cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sons of the Earth: Are the Stoics Metaphysical Brutes?

In this paper, it is argued the Stoics develop an account of corporeals that allows their theory of bodies to be, at the same time, a theory of causation, agency, and reason. The paper aims to shed new light on the Stoics' engagement with Plato's Sophist. It is argued that the Stoics are Sons of the Earth insofar as, for them, the study of corporeals – rather than the study of being – is the most fundamental study of reality. However, they are sophisticated Sons of the Earth by developing a complex notion of corporeals. A crucial component of this account is that ordinary bodies are individuated by the way in which the corporeal god pervades them. The corporeal god is the one cause of all movements and actions in the universe.
Development and Testing of a 6-Cylinder HCCI Engine for Distributed Generation

This paper describes the technical approach for converting a Caterpillar 3406 natural gas spark ignited engine into HCCI mode. The paper describes all stages of the process, starting with a preliminary analysis that determined that the engine can be operated by preheating the intake air with a heat exchanger that recovers energy from the exhaust gases. This heat exchanger plays a dual role, since it is also used for starting the engine. For start-up, the heat exchanger is preheated with a natural gas burner. The engine is therefore started in HCCI mode, avoiding the need to handle the potentially difficult transition from SI or diesel mode to HCCI. The fueling system was modified by replacing the natural gas carburetor with a liquid petroleum gas (LPG) carburetor. This modification sets an upper limit for the equivalence ratio at φ∼0.4, which is ideal for HCCI operation and guarantees that the engine will not fail due to knock. Equivalence ratio can be reduced below 0.4 for low load operation with an electronic control valve. Intake boosting has been a challenge, as commercially available turbochargers are not a good match for the engine, due to the low HCCI exhaust temperature. Commercial introduction of HCCI engines for stationary power will therefore require the development of turbochargers designed specifically for this mode of operation. Considering that no appropriate off-the-shelf turbocharger for HCCI engines exists at this time, we are investigating mechanical supercharging options, which will deliver the required boost pressure (3 bar absolute intake) at the expense of some reduction in the output power and efficiency. An appropriate turbocharger can later be installed for improved performance when it becomes available or when a custom turbocharger is developed. The engine is now running in HCCI mode and producing power in an essentially naturally aspirated mode. Current work focuses on developing an automatic controller for obtaining consistent combustion in the 6 cylinders. The engine will then be tested for 1000 hours to demonstrate durability. This paper presents intermediate progress towards development of an HCCI engine for stationary power generation and next steps towards achieving the project goals.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Applications of Silicon Photonic Technology for Clinical Diagnostics and Highly Multiplexed Biomolecular Detection

Silicon photonic structures are incredibly responsive to binding-induced changes in the refractive index environment surrounding the device. We are developing microring resonator arrays as a robust platform for sensitive, label-free, and highly multiplexed biomolecular detection.
Effects of polyethyleneimine-mediated functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes on earthworm bioaccumulation and sorption by soils.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are often modified for different intended potential applications to enhance their aqueous stability or change properties such as surface charge. Such changes may also profoundly impact their environmental behaviors. Herein, we report the effects of modifying 14C-labeled multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with polyetheyleneimine (PEI) surface coatings to render them more stable in solution and to give them positive, negative, or neutral surface charges. These carbon nanotubes were used to test their sorption by soils and uptake and elimination behaviors by earthworms. Sorption results indicate nearly linear sorption isotherms for regular MWCNTs and nonlinear isotherms for modified MWCNTs, indicating that the PEI coatings influenced MWCNT interactions with soils. Nevertheless, there were minimal differences in the sorption results among the different soils for each type of nanotube despite differences in the soil organic carbon and cation exchange capacities. Differences in uptake...
The phylogenetic distribution of extrafloral nectaries in plants.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Understanding the evolutionary patterns of ecologically relevant traits is a central goal in plant biology. However, for most important traits, we lack the comprehensive understanding of their taxonomic distribution needed to evaluate their evolutionary mode and tempo across the tree of life. Here we evaluate the broad phylogenetic patterns of a common plant-defence trait found across vascular plants: extrafloral nectaries (EFNs), plant glands that secrete nectar and are located outside the flower. EFNs typically defend plants indirectly by attracting invertebrate predators who reduce herbivory. METHODS Records of EFNs published over the last 135 years were compiled. After accounting for changes in taxonomy, phylogenetic comparative methods were used to evaluate patterns of EFN evolution, using a phylogeny of over 55 000 species of vascular plants. Using comparisons of parametric and non-parametric models, the true number of species with EFNs likely to exist beyond the current list was estimated. KEY RESULTS To date, EFNs have been reported in 3941 species representing 745 genera in 108 families, about 1-2 % of vascular plant species and approx. 21 % of families. They are found in 33 of 65 angiosperm orders. Foliar nectaries are known in four of 36 fern families. Extrafloral nectaries are unknown in early angiosperms, magnoliids and gymnosperms. They occur throughout monocotyledons, yet most EFNs are found within eudicots, with the bulk of species with EFNs being rosids. Phylogenetic analyses strongly support the repeated gain and loss of EFNs across plant clades, especially in more derived dicot families, and suggest that EFNs are found in a minimum of 457 independent lineages. However, model selection methods estimate that the number of unreported cases of EFNs may be as high as the number of species already reported. CONCLUSIONS EFNs are widespread and evolutionarily labile traits that have repeatedly evolved a remarkable number of times in vascular plants. Our current understanding of the phylogenetic patterns of EFNs makes them powerful candidates for future work exploring the drivers of their evolutionary origins, shifts, and losses.
Relationship of Ion Channel Activity to Control of Myometrial Calcium

