cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Improving the Low-Temperature Properties of Alternative Diesel Fuels: Vegetable Oil-Derived Methyl Esters

This work explores near-term approaches for improving the low-temperature properties of triglyceride oil-derived fuels for direct-injection compression-ignition (diesel) engines. Methyl esters from transesterified soybean oil were evaluated as a neat fuel and in blends with petroleum middle distillates. Winterization showed that the cloud point (CP) of methyl soyate may be reduced to −16°C. Twelve cold-flow additives marketed for distillates were tested by standard petroleum methodologies, including CP, pour point (PP), kinematic viscosity, cold filter plugging point (CFPP), and low-temperature flow test (LTFT). Results showed that additive treatment significantly improves the PP of distillate/methyl ester blends; however, additives do not greatly affect CP or viscosity. Both CFPP and LTFT were nearly linear functions of CP, a result that compares well with earlier studies with untreated distillate/methyl ester blends. In particular, additives proved capable of reducing LTFT of neart methyl esters by 5–6°C. This work supports earlier research on the low-temperature properties; that is, approaches for improving the cold flow of methyl ester-based diesel fuels should continue to focus on reducing CP.
The rule of the ring.

Different species of viruses contain linear or circular DNA molecules. The circular molecules are either single-chained or circular duplexes. The linear molecules from various species are always duplex. However, they may be either unique or circularly permuted collections of sequences. All species of linear duplexes that can be successfully tested can be shown to be terminally repetitious. The two temperate phages that have been studied (λ and P22) are unique and permuted collections, respectively. Shortly after infection both of these molecules form closed helical rings (superhelices). Certain virulent phages show no evidence of superhelix formation. How unique and permuted collections are produced at maturation is a puzzle. In this respect, it is of interest that P22 is a generalized transducing phage, whereas λ is a specialized transducing one.
Planning and Control of Ensembles of Robots with Non-holonomic Constraints

In this paper we focus on the construction of distributed formation control laws that permit the control of individual mobile robots in a formation to a desired distribution with minimal knowledge of the global state. As in previous work, we consider an abstraction of the team that is derived from a shape descriptor of the ensemble and the position and orientation of the ensemble. We consider the control of the abstract state with decentralized control laws which are independent of the number of agents. However, we incorporate an important departure from previous work by explicitly modeling the shape of the robot, the geometric, non-interpenetration constraints and non-holonomic, kinematic constraints. Further, we propose a motion planning technique to plan motions for ensembles of robots. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithms on a team of differential drive robots in simulation and on real hardware.
Application of enthalpy-based feedback control methodology to the two-sided stefan problem

In (1), the authors introduced a novel control law for the single-phase Stefan problem, a nonlinear partial differ- ential equation, with the eventual goal of applying the result to control of cooling in continuous steel casting. In this paper, the previously published method of controlling the Stefan problem is extended in two key ways that improve the fidelity of the nonlinear PDE as a model of the temperature and solidification of continuous steel casters. First, a non-symmetric temperature distribution is allowed, in which separate Neumann boundary control is applied at either surface. Two convergent control laws are compared in simulation, with one converging significantly faster. Second, saturation of the Neumann boundary control input is considered. Saturation is a significant concern in the actual process. The enthalpy-based algorithm still allows for convergence under saturation. However, as one would expect, severity of the constraints can affect the convergence rate. I. INTRODUCTION According to industry statistics (2), 94.7% of steel pro- duced in the world is made using the continuous casting process. This process is characterized by a continuous steel flow through the caster, called strand, that solidifies as it moves, allowing for high throughputs, but requiring stringent process control to maintain quality and safety. The steel industry and researchers have long realized that temperature regulation is important to steel quality. The initial part of the caster - the mold - must contain the liquid steel long enough for a solid shell to grow around its boundaries. The mold must be vertical at the top to contain the liquid steel when it is poured into the caster. Therefore, the strand must be bent to horizontal so that it can be transported out of the caster for further processing. This causes transverse stresses on the surface of the steel that can lead to cracks. As the ductility of steel changes with temperature, preventing transverse surface cracks requires regulating the surface temperature of the steel (3). At the same time, the liquid steel exerts hydrostatic pressure on the outer steel shell strong enough to bulge the shell outward. Inside the caster, bulging is prevented by containment rolls. If the steel has not fully solidified when it passes the last of these rolls, severe bulging occurs, known as a "whale" due to its shape, and liquid steel may even escape the shell. At best, production must be halted, while the whale is cut out by torches and removed by crane. In worse cases, the caster may be damaged or workers may even be injured by spouting liquid steel. To prevent this, the *This work was supported by the Continuous Casting Consortium and
Intraosseous infusions in the emergency department

