cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Real-time electricity pricing for demand response using online convex optimization

Real-time electricity pricing strategies for demand response in smart grids are proposed. By accounting for individual consumers' responsiveness to prices, adjustments are made so as to induce desirable usage behavior and reduce peaks in load curves. An online convex optimization framework is adopted, which provides performance guarantees with minimal assumptions on the dynamics of load levels and consumer responsiveness. Two feedback structures are considered: a full information setup, where aggregate load levels as well as individual price elasticity parameters are directly available; and a partial information (bandit) case, where only the load levels are revealed. Fairness and sparsity constraints are also incorporated. Numerical tests verify the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Sensitivity of arctic summer sea ice coverage to global warming forcing: towards reducing uncertainty in arctic climate change projections

Substantial uncertainties have emerged in Arctic climate change projections by the fourth Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change assessment report climate models. In particular, the models as a group considerably underestimate the recent accelerating sea ice reduction. To better understand the uncertainties, we evaluated sensitivities of summer sea ice coverage to global warming forcing in models and observations. The result suggests that the uncertainties result from the large range of sensitivities involved in the computation of sea ice mass balance by the climate models, specifically with the changes in sea ice area (SIA) ranging from 0.09 × 10 6 to −1.23 × 10 6 km 2 in response to 1.0 K increase of air temperature. The sensitivities also vary largely across ensemble members in the same model, indicating impacts of initial condition on evolution of feedback strength with model integrations. Through observationally constraining, the selected model runs by the sensitivity analysis well captured the observed changes in SIA and surface air temperatures and greatly reduced their future projection uncertainties to a certain range from the currently announced one. The projected ice-free summer Arctic Ocean may occur as early as in the late 2030s using a criterion of 80% SIA loss and the Arctic regional mean surface air temperature will be likely increased by 8.5 ± 2.5 °C in winter and 3.7 ± 0.9 °C in summer by the end of this century.
Laboratory Calibration and In Situ Measurements of Moisture by Using Time-Domain Reflectometry Probes:

Excessive moisture in pavement systems can cause considerable damage and can lead to early deterioration. One method for continually monitoring the moisture content of pavement systems nondestructively is the use of time-domain reflectometry (TDR) probes. Although originally developed to measure faults in electrical cables, TDR probes employ an electromagnetic wave that is transmitted along a set of metallic conducting rods (or waveguides). The velocity of the electromagnetic wave is influenced by the dielectric constant (ϵ) of the material surrounding the waveguides. The large contrast between the dielectric constants of free water and of dry soil makes this an effective nondestructive evaluation method. Soil samples with different moisture contents were prepared and the TDR output, which is a function of the dielectric properties, was compared with the measured gravimetric moisture content. Calibration equations were developed in a laboratory setting for two types of TDR probes (CS610 and CS615) embedde...
Response of knee cartilage T1rho and T2 relaxation times to in vivo mechanical loading in individuals with and without knee osteoarthritis

summary Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of mechanical loading on knee articular cartilage T1r and T2 relaxation times in patients with and without osteoarthritis (OA). Design: Magnetic resonance (MR) images were acquired from 137 subjects with and without knee OA under two conditions: unloaded and loaded at 50% body weight. Three sequences were acquired: a high-resolution 3D-CUBE, a T1r relaxation time, and a T2 relaxation time sequences. Cartilage regions of interest included: medial and lateral femur (MF, LF); medial and lateral tibia (MT, LT), laminar analysis (superficial and deep layers), and subcompartments. Changes in relaxation times in response to loading were evaluated. Results: In response to loading, we observed significant reductions in T1r relaxation times in the MT and LT. In both the MF and LF, loading resulted in significant decreases in the superficial layer and significant increases in the deep layer of the cartilage for T1r and T2. All subcompartments of the MT and LT showed significant reduction in T1r relaxation times. Reductions were larger for subjects with OA (range: 13e19% change) when compared to healthy controls (range: 3e13% change). Conclusions: Loading of the cartilage resulted in significant changes in relaxation times in the femur and tibia, with novel findings regarding laminar and subcompartmental variations. In general, changes in relaxation times with loading were larger in the OA group suggesting that the collageneproteoglycan matrix of subjects with OA is less capable of retaining water, and may reflect a reduced ability to dissipate loads.
Molecular pathogenesis of skin fibrosis: insight from animal models

Skin fibrosis occurs in a variety of human diseases, most notably systemic sclerosis (SSc). The end stage of scleroderma in human skin consists of excess collagen deposition in the dermis with loss of adnexal structures and associated adipose tissue. The initiating factors for this process and the early stages are believed to occur through vascular injury and immune dysfunction with a dysregulated inflammatory response. However, because of the insidious onset of the disease, this stage is rarely observed in humans and remains poorly understood. Animal models have provided a means to examine these early stages and to isolate and understand the effect of perturbations in signaling pathways, chemokines, and cytokines. This article summarizes recent progress in the understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of skin fibrosis in SSc from different animal models, both its initiation and its maintenance phases.
Inheritance of antibody response to sheep erythrocytes in lines of chickens divergently selected for fifty-six-day body weight and their crosses.