This article reviews the contribution of ion channels to membrane potential, the ion channels expressed in myometrium, and the effect of ion channel activity on the control of myometrial intracellular free calcium. Plasma membranes constitute barriers to permeability that establish concentration gradients of ions inside versus outside the cell. Na+, CA2+, and Cl- are normally in higher concentration outside than inside cells, whereas K+ is higher inside. In myometrium, Ca2+ entry into cells mediates myometrial membrane potential changes and serves as the internal signal for contraction. K+ efflux is thought to promote repolarization after an action potential and to participate in setting the resting membrane potential. Ions cross the cell membrane through channels that have different regulated properties and selectivities. Ion movement has been measured by a number of techniques, including radiolabeled ion flux, use of intracellular indicators, and patch-clamp methodology. A number of myometrial Ca2+ channels have been described, including voltage-regulated L-type channels and Ca2+ entry in response to intracellular Ca2+ store depletion. Fast Na+ channels may contribute to cation entry late in pregnancy. K+ channels in myometrium include Ca(2+)-activated channels, a delayed rectifier, and an inward rectifier. A Ca(2+)-activated Cl- channel is also present in myometrium. In addition to being regulated by Ca2+, the activity of a number of these channels can be regulated by uterine contractants and relaxants. Regulation of ion channel activity can affect intracellular free Ca2+ concentrations in the myometrium. Therefore, control of ion channel activity represents one of several approaches for controlling myometrial contractile activity.
Perinatal hemochromatosis: one disease, several diseases or a spectrum?

A clinicopathologic picture of severe neonatal liver disease associated with heavy stainable iron stores in a “hemochromatotic” distribution has been designated as neonatal or perinatal iron storage disease or hemochromatosis. In an attempt to determine the specificity of these findings, we determined the amount and distribution of stainable iron in four groups of autopsied infants: those with severe subacute/chronic liver disease of undetermined etiology, those with subacute/chronic liver disease of known etiology, those with severe acute liver disease, and those with no liver disease. Fourteen of 15 infants with severe subacute/chronic liver disease of unknown etiology showed heavy iron accumulation in a hemochromatotic distribution in more than one organ, in contrast to only one of 37 cases in the other three groups. The findings are compatible with the possibility that the combination of morphologic findings defines a single disease entity (of currently unknown etiology), and also with the possibility that this disease entity is specific only to the extent of establishing a relationship between severe early (in utero) liver injury and a hemochromatotic distribution of iron in multiple organs.
A new computational method for cable theory problems

We discuss a new computational procedure for solving the linear cable equation on a tree of arbitrary geometry. The method is based on a simple set of diagrammatic rules implemented using an efficient computer algorithm. Unlike most other methods, this technique is particularly useful for determining the short-time behavior of the membrane potential. Examples are presented and the convergence and accuracy of the method are discussed.
[Urinary peptides and calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis, a combined approach: MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and MicroBCA Protein Assay].

BACKGROUND Urinary lithiasis is one of the most common benign urological diseases. There is growing evidence that a delicate equilibrium regulated by the function of proteins, soluble peptides, membrane proteins and intracellular mechanisms actually exists. We have studied the urinary protein composition of patients affected by calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis in order to discover a biomarker or any predisposing factors. METHODS The urinary protein composition of 17 patients (11 males, 6 females; mean age 45yrs ± 14SD), affected by calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis, was assessed in comparison with 17 healthy subjects. A qualitative assay was performed using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry in a spectrum between 1 and 5kDa (medium size peptides), and a numerical (quantitative) assay using specific filters and MicroBCA Protein Assay. RESULTS No differences were detected in the mass spectrums between patients and control subjects: all peaks overlapped perfectly. The results of the numerical assay suggest that concentrations of protein species <5kDa in control samples were actually higher than those which were found in patients. The differences are statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS The study detected neither a biomarker nor any predisposing factors in "stone former" patients. The assessment of the results obtained, in terms of quantitative differences, indicate the need for further research.
Racial Disparities in Income Security for a Cohort of Aging American Women

In this analysis we examine how women'sfamily and employment choices are linked to differences in financial security as they age. Previous research has tested theories of growing inequality, decreasing inequality, or maintained inequality as cohorts transition into old age. We assess these hypothesesfor older women and emphasize the heterogeneity in women's experiences, particularly differences in income security among women by race. Ourfindings indicate that, although marriage offers women considerablefinancial protection, their own employment was also a key to their security and reduced the rate at which income security decayed as they entered old age. This increased the variation in outcomes relative to initial positions. Whereas marriage provided more securityfor white women, employment gave a greater boost to black women.
Monoclonal Antibody Biosensor for Antigen Monitoring

Abstract A new class of fully reversible biosensors, utilizing a layer of monoclonal antibodies trapped at the sensing surface of an immobilized-antigen membrane, is shown to be suited for continuous monitoring of antigen levels. The model sensor described gives a potentiometric response to the hapten 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) at micromolar concentration levels through competitive interaction with monoclonal anti-DNP antibodies held within the sensor tip. The proposed design yields a reusable, reagentless antigen sensor with good analytical precision and an operating lifetime of at least 17 days.
A Formalism for Calculating the Evaporation Rates of Rapidly Evaporating Interacting Particles

Abstract The transport equations governing the quasi-steady vapor density and temperature fields surrounding rapidly evaporating interacting spherical particles are reduced to the Laplace equation by using suitable variable transformations. Once reduced to this form, these equations can be solved by the method of images. This method is a fairly general one for solving the Laplace equation and can be applied to particle arrays consisting of an arbitrary number of arbitrarily arranged interacting particles which may differ in size and chemical composition. Interactions are shown to significantly affect particle evaporation rates even at large particle separations. For the arrays considered, however, particle temperatures are found to be unaffected by interactions.
The Hidden Curriculum Candidate Diversity in Educational Leadership Preparation

The authors describe a process of self-assessment attuned to equity and justice in the policies and practices that affect student diversity, namely, those associated with the selection of candidates. The disproportionate rate of rejection for applicants from underrepresented groups and the unsystematic process of applicant selection operated as hidden curriculum affecting the opportunities for the program to enhance meaningful relationships among diverse groups of students. The authors describe institutional and sociopolitical conditions, and individual actions reflecting a faculty’s will to policy. Faculty efforts supported and challenged systemic change to increase racial and ethnic diversity among aspiring educational administrators.
Viral reassortment and transmission after co-infection of pigs with classical H1N1 and triple-reassortant H3N2 swine influenza viruses

Triple-reassortant swine influenza viruses circulating in North American pigs contain the internal genes derived from swine (matrix, non-structural and nucleoprotein), human [polymerase basic 1 (PB1)] and avian (polymerase acidic and PB2) influenza viruses forming a constellation of genes that is well conserved and is called the triple-reassortant internal gene (TRIG) cassette. In contrast, the external genes [haemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA)] are less conserved, reflecting multiple reassortant events that have produced viruses with different combinations of HA and NA genes. This study hypothesized that maintenance of the TRIG cassette confers a selective advantage to the virus. To test this hypothesis, pigs were co-infected with the triple-reassortant H3N2 A/Swine/Texas/4199-2/98 (Tx/98) and the classical H1N1 A/Swine/Iowa/15/1930 viruses and co-housed with a group of sentinel animals. This direct contact group was subsequently moved into contact with a second group of naive animals. Four different subtypes (H1N1, H1N2, H3N1 and H3N2) of influenza virus were identified in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid collected from the lungs of the experimentally infected pigs, with most of the viruses containing TRIG from the Tx/98 virus. Interestingly, only the intact H3N2 Tx/98 virus was transmitted from the infected pigs to the direct-contact animals and from them to the second contact group of pigs. These results demonstrated that multiple reassortments can occur within a host; however, only specific gene constellations are readily transmissible. It was concluded that certain HA and NA gene pairs, in conjunction with the TRIG cassette, may have a competitive advantage over other combinations for transmission and maintenance in swine.
Disruption of thalamic functional connectivity is a neural correlate of dexmedetomidine-induced unconsciousness

