cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pre-Seismic Electromagnetic Phenomena in the Framework of Percolation and Fractal Theories

Abstract Understanding the electromagnetic response to geodynamic processes occurring in the earth's upper crust, in particular pre-seismic and seismic processes, is a challenging task in modern geophysics. There is increasing evidence that seismo-electromagnetic (SEM) phenomena are difficult to describe quantitatively by “linear” models using “averaged” parameters of the medium, such as electrical and hydraulic conductivities. Because the upper crust is highly inhomogeneous (at all scales), porous, and can be fully or partially water-saturated, the most natural way to describe its parameters is via fractal-theoretic and percolation-theoretic models. Recent studies indicate that the electrokinetic effect is the most likely driving mechanism for the various types of SEM signals. Here we considered the hydraulic, electric, and electrokinetic conductances of a porous water-saturated medium as a function of porosity (ϕ) and moisture content (θ), utilizing a percolation/fractal approach. We show that the electric conductivity and electrokinetic current in such a medium are both proportional to (ϕ–ϕc)2 and (θ–θc)2, where ϕc and θc are the critical values of porosity and moisture content, respectively. This behavior admits the possibility of a relatively large change in the respective electric and electrokinetic parameters due to a small change in the mechanical strain field. This is significant because it may account for the appearance of some types of SEM signals at large distances from the earthquake origin, which is the main deficiency of most models. Indeed, the anticipated strain changes related to pre-earthquake processes is usually very small except near the focal area. The expected ‘averaged’ electromagnetic response also would be very small, unless a local underground water system exists, not necessarily near the focal area, but which is close to critical point(s). We discuss the conditions under which electrotelluric and geomagnetic variations can accompany mechanical disturbances in the earth's crust.
Nitrogen fixation can exceed inorganic nitrogen uptake fluxes in oligotrophic streams

Nitrogen fixation can be a dominant flux of nitrogen (N) input providing up to 97 % of new N into some terrestrial and up to 82 % into some aquatic ecosystems, yet N2 fixation is rarely considered in the context of other N cycling fluxes. We compared N2 fixation with dissolved inorganic N (DIN) uptake fluxes in several streams. We measured N2 fixation in nine streams in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA and surrounding areas and we compared our estimates to the ammonium ( $$ {\text{NH}}_{4}^{ + } $$ ) uptake, nitrate ( $$ {\text{NO}}_{3}^{ - } $$ ) uptake, and denitrification estimates from the literature for those streams. N2 fixation was negligible or below detection in the four streams with $$ {\text{NO}}_{3}^{ - } $$ concentrations >20 μg $$ {\text{NO}}_{3}^{ - } $$ -N L−1. N2 fixation exceeded $$ {\text{NO}}_{3}^{ - } $$ uptake in two of the nine streams and $$ {\text{NH}}_{4}^{ + } $$ uptake in one stream. To further examine the relationship between N2 fixation and DIN uptake, we chose Ditch Creek, which is a low-N stream (<5 µg DIN-N L−1) with high rates of N2 fixation. We measured N2 fixation, $$ {\text{NH}}_{4}^{ + } $$ uptake, and $$ {\text{NO}}_{3}^{ - } $$ uptake biweekly throughout one summer. In Ditch Creek, DIN uptake exceeded N2 fixation at the beginning and end of the summer, but from July to the beginning of September N2 fixation was up to eight times greater than DIN uptake. The epilithic biofilm in Ditch Creek accumulated 1.5 g N m−2 throughout the summer, and N2 fixation may have contributed up to 73 % of that accumulation. Ditch Creek N2 fixation surpassed denitrification for both Ditch Creek and many streams. N2 fixation can be a dominant flux in low-N stream ecosystems.
The conjugation stabilization of 1,3-butadiyne is zero.

In contrast to 1,3-butadiene, the textbook example of “conjugation stabilization”, G3(MP2) calculations yielding the enthalpy of hydrogenation ΔhydH298 of 1,3-butadiyne indicate that it is not stabilized by the conjugated configuration of its triple bonds. Differences between ethylenic and acetylenic π bonds are examined in the light of CAS-MCSCF calculations on 1,3-butadiene and 1,3-butadiyne.
pNFS/PVFS2 over InfiniBand: early experiences

The computing power of clusters has been rapidly growing up towards petascale capability, which requires petascale I/O systems to provide data in a sustained high-throughput manner. Network File System (NFS), a ubiquitous standard used in most existing clusters, has shown performance bottleneck associated with the single server model. pNFS, a parallel version of NFS, has been proposed in this context to eliminate the performance bottleneck while maintain the ease of management and interoperability features of NFS. With InfiniBand being one of the most popular high speed networks for clusters, whether pNFS can pick up the advantages of InfiniBand is an interesting and important question. It is also important to quantify and understand the potential benefits of using pNFS compared with the single server NFS, and the possible overhead associated with pNFS. However, since pNFS is relatively new, few such study has been carried out in an InfiniBand cluster environment. In this paper we have designed and carried out a set of experiments to study the performance and scalability of pNFS, using PVFS2 as the backend file system. The aim is to understand the characteristics of pNFS, and its feasibility as the parallel file system solution for clusters. From our experimental results we observer that pNFS can take advantages of high speed networks such as InfiniBand, and achieve up to 480% improvement in throughput compared with using GigE as the transport. pNFS can eliminate the single server bottleneck associated with NFS. pNFS/PVFS2 shows significantly higher throughput and better scalability compared with NFS/PVFS2. pNFS/PVFS2 achieves peak write throughput about 490MB/s, and read throughput about 2250MB/s, with 4 I/O servers. With 8 I/O servers, the numbers are 754MB/s and 3100MB/s. Further, we find that pNFS adds little overhead and achieves almost the same throughput as the backend file system PVFS2. Our results indicate that pNFS is promising as the parallel file system solution for clusters.
Transgenerational genetic effects on phenotypic variation and disease risk

Traditionally, we understand that individual phenotypes result primarily from inherited genetic variants together with environmental exposures. However, many studies showed that a remarkable variety of factors including environmental agents, parental behaviors, maternal physiology, xenobiotics, nutritional supplements and others lead to epigenetic changes that can be transmitted to subsequent generations without continued exposure. Recent discoveries show transgenerational epistasis and transgenerational genetic effects where genetic factors in one generation affect phenotypes in subsequent generation without inheritance of the genetic variant in the parents. Together these discoveries implicate a key signaling pathway, chromatin remodeling, methylation, RNA editing and microRNA biology. This exceptional mode of inheritance complicates the search for disease genes and represents perhaps an adaptation to transmit useful gene expression profiles from one generation to the next. In this review, I present evidence for these transgenerational genetic effects, identify their common features, propose a heuristic model to guide the search for mechanisms, discuss the implications, and pose questions whose answers will begin to reveal the underlying mechanisms.
Submarine melting at the terminus of a temperate tidewater glacier, LeConte Glacier, Alaska, U.S.A.

Heat, fresh- and sea-water balances indicate that the late-summer rate of submarine melting at the terminus of tidewater LeConte Glacier, Alaska, U.S.A., in 2000 was about 12md ^1 w.e., averaged over the submerged face.This is 57% of the estimated total ice loss at the terminus (calving plus melting) at this time. Submarine melting may thusprovidea significantcontributiontotheoverallablationofatidewaterglacier.Oceano- graphic measurements (conductivity^temperature^depth) made 200^500m from the ter- minus identified an isohaline (27ppt) and isothermal (7.2‡ C) layer extending from 130m depthto the fjord floor. Capping this is a 40mthick overflow plume, distinguishedby high outflow rates, low salinity (22^25ppt) and lower temperatures (5^6‡ C). Mixing models indicate that fresh water comprised about11% of this plume; it originates mostly as sub- glacial discharge whose buoyancy drives convection at the terminus. Deep, warm saline watersareincorporatedintotheplumeasitascends,causingsubstantialmeltingoficealong the submarine face.The calving terminus undergoes seasonal changes that coincide with changes in subglacial discharge and fjord water temperatures, and we suggest that these fluctuations interminuspositionare directly relatedto changes in submarine melting.
Fast, robust total variation-based reconstruction of noisy, blurred images

Tikhonov regularization with a modified total variation regularization functional is used to recover an image from noisy, blurred data. This approach is appropriate for image processing in that it does not place a priori smoothness conditions on the solution image. An efficient algorithm is presented for the discretized problem that combines a fixed point iteration to handle nonlinearity with a new, effective preconditioned conjugate gradient iteration for large linear systems. Reconstructions, convergence results, and a direct comparison with a fast linear solver are presented for a satellite image reconstruction application.
The effect of phosphate buffer on the adsorption of 2,4‐dichlorophenol and 2,4‐dinitrophenol∗

Abstract A laboratory study was conducted to determine the influence of a 0.05M phosphate buffer on the adsorption of 2,4‐dichlorophenol (2,4‐DCP) and 2,4‐dinitrophenol (2,4‐DNP) from aqueous solution. Kinetic and equilibrium characteristics were studied. In summary, the phosphate buffer exhibited no discernible influence on the rate of adsorption and adsorptive capacity of an undissociated adsorbate. However, the adsorption of the dissociated forms of 2,4‐DCP and 2,4‐DNP at equilibrium exhibited differing characteristics in the presence and absence of a 0.05M phosphate buffer. The amount of adsorption of the dissociated compounds was increased in the presence of the phosphate buffer, in comparison to similar experiments in which the buffer was not present.
Measurement of Tracheal Static Pressure in Exercising Horses

A nasotracheal catheter for measuring tracheal static pressure in exercising horses was designed according to aerodynamic engineering principles. Small ports near the end of the catheter transmitted pressure fluctuations to the recording apparatus. Accuracy was determined by the size, number, and location of pressure sensing holes on the catheter, and by the position of the catheter in the trachea. The catheter had adequate frequency response to 33 Hz, was insensitive to movement artifacts, was easily introduced, was tolerated well by horses, and resulted in small ventilatory impairment at maximal exertion.
Excavation of a prehistoric enclosure at Mar Hall, Bishopton, Renfrewshire

Remains of a multi-palisaded and ditched enclosure were identified during an archaeological watching brief and evaluation carried out in July 2007. In accordance with planning conditions an archaeological excavation was subsequently undertaken between August and December 2007, on behalf of Mar Estates Ltd. The excavation identified two phases of construction at the enclosure, the multiple palisades and entrance dating to the Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age and a large ditch dating to the Middle-Late Iron Age. A Bronze Age burnt mound was found nearby.
ClusterDraw web server

ClusterDraw is a program aimed to identification of binding sites and binding-site clusters. Major difference of the ClusterDraw from existing tools is its ability to scan a wide range of parameter values and weigh statistical significance of all possible clusters, smaller than a selected size. The program produces graphs along with decorated FASTA files. ClusterDraw web server is available at the following URL: http://flydev.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/cld/submit.cgi Contact: [email protected] Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Mixed DCM/CCM pulse adjustment with constant power loads

Efficiency, fuel economy, federal mandates, and global socio-political scenarios are the issues that are forcing the vehicular industry to seek more electrification. As land, sea/undersea, air, and space vehicles become more electric and less mechanical, vehicular industry is emerging as a leading application area for power electronics. Electrical architectures of power electronic based vehicular systems are in the form of multi-converter configurations. In multi-converter vehicular systems power electronic converters are mostly utilized in generating, distributing, and utilizing electrical energy in the vehicle. Power electronic converters, when tightly regulated, act as constant power loads. Constant power loads have a destabilizing effect on multi-converter systems. In order to mitigate this instability problem, which is also known as negative impedance instability, this paper introduces pulse adjustment, a novel digital control technique, to control DC/DC converters. This method applies predefined duty cycles, instead of conventional pulsewidth modulation (PWM) techniques, to regulate the output voltage. It is simple, cost-effective, and needs few logic gates and comparators to implement, thus, making it extremely simple and easy to develop using a low-cost application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Experimental results as well as simulation results are presented to describe and verify the proposed technique.
Transforming Growth Factor-α Gene Expression and Action in the Seminiferous Tubule: Peritubular Cell-Sertoli Cell Interactions*

The local production and action of an epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like substance within the seminiferous tubule was investigated as a potential mediator of cell-cell interactions. Peritubular (myoid) and Sertoli cells were isolated and cultured under serum-free conditions. Proteins secreted by Sertoli and peritubular cells were found to contain a component that bound to the EGF receptor in a RRA. Separation of secreted proteins by reverse phase chromatography fractionated a protein that contained EGF bioactivity in its activity to stimulate growth of an EGF-dependent cell line. Biochemical properties examined for both Sertoli and peritubular cell EGF activities were similar with each other, but distinct from murine EGF. Northern blot analysis with an EGF cDNA probe did not detect EGF gene expression in peritubular, Sertoli, or germ cells. The possible production of an EGF-like substance such as transforming growth factor-α (TGFα) was investigated with a molecular probe to human TGFα. Both peritubular an...
Capacity and cutoff rate of the digital subscriber loop with near end crosstalk noise

It is shown that most twisted-pair local loops within a 12000-ft range of the central office, i.e., within the standard carrier serving area, could potentially support high-rate services at rates exceeding 800 kb/s, even in the presence of worst-case crosstalk interference. Because the crosstalk noise increases as the input power increases, the capacity of the channel asymptotically reaches a finite limit. While capacity indicates the ultimate channel performance with infinite coding complexity, the cutoff rate of the channel suggests the maximum performance of a finite-complexity system. The cutoff rates for twelve different local loops are calculated and shown to exceed the T1 transmission rate (1.544 Mb/s). With sufficient sophisticated coding techniques and equalization many local loops could potentially support service at this rate. Significant transmission capacity also requires using the high-frequency portions of the channel spectrum, thereby requiring a high symbol rate and lower bit rate per symbol to achieve the desired throughput. >
LINOLEUM BLOCK PRINTED POTTERY1

A study of three methods for applying color to pottery with linoleum designs is presented. The procedure is practical for studio potters and small factories rather than for quantity production.
Heterotic strings on generalized Calabi–Yau manifolds and Kaehler moduli stabilization

Abstract Compactifications of heterotic string theory on generalized Calabi–Yau manifolds with SU ( 3 ) structure, have been expected to give the same type of flexibility that type IIB compactifications on Calabi–Yau orientifolds have. In this note we generalize the work done on half-flat manifolds by other authors, to show how flux quantization occurs in the general case, by starting with a basis of harmonic forms and then extending it. However it turns out that only the axions associated with the non-harmonic directions in the space of Kaehler moduli, can be stabilized by the geometric (torsion) terms. Also we argue that there are no supersymmetric extrema of the potential when the second (and fourth) cohomology groups on the manifold are non-trivial. We suggest that threshold corrections to the classical gauge coupling function could solve these problems.
Linking electronic health records to better understand breast cancer patient pathways within and between two health systems.

