cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tailoring seasonal climate forecasts for hydropower operations

Abstract. Integration of seasonal precipitation forecasts into water resources operations and planning is practically nonexistent, even in regions of scarcity. This is often attributable to water manager's tendency to act in a risk averse manner, preferring to avoid consequences of poor forecasts, at the expense of unrealized benefits. Convincing demonstrations of forecast value are therefore desirable to support assimilation into practice. A dynamically linked system, including forecast, rainfall-runoff, and hydropower models, is applied to the upper Blue Nile basin in Ethiopia to compare benefits and reliability generated by actual forecasts against a climatology-based approach, commonly practiced in most water resources systems. Processing one hundred decadal sequences demonstrates superior forecast-based benefits in 68 cases, a respectable advancement, however benefits in a few forecast-based sequences are noticeably low, likely to dissuade manager's adoption. A hydropower sensitivity test reveals a propensity toward poor-decision making when forecasts over-predict wet conditions. Tailoring the precipitation forecast to highlight critical dry forecasts minimizes this inclination, resulting in 97% of the sequences favoring the forecast-based approach. Considering managerial risk preferences for the system, even risk-averse actions, if coupled with forecasts, exhibit superior benefits and reliability compared with risk-taking tendencies conditioned on climatology.
Data Needs for Improved Seismic Hazard Analysis

Probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) attempts to predict the occurrence rates of various ground motion parameters, and is therefore potentially verifiable. At very low probabilities, features that might bound past ground motions, such as surviving precarious rocks, often seem to be inconsistent with the predictions. The PSHA predictions at small probabilities are very sensitive to the way uncertainties are handled. One challenge is to separate uncertainties into their aleatory and epistemic components, which currently are mingled due to making an ergodic assumption when ground motion prediction equations are developed. At Lovejoy Buttes, California, there are several precarious rocks that have not been toppled by about 10,000 years of earthquakes. This paper shows a formal way to evaluate whether a particular probability distribution for peak acceleration from the largest earthquakes, M∼8 events on the nearby San Andreas fault, is consistent with existence of those rocks. The paper concludes with suggested data needs from strong motion observations, since the solution to these PSHA issues will ultimately be driven by new data.
A Theoretical Framework of Risk Compensation in Supply Chain Management Decision Making

The goal of this study is to develop a theoretical framework for the study of decision makers within supply chains. Decision makers may compensate inappropriately by overstocking or overestimating lead times resulting in greater inventory costs. By leveraging the knowledge associated with risk compensation, better accountability of logistics and inventory holding costs can be achieved. Although there are conflicting views on risk compensation, the theory does provide insights into the complexities facing the decision maker in supply chain environments. More specifically, there has been relatively little research examining how human factors issues impact the supply chains' effectiveness. The risk compensation framework is tailored to represent and model the inventory management portion of the supply chain and can be validated through experimentation by evaluating the operator's perceived risks. In developing this model, the foundations for extending our knowledge of the human decision making in supply chai...
City Managers: Impact on Citizen Participation in Local Government

A city manager is an administrative officer who is usually appointed to serve as the chief administrative officer in a council manager form of government. While a city manager often brings years of formal training and expertise to city management, they also are less accountable to the local electorate. A city manager clearly is responsible to the city council, yet is far less likely than a strong mayor to be held accountable for their essential and often unpopular fiscal and policy decisions by voters. Another fact to consider is that it's far more difficult for voters to hold council members accountable for inadequate social and fiscal policies under a council manager form of government because power is decentralized, the city manager is appointed and usually has a contract in place with a specific and legally enforceable time of service. This paper examines the impact of the council manager form of government on the relationship between citizens and local government. The primary objective here is to determine if a city council form of government with a city manager adversely impacts the level of interaction between citizens and local government and decreases the ability of citizens to influence social and fiscal policy. This paper utilizes a variety of statistical procedures, including the pearson correlation coefficient and analysis of variance to effectively answer this research question.
Dynamic analysis of the epidemiological characteristics of hand-foot-mouth disease during 2008-2011, Guangzhou

Objective To analyze the dynamic features of the hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) in Guangzhou from May 2008 to July 2011,and provide enhanced scientific information for the effective prevention and control measures. Methods Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the data obtained from Guangzhou disease information reporting system. Anal swabs of the cases at the front-line hospitals were collected and detected for the virus by RT-PCR. Results The outbreak was shift to an earlier time of the year, with an increased epidemic intensity, and extended duration. Cases in the urban areas were decreased from 48.32% in 2008 to 35.09% in 2011, however, those in rural areas were gradually increased from 11.95% to 24.67% and in rural-urban areas were stably retain at 40.30%. Cases were mainly occurred in baby and infants below 5 years old, but showing a trend of increase in the younger ages and adults. The disease occurred more in male than in female. Cases in the diaspora children contributed were increased from 60.04% in 2008 May-December to 68.92% in 2011, while those in preschool children was decreased from 38.09% in 2008 to 28.27% in 2011. Cases in school students were relatively stable at 2.55% from 2009. EV71 and CoxA16 were the epidemic sources showing an alternative manner. Conclusions In Guangzhou, the hand-foot-mouth disease showed a trend of increases in younger ages, dispora children and rural areas, and was caused alternatively by EV71 and Cox A16. It is therefore made the hand-foot-mouth disease more serious and hard to prevent and control.
Ifosfamide in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.

Controlled experiments have shown that more than one mechanism leads to the potentiation of radiation-induced cell killing by cisplatin, and that this potentiation is not uniformly expressed among different cell types. A firm investigative base for the design of clinical trials using cisplatin and radiation has not been established. Coincident with this deficiency of experimental guidance, the independent clinical investigator has developed an array of therapeutic strategies applying different doses and sequences of cisplatin and radiation to a variety of tumor types. Results of clinical studies integrating cisplatin and radiation that can be judged for perceived survival benefit are evaluated in comparison with existing radiobiologic information. Both the clinical and radiobiologic results lead to similar conclusions at this time. Cells that are relatively sensitive to the cytotoxic action of cisplatin alone would best be considered for combined treatment with radiation. Large and infrequent, rather than small and frequent, individual administrations of cisplatin are better used with radiation for enhanced therapeutic effectiveness. Administration of cisplatin close in time to radiation is best for therapeutic response, although perceived efficacy follows from rather flexible integrations of these two modalities. It is not possible to know if clinical efficacy results from radiation potentiation as opposed to some degree of additivity of the two modalities. It is nonetheless useful to anticipate strategies that might lead to radiation potentiation by cisplatin in therapeutic designs. Two general mechanisms by which cisplatin potentiates radiation-induced cell killing are identified. One mechanism of potentiation is free radical-mediated, at least in part leads to an active radiolytic species following one-electron reduction of cisplatin, and is more readily expressed with bacterial cells than with mammalian cells in tissue culture. A second mechanism of potentiation is biochemical in nature, involves an effect of cisplatin on cellular components in ways that inhibit the recovery of radiation-induced damage, and likely applies more to the potentiation of oxic mammalian cells than bacterial cells. The latter mechanism is not universally supported in the literature. However, a unifying hypothesis, and one in need of confirmation at this time, is that the biochemical mechanism of radiation potentiation by cisplatin operates in oxic mammalian cells that are inherently sensitive to the cytotoxic action of cisplatin. This hypothesis ostensibly applies to tumor cells that are responsive to chemotherapy with cisplatin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Transforming Mutations of Jak3 (A573V and M511I) Show Differential Sensitivity to Selective Jak3 Inhibitors

Background A medical need exists for successfully treating patients afflicted with leukemia and especially those that relapse and ultimately become refractory to front line chemotherapies. Leukemia cases are particularly high within Hispanic populations where this disease is among the most frequently occurring cancer. A possible cause is somatic mutations in Janus tyrosine kinase (Jak3). Fourteen somatic mutations have been reported in Jak3, including M511I and A573V, from patients with various forms of leukemia. While several of these Jak3 mutations have been shown to possess transforming ability in cell lines, whether these mutations are susceptible to Jak3 selective inhibitors remains less clear. Methods The IL-3 dependent pro-B cell line Ba/F3 was virally transduced with plasmids encoding GFP and different mutant forms of Jak3, some of which conferred IL-3 independence. Sensitivity to pre-clinical and clinical Jak3 selective inhibitors was assessed for cellular viability and growth. Results Two Jak3 mutations conferred IL-3 independent growth in Ba/F3 cells. However, the level of drug sensitivity varied with respect to Jak3 inhibitors NC1153, CP-690,550, and EP-009. Conclusion Jak3 inhibitors CP-690,550 and NC1153 showed efficacy in reducing viability of Ba/F3 cells transformed with mutant forms of Jak3, thus providing new therapeutic strategies to treat these types of cancer.
Heroes, Presidents, and Politics

In 2008, we needed a hero. We still do.Political narratives are all about heroes, and never was it more plainly evident than in the 2008 presidential contest between Barack Obama and John McCain. Like all candidates, Obama and McCain worked to craft their own heroic narratives, from despair to redemption to, each hoped, glory. And sociologists watched as the American public joined in on this process, seeing their hopes, dreams, and concerns filtered through opinion polls that were used to form the politicians into just the heroes these times called for. Candidates and voters colluded in myth-making in that block-buster election, but how has the victor's heroic reputation served him as he holds office?
Revisiting Main Street Balancing Chain and Local Retail in a Historic City’s Downtown

