cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A cascaded high frequency AC link system for large-scale PV-assisted EV fast charging stations

The development of high-power electric vehicle (EV) fast charging stations (EVFCSs) that are directly tied to the medium-voltage (MV) grid is a promising solution to shorten the charging time for EVs. The cascaded-high-frequency-link (CHFL) system-based charging station provides an isolated power electronic interface between the low voltage (LV) DC bus (inside the station) and the three-phase MV AC power network. The CHFL system uses a high/medium frequency transformer to provide isolation and high stepping-up ratio. The main disadvantage of this system is the large number of active switches. In this paper, a new design for the CHFL system based on cascaded half-bridge direct matrix converters is proposed. The proposed design reduce the active switch count by more than 40% as compared with topologies recently proposed in the literature. A simplified multilevel hysteresis current controller (MLHCC) for the system is also presented. The proposed architecture for EVFCS is assisted by a photovoltaic (PV) system to decrease the dependency on the power grid. A bi-directional power flow controller is adopted to inject the excess in the generated PV power to the grid, and withdraw power from the grid when the PV power is less than the demand of the station. The results are validated through a number of simulations for a 5MW system.
Rheological behavior of aqueous foams at high pressure

Abstract Aqueous foams are used in many oil field applications including drilling, fracturing, and enhanced oil recovery operations. The success of all these operations strongly depends on viscosity and stability of foam. Rheology of foams is a function of foam quality (i.e. gas volume fraction), liquid phase viscosity, pressure, and temperature. Besides, foam generation method and stability are factors that influence its rheology. This article presents results of an experimental study performed to investigate the effects of foam quality, pressure, and wall slip on aqueous-foam rheology. Extensive tests were conducted using a foam recirculating flow loop consisting of three pipe viscometers. Experiments were performed at ambient temperature, and varying pressure (6.89–20.68 MPa), foam quality (40–80%), and pipe diameter (3.06, 6.22 and 12.67 mm). The foam was generated by passing a mixture of water containing 2% surfactant solution and gas phase (nitrogen) through a needle valve. To minimize degradation while testing, the foam was regenerated by circulating at the maximum flow rate (0.55 L/min) before each flow measurement was made. Results indicate strong non-Newtonian behavior of foam, which closely fits the power law model. For foams with more than 55% quality, measured viscosities were higher than the ones reported in the literature. Noticeable wall slip was not observed. Foam viscosity change because of pressure variation at a constant foam quality was negligible. Foams with quality higher than 70% exhibited yield pseudoplastic behavior. Their rheological behavior can be described better by Herschel–Bulkley model than power law model when the shear rate is below 20 1/s.
Mini Versus Standard Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: The Impact of Sheath Size on Intrarenal Pelvic Pressure and Infectious Complications in a Porcine Model.

Abstract Objective: To determine how sheath and endoscope size affect intrarenal pelvic pressures and risk of postoperative infectious complications comparing “Mini” vs “Standard” percutaneous neph...
Probe Interval Orders

A probe interval graph is a graph with vertex partition P ∪ N and to each vertex v there corresponds an interval Iv such that vertices are adjacent if and only if their corresponding intervals intersect and at least one of the vertices belongs to P . If a graph has a transitive orientation on its complement, it is a cocomparability graph, and we can think of it as the incomparability graph of the order given by a transitive orientation of its complement. When the vertices of N have a proper representation (no interval contains another properly), a natural transitive orientation of the complement occurs. We call the order that arises a probe interval order. We characterize which probe interval graphs yield a probe interval order by restrictions placed on {Iv : v ∈ N}, and by the nature of the partition restricted to 4-cycles in the graph. We discuss methods for recognizing cocomparability probe interval graphs, both in the partitioned and non-partitioned case.
A method for the dynamic selection of models under time constraints

Finding a model of a complex system that is at the right level of detail for a specific purpose is a difficult task. Under a time constraint for decision-making, we may prefer less complex models that are less accurate over more accurate models that require longer computation times. We can define the optimal model to select under a time constraint, but we cannot compute the optimal model in time to be useful. We present a heuristic method to select a model under a time constraint; our method is based on searching a set of alternative models that are organized as a graph of models (GoM). We define the application-specific level of prediction accuracy that is required for a model to be adequate, then use the probability of model adequacy as a metric during the search for a minimally complex, adequate model. We compute an approximate posterior probability of adequacy by applying a belief network to compute the prior probability of adequacy for models in the GoM, then by fitting the models under consideration to the quantitative observations. We select the first adequate model that we find, then refine the model selection by searching for the minimally complex, adequate model. We describe work in progress to implement this method to solve a model-selection problem in the domain of physiologic models of the heart and lungs.
Justice and Justification.

Is good reasoning in the moral domain different from its counterpart in non-moral domains? What counts as a good moral argument, or a valid moral assertion or claim? What does ‘validity’ mean in th...
Doppler ultrasound predictors of transplant hepatic venous outflow obstruction in pediatric patients.

