cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Towards resilient networked microgrids: Blockchain-enabled peer-to-peer electricity trading mechanism

Integrative various distributed generation in energy infrastructure have brought great opportunities in recent years. However, this integration has also led to critical challenges in energy management, such as congestion pricing and non-optimality of dispatch. To address these challenges, deregulation and decentralization of electricity market is one of the effective solutions. Although various deregulation schemes have been proposed in recent years, there still remain some serious challenges in achieving resilient management of real-time energy deregulation especially in the presence of disasters. To counter this issue, in this paper, we propose a model for a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) transactive microgrid where prosumers (Producer/ Consumer) can trade local generation with each other via a smart management system. Furthermore, in our proposed model, the energy trading is executed in a decentralized manner by leveraging Blockchain technologies. Among different Blockchain technologies, we adopt the Ethereum Blockchain in our work. The auction models for energy trading are proposed by incorporating a smart contract that is the essential component of the Blockchain. In our simulations, the proposed P2P energy trading model is evaluated.
Long-term Outcomes with Rescue Target Deep Brain Stimulation in Patients with Dystonia (P4.059)

Objective: Determine the long-term outcomes of rescue target deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery in dystonia. Background: Globus pallidus internus (GPi) and subthalamic nucleus (STN) are effective DBS targets for treatment of medication refractory dystonia, however the range of clinical improvements can be large. We offer a rescue target option to select patients exhibiting suboptimal DBS dystonia outcomes. Design/Methods: We retrospectively identified among 102 dystonia DBS patients 8 cases of rescue target DBS who were followed for 3+ years following a rescue procedure. We tracked the Unified Dystonia Rating Scale (UDRS) scores for these patients before, after the initial DBS, and after the rescue DBS surgery. These cases were matched with 8 dystonia DBS patients without rescue leads based on disease duration, age, dystonia phenotype, initial DBS target, length of follow-up and pre-DBS UDRS scores. Results: The rescue DBS cohort included 3 cervical and 5 generalized dystonia patients (mean age 53.2 ± 17.6 years; mean disease duration 16.8 ± 7.0 years). At a mean duration of 3.8 ± 2.4 years after initial bilateral GPi DBS, 7 patients received rescue lead STN DBS (5 bilateral, 2 unilateral); 1 patient received bilateral STN then bilateral GPi DBS. In the DBS cohort without rescue leads, UDRS scores improved by 48% (p = 0.03) at 3.8 ± 2.4 years with no further significant improvement at the last follow-up. In the cohort with rescue leads, UDRS scores initially only improved by 25% (p = 0.08) at 3.8 ± 2.4 years; rescue lead placement provided an additional 22.9% improvement. There was a total improvement of 47% (p = 0.01) at 3+ years after rescue DBS (9.5 ± 3.1 years after initial DBS). Conclusions: Rescue target DBS can potentially be an effective treatment with sustained long-term benefits in this cohort. This procedure should be considered earlier for patients with suboptimal initial DBS outcomes. Disclosure: Dr. Hatcher has nothing to disclose. Dr. Zeilman has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ofori has nothing to disclose. Dr. Vaillancourt has nothing to disclose. Dr. Foote has nothing to disclose. Dr. Okun has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with National Parkinson Foundation, Medscape, Mededicus. Dr Wagle-Shukla has nothing to disclose.
Impact of aortic regurgitation after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: results from the REVIVAL trial

Objectives Understanding the severity of aortic regurgitation (AR) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation, its impact on left ventricular (LV) structure and function, and the structural factors associated with worsening AR could lead to improvements in patient selection, implantation technique, and valve design. Background Initial studies in patients at high risk of surgical aortic valve replacement have reported both central valvular and paravalvular AR after transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Methods Transthoracic echocardiograms were quantified from 95 patients in the REVIVAL (TRanscatheter EndoVascular Implantation of VALves) trial. Transthoracic echocardiograms were obtained before implantation of the Edwards-Sapien valve (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, California) and thereafter at selected intervals. Measurements included LV internal diameters and volumes, ejection fraction, aortic valve area, and the degree of aortic regurgitation. Measures of degree of native leaflet mobility, thickness, and calcification, as well as left ventricular outflow tract, aortic annulus, and aortic root diameters were also made. Results Eighty-four patients remained after 11 were excluded; 26 (29.8%) died over a period of 3 years. At 24 h post-implantation, 75% had some degree of AR, mostly paravalvular. By 1 year, the mean AR grade increased slightly, but not significantly (1.1 ± 0.8 to 1.3 ± 0.9), and all measures of LV structure and function improved (LV ejection fraction, 50.7 ± 16.1% to 59.4 ± 14.0%). Native aortic leaflet calcification and annulus diameter correlated significantly with the severity of AR at 1 year (p Conclusions AR after transcatheter aortic valve implantation is frequent but is rarely more than mild. Although AR progresses, it is not associated with a harmful impact on LV structure and function over the first year. Native valve calcification and aortic annulus diameter influence the degree of AR at 6 months.
Abstract 5779: CDK4/6 inhibitors and anaplastic thyroid cancer: An investigation into the retinoblastoma cancer pathway and potential therapeutic targets

