cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimum PWM waveforms of a microprocessor controlled inverter

Microprocessors eliminate the need to use PWM techniques which are easily implemented with hardware for inverter control. A search is thus made for an optimum technique regardless of complexity. Several techniques including a new one which minimizes distortion in an RL load are compared analytically and experimentally. A microprocessor-controlled inverter was built to implement these techniques. The new technique is suggested as a possible method of optimal adaptive inverter control.
Subtropical North Atlantic Temperatures 60,000 to 30,000 Years Ago

A reconstruction of sea surface temperature based on alkenone unsaturation ratios in sediments of the Bermuda Rise provides a detailed record of subtropical climate from 60,000 to 30,000 years ago. Northern Sargasso Sea temperatures changed repeatedly by 2 degrees to 5 degrees C, covarying with high-latitude temperatures that were previously inferred from Greenland ice cores. The largest temperature increases were comparable in magnitude to the full glacial-Holocene warming at the site. Abrupt cold reversals of 3 degrees to 5 degrees C, lasting less than 250 years, occurred during the onset of two such events (Greenland interstadials 8 and 12), suggesting that the largest, most rapid warmings were especially unstable.
Translating frontiers into practice: Taking the next steps toward improving hospital efficiency

Frontier techniques, including data envelopment analysis (DEA) and stochastic frontier analysis (SFA), have been used to measure health care provider efficiency in hundreds of published studies. Although these methods have the potential to be useful to decision makers, their utility is limited by both methodological questions concerning their application, as well as some disconnect between the information they provide and the insight sought by decision makers. The articles in this special issue focus on the application of DEA and SFA to hospitals with the hope of making these techniques more accurate and accessible to end users. This introduction to the special issue highlights the importance of measuring the efficiency of health care providers, provides a background on frontier techniques, contains an overview of the articles in the special issue, and suggests a research agenda for DEA and SFA.
NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL MIXED CONVECTION HEAT TRANSFER FROM AN ARRAY OF DISCRETE HEAT SOURCES IN A HORIZONTAL RECTANGULAR DUCT

Using a vectorized finite-difference marching technique, the steady-state continuity, momentum, and energy equations are solved numerically to evaluate the effects of buoyancy-induced secondary flow on forced flow in a horizontal rectangular duel with a four-row array of 12 neat sources flush mounted to the bottom wall. Secondary flows, in the form of longitudinal vortices, initially develop at spanwise positions corresponding to the edges of the heat sources. Additional plumes and vortices subsequently develop across the heater width, leading to the eventual formation of large-scale circulation patterns. For a fixed Rayleigh number and decreasing Reynolds number, the row-average Nussell numbers decrease, reach a minimum, and subsequently increase due to buoyancy effects. Thus, due to buoyancy-induced secondary flow, conditions exist for which heat transfer may be enhanced by reducing the flow rate and hence the pump power requirement. Heal transfer enhancement above the forced convection limit, as well a...
Efficacy and safety of extended release oxybutynin for the treatment of urge incontinence: an analysis of data from 3 flexible dosing studies

ABSTRACTPurpose: We assessed the efficacy and safety of extended release (ER) oxybutynin at individualized doses for urge urinary incontinence.Materials and Methods: Data were combined from 3 flexible dosing studies of a total of 420 patients with urge urinary incontinence or mixed incontinence in whom ER oxybutynin dose adjustments were made to achieve the optimal balance between efficacy and tolerability, as judged by each participant. Individual doses were adjusted in 5 mg increments across a dose range of 5 to 30 mg daily. Efficacy was assessed during maintenance therapy using a 7-day diary.Results: Data on 368 patients who completed dose adjustment were included in the analysis. In 47% of patients the preferred dose was greater than 10 mg daily. Individualized doses of ER oxybutynin produced a 79.3% decrease from baseline in the total of all incontinence episodes and an 83.2% decrease in urge episodes. Of patients 81% achieved a decrease of at least 70% in all incontinence episodes and 43% achieved t...
Cellular Protection Mechanisms against Extracellular Heme HEME-HEMOPEXIN, BUT NOT FREE HEME, ACTIVATES THE N-TERMINAL c-Jun KINASE

Hemopexin protects cells lacking hemopexin receptors by tightly binding heme abrogating its deleterious effects and preventing nonspecific heme uptake, whereas cells with hemopexin receptors undergo a series of cellular events upon encountering heme-hemopexin. The biochemical responses to heme-hemopexin depend on its extracellular concentration and range from stimulation of cell growth at low levels to cell survival at otherwise toxic levels of heme. High (2-10 microM) but not low (0.01-1 microM) concentrations of heme-hemopexin increase, albeit transiently, the protein carbonyl content of mouse hepatoma (Hepa) cells. This is due to events associated with heme transport since cobalt-protoporphyrin IX-hemopexin, which binds to the receptor and activates signaling pathways without tetrapyrrole transport, does not increase carbonyl content. The N-terminal c-Jun kinase (JNK) is rapidly activated by 2-10 microM heme-hemopexin, yet the increased intracellular heme levels are neither toxic nor apoptotic. After 24 h exposure to 10 microM heme-hemopexin, Hepa cells become refractory to the growth stimulation seen with 0.1-0.75 microM heme-hemopexin but HO-1 remains responsive to induction by heme-hemopexin. Since free heme does not induce JNK, the signaling events, like phosphorylation of c-Jun via activation of JNK as well as the nuclear translocation of NFkappaB, G2/M arrest, and increased expression of p53 and of the cell cycle inhibitor p21(WAF1/CIP1/SDI1) generated by heme-hemopexin appear to be of paramount importance in cellular protection by heme-hemopexin.
Photothermal ionization fourier transform spectroscopy of shallow donor states in III–V semiconductors