OBJECTIVE To investigate Doppler US and catheter venogram correlates to improve detection of transplant HVOO and avoid unnecessary invasive imaging procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective review was performed in all pediatric OLT patients undergoing catheter venography of the hepatic veins between 2007 and 2017 at a single large tertiary pediatric liver transplant institution. RESULTS Forty-four transplant hepatic venograms in 32 OLT patients were included (mean 1.38, range 1-4 venograms per patient). All venograms were preceded by an independent Doppler US examination. Twenty-one (47.7%) venograms were performed for the investigation of suspected HVOO based on Doppler US alone, 19 (43.2%) were performed for TJLB without suspected HVOO, 4 (9.1%) were performed for both. Sixteen (36.3%) instances of >50% anastomotic stenosis were identified. Mean peak anastomotic velocities were 208 cm/s and 116 cm/s in the presence and absence of a >50% venographic stenosis, respectively (P 50% stenosis seen on hepatic vein venogram. In all cases where a triphasic waveform was seen on Doppler US, there was no stenosis seen on hepatic vein venogram. CONCLUSION While a Doppler US velocity threshold providing both high sensitivity and specificity has yet to be identified, increasing peak anastomotic velocity and decreasing intrahepatic venous velocity correlate strongly with venographic outflow stenosis. The presence of a triphasic intrahepatic waveform provides good NPV.
Unintended Consequences: A Review of Pharmacologically-Induced Priapism.

Abstract Background Priapism has been linked to many commonly prescribed medications, as well as recreational drugs and toxins. Although the incidence of priapism as a result of medication is small, the increasing use of antidepressants, antipsychotics, and recreational drugs may lead to more cases of pharmacologically-induced priapism in the future. Aim To provide a comprehensive, up-to-date review of the most common causes of pharmacologically induced priapism and discuss incidence, pathophysiology, and basic management strategies. Methods A review of the available literature from 1960 to 2018 was performed using PubMed with regards to pharmacologically induced priapism. Main Outcome Measure We reviewed publications that outlined incidence, pathophysiology, and management strategies for various pharmacologic causes of priapism: antidepressants, antipsychotics, antihypertensives, methylphenidate, cocaine, heparin, gonadotropin-releasing hormone, propofol, spider bites, and other miscellaneous causes. Results An understanding of the pathophysiology behind common pharmacologic causes of priapism can assist in the development of better treatment strategies and prevent future episodes of priapism. By understanding the potential risks associated with the use of medications with α-blocking or sympathomimetic properties, physicians can reduce the likelihood of priapism in their patients, especially those with other medical conditions that put them at increased baseline risk. Early corporal aspiration and injection of phenylephrine reduces additional complications related to priapism. In select patients, early placement of a penile prosthesis may prevent further morbidity. Conclusion By developing a greater understanding of common pharmacologic causes of priapism, physicians can promptly identify and manage symptoms, leading to decreased patient morbidity. Scherzer ND, Reddy AG, Le TV, Chernobylsky D, Hellstrom WJG. Unintended Consequences: A Review of Pharmacologically-Induced Priapism. Sex Med Rev 2019;7:283–292.
A comparison of four environmental enrichments on adoptability of shelter dogs

Abstract Many animal shelters implement enrichment programs as a means of improving dogs' behavior and reducing the stress of the shelter environment. These programs, however, require significant amounts of time and money. In this study, dogs in an animal shelter received the standard environmental enhancement of twice-daily walks. One group received only the standard enhancement (walking). Three other groups also received one of three enhanced enrichment programs: a daily food-dispensing toy (toy), a daily session of standardized human contact (petting), or daily obedience training (obedience). These enrichment sessions occurred for five to seven days. The effects of these enrichments on the dogs' adoption frequency and time to adoption were evaluated. Ninety-two enrolled dogs became available for adoption; of these, 98% were adopted. There were no differences in proportions of dogs adopted or in time to adoption among enrichment groups (all P > 0.05). Overall, the enrichment programs had no effect on adoption frequency or time to adoption. However, it must be noted that most dogs (80%) were adopted by the second day of being made available for adoption (day 9).
Validation predicting premature drop-out from treatment provided in training clinics.

BACKGROUND Therapist validation in treatment is theorized to be related to positive outcomes (Linehan, 1993), including keeping patients in therapy longer. AIMS We sought to evaluate the role of therapist validation from both therapists' and clients' perspectives as a predictor of drop-out from psychotherapy in three cognitive behavioural training clinics. METHOD Clients in psychotherapy (n = 50; 80% female; 82% Caucasian) and their trainee therapists (n = 22; 68% female; 86% Caucasian) rated validation by the therapist at each of four early sessions of therapy. RESULTS After accounting for symptom severity, clients who reported greater therapist validation were less likely to drop out of treatment. Therapist ratings of their own validating behaviours were unrelated to client drop-out. Therapist experience moderated the relation between client-rated validation and drop-out, such that validation was unrelated to drop-out for more experienced therapists. CONCLUSIONS Assessing and attending to client perceptions of validation by the therapist early in treatment, with brief self-report inventories, can alert therapists to clients at greater risk of drop-out.
Understanding the properties of operations: a cross-cultural analysis

This study examines how sampled Chinese and U.S. third and fourth grade students (NChina = 167, NUS = 97) understand the commutative, associative, and distributive properties. These students took b...
Engagement and Weight Loss in a Web and Mobile Program for Low-Income Postpartum Women: Fit Moms/Mamás Activas.

