cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enabling Demand Response for HPC Systems through Power Capping and Node Scaling

Demand response is an increasingly popular program ensuring power grid stability during a sudden surge in power demand. We expect high-performance computing (HPC) systems to be valued participants in such program for their massive power consumption. In this paper, we propose an emergency demand-response model exploiting both power capping of HPC systems and node scaling of HPC applications. First, we present power and performance prediction models for HPC systems with only power capping, upon which we propose our demand-response model. We validate the models with real-life measurements of application characteristics. Next, we present models to predict energy-to-solution for HPC applications with different numbers of nodes and power-capping values, and we validate the models. Based on the prediction models, we propose an emergency demand response participation model for HPC systems to determine optimal resource allocation based on power capping and node scaling. Finally, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed demand-response model using real-life measurements and trace data. We show that our approach can reduce energy consumption with only a slight increase in the execution time for HPC applications during critical demand response periods.
Review of Leman, Marc (2016) The expressive moment: How interaction (with music) shapes human empowerment

This article reviews The expressive moment: How interaction (with music) shapes human empowerment 9780262034937
A de novo SIX1 variant in a patient with a rare nonsyndromic cochleovestibular nerve abnormality, cochlear hypoplasia, and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss

Author(s): Kari, Elina; Llaci, Lorida; Go, John L; Naymik, Marcus; Knowles, James A; Leal, Suzanne M; Rangasamy, Sampath; Huentelman, Matthew J; Friedman, Rick A; Schrauwen, Isabelle | Abstract: BackgroundChildhood hearing impairment affects language and cognitive development. Profound congenital sensorineural hearing impairment can be due to an abnormal cochleovestibular nerve (CVN) and cochleovestibular malformations, however, the etiology of these conditions remains unclear.MethodsWe used a trio-based exome sequencing approach to unravel the underlying molecular etiology of a child with a rare nonsyndromic CVN abnormality and cochlear hypoplasia. Clinical and imaging data were also reviewed.ResultsWe identified a de novo missense variant [p(Asn174Tyr)] in the DNA-binding Homeodomain of SIX1, a gene which previously has been associated with autosomal dominant hearing loss (ADHL) and branchio-oto-renal or Branchio-otic syndrome, a condition not seen in this patient.ConclusionsSIX1 has an important function in otic vesicle patterning during embryogenesis, and mice show several abnormalities to their inner ear including loss of inner ear innervation. Previous reports on patients with SIX1 variants lack imaging data and nonsyndromic AD cases were reported to have no inner ear malformations. In conclusion, we show that a de novo variant in SIX1 in a patient with sensorineural hearing loss leads to cochleovestibular malformations and abnormalities of the CVN, without any other abnormalities. Without proper interventions, severe to profound hearing loss is devastating to both education and social integration. Choosing the correct intervention can be challenging and a molecular diagnosis may adjust intervention and improve outcomes, especially for rare cases.
Vaccination Against Respiratory Syncytial Virus

Abstract Over six decades after respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was recognized as a significant human pathogen, an effective vaccine against it has remained elusive. RSV vaccine development has been hindered by early vaccine approaches that caused enhanced illness and the immunological challenges associated with populations that have the highest burden of severe RSV disease: the very young and the elderly. Recent developments in the understanding of the structure of the RSV fusion protein and dissection of neutralizing antibody responses have provided new insights into previous vaccine failures and have identified key aspects of protection, reinvigorating the RSV vaccine field. Several approaches tailored to protect high-risk target populations are competing in the current pipeline, raising the prospects for licensure of candidate vaccines for active immunization against RSV in the foreseeable future.
The Grassroots of Grass: Cannabis Legalization Ballot Initiative Campaign Contributions and Outcomes, 2004-2016.

Context As of November 2018, medical cannabis was legal in 33 US states and recreational cannabis in 10, mostly enacted via ballot initiative. Methods We identified 32 cannabis legalization initiatives from 2004 to 2016 and obtained campaign contribution and state political and demographic data. After exploratory analyses of 15 potential independent variables, we quantified effects of 4 factors (initiative year, voter turnout, population born before 1946, advocate funding advantage) on voter support and likelihood of passage. Findings A small number of campaign contributors dominated both sides of the issue, with little involvement by health advocates. Time and turnout, not money, were the factors most associated with electoral outcomes, consistent with increases in public opinion favoring cannabis legalization over time. Year, turnout, and population age were associated with voter support, while year, turnout, and advocate funding advantage were associated with likelihood of passage. When adjusting for an anomalous result, initiative year was the only variable that remained significantly associated with odds of passage, with a 1-year increase in initiative date associated with 2.02 times higher odds of passage (p Conclusion These results underscore the importance of health advocate participation in developing cannabis legalization frameworks.
The EOS System: Overall Assessment of Balance of the Vertebral Column and Its Movements

