cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Saturated Synchronous Machines Under Transient Conditions in the Pole Axis

By reducing to the same parameter with saturation the voltage-current equations for stator, rotor, and magnetic circuits of synchronous machines, a differential equation in time for the main-pole flux and the induced electromotive force is derived, a relation easy to evaluate graphically. The difference of current between the magnetic characteristic of the machine and the electric characteristic of the stator circuit determines the rate of change of the electromotive force from which all the other slow-transient magnitudes can be derived. For constant excitation voltage, a closed solution for the variation of flux and electromotive force is given, valid for any sudden change of load, including short-circuit current formation or capacitive superexcitation. The combined effect of damper circuits and rotor leakage causes a superposed rapid-transient variation manifested by an additional current peak at sudden short circuits and by a rapid initial voltage rise at sudden interruptions of the circuit. The method of solution is in principle independent of the distribution of the saturation on rotor and stator, as well as of the character of loading of the machine, be it by constant or variable impedance, by symmetrical or unbalanced currents, by active or reactive power. The common subdivision into transient and sub-transient phenomena is not identical with the separation into slowand rapid-transient effects, the physical significance of which is derived in this paper.
Variational Upper and Lower Bounds for Multichannel Scattering

Upper and lower variational bounds are given for all elements of the reaction matrix. These, in turn, lead to upper and lower bounds on the elastic and inelastic cross sections. We explicitly discuss two-particle scattering, coupled two-particle channels, and three-particle scattering situations, and our methods will work for any number of particles. Numerical examples are given, including phase shift bounds for $s$-wave electron-hydrogen scattering. It is hoped that this approach will lead to a tractable calculational scheme for strongly interacting relativistic particles.
Dynamic structure factor for a ferromagnet in the scaling region to first order in ε = 6 − d

The dynamic structure factor for a model ferromagnet is calculated to order $\ensuremath{\epsilon}=6\ensuremath{-}d$ for $T\ensuremath{\ge}{T}_{c}$. The dynamic shape function is extracted from the structure factor and plotted for various values of $\ensuremath{\epsilon}$ and $x=k\ensuremath{\xi}$, where $\ensuremath{\xi}$ is the correlation length and $k$ the wave number. In the vicinity of ${T}_{c}$ and for $\ensuremath{\epsilon}\ensuremath{\gtrsim}0.95$ peaks appear which are characteristic of sloppy spin-wave modes.
A comparison of through-space and through-bond coupling for tunneling in alkane chains

Abstract We present results from a series of ab initio calculations that investigate the relative efficiency of tunneling via through-bond and through-space interactions. We use model systems and methods ranging from Hartree–Fock theory to coupled cluster singles and doubles and show that while the through-space coupling decays more rapidly with distance than does through-bond coupling, the prefactor to the exponential decay for through-space coupling is considerably larger than has been previously supposed. The implications of these results are then discussed.
Designing effective behaviors for educational embodied agents

While various forms of online and distance learning have opened up opportunities for people to gain knowledge independent of where they are, embodied interaction with teachers or learning partners supports the social and cognitive aspects of the learning processes. To achieve effective and efficient teaching, teachers use nonverbal behaviors to communicate the focus of their attention and highlight important concepts. With the advance of technology, embodied agents (i.e., robots) keep showing promises of supporting human activities. The goal of my dissertation is to design effective nonverbal behaviors, with a concentration on gaze, hand gestures, and head movements, for embodied agents as teachers or learning partners to support people in learning. To this end, my research focuses on understanding how and what nonverbal behaviors contribute to effective learning, implementing behavioral patterns from this understanding on embodied agents, and evaluating the effectiveness of the embodied agents in various educational contexts.
Cell-based Therapies and Tissue Engineering

Tissue engineering is a rapidly evolving discipline that may some-day afford surgeons a limitless supply of autologous tissue for transplantation or allow in situ tissue regeneration. A number of biologic, engineering, and clinical challenges continue to face tissue engineers and surgeons alike. One important example is the choice of an appropriate cell scaffold that promotes growth and is eventually resorbed by the body. Although the application of bioengineered tissue is specific to the anatomic areas of interest,continued advances bring tissue engineering closer to reality in all areas of otolaryngology.
Analysis of Induced-Birefringence Effects on Fiber Bragg Gratings

Abstract This paper reports the birefringence effects on fiber Bragg grating (FBG) in sensors, optical communications systems, and devices. We have studied and analyzed the optical and mechanical property changes of FBG when the grating zone is subjected to a static transverse load in the case of plane strain and stress. The results presented for plane strain confirm the calculations established in previous research work. We extended these calculations for plane stress and used coupled-mode theory to deduce the reflection spectra of the disturbed FBG. Results were in good agreement with previous published results for plane strain. The simulated results show that the Bragg reflection wavelength changes for the x-polarization and the y-polarization are much more significant for plane stress than for plane strain. Moreover, the Bragg reflection wavelength variation is much more important for x-polarization than for y-polarization for both plane strain and plane stress. This research holds implications for the improved integration of these devices into smart structures and materials as well as optical communications systems and devices.
A Biogeophysical Approach for Automated SWIR Unmixing of Soils and Vegetation

