cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A High Performance Computing Platform for Performing High-Volume Studies with Windows-based Power Grid Tools

Abstract Serial Windows-based programs are widely used in power utilities. For applications that require high-volume simulations, the sequential runtime can be in the order of days or weeks. The lengthy runtime, along with the availability of low-cost hardware, is leading utilities to seriously consider high performance computing (HPC) techniques. However, the majority of the HPC computers are Linux-based, and many HPC applications have been custom developed without considering existing simulation tools and ease of use. This has created a technical gap for applying HPC-based tools to today's power grid studies using Windows-based tools. To fill this gap and accelerate the acceptance and adoption of HPC for power grid applications, this paper presents a prototype of a generic HPC platform for running Windows-based power grid tools on the Linux-based HPC environment. The preliminary results show that the runtime can be significantly reduced from weeks to hours to improve work efficiency.
Comparison of Classification-Based Physical Therapy With Therapy Based on Clinical Practice Guidelines for Patients with Acute Low Back Pain : A Randomized Clinical Trial

Study design A randomized clinical trial was conducted. Objective To compare the effectiveness of classification-based physical therapy with that of therapy based on clinical practice guidelines for patients with acute, work-related low back pain. Summary of background data Clinical practice guidelines recommend minimal intervention during the first few weeks after acute low back injury. However, studies supporting this recommendation have not attempted to identify which patients are likely to respond to particular interventions. Methods For this study, 78 subjects with work-related low back pain of less than 3 weeks duration were randomized to receive therapy based on a classification system that attempts to match patients to specific interventions or therapy based on the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research guidelines. The subjects were followed for 1 year. Outcomes included the impairment index, Oswestry scale, SF-36 component scores, satisfaction, medical costs, and return to work status. Results After adjustment for baseline factors, subjects receiving classification-based therapy showed greater change on the Oswestry (P = 0.023) and the SF-36 physical component (P = 0.029) after 4 weeks. Patient satisfaction was greater (P = 0.006) and return to full-duty work status more likely (P = 0.017) after 4 weeks in the classification-based group. After 1 year, there was a trend toward reduced Oswestry scores in the classification-based group (P = 0.063). Median total medical costs for 1 year after injury were 1003.68 dollars for the guideline-based group and 774.00 dollars for the classification-based group (P = 0.13). Conclusions For patients with acute, work-related low back pain, the use of a classification-based approach resulted in improved disability and return to work status after 4 weeks, as compared with therapy based on clinical practice guidelines. Further research is needed on the optimal timing and methods of intervention for patients with acute low back pain.
Availability and uptake of inorganic nitrogen in a mixed old-growth coniferous forest

Old-growth forest stands of mixed species composition provide the opportunity to study species-specific influences on soil properties. We monitored rates of nitrogen mineralization, nitrification and an index of ammonium and nitrate uptake in a mixed old-growth stand of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) and western redcedar (Thuja plicata) over a two-year period. Litter and mineral soil (0–10-cm depth) were sampled adjacent to ten large trees of each species. After initial characterization of litter and soil, buried bags were incubated in both layers for ca. 2-month intervals. Soil and litter pH was lowest near western hemlocks. Nitrification, nitrate concentrations, and percent uptake as nitrate differed among the tree species; rates were highest near western redcedars. For all species, percent nitrification and nitrate uptake rate were higher in soil than in litter. The results indicate species-specific effects on ammonium and nitrate production and uptake within this forest type.
Volatility linkage among currency futures markets during US trading and non-trading periods

Abstract This paper examines the volatility transmission across different currency markets during trading and non-trading periods. Using vector autoregressive analysis (VAR), we find similar patterns between information flows during trading and non-trading hours of the US currency futures exchange. The results indicate that trading-hour information and non-trading-hour information have similar effects on currency prices and that the markets do not differentiate information based upon the timing of its release. Our study observes that currencies exhibit different levels of global linkage and appear to play different informational roles in the currency market. Additionally, this study observes a trend toward increased integration among the currency futures markets.
The Logical Principles of a New Kind of Binary Counter

In a shifting register or binary counter, there is a real logical requirement for a short term or temporary storage facility. In the counter, this occurs during the interval in which the actual count process is occurring. A positive memory counter is described in which this auxiliary storage is provided by elements which have the same time-indefinite storage property as the principal storage elements of the counter. This leads to a device which has two ranks of storage elements: the "true" and the "false" rank. The behavior of the single-stage and multiple-stage counter of this kind is derived, and the rules of formation for all numbers appearing in the true and in the false ranks are derived. The basic device is then generalized to one with four modes of operation, and the behavior and rules of number formation are discussed. Example of the application of the extended counter to a computing machine is given.
Vapor phase excitation transfer from pyrene to perylene

Abstract Excitation transfer from optically pumped pyrene to perylene has been investigated to determine its applicability to dye vapor lasers. A quenching distance of 9 ± 1 A and a quantum yield of transfer of 30–40% have been measured and an overall energy conversion efficiency of 20% has been obtained.
Contribution of surface histidyl residues in the alpha-chain to the Bohr effect of human normal adult hemoglobin: roles of global electrostatic effects.

