cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Three-dimensional modelling of thermal residual stresses and mechanical behavior of cast SiC/A1 particulate composites

Abstract Thermal residual stresses developed during casting of SiC/aluminum particulate-reinforced composites were investigated as a function of cooling rate and volume fraction of particles using thermo-elastoplastic finite element analysis. The phase change of the matrix during solidification and the temperature-dependent material properties as the composite is cooled from the liquidus temperature to room temperature were taken into account in the model. Further, the effect of thermal residual stresses on the mechanical behavior of the composites was also studied. Based on the study, it was found that the matrix undergoes significant plastic deformation during cool down and has higher residual stress distribution as the cooling rate increases. The model which does not include the solidification of the matrix tends to overestimate the residual stresses in the matrix and underestimate the tensile modulus of elasticity of the composites. In addition, the presence of thermally induced residual stresses tends to decrease the apparent modulus of elasticity and increase the yield strength of the composites compared to those without residual stresses.
Effect of the temperature dependence of gas absorption in climate feedback

[1] In the context of climate feedback associated with temperature change, there exist two potential mechanisms that affect the outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) and the downward longwave radiation (DLR). One is the “Planck” effect that determines the blackbody thermal emission at a considered temperature. The other is the “absorptivity” effect, in which a temperature change causes a change in gas absorptivities and thus influences the longwave radiative transfer. By using the line-by-line computed radiative Jacobians, which quantify the sensitivity of the radiative fluxes to a perturbation in the atmospheric temperature, the absorptivity effect is separated from the Planck effect. The absorptivity effect is further partitioned into components, with each one having a distinct physical meaning. It is demonstrated that the absorptivity-induced changes in the longwave radiation are individually significant even though the net effect is largely one of cancellation. As a consequence, the Planck effect dominates the overall OLR and DLR sensitivities to temperature change. The absorptivity effect tends to counteract the Planck effect. This tendency is particularly significant for the DLR and is more prominent for a warmer climate, with the result being a reduction in the surface warming.
Social welfare of selfish agents: motivating efficiency for divisible resources

In today's landscape of distributed and autonomous computing, there is a challenge to construct mechanisms which can induce selfish agents to act in a way that satisfies a global goal. In the domain for the allocation of computational and network resources, proportionally fair schemes are commonly advocated. In this paper, we investigate the efficiency of the resulting equilibria in such systems. We then develop a method of generating an entire class of divisible auctions with minimal signaling and computation costs which maximize social welfare even though agents act solely to optimize their own utility.
The Gene Chase in Behavioral Science

The study of genetic influence on behavior has featured two general approaches. The first is to search for a single gene with influence sufficiently great as to be detectable against almost any genetic or environmental background. The second general approach is to apply the statistical models of quantitative genetics that partition variance of a continuously distributed phenotype into various fractions, attributable to the actions of many genes of individually small effect, and to the influence of environment. Recent developments in molecular genetics have provided tools for exploring a middle ground of genetic influence: genes whose effects are not overwhelming, but which account for appreciable proportions of the variance. These quantitative trait loci (QTL) offer attractive prospects of bridging the gap between molecular and quantitative genetic perspectives.
Factors Influencing Smoking Cessation Counselling: A Qualitative Study of Medical Residents

Introduction: Physicians in training must be able to counsel their patients on smoking cessation, however, little is known about the barriers that they face to counselling their patients.Aims: The study sought to identify barriers to smoking cessation counselling specific to physicians in training.Methods: Qualitative interviews in the form of focus groups were conducted with 30 medical residents. Focus groups were audio taped, transcribed verbatim and coded by two independent reviewers. Similar codes were grouped to form categories and then aggregated to form themes.Results: Seven themes emerged describing resident barriers to provision of smoking cessation counselling : (1) Lack of self-efficacy for providing counselling; (2) their perception that patients are not willing to change; (3) a lack of available resources/information for providers and patients; (4) differences in supervising physician's recommendations; (5) perceived lack of time; (6) a perception of lack of continuous care; and (7) a lack of practical skills in counselling.Conclusions: This study highlighted residents’ perceived barriers to providing smoking cessation counselling. These barriers are similar to those encountered by other providers. Additional barriers specific to residency exist and more training is necessary.Practice Implications: The barriers that physicians encounter to smoking cessation counselling must be addressed early on in residency training.
Regularized adaptive detectors for code-division multiple-access signals

This paper presents the development of regularized adaptive detectors for code-division multiple-access (CDMA) wireless-communication systems. Multiuser CDMA detection is formulated as an inverse problem in the presence of channel-induced interference and noise and the estimation of the detector parameters is accomplished using elements of regularization theory. The regularized solutions are derived by minimizing objective functions formed as a linear combination of a term representing the estimation error and a term representing a smoothness constraint. The smoothness constraint is determined by data-dependent procedures developed to reduce the effect of noise and the impact of interfering users on the performance of the resulting detector. The proposed adaptive detector is evaluated and compared with existing multiuser CDMA detectors in terms of their robustness to noise, resistance to the near-far problem, and ability to handle multipath signals.
The Utility of Self-Monitoring for Preschool On-Task Behavior

The purpose of this study was to determine if four preschoolers might be taught to use self-monitoring to increase on-task behavior during independent readiness tasks and to maintain that behavior when external controls were faded. Results of this multiple baseline across subjects study yielded two major conclusions. Preschoolers can be taught to use self-monitoring as a strategy to increase on-task behavior during readiness tasks and are able to maintain the targeted behavior upon removal of the prompts. It is proposed that self-monitoring be used with preschool-age children who display undeveloped on-task behavior and who are preparing to enter kindergarten.
Quantile regression with a change-point model for longitudinal data: An application to the study of cognitive changes in preclinical alzheimer's disease.

Progressive and insidious cognitive decline that interferes with daily life is the defining characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Epidemiological studies have found that the pathological process of AD begins years before a clinical diagnosis is made and can be highly variable within a given population. Characterizing cognitive decline in the preclinical phase of AD is critical for the development of early intervention strategies when disease-modifying therapies may be most effective. In the last decade, there has been an increased interest in the application of change-point models to longitudinal cognitive outcomes prior to and after diagnosis. Most of the proposed statistical methodology for describing decline relies upon distributional assumptions that may not hold. In this paper, we introduce a quantile regression with a change-point model for longitudinal data of cognitive function in persons bound to develop AD. A change-point in our model reflects the transition from the cognitive decline due to normal aging to the accelerated decline due to disease progression. Quantile regression avoids common distributional assumptions on cognitive outcomes and allows the covariate effects and the change-point to vary for different quantiles of the response. We provided an approach for estimating the model parameters, including the change-point, and presented inferential procedures based on the asymptotic properties of the estimators. A simulation study showed that the estimation and inferential procedures perform reasonably well in finite samples. The practical use of our model was illustrated by an application to longitudinal episodic memory outcomes from two cohort studies of aging and AD.
Developmental Regulation of Genomic Imprinting of the IGF2 Gene in Human Liver

Control of the expression of the human insulin-like growth factor II gene is known to be complex, displaying both tissue-specific and developmental regulation. Insulin-like growth factor II is expressed at high levels in most tissues in the human fetus and appears to be important in fetal growth. In adult life, high levels of expression are found chiefly in liver, kidney, skin, nerve, and muscle tissue. Recent studies in the human fetus have demonstrated that in all tissues examined, including liver, the human insulin-like growth factor II gene is imprinted, with the paternally inherited allele expressed and the maternally inherited allele silent. The present study demonstrates that while the insulin-like growth factor gene is imprinted in human fetal liver, imprinting is relaxed in the second half of the first year of postnatal life, and thereafter the insulin-like growth factor gene is biallelically expressed.
Color matching at high illuminances: the color-match-area effect and photopigment bleaching

We evaluated whether a self-screening hypothesis can account for changes in red-green color matches with changes in retinal illuminance and changes in the size of the matching field. The dependence of the color match on field size measured at moderate illuminances was not present at high illuminances. For color matches made with normal pupil entry, there was no need to postulate any factors other than self-screening to account for the changes with either illuminance or field size. The self-screening model allowed us to estimate the optical density of the foveal cones and the retinal illuminance that caused half of the photopigment to be bleached at equilibrium. These estimates were in quantitative agreement with previous estimates made using other techniques. We also found that the change in a color match with increasing illuminance was inconsistent with first-order kinetics.
Punctuationism, cladistics and the legacy of medieval neoplatonism

The current dominant orthoxy in paleoanthropology has adopted the stance of cladistics and/or punctuationism and abandonned any concern for the mechanics by which selection has operated to control the course of human evolution. Rather than being a «new» intellectual development, this is simply the most recent manifestation of a tradition of thinking that goes back via Linnaeus to medieval scholasticism where reality was assumed to consist of discrete entities that can be dealt with solely by the exercis of deductive logic. While the construction of cladograms serves the useful function of proposing testable hypotheses, the promotion of cladistic logic as the only valid approach represents a great leap backwards into medieval intellectual stagnation. If an inductive component is not restored to paleoanthropology, it will cease to maintain its credibility as a productive science.
Figure mining for biomedical research

Motivation: Figures from biomedical articles contain valuable information difficult to reach without specialized tools. Currently, there is no search engine that can retrieve specific figure types. Results: This study describes a retrieval method that takes advantage of principles in image understanding, text mining and optical character recognition (OCR) to retrieve figure types defined conceptually. A search engine was developed to retrieve tables and figure types to aid computational and experimental research. Availability: http://iossifovlab.cshl.edu/figurome Contact: raul.rodriguez-esteban@pfizer.com
Introduction—Advanced Clinical Techniques

It is with great enthusiasm that I present to you this edition of the Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine focusing on Advanced Clinical Techniques. Techniques and assays presented in this issue represent the forefront of science as it applies to clinical diagnosis and treatment of exotic animal species. The application of assays and techniques previously investigated only in companion and laboratory animals such as nonanesthetized computed tomography imaging of cats, herein applied to parrots, as well as previously undescribed surgical procedures for elodontoma removal and continued management in both prairie dogs and squirrels are included. Both of these clinical techniques appear suitable for routine practitioner use. The possibility of unsedated internal imaging of birds, when included in our diagnostic arsenal, should improve our ability to image and diagnose internal abnormalities, while decreasing the likelihood of avian morbidity or mortality based on anesthetic risk. Physical restraint would no longer be required to obtain images of an avian patient that is fractious or in respiratory distress. Elodontoma removal, via the techniques presented, improves
Block coding for discrete stationary d -continuous noisy channels

A new class of discrete stationary noisy channels with memory and anticipation termed d-continuous channels is introduced and is shown to include all stationary discrete channels for which coding theorems exist. Roughly speaking, in a \bar{d} -continuous channel the effect of the "past" and "future" inputs on n successive outputs dies out asymptotically with n as measured in a \bar{d} or average Hamming distance sense. This is weaker than the corresponding uotious of Pfaffeihuber, Kadota, and Wyner, who require that probabilities of all n -tuples be close; that is, closeness in a variational or distribution sense. General block channel coding and block joint source and channel coding theorems are proved for stationary \bar{d} -continuous channels, and various definitions of channel capacity are compared.
Workplace Environment in a Professional Services Firm

This paper is based on survey results from 1,055 partners and employees of an international professional services firm regarding the workplace environment. Data collected address influences on work schedules, work time and locations, work with technology, and choices to work from home. The results suggest that client, organizational, and personal factors influence the work environment, and that the use of technology enables flexibility. The survey results are discussed referencing concepts of motivation, productivity, supervision, and control; empowerment and implications for accounting research are proposed.
Monte Carlo for large credit portfolios with potentially high correlations

In this paper we develop efficient Monte Carlo methods for large credit portfolios. We assume the default indicators admit a Gaussian copula. Therefore, we are able to embed the default correlations into a continuous Gaussian random field, which is capable of incorporating an infinite size portfolio and potentially highly correlated defaults. We are particularly interested in estimating the expectations, such as the expected number of defaults given that there is at least one default and the expected loss given at least one default. All these quantities turn out to be closely related to the geometric structure of the random field. We will heavily employ random field techniques to construct importance sampling based estimators and provide rigorous efficiency analysis.
Cause and impact of pulmonary hypertension in isolated aortic stenosis on operative mortality for aortic valve replacement in men

Significant pulmonary hypertension is considered to be an infrequent finding in patients with aortic stenosis (AS).1,2 When present, it is usually thought to be related to either markedly depressed left ventricular systolic function, or associated mitral valve or pulmonary disease.3,4 However, there are very few reports that examined the pathogenesis and clinical significance of pulmonary hypertension in isolated AS. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the incidence and pathophysiology of pulmonary hypertension in isolated AS, and its effect on operative mortality for aortic valve replacement.
A federation object coordinator for simulation based control and analysis

This paper presents an architecture and a design for a federation object coordinator (FOC) for simulation based control and analysis. This research focuses on developing a methodology for implementing a distributed simulation control mechanism which can be adopted to virtual manufacturing or virtual enterprises. In this method, distributed fast or real time simulation models interact with low level controllers and among themselves to actively control a system. The timing and coordination requirements of the simulation models to interact with the MRP systems and control systems as well as the interaction among the distributed simulation models are discussed in this paper.
Diagnosing antisocial behavior and psychopathy

Purpose – Psychopathy and antisocial personality are controversial disorders with alternate behavioral and dynamic formulations. As such, diagnostic approaches are often fragmentary and inconsistent. The purpose of this paper is to delineate the various conceptual parameters and to propose a comprehensive diagnostic approach. Design/methodology/approach – A model is presented based on the congruence and differences among various categories of psychopathic and antisocial personality disorders and their clinical manifestations. Diagnostic approaches are critiqued and evaluated. Specific assessment tools and measures are recommended based on referrals and symptomatology. Findings – Key factors of low frustration tolerance, poor social intelligence, aggression-driven psychopathy, sadism, and superego impairment are shown as central in the differential diagnostics of antisocial individuals. Originality/value – The model enables the differentiation of problematic behaviors which may appear similar but require d...
Synthesis of Azeotropic Distillation Systems with Recycles