Abstract Arid and semiarid ecosystems endure strong spatial and temporal variation of climate and land use that results in uniquely dynamic vegetation phenology, cover, and leaf area characteristics. Previous remote sensing efforts have not fully captured the spatial heterogeneity of vegetation properties required for functional analyses of these ecosystems, or have done so only with manually intensive algorithms of spectral mixture analysis that have limited operational use. These limitations motivated the development of an automated spectral unmixing approach based on a comprehensive analysis of vegetation and soil spectral variability resulting from biogeophysical variation in arid and semiarid regions. A field spectroscopic database of bare soils, green canopies, and litter canopies was compiled for 17 arid and semiarid sites in North and South America, representing a wide array of plant growth forms and species, vegetation conditions, and soil mineralogical-hydrological properties. Spectral reflectance of dominant cover types (green vegetation, litter, and bare soil) varied widely within and between sites, but the reflectance derivatives in the shortwave-infrared (SWIR2: 2,100–2,400 nm) were similar within and separable between each cover type. Using this result, an automated SWIR2 spectral unmixing algorithm was developed that includes a Monte Carlo approach for estimating errors in derived subpixel cover fractions resulting from endmember variability. The algorithm was applied to SWIR2 spectral data collected by the Airborne Visible and Infrared Imaging Spectrometer instrument over the Sevilleta and Jornada Long-Term Ecological Research sites. Subsequent comparisons to field data and geographical information system (GIS) maps were deemed successful. The SWIR2 region of the reflected solar spectrum provides a robust means to estimate the extent of bare soil and vegetation covers in arid and semiarid regions. The computationally efficient method developed here could be extended globally using SWIR2 spectrometer data to be collected from platforms such as the NASA Earth Observing-1 satellite.
QUARK BETA DECAY AND THE COOLING OF NEUTRON STARS

It is shown that the beta decay of quarks in degenerate quark matter is kinematically allowed. The resulting neutrino emissivity is dramatically larger than that of neutron matter and comparable to that of matter with pion condensate. Thus a star with a quark-matter core would cool at a rate comparable to that for a star with a pion-condensed core, and much faster than an ordinary neutron star.
Transport coefficients, superfluid free energy, and the values of the landau parameters in3He

The experimental controversy regarding the specific heat measurements and the effective mass ratio in normal liquid3He is investigated from the point of view of the current theoretical understanding of this system. Several independent experimental quantities (the transport coefficients and the superfluid fourth-order free energy invariants) are evaluated using thes-p approximation and three different sets of Landau parameters. It is found that these quantities are in rather good agreement with experiment if the Landau parameters derived from the effective mass ratio of Greywall and Busch are used. The agreement is still acceptable if the results of Wheatley et al. are employed, while if the results of Alvesalo et al. are used, agreement is very poor and in some cases qualitatively incorrect answers are obtained. Thus, if the latter results prove to be accurate, a reexamination of long-held theoretical assumptions may be needed.
Tolerance to morphine-induced mydriasis in the rat pupil

Abstract Despite the commonly held view that tolerance does not develop to the pupillary effects of narcotics, recent studies have demonstrated tolerance to heroin-induced miosis in humans and to morphine-induced mydriasis in the mouse. Previous studies in this laboratory have shown that morphine produces a dose-related mydriasis and fluctuation (large amplitude, irregular oscillations in pupil diameter) in the rat pupil; the present study was designed to determine if tolerance develops to these effects following subcutaneous implantation of morphine pellets. We found that there is, indeed, tolerance to the morphine-induced mydriasis, but it is not complete. Furthermore, statistically significant tolerance does not develop to morphine-induced fluctuations in the rat pupil.
Differential effects of lichens and mosses on soil enzyme activity and litter decomposition

