cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Environmental Epigenetics and Epigenetic Transgenerational Inheritance

The developing role of environmental epigenetics in biology and medicine is discussed in relationship to its impact on transgenerational inheritance. The ability of environmental factors, such as nutrition and toxicants, to promote transgenerational adult-onset disease through alterations in the germline epigenome is reviewed. Observations suggest epigenetic transgenerational inheritance has a significant impact on evolutionary biology, disease etiology, and toxicology.
A review of materials science-based models for mixture design and permeability prediction of pervious concretes

Pervious concrete is one of the relatively recent additions to the class of sustainable multifunctional cement-based materials. The material design of pervious concretes relies on trial-and-error-based approaches since the larger porosity and pore size requirements make a minimal porosity-based approach adopted for conventional concretes non-viable. This paper reviews a particle packing-based methodology for pervious concrete material design using a compaction index from compressible packing model of granular particles as the defining parameter. The pore structure features of the thus designed pervious concretes are characterised using well-accepted stereological and morphological methods. A three-dimensional reconstruction procedure, from two-dimensional starting images, used to develop material structures in which performance (permeability) prediction algorithms can be implemented is also reviewed. Permeability of these model structures have been predicted using a Stokes' solver and a Lattice Boltzmann scheme, and compared to the experimentally determined permeability. A stochastic Monte-Carlo simulation is used to quantify the influence of pore structure features on the permeability of pervious concretes.
Purification of a horse placental inhibitor to hemagglutination by H-1 or HB viruses.

SummaryThe active material found in horse placental fluids which inhibits the hemagglutination of H-1 and HB viruses has been purified, and a homogeneous product obtained as shown by disc electrophoresis. The inhibitor sediments in a sucrose gradient as a macroglobulin that can be rendered inactive by treatment with papain, neuraminidase, or sodium metaperiodate. Though a similar inhibitor is found in human placental fluids, the two substances are not identical. The purified material from the horse placental fluids shows a remarkable capacity for inhibiting hemagglutination by H-1 virus since it is active in concentrations as low as 0.006 μg/ml.
Analysis of the antibody level after rabies vaccine immunization

Objective To analyze the antibody level after rabies vaccine immunization,and to provide sound measures and scientific basis for preventing the disease.Method ELISA was used to detect antibody levels.Results The antibody levels of different age group were different after rabies vaccine immunization.The antibody positive rate trended to decrease with the increase in age.However,there was no difference between different sexes.Conclusion A full course of rabies vaccine immunization gave a better immune effect.
Reliability Study and Exploration of Energy Metering Meter and Terminal

In recent years,with the large-scale promotion and construction of electricity information collection system, the reliability quality problems of the energy metering meter and terminal running at the scene increasingly is prominent. This paper first introduces the domestic and international energy metering reliability status and trends of the meter and terminal and the reliability prediction methods,then the typical failure analysis and improvement measures are proposed. In the end,the paper analyzes the key factors affecting product reliability and product reliability design methods are proposed meantime. The paper provides a technical reference and basis for the reliability methods study, the development of standards of reliability assessment and the reliability detection of energy metering meter and terminal.
Dynamics of chemical vapor sensing with MoS2 using 1T/2H phase contacts/channel

Ultra-thin transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) films show remarkable potential for use in chemical vapor sensing devices. Electronic devices fabricated from TMD films are inexpensive, inherently flexible, low-power, amenable to industrial-scale processing because of emergent growth techniques, and have shown high sensitivity and selectivity to electron donor analyte molecules important for explosives and nerve gas detection. However, for devices reported to date, the conductance response to chemical vapors is dominated by Schottky contacts, to the detriment of the sensitivity, selectivity, recovery, and obscuring their intrinsic behavior. Here, we use contact engineering to transition the contacts in a MoS2 FET-based chemical vapor sensor to the 1T conducting phase, while leaving the channel in the 2H semiconducting state, and thus providing Ohmic contacts to the film. We demonstrate that the resultant sensors have much improved electrical characteristics, are more selective, and recover fully after chemical vapor exposure—all major enhancements to previously MoS2 sensor devices. We identify labile nitrogen-containing electron donors as the primary species that generate a response in MoS2, and we study the dynamics of the sensing reactions, identifying two possible qualitative models for the chemical sensing reaction.
Detection of rare and invasive freshwater fish species using eDNA pyrosequencing: Lake Iznik ichthyofauna revised

Abstract Assessment of fish biodiversity in freshwater environments is challenging, especially when rare species or species with low population densities exist. Environmental DNA is becoming a common tool in molecular ecology to detect target species found in the environment. Moreover, eDNA metabarcoding is now used to determine a complete list of target organisms without any prior knowledge on the species inhabiting the environment. This study is the first environmental DNA study designed to assess complete ichthyofauna of the largest lake in Marmara Region of Turkey. For this purpose, an eDNA metabarcoding approach enhanced with tagged primers according to sampling stations for a station specific species listing was used to revise the ichthyofauna of Lake Iznik. Results of pyrosequencing data indicate the presence of 23 species in the lake, five of which are reported for the first time. Short fragment of cytochrome b gene sequences amplified in this study were able to make identifications at species level and the eDNA metabarcoding approach was more cost effective and precise compared to conventional surveys. More molecular data from further studies will enhance the reference databases and eDNA metabarcoding could be used more efficiently as an important molecular tool in biodiversity assessment studies.
To Define “ Belief ”

