cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Toward a better understanding of the savant brain

Abstract Objective The objectives of this study are to investigate the neuroanatomy, regional brain connectivity, and neurochemistry of a prodigious artistic savant; to place these findings within the context of existing neuroimaging literature of savant syndrome; and to discuss the utility of newer imaging modalities to extend our current understanding of mechanisms underlying savant skills. Methods High-resolution magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, J-resolved MR spectroscopy, and diffusion tensor imaging data were acquired during a single scanning session for a 63-year-old male autistic savant with prodigious artistic skills. Regional and compartmental brain volumes, N -acetyl aspartate, choline, creatine, glutamate and γ -aminobutyric acid concentrations, fractional anisotropy values, and white matter bundle volumes as well as axial, radial, and mean diffusivities were calculated. Results No gross anatomical differences were observed. By morphological assessment, cerebral volume (1362 mL) was larger than normative literature values for adult males. The corpus callosum was intact and did not exhibit abnormal structural features. The right cerebral hemisphere was 1.9% larger than the left hemisphere; the right amygdala and right caudate nuclei were 24% and 9.9% larger, respectively, compared with the left side. In contrast, the putamen was 8.3% larger on the left side. Fractional anisotropy was increased on the right side as compared with the left for 4 of the 5 bilateral regions studied (the amygdala, caudate, frontal lobe, and hippocampus). Fiber tract bundle volumes were larger on the right side for the amygdala, hippocampus, frontal lobe, and occipital lobe. Both the left and the right hippocampi had substantially increased axial and mean diffusivities as compared with those of a comparison sample of nonsavant adult males. The corpus callosum and left amygdala also exhibited high axial, radial, and mean diffusivities. MR spectroscopy revealed markedly decreased γ -aminobutyric acid and glutamate in the parietal lobe. Conclusions Although examination of brain gross morphometry demonstrated no clinically remarkable abnormalities, utilization of conventional as well as newer MR imaging technologies revealed several atypical structural and chemical features that may be involved in the special skills of this prodigious savant. The multimodal imaging approach presented in this study is suitable for the evaluation of larger samples of savants with a diverse range of talents to investigate common brain features that may underlie the exceptional cognitive capabilities characteristic of savant syndrome. Given the high co-occurrence of the two syndromes, elucidating the underlying neurophysiologic basis of savant syndrome may also lead to a better understanding of autism spectrum disorder.
Presidential Leadership and Administrative Coordination: Examining the Theory of a Unified Executive

Although presidential management is often prescribed as an antidote to the fragmentation of American bureaucracy, scholars have given relatively little explicit empirical attention to the premises that sustain this theory. Indeed, the premises themselves have remained vague in important respects. This article examines the effects of presidential management as manifested in the most direct and systematic effort to oversee administrative policy making to date. Regulatory review has produced coordination of a reactive nature. It has not, however, led to the kind of top-down planning and coordination that some authorities at least implicitly associate with a unified executive. In conjunction with other evidence, this has important implications for our understanding of the institutional motives and capabilities that link the president to the administrative process. As is often noted, the delegation of policy-making authority to the bureaucracy presents important doctrinal and constitutional issues for American government. What values should guide the administrative process and what institutional controls are appro priate for advancing those values? Particularly influential in this debate is the argument that the centralization of authority in the presidency is desirable as a way of rationalizing public administration. Thus, a unified executive has taken its place alongside presidential leadership in the legislative process as a prescribed response to the need for effective governance. To claim that everyone endorses this view would be a considerable exaggeration. At least since the New Deal, however, it has enjoyed majority support among students of political science, public administration, and administrative law as an antidote to the pathologies associated with the growth of a large and fragmented bureaucracy and with the decentralization of political power in American government more generally. As such, it has provided a rationale for the creation and empowerment of the Executive Office as an institutional
Surrogate end points in cardiovascular disease trials

In Phase IIl clinical trials, a primary objective should be to assess, as definitively as possible, the effect of treatment on measures of clinical efficacy. For diseases that are life threatening or that provide risks for irreversible morbidity, these clinical efficacy measures should be tangible outcomes that unequivocally reflect a patient’s quality of life or duration of survival. Such measures include increasing the probability of surviving an acute event and of achieving long-term survival in a setting of chronic risk. They also include reducing risks for stroke or myocardial infarction (Ml); obtaining sustained relief of pain; enhancing cognitive function in patients with disease-related dementia; improving the sense of well-being; reducing hospitalization or intensive care unit time, thus minimizing exposure to toxic or costly interventions; and improving functional status, that is, the ability to engage in normal work or school functions and recreational activities. Because a significant need exists for the rapid as well as reliable evaluation of promising new interventions for diseases that are life threatening or that provide irreversible morbidity, the medical research community has given considerable attention to using measures of biological activity as replacement end points, or surrogate end points, in place of true clinical efficacy end points. The use of surrogate end points provides means to reduce the size, length, and cost of Phase RI, or pivotal, clinical trials. Citing illustrations from an array of cardiovascular disease trials, this article analyzes the complexities that influence the reliability of surrogate end points and discusses the proper use of biological activity measures in clinical studies and the method by which surrogates are validated. The validation of surrogates requires metaanalyses of large clinical trials as well as a thorough bio logical understanding of the causal pathways of the disease process and of a particular treatment’s intended and unintended mechanisms of action.
Sr isotope evidence for a lacustrine origin for the upper Miocene to Pliocene Bouse Formation, lower Colorado River trough, and implications for timing of Colorado Plateau uplift

The upper Miocene to Pliocene Bouse Formation in the lower Colorado River trough, which consists largely of siltstone with basal tufa and marl, has been interpreted as estuarine on the basis of paleontology. This interpretation requires abrupt marine inundation that has been linked to early rifting in the Gulf of California and Salton trough. New strontium isotope measurements reported here from carbonates and invertebrate shells in the Bouse Formation reveal no evidence of marine water, but are consistent with deposition in a lake or chain of lakes fed by the Colorado River. Furthermore, the absence of a southward decrease in 87 Sr/ 86 Sr within the Bouse Formation does not support the estuarine model in which low 87 Sr/ 86 Sr marine Sr would have dominated the mouth of the hypothetical Bouse estuary. Elevation of originally marine 87 Sr/ 86 Sr in the Bouse Formation to its present level, due to postdepositional interaction with ground water, is unlikely because Sr from secondary calcite above, below, and within the Bouse Formation is consistently less radiogenic, not more, than Bouse marl and shells. In contrast to Bouse Sr, strontium from mollusks in tidal-flat and delta-front paleoenvironments in the contemporaneous Imperial Formation in the Salton trough and from the subsurface south of Yuma was derived from sea water and confirms the dominance of marine strontium near or at the mouth of the late Miocene to early Pliocene Colorado River. Inferred post–early Pliocene uplift of the Bouse Formation from below sea level to modern elevations of up to 550 m has been used to support a late Cenozoic uplift age for the nearby Colorado Plateau. This constraint on uplift timing is eliminated if the Bouse Formation is lacustrine.
The Super-Iron Boride Battery

A high-capacity alkaline redox storage chemistry is explored based on an environmentally benign zirconia-stabilized Fe 6+ /B 2- chemistry. This super-iron boride battery sustains an electrochemical potential matched to the pervasive, conventional MnO 2 -Zn battery chemistry, but with a much higher electrochemical storage capacity. Whereas a conventional alkaline battery pairs the 2e - zinc anode with a le - MnO 2 cathode, the new alkaline cell couples an 11e - boride anode, such as VB 2 , with a 3e - storage hexavalent iron cathode. The cell has an open circuit and discharge potential comparable to the conventional, commercial alkaline battery. Based on VB 2 (72.6 g mol -1 ) and the Fe(VI) salt K 2 FeO 4 (198.0 g mol -1 ), the super-iron boride cell has an 11 Faraday theoretical capacity of 369 mAh g -1 . Added AgO mediates and further facilitates the 3e - K 2 FeO 4 reductive charge transfer, and we demonstrate for super-iron boride that over 300 mAh g -1 is approached experimentally, which is substantially higher than the conventional Zn/MnO 2 alkaline battery with an experimental capacity (to 0.8 V) of 160 mAh g -1 and a theoretical capacity of 224 mAh g -1 .
A new weapon for attacking tumor blood vessels.

The vascular endothelial growth factor is the target of the antiangiogenic drug bevacizumab. Another protein, placental growth factor, also represents a promising target for countering tumor angiogenesis.
Ferroelectricity in PbTiO3 Thin Films: A First Principles Approach

The ground-state ferroelectric distortion of PbTiO3 thin films is studied using a first-principles effective Hamiltonian to describe the structural energetics at a microscopic level. Under short-circuit electrical and zero-stress mechanical boundary conditions, (0 0 1) films as thin as one unit cell are found to support a stable perpendicular polarization. Size effects in the layer-by-layer ferroelectric distortion are discussed. The continuum limit of the first-principles effective Hamiltonian has the same form as the widely-used Landau-Ginzburg expression for the free energy near Tc, so that the present results can be directly related to those of previous phenomenological studies. In particular, a microscopic interpretation of the extrapolation length δ is proposed.
Individual and demographic responses of the gray‐tailed vole to vinclozolin

