cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Limited feedback for cognitive radio networks using compressed sensing

In this paper, we consider the downlink of a cognitive radio network where a cognitive base station serves multiple cognitive users on the same frequency band as a group of primary transceivers. The cognitive base station uses an orthogonal scheduling scheme (TDMA/FDMA) to serve its users. For this purpose, the base station is interested in acquiring an estimate of the interference (from the primary network) power at each of its cognitive receivers as a measure of channel quality. This can be surely achieved if we allow for the feedback (from the cognitive receivers to the cognitive base station) bandwidth to scale linearly in the number of cognitive receivers, but in densely populated networks, the cost of such an acquisition might be too high. This leads us to the question of whether we can do better in terms of bandwidth efficiency. We observe that in many scenarios - that are common in practice - where the primary network exhibits sparse changes in transmit powers from one scheduling instant to the next, it is possible to acquire this interference state with only a logarithmic scaling in feedback bandwidth. More specifically, in cognitive networks where the channels are solely determined by the positions of nodes, we can use compressed sensing to recover the interference state. In addition to being a first application of compressed sensing in the domain of limited feedback, to the best of our knowledge, this paper makes a key mathematical contribution concerning the favourable sensing properties of path-loss matrices that are composed of nonzero mean, dependent random entries. Finally, we numerically study the robustness properties of the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), a popular recovery algorithm, under two error models through simulations. The first model considers a varying amount of error added to all entries of the sensing matrix. The second one, a more adversarial model, considers a large amount of error added to only a fraction of the entries of the sensing matrix that are chosen uniformly at random. Simulation results establish that the LASSO recovery algorithm is robust to imperfect channel knowledge.
At Last, a Good Estimate of the Magnitude of the Private-Sale Loophole for Firearms.

The editorialist, whose study 20 years ago is often cited as showing that 40% of gun sales lacked background checks, considers why the issue remains so important, as well as what has and has not ch...
Focus on the Finish Line: Does High-Impact Practice Participation Influence Career Plans and Early Job Attainment?

High-impact practices (HIPs) are important co-curricular educational experiences in post-secondary education, as they promote learning, development, and persistence among students. The goal of this study was to extend the research on HIPs to explore potential connections with HIP participation and career outcomes. Using data from the National Survey of Student Engagement, this study explores whether HIP participation influences college seniors’ post-graduation plans for career and further education and whether HIP participation has a positive impact on early job attainment for these students. Results suggest that even after controlling for a variety of demographic and institutional factors, HIP participation is a significant predictor of future career plans and early job attainment. HIP participation can give students a career-related advantage through transferable skill development, engaging in learning opportunities, and generating “stories” for potential employers.
Navigating Disaster: An Empirical Study of Federal Assistance Following Hurricane Sandy

Federal disaster assistance should only compensate disaster victims for the damage sustained. Using zip code-level data on federal disaster assistance, this paper examines the FEMA Individuals and Households Program following Hurricane Sandy. We show that the extent of the damage does appear to explain much of the differences in the size of the federal disaster award that individuals receive. However, other factors, including percentage of foreign-born and the educational attainment levels of individuals in a community, also explain damage assessments and assistance levels. We argue that complexities in the application process may have disadvantaged foreign-born and less educated applicants.
The Financial Statement Fraud Risk

The financial statement fraud (FSF) is known as accounting fraud, management fraud, or fraudulent financial reporting (FFR). It takes place when the financial statements (reporting) contains an intentional misrepresentation or omission of material facts (amount, disclosure, or evidence) to deceive the users (Association of Certified Fraud Examiners [ACFE], 2016; Goel & Gangolly, 2012). The financial statements (FS) are necessary to evaluate a company’s performance, financial health, and management stewardship (Eierle & Schultze, 2013). It provides users with useful financial information to make efficient resources allocation and make informed economic decisions (Konigsgruber, 2012). Evidence shows that accounting frauds are still going on by companies, and these frauds misrepresent their financial statements (Bui & Amaria, 2014; Young & Peng, 2013). The perpetration of accounting fraud is still prevalent and costly to the business world (Hays, 2014). The FSF has a significant monetary impact on companies compared to the other categories of frauds (Roxas, 2011). It adversely affects a broad range of stakeholders including companies’ shareholders, creditors, auditors, and others (Parker, 2012). The fraud cost is eventually affecting all members of society in the form of higher prices for provided services or goods (Alleyne & Amaria, 2013). A company’s stock price declines when accounting frauds are revealed, and thereby stockholders suffer the losses and consequences of reputation risks and difficulties in raising corporate capital (Wuerges & Borba, 2014). The FSF continues to grow (Kravitz, 2012). The United States (US) corporate financial fraud cases increased by 37% from 526 cases in 2005 to 725 cases in 2011 (Federal Bureau of Investigation [FBI], 2012). Cases of high-profile management frauds (such Enron, and others) have enormously influenced the global economy and the stock markets (Abbasi, Albrecht, Vance, & Hansen, 2012). These instances of FFR question the roles of auditors, regulators, and others; and raise concerns about the credibility of the financial reporting process (Peytcheva & Warren; 2013; Stancic, Dimitrijevic, & Stancic, 2013).
Diaquobis-μ-(dimethylsulfoxo)bis(dimethylsulfoxo) dilithium tetraphenylborate