Abstract The technique of photothermal ionization Fourir transform spectroscopy of shallow donors is very useful for the detection and identification of residual impurity species in very high purity compound semiconductors, especially GaAs. However, the use of this technique in less pure or intentionally doped samples has resulted many incorrect impurity identifications. In this paper we show how the photothermal ionization spectra change with impurity concentration, thickness, and magnetic field, and present a model of the dielectric response of shallow impurity states which explains many of the previously anomalous results.
Instability in simple shear deformations of strain-softening materials

Abstract A quasistatic stability analysis is performed for the problem of a strain-softening material undergoing dynamic one-dimensional simple shear. This analysis is basically algebraic in nature and deals strictly with the underlying linearized problem. A simple algebraic criterion for the onset of instability is developed. An application of the criterion to two steels is then made and compared with experimental data, and qualitative agreement is observed. The analysis is then refined in a special case to include the time-dependence of the underlying parallel flow in the stability method. For a simple constitutive assumption of a thermoviscous materials), it is found that the refined analysis can yield a somewhat different stability criterion than the quasistatic analysis. The importance of this for the problem under consideration is also discussed.
Analysis of neuropeptide gene expression by transfection of DNA into cell lines

The transcriptional regulation of neuropeptide genes by cAMP is often directed by a cAMP responsive enhancer (CRE) upstream to the promoter of the genes. The identity of the CRE was determined by transient transfection experiments and has the consensus sequence of 5′-TGACGTCA-3′. A large family of transcription factors have been identified which recognize the CRE. Transient transfection assays that employed expression of these factors driven by viral promoters have determined they can transactivate the neuropeptide gene promoters. Because of the large number of factors that have been identified as being able to recognize the CRE, it has been difficult to determine which factors mediate in vivo the transactivation of a particular CRE. Using a dominant negative mutant of one of these factors, CREB, it has been determined that both CREB as well as other factors which do not interact with CREB may mediate the cAMP response of the somatostatin gene.
Gastrointestinal stromal tumours: origin and molecular oncology

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) are a paradigm for the development of personalized treatment for cancer patients. The nearly simultaneous discovery of a biomarker that is reflective of their origin and the presence of gain-of-function kinase mutations in these tumours set the stage for more accurate diagnosis and the development of kinase inhibitor therapy. Subsequent studies of genotype and phenotype have led to a molecular classification of GIST and to treatment optimization on the basis of molecular subtype. The study of drug-resistant tumours has advanced our understanding of kinase biology, enabling the development of novel kinase inhibitors. Further improvements in GIST treatment may require targeting GIST stem cell populations and/or additional genomic events.
Smart Container Management: Creating value from real-time container security device data

Raytheon and GlobalTrak participated in the European Union's Framework Program 7 (FP7) Smart Container Management (Smart-CM) Project, which strove to demonstrate state-of-the-art tracking and condition monitoring technologies, to explore their integration into value-added services for business and government agencies, and to participate in the development of best practices and standards. Raytheon and GlobalTrak provided 24 GlobalTrak Wedge devices to the three logistics services providers involved in the project: COSCO, DHL, and Kuehne + Nagel. These devices were deployed between October 2010 and July 2011 in a total of 42 trips on seven secure trade lanes between Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Tri-modal (road, rail, and sea) tracking and condition monitoring was successfully demonstrated. The Smart-CM trials successfully provided container security data (geo-tracking and door status), which is of essential interest to Customs authorities. The value-added service sought by both regulatory agencies and commercial operators include security status, estimated time of arrival (ETA), dwell time, breach notification, exception handling, and container location and scheduling. In order to develop a viable, long-term business case for the value-added services required by business and government stakeholders, it will be necessary to integrate Container Security Device (CSD) data with data provided by other players in the supply chain, such as cargo owners, shipping lines, and ports. This challenge could be addressed in a future cooperative EU/US endeavor.
Abstract 4345: Proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib, inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis of medulloblastoma cells