We tested the hypothesis that vinclozolin, a fungicide that has been demonstrated in the laboratory to disrupt hormonal activity of rats and mice, would have adverse effects on a field population of voles. We conducted two field experiments to determine whether exposure to vinclozolin following a standard application rate of Curalanr fungicide had adverse effects on the reproductive development and demography of the gray-tailed vole, Microtus canicaudus. In one experiment conducted during the rainy season, mean lengths of testes and seminal vesicles were smaller (p ≤ 0.08), levels of plasma testosterone were lower (p = 0.025), and proportion of pregnant females was lower (p = 0.05) in treatment than in control animals; however, this difference was not sufficient to affect juvenile recruitment, sex ratio, or population growth. In a second experiment conducted under drier conditions, no differences occurred in measurements of reproductive organs or demography of treatment and control populations. The results suggest that precipitation may have increased the potency of the chemical by washing it down to ground level and (or) by increasing the uptake of toxic metabolites by the plants, resulting in greater dietary exposure to the voles. Although our results revealed no biologically significant effects of vinclozolin at the population level under the conditions of our experiments, they do suggest that multiple applications or a higher application rate of a vinclozolin product may have negative effects on male reproductive development and demography in wild populations.
Efficiency of electron and ion impact processes in electronegative oxygen plasma

Abstract Rate coefficients are given for several processes that occur in electronegative, weaklyionized oxygen plasma. Both electron and ion (positive and negative) impact processes are considered. The mean impact-energy range is from a few up to some tens of electronvolts. The range of plasma energies discussed is appropriate for high-voltage gas discharges (e.g. some light sources and plasmatrons). Most of the cross-sections were taken from available measurements, and four different energy-distribution functions were used in the calculations. The form of the distribution function used for a given process depends on the kinds of interacting particles and the physical conditions of the plasma, i.e. on whether the ‘field dominating’ or ‘collision dominating’ effect is more important for plasma behavior.
Complete mass balance of dietary polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in dairy cattle and characterization of the apparent synthesis of hepta- and octachlorodioxins.

Mass balances of 2,3,7,8-substituted dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) were measured in cows following administration of pentachlorophenol (PCP)-treated wood. Fecal excretion accounted for the major fraction of all congeners. Recovery in feces increased with increasing chlorination, while storage in body fat and excretion in milk decreased with increasing chlorination. The PCDFs with no chlorines in the 4- and 6-positions were apparently metabolized because residues were not detected in milk and body fat. Storage and excretion of 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD and 1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9-OCDD exceeded intake by factors of 1.7 and 3.4, but recovery of other PCDD/Fs did not exceed intake significantly. Excess excretion of OCDD, but not HpCDD, was confirmed in a follow-up study. Synthesis of HpCDD and OCDD did not occur when PCP-treated wood was fermented with rumen microorganisms, and enhanced concentrations of HpCDD and OCDD were not found in gastrointestinal tract contents of dosed animals. Formation of OC...
The role of immunodeficiency in the development of postoperative bacterial sepsis and wound infections in neonates

Newborn infants are predisposed to bacterial invasion. Several defects in antibacterial host immunity have been reported that are relevant to the management of the neonate requiring surgical intervention. Defects in the quantities and function of immunoglobulins, complement components, and neutrophils are described that, in combination, render neonates immunocompromised. Consequently, neonates are susceptible to infection with bacteria that are usually of low virulence such as coagulase-negative staphylococci. Coagulase-negative staphylococci are usually resistant to both ampicillin and gentamicin, the antibiotics most commonly used for perioperative prophylaxis in neonates. Since the neonate is an immunocompromised host, controlled trials should be conducted to determine the optimal choice, dose, and duration of prophylactic antibiotics required to minimize postoperative infection while also minimizing superinfections resulting from antibiotic usage.
Purchasing Piety? Coresidence of Married Children With Their Older Parents in Japan

We investigated the conditions under which married children live with their older parents in Japan. We focused on how needs and resources in each generation are associated with whether married couples live with their parents in parent-headed and child-headed households, and we also investigated difference in power relations between older and younger generations and between children and their spouses. We analyzed a nationally representative sample of older parents (n = 3,853) and their married children (n = 8,601) from the 1999 Nihon University Japanese Longitudinal Study of Aging (NUJLSOA). Mutinomial regression revealed that married children with relatively affluent parents tended to live with them in parent-headed households and that married children with parents who are in relatively poor health or who are widowed tended to live with them in child-headed households. We also found that less-educated married children tended to live in the households of their higher-income parents, suggesting that parents may be “purchasing” traditional arrangements with less-affluent children. In addition, children with an educational advantage over their spouses were more likely to have parents living with them in child-headed coresident households. We conclude that traditional multigenerational coresidence has become a commodity negotiated within families based on relative resources and needs within and across generations.
Current Trends in Task Analysis: The Integration of Task Analysis and Instructional Design.

