cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Full-coverage film cooling. Part 2. Prediction of the recovery-region hydrodynamics

Hydrodynamic data are reported in the companion paper (Yavuzkurt, Moffat & Kays 1980) for a full-coverage film-cooling situation, both for the blown and the recovery regions. Values of the mean velocity, the turbulent shear stress, and the turbulence kinetic energy were measured at various locations, both within the blown region and in the recovery region. The present paper is concerned with an analysis of the recovery region only. Examination of the data suggested that the recovery-region hydrodynamics could be modelled by considering that a new boundary layer began to grow immediately after the cessation of blowing. Distributions of the Prandtl mixing length were calculated from the data using the measured values of mean velocity and turbulent shear stresses. The mixing-length distributions were consistent with the notion of a dual boundary-layer structure in the recovery region. The measured distributions of mixing length were described by using a piecewise continuous but heuristic fit, consistent with the concept of two quasi-independent layers suggested by the general appearance of the data. This distribution of mixing length, together with a set of otherwise normal constants for a two-dimensional boundary layer, successfully predicted all of the observed features of the flow. The program used in these predictions contains a one-equation model of turbulence, using turbulence kinetic energy with an algebraic mixing length. The program is a two-dimensional, finite-difference program capable of predicting the mean velocity and turbulence kinetic energy profiles based upon initial values, boundary conditions, and a closure condition.
An Efficient Synthesis of a Mono Ketal of Cyclohexane-1, 4-Dione

Abstract Numerous schemes have been explored over the past half century for the synthesis of ketal derivatives of 4–hydroxycyclohexanone and the related 1,4–cyclohexanedione.1 All suffer from varying degrees of inefficiency or expense, especially when large quantities of these useful bifunctional intermediates are required.1
On the uniqueness of positive semidefinite matrix solution under compressed observations

In this paper, we investigate the uniqueness of positive semidefinite matrix solution to compressed linear observations. We show that under a necessary and sufficient condition for the linear compressed observations operator, there will be a unique positive semidefinite matrix solution to the compressed linear observations. It is further shown, through concentration of measure phenomenon and sphere covering arguments, that a randomly generated Gaussian linear compressed observations operator will satisfy this necessary and sufficient condition with overwhelmingly large probability.
False discovery control in large-scale spatial multiple testing

Summary.The paper develops a unified theoretical and computational framework for false discovery control in multiple testing of spatial signals. We consider both pointwise and clusterwise spatial analyses, and derive oracle procedures which optimally control the false discovery rate, false discovery exceedance and false cluster rate. A data-driven finite approximation strategy is developed to mimic the oracle procedures on a continuous spatial domain. Our multiple-testing procedures are asymptotically valid and can be effectively implemented using Bayesian computational algorithms for analysis of large spatial data sets. Numerical results show that the procedures proposed lead to more accurate error control and better power performance than conventional methods. We demonstrate our methods for analysing the time trends in tropospheric ozone in eastern USA.
Two‐level discretization of the Navier‐Stokes equations with r‐Laplacian subgridscale viscosity

The r-Laplacian has played an important role in the development of computationally efficient models for applications, such as numerical simulation of turbulent flows. In this article, we examine two-level finite element approximation schemes applied to the Navier-Stokes equations with r-Laplacian subgridscale viscosity, where r is the order of the power-law artificial viscosity term. In the two-level algorithm, the solution to the fully nonlinear coarse mesh problem is utilized in a single-step linear fine mesh problem. When modeling parameters are chosen appropriately, the error in the two-level algorithm is comparable to the error in solving the fully nonlinear problem on the fine mesh. We provide rigorous numerical analysis of the two-level approximation scheme and derive scalings which vary based on the coefficient r, coarse mesh size H, fine mesh size h, and filter radius δ. We also investigate the two-level algorithm in several computational settings, including the 3D numerical simulation of flow past a backward-facing step at Reynolds number Re = 5100. In all numerical tests, the two-level algorithm was proven to achieve the same order of accuracy as the standard one-level algorithm, at a fraction of the computational cost. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2011
Extremal positive semidefinite doubly stochastic matrices

Abstract Let K n denote the closed convex set of all n -by- n positive semidefinite doubly stochastic matrices. The extreme points of K n have not been determined. In this paper, we find some extreme points. Our results are based primarily on rank and sparsity pattern. We have a complete classification in the case n =4.
Penetration resistance of laminated ceramic/polymer structures

Ballistic penetration experiments have been performed on ceramic tiles laminated with thin layers of polymer in between. The experiment involves shooting a cylindrical rod made of a tungsten heavy alloy (WHA) against an unconfined ceramic/polymer laminated structure that is backed by a 6061-T6 aluminum alloy cylindrical-block, at a velocity ranging between 1000 to 1200 m/s. The residual depth of penetration in the aluminum block is used as a measure of the resistance offered by the laminated ceramic/polymer structure to ballistic penetration. Penetration resistance of the laminated ceramic/polymer structures is compared to that of monolithic ceramic structures of the same total thickness. Experimental results demonstrate that penetration resistance of an unconfined ceramic structure can be improved significantly by laminating ceramic tiles with thin polymer layers in between. This enhanced performance of the laminated structure is attributed to a reduced wave propagation (and damage) velocity in the laminated ceramic/polymer structure and also to the crack arresting feature of the polymer layer.
The antidepressants fluoxetine, idazoxan and phenelzine alter corticotropin-releasing hormone and tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA levels in rat brain: therapeutic implications.

