cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Acoustic Noise and Vibration in Switched Reluctance Machines: A Comparative Study of 12/8 and 8/6 Topologies

Some of the major issues in the wider adoption of switched reluctance motors (SRMs) include torque ripple, vibration and acoustic noise. Three-phase and four-phase SRMs are among the most popular configurations in this family of machines, and both have a distinctive pattern of radial forces that uniquely impact vibration and acoustic noise behavior. This study presents a comparative analysis between a 12/8 and 8/6 SRMs. First, 2D electromagnetic analysis of the two motors are completed by using ANSYS Maxwell, which is used to calculate radial force. These models are further analyzed to establish the relation between radial magnetic force inducing resonant vibration with mode shapes of the stator. The machines have identical stator diameters and are tested in similar efficiency region at same output power level to compare acceleration and acoustic noise profiles and compared. Additionally, it implements a controller to maximize efficiency through firing angles optimization in both machines and analyzes its consequential effect on vibration and acoustic noise behavior for both machines.
JIT Adoption: The Effects of Inventory Valuation Method, LIFO Reserves, and Financial Reporting and Tax Incentives

We examine whether adoption of a fundamental business technology, JIT, is influenced by financial reporting and tax incentives. We find that adoption decisions are influenced by the interaction of firms' LIFO reserve levels with their income smoothing, debt covenant, and tax incentives. We also find that firms with earnings-based bonus plans are more likely to adopt JIT, and that adoption is less prevalent among firms historically engaging in high degrees of earnings management. Our study extends earlier research documenting a relation between inventory valuation method and year-end inventory transactions, and suggests a pervasiveness of earnings management beyond that documented in prior literature.
Comparison between weight gain and Fenton preterm growth z scores in assessing the risk of retinopathy of prematurity.

Several studies have shown that postnatal weight gain is a significant predictor for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in preterm infants. Using a cohort of 1,301 infants from a single-center ROP registry, we investigated whether incorporation of changes in Fenton preterm growth curve z scores (ie, deviation from the population average) provides improved predictive ability for developing ROP compared to weight gain alone. Three logistic regressions were fit to severe ROP: (1) baseline model that included gestational age and birth weight, (2) the baseline model adding weight gain, and (3) the baseline model adding change in z score. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (C index) was used to compare models. Both weight gain and change in z scores were significant predictors after adjusting for birth weight (P = 0.01) and gestational age (P
Challenging On Car Racing Problem from OpenAI gym

This project challenges the car racing problem from OpenAI gym environment. The problem is very challenging since it requires computer to finish the continuous control task by learning from pixels. To tackle this challenging problem, we explored two approaches including evolutionary algorithm based genetic multi-layer perceptron and double deep Q-learning network. The result shows that the genetic multi-layer perceptron can converge fast but when training many episodes, double deep Q-learning can get better score. We analyze the result and draw a conclusion that for limited hardware resources, using genetic multi-layer perceptron sometimes can be more efficient.
Molecular Nitrogen as an Extraordinary Accelerator for Hydrodeoxygenation

Molecular nitrogen (N2) has been long believed to be an inert gas. Recently in Nature Catalysis, Duan et al. reported that N2 could dramatically promote the catalytic performance of hydrodeoxygenation over ruthenium-based catalysts and that as-formed hydrogenated nitrogen species contributed to the reduction of the activation energy required for carbon-oxygen bond cleavage inside p-cresol.
Velocity measurements of dilute particulate suspension over and through a porous medium model

We experimentally examine pressure-driven flows of 1%, 3%, and 5% dilute suspensions over and through a porous media model. The flow of non-colloidal, non-Brownian suspensions of rigid and spherical particles suspended in a Newtonian fluid is considered at very low Reynolds numbers. The model of porous media consists of square arrays of rods oriented across the flow in a rectangular channel. Systematic experiments using high-spatial-resolution planar particle image velocimetry and index-matching techniques are conducted to accurately measure the velocity measurements of both very dilute and solvent flows inside and on top of the porous media model. We found that for 1%, 3%, and 5% dilute suspensions, the fully developed velocity profile inside the free-flow region is well predicted by the exact solution derived from coupling the Navier–Stokes equation within the free flow-region and the volume-averaged Navier Stokes equation for the porous media. We further analyze the velocity and shear rate at the suspension–porous interface and compare these data with those of pure suspending fluid and the related analytical solutions. The exact solution is used to define parameters necessary to calculate key values to analyze the porous media/fluid interaction, such as Darcy velocity, penetration depth, and fractional ratios of the mass flow rate. These parameters are comparable between the solvent, dilute suspensions, and exact solution. However, we found clear effects between the solvent and the suspensions, which shows different physical phenomenon occurring when particles are introduced into a flow moving over and through a porous media.
UNPLUGGED: DIGITAL DETOX ENHANCES STUDENT LEARNING

Technology and new digital media tools can enhance student learning; however, the opposite also can be true. Abstaining from technology and digital media can help students understand how such techn...
Extended Archaeal Histone-Based Chromatin Structure Regulates Global Gene Expression in Thermococcus kodakarensis .