The EOS imaging system was designed by the common work of physics scientists, biomechanical engineers radiologists and orthopaedists. The result is a device demonstrating anterior-posterior and lateral view radiographs of the entire body, in a standing or sitting position without any distortion, and with a low dose of radiation allowing study of the alignment of the spinal skeleton in a functional posture including the consequences of gravity. From these data, a proper computer software obtains a 3D surface reconstruction of the entire skeleton. This explains the importance of this device to study pathologies of the spine whatever age (the only requirement is sufficient stillness of the patient during scanning). Thanks to the reliability of the reconstruction the interest is considerable and can replace the 3D reconstructions from CT scanning with much less radiation dose (around 1000 times less, particularly important when used in children, adolescents or young adults). Applications extend from early detection, evaluation of any spinal deformities as well as the thoracic cage, planning for treatment, post op evaluation,… For cervical spine dynamic studies can be evaluated for example in flexion/extension. When matched with external 3D surface recording of the motion of the body, the approach of the real balance of the human body is achieved with its therapeutic consequences.
On some Hermite–Hadamard type inequalities for tgs$tgs$-convex functions via generalized fractional integrals

In this research article, we establish some Hermite–Hadamard type inequalities for $tgs$-convex functions via Katugampola fractional integrals and ψ-Riemann–Liouville fractional integrals. Through these results we give some new Hermite–Hadamard type inequalities for $tgs$-convex functions via Riemann–Liouville fractional integrals and classical integrals.
Costs of averting or prematurely terminating diapause associated with slow decline of metabolic rates at low temperature.

Diapause, a form of insect dormancy, generally facilitates overwintering by increasing cold tolerance and decreasing energy drain at high temperatures via metabolic rate suppression. Averting or terminating diapause prior to winter is generally assumed to be a lethal phenotype. However, low temperature acclimation can also increase cold tolerance and decrease metabolic rates. Here, we tested the hypothesis that non- and post-diapause individuals in a cold-induced quiescence can achieve a diapause-like phenotype, compensating for the potential costs of averting diapause. We tested this in the apple maggot fly Rhagoletis pomonella, which typically overwinters in the soil as a diapause pupa, but can avert diapause (non-diapause) or terminate diapause early ('weak diapause') when reared at warm temperatures. Metabolic rates were initially higher in non- and post-diapause than diapause pupae at high (25â¯°C) and low (4â¯°C) temperatures, but quiescent non- and post-diapause pupae achieved diapause-like metabolic rates slowly over time when incubated at 4â¯°C for several weeks. We found that diapause and quiescent pupae were freeze-avoidant and had similar tolerance of extreme low temperatures (cooling to c. -18â¯°C) following 8â¯weeks acclimation at 4â¯°C. Despite high tolerance of subzero temperatures, quiescent pupae did not survive well when chilled for prolonged periods (8â¯weeks or more) at 4â¯°C. We conclude that cold acclimation can only partially compensate for costs associated with aversion or premature termination of diapause, and that energy drain at low (not just high) temperatures likely contributes to chilling mortality in quiescent insects.
Mechanical testing of self-folded polymer origami structures

Traditional origami patterns can be applied to pre-strained polystyrene (PSPS) sheets to create precisely fabricated three-dimensional shapes through self-folding. The basis of these folded shapes are the tessellated repeat units, comprising only a few faces and folds. Subtle modifications of the geometry of the patterns allows generation of many final shapes based on the same fundamental repeat unit. These subtle changes allow for variations in attributes like packing density or curvature. Further, self-folded PSPS sheets represent a novel kind of engineering material in which the mechanical properties depend on the fold pattern and the extent of folding . After folding, the adjacent hinges and faces of these structures differ from each other in thickness, temperature history, and orientation relative to loading directions. We seek to characterize the mechanical properties of self-folded, periodic structures to gain a better understanding of how to design and utilize them in engineering applications. Miura-ori patterns will be applied to PSPS sheets, which self-fold in response to infrared light absorption. Folded samples with a range of face sizes and pattern angles will be subjected to compressive testing. Modification of geometric parameters, along with exposure time to the infrared light, has a significant effect on orientation of faces relative to the direction of loading, which will allow control over the final shape and mechanical properties.
Approximating Nash Equilibrium in Day-ahead Electricity Market Bidding with Multi-agent Deep Reinforcement Learning

In this paper, a day-ahead electricity market bidding problem with multiple strategic generation company (GEN-CO) bidders is studied. The problem is formulated as a Markov game model, where GENCO bidders interact with each other to develop their optimal day-ahead bidding strategies. Considering unobservable information in the problem, a model-free and data-driven approach, known as multi-agent deep deterministic policy gradient (MADDPG), is applied for approximating the Nash equilibrium (NE) in the above Markov game. The MAD-DPG algorithm has the advantage of generalization due to the automatic feature extraction ability of the deep neural networks. The algorithm is tested on an IEEE 30-bus system with three competitive GENCO bidders in both an uncongested case and a congested case. Comparisons with a truthful bidding strategy and state-of-the-art deep reinforcement learning methods including deep $Q$ network and deep deterministic policy gradient (DDPG) demonstrate that the applied MADDPG algorithm can find a superior bidding strategy for all the market participants with increased profit gains. In addition, the comparison with a conventional-model-based method shows that the MADDPG algorithm has higher computational efficiency, which is feasible for real-world applications.
Proteomic and single-cell transcriptomic dissection of human plasmacytoid dendritic cell response to influenza virus

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells [pDCs] represent a rare innate immune subset uniquely endowed with the capacity to produce substantial amounts of type-I interferons [IFN-I]. This function of pDCs is critical for effective antiviral defenses and has been implicated in autoimmunity. While IFN-I and select cytokines have been recognized as pDC secreted products, a comprehensive agnostic profiling of the pDC secretome in response to a physiologic stimulus has not been reported. We applied LC-MS/MS to catalogue the repertoire of proteins secreted by pDCs in response to challenge with live influenza H1N1. Additionally, using single-cell RNA-seq [scRNA-seq], we perform multidimensional analyses of pDC transcriptional diversification following stimulation. Our data reveal an abundance of protein species released by pDCs in addition to IFN-I, and evidence highly specialized roles within the pDC population ranging from dedicated cytokine super-producers to cells with APC-like functions. Moreover, dynamic expression of transcription factors and surface markers characterize activated pDC fates.
Assessment of Cardiac and Thoracic Masses

Excellent spatial and contrast resolution make cardiovascular computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) an ideal method for the detection and evaluation of cardiac masses and masses adjacent to the heart. Suspended respiration and cardiac gating techniques employed with CCTA enhance delineation of planes between masses and normal structures. While many cardiac masses are well demonstrated with nongated CT, two approaches to cardiac gating may be applied: prospective ECG triggering and retrospective ECG gating [1]. The ability to freeze cardiac motion enables clearer evaluation of tissue attenuation and enhancement characteristics of normal myocardium and of masses. Precontrast imaging may help to identify features of masses such as calcifications, which appear as foci of punctuate or coarse hyperattenuation, typically in the range of 130 Hounsfield units (HU), and hemorrhage, which may have a more modest and ill-defined hyperattenuation relative to normal myocardium. Precontrast low attenuation may be helpful for characterizing myxomas or cystic features of masses. Comparison of pre- and postcontrast images is also useful in quantifying the amount of enhancement. Tumor enhancement may occur in a later phase and may not be well-seen in the arterial phase, during which CCTA is usually performed; this is however, dependent on the degree of vascularity within the tumor. However, optimal opacification of the left atrium and left ventricle will allow clear delineation of masses that extend into the chambers of the left heart. The amount of iodinated contrast agent required for satisfactory CT evaluation of cardiac masses depends on patient mass, with 0.5–1.0 g of iodine per kilogram body mass as the usual dose [2]. Using standard low-osmolality contrast agents with concentrations of 300–400 mg iodine/mL, typically 100 mL of contrast agent is administered at 4–5 mL/s via a programmable injector system. This is followed by a bolus flush of 50 mL of normal saline [3].
Adrenergic vasomotion in the coronary microcirculation.

The goal of this study was to determine the α-adrenergic receptor subtype(s) responsible for constriction at different microvascular levels in the coronary circulation. To accomplish these goals, the epicardial coronary microcirculation of intact beating hearts was viewed through an intravital microscope using stroboscopic epi-illumination. An initial study was designed to establish sites of α-adrenergic constriction to norepinephrine in preparations with intact vasomotor tone. For the primary experimental goal, coronary microvascular responses to selective α1-adrenergic (phenylephrine) or α2-adrenergic (BHT-933) agonists were evaluated, when coronary autoregulatory escape mechanisms were blunted during hypoperfusion. Infusion of norepinephrine decreased diameter of arterial vessels greater than 100μm in diameter, but downstream coronary arterioles dilated significantly, representing autoregulatory escape from adrenergic vasoconstriction. In studies designed to examine the adrenergic receptor subtype (during hypoperfusion), phenylephrine produced modest constriction of vessels throughout the microcirculation (6–9% decrease in diameter), whereas BHT-933 produced marked constriction of small coronary microvessels, those less than 100μm in diameter (24% decrease in diameter). From these results we conclude: 1) norepinephrine infusion causes disparate responses in the coronary microvasculature: constriction occurs in vessels greater than 100μm in diameter, but dilation, via autoregulatory escape, predominates in vessels less than 100μm in diameter; 2) α1-adrenergic receptors are located in coronary arterioles and arteries; and 3) α2-adrenergic receptors are preferentially located in small coronary arterioles. Thus, α1 - and α2-adrenergic activation can produce dissimilar constrictor effects in the coronary microcirculation during hypoperfusion.
Firm Partnerships and Alliances: The Impact of Partnering Relationships on Operating Risk and Financial Performance

