cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High-frequency voltage-controlled continuous-time lowpass filter using linearised CMOS integrators

The design and implementation of a continuous-time lowpass filter with voltage-controlled cutoff frequency and passband ripple is presented. The circuit uses a linearised CMOS transconductor as a basic integrating building block. A voltage-controlled phase-adjusting scheme is employed in the integrator to compensate for excess phase in the transconductance at high frequencies. The fabricated filter is capable of realising cutoff frequencies as high as 2 MHz and handles single-ended input signals up to 4 V p-p with less than 1% distortion.
On the spectral decomposition of the elasticity tensor for the cubic crystal system

The spectral decompostion of the elasticity tensor is presented in direct notation and used to discuss choices of the principal (eigen-) vectors that yield a dyadic form. The principal vectors, also recognized as 2-tensors, are used to facilitate the physical interpretation of terms that appear in the spectral representation.
Broadened glass transition in a liquid-crystalline polymer studied by thermally stimulated currents, AC dielectric, dynamic mechanical, and DSC methods

Thermally stimulated currents (TSC), a. c. dielectric, dynamic mechanical (DMTA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) methods were used to study the glass transition in a thermotropic liquid-crystalline copolyester. All the techniques were consistent in the determination of the main glass transition temperature. Using the high sensitivity of the TSC thermal sampling method, it was shown that cooperative glass transition-like relax-ations occur down to 100°C below the main glass transition. DSC was sensitive only to a broadening of the glass transition to about ca. 30°C, so it was concluded that the thermal sampling method is sensing a very small fraction of cooperatively relaxing species which cannot be detected by DSC. Ac dielectric measurements and DMTA also indicated that the glass transition was broad, but difficulties with overlapping transitions prevented quantitative determination of the breadth of the glass transition. The results suggest that the broad glass transition, in this mostly amorphous LCP, is due to chemical heterogeneity of the copolyester chain. Other evidence indicates that the broadening is not due to the oriented nature of the glassy state. Some discussion is presented concerning how the heterogeneous nature of the LCP glass leads to compensation of the Arrhenius curves obtained by the thermal sampling method. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Radiative effects of simulated cirrus clouds on top of a deep convective storm in METEOSAT second generation SEVIRI channels

¶Cirrus clouds often form above intense convective storms due to several different mechanisms and affect the radiation field at the top of the atmosphere. Radiative transfer computations are performed to characterize these effects within the spectral bands of METEOSAT Second Generation’s (MSG) Spinning Enhanced Visible and InfraRed Imager (SEVIRI). Computations refer to five visible, near infrared and infrared MSG SEVIRI channels centered at 0.8, 1.6, 3.9, 10.8, and 12.0 µm. Reflectances and brightness temperatures are computed using the 1-D radiative transfer model STREAMER adopting simple parameterizations of the cloud layers and associated microphysical properties for the determination of the necessary optical properties. A sensitivity study is carried out by varying the cirrus ice crystal size and optical depth. The 1.6 and 3.9 µm channels reveal instrumental for the simultaneous detection of optical depth and crystal size of the cirrus layer. In particular, the results of the 3.9 µm channel show that the smaller the crystal size the higher the reflectance values. The computations provide interpretation clues on the phenomenon of ice crystal plumes on top of deep convective clouds, which are known to produce enhanced reflectivity signatures in the 3.7 µm channel of the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR). The sensitivity of the IR channels to cirrus cloud optical depth and ice crystal size is examined and the brightness temperature differences evaluated. Satellite observations and radiative transfer computations are at present the only way of studying such cloud features due to the unavailability of in situ aircraft measurements.
Quantum dynamics and nonintegrability

Results of a nonperturbative investigation of the global behavior of quantum systems with time-periodic Hamiltonians are presented. These include the proof of a theorem stating that such systems, if bounded and nonresonant, will reassemble themselves infinitely often in the course of time. In order to illustrate the applicability of this result, an analytic study of a driven harmonic oscillator is presented, together with computer simulations of quantum maps describing the dynamics of a pulsed electron in a well and a periodically kicked rotor. A quantitative study of resonance excitation also shows that in practical situations recurrence is pervasive. Several unique quantum effects are analyzed, and their relevance to the classical limit is discussed. A formula is derived for recurrence times, and computer experiments are performed to test its validity.
The linear relationship between iodine staining and average chain length of the unbranched amyloglucans

