cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ADPSS Based Short-circuit Current Calculation Method of MMC

Modular multilevel converter (MMC) has broad application prospects in new energy transmission. When a MMC is connected to an active AC grid, it is necessary to calculate the three-phase symmetrical short-circuit current contribution of MMC to ensure the safety of power system. The existing method used in actual engineering projects consider MMC as a current source of which the amplitude is the current limiting amplitude of current limiter. It is safe but has too much margin to be accurate. This paper proposes a new method to calculate short-circuit current that can be used in actual engineering project. This paper analyses the characteristics of MMC short-circuit current first, and proposes the key factors affect short-circuit current contributed by MMC during an actual operating condition. On this basis, simulation trials on advanced digital power system simulator (ADPSS) are designed to get the characteristic curves of short-circuit current which can be used to calculate short-circuit current in actual operation of the engineering project. Finally, this paper uses Zhangbei MMC-HVDC project as an example to apply the new method and show the effectiveness and superiority of the method proposed by this paper.
Just like the others: Party differences, perception, and satisfaction with democracy:

A robust literature on citizens’ satisfaction with democracy argues that system satisfaction is based on the policy outcomes that citizens anticipate from electoral results. A tacit assumption in t...
Energy Implications of Consuming Caffeinated Versus Decaffeinated Energy Drinks

Pharmacists often interact with patients who use energy products (eg, 5-hour Energy, Red Bull, and Monster), but whether energy drinks (ED) boost energy due to caffeine, herbal blend, or their combination remains unknown. Further, the energy enhancement from decaffeinated ED is controversial. 1 We previously conducted 2 trials assessing blood pressure and energy levels after caffeinated and decaffeinated 5-hour Energy shot consumption. 2,3 In brief, both studies were randomized, double-blinded, cross-over clinical trials where subjects received a regular caffeinated 5-hour Energy or a decaffeinated 5-hour Energy shot separated by a minimum period of 6 days. Healthy subjects not on any medications were included and remained caffeine free for 48 hours prior to study days and during the study period. Subjects rated their energy level of ‘‘substantially below normal’’ as 1, ‘‘below normal’’ as 2, ‘‘normal’’ as 3, ‘‘above normal’’ as 4, and ‘‘substantially above normal’’ as 5. Kurtz et al assessed energy levels at baseline, 1, 3, and 5 hours on both study days, while Phan and Shah only evaluated the outcome at baseline, 1, and 3 hours. We performed a pooled analysis (n ¼ 30) of individual subjects at baseline, 1, and 3 hours. The Friedman test was utilized to compare the time matched differences between the groups followed by a pairwise comparison. Since there was no true placebo arm, intragroup differences (change from baseline) were also compared. Data were reported as mean + SD unless otherwise specifically stated. Thirty subjects (23 + 2 years, 60% females, 143 + 30 lb) were included for analyses. A significant difference was evident
Preprocessing of microcirculatory images.

This thesis project consists of the development of a computerized image processing system to preprocess microvascular images of the mouse Latisimus Dorsi Muscle (LDM). This research has been conducted in association with the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Louisville. The input to the system is a set of 35 or more overlapping microscopic fields or sub_images containing segments of the LDM microcirculation, the output is an adjacent single montage encompassing the entire LDM microvasculature. The developed system presents practical solutions to the problems of image registration, overlap resolution, and image segmentation, in addition, the results of this project include simple geometrical measurements of the microvascular system such as length, tortuosity, and directionality. In future projects, the measurements should be further analyzed to study the LDM microcirculation. The entire system was written in C/C++ languages, and the Bluestone's UIM/X GUI builder. The system was implemented on the Speed School's HP-9000 Unix system. The system also takes advantage of the image processing libraries (ImageMagick) available on the system.
Large‐scale splay faults on a strike‐slip fault system: The Yakima Folds, Washington State

[1] The Yakima Folds (YF) comprise anticlines above reverse faults cutting flows of the Miocene Columbia River Basalt Group of central Washington State. The YF are bisected by the ~1100-km-long Olympic-Wallowa Lineament (OWL), which is an alignment of topographic features including known faults. There is considerable debate about the origin and earthquake potential of both the YF and OWL, which lie near six major dams and a large nuclear waste storage site. Here I show that the trends of the faults forming the YF relative to the OWL match remarkably well the trends of the principal stress directions at the end of a vertical strike-slip fault. This comparison and the termination of some YF against the OWL are consistent with the YF initially forming as splay faults caused by an along-strike decrease in the amount of strike-slip on the OWL. The hypothesis is that the YF faults initially developed as splay faults in the early to mid Miocene under NNW-oriented principal compressive stress, but the anticlines subsequently grew with thrust motion after the principal compressive stress direction rotated to N-S or NNE after the mid-Miocene. A seismic profile across one of the YF anticlines shows folding at about 7 km depth, indicating deformation of sub-basalt strata. The seismic profile and the hypothesized relationship between the YF and the OWL suggest that the structures are connected in the middle or lower crust, and that the faults forming the YF are large-scale splay faults associated with a major strike-slip fault system.
Driver Injuries in US Single-Event Rollovers