Histone proteins compact and organize DNA resulting in a dynamic chromatin architecture impacting DNA accessibility and ultimately gene expression. Eukaryotic chromatin landscapes are structured through histone protein variants, epigenetic marks, the activities of chromatin-remodeling complexes, and post-translational modification of histone proteins. In most Archaea, histone-based chromatin structure is dominated by the helical polymerization of histone proteins wrapping DNA into a repetitive and closely gyred configuration. The formation of the archaeal-histone chromatin-superhelix is a regulatory force of adaptive gene expression and is likely critical for regulation of gene expression in all histone-encoding Archaea. Single amino acid substitutions in archaeal histones that block formation of tightly packed chromatin structures have profound effects on cellular fitness, but the underlying gene expression changes resultant from an altered chromatin landscape have not been resolved. Using the model organism Thermococcus kodakarensis, we genetically alter the chromatin landscape and quantify the resultant changes in gene expression, including unanticipated and significant impacts on provirus transcription. Global transcriptome changes resultant from varying chromatin landscapes reveal the regulatory importance of higher-order histone-based chromatin architectures in regulating archaeal gene expression.
Zero-Shot Controlled Generation with Encoder-Decoder Transformers

Controlling neural network-based models for natural language generation (NLG) has broad applications in numerous areas such as machine translation, document summarization, and dialog systems. Approaches that enable such control in a zero-shot manner would be of great importance as, among other reasons, they remove the need for additional annotated data and training. In this work, we propose novel approaches for controlling encoder-decoder transformer-based NLG models in zero-shot. This is done by introducing three control knobs, namely, attention biasing, decoder mixing, and context augmentation, that are applied to these models at generation time. These knobs control the generation process by directly manipulating trained NLG models (e.g., biasing cross-attention layers) to realize the desired attributes in the generated outputs. We show that not only are these NLG models robust to such manipulations, but also their behavior could be controlled without an impact on their generation performance. These results, to the best of our knowledge, are the first of their kind. Through these control knobs, we also investigate the role of transformer decoder's self-attention module and show strong evidence that its primary role is maintaining fluency of sentences generated by these models. Based on this hypothesis, we show that alternative architectures for transformer decoders could be viable options. We also study how this hypothesis could lead to more efficient ways for training encoder-decoder transformer models.
Surface flow velocities from space: Particle image velocimetry of satellite video of a large, sediment-laden river

Conventional, field-based streamflow monitoring in remote, inaccessible locations such as Alaska poses logistical challenges. Safety concerns, financial considerations, and a desire to expand water-observing networks make remote sensing an appealing alternative means of collecting hydrologic data. In an ongoing effort to develop non-contact methods for measuring river discharge, we evaluated the potential to estimate surface flow velocities from satellite video of a large, sediment-laden river in Alaska via particle image velocimetry (PIV). In this setting, naturally occurring sediment boil vortices produced distinct water surface features that could be tracked from frame to frame as they were advected by the flow, obviating the need to introduce artificial tracer particles. In this study, we refined an end-to-end workflow that involved stabilization and geo-referencing, image preprocessing, PIV analysis with an ensemble correlation algorithm, and post-processing of PIV output to filter outliers and scale and geo-reference velocity vectors. Applying these procedures to image sequences extracted from satellite video allowed us to produce high resolution surface velocity fields; field measurements of depth-averaged flow velocity were used to assess accuracy. Our results confirmed the importance of preprocessing images to enhance contrast and indicated that lower frame rates (e.g., 0.25 Hz) lead to more reliable velocity estimates because longer capture intervals allow more time for water surface features to translate several pixels between frames, given the relatively coarse spatial resolution of the satellite data. Although agreement between PIV-derived velocity estimates and field measurements was weak ($R^2$ = 0.39) on a point-by-point basis, correspondence improved when the PIV output was aggregated to the cross-sectional scale. For example, the correspondence between cross-sectional maximum velocities inferred via remote sensing and measured in the field was much stronger ($R^2$ = 0.76, suggesting that satellite video could play a role in measuring river discharge. Examining correlation matrices produced as an intermediate output of the PIV algorithm yielded insight on the interactions between image frame rate and sensor spatial resolution, which must be considered in tandem. Although further research and technological development are needed, measuring surface flow velocities from satellite video could become a viable tool for streamflow monitoring in certain fluvial environments.
Historical Exchange Rate Risk Premiums in Currency Futures Markets

