cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pricing flexibility under rate-of-return regulation: Effects on network infrastructure investment

Abstract When a commodity market relies upon a regulated network service industry—e.g., telecommunications, electricity, or natural gas transmission—economic efficiency in that commodity market is a crucial consideration for regulatory design. This is because insufficient infrastructure investment relative to network demand results in congestion. The extraction of associated rents has distortionary effects on commodity spot market prices. Greater regulatory flexibility in network pricing can alleviate such issues by cultivating the incentives needed for stakeholders to invest in transmission capacity. To illustrate this effect I derive and numerically solve stylized optimality conditions for access and usage prices for a gas pipeline operator under alternative regulatory models. My results have general implications for regulation in network infrastructure industries, as energy and telecommunications markets are expected to expand considerably over the coming decades.
Asynchronous Localization of Ground Objects Using a 2-UAV System

Vision based target tracking has immense application in areas such as security, traffic control, and defense. We present a novel method to estimate the position of a ground target using joint visual observations from a pair of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). Our method use a fast recurrent convolution neural network (RCNN) for low-level object detection. The results of RCNN is then fed to an EKF model for position estimation. The integrated vision pipeline and target recognition subsystem is evaluated with soft-in-the-loop simulation and the result shows substantial increases in tracking coverage.
Automated Detection of Infant Holding Using Wearable Sensing: Implications for Developmental Science and Intervention

Physical contact is critical for children's physical and emotional growth and well-being. Previous studies of physical contact are limited to relatively short periods of direct observation and self-report methods. These methods limit researchers' understanding of the natural variation in physical contact across families, and its specific impacts on child development. In this study we develop a mobile sensing platform that can provide objective, unobtrusive, and continuous measurements of physical contact in naturalistic home interactions. Using commercially available motion detectors, our model reaches an accuracy of 0.870 (std: 0.059) for a second-by-second binary classification of holding. In addition, we detail five assessment scenarios applicable to the development of activity recognition models for social science research, where required accuracy may vary as a function of the intended use. Finally, we propose a grand vision for leveraging mobile sensors to access high-density markers of multiple determinants of early parent-child interactions, with implications for basic science and intervention.
Performance evaluation and validation of the Animal Trauma Triage score and modified Glasgow Coma Scale in injured cats: A Veterinary Committee on Trauma registry study.

OBJECTIVES To examine the Animal Trauma Triage (ATT) and modified Glasgow Coma Scale (mGCS) scores as predictors of mortality in injured cats. DESIGN Observational cohort study conducted September 2013 to March 2015. SETTING Nine Level I and II veterinary trauma centers. ANIMALS Consecutive sample of 711 cats reported on the Veterinary Committee on Trauma (VetCOT) case registry. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS We compared the predictive power (area under receiver operating characteristic curve; AUROC) and calibration of the ATT and mGCS scores to their components. Overall mortality risk was 16.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 13.9-19.4). Head trauma prevalence was 11.8% (n = 84). The ATT score showed a linear relationship with mortality risk. Discriminatory performance of the ATT score was excellent (AUROC = 0.87 [95% CI, 0.84-0.90]). Each ATT score increase of 1 point was associated with an increase in mortality odds of 1.78 (95% CI, 1.61-1.97, P < 0.001). The eye/muscle/integument category of the ATT showed the lowest discrimination (AUROC = 0.60). When this component, skeletal, and cardiac components were omitted from score calculation, there was no loss in discriminatory capacity compared with the full score (AUROC = 0.86 vs 0.87, respectively, P = 0.66). The mGCS showed fair performance overall for prediction of mortality, but the point estimate of performance improved when restricted to head trauma patients (AUROC = 0.75, 95% CI, 0.70-0.80 vs AUROC = 0.80, 95% CI, 0.70-0.90). The motor component of the mGCS showed the best predictive performance (AUROC = 0.71); however, the full score performed better than the motor component alone (P = 0.004). When assessment was restricted to patients with head injury (n = 84), there was no difference in performance between the ATT and mGCS scores (AUROC = 0.82 vs 0.80, P = 0.67). CONCLUSION On a large, multicenter dataset of feline trauma patients, the ATT score showed excellent discrimination and calibration for predicting mortality; however, an abbreviated score calculated from the perfusion, respiratory, and neurologic categories showed equivalent performance.
Apoptotic Osteocytes Induce RANKL Production in Bystanders via Purinergic Signaling and Activation of Pannexin Channels

