Power Insights Research Articles

Super typhoon Yagi’s impact on power systems and insights for enhancing system resilience

Super typhoon Yagi’s impact on power systems and insights for enhancing system resilience

A mechanistic marker-based screening tool to predict clinical immunogenicity of biologics

BackgroundThe efficacy and safety of therapeutic proteins are undermined by immunogenicity driven by anti-drug antibodies. Immunogenicity risk assessment is critically necessary during drug development, but current methods lack predictive power and mechanistic insight into antigen uptake and processing leading to immune response. A key mechanistic step in T-cell-dependent immune responses is the migration of mature dendritic cells to T-cell areas of lymphoid compartments, and this phenomenon is most pronounced in the immune response toward subcutaneously delivered proteins.MethodsThe migratory potential of monocyte-derived dendritic cells is proposed to be a mechanistic marker for immunogenicity screening. Following exposure to therapeutic protein in vitro, dendritic cells are analyzed for changes in activation markers (CD40 and IL-12) in combination with levels of the chemokine receptor CXCR4 to represent migratory potential. Then a transwell assay captures the intensity of dendritic cell migration in the presence of a gradient of therapeutic protein and chemokine ligands.ResultsHere, we show that an increased ability of the therapeutic protein to induce dendritic cell migration along a gradient of chemokine CCL21 and CXCL12 predicts higher immunogenic potential. Expression of the chemokine receptor CXCR4 on human monocyte-derived dendritic cells, in combination with activation markers CD40 and IL-12, strongly correlates with clinical anti-drug antibody incidence.ConclusionsMechanistic understanding of processes driving immunogenicity led to the development of a predictive tool for immunogenicity risk assessment of therapeutic proteins. These predictive markers could be adapted for immunogenicity screening of other biological modalities.

Asymmetrical Schottky Junction Built by Metal/Conducting Polymer Targeting Efficient Flexible Direct Current Tribovoltaic Generator

Direct current (DC) from mechanical energy built on the tribovoltaic effect is promising for the development of self‐powered flexible electronics. A semiconductor triboelectric generator is one of the optimized solutions for DC output. However, it remains underutilized because of its low output power and insufficient insight into the fundamental principles of charge generation and transport at dynamic interfaces. Herein, a flexible fabric‐based DC generator that relies on a metal–semiconducting polymer interface constructed by an asymmetric Schottky junction between a poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonic acid) (PEDOT:PSS)‐coated fabric and an aluminum (Al) foil is reported. The dependence of the electrical output performance of the device on the doping carrier concentration using different types of PEDOT:PSS to modulate the Schottky barrier height, validating both the work function and conductivity of the triboelectric material, which plays a fundamental role in DC generation, is explored. A large work function difference is required to create a high built‐in electric field for efficient separation of electron–hole pairs. Decent conductivity also fulfills an integral role in the innate carrier‐transport capability. Accordingly, an open‐circuit voltage (Voc) of 800 mV, a short‐circuit current (Isc) of 80 μA, and a power density of 6.7 mW cm−2 are yielded simultaneously.

Section Editor's Note: Using Power Insights to Better Plan Experiments

Section Editor's Note: Using Power Insights to Better Plan Experiments

Mise en Abyme as Visual Trope, Early Twentieth Century Russian Literature, and More

The mise en abyme trope was introduced into western criticism as a narrative concept of visual self-reflexivity in the arts by A. Gide in 1893, representing the relationship of a larger and smaller image or text in a work of art. My essay begins by considering the trope in its original artform of painting, primarily in the western baroque. But the essay’s main subject – one little studied in the Russian context – is the mise en abyme as a visual trope in early Russian modernist writing: A. Bely’s Petersburg (1913), V. Mayakovsky’s ‘From Street to Street’ (1913), B. Pasternak’s ‘The Mirror’ (1917), and Yu. Olesha’s later Envy (1927). The key component of mise en abyme in literature is a text inside a text, consisting of reflections as if in a mirror, and juxtaposed recursiveness that engages the correlation of part and whole. As they involve a correlation of the verbal and visual, literary mise en abymes require close reading by the reader as viewer, who often knows little about the trope; hence my emphasis on close reading of mise en abymes in the selected literary and visual works. I focus especially on two reflective surfaces, the traditional mirror and modern window, requiring the reader’s “power of sight.”

The Influential Mechanisms of Power Actor Groups on Policy Mix Adoption: Lessons Learned from Feed-In Tariffs in the Renewable Energy Transition in Iran and Germany

The Energy transition is fiercely competitive. The incumbents of fossil-based energy are in conflict with the advocate coalitions of transition in energy policy changes. Such changes do not occur as sudden punctuation via an external shock, but rather incrementally and over time, by incