cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Improving light load power factor for GaN based Totem Pole bridgeless PFC using digital phase locked loop based vector cancellation & tracking error compensation

The paper proposes a digital based control method which can be used on power factor correction (PFC) circuit to improve converter power factor (P.F.) at light load conditions. A major contributor to a non-unity P.F. is the need of input capacitor to alleviate differential mode electromagnetic interference (EMI) conducted back to the AC source. At light load, the overall system impedance (EMI filter and PFC circuit) becomes more capacitive which leads to large phase difference between voltage and current and results in a low power factor. A digital phase locked loop base vector cancellation (DPLLVC) technique is proposed in this digest to improve the light load P.F. This technique improves upon the previously proposed Phase Leading Filter Current Compensation (PLFCC) technique as it no longer requires a derivative of the input voltage, which can add noise. In addition to DPLLVC technique, a tracking error compensation scheme is added to further improve the PF under light loads. The scheme is tested and results reported on a 3.3KW Gallium-Nitride (GaN) based Totem Pole bridgeless PFC (TTPL PFC) design. With DPLLVC and tracking error compensation techniques, over 37% P.F. improvement is observed when compared to the results with PLFCC technique at 2% load.
Politiques étrangères et étranges politiques : étude de la vision et de la pratique des relations internationales au sein de l’islam politique

Cet article examine la genese ainsi que les fondements de la vision des relations internationales telle qu’on l’observe au sein de certains mouvements de l’islam politique. En passant en revue les principes sur lesquels reposent la conception de la politique mondiale chez les auteurs de reference de cette doctrine, nous faisons ainsi la lumiere sur les constantes et les ruptures qui caracterisent l’islamisme en tant que pensee des rapports de force mondiaux. En outre, cette contribution met egalement en lumiere, a partir de cas precis (Freres musulmans egyptiens, Ennahda en Tunisie et Parti de la Justice et du Developpement au Maroc), l’importance des contextes nationaux dans les evolutions doctrinales relatives a ces mouvements, concluant que l’une des grilles de lecture et d’interpretation les plus pertinentes a mobiliser pour le chercheur souhaitant s’interesser a la vision des relations internationales dans l’islam politique est certainement le constructivisme, tant la place des constructions ideelles se revele centrale dans l’univers islamiste.
Logical (Conditional) Probability

The probability of an event is assessed from a balance of evidence, or lack of evidence, in favor of the occurrences of each of an exhaustive set of mutually exclusive alternatives, some subset of which comprises the event. The formal domain of a theory of logical probability is generally a set of inferences between statements or propositions in a language, rather than the set of statements themselves, and it is distinct from the domain of an empirical theory and the domain of a subjective theory. Formally, the distinction between an inference-domain theory and one with a statement-domain is parallel to that between conditional and absolute probability. A statement-domain theory is generated from an inference-domain theory by restricting the latter to the case of a fixed, reasonably selected, and evidence proposition. However, the generation of an inference-domain theory from a statement-domain theory is likely to be more difficult. This chapter discusses the classificatory concept of probability, Koopman's theory of comparative logical probability, and Carnap's theory of logical probability.
The Idea of Property: Its Meaning and Power

PROPERTY AS IDEA: THE HIDDEN STRUCTURE OF PROPERTY IN LAW 1. What Is Property? The Question Posed 2. Property's Four Dimensions: Theory, Space, Stringency, and Time PROPERTY AS PROTECTION: THE CLASH BETWEEN PROPERTY RIGHTS AND COMPETING PUBLIC INTERESTS 3. The Power of Property Claims in Law: The Emergence of Two Visions 4. Two Conceptions of Property: Their (Hidden) Influence in Law 5. The Variable Power of Rights: A Normative Hypothesis 6. Predicting the Power of Claimed Rights: A Two-Tiered Model 7. The Variable Power of Property Rights: Explaining the (Otherwise) Inexplicable in Law 8. Moving to More Uncharted and Controversial Waters: The Body as Property, Personal Information as Property, Cultural Property, and State Redistributive Claims 9. Property, Speech, and the Politics of Presumptive Power 10. Reimagining Public Interests: A Cautionary Note 11. Reprise: Two Conceptions of Property - When and Why They are Used in Law PROPERTY AS A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT: NEW DIRECTIONS 12. The Justice Content of Property: Constitutional Implications 13. Doctrinal Payoffs: New Approaches to Takings Law 14. The Constitutional Protection of Property: Some Final Thoughts
Enhanced Flux Pinning Properties in Self-Assembled Magnetic $\hbox{CoFe}_{2}\hbox{O}_{4}$ Nanoparticles Doped $ \hbox{YBa}_{2}\hbox{Cu}_{3}\hbox{O}_{7 - \delta}$ Thin Films