Introduction/Background: Recently, Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitors have been shown to increase progression-free survival in estrogen receptor-positive, stage IV breast cancer patients. We aim to assess whether Palbociclib, a selective CDK4/6 inhibitor, prevents tumor cell growth in vitro and in vivo in anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC). ATC carries an automatic stage IV classification and a 6-month survival prognosis; there has been very little advancement in chemotherapeutic options, making it a good disease target for this new class of drug. Retinoblastoma (Rb) is a tumor suppressor protein that is rarely mutated in ATC ( Citation Format: Kristen A. Wong, Antonio Di Cristofano. CDK4/6 inhibitors and anaplastic thyroid cancer: An investigation into the retinoblastoma cancer pathway and potential therapeutic targets [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5779.
Synthesis and Optimization of Kv7 (KCNQ) Potassium Channel Agonists: The Role of Fluorines in Potency and Selectivity

Based on the potent Kv7 agonist RL-81, we prepared new lead structures with greatly improved selectivity for Kv7.2/Kv7.3 over related potassium channels, i.e., Kv7.3/Kv7.5, Kv7.4, and Kv7.4/7.5. RL-36 and RL-12 maintain an agonist EC2x of ca. 1 μM on Kv7.2/Kv7.3 in a high-throughput assay on an automated electrophysiology platform in HEK293 cells but lack activity on Kv7.3/Kv7.5, Kv7.4, and Kv7.4/7.5, resulting in a selectivity index SI > 10. RL-56 is remarkably potent, EC2x 0.11 ± 0.02 μM, and still shows an SI = 2.5. We also identified analogues with significant selectivity for Kv7.4/Kv7.5 over Kv7.2/Kv7.3. The extensive use of fluorine in iterative core structure modifications highlights the versatility of these substituents, including F, CF3, and SF5, to span orders of magnitude of potency and selectivity in medicinal chemistry lead optimizations.
Utility of a Vestibular Home Exercise Program and Formal Vestibular Therapy Following Pediatric Concussion

Purpose: Vestibular and oculomotor deficits are highly prevalent following pediatric concussion. Previous research has shown that vestibular and oculomotor deficits are associated with prolonged recovery and that vestibular therapy has utility in addressing persistent post-concussion symptoms lasting greater than one month. The aim of this study was to determine if early intervention with a home exercise program or formal vestibular therapy may be useful in reducing prolonged symptoms and recovery times following pediatric concussion. Methods: This was a …
Improving capacity for knowledge management in county governments: Perspectives from selected counties in Kenya

While several studies have indicated the critical role played by a country’s ability to exploit knowledge as an economic resource, very few studies can be traced to understanding the practices of County Government in exploiting knowledge especially in Africa. The purpose of this study was to investigate the current knowledge management practices and technological solutions employed by County Governments in Kenya to support knowledge management. Based on interviews with senior and junior County officials and qualitative data analysis, the study findings revealed that there were no systematic knowledge management practices in existence within the surveyed County Governments. The few knowledge management practices identified were isolated, informal and uncoordinated; they were neither documented nor communicated. Furthermore, the existing policy frameworks to support knowledge management practices were inadequate. The study also revealed scarcity of relevant technological solutions tailored to support knowledge management practices. This research provides an advancing understanding of the prevailing local challenges hindering effective utilization of knowledge management practices and systems.
Business and Governance Structures in Conflict Zones: Interviews of Businesses in Iraq and Syria

This paper examines the impact of governance structures on businesses operating in conflict zones. In particular, the current paper examines how the rules and regulations of warring parties impacte...
JVMVIEWER: an interactive bytecode interpreter for Java

This paper describes an interactive implementation of a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) simulator for interpreting Java bytecodes created either from the Java compiler or from an assembler such as Jasmin. Designed for ease of use, the simulator provides students with an architecture experience through the simplicity of the JVM environment.
Marker-free carotenoid-enriched rice generated through targeted gene insertion using CRISPR-Cas9

Targeted insertion of transgenes at pre-determined plant genomic safe harbors provides a desirable alternative to insertions at random sites achieved through conventional methods. Most existing cases of targeted gene insertion in plants have either relied on the presence of a selectable marker gene in the insertion cassette or occurred at low frequency with relatively small DNA fragments (<1.8 kb). Here, we report the use of an optimized CRISPR-Cas9-based method to achieve the targeted insertion of a 5.2 kb carotenoid biosynthesis cassette at two genomic safe harbors in rice. We obtain marker-free rice plants with high carotenoid content in the seeds and no detectable penalty in morphology or yield. Whole-genome sequencing reveals the absence of off-target mutations by Cas9 in the engineered plants. These results demonstrate targeted gene insertion of marker-free DNA in rice using CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, and offer a promising strategy for genetic improvement of rice and other crops.
Cheers to Equality! Both Hostile and Benevolent Sexism Predict Increases in College Women's Alcohol Consumption.

Based on research suggesting that alcohol consumption can be used as a means of coping with negative affect (Cooper et al. 1995), the current study examines sexism as a factor in college women’s alcohol consumption. Despite being more prevalent than hostile sexism, benevolent sexism is often viewed as less sexist (Oswald et al. 2018) and having a less aversive impact on women (Bosson et al. 2010). To increase understanding of the negative effects of both hostile and benevolent sexism, the current study experimentally manipulated sexism during a lab session and measured 176 U.S. college women’s actual alcohol consumption that evening. As predicted, college women who experienced either the hostile or the benevolent sexism condition reported consuming a greater number of alcoholic drinks, and those in the hostile sexism condition were more likely to meet the binge drinking threshold than participants in the control condition. This pattern suggests the importance of examining the unique effects of benevolent sexism in addition to hostile sexism because both may influence women’s behavior even in important health domains. Given the many negative consequences associated with alcohol consumption, our results provide evidence for education on healthy coping mechanisms and interventions to reduce both hostile and benevolent sexism.
Intentional carbon doping reveals CH as an abundant charged impurity in nominally undoped synthetic WS2 and WSe2

Author(s): Cochrane, KA; Zhang, T; Kozhakhmetov, A; Lee, JH; Zhang, F; Dong, C; Neaton, JB; Robinson, JA; Terrones, M; Bargioni, AW; Schuler, B | Abstract: Understanding the physical properties and controlling the generation of intrinsic and extrinsic defects is central to the technological adoption of 2D materials in devices. Here we identify a charged carbon-hydrogen complex at a chalcogen site (CHX) as a common, charged impurity in synthetically grown transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). This conclusion is drawn by comparing high resolution scanning probe microscopy measurements of nominally undoped and intentionally carbon doped TMD samples. While CH impurity densities in undoped CVD-grown WS2 and MOCVD-grown WSe2 can range anywhere from parts per million to parts per thousand, CH densities in the percentage levels were selectively generated by a post-synthetic methane plasma treatment. Our study indicates that methane plasma treatment is a selective and clean method for the controlled introduction of a charged carbon-hydrogen complex at a surface chalcogen site, a defect that is commonly present in synthetic TMDs.
Unlocking Housing Wealth for Older Americans: Strategies to Improve Reverse Mortgages

Housing wealth is a largely untapped resource that can help older adults supplement their incomes and buffer financial shocks in retirement. The federally insured reverse mortgage offers adults age 62 and older access to home equity with no required monthly payment, and protection for homeowners and their heirs against negative equity. Despite estimates of a large potential market, take-up of reverse mortgages in the U.S. is very low, with less than 2 percent of the population age 62 and older holding a reverse mortgage. In this paper, we review barriers to borrowing from home equity, including an estimate of the size of the population who may be unable to borrow due to an inability to afford monthly mortgage payments. We describe the market for federally insured reverse mortgages, including trends and challenges over time, as well as recent policy reforms. We then present a set of reforms to improve the market for reverse mortgages, including streamlined product offerings that target specific consumer segments, and the use of risk-based underwriting and preventing servicing. These reforms are intended to reduce the probability of default, foreclosure, and negative equity (crossover risk), while reducing frictions in the market for consumers and lenders.
Sleep Disturbances in Frontline Health Care Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Social Media Survey Study.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, health care workers are sharing their challenges, including sleep disturbances, on social media; however, no study has evaluated sleep in predominantly US frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess sleep among a sample of predominantly US frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic using validated measures through a survey distributed on social media. Methods: A self-selection survey was distributed on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for 16 days (August 31 to September 15, 2020), targeting health care workers who were clinically active during the COVID-19 pandemic. Study participants completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and they reported their demographic and career information. Poor sleep quality was defined as a PSQI score ≥5. Moderate-to-severe insomnia was defined as an ISI score >14. The Mini-Z Burnout Survey was used to measure burnout. Multivariate logistic regression tested associations between demographics, career characteristics, and sleep outcomes. Results: A total of 963 surveys were completed. Participants were predominantly White (894/963, 92.8%), female (707/963, 73.4%), aged 30-49 years (692/963, 71.9%), and physicians (620/963, 64.4%). Mean sleep duration was 6.1 hours (SD 1.2). Nearly 96% (920/963, 95.5%) of participants reported poor sleep (PSQI). One-third (288/963, 30%) reported moderate or severe insomnia. Many participants (554/910, 60.9%) experienced sleep disruptions due to device use or had nightmares at least once per week (420/929, 45.2%). Over 50% (525/932, 56.3%) reported burnout. In multivariable logistic regressions, nonphysician (odds ratio [OR] 2.4, 95% CI 1.7-3.4), caring for patients with COVID-19 (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.2-2.8), Hispanic ethnicity (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.4-3.5), female sex (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.4), and having a sleep disorder (OR 4.3, 95% CI 2.7-6.9) were associated with increased odds of insomnia. In open-ended comments (n=310), poor sleep was mapped to four categories: children and family, work demands, personal health, and pandemic-related sleep disturbances. Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly all the frontline health care workers surveyed on social media reported poor sleep, over one-third reported insomnia, and over half reported burnout. Many also reported sleep disruptions due to device use and nightmares. Sleep interventions for frontline health care workers are urgently needed.
Bistatic Aperture Completion via Untrained Fourier Convolutional Networks