We have applied site-directed mutagenesis to our Escherichia coli hemoglobin expression plasmid and constructed five recombinant mutant hemoglobins (r Hbs): r Hb(α20His→Gln or α:H20Q); r Hb(α:H50Q); r Hb(α:H72Q); r Hb(α:H89Q); and r Hb(α:H112Q). We have constructed these r Hbs to help us assess the contribution of the surface histidyl residues in the α-chain to the alkaline Bohr effect of human normal adult hemoglobin (Hb A). In our laboratory, we have monitored the variation of proton nuclear magnetic resonances arising from the C2 protons of the histidyl residues of Hb A as a function of pH and buffer conditions. Several of these resonances have been assigned to the individual histidyl residues on the surface of the hemoglobin molecule using naturally occurring mutant hemoglobins and chemically modified hemoglobins. In the present work, we have identified the C2 proton resonances of five surface histidyl residues of the α-chain, α20, α50, α72, α89, and α112, in both the carbonmonoxy and deoxy forms, by...
Profiles of uterine protein in flushings and progesterone in plasma of normal and repeat-breeding dairy cattle.

Uterine secretions were collected nonsurgically from 15 normal and 9 repeat-breeder Holstein and Jersey cows on d 0 and 5, 10, or 15 of an estrous cycle. Uterine flushings presented 19 protein bands in one-dimensional PAGE, but only 16 bands were found in gels of plasma samples of normal and repeat-breeder cows. Red blood cell contamination of uterine flushings ranged from 50,400 to 4,940,000 cells/ml of flush recovered for visibly clear samples to over 17 x 10(6) cells/ml in obviously red samples. A prealbumin (electrophoretic mobility relative to albumin; Ra 1.28) and a pretransferrin (Ra .72) were found in uterine flushings. A possible uterine protein (Ra .35) was probably a hemoglobin-like contaminant. Data suggest that differences in peripheral plasma progesterone concentrations during the estrous cycle in repeat-breeder cattle may provide the basis for altered synthesis or secretion of uterine proteins needed for development by early embryos.
Some observations of water vapor fluctuations in a stable atmosphere over a lake surface

The crain microwave refractometer and a bead thermistor have been used to measure 2 to 30-second period fluctuations in water vapor in a stable atmosphere over a lake surface. It appears that such fluctuations can be related to air flow over water waves and that they permit an estimate of a mixing length for water vapor.
Coming of Age: Law and Society Enters an Exclusive Club

▪ Abstract Law and society, though not a field in itself, is the object of a growing movement that studies legal systems using tools of social science. Founded by sociologists, the movement now includes representatives of all the social sciences. It has developed strong organizations in the United States and in a number of other countries. Its adherents share a number of basic assumptions; they reject extreme ideas of legal autonomy and stress instead the dependence of law on its social context. Key components of the legal order, and thus key objects of study, are substance, procedures, structures, and legal culture. Scholars focus on the actual forces that produce law and on the impact of legal interventions. Sanctions, the peer group, and the internal moral sense are among the factors that determine actual impact. Much has been accomplished in the field, although much remains to be done, and translating findings into policy is often quite problematic.
STORAGE PROPERTIES OF PRIMAL CUTS OF HOT- AND COLD-BONED BEEF

One side from each of 10 carcasses was selected for electrical stimulation and hot-boning within 1 h postmortem while the opposite side was chilled for 48 h at 2 to 3 C before boning. Ten boneless primal cuts were removed from the hot- and cold-boned sides. Each cut was evaluated for lean color, fat color and shape. Hot- and cold-boned primal cuts were vacuumized and stored for 20 days at 2 to 3 C. After the storage period, all cuts were again evaluated for lean and fat color and shape. Weight loss during storage was calculated for each cut. After 20 days of storage, hot- and cold-boned cuts did not differ significantly in lean color; hot-boned cuts had fat that was significantly whiter than that of cold-boned cuts; cold-boned cuts were more nearly normal in shape than were hot-boned cuts; and hot-boned cuts retained their vacuum longer and lost considerably less weight during storage than cold-boned cuts.
Petitions and the Petition of Right

Proceedings of parliament, said Sir Edward Coke in 1624, are of four sorts: by bill, judicature, petition of grace and petition of right. The purpose of this paper is to explore certain aspects of procedure by petition in the reigns of James I and Charles I and to consider the Petition of Right of 1628 in relation to other petitions which preceded it.The substance of the Petition of Right is well known. It stated that contrary to the laws of the realm, men had been required under duress to grant loans and pay other charges to the crown which had not been voted by parliament. They had been imprisoned without cause shown, tried by martial law in time of peace, and forced to receive into their homes soldiers and mariners billeted upon them. The Petition asked that these practices, which contravened the rights and liberties of the kingdom, should cease.The form of the Petition, together with its answer, is less well understood than its substance and is often considered unique. It has sometimes been regarded as a declaratory act, sometimes compared to a private bill, or to the petition, also called a petition of right, by which an individual initiated action against the crown. To discover what the Petition meant to men of the seventeenth century, it may be useful first to look at the events that surrounded Charles' several answers to it, and then to examine the petition as a normal form of procedure, of which the Petition of Right was a dramatic example.
Defining impact of a rapid response team: qualitative study with nurses, physicians and hospital administrators.