In this work, self-assembled magnetic CoFe2O4 (CFO) nanoparticles are introduced into YBa2Cu3O7-δ (YBCO) thin films as both cap and buffer layers to enhance the flux pinning properties. CFO nanoparticles are incorporated into the YBCO matrix by alternative laser ablation of the YBCO and CFO targets by employing the pulsed laser deposition method, which is compatible with the commercial processing method of coated conductors. By introducing ferromagnetic nanoinclusions, both magnetic and defect pinning can be incorporated into YBCO thin films to achieve stronger pinning effects under higher applied magnetic field regimes. Detailed microstructural studies are conducted to verify the morphologies of all doped samples. Both self-field and in-field performance (Jcsf and Jcin-field(H//c)) measured at various temperatures (65, 40, and 5 K) are studied. The results suggest that the CFO nanoparticle cap is an ideal approach to introduce ordered magnetic pinning centers in the YBCO thin films, which shows enhanced superconducting properties both at self-field and under high applied field regimes without degrading YBCO's intrinsic properties.
Overt phonological errors during part-word repetitions: Some theoretical implications

Abstract This is a report of a single-subject study of a stutterer who produced systematic overt phonological errors only during part-word repetitions. The phonological errors involved substitution of initial voiceless cognates for the intended voiced stops during repetitions and final fluent productions of the target words. In contrast, the subject did not produce phonological errors during part-word repetitions of words beginning with the voiceless stops and when he produced words with initial voiced stops fluently. Acoustic measurements confirmed these auditory-perceptual judgments. The implications of these findings for the Covert Repair Hypothesis (CRH) ( Postma and Kolk, 1993 ; Journal of Speech and Hearing Research 16, 472–487) will be discussed.
Calculation of Propeller-Excited Whirling Critical Speeds

This paper presents a calculation method, suitable for manual calculation or use with a small, desk-top calculator, for estimating the propeller-excited whirling critical speed of a shafting system. The method is especially adaptable to use with a small programmable calculator. Based on a two-support model of the propeller and tailshaft similar to that used in earlier whirling calculations, this method "brackets" the natural frequency by first assuming the forward end of the tailshaft to be simply supported, then repeating the calculation, assuming the forward end to be fixed. This gives an upper and lower limit on the natural frequency. The actual natural frequency is estimated by interpolation between these two values. The proposed calculation method includes propeller gyroscopic and inertia effects, as well as shaft mass effects. Entrained water may also be taken into account. Comparisons between the results of the proposed hand calculation and the results of other well-known methods of whirling analysis are presented for a typical vessel shafting system. Extensions of the proposed calculation to include the effects of the line shafting and the sterntube bearing stiffness are also presented.
Continuous Fixed-Time Sliding Mode Control for Spacecraft with Flexible Appendages

Abstract A continuous fixed-time controller is considered for a spacecraft system with flexible appendages. The system is assumed to be subjected to external nonvanishing disturbance. In contrast to existing solutions for spacecraft with flexible appendages, the proposed method guarantees that the origin is reached in fixed-time, independent of the initial condition. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the control structure.
Evidence for Magnetic-Field-Induced Reduction of the Fluctuation Dimensionality in Bulk Type II Superconductors Just Above the Upper Critical Field Hc2

Figure 11 shows a schematic H-T phase diagram for a bulk type II superconductor. Below T c the well-known Meissner, mixed, and sheath states are shown. Outside the upper critical field curve H c2 (T) we have shown dots representing the presence of “fluctuation superconductivity” associated with short-lived Cooper pairs. Our previous work1–4 on fluctuation superconductivity in extremely “dirty” type II superconductors has been primarily concerned with the H-T region well outside the H c2 (T) curve. The present work† focuses on fluctuation effects close to H c2 .
Understanding the Use of Student-Centered Teaching Methods in Undergraduate Chemistry Courses

A growing body of research suggests that student-centered teaching methods are associated with positive learning outcomes for undergraduate students. Yet, the extent of their use and factors leading to their adoption in fields, such as chemistry, continue to be under-explored. Utilizing survey data collected during 2015, we begin to fill this gap, first by considering the degree to which faculty and instructors use and plan to use various student-centered teaching methods in their undergraduate chemistry courses. Then, we examine three potential factors that may help us understand variation in (1) use of and (2) intentions to implement student-centered methods: attitudes toward teaching methods; teaching approaches; and institutional characteristics. Importantly, our findings suggest attitudes and individual teaching approaches are significant predictors of the use and intention to implement student-centered methods in the classroom. Perhaps surprisingly, several institutional factors examined (such as class size, percentage of time spent teaching, and type of institution) play no significant role. Given the positive student outcomes associated with various student-centered methods reported in literature, these findings suggest potential avenues for faculty and instructors’ professional development toward further implementation of these methods.
Semiautomated Motion Tracking for Objective Skills Assessment in Otologic Surgery: A Pilot Study.

