cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sustainable community based PV-storage planning using the Nash bargaining solution

Abstract A dramatic increase in the penetration of customer-sited solar and storage has increased the concerns over utility revenues. A novel business model where the utility and the households within a community cooperatively deploy solar and storage is proposed in this paper. The potential increased payoffs are allocated by the Nash bargaining solution with efficiency and symmetry. Community-based expansion planning highly relies on local meteorology and geography. A convolutional neural network based scenario generation method is used to capture the locally driven uncertainties. The numerical results demonstrate that the players can improve their payoffs using the cooperative approach as compared to the non-cooperative approach. The case studies shed light on the future customer-utility relationship.
OPENING THE DOOR ON HOARDING DISORDER IN SENIORS: NOT AS SEEN ON TV

Abstract In recent years, reality TV shows have negatively portrayed people with hoarding disorder (HD), a very serious mental health issue. Although HD in older adults is quite common, it is often either missed by mental health providers or not well understood. Untreated HD can have catastrophic consequences including eviction, squalor, fire, and even death. This session intends to help bridge the knowledge gap and empower clinicians to identify and assess HD and develop confidence to make appropriate treatment referrals. It will also highlight the development of a community-based, in-home program treating seniors with HD and how geriatric psychiatry fellows can be integrated to enrich training experiences and provide psychiatry services that may otherwise not be available. Speakers will review diagnostic criteria, the common clinical features associated with HD, and diagnostic tools, as well as discuss the components of a novel treatment for HD in older adults called Cognitive Rehabilitation and Exposure/Sorting Therapy (CREST).
Loop extrusion: theory meets single-molecule experiments.

Abstract Chromosomes are organized as chromatin loops that promote segregation, enhancer-promoter interactions, and other genomic functions. Loops were hypothesized to form by ‘loop extrusion,’ by which structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) complexes, such as condensin and cohesin, bind to chromatin, reel it in, and extrude it as a loop. However, such exotic motor activity had never been observed. Following an explosion of indirect evidence, recent single-molecule experiments directly imaged DNA loop extrusion by condensin and cohesin in vitro. These experiments observe rapid (kb/s) extrusion that requires ATP hydrolysis and stalls under pN forces. Surprisingly, condensin extrudes loops asymmetrically, challenging previous models. Extrusion by cohesin is symmetric but requires the protein Nipbl. We discuss how SMC complexes may perform their functions on chromatin in vivo.
Role of Body Cast Application for Scoliosis Associated With Prader-Willi Syndrome.

BACKGROUND Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic syndrome, with a prevalence of infantile scoliosis of ~23%. These curves are likely related to severe hypotonia. Approximately 15% of children with PWS will need surgical intervention for their scoliosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of curing or controlling moderate and severe infantile scoliosis curves in children with PWS. METHODS This single institution, retrospective study of patients with PWS and infantile scoliosis reviewed 34 consecutive children with >24 months follow-up from initiation of serial spinal casting. Cobb angle comparison measurements of radiographs taken precasting, during treatment, and at follow-up were performed. Rib-vertebral angle difference, Nash-Moe rotation, and space available for lung measurements were followed. Outcomes were stratified as "Cured," "Braced," and "Surgery." RESULTS Average age for first cast for the entire study was 32 months (range, 14 to 64), undergoing 8 casts (range, 3 to 18) over 25 months (range, 9 to 57) for an initial curve of 54 degrees (range, 27 to 106 degrees), which improved to 27 degrees (range, 11 to 78 degrees). In total, 12 patients (35%) were in the Cured group, following 6 casts over 17 months, with an initial curve of 44±14 degrees improving to 17±5 degrees at the end of treatment, and 20±18 degrees at 68-month follow-up. In total, 18 patients were in the Braced group, with curves initially improving from 55±14 degrees to 35±14 degrees, but at 47±20 degrees at 51-month follow-up. Four patients needed surgery, with initial curves 85 degrees (range, 54 to 106 degrees), but surgery could be postponed 56 months (range, 40 to 73) by casting. Rib-vertebral angle difference was not prognostic. CONCLUSIONS Serial spinal casting is effective in for treating infantile scoliosis in children with PWS. One third of patients had their curve resolved, at least temporarily, where they were braced and cast free. The others were able to delay surgery for a number of years. Initial curves <50 degrees in children <3 years of age seem to have the best prognosis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level IV.
A comparison of the fine structure of Micrococcus diversus, Neisseria catarrhalis and Neisseria sicca.

Examination of thin sections ofMicrococcus diversus, Neisseria catarrhalis andN. sicca reveals a cytoplasmic membrane, nuclear region and ribosomes which correspond to those recognized in other bacteria. Their cell walls are multilayered and resemble those of gram-negative microorganisms. Structures suggestive of mesosomes were observed inM. diversus andN. catarrhalis. These cytological observations concur with the findings of Kocur for the fine structure ofMicrococcus denitrificans andM. halodenitrificans. The taxonomic position of the problematic species in the genusMicrococcus is discussed.
Propensity-Matched Cost of Clostridioides difficile Infection Overdiagnosis.

