cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electric Load Forecasting Model Using a Multicolumn Deep Neural Networks

In this article, a new approach to short-term load forecasting is proposed using a multicolumn radial basis function neural network (MCRN). The advantage of this new approach over similar models in speed and accuracy is also discussed, especially in regards to renewable generation forecasting. Because weather and seasonal effects have a direct impact not only on load demand but also on renewable energy production, it follows that as the penetration rate of renewable DG increases, the grid will become even more sensitive to weather impacts in the long term. In our approach, we use a k-d tree algorithm to split our feature-rich dataset into dense specialized subsets. These subsets are then trained in parallel as multiple artificial neural networks using a modified error correction algorithm to form the MCRN. This approach reduces the number of hidden neurons, increases the speed of convergence, and improves generalization over similar alternative forecasting methods.
Transversus Abdominis Plane Blocks in Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks have been shown to significantly reduce pain and narcotic consumption following major abdominal surgeries. This study investigates the literature on their use in microsurgical breast reconstruction. Patients and Methods A systematic review of TAP blocks in autologous breast reconstruction was performed. Results Across 10 included studies, 174 patients (5 studies) received an intraoperative TAP block injection, 185 patients (4 studies) received a TAP catheter for intermittent postoperative analgesia, and 325 patients served as controls for a total of 684 included patients. The majority of TAP block delivery techniques were ultrasound guided (7/10 studies). Liposomal bupivacaine (LB) was the most commonly used analgesic (4 studies and139 patients) followed by conventional bupivacaine (3 studies and 105 patients). Eight studies found a significant reduction in oral, intravenous, and/or total morphine requirements in the TAP group when either the daily average and/or total inpatient consumption was compared with the control. Hospital length of stay was significantly shorter for patients undergoing single intraoperative TAP block injection with any analgesic as compared with standard narcotic-based protocols (mean difference= −0.95 days; 95% CI: −1.72 to −0.17 days; p = 0.02). Looking at TAP blocks specifically with LB, there was a mean decrease of 0.83 days as compared with the control, which was not statistically significant (95% CI: −1.90 to 0.25 days; p = 0.13). Conclusion While the current data support the use of TAP blocks in autologous breast reconstruction, additional studies with more standardized protocols should be performed to determine the most optimal practice.
Mortality Risk for Patients With Stage IV Cancer and Acute Illness Hospitalization.

Abstract Context Cancer prognosis data often come from clinical trials which exclude patients with acute illness. Objectives For patients with Stage IV cancer and acute illness hospitalization to 1) describe predictors of 60-day mortality and 2) compare documented decision-making for survivors and decedents. Methods Investigators studied a consecutive prospective cohort of patients with Stage IV cancer and acute illness hospitalization. Structured health record and obituary reviews provided data on 60-day mortality (outcome), demographics, health status, and treatment; logistic regression models identified mortality predictors. Results Four hundred ninety-two patients with Stage IV cancer and acute illness hospitalization had median age of 60.2 (51% female, 38% minority race/ethnicity); 156 (32%) died within 60 days, and median survival for decedents was 28 days. Nutritional insufficiency (odds rato [OR] 1.83), serum albumin (OR 2.15 per 1.0 g/dL), and hospital days (OR 1.04) were associated with mortality; age, gender, race, cancer, and acute illness type were not predictive. On admission, 79% of patients had orders indicating Full Code. During 60-day follow-up, 42% of patients discussed goals of care. Documented goals of care discussions were more common for decedents than survivors (70% vs. 28%, P Conclusion Acute illness hospitalization is a sentinel event in Stage IV cancer. Short-term mortality is high; nutritional decline increases risk. For patients with Stage IV cancer, acute illness hospitalization should trigger goals of care discussions.
Learning a Deep Generative Model like a Program: the Free Category Prior.

Humans surpass the cognitive abilities of most other animals in our ability to "chunk" concepts into words, and then combine the words to combine the concepts. In this process, we make "infinite use of finite means", enabling us to learn new concepts quickly and nest concepts within each-other. While program induction and synthesis remain at the heart of foundational theories of artificial intelligence, only recently has the community moved forward in attempting to use program learning as a benchmark task itself. The cognitive science community has thus often assumed that if the brain has simulation and reasoning capabilities equivalent to a universal computer, then it must employ a serialized, symbolic representation. Here we confront that assumption, and provide a counterexample in which compositionality is expressed via network structure: the free category prior over programs. We show how our formalism allows neural networks to serve as primitives in probabilistic programs. We learn both program structure and model parameters end-to-end.
Sex differences in suicidal behaviors and aggression in US Veterans

Abstract Female Veterans are the fastest growing demographic group in the Department of Veterans Affairs. Moreover, suicide rates in female Veterans are increasing, making suicide in female Veterans a topic of vital clinical and research significance. The current study examined the association between suicide, aggression, and mood symptoms by sex. Participants consisted of 264 Veterans (female=54, male=210) ages 18-55. Veterans completed well-validated measures of suicidal behaviors, aggression, anxiety, and depression. Male Veterans reported higher physical aggression, verbal aggression, anger, hostility, and total aggression compared to female Veterans. In male Veterans, lifetime suicidal behavior including ideation and attempts was correlated with total aggression and subscales of physical aggression, verbal aggression, anger, and hostility. However, in female Veterans lifetime suicidal behavior was significantly associated with hostility and anger. There were no between-group differences in measures of suicidal behaviors, anxious or depressive symptoms. These results suggest important differences in the association between aggression and suicidal behavior by sex. These data have significant clinical implications, as males with aggressive traits and females who endorse hostility and anger may be more likely to engage in suicidal behaviors.
Clustering Effects on Firm R&D, Exporting and Productivity in China

This paper examines the effects of regional clustering on the linkages among R&D, exporting and productivity of Chinese ﬁrms. A structural framework is employed using a set of recursive equations that is capable of correcting for most estimation issues related to selection and endogeneity. The main ﬁndings reveal that regional clustering brings about relatively trivial direct beneﬁts to exporters after taking into account important sources of ﬁrm heterogeneity. Rather, the main beneﬁts of clustering on exporting appear to arise indirectly through investments in innovation and productivity. The main implication of the ﬁndings suggests that a better endowed geographical area improves international competitiveness mainly by enhancing the super-additive effects of investments in technology on productivity, which in turn, enhances exporting performance.
Suboptimal adherence to daily growth hormone in a US real-world study: an unmet need in the treatment of pediatric growth hormone deficiency.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate adherence to, and discontinuation of, somatropin treatment over 4 years in a US population-based study of children with pediatric growth hormone deficiency (pGHD). METHODS A retrospective cohort analysis of commercially insured patients ≥3 and 3, 12, 24, 36, and 48 months of post-index continuous enrollment). Suboptimal adherence was defined as medication possession ratio 60 days between somatropin fills first occurred. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to evaluate time to discontinuation. RESULTS In the 12-month cohort (n = 3091), mean age was 11.3 ± 2.9 years, 75.9% were male, 70.9% white, 9.4% Hispanic, 3.6% Asian, and 3.1% black. The proportion with suboptimal adherence at months 12 and 48 was 19.6% and 35.9%, respectively. Discontinuation occurred in 42.2% of patients. The rate of discontinuation (HR [95% CI]) was higher for age ≥10 (1.74 [1.53-1.98]), females (1.35 [1.21-1.50]), black and Hispanic race/ethnicity (1.50 [1.18-1.90] and 1.27 [1.09-1.49] compared to White) and obesity (1.69 [1.19-2.40]). CONCLUSION Suboptimal adherence increases with treatment duration, and risk of discontinuation is associated with age, female gender, black or Hispanic race/ethnicity, and obesity. Strategies that facilitate adherence among children at risk of discontinuation may improve clinical outcomes.
Integrated Assessment for Automated Driving Systems in the United States

This roadmap to sustainable automotive transportation takes a cyber-physical systems approach to exploring disruptive innovation in the pursuit of clean, safe, and efficient door-to-door mobility in the United States. This integrated assessment addresses the results to an expert forecast on vehicle automation as part of a more far-reaching transformation to connected, automated, and electric vehicles. The expert panel used the Delphi survey method to forecast the market introduction dates, general growth rates, and policy issues of automated shuttle, freeway, urban, and taxi systems over the course of the next few decades. The results are summarized in a scenario for the growth of vehicle automation in the context of persistent road network, land use, population, climate, and technology trends.
Automatically oroving program termination

In this talk I will describe new tools that allow us to automatically prove termination and other liveness properties of software systems. In particular I will discuss the Terminator program termination prover and its application to the problem of showing that Windows device driver event-handling routines always eventually stop responding to events.
Splanchnic ischaemia and multiple organ failure in the critically ill.

Abstract The development of a safe and simple tonometric method of monitoring the adequacy of gastrointestinal mucosal perfusion has provided a new perspective of splanchnic ischaemia in the critically ill. It would appear that splanchnic hypoxia, identified by the presence of intramucosal acidosis in the gut, may be one of the most consistent and earliest indications of impaired tissue perfusion in the critically ill and be causally related to the development of sepsis and multiple organ failure.
Services Marketing Strategy

Services marketing strategy focuses on delivering processes, experiences, and intangibles – rather than physical goods and discrete transactions – to customers. Delivering experiences successfully and building customer relationships are complicated undertakings involving many different strategies and tactics. Successful services marketing strategy also involves integrating a focus on the customer throughout the firm and across all functions. All company functions – marketing, selling, human resources, operations, and R&D – must work together to create effective services marketing strategy. Although companies have often found it difficult to attack service problems in an organized manner, a well-established model called the gaps model provides a framework for focusing on the customer and describes the approaches necessary to close the gap between customer expectations and perceptions. This article discusses services marketing strategy in the context of the gaps model, demonstrating that closing the all-important customer gap is a function of closing four gaps on the service provider side: the listening gap, the service design and standards gap, the performance gap, and the communication gap. Keywords: services marketing strategy; gaps model of service quality; service excellence
Fractional correlation filter for fuzzy associative memories

