cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clustering DNA sequences by selforganizing map and similarity functions

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms and some viruses. Our proposed approach for DNA clustering depends on an algorithm for clustering DNA sequences using self-organizing map (SOM) technique. The main objective of this paper is to analyze biological data and to bunch DNA to many clusters more easily and efficiently. Clustering is a process that groups a set of objects into clusters so that the similarity among objects in the same cluster is high, while that among the objects in different clusters is low. Since the work entails processing huge amounts of incomplete or ambiguous data, the learning ability of neural networks, uncertainty handling capacity of fuzzy sets and the searching potential of genetic algorithms are utilized in this direction. We use the proposed approach to analyze both large and small amount of input DNA sequences. The results show that the similarity of the sequences does not depend on the amount of input sequences. Our approach depends on evaluating the degree of the DNA sequences similarity using the hierarchal representation Dendrogram. Representing large amount of data using hierarchal tree gives the ability to compare large sequences efficiently.
Alternatives for the definition and evaluation of resolution thresholds of signal-subspace parameter estimators

This paper presents a formal probabilistic definition for the resolution capability of a general class of MUSIC-like direction estimators. An estimator in this class has its structure based on a one-dimensional search of the minima of an optimizing functional, usually termed the estimator null-spectrum. Following a rigorous definition of probability of resolution, various levels of approximation in the statistics employed are used to obtain computable expressions for resolution probabilities of two closely-spaced sources. These approximations are related to previously proposed definitions for resolution probability and in this manner clarify the conditions under which these ad-hoc definitions hold true. >
PROPERTIES OF THE CAUSATIVE AGENT OF A CHICKEN TUMOR VII. SEPARATION OF THE ASSOCIATED INHIBITOR FROM TUMOR EXTRACTS

The inhibiting factor present in certain relatively slow-growing strains of Chicken Tumor I and in Chicken Tumor X is adsorbed from extracts of the desiccated tumors by aluminum hydroxide (Willstatter Type C) and can be released in effective quantities from this combination by treatment with basic sodium phosphate.
An Experimental Low-Cost, Low-Data-Rate Rapid Structural Assessment Network

In this paper, we present the design, implementation, and experimental evaluation of a wireless sensor network for real-time structural ldquohealthrdquo monitoring. We use simple custom-built gages to detect cracks in critical structural elements. The main data reports require no structural analysis for interpretation, have a low data rate, and are naturally resilient to loss. We show how a variety of low-cost, off-the-shelf data acquisition/communication devices can be used to support remote monitoring by a control center. The heterogeneous hardware is accommodated by the use of open technology standards and a software architecture that is portable, modular, and highly configurable. We present an experimental evaluation of our structural-assessment network done using a full-scale three-story reinforced concrete building that was tested under lateral forces emulating forces induced by earthquakes. Our results show that a set of 12 strategically positioned sensors achieved a 100% detection rate for cracks crossing sensors and a zero false-alarm rate (in the sense that all signals exceeding a preset threshold were traced to cracks exceeding a specified total width).
A mathematical formalism describing the yield of radiation-induced single- and double-strand DNA breaks, and its dependence on radiation quality.

The purpose of this paper is to describe mathematically the observed dependence of the number of DNA single-strand breaks (SSBs) per unit dose on radiation quality (e.g., LET) by invoking the concept of matrix saturation (i.e., the fact that a nucleotide can be the site of one SSB only and therefore further local energy deposition is wasted), and to show that, based on this, one obtains a characteristic variation of the yield of DNA double-strand breaks with variation of LET, in qualitative agreement with certain experimental determinations. The formalism developed here makes use of methodology from the field of integral geometry, introduced by Kellerer [Radiat. Prot. Dosim. 31, 9-16, 1990] in microdosimetry.
Initiation and Perseveration as a Subscale of the Dementia Rating Scale

Previous research with the Dementia Rating Scale (DRS) suggested that the Initiation and Perseveration subscale was useful in predicting decline in functional status in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), while clinical descriptions of AD suggested that this subscale may also provide information regarding the progression of the language, graphomotor and motor deficits. A comparison of controls, mildly demented and moderately demented subjects found that the pattern of scores which differentiated controls from mildly demented subjects differed from that which distinguished mildly demented from moderately demented subjects. Two items from the Initiation and Perseveration subscale were also found to be highly predictive of the future capabilities of patients who initially presented with mild dementia.
Global Labor Practices And Corporate Social Responsibility

As companies work in the international marketplace, a level of corporate responsibility is expected by the international business community and by the consumers. Companies must set standards for operations that satisfy the expectations in the home country as well as the host countries. Multinational companies can no longer set financial goals in terms of sales and profitability as the only measures of success; but they must also set standards for ethical and socially responsible behavior of their own enterprise as well as their stakeholders. This paper, using Nike as an example, describes challenges associated with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for large multinational organization. Furthermore, this paper discusses what Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is, and what is not, so managers can clearly and realistically state their goals and perspectives on what social responsibility means to their organizations and stakeholders.
Ultrasound and Clinical Measures for Lymphedema

