cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pricing and Distributed Power Control in Wireless Relay Networks

In this paper, we consider a wireless amplify-and-forward relay network with one relay node and multiple source-destination pairs/users and propose a pricing framework that enables the relay to set prices to maximize either its revenue or any desirable system utility. Specifically, depending on the quality of the received signals, the relay sets prices and correspondingly charges the users utilizing its resources for their transmissions. The price is determined in such a way that the relay's revenue or system utility is maximized. Given the specified price, the users competitively employ the relay node to forward their signals. We model each user as a rational player, which aims at maximizing its own net utility through power allocation, and analyze the competition among the users within the framework of noncooperative game theory. It is shown that, in the game played by the users, there always exists a unique pure Nash equilibrium point that can be achieved through distributed iterations. Next, subject to the availability of complete information about the users at the relay, we propose a low-complexity uniform pricing algorithm and an optimal differentiated pricing algorithm, in which the relay either charges the users at a suboptimal uniform price or charges different users at different prices. We also show that, by applying the differentiated pricing algorithm that enforces the users to transmit at certain power levels, any system utility can be maximized. Extensive simulations are conducted to quantify the performance of the proposed methods.
Differential effect of althesin versus chloralose-urethane anesthesia on in vivo LHRH and LH release in the proestrous rat.

Anesthetic doses of Althesin and chloralose-urethane were compared as to their effects on neuroendocrine reproductive processes in diestrous and proestrous rats. Proestrous rats treated with Althesin experienced a 5-fold increase in immunoreactive luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) concentration in methanolic extracts of pituitary stalk plasma. This LHRH increase was 67% greater than that of proestrous rats administered chloralose-urethane. Moreover, Althesin given before the onset of the critical period did not suppress the proestrous surge of LHRH in stalk plasma. The Duncan's multiple range test indicated stalk plasma LHRH activity was significantly elevated in proestrous rats anesthetized with Althesin (p < 0.05) but not with chloralose-urethane. However, the luteinizing hormone (LH) concentration in peripheral plasma increased 14 to 18-fold in all proestrous rats, including those anesthetized with chloraloseurethane. Evidently, in chloralose-urethane-treated rats, the smaller LHRH surge dur...
New Species, Combinations, and Lectotypifications in Neotropical and Northern Mexican Frangula (Rhamnaceae)

Abstract. In preparing the family Rhamnaceae for an upcoming volume of Flora Mesoamericana, it became apparent, based on recent molecular work (Bolmgren & Oxelman, 2004; Bolmgren, pers. comm., 2013), as well as historical (Grubov, 1949; Kartesz & Gandhi, 1994), and personal morphological studies, that recognization of the genus Frangula Mill. is well supported. The emphasis of the current study has been on Mesoamerican species and four species from Mesoamerica, F. circumscissa A. Pool from Costa Rica, F. darienensis A. Pool from Panama, F. grandiflora A. Pool described from Honduras and also found in Chiapas, Mexico, F. pendula A. Pool described from Costa Rica and also found in Panama, and one species from Oaxaca, Mexico, F. inconspicua A. Pool, are published here as new. Four Mesoamerican species and two varieties published in Rhamnus L. are transferred to Frangula as: F. breedlovei (L. A. Johnst. & M. C. Johnst.) A. Pool [≡ R. breedlovei L. A. Johnst. & M. C. Johnst.], F. mcvaughii (L. A. Johnst. & M....
Calculated Cancer Risks for Conventional and “Potentially Reduced Exposure Product” Cigarettes

Toxicant deliveries (by machine smoking) are compiled and associated cancer risks are calculated for 13 carcinogens from 26 brands of conventional cigarettes categorized as "regular" (R), "light" (Lt), or "ultralight" (ULt), and for a reference cigarette. Eight "potentially reduced exposure product" (PREP) cigarettes are also considered. Because agency-to-agency differences exist in the cancer slope factor (CSF) values adopted for some carcinogens, two CSF sets were used in the calculations: set I [U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-accepted values plus California EPA-accepted values as needed to fill data gaps] and set II (vice versa). The potential effects of human smoking patterns on cigarette deliveries are considered. Acetaldehyde, 1,3-butadiene, and acrylonitrile are associated with the largest calculated cancer risks for all 26 brands of conventional cigarettes. The calculated risks are proportional to the smoking dose z (pack-years). Using CSF set I and z = 1 pack-year (7,300 cigarettes), the calculated brand-average incremental lifetime cancer risk ILCR(1)(acetaldehyde) values are R, 6 x 10(-5); Lt, 5 x 10(-5); and ULt, 3 x 10(-5) (cf. typical U.S. EPA risk benchmark of 10(-6)). These values are similar, especially given the tendency of smokers to "compensate" when smoking Lt and ULt cigarettes. ILCR(1)(subSigma-lung) is the brand-average per pack-year subtotal risk for the measured human lung carcinogens. Using CSF set I, the ILCR(1)(subSigma-lung) values for R, Lt, and ULt cigarettes account for <or=2% of epidemiologically observed values of the all-smoker population average per pack-year risk of lung cancer from conventional cigarettes. R(PREP) (%) is a science-based estimate of the possible reduction in lung cancer risk provided by a particular PREP as compared with conventional cigarettes. Using CSF set I, all R(PREP) values are <2%. The current inability to account for the observed health risks of smoking based on existing data indicates that current expressed/implied marketing promises of reduced harm from PREPs are unverified: there is little reason to be confident that total removal of the currently measured human lung carcinogens would reduce the incidence of lung cancer among smokers by any noticeable amount.
Individualizing Therapy in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