Introduction: In a fragmented health care system, research can be challenging when one seeks to follow cancer patients as they seek care which can continue for months or years and may reflect many physician and patient decisions. Claims data track patients, but lack clinical detail. Linking routine electronic health record (EHR) data with clinical registry data allows one to gain a more complete picture of the patient journey through a cancer care episode. However, valid analytical approaches to examining care trajectories must be longitudinal and account for the dynamic nature of what is “seen” in the EHR. Methods: The Oncoshare database combines clinical detail from the California Cancer Registry and EHR data from two large health care organizations in the same catchment area—a multisite community practice and an academic medical center—for all women treated in either organization for breast cancer from 2000 to 2012. We classified EHR encounters data according to typical periods of the cancer care episode (screening, diagnosis, treatment) and posttreatment surveillance, as well as by facility used to better characterize patterns of care for patients seen at both organizations. Findings: We identified a “treated” cohort consisting of women receiving interventions for their initial cancer diagnosis, and classified their encounters over time across multiple dimensions (type of care, provider of care, and timing of care with respect to their cancer diagnosis). Forty-three percent of the patients were treated at the academic center only, 42 percent at the community center only, and 16 percent of the patients obtained care at both health care organizations. Compared to women seen at only one organization, the last group had similar-length initial care episodes, but more frequently had multiple episodes and longer observation periods. Discussion: Linking EHR data from neighboring systems can enhance our information on care trajectories, but careful consideration of the complexity of the treatment process and data generating mechanisms is necessary to make valid inferences. Conclusion/Next Steps: If analyzed as a timeline, and with careful characterization of diagnostic tests, surgical interventions, and type and frequency of physician encounters, the pathways taken by women through their breast cancer episode may lead to better understanding of patient decisions.
The effect of stilbestrol on resistance to experimental poliomyelitis.

THE WIDE discrepancy between the pattern of distribution of the virus of poliomyelitis and that of the paralytic disease is an indication that added factors act as major determinants of the frank disease amongst those exposed to the virus. Clinically the evidence for widespread dissemination of the virus lies in the unbroken gradation from frank paralytic through milder and non-paralytic forms frequently missed, to suspected abortive infections not amenable to certain diagnosis. Epidemiologically, time and space relationships between recognized cases imply intervening milder infections or healthy carriers. Immunologically, the widespread occurrence of immunity in the general population, as shown by virus neutralization tests, can best be interpreted as an expression of exposure to the virus as is true of corresponding tests in many other infectious diseases.
Houses in the Rainforest: Ethnicity and Inequality among Farmers and Foragers in Central Africa

Houses in the Rainforest: Ethnicity and Inequality among Farmers and Foragers in Central Africa. ROY RICHARD GRINKER. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1994. xviii + 225 pp., map, photographs, tables, references, index.
EXTENSION OF EULER'S PRINCIPAL AXES TO ARTICULATED INERTIA

An effective inertia of a serially jointed chain of bodies, such as a robotic arm, is often referre dt o as the articulated or operational space inertia. Six principal axes and six principal values of inertia are proposed to decouple articulated inertia into geometric and constitutive properties respectively. In the case of a single rigid body, these concepts naturally coincide with familiar descriptions of inertia.
Computational Investigations of High -Speed Dual -Stream Jets

A series of coaxial dual -stream jets issuing into quiescent air was investigated using Reynolds -averaged Navier -Stokes calculations with linear two -equation and nonlinear two -equation explicit algebraic stress turbulence modeling. Comparisons of calculated mean flowfield development were made with experimental data. For all cases, a single axisymmetric convergent -divergent nozzle provided a Mach 1.5 primary flow. Three conical secondary flow nozzles with outer (secondary) to inner (primary) nozz le diameter ratios of 1.4, 1.7, and 2.0 were examined. For each configuration, three subsonic secondary flow Mach numbers (0.37, 0.60, and 0.90) were investigated. A single jet case was also investigated for comparison with the coaxial arrangements. Com parisons of calculated centerline jet velocity decay, velocity profiles in the developing jet region, and potential core lengths yield reasonably good agreement with experimental data. Experimentally observed potential core lengthening with increasing cof low nozzle diameter and increasing secondary flow Mach number is also observed in the calculations. Calculated turbulent kinetic energy fields are provided in order to further characterize the development of the turbulent jet flowfields. The peak kinetic energy magnitude decreases and the location of the peak moves downstream with increasing secondary flow Mach number and increasing secondary nozzle diameter.
Procedure for bone sterilization with beta-propiolactone.

1. One per cent beta-propiolactone has been shown capable of sterilizing animal tissues which have been either artificially infected with vegetative and spore-forming bacteria or taken from the animals during the stage of bacteraemia or viraemia. It also sterilizes leukaemic-infected splenic tissue. 2. The depth of drug penetration did not exceed 1.5 millimeters in compact tissues (liver and spleen) and three millimeters in cancellous bone. Thus, compact tissues to a thickness of three millimeters and cancellous bone to a thickness of six millimeters can be satisfactorily sterilized. 3. Good results were obtained in all of the cases in which beta-propiolactone sterilized bone was used (fifty operations). 4. A bone bank in which material sterilized with beta-propiolactone is used has been established. 5. The simple, rapid, and inexpensive chemical method of the sterilization of contaminated bone described in this paper can be readily utilized in small hospitals.
Developmental and behavioral pediatricians' attitudes toward screening for fragile X.