Internet-based weight loss programs can be effective in promoting weight loss and are less-intensive than traditional face-to-face approaches, which may provide more flexibility for postpartum, low-income women to engage in such programs. Few studies have examined patterns of engagement in internet-based programs for this population. This article used data from the internet-based Fit Moms/Mamas Activas intervention, a 12-month cluster randomized controlled trial that was effective in promoting postpartum weight loss among low-income, predominantly Hispanic women. The overall objectives of this study were to (1) characterize patterns of engagement with the Fit Moms/Mamas Activas website among intervention participants and (2) explore associations between engagement and 12-month weight loss outcomes among study completers (87.4%). A number of engagement variables were calculated for each participant, including website logins; time spent on the website; number of posts to the "Discussion Forum;" number of days tracking weight, diet, and physical activity; number of page visits to various website components; and number of in-person visits attended. The average number of logins was 70.74 (approximately once weekly), and average total time spent on the website was 185.35 minutes (approximately 3 hours) over 1 year. Self-monitoring ("Web Diary") and social support ("Discussion Forum") were the most frequently visited components of the website, and more frequent engagement with these components, as well as greater attendance at in-person group sessions, predicted greater percent weight loss at 12 months. Interventions highlighting these features may be particularly effective for weight loss in this population.
COVID-19 in patients with myasthenia gravis.

Introduction Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly become a global pandemic, but little is known about its potential impact on patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). Methods We studied the clinical course of COVID-19 in five hospitalized patients with autoimmune MG (four with acetylcholine receptor antibodies, one with muscle-specific tyrosine kinase antibodies) between April 1, 2020-April 30-2020. Results Two patients required intubation for hypoxemic respiratory failure, whereas one required significant supplemental oxygen. One patient with previously stable MG had myasthenic exacerbation. One patient treated with tocilizumab for COVID-19 was successfully extubated. Two patients were treated for MG with intravenous immunoglobulin without thromboembolic complications. Discussion Our findings suggest that the clinical course and outcomes in patients with MG and COVID-19 are highly variable. Further large studies are needed to define best practices and determinants of outcomes in this unique population.
Improved wrong-model inference for generalized linear models for binary responses in the presence of link misspecification

In the framework of generalized linear models for binary responses, we develop parametric methods that yield estimators for regression coefficients less compromised by an inadequate posited link function. The improved inference are obtained without correcting a misspecified model, and thus are referred to as wrong-model inference. A byproduct of the proposed methods is a simple test for link misspecification in this class of models. Impressive bias reduction in estimators for the regression coefficients from the proposed methods and promising power of the proposed test to detect link misspecification are demonstrated in simulation studies. We also apply these methods to a classic data example frequently analyzed in the existing literature concerning this class of models.
Geometric Perfusion Deficits: A Novel OCT Angiography Biomarker for Diabetic Retinopathy Based on Oxygen Diffusion.

Purpose To develop geometric perfusion deficits (GPD), an optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) biomarker based on oxygen diffusion, and to evaluate its utility in a pilot study of healthy subjects and patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR). Design Retrospective cross-sectional study. Methods Commercial spectral-domain optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) instruments were used to acquire repeated 3 × 3-mm2 and 6 × 6-mm2 motion-corrected macular OCTA volumes. En face OCTA images corresponding to the superficial capillary plexus (SCP), deep capillary plexus (DCP), and full retinal projections were obtained using automatic segmentation. For each projection, the GPD percentage and the vessel density percentage, the control metric, were computed, and their values were compared between the normal and DR eyes. The repeated OCTA acquisitions were used to assess the test-retest repeatability of the GPD and vessel density percentages. Results Repeated OCTA scans of 15 normal eyes and 12 DR eyes were obtained. For all en face projections, GPD percentages were significantly higher in DR eyes than in normal eyes; vessel density percentages were significantly lower in all but 1 projection (DCP). Large GPD areas were used to identify focal perfusion deficits. Test-retest analysis showed that the GPD percentage had superior repeatability than the vessel density percentage in most cases. A strong negative correlation between the GPD percentage and the vessel density percentage was also found. Conclusions Geometric perfusion deficits, an OCTA biomarker based on oxygen diffusion, provides a quantitative metric of macular microvascular remodeling with a strong physiological underpinning. The GPD percentage may serve as a useful biomarker for detecting and monitoring DR.
Stability and mobility of tungsten clusters on tungsten (110) surface: Ab initio and atomistic simulations