Localized apoptosis of osteocytes, the tissue-resident cells within bone, occurs with fatigue microdamage and activates bone resorption. Osteoclasts appear to target and remove dying osteocytes, resorbing damaged bone matrix as well. Osteocyte apoptosis similarly activates bone resorption with estrogen loss and in disuse. Apoptotic osteocytes trigger viable neighbor (ie, bystander) osteocytes to produce RANKL, the cytokine required for osteoclast activation. Signals from apoptotic osteocytes that trigger this bystander RANKL expression remain obscure. Studying signaling among osteocytes has been hampered by lack of in vitro systems that model the limited communication among osteocytes in vivo (ie, via gap junctions on cell processes and/or paracrine signals through thin pericellular fluid spaces around osteocytes). Here, we used a novel multiscale fluidic device (the Macro-micro-nano, or Mμn) that reproduces these key anatomical features. Osteocytes in discrete compartments of the device communicate only via these limited pathways, which allows assessment of their roles in triggering osteocytes RANKL expression. Apoptosis of MLOY-4 osteocytes in the Mμn device caused increased osteocyte RANKL expression in the neighboring compartment, consistent with in vivo findings. This RANKL upregulation in bystander osteocytes was prevented by blocking Pannexin 1 channels as well as its ATP receptor. ATP alone caused comparable RANKL upregulation in bystander osteocytes. Finally, blocking Connexin 43 gap junctions did not abolish osteocyte RANKL upregulation, but did alter the distribution of RANKL expressing bystander osteocytes. These findings point to extracellular ATP, released from apoptotic osteocytes via Panx1 channels, as a major signal for triggering bystander osteocyte RANKL expression and activating bone remodeling. © 2020 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
A Nonlinear MEMS Resonator for Generating AC Voltages Without Electronics

High temperature applications exists where AC voltage generation would be useful, but the operating temperature is too high for many semiconductor electronic devices to operate reliably. Micromachined Si devices can operate at these elevated temperatures. The nonlinear characteristics of the MEMS parallel plate actuator can be exploited to realize a self-oscillating resonator by placing the PPA in series with a large value resistor and a DC voltage source with a voltage greater than or equal to the pull-in voltage of the PPA. In addition to generating an oscillating proof mass motion, the voltage across the PPA also oscillates with the same fundamental frequency. This phenomenon was modelled in MATLAB Simulink and investigated experimentally.
The pathogenesis of human membranous nephropathy: we are (almost) there

Primary membranous nephropathy is an autoimmune disease usually associated with antibody to phospholipase A2 receptor (anti-PLA2R). The study by Meyer-Schwesinger et al. describes the first mouse model induced using a PLA2R system to study the pathogenicity of anti-PLA2R. Hyperimmune rabbit anti-PLA2R IgG can induce a primary membranous nephropathy–like glomerulopathy with proteinuria in mice. However, to conclusively establish the pathogenicity of human anti-PLA2R will require additional studies using PLA2R and anti-PLA2R of human origin.
Niacin increases diet-induced hepatic steatosis in B6129 mice.

Abstract Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a very common disorder affecting between 20 and 30% of adults in the United States. However, there is no effective pharmacotherapy for treating NAFLD. Niacin, a water-soluble vitamin (B3), at pharmacological doses, decreases hepatic triglyceride (TG) content in NAFLD through inhibition of diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2, a key enzyme that catalyzes the final step in TG synthesis. Alternatively, some studies indicate that niacin induces fatty liver in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed rats. Therefore, in this study we investigated whether niacin is beneficial in treating NAFLD in two strains of mice, C57BL/6J (B6) and B6129SF2/J (B6129) mice, with 20 weeks of HFD feeding. Niacin treatment was started from week 5 until the end of the study. Niacin treatment increased normalized liver weight, hepatic TG content and NAFLD score in HFD-fed B6129 mice but had no impact on B6 mice. Metabolomics analysis revealed that in B6129 mice, 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid (4-HPP), which is associated with fatty acid oxidation, did not change with HFD feeding but significantly decreased with niacin treatment. Lipidomics analysis discovered that the abundance of phosphocholine (PC), which is critical for very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)–TG production and secretion, was decreased in HFD-fed B6129 with niacin treatment. In conclusion, niacin had no impact on diet-induced NAFLD development in B6 mice but potentiated hepatic steatosis in HFD-fed B6129 mice due to impaired fatty acid oxidation and decreased VLDL-TG production and secretion.
Thermo-mechanical characterization of polyurea variants