Abstract Developmental and behavioral pediatricians (DBP) diagnose and care for children with fragile X syndrome. Their attitudes toward FMR1 newborn screening (NBS) and FMR1 carrier testing in childhood could highlight potential pitfalls with FMR1 NBS. We conducted a cross-sectional survey with an adjusted response rate of 61%. Among DBP, 74% supported universal FMR1 NBS, preferring to identify both full mutations and premutations. DBP also support FMR1 testing of asymptomatic siblings. Although DBP support testing for premutations at various points in the lifespan, DBP are not familiar with the array of fragile X–associated disorders (FXAD). Targeted educational interventions are needed to ensure that all health care providers have the knowledge and competence to consent and to counsel families on FXAD.
Zum wissenschaftlichen Selbstverständnis von Adorno und Bourdieu

Bei aller Theorienvielfalt der Soziologie gibt es doch einen theoretischen Korpus, auf den sich jeder, der in die Soziologie eintritt, auf die eine oder andere Weise beziehen muss. Zu diesem gemeinsamen Korpus zahlen die Theorien von Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim und Max Weber. Darum wird im Folgenden abrissartig dargestellt, wie Bourdieu und Adorno sich von diesen Klassikern der Soziologie beeinflussen liesen. Als studierte Philosophen hatten beide Theoretiker ein klares Bewusstsein davon, dass die Soziologie aus der Philosophie heraus entstanden ist. Immer wieder setzten sie sich deshalb mit den bedeutendsten Denkern der philosophischen Tradition auseinander. Darum wird auch ihr Verhaltnis zu Immanuel Kant und Georg W.F. Hegel kurz beleuchtet, denn deren philosophische Stellungnahmen zur Frage nach Determination und Freiheit beeinflussten nicht nur Marx, Durkheim und Weber, sondern forderten Adorno und Bourdieu auch direkt zu kritischen Auseinandersetzungen heraus.
Xanthogranuloma in the heavily irradiated low neck in a patient with head and neck cancer

Background Head and neck cancer is often managed with a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, and skin toxicity is not uncommon. Xanthogranuloma is a pathological finding resulting from an inflammatory reaction that has not been previously reported following head and neck radiation therapy.
Robustness of Frequency, Transition Dipole, and Coupling Maps for Water Vibrational Spectroscopy.

Infrared spectroscopy of the water OH stretch provides a sensitive probe of the local hydrogen-bonding structure and dynamics of water molecules. Previously, we have utilized a mixed quantum/classical model to calculate vibrational spectroscopic observables for bulk water, ice, the liquid/vapor interface, and small water clusters, as well as water interacting with ions and biological molecules. These studies rely on spectroscopic maps that relate the OH stretching frequency and transition dipole to the local environment around a water molecule. Our spectroscopic maps were parametrized based on water clusters taken from bulk water simulations; in this article, we test the robustness of these maps for water in nonbulk-liquid environments. We find that the frequency, transition dipole, and coupling maps work as well for the water surface, ice Ih, and the water hexamer as they do for liquid water. This suggests that these maps may be generally applied to study the vibrational spectroscopy of water in diverse,...
Restoring trust in VA health care.

Scandalous data manipulation and prolonged wait times at VA health centers are symptoms of deeper pathology: the VA has lost sight of its mission. It can recover if it begins by focusing on better performance measurement, a new access strategy, and greater transparency.
COPD Readmissions: Addressing COPD in the Era of Value-based Health Care

Of those patients hospitalized for an exacerbation of COPD, one in five will require rehospitalization within 30 days. Many developed countries are now implementing policies to increase care quality while controlling costs for COPD, known as value-based health care. In the United States, COPD is part of Medicare's Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP), which penalizes hospitals for excess 30-day, all-cause readmissions after a hospitalization for an acute exacerbation of COPD, despite minimal evidence to guide hospitals on how to reduce readmissions. This review outlines challenges for improving overall COPD care quality and specifically for the HRRP. These challenges include heterogeneity in the literature for how COPD and readmissions are defined, difficulty finding the target population during hospitalizations, and a lack of literature to guide evidence-based programs for COPD readmissions as defined by the HRRP in the hospital setting. It then identifies risk factors for early readmissions after acute exacerbation of COPD and discusses tested and emerging strategies to reduce these readmissions. Finally, we evaluate the current HRRP and future policy changes and their effect on the goal to deliver value-based COPD care. COPD remains a chronic disease with a high prevalence that has finally garnered the attention of health systems and policy makers, but we still have a long way to go to truly deliver value-based care to patients.
Experimental Analysis of Corona Discharges and Sound Characteristics of Needle-plane Electrodes Under DC Voltage

