cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
iQuantitator: A tool for protein expression inference using iTRAQ

Background: Isobaric Tags for Relative and Absolute Quantitation (iTRAQ™) [Applied Biosystems] have seen increased application in differential protein expression analysis. To facilitate the growing need to analyze iTRAQ data, especially for cases involving multiple iTRAQ experiments, we have developed a modeling approach, statistical methods, and tools for estimating the relative changes in protein expression under various treatments and experimental conditions. Results: This modeling approach provides a unified analysis of data from multiple iTRAQ experiments and links the observed quantity (reporter ion peak area) to the experiment design and the calculated quantity of interest (treatment-dependent protein and peptide fold change) through an additive model under log transformation. Others have demonstrated, through a case study, this modeling approach and noted the computational challenges of parameter inference in the unbalanced data set typical of multiple iTRAQ experiments. Here we present the development of an inference approach, based on hierarchical regression with batching of regression coefficients and Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods that overcomes some of these challenges. In addition to our discussion of the underlying method, we also present our implementation of the software, simulation results, experimental results, and sample output from the resulting analysis report. Conclusion: iQuantitator's process-based modeling approach overcomes limitations in current methods and allows for application in a variety of experimental designs. Additionally, hypertextlinked documents produced by the tool aid in the interpretation and exploration of results.
A Comparision of Soft Computing Methods for Reservoir Simulation

As time progresses, more and more oil reservoirs reach maturity; consequently, secondary and tertiary methods of oil recovery have become increasingly important in the petroleum industry. This reality has increased the industry’s interest in using simulation as a tool for reservoir evaluation and management to minimize costs and increase efficiency. This paper presents and compares several control methods in regards to the well-known reservoir simulation task of history matching that is performed to calibrate simulators.
Integrative Genomics Implicates EGFR as a Downstream Mediator in NKX2-1 Amplified Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

NKX2-1, encoding a homeobox transcription factor, is amplified in approximately 15% of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC), where it is thought to drive cancer cell proliferation and survival. However, its mechanism of action remains largely unknown. To identify relevant downstream transcriptional targets, here we carried out a combined NKX2-1 transcriptome (NKX2-1 knockdown followed by RNAseq) and cistrome (NKX2-1 binding sites by ChIPseq) analysis in four NKX2-1-amplified human NSCLC cell lines. While NKX2-1 regulated genes differed among the four cell lines assayed, cell proliferation emerged as a common theme. Moreover, in 3 of the 4 cell lines, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was among the top NKX2-1 upregulated targets, which we confirmed at the protein level by western blot. Interestingly, EGFR knockdown led to upregulation of NKX2-1, suggesting a negative feedback loop. Consistent with this finding, combined knockdown of NKX2-1 and EGFR in NCI-H1819 lung cancer cells reduced cell proliferation (as well as MAP-kinase and PI3-kinase signaling) more than knockdown of either alone. Likewise, NKX2-1 knockdown enhanced the growth-inhibitory effect of the EGFR-inhibitor erlotinib. Taken together, our findings implicate EGFR as a downstream effector of NKX2-1 in NKX2-1 amplified NSCLC, with possible clinical implications, and provide a rich dataset for investigating additional mediators of NKX2-1 driven oncogenesis.
Clinical-Inferential Classification Models

Many subtype models for learning disabilities have been proposed. Given the high frequency of reading problems as compared to other learning difficulties, many of these models have focused on identifying reading disability subtypes. More recent studies, however, have begun to address other academic areas as well. The search for homogeneous subtypes of learning disabilities is well illustrated by the appearance of nearly 100 classification studies in the literature since 1963. Even more studies have used subtyping models in related research endeavors. Approximately half of these studies have used clinical-inferential models in attempting to provide an acceptable classification system.
What is Evidence-based Practice?