The optical fractional correlation is a very useful tool for partially controllable spatially varying correlation-based pattern recognition. It is shown to be a good match to fuzzy associative memory that performs partial fuzzy associations in parallel. We exploit the potential application of the spatially varying fractional correlation in implementing parallel fuzzy association. Computer simulations illustrate our conclusions.
Web-based data collection: detailed methods of a questionnaire and data gathering tool

There have been dramatic advances in the development of web-based data collection instruments. This paper outlines a systematic web-based approach to facilitate this process through locally developed code and to describe the results of using this process after two years of data collection. We provide a detailed example of a web-based method that we developed for a study in Starr County, Texas, assessing high school students' work and health status. This web-based application includes data instrument design, data entry and management, and data tables needed to store the results that attempt to maximize the advantages of this data collection method. The software also efficiently produces a coding manual, web-based statistical summary and crosstab reports, as well as input templates for use by statistical packages.
Dynamic fracture of concrete under mixed mode loading

Fifteen identical three-point bend concrete specimens with an offset precrack were subjected to the same impact load to failure and the transient moire interferometric fringes associated with the diagonally propagating crack were recorded. The crack opening displacement (COD) and the crack sliding displacement (CSD) were derived from the moire fringe patterns and used together with the measured impact load to drive a dynamic finite element code in the propagation mode. The result of an inverse analysis using this hybrid experimental-numerical procedure showed that contrary to other findings, the crack shearing stress (CSS) in the presence of the COD was negligible but increased the crack closing stress (CCS) in the CCS versus COD relation over that of mode I fracture.
PROMOTING INNOVATION IN THE ELECTRICITY INDUSTRY

Smart metering can bring significant benefits to electricity markets by allowing customers to reduce demand or increase supply when generation capacity is temporarily scarce. To reap the full efficiency and environmental benefits of this technology, regulators must allow price volatility and free entry into the market. The efficiency gains are enormous as both demand and supply will be affected by both temporary and longer-lasting price changes. Experiments have shown the value of this approach.
Strain energy release rate analysis of delamination in a tapered laminate subjected to tension load

A tapered composite laminate subjected to tension load was analyzed using the finite-element method. The glass/epoxy laminate has a (+ or - 45)sub 3 group of plies dropped in three distinct steps, each 20 ply-thicknesses apart, thus forming a taper angle of 5.71 degrees. Steep gradients of interlaminar normal and shear stress on a potential delamination interface suggest the existence of stress singularities at the points of material and geometric discontinuities created by the internal plydrops. The delamination was assumed to initiate at the thin end of the taper on a -45/+45 interface and the delamination growth was simulated in both directions, i.e., along the taper and into the thin region. The strain-energy-release rate for a delamination growing into the thin laminate consisted predominantly of mode I (opening) component. For a delamination growing along the tapered region, the strain-energy-release rate was initially all mode I, but the proportion of mode I decreased with increase in delamination size until eventually total G was all mode II. The total G for both delamination tips increased with increase in delamination size, indicating that a delamination initiating at the end of the taper will grow unstably along the taper and into the thin laminate simultaneously.
Decomposition of very large-scale Newton-Raphson based flowsheeting problems

Abstract This paper presents an approach for decomposing and solving the very large set of linear equations forming the innermost loop of the Newton-Raphson method. In a straightforward manner the equation set is decomposed into smaller sets, one of each unit in the process and a small set for the overall process. Solution proceeds in three steps: forward elimination for each unit subset, solving completely the residual plus overall process flowsheet equations, and a backward substitution for the unit subsets. The decomposition permits effective use of mass memory when solving very large flowsheeting problems. It also enhances the performance of local pivot strategies used in existing sparse matrix codes.
Stimulation of DNA strand slippage synthesis by a bulge binding synthetic agent.

