cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Investigations on the role of a solvent tunnel in the α-ketoglutarate dependent oxygenase factor inhibiting HIF (FIH).

Non-heme Fe(II)/α-ketoglutarate (αKG)-dependent oxygenases catalyze a wide array of reactions through coupling oxidative decarboxylation of αKG to substrate oxygenation. This class of enzymes follows a sequential mechanism in which O2 reacts only after binding primary substrate, raising questions over how protein structure tailors molecular access to the Fe(II) cofactor. The enzyme “factor inhibiting hypoxia inducible factor” (FIH) senses pO2 in human cells by hydroxylating the C-terminal transactivation domain (CTAD), suggesting that structural elements limiting molecular access to the active site may limit the pO2 response. In this study, we tested the impact of a solvent-accessible tunnel in FIH on molecular access to the active site in FIH. The size of the tunnel was increased through alanine point mutagenesis (Y93A, E105A, and Q147A), followed by a suite of mechanistic and spectroscopic probes. Steady-state kinetics varying O2 or CTAD indicated that O2 passage through the tunnel was not affected by Ala substitutions, allowing us to conclude that this narrow tunnel did not impact pO2 sensing by FIH. Steady-state kinetics with varied αKG concentrations revealed increased substrate inhibition for the Ala variants, suggesting that a second αKG molecule may bind near the active site of FIH. If this solvent-accessible tunnel is the O2 entry tunnel, it may be narrow in order to permit O2 access while preventing metabolic intermediates, such as αKG, from inhibiting FIH under physiological conditions.
Cardinal features of involuntary force variability can arise from the closed-loop control of viscoelastic afferented muscles.

Involuntary force variability below 15 Hz arises from, and is influenced by, many factors including descending neural drive, proprioceptive feedback, and mechanical properties of muscles and tendons. However, their potential interactions that give rise to the well-structured spectrum of involuntary force variability are not well understood due to a lack of experimental techniques. Here, we investigated the generation, modulation, and interactions among different sources of force variability using a physiologically-grounded closed-loop simulation of an afferented muscle model. The closed-loop simulation included a musculotendon model, muscle spindle, Golgi tendon organ (GTO), and a tracking controller which enabled target-guided force tracking. We demonstrate that closed-loop control of an afferented musculotendon suffices to replicate and explain surprisingly many cardinal features of involuntary force variability. Specifically, we present 1) a potential origin of low-frequency force variability associated with co-modulation of motor unit firing rates (i.e.,‘common drive’), 2) an in-depth characterization of how proprioceptive feedback pathways suffice to generate 5-12 Hz physiological tremor, and 3) evidence that modulation of those feedback pathways (i.e., presynaptic inhibition of Ia and Ib afferents, and spindle sensitivity via fusimotor drive) influence the full spectrum of force variability. These results highlight the previously underestimated importance of closed-loop neuromechanical interactions in explaining involuntary force variability during voluntary ‘isometric’ force control. Furthermore, these results provide the basis for a unifying theory that relates spinal circuitry to various manifestations of altered involuntary force variability in fatigue, aging and neurological disease.
Defining Driver DNA Methylation Changes in Human Cancer.

Human malignant tumors are characterized by pervasive changes in the patterns of DNA methylation. These changes include a globally hypomethylated tumor cell genome and the focal hypermethylation of numerous 5′-cytosine-phosphate-guanine-3′ (CpG) islands, many of them associated with gene promoters. It has been challenging to link specific DNA methylation changes with tumorigenesis in a cause-and-effect relationship. Some evidence suggests that cancer-associated DNA hypomethylation may increase genomic instability. Promoter hypermethylation events can lead to silencing of genes functioning in pathways reflecting hallmarks of cancer, including DNA repair, cell cycle regulation, promotion of apoptosis or control of key tumor-relevant signaling networks. A convincing argument for a tumor-driving role of DNA methylation can be made when the same genes are also frequently mutated in cancer. Many of the most commonly hypermethylated genes encode developmental transcription factors, the methylation of which may lead to permanent gene silencing. Inactivation of such genes will deprive the cells in which the tumor may initiate from the option of undergoing or maintaining lineage differentiation and will lock them into a perpetuated stem cell-like state thus providing an additional window for cell transformation.
Discovery in complex adaptive systems

Abstract The distinction between ontological ground-truth phenomena and epistemic measurements of those phenomena is discussed and analyzed in the context of complex cognitive systems research. A common style of computational simulation is identified as a Dissect-the-Simulation motif. In this style, a model of cognition is designed and when it generally mimics some cognitive behavior, its own ontic processes (which are fully accessible because it is a simulation) are proposed as potential ontic processes inside actual human cognition. I propose here a second style of modeling, which might be called Measure-the-Simulation. In this style, simulated versions of coarse-grained epistemic measurements are performed on the model with the intent of discovering how those epistemic measurements themselves may transform the actual ontic data, and thus induce a variety of mis-categorizations of phenomena. When our epistemic measurements are better understood, such mis-categorizations can perhaps be avoided. As a proof of concept, Conway’s Game of Life is analyzed and measured with two different types of coarse-grained epistemic measures. Dramatic differences are identified in how a binary coarse-graining, versus a graded coarse-graining, transforms the discovery process for activity patterns on the lattice of this cellular automaton.
Using Participatory Scenario Simulation to Plan for Conservation Under Climate Change in the Greater Everglades Landscape

Because changing climate is expected to shift the distribution of suitable areas for many species, it poses a substantial challenge to conventional conservation planning approaches which rely on the establishment of fixed protected areas. Over the next decades, climate change will also cause changes in human settlement patterns and on demands for various ecosystem services. New conservation methods are needed to deal with these complex phenomena. We believe that participatory spatial simulation approaches have much to offer under such circumstances, since they address both institutional and technical planning needs. From an institutional point of view, such exercises engage relevant stakeholders across various agencies and administrative jurisdictions. From a technical point of view, the simulations performed provide actionable information, since they help to prioritize potential conservation actions and generate landscape-scale strategies. This chapter presents a case study applying such an approach to the challenges of conservation planning for the Greater Florida Everglades.
Long-Term Improvements in Probability and Cost Biases Following Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder

This study examines whether improvements in probability and cost biases following cognitive behavioral therapy for social anxiety disorder endure over the long-term. Participants (N = 65) diagnosed with social anxiety disorder were randomly assigned and completed eight sessions of either exposure group therapy or virtual reality exposure therapy delivered according to a treatment manual. 24 participants completed standardized self-report measures of probability and cost biases at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 5½ years, on average, after completing active treatment (range 2.5–6.5 years). Analyses of variance show that, relative to wait list, participants who completed an active treatment reported greater decline in probability and cost biases at post-treatment. Further, relative to pre-treatment, all treated participants reported significant improvements in probability and cost biases at post-treatment and at long-term follow-up. Cognitive-behavioral therapy may lead to long-lasting reductions in cognitive biases.
States at Risk: The Environment–Conflict Model

Linkages among global environmental problems and related economic, and demographic challenges have now emerged as one basis for interpreting conflict and security. This perspective has considerably refocused the lens by which we view the environment as a variable in the national security calculus. The Fourth Assessment Report of the IPCC suggested that institutions and governments, especially in the developing world, will have a great deal of trouble adapting to the strain of climate change. Although various environmental security models identify interrelationships of critical variables, they also underscore the principal weakness of these models, which is a lack of predictive capacity. This chapter presents a Vulnerability and Risk Index (VRI) to identify states at risk to environmentally trigged conflict. The VRI is a composite indicator derived from the geometric mean of five dimensions; and ranks 173 states from the most to the least vulnerable. VRI results suggest that the problem of risk is not limited to, but clearly highly concentrated in the developing world. The data indicate that 23 states are most vulnerable to violent conflict and 81 states are vulnerable to violent conflict––this represents 60% of the global population. The integration of information in an index, such as the VRI offers a useful quantitative indicator by which to assess risk related to exposure to climate change, vulnerability, and adaptive capacity.
Global perspectives on cardiometabolic risk and cardiovascular disease: from basic science to bedside.

As guest editor of this special issue of the Annals of Translational Medicine ( ATM ), I am pleased to present the work from invited authors who offer international perspectives on critically important topics related to cardiometabolic risk and cardiovascular disease (CVD).
“ Felices años veinte ?”: Las chicas del cable and the Iconicity of 1920s Madrid

This essay analyzes the Netflix original series Las chicas del cable in relation to the dominant image of 1920s Madrid in Spanish cultural memory. Harkema argues that, unlike other recent Spanish dramas, this program engages critically with the historiographical representation of the period in which it is set. Its presentation of the 1920s as thoroughly contemporary ultimately subverts the mythologiziation of a decade often remembered as the last, idyllic moment of cultural openness before the Spanish Civil War. By depicting pervasive sexism, domestic violence, and the precarious political order of the 1920s in Spain alongside references to the elite cultural circles most commonly associated with these years, Las chicas del cable offers a new perspective that complicates Spanish culture’s nostalgia for “los felices anos veinte.”
Development of a robust nonlinear pitch angle controller for a redesigned 5MW wind turbine blade tip