“Writing & Research” discusses issues of concern to writers and researchers in the radiologic sciences and is written by members of the Editorial Review Board. Comments and suggestions should be sent to dfreeman@asrt.org. Imagine you wake up sneezing one morning and you have a sore, scratchy throat and an achy feeling all over. “I’m coming down with a cold” is a common refrain as you increase your dose of vitamin C, get a little more rest and, maybe, some chicken soup. Soon, you’ll be back in business — you hope! Does this sound like how you handle an impending cold? Many of us have been taught that high dosages of vitamin C can help stave off, or at least limit, the common cold. But where did this treatment originate? Is it medical fact or merely folk prescription? These questions are what evidence-based practice (EBP) is all about. EBP, also known as evidence-based medicine, is a health care approach that seeks the best, documented evidence to ensure that health care providers make informed decisions. Dr David Sackett, a Canadian physician and pioneer of evidence-based medicine, described it as “the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of the individual patient.” EBP uses those parts of health care practices that are, in principle, based on the scientific method and then applies this method to ensure that the best prediction of outcomes is medical treatment and that therapy is achieved. EBP, however, does not imply a one-size-fits-all style to medicine. Instead, it uses the best available evidence moderated by the health care provider’s judgment and the patient’s preferences, situations and circumstances to improve the quality of clinical judgment (see Figure). Interest in EBP has blossomed over the past 20 years because of the explosion in medical information availability and the sharing of results via clinical databases. Quality medical information is the key to EBP, which consists of the collection, interpretation and integration of valid and applicable research-derived medical evidence. To use and evaluate the available medical evidence, health care providers must familiarize themselves with the available medical literature, become better educated about different types of research studies and understand the mechanics of what makes a research study good, all in the effort to become better consumers of knowledge. Although my baccalaureate radiation science students might disagree, the inclusion of research and research skills into radiation science curricula is an important step for making us better consumers of knowledge. A common example might be how you go about purchasing an expensive item like a plasma television. Because the proverbial money tree probably does not grow in your backyard, you likely will check sales ads for the best prices and read research surveys, such as those in Consumer Reports, to find the best quality brand. This little bit of research
Participation by Women in the 2004 APSA Meeting

This is the thirty-third year that I have been monitoring participation by women at our Annual Meeting. These PS reports have documented the ascent of women in our profession.
Horizontal Datum Anomalies on Nautical Charts: A Solution

A number of horizontal datums are used for positional control on nautical charts produced by the National Ocean Service (NOS). Inherent to these datums are anomalies which have surfaced over the years that affect the global accuracy of charted information. As more sophisticated electronic positioning systems become available to the mariner, these datum anomalies will become increasingly noticeable. NOS has studied the problem and determined that a new reference datum would be necessary to remove these anomalies. This new datum, the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83), has been developed and NOS has decided to adopt NAD 83 as the horizontal datum for the nautical charts produced of the continental waters of the United States, including the Great Lakes, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii.
Mechanisms of hypertension in transgenic rats expressing the mouse Ren-2 gene

Transgenic (TG) rats carrying the mouse Ren-2 gene (Ren-2d)27 are a newly established monogenetic model in hypertension research. To gain an insight into the mechanisms of this form of hypertension we determined the effects of a 13-day therapy with losartan (10 mg/kg) or lisinopril (20 mg/kg) on the blood pressure (BP) and plasma levels of angiotensin (ANG) peptides of mature female TG hypertensive and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. The contribution of endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) to the maintenance of their hypertension and the response to therapy was evaluated by systemic injection of either NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) or endothelin-1. Hypertension in TG rats was associated with decreased plasma ANG I, no differences in plasma ANG II, and plasma ANG-(1-7) near the detectable level. Lisinopril lowered BP more than losartan in both TG hypertensive and normotensive controls. In both strains, the chronic fall in BP produced by lisinopril was accompanied by significant increases in plasma ANG I and ANG-(1-7), while losartan augmented plasma ANG I and ANG II in both strains and plasma ANG-(1-7) in TG rats. Inhibition of NO synthase reversed the fall in BP produced by either lisinopril or losartan in SD controls. In contrast, administration of L-NMMA to TG rats given the same therapy did not. The transient endothelium-mediated relaxing phase of the depressor response to systemic injections of endothelin-1 was attenuated by losartan and lisinopril in TG rats. These studies indicate that hypertension in female TG rats is mediated by the RAS.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
On the World Wide Web: where are you going, where have you been?

An analysis of Web citations was performed to examine three aspects of scholarly and research communication: use of authoritative information, use of correct citation style, and availability of the cited sources for the purpose of verification. Results of the study indicate that a database or a repository of Web citations needs to be established.
Numerical simulation of mixing on two-phase pulse detonation engine

Pulse detonation engine has received much attention of late because of its several advantages compared to existent engines.The fuel-air injection and mixing is one of the most important research issues.This paper addresses the mixing processes for air introduced through tangential inlet,axial inlet and radial inlet.The mixing characteristic inside a mixing chamber is obtained from three-dimensional simulation.The simulation indicates that well mixing but uneven concentration distribution occurs which makes PDE difficult to work in high frequency when air is introduced through the tangential inlet,while bad mixing which makes detonation initiation difficult but well-proportioned distribution occurs when air is introduced through the axial inlet.The mixing degree and gasoline-air distribution performance when air is introduced through the radial inlet are between that of tangential air flow and axial air flow,and the system energy loss is the largest.
Multiple Shoot Clumps from Axillary and High Frequency Regeneration System of Rhododendron chrysanthum By Uniform Design

