cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Resilience modeling and quantification for design of complex engineered systems using bayesian networks

The concept of engineering resilience has received prevalent attention from academia as well as industry because it contributes a new means of thinking about how to withstand against disruptions and recover properly from them. Although the concept of resilience was scholarly explored in diverse disciplines, there are only few which focus on how to quantitatively measure the engineering resilience. This paper is dedicated to explore the gap between quantitative and qualitative assessment of engineering resilience in the domain of design of complex engineered systems. A conceptual framework is first proposed for the modeling of engineering resilience, and then Bayesian network is employed as a quantitative tool for the assessment and analysis of engineering resilience for complex systems. A case study related to electric motor supply chain is employed to demonstrate the proposed approach. The proposed resilience quantification and analysis approach using Bayesian networks would empower system designers to have a better grasp of the weakness and strength of their own systems against system disruptions induced by adverse failure events.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Single Pass Gain In No:Nabeta"Alumina

Analysis of the absorption spectrum of Neodymium: Sodium Beta'' Alumina allows calculation of the theoretical radiative lifetime of the 4F3/2 level. Comparison with the experimentally measured radiative lifetime then yields the radiative quantum efficiency. Finally, the stimulated emission cross section can be obtained from the calculated Judd/Ofelt parameters and the fluorescent linewidth. Experimental measurement of single pass gain compares moderately well with that calculated from theory and with that measured in a previous platelet laser.
Trace determination of 1-aminopropanone, a potential marker for wastewater contamination by liquid chromatography and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectrometry

1-Aminopropanone (APR) is a volatile aminoketone of human origin that has been identified in raw sewage and surface waters. However, the traditional methodology for the determination of APR is extremely complicated and requires a skilled chemist to achieve consistent results. This investigation presents a novel and simple method for the analysis of APR by direct derivatization in aqueous media. APR is synthesized as its hydrochloride and derivatized using mercaptoethanol and o-phthalaldehyde. The product of reaction is separated on a 15 cm x 4.6 mm Luna C-18 column (1 mL/min, 45:55 acetonitrile: Water) and detected using a single quadrupole mass spectrometer detector operated in atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) mode. Method detection limits as low as 100 nM were routinely obtained with a precision of 1.7%. Recoveries of APR were always found to be greater then 88% in surface and wastewater samples fortified at three different levels. However, despite the robustness of the method and the fact that APR was consistently detected in urine it was not present in a variety surface or wastewaters analyzed during the course of the study. These results pose a critical question on the use of APR as a tracer for human derived wastewaters.
Effect of dose and time of administration of 19-nortestosterone on the differentiation of lymphoid tissue in the bursa fabricii of chick embryos.

Graded doses of 19-nortestosterone, ranging from 0.1 mg to 6 mg, were injected in corn oil solution into the albumin portion of incubating chicken eggs on alternate days between the 5th and 17th days of incubation. Autopsies were performed on the 19th day of incubation. Autopsies were performed on the 19th day of incubation. Body weights, thymus, spleen, adrenal and bursa weights were taken and the tissues fixed and stained. Several of the bursae were analyzed for DNA. A lymph node index was calculated for others. The results indicated that an adequate dose of 19-nortestosterone on any day between the 5th and 17th days of incubation arrested further differentiation. If given prior to the time of plication, the 11th day, the bursa remains as an epithelial sac. A larger dose after this time resulted in pyknotic changes in the epithelium. With increasing doses of the androgen, the DNA levels and lymph node indices decreased. This was associated with an increase in density of the tunica propria. These results...
Extending the Moral Community: Logical and Psychological Dilemmas

Although the virtues of an extended moral community make it a valid and necessary goal, such an inclusive view also creates problems of a logical and psychological nature. Moral issues are thorny, and an expanded view of the moral community does not “solve” the basic thorny issues of morality. Instead, it puts some of these issues into high relief. This paper examines some of the dilemmas that confront us when we seek to extend our moral community beyond ourselves and our blood relations.
Kinetic analysis of antagonist action at N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptors. Two binding sites each for glutamate and glycine.

Antagonism of glutamate-receptor responses activated by N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) was studied using whole cell voltage clamp recording from mouse dissociated hippocampal neurons cultured for 10–15 d. The kinetics of onset of and recovery from NMDA receptor block during continuous application of NMDA together with either glycine, or L-alanine, were recorded in response to concentration jump application of NMDA- and glycine-binding site directed competitive antagonists, applied with a multibarrel flow pipe under conditions which allowed rapid solution changes around the cell less than 10 ms. Mathematical solutions for both one- and two-equivalent site models for competitive antagonism were determined according to the differential equations outlined by Colquhoun and Hawkes (1977. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B. 199:231–262). The kinetics of action of D-CPP and D-AP5, NMDA binding site antagonists, and 7Cl-kynurenic acid, a glycine binding site antagonist, were examined for each model. For all these antagonists, the kinetics for the onset of and recovery from antagonism were better fit by the two-equivalent site model, which yielded antagonist microscopic kBoff/kBon values which closely approximated Ki values determined from analysis of equilibrium dose response curves. These results suggest that two molecules of NMDA and two molecules of glycine must bind to the NMDA receptor for activation of ion channel gating.
Crystal Structure of Mammalian Cysteine Dioxygenase: A NOVEL MONONUCLEAR IRON CENTER FOR CYSTEINE THIOL OXIDATION.

Cysteine dioxygenase is a mononuclear iron-dependent enzyme responsible for the oxidation of cysteine with molecular oxygen to form cysteine sulfinate. This reaction commits cysteine to either catabolism to sulfate and pyruvate or the taurine biosynthetic pathway. Cysteine dioxygenase is a member of the cupin superfamily of proteins. The crystal structure of recombinant rat cysteine dioxygenase has been determined to 1.5-A resolution, and these results confirm the canonical cupin β-sandwich fold and the rare cysteinyltyrosine intramolecular cross-link (between Cys93 and Tyr157) seen in the recently reported murine cysteine dioxygenase structure. In contrast to the catalytically inactive mononuclear Ni(II) metallocenter present in the murine structure, crystallization of a catalytically competent preparation of rat cysteine dioxygenase revealed a novel tetrahedrally coordinated mononuclear iron center involving three histidines (His86, His88, and His140) and a water molecule. Attempts to acquire a structure with bound ligand using either cocrystallization or soaking crystals with cysteine revealed the formation of a mixed disulfide involving Cys164 near the active site, which may explain previously observed substrate inhibition. This work provides a framework for understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in thiol dioxygenation and sets the stage for exploration of the chemistry of both the novel mononuclear iron center and the catalytic role of the cysteinyl-tyrosine linkage.
Permittivity of β-Ga2O3 at low frequencies

The relative dielectric constant ϵ_r of β-Ga_2O_3, in the direction perpendicular to the (100) plane is found to be 10.2 ±0.3. Within the measurement error ϵ_r is the same at 297°K and at 77°K, and is independent of frequency from 5 kHz to 500 kHz.
Clarification of solutions and removal of interfering substances in determination of reducing sugars

Abstract The removal of a variety of substances was studied by using a reagent containing 10% HgSO 4 and 10% ZnSO 4 · 7H 2 O in 1 N H 2 SO 4 . The procedure was as follows: to the diluted sample in a volumetric flask, add 5–10 ml Hg-Zn reagent and the required volume of 1 N NaOH to bring the reaction to about pH 7.5; dilute to the mark. To 10 vol filtrate, add 1 vol coid-saturated H 2 S solution; mix, let stand 5–10 min; aerate 5 min with H 2 O-saturated air; add PbSO 4 to remove H 2 S completely. The filtrate is analyzed without further neutralization. From 70–99% of the color, depending upon the kind and size of sample, was removed from urine, a carbonated beverage, Worcestershire and soy sauces, plant juices, and molasses. Of the amino acids, seven reduced ferricyanide in 2.5% Na 2 CO 3 . The reduction given by 5 mg compared to that of glucose was as follows: tyrosine, 81; tryptophan, 70; cystine, 69; methionine, 40; proline, 30; hydroxyproline, 18; and histidine, 21%. The relative reduction was increased as the concentration was decreased. The reduction of ferricyanide was about twice as great as that of the Shaffer-Somogyi copper-tartrate reagent. All amino acids, except proline and hydroxyproline, were removed almost quantitatively by Hg-Zn precipitation. Glucosamine, ethylamine, creatine, creatinine, and uric acid were similarly removed. Phenol, hydroquinone, quinone, and salicylic, gentisic, and homogentisic acids were removed respectively as follows: 63, 75, 59 16–27, 73, and 69%. Gluconic, saccharic, and citric acids were removed as follows: 62, 96, and 96%. Glucuronic acid, acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, acetone, pyruvate, and levulinate were not significantly removed, only 1–10%. Glucose, fructose, ethyl alcohol, glycerol, and lactate were recovered quantitatively.
A Study of the Achievable Geosynchronous Angles-Only Orbit Estimation Accuracy