Abstract Background: Treatment for breast cancer has increased patient survivorship exponentially over the past few decades. With increased survivorship, more women are living with the longstanding effects of breast cancer treatment, such as lymphedema. Patients, health care providers, and payers depend on practical and efficient clinical measures to accurately diagnose and monitor disease progression or regression. However, current clinical measures do not include objective measures that assess lymphedetamous tissue accurately. This study compared current measures to a novel use of ultrasound (US) imaging to quantify tissue texture. Methods and Results: Seventeen women diagnosed with lymphedema completed self-report questionnaires and then were tested twice by two lymphedema physical therapists who measured edema, fibrosis, and limb volume differences. One therapist measured subjects' limbs using US imaging and derived measures of entropy and average pixel intensity. Volume measures were consistent betwe...
Population Trends and Habitat Associations of Rodents in Southern Texas

Abstract Population trends for seven genera of rodents were monitored by snap-trap capture rates on a study area (700 km2) in Webb County, Texas, during winter from 1976 to 1986. Population irruptions occurred in 1982 (46-fold) and 1986 (13-fold) for Sigmodon, and in 1982 (17-fold) for Reithrodontomys. Annual variability in abundance was positively correlated between the following pairs of genera: Sigmodon-Reithrodontomys, Peromyscus-Onychomys, Onychomys-Reithrodontomys, and Dipodomys-Chaetodipus. Annual abundance of Sigmodon in winter was positively correlated with rainfall in the prior growing season. Analysis of the distribution of the composite rodent community among five vegetative habitats revealed greater abundance of rodents in the most dense and diverse shrub community (high-density shrub/mixed-grass habitat).
Control of Osteoclast Activity and Bone Loss by IKK Subunits: New Targets for Therapy

Transcription factor NF-kappaB has been well recognized as a pivotal player in osteclastogenesis and inflammation-induced bone loss. Here, we discuss our recent results obtained using a genetic approach in mice that indicate the importance of IKKbeta, and not IKKalpha, as a transducer of signals from receptor activator of NF-kappaB (RANK) to NF-kappaB. Ablation of IKKbeta results in lack of osteoclastogenesis and unresponsiveness of IKKbeta-deficient mice to inflammation-induced bone loss. In the need of a more effective therapy for the treatment of inflammatory diseases causing bone resorption, specific inhibition of IKKbeta represents a logical alternative strategy to the current therapies.
Current Status and Future Directions

This book provides an overview and insights into what has become a robust field; the study of comorbid conditions among persons with intellectual disabilities (ID). The field is growing exponentially, and is helping professional better understand how to effectively treat people with disabilities. This chapter provides an overview of where we are at or a field and where we are likely to go.
Using Risk Factors to Understand Long/Short Equity Mutual Fund Returns

In this article we examine the risk factors that help explain long/short equity (LSE) mutual fund performance. We show that for most LSE mutual funds, 50%-80% of their returns can be explained using common factors such as capitalization, book-to-value ratio, dividend yield, and volatility. The explanatory strength of these factors is so strong that in most cases adding an option overlay using puts and calls (to mimic long and short positions) adds little or no explanatory value. We also show that while many funds have positive alpha, these alphas for the most part are not statistically significant, i.e., in reality they are not different than zero.
Stereospecific microbial conversion of lactic acid into 1,2-propanediol

Biocatalytic syntheses are increasingly explored as the alternate platform of chemical production in order to address the sustainable development challenge faced by the current chemical industry. Here, we report the design and implementation of an artificial pathway to convert lactic acid into 1,2-propanediol. It circumvents a highly cytotoxic intermediate that exists in a widely used natural pathway. We identified and characterized a key enzyme that catalyzed the nonnatural step of the pathway. After 72 h of cultivation under shake-flask conditions, an Escherichia coli biocatalyst expressing the artificial route synthesized 1.5 g/L of R- or 1.7 g/L of S-1,2-propanediol from D- or L- lactic acid at high enantiomeric purity, respectively. The bioconversion is part of a novel biosynthetic pathway that can be further incorporated into appropriate microbial hosts for the de novo synthesis of optically pure 1,2-propanediol from renewable feedstocks.
Cephalically Situated Respiratory Mechanism in the Brain Stem of the Cat.