Patients with chronic kidney diseases have multiple clinical abnormalities that may affect disposition of drugs, including alterations in glomerular filtration rate, excretion of plasma proteins, reductions in serum albumin, and reductions in drug metabolizing enzyme activity. Inflammation may also influence the previous factors. Concomitant drug therapies can lead to drug— drug interactions that may affect the pharmacokinetics of administered drugs. Pharmacogenomics has begun to be evaluated for effects of genotype and haplotype of drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters on drug disposition. Because of the multiple potential etiologies for alterations in drug disposition in patients with chronic kidney diseases, they require appropriate evaluation for implementation of individualized strategies in therapies to enhance efficacy and reduce toxicities. This review will highlight the disease- and patient-specific variables that are targets for patient-centered approaches to therapeutic interventions. The ...
Female house crickets, Acheta domesticus, prefer the chirps of large males

This study demonstrates that invertebrate acoustic signals can provide information about male phenotypic attributes, and that females can use this acoustic information in mate choice to select a phenotypically superior mate. I investigated the relationships between a male acoustic sexual signal, the phenotype of the signaller, and the female response to signal variation. I recorded and analysed the calling songs of male house crickets, Acheta domesticus. The analyses showed that chirps convey information about male size. With the exception of amplitude, the mean number of pulses per chirp was the best predictor of male size. I performed a laboratory tape-playback experiment to determine female preference during phonotaxis. Females preferred tapes playing the chirps of large males, specifically chirps with a greater number of pulses per chirp. Selection on the female preference is discussed.Copyright 1997 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour
A two-dimensional multispecies fluid model of the plasma in an AC plasma display panel

A time dependent, two-dimensional model for simulating the plasma evolution in an AC plasma display panel (AC-PDP) is described. Reaction-convection (mobility)-diffusion equations for charged particles and excited heavy neutral species are solved along with Poisson's equation, a radiation transport equation, a surface charge buildup equation, and an external L-R-C circuit equation using a fully implicit numerical method. Electron-driven rate coefficients are computed with a 0-D Boltzmann solver in the local field approximation. For studying the particle dynamics in pure helium, we consider a reduced model in which radiation transport is ignored and the excited species manifold is collapsed to composite metastable and excited states. The model predictions of breakdown voltage are quite sensitive to the value of the secondary electron emission coefficient assumed and the uncertainties in the electron-driven reaction rates. An initial comparison between the model predictions and I-V measurements from a specially constructed helium-filled panel is made with qualitatively similar behavior. The lack of quantitative agreement can be explained by a combination of uncertainties in the model input data and uncertainty in the initial surface charge state in the experiments. >
Blockade of cholesterol absorption by ezetimibe reveals a complex homeostatic network in enterocytes

Enterocyte cholesterol homeostasis reflects aggregated rates of sterol synthesis, efflux, and uptake from plasma and gut lumen. Cholesterol synthesis and LDL uptake are coordinately regulated by sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBP), whereas sterol efflux is regulated by liver X receptors (LXR). How these processes are coordinately regulated in enterocytes, the site of cholesterol absorption, is not well understood. Here, we treat mice with ezetimibe to investigate the effect of blocking cholesterol absorption on intestinal SREBPs, LXRs, and their effectors. Ezetimibe increased nuclear SREBP-2 8-fold. HMG-CoA reductase (HMGR) and LDL receptor (LDLR) mRNA levels increased less than 3-fold, whereas their protein levels increased 30- and 10-fold, respectively. Expression of inducible degrader of LDLR (IDOL), an LXR-regulated gene that degrades LDLRs, was reduced 50% by ezetimibe. Coadministration of ezetimibe with the LXR agonist T0901317 abolished the reduction in IDOL and prevented the increase in LDLR protein. Ezetimibe-stimulated LDLR expression was independent of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PSCK9), a protein that degrades LDLRs. To maintain cholesterol homeostasis in the face of ezetimibe, enterocytes boost LDL uptake by increasing LDLR number, and they boost sterol synthesis by increasing HMGR and other cholesterologenic genes. These studies reveal a hitherto undescribed homeostatic network in enterocytes triggered by blockade of cholesterol absorption.
Associations of social and environmental supports with sedentary behavior, light and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in obese underserved adolescents

