cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Long-Term System Value of Intermittent Electric Generation Technologies

This research investigates the economic penetration and system-wide effects of large-scale intermittent technologies in an electric generation system. The research extends the standard screening curve analysis to optimize the penetration and system structure with intermittent technologies. The analysis is based on hour-by-hour electric demands and intermittent generation. A theoretical framework is developed to find an expression for the marginal value of an intermittent technology as a function of the average system marginal cost, the capacity factor of the generator, and the covariance between the generator's hourly production and the hourly system marginal cost. A series of model runs are made examining the penetration of wind and photovoltaic in a simple electric generation system. These illustrate the conclusions in the theoretical analysis and illustrate the effects that large-scale intermittent penetration has on the structure of the generation system. In the long-term, adding intermittent generation to a system allows us to restructure the dispatchable generation capacity to a mix with lower capital cost. It is found that large-scale intermittent generation tends to reduce the optimal capacity and production of baseload generators and increase the capacity and production of intermediate generators, although the extent to which this occurs depends strongly on the pattern of production from the intermediate generators. It is also shown that the marginal value of intermittent generation declines as it penetrates. The analysis investigates the specific mechanism through which this occurs.
Decentralized optimal neuro-controllers for generation and transmission devices in an electric power network

In this paper, the dual heuristic programming (DHP) optimization algorithm is applied for the design of two LOCAL nonlinear optimal neuro-controllers on a practical multi-machine power system. One neuro-controller is designed to replace the conventional linear controllers, which are the automatic voltage regulator (AVR) and speed-governor (GOV), for a synchronous generator. The other is a new external neuro-controller for the series capacitive reactance compensator (SCRC), flexible ac transmission systems (FACTS) device. The PSCAD/EMTDC^(R) simulation results show that interactions of two DHP neuro-controllers with different control objectives improve the system performance more effectively compared to when each one operates without the presence of the other one.
The compositional structure and the effects of exothermicity in a nonpremixed planar jet flame

Results are presented of direct numerical simulation (DNS) of a randomly perturbed compressible, spatially developing two-dimensional planar jet under the influence of a finite rate chemical reaction of the type F + O yields product. The objectives of the simulations are to assess the compositional structure of the flame and to determine the influence of reaction exothermicity by means of statistical sampling of the DNS generated data. It is shown that even with this idealized kinetics model the simulated results exhibit features in accord with experimental data. These results indicate that the Damkohler number is an important parameter in determining the statistical composition of the reacting field and that the results are not very sensitive to the mechanism by which this parameter is varied. It is demonstrated that as the intensity of mixing is increased and the effect of finite rate chemistry is more pronounced, the magnitudes of the ensemble mean and variance of the product mass fraction decrease and those of the reactants' mass fraction increase. Also, at higher mixing rates the joint probability density functions of the reactants' mass fractions shift towards higher values within the composition domain, indicating a lower reactedness.
216. Long Term Portal Vein Administration of AAV-WPRE Vector Results in Increased Incidence of Neoplastic Disease and Hepatic Pathology

Utilizing the Pahenu2 mouse model for phenylketonuria, we developed several expression vectors containing the Woodchuck Hepatitis Virus post-transcriptional regulatory element added in a rAAV-mPAH construct (rAAV-mPAH-WPRE). While these modifications resulted in increased efficacy in reducing hyperphenylalanemia, we observed severe hepatic pathology and increased incidence of hepatic and systemic neoplastic disease at the termination of these studies. Group 1 received AAV- CBmPAHdimer-WPRE with doses ranging from 1.5x109 to 4e10 IU and was sacrificed at 11 months. 44% (4/9) developed neoplastic disease that included 2 hepatocellular carcinomas, 1 hepatoma, and 1 bronchiogenic carcinoma. 6/9 (66%) had severe hepatic morphology which included myriad cytoplasmic inclusion bodies (1/9) and hepatocellular metaphase arrest. Group 2 was sacrificed at 8 months and had received a similar dose range and vector as group 1 but was ovariectomized and received either a testosterone or placebo pellet. 46% (6/13) developed the most unusual and poorly differentiated forms of neoplasia which included a peritoneal carcinosarcoma, a mesothelioma-like neoplasm of the pleura and epicardium, bilateral renal carcinoma, pulmonary and splenic lymphosarcoma, and two blastoma-like tumors with hepatic sinusoidal involvement. 7/13 (54%) also had pathologic changes in the liver as in group 1. Experimental group 3 was sacrificed at 6 months and received 4e9 AAV-CB-mPAHhd-WPRE as well as 4x109 to 2x1010 AAV-CB-RzI209 vector. None developed neoplastic disease but 60% (3/5) did develop altered hepatocellular morphology as above. Mice from group 4 were sacrificed at 6 and 12 months and received between 4e9 and 3e10 IU of AAV-CB-mPAHhrd+RzI209 (no WPRE). None of these mice (0/8) developed neoplastic disease, but 37.5% (3/8) developed mild to moderate changes in hepatocellular morphology that were consistent with increased metabolic activity. The woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) contains a highly conserved 154 amino acid HBV X protein (HBx) that is implicated as a key element in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. HBx is a trans- activating protein that is often expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and surrounding nontumor liver tissue. The WPRE element we used included an amino terminal 60 amino acid fragment of the HBx protein (1503-1680). To determine if vector was present in neoplastic tissue, and more specifically to look for the presence of HBx, PCR (TAQMan|[copy]|) was employed using HBx probes. HBx DNA was not detected in tumoral tissue although it was present in transduced liver. Immunohistochemical detection of Hbx antigen was observed on the periphery of 1 liver tumor and scattered randomly throughout an intestinal tumor. These results imply that AAV-vector is not integrated into the tumor, but rather it is possible the Hbx element is acting in a |[ldquo]|hit and run|[rdquo]| fashion when administered systemically and may activate cellular oncogenes at random.
The mRNA Export Factor Gle1 and Inositol Hexakisphosphate Regulate Distinct Stages of Translation