Abstract Quantifying the surface transport properties of tungsten (W) is of prime importance to understand the formation of nano-fuzz in fusion plasma-facing conditions. The stability and mobility of W adatom clusters (Wn, n = 2-9) on the W(110) surface has been investigated by computer simulations, including ab initio calculations using density functional theory (DFT) and molecular statics (MS) simulations with multiple W interatomic potentials. The DFT results demonstrate that the sequential binding energy generally increases with number of W adatoms, except for the 5th and 7th W adatoms. The most common elemental migration steps of Wn (n>2) clusters are observed to consist of monomer and dimer hops, while larger Wn clusters can also diffuse by dissociation and recombination of smaller clusters. The threshold migration energy of W9 is the highest, then followed by W8, W4, and W6, while W3, W5, and W7 have similar migration energies. Compared to DFT, each interatomic potential evaluated overestimates the binding energies of Wn clusters. The embedded-atom potential developed by Juslin and Wirth adequately predicts the threshold migration energy of Wn (n>2) clusters, although it predicts different underlying migration mechanisms. The results show that interaction mechanism between W adatoms controls the stability and mobility of Wn clusters on the W(110) surface.
Optimal Topology Formation and Adaptation of Integrated Access and Backhaul Networks

With the increasing densification of cellular networks, it has become exceedingly difficult to provide traditional fiber backhaul access to each cell site, which is especially true for small cell base stations (SBSs). The increasing maturity of millimeter wave (mmWave) communication coupled with multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) and beamforming technologies has opened up the possibility of providing high-speed wireless backhaul to such cell sites. The third generation partnership project (3GPP) is defining an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) architecture for the fifth generation (5G) cellular networks, in which the same infrastructure and spectral resources are used for both, the access and the backhaul. In IAB networks, SBSs, so called IAB nodes, act either as relay nodes carrying the traffic through multiple hops from a macro cell to an end user and vice versa or as access points to serve user equipment (UEs) in their proximity. To this end, the topology of such IAB networks is essential to enable efficient traffic flow and minimize congestion or increase robustness to backhaul link failure. In this paper, we propose a topology formation algorithm together with methodologies to implement it in real networks and compare it with a standard random sequence approach as well as with an optimal topology obtained using dynamic programming. Our simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm outperforms the random sequence approach by 26\% on average in terms of lower bound of the network capacity and is up to 99.7\% close to the optimal solution, while being significantly less complex.
Henoch-Schönlein Purpura

Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is the most common vasculitis seen in children with 90% of the presentations occurring before the age of 10 years. Pathogenesis involves a systemic, immune-mediated small vessel vasculitis that commonly affects the vessels supplying the skin, GI tract, kidney, and joints. Patient’s symptoms are directly related to the organ systems involved. All patients will have a palpable purpuric rash most commonly involving the lower extremities, more than 75% of patients will have a migratory arthritis of the knees and ankles as well as colicky abdominal pain, and roughly half of all patients diagnosed with HSP will have varying degrees of renal manifestations from mild proteinuria to severe, progressive glomerulonephritis requiring dialysis. Diagnosis may be difficult when patients present with vague symptoms such as abdominal pain before the rash becomes apparent. Treatment is mostly supportive with Tylenol for pain or fever; H2 blockers may be effective in some patients with mild GI symptoms. The role of steroids in the treatment of HSP is somewhat controversial. Steroids may decrease discomfort but does not impact the disease course of HSP or decrease sequelae.
Palliative Care for Extracorporeal Life Support: Insights From the National Inpatient Sample.

BackgroundProviding temporary cardiopulmonary support, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) carries a high risk of mortality. Palliative care (PC) may facilitate a patient-centered approach t...
Broadband vortex fiber nulling: high-dispersion exoplanet science at the diffraction limit

As the number of confirmed exoplanets continues to grow, there is an increased push to spectrally characterize them to determine their atmospheric composition, formation paths, rotation rates, habitability, and much more. However, there is a large population of known exoplanets that either do not transit their star or have been detected at very small angular separations such that they are inaccessible to traditional coronagraph systems. Vortex Fiber Nulling (VFN) is a new single-aperture interferometric technique that uses the entire telescope pupil to bridge the gap between RV methods and traditional coronagraphy by enabling the direct observation and spectral characterization of targets at and within the diffraction limit. By combining a vortex mask with a single mode fiber, the on-axis starlight is rejected while the off-axis planet light is coupled and efficiently routed to a radiometer or spectrograph for analysis. We have demonstrated VFN in the lab monochromatically in the past. In this talk we present a polychromatic validation of VFN with null depths of 1e-4 across 10% bandwidth light. We also provide an update on deployment plans and predicted yield estimates for the VFN mode of the Keck Planet Imager and Characterizer (KPIC) instrument. Using PSISIM, a simulation package developed by our group, we asses KPIC VFN's ability to detect and characterize different types of targets including known exoplanets detected via the RV method. The KPIC VFN on-sky demonstration will pave the road to deployment on future instruments like HISPEC and MODHIS where it could provide high-resolution spectra of sub-Jupiter mass planets down to 5 milliarcseconds from their star.
Secondary electrospray ionization-high resolution mass spectrometry (SESI-HRMS) fingerprinting enabled treatment monitoring of pulmonary carcinoma cells in real time.

