cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparative analysis of company forecasts and advanced time series techniques using annual electric utility energy sales data

Abstract This article describes the results of a study of load forecasting at 49 of the 75 largest electric utilities in the United States. Historical forecasts and actual energy sales data were obtained from each participating utility along with descriptions of the technique or techniques used in the forecast preparation. Comparisons are made between techniques for forecasts with two, four, six, and eleven year horizons and vintages of 1972, 1976, 1978, 1980, and 1982. In addition, one multivariate and four univariate time series techniques were tested using annual sales data supplied by the utilities. The techniques tested were Univariate Adaptive Estimation Procedure (UNIAEP), Linear Regression, Holt's Exponential Smoothing, a combination technique which weights each of the previous approaches by one third, and a multiple regression approach where total electricity sales are forecast from state real per capita income, state population, and national real electricity price. The results show that the utility forecasts, especially end-use models, perform extremely well for the two year horizons but deteriorate over the longer term. Of the time series techniques tested, the combination technique and the Univariate Adaptive Estimation Procedure perform best over all horizons. Holt's Exponential Smoothing performs reasonably well in the short term while linear extrapolation performs fairly well over longer horizons. The results of the multivariate technique are disappointing in the short term but show some improvement for the longer horizons.
Superoxide anion radical as an indirect mediator in ocular inflammatory disease

Intravitreal injection of a superoxidegenerating reaction mixture of xanthine oxidase and xanthine, either with or without rabbit plasma, was shown to be a mediator of an intense uveal and retinal inflammation in pigmented and albino rabbits. Controls of heat-inactivated xanthine oxidase with or without rabbit plasma, or plasma by itself, was without effect on ocular tissues. Xanthine alone as a control exhibited little or no inflammatory response. Controls of active xanthine oxidase by itself, or with rabbit plasma, produced a very strong inflammatory response that may represent enzymic reaction with endogenous xanthine. When the superoxide generating reaction mixture was given intravitreally the reaction began in the anterior segment within 16 hours and reached its peak after 2 days. The response in the posterior segment was delayed and did not become evident until after at least 24 hours, and may be due to the close proximity of the anterior chamber to the ciliary processes where cellular exudates firs...
The Tryptophan-rich Motifs of the Thrombospondin Type 1 Repeats Bind VLAL Motifs in the Latent Transforming Growth Factor-β Complex

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is secreted as a latent complex of the latency-associated peptide (LAP) and the mature domain, which must be activated for TGF-beta to signal. We previously identified thrombospondin 1 (TSP1) as a physiologic activator of TGF-beta in vitro and in vivo. The WSXW sequences in the type 1 repeats of TSP1 interact with the mature domain of TGF-beta, and WSXW peptides inhibit TSP1-mediated activation by blocking TSP1 binding to the TGF-beta latent complex. However, the binding site for the WSXW sequence was not identified. In this report, we show that the WSXW sequences bind the (61)VLAL sequence in mature TGF-beta and also bind (77)VLAL in LAP. A glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion protein of the second TSP1 type 1 repeat (GST-TSR2) binds immobilized VLAL peptide. VLAL peptides inhibit binding of LAP and mature TGF-beta to soluble GST-TSR2 and immobilized WSXW peptide. VLAL peptide inhibits TSP1-mediated activation of recombinant and endothelial cell-derived latent TGF-beta. Furthermore, TGF-beta or LAP deleted in the VLAL sequence fails to bind immobilized WSXW or soluble GST-TSR2, indicating that binding to both VLAL sequences is important for association of TSP1 and the latent complex. Additionally, TSP1 is unable to activate latent TGF-beta when VLAL is deleted from the mature domain. These data show that the WSXW motif binds VLAL on both LAP and mature TGF-beta, and these interactions are critical for TSP1-mediated activation of the TGF-beta latent complex.
Active Learning through Adaptive Heterogeneous Ensembling

An open question in ensemble-based active learning is how to choose one classifier type, or appropriate combinations of multiple classifier types, to construct ensembles for a given task. While existing approaches typically choose one classifier type, this paper presents a method that trains and adapts multiple instances of multiple classifier types toward an appropriate ensemble during active learning. The method is termed adaptive heterogeneous ensembles (henceforth referred to as AHE). Experimental evaluations show that AHE constructs heterogeneous ensembles that outperform homogeneous ensembles composed of any one of the classifier types, as well as bagging, boosting and the random subspace method with random sampling. We also show in this paper that the advantage of AHE over other methods is increased if (1) the overall size of the ensemble also adapts during learning; and (2) the target data set is composed of more than two class labels. Through analysis we show that the AHE outperforms other methods because it automatically discovers complementary classifiers: for each data instance in the data set, instances of the classifier type best suited for that data point vote together, while instances of the other, inappropriate classifier types disagree, thereby producing a correct overall majority vote.
Contributions of Electron Microscopy and Single-Particle Techniques to the Determination of the Ryanodine Receptor Three-Dimensional Structure