Abstract For most emergency physicians and pediatricians, the frustrations encountered when obtaining intravenous access in infants involved in traumatic or medical emergencies are well known. Although it is rare that parenteral access is absolutely unobtainable in a pediatric patient, minutes and sometimes hours are often lost as futile attempts are made to cannulate a collapsed vein of such a patient. Many alternatives to such a crisis situation, including the intratracheal, intracardiac, and sublingual routes of administration, have been proposed and efficaciously used. Disadvantages to these alternatives, however, include the inability to administer volume-expanding colloids or crystalloids, and a relatively narrow spectrum of useful medications. One relatively safe, well-proven, and technically easy method for giving replacement fluids, blood products, and numerous resuscitative drugs is infusion by the intraosseous route. Although not recommended as a replacement for current modes of intravascular access, we feel it has definite utility in selected situations and warrants the awareness of emergency physicians. The value, historical aspects, technique, and compllcations of this procedure are discussed.
Soybean residue management and tillage effects on corn yields and response to applied nitrogen.

Variability in N fertilizer requirements for corn (Zea mays L.) following soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] across sites and years emphasizes the need to understand management practice effects on apparent soybean N contributions. This study was conducted to determine the effects of three soybean harvest management systems (HMS) and tillage on subsequent corn grain yields, and apparent soybean N contributions. Field experiments to evaluate the effects of returning or removing soybean residue, soybean forage harvest at the R6 growth stage, and applied N (0—180 kg N ha -1 ) on corn grain yields were conducted for 3 yr at four locations. The soybean residue returned treatment significantly decreased yields by 1.1 and 2.5 Mg ha -1 for 2 of 12 site years. The soybean residue returned treatment also required 134, 41, and 87 kg ha -1 more fertilizer N to maximize yields for 3 of 12 site years, but not at the remaining sites. Greater early season soil NO 3 -N in the forage harvested or residue removed treatments before planting and when corn plants were 30 cm tall (presidedress) is probably a result of warmer soil temperatures and increased soil N mineralization where residue was removed. Economic optimum N rates for corn following soybean varied substantially across sites and years and ranged from 0 to 180 kg N ha -1 but were not greatly affected by soybean HMS or tillage at most sites. This work emphasizes the need for a field-specific approach to better predict the apparent soybean N contribution to a subsequent corn crop.
Sebaceous gland secretion in cirrhosis.

SUMMARY.— Sebum production tests were performed in 10 hospitalized male patients with cirrhosis of the liver. Sebum secretion in these patients did not differ significantly from that of normal subjects. No inverse correlation was evident between sebum levels and the presence or severity of oestrogenic physical signs.
Measurements of granular flows in two-dimensional hoppers by particle image velocimetry. Part I: experimental method and results

Abstract The objective of the present investigation was to test the applicability of particle image velocimetry (PIV), which is normally used for measuring velocities in liquids or gases, to measurement of velocities in granular flow. A second objective was to use PIV to provide experimental data for comparison with mathematical models. The flow of zinc particles, of size 0.4, 0.61 and 0.76 mm size, in a flat-bottomed two-dimensional hopper was measured by PIV. The particles were characterized using ASTM procedures for angle of repose, packing density and flow rate through a funnel. Through PIV, velocities and mass flow rates were determined for exit apertures 5 and 7.5 mm in width and 10, 30 and 50 mm long. The bed of particles in the hopper showed the expected stagnant zones on either side of the aperture. There was a continual avalanche of particles at the “V’’ which forms at the surface of the bed and some images of this avalanche, obtained with a boroscope, are included.
The pattern of DNA cleavage intensity around indels

Indels (insertions and deletions) are the second most common form of genetic variations in the eukaryotic genomes and are responsible for a multitude of genetic diseases. Despite its significance, detailed molecular mechanisms for indel generation are still unclear. Here we examined 2,656,597 small human and mouse germline indels, 16,742 human somatic indels, 10,599 large human insertions, and 5,822 large chimpanzee insertions and systematically analyzed the patterns of DNA cleavage intensities in the 200 base pair regions surrounding these indels. Our results show that DNA cleavage intensities close to the start and end points of indels are significantly lower than other regions, for both small human germline and somatic indels and also for mouse small indels. Compared to small indels, the patterns of DNA cleavage intensity around large indels are more complex, and there are two low intensity regions near each end of the indels that are approximately 13 bp apart from each other. Detailed analyses of a subset of indels show that there is slight difference in cleavage intensity distribution between insertion indels and deletion indels that could be contributed by their respective enrichment of different repetitive elements. These results will provide new insight into indel generation mechanisms.
HSIL, epithelial cell abnormality‐adjusted workload, and the Thinprep imaging system