In this paper, we investigate the impact of both alliances and major customer relationships on operating risk, operating performance, and market returns. We examine the performance of 291 high-tech manufacturing firms that reported major customer relationships in accordance with FAS 14 (superseded by FAS 131 in 1997) and a subset of 128 firms that were also engaged in major alliance activity (research or marketing) over the period 1990 to 2002. Although managers suggest that major reasons to enter into partnerships or alliances are to reduce operating risk and increase performance, our paper is the first (to our knowledge) to examine directly this conjecture. Using a control group experimental design, we examine the performance impact of partnering relationships, and we find that impact often to be opposite managers' expectations. We employ several proxies for operating risk and find that risk generally increased during major customer relationships and research alliances. Operating performance decreases during research alliances as well as after major customer relationships. Finally, we find that the market penalizes firms that discontinue major customer relationship but rewards firms participating in research alliances.
Concurrent structural analysis and experimentation using the AN/EX mini-laboratory

A new, practical, computer-assisted laboratory has been developed for teaching structural engineering. Using the portable "AN/EX" mini-laboratory, students first predict the behavior of a small-scale model using the M-STRUDL structural analysis program. Then, they employ electronic sensors to record the physical response of the loaded model. Immediately thereafter, the analytical M-STRUDL predictions and experimental data are compared graphically. An expert system "trouble-shooter" is being developed to assist in resolving differences between the analytical predictions and the concurrent experimental data.
The Importance of Sound-Field Acoustic Specification for Hearing Protector Performance Measurement

Several real-ear attenuation at threshold (REAT) standards govern the attenuation testing of hearing protectors internationally. A characteristic common to many is the requirement of a diffuse sound field and the toleration of a wide range of reverberation times, allowing testing in an anechoic or a reverberant test room. This study explored the degree to which the diffuse environment can be degraded without significantly affecting the attenuation tested under ANSI S3.19-1974. In addition, the study compared a diffuse sound field generated in a reverberant room (as required by ANSI S3.19-1974 and CSA Z94.2-M1984) with a diffuse sound field generated in an anechoic room (as allowed by ANSI S12.6-1984, BSI 5108:1983, ISO 4869-1(E):1990, and SS 882151). Results indicate that degrading the diffusivity will result in statistically significant changes in attenuation, but the magnitude of change is small. In addition, small but significant differences exist between the two test chambers. Interpretation of these ...
Adaptive digital correction for dual quantization /spl Sigma/-/spl Delta/ modulators

An adaptive algorithm is proposed to enhance the performance of first- and second-order Leslie-Singh and MASH modulators in the presence of nonideal analog components. The resulting modulator has a significantly higher signal-to-noise ratio. A simplified digital adaptive correction scheme is presented which requires no multiplication. In a typical example, the SNR improvement is about 30-40 dB for the MASH modulator and 20 dB for the Leslie-Singh modulators. A simplified algorithm which requires no multiplication is presented. >
Executive Compensation and Non-financial Performance Measures: A Study of the Incentive Relevance of Mandated Non-Financial Disclosures in the U.S. Airline Industry

This paper provides empirical evidence that industry-specific non-financial metrics, whose disclosure is mandated by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for the ten largest U.S. airlines, have explanatory power for top executive pay-for-performance relations beyond that provided by financial measures and other non-financial measures such as load factor and market share. Interestingly, for a subset of these airlines, we find that, over a smaller sample period, customer satisfaction, whose disclosure is not mandated, is not generally incentive-relevant, suggesting that disclosure requirements can affect the incentive relevance of non-financial measures of performance. Finally, we find that for airlines, DOT non-financial measures, unlike others such as load factor, influence top executives' compensation through the non-cash and not the cash component of compensation. Overall, our evidence improves understanding of the similarities and differences in the use of non-financial performance measures in compensation design when the disclosure of some of these metrics, but not all, is required.
EFFICACY OF PLASMIN-MODIFIED INTRAVENOUS GAMMA GLOBULIN IN THE MANAGEMENT OF HYPOGAMMAGLOBULINEMIA