Perhaps the most important trend in task analysis today is the substantive and temporal integration of task analysis with instructional design. Task analysis and instructional design are being integratedsubstantively by using designactivities (such as sequencing and synthesis) as a basis for selecting different types of task analysis, and by using specificstrategies (such as a procedurally-based simple-to-complex sequence) as another basis for selecting different task analysis methodologies. The area of synthesis is one that deserves to receive considerable attention in the near future. Also, as new instructional strategies are developed to utilize the capabilities of new delivery systems (such as new strategies for sequencing and synthesis), new task analysis methodologies will be needed to provide the information necessary to design those strategies into the instruction.
Relation of ordinal position signals to the expectation of reward and passage of time in four areas of the macaque frontal cortex

Neurons in several areas of the monkey frontal cortex exhibit rank selectivity, firing differentially as a function of the stage attained during the performance of a serial order task. The activity of these neurons is commonly thought to represent ordinal position within the trial. However, they might also be sensitive to factors correlated with ordinal position including time elapsed during the trial (which is greater for each successive stage) and the degree of anticipation of reward (which probably increases at each successive stage). To compare the influences of these factors, we monitored neuronal activity in the supplementary motor area (SMA), presupplementary motor area (pre-SMA), supplementary eye field (SEF), and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex during the performance of a serial order task (requiring a series of saccades in three specified directions), a variable reward task (in which a cue displayed early in the trial indicated whether the reward received at the end of the trial would be large or small), and a long delay task (in which the monkey had simply to maintain fixation during a period of time approximating the duration of an average trial in the serial order task). We found that rank signals were partially correlated with sensitivity to elapsed time and anticipated reward. The connection to elapsed time was strongest in the pre-SMA. The connection to anticipated reward was most pronounced in the SMA and SEF. However, critically, these factors could not fully explain rank selectivity in any of the areas tested.
Rate of convergence of bootstrapped empirical measures

This paper uses a connection between bootstrap and the bi-partite matching to study the rate of convergence of the bootstrapped empirical measure to its original.
An Inverse Problem for a Sturm-Liouville Operator

If 0 is not a Dirichlet eigenvalue of the Sturm-Liouville operator − d2/dx2 + q(x) on (0, 1), then q(x) ∈ L2(0, 1) is uniquely determined by the data {u′j(0)}∞j = 1, where uj(x) solves −u″j(x) + q(x) uj(x) = ψj(x) 0 < x < 1uj(0) = 0uj(1) = 0 and {ψj(x)}∞j = 1 is a basis of L2(0, 1). Numerical approximations of q(x) using finite data are constructed.
A Caution on the Regulatory Use of Numerical Solute Transport Models

Numerical models of solute transport in water-saturated porous media are routinely used to make regulatory and design decisions. For many contaminants, decisions are based on concentrations of 5 parts per billion (ppb) or less. This “action level“ is usually a small fraction (<0.01) of the concentrations near a source of contamination. Two one-dimensional example problems are used to demonstrate that modeling errors using classical numerical methods are largest where concentrations are lowest. This implies that in regions of low dimensionless concentration, that is near the action level, large relative errors can be expected. Hence, decisions based on numerical model solutions at low concentrations must be taken cautiously. Modern numerical methods for the solution of transport equations provide better behavior, in this sense, than classical methods.
Cystic fibrosis and the phenotypic expression of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

Recent experiments in cultured cyst epithelial cells from kidneys of patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) have shown that the cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is present in the apical surface of these cells and mediates chloride (Cl-) and fluid secretion in vitro. To determine whether the presence of CF with the expression of mutated CFTR proteins modifies cyst formation in ADPKD, we studied a large family with both inherited diseases. ADPKD in this family is linked to PKD1. The family is composed of 26 members; 11 members with ADPKD, 4 members with CF, and 2 members with both diseases. Renal volumes measured by computerized tomography (CT), calculated creatinine clearances, and other clinical parameters in the family members with ADPKD and CF were compared with those in the family members with ADPKD alone, as well as to a large population of patients with ADPKD. The patients with CF and ADPKD, but not the CF heterozygote carriers with ADPKD, had less severe polycystic kidney and liver disease, as indicated by normal renal function; smaller renal volume, even when corrected for height and body surface area; and the absence of hypertension and liver cysts. These observations suggest that the coexistence of CF may reduce the severity of ADPKD.
Postretirement Workers in the Labor Force.