The origin and course of the reticulospinal tracts in the cat, recently described by Papez1 suggested the possibility of their being respiratory tracts. It was thought that this problem could best be approached by localizing the respiratory mechanism in this region of the brain stem. The material reported in this paper summarizes the results obtained thus far. The animals were given 1 gm. of urethane per kilo of body weight. Both carotids were tied at the time of cannulation of the trachea. Ether was used during surgical procedure. As the animal came from under ether, hyperpnea usually resulted spontaneously.2 Hyperpnea was hastened by heating the preparation, or as in most cases, merely by stimulating the central sciatic stump with moderately strong induction shocks. This “rapid respiration mechanism” could be “shot” in the following ways: 1—exposing the corpora quadrigemina; 2—sectioning the brain stem through, or caudal to, the superior colliculi. However, the superior colliculi can be exposed without ...
A Review of “What So Proudly We Hail: The American Soul in Story, Speech, and Song”

This anthology is a welcome reminder that as a nation we are not without considerable resources when it comes to answering the important questions, “Who are we, and for what do we stand?” Its edito...
Context Model Fusion for Multistage Network Attack Simulation

Analyzing and predicting complex network attack strategies require an efficient way to produce realistic and up-to-date data representing a variety of attack behaviors on diverse network configurations. This work develops a simulation system that fuses four context models: the networks, the system vulnerabilities, the attack behaviors, and the attack scenarios, so as to synthesize multistage attack sequences. The separation of different context models enables flexibility and usability in defining these models, as well as a comprehensive synthesis of attack sequences under different combinations of situations. After describing the design of the context models, an example use of the simulator and sample outputs, including the ground truth actions and sensor observables, will be discussed.
Health knowledge and behavior of population in different places of Yuhang district,Hangzhou city

Objective To survey and analyze the state of formation of people's health knowledge and behavior in different places of Yuhang district,according to which intervention strategies and results evaluation will be made for National Health Promotion Project.Methods By self-designed questionnaires and stage-by-stage random sampling,we conducted a survey of health knowledge and behaviors of 1 426 people in 5 places.Results The awareness rate about health knowledge of rural residents was lower than the other 4 groups.The formation rate of health behaviors of 5 groups were all at lower/middle levels,and except rural residents group,the other four groups have no difference.Conclusion According to the result of the survey,it is necessary to make use of the advantages of organization and management of sites,policy development,department coordination,and to establish working mechanism and so on,which will promote sustainable development of health promotion.
The impact of compensation, supervision and work design on internship efficacy: implications for educators, employers and prospective interns

AbstractInternships are a growing, yet controversial, labour market phenomenon. In particular, the issue of unpaid internships has been the source of legislative, judicial and ethical debate. Some have criticised colleges and universities for promoting an expansion of internships for undergraduate students – with little regard for internship characteristics such as compensation, quality of supervision and work activities. Meanwhile, there is a paucity of research examining the role internship characteristics, such as compensation, supervisor behaviours and work design have on internship efficacy. Based on a survey of undergraduate students in the US, the results showed that supervisor mentoring, the developmental value of the internship and the job pursuit intentions of the intern with the host employer were lower for those reporting on their unpaid internship vs. paid internship. Meanwhile, supervisor support and supervisor mentoring are significant predictors of internship efficacy regardless of interns...
Probabilistically robust model predictive control

This paper presents probabilistically robust controller design technique based on model predictive control theory. Recent probabilistic robust control theory allows us to design controller without any restriction on the structure of uncertainties. Model predictive control theory is useful for dealing with constraints on design parameter. Subgradient optimization technique is used to find Suboptimal.
Comparisons of sleep apnoea rate and outcomes among patients with resistant and non‐resistant hypertension

Background and objective We directly compared sleep apnoea (SA) rates and risk of cardiovascular and mortality outcomes among SA patients with resistant hypertension (RH) and non-RH within a large diverse hypertension population. Methods A retrospective cohort study between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2010 among hypertensive adults (age ≥ 18 years) was performed within an integrated health system. Rates of SA in RH and non-RH were determined. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to calculate OR for SA. Cox proportional hazard modelling was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for cardiovascular and mortality outcomes between SA in RH versus SA in non-RH adjusting for age, gender, race, BMI, chronic kidney disease and other comorbidities. Results SA was identified in 33 682 (7.2%) from 470 386 hypertensive individuals. SA in RH accounted for 5806 (9.6%) compared to SA in non-RH 27 876 individuals (6.8%). Multivariable OR (95% CI) for SA was 1.16 (1.12, 1.19), 3.57 (3.47, 3.66) and 2.20 (2.15, 2.25) for RH versus non-RH, BMI ≥ 30, and males, respectively. Compared to SA in non-RH individuals, SA in RH had a multivariable adjusted HR (95% CI) of 1.24 (1.13, 1.36), 1.43 (1.28, 1.61), 0.98 (0.85, 1.12) and 1.04 (0.95, 1.14) for ischaemic heart event (IHE), congestive heart failure (CHF), stroke and mortality, respectively. Conclusion We observed a modest increase in likelihood for SA among RH compared to non-RH patients. Risks for IHE and CHF were higher for SA in RH compared to SA in non-RH patients; however, there were no differences in risk for stroke and mortality.
Assessing and Managing Hispanic Markets in the U.S.: A Review

