cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electricity price forecasting models

This paper proposes that the price of electricity should be parsed into two components: energy price and "reliability price". From the supply point of view, in addition to the energy price, there is a cost associated with reliability, or continuity of supply. This cost, which differs from other commodities, arises because electricity cannot be stored. From the demand point of view for some customers electricity is an essential commodity, while other customers may want a choice of how much reliability they are willing to pay for. If customers have the options of interruptible rates or curtailable rates, or perhaps the option of limiting demand upon receipt of a signal from the control center, then they can consume energy but not reliability, or they can only partially consume reliability. Furthermore suppliers can reduce supply costs if they can reduce demand. In the long term, reduced demand reduces the need for generation capacity. Over the short term, demand reduction that is under the control of the dispatch center can reduce the demand for ancillary services.
Limiting similarity and species assemblages in the short-tailed fruit bats

We analyzed the morphometrics of seven taxa of short-tailed fruit bats Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae: Carollia, (Carollia benkeithi, Carollia brevicauda, Carollia castanea, Carollia perspicillata azteca, Carollia perspicillata perspicillata, Carollia sowelli and Carollia subrufa) to assess within-taxon variation and to address the possibility that morphological distinctions facilitate sympatry within this genus of ecologically similar bats. Whereas morphological similarities were found among species in certain combinations of allopatric taxa, members of sympatric assemblages differ significantly, indicating that there is a consistent representation of morphotypes within various assemblages of Carollia despite changes in species composition across the range of the genus. Furthermore, the differences in the skull size and shape among taxa correspond to potential differences in food-handling abilities and point to dietary differentiation among species as a factor in the facilitation of coexistence.
Psychiatric disorders in inhalant users: results from The National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions.

Objective To examine the prevalence and correlates of mood, anxiety, and personality disorders among lifetime inhalant users.
Cross-Linked Complex between Oligomeric Periplasmic Lipoprotein AcrA and the Inner-Membrane-Associated Multidrug Efflux Pump AcrB from Escherichia coli

In Escherichia coli, the intrinsic levels of resistance to multiple antimicrobial agents are produced through expression of the three-component multidrug efflux system AcrAB-TolC. AcrB is a proton-motive-force-dependent transporter located in the inner membrane, and AcrA and TolC are accessory proteins located in the periplasm and the outer membrane, respectively. In this study, these three proteins were expressed separately, and the interactions between them were analyzed by chemical cross-linking in intact cells. We show that AcrA protein forms oligomers, most probably trimers. In this oligomeric form, AcrA interacts specifically with AcrB transporter independently of substrate and TolC.
Anomalous monsoonal activity in central Arizona, USA

[1] Published research has suggested that urban and agricultural activities in central Arizona may be enhancing monsoonal precipitation in the region; therefore, this study employed cloud-to-ground lightning data and topographic data to reveal spatially anomalous zones of lightning activity in central Arizona. A multiple linear regression model with topographic variables as predictors explained 85% of the variance in gridded lightning-flash counts. Clustering of large positive residuals of lightning flashes existed between 40 km and 100 km north/northeast of urbanized Phoenix. Observed lightning flashes in this zone were � 40% more frequent than lightning flashes predicted by the model. Two plausible causes of the enhanced lightning activity are intensified convective storms due to Phoenix-derived water vapor and altered microphysical processes in storm clouds due to Phoenix-derived atmospheric pollution. It is possible that the positiveanomaly zone also had enhanced rainfall. Citation: Diem, J. E. (2006), Anomalous monsoonal activity in central Arizona, USA, Geophys. Res. Lett., 33, L16706, doi:10.1029/ 2006GL027259.
Sphere Drag and Settling Velocity Revisited

Sphere drag data from throughout the twentieth century are available in tabular form. However, much of the data arose from experiments in small diameter cylindrical vessels, where the results might have been influenced by the wall effect. Wall effect corrections developed by others were applied to 178 of the 480 data points collected. This corrected data set is believed to be free of the influence of wall effects. Existing drag and settling velocity correlations were compared to this data set. In addition, new correlations of the same forms were developed using the corrected data. Two new correlations of sphere terminal velocity are proposed, one applicable for all Reynolds numbers less than 2310 5 , and the other designed to predict settling velocities with exceptional accuracy for terminal Reynolds numbers less than 4,000, a region that contains almost all applications of interest in environmental engineering. The trial and error solution for settling velocity using the Fair and Geyer equation for drag should be retired in favor of the direct calculation available from these new correlations.
The interaction of carbamates with acetylcholinesterase

Abstract It has been shown that the kinetic schemes proposed by earlier workers to describe the reactions of carbamates with acetylcholinesterase are incomplete. A reaction scheme has been developed and tested by the use of methyl- and dimethyl-carbamoylcholines; it adequately explains the reactions observed in the carbamate-enzyme system, including the catalysis of decarbamoylation of carbamoylated acetylcholinesterase by excess carbamate. This study has been extended to include the reaction of acetylcholinesterase with more complex carbamates. pyridostigmine, physostigmine. mobam and decarbofuran.
Stereotyped and non-stereotyped features of the temporal patterning of singing sessions in the ovenbird Seiurus auricapillus