This paper examines the historical predictive power of future spot spread in estimating currency changes. Currency futures and spot rates over the last two decades are examined. Results show that as forecast horizon of currency depreciation increases, the slope coefficients become less positive, first losing their significance, and eventually for 1-month regressions, becoming negative for the British pound, Swiss franc and Japanese yen (significantly negative for the yen) indicating risk premiums differ with forecast horizon. On the other hand, expectations hypothesis is validated when the forecast horizon is 1 day. These results hold for each decade separately, as well as the total sample. Comparison of early (1980s) and recent (1990s) periods reveals expectations hypothesis is validated in the recent period. This indicates the trend towards a more efficient market. This should not be very surprising with the introduction of round the clock electronic trading medium and reduction of transaction fees in futures markets. This also implies that the absolute value of the risk premium has decreased over the last two decades. The extreme case of forward premium puzzle in one-month forecasts diminishes in the 1990s. The results are robust to partitioning the sample period into four sub samples and separating the data based on maturity of futures contracts.
Fracture Mechanics Parameters Influencing the Mechanical Properties of Concrete Composites

Deformation and failure behavior of concrete composites are affected by the fracture properties of the constituent materials and the properties of the interfaces between these constituent materials. For concrete modelled as a two-phase composite, consisting of mortar with aggregate inclusions, fracture mechanics parameters are assessed. These include elastic moduli mismatch parameters between the mortar and the aggregate and the ratios of the interface fracture toughness to the fracture toughness of the aggregate or that of the mortar. From the tests of novel physical models and numerical analyses, the role of these parameters on the cracking behavior of the composite is studied. On the basis of the established parameters, considerations to manufacture high performance concrete composites with improved mechanical properties are discussed.
Singular value decomposition in geomagnetically induced current validation

Geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) can cause transformer half cycle saturation and consequently affect the power grid with harmonic currents and increased reactive power loss. This paper focuses on using transformer neutral GIC measurements to help validate the GIC models. A linear GIC model is presented that relates the geoelectric field input to the transformer neutral GICs. To validate this model, a temporal GIC matrix model is introduced and the singular value decomposition (SVD) is used for estimating the geoelectric field. The effectiveness of the approach is shown using a 20 bus test case. Finally, the GIC model is extended to account for nonuniform electric field and its accuracy is evaluated through SVD.
Drug Interactions between Antiretroviral Medications and Medications Used in the Treatment of Drug Addiction: Research Needs

Drug abuse and associated addiction/dependence and infections are two major health problems in the world with an estimated 200 million people who abuse illegal drugs regularly,1 and an estimated one-third of the global population of 6.7 billion living with one or more infections.2 In the United States (US) alone, according to the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health,3 an estimated 19.9 million people over the age of 12 years are current users of an illicit drug. An estimated 30–36 million people in the world are living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection,2 about 200 million are infected with Hepatitis C virus (HCV), 1.2 billion people are infected with tuberculosis (TB), and many more millions are infected with various other bacterial and viral infections. An estimated 1 million people infected with HIV, and 4 million people infected with HCV live in the US alone.4 Both HIV and HCV are prevalent among substance abusers. Injection drug use (IDU) directly and indirectly accounts for more than one-third (36%) of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) cases.5 In 2008, CDC reported that an estimated 23,364 AIDS diagnoses were made for IDUs during 1993; while an estimated 7,153 AIDS diagnoses were made among IDUs in 2006.6 Further, an estimated 80–90% of HIV positive injection drug users may also be infected with HCV.7 Other viral and bacterial infections also have been reported in drug abusers including TB, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and streptococcal and staphylococcal infections (eg, often associated with serious infections in this population including cellulitis and endocarditis).8 Social, economic, and health costs to the society from substance abuse and infections are enormous. Legal and illegal substance abuse alone costs American society an estimated $534 billion dollars annually,9 dwarfing costs of diabetes and cancer at an estimated $174 billion10 and $263 billion,11 respectively. The global cost of drug abuse would be even more staggering. Both drugs of abuse and infections, such as HIV and HCV, affect almost every physiological/biochemical system in the body. Therefore, adverse health effects related to drug interactions either from the use of abused substances, interactions between therapeutic agents used to treat these disorders, or adverse effects related to continued substance abuse and medications prescribed to treat these conditions are possible. In this paper, we will touch briefly on examples of the adverse effects related to such interactions. We will also suggest areas of research investigation needed to better understand these adverse effects, how to predict and/or avoid such events, and how to enhance the clinical care of patients who suffer with these diseases and are, of necessity, exposed to multiple medications simultaneously.
Introduction: The Aims of Privatization