The structure of diaquobis-μ-(dimethylsulfoxo)bis(dimethylsulfoxo)dilithium tetraphenyl- borate, [Li2(Me2SO)4(H2O)2][BPh4]2, has been determined at 293 K. The compound crystallizes in the triclinic P-1 space group (a = 11.429(2) A, b = 14.068(3) A, c = 19.215(4) A, α = 69.31(3)○, β = 88.98(3)○, γ = 89.03(3)○). The lithium is coordinated to the oxygens of an aquo ligand, a terminal dimethylsulfoxo ligand, and two bridging dimethylsulfoxo ligands. The coordination geometry of each lithium is significantly distorted from a tetrahedron by the twisting of the plane containing the lithium ion and the two bridging dimethylsulfoxo oxygens relative to the plane containing the lithium ion and the terminal dimethylsulfoxo and aquo oxygen atoms. Hydrogen bonding between the aquo hydrogens and the phenyls of the tetraphenylborate anion is observed but does not result in a polymeric structure as has been observed in other lithium tetraphenylborate salts because of the 1:1 ratio of aquo ligands and tetraphenylborate anions.
Results, Discussion, and Abstract

The results section is the most important part of the research report. The reports generated through research are perhaps the most common medium for researcher to communicate with both academic audience and the practical reader in the world of men. In another word, this section presents your contribution to knowledge, that is, what you found. Journal articles, master’s theses, and doctoral dissertations all have the same objectives.
Correction to: Impact of Armored Shorelines on Shore-Zone Fish Density in a Mid-Atlantic, USA, Estuary: Modulation by Hypoxia and Temperature

The article Impact of Armored Shorelines on Shore-Zone Fish Density in a Mid-Atlantic, USA, Estuary: Modulation by Hypoxia and Temperature, written by Richard G. Balousku and Timothy E. Targett
Does Pre-Existing Donor Heart Coronary Artery Disease Impact Survival after Orthotopic Heart Transplantation?

Purpose OPTN reports close to 3,900 heart transplant (HT) recipients awaiting heart transplantation in the US. With 2,000 transplants annually, nationwide HT volume cannot meet current demands. One factor limiting HT supply is that at many transplant centers, donor coronary artery disease (CAD) categorically excludes them as viable heart organ options. To evaluate the implications of widening the pool of acceptable donors, we investigated outcomes of patients who underwent HT from donor hearts with pre-existing CAD. Methods We sampled adult HT recipients enrolled through the UNOS database from 1987 to 2017. We categorized recipients into those receiving HT from donor hearts with (CAD) and without (No CAD ) groups. Re-transplants were excluded. Demographics were compared between CAD and No CAD groups via Wilcoxon- and Chi-Square-test . Kaplan-Meier and Log-rank tests were utilized to evaluate and compare survival. Results Among 8,602 HT recipients, 650 received hearts from donors with CAD (confirmed via coronary angiogram) while 7,952 patients received hearts from donors without CAD. In donors who did have an angiogram , mean age was 44.8. HT Recipient mean age was 54.7. There were no differences between CAD and No CAD groups with regards to most demographics. Survival was also similar between both groups, with median survival time being 139 and 122 months among No-CAD and CAD groups, respectively (p=0.42). 5-year survival was 74.0% vs 73.3% (NS), and 10-year survival 55.4% vs 51.7% (NS). Conclusion There was no difference in early or late survival between recipients with or without pre-existing donor CAD. Limitations include lack of detail about severity and extent of CAD. However, given our results, some recipients could benefit from HT from carefully selected donor hearts with CAD. Further studies are needed to confirm and expand on these findings.
MRI-based synthetic CT generation using deep convolutional neural network

We propose a learning method to generate synthetic CT (sCT) image for MRI-only radiation treatment planning. The proposed method integrated a dense-block concept into a cycle-generative adversarial network (cycle-GAN) framework, which is named as dense-cycle-GAN in this study. Compared with GAN, the cycle-GAN includes an inverse transformation between CT (ground truth) and sCT, which could further constrain the learning model. A 2.5D fully convolution neural network (FCN) with dense-block was introduced in generator to enable end-to-end transformation. A FCN is used in discriminator to urge the generator’s sCT to be similar with the ground-truth CT images. The well-trained model was used to generate the sCT of a new MRI. This proposed algorithm was evaluated using 14 patients’ data with both MRI and CT images. The mean absolute error (MAE), peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and normalized cross correlation (NCC) indexes were used to quantify the correction accuracy of the prediction algorithm. Overall, the MAE, PSNR and NCC were 60.9−11.7 HU, 24.6±0.9 dB, and 0.96±0.01. We have developed a novel deep learning-based method to generate sCT with a high accuracy. The proposed method makes the sCT comparable to that of the planning CT. With further evaluation and clinical implementation, this method could be a useful tool for MRI-based radiation treatment planning and attenuation correction in a PET/MRI scanner.
Physics-Informed Probabilistic Learning of Linear Embeddings of Non-linear Dynamics With Guaranteed Stability