Medulloblastoma is the most common brain tumor in children. Proteasome inhibitors have been reported to inhibit cell proliferation and survival in a variety of tumor cells. Bortezomib (Velcade), an inhibitor of the 26S proteasome, has been approved by FDA to treat multiple myeloma. Here, we investigated effects of bortezomib on human medulloblastoma cells. Bortezomib inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis of Daoy medulloblastoma cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Significantly, a relatively low dose of 10 nM bortezomib effectively inhibited the viability of Daoy cells within 48 h. Bortezomib increased the release of cytochrome C to cytosol, resulting in activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Caspase inhibitor (Z-VAD-FMK) could rescue tumor cells from the cytotoxicity of bortezomib on both cell proliferation and survival. Bortezomib increased expression of the pro-apoptotic protein, Bak, and cleavage of the anti-apoptotic protein, Mcl-1. In addition, bortezomib increased the expression of p21Cip1, a negative regulator of cell cycle progression. Bortezomib also induced the accumulation of phosphorylated I[[Unable to Display Character: ĸ]]Bα in Daoy cells, resulting in inhibition of NF[[Unable to Display Character: ĸ]]B signaling. MG-132, another proteasome inhibitor, had similar effects on Daoy cells. Moreover, bortezomib inhibited the growth of human medulloblastoma cells in a mouse xenograft model. Our data suggest that proteasome inhibitors are promising drugs for the treatment of pediatric medulloblastomas. Note: This abstract was not presented at the AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010 because the presenter was unable to attend. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4345.
Free vibration of an edge-cracked beam with a Dugdale–Barenblatt cohesive zone

Abstract This paper presents a theoretical investigation into the effect of crack-plane plasticity on the vibration of a transversely edge-cracked beam. The crack-plane is presumed to be loaded statically in either bending or shear such that Dugdale–Barenblatt type cohesive zones are activated in the crack-plane ahead of the crack tip. Then the beam undergoes small amplitude vibrations about this state. Euler–Bernoulli beam theory is used for the vibration analysis in which an infinitesimally thin beam element surrounding the crack-plane is replaced with a bending and a shear line-spring. The line-springs by nature account for the discontinuities in slope and deflection, respectively, across the crack-plane. Previous studies of the elastic problem (no cohesive zones) calculate the compliances of the line-springs from tabulated linear elastic fracture mechanics solutions and the compliances depend only on the flexural rigidity of the beam and on the crack length to beam depth ratio. Here the compliance of the line-spring for the mode loaded statically in the nonlinear range is calculated using the Boundary Element Method (BEM) in an iterative nonlinear analysis and the compliance depends nonlinearly on the load across the crack plane. This nonlinear load–deformation relation is linearized about the applied static load level, and the resulting compliance used in the vibration analysis. Among other results for mode I cohesive zones, there is a strong reduction of the fundamental frequency as both load and crack length increase and as yield strength decreases. The results show that there is some potential for designing a non-destructive material characterization technique which would use the changes in frequency to infer the properties of material behavior laws in the cohesive zone.
Selected factors impacting decision making in prereferral intervention and other school-based teams: Exploring the intersection between school and social psychology

Abstract Many of the most important decisions and recommendations made by school psychologists occur within the context of school-based teams. Despite this, research and theory regarding group decision making has attracted little attention in the school psychology literature (Conoley & Gutkin, 1995; Gutkin & Conoley, 1990). To begin addressing this problem, this paper reviews group-based social psychological work with both extensive empirical support and important pragmatic implications for school psychology practitioners and researchers. Primary foci include the need for improved outcome criteria with which school psychologists can assess the quality of group decision making, the power of majorities in groups, the value of minority dissent, group polarization, and the establishment of shared norms. Although far from an exhaustive list, these social psychological phenomena exemplify the kinds of issues needing greater attention by school psychologists as they work with school-based teams.
Gorbachev and ethnic coexistence

Abstract Ethnic grievances are expressed in a variety of modes throughout the Soviet Union. From the perspective of Moscow, the most severe long‐term challenge to the cohesion of the Soviet Union emanates from the southern, predominantly Moslem‐populated, republics. The Soviet leadership is compelled to address a number of dilemmas as it attempts to provide coherence and substance to the concept of perestroika. There appear to be no fail‐safe solutions.
Monte Carlo Simulation of Steady-State Microscale Phonon Heat Transport

Heat conduction in submicron crystalline materials can be well modeled by the Boltzmann transport equation (BTE). The Monte Carlo method is effective in computing the solution of the BTE. These past years, transient Monte Carlo simulations have been developed, but they are generally memory demanding. This paper presents an alternative Monte Carlo method for analyzing heat conduction in such materials. The numerical scheme is derived from past Monte Carlo algorithms for steady-state radiative heat transfer and enables us to understand well the steady-state nature of phonon transport. Moreover, this algorithm is not memory demanding and uses very few iteration to achieve convergence. It could be computationally more advantageous than transient Monte Carlo approaches in certain cases. Similar to the famous Mazumder and Majumdar's transient algorithm (2001, "Monte Carlo Study of Phonon Transport in Solid Thin Films Including Dispersion and Polarization," ASME J. Heat Transfer, 123, pp. 749-759), the dual polarizations of phonon propagation, the nonlinear dispersion relationships, the transition between the two polarization branches, and the nongray treatment of phonon relaxation times are accounted for. Scatterings by different mechanisms are treated individually, and the creation and/or destruction of phonons due to scattering is implicitly taken into account. The proposed method successfully predicts exact solutions of phonon transport across a gallium arsenide film in the ballistic regime and that across a silicon film in the diffusion regime. Its capability to model the phonon scattering by boundaries and impurities on the phonon transport has been verified. The current simulations agree well with the previous predictions and the measurement of thermal conductivity along silicon thin films and along silicon nanowires of widths greater than 22 nm. This study confirms that the dispersion curves and relaxation times of bulk silicon are not appropriate to model phonon propagation alone silicon nanowires of 22 nm width.
Effects of amplitude and timing jitter on the performance of photonic sigma-delta modulators