The ryanodine receptor is the main intracellular calcium release channel from the sarcoplasmic reticulum in striated muscle. It is the largest ion channel known, composed of four identical major subunits of 565 kDa and four smaller 12-kDa subunits, identified as FK-506 binding protein. The successful isolation of the ryanodine receptor together with the development of cryoelectron microscopy and single-particle image processing techniques have enabled major progress to be made in the determination of the receptor's structure over the past decade. Three-dimensional reconstruction shows the receptor to be composed of two main parts, a large square shaped cytoplasmic assembly and a smaller transmembrane assembly. The cytoplasmic assembly has an unusual architecture in which about 10 domain-like structures are interconnected in a loosely packed manner. Subsequent studies have started to reveal conformational changes associated with channel gating and the localization of binding sites for some proteins with which the receptor interacts (calmodulin, and FK-506 binding protein). It is becoming clear that long-range induced conformational changes must be involved in the mechanisms of modulation of the receptor's gating properties.
ALLOY DECOMPOSITION DURING GROWTH DUE TO MOBILITY DIFFERENCES

During growth of an alloy, any evolution of the surface morphology can lead to nonuniform composition. This occurs because there is always some difference in the mobility of the respective atoms. We examine in particular the much-studied case of a surface under stress. In this case there are two mechanisms driving decomposition---the different atomic sizes and the different mobilities. Depending on the system, the effect of mobility difference can dominate or even cancel the well-known effect of atomic size difference.
Dc and ac conductivity in wide composition range Li2OP2O5 glasses

The electrical conductivity of lithium phosphate glasses has been studied over wide frequency and temperature ranges, using a fully automated system capable of yielding data of high precision. Due to a “total drybox” sample preparation facility, samples containing P2O5 contents up to 65 mol% have been included without sacrifice of data quality. Comparisons with the behavior of the corresponding silicate, borate and boroaluminate glasses have been made and analyzed in terms of microscopic models. At the other composition extreme, measurements have been extended to 62.5 mol% Li2O without finding a conductivity maximum. The ac conductivity data have been analyzed using the modulus formalism, and systematic trends in the Kohlrausch parameter β with composition have been recorded. β decreases from 0.60 to 0.49 over the composition range 37–62.5 mol% li2O and seems to correlate best with the isothermal conductivity. Attention is drawn to anomalous structuring effects in P2O5-rich glasses.
Improved stabilization scheme for computerized pulse-height analyzers

Abstract A stabilization scheme has been adapted from a 24-bit to a 16-bit computer. A precision pulse generator produces tagged reference pulses alternately of high and low amplitude. Gain andzero corrections are obtained from these and applied to each normal event. Provisions are made to make the system robust against pileup corruption of the reference pulses.
Sample preparation methods for small-angle X-ray scattering study of phase separation in lead borate glasses

Abstract Several techniques for the preparation of glass samples for small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) analysis are considered. Film and powder methods could be particularly useful in the case of glasses which are difficult to grind and polish and which absorb X rays strongly. The latter two techniques are compared in an application of the SAXS analysis to a phase-separated glass.
A mixture of experts based discretization approach for characterizing subsurface contaminant source zones

Accidental releases and improper disposal of hazardous chemicals has led to widespread chemical contamination of subsurface soils and water-bearing formations. Effective remediation and restoration of such contaminated sites is dependent upon knowledge of the contaminant's mass and distribution within the aquifer. Recent research has shown that the estimation of certain metrics which summarize the distribution of the contaminant in the source-zone is sufficient for designing effective remediation strategies. In this work we explore the task of predicting such a metric based upon down-gradient concentration profiles. Motivated by the underlying physics of this problem we model this as a classification task where each class represents a particular sub-range of the metric. The solution to this problem is obtained by adapting the mixture of experts (MoE) scheme to learn a suitable quantization of the metric. Experimental evidence shows that this scheme outperforms baseline methods.
Evidence that deprenyl, A type B monoamine oxidase inhibitor, is an indirectly acting sympathomimetic amine.

Abstract Various doses of l-deprenyl were tested for their abilities to increase blood pressure or heart rate in animals pretreated with a ganglionic blocking agent. The use of a ganglionic blocker (chlorisondamine) ensured that deprenyl-induced responses were mediated by the peripheral autonomic nervous system, and that these responses were not influenced by the central nervous system. It was found that l-deprenyl had a modest ability to increase blood pressure and a marked ability to increase heart rate. The ability of l-deprenyl to increase heart rate was diminished or abolished by propranolol, reserpine, and chemical sympathectomy (6-hydroxydopamine). Deprenyl-induced responses were negligibly affected by adrenalectomy. These data suggest that l-deprenyl is an indirectly acting sympathomimetic amine whose responses are mediated by norepinephrine in postganglionic sympathetic neurons. An additional finding was that desmethylimipramine, a known blocker of the norepinephrine pump, antagonized the effects of l-deprenyl. This finding suggests that l-deprenyl enters sympathetic neurons via the membrane pump. The ability of l-deprenyl to enter sympathetic neurons and evoke release of endogenous amines was not accompanied by a significant loss of tissue (heart) norepinephrine.
The use of bog vegetation as an indicator of atmospheric deposition of arsenic in northern Ontario