Commonly used replacement therapies for patients with hyponammaglobulinemia are intramuscular gamma globulin (IM-GG) and plasma. Disadvantages of the former include discomfort of the injections and occasional reactions and, of the latter, the risk of henatitis. Intravenous gamma globulin altered enzymatically by plasmin(PT-GG) offers an alternative mode of treatment. In this study 175 infusions of PT-GG were administered to 14 patients with various forms of hypogammaglobulinemia. Our product had essentially no anticomplementary activity (1.1-1.4 CH50 units fixed/mg protein) with minimal fragmentation of the IgG molecule ( 2.5 mg/ml. Patient acceptance was uniformly positive. Eight of 11 patients maintained on IM-GG before entering the study had chronic pulmonary disease; 3 were removed from the study and placed on single donor plasma because of lack of improvement. The remaining patients had a significant decrease in number of hospitalizations and severe infections; 7 had diminution in sinusitis and otitis media. Five patients had one or more reactions (14/175 infusions). Symptoms abated rapidly with temporary interruption of the infusion. From these results we conclude that PT-GG represents a relatively safe, efficacious mode of replacement therapy in patients with hypogammaglobulinemia.
Is the response of state and local highway spending symmetric to increases and decreases in federal highway grants

Do states and localities, when faced with cuts in federal highway grants, attempt to maintain spending on existing highway projects with own sources of funding? Current state and local government highway spending is postulated here to respond to federal highway grants of the current fiscal year and up to 2 previous fiscal years. The results of this study provide some evidence of asymmetry. When current federal highway grants are increased, their immediate effect on state and local government highway spending is negligible; their impact on spending comes in later years. In contrast, cutbacks in current federal highway grants result in a drop in current state and local government highway spending. The response of state and local government highway spending to lagged federal highway grants is statistically significant and symmetric with respect to increases and decreases in these grants.
RESOURCE DISTRIBUTIONS AMONG HABITATS DETERMINE SOLITARY BEE OFFSPRING PRODUCTION IN A MOSAIC LANDSCAPE

Within mosaic landscapes, many organisms depend on attributes of the environment that operate over scales ranging from a single habitat patch to the entire landscape. One such attribute is resource distribution. Organisms' reliance on resources from within a local patch vs. those found among habitats throughout the landscape will depend on local habitat quality, patch quality, and landscape composition. The ability of individuals to move among complementary habitat types to obtain various resources may be a critical mechanism underlying the dynamics of animal populations and ultimately the level of biodiversity at different spatial scales. We examined the effects that local habitat type and landscape composition had on offspring production and survival of the solitary bee Osmia lignaria in an agri-natural landscape in California (USA). Female bees were placed on farms that did not use pesticides (organic farms), on farms that did use pesticides (conventional farms), or in seminatural riparian habitats. We identified pollens collected by bees nesting in different habitat types and matched these to pollens of flowering plants from throughout the landscape. These data enabled us to determine the importance of different plant species and habitat types in providing food for offspring, and how this importance changed with landscape and local nesting-site characteristics. We found that increasing isolation from natural habitat significantly decreased offspring production and survival for bees nesting at conventional farms, had weaker effects on bees in patches of seminatural habitat, and had little impact on those at organic farm sites. Pollen sampled from nests showed that females nesting in both farm and seminatural habitats relied on pollen from principally native plant species growing in seminatural habitat. Thus connectivity among habitats was critical for offspring production. Females nesting on organic farms were buffered to isolation effects by switching to floral resources growing at the farm site when seminatural areas were too distant. Overall local habitat conditions (farm management practices) can help bolster pollinators, but maintaining functional connectivity among habitats will likely be critical for persistence of pollinator populations as natural habitats are increasingly fragmented by human activities.
Auxiliary-directed dioxygenation : stereoselective synthesis of a diene hydroperoxide

Abstract The presence of a chiral auxiliary is shown to induce highly stereoselective peroxidation of a tethered 1,4-diene.
Pollock on Rational Choice and Trying

In everyday life people frequently recognize that a person at a time may be more or less strongly motivated to carry out an intentional action and that “trying harder” frequently affects the successful completion of an intentional action. In “Rational Choice and Action Omnipotence,” John Pollock provides an original account of rational choice in which “trying to do an action” is a basic factor. This paper argues that Pollock’s “expected-utility optimality prescription” is deficient because it lacks a parameter for intensity of trying. The paper also indicates specific ways in which this deficiency could be corrected.
Accounting for the association between childhood maltreatment and alcohol-use disorders in males: a twin study