Photonic sigma-delta modulators can directly digitize wideband signals with high resolution directly atthe antenna. In our first-order, single-bit architecture, the antenna signal is applied to a pair of Mach-Zehnder interferometers and oversampled using a CALMAR 10 GS/s mode-locked laser (MLL) with a pulse width of 10 ps. The measurements of the MLL pulse-to-pulse sample time uncertainty (time jitter) and the laser pulse amplitude uncertainty (amplitude jitter) are described. Considering the jitter to be the result of non-uniform random sampling we show that a normal distribution is a good noise model for both jitter mechanisms. The sigma-delta modulator and the decimation filtering process are described. Using asynchronous spectral averaging of the reconstructed signal's magnitude spectrum, an expression for the noise floor without jitter is developed and compared to simulation results as a function of the oversampling ratio (OSR) and record length using a 100 MHz signal bandwidth. The noise floor is then evaluated as a function of the time jitter power and amplitude jitter power for several OSRs.
Morphometry of the aging female rat urethra.

Muscles in the limbs change with age, but the aging process of urethral muscles is unknown. Therefore, we compared smooth and striated muscle content in the female rat urethra in young (12 month) and old (32 month) animals, using immunochemical techniques. All the striated skeletal fibers at both ages contain slow myosin. Urethral diameter does not change with age (young, 1.44±0.08 mm; old, 1.46±0.10 mm,n=5), nor does the external sphincter width (young, 0.088±0.016 mm; old, 0.080±0.017 mm,n=5). Neither smooth nor skeletal muscle volume in the urethra is changed with age (skeletal: young, 20.72±2.94%; old, 19.95±2.35%. Smooth: young, 22.26±2.98%; old, 26.75±2.35%,n=5). The external striated sphincter is separate and distinct from the pubococcygeal region of the levator ani muscle, but is closely apposed to another layer of longitudinally oriented fibers into the vaginal musculature. The morphometric analysis shows no difference in urethral architecture in aging female rats.
On biased reservoir sampling in the presence of stream evolution

The method of reservoir based sampling is often used to pick an unbiased sample from a data stream. A large portion of the unbiased sample may become less relevant over time because of evolution. An analytical or mining task (eg. query estimation) which is specific to only the sample points from a recent time-horizon may provide a very inaccurate result. This is because the size of the relevant sample reduces with the horizon itself. On the other hand, this is precisely the most important case for data stream algorithms, since recent history is frequently analyzed. In such cases, we show that an effective solution is to bias the sample with the use of temporal bias functions. The maintenance of such a sample is non-trivial, since it needs to be dynamically maintained, without knowing the total number of points in advance. We prove some interesting theoretical properties of a large class of memory-less bias functions, which allow for an efficient implementation of the sampling algorithm. We also show that the inclusion of bias in the sampling process introduces a maximum requirement on the reservoir size. This is a nice property since it shows that it may often be possible to maintain the maximum relevant sample with limited storage requirements. We not only illustrate the advantages of the method for the problem of query estimation, but also show that the approach has applicability to broader data mining problems such as evolution analysis and classification.
Beneficial Impact of Preconditioning During PTCA on Creatine Kinase Release

Background—Previous studies in humans have indicated that there is less ischemic dysfunction during PTCA when ischemic preconditioning is elicited. However, the clinical relevance of these observations remains unclear. The present study design tests the hypothesis that PTCA performed to elicit the preconditioning response would result in less myocardial necrosis as assessed by postprocedure creatine kinase (CK) levels Methods and Results—Patients (n=150) undergoing PTCA for unstable ischemic syndromes were randomly assigned to receive a previously validated approach to PTCA-mediated preconditioning (PC) or an unrestricted approach to balloon angioplasty (UC). CK levels were determined at 8, 12, and, if necessary, 24 hours. Clinical success rates were equivalent for the 2 groups. However, the frequency of any CK elevation was significantly higher in the UC group (25%) than in the PC group (7.1%) (P<0.005). Multivariable analysis confirmed a significant effect of preconditioning on CK release. Conclusions—A...
Perovskite catalysts for the auto-reforming of sulfur containing fuels