Abstract There is ample evidence of the release of potentially toxic metals from the Sudbury region of Ontario. However, insufficient information is available concerning the distribution of arsenic from atmospheric inputs in northern Ontario. This element is associated with smelting activities in other parts of Canada, especially northern Manitoba and Yellowknife, NWT. Bog vegetation was chosen as an indicator of this chemical input, since bogs receive their chemical inputs solely from atmospheric fallout. This alleviates problems associated with monitoring lake sediments and soils which can receive elemental inputs from their watersheds. An increase in As concentration was found in bog vegetation near smelters, both at Sudbury and in the Timmins/Kirkland Lake, Ontario/Rouyn, Quebec areas. A distinct decrease in concentration occurred with distance. A comparison of As levels between species examined at the same location indicated that the moss and lichen species were more efficient scavengers of As than low shrubs. Concentrations determined in this study were above background data from more remote areas, especially in the Sudbury area where a 20 × increase was noted in lichens. This study further confirms the use of bog vegetation as a sensitive indicator of elemental fallout.
Nuclear resonance fluorescence measurements on the 845 keV level in Fe56

Abstract Nuclear resonance fluorescence has been observed for the 845 keV level of Fe56. A gaseous source of Mn56 as MnCl2 was used in order to utilize the recoil due to previous radiations to compensate for the recoil Doppler broadening of the emission and absorption lines. Resonant self-absorption measurements gave a half-life of 6±2p sec for the state.
Rise in serum albumin and creatinine in the first half year on hemodialysis

Rise in serum albumin and creatinine in the first half year on hemodialysis. Background Serum albumin and creatinine have been reported to rise in new hemodialysis patients; however, these trends have not been quantitated in a stable cohort, and their determinants and prognostic value are unknown. Methods This study examined the changes in monthly values of serum albumin and creatinine over the first half year of hemodialysis in 115 patients who survived to the start of the sixth month. After verifying that the trends were approximately linear, we calculated the rates of rise (slope) of six predialysis values of serum albumin (months 1 through 6) and of creatinine (months 2 through 7) and examined their associations with age, diabetes, race, baseline 24-hour urine protein and creatinine excretion, and survival during the latter half of the first year. Results Serum albumin rose by 13% over months 1 through 6 [0.08 ± 0.12 (SD) g/dl/month, P -9 vs. zero slope]. Patients who survived the entire year had higher mean values for both serum albumin (month 1, P P -3 ) and rate of rise of albumin (0.09 ± 0.11 g/dl/month vs. 0.01 ± 0.13 g/dl/month, P P r = 0.49, P -5 ). Serum creatinine rose by 12% between months 2 through 7 (0.12 ± 0.47 mg/dl/month, P P P P P P P -3 ), as well as correlating with the creatinine slope ( r = 0.26, P Conclusions Serum albumin and creatinine rose by 12 to 13% during the first half year of hemodialysis in a stable cohort. The slope of serum albumin versus time predicted survival, but it was not as predictive as the absolute albumin concentration. The pattern of correlations of baseline urinary protein and creatinine excretion with the respective monthly serum values of albumin and creatinine and their slopes is consistent with the hypothesis that as residual renal function declines, progressive retention of protein and creatinine contributes to the respective rises in serum albumin and creatinine.
Gas-Phase Cluster Ion Vibrational Spectroscopy of Na+(CH3OH)2-7

The vibrational spectra of Na+(CH3OH)2-7 in the 2.7−3.0 μm region have been measured using a LiNbO3 optical parametric oscillator and a triple-quadrupole molecular beam apparatus. The cluster ions are formed by the impact of a sodium ion with a preformed methanol cluster. Frequency shifts of the methanol O−H stretch are used to identify both the onset of hydrogen-bond formation and the nature of the hydrogen-bonded species in the cluster ions, permitting the microscopic characterization of the solvation process. Methanol molecules associated with the cluster ion, but not acting as proton donors in a hydrogen bond, absorb in the 3660−70 cm-1 region, while bands due to hydrogen-bonded species have been observed at ∼3515, 3420, and 3350 cm-1. The onset of hydrogen-bond formation is nominally first observed for Na+(CH3OH)4, with more extensive hydrogen bonding observed for Na+(CH3OH)5-7. An assessment of the influence of the sodium ion on the methanol vibrational frequencies can be made through comparison wit...
958 PRODUCTION OF MUCOSAL ANTIBODY FOLLOWING PARENTERAL VACCINATION WITH HAEMOPHILUS INFLUENZAE TYPE B CAPSULAR POLYSACCHARIDE (PRP)

Anti-PRP antibody (ab) in sera and mucosal secretions from 5 children (>18 mo of age) and 4 adults was quantified by radioantigen binding, before and 3 weeks after immunization with 15 μg of PRP. Total IgA in secretions was quantified by laser-nephelometry. 8 of 9 subjects had detectable serum ab prior to vaccination and all produced an increase (children 4.5-640X, adults 3.3-48X) in serum ab following immunization. Prior to vaccination 3 of 5 children had detectable ab in nasal secretions (519-1828 ng ab/mg IgA). 2 of the 3 children with preimmunization nasal ab had an increase of ab following vaccination (2.3 & 7.7X) and 1 had no response. Both children with nondetectable preimmunization nasal ab levels had detectable levels following vaccination (1026 & 2093 ng ab/mg IgA). All adults had ab in nasal mucus (120-1917 ng ab/mg IgA) and 3 of 4 adults had ab in parotid saliva (127-241 ng ab/mg IgA) prior to vaccination. 3 of 4 adults had an increase (1.6-6.2X) and 1 had a transient decrease of nasal ab and all adults had an increase in salivary ab (3-8.5X in those with detectable preimmunization levels and to 1419 ng ab/mg IgA in the other subject) following vaccination. The subjects who did not have an increase in mucosal ab had the highest preimmunization mucosal ab titers. We conclude that, unlike vaccination with many other non-replicating antigens, PRP immunization often increases mucosal as well as serum ab.
A new species of Orbiniella (Polychaeta: Orbiniidae) from deep basins of Antarctica