Various classes of antidepressant drugs with distinct pharmacologic actions are differentially effective in the treatment of classic melancholic depression--characterized by pathological hyperarousal and atypical depression--associated with lethargy, hypersomnia, and hyperphagia. All antidepressant agents exert their therapeutic efficacy only after prolonged administration. In situ hybridization histochemistry was used to examine in rats the effects of short-term (2 weeks) and long-term (8 weeks) administration of 3 different classes of activating antidepressant drugs which tend to be preferentially effective in treating atypical depressions, on the expression of central nervous system genes thought to be dysregulated in major depression. Daily administration (5 mg/kg, i.p.) of the selective 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HT) reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine, the selective alpha 2-adrenergic receptor antagonist idazoxan, and the nonspecific monoamine oxidase A and B inhibitor phenelzine increased tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA levels by 70-150% in the locus coeruleus after 2 weeks of drug and by 71-115% after 8 weeks. The 3 drugs decreased corticotropin-releasing hormone mRNA levels by 30-48% in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. The decreases occurred at 8 weeks but not at 2 weeks. No consistent change in steroid hormone receptor mRNA levels was seen in the hippocampus with the 3 drugs, but fluoxetine and idazoxan increased the level of mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) mRNA, respectively, after 8 weeks of drug administration. Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA levels in the anterior pituitary and plasma adrenocorticotropic-hormone (ACTH) levels were not altered after 2 or 8 weeks of drug treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Adsorption of NO on Ni(100) at 95 K

Abstract The adsorption of NO on Ni(100) at 95 K is molecular and the saturation coverage is 0.55 ML. Decomposition occurs on heating and the only desorption products are NO and N 2 . The results are divided into three coverage dependent regions. For 0 NO ≦ 0.25 ML, all NO(a) decomposes on heating. For 0.25 NO ≦ 0.41 ML, NO desorption becomes kinetically competitive with decomposition. For 0.41 NO ≦ 0.55 ML, the fractions desorbing as NO and N 2 remain constant. Two forms of molecular NO(a) are observed and assigned as bridge-bonded (0 NO ≦ 0.41 ML) and linearly-bonded NO(a) (0.41 NO ≦ 0.55 ML).
Direct Recruitment of Insulin Receptor and ERK Signaling Cascade to Insulin-Inducible Gene Loci

OBJECTIVE Insulin receptor (IR) translocates to the nucleus, but its recruitment to gene loci has not been demonstrated. Here, we tested the hypothesis that IR and its downstream mitogenic transducers are corecruited to two prototypic insulin-inducible genes: early growth response 1 ( egr-1 ), involved in mitogenic response, and glucokinase ( Gck ), encoding a key metabolic enzyme. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We used RNA and chromatin from insulin-treated rat hepatic tumor cell line expressing human insulin receptor (HTC-IR) and livers from lean and insulin-resistant ob/ob glucose-fed mice in quantitative RT-PCR and chromatin immunoprecipitation studies to determine gene expression levels and associated recruitment of RNA polymerase II (Pol II), insulin receptor, and cognate signaling proteins to gene loci, respectively. RESULTS Insulin-induced egr-1 mRNA in HTC-IR cells was associated with corecruitment of IR signaling cascade (IR, SOS, Grb2, B-Raf, MEK, and ERK) to this gene. Recruitment profiles of phosphorylated IR, B-Raf, MEK, and Erk along egr-1 transcribed region were similar to those of elongating Pol II. Glucose-feeding increased Gck mRNA expression in livers of lean but not ob/ob mice. In lean mice, there was glucose feeding-induced recruitment of IR and its transducers to Gck gene synchronized with elongating Pol II. In sharp contrast, in glucose-fed ob/ob mice, the Gck recruitment patterns of active MEK/Erk, IR, and Pol II were asynchronous. CONCLUSIONS IR and its signal transducers recruited to genes coupled to elongating Pol II may play a role in maintaining productive mRNA synthesis of target genes. These studies suggest a possibility that impaired Pol II processivity along genes bearing aberrant levels of IR/signal transducers is a previously unrecognized facet of insulin resistance.
PERVASIVE INFORMATION SYSTEMS VALUE CHAIN — A SERVICES PERSPECTIVE