This analysis investigates the geosynchronous orbit estimation accuracy that can be achieved given short-term dedicated tracking by a single ground-based optical sensor. Two Global Positioning System (GPS) Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) satellites are chosen for this case study because highly-accurate WAAS reference position and velocity point solutions are available for public use and present the opportunity to experimentally assess the effect of orbit perturbations to the meter level. Simulated optical (angles-only) observations are generated from these experimental reference ephemerides. By varying the tracking parameters of nightly tracking arc length, sampling rate, and orbit epoch, and fitting to two consecutive days of observations, a batch estimation analysis is performed that characterizes the expected level of two-day solution accuracy given an imperfect dynamic model and a satellite which is performing small, frequent maneuvers. The results show that the estimated solution fits over the two-day period to better than 10 meters. An analysis of one month of data for an uncontrolled satellite is performed to statistically determine the solution uncertainty and mean accuracy. It is shown that 10-meter accuracy is possible given short sampling intervals (10 to 30 seconds) and long nightly track lengths (three or more hours per night). Several tracking scenarios are found to meet accuracy requirements on the order of 10 to 100 meters.
Interal locus of control as a value

Abstract Internal and external subjects, who previously filled out Rotter's (1966) I-E scale, were asked to score the I-E scale of “another student”. Subjects were exposed to “an other's” score of either 0, 5, 10, 16, or 23, and were asked to rate themselves and the “other” on an evaluative questionnaire. It was predicted that ratings of the “other” would increase in positivity to the extent the “other” scored as an internal. A reverse direction was predicted for an index of negative evaluations. The predictions were confirmed. The results suggest that internal locus of control is a societal value. The findings did not support either Hannah's (1973) hypothesis that internals are more responsive to a need for social approval, or Byrne's (1969) similarity hypothesis.
Modulation of Retinal Aromatic l‐Amino Acid Decarboxylase via α2 Adrenoceptors

Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AAAD) activity of the rat retina increases when animals are placed in a lighted environment from the dark. The rise of activity can be inhibited by administering alpha 2 adrenoceptor agonists. In the dark, the enzyme activity can be made to increase by administering alpha 2 adrenoceptor antagonist drugs. Kinetic analysis indicates that the maximum velocity of the enzyme increases with little change of the Km for the substrate L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine or the cofactor pyridoxal-5'-phosphate. The rise of activity in the light and in the dark after alpha 2 antagonists can be blocked by administering cycloheximide, suggesting that protein synthesis is needed for the response. We speculate that epinephrine released in the dark from a subpopulation of retinal amacrine cells onto alpha 2 receptors suppresses AAAD activity that is associated with dopaminergic amacrines.
Multicast beamforming with antenna selection

Multicast beamforming exploits subscriber channel state information at the base station to form multiple beams that steer radiated power towards users of interest, while minimizing leakage to other users and systems. Such functionality has been provisioned in the long-term evolution (LTE) enhanced multimedia broadcast multicast service (EMBMS). In this context, the present paper deals with joint multicast beamforming and antenna selection. Whereas this problem (and even plain multicast beamforming) is NP-hard, it is shown that using l 1 -norm squared (instead of l 1 -norm) as a surrogate for the l 0 -norm yields a natural semidefinite programming relaxation — something not obvious with the l 1 -norm. Simulations indicate that the proposed algorithm significantly reduces the number of antennas required to meet prescribed service levels, at a relatively small cost of excess transmission power. Furthermore, its performance is close to that attained by exhaustive search, at far lower complexity.
Father‐custody and child development: A review and analysis of psychological research

In custody decisions there is a traditional presumption that children's best interests are served by living with their mother. The past decade has seen a growing interest in father-custody which is reflected in a large body of empirical research that has followed one of three strategies. RESULTS indicate that a preference for maternal custody is unwarranted. Instead the impact of custody disposition is mediated by several factors including the child's sex, coparenting relationship, parenting skills, the noncustodial parent-child relationship, and the use of support systems. Suggestions for future research are provided and the implications of current results for custody decisions are discussed. Language: en
Selective co-stimulation of pudendal afferents enhances reflex bladder activation

The loss of normal bladder function is common in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) and negatively impacts their quality of life. Electrical stimulation of pudendal nerve afferents is a promising approach to restore control of bladder function. Pudendal afferent stimulation can generate reflex contraction of the bladder, but the resulting bladder voiding efficiency remains low. The objective of this work was t o evaluate selective co-stimulation of two branches of the pudendal nerve — the cranial urethral sensory nerve (CSN) and the dorsal nerve of the penis (DNP) — as a means to enhance reflex bladder activation and bladder voiding efficiency. In preclinical studies in anesthetized adult cats, co-stimulation of CSN and DNP evoked larger bladder contractions than individual stimulation of either CSN or DNP. In a parallel clinical experiment involving a participant with chronic SCI, co-stimulation of the proximal and distal urethra also produced synergistic augmentation of reflex bladder activity, and thus improved voiding efficiency when compared to reflex distension-evoked voiding. Selective co-stimulation of pudendal afferents is efficacious and should be considered in the development of neural prosthetics for restoration of bladder function in persons with SCI.
THE EXTRACELLULAR SPACE OF A SIMPLE MOLLUSCAN NERVOUS SYSTEM AND ITS PERMEABILITY TO POTASSIUM