During the 2002 Antarctic Deep-sea Biodiversity (ANDEEP) programme to the Drake Passage, Weddell Sea Basin and South Sandwich Slope and trench, a new deep-water species of orbiniid polychacte was collected: Orbiniella andeepia sp. nov. Orbiniella andeepia appears to be most closely related to O. marionensis but differs in capillary setal structure, the type and number of acicular spines found in each podial lobe. Orbiniella andeepia is only the third deep-water species of Orbiniella to be discovered. It exhibits both a wide depth- and geographic-range within the Antarctic slope and abyssal sediments.
Diel Movement Patterns and Habitat Use of Flathead Catfish in the Lower St. Joseph River, Michigan

ABSTRACT We examined the diel movement patterns and habitat use of seven flathead catfish fitted with ultrasonic transmitters in the lower St. Joseph River during July and August 2003. Movement rates were significantly greater during dusk, night, and dawn periods (median = 40 to 51 m/h) than during the day (median = 0 m/h). The median total distance moved by flathead catfish throughout the diel cycle was 72 m (range, 0 to 2,143 m), while the median diel range and net displacement were 44 m (range, 0 to 874 m) and 0 m (range, 0 to 874 m), respectively. Fish utilized significantly greater proportions of open-water sand, silt, and gravel habitats during dusk, night, and dawn periods (range, 22 to 40%) than during the day (6%). Water depths and flow rates associated with habitats utilized by flathead catfish were not significantly different among diel periods. Differences existed in the movement patterns and habitat use of flathead catfish within the diel cycle, and both structural and open-water habitats wer...
Epitope-specific mechanisms of IGF1R inhibition by ganitumab.

Background Therapeutic antibodies targeting the IGF1R have shown diverse efficacy and safety signals in oncology clinical trials. The success of these agents as future human therapeutics depends on understanding the specific mechanisms by which these antibodies target IGF1R signaling.
Bacteriophage-amplified bioluminescent sensing of Escherichia coli O157:H7

Escherichia coli O157:H7 remains a continuous public health threat, appearing in meats, water, fruit juices, milk, cheese, and vegetables, where its ingestion at concen- trations of perhaps as low as 10 to 100 organisms can result in potent toxin exposure and severe damage to the lining of the intestine. Abdominal pain and diarrhea develop, which in the very young or elderly can progress towards hemolytic uremic syndrome and kidney failure. To assist in the de- tection of E. coli O157:H7, a recombinant bacteriophage reporter was developed that uses quorum sensing (luxI/ luxR) signaling and luxCDABE-based bioluminescent bio- reporter sensing to specifically and autonomously respond to O157:H7 serotype E. coli. The bacteriophage reporter, derived from phage PP01, was tested in artificially contam- inated foodstuffs including apple juice, tap water, ground beef, and spinach leaf rinsates. In apple juice, detection of E. coli O157:H7 at original inoculums of 1 CFU mL −1 oc- curred within approximately 16 h after a 6-h pre-incubation, detection of 1 CFU mL −1 in tap water occurred within ap- proximately 6.5 h after a 6-h pre-incubation, and detection in spinach leaf rinsates using a real-time Xenogen IVIS imaging system resulted in detection of 1 CFU mL −1 within approximately 4 h after a 2-h pre-incubation. Detection in ground beef was not successful, however, presumably due to the natural occurrence of quorum sensing autoinducer (N-3-(oxohexanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone; OHHL), which generated false-positive bioreporter signals in the ground beef samples.
Selective deficits in the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid in the postmortem orbitofrontal cortex of patients with major depressive disorder.

Background Epidemiological surveys and peripheral tissue (red blood cells/plasma) fatty acid composition studies suggest that omega-3 fatty acid deficiency is associated with major depressive disorder (MDD) and suicide. It was hypothesized that patients with MDD would exhibit lower frontal cortical concentrations of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the principal omega-3 fatty acid in brain, relative to normal controls. Methods We determined the total fatty acid composition of postmortem orbitofrontal cortex (Brodmann’s Area 10) from patients with DSM-IV-defined MDD (n = 15) and age-matched normal controls (n = 27) by gas chromatography. Results After correction for multiple comparisons, the omega-3 fatty acid DHA was the only fatty acid that was significantly different (−22%) in the postmortem orbitofrontal cortex of MDD patients relative to normal controls. Deficits in DHA concentrations were greater in female MDD patients (−32%) than in male MDD patients (−16%), and could not be wholly attributed to lifestyle factors or postmortem tissue variables. Conclusions These results demonstrate a selective deficit in the omega-3 fatty acid DHA in the orbitofrontal cortex of patients with MDD. This finding adds to a growing body of evidence implicating omega-3 fatty acid deficiency as well as the orbitofrontal cortex in the pathophysiology and potentially pathogenesis of MDD.
Increased NR1–NR2A/B coassembly as a mechanism for rat chronic hippocampal epilepsy

Abstract The N -methyl- d -aspartate receptors (NMDAR) produce physiologically functional channels for enhanced excitatory neurotransmission when they exist as heteromeric complexes containing the NMDAR1 subunit combined with NMDAR2. We examined the expressions of NMDAR1 and 2A/B protein in the kainic acid induced rat chronic epileptic hippocampus. Immunoreactivities of both NMDAR1 and NDMAR2A/B were increased in the inner molecular layer of the dentate gyrus, while they were decreased in the hilar and CA3/4 pyramidal zones. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated that the overall level of NMDAR1–2A/B coassembly was increased in the whole hippocampus. These results indicate that the increase of the NMDAR1–2A/B complex in the inner molecular layer is a significant cellular mechanism that contributes to focal hyperexcitability in rat chronic hippocampal epilepsy.
Athletes: Why Blacks Are Better Than Whites

Suppose, for argument's sake, that I am a racist. Suppose that my psychology, my economics, and my politics are predicated on an irrational hatred of Oriental peoples. Finally, suppose that, in the service of my psychological, economic, and political needs, I claim that the peoples of the Orient are shorter than the people of the United States and that they are so for genetic reasons. Would the irrationality of my needs cast doubt on the correctness of my claim?
Prediction of pelagic calcification rates using satellite measurements

Abstract A technique for directly measuring coccolithophore calcification using 14C was first described four decades ago [ Paasche, E., 1962 . Coccolith formation. Nature 193, 1094–1095; Paasche, E., 1963. The adaptation of the Carbon-14 method for the measurement of coccolith production in, Coccolithus huxleyi. Physiologia Plantarum 16, 186–200]. Nonetheless, few direct measurements of calcification have been made in the field that could be used for development of a calcification algorithm for remote sensing. We analyzed 10 datasets of 14C- or 45Ca-based calcification and photosynthesis, containing results from almost 1000 euphotic water samples, in various oceans. We derived a calcification algorithm based on day length, sample depth, sea-surface temperature, chlorophyll a concentration, and suspended calcite concentration (otherwise known as particulate inorganic carbon or “PIC”). The advantage of this algorithm is that inputs can be derived by satellite. Results demonstrated that, like primary production algorithms, our calcification algorithm showed a significant relation between measured and predicted values (P
A COMPUTER-CONTROLLED VIDEO INSTRUMENTATION TECHNIQUE FOR WIND TUNNEL TESTING OF FULL-SCALE LIFTING PARACHUTES~

Wind tunnel tests of parachutes require that aerodynamic data be obtained simultaneously on both the forebody and the parachute. In particular, it is necessary to correlate the relative motion between the parachute and forebody to the loads exerted by the parachute on the forebody as a function of time during dynamic tests, disreefing, and for the full-open canopy. A computerized video instrumentation technique was developed to provide this correlation during a full-scale wind tunnel test of a unique lifting parachute configuration. The instrumentation consisted of a small, rugged TV camera, mounted on the forebody base, which tracked the positions of two lights attached to the inside of the parachute canopy. The positions of the lights were digitized by an on-line minicomputer and converted to yaw, pitch, and roll angles relative to the forebody. These data were obtained 30 times per second and stored on disc memory along with instantaneous values of the axial force and rolling moment exerted by the parachute on the forebody. The motion-force correlations made it possible to determine the yaw damping of the lifting parachute and provided information on the specific sources of rolling moments generated by the parachute. Test results indicate that this computer-controlled video instrumentation can be applied to free-flight tests, dynamic tests, and measurements of relative motion among multiple bodies.
Performance Enhancement of a Thermally Activated Cooling System Using Microchannel Heat Exchangers

Abstract In the current study a thermally activated cooling system that combines an ORC system with a vapor compression cooling cycle was developed and tested under laboratory conditions. This combined system can utilize waste heat or other thermal sources such as solar and geothermal to generate power and cooling. Hot oil with temperature up to 200 °C was used as the simulated heat source for its convenience. Microchannel heat exchangers were used throughout the system in order to meet the performance, size and weight challenges. Two conventional plate heat exchangers for the boiler and recuperator were also tested inside the system for comparison purposes. Compared to the plate boiler and recuperator, the integrated microchannel boiler/recuperator displayed significant improvement of the heat transfer effectiveness over the range of mass flow rates examined which translates to higher conversion efficiency and overall COP. A simplified model, used to design the microchannel recuperator, ignores the entrance and conjugate heat transfer effects, but it appears to match well the trend of measured average heat transfer coefficients for all cases tested. After taking into account the channel side walls, the measured values of the average heat transfer coefficient agree also with the predicted one. Because of this relatively conservative design approach, the actual heat transfer effectiveness for the recuperator was significantly higher than the designed value of 85%. With the integrated microchannel boiler/recuperator, this thermally activated cooling system was able to achieve over 5 kW of cooling and approached an overall COP of 0.8 under laboratory conditions.
Triosmium carbonyl cluster complexes of bridging phosphonate, arsonate, and phosphinate ligands