In most studies of nineteenth-century American literature (perhaps more to the point, literature which is being theologically considered), the reader thinks first of the author’s religious propensities. Given the fact that Emily Dickinson throughout her writing career tended to use the prosody of the hymnal stanza, her use of words and ideas associated with hymns—all kinds of praises to God—would be almost automatic. In her case, however, Dickinson’s adolescent years of deciding whether or not to convert to church membership had shaped her belief system differently: as we have seen, Dickinson was the only member of her family (and almost the only one of her friends) who did not convert. In the Amherst, Massachusetts, of the mid-nineteenth century, she was an anomaly.
Zombies and Calculus by Colin Adams

Feel like writing a review for The Mathematical Intelligencer? Contact the column editor if you wish to submit an unsolicited review, or if you would welcome being assigned a book to review.
Abstract 4918: Emerging prognostic biomarkers in colorectal cancer: HURP and ZEB1

The current diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) is based on tumor-node-metastasis staging. This classification system has weaknesses due to different genetic and epigenetic backgrounds. Biological markers would improve early detection and guide clinicians in subsequent treatment decisions. Stem-like molecules have the potential to identify patients at high risk of developing aggressive carcinomas. Herein, Hepatoma Up-Regulate Protein (HURP) and Zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) are assessed as potential prognostic biomarkers in CRC. Tumors (N = 21) obtained from colectomies and 5 μm formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded blocks were sectioned and immunostained for HURP and ZEB1. For certain cases (N = 8), flash frozen tissues from tumor and adjacent normal colonic tissue were used to extract total RNA, synthesize cDNA, and perform RT-PCR. Presence of tumor cells in analyzed tissue sections was assessed by a pathologist. HURP mRNA expression was 4-fold higher (p = 0.0005) in tumor tissue relative to adjacent normal tissue. Furthermore, an increase in HURP expression was evident in all tumor samples relative to their respective normal tissue control with an average 3-fold increase (p = 0.001). Immunohistochemical analysis (IHC) of HURP revealed expression in all analyzed specimens. Although the stroma was weakly stained for HURP in some cases, all tumors were immunostained for this protein (average intensity score = ++, p Citation Format: Logan Fair, Ingrid Espinoza, Xu Zhang, Abdelouahid Elkhattouti, Tangeng Ma, Joy King, Elizabeth Tarsi, Richard Whitlock, Vijay Kannuthurai, Ryan Jimenez, Tara Craft, Mary Graichen, Sharon Lobert, Roy Duhe, Charulochana Subramony, Christopher Lahr, Christian R. Gomez. Emerging prognostic biomarkers in colorectal cancer: HURP and ZEB1. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 4918.
Critical loads and exceedances for nitrogen and sulfur atmospheric deposition in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, United States

Acid deposition has impacted sensitive streams, reducing the amount of habitat available for fish survival in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM) and portions of the surrounding Southern Appalachian Mountains by decreasing pH and acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) and mobilizing aluminum dissolved from soil. Land managers need to understand whether streams can recover from the elevated acid deposition and sustain the healthy aquatic biota, and if so, how long it would take to achieve this condition. We used a dynamic biogeochemical model, PnET-BGC, to evaluate past, current, and potential future changes in soil and water chemistry of watersheds of the GRSM in response to the projected changes in acid deposition. The model was parameterized with soil, vegetation, and stream observations for 30 stream watersheds in the GRSM. Using model results, the level of atmospheric deposition (known as a “critical load”) above which harmful ecosystem effects (defined here as modeled stream ANC below a defined target) occur was determined for the 30 study watersheds. In spite of the recent marked decreases in atmospheric sulfur and nitrate deposition, our results suggest that stream recovery has been limited and delayed due to the high sulfate adsorption capacity of soils in the park resulting in a long lag time for recovery of soil chemistry to occur. Model simulations suggest that over the long term, increases in modeled stream ANC per unit decrease in NH4+ deposition are greater than unit decreases in SO42− or NO3− deposition, due to high SO42− adsorption capacity and the limited N retention of the watersheds. Watershed simulations were used to extrapolate the critical load results to 387 monitored stream sites throughout the park and depict the spatial pattern of atmospheric deposition exceedances. These types of model simulations inform park managers on the amount of air quality improvement needed to meet the stream restoration goals.
Real time monitoring of electrocardiogram through IEEE802.15.4 network

