload mass delivered to orbit and total vehicle inert mass. RLV trajectory cons traints, mass fractions, engine performance, and aerodynamics were assumed from literature of similar RLVs or data provided by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). The method devised predicted performance for all RLVs studied, but was time intensive and intolerant of small trajectory modifications. A horizontal takeoff RLV with the 1 st stage powered by turbojet engines and the 2 nd stage propelled by a rocket engine, in a lifting ascent trajectory, provided 3 times the payload mass to orbit when compa red to the same vehicle in a vertical takeoff mode. The RLV with both stages propelled by rocket engines lifted more payload mass into orbit with a lower inert mass than all other RLVs studied. RLVs propelled by RBCC engines, on a direct ascent trajector y, had insufficient fuel to reach orbit because of the high inert mass of the RBCC engines and the GTOM limit.
Ad hoc OLAP: expression and evaluation

Users frequently formulate complex data analysis queries in order to identify interesting trends, make unusual patterns stand out, or verify hypotheses. Being able to express these data mining queries concisely is of major importance not only from the user's, but also from the system's point of view. Recent research in OLAP has focused on datacubes and their applications; however expression and processing of ad hoc decision support queries has been given very little attention. We present an appropriate framework for these queries and introduce a syntactic construct to support it. This SQL extension allows most OLAP queries, such as pivoting, complex intra- and inter-group comparisons, trends and hierarchical comparisons, to be expressed in a compact, intuitive and simple manner. This succinct representation of a complex OLAP query translates immediately to a novel, simple and efficient evaluation algorithm. We show how to optimize, analyze and parallelize this algorithm and discuss issues such as multiple query analysis and scaling. We present several experimental results of real life queries that show orders of magnitude of performance improvement. We argue that this tight coupling between representation and algorithm is essential to efficient processing of ad hoc OLAP queries.
Scanning electron microscopy observations of misfit dislocations in epitaxial In0.25Ga0.75As on GaAs(001)

Dislocations in the misfit epitaxial film system In 0.25Ga0.75As on GaAs(001) were imaged using a modified electron channeling contrast technique in a LaB 6 SEM. We obtained images at an incident beam energy of 30 keV, a beam divergence of less than 1 mrad and a specimen tilt of 70 ‐ in conjunction with a movable scintillator detector mounted at a takeoff angle of approximately 3 ‐ to 5 ‐ . We achieved a spatial resolution of approximately 80 to 100 nm with this technique. Such resolution allowed rapid imaging of clusters consisting of only a few closely spaced dislocations in a 55 nm thick film. At such small film thicknesses, we did not require accurate knowledge of the incident beam direction in order to obtain sufficiently strong channeling contrast for qualitative characterization. The observed defect arrangements included features that we believe represent clustered threading segments. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for the investigation of crystal defects has been rarely used over the years, despite several theoretical and experimental demonstrations of its utility. 1‐6 The localized elastic distortions associated with the core region of an isolated dislocation or a small cluster of dislocations in an otherwise perfect crystal can provide enough of a perturbation in the lattice to result in a detectable
Mangrove tannins in aquatic ecosystems: Their fate and possible influence on dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen cycling

We describe the fate of mangrove leaf tannins in aquatic ecosystems and their possible influence on dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) cycling. Tannins were extracted and purified from senescent yellow leaves of the red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) and used for a series of model experiments to investigate their physical and chemical reactivity in natural environments. Physical processes investigated included aggregation, adsorption to organic matter-rich sediments, and co-aggregation with DON in natural waters. Chemical reactions included structural change, which was determined by excitation–emission matrix fluorescence spectra, and the release of proteins from tannin–protein complexes under solar-simulated light exposure. A large portion of tannins can be physically eliminated from aquatic environments by precipitation in saline water and also by binding to sediments. A portion of DON in natural water can coprecipitate with tannins, indicating that mangrove swamps can influence DON cycling in estuarine environments. The chemical reactivity of tannins in natural waters was also very high, with a half-life of less than 1 d. Proteins were released gradually from tannin–protein complexes incubated under light conditions but not under dark conditions, indicating a potentially buffering role of tannin– protein complexes on DON recycling in mangrove estuaries. Although tannins are not detected at a significant level in natural waters, they play an important ecological role by preserving nitrogen and buffering its cycling in estuarine ecosystems through the prevention of rapid DON export/loss from mangrove fringe areas and/or from rapid microbial mineralization.
Magneto-optical effects and the interpretation of linearly polarized intensity distributions observed with a vector magnetograph