In the New Jersey Pinelands, canopy gaps in the pine-dominated forest support patches of lichens, mosses, and caespitose grasses. We tested the hypotheses that non-vascular plants and lichens can affect nutrient cycling processes and that mosses and lichens would differ from each other. We predicted that (1) lichen tissues would decompose more slowly than pine or moss tissues, (2) all plant materials would decompose more slowly beneath lichens than beneath mosses, and (3) soil enzyme activities would be higher under lichens than under mosses or grasses, reflecting greater nutrient limitation. We compared rates of decomposition of the litter of Pinus rigida and moss and lichen tissues, and measured soil enzyme activities responsible for nutrient mineralization from litter (acid and alkaline phosphatases, chitinase, β-glucosidase, aminopeptidase, and phenol oxidase) under three types of groundcover (lichens, mosses, and grasses) and unvegetated soil at two sites. While groundcover affected enzyme activities, the patterns of enzyme activities differed markedly between the two sites. In general, the enzyme activities were uniformly low. Decomposition rates were more strongly affected by the groundcover than by litter materials. While all litters tended to decompose more slowly under lichens than under mosses, supporting one of our initial hypotheses, the rates of decomposition were markedly different between the two sites. These results suggest that while mosses and lichens create patches of different soil function in both sites, the differences between the sites in unknown factors cause the enzyme activities and decomposition rates to differ.
The Behavioral Consequences of Terrorism: A Meta-Analysis

Effective postterrorism public health interventions require the recognition that behavioral consequences are, in fact, the intent of terrorists. The authors searched published and unpublished post-1980 studies that documented population-level behavioral and psychological consequences of terrorist incidents, focusing on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Results were tabulated, and random effects models were used to calculate overall effect sizes. The analysis indicates that in the year following terrorist incidents, the prevalence of PTSD in directly affected populations varies between 12% and 16%. The review also shows that this prevalence can be expected to decline 25% over the course of that year. These prevalence estimates mask great variability, depending on who is being studied, who is conducting the study, and where the event occurred. Higher rates of disease are reported for survivors and rescue workers, and higher overall rates are also reported from studies conducted in Western Europe compared with studies conducted in North America. Prior psychiatric diagnoses are strongly associated with subsequent PTSD and may be a useful triage factor, particularly when considered together with factors such as female gender and direct exposure to events as either a survivor or rescuer. The review indicates that these associations are consistent across study types and environments and represent important variables to consider when developing triage, outreach, and treatment programs.
Equatorial currents at 1000 m in the Atlantic Ocean

Twenty-seven Profiling ALACE (PALACE) floats were deployed in the equatorial Atlantic during July-August 1997. The floats were ballasted to drift at 1000 m for 10 to 14 days, return to the surface while obtaining a temperature profile, transmit data via satellite, and then after one day return to 1000 m. One-year float paths are now available. Floats deployed on the equator were launched into a deep westward jet. The jet extends some 1 o-2 o north of the equator, with eastward motion observed in floats to the north of 2 oN. The equatorial current reverses in the central basin to the east in mid-October and then back to the west in mid-February. Flow to the north also reverses. The short space and time scales contrast with earlier work based on fewer floats that inferred space scales of some 5 o-10 o in latitude and time scales greater than one year. The new results are consistent with models that indicate that equatorial Rossby waves are the cause of the reversing currents.
Intraoperative registration of preoperative 4D cardiac anatomy with real-time MR images

Co-registering pre- and intra- operative MR data is an important yet challenging problem due to different acquisition parameters, resolutions, and plane orientations. Despite its importance, previous approaches are often computationally intensive and thus cannot be employed in real-time. In this paper, a novel three-step approach is proposed to dynamically register pre-operative 4D MR data with intra-operative 2D RT-MRI to guide intracardiac procedures. Specifically, a novel preparatory step, executed in the pre-operative phase, is introduced to generate bridging information that can be used to significantly speed up the on-the-fly registration in the intraoperative procedure. Our experimental results demonstrate an accuracy of 0.42mm and a processing speed of 26 FPS of the proposed approach on an off-the-shelf PC. This approach, is in particularly developed for performing intra-cardiac procedures with real-time MR guidance.
Acoustic Echo Cancellation in a Channel with Rapidly Varying Gain

We present a method for performing acoustic echo cancellation in a channel with rapidly varying gain and thus a rapidly varying channel characteristic. This is a situation in which standard AEC approaches perform poorly. Our method involves learning a scale-free channel characteristic (Htilde). We then apply this to a windowed version of the signal and remove the projection of the transformed signal from the output signal. We also develop a "ramp projection" method that allows for a linear variation in gain within the window. We show results in a telephony application with 3 dB to more than 8 dB of improvement over conventional AEC using the simple projection and an additional 1 dB using the ramp projection
Effects of chlorophenoxyisobutyrate (CPIB) on liver composition and triglyceride synthesis in rats