Real time monitoring of ECG from mobile patients is clinically significant. Physicians can catch the irregular events in the ECG for risk assessment while the patients perform daily tasks without being tethered to an ECG device. The objective of the study was to propose a wireless healthcare network platform based on IEEE 802.15.4 standard which is capable of streaming multichannel ECG signals wirelessly in real time. The study evaluated the performance of the platform for the real time monitoring of ECG signals. The wireless network adopts a star topology with each patient as the end device and the access point as the network center. The access point bridges the wireless network with Ethernet so that the data can be forwarded to the data center. The testing system includes two desktop PCs with XBEE Pro ZB modules, one for ECG acquisition and transmission as the end device and the other for ECG reception and display as the access point. The XBEE module implements the IEEE 802.15.4 standard and ZigBee stack. Only its ZigBee routing protocol was used in this study. The data transmission between the PC and the XBEE module was through serial port. One channel of ECG signal was digitized after being amplified by the ECG amplifier. The ECG was then sent wirelessly through XBEE module to the second PC for real time display. The test software was written in LabVIEW. The LabVIEW driver for XBEE module was developed to provide the interface between the test software and the XBEE module. It provides functions in the control of the XBEE module and serial communication, the management of data frames, and transmission and reception of data frames. The effective transmission time was defined as the time difference between the start of the transmission of a data frame and the reception of the acknowledge frame. The effective data rate was calculated by dividing the number of bits in the data stream by the effective transmission time. The test showed that the effective data rate of the wireless network was above 3.2 kb/s if the data payload was above 60 bytes. The rate enables the reliable streaming of one channel of ECG signal. This data rate was further confirmed by transmitting the high quality ECG signal with no buffer overflow.
Abdominal Wall Reconstruction in Patients with Complex Defects: A Nine-Step Treatment Strategy

With advances in abdominal surgery and the management of major trauma, abdominal wall defects have become the new surgical disease, and the need for complex abdominal wall reconstruction has increased dramatically. Subsequently, how to recreate the new abdominal wall in patients with large defects has become a new surgical question. One particular group of patients that exemplify “complex” are those with contaminated wounds, enterocutaneous fistulas (ECFs), enteroatmospheric fistulas (EAFs), and/or stoma(s), where synthetic mesh is to be avoided if at all possible. Most recently, biologic mesh has become standard in high-risk patients with contaminated and dirty-infected wounds. While biologic mesh is the most common tissue engineered in this field of surgery, Level I evidence is needed on its indication for use and long-term outcomes. Various techniques for reconstructing the abdominal wall have been described; however, the long-term outcomes for most of these studies are rarely reported. This chapter presents a nine-step strategy: ISOWATS PL where I = Identification and diagnosis of postoperative fistulae; S = Sepsis and Source Control; O = Optimization of Nutrition; W = Providing and Ensuring Wound Care; A = Redefining the anatomy and understanding the pathology at hand; T = Timing of definitive surgery and/or takedown of fistulas; S = Definitive surgery and surgical approach; P = Postoperative care; and L = Long-term follow-up for management of ECFs.
Environmental Commitment Among the States

Over the last three decades, the environment has become established as a major issue on the American political agenda. Into the 1970s, rising public concern about threats to the environment resulted in changes in government policies at all levels. The US adopted an extensive number of major environmental and resource policies which imposed increasingly stringent standards on industry. New institutions, like the US Environmental Protection Agency, were created to manage environmental programs and spending was greatly increased for these programs. However, under the Reagan administration in the 1980s, a conservative policy agenda was implemented which accelerated devolution and resulted in large cuts in the budgets of the EPA and other agencies. This article is available in Res Publica Journal of Undergraduate Research: http://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/respublica/vol3/iss1/4
A 24-month evaluation of a percutaneous osseointegrated limb-skin interface in an ovine amputation model

Percutaneous osseointegrated (OI) prostheses directly connect an artificial limb to the residual appendicular skeleton via a permanently implanted endoprosthesis with a bridging connector that protrudes through the skin. The resulting stoma produces unique medical and biological challenges. Previously, a study using a large animal amputation model indicated that infection could be largely prevented, for at least a 12-month period, but the terminal epithelium continued to downgrow. The current study was undertaken to test the longer-term efficacy of this implant construct to maintain a stable skin-implant interface for 24 months. Using the previously successful amputation and implantation surgical procedure, a total of eight sheep were fitted with a percutaneous OI prosthesis. Two animals were removed from the study due to early complications. Of the remaining six sheep, one (16.7%) became infected at 15-months post-implantation and five remained infection-free for the intended 24 months. The histological data of the remaining animals further confirmed the grossly observable epithelial downgrowth. Albeit a receding interface, it was clear that all animals that survived to the end of the study had residual fibrous soft-tissue ingrowth into, and debris within, the exposed titanium porous-coated surface. Overall, the data demonstrated that the porous coated subdermal barrier offered initial protection against infection. However, the fibrous skin attachment was continuously lysed over time by the down-growing epithelium.
Examining the Role of Self-Regulated Learning Microanalysis in the Assessment of Learners’ Regulation

We examined the degree of convergence among self-regulated learning microanalysis, measures of metacognitive monitoring, and a self-regulated learning questionnaire during reading. Participants' re...
A Phenomenological Study: Black Clergy Leaders’ Response to Violence against Women