Abstract Power in wind turbines are traditionally controlled by varying the pitch angle at high wind speeds in region 3 of the wind turbine operation. The pitch angles controllers are normally driven by electrical or hydraulic actuators. The motivation of this research is to design and implement a pitch angle control strategy at the outer section of the blade via a separated pitch control at blade tip (SePCaT). A pneumatic actuator is implemented to drive the pitch angle control mechanism by incorporating pneumatic actuated muscles (PAM) due to its high power/mass ratio, high specific work, and good contraction ratio while maintaining low weight at the tip of the blade. A sliding mode controller (SMC) is modeled and implemented on a redesigned 5MW wind turbine numerically. The hypothesis is that the SePCaT control strategy is effective and satisfactory pitch angle trajectory tracking is achievable. The method is adopted, the system is modeled, and the response was observed by subjecting the model dynamics to desired pitch angle trajectories. Initially comparative controller response with respect to desired trajectory revealed satisfactory pitch angle tracking but further investigation revealed chattering characteristics which was minimized by incorporating a saturation function. SePCaT offers an effective pitch angle control strategy which is smaller, lighter, reliable and efficient.
Suicide Risk Assessment and Management Training Practices in Pediatric Residency Programs: A Nationwide Needs Assessment Survey

Abstract Purpose Youth suicide is a public health emergency, and its prevention is a national imperative. Pediatric providers are critical to risk assessment, triage, and intervention, yet little is known about the content, quality, and perceived adequacy of suicide prevention pediatric residency training. We thus sought to (1) characterize suicide risk assessment and management training practices in pediatric residency programs nationwide and (2) assess areas of training need to guide curricular development. Methods An online nationwide needs assessment was distributed to all 204 pediatric residency program directors (PDs) and 494 pediatric chief residents (CRs) through the Association of Pediatric Program Directors listservs (May to June 2017). Descriptive statistics and comparisons between PDs and CRs are reported. Results Ninety-five PDs and 210 CRs (47% and 43% response rate, respectively) completed the survey. Although 82% of respondents rated suicide prevention training in residency as “very” or “extremely” important, a minority (18% PDs and 10% CRs) reported adequate preparation relative to need. Formal training was not universal (66% PDs and 45% CRs) and practices varied across programs (PD median = 3 hours [interquartile range: 1–4.5 hours], CR median = 1.5 hours [interquartile range: 0–3 hours]). Top-ranked educational priorities included interviewing adolescents about risk, risk factor identification, and locating community resources. Training barriers included limited time, lack of training resources, and need for additional expert faculty to guide training. Conclusions PDs and CRs reported constraints to suicide prevention training for pediatric residents despite high perceived importance and need. Programs may benefit from explicit guidelines and standardized curricula that emphasize educational priorities, building on these findings.
P91 Transforming Food Systems Sustainability: An Opportunity for Online Nutrition Education

Background WIC provides nutrition education and support during critical periods of growth and development to participants. However, little has been reported on WIC participants’ existing awareness of food sustainability issues. Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of attitudes, perceptions and behaviors around food sustainability on the adoption of three new behaviors; willingness to increase intake of fresh fruits and vegetables, increase breastfeeding initiation and duration and reduce food waste to maximize food dollar. Study Design, Settings, and Participants A cross-sectional design included three online surveys. WIC participants completed surveys at the end of lessons delivered through wichealth.org, a well established parent-child feeding behavior intervention used by WIC agencies in 32 states. Participants from seven wichealth.org partner states self-selected completion of the breastfeeding (n = 612), or two food waste (n = 1,178 and n = 773) surveys. Measurable Outcome/Analysis Surveys were comprised of binary or nominal and Likert scale items. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis. Results Breastfeeding survey respondents were twice as likely to agree sustainability knowledge would impact breastfeeding choices. More than half (53%) of food waste survey respondents believed food waste is a problem for most households, with big portion sizes the most often answered (30%) reason for food waste. Respondents estimated 80% of food waste is thrown away, with leftovers more than twice as likely than fruits and vegetables to be thrown away. Only 12% correctly estimated the monetary value of food waste, while 80% underestimated the national average. Finally, 71% of respondents were interested in decreasing food waste. Conclusion Findings show a need for providing online knowledge, tools and skills for food sustainability, which may influence WIC participant behaviors surrounding healthy food supplies. Practical applications include incorporating food sustainability concepts and behavior into WIC nutrition education, especially participants using wichealth.org, as a well as further research.
Virtualization Framework for Cellular Networks with Downlink Rate Coverage Probability Constraints

Wireless network virtualization is emerging as an important technology for next-generation (5G) wireless networks. A key advantage of introducing virtualization in cellular networks is that service providers can robustly share virtualized network resources (e.g., infrastructure and spectrum) to extend coverage, increase capacity, and reduce costs. {However, the inherent features of wireless networks, i.e., the uncertainty in user equipment (UE) locations and channel conditions impose significant challenges on virtualization and sharing of the network resources.} In this context, we propose a stochastic optimization-based virtualization framework that enables robust sharing of network resources. Our proposed scheme aims at probabilistically guaranteeing UEs' Quality of Service (QoS) demand satisfaction, while minimizing the cost for service providers, with reasonable computational complexity and affordable network overhead.
Multiple Ways of Reflecting: Teacher Candidates’ Introspective use of the Arts in a Clinically Rich Field Experience