Perioperative teaching and feedback of technical performance are essential during surgical training but are limited by competing demands on faculty time, resident work-hour restrictions, and desire...
Introduction: Role of miRNAs and Their Target Genes in Breast Cancer Metastasis

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States and the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women of all ages [1]. In 2013, there have been approximately 232,340 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 39,620 breast cancer deaths among US women [2]. One out of 8 women in the United States will develop breast cancer in her lifetime [2].
Application of OLED for Automotive Lighting

Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs) for lighting are quickly becoming the new lighting source for residential, commercial, and automotive markets. Backlights are the first automotive application for OLED lighting. Thin, light weight, uniform and homogeneous surface lighting with high contrast segmentation are the key values that some OEMs are capitalizing on. With Corning® Willow® Glass, conformable OLED lighting panels enable unique design and a new branding paradigm for automotive OEMs.
Measurement Development and Evaluation

Psychological measurement is at the heart of organizational research. I review recent practices in the area of measurement development and evaluation, detailing best practice recommendations in bot...
Using Human-Agent Teams to Purposefully Design Multi-Agent Systems:

With multi-agent teams becoming more of a reality every day, it is important to create a common design model for multi-agent teams. These teams need to be able to function in dynamic environments a...
A retrospective cohort study of race/ethnicity, pre-pregnancy weight, and pregnancy complications.

To examine the relationship between race/ethnicity, pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity status, and pregnancy complications.We conducted a retrospective cohort study among mothers with singleton live ...
Rhythmic variability, language, and style: A replication and extension of nPVI findings with the RISM dataset

The normalised pairwise variability index (nPVI), has been frequently used to measure the rhythmic variance between musical onsets. For example, researchers have proposed connections between the na...
Cognition test battery: Adjusting for practice and stimulus set effects for varying administration intervals in high performing individuals

Practice effects associated with the repeated administration of cognitive tests often confound true therapeutic or experimental effects. Alternate test forms help reduce practice effects, but gener...
The Year in Review: Economics at the Antitrust Division, 2007–2008

This paper covers the activities of the Economic Analysis Group (EAG) of the Antitrust Division, U.S. Department of Justice, during 2007–2008. It describes the economic analysis undertaken by EAG in several important investigations, and in other activities as an advocate for competition.
Pyrolysis kinetics of wildland vegetation using model-fitting methods

Abstract Slow-heating pyrolysis experiments of 14 plant species native to forests in the southern United States were conducted in a TGA to find the kinetic parameters for slow pyrolysis of all live and air-dried plant samples. Kinetic coefficients were determined from the data using model-fitting methods, resulting in single kinetic parameters for the entire pyrolysis process which can be used by wildland fire modelers. The model forms explored here are a simple one-step model and single and multiple reaction distributed activation energy (DAE) models. The mass loss and derivative mass loss data were fitted simultaneously at heating rates of 10, 20, and 30 °C min−1 to find kinetic parameters for these model forms. The multiple-reaction DAE model gave the best fit to the pyrolysis data at multiple heating rates when multiple peaks were observed. The multiple pyrolysis peaks were attributed to decomposition of hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin, based on literature observations for biomass. The order of activation energies for pyrolysis of all plant species indicated that hemicellulose and extractives decompose more readily than cellulose and finally lignin.
Bartolomé de las Casas: A Biography

1. Seville and early modern Spain 2. To the Indies 3. The genesis of the Black Legend 4. Conversion 5. Protector of the Indians 6. 'Micer' Las Casas at court looking for good Spanish peasants 7. Las Casas, the political animal 8. Catastrophe in Tierra Firme and the 'long sleep' in Puerto Plata 9. Coming out to battle 10. The new laws 11. Bishop of Chiapas 12. The great debate 13. Court activist and historian 14. The final fights.
THE EFFECTS OF SDF-1α TREATMENT ON THE MIGRATION OF NEURAL STEM/PROGENITOR CELLS AFTER TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY

x Chapter 1Introduction and Background 1 Traumatic Brain Injury in the United States 3 Pathology of TBI 3 Experimental TBI 4 Neural Stem Cell Proliferation and Neurogenesis 4 Neurogenesis and Brain Injury 14 Migration of NS/NPCs 17 Basics of SDF-1 CXCL12 18 Role of SDF-1 in NSC Migration 21 Use of Alginate as a Vehicle for SDF-1 Infusion 22 Chapter 2 – Materials and Methods 29 Neural Stem Cells 29
Peptide Bond Formation

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses peptide bond formation. Peptide bonds may be broken and reconstituted by simple hydrolysis and its reversal by transferring reactions in which one of the participants need not be a peptide. Studies on the enzymatic synthesis of small peptides and quasi-peptides discovered examples on how free energy ultimately derived from respiration is used for peptide synthesis. A new field of investigation opened up by the finding that free amino acids are incorporated into protein by peptide linkages in the interior of the molecule. This reaction occurs in all living forms, and seen against the background of the apparent stability of protein in the cell, is remarkably rapid. The chapter discusses the bearing of these new data and new discoveries on the problem of the enzymatic synthesis of protein.
Variable reactivity in the chemical modification of silica : Effects of initial deactivation on high-performance liquid chromatographic performance