Violence against women and religious participation are two phenomena that are pervasive across many African American communities. African American women experience intimate partner violence at a rate higher than the majority of racial groups in the United States. Although many African American women highly depend on their faith and church to navigate their experiences with intimate partner violence, scant attention has been given to the role that Black clergy leaders have in responding to intimate partner violence against women. The current study utilized phenomenological methodology to understand better Black American clergy leaders’ responses to intimate partner violence against women. Findings from clergy leaders’ narratives suggested that they serve primarily four roles when responding to intimate partner violence against women: spiritual advisor, pastoral care/counselor, compassionate leaders, and uninformed responders. Overall, these themes indicate that although African American clergy acknowledge the prevalence of intimate partner violence within their communities, and are trained in pastoral counseling, they lack knowledge and training to respond to intimate partner violence. Discussion centers on the need for clergy to be trained in the area of intimate partner violence response given their position within the church. The results in this study can help clergy leaders understand the basics of intimate partner violence and identify gaps in their practices with abused women.
Basel to Boston: An Itinerary for Modernist Typography in America

Starting in the 1960s, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) became one of the most visible points of entry in America for the so-called “Swiss-style,” a distinctive, modernist approach t...
How and When Should Long-Term Safety Data be Obtained for Hypolipidemic Agents?

The aim of long-term safety data aquisition is to better define the frequency of adverse reactions suspected, but not definitely established to be drug-related on the basis of shorter-term trials, to detect toxicity that may depend on some threshold of cumulative dose or exposure duration, as well as to define the spectrum of lower-frequency reactions associated with the use of a given drug. This is a formidable goal, yet crucial to our rational understanding of how potential benefit compares to potential risk as we make treatment decisions in actual practice.
The Theory of Risk and Risk Aversion

Abstract Risk and risk aversion are important concepts when modeling how to choose from or rank a set of random variables. This chapter reviews and summarizes the definitions and related findings concerning risk aversion and risk in both a mean-variance and an expected utility decision model context.
Soluble protein kinase fractions from DEAF-cellulose chromatography

The cytosol fraction from rat midbrain was chromatographed on DEAE-cellulose with a linear NaCl gradient (0–0.3 M). Two peaks of protein kinase activity were obtained when assayed with either historic or casein. A similar elution profile of the kinase activity was obtained from rat heart. The first peaks from midbrain and heart were compared in terms of their dependency upon cAMP and sensitivity to the endogenous protein kinase inhibitor. Neither of the two substances had an effect on the activity of the brain kinase. Furthermore, the dissociability of the midbrain and heart enzymes in the presence of cAMP or histone was compared by DEAE-cellulose chromatography. The heart enzyme was dissociated into a catalytic subunit characteristic of a cAMP-dependent protein kinase, whereas the brain kinase was totally unaffected by the cAMP or histone. The results of these tests indicate that although the elution profiles from DEAE-cellulose are similar between midbrain and heart, the first peak from brain contains a protein kinase that appears to be cAMP independent.
Oxygen Toxicity in the Neonate: Thinking Beyond the Balance.

Fetal development occurs in a relatively hypoxemic environment, and birth represents significant oxidative stress. Premature infants are disadvantaged by a lack of maternal antioxidant transfer and impaired endogenous antioxidant responses. O2 metabolism is essential for life and its biochemical reactions are dynamic, compartmentalized, and difficult to characterize in vivo. There is a growing appreciation for the role of reactive oxygen species in nonpathologic processes, including regulation of cell signaling and mitochondrial function. There are several gaps in the knowledge about the role of reactive oxygen species in normal development and how oxidative stress alters normal signaling and subsequent development.
Elusive Differential of a Painful Unstable Total Knee Arthroplasty - Metal on Cement Disease.

Particle disease from the release of metal, cement, ceramic, or polyethylene particles is a rare condition in total knee replacement. Wear, fracture, or corrosion of the components leads to foreign body reaction in the joint, followed by pain, swelling, limited motion, difficulty in walking, functional disability, and occasional systemic disease. This paper presents two cases of metal-on-cement disease as an etiology for the implant failure wherein the metal particles were shed off from the implant, along with cement and polyethylene particles, leading to a complex foreign body reaction in the failed total knee. We have coined this phenomenon as "cementallosis." Initial symptoms and signs from implant failure in both patients were mild, intermittent mediolateral knee pain that was aggravated after walking but no pain at rest or at night. The pain was associated with a 'buckling' sensation, recurrent knee swelling, and gradually worsening knee range of motion. Clinical examination in both cases was suggestive of a well-healed anterior midline surgical scar, mild to moderate effusion, mild diffuse tenderness over the entire joint, limited functional range of motion, grade 1+ laxity throughout the range of motion, and intact distal neurovascular status. Routine blood and synovial fluid workup were inconclusive for identifying the exact etiology of the patient’s symptoms. Radiographs, computed tomography (CT) scans, as well as bone scans, were negative for prosthetic joint infection, component malalignment, polyethylene wear, maltracking, or loosening of the components but showed mild to moderate effusions, synovial hypertrophy, and mild scattered periprosthetic osteolysis. Intraoperatively, there was significant synovial hypertrophy with dark pigment deposition and apparent dissociation of the femoral and tibial components from the underlying cement mantle, although the cement was well-adhered to the underlying bone. Synovial fluid and multiple tissue specimens were suggestive of complex foreign body granulomas with metal, cement, and polyethylene particles. These patients had undergone surgery by the same surgery team in the community using the same implant. These cases demonstrate the failure of a total knee arthroplasty implant at the metal-cement interface with features of adverse local tissue reactions that resemble a pseudotumor from the metal-on-metal disease in the knee joint. We have compared and contrasted the clinical presentations, laboratory, imaging, histopathological, and intraoperative study findings in these cases. Knowing what to look for will aid in early diagnosis, ordering necessary investigations, better surgery planning, reducing operative time, as well as improving outcomes and cost of care. The aim of this paper is to educate the audience about this new phenomenon as a cause of knee prosthesis failure produced by a complex pseudotumor-like foreign body reaction that involves metal, cement, and polyethylene particles.
Harmonic Generation in Multipactor Discharges

Multipactor, a sustained electron avalanche driven by radiofrequency (RF), has been extensively studied due to its importance in all RF vacuum electronic devices. In particular, much effort has been made in understanding the phenomenon to mitigate it in real systems. On the other hand, some have used what is often seen as a disastrous effect for benefit. In this article, we study a novel way of using multipactor discharges for harmonic generation. We take advantage of the intrinsic phase-focusing mechanism of multipactor as a natural charge-bunching mechanism. The theory along with some validating test cases will be presented. Potential (beneficial) applications and ramifications of this phenomenon will be briefly discussed.
Effective Poyang Lake Conservation? A Local Ecology View from Downstream Involving Internationally Migratory Birds When Trying to Buffer and Manage Water from HKH with ‘Modern’ Concepts

Poyang Lake represents a major wetland system in Asia fed by the Hindu Kush-Himalaya (HKH) region. Poyang Lake has a deep legacy and affected many dynasties, cultures and their wealth and fate. Further, this region is a biodiversity hotspot of international relevance featuring fish abundances and major wintering sites for birds of international relevance, e.g. crane species (including the Siberian Crane), geese and songbirds. The status of this ecosystem is currently on the vast decline with water areas and amounts shrinking. Recent and modern upstream processes are a big driver of this situation such as the Three Gorges Dam and dykes, as well as new regional policies and activities related to farming, tourism, urbanization, sand mining. Poyang Lake plays a big international role and is to be considered in the globalization context if serious impacts like global change are to be handled in an effective and relevant measure to safeguard those landscapes and all its members.
Carbon loss and removal due to forest disturbance and regeneration in the Amazon

The forest carbon flux is the difference between the total carbon loss from deforestation, forest degradation, and natural disturbance and removal of atmospheric CO2 due to photosynthetic activity. The Amazon rainforest accounts for approximately a quarter of global emissions from land use change, due in part to its' immense size, carbon storage, and recent history of land use change. Large area estimates of carbon exchange in forests are highly uncertain, however, which reflects the pervasive challenges in estimating carbon flux parameters, such as disturbance area and forest carbon pools. In this study, we use a new dataset with characterized uncertainty on deforestation, degradation, and natural disturbances in the Amazon Ecoregion to estimate carbon loss from disturbance and removals from regeneration at biennial intervals from 1996 to 2017. Using the gain-loss approach to estimating carbon flux in a Monte Carlo analysis we found that carbon loss from degradation and deforestation averaged 0.23 (±0.09) Pg C biennium-1 and 0.34 (±0.16) Pg C biennium-1, respectively. While deforestation contributed the most to carbon loss overall, there were two biennial periods in which degradation and natural disturbance resulted in more carbon loss. Regeneration partially offset these emissions, but our results show that loss is occurring much more rapidly than removal, resulting in a total net carbon loss of 4.86 to 5.32 Pg C over the study period. With the compounding effect of drought and fires in addition to continued deforestation it appears certain that forest disturbance in the Amazon will continue to be a significant factor in the terrestrial carbon cycle.
Variability of generation in ERCOT and the role of flexible demand

Abstract This chapter discusses the integration of renewables in the path to deep decarbonization, highlighting several challenges, and particularly focusing on the Electric Reliability Council of Texas The concepts of fuel endowments and temporal endowments are used to describe the challenge of high penetrations of renewables. Demand response and flexible demand is then discussed, focusing on the coupling of flexible demand choices to renewable availability to enable high levels of renewable integration. Several types of demand response are described, providing examples of both low effort and high effort adaptations.
Health Monitoring of RAM-Coated Structures by Active Microwave Thermography