In this arts-based inquiry, we studied how 50 teacher candidates at seven after-school program sites used the arts, along with traditional written reflections, to examine their teaching beliefs and...
Do Trait Anxiety Scores Reveal Information About Our Response to Anxious Situations?: A Psycho-Physiological VR Study

As the consequences of anxiety and depression have been compared to obesity and smoking as predictors of physical health, further findings, more advancements, and new technology are necessary to help those struggling with psychological disorders such as anxiety. This study investigates the potential relationships between Trait Anxiety or general anxiety scores and physiological and perceived reactions to a simulated virtual reality (VR) experience that induces mild anxiety as well as the ability to recover from the anxious event. The study additionally explores a potential relationship of a medical diagnosis on the physiological and perceived reactions to the simulated environment designed to induce mild anxiety and the potential effect on the ability to recover from such an event. Eighteen adults participated in the IRB (Institutional Review Board) approved study by completing a consent form, followed by the Trait Anxiety Questionnaire corresponding to the State Trait Anxiety Inventory form Y-2 to assess general anxiety levels. Participants additionally recorded a self-reflected Likert-scale interpretation of their perceived anxiety on a scale of one to ten after each phase of the study (Baseline, Introduction, Virtual Reality, Recovery). The experiment was designed to elicit mild anxiety with an ambiguous introduction and a shocking VR experience. The results showed no statistically significant difference between those with higher general anxiety with Trait Anxiety scores above 40 and those with lower Trait Anxiety in their percent increase of heart rate and increase of self-reflected anxiety score between baseline and VR phases as well as between baseline and recovery phases. Additionally, participants with medical diagnoses of anxiety showed no statistically significant difference in their percent increase of heart rate from baseline to VR phases as well as from baseline to recovery phases than their counterparts without any diagnoses of anxiety disorders. There is a potential indication, however, of a possible pattern of individuals with higher general anxiety (Trait Anxiety scores above 40) having a less-severe reaction, physiologically and perceptively, to an anxious situation than individuals with lower Trait Anxiety scores. This could indicate the possibility of desensitization to anxiety with frequent exposure. Conclusions of this study call for further investigation into this potential pattern and evaluation of future assistive technologies for individuals with anxiety.
Evaluation of California‐Grown Blood and Cara Cara Oranges Through Consumer Testing, Descriptive Analysis, and Targeted Chemical Profiling

The acceptability of Moro, Tarocco, Cara Cara, Shahani, Bream Tarocco, Boukhobza, and Sanguinelli oranges from both commercial and research orchards was tested with adult (n = 152) and child (n = 72) consumers. Qualitative focus groups were also conducted to understand consumer familiarity and thoughts about the fruit. Sensory descriptive and chemical analyses were carried out to identify drivers of liking. Overall, consumers preferred the lighter colored varieties consisting of Tarocco, Cara Cara, and Boukhobza. One cluster of adults (n = 80) showed preferences towards sweet and fruity flavors and away from sourness and citric acid. The second adult cluster (n = 72) was tolerant of the sour fruit but did not like fruit high in bitterness and flavonoid content. The largest child cluster (n = 42) showed preferences for samples higher in orange and tropical flavors (Cara Cara, Tarocco, and Boukhobza varieties). The appearance of the Cara Cara was strongly liked by the consumer population in both quantitative and qualitative settings. Hunter scale a color values strongly correlated to the higher berry/dried fruit flavors, and concentrations of naringenin. Focus group participants noted that they were relatively unfamiliar with blood oranges. Growers and producers may want to invest in the lighter colored varieties, such as Cara Cara, Tarocco, Boukhobza and Shahani, as these were liked by a majority of consumers and were low in less desirable sensory characteristics, such as bitterness and sourness. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Through consumer tests, sensory evaluation, and chemical analyses, this research uncovered which sensory properties may drive consumer acceptance of blood and Cara Cara oranges, and informed potential production and marketing strategies for increasing their consumption. This information should benefit the citrus industry as a whole and may enhance the use of specialty oranges by the food, beverage, and food service industries.
Impact of US policy uncertainty on Mexico: Evidence from linear and nonlinear tests