Privatization refers to the shift from government provision of functions and services to provision by the private sector. At base, privatization is a set of strategies for making government more effective. Put in these terms, privatization should and I predict will come to command widespread popular and political support; which of our politicians has the nerve to advocate less effective government? For similar reasons, privatization has become the central policy instrument of political interests as diverse as the Thatcher government in Great Britain and the (formerly) socialist Labour Party in New Zealand. At the simplest level, privatization refers to the introduction of incentives into the government production of services in order to increase productive effectiveness. Most commonly, this means the introduction of increased competition, not as an end in itself, but to better focus the attention of individuals providing the government service toward the ends that the service was meant to achieve.
Microbial Production of L-Threonine:Part I. Production by Escherichia coli Mutant Resistant to α-Amino-β-hydroxyvaleric Acid

l-Threonine producing α-amino-β-hydroxyvaleric acid resistant mutants were derived from E. coli K-12 with 3 x 10-5 frequency. One of mutants, strain β-101, accummulated maximum amount of l-threonine (1. 9 g/liter) in medium. Among isoleucine, methionine and lysine auxotrophs derived from E. coli K-12, only methionine auxotrophs produced l-threonine. In contrast, among isoleucine, methionine and lysine auxotrophs derived from β-101, l-threonine accumulation was generally enhanced in isoleucine auxotrophs. One of isoleucine auxotrophs, strain βI-67, produced maximum amount of l-threonine (4. 7 g/liter). Methionine auxotroph, βM-7, derived from β-101 produced 3.8 g/liter, and βIM-4, methionine auxotroph derived from β1-67, produced 6.1 g/liter, when it was cultured in 3% glucose medium supplemented with 100 μg/ml of l-isoleucine and l-methionine, respectively. These l-threonine productivities of E. coli mutants were discussed with respect to the regulatory mechanisms of threonine biosynthesis. A favourable f...
Insights into distributed plate rates across the Walker Lane from GPS geodesy

[1] Contemporary geodetic slip rates are observed to be approximately two times greater than late Pleistocene geologic slip rates across the southern Walker Lane. Using a dense GPS network, we compare the present-day crustal velocities to observed geologic slip rates in the region. We find that the Walker Lane is characterized by a smooth transition from westward extension in the Basin and Range to northwestward motion of the Sierra Nevada block. The GPS velocity field indicates that (1) plate parallel (N37°W) velocities define a velocity differential of 10.6 ± 0.5 mm/yr between the western Basin and Range and the Sierra Nevada block, (2) there is ~2 mm/yr of contemporary extension perpendicular to the normal faults of the Silver Peak-Lone Mountain extensional complex, and (3) most of the observed discrepancy in long- and short-term slip rates occurs across Owens Valley. We believe the discrepancy is due to distributed strain and underestimated geologic slip rates.
Impact of hospitalist communication-skills training on patient-satisfaction scores.

BACKGROUND Hospital patient-satisfaction scores now affect hospital payment, but little research addresses how hospitals or clinicians might improve performance. OBJECTIVE To assess the impact of a communication-skills training program on patient satisfaction with doctor communication and overall hospital care. DESIGN Preintervention vs postintervention comparison of patient-satisfaction scores. We designed a communication-skills training program for hospitalists consisting of three 90-minute sessions, based on a popular framework. SETTING Nonteaching hospitalist service in an urban academic hospital. MEASUREMENTS Doctor-communication items from the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) and Press Ganey surveys, and HCAHPS overall hospital rating. RESULTS Overall, 61 (97%) of 63 hospitalists completed the first session, 44 (70%) completed the second session, and 25 (40%) completed the third session of the program. Patient-satisfaction data was available for 278 patients during the preintervention period and 186 patients during the postintervention period. Two of the 3 HCAHPS and all 5 of the Press Ganey doctor-communication items were rated higher during the postintervention period, but no result was statistically significant. Similarly, the overall hospital rating was higher during the postintervention period, but the result was not significant. Analyses based on level of hospitalist participation did not show significant differences. CONCLUSIONS Patient satisfaction did not significantly improve after a communication-skills training program for hospitalists. Because of the small sample size, larger studies are needed to assess whether such a program might truly improve patient satisfaction. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2013;8:315–320. © 2013 Society of Hospital Medicine
Contributions of anion-exchange thin-layer chromatography of the study of free nucleotides in tissues

Abstract Purification by anion-exchange resin of a rat liver trichloroacetic acid extract is described. This permitted the separation of twenty-two compounds by two-dimensional anion-exchange thin-layer chromatography for nucleotides. Conditions of chromatography developments were studied to correct artifacts of the spots. Maps were constructed which included nucleotides that were unstable during extraction and purification; degradation products of these nucleotides were observed as well circumscribed spots with well defined position on the map. The usefulness of these chromatograms for nucleotide identification of small amounts of tissue extracts is discussed.
Matched-Feeds for Offset Parabolic Reflector Antennas

In many practical applications the performance of offset parabolic reflector antennas are limited by the reflectors' depolarising and beam-squinting properties. The paper describes progress in the development of a new class of primary-feed antennas which overcome these major limitations. Computed data based upon analytical models of the antennas and experimental results obtained from antennas constructed for operation at 30 GHz are presented for applications which include both communications and tracking radars.
Studies on the mechanisms of ozone tolerance: Cytokinin-like activity of N-[2-(2-oxo-1-imidazolidinyl)ethyl]-N'-phenylurea, a compound protecting against ozone injury