1. The movement of ions through the extracellular space in the tissues surrounding the giant neuron (G cell) of the nudibranch mollusc, Anisodoris nobilis , was studied with anatomical and physiological techniques. 2. The diffusion pathways in the gastro-oesophageal ganglion and nerve were identified anatomically in electron micrographs obtained from preparations which were first incubated in sea water containing lanthanum chloride and subsequently fixed in a basic solution of glutaraldehyde. 3. A lanthanum precipitate was found extracellularly in the connective sheath, in the extracellular clefts between the glial cells and in the space between the glia and the G cell. 4. The rate of diffusion of potassium was estimated from the rate of change of the G cell membrane potential following a change in the potassium concentration of the artificial sea water bathing the preparation. 5. The average half-time for diffusion corresponds to an equivalent diffusion pathway of about 200 µm. This value is sufficiently close to the average length (70-95 µm) of the pathways identified with lanthanum to suggest that the restriction to diffusion is minor. 6. The permeability of the extracellular space to potassium is high (5.7 x 10 -4 cm/sec), and our calculations show that a difference larger than 2 mM, between the potassium concentration of the external solution and that of the fluid layer adjacent to the G cell membrane, cannot be maintained under most conditions.
Multivariate segmentation of brain tissues by fusion of MRI and DTI data

This paper proposes a method to improve brain-tissue segmentation, especially in subcortical region, by fusing the information in structural magnetic resonance (MR) images and diffusion tensor (DT) images in a sound statistical framework. The proposed method incorporates the information in DT images by parameterizing the space of diffusion tensors, in a principled and efficient manner, based on a set of independent orthogonal invariants. The proposed method couples the Markov tissue statistics of the structural-MR intensities with the tissue statistics of the DT invariants to define multivarite/joint probability density functions (PDFs) that differentiate brain tissues. The paper shows that while the information in DT images can allow improved differentiation between tissues in the subcortical region, which comprises anatomical structures having smooth (blob-like) shapes, it can produce unreliable results in the cortical regions that depict convoluted sulci/gyri. The proposed method exploits these characteristics of the images by introducing an appropriate anisotropic distance metric in the multivariate feature space.
Dynamic Electrical-Mechanical Energy Coupling in Electrolyte-Mineral Systems

Electrical-mechanical and mechanical-electrical coupling phenomena have been observed in geo-materials. Underlying internal phenomena are not always clear. In this paper, we identify potential microscale processes on the bases of previously published research; fundamental physical principles and analytical models are included. Second, we notice important inconsistencies between theoretically predicted values or high-frequency laboratory data with respect to low-frequency field observations. To explore these differences, we conduct a laboratory experimental study that simulates field conditions, placing emphasis on low frequency coupling, that is, less than 10 kHz. Both, mechanical-electrical and electrical-mechanical effects are observed. Finally, hypotheses are presented in an attempt to explain observed differences.
Rehearsing Disaster’s Rehearsal: The Election and Its Aftermath in Obamerica

This essay criticizes the media coverage of the election campaigns of the 2008 U.S. Presidential election. It also comments on the limitations facing democracy in capitalist societies.
Marymount University: Inquiry-guided learning as a catalyst for change

This chapter describes the creation, implementation, and assessment of a systematic program of inquiry-guided learning and discusses some of the challenges posed.
Recurrent myelopathy after HAART in a patient with spinal mycobacterial infection.

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has decreased opportunistic infections (OI) and AIDS deaths. Institution of HAART in advanced AIDS, however, may be complicated by the immune reconstitution syndrome (IRS)—inflammatory reactions leading to autoimmune diseases or atypical manifestations of OI.1 A 31-year-old man had progressive gait difficulty over 4 weeks. Examination revealed left leg weakness with impaired vibratory and position sense and pin and temperature loss to T5 on the right. HIV serology was positive with CD4 count 35/mm3 and viral load 26,000 copies/mL. Spine MRI showed a 1-cm enhancing, intradural, extramedullary mass at left T4 (figure, A). Results of cranial MRI were normal. Lumbar puncture revealed protein 153 mg/dL, glucose 37 mg/dL, and 73 white blood cells/mm3 (81% lymphocytes). Chest film was normal; purified protein derivative and controls were unreactive. The mass was resected. Pathology revealed abundant acid-fast organisms. Specific mycobacterial organism was not identified. Four agents against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) were begun; clarithromycin was added to cover Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC). Postoperatively, motor examination normalized. Mild sensory deficits …
Online Kernel SVM for real-time fMRI brain state prediction

The Support Vector Machine (SVM) methodology is an effective, supervised, machine learning method that gives state-of-the-art performance for brain state classification from functional magnetic resonance brain images (fMRI). Due to the poor scalability of SVM (cubic in the number of training points) and the massive size of fMRI images, a SVM analysis is usually performed after data collection. Recent advances in real-time fMRI applications, such as Brain Computer Interfaces, require a fast and reliable classification method running in synchronization with the image collection. We design an online Kernel SVM (OKSVM) algorithm based on the Sequential Minimization Optimization (SMO) method, that is fast (training on each new image within 1 sec), has memory and time cost that scales linearly with the number of points used, and yields comparable prediction performance to an off-line SVM.We analyze the method's performance by testing it on real fMRI data sets, and show that OKSVM performs well at greatly reduced computational cost. Our work provides a feasible online Kernel SVM for real-time fMRI experiments, and can be used to guide for the design of similar online classifiers in fMRI cognitive state classification.
Hemiballism and tremor due to ependymal cyst

A 21-year-old woman was admitted with right hemiballism and tremor. She had tremor since the age of 6 years. At age 12, an intracerebral, left paraventricular space-occupying lesion was found and treated with 4,500 rads. Increasing tremor was associated with mass enlargement. By age 20, there was insidious presentation of right hemiballism. At age 21, she had craniotomy and a large septate cyst was opened and drained. Biopsy of the cyst wall revealed that it was consistent with ependymal cyst. Postoperatively the hemiballism resolved and the tremor improved. This case is unusual due to the presentation of hemiballism caused by ependymal cyst.
The Genus of a Digital Image Boundary Is Determined by Its Foreground, Background, and Reeb Graphs

We prove that the genus of the boundary of a digital image is precisely half of the sum of the cycle ranks of three particular graphs: the "foreground graph" and "background graph," which capture topological information about the digital image and its complement, respectively, and the Reeb graph, relative to the natural height function, associated with the digital image's boundary. We prove several additional results, including a characterization of when the cycle rank of the Reeb graph fails to equal the genus of the digital image's boundary (which can happen by virtue of the failure of the natural height function on the boundary of the digital image to be a Morse function).
Energy profiler for hardware/software co-design

The increasing popularity of low power computing drives the need for increasing battery life-time by power-optimizing application programs. This requires a tool capable of providing a system-level energy model. We present a methodology for simulating and profiling energy consumed by software applications running on computing systems. The uniqueness of our framework lies in its ability to capture at a fine granularity, power behavior of the software executing on the system as well as of each of the hardware components in the system and its applicability to a wide variety of computing systems. We demonstrate our work on a real world platform, the Itsy, a handheld computer developed by Compaq's Western Research Labs.
Starting flow through nozzles with temporally variable exit diameter

Starting flow through a nozzle or orifice typically results in the transient formation of a leading vortex ring and trailing jet. Experiments are conducted to investigate the dynamics of this process in the case of a temporally variable nozzle exit diameter, with the aim of understanding these flows as they occur in Nature and emerging technologies. By kinematically decoupling the source flow from the nozzle motion, comparison across several classes of exit diameter temporal variation is facilitated. Kinematic models of the starting flows are used to accurately predict the fluid circulation produced by the vortex generators, and to emphasize the special role of the nozzle boundary layer in dictating the nature of the global flow patterns. A dimensionless temporal parameter is derived in order to track the vortex formation process for the various classes of nozzle motion. Dynamics of vortex ring disconnection from the source flow are studied in this new dimensionless framework. We show that temporally increasing the nozzle exit diameter as the starting flow develops results in higher-energy vortex ring structures with peak vorticity located further from the axis of symmetry relative to a static nozzle case. In addition, the normalized energy supplied by the vortex generator is increased in this process. We do not observe a delay in the onset of vortex ring disconnection from the trailing jet, as predicted by previous numerical simulations. In contrast, growth of the leading vortex ring is substantially augmented by temporally decreasing the nozzle exit diameter during fluid ejection, as noted in a previous experiment. Normalized vortex ring circulation is increased 35% in these cases, and the normalized energy of the generated vortex rings is equivalent to that of Hill's spherical vortex. These observed effects are explained by considering the measured vorticity distribution and energy of the starting flows. Strategies are suggested to exploit the discovered dynamics for various pulsed-jet applications.
NGNP PROCESS HEAT UTILIZATION: LIQUID METAL PHASE CHANGE HEAT EXCHANGER