The systematic generation of process alternatives for multicomponent heterogeneous or homogeneous distillation systems is described. Alternatives based on distillation and decanting alone must generally be expanded by mixing and occasionally by recycling to provide high-purity products. For azeotropic mixtures, systematic considerations of recycles further expand those alternatives to meet the additional goal of high recoveries. The latter generates many potential alternatives, and new necessary conditions given here for feasible recycle destinations eliminate as many as 90% of the infeasible alternatives without the need for a complete converged material balance simulation. The physical meaning of this recycle reachability rule is that there must be an exit point for each component not only for the entire process system, but also within each recycle loop. The recycling of pure components is also identified as a useful and sometimes essential feature in developing alternatives. Selected results are report...
Regenerative potential of TGFβ3 + Dex and notochordal cell conditioned media on degenerated human intervertebral disc cells

Injection of soluble cell signaling factors into degenerated intervertebral discs (IVDs) offers a minimally invasive treatment that could limit the processes of degeneration by stimulating native matrix repair. This study evaluated the regenerative capacity of degenerated nucleus pulposus (NP) cells obtained from patients undergoing anterior interbody fusions by measuring metabolic activity, DNA content, glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content, and cellular phenotype using qRT-PCR profiling with a custom array of 42 genes. NP cells were cultured in alginate for 7 days with 4 treatment groups: transforming growth factor beta 3 (TGFβ3) + dexamethasone (Dex), soluble factors released from notochordal cells (NCs) cultured in alginate (NCA), soluble factors released from NCs in their native tissue environment (NCT), and basal media. TGFβ3 + Dex stimulated degenerated human NP cells to proliferate and exhibit an anti-catabolic gene expression profile (with a decrease in ADAMTS5 and MMP1 compared to basal, and an increase in SOX9, decrease in ADAMTS5, MMP1, collagen I and collagen III compared to day 0), while NCA stimulated the greatest GAG per cell. We conclude that degenerated human NP cells exhibit regenerative potential, and that an optimal treatment will likely require treatments, such as TGFβ3 + Dex, which were able to increase cell metabolism and reduce catabolism, as well as treatments with factors found in NC conditioned medium, that were able to produce high amounts of GAG per cell. Additional studies to optimize NC culture conditions are required to determine if NC conditioned medium can be made with the capacity to enhance NP cell proliferation and metabolism.
Preserving P-points in definable forcing

I will prove iteration and product preservation theorems related to Ppoint preservation based on the first part of the paper. I will also provide counterexamples to possible strengthenings of the presented results.
Dosage Compensation of X-Linked Muller Element F Genes but Not X-Linked Transgenes in the Australian Sheep Blowfly

In most animals that have X and Y sex chromosomes, chromosome-wide mechanisms are used to balance X-linked gene expression in males and females. In the fly Drosophila melanogaster, the dosage compensation mechanism also generally extends to X-linked transgenes. Over 70 transgenic lines of the Australian sheep blowfly Lucilia cuprina have been made as part of an effort to develop male-only strains for a genetic control program of this major pest of sheep. All lines carry a constitutively expressed fluorescent protein marker gene. In all 12 X-linked lines, female larvae show brighter fluorescence than male larvae, suggesting the marker gene is not dosage compensated. This has been confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR for selected lines. To determine if endogenous X-linked genes are dosage compensated, we isolated 8 genes that are orthologs of genes that are on the fourth chromosome in D. melanogaster. Recent evidence suggests that the D. melanogaster fourth chromosome, or Muller element F, is the ancestral X chromosome in Diptera that has reverted to an autosome in Drosophila species. We show by quantitative PCR of male and female DNA that 6 of the 8 linkage group F genes reside on the X chromosome in L. cuprina. The other two Muller element F genes were found to be autosomal in L. cuprina, whereas two Muller element B genes were found on the same region of the X chromosome as the L. cuprina orthologs of the D. melanogaster Ephrin and gawky genes. We find that the L. cuprina X chromosome genes are equally expressed in males and females (i.e., fully dosage compensated). Thus, unlike in Drosophila, it appears that the Lucilia dosage compensation system is specific for genes endogenous to the X chromosome and cannot be co-opted by recently arrived transgenes.
Olivine from planetary basalts: Chemical signatures that indicate planetary parentage and those that record igneous setting and process