Abstract Recent US economic policy uncertainty stemmed from renegotiating NAFTA, increasing tariffs, reforming immigration policy, persuading Mexico to pay for a wall along the southern border, etc. should influence Mexican economic activities as more than 80 % of Mexico’s total export is imported by the US. To understand the extent and nature of the impact of US policy uncertainty on the economic activities of Mexico, we use an indicator of economic policy uncertainty recently developed by Baker et al. (2016) and apply linear and non-linear structural vector autoregression (SVAR) models with US and Mexican macroeconomic aggregates. Our analysis shows that an increase in the US policy uncertainty leads to a fall in Mexican output (industrial production), price level and policy interest rate. In fact, the contribution of the US uncertainty shock to the Mexican output and interest rate is larger than that of the Mexican uncertainty shock. The findings are robust to various identifications of the SVAR model. We also apply the symmetric impulse response test proposed by Kilian and Vigfusson (2011) and find that the responses of Mexican aggregates are symmetric to positive and negative US uncertainty shocks.
Mediating hijra in/visibility: the affective economy of value-coding marginality in South Asia

Hijras comprise a visible yet marginalized subcultural community of gender-variant female-identifying individuals in post-colonial South Asia. Hijras have survived their marginalization through com...
Radiation dose is significantly associated with overall survival in patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer treated with combined radiation and chemotherapy

18074 Background: Radiation dose is an independent prognostic factor for survival in patients with early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We hypothesized that radiation dose is also a sign...
Chapter 6 – Surface Electrochemistry

Publisher Summary Electrochemistry focuses on chemical reactions involving the transfer of electric charge across the electrified interface between electronic and ionic conductors. Electrochemical reactions are inherently associated with currents and voltages. This chapter deals with surface electrochemistry. It begins with a discussion of thermodynamic and kinetic concepts of electrified interfaces and points out some distinct features of electrochemical reaction processes. Subsequently, it relates these concepts to chemical bonding of adsorbates on electrode surfaces. It also describes modern electrochemical surface science and catalysis and shows fundamental correlations between the structure, bonding, composition and electrocatalytic reactivity at the interface. It then turns to a description of models for electrochemical electron transfer across an electrode interface. Furthermore, it presents the science of atomic scale electrochemistry with an emphasis on the bonding of water molecules and anions on electrode surfaces. Subsequently, it provides an in-depth description of the role of surface bonding in a number of important electrocatalytic processes for energy conversion. Through this, it attempts to illustrate how closely surface bonding and catalytic activity are related. Finally, it presents a discussion of the surface electrocatalytic mechanism of some important technological electrochemical reactions to highlight the importance of understanding chemical bonding at electrified surfaces.
Economic Thought in Modern China

In this major new study, Margherita Zanasi argues that basic notions of a free market economy emerged in China a century and half earlier than in Europe. In response to the commercial revolutions of the late 1500s, Chinese intellectuals and officials called for the end of state intervention in the market, recognizing its power to self-regulate. They also noted the elasticity of domestic demand and production, arguing in favour of ending long-standing rules against luxury consumption, an idea that emerged in Europe in the late seventeenth and early nineteenth centuries. Zanasi challenges Eurocentric theories of economic modernization as well as the assumption that European Enlightenment thought was unique in its ability to produce innovative economic ideas. She instead establishes a direct connection between observations of local economic conditions and the formulation of new theories, revealing the unexpected flexibility of the Confucian tradition and its accommodation of seemingly unorthodox ideas.
The Misunderstood Mission of Jean Nicolet: Uncovering the Story of the 1634 Journey

Review of: The Misunderstood Mission of Jean Nicolet: Uncovering the Story of the 1634 Journey, by Patrick J. Jung. M
Appropriateness and Safety of Direct Access Endoscopy in Hospitalized Patients.

Background and objective Direct access endoscopy (DAE) allows hospitalists to refer patients for endoscopy without a gastroenterologist (GI) evaluation, potentially decreasing wait time and facilitating earlier discharge from the hospital. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of DAE for average-risk endoscopic procedures. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed by comparing patients who underwent a DAE with patients who underwent an endoscopy ordered by GI physicians at a tertiary care hospital. The procedure indications were obtained from the endoscopy reports and hospitalist progress notes. Appropriateness of each procedure was determined based on the guidelines from the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE). Findings, procedure-related complications, and clinical significance were recorded. Results A total of 110 patients were included in this study; 40 were DAE and 70 were ordered by GI. The mean age of the patients was 55.5 years with 69 males and 41 females. In the DAE group, there were 31 esophagogastroduodenoscopies (EGD) and nine colonoscopies performed, while in the GI group, there were 58 EGDs, 11 colonoscopies, and one push enteroscopy. All procedures fulfilled ASGE criteria; 20/40 DAE and 53/70 GI-ordered procedures had clinically significant findings. There was one complication in each group. Conclusion DAE allows a hospitalist to order an endoscopy without consultation with a GI physician. This study showed that all DAE procedures had met ASGE criteria for appropriateness, with 50% having clinically significant findings and no difference in adverse events. These results suggest that DAE is safe and effective in evaluating hospitalized patients for average-risk endoscopy.
Optimization of gold nanorod arrays for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) detection of atrazine

Recently, there has been increasing concern over the widespread use of the herbicide atrazine which has been reported to have problematic side effects on local ecosystems. This has highlighted the need for rapid and accurate point-of-need assessment tools for analytical determination of herbicides in ground and surface waters. Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a sensitive vibrational spectroscopy technique which has recently been employed for the analysis of a variety of analytes in water, ranging from pharmaceuticals to pesticides. In this work, SERS sensors constructed using gold nanorod (AuNR) arrays are optimized and then utilized for the rapid and sensitive detection of atrazine. In this study, the effect of relative humidity on the self-assembly of gold nanorods into arrays was explored, and the SERS performance was assessed using para-aminothiophenol as a SERS probe. Once the SERS performance of the substrates was deemed optimal, the detection of atrazine was highlighted. This work represents the first time that relative humidity has been explored as an optimization strategy for controlled alignment of gold nanorods for SERS analysis of atrazine.
The effect of smart meter penetration on dynamic electricity pricing: Evidence from the United States

Abstract A successful grid modernization comprises not only the deployment of new energy infrastructure and technologies, but also the utilization of these technologies to promote modern energy services and active consumer engagement. As an enabling technology in smart grids, advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) has been rapidly deployed in the U.S. By the end of 2016, almost half of all electricity consumers have AMI meters with two-way communication capability. While many have examined the driving forces for smart meter technology diffusion, there has been limited empirical evidence on the actual utilization of smart meters in modern energy services. To fill this research gap, this paper explores how electric utilities in the U.S. are leveraging AMI meter installations to implement dynamic pricing programs. A cross-sectional dataset for 582 electric utilities in the U.S. is constructed based on the EIA 861 form “Annual Electric Power Industry Report” from the year 2016. A fractional response regression model is estimated, and results show that a ten-percentage increase in smart meter penetration is associated with an average of 0.56 percentage increase in customer participation in dynamic pricing programs. The estimated effect of smart meters on dynamic pricing programs is relatively small, given the magnitude of capital investment and the scale of smart meter market penetration in the U.S. Future smart grid policies in the U.S. may gradually move away from public investment in AMI roll out and shift to supportive policies that facilitate the implementation and use of AMI to realize the full benefits of smart grid.
How Can Economics Enable Us Better to Understand COVID-19?

Judging from most news reports, COVID-19 mostly engages contending claims and perceptions regarding public health and epidemiology. This essay does not denigrate the significance of those claims but seeks instead to explain why economics is of far greater significance than standard intuitions seem to allow. Health is one among many values after which people strive; economics is adept at exploring tradeoffs, in contrast to any presumption that public health trumps other values. Even more, economics offers a framework for exploring how the institutional arrangements within which we conduct our lives influences the qualities of those lives, which is a proposition that goes back to the theorists of the Scottish Enlightenment.
Augmented reality instructions for construction toys enabled by accurate model registration and realistic object/hand occlusions.

BRICKxAR is a novel augmented reality (AR) instruction method for construction toys such as LEGO®. With BRICKxAR, physical LEGO construction is guided by virtual bricks. Compared with the state of the art, accuracy of the virtual–physical model alignment is significantly improved through a new design of marker-based registration, which can achieve an average error less than 1 mm throughout the model. Realistic object occlusion is accomplished to reveal the true spatial relationship between physical and virtual bricks. LEGO players’ hand detection and occlusion are realized to visualize the correct spatial relationship between real hands and virtual bricks, and allow virtual bricks to be “grasped” by real hands. The major finding of the research is that the integration of these features makes AR instructions possible for small parts assembly, validated through a working AR prototype for constructing LEGO Arc de Triomphe and quantitative measures of the accuracies of registration and occlusions. In addition, a heuristic evaluation of BRICKxAR’s features has led to findings that the present method could advance AR instructions in terms of enhancing part visibility, match between mental models and visualization, alignment of physical and virtual parts in perspective views and spatial transformations, tangible user interface, consolidated structural diagrams, virtual cutaway views, among other benefits for guiding construction.
Visible-light-induced photoacid catalysis: application in glycosylation with O-glycosyl trichloroacetimidates

The development of visible-light-induced photoacid catalyzed glycosylation is reported. The eosin Y and PhSSPh catalyst system is applied to realize glycosylation with different glycosyl donors upon light irradiation. The reaction shows a broad substrate scope, including both glycosyl donors and acceptors, and highlights the mild nature of the reaction conditions.
Pulmonary hemodynamics, extravascular lung water and residual gas bubbles following low dose venous gas embolism in dogs.