The aim of this study is to investigate the role of chain length and hard segment dispersion within the soft segment on thermo-mechanical properties of a block copolymer by formulating and comparing three different polyurea compositions. Polyurea (PU) was synthesized by reacting oligomeric poly (tetramethylene oxide) (PTMO) diamines (Versalink, Air Products) with aromatic 4,4’-methylenediphenyldiisocyanate (Isonate 143L Modified MDI, Dow Chemicals). Three Versalink prepolymers were used: VP-1000 (long chain length), VP-650 (medium chain length), and VP-250 (short chain length), where 1000, 650, and 250 refer to the molecular weight of the PTMO repeating units. PU-105 and PU-605 were synthesized by mixing VP-1000 and VP-650 with Isonate 143L. A hybrid polyurea specimen, PU-HB05, was synthesized by reacting a blend of VP-1000:VP-250 at 76:24wt% with Isonate 143L. This weight ratio was calculated in order to ensure the total proportion of hard to soft segments of PU-HB05 match that of PU-605. A comparative study on PU-605 and PU-105 was conducted to determine the effect of diamine chain length physical, morphological, and mechanical properties. Concurrently, a blend of two diamines with significantly different chain lengths (short chain length Versalink P-250 and long chain length Versalink P-1000)was synthesized with the same diisocyanate prepolymer to create a hybrid variant of polyurea, PU-HB05. The blend was created in a proportion such that the hybrid polyurea PU-HB05 has the same hard to soft domain ratio as PU-605. It was shown that inclusion of short chain length diamine can increase the soft segment Tg by almost 15 ∘C in PU-HB05 compared to PU-105. Furthermore, the modulus in the hybrid blend formulation is also increased compared to PU-105, to the levels of PU-605. However, PU-HB05 demonstrates slightly better stability against high temperatures compared to PU-605. The high strain-rate measurements (including yield-like behavior and hardening plateau) using Split Hopkinson Pressure bar (SHPB) setup, indicate that in spite of close behavior of PU-HB05 and PU-605 (due to matching hard domain proportion), PU-HB05 appears to show less hardening post-yield and generally softer response at lower temperatures due to the presence of longer diamine chains. Master curves, relaxation spectra and relaxation modulus are reported for all three variants. Finally thermal properties of the three materials are reported indicating a more amorphous structure for PU-HB05 based on its lowest thermal conductivity and low heat capacity.
Situational Awareness in Distribution Grid Using Micro-PMU Data: A Machine Learning Approach

The recent development of distribution-level phasor measurement units, a.k.a. micro-PMUs, has been an important step towards achieving situational awareness in power distribution networks. The challenge however is to transform the large amount of data that is generated by micro-PMUs to actionable information and then match the information to use cases with practical value to system operators. This open problem is addressed in this paper. First, we introduce a novel data-driven event detection technique to pick out valuable portion of data from extremely large raw micro-PMU data. Subsequently, a datadriven event classifier is developed to effectively classify power quality events. Importantly, we use field expert knowledge and utility records to conduct an extensive data-driven event labeling. Moreover, certain aspects from event detection analysis are adopted as additional features to be fed into the classifier model. In this regard, a multi-class support vector machine (multi-SVM) classifier is trained and tested over 15 days of real-world data from two micro-PMUs on a distribution feeder in Riverside, CA. In total, we analyze 1.2 billion measurement points, and 10,700 events. The effectiveness of the developed event classifier is compared with prevalent multi-class classification methods, including k-nearest neighbor method as well as decision-tree method. Importantly, two real-world use-cases are presented for the proposed data analytics tools, including remote asset monitoring and distribution-level oscillation analysis.
Inkjet‐/3D‐/4D‐Printed Nanotechnology‐Enabled Radar, Sensing, and RFID Modules for Internet of Things, “Smart Skin,” and “Zero Power” Medical Applications

The advent of wearable and Internet of Things (IoT)‐connected technologies has enabled and brought to light the potential for a cornucopia of new health‐applied wearable devices. Given a dense implementation of RFID devices for medical and biomonitoring applications owing to the advent of the IoT, a proper way to simultaneously interrogate and gather useful information from an array of sensors is required. An attractive means to achieve this is through the employment of RADAR principles, specifically frequency‐modulated continuous wave. The use of additive manufacturing technologies–such as the commonly encountered inkjet‐printing technology or the popular forms of 3D printing approaches–enables, through their versatility, a surprising wealth of solutions to the limitations of the state‐of‐the‐art health wearables. This chapter presents new strategies enabling the powering of printed wearable systems using both legacy radio‐frequency wireless networks and upcoming 5G millimeter‐wave implementations.
Trends in Pediatric MRI sedation/anesthesia at a tertiary medical center over time.

BACKGROUND Each year, hundreds of thousands of children require sedation/anesthesia to facilitate MRI scans. Anesthetic techniques for accomplishing sedation/anesthesia vary widely between institutions and providers, with unclear implications for patient safety. AIMS We sought to establish trends in anesthetic practice for pediatric MRI sedation/anesthesia across a 7-year period and determine rates of adverse events, considering technique used, age, and ASA physical classification status (ASA-PS). METHODS Using established data resources, we analyzed 24 052 anesthetics performed by anesthesiologists for MRI scans between 5/1/2013 and 12/31/2019 on patients less than 18 years old, focusing on medications used, trends of use, and associated adverse events. Adverse events (hypoxia, hypotension, bradycardia) were defined by deviation from age norms and accessed via the electronic anesthetic record database. The Cochran-Armitage test was used to assess trends over time in categorical data, and one-way ANOVA was used to analyze continuous data. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was implemented to determine the independent associations between anesthetic technique and adverse events while adjusting for age, ASA-PS, and weight. RESULTS The most significant trends noted were a decrease in "propofol-only" anesthetic techniques and an increase in propofol and dexmedetomidine combination techniques. Mild desaturation (80-89% SpO2 ) occurred in 4.22% of cases with more significant hypoxia much rarer (0.44% of cases having desaturation <70% SpO2 ). Bradycardia occurred in 2.39% of cases and hypotension in 1.75% of cases. Major adverse events were rare. CONCLUSIONS We provide the largest report of the nature of MRI sedation/anesthesia as practiced by anesthesiologists in a large children's hospital. We demonstrate that, even in a large system, anesthetic techniques are pliable and shift significantly over time. Our data also support a high level of safety within our system, despite a case mix likely higher in risk than those in most of the previously published studies.
Evaluation of quantitative modeling methods in whole-body, dynamic [ 11 C]-erlotinib PET