The Koopman operator has emerged as a powerful tool for the analysis of nonlinear dynamical systems as it provides coordinate transformations to globally linearize the dynamics. While recent deep learning approaches have been useful in extracting the Koopman operator from a data-driven perspective, several challenges remain. In this work, we formalize the problem of learning the continuous-time Koopman operator with deep neural networks in a measure-theoretic framework. Our approach induces two types of models: differential and recurrent form, the choice of which depends on the availability of the governing equations and data. We then enforce a structural parameterization that renders the realization of the Koopman operator provably stable. A new autoencoder architecture is constructed, such that only the residual of the dynamic mode decomposition is learned. Finally, we employ mean-field variational inference (MFVI) on the aforementioned framework in a hierarchical Bayesian setting to quantify uncertainties in the characterization and prediction of the dynamics of observables. The framework is evaluated on a simple polynomial system, the Duffing oscillator, and an unstable cylinder wake flow with noisy measurements.
Single particle triboelectrification of Titan sand analogs

Abstract Sand electrification is important for aeolian sediment transportation on terrestrial bodies with silicate sand as the main sediment composition. However, it has not been thoroughly studied for icy bodies such as Titan with organic sand as the main dune-forming material. We used the colloidal probe atomic force microscopy (AFM) technique to study triboelectric charging processes using Titan and Earth sand analogs. We found that it is easy to generate triboelectric charges between naphthalene (a simple aromatic hydrocarbon), polystyrene (an aromatic hydrocarbon polymer), and borosilicate glass (Earth silicate sand analog). Strong electrostatic forces can be measured after contact and/or tribocharging. In contrast, tholin, a complex organic material, does not generate any detectable electrostatic forces with contact or tribocharging within the detection limit of the instrument. If Titan sand behaves more like tholin, this indicates that the tribocharging capacity of Titan sand is much weaker than Earth silicate sand and much less than previously measured by Mendez Harper et al. (2017) , where only simple organics were used for Titan sand analogs. Thus, triboelectrification may not contribute to increasing interparticle forces between sand particles on Titan as much as on Earth. Interparticle forces generated by other electrostatic processes or other interparticle forces such as van der Waals and capillary cohesion forces could be the dominant interparticle forces that govern Titan sand formation and sediment transportation on the surface. Titan sand is also unlikely to produce large electrical discharge through tribocharging to affect future missions to Titan's surface.
IGBT Structural Design

The methodology for designing the insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) cell structure for achieving a broad range of blocking voltage ratings is discussed in this chapter by using analytical models. The design of the threshold voltage of the IGBT is related to the channel doping profile. The optimization of the doping and width of the drift region in the symmetric and asymmetric structure is described to obtain the required blocking voltage capability. The on-state characteristics for the symmetric, asymmetric, and transparent emitter IGBTs are related to the injected carrier distribution as determined by the minority carrier lifetime in the drift region, the buffer layer doping and thickness, and the doping and thickness of the collector region, respectively. The stored charge in the drift region of these devices is used to develop the turn-off switching waveforms for the collector voltage and current so that the energy loss per switching event can be computed. The trade-off curve between on-state voltage drop and switching losses is generated for each device and its maximum operating frequency is analyzed. The performance of silicon carbide IGBT is also included here.
Transition dairy cow health is associated with first postpartum ovulation risk, metabolic status, milk production, rumination, and physical activity

Our objective was to determine the association of health status during the first 60 d in milk (DIM) and first postpartum ovulation risk, physical activities recorded by an activity monitor, and metabolic and milk measures in Holstein cows. Late-gestation heifers and close-up dry cows in 1 herd fitted with CowManager SensOors (Agis, Harmelen, the Netherlands) were enrolled in the study 3 wk before expected parturition to assess ear skin temperature and daily rumination, eating, inactivity, and activity times. Blood samples were collected at calving (d 0), and on d 3, 7, and 14 to assess concentrations of free fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), calcium, glucose, and haptoglobin. In addition, weekly measures were conducted for body condition, body weight, and progesterone through 63 ± 3 DIM when ovulation was synchronized (GnRH-1 - 7 d - PGF2α - 24 h - PGF2α - 32 h - GnRH-2 - 16 h - artificial insemination). Disease diagnosed in 68 of 160 cows (42.5%) was distributed equally between primiparous (48.5%) and multiparous (51.5%) cows. Cows were classified as diseased when any case of metritis, digestive disorders, ketosis, hypocalcemia, calving problems, mastitis, or lameness occurred during the first 60 DIM. Odds of early ovulation by median postpartum d 33 was 1.92 times greater in healthy than diseased cows. Incidence of individual diseases included metritis (18.8%), digestive disorders (17.5%), ketosis (BHB >10 mg/dL; 11.9%), hypocalcemia (Ca <2.2 mmol/L; 10.6%), calving problems (6.3%), mastitis (3.1%), and lameness (3.1%). Odds of early ovulation were 2.48, 2.65, and 5.72 times greater in healthy cows compared with cows diagnosed with metritis, digestive disorders, or ketosis, respectively. Diseased compared with healthy cows had greater concentrations of free fatty acids, BHB, haptoglobin, greater rectal temperature, and lesser concentration of serum calcium on d 0, 3, 7, and 14 than healthy cows. Plasma glucose was not affected by health status, but was lesser in concentration on d 3, 7, and 14 compared with day of calving. Weekly (calving through 9 wk) body condition scores tended to be and weekly body weights were greater in healthy compared with diseased cows. Activity measures differed by health status during prepartum (d -14 through -1) and postpartum (d 0 through 20) periods except for eating time. Healthy cows spent less time being inactive during both periods compared with diseased cows and had greater postpartum rumination times than diseased cows. Mean daily milk yield during the first 14 wk in milk was greater in healthy than diseased cows by 2.1 ± 0.8 kg. We conclude that disease negatively affects early postpartum ovulation risk and is associated with measurable changes in periparturient physical activity and postpartum metabolic profiles.
Cannabinoid Receptor Activation on Haematopoietic Cells and Enterocytes Protects against Colitis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Cannabinoid receptor [CB] activation can attenuate inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] in experimental models and human cohorts. However, the roles of the microbiome, metabolome, and the respective contributions of haematopoietic and non-haematopoietic cells in the anti-colitic effects of cannabinoids have yet to be determined. METHODS Female C57BL/6 mice were treated with either cannabidiol [CBD], Δ 9-tetrahydrocannabinol [THC], a combination of CBD and THC, or vehicle, in several models of chemically induced colitis. Clinical parameters of colitis were assessed by colonoscopy, histology, flow cytometry, and detection of serum biomarkers; single-cell RNA sequencing and qRT-PCR were used to evaluate the effects of cannabinoids on enterocytes. Immune cell transfer from CB2 knockout mice was used to evaluate the contribution of haematopoietic and non-haematopoietic cells to colitis protection. RESULTS We found that THC prevented colitis and that CBD, at the dose tested, provided little benefit to the amelioration of colitis, nor when added synergistically with THC. THC increased colonic barrier integrity by stimulating mucus and tight junction and antimicrobial peptide production, and these effects were specific to the large intestine. THC increased colonic Gram-negative bacteria, but the anti-colitic effects of THC were independent of the microbiome. THC acted both on immune cells via CB2 and on enterocytes, to attenuate colitis. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate how cannabinoid receptor activation on both immune cells and colonocytes is critical to prevent colonic inflammation. These studies also suggest how cannabinoid receptor activation can be used as a preventive and therapeutic modality against colitis.
News Media Apologies for Racist Coverage

Many institutions, including governments, universities and corporations are confronting their involvement in slavery and racial discrimination and grappling with the issue of reparations. But what ...
Contribution of family history of melanoma to associated risk factors: Analysis of an Internet-based risk assessment tool.

10546Background: Risk factors for melanoma (ML) include UV exposure, sunburns, multiple nevi, and fair skin. Smoking and alcohol use may also play a role. Demographics associated with increased UV ...
The Indigenous Capilla de Cantuña: The Christian Temple of The Sun

The Cantuna chapel within the St. Francis complex in Quito, Ecuador, was one of the first churches built after the Spanish conquest in the sixteenth century. Named after its native builder Cantuna, the chapel strongly relates to the Incan sun deity, Inti. According to common belief, Spanish accounts place the Franciscan complex atop the palace-temple of the Incan ruler, Inti's incarnation. In this research, I examined vital elements, such as the gilded altarpiece, in Quito's Cantuna Chapel. I argued that the chapel acts as a monument that records Indigenous identities through the Cara, Inca, and Spanish conquests by preserving an aspect of native culture in a material format that transcends time. Most importantly, because the Cantuna chapel remains the least altered viceregal church in the region, it is a valuable testament to the various conquests and religious conversions of the Kingdom of Quito.
Derivation of Theory by Means of Factor Analysis, or Tom Swift and His Electric Factor Analysis Machine