BACKGROUND: An association between childhood maltreatment and subsequent alcohol abuse and/or dependence (AAD) has been found in multiple studies of females. Less is known about the association between childhood maltreatment and AAD among males, and the mechanisms that underlie this association in either gender. One explanation is that childhood maltreatment increases risk for AAD. An alternative explanation is that the same genetic or environmental factors that increase a child's risk for being maltreated also contribute to risk for AAD in adulthood. METHOD: Lifetime diagnosis of AAD was assessed using structured clinical interviews in a sample of 3527 male participants aged 19-56 years from the Virginia Adult Twin Study of Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders. The sources of childhood maltreatment-AAD association were estimated using both a matched case-control analysis of twin pairs discordant for childhood maltreatment and bivariate twin modeling. RESULTS: Approximately 9% of participants reported childhood maltreatment, defined as serious neglect, molestation, or physical abuse occurring before the age of 15 years. Those who experienced childhood maltreatment were 1.74 times as likely to meet AAD criteria compared with males who did not experience childhood maltreatment. The childhood maltreatment-AAD association largely reflected environmental factors in common to members of twin pairs. Additional exploratory analyses provided evidence that AAD risk associated with childhood maltreatment was significantly attenuated after adjusting for measured family-level risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Males who experienced childhood maltreatment had an increased risk for AAD. Our results suggest that the childhood maltreatment-AAD association is attributable to broader environmental adversity shared between twins. Language: en
An overview of the object protocol model (OPM) and the OPM data management tools

In this paper, we overview the Object-Protocol Model (OPM) and a suite of data management tools based on OPM. OPM is a data model that allows specifying database structures and queries in terms of objects and protocols specific to scientific (e.g., molecular biology laboratory) applications. Thus, scientific experiments and their resources can be described using OPM in a unified way. OPM data management tools provide facilities for specifying and querying relational databases in terms of OPM constructs, and automatically generate database specifications and queries for implementing OPM on top of commercial relational database management systems (DBMSs). OPM tools increase the efficiency of developing scientific databases using relational DBMSs, while insulating scientists from the underlying DBMSs.
Stoichiometry distribution of thin films deposited by laser ablation: Monte Carlo simulation

An expansion of a bi-component laser plume into a dilute background gas is simulated using a combined Monte Carlo simulation method. The effects of different types of collisions taking place during the transport of the ablated species on their distributions when arriving at a flat substrate are shown. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the film thickness distributions of both components and, hence, the final stoichiometry distribution, depend strongly on the incorporation probability of the species. This probability is expressed as a function of both deposited particle energy and the substrate absorbing properties. These studies can facilitate the comparison of the simulation results with experiments and are of particular interest for pulsed laser deposition (PLD) of multicomponent materials.
Parabolic Itô equations with monotone nonlinearities

In this paper the equation ut = Lu − F(u) + α(t, ω) is studied, where u(t) ϵ B0 a Banach space. L is an unbounded self-adjoint negative definite operator. F is a monotone nonlinear potential operator. α(t, ω) is a white noise process on B0. With suitable further restrictions on L and F it is proved that the equation has a unique solution. As t → ∞ the distribution of u(t, ω) approaches a stationary distribution which is calculated explicitly.
Agrobacterium-mediated DNA transfer, and then some

In addition to its plasmid DNA, Agrobacterium tumefaciens can transfer its chromosomal DNA to plant genomes.
On the Use of a Friedman-Type Statistic in Balanced and Unbalanced Block Designs

Distribution-free tests and multiple comparison procedures are considered for randomized block designs. A general Friedman-type statistic is defined that is usable in almost any block design with arbitrary missing data structure. For balanced incomplete block designs a multiple comparison procedure and exact tables are given for a statistic equivalent to one proposed by Durbin (1951). Finally, for designs with missing observations on only one treatment, we present exact tables for the test statistic, and we consider a multiple comparison procedure.
Preparation and Characterization of Vanadium Oxide Species Supported on Mesoporous Silica for the Hydroxylation of Benzene

The homogeneous liquid-phase direct catalytic oxidation of benzene to phenol was performed at 60 °C in acetonitrile solvent using various catalysts of VOx supported on aluminum-substituted mesoporous silica (Al-MPS) and hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant. We employed the molecular designed dispersion method to prepare the VOx catalyst supported on Al-MPS. The deposit of monolayer VO(acac)2 complexes (acac: acetylacetonate) could be achieved by hydrogen bonding or a ligand-exchange mechanism and subsequently decomposition of organic acac ligands in an oxygen atmosphere at elevated temperature, yielding the six coordination of VV center. The octahedral vanadium oxide samples possess much mobile ligands (i.e., H2O or solvent) around the catalytic center that could be easily substituted by hydrogen peroxide and yielded the active peroxo intermediate for the hydroxylation of benzene. From the studies of powder X-ray diffraction, N2 adsorption and desorption isotherms, diffuse reflectance UV−vis, and electron pa...
702 POSTPRANDIAL PLASMA AMINO ACID PATTERNS IN INFANTS FED CASEIN- AND WHEY-BASED FORMULAS