Abstract Microporous silicas have been treated with various amounts of trimethylsilylating reagents prior to octadecylsilylation. The resulting reversed phases are more efficient than phases made without pretreatment. The results show that treatment of about 5% of the total silanols with trimethylmethoxysilane yields the most efficient phase. The effect cannot be attributed to simple dilution of octadecyl groups by trimethyl groups. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopical evidence indicates that this initial reaction occurs with a small population of associated silanols that are chemically distinct from the bulk of the hydrogen-bonded silanols observed in the infrared spectrum.
Clicker Sets as Learning Objects

Science courses were among the earliest adopters of student response systems, more commonly called clickers, because they engage students in collaborative activities on a scale not heretofore possible in large lecture halls. Standard explanatory slides are interspersed with interactive questions to which students enter responses by pressing a key on a response device (the clicker). By criteria found to be acceptable in several studies, a series of these standard and interactive slides that encourage critical thinking about important concepts or experiments constitutes a limited content learning object. Examples of paired, matched-content sets of non-interactive and clicker (i.e., interactive) slides for use by students at home and by the instructor in class are presented to illustrate uniquely powerful, mutually reinforcing learning objects.
AGING NATION: THE ECONOMICS AND POLITICS OF GROWING OLDER IN AMERICA By James H. Schulz and Robert H. Binstock

Although people, since earliest times, have attempted to mitigate or eliminate economic insecurity by banding together in groups (guilds, tribes, communities, etc.), the approach often does not wor...
Effect of Intercropping Three Legume Species on Growth and Yield of Sweet Corn (Zea mays) in Hawaii

In Hawaii, there are many small farm holders. Intercropping may increase diversity of farm products, reduce input costs, and increase farm profitability. Two field experiments were conducted in Hawaii to study the effect of three legume species intercropped with sweet corn (Zea mays L.) on the growth, relative chlorophyll content, biomass, and yield of sweet corn. The treatments included corn + soybean (CS), corn + bush bean (CB), corn + cowpea (CC), and corn alone (CO; control). In the first growing season, 30 days after planting, relative chlorophyll content of corn leaves was significantly higher in CC treatment with 53%, 56%, and 68% compared with CB, CS, and CO, respectively. While, in the second growing season, 30 days after planting, relative chlorophyll content of corn leaves was significantly higher in CC treatment with and 31%, 33%, and 66% compared with CB, CS, and CO, respectively. Corn plants in the CC treatment were significantly taller and had greater leaf area than those in other treatment...
Corporate Religious Liberty: Why Corporations Are Not Entitled to Religious Exemptions

One of the main questions before the Supreme Court in Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. and Conestoga Wood Specialties Corp. v. Sebelius is whether large for-profit corporations are entitled to religious exemptions under the Free Exercise Clause or the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. In particular, the plaintiffs seek religious exemptions from the Affordable Care Act’s so-called “contraception mandate.”This is an entirely novel claim. It is also without merit. The Free Exercise Clause and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act protect the religious practices of individuals and churches. They do not, and should not, extend to the for-profit corporate form for at least three reasons. First, corporate religious liberty makes no sense as free exercise is understood to (a) protect an individual’s relationship with the divine and (b) respect the inherent dignity of the individual. Furthermore, Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission provides no theoretical foundation for corporate religious liberty: The justifications for extending free speech protection to for-profit corporations do not translate into the free exercise context. Second, there is no precedent for the claim that for-profit corporations are entitled to religious liberty exemptions; on the contrary, precedent points in the other direction. Third, recognizing corporate religious liberty will benefit employers at the expense of their employees, who risk losing protection of the employment laws as well as their own free exercise rights.
Impact of prenatal environmental stress on cortical development

Prenatal exposure of the developing brain to various types of environmental stress increases susceptibility to neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and schizophrenia. Given that even subtle perturbations by prenatal environmental stress in the cerebral cortex impair the cognitive and memory functions, this review focuses on underlying molecular mechanisms of pathological cortical development. We especially highlight recent works that utilized animal exposure models, human specimens or/and induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) cells to demonstrate: (1) molecular mechanisms shared by various types of environmental stressors, (2) the mechanisms by which the affected extracortical tissues indirectly impact the cortical development and function, and (3) interaction between prenatal environmental stress and the genetic predisposition of neuropsychiatric disorders. Finally, we discuss current challenges for achieving a comprehensive understanding of the role of environmentally disturbed molecular expressions in cortical maldevelopment, knowledge of which may eventually facilitate discovery of interventions for prenatal environment-linked neuropsychiatric disorders.
The effects of Hurricane Mitch on a community in northern Honduras.