The United States Hispanic market has been growing steadily since 1970 at an average rate of 3.40% and was estimated at 19 million Hispanics in 1988. It is the fastest growing minority in the U.S., increasing both in number and in buying power; hence its critical importance among marketers and producers. Recently, major U.S. manufacturing companies and retailing businesses have been seriously targeting their products, promotional campaigns, and distributional strategies to suit and court the expanding Hispanic market in the U.S. This paper reviews recent literature to highlight some of the unique demographic, sociographic and psychographic features of this ethnic segment that make it more easily targetable than other ethnic markets.
Moyamoya Disease with Coexistent Hypertriglyceridemia in Pediatric Patient

Moyamoya disease is a rare chronic and progressive cerebrovascular disease of the arteries of the circle of Willis that can affect children and adults. It has been associated with multiple diseases, including immunologic, like Graves' disease, diabetes mellitus, and SLE. Hyperlipidemia has been recognized in patients with Moyamoya disease with an incidence of 27-37%. However, no case in pediatric patients has been reported of the coexistence of Moyamoya disease and hyperlipidemia. Here we present a case of a 9-year-old female diagnosed with Moyamoya disease after a stroke with incidental finding of familial hypercholesterolemia. This finding will make our patient a very unique case, since there has not been any reporting of Moyamoya disease and hypercholesterolemia association.
Factors Influencing 4-H Club Enrollment and Retention in Georgia

Middle school aged 4-H member participation is on the decline across the nation. Research has identified reasons for declining 4-H club participation, including conflicting time commitments (with school and community activities) and opinions that the program was boring or for little kids. This study sought to gain a clearer understanding of why 4-H member involvement in Camden County, Georgia has steadily declined in recent years. The most prevalent reason listed for leaving the Camden County 4-H program was that the 4-H meeting conflicted with school and community activities. Other reasons listed included wanting to be with friends in a relaxed setting, not liking the activities and lessons at the special interest club meetings, and not feeling welcome in the 4-H club meetings. The 4-H members who continued with the program had 100% parental involvement – the number one indicator of continued 4-H participation.
Degree of handedness: A unique individual differences factor for predicting and understanding hindsight bias

Abstract Hindsight bias is a pervasive error in judgment and decision making. Thus, predicting when and why it occurs is an important task. The present study was designed to directly compare two methods that elicit potentially different kinds of hindsight bias and to relate the magnitude of the bias to degree of handedness, a neurologically-related individual difference variable associated with differences in both memory performance and anchoring. 160 introductory psychology students were given 64 general knowledge questions, half under “memory instructions” and the other half under “hypothetical instructions”. Results indicated that individuals showed greater hindsight bias under hypothetical than memory instructions, replicating previous research. They also showed that consistent right-handers are relatively more affected under memory instructions, while inconsistent-handers are relatively more affected under hypothetical instructions. In sum, the current study demonstrates that two kinds of hindsight bias exist, and the kind that emerges depends on both the person and situational context. The findings also suggest that different mechanisms may be involved, these mechanisms may have neurological underpinnings, and a multicomponent model of hindsight bias may be best for future theorizing.
The mysterious polyamines, the enigmatic Barr body, and lupus: comment on the article by Kim et al.

"Polyamine patterns in plasma of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and fever" by Kim et al. provides insight into possible involvement of polyamines in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The authors report decreases in N1-acetylspermidine, spermidine, spermine, and N1-acetylcadaverine and increased cadaverine in SLE. Polyamine involvement in many cellular processes and their unique characteristics (high charge, length, flexibility, and ubiquity) give polyamines importance in health and disease. In this editorial, I describe a scenario, the "X chromosome-nucleolus nexus" hypothesis, in which polyamines could initially rise because of cellular stress. This rise in polyamines increases nucleolar size and activity. Polyamines are critical in the nucleolar assembly of ribonucleoprotein complexes, such as ribosomes. However, the expanding nucleolus could disrupt a neighboring inactive X chromosome (Barr body). This disruption opens additional polyamine genes that alter polyamine levels and types through wasteful synthesis and recycling of polyamines. This could include a decrease in the key polyamines spermidine and spermine, which are critical to nucleolar functioning. And this can decrease S-adenosylmethionine needed for cellular methylation leading to hypomethylation seen in SLE. As a result, the nucleolus can no longer respond properly to future stresses. With altered polyamine levels and types in the nucleolus, many RNA transcripts, proteins, and ribonucleoprotein complexes assembled in the nucleolus may be trapped in autoantigenic conformations. Many of the major autoantigens in SLE are, at least transiently, components of the nucleolus. Therefore, the observations of decreased polyamines reported by Kim et al. could be important in the formation of autoantigens.
Blood-Derived DNA Methylation Markers of Cancer Risk