Abstract Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer related deaths in the United States. A novel volatile analysis platform is needed to complement current diagnostic techniques and better elucidate chemical signatures of lung cancer and subsequent treatments. A systems biology bottom-up approach using cell culture volatilomics was employed to identify pathological volatile fingerprints of lung cancer in real time. An advanced secondary electrospray ionization (SESI) source, named SuperSESI was used in this study and directly attached to a Thermo Q-Exactive high-resolution mass spectrometer (HRMS). We performed a series of experiments to determine if our optimized SESI-HRMS platform can distinguish between cancer types by sampling their in vitro volatilome profiles. We detected 60 significant volatile organic compound (VOC) features in positive mode that were deemed of cancer cell origin. The cell derived features were used for subsequent analyses to distinguish between our two studied lung cancer types, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) model revealed a good separation of the two cancer types, suggesting unique chemical composition of their headspace profiles. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve using 10 prominent features was used to predict disease type, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.811. Cultures were also treated with cisplatin to determine the feasibility of classifying drug treatment from expelled gases. A PLS-DA model revealed independent clustering based on their headspace profiles. An ROC curve using the top features driving separation of PLS-DA model suggested good accuracy with an AUC of 1. It is thus possible to benefit from the advantages of this platform to distinguish the unique volatile fingerprints of cancers to uncover potential biomarkers for cancer type differentiation and treatment monitoring.
Psychiatry, Psychoanalysis, and the New Biology of Mind

CONTRIBUTORSFOREWORDINTRODUCTIONChapter 1. PSYCHOTHERAPY AND THE SINGLE SYNAPSE: THE IMPACT OF PSYCHIATRIC THOUGHT ON NEUROBIOLOGIC RESEARCHChapter 2. A NEW INTELLECTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR PSYCHIATRYChapter 3. BIOLOGY AND THE FUTURE OF PSYCHOANALYSIS: A NEW INTELLECTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR PSYCHIATRY REVISITEDChapter 4. FROM METAPSYCHOLOGY TO MOLECULAR BIOLOGY: EXPLORATIONS INTO THE NATURE OF ANXIETYChapter 5. NEUROBIOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY: THE SECOND ENCOUNTERChapter 6. NEURAL SCIENCE: A CENTURY OF PROGRESS AND THE MYSTERIES THAT REMAINChapter 7. THE MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF MEMORY STORAGE: A DIALOGUE BETWEEN GENES AND SYNAPSESChapter 8. GENES, BRAINS, AND SELF-UNDERSTANDING: BIOLOGY'S ASPIRATIONS FOR A NEW HUMANISMAFTERWORDINDEX
Chinese Real Estate Market Performance

The 2009 surge in bank lending in China was accompanied by allegations that substantial funds had been funneled into the nation's stock and property markets. Using data from 1999 to 2011, possible linkages between lending activity, real estate prices, stock prices, and inflation are examined. We find empirical support for the claim that housing prices responded to increases in liquidity and lending rates, along with evidence of codetermination of stock prices and housing prices. House price inflation also appears to consistently affect the overall inflation rate in China, based on both causality testing and VAR estimation.
Characterization of a tyramine receptor from Caenorhabditis elegans.

Octopamine (OA) plays an important role in the regulation of a number of key processes in nematodes, including pharyngeal pumping, locomotion and egg-laying. However, while putative OA receptors can be tentatively identified in the Caenorhabditis elegans database, no OA receptors have been functionally characterized from any nematode. We have isolated two cDNAs, ser-2 and ser-2a, encoding putative C.elegans serotonin/OA receptors (C02D4.2, ser-2). The sequences of these cDNAs differ from that predicted by GeneFinder and lack 42 bp of exon 2. In addition, ser-2a appears to be alternatively spliced and lacks a predicted 23 amino acids in the third intracellular loop. COS-7 cells expressing SER-2 bind [3H]LSD in the low nM range and exhibit Kis for tyramine, octopamine and serotonin of 0.07, 2, and 13.7 µm, respectively. Significantly, tyramine reduces forskolin-stimulated cAMP levels in HEK293 cells stably expressing SER-2 with an IC50 of about 360 nm, suggesting that SER-2 is a tyramine receptor.
Let's Talk about Sex.