Introduction: Hurricane Mitch was an event described as one of the most damaging recent natural disasters in our hemisphere. This study examined its effects on a community of 5,000 residents in northern Honduras. Methods: Survey responses of 110 attendants at an ambulatory clinic 4 months after the event were analyzed. Correlates were established between demographic and housing characteristics and morbidity and mortality. Results: The availability of food, water, and medical care decreased significantly immediately after the hurricane, but by four months afterward returned to baseline values. Residents reported emotional distress correlated with the loss of a house or intrafamilial illness or mortality. Diarrheal illnesses more commonly were found in households with poor, chronic access to medical care. The use of cement block housing correlated with availability of food or running water, with access to medical care and vaccinations, and with a reduced frequency of diarrhea or headaches in the immediate post-hurricane phase. Conclusions: Improvements in housing construction appear to be the most effective preventive measure for withstanding the effects of future hurricanes in tropical regions similar to northern Honduras.
Debenzylation and detritylation by bromodimethylborane: synthesis of mono-acid or mixed-acid 1,2- or 2,3-diacyl-sn-glycerols

A novel method of deprotecting primary alcohols protected with either benzyl or trityl groups by using bromodimethylborane under mild reaction conditions (dichloromethane, -20 to 5 degrees C) has been applied to the synthesis of optically pure mono-acid or mixed-acid 1,2- or 2,3-diacyl-sn-glycerols. This method was particularly useful for the synthesis of long saturated acyl (C12 to C24) as well as unsaturated diacyl-sn-glycerols since little or no acyl migration occurred during deprotection. Diacylation of 3-benzyl-sn-glycerol or 1-benzyl-sn-glycerol followed by bromodimethylborane debenzylation gave mono-acid 1,2- or 2,3-diacyl-sn-glycerols, respectively. The mixed-acid 1,2- or 2,3-diacyl-sn-glycerols were prepared from 1-acyl-sn-glycerols or 3-acyl-sn-glycerols, respectively, by tritylation, acylation with a different fatty acid, followed by detritylation with bromodimethylborane.
Fault Tolerance Techniques For Systolic Arrays

In this paper, we study three fault tolerance techniques: data redundancy, algorithm-based fault tolerance, and pair and spare. These techniques, each individually useful, produce excitingly high levels of protection at a relatively low cost when used in combination. We first discuss the techniques separately, extending triple data redundancy to band matrix multiplication while applying algorithm-based fault tolerance to dense matrix multiplication. We then combine double data redundancy and algorithm-based fault tolerance to produce a linear array that corrects transient errors at minimal costs. Finally, we show how the above techniques can be used to implement pair and spare at half the normal cost.
EXPANDING THE LIMITS OF POWER: The Federal Reserve and the Implementation of Functional Regulation in the Gramm‐Leach‐Bliley Era

Research on bureaucratic behavior suggests that agencies are more likely to use the implementation process to extend their power and influence under particular circumstances. I argue that when an agency has been delegated considerable power by Congress, but provided only vague guidance on how to implement this authority, an atmosphere of uncertainty and competition is created. Under such a circumstance the agency will feel pressured to further extend its power in order to defend its regulatory turf against competitors and protect the authority it was delegated. I test this proposition by examining the behavior of the Federal Reserve as it implements the functional regulation provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. Evidence from the Federal Reserve's dealings with the Securities and Exchange Commission during the approval of the Schwab – U. S. Trust merger provides evidence that the Fed is indeed acting to extend its power and influence.
SELS: a secure e-mail list service

Exchange of private information content among a large number of users via E-mail List Services is becoming increasingly common. In this paper we address security requirements in that setting and develop a new protocol, SELS (a Secure E-mail List Service) that provides confidentiality, integrity, and authentication for e-mails exchanged via lists. In addition, SELS also protects against the use of lists for e-mail spamming. We have developed a prototype of SELS in Java, and integrated it with the Eudora e-mail client.
Soot Oxidation Kinetics Under Pressurized Conditions

Abstract The oxidation kinetics, under different pressures, of soot samples obtained from different liquid fuels and two standards (a commercial black carbon sample and a reference diesel soot) was studied. Soot samples were generated in a flat-flame, premixed burner under heavily-sooting conditions and captured on a water-cooled stabilization plate located above the burner surface. The collected soot was oxidized using a high-pressure thermogravimetric analyzer (HTGA). TGA operation was optimized to reduce mass transfer effects by adjusting the oxidizer flow rate and initial sample mass. Further corrections for mass transfer were accomplished by computing the effectiveness factors for intraparticle, interparticle, and external mass transfer. Two pressures were evaluated (1 and 10 atm) and O 2 concentration was varied between 10 and 21%. There was not a significant difference in the activation energies of the soot samples for either pure components or as a mixture, with exception of soot from oxygen-containing fuels, and activation energies for both standards were within the range reported by others. Pressure did not change the activation energies when mass transfer corrections were applied. Soot nanostructure for the soot collected from the flat flame “nascent”, and partially oxidized at 1, 10 and 40 atm was studied by High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM). The lattice fringe length and fringe tortuosity were estimated to correlate the nanostructure and the soot reactivity, and the nascent soot nanostructure was similar across the five fuels. n -butanol/ n -dodecane soot showed a significant change in nanostructure with increasing pressure; however, there was no apparent change in the nanostructure (length or tortuosity) for the other fuels. Corroborating the HRTEM data, surface carbon oxidation studies by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed that the sp 2 /sp 3 content for the oxygenated fuel blend was six times lower than the other fuels leading to lower activation energy and external surface lamellae break-up.
Manganese Nodules: Their Evolution