The success of a city’s retail core is largely dependent on the composition and organization of its merchant constituents. Not only should the price-point and products of a city’s retail align with its resident and visitor demographics but the stores should be strategically balanced to maximize consumer spending and interest. Heritage destinations dependent on the tourism market should pay special attention to this issue, assuring their visitors a valuable shopping experience while simultaneously preserving the destination’s cultural appeal. This case study considers the rapidly evolving shopping district of Charleston, South Carolina, focusing specifically on the retail core’s recent influx of chain merchants to what was once predominantly a local main street. A historical account, paired with an in-depth survey of merchants, is presented. The research builds on previous studies that have considered the issue of merchant mix from the perspective of the city’s stakeholders, tourists, and residents.
Leaders' national identity conceptions and nuclear choices

In Chapter 1, I questioned why the nuclear proliferation literature generally takes state demand for nuclear weapons as practically a given, when in fact the acquisition of the bomb represents a leap in the dark on many dimensions. I argued that rather than asking, “Why are there so few nuclear weapons states?” we instead need to ask, “Why are there any at all ?” But this is hardly a rhetorical question. Some leaders have indeed decided to endow their states with the bomb. What is more, in spite of the immense difficulties of making a clear cost–benefit calculation on this matter, leaders have often displayed breathtaking certitude in the rightness of their choices. How could this be? This chapter provides a detailed account of how, as indicated in Chapter 1, leaders' conceptions of their nation's identity (what I will call their “national identity conceptions” or NICs) drive their choices for or against the bomb. Most leaders' NICs do not lend themselves to embarking on such a perilous adventure. But others' NICs do produce a preference – and indeed, an emotional need – to reach for that instrument of unlimited destruction. The chapter is organized as follows. The second part establishes the plausibility of the idea that “big decisions” such as the choice to go nuclear are likely to stem from leaders' NICs. The third part develops a more precise description of the NIC concept and lays out a typology of NICs.
Combined Effects of Functional Groups, Lattice Defects, and Edges in the Infrared Spectra of Graphene Oxide

Infrared spectroscopy in combination with density functional theory calculations has been widely used to characterize the structure of graphene oxide and its reduced forms. Yet, the synergistic effects of different functional groups, lattice defects, and edges on the vibrational spectra are not well understood. Here, we report first-principles calculations of the infrared spectra of graphene oxide performed on realistic, thermally equilibrated, structural models that incorporate lattice vacancies and edges along with various oxygen-containing functional groups. Models including adsorbed water are examined as well. Our results show that lattice vacancies lead to important blue and red shifts in the OH stretching and bending bands, respectively, whereas the presence of adsorbed water leaves these shifts largely unaffected. We also find unique infrared features for edge carboxyls resulting from interactions with both nearby functional groups and the graphene lattice. Comparison of the computed vibrational pr...
Galvanic Exchange on Reduced Graphene Oxide: Designing a Multifunctional Two-Dimensional Catalyst Assembly

The two-dimensional network of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) is decorated with silver and gold nanoparticles. The silver nanoparticles deposited on RGO by photocatalytic reduction are subjected to galvanic exchange with Au3+ ions to transform them into gold nanoparticles. This compositional change on the RGO surface demonstrates RGO’s versatile ability to anchor a wide array of nanoparticles and facilitate chemical transformations. Coupled with RGO’s unique ability to capture and transport electrons, galvanic exchange is used to contrive a two-dimensional nanocatalyst mat. Raman studies show that metal nanoparticles anchored on reduced graphene oxide facilitate enhancement of Raman bands. Using methyl viologen as a probe we elucidate the photocatalytic activity of the semiconductor–RGO–metal nanoassembly and highlight the mediation of RGO in charge transfer processes.
Advances in Modeling and Inference for Environmental Processes with Nonstationary Spatial Covariance

Modeling of the spatial dependence structure of environmental processes is fundamental to almost all statistical analyses of data that are sampled spatially. These analyses address tasks such as spatial estimation (kriging) and monitoring network design, as well as the basic scientific characterization of the second order properties of these processes. Prior to 1990, the lack of general models for the spatial covariance function led to almost exclusive reliance on stationary models of the form cov(Z(x), Z(y)) = C(x-y) where Z (x): ∈ D denotes a process defined over a spatial domain D ⊂ R d . However, it is now widely recognized that most, if not all, spatia-temporal environmental processes (and many spatial processes without a temporal aspect) manifest spatially nonstationary or heterogeneous covariance structure when considered over a sufficiently large spatial range.
Efficacy of sequential nephron blockade with intravenous chlorothiazide to promote diuresis in cardiac intensive care infants.

Background Sequential nephron blockade using intravenous chlorothiazide is often used to enhance urine output in patients with inadequate response to loop diuretics. A few data exist to support this practice in critically ill infants. Methods We included 100 consecutive patients <1 year of age who were administered intravenous chlorothiazide while receiving furosemide therapy in the cardiac ICU in our study. The primary end point was change in urine output 24 hours after chlorothiazide administration, and patients were considered to be responders if an increase in urine output of 0.5 ml/kg/hour was documented. Data on demographic, clinical, fluid intake/output, and furosemide and chlorothiazide dosing were collected. Multivariable regression analyses were performed to determine variables significant for increase in urine output after chlorothiazide administration. Results The study population was 48% male, with a mean weight of 4.9±1.8 kg, and 69% had undergone previous cardiovascular surgery. Intravenous chlorothiazide was initiated at 89 days (interquartile range 20–127 days) of life at a dose of 4.6±2.7 mg/kg/day (maximum 12 mg/kg/day). Baseline estimated creatinine clearance was 83±42 ml/minute/1.73 m2. Furosemide dose before chlorothiazide administration was 2.8±1.4 mg/kg/day and 3.3±1.5 mg/kg/day after administration. A total of 43% of patients were categorised as responders, and increase in furosemide dose was the only variable significant for increase in urine output on multivariable analysis (p<0.05). No graphical trends were noted for change in urine output and dose of chlorothiazide. Conclusions Sequential nephron blockade with intravenous chlorothiazide was not consistently associated with improved urine output in critically ill infants.
Bone Morphology and Organization

Bone is organized in a hierarchical way that enables it to perform its mechanical, metabolic/endocrine, hematopoietic, and protective functions. At the nanoscale level, bone is a composite material composed of collagen, mineral, water, and a host of noncollagenous proteins. At the microstructural level, bone can be lamellar or nonlamellar, and can be formed either de novo, by direct apposition (primary), or by replacing existing bone (secondary). Macroscopically, bone is compact (cortical), with low porosity, or cancellous, with high porosity. This creates several surfaces from which bone can either be removed or added; these are termed the four skeletal envelopes (endocortical, periosteal, trabecular, intracortical). Because it is a dynamic living entity, bone also has its own special vascular supply and innervation. These features, together with the amount of bone and the quality and organization of the tissue, provide bone with its strength and fracture resistance.
Vision, Challenges and Solutions in the Development of Professional Social Work in Vietnam: Perceptions of Key Stakeholders

It was not until 2010 that social work was officially recognized as a profession in Vietnam when the government approved a national master blueprint to develop social work. This blueprint identified seven strategic objectives including: creating a foundational labor force, developing laws and policies, and raising awareness about social work. This exploratory study examines the degree to which key stakeholders in Vietnam have shared vision and perceptions about the challenges and solutions necessary to make this ambitious plan for Vietnamese social work succeed. An anonymous survey was conducted with 65 policy makers, educators, service providers, and practitioners. The survey revealed that key stakeholders in held a shared vision about Vietnamese social work, focusing on making it a genuine profession. They identified the top challenges for Vietnamese social work as lack of national policy and regulations, lack of public awareness about the profession, and lack of resources to develop high quality social work education. Key stakeholders considered social work to be an integral function of the government and, as such, depend upon the government to lay the foundation for, provide direction to, and make available the resources necessary for the profession to grow. In other words, there would not be a Vietnamese social work profession outside of and without the Vietnamese government, unlike how the social work profession has developed in many Western countries.
At the intersection of peace, conflict, and the scholarly community

An introduction to the Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies, highlighting the breadth and scope of peace and conflict studies as an academic entity and the role of young scholars as influencers of the scholarly work which encompasses the discipline.
Bilingualism, Brain Injury, and Recovery: Implications for Understanding the Bilingual and for Therapy.

Psychologists and other therapists are seeing an increasingly large number of bilingual individuals. Such clients are a special challenge when there has been some type of brain injury or disease because of the seemingly unpredictable effect such disorders may have on language skills, impacting either or both of the client's languages and interfering with internal speech that plays a role in higher cognitive functions such as insight and awareness. While there are many clinical assumptions about which language will show the least impairment or recover the best, such suppositions based on clinical lore are often contradictory. A review of the literature finds that the outcome of brain injury may be influenced by factors such as cerebral representation of a secondary language, method of language acquisition, age of acquisition, premorbid language proficiency, and style of learning in an individual. Neuropsychological concepts that can explain these findings are examined, along with their implications for therapy, and rehabilitation.
The Significance of Extracellular Cholesterol Crystals or a Cholesterol Granuloma in Xanthelasma.

Background/aims Xanthelasma is an unreliable indicator of systemic hyperlipidemia. A review in search of unusual histopathologic features of cellular composition that might correlate with systemic hyperlipidemia was conducted. Methods An observational case series of 3 cases was performed. Slides were stained and analyzed with hematoxylin and eosin, Masson trichrome, and periodic acid-Schiff as well as for iron. Three lesions displayed an atypical morphologic finding and were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis for CD3, CD20, CD68, CD163, S100, and adipophilin. Results The three lesions comprised in this study had classical xanthoma cells with densely packed fine vacuoles. The xanthoma cells were CD68, CD163, and adipophilin positive and S100 negative. In case 1, extracellular, nonpolarizing cholesterol crystalloids displayed totally negative staining for all biomarkers. In cases 2 and 3, the cholesterol granulomas were surrounded and permeated by CD68- or CD163-positive epithelioid and giant cells and by CD3-positive T lymphocytes. The 3 cases each harbored squamous cysts. Conclusion In case 1, the uninflamed extracellular cholesterol crystalloids were associated with severely dysregulated systemic hyperlipidemia. In cases 2 and 3, the cholesterol granulomas were interpreted as a local manifestation of a cyst that might have partially ruptured and did not portend serious hyperlipidemia.
Design of crystalline-amorphous nanolaminates using deformation mechanism maps

Abstract The deformation behavior of crystalline-amorphous nanolaminates is controlled by a confluence of mechanisms involving dislocation and grain boundary (GB) plasticity in the crystalline phase, shear transformation zone (STZ) plasticity and its localization into shear bands in the amorphous phase, and their coupling across the amorphous-crystalline interface. Leveraging molecular dynamics simulations, the influence of microstructural length scales on the mechanical behavior is quantified using deformation mechanism maps, which provide mechanistic insights into the scaling of mechanical properties with layer thickness ratio and grain size. We find that flow stress primarily scales with the relative phase fraction as deformation shifts toward STZ dominated plasticity with increasing amorphous layer thickness while the onset of plasticity is also influenced by grain size due to the role of GB plasticity in yielding. Toughness limiting mechanisms involve void formation at GBs and shear localization in the amorphous layer, where the former is attributed to dislocation-GB interactions during mixed mode deformation and the latter to dislocation slip bands biasing the process of shear localization. An Ashby plot representation combining flow stress with void and shear band localization factors demonstrates that configurations with microstructural length scales promoting cooperative strain accommodation through the coupling of dislocation, GB, and STZ plasticity exhibited limited strain localization while retaining a high flow stress, thus providing a mechanistic basis for microstructural design of crystalline-amorphous nanolaminates.
3D Laser Scanning for Image Guided Stereotactic Neurosurgery

While this work is in its very early stages, the 3D laser scanner shows significant promise as a surgical localization device with advantages over other sensing methods. Accurate 3D surface extraction and matching, a central problem in computer vision, is the key to frameless stereotaxic neurosurgery using this technique.
Internal Energy Dependence of the Reaction of NH3+ with H2O; A Tandem ICR Study

The Tandem ICR (TICR) is a concept with a great deal of appeal. The concept originated with Smith and Futrell [1] at Utah who constructed the first instrument. The TICR constists of an ion source, a 180° Dempster magnetic mass selector and a differentially pumped ICR cell. All three are positioned between the pole camps of a 12″ electromagnet. The ions are formed in the source, either by direct electron impact or electron impact followed by chemical reaction. They are then mass analyzed and injected through an entrance slit into the ICR cell where their subsequent reactions are studied. The advantages over a conventional ICR are obvious: reaction complexity is greatly reduced with a single primary ion; reactions of product ionsmay be easily studied; ionsmay be formed and thermalized under high pressure source conditions and reacted under low pressure ICR conditions (ions such as Ar2 + may be studied this way) and lastly ions with different amounts of internal en.ergy may be formed in the source using charge transfer reactions permitting a determination of absolute reaction rate constants and branching rations and their dependence on internal reaction energy. In this paper we describe briefly the tandem instrument at UCSB and preliminary results of a study of a reaction as a function of ion internal energy.
Strategies for the Development of Nucleic Acid Probes for WMD Agents

Distinguishing a particular microorganism from all others demands finding a target sequence that is unique for that organism, is conserved in all members of that species or strain, and has limited or no plasticity. Such targets can be a nucleic acid sequence, constitutive protein, or an antigenic epitope. The target can be probed with PCR-based, immunochemical, or mass spectroscopy assays. Genomics has played an important role in developing new generations of probes. The genomes of an organisms of which is the nucleic acid content has been sequenced and annotated is of invaluable aid in the identifications of targets. Post genomic disciplines such as proteomics and glycomics are and will usher in a new generation probes. The proteome can be defined as a set of proteins produced by an organism under a defined set of conditions.The presence of a protein is the ultimate proof that a gene is being expressed. The glycome represents the glycan groups or saccharide chains attached to proteins or lipids. Surface proteins (S-layer) are ideal targets. Since they are often found at the surface of a cell they are probed with antibodies without breaking the cell.
Carbohydrate-Based Antibiotics

Antibiotics are most often defined as bacterial or fungal products that inhibit the growth of other microorganisms. There is a broader definition proposed [1] that defines antibiotics as chemical compounds derived from or produced by living organisms which are capable, in small concentration, to inhibit the life processes of microorganisms. This definition, however, does not include a vast number of chemically modified (semisynthetic) and synthetic antibiotics. Antibiotics are isolated from bacteria, yeast, molds, algae, and lichens, as well as from higher plants.
Student engagement with course content and peers in synchronous online courses discussions

As higher education institutions in United States offer online courses to growing audiences, there is increasing desire to understand how best to engage students with both course content and their peers. This case study examines the effects of assigning chat roles and facilitating self and group reflection on student-content and student-student interaction outcomes in four synchronous chats conducted in an online introductory-level sustainability course. We also considered what occurred within group reflections to inform how they are structured in the future. We found that assigning roles increased the proportion of critical student-student interactions. Self-reflections had no effect on either interaction type. Groups completing group reflections had a greater proportion of critical student-content interactions in the third chat and critical student-student interactions in the fourth chat than the groups that did not complete the group reflections. Based on our results, we plan to keep roles and group reflections going forward, and eliminate self-reflections. Furthermore, to increase the effectiveness of the group reflections, we propose some ideas to increase student ability to convert their ideas into change during subsequent chats.
Short-term solar power forecast with deep learning: Exploring optimal input and output configuration

Abstract The volatility of cloud movement introduces significant uncertainty in short-term solar power forecasting, which can complicate the operation of modern power systems. This work proposes a specialized convolutional neural network (CNN) “SUNSET” to predict 15-min ahead minutely-averaged PV output. The model is characterized by its usage of hybrid input, temporal history and strong regularization. On a 1-year database, the “baseline” model achieves 16.3% forecast skill in cloudy conditions and 15.7% in all weather conditions, relative to a smart persistence forecast. Optimal input and output configurations are explored and suggestions are given. In terms of input, both sky images and PV output history are found to be crucial. Output-wise, training against PV output significantly outperforms using clear sky index (CSI). Careful down-sampling can reduce the training time by as much as 83% without affecting accuracy. For lag term configurations, using the same length of history as the forecast horizon is a good heuristic, while using slightly shorter history yielded a modest 0.5–0.9% improvement in this case. To ensure reproducibility and facilitate future works, the code base of this work is available at Github/YuchiSun/SUNSET.
Study of the Impact of Pre- and Real-Time Depositions of Lithium on Plasma Performance on NSTX

The efficiency of two lithium (Li) injection methods used on the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) are compared in terms of the amount of Li used to produce equivalent plasma performance improvements, namely, Li evaporation over the divertor plates, prior to the initiation of the discharge, and real-time Li injection directly into the plasma scrape-off layer during the discharge. The measurements show that the real-time method can affect the energy confinement and the edge stability of NSTX plasmas in a more efficient way than the Li evaporation method, as it requires only a fraction of the amount of Li used by the evaporation method to produce similar improvements.
Man-Made Mineral Fiber Exposure: Assessment and a Note on Nonoccupational Exposure to Asbestos in Air

“Man-made mineral fibers” (MMMF) is a generic term that refers to fibrous inorganic substances produced by fiberizing molten mixtures composed primarily of rock, clay, slag, glass, or carbon. They are broadly classified as glass fibers (comprising glass wool and glass filament), mineral wool (comprising rock wool and slag wool), ceramic fibers, and graphite fibers. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified glass wool, rock wool, slag wool, and ceramic fibers as class 2B carcinogens, that is, they are possibly carcinogenic to humans: glass filaments were not classified as carcinogenic to humans, and the carcinogenicity of graphite fibers was not addressed (IARC 1988, p. 152). In the general remarks to the classification document, the following paragraph was included to summarize our current understanding of relevant physical/chemical parameters for assessment of inhalation risk from inhaled MMMF. This paragraph is quoted here because it guided the formulation of this manuscript, which addresses the current knowledge of exposure assessment of MMMF and translation of this knowledge to risk assessments performed in the manner outlined by the National Academy of Sciences (1983): Present scientific knowledge indicates that the major determinants of the carcinogenic potential of fibres are biological durability, dimensions (length and diameter) and, as for any other carcinogen, dose to the target organ. In this monograph, specific evidence is evaluated concerning the carcinogenicity of glass fibre, rockwool, slagwool and ceramic fibres as groups. It is conceivable, however, that the fibre characteristics, durability and physical dimensions span the categories of all mineral fibres evaluated here, and that these are the characteristics that are most important in relation to the possible carcinogenicity of a material (IARC 1988, p. 35).
Inequalities in Statistics and Information Measures

This paper presents and discusses a number of inequalities in the area of two distinct mathematical branches, with not that different line of thought: Statistics and Mathematical Information, which apply different “measures” to analyze the collected data. In principle, in these two fields, inequalities appear either as bounds in different measures or when different measures are compared. We discuss both and we prove new bounds for the Kullback–Leibler relative entropy measure, when the Generalized Normal distribution is involved.
Ineffective sets and the region crossing change operation

Region crossing change (RCC) is an operation on link diagrams in which all crossings incident to a selected region are changed. Two diagrams are called RCC-equivalent if one can be transformed to t...
Urban waste to energy recovery assessment simulations for developing countries

Abstract Waste collection, treatment, and safe disposal systems are rare in developing countries as these processes and systems have been mostly viewed from a cost-centric perspective in conjunction with weak or non-existent environmental policies. Consequently, solid waste generation has turned into a problem of significant proportions in many countries with severe degradation of land, air, and water quality and adverse effects on environment and public health. New waste-to-energy (WtE) systems using municipal solid waste (MSW) to produce energy (based on emerging technologies beyond traditional incineration), can serve as a useful bridge towards sustainable waste management. In this paper, a quantitative Waste to Energy Recovery Assessment (WERA) framework is used to stochastically analyze the feasibility of WtE in selected cities in Asia. Future policy measures of feed-in tariffs, payments for avoided pollution, and higher waste collection fees are assessed to evaluate if WtE systems can be made self-sustaining investments. The results show that WtE systems can generate up to 290 GWh of electricity in Karachi, and up to 60 GWh in Delhi from municipal waste feedstock from which recyclables (such as paper and plastics) have been removed. Net Present Value (NPV) estimation shows that hybrid WtE technology systems can be feasible in Karachi and Delhi with policy support, however Jakarta’s case is challenging due to higher costs. Future investments for waste systems should use holistic evaluations that incorporate key social benefits and costs – not only of energy generation but also of emissions reductions and impacts on public health – and identify necessary policy support for ensuring viable and sustainable solutions.
Sea-Level Rise and the Law of the Sea in the Western Pacific Region

Sea-level rise (SLR) is considered one of the most serious consequences of climate change. The risk of SLR compels legal consideration of this phenomenon related to many interrelated domains including the Law of the Sea. The Western Pacific region contains the most low-lying coastal countries and small island States seriously affected by SLR in the world. This research has been carried out as a contribution paper on the State practice in the Western Pacific region to the topic of “Sea-level rise in relation to international law” conducted by the Study Group of the United Nations International Law Commission in the period of 2020–2021. It aims to summarize the consequences of SLR for the Western Pacific States and outline their legal positions in relation to the sea-level rise. It also discusses specific issues, challenges and opportunities facing the Western Pacific States in supporting the maintenance of maritime baselines and limits notwithstanding physical changes caused by SLR.
Improving Screening for Tobacco Use in Adolescent Inpatients at a Children's Hospital

Introduction: Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death and disease in the United States. The majority of tobacco users begin before 19 years of age and approximately 25% of high school students report using tobacco products with 16% of those using electronic cigarettes. Despite high rates of tobacco use in adolescents and known associations with poor health outcomes, screening and treatment in the inpatient setting often is lacking. The specific aims of this quality improvement project were 1) to increase screening for tobacco use to …
Enhanced Dispersion and Mechanical Behavior of Polypropylene Composites Compounded Using Extension-Dominated Extrusion

Abstract The process of dispersing filler in polymer matrix is vital to the behavior of polymer composites. The current study involves understanding the extent of dispersion of filler by only varyi...
Synthesis and biofilm inhibition studies of 2-(2-amino-6-arylpyrimidin-4-yl)quinazolin-4(3H)-ones.

Abstract Synthesis of novel 4(3H)-quinazolinonyl aminopyrimidine derivatives has been achieved via quinazolinonyl enones which in turn were obtained from 2-acyl-4(3H)-quinazolinone. They have been assayed for biofilm inhibition against Gram-positive (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)) and Gram-negative bacteria (Acinetobacter baumannii). The analogues with 2,4,6-trimethoxy phenyl, 4-methylthio phenyl, and 3-bromo phenyl substituents (5h, 5j & 5k) have been shown to inhibit biofilm formation efficiently in MRSA with IC50 values of 20.7–22.4 μM). The analogues 5h and 5j have demonstrated low toxicity in human cells in vitro and can be investigated further as leads.
Enhancing stroke assessment simulation experience in clinical training using augmented reality

The development of extended reality in recent years is opening doors for using extended reality devices (virtual reality, augmented, and mixed reality devices) in education and healthcare. The purpose of this pilot study was to test the use of augmented reality in teaching healthcare practitioners in a stroke assessment simulation designed for clinical training, where students at nursing school are targets in the study. To conduct our feasibility, a simulation application was developed for the mixed reality device that projects a human face displaying facial drooping (a symptom of stroke) onto a computerized training mannequin. Nursing students were then placed in a clinical simulation wherein they wore the mixed reality device and performed an assessment of their mannequin patient to identify the symptom of stroke and act accordingly. The students completed a survey following their simulations, and then provided feedback on the device and the quality of their experience. The results of the study show that most students enjoyed the simulation and felt that extended reality would be a very useful educational tool for clinical training and healthcare. Further development of the program and device is underway, and future tests will be conducted. The results from this study will be helpful in further progressing the development of extended reality, and the use of these devices in healthcare training.
Split-Crank Functional Electrical Stimulation Cycling: An Adapting Admitting Rehabilitation Robot

Motorized functional electrical stimulation (FES) cycling is a promising rehabilitation strategy for individuals with movement disorders, particularly when the pedals of the FES cycle are decoupled to measure and address asymmetries. In this article, a rehabilitation robot, i.e., a split-crank FES cycle, is developed which utilizes a combined admittance-cadence controller to address rider asymmetries through adaptation, ensure rider safety, and electrically stimulate the rider’s leg muscles to pedal the cycle at the desired cadence. The theoretical development of the controllers is based on a combined Lyapunov-passivity switched systems stability analysis. Experiments were conducted on one able-bodied participant and three participants with various movement disorders, resulting in an average admittance tracking error of −0.13 ± 1.77 RPM with adaptation and −0.03 ± 4.05 RPM without adaptation. The split-crank FES cycle successfully admits to the rider, preserves rider safety, and offers a promising robotic rehabilitation strategy for individuals affected by movement disorders.
Teenage Weightlifter with Back Pain and a Fractured Vertebral End Plate

Back pain in teenagers is very common, but back pain in teenagers associated with radicular symptoms is much less common. Lifting, twisting, and falls may place abnormal stress on the spine. In children and adolescents, the ring apophysis along the posterior elements of the spine is not yet completely ossified. Weightlifting and its associated mechanics may lead to the development of a disc herniation with a ring apophysis fracture. Plain radiographic imaging is challenging and is not always possible to identify an apophyseal ring avulsion fracture. Back pain with a radiculopathy that radiates below the knee merits urgent referral to a pediatric spine surgeon. Once seen by the specialist, CT or MRI will be ordered. In a ring apophysis avulsion fracture, the extruded fragment within the spinal canal will not likely resorb independently and often requires surgical decompression and fragment removal.
Leveraging “human-likeness” of robotic service at restaurants

Abstract Despite the rise of human-robot interaction research, the mixed findings of human-likeness in consumer evaluation exist. Focusing on the restaurant sector, this research investigates how service robots’ varying levels of human-likeness of attributes (i.e., visual, vocal and verbal) influence consumption outcomes (e.g., service encounter evaluation, revisit intentions and positive word of mouth intentions) and the underlying mechanisms through cognition (i.e., perceived credibility) and positive emotion per Appraisal Theory. Drawing on a consumer experiment involving a total of 587 participants, results suggest that humanlike voice emerges as a dominant attribute affecting all three consumption outcomes. Humanlike language style positively affects service encounter evaluation but barely affects the other two outcomes. The significant effect of humanlike voice on three consumption outcomes is only explained by positive emotion whereas the effect of humanlike language style on service encounter evaluation is explained by both cognition (i.e., perceived credibility) and emotion.
Toward alcohol synthesis from CO hydrogenation on Cu(111)-supported MoS2 – predictions from DFT+KMC

In the quest for cheap and efficient catalysts for alcohol synthesis from syngas, a material of interest is single-layer MoS2 owing to its low cost, abundancy, and flexible structure. Because of the inertness of its basal plane, however, it is essential to find ways that make it catalytically active. Herein, by means of density functional theory based calculations of reaction pathways and activation energy barriers and accompanying kinetic Monte Carlo simulations, we show that while S vacancy row structures activate the MoS2 basal plane, further enhancement of chemical activity and selectivity can be achieved by interfacing the MoS2 layer with a metallic support. When defect-laden MoS2 is grown on Cu(111), there is not only an increase in the active region (surface area of active sites) but also charge transfer from Cu to MoS2, resulting in a shift of the Fermi level such that the frontier states (d orbitals of the exposed Mo atoms) appear close to it, making the MoS2/Cu(111) system ready for catalytic activity. Our calculated thermodynamics of reaction pathways lead to the conclusion that the Cu(111) substrate promotes both methanol and ethanol as the products, while kinetic Monte Carlo simulations suggest a high selectivity toward the formation of ethanol.
Abstract 17438: Sex Differences and Temporal Trends in Revascularization and Outcomes of ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Older Adults in the United States

Background: Prior studies have suggested that women with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) have higher in-hospital mortality risk than younger men with STEMI. However, there is a significa...
Race-related disparities in patterns of uterine cancer recurrence.

5571Background: Racial disparities in uterine cancer outcomes are present, as Black patients with uterine cancer have markedly higher mortality when compared with White patients. Potential etiologi...