Temporal patterning of recorded singing sessions of 26 different male ovenbirds Seiurus auricapillus (Fringillidae: Parulini) was analyzed computationally, in order to test whether differences among songs are potentially informative or merely reflect performance errors. Repeated songs within a singing session by a given male showed relatively little inter-individual variation in the duration of the song or in the number of units composing it, although these features varied substantially among individuals. On the other hand, within a session of singing by an individual male, the most variable and potentially informative aspect of temporal patterning was the relative placement of the peak amplitude within the song. These results support the hypothesis that diversity in the vocalization sessions of oscine passerines can be produced by other means than the use of a varied song repertoire, even in a species like the ovenbird that uses just one song type. Because variation among song was focused on a single feature, performance errors are an unlikely explanation, suggesting that the temporal patterning of singing sessions may play an informative role, such as the minimization of habituation on the part of receivers.
Anticipatory coarticulation and aphasia: implications for phonetic theories

Abstract Studies of clinical populations usually (1) track more variables than in studies of normal subjects and (2) encounter a high degree of behavioral variability, making generalization difficult. However, these apparent limitations may in the long run prove to be strengths. For example, in studies of normal talkers variability is often treated as noise against which the size of an effect may be measured, while in studies of disordered talkers the extent of variability itself may be an important goal of inquiry. Information obtained from clinical populations has proven valuable in addressing the neuroanatomical substrates and functional organization of speech. This review focuses on recent studies of anticipatory coarticulation in the speech of focally-lesioned aphasic talkers, examining how these data address the neural representation of language processes, the role of suprasegmental units (e.g., the syllable) in speech production, and the manner in which coarticulatory variability is perceived by normal listeners. The reviewed data indicate that the variable speech of clinical populations does not necessarily pose an impediment to research, but rather constitutes an important database from which further understanding of normal and disordered speech processes may be obtained.
Sire and Dam Effects on Hemagglutination Titers in Avian Eggs Following Inoculation with Newcastle Disease Virus

Abstract INTRODUCTION MANY studies on genetic resistance to disease have been conducted on poultry and other animals. A genetic basis for resistance has been found for most diseases studied in all species observed. The literature on the subject has been adequately summarized by Hutt (1958). Only a few studies have been conducted on genetic resistance to the virus of Newcastle disease in poultry. Godfrey (1952) observed strain, breed, and cross differences in resistance to a natural outbreak of a virus infection, presumably Newcastle disease, as measured by pauses in egg production. Diagnosis of the disease was based on clinical signs and the virus was not isolated. Francis and Kish (1955) found differences in mortality and days to death between families of New Hampshire chicks when challenged with a standard dose of Newcastle disease virus. Cole and Hutt (1961) also observed distinct differences in mortality between two strains of White Leghorns following…
Total internal reflection-evanescent coupler for fiber-to-waveguide integration of planar optoelectric devices

We present a method for parallel coupling from a single-mode fiber, or fiber ribbon, into a silicon-on-insulator waveguide for integration with silicon optoelectronic circuits. The coupler incorporates the advantages of the vertically tapered waveguides and prism couplers, yet offers the flexibility of planar integration. The coupler can be fabricated by use of either wafer polishing technology or gray-scale photolithography. When optimal coupling is achieved in our experimental setup, the coupler can be packaged by epoxy bonding to form a fiber-waveguide parallel coupler or connector. Two-dimensional electromagnetic calculation predicts a coupling efficiency of 77% (-1.14‐dB insertion loss) for a silicon-to-silicon coupler with a uniform tunnel layer. The coupling efficiency is experimentally achieved to be 46% (-3.4‐dB insertion loss), excluding the loss in silicon and the reflections from the input surface and the output facet.
Oocyte maturation in Xenopus laevis is blocked by the hormonal herbicide, 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid.