Pulmonary hemodynamic responses, extravascular lung water and bubble longevity times were studied in halothane anesthetized dogs receiving low dose venous gas infusions. Dogs in one group (23.3 +/- 4.3 kg, n = 6) were embolized with air (0.05 ml.kg-1.min -1) for 60 min followed by a recovery period lasting 70 min. During the recovery the ventilatory gases were intermittently switched from nitrogen (68-69%)/oxygen (30%) to nitrous oxide (68-69%)/oxygen (30%) to expand any residual pulmonary vascular bubbles. Subsequent changes in pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, end-tidal carbon dioxide and arterial carbon dioxide tensions were used to indicate the presence of remaining bubbles that would have expanded in volume with the nitrous oxide ventilation. This embolization sequence was repeated three times to simulate repetitive exposure of the pulmonary circulation to venous gas emboli. In a second group of dogs (20.2 +/- 2.7 kg, n = 8) the venous gas infusions (0.05 ml.kg-1.min-1) were continuous for 180 min, followed by recovery with intermittent nitrous oxide/oxygen challenges to determine bubble longevity. Pulmonary hemodynamic and carbon dioxide data were significantly changed from baseline following each embolization. These differences as well as the development of extravascular lung water (edema formulation) were not significant when comparisons were made between the Repetitive gas embolism group after 180 min. Residual pulmonary vascular bubbles were indicated (mean +/- S.E.M.) 26.9 +/- 2.3 min following the 180 min Continuous venous gas infusion and 39.5 +/- 5.3, 46.4 +/- 5.0 and 55.5 +/- 4.4 min, respectively, following the three 60 min Repetitive venous gas infusions.
Development, reliability and validity of a scale to measure intrinsic motivation in leisure.

The purpose of the present study is to describe the development of a theory-based instrument to measure individual differences in the disposition toward intrinsic motivation in leisure behavior, an...
A Review of Hydroxyl in the Middle Atmosphere: Comparison of Measured and Modeled Vertical Profiles and Ground-Based Column Observations

We present an intercomparison of previous measurements of hydroxyl (OH) and photochemical model results in the middle atmosphere at midlatitudes. The measurements are categorized as functions of altitude and solar zenith angle (SZA). Hydroxyl vertical profiles obtained under similar conditions are integrated over altitude to estimate a total OH column which is compared to model results and to ground-based observations. Of particular interest is the dependence of OH abundances on SZA, where discrepancies have been identified between the observed total OH column and the column abundance calculated by current photochemical models. OH column abundances in models are generally lower (25%) than observed at small solar zenith angles; however, the agreement generally is good for SZA >60°. This suggests that there is a process or processes related to SZA that photochemical models may not be simulating accurately. Currently, there are not enough observations to determine the altitude range where any unknown processes controlling HOT at high-sun are occurring.
Knowing when the camera lies: Judicial instructions mitigate the camera perspective bias

Purpose. Videotaped confession evidence elicits harsher evaluations against a defendant if initially recorded with the camera focused primarily on the suspect, compared with other presentation formats. Unfortunately, most videotaped confession evidence employs this biasing suspect-focus camera perspective format, leaving defendants with no recourse. The present study examined the utility of judicial instructions in mitigating the effects of the camera perspective bias on individual juror verdicts. Methods. Through random assignment, 156 mock jurors did or did not receive explicit instructions to correct for the camera perspective bias prior to viewing a video recording of an authentic true or false confession. Results. As expected, mock jurors who received instructions to correct for the camera perspective bias reported more lenient judgments of confessor guilt after viewing a suspect-focus confession recording compared to those who did not receive such instructions. However, this relative leniency emerged only in response to false, and not true, confessions. Conclusions. Results demonstrated that judicial instructions used in the present research mitigated the effect of camera perspective on mock-juror judgments of suspect guilt.
Permittivity and Measurements

Dielectric properties of food, agricultural products, biological tissues, resins, plastics, ceramics, soils, and wood at RF and microwave frequencies are considered. The influence of three main factors—frequency, temperature, and moisture content—on complex dielectric constant behavior of lossy materials is analyzed. The most popular measurement techniques—the open-ended coaxial probe, transmission-line, and perturbation methods—are described. Keywords: dielectric constant; frequency; temperature; measurement instrumentation; electromagnetic field
Task conflict and language differences: opportunities for videoconferencing?

Considerable research has found that adding audio to desktop conferencing improves problem-solving, but that there is no additional benefit from adding video. This paper describes an experiment that supports these earlier findings, while suggesting that video may provide significant benefit when used in tasks involving speakers with different priorities and different linguistic capabilities. The level of conflict in the experimental setting is consistent with that found in work settings, but is higher than that in most experimental situations. Tasks involving a mix of native and non-native English speakers are not universal but may be increasingly common. Thus, these findings provide encouragement to those working to improve videoconferencing technology.
ras Gene Mutations in Salivary Gland Tumors

Abstract Objective.—To assess the prevalence of activating mutations in K-ras and H-ras genes in salivary gland tumors with ductal or acinar differentiation and to evaluate their potential correlation with clinical parameters. Design.—Paraffin-embedded tissue samples of salivary gland carcinomas were investigated by the application of a direct sequence analysis procedure with automated DNA sequencing of polymerase chain reaction–amplified ras sequences. Setting.—Tertiary care teaching hospital. Patients.—Twenty-four patients with salivary gland carcinoma were surgically treated. Nine had adenocarcinoma, 1 had adenosquamous carcinoma, 11 had mucoepidermoid carcinoma, and 3 had acinic cell carcinoma. Results.—Point mutations were detected in 7 (29%) of the 24 carcinomas examined. The K-ras gene was mutated in only 2 samples (8%): a GGC-to-ATC mutation at codon 13 in an adenocarcinoma and a GGC-to-GTC transversion mutation at codon 13 in a mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Five (21%) harbored H-ras mutations: 4 cont...
Individual differences in susceptibility to large portion sizes among obese and normal-weight children

Objective Determine the association of children's susceptibility to large food portion sizes with appetite regulation and obesity. Methods Normal-weight and obese non-Hispanic black children (n = 100) aged 5-6 years were observed in four dinner conditions of varying portion size; portions of all foods (except milk) offered were: 100% (677 kcal), 150% (1015 kcal), 200% (1353 kcal), or 250% (1691 kcal) of those in the reference condition (100%). Condition order was randomly assigned to 2-4 children who ate together at each meal. Child height and weight were measured and caregiver reports of child appetite were obtained. Hierarchical growth curve models were used to estimate associations of meal energy intake with portion size condition, child weight status, and appetite regulation traits, controlling for demographics. Results Total energy intake increased across conditions of increasing food portion size (P < 0.001). The effect of portion size condition on total energy intake varied with food responsiveness (P = 0.05) and satiety responsiveness (P < 0.05), but not weight status (P = 0.682). Children with lower satiety responsiveness and greater food responsiveness showed greater increases in meal energy across conditions. Conclusions Children with poorer appetite regulation may be more vulnerable to obesogenic dietary environments offering large food portions than other children.
Elementary approach to self-assembly in random copolymers

We have mapped the physics of a system of random copolymers onto a time-dependent density functional-type field theory using techniques of functional integration. Time in the theory is merely a label for the location of a given monomer along the extent of a flexible chain. We derive heuristically within this approach a non-local constraint which prevents segments on chains in the system from straying too far from each other, and leads to self-assembly. The structure factor is then computed in a straightforward fashion. The dependence of various calculated quantities on the average chain length are compared with experiments. The profile and size of spherulitic mesoscale domains is also computed.
Backtracking for More Efficient Large Scale Dynamic Programming

Reinforcement learning algorithms are widely used to generate policies for complex Markov decision processes. We introduce backtracking, a modification to reinforcement learning algorithms that can significantly improve their performance, particularly for off-line policy generation. Backtracking waits to perform update calculations until the successor's value has been updated, allowing immediate reuse of update calculations. We demonstrate the effectiveness of backtracking on two benchmark processes using both Q-learning and real-time dynamic programming.
Overuse of Antibiotics: A Voice (with Multiple Agendas) Crying Out in the Microbial Wilderness

Review of : Missing Microbes: How the Overuse of Antibiotics is Fueling our Modern Plagues ; Martin J. Blaser; (2014). Henry Holt and Company, New York, NY. 273 pages.
Strategies for minimizing the impact of blood culture contaminants

Abstract Contaminated blood cultures are common occurrences and represent a major problem for clinical microbiology laboratories and health care institutions. These contaminated blood cultures may result in the administration of unnecessary antibiotics, prolonged hospital stays, and significant increases in hospital costs. Some of the major issues associated with blood culture contamination are reviewed, and recommendations are provided for lowering these contamination rates. Strategies have also been developed whereby the clinical and financial impact of blood culture contamination can be minimized.
Compact representations of ordered sets

We consider the problem of efficiently representing sets S of size n from an ordered universe U = {0,...,m-1}. Given any ordered dictionary structure (or comparison-based ordered set structure) D that uses O(n) pointers, we demonstrate a simple blocking technique that produces an ordered set structure supporting the same operations in the same time bounds but with O(n log m+n/n) bits. This is within a constant factor of the information-theoretic lower bound. We assume the unit cost RAM model with word size Ω(log |U|) and a table of size O(mα log2m) bits, for some constant α > 0. The time bound for our operations contains a factor of 1/α.We present experimental results for the STL (C++ Standard Template Library) implementation of Red-Black trees, and for an implementation of Treaps. We compare the implementations with blocking and without blocking. The blocking variants use a factor of between 1.5 and 10 less space depending on the density of the set.