When taking a sexual history, which can give valuable information about the patient’s medical condition, well-being, and risk profile, always ensure privacy, avoid leading questions, tailor questions to the patient’s sexual orientation, ascertain the patient’s level of risky behavior, and discuss safe sex practices—all in a sensitive and nonjudgmental manner. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
A note on Thomassen's conjecture

In 1983 C. Thomassen [8] conjectured that for every k,[email protected]?N there exists d such that any graph with average degree at least d contains a subgraph with average degree at least k and girth at least g. A result of Pyber, Szemeredi, and the second author implies that the conjecture is true for every graph G with average d(G)>=c"k","[email protected](G). We strengthen this and show that the conjecture holds for every graph G with average d(G)>[email protected]([email protected](G))^@b for some constants @a, @b depending on k and g.
MVRC and Its Tolerance Analysis For Microprocessor Power Management

To achieve higher power density and design flexibility with unlimited phase number, the concept of MVRC (Monolithic / Modularized Voltage Regulator Channel) is introduced to be a generic power IC solution for both CPU and POL (Point Of Load) power management. Novel control architecture and analog circuits are invented to implement the MVRC concept. Tolerance analysis and hardware testing verified that the MVRC approach is suitable for today's and even future's microprocessor power management.
Application of flow cytometry and fluorescent in situ hybridization for assessment of exposures to airborne bacteria

Current limitations in the methodology for enumeration and identification of airborne bacteria compromise the precision and accuracy of bioaerosol exposure assessment. In this study, flow cytometry and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) were evaluated for the assessment of exposures to airborne bacteria. Laboratory-generated two-component bioaerosols in exposures chambers and complex native bioaerosols in swine barns were sampled with two types of liquid impingers (all-glass impinger-30 and May 3-stage impinger). Aliquots of collection media were processed and enumerated by a standard culture technique, microscopy, or flow cytometry after nucleic acid staining with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) and identified taxonomically by FISH. DAPI-labeled impinger samples yielded comparable estimates of bioaerosol concentrations when enumerated by microscopy or flow cytometry. The standard culture method underestimated bioaerosol concentrations by 2 orders of magnitude when compared to microscopy or flow cytometry. In the FISH method, aliquots of collection media were incubated with a probe universally complementary to eubacteria, a probe specific for several Pseudomonas species, and a probe complementary to eubacteria for detection of nonspecific binding. With these probes, FISH allowed quantitative identification of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli bioaerosols in the exposure chamber without measurable nonspecific binding. Impinger samples from the swine barn demonstrated the efficacy of the FISH method for the identification of eubacteria in a complex organic dust. This work demonstrates the potential of emerging molecular techniques to complement traditional methods of bioaerosol exposure assessment.
Electron Microscopic Study of a Slime Layer

Slime layers are being studied in our laboratories in an attempt to understand their functions in the control of pollution in natural streams. A method for fixing, staining, and embedding microorganisms in the intact slime has been developed. In this method, epoxy resin discs are placed in a holder and are introduced into a simulated stream. After various periods of time the discs are punched out of the holder into the fixative. The disc with the attached slime is fixed, stained (4% osmium tetroxide plus ruthenium red), dehydrated, and embedded in epoxy resin so that thin sections can be cut through the vertical plane of the slime mass. Such thin sections permit detailed examination of the attached layer, the surface-slime interface, the spatial relationships between cells in the vertical slime structure, and the strands of extracellular material between and around cells. No special attachment structures were noted as the cells appeared to be attached to the surface by extracellular material alone. This material was observed in strands and netlike forms between cells which are positioned 1 to 4 mum apart in the slime.
The Trusted Execution Module: Commodity General-Purpose Trusted Computing

This paper introduces the Trusted Execution Module (TEM); a high-level specification for a commodity chip that can execute user-supplied procedures in a trusted environment. The TEM is capable of securely executing partially-encrypted procedures/closures expressing arbitrary computation. These closures can be generated by any (potentially untrusted) party who knows the TEM's public encryption key. Compared to a conventional smartcard, which is typically used by pre-programming a limited set of domain- or application- specific commands onto the smartcard, and compared to the Trusted Platform Module (TPM), which is limited to a fixed set of cryptographic functions that cannot be combined to provide general-purpose trusted computing, the TEM is significantly more flexible. Yet we present a working implementation using existing inexpensive Javacard smartcards that does not require any export-restricted technology. The TEM's design enables a new style of programming, which in turn enables new applications. We show that the TEM's guarantees of secure execution enable exciting applications that include, but are not limited to, mobile agents, peer-to-peer multiplayer online games, and anonymous offline payments.
Filament Cooling and Condensation in a Sheared Magnetic Field

Thermal instability driven by optically thin radiation in the corona is believed to initiate the formation of solar filaments. The fact that filaments are observed generally to separate regions of opposite, line-of-sight, magnetic polarity in the differentially rotating photosphere suggests that filament formation requires the presence of a highly sheared magnetic field. The coupled energetics and dynamics of the most important condensation modes, those due to perpendicular thermal conduction at short wavelengths are discussed. Linear structure in the sheared field and their growth rates is described, and 2D, nonlinear, MHD simulations of the evolution of these modes in a force-free field are conducted. The simulations achieve the fine thermal structures, minimum temperatures and maximum densities characteristic of observed solar filaments.
Implicitization of parametric curves by matrix annihilation