The postprandial plasma amino acid patterns in infants fed a casein-or whey-predominant formula were assessed to determine the order of the limiting amino acids. Healthy fullterm infants were studied at birth, 1, 2, and 3 months of age. All infants were fed solely a casein or whey formula. At the first feed of the day, fasting, 1-, and 2-hr postprandial venous blood samples were obtained for the determination of plasma amino acids by standard automated techniques. The volume of milk consumed was determined by pre- and post-feeding weights of the infants using an electronic balance. Results of whey-fed infants expressed as change over baseline (Mean ± SD) are shown: Postprandial plasma tryptophan and cystine levels showed marked depressions at 3 months of age; plasma glycine levels fell persistently at 1 and 3 months of age. Thus, nonessential nitrogen and glycine may be limiting nutrients in infants fed a cow's milk whey-predominant formula.
Corneal Stromal Bioequivalents Secreted on Patterned Silk Substrates

Abstract Emulating corneal stromal tissue is believed to be the most challenging step in bioengineering an artificial human cornea because of the difficulty in reproducing its highly ordered microstructure, the key to the robust biomechanical properties and optical transparency of this tissue. We conducted a comparative study to assess the feasibility of human corneal stromal stem cells (hCSSCs) and human corneal fibroblasts (hCFs) in the generation of human corneal stromal tissue on groove-patterned silk substrates. In serum-free keratocyte differentiation medium, hCSSCs successfully differentiated into keratocytes secreting multilayered lamellae with orthogonally-oriented collagen fibrils, in a pattern mimicking human corneal stromal tissue. The constructs were 90–100 μm thick, containing abundant cornea-specific extracellular matrix (ECM) components, including keratan sulfate, lumican, and keratocan. In contrast, hCFs tended to differentiate into myofibroblasts that deposited less organized collagen in a pattern resembling that of corneal scar tissue. RGD surface coupling coupling was an essential factor in enhancing cell attachment, orientation, proliferation, differentiation and ECM deposition on the silk substratum. These results demonstrated that an approach of combining hCSSCs with an RGD surface-coupled patterned silk film offers a powerful tool to develop highly ordered collagen fibril-based constructs for corneal regeneration and corneal stromal tissue repair.
Status of the Segment Interconnect, Cable Segment Ancillary Logic, and the Cable Segment Hybrid Driver Projects

The FASTBUS Segment Interconnect (SI) provides a communication path between two otherwise independent, asynchronous bus segments. In particular, the Segment Interconnect links a backplane crate segment to a cable segment. All standard FASTBUS address and data transactions can be passed through the SI or any number of SIs and segments in a path. Thus systems of arbitrary connection complexity can be formed, allowing simultaneous independent processing, yet still permitting devices associated with one segment to be accessed from others. The model S1 Segment Interconnect and the Cable Segment Ancillary Logic covered in this report comply with all the mandatory features stated in the FASTBUS specification document DOE/ER-0189. A block diagram of the SI is shown.
Application of a lumped-process mathematical model to dissolution of non-uniformly distributed immiscible liquid in heterogeneous porous media

The use of a lumped-process mathematical model to simulate the complete dissolution of immiscible liquid non-uniformly distributed in physically heterogeneous porous-media systems was investigated. The study focused specifically on systems wherein immiscible liquid was poorly accessible to flowing water. Two representative, idealized scenarios were examined, one wherein immiscible liquid at residual saturation exists within a lower-permeability unit residing in a higher-permeability matrix, and one wherein immiscible liquid at higher saturation (a pool) exists within a higher-permeability unit adjacent to a lower-permeability unit. As expected, effluent concentrations were significantly less than aqueous solubility due to dilution and by-pass flow effects. The measured data were simulated with two mathematical models, one based on a simple description of the system and one based on a more complex description. The permeability field and the distribution of the immiscible-liquid zones were represented explicitly in the more complex, distributed-process model. The dissolution rate coefficient in this case represents only the impact of local-scale (and smaller) processes on dissolution, and the parameter values were accordingly obtained from the results of experiments conducted with one-dimensional, homogeneously-packed columns. In contrast, the system was conceptualized as a pseudo-homogeneous medium with immiscible liquid uniformly distributed throughout the system for the simpler, lumped-process model. With this approach, all factors that influence immiscible-liquid dissolution are incorporated into the calibrated dissolution rate coefficient, which in such cases serves as a composite or lumped term. The calibrated dissolution rate coefficients obtained from the simulations conducted with the lumped-process model were approximately two to three orders-of-magnitude smaller than the independently-determined values used for the simulations conducted with the distributed-process model. This disparity reflects the difference in implicit versus explicit consideration of the larger-scale factors influencing immiscible-liquid dissolution in the systems.
Knowing Terrible Things: Engaging Survivors of Extreme Violence in Treatment