Oocyte maturation is dependent on a complex program of morphological, ultrastructural, and biochemical signaling events, and if disrupted could lead to decreased fertility and population decline. The in vitro sensitivity of amphibian oocytes and oocyte maturation to plant growth factor and widely used hormonal herbicide, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), was examined in this study to determine its potential impact on early development and possible contribution to the global amphibian decline. Progesterone, which acts through a membrane receptor, triggers meiotic maturation in full grown (stage VI) Xenopus oocytes, characterized by cytoskeletal reorganization, nuclear dissolution, chromosome condensation, and spindle formation. Biochemically, the Mos/MAPK/MPF signaling pathway is activated, in part dependent on translational activation of specific maternal mRNAs such as c-Mos. Light microscopy revealed unusual asymmetric morphotypes in oocytes exposed to 2,4-D alone characterized by a white spot and bulge, termed coning, in the animal pole where the germinal vesicle (nucleus) persisted intact. Treatment of oocytes with cytochalasin B, a microfilament inhibitor, blocked these morphotypes but nocodazole, a microtubule depolymerizing agent, did not. Confocal microscopy showed that 2,4-D, itself, caused substantial depolymerization of perinuclear microtubules. Importantly, 2,4-D blocked progesterone-induced maturation as measured by the lack of nuclear breakdown, confirmed by the lack of Mos expression, MPF activation, and cytoplasmic polyadenylation of cyclin B1 mRNA. However, Western blot analysis and U0126 inhibitor studies showed that 2,4-D, either alone or in the presence of progesterone, induced MAPK phosphorylation through MAPKK. These results show that 2,4-D disrupts oocyte cytoskeletal organization and blocks maturation while stimulating an independent MAPK signaling pathway. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 67:233–242, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Purification and characterization of a soluble cyclic nucleotide-independent Ca2+-calmodulin-sensitive protein kinase from rat brain.

: Following partial purification, the characteristics of a cytosol protein kinase were investigated. The protein kinase was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation and diethylaminoethyl-cellulose, ATP-aga-rose, and hydroxyapatite chromatography. Analysis of the purified protein kinase preparation by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed three major protein bands. The cytosol protein kinase was purified approximately 442-fold, as calculated from the cyclic nucleotide independent protein kinase activity in the 40,000 g supernatant. The activity of the kinase was found to be independent of either cyclic AMP or cyclic GMP. Moreover, the kinase activity was unaffected by the addition of the endogenous protein kinase inhibitor, or the regulatory sub-unit from the type II cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase from bovine heart. The molecular weight of the enzyme was determined to be 95,000 by Sephadex G-200 gel filtration. The activity of the kinase was increased approximately twofold in the presence of 10 μM Ca+2 and calmodulin. This increase was reversed by the addition of EGTA. The subcellular distribution of the protein kinase was also examined. The soluble fraction from nerve terminal was found to have the highest concentration of the kinase activity.
Fundamentals of transformer inrush

This paper will present an overview on the phenomenon of transformer inrush and its impact on differential relays. In order for the protection engineer to properly address the phenomenon, the theoretical nature of inrush will be discussed. Impact of residual flux and higher efficiency core designs will be covered. Examples of inrush waveforms will be analyzed in the time domain as well as in the frequency domain. Modern protective relaying techniques to detect and prevent misoperation will also be covered. Design of transformer differential inrush restraint methods including: second harmonic, fourth harmonic, total harmonic, per phase, cross blocking, adaptive restraint and other methods will be covered as well. Discussion on the impact of motor/generator differential relays due to inrush will also be covered. Techniques for avoiding nuisance tripping of machine differential relays without compromising speed of operation will be discussed.
Alkaline phosphatase activity in the phytoplankton communities of Monterey Bay and San Francisco Bay

Enzyme-labeled fluorescence (ELF) and bulk alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity enzyme assays were used to evaluate the phosphorus (P) status of phytoplankton communities in San Francisco and Monterey bays. Both regions exhibit spatial and temporal variability in bulk AP activity with maximum activities during the early spring and summer periods of high biological productivity. ELF analysis revealed pronounced differences in the makeup of organisms responsible for AP activity in these two environments. In Monterey Bay dinoflagellates are responsible for the bulk of the AP activity. Diatoms infrequently exhibited AP activity. Dinoflagellates that comprised only 14% of all cells counted in Monterey Bay accounted for 78% of AP-producing cells examined. The presence of AP activity in this group suggests that changes in P sources, concentrations, and bioavailability could disproportionably influence this group relative to diatoms in Monterey Bay. In San Francisco Bay, AP production, indicated by ELF, was associated primarily with bacteria attached to suspended particles, potentially used to hydrolyze organic compounds for carbon, rather than to satisfy P requirements. Our results highlight the importance of organic P as a bioavailable nutrient source in marine ecosystems and as a component of the marine P cycle.
Expression of Cl-/HCO3- exchanger in the basolateral membrane of mouse medullary thick ascending limb.

Although a basolateral Cl−/ HCO 3 − exchanger (AE) has been implicated in the arginine vasopressin (AVP)-dependent hypertonic regulatory increase in the medullary thick ascending limb (MTAL), there...
Neurological Damage Disrupts Normal Sex Differences in Psychophysiological Responsiveness to Music

Men and women often display different physiological responses to emotional stimuli, and these responses can be affected by brain damage. Here, we investigated how brain damage differentially affects electrodermal responses based on sex. We studied neurologically normal, healthy adults and a sample of neurological patients. Participants listened to music, an emotional stimulus that reliably elicits skin conductance responses (SCRs). Electrodermal activity was recorded while participants listened to musical clips. When analyzing the data without regard to sex, there were no differences between healthy and brain-damaged participants in their SCRs. However, we found a significant interaction between brain injury status and sex. For men, brain damage significantly reduced SCRs. For women, there were no differences between brain-damaged participants and neurologically healthy participants. These findings illustrate the importance of including demographic variables, such as sex, when investigating brain-behavior relationships with a psychophysiological dependent variable.
Social Work Knowledge Production and Utilisation: An International Comparison