Abstract The ideal fuel for PEMs and SOFC fuel cells is pure hydrogen, which is not available in nature and thus needs to be produced from other resources. It is a special task to make hydrogen from JP-8 (kerosene-based jet propulsion fuel), which consists of high hydrocarbon and aromatic compounds, as well as contains a significant amount of sulfur (up to 3000 ppm). The auto-thermal reforming (ATR) process is externally energy-intensive and cost-effective method for hydrogen generation. However, it is critical to develop highly efficient, low-cost catalyst. This paper presents a detailed description of a novel combustion approach for synthesis of complex LaFeO 3 -based catalysts. The activities of these catalysts for ATR of JP-8 fuel were also tested in unique Micro-Scale Bench-Top Reactor System. Several non-noble (Me = K, Na, Li, Cs, Co, Mo) and noble metals additives (Me = Pt, Pd, Ru, Re) were tested as B-site substitution in La 0.6 Ce 0.4 Fe 0.8− Z Ni 0.2 Me Z O 3− δ perovskite to find the compositions that possess stable and effective performance under severe sulfur containing environment. It was shown that small amounts of potassium (2 wt.%) or ruthenium (1 wt.%) doped to above perovskite structure significantly increase catalysts activity and lead to their stable performance during reforming of JP-8 fuel with up to 220 ppm of sulfur.
Semiclassical theory of hyperlensing and cloaking

We develop the ray optic Hamiltonian for a cylindrically anisotropic medium such as the hyperlens using the semiclassical approximation, which reveals an interesting spiralling behaviour of ray trajectories and also gives an alternative explanation to the subdiffraction far field imaging behaviour of the device. The Hamiltonian can be further used to derive the material parameters needed for non magnetic cloaking. Numerical simulations of gaussian beam scattering from these devices confirm the respective semiclassical results.
Directional charge transfer and highly reducing and oxidizing excited states of new dirhodium(II,II) complexes: potential applications in solar energy conversion

Two new series of dirhodium(II,II) complexes cis-[Rh2(μ-DTolF)2(L)2][BF4]2 and cis-[Rh2(μ-F-form)2(L)2][BF4]2 were synthesized and fully characterized (DTolF = p-ditolylformamidinate, F-form = p-difluorobenzylformamidinate; L = the chelating diimine ligands dpq (dipyrido[3,2-f:2′,3′-h]quinoxaline), dppz (dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine) and dppn (benzo[i]dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-h]quinoxaline). The complexes undergo facile oxidation and exhibit directed ligand-to-ligand charge transfer (LLCT) excited states upon excitation from the corresponding formamidinate to the diimine ligand. Time-resolved studies reveal that the LLCT states decay with lifetimes that range from 16 to 100 ps and generate a longer-lived excited state. For complexes with dpq and dppz ligands, the longer-lived excited state, with lifetimes that range from 40 to 100 ns, has been assigned as 3MC (MC = metal-centered) arising from the Rh2(π*) → Rh2(σ*) transition. In the case of cis-[Rh2(μ-DTolF)2(dppn)2]2+ and cis-[Rh2(μ-F-form)2(dppn)2]2+, the dppn-centered 3ππ* excited state is observed from ∼10 ps to ∼2 ns, but following its decay, the 3MC state of each complex is observed with lifetimes of 2.4 and 3.0 μs, respectively. The long lifetimes observed for the dppn complexes is explained by a pre-equilibrium of the low-lying 3ππ* and 3MC states. The excited state oxidation potentials, E*ox(1LLCT), for the complexes are calculated to lie between −2.5 and −2.8 V vs. SCE and E*ox(3MC) ∼ −1.8 V vs. SCE. The 1LLCT excited states of the complexes are also good oxidizing agents, with E*red(1LLCT) ∼ +1.3 V vs. SCE, making them significantly better oxidizing and reducing agents than commonly used Ru(II) complexes.
Implantation of Schistosomatium douthitti into the eyes of rats.

Abstract Blood flukes, Schistosomatium douthitti (Cort), continue to live when transplanted from veins of donor hosts into the anterior chamber of eyes of Wistar-strain white rats. Flukes have remained alive and active for as long as 161 days in the eye. Indefinite survival seems probable. Flukes attain sexuality when implanted young; they retain active sexuality if implanted when mature, but after about 25 days in the case of female worms and about 50 days in males reproductive activity ceases and worms atrophy sexually. Growth in implanted young males and females (4–20 days in donor) proceeded at near normal rates for an additional 20 days. Young mature males and females (20–30 days in donor) held their implanted lengths for an additional 20 days. Older males and females (30 days plus in donor) decreased in size after implantation.
Fermi surface deformation parameters and cyclotron effective masses in white tin

Oscillatory magnetostriction and the de Haas-van Alphen effect have been used to determine Fermi surface deformation parameters for cross sections lying normal to[001] in white tin. The temperature dependence of the amplitudes has been used to calculate effective masses for orbits lying normal to[001], [100], and[110].
Exploring the Impact of Distance Metrics on Alternative Generation in a Multiobjective Problem