Both parametric and implicit representations can be used to model 2D curves and 3D surfaces. Each has certain advantages compared to the other. Implicit polynomial (IP) methods are not as popular as parametric procedures because the lack of general procedures for obtaining IP models of higher degree has prevented their general use in many practical applications. In most cases today, parametric equations are used to model curves and surfaces. One such parametric representation, elliptic Fourier descriptors (EFD) has been widely used to represent 2D and 3D curves, as well as 3D surfaces. Although EFDs can represent nearly all curves, it is often convenient to have an implicit algebraic description, F(x,y)=0, especially for determining whether given points lie on the curve. Algebraic curves and surfaces have proven very useful also in many model-based applications. Various algebraic and geometric invariants obtained from these implicit models have been studied rather extensively. We present a new non-symbolic implicitization technique called the matrix annihilation method, for converting parametric Fourier representations to implicit polynomial form.
The Voyager 2 encounter with the Uranian system

An overview of the Voyager 2 encounter with Uranus is presented, inclding a brief discussion of the trajectory and the planned observations as well as the highlights of the results described in the 11 companion papers.
Gamma-ray imaging with a Si/CsI(Tl) Compton detector.

Abstract We present results from Compton imaging of gamma-ray sources using an instrument constructed from thin silicon scattering detectors and CsI(Tl) absorbing detectors. We have successfully imaged single and double point sources for several common radioactive isotopes (137Cs, 60Co, 22Na, 54Mn). The measured angular resolution is 11 . 6 ∘ FWHM at 662 keV. In parallel with the hardware effort, a GEANT4-based simulation code was developed. Comparisons between real and simulated data are discussed.
Basestation flow control for wired to wireless networks

With the exponential growth of the internet, wireless networks such as satellite networks are becoming increasingly popular. The characteristics of satellite networks such as long latency, large delay-bandwidth product, high bit error rate over satellite links and variable round trip time, severely degrade TCP/IP performance. At the conjunction of the satellite link and the fixed link, the basestation, the difference in capacity between the satellite link and the fixed link causes the basestation to experience congestion losses that adversely impact TCP performance. We propose a technique that substantially reduces the congestion at the base station and enforces fairness among the TCP connections that are sharing the satellite link. The technique does not require any change in the TCP sender or the receiver. The stability of our algorithm is analytically proven and its performance is evaluated using ns-2 simulations. Preliminary results yield almost a null congestion loss rate, a 60% decrease in average queue length, and more than 30% increase in the throughput. Fairness is well enforced.
Reassessing user needs

To determine computing needs, Information Services (IS) surveyed and interviewed a random sample of campus users. Results indicated that IS dealt most with the “power users” for the campus. In interpreting the findings, management concluded that IS products and services must be targeted at upgrading the user literacy level. The survey included recommendations for both academic and administrative computing and suggestions for management actions, including restructuring. Network enhancements addressed certain identified needs. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Effect of retention interval on implicit and explicit memory for pictures

A picture-fragment completion task and a yes-no recognition task were used to determine whether rates of forgetting in perceptual (implicit) and episodic (explicit) memory systems were the same. In Session 1, identification thresholds for 60 fragmented pictures were measured. In Session 2, which occurred after one of four delay periods (immediate, 2 days, 7 days, or 14 days), the subjects were presented with half of the pictures shown in the previous session mixed with an equal number of new pictures, and their identification thresholds were measured. A yes-no recognition test for the picture names (90 names of pictures shown in the picture-fragment completion task, 30 new-picture names) was given after the identification phase, and both speed and accuracy of recognition were measured. Perceptual learning was measured by relative savings in identification of repeated, compared to new, pictures. Episodic learning was measured in two ways: by the corrected recognition score for names of pictures presented in Session 1 alone (hits minus false alarms) and by the difference in hit reaction times between Session 1 pictures and the new pictures presented for identification in Session 2. These three learning measures showed approximately equal rates of forgetting; furthermore, the episodic learning measure based on accuracy showed more similarity to the perceptual learning measure than it did to the episodic learning measure based on reaction time. Accordingly, the results of this experiment do not support functional dissociation of implicit and explicit memory systems by different forgetting rates.
Stress profiles and energy release rates around fiber breaks in a lamina with propagating zones of matrix yielding and debonding