That manganese nodules and adjacent deep-sea sediments are accumulating manganese at almost the same rate has been established by thorium-230 dating of both sediments and nodules of known manganese content. The rate of manganese deposition is nearly constant over the world oceans. A relatively simple model of nodule evolution explains the distribution of manganese nodules between sediment column and sediment-water interface; the model appears to apply to other trace elements such as copper, nickel, and cobalt.
Becoming Responsible Teens: Promoting the health of adolescents in foster care

Abstract Background: As a result of traumatic early histories, female adolescents in foster care are at great risk for contracting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted diseases. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Becoming a Responsible Teen (BART) curriculum on adolescents' condom awareness and HIV risk knowledge. BART is an 8-week group intervention that combines education and behavior skills training with content on topics such as sexual assertion, refusal, problem solving, and risk recognition. Design: Adolescents living in residential foster care participated in the BART intervention. The study used a pretest/posttest design with one group. Findings: Preintervention and postintervention measures of outcomes of condom awareness and HIV risk knowledge improved significantly after the BART group intervention. Conclusion: Adolescent females in foster care have experienced multiple early adversities and are a high-risk group for sexually transmitted diseases. BART increased the adolescents knowledge related to condom use and HIV risk and encouraged participants to spread the word to other adolescents. (J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc [2002]. 8, 92-98.)
Comparison of DNA extraction protocols for the analysis of gut microbiota in fishes

This study investigated the impacts of bacterial DNA extraction methodology on downstream analysis of fish gut microbiota. Feces and intestine samples were taken from three sympatric freshwater fish species with varying diets. Samples were processed immediately (approximately 4 h after capture; fresh), stored at -20 °C for 15 days or preserved in RNAlater® reagent for 15 days. DNA was then extracted using two commercial kits: one designed for animal tissues and one specifically formulated for stool samples. Microbial community fingerprints were generated using ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis. Factors including diversity as depicted by band number, band intensity, repeatability and practicalities such as cost and time were considered. Despite significant differences in microbiota structure, results were similar between feces and intestine samples. Frozen samples were consistently outperformed by other storage methods and the stool kit typically outperformed the tissue kit. Overall, we recommend extraction of bacterial DNA from fresh samples using the stool kit for both sample types. If samples cannot be processed immediately, preservation in RNAlater® is preferred to freezing. Choice of DNA extraction method significantly influences the results of downstream microbial community analysis and thus should be taken into consideration for metadata analysis.
Changes in synaptic potential properties during acetylcholine receptor accumulation and neurospecific interactions in Xenopus nerve-muscle cell culture.

Abstract Acetylcholine receptors in the muscle cell membrane accumulate at the nerve contact area in Xenopus cell cultures. The correlation between spontaneous synaptic potential properties and extent of acetylcholine receptor accumulation was studied. Small and infrequent miniature endplate potentials were measured before acetylcholine receptor accumulation which was observed with fluorescence microscopy using tetramethylrhodamine-conjugated α-bungarotoxin. As acetylcholine receptors accumulate at the nerve contact area, these synaptic potentials become larger and their frequency increases dramatically. In nerve-contacted muscle cells where spontaneous synaptic activity could not be detected, extensive acetylcholine receptor accumulation was not found at sites of nerve contact. Furthermore, muscle cells which exhibited extensive acetylcholine receptor accumulation along the nerve always produced miniature endplate potentials. Thus acetylcholine receptor accumulation and the presence of miniature endplate potentials were strongly correlated. Noncholinergic neurons from dorsal root ganglia did not form functional synaptic contacts with muscle cells nor acetylcholine receptor accumulation along the path of contact. Furthermore, explants from tadpole spinal cord formed functional synaptic contacts with muscle cells but rarely caused AChR localization. These data are discussed in terms of developmental processes during neuromuscular junction formation.
Listener ratings of stereophonic systems

Subjective listening tests have been completed which indicate that stereo in any of the forms compared is preferred over monaural, but normal stereo from two full range speakers well physically separated is, in all probability, the most preferred.
Kant's Cold Sage and the Sublimity of Apathy