Previous studies have suggested that the sensitivity of the ThinPrep Imaging System (TIS) for high-grade intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) and worse may be decreased at workloads above 100 slides/day. On the other hand, at a threshold of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) and above, sensitivity of the TIS appears to more closely correlated with epithelial cell abnormality (ECA)-adjusted workload (ECA rate × actual slides/day) rather than total workload. We sought to determine if the sensitivity of the TIS for HSIL could also be shown to be correlated with ECA-adjusted workload. The change in sensitivity for HSIL from manual screening to TIS screening consistently correlated negatively with ECA-adjusted workload both in the original Food and Drug Administration trial study and in independent studies available in the literature. Both sources suggest that sensitivity near 100% can be achieved with ECA-adjusted workloads of 5–7 slides/day. For a laboratory with an ECA rate of 10%, this represents a total workload of 50–70 slides/day. We conclude that measuring the ECA-adjusted workload is a valuable method to assess workload for the ThinPrep Imaging System. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2012. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bids requested for Genesis Mission analytical facilities

The Genesis Discovery mission, to be launched in January 2001, will expose ultrapure materials to the solar wind for about 2 years and then return this sample to Earth for isotopic and chemical analysis in terrestrial laboratories. Sample return missions use the best available instrumentation to achieve mission science goals. To complete the Genesis science objectives, advanced instrumentation that surpasses present laboratory sample analysis capabilities is required. Advanced Analytical Instrumentation Facilities (AAIFs) will be created for the mission to ensure that the best analytical instruments are used. This approach also enables broad participation by NASA scientists in solar wind sample return analysis.
Flux Pinning Enhancement of YBCO Films by Y and Ba Site Doping at Minute Concentrations

YBa2Cu3O7-x (Y123) superconducting thin films can maintain high critical current densities in applied magnetic fields up to a few Tesla at 77 K. Even so, this does not preclude the intentional addition of alternate flux pinning centers in the Y123 films to further optimize their in-field Jc. Unfortunately, many methods to incorporate flux pinning centers into Y123 thin films introduce additional steps and/or re-optimization of the deposition parameters for a given addition. Identifying potential additions that can optimize the performance of YBCO films without changing the deposition conditions would be ideal. The work presented here is an extension of earlier work and demonstrates new dopants and possibilities for introducing pinning centers by the route of minute doping or nanodoping. Preliminary results of a study to determine if minute doping can be performed with smaller lanthanide atoms (Tm, Lu), non-lanthanide atoms (Sc) and Ba-site substitution (Sr) are presented. All samples were deposited under identical conditions as pure YBCO. The new dopants will be discussed in addition to those previously presented (Tb, Pr, Ce, Nd, and La). Critical current density data will be presented for 65 K and 77 K in fields up to 9T in addition to new structural data obtained by cross-sectional TEM.
Development of Professional Identity among Professional Development School Preservice Teachers: Longitudinal and Comparative Analysis

Abstract The present study represents a portion of the program evaluation model employed in the Professional Development School program at The University of Texas at Tyler. The data collected and analyzed is comprised of the first cohort group of preservice teachers to complete the Professional Development Program at UT-Tyler and a comparison group of students who went through the traditional on-campus teacher education program at UT-Tyler. The preeminent goal of the design was to implement preservice experiences that would lead to the development of a sense of teacher identity earlier in the teacher training process. In this study, we examined some of the effects of exposure to the enhanced clinical experiences found in a PDS environment. In so doing, we are attempting to add to the emerging knowledge base surrounding the Professional Development School movement and how PDS programs compare to traditional education programs concerning areas of professional identity.
Characteristic Excitation Taper for Ultrawideband Tightly Coupled Antenna Arrays

We propose a novel technique to calculate a quasi- optimal aperture excitation for finite size, ultrawideband arrays. The approach is based on using the characteristic modes of the array's mutual impedance matrix. Unlike standard excitation tapers, primarily used for beam shaping, the proposed characteristic mode taper provides for wideband matching of all array elements, including those at the edges of the finite array. As such, it maximizes aperture efficiency and is particularly attractive for finite size, tightly coupled antenna arrays. Our method solely relies on the N × N mutual impedance matrix of the array which is precomputed (or measured). We demonstrate this novel excitation method for an 8 × 8 array of tightly coupled dipole elements. When compared to uniform excitation, the characteristic mode excitation achieves very low VSWRs for all elements over a large bandwidth. Improvements in realized gain are also demonstrated. Due to its simplicity, this new method can be incorporated into a design process to optimize element and array geometries, leading to further performance improvements.
Response to Strategy and Communication in an Arms Race-Disarmament Dilemma

Subjects (40 males and 40 females) played against a simulated other in a six-choice prisoner's dilemma game that was described in terms of an arms race. The simulated other employed either a GRIT or tit-for-tat strategy, with either communication or no communication. The GRIT strategy elicited more cooperation than the tit-for-tat strategy, and there was an interaction such that the GRIT strategy with communication produced more cooperation than any of the other conditions. In addition, explicit communication decreased the occurrence of deception being employed against the GRIT strategist. Although GRIT produced more conciliation than tit-for-tat, the simulated other using GRIT was also taken advantage of more frequently; to avoid exploitation, modifications in the GRIT strategy may be needed. The results are discussed in terms of how explicit communication is needed for GRIT to be optimally effective and how additional communication may reduce exploitation.
Regional localization of ERG, the channel protein responsible for the rapid component of the delayed rectifier, K+ current in the ferret heart.