Linearly polarized intensity distributions observed in sunspots with the Marshall Space Flight Center's (MSFC) vector magnetograph are interpreted taking into account magneto-optical effects. It is shown that these effects can be responsible for the observed spiral configuration in the pattern of linear polarization, even if a purely radial, conventional sunspot model is used.
Mining Semantically Similar Tags from Delicious

The synonym issue is an inherent barrier in human-computer communication, and it is more challenging in a Web 2.0 application, especially in social tagging applications. In an effort to resolve the issue, the goal of this study is to test the feasibility of a Web 2.0 application as a potential source for synonyms. This study investigates a way of identifying similar tags from a popular collaborative tagging application, Delicious. Specifically, we propose an algorithm (FolkSim) for measuring the similarity of social tags from Delicious. We compared FolkSim to a cosine-based similarity method and observed that the top-ranked tags on the similar list generated by FolkSim tend to be among the best possible similar tags in given choices. Also, the lists appear to be relatively better than the ones created by CosSim. We also observed that tag folksonomy and similar list resemble each other to a certain degree so that it possibly serves as an alternative outcome, especially in case the FolkSim-based list is unavailable or infeasible.
Nonlinear regression fits for simulated cycle time vs. throughput curves for semiconductor manufacturing

This paper illustrates an example of the use of a metamodeling approach to simulation through an example of two real world semiconductor manufacturing systems. The meta-model used was from Yang et al. (2004) and has similarities to Cheng and Kleijnen (1999). The approach aims at reducing the amount of simulation work necessary to generate high quality cycle time-throughput (CT-TH) curves. The paper specifically focuses on demonstrating that, in practice, CT-TH curves can deviate significantly from forms currently assumed in the literature (Cheng and Kleijnen 1999).
EFFECT OF OVARIECTOMY ON PITUITARY AND SERUM GONADOTROPHINS IN THE MOUSE.

The effect of ovariectomy on the concentration of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH, ICSH) in the anterior pituitary and in the serum of 2 strains of mice was determined by means of quantitative and specific bio-assay methods (HCG-augmentation assay of Steelman and Pohley for FSH and ovarian ascorbic acid depletion assay of Parlow for LH). The concentration of FSH in the anterior pituitary of normal adult female mice was 13 μg equivalents of NIH-FSH-S1 per mg dry weight. By the 3rd month after ovariectomy the concentration of FSH had increased approximately 5-fold and remained at this level for an additional 6 months. FSH activity was not detectable in the serum of normal adult female mice. At 3 months and 9 months after ovariectomy the concentration of FSH in serum was 9 and 12 μg of NIH-FSH-Sl/ml. The concentration of LH in the anterior pituitary of normal adult mice was 3 μg equivalents of NIH-LH-S1 per mg dry weight. This concentration was the same in the ovariectomized mi...
Coordination between DFIG-based wind farm and LCC-HVDC transmission considering limiting factors

For wind farms with thyristor-based line current commuting (LCC)-HVDC delivery systems, reactive power must be provided for the HVDC converters to ensure normal operation. When the wind speed increases, the capability to provide reactive power by a doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG) wind farm decreases. Meanwhile, there is increase in reactive power loss in the transformer and ac lines. As a consequence, the reactive power transmitted to the LCC-HVDC could be reduced. Coordination of the DFIG wind farm terminal voltage and HVDC rectifier voltage is necessary to make sure the required reactive power is supplied to the HVDC converters. The goal of this paper is to investigate the upper and lower limits for the rectifier ac bus voltage. An integrated DFIG-based 200 MW wind farm with a simplified HVDC-link connection is studied in Matlab/Simulink. Time-domain simulation results are given to confirm the analysis.
Rapid characterization of titanium microstructural features for specific modelling of mechanical properties

Mechanical properties of α/β Ti alloys are closely related to their microstructure. The complexity of the microstructural features involved makes it rather difficult to develop models for predicting properties of these alloys. Advances in stereology and microscopy permit rapid characterization of various features in Ti alloys including Widmanstatten α-laths, grain sizes, grain shapes, colony structures and volume fractions of different phases. This research documents the stereology procedures for characterizing microstructural features in Ti alloys, including the use of three-dimensional serial sectioning and reconstruction procedures for developing through material measurements. The resulting data indicate the powerful characterization processes now available, and the ability to rapidly assess microstructural features in Ti alloys. The processes were tested using Ti-62222 by serial sectioning the sample and conducting automated stereology protocols to determine features. In addition, three-dimensional reconstruction was completed on a Ti-6242 sample to evaluate lath interactions within the alloy. Results indicate the tremendous potential for characterizing microstructures using advanced techniques.
RESPONSES OF CORONARY SMOOTH MUSCLE TO CATECHOLAMINES.