Problems in the use of factor analysis for deriving theory are illustrated by means of an example in which the underlying factors are known. The actual underlying model is simple and it provides a perfect explanation of the data. While the factor analysis "explains" a large proportion of the total variance, it fails to identify the known factors in the model, The illustration is used to emphasize that factor analysis, by itself, may be misleading as far as the development of theory is concerned. The use of a comprehensive, and explicit a priori analysis is proposed so that there will be independent criteria for the evaluation of the factor analytic results. It has not been uncommon for social scientists to draw upon analogies from the physical sciences in their discussions of scientific methods. They look with envy at some of the mathematical advances ,in the physical sciences and one gets the impression that the social sciences are currently on the verge of some major mathematical advances. Perhaps they are – but there are many social scientists who would disagree. Their position is that we really don't know enough about what goes into our mathematical models in order to expect results that are meaningfullyrelated to anything in the “real world.” In other words, the complaint is not that the models are no good or that they don't really give us optimum results; rather it is that the assumptions on which the model is based do not provide a realistic representation of the world as it exists. And it is in this area where the social sciences differ from the physical sciences. But now, thanks to recent advances in computer technology, and to refinements in mathematics, social scientists can analyze masses of data and determine just what the world is like. Armchair theorizing has lost some of its respectability. The computer provides us with objective results.
Distorted Sandwich α-Diimine PdII Catalyst: Linear Polyethylene and Synthesis of Ethylene/Acrylate Elastomers.

The introduction of m-xylyl substituents to α-diimine PdII catalyst promotes living ethylene polymerization at room temperature and low pressure to yield high molecular weight polyethylene (PE) with low branching (<17/1000 C). m-Xylyl groups provide a highly effective blockage to the axial sites of the catalytic center and form a distorted sandwich geometry. The shielding prevents chain-transfer and easy accessibility of polar monomers, leading to a living polymerization. Conducting a light irradiation as part of the one-step metal-organic insertion light initiated radical (MILRad) process leads to diblock copolymers of ethylene and acrylates. Incorporation of different acrylate block sequences can significantly modify the mechanical and chemical properties of block copolymers which can be modulated to be a hard plastic, elastomer, or semi-amorphous polymer.
Subminiature Underwater Propeller with Electrical Controllability of Steering

This paper describes a subminiature underwater ultrasonic propeller with electrically controllability over its propulsion direction. Built on a 200-micron thick nickel-coated lead zirconate titanate (PZT) substrate, the propeller consists of 28 sectors of individually accessible Fresnel lens that are composed of Parylene air-cavity-reflectors on top of the frontside nickel electrode. A backside Fresnel air-reflector is added to prevent any propulsion from the backside that may cancel the propulsion from the front side. The fabricated propeller (4 × 4 mm2in size and 37.5 mg in weight) is demonstrated to have control over its advancing direction when assembled on an air-filled capsule.
Reseña del libro "Dominio y sociedad en el Panamá colombiano (1821-1903)" de Alfredo Figueroa Navarro

Relata los diferentes hallazgos que en su conjunto presentan una vision coherente de las estructuras socio economicas; requiere destacar los avances principales en los conocimientos que tambien sirvan como punto de partida o de ejemplo tanto para hacer comparaciones con situaciones en Colombia como para emprender investigaciones paralelas sobre Colombia. El punto de partida y el fundamento de la obra es el estudio exhaustivo de la oligarquia urbana panamena, la cual estaba radicada basicamente la zona de transito y no incluia a los grupos rurales dominantes en las regiones del interior; para los colombianos la obra aporta una clara presentacion de la situacion socio economica que Colombia enfrento en Panama, ademas explica situaciones que aunque se dieron en Panama, siguen con vigencia en otras partes de Colombia
Dense Effluent Dispersion in a Stream

Dispersion of a dense effluent continuously discharged into a stream of constant velocity is considered. The Navier-Stokes equations and advection-diffusion equation for density are solved numerically for the fields of flow and density downstream from the discharge port. The numerical results appear to simulate the dispersal of effluents within a broad density range, they satisfy certain conservation requirements and approach analytical solutions of the linearized equations for effluents of low density anomaly.
Second graders decide when to use electronic editing tools

This is a case study of one teacher's classroom action research project in which she explores how and when her 2nd graders decided to use electronic editing tools to revise and edit their writing. Several discoveries were made along the way: students were able to make better editing choices when they typed their writing, but they did not necessarily use the information provided to them by the editing tools. Implications for the use of word processing tools in a collaborative and engaging literacy classroom and observations on the merits of the teachers' application of action research are discussed.
Data-Driven Decision Making: An Holistic Approach to Assessment in Special Collections Repositories

Objective – In an environment of shrinking budgets and reduced staffing, this study seeks to identify a comprehensive, integrated assessment strategy to better focus diminished resources within special collections repositories. Methods – This article presents the results of a single case study conducted in the Special and Digital Collections department at a university library. The department created an holistic assessment model, taking into account both public and technical services, to explore inter-related questions affecting both day-to-day operations as well as long-term, strategic priorities. Results – Data from a variety of assessment activities positively impacted the department’s practices, informing decisions made about staff skill sets, training, and scheduling; outreach activities; and prioritizing technical services. The results provide a comprehensive view of both patron and department needs, allowing for a wide variety of improvements and changes in staffing practices, all driven by data rather than anecdotal evidence. Conclusion – Although the data generated for this study is institutionally specific, the methodology is applicable to special collections departments at other institutions. A systemic, holistic approach to assessment in special collections departments enables the implementation of operational efficiencies. It also provides data that allows the department to document its value to university-wide stakeholders.
Dynamic programming based approaches to optimal rooftop unit coordination

While buildings served by multiple rooftop units are widely prevalent in retail and food industries, optimal coordination among rooftop units has received little attention. Currently, most buildings utilize plain feedback or heuristic strategies to determine rooftop unit operations. This article presents a switched dynamic programming based approach for optimal scheduling of rooftop unit operations. Using a mid-sized restaurant served by multiple rooftop units as an example, a switched affine dynamic system model is first presented. The rooftop unit coordination control problem is then formulated as a switched optimal control problem with nontrivial switching cost. A dynamic programming based method is proposed for the solution of the switched optimal control problem, which has reasonable computational complexity and can be implemented either as a one-shot solution or as part of a model predictive control algorithm. To mitigate the growing computational complexity of the proposed algorithm, the approach i...
Theory of Turbomachinery Stages

The energy transfer in turbomachinery is established by means of the stages. A turbomachinery stage comprises a row of fixed, guide vanes called stator blades, and a row of rotating blades termed rotor. To elevate the total pressure of a working fluid, compressor stages are used that partially converts the mechanical energy into potential energy. According to the conservation law of energy, this energy increase requires an external energy input which must be added to the system in the form of mechanical energy. Figure 5.1 shows the schematic of an axial compressor stage that consists of one stator and two rotor rows. In general, a compressor component starts with a rotor row followed by a stator row. Compressor configurations are also found that starts with an inlet guide vane. To define a unified station nomenclature for compressor and turbine stages, we identify with station number 1 as the inlet of the stator, followed by station 2 as the rotor inlet, and 3, rotor exit. The absolute and relative flow angles are counted counterclockwise from a horizontal line. This convention allows an easier calculation of the off-design behavior of compressor and turbine stages during a transient operation, as we will see later. This angle definition is different the angle conventions used in literature, [1], [2], [3], and [4].
CNS Infections and Epilepsy

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses various aspects of central nervous system (CNS) infections and epilepsy. Both the direct and indirect effects of the CNS infection result in neuronal dysfunction and death. The process involves the cerebral gray matter creating neuronal irritation and dysfunction that can trigger focal or generalized seizures. Aseptic meningitis is the most common type of meningitis, and viruses are the biggest contributor to the group. Viral meningitis seldom produces neurologic sequelae above that of the general population and does not significantly elevate the risk of developing unprovoked seizures. It is found that about 5% of patients with bacterial meningitis present with a seizure and another 25% develop a seizure during their hospitalization. The electroencephalogram (EEG) during acute bacterial meningitis frequently shows varying degrees of abnormal delta frequency slowing depending on the type of meningitis and the extent of parenchymal involvement. It is observed that most patients who survive bacterial meningitis without experiencing a seizure have a low probability of developing epilepsy. It is observed that surviving patients with focal neurologic deficits have a higher risk of epilepsy than those without focal deficits.
High Affinity and Low Affinity Binding of Ca++ by Rat Liver Mitochondria

Abstract Respiration-inhibited rat liver mitochondria possess two major classes of Ca++-binding sites, which have widely different affinity. At pH 7.4, the low affinity sites can bind about 40 nmoles of Ca++, whereas the high affinity sites bind about 1.2 nmoles of Ca++ per mg of protein and are half-saturated at about 0.025 µm. High affinity Ca++ binding is inhibited by 2,4-dinitrophenol and other uncoupling agents, but is not influenced by the respiratory inhibitors, oligomycin, aurovertin, valinomycin, or gramicidin. Uncoupling agents cause discharge of some of the endogenous Ca++ of mitochondria. No H+ ejection accompanies binding of Ca++ at either the high affinity or low affinity sites if respiration is inhibited. Binding of Ca++ is extremely rapid and apparently temperature-independent. Mn++ and Sr++ are also bound at the high affinity sites, but Mg++ and K+ are not. Aging of the mitochondria caused loss of high affinity Ca++-binding capacity, but not of low affinity binding. Although sonic particles and inner membrane preparations retain the high affinity sites, they are lost in water-lysed mitochondrial "ghosts" or in mitochondria treated with the nonionic detergent Lubrol WX. The properties of the high affinity Ca++-binding sites suggest they may be contributed either by hypothetical high energy intermediates generated in electron transport or by a specific divalent cation carrier molecule in the membrane.
Gene expression profile of cervical tissue compared to exfoliated cells: Impact on biomarker discovery