Background [11C]-Erlotinib is a radiolabeled analogue of a tyrosine kinase inhibitor used to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) which expresses specific kinase domain mutations of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). In this study, 10 subjects with NSCLC and assorted EGFR mutation status underwent a dynamic, multi-bed positron emission tomography (PET) scan using [11C]-erlotinib. Data were analyzed using a variety of quantitative techniques common in PET (graphical methods, kinetic models, and uptake value-based endpoints). Our primary goal was to determine the most reliable imaging endpoint given the need for maintaining minimal patient burden and recognizing the advantage of simple calculations in future trials. Results Standard uptake values (a semi-quantitative endpoint) were well correlated with both binding potential and volume of distribution (fully quantitative endpoints). Normalized tracer uptake was found to stabilize approximately 60 minutes post tracer injection. Conclusions: The kinetic properties of [11C]-erlotinib varied greatly across subjects. Our novel scanning protocol produced an important dataset which highlights the great heterogeneity of NSCLC and its apparent impact on [11C]-erlotinib kinetics. A lack of correlation between EGFR mutational status and quantitative endpoints appears to be due to disease heterogeneity and low tracer uptake. The most reliable fits of the dynamic data were based on the one-tissue compartmental model which were well correlated with mean SUV. Due to this correlation and good stability at late-time, SUV seems sufficiently well-suited to quantitative imaging of NSCLC lesions in the whole body with [11C]-erlotinib.
Transthoracic Cardiac Strain Imaging with Electromagnetic Six Degrees-of-Freedom Tracking for 3D Coregistration

An electromagnetic tracking system was used to track the position and orientation of an ultrasound imaging probe for the coregistration of multiple 2D left-ventricular strain images, which were computed via myocardial elastography. High frame-rate radiofrequency data were acquired from a healthy human volunteer in standard short-axis and apical views, and cross-correlation searches in the axial and lateral dimensions estimated the displacement and strain of the myocardial wall throughout ventricular systole. Positional coordinates and quarterions outputted by the electromagnetic sensor were then used to automatically translate and rotate each strain image for coregistration and simultaneous visualization of all acquisitions in a 3D grid. The final result is a patient-specific, anatomically accurate representation of systolic myocardial strain throughout the left ventricle.
Making URIs published on data web RDF dereferencable

Nowadays, more and more URIs reside on DataWeb, as published for linked open data, dereferencing URIs challenges the current Web to embrace Semantic Web. Although, quite a few practical recipes for publishing URIs have been provided to make URIs dereferencable, we believe a fundamental investigation of publishing and dereferencing URIs would contribute a forward compatibility with the RDF and OWL upper layers in the Semantic Web architecture. In this paper, we propose to make URIs published on Data Web RDF dereferencable, and we formalize such a requirement in an RDF-compatible semantics. Also, the dereferencing operation is defined in an abstract URI syntax, such that URIs, as interpreted as described resources, would be RDF dereferencable by default. Accompanied by a live demonstration, the poster demo explanation would elaborately discuss and seriously address issues on Data Web URIs, which were or have been taken for granted. Additionally, for case study, Metadata Web, a Data Web of enterprise-wide models, is explored. The URIs on Metadata Web is published as RDF dereferencable. Such an implementation of universal metadata management across the enterprise enables the metadata federation such that global query, search and analysis could be conducted on top of the Metadata Web.
Optimum noise performance of transistor input circuits

The single common-emiter transistor amplifier fed from a resistive source exhibits a minimum noise figure, when the source resistance has an optimum value. A generalized amplifier is next shown that is fed from a complex source impedance and containing a single common-emitter transistor in the first stage. It is assumed that noise in succeeding stages is negligible. Various feedback paths to either the base or emitter of the first transistor are shown, and an effective shunt input resistor with thermal noise and an effective emitter degeneration resistor with thernlal noise are given. If the signal source is purely resistive, analysis of the circuit shows that a minimum noise figure is obtainable with an optimum source resistance. If the source is a complex impedance, the quantity of interest is the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the output of the amplifier. This quantity will in general be dependent on the signal frequency chosen, and on the gain characteristics of the entire amplifier. An expression for SNR in the circuit is given. Again, the result is independent of any feedback, except insofar as the feedback affects the gain characteristic. It is to be emphasized that the criteria for best noise performance are in no way connected with the criteria for maximum power transfer from the source.
Stress in Plantation Crops: Adaptation and Management

Plantation crops include perennials grown over large areas in monoculture, excepting fruit trees grown in orchards. These crops face both abiotic and biotic stresses, incited by factors those coexist in plantations. Although Plantation crops are well adapted and are grown mostly in the tropics, where innumerable stress factors operate. Historical significance of few stress havocs in plantation species is remarkable. A wide range of anatomical, physiological and biochemical features contribute to various stress adaptation in plantation crops. Notwithstanding, improvement of stress resistance in plantation species has been mandated to combat unfriendly factors that jeopardize intensive and extensive cultivation. Conventional breeding is cumbersome in plantation crops, where in the process has to involve many generations running for decades, and expensive in terms of time, space and large volume of individuals handled. Recent developments in molecular genetics and biotechnology are aiding acceleration of breeding process in plantation species. Integration of proper crop management strategies with improved cultivars is essential to meet the goals of stress management. This review presents a comprehensive coverage of various adaptive mechanisms and mitigation strategies for several biotic and abiotic stresses affecting major plantation crops like cardamom, cashew, cocoa, coconut, coffee, date, eucalyptus, oil palm, rubber and tea.
Experimental estimation of the GPR groundwave sampling depth.

[1] Monitoring near-surface soil water content is essential for efficient water management and for understanding hydrologic processes in soils. Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) groundwaves are an approach that can be used to monitor the near-surface soil water content, but the efficacy of this technique is currently limited by the uncertainty surrounding the groundwave sampling depth. This research experimentally determines the sampling depth of GPR groundwaves under dry and saturated conditions in a sandy soil. Data were acquired using 250, 500, and 1000 MHz antennas within an experimental tank containing soil layers of contrasting electromagnetic velocities. Results show that the groundwave sampling depth is a function of frequency in both dry and saturated soils, and sampling depth is inversely related to frequency. A comparison of data acquired under dry and saturated conditions indicates that the groundwave sampling depth is slightly less in saturated soil than in dry soil, but the dependence of sampling depth on soil water content may be less than has been predicted using numerical modeling. The minimum sampling depth observed in this experiment was 12 cm for the 1000 MHz antennas in saturated sand, and the maximum sampling depth was 30 cm for the 250 MHz antennas in dry sand.
Cyclooxygenase Inhibition during Allergic Sensitization Increases STAT6-Independent Primary and Memory Th2 Responses

Immune sensitization and memory generation are required for the development of allergic inflammation. Our previous studies demonstrate that the cyclooxygenase (COX) metabolic pathway is actively involved in allergic responses and COX inhibition increases allergic airway inflammation in a STAT6-independent fashion. To test the hypothesis that COX inhibition augments allergic inflammation by enhancing immune sensitization and memory, we sensitized STAT6 knockout mice with an i.p. injection of OVA with aluminum hydroxide as an adjuvant and treated the mice with the COX inhibitor indomethacin or vehicle for analyses of the primary and memory immune responses. We found that COX inhibition during immune sensitization, but not the allergic challenge phase, was necessary and sufficient to increase allergic inflammation. COX inhibition during sensitization increased the numbers of mature dendritic cells and activated CD4 T cells in the spleen and augmented OVA-specific IL-5 and IL-13 responses of the splenic CD4 T cells at day 5 after sensitization. COX inhibition during sensitization also augmented allergic Th2 response to OVA challenge 90 days after the sensitization. Therefore, COX inhibition during allergic sensitization augments allergic responses by enhancing Th2 cell activation and memory generation and the proallergic effect is STAT6-independent. These findings provide a mechanistic explanation for the increased allergic inflammation previously shown in the mice treated with COX inhibitors and in COX-deficient mice and suggest that use of COX-inhibiting drugs during initial allergen exposure may increase the risk of developing allergic responses.
Effects of product formulation on in vitro activity of pancreatic enzymes

The lipase activity of two enteric-coated and two uncoated pancreatic enzyme formulations was evaluated in vitro at different pH values and compared with postprandial duodenal pH data in cystic fibrosis patients. Lipase activity was measured over a pH range of 4-8 in four formulations: Viokase tablets and Viokase powder (Viobin), Cotazym-S (Organon), and Pancrease enteric-coated spherules (McNeil). A pH-stat technique was used in which the amount of hydroxyl ion that must be added to maintain a preset pH value is measured to determine the amount of lipase substrate (tributyrin) that is split into butyric acid. At least three determinations of activity were made at each pH. Six capsules of each enteric-coated formulation were subjected to disintegration testing at various pH values. These data were then compared with data available for postprandial duodenal pH in patients with cystic fibrosis. The lipase activity of all formulations studied decreased when pH decreased, especially when the pH was below 5.75. At a pH value between 5 and 5.5, which represents the postprandial duodenal pH in cystic fibrosis patients, activity was reduced 50% or more for all formulations tested. The two enteric-coated products displayed no activity at pH 5.5 and below because the coating did not dissolve in this pH range. Lipase activity in enteric-coated pancreatic enzyme preparations is limited because the enteric coating of these products dissolves slowly in the duodenal pH range (5-5.75) that is found in patients with cystic fibrosis.
Weighted fair bandwidth sharing using SCALE technique

Currently there is not enough work on the Internet weighted fair bandwidth sharing without per-flow management, especially when both UDP and TCP flows of different RTTs and different bandwidth targets coexist. This paper contains two contributions:1.A mechanism called SCALE-WFS, Scalable Core with Aggregation Level labEling - Weighted Fair bandwidth-Sharing, is presented to achieve near-optimal Max-Min weighted fairness without per-flow management at core routers, in the context of differentiated service (Diffserv) networks. Through extensive simulation and simple analysis, we show the performance problems with current solutions and propose SCALE-WFS to solve these problems. This scheme works effectively for different flow weights, RTTs, protocols (TCP and UDP), under the scenarios of different bandwidth provisioning and multiple congested gateways, all of which we consider the basic requirements for a practical solution. 2.Apart from ''per-flow'' and completely ''core-stateless'', SCALE represents a third management level - the label-based flow ''aggregation'' level. It reduces the information redundancy in the ''per-flow'' and surpasses the performance of the ''core-stateless''. This is important to Diffserv networks where we try to avoid the non-scalability of per-flow management while keeping its good Quality of Services. In this paper, we show that SCALE-WFS is effective and scalable, robust and extensible.
Tuning up the right signal: chemical and genetic approaches to study GPCR functions.

The G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family is among the most druggable families in the human proteome. GPCRs are involved in most physiological processes, and our ability to modulate their activity is a hallmark of modern pharmacology. The means by which the activity of GPCRs can be modulated have been expanded by emerging data and concepts in pharmacology, which has created new strategies for their control. These new approaches will lead to the generation of more potent, selective, and efficient pharmaceutics, while reducing inappropriate actions and adverse effects. Herein, we review and comment on some recent advances in chemical and genetic approaches to the profiling of GPCR function, as well as the validation of orphan GPCRs as potential therapeutic targets using engineered receptors.
Advanced Booking Decisions of Risk-Averse, Deal-Oriented Travelers

This study modified the Generic Advanced-Booking Decision model. It replaces the assumption about the consumer's risk neutrality by an assumption of risk averseness. The result is a considerably more complex set of equations that incorporates the commonly used utility form of U(x)= −e−rX into the traveler's decision tree. Using a numerical simulation, this study demonstrated that a solution exists in which each one of the four generic decisions is associated with a room rate range where that decision is the optimal one. The analytical attempt to calculate the modified risk-averse switch points yielded only two of the seven theoretically possible intersection equations. The article discusses the analytical and practical implications of these findings.
Two and three relativistic particles in direct harmonic interaction

In an earlier paper a canonical formalism was developed by the authors to describe a closed system ofN relativistic point particles in mutual scalar interaction. That formalism is applied here to the casesN=2 andN=3 with harmonic-oscillator interparticle potentials. In each case tachyonic motions are suppressed and a Regge-like mass spin trajectory is obtained.
Stimulus modality and short-term memory in rats

Two experimental paradigms are presented aimed at determining the retention of auditory and visual information over brief delay intervals. First, a conditional delayed matching-to-sample procedure was used in which rats were required to symbolically match the modality of the sample stimulus with one of two comparison stimuli. In the second experiment, subjects were trained and tested using a Konorski-type procedure. Despite the conceptual and procedural differences between the two procedures, subjects in both experiments showed steeper forgetting functions for visual events than for auditory events, while performance levels at 0-sec delay intervals were equivalent for both stimuli. These results, when taken together with related research conducted with pigeons, suggest that content of memory may have important influences on the short-term retention abilities of animal subjects.
Spectroscopic studies of solvated hydrogen and hydroxide ions at aqueous surfaces.

Measuring the molecular properties of the surface of acidic and basic aqueous solutions is essential to understanding a wide range of important biological, chemical, and environmental processes on our planet. In the present studies, vibrational sum-frequency spectroscopy (VSFS) is employed in combination with isotopic dilution experiments at the vapor/water interface to elucidate the interfacial water structure as the pH is varied with HCl and NaOH. In acidic solutions, solvated proton species are seen throughout the interfacial region, and they alter the hydrogen bonding between water molecules in ways that reflect their depth in the interfacial region. At the higher frequencies of the OH stretch region, there is spectral evidence for solvated proton species residing in the topmost layers of the interfacial region. As reported in previous VSF studies, more strongly bound solvated proton species are observed at lower OH stretching frequencies.1-4 The solvated proton species that have stronger hydrogen bon...
Fatigue response and constitutive behavior modeling of poly(ethylene terephthalate) unreinforced and nanocomposite fibers using genetic neural networks

The constitutive behavior of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) unreinforced (control) and PET fibers reinforced with 5 wt% vapor-grown carbon nanofibers (VGCNFs) under uniaxial tension and subsequent to fatigue loading has been evaluated utilizing various analytical models. Two types of fatigue tests were performed: (1) Long cycle fatigue at 50 Hz (glassy fatigue) to evaluate fatigue resistance and (2) fatigue at 5 Hz (rubbery fatigue) to evaluate residual strength performance. The long cycle fatigue results at 50 Hz indicated that the PET-VGCNF sample exhibited an increased fatigue resistance of almost two orders of magnitude when compared to the PET unreinforced filament. The results of the fatigue tests at 5 Hz indicated that the constitutive response of both the PET control and PET-VGCNF samples changed subsequent to fatigue loading. The large deformation uniaxial constitutive response of the PET and PET-VGCNF fibers was modeled utilizing genetic-algorithm (GA) based training neural networks. The results showed that the large deformation uniaxial tension constitutive behavior of both PET unreinforced and PET-VGCNF samples with and without prior fatigue can be represented with good accuracy utilizing neural networks trained via genetic-based backpropagation algorithms, once the appropriate post-fatigue constitutive behavior is utilized. Experimental data of uniaxial tensile tests and experimental postfatigue constitutive data have been implemented into the networks for adequate training. The fatigue tests were conducted under tension-tension fatigue conditions with variations in the stress ratio (R), maximum stress (σmax), number of cycles (N), and the residual creep strain (eR).
Rates of synthesis and degradation of protein in the sea urchin embryo

Abstract A rapid expansion of the amino acid pool by an influx of exogenous labeled amino acid is the basis for the direct measurement of the amount of protein synthesized in the sea urchin embryo. The amount of newly synthesized protein is calculated from data on incorporation rates of labeled amino acids and protein amino acid analyses. The average rate of protein synthesis for the early gastrula, based on protein composition and incorporation rates of valine, alanine, proline, histidine, threonine, and phenylalanine, is 8.4 × 10 −4 μg protein/embryo/hour, or 0.96% of the total protein content of the embryo/hour. Turnover rates of proteins synthesized in the sea urchin embryo were determined by pulse labeling the proteins with 14 C-valine and following the decrease of the label during subsequent development. Proteins labeled shortly after fertilization and in the mesenchyme blastula undergo an average degradation of 0.8%/h.
Comparability of Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory ratings by staff, significant others and people with acquired brain injury

Objectives: To determine the internal consistency, reliability and comparability of the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory (MPAI-4) and sub-scales completed by people with acquired brain injury (ABI), family and significant others (SO) and rehabilitation staff.Subjects: 134 people with ABI consecutively seen for outpatient rehabilitation evaluation.Method: MPAI-4 protocols based on independent ratings by the people with ABI undergoing evaluation, SO and rehabilitation staff were submitted to Rasch Facets analysis to determine the internal consistency of the overall measure and sub-scales (Ability, Adjustment and Participation indices) for each rater group and for a composite measure based on all rater groups. Rater agreement for individual items was also examined.Results: Rasch indicators of internal consistency were entirely within acceptable limits for 3-rater composite full scale and sub-scale measures; these indicators were generally within acceptable limits for measures based on a single rater grou...
Optimal Speckle Reduction In Pol-SAR Imagery And Its Effect On Target Detection

Speckle is a major cause of degradation in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery. With the availability of fully polarimetric SAR data, it is possible to use the three complex elements (HH, HV, VV) of the polarimetric scattering matrix to reduce speckle. This paper derives the optimal method for combining the elements of the scattering matrix to minimize image speckle; the solution is shown to be a polarimetric whitening filter (PWF). A simulation of spatially correlated, K-distributed, fully polarimetric clutter is then used to compare the PWF with other, suboptimal speckle-reduction methods. Target detection performance of the PWF, span, and single-channel |HH| detectors is compared with the optimal polarimetric detector (OPD). Finally, a new, constant false alarm rate (CFAR) detector (the adaptive PWF) is proposed as a simple alternative to the OPD for detecting targets in clutter. This algorithm estimates the polarization covariance of the clutter, uses this covariance to construct the minimum speckle image, and then tests for the presence of a target. An exact theoretical analysis of the adaptive PWF is presented; the algorithm is shown to have detection performance comparable with that of the OPD.
G-band patterns as chromosomal markers, and the interpretation of chromosomal evolution in wild sheep (Ovis).

Хромосомы и Г-полосы диких баранов из Палеарктика и Неарктика были изучалы. ЕвропейскийOvis musimon (2n=54) и АзиатскийO. orientalis (2n=54) имели кариотипы и Г-полосы трех пар две-плеуных аутосом одинаковый и этими Северо-АмериканогоO. canadensis mexicana (2n=54) ВO. musimon x O. canadensis Φ1иΦ2 гибриды гомологи которые составляли три иары две-плечных аутосом были легко олоэнаванны и были неразличимые. Изучениэ меиосис в Φ2 гибриде показало 27 бивалентых. Эволюционное зхачение гомологическиых две-плечных в баранах через Голарктик ыыло обсужденно.
Effect of elevated water temperature on macroinvertebrate communities in outdoor experimental channels

Abstract Macroinvertebrates were sampled monthly from December 1976 to September 1977 in two 520m long outdoor experimental channels. One channel was maintained at ambient seasonal Mississippi River water temperatures and the other 10°C higher. Maximum water temperature reached 31.0°C in the ambient and 40.8°C in the heated channel. Elevated temperature seasonally altered macroinvertebrate abundance and life history in the channels. Few animals were found in the heated channel during the period of maximum water temperature. Most macroinvertebrate density and composition differences were confined to the channel riffles rather than the pools. Peak total density in the heated channel riffles occurred 3 or 4 weeks before the ambient channel. Total macroinvertebrate density was appreciably higher in the heated channel riffles during the winter and spring months and in the ambient channel riffles during the summer months. This seasonal alteration was due to composition differences of several identified taxa. Reproductive periods for one snail and one isopod species began approx. 2 and 3 months earlier in the heated channel than in the ambient channel. No marked change occurred in the reproductive activities of an amphipod in the two channels.
A new method for immunofluorescent localization of microtubules in surface cell layers: application to the shoot apical meristem of Hedera

The spatial organization of microtubule (MT) arrays in the surface cell layer of the shoot apical meristem ofHedera was investigated by using a newly developed method. The method facilitates isolation of the intact surface cell layer in its original curved shape and allows subsequent processing for tubulin immunofluorescence microscopy. By optical sectioning of the preparation, MTs of interphase cortical arrays, preprophase bands, mitotic spindles and phragmoplasts were visualized in the entire cell layer. Interphase cortical MTs form circumferential, approximately cylindrical arrays, with the axes of the cylinders lying periclinally. Strands of MTs in individual cells may be oriented in various directions along the inner periclinal wall, appearing as V-shaped or crossed cylindrical arrays. Due to extensive intercellular alignment these arrays form a complex network that occupies most of the central region of the meristem. With increasing distance from the central region, the complex network becomes polarized into an ordered pattern of parallel cylindrical arrays, oriented in accord with topographical contours of the inclined flanks of the meristem and emerging leaf primordia. The process of polarization appears to be promoted by gibberellic acid and may involve a decline in the occurrence of postcytokinetic cells that orient their cortical MT arrays perpendicular to the new cell wall.
Forecast model for great earthquakes at the Nankai Trough subduction zone

An earthquake instability model is formulated for recurring great earthquakes at the Nankai Trough subduction zone in southwest Japan. The model is quasistatic, two-dimensional, and has a displacement and velocity dependent constitutive law applied at the fault plane. A constant rate of fault slip at depth represents forcing due to relative motion of the Philippine Sea and Eurasian plates. The model simulates fault slip and stress for all parts of repeated earthquake cycles, including post-, inter-, pre- and coseismic stages. Calculated ground uplift is in agreement with most of the main features of elevation changes observed before and after the M=8.1 1946 Nankaido earthquake. In model simulations, accelerating fault slip has two time-scales. The first time-scale is several years long and is interpreted as an intermediate-term precursor. The second time-scale is a few days long and is interpreted as a short-term precursor. Accelerating fault slip on both time-scales causes anomalous elevation changes of the ground surface over the fault plane of 100 mm or less within 50 km of the fault trace.
Vaccines are for dinner.

Transgenic plants have been sought not only as bioreactors but also as potential scaffolds for oral vaccines. Tobacco was initially exploited for the successful expression of Streptococcus mutans surface protein A as a potential dental caries vaccine (1) and for hepatitis B surface antigen (2) as a vaccine bioreactor alternative for viral hepatitis B. Today, a number of edible plants (Table 1), including potatoes, tomatoes, maize, and soybeans, have been genetically modified to express a variety of vaccine targets, including hepatitis B surface antigen (2), Norwalk virus particles (3, 4), heat-labile enterotoxin B subunit (5, 6), and others (7–11) that can benefit both humans (6–8) and livestock (9–11). The advantage of edible vaccines is that often the plant products, whether leaves, fruit, or seed, can be readily consumed with limited or no processing. Viable oral platforms such as edible products suitable for human use are in demand to deliver vaccines (12). Obviously, the fact that food products are consumed obviates many of the health concerns that arise in the oral vaccination of humans (as reviewed in ref. 13). Edible vaccines can also have the advantage of circumventing cold-storage issues (the “cold chain”), because plant tissues can be dried or, as when the seeds are targeted, have low moisture content. Likewise, water- or oil-based plant extracts can provide additional storage convenience. In this issue of PNAS, Nochi et al. (14) describe a rice-based oral vaccine that potentially addresses many of these topics. At hand is the need for vaccine development and strategies to aid underserved nations with the ability to produce vaccines locally in a cost-effective manner. Because rice is produced in many such areas, this current work shows the feasibility of propagating rice-based vaccines that are truly edible vaccines, unlike in the …