Abstract Chlorophenoxyisobutyrate (CPIB) or Atromid fed to rats at a level of 0.3 % of the diet has been shown to produce relatively small changes in concentration of liver total lipids, triglycerides, water, protein, and DNA, but, due to the increase in liver size of about 25 %, the increases in total liver content (per 100 g of body weight) of protein and triglyceride were found to be about 35–40 %. The rate of synthesis of liver triglyceride was shown to be increased by CPIB or Atromid, as estimated from the incorporation of tritium water, 14C-glycerol or 14C-acetate in vivo or from 14C-acetate in liver slices. The increase was slight per gram of liver but considerable in terms of whole liver. The effect of CPIB in decreasing plasma triglyceride levels seems not to be due to an inhibition of hepatic triglyceride synthesis. The amount of newly synthesized (labeled) triglycerides in plasma, four hou ; after administration of the precursor, was shown to be reduced in CPIB-treated rats suggesting that the action of the drug may be an inhibition of the rate of formation of the lipoprotein in liver, or its release into plasma, or both,
Net ecosystem carbon exchange in two experimental grassland ecosystems

Increases in net primary production (NPP) may not necessarily result in increased C sequestration since an increase in uptake can be negated by concurrent increases in ecosystem C losses via respiratory processes. Continuous measurements of net ecosystem C exchange between the atmosphere and two experimental cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.) ecosystems in large dynamic flux chambers (EcoCELLs) showed net ecosystem C losses to the atmosphere in excess of 300 g C m−2 over two growing cycles. Even a doubling of net ecosystem production (NEP) after N fertilization in the second growing season did not compensate for soil C losses incurred during the fallow period. Fertilization not only increased C uptake in biomass but also enhanced C losses through soil respiration from 287 to 469 g C m−2, mainly through an increase in rhizosphere respiration. Fertilization decreased dissolved inorganic C losses through leaching of from 45 to 10 g C m−2. Unfertilized cheatgrass added 215 g C m−2 as root-derived organic matter but the contribution of these inputs to long-term C sequestration was limited as these deposits rapidly decomposed. Fertilization increased NEP but did not increase belowground C inputs most likely due to a concurrent increase in the production and decomposition of rhizodeposits. Decomposition of soil organic matter (SOM) was reduced by fertilizer additions. The results from our study show that, although annual grassland ecosystems can add considerable amounts of C to soils during the growing season, it is unlikely that they sequester large amounts of C because of high respiratory losses during dormancy periods. Although fertilization could increase NEP, fertilization might reduce soil C inputs as heterotrophic organisms favor root-derived organic matter over native SOM.
Behavior macromodels using circuit templates

There has been increasing trend towards serial bus signaling. This migration has been facilitated by increasing encapsulation of signal integrity functions on chip. Such integration, however, has driven up the complexity of traditional I/O driver models extracted from direct layout. Consequently these models perform slower than ever. This performance degradation makes them unsuitable for what if design prototyping. To overcome this shortcoming a new, novel and practical method of generating fast behavior macromodels is proposed. These models are based on known circuit templates. They include adjustable parameters. Particular implementations are realized by tuning the parameters to match the behavior of the template to a reference layout model. Examples of these template based behavior models are shown. The close correlation they achieve to reference models and real world measurements are demonstrated. Additional work is called for. More model templates and standard methods of specifying them are needed. Further work also needs to be done in formal methods of correlating model parameters.
The relationship of scale reliability and validity to respondent inconsistency

Abstract The generalizability of respondent inconsistency and of its relationship to estimates of the reliability and validity of personality measures was examined. Two hundred and six undergraduates completed two IPIP, the Thompson Mini-Markers measures of the Big Five and three other questionnaires. Respondent inconsistency was calculated based on average within-dimension standard deviations from one of the IPIP questionnaires and used to form three groups of respondents differing in mean inconsistency on that questionnaire. When groups formed from the first questionnaire were compared, mean reliabilities of the 13 other scales were largest when estimated using the most consistent respondents. Convergent validities between the other two scales of all Big Five measures were larger, and validity of conscientiousness computed from those scales as a predictor of GPA was higher in groups composed of more consistent respondents. Implications for consideration of inconsistency as a stable personality characteristic are considered.
Multivariable control using extended prediction horizons

In this paper the theory for the extended horizon control of multivariable processes is described. An adaptive version of the algorithm using least squares parameter estimation is shown to be robust in the sense that it tolerates bounded output disturbances. The stability results apply to open loop stable processes, however there is no need to know the system interactor matrix.
The Impact Of International Financial Reporting Standards On Accounting Curriculum In The United States

According to the time line presently specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), business firms in the United States (US) should switch from the existing US accounting reporting guidelines of the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) by the year 2014. The US business school graduates and accounting professionals have less than four years to understand the differences between the two accounting systems, and to learn how to implement the new International Accounting Standards. But many of the business schools in the US are not yet ready to include the new IFRS standards in their accounting curriculum. In many schools, administrators do not have any understanding of how to incorporate the new standards in their curriculum. Many European countries shifted to IFRS as early as 2005. They are ahead of the US in teaching IFRS to their students. The main problems in incorporating IFRS in the curriculum include lack of good textbooks and providing training for professors to learn IFRS procedures so that they can teach them to their students. This paper makes an effort in presenting the historical background of IFRS, and the impact of the adapting of IFRS on US business schools.
Platelet - leukocyte interactions: multiple links between inflammation, blood coagulation and vascular risk.