To create a high frequency regeneration system from young stems of Rhododendron chrysanthum,suitable medium compositions for inducing multiple shoot clumps from axillary and rooting were screened through uniform design experiments.The results showed that 1/2 MS+2-ip 3.50 mg /L + IAA 0.02 mg /L + GA3 1.00 mg /L was effective for shoot clumps induction with the frequency of 96%;MS (modified)+IAA 0.10 mg /L + NAA 0.07 mg /L was most suitable for plant rooting with the rate of 98%.The propagation results of stems from regenerated shoots showed that the proliferation rate was above 60 within 30 days culture period.The system of multiple shoot clumps from axillary and high frequency plant regeneration of R.chrysanthum was established.
Total Synthesis of Hyperforin

A 10-step total synthesis of the polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinol (PPAP) natural product hyperforin from 2-methylcyclopent-2-en-1-one is reported. This route was enabled by a diketene annulation reaction and an oxidative ring expansion strategy designed to complement the presumed biosynthesis of this complex meroterpene. The described work enables the preparation of a highly substituted bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-1,3,5-trione motif in only six steps and thus serves as a platform for the construction of easily synthesized, highly diverse PPAPs modifiable at every position.
Reinforcement/matrix interaction in Al 2 O 3 and Al 2 O 3 ZrO 2 fiber-reinforced Ni 3 Al matrix composites

Abstract The interfacial reaction characteristics of fibers with nickel aluminide (Ni 3 Al) matrices have been investigated after consolidation by hot isostatic pressing (HIPing) and after post-consolidation heat treatment. Two matrix alloys have been studied: Ni 3 Al alloyed with 0.6 wt.% Zr-(IC-50) and Ni 3 Al alloyed with 8 wt.% Cr, 2.8 wt.% Mo and 0.6 wt.% Zr (IC-396). Pure alumina (FP) and alumina-zirconia (PRD-166) reinforcements, in the form of discontinuous fibers, were added to the Ni 3 Al alloys. Elemental compositions across the reaction zone have been analyzed quantitatively using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron microprobe analysis (EMPA) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). The results show that all composites HIPed at 900°C have residual porosity, but no chemical interactions between matrix and reinforcements were detected. At the other extreme, while full density was achieved at 1200°C, significant formation of zirconium rich precipitates was observed at the fiber/matrix. The extent of fiber/matrix reaction varied significantly among the various fiber/matrix combinations. At intermediate temperatures (1050°C), non observable porosity was detected by optical microscopy and precipitation of zirconium rich phases was reduced or eliminated, depending on the fiber/matrix combination. Fiber clustering, fiber breakage and fiber/matrix debonding occurred during HIPing processes. Solid-state reactions between fibers and matrices were studied after heat treating (vacuum annealing) the HIPed composites at 950°C, 1050°C and 1150°C for times ranging from 1 to 100 hours. The reaction zone, i.e. precipitation at the fiber matrix interface, increased with time and temperature. Nickel and zirconium (and, when present, chromium and molybdenum) diffused from the matrix toward the reaction zone. Aluminum diffused outward from the reaction zone. The thickness of the reaction zone varied from 1 to 10 μm according to composition and experimental conditions. Zirconium is believed to be responsible for the strong chemical reaction between fiber and matrix.
Mortality, Disenrollment, and Spending Persistence in Medicaid and CHIP.

Background:Research on spending persistence has not focused on Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (Medicaid/CHIP), which includes a complex and growing population.Objective of the Study:The objective of the study was to describe patterns of expenditure persistence, mortality, and d
Bedside diagnostics in dermatology: Parasitic and noninfectious diseases.

In addition to aiding the diagnosis of viral, bacterial, and fungal diseases, mineral oil preparation, Tzanck smear, and other techniques can be used to diagnose parasitic infections, neonatal pustular dermatoses, blistering diseases, Stevens–Johnson syndrome, and a plethora of other benign and malignant conditions, including granulomatous diseases and tumors. In many cases, these techniques are specific, reliable, and easy to perform and interpret. In others, a certain amount of training and expertise are required. In the proper clinical scenario, these tests are rapid, economical, and compare favorably with other diagnostic methods.
Water Access in the United States: Health Disparities Abound and Solutions Are Urgently Needed.

An introduction is presented in which the authors discuss an article in the journal which deals with a water access problem in the U.S. as of 2017, and it mentions inadequate hydration involving African Americans and Hispanic Americans, municipal water safety, and public trust in America.
Resting MAPK expression in chronically trained endurance runners.