Summary Gene expression requires proper messenger RNA (mRNA) export and translation. However, the functional links between these consecutive steps have not been fully defined. Gle1 is an essential, conserved mRNA export factor whose export function is dependent on the small molecule inositol hexakisphosphate (IP 6 ). Here, we show that both Gle1 and IP 6 are required for efficient translation termination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and that Gle1 interacts with termination factors. In addition, Gle1 has a conserved physical association with the initiation factor eIF3, and gle1 mutants display genetic interactions with the eIF3 mutant nip1-1 . Strikingly, gle1 mutants have defects in initiation, whereas strains lacking IP 6 do not. We propose that Gle1 functions together with IP 6 and the DEAD-box protein Dbp5 to regulate termination. However, Gle1 also independently mediates initiation. Thus, Gle1 is uniquely positioned to coordinate the mRNA export and translation mechanisms. These results directly impact models for perturbation of Gle1 function in pathophysiology.
A comparison of the information processing deficits of patients with Huntington's chorea and Korsakoff's syndrome.

Summary Patients with Huntington's Chorea and alcoholic Korsakof's disease were compared on six tests of short-term memory (STM) and of encoding capacity. While the alcoholic Korsakoff patients demonstrated STM disorders related to an increased sensitivity to proactive interference (PI) and to failures in semantic encoding, the Chorea patients had a different pattern of deficits. The Chorea patients, like the Korsakoffs, had STM deficits, but their memory performance did not improve with reductions in PI, and they had different types of encoding deficits than did the Korsakoff patients. These results demonstrate that information processing tasks can be used to empirically differentiate amnesic patients with normal I.Q.'s from patients 'with dementia-related memory impairments.
Enhancement of Scavenger Receptor Class B Type I-mediated Selective Cholesteryl Ester Uptake fromapoA-I−/− High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) by Apolipoprotein A-I Requires HDL Reorganization by Lecithin Cholesterol Acyltransferase

The severe depletion of cholesteryl ester (CE) in adrenocortical cells of apoA-I−/−mice suggests that apolipoprotein (apo) A-I plays an important role in the high density lipoprotein (HDL) CE selective uptake process mediated by scavenger receptor BI (SR-BI) in vivo. A recent study showed that apoA-I−/− HDL binds to SR-BI with the same affinity as apoA-I+/+ HDL, butapoA-I−/− HDL has a decreasedV max for CE transfer from the HDL particle to adrenal cells. The present study was designed to determine the basis for the reduced selective uptake of CE fromapoA-I−/− HDL. Variations inapoA-I−/− HDL particle diameter, free cholesterol or phospholipid content, or the apoE or apoA-II content ofapoA-I−/− HDL had little effect on HDL CE selective uptake into Y1-BS1 adrenal cells. Lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase treatment alone or addition of apoA-I toapoA-I−/− HDL alone also had little effect. However, addition of apoA-I to apoA-I−/− HDL in the presence of lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase reorganized the large heterogeneous apoA-I−/− HDL to a more discrete particle with enhanced CE selective uptake activity. These results show a unique role for apoA-I in HDL CE selective uptake that is distinct from its role as a ligand for HDL binding to SR-BI. These data suggest that the conformation of apoA-I at the HDL surface is important for the efficient transfer of CE to the cell.
Experimental characterization, evaluation, and diagnosis of advanced hybrid infrared focal plane array electro-optical performance