Abstract We examine the stress profiles and initiation and propagation of interfacial damage around fiber breaks along a fiber within a planar lamina. The lamina contains a large number of equi-spaced fibers of the same stiffness, embedded in a matrix. The matrix is initially elastic, but can yield plastically, and at a critical matrix shear strain can debond from the fiber and slide frictionally. The coexistence of these three zones is motivated by experimental observations on idealized, epoxy-matrix microcomposites. We use our recently developed quadratic influence superposition (QIS) technique to calculate: (1) stress and strain profiles in the fibers and matrix, (2) the extent of the yield and debond zones, and (3) the energy release rate in propagating the damage under increasing applied load. We investigate the effects of fiber spacing, interfacial shear strength, matrix yield shear stress, critical debond shear strain, and frictional sliding stress. Results show that the growth of the yield and debond zones and the total energy release rate depend strongly on the inter-fiber spacing and on a combination of these material properties. Insight is provided into: (a) the inverse relationship between extent of debonding and the fiber spacing, (b) variations in the fiber stress profiles as a result of coexisting elastic, yield, and debond zones, and (c) interfacial parameters which give rise to stable longitudinal damage growth. For breaks arbitrarily spaced along a fiber, we obtain asymmetries in the lengths of the yield and debond zones around each break and corresponding alterations in the axial fiber tensile-stress profiles from the corresponding elastic case. A key result is that the total energy release rate varies strongly with the fiber spacing, thus suggesting that this quantity, as measured say from a single-fiber-composite test, is not an intrinsic quantity governing damage growth around a fiber break in a fibrous composite. Details of local geometry, fiber and matrix stresses and displacements are important. By such modeling one can assess trade-offs in toughness versus strength in large composites involving sequential statistical fiber fracture.
Estrogen-induced signaling attenuates soluble Aβ peptide-mediated dysfunction of pathways in synaptic plasticity

Neuromodulation of synaptic plasticity by 17β-estradiol (E2) is thought to influence information processing and storage in the cortex and hippocampus. Because E2 rapidly affects cortical memory and synaptic plasticity, we examined its effects on phosphorylation of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR) [AMPA-type glutamate receptor subunit 1 (GluR1 subunit)], all of which are important for the induction and maintenance of synaptic plasticity and memory. Acute E2 treatment resulted in an increased temporal and spatial phosphorylation pattern of CaMKII, ERK, and AMPAR (GluR1 subunit). By using inhibitors, we were able to attribute GluR1 phosphorylation to CaMKII at serine 831, and we also found that E2 treatment increased GluR1 insertion into the surface membrane. Because soluble amyloid-beta (Aβ) oligomers inhibit CaMKII and ERK activation, which is necessary for synaptic plasticity, we also tested E2's ability to ameliorate Aβ-induced dysfunction of synaptic plasticity. We found that estrogen treatment in neuronal culture, slice culture, and in vivo, ameliorated Aβ oligomer-induced inhibition of CaMKII, ERK, and AMPAR phosphorylation, and also ameliorated the Aβ oligomer-induced reduction of dendritic spine density in a CaMKII-dependent manner. These phosphorylation events are correlated with the early stage of inhibitory avoidance learning, and our data show that E2 improved inhibitory avoidance memory deficits in animals treated with soluble Aβ oligomers. This study identifies E2-induced signaling that attenuates soluble Aβ peptide-mediated dysfunction of pathways in synaptic plasticity.
Thymic function and output of recent thymic emigrant T cells during intracranial glioma progression

One of the hallmarks of patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is profound lymphopenia mostly confined to the T cell lineage. A deficiency in the production of naive T cells from the thymus could contribute to the lymphopenia seen in GBM patients. In this study we asked whether thymic function and the production of recent thymic emigrant (RTE) T cells from the thymus was influenced by intracranial (i.c.) glioma progression. We found significant thymic involution in animals with progressive i.c. gliomas. Involuted thymi from animals with progressive i.c. T9.F gliomas showed dramatic losses of CD4+CD8+ (DP) thymocytes. Microscopic analysis complemented those findings by demonstrating a reversal of the typical cortico-medullary structure. Significant increases in apoptosis accompanied the rapid loss of viable thymocytes, which was prevented in part by adrenalectomy, suggesting a dominant role for endogenous glucocorticoids. This thymic involution was also associated with a significant decrease in peripheral RTE T cells, reflecting the diminished thymic function. Finally, we found that CD8+ RTE T cells were enriched in progressively growing T9 gliomas, which points to an immunological role for RTE's in anti-glioma immunity. Our findings may shed light on the significance of thymic function for anti-glioma immunity and the response to immunotherapeutic treatment paradigms.
5-Cyanoamino-4-imidazolecarboxamide and Nitrosative Guanine Deamination: Experimental Evidence for Pyrimidine Ring-Opening during Deamination

5-Cyanoamino-4-imidazolecarboxamide 4a (R = CH2−O−CH2−CH2−OH) has been synthesized, purified, and fully characterized by MS, MS/MS, HRMS, IR spectroscopy, and by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. It is shown that cyclization of 4a yields the guanine 6a and the isoguanine 12a. Our findings provide experimental evidence in support of our hypothesis that the formation of oxanine and xanthine in nitrosative guanine deamination may proceed via pyrimidine ring-opened intermediates. The observed formation of 6a from the amide 4a (XH2 = NH2) shows that, in analogy, oxanine can be formed from 3 (XH = OH). The formation of 12a from 4a reveals for the first time the possibility that oxanine might be formed by a second pathway that involves electrocyclic reaction of 3. Finally, the new chemistry suggests the possibility for a new dG-to-dG cross-link.