Kant has long been known for denying that emotions constitute an adequate basis for morality or for moral motivation. But Kantian ethicists have recently been calling attention to Kant's recognition of the moral importance of emotions. Several philosophers have pointed out that, for example, Kant sees emotions as indicators of appropriate or inappropriate attitudes and as means of prompting us to perform particular morally right actions. In chapter 6 (p. 207) of Kantian Ethics Almost without Apology, however, Marcia Baron points out a passage in the Metaphysics of Morals that sits poorly with these recent, emotion-friendly interpretations of Kant.
Bidirectional interconnect design for low latency high bandwidth NoC

This paper presents a bidirectional interconnect design which achieves significant reduction in area and power by allowing for simultaneous transmission and reception of signals on a single interconnect segment. The proposed interconnect design achieves twice the throughput with the same link width. We have modeled the bi-directional link on the 7×7 cycle accurate NoC design. We have explored the latency for synthetic and realistic SPLASH-2 benchmarks. Synthetic benchmark results show that bidirectional design does exceedingly well in high congestion. Combination of realistic benchmarks shows that bidirectional design does much better with latency whenever the injection level of the combined benchmark is higher.
Organization size, budget cycle, and budget related influence in city governments: An empirical study

Abstract This paper explores the relationship between budgeting and perceived power in city government organizations. Data are reported from a survey of perceived budget influence in six city governments in Texas. The findings suggest that perceived influence varies by stage of budget cycle, city size, level of hierarchy, department function, and vertical vs horizontal direction of influence. For example, during budget formulation city managers were perceived as having the most vertical power. During budget implemetation, there was a perceived increase in department head vertical power and a decrease in city council power. Perceptions of horizontal power suggested that budget departments generally had greater perceived influence than operating departments for budget formulation, but not for budget implementation. The findings are used to develop a strategic contingencies model of budget-related power, and to suggest some research steps for testing the proposed model.
What do we really know about rehabilitation after ACL reconstruction?: commentary on an article by L.M. Kruse, MD, et al.: "rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. a systematic review".

The authors of this investigation appropriately used a systematic review to identify articles concerning anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rehabilitation that had a Level of Evidence of I or II. The search methodology, level of evidence, and inclusion criteria were clearly defined. They assembled the articles that met their entry criteria into five groups: postoperative bracing (six studies), accelerated strengthening (six studies), home-based rehabilitation (two studies), neuromuscular training (nine studies), and miscellaneous (six studies). The disparity in methodology used in these twenty-nine articles did not allow the authors to use the more powerful methodology of a meta-analysis. The conclusions that they presented at the end of each of their sections were generally adequately supported by the studies they investigated. Although the studies evaluated in this systematic review were of a high level of evidence, many problems were encountered by the reviewers in their attempt to evaluate the articles. Because the authors of the individual studies had not chosen similar study designs, outcome measures, and definitions of rehabilitation techniques (i.e., accelerated compared with standard rehabilitation procedures), the results of these investigations are difficult to compare or to use for meta-analysis. Weaknesses in the individual papers included failure to verify …
Surface analysis for the investigation of electrochemical and corrosion systems

Abstract The use of the surface analysis in investigating electrochemical and corrosion systems is discussed. In particular x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) in both the core and valence band region are described. Examples are given for metallic and carbon fiber electrode systems, and the role of core XPS chemical shifts analyzed by curve fitting is demonstrated. Valence band XPS is shown to have the ability to probe subtle differences in chemical structure, and is more effective in this respect than core XPS. Unfortunately, since all compounds posses valence electrons, the spectra contain features that cannot readily be interpreted without the help of reliable calculations. Examples illustrates how X-alpha cluster and other calculations can be used to interpret such spectra, allowing subtle chemical differences to be detected and thus enabling the approach to be used as a sensitive analytical surface chemistry probe. New X a and ab initio calculations for the valence band of tetragonal ZrO 2 are presented.
The longitudinal cocycle and the index of Toeplitz operators

Abstract Let D be a self-adjoint leafwise elliptic operator on a foliated manifold. Compressing multiplication operators to the range of the positive spectral projection for D yields the class of leafwise Toeplitz operators. The extension generated by these operators is constructed. A topological formula for the index of a Toeplitz operator with invertible symbol is given. This index can also be obtained by pairing the K-theory class of the symbol with a certain cyclic cocycle. If one lifts an elliptic operator on a closed manifold to a leafwise elliptic operator on an associated flat foliated principal bundle, then this cocycle can be used to obtain refined invariants of the original operator.
Performance-enhancing drugs.