Multi-objective optimization relies on model accuracy to generate solutions that are indeed optimal. When confidence in the model is not absolute, it is beneficial to explore designs near the solution to gain additional insight. Doing so without direction would be ill-advised as the quantity of designs that could be evaluated are too numerous. Instead it is suggested that a tool to help the designer locate a few designs that perform similarly, but are as unique as possible with regards to their design variables, be utilized. Modeling to generating alternatives (MGA) is a family of techniques that meet this requirement. The goal of MGA is maximizing the uniqueness of a design with respect to an original point of interest. Uniqueness in this work is defined by the distance between two designs in the design space. By focusing on the designs that have the greatest difference between them, the designer can efficiently explore the design space. Such flexibility can be useful when aspects of the model change or when the goal is differentiating a product from a crowded field of similar products. This paper explores the effect that different distance metrics, within an MGA approach, have on the solution to a multi-objective optimization problem. The goal is identifying metrics most effective at capturing uniqueness.
Special police patrol in portland, oregon

If you would be a policeman in business for yourself, move to Portland and become a “special.” Your profits will depend upon how lucrative a beat you can work up. And when you want to move elsewhere, you can sell your business to another aspiring “special.”
Toward a Rational Approach to Systemic Therapy in Local Recurrence of Breast Cancer

: Patients who develop local recurrence (LR) after primary treatment for breast cancer have a variable risk of systemic recurrence (SR) and all data regarding the risk factors for SR or utility of systemic therapy are retrospective in nature. The data from the previously published papers have been tabulated on prognosis and systemic therapy after LR both after modified radical mastectomy (MRM), and after lumpectomy and radiotherapy (LRT). From these data, a scoring system has been formulated through which it is believed patients can be assigned to either a “high-” or “low-” risk group with regard to SR. This may be helpful in attempting to make decisions about the need for systemic therapy. Many patients who have a LR are at high risk for systemic recurrence, especially after modified radical mastectomy (MRM). A reliable means of assessing this risk is mandatory.?
Color-to-gray conversion using ISOMAP

In this paper we present a new algorithm to transform an RGB color image to a grayscale image. We propose using nonlinear dimension reduction techniques to map higher dimensional color vectors to lower dimensional ones. This approach generalizes the gradient domain manipulation for high dimensional images. Our experiments show that the proposed algorithm generates competitive results and reaches a good compromise between quality and speed.
Structural analysis of semi-specific oligosaccharide recognition by a cellulose-binding protein of thermotoga maritima reveals adaptations for functional diversification of the oligopeptide periplasmic binding protein fold.

Periplasmic binding proteins (PBPs) constitute a protein superfamily that binds a wide variety of ligands. In prokaryotes, PBPs function as receptors for ATP-binding cassette or tripartite ATP-independent transporters and chemotaxis systems. In many instances, PBPs bind their cognate ligands with exquisite specificity, distinguishing, for example, between sugar epimers or structurally similar anions. By contrast, oligopeptide-binding proteins bind their ligands through interactions with the peptide backbone but do not distinguish between different side chains. The extremophile Thermotoga maritima possesses a remarkable array of carbohydrate-processing metabolic systems, including the hydrolysis of cellulosic polymers. Here, we present the crystal structure of a T. maritima cellobiose-binding protein (tm0031) that is homologous to oligopeptide-binding proteins. T. maritima cellobiose-binding protein binds a variety of lengths of β(1→4)-linked glucose oligomers, ranging from two rings (cellobiose) to five (cellopentaose). The structure reveals that binding is semi-specific. The disaccharide at the nonreducing end binds specifically; the other rings are located in a large solvent-filled groove, where the reducing end makes several contacts with the protein, thereby imposing an upper limit of the oligosaccharides that are recognized. Semi-specific recognition, in which a molecular class rather than individual species is selected, provides an efficient solution for the uptake of complex mixtures.
Invertebrate Colonization Rates in the Tailwater of a Kentucky Flood-Control Reservoir

ABSTRACT Invertebrate colonization on newly introduced rock substrates was examined from July through October 1982 in the tailwater of Barren River Lake, Kentucky. Chironomidae, the dominant taxon of benthic insects, reached full colonization by day 14. Colonization by Oligochaeta, the other major invertebrate taxon, was not completed by the end of the 95-day period of observation. It may have been delayed because insufficient food (periphyton and detritus) had accumulated on the clean rocks. Rapid recolonization of dewatered substrates may be especially critical for maintaining adequate fish food in tailwaters of flood-control reservoirs.
Finding the best predictor of reproductive performance of Leach's Storm-Petrels

ABSTRACT Physiological and environmental factors shape foraging strategies and energy balance. For species that breed seasonally, physiological changes in an individual can have short-term effects, but also can persist as carry-over effects from one season to the next, such as from the overwintering season to the breeding season. We tested the hypothesis that reproductive performance could be predicted by diet and energy balance during the breeding and nonbreeding seasons in a long-lived seabird, the Leach's Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa). Specifically, we predicted that better reproductive performance would be correlated with four factors: (1) a high-lipid diet, as indexed by a high C:N ratio in stable isotope analyses; (2) a diet rich in antioxidants, as indexed by high plasma antioxidant capacity; (3) foraging at a high trophic level, as indexed by high values of δ15N in stable isotope analyses, which is positively related to lipids; and (4) a positive long-term energy balance, revealed by low le...
CVD for the facile synthesis of hybrid nanobiomaterials integrating functional supramolecular assemblies.

In this letter, we present a simple one-step, versatile, scalable chemical vapor deposition (CVD)-based process for the encapsulation and stabilization of a host of single or multicomponent supramolecular assemblies (proteoliposomes, microbubbles, lipid bilayers, and photosynthetic antennae complexes and other biological materials) to form functional hybrid nanobiomaterials. In each case, it is possible (i) to form thin silica layers or gels controllably that enable the preservation of the supramolecular assembly over time and under adverse environmental conditions and (ii) to tune the structure of the silica gels so as to optimize solute accessibility while at the same time preserving functional dynamic properties of the encapsulated phospholipid assembly. The process allows precise temporal and spatial control of silica polymerization kinetics through the control of precursor delivery at room temperature and does not require or produce high concentrations of injurious chemicals that can compromise the f...
Adherence and health care utilization in HIV/AIDS-rational or rationalizing?

Stock in rationality seems banefully low these days, hovering somewhere around the level of the Euro. Surveys seem to indicate that many Americans have no more regard for rational thinking than they do for feng shui, relegating logic to “one way to think about things” when making decisions. Numerous studies show that people repeatedly violate the basic principles of rationality.1.
Capillary headspace - gas chromatography for the characterization of the flavour of fresh vegetables

Static headspace sampling combined with gas chromatography using open-tubular (capillary) columns for the characterization of the flavour of raw vegetables and some vegetable products is described. In order to avoid alteration of the composition of the volatiles, the sample was thermostated for a short time only. Although equilibrium between vapour and sample was not established the reproducibility of such conditions is demonstrated. Typical chromatograms are given; the most characteristic compounds present were identified by mass spectrometry.
Professional development and the historical tradition of informal science institutions: Views of four providers

Abstract: This paper presents an analysis of the views on the elements of effective professional development (PD) of providers at four informal science institutions: a zoo, a science centre, a botanical garden, and an ecological field science outreach centre. In‐depth, semi‐structured interviews were conducted with four senior personnel involved in designing, organizing, and supervising the teaching of PD for K‐12 science teachers at their institution. Analysis of interviews using a constant comparative method resulted in the identification of eight conceptual categories of responses. Further analyses of data across these conceptual categories, led to the emergence of the three major themes that frame this paper: (a) the design components of good PD; (b) the types of instructional strategies supporting implementation; and (c) the role of comfort in PD. Our findings also reveal, for example, that all providers mentioned the importance of inquiry and strategies that support inquiry. However, there were impo...
Reconfigurable microfluidic dilution generation for quantitative assay

In this paper, we present a reconfigurable microfluidic dilution device for high-throughput quantitative assays, without the assistance of continuous fluidic pump or vacuum source. This device is capable to produce discrete logarithmic concentration profiles ranging from 1 to 100 fold dilution in parallel from a fixed sample volume (e.g., 10 µL). To facilitate mixing and reactions in the chambers, two acoustic microstreaming actuation mechanisms have been investigated for easy integratability and accessibility. We characterized the dilution performance by both colorimetric and fluorescent means.
Inhibition of tonic spinal glutamatergic activity induces antinociception in the rat

Inhibition of tonic activity in spino-supraspinal projection neurons induces heterosegmental antinociception that is mediated by opioid receptors in nucleus accumbens. To investigate the origin of this tonic activity, we evaluated the ability of inhibiting neurotransmission in the spinal cord to produce heterosegmental antinociception in the trigeminal nociceptive jaw-opening reflex (JOR) in the rat. Spinal intrathecal administration of calcium channel blockers attenuated the JOR, suggesting that the tonic spinal activity depends on synaptic input. To identify the excitatory neurotransmitter receptors involved, selective antagonists for AMPA/kainate, mGluR1, NMDA or NK1 receptors were administered intrathecally to the spinal cord. The AMPA/kainate and mGluR1 receptor antagonists, but not the NMDA or NK1 receptor antagonists, induced antinociception, which was antagonized by intra-accumbens administration of the selective micro -opioid receptor antagonist CTOP. Thus, inhibition of tonic spinal glutamatergic activity resulted in supraspinally mediated antinociception. As this antinociception occurred in the absence of interventions that would produce a facilitated nociceptive state, this tonic glutamatergic activity is important in setting nociceptive threshold.
Models for the lateral P-N-P transistor including substrate interaction