The cytokinin-like activity of the growth regulating chemical EDU, N-[2-(2-oxo-1-imidazolidinyl)ethyl]-N′-phenylurea, was determined and compared with the actitivity of kinetin using the tobacco callus bioassay. EDU has a pronounced stimulatory effect on callus growth at concentrations of 5 × 10−4 and 1 × 10−3M but was 5 000 times less potent than the synthetic cytokinin, kinetin. Senescence regulation and oxidant resistance induced by EDU and kinetin were also studied. EDU retarded the breakdown of chlorophyll, protein and RNA in 03-sensitive tobacco leaf discs during senescence. EDU was much more effective in arresting senescence and in protecting against 03 injury than kinetin. Results indicate the EDU-induced plant tolerance to 03 phytotoxicity may be indirect through enzyme induction regulation.
Scintillation counter for detection of x-rays.

A scintillation counter using NaI(Tl) is described. The sensitivity is such that the yield of photoelectrons is about 3.5 per 1000 ev x-ray energy. The response is linear over a range in intensity of 5×105.
Characterization of a conditional mutant of Rous sarcoma virus with alterations in early and late functions of cell transformation

Abstract Mutants were isolated from γ-irradiated stocks of Schmidt-Ruppin Rous sarcoma virus (SR-RSV-2). One isolate, MI-100, displayed unusual properties in its temperature sensitivity of cell-transforming capabilities. Focus formation, colony formation in soft agar, and increased [3H]deoxyglucose uptake by infected cells were all rendered temperature sensitive (ts); 37° was permissive for expression of these functions while 41° was nonpermissive. Tumorigenicity in chickens was greatly diminished. Virus replication was not defective since virus yields exceeded those of wild-type RSV at 37 and 41°. Yields of infectious progeny may have been higher than shown by titrations, as virions of MI-100 were more heat labile than wild type. Group-specific antigen concentrations in MI-100 infected were almost equivalent at 37 and 41° and greater at both temperatures than those of wild-type-infected cells. Through genetic recombination with Rous-associated virus (RAV-1), subgroup specificity of MI-100 was altered from B to A without correcting the temperature sensitivity of transformation. However, temperature-shift experiments demonstrated a major difference in the ts properties of the mutant and its recombinant. MI-100 was unable to transform cells at 37° if initial incubation after infection was at 41° (irreversible inhibition); also, shifts of infected cells, at any time, from 37 to 41° resulted in loss of the transformed phenotype (reversible inhibition). Cells infected with the recombinant still required permissive temperature in order to express the transformed phenotype, but initial incubation at 41° after infection did not affect the ability to transform cells at 37°. Thus there appeared to be ts lesions in MI-100 affecting transformation, one in an early function and one related to a late function. Recombination with RAV-1 restored the early but not the late functions, suggesting that leukosis viruses possess a gene coding for some initial event in fibroblast transformation but lack the gene(s) required for full expression (maintenance) of the transformed state. Moreover, as shown by the replicative properties of the mutant, the early gene of transformation initiation is apparently not involved in virus replication.
Finite air mixing rates in building and its impact on the energy requirements for heating and cooling

Abstract This article suggests that the rate at which the air temperature in a room seeks an equilibrium configuration may have a significant impact on the calculations of energy requirement for heating and cooling. Standard load calculations, such as those used in computer models like NBSLD and DEROB, assume the existence of one common air temperature through the room and this is equivalent to assuming that air in the room mixes infinitely fast. The elementary calculation presented here shows that this assumption is adequate provided there is some forced ventilation and no time difference among the walls and other heat sources (sinks) in their heat delivery. When these conditions are not met then up to 30% discrepancy in the calculation may result. Also, the energy consumption per unit volume becomes a function of the room size, and consequently the energy required for a building becomes an explicit function of the building partitioning, giving rise to the reduced energy required associated with the partitioning effect.
The square of a tree

The adjacency matrix of a graph of n points is the square matrix of order n, in which the i, j element is one if and only if the ith point and the jth point are adjacent, or i = j; and is zero otherwise. Let A be the adjacency matrix of graph G considered as a boolean matrix so that 1 + 1 = 1. Then G2, the square of G, is the graph whose adjacency matrix is A2. We obtain a necessary and sufficient condition for a graph to be the square of a tree by providing an algorithm for determining a tree that is the square root of any graph known to be the square of some tree. This algorithm cannot be carried through when a graph is not the square of a tree. It is shown that, if a graph is the square of a tree, then it has a unique tree square root. The method utilizes a previous result for determining all the cliques in a given graph, where a clique is a maximal complete subgraph. This result was obtained while attempting the more general problem of characterizing boolean matrices having a square root, or, in general, an nth root.
Coulomb excitation of 73Ge and quasiparticle-phonon coupling theories