Understanding the neural basis of consciousness is fundamental to neuroscience research. Disruptions in cortico-cortical connectivity have been suggested as a primary mechanism of unconsciousness. By using a novel combination of positron emission tomography and functional magnetic resonance imaging, we studied anesthesia-induced unconsciousness and recovery using the α2-agonist dexmedetomidine. During unconsciousness, cerebral metabolic rate of glucose and cerebral blood flow were preferentially decreased in the thalamus, the Default Mode Network (DMN), and the bilateral Frontoparietal Networks (FPNs). Cortico-cortical functional connectivity within the DMN and FPNs was preserved. However, DMN thalamo-cortical functional connectivity was disrupted. Recovery from this state was associated with sustained reduction in cerebral blood flow and restored DMN thalamo-cortical functional connectivity. We report that loss of thalamo- cortical functional connectivity is sufficient to produce unconsciousness.
Calpain Inhibitors as Therapeutic Agents in Nerve and Muscle Degeneration

It seems plausible to hypothesize that in all forms of neurodegeneration or other forms of tissue degeneration, a common pathway exists that, when deciphered, could lead to our understanding of a variety of diseases that result in tissue necrosis, as well as offer potential for therapeutic intervention. In recent years progress toward elucidating this common pathway has been accelerated through the studies of a number of laboratories, including our own, on the role of the protease calpain in this process. Thus, in a variety of disorders, such as stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic nerve injury, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease, muscular dystrophy, cataract formation, unregulated calpain proteolysis, initiated via dysregulation of calcium ion homeostasis, participates in the pathogenesis and is a potentially unifying mechanistic event. In order to demonstrate the feasibility of the approach we have taken in using the calpain inhibitor leupeptin as a therapeutic agent, I will describe two areas of research in which we have been engaged over the past 20 years. One is our long-standing interest in muscular dystrophy. The other is of more recent vintage, and involves the use of calpain inhibitors to protect sensory hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons from damage associated with acoustic trauma, this latter in collaboration with Dr. R. Salvi at SUNY-Buffalo and Dr. A. Shulman at SUNY-Downstate.
Lubricin surface modification improves extrasynovial tendon gliding in a canine model in vitro.

Background:Lubricin is the principal lubricant in synovial fluid. Although lubricin has been identified in tendons, especially on the surface of intrasynovial tendons such as the flexor digitorum profundus tendon, its ability to improve tendon gliding is unknown. The purpose of this study was to inv
Effects of a DVD-Delivered Exercise Intervention on Physical Function in Older Adults

Exercise training has been reliably demonstrated to enhance function in older adults (1–3) and to confer a protective effect for functional limitations and disability (4–6). Typically, functional performance has been assessed by measures of strength, mobility, and balance, all of which have been associated with disability, morbidity, and mortality (7,8). For example, an analysis of nine combined cohort studies reported gait speed over as little as 4 m to be predictive of increased survival odds in older adults (8). Gait speed combined with assessments of balance and chair stands form the basis of the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB; 9–11), a measure of physical function. The SPPB has predicted nursing home admission and mortality (9), as well as mobility and disability up to 4 years later in older community-dwelling adults. The Lifestyles Interventions and Independence for Elders Pilot study (2), a comprehensive program consisting of titrated supervised exercise training and 10 weeks of group-based behavioral counseling, provided the first evidence in a randomized controlled setting that SPPB scores could be improved in older adults at risk for disability. Although such evidence is impressive, the majority of older adults in the population are largely inactive with only 25% of men and 20% of women aged 65 years and older meeting public health recommendations (12). Although center-based interventions have been successful in improving functional performance in older adults, such approaches can be costly, have limited reach, can be difficult to implement, and are often not generalizable (13). Therefore, low-cost, broad-reaching, and innovative approaches to delivering physical activity programs are needed. One contemporary delivery approach for exercise training is by DVD. Exercise DVDs witnessed an annual growth of 11.2% over the past 5 years with revenue of $264.4 million (14). Importantly, more than 20% of these DVDs are purchased by older adults (14). In spite of this popularity, there is no empirical evidence to determine whether DVD exercise programs are safe and effective or, importantly, whether they can improve physical function in community-dwelling older adults. The current trial was designed to test the effectiveness of a home-based, 6-month, DVD-delivered exercise program focusing on flexibility, toning, and balance on physical function in older adults compared with an attentional control condition using a health aging DVD. It was hypothesized that the participants in the DVD exercise condition would improve functional performance and reduce functional limitations across the trial period.
Interference-aware QoS routing (IQRouting) for ad-hoc networks

Traditional distributed algorithms for QoS routing in wired networks may not work in the ad-hoc domain, due to interference between links. We propose a heuristic interference-aware QoS routing algorithm (IQRouting) that chooses candidate paths based on localized information at the source nodes. The candidate paths are compared in a distributed manner using probe packets, with the best path confirmed by the destination node. Simulations demonstrate significant (up to 30 %) improvements in admission ratio over traditional shortest path algorithms, and better performance than other QoS routing algorithms in literature as well
The development of aspectual marking in child Mandarin Chinese

Cross-linguistic research on the development of tense-aspect marking has revealed a strong effect of lexical aspect. But the degree of this effect varies across languages. Explanation for this universal tendency and language-specific variation is still an open issue. This study investigates the early emergence and subsequent development of four grammatical aspect markers in Mandarin, -le (perfective), zai (progressive), -zhe (durative), and -guo (experiential), in the longitudinal speech data of four children acquiring Mandarin Chinese. It was found that the emergence of grammatical aspect marking generally follows the predictions of the aspect hypothesis, perfective -le predominantly appearing with telic verbs, whereas progressive zai is almost exclusively used with activity verbs. However, the typological features of Mandarin also affect the early uses of -le, which is used with stative predicates more frequently than predicted, and the input patterns play an important role in children's aspect marking. The results support a usage-based learning process in accord with a language-specific system of aspectual semantics, rather than a strong universal association of grammatical aspect and lexical aspect.
Electro-Olfactogram and Multiunit Olfactory Receptor Responses to Binary and Trinary Mixtures of Amino Acids in the Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus

In vivo electrophysiological recordings from populations of olfactory receptor neurons in the channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, clearly showed that responses to binary and trinary mixtures of amino acids were predictable with knowledge obtained from previous cross-adaptation studies of the relative independence of the respective binding sites of the component stimuli. All component stimuli, from which equal aliquots were drawn to form the mixtures, were adjusted in concentration to provide for approximately equal response magnitudes. The magnitude of the response to a mixture whose component amino acids showed significant cross-reactivity was equivalent to the response to any single component used to form that mixture. A mixture whose component amino acids showed minimal cross-adaptation produced a significantly larger relative response than a mixture whose components exhibited considerable cross-reactivity. This larger response approached the sum of the responses to the individual component amino acids tested at the resulting concentrations in the mixture, even though olfactory receptor dose-response functions for amino acids in this species are characterized by extreme sensory compression (i.e., successive concentration increments produce progressively smaller physiological responses). Thus, the present study indicates that the response to sensory stimulation of olfactory receptor sites is more enhanced by the activation of different receptor site types than by stimulus interaction at a single site type.
Extending OpenMP for heterogeneous chip multiprocessors

The emergence of system-on-chip (SOC) design shows the growing popularity of the integration of multiple-processors into one chip. We propose that high-level abstraction of parallel programming like OpenMP is suitable for chip multiprocessors. For SOCs, the heterogeneity exists within one chip such that it may have different types of multiprocessors, e.g. RISC-like processors or DSP-like processors. Incorporating different processors into OpenMP is challenging. We present our solutions to extend OpenMP directives to tackle this heterogeneity. Several optimization techniques are proposed to utilize advanced architecture features of our target SOC, the software scalable system on chip (3SoC). Preliminary performance evaluation shows scalable speedup using different types of processors and performance improvement through individual optimization.
Internet-purchased ibogaine toxicity confirmed with serum, urine, and product content levels.

UNLABELLED Ibogaine, a psychotropic indole alkaloid, is gaining popularity among medical subcultures for its purported anti addictive properties. Its use has been associated with altered mental status, ataxia, gastrointestinal distress, ventricular arrhythmias, and sudden and unexplained deaths.Its pharmacokinetics in toxic states is not well understood. Case report:A 33-year-old man overdosed on ibogaine in an attempt to quit his use of heroin. He developed altered state of consciousness, tremor, ataxia,nausea, vomiting, and transient QT interval prolongation, which all remitted as he cleared the substance. Ibogaine was confirmed in his urine and serum with a peak serum concentration of 377 ng/mL. Nonlinear elimination kinetics and a formula match to its active metabolite noriobgaine were observed as well. CONCLUSION This case presents the unique description of serial serum concentrations as well as urine and product-confirmed ibogaine toxicity with transient toxin-related QT interval prolongation.
State Lotteries for Public Revenue

Lotteries, the state fiscal gimmick of the eighties, operate in jurisdictions encompassing substantially more than half the nation's population and enjoy considerable public acceptance. The revenue they generate is small, rarely more than two percent of state general revenue, it is subject to major year-to-year swings, and it is very expensive to generate, particularly when vendor commissions are recognized as part of cost. Furthermore, lotteries bear a high implicit excise tax rate and, because of the pattern of play across income classes, appears to worsen the overall equity of the revenue system. Their economic impact appears to be that of an internal transfer, although states with major lottery equipment suppliers have most to gain, particularly if they do not operate their own lottery. Lotteries are not destined to become mainstays of government finance, although their spread is likely, even with the fiscal questions they raise.
Techniques of VATS lobectomy.

Despite the objections of some zealots, there is clearly more than one way to successfully complete a video-assisted thoracoscopic or “VATS” lobectomy, and further refinements to the technique are added yearly. Most thoracic surgeons would define VATS lobectomy as one in which the dissection is completed with reliance on a video image, without the use of a retractor to spread the ribs and increase the width of the intercostal spaces. The actual number, location and aggregate length of the involved incisions are largely a matter of surgeon preference.
Perceptual quality feedback based progressive frame-level refreshing for robust video communication

This paper proposes an encoder side error resilience technique, namely the progressive group of picture (PGOP), which is well suited for rate controlled real-time video transmission over wireless channels. The PGOP scheme can be seen as an alternative approach, to the group of picture (GOP) that uses periodic frames (I-frames) for low bit-rate channels. This is because: (1) the PGOP scheme can completely stop error propagation in a timely manner; (2) the PGOP scheme avoids the bit rate unevenness problem of I-frames by a progressive intra-updating method and further applies the PGOP scheme in a novel video perceptual quality feedback framework, and design an on-line algorithm both to help shape the bit rate and to explore the maximum, recovery capability of PGOP. The performance of our scheme is demonstrated in a wireless LAN channel. It is to be noted that the PGOP am additionally provide the random access functionality and the technique is applicable to all inter frame based video standards, e.g.. MPEG-4.
An accurate method of neglecting dynamic saliency of synchronous machines in power electronic based systems

In this paper, motivations for neglecting dynamic saliency in detailed models of power electronic-based systems are presented. A new method of neglecting dynamic saliency is introduced in which approximate operational impedances are derived from original dynamic salient models. New machine parameters are obtained by fitting to the approximate impedance curves, yielding model parameters in which dynamic saliency is eliminated. An example synchronous machine/converter system is provided that demonstrates the accuracy and increased simulation efficiency resulting from this technique. Therein, errors resulting from neglecting dynamic saliency are reduced from greater than 25% using traditional approximations to less than 0.6%. In addition, simulations using the new approximate model are greater than 48% faster than simulations based upon the original dynamic salient model.
Mapping talk about the mathematics register in a secondary mathematics teacher study group

Abstract The mathematics register refers to the forms of meaning and styles of communication used by the mathematics disciplinary community. Many mathematics education scholars have attended to this idea, yet it has gotten little attention in secondary mathematics teacher education. Work related to content-based literacy points to potential benefits for an increased focus on the mathematics register because an important role of teachers is to assist students in developing facility with the mathematics register in order to support students’ learning. This study examines the ways in which a group of secondary mathematics teachers talked about the mathematics register over the course of a year-long study group focused on mathematics classroom discourse. In particular, we analyze the study-group discourse to identify themes and shifts in the ways the teachers collectively made sense of the mathematics register. We found that they used two particular discourse practices to make sense of the mathematics register and that they came to discuss the mathematics register as more than specialized vocabulary.
Nutrient stress and gall flies interact to affect floral-sex ratio in gynomonoecious Solidago altissima (Asteraceae)

A main tenet of sex-allocation theory is that environmental stress should lead to increased maleness because reproducing through pollen is generally cheaper than producing fruits and seeds. Though this prediction has held for many species, it has been little tested for gynomonoecious plants, in which individuals produce both female and perfect flowers. We exposed eight ramets of each of 22 genets of a gynomonoecious goldenrod, Solidago altissima (Asteraceae), to a factorial combination of nutrient stress and herbivory by the gall-inducer Eurosta solidaginis (Tephritidae). Nutrient stress alone increased relative femaleness: Stressed ramets produced fewer flowers total and a higher ratio of ray (female) flowers to disk (perfect) flowers. Galling caused no change in fertilized ramets, but the combination of nutrient stress and galling caused an increase in relative maleness: Nutrient-stressed, galled ramets produced fewer flowers total and had a higher disk to ray ratio. In addition to being phenotypically plastic, floral-sex ratio had a great deal of genetic variation, with a broad-sense heritability of 0.68. While the floral-sex ratio responses of gynomonoecious plants may be more complicated than for plants of other breeding systems, they offer the potential to test and refine the already rich body of sex-allocation theory.
Robot juggling: implementation of memory-based learning

Issues involved in implementing robot learning for a challenging dynamic task are explored in this article, using a case study from robot juggling. We use a memory-based local modeling approach (locally weighted regression) to represent a learned model of the task to be performed. Statistical tests are given to examine the uncertainty of a model, to optimize its prediction quality, and to deal with noisy and corrupted data. We develop an exploration algorithm that explicitly deals with prediction accuracy requirements during exploration. Using all these ingredients in combination with methods from optimal control, our robot achieves fast real-time learning of the task within 40 to 100 trials. >
On design of time optimal systems via the second method of Lyapunov