Current research in the field of pervasive information systems is predominantly focused on technical and engineering issues. In this paper, we look at the value chain boundaries of pervasive information systems. We identify a new value chain comprised of (1) infostructures, (2) devices, (3) interfaces, and (4) smart spaces that form the core elements of a pervasive information environment. We further investigate how businesses can achieve competitive advantage in this value-chain through the design and delivery of pervasive products and services. Different stakeholders at each level of the value chain are identified by surveying current research in the area as well as specific firm-level strategies and business models to determine key success factors. Based on our survey, we offer several propositions towards a managerial framework for conceptualizing pervasive information systems in today's service-oriented organizations.
Fuzzy relational equations in monoidal logics

We present a general framework for solving fuzzy relational equations in monoidal logics. This framework yields the general solution equations for relational systems based on large family of many-valued logics. The proofs use as a tool certain relational inequalities that we call BK-residuated bootstrap. First we extend to the realm of relational systems in monoidal logics the previous results concerning the BK-residuated bootstrap that were obtained by Kohout for relational inequalities based on fuzzy basic logic systems (BL) of Hajek (published in Proceedings of FUZZ-IEEE 2000) and also for relational systems based on left-continuous t-norms. Then we use the BK-residuated bootstrap for proving the results concerning relational equations. It should be noted that solutions for relational systems based on linear logics and intuitionistic logics are included as special cases.
Multi-Parametric Evaluation of Chronic Kidney Disease by MRI: A Preliminary Cross-Sectional Study.

Background The current clinical classification of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is not perfect and may be overestimating both the prevalence and the risk for progressive disease. Novel markers are being sought to identify those at risk of progression. This preliminary study evaluates the feasibility of magnetic resonance imaging based markers to identify early changes in CKD. Methods Fifty-nine subjects (22 healthy, 7 anemics with no renal disease, 30 subjects with CKD) participated. Data using 3D volume imaging, blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) and Diffusion MRI was acquired. BOLD MRI acquisition was repeated after 20 mg of iv furosemide. Results Compared to healthy subjects, those with CKD have lower renal parenchymal volumes (329.6±66.4 vs. 257.1±87.0 ml, p<0.005), higher cortical R2* values (19.7±3.2 vs. 23.2±6.3 s−1, p = 0.013) (suggesting higher levels of hypoxia) and lower response to furosemide on medullary R2* (6.9±3.3 vs. 3.1±7.5 s−1, p = 0.02). All three parameters showed significant correlation with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). When the groups were matched for age and sex, cortical R2* and kidney volume still showed significant differences between CKD and healthy controls. The most interesting observation is that a small number of subjects (8 of 29) contributed to the increase in mean value observed in CKD. The difference in cortical R2* between these subjects compared to the rest were highly significant and had a large effect size (Cohen’s d = 3.5). While highly suggestive, future studies may be necessary to verify if such higher levels of hypoxia are indicative of progressive disease. Diffusion MRI showed no differences between CKD and healthy controls. Conclusions These data demonstrate that BOLD MRI can be used to identify enhanced hypoxia associated with CKD and the preliminary observations are consistent with the chronic hypoxia model for disease progression in CKD. Longitudinal studies are warranted to further verify these findings and assess their predictive value.
On the integral equations of thin wire antennas

The feasibility of direct numerical calculations of antenna integral equations is investigated. It is shown that integral equation of Hallen's type is the most adequate for such applications. The extension of Hallen's integral equation to describe thin wire antennas of arbitrary geometry is accomplished, and results are presented for dipole, circular loops, and equiangular spiral antennas.
Improving the design and impact of interactive, dynamic visualizations for science learning

This interactive poster session features seven research groups exploring how interactive, dynamic visualizations impact student learning. Six empirical studies report on promising designs for visualizations. These studies use logs of student interactions and embedded assessments to document the quality and trajectory of learning and to capture the cognitive and social processes mediated by the visualization. The review synthesizes previous and current empirical work. It offers design guidelines, principles, patterns, and examples to inform those designing interactive, dynamic visualization and aligned learning support. These posters show why dynamic visualizations are both difficult to design and valuable for science instruction.
The prevalence and co-morbidity of subthreshold psychiatric conditions

Background In previous studies of subthreshold conditions, co-morbidity has been largely ignored. The purpose was to examine rates of co-morbidity among subthreshold disorders and between subthreshold and full-syndrome disorders for the major non-psychotic classes of disorders from DSM-IV. Method Participants came from the Oregon Adolescent Depression Project (mean age=16.6 years; females=52.1%). On the basis of a diagnostic interview (K-SADS), participants were assigned to eight subthreshold disorders (MDD, bipolar, eating, anxiety, alcohol use, substance use, conduct, ADHD). Results Of the 1704 adolescents in the analyses, 52.5% had at least one subthreshood disorder. Of those, 40.0% had also experienced a co-morbid subthreshold condition, and 29.9% of those had a second co-morbid subthreshold condition. Of those with a subthreshold, 36.4% also had a full syndrome. The subthreshold forms of externalizing disorders were co-morbid with each other. As expected, subthreshold anxiety was co-morbid with subthreshold MDD but subthreshold anxiety was also co-morbid with subthreshold alcohol, conduct, and ADHD. The pattern of co-morbidities was nearly identical for males and females. Conclusions The hypotheses that externalizing disorders would be co-morbid with other externalizing disorders and that internalizing disorders would be co-morbid with other internalizing disorders was partially supported. Co-morbidities between subthreshold disorders and between subthreshold disorders and full syndrome should impact future research and clinical practice. The assessment of subthreshold disorders needs to include the assessment of other subthreshold and full-syndrome conditions.
Residual Strength Degradation Model and Theory of Periodic Proof Tests for Graphite/Epoxy Laminates