Effective techniques for solving the inverse scattering problem is crucial for many areas of electromagnetic applications, including distributed radar, ground penetrating radar, and radio-frequency medical imaging. It is well established that the inverse scattering problem is particularly challenging due to inherent non-linearity and ill-posedness. As such performance of many algorithms is highly dependent on a high degree of space-frequency diversity.
Assessing water quality

AbstractImpairment of numerous water resources by anthropogenic stress has caused degradation, which reduces their ecological integrity, a combination of physicochemical and biological integrity. Techniques to assess impairment may be broadly divided into physicochemical, biological, and habitat assessments. Most physicochemical analyses are conducted in the laboratory. Biological techniques are divided into field measurements such as population and community level approaches using indigenous organisms as indicators of stress and laboratory measurements such as toxicology, which generally use field collected or laboratory raised animals to assess pollution effects on individual organisms. Impacted sites are compared with relatively unimpacted sites to estimate damage. While physicochemical and toxicological approaches have been largely standardised and are widely used, suitable protocols for field based bioassessments are relatively new, often not standardised, and not widely used. Since each approach pro...
SU-E-I-36: A KWIC and Dirty Look at Dose Savings and Perfusion Metrics in Simulated CT Neuro Perfusion Exams

Purpose: CT neuro perfusion scans are one of the highest dose exams. Methods to reduce dose include decreasing the number of projections acquired per gantry rotation, however conventional reconstruction of such scans leads to sampling artifacts. In this study we investigated a projection view-sharing reconstruction algorithm used in dynamic MRI – “K-space Weighted Image Contrast” (KWIC) – applied to simulated perfusion exams and evaluated dose savings and impacts on perfusion metrics. Methods: A FORBILD head phantom containing simulated time-varying objects was developed and a set of parallel-beam CT projection data was created. The simulated scans were 60 seconds long, 1152 projections per turn, with a rotation time of one second. No noise was simulated. 5mm, 10mm, and 50mm objects were modeled in the brain. A baseline, “full dose” simulation used all projections and reduced dose cases were simulated by downsampling the number of projections per turn from 1152 to 576 (50% dose), 288 (25% dose), and 144 (12.5% dose). KWIC was further evaluated at 72 projections per rotation (6.25%). One image per second was reconstructed using filtered backprojection (FBP) and KWIC. KWIC reconstructions utilized view cores of 36, 72, 144, and 288 views and 16, 8, 4, and 2 subaperturesmore » respectively. From the reconstructed images, time-to-peak (TTP), cerebral blood flow (CBF) and the FWHM of the perfusion curve were calculated and compared against reference values from the full-dose FBP data. Results: TTP, CBF, and the FWHM were unaffected by dose reduction (to 12.5%) and reconstruction method, however image quality was improved when using KWIC. Conclusion: This pilot study suggests that KWIC preserves image quality and perfusion metrics when under-sampling projections and that the unique contrast weighting of KWIC could provided substantial dose-savings for perfusion CT scans. Evaluation of KWIC in clinical CT data will be performed in the near future. R01 EB014922, NCI Grant U01 CA181156 (Quantitative Imaging Network), and Tobacco Related Disease Research Project grant 22RT-0131.« less
Uniquely orienting dry micro assembly by two-stage shape recognition

We demonstrate a completely dry, uniquely orienting and parallel micro assembly method on the basis of two-stage shape recognition between complementary features on parts and receptor sites. A dry environment benefits assembly of chips with either exposed movable microstructures or materials sensitive to liquid environments; uniquely orienting self-alignment based on complementary features works for any part shape; parallel assembly greatly increases throughput for mass production. In our experiments, 1 mm square dummy silicon parts were assembled with a defect rate of /spl sim/2% in 10 minutes on each of two assembly templates having respectively 397 and 720 receptor sites. This assembly technique enables either wafer level packaging of micro device chips or easy part feeding and palletizing for robotic assembly systems without constraints of part shapes or materials.
Amorphous Magnetism in F.C.C. Vicalloy II

Although the occurrence of superparamagnetism has been inferred in many binary alloy systems in which one of the alloy components is nonmagnetic (Beck, 1971), relatively few investigations of this phenomenon have been carried out on concentrated ternary alloys. In this report we present the results of magnetization and Mossbauer experiments which give evidence for superparamagnetism in the quenched face-centered-cubic (γ) phase of the ternary system Fe0.34C0.52V0.14 (Vicalloy II). While the magnetization data agree with the limited data of Nesbitt et al. (1967), our more complete study shows clearly that this alloy does not acquire long-range ferromagnetic order, nor does it indicate either antiferromagnetic long-range ordering or mictomagnetic behavior, down to 4.2° K. Our data can best be described as resulting from ferromagnetic clusters in a weakly magnetic lattice.
The Structure Of Subjective Time: How Time Flies