In this article, the application of active microwave thermography (AMT) is investigated as an efficient nondestructive technique (NDT) for health monitoring of structures coated with radio frequency absorbing materials (RAMs). The uniqueness of AMT for this particular application is the use of microwave excitation, which acts as a highly efficient thermal source due to the inherent absorptive electromagnetic properties of RAM-coated structures. In addition, the microwave-induced heating takes place subsurface within the absorbing material of an RAM-coated structure, as opposed to the sole surface heating of conventional thermography. Specifically, this work focuses on detection of delamination, a common defect in carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) structures, via AMT. To this end, a formulation and analysis method based on electromagnetic/thermal modeling is presented, which enables estimation of the output of an AMT inspection of an RAM-coated CFRP structure suffering from delamination. The effect of the structure’s constitutive properties, the microwave excitation parameters, and the delamination size and depth on its detectability is investigated. In addition, several simulated and experimental results are provided, which verifies the accuracy of the proposed approach and shows the high efficiency of AMT for detection of delamination in such structures.
Asymptotically Optimal Competitive Ratio for Online Allocation of Reusable Resources

We consider the problem of online allocation (matching, budgeted allocations, and assortments) of reusable resources where an adversarial sequence of resource requests is revealed over time and allocated resources are used/rented for a stochastic duration, drawn independently from known resource usage distributions. This problem is a fundamental generalization of well studied models in online matching and resource allocation. We give an algorithm that obtains the best possible competitive ratio of $(1-1/e)$ for general usage distributions and large resource capacities. At the heart of our algorithm is a new quantity that factors in the potential of reusability for each resource by (computationally) creating an asymmetry between identical units of the resource. In order to control the stochastic dependencies induced by reusability, we introduce a relaxed online algorithm that is only subject to fluid approximations of the stochastic elements in the problem. The output of this relaxed algorithm guides the overall algorithm. Finally, we establish competitive ratio guarantees by constructing a feasible solution to an LP free system of constraints. More generally, these ideas lead to a principled approach for integrating stochastic and combinatorial elements (such as reusability, customer choice, and budgeted allocations) in online resource allocation problems.
Tutorial: Metamodeling for Simulation

Metamodels are simpler computer models that are designed to mimic the input-output behavior of discrete-event or other complex simulation models. They are models of models, thus the name (provided by Jack P. C. Kleijnen). This introductory tutorial will highlight uses of metamodels, commonly used metamodel types, the linkage between metamodel type and the set of simulation model runs used to fit the metamodel, and basic issues in building and validating metamodels. The tutorial ends with a brief summary of recent research in metamodel types and use, and the implications for future metamodeling applications.
Network-Constrained Stackelberg Game for Pricing Demand Flexibility in Power Distribution Systems

We propose a network-constrained Stackelberg game framework to set energy prices for flexible consumers in a distribution grid. In this set-up, an aggregator acts as the leader, setting energy prices for each node, and price-responsive consumers are the followers, adjusting their demand according to the price charged. We show that this problem has an equilibrium in which the optimal demands can be written as a function of the Lagrange multipliers of the problem. For each node, voltage and current shadow costs have a cumulative effect that depends both on the upstream path to the substation and on the downstream demand level. We compare the Stackelberg solution to a centralized approach which maximizes social welfare. Our analysis reveals that, although the system-level optimal demand is higher in the centralized case, some individual nodes have higher consumption in the Stackelberg game. This counter-intuitive result cannot be observed in network-free formulations commonly adopted in game-theoretic works on demand-side management, where a centralized approach benefits every individual consumer. Numerical studies on an IEEE 123-bus feeder provide a system-level and a node-level analysis of this problem, highlighting the effect of network constraints on the optimal demands, and comparing the Stackelberg and the centralized solutions.
Ionic solvents for transdermal drug delivery

Abstract Transdermal drug delivery is an attractive mode of administration, but the skin’s inherent barrier function prevents most therapeutics from being delivered via this route. This chapter introduces ionic solvents as very promising transdermal permeants, discusses current mechanistic insights, and outlines outstanding challenges and future directions of this solvent class in the transdermal delivery space.
Parsing Clinical Trial Eligibility Criteria for Cohort Query by a Multi-Input Multi-Output Sequence Labeling Model

To enable electronic screening of eligible patients for clinical trials, free-text clinical trial eligibility criteria should be translated to a computable format. Natural language processing (NLP) techniques have the potential to automate this process. In this study, we explored a supervised multi-input multi-output (MIMO) sequence labeling model to parse eligibility criteria into combinations of fact and condition tuples. Our experiments on a small manually annotated training dataset showed that that the performance of the MIMO framework with a BERT-based encoder using all the input sequences achieved an overall lenient-level AUROC of 0.61. Although the performance is suboptimal, representing eligibility criteria into logical and semantically clear tuples can potentially make subsequent translation of these tuples into database queries more reliable.
Visual Communication and Culture: Design Education for a Globalized World

In an age of readily available technologies and rapidly expanding communication, opportunities for cross-cultural relationships and business practices have extended from the primarily wealthy and powerful to those on a more global scale. As a result of these advancements, a need for specialized knowledge in visual and media literacy has arisen; one that requires not only an understanding of why but how we communicate to societies different than our own. One major area significantly affected by this transformation is the field of graphic design, where practitioners now find themselves in the position to work with international clientele and design for global audiences. As a result, rebuilding and modernizing this practice to fit the needs of a specialized—yet pivotal—industry has become a necessity; a transformation that must begin in the classroom. This chapter aims to explain how a variety of cultural variances affect the major components of visual literacy and communication, while also providing examples of curricular content, pedagogical methods, and student projects which may be used as a basis for integrating cultural studies into graphic design education.
Antecedents of Review and Recommendation Systems Acceptance

vii CHAPTER 1. OVERVIEW 1 1.1 Background 1 1.2 Research 2 CHAPTER 2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE 5 2.1 Recommendation Systems 5 2.1.1 An Overview of Recommendation Systems 5 2.1.2 Collaborative filtering Recommendation System 8 2.1.3 Content-based Recommendation System 12 2.2 Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 17 2.2.1 Underlying Concept of UTAUT 17 2.2.2 Framework of UTAUT 23 2.3 Trust 26 2.4 Types of Products 28 2.5 Research Model 28 2.6 Research Hypotheses 30 2.7 Definitions of Variables 34 2.7.1 Performance Expectancy 34 2.7.2 Effort Expectancy 34 2.7.3 Social Influence 34 2.7.4 Trust 35 2.7.5 Behavioral Intentions to Use Recommendation Systems 35 2.7.6 Sex 35 2.7.7 Experience 35 2.7.8 Types of Products 35 CHAPTER 3. METHODOLOGY AND PROCEDURES 36 3.1 Pilot Test 36 3.1.1 Participants 36 3.1.2 Procedure 36 3.2 Final Study 36 3.2.1 Participants 37 3.2.2 Procedure 37 3.3 Measure 38 CHAPTER 4. RESULTS 40 4.1 Pilot Test 40 4.2 Final Study 41 4.2.1 Data Characteristics 41 4.2.2 Instrument Quality Analysis 48 4.2.3 Hypothesis Testing 54 4.2.4 Hypothesis Results Summary 60
Lunar image classification for terrain detection

Terrain detection and classification are critical elements for NASA mission preparations and landing site selection. In this paper, we have investigated several image features and classifiers for lunar terrain classification. The proposed histogram of gradient orientation effectively discerns the characteristics of various terrain types. We further develop an open-source Lunar Image Labeling Toolkit to facilitate future research in planetary science. Experimental results show that the proposed system achieves 95% accuracy of classification evaluated on a dataset of 931 lunar image patches from NASA Apollo missions.
The market valuation of cash dividends

Abstract This paper re-examines the case of Citizens Utilities, a firm with one class of common stock which pays stock dividends and one which pays taxable cash dividends. John Long's (1978) study of the two shares' relative prices suggests that investors may prefer cash dividends to equal-sized stock dividends. This paper finds that the cash dividend share's ex-day price decline is less than their dividend payment. Stock dividend shares fall by nearly their full dividend. The disparity between ex-day dividend valuation and the observed prices of the two shares is inconsistent with some explanations of the demand for cash dividends.
Engagement of CD28 Outside of the Immunological Synapse Results in Up-Regulation of IL-2 mRNA Stability but Not IL-2 Transcription

During T cell activation by APC, CD28 is colocalized with TCR in the central supramolecular activation cluster (cSMAC) region of the immunological synapse. CD28 signaling through PI3K results in the recruitment of protein kinase C (PKC)θ to the cSMAC, activation of NF-κB, and induction of IL-2 transcription. These results suggest that localized engagement of CD28 within the cSMAC may be required for CD28 activation and/or signal integration with TCR signals. To test this model we have examined the mechanism of CD28-mediated induction of IL-2 secretion when CD28 is engaged outside of the immunological synapse. CD4 T cells were stimulated with Ag presented by B7-negative APC and CD28 costimulation was provided in trans by anti-CD28-coated beads or by class II-negative, B7-positive cells. We show that induction of IL-2 secretion under these conditions did not require expression of PKCθ and did not induce NF-κB activation or IL-2 transcription. In contrast, CD28 costimulation in trans did induce IL-2 mRNA stability, accounting for the up-regulation of IL-2 secretion. These data indicate that the ability of CD28 to up-regulate IL-2 transcription requires colocalization of TCR and CD28 at the plasma membrane, possibly within the cSMAC of the immunological synapse. In contrast, the ability of CD28 to promote IL-2 mRNA stability can be transduced from a distal site from the TCR, suggesting that signal integration occurs downstream from the plasma membrane. These data support the potential role of trans costimulation in tumor and allograft rejection, but limit the potential functional impact that trans costimulation may have on T cell activation.
Phase coexistence and magnetocaloric effect in La 5/8-y Pr y Ca 3/8 MnO 3 (y=0.275)