A fatigue residual strength degradation model has been derived based on the assumption that the residual strength decreases monotonically. The model is verified experimentally by use of Gr/E unnotched laminates under constant amplitude fatigue. The theory of periodic proof tests and reli ability prediction for composites have been established. Experimental data for specimens under periodic proof tests and fatigue loading have been generated. It is shown that the correlation between the experimental results and the theory of periodic proof tests is outstanding.
Regioselective openings of 2,3-epoxy acids with organocuprates

Abstract Lithium organocuprates react with 3-alkyl-2,3-epoxy acids (glycidic acids) to afford the products of ring-opening in good yield. The regiochemistry of ring-opening is dependent on the stereochemistry of the epoxy acid.
Autonomous rovers for Mars exploration

The Pathfinder mission demonstrated the potential for robotic Mars exploration but at the same time indicated the need for more robust rover autonomy. Future planned missions call for long traverses over unknown terrain, robust navigation and instrument placement, and reliable operations for extended periods of time. Ultimately, missions may visit multiple science sites in a single day and perform opportunistic science data collection, as well as complex scouting, construction, and maintenance tasks in preparation for an eventual human presence. Significant advances in robust autonomous operations are needed to enable these types of missions. Towards this end, we have designed an on-board executive architecture that incorporates robust flexible operation, resource utilization, and failure recovery. In addition, we have designed ground tools to produce and refine contingent schedules that take advantage of the on-board architecture's flexible execution characteristics. Together, the on-board executive and the ground tools constitute an integrated rover autonomy architecture.
Applications of SMP Bounds to Multi-class Traffic in High-speed Networks

In this paper, we consider the stochastic fluid-flow model of a single node in a high-speed telecommunication network handling multi-class traffic. The node has multiple buffers, one for each class of traffic. The contents of these buffers are multiplexed onto a single output channel using one of the service scheduling policies: the Timed Round Robin Policy or the Static Priority Service Policy. The Quality of Service requirements for each class are based on cell loss probabilities. Using effective bandwidth methodologies and the recently developed bounds for semi-Markov modulated traffic, we solve call admission control problems for the two service scheduling policies at this node. We compare the performance of the effective bandwidth methodologies and the SMP bounds technique. We also numerically compare the performance of the two service scheduling policies.
Perpetuating the Technological Ideology: An Ellulian Critique of Feenberg’s Democratized Rationalization

Andrew Feenberg, in his book Questioning Technology, offers his theory of “democratized rationalization” as a critical alternative to Jacques Ellul’s essentialist perspective. Feenberg argues that Ellul has confused the tendency toward efficiency in technological discourse with the essence of technology, thereby disallowing for a “positive program” of technological change. This article suggests that Feenberg’s “critical theory of technology” does not accurately portray Ellul’s ideas about technology, which were crafted over 40 books and hundreds of articles, and that a reading of Feenberg from an Ellulian perspective reveals Questioning Technology to be: (a) a trend that Ellul predicted in technological scholarship, (b) an unfavorable trend that does not answer the problems posed by Ellul, and (c) an actual furthering of the “technological ideology” that Ellul carefully described in detail over several decades of research. This article concludes that the current trends toward praising democratization shou...
Proof Without Words: Logarithm of a Number and Its Reciprocal

(2001). Proof Without Words: Logarithm of a Number and Its Reciprocal. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 74, No. 1, pp. 59-59.
Electronic behavioral interventions for headache: a systematic review

There is increasing interest in using electronic behavioral interventions as well as mobile technologies such as smartphones for improving the care of chronic disabling diseases such as migraines. However, less is known about the current clinical evidence for the feasibility and effectiveness of such behavioral interventions. To review the published literature of behavioral interventions for primary headache disorders delivered by electronic means suitable for use outside of the clinician’s office. An electronic database search of PubMed, PsycINFO, and Embase was conducted through December 11, 2015. All eligible studies were systematically reviewed to examine the modality in which treatment was delivered (computer, smartphone, watch and other), types of behavioral intervention delivered (cognitive behavioral therapy [CBT], biofeedback, relaxation, other), the headache type being treated, duration of treatment, adherence, and outcomes obtained by the trials to examine the overall feasibility of electronic behavioral interventions for headache. Our search produced 291 results from which 23 eligible articles were identified. Fourteen studies used the internet via the computer, 2 used Personal Digital Assistants, 2 used CD ROM and 5 used other types of devices. None used smartphones or wearable devices. Four were pilot studies (N ≤ 10) which assessed feasibility. For the behavioral intervention, CBT was used in 11 (48 %) of the studies, relaxation was used in 8 (35 %) of the studies, and biofeedback was used in 5 (22 %) of the studies. The majority of studies (14/23, 61 %) used more than one type of behavioral modality. The duration of therapy ranged from 4–8 weeks for CBT with a mean of 5.9 weeks. The duration of other behavioral interventions ranged from 4 days to 60 months. Outcomes measured varied widely across the individual studies. Despite the move toward individualized medicine and mHealth, the current literature shows that most studies using electronic behavioral intervention for the treatment of headache did not use mobile devices. The studies examining mobile devices showed that the behavioral interventions that employed them were acceptable to patients. Data are limited on the dose required, long term efficacy, and issues related to the security and privacy of this health data. This study was registered at the PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42015032284) (Prospero, 2015).
Transcendental illusion I: rational psychology