ABSTRACTPurpose: There is a paucity of research investigating the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) in chronically trained (CT) athletes. Thus, it is unclear how MAPK may contribute to performance and muscle adaptation in CT subjects. The purpose of this study was to determine MAPK total protein, and phosphorylated expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38-MAPK (p38) between untrained, and chronically trained runners. Methods: Tissue samples were analysed from sedentary (SED; n = 5) controls and chronically trained runners (CT; n = 5). Resting muscle biopsy samples were analysed for total-MAPK – and ratio of phosphorylated/total (p-MAPK) – ERK1/2, JNK, and p38-MAPK via western blotting. Mann–Whitney U tests and effect sizes were utilized to determine differences in total MAPK protein content and phosphorylation status between SED and CT subjects. Results: There was no difference in total-MAPK expression between SED an...
Relationship of Preservice Music Teachers’ Primary Instrument Background and Teaching Effectiveness in Brass and Woodwind Techniques Classes:

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between preservice music teachers’ primary instrument background and their teaching effectiveness in brass and woodwind techniques classes. Study participants (N = 135) were preservice music teachers enrolled in secondary instrument techniques courses (brass and woodwinds) from fall 2011 through spring 2015 in three universities. Participants taught a 10-minute video recorded lesson to a beginning-level university student on a brass or woodwind instrument at the end of the semester. All videos were subsequently assessed by two researchers using a researcher-designed rubric. The results of analyses of variance showed that brass-teaching scores tended to be higher than woodwind-teaching scores for all groups. Brass players taught brass more effectively than woodwind players, and woodwind players taught woodwinds better than brass players. Brass and woodwind players scored higher than percussionists, vocalists, pianists, and string players in both bra...
Propagation and dissipation of elasto-plastic stress waves in two dimensional ordered granular media

Abstract We investigate elasto-plastic wave propagation in ordered two-dimensional granular media consisting of contacting metallic granules. A Hopkinson bar generates a high-amplitude wave pulse – sufficient to yield the contact points between granules – and is used to load two configurations of brass beads: a square packing and a hexagonal packing. Selected beads that have embedded piezoelectric sensors are used to measure the arrival time and magnitude of the elasto-plastic wave in situ. Postmortem optical microscopy of the bead contact points elucidates the propagation of plasticity by allowing measurement of the residual plastic contact area. Results show that the elasto-plastic wave propagates in similar directions to a purely elastic wave, but with decaying amplitude due to the plastic deformation. It is found, however, that even small amounts of disorder in a nominally perfect 2D packing significantly affects both wave transit time and peak force. To explore the effects of such disorder further, the dynamic behavior of the 2D granular packing is numerically modeled using a molecular dynamics simulation that incorporates an elasto-plastic contact model and allows for a variability of particle size that incorporates bead diameter tolerance. The results qualitatively confirm the experimental findings of the significance of even limited amounts of disorder on wave arrival time and peak amplitude. This result has significant implications on the feasibility of designing 2D ordered granular media for practical applications.
Full-course drilling model for well monitoring and stochastic estimation of kick

Abstract Application of model-based estimation techniques to kick detection come with constraints imposed on the structure of the mathematical model by stochastic estimation algorithms as well as the limited number of flow-line measurements typically available in most drilling operations. This, along with high computational cost of numerical models call for low to medium order deterministic models that still capture the dominant effects of fluid flow during drilling. A built-for-purpose single phase deterministic model for conventional drilling is presented. The model development is the first step in a two-step process of real-time early kick detection using stochastic estimation techniques. The model is developed using lumped parameter modeling afforded by bond graph modeling technique. Aside a hydraulic model for the wellbore, well-formation interactions that give rise to kicks, lost circulation, and wellbore breathing are also modeled and coupled. This holistic modeling approach provides a compact set of low order equations which makes stochastic estimation feasible, and well monitoring easier so that, for example, wellbore breathing is not mistaken for kicks, leading to unnecessary non-productive time and possibly inducing kicks due to needless well control actions undertaken. Lumped well parameters are calibrated with an optimization tool, and the model is validated using historical data from a conventionally drilled, onshore well.
Bactericidal Activity of Different Forms of Lactoferrin

Mucosal surfaces provide the portal of entry for most pathogenic microorganisms. In protection the mammalian host has concentrated a number of defense factors in the exocrine secretions that bathe mucosal surfaces. Understanding how these factors operate to prevent pathologic consequences of microbial challenge and what mechanisms a pathogen uses to evade this host defense is essential to the development of interventive approaches. Lactoferrin (LF) and secretory IgA (slgA) are both secreted in significant quantities at most mucosal surfaces and in milk. Both of these factors are reported to have bacteriostatic activity (1–8) and interact with each other and other defense factors (including lysozyme, complement, and lactoperoxidase) to modify their effectiveness (9, 10). In addition purified iron-free LF has been shown to have microbicidal activity against a variety of bacteria and yeast via mechanisms that are not reversed by the addition of free iron (11–16). A factor present in many commercial LF-enriched preparations, which co-purifies with slgA, has been reported to result in syner-gistic bactericidal activity and these impure LF preparations are able to kill bacterial strains that are resistant to purified LF (17).
Kinematics Features for 3D Action Recognition Using Two-Stream CNN