Abstract The social work profession has a long-standing commitment to social innovation and tothe production and utilisation of knowledge to improve social work processes, practicesandsocialwelfarepolicy.Toextendunderstandingofknowledgeproductionandutilisa-tioninsocialwork,thisstudycomparesthemosthighlycitedUSandEuropeansocialworkarticlesintheircontributionstoacumulativebodyofresearchandscholarshipthatiscon-tributing to knowledge development and innovation in the field. One hundred highlycitedEnglish-languagearticleswereanalysedfromapreviousstudy:sixty-nineUSarticlesandthirty-oneEuropeanarticles.Toassessthetypesofknowledgesocialworkreadersandwriters find most important, the articles were first classified by content. They then werecategorised into non-research or research articles, with the research articles further deli-neated by their potential contribution to practice decision making. The results show themajority of European articles are about the profession of social work itself or theorywhile US articles report widely on populations, research and intervention effectiveness.ThemajorityofarticlesinEuropearenon-researcharticles,whereasthemajorityofarticlesintheUSAareresearcharticles.Amongresearchandnon-researcharticles,15percentofUS articles report on intervention effectiveness, while 3 per cent of European articlesreport onintervention effectiveness.Keywords: Knowledge development, utilisation, exchange, innovation, internationalcomparison
Adaptive Surrogate-Model Fitting Using Error Monotonicity

Surrogate models are useful in a wide variety of engineering applications. The employment of these computationally efficient surrogates for complex physical models offers a dramatic reduction in the computational effort required to conduct analyses for the purpose of engineering design. In order to realize this advantage, it is necessary to “fit” the surrogate model to the underlying physical model. This is a considerable challenge as the physical model may consist of many design variables and performance indices, exhibit nonlinear and/or mixed-discrete behaviors, and is typically expensive to evaluate. As a result adaptive sequential sampling techniques, where previous evaluations of the physical model dictate subsequent sample locations, are widely used. In this work, we develop and demonstrate a novel adaptive sequential sampling algorithm for fitting surrogate models of any type, with a focus on large data sets. By examining the monotonicity of an error function the design space is repeatedly partitioned in order to compute a set of “key points.” The key points reduce the problem of fitting to one of precise interpolation, which can be accomplished using well-known methods. We demonstrate the use of this technique to fit several surrogate model types, including blended Hermitian polynomials and Non-Uniform Rational B-splines (NURBs), to nonlinear noisy data. We conclude with our observations as to the effectiveness of this fitting technique, its strengths and limitations, as well as a discussion of further work in this vein.© 2014 ASME
Implementing Patient Family-Centered Care Grand Rounds Using Patient/Family Advisor Narratives

With the emerging trend of patient family-centered care in health care, it is essential that physicians be exposed to patient and family perspectives of care during medical education and training. Grand Rounds provides an ideal format for physicians to learn about patient family-centered care. At Brigham and Women's Hospital, we sought to bring the voice of the patient to Patient Family-Centered Grand Rounds in order to expose clinicians to rich narratives describing the medical care received by patients/families and to ultimately change physician practice to reflect patient family-centered principles. We conducted a clinician survey and found promising results indicating that patient/family narratives can be effective at educating physicians about patient family-centered care.
Ventricular fibrillation: triggers, mechanisms and therapies

Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is a common, life-threatening arrhythmia responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. Due to challenges in safely mapping VF, a comprehensive understanding of its mechanisms remains elusive. Recent findings have provided new insights into mechanisms that sustain early VF. Notably, the central role of electrical rotors and catheter-based ablation of VF rotor substrate have been recently reported. In this article, we will review data regarding four stages of VF: initiation, transition, maintenance and evolution. We will discuss the particular mechanisms for each stage and therapies targeting these mechanisms. We also examine inherited arrhythmia syndromes, including the mechanisms and therapies specific to each. We hope that the overview of VF outlined in this work will assist other investigators in designing future therapies to interrupt this life-threatening arrhythmia.
A Translatable, Closed Recirculation System for AAV6 Vector-Mediated Myocardial Gene Delivery in the Large Animal