A simple straight-line relationship between iodine staining and the average chain length (CL) of the linear amyloglucans has been derived utilizing the published data of Baldwin et al. [J. Am. Chem. Soc.66, 111 (1944)], Bailey and Whelan [J. Biol. Chem.236, 939 (1961)], Szejtli et al. [Biopolymers5, 5 (1976)], Pfannemuller et al. [Biopolymers10, 243 (1971)], and Banks et al. [Carbohydr. Res.17, 25 (1971)]. The iodine staining characteristics—the wavelength of maximal optical absorbance (λM); the maximal absorbance (AM); and the iodine binding capacity (Ib) per chain—are all linearly related to the chain length. As an example, Ib per chain is linearly related to the CL and in the formula of a straight line: Y = nX − c where Y equals Ib per chain (or Ib × CL); X equals the CL, n is the slope, and c is the intercept of the Y-axis by the straight line. Thus, CL and Ib are related as follows: CL = c/(n − Ib) Using the data of Banks et al., it was found that the slope was not affected by changes in temperature, but the Y-intercept became less negative with decreasing temperature. Thus, the number of glucose residues per iodine molecule in the helix did not change, but shorter chain length species could complex with the iodine, and a larger fraction of each chain could form the helical configuration with iodine as the temperature was reduced. These findings suggest that the CL and therefore the number-average degree of polymerization and the number-average molecular weight of the unbranched amyloglucans could be determined by AM, Ib or λM measurements after standardization under precise experimental conditions.
Electric dipole moments of rare gas-carbonyl sulfide van der Waals complexes

Abstract The μ a and μ b electric dipole moment components of the Ne-OCS, Ar-OCS, and Kr-OCS van der Waals complexes were determined using Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. The accuracy of these results was evaluated by comparing the Ar-OCS moments with molecular beam electric resonance measurements. The experimental moments are compared with values calculated from projections of the dipole moment of the OCS monomer, corrected for effects from harmonic bending and induced dipole moments in the rare gas atoms. The μ a and μ b components were reproduced within 0.01 D for the Ar and Kr complexes and within 0.02-0.025 D for the Ne complex.
Echocardiographic features of mitral regurgitation due to ankylosing spondylitis.

Abstract A report of echocardiographic features of an extension of "subaortic bump" producing mitral regurgitation in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis and left-sided bivalvular regurgitation is described for the first time. The anatomic and echocardiographic features of "subaortic bump" specifically found in patients with ankylosing spondylitis, have been previously reported. A review of the literature on ankylosing spondylitis and mitral regurgitation is discussed.
Electron-spin polarization in photoemission from strained GaAs grown on GaAs1-xPx.

Spin-polarized electron photoemission has been investigated for strained GaAs epitaxially grown on a GaAs{sub 1{minus}{ital x}}P{sub {ital x}} buffer. The lattice-mismatched heterostructure results in a highly strained epitaxial layer and significant enhancement of electron-spin polarization is observed. The effect of epitaxial layer strain is studied for a variety of samples with epitaxial-layer thicknesses varying from 0.1 to 0.3 {mu}m and the phosphorus concentration {ital x} varying from 0.21 to 0.28. Electron-spin polarization as high as 90% has been observed. The 0.3-{mu}m-thick sample, well in excess of theoretical estimates for the critical thickness for pseudomorphic growth, reaches an electron-spin polarization of 80%, demonstrating a significant persistence of lattice strain.
Anomaly Detection Using Model Generation for Event-Based Systems Without a Preexisting Formal Model

Detecting and debugging faults more efficiently can significantly improve the performance of systems, and a first step toward fault detection is anomaly detection. A new anomaly detection solution is proposed in this paper for event-based systems that consist of processes that interact through shared resources and that do not have a preexisting formal discrete event system model. This solution generates models of the system, assesses the models' performance in detecting faults, and then uses the models and their performance to detect anomalies in new event streams. A new resource-based Petri net formalism is introduced to model these types of systems. The model generation uses an algorithm based on workflow mining to generate resource-based models. The proposed solution is demonstrated on two manufacturing cell examples.
Reorientation of acridine orange at an alcohol-modified liquid/liquid interface

Abstract The in-plane and out-of-plane reorientation of a fluorescent probe, acridine orange, was studied at the water/hexadecane interface, to which varying amounts of short-chain alcohols were adsorbed. The in-plane reorientation was affected little by the addition of these alcohols. The out-of-plane reorientation behavior revealed that the probe has a wider orientational distribution than that predicted from the interfacial tension by the capillary wave model. The interpretation is that both surface roughness and the intrinsic out-of-plane rotation of the probe contribute to the overall orientational distribution. The behavior of the fluorescent probe at the alcohol-modified water/hexadecane interface contrasts with that of the same interface modified by a charged surfactant.
Opioid antinociception, tolerance and dependence: interactions with the N-methyl-D-aspartate system in mice.