This paper will investigate occupant injuries which may be sustained during a single-event crash with known roll mechanism. The data was obtained from the weighted National Automotive Sampling System/Crashworthiness Data System (NASS-CDS) for calendar years 1992 to 1996. The effect of number of rollover turns, roll direction, ejection and belt usage on driver injury responses was analyzed in single-event trip-overs. Trip-overs were chosen for the analysis because they account for over 50% of rollover crashes. The number of rollovers was divided in 3 categories: 1/4 to 1/2 turn, 3/4 to 1 turn and above 1 turn. Roll direction was either roll-left or a roll- right along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Roll-left represents a roll with the driver side leading, while a roll right is with the right front passenger side leading. In the database used in this study, there were three times more belted drivers than unbelted. Ejection was more frequent when the driver was unbelted than belted. Of the 50,504 unbelted drivers, 27% were completely/partially ejected, while, of the 150,426 belted drivers, less than 1% were ejected. The rate to be seriously injured was higher when the driver was completely or partially ejected. Drivers in a roll-left trip-over were most commonly ejected through the left front area (for example, left door) of the vehicle, while drivers in a roll-right were ejected from the left front area and the roof. Of the non-ejected drivers, the rate to be seriously injured seemed higher for unbelted drivers than belted, at 2.2% and 1.1% respectively. For belted drivers in a roll-left, injuries were most frequent in the head, lower extremity (LX), thorax and upper extremities (UX), while, in a roll-right, injuries were most often to the spine, head, and thorax. Spinal injuries resulted when the vehicles rolled right, independent of the number of rolls. Unbelted drivers who rolled left, sustained serious injuries to the head, LX, thorax and UX, while those who rolled-right had serious injuries to the spine, head and thorax. Field data can be useful in the development of safety-countermeasures for rollovers as it provides insights on the significance of various parameters. The results of this study suggest the need to first prevent ejection by keeping the occupant in the vehicle. This could be accomplished by changing driver behavior through increased seat belt use and through technology by helping to obstruct ejection paths. Occupant/vehicle contacts should also be reduced to minimize the potential for injuries. In addition, a better understanding of the head, thorax, spine and lower extremity injury mechanisms is essential for the development of future safety-countermeasures.
Matrix: adaptive middleware for distributed multiplayer games

Building a distributed middleware infrastructure that provides the low latency required for massively multiplayer games while still maintaining consistency is non-trivial. Previous attempts have used static partitioning or client-based peer-to-peer techniques that do not scale well to a large number of players, perform poorly under dynamic workloads or hotspots, and impose significant programming burdens on game developers. We show that it is possible to build a scalable distributed system, called Matrix, that is easily usable by game developers. We show experimentally that Matrix provides good performance, especially when hotspots occur.
Color flow Doppler in the diagnosis of double-chambered right ventricle: a demographic and echocardiographic study.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the demographic and echocardiographic data of patients diagnosed with double-chambered right ventricle and attempt to explain a perceived rise in the incidence. Definition: Double-chambered right ventricle (DCRV) is a division of the right ventricle into two chambers by a hypertrophied muscle bundle. Methods: The medical records of patients diagnosed withDCRV were reviewed, and demographic, echocardiographic, and catheterization data were tabulated. Annual incidence of DCRV, based on year of birth, was compared to yearly detection rate, based on year of DCRV diagnosis. To evaluate the influence of color flow Doppler on the frequency of diagnosis of DCRV, demographics of patients born prior to September 1986 (when utilization of color Doppler began in our institution) were compared to those born after that date. Results: Despite an unchanged annual incidence of DCRV, yearly detection rate of this lesion rose significantly following the introduction of color flow Doppler to our institution (September 1986). DCRV was diagnosed earlier and was accompanied by earlier catheterization, which also showed lower right ventricular body gradients after September 1986. Associated anomalies, both cardiac and noncardiac, in our population differed from those reported in previous series. Conclusion: This study infers that the advent of color flow Doppler significantly enhanced the diagnosis of DCRV in our pediatric patients and led to a perceived rise in incidence. double-chambered right ventricle, anomalous right ventricular muscle bundles
Common and distinct mechanisms of induced pulmonary fibrosis by particulate and soluble chemical fibrogenic agents