In the remaining sections of the Critique , Kant has two main purposes. Most of the text concerns errors arising from the misuse of the understanding and reason, the basis of the traditional disputes of metaphysics. This discussion begins with two bridging sections at the end of the Transcendental Analytic, one clarifying the distinction between phenomena and noumena, the other titled On the Amphiboly of the Concepts of Reflection. It then proceeds with the Transcendental Dialectic, containing Kant's theory of transcendental illusion. The main discussion concerns the arguments of rational psychology (the Paralogisms), rational cosmology (the Antinomies), and rational theology (the existence of God). In an Appendix at the end of the Transcendental Dialectic Kant then turns to his second purpose, his theory of the legitimate functions of theoretical reason as the highest intellectual faculty. Here he explains the role of transcendental ideas and maxims of reason in scientific knowledge. The last part of the Critique , the Transcendental Doctrine of Method, discusses the methods of mathematical construction, and serves as a transition to Kant's account of practical reason. Chapters 8, 9, and 10 will treat Kant's theory of error. Chapter 11 discusses Kant's positive accounts of the role of reason in empirical and mathematical cognition. ERRORS OF THE UNDERSTANDING In the section On the Ground of the Distinction of all Objects in General into Phenomena and Noumena , and the Appendix On the Amphiboly of the Concepts of Reflection, Kant explains how extending pure concepts of the understanding beyond appearances leads to spurious metaphysical conclusions.
Beyond Empathy: Strategies and Ideals of Democratic Deliberation

This paper problematizes empathy-centered approaches to deliberation, challenging the feasibility of such approaches as well as the suitability of empathy as a central goal or ideal in models of democratic deliberation. With the deliberative turn in democratic theory came a new emphasis on empathy. Empathy on the part of citizens – the ability to engage in perspective taking and to feel empathic concern for others – is often cited as crucial for the success and improvement of democratic discourse. I first identify several limits to achieving empathy in practice. I then show that even when achieved, empathy does not sustain deliberative practices. In place of empathy, I propose a “difference approach” to improving democratic deliberation. I argue that differences rather than commonalities are a more democratic resource for helping citizens cultivate greater openness and better listening practices. The difference approach better reflects the ideals of the deliberative model of democracy.
A Failure of Imagination

This chapter provides an overview of the topics covered by the book: the Great Recession of 2007–8 and the factors that led to it, in particular the role played by a changing financial sector, the influence of uncertainty on financial sector developments, the failure of economic models to take into account financial developments adequately and, finally, the implications of the book’s findings for the future. It also explains the rationale for the book’s methodological approach.
Ultrafast X-ray Studies of Chemical and Interfacial Dynamics

Ring-opening dynamics in heterocyclic aromatic molecules and charge-transfer dynamics at molecule-semiconductor interfaces are studied by femtosecond and picosecond time-resolved inner-shell spectroscopy techniques.
Investigation into Reynolds Number Effects on a Biomimetic Flapping Wing

This research investigated the behavior of a Manduca sexta inspired biomimetic wing as a function of Reynolds number by measuring the aerodynamic forces produced by varying the characteristic wing ...
Strengthening Components and Processes of Family Involvement in School Mental Health

Involving families in youth mental health services is foundational to achieving positive youth outcomes (for review, see Hoagwood et al., 2010). Unfortunately, this can be a particularly challenging process, and families are often not meaningfully involved in services. In studies of engagement in community mental health services, youth and family no-show rates at initial appointments range from 28 % to 62 % (Harrison, McKay, & Bannon, 2004; McKay, Lynn, & Bannon, 2005; McKay, McCadam, & Gonzales, 1996). Thus, at a basic level of involvement, some families are not being engaged in services. This has the potential to compromise the delivery of evidence-based interventions given that family involvement may be an essential factor in obtaining and maintaining positive outcomes for youth (National Institute of Mental Health [NIMH], 2001). As national mental health policy calls for families to become active consumers of mental health services, and for children and youth to receive more comprehensive services (New Freedom Commission on Mental Health [NFCMH], 2003), it is increasingly important to review empirically supported strategies for effectively involving families in mental health services so that these approaches can be consistently integrated into practice.
Beyond the Technology Pork Barrel? An assessment of the Obama administration's energy demonstration projects