Publisher Summary The central, typical, average, or representative value of an aggregate of two or more time intervals in memory is no single, simple function of the values in the collection. The temporal middle, which seems on its face an important, conceptually diagnostic value for understanding the processing of time, may take on different values. Depending on the task, the temporal middle may suggest an underlying logarithmic process, as in the bisection procedure, an underlying linear process, as in the time-left procedure with a single standard, or an underlying hyperbolic process, as in the time-left double standard procedure. This chapter summarizes data that are consonant with scalar timing as the primary mechanism modulating the discriminability of time intervals and are not consonant with at least some versions of alternative variance structures in the timing mechanism. The chapter also explains the original question on the curvature of subjective time is moot. If the subjective time scale is regarded as based on discriminability, then curvature is an appropriate description. However, if subjective time is regarded as a direct reflection of the internal measurement device that appreciates the passage of successive moments, then the data and theory put forth argue against serious curvature, at least not of the order of logarithms.
On the dynamics and thermodynamics of terrestrial planets

A model for terrestrial planets, inclusive of viscous fluid behavior and featuring finite normal stress differences, is developed. This work offers new insights for the interpretation of planetary survey data. Evolution equations for poloidal and toroidal motions include gradients of density, viscosity, and two normal stress moduli. The poloidal field exhibits gradients in the cubic dilation, which couple non-isotropic pressures to the combined deformation field. In contrast, the toroidal field exhibits vorticity gradients with magnitudes proportional to the natural time. This holds even in the absence of material gradients. Consequently, viscosity gradients are not required to drive toroidal motions. The toroidal field is governed by an inhomogeneous diharmonic equation, exhibiting dynamic shear localization. The strain-energy density for this model, as a function of temperature, is found via thermodynamics. Assuming heat transfer with characteristic diffusivity, a radial model parameterized by thermomechanical competence is found. Shear dislocations, admissible for thermomechanical competence greater than 1/2, are found to coincide with supershear rupture speeds for in-plane (Mode II) cracks. This range of thermomechanical competence coincides with depths in the crust, upper mantle and transition zone where earthquake foci are observed. Consequently, all seismic sources must exhibit some supershearing component. Observed variations in Earth's gravity-topography admittance and correlation spectra, and earthquake moment-depth release are interpreted in light of this hypothetical structure.
An algebraic calculus of database preferences

Preference algebra, an extension of the algebra of database relations, is a well-studied field in the area of personalized databases. It allows modelling user wishes by preference terms; they represent strict partial orders telling which database objects the user prefers over other ones. There are a number of constructors that allow combining simple preferences into quite complex, nested ones. A preference term is then used as a database query, and the results are the maximal objects according to the order it denotes. Depending on the size of the database, this can be computationally expensive. For optimisation, preference queries and the corresponding terms are transformed using a number of algebraic laws. So far, the correctness proofs for such laws have been performed by hand and in a point-wise fashion. We enrich the standard theory of relational databases to an algebraic framework that allows completely point-free reasoning about complex preferences. This black-box view is amenable to a treatment in first-order logic and hence to fully automated proofs using off-the-shelf verification tools. We exemplify the use of the calculus with some non-trivial laws, notably concerning so-called preference prefilters which perform a preselection to speed up the computation of the maximal objects proper.
Recombinant IFN-α (2b) Increases the Expression of Apoptosis Receptor CD95 and Chemokine Receptors CCR1 and CCR3 in Monocytoid Cells

IFN-α-2b, known as potent immune modulator, can either inhibit or enhance immune cell activity within the tightly regulated microenvironment of inflammation, depending upon the concentration of the cytokine and the activation stage of the cell. Chemokine receptors, which not only mediate chemotaxis of immune cells to the site of inflammation but also affect cellular activation by transferring corresponding signals, represent yet another level of immune regulation. Here we demonstrate that IFN-α increases the expression of CCR1 and CCR3 in primary mononuclear phagocytes, as well as in the monocytoid cell line U937. Enhanced receptor mRNA expression correlated with functional readouts such as increased intracellular calcium mobilization and cell migration in response to ligands. Expression of CCR2b, CCR4, CCR5, and CXCR4 was unchanged or decreased after IFN-α treatment. These observations indicate a differentially regulated cellular signaling relationship of IFN-α pathways and chemokine receptor expression. We also provide evidence that, under these conditions, IFN-α treatment increased the expression of CD95 (Fas, Apo1), resulting in enhanced susceptibility to apoptosis. Taken together, these data add important information for the rational application of IFN-α (2b) in immune and cancer therapies.
Perfusion technique determines alveolar fluid resorption rate in the isolated perfused rat lung

Lasnier, Joseph M., David H. Ingbar, Ethan P. Carter, Kirk Wilson, Scott McKnite, Keith G. Lurie, and O. Douglas Wangensteen. Perfusion technique determines alveolar fluid resorption rate in the isolated perfused rat lung. J. Appl. Physiol. 84(2): 740–745, 1998.—The isolated perfused lung (IPL) preparation is a well-established model for the study of alveolar epithelial sodium transport. We noted that preparations of normal fluid-filled rat lungs with recirculated perfusate reproducibly lost weight, whereas preparations in which the perfusate was discarded after a single pass through the lungs had a variable and lesser weight change. To confirm this, we performed IPL experiments by using male Sprague-Dawley specific-pathogen-free rats (175–225 g). In 10 IPLs, perfusate initially was discarded after passing through the lungs and then was recirculated continuously. During the single-pass period, the rate of weight change was +0.7 ± 2.0 mg/min compared with −9.0 ± 1.3 mg/min for the recirculating period. Adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) accumulated during recirculation. The weight loss induced by recirculation was reproduced by perfusion with 8-bromoadenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate or terbutaline in single-pass fashion and blocked when the kinase inhibitor H-8 or phosphodiesterase was present in the recirculating perfusate. In summary, perfusate recirculation in the IPL stimulates fluid resorption at least partially via cAMP. This should be factored into the design and interpretation of IPL experiments.
Quantitative Intracavity Laser Spectroscopy Measurements with a Ti:sapphire Laser: Absorption Intensities for Water Vapor Lines in the 790–800 nm Region

The intracavity laser spectroscopy (ILS) technique has been shown to be a very sensitive method for observing absorption spectra. By considering quantitative results (line-strengths and pressure broadening coefficients) obtained using the ILS method with a dye laser, the technique has been shown to provide quantitative information that is in excellent agreement with the values afforded by use of more traditional methods for acquiring absorption spectra. A similar investigation has been conducted for an ILS system based on a Ti:sapphire laser. Presented here are quantitative results for water vapor transitions occurring around 795 nm. Line intensities are determined as a function of water vapor pressure and effective path length (i.e., generation time). The line-strengths are compared with values determined by R. A. Toth [J. Mol. Spectrosc.166, 176–183 (1994)] who used a multipass cell and the Fourier transform spectrometer at the Kitt Peak National Observatory. The good agreement between the results demonstrates that quantitatively accurate data can be obtained using the ILS technique with a Ti:sapphire laser.
A thermocouple for the measurement of the surface temperature of a liquid metal

Abstract A thermocouple device for the measurement of the surface temperature of a liquid metal when non-uniform and/or rapidly changing temperatures exist in the liquid. A mathematical analysis of its principle made from which the accuracy of its measurements are calculated and plotted.
Satisfying user preferences while negotiating meetings

Our research agenda focuses on building software agents that can facilitate and streamline group problem solving in organizations. We are particularly interested in developing intelligent agents that can partially automate routine information processing tasks by representing and reasoning with the preferences and biases of associated users. The distributed meeting scheduler is a collection of agents, responsible for scheduling meetings for their respective users. Users have preferences on when they like to meet, e.g. time of day, day of week, status of other invitees, topic of the meeting, etc. The agent must balance such concerns, proposing and accepting meeting times that satisfy as many of these criteria as possible. For example, a user might prefer not to meet at lunchtime unless the president of the company is hosting the meeting. We apply techniques from voting theory to arrive at consensus choices for meeting times while balancing different preferences.
Incorporating Subjective Measures In Robot Motion Planning

Path planning can be grossly defined as the problem of reaching a goal from a starting position, avoiding collisions and satisfying one or more optimality criteria. A prerequisite to such a plan is the availability of an occupancy map either as an a priori information or generated on-line. Recent work has shown that such information can at best be obtained within a probabilistic framework, hence exact occupancy status is never known with absolute confidence. This paper presents a formal framework for formulating path planning under uncertainty. It is shown that paths compete not just on the basis of physically measurable parameters but also on the grounds of collision risk. There emerges circumstances requiring a formulation of underlying subjective trade-offs among competing paths with the added element of risk. A set of experimental results show the actual implementation of the proposed path planner inside a certainty grid.
Anticoagulation in acute cardiac care in patients with chronic kidney disease

The number of patients with coexisting chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease is growing rapidly. Treatment of these patients is challenging, primarily because of a lack of pharmacokinetic and clinical trial data associated with these combined disease entities. In this report, we discuss the cardiovascular disease risk associated with CKD and review the use of anticoagulation for acute cardiovascular disease in patients with CKD. We evaluate the potential role of direct thrombin inhibitors in patients with renal disease who have acute coronary syndromes, with particular focus on the clinical efficacy of bivalirudin. We conclude that direct thrombin inhibitors, including bivalirudin and argatroban, may be promising alternatives to heparin in patients who have renal insufficiency and are therefore at an increased risk for bleeding. In the treatment of patients with advanced renal insufficiency and cardiovascular disease, however, these agents should be used with dose modification to account for altered excretion.
Total Cross Sections for Inelastic Scattering of Charged Particles by Atoms and Molecules. VII. The Neon Atom

The Bethe theory for the calculation of the total inelastic cross section ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{\mathrm{tot}}$ for the scattering of fast charged particles by atoms and molecules is applied to neon. As part of the analysis, the spectral distribution of the oscillator strength has been determined by critical evaluation of all experimental data and by test of several sum rules. The result is ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{\mathrm{tot}}={z}^{2}{\ensuremath{\beta}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}{3.524[\mathrm{ln}(\frac{{\ensuremath{\beta}}^{2}}{(1\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\beta}}^{2})})\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\beta}}^{2}]+36.06}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}20}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ for a particle of charge $\mathrm{ze}$ and speed $\ensuremath{\beta}c$. As an application, the ionization cross section is estimated by subtracting the sum of all the discrete excitation cross sections from ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{\mathrm{tot}}$ and is compared with experimental values.
Excited state dynamics in photosystem I: effects of detergent and excitation wavelength.

Femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy has been used to investigate the energy transfer and trapping processes in both intact membranes and purified detergent-isolated particles from a photosystem II deletion mutant of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, which contains only the photosystem I reaction center. Processes with similar lifetimes and spectra are observed in both the membrane fragments and the detergent-isolated particles, suggesting little disruption of the core antenna resulting from the detergent treatment. For the detergent-isolated particles, three different excitation wavelengths were used to excite different distributions of pigments in the spectrally heterogeneous core antenna. Only two lifetimes of 2.7–4.3 ps and 24–28 ps, and a nondecaying component are required to describe all the data. The 24–28 ps component is associated with trapping. The trapping process gives rise to a nondecaying spectrum that is due to oxidation of the primary electron donor. The lifetimes and spectra associated with trapping and radical pair formation are independent of excitation wavelength, suggesting that trapping proceeds from an equilibrated excited state. The 2.7–4.3 ps component characterizes the evolution from the initially excited distribution of pigments to the equilibrated excited state distribution. The spectrum associated with the 2.7–4.3 ps component is therefore strongly excitation wavelength dependent. Comparison of the difference spectra associated with the spectrally equilibrated state and the radical pair state suggests that the pigments in the photosystem I core antenna display some degree of excitonic coupling.
Controls on mineral dust emissions at four arid locations in the western USA

Abstract Dust emission measurements from unique military sources, including tracked and wheeled military vehicles, low flying rotary-winged aircraft, and artillery backblast, were conducted in the course of four field campaigns in 2005–2008, at Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) in Arizona (twice), Yakima Test Center (YTC) in Washington State, and Ft. Carson in Colorado. This paper reports on the observed relationships between levels of dust emission, and the mineralogy, particle size, and chemical composition of the surface sediment and associated airborne mineral dust. We propose a mechanism for the generation of fine particulate matter, providing an explanation for high emissions in certain regions. PM 10 (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter of 10 and PM 2.5 emissions measured at YTC can be explained by the high silt and low clay content of the surface sediment, attributed to glacial loess. In the other test areas, the abrasion of microscopic clay and oxide coatings, from and by silicate mineral grains, is considered a factor in the generation of fine particulate matter.
Risk of hand-foot skin reaction with the novel multikinase inhibitor regorafenib: a meta-analysis.

Background Regorafenib is a novel receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for use in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) and locally advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). The drug targets multiple receptors, including VEGF-R1/-R2/-R3, TIE-2, FGFR-1, PDGFR-α/β, KIT, RET, RAF, p38 MAPK. Adverse events include asthenia, hypertension, diarrhea, and hand-foot skin reaction (HFSR), with the latter representing one of the most clinically significant untoward events. The incidence and risk of HFSR with regorafenib have not been systematically investigated. Methods We conducted a meta-analysis to ascertain the incidence and risk of developing HFSR in cancer patients treated with regorafenib. Electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science) and the ASCO website were searched for publications from January 1998–January 2013. Eligible studies were limited to Phase II/III clinical trials employing regorafenib (160 mg/day). The incidence, relative risk (RR), and 95 % CIs were calculated using random- or fixed-effects models based on the heterogeneity of included studies. Results A total of 1,078 patients treated with regorafenib for mCRC, GIST, renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were included. The overall incidence of all-grade and high-grade HFSR were 60.5 % (95 % CI: 48.3–71.6 %) and 20.4 % (95 % CI: 15.4–26.6 %), respectively. The RRs of all-grade and high-grade HFSR with regorafenib in comparison to controls were increased for all-grade (RR = 5.4, 95 % CI: 3.76–7.76, p < 0.001) and high-grade (RR = 41.99, 95 % CI: 5.88–299.93, p < 0.001) HFSR. The incidence of HFSR varied significantly with tumor type (p = 0.007), and was 71.4 % (95 % CI: 57.4–82.3 %) for RCC, 60.2 % (95 % CI: 52.3–67.6 %) for GIST, 50.0 % (95 % CI: 34.2–65.8 %) for HCC, and 46.6 % (95 % CI: 42.3–51.0 %) for mCRC. Conclusion The incidence and risk of development of HFSR with regorafenib is high, and may vary significantly with tumor type. Knowledge of this is important for patient counseling and clinical trial development, to ensure adherence and maximize clinical outcomes.
Exactly solvable nonlinear model for a Smith-Purcell free-electron laser