Objective: The objective of this study was to qualitatively describe the impact of a Rapid Response Team (RRT) at a 944-bed, university-affiliated hospital. Methods: We analysed 49 open-ended interviews with administrators, primary team attending physicians, trainees, RRT attending hospitalists, staff nurses, nurses and respiratory technicians. Results: Themes elicited were categorised into the domains of (1) morale and teamwork, (2) education, (3) workload, (4) patient care, and (5) hospital administration. Positive implications beyond improved care for acutely ill patients were: increased morale and empowerment among nurses, real-time redistribution of workload for nurses (reducing neglect of nonacutely ill patients during emergencies), and immediate access to expert help. Negative implications were: increased tensions between nurses and physician teams, a burden on hospitalist RRT members, and reduced autonomy for trainees. Conclusions: The RRT provides advantages that extend well beyond a reduction in rates of transfers to intensive care units or codes but are balanced by certain disadvantages. The potential impact from these multiple sources should be evaluated to understand the utility of any RRT programme.
Achieving usable and privacy-assured similarity search over outsourced cloud data

As the data produced by individuals and enterprises that need to be stored and utilized are rapidly increasing, data owners are motivated to outsource their local complex data management systems into the cloud for its great flexibility and economic savings. However, as sensitive cloud data may have to be encrypted before outsourcing, which obsoletes the traditional data utilization service based on plaintext keyword search, how to enable privacy-assured utilization mechanisms for outsourced cloud data is thus of paramount importance. Considering the large number of on-demand data users and huge amount of outsourced data files in cloud, the problem is particularly challenging, as it is extremely difficult to meet also the practical requirements of performance, system usability, and high-level user searching experiences. In this paper, we investigate the problem of secure and efficient similarity search over outsourced cloud data. Similarity search is a fundamental and powerful tool widely used in plaintext information retrieval, but has not been quite explored in the encrypted data domain. Our mechanism design first exploits a suppressing technique to build storage-efficient similarity keyword set from a given document collection, with edit distance as the similarity metric. Based on that, we then build a private trie-traverse searching index, and show it correctly achieves the defined similarity search functionality with constant search time complexity. We formally prove the privacy-preserving guarantee of the proposed mechanism under rigorous security treatment. To demonstrate the generality of our mechanism and further enrich the application spectrum, we also show our new construction naturally supports fuzzy search, a previously studied notion aiming only to tolerate typos and representation inconsistencies in the user searching input. The extensive experiments on Amazon cloud platform with real data set further demonstrate the validity and practicality of the proposed mechanism.
Role of complement in xenotransplantation.

SUMMARY 1. Xenotransplantation, or transplantation across species, leads to rejection, which destroys the xenograft within hours to days of transplantation. 2. Complement is a major barrier to xenotransplantation of vascularized organs and is believed to play an important role in the rejection process. 3. The present paper reviews three aspects of complement in xenotransplantation. These include the mechanisms and regulation of complement activation as well as tissue injury mediated by complement activation.
Comparison of three forms of teaching – a prospective randomized pilot trial for the enhancement of adherence

To cite this article: Int J Dent Hygiene 10, 2012; 277–283 DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-5037.2011.00543.x Reinhardt CH, Noack MJ, Wassmer G, Dumit J, Rolfs A, Klein K. Comparison of three forms of teaching – a prospective randomized pilot trial for the enhancement of adherence. Abstract: Objective: Adherence of young adults to preventive programmes is low. The following study compares three different educational concepts to increase toothbrushing adherence in young adults. Methods: Nine vocational school classes (157 young adults) were randomly assigned to three different 60-min approaches: (I) Education by a dentist, (II) Peer-teaching and (III) ‘Adherence triangle concept’ uniting dentists, teachers and participants as equal partners in intervention planning combined with peer teaching. Follow-up was 1 week for approaches I and II, and 1 week, 3 and 9 months for approach III. Adherence was defined as reported change from the childhood toothbrushing technique to adult technique. Adherence was evaluated using anonymous questionnaires and by diary analysis. Results: After instruction, 90% of participants (approaches I–III) showed the desired behaviour in practice and theory. Reported adherence after 1 week with approach I was 28.5%, with approach II 39% and with approach III 95%. Prolonged follow-up of approach III yielded 76% after 3 months and 68% after 9 months. Adherence using approach III was significantly higher (P ≤ 0.001) than using approach I and II after 1 week. Adherence rates with approach III after 9 months were still higher than those of approaches I and II after 1 week. Conclusions: The ‘adherence triangle’ concept enhanced reported adherence significantly in comparison with previous studies and the one-dimensional concepts of approaches I and II. The tools of the adherence triangle concept seem worthwhile to be considered when planning new preventive action.
Theoretical studies of surface reactions on metals