The importance of somatic epigenetic alterations in tissues targeted for carcinogenesis is now well recognized and considered a key molecular step in the development of a tumor. Particularly, alteration of gene-specific and genomic DNA methylation has been extensively characterized in tumors, and has become an attractive biomarker of risk due to its specificity and stability in human samples. It also is clear that tumors do not develop as isolated phenomenon in their target tissue, but instead result from altered processes affecting not only the surrounding cells and tissues, but other organ systems, including the immune system. Thus, alterations to DNA methylation profiles detectable in peripheral blood may be useful not only in understanding the carcinogenic process and response to environmental insults, but can also provide critical insights in a systems biological view of tumorigenesis. Research to date has generally focused on how environmental exposures alter genomic DNA methylation content in peripheral blood. More recent work has begun to translate these findings to clinically useful endpoints, by defining the relationship between DNA methylation alterations and cancer risk. This chapter highlights the existing research linking the environment, blood-derived DNA methylation alterations, and cancer risk, and points out how these epigenetic alterations may be contributing fundamentally to carcinogenesis.
Peer-Oriented Behavioral Technology and Ethical Issues

The ethical and philosophical implications of behavioral technology applied to human affairs has been a controversial topic from its earliest formulation as a deterministic psychology (Watson, 1963, pp. 164-165), and recently as a result of Skinner’s writings (1948, 1966a, 1966b, 1971). Adding to this over the last 10 years, undercurrents in American society have created the impetus for methods guaranteeing against misuse of behavioral control. Perhaps the foremost contributing factor has been the proliferation of behaviorally based programs and methodology to nearly every facet of society (Goodall, 1972). For example, behaviorally trained psychologists are using the techniques in schools, homes, businesses, prisons, mental-health settings, vocational settings, rehabilitation settings, medical settings, and so on, touching the lives of literally thousands of individuals. This proliferation undoubtedly is related to the effectiveness of the technology for solving relevant social and behavioral problems. Thus, it seems that legal, legislative, and professional-group policies to control and monitor the quality of behavioral treatments are increasingly being forced upon practitioners as society reexamines the nature of its institutions.
Corticotropin Releasing Factor Signaling in the Mammalian Cochlea: An Integrative Niche for Cochlear Homeostatic Balance Against Noise

Beyond hair cells, the cochlea is composed of many cell types, and most of these cells do not directly participate in converting the acoustic signal into neural responses sent onward to the brain. Many of these “support” cells exist in niches that position them to monitor the state of the cochlea, and some are situated to signal such information to systems outside the cochlea. Others occupy positions such that they can invoke cellular responses limited to the cochlea without the need for “outside help”. Inflammatory responses that occur in the inner ear are perhaps one of the best examples of this surveillance/reporting role served by the vast majority of cells in the cochlea. Understanding a complex event such as inflammation will require that we draw on many different aspects of biology. Here we will cover a wide range of topics that are likely to be of significance for understanding cochlear inflammation. These include a cochlear-based CRF signaling system that mirrors the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, central Master clocks and peripheral clocks resident in many tissues of the body, and the molecular biology of glucocorticoids and glucocorticoid receptors. While seemingly disparate, as discussion of these topics unfolds, it will become obvious that understanding these signaling systems will be important in generating a model of cochlear inflammatory processes. Here, we seek not to cover the well-worn ground of inflammation biology. Rather, we seek to cover the signaling systems that may be involved in setting up the inflammatory state, its modulation, and its final resolution.
Nuclear War in the Rivalry Phase of the Modern World-System

Large-scale war is a world-system phenomenon of the rivalry phase. Such conflicts have once again become a concern, and nuclear weapons make these prospects especially dangerous. This is particularly problematic since several world-systems perspectives suggest the chances for war will be greatest in the period from 2030 to 2050. I review the logic of rivalry, the reasons for the endurance of nuclear weapons, old and new nuclear strategies, and the processes that may pose the greatest existential dangers. Chase-Dunn and Podobnik (1995) identified processes that militate both in favor of and in opposition to nuclear war, and I pay particular attention to the way in which world-systems developments that increase the likelihood of major war have persisted, while those that retard the chances for major war have diminished. These dangers suggest that it may be time to turn some of our attention to the dynamics of systemic war and nuclear weapons.
Spatio‐temporal heterogeneity in soil water stable isotopic composition and its ecohydrologic implications in semiarid ecosystems

Spatio‐temporal heterogeneity in soil water content is recognized as a common phenomenon, but heterogeneity in the hydrogen and oxygen isotope composition of soil water, which can reveal processes of water cycling within soils, has not been well studied. New advances are being driven by measurement approaches allowing sampling with high density in both space and time. Using in situ soil water vapour probe techniques, combined with conventional soil and plant water vacuum distillation extraction, we monitored the hydrogen and oxygen stable isotopic composition of soil and plant waters at paired sites dominated by grasses and Gambel's oak (Quercus gambelii) within a semiarid montane ecosystem over the course of a growing season. We found that sites spaced only 20 m apart had profoundly different soil water isotopic and volumetric conditions. We document patterns of depth‐ and time‐explicit variation in soil water isotopic conditions at these sites and consider mechanisms for the observed heterogeneity. We found that soil water content and isotopic variability were damped under Q. gambelii, perhaps due in part to hydraulic redistribution of deep soil water or groundwater by Q. gambelii in these soils relative to the grass‐dominated site. We also found some support for H isotope discrimination effects during water uptake by Q. gambelii. In this ecosystem, the soil water content was higher than that at the neighbouring Grass site, and thus, 25% more water was available for transpiration by Q. gambelii compared with the Grass site. This work highlights the role of plants in governing soil water variation and demonstrates that they can also strongly influence the isotope ratios of soil water. The resulting fine‐scale heterogeneity has implications for the use of isotope tracers to study soil hydrology and evaporation and transpiration fluxes to improve understanding of water cycling through the soil–plant–atmosphere continuum.
Chance-Constrained Microgrid Energy Management with Flexibility Constraints Provided by Battery Storage

Battery storage devices can potentially provide multiple services to microgrids. However, concurrent modeling and formulation of multiple services in grid management is a challenging problem. This paper proposes an energy management approach for microgrids including electrical and thermal forms of energy sources. The proposed approach takes advantage of battery storage devices for providing multiple services by applying chance-constrained optimization. The battery storage is deployed for 5-minute load following and energy arbitrage purposes. In addition, we have formulated a set of flexibility constraints, taking advantage of battery’s fast ramping capabilities, to enhance microgrid reliability in response to short-term solar power and load fluctuations. That is, the battery is deployed for load following, energy arbitrage, and regulation reserve procurement. Chance constraints are implemented to handle uncertainties of solar generation and load forecasting errors. Interdependencies between thermal and electrical energies are taken into account in the proposed approach. Numerical results show the effectiveness of the proposed approach to handle uncertainties, alleviate the short-term fluctuations, and enhance grid flexibility and reliability.
Analysis of bioacoustics and noise pollution in the penguin exhibit at Newport Aquarium

The present study researches the acoustic habitat of the penguin exhibited at Newport Aquarium in Newport, KY by means of measuring environmental noise within their exhibit. Noise exposure has been well studied in humans by using a weighted decibel scale to provide safety guidelines for the level of noise and the maximum time one can be exposed to each level. Therefore, the same principle is being used to observe if these animals are experiencing noise pollution from their own environmental sounds. The absorption coefficients of the materials that make up the habitat were also taken into consideration during data collection. The aim of this research is to gather calculations for the time it takes for the sound pressure level to reduce by 60dB (RT60) after periods of vocalization by the colony of penguins and to determine if these reverberation values reach the peak sensitivity of hearing thresholds for them.
First documented case of overwater nesting by Mottled Ducks (Anas fulvigula)

ABSTRACT The Mottled Duck (Anas fulvigula) is a range-restricted species endemic to the western Gulf Coast states and peninsular Florida. As a year-round resident, it relies on coastal marsh and ne...
Isolating substituent effects in Re(I)-phenanthroline electrocatalysts for CO2 reduction

Abstract The development of highly-active molecular electrocatalysts for reducing CO2 to value-added products requires an intimate knowledge of the structural and electronic features surrounding the active site. We previously illustrated how electronic modifications to fac-[ReI(R2phen)(CO)3Cl] electrocatalysts (R2phen = 2,9-disubstituted-1,10-phenanthrolines) strongly dictate CO2 reduction; more specifically, introducing methoxy substituents at both the ortho/para positions of a phenyl ring attached to phenanthroline generated high catalytic activity. In the current work, we have prepared four structurally-related Re(I) electrocatalysts to isolate the electronic effects associated with each methoxy group’s positioning around the phenyl ring (i.e. none, ortho, meta, or para). The diimine ligands 2,9-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (Ph2phen), 2,9-bis(2,6-dimethoxyphenyl)-1,10-phenanthroline ((2,6-dmp)2phen), 2,9-bis(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1,10-phenanthroline ((3,5-dmp)2phen), and 2,9-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,10-phenanthroline ((4-mp)2phen) were prepared, and the subsequent fac-[ReI(R2phen)(CO)3Cl] complexes were synthesized, characterized, and studied for electrocatalytic CO2 reduction. Following 90 min electrolysis at Eapp = −2.55 V vs. Fc+/0 in DMF solvent, the ortho methoxy-substituted analogue (labeled Re((2,6-dmp)2phen)) produced 35 μmol CO, corresponding to a turnover number = 14 (TON = mol CO per mol Re catalyst) and a Faradaic efficiency = 84% (F.E. = mol CO per mol electrons). The remaining Re electrocatalysts produced significantly lower levels of CO (Re(Ph2phen): 1.8 μmol CO; Re((3,5-dmp)2phen): 2.4 μmol; Re((4-mp)2phen): 4.2 μmol CO), emphasizing the important electronic contribution that ortho substituted methoxy groups provide towards enhancing electron density at the Re active site to rapidly, and selectively, convert CO2 substrate to CO product.
Analysis of patent innovation in the field of brachytherapy.

Abstract Purpose To characterize inventions and assess trends in brachytherapy innovation based on brachytherapy-related patents awarded across the past 2 decades and provide insights that will help inform future research and entrepreneurship in the field. Methods The United States Patent and Trademark Office database was searched for patents awarded between 1999 and 2018 with a classification code corresponding to the broadest brachytherapy search category. Patent characteristics were stratified and compared by geographic location, affiliation, and theme of invention. Results There were 202 brachytherapy-related patents awarded from 2009 to 2018, which indicates a 56% increase in patent productivity and brachytherapy innovation compared with the previous decade from 1999 to 2008. Patents had an industry affiliation in 83% of cases from 1999 to 2008 and in 76% of cases from 2009 to 2018. Meanwhile, academic participation in brachytherapy patent innovation rose from 4% to 11% in that time. The focus and theme of inventions evolved across time, with radiation sources being the most common theme from 1999 to 2008 and falling to third place in 2009–2018. Conversely, development of brachytherapy-related patents involving exogenous agents such as drug-conjugates, radiosensitizers, and adjuncts to treatment increased substantially in the subsequent decade. While no collaboration was observed between academia and industry between 1999 and 2008, notable partnerships emerged in the subsequent decade which amounted to almost 5% of all patents awarded between 2009 and 2018. Conclusions There has been an increase in overall brachytherapy patent production over time, and this has been accompanied by a greater variety of distinct patent themes. Collaboration between industry and academia is rare. Knowledge of brachytherapy patents may inform future research innovation in this field.
Short Term Radiographic and Patient Outcomes of a Biplanar Plating System for Triplanar Hallux Valgus Correction.

Abstract Hallux valgus is a complex deformity with a variety of techniques described for correction. A biplanar plating system for triplanar correction system has been developed to address both the translation and rotational component of the hallux valgus deformity and allow an accelerated weightbearing protocol. The purpose of this study was to determine the correction and complications using radiographic parameters and patient reported outcomes. We sought to determine prognostic factors for successful correction, including age, gender, and preoperative deformity. From the medical records, we collected preoperative data. Patient-reported outcomes were obtained using AOFAS Hallux Metatarsophalangeal-Interphalangeal score, FAAM, and SF-12 scores preoperatively and postoperatively. Imaging was reviewed at preoperative and postoperative visits to determine hallux valgus angle, intermetatarsal angle, and tibial sesamoid position. Fifty-seven procedures, in 55 patients, were performed. There were 7 complications and mean follow-up time was 45.7 weeks (+ 28.3 weeks). Age over 62.5 years were associated with an increased risk of complications (p = .018). Males had an increased rate of complications (71%) compared with females. Radiographic parameters were significantly improved from preoperative values at alltime points (p
Assessing the dilution effect of specimen pooling on the sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has led to an unprecedented demand for diagnostic tests. Many studies have modeled the efficiency gains of specimen pooling, but few have systematically evaluated the dilution effect of pooling on the sensitivity of tests. Using the frequency distribution of cycle threshold (Ct ) values of our first 838 SARS-CoV-2 positive specimens, we modeled 100 specimens on the same frequency distribution. Given this distribution, we then tested dilutions of 1:5, 1:10, and 1:50 to find the percentage of specimens positive at each Ct value with each pool size. Using the frequency distribution and the percentage of specimens positive at each Ct value, we estimate that pools of 5 lead to 93% sensitivity, pools of 10 lead to 91% sensitivity, and pools of 50 lead to 81% sensitivity. Pools of 5 and 10 lead to some specimens with Ct values of ≥32 becoming negative, while pools of 50 lead to some specimens with Ct values of ≥28 becoming negative. These sensitivity estimates can inform laboratories seeking to implement pooling approaches as they seek to balance test efficiency with sensitivity.
Machine Learning-Powered Mitigation Policy Optimization in Epidemiological Models.

A crucial aspect of managing a public health crisis is to effectively balance prevention and mitigation strategies, while taking their socio-economic impact into account. In particular, determining the influence of different non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) on the effective use of public resources is an important problem, given the uncertainties on when a vaccine will be made available. In this paper, we propose a new approach for obtaining optimal policy recommendations based on epidemiological models, which can characterize the disease progression under different interventions, and a look-ahead reward optimization strategy to choose the suitable NPI at different stages of an epidemic. Given the time delay inherent in any epidemiological model and the exponential nature especially of an unmanaged epidemic, we find that such a look-ahead strategy infers non-trivial policies that adhere well to the constraints specified. Using two different epidemiological models, namely SEIR and EpiCast, we evaluate the proposed algorithm to determine the optimal NPI policy, under a constraint on the number of daily new cases and the primary reward being the absence of restrictions.
Housing-Related Financial Distress During the Pandemic

This report provides evidence on the rent, mortgage, and student loan payment patterns from the second quarter of 2020, using innovative new household survey data from the Understanding America Survey (UAS), an internet panel survey of over 8,000 households fielded every two weeks and specially tailored to study the impact of the coronavirus. It provides close to real-time economic data on the rapidly evolving financial consequences of the pandemic.
Experimental and Numerical Characterization of Monotonic and Cyclic Performance of Cross-Laminated Timber Dowel-Type Connections

AbstractAn immeasurable amount of greenhouse gas emissions during the process of steel purification and concrete production has attracted environmentally friendly engineers’ attention to extend and...
Agents and Informed Consent

How can you the negotiator ensure that your client is really on board? Nolan-Haley argues that by paying more attention to informed consent not only before, but again at intervals during negotiation, and taking care to reaffirm consent as the process reaches agreement, agents will not only better serve their clients but reach better, more lasting agreements. This chapter should be read in conjunction with Wade’s Bargaining in the Shadow of the Tribe.
Women, Philosophy and Literature

Contents: Preface Part I The View: Introduction. Part II The Europeans: Magaret Drabble and philosophy The feminist Drabble Woolf, metaphysics and life The body A la Woolf Beauvoir's philosophy and literature A%ocriture and the other. Part III The New World: Toni Cade Bambara and the black vision Afrocentric womanism El mundo de Poniatowska Las mujeres de Mexico. Part IV Closings: Wrapping it up Index.
THE ELECTRIC CAR MADE IT AFTER ALL

Etude des applications futures de l'electronique sous diverses formes dans la technologie automobile de demain
Drosophila Sodium Channel Mutations Affect Pyrethroid Sensitivity

The primary target of pyrethroids is the sodium channel in neuronal membranes. We have used mutations in Drosophila melanogaster to define two different types of target site alterations which affect pyrethroid sensitivity. The first alteration is illustrated by the para ts locus on the X chromosome. Gene cloning experiments by the laboratory of B. Ganetzky suggest that this locus is the structural gene for a protein homologous to the α-subunit of vertebrate sodium channels. We demonstrate that mutations at the para locus show changes in pyrethroid sensitivity when assayed by either a knockdown assay or a lethality assay. Some alleles show increased resistance and some show decreased resistance to fenvalerate. These changes are probably due to changes in the primary structure of one class of sodium channels in Drosophila. Such mutational changes can be used to define specific amino acid residues in the sodium channel which affect pyrethroid binding.
The Usefulness of the Functional Status Questionnaire and Medical Outcomes Study Short Form in Parkinson's Disease Research

Parkinson's disease (PD) has no cure and is a progressive neurological disorder with treatment aimed at the maintenance of function and limitation of the symptoms. No extensive studies of the disease's impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) have been conducted. The purpose of this study was to assess the potential usefulness of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SP-36) and the Functional Status Questionnaire (FSQ) in Parkinson's disease research. This cross-sectional study of 193 PD patients who visited two hospital-based neurology clinics used self-administered in-clinic and take-home questionnaires to ascertain the demographic and environmental characteristics of the subjects and to gain health profile measures from the SF-36 and the FSQ. The two health profiles provide important HRQoL information supplementary to the traditional signs and symptoms evaluated by the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). Many of the HRQoL measures discriminate progressive stages of disease in this study group and distinguish those with complications of therapy from subjects without complications.
Osteoprotegerin blocks bone cancer-induced skeletal destruction, skeletal pain and pain-related neurochemical reorganization of the spinal cord

Bone cancer pain is common among cancer patients and can have a devastating effect on their quality of life. A chief problem in designing new therapies for bone cancer pain is that it is unclear what mechanisms drive this distinct pain condition. Here we show that osteoprotegerin, a secreted 'decoy' receptor that inhibits osteoclast activity, also blocks behaviors indicative of pain in mice with bone cancer. A substantial part of the actions of osteoprotegerin seems to result from inhibition of tumor-induced bone destruction that in turn inhibits the neurochemical changes in the spinal cord that are thought to be involved in the generation and maintenance of cancer pain. These results demonstrate that excessive tumor-induced bone destruction is involved in the generation of bone cancer pain and that osteoprotegerin may provide an effective treatment for this common human condition.
Role of transforming growth factor-β in hematologic malignancies

The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway is an essential regulator of cellular processes, including proliferation, differentiation, migration, and cell survival. During hematopoiesis, the TGF-β signaling pathway is a potent negative regulator of proliferation while stimulating differentiation and apoptosis when appropriate. In hematologic malignancies, including leukemias, myeloproliferative disorders, lymphomas, and multiple myeloma, resistance to these homeostatic effects of TGF-β develops. Mechanisms for this resistance include mutation or deletion of members of the TGF-β signaling pathway and disruption of the pathway by oncoproteins. These alterations define a tumor suppressor role for the TGF-β pathway in human hematologic malignancies. On the other hand, elevated levels of TGF-β can promote myelofibrosis and the pathogenesis of some hematologic malignancies through their effects on the stroma and immune system. Advances in the TGF-β signaling field should enable targeting of the TGF-β signaling pathway for the treatment of hematologic malignancies.
Lp regularity of averaging operators with higher fold singularities

In this paper, we give a sharp L p regularity result of averaging operators along curves in the plane with two-sided k-fold singularities.