Abstract Repolarization of the cardiac action potential varies widely throughout the heart. This could be due to the differential distribution of ion channels responsible for repolarization, especially the K+ channels. We have therefore studied the cardiac localization of ERG, a channel protein known to play an important role in generation of the rapid component of the delayed rectifier K+ current (IKr), an important determinant of the repolarization waveform. Cryosections of the ferret atrium and ventricle were prepared to determine the localization of ERG by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and immunofluorescence. We found that in the ferret, ERG transcript and protein expression was most abundant in the epicardial cell layers throughout most of the ventricle, except at the base. In the atrium, we found that ERG is most abundant in the medial right atrium, especially in the trabeculae and the crista terminalis of the right atrial appendage. It also is present in areas within the sinoatrial node...
Formalization of Standards, Automation, Robots, and IT Governance

The article introduces the Spring 2013 issue of the "Journal of Information Systems" which focuses on the governance of information technology (IT).
Turner syndrome revisited: review of new data supports the hypothesis that all viable 45,X cases are cryptic mosaics with a rescue cell line, implying an origin by mitotic loss

We review the data pertinent to the hypothesis we proposed three decades ago, that all embryos that survive gestation as women with Turner syndrome and have an ostensibly non-mosaic 45,X karyotype, actually are cryptic mosaics for a “rescue line” that includes a viable karyotype. Reanalysis of the prevalence and frequency of 45,X in available data on spontaneous abortuses, and livebirths, confirms prior estimates that 1 % to 1.5 % of all recognizable pregnancies start as an apparent non-mosaic 45,X but about 99 % do not survive gestation. From the rates of 45,X in early embryos, which are notably higher than the inferred rate of gametes hypohaploid for a sex chromosome, as well as the negative maternal age association with 45,X of maternal origin we deduce, in agreement with but on independent grounds from Hall et al. (2006), that a very large proportion of 45,X embryos acquired their 45,X line after fertilization. Results of a search for mosaic cell lines in patients with “Turner syndrome” in several reports indicate that not only does the detection rate of a mosaic line depend upon the number and sensitivity of the markers used, and the number of different tissues examined, but also upon the severity of the phenotype of those cases studied, and the number of cells karyotyped initially. Such factors may explain variation in the extent of detected “cryptic” mosaicism in 45,X individuals (currently at least 50 %). We note a report by Urbach and Benvenitsy (2009) of a gene necessary for placental function, PSF2RA, which lies in the pseudoautosomal-one region of the X and Y chromosomes. Deletion of such a gene could account for the high embryonic lethality in 45,X conceptions, and a rescue line in the placenta could account for embryonic and fetal survival of those cases in which a cryptic mosaic line cannot be found in the usual studies of blood and other tissues from affected individuals. Our primary conclusions are 1) all 45,X individuals with Turner syndrome are cryptic mosaics, 2) absence of the X chromosome in 45,X embryos is caused primarily by mitotic factors, and 3) the placenta is a strong candidate for the location of the rescue line in apparently non-mosaic 45,X individuals.
Using Neuroimaging to Measure Mental Representations: Finding Color-Opponent Neurons in Visual Cortex

To date, most neuroimaging studies have tried to localize large regions in the brain that are responsible for specific behaviors or mental operations. Psychological theory, however, is more concerned with the nature of mental functions than with the locations of their neural substrates. This article reviews work that moves beyond functional anatomy to measure how color is represented by neurons in visual cortex. The general approach has three basic steps: First, the areas under investigation are localized in the brain. Second, responses of these areas are measured to sets of systematically varying stimuli, designed to uncover the nature of cortical representations. Third, the neuroimaging data are compared with behavioral data measured with the same stimuli. Results obtained using this approach support the hypothesis that primary visual cortex contains color-opponent neurons that support perception.
Changes in the natural abundance of 13CO2/12CO2 in breath due to lipopolysacchride-induced acute phase response.

The natural abundance of carbon-13 in blood proteins increases during the cachectic state and may be a biomarker for disease status. We hypothesized a corresponding drop in the relative abundance of 13C in breath CO2. Using the lipopolysacchride (LPS)-induced endotoxemia model of the acute cachectic state, we demonstrated that the acute phase response causes shifts in the stable isotopes of carbon in exhaled CO2 (13CO2/12CO2 delta value) shortly after administration of LPS while glucocorticoid treatment does not. Mice were injected with LPS and stable isotopes of blood amino acids and carbon in exhaled CO2 were monitored. An increase in the relative isotopic mass of serum alanine, proline and threonine was observed at 3 h after LPS injection. Breath delta values began dropping immediately after administration of LPS, and were 4–5 delta values lower than those of the control animals by 2.5 h after injection. A corresponding drop in delta value was not observed with dexamethasone treatment. Thus protein synthesis during the acute phase response probably caused the fractionation of stable isotopes observed in the plasma amino acids and in exhaled breath 13CO2 delta values. The exhaled breath 13CO2 delta value may be a valuable real-time biomarker of cachexia associated with an acute phase response due to endotoxemia. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Information Sampling in Decision-Making Groups The Impact of Members' Task-Relevant Status