This article described a theoretical approach for treating chemisorption and surface reactions on metals. Electronic structures are described by an ab initio embedding formalism that permits an accurate determination of reaction energetics and adsorbate structure. Chemisorption energies, adsorbate structures, and the reaction of coadsorbed species are reported for methane thiolate on Ni(111) to illustrate the method. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
On Temperature Relaxation in Metals

The method of Corbino for measuring the specific heat of metallic filaments is extended to the case where the sample undergoes internal transformations. The resistance oscillations of the ac heated filament are described in terms of a frequency dependent heat capacity and temperature coefficient of resistivity. The theory is applied to vacancy relaxation in metals where the method yields an equilibrium determination of vacancy concentrations and lifetimes. The experimental results of Kraftmakher on the high temperature heat capacity of metals are reinterpreted in light of the present theory.
Microorganisms as food resources at deep-sea hydrothermal vents

We used stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen to examine the diversity of microbial populations consumed as foods at deep-sea hydrothermal vents. Invertebrate consumers at Gorda and Juan de Fuca Ridge vent sites had variable carbon isotope compositions, implying the use of more than one microbial food resource. 6’C values for consumer invertebrates at Gorda ranged between - 13.2% (polynoid polychaete) and -43.7% (limpet); within Gorda microhabitats, fi13C compositions of invertebrate species were also not uniform, differing by as much as 8-19%. At the Juan de Fuca site, 6’C values showed a wide range (- 14.6 to - 33.9%) for nine invertebrate species collected from a dense community colonizing the surface of a sulfide flange. Carbon isotope differences between tubeworm symbioses and consumer invcrtebratcs within microhabitats suggest that these symbioses may play a minor role as nutritional resources in vent food webs. Nitrogen isotope compositions of consumer spccics from vents were consistently depicted in 15N relative to animals collected away from vents. 615N compositions of some vent individuals are among the lowest measured in any organism (< - 10%) and likely reflect relatively abundant supplies of inorganic nitrogen compounds used by microbial populations at vents.
Phytoplankton communities and stoichiometry are interactively affected by light, nutrients, and fish

We examined the separate and interactive effects of light, nutrients, and zooplanktivorous fish on phytoplankton nutrient stoichiometry, taxonomic richness, community composition, and the associations among these variables. We manipulated light supply, nutrient supply, and zooplanktivorous fish (presence or absence), in a factorial design using mesocosms containing regional phytoplankton and zooplankton assemblages. C:N and C:P were highest under high nutrients and high light. We observed interactive effects on the relative abundance of major phytoplankton taxa. Chlorophytes were most abundant in the majority of the treatments, although cyanobacteria dominated under high light, low nutrients, and with fish present. Cryptomonads were rare in all but the low-light, high-nutrient treatment. Relative abundance of diatoms was negatively affected by light, but only in the presence of fish. Chlorophyte relative abundance (% chlorophytes) was positively correlated with seston C:P, while relative abundances of diatoms and cryptomonads were negatively correlated with C:P. Phytoplankton taxon richness was positively associated with both % chlorophytes and seston C:P, and the number of chlorophyte taxa increased disproportionately with total taxon richness. Assemblage-level stoichiometric responses may be driven not only by direct responses to resource supply ratios, but also by algal community response. In particular, factors that increase taxonomic richness and both the richness and biomass of chlorophytes also result in increased seston C:P. Our results suggest strong feedbacks between phytoplankton community composition and stoichiometry, induced by interactive effects of light, nutrients, and predators.
Targeting Src Homology 2 Domain-Containing Tyrosine Phosphatase (SHP-1) into Lipid Rafts Inhibits CD3-Induced T Cell Activation