Abstract The excitation energies and γ-ray decay modes of several low-lying states in the nucleus 73Ge have been studied using Coulomb excitation with 2.6–4.0 MeV α-particles on an enriched 73Ge target to test the predictions of quasiparticle-phonon coupling theories, in particular to test if there are any high-spin states in the low-energy spectrum. Gamma-rays were observed with a 60 cm3 Ge(Li) detector. Thick-target γ-ray yields were utilized to establish Coulomb excited levels, to clarify the γ-ray decay of 73Ge, and to obtain reduced upward transition probabilities, B(E2)↑, associated with the levels indicated as follows: 68.6 keV (0.073 ±0.007), 499.0 keV (0.0091±0.0005) and 825.6 keV (0.077±0.004). Angular distributions of the de-excitation γ-rays from the Coulomb excited levels were measured and various spin possibilities for each level were eliminated by the χ2 technique. The following spinparity assignments are consistent with our γ-ray angular distribution measurements: 68.6 keV ( 5 2 + , 7 2 + , 9 2 + ), 499.0 keV ( 7 2 + ), and 825.6 ( 7 2 + , 13 2 + ). Branching ratios were extracted from the γ-ray angular distribution measurements. The eB(E2)↑ values for the first 2+ excited states of 72Ge(0.18), 74Ge(0.29), and 76Ge(0.27) were also obtained. The results for 73Ge are compared with the predictions of several quasiparticle-phonon coupling theories and some suggestions are made to improve agreement between experiment and theory.
Low Distortion ΔΣ Modulator Employing modified charge-pump based switched-capacitor integrator

Modified charge-pump based switched-capacitor integrator is a promising technique to reduce opamp power consumption. In this paper, design methodologies are introduced to incorporate such kind of integrator into a low-distortion delta-sigma modulator. A second-order delta-sigma modulator was designed and simulated to verify the proposed modulator topology.
Neurite-promoting factor in conditioned medium from RN22 Schwannoma cultures: bioassay, fractionation, and properties.

: On polyornithine (PORN) substrata dissociated 8-day chick embryo ciliary ganglionic neurons will survive if the culture medium is supplemented with Ciliary Neuronotrophic Factor. However, neuritic growth will not occur unless the substratum is derivatized with a PORN-bindable Neurite Promoting Factor (PNPF). In this preliminary study we report that soluble PNPF can be (1) assayed by a convenient in vitro system; (2) obtained in relatively large amounts from serum-free media conditioned over RN22 Schwannoma cultures; (3) concentrated by using Amicon XM100 ultrafiltration; and (4) separated from nearly all of the non-active protein by using ion-exchange chromatography. The partially purified PNPF can be concentrated using XM100 and is heat- and protease-sensitive. In the course of these fractionation studies we observed in some cases a concentration-dependent interference with the expression of PNPF activity in the bioassay; we propose graphical methods to permit the simultaneous determination of PNPF and the extent of such interference. Different treatments that affected the interference property did not always affect PNPF activity in a reciprocal manner, leaving open the possibility that the interference with PNPF activity results from reversible alteration of the PNPF molecule, or that there exists a separate interfering agent.
Effects of muscimol and flurazepam on the sleep EEG in the rat

In order to assess the possible role of GABA receptor function in the hypnotic property of benzodiazepines, we have examined the sleep EEG in rats given the GABA agonist muscimol, alone and in combination with flurazepam. Muscimol 0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg IP failed to alter sleep latency or total sleep time, and did not interact with the sleep-enhancing properties of flurazepam 20 mg/kg IP. These observations, in conjunction with a previous study of bicuculline, suggest that the hypnotic property of benzodiazepines may not be mediated by alteration of GABAergic activity.
The History of Skunk Defensive Secretion Research

The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is widely known for the highly odoriferous defensive secretion it uses to repel predators. Chemists have sporadically investigated the chemical composition of this secretion for many years. In this research, a number of chemicals have been incorrectly attributed to this secretion and the errors incorporated into the chemical literature. The major component in skunk spray was erroneously believed to be l-butanethiol, until it was later shown that the actual compound was (E)-2-butene-l-thiol. More recently, two studies identified the third major compound in the secretion as either (E)-2-butenyl methyl disulfide or (E)-2-butenyl propyl sulfide. These structural assignments were incorrect and the compound was later shown to be (E)-2-butenyl thioacetate. Two investigations have reported chemicals that could not be confirmed in a later study, so these compounds may have been artifacts produced during isolation or analysis. The striped skunk’s secretion is similar to, but different from, the defensive secretions of two other skunk species, the spotted skunk (Spilogale gracilis) and the hog-nosed skunk (Conepatus mesoleucus).
Biodegradation of organophosphorus pesticides by surface-expressed organophosphorus hydrolase

Organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH) was displayed and anchored onto the surface of Escherichia coli using an Lpp-OmpA fusion system. Production of the fusion proteins in membrane fractions was verified by immunoblotting with OmpA antisera. Inclusion of the organophosphorus hydrolase signal sequence was necessary for achieving enzymatic activity on the surface. More than 80% of the OPH activity was located on the cell surface as determined by protease accessibility experiments. Whole cells expressing OPH on the cell surface degraded parathion and paraoxon very effectively without any diffusional limitation, resulting in sevenfold higher rates of parathion degradation compared with whole cells with similar levels of intracellular OPH. Immobilization of these live biocatalysts onto solid supports could provide an attractive means for pesticide detoxification in place of immobilized enzymes, affording a reduced diffusional barrier.
DFT calculations of EPR parameters for copper(II)-exchanged zeolites using cluster models.