Current strategies for managing congestive heart failure are limited, validating the search for an alternative treatment modality. Gene therapy holds tremendous promise as both a practical and translatable technology platform. Its effectiveness is evidenced by the improvements in cardiac function observed in vector-mediated therapeutic transgene delivery to the murine myocardium. A large animal model validating these results is the likely segue into clinical application. However, controversy still exists regarding a suitable method of vector-mediated cardiac gene delivery that provides for efficient, global gene transfer to the large animal myocardium that is also clinically translatable and practical. Intramyocardial injection and catheter-based coronary delivery techniques are attractive alternatives with respect to their clinical applicability; yet, they are fraught with numerous challenges, including concerns regarding collateral gene expression in other organs, low efficiency of vector delivery to the myocardium, inhomogeneous expression, and untoward immune response secondary to gene delivery. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) delivery with dual systemic and isolated cardiac circuitry precludes these drawbacks and has the added advantage of allowing for control of the pharmacological milieu, multiple pass recirculation through the coronary circulation, the selective addition of endothelial permeabilizing agents, and an increase in vector residence time. Collectively, these mechanics significantly improve the efficiency of global, vector-mediated cardiac gene delivery to the large animal myocardium, highlighting a potential therapeutic strategy to be extended to some heart failure patients.
INFLUENCE OF CROP ROTATION AND YEARS IN BAHIAGRASS ON PLANT-PARASITIC NEMATODE DENSITY IN AN ORGANIC VEGETABLE PRODUCTION SYSTEM

The population density of six nematode genera was evaluated in an organic crop rotation of oats, Avena sativa, and rye, Secale cereale (winter); bush beans, Phaseolus vulgaris, (spring); soybean, Glycine max (summer); and broccoli, Brassica oleracea (fall) as a function of prior years in bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) and tillage. Neither conventional nor conservation tillage significantly impacted nematode populations. Root-knot (Meloidogyne spp.), reniform (Rotylenchulus spp.), spiral (Heliocotylenchus spp.), stubby-root (Tricodorus and Paratrichodorous spp.), ring (Mesocriconema spp.), and dagger (Xiphinema spp.) nematodes were quantified from 2011 to 2013 in plots that had been previously in bahiagrass for 2 or 25 yr or where bahiagrass had not been grown. In 2011, root-knot nematode population density was low after the winter oats and rye cover crop regardless of whether the plots were in 0-, 2-, or 25-yr bahiagrass rotation. After the bush bean and soybean rotation, there was an increase in root-knot abundance in the 0-yr bahiagrass regime, compared to 2 or 25 yr in bahiagrass. Root-knot population density was low in the second and third year of the crop rotations. Reniform and spiral nematodes were often impacted by prior years in bahiagrass. The abundance of reniform nematodes was highest for the bush bean crop in the 0-yr bahiagrass treatment from 2011 to 2012. For soybeans, the abundance of reniform nematodes was much higher for 0-yr bahiagrass only during the first year of the study. Root-knot nematodes on broccoli remained at very low levels, and reniform nematodes were low except for 2011 in the 0-yr bahiagrass treatment. The influence of weed species on the population density of nematode genera was evaluated in the field. The populations of spiral nematodes were highest of the nematode genera in soil samples collected from the vicinity of the root systems of bahiagrass, bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon), goosegrass (Eleusine indica), bush bean, purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus), smooth pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus), soybean, and tropical spiderwort (Commelina benghalensis). The population densities of other nematode genera in soil samples surrounding weeds were low.
Developing Managers Who can Manage and Lead Sales Forces in Multicultural Markets

Today’s salespeople must be trained to sell in multicultural markets, yet those largely responsible for sales training, i.e., sales managers, also need multicultural training. The limited literature on sales management training indicates that most sales managers receive little or no training, and rarely does the training cover multicultural markets. Unless sales managers receive sufficient multicultural training, their sales forces and their companies will have difficulty competing globally in the 21st Century.
Nonlinear mixing of Nd:YAG lasers; harmonic and sum frequency generation

Abstract Nonlinear optical materials give rise to a number of phenomena under high intensity of the incident electric field, with nonlinear mixing being a prominent example. This article discusses such nonlinear mixing processes of Nd:YAG lasers in BBO outside the more common harmonics of the 1.064 μm transition (0.532 μm, 0.366 μm and 0.266 μm). In particular, harmonics of the less common 0.946 μm transition (0.473 μm and 0.315 μm) as well as sum frequency of the 1.052 and 1.319 μm transitions (0.585 μm) and its second harmonic (0.293 μm) is discussed.
BaSn2: A wide-gap strong topological insulator

${\mathrm{BaSn}}_{2}$ has been shown to form as layers of buckled stanene intercalated by barium ions. However, despite an apparently straightforward synthesis and significant interest in stanene as a topological material, ${\mathrm{BaSn}}_{2}$ has been left largely unexplored, and has only recently been recognized as a potential topological insulator. Belonging to neither the lead nor bismuth chalcogenide families, it would represent a unique manifestation of the topological insulating phase. Here we present a detailed investigation of ${\mathrm{BaSn}}_{2}$, using both ab initio and experimental methods. First-principles calculations demonstrate that this overlooked material is indeed a strong, wide-gap topological insulator with a bulk band gap of 200 meV. We characterize the surface state dependence on termination chemistry, providing guidance for experimental efforts to measure and manipulate its topological properties. Additionally, through ab initio modeling and synthesis experiments, we explore the stability and accessibility of this phase, revealing a complicated phase diagram that indicates a challenging path to obtaining single crystals.
Complex Dynamic Systems: Dimensionality, Structure and Uncertainty