Exfoliated cervical cells are used in cytology-based cancer screening and may also be a source for molecular biomarkers indicative of neoplastic changes in the underlying tissue. However, because of keratinization and terminal differentiation it is not clear that these cells have an mRNA profile representative of cervical tissue, and that the profile can distinguish the lesions targeted for early detection. We used whole genome microarrays (25,353 unique genes) to compare the transcription profiles from seven samples of normal exfoliated cells and one cervical tissue. We detected 10,158 genes in exfoliated cells, 14,544 in the tissue and 7320 genes in both samples. For both sample types the genes grouped into the same major gene ontology (GO) categories in the same order, with exfoliated cells, having on average 20% fewer genes in each category. We also compared microarray results of samples from women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 (CIN3, n = 15) to those from age and race matched women without significant abnormalities (CIN1, CIN0; n = 15). We used three microarray-adapted statistical packages to identify differential gene expression. The six genes identified in common were two to four fold upregulated in CIN3 samples. One of these genes, the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 variant 1, participates in the degradation of p53 through interaction with the oncogenic HPV E6 protein. The findings encourage further exploration of gene expression using exfoliated cells to identify and validate applicable biomarkers. We conclude that the gene expression profile of exfoliated cervical cells partially represents that of tissue and is complex enough to provide potential differentiation between disease and non-disease.
Trends of US hospitals distributing infant formula packs to breastfeeding mothers, 2007 to 2013.

OBJECTIVE: To examine trends in the prevalence of hospitals and birth centers (hereafter, hospitals) distributing infant formula discharge packs to breastfeeding mothers in the United States from 2007 to 2013. METHODS: The Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care survey is administered every 2 years to all hospitals with registered maternity beds in the United States. A Web- or paper-based questionnaire was distributed and completed by the people most knowledgeable about breastfeeding-related hospital practices. We examined the distribution of infant formula discharge packs to breastfeeding mothers from 2007 to 2013 by state and hospital characteristics. RESULTS: The percentage of hospitals distributing infant formula discharge packs to breastfeeding mothers was 72.6% in 2007 and 31.6% in 2013, a decrease of 41 percentage points. In 2007, there was only 1 state (Rhode Island) in which CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of infant formula discharge packs to breastfeeding mothers declined markedly from 2007 to 2013. Discontinuing the practice of distributing infant formula discharge packs is a part of optimal, evidence-based maternity care to support mothers who want to breastfeed.
Accelerating the Convergence of Replica Exchange Simulations Using Gibbs Sampling and Adaptive Temperature Sets

We recently introduced a novel replica-exchange scheme in which an individual replica can sample from states encountered by other replicas at any previous time by way of a global configuration database, enabling the fast propagation of relevant states through the whole ensemble of replicas. This mechanism depends on the knowledge of global thermodynamic functions which are measured during the simulation and not coupled to the heat bath temperatures driving the individual simulations. Therefore, this setup also allows for a continuous adaptation of the temperature set. In this paper, we will review the new scheme and demonstrate its capability. The method is particularly useful for the fast and reliable estimation of the microcanonical temperature T (U) or, equivalently, of the density of states g(U) over a wide range of energies.
LOSS OF MASS IN BREEDING WRENS: STRESS OR ADAPTATION?

Losses of mass in breeding passerines are commonly observed and presumed to reflect physiological stress from activity while feeding nestlings. Analyses of changes of body mass in House Wrens (Troglodxvtes aedon) show that: (1) females lose ==13% of their body mass between onset of incubation and fledging, but reattain their original mass for second broods; (2) 50% of mass loss is achieved before hatching is completed; (3) loss of mass is virtually complete before food demands of the nestlings are greatest; (4) change in body mass during the period of highest food demand is independent of brood size; (5) males foraging at rates similar to females show no change in mass. These patterns do not reflect stress. Rather, the timing of mass losses of females may be adaptive by permitting a 23% reduction in power required to remain aloft in flight before the most demanding period of feeding nestlings.
Suboccipital decompression for Chiari I malformation: outcome comparison of duraplasty with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene dural substitute versus pericranial autograft.