This study examined the impact of members 'task-relevant status (i.e., prior task experience) on the bias in decision-making groups to discuss more common (shared) than unique (unshared) information. Subjects reviewed applications for an assistant professor position and, in mixed-sex groups (two femake and two male), chose between two candidates. Either female or male members had prior experience with a similar task Experienced members (regardless of gender) were less predisposed to favor shared information in the mentioning and repetition of information. Consistent with expectation states theory, member gender (a diffuse status cue) failed to qualify task-relevant status effects. Although experienced members were not more successful than inexperienced members at persuading the group to adopt their preference, when they did win, they did so with less effort. Suggestions are offered for using status processes to understand the psychological factors affecting collective information sampling.
Standards of Living and the Life Cycle in Colonial Connecticut

Requirements for a subsistence standard of living and for higher levels in the colonial period changed with marital status. A man's income, his personal wealth, his consumption goods, and for farmers their land, had to increase with marriage and as children multiplied, though the old man might end as he began, dependent on other members of the family. In order to judge the proportion of men at different levels of wealth, and to measure inequality, the historian must construct a series of tables using all available measures of wealth for each stage in the life cycle.
A High-Intensity LED Light Source for Larval Fish and Aquatic Invertebrate Floating Quatrefoil Light Traps

ABSTRACT Investigation of anthropogenic fragmentation edge effects in Great Lakes fringing marshes necessitated the development of a high-intensity light source for quatrefoil light traps that would also be energy-efficient, consistent, and durable enough to withstand constant battering within these dynamic systems. Twenty bright light-emitting diode (LED) units were constructed using low-cost materials and deployed in quatrefoil light traps for overnight sampling periods from mid-May to early-July 2005. All total, 4,803 larval fishes comprising at least 18 taxa were attracted to the 36,000-mcd, white LED light units during 165 trap-nights. Additionally, 146,061 aquatic macroinvertebrates comprising 42 families were caught. The LED light units were energy-efficient and problem-free.
Long-pulse, high-power, X-band relativistic traveling-wave tube amplifier

A high-power X-band traveling-wave tube (TWT) amplifier has been designed. A disk-loaded circular waveguide is used as the slow wave structure (SWS) for wave interaction with a 450 kV, 80 A solid electron beam. From Pierce theory, the predicted gain at 9.7 GHz is 1.94 dB/cm with an instantaneous bandwidth of 5% and a phase advance of /spl pi2 for the TM/sub 01/ mode. Cold dispersion measurements show good agreement with the simulation. >
GIS and South Carolina Barbecue: A Laboratory Exercise

GIS is as indicative of the tools of modem geography but as obscure to most undergraduate students as barbecue is familiar and representative of the cultural traits of the American South. The purpose of this paper is to describe a GIS laboratory exercise that has proven to be effective for undergraduate students who have a variety of talents, backgrounds, and skills. The exercise demonstrates the application of GIS techniques through the use of a regional and cultural geography real world database. It permits exploration of GIS as a spatial association device and encourages students to explore statistical inferences as well as map display.
The Search for Subtypes of Specific Learning Disability

This month's Topical Review discusses recent research that has attempted to divide the general population of learning-disabled children into a variety of different subtypes. The research is important because it is the first sustained attempt to deal with one of the most troublesome problems in the field: the heterogeneity of learning-disabled children. Past failure to adequately conceptualize the variability within the LD population has produced heated debates over the “nature” of learning disabilities and has limited progress toward adequate diagnosis and treatment. Although we are still a long way from having an adequate taxonomy of learning disabilities subtypes, the research presented in this review certainly constitutes one of the first steps toward the attainment of that goal.---JKTThis paper reviews and evaluates the current research on subtypes of learning-disabled children. Early research on LD subtypes used a clinical inferential approach to subdivide heterogeneous samples of children into vario...
Combining metabolic engineering and metabolic evolution to develop nonrecombinant strains of Escherichia coli C that produce succinate and malate.