We present a model for a Smith-Purcell free-electron laser, including nonlinear effects, that can be solved in closed form. The model is shown to obey the pendulum equation. The average electron efficiency calculated by means of this model is compared with that obtained from an exact numerical calculation and from a simpler ''phase-space'' model for a wide range of physical parameters.
Methodology to Perform a Combined Heating and Power System Feasibility Study for Industrial Manufacturing Facilities

ABSTRACT This article considers combined heating and power (CHP) systems based on topping cycles, in which electricity is generated by a prime mover and heat is then recovered from the exhaust and utilized to offset all or a portion of the facility's process and/or space heating requirements. The article presents a methodology to perform a base load CHP system assessment and feasibility study for industrial manufacturing facilities as well as to determine emissions reductions that may result from utilization of such a system. In order to determine the best and most viable option for the facility in question, the proposed methodology can be used to size different systems which utilize diverse technologies and fuel sources, perform an economic analysis of each proposed option, and then compare the benefits and setbacks of each type of CHP system considered. The economic analysis will provide a broad insight as to which proposed system will show the best payback if installed. In addition to the economic anal...
Environmental Impact Analysis Using Hybrid Decision Support Framework: A Transportation Project Case Study

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study for any project is a time- consuming process because it has a large number of dependent and independent variables that must be taken into account. Although EIAs are dependent on geo-spatial information in order to make an assessment, there are no standard rules for conducting an environmental assessment. In addition, each assessment objective is case-dependent, based on what information is available. This paper presents a new framework for the analysis phase of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for projects, based on the integration between remote sensing technology, geographic information systems, and spatial modeling. The framework comprehensively analyzes the environmental vulnerability around the project areas and its impact on the environment by integrating the merits of the map overlay method and the matrix method. This framework is expected to improve the quality of the decision making process in urban and inter-urban projects. A transportation...
Trauma and memory: Effects of post-event misinformation, retrieval order, and retention interval

The present study concerned effects of misinformation, retrieval order, and retention interval on eyewitness memory for a traumatic event (a vivid murder). Relations between misinformation acceptance and compliance were also examined. The classic three-stage misinformation paradigm (Loftus, 1979) was employed, with a multi-component recognition test added. Either immediately or 2 weeks after viewing a distressing film, 232 adults read a narrative (misleading or control) about the murder and then took a recognition test that tapped memory for central and peripheral details. Test-item order either matched the chronology of the film or was randomly determined. Significant misinformation effects were obtained. Moreover, control participants were more accurate in response to questions about central than peripheral information; however, this was not so for misinformed participants. Sequential but not random retrieval order resulted in a higher proportion of correct responses for central as opposed to peripheral misinformation questions. Compliance was significantly related to misinformation effects. Delay increased participants' suggestibility, impaired memory accuracy, and produced higher confidence ratings for misinformed participants compared to controls. Findings indicate that even for a highly negative event, adults' memory is not immune to inaccuracies and suggestive influences.
Cerebrospinal fluid adenosine concentration and uncoupling of cerebral blood flow and oxidative metabolism after severe head injury in humans.

OBJECTIVE: Uncoupling of cerebral blood flow (CBF) and oxidative metabolism is observed after severe head injury in comatose patients; however, the mechanism(s) involved remain undefined. Adenosine can produce cerebral vasodilation and reduce neuronal activity and is a possible mediator of uncoupling. We hypothesized that cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) adenosine concentrations would be increased during uncoupling of CBF and oxidative metabolism, defined as a narrow arterio-jugular venous oxygen difference [D(a - v)0 2 4 vol%] after head injury. METHODS: Adenosine concentrations were measured using fluorescent-based high-pressure liquid chromatography in 67 CSF samples obtained from 13 comatose (Glasgow Coma Scale score 7) adult patients who sustained a severe closed head injury. At the time each sample was obtained, CBF was measured by the xenon-133 method, and blood samples were obtained for determination of D(a - v)O 2 . RESULTS: CSF adenosine concentration was negatively associated with D(a - v)0 2 (P 4 vol% (38.5 [3.2-306.3] versus 14.0 [2.7-795.5] nmol/L, respectively, median [range]; P < 0.025) and in patients who died versus survivors (40.1 [6.9-306.3] versus 12.9 [2.7-795.5] nmol/L, respectively, median [range]; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The association between increased CSF adenosine concentration and a reduction in global cross-brain extraction of oxygen supports a regulatory role for adenosine in the complex balance between CBF and oxidative and nonoxidative metabolism after severe head injury in humans.