Pulmonary fibrosis results from the excessive deposition of collagen fibers and scarring in the lungs with or without an identifiable cause. The mechanism(s) underlying lung fibrosis development is poorly understood, and effective treatment is lacking. Here we compared mouse lung fibrosis induced by pulmonary exposure to prototypical particulate (crystalline silica) or soluble chemical (bleomycin or paraquat) fibrogenic agents to identify the underlying mechanisms. Young male C57BL/6J mice were given silica (2 mg), bleomycin (0.07 mg), or paraquat (0.02 mg) by pharyngeal aspiration. All treatments induced significant inflammatory infiltration and collagen deposition, manifesting fibrotic foci in silica-exposed lungs or diffuse fibrosis in bleomycin or paraquat-exposed lungs on day 7 post-exposure, at which time the lesions reached their peaks and represented a junction of transition from an acute response to chronic fibrosis. Lung genome-wide gene expression was analyzed, and differential gene expression was confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and immunoblotting for representative genes to demonstrate their induced expression and localization in fibrotic lungs. Canonical signaling pathways, gene ontology, and upstream transcription networks modified by each agent were identified. In particular, these inducers elicited marked proliferative responses; at the same time, silica preferentially activated innate immune functions and the defense against foreign bodies, whereas bleomycin and paraquat boosted responses related to cell adhesion, platelet activation, extracellular matrix remodeling, and wound healing. This study identified, for the first time, the shared and unique genes, signaling pathways, and biological functions regulated by particulate and soluble chemical fibrogenic agents during lung fibrosis, providing insights into the mechanisms underlying human lung fibrotic diseases.
Experimental Studies of High-Speed Liquid Films on Downward-Facing Surfaces for Inertial Fusion Energy Wet Wall Concepts

The fusion event in inertial fusion energy (IFE) reactors creates neutrons, photons, and charged particles that can damage the chamber first walls. The Prometheus design study used a high-speed thin film of molten lead injected tangential to the wall to protect the upper endcap of the reactor chamber from damaging X rays and target debris. To assure full chamber coverage, the film must remain attached. Film detachment under the influence of gravity is most likely to occur on the downward-facing surfaces over the upper endcap of the reactor chamber. Accurate numerical predictions of detachment length are effectively impossible in this turbulent flow because of difficulties in determining appropriate boundary conditions near the detachment point.As part of the ARIES-IFE study, experimental investigations of high-speed water films injected onto downward-facing planar surfaces at angles of inclination up to 45 deg below the horizontal were therefore performed. The initial growth and subsequent detachment of films with initial thickness up to 2 mm and injection speed up to 11 m/s were measured. To our knowledge, these experiments are the first to investigate the detachment of turbulent liquid films on downward-facing surfaces. The implications of these initial results on thin liquid protection and the 'wetmore » wall' concept are discussed.« less
Mode II Interlaminar Crack Growth Process in Polymer Matrix Composites

The mode II interlaminar crack growth process in polymer matrix composites is studied by focusing on the underlying microscopic failure mechanisms. A recently developed mode II failure model based on fracture mechanics principles is used to analyze a wide range of failure phenomena. Examined in detail is how hackles or microcracks typifying the failure process are induced or in some cases suppressed. The crack tip stresses controlling the crack growth are found to be highly dependent on fiber arrangement and resin content. Resin microcracking at the crack tip is mode I in nature and can be overcome by resin yielding depending on the resin variables involved. Multiple microcrack formation with regular spacing is controlled by a shear lag effect often influenced by resin plastic deformation for even brittle resins. Such microcrack spacing affects the stress distribution leading to microcrack coalescence and thus crack propagation. From the failure process described, laminate mode II fracture toughness G IIC can be quantitatively expressed as a function of resin properties (fracture toughness G IC , yield strength τ y and shear modulus G), reflecting the underlying resin deformation/fracture mechanisms. Fiber arrangement is found to uniquely affect the hackle pattern in a way consistent with the identified failure mechanisms. Temperature and loading rate effects on G IIC are also well interpreted by the identified failure mechanisms. This study further elucidates the crack growth process of mode II interlaminar failure.
Metal-Based Imaging Agents

Radiopharmaceuticals are drugs that contain a radionuclide and are routinely used for diagnosis and treatment of disease. This review discusses imaging agents that are useful for diagnosis using Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET). Moreover, this entry focuses on the growing class of metal-based imaging agents, wherein the radionuclide is a transition metal or posttransition metal. The most widely used radionuclide for radiopharmaceuticals is technetium-99m, 99mTc, owing its widespread availability from the parent–daughter generator and its excellent physical properties for imaging. The radionuclides 67Ga, 111In, 210Tl, 57Co, and 51Cr are used in the clinic as well. There are a number of radioisotopes, including 64Cu, 67Cu, 68Ga, that show promise for diagnostic purposes. An increased understanding of the coordination chemistry of 99mTc and other radiometals resulted in first-generation metal-essential imaging agents. This understanding of coordination chemistry is responsible for the introduction and development of targeted receptor-specific agents, many of which are in clinical trials and some of which are on the market. Keywords: radiopharmaceuticals; radionuclide; technetium; gallium; indium; copper; single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT); positron emission tomography (PET); receptor-specific imaging agents; receptor-specific peptides; tumor imaging
Depositional History of Strawn Group (Pennsylvanian), Fort Worth Foreland Basin, Colorado River Valley, Central Texas: ABSTRACT