Treatment failure for Chiari decompression is frequently associated with scarring, intradural adhesions, and recurrent loss of hindbrain space. While autograft has been our standard for hindbrain duraplasty, we investigated whether introducing anti-adhesive synthetic GORE PRECLUDE® MVP® Dura Substitute (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene [ePTFE] graft) was associated with improved patient outcomes. We retrospectively reviewed records of patients undergoing first-time suboccipital decompression/duraplasty for Chiari-I malformation utilizing ePTFE graft or pericranial autograft. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at last follow-up was assessed for: (1) recurrent loss of dorsal hindbrain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) space/CSF flow(cine-MR) at duraplasty site, (2) pseudomeningocele, or (3) syringomyelia improvement. Symptom recurrence warranting revision surgery was compared between cohorts. Sixty-seven patients (age11 ± 5 years) underwent duraplasty with pericranial autograft (n = 40) or ePTFE graft (n = 27). Perioperative morbidity did not differ between cohorts. No patients receiving ePTFE graft experienced incisional CSF leak, surgical site infection, or symptomatic pseudomeningocele. At median 8 months postoperatively, all (100%) patients with ePTFE graft maintained physiological CSF flow/decompressed hindbrain CSF space on cine-MRI versus 32 (79%) patients receiving pericranial autograft (p < 0.05). Radiographic syrinx improvement occurred in 80% of patients with ePTFE graft and 52% of patients with pericranial autograft (median time to improvement: 5 vs 12 months, respectively, p < 0.05). At median 16 months postoperatively, four (10%) patients with pericranial autograft required revision decompression versus 0 (0%) patients with ePTFE graft (p = 0.090). Duraplasty utilizing ePTFE graft was associated with improved maintenance of hindbrain space, accelerated syringomyelia improvement, and a trend toward decreased treatment failure versus pericranial autograft. Future studies of long-term outcome are warranted to confirm observed effects. Synthetic ePTFE graft is a safe alternative for duraplasty in the setting of Chiari malformation.
Maintenance policies for systems with condition monitoring and obvious failures

We investigate a maintenance optimization problem with condition monitoring, which allows the decision maker to observe some wear-related variable throughout a system's lifetime to more accurately determine its degree of deterioration. Specifically, we examine the problem of adaptively scheduling observations (both perfect and imperfect) and preventive maintenance actions for a multistate, Markovian deterioration system with obvious failures, such that the long-run average-cost per unit time is minimized. We establish structural properties of the perfect observation-information problem and adjust them for heuristic use in the imperfect observation-information problem. We model both cases as partially observed Markov decision processes and provide numerical examples of optimal and heuristic solutions for both cases.
The computer in the care of critically III patients

Computer technology and biomedical electronics have been successfully employed in the care of critically ill patients by many medical centers and hospitals. In some settings automation of physiological measurements and record keeping have relieved the nurses of time consuming tasks, which enables them to devote more of their time to direct care. Some intensive care systems assist in the clinical decision making as well as in performing warning functions. A few systems perform closed loop feedback control of certain physiological variables by means of computer controlled infusion pumps and rigidly structured algorithms. Evidence indicates that the additional cost of the computer may be recovered through enhanced personnel performance and more rapid patient stabilization which results in earlier transfer from intensive care to a semiprivate room. However, irrefutable proof that the systems are cost effective is still lacking mainly because of the difficulty in quantitating the economic value of benefits. The applicability of this technology depends largely on the nature of the clinical environment. Well-organized units wherein the patient management is highly structured provide the maximum opportunity for efficacious and economic use of computer-based intensive care system. Analysis of the activities and procedures of the unit must precede system design and implementation to appraise the appropriateness, to identify the clinical requirements, and to avoid improper application of the technology.
Ultra-low power, Zeno effect based optical modulation in a degenerate V-system with a tapered nano fiber in atomic vapor

We demonstrate an ultra-low light level optical modulator using a tapered nano fiber embedded in a hot rubidium vapor. The control and signal beams are co-propagating but orthogonally polarized, leading to a degenerate V-system involving coherent superpositions of Zeeman sublevels. The modulation is due primarily to the quantum Zeno effect for the signal beam induced by the control beam. For a control power of 40 nW and a signal power of 100 pW, we observe near 100% modulation. The ultra-low power level needed for the modulation is due to a combination of the Zeno effect and the extreme field localization in the evanescent field around the taper.
Electron spin resonance study of radicals produced by one-electron reduction of nicotinic acid, nicotinamide, and methyl nicotinate

Abstract An electron spin resonance study of substituted 1-hydropyridinyl radicals produced by the photolytic reduction of nicotinic acid, nicotinamide, and methyl nicotinate in solutions near room temperature is reported. Spectra were analysed for the radicals formed by the addition of a hydrogen atom to the ring nitrogen of the parent compounds. The NH-hydrogen couplings of the two former radicals were assigned by studying the spectra in solutions containing D20 in which some of the NH hydrogens were replaced by deuterium. The couplings are discussed.
Inverse Estimation of Electrode Microstructure Distributions in NASA Bi-Electrode Supported Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Abstract The uniqueness of NASA bi-electrode supported cell (BSC) is the functionally graded porous electrodes fabricated using freeze tape casting technique. Quantitative characterization of electrode microstructure distributions is a critical step towards model validation and numerical analysis. In this paper, a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) based multi-physicochemical model is adapted according to the BSC experimental setup. An inverse method with genetic algorithm is developed to estimate the porosity and pore size distributions of the electrodes by matching the model predictions with the experimental results in terms of polarization performance. The inverse method is verified using the simulated results and employed for the estimation of practical electrode porous microstructure distributions. The results indicate that the polarization performance predictions with identified porous microstructure distributions match pretty well with the experimental results under several temperature conditions simultaneously. This research provides a novel method for porous electrode quantification.