The aim of this review is to summarize the contribution of platelets and leukocytes and their interactions in inflammation and blood coagulation and its possible relevance in the pathogenesis of thrombosis. There is some evidence of an association between infection/inflammation and thrombosis. This is likely a bidirectional relationship. The presence of a thrombus may serve as a nidus of infection. Vascular injury indeed promotes platelet and leukocyte activation and thrombus formation and the thrombus and its components facilitate adherence of bacteria to the vessel wall. Alternatively, an infection and the associated inflammation can trigger platelet and leukocyte activation and thrombus formation. In either case platelets and leukocytes co-localize and interact in the area of vascular injury, at sites of inflammation and/or at sites of thrombosis. Following vascular injury, the subendothelial tissue, a thrombogenic surface, becomes available for interaction with these blood cells. Tissue factor, found not only in media and adventitia of the vascular wall, but also on activated platelets and leukocytes, triggers blood coagulation. Vascular-blood cell interactions, mediated by the release of preformed components of the endothelium, is modulated by both cell adhesion and production of soluble stimulatory or inhibitory molecules that alter cell function : adhesion molecules regulate cell-cell contact and facilitate the modulation of biochemical pathways relevant to inflammatory and/or thrombotic processes.
Calixarenes as enzyme models

Abstract A review of the progress towards the use of calixarenes as enzyme models is presented. Double recognition of a substrate is illustrated with the crystal structure of (H3O+)[La(ONC5H5)2(H2O)6(p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene)]−·6.5H2O, 1. The binding of zinc to calixarenes in a second-sphere fashion is shown with the crystal structure of Na2[Zn(H2O)4(ONC5H5)2][calix[4]arene]·8.5H2O, 4. The preparation and structures of aminomethylcalix[4]arenes are demonstrated with [p-(4-(2-pyridyl)piperidinomethyl)calix[4]arene], 5, and [p-(4-phenylpiperidinomethyl)calix[4]arene], 6.
RECONNECTION AND ENERGETICS IN TWO-RIBBON FLARES: A REVISIT OF THE BASTILLE-DAY FLARE

We conduct a semi-quantitative analysis of two-ribbon flares to investigate the observational relationship between magnetic reconnection and energetics by revisiting the Bastille-day flare, particularly the UV and hard X-ray (HXR) observations. The analysis establishes that prominent UV emission is primarily produced by precipitating electrons that also produce HXRs. In addition, reconnection and subsequent energy release along adjacent field lines along the polarity inversion line (PIL) combined with elongated decay of UV emission may account for the observed extended UV ribbons whereas HXR sources with rapid decay appear mostly as compact kernels. Observations also show that HXR sources and UV brightenings exhibit an organized parallel motion along the magnetic PIL during the rise of the flare, and then the perpendicular expansion of UV ribbons dominate during the peak. With a 2.5 dimensional approximation with the assumed translational dimension along the PIL, we derive geometric properties of UV ribbons and infer the pattern of reconnection as with a varying magnetic guide field during reconnection. It is shown that HXR and UV emissions evolve in a similar way to reconnection rates determined by the perpendicular “motion.” The analysis suggests that a relatively strong guide field may be present during the rise of the flare, whereas particle acceleration and non-thermal energy release are probably more efficient with an enhanced reconnection rate with a relatively weak guide field. We discuss the role of the guide field in reconnection and particle energization, as well as novel observational experiments that may be conducted to shed new light on these issues.
Mestiza Double Consciousness The Voices of Afro-Peruvian Women on Gendered Racism

In this article, the author proposes a confluence of W. E. B. Du Bois's “double consciousness” (1903/1982) and Gloria Anzaldua's “mestiza consciousness” (1989) to analyze the experiences of three Afro-Peruvian women. The merging of double and mestiza consciousness is necessary to holistically understand how gendered racism shapes their lives and why they have a desire to forge transnational solidarity with other women in the African Diaspora of the Americas. By gendering double consciousness and expanding mestiza consciousness beyond the United States and the U.S.-Mexico borderlands, we can better understand how women's agency plays a role in what the author refers to as mestiza double consciousness.
Simulation models for flexible spinning bodies

The objective of the analysis which follows is the deriva tion of simulation models for flexible spinning bodies. The analysis employed is based on relatively simple con cepts of vector mechanics and results in a lumped-param eter simulation model. The simulation models which are first derived are subsequently simplified by invoking the small deflection assumptions of the theory of elasticity. A final section deals with some analysis steps used in adapting the basic simulation model for the description of turbine rotors.
Increasing survey response rates: Practical instructions from the total-design method