Abstract This paper provides an assessment of a portfolio of 53 energy technology demonstration projects that were initiated by the Obama administration between 2009 and 2011 and managed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). After reviewing the rationales for conducting such projects and providing partial public funding for them, five assessment criteria derived from the literature are applied to the portfolio, pertaining to project selection and termination, cost-sharing, partnerships, information-sharing, and the environment for follow-on investment. The assessment is mixed. DOE performed best, relative to expectations, on project selection and termination and partnerships, and not as well on cost-sharing, information-sharing, and the follow-on environment. This performance does not warrant establishing a new agency to replace DOE for management of demonstration projects. The recommendations include implementing cost-sharing more flexibly, making information-sharing a higher priority, avoiding too-rapid scale-up of technologies, and being explicit about project milestones and considering termination if they are not met.
The Optical Cavity

In this chapter, the design and characteristics of a typical semiconductor laser optical cavity are examined. The concept of free spectral range and single longitudinal and spatial modes is defined, and procedures for designing single mode optical cavities are discussed.
Abstract 946: Suppression of breast cancer metastasis and extension of host animal survival by a new adamantyl antiestrogen, K-07, in a preclinical breast cancer metastasis model driven by constitutively active mutant estrogen receptors

Over one-third of human breast tumors that become resistant to endocrine therapies have acquired mutations in the estrogen receptor (ER alpha) that result in constitutive receptor activity in the absence of estrogen, and these tumors are much less sensitive to suppression by current standard-of-care antiestrogens such as tamoxifen and fulvestrant. We reported recently that the novel adamantyl antiestrogen, K-07, was effective in inhibiting the proliferation of breast tumor xenografts containing the two most frequent constitutively active mutant forms of the ER, Y537S ER and D538G ER, and that this antiestrogen reduced ER levels and the expression of ER-regulated genes (Zhao et al., Cancer Research 77(20):5602-5613, 2017). Because mutant ERs are usually enriched in recurrent, metastatic breast cancers compared to the primary breast cancer, we have now examined the effectiveness of compound K-07 in preventing the growth of breast cancer metastases and in extending survival in a metastatic tumor model. MCF-7 breast cancer cells expressing luciferase and Y537S ER or D538G ER (ca. 50% mutant ER and 50% wild type ER) were injected i.v. by the tail vein into NOD-SCID-gamma (NSG) female mice. The constitutively active ER-containing breast cancer cells established metastases in liver, bone and brain that increased in number and size over time (day zero – 80 days) as monitored by IVIS imaging and immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis. Daily oral treatment with K-07 (80 mg/kg orally for 30 days and then 40 mg/kg) versus oral vehicle greatly reduced the metastasis of mutant ER-containing breast cancer cells. Notably, mice with mutant ER-containing metastases treated with K-07 survived much longer than mice given daily control vehicle. In fact, by day 60, only 25% of vehicle treated mice with mutant ER breast cancers were alive whereas all K-07 treated D538G mice and 80% of Y537S mice were still alive. Hence, the findings indicate that this antiestrogen can reduce the in vivo metastasis of breast cancers driven by constitutively active mutant ERs and extend host survival. The findings suggest that the antiestrogen K-07 may be suitable for further translational and clinical examination of its efficacy in suppression of metastasis in patients with breast cancers containing constitutively active mutant ERs. Citation Format: Mary J. Laws, Sung Hoon Kim, Jian Min, Yuechao Zhao, Yvonne Ziegler, David Chu, Ben H. Park, John A. Katzenellenbogen, Benita S. Katzenellenbogen. Suppression of breast cancer metastasis and extension of host animal survival by a new adamantyl antiestrogen, K-07, in a preclinical breast cancer metastasis model driven by constitutively active mutant estrogen receptors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 946.
Credit Risk, Informed Markets, and Securitization

Mortgage backed securities (MBS) funded the US housing bubble, while the bust resulted in systemic risk and the Global Financial Crisis. The pricing of MBS and the ABX securitization index failed to reveal growing credit risk. This paper draws lessons from this failure for the use of Credit Risk Transfers (CRT) to price credit risk. The central question is would the CRT market, as constituted today, have behaved differently than financial asset markets in the bubble years? If no, then this is a problem. If yes, then why?
Predicting the evolution of Escherichia coli by a data-driven approach

A tantalizing question in evolutionary biology is whether evolution can be predicted from past experiences. To address this question, we created a coherent compendium of more than 15,000 mutation events for the bacterium Escherichia coli under 178 distinct environmental settings. Compendium analysis provides a comprehensive view of the explored environments, mutation hotspots and mutation co-occurrence. While the mutations shared across all replicates decrease with the number of replicates, our results argue that the pairwise overlapping ratio remains the same, regardless of the number of replicates. An ensemble of predictors trained on the mutation compendium and tested in forward validation over 35 evolution replicates achieves a 49.2 ± 5.8% (mean ± std) precision and 34.5 ± 5.7% recall in predicting mutation targets. This work demonstrates how integrated datasets can be harnessed to create predictive models of evolution at a gene level and elucidate the effect of evolutionary processes in well-defined environments.
Welcome to the 2017 Annual Review of Sex Research