Background Clostridioides difficile is the leading health care-associated pathogen, but clinicians lack a test that can reliably differentiate colonization from infection. Health care costs attributed to C. difficile are substantial, but the economic burden associated with C. difficile false positives is poorly understood. Methods A propensity score matching model for cost per hospitalization was developed to estimate the costs of both true infection and false positives. Predictors of C. difficile positivity used to estimate the propensity score were age, Charlson comorbidity index, white cell count, and creatinine. We used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) cycle threshold to identify and compare 3 groups: (1) true infection, (2) C. difficile colonization, and (3) C. difficile negative. Results A positive test was associated with $3018 higher unadjusted hospital cost. Among the 3 comparisons made with propensity-matched negative controls (all positives [+$179; P = .934], true positives [-$1892; P = .100], and colonized positives), only colonization was associated with significantly increased (+$3418; P = .012) cost. Differences in lengths of stay (all positives 0 days, P = .126; true 0 days, P = .919; colonized 1 day, P = .019) appeared to underly cost differences. Conclusions In the first C. difficile cost analysis to utilize PCR cycle threshold to differentiate colonization, we found high propensity-matched hospital costs associated with colonized but not true positives. This unexpected finding may be due to misdiagnosis of non-C. difficile diarrhea or unadjusted factors associated with colonization.
Mood Beta and Seasonalities in Stock Returns

Existing research has documented cross-sectional seasonality of stock returns – the periodic outperformance of certain stocks relative to others during the same calendar month, weekday, or pre-holiday periods. A model based on the differential sensitivity of stocks to investor mood explains these effects and implies a new set of seasonal patterns. We find that relative performance across stocks during positive mood periods (e.g., January, Friday, the best-return month realized in the year, the best-return day realized in a week, pre-holiday) tends to persist in future periods with congruent mood (e.g., January, Friday, pre-holiday), and to reverse in periods with non-congruent mood (e.g., September/October, Monday, post-holiday). Stocks with higher mood betas estimated during seasonal windows of strong moods (e.g., January/September/October, Monday/Friday, pre-holidays) earn higher expected returns during future positive mood seasons but lower expected returns during future negative mood seasons, including those induced by Daylight Saving Time changes and weather conditions.
Hart avec Kant: On the Inseparability of Law and Morality

On the 50th anniversary of the Hart-Fuller debate, this essay examines Hart's defense of the thesis that law is not necessarily connected with morality. This paper argues that such a conclusion follows from Hart's presentation of the internal point of view as an empirically knowable claim of causation of the human will. The paper argues that the internal point of view contradicts the very idea of human freedom. If the internal point of view is analyzed as Immanuel Kant would analyze it - as a problematic claim that coheres with the possibility that human beings are free - Hart's internal point of view contradicts all of the other ideas for which Hart is known - the separation thesis (law is not the same as morality), the rule of recognition, and the distinction between core and penumbra meaning of legal rules. Although none of Hart's ideas is tenable from a Kantian perspective, nevertheless Hart's jurisprudence still serves two valuable purposes: it emphasizes that positive law and subjectivity are in tension and that legality (i.e., Hart's external point of view) is an aspiration of positivist jurisprudence. That is to say, the moral program of Hart's jurisprudence is to make the external point of view possible by means of the internal point of view. So conceived Hart's jurisprudence becomes a moral, not a descriptive, claim.
Longitudinal analyses reveal age-specific immune correlates of COVID-19 severity

ABSTRACT Severe COVID-19 disproportionately impacts older individuals and those with comorbidities. It is estimated that approximately 80% of COVID-19 deaths are observed among individuals >65 years of age. However, the immunological underpinnings of severe COVID-19 in the aged have yet to be defined. This study captures the longitudinal immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection in a cohort of young and aged patients with varying disease severity. Phenotypic transcriptional and functional examination of the peripheral mononuclear cells revealed age-, time, and disease severity-specific adaptations. Gene expression signatures within memory B cells suggest qualitative differences in the antibody responses in aged patients with severe disease. Examination of T cells showed profound lymphopenia, that worsened over time and correlated with lower levels of plasma cytokines important for T cell survival in aged patients with severe disease. Single cell RNA sequencing revealed augmented signatures of activation, exhaustion, cytotoxicity, and type-I interferon signaling in memory T cells and NK cells. Although hallmarks of a cytokine storm were evident in both groups, older individuals exhibited elevated levels of chemokines that mobilize inflammatory myeloid cells, notably in those who succumbed to disease. Correspondingly, we observed a re-distribution of DC and monocytes with severe disease that was accompanied by a rewiring towards a more regulatory phenotype. Several of these critical changes, such as the reduction of surface HLA-DR on myeloid cells, were reversed in young but not aged patients over time. In summary, the data presented here provide novel insights into the impact of aging on the host response to SARS-CoV2 infection.
Association of Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Other Carotid Ultrasound Features With Incident Dementia in the ARIC-NCS

Background Increased carotid intima-media thickness, interadventitial diameter, presence of carotid plaque, and lower distensibility are predictors for cardiovascular disease. These indices likely relate to cerebrovascular disease, and thus may constitute a form of vascular contributions to dementia and Alzheimer disease-related dementia. Therefore, we assessed the relationship of carotid measurements and arterial stiffness with incident dementia in the ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) study. Methods and Results A total of 12 459 ARIC participants with carotid arterial ultrasounds in 1990 to 1992 were followed through 2017 for dementia. Dementia cases were identified using in-person and phone cognitive status assessments, hospitalization discharge codes, and death certificate codes. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) for incident dementia. Participants were aged 57±6 at baseline, 57% were women, and 23% were Black individuals. Over a median follow-up time of 24 years, 2224 dementia events were ascertained. After multivariable adjustments, the highest quintile of carotid intima-media thickness and interadventitial diameter in midlife was associated with increased risk of dementia (HR [95% CIs], 1.25 [1.08-1.45]; and 1.22 [1.04-1.43], respectively) compared with its respective lowest quintile. Presence of carotid plaque did not have a significant association with dementia (HR [95% CI], 1.06 [0.97-1.15]). Higher distensibility was associated with lower risk of dementia (HR [95% CI] highest versus lowest quintile, 0.76 [0.63-0.91]). Conclusions Greater carotid intima-media thickness, interadventitial diameter, and lower carotid distensibility are associated with an increased risk of incident dementia. These findings suggest that both atherosclerosis and carotid stiffness may be implicated in dementia risk.
Automatic Emoji Insertion Based on Environment Context Signals for the Demonstration of Pervasive Computing Features

Pervasive computing applications are becoming much closer to take over the computing environment in different areas through different portable and smart devices. This includes healthcare, education, military, retail, instant messaging, and much more. For the vision to be a reality, the use of context-awareness as a technique for the development of pervasive computing applications is of growing interest. Context-awareness gives flexibility, adaptability, and autonomy to the computing system. In this paper, design and development of a MATLAB-based instant messaging tool with automatic emoji insertion is presented. This tool incorporates a two-way application that uses ThingSpeak as a middleware. It also takes inputs from different sensors that indicate a specific context on which a decision is made about the type of emoji to be inserted into the text message. The contexts that are taken into consideration are physical, human, and local and networked ICT environments. In addition, the system demonstrates the use of artificial intelligence for emotion detection as well as physical environment tagging. After implementation, we analyzed its accuracy, response time, and major constraints that need to be taken into consideration. Most of the contexts were detected with high accuracy between 86.6667% and 100%, in addition to faster response times between 565.28ms and 1.743s when tested individually. However, in a scenario where all contexts are being used in a prioritized way, the performance of the overall system was affected by the 66.67% medium accuracy of the emotion detection system(intelligent feature) and its slow response times of 5.979s. Further improvements on the context detection systems and their constraints will highly improve the overall system accuracy and response times. This work has an educational aspect of demonstrating multiple types of context awareness in a practical pervasive computing application.
Bridging the Coasean Divide: A Shared Economic Lexicon for Antitrust & Worker Protection Law

Uber, the most prolific of a new breed of transportation network companies, has been the target of two distinct strands of litigation in recent years that get at a question at the heart of the company’s business model. On the one hand, drivers have sued Uber for intentionally misclassifying them as contractors to dodge employer obligations. On the other, consumers have taken Uber to court for fixing the prices of millions of independent competitors, in clear violation of antitrust law. Uber’s situation seems legally untenable; either drivers are independent businesspeople and Uber is running a massive price-fixing conspiracy, or drivers are employees and the company owes millions in worker benefits and payroll taxes. However, antitrust and labor law have both evolved over the last half-century to be far more permissive of innovative (some would say exploitative) business models. This leaves a regulatory void in which companies like Uber get all the benefits of a coordinated, top-down command structure without incurring either antitrust liability or employer obligations. This void poses a competition problem and a labor problem. Workers that have no real power to negotiate their rates or make market-based decisions are left without the protections of labor and employment law. This note argues for a common set of definitions across antitrust and labor law to close the regulatory gap. These definitions should be nuanced, and might include intermediate categories like “dependent contractors.” These definitions should be guided by evidence of genuine ability or inability to make market decisions, particularly whether workers can set their own prices. But most importantly, they should be uniformly recognized by labor and antitrust courts. This will allow for innovative companies like Uber to choose. They can relinquish economic decision-making to their workers and maintain their low-commitment technology company status, or have greater coordination rights vis-a-vis their workforce and accept the employer obligations that come with them.
A SURVEY OF INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGISTS REGARDING THE USE OF MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY CONFERENCING IN DEPARTMENTAL QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROGAMS.

ABSTRACT Purpose Investigate the degree to which Morbidity and Mortality (M&M) conferencing is utilized in Interventional Radiology (IR), identify impediments to its adoption, and assess the experience of those using this tool. Materials and Methods Members of the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) were offered a 10-question survey of practices and experiences regarding M&M conferencing within their Quality Assessment (QA) programs. Results Among 604 respondents, 37.8% were university-based practitioners and 60% from outside of university practices. 43% of respondents reported practicing 100% IR, with 28.5% practicing 75-99% and 11% practicing IR less than 50% of the time. The use of M&M conferencing was significantly greater in university practices (90.7%) than in non-university practices (37.1%) and among practitioners performing at least 75% IR (71.2%) than among those practicing less than 75% (28.8%). Conferences were held monthly (66.6%) or more often and the majority (56%) of the events identified were scored using the SIR severity score. Roughly 20% of M&M conferences were multidisciplinary, shared most commonly with vascular surgery. The reasons cited for not using M&M included lack of time and the logistical challenges of the process. However, among those who participate in M&M conferences, the QA goals of the conference were met at very high rates. Conclusions M&M conferencing is well established in university IR programs and among full-time practitioners, but much less so elsewhere. For those sites that do not utilize M&M conferencing, there may be considerable benefit to addressing the obstacles that are limiting their implementation of this tool.
The Evolution of City Size Distributions

Abstract We review the accumulated knowledge on city size distributions and determinants of urban growth. This topic is of interest because of a number of key stylized facts, including notably Zipf's law for cities (which states that the number of cities of size greater than S is proportional to 1/S) and the importance of urban primacy. We first review the empirical evidence on the upper tail of city size distribution. We offer a novel discussion of the important econometric issues in the characterization of the distribution. We then discuss the theories that have been advanced to explain the approximate constancy of the distribution across very different economic and social systems, emphasizing both bare-bone statistical theories and more developed economic theories. We discuss the more recent work on the determinants of urban growth and, in particular, growth regressions, economic explanations of city size distributions other than Gibrat's law, consequences of major shocks (quasi natural experiments), and the dynamics of U.S. urban evolution.
Mixed-stock analysis of wintertime aggregations of striped bass along the Mid-Atlantic coast

Summary Most larger individuals of migratory striped bass Morone saxatilis from the two major Atlantic coast stocks, the Chesapeake Bay and Hudson River, appear to winter in mid-Atlantic coastal waters. But it is not known whether they exhibit differential wintertime distributions in accordance with the latitudinal differences in locations of these two estuaries. Mixed-stock analyses were conducted based on mitochondrial DNA and nuclear DNA genotypic frequencies on wintertime collections of striped bass from coastal waters. No significant differences (P > 0.05) were seen in the proportions of striped bass from the two stocks between collections made from the Delaware Bay mouth and Cape Hatteras in 1997. However, there was a substantially higher Hudson contribution to a 1995 collection from coastal New Jersey (0.349, SD = 0.136) than to the combined 1997 Delaware Bay mouth and Cape Hatteras collection (0.157, SD = 0.072), suggesting this question deserves further study. Additionally, use of the original four reference samples from Chesapeake Bay tributaries (Choptank, Potomac, Rappahannock, Upper Bay) proved adequate alone in characterizing the Chesapeake Bay stock in simulations in which additional tributary collections (Nanticoke, Patuxent, Pocomoke) were added.
Cognitive radio development for UAS applications

This paper presents an overview of unmanned aircraft systems developed at the University of Colorado and the development of a new software defined radio sensor that will be integrated into the existing systems. The architecture and performance of the new sensor is discussed. Potential research applications enabled by the radio sensor are covered.
Using Personal Digital Assistants in Clinical Supervision of Student Teachers

Journaling is an important tool to help student teachers reflect on the nature of the student teaching experience. The communication of journals to student teacher supervisors is enhanced greatly by using e-mail. Previously we described software that can be used to enhance journaling. This software included tools to facilitate writing field notes during in-class observations by the supervisor. E-mail exchange largely has supplanted the need for an electronic journaling tool. Here we describe flexible strategies using a personal digital assistant (PalmPilot) to facilitate the development of field notes during observations. These notes are then readily communicated to the student teacher by several means including e-mail.
SU-E-T-673: Recent Developments and Comprehensive Validations of a GPU-Based Proton Monte Carlo Simulation Package, GPMC

Purpose: A GPU-based Monte Carlo (MC) simulation package gPMC has been previously developed and high computational efficiency was achieved. This abstract reports our recent improvements on this package in terms of accuracy, functionality, and code portability. Methods: In the latest version of gPMC, nuclear interaction cross section database was updated to include data from TOPAS/Geant4. Inelastic interaction model, particularly the proton scattering angle distribution, was updated to improve overall simulation accuracy. Calculation of dose averaged LET (LETd) was implemented. gPMC was ported onto an OpenCL environment to enable portability across different computing devices (GPUs from different vendors and CPUs). We also performed comprehensive tests of the code accuracy. Dose from electro-magnetic (EM) interaction channel, primary and secondary proton doses and fluences were scored and compared with those computed by TOPAS. Results: In a homogeneous water phantom with 100 and 200 MeV beams, mean dose differences in EM channel computed by gPMC and by TOPAS were 0.28% and 0.65% of the corresponding maximum dose, respectively. With the Geant4 nuclear interaction cross section data, mean difference of primary proton dose was 0.84% for the 200 MeV case and 0.78% for the 100 MeV case. After updating inelastic interaction model, maximum difference of secondary proton fluence and dose were 0.08% and 0.5% for the 200 MeV beam, and 0.04% and 0.2% for the 100 MeV beam. In a test case with a 150MeV proton beam, the mean difference between LETd computed by gPMC and TOPAS was 0.96% within the proton range. With the OpenCL implementation, gPMC is executable on AMD and Nvidia GPUs, as well as on Intel CPU in single or multiple threads. Results on different platforms agreed within statistical uncertainty. Conclusion: Several improvements have been implemented in the latest version of gPMC, which enhanced its accuracy, functionality, and code portability.
Qualitative Data Analysis and the Transforming Moment

Insight is an important and repeated component of most qualitative research studies. Yet insight is often a vague concept that is not well articulated in textbooks and research reports. The late Ja...
On the measurement of effectiveness and risk assessment of automated highway systems

Intelligent transportation systems, whether partially or fully automated, pose some level of risk associated with system safety and security. In this paper, we introduce some of the issues associated with risk assessment and measurement of effectiveness of automated highway systems.
Self-esteem, stress and self-rated health in family planning clinic patients.

Background The independent effects of stress on the health of primary care patients might be different for different types of clinic populations. This study examines these relationships in a low-income female population of patients attending a family planning clinic.
Numerical studies of antiferromagnetism on a Kagomé net.

We investigate the Heisenberg antiferromagnet with spins on a Kagom\'e net as recently proposed to explain an anomaly in the heat capacity of adsorbed $^{3}\mathrm{He}$. The model reveals a disordered ground state from our spin-wave calculation which is consistent with the results of the spin-spin correlation functions computed by direct diagonalization of small clusters. We also obtain evidence of a double-peak feature in the heat capacity using the decoupled-cell Monte Carlo simulation technique introduced by Homma et al.
Lipid peroxidation in developing fetal guinea pig brain during normoxia and hypoxia.

Abstract Lipid peroxidation in the fetal guinea pig brain was studied at 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, and 60 days of gestation. Conjugated dienes and fluorescent compounds, indices of lipid peroxidation, peaked at 35 days of gestation, decreased by 45 days, and remained at that level until birth. The higher levels of peroxidation products in early gestational periods (30–40 days) suggest that either the anti-oxidant mechanisms for scavenging oxygen free-radicals and further metabolizing oxidation products are underdeveloped, or the rate of peroxidation is higher than periods near term. Prenatal hypoxia increased the levels of conjugated dienes and fluorescent products in the brains of preterm (50 days) and term (60 days) fetuses. Brain homogenates incubated in air at 37 °C underwent rapid lipid peroxidation as measured by the level of thiobarbituric acid (TBA)-reactive substances. However, term brain showed a higher rate of peroxidation and attained higher steady state levels of TBA-reactive substances than preterm brain. This may be due to the higher levels and degrees of unsaturation in fatty acids in term brain. Following hypoxia, term brain showed 5 times the rate of lipid peroxidation and a 3-fold increase in total TBA-reactive substances over controls. These studies show that a significant degree of lipid peroxidation is occurring in the fetal brain during gestation and that the developing brain is more susceptible to lipid peroxidation near term. Furthermore, prenatal hypoxic stress further increases the susceptibility of the brain to peroxidative reactions.
Highly Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes Using in Situ Generated Diazonium Compounds

The thermal reaction of single-wall carbon nanotubes with in situ generated aryl diazonium compounds is described and is compared to a previously reported, electrochemically induced reaction with preformed aryl diazonium salts.
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

The diagnosis of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is based on patient's age at disease onset, symptom duration, gender, and clinical manifestations. JRA is of unknown origin, begins under the age of 16, and persists for a minimum of 6 weeks. JRA is categorized into three principal types, systemic, oligoarticular and polyarticular. Infection, other connective tissue diseases, malignancy, trauma, and immunodeficiency are discussed as differential diagnoses for JRA. Because of joint damage, focusing on early diagnosis and intervention, a vigorous initial therapeutic approach must be taken in patients who have poor prognostic factors. A multidisciplinary team approach is also important for the care of patients with JRA.
Rate of removal of collagen and mineral from bone and cartilage

Abstract The quantitative relationship between collagen and mineral dynamics in bone and costal cartilage has been studied. Young rats were injected simultaneously with both 14 C-proline and 85 Sr. The animals were sacrificed at intervals ranging from 1–20 days after injection. The femurs, proximal 20 per cent of the tibias, and the entire costal cartilage were removed for analyses. Hydroxyproline was isolated from the tissues, and the specific activity of both the 14 C-hydroxyproline and the 85 Sr-mineral were determined. The results show that in both the proximal end of the tibia and the femur, the rates of removal of the collagen and mineral phases are identical. However, in the costal cartilage the rate of removal of collagen was markedly less than that in bone, while the rate of removal of the mineral was similar to that found in bone. In costal cartilage, therefore, the rates of removal of the collagen and mineral were not identical.
Ion exchange phase transitions in water-filled channels with charged walls.

Ion transport through narrow water-filled channels is impeded by a high electrostatic barrier. The latter originates from the large ratio of the dielectric constants of the water and the surrounding media. We show that ``doping,'' i.e., immobile charges attached to the walls of the channel, substantially reduces the barrier. This explains why most of the biological ion channels are ``doped.'' We show that at rather generic conditions the channels may undergo ion exchange phase transitions (typically of the first order). Upon such a transition a finite latent concentration of ions may either enter or leave the channel, or be exchanged between the ions of different valences. We discuss possible implications of these transitions for the Ca-vs-Na selectivity of biological Ca channels. We also show that transport of divalent Ca ions is assisted by their fractionalization into two separate excitations.
A robust signal-flow architecture for cooperative vehicle density control

Traffic flow instabilities have many potential negative consequences, including increased danger of collisions, higher fuel consumption, faster of abrasion of roadways, and reduction of overall traffic throughput. Instabilities occur even if modern forward-looking adaptive cruise control systems are used. In this paper, we present an architecture for controlling vehicle density that uses coordination between adjacent vehicles to attain desired safe following distances, without generating these types of instabilities in the process. The presented architecture has several additional desirable properties, including being robust to sensor failures and measurement inconsistencies, as well as allowing for inhomogeneous vehicle dynamics.
Electrostatically tuned rate of peptide self-assembly resolved by multiple particle tracking

Hydrogels formed from the self-assembly of oligopeptides are being extensively studied for biomedical applications. The kinetics of their gelation, as well as a quantitative description of the forces controlling the rate of assembly has not yet been addressed. We report here the use of multiple particle tracking to measure the self-assembly kinetics of the model peptide FKFEFKFE (KFE8). KFE8 forms well-defined β-sheet intermediates and is often used as a model peptide system that forms a fibrous network in aqueous solvent. We find that increasing the pH of this system from 3.5 to 4.0 decreases the time of KFE8 gelation by almost hundredfold, from hours to minutes. A remarkable self-similarity between measurements performed at different pH suggests that, although accelerated by the pH increase, gelation follows an invariable mechanism. We propose a semi-quantitative interpretation for the order of magnitudes of gelation time using a simple model for the interaction driving the self-assembly in terms of the Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek (DLVO) theory. Such understanding is important for the development of current and future therapeutic applications (e.g. drug delivery).
Latent clustering on graphs with multiple edge types

We study clustering on graphs with multiple edge types. Our main motivation is that similarities between objects can be measured in many different metrics, and so allowing graphs with multivariate edges significantly increases modeling power. In this context the clustering problem becomes more challenging. Each edge/metric provides only partial information about the data; recovering full information requires aggregation of all the similarity metrics. We generalize the concept of clustering in single-edge graphs to multiedged graphs and discuss how this generates a space of clusterings.We describe a metaclustering structure on this space and propose methods to compactly represent the meta-clustering structure. Experimental results on real and synthetic data are presented.
(IM)Materiality and Practice: Craft Making as a Medium for Reconstructing Ojibwe Identity in Domestic Spaces

ABSTRACTThrough interviews with thirteen Ojibwe, members of a Native American tribe in Minnesota, this article explores how home-based practices relate to the material and immaterial worlds and how they are impacted by a home's spatiality. Conceiving activities as processes that foster social, spatial, cultural, spiritual, and temporal connections, the analysis elaborates on how activities embedded in the craft making tradition are supported or suppressed by the domestic environment; how they relate, as well as how notions of home, culture, and identity are constructed. We conclude by highlighting culturally sensitive solutions and approaches that ease the tension between (im)materiality and the practical limitations of housing conditions.
Sedimentology, Diagenesis, and Porosity Development of Middle Silurian Lockport Dolomite, Johnson County, Kentucky: ABSTRACT

A complete core of the Lockport Dolomite reveals the presence of five distinct lithofacies. Proceeding upsection from the underlying littoral Keefer Sandstone, these units are: (1) extensively burrowed and sparsely fossiliferous mudstone-wackestone (initial transgression); (2) thinly bedded, crinoidal packstone-grainstone (open shelf); (3) stromatoporoid-coral-crinoidal packstone (open shelf); (4) oolitic-peloidal packstone-grainstone (shoal); and (5) finely laminated mudstone (tidal flat). The middle to upper sections reflect a shoaling-upward sequence that grades into the overlying Salina Formation sabkha sediments. Original rock textures have been veiled for the most part by dolomitization. Petrographic analysis indicates that dolomite occurs in two forms: (1) as a fine to medium crystalline replacement mineral, and (2) as a coarse crystalline cement (including saddle dolomite) filling vugs and fractures. The first variety is eogenetic, having formed primarily as a result of freshwater/seawater mixing during occasional subaerial exposure of sediments. The coarser dolomite is of late (mesogenetic) origin. Historically, the Lockport has been an important oil and gas producer in eastern Kentucky. Secondary porosity development is significant and End_Page 1441------------------------------ appears to have been a function of sedimentary facies and early dolomitization, coupled with freshwater invasion and solution. Intercrystalline (dolomitic) and vuggy (solution) porosity are present throughout the section but are particularly conspicuous in the open-shelf and shoal facies where they reach values of 6-10%. These particular facies had a higher relative abundance of mineralogically metastable skeletal grains and accommodated greater pore-water flow during early diagenesis. Reservoir quality in these facies has been significantly enhanced by good fracture permeability. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1442------------
Definition of the Extended Substrate Specificity Determinants for β-Tryptases I and II

Tryptases betaI and betaII were heterologously expressed and purified in yeast to functionally characterize the substrate specificity of each enzyme. Three positional scanning combinatorial tetrapeptide substrate libraries were used to determine the primary and extended substrate specificity of the proteases. Both enzymes have a strict primary preference for cleavage after the basic amino acids, lysine and arginine, with only a slight preference for lysine over arginine. betaI and betaII tryptase share similar extended substrate specificity, with preference for proline at P4, preference for arginine or lysine at P3, and P2 showing a slight preference for asparagine. Measurement of kinetic constants with multiple substrates designed for beta-tryptases reveal that selectivity is highly dependent on ground state substrate binding. Coupled with the functional determinants, structural determinants of tryptase substrate specificity were identified. Molecular docking of the preferred substrate sequence to the three-dimensional tetrameric tryptase structure reveals a novel extended substrate binding mode that involves interactions from two adjacent protomers, including P4 Thr-96', P3 Asp-60B' and Glu-217, and P1 Asp-189. Based on the determined substrate information, a mechanism-based tetrapeptide-chloromethylketone inhibitor was designed and shown to be a potent tryptase inhibitor. Finally, the cleavage sites of several physiologically relevant substrates of beta-tryptases show consistency with the specificity data presented here.
Use of a modified DEFT pulse sequence in13C NMR: Dynamic range improvement for relaxation experiments and dynamic NMR measurements at high resolution

Abstract A modification of the DEFT pulse sequence is used for two applications in 13 C NMR spectroscopy. The first application suppresses solvent line resonances for dilute solutions. Unlike other techniques this method allows determination of solute T 1 values with concurrent solvent suppression. Requirements for this application are not overly stringent. The required T 1 ratio for effective peak suppression is ≿4; rf homogeneity must be moderately good. By contrast, the second application for this technique has very exacting requirements—in particular, very high rf homogeneity and accurate pulse timing. In this second application, the modified DEFT sequence is used to measure chemical exchange rates somewhat differently than in usual DNMR experiments. Results for amide bond rotation in N,N -dimethylacetamide are compared with literature values.
Two-Step Sintering of Ceramics with Constant Grain-Size, I. Y2O3

Isothermal and constant-grain-size sintering have been carried out to full density in Y2O3 with and without dopants, at as low as 40% of the homologous temperature. The normalized densification rate follows Herring's scaling law with a universal geometric factor that depends only on density. The frozen grain structure, however, prevents pore relocation commonly assumed in the conventional sintering models, which fail to describe our data. Suppression of grain growth but not densification is consistent with a grain boundary network pinned by triple-point junctions, which have a higher activation energy for migration than grain boundaries. Long transients in sintering and grain growth have provided further evidence of relaxation and threshold processes at the grain boundary/triple point.
Consumer health education: a new-old challenge to allied health education.

Abstract The challenge to health education, implicit in the current re-thinking of the basic assumptions underlying U.S. health policy for the past quarter-century, is enormous and unprecedented in the history of the profession. This is true regardless of the fate of any particular bureau or piece of legislation. The challenge involves not only professional health educators but the far larger group of physicians, nurses, behavioral scientists, nutritionists and others involved in one or another aspect of this broad inter-disciplinary field. New manpower studies are urgently needed to identify quantitative and qualitative changes necessary to meet these challenges.
Evaluating single- and multi-species procedures to estimate time-varying catchability functional parameters

Abstract Time-varying catchability is prevalent in many management regions, and can be modeled using density dependence and time trend parameters. A catchability model can be estimated using single- or multi-species data, and parameter estimates might be of interest as an input for stock assessment models or in their own right (e.g., catchability trends as an index of technology improvements). An operating model was developed to replicate the catch-at-age, fishery-independent survey, and catch-per-unit-effort data from the Gulf of Mexico. Ordinary least squares was used to estimate catchability trends, density dependence, and annual catchability using 10 different estimation procedures. Procedures included an “imputation” strategy, where data from similar species are used to estimate catchability parameters for a focal species. Estimated trend, density dependence, and annual catchability were compared with index-specific operating model values to determine the precision and accuracy of different estimation procedures in a factorial model design. Multi-species procedures increased precision and accuracy of parameter estimates when compared with single-species procedures, and minimized errors in annual catchability estimates when compared with the assumption of constant catchability. Multi-species procedures also did not introduce large errors in functional parameter or annual catchability estimates, even when density dependence and trend were absent or when between-species variability was high. Procedures that imputed catchability functional parameters from similar species were precise and median unbiased given the quantity and quality of data that are available for the Gulf of Mexico.
False-Positive Cultures of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

During a single week in April 1982, cultures for Mycobacterium tuberculosis were reported positive from nine patients who did not appear clinically to have active infection. Each of the patients had only one positive culture out of multiple specimens cultured. At the time of investigation, five specimens were available and were found to be all of the same phage type which strongly suggested cross-contamination. Four patients received antituberculosis chemotherapy. In one year of follow-up of the five who did not receive chemotherapy, none developed clinical disease. the contamination was probably due to faulty laboratory technique, but the source of the contaminant is uncertain. This investigation suggests that patients without clinical evidence of active infection and with isolated positive cultures for Mycobacterium tuberculosis should be carefully evaluated before they are subjected to a prolonged, potentially toxic, and expensive course of chemotherapy.
A coherent fiber-array-based laser link for atmospheric aberration mitigation and power scaling

We report a laser link that can correct atmospheric aberrations. We use a fiber collimator array, fed by a master oscillator with multiple fiber amplifiers (MOMA), and accomplish phase adjustment via pump diode current control. Each of seven channels is tagged by a different 1-20 kHz diode current dither. At the receiver, each channel's phase information is extracted from the ~100 km-range scenarios is the correction bandwidth limited by light's travel time. The low dither frequencies and amplitudes do not interfere with the typically GHz laser communications signal. Importantly, our system reduces transmitter power requirements by correcting small pointing errors and atmospheric-path aberrations. Of course the multiple-fiber amplifier array also enables power scaling. We describe our near- and far-field beam measurements in the laboratory.
Maternal warmth and directiveness jointly moderate the etiology of childhood conduct problems

BACKGROUND: Prior studies exploring gene-environment interactions (GxE) in the development of youth conduct problems (CP) have focused almost exclusively on single-risk experiences, despite research indicating that the presence of other risk factors and or the absence of protective factors can accentuate the influence of a given risk factor on CP. The goal of the current study was to fill this gap in the literature, evaluating whether risky and protective aspects of parenting might combine to jointly moderate the etiology of CP. METHODS: The sample consisted of 500 child twin pairs from the Michigan State University Twin Registry (MSUTR). Child CP was assessed using multiple informant reports. Maternal warmth and directiveness were assessed via videotaped dyadic interactions between mothers and each of their twins. RESULTS: Biometric GxE analyses revealed that directiveness and warmth did appear to jointly moderate the etiology of CP. In particular, shared environmental influences were accentuated by colder, less directive or 'less engaged' mothering, whereas genetic influences were strongest when the child was experiencing warmer, more directive or 'more authoritative' mothering. CONCLUSIONS: Such findings serve to highlight the synergistic effects of risky and protective experiences on child outcomes. They also provide additional empirical support for the bioecological form of GxE, which postulates that, in some cases, genetic influences may be most strongly expressed in the presence of low-risk environments. Language: en