Evidence to support differential health impacts of sedentary behavior (SB), light physical activity (LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is building. However, few studies have examined individual, social, and environmental supports across the full range of sedentary and physical activities, including key influences such as self-efficacy, parenting factors, and home and neighborhood resources. This may be particularly important in underserved (low-income, minority), overweight/obese adolescents due to the social and environmental challenges (lack of resources, etc.) associated with increasing MVPA. This study evaluated a range of bioecological factors including individual (self-efficacy), parental (parental support, monitoring, limit-setting, and nurturance), and environmental (perceived home resources for PA and neighborhood support for PA) predictors of SB, LPA and MVPA in overweight/obese adolescents. Overweight/obese and predominantly minority adolescents and caregivers (n = 181) completed measures in 2010 in the US including surveys assessing self-efficacy for PA, parenting variables related to PA and home and neighborhood supports for PA. Outcomes included 7-day accelerometer estimates of SB, LPA, and MVPA. Regression analyses showed parental social support and neighborhood support were significantly associated with LPA. No significant associations were found for SB or MVPA. Results emphasized the importance of examining a range of sedentary and PA intensities and highlighted the role of parental and neighborhood social supports for LPA. These results have important implications that suggest that health promotion efforts should target social and environmental supports for increasing LPA in youth who are overweight/obese.
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation in lactotropes and gonadotropes interferes with estradiol-dependent and -independent preprolactin, glycoprotein alpha and luteinizing hormone beta gene expression.

Arylhydrocarbon receptor (Ahr) activation by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlordibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) interferes with female reproductive functions, but there is little information on the specific targets of TCDD in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. In these studies, we found that TCDD upregulated known AhR target genes, cytochrome p450 1a1 (Cyp1a1), Cyp1a2 and Cyp1b1 in the rat pituitary gland. Moreover, 75% of pituitary lactotropes and 45% of gonadotropes contained Ahr mRNA, and most Ahr-containing cells were estrogen receptor 1 (Esr1)-positive. TCDD abrogated estradiol (E2)-induced prolactin (Prl) expression in vivo and in vitro; conversely, E2 blocked TCDD upregulation of luteinizing hormone beta (Lhb) and glycoprotein hormone alpha polypeptide (Cga) expression. TCDD had no effect on levels of Ahr mRNA, but upregulated Esr1 mRNA. E2 independently repressed Ahr and Esr1 expression and blocked TCDD upregulation of Esr1. Thus, complex interactions between Ahr and Esr alter Prl and luteinizing hormone (LH) synthesis by direct actions in lactotropes and gonadotropes. These findings provide important insights into how TCDD disrupts female reproductive functions.
Chemical Synthesis of a Glycopeptide Derived from Skp1 for Probing Protein Specific Glycosylation

Skp1 is a cytoplasmic and nuclear protein, best known as an adaptor of the SCF family of E3-ubiquitin ligases that label proteins for their degradation. Skp1 in Dictyostelium is posttranslationally modified on a specific hydroxyproline (Hyp) residue by a pentasaccharide, which consists of a Fucα1,2-Galβ-1,3-GlcNAcα core, decorated with two α-linked Gal residues. A glycopeptide derived form Skp1 was prepared to characterize the α-galactosyltransferase (AgtA) that mediates the addition of the α-Gal moieties, and to develop antibodies suitable for tracking the trisaccharide isoform of Skp1 in cells. A strategy was developed for the synthesis of the core trisaccharide-Hyp based on the use of 2-naphthylmethyl (Nap) ethers as permanent protecting groups to allow late stage installation of the Hyp moiety. Tuning of glycosyl donor and acceptor reactivities was critical for achieving high yields and anomeric selectivities of glycosylations. The trisaccharide-Hyp moiety was employed for the preparation of the glycopeptide using microwave-assisted solid phase peptide synthesis. Enzyme kinetic studies revealed that trisaccharide-Hyp and trisaccharide-peptide are poorly recognized by AgtA, indicating the importance of context provided by the native Skp1 protein for engagement with the active site. The trisaccharide-peptide was a potent immunogen capable of generating a rabbit antiserum that was highly selective toward the trisaccharide isoform of full-length Skp1. Antibody tracking: A glycopeptide containing a trisaccharide-hydroxyproline moiety was synthesized to characterize the substrate requirements of α-galactosyltransferase (AgtA) that mediates the addition of the α-Gal residues to the glycan of the glycoprotein Skp1 and to develop antibodies suitable for tracking the trisaccharide isoform of Skp1 in cells.
Application of pattern recognition techniques to breast cancer detection: Ultrasonic analysis of 100 pathologically confirmed tissue areas

Abstract Ultrasonic pulse-echo rf waveform analysis and selected pattern recognition methods were applied to classification of breast tissue. Emphasis was placed on the classification of solid tissue areas since fluid areas are easily identified by present B-scan techniques. Pattern recognition techniques such as the Fisher Linear Discriminant (FLD), Probability Density Function (PDF) curves, jackknife estimate and committee vote were used to construct and evaluate a two class algorithm, malignant versus benign tissue areas. A data base consisting of frequency domain features from 100 pathologically confirmed tissue areas from 87 patients were used to train the algorithm. Algorithm performance was acquired via the generalized jackknife procedure to significantly reduce the bias frequently encountered in algorithm evaluation. Estimated values of algorithm performance are sensitivity and specificity values of 96 percent and 68 percent, respectively.
Gender Differences in the Effects of a Utility-Value Intervention to Help Parents Motivate Adolescents in Mathematics and Science.

A foundation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education is critical for students’ college and career advancement, but many U.S. students fail to take advanced mathematics and science classes in high school. Research has neglected the potential role of parents in enhancing students’ motivation for pursuing STEM courses. Previous research has shown that parents’ values and expectancies may be associated with student motivation, but little research has assessed the influence of parents on adolescents through randomized experiments. Harackiewicz, Rozek, Hulleman, and Hyde (2012) documented an increase in adolescents’ STEM course-taking for students whose parents were assigned to a utility-value intervention in comparison to a control group. In this study, we examined whether that intervention was equally effective for boys and girls and examined factors that moderate and mediate the effect of the intervention on adolescent outcomes. The intervention was most effective in increasing STEM course-taking for high-achieving daughters and low-achieving sons, whereas the intervention did not help low-achieving daughters (prior achievement measured in terms of grade point average in 9th-grade STEM courses). Mediation analyses showed that changes in STEM utility value for mothers and adolescents mediated the effect of the intervention on 12th-grade STEM course-taking. These results are consistent with a model in which parents’ utility value plays a causal role in affecting adolescents’ achievement behavior in the STEM domain. The findings also indicate that utility-value interventions with parents can be effective for low-achieving boys and for high-achieving girls but suggest modifications in their use with low-achieving girls.
The Globalization of Self: Role and Identity Transformation from Above and Below

The process of globalization is transforming society with unprecedented speed and scope. Along the way, social roles are being altered and identities are being transformed. How do the forces of globalization shape the self? How do changes to the self affect social relationships and alter larger social structures? This paper offers a conceptual framework for addressing these questions. The ‘role-as-resource’ perspective is employed as a tool for differentiating between two opposing processes. On the one hand, top down forces associated with technocapitalism serve to colonize the self by sustaining roles associated with global consumption and production, while disrupting or erasing traditional roles. On the other hand, bottom-up forces associated with local grassroots organizations and democratic social movements facilitate resistance by providing resources for a more agentic political self.
Continuous localization in changing environments

Continuous localization is a technique that allows a robot to maintain an accurate estimate of its location by performing regular small corrections to its odometry. Continuous localization uses an evidence grid representation, a common representation scheme that is used by other map-dependent processes, such as path planning. Although techniques exist for building evidence grid maps, most are not adaptive to changes in the environment. In this research, we extend the continuous localization technique by adding a learning component. This allows continuous localization to update the long-term map (evidence grid) with current sensor readings. Results show that the addition of the learning behavior to continuous localization allows the system to adapt to changes in its environment without a loss in its ability to remain localized. This system was tested on a Nomad 200 mobile robot.
Improving Irrigation Water Use in Container Nurseries

ADDITIONAL INDEX WORDS. Application efficiency, cyclic irrigation, irrigation scheduling Summary. As limitations on water used by container nurseries become commonplace, nurseries will have to improve irrigation management. Several ways to conserve water and improve on the management of irrigation water applied to container plants are discussed in this review. They include 1) uniform application, 2) proper scheduling of irrigation water, 3) substrate amendments that retain water, 4) reducing heat load or evaporative loss from containers, and 5) recycling runoff water.
An Instrument to Assess Students' Perceived Control at School:

A scale developed to aid in investigation of students' perceived control at school is described, and data on its reliability, validity, and factor structure are reported. Also, discussed is a paral...
Functional characterization of the NF-κB transcription factor gene REL2 from Anopheles gambiae

The REL2 gene plays an important role in innate immunity against both Gram (+) and Gram (-) bacteria and malaria parasites in Anopheles gambiae, the main vector of malaria in Africa. Through alternative splicing, REL2 produces two protein products, REL2F (with a Rel-homology domain as well as an inhibitory ankyrin repeat region) and REL2S (without the ankyrin repeats). In the immune-competent cell line Sua1B from An. gambiae, REL2 has been shown to be a key regulator for cecropin A (or CEC1). The high level expression of CEC1 in Sua1B was postulated to be the result of constitutive activation of REL2F. Here we showed that REL2F is indeed processed, albeit at a low level, in the Sua1B cell line. The primary cleavage requires residue 678 (an aspartic acid). Proteolytic cleavage of REL2F can be enhanced by challenge with bacteria Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, but not with fungus Beauveria bassiana. The inducible cleavage can be substantially reduced by RNA interference against PGRP-LC and CASPL1. Over-expression of REL2S or a constitutively active form of REL2F (REL2F380C or REL2F678) in An. gambiae cell line can further increase expression of CEC1 and other antimicrobial peptide genes. Over-expression of these constitutive active proteins in an immune naive cell line, MSQ43, from Anopheles stephensi, results in even more dramatic increased expression of antimicrobial peptides.
Assessing the impact of terrorist‐thwarting policies: An intervention time series approach

This paper employs intervention or interrupted time series analysis to assess the effectiveness of four specific terrorist‐thwarting policies undertaken between January 5,1973 and April 15,1986. These policies include the following: (1) installation of metal detectors in airports, (2) enhanced security for U.S. embassies and personnel, (3) the legislation of the Reagan “get‐tough” laws on terrorism, and (4) the U.S. retaliatory strike against Libya. The use of intervention analysis allows for a study of the dynamic realization of a policy. Both short‐, medium‐, and long‐run effects can be ascertained. The most successful policy involved metal detectors. Expenditures to secure U.S. embassies had the intended effect, but it also had the unintended effect of putting non‐U.S. diplomats at somewhat greater risk. The Reagen get‐tough laws were ineffective. Unfortunately, the Libyan raid had the unintended effect of increasing U.S. and U.K. attacks temporarily.
Aging reduces veridical remembering but increases false remembering: Neuropsychological test correlates of remember–know judgments

In 1985 Tulving introduced the remember–know procedure, whereby subjects are asked to distinguish between memories that involve retrieval of contextual details (remembering) and memories that do not (knowing). Several studies have been reported showing age-related declines in remember hits, which has typically been interpreted as supporting dual-process theories of cognitive aging that align remembering with a recollection process and knowing with a familiarity process. Less attention has been paid to remember false alarms, or their relation to age. We reviewed the literature examining aging and remember/know judgments and show that age-related increases in remember false alarms, i.e., false remembering, are as reliable as age-related decreases in remember hits, i.e., veridical remembering. Moreover, a meta-analysis showed that the age effect size for remember hits and false alarms are similar, and larger than age effects on know hits and false alarms. We also show that the neuropsychological correlates of remember hits and false alarms differ. Neuropsychological tests of medial-temporal lobe functioning were related to remember hits, but tests of frontal-lobe functioning and age were not. By contrast, age and frontal-lobe functioning predicted unique variance in remember false alarms, but MTL functioning did not. We discuss various explanations for these findings and conclude that any comprehensive explanation of recollective experience will need to account for the processes underlying both remember hits and false alarms.
Effects of pore-water ammonia on in situ survival and growth of juvenile mussels (Lampsilis cardium) in the St. Croix Riverway, Wisconsin, USA.

We conducted a series of in situ tests to evaluate the effects of pore-water ammonia on juvenile Lampsilis cardiumin the St. Croix River (WI, USA). Threats to this river and its associated unionid fauna have accelerated in recent years because of its proximity to Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, USA. In 2000, caged juveniles were exposed to sediments and overlying water at 12 sites for 10 d. Survival and growth of juveniles was significantly different between sediment (mean, 47%) and water column (mean, 86%) exposures; however, these effects were unrelated to pore-water ammonia. During 2001, juveniles were exposed to sediments for 4, 10, and 28 d. Pore-water ammonia concentrations ranged from 0.3 to 62.0 m gN H 3-N/L in sediments and from 0.5 to 140.8 m gN H 3-N/L within exposure chambers. Survival (mean, 45, 28, and 41% at 4, 10, and 28 d, respectively) and growth (range, 3-45 mm/d) of juveniles were highly variable and generally unrelated to ammonia concentrations. Although laboratory studies have shown unionids to be quite sensitive to ammonia, further research is needed to identify the route(s) of ammonia exposure in unionids and to understand the factors that contribute to the spatial variability of ammonia in rivers.
Kinetics of an Anhydride-Epoxy Polymerization as Determined by Differential Scanning Calorimetry

The use of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to study the thermal behavior of polymers has developed to the point where it is now used to establish the kinetics of polymer phase transformations, including polymerization reactions. We will describe the use of DSC to determine the polymerization kinetics of the anhydride-epoxy system, bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (DGEBA)-”nadic” methyl anhydride (NMA). This polymerization reaction, catalyzed by benzyldimethyl amine (BDMA) is generally viewed as a very complex curing process but the data here were fitted to a two stage model utilizing a single reaction order of n=2 and (only) two activation energies. Namely, in dynamic scans, after the reaction had proceeded with an activation of about 15 kcal/mole for about 12% completion, the rate increased until completion but with a higher activation energy of about 38 kcal/mole. Such an increase in rate was verified qualitatively by an isothermal run. Other workers studying similar systems have reported the lower activation energy. However, scrutiny of their data indicates a similar increase in rate.
Cliff Discounts by a Dominant Producer Threatened by Partial Entry

I analyze cliff discounts when an incumbent monopolist faces competition from a competitor that can compete for a portion (but not all) of the market, and compare them with both simple pricing and pricing formulas in which the incumbent can cut prices just in the competitive portion of the market. The optimal cliff discount does not require exclusivity by the buyer. By leaving a portion of the market to the competitor, the incumbent gives it the choice between accepting its allocated share at a high price and offering deep discounts for any increase in market share. The optimal contract allows the competitor to earn higher profits by charging a high price for its allocated share, which in turn allows the incumbent to charge a high price. Average prices are higher with the cliff discount than with pricing that targets price cuts to the competitive segment. The model can apply to bundled discounts for multiple products as well as all-units discounts on a single product.
Comparison of ALN Films Synthesized by Pulsed Laser Ablation and Magnetron Sputtering Techniques

A comparative study is reported on the aluminum nitride (AlN) films on Si(111) substrate deposited by pulsed laser deposition and reactive magnetron sputtering. The structure, bonding characteristics, relative impurity levels, and wear resistance have been investigated to compare these films. The authors have used the techniques such as high resolution transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, secondary ion mass spectrometry, and crater grinding method for wear test, to delineate differences between these AlN films.
On the Advantages and Disadvantages of Comedy for Life

(2004). On the Advantages and Disadvantages of Comedy for Life. Journal of the British Society for Phenomenology: Vol. 35, Bergson Now, pp. 89-105.
Quantified risk analysis of light framed construction due to mainshock and aftershock sequences.

Quantified risk assessment is performed for a typical light-frame wood residential building in the U.S. subject to mainshock and aftershock sequences. Mainshocks are simulated by a homogeneous Poisson process, while aftershocks are simulated by a nonhomogeneous Poisson process. For mainshocks, pairs of ground motions are randomly selected, and geometrically scaled in accordance to the predicted spectra using an attenuation model. Transition and downtime costs are determined due to mainshocks and aftershocks, considering time discount factor. Aftershocks are found to be a significant factor for seismic risk analysis for wood constructions.
Experimental Study of Gaseous Sulfur Species Formation during the Steam Hydrogasification of Coal

Steam hydrogasification is the thermochemical conversion of carbonaceous materials into synthesis gas in a steam- and hydrogen-rich environment. The formation of gas-phase sulfur species during the...
Expression of Blimp-1 in dendritic cells modulates the innate inflammatory response in dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis.

A single nucleotide polymorphism of PRDM1, the gene encoding Blimp-1, is strongly associated with inflammatory bowel disease. Here, we demonstrate that Blimp-1 in CD103+ dendritic cells (DCs) critically contributes to the regulation of macrophage homeostasis in the colon. Dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-exposed Blimp-1cko mice with a deletion of Blimp-1 in CD103+ DCs and CD11chi macrophages exhibited severe inflammatory symptoms, pronounced weight loss, high mortality, robust infiltration of neutrophils in epithelial regions of the colon, an increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines and a significant decrease in CD103+ DCs in the colon compared with DSS exposed wild-type (WT) mice. Purified colonic macrophages from Blimp-1cko mice expressed increased levels of matrix metalloproteinase 8, 9 and 12 mRNA. WT macrophages cocultured with colonic DCs but not bone marrow-derived DCs from Blimp-1cko produced increased matrix metalloproteinases in an interleukin (IL)-1β- and IL-6-dependent manner. Treatment of Blimp-1cko mice with anti-IL-1β and anti-IL-6 abrogated the exaggerated clinical response. Overall, these data demonstrate that Blimp-1 expression in DCs can alter an innate inflammatory response by modulating the activation of myeloid cells. This is a novel mechanism of contribution of Blimp-1 for the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases, implicating another therapeutic target for the development of inflammatory bowel disease.
Index of Suspicion in the Nursery: Small-for-gestational-age Newborn With Microcephaly

A 1,612-g female born at 37 weeks’ gestation is noted to be small for gestational age and microcephalic. She was born to a 27-year-old gravida 1, para 0 white mother who has been on citalopram for depression and anxiety. Maternal prenatal tests show immunity to rubella and negative serology results for hepatitis B surface antigen, syphilis, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). First- and second-trimester sonograms demonstrated normal fetal growth. However, fetal sonograms performed during the third trimester showed intrauterine growth restriction and possible hydrocephalus. The mother smokes half a pack of cigarettes per day. She does not have pets; however, further questioning reveals that, during her pregnancy, she made daily visits to a friend whose house was infested with rodents. She denies any illness or flulike symptoms during pregnancy. The infant was born via cesarean delivery secondary to failure to progress. Her Apgar scores were 9 and 9 at 1 and 5 minutes, respectively. On examination, the infant appears in no apparent distress. Her weight, length, and head circumference are all below the third percentile. Both anterior and posterior fontanelles are open, soft, and flat. There are no abnormal pulmonary or cardiovascular findings. Her abdomen is soft and round, with active bowel sounds and no organomegaly. The rest of the examination, including neurologic and eye examinations, is unremarkable. Laboratory results include the following: white blood cell count, 9,000/mL; hemoglobin, 14.7 g/dL; hematocrit, 45%; platelet count, 352,000/mL; blood type, O positive; direct antiglobulin test, negative; unconjugated bilirubin, 1.7 mg/dL; total serum protein, 6.1 g/dL; …
Analysis on Epidemiological Characteristics of Measles in Gansu During 2000—2008

OBJECTIVE In order to know the epidemiological characteristics of measles in Gansu during 2000—2008 and provide scientific basis for the measles elimination. METHODS Analyzing the measles data during 2000—2008 by epidemiological description. RESULTS The reported annual average incidence rate of measles was 7.96/105 in Gansu during 2000—2008. The measles cases are higher in eastern and middle provinces than western provinces. The majority of cases occurred in little children and the proportions of measles cases of below 15 years old were 75.33%.The proportions of the number of measles cases aged 0 years old and beyond 15 years old show an increasing trend in recent years. The proportions of 1 dose vaccine,≥2 doses vaccine, no immunization and unknown were 19.04%, 10.43%,26.84% and 43.69% respectively. The prevalence seasons of measles were from March to May. The cases of outbreak were 26.36% and the numbers of outbreak cases influence the amounts of total cases. CONCLUSIONS The low coverage of MV and the unvaccinated people accumulating were the main cause of high measles incidence in Gansu. The increasing proportions of the number of little month age child cases and beyond 15 years old adult cases are the new challenges in the course of elimination measles. We should strengthen routine vaccination further and conduct MV supplementary immunization activities in good time. In addition, we should strengthen measles surveillance and control measles outbreak.
Monitoring of Common Diseases Among School Students in Maerkang District,Aba Autonomous Prefecture

objective To analyze the epidemiologic situation of poor eyesight,trachoma,dental caries,malnutrition and obesity among school students in Maerkang district,Aba prefecture;and to provide scientific basis for feasible prevention measures.Methods Statistical analysis was performed on the health examination data of school students in Maerkang through 2008-2010.Results School students showed an increasing trend in poor eyesight,and the detection rate of poor vision in secondary school students was higher than that in pupils(P0.01).Caries rate was increasing among school students,and caries rate of pupils was higher than in secondary school students(P0.01).The average detection rate of trachoma among school students was 5.74%,secondary school students higher than pupils(P0.01).As for malnutrition and obesity,the average detection rate was 5.26% and 10.06% respectively.Conclusion Poor sight and trachoma are showing an ascending trend among school students in Maerkang,calling for intensified pertinent measures,such as health education,regular health examination and so on.
Study on one strain of Enterobacter sakazakii that showed cross-agglutination with pathogenic Escherichia coli O114:K90(B)

Objective:To identify and analyze one strain of Enterobacter sakazakii detected from a food-borne pathogen Examination sample that showed cross-reaction with pathogenic Escherichia coli O114:K90(B).Methods: Serological and biomedical tests were used to identify the strain isolated from a food-borne pathogen Examination sample according to the national standard GB/T4789《Microbiological examination of food hygiene》.Results: The strain showing cross-agglutination with pathogenic Escherichia coli O114:K90(B)was identified as Enterobacter sakazakii after biomedical testing and the microbiological identification system testing.Conclusion: During the identification of entero-pathogenic bacteria,the final diagnosis should be based on serological reaction combined with biochemical test.
Restriction spectrum imaging reveals decreased neurite density in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy.

Author(s): Loi, Richard Q; Leyden, Kelly M; Balachandra, Akshara; Uttarwar, Vedang; Hagler, Donald J; Paul, Brianna M; Dale, Anders M; White, Nathan S; McDonald, Carrie R | Abstract: ObjectiveDiffusion tensor imaging (DTI) has become a popular tool for delineating the location and extent of white matter injury in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). However, DTI yields nonspecific measures that are confounded by changes occurring within both the intracellular and extracellular environments. This study investigated whether an advanced diffusion method, restriction spectrum imaging (RSI) could provide a more robust measure of white matter injury in TLE relative to DTI due to RSI's ability to separate intraaxonal diffusion (i.e., neurite density; ND) from diffusion associated with extraaxonal factors (e.g., inflammation; crossing fibers).MethodsRSI and DTI scans were obtained on 21 patients with TLE and 11 age-matched controls. RSI-derived maps of ND, isotropic-hindered (IH) and isotropic-free (IF) water, and crossing fibers (CFs) were compared to DTI-derived fractional anisotropy (FA) maps. Voxelwise and tract-based analyses were performed comparing patients with TLE to controls on each diffusion metric.ResultsReductions in FA were seen primarily in frontotemporal white matter in TLE, and they were most pronounced proximal to the seizure focus. Reductions in ND corresponded to those seen in the FA maps; however, ND reductions were greater in magnitude, more lateralized to the epileptogenic hemisphere, and showed a broader pattern. Increases in IF/IH and effects from CFs also contributed to reduced FA in the ipsilateral parahippocampal cingulum and fornix, with decreases in IH extending into extratemporal regions. Reduced ND of the uncinate fasciculus was associated with longer disease duration, whereas FA was not associated with any clinical variables.SignificanceRSI may provide a more specific measure of white matter pathology in TLE, distinguishing regions primarily affected by axonal/myelin loss from those where CFs and increases in extracellular water also play a role. By providing a more specific measure of axonal/myelin loss, RSI-derived ND may better reflect overall white matter burden in epilepsy.
Ionization by radio frequency inductively coupled plasma

Publisher Summary This chapter examines the applications and directions in ionized physical vapor deposition (I-PVD). It is mostly based on the radio frequency (RF) inductively coupled plasma approach. The key applications of I-PVD in semiconductor technology rely on the intrinsic control of energy and directionality present with I-PVD. The most straightforward applications are the ones in which directionality has been attained in the past by passive means of PVD, such as collimated sputtering or long-throw, low-pressure sputtering. These are slow, expensive filtering techniques, which have found widespread application in semiconductor interconnect areas for bottom contact coverage, diffusion or adhesion layers, and seed layers. There are intrinsic advantages of I-PVD, which make it superior to filtered sputtering from an efficiency or cost point of view.
Kinship in Historical Consciousness: A French Jewish Perspective

For Jews in postcolonial, post-Holocaust France, integration into the French “Republican” cultural order meant espousing French culture, especially in naming practices. Babies born after decolonization and the exodus of North African Jews to France now bear the burden of French Republicanism: a French first name is a political allegiance, as if the “Republic” was a godmother. This chapter presents ethnographic material on naming practices among French Jews of North African origin to show how the analysis of spiritual kinship may be extended beyond the personal relationship of godparents to that of the community amidst major historical changes such as transnational and transcultural migration.
Design of GNSS Receivers Powered by Renewable Energy via Adaptive Tracking Channel Control

Harvesting renewable energy from environment sources can resolve the battery issue for systems composed of mobile terminals and enable long-time autonomous deployment. However, simply applying renewable energy to these systems will usually result in low system performance, not only because the available energy harvested from renewable sources is non-deterministic but the energy level is also low. Furthermore, mobile devices could be power-consuming and their power budget may exceed the available power level. In this paper, we propose an adaptive tracking channel control technique for renewable energy powered GNSS receivers deployed for autonomous field applications. First, we formulate the tracking channel control problem and introduce an improved greedy-based technique that dynamically adjusts signal tracking channels according to the signal propagation channel status and available energy level to attain better positioning time coverage. Then, we introduce a model-free reinforcement learning based technique to further improve the GNSS time coverage by optimizing the control policy. Finally, the evaluation results show that the proposed techniques can achieve significant improvement in positioning time coverage over the existing techniques.
Impulsivity Dimensions and Risky Sex Behaviors in an At-Risk Young Adult Sample

Impulsivity is a personality-based risk factor that has been well studied in relation to risky sexual behavior. Recent conceptualizations of impulsivity have proposed multidimensional facets comprised of premeditation, perseverance, sensation seeking, negative urgency, and positive urgency (UPPS-P model). Prior studies have found that these facets are associated with risky sexual behavior in adolescent and college student samples, but no prior studies have evaluated them in clinical samples. The current study examined how impulsivity-related traits related to two different risky sexual behaviors in a clinical sample of at-risk young adults who had both conduct disorder and substance use disorder symptoms as adolescents (n = 529). Lack of premeditation was also tested as a moderator of the relationship between facets of impulsivity and both risky sex outcomes. Results demonstrated that sensation seeking, negative urgency, and positive urgency were correlated with risky sex behaviors. Additionally, multiple regression analyses indicated that sensation seeking was uniquely associated with the number of sexual partners in the past 5 years, whereas positive urgency was uniquely associated with unprotected sex while under the influence. Finally, a significant interaction between lack of premeditation and negative urgency suggests that at-risk young adults with both high negative urgency and lack of premeditation were the likeliest to have the most sexual partners in the past 5 years. This study adds to the current understanding of the relationship between reward- and affect-driven facets of impulsivity and risky sexual behaviors and may lend utility to the development of interventions for at-risk populations.
GNS Toxicity Investigation

GNS toxicity study evaluating biocompatibility is crucial for their biomedical applications and future clinical translation (Perazella in Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 4:461–469, 2009 [1]; Muldoon et al in Neurosurgery 57:785–796, 2005 [2]). Previous studies with various animal models including mice, rats and dogs have demonstrated that gold nanoparticles with a spherical shape are biocompatible (Khlebtsov and Dykman in Chem Soc Rev 40:1647–1671, 2011 [3]; Gad et al in Int J Toxicol 31:584–594, 2012 [4]; Yen et al in Small 5:1553–1561, 2009 [5]; Cho et al in Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 236:16–24, 2009 [6]; Shukla et al in Langmuir 21:10644–10654, 2005 [7]; Connor et al in Small 1:325–327, 2005 [8]). However, few studies have reported toxicity evaluation of nonspherical gold nanoparticles (like star-shape). Herein, we performed both in vitro and in vivo toxicity studies to investigate potential deleterious effect of PEGylated GNS nanoparticles after IV administration.
The Power of a Team: Using Unfolding Video Cases in Interprofessional Education for Advanced Health Trainees.

Introduction Few interprofessional (IP) learning opportunities are designed specifically for advanced health learners who are early in their training yet have already had some clinical experience. ...