It is a real delight to present the 2017 Annual Review of Sex Research (ARSR), my second as editor. The 2017 ARSR addresses a fascinating range of sexual topics, including medicalization of erectil...
Targeting CXCR4 in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Preclinical Rationale and Early Clinical Experience

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells express high levels of CXCR4, a seven transmembrane G-protein coupled chemokine receptor. Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and other mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) at extramedullary sites constitutively secrete stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1, now called CXCL12), the ligand for CXCR4. Activation of CXCR4 induces CLL cell migration and homing to the marrow microenvironment, where CXCL12 retains leukemia cells in close contact with BMSC which provide growth and drug-resistance signals. CXCR4 antagonists, such as plerixafor (Mozobil®, AMD3100) and T140 analogs, can disrupt adhesive tumor–stroma interactions and mobilize CLL cells from their protective niches into the blood, making them more accessible to conventional drugs. This approach, to mobilize and then target tumor cells outside of their microenvironment, is also called “chemo-sensitization.” The CXCR4–CXCL12 axis is now targeted in a first, ongoing clinical trial in CLL patients who are treated with plerixafor in combination with the anti-CD20 antibody rituximab. The fact that CLL cells express high levels of CXCR4 and readily respond to CXCL12, along with easy access to circulating leukemia cells for monitoring of leukemia cell mobilization, makes CLL a particularly well-suited disease model for studying the effects of CXCR4 antagonists in leukemia. This chapter summarizes preclinical and preliminary clinical experience with CXCR4 antagonists in CLL.
Two cases of skeletal dysplasia from New Kingdom (c. 1400-1050 BCE) Tombos, Sudan.

Abstract Objective This project investigates two cases of skeletal dysplasia from archaeological excavations of the New Kingdom Period (c. 1400–1050 BCE) portion of the Tombos cemetery in Sudan. Materials: Fair to well-preserved skeletal remains of two individuals, one adult and one juvenile, are examined here. Methods All available skeletal elements were analyzed macroscopically. A differential diagnosis was conducted for each individual. Results The adult individual, U36.Sh2.B10, displays bilateral mesomelic dysplasia and Madelung’s deformity. The juvenile individual, U36.Sh2.B5, also displays bilateral mesomelic dysplasia and characteristics associated with Madelung’s deformity. Conclusions A differential diagnosis of Leri–Weill dyschondrosteosis (LWD) is suggested for the adult female individual (U36.Sh2.B10). The second case (U36.Sh2.B5) is an approximately three to five-year-old individual and is difficult to diagnose given the young age; however, LWD remains the most likely diagnosis. Significance There are few cases of LWD in the paleopathological literature, and fewer still of juveniles. The cases described are useful examples in expanding research demonstrating the variability in the expression of skeletal dysplasias in juveniles and adults. Limitations Taphonomic alterations and fragmentation of the crania and portions of the postcrania limited the observation of the full suite of characteristics associated with skeletal dysplasias. U36.Sh2.B5 is difficult to diagnose given the individual’s young age and the possibility that this individual had not yet developed the more observable characteristics associated with these conditions. Suggestions for further research Researchers are encouraged to continue examining the range of expression of skeletal dysplasias in juveniles and adults.
Velody: Nonlinear Vibration Challenge-Response for Resilient User Authentication

Biometrics have been widely adopted for enhancing user authentication, benefiting usability by exploiting pervasive and collectible unique characteristics from physiological or behavioral traits of human. However, successful attacks on "static" biometrics such as fingerprints have been reported where an adversary acquires users' biometrics stealthily and compromises non-resilient biometrics. To mitigate the vulnerabilities of static biometrics, we leverage the unique and nonlinear hand-surface vibration response and design a system called Velody to defend against various attacks including replay and synthesis. The Velody system relies on two major properties in hand-surface vibration responses: uniqueness, contributed by physiological characteristics of human hands, and nonlinearity, whose complexity prevents attackers from predicting the response to an unseen challenge. Velody employs a challenge-response protocol. By changing the vibration challenge, the system elicits input-dependent nonlinear "symptoms" and unique spectrotemporal features in the vibration response, stopping both replay and synthesis attacks. Also, a large number of disposable challenge-response pairs can be collected during enrollment passively for daily authentication sessions. We build a prototype of Velody with an off-the-shelf vibration speaker and accelerometers to verify its usability and security through a comprehensive user experiment. Our results show that Velody demonstrates both strong security and long-term consistency with a low equal error rate (EER) of 5.8% against impersonation attack while correctly rejecting all other attacks including replay and synthesis attacks using a very short vibration challenge.
Microglia and Reactive Oxygen Species Are Required for Behavioral Susceptibility to Chronic Social Defeat Stress.