In the Colorado River Valley of central Texas about 1,200 ft (366 m) of Pennsylvanian (Desmoinesian) terrigenous clastic and carbonate facies were deposited in the Fort Worth basin. Paleocurrent and petrographic data indicate that the clastic provenance, to the west and northwest, was the rising Ouachita orogenic foldbelt. Surface study suggests that the Strawn Group includes two main stratigraphic divisions: (1) a lower sequence representing basin and submarine fan sediments deposited as active tectonic subsidence substantially increased water depths in the Fort Worth basin; and, (2) an upper progradational sequence of fluvial-deltaic and carbonate platform sediments deposited as passive isostatic subsidence or regional uplift to the east accompanied progressive shoaling of the sediment surface. The lower Strawn is characterized by sediment gravity flows suggestive of submarine fan deposition. It is subdivided into four facies (from proximal to distal): (1) massive channeled sandstone; (2) massive amalgamated sandstone; (3) turbidite; and (4) shale facies. The upper Strawn constitutes a delta-platform ssemblage that includes: (1) delta facies including channel-mouth-bar sands, delta-front sands, delta-slope shales, and interdistributary fine clastics; and (2) carbonate platform facies that includes phylloid algal mounds and perideltaic bioclastic limestones. The lower Strawn basinal shale and submarine fan sequence is gradational with the underlying basinal Smithwick Shale (Atokan) and records foreland basin subsidence synchronous with orogenesis in the Ouachita foldbelt. In contrast, the basal contact of the upper Strawn is variable. Generally, the upper Strawn is gradational with the lower Strawn but locally it rests disconformably on the Marble Falls Formation (Morrowan-Atokan). This stratigraphic relationship suggests that regional compressive forces from the Ouachitas were depositionally more important than previously supposed. End_of_Article - Last_Page 637------------
Computer Aided Design by FEM Method For Eddy-Current Brakes

Computer aided field analysis and design by FEM methods are advanced and cost-effective methods that provide fast and accurate results into various technical design projects. In this paper, a FEM-method-based approach is used to determine eddy-current brake model's parameters, i.e. equivalent resistance and reactances. The eddy-current brakes are electrical machines that convert, by electrical means, the mechanical energy received to its shaft into thermal energy. The thermal energy produced during the conversion is transferred to a cooling environment such as water or air. These brakes are particularly suitable for load-testing thermal engines on the stationary test-bands. They are also used to improve safety and enviromnental-clean braking of rails and lorries into the high speed ranges. Various dynamic models have been proposed in the literature to describe the dynamic behavior of the eddy-current brakes, despite their uncomplicated construction. In the paper the general two-axis theory is used to obtain the dynamic model of the eddy-current brakes no matter what is the particular structure of the brake. The parameters of the dynamic model of the brake cannot be directly accessed to measurements. However, these values may be determinate by field analysis. In the paper, field analysis by FEM method is used to compute model's parameters, particularly referring to the transversal-excitation eddy-current brakes. Computer-aided field analysis provides information not only for the computation of the parameters of the dynamic model but also for the optimization of the magnetic's circuitry shape of the brake. To expound this advantage, in the paper the field analysis is performed on a conventional designed eddy-current brake and compared to experimental measurements.
On the relationship between the force ratio and the instantaneous casualty-exchange ratio for some lanchester-type models of warfare

A “local” condition of winning (in the sense that the force ratio is changing to the advantage of one of the combatants) is shown to apply to all deterministic Lanchester-type models with two force-level variables. This condition involves the comparison of only the force ratio and the instantaneous force-change ratio. For no replacements and withdrawals, a combatant is winning “instantaneously” when the force ratio exceeds the differential casualty-exchange ratio. General outcome-prediction relations are developed from this “local” condition and applied to a nonlinear model for Helmbold-type combat between two homogeneous forces with superimposed effects of supporting fires not subject to attrition. Conditions under which the effects of the supporting fires “cancel out” are given.
Radiative ignition mechanism of solid fuels

Transmittance of external radiation from a CO2 laser through a boundary layer of decomposition products over a vertical sample surface is measured during the ignition period. The results indicate that there is significant absorption of the external radiation for PMMA, and a lesser but still not negligible amount, for red oak. An increase in gas phase temperature over surface temperature is observed over much of the ignition interval. Using the experimentally measured incident flux at the sample surface, surface temperature history was calculated from a model that included re-radiation and convection losses from the surface, endothermic decomposition and conduction into the material. The results confirm the significant effect of gas phase absorption on surface temperature. Steady-state-derived surface regression rate expression was used for PMMA in this model. The results raise questions about the validity of such data for the dynamic heating conditions during the ignition period. Further studies needed to understand the radiative ignition mechanism are identified.
Preparation of Oligomeric β-amyloid1-42 and Induction of Synaptic Plasticity Impairment on Hippocampal Slices

Impairment of synaptic connections is likely to underlie the subtle amnesic changes occurring at the early stages of Alzheimer s Disease (AD). β-amyloid (Aβ), a peptide produced in high amounts in AD, is known to reduce Long-Term Potentiation (LTP), a cellular correlate of learning and memory. Indeed, LTP impairment caused by Aβ is a useful experimental paradigm for studying synaptic dysfunctions in AD models and for screening drugs capable of mitigating or reverting such synaptic impairments. Studies have shown that Aβ produces the LTP disruption preferentially via its oligomeric form. Here we provide a detailed protocol for impairing LTP by perfusion of oligomerized synthetic Aβ1-42 peptide onto acute hippocampal slices. In this video, we outline a step-by-step procedure for the preparation of oligomeric Aβ1-42. Then, we follow an individual experiment in which LTP is reduced in hippocampal slices exposed to oligomerized Aβ1-42 compared to slices in a control experiment where no Aβ1-42 exposure had occurred.
Building Mechanical Models for Real‐time Simulation

Simulating performance of aircraft and other complex mechanical systems in a computer can reduce product development time and cost. Dynamically exercising these models requires high‐speed computers and specialised software for virtually instantaneous calculation of motion equations for graphic displays.
Control of resting membrane potential by delayed rectifier potassium currents in ferret airway smooth muscle cells

1. In order to determine the physiological role of specific potassium currents in airway smooth muscle, potassium currents were measured in freshly dissociated ferret trachealis cells using the nystatin-permeabilized, whole-cell method, at 35 degrees C. 2. The magnitude of the outward currents was markedly increased as bath temperature was increased from 22 to 35 degrees C. This increase was primarily due to the increase in maximum potassium conductance (gK,max), although there was also a small leftward shift in the relationship between gK and voltage at higher temperatures. The maximum conductance and the kinetics of current activation and inactivation were also temperature dependent. At 35 degrees C, gating of the current was steeply voltage dependent between -40 and 0 mV. Current activation was well fitted by fourth-order kinetics; the mean time constants of activation (30 mV clamp step) were 1.09 +/- 0.17 and 1.96 +/- 0.27 ms at 35 and 22 degrees C, respectively. 3. Outward currents using the nystatin method were qualitatively similar to delayed rectifier currents recorded in dialysed cells with high calcium buffering capacity solutions. 4-Aminopyridine (4-AP; 2 mM), a specific blocker of delayed rectifier potassium channels in this tissue, inhibited over 80% of the outward current evoked by voltage-clamp steps to between -10 and +20 mV (n = 6). Less than 5% of the outward current was blocked over the same voltage range by charybdotoxin (100 nM; n = 15), a specific antagonist of large-conductance, calcium-activated potassium channels in this tissue. 4. The degree to which delayed rectifier and calcium-activated potassium conductances control resting membrane potential was examined in current-clamp experiments. The resting membrane potential of current clamped cells was -33.6 +/- 1.0 mV (n = 62). Application of 4-AP (2 mM) resulted in a 14.4 +/- 1.0 mV depolarization (n = 8) and an increase in input resistance. Charybdotoxin (100 nM) had no effect on resting membrane potential (n = 6). 5. Force measurements were made in isolated strips of trachealis muscle to determine the effect of pharmacological blockade of individual potassium conductances on resting tone. In the presence of tetrodotoxin (1 microM) and atropine (1 microM), 4-AP increased baseline tension in a dose-dependent manner, with an EC50 of 1.8 mM (n = 13); application of 5 mM 4-AP increased tone to 86.8 +/- 8.1% of that produced by 1 microM methacholine, and this tone was almost completely inhibited by nifedipine (1 microM).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Optimal Voting Strategy against Random and Targeted Attacks

Replication and value selection through voting are commonly used approaches to tolerating naturally caused failures. Without considering intentionally introduced failures, such as failures caused by attacks, having more replication or residency often makes the system more reliable. However, when both the reliability of individual replicas and the existence of attackers are taken into consideration, the number of replicas that participate in a voting process has significant impact on system reliability. In this paper, the authors study the problem of deciding the optimal number of participating voters that maximizes the reliability of voting results under two different types of attacks, i.e., random attack and targeted attack, and develop algorithms to find the optimal voting strategy. A set of experiments are performed to illustrate how the optimal voting strategy varies under different system settings and how the number of voting participants affects the system's reliability.
Carbon Footprint Calculations: An Application of Chemical Principles

Topics commonly taught in a general chemistry course can be used to calculate the quantity of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere by various human activities. Each calculation begins with the balanced chemical equation for the reaction that produces the CO2 gas. Stoichiometry, thermochemistry, the ideal gas law, and dimensional analysis are then used to determine the source's CO2 emission factor. This factor expresses the quantity of gas emitted for a given quantity of activity of the source. In the examples discussed, the mass of carbon dioxide is expressed in terms of the mass of cement produced by a cement factory, the volume of gasoline consumed by an automobile, and the heat produced by burning natural gas. The carbon footprint of each source can be determined from its CO2 emission factor.
Bare wafer metrology challenges in microlithography at 45 nm node and beyond

The shrinking depth of focus (100-150 nm) of high numerical aperture immersion microlithography optics dictates a tight wafer flatness budget. Wafer flatness nanotopography (NT), and edge roll off (ERO) are critical parts of the equation in immersion microlithographic technology at the 45 nm node and beyond. Wafer features at the nanometer level could result not only in focus variation of the litho process, or thin film thickness variation in CMP process, but also in structural defects of the devices. Therefore, the metrology to measure nanometer level features and to control the quality of wafer geometry is a key to the success of IC production at the 45 nm node and beyond.
Isolevuglandins covalently modify phosphatidylethanolamines in vivo: Detection and quantitative analysis of hydroxylactam adducts

Levuglandins (LGs) and isolevuglandins (isoLGs, also called "isoketals" or "isoKs") are extraordinarily reactive products of cyclooxygenase- and free radical-induced oxidation of arachidonates. We now report the detection in vivo and quantitative analysis of LG/isoLG adducts that incorporate the amino group of phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs) into LG/isoLG-hydroxylactams. Notably, LC-MS/MS detection of these hydroxylactams is achieved with samples that are an order of magnitude smaller and sample processing is much simpler and less time consuming than required for measuring protein-derived LG/isoLG-lysyl lactams. A key feature of our protocol is treatment of biological phospholipid extracts with phospholipase A(2) to generate mainly 1-palmitoyl-2-lysoPE-hydroxylactams from heterogeneous mixtures of phospholipids with a variety of acyl groups on the 2 position. Over 160% higher mean levels of LG/isoLG-PE-hydroxylactam (P<0.001) were detected in liver from chronic ethanol-fed mice (32.4+/-6.3 ng/g, n=6) compared to controls (12.1+/-1.5 ng/g, n=4), and mean levels in plasma from patients with age-related macular degeneration (5.2+/-0.4 ng/ml, n=15) were elevated approximately 53% (P<0.0001) compared to those of healthy volunteers (3.4+/-0.1 ng/ml, n=15). Just as LG/isoLG-protein adducts provide a dosimeter of oxidative injury, this study suggests that LG/isoLG-PE-hydroxylactams are potential biomarkers for assessing risk for oxidative stress-stimulated diseases.
Common urologic disorders. When to treat and when to refer.

PREVIEWIn this time of transition from fee-for-service medicine to managed care, more primary care physicians are treating common medical conditions that were once treated by specialists. Urologie disorders are no exception. In this article, the authors present seven scenarios involving common urologie conditions that can usually be managed in the primary care setting.
Predicting outcome of relaxation therapy in headaches: The role of “depression”

This study evaluated whether improvement of headaches during relaxation therapy was related to pretreatment scores on tests measuring depression: the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the depression scale of the MMPI. Seventeen patients were treated in eight 1-hour sessions of relaxation therapy. During treatment, there was a significant improvement of headache activity averaging a 34% decrease in pain with 24% much improved, 41% moderately improved, and 35% inimproved. Multiple regression analyses indicated that, controlling for differences in pretreatment pain levels, there were significant negative correlations between improvement and scores on the Beck, but not for scale 2 of the MMPI. For the BDI, a score of 8 or above predicted poor prognosis and a score of 3 or less predicted favorable prognosis.
A crystal ball view of direct-metal deposition

Advances in direct-metal depositing are continuing, offering the promise of manufacturing and design improvements that could make design and fabrication of metallic parts speedier and more cost efficient. This paper examines the progress in designed materials, integrated design and manufacturing, and remote manufacturing, along with areas where further research is required.
NONRADIOACTIVE PHOSPHOPEPTIDE ASSAY BY MATRIX-ASSISTED LASER DESORPTION IONIZATION TIME-OF-FLIGHT MASS SPECTROMETRY: APPLICATION TO CALCIUM/CALMODULIN -DEPENDENT PROTEIN KINASE II

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) was used to quantify the phosphopeptide produced by calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMK II). MALDI-TOF measurements were performed in a linear and positive ion mode with delayed extraction excited at various laser powers and at different sampling positions, i.e., different loci of laser illumination. We find that the ratio of the peak area of the substrate (S) to that of its monophosphorylated form (SP) for a given mixture is constant, independent of the laser powers and/or of the sample loci illuminated by the laser. We also find that the fraction of phosphorylation determined by MALDI-TOF, or fMALDI-TOF, is proportionally smaller than that determined by HPLC, or fHPLC; the ratio fMALDI-TOF/fHPLC was 0.797 +/- 0.0229 (99% confidence limit, n = 7) for a 30-mer peptide substrate used in this study. A low mass gate, which turns off the detector temporarily, improved the ratio fMALDI-TOF/fHPLC to 0.917 +/- 0.0184 (99% confidence limit, n = 7). Our interpretation of this result is that the reduction of the phosphopeptide peak in the MALDI-TOF measurement is likely to be caused by a temporal loss of detector function rather than by a lower efficiency of ionization for the phosphopeptide compared with its parent species. In these measurements the experimental errors, up to the 50% phosphorylation state, were less than 5%. After an adjustment made based on the fMALDI-TOF/fHPLC ratio of 0.917, MALDI-TOF gave an accurate measurement for the kinetics of the CaMK II phosphorylation reaction. Since only a small volume of the reaction mixture, typically containing 3 to 50 pmol of substrate, is required for the MALDI-TOF measurement, this method can be adapted to a nonradioactive microscale assay for CaMK II and also for other protein kinases.
Mononuclear N3S(thioether)-ligated copper(II) methoxide complexes: synthesis, characterization, and hydrolytic reactivity.

Mononuclear copper(II) methoxide complexes supported by N3S(thioether) chelate ligands having two internal hydrogen bond donors have been prepared, comprehensively characterized, and evaluated for hydrolytic reactivity.
Alice to the Red Queen: imperious econometrics

A cCloskey's response to our paper is at once a remarkable misreading LYof our criticism, and a curious misrepresentation of the paper he coauthored with Nash. McCloskey suggests that the main purpose of this paper was to show that the cost of storage was 'formidable' in medieval England.' 'The point was to get a rough idea of storage cost (not storage amounts)' in which he had only a 'desultory' interest.2 Nor did he have any more than a 'tangential' concern for the matter of interest rates, and his reflections there represent an 'extra dividend'.3 Yet his very title belies such modest claims: 'Corn at interest: the extent of and cost of medieval grain storage'. He then devotes the first two sections of the paper to the proposition that the storage amounts were small: 'i. The direct evidence that storage was small,' and 'ii. Using prices to show that storage was small'. He spells out the significance of interest rates in subsequent sections: 'iv. The cost was high because the interest rate was high;' and 'vi. The significance of high medieval interest rates.'4 His conclusion reiterates his opening premise, namely that the cost of storage and the rate of interest were 'shockingly high. Stores of grain were therefore very low.'5 If McCloskey misrepresents his own article, he wildly misunderstands our response. He claims that we read his argument 'precisely backwards', that we think he 'deduced' the high cost of storage from interest rates, an endeavour that he now admits would be 'idiotic.'6 Although he puts the word 'deduced' in quotation marks, the word choice is his, not ours. To be sure, we did assert that according to McCloskey, 'the quantity of grain stored . . . was primarily a function of the rate of interest."' However, we referred not to the empirical part of his paper but to its causal analysis, and we stand by that assertion. After all, the paper in question begins by assuming as much: 'At the interest rates he faced a medieval farmer seldom stored more than two years in.a row.'8 What is more, as noted above, he devotes the concluding sections of the paper to elaborating this assertion. Now he faults us for taking his assertions and reasoning seriously. We certainly challenge his 'empirical' deduction of interest rates from asumptions regarding the cost of storage as inferred from changes in the
Hepatocellular injury inStreptococcus pnumoniae-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome in children

Streptococcus pneumoniae is an uncommon etiological organism in hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Production of neuraminidase by S. pneumoniae results in exposure of red blood cell T-antigen, resulting in hemolysis, thrombocytopenia, and acute renal failure. Hepatic involvement in this form of HUS has not been described in the literature. We report in three children with S. pneumoniae-associated HUS the presence of severely elevated transaminases and conjugated hyperbilirubinemia. Increases in asparagine transaminase ranged from 11 to 46 times normal values and an increase in alanine transaminase ranged from 1.6 to 8 times normal. In all patients the rise in total bilirubin was 7-15 times normal. Biliary tree obstruction and viral causes for liver dysfunction were absent. Hepatocellular injury in S. pneumoniae-associated HUS likely results from mechanisms involved in sepsis and pneumonia-induced jaundice, combined with severely increased bilirubin production following massive hemolysis. The hepatic injury in all three patients resolved within 9, 5, and 10 days. Our experience suggests that an extensive evaluation including liver biopsy is not indicated.
Testing of a stall flutter suppression system for helicopter rotors using individual-blade-control

The development and testing of a feedback system designed to alleviate rotor blade first torsion mode oscillations associated with stall flutter are described. The system employs blade-mounted sensors to detect torsional oscillations and provide feedback in order to increase the damping of the first torsional mode. A model of the blade and control system dynamics is developed and is used to give qualitative and quantitative guidance in the design process, as well as to aid in the analysis of experimental results. System performance in wind tunnel tests in forward flight is described, and experimental results show that the system can provide substantial additional damping to stall-induced oscillations.
Thermal Tug-O-War: A Competitive, Hands-On Approach to Learning Basic Heat Exchanger Design

The “Thermal Tug-o-War” is a thermal-fluid design competition in which teams of students are assigned to design and build either a heating or cooling heat exchanger. The heating and cooling teams are then pitted against each other to see which of the teams’ heat exchangers can have a larger effect on the temperature of a “thermal reservoir”. Through this competition, students get practical, hands-on exposure to convection heat transfer, Bernoulli’s equation, pumping system design, and materials selection. This paper will present details on how the competition was originally staged and how is has changed to become a more valuable learning experience for the students.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
The University in periods of technological change: a historically grounded perspective

The University has a remarkably enduring history that is due in no small part to its ability to adapt itself whenever intellectual, political, or technological change has occurred. Today’s technology revolution, however, presents the University with one of the greatest adaptation challenges it has ever faced in its lengthy history, and the Institution will either adjust to this new reality or will risk losing its status as a premier educational institution. Instructional technology can play a critical role in helping the University meet these new challenges, but how should instructional technology be effectively leveraged to do so? Key recommendations are presented and discussed.
A comparison of a keyword from title index with a single access point per document alphabetic subject index

Two indexes to a collection of 3,204 documents in the field of chemistry were test-searched. The indexes are a keyword from title index without added keywords and a single access point per document alphabetic subject index. The indexes were searched by 13 graduate chemistry students using 55 questions. Search results are characterized in terms of recall, precision, and search time. There is no statistically significant difference in recall and precision search results between the multiple access points per document keyword from title index and the single access point per document alphabetic subject index. Search time was significantly better for the alphabetic subject index for all but those questions having only one relevant document.
Micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) component research and development for army missile applications

The US Army Aviation and Missile Command Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center has identified MEMS as an emerging technology with high potential for fulfilling the mission of future missiles. The technology holds the promise of reducing the size, weight, cost, and power requirements for performing existing functions in Army missile systems, as well las providing opportunities for new computing, sensing, and actuation functions that cannot be achieved with conventional electromechanical technology. MEMS will enable the Army's next generation of smaller and lighter missiles. The military market drives the thrust for development of miniature sensor with applications such as: competent and smart munitions, aircraft and missile autopilots, tactical missile guidance, fire control system, platform stabilization, smart structures with embedded inertial sensors, missile system health monitoring, missile and ground-based radar, radio frequency seekers, aerodynamic flow control, IR imagers, and multiple intelligent small projectiles. Current efforts at AMCOM include the development of MEMS-based inertial components to include accelerometers with wide dynamic range, tactical grade gyros with high rate range, and miniature three-axis inertial measurement unit with common interface electronics. Performance requirements of such components will be presented in terms of current and future Army missile systems. Additional MEMS based efforts under investigation at AMCOM include missile storage health monitoring, RF MEMS components, encoders for actuators, and aerodynamic flow control will also be discussed.
Systemic heparinization does not prevent clot formation in coil embolization

Therapeutic transcatheter closure with Gianturco-type steel coils has been applied to a variety of vascular communications in children with congenital heart disease. Vessel closure depends upon successful thrombus formation around the coil. Since systemic anticoagulation with heparin is commonly used during catheterization and cardiac surgery, we studied the effect of systemic heparinization on the efficiency of vessel occlusion by coil embolization in lambs. Catheters inserted in femoral arteries were used to arteriographically locate and size 36 systemic arteries in 9 lambs weighing 4.2 to 7.4 kg. Twenty-four vessels were embolized prior to heparinization with 400 u/kg heparin, IV. Effective anticoagulation was demonstrated by post-heparin activated clotting time (ACT) values greater than 300 sec. Seven vessels (29%) were not successfully coil-embolized because of inadequate coil position or distant embolization of the coil; 17 (71%) of these vessels were shown to be successfully occluded by arteriography 6 to 77 min later. After a period of systemic heparinization ranging from 71 to 159 min, 9/17 arteries remained occluded, 7/17 could not be examined arteriographically due to early demise of the animal, and only 1/17 showed recanalization. A second group of 12 vessels were embolized after heparinization. Eight (75%) were successfully occluded, and 4 (25%) were not successfully coil-embolized because of inadequate coil position or coil embolization to distant arteries. We conclude that systemic heparinization had no measurable effect on occlusion rates in coil-embolized systemic arteries in the lamb. These data support the use of systemic heparinization, when indicated, during or following therapeutic coil embolization in children.
From the Guest Editors: Inclusive Early Childhood Teacher Education

The United Nations estimates that 10% of the global population has a disability, and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006), which has been widely ratified, explicitly ...
Sensor placement optimization in structural health monitoring using genetic and evolutionary algorithms

An optimized sensor design and sensor placement strategy will be extremely beneficial to both safety ensuring and cost reduction considerations of structural health monitoring systems. A new framework for structural health monitoring sensor placement optimization was recently developed at Pennsylvania State University based on genetic and evolutionary computation. The formulation of the optimization problem is to minimize the damage misdetection rate as well as to minimize the number of sensors by searching the optimized patterns of sensor placement topology on the feasible region of the structure being monitored. Two types of SHM sensors are considered. One is a single sensor scenario; the other is an actuator-damage-sensor scenario. The program was applied to a sample sensor placement problem of an aging aircraft wing. Optimized sensor placement designs are obtained. The tradeoff relationship between the sensor performance, sensor number, and the overall sensor network performance are also presented in this paper.