In order to analyze the mechanism of audible noise on UHV transmission lines,experiments of single point corona discharge under DC voltage was developed and the sound pressure produced by pulsed discharges was measured.Based on needle-plane electrodes,the amplitude and frequency characteristics of single point corona discharge were studied,and the discharge current waveforms and discharge pictures under different voltages(0-35 kV) in different spaces(6-8 cm) with different polarities were obtained.The results indicate that the DC corona discharges are composed of a series of pulsed discharges,of which the rising edge and pulse width of single pulsed discharge are mainly 10 ns and 30 ns,respectively.The amplitude and repetitive frequency of single pulsed discharge increase with DC voltage,but the discharge parameters have some randomization and the repetition of pulses turns worse with increasing DC voltage.Moreover,based on the features of single point corona discharges,a pulsed discharge circuit was set up to simulate different corona discharges to keep the discharge parameters controllable.By using capacitor microphone,the sound pressure produced by pulsed discharges was measured in an anechoic chamber,and the correlation features between discharge voltage and sound pressure were preliminarily obtained: sound pressure increased linearly with discharge voltage.
Full-Length Portrait in a Post-Soviet Frame

Alexei Lalo's Thomas Pynchon and His America is the first book-length study of Pynchon in post-Soviet American Studies. The fact that it is the first one determines much of the character of the research. The volume of Pynchon criticism in Western academia is huge, while in the former Soviet Union Pynchon's work has not been widely available for long (the first Russian translations of his early novels appeared in 2000)' nor has it been studied in depth. Thus, any Russian-language scholar of Pynchon undertaking solid research in the field inevitably falls between these two extremes of accessibility and depth, and risks losing his or her independent position while representing other critics' interpretations. Lalo's study exemplifies this problem, for it serves more as a useful guide to secondary sources on Pynchon than as an intriguing investigation of truly new aspects of his work.
Solid state NMR study of oxygen site exchange and Al-O-Al site concentration in analcime

Oxygen isotope exchange between natural analcime and water vapor at low pressure is studied by 17 O NMR, which can distinguish Si-O-Si and Si-O-Al sites and provide information on site specific exchange kinetics and mechanisms. Si-O-Al sites in analcime are found to exchange faster than Si-O-Si sites at lower temperature (400 °C). At higher temperature (500 °C), the exchange rates for the two types of site are similar, suggesting that the exchange process for Si-O-Si has a higher activation energy, as predicted by published theoretical calculations. The overall exchange reaction appears to be controlled largely by reaction at sites, not diffusion. Static 17 O spectra show an anomalously high ratio of Si-O-Si to Si-O-Al sites, suggesting the presence of a few percent of Al-O-Al sites, which are indeed resolved and observed in triple quantum magic-angle spinning (3QMAS) spectra.
Hyperoxia enhances expression of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and increases protein S-glutathiolation in rat lung

By participating in glutathione (GSH) synthesis, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) influences the GSH redox cycle, which is a major contributor in protecting against reactive oxygen metabolites. This study determined the effect of prolonged exposure of neonatal rats to > 98% oxygen on expression of GGT and on GSH metabolism. Lungs of neonatal rats chronically exposed to hyperoxia had increased expression of GGT mRNA, resulting in significantly higher GGT protein levels and enzyme activity than in lungs of animals raised in room air. Hyperoxia also upregulated glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, but Na-K-ATPase activity was not changed. GGT mRNA, protein level, and enzyme activity returned to control levels after recovery in room air for 3 days. Levels of GSH, glutathione disulfide, and protein-bound GSH (S-glutathiolated protein) rose with hyperoxia and fell during recovery. S-glutathiolation is likely a mechanism for protection and a regulatory modification of protein sulfhydryl groups. Hyperoxia-induced upregulation of GGT and the concomitant increase in protein S-glutathiolation appear to be additional components fundamental in protecting the lung against oxidative injury.
Endoscopic correction of vesicoureteral reflux in the renal transplant candidate.

AbstractHigh grade vesicoureteral reflux is a well recognized risk factor for post-transplant infection that has been managed commonly with native nephrectomy. Recent reports have described the successful correction of vesicoureteral reflux by the subtrigonal injection of polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) paste. We treated 5 transplant candidates with vesicoureteral reflux with this technique. Ureteral reflux was corrected in 80 per cent of the treated ureters with 6 months of followup. Of the patients 3 have undergone successful renal transplantation without complication. This procedure is well suited to the end stage renal disease patient preparing for renal transplantation, since it avoids an open operation on the pre-transplant bladder and preserves the native kidney, thus, facilitating pretransplant dialysis.
Adenosine in the Local Regulation of Blood Flow: Current Controversies