Abstract Increasing surveys' response rates can substantially enhance the accuracy of interpreted findings. Here are proven, ready-to-use suggestions for encouraging survey returns while keeping costs in line with traditional survey techniques.
Gene Expression During Blow Fly Development: Improving the Precision of Age Estimates in Forensic Entomology*,†

Forensic entomologists use size and developmental stage to estimate blow fly age, and from those, a postmortem interval. Since such estimates are generally accurate but often lack precision, particularly in the older developmental stages, alternative aging methods would be advantageous. Presented here is a means of incorporating developmentally regulated gene expression levels into traditional stage and size data, with a goal of more precisely estimating developmental age of immature Lucilia sericata. Generalized additive models of development showed improved statistical support compared to models that did not include gene expression data, resulting in an increase in estimate precision, especially for postfeeding third instars and pupae. The models were then used to make blind estimates of development for 86 immature L. sericata raised on rat carcasses. Overall, inclusion of gene expression data resulted in increased precision in aging blow flies.
Multiplication of herpes simplex virus in large granular lymphocytes that co-fractionate with human natural killer cell activity.

Highly enriched preparations of human large granular lymphocytes (LGL) cells, isolated from peripheral blood of normal adult donors, showed partial intrinsic resistance to infection with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Three subsets of LGL cells were identified on the basis of susceptibility to this virus: 1) resistant cells: 2) abortively infected cells; and 3) permissive cells. An average of 25% of LGL cells were completely resistant to infection. The majority (approximately 75%) could be infected as estimated by immunofluorescence. Only 5% of the original cell suspensions were productively infected as determined by infections center assay and transmission electron microscopy. These results have been reproduced in multiple experiments from 8 different donors consisting of both males and females. No significant difference in LGL cell responses to HSV-1 were detected within this population. Enriched LGL preparations exhibited enhanced natural killer (NK) cell activity. These findings raise several qu...
Genus Orthopoxvirus: Variola virus

Variola major virus caused the human disease smallpox; interpretations of the historic record indicate that the initial introduction of disease in a naive population had profound effects on its demographics. Smallpox was declared eradicated by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1980. This chapter reviews epidemiological, clinical and pathophysiological observations of disease, and review some of the more recent observations on the microbiology of Variola virus
Temporal-specific and spatial-specific patterns of neurotensin gene expression in the small bowel

Expression of the neurotensin/neuromedin N (NT/N) gene is developmentally regulated in a temporal- and spatial-specific pattern in the small bowel. The purpose of our study was to determine 1) whether the temporal expression of NT/N could be altered by ectopic placement of small bowel and 2) whether the spatial-specific expression of NT/N could be altered by different diets. We found that the relative temporal pattern of NT/N expression was unchanged in rat jejunal and ileal xenografts implanted into the flanks of athymic nude mice. To determine whether the spatial-specific pattern of NT/N expression could be altered by different luminal nutrients, 28-day-old rats were randomized to receive chow or chemically defined liquid diets for 60 days at which time the jejunoileum was divided into eight equal segments, and NT/N expression was analyzed. The normal pattern of increasing levels of NT/N mRNA along the jejunum-to-ileum axis was not altered by any of the liquid diets. In contrast to NT/N, we found that expression of sucrase-isomaltase varied greatly depending on both location and type of luminal nutrients. We conclude that the strict temporal- and spatial-specific pattern of NT/N expression is not affected by either location or luminal contents, thus suggesting an intrinsic program of NT/N gene expression. Furthermore, we speculate that the NT/N gene may provide a useful endocrine paradigm to investigate the factors regulating the establishment and maintenance of certain cell lineage-specific patterns along the cephalocaudal axis of the gut.
Macromodeling of nonlinear driver and receiver circuits

The signal integrity, power integrity, and timing analysis of today's high-speed digital systems are computationally exhaustive, both in terms of CPU memory required and simulation time consumed. One way to reduce this complexity is to use macromodels of the subcircuits comprising these high-speed digital systems. Since digital driver/receiver circuits have a major share in this computational load, modeling digital driver/receiver circuits accurately to capture their nonlinearity becomes a big challenge. The contribution of this thesis is to generate black-box macromodels of driver/receiver circuits that result in huge computational speed-up compared to actual transistor-level driver/receiver circuits and at the same time maintain high accuracy. It is always useful to have a black-box modeling approach as the modeling technique is independent of the knowledge of the internal logic of the circuit being modeled. This would make the modeling approach more robust and more applicable to a wide variety of circuits. Driver/receiver macromodels have been extended to multiple ports to take into account the effect of non-ideal power and ground nodes in this thesis.
Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy-Based Approach for Ultrasensitive and Selective Detection of Hydrazine

A probe mediated SERS-based strategy is developed to selectively detect hydrazine with superb sensitivity. Ortho-phthaldialdehyde, a simple probe, reacts specifically with hydrazine to form phthalazine, a molecule that possesses a larger Raman cross section and better affinity toward the SERS substrate. We observed a limit of detection of 8.5 × 10(-11) M. Our method shows both qualitative and quantitative measurement of hydrazine with high sensitivity, low cost, and fast analysis time.
Uterocervical angle: a novel ultrasound screening tool to predict spontaneous preterm birth.