Abstract Experiments were conducted to determine the principal mode of inheritance for antibody response to SRBC in selected populations of chickens and their crosses. Additive genetic variation was important in the inheritance of both primary and secondary responses to this antigen. Reciprocal differences and heterosis also influenced the secondary response. Kinetics of primary and secondary antibody responses were evaluated in pairs of lines divergently selected for high (HW) or low (LW) juvenile body weight and high (HA) or low (LA) response to SRBC antigen. Different groups of chickens were sampled on Days 3 to 7, 10, 14, 24, 26, 28, and 31 postprimary inoculation (PPI). Half of the chickens sampled after Day 14 received an additional injection of SRBC antigen. Plasma from each individual was examined for total, mercaptoethanol-resistant, and mercaptoethanol-sensitive titers. Antibody titers PPI to SRBC were consistently highest in Line HA and lowest in Line LA. Lines HW and LW reacted similarly to Line LA early in response, but showed higher levels later. In both primary and secondary responses, the weight lines peaked at similar levels. Thereafter, Line LW maintained a higher antibody titer level to SRBC antigen than Line HW.
A new finite difference stability criterion

A MAJOR DIFFICULTY in the numerical solution of partial differential equations of the parabolic or hyperbolic types by means of finite difference approximations is the tendency of the solution to be unstable under certain conditions. Thus, a small error (such as a round-off error), arising at some point in the computation procedure may tend to become larger and larger as the computation progresses, until the error terms completely overshadow the desired solution, making it worthless. Some finite difference approximations appear to be stable under any condition, others are always unstable, whereas some are stable only if the spacing intervals satisfy certain requirements.
Critically analyzing workplace discourse to inform AAC device design

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a study on workplace discourse that will be conducted to inform design of AAC vocabulary to better support workers' communication needs. Although some work has been done by AAC researchers and mainstream discourse researchers, there is limited evidence that can be used in AAC device prediction systems that is related to workplace and, more specifically, task-oriented discourse. The limitations in our understanding of workers' conversational needs warrant investigation into their discourse and the associated physical, temporal, and social environment factors. This study will collect and critically analyze spoken workplace conversation from 20 workers using discourse analysis and corpus linguistic techniques.
A note on A. Albert and J. A. Anderson's conditions for the existence of maximum likelihood estimates in logistic regression models

SUMMARY This note expands the paper by Albert & Anderson (1984) on the existence and uniqueness of maximum likelihood estimates in logistic regression models. Their three possible mutually exclusive data pattems: (i) overlap, (ii) complete separation, and (iii) quasiseparation are considered. The maximum likelihood estimate exists only in (i). Modifications of the statement and proofs of Albert & Anderson's results are given for (ii) and (iii). The identifiability for a more general model arising in the study of (iii) is discussed together with the maximization of the corresponding likelihood. A linear program is presented which determines whether data is of type (i), (ii) or (iii), and in the case of (iii) identifies Albert & Anderson's minimal set Qm.
Calcium/Calpain mediated regulation of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases, PDE3A and PDE5, in human platelets

Background Calpain, intracellular non-lysosomal calcium-dependent proteinase, is activated by a number of signaling pathways that lead to the elevation of intraplatelet calcium concentrations. Physiological roles of calpain, highly expressed in platelets, include regulation of platelet aggregation and adhesion, while excessive activation of calpain in such pathological disorders as diabetes could cause changes in platelet functions, resulting in platelet hyperactivation. Platelets from diabetic patients are also characterized by resistance to nitric oxide inhibition. Here we examined if calpain could regulate major cAMP and cGMP hydrolyzing phosphodiesterases (PDEs), PDE3A and PDE5, in human platelets.
Epistemological foundations of statistics

The application of statistics in economics can be considered as an art where imagination predominates. The principal drawback, from the position of epistemology, is that statistics strives to interpret the common noun (relationships between classified events) in terms of nomological statements without a proper classification of events. As a result, it is necessary to deal with unwarranted assumptions and foregone conclusions.
Cold snare polypectomy for large sessile colonic polyps: a single-center experience.

Colonoscopic polypectomy has been shown to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer and the mortality. Postpolypectomy bleeding was reported to be lower with cold snare polypectomy (CSP) when compared with conventional polypectomy. CSP has traditionally been utilized only in smaller polyps below 1 cm. We retrospectively analyzed the CSP outcomes in patients with sessile polyps 10 mm in size and observed that CSP was feasible in large sessile polyps with no adverse events and with an acceptable rate of residual polyp on follow-up colonoscopy. Further prospective study in larger patient groups is warranted to determine optimal CSP techniques and whether CSP for large polyps has favorable efficacy in regard to complete polypectomy, procedure time, and complication rates relative to polypectomy with cautery.
Experiments on Fluctuations in Optically Quenched CdS and CdSe Crystals