Due to the great success of convolutional neural networks (CNN) on image classification problems, several attempts have been made to train deep neural networks for human action recognition problem. But since CNN is designed for static RGB images, it is not easy for it to learn temporal information from videos. To tackle this problem, temporal encoded kinematics features are proposed, which compute the linear velocity and orientation displacement based on human skeleton data. A two-stream CNN architecture is used, incorporating spatial and temporal networks. The spatial ConvNet is trained on still RGB images, while the temporal ConvNet is trained on the proposed encoded kinematics features. We evaluate our method on a popular and challenging 3D multiview human action benchmark, Northwestern-UCLA dataset. The experiment results show that our proposed method is fast to train and performs better when compared to traditional handcrafted features.
Immunosuppression in Transplantation

The field of solid organ transplantation has rapidly evolved into the treatment of choice for many end-stage organ illnesses. Much of this evolution is attributable to significantly improved short-term outcomes resulting from successful immunosuppressive therapies and a reduction in acute rejection rates. However, long-term transplant outcomes adversely affected by toxicities associated with standard immunosuppressive agents remain an area for improvement. Thus, recent immunosuppressive strategies have trended toward the development of more selective, targeted therapeutics with less off-target toxicities and away from nonselective agents with burdensome systemic effects that adversely affect long-term patient and graft survivals. This article reviews the mechanisms of action, adverse effects, and clinical uses of current immunosuppressive agents. It highlights the transition from nonspecific drugs like steroids and azathioprine to highly engineered and rationally developed protein-based therapeutics such as the costimulation blocker belatacept. Advances in the field along with the need for improved long-term outcomes have facilitated introduction of biologic, T cell-specific protein therapeutics, but much more remains to be achieved with regard to control of the B cell and alloantibody responses and overcoming the development barriers of a risk-averse pharmaceutical environment.
Europe, America, and the Wider World: Technological knowledge: reproduction, diffusion, improvement

Nineteenth-century American farmers left a record both in the historical documents and in historical statistics. The statistical record shows a rapid settlement of the land, a growth of output from three- to tenfold in the major crops and animal products between 1840 and 1910, steady or slightly rising crop yields in old and new regions alike, and a marked fall in the labor time required per acre and per output unit in many important farm tasks. It shows also, when spread out over the map of the country, a shifting in the location of various crops and a settling down, toward the end of the century, into the present pattern of regional specialization. Analysis of this statistical record indicates that it was produced through uncounted acts of innovation, ranging from small adaptation of practices and genetic materials in new localities to “revolutionary” inventions in equipment. This paper seeks not to state the events in this record of innovation, but to ask why it was produced by these people in this time and place and how they worked together – manning positions in a bit of social machinery – in producing it. To answer these questions, we must go beyond the statistics to the other kind of historical debris – the record of the artifacts and the writings of the farmers and those associated with them.
Estimating near side crash injury risk in best performing passenger vehicles in the United States.

Abstract The objective of this paper was to develop an injury risk model relating real world injury outcomes in near-side crashes with U.S. New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) test performance, crash, and occupant properties. The study was motivated by the longer-term goal of predicting injury outcomes in a future fleet in which all vehicles are expected to have passive safety performance equivalent to a 5-star NCAP rating level (the highest star rating and lowest risk of injury). The dataset used to evaluate injury risk was the National Automotive Sampling System / Crashworthiness Data System (NASS/CDS). Case years 2010–2015 were used. An injured occupant was defined as a vehicle occupant who experienced an injury of maximum Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) of 2 or greater, or who were fatally injured. Injury severity was scored using AIS-2005 (2008 update). Cases were selected in which front-row occupants of late-model vehicles were exposed to a near-side crash. Logistic regression was used to develop an injury model with delta-v, belt status, age, and gender as predictor variables. The side crash performance of each vehicle was identified and added to the model by matching each case with the associated performance in the NCAP moving deformable barrier side impact crash test. NCAP MDB test performance, delta-v, and occupant age, sex, and BMI were found to be significant predictors of injury risk. The effect of a 5 % higher risk in the MDB test (approximately one star rating worse) was comparable to a 2.84 km/h increase in delta-v. This model informs the development of active safety systems in a future fleet where vehicle passive safety performance is higher, quantified by the NCAP MDB test.
Levered and Inverse ETPs: Blessing or Curse?

Levered and inverse ETPs are designed to provide geared long and short exposures to the daily returns of different benchmark indexes. The benchmarks can be any reference index. The popular ones are on stocks, bonds, commodities and volatility. The problem with these products is that they are not generally well-understood, particularly those whose benchmarks are futures-based indexes. They are neither suitable buy-and-hold investments nor effective hedging tools. They are unstable and exist only as a mechanism for placing short-term directional bets. Levered and inverse products are not, and cannot be, effective investment management tools.
Compound hydrometeorological extremes across multiple timescales drive volatility in California electricity market prices and emissions

Abstract Hydrometeorological conditions influence the operations of bulk electric power systems and wholesale markets for electricity. Streamflow is the “fuel” for hydropower generation, wind speeds and solar irradiance dictate the availability of wind and solar power production, and air temperatures strongly affect heating and cooling demands. Despite growing concern about the vulnerability of power systems to hydrometeorological uncertainty, including “compound” extremes (multiple extremes occurring simultaneously), quantifying baseline probabilistic risks remains difficult even without factoring in climate change. Here, we use newly developed power system simulation software to show how uncertainties in spatially and temporally correlated hydrometeorological processes affect market prices and greenhouse gas emissions in California’s wholesale electricity market. Results highlight the need for large synthetic datasets to access rare, yet plausible system states that have not occurred in the recent historical record. We find that time scale strongly controls which combinations of hydrometeorological variables cause extreme outcomes. Although scarcity caused by low streamflows and high air temperatures has long been considered a primary concern in Western power markets, market prices are more profoundly impacted by weather and streamflow conditions that lead to an overabundance of energy on the grid.
Reconfigurable Framework for Resilient Semantic Segmentation for Space Applications

Deep learning (DL) presents new opportunities for enabling spacecraft autonomy, onboard analysis, and intelligent applications for space missions. However, DL applications are computationally inten...
The anticipated artificial increase in life expectancy from COVID-19

In 2020, life expectancy in the United States decreased by an estimated 1.5 years. Due to mortality displacement during the COVID-19 pandemic, life expectancy could soon rebound to above its pre-pandemic baseline. We estimated the size and duration of this artificial rise in life expectancy through 2030. We found that this rebound could persist for years and will likely be most pronounced in minority populations who suffered the highest rates of mortality during the pandemic. Accounting for this artificial rebound will be critical to avoid funneling resources away from populations that still urgently need them.
Trading Money for Silence

When the term "blackmail" was first used in 1722, it had a specific and exact meaning. Its legal meaning was precise; it prohibited actions which were clearly at variance with the most basic and cherished of all human rights-the right to remain unmolested in one's person and property.The Waltham Black Act of 1722 was passed as the result of the depredations of a gang of deer thieves called the Waltham Blacks, operating near the town of Waltham, England, who blackened their faces. Moreover, this gang undertook the quaint practice of sending letters "demanding venison and money, and threatening some great violence, if such their unlawful demand should be refused." Hence the term "blackmail." This law was clearly meant to punish demands for a victim's money or wealth coupled with threats to inflict violence on person or property. If the law prohibiting blackmail began with a dear and limited mandate, it was soon expanded through judicial determinations and legislative enactments. The law of blackmail began proscribing threats to do that which one would otherwise have a full and complete right to do-such as to publicize true information about another.
Going where no accounting historian has gone before: A counterfactual history of the early institutionalisation of modern public accountancy

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to introduce counterfactual analysis and reasoning to the study of accounting history. The counterfactual focus is the institutionalisation of public accountancy in the UK.Design/methodology/approach – The study adopts a counterfactual research design using Ferguson and Bunzl and asks a “what if” question of an event of importance to accounting historians in order to create a plausible counterfactual outcome that is grounded in rationality and causal analysis. The specific counterfactual question relates to the royal charter granted to public accountants practicing in Edinburgh in 1854. The counterfactual outcome is compared to the actual timeline of public accountancy institutionalisation in the UK.Findings – The “alternative” history reveals uncertainties that confronted public accountants in the past and provides a basis for suggesting that the current fractured and inefficient state of institutionalised public accountancy in the UK has its origins at least partia...
Comparison of the chemical and structural instabilities ofNa0.75−xCoO2andLi1−xCoO2