One key long-standing issue that must be overcome to fully realize the successful growth of nuclear power is to determine other benefits of nuclear energy apart from meeting the electricity demands. The Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP) will most likely be producing electricity and heat for the production of hydrogen and/or oil retrieval from oil sands and oil shale to help in our national pursuit of energy independence. For nuclear process heat to be utilized, intermediate heat exchange is required to transfer heat from the NGNP to the hydrogen plant or oil recovery field in the most efficient way possible. Development of nuclear reactor-process heat technology has intensified the interest in liquid metals as heat transfer media because of their ideal transport properties. Liquid metal heat exchangers are not new in practical applications. An important rationale for considering liquid metals as the working fluid is because of the higher convective heat transfer coefficient. This explains the interest in liquid metals as coolant for intermediate heat exchange from NGNP. The production of electric power at higher efficiency via the Brayton Cycle, and hydrogen production, requires both heat at higher temperatures and high effectiveness compact heat exchangers to transfer heat to either the power or process cycle. Compact heat exchangers maximize the heat transfer surface area per volume of heat exchanger; this has the benefit of reducing heat exchanger size and heat losses. High temperature IHX design requirements are governed in part by the allowable temperature drop between the outlet of NGNP and inlet of the process heat facility. In order to improve the characteristics of heat transfer, liquid metal phase change heat exchangers may be more effective and efficient. This paper explores the overall heat transfer characteristics and pressure drop of the phase change heat exchanger with Na as the heat exchanger coolant. In order to design a very efficient and effective heat exchanger one must optimize the design such that we have a high heat transfer and a lower pressure drop, but there is always a tradeoff between them. Based on NGNP operational parameters, a heat exchanger analysis with the sodium phase change is presented to show that the heat exchanger has the potential for highly effective heat transfer, within a small volume at reasonable cost.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Structural optimization for statics, dynamics and beyond

Structural optimization has matured to the point that it can be routinely applied to a wide range of real design tasks. The purpose here is threefold. First, the general optimization task will be defined. Second, the state of the art in structural optimization will be reviewed. Finally, examples will be presented to demonstrate the level of sophistication possible in applying this technology. It is concluded that, while much research always remains, optimization technology has matured to the point where it can and should be used routinely for engineering design.
The Architecture of Racial Segregation: The Challenges of Preserving the Problematical Past

The article examines racial segregation as a spatial system and proposes a conceptual framework for assessing its significance. It analyzes how the ideology of white supremacy influenced design form in the United States and how Jim Crow architecture appeared on the landscape. For African Americans, the settings for everyday life were not simply the confines of this imposed architecture; the article analyzes responses such as the construction of alternative spaces. The discussion concludes by considering the architecture of segregation from the perspective of historic preservation.
Efficient metadata management in large distributed storage systems

Efficient metadata management is a critical aspect of overall system performance in large distributed storage systems. Directory subtree partitioning and pure hashing are two common techniques used for managing metadata in such systems, but both suffer from bottlenecks at very high concurrent access rates. We present a new approach called lazy hybrid (LH) metadata management that combines the best aspects of these two approaches while avoiding their shortcomings.
Datasheet Driven Silicon Carbide Power MOSFET Model

A compact model for SiC Power MOSFETs is presented. The model features a physical description of the channel current and internal capacitances and has been validated for dc, CV, and switching characteristics with measured data from a 1200-V, 20-A SiC power MOSFET in a temperature range of 25°C to 225°C. The peculiar variation of on-state resistance with temperature for SiC power MOSFETs has also been demonstrated through measurements and accounted for in the developed model. In order to improve the user experience with the model, a new datasheet driven parameter extraction strategy has been presented which requires only data available in device datasheets, to enable quick parameter extraction for off-the-shelf devices. Excellent agreement is shown between measurement and simulation using the presented model over the entire temperature range.
Experimental demonstration of transparency in the ENG‐MNG pair in a CRLH transmission‐line implementation

An experimental demonstration of transparency in the epsilon-negative (ENG) and mu-negative (MNG) pair using the composite right/left-handed transmission line (CRLH-TL) is presented. An eight-cell 1D microstrip transmission-line structure consisting of a ladder network of four CRLH unit cells with MNG characteristics connected to a ladder network of four CRLH unit cells with ENG characteristics is fabricated and tested. The transparency resulting from the cascading of MNG unit cells with ENG unit cells is observed in the S-parameter measurements and a circuit simulation of the voltage distribution. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 46: 476–481, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.21022
Passage of Religious Freedom Act Necessary to Fulfill Maryland's National Leadership Role