Measurements of electronic fluctuation spectra in CdS and CdSe crystals, irradiated by primary light, causing excitation, and infrared light, causing quenching, are reported. For the primary light in the tail absorption region, a marked effect is found. Even for moderate quenching, the noise often increases by an order of magnitude; moreover, a characteristic ω−5/2-spectrum appears, as has not been observed in photoconductors hitherto. At low temperatures the relative variance is close to unity or even sub-poissonian. At room temperature, thermal quenching presumably may enhance the noise, though in lesser degree than infrared quenching. In the fundamental absorption band, infrared quenching enhances the noise, but does not alter the spectral shape, which generally shows a diffusion behavior signified by an ω−3/2-dependence. A qualitative discussion of these features is given. A quantitative description, particularly of the ω−5/2-spectrum is referred to a subsequent article [3]. Es wird uber Messungen von Spektren des elektronischen Rauschens in CdS- und CdSe-Kristallen berichtet, die mit einem Grundlicht zur Anregung und mit Infrarotlicht zur Tilgung bestrahlt wurden. Fur Grundlicht im Bereich der Auslauferabsorption wurde ein merklicher Effekt gefunden. Bei mittlerer Tilgung steigt das Rauschen oft um eine Grosenordnung an; daruber hinaus tritt eine ω−5/2-Charakteristik des Spektrums auf, die bisher noch nicht in Photoleitern beobachtet wurde. Bei niedrigen Temperaturen liegt die relative Varianz nahe bei eins oder sogar unter der Poissonverteilung. Bei Raumtemperatur wird die thermische Tilgung wahrscheinlich das Rauschen erhohen, jedoch im geringeren Grade als die Infrarottilgung. Im Bereich der Grundgitterabsorption erhoht die Infrarottilgung das Rauschen, andert aber nicht die spektrale Verteilung. die im allgemeinen ein Diffusionsverhalten zeigt, das durch eine ω−3/2-Charakteristik gekennzeichnet ist. Die Erscheinungen werden qualitativ diskutiert. Fur eine quantitative Beschreibung, besonders des ω−5/2-Spektrums, wird auf eine nachfolgende Arbeit [3] verwiesen.
Experimental Test of Maxwell's Distribution Law

A method is described for obtaining a velocity spectrum of a metallic vapor. The apparatus consists of a number of coaxial discs with radial slots which rotate at high speed and serve as a velocity filter for the molecules. The velocity can be measured directly somewhat as in the Fizeau experiment. The apparatus has been used to measure the distribution law of molecular velocities in cadmium vapor and it is found to agree with that of Maxwell within experimental error.
A break in the transaction: Examining students’ responses to digital texts

Abstract Students of the millennial generation are often attributed with a willingness to embrace new electronically based forms of reading and writing, something they have become used to in lives circumscribed by technology [Costanzo (1994); Tapscott, Donald. (1998). Growing up digital: The rise of the net generation . New York: McGraw-Hill; Bolter (1992)]. However, with few exceptions (see [Newbold, W. Webster. (1999). Transactional writing instruction on theWorldWideWeb. Kairos . Retrieved from ( http://english.ttu.edu/kairos/4.1/index.html >); Johnson-Eilola, 1992]), these assumptions are not based upon studies that explore students’ experiences reading digital narratives [Yellowlees Douglas, Jane. (2004). The end of books or books without end? Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press]. This study of students in a university literature course fills that gap by focusing upon the students’ own words in their reactions to and experiences of digital narratives, revealing the crucial disjuncture students experience when moving from print to digital narratives. Using Rosenblatt's theory of the transactional relationship between reader and text, this study explores the roots of that disjuncture and the pedagogical implications that arise when instructors incorporate digital texts into composition classrooms.
Individual Differences in Preference for Solitude

Abstract Past research suggests that solitude can have either a positive or a negative impact on a person′s well-being. How time away from others affects people may depend on the person′s general preference for solitude. We present a scale to measure individual differences in preference for solitude. Experiments 1 and 2 report on the development of the Preference for Solitude Scale and provide evidence of its reliability. Experiments 3 and 4 provide discriminant and convergent validity data for the scale. Experiments 5 and 6 use self-report data to demonstrate that scale scores predict the extent to which people spend time by themselves and with others. Experiment 7 uses scale scores to predict the amount of social interaction in a laboratory setting. Experiment 8 demonstrates that scale scores can predict the amount of time people spend alone beyond that predicted by introversion-extraversion. Taken together, the data indicate that the Preference for Solitude Scale assesses individual differences in the extent to which people prefer to spend time alone.
Histopathologic assessment of fibrosis and new bone formation in implanted human temporal bones using 3D reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate new bone formation and fibrosis in implanted human temporal bones and relate that to neurosensory elements preservation.STUDY DESIGN: Human temporal bone histopathology study...
Algal biomass production, N uptake and N2 fixation in a synthetic medium

An experiment was conducted in the growth chamber to quantify the biomass production, N removal and N2 fixation from a synthetic medium by Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Anabaena flos-aquae. Nitrogen was supplied at a concentration of 100 mg liter−1 of NO3−−15N and NH4+−15 (3·5 atom %), respectively. After 21 days Chlamydomonas reinhardtii removed an average of 83·8 and 78·7 mg N liter−1 as NO3− and NH4+, respectively. Averages of 0·89 and 0·71 g liter−1 (first batch), 1·63 and 0·95 g liter− (second batch) algal biomass were collected from NO3− and NH4+ media, respectively. Uptake rates of 0·11 mg 15N g−1 algae day−1 from NO3− medium and 0·10 mg 15N g−1 algae day−1 from NH4+ medium were calculated. Algal cells grown in NO3− and NH4+ medium contained 71 and 65 g N kg−1 (first batch), 39 and 58 g N kg−1 (second batch), respectively. Anabaena flos-aquae produced averages of 0·58 and 0·46 g liter−1 (first batch), 0·55 and 0·48 g liter−1 (second batch) after 14 days of growth from NO3− and NH4+ media, respectively. Blue-green algal biomass contained higher N (81–98 g kg−1) than green algae. Isotope dilution method for determining N2 fixation indicated that 55% and 77% of total N of blue-green algae grown in NO3− and NH4+ media, respectively, was derived from the atmosphere.
Martensitic transformation and plastic deformation in iron alloy single crystals

Abstract The characteristics of plastic deformation of austenite single crystals have been studied in Fe-16Cr-25Ni, Fe-16Cr-12Ni and Fe-30Ni alloys and related to the crystallographic mechanism of the martensite transformation. The 16 25 alloy is completely stable down to 4°K and its plastic characteristics appear to be identical with other concentrated, f.c.c. solid solutions of low stacking fault energy. From 350°C to 200°C the plastic behavior of the 16 12 alloy crystals is similar to the stable 16 25 alloy. Below 200°C transformation begins under stress and the critical resolved shear stress first increases and then decreases with temperature and appears to go to zero at −32°C due to the dilation associated with the spontaneous transformation at this temperature. The transformation in the 16 12 alloy when under an applied stress proceeds through the sequence of structures, f.c.c. → h.c.p. → b.c.c., originating on the {111} A plane of maximum resolved shear stress. Other significant characteristics of the transformation were observed and related to the structure, namely: crystallographic reversibility of the transformation, stabilization by prior deformation, and isothermal transformation to h.c.p. and b.c.c. products at room temperature following deformation at a lower temperature, and the effects of transformation products on the plastic properties of crystals. Significant differences between the behavior of Fe-Cr-12Ni and Fe-30Ni crystals were observed and attributed to the difference in stacking fault energy and the associated differences in the transformation.
Increased task difficulty results in greater impact of noradrenergic modulation of cognitive flexibility

Previous research suggests that the noradrenergic system modulates certain types of cognitive flexibility. This study compared various doses of beta-adrenergic antagonists for their effect on cognitive flexibility in problem solving, and how task difficulty interacts with this effect, as well as the effect of beta-adrenergic antagonists on other tasks. Anagram task performance was compared in 72 subjects using a within-subject design for propranolol at 20 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg, and placebo in a double-blinded manner, and the effects of subject ability and task difficulty were examined. We also examined the effect of the 40 mg propranolol dose on a range of other tasks. Overall, more anagram problems were solved while on propranolol 40 mg than on placebo. Subjects least able to solve the problems benefited significantly from 40 mg of propranolol. Also, for all subjects the most difficult problems were solved more quickly with propranolol 40 mg than placebo. Benefits were also seen for word fluency and backward digit span. Therefore, noradrenergic modulation of cognitive flexibility is affected by how much difficulty the subject is encountering when searching for the solution, a pattern consistent with what might be expected in an effect on the search of the semantic and associative network.
The Effect of the Marital Relationship on Personal Space Orientation in Married Couples

Summary Thirty-seven Caucasian married couples between the ages of 20 and 54 were tested for personal space orientation by means of a behavioral and a simulation test. Participants included a husband (H) and wife (W) married combination, one male (M), and one female (F). The following dyads were tested: HW, HF, HM, WF, WM. The results for both tests indicated that the husband-wife combination required significantly less personal space than any of the other combinations tested. Additionally, the opposite-sexed nonspouse, as well as the Husband-Male dyads, required greater personal space in the presence of the other dyads, suggesting that the marital relationship could have an impact on personal space needs.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE METABOLISM OF 5'-METHYLTHIOADENOSINE.

Abstract The yeast Candida utilis assimilates 5′-methylthioadenosine from the culture medium and converts it into intracellular S-adenosylmethionine. Tracer experiments with labeled 5′-methylthioadenosine showed good recovery in S-adenosylmethionine when the label was in the adenine part (H3) or in the sulfur atom (S35). The specific activity recovered was lower when methyl-C14-labeled material was used; this may be explained by loss of methyl groups in transmethylations and their regeneration from unlabeled precursors.
The fine pitch Cu-pillar bump interconnect technology utilizing NCP resin, achieving the high quality and reliability

In the field of high-end server or network systems, the Flip Chip Ball Grid Array (FCBGA) package has been applied to achieve high performance on the device for data processing. And recently, global IT network and cloud markets, which require high-speed data processing, are rapidly expanding, so that further development of FCBGA package with high performance is strongly needed to realize such market demands. This time, we have developed Flip Chip technology with very fine pitch of 30um staggered pitch Cu-pillar Bump, utilizing Non Conductive Paste (NCP) resin to adapt to high pin count device including high-speed signal interface. The keys of this flip chip technology are to optimize the condition of the reaction of NCP resin under the die and the phenomena of solder melting for interconnection. And, in order to confirm of the level of package reliability, the effectiveness of the height of solder joints was studied. The above technology and reliability is reported on this paper.
Preliminary study of B. subtilis alpha-amylase crystals by electron microscopy and optical diffraction.

Crystals of B. subtilis α-amylase yield unusually detailed electron micrographs showing a unique distribution of stained material. From micrographs and optical-diffraction data the space group of the negatively stained crystal is of orthorhombic symmetry P22 1 2 1 or P2 1 2 1 2 1 with b =85 A, c =205 A, and a estimated to be 66 A. The regularity of the micrographs is reflected in high-resolution optical-diffraction patterns that extend to at least 13 A spacings.
Molecular Dynamics Simulation of the Titration of Polyoxocations in Aqueous Solution

Abstract The aqueous complex ion Al 30 O 8 (OH) 56 (H 2 O) 26 18+ (Al 30 ) has a variety of bridging and terminal amphoteric surface functional groups which deprotonate over a p H range of 4–7. Their relative degree of protonation is calculated here from a series of molecular dynamics simulations in what appear to be the first molecular dynamics simulations of an acidometric titration. In these simulations, a model M 30 O 8 (OH) 56 (H 2 O) 26 18+ ion is embedded in aqueous solution and titrated with hydroxide ions in the presence of a charge-compensating background of perchlorate ions. Comparison with titration of a model M 13 O 4 (OH) 24 (H 2 O) 12 7+ reveals that the M 30 ion is more acidic than the M 13 ion due to the presence of acidic ηH 2 O functional groups. The higher acidities of the functional groups on the M 30 ion appear to result from enhanced hydration. Metal–oxygen bond lengths are calculated for the ion in solution, an isolated ion in the gas phase, and in its crystalline hydrate sulfate salt. Gas-phase and crystalline bond lengths do not correlate well with those calculated in solution. The acidities do not relate in any simple way to the number of metals coordinating the surface functional group or the M -O bond length. Moreover, the calculated acidity in solution does not correlate with proton affinities calculated for the isolated ion in the absence of solvent. It is concluded that the search for simple indicators of structure–reactivity relationships at the level of individual reactive sites faces major limitations, unless specific information on the hydration states of the functional groups is available.
Stress, stress management, and the immune system*

Abstract A great deal of attention in the field of health psychology has been focused on the link between stress and health or the organism's ability to combat illness. Stressful events and situations such as bereavement, marital discord, job loss, examinations, and chronic threat have all been associated with changes in immune function that could affect health. Physiological changes, including increases in cortisol and catecholamines, have been implicated as stress-induced immune changes in both animal and human studies. To the extent that stress causes immunological changes and that these changes affect health, it is important to develop ways to minimize them. Several stress-reducing interventions used to modify some of the other adverse effects of stress seem promising in this regard. Relaxation, exercise, cognitive interventions such as self-efficacy enhancement, and combinations of several different types of treatments have been successfully used for at least a transient attenuation of stress-related immunosuppression. Whether these benefits can be longer lasting and can actually improve health remains to be seen. Implications for future research are discussed.
Multiple Skin Cancers Associated With Hydroxyurea Therapy

The association of multiple cutaneous cancers and long-term use of hydroxyurea is now being recognized. In this article, we describe the development of multiple skin tumors in two patients who were receiving hydroxyurea therapy. These cases illustrate the late onset of subsequent skin cancers despite discontinuation of therapy. As hydroxyurea continues to have a prominent role in the treatment of myeloproliferative diseases, clinicians must be aware of the increased risk of multiple skin cancers and use preventive and skin cancer screening practices in patients with these diseases.
Quantum Theoretical Evidence for Two Distinct Hydrogen-Bonding Networks and for an Ising Chain Model of the Antiferroelectric Transition in Squaric Acid

The electronic structure of squaric acid (H2C4O4, SQA) has been investigated by density functional techniques at the B3LYP/6-31G** level to understand the mechanism of the paraelectric-to-antiferroelectric phase transition in the compound at 373 K. A nonsymmetrical structure without a C4 axis has been used for the first time. Monomer, dimer, and pentamer models of the SQA system were used to assess the possible differences between the two intersecting O−H···O chains. Despite the use of a small cluster size, we felt that the noted differences in the energetics and related characteristics of the two chains in the crystal lattice are realistic. This result suggests different proton dynamics along the chains and thus argues against the generally accepted 2-D phase-transition behavior. The calculations also help explain the literature discrepancies involving earlier 13C NMR and diffraction data. They support a model in which the phase transition is triggered by thermally induced disorder of the H atoms in the ...
When is enough measurement, enough? Generalizability of primate immunity over time.

Abstract A statistical generalizability analysis gauges the degree to which a single assessment of a parameter successfully estimates that measure over repeated assessments for that individual. The generalizability of enumerative and functional immune parameters was estimated for two species of macaque monkeys assessed every 3 months between 18 and 42 months of age. Subjects were cross-balanced by species (bonnet, Macaca radiata, n = 22; pigtail, Macaca nemestrina, n = 21), sex (male, n = 21; female, n = 22), and brief early maternal separation with reunion (control, n = 21; separated, n = 22). Cell subset analysis showed the best generalizability (35–69%). Natural cytotoxicity also performed well (44–70%), but when computed on a lysis per cell basis, removing the effect of cell phenotype, it was less stable (15–48%). For most immune parameters, at least 5 assessments would be necessary to establish conventionally reliable (0.80) characterizations of long-term, stable individual differences in immunity, and three for minimally reliable (0.60) characterizations. More reactive parameters, as well as more behaviorally reactive species, yielded more generalizable results. Cell subsets that are typically most sensitive to acute stress (CD8, CD16) were more stable than other subsets (CD4, CD20). Behaviorally reactive species (pigtail) yielded more stable natural cytotoxicity results than the less reactive species (bonnet). Sex and rearing condition (early, brief maternal separation) did not substantially affect generalizability, although females tended to generate more stable results than did males.
A new technique for high-resolution charged-particle mass identification

Abstract A simple technique is described which exploits an electrostatic particle guide to transport charged particles and permit time-of-flight measurements over quite long flight paths. Where excellent mass resolution, together with the best energy resolution from charged particle detectors is desired this single-detector energy-mass identifier is far superior to conventional particle telescope systems.
Second-harmonic photons from the interaction of free electrons with intense laser radiation

A preliminary experimental investigation of the generation of second-harmonic photons from the interaction of free electrons with an intense laser beam has been performed. Second-harmonic photons with a wavelength of 530 nm generated from the interaction of free electrons with 1060-nm photons from a neodymium-glass laser are implied by observing Doppler-shifted photons with wavelengths of 490 and 507 nm. The observed photon wavelengths result from a Doppler shift of the laser photon wavelength as viewed in the rest frame of the electrons, combined with a Doppler shift of the second-harmonic photon emitted from 1600- and 500-eV electrons. Comparison of experimental results with those predicted by cross sections, derived from classical and quantum electrodynamics, shows reasonable agreement with both theories. Although second-harmonic photons are created, the dynamics of second-harmonic-photon generation (accelerated electron motion due to the electromagnetic field or actual two-photon interaction with the electron) cannot be resolved p without further experiment.
Phospholipid synthesis in the fat body endoplasmic reticulum during primary and secondary juvenile hormone stimulation of vitellogenesis inLeucophaea maderae

Juvenile hormone (JH) treatment coordinately stimulated the dose-dependent synthesis of vitellogenin and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane phospholipids in fat body cells from allatectomized adult females ofLeucophaea maderae. Animals were pulse-labeled in vivo with [32P] to simultaneously measure the rates of synthesis of the phosphorylated subunits of vitellogenin and the structural phospholipids of the ER membranes. Phospholipid synthesis in ER membranes from nontarget tissues for JH such as thoracic muscle, midgut, and larval fat body was unresponsive to hormone treatment. The proliferation of ER in response to JH treatment was thus restricted to tissue that was competent to synthesize vitellogenin.Primary and secondary vitellogenin induction was measured in allatectomized adult females treated 12 days apart with JH-III. The time-course of the primary response for vitellogenin and ER phospholipid synthesis was characterized by a 24 h latent period, a rapid increase to a maximum at 72 h, and then a gradual decline. During secondary induction, vitellogenin accumulated in the hemolymph nearly twice as fast as before and peaked at a concentration of 38 μg/μl. This vitellogenin titer was approximately two-fold higher than that found at the height of the primary response. During both primary and secondary stimulation with JH, ER phospholipid synthesis, as measured by [14C]choline incorporation into microsomal phosphatidylcholine, was stimulated five-fold over the untreated control animals. The amplified production of vitellogenin during the secondary response was associated with a 24 h-earlier peak of ER phospholipid synthesis in the fat body.
Dual promoters of the Listeria monocytogenes prfA transcriptional activator appear essential in vitro but are redundant in vivo

Summary The PrfA transcriptional activator is an essential determinant of Listeria monocytogenes pathogenesis. prfA expression is governed by three differentially regulated promoters: prfAP1 and prfAP2, which are located immediately upstream of prfA coding sequences, and the adjacent plcA promoter via the generation of a plcA–prfA read-through transcript. A series of promoter deletion mutants were constructed to assess the roles of prfAP1 and prfAP2. Elimination of either prfAP1 or prfAP2 resulted in altered regulation of PrfA-regulated genes after in vitro growth. However, these mutants were fully virulent both in an animal model and in tissue culture models of infection, suggesting that the two prfA promoters are functionally redundant in vivo. In contrast, a mutant lacking both prfAP1 and prfAP2 was 100-fold less virulent and was delayed In escape from the host vacuole. Once in the host cytoplasm, however, the double mutant was apparently normal in cell-to-cell spread.
Using Trend Data to Evaluate the Differential Response of State Borrowing to Revenue Volatility

Revenue volatility has been a major concern for many state governments as it affects public service delivery and government operation in various ways. Among those, revenue volatility often affects the extent to which state governments utilize borrowing to pay for their infrastructure. As state governments have been ever increasing their reliance on borrowing to finance their capital needs, this paper aims to explore the differential impact of revenue volatility measured by negative versus positive revenue deviation of from trend on state governments' decision in debt financing capital spending. These relationships are empirically examined by modeling various factors that explain state governments' reliance on debt financing with the US Census Bureau's State Government Finance database covering 1987–2004. Findings suggest negative revenue deviation caused a state to decrease the issuance of general obligation (GO) debt and GO debt as a proportion of total long-term debt issuance when the magnitude of the deviation is below the medium range, but increase the issuance of revenue debt and long-term debt only when the deviation is high. In the scenario of positive deviation from trend, both the direction and its magnitude increased the issuance of the GO and long-term debt as well as the GO share. Findings from this research provide new insight into the effects of revenue volatility on the financing choices of state governments. It also has important implications for state public administrators who aim to mitigate the negative impact of revenue uncertainty and exercise a proactive control over state debt burden.
Numerical Methods for Two-Dimensional Stem Cell Tissue Growth

Growth of developing and regenerative biological tissues of different cell types is usually driven by stem cells and their local environment. Here, we present a computational framework for continuum tissue growth models consisting of stem cells, cell lineages, and diffusive molecules that regulate proliferation and differentiation through feedback. To deal with the moving boundaries of the models in both open geometries and closed geometries (through polar coordinates) in two dimensions, we transform the dynamic domains and governing equations to fixed domains, followed by solving for the transformation functions to track the interface explicitly. Clustering grid points in local regions for better efficiency and accuracy can be achieved by appropriate choices of the transformation. The equations resulting from the incompressibility of the tissue is approximated by high-order finite difference schemes and is solved using the multigrid algorithms. The numerical tests demonstrate an overall spatiotemporal second-order accuracy of the methods and their capability in capturing large deformations of the tissue boundaries. The methods are applied to two biological systems: stratified epithelia for studying the effects of two different types of stem cell niches and the scaling of a morphogen gradient with the size of the Drosophila imaginal wing disc during growth. Direct simulations of both systems suggest that that the computational framework is robust and accurate, and it can incorporate various biological processes critical to stem cell dynamics and tissue growth.
Obedience and Believing a Person

I argue that there is a mutually illuminating parallel between the concept of obedience and the concept of believing a person. Just as both believing what a person says and believing what a person says for the reason that the person says it are insufficient for believing the person, so acting as a person demands and acting as a person demands for the reason that the person demands it are insufficient for obeying the person. Unlike the concept of believing a person, however, the concept of obedience has two distinct senses, one applying to coerced action and one applying to non-coerced action based on authoritative directives. While the former sense of obedience has no theoretical analogue, the latter sense of obedience can be understood as the practical analogue of the theoretical case of believing a person, making room for a deep parallel between believing and acting on authority.
Lanthanide series doping effects in lead zirconate titanate (PLnZT) thin films

Lanthanide (Ln) doping of lead zirconate titanate (PLnZT 4/30/70) thin films was conducted to investigate effects on structural and electrical properties. Films were spin-coat deposited from precursor solutions made usinga previously reported "basic route to PZT" chemistry. The remanent polarization (P r ), dielectric constant (e), dielectric loss (tan 8), and lattice parameter values were obtained for each of the doped PLnZT films. Films doped with amphoteric cations (Tb, Dy, Y, and Ho) displayed high P r values, square hysteresis loops, and enhanced fatigue resistance. Smaller radius Ln-doped films display an increased tendency toward (100) orientation in otherwise (111)-oriented films.
Interaction of LexA repressor with the asymmetric dinG operator and complete nucleotide sequence of the gene.