The lateral p-n-p as used in linear integrated circuits has unique interactions with the substrate. Models which illustrate this behavior are shown and compared to the planar n-p-n transistor.
Fan Loyalty in Professional Sports: An Extension to the National Football League

Using the stochastic frontier framework, estimates of relative fan loyalty in professional football for 1990 to 1997 are estimated. The traditional inefficiency score is reinterpreted as a measure ...
Mechanical Validation of the Three-Dimensional Intersection Geometry between the Puente Hills Blind-Thrust System and the Whittier Fault, Los Angeles, California

The sensitivity of fault interaction to alternative, kinematically plausible intersection geometries of the Puente Hills blind-thrust system and the Whittier fault is modeled under geodetically constrained horizontal contraction. Comparisons of modeled slip rates to available geologic rates (1) suggest that the Coyote Hills seg- ment of the Puente Hills system extends to the base of the seismogenic crust and (2) give slight preference for extension of the active Whittier fault to the base of the seismogenic crust rather than limiting active slip to the hanging wall of the Coyote Hills fault. Furthermore, analysis of strain energy density demonstrates that the pre- ferred model has the greatest mechanical efficiency. This correlation of fit to geologic slip rates and mechanical efficiency supports the effectiveness of this method for evaluating among alternative geometries in the absence of geologically constrained slip rates. The methodology implemented in this study may be effectively used in future studies of deformation within fault systems. Model-generated slip rates along the Puente Hills faults show significant strike slip, implying that seismic hazard of these faults may be underestimated by consid- ering reverse-slip rates alone. Contraction at 036 may not be appropriate in the Puente Hills region because of resulting sinistral slip on the Whittier fault, which disagrees with paleoseisimc observations; however, Whittier strike-slip rates fit pa- leoseismic rates under 006.5 contraction. Because strike-slip rates are more sensitive to contraction direction than fault intersection geometry, contraction direction should be further constrained in order to accurately assess seismic hazard on these faults.
Adaptive Kalman filtering for closed-loop Brain-Machine Interface systems

Brain-Machine Interface (BMI) decoding algorithms are often trained offline, but this paradigm ignores both the non-stationarity of neural signals and the feedback that exists in online, closed-loop control. To address these problems, we have developed an Adaptive Kalman Filter (AKF), a Kalman filter variant that adaptively updates its model parameters during training. For a Kalman filter decoder, batch retraining methods require completely re-estimating the parameter matrices from sufficient data to perform regression accurately, even if only small changes are necessary. Conversely, the AKF is designed to update the decoder parameters continuously and more intelligently. We simulated a population of 41 neurons learning to control a 2D computer cursor. The AKF yielded significantly faster skill acquisition and better robustness to perturbation and neuron loss than a standard Kalman filter with periodic batch retraining.
The Ethics of Self-Management Preparation for Chronic Illness

While nearly all patients with a chronic disease must self-manage their condition to some extent, preparation for these responsibilities is infrequently assured in the USA. The result can be significant harm and the undermining of a patient's ability to take advantage of life opportunities and be productive. Agreeing to care for a patient involves a moral responsibility to see that she or he receives the essential elements of care, including the ability to manage the disease on a daily basis. The research base for the efficacy of self-management and for how patients can be prepared to assume it is sufficiently strong that health care professionals must advocate for its inclusion in the routine evidence-based care of individuals with chronic disease. Because patient education is central to nursing's philosophy and practice, the profession should play a major role in removing structural barriers to self-management preparation and assuring its provision to a high standard of quality.
Media Dialogue: Perceiving and Addressing Community Problems

Scholars have long debated the role of media and discussion in encouraging tolerance and engagement in politics and community. Theories range from the dismissal of effects to the assertion of powerful influences, and from claims of “media malaise” to the promise of “virtuous circles. ” Of course, results from research exploring these issues vary by context and methods of study. Yet most past research is plagued by at least 1 of 2 methodological weaknesses: the difficulty of assessing causality in cross-sectional survey designs and/or of attributing the observed effects to information gains rather than to the deliberative process itself. Acknowledging these weaknesses, we rely on data from a quasi-experimental study examining a media dialogue effort. In this study, randomly selected public television members and partners were recruited into various forms of “real world” exposure and discussion about the documentary film Two Towns of Jasper. This documentary highlights the divisions in
Static security enhancement via optimal utilization of thyristor-controlled series capacitors

This paper describes an approach for determining the most suitable locations for installing thyristor-controlled series capacitors (TCSCs) in order to eliminate line overloads under a single contingency. The proposed approach introduces an index called the single contingency sensitivity (SCS) index which is used to rank the system branches according to their suitability for installing a TCSC. Once the locations are determined, an optimization problem of finding the best settings for the installed TCSCs in case of a given set of contingencies, is formulated and solved. The objective of the optimization problem is to eliminate or minimize line overloads as well,as the unwanted loop flows under single contingencies. The proposed approach for locating and controlling TCSCs enhances the static security and reduces the power losses in a given power system. The IEEE 14-bus and 118-bus test systems are used to demonstrate the proposed approach.