Three experimental approaches have been taken to test the adenosine hypothesis: adenosine receptor blockade, adenosine deaminase (ADA), and estimation of interstitial adenosine concentration. Methylxanthines, which block adenosine receptors, reduce coronary reactive hyperemia but have no effect on cardiac functional hyperemia and hypoxic vasodilation. They also have controversial effects on skeletal muscle vasodilation. The explanations for the lack of effect of adenosine receptor blockers include an increase in adenosine formation which overwhelms the blockade and the possibility that adenosine contributes to but is not necessary for most local regulatory responses. ADA is used to lower interstitial adenosine ([ADO]i). It has no effect on basal coronary tone or the response to graded reduction in perfusion pressure. It reduces but does not eliminate coronary reactive hyperemia and the vasodilation in response to increased metabolism and systemic hypoxia. It reduces exercise vasodilation in the cremaster muscle. Negative results with ADA may have been obtained because the flux of adenosine is higher than expected and there was not enough ADA to lower [ADO]i. [ADO]i is estimated by measurements of adenosine release from the epicardial surface or into the venous effluent ([ADO]v). We have developed a mathematical model relating [ADO]i and [ADO]v and have used indicator dilution experiments to measure capillary transport parameters for adenosine. The relationship between [ADO]i and [ADO]v is primarily sensitive to the transport parameter for adenosine through interendothelial cell gaps. Further work is needed to gain information about [ADO]i under a variety of experimental conditions.
Innovative Business Analysis curriculum for Computer Science, IT and engineering programs

The research focused on Business Analysis (BA) applications in industry clearly shows that companies and businesses will soon need a significant number of well educated and highly skilled business analysts in Information Technology (IT), Computer Information Systems (CIS), Computer Science (CS) and Engineering areas. Information Technology Business Analysis (ITBA) graduates and experts must be equipped with knowledge and skills with dual business and IT focus; particularly, they must obtain a traditional BA set of skills such as enterprise analysis, knowledge of main business functions, BA planning and monitoring, and deep knowledge of computer systems' analysis, design and integration, software and computer hardware systems, requirements engineering, IT infrastructure, IT management, and IT quality management. The findings and outcomes of performed analysis motivated the authors - faculty and graduate students of the Computer Science and Information Systems (CS&IS) Department at Bradley University (Peoria, IL, U.S.A.) - to work collaboratively, propose and design innovative academic curriculum - main topics, tools, courseware, lab practicum - in ITBA area for engineering education.
The role of empathy in the knowledge building of eighth grade girls as they reflect on their experiences with literature

This study focused on the role that empathy played in the knowledge building of 7 eighth grade readers. Participants met for twenty sessions over the course of a school year to reflect on their experiences empathizing with characters in their favorite works of literature. These reflections led to the generation of social themes. The girls worked to advance these themes by extending, contesting, and evaluating ideas presented. In this community, the girls' attempts to empathize with characters were foundational for analyzing actions and intentions of people. Empathy was also used as a tool in their talk as the girls imagined perspectives very different from their own. This resulted in new self knowledge because hearing different perspectives led them to expand their thinking. Results suggest a role for the sociocognitive benefits of engaging in literature and developing students' capacity for empathy in Language Arts instruction.
A bio-enabled maximally mild layer-by-layer Kapton surface modification approach for the fabrication of all-inkjet-printed flexible electronic devices.

A bio-enabled, environmentally-friendly, and maximally mild layer-by-layer approach has been developed to surface modify inherently hydrophobic Kapton HN substrates to allow for great printability of both water- and organic solvent-based inks thus facilitating the full-inkjet-printing of flexible electronic devices. Different from the traditional Kapton surface modification approaches which are structure-compromising and use harsh conditions to target, and oxidize and/or remove part of, the surface polyimide of Kapton, the present Kapton surface modification approach targeted the surface electric charges borne by its additive particles, and was not only the first to utilize environmentally-friendly clinical biomolecules to build up a thin film of protamine-heparin complex on Kapton, but also the first to be conducted under minimally destructive and maximally mild conditions. Besides, for electrically charged ink particles, the present surface modification method can enhance the uniformity of the inkjet-printed films by reducing the “coffee ring effect”. As a proof-of-concept demonstration, reduced graphene oxide-based gas sensors, which were flexible, ultra-lightweight, and miniature-sized, were fully-inkjet-printed on surface modified Kapton HN films and tested for their sensitivity to dimethyl methylphosphonate (a nerve agent simulant). Such fabricated sensors survived a Scotch-tape peel test and were found insensitive to repeated bending to a small 0.5 cm radius.
BEYOND EQUAL LIBERTY: RELIGION AS A DISTINCT HUMAN GOOD AND THE IMPLICATIONS FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

In this essay I argue that religion, understood as harmony with the transcendent source of existence and meaning, is a good that practical reason grasps as an objective, distinct, and important aspect of human well-being, one that reasonably takes pride of place among the various aspects of a good human life due to its architectonic role in structuring and adding a transcendent meaning to all of the other goods that we pursue. On the basis of this view of religion, I suggest that religious belief and practice deserve special protection in law, above and beyond mere preferences and even other conscientious commitments. I develop this view through a dialectical engagement with Ronald Dworkin, Brian Barry, and Christopher Eisgruber and Lawrence Sager.
Dental development in Homo naledi.