This study examines the return to the labor force of postretirement workers. Self-administered questionnaires determined the reasons for return to work, relation of current job to previous job and ...
Sea Urchin Eggs Release Protease Activity at Fertilization

AT fertilization, sea urchin eggs release macromolecules into the surrounding seawater. The release of these molecules (fertilization product1) results from the lysis of the peripheral layer of cortical granules2,3 and possibly from other sites on the cell surface. Three macromolecules of the fertilization product have been identified: (1) a β-1,3-glucanohydrolase4, (2) a protein that forms part of the fertilization membrane5 and (3) hyalin6, the major constituent of an extracellular gel that surrounds the developing embryo7.
L-shell X-ray production ratios for 100–150 keV protons

Abstract Typical relative intensity ratios for X-ray production induced by 100–150 keV protons incident on thick targets of Gd (Z2 = 64) and Dy (Z2 = 66) are reported. Experimental subshell ionization cross sections for thick Dy targets bombarded by protons are also reported. The results are compared to predictions of the ECPSSR and RPWBABC theories and to other reported work in this proton energy range. Substantial discrepancies are observed and possible explanations for them are discussed.
Implications of Eurocentrism for Social Work Education: Trivialization vis-à-vis Skin Color

The significance of skin color among people of color and its relative absence in social work literature is arguably attributed to Eurocentrism. Eurocentrism defines human reality via Eurocentric norms, ideas, values and perspectives. Evidence of Eurocentrism in social work is contained in its literature priorities, skin color litigation, brown racism and skin bleaching. Demonstration of the aforementioned social pathologies involving skin color pertaining to people of color is a critical, existential phenomenon. If social work is to remain viable and be sustained in the future, it must conform to the dictates of changes in the population. That will require a commensurate adjustment and a willingness of its intelligentsia to accommodate skin color and other alternative views relative to education and practice.
The metabolism of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol by isolated renal tubules in vitro as studied by a new chromatographic technique

Abstract The metabolism of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol by isolated chick renal tubules has been investigated by the use of a new chromatographic method employing silica-treated paper as the supporting phase. This method has been found to be superior to Sephadex LH20 column chromatography in resolving the metabolites of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol, particularly in separating 1,25-dyhydroxycholecalciferol from other metabolites. With this method several heretofore undescribed metabolites of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol have been recognized and partially characterized.
In vivo regulation of [3H]acetylcholine recognition sites in brain by nicotinic cholinergic drugs.

: The in vivo regulation of [3H]acetylcholine ([3H]ACh) recognition sites on nicotinic receptors in rat - brain was examined by administering drugs that increase stimulation of nicotinic cholinergic receptors, either directly or indirectly. After 10 days of treatment with the cholinesterase inhibitor diisopropyl fluorophosphate, [3H]ACh binding in the cortex, thalamus, striatum, and hypothalamus was decreased. Scatchard analyses indicated that the decrease in binding in the cortex was due to a reduction in the apparent density of [3H]ACh recognition sites. In contrast, after repeated administration of nicotine (5–21 days), the number of [3H]ACh recognition sites was increased in the cortex, thalamus, striatum, and hypothalamus. Similar effects were observed in the cortex and thalamus following repeated administration of the nicotinic agonist cytisin. The nicotinic antagonists mecamylamine and dihydro-β-erythroidine did not alter [3H]ACh binding following 10–14 days of administration. Further, concurrent treatment with these antagonists and nicotine did not prevent the nicotine-induced increase in these binding sites. The data indicate that [3H]ACh recognition sites on nicotinic receptors are subject to up- and down-regulation, and that repeated administration of nicotine results in a signal for up-regulation, probably through protracted desensitization at the recognition site.
A more recent look at the prevalence of stuttering in the United States

Abstract Data was requested from 50 states and 5 protectorate-trusteeships on: (1) the total school enrollment and (2) the number of stutterers identified each year between 1964–1973. The data are interpreted with reference to past prevalence figures. Trends within the 1964–1973 period are discussed. The study lends support to Van Riper's predicted declining prevalence of stuttering, yet there was no significant changes in incidence over the 10 year period.
PREVALENCE OF RISK-FACTORS OF NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES IN RURAL POPULATION OF BLOCK DOIWALA DEHRADUN

Background: The important risk factors identified for NCDs are high blood pressure, high concentration of cholesterol in the blood, overweight and obesity and tobacco use . Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), especially cardiovascular diseases, cancers and type 2 diabetes mellitus account for 53% and 44% of all deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) respectively in India1 Therefore, primordial prevention of occurrence of risk factors along with their early identification and management can help delay the progress to non-communicable diseases Objectives: Profiling risk-factors for non-communicable diseases in rural population. Material & Methods: 707 study participants of more than 15 years of age were included in the study. Behavioural risk factor profile was obtained by interview technique, followed by anthropometric measurements and biochemical assessment of all the individuals. Statistical Analysis : Percentage calculation of subjects having Risk factors for non-communicable diseases & correlation analysis. Results : 14.8% study population was found to be overweight and obese(>25 kg/m 2 ).Overweight & Obesity was two times more in females than males As per the weight hip ratio 44.8% population was in the moderate to high risk category(Male ->0.96, female ->0.80). Overall 6.7 % population was found to be hypertensive. About 3.7% of the subjects were in frank diabetic status (random blood sugar level more than 200 mg/dl).Blood cholesterol levels were above 200 mg/dl.( At risk category) in 7.4% subjects. Conclusions : Prevalence of NCD risk factors is comparatively lower in the area however “At risk” population is large requiring appropriate & timely actions to stop even the emergence epidemic of NCDs.
Noncontact level sensing technique using computer vision