With a careful handling of the chemically desodiated ${\mathrm{Na}}_{0.75\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{Co}{\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ $[0.32\ensuremath{\leqslant}(0.75\ensuremath{-}x)\ensuremath{\leqslant}0.75]$ samples, the oxidation state of Co is found to be in agreement with the theoretically expected values. The apparent lowering of the oxidation state reported in the literature at low sodium contents is due to a rapid absorption of water from ambient air and the lack of appropriate corrections in the molecular weight used in the oxidation state calculation. However, a significant decrease in the oxidation state of cobalt is found for the bilayer hydrate sample obtained by immersing the anhydrous ${\mathrm{Na}}_{0.75\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{Co}{\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ in water due to a reduction of the highly oxidized ${\mathrm{Co}}^{4+}$ ions by water and a possible insertion of oxonium $({\mathrm{H}}_{3}{\mathrm{O}}^{+})$ ions into the lattice as evident from the redox titration and thermogravimetric analysis data. On the other hand, the analogous layered ${\mathrm{Li}}_{0.3}\mathrm{Co}{\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ does not absorb any water on exposure to air. More importantly, the ${\mathrm{Li}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{Co}{\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ system incorporates protons into the lattice during chemical delithiation while the ${\mathrm{Na}}_{0.75\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{Co}{\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ system does not down to a sodium content of 0.32. The differences between the two systems are discussed based on the differences in the structures and the position of the ${\mathrm{Co}}^{3+∕4+}:3d$ band relative to the top of the ${\mathrm{O}}^{2\ensuremath{-}}:2p$ band.
Nitric oxide blocks fast, slow, and persistent Na+ channels in C-type DRG neurons by S-nitrosylation.

C-type dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons express three types of Na+ currents: fast TTX-sensitive, slow TTX-resistant, and persistent TTX-resistant Na+ currents. The nitric oxide (NO) donors papa-N...
Meta-Analytic Approaches for Multistressor Dose-Response Function Development: Strengths, Limitations, and Case Studies

For many policy analyses, including but not limited to cumulative risk assessments, it is important to characterize the individual and joint health effects of multiple stressors. With an increasing focus on psychosocial and other nonchemical stressors, this often includes epidemiological meta-analysis. Meta-analysis has limitations if epidemiological studies do not include all of the stressors of interest or do not provide multivariable outputs in a format necessary for risk assessment. Given these limitations, novel analytical methods are often needed to synthesize the published literature or to build upon available evidence. In this article, we discuss three recent case studies that highlight the strengths and limitations of meta-analytic approaches and other research synthesis techniques for human health risk assessment applications. First, a literature-based meta-analysis within a risk assessment context informed the design of a new epidemiological investigation of the differential toxicity of fine particulate matter constituents. Second, a literature synthesis for an effects-based cumulative risk assessment of hypertension risk factors led to a decision to develop new epidemiological associations using structural equation modeling. Third, discrete event simulation modeling was used to simulate the impact of changes in the built environment on environmental exposures and associated asthma outcomes, linking literature meta-analyses for key associations with a simulation model to synthesize all of the model components. These case studies emphasize the importance of conducting epidemiology with a risk assessment application in mind, the need for interdisciplinary collaboration, and the value of advanced analytical methods to synthesize epidemiological and other evidence for risk assessment applications.
Cross-Language Applicability of Linguistic Features Associated with Veracity and Deception

One technique for examining written statements or interview transcripts for verbal cues of veracity and lying involves the analysis of linguistic features and grammatical structures associated with word usage. This technique is commonly referred to as Statement Analysis (SA). There are varying degrees of empirical support for different SA techniques and for specific linguistic markers; what is less known in the literature is the degree to which verbal indicators of veracity and lying vary across languages. We examined this research question. Participants from three language groups – English, Spanish, and Chinese – witnessed a video portraying an actual crime and then wrote false and true statements about what they had witnessed in their respective languages. The statements were coded using various linguistic features of SA. The selected linguistic features discriminated between true and false witness statements and the effect sizes were relatively large. Importantly, language did not moderate the relationship between veracity and the coded features, indicating cross-language similarity in the efficacy of SA features to differentiate truths from lies.
Changes in the Digestibility of Dried Casein and Glucose Mixtures Occurring During Storage at Different Temperatures and Water Activities

Abstract The digestibility of a dried, stored casein and glucose mixture was determined as a function of storage temperature, water activity, and carbohydrate:protein ratio by using the immobilized digestive enzyme assay. The sample contained either a 3:1 or 10:1 molar ratio of glucose:casein ɛ-amino groups and was stored for 30 d at either 30 or 60°C and at a water activity of .2 or .5. The extent of digestion was measured using two biodigesters, one containing immobilized pepsin and the other, immobilized trypsin, α -chymotrypsin, and intestinal mucosal peptidases. The biodigesters were operated in a fluidized-bed mode that permitted analysis of samples containing insoluble material. Losses in digestibility compared with unstored dried casein:glucose mixtures ranged from 18 to 88%. The largest changes in digestibility were observed upon changes in the water activity or temperature of storage. As would be expected from the extent of Maillard reactions, the greatest loss of digestibility occurred during storage of the high carbohydrate sample at the highest temperature and water activity.
Glycerol as a carbon source for lipase production by the fungus rhizopus delemar