1. Christopher Dandoy, MD* 2. Rani S. Gereige, MD, MPH† 1. *Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Fellow, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, OH. 2. †Clinical Professor of Pediatrics–Florida International University, Miami Children’s Hospital, Miami, FL. * Abbreviations: AAS: : anabolic-androgenic steroid DHEA: : dehydroepiandosterone EPO: : erythropoietin hGH: : human growth hormone PED: : performance-enhancing drug Performance-enhancing drug (PED) use by children and teenagers rose sharply in the past decade. One study shows 3.3% of high school students admit anabolic steroid use; another finds 8% of girls and 12% of boys report using products to improve appearance, muscle mass, or strength. Pediatrics clinicians must monitor PED usage trends, screen perceptively, and offer anticipatory guidance. After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Recognize the signs and symptoms of the use of anabolic steroids and growth hormone. 2. Know how to diagnose the use of anabolic steroids and growth hormone by data collection (history, physical examination, and laboratory evaluation). 3. Know the side effects of anabolic steroids. The use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) by preteenagers and teenagers has increased tremendously over the past decade. This trend is driven by multiple factors, including the decrease in the age of participation in competitive sports; the increase in popularity of team/competitive sports; the focus of the media on thinness in females and muscular bodies in males; pressure from parents and coaches; the age-related characteristics of taking risks and feeling invincible; and the availability of various PEDs in many forms and shapes. The pediatric clinician must be aware of the use of performance-enhancing substances by pediatric patients; be prepared to identify risk factors, signs, and symptoms; ask screening questions; and offer anticipatory guidance related to their use. Table 1 lists the common classes of PEDs. This review will focus on a select group of commonly used PEDs. The reader should know that anabolic steroids are synthetic substances derived from testosterone and are also called anabolic-androgenic steroids (AASs) or just “steroids.” Steroid precursors also …
Charge exchange, excitation, and ionization in H(1s)+He{sup 2+} collisions simulated using the multichannel perturbed-stationary-state propagator

I recently reported [Phys. Rev. A {bold 51}, 2222 (1995)] on simulations of charge-exchange and excitation processes in collisions between a helium nucleus and a ground-state hydrogen atom that were performed in the multichannel perturbed-stationary-state framework without employing electron translation factors [Phys. Rev. A {bold 51}, 2199 (1995)]. A simulation with 45 adiabatic molecular orbitals reproduced the measured cross sections for electron capture and for the ensuing Lyman fluorescence lines of He{sup +}, up to the collisional ionization threshold ({approximately}9keV/amu). In this study, the collision of He{sup 2+} on H(1s) is investigated further using a multichannel propagator defined over the former perturbed-stationary-state basis extended to include 35 L{sup 2} ionization pseudostates of the linear combination of atomic orbitals (LCAO) type. The simulated total charge-transfer cross section is now in good agreement with experiment across the peak plateau and well into the falloff wing, where it begins to tail away at energies above 30 keV/amu because the LCAO ionization set is deficient. Concurrently, throughout the range where collisional ionization is important, state-selective cross sections are improved compared to our previous study. Approximately 25{percent} of the calculated peak transfer cross section is associated with n{ge}3He{sup +} levels. The multichannel propagator simulations implymore » that (i) decay cascades contribute almost one-third of the ensuing spontaneous HeII Lyman-{alpha} fluorescence cross section [J. Phys. B {bold 24}, 4025 (1991)] that is accurately reproduced and (ii) capture-induced Balmer-{alpha} and Paschen-{alpha} emissions are considerably stronger than the values either measured in the aforementioned experiment or computed by translation-factor models. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}« less
Updating the history of circular A-21

In my article (Intelligencer, January 1984), I described very precisely what kind of changes were made in Circular A-21 because of the widespread protest. They are changes of form (and not much at that), allowing us to fudge the record (to the extent that auditors will allow it). I gave the evaluation by the Provost of the University of Chicago (Mac Lane's own university): "These changes were desirable but not very fundam e n t a l . . . " . I omitted several other evaluations, like that of Gregory Fusco, Vice President for Government and Community Affairs at Columbia University, who stated that what OMB gave in these changes represented "not even half a loaf but a couple of slices." Disallowances of $4.6 million at Harvard by auditors of HHS (Department of Health and Human Services) in fall 19831 were based on the kind of requirements illustrated by the letter of Melissa Mills at Harvard (see box). Mac Lane concludes that: "This advance [whatever changes were made] does not take care of the major troubles of circular A-21, which still require from universities accountability in ways that are meaningless and intrusive." On the other hand, he says: "But one might doubt that any such negotiations could have removed all the difficulties." It is not clear what conclusion Mac Lane draws from this sentence. I entirely agree that "such" negotiations as were held between OMB, HHS, and university organizations like the Association of American Universities failed. But Mac Lane did not have any mandate to "negotiate", although he called himself a "faculty representative", who tried to prevent the Council of the AMS from voting on the FACULTY PERSPECTIVES at its January 1982 m e e t i n g y e t the Council ultimately endorsed them at its March meeting, cf. footnote 9 of my article. 2 One result of the failure of university administrators, and Mac Lane, properly to represent the universities, is that faculties lose trust in official organizations. Mac Lane's article documents why the chairs of the Academic Senate of the University of California (UCLA) and Academic Council wrote to Vice President Bush on 30 July 1981, stating in part: