cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dynamic analyses of regenerative fuel cell power for potential use in renewable residential applications

A model of a solar-hydrogen powered residence, in both stand-alone and grid parallel configurations, was developed using Matlab/Simulink®. The model assesses the viability of employing a regenerative fuel cell (RFC) as an energy storage device to be used with photovoltaic (PV) electrical generation. Other modes of energy storage such as batteries and hybrid storage were also evaluated. Analyses of various operating conditions, system configurations, and control strategies were performed. Design requirements investigated included RFC sizing, battery sizing, charge/discharge rates, and state of charge limitations. Dynamic load demand was found to be challenging to meet, requiring RFC and or battery sizes significantly larger than those required to meet average power demand. Employing a RFC with batteries in a hybrid configuration increased PV utilization and both battery efficiency and power density. Grid parallel configurations were found to alleviate many of the difficulties associated with energy storage costs and meeting peak demand.
Management of perineal wounds after proctocolectomy: a retrospective study of 50 cases in which treatment by the open technique was used.

A series of 50 patients with proctectomy had the perineal wound treated by the open technique following closure of the pelvic peritoneum. Sound wound healing was achieved in 78 per cent of patients within four months and in 96 per cent of patients within six months after operation. The open technique is especially advisable in cases of large, low-lying or squamous tumors, and in the presence of fecal contamination or extensive involvement of the perineum by inflammatory disease.
The Double Quasar 0957+561: Examination of the Gravitational Lens Hypothesis Using the Very Large Array

A full 12-hour synthesis at 6-centimeter wavelength with the Very Large Array confirms the major features previously reported for the double quasar 0957+561. In addition, the existence of radio jets apparently associated with both quasars is demonstrated. Gravitational lens models are now favored on the basis of recent optical observations, and the radio jets place severe constraints on such models. Further radio observations of the double quasar are needed to establish the expected relative time delay in variations between the images.
Sense of Community, Inclusion, and Religious Pluralism: A Comparison of Two Catholic Universities.

Abstract For decades researchers assessed sense of community (SOC), inclusion, and pluralism within academic settings. In the present study, 2,220 undergraduate students (1,442 women, 778 men; M age = 23.42 years; SD = 7.84) at two Catholic universities responded to perceived levels of school sense of community, inclusion, and religious pluralism. Analyses of covariance assessing participants’ university setting, religious affiliation, and racial identification showed no significant interaction or main effects for setting and racial identity with regard to inclusion. However, a significant interaction for university setting and religious affiliation for sense of community was found. Limitations and future directions are discussed.
Organization and expression of the mammalian mitochondrial genome: a lesson in economy☆

Abstract In this two part review I shall discuss the mitochondrial genetic system of human and of other mammalian cells which exhibits features of remarkable simplicity and economy in its decoding mechanism, in the organization of its genes and in their mode of expression. The gene arrangement in mitochondrial DNA is extremely compact, with the heavy strand sequences which code for the rRNAs, poly(A)-containing RNAs and tRNAs forming a continuum for the quasi-totality of its length. Furthermore, tRNA genes separate from each other nearly all the mitochondrial DNA segments coding for the individual rRNAs and poly(A)-containing RNAs, thus, providing the punctuation in the reading of mitochondrial DNA information.
Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and oral soft tissue pathologies. II. Prevalence and characteristics of Candida and candidal lesions

Objective To assess the prevalence of Candida albicans and oral infection with Candida in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Study Design This cross-sectional study compared the prevalence of candidiasis in 405 subjects with IDDM and 268 nondiabetic control subjects. Assessments included evidence of clinical manifestations of candidiasis and a quantitative measure of Candida pseudohyphae in a cytologic smear from the midline posterior dorsal tongue. Results More subjects with IDDM than control subjects without IDDM (15.1% vs 3.0%) were found to have clinical manifestations of candidiasis, including median rhomboid glossitis, denture stomatitis, and angular cheilitis. IDDM subjects were also more likely to have any Candida pseudohyphae in their cytologic smears (23.0% vs 5.7%; P 10/cm 2 (7.1 % vs 0.8%; P Candida counts, poor glycemic control, and longer duration of IDDM. A multivariate regression analysis found 3 factors to be significantly associated with the presence of Candida pseudohyphae in the subjects with IDDM: current use of cigarettes (odds ratio, 2:4), use of dentures (odds ratio, 2:3), and elevated levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (odds ratio, 1:9). The use of anti-microbials, immunosuppressants, or drugs with xerostomic side effects was not related to the presence of Candida . Conclusions Candida pseudohyphae and oral soft tissue manifestations of candidiasis were more prevalent in subjects with IDDM than in control subjects without diabetes. The presence of Candida pseudohyphae was significantly associated with cigarette smoking, use of dentures, and poor glycemic control.
Forward and Inverse Bio-Geochemical Modeling of Microbially Induced Calcite Precipitation in Half-Meter Column Experiments

Microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) offers an alternative solution to a wide range of civil engineering problems. Laboratory tests have shown that MICP can immobilize trace metals and radionuclides through co-precipitation with calcium carbonate. MICP has also been shown to improve the undrained shear response of soils and offers potential benefits over current ground improvement techniques that may pose environmental risks and suffer from low “certainty of execution.” Our objective is to identify an effective means of achieving uniform distribution of precipitate in a one-dimensional porous medium. Our approach involves column experiments and numerical modeling of MICP in both forward and inverse senses, using a simplified reaction network, with the bacterial strain Sporoscarcina pasteurii. It was found that the stop-flow injection of a urea- and calcium-rich solution produces a more uniform calcite distribution as compared to a continuous injection method, even when both methods involve flow in opposite direction to that used for bacterial cell emplacement. Inverse modeling was conducted by coupling the reactive transport code TOUGHREACT to UCODE for estimating chemical reaction rate parameters with a good match to the experimental data. It was found, however, that the choice of parameters and data was not sufficient to determine a unique solution, and our findings suggest that additional time and space-varying analytical data of aqueous species would improve the accuracy of numerical modeling of MICP.
Untangling natural seascape variation from marine reserve effects using a landscape approach

Distinguishing management effects from the inherent variability in a system is a key consideration in assessing reserve efficacy. Here, we demonstrate how seascape heterogeneity, defined as the spatial configuration and composition of coral reef habitats, can mask our ability to discern reserve effects. We then test the application of a landscape approach, utilizing advances in benthic habitat mapping and GIS techniques, to quantify this heterogeneity and alleviate the confounding influence during reserve assessment. Seascape metrics were quantified at multiple spatial scales using a combination of spatial image analysis and in situ surveys at 87 patch reef sites in Glover's Reef Lagoon, Belize, within and outside a marine reserve enforced since 1998. Patch reef sites were then clustered into classes sharing similar seascape attributes using metrics that correlated significantly to observed variations in both fish and coral communities. When the efficacy of the marine reserve was assessed without including landscape attributes, no reserve effects were detected in the diversity and abundance of fish and coral communities, despite 10 years of management protection. However, grouping sites based on landscape attributes revealed significant reserve effects between site classes. Fish had higher total biomass (1.5×) and commercially important biomass (1.75×) inside the reserve and coral cover was 1.8 times greater inside the reserve, though direction and degree of response varied by seascape class. Our findings show that the application of a landscape classification approach vastly improves our ability to evaluate the efficacy of marine reserves by controlling for confounding effects of seascape heterogeneity and suggests that landscape heterogeneity should be considered in future reserve design.
Growth and the environment: Are we looking at the right data?

Abstract Time-series evidence on growth and the environment suggests an environmental Kuznets curve (EKC), whereas longitudinal studies fail to produce robust estimates for the EKC. This paper offers a theoretical explanation for these apparently contradicting findings, and theoretical guidance for future empirical work.
Extensional Recovery of an Intact Erythrocyte From a Tank-Treading Motion

Normal human erythrocytes suspended in shear flow are stretched into quasi ellipsoidal forms while their membranes rotate smoothly (tank-treading). Following abrupt cessation of shear the cells recover their discoidal shapes approximately exponentially, in the manner of a Kelvin-Voigt (K-V) solid. To test the hypothesis that the recovery process is membrane-controlled, the effects of initial deformation, cytoplasmic viscosity and membrane surface-to-volume ratio were studied. It was concluded that the membrane dynamics dominates the transient shape recovery, and that the characteristic recovery time is dependent on the initial deformation. Hence, the usual simplified analysis based on retraction of a plane sheet of K-V material with constant moduli appears to be an inadequate treatment of transient whole cell recovery.
Digitizing and Consolidating Mammograms and Other Images for Teaching Applications

Rationale and Objectives Most mammograms are obtained using screen-film technique and must be digitized for teaching purposes. Digitizing mammograms poses special problems because of high contrast and multiple views. We describe the equipment and process for digitizing and consolidating mammograms for teaching purposes. These techniques can be applied to any type of images where consolidation may be helpful. Materials and Methods Mammograms are digitized using a high optical density scanner. After the window and levels are adjusted, a four-view mammogram may be consolidated into a single image if desired. Results The high contrast of film screen mammograms is managed by using a high optical density scanner. Consolidation of image sets, such as a four-view mammogram, allows images to be easily inserted into text, slide, or poster documents. Conclusions Digitizing mammograms for teaching purposes is facilitated by use of a high optical density scanner and consolidation of image sets into single images. The techniques described are also useful for other areas of radiology in which display of multiple images or modalities is desirable.
Second Language Learners' Attitudes Towards English Varieties

This pilot project investigates second language (L2) learners' attitudes towards three varieties of English: American (AmE), British (BrE) and Australian (AuE). A 69-word passage spoken by a female speaker of each variety was used. Participants were 30 Chinese students pursuing Masters or Doctoral degrees in the United States, who listened to each of the three recordings and evaluated six language-related qualities and 12 person-related qualities about the three varieties of English on seven-point Likert scales. They also evaluated each speaker's teaching suitability. The results suggest that L2 learners have more positive attitudes towards the varieties of English they have been exposed to, i.e. AmE and BrE. However, their attitudes do not seem to be related to the understandability of the passage delivered by the speakers of the three varieties.
Synthesis and electromechanical characterization of a new acrylic dielectric elastomer with high actuation strain and dielectric strength

Dielectric Elastomers (DEs) can be actuated under high electric field to produce large strains. Most high-performing DE materials such as the 3M ™ VHB ™ membranes are commercial products designed for industrial pressure-sensitive adhesives. The limited knowledge of the exact chemical structures of these commercial materials has made it difficult to understand the relationship between molecular structures and electromechanical properties. In this work, new acrylic elastomers based on n-butyl acrylate and acrylic acid were synthesized from monomer solutions by UV-initiated bulk polymerization. The new acrylic copolymers have a potential to obtain high dielectric constant, actuation strain, dielectric strength, and a high energy density. Silicone and ester oligomer diacrylates were also added onto the copolymer structures to suppress crystallization and to crosslink the polymer chains. Four acrylic formulations were developed with different amounts of acrylic acid. This gives a tunable stiffness, while the dielectric constant is varied from 4.3 to 7.1. The figure-of-merit performance of the best formulation is 186 % area strain, 222 MV/m of dielectric strength, and 2.7 MJ/m 3 of energy density. To overcome electromechanical instability, different prestrain ratios were investigated, and under the optimized prestrain, the material has a lifetime of thousands of cycles at 120 % area strain.
Effects of benzoylecgonine on the behavior of suckling rats: a preliminary report.

A major metabolite of cocaine, benzoylecgonine, causes behavioral activation that progresses to seizures when given intraventricularly to 2-week-old rats. The seizures are characterized by running, hopping, and vocalizing and are mixed with shorter-duration tonic episodes. Pretreatment with haloperidol, at a dose aimed at blocking stereotyped behavior, did not suppress these behaviors. In contrast, seizures were prevented by antiepileptic drugs, with the order of potency being diazepam > phenobarbital > phenytoin. We hypothesize that the long-lasting cocaine metabolite, benzoylecgonine, contributes to the infant cocaine intoxication syndrome. (J Child Neurol 1992;7:87-92).
A Sequential Bayesian Cumulative Conformance Count Approach to Deterioration Detection in High Yield Processes

Cumulative conformance count (CCC) control chart is a powerful alternative to the traditional p-control chart, particularly in monitoring high yield processes with extremely low proportions of nonconformance. However, a prevalent limitation of the CCC control chart is its inability to detect small process deterioration. A sequential Bayesian CCC approach capable of detecting small process deterioration is proposed in this paper. The new approach outperforms the traditional CCC chart in that it does not require a large sample of initial observations of the process, which may be difficult, if not impossible to obtain in practice. Moreover, the approach is self-starting, and thus may be used in short production runs. A Bayesian updating procedure is developed, which allows for the determination of initial control limits based on only three initial observations or some prior knowledge about the proportion of nonconformance of the process. Values of proportions of nonconformance, ranging from 0.1 to 0.00001, are tested to demonstrate the deterioration detection capability of the new approach in conjunction with the proposed deterioration detection rules. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Axisymmetric Hurricane in a Dry Atmosphere: Theoretical Framework and Numerical Experiments

This paper discusses the possible existence of hurricanes in an atmosphere without water vapor and analyzes the dynamic and thermodynamic structures of simulated hurricane-like storms in moist and dry environments. It is first shown that the ‘‘potential intensity’’ theory for axisymmetric hurricanes is directly applicable to the maintenance of a balanced vortex sustained by a combination of surface energy and momentum flux, even in the absence of water vapor. This theoretical insight is confirmed by simulations with a high-resolution numerical model. The same model is then used to compare dry and moist hurricanes. While it is found that both types of storms exhibit many similarities and fit well within the theoretical framework, there are several differences, most notably in the storm inflow and in the relationship between hurricane size and intensity. Such differences indicate that while water vapor is not necessary for the maintenance of hurricane-like vortices, moist processes directly affect the structure of these storms.
ViC*: a compiler for virtual-memory C*

The paper describes the functionality of ViC*, a compiler for a variant of the data parallel language C* with support for out-of-core data. The compiler translates C* programs with shapes declared out of core, which describe parallel data stored on disk. The compiler output is a SPMD style program in standard C with I/O and library calls added to efficiently access out-of-core parallel data. The ViC* compiler also applies several program transformations to improve out-of-core data access.
Hybrid Parallelism for XML SAX Parsing

XML has been widely adopted across a wide spectrum of applications. Its parsing efficiency, however, remains a concern, and can be a bottleneck. At the same time, with the trend towards multicore CPUs, parallelization to improve performance has become increasingly relevant. In previous work, we have investigated parallelizing DOM-style parsing and gained significant speedup. For streaming XML applications, however, SAX-style parsing is often required. In this paper, we present a technique and implementation of a parallel XML SAX parser. To handle inherent data dependencies in XML while still allowing reasonable scalability, we use a 4-stage software pipeline with a combination of strictly sequential stages and stages that can be further data-parallelized within the stage. We thus utilize a hybrid between pipelined parallelism and data parallelism. To demonstrate effectiveness, we test this approach on a Linux machine with two Intel Xeon L5320 CPUs for a total of 8 physical cores, and obtain good speedup up to about 8 CPUs.
Seeing sex, gender, and sexuality in international security:

This essay examines the roles that sex, gender, and sexuality can play in the study of international security. It makes the argument that “hard” security pressing questions like wars, genocides, and terrorist attacks and issues of gender, sex, and sexuality are linked. It begins by providing information about the recent and ongoing conflict in Libya as a case study. Then, it explores some of the questions that feminist and queer scholars have asked about international security in turn: where are the “women” in global politics? Where is “gender” and what does it matter? How do gender dynamics influence war and conflict? Do issues of sex and sexuality matter to war and conflict? If so, how? What tools are available to study these questions and produce answers in any given political situation?
The Narcotic Bowel Syndrome: Clinical Features, Pathophysiology, and Management

Narcotic bowel syndrome (NBS) is a subset of opioid bowel dysfunction that is characterized by chronic or frequently recurring abdominal pain that worsens with continued or escalating dosages of narcotics. This syndrome is underrecognized and may be becoming more prevalent. In the United States this may be the result of increases in using narcotics for chronic nonmalignant painful disorders, and the development of maladaptive therapeutic interactions around its use. NBS can occur in patients with no prior gastrointestinal disorder who receive high dosages of narcotics after surgery or acute painful problems, and among patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders or other chronic gastrointestinal diseases who are managed by physicians who are unaware of the hyperalgesic effects of chronic opioids. The evidence for the enhanced pain perception is based on the following: (1) activation of excitatory antianalgesic pathways within a bimodal opioid regulation system, (2) descending facilitation of pain at the rostral ventral medulla and pain facilitation via dynorphin and cholecystokinin activation, and (3) glial cell activation that produces morphine tolerance and enhances opioid-induced pain. Treatment involves early recognition of the syndrome, an effective physician–patient relationship, graded withdrawal of the narcotic according to a specified withdrawal program, and the institution of medications to reduce withdrawal effects.
Fast and energy-frugal deterministic test through test vector correlation exploitation

Conversion of the flip-flops of the circuit into scan cells helps ease the test challenge; yet test application time is increased as serial shift operations are employed. Furthermore, the transitions that occur in the scan chains during these shifts reflect into significant levels of circuit switching unnecessarily, increasing the power dissipated. Judicious encoding of the correlation among the test vectors and construction of a test vector through predecessor updates helps reduce not only test application time but also scan chain transitions as well. Such an encoding scheme, which additionally reduces test data volume, can be further enhanced through appropriately ordering and padding of the test cubes given. The experimental results confirm the significant reductions in test application time, test data volume and test power achieved by the proposed compression methodology.
Reclassification of Roseomonas fauriae Rihs et al. 1998 as a later heterotypic synonym of Azospirillum brasilense Tarrand et al. 1979.

The relatedness of Roseomonas fauriae and Azospirillum brasilense was investigated using phenotypic methods and DNA–DNA hybridization. Conventional biochemical tests did not differentiate between the two taxa. DNA–DNA hybridization experiments revealed high values for relatedness between the type strains of these species and suggest that these two taxa constitute a single species. Strains previously identified as R. fauriae should be reclassified as A. brasilense, with the name Roseomonas fauriae as a later heterotypic synonym of Azospirillum brasilense.
A Novel Approach for Evaluating Performance of Discontinuous Pulse Width Modulation Schemes for Three Phase Voltage Source Inverter

A simple approach is presented for obtaining the Switching Loss Factor (SLF) and Quality Factor (QF) used as merit factors for evaluating performances of various Discontinuous Pulse Width Modulating (DPWM) signals derived from a Generalized Discontinuous Pulse Width Modulation Scheme. This approach precludes the need for rigorous calculation of inverter losses as employed in most traditional methods. Results are given to validate performance criteria and to show areas of application.
AHRQ Series Paper 2: Principles for developing guidance: AHRQ and the Effective Health-Care Program

Objective: This article describes some of the fundamental principles that have been developed to guide the work of producing comparative effectiveness reviews (CERs). Study Design and Setting: We briefly describe the role stakeholders play in providing important insights that inform the evidencegathering process, and discuss the critical role of analytic frameworks in illuminating the relationship between surrogate measures and health outcomes, providing an understanding of the context in which clinical decisions are made and the uncertainties that underlie clinical controversies. Results: We describe the Effective Health Care program conceptual model for considering different types of evidence that emphasizes minimizing the risk of bias, but places high-quality, highly applicable evidence about effectiveness at the top of the hierarchy. Finally, we briefly describe areas of future methodological research. Conclusion: CERs have become a foundation for decision-making in clinical practice and health policy. To be useful, CERs must approach the evidence from a patient-centered perspective; explore the clinical logic underlying the rationale for a service; cast a broad net with respect to types of evidence, placing a high value on effectiveness and applicability, in addition to internal validity; and, present ben
From Biology to Mathematical Models and Back: Teaching Modeling to Biology Students, and Biology to Math and Engineering Students

We describe the development of a course to teach modeling and mathematical analysis skills to students of biology and to teach biology to students with strong backgrounds in mathematics, physics, or engineering. The two groups of students have different ways of learning material and often have strong negative feelings toward the area of knowledge that they find difficult. To give students a sense of mastery in each area, several complementary approaches are used in the course: 1) a “live” textbook that allows students to explore models and mathematical processes interactively; 2) benchmark problems providing key skills on which students make continuous progress; 3) assignment of students to teams of two throughout the semester; 4) regular one-on-one interactions with instructors throughout the semester; and 5) a term project in which students reconstruct, analyze, extend, and then write in detail about a recently published biological model. Based on student evaluations and comments, an attitude survey, and the quality of the students' term papers, the course has significantly increased the ability and willingness of biology students to use mathematical concepts and modeling tools to understand biological systems, and it has significantly enhanced engineering students' appreciation of biology.
Existence of nontrivial weak solutions to quasi-linear elliptic equations with exponential growth

In this paper, we study the existence of nontrivial weak solutions to the following quasi-linear elliptic equations −△nu+V(x)|u| u= f (x,u) |x|β , x∈Rn (n>2), where−△nu=−div(|∇u|∇u), 06β<n, V :Rn→R is a continuous function, f (x,u) is continuous in Rn×R and behaves like eαu n n−1 as u →+∞. AMS Subject Classifications: 35J20, 35J60 Chinese Library Classifications: O175
Microglia from Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease-Infected Brains Are Infectious and Show Specific mRNA Activation Profiles

Neurons are often assumed to be the principal sites for replication of the infectious agents causing Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), scrapie, and bovine spongiform encephalopathy because they express high levels of normal and pathological prion protein (PrP). However, isolated brain cell types have not been evaluated for either infection or gene expression. Microglia purified from CJD-infected mice showed infectivity comparable to that of starting brain homogenate but expressed ∼50-fold less PrP. CJD-infected microglia also displayed morphological changes indicative of cellular activation. To determine the molecular pathways of activation, we evaluated pertinent transcripts, including those linked to inflammation. Semiquantitative reverse transcription-PCR showed a >4-fold increase in cathepsin S, an enzyme important in antigen presentation, the cytokine interleukin-1β, and the chemokine B-lymphocyte chemoattractant. The profile of microglial changes induced by the CJD agent differed substantially from activation induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharide or by β-amyloid, a structure comparable to pathological PrP. These microglial studies emphasize migratory hematopoietic cells in the dispersion, and possibly replication, of the CJD agent. The low PrP levels in these highly infectious and activated cells further support the concept that pathological PrP is the result of infection rather than the infectious agent itself. Because microglia develop a specific pattern of responses to the CJD agent, microglial markers may be exploited in the diagnosis of these spongiform encephalopathies.
Vibration studies on a superconducting RHIC interaction region quadrupole triplet

Mechanical vibrations of the superconducting interaction region triplets have been identified as source of horizontal beam jitter around 10 Hz in the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). Therefore, cold masses inside one triplet cryostat have been equipped with accelerometers to further investigate the phenomenon. Additionally, helium pressure transducers have been installed to determine helium pressure oscillations as a possible primary vibration source. Recent results will be reported.
The relationship of local context codes to sequence length memory capacity.

This paper pursues part of a theory to understand sequence prediction networks that use local context neuron encodings. In particular, a previously described neural network model of hippocampal CA3 is studied. General expressions relating CA3 interpattern distances (which reflect local context codes) to sequence length memory capacity are created and verified by computer simulations. As a result, we confirm a very simple relationship between the sequence length memory capacity and a combination of average activity level and the average local context lifetimes. Sequence length memory capacity is also bounded for networks using such local context neuronal codes. Thus, this simple theory quantifies an important limitation on a fully adaptive (i.e. self-supervising) neural model capable of creating context-dependent learning and memory.
Intelligent Alarm Processor based on Chronicle Recognition for Transmission and Distribution System

This paper presents an intelligent alarm processor based on an innovative method which provides a fast and deterministic analysis of events. The principle combines recognition of temporal sequence of alarms and model-based reasoning. The "chronicle" formalism is used to represent the possible situations which may occur in the power system. This method has been implemented in the alarm system of AREVA T&D and has been ordered for several EMS/DMS worldwide
MODEL OF VISCOPLASTICITY FOR TRANSVERSELY ISOTROPIC INELASTICALLY COMPRESSIBLE SOLIDS

A transversely isotropic, viscoplasticity model is formulated as an extension of Bodner's model. Account is made of inelastic deformation that can occur in strongly anisotropic materials under hydrostatic stress. The extended model retains the simplicity of the Bodner model, particularly in the ease with which the material constants are determined. Although the proposed model is based on a scalar state variable, it is capable of representing material anisotropy under the assertion that history-induced anisotropy can be ignored relative to strong initial anisotropy. Physical limitations on the material parameters are identified and discussed. The model is applied to a W/Cu metal matrix composite; characterization is made using off-axis tensile data generated at NASA Glenn Research Center.
Using video podcasts to enhance consulting

At the University of Delaware, we are constantly looking to enhance our consulting efforts in new ways. Try as we might, there were just some things that users couldn't seem to grasp from our web documentation. We came to the conclusion that small tutorial videos would help, but we didn't have the expertise. If we were going to pursue this, we needed to make sure the videos we created were of a decent quality. In this paper/presentation, we will explain how we created a video podcasting team from our existing staff and came up with producers, editors, and videographers. We ran into quite a few stumbling blocks, but we learned as we went along and started to produce videos that have been very well received. We started off with some basic equipment and software that we already had and then purchased some additional equipment over time. We will explain how we created the team and provide details about the entire process from choosing the topic to posting our final production on our "Consulting on Demand" web site.
Dynamic network reconfiguration support for mobile computers

Hot swapping technology combined with pervasive heterogeneous networks empowers mobile laptop users to select the best network device for their current environment. Unfortunately, the majority of system software remains “customized”for a particular network configuration, and assumes that many characteristics associated with the network environment remain invariant over the runtime of the software. Mobility causes changes in the environment and nullifies many of these assumptions. This leads to severe loss in system functionality when resources are lost, and failure to benefit when resources are gained. This paper describes Physical Media Independence (PMI), an architecture for dynamically diverse network interface management. PMI addresses three issues concerning dynamic network configuration. First, a model for device availability is proposed to accurately determine when a network device is operational. Second, a structured methodology is used to construct adapters that reconfigure the system when the set of available devices change. The methodology breaks traditional layering using a meta-interface to pass events and information among layers, allowing each layer to adapt in a manner best suited to it. Third, we examine the effect of transparent and non-transparent reconfiguration operations on a variety of applications. We find that adaptive, resource intensive applications behave more efficiently when informed of device availability events. We compare the functionality of an adaptive application running on top of a adaptive operating system (OS) with and without cross-layer notifications.
Protein Phenotypes of Mouse Macrophages Activated In Vivo for Tumor Cell Killing

We have shown previously that the cellular proteins 47b and 71/73 could be used to construct phenotypes that distinguishamong bone marrow culture-derived(BMCD) macrophages that were eitherunstimuiated or primed by gamma Interferonor fully activatedfortumor cellkillingby gamma interferon In combination with lipopolysaccharide(LPS). In the present study we examined invivo-derivedcorrelatesforeach of thesestagesofmacrophage activationand found thatthesame protein phenotypes held true:both p47b and p71/73were expressed by cytolyticperitonealmacrophages, includingmacrophages from a tumoral effusion, whereas macrophages primed Invivoby the lntraperttonealinjectionof either concanavalin A or methyl vinyl ether copolymer II expressed p47b but lacked p71/73. Neither resident nor inflammatory macrophage populations expressed p47b, and acute inflammatory macrophages, like unstlmulated BMCD macrophages, expressed little or no p71/73. By contrast, resident and thioglycollateelicitedmacrophages synthesized moderate levelsof p71/73.When p71/73 also was expressed,therewas a quantitative relationship between p47b expressionand cytolytic activityinfivedifferentinvivo-activatedmacrophage populations.The resultssuggest that, regardless of the macrophage source or stimulus, itmay be possibleto assess macrophage activationstatusby referenceto proteinphenotypes utilizingp47b and p71/73.
The Racz Procedure: Lysis of Epidural Adhesions (Percutaneous Neuroplasty)

Back pain is an exceedingly common condition and is often treated with surgery when patients have failed traditional conservative treatment. Despite the best efforts of treating surgeons, these patients are often left with significant postoperative pain, and reoperation or chronic opiate therapy is frequently felt to be the only alternative. A large portion of pain in this patient population is directly attributable to epidural adhesions that prevent normal nerve root movement along with adhesions affecting the ventral epidural structures. Lysis of adhesions is a minimally invasive procedure that was initially developed to spare patients from an additional surgery. Since its inception, the procedure has proved effective for a variety of additional etiologies beyond postsurgical back pain. Through site-specific targeting, lysis of adhesions involves the placement of a catheter in the neuroforamen of the affected nerve root. A fluid foraminotomy is performed when hyaluronidase, local anesthetic, corticosteroid, and hypertonic sodium chloride are injected through the catheter. This releases the nerve root from epidural adhesions and increases neuroforaminal cross-sectional area. Additionally, adhesiolysis opens venous runoff and decompresses high-pressure epidural veins.
The effect of multifunctional monomers/oligomers Additives on electron beam radiation crosslinking of poly (styrene-block-isoprene/butadiene-block-styrene) (SIBS)

Abstract The effect of multifunctional monomers or oligomers (MFM/O) additives on electron beam (E-beam) radiation induced crosslinking of poly (styrene- block -isoprene/butadiene- block -styrene) (SIBS) was studied. Ten types of MFM/O were investigated, including trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA), trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA), triallyl cyanurate (TAC), polybutadiene diacrylate (PB-diacrylate), ethylene glycol dimethylacrylate (EGDMA), butylene glycol dimethacrylate (BGDMA), 1,2-polybutadiene. The effects of MFM/O concentration and E-beam radiation dose on properties of SIBS were studied including tensile strength, elongation-at-break, modulus, gel content, equilibrium swelling and crosslink density. TMPTA significantly improved the tensile modulus and crosslink density of SIBS. SIBS with TMPTMA and TMTPMA with inhibitor showed a 50% increase in tensile strength. The solubility of MFM/O in SIBS was also investigated by a selective swelling method. The MFM/O were found to be soluble in both phases of SIBS. The viscosity of SIBS with methacrylate type MFM/O was stable at 200 °C.
Application of Basic Material Tests for Evaluating New Engineering Materials

Breve description de deux familles d'aciers (une de coulee en continu et une microalliee). Mise en evidence de la possibilite d'utiliser les resultats des essais mecaniques sur le materiau de base pour evaluer leurs applications potentielles et ainsi minimiser les essais sur les pieces finies
A Microbial Ecologist Looks Once Again at Risk Analysis

Every innovative technology should be unquestionably accepted. Because the technology is novel, it is impossible to predict the consequences. This technology I am helping to develop is the greatest thing that has happened since man (or woman) has appeared on this planet. That new technology will likely have cataclysmic consequences and may kill many people, upset natural ecosystems and greatly modify the biosphere. Because the opponents of this technology do not understand the full details of the discipline, they should not be listened to. Because the proponents of the technology do not understand the implications for public health, food production or natural ecosystems, they are not the individuals whose opinions should be heard in assessing its consequences. No evidence of a problem has been unearthed to date, and therefore there is no problem with this technology. Evidence of the deleterious effects of nearly all technologies have required their widespread use or modification, and therefore we still may expect dire consequences.
Trends in state budgets and child outcomes during and post child welfare class action litigation

Abstract Litigation is the most prevalent mechanism for comprehensive child welfare system reform. Litigation has resulted in increased funding to child welfare systems. This study assesses the impact of litigation on budgets during and after litigation and the budgets correlation with child outcomes. This mixed methods study analyzes 7 years post-litigation data in 4 state case studies. Individual interviews were conducted with key stakeholders (N = 17) in the lawsuits to determine what impact the lawsuit had on budgets and outcomes. Findings indicate that litigation likely impacts outcomes at least partially through increased financial investments (decreased reunification impacting decreased reentry after reunification and rate served); however, the impact of these outcomes is mitigated because financial investment in child welfare is not sustained.
Numerical modeling of polarization gratings by rigorous coupled wave analysis

We report on the numerical analysis of polarization gratings (PGs) and study their general diffraction properties by using the Rigorous Coupled Wave Analysis (RCWA) method. With this semi-analytical method, we can perform rigorous simulation without paraxial approximation and have a complete understanding of diffraction behavior of PGs, including those with complex twisted layers. We first adapt the formulation of conventional RCWA to simulate grating made by anisotropic material, as appropriate for the PG profile. We then validate our RCWA method by comparing its result with that given by finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. Diffraction characteristics including the spectral response, angular response, and polarization dependence are investigated. A comparison of the stability and computation performance between the two methods is also briefly discussed.
Genomic approaches to bone and joint diseases. New insights into molecular mechanisms underlying protective effects of vitamin K on bone health

Vitamin K is a nutrient originally identified as an essential factor for blood coagulation. Accumulated evidence indicates that subclinical non-hemostatic vitamin K deficiency in extrahepatic tissues, particularly in bone, exists widely in the otherwise healthy adult population. Both vitamin K1 and K2 have been shown to exert protective effects against osteoporosis. The new biological functions of vitamin K in bone are considered to be attributable, at least in part, to promotion of gamma-carboxylation of glutamic acid residues in vitamin K-dependent proteins, which is shared by both vitamins K1 and K2. A recent evidence of significant correlation between polymorphism of gamma-glutamyl carboxylase gene and bone mineral density supports the role of gamma-carboxylation-dependent actions of vitamin K. In contrast, vitamin K2-specific,gamma-carboxylation-unrelated functions have recently attracted scientific attention. Recent findings of vitamin K2-specific transactivation of steroid and xenobiotic receptor (SXR/PXR) may lead to new research avenue. The impact of genotype of apoE, a major vitamin K transporter, on ostepporosis as well as Alzheimer disease and atherosclerosis, raises a question whether vitamin K is involved in the pathogenesis of these diseases. Molecular bases of coagulation-unrelated pleiotropic actions of vitamin K and its implications in bone health deserve further investigations.
On the Socialism Culture with Chinese Characteristics

The Socialism Culture with Chinese Characteristics is an important part of contents of the Socialism System of Theories with Chinese Characteristics. It is formed in the great practice of Chinese refom and opening-up and Modernization,and reflects the new cultural request of practical development of contempory world and the Chinese politics、economy and society. Chinese refom and opening-up and socialism movements and Globalization and Chinese cultural industry is the practical base for the formation of the socialist culture with Chinese characteristics.
Newly patch Yagi antenna of cascade-dielectric embedded

A newly cascade dielectric embedded microstrip Yagi antenna of as "sandwich" is created by using electromagnetism coupling theory and Yagi antenna theory and microstrip antenna theory and design experience of Yagi antenna and manufacture technology of microstrip antenna.The problem of not being vertical between the main beam of the flat-microstrip Yagi antenna and the substrate plane of microstrip antenna is solved by the antenna.In addition,the configuration of improved antenna with "barrier" is described.The performance of the antenna is better than the flat-microstrip Yagi antenna.It is proved by simulation calculation and practical antenna testing.
Interaction of Heterotrimeric G-Protein Components with Receptor-like Kinases in Plants: An Alternative to the Established Signaling Paradigm?

Heterotrimeric G proteins comprising Gα, Gβ, and Gγ subunits (hereafter termed G proteins) mediate important signaling processes in all eukaryotes. As per the established paradigm, during resting phase the Gα is guanosine diphosphate (GDP)-bound and the three subunits form an inactive trimeric complex GDP⋅Gαβγ. Signal perception occurs at the G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), which act as guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) and facilitate the exchange of GDP for guanosine triphosphate (GTP) on Gα.
Fluctuations and coherent radius of laser emission through an anisotropic turbulent medium

Recently, the problem of propagation of optical radiation through an anisotropic turbulent medium has become important because of the number of experiments on the covering of the Earth’s atmosphere that have been carried out by using satellite measurements. These experiments2 showed that the atmospheric turbulence responsible for the fluctuations of the temperature field and the amplitude of the laser emission is strongly anisotropic, with the order of anisotropy larger than 25. The expressions for the correlation and structural functions have been derived by using the anisotropic model of the Obukhov-Kolmogoroff turbulence spectrum3 and the stochastic wave equation:
New Testament intimations

The Old Testament takes family claims for granted and stresses the claims of the needy, but as far as I can ascertain, it sheds no light on the respective strength of these claims. On this issue the New Testament, a surer source of Christian belief, looks more interesting. True, with the possible exception of a single text, which I shall examine below, the New Testament does not directly address our problem. No author or text considers the weight to accord preference for the nearest versus preference for the neediest, much less takes sides in Ewing's specific case. Nonetheless, interpretations have been advanced which, if valid, would enlist the New Testament more or less decisively on the side of the neediest; and other indications point in the same direction, albeit less decisively. I shall start with the interpretations. THE NEW SOLIDARITY No work of scriptural interpretation I have encountered has as much to say about the issue that concerns us as does Albert Nolan's Jesus Before Christianity , especially a chapter entitled “The Kingdom and Solidarity.” “Solidarity,” Nolan acknowledges, “is not a Biblical word but it expresses better than any other word I know one of the most fundamental concepts in the Bible – the concept frequently referred to by scholars as the Hebrew notion of collectivity.” The corresponding reality pervaded Hebrew society. In particular, The basic unit that lived together as one corporate being was the family – the extended family including all one's relatives.