Abstract “Complexity” is a new challenging notion in system theory. We shall review the status and prospect of research in complex dynamic systems with special emphasis on dimensionality, information structure constraints, and uncertainty. In the broader context, we believe that this choice of characterization of complexity reflects the present trend of system theory and practice, and that it will be constructive in the future developments of the field.
Characterization of Electric Field Pulses Produced by Cloud and Ground Lightning Discharges

We examined microsecond-and submicrosecond-scale pulses in electric field records of cloud and cloud-to-ground lightning discharges acquired in summer 2006, in Gainesville, Florida. A total of 12 cloud and 12 ground flashes were analyzed in detail, with the electric field record length being 96 or 200 ms and sampling interval being 4 or 10 ns. The majority of pulses in both cloud and ground discharges analyzed in this study were associated with the initial breakdown process and were relatively small in amplitude and duration. The typical durations were an order of magnitude smaller than tens of microseconds characteristic of "classical" preliminary breakdown pulses. We estimated that 26% of the pulses in the 12 cloud discharges and 22% of the pulses in the 12 cloud-to-ground discharges had total durations less that 1 mus.
Real-time MPI-based software for processing of XPCS data

We describe a software library, called MPIFCCD, based on the Message Passing Interface (MPI) for real-time parallel computing on data continuously streamed from the Frame Store Fast Charge-Coupled Device (FSFCCD) Detector located at the Advanced Photon Source (APS) at Argonne National Laboratory. The FSFCCD is used to collect data for X-ray Photon Correlation Spectroscopy (XPCS) experiments at Sector 8-ID at APS. MPIFCCD is integrated into another software package called CINController, developed at APS and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to serve as a QT-based user interface for control and data collection from the FSFCCD. Real-time calculations performed by MPIFCCD include dark image integration and subtraction, noise image integration, image descrambling, and lower-level discrimination. MPIFCCD allows for continuous real-time data collection of FSFCCD data at image rates of 100 frames- per-second (fps) for 1 mega-pixel images and 1000fps for 10 kilo-pixel images. In the future, more complex computations will be implemented in real time with MPIFCCD.
Form, Intention, and Indexing: The Liminal and Integrated Conceptions of Work in Knowledge Organization

This paper proposes a dual conception of work in knowledge organization. The first part is a conception of work as liminal, set apart from everyday work. The second is integrated, without separation. This talk is the beginning of a larger project where we will characterize work in knowledge organization, both as it is set out in our literature (Sauperl, 2004; Hjorland 2003 Wilson, 1968), and in a philosophical argument for its fundamental importance in the activities of society (Shera, 1972; Zandonade, 2004).But in order to do this, we will co-opt the conception of liminality from the anthropology of religion (Turner, 1967), and Zen Buddhist conceptions of moral action, intention, and integration (Harvey, 2000 and cf., Harada, S., 2008).The goal for this talk is to identify the acts repeated (form) and the purpose of those acts (intention), in knowledge organization, with specific regard to thresholds (liminal points) of intention present in those acts.
Ultrahigh-Q silica-ALN hybrid disk optomechanical modulator

We present a hybrid silica (SiO 2 ) and aluminum nitride (AlN) optomechanical disk resonator capable of efficient optical modulation over a wide range of wavelengths. Light from a waveguide is coupled to modes of the high-Q wedge-disk optical resonator while the AlN piezoelectric layer actuates mechanical vibrations in response to an RF stimulus, resulting in light modulation via dispersive and dissipative coupling. We experimentally demonstrate modulation at both 1550 nm and 780 nm wavelengths.
Cholinergic symptoms and QTc prolongation following donepezil overdose

Donepezil is the most commonly prescribed acetylcholinesterase inhibitor for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, an ailment that affects millions of older adult patients. By inhibiting the breakdown of acetylcholine in the central nervous system, donepezil has been shown to slow cognitive decline and improve patients' functional status. While donepezil is well-tolerated and generally considered safe at therapeutic doses, taking more than the prescribed dose could result in adverse cholinergic effects that range from mild gastrointestinal distress to serious cardiac dysrhythmias. We present a case of an 84-year-old man who developed gastrointestinal and cardiac disturbances after ingesting seven-times his daily dose of donepezil. As no specific antidote is available for donepezil overdose, this case highlights the importance of supportive care with particular attention to the management of cardiac dysrhythmias in patients displaying signs of toxicity.
Practical Limitations of the Dilute Acid Hydrolysis Method for Solubilizing Meat and Bone Meal Protein