The coordination environment of Cu(II) in hydrated copper-exchanged zeolites was explored through the use of density functional theory (DFT) calculations of EPR parameters. Extensive experimental EPR data are available in the literature for hydrated copper-exchanged zeolites. The copper complex in hydrated copper-exchanged zeolites was previously proposed to be [Cu(H2O)5OH]+ based on empirical trends in tetragonal model complex EPR data. In this study, calculated EPR parameters for the previously proposed copper complex, [Cu(H2O)5OH]+, were compared to model complexes in which Cu(II) was coordinated to small silicate or aluminosilicate clusters as a first approximation of the impact of the zeolitic environment on the copper complex. Interpretation of the results suggests that Cu(II) is coordinated or closely associated with framework oxygen atoms within the zeolite structure. Additionally, it is proposed that the EPR parameters are dependent on the Si/Al ratio of the parent zeolite.
Parapsoriasis with hyper-IgE.

: A 56-year-old black man had generalized chronic dermatitis for two years before parapsoriasis en plaque (large type) with hyper-IgE (12,000–22,000 ng/ml) was diagnosed. Lymphocyte cultures showed decreased response to mitogens. Direct immunofluoroscence of involved skin showed epidermal and dermal mast cells with bound IgE. Parapsoriasis with hyper-IgB may represent a form of “hypersensitive immunosurveiltance” allowing a patient to reject a clone of malignant cells and retard transformation from a benign state (parapsoriasis) to a malignant state (mycosis fungoides)
Survival at the Threshold of Viability: The Costs and Consequences of Infants <501g at Birth

Survival at the Threshold of Viability: The Costs and Consequences of Infants <501g at Birth
Soil Compaction from Anthropogenic Activities in a Pinyon-Juniper (Pinus-juniperus) Woodland of Southern Nevada

ABSTRACT The editor has retracted the article "Soil Compaction from Anthropogenic Activities in a Pinyon-Juniper (Pinus-juniperus) Woodland of Southern Nevada" based on the advice of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas because the author of this article, Simon A. Lei, has admitted to data fabrication of the material in this article. The author was a visiting lecturer in the Education college at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas at the time of the publication of this article and is no longer affiliated with the university. Authors are advised to no longer cite this article in any work.
Endoscopic management of subglottic stenosis.

Objectives Determine the effectiveness of endoscopic surgical treatment of subglottic stenosis (SGS) in children as a primary surgical modality to prevent laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR) and as treatment for restenosis following primary LTR to prevent revision LTR. Patients Children undergoing various endoscopic surgical treatments from 1989 to 2006 for SGS. Results The number of children and success rates per grade of SGS and the number of procedures required to produce a successful result in 29 children initially managed endoscopically included grade I, three of three (100%), 1.3 procedures; grade II, eight of nine (88%), 2.6 procedures; and grade III, 13 of 17 (76%), 3.5 procedures. Of 102 patients undergoing open LTR, 56 of 102 required endoscopic interventions and 41 of 56 (73%) children were treated successfully. Conclusion Endoscopic intervention can be used to manage SGS either as a primary intervention or to treat reobstruction and restenosis following an open reconstructive procedure. Success rates decline as the severity of stenosis increases.
Origin of Activity in Cu-, Ru-, and Os-Mediated Radical Polymerization

A method is discussed for quantifying and categorizing the activity of an atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) catalyst as being derived from the product of its intrinsic reducing power and ...
The role of annealing twin boundaries in the cyclic deformation of f.c.c. materials

Abstract Detailed transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies have been carried out in order to examine the role of annealing twin boundaries in the cyclic deformation of ramp-loaded polycrystalline copper. It is found that regions adjacent to the twins are preferred sites for earlier formation of persistent slip bands (PSBs). Furthermore, steps at twin boundaries and twin tips enhance early operation of secondary slip and these features have been identified as critical places for promoting the nucleation of PSBs. Finally, a close relationship is established in high cycle fatigue between cyclic deformation, in the bulk, and crack initiation, in the surface, in regions close to twins. Such behavior is correlated with localization of deformation within the PSBs which form earliest in life, and can be generalized to f.c.c. polycrystals that contain twins.
Use of a beef tongue model and instructional video for teaching residents fourth-degree laceration repair.