It has been postulated that bulged structures may be intermediates in the DNA strand slippage synthesis associated with the expansion of nucleotide repeats in various neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. To probe the possible role of bulged structures in this process, we have synthesized a wedge-shaped spirocyclic molecule, DDI (double-decker intercalator), on the basis of our earlier work with the bulge-specific derivative prepared from the enediyne antitumor antibiotic neocarzinostatin chromophore. Using a series of primers/templates containing nucleotide repeats [(AAT) 3 /(ATT) 5 , (ATT) 3 /(RAT) 5 , (CAG) 3 / (CTG) 5 , (CA) 4 C/(GT) 7 G, (GT) 4 G/(CA) 7 C, T 9 /A 3 0 , T 2 0 /A 3 0 ] with the Klenow fragment of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I, we find that DDI markedly enhances the formation of long DNA products, whose synthesis would require strand slippage to occur. DDI-induced slippage synthesis is more pronounced as the incubation proceeds and at limiting enzyme levels. The gel band pattern of the synthesized DNA products reflects the particular nucleotide repeat unit and is not altered by DDI. The lack of any drug effect on primer extension on M13 DNA and heteropolymeric 62-mer templates, where strand slippage is much less likely to occur, suggests that stimulation of slippage synthesis by DDI is not due to a direct effect on the enzyme. By contrast, other DNA-binding agents, such as ethidium bromide, distamycin, and doxorubicin, inhibit the formation of slippage-induced DNA products, but this block can be overcome by DDI, presumably by its destabilizing duplex DNA-binding sites for these other agents. We propose that DDI binds to or induces the formation of a bulge or related structure, which promotes DNA strand slippage and its consequent expansion of nucleotide repeats during replication by DNA polymerase I and that this action provides insight into the development of agents that interfere with nucleotide expansions found in various disease states.
Escherichia coli O157: What every internist and gastroenterologist should know

Infections with Escherichia coli O157:H7 have gained media attention in recent years because of cases associated with unusual sources (eg, produce and swimming pools). Although most adults recover without sequelae, children and the elderly are more likely to develop complications (eg, hemolytic uremic syndrome and death). The diagnosis typically has been made by culture; however, newer handheld immunoassays and polymerase chain reaction technology have led to more rapid detection of this important pathogen in stools, food, and water. Treatment is largely supportive; nonetheless, new methods to neutralize or bind toxin, such as probiotics, monoclonal antibodies, and recombinant bacteria, are showing promise to treat patients infected with E. coli O157:H7. The role of antibiotics in relation to this condition remains unclear.
Does Riparian Forest Restoration Thinning Enhance Biodiversity? The Ecological Importance of Large Wood

Intact riparian ecosystems are rich in biological diversity, but throughout the world, many have been degraded. Biodiversity declines, particularly of vertebrates, have led to experimental efforts to restore riparian forests by thinning young stands to accelerate creation of large diameter live trees. However, many vertebrates depend on large diameter deadwood that is standing as snags or fallen to the forest floor or fallen into streams. Therefore, we reviewed the sizes of deadwood and live trees used by different vertebrate species to understand which species are likely to benefit from different thinning treatments. We then examined how riparian thinning affects the long-term development of both large diameter live trees and deadwood. To this end, we used a forest growth model to examine how different forest thinning intensities might affect the long-term production and abundance of live trees and deadwood. Our results suggest that there are long-term habitat tradeoffs associated with different thinning intensities. Species that utilize large diameter live trees will benefit most from heavy thinning, whereas species that utilize large diameter deadwood will benefit most from light or no thinning. Because far more vertebrate species utilize large deadwood rather than large live trees, allowing riparian forests to naturally develop may result in the most rapid and sustained development of structural features important to most terrestrial and aquatic vertebrates.
A technique for synthesizing distributed burst-mode circuits

We offer a technique to partition a centralized control-flow graph to obtain distributed control in the context of asynchronous high-level synthesis. The technique targets Huffman-style asynchronous controllers that are customized to the problem. It solves the key problem of handling signals that are shared between the partitions-a problem due to the incompletely specified nature of asynchronous controllers. We report encouraging experimental results on realistic examples.
Non-equilibrium thermodynamics and fluctuations

Abstract In the last 10 years, a number of “conventional fluctuation theorems” have been derived for systems with deterministic or stochastic dynamics, in a transient or in a non-equilibrium stationary state. These theorems gave explicit expressions for the ratio of the probability to find the system with a certain value of entropy (or heat) production to that of finding the opposite value. A similar theorem for the fluctuations of the work done on a system has recently been demonstrated experimentally for a simple system in a transient state, consisting of a Brownian particle in water, confined by a moving harmonic potential. In this paper, we show that because of the interaction between the stochastic motion of the particle in water and its deterministic motion in the potential, very different new heat theorems are found than in the conventional case. One of the consequences of these new heat fluctuation theorems is that the ratio of the probability for the Brownian particle to absorb heat from rather than supply heat to the water is much larger than in the conventional fluctuation theorems. This could be of relevance for micro/nano-technology.
Bending the rules or fudging the paperwork? Documenting learning in SMEs

As part of a larger study, owner‐managers of 128 small firms were asked about the learning taking place in their firms. Their responses were compared to those of key workers and supportive documentation. As a result of discrepancies in responses, owners and managers identified ways in which they had “bent the rules” on occasion to take advantage of funding opportunities, hence the gap between statements and reality. Explores descriptions given by some owners and managers as to how this “fudging the paperwork” had occurred, either in accessing funding or in complying with statutory health and safety or licensing requirements and the reasons behind this. Finds that workplace imperatives had undermined the way in which learning was perceived and carried out and had caused operatives to misrepresent data (without their necessarily agreeing with this practice). Discusses the implications for those studying small firm’s workplace learning practices and proposes further research to test these findings.
Rotational assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in patients with reconstructive gastrointestinal surgical anatomy

AIM: To evaluate the success rates of performing therapy utilizing a rotational assisted enteroscopy device in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in surgically altered anatomy patients. METHODS: Between June 1, 2009 and November 8, 2012, we performed 42 ERCPs with the use of rotational enteroscopy for patients with altered anatomy (39 with gastric bypass Roux-en-Y, 2 with Billroth II gastrectomy, and 1 with hepaticojejunostomy associated with liver transplant). The indications for ERCP were: choledocholithiasis: 13 of 42 (30.9%), biliary obstruction suggested on imaging: 20 of 42 (47.6%), suspected sphincter of Oddi dysfunction: 4 of 42 (9.5%), abnormal liver enzymes: 1 of 42 (2.4%), ascending cholangitis: 2 of 42 (4.8%), and bile leak: 2 of 42 (4.8%). All procedures were completed with the Olympus SIF-Q180 enteroscope and the Endo-Ease Discovery SB overtube produced by Spirus Medical. RESULTS: Successful visualization of the major ampulla was accomplished in 32 of 42 procedures (76.2%). Cannulation of the bile duct was successful in 26 of 32 procedures reaching the major ampulla (81.3%). Successful therapeutic intervention was completed in 24 of 26 procedures in which the bile duct was cannulated (92.3%). The overall intention to treat success rate was 64.3%. In terms of cannulation success, the intention to treat success rate was 61.5%. Ten out of forty two patients (23.8%) required admission to the hospital after procedure for abdominal pain and nausea, and 3 of those 10 patients (7.1%) had a diagnosis of post-ERCP pancreatitis. The average hospital stay was 3 d. CONCLUSION: It is reasonable to consider an attempt at rotational assisted ERCP prior to a surgical intervention to alleviate biliary complications in patients with altered surgical anatomy.
An x-ray tube based room-temperature Compton spectrometer, with application to material characterization

A description is given of the principle of operation, design and technical realization of a Compton spectrometer. In contrast to many other devices that have been discussed in the literature, the Compton spectrometer described here combines an electron-impact x-ray source with a room-temperature semiconductor detector. It is shown that the momentum resolution of the Compton spectrometer for the K characteristic lines emitted by the tube anode is adequate to resolve the Doppler broadening originating in electron momentum distributions of low atomic number elements, such as carbon, nitrogen and oxygen. Experimental Compton-broadened spectra from a range of common materials are presented. Methods to extract Compton profiles from the experimental spectra, by accounting for the continuous component of the x-ray tube emission and the multiplet nature of the characteristic lines, are illustrated. The application of this Compton spectrometer to material characterization is briefly discussed.
P-34: Characterization and Improvement of Contrast Ratio And Color shift for Color Sequential LCD Applications

We present the correct method to find the optical transmission and contrast ratio for color sequential LCDs. The contrast ratio is shown to be significantly different than the static contrast ratio. We showed that the LC on and off response times, display top to bottom row write time, LED flash interval and delay times, have large effects on the color sequential CR and color shift. We also explore the top to bottom spatial variation on CR and color shift, and effects by viewing angle, gray level, LED wavelength and temperature. Methods to improve the CR and color shift are also presented.
Automation of the Rheovibron

Abstract The direct reading dynamic viscoelastmoeter DDV-II (Rheovibron) has been completely automated to provide continuous measure of stress, strain, phase angle, temperature, and elongation of sample. The tension on the sample is automatically controlled to permit measurements under constant strain or to maintain sufficient tension to prevent sagging during the cycling operation. The sensitivity has been greatly increased, which permits extension of mechanical properties far beyond the Tg. More accurate locations of the relaxations are possible so that minor transitions can be detected over the temperature range of −160 to 250°C. The tan δ has been measured to ±0.001. Stress and strain can be maintained at constant values over an extended time. Data are processed on an off-line computer to give printout of storage modulus, loss modulus and tan δ as a function of temperature. Measurements have been made on many types of polymer films and fibers.
Polycomb Antagonizes p300/CREB-binding Protein-associated Factor to Silence FOXP3 in a Kruppel-like Factor-dependent Manner

Inducible gene expression underlies the epigenetically inherited differentiation program of most immune cells. We report that the promoter of the FOXP3 gene possesses two distinct functional states: an “off state” mediated by the polycomb histone methyltransferase complex and a histone acetyltransferase-dependent “on state.” Regulating these states is the presence of a Kruppel-like factor (KLF)-containing Polycomb response element. In the KLF10−/− mouse, the FOXP3 promoter is epigenetically silenced by EZH2 (Enhancer of Zeste 2)-mediated trimethylation of Histone 3 K27; thus, impaired FOXP3 induction and inappropriate adaptive T regulatory cell differentiation results in vitro and in vivo. The epigenetic transmittance of adaptive T regulatory cell deficiency is demonstrated throughout more than 40 generations of mice. These results provide insight into chromatin remodeling events key to phenotypic features of distinct T cell populations.
Storage of Escherichia coli strains containing plasmid DNA in liquid nitrogen.