High performance scanning time-delay-and-integration and staring hybrid focal plane devices with very large formats, small pixel sizes, formidable frame and line rates, on-chip digital programmability, and high dynamic ranges, are being developed for a myriad of defense, civil, and commercial applications that span the spectral range from shortwave infrared (SWIR) to longwave infrared (LWIR). An essential part in the development of such new advanced hybrid infrared focal planes is empirical validation of their electro-optical (EO) performance. Many high-reliability, high-performance applications demand stringent and near flawless EO performance over a wide variety of operating conditions and environments. Verification of focal plane performance compliance over this wide range of parametric conditions requires the development and use of accurate, flexible, and statistically complete test methods and associated equipment. In this paper we review typical focal plane requirements, the ensuing measurement requirements (quantity, accuracy, repeatability, etc.), test methodologies, test equipment requirements, electronics and computer-based data acquisition requirements, statistical data analysis and display requirements, and associated issues. We also discuss special test requirements for verifying the performance of panchromatic thermal and multispectral imaging focal planes where characterization of dynamic modulation transfer function (MTF), and point-image response and optical overload is generally required. We briefly overview focal plane radiation testing. We conclude with a discussion of the technical challenges of characterizing future advanced hybrid focal plane testing where it is anticipated that analog-to- digital conversion will be included directly on focal plane devices, thus creating the scenario of 'photons-in-to-bits- out' within the focal plane itself.
In Vitro Fertilization for Male Factor Infertility

Since the first U.S. report of a successful delivery from in vitro fertilization in 1982 (65), progress in the field of assisted reproduction and micromanipulation has been truly dramatic. Perhaps the most exciting advances have been in the area of male factor infertility. Couples who previously would have been offered donor insemination or adoption are now achieving pregnancies despite severe impairments in semen quality, the presence of only single numbers of sperm in the ejaculate, or unreconstructable reproductive tract obstruction. Techniques of micromanipulation that were revolutionary less than five yr ago are now obsolete, replaced by even more successful methods. Even nonobstructive azoospermia resulting from maturation arrest or other impairments in germ cell development have been added to the list of treatable factors in male infertility, as sperm can frequently be extracted directly from testicular parenchyma that is aspirated or surgically biopsied. For patients without sperm in the testicular parenchyma, round spermatid or secondary spermatocyte injections are at least theoretically possible. Several important questions remain with regard to IVF-ICSI. 1) What should be the specific indications for IVF and IVF-ICSI? Should IVF alone ever be used for male factor infertility? 2) What are the reasons for failure to achieve pregnancy after ICSI, which still represent over half of our attempts at achieving ongoing pregnancies? 3) Can we be certain that using severely impaired or less mature sperm will not result in significant birth defects or in genetic abnormalities that could affect the offspring in adolescence or adulthood? 4) What is the most successful and cost effective approach for the infertile couple with impaired semen parameters? For couples with male factor infertility, careful evaluation and treatment of the man should be considered before assisted reproduction, including ICSI. Contemporary application of ICSI for severe male factor infertility can allow pregnancy rates up to 52% (33), with ongoing pregnancy and live delivery rates as high as 37% per IVF cycle attempt (27). As long as viable sperm are present in the ejaculate or retrievable from the reproductive tract, then ICSI procedures can be applied.
Optical degradation by turbulent free-shear layers

The effect of a turbulent, free shear layer is to introduce a random phase variation on a light beam propagating through that layer. It an incoming parallel beam is brought to focus after propagating through the layer, then the effect of this added random phase variation is to scatter energy out of a diffraction limited focused spot and form a halo around the spot. In an imaging system, this could degrade image quality and reduce contrast due to scattering of energy over a large area. The rapid growth of a free shear layer results in a phase screen whose characteristics rapidly change with distance in the flow direction, therefore part of the beam may propagate through a benign region of the flow field, while that part of the beam located further downstream may be severely aberrated. The specific flow condition chosen is one in which the flow separates from a cylindrical turret with a large optical aperture. The spatially varying characteristics of a free shear layer are explicitly accounted for by constructing a spatially varying phase screen, in which the aerodynamic characteristics are based on turbulence measurements made on large scale wind tunnel models, and on flight measurements made on a large aircraft. The resultance Strehl ratios and beam profiles for typical flight conditions are presented.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Response to S. Verma and E. T. H. Yeh: C-reactive protein and atherothrombosis—Beyond a biomarker: an actual partaker of lesion formation

As elegantly outlined by Drs Verma and Yeh in their article, accumulating data suggest a potential direct proinflammatory role for C-reactive protein (CRP) in atherogenesis. Although these laboratory data are intriguing, the clinical relevance of these effects remains unproven. We concur that
Generalized Pairing in Light Nuclei. II. Solution of the Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov Equations with Realistic Forces and Comparison of Different Approximations

The Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (HFB) equations with generalized isospin pairing are numerically solved without any approximations, except imposing certain self-consistent symmetries. Realistic forces are used to make definite conclusions concerning the shapes of nuclei and the existence of isospin pairing. Comparison with previous approximations shows that in the $s\ensuremath{-}d$ shell the HFB equations may not be quantitatively approximated by HF+BCS, HB-BCS, or by iterating between HF and BCS. Isospin pairing offers an explanation for axial symmetry in $^{24}\mathrm{Mg}$ and $^{32}\mathrm{S}$ and for the existence of low-lying vibrational states in $^{36}\mathrm{Ar}$.
Chains of opportunity: A Markov model for acquisition of reusable resources

A vacancy chain is a unique type of resource acquisition process composed of an interconnected series of events in which the gaining of a particular resource unit by one individual depends directly on prior acquisition events by other individuals. Taken from the sociological literature, vacancy chains may also describe the distribution of many types of animal resources such as burrows, dwellings and shelters. Using data on hermit crabs, we present a Markov model simulating a vacancy chain process, and test the model against field data. Our results show that a simple Markov model adequately describes shell acquisition in hermit crabs, and that models combining shell size and crude estimates of quality fit the data extremely well. We illustrate in detail how to generate vacancy chain models from ecological data, how to determine the number and size of organisms gaining new resource units from resource introductions of specific sizes, and how to statistically evaluate the accuracy of Markov models. Not recognizing the presence of a vacancy chain system may lead to serious errors in estimating resource dynamics and therefore in demographic and competition models based on these dynamics. Finally, we suggest some ways in which vacancy chain models can aid studies of competition, population dynamics, life histories, and conservation in species using this type of resource acquisition process.
Putting a Tax on Oil

We investigate the possibility of using a percentage tax on crude oil and imported refined oil products consumed in the United States to fund the nation’s transportation infrastructure. This tax on oil could replace existing gasoline and diesel taxes and, potentially, other transportation taxes, such as taxes on airline tickets. The revenues from this tax could be used to fully fund federal infrastructure expenditures on highways, public transit, and aviation. The goal of this article is to raise the key issues associated with using an oil tax to fund U.S. transportation infrastructure, identify decisions Congress would need to make in designing such a tax, and outline some of the likely implications of adopting such a tax.
Improving eco-efficiency via elimination of greenhouse gases from semiconductor dry cleaning processes

For each device sk Hynix produces, an eco-efficiency indicator is calculated which takes into account both the product value (performance, power consumption etc) and its environmental influence (material consumption, global warming emissions and regulation compliance). To reduce the environmental influence, a detailed analysis of the contribution of each gas used during manufacturing was carried out which identified NF3 as contributing almost 50% of the total process gas used (by weight), with the majority of this used for dry cleaning. In this study, sk Hynix has evaluated on-site generated F2 from Linde as an alternative cleaning gas to NF3 for our 300mm process line. F2 has been used for cleaning 300mm batch type LPCVD process tools since 2003 and we now study 2 single wafer PECVD process tools for different processes. When F2 was used for PECVD chamber cleaning, the etch rate was increased by up to a factor of 2. There was also greater process chamber temperature stability which meant that post clean conditioning could be significantly shortened even without clean recipe optimization giving a reduction in total non-productive time of around 40%. RPS plasma power consumption is reduced by up to 50% and there are also significant reductions in the mass of gas required. Thermal cleaning with F2 was also demonstrated.
Salmonella and Escherichia coli O157:H7 Contamination on Hides and Carcasses of Cull Cattle Presented for Slaughter in the United States: an Evaluation of Prevalence and Bacterial Loads by Immunomagnetic Separation and Direct Plating Methods

1.46 to 1.96, respectively, and were highest in the summer (P < 0.0001). The average prevalences of Salmonella on hides and preevisceration and postintervention carcasses were 89.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 85.1 to 94.0), 50.2% (95% CI, 40.9 to 59.5), and 0.8% (95% CI, 0.18 to 1.42), respectively. The prevalences of E. coli O157:H7 were 46.9% (95% CI, 37.3 to 56.6) and 16.7% (95% CI, 9.8 to 23.6) on hides and preevisceration carcasses, respectively. Examination of the concomitant incidence of Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 showed that, on average, 33.3% (95% CI, 15.9 to 69.8) of cattle hide and 4.1% (95% CI, 0.98 to 17.3) of preevisceration carcass samples were contaminated with both pathogens. The pathogen prevalence on hides and carcasses was not significantly affected by the season; however, significant differences were observed between plants with respect to the incoming pathogen load and the ability to mitigate hide-to-carcass transfer. In spite of these differences, postintervention carcass contamination was significantly reduced (P < 0.001), likely as a result of the use of one or more of the processing interventions employed at each of the four processing plants examined.
The Preparation of 1H-Pyrazole-5-propanoic and 1H-Pyrazole-5-butanoic Acids from Dilithiated C(α),N-Carboalkoxyhydrazones and Succinic or Glutaric Acid Anhydrides

Abstract C(α),N-Carboalkoxyhydrazones were dilithiated with excess lithium diisopropylamide, condensed with succinic or glutaric acid anhydride, and cyclized to 1H-pyrazole-5-propanoic or 1H-pyrazole-5-butanoic acids.
Behavior of aluminum nitride ceramic surfaces under hydrothermal oxidation treatments

Aluminum nitride (AlN) ceramics were subjected to various hydrothermal oxidation treatments, such as high-temperature oxidation in air at 1000 degrees C, water and high-pressure steam treatments, and copper sulfate plating solution at 70 degrees C for 8 h. The resulting physical and chemical changes of these surfaces were characterized using various analytical techniques, such as surface profilometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). These studies indicate that the AlN ceramic surfaces are altered significantly by the surface treatments. The interaction of water as well as steam with the AlN ceramic surfaces resulted in the formation of AlOOH and Al(OH)/sub 3/. The thermally grown oxide layer (Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/) on AlN is more stable and offers protection from subsequent wet treatments. Surface treatment using a copper sulfate additive plating solution revealed significant alteration in the surface roughness value, from an initial value of 0.5 mu m to a final value of 25.0 mu m during 8 h of treatment at 70 degrees C. SEM studies revealed the alteration of AlN surface morphology. The chemical change occurring on the AlN was analyzed using the XPS method, and results are presented. >
The tspair package for finding top scoring pair classifiers in R

Summary: Top scoring pairs (TSPs) are pairs of genes whose relative rankings can be used to accurately classify individuals into one of two classes. TSPs have two main advantages over many standard classifiers used in gene expression studies: (i) a TSP is based on only two genes, which leads to easily interpretable and inexpensive diagnostic tests and (ii) TSP classifiers are based on gene rankings, so they are more robust to variation in technical factors or normalization than classifiers based on expression levels of individual genes. Here I describe the R package, tspair, which can be used to quickly identify and assess TSP classifiers for gene expression data. Availability: The R package tspair is freely available from Bioconductor: http://www.bioconductor.org Contact: jtleek@jhu.edu
Optimal Probing for Unicast Network Delay Tomography

Network tomography has been proposed to ascertain internal network performances from end-to-end measurements. In this work, we present \emph{priority probing}, an optimal probing scheme for unicast network delay tomography that is proven to provide the most accurate estimation. We first demonstrate that the Fisher information matrix in unicast network delay tomography can be decomposed into an additive form where each term can be obtained numerically. This establishes the space over which we can design the optimal probing scheme. Then, we formulate the optimal probing problem into a semi-definite programming (SDP) problem. High computation complexity constrains the SDP solution to only small scale scenarios. In response, we propose a greedy algorithm that approximates the optimal solution. Evaluations through simulation demonstrate that priority probing effectively increases estimation accuracy with a fixed number of probes.
Sedentary behavior is associated with disability status and walking performance, but not cognitive function, in multiple sclerosis

Eighty-two persons with multiple sclerosis wore an accelerometer as a measure of sedentary time (min/day) and completed measures of disability status (self-reported Expanded Disability Status Scale), walking performance (timed 25-foot walk and 6-min walk), and cognitive function (symbol digit modalities test). Accelerometry-measured sedentary time was significantly correlated with disability status scores (r = 0.31, p < 0.01), 6-min walk distance (r = –0.40, p < 0.01), and timed 25-foot walk performance (r = 0.35, p < 0.01), but not cognitive function performance (r = –0.12, p = 0.29).
Assessing Palaeobathymetry and Sedimentation Rates Using Palynomaceral Analysis: A Study of Modern Sediments from the Gulf of Papua, Offshore Papua New Guinea

Palynologists interested in better understanding the sedimentation and energy of depositional environments have often included studies of palynomaceral fragments, particularly when performing palynofacies analyses. Due to the difficult nature of classifying these fragments, researchers have developed numerous, often overlapping, classification schemes. These different schemes make it difficult to compare and contrast between research projects. Determining the appropriate scheme to apply when counting these fragments can be confusing, and application of these schemes can yield inconclusive results, especially when sedimentation and energy are in constant flux. A scheme of five categories, including brown wood (palynomaceral 1–2), leaf cuticle (palynomaceral 3), black debris (palynomaceral 4), structureless organic matter (SOM) and resin, is utilised here. It is applied to the analysis of 64 modern samples from the top 0–4 cm of sediment collected throughout the Gulf of Papua, Papua New Guinea. These sample...
Universal ECG changes in pediatric patients undergoing procainamide challenge.

Background Procainamide is known to prolong PR, QRS, and QTc intervals in adults and is utilized to unmask the distinct electrocardiographic signatures, including right bundle branch block pattern and right precordial ST segment elevation seen with Brugada syndrome. This study analyzes a pediatric case series of procainamide challenges done to evaluate for possible Brugada syndrome. Our goal was to quantify the impact of procainamide on electrocardiographic intervals in all pediatric patients, regardless of the eventual determination of Brugada syndrome status. Methods We retrospectively reviewed all children undergoing procainamide challenge, consecutively from March 2009 to September 2012. Patients received intravenous procainamide over 15 minutes. All electrocardiograms (ECGs) performed during the drug challenge were reviewed. Analysis and ECG measurements were performed by investigators blinded to clinical diagnoses. Results All patients undergoing procainamide infusion had prolongation of their PR (mean +14%; 0-45%), QRS (+13%; 2-49%), and QTc (+15%; 4-30%) intervals regardless of testing outcome. QTc prolongation to >460 ms following procainamide infusion occurred in 76% of patients. No sustained arrhythmias or adverse events occurred. Conclusions ECG changes including prolongation of the PR, QRS, and QTc intervals were seen in all children who underwent procainamide challenge for evaluation of possible Brugada syndrome. An increase in the PR, QRS, and QTc intervals of at least 20% occurred in all children without any adverse events. The QTc prolongation was not completely explained by the QRS prolongation.
Demo: Real-Time Screen-Camera Communication Behind Any Scene

We present HiLight, a new form of real-time screen-camera communication without showing any coded images (e.g., barcodes) for off-the-shelf smart devices. HiLight encodes data into pixel translucency change atop any screen content, so that camera-equipped devices can fetch the data by turning their cameras to the screen. HiLight leverages the alpha channel, a well-known concept in computer graphics, to encode bits into the pixel translucency change. By removing the need to directly modify pixel RGB values, HiLight overcomes the key bottleneck of existing designs and enables real-time unobtrusive communication while supporting any screen content. We build a HiLight prototype using off-the-shelf smart devices and demonstrate its efficacy and robustness in practical settings. By offering an unobtrusive, flexible, and lightweight communication channel between screens and cameras, HiLight opens up opportunities for new HCI and context-aware applications, e.g., smart glasses communicating with screens to realize augmented reality.
Influence of entrainment on the thermal stratification in simulations of radiative-convective equilibrium

[1] Convective available potential energy (CAPE) is shown to increase rapidly with warming in simulations of radiative-convective equilibrium over a wide range of surface temperatures. The increase in CAPE implies a systematic deviation of the thermal stratification from moist adiabatic that is non-negligible at high temperatures. However, cloud buoyancy remains much smaller than what CAPE would imply because entrainment is more effective in reducing buoyancy in warmer atmospheres. An entraining plume model in the limit of zero cloud buoyancy is shown to reproduce the increase in CAPE with warming if the entrainment rate is held fixed and increases in the vertical extent of convection are taken into account. These model results together with radiosonde observations are used to support a conceptual model in which entrainment plays a role in determining the thermal stratification of the tropical atmosphere.
Employing Halogen Bonding Interactions in Chemiresistive Gas Sensors

This paper reports the use of halogen bonding interactions for gas-phase detection of pyridine in SWCNT-based chemiresistive sensors with sub-ppm theoretical detection limits. The chemiresistors are prepared by solvent-free ball-milling of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and aryl halide-based selectors, compression into a pellet, and subsequent mechanical abrasion between gold electrodes on paper. The sensing responses reflect halogen bonding trends, with few exceptions. The predominant signal transduction mechanism is likely attributed to swelling of the insulating haloarene matrix.
DEPENDENCE OF THE ADAPTIVE VALUES OF CERTAIN GENOTYPES IN DROSOPHILA PSEUDOOBSCURA ON THE COMPOSITION OF THE GENE POOL

In a previous publication (Levene, Pavlovsky, Dobzhansky, 1954) we have reported experiments on laboratory populations of Drosophila pseudoobscura in which three different gene arrangements were present among the third chromosomes. The adaptive values of six karyotypes (three inversion homozygotes and three heterozygotes) were estimated from the observed changes in the relative frequencies of the gene arrangements in the experimental populations. The results indicated that the adaptive values of at least some of the karyotypes were not constant; they depended upon the presence or absence of certain other karyotypes in the same population. Thus, individuals homozygous for the CH gene arrangement in third chromosome (CH/ CH) had a fitness apparently superior to AR homozygotes (AR/AR) in populations in which ST third chromosomes were also present, but CH/CH were inferior to AR/AR in fitness when ST chromosomes were absent. ST homozygotes (ST/ST) were superior to ST/CH heterozygotes in populations which also had AR chromosomes, but ST/CH were superior to ST/ST in the absence of AR. Lewontin (1955) reported some elegant experiments in which constant numbers of larvae of certain genotypes of Drosophila melanogaster were introduced
The CT Diagnosis of the Children's Congenital Choledochal Cysts:A Report of 40 Cases

Objective:To investigate the CT diagnostic criteria in children's congenital choledochal cysts.Materials and Methods: CT scan was performed in 40 cases with children's congenital choledochal cysts,25 of them underwent scanning after contrast injec- tion,and 10 underwent cholangiographic CT(CTC).Ultrasonography was perfolmed on all 40 cases.These patients ranged in age from 3 days ro 11 years(mean age 3 years).16 were males and 24 were females.39 cases were proved by surgery and pathology, 1 case was proved by ultrasonography.CT and hepatic-renal angiography.Results:The findings were(1)35 cases were extrahep- atic choledochal cysts.which showed round or elliptic water-like low density foci from hepatic porta to the head of pancreas.There were no enhancement after contrast injection.High-density contrast media were found in cyst cavity by CTC.Adjacent tissues and organs were compressed to different degree.(2)1 case was intrahepatic choledochal cyst(i.e.Caroli's disease),which showed "beaded""segmental"low density foci,with no enhancement after contrast injection.There was central piont sign.It was accom- panied by bilateral medullary sponge kidneys.(3)4 cases were mixed intra-and extra hepatic choledochal cysts.Besides the above manifestations,it was characterized by simaltaneous occurance both inside and outside the liver.Conclusion:The CT manifesta- tions.especially CTC,are very reliabie in diagnosing the nature of children's congenital choledochal cysts.
The Fell Topology and Kuratowski-Painlevé Convergence

One of the most important and well-studied hit-and-miss hyperspace topologies on CL(X) is the Fell topology, where the compact subsets of the underlying space play the role of miss sets. This hyperspace topology when extended to 2 X in the natural way has a remarkable property: it is always compact, independent of the character of the underlying space! Closely linked with the Fell topology is classical Kuratowski-Painleve convergence of sets, based on the notions of upper and lower closed limits of a net of sets. We study convergence in this sense of extended real-valued lower semicontinuous functions as identified with their epigraphs, a basic tool in one-sided optimization problems, and characterize convergence of functions in terms of sublevel sets. Finally, we study Mosco convergence of sequences of weakly closed sets in a normed linear space, which is compatible with the supremum of the Fell topologies determined by the weak and strong topologies. In the last section, we consider in detail the relationship between Wijsman and Mosco convergence of weakly closed sets, and of closed convex sets.
Theodorsen’s Integral Equation

The problem of conformally mapping an almost circular region onto the interior or exterior of a circular disk by the the method of infinite systems was discussed in Chapter 5. In this chapter we shall present Theodorsen’s integral equation and establish the convergence of the related iterative method for the standard case of mapping the unit circle onto the interior (or exterior) of almost circular and starlike regions, both containing the origin. A trigonometric interpolation scheme is presented, and Wegmann’s iterative and Newton’s method for numerically solving this equation are discussed. The last two methods are based on a certain Riemann—Hilbert problem, which turns out to be a linearized form of a singular integral equation of the second kind. Unlike the classical iterative method, the solution of the linearized problem in Wegmann’s method for the conformal map of the unit circle can be represented explicitly in terms of integral transforms, which leads to a quadratic convergent Newton—like method that avoids the numerical solution of a system of linear equations and thus becomes more economical. Theodorsen’s integral equation has specific significance in the theory of airfoils.
Pdlim7 regulates Arf6-dependent actin dynamics and is required for platelet-mediated thrombosis in mice

Upon vessel injury, platelets become activated and rapidly reorganize their actin cytoskeleton to adhere to the site of endothelial damage, triggering the formation of a fibrin-rich plug to prevent further blood loss. Inactivation of Pdlim7 provides the new perspective that regulation of actin cytoskeletal changes in platelets is dependent on the encoded PDZ-LIM protein. Loss-of-function of Pdlim7 triggers hypercoagulopathy and causes significant perinatal lethality in mice. Our in vivo and in vitro studies reveal that Pdlim7 is dynamically distributed along actin fibers, and lack of Pdlim7 leads to a marked inability to rearrange the actin cytoskeleton. Specifically, the absence of Pdlim7 prevents platelets from bundling actin fibers into a concentric ring that defines the round spread shape of activated platelets. Similarly, in mouse embryonic fibroblasts, loss of Pdlim7 abolishes the formation of stress fibers needed to adopt the typical elongated fibroblast shape. In addition to revealing a fundamental cell biological role in actin cytoskeletal organization, we also demonstrate a function of Pdlim7 in regulating the cycling between the GTP/GDP-bound states of Arf6. The small GTPase Arf6 is an essential factor required for actin dynamics, cytoskeletal rearrangements, and platelet activation. Consistent with our findings of significantly elevated initial F-actin ratios and subsequent morphological aberrations, loss of Pdlim7 causes a shift in balance towards an increased Arf6-GTP level in resting platelets. These findings identify a new Pdlim7-Arf6 axis controlling actin dynamics and implicate Pdlim7 as a primary endogenous regulator of platelet-dependent hemostasis.
11-OR : ACCURATE TYPING OF HUMAN LEUKOCYTE ANTIGEN (HLA) BY NEXT-GENERATION EXOME SEQUENCING

Aim Sanger sequencing based HLA typing is time and cost demanding and is frequently confounded by ambiguities resulting from the extreme polymorphism in HLA genes. Illumina sequencing of captured exons of HLA genes is a cost-effective alternative that may avoid ambiguities and allow high-throughput HLA typing. No reliable solution has been reported to determine allelic HLA typing using exome sequencing data. We aimed to develop a bioinformatic tool to perform such a task. Methods Our approach includes an initial scouting for target-specific reads (HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1 and -DQB1) and a software named ATHLATES that assembles exon sequences from typical 101 bp paired-end Illumina reads. ATHLATES also infers the allelic pairs that best explain the reads. Twenty datasets (16 from 1000 Genomes project and 4 from an internal validation project) were processed without human supervision to predict the HLA genotypes. Datasets with inadequate coverage of the target region were excluded. The allelic typing results were validated by Sanger-based typing. Results Fifteen of the datasets tested have adequate coverage for the target genes. At 4-digit resolution or above, ATHLATES reported the correct allelic pairs for 74 out of 75 genes with a 99% concordance with conventional typing. The only case of discordance was due to reporting of an allelic pair with only one base difference in addition to the correct pair. Ambiguities encountered by the traditional typing were substantially reduced by this approach [Fig. 1]. Conclusions Allelic HLA typing can be reliably and efficiently derived from Illumina exome sequencing data with adequate coverage. (Note: CL and XY contributed equally to this work).
Integration of HIV/AIDS services with maternal, neonatal and child health, nutrition, and family planning services

Integrating HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment services with services focused on the health of mothers, infants and children, as well as on nutrition and family planning (MNCHN-FP) may improve the health of mothers and children affected by HIV/AIDS or a risk of HIV infection. We identified 20 articles representing 19 strategies for integrating these kinds of services. Overall, we found that integrating HIV/AIDS and MNCHN-FP services was was feasible across a variety of integration models, locations, and populations. Most studies reported that integration had a positive impact on health outcomes. Many studies, however, also reported that some outcomes had improved, while others had not improved; or that there was no effect at all. There are still significant gaps in the evidence. There is a need for rigorous research comparing the outcomes of integrated services with those of non-integrated services. Such studies should look at the impact of integrated programs on cost, cost-effectiveness, the rate at which new HIV and other sexually transmitted infections occur in the population, and the impact on the rate of serious illness and death in women and children. These rigorous studies will help researchers and doctors to develop effective integrated programs, and will help policy-makers to develop evidence-based health policy.
Donald J. Trump: Useful Idiot or Putin’s Poodle?

As the political class prepared for the Congressional Hearings vetting of DJT’s Swamp Creatures on January 9, 2017, a bombshell revelation was dropped concerning how Intelligence chiefs had briefed Trump and Obama on unconfirmed claims Russia has compromising information on the president-elect.
On the Relationship Between ESR and Photodarkening in Glassy As2S3

Ever since the discovery of optically-induced paramagnetism in the chalcogenide glasses there have been attempts to correlate optically-induced electron spin resonance (ESR) with various metastable optical effects. One of the most universal and most prominent optical effects is the so-called photodarkening (PD) process which occurs in essentially all chalcogenide glasses.1–5 The PD effect is a shift of the optical absorption edge to lower energies after irradiation with light of energies near that of the optical band gap. The PD effect has also been observed in some oxide glasses6 such as As2O3, but the presence of a group VI element appears to be necessary since no PD is observed in such materials as amorphous arsenic7 (a-As) or amorphous silicon (a-Si).
Finite element BPM fiber modal instability modeling

Two approaches are presented for detailed analysis of transverse mode instability in fiber amplifiers based on a scalar finite element beam propagation method (BPM). The first employs two beams: one propagating at a fundamental frequency and one de-tuned to the middle of the stimulated thermal Rayleigh scattering (STRS) gain peak. This method was found to suffer from a computational artifact causing it to converge in some cases to an unphysical solution. The second was based on the steady periodic method. This required more computational resources but was found to be reliable and not susceptible to the artifact mentioned above. This method was used to simulate step-index fiber amplifiers, large pitch photonic crystal fiber amplifiers, and a hybrid large pitch photonic bandgap fiber amplifier with reduced symmetry. Results for reference step index fiber amplifiers were found to be consistent with those obtained by other methods. The simulated instability threshold values all fell between 200 and 310 Watts showing relatively little variation among designs. Some areas for improvement in the method are discussed.
Antirealism and Falsity

The ‘meaning is use’ approach to the theory of meaning, the approach we inherit through Dummett from Wittgenstein and which makes heavy use of natural deduction systems for the study of the meanings of logical words, has somehow to reconstruct proof-theoretically the properties of sentences and arguments that customarily are treated semantically by theorists of other schools. Another way of putting this idea is that the semantical properties of a language are the result of how it is employed socially. The main linguistic uses of the logical constants involve their roles in inferences, and Gentzen’s natural deduction systems have a strong philosophical claim to being the right codification of these uses, so this Wittgensteinian approach leads to concentration on natural deduction systems of logic for the study of the meanings of logical words. This approach to analysing semantical properties of language is seen, for instance, in Prawitz’s charge that Tarski’s analysis of validity is philosophically unenlightening [4, p. 67], cited in [2, p. 201]. The alternative is to hold an argument valid when it is provable subject to various structural constraints on the shape of the proof, i.e. when there is a canonical proof of the argument. Still, it is a mistake to think that this way of approaching questions of validity is not semantical in a broad sense. Semantical properties should be emergent properties, arising from the right constellation of proof-theoretical ones. On anyone’s account, validity has to have something to do with preserving truth (or ideal verifiability, or warranted assertibility or whatever truth-surrogate is active at the time). Likewise, if the meaning of the ampersand is fixed by its introduction and elimination rules, these must suffice to say when the conjunction is true or false, once the values of its conjuncts have been fixed.