A previous study reported conditions that hydrolyze meat and bone meal (MBM) protein in a site-specific manner, transforming insoluble MBM protein into large, soluble protein fragments with good flocculant functionality. It is not clear, however, that this phenomenon can be adapted for industrial-scale processing of MBM at reasonable expense. The present study examines whether the desirable characteristics of the reaction product are retained when hydrolysis is conducted using much higher MBM concentration, MBM with relatively large solid particles, and in the presence of fat and bone. The results showed that bone mineral depressed the conversion rate progressively as the MBM concentration increased. An increase in acid concentration reversed the rate depression, and good conversion rates were achieved for up to 200 g of substrate per liter. Particle size and fat showed no consistent effect on the conversion rate. The reaction was shown to retain its site specificity under all conditions tested. Higher MB...
Managing and analyzing student learning data: a python-based solution for edX

Online learning platforms, such as edX, generate usage statistics data that can be valuable to educators. However, handling this raw data can prove challenging and time consuming for instructors and course designers. The raw data for the MIT courses running on the edX platform (MITx courses) are pre-processed and stored in a Google BigQuery database. We designed a tool based on Python and additional open-source Python packages such as Jupyter Notebook, to enable instructors to analyze their student data easily and securely. We expect that instructors would be encouraged to adopt more evidence-based teaching practices based on their interaction with the data.
PARADIGM SHIFT IN DEVELOPING COUNTERMEASURES TO BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL THREATS

Developments in the continental United States (dissemination of Anthrax-contaminated items through the U.S. mail in October 2001) and on the international scene (emergence of Congo-Crimean hemorrhagic fever in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region) have alerted the defense community to the real threat of biological and chemical agents to civilian and military populations. Current strategies have had a stove-piped appearance, with efforts directed towards the development of individualized communications systems, separate detectors for each threat agent, tradition-based vaccines, and antibiotics for post-event care delivery. What is needed is an integrated sensor alert system that can selectively and simultaneously detect all threat agents with little to no false positive/negative events, a seamlessly integrated communications network capability that enables the conversion of data to actionable information, and novel pre- and post-event treatments. New technologies required for an effective response to a biological or chemical attack include: multi-array sensors for threat agents; sensors for validating signatures of the host response to infection; a telemedicine system to deliver post-event care for up to 20,000 victims of a biological or chemical strike; an intelligent software network that permits meaningful resource allocations and redundant pathways that survive a catastrophic attack; and novel vaccines and restricted access antivirals/antibacterials to reduce the emergence of drug resistant strains pre- and post-event. Multi-array sensor platforms and alert systems must permit rapid screening of many samples for the presence of signature molecules and be small and lightweight with low power requirements. Genomic sequences of threat agents naturally present in different global regions must be determined to permit attribution of an attack to the source of an agent. A communications system that allows for the integration of information on emerging disease, resource allocation inventory, public safety coordination, perimeter management and extended telemedicine care is yet to be realized. Databases that provide information on the normal distribution of naturally occurring threat agents and the normal incidence of diseases in communities must be established. These databases should be integrated into a sensor and communication system that will provide an early alert of a biological or chemical attack, and optimize consequence management actions to neutralize the impact of the attack. This sensor and communication strategy is critical to sustaining normal health, commerce and international activities.
Coupling Stoichiometry and the Energetic Adequacy Question

Historically, scientific consideration of the energetics of intestinal Na+-dependent transport systems has evolved through five distinct conceptual stages (see Table 1). The earliest stage involved recognition of a mechanistic role for Na+ (Riklis and Quastel 1958, Crane et al. 1961), Characterization of its kinetic effects (Crane et al. 1965, Curran et al. 1967, Goldner et al. 1969) and proposal of transport models which considered flow of Na+ down a gradient of chemical potential as the means of energy input to the transport system (for a review see Schultz and Curran 1970). These models typically involved membrane components with binding sites for both Na+ and an organic solute.
Physical Characteristics of Ultrasound

The information provided in this chapter is intended to develop an understanding of the fundamental principles of ultrasound—its basic properties and interactions—so that medical and biological applications may be understood more fully.
Respiratory Medicine of Cage and Aviary Birds

Respiratory diseases are a relatively common cause of illness and death in cage birds. A diagnostic algorithm is provided based on history, physical examination, and ancillary diagnostic findings that assist clinicians in determining the cause of a bird's respiratory disease. Also included are detailed descriptions of the common respiratory diseases of cage birds and their treatment.
Supervised Noise Reduction for Multichannel Keyword Spotting

This paper presents a robust, small-footprint, far-field keyword spotting (KWS) algorithm, which was inspired by the human auditory system's ability to achieve the so-called cocktail party effect in adverse acoustic environments. It introduces the idea of combining microphone-array speech enhancement with machine learning, by incorporating a feedback path from the neural network (NN) KWS classifier to its signal preprocessing frontend so that frontend noise reduction can benefit from, and in turn, better serve backend machine intelligence. We find that the new system can significantly improve KWS performance for Google Home when there is strong music or TV noise in the background. While this innovative and successfully validated strategy of combining signal processing and machine learning is developed for KWS, its technical feasibility is presumably extensible to many other applications, including noise robust speaker identification and automatic speech recognition.
Siglec-7 engagement by GBS β-protein suppresses pyroptotic cell death of natural killer cells.

