cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Monitoring the reaction progress of a high-performance phenylethynyl-terminated poly(etherimide). Part I: Cure kinetics modeling

The cure kinetics of a phenylethynyl-terminated poly(etherimide) are examined via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements. Isothermal holds at temperatures ranging from 325°C to 360°C provided the necessary information to develop reaction kinetics models using both first-order reaction kinetics and combination reaction kinetics. The first-order reaction kinetics model works well for quick estimates of degree of cure versus time over the experimental temperature range. However, significantly more accurate predictions of degree of cure versus time were provided by the combination reaction kinetics model. The lack of accuracy in the first order model is due to the fact that the reaction cannot be described by a simple order. The experimental procedures followed to obtain the cure kinetics data and the construction of the models from this data are described; the predictions of these models are compared with the experimental results.
Comparison of DonJoy Ankle Ligament Protector and Subtalar Sling Ankle Taping in Restricting Foot and Ankle Motion Before and After Exercise

Clinicians often must select an appropriate prophylactic ankle support system for their patients from a variety of ankle orthoses and ankle taping configurations. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the DonJoyd® Ankle Ligament Protector and a newly developed ankle taping procedure in restricting foot and ankle motion before and after exercise. Subjects were eight males and eight females who reported no history of ankle injury during the 6 months prior to testing, neurological condition, lower extremity arthritis, lower extremity fracture, or cardiac or balance problems. A Biodex dynamometer and computer were used to impose passive moments and to measure eversion and inversion prior to application of the ankle support systems, following application, and following 10 minutes of figure-of-eight running and 20 unilateral toe raises. Both ankles of each subject were assessed for each ankle support system. Subjects also compared the support systems for comfort, stability, and cosmetic ...
The inconsistency between proton charge exchange and the observed ring current decay

The equatorial pitch-angle distributions of ring-current ions observed during a storm recovery phase at L values between 3 and 4 are compared with the pitch-angle distributions predicted by proton charge exchange with neutral hydrogen. Large disagreements are found, and three alternative explanations are explored. (1) A strong proton source acts to mask the effects of charge exchange. It is believed that the required strong continual source with a unique pitch-angle and energy dependence is unrealistic at these low L values. (2) Presently accepted neutral hydrogen density models have densities well over an order of magnitude too large for a storm recovery phase. No evidence is known to support the required large errors in the densities. (3) The ring current at particle energies not exceeding 50 keV was dominated by some ion species other than protons during the storm recovery phase. Such ions must have much longer lifetimes for charge exchange with hydrogen than do protons. This alternative is strongly favored, with He(+) being an attractive candidate.
Absorption of some amino acids by the haemoflagellate, Trypanosoma gambiense

Abstract 1. 1. The bloodstream form of the haemoflagellate, Trypanosoma gambiense has been found to absorb alanine, arginine, aspartate, glutamate, glycine, leucine, lysine and ornithine. 2. 2. Kinetic data suggest that the uptake of some of these amino acids occurs by a membrane mediated process rather than by passive diffusion, and that amino acid transport in this organism is complex.
ATP-dependent phosphate transport in sarcoplasmic reticulum and reconstituted proteoliposomes.

Abstract During uptake of Ca 2+ by rabbit sarcoplasmic reticulum, about 1 μ mol of 32 P i was taken up per μ mol 45 Ca 2+ transported. The uptake of P i was dependent on external Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ and ATP. Intravesicular Ca 2+ did not substitute for external Ca 2+ . In contrast to the accumulation of Ca 2+ which was abolished by the ionophore A23187, the uptake of P i continued to take place provided sufficient Ca 2+ was present in the medium. Thus, a Ca 2+ gradient did not seem to be required. Similar observations were made with proteoliposomes reconstituted with membrane preparations of sarcoplasmic reticulum and soybean phospholipids. However, when purified Ca 2+ -ATPase was used for reconstitution, there was ATP-dependent Ca 2+ uptake but no ATP-dependent P i transport was observed. These data show that the mechanism of P i transport cannot be a passive movement in response to a Ca 2+ gradient but appears to be catalyzed by a specific protein, which is inactivated during purification of the Ca 2+ -ATPase. A protein that catalyzes P i transport in reconstituted vesicles has been solubilized by extraction of sarcoplasmic reticulum with sodium cholate.
Scopolamine Treatment and Muscarinic Receptor Subtype 3 Gene Ablation Augment Azoxymethane-Induced Murine Liver Injury