Abstract The dinG gene was originally isolated during a search for Escherichia coli promoters which are components of the SOS regulon. The regulatory region of this gene contains a potential binding site for LexA repressor which is quite different from other known sites. All previously described chromosomal LexA operators are imperfect palindromes containing the sequence CTG(N10)CAG. The noncanonical dinG sequence breaks the symmetry and takes the form TTG(N10)CAG. In the present study, a search for mutations within dinGop::galK fusion plasmids which render transcription independent of intracellular levels of LexA has yielded mutations only within this 16-bp sequence. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays performed with purified mutant and wild-type operator fragments revealed that the affinity of LexA for each of the mutant sites is greatly reduced compared with that of the wild type. One of the mutants contained an alteration in the putative promoter of dinG which increased the similarity of the -35 region to the consensus sequence (TTGGCT----TTGACT); the apparent promoter activity of this construct was subsequently found to be approximately eight times higher than that of the wild type in vivo. Additional experiments have established the complete nucleotide sequence of the dinG gene. A long open reading frame located immediately downstream of the asymmetric operator segment which could potentially encode a 72.9-kDa DinG protein was identified.
Data-Driven 3D Primitives for Single Image Understanding

What primitives should we use to infer the rich 3D world behind an image? We argue that these primitives should be both visually discriminative and geometrically informative and we present a technique for discovering such primitives. We demonstrate the utility of our primitives by using them to infer 3D surface normals given a single image. Our technique substantially outperforms the state-of-the-art and shows improved cross-dataset performance.
Placement of implantable cardioverter‐defibrillators in paediatric and congenital heart defect patients: a pipeline for model generation and simulation prediction of optimal configurations

Key points • Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) with transvenous leads often cannot be implanted in a standard manner in paediatric and congenital heart defect (CHD) patients. Currently, there is no reliable approach to predict the optimal ICD placement in these patients. • A pipeline for constructing personalized, electrophysiological heart–torso models from clinical magnetic resonance imaging scans was developed and applied to a paediatric CHD patient. • Optimal ICD placement was determined using patient-specific simulations of the defibrillation process. In a patient with tricuspid valve atresia, two configurations with epicardial leads were found to have the lowest defibrillation threshold. • We demonstrated that determining extracellular potential (Φe) gradients during the shock – without actually simulating defibrillation – was not sufficient to predict defibrillation success or failure. • Using the proposed methodology, the optimal ICD placement in paediatric/CHD patients can be predicted computationally, which could reduce defibrillation energy if the pipeline is used as part of ICD implantation planning. Abstract There is currently no reliable way of predicting the optimal implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) placement in paediatric and congenital heart defect (CHD) patients. This study aimed to: (1) develop a new image processing pipeline for constructing patient-specific heart–torso models from clinical magnetic resonance images (MRIs); (2) use the pipeline to determine the optimal ICD configuration in a paediatric tricuspid valve atresia patient; (3) establish whether the widely used criterion of shock-induced extracellular potential (Φe) gradients ≥5 V cm−1 in ≥95% of ventricular volume predicts defibrillation success. A biophysically detailed heart–torso model was generated from patient MRIs. Because transvenous access was impossible, three subcutaneous and three epicardial lead placement sites were identified along with five ICD scan locations. Ventricular fibrillation was induced, and defibrillation shocks were applied from 11 ICD configurations to determine defibrillation thresholds (DFTs). Two configurations with epicardial leads resulted in the lowest DFTs overall and were thus considered optimal. Three configurations shared the lowest DFT among subcutaneous lead ICDs. The Φe gradient criterion was an inadequate predictor of defibrillation success, as defibrillation failed in numerous instances even when 100% of the myocardium experienced such gradients. In conclusion, we have developed a new image processing pipeline and applied it to a CHD patient to construct the first active heart–torso model from clinical MRIs.
Estimation of Average Rainfall Areal Reduction Factors in Texas Using NEXRAD Data

Precipitation areal reduction factors ARFs for the 685,000 km 2 of Texas were calculated using next generation radar NEXRAD rainfall estimates. The study was based on 18,531 storms of different durations that took place in different seasons and regions of Texas. The storms were assumed of elliptical shape. It was found that, in addition to the storm duration and area, other factors such as the season, region, and precipitation depth i.e., storm total rainfall accumulation for the given duration have a statistically significant effect on the ARFs. Elongated ellipses and orientation angles somewhat parallel to the Texas gulf coast were found more frequent in winter, when warm and cold fronts produce frontal storms, than in summer. The effect of the precipitation depth on the ARFs was found to be stronger in summer than in winter. Even though part of the ARF variability could be explained by seasonality, regionality, and precipitation depth, the uniqueness of each storm event appears to be an important cause of this variability. Lower ARF values were observed compared to previous studies.
Federal Policies and Local Realities: The Case of Appalachian Senior Programs.

ABSTRACT National senior service programs have had a long and relatively successful history. Emerging at the intersection of federal aging and poverty policy initiatives in the early 1960s, projects such as the Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) and the Senior Companion Program (SCP) have expanded in size and scope over the last several decades. These two programs were first introduced into northwestern North Carolina in the 1980s. While the experiences of FGP and SCP in the region have broadly mirrored the successes of programs located elsewhere, they have also confronted difficulties unique to their local realities that federal policy guidelines are often not sensitive to.