Humans’ prolonged somatic development and life history are unique among primates, yet their evolutionary origins remain unclear. Dental development has been used as a proxy to reconstruct life hist...
Talent and Technique in Theatre: A Semiotics of Performing

The ability to perform in theatre depends upon a certain vitality or movement as well as the distinct articulation or delimiting of that movement. The way movement is limited in theatre is a question of a pattern or style that correlates the limits of movement according to a precise logic. In this paper, I consider both an analog and a digital logic of performing. First, I describe the analog logic of performing as talent, where talent defines a bodily capability for performing that everyone shares, though not all to the same degree. Second, I describe the digital logic of performing as technique that defines a bodily ability which can be developed as a craft which an individual either possesses or not. In a final section, I interpret the relation of bodily capability and ability in the embodiment of a meaningful gesture. Talent and technique suggest a semiotics of performing that patterns bodily capability and ability in the living gesture of theatre.
Nitrogen-15 and Deuterium Substituted Spin Labels for Studies of Very Slow Rotational Motion

Since its introduction (Ohnishi and McConnell, 1965; Stone et al.9 1965), the spin-labeling technique has enjoyed great success in applications involving quantitation of molecular motion in biological systems. Early studies were largely devoted to characterizations of the nanosecond rotational motions of small soluble proteins and lipid components in membrane bilayers using linear1electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. However, development of continuous wave saturation transfer electron paramagnetic resonance (cw-ST-EPR) spectroscopy (Hyde and Dalton, 1972; Hyde and Thomas, 1973; Thomas et al., 1976) and time domain techniques including saturation recovery EPR (SR-EPR; Huisjen and Hyde, 1974; Hyde, 1979; Freed, 1979; Fajer et al., 1986) has provided access to a new motional window which is important for studies of dynamics and interactions of membrane proteins and interactions of soluble proteins to form supramolecular structures. While linear EPR spectroscopy provides sensitivity to rotational motions in the 10 ps to 1 µs correlation time range using nitroxide spin labels (McCalley et al, 1972), cw-ST-EPR provides high sensitivity in the 1µs to 1 ms correlation time range (Thomas et al, 1976) and SR-EPR at least in the 1 to 15 µs range (Fajer et al, 1986). The range of rotational times spanned by cw-ST-EPR, generally referred to as the very slow motional region, is characteristic of proteins embedded in lipid bilayers and of single proteins or protein-protein complexes of combined molecular weight≥300 kDa in aqueous media.
Students and Their Parents: Where Do Campuses Fit In?.

What do students need from parents? What do students need from us? The answers to these questions are constantly shifting in response to changing social attitudes and new ways of understanding stud...
Femoral Nerve Compression Injury and Tubal Microsurgery

A survey was made of doctors to determine if femoral nerve compression injury an uncommon complication of laparotomy is more common in tubal microsurgical reconstruction. Questionnaires were sent to persons in North America known to have performed tubal reconstructions. In the 6 or 7 individuals who provided information a total of 5 femoral nerve injuries were reported in 1620 cases for an incidence of 1 in 324. All nerve damage occurred with the OConnor-OSullivan retractor. Tubal microsurgery differs from laparotomies and predisposes to femoral nerve damage because of: 1) necessity of a wide incision placing the lateral blades of the retractor closer to the area of the nerve; 2) necessity of stabilizing the operating hand; 3) requirement of tilting the patient toward the operator; 4) length of time required for the procedure. The following precautions are presented: 1) avoid using the OConnor-OSullivan retractor for tubal reconstruction particularly in thin patients; 2) when placing the retractor check the relationship of the lateral blade to the area of the nerve with downward and outward pressure on the retractor; and 3) use an arm rest during surgery.
Reliability Assessment of Industrial Circuit Breakers with Design Enhancements

Reliability of circuit breakers are critical to ensure safe operation of the power system when a fault occurs. Over the past decade regulatory changes and customer requirements are compelling manufacturers to build more reliable systems and are mandating uses of methodologies like self-test so that the breakers can verify during operation that they have the capability to isolate a fault. The paper models the major components within the circuit breaker, identifies the critical components from a reliability perspective and explains how new design enhancements improve the reliability of circuit breakers. The study uses Weibull distribution for the components and uses Reliability functions in Mathematica to numerically calculate the importance of each component in the circuit breaker from its contribution to the overall breaker reliability. Using the design enhancements, it is observed that the mean time to failure of the breaker increases by 2.46 years and the unavailability of loads is reduced by 23% for a simple test system.
Teaching Information Design that Emphasizes Data: Revisiting Professional Writing Outcomes and Assignments

This paper introduces a foundation for revising how a professional writing program approaches information design learning for students across the university. We argue that the rise of information-related skills as a technical communication competency alongside the rise of big data as a sociotechnical phenomenon require us to rethink outcomes and assignments. In particular, these issues point to the need to emphasize design at the level of complex information rather than only at the broad level of the page or screen. As a first step in planning an approach to information design that is responsive to these needs, the authors have reviewed their local professional writing learning outcomes in response to a review of relevant literature, have developed flexible assignment guidelines, and have constructed a plan for integrating new assignments into the curriculum. The next stage of this research will implement a theory-driven information design assignment and evaluate its effectiveness.