Natural killer (NK) cells are innate immune lymphocytes that recognize and destroy abnormal host cells, such as tumor cells or those infected by viral pathogens. To safely accomplish these functions, NK cells display activating receptors that detect stress molecules or viral ligands displayed at the cell surface, balanced by inhibitory receptors that bind to self-molecules. To date, such activating and inhibitory receptors on NK cells are not known to recognize bacterial determinants. Moreover, NK cell responses to direct interactions with extracellular bacteria are poorly explored. In this study, we observed the human neonatal pathogen group B Streptococcus (GBS) can directly engage human NK cells. The interaction was mediated through the B6N segment of streptococcal β-protein, binding to the inhibitory receptor Siglec-7 via its amino-terminal V-set domain. Unlike classical Siglec binding, the interaction is also independent of its sialic acid recognition property. In contrast to WT GBS, mutants lacking β-protein induced efficient pyroptosis of NK cells through the NLRP3 inflammasome, with production and secretion of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β and dissemination of the cytotoxic molecule granzyme B. We postulate that GBS evolved β-protein engagement of inhibitory human Siglec-7 to suppress the pyroptotic response of NK cells and thereby block recruitment of a broader innate immune response, i.e., by “silencing the sentinel.”
Influence of Soft Kernel Texture on Fresh Durum Pasta

This study examined the quality of fresh pasta made from 3 varieties of a new type of durum wheat possessing soft kernel texture, as compared to fresh pasta made from commercial samples of durum semolina, durum flour, and bread flour, each at 3 levels of hydration (28%, 30%, and 32%, respectively). Soft durum possesses a small part of chromosome 5D that carries the Hardness locus and puroindoline genes. The soft durum lines were derived from the durum varieties Svevo, Alzada, and Havasu. The soft durum pasta exhibited low cooking weight increase (water uptake) (115% to 122%), the lowest cooking loss (∼3% to 4%), high firmness (269.3, 265.8, and 297.9 g, Soft Svevo, Soft Havasu, and Soft Alzada, respectively, versus 239.7 and 273.6 g, durum flour and semolina, respectively), low stickiness (4.17 to 4.96 g·s for the soft durums compared with 5.04 for the semolina), and raw and cooked pasta color comparable to or superior to those exhibited by the durum semolina (high L* and b* ). The soft durum samples also exhibited pasta quality superior to both the durum flour and bread flour samples. These results challenge the long-standing view that high-quality pasta must be made from durum semolina. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This study illustrates the quality and potential applications of soft durum wheat in pasta manufacturing. As a new type of wheat, understanding these properties is crucial for manufacturers and others who may be interested in utilizing soft durum.
Selective photocatalytic oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde or C-C coupled products by visible-light-absorbing quantum dots

This Forum Article describes the photocatalytic oxidation of benzyl alcohol by visible-light-absorbing colloidal CdS quantum dots (QDs), with 99% selectivity for benzaldehyde or 91% selectivity for...
Establishing digital biomarkers for clinical trials. (P6.181)

Objective: This study uses a home-based pervasive computing system to identify changes in meaningful outcomes in typical patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or early Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and compares outcome measures of the automated system to conventional clinical outcome measures while patients transition on or off typical AD-related treatments. Background: Conventional trials methodology for testing dementia treatments is limited due to an assessment paradigm that acquires data in an episodic, infrequent manner and relies on subjective self- and proxy-based reports. Home-based pervasive computing and sensing systems provide a means to acquire objective, high-frequency, longitudinal data generating ecologically valid outcome measures (also known as digital biomarkers) directly related to in-the-moment cognitive and functional status. Design/Methods: This natural history, pragmatic proof of concept clinical trial enrolls MCI or early-stage AD patients living with a care partner. A pervasive sensing and computing system is deployed in each couple’s home continuously providing data regarding key outcomes: physical activity and mobility, sleep, computer use, driving and medication adherence. Each participant undergoes a conventional neurological and cognitive battery at baseline, and weekly on-line reports on changes to their health and medications. Conventional tests are compared to the continuous data. Results: Eight homes are currently enrolled: 3 participants with MCI and 5 with AD. Overall 98.6% of weekly surveys were completed by participants with cognitive impairment and 3 of 8 participants required assistance from their care partner. Daily activity (step count), medication adherence, total time in bed and number of nighttime awakenings are reliably derived from algorithms using data from the sensing and computing system. Conclusions: Outcome metrics comprising multiple functional and health related domains impacted by cognitive impairment can be successfully collected and analyzed from multi-person homes. The approach may ultimately reduce trial durations, sample size needs and reliance on episodic clinic-based assessment. Disclosure: Dr. Thomas has nothing to disclose. Dr. Mattek has nothing to disclose. Dr. Riley has nothing to disclose. Dr. Witter has nothing to disclose. Dr. Reynolds has nothing to disclose. Dr. Austin has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sharma has nothing to disclose. Dr. Marcoe has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kaye has nothing to disclose.