Survivors of extreme violence can be difficult to engage in treatment. Often this is caused by a sense of isolation drawn from the belief that no one who has not shared their experience can comprehend it. The only others who know what they know are those who have died of the violence, fellow survivors and the perpetrators. The clinician attempting to treat such patients may be placed in a dilemma: how to convey the capacity to know terrible things without being destroyed by the survivor, while at the same time not conveying that one is dangerous oneself. This paper suggests a method of utilizing unconscious aggressive fantasy to access the capacity to convey to the survivor that it is possible to hear, understand and contain violent experience. Case illustrations indicate how such capacity might be conveyed, so that a treatment alliance can begin.
Adaptive function allocation stabilization and a comparison of trigger types and adaptation strategies

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to (1) test and quantify the effect of an adaptive function allocation system on human performance under different combinations of trigger type (heart rate vs. performance-based) and function allocation adaptation strategy (complete reallocation, partial reallocation, partial transformation) and (2) to determine if the adaptive function allocation system continues to actively change the level of automation over relatively long periods of time (30 min). It was found that the adaptive function allocation system improves primary task performance by, on average, 6% and does not improve secondary task performance. In addition, the level of automation did not stabilize over the 30 min, suggesting the adaptive function a system continues to be relevant even over longer periods of time. Lastly, the study found that the use of heart rate as a trigger mechanism resulted in many more reallocations of function than a performance-based measure. Relevance to industry These findings provide guidance for industry on the extent of performance improvement that can be expected from adaptive function allocation systems, and design choices that may maximize that benefit.
Quantitative geomorphic modeling of Martian bedrock shorelines

[1] Multiple researchers have identified shoreline features, such as scarps, on Mars. These features occur in both paleocrater lake basins and the northern hemispheric basin. Here we use a simple numerical model to investigate the viability of forming Martian bedrock scarps via wind wave action. We use the Pierson-Moskowitz equation modified for Martian gravity to generate wave fields under a variety of wind speeds and use those wave fields to drive a terrestrial bedrock shore erosion model modified for Martian conditions. Our results indicate that even with conservative assumptions for the key parameters of wind speed, slope, and substrate, it is difficult to form shoreline features of sufficient magnitude to be captured by spacecraft imaging. Under many combinations of reasonable initial conditions, no shoreline features are formed. In cases where shoreline features do develop, the largest equilibrium scarp height is ∼5 m, and the shorelines require nearly 2000 model years to form. In light of these results and the difficulty of maintaining warm, wet climates on Mars, it seems unlikely that the putative shoreline features identified in images are a result of water wave erosion, and alternative hypotheses, such as ice cover, should be entertained.
Why surgeons can say "no": exploring "unilateral withholding".

OBJECTIVE: To explore why it is permissible for surgeons to “unilaterally withhold” surgery, whereas it is not commonplace (in the United States) to unilaterally withhold cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for clinical situations with similar degrees of uncertainty and prognosis. DATA SOURCES: The medical literature was sampled using PubMed and Google search engines, employing a variety of search strategies to capture articles relating to medical/surgical decision-making, risk aversion, acute care surgery, and withholding life-saving therapies. These topics are used to highlight interprovider variability that affects all practitioners—not just surgeons—and to consider why we deem it permissible for surgeons to withhold surgery, whereas—in the United States, at least—it is not routinely permissible for clinicians to unilaterally withhold mechanical ventilation and CPR for cases with similar prognoses. CONCLUSIONS: While there are no published research studies that deal directly with this topic, knowledge, heuristics, experience, variable aversion to risk, and other features inherent in medical-surgical education likely impact decisions to offer or withhold potentially life-saving therapies of all kinds. Both surgeons and clinicians, who request surgical consultation for hospitalized patients, should consider these issues and politely pursue second opinions when there is any doubt whether forgoing surgery is in the patient's best interests. Similarly, while unilateral withholding of CPR is not commonly employed in some medical cultures, including the United States, beneficence can be facilitated through robust informed consent. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2012; © 2011 Society of Hospital Medicine
Positive solutions of nonlinear elliptic boundary value problems

Abstract This paper considers the problem of finding positive vector-valued solutions U of the nonlinear elliptic boundary value problem L(U) + f(x, U) = 0 on a bounded region Ω, U + ∂U ∂v = 0 on ∂Ω. The operator L is uniformly elliptic and in divergence form, and f is, roughly speaking, superlinear; by the positivity of U is meant the positivity of each component of U on Ω. Under certain growth conditions on f and some further technical assumptions, the existence of a positive solution is proved, an a priori bound on all positive solutions is obtained, and a certain fixed point index is proved equal to − 1. As an example, information about fixed point indices is used to allow perturbations of the form ϵh(x, U, DU). In the final section, an essentially best possible theorem is given for Ω a ball and for radially symmetric solutions of the Laplacian with Dirichlet boundary conditions.