Abstract Treatment of (μ-H) 3 Os 3 (CO) 9 (μ 3 -CH) sequentially with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid followed by a phosphoric or arsonic acid provides compounds of the formula (μ-H) 2 Os 3 (CO) 9 (μ 3 η 3 -O 3 ER) [E  P, R  Ph( 3 ), Me( 4 ); E  As, R  Ph( 5 )] Assignments of important infrared bands for the coordinated oxyanions have been made. The complex (μ-H) 2 Os 3 (CO) 9 (μ,η 3 3 O 3 PPh) ( 3 ) has been studied by variable temperature 13 C NMR spectroscopy. The reaction of Os 3 (CO) 10 (S) 2 (S = C 8 H 14 ,CH 3 CN) with Ph 2 PO 2 H in THF at 55–60°C produces (μ-H)Os 5 (CO) 10 (μ,η 2 O 2 PPh 2 ) ( ca. 60%), the structure of which has been determined by X-ray crystallography.
RNA interference inhibitors of hepatitis B virus.

Previously, we showed that short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) targeting hepatitis B virus (HBV) potently inhibit the virus in a transient mouse model. However, subsequent studies showed that expression of these hairpins (as well as hairpins targeting human α-1 antitrypsin) from adeno-associated virus vectors (AAV) cause fatality in mice. We used rational design to develop significantly more potent second-generation HBV RNAi triggers embedded within the endogenous microRNA (miRNA) miR-30. A statistical analysis of thermodynamic parameters revealed characteristics important for RNAi potency. Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and shRNAs are known to compete with each other and with endogenous miRNAs for the miRNA machinery. We show that exogenous miRNA expression cassettes can compete with exogenous siRNAs, shRNA, and miRNAs as well as with endogenous miRNAs. Preliminary studies demonstrate that miRNA-based HBV RNAi expression from AAV vectors is well tolerated in mice.
The mitochondrial genome of an aquatic plant, Spirodela polyrhiza.

Background Spirodela polyrhiza is a species of the order Alismatales, which represent the basal lineage of monocots with more ancestral features than the Poales. Its complete sequence of the mitochondrial (mt) genome could provide clues for the understanding of the evolution of mt genomes in plant. Methods Spirodela polyrhiza mt genome was sequenced from total genomic DNA without physical separation of chloroplast and nuclear DNA using the SOLiD platform. Using a genome copy number sensitive assembly algorithm, the mt genome was successfully assembled. Gap closure and accuracy was determined with PCR products sequenced with the dideoxy method. Conclusions This is the most compact monocot mitochondrial genome with 228,493 bp. A total of 57 genes encode 35 known proteins, 3 ribosomal RNAs, and 19 tRNAs that recognize 15 amino acids. There are about 600 RNA editing sites predicted and three lineage specific protein-coding-gene losses. The mitochondrial genes, pseudogenes, and other hypothetical genes (ORFs) cover 71,783 bp (31.0%) of the genome. Imported plastid DNA accounts for an additional 9,295 bp (4.1%) of the mitochondrial DNA. Absence of transposable element sequences suggests that very few nuclear sequences have migrated into Spirodela mtDNA. Phylogenetic analysis of conserved protein-coding genes suggests that Spirodela shares the common ancestor with other monocots, but there is no obvious synteny between Spirodela and rice mtDNAs. After eliminating genes, introns, ORFs, and plastid-derived DNA, nearly four-fifths of the Spirodela mitochondrial genome is of unknown origin and function. Although it contains a similar chloroplast DNA content and range of RNA editing as other monocots, it is void of nuclear insertions, active gene loss, and comprises large regions of sequences of unknown origin in non-coding regions. Moreover, the lack of synteny with known mitochondrial genomic sequences shed new light on the early evolution of monocot mitochondrial genomes.
Republican Responsibility in Criminal Law

Retributivism so dominates criminal theory that lawyers, legal scholars and law students assert with complete confidence that criminal law is justified only in light of violations of another person’s rights. Yet the core tenet of retributivism views criminal law fundamentally through the lens of individual actors, rendering both offender and victim unrecognizably denuded from their social and civic context. Doing so means that retributivism is unable to explain even our most basic criminal law practices, such as why we punish recidivists more than first time offenders or why “hate crimes” are of special concern. A republican view of criminal law brings our most natural intuitions back into focus by insisting that the core of criminal responsibility lies in the offender’s attack on the civic bonds that make living in a society as equals possible. By grounding our punishment practices in an Aristotelian republicanism that for so long was the unquestioned basis of mutual responsibility, we understand that hostility, as expressed in the offender’s “civic character,” matters to us all while still seeing our obligations to reintegrate both victim and offender into our shared civic project.
Interactions of latent variables in structural equation models

Interactions of variables occur in a variety of statistical analyses. The best known procedures for models with interactions of latent variables are technically demanding. Not only does the potential user need to be familiar with structural equation modeling (SEM), but the researcher must be familiar with programming nonlinear and linear constraints and must be comfortable with fairly large and complicated models. This article provides a largely nontechnical description of an alternative two‐stage least squares (2SLS) technique to include interactions of latent variables in SEM. The method requires the selection of instrumental variables and we give rules for their selection in the most common cases. We compare the 2SLS method to the alternatives. Some of the important advantages of the 2SLS are that it can handle nonnormal observed variables, is readily available in major statistical software packages, and has a known asymptotic distribution. In providing the comparisons, we reanalyze all the interaction...
Using an IPv6 moving target defense to protect the Smart Grid

As advanced Internet Protocol (IP)-based communication systems are proposed for the Smart Grid, security solutions must be developed which address not only the security of the communications, but also the security of the communicating systems. To support the large number of hosts required for the Smart Grid on an IP network, the new Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) must be leveraged. Unfortunately, IPv6 inherits the majority of Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) vulnerabilities as well as adds new address-based exploits. The embedded systems necessary for Smart Grid deployments using IP communications will be especially vulnerable to attacks due to their limited system resources. A moving target defense not only secures the communications between peers, but also prevents the peers from being located for attack. Implementing security at the network layer mitigates most IP-specific exploits and allows for solutions to be integrated with minimal impact to existing Smart Grid systems, thus reducing costs and increasing reliability. By using a network layer moving target defense, hosts cannot be located for exploitation and secure connectivity is maintained with trusted peers. A robust Smart Grid network must be capable of proactive defense so that components are not consumed with defending incoming attacks. A solution which implements a proactive network layer defense called the Moving Target IPv6 Defense (MT6D) is offered as a potential solution for secure Smart Grid communications.
Percutaneous CT-Guided Treatment of Lumbar Facet Joint Synovial Cysts

Symptomatic intraspinal lumbar facet joint synovial cysts can be managed both conservatively and surgically. Diagnosis of the lumbar facet joint cyst is made through cross-sectional imaging of the spine, either by computerized tomography (CT) scan, myelography, or most commonly magnetic resonance imaging. Conservative treatment by facet joint injection can be performed under fluoroscopic or CT guidance, although only CT guidance provides direct visualization of the cyst confirming accurate needle placement. This case report illustrates the use of percutaneous CT-guided facet joint cyst treatment as a temporizing measure or alternative to surgical treatment in the proper clinical scenario.
Nonlinear Numerical Simulation on Galloping of Twin Bundle Conductor Considering the Wake Effect

In this paper, the models of the multi-bundled conductors are constructed by finite element method. The wake effect of aerodynamic parameter of sub-conductor of the windward side relative to the leeward side is studied. The numerical results are given by using the 4th order Runge-Kutta method. Similarly, the proposed model can be added to the different aerodynamic loads on each individual sub-conductor of a bundle conductor during the simulation of galloping. Thus the numerical results are much closer to the actual movement of galloping and provide a useful reference for anti-galloping.
Magnetostrictive twisting of film–substrate plates

Abstract In this paper we propose a method to calculate the torsional deformations induced in film–substrate systems by magnetostrictive strains. The calculation scheme proposed assumes that the magnetostriction phenomenon can be modeled in terms of anisotropic expansional strains. These strains are incorporated into the classical plate theory to formulate an energy minimization problem, which is solved using a Ritz method. To illustrate the method we use a cantilever plate in which the film and the substrate are mechanically isotropic and a saturating magnetic field is applied in a direction parallel to the plane of the plate. Our calculations show that the deformation induced by an in-plane field generally includes twisting as well as bending deflection. The cases in which only one of these deflections is present are discussed. One of the advantages of the method proposed is that it can be used regardless of the relative thickness of the substrate with respect to that of the film. It also allows us to consider cases in which a film–substrate system deforms due to piezoelectric, thermal or hygroscopic expansional strains.
Transmitters for body sensor networks: A comparative study

Transmitters for ultra-low-power sensor networks are continuously evolving to transmit low output power in a highly efficient manner. To this end, various architectures have been introduced that trade off distinct advantages and disadvantages. A comparison of several recent transmitter architectures is presented in terms of power efficiency and it is shown using theoretical calculations that certain architectures are better suited to efficient ultra-low-power transmission. Finally, as a proof of concept, a highly efficient power amplifier (PA) with a maximum output power of −4 dBm is demonstrated in 0.13 µm CMOS. It achieves a maximum drain efficiency of 43%.
Determination of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics in solid dosage forms by high-performance liquid chromatography on underivatized silica with aqueous mobile phase

A high-performance liquid chromatography procedure for the determination of selected non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics (acetylsalicylic acid, fenbufen, fenoprofen, ibuprofen, indomethacin, ketoprofen, naproxen, sulindac and tolmetin) from pharmaceutical dosage forms has been developed. The individual analytes are extracted from the dosage forms with 0 to 10% aqueous acetonitrile and chromatographed on a 22-cm underivatized silica column at ambient temperature (23 ± 1°C). The mobile phases consisted of 5 mM aqueous sodium phosphate—phosphoric acid buffer, pH 2.6 containing 0 to 10% acetonitrile. Accuracy and precision of the method were shown to be excellent. This study was performed to extend the applicability of underivatized silica stationary support with aqueous eluents to the analysis of acidic compounds.
Selectivity of Candida antarctica B lipase toward fatty acid and (Iso)propanol substrates in esterification reactions in organic media.

Fatty acid (FA) selectivity of immobilized Candida antarctica B lipase was assessed as influenced by various cosubstrate systems for ester synthesis. Reaction mixtures contained a homologous series of even-chain n-acyl donor (C4-16) substrates (FA or their methyl esters, FAME) and a single alcohol cosubstrate (propanol, 2-propanol, or their acetate derivatives) in hexane. Multiple FA optima were often observed, with preferences for C6 (or C4) followed by C14 and sometimes C10. The degree of selectivity among acyl donors was modest (up to 1.28−2.60, based on ratios of selectivity constants) and was dependent on the choice of cosubstrate system. Acyl group selectivity ranged up to 1.31−1.36 for [FA + alcohol], 1.48−2.60 for [FAME + alcohol], 1.30−1.72 for [FA + alcohol acetate], and 1.28−1.88 [FAME + alcohol acetate] reaction systems. General shifts in selectivity were observed between short-chain (C4-8) and long-chain (C10-16) FA as groups with propanol cosubstrate, whereas shifts in reaction selectivity w...
Characterization of FRA6E and its potential role in autosomal recessive juvenile parkinsonism and ovarian cancer.

Characterization of FRA6E (6q26), the third most frequently observed common fragile site (CFS) in the human population, determined that aphidicolin-induced instability at FRA6E extends over a very large region (3.6 Mb). Sequence analysis identified eight genes (IGF2R, SLC22A1, SLC22A2, SLC22A3, PLG, LPA, MAP3K4, and PARK2) as mapping within the large FRA6E region. PARK2, the gene associated with autosomal recessive juvenile parkinsonism (ARJP), accounts for more than half of the CFS. Homozygous deletions and large heterozygous deletions have been observed in PARK2 in ARJP patients. RT-PCR analysis of the eight genes localizing to FRA6E indicated that 50% of the genes, including PARK2, were down-regulated in one or more of the primary ovarian tumors analyzed. PARK2 expression was down-regulated in 60.0% of the primary ovarian tumors analyzed. Additionally, we found tumor-specific alternative transcripts of PARK2. Loss of heterozygosity analysis of primary ovarian tumors by use of polymorphic markers in the 6q26 region demonstrated 72% LOH in the center of the PARK2 gene, the highest of any of the markers tested. FRA6E shares many similarities with FRA3B (3p14.2) and FRA16D (16q23.2) in representing a large region of genomic instability and containing an extremely large gene that may play a role in the development of ovarian and many other cancers.
β-Catenin inactivation is a pre-requisite for chick retina regeneration.

In the present study we explored the role of β-catenin in mediating chick retina regeneration. The chick can regenerate its retina by activating stem/progenitor cells present in the ciliary margin (CM) of the eye or via transdifferentiation of the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE). Both modes require fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2). We observed, by immunohistochemistry, dynamic changes of nuclear β-catenin in the CM and RPE after injury (retinectomy). β-catenin nuclear accumulation was transiently lost in cells of the CM in response to injury alone, while the loss of nuclear β-catenin was maintained as long as FGF2 was present. However, nuclear β-catenin positive cells remained in the RPE in response to injury and were BrdU-/p27+, suggesting that nuclear β-catenin prevents those cells from entering the cell cycle. If FGF2 is present, the RPE undergoes dedifferentiation and proliferation concomitant with loss of nuclear β-catenin. Moreover, retinectomy followed by disruption of active β-catenin by using a signaling inhibitor (XAV939) or over-expressing a dominant negative form of Lef-1 induces regeneration from both the CM and RPE in the absence of FGF2. Our results imply that β-catenin protects cells of the CM and RPE from entering the cell cycle in the developing eye, and specifically for the RPE during injury. Thus inactivation of β-catenin is a pre-requisite for chick retina regeneration.
Preclinical evaluation of HIV-1 therapeutic ex vivo dendritic cell vaccines expressing consensus Gag antigens and conserved Gag epitopes.

Background Dendritic cell (DC) therapy is a promising technology for the treatment of HIV infected individuals. HIV-1 Gag- and Nef RNA-loaded DC have previously been shown to induce immune responses ex vivo following coculture with autologous lymphocytes. However, polyfunctionality and memory responses following coculture have not been evaluated. In addition, little is known regarding whether specific HIV-1 proteome components, such as highly conserved regions of the HIV-1, could enhance clinical responses following DC therapy.
THOUGHT, CULTURE, AND POWER: REFLECTIONS OF A RUSSIANIST

Looking back on the evolution of my scholarship over five decades, I am struck both by my constant fascination with how systems of thought enthralled and inspired historical figures and by my approach to the changing subjects that became the object of this fascination. The ideas and sentiments propounded by great philosophers and writers established a necessary background for my work, but what engaged my interest and stirred my imagination was the varied ways these ideas were understood and acted upon. It was my reflection on the transformation of ideas into conscious views of the world that prompted my three research projects: the populists of the 1870s and 1880s, the legal reformers of the nineteenth century, and the emperors of Russia.