The systematics of Mn-Fe, Ni-Co, Ti, Cr, and V in olivine from 13 basalt suites from the Earth, Moon, and Mars were studied by electron and ion microprobe techniques. The results demonstrate that chemical signatures in olivine can be related to: (1) planetary parentage, where differences are the result of initial accretional ratios, source compositions, and oxygen fugacity; and also (2) igneous setting and process, where differences among basalt suites within a planet are a consequence of specific redox conditions in tectonic settings, differing melt compositions, and changes in element partitioning resulting from crystallization sequences and mineral modes. Manganese-Fe systematics indicate planetary parentage where the Mn/Fe ratio in olivine increases with increasing distance from the Sun (with the exception of the Moon, which can be explained). This sequence could be the result of initial Mn/Fe accretional ratios from the start of the solar system. Igneous processes such as differing melt compositions and crystallization sequences cause differences in the Mn/Fe ratios of olivine in basalt suites from the same planet. Nickel-Co and Ti systematics show that planetary signatures result from source-region differences among the three planets. For example, the lunar source regions are depleted in Ni and enriched in Ti, as compared with the Earth and Mars, and these characteristics are reflected in the olivine compositions. The differing partitioning behavior of Ni, Co, and Ti in planetary olivine suites is a result of crystallization sequences and initial melt compositions of the basalts during crystallization. Chromium concentrations in olivine result from differing oxygen fugacities and phase stabilities in the source regions of the three planets, whereas V concentrations in olivine are mostly a consequence of the different overall redox conditions on planetary bodies. Both Cr and V show igneous process signatures owing to different melt compositions, crystallization sequences, and modal mineralogy. Perhaps the most important conclusion from this study is that olivine in planetary basalts records information not only about igneous setting and process but planetary parentage as well, making the study of comparative planetary mineralogy an exciting way to gain new insights into basalt petrogenesis.
Avascular necrosis most common indication for hip arthroplasty in patients with slipped capital femoral epiphysis.

BackgroundRecently, much attention has been focused on the prevention of arthritis after slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE). Little, however, is published on which subset of SCFE patients eventually require hip replacement, how soon arthroplasty is required, and the long-term outcomes after ar
Damage integral analysis of solder joint fatigue

Thermal fatigue failures in the solder joints used in electronic packages are an important reliability concern. With electronic components moving through the development process quickly, it is practically impossible to test a given design’s fatigue lifetime. Using a damage integral approach, however, accurate estimates of the fatigue lifetime can be generated. Such an approach extrapolates data from accelerated tests and integrates it to determine when failure will occur.
Policy Analysis and Suggestions on Chinese Community College

The education policies of community college have three periods: exploration period,evolution period and deepen period. As in the education policy,Chinese community college grows up from community education,whose special mission is social construction. and it is a kind of multifunctiona educational organization. The problems are that we have no specialized policy on community college,administrative organization and professional teachers. We have to design policy system on community college,to establish professional administrative organizations to increase input and to research on China community college.
Voltage dependent calcium channels in mammalian spermatozoa.

Calcium influx is an absolute requirement for the physiological acrosome reaction in sperm from all sources examined, both invertebrate and mammalian. Pharmacological studies suggest that the major channel in the sperm head plasma membrane responsible for modulating calcium entry and intracellular ionized calcium levels could be either an L-type (a class of high voltage-activated) or a T-type (low voltage-activated) voltage-dependent calcium channel. Patch clamp analysis of calcium currents in immature spermatogenic cells demonstrates the presence of T-type currents. Therefore, an argument has been put forth that the acrosome reaction of ejaculated sperm is regulated by a T-type calcium channel. However, indirect analysis of calcium currents in mature sperm after transfer of ion channels to planar lipid bilayers detects three current types, including that similar, but not identical, to an L-type channel, but no T-type currents. Molecular cloning of the alpha-1 pore forming subunit of calcium channels expressed in the male reproductive tract and in ejaculated sperm has resolved this controversy, demonstrating the existence of only high voltage-activated channels. Further analysis of the alpha-1 subunit isoform from rat and human testis and sperm suggests that, as a result of alternate splicing, this L-type alpha-1 subunit could produce calcium currents that were T-like, e.g., transient, rapidly inactivating with slow deactivation. Multiple splice variants of this isoform were detected in human testis, suggesting a correlation with intra-individual variation in the ability of sperm to undergo an induced acrosome reaction and with male infertility. These variants could be developed as useful biomarkers for susceptibility to environmental and occupational toxicants. Knowledge of calcium channels structure will also contribute to design of new male contraceptives based on existing calcium channel antagonists.
Daydreaming and Fantasizing: Thought Flow and Motivation