Previous work suggests that vagus nerve disruption reduces hepatocyte and oval cell expansion after liver injury. The role of postneuronal receptor activation in response to liver injury has not been ascertained. We investigated the actions of scopolamine, a nonselective muscarinic receptor antagonist, and specific genetic ablation of a key cholinergic receptor, muscarinic subtype-3 (Chrm3), on azoxymethane (AOM)-induced liver injury in mice. Animal weights and survival were measured as was liver injury using both gross and microscopic examination. To assess hepatocyte proliferation and apoptosis, ductular hyperplasia, and oval cell expansion, we used morphometric analysis of 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine-, activated caspase-3-, hematoxylin and eosin-, cytokeratin-19-, and epithelial cell adhesion molecule-stained liver sections. Sirius red staining was used as a measure of collagen deposition and its association with oval cell reaction. In AOM-treated mice, both muscarinic receptor blockade with scopolamine and Chrm3 ablation attenuated hepatocyte proliferation and augmented gross liver nodularity, apoptosis, and fibrosis. Compared with control, scopolamine-treated and Chrm3(−/−) AOM-treated mice had augmented oval cell reaction with increased ductular hyperplasia and oval cell expansion. Oval cell reaction correlated robustly with liver fibrosis. No liver injury was observed in scopolamine-treated and Chrm3(−/−) mice that were not treated with AOM. Only AOM-treated Chrm3(−/−) mice developed ascites and had reduced survival compared with AOM-treated wild-type controls. In AOM-induced liver injury, inhibiting postneuronal cholinergic muscarinic receptor activation with either scopolamine treatment or Chrm3 gene ablation results in prominent oval cell reaction. We conclude that Chrm3 plays a critical role in the liver injury response by modulating hepatocyte proliferation and apoptosis.
Scanning-tunneling-microscope observation of surface diffusion on an atomic scale: Au on Au(111).

Time-lapse topography has been done with a scanning tunneling microscope on a clean, annealed Au(111) surface showing the effects of surface diffusion of Au atoms at room temperature. Within several minutes, features such as marks made by a gentle touch of the tunnel tip are seen to change as a result of the diffusion of Au atoms over the surface. The diffusion does not depend on the magnitude or sign of the tunneling current and voltage parameters. These experiments demonstrate the unique ability of the scanning tunneling microscope to obtain directly information about surface diffusion on an atomic scale.
Process Standardization across Intra- and Inter-cultural Relationships

Theory suggests that culture may hinder the ability to effectively standardize the process of relationship development strategies across intra- and inter-cultural relationships. Construct relationships between trust, commitment, conflict and satisfaction in manufacturer-distributor relationships are examined intra- (i.e., within a single cultural type) and inter-culturally (i.e., between different cultural types) with a sample of distributors from Canada, Chile, Mexico and the United States. Results support theoretical differences in the consequences of the trust-commitment relationship between intra-cultural and inter-cultural relationships. The results suggest process standardization based upon cultural type.
Land Use and Management Practices Impact on Plant Biomass Carbon and Soil Carbon Dioxide Emission

Land use and management practices may influence plant C inputs and soil CO 2 emission. We evaluated the effect of a combination of irrigation, tillage, cropping system, and N fertilization on plant biomass C, soil temperature and water content at the 0- to 15-cm depth, and CO 2 emission in a sandy loam soil from April to October, 2006 to 2008, in western North Dakota. Treatments were two irrigation practices (irrigated and unirrigated) and six cropping systems (conventional-tilled malt barley [Hordeum vulgare L.] with N fertilizer [CTBFN], conventional-tilled malt barley with no N fertilizer [CTBON], no-tilled malt barley-pea [Pisum sativum L.] with N fertilizer [NTB-PN], no-tilled malt barley with N fertilizer [NTBFN], no-tilled malt barley with no N fertilizer [NTBON], and no-tilled Conservation Reserve Program [NTCRP]). Plant biomass C was greater in NTBFN than in NTBON in 2006 and 2007 but was greater in NTB-PN than in CTBON, NTBON, or NTCRP in 2008. Soil temperature was greater but water content was lower in NTCRP than in CTBFN and NTBFN. Soil CO 2 flux peaked immediately following heavy rain or irrigation (> 15 mm). Total CO 2 ftux from April to October was greater in the irrigated than in the unirrigated practice and greater in NTCRP than in annual cropping systems. Soil CO 2 emission was probably related more to soil temperature and water content or tillage than to aboveground plant C input. Because of reduced CO 2 flux compared with CTBON and NTCRP but similar biomass yield as NTBFN and CTBFN, NTB-PN may be used to reduce CO 2 emission from croplands in the northern Great Plains.
Identification of a Site on Mannan-binding Lectin Critical for Enhancement of Phagocytosis

Abstract Mannan-binding lectin (MBL) constitutes an important part of the human innate immune defense system. It has been shown to mediate the activation of complement upon binding to specific microbial carbohydrate motifs, to directly opsonize organisms, and to enhance the phagocytosis of targets suboptimally opsonized with IgG or complement components C3b or C4b. This enhancement of phagocytic activity induced by MBL and other molecules that contain a collagen-like region contiguous with a pattern recognition domain is mediated by a 126,000 Mr surface glycoprotein, designated C1qRP. Although it has been known that the collagen-like domain of these “defense collagens” contains the interaction site(s) that triggers this enhancement of uptake, the specific interaction site has not been identified. To address this issue, wild type and mutant MBL constructs were generated, inserted into baculovirus, expressed in Sf9 cells, and the recombinant MBL (rMBL) proteins purified by mannan affinity chromatography. The effect of wild type and mutant rMBL on the phagocytosis of targets suboptimally opsonized with IgG or with IgM and C4b by human peripheral blood monocytes was then assessed. Two mutants, one of which has five GXY triplets deleted below the kink region of MBL and the other one having only two of the GXY triplets deleted below the kink, failed to enhance phagocytosis, suggesting the importance of the specific sequence GEKGEP in stimulating phagocytic activity. Similar sequences were detected in other defense collagens, implicating the consensus motif GE(K/Q/R)GEP as critical in mediating the enhancement of phagocytosis through C1qRP. Clarification of specific ligand-C1qRP interactions should facilitate the investigation of the signal transduction processes involved in the cell activation, as well as provide the basis for the design of specific modulators of the functions mediated by this receptor.
New Aplodontid Rodent from Montana Oligocene

The Chicago Natural History Museum collection of Pipestone Springs Oligocene material contains two jaw fragments, an upper and a lower, originally collected by Dr. E. C. Olson and party in 1941, that represent a new form of rodent. It seems best to describe this form on the basis of these two specimens because the materials from Pipestone Springs are usually fragmentary and the deposits have been sufficiently investigated and reported upon so that it is unlikely that better materials will be soon available. Although the upper molars of the Pipestone specimen lack the prominent mesostyles that are generally characteristic of the Aplodontidae, the form is assigned to that family on the basis of general tooth structure and tooth relationships. Most of the peculiarities of the dental pattern in this new form are shared with one or another of the early Tertiary genera of aplodontids. The general tooth shape, the posteriorly diminishing tooth row, and the cross-crests and apical basins of the upper molars are all characteristic of the Aplodontidae. The discovery of an aplodontid in the Montana Oligocene extends our knowledge of the group in two respects. Aplodontids have been described from the Late Eocene and the Early Miocene, but no Oligocene forms have been previously reported. All American records of the family have been from the Pacific coastal states and Nevada. I wish to thank Bryan Patterson of the Chicago Natural History Museum for permission to study the specimens and Dr. E. C. Olson of the University of Chicago for advice and direction. Diagnosis .—Cheek teeth high crowned, rooted, lacking prominent styles or stylids. M1 and M2 approximately equal size, quadrangular; M3 smaller, subcircular. Hypocone and protocone of M1 and M2 subequal, separated by a deep persistent groove. Deep groove separating anteroloph and paracone. …
Online Postings of Teacher Education Candidates Completing Student Teaching: What Do They Talk about?

This purpose of this investigation was to review the postings of candidates completing student teaching using an online discussion module. A total of 3624 on-line postings by 295 student teachers over eight semesters were examined. Postings were grouped into one of six categories (general information, teaching, students, placements, projects and parents). The most frequent postings (34%) focused on topics related to teaching. It was noted that the postings were positive in nature and that candidates used the discussion board to share and reflect on their experiences during student teaching.
Cyclopalladation of 2-tert-butyl-4,4-dimethyl-2-oxazoline in solution and on silica gel

Abstract Cyclopalladation of 2-tert-butyl-4,4-dimethyl-2-oxazoline (1) using Pd(OAc)2 was performed in acetic acid and on silica gel. Treatment of the crude product formed in each reaction with LiCl afforded a dimeric cyclopalladated complex (4) in 76 and 93% yield, respectively. The 1H, 13C{1H} NMR and IR spectroscopy data for complex 4 confirmed the formation of the palladacycle with an (sp3)C–Pd bond and suggested the presence of two geometrical isomers in solution.
Quark structure of static correlators in high temperature QCD

Abstract We present results of numerical simulations of quantum chromodynamics at finite temperature with two flavors of Kogut-Susskind quarks on the Intel iPSC/860 parallel processor. We investigate the properties of the objects whose exchange gives static screening lengths by reconstructing their correlated quark-antiquark structure.
Hybrid cryogenic low noise amplifier for the MeetKAT array

Hybrid microwave integrated circuit technology is used to design and develop an L-band (900-2100 MHz) ultra-low noise amplifier for the MeerKAT array. This low noise amplifier achieved 2 K noise temperature, more than 40 dB gain, S11 & S22 better than -11 & -15 dB at 15 K ambient. Linearity and gain compression is verified. The noise performance is explored as the cooling temperature changes from 15 to 85 K.
Fractal time symmetry in the glass transition

Abstract A defect diffusion model is employed to described relaxation in glassy materials. When the motion of the defects is governed by fractal time (no characteristic time scale existing) then the ubiquitous stretched exponential relaxation time law is derived as a probability limit distribution. In our theory, the stretched exponential law does have a characteristic time scale inversely proportional to the concentration of mobile defects. We derive a generalized Vogel law describing the divergence of the relaxation time scale with diminishing temperature. We relate this divergence to a phase transition governing the disappearance of mobile defects.
Synthesis and reactions involving the phosphine ligands of bis(phosphine)chromium and -molybdenum tetracarbonyl compounds

Synthesis of the compounds M(CO)4(PPh2H)(PPh2R) (M = Cr, Mo; R = CH2CHCH2, CH2C(CH3)CH2, CH2CHCHCH3, CH2CHCHPh) is accomplished from the reaction of the appropriate allyl or substituted allyl chloride with [M(CO)4(PPh2H)PPh2]−. This latter reagent is generated in situ from M(CO)4(PPh2H)2 and one equivalent of BuLi in THF. Addition of 2,2′-azobis(isobutylnitrile) (AIBN), a free radical catalyst, to M(CO)4(PPh2H)(PPh2CH2CHCH2) causes the PH unit to add to the allylic double bond, giving M(CO)4(Ph2PCH2CH2CH2PPh2) (M = Mo, Cr). The compounds M(CO)4(PPh2H)(PPh2CHCH2), not accessible by the route above, can be made by the reaction of [M(CO)4(PPh2H)Cl]− and PPh2CHCH2 in the presence of AgNo3. Addition of base (PhLi) causes the cyclization of the phosphine ligands in these compounds, giving M(CO)4(Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2).
Integrality gaps for Sherali-Adams relaxations

We prove strong lower bounds on integrality gaps of Sherali-Adams relaxations for MAX CUT, Vertex Cover, Sparsest Cut and other problems. Our constructions show gaps for Sherali-Adams relaxations that survive nδ rounds of lift and project. For MAX CUT and Vertex Cover, these show that even nδ rounds of Sherali-Adams do not yield a better than 2-e approximation. The main combinatorial challenge in constructing these gap examples is the construction of a fractional solution that is far from an integer solution, but yet admits consistent distributions of local solutions for all small subsets of variables. Satisfying this consistency requirement is one of the major hurdles to constructing Sherali-Adams gap examples. We present a modular recipe for achieving this, building on previous work on metrics with a local-global structure. We develop a conceptually simple geometric approach to constructing Sherali-Adams gap examples via constructions of consistent local SDP solutions. This geometric approach is surprisingly versatile. We construct Sherali-Adams gap examples for Unique Games based on our construction for MAX CUT together with a parallel repetition like procedure. This in turn allows us to obtain Sherali-Adams gap examples for any problem that has a Unique Games based hardness result (with some additional conditions on the reduction from Unique Games). Using this, we construct 2-e gap examples for Maximum Acyclic Subgraph that rules out any family of linear constraints with support at most nδ.
1634 CHANGING PATTERN OF CHEST WALL MOVEMENTS IN RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME (RDS)

To determine the influence of RDS on chest wall (CW) movements 6 infants (B.W. 1.7±.3Kg,G.A. 32±2 wks) with mild RDS requiring O2 for ≥3 days and 8 infants (B.W. 1.7±.5Kg, G.A. 33±2 wks) without cardiopulmonary disease were studied for 60 min on days 1,3 and 7. We determined CW movements by strain gauges over upper (URC), lower (LRC) ribcage and abdomen, airflow by nasal thermistor, transcutaneous(Tc) PO2 and PCO2 and behavioral state through out each study. Asynchronous (Asyn) CW movement was defined as inward ribcage motion during inspiration. Total duration of apneic episodes ≥5 sec was calculated/hour. Asyn URC movements and apneic time increased abruptly by day 7 in infants with RDS and gradually in the non-RDS group. LRC was largely Asyn in both gps. TcPO2, TcPCO2 and behavioral state did not differ between groups or over time. These data suggest that RDS enhances respiratory drive and intercostal muscle activity with a resultant decrease in Asyn URC movements and apnea. The comparable blood gases of the two groups suggest that nonchemical factors are responsible for the increased respiratory drive in infants with RDS.
Democracy in Latin America: Visions and Realities

Preface Introduction by Susanne Jonas The Dictatorship and Its Aftermath: The Secret Wounds by Eduardo Galeano The Construction of Democracy in Nicaragua by Susanne Jonas and Nancy Stein The Origins of Crisis and Instability in Central America by Edelberto Torres-Rivas Contradictions of Guatemala's "Political Opening" by Susanne Jonas The Redemocratization Process by James Petras Foreign Debt, the Threat of Foreign Intervention, and Democracy in Latin America by Pablo Gonzalez Casanova The Unpayable Debt: An Interview with Fidel Castro by Regino Diaz Twenty-Six Years of Cuban Revolutionary Politics: An Appraisal by Max Azicri Haiti: A Complex Situation and an Unknown Struggle by Gerard Pierre-Charles Economic Crisis and Dependency: The Case of the Dominican Republic by Jose A. Moreno Index
Metabolism and uptake of l-proline by human kidney cortex.

Extract L-Proline transport and metabolism have been investigated in normal adult human kidney cortical slices. The uptake of proline from buffers containing both high (10 HIM) and low (0.23 HIM) 14G-proline concentrations is intimately related to the extent of intracellular proline metabolism. The accumulation of radioactivity from both the 10 and 0.23 HIM proline media was against high radioactivity gradients, with distribution ratios of 18 and 3, respectively. Recovered proline from the intracellular fluid (IGF) accounted for less than 12% of the intracellular radioactivity in the tissue extracts. Glutamic acid accounted for greater than 75% of the intracellular form of the soluble radioactivity in tissue extracts. Total oxidation to 14CC>2 from both proline concentrations accounted for more than 50% of the total proline taken up by the slices. Kinetic analysis of the entry process suggested the existence of two saturable systems : one operative at low or physiologic proline concentrations (apparent Km 2 HIM) with a low capacity (Fmax 40 juM-ml ICF~x-30 min"1) and shared with neutral amino acids, and a second with an affinity to 10-fold less (apparent Km 17 HIM) with a high capacity (Fraax 160 /uM-ml ICF~1-30 min"1) and unshared by the neutral amino acids. Separation of the influence of metabolism from the analysis of the transport systems by the use of proline analogues showed that thioproline inhibited proline uptake by 80%, primarily by reducing the conversion of proline to glutamic acid, whereas 3,4dehydroproline did not affect the conversion of proline to glutamic acid but principally appeared to alter the affinity of the transport system for proline. Speculation These studies suggest that changes in the rate of proline metabolism in the human kidney may alter the rate of tubular reabsorption, thus controlling renal proline excretion. It is possible that renal iminoglycinuric syndromes may not only be secondary to membrane transport disorders but may result from localized metabolic defects in the tubule cells.
Development of optimal grinding and polishing tools for aspheric surfaces

The ability to grind and polish steep aspheric surfaces to high quality is limited by the tools used for working the surface. The optician prefers to use large, stiff tools to get good natural smoothing, avoiding small scale surface errors. This is difficult for steep aspheres because the tools must have sufficient compliance to fit the aspheric surface, yet we wish the tools to be stiff so they wear down high regions on the surface. This paper presents a toolkit for designing optimal tools that provide large scale compliance to fit the aspheric surface, yet maintain small scale stiffness for efficient polishing.
The role of microfilaments and of microtubules in taurocholate uptake by isolated rat liver cells

Abstract The role of microfilaments and microtubules on bile salt transport was studied by investigating the influence of a microfilament and a microtubule inhibitor, cytochalasin B and colchicine, respectively, on taurocholate uptake by isolated hepatocytes in vitro. Hepatocytes were prepared by the enzyme perfusion method and [14C]taurocholate uptake velocity was determined by a filtration assay. Taurocholate uptake obeyed Michaelis-Menten kinetics, maximal uptake velocity and apparent half-saturation constants averaging 0.87 ± SD 0.05 nmol · s −1 · 10 −6 cells and 10.9 ± 1.8 μ M , respectively. Cytochalasin B ( 4.2–420 μ M ) inhibited taurocholate uptake in a competitive fashion; K i being 33 ± 7 μ M . At concentrations above 100 μM the compound decreased 36Cl membrane potential and intracellular K+ concentration. Other parameters of cell viability were not affected by cytochalasin B. Colchicine (0.1–1.0 mM), by contrast, inhibited taurocholate uptake non-competitively, K i being 0.47 ± 0.07 mM . The inhibition brought about by colchicine was considerably smaller than that induced by cytochalasin B. None of the parameters of cell viability tested was affected by colchicine. These results suggest that microfilaments may be involved in the carrier-mediated hepatocellular transport of bile salts. This could, at least in part, account for cytochalasin B-induced cholestasis. The contribution of the microtubular system, if any, is less important quantitatively. The mechanisms whereby these two components of the cytoskeleton partake in bile salt transport remain to be elucidated.
The long posterior ciliary arteries : An experimental study

In vivo studies on the temporal LPCA in rhesus monkeys have revealed the following: 1. The LPCA invariably supplies a sector of the choroid posterior to the equator, starting almost immediately from the point where it joins the choroid after having pierced the sciera, and extending forward. 2. Occlusion of one or both LPCAs produces no ischaemic damage to the anterior segment of the eye. 3. Occlusion of one or both LPCAs seems to have no significant effect on the IOP. The ocular hypotony seen in such cases is in all probability primarily due to damage to the accompanying ciliary nerves. This subject however, requires further exploration.
A New Performance Metric for Search and Track Missions 2: Design and application to UAV search

This is a companion paper to the paper titled “A New Performance Metric for Search and Track Missions,” which is also published in these proceedings. This paper provides a realistic simulation using the performance index proposed in the aforementioned paper to show how the proposed performance measure scores missions consisting of a team of unmanned aerial vehicles searching for and tracking targets in a realistic search mission setting.
Changes in the economic value of wind energy and flexible resources at increasing penetration levels in the Rocky Mountain Power Area

We use a consistent economic framework to estimate the long-run economic value of wind while including operational constraints for conventional generation and hourly variation in wind and load. Day-ahead forecast errors in wind are corrected in the real-time, after commitment decisions for many thermal generators have already been made. The framework is used to estimate the change in the marginal economic value of wind with increasing penetration in the Rocky Mountain Power Area of the USA. We also evaluate the marginal economic benefit to wind energy of implementing several strategies to manage wind energy variability and uncertainty: more flexible conventional generation, real-time pricing, low cost bulk energy storage, and increased geographic diversity of wind plant siting. Without mitigation, the marginal economic value of wind is found to decrease by $21 MWh (37% of the marginal value of wind at 0% penetration) as wind penetration increases from 0% to 30%. The decline is largely because of the hourly profile of wind output and day-ahead wind energy forecast errors; factors whose impact is reduced by the mitigation strategies. With mitigation, the marginal value of wind at the 30% penetration level is $6-$11 MWh greater than the value without the measures (17-31% increase in value). Although the marginal value of wind energy decreases with increasing penetration in this region, several different types of mitigation strategies are available and should be investigated in more detail. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adjusting batch effects in microarray expression data using empirical Bayes methods

SUMMARY Non-biological experimental variation or “batch effects” are commonly observed across multiple batches of microarray experiments, often rendering the task of combining data from these batches difficult. The ability to combine microarray data sets is advantageous to researchers to increase statistical power to detect biological phenomena from studies where logistical considerations restrict sample size or in studies that require the sequential hybridization of arrays. In general, it is inappropriate to combine data sets without adjusting for batch effects. Methods have been proposed to filter batch effects from data, but these are often complicated and require large batch sizes (>25) to implement. Because the majority of microarray studies are conducted using much smaller sample sizes, existing methods are not sufficient. We propose parametric and non-parametric empirical Bayes frameworks for adjusting data for batch effects that is robust to outliers in small sample sizes and performs comparable to existing methods for large samples. We illustrate our methods using two example data sets and show that our methods are justifiable, easy to apply, and useful in practice. Software for our method is freely available at: http://biosun1.harvard.edu/complab/batch/.
Recycling of a LAMPE klystron

The authors describe the modeling, rebuilding, and testing of a modulating-anode klystron having 1.25 MW peak output power that was originally made for the Los Alamos Meson Physics Facility (LAMPF). All original klystron parameters were retained, with the exception of the center frequency, which was raised from 805 to 850 MHz. Each of the five cavities was redesigned to achieve this increase. The rebuilding, which was performed at the LAMPF klystron repair facility, and experimental characteristics of the rebuilt klystron are described. The klystron has produced over 1 MW at the new frequency. >
Home safety: development and validation of one component of an ecobehavioral treatment program for abused and neglected children

Parents may be charged with child abuse or neglect or both on the basis of a variety of circumstances. Child neglect, for example, is often documented when caseworkers observe that the family's home itself is so poorly kept that it presents an environment in which young children have ready access to lethal hazards such as poisons, uncovered wall outlets, and firearms. In this study, we describe the development of a Home Accident Prevention Inventory (HAPI) which was validated and used to assess hazards in the homes of several families under state protective service for child abuse and neglect. The HAPI included five categories of hazards: fire and electrical, mechanical-suffocation, ingested object suffocation, firearms, and solid/liquid poisons. Following the collection of baseline data, parents were presented with a treatment package that included instructions and demonstrations on making hazards inaccessible to children, plus feedback regarding the number and location of hazards in the home. The multiple-baseline design across hazardous categories in each family's home showed that the package resulted in decreases in the number of these accessible hazards. These improvements were maintained over an extended period of unannounced follow-up checks. This research provides a model for the development and assessment of an area previously unexamined in the child abuse and neglect literature.
Thermal Pressure, Earth’s Interior and Adiabatic Processes

This chapter deals with several applications of the basic thermodynamic relations developed so far to problems relating to the properties and processes in the Earth’s interior, from shallow crustal level to the lower mantle and core, supplemented by an overview of the interior of the Earth. The specific topics include thermal pressure with applications to the core of the Earth and magma-hydrothermal systems, relationship between elastic properties of solids and seismic wave velocities with applications to radial density variation in the Earth’s core and mantle, adiabatic flow processes with applications to geyser eruption and upwelling of material and melting in the Earth’s interior, and thermal effect of volatile ascent.
On the Kinematics of Solar Mirrors Using Massively Parallel Binary Actuation

Precision mirrors are required for effective solar energy collectors. Manufacturing such mirrors and making them robust to disturbances such as thermal gradients is expensive. In this paper, the use of parallel binary actuation to control the shape of mirrors for solar concentrators is explored. The approach embeds binary actuators in a compliant mirror substructure. Actuators are deployed in a specified pattern to correct the mirror shape. The analysis for binary-actuated compliant mirror structures is presented. Analytical models are developed for one-dimensional and two-dimensional compliant structures with embedded binary actuators. These analytical models are validated using finite element analysis and experimental studies. The models and experiments demonstrate the capabilities of binary actuated mirrors. System workspace is explored, the principle of superposition required for their control is demonstrated, as is the mirror ability to correct its figure.
Determination of calcium in pharmaceutical preparations by atomic absorption spectrometry

Atomic absorption spectrometry is applied to the determination of calcium in pharmaceutical samples using both the direct method and the method of standard additions. Comparison with the standard chelometric method using EDTA and hydroxy naphthol blue indicates that the atomic absorption methods require less time and are equivalent to the chelometric method in precision and accuracy. The majority of interferences are eliminated by the addition of one percent lanthanum to the solutions.
Sexual behavior, stages of condom use, and self-efficacy among college students in Taiwan

The purposes of this study were: (1) to assess sexual behaviors and condom use behaviors; (2) to compare sexual behaviors and condom use behaviors between gender groups; and (3) to explore differences in specific items of self-efficacy to practicing condom use by the transtheoretical model stages of readiness to change among college students in Taiwan. A survey of students at two universities yielded 996 valid responses. The survey questions collected reports of demographic information, sexual history, condom use in general, and likely condom use in specific situations in relation to self-efficacy. Only 27.8% (n=277) reported ever having had sex, of these only 31.4% used condoms every time (those in action and maintenance). Condom use among women was lower than among men with men 5.1 times more likely to use condoms to prevent sexually transmitted infections (OR=5.1, 95% CI: 2.14-12.16, p=0.0002). The stages of change model with reported attitudes (self-efficacy) toward condom use in specific situations. The Tukey-Kramer multiple comparisons showed that participants in the maintenance stage reported significantly higher scores than those in the pre-contemplation, contemplation, and preparation stages for all 10 self-efficacy items (p<0.0001). Circumstances that are the most challenging for condom adherence across the stages are: partner preference to forego use, situations involving alcohol and drug use, and perceived low-risk scenarios. College students in Taiwan would benefit from targeted interventions that link risky sex to alcohol, and that address the interpersonal pressure within relationships that compel women students to practice unsafe sex.
Bose glass vortex phase transition in twinned YBa2Cu3O7δ superconductors

Abstract We show that twin boundaries, a ubiquitous c-axis-correlated (i.e., extending along the c axis throughout the thickness of the sample) crystallographic defect in some high-temperature superconductors, naturally induce a Bose glass vortex phase transition in the magnetic phase diagram of heavily twinned YBa2Cu3O7-δ thick films.
A new analysis framework for relevance feedback-driven similarity measure refinement in content-based image retrieval

Many recent content-based image retrieval techniques utilize relevance feedback (RF) from the user to adjust the system response to better meet user expectations. One school of RF-based methods uses a weighted Minkowski distance metric to assess similarity, and adjusts the weights to refine query response. A new method of estimating these weight vectors is presented which outperforms existing methods, particularly for the important case of limited training data. A new objective function is presented for an iterative optimization routine which more closely aligns optimization goals with true system goals. A new analysis framework is presented in the derivation of this technique which is useful for understanding the limitations of many RF methods.
Reframing hydrology education to solve coupled human and environmental problems

Abstract. The impact of human activity on the biophysical world raises myriad challenges for sustaining Earth system processes, ecosystem services, and human societies. To engage in meaningful problem-solving in the hydrosphere, this necessitates an approach that recognizes the coupled nature of human and biophysical systems. We argue that, in order to produce the next generation of problem-solvers, hydrology education should ensure that students develop an appreciation and working familiarity in the context of coupled human-environmental systems. We illustrate how undergraduate-level hydrology assignments can extend beyond rote computations or basic throughput scenarios to include consideration of the dynamic interactions with social and other biophysical dimensions of complex adaptive systems. Such an educational approach not only builds appropriate breadth of dynamic understanding, but can also empower students toward assuming influential and effective roles in solving sustainability challenges.
Biomechanical tolerance limits for manual lifting tasks: a tool to control back injuries

Develops biomechanical tolerance limit (BTL) guidelines for manual lifting tasks based on the published literature. The information is invaluable to researchers and practitioners of occupational safety and health for the prevention of back injuries due to manual lifting tasks. A summary of the compressive loads on the lumbar spine from various sources is provided. Conclusions are drawn from this data about the mean compressive strength of the lumbar spine. >
Speculative synchronization: applying thread-level speculation to explicitly parallel applications

Barriers, locks, and flags are synchronizing operations widely used programmers and parallelizing compilers to produce race-free parallel programs. Often times, these operations are placed suboptimally, either because of conservative assumptions about the program, or merely for code simplicity.We propose Speculative Synchronization, which applies the philosophy behind Thread-Level Speculation (TLS) to explicitly parallel applications. Speculative threads execute past active barriers, busy locks, and unset flags instead of waiting. The proposed hardware checks for conflicting accesses and, if a violation is detected, offending speculative thread is rolled back to the synchronization point and restarted on the fly. TLS's principle of always keeping a safe thread is key to our proposal: in any speculative barrier, lock, or flag, the existence of one or more safe threads at all times guarantees forward progress, even in the presence of access conflicts or speculative buffer overflow. Our proposal requires simple hardware and no programming effort. Furthermore, it can coexist with conventional synchronization at run time.We use simulations to evaluate 5 compiler- and hand-parallelized applications. Our results show a reduction in the time lost to synchronization of 34% on average, and a reduction in overall program execution time of 7.4% on average.
DISENTANGLING REGULATORY POLICY -- THE EFFECTS OF STATE REGULATIONS ON TRUCKING RATES

This paper combines state-level data on trucking rates with information on state-level regulations to estimate the independent effect on rates from three different types of motor carrier regulations: rate regulation; entry regulation; and the provision of antitrust immunity for decisions made jointly by motor carrier rate bureaus. The empirical results indicate that state-level motor carrier regulations generally increase trucking rates, with entry regulation having the largest effect in the LTL (less-than-truckload) sector and rate regulation having the largest effect in the TL (truckload) sector. The study also examines interaction effects among the three types of regulations and concludes that the combination of strict entry requirements and antitrust immunity leads to significant increases in trucking rates.
Heat as a tracer to determine streambed water exchanges

[1] This work reviews the use of heat as a tracer of shallow groundwater movement and describes current temperature-based approaches for estimating streambed water exchanges. Four common hydrologic conditions in stream channels are graphically depicted with the expected underlying streambed thermal responses, and techniques are discussed for installing and monitoring temperature and stage equipment for a range of hydrological environments. These techniques are divided into direct-measurement techniques in streams and streambeds, groundwater techniques relying on traditional observation wells, and remote sensing and other large-scale advanced temperature-acquisition techniques. A review of relevant literature suggests researchers often graphically visualize temperature data to enhance conceptual models of heat and water flow in the near-stream environment and to determine site-specific approaches of data analysis. Common visualizations of stream and streambed temperature patterns include thermographs, temperature envelopes, and one-, two-, and three-dimensional temperature contour plots. Heat and water transport governing equations are presented for the case of transport in streambeds, followed by methods of streambed data analysis, including simple heat-pulse arrival time and heat-loss procedures, analytical and time series solutions, and heat and water transport simulation models. A series of applications of these methods are presented for a variety of stream settings ranging from arid to continental climates. Progressive successes to quantify both streambed fluxes and the spatial extent of streambeds indicate heat-tracing tools help define the streambed as a spatially distinct field (analogous to soil science), rather than simply the lower boundary in stream research or an amorphous zone beneath the stream channel.
Megadalton complexes in the chloroplast stroma of arabidopsis thaliana characterized by size exclusion chromatography, mass spectrometry and hierarchical clustering

To characterize MDa-sized macromolecular chloroplast stroma protein assemblies and to extend coverage of the chloroplast stroma proteome, we fractionated soluble chloroplast stroma in the non-denatured state by size exclusion chromatography with a size separation range up to ∼5 MDa. To maximize protein complex stability and resolution of megadalton complexes, ionic strength and composition were optimized. Subsequent high accuracy tandem mass spectrometry analysis (LTQ-Orbitrap) identified 1081 proteins across the complete native mass range. Protein complexes and assembly states above 0.8 MDa were resolved using hierarchical clustering, and protein heat maps were generated from normalized protein spectral counts for each of the size exclusion chromatography fractions; this complemented previous analysis of stromal complexes up to 0.8 MDa (Peltier, J. B., Cai, Y., Sun, Q., Zabrouskov, V., Giacomelli, L., Rudella, A., Ytterberg, A. J., Rutschow, H., and van Wijk, K. J. (2006) The oligomeric stromal proteome of Arabidopsis thaliana chloroplasts. Mol. Cell. Proteomics 5, 114–133). This combined experimental and bioinformatics analyses resolved chloroplast ribosomes in different assembly and functional states (e.g. 30, 50, and 70 S), which enabled the identification of plastid homologues of prokaryotic ribosome assembly factors as well as proteins involved in co-translational modifications, targeting, and folding. The roles of these ribosome-associating proteins will be discussed. Known RNA splice factors (e.g. CAF1/WTF1/RNC1) as well as uncharacterized proteins with RNA-binding domains (pentatricopeptide repeat, RNA recognition motif, and chloroplast ribosome maturation), RNases, and DEAD box helicases were found in various sized complexes. Chloroplast DNA (>3 MDa) was found in association with the complete heteromeric plastid-encoded DNA polymerase complex, and a dozen other DNA-binding proteins, e.g. DNA gyrase, topoisomerase, and various DNA repair enzymes. The heteromeric ≥5-MDa pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and the 0.8–1-MDa acetyl-CoA carboxylase complex associated with uncharacterized biotin carboxyl carrier domain proteins constitute the entry point to fatty acid metabolism in leaves; we suggest that their large size relates to the need for metabolic channeling. Protein annotations and identification data are available through the Plant Proteomics Database, and mass spectrometry data are available through Proteomics Identifications database.
Marital Status and Sexually Transmitted Infections Among African Americans

This article assesses the relationship between low marriage rates and racial disparities in sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates. Data from the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth was used to examine the prevalence of sexual risk behaviors by marital status. Logistic regression was used to examine whether racial differences in marriage patterns help account for racial disparities in STI rates. Results indicate that the 12-month prevalence of multiple partners and high-risk partnerships was lowest among currently married, intermediate among cohabiting, and highest among formerly and never-married respondents. Of all racial/ethnic groups, African Americans were least likely to be married. In multiple logistic analyses adjustment for marriage attenuated the association between race and STI risk behaviors for African Americans. Low marriage rates may be an important contributing factor to racial/ethnic disparities in STI rates, particularly for African Americans.
The coupled problem in switched reluctance motor drive systems during fault conditions

The coupled problem in switched reluctance motor drive systems under fault conditions is considered. The coupling effects are accounted for through the use of an iterative approach for updating the machine parameters. Using this approach, the performance characteristics of the motor drive system are predicted. Experiments verify the results. >