The magnetocaloric effect (MCE) was measured to probe the nature of phase coexistence of structurally different ferromagnetic metallic (FMM) and charge-ordered insulating phases in ${\text{La}}_{5/8\ensuremath{-}y}{\text{Pr}}_{y}{\text{Ca}}_{3/8}{\text{MnO}}_{3}$ $(y=0.275)$ single crystals. The MCE peaks with both positive and negative values are observed in the vicinity of the multiple-phase transitions in the system. Strain associated with the phase coexistence has been known to stabilize a strain-glass state as well as a strain-liquid state. The large MCE is observed in the ``dynamic'' strain liquid state, while it is relatively small in the ``frozen'' strain-glass state. The MCE data reveal that the sharp increase in the magnetization below the Curie temperature in the strain-liquid region is attributed to the enhancement of the FM domain regions that are already present in the material. MCE is also shown to be a useful method to probe the subtle balance of coexisting phases in mixed-phase manganites.
The cellular location of Prevotella ruminicola beta-1,4-D-endoglucanase and its occurrence in other strains of ruminal bacteria

Prevotella ruminicola B(1)4, TC1-1, TF1-3, and TS1-5 all produced immunologically cross-reacting 88- and 82-kDa carboxymethyl cellulases (CMCases). P. ruminicola 23, 118B, 20-63, and 20-78 had much lower CMCase activities, and Western blots (immunoblots) showed no cross-reaction with the B(1)4 CMCase antiserum. Fibrobacter succinogenes S85 and Selenomonas ruminantium HD4 and D produced CMCase, but these enzymes were smaller and did not cross-react with the B(1)4 CMCase antiserum. The B(1)4 CMCase antiserum inhibited the B(1)4, TC1-1, TF1-3, and TS1-5 CMCase activities and agglutinated these cells, but it had no effect on the other strains or species. On the basis of these results, the B(1)4 CMCase is a strain-specific enzyme that is located on the outside surface of the cells. P. ruminicola B(1)4 cultures, grown on sucrose, did not have significant CMCase activity, but these cells could bind purified 88- and 82-kDa CMCase but not 40.5-kDa CMCase. Because the 40.5-kDa CMCase is a fully active, truncated form of the CMCase, it appears that the N-terminal domain of the 88-kDa B(1)4 CMCase anchors the CMCase to the cells. Cells grown on cellobiose produced at least 10-fold more CMCase than the sucrose-grown cells, and the cellobiose-grown cells could only bind 15% as much CMCase as sucrose-grown cells. Virtually all of the CMCase activity of exponentially growing cultures was cell associated, but CMCase activity was eventually detected in the culture supernatant. On the basis of the observation that the 88-kDa CMCase was gradually converted to the 82-kDa CMCase when cultures reached the stationary phase without a change in specific activity, it appears that the 82-kDa protein is probably a proteolytic degradation product of the 88-kDa CMCase.
Myeloperoxidase-hydrogen peroxide-chloride antimicrobial system: effect of exogenous amines on antibacterial action against Escherichia coli

Exogenous ammonium ions (NH(4) (+)) and amine compounds had a profound influence on the antibacterial activity of the myeloperoxidase-hydrogen peroxide-chloride system against Escherichia coli. The rate of killing increased in the presence of NH(4) (+) and certain guanidino compounds and decreased in the presence of alpha-amino acids, polylysine, taurine, or tris (hydroxymethyl) aminomethane. Myeloperoxidase catalyzed the oxidation of chloride to hypochlorous acid, which reacted either with bacterial amine or amide components or both or with the exogenous compounds to yield chloramine or chloramide derivatives or both. These nitrogen-chlorine derivatives could oxidize bacterial components. Killing was correlated with oxidation of bacterial components. The rate of oxidation of bacterial sulfhydryls increased in the presence of the compounds that increased the rate of killing and decreased in the presence of the other compounds. The reaction of HOCl with NH(4) (+) yielded monochloramine (NH(2)Cl), which could be extracted into organic solvents. The N-Cl derivatives of bacterial components or of polylysine, taurine, or tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane could not be extracted. The effect of NH(4) (+) on killing is attributed to the ability of NH(2)Cl to penetrate the hydrophobic cell membrane and thus to oxidize intracellular components. Polylysine, taurine, and tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane formed high-molecular-weight, charged, or polar N-Cl derivatives that would be unable to penetrate the cell membrane. These results suggest an important role for leukocyte amine components in myeloperoxidase-catalyzed antimicrobial activity in vivo.
Labor Skills and Foreign Investment in a Dynamic Economy: Estimating the Knowledge-capital Model for Singapore: Labor Skills and Foreign Investment

Singapore is an interesting example of how the pattern of foreign investment changes with economic development. The authors analyze inbound and outbound investment between Singapore and a sample of industrialized and developing countries over the period 1984-2003. They find that Singapore's two-way investment with industrialized nations has shifted into skill-seeking activities over the period, while Singapore's investments in developing countries have increased sharply and become concentrated in labor-seeking activities. Singapore's increasing skill abundance relative to all countries in the sample accounted for 41 percent of average inbound stocks during the period, that is, US$18 billion annually; the corresponding figure for outbound stocks was 40 percent, that is, US$5.51 billion annually.