Most people understand the meaning of daydreaming and fantasy intuitively. They have had the experience of reading text and suddenly realizing that while their eyes had traversed half a page their minds had been on something altogether different, perhaps an upcoming business meeting or a romance. They have imagined themselves as an alluring person able to win a coveted partner or as one of unusual strength or agility able to defeat an opponent. They have seen and enjoyed fiction in books and films. They have been told to stop daydreaming and get back to work, or that some belief of theirs is pure fantasy. Most people view their daydreams as very private affairs that they feel less comfortable describing to other people than when they are describing their real experiences (Klinger, Murphy, Ostrem, & Stark-Wroblewski, 2004–2005). That is, they have experienced daydreaming and fantasy as their own perfectly natural states, and they have experienced the limits of social tolerance for them.
Productivity in Latin America: The Challenge of the Service Sector

Since at least the 1950s, scholars have viewed development as a process of progressive transformation: economies based predominantly on traditional sectors, with “tradition” equated with agriculture, evolve toward economies dominated by modern sectors, often associated with industry1 This process of transformation is prompted by gains in agricultural productivity, which in turn encourages increasing numbers of agricultural workers to migrate to industries with higher productivity. Understanding shifting patterns across sectors, as well as the evolution of productivity within sectors, can yield important clues about the determinants of aggregate productivity.
Ruminal Fermentation of Anti-Methanogenic Nitrate- and Nitro-Containing Forages In Vitro.

Nitrate, 3-nitro-1-propionic acid (NPA) and 3-nitro-1-propanol (NPOH) can accumulate in forages and be poisonous to animals if consumed in high enough amounts. These chemicals are also recognized as potent anti-methanogenic compounds, but plants naturally containing these chemicals have been studied little in this regard. Presently, we found that nitrate-, NPA- or NPOH-containing forages effectively decreased methane production, by 35 to 87%, during in vitro fermentation by mixed cultures of ruminal microbes compared to fermentation by cultures incubated similarly with alfalfa. Methane production was further decreased during incubation of mixed cultures also inoculated with Denitrobacterium detoxificans, a ruminal bacterium known to metabolize nitrate, NPA and NPOH. Inhibition of methanogens within the mixed cultures was greatest with the NPA- and NPOH-containing forages. Hydrogen accumulated in all the mixed cultures incubated with forages containing nitrate, NPA or NPOH but was dramatically higher, exceeding 40 µmol hydrogen/mL, in mixed cultures incubated with NPA-containing forage but not inoculated with D. detoxificans. This possibly reflects the inhibition of hydrogenase-catalyzed uptake of hydrogen produced via conversion of 50 µmol added formate per mL to hydrogen. Accumulations of volatile fatty acids revealed compensatory changes in fermentation in mixed cultures incubated with the nitrate-, NPA- and NPOH-containing forages as evidenced by lower accumulations of acetate, and in some cases higher accumulations of butyrate and lower accumulations of ammonia, iso-buytrate and iso-valerate compared to cultures incubated with alfalfa. Results reveal that nitrate, NPA and NPOH that accumulate naturally in forages can be made available within ruminal incubations to inhibit methanogenesis. Further research is warranted to determine if diets can be formulated with nitrate-, NPA- and NPOH-containing forages to achieve efficacious mitigation in ruminant methane emissions without adversely affecting fermentative efficiency or risking toxicity to animals.
Study on the configuration scheme of time synchronization system in the substation

The time synchronization of substation is one of the key link of the advanced application of smart grid, and the mean of the time synchronization consist of synchronization and synchronization precision. This paper based on the analysis of the present situation of the application of the power system time synchronization system, different application (system) the requirements and time synchronization accuracy of time synchronization system existence question, on the basis of listed three different substation time synchronization system network scheme, through the analysis of advantages and disadvantages, presents the optimal time synchronization system of transformer substation network scheme.
Effect of solvents on the curing and properties of fully bio-based thermosets for coatings

With the increasing concern about the depletion of fossil reserves and greenhouse gas emissions, it is desired to replace coatings which are made using petrochemical-based materials with renewable alternatives such as bio-based polymers. In this paper, fully bio-based thermosets for coatings were prepared from epoxidized sucrose soyate derived from sucrose and soybean oil fatty acid along with citric and malic acids found naturally in juices with the assistance of different solvents. The solvents with reasonable boiling point and good miscibility with citric acid and malic acid, such as water, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, and 1,4-dioxane, were screened and used to investigate their effects on the curing and properties of the fully bio-based thermosets. The curing reactivity was studied by examining the gel time and nonisothermal curing process with DSC. The thermal and mechanical properties as well as coating performance properties were also investigated.
Charge accumulation and filtration in insulating expansions filled with agitated dielectric liquids