Three hundred sixty-four years ago this month, two tiny sailing ships arrived near what is now St. Mary's City with the first settlers in Maryland. The Ark and the Dove were sent to the New World by Cecil Calvert. Lord Baltimore had founded his small colony as a haven for those persecuted in England because of their religious beliefs.On numerous occasions since then - from passage of the Act of Toleration in 1649 to the achievement of full civil liberties for Jews in 1825 to landmark Supreme Court decisions involving the state in the 1960s - Maryland has been a beacon of religious liberty in the United States.Passage of the Religious Freedom Act (currently before the General Assembly as House Bill 1041 and Senate Bill 515) would prevent state and local governments from adopting any measure that would infringe upon an individual's religious beliefs, unless such actions were essential (and the least-restrictive means) to furthering a "compelling state interest."
Brazil and the Israeli—Palestinian Conflict in the New Century: Between Ambition, Idealism, and Pragmatism

(2013). Brazil and the Israeli—Palestinian Conflict in the New Century: Between Ambition, Idealism, and Pragmatism. Israel Journal of Foreign Affairs: Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 43-57.
Biological Control of the Two-Spotted Spider Mite on Strawberry in Southern California

Biological control of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae (Koch), on strawberry was investigated in southern California during 1965. Mass releases of Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot were made at the equivalent rate of 160,000 and 320,000 per acre at 2 different timings in 2 blocks of 5 plots each. Sanitation (pruned leaves removed from field) was practiced in 1 block and not in the other. Population trends of prey and predators were followed at weekly intervals throughout the study. The two-spotted spider mite population reached a peak May 11, averaging 21 mites per leaf in the block where sanitation was practiced and 129 per leaf where it was not. The highest population in a plot was 307 mites per leaf with 100%, of the weekly infested. P. persimilis reached its highest population in the same plot at 8 per leaf on May effectively controlled the two-spotted spider mite where they were released early at 320,000 per acre before the latter species reached I mite per leaf. Nine species of insect predators and several phytoseiid mites known to prey on spider mites were recorded. The six-spotted thrips, Scolothrips sexmaculatus (Pergande), was the commonest predator. Native predators had almost eliminated the two-spotted spider mite population in the check plots by the end of June. The average number of miles per leaf was found to be a better criterion than percentage of leaves infested for timing the release of P. persimilis for control of the spider mite. No definite correlation was found between strawberry yield and spider mite infestations. Abnormally cool, rainy weather for the area during early April temporarily adversely affected prey and predation.
Key steps in evaluating the dizzy patient.

A carefully constructed history is usually adequate to diagnose vertigo from other forms of dizziness.
Body Weights of Birds: A Review

Although body weights are relevant to many branches of avian biology, they have not been recently reviewed. I here survey sources and uses for weight data, with reference to such variables as time of day, season, year, sex, migration, geography, climate, buoyancy, food size, and habitat. In addition, I consider uses of weights as standards for body size, in systematics, in assessing the physiological condition of individuals, and in analyses of ecological communities. Excellent previous reviews of this subject by Nice (1938), Baldwin and Kendeigh (1938), Amadon (1943), Fisher (1955), Blake (1956), and Perrins (in Thomson 1964) do not cover many recent discoveries and interpretations.
Continuity and Change in Philippine Electoral Politics: A Re-Evaluation

One of the more recent drop-outs from the world's electoral club was the Philippines, a nation with a remarkably stable two-party system stretching, in the years since independence, over some twenty-five years. With the imposition of martial law in September 1972, the curtain was drawn, at least temporarily, on the longest running democracy in Southeast Asia. The purpose of this study is neither to praise nor bury the pre-1972 Philippine electoral system, but rather to look more closely at some recurring patterns which emerged during this period—patterns which, it will be argued, conform to a “machine model” of politics.
Catheter Ablation Techniques in Patients with Supraventricular Tachycardia

Catheter ablation is an experimental procedure that may prove useful for patients with drug-refractory supraventricular tachycardia. Current techniques involve the use of high-energy direct-current shocks, delivered via electrode catheters. These techniques have been used most commonly for ablating the atrioventricular (AV) junction in patients with supraventricular tachycardia. Such ablation may be of value in a subset of patients with the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. In addition, limited data suggest that direct catheter ablation of posteroseptal accessory pathways may prove safe and effective when shocks are applied just outside the os of the coronary sinus. Catheter ablation has also been used in small numbers of patients with ectopic atrial tachycardia. The chief limitation of catheter ablation of the AV junction is the induction of pacemaker dependency. Successful ablation of an accessory pathway or of an ectopic atrial tachycardia focus obviates the need for long-term pacing. For many reasons, catheter ablation represents an exciting approach to the management of patients with drug-refractory supraventricular tachycardia. (Texas Heart Institute Journal 1986; 13:427-432)
Kodiak Brown Bears Surf the Salmon Red Wave: Direct Evidence from GPS Collared Individuals