Various types of sensors have been developed for measuring the depth of liquids in tanks, such as a fuel tank in an aircraft. Almost all of these methods require the sensor to come in contact with the liquid with low-voltage electrical leads carrying the signal from the sensor to an external computer for processing. A particular concern when such in-contact sensors are used in fuel tanks is the potential for an electrical discharge through the sensor leads resulting in an explosion. In this paper, we propose a computer vision-based noncontact technique for measuring the level of a liquid in a closed container using an optical imaging system coupled with an appropriate set of image-processing algorithms. An experimental setup was specially designed and constructed for simulating the environment of vibrating fuel in the gas tank of aircrafts for demonstrating the effectiveness of the technique. The experimental results of this paper may be used for studying the feasibility of implementing an actual system, which could be incorporated in aircrafts as a part of the aircraft's fuel gauge system.
An autonomous performance control framework for Distributed Multi-Agent Systems: a queueing theory based approach

Distributed Multi-Agent Systems (DMAS) such as supply chains functioning in highly dynamic environments need to achieve maximum overall utility during operation. The utility from maintaining performance is an important component of their survivability. This utility is often met by identifying trade-offs between quality of service and performance. To adaptively choose the operational settings for better utility, we propose an autonomous and scalable queueing theory based methodology to control the performance of a hierarchical network of distributed agents.
Linguistic Markers of Psychological Change Surrounding September 11, 2001

The diaries of 1,084 U.S. users of an on-line journaling service were downloaded for a period of 4 months spanning the 2 months prior to and after the September 11 attacks. Linguistic analyses of the journal entries revealed pronounced psychological changes in response to the attacks. In the short term, participants expressed more negative emotions, were more cognitively and socially engaged, and wrote with greater psychological distance. After 2 weeks, their moods and social referencing returned to baseline, and their use of cognitive-analytic words dropped below baseline. Over the next 6 weeks, social referencing decreased, and psychological distancing remained elevated relative to baseline. Although the effects were generally stronger for individuals highly preoccupied with September 11, even participants who hardly wrote about the events showed comparable language changes. This study bypasses many of the methodological obstacles of trauma research and provides a fine-grained analysis of the time line of human coping with upheaval.
Idempotent Computation over Finite Fields

In this paper, we provide an account of several new techniques for computing the primitive idempotents of a commutative artinian algebra over a finite field. Examples of such algebras include the center of a finite group algebra or any finite dimensional quotient of a polynomial ring. The computational methods described are applicable in fairly general situations and the algorithms presented are easily programmed. Both pseudocode and operation counts are provided. As an application, the problem of factoring polynomials over finite fields is discussed.
Stabilization of insertion electrodes for lithium batteries

Abstract This paper discusses the techniques that are being employed to stabilize LiMn2O4 spinel and composite LixMnO2 positive electrodes. The critical role that spinel domains play in stabilizing these electrodes for operation at both 4 V and 3 V is highlighted. The concept of using an intermetallic electrode MM′ where M is an active alloying element and M′ is an inactive element (or elements) is proposed as an alternative negative electrode (to carbon) for lithium-ion cells. An analogy to metal oxide insertion electrodes, such as MnO2, in which Mn is the electrochemically active ion and O is the inactive ion, is made. Performance data are given for the copper–tin electrode system, which includes the intermetallic phases eta-Cu6Sn5 and Li2CuSn.
Reduced LDL particle size in children consuming a very-low-fat diet is related to parental LDL-subclass patterns

Background A genetically influenced atherogenic lipoprotein phenotype characterized by a predominance of small, dense LDL particles (subclass pattern B) can be induced by low-fat diets in healthy subjects with large LDL particles (pattern A). Objective The aim of this study was to test whether genetic predisposition to subclass pattern B contributes to susceptibility to induction of this trait by a low-fat diet. Design The prevalence of pattern B in children is relatively low compared with that in older individuals, but genetic susceptibility to this trait in offspring can be inferred by its presence in their parents. Plasma lipoproteins were analyzed 10 d after a change from a usual diet to a very-low-fat (10% fat), high-carbohydrate diet in offspring (mean age: 14 y; range: 7-28 y) of 22 families according to parental LDL-subclass patterns when consuming a low-fat diet: AxA mating (9 families with 19 children), AxB mating (5 families with 10 children), and BxB mating (8 families with 21 children). Results The very-low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet produced significantly greater decreases in LDL particle size in offspring of BxB parents (f1.gif" BORDER="0"> +/- SE: -0.55 +/- 0.16 nm) and AxB parents (-0.48 +/- 0.19 nm) than in offspring of AxA parents (0.14 +/- 0.20 nm). The number of children expressing pattern B with the 10%-fat diet and the proportion of children converting from pattern A to pattern B was significantly greater in offspring of BxB parents than in those with 1 or 2 pattern A parents. Conclusion A very-low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet can induce expression of LDL-subclass pattern B in genetically predisposed children with low expression of the trait while consuming their usual diets.
Testing forecasting power of the conditional relationship between beta and return

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the forecasting power of the conditional relationship between beta and international stock returns.Design/methodology/approach – Using the market model, the individual betas for each country in the sample are estimated by ordinary least square. The conditional relation between beta and return is tested by estimating cross‐sectional regressions for each month (i.e. 343 cross‐sectional regressions). Mean value of coefficients and t‐statistics (one tail) are computed to test whether the mean values of coefficients are significantly positive and negative. Whether there is a systematic relationship between the bull market and the bear market is also tested.Findings – Overall, no support of the model was found. Although positive, there is insignificant relationship between beta of current period when excess market return is positive with next period stock return. Moreover, although negative, there was insignificant relationship between beta of current period...
Testing environment for innovative transport protocols

This paper describes the development of a test environment for innovative transport protocols. Central to this work is the development of a universal transport library (UTL). The UTL is a library of transport protocols that provides application programmers the ability to write to a single application programming interface (API), then test their application with many different transport protocols. The UTL also allows for rapid prototyping of transport protocols at the user level. The UTL has been incorporated into two multimedia communication systems designed to provide better performance over lossy networks by using innovative transport protocol features: NETCICATS (a Network-Conscious Image Compression and Transmission System) and ReMDoR (a Remote Multimedia Document Retrieval system). These three tools facilitate the evaluation of flexible transport protocols and compression techniques for multimedia communications over lossy battlefield networks.
Optical scattering of confocal laser scanning reflectance microscopy in turbid media

We present quantitative analysis of optical scattering in confocal reflectance microscopy as a function of numerical aperture and scattering coefficient. Data is collected from samples of intralipid of varying concentration with objectives up to 1.4NA.
AlGaAs/Si dual-junction tandem solar cells fabricated by epitaxial lift-off and print transfer-assisted bonding

Tandem solar cells using different bandgap materials provide higher energy conversion efficiency than single junction cells. However, the need for current matching and lattice matching often restricts the material selection for multi-junction solar cells. To overcome these challenges, we report AlGaAs/Si dual-junction tandem solar cells fabricated by a combined epitaxial lift-off (ELO) and print-transfer method without adhesive layers. Compared to the stacking methods with epoxies, light scattering as well as the need for heat management are avoided here. Furthermore, the epitaxial lift-off approach can help save substrates for re-use and thus is promising to lower the cost of photovoltaic panels.
Characterizing Mystery Cell Lines: Student-driven Research Projects in an Undergraduate Neuroscience Laboratory Course.

Benefits of investigative and open-ended laboratories for undergraduates (Sundberg and Moncada, 1994) are numerous. Studies suggest that student retention of key concepts and critical thinking skills are enhanced by inquiry- and project-based learning strategies (Council, 2003; Rissing and Cogan, 2009; Treacy et al., 2011). Open ended projects, such as the student-driven research projects described here, can increase student motivation and engagement (Wiegant et al., 2011). Project-based exercises have been shown to promote a stronger student interest in science research (Treacy et al., 2011). Many reports describe inquiry-based learning approaches in neuroscience and neuroscience-related courses (Goyette and DeLuca, 2007; Birkett, 2009; Chase and Barney, 2009). Here we describe a lab design that prepares and then challenges students to generate their own hypothesis-driven set of experiments to identify a cell line using cellular and molecular techniques. These labs guide students through all aspects of the process of science research. This lab design is ideally suited for undergraduates to experience all aspects of science research in an upper level neuroscience or a cell biology course. The goals of the student-driven independent research project are to: engage and challenge students in the interdisciplinary field of neuroscience enhance students’ ability to generate testable hypotheses improve students’ ability to generate an experimental rationale and experimental design have students work as a team to execute these experiments enable students to collect and critically analyze their data further train students how to clearly present their data as a lab report and an oral presentation enable the research project to fit within a 8-week time constraint during a semester.
Mucosal immunity and inflammation. II. The yin and yang of T cells in intestinal inflammation: pathogenic and protective roles in a mouse colitis model.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a multifactorial immune disorder of uncertain etiology. The advent of several mouse models of mucosal inflammation that resemble IBD has provided insight into th...
CHAPTER 2 – Amino Acids