In coolant loops for high voltage equipment or during fueling operations, flowing semi-insulating liquids acquire net charge where they contact potential-constrained metallic surfaces, as in heat sinks or metal tubes [1], and produce potentially hazardous charge accumulations at surfaces where the potential is free to rise, as in insulating tubes [2] or at free liquid surfaces in tanks [3]. This paper describes charge accumulation in an insulating expansion where liquid fills the available volume and is continuously exchanged through potential-constrained inlet and outlet tubes. The incoming liquid jet produces essentially random turbulent motions that obscure the mean flow and tend to uniformly distribute the resident volume charge. Given specified geometric and physical parameters and a known arbitrary inlet current, the model predicts a charging transient, and the associated field generation in the insulating expansion wall, that is largely insensitive to expansion shape. This transient leads to a stationary state in which the incoming convection current is balanced by ohmic leakage driven by the generated field. The model and supporting experiments prompt application of the expansion as a passive charge filter to protect downstream elements that are sensitive to electrical breakdown.
COGENT: Cognitive Agent for Cogent Analysis

Timely, relevant, and accurate intelligence analysis is critical to the national security, but it is astonishingly complex. This paper provides an intuitive overview of Cogent, a cognitive assistant that facilitates a synergistic integration of analyst’s imaginative reasoning with agent’s critical reasoning to draw defensible and persuasive conclusions from masses of evidence, in a world that is changing all the time. It presents Cogent’s design goals characterizing a new generation of structured analytical tools, introduces the evidence-based analysis concepts on which it is grounded, illustrates a sample session with its current version, and summarizes the cognitive assistance provided to its user.
Culturing Large Numbers of Hydra

To grow in the laboratory mass cultures of hydra by two methods: the tray method, which yields numbers of animals ranging from 10,000 to 100,000 at a time; and the vertical plate method, which can yield kilogram quantities (wet weight) monthly.
Why does MNE performance vary across countries

Abstract Variations in MNEs’ competitive positions across countries are a prevalent phenomenon in the business landscape, but are not fully explained by MNE theory. Building on competition theories and applying them to the context of MNEs, we hypothesize that the value of MNEs’ assets varies in relation to competitors of different nationalities and geographic scope, as well as across locations. These predictions are tested on US legal-services MNEs in competition with US domestic firms and non-US MNEs in the US and abroad. We find support for the hypothesized variations, particularly with reference to competitors’ location and nationality. These variations suggest that the value of MNE assets is relative, and that their varying market positions across countries are an inherent feature of international competition, calling for corresponding positioning and strategies.
Microtubule-actin crosslinking factor 1 (Macf1) domain function in Balbiani body dissociation and nuclear positioning

Animal-vegetal (AV) polarity of most vertebrate eggs is established during early oogenesis through the formation and disassembly of the Balbiani Body (Bb). The Bb is a structure conserved from insects to humans that appears as a large granule, similar to a mRNP granule composed of mRNA and proteins, that in addition contains mitochondria, ER and Golgi. The components of the Bb, which have amyloid-like properties, include germ cell and axis determinants of the embryo that are anchored to the vegetal cortex upon Bb disassembly. Our lab discovered in zebrafish the only gene known to function in Bb disassembly, microtubule-actin crosslinking factor 1a (macf1a). Macf1 is a conserved, giant multi-domain cytoskeletal linker protein that can interact with microtubules (MTs), actin filaments (AF), and intermediate filaments (IF). In macf1a mutant oocytes the Bb fails to dissociate, the nucleus is acentric, and AV polarity of the oocyte and egg fails to form. The cytoskeleton-dependent mechanism by which Macf1a regulates Bb mRNP granule dissociation was unknown. We found that disruption of AFs phenocopies the macf1a mutant phenotype, while MT disruption does not. We determined that cytokeratins (CK), a type of IF, are enriched in the Bb. We found that Macf1a localizes to the Bb, indicating a direct function in regulating its dissociation. We thus tested if Macf1a functions via its actin binding domain (ABD) and plectin repeat domain (PRD) to integrate cortical actin and Bb CK, respectively, to mediate Bb dissociation at the oocyte cortex. We developed a CRISPR/Cas9 approach to delete the exons encoding these domains from the macf1a endogenous locus, while maintaining the open reading frame. Our analysis shows that Macf1a functions via its ABD to mediate Bb granule dissociation and nuclear positioning, while the PRD is dispensable. We propose that Macf1a does not function via its canonical mechanism of linking two cytoskeletal systems together in dissociating the Bb. Instead our results suggest that Macf1a functions by linking one cytoskeletal system, cortical actin, to another structure, the Bb, where Macf1a is localized. Through this novel linking process, it dissociates the Bb at the oocyte cortex, thus specifying the AV axis of the oocyte and future egg. To our knowledge, this is also the first study to use genome editing to unravel the module-dependent function of a cytoskeletal linker.
Gut reactions: How the blood-brain barrier connects the microbiome and the brain

A growing body of evidence indicates that the microbiome interacts with the central nervous system (CNS) and can regulate many of its functions. One mechanism for this interaction is at the level of the blood-brain barriers (BBBs). In this minireview, we examine the several ways the microbiome is known to interact with the CNS barriers. Bacteria can directly release factors into the systemic circulation or can translocate into blood. Once in the blood, the microbiome and its factors can alter peripheral immune cells to promote interactions with the BBB and ultimately with other elements of the neurovascular unit. Bacteria and their factors or cytokines and other immune-active substances released from peripheral sites under the influence of the microbiome can cross the BBB, alter BBB integrity, change BBB transport rates, or induce release of neuroimmune substances from the barrier cells. Metabolic products produced by the microbiome, such as short-chain fatty acids, can cross the BBB to affect brain function. Through these and other mechanisms, microbiome-BBB interactions can influence the course of diseases as illustrated by multiple sclerosis. Impact statement The connection between the gut microbiome and central nervous system (CNS) disease is not fully understood. Host immune systems are influenced by changes to the microbiota and offers new treatment strategies for CNS disease. Preclinical studies provide evidence of changes to the blood-brain barrier when animals are subject to experimental gut infection or when the animals lack a normal gut microbiome. The intestine also contains a barrier, and bacterial factors can translocate to the blood and interact with host immune cells. These metastatic bacterial factors can signal T-cells to become more CNS penetrant, thus providing a novel intervention for treating CNS disease. Studies in humans show the therapeutic effects of T-cell engineering for the treatment of leukemia, so perhaps a similar approach for CNS disease could prove effective. Future research should begin to define the bacterial species that can cause immune cells to differentiate and how these interactions vary amongst CNS disease models.
Response to: ‘Bisphosphonates reduce the risk of knee replacement: we need more analyses!’ by Li et al

We thank Dr Li and colleagues1 for their interest in our paper. As outlined in our paper,2 we used data from a large general practitioner electronic health records database for our study. These data are collected and recorded as part of routine clinical care with diagnostic codes. As such, factors such as willingness to undergo and …
HIGH AFFINITY BINDING SITES FOR [3H] IMIPRAMINE IN HUMAN BRAIN AND PLATELET: CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

ABSTRACT High affinity and saturable binding sites for [ 3 H] imipramine have been demonstrated in membrane preparations from human brain and platelet. These binding sites appear to be specific for tricyclic antidepressants since specifically bound [ 3 H] imipramine is displaced by pharmacologically-active tricyclic antidepressants at low concentrations. Tertiary amine antidepressants such as imipramine and amitriptyline are more potent inhibitors of [ 3 H] imipramine binding than are the corresponding secondary amines nortriptyline and desipramine; suggesting a relationship between the high affinity binding sites and the serotonin reuptake site. In contrast other psychotropic drugs and neurotransmitter agonists and antagonists have little or no effect on specific [ 3 H] imipramine binding. The characteristics of [ 3 H] imipramine binding in human brain membranes are very similar (if not identical) to that of human platelets suggesting that the latter may be a useful model in studying the pharmacological significance of these binding sites. Preliminary studies of [ 3 H] imipramine binding in platelets from severely depressed patients reveal a significant (> 30%) decrease in binding site density (B max ) when compared to platelets from healthy age-matched controls.
How to Write Up and Report PLS Analyses

The objective of this paper is to provide a basic framework for researchers interested in reporting the results of their PLS analyses. Since the dominant paradigm in reporting Structural Equation Modeling results is covariance based, this paper begins by providing a discussion of key differences and rationale that researchers can use to support their use of PLS. This is followed by two examples from the discipline of Information Systems. The first consists of constructs with reflective indicators (mode A). This is followed up with a model that includes a construct with formative indicators (mode B).
Interacting Particles, II: Fock Space Formulation

The calculational techniques developed around the notion of clustering in the preceding chapter are obviously powerful, particularly as applied to the virial series. But, just as with methods of statistical analysis in general, no calculational scheme is likely to be universally optimal. Cluster-related techniques appear most efficient at moderate to high temperatures, although they certainly can be extended to the study of low-temperature phenomena, as already demonstrated.
Detection of phencyclidine in hair.

Phencyclidine (PCP) can be detected in human hair with commercially available radioimmunoassay reagents. Hair samples of all subjects admitting PCP use were positive, while thin-layer chromatographic urine analyses were positive in only one of seven cases. Presumably the drug is incorporated into the hair during periods of drug use and then retained in that particular section of the hair for its lifetime. Earlier results in this laboratory in a more detailed study of opiate retention in hair indicated not only that nanogram levels of the drug could be measured in a single strand of hair, but also that sectional analysis of the strand could indicate the time of drug use. The PCP results again suggest that the hair sample could serve as a valuable tool in the determination of drug abuse histories. The sample accessibility and stability and the long-term retention of the drugs in hair exemplify the potential advantages of the hair sample over the body fluid sample.