Background Mechanical alteration of the cervical angle has been proposed to reduce spontaneous preterm birth. Performance of the uterocervical angle as measured by ultrasound for predicting spontaneous preterm birth is poorly understood. Objective We sought to determine whether a novel ultrasonographic marker, uterocervical angle, correlates with risk of spontaneous preterm birth in a general population. Study Design We conducted a retrospective cohort study from May 2014 through May 2015 of singleton gestations between 16 0/7-23 6/7 weeks undergoing transvaginal ultrasound for cervical length screening. Images were remeasured for uterocervical angle between the lower uterine segment and the cervical canal. Primary outcome was prediction of spontaneous preterm birth Results A total of 972 women were studied. The rate of spontaneous preterm birth in this cohort was 9.6% for delivery P P P P Conclusion A wide uterocervical angle ≥95 and ≥105 degrees detected during the second trimester was associated with an increased risk for spontaneous preterm birth
Validation of Caffeine Dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas sp. Strain CBB1 as a Suitable Enzyme for a Rapid Caffeine Detection and Potential Diagnostic Test

Excess consumption of caffeine (>400 mg/day/adult) can lead to adverse health effects. Recent introduction of caffeinated products (gums, jelly beans, energy drinks) might lead to excessive consumption, especially among children and nursing mothers, hence attracting the Food and Drug Administration’s attention and product withdrawals. An “in-home” test will aid vigilant consumers in detecting caffeine in beverages and milk easily and quickly, thereby restricting its consumption. Known diagnostic methods lack speed and sensitivity. We report a caffeine dehydrogenase (Cdh)-based test which is highly sensitive (1–5 ppm) and detects caffeine in beverages and mother’s milk in 1 min. Other components in these complex test samples do not interfere with the detection. Caffeine-dependent reduction of the dye iodonitrotetrazolium chloride results in shades of pink proportional to the levels in test samples. This test also estimates caffeine levels in pharmaceuticals, comparable to high-performance liquid chromatogr...
Food Insecurity and Standardized Test Scores

This paper aims to explore the impact of food insecurity on students’ standardized test scores by using a panel data of US states from 2005-2012. While estimating this relationship, we also address the endogeneity bias of food insecurity in the math-SAT score regression by relying on a dynamic panel specific system GMM estimator. We find that food insecurity is a significant factor in determining the average math-SAT score. An increase in food insecurity lowers the students’ Math-SAT scores. Although, a few studies using small micro-level survey data have found evidence to link food insecurity to children’s learning outcomes, this is the first study to find this link using a macro level panel data for the US states, indicating that the problem of food insecurity is much more pervasive than what the small scale studies have indicated so far, and needs to be dealt with in a more effective way through public policies, if the US has to succeed in the twenty first century.
Complex water management in modern agriculture: Trends in the water-energy-food nexus over the High Plains Aquifer

In modern agriculture, the interplay between complex physical, agricultural, and socioeconomic water use drivers must be fully understood to successfully manage water supplies on extended timescales. This is particularly evident across large portions of the High Plains Aquifer where groundwater levels have declined at unsustainable rates despite improvements in both the efficiency of water use and water productivity in agricultural practices. Improved technology and land use practices have not mitigated groundwater level declines, thus water management strategies must adapt accordingly or risk further resource loss. In this study, we analyze the water-energy-food nexus over the High Plains Aquifer as a framework to isolate the major drivers that have shaped the history, and will direct the future, of water use in modern agriculture. Based on this analysis, we conclude that future water management strategies can benefit from: (1) prioritizing farmer profit to encourage decision-making that aligns with strategic objectives, (2) management of water as both an input into the water-energy-food nexus and a key incentive for farmers, (3) adaptive frameworks that allow for short-term objectives within long-term goals, (4) innovative strategies that fit within restrictive political frameworks, (5) reduced production risks to aid farmer decision-making, and (6) increasing the political desire to conserve valuable water resources. This research sets the foundation to address water management as a function of complex decision-making trends linked to the water-energy-food nexus. Water management strategy recommendations are made based on the objective of balancing farmer profit and conserving water resources to ensure future agricultural production.
Phototherapeutic keratectomy for corneal scars.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) is an effective method of treating a variety of corneal disorders. We report our experience in using PRK to treat corneal scars. PATIENTS AND METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the data from a cohort of 22 eyes with corneal scars. The etiology of the scar was recorded for each patient. The change in best corrected visual acuity, spherical equivalent, and astigmatism were evaluated at one and three months after surgery. RESULTS At three months, seven of 18 eyes (39%) had improved 2 or more lines of best corrected visual acuity and 3 eyes (16%) had lost 2 or more lines. Eleven of 18 eyes (61%) had a hyperopic shift of more than 1.00 diopter (D) and eight of 18 eyes (44%) had a hyperopic shift of more than 2.00 D. There was a mean reduction in astigmatism of 0.67 +/- 4.00 D. Four of eight eyes with traumatic scars had significant improvement as compared to none of five eyes with infectious scars. CONCLUSION PTK is a relatively safe and effective means of treating corneal scars and thereby may offer an alternative to corneal transplantation.
Classical Letters and Millenarian Madness in Post-Conquest Mexico: The Ecstasis of Fray Cristóbal Cabrera (1548)