Derivatives of Escherichia coli C were engineered to produce primarily succinate or malate in mineral salts media using simple fermentations (anaerobic stirred batch with pH control) without the addition of plasmids or foreign genes. This was done by a combination of gene deletions (genetic engineering) and metabolic evolution with over 2,000 generations of growth-based selection. After deletion of the central anaerobic fermentation genes (ldhA, adhE, ackA), the pathway for malate and succinate production remained as the primary route for the regeneration of NAD+. Under anaerobic conditions, ATP production for growth was obligately coupled to malate dehydrogenase and fumarate reductase by the requirement for NADH oxidation. Selecting strains for improved growth co-selected increased production of these dicarboxylic acids. Additional deletions were introduced as further improvements (focA, pflB, poxB, mgsA). The best succinate biocatalysts, strains KJ060(ldhA, adhE, ackA, focA, pflB) and KJ073(ldhA, adhE, ackA, focA, pflB, mgsA, poxB), produce 622–733 mM of succinate with molar yields of 1.2–1.6 per mole of metabolized glucose. The best malate biocatalyst, strain KJ071(ldhA, adhE, ackA, focA, pflB, mgsA), produced 516 mM malate with molar yields of 1.4 per mole of glucose metabolized. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;99: 1140–1153. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Single Photon Counting Module Based on Large Area APD and Novel Logic Circuit for Quench and Reset Pulse Generation

We present the design, implementation, and characterization of a single-photon counting module (SPCM) based on large-area avalanche photodiode (APD) and new logic circuit based on TTL integrated circuits (ICs) for generating precise quench and reset delays. Low dark count rate, high linearity of 2 MHz, maximum dynamic range of 12 MHz, and minimum dead time of 35 ns have been achieved with 0.2 mm peltier-cooled single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) [model C30902S-DTC, Perkin Elmer Optoelectronics (PKI)]. The developed module was fiberized and tested for the detection of fluorescently labeled DNA sequences. Detection sensitivity at the level of single fluorescent molecule has been demonstrated.
Induction of CD4+ T-Cell-Independent Immunoglobulin Responses by Inactivated Influenza Virus

Through cognate interaction between antigen-specific B-cell and CD4+ αβ T cells, the CD4+ αβ T cells secrete cytokines that initiate immunoglobulin (Ig) class switching from IgM to IgG. In this study, we show that formalin-inactivated influenza PR8 virus induces virus-specific IgM and IgG responses in the absence of CD4+ T cells and that all four subclasses of IgG are produced. The immunized CD4-deficient mice were also found to be completely protected against lethal infection with live, pathogenic influenza virus. The ability of CD4+ T-cell-deficient mice to generate these IgG responses was not found to be impaired when these mice were depleted of CD8+ T cells with an anti-CD8 monoclonal antibody. In contrast, αβ T-cell-deficient mice (TCRβ−/−) were not found to produce significant amounts of IgG upon immunization with formalin-inactivated PR8 virus. These results suggest that CD4− CD8− double-negative αβ T cells are playing a role in regulating Ig class switching in the absence of CD4+ T cells.
Inert Trace Constituent Transport in Sigma and Hybrid Isentropic–Sigma Models. Part I: Nine Advection Algorithms

Abstract The University of Wisconsin hybrid isentropic–sigma (θ–σ) coordinate channel model and the nominally identical sigma (σ) model are used to test the relative capabilities of nine trace constituent transport algorithms. The nine are “standard” second-order finite differencing, the standard with two local “borrow and fill” fixers, the standard with a global fixer, four conservative flux-integrated approaches, and the conservation of second-order moments (CSOM). Transport of two analytically specified initial trace constituent distributions is simulated within a common initial atmosphere, which includes a baroclinically amplifying synoptic-scale wave. Two different vertical resolution θ–σ models and four vertical resolution σ models provide excellent test beds for comparison of the transport algorithms because their 48-h predictions of standard synoptic fields are virtually identical. Although no analytic solution exists against which detailed comparisons can be made, the constraint of adiabatic cond...
Service Innovation for Improved Satisfaction: Designing Patient Call Back in Emergency Healthcare

Healthcare delivery is becoming a significant proportion of the service economy around the world. Within healthcare, the Emergency Department (ED) constitutes one of the most challenging areas of service delivery. Patient (customer) arrival is highly unpredictable, job scope is variable and uncertain, and timely service response is essential to save lives. In addition, emergency physicians and hospitals may soon be monitored and compensated with a new set of metrics including patient satisfaction measured after service delivery. In this paper, we report data and results from a study that involved a service process innovation at two academic EDs – the proposed redesign involves utilizing the addition of a new process step that uses health provider capacity when available for follow-up patient calls after discharge from the emergency department. We examine the overall impact of this process redesign on patient satisfaction as measured by the “likelihood to recommend” question on patient surveys. We also examine how follow-up caller identity (nurse vs. medical doctor) and patient characteristics influence customer/patient satisfaction. Our findings first confirm that the addition of a follow-up call back step to the service process has a significant impact on reported patient satisfaction. We focus on identifying ways to improve the efficiency of the call back step in the service design. Specifically, we find that patients over age 65 are more likely to respond positively to call back than those under 65 and the impact of call back is strongly associated for certain healthcare insurance (Medicare and MediCal). These findings can help hospitals redesign the ED service process and segment patients for call back in an effective manner. Underlying fundamental implications and future work possibilities are discussed.
Production of Deoxygenated Biomass Fast Pyrolysis Oils via Product Gas Recycling