This study explored the involvement of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) in the effects of μ-opioid agonists. A hot-plate procedure was used to assess antinociception and tolerance in mice in which the NR1 subunit of the NMDA receptor was reduced [knockdown (KD)] to approximately 10%, and in mice treated
Gauss–Jordan elimination methods for the Moore–Penrose inverse of a matrix

Abstract We present an alternative explicit expression for the Moore–Penrose inverse of a matrix. Based on this expression, we propose a Gauss–Jordan elimination method for the computation of A † . Its computational complexity indicates that this method is more efficient than the existing Gauss–Jordan elimination method in the literature for a large class of problems. An example is included to illustrate the new method.
National Public Radio

I am a National Public Radio (NPR) listener. The affiliate in El Paso, Texas, KTEP, plays classical music in the afternoon, and I find it relaxing. However, the library walls have a tendency to blo...
ENERGY-SAVING HYBRID HYDRAULIC SYSTEM COMPRISING HIGHLY EFFICIENT IPM MOTOR AND INVERTER, FOR INJECTION MOLDING AND MANUFACTURING MACHINE

We have developed a novel energy-saving hydraulic pump system Super Unit that comprises a high-efficiency motor, low-inertia pump and an inverter controller (We call this type of system ‘hybrid’). Compared with conventional hydraulic pumps each driven by a constant speed induction motor, our novel hydraulic pump system driven by a high-efficiency variable-speed IPMSM (Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor) features energy-saving of 40% or more when used for an injection molding machine which is a typical application of this new pump system.By means of a pressure feedback control function and run speed control software on the controller, the pressure and fl ow rate of the hydraulic fluid are accurately controlled according to a command from the controller of the molding machine. This control software allows a high-torque high-precision motor to drive a low-inertia pump: as a result, high-speed high-response control of hydraulic actuators is realized, thereby the quality of molding products obtainable from injection machines controlled by our system is higher compared with quality resulting from conventional systems. A series of our variable-speed pump system products adopting hybrid hydraulic pressure technology are available for NC lathes, machining centers and other industrial machines such as a press machine.
Development of a canine stifle computer model to investigate cranial cruciate ligament deficiency

The objective of this study was to develop a three-dimensional (3D) quasi-static rigid body canine pelvic limb computer model simulating a cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) intact and CrCL-deficient stifle during walking stance to describe stifle biomechanics. The model was based on a five-year-old neutered male Golden Retriever (33 kg) with no orthopedic or neurologic disease. Skeletal geometry and ligament anatomy determined from computed tomography (CT), optimized muscle forces, motion capture kinematics, and force platform ground reaction forces were used to develop the model. Ligament loads, tibial translation, tibial rotation, and femoromeniscal contact forces were compared across the intact and CrCL-deficient stifle. The CrCL was found to be the primary intact stifle load-bearing ligament, and the caudal cruciate ligament was the primary CrCL-deficient stifle load-bearing ligament. Normalized tibial translation and rotation were 0.61 mm/kg and 0.14 degrees/kg, respectively. Our model confirmed that the CrCL stabilizes the intact stifle and limits tibial translation and rotation. Model verification was confirmed through agreement with experimentally measured kinematics and previous in vivo, in vitro, and mathematical model studies. Parametric analysis indicated outcome measure sensitivity to ligament pre-strain. Computer modeling could be useful to further investigate stifle biomechanics associated with surgical stabilization techniques.
The Role of Excess Acid Groups in the Dynamics of Ethylene−Methacrylic Acid Ionomer Melts

Ethylene−methacrylic acid (E/MAA) ionomers are commonly neutralized to substoichiometric levels, leaving unneutralized (“excess”) carboxylic acid groups along the chain. Previous observations indicate that these excess acid groups interact preferentially with the ionic units and produce a reduction in viscosity. Here, we employ a combination of melt rheometry and cation diffusion experiments to elucidate the role of these excess acid groups in the chain and ion dynamics of E/MAA ionomers. We find that the excess acid groups act not by introducing a separate relaxation mechanism, but by accelerating the rate of ion hopping in these materialsa “plasticization” of the ionic interactionswhich in turn speeds up chain relaxation proportionately. At low ion contents, the functional dependence of viscosity vs ion content is profoundly altered by excess acid groups, due to the competing effects of viscosity increase through interacid hydrogen bonding and viscosity reduction through plasticization of the ionic asso...
Indications for and results of irradiation of carcinoma of the lung

In the majority of patients with pulmonary cancer seen in a radiotherapy department it is not possible to achieve more than short-term palliation. No pretreatment criteria allow the radiotherapist categorically to decide definitely which patients might be cured and which might receive palliation only. A number of clinical features—pain, weight loss of 10 pounds or more, supraclavicular metastases, hemoptysis, large mass requirement treatment fields of more than 200 cm2, or history of resection longer than 6 months earlier—make long-term control unlikely, but some with these signs or symptoms may still be cured. Because one does not want to cause undue morbidity from high dose irradiation in incurable patients, a further attempt must be made to select the favorable cases from the group at large by careful evaluation during treatment. Split-course therapy is suggested as a means of refining this selection process since the rest period allows longer observation prior to commitment to a high dose. It is important that high dose therapy be offered to the favorable patients since as many as 5 to 8% of all referred patients can be cured and approximately 20% can be given long-term palliation. Satisfactory treatment results in the Stanford series were more frequent with doses in excess of 5500 rads in 6 weeks by conventional fractionation.
Circular swimming in mice after exposure to a high magnetic field.

There is increasing evidence that exposure to high magnetic fields of 4 T and above perturbs the vestibular system of rodents and humans. Performance in a swim test is a sensitive test of vestibular function. In order to determine the effect of magnet field exposure on swimming in mice, mice were exposed for 30 min within a 14.1 T superconducting magnet and then tested at different times after exposure in a 2-min swim test. As previously observed in open field tests, mice swam in tight counter-clockwise circles when tested immediately after magnet exposure. The counter-clockwise orientation persisted throughout the 2-min swim test. The tendency to circle was transient, because no significant circling was observed when mice were tested at 3 min or later after magnet exposure. However, mice did show a decrease in total distance swum when tested between 3 and 40 min after magnet exposure. The decrease in swimming distance was accompanied by a pronounced postural change involving a counter-clockwise twist of the pelvis and hindlimbs that was particularly severe in the first 15 s of the swim test. Finally, no persistent difference from sham-exposed mice was seen in the swimming of magnet-exposed mice when tested 60 min, 24 h, or 96 h after magnet exposure. This suggests that there is no long-lasting effect of magnet exposure on the ability of mice to orient or swim. The transient deficits in swimming and posture seen shortly after magnet exposure are consistent with an acute perturbation of the vestibular system by the high magnetic field.
STUDIES ON THE MAMMARY TUMORS OF DOGS : I. LACTATION AND THE INFLUENCE OF OVARIECTOMY AND SUPRARENALECTOMY THEREON.

Spontaneous mammary tumors occur in middle aged or senile dogs and are of three principal pathological types; a diffuse epithelial and connective tissue overgrowth often with associated cartilage and bone; solid masses of epithelial cells; intracystic papillomatous tumors. The metastases in this series were always composed of papillary carcinomatous cysts; this tissue in transplants to abdominal connective tissue induced epithelial osteogenesis. All of the dogs with mammary tumors had lipid-rich suprarenal cortical tumors. The tumors frequently secrete a dilute milk with citric acid content considerably increased above serum levels; large numbers of colostrum corpuscles are present in this fluid. After weaning, normal parturient dogs undergo a complete cessation of mammary secretion; lactation persists considerably longer in dogs with mammary tumor than in normal dogs. Absence of suckling does not eliminate lactation in pseudopregnancy. The failure of the breast to lactate under the stimulus of prolactin signifies a lack of physiological maturity. The breasts of mature dogs have two types of response to ovariectomy; either great physiological involution results or lactation, actual or potential, is retained in areas for at least 3 to 6 months. Those in which excision of the ovaries does not cause prompt and great involution of the breast include all dogs with mammary tumors, all with pseudopregnancy, and certain dogs, presumably normal which we are unable to characterize further at this time. Excision of the suprarenal glands in addition to the ovaries usually did not completely eliminate lactation or the lactational potential.
Validation Studies Involving Successive Classes of Trainee Stenographers

Summary This article is a summary of four validation studies conducted during 1951–1955. Subjects participating in these studies were 171 young females, recently graduated from high school, who were enrolled in four separate, and successive, classes in a work-study type of stenographer training program. As trainees, these individuals attended business school four hours a day, five days a week, over a period of 38 weeks–usually beginning the latter part of June of each year. The remaining four hours a day were spent in business offices of the Du Pont Company at clerical tasks commensurate with ability. Throughout the training period, trainees were assigned to business offices in teams of two, so that one could be at work while the other attended school. At noon, teammates exchanged places. Certain selection techniques, such as psychological testing and interviewing, were used as an aid in determining qualifications of applicants for employment. Other techniques, including a four-page biographical inventory and a one-page teachers’appraisal blank, were also used, not as an aid to selection, but for the sole purpose of obtaining additional, pertinent information. Data obtained by all techniques were recorded systematically for analysis at a later date. Approximately two years after data had been collected on applicants, appraisals of stenographic performance, with regard to those selected, were obtained from supervision. These appraisals served as the criterion for determining validity of personnel evaluation techniques. Performance on the Turse Shorthand Aptitude Test and the Seashore-Bennett Stenographic Proficiency Test was found to be positively related, in a statistically significant manner, to the criterion of stenographic performance. Furthermore, certain information obtained by interviewing, biographical inventory, and teachers’appraisal blank was found to be consistently related, in a statistically significant manner, to the same criterion. Consistency of these research findings from one class of trainees to the next, throughout four successive classes, are discussed in terms of a conceptual frame of reference concerning human growth, development, and behavior.
Likelihood ratio tests for and against decreasing in transposition in K×K×K contingency tables

Abstract We consider testing for and against decreasing in transposition in K×K×K contingency tables. We show that when testing for exchangeability against this type of ordering, the asymptotic distribution of the likelihood ratio statistic is that of a convolution of several independent chi-bar square distributions and hence is itself a chi-bar square distribution. We provide expressions for the weighting values and we obtain the least-favorable distribution for testing for this type of ordering. Details are given for the cases K=2 and K=3. An illustrative example is included.
Resocialization of the bereaved via interpersonal communication techniques