The present article incorporates an edition and translation of an extraordinary Latin poem by Fray Cristobal Cabrera, a humanist scholar and Franciscan missionary who worked in New Spain from the early 1530s until 1546–1547. The Ecstasis, the longest acrostic composition in western literature, is a first-person fiction, reminiscent of Erasmus’s Praise of Folly, in which the poet describes an apocalyptic vision of judgement and his slide into madness after an earlier premonition that God’s wrath would fall upon Mexico City. The poet professes to reject pagan literature but his sustained engagement with several classical authors, especially Catullus, Virgil and Cicero, provides a key to the interpretation of this enigmatic work.
Nonparametric Adjoint-Based Inference for Stochastic Differential Equations

We develop a nonparametric method to infer the drift and diffusion functions of a stochastic differential equation. With this method, we can build predictive models starting with repeated time series and/or high-dimensional longitudinal data. Typical use of the method includes forecasting the future density or distribution of the variable being measured. The key innovation in our method stems from efficient algorithms to evaluate a likelihood function and its gradient. These algorithms do not rely on sampling, instead, they use repeated quadrature and the adjoint method to enable the inference to scale well as the dimensionality of the parameter vector grows. In simulated data tests, when the number of sample paths is large, the method does an excellent job of inferring drift functions close to the ground truth. We show that even when the method does not infer the drift function correctly, it still yields models with good predictive power. Finally, we apply the method to real data on hourly measurements of ground level ozone, showing that it is capable of reasonable results.
Coordinating cell cycle-regulated histone gene expression through assembly and function of the Histone Locus Body

Metazoan replication-dependent (RD) histone genes encode the only known cellular mRNAs that are not polyadenylated. These mRNAs end instead in a conserved stem-loop, which is formed by an endonucleolytic cleavage of the pre-mRNA. The genes for all 5 histone proteins are clustered in all metazoans and coordinately regulated with high levels of expression during S phase. Production of histone mRNAs occurs in a nuclear body called the Histone Locus Body (HLB), a subdomain of the nucleus defined by a concentration of factors necessary for histone gene transcription and pre-mRNA processing. These factors include the scaffolding protein NPAT, essential for histone gene transcription, and FLASH and U7 snRNP, both essential for histone pre-mRNA processing. Histone gene expression is activated by Cyclin E/Cdk2-mediated phosphorylation of NPAT at the G1-S transition. The concentration of factors within the HLB couples transcription with pre-mRNA processing, enhancing the efficiency of histone mRNA biosynthesis.
An experimental design framework for the personalization of indoor microclimates through feedback loops between responsive thermal systems and occupant biometrics

How can building technologies accommodate different and often conflicting user preferences without dissolving the social cohesiveness, intrinsic of every architectural intervention? Individual ther...
Epidemiological trends in 1452 cases of retinoblastoma from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry.

Abstract Objective To assess retinoblastoma epidemiological trends in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry. Methods All cases of retinoblastoma in the SEER database from 1973 to 2009 were identified. Kaplan–Meier survival analyses were performed for pathological grade, patient age, sex, year of diagnosis, and treatment modality. Cox proportional hazards regression assessed the impact of patient and tumour characteristics on survival. Results 1452 cases of retinoblastoma were analyzed. The mean patient age at diagnosis was 1.44 years. The tumour was unilateral in 71.0% and bilateral in 29.0%. The mean follow-up was 129.1 months. Overall survival increased during the study interval. Patients with bilateral tumours were diagnosed at an earlier age (0.46 years) than patients with unilateral disease (1.77 years; p p p Conclusions There appear to be associations between retinoblastoma tumour features such as tumour stage, pathological grade, and laterality with patient characteristics such as age at diagnosis, overall survival, and second malignancies.