The stability of plasmids and lysogenic bacteriophage in 16 strains of Escherichia coli was studied following storage in liquid nitrogen for periods up to 2 years. A comparison was made with cultures which had undergone lyophilization. Plasmid loss was detected by plating on selective media containing antibiotics to which resistance was conferred by plasmid DNA. Loss of plasmid DNA was not evident following storage in liquid nitrogen or lyophilization.
B1-insensitive heteronuclear adiabatic polarization transfer for signal enhancement☆

Abstract A new B1-insensitive pulse sequence, BINEPT (for B1-insensitive nuclear enhancement through polarization transfer) is introduced that accomplishes signal enhancement for low-sensitivity nuclei through heteronuclear polarization transfer. Previously described methods for polarization transfer through J-ordered states such as INEPT [D. P. Burum and R. R. Ernst, J. Magn. Reson. 39, 163 (1980)] require homogeneous B1 fields and carefully calibrated pulses to impart π 2 and π rotations in order to achieve the maximum possible signal enhancement. In contrast, BINEPT, which is based on recently introduced adiabatic plane-rotation pulses, can induce the desired enhancement over a very large range of B1 magnitude and can be used even with surface coils that generate highly inhomogeneous B1 fields. BINEPT is not simply the INEPT sequence with the conventional pulses replaced with their adiabatic plane-rotation pulse analogs. Rather, it is based on the variable-angle, adiabatic BIR-4 pulse [M. Garwood and Y. Ke, J. Magn. Reson. 94, 511 (1991)] and the principle that the evolution of spin states during intrapulse delays inserted in BIR-4 can determine the final rotation induced on magnetization vectors. The BINEPT technique is described theoretically in the rotating frame. Its performance is compared experimentally with INEPT using coils that generate homogeneous and inhomogeneous B1 fields.
Application of an Efficient Full-Wave Simulator UA-FWLIS on Complicated Stripline Structures

Look-up tables can be employed to efficiently fill Method of Moment (MoM) reaction matrices when most of the expansion and test functions have the same dimensions and are properly placed. When discretizing the signal traces into uniform length cells, there are often non-uniform length cells at the ends of the lines. Previously, these non-uniform cells were treated as two half-rooftop cells. Unfortunately, reactions with the half-rooftop cells exhibited poor convergence. Therefore, in order to overcome this convergence problem, in this paper we develop a new asymmetrical cell (A-cell), which combines the two horizontal half-rooftop cells with unequal lengths into a single cell. Since the A-cell has smoothly decaying edges, its spectrum decays faster than for the half-rooftop cells, thus leading to a more rapid convergence of the resulting residue series. We demonstrate the new A-cells by modeling a multi-layer stripline structure and compare our results with Agilent Momentum for validation purposes.
A new target for amyloid beta toxicity validated by standard and high-throughput electrophysiology.

BACKGROUND Soluble oligomers of amyloid beta (Abeta) are considered to be one of the major contributing factors to the development of Alzheimer's disease. Most therapeutic development studies have focused on toxicity directly at the synapse. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Patch clamp studies detailed here have demonstrated that soluble Abeta can also cause functional toxicity, namely it inhibits spontaneous firing of hippocampal neurons without significant cell death at low concentrations. This toxicity will eventually lead to the loss of the synapse as well, but may precede this loss by a considerable amount of time. In a key technological advance we have reproduced these results utilizing a fast and simple method based on extracellular electrophysiological recording of the temporal electrical activity of cultured hippocampal neurons using multielectrode arrays (MEAs) at low concentrations of Abeta (1-42). We have also shown that this functional deficit can be reversed through use of curcumin, an inhibitor of Abeta oligomerization, using both analysis methods. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE The MEA recording method utilized here is non-invasive, thus long term chronic measurements are possible and it does not require precise positioning of electrodes, thus it is ideal for functional screens. Even more significantly, we believe we have now identified a new target for drug development for AD based on functional toxicity of hippocampal neurons that could treat neurodegenerative diseases prior to the development of mild cognitive impairment.
Fourier transform filtering of two-dimensional fluorescence data

Fourier transform data filtering is applied to video fluorometric data. Minimum mean square error analysis is used to evaluate the effectiveness of various smoothing filters applied to noisy spectra of perylene. The equivalent width criteria for predicting the optimum filter radii in two dimensions are tested. Image sharpening of poorly resolved data is also demonstrated. The use of data filtering to aid in the visual interpretation of HPLC/VF data is demonstrated.
Effects of binding energy on exchange contributions in the stopping of electrons