Abstract This research focused on the communication behavior of bereaved individuals using the ethnography of communication methodology. From the eight individuals interviewed, three main bereavement communication categories emerged and were described: private interaction, impersonal interaction, and interpersonal interaction. Two suppllem communication techniques were then posited in order to facilitate communication within those categories. The methodology proved to be a useful tool in elucidating the categorks of communication behavior used the bereaved and was also found to be effective in facilitating bereavement communication.
Conceptual design of a Rayleigh-Taylor experiment to study bubble merger in two dimensions on NIF

Abstract A preliminary design of an experiment meant to investigate the evolution of multimode Rayleigh–Taylor instability (RT) is presented. This experiment is intended to provide a direct measurement of the two-dimensional bubble front evolution in the hydrodynamic regime. RT growth for the proposed design has been analyzed using one-dimensional direct numerical simulations in Hyades and models of self-similar behavior. The models predictions are compared to results obtained in two-dimensional Dafna numerical simulations, with good agreement. The proposed design assures a significant bubble-merging process (∼3–4 bubble merger generations). The design takes advantage of the National Ignition Facility (NIF) capabilities to provide a large enough laser spot area (∼0.5–1 cm 2 ), along with a low-enough drive that preheat effects remain small.
Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and microsample injection system coupled with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry for inorganic arsenic speciation in natural waters

A method was developed for inorganic arsenic speciation analysis of water samples by a microsample injection system coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MIS-ICP-MS) following ...
Bombus folsomi and the origin of Philippine bumble bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

The type female of Bombus folsomi (Frison) is redescribed and synomymized with B.ephippiatus Say. It is concluded that the putative type locality of B.folsomi, Mt Kinabalu in Borneo, is in error and that the genus appears to be absent from Borneo. This lends support to the hypothesis that bumble bees immigrated to the Philippines by an unusual northern route through Taiwan. More rigorous testing of this idea will require further cladistic analysis of the genus Bombus.
Statistical Modeling of D‐ and z‐value of E. coli O157:H7 and pH in Apple Cider Containing Preservatives

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to model the heat resistance of E. coli O157:H7 in apple cider as a function of added sorbate, benzoate, and malic acid. Inactivation experiments were done at 47, 50, and 53 °C, and D and z values were calculated. Models for D47, D50, and D53 showed that all 3 additives significantly decreased heat resistance. Furthermore, z-values increased with addition of preservatives and low pH. Model predictions showed that at 50 °C, 5-log reduction is attainable in a few minutes when the cider contains additives, while preliminary test results showed that at 20 °C, a 5-log reduction could be obtained in about 90 min in cider with 0.1% sorbate, 0.1% benzoate, and 1% malic acid.
Induction of V2 receptors in renal medulla of homozygous Brattleboro rats by arginine vasopressin.

Abstract Homozygous Brattleboro rats display pronounced diabetes insipidus and when treated continuously with arginine vasopressin (AVP) acquire the ability to produce concentrated urine. In this study, the effects of continual AVP replacement on the pharmacological properties of the renal medullary V2 receptor and coupling to adenylate cyclase were examined. Osmotic minipumps that delivered AVP at four different rates were implanted into male homozygous Brattleboro rats. At the end of the 14 day treatment period, urine osmolalities were 280 ± 24 , 474 ± 105 , 1777 ± 304 and 2202 ± 175 mOsm/kg H2O for the 0, 31.25, 62.5 and 125 ng/hr treatment groups, respectively. Plasma AVP levels were below the level of detection for the 0 and 31.25 ng/hr treatment groups, and were 2.5 ± 0.5 and 6.5 ± 1.8 pg/ml for the 62.5 and 125 ng/hr treatment groups. Saturation experiments using [3H] AVP and renal medullary membranes revealed binding site concentrations of 57 ± 9 , 84 ± 23 , 164 ± 17 and 150 ± 18 fmol/mg protein for the 0, 31.25, 62.5 and 125 ng/hr treatment groups, respectively. AVP-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation was enhanced in renal medullary membranes prepared from the 62.5 and 125 ng/hr treatment groups when compared to that in the 0 and 31.25 ng/hr treatment groups. From these results, it appears that circulating AVP is necessary for expression of functional V2 receptors in the homozygous Brattleboro rat renal medulla.
In Situ Global Method for Measurement of Oxygen Demand and Mass Transfer

Two aerobic microorganisms, Saccharomycopsis lipolytica and Brevibacterium lactofermentum, have been used in a study of mass transfer and oxygen uptake from a global perspective, using a closed gas system. Oxygen concentrations in the gas and liquid were followed using oxygen electrodes; the results allowed for easy calculation of in situ oxygen transport. The cell yields on oxygen for S. lipolytica and B. lactofermentum were 1.01 and 1.53 g/g, respectively. The mass transfer coefficient was estimated as 10/h at 500 rpm for both fermentations. The advantages with this method are noticeable, since the use of model systems may be avoided, and the in situ measurements of oxygen demand assure reliable data for scale-up.
Counting Congress in: Patterns of Success in Judicial Nomination Requests by Members of Congress to Presidents Eisenhower and Ford

The power to nominate and confirm federal judges is shared by Congress and the President, yet few works explicitly address the role Congress plays in shaping the preselection pool for judicial nominees. In this article, we illuminate this debate by exploring judicial nomination requests from Members of Congress to the Eisenhower and Ford Administrations. In explaining who is nominated, the characteristics of the nominee matter more than the characteristics of the nominator, with the party affiliation of a nominee being the strongest predictive factor. Institutional characteristics are more prevalent at the confirmation stage than at the nomination stage, where, when making confirmation decisions, the Senate relied more heavily on its members, on electoral considerations, and the judicial experience of nominees than did presidents in nominating them. The results provide a more comprehensive view of the nomination-confirmation process, and enrich our understanding of inter-branch relations.
Introduction to the Fifth Global Summit on the Health Effects of Yogurt.

The purpose of the Second Global Summit on the Health Effects of Yogurt was to review and evaluate the strength of current scientific knowledge regarding the health benefits of yogurt. To begin, the historical and current patterns of yogurt consumption were reviewed. Then, the evidence base for the benefits of yogurt for maintaining health throughout the life cycle, including optimal body composition, and for reducing the incidence of chronic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease was presented. Speakers also discussed the emerging evidence for a link between gut microbiota and health, with a focus on the gut–brain axis and early programming. To conclude, the role of dairy products in a sustainable diet was presented, taking into account both nutritional and environmental factors. On 30 April 2014, the Second Global Summit on the Health Effects of Yogurt was held as a satellite symposium to the 2014 Experimental Biology meeting. The symposium followed the successful First Global Summit that was held in Boston, Mass., in April 2013, organized by the Yogurt in Nutrition Initiative, which was established in 2012. As stated in the proceedings of that meeting, “the overall mission of the Yogurt in Nutrition Initiative is to advance scientific knowledge on the health benefits of yogurt and to broadly disseminate that information.”1 Indeed, the first and second global summits were constructed to identify and review the existing science on the health benefits of yogurt and to disseminate this knowledge. At the 2014 summit, Dr. Fisberg2 reviewed the history of yogurt and reminded the audience that yogurt has been a part of the human diet for thousands of years and was consumed by a diverse group of nations and ethnic groups. Yogurt consumption appeared in Turkish literature in the 11th century. In fact, Genghis …
Perforated gastric corpus in a strangulated paraesophageal hernia: a case report

Patients with paraesophageal hernias often present secondary to chronic symptomatology. Infrequently, acute intestinal ischemia and perforation can occur as a consequence of paraesophageal hernias with potentially dire consequences. An 86-year-old obtunded male presented to the emergency department with hypotension and severe back and abdominal pain. An emergency abdominal CT scan was ordered with a presumptive diagnosis of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. CT topograms revealed extensive free intra-abdominal air and herniated abdominal viscera into the right hemithorax. Prior to completion of the CT study, the patient sustained a cardiopulmonary arrest. Surgery was consulted, but the patient was unable to be revived. Post-mortem examination revealed gross contamination within the abdomen and a giant, incarcerated, hiatal hernia with organoaxial volvulus and ischemic perforation. Current recommendations call for prompt repair of giant hiatal hernias before they become symptomatic due to the increased risk of strangulation. Torsion of the stomach in large hiatal hernias frequently leads to a fatal complication such as this warranting elective repair as soon as possible.
Connectionist nonparametric regression: multilayer feedforward networks can learn arbitrary mappings

Abstract It has been recently shown (e.g., Hornik, Stinchcombe & White, 1989, 1990) that sufficiently complex multilayer feedforward networks are capable of representing arbitrarily accurate approximations to arbitrary mappings. We show here that these approximations are learnable by proving the consistency of a class of connectionist nonparametric regression estimators for arbitrary (square integrable) regression functions. The consistency property ensures that as network “experience” accumulates (as indexed by the size of the training set), the probability of network approximation error exceeding any specified level tends to zero. A key feature of the demonstration of consistency is the proper control of the growth of network complexity as a function of network experience. We give specific growth rates for network complexity compatible with consistency. We also consider automatic and semi-automatic data-driven methods for determining network complexity in applications, based on minimization of a cross-validated average squared error measure of network performance. We recommend cross-validated average squared error as a generally applicable criterion for comparing relative performance of differing network architectures and configurations.
Treatment of nightmares in the context of posttraumatic stress disorder

Nightmares are a common feature of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and are frequently resistant to treatment. Two emerging treatments for nightmares are pharmacotherapy with prazosin and psychotherapy using imagery rehearsal (IR). A case illustration demonstrates the application of these treatments with a client suffering from chronic, severe PTSD. The case illustrates the use of these strategies for managing PTSD-related nightmares, as well as the novel approach of scheduled awakenings following relapse.
Robustness of power-law networks: its assessment and optimization

Many practical complex networks, such as the Internet, WWW and social networks, are discovered to follow power-law distribution in their degree sequences, i.e., the number of nodes with degree $$i$$i in these networks is proportional to $$i^{-\beta }$$i-β for some exponential factor $$\beta > 0$$β>0. However, these networks also expose their vulnerabilities to a great number of threats such as adversarial attacks on the Internet, cyber-crimes on the WWW or malware propagations on social networks. Although power-law networks have been found robust under random attacks and vulnerable to intentional attacks via experimental observations, how to better understand their vulnerabilities from a theoretical point of view still remains open. In this paper, we study the vulnerability of power-law networks under random attacks and adversarial attacks using the in-depth probabilistic analysis on the theory of random power-law graph models. Our results indicate that power-law networks are able to tolerate random failures if their exponential factor $$\beta $$β is $$ 2.5$$β>2.5 the network robustness is unpredictable since it depends on the specific attacking strategy.
Linear Interpolation with a Nonparametric Accelerated Failure-Time Model

Abstract Assuming a nonparametric accelerated failure-time model, a method is proposed for extrapolating low stress-response probabilities on negative-sloping line segments in the stress-failure-time plane. The method (analogous to linear interpolation in dose-response studies) results in simultaneous extrapolation ahead in time and down in stress. In the two-sample (two stress level) setting, a goodness-of-fit test of the nonparametric model is considered and two hypothesis tests are proposed, each pertaining to a condition that (in addition to the assumed model) must be met for the method to be valid. The method is illustrated with censored strand-life data, and some simulated examples are used to consider power and robustness. The failure-time model is a scale family with curvature constraints. The failure probability is assumed to be a sigmoid function of the product of time and a sigmoid scaling function of stress. Time percentiles as functions of stress are assumed to be convex. The goodness-of-fit ...
2010 Presidential Address A Tale of Two Gavels

The importance of both work and play is discussed. Additionally, a variety of issues related to suicidology are presented in this Division 17 presidential address.
Learning Global Direct Inverse Kinematics

We introduce and demonstrate a bootstrap method for construction of an inverse function for the robot kinematic mapping using only sample configuration--space/ workspace data. Unsupervised learning (clustering) techniques are used on pre-image neighborhoods in order to learn to partition the configuration space into subsets over which the kinematic mapping is invertible. Supervised learning is then used separately on each of the partitions to approximate the inverse function. The ill-posed inverse kinematics function is thereby regularized, and a global inverse kinematics solution for the wristless Puma manipulator is developed.
Life prediction of composite turbine blades under random ocean current and velocity shear

Design, analysis and life prediction of a composite ocean current turbine (OCT) blade has been investigated. Loading on a turbine blade under Gulf Stream in South Florida location (26° 4.3N 79° 55W) at 50 meter depth is considered. Ocean current is random in nature and it varies with respect to time. This variation further intensifies if turbulence is added. In addition, change in velocity profile with ocean depth also introduces shear. During its service life, an ocean current turbine blade would experience repeated and alternating stresses leading to fatigue loading. Sources of such fatigue loading could be many but most dominant ones are due to randomness of ocean current and velocity shear. Effects of these two types of loading are probed and a methodology to predict fatigue life is described in this paper.
Development of the Information Commons at TCU: A Case Study

ABSTRACT This article describes the development of an Information Commons (IC) at the Mary Couts Burnett Library at Texas Christian University. The two major administrative units in the partnership are the library and the campus information technology department. The article includes information about the initial process of developing an IC, the design of facilities supporting delivery of IC services, the staffing by employees and students, and the challenges faced in the development of the IC.
Correntropy as a novel measure for nonlinearity tests

Nonlinearity tests have become an essential step in system analysis and modeling due to the computational demands and complexity of analysis involved in nonlinear modeling. Standard nonlinear measures are either too complicated to estimate accurately (such as Lyapunov exponents and correlation dimension), or not able to capture sufficient but not necessary conditions of nonlinearity (such as time asymmetry). Correntropy is a kernel-based similarity measure which contains the information of both statistical and temporal structure of the underlying dataset. The capability of preserving nonlinear characteristics makes correntropy a suitable candidate as a measure for determining nonlinear dynamics. Moreover, since correntropy makes use of kernel methods, its estimation is computationally efficient. Using correntropy as the test statistic, nonlinearity tests based on the null hypothesis that signals of interest are realizations of linear Gaussian stochastic processes are carried out via surrogate data methods. Experiments performed on linear Gaussian, linear non-Gaussian, and nonlinear systems with varying in-band noise levels, data lengths, and kernel sizes confirm that correntropy can be employed as a discriminative measure for detecting nonlinear characteristics in time series. Results of tests performed on data collected from natural systems are in agreement with findings in time series analysis literature.
Applications of population balance equation modeling to pharmaceutical emulsions