This chapter focuses on amino acids, which are the monomeric units, or building blocks of proteins joined by a specific type of covalent linkage. The properties of proteins depend on the characteristic sequence of component amino acids, each of which has distinctive side chains. Amino acid polymerization requires elimination of a water molecule, as the carboxyl group of one amino acid reacts with the amino group of another amino acid to form a covalent amide bond. The repetition of this process with many amino acids yields a polymer, known as a polypeptide. The amide bonds linking amino acids to each other are known as peptide bonds. The sequence of amino acids in a protein is dictated by the sequence of nucleotides in a segment of the DNA in the chromosomes, and the uniqueness of each living organism is due to its endowment of specific proteins. Almost all of the naturally occurring amino acids in proteins are L-α-amino acids. The principal 20 amino acids in proteins have an amino group, a carboxyl group, a hydrogen atom, and an R-group attached to the α-carbon. A useful classification of the amino acids is based on the solubility (that is, ionization and polarity) characteristics of the side chains (R-groups). The R-groups fall into four classes, which include nonpolar (hydrophobic); polar, negatively charged (acidic); polar, positively charged (basic); and polar, neutral (unionized). Glycine is the smallest amino acid and has an H atom as its R-group. It is the only α-amino acid that is notoptically active. Glycine is used for the biosynthesis of many nonprotein compounds, such as porphyrins and purines.
Reusing electric vehicle battery for demand side management integrating dynamic pricing

This paper presents an experimental investigation in reusing vehicle traction lithium ion batteries for a second life application as a stationary energy storage system. A single family household demonstrated solar storage and demand side management, integrating a PV array, a grid interface and battery energy storage. The stationary battery pack, composed of retired vehicle traction batteries, serves as an energy buffer accumulating excess PV panel generated energy during off-peak hours and discharging during peak hours. A battery management system was developed to mitigate battery imbalance issues via extended Kalman filter SoC estimator, enhanced high current shunting, and protective circuitry. The day-ahead market pricing signal available from the California Independent System Operator was scrapped as the simulated market bidding signal. The system provided a proof of concept that retired EV batteries can be reused as distributed energy storage, and participate in demand response with dynamic pricing, benefiting both transportation and utility grid sectors.
Managing student digital distractions and hyperconnectivity: communication strategies and challenges for professorial authority

ABSTRACTRecent debates on the use of technology in classrooms have highlighted the significance of regulating students’ off-task and multitasking behaviors facilitated by digital media. This paper investigates the communication practices that constitute professorial authority to manage college students’ digital distractions in classrooms. Findings from interviews with American professors illustrate how they constitute their authority through distinct communication strategies including the enactment of codified rules, strategic redirection, discursive sanctions, and deflection. Furthermore, results highlight the multiple constraints and tensions in instructor communication to manage digital distractions in everyday and routine interventions. Insights generated in this paper contribute to deepening understanding of the (re)construction of contemporary pedagogical authority in times of digital hyperconnectivity, as well as its adaptions and challenges.
Evaluation of Maize Single-Cross Hybrids and Inbred Lines for Resistance to 3rd-Instar Black Cutworm Larvae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

A 10-class rating system was developed for evaluating genotypes of maize, Zea mays L., for resistance to leaf feeding by 3rd-instar black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel), larvae. Infestations (with four 3rd-instar larvae per plant) were made during the 1-leaf stage of plant growth; 109 single-cross hybrids and 100 inbred lines were susceptible (classes 7-10) under both greenhouse and field conditions, when judged 5 days after infestation.
Sociobiophysicality and the Necessity of Critical Theory: Moving beyond Prevailing Conceptions of Environmental Sociology in the USA

Today, to perceive the link between society and environment does not require that we engage in an effort of great abstraction. What remains paradoxical is that the intensity and scale of societally...
Study on Combustion Optimization Adjustment Test for 600MW Supercritical Bioler

The methods and results of combustion optimization adjustment test for 600 MW supercritical boiler in some power plants are studied.Before adjustment,the combustible matter content in boiler ash was higher,and combustible matter content in fly ash is up to 12%,maximum about 20%.Additionally,heat loss due to solid imcomplete combustion is higher,and boiler efficiency is lower.After the tests on adjusting primary air of hot,pulverized coal fineness,economizer outlet oxygen content and burnout air volume,combustible matter content in boiler ash reduces to 7%,and heat loss due to solid incomplete combustion evidently decreases.After adjustment,boiler efficiency evidently increases,and is about 91.6%,higher than design value.Additionally,energy consumption of unit greatly reduces.