Psychosocial stress occurs in response to a potentially life-threatening interaction and leaves a lasting impact that can be detected and measured physiologically and psychologically. This type of stress is a major risk factor for the development of psychopathologies like depression and anxiety ([
Defeating Energy Poverty: Invest in Scalable Solutions for the Poor

Energy poverty is arguably the most pervasive and crippling threat society faces today. Lack of access impacts several billion people, with immediate health, educational, economic, and social damage. Furthermore, how this problem is addressed will result in the largest accelerant of global pollution or the largest opportunity to pivot away from fossil fuels onto the needed clean energy path. In a clear example of the power of systems thinking, energy poverty and climate change together present a dual crisis of energy injustice along gender, ethnic, and socioeconomic grounds, which has been exacerbated if not outright caused by a failure of the wealthy to see how tightly coupled our global collective fate is if addressing climate change fairly and inclusively does not become an immediate, actionable priority.
Transport and Mitigation of Exhaled Electronic Cigarette Aerosols in a Multizone Indoor Environment

ABSTRACT Using an electronic cigarette (e-cig) has been shown to emit a substantial amount of particles and degrade indoor air quality. Here, we tested the effectiveness of different mitigation strategies to reduce indoor particulate pollution due to e-cigs. We simultaneously measured concentrations of particle number (PNC) and fine particle (PM2.5) mass in a vaping room and an adjacent non-vaping room, both of which were well controlled, during e-cig use under six different experimental conditions: (1) the baseline scenario, in which the connecting door between the two rooms was open, the ventilation in both rooms was low, and no air purifier was operated; (2) the connecting door between the two rooms was closed; (3) the ventilation was enhanced in the vaping room; (4) the ventilation was enhanced in the non-vaping room; (5) an air purifier was operated in the vaping room; and (6) an air purifier was operated in the non-vaping room. We found that the particle concentrations significantly decreased in both of the rooms when either the ventilation was enhanced or the air purifier was operated. Closing the connecting door between the two rooms produced the largest reduction (42%) of PNC in the non-vaping room; however, it also led to a 26% increase of PNC in the vaping room. Previous studies have demonstrated that vape shops contain high concentrations of particles when no mitigation strategies are implemented. Our results provide a basis for assessing and reducing exposure to e-cig aerosols and its associated health effects in future studies.
When the President Tweets: Exploring the Normative Tensions of Contemporary Presidential Communication

Presidential communication has evolved from mass-focused messaging to include more tailored appeals across multiple media platforms. Although researchers have documented how presidents use media and have catalogued some institutional shifts due to communication technologies, we know surprisingly little about public opinion related to presidential communication style. This blind spot is important given the election and presidency of Donald Trump, whose unique use of Twitter challenges traditional norms of presidential communication. In two separate studies, we assess the public’s normative beliefs toward President Trump’s use of Twitter. Using statewide survey data collected in 2017 and national-level survey data collected in 2019, we assess the normative tensions between deliberative and liberal individualistic presidential communication. The findings illuminate a public grappling with these tensions in evaluating the frequency and appropriateness of the president’s tweets.
Immunotherapy in sinonasal melanoma: treatment patterns and outcomes compared to cutaneous melanoma.

BACKGROUND Although treatment with checkpoint blockade is now accepted as standard of care for cutaneous melanoma, few studies have investigated its role in sinonasal melanoma (SNM). We aimed to evaluate whether immunotherapy was associated with improved survival in SNM and to compare the effect of immunotherapy in metastatic sinonasal and cutaneous melanoma. METHODS This was a cohort study of patients included in the United States National Cancer Database who had been diagnosed with sinonasal or cutaneous melanoma between 2012 and 2015 and had complete information regarding immunotherapy status. The primary outcome was overall survival. The influence of immunotherapy on overall survival was compared by Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards models. Propensity score matched analyses between SNM patients who received immunotherapy and those who did not were based on clinicopathological covariates associated with survival in univariate Cox models. RESULTS The analytic cohort consisted of 704 patients with SNM, 94 of whom were treated with immunotherapy and 152,896 patients with cutaneous melanoma, 8055 of whom were treated with immunotherapy. Immunotherapy was not associated with survival in the propensity-score matched cohort (n = 195; hazard ratio [HR] = 1.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.7 to 1.5; p = 0.88) or in adjusted Cox proportional hazards model (n = 549; HR = 1.0; 95% CI, 0.74 to 1.4; p = 0.88). Regimens including immunotherapy were associated with improved overall survival in metastatic cutaneous melanoma (HR = 0.57; 95% CI, 0.49 to 0.66; p < 0.0001), but not metastatic SNM (HR = 1.1; 95% CI, 0.67 to 1.7; p = 0.75). CONCLUSION Compared to current standard of care therapy, inclusion of immunotherapy as first-line therapy was not associated with improved survival in SNM.