Emulsions are usually generated in high-pressure homogenization chambers. The flow field is these units are typically highly turbulent and chaotic, and mechanisms for drop formation under these conditions are not well understood. In this paper, we have applied the PBE modeling approach to droplet break-up in a high pressure homogenizer using mechanistic functions for breakage rate. We have compared our modeling results to experimental data that we have obtained on a model oil-in-water emulsion. In principle, once these functions are known, the PBE approach can be used in a predictive manner to aid in the selection of process and product variables that will lead to the desired drop size distribution. This was verified for a number of test cases by changing product properties and homogenizing conditions. We observed that the population balance model did a reasonably good job of predicting the drop size distribution and therefore look promising. For cases where the model fails, we discuss strategies for improving predictions for these types of systems.
A systolic VLSI architecture for multi-dimensional transforms

A VLSI architecture for separable kernel multidimensional transforms is described. What is novel about the architecture is its data rotator, which is a hexagonal mesh of processors. The rotator is completely scalable and modular and is programmable with respect to d and the length of each dimension. The proposed architecture has an AT/sup 2/ figure of O(d/sup 2/n/sup 2/ log/sup 2/ n), where d is the dimensionality, n is the total number of elements in the data cube, and the precision of an element is assumed to be Theta (log n). The value of AT/sup 2/ for the rotator itself is O(n/sup 2/ log/sup 2/ n) for a single rotation, which is optimal. Multidimensional separable kernel transforms may be computed by performing d sets of 1-D transforms, each along a unique axis of the d-D data cube. A natural architecture for such problems consists of a number of 1-D transform processors and a rotator or transposer. >
Egg-Dumping Behavior Is Not Correlated with Wider Host Acceptance in the Seed Beetle Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae)

ABSTRACT If typical host plants are absent, some herbivorous insects “dump” eggs on unsuitable substrates, even though this can cause complete larval mortality and reduced maternal life span. In the seed beetle Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae), the tendency to dump eggs varies genetically both within and between populations. A previous study hypothesized that egg-dumping behavior facilitates host-range expansions, and suggested that such expansions have served to maintain “dumper” genotypes in beetle populations. We tested this hypothesis in two experiments. For both African and Asian beetle populations, full-sib females from >60 families were split among three treatments: no seeds, a less-preferred novel host, and a preferred host. Within each population, we found no correlation among families between the tendency to dump eggs and the tendency to accept the novel host. We also compared egg dumping between selection lines that had adapted to a novel host and a line that...
Photovoltaic‐powered piston‐type water pump controlled by a linear motor

This paper presents a unique technique to control a photovoltaic (PV)-powered piston-type water pump. the method uses a linear motor mounted directly onto the piston rod of the pump. This linear motor method replaces the traditional piston-type water pump, which employs a DC motor with a bulky gear mechanism to convert the rotational motion of the motor to linear motion for the piston. The electric circuit used to control the linear motor employs a four-quadrant chopper, which uses four fast MOSFETs and a simple logic circuit for the switching. The experimental results show that the PV-powered linear motor system can be used as an alternative to the PV-powered DC motor gear system.
Visual fidelity of reconstructed radiographic images using wavelet transform coding and JPEG

The past few years have seen a rapid development in the areas of image compression techniques. This increase is mainly attributed to the current need for efficient storage and fast transmission of data among individuals using the information superhighway. A particular place of interest is in the area of telemedicine, where rapid transmission and effective storage leads to price reduction in medical costs. Thus, in order to achieve maximal storage and transmission parameters, the different compression algorithms should be compared in order to find an optimal technique for medical image compression. In this paper, we compare the performance of the wavelet transform to the current JPEG standard. We performed our comparisons on radiographic images and used criteria such as visual quality, peak signal-to-noise ratio and mean square error, in order to judge the compression capabilities of both techniques. Wavelet reconstructed images outperformed JPEG reconstruction in all the above criteria. >
Dynamic range compression of audio signals consistent with recent time-varying loudness models

Dynamic range compression may be used to increase the volume of the softer passages of an audio signal relative to its louder portions, thus making the signal better suited to transmission through, or storage on, a given medium. The level-detection characteristics of typical contemporary dynamic range compressors are analyzed and investigated, thus revealing the shortcomings of such models in the light of knowledge about steady-state and time-varying loudness as perceived by the human auditory system. The design of an equal-loudness filter, desired to improve the steady-state properties of compressor level detection, is presented. Finally, the time-varying properties of the level detection scheme presented, configured via attack and release times, are tuned to provide optimal correspondence with a recently proposed model of time-varying loudness.