Responses to catecholamines were studied in isolated helical muscle strips of large and small coronary vessels and in isolated perfused coronary arteries from the dog. Epinephrine and norepinephrine in concentrations well below those normally present in the blood uniformly caused relaxation of small coronary vessels. Norepinephrine was much more potent than epinephrine. The relaxation was reversibly blocked by the beta adrenergic blocker, nethalide. During this blockade, catecholamines either were inactive or produced a slight contraction. Strips contracted by angiotensin, blood or KCl, as well as those completely depolarized by K2SO4, were relaxed by catecholamines. Strips taken from large coronary vessels, unlike those from small vessels, were, in some cases, contracted by catecholamines; in others, after a transient contraction, they were relaxed. Contraction was blocked by Dibenzyline. This difference in behavior of large and small vessels may account for some of the contradictions found in the litera...
Feasibility of postpartum placement of the levonorgestrel intrauterine system more than 6 h after vaginal birth

Abstract Background The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of postpartum levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) placement on the postpartum ward. Study Design This case-series study took place in a teaching hospital in North Carolina. Women were followed for 6 months, and data on method satisfaction, study design satisfaction and expulsion were collected. Descriptive statistics were used. Results Forty women enrolled. Twenty-nine women (73%) received the LNG-IUS at a median of 20 h (range 7–48 h) after delivery, and all reported that they would recommend this method of contraception to a friend. Eleven women had a spontaneous expulsion (38%; 95% confidence interval 21, 58). Conclusion Placement of LNG-IUS more than 6 h postpartum was acceptable to women in this study. The expulsion rate of 38% had statistical instability and should be interpreted with caution. However, our report may assist with individual counseling of women interested in postpartum LNG-IUS placement, or in future study designs.
Charitable Fund-Raising by Judges: The Give and Take of the 2007 ABA Model Code of Judicial Conduct

To promote public confidence in the judicial system, judges are prohibited from engaging in conduct that reflects adversely upon their independence, impartiality, or integrity. Since public trust is damaged by on-bench and off-bench activities, codes of judicial conduct severely restrict a judge's partisan political activities, private speech, business dealings, social life, religious activities, and charitable endeavors. This Article examines the restrictions placed on a judge's fund-raising efforts in support of civic, educational, charitable, fraternal, professional, and religious organizations. The Article begins by tracing the evolution of judicial fund-raising regulations through the ABA Model Codes of Judicial Conduct of 1924, 1972, 1990, and 2007. Next, specific fund-raising prohibitions of the 2007 Model Code are evaluated against the rational supporting the state’s right to limit a judge’s extra-judicial activities. The Article concludes that some of the 2007 Code’s fund-raising restrictions are justified because they prevent measurable damage to confidence in the judiciary. Other rules, however, prohibit conduct that is either harmless to, or actually enhances, the image of the judiciary. Those restrictions are not justified and should be eliminated.
Spatial memory in foraging games.

Foraging and foraging-like processes are found in spatial navigation, memory, visual search, and many other search functions in human cognition and behavior. Foraging is commonly theorized using either random or correlated movements based on Levy walks, or a series of decisions to remain or leave proximal areas known as "patches". Neither class of model makes use of spatial memory, but search performance may be enhanced when information about searched and unsearched locations is encoded. A video game was developed to test the role of human spatial memory in a canonical foraging task. Analyses of search trajectories from over 2000 human players yielded evidence that foraging movements were inherently clustered, and that clustering was facilitated by spatial memory cues and influenced by memory for spatial locations of targets found. A simple foraging model is presented in which spatial memory is used to integrate aspects of Levy-based and patch-based foraging theories to perform a kind of area-restricted search, and thereby enhance performance as search unfolds. Using only two free parameters, the model accounts for a variety of findings that individually support competing theories, but together they argue for the integration of spatial memory into theories of foraging.
Patient Registries: Utility, Validity and Inference

Patient registries are essential tools for public health surveillance and research inquiry, and are a particularly important resource for understanding rare diseases. Registries provide consistent data for defined populations and can support the study of the distribution and determinants of various diseases. One advantage of registries is the ability to observe caseload and population characteristics over time, which might facilitate the evaluation of disease incidence, disease etiology, planning, operation and evaluation of services, evaluation of treatment patterns, and diagnostic classification. Any registry program must collect high quality data to be useful for its stated purpose. Registries can be developed for many different needs, and caution should be taken in interpreting registry data, which has inherent biases. We describe the methodological issues, limitations, and ideal features of registries to support various rare disease purposes. The future impact of registries on our understanding and interventions for rare diseases will depend upon technological and political solutions for global cooperation to achieve consistent data (via standards) and regulations for various registry applications.
Bonding and Isomerism in SFn-1Cl (n= 1-6): A Quantum Chemical Study

Using high-level MRCI and CCSD(T) quantum chemical calculations, we report structures, energetics, and other properties of the sulfur fluoromonochloride family (SFn−1Cl, n = 1−6). Our group previou...
Status of Bauerus Van Gelder and Its Relationships to Other Nyctophiline Bats

Until more comparisons can be made between bats of the subfamily Nyctophilinae, it seems premature to raise Bauerus (a subgenus of Antrozous ) to generic rank. In particular, complete specimens of Antrozous koopmani are needed. Two specimens of Bauerus taken recently in Honduras extend the known geographic range of the subgenus, which previously was known from one locality on the Tres Marias Islands and another in Veracruz. Antrozous (Bauerus) dubiaquercus and the nominal species A . ( B .) meyeri are treated as merely subspecifically distinct, with the former known only from the tropical deciduous forest of the Tres Marias Islands and the latter characteristic of the tropical evergreen forest of the mainland. The penes of A. dubiaquercus and A. pallidus are unusual, trilobate structures, different from those found in other North American vespertilionid bats and the Australian genus, Nyctophilus . Antrozous seems most closely related to the Old World Otonycteris , and neither seems closely related to the nyctophilines ( Lamingtona, Nyctophilus , and Pharotis ) of the Australian Region.
PREPARATION OF RNA FRAGMENT OF DENGUE VIRUSES WITH TRANSCRIPTION IN VITRO

Objective To transcript RNA fragment of dengue virus1-4 type in vitro in order to obtain quantitative standard for detecting mRNA of dengue viruses.Methods According to the specific sequence of dengue viruses mRNA,the primers were designed and synthesized.The fragments generated by RT-PCR were cloned into the PGEM-T-easy vector with TA cloning protocol.The positive recombinant linearized plasmids were used to transcript RNA in vitro and the RNA were used as standard quantitative templates of RT-PCR method.Results Specific fragments were amplified from virus culture medium,which were confirmed by DNA cloning and sequencing,their concentrations were 352.6ng/μl,384.2ng/μl,457.3ng/μlm,and 368.7ng/μl respectively.cRNA of dengue in conserved region with precise quantification copy number were obtained.Conclusion Dengue viruses cRNA standards which could be used as quantitative standard for rapid detection method of nucleic acid of dengue viruses were prepared.
Urodynamics Equipment: What the Clinician Needs to Know to Set Up the Lab

Advancements in today’s technology have driven design changes and improvements in the equipment used to perform urodynamics (UDS). Beginning with the cystometrogram (CMG), the array of devices used to evaluate the physiology of bladder storage and emptying has expanded to include sophisticated instruments that perform pressure-flow studies, urethral pressure profiles, and videourodynamics (VUDS). This chapter will focus on the organization and technology necessary to set-up a successful UDS laboratory and service. We will review the three major types of UDS evaluation, as well as the room, personnel, and equipment necessary for each level of investigation.
Estimating Human Intention During a Human–Robot Cooperative Task Based on the Internal Force Model

Several successful strategies have been proposed for collaborative physical human–robot interactions (pHRI). However, few have recognized the role the internal force plays in making the collaboration smooth. The aim of this paper is to investigate this role. In order to identify the characteristics of forces applied in a natural (human-like) interaction, we first study the human–human cooperation in a dyadic reaching movement task. We propose a novel method to estimate the internal force and show that it has several advantages compared to the existing methods. We then show that there is a component in the dyad’s internal force that is strongly correlated with the object’s velocity. We use this component as an abstract model for the human intent. This allows us to formulate a cooperation policy that allows the robot to properly respond to the human. We suggest that integrating this policy with the existing cooperation strategies improves the collaboration between the human and the robot.
Laurentian Great Lakes Dynamics, Climate, and Response to Change

The Laurentian Great Lakes are one of North America’s greatest water resources. Due to recent record high lake levels and to climate change issues, there is renewed interest in lake level trends and in factors affecting high water levels. Impacts on Great Lakes water supply components and basin storages of water and heat must be understood before lake level impacts can be assessed. The Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) developed conceptual simulation models for Great Lakes hydrology to address the impact questions. GLERL integrated the models to estimate lake levels, whole-lake heat storage, whole basin moisture storage, and water and energy balances for forecasts and for assessment of impacts associated with climate change. Because the Great Lakes possess tremendous water and heat storage capacities, they respond slowly to changed meteorologic inputs. This “memory” results in a filtering or dampening of most short-term meteorologic fluctuations and in a response to longer-period fluctuations characteristic of climate change. The large Great Lakes system, thus, is ideal for studying regional effects of climate changes.
Large N Asymptotics in Random Matrices

The Hermitian matrix model is defined as the ensemble \(\mathcal{H}_N \) of random Hermitian \({N}\,\times\,{N} \) matrices \({M}\,=\,{(M_{ij})}^{N}_{i,j=1} \) with the probability distribution $${\mu N({\rm d} {M})}\,=\,\widehat{Z}^{-1}_{N}{\rm exp}(-N\, {\rm Tr}\,V(M)){{\rm d}{M}}.$$ (5.1)
Neuroaxonal dystrophy in subacute dementia. Case report

A case has been reported in which neuroaxonal dystrophy is present in a patient who had a clinical syndrome compatible with subacute dementia. These findings, accompanied by demyelination and gliosis were restricted to the rostral half of the corpus callosum and the cortical spinal tract. The interrelationship between neuroaxonal dystrophy and dementia is discussed.
What Does It Mean to Be Patriotic? Policing Patriotism in Sports and Social Studies Education.

Authors discuss the relationship between social studies education and patriotism. The authors share two lesson plans (one elementary and one secondary) that examine the racialized and politicized e...
A study of transient wall plume and its application in the solution of inverse problems

AbstractInverse engineering problems have many applications in various industries. While most of the research is focused on the steady state problems, transient heat transfer also has potential wit...
Optimal Reset Strategies for Mitigating Malware Epidemics

As the size of the Internet of Things (IoT) grows, so does its vulnerability to malicious attacks. When such an attack occurs, one of the only means of defense available to a system controller before a patch is developed is resetting devices to a known malware-free state. In this paper, we study the design of reset strategies which optimize the network's performance when under a malware attack. In particular, we show that under mild assumptions, the problem of optimizing the network's performance can be posed as an optimal control problem for a Markov chain with a number of states and actions which grows polynomially with respect to the size of the network. We investigate our results with simulation.
The Revolution of Silicon Photonics

We are now experiencing a revolution in optical technologies, where one can print and control massive optical circuits, on a microelectronic chip. This revolution is enabling a whole range of applications that are in need for scalable optical technologies and its opening the door to areas that only a decade ago were unimaginable.
Outcomes of Revision Joint Arthroplasty Due to Metal Allergy and Hypersensitivity: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND Lower extremity total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is one of the most successful orthopaedic procedures. However, it is estimated that as many as 10% to 20% of TJAs could fail due to various well-known causes. Furthermore, metal allergy-related complications have recently gained attention as one of the potential causes of failure when the common reasons have been excluded. Reported symptoms from metal allergy can include chronic eczema, joint effusions, joint pain, and limited range of motion. Few studies have explored the outcomes of patients undergoing revisions due to allergic complications. The aim of our study is to quantitatively evaluate the outcomes of revision joint arthroplasty due to metal allergy and hypersensitivity.
In Pursuit of PPE.

Covid-19 Notes: In Pursuit of PPE A chief physician executive finds himself involved in the complexities of trying to secure a shipment of much-needed personal protective equipment for his hospital...
Motion sickness in cats - A symptom rating scale used in laboratory and flight tests

The cat is proposed as a model for the study of motion and space sickness. Development of a scale for rating the motion sickness severity in the cat is described. The scale is used to evaluate an antimotion sickness drug, d-amphetamine plus scopolamine, and to determine whether it is possible to predict sickness susceptibility during parabolic flight, including zero-G maneuvers, from scores obtained during ground based trials.