This study seeks to compare the utility of the beef tongue model versus an instructional video in teaching obstetric and gynecology residents how to repair a fourth-degree laceration. Twenty-seven residents were randomized to participate in a workshop with a beef tongue model or assigned to watch an instructional video on repair of fourth-degree lacerations and read a chapter on the repair. All subjects were tested with a pre- and postintervention written test. These scores were compared with paired t test at 0.05 significance level. Residents with no prior experience in fourth-degree laceration repairs showed an improvement in knowledge (49.5% versus 64.1%, p < 0.001) on written exams about the repairs. An instructional video or beef tongue model and textbook chapter on fourth-degree laceration repair can improve skills in repair of a fourth-degree laceration among residents with no experience in these repairs.
Technology and Simulation to Improve Patient Safety

Improving the quality and efficiency of surgical techniques, reducing technical errors in the operating suite, and ultimately improving patient safety and outcomes through education are common goals in all surgical specialties. Current surgical simulation programs represent an effort to enhance and optimize the training experience, to overcome the training limitations of a mandated 80-hour work week, and have the overall goal of providing a well-balanced resident education in a society with a decreasing level of tolerance for medical errors.
Swarm formation control utilizing ground and aerial unmanned systems

This work addresses the problem of coordinating a swarm of unmanned ground vehicles with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The UAV is utilized as a leader robot that is intelligently followed by a coordinated group of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). The UAV is a completely autonomous agent that is controlled using Sugueno fuzzy logic. The UGVs are organized into formation utilizing artificial potential fields generated from normal and sigmoid functions. These functions are built around the location of the UAV and ultimately construct the surface that swarm members travel on, which inherently controls the overall swarm geometry and the individual member spacing. Nonlinear limiting functions are defined to provide tighter swarm control by modifying and adjusting a set of control variables forcing the swarm to behave according to set constraints, formation and member spacing. The swarm function and limiting functions are combined to control swarm formation, orientation, and swarm movement as a whole. Parameters are chosen based on desired formation as well as user defined constraints. Simulations demonstrate the precision of the approach with up to forty UGVs. Experimental results are presented using a fully autonomous swarm of three UGVs and a single UAV helicopter for coordination.
Reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) generation and energy consumption in wastewater treatment plants.

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emission and energy consumption by on-site and off-site sources were estimated in two different wastewater treatment plants that used physical–chemical or biological processes for the removal of contaminants, and an anaerobic digester for sludge treatment. Physical–chemical treatment processes were used in the treatment plant of a locomotive repair factory that processed wastewater at 842 kg chemical oxygen demand per day. Approximately 80% of the total GHG emission was related to fossil fuel consumption for energy production. The emission of GHG was reduced by 14.5% with the recovery of biogas that was generated in the anaerobic digester and its further use as an energy source, replacing fossil fuels. The examined biological treatment system used three alternative process designs for the treatment of effluents from pulp and paper mills that processed wastewater at 2,000 kg biochemical oxygen demand per day. The three designs used aerobic, anaerobic, or hybrid aerobic/anaerobic biological processes for the removal of carbonaceous contaminants, and nitrification/denitrification processes for nitrogen removal. Without the recovery and use of biogas, the aerobic, anaerobic, and hybrid treatment systems generated 3,346, 6,554 and 7,056 kg CO 2 -equivalent/day, respectively, while the generated GHG was reduced to 3,152, 6,051, and 6,541 kg CO 2 -equivalent/day with biogas recovery. The recovery and use of biogas was shown to satisfy and exceed the energy needs of the three examined treatment plants. The reduction of operating temperature of the anaerobic digester and anaerobic reactor by 10°C reduced energy demands of the treatment plants by 35.1, 70.6 and 62.9% in the three examined treatment systems, respectively.
FNA diagnosis of retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma metastasizing to the breast.

Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy is one of the first-line investigations in any breast lump, and hence cytomorphological recognition of nonmammary metastatic tumors to the breast and their distinction from primary tumors is important. Breast metastasis from extra-mammary malignancy is rare, constituting 2% of breast tumors; even rarer are mestastatic leiomyosarcomas. Our patient presented with a breast lump 2 years after operative removal of a retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma. The breast lump was confirmed to be a metastasis from the earlier primary. Herein, we report the first case of a retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma metastatic to the breast diagnosed by Fine Needle Aspiration. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2007;35:508–511. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Compressive behavior of materials: Part II. High performance fibers

The primary focus of this paper is on the axial compression behavior of high performance polymeric and carbon fibers. Seven test methods used for determining the compressive strength of single fibers have been reviewed. Various micromechanical models proposed in the literature to understand the compressive failure in single filaments and in other anisotropic systems have been discussed and analyzed. The results of various approaches to influence the compressive strength of polymeric fibers have been summarized. Possible reasons for the variation in the compressive strength of pitch and PAN-based carbon fibers have also been addressed.