Abstract The ability of the fungus Rhizopus delemar to synthesize lipase (glycerol ester hydrolase, E.C. 3.1.1.3) when grown on glycerol as the prime carbon source was investigated. Glucose, glycerol and olive oil all supported fungal growth and lipase production. Maximum net and specific lipase activities obtained in glycerol were greater than those obtained in glucose and olive oil, and were reached earlier and maintained longer during growth. In glucose media, lipase activity did not appear until the glucose had been consumed. Differences in lipase activity between glycerol and glucose media were not due to pH‐mediated lipase inactivation. In both glucose and glycerol media the appearance of lipolytic activity coincided with the appearance of lipase polypeptide. The data are consistent with the postulate that lipase synthesis is subject to catabolite repression by glucose. These studies identify a simple, single‐phase medium for lipase production and establish the utility of glycerol for amplifying enz...
Flexible Analytical Methods for Adding a Treatment Arm Mid-Study to an Ongoing Clinical Trial

It is not uncommon to have experimental drugs under different stages of development for a given disease area. Methods are proposed for use when another treatment arm is to be added mid-study to an ongoing clinical trial. Monte Carlo simulation was used to compare potential analytical approaches for pairwise comparisons through a difference in means in independent normal populations including (1) a linear model adjusting for the design change (stage effect), (2) pooling data across the stages, or (3) the use of an adaptive combination test. In the presence of intra-stage correlation (or a non-ignorable fixed stage effect), simply pooling the data will result in a loss of power and will inflate the type I error rate. The linear model approach is more powerful, but the adaptive methods allow for flexibility (re-estimating sample size). The flexibility to add a treatment arm to an ongoing trial may result in cost savings as treatments that become ready for testing can be added to ongoing studies.
Accountability and Systems of Self‐Governance: The Case of the Maritime Industry

Environmental policy has predominantly been informed by a command-and-control policies. There are reasons to believe that the benefits of command-and-control regulations are diminishing or increasingly difficult to measure, whereas the cost of their enforcement is rising. In this paper, I argue that these problems could be overcome if it is recognized that the state is but one source of individual and organizational accountability. I illustrate this argument by discussing the case of the international marine industry. I argue that the marine industry is but one instance of a wide variety of systems of self-governance. In the final section, I outline an innovative approach to the management of environmental risks, and make suggestions for further investigations.
Wear-Corrosion Synergism in a CoCrMo Hip Bearing Alloy Is Influenced by Proteins

Background Although numerous in vitro studies report on the tribological performance of and, separately, on the corrosion properties of cobalt-based alloys in metal-on-metal (MoM) bearings, the few studies that take into account the synergistic interaction of wear and corrosion (tribocorrosion) have used canonical tribo-test methods. We therefore developed synergistic study using a test method that more closely simulates hip bearing conditions.
Power emitted by a multipole near an interface

The power emitted by an electric or a magnetic multipole of arbitrary order located near an interface with a layer on a substrate is studied. The power in the far field can be expressed in terms of Fresnel reflection and transmission coefficients for plane waves. When eliminating the transmission coefficients in favor of the reflection coefficients and combining the various contributions, it appears that the power has three distinct parts: (i) the first term is the power emitted by an unbounded multipole, and the process of reflection and transmission redistributes the angular dependence of this power; (ii) the second term represents the interference between the multipole waves which travel directly towards a detector and the waves which are reflected by the interface, a mechanism which modifies the emission rate, primarily depending on the distance between the multipole and the interface; (iii) the third term accounts for evanescent multipole waves which are converted into traveling waves upon transmission through the layer. When the distance between the multipole and the interface is about or less than a fraction of a wavelength, this third term can be extremely large compared to the emission rate by an unbounded multipole (for which all power comes from traveling multipole waves).
On Some Invariant Criteria for Grouping Data

Abstract This paper deals with methods of “cluster analysis”. In particular we attack the problem of exploring the structure of multivariate data in search of “clusters”. The approach taken is to use a computer procedure to obtain the “best” partition of n objects into g groups. A number of mathematical criteria for “best” are discussed and related to statistical theory. A procedure for optimizing the criteria is outlined. Some of the criteria are compared with respect to their behavior on actual data. Results of data analysis are presented and discussed.
The effect of impurities on the growth of synthetic quartz

Abstract An investigation has been carried out aimed at developing a process for the growth of large crystals of synthetic quartz using silica-rich rocks native to the United Kingdom as the raw material. As a result of this work the effect of impurities on the habit and quality of the crystals has been determined. The role of aluminium as a key impurity has been proved and the darkening produced by X-irradiation has been used to study the distribution of impurities in the synthetic quartz. Recent work has thrown further light on the manner in which aluminium, possibly associated with another element, is incorporated in the quartz structure.