Two theorems with applications are presented in this paper. It is shown that a particular application of the second method of Lyapunov yields the time optimal solution to the feedback design problem for a class of systems satisfying conditions of Theorem 1. Theorem 2 can be used to design a class of feedback systems satisfying any given settling time in terms of initial perturbations of the plant.
Cultural Proximity and Audience Behavior: The Role of Language in Patterns of Polarization and Multicultural Fluency

Cultural proximity is a multidimensional concept, most often used to explain media preferences across national boundaries. The present study extends the construct, revealing its power to explain audience formation within a multicultural society. Portable People Meter data from Arbitron, Inc., was used to compare patterns of television and radio use across Spanish-speaking Hispanics, English-speaking Hispanics, and non-Hispanics in Houston, Texas. The results indicate that language preferences play a powerful role in determining audience behavior. Furthermore, while English-speaking Hispanics exhibit multicultural fluency, the other two populations show evidence of cultural polarization.
Line Item Veto Act of 1996: Heads-up from the States

This article reflects on the passage of the Line Item Veto Act of 1996 and the impact it is likely to have on the three branches of the federal government. It does this by reviewing the experiences of various states, thereby revealing the creative tactics that legislatures undertake to subvert governmental item-veto powers. In addition, it shows that the state courts, which are often ill-equipped to decide complex fiscal and procedural issues, have both diluted and strengthened item-veto powers. In the final analysis, the article questions the ability of the Act to increase public accountability.
Autophagy in Macrophages: Impacting Inflammation and Bacterial Infection

Macrophages are on the front line of host defense. They possess an array of germline-encoded pattern recognition receptors/sensors (PRRs) that recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and which activate downstream effectors/pathways to help mediate innate immune responses and host defense. Innate immune responses include the rapid induction of transcriptional networks that trigger the production of cytokines, chemokines, and cytotoxic molecules; the mobilization of cells including neutrophils and other leukocytes; the engulfment of pathogens by phagocytosis and their delivery to lysosome for degradation; and the induction of autophagy. Autophagy is a catabolic process that normally maintains cellular homeostasis in a lysosome-dependent manner, but it also functions as a cytoprotective response that intersects with a variety of general stress-response pathways. This review focuses on the intimately linked molecular mechanisms that help govern the autophagic pathway and macrophage innate immune responses.
A singularity method for calculating time-dependent viscoelastic flows with integral constitutive equations

A new method is introduced for calculating time-dependent, non-Newtonian flows of fluids described by integral constitutive equations. The starting point for the method is the integral form of the solution to the equation sof motion, valid in the limit of low Reynolds number. Because of the non-Newtonian nature of the fluid, this solution includes an integral over the domain of the flow, which is not present in boundary integral methods. This integral over the fluid volume (in three dimensions) or area (in two dimensions) is converted to a Lagrangian reference frame, and discretized for numerical evaluation. Because points in the integrand move with the fluid velocity, values of the non-Newtonian portion of the stress can be found by integrating the deformation at those points in conjunction with a suitable integral constitutive equation. The contribution to the total velocity field of the non-Newtonian stress at each fluid element is that of a point dipole, and the method bears many similarities to the point-vortex method for calculating inviscid flows. Like the point-vortex method, it is necessary to introduce cutoff functions that remove the singular nature of the dipole–dipole interactions. In addition, to render the method computationally feasible, the interactions between the dipoles must be calculated by the fast-multipole method or some comparable approach. Methods for calculating cutoff functions and implementing the fast multipole method are discussed, and simulation results are presented for one- and two-phase time-dependent flows of viscoelastic fluids between eccentric and concentric rotating cylinders.
Pediatric burns: Kids' Inpatient Database vs the National Burn Repository

OBJECTIVE: Burn injuries are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in young children. The Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) and National Burn Repository (NBR) are two large national databases that can be used to evaluate outcomes and help quality improvement in burn care. Differences in the design of the KID and NBR could lead to differing results affecting resultant conclusions and quality improvement programs. This study was designed to validate the use of KID for burn epidemiologic studies, as an adjunct to the NBR. METHODS: Using the KID (2003, 2006, and 2009), a total of 17,300 nonelective burn patients younger than 20 y old were identified. Data from 13,828 similar patients were collected from the NBR. Outcome variables were compared between the two databases. RESULTS: Comparisons revealed similar patient distribution by gender, race, and burn size. Inhalation injury was more common among the NBR patients and was associated with increased mortality. The rates of respiratory failure, wound infection, cellulitis, sepsis, and urinary tract infection were higher in the KID. Multiple regression analysis adjusting for potential confounders demonstrated similar mortality rate but significantly longer length of stay for patients in the NBR. CONCLUSIONS: Despite differences in the design and sampling of the KID and NBR, the overall demographic and mortality results are similar. The differences in complication rate and length of stay should be explored by further studies to clarify underlying causes. Investigations into these differences should also better inform strategies to improve burn prevention and treatment.Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Language: en
Haptic interaction with three-dimensional bitmapped virtual environments.

In this thesis, I describe the design and implementation of a system integrating a force-reflecting haptic interface, the PHANToM, with a high-powered computer designed to efficiently compute cellular automata, the CAM-8. My goal was to build a system to allow users to interact with three-dimensional bitmapped simulations running on the CAM. Such simulations are far more computationally complex than can currently be computed on the PHANToM host. This system can also provide an intuitive user interface for manipulating data within CAM simulations. Methods for coping with network and computational latencies are described, and example applications are evaluated to explore the effectiveness of the system. Thesis Supervisor: Norman Margolus Title: Research Affiliate, MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory
Phase Relationships Between Segmentally Organized Oscillators in the Leech Heartbeat Pattern Generating Network

Motor pattern generating networks that produce segmentally distributed motor outflow are often portrayed as a series of coupled segmental oscillators that produce a regular progression (constant ph...
Role of Kynurenine Pathway in Gastrointestinal Diseases

In the course of obtaining nutrients from the environment to sustain life, the gastrointestinal (GI) tract encounters a myriad diversity of foreign antigens, microbiota, and environmental toxins. To maintain homeostasis in this setting, the GI mucosal immune system employs a multitude of techniques to distinguish the helpful from harmful. Recent studies reveal amino acid metabolism pathways as an integral mechanism to maintaining homeostasis at the mucosal interface. Tryptophan metabolism along the kynurenine pathway in particular is now recognized as an important feature of both GI inflammation and malignancy. Indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO1), the most prevalent of the tryptophan catabolizing enzymes, is expressed widely across tissues and cell types within the GI tract. This chapter will address the current knowledge of kynurenine pathway functions in the diseased GI tract and highlight the potential benefits of exploiting this pathway for therapeutic purposes.
Interactions of Hessian Fly (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) Biotypes on Resistant Wheat

Seedlings of four wheat cultivars were infested with virulent and avirulent Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor (Say), biotypes. The presence of a single virulent larva resulted in an alteration of resistance in the plant, allowing survival of all normally avirulent larvae that concurrently or subsequently infested the plant. This phenomenon makes possible the genetic loading of a fly population with potentially large numbers of avirulence genes and could, in part, account for the durability of resistance genes following the release of flyresistant wheat germ plasm in agricultural systems. Previous infestation with avirulent larvae did not affect the plants' susceptibility to subsequent infestation by virulent biotypes.
The Study of Marxism Sinolization from the Perspective of World History

The academic circles study Marxism sinolization mainly from the perspective of China at present.With the changes of the times and the innovation of practice,it becomes the self-conscious pursuit to study Marxism sinolization from the perspective of world history.Thereby the research pattern covering the visual angle of world-history and that of China will be established.
Upper Ordovician Gastropoda from west-central Alaska

A brachiopod-gastropod assemblage of Late Ordovician age from the Lone Mountain area, McGrath quadrangle, west-central Alaska contains 15 species of gastropods including Pseu- docryptaenia? majewskei n. sp. and Trochonemella churkini n. sp. In addition to the typical Ordovician gastropods present, such as Maclurites, three genera previously known only from the Silurian were recovered: Euomphalopterus, Pseudophorus, and Oriostoma?. The fauna is from strata that have been interpreted by some as being allochthonous in relation to cratonic North America. The paleobiogeographic affinities of the gastropods are not conclusive by themselves, but are consistent with our view, supported by the paleobiogeographic affinities of other Paleozoic faunas of the region and lithofacies analysis and paleomagnetism, that these strata are part of a southwest-trending miogeoclinal belt that extends along the Paleozoic North American continental margin from Canada and east-central Alaska across the Tintina Fault into southwestern and Interior
Keynote presentation 1: Enhancing service facility reliability against the threat of disruptions

While planning service networks to serve spatially distributed customers, we consider the case where built facilities are subject to probabilistic failure (due to reasons such as adverse weather or disasters). If a facility fails, its customers either lose service or incur higher costs. We focus on planning facility location as well as customer service strategies in the context of logistics systems, and the goal is to minimize the expected system costs under normal and failure scenarios. We start with the case where site-specific and independent facility disruptions may occur when services are delivered via either direct visits or vehicle routing. Then we show recent extensions where facility disruptions exhibit positive and/or negative spatial correlations (e.g. when facilities are exposed to similar hazards or share the same support infrastructure). We will present compact mixed-integer program models that can be solved by customized algorithms based on relaxation and decomposition, and ways to address the challenge of correlation. We will also briefly explain continuum approximation models that not only serve as an effective way to find near-optimum solutions for large-scale systems, but also help provide managerial insights.