To study the mechanism by which protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) regulate CD3-induced tyrosine phosphorylation, we investigated the distribution of PTPs in subdomains of plasma membrane. We report here that the bulk PTP activity associated with T cell membrane is present outside the lipid rafts, as determined by sucrose density gradient sedimentation. In Jurkat T cells, ∼5–10% of Src homology 2 domain-containing tyrosine phosphatase (SHP-1) is constitutively associated with plasma membrane, and nearly 50% of SHP-2 is translocated to plasma membrane after vanadate treatment. Similar to transmembrane PTP, CD45, the membrane-associated populations of SHP-1 and SHP-2 are essentially excluded from lipid rafts, where other signaling molecules such as Lck, linker for activation of T cells, and CD3ζ are enriched. We further demonstrated that CD3-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of these substrates is largely restricted to lipid rafts, unless PTPs are inhibited. It suggests that a restricted partition of PTPs among membrane subdomains may regulate protein tyrosine phosphorylation in T cell membrane. To test this hypothesis, we targeted SHP-1 into lipid rafts by using the N-terminal region of Lck (residues 1–14). The results indicate that the expression of Lck/SHP-1 chimera inside lipid rafts profoundly inhibits CD3-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of CD3ζ/e, IL-2 generation, and nuclear mobilization of NF-AT. Collectively, these results suggest that the exclusion of PTPs from lipid rafts may be a mechanism that potentiates TCR/CD3 activation.
On Thinking about Future World Order

Three types of thought approach the question of future world order: the naturalrational, positivist-evolutionary, and historicist-dialectical. The normative criterion in the natural-rational approach has, in recent times, most commonly been bound up with the view that liberal pluralism in polities is the condition for a just world order. This view has, however, succumbed both under the critique of positivist-evolutionary political science which argues that authoritarianism is characteristic of early stages of political development, and to the manipulation of “pluralism” in poor countries by powerful external forces (investment, trade union, and intelligence). The positivist-evolutionary approach has two main currents. One is functionalism, of which the transnational and transgovernmental relations versions are currently fashionable. The other is the notion of a global ecological system. Both versions take existing structures of power and social relations as implicit givens from which future trends are extrapolated; they provide no basis for considering the possibility of changes in these structures. The historicist-dialectical approach offers the possibility of understanding change in these basic structures of power and social relations by searching out points of emerging conflict and the alternative conceptions of order which the forces in conflict express.
A microbial detection array (MDA) for viral and bacterial detection

Identifying the bacteria and viruses present in a complex sample is useful in disease diagnostics, product safety, environmental characterization, and research. Array-based methods have proven utility to detect in a single assay at a reasonable cost any microbe from the thousands that have been sequenced. We designed a pan-Microbial Detection Array (MDA) to detect all known viruses (including phages), bacteria and plasmids and developed a novel statistical analysis method to identify mixtures of organisms from complex samples hybridized to the array. The array has broader coverage of bacterial and viral targets and is based on more recent sequence data and more probes per target than other microbial detection/discovery arrays in the literature. Family-specific probes were selected for all sequenced viral and bacterial complete genomes, segments, and plasmids. Probes were designed to tolerate some sequence variation to enable detection of divergent species with homology to sequenced organisms, and to have no significant matches to the human genome sequence. In blinded testing on spiked samples with single or multiple viruses, the MDA was able to correctly identify species or strains. In clinical fecal, serum, and respiratory samples, the MDA was able to detect and characterize multiple viruses, phage, and bacteria in a sample to the family and species level, as confirmed by PCR. The MDA can be used to identify the suite of viruses and bacteria present in complex samples.
On the properties of torsions in Riemann-Cartan space-times.

This paper is the first paper in a series of three papers dealing with the physical properties of torsions in Riemann-Cartan space-times (U4). Paper I deals with the particular types of torsion that can be associated with theU4 reinterpretation of a special class of null electromagnetic solutions of the standard form of Einstein's equations. In particular, for plane null electromagnetic solutions, three types of torsion solutions are associated with this type of reinterpretation. Two of these solutions, the trivector and semi-symmetric torsions, although rather special, serve as examples of what could be done to find the associated torsions in terms of simple requirements on identities inU4. The third class is obtained by relating the contorsion to the Lanczos «spin» tensor. Paper II, dealing with gravitational radiation, provides the proper background relating to the physical significance of the Lanczos tensor. This series of papers is primarily concerned with the question of the possible physical role of all types of torsion, compatible with an extension or anU4 reinterpretation of Einstein's theory, consistent with the broadest possible interpretation of the present form of the Einstein-Cartan-Sciama-Kibble theory. However, in paper III some consideration will be given on theories with simpler metrical generalizations ofU4 and the related types of torsion. We emphasize that the content of papers I and II should be viewed mainly as special formal results that introduce the more general considerations of paper III.
5-aza-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-dC) restores interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) expression and IFN-induced anti-proliferative effects in melanoma cells

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 12-16, 2008; San Diego, CA 2624 Anti-tumor effects of IFNs are mediated by a set of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs). Suppression of expression of ISGs or IFN-pathway products may underlie resistance to IFNs. We have previously identified aberrant methylation of RASSF1A, XAF1, and TRAIL-R1 as blunting apoptosis induction by IFNs (Borden E, Cytokine Growth Factor Revs 18:491, 2007). To identify other ISGs which might be methylation silenced, real-time RT-PCR was undertaken to assess relative expression levels of selected ISGs. Ten melanoma cell lines A375, SKMEL-1, SKMEL-3, SKMEL-28, WM164, WM3211, C32TG, FEMX, MEWO and LUC451 were treated with 0.2 µM of 5-Aza-dC daily for 4 days, total RNA isolated, and relative gene expression quantified compared to untreated control. ISGs augmented >6x in two or more cell lines were IRF5, IRF7, IRF8, fas, fasL, MyD88, BST2, and IFIT2. Particularly marked (>12x) were increases in the potential tumor suppressor BST2 in 6/10 and fasL in 3/6 cell lines. In contrast, the ISGs IRF1, HLA-A, and IFITM1 were not increased in any of the melanoma cell lines. MAGEA1, whose T cell recognition could be enhanced by IFNs, was confirmed as increased >20x in 6/10 cell lines. These studies provide a basis for assessment of reversal of DNA methylation by quantitative RT-PCR and expanded association of induction of apoptosis with other ISGs. The data also further support reversal of methylation as an approach to enhance clinical effects of IFN-α2 in melanoma.
FACE-IT: a science gateway for food security research

Understanding the potential impacts of climate change and the likely effectiveness of adaptation strategies is of crucial importance to the sustainability of both agriculture and natural ecosystems. Improvements in data availability and simulation model fidelity promises to enable significant improvements in knowledge. However, progress is hindered by the challenges inherent in creating and managing increasingly complex data acquisition, processing, simulation, post-processing, and intercomparison pipelines. To address these challenges, we are developing the Framework to Advance Climate, Economic, and Impact Investigations with Information Technology (FACE-IT) for crop and climate impact assessments. This integrated geospatial data processing, delivery, and simulation framework enables data ingest from diverse geospatial data archives; data regridding, aggregation, and other relevant processing required prior to simulation; large-scale climate impact simulation using a range of applications, including different agricultural models, and leveraging high-performance and cloud computing; and post-processing to produce aggregated yields and other output variables needed to enable model intercomparison and to connect biophysical model outputs to global and regional economic models and assessments. It leverages the capabilities of the Globus Galaxies platform to enable the capture of both workflows and simulation outputs in well-defined, reusable, and easily comparable forms. We describe FACE-IT and its application to studies within the Agricultural Model Intercomparison and Improvement Project.
Electrically tunable color for full-color reflective displays

Conventional reflective displays based on either color filter/polarizer or stacked color layers suffer from their marginal performance in terms of brightness, color, and cost. In this paper, we will present new full-color reflective display architecture: Electrically Tunable Color (ETC). In this display architecture, both color generation and its change are through the coupling of a cholesteric liquid crystal in its planar state and an in-plane electric field. Unlike the conventional cholesteric liquid crystal display, in which one liquid crystal layer only reflects one preset color, in ETC the in-plane field that is predominantly normal to the helix unwinds the helix to result a color shift from its initial color. We have fabricated such devices in our laboratory and demonstrated large color change covering all three primary colors with a single ETC pixel. Another advantage of ETC is its faster time response. Time response data will be presented and compared with model. Switching voltages depend much on cell parameters, in particular on the electrode configuration. Measured switch voltage vs. these parameters will be shown and challenging issue in voltage reduction will be discussed. Finally, we will propose full-color display architectures based on ETC and analyze their cost/performance.
Large Data Clustering Using Quadratic Programming: A Comprehensive Quantitative Analysis

We address the space complexity challenge in largegraph clustering using quadratic programming, and present acomprehensive technical analysis and alternative solution based on game theoretic concepts. We develop an approximate solution to the problem of clustering graphs with a large number of vertices in order to overcome the space complexity issues. Particularly, the edge weights between every pair of vertices are required which proves practically intractable for large data sets. Our scalable method divides a graph into disjoint tractable size subgraphs, where their clusters are enumerated based on a novel solution space search. Then, the clusters obtained in each subgraph are grouped using a low resolution ensemble clustering method. The exact maxima of the quadratic programming problem on the entire graph is approximated by the maxima of the subsets of the graph. Finally, vertices are assigned to the final clusters using a linear game theoretic relation. We also propose the question "How can a cluster of a subset of a dataset be a cluster of the entire dataset?". We show that, in the quadratic programming framework, this problem is coNP-hard. Hence, we modify the definition of a cluster from a stable concept to a non-stable but optimal one (Nash equilibrium) that makes it computationally practical to find clusters in graphs with large numbers of vertices. On the Berkeley Segmentation Dataset, the proposed method achieves results comparable to the state of the art, providing a parallel framework for image segmentation.
Endometrial enzyme histochemistry in oral contraceptive therapy.

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of endometrial tissue secretion and of the luminal border of the glandular epithelium in 40 women using no contraception was greatest during the secretory phase of the cycle indicating that ALP facilitates secretion across the cell membrane. Among 36 women following a combined estrogen-progesterone contraceptive regime luminal border and secretion ALP activity was greatest in the early cycle while ALP activity of the glandular epithelium base was negative throughout the cycle. Among 93 women receiving sequential therapy ALP activity in the three tissue components rose with addition of progesterone. Acid phosphatase (ACP) activity of the glandular epithelium base and luminal border was slight during endogenous and exogenous estrogen phases and rose after endogenous or exogenous progesterone stimulation or during the exhaustion phase of combined therapy. ACP may be related to cellular regressive phenomena. Activity of beta glucuronidase (BGC) which perhaps catalyzes the synthesis or hydrolysis of conjugated glucuronides a site of estrogen action was absent during combined therapy present during estrogen administration on the sequential regime and present in the proliferative phases of untreated women. The activities of succinic dehydrogenase involved in the Krebs cycle and lactic dehydrogenase a DPN-linked enzyme in the glycolytic system appeared inconstant and at low levels in treated women. Women on sequential therapy had lower SDH activity than expected from histological examination. Two patterns of enzyme behavior arose after daily chlormadinome therapy in 45 women: changes to those observed with combined therapy suggesting non-ovulation and patterns like those in untreated women suggesting ovulation. Enzyme activity apparently reflected total cellular function rather than specific estrogen or progesterone stimulation.
Communicating Scientific Evidence in Qualified Health Claims.

Qualified health claims (QHCs) are found on food and dietary supplement labels and aim to communicate the quality and strength of scientific evidence for a diet-disease relationship. Since the evidence varies for diet-disease relationships, the language to describe the evidence also varies. However, research indicates that consumers misinterpret QHCs as a whole product evaluation. The FDA is reviewing the evidence ranking system for QHCs and the current study aims to inform future consumer research. A content analysis examined the language used to convey scientific evidence in 53 QHCs and organized them into an intrinsic scale of evidence. Results revealed 36 formats to present the evidence in 53 QHCs. Seventy-seven percent (n = 41) demonstrate a reading level above 9th grade. Most claims describe the quality of evidence (n = 51, 96%) ("very weak") and/or reference its consistency (n = 41, 77%), while a quarter (n = 13) also quantify the evidence ("two studies"). Twenty-five claims (47%) present the evidence before stating the diet-disease relationship. There is an absence of a systematic description of evidence among QHCs that may contribute to the misleading, albeit unintentional, nature of these claims. Policymakers might consider reforming QHC regulations so that a hierarchy of evidence for diet-disease relationships is clearly communicated to consumers.
Assessment strategies and fighting patterns in animal contests: a role for serotonin?

Accurate assessment of the probability of success in an aggressive confrontation with a conspecific is critical to the survival and fitness of the individuals. Various game theory models have examined these assessment strategies under the assumption that contests should favor the animal with the greater resource-holding potential (RHP), body size typically being the proxy. Mutual assessment asserts that an individual can assess their own RHP relative to their opponent, allowing the inferior animal the chance to flee before incurring unnecessary costs. The model of self-determined persistence, however, assumes that an individual will fight to a set personal threshold, independent of their opponent’s RHP. Both models have been repeatedly tested using size as a proxy for RHP, with neither receiving unambiguous support. Here we present both morphological and neurophysiological data from size-matched and mismatched stalk-eyed fly fights. We discovered differing fighting strategies between winners and losers. Winners readily escalated encounters to higher intensity and physical contact and engaged in less low-intensity, posturing behaviors compared with losers. Although these fighting strategies were largely independent of size, they were associated with elevated levels of 5-HT. Understanding the neurophysiological factors responsible for mediating the motivational state of opponents could help resolve the inconsistencies seen in current game theory models. Therefore, we contend that current studies using only size as a proxy for RHP may be inadequate in determining the intricacies of fighting ability and that future studies investigating assessment strategies and contest outcome should include neurophysiological data.
Disposable electronic cigarettes and electronic hookahs: evaluation of performance.

© The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. All rights reserved. Introduction: The purpose of this study was to characterize the performance of disposable buttonactivated and disposable airflow-activated electronic cigarettes (EC) and electronic hookahs (EH). Methods: The airflow rate required to produce aerosol, pressure drop, and the aerosol absorbance at 420 nm were measured during smoke-outs of 9 disposable products. Three units of each product were tested in these experiments. Results: The airflow rates required to produce aerosol and the aerosol absorbances were lower for button-activated models (3 mL/s; 0.41-0.55 absorbance) than for airflow-activated models (7-17 mL/s; 0.48-0.84 absorbance). Pressure drop was also lower across button-activated products (range = 6-12 mm H 2 O) than airflow-activated products (range = 15-67 mm H 2 O). For 25 of 27 units tested, airflow did not have to be increased during smoke-out to maintain aerosol production, unlike earlier generation models. Two brands had uniform performance characteristics for all parameters, while 3 had at least 1 product that did not function normally. While button-activated models lasted 200 puffs or less and EH airflow-activated models often lasted 400 puffs, none of the models produced as many puffs as advertised. Puff number was limited by battery life, which was shorter in button-activated models. Conclusion: The performance of disposable products was differentiated mainly by the way the aerosol was produced (button vs airflow-activated) rather than by product type (EC vs EH). Users needed to take harder drags on airflow-activated models. Performance varied within models, and battery life limited the number of puffs. Data suggest quality control in manufacturing varies among brands.
The Reasons for Long-term Continuance of China's Feudal Society from the Aspect of System