A bench scale fluidized bed system was modified to recycle and utilize the gaseous products of biomass fast pyrolysis as fluidization gas and to create a reactive gas atmosphere to replace, in part or in full, the added nitrogen gas. The effect of the presence of the reducing atmosphere on the pyrolysis oils produced was studied for three different biomass feedstocks, white oak, switchgrass, and pennycress presscake, and compared with those produced under an inert N2 atmosphere as the control. The reductive atmosphere, consisting primarily of CO, CO2, H2, and light hydrocarbons, had a significant deoxygenation effect on the pyrolysis oil produced from oak and switchgrass. The effect was significantly smaller for the pyrolysis of pennycress presscake, which inherently produces a lower oxygen product. When oak and switchgrass were used as feedstocks, pyrolysis oils with molar C/O ratios of 9.1 and 8.5 were achieved, respectively, which is increased from about 2.1 for the control experiments for each feedsto...
Ferroelectric Thin Films and Their Applications

Ferroelectric morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) materials based on Pb2+ - containing compositions are potentially important for optical and electronic applications because they exhibit high switchable polarization near this boundary with superior electro-optic and piezoelectric properties. In this paper we discuss these MPB materials, substrate issues, and the growth of MPB film compositions based on the PZT and PSKNN systems.
Inversion for Asymmetric Fracture Parameters Using Synthetic AVOA Data

Variations of reflection amplitude with offset and azimuth are sensitive to the presence of natural and induced fractures. Inversion for fracture compliance matrix components from synthetic PP-reflection data (S/N=2) is described; the model is a fractured reservoir with monoclinic symmetry, formed by two sets of vertical asymmetric fractures embedded in a VTI background. The fractures (joints) are assumed to be vertical, with noncircular shape and/or asymmetric shear compliance. Inversion results are compared with the corresponding resolution matrix which can be used for optimum seismic survey design. Monte Carlo simulation is used to determine the robustness of the inversion with respect to uncertainty in the background VTI parameters.
PAN AIR modeling studies

PAN AIR is a computer program that predicts subsonic or supersonic linear potential flow about arbitrary configurations. The code's versatility and generality afford numerous possibilities for modeling flow problems. Although this generality provides great flexibility, it also means that studies are required to establish the dos and don'ts of modeling. The purpose of this paper is to describe and evaluate a variety of methods for modeling flows with PAN AIR. The areas discussed are effects of panel density, internal flow modeling, forebody modeling in subsonic flow, propeller slipstream modeling, effect of wake length, wing-tail-wake interaction, effect of trailing-edge paneling on the Kutta condition, well- and ill-posed boundary-value problems, and induced-drag calculations. These nine topics address problems that are of practical interest to the users of PAN AIR.
The effect of major depression on quality of life after surgery for stress urinary incontinence: a secondary analysis of the Trial of Midurethral Slings

Background Depression has been associated with symptom amplification, functional impairment, and lower incontinence-specific quality of life in women with urinary incontinence. Although depression has been shown to impact both subjective and objective outcomes after many different surgeries, there are limited data on the effects of major depression on postoperative outcomes after antiincontinence surgery. Objective The purpose of this study was to determine whether major depression affects urinary incontinence severity and quality of life after midurethral sling surgery. Study Design This was a secondary analysis of the Trial of Midurethral Slings. Participants were assigned randomly either to a retropubic or transobturator sling for stress urinary incontinence. Each was classified as having major depression or not by the validated depression screening Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Pre- and postoperative urinary incontinence severity (which was assessed by the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire), urinary incontinence-specific quality of life (which was assessed by the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire and the Urinary Distress Inventory), and sexual function (which was assessed by the Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire) was compared between groups at baseline and at 12 months. Results Five hundred twenty-six patients were included: 79 patients (15%) had major depression before surgery; 447 patients (85%) did not. Baseline incontinence severity was higher in women with major depression than in those without (International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire, 14.7 ± 4.1 vs 12.9 ± 4.0; P P P P P Conclusion Women with major depression who are planning surgery for stress urinary incontinence have worse quality of life than nondepressed women. However, women with major depression improve significantly more than those without major depression such that, at 12 months postoperatively, incontinence severity and quality of life are not different between groups. Sexual function is worse before and after the operation for depressed women.
Self-reported sleep quality is associated with the metabolic syndrome.

Study Objectives: To determine whether a simple, structured self-report of overall sleep quality is associated with the presence of the metabolic syndrome and its component risk factors. Design: An observational, cross-sectional study comparing global scores on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index with concurrently collected measures of the components of the metabolic syndrome and presence or absence of the syndrome. The metabolic syndrome criterion of the American Heart Association/National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute was adopted. Setting: University laboratory. Patients/Participants: Two hundred ten volunteers with a mean age of 46 years (57% men) screened for the presence of serious illness and related medications. Interventions: N/A. Measurements and Results: All analyses were adjusted for sex and age. Logistic regression showed that poor global sleep-quality scores on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were related significantly to the presence of the metabolic syndrome-an increase of the global sleep score of 2.6 points (approximately 1 SD) was associated with an odds of having the metabolic syndrome of 1.44 (p = .04, confidence interval = 1.01-2.06). Linear-regression results showed that the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index global sleep-quality score was related significantly to waist circumference, body mass index, percentage of body fat, serum levels of insulin and glucose, and estimated insulin resistance. Conclusions: Self-reported global sleep quality is significantly related to the metabolic syndrome and several of its core components.
Sarcomere lesion damage occurs mainly in slow fibers of reloaded rat adductor longus muscles

Sarcomere lesions were previously observed with reloading of rat adductor longus muscles after spaceflight and hindlimb unloading (HU). Spaceflown rats displayed more lesioned fibers in the “slow-f...
Acquiring Power by Creating Problems

This article focuses on the relationship between the power discrepancy of subunits (amount of power a subunit feels it possesses minus the amount of power the subunit feels it deserves) and the likelihood of engaging in problem creating behavior. This paper argues that a u-shaped relationship exists between these two variables. This is based on the perception that subunits with high levels of positive power discrepancy are motivated to gain power; whereas, subunits with high levels of negative power discrepancy are motivated to maintain the power they already possess. Three risk-related, problem-creating tactics are examined (illusion creation, sabotage, shirking).
Theoretical and experimental study of large-signal modulated laser diodes with reflective coating

High-speed fiber-optic (FO) links play a major role In optically controlled phased array antennas. In such structures, the frequency reference signals, data, and control signals are distributed to active transmit/receive modules to maintain coherent signal processing.
Stable isotope analysis of Pacific rat (Rattus exulans) from archaeological sites in Mangareva (French Polynesia): The use of commensal species for understanding human activity and ecosystem change

Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis was applied to archaeological specimens of the commensal Pacific rat (Rattus exulans) to investigate nutrient fluxes in prehistoric socio-ecosystems on Mangareva (Gambier Islands) and their implications for anthropogenic environmental change. The Pacific rat – ubiquitous in Polynesian archaeological sites – is characterised by low dietary selectivity and a limited home range, making it an ideal candidate for assessing changes in island food webs. Temporal trends in diet-derived bone collagen δ13C and δ15N values are assessed from three sites: The Onemea Site, Taravai Island (TAR-6), Nenega-iti Rockshelter, Agakauitai Island (AGA-3) and Kitchen Cave Rockshelter, Kamaka Island (KAM-1). An overall trend of decreasing δ15N values in rat bone collagen over time reflects archipelago-wide changes to island socio-ecosystems most likely resulting from seabird population declines. Differences in site function and human activity may have also influenced local rat dietary p...
Securely Sharing Encrypted Medical Information

Modern medical data information systems must collect and present data to authorized users. Distributed longterm medical data storage requires an effective security model for delegating data access. An effective delegation model must keep data encrypted at all times and avoid the need to share decryption keys. We present a secure information architecture for implementing such a model with end-to-end data encryption that restricts data access to designated recipients. Our architecture uses recent Proxy Re-Encryption (PRE) advances in a publish-subscribe design pattern that can be used to securely share medical data. The architecture would lower medical data storage costs by using commodity cloud hosting while reducing vulnerability to attacks that compromise confidentiality of sensitive medical records.
A framework for a class of hybrid extremum seeking controllers with dynamic inclusions

Abstract This paper presents a prescriptive framework for the design and analysis of a class of deterministic extremum seeking controllers (ESCs) based on hybrid dynamic inclusions. This type of ESCs combines continuous and discrete-time dynamics during the seeking process, and its evolution in time is characterized by differential and difference inclusions rather than standard difference and differential equations. Examples of hybrid ESCs include, but are not limited to, purely continuous ESC with optimizers described by set-valued mappings, ESC with arbitrarily fast and slow switching modes, ESC with weakly-jumping parameters, as well as distributed ESCs for multi-agent systems with time-varying graphs. Since solutions of systems described by set-valued mappings are usually not unique, we do not insist on this property, but rather we characterize the behavior of all possible solutions generated by the closed-loop system. Making use of recent results in singular perturbations, averaging, and Ω -limit sets of sets for hybrid dynamical systems, we establish a practical asymptotic stability result. Some examples of common classes of seeking dynamics described by hybrid systems are presented, as well as some numerical simulations illustrating their application in standard maximization problems and Nash seeking problems in game theoretical scenarios.
BREASTFEEDING IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH WORSE OUTCOMES IN PERIPARTUM CARDIOMYOPATHY

Background: Women diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) are frequently advised not to breastfeed their infants because of concern that the nursing hormone prolactin drives the pathogenesis of PPCM. However, this remains controversial. We sought to determine whether women with PPCM who