A key constraint faced by consumers is achieving a positive energy balance in the face of temporal variation in foraging opportunities. Recent work has shown that spatial heterogeneity in resource phenology can buffer mobile consumers from this constraint by allowing them to track changes in resource availability across space. For example, salmon populations spawn asynchronously across watersheds, causing high-quality foraging opportunities to propagate across the landscape, prolonging the availability of salmon at the regional scale. However, we know little about how individual consumers integrate across phenological variation or the benefits they receive by doing so. Here, we present direct evidence that individual brown bears track spatial variation in salmon phenology. Data from 40 GPS collared brown bears show that bears visited multiple spawning sites in synchrony with the order of spawning phenology. The number of sites used was correlated with the number of days a bear exploited salmon, suggesting the phenological variation in the study area influenced bear access to salmon, a resource which strongly influences bear fitness. Fisheries managers attempting to maximize harvest while maintaining ecosystem function should strive to protect the population diversity that underlies the phenological variation used by wildlife consumers.
Effect analysis of cholera related KBP health promotion and living environment of migrant population in a city of China

Objective To explore standard working model of health education through analysis of living environment and cholera related health knowledge of migrant population.Methods Simple random sampling method was used to sample the target population in the same area of urban and rural conjunction in seven counties in 2006 and 2010 respectively,with questionnaire to gather related information.Results The results of the two surveys showed that most of the tenants shared their room with 2 to 4 persons,the percentage being 82.89% and 77.94% respectively.Compared with the year 2006,in 2010,the percentage of Substandard usage of toilet decreased 4.57%(χ2=24.6363,P0.0001),while the rate of using water in wells or rivers increased 4.57%(χ2=9.0343,P0.01).Knowledge of transmission route,main clinic symptoms,main prevention methods and seeking health behavior of cholera were significantly decreased in 2010 compared with 2006.The main route of acquiring health knowledge was television.The knowledge,belief and behavior of quarantine method of cholera was 55.74%,85.63% and 88.99% respectively.Conclusion Changes in drinking water and lavatories have positive effect on the incidence and prevalence of intestinal infectious diseases.Health emergency response in times of crisis is more effective than routine health education.Multidepartment cooperation in health promotion led by government and designed by health department is better than health education led by health department only.Conveyance of health message through television,tour speaking,household promotional materials should be carried out whenever and wherever appropriate,to enhance the KAP level of migrant population.
Epigenetic Plasticity Drives Adipogenic and Osteogenic Differentiation of Marrow-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Terminal differentiation of multipotent stem cells is achieved through a coordinated cascade of activated transcription factors and epigenetic modifications that drive gene transcription responsible for unique cell fate. Within the mesenchymal lineage, factors such as RUNX2 and PPARγ are indispensable for osteogenesis and adipogenesis, respectively. We therefore investigated genomic binding of transcription factors and accompanying epigenetic modifications that occur during osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of mouse bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). As assessed by ChIP-sequencing and RNA-sequencing analyses, we found that genes vital for osteogenic identity were linked to RUNX2, C/EBPβ, retinoid X receptor, and vitamin D receptor binding sites, whereas adipocyte differentiation favored PPARγ, retinoid X receptor, C/EBPα, and C/EBPβ binding sites. Epigenetic marks were clear predictors of active differentiation loci as well as enhancer activities and selective gene expression. These marrow-derived MSCs displayed an epigenetic pattern that suggested a default preference for the osteogenic pathway; however, these patterns were rapidly altered near the Adipoq, Cidec, Fabp4, Lipe, Plin1, Pparg, and Cebpa genes during adipogenic differentiation. Surprisingly, we found that these cells also exhibited an epigenetic plasticity that enabled them to trans-differentiate from adipocytes to osteoblasts (and vice versa) after commitment, as assessed by staining, gene expression, and ChIP-quantitative PCR analysis. The osteogenic default pathway may be subverted during pathological conditions, leading to skeletal fragility and increased marrow adiposity during aging, estrogen deficiency, and skeletal unloading. Taken together, our data provide an increased mechanistic understanding of the epigenetic programs necessary for multipotent differentiation of MSCs that may prove beneficial in the development of therapeutic strategies.
The Clinical Features and Biological Behavior of Adenocarcinoma of the Esophagus Complicating Barrett’s Esophagus

The association of Barrett’s esophagus and adenocarcinoma is well established. The prevalence of adenocarcinoma, based on surgical and autopsy series, has been found to be as high as 10%. However, the incidence of malignancy, defined as the occurrence of adenocarcinoma developing in a group of patients with Barrett’s esophagus followed over a long period, appears to be much less significant. The aims of the present study were (1) to compare the presenting symptoms of patients with adenocarcinoma in Barrett’s esophagus with patients with Barrett’s alone, (2) to determine the frequency of adenocarcinoma after Barrett’s esophagus is discovered, (3) to determine the outcome of esophageal cancer complicating Barrett’s esophagus, and (4) to estimate the probable cost of the surveillance program for adenocarcinoma.