We describe a theoretical treatment of the exchange contributions in Bethe's theory of the stopping of electrons. Starting with the first Born approximation, we obtain an expansion in powers of the ratio of the electronic energy of the target atom to the incident electron's kinetic energy. The binding of the electron within the atom is systematically taken into account, and the leading contribution recovers Bethe's results. The approach involves the use of sum rules that are generalizations of the Bethe sum rule, specifically dealing with the contributions from electron exchange. Though we restrict our discussion to the stopping power here, the method is quite general and may also be used to find the exchange contributions to other quantities related to cross sections of electron-atom scattering. Our results indicate that there may be significant corrections when one accounts for the binding energy.
Observation of the c˜1A1(0,10,0) state of CH2 by optical–optical double resonance

Abstract We report the observation of levels in the c ˜ 1 A 1 ( 0 , 10 , 0 ) state of CH 2 via optical–optical double resonance spectroscopy. Direct transitions between the lowest ( a ˜ ) singlet state and the c ˜ state are allowed by symmetry, but weak because they correspond to a two electron excitation in the single configuration approximation to the electronic wavefunction. The observed transitions involve sequential single photon absorptions at visible and near infrared wavelengths using b ˜ state intermediate levels. Recent ab initio results (S.N. Yurchenko et al., J. Mol. Spectrosc. 208 (2001), 136) predicted the positions of some of the levels which are confirmed by the present results. The new spectra provide accurate energies for rotational levels in the v 2 linear = 10 , l = 0 level of the c ˜ state.
Economics as mechanism: The mind as machine in Hayek's sensory order

InThe Sensory Order, Friedrich A. Hayek describes the human mind as an “apparatus of classification” that evolves through experience and that reaches decisions by “modeling” the alternative courses of action that are available to it. Hayek's mechanistic conception of mind argues aginst the possibility of central planning and against the cogency of any rule that denigrates “subjective” decision making by employers or other economic agents. As implied by Godel's proof, no brain, human or mechanical, can ever be sufficiently complex to explain itself. There will therefore always be certain knowledge and rules that cannot be articulated to the satisfaction of a central planner or tribunal.
Authentication at Scale

Like many in the industry, the authors believe passwords and simple bearer tokens, such as cookies, are no longer sufficient to keep users safe. Google employs a base level of sophisticated server-side technologies, such as SSL and risk analysis, to protect users with plain old passwords; however, it's also investing in client-side technologies, such as strong authentication with two-step verification using one-time passwords and public-key-based technology, for stronger user and device identification. It's championing various approaches to access delegation, both in its applications and with third parties, so that end user credentials aren't passed around insecurely.
Determination of the specificity of CD45 and CD45R monoclonal antibodies through the use of transfected hamster cells producing individual porcine CD45 isoforms

The exclusive presence of the tyrosine phosphatase, CD45, on the surface of hematopoietic cells coupled with the differential expression of its various isoforms has enabled the selection of lymphocyte subsets based on their reactivity with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific for one or more CD45 species. As a prelude to defining the specificity of anti-porcine CD45 mAbs for this purpose, Chinese hamster ovary cells were transfected with constructs containing cDNAs encoding the extracellular and transmembrane domains of four pig CD45 isoforms. Cells expressing only one of the three predominant types (CD45RO, CD45RC, and CD45RAC) or the minor species (CD45RA) of porcine CD45 on their surface were sorted based on positive reactivity with the CD45 mAb K252.1E4. Initially, these CD45+ cells were used as a source of antigen when determining the specificities of nine mAbs, which had been identified during the First and Second International Swine CD Workshops as being reactive with porcine CD45. Later, cloned cell lines were established and phenotypically verified for the production of the correct CD45 transcript by RT-PCR. Binding of two more mAbs (74-9-3 and 10-14-1) in addition to the original mAb panel to these cell lines was assessed by using a cell ELISA in lieu of one-color flow cytometry. Despite differences in detection methodology, identical mAb binding results were obtained. As anticipated, CD45 mAbs K252.1E4, MAC 323, and 74-9-3 which recognize an epitope(s) in the common portion of porcine CD45, reacted with cells expressing any one of the four isoforms but not with the parental CHO cells. In contrast, none of the restricted (CD45R) mAbs bound to cells producing the CD45RO isoform which lacks any of the alternate extracellular regions. However, three of these mABs (6E3/7, FG2F9 and STH267) did react specifically with the CD45RA and CD45RAC isoforms, indicating their specificity for an epitope(s) encoded by the CD45 A exon. The other four CD45R mAbs (MAC326, 3a56, MIL5, and -a2) recognized the CD45RC isoform. Interestingly, only CD45R mAb MAC326 also bound to cells expressing the CD45RAC isoform, suggesting that the epitope(s) recognized by the other three may have arisen due to the juncture of the invariant 5' leader sequence with the CD45C exon. The eleventh mAb (10-14-1) was unique in that it did not react with any of the expressed CD45 isoforms. This inability coupled with the previously demonstrated recognition of a 240 kDa protein suggests that it may be specific for CD45RABC. Overall, this panel of CD45R mAbs should prove useful for obtaining functionally distinct subpopulations of B and T lymphocytes.
Carbonation of ortho-, meta- and para-trifluoromethylphenyllithium compounds