System is the rules,charters or even some moral concepts to restrain individual's behavior when he/she pursues the maximal economic interest.North's unique analysis of the economic growth of western countries and human social development has shed some light on the research into the prolonged Feudalism and backward economy in modern China.The main reasons for the low efficiency of China's economy are the lack of system or innovation.
Reconstruction of the breast.

The results of breast reconstruction continue to improve. Careful patient selection and close cooperation with the surgical oncologist at the time of immediate reconstruction have reduced morbidity and have improved aesthetic results. The use of the transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap continues to increase because of concerns about breast implants.
Dubins paths through a sequence of points: Lower and upper bounds

This article addresses an important path planning problem for robots and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) which aims to find a shortest path of bounded curvature passing through a given sequence of target points on a ground plane. Currently, there is no algorithm that can compute an optimal solution to this problem. Therefore, tight lower bounds are vital in determining the quality of any feasible solution to this problem. Novel tight lower bounding algorithms are presented in this article by relaxing some of the heading angle constraints at the target points. The proposed approach requires us to solve variants of an optimization problem called the Dubins interval problem between two points where the heading angles at the points are constrained to be within a specified interval. These variants can be solved using tools from optimal control theory. Specifically, two lower bounding algorithms are presented in this article using this approach and these bounds are then compared with the existing results in the literature. Computational results are also presented to corroborate the performance of the proposed algorithms.
The cult phenomenon and the psychotherapeutic response.

La «deprogrammation» des ex-adherents aux sectes (Scientologie, secte de Moon, etc.). Considerations sur l'anti-cultisme: ses limites et ses faiblesses
Shelley’s Conflicted Campaign for Catholic Emancipation

While Wordsworth turned to Britain’s past as a recoverable resource, Shelley, in his 1821 ‘Defence of Poetry’, amalgamates history with all that is regressive: the corporeal, the local, the specific and the traditional. The rejection of the past, however, presents a problem for this radical proponent of Catholic Emancipation, which itself promised to recall the banished historical ‘papist’ back into modern civil society – a seemingly regressive goal. Unlike Wordsworth or Inchbald, Shelley launches a stadial historical framework to describe the interdependent development of poetry and civilization. He does not answer Thomas Love Peacock’s argument for the historical obsolescence of poetry in ‘The Four Ages of Poetry’ by heralding the contemporary return of a primitive poetic genius, as does Blake. Instead, he recounts the countercultural emergence of the poetic capacity in the classical age, the so-called Dark Ages of the ‘Christian and Chivalric systems’ and the Reformation. The poet in each stage of this progressive history leaps forward beyond the confines of his contemporary setting. This is particularly pronounced in Dante’s relationship to Catholicism and Milton’s to Christianity. Thus, Shelley describes each generation of poets as a ‘new birth’ of the type that has occurred within the ‘literature of England’ (‘Defence of Poetry’ 535). Poets are deemed to belong to ‘all time’, to respond to an ‘indestructible order’ that is outside of history and to participate within the ‘great poem’ that transcends all cultures (516, 512, 522). Those caught up in historical wounds or associated with the particularities of their age will remain trapped in their own stage of history. They will suffer the relegation Peacock describes, while poets like Shelley become productive and fertile – to them belongs the future.
Hormones and Pregnancy in Eutherian Mammals

Publisher Summary The chapter discusses the endocrinology of recurring estrous/menstrual cycles and pregnancy in primates, ruminants, swine, horses, cats, dogs, and rodents with an emphasis on hormonal signaling for maternal recognition of pregnancy and the endocrinology of pregnancy. The establishment and maintenance of pregnancy require that eutherian mammals maintain a functional corpus luteum (CL) for the production of progesterone (P4), the hormone of pregnancy. This is accomplished by species-specific mechanisms as pregnancy recognition signals, including chorionic gonadotropin in primates, estrogens in pigs, lactogenic hormones in rodents, and interferon tau in ruminants. Uterine receptivity to implantation is P4-dependent; however, a prerequisite for implantation in all species studied is loss of expression of receptors for P4 and estrogens by uterine epithelia. Thus, P4 acts via P4 receptor (PR)-positive uterine stromal cells that express one or more progestamedins—e.g., fibroblast growth factors-7 and -10 and/or hepatocyte growth factors—that act via their respective receptors on uterine epithelia and trophectoderm to regulate expression of genes in concert with other hormones such as estrogens, chorionic gonadotropin, interferons, and lactogenic hormones.