The three isomeric trifluoromethylphenyllithium compounds were carbonated under different conditions and the resulting products, acids, ketones and alcohols were isolated. The metalation of trifluoromethylbenzene with n-C4H9Li/TMEDA is also described.
Penile carcinoma in renal transplant recipient

A case of squamous cell carcinoma of the penis occurring in a renal transplant recipient is presented. Despite a markedly increased incidence of epidermoid carcinoma in the transplant population, this is the first reported case of penile carcinoma occurring in a renal transplant recipient. As with other superficial epithelial tumors in this population, conventional therapeutic techniques are recommended. However, excisional biopsy is recommended for penile lesions at the time of initial presentation or if any clinical suspicion exists.
Robust test design for reliability estimation with modeling error when combining full system and subsystem tests

This paper develops a method for finding a robust test plan, which consists of a mixture of full system and subsystem tests, to estimate the reliability of a system given that the model for the system reliability is flawed. A robust test plan is developed by trading off the number of full system and subsystem tests to minimize the mean-squared error (MSE) of the maximum likelihood estimate (MLE) of system reliability. The MSE is decomposed into the variance of the MLE and a bias from incorrectly specifying the model that relates the subsystem reliabilities to the full system reliability (series, parallel, other). The variance of the MLE is based on the inverse Fisher Information. The bias is due to the modeling error. A demonstration of the test plan determination is given for a hypothetical system by trading off between the MSE (estimation accuracy), the degree of modeling error, and the cost of doing system and subsystem tests. A Pareto frontier can be identified, as illustrated in the paper.
Formation of photosensitive materials by ion implantation of oxygen ions in silica

Abstract Oxygen ions were implanted at 5 MeV in high purity silica to a dose of 3 × 10 16 ions/cm 2 . Samples were subsequently exposed to a series of 5 eV KrF excimer laser irradiations. Optical absorption and infrared reflectance spectra were measured before and after each series of irradiations. This material exhibits a photobleaching behavior that may be useful for planar waveguide devices.
Transfer Benefits From Public-Works Employment: Evidence for Rural India

Current knowledge provides little guidance on one of the key questions in evaluating public employment schemes aimed at directly reducing poverty: What are the net income gains to participating workers? This paper offers an answer for rural public employment in two villages in the state of Maharashtra in India. A model of intrahousehold time allocation is proposed and estimates are made using household data over six years. The empirical implementation indicates that the projects induce significant behavioral responses. Transfer benefits are large and are greatly underestimated using prevailing market wage rates for similar work to estimate forgone incomes. Copyright 1994 by Royal Economic Society.
Potentiation of Insulin-Induced Phosphatidylinositol-3 Kinase Activity by Phorbol Ester Is Mediated by Protein Kinase Cϵ

Abstract Our previous results have demonstrated that phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (TPA) and insulin synergistically stimulate the activity of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI-3 kinase) and PI-3 kinase plays an important role in both of TPA-induced AP-1 activation and cell transformation in tumour promotion sensitive (P + ) JB6 cells. In the present study, we investigated the role of PKC and its isozymes in the synergistic induction of PI-3 kinase by TPA and insulin. Bisindolylmaleimide inhibits TPA-and TPA + insulin-induced PI-3 kinase activity. Pretreatment of cells for 24 h with TPA has significant inhibitory effects on TPA-induced PI-3 kinase activity and abolishes the synergistic effect of TPA and insulin-stimulated PI-3 kinase activity. Furthermore, overexpression of a dominant negative PKCϵ, but not dominant negative PKCα, blocks the synergistic effect of TPA and insulin-induced PI-3 kinase activity. These results indicate that the potentiation effect of TPA on insulin-induced PI-3 kinase activity is specific through PKCϵ in JB6 cells.
Race, Gender, and Marriage: Destination Selection During the Great Migration

Using historical census microdata, we present a unique analysis of racial and gender disparities in destination selection and an exploration ofhypotheses regarding tied migration in the historical context ofthe Great Migration. Black migrants were more likely to move to metropolitan areas and central cities throughout the period, while white migrants were more likely to locate in nonmetropolitan and farm destinations. Gender differences were largely dependent on marital status. Consistent with the "tied-migration" thesis, married women had destination outcomes that were similar to those of men, whereas single women had a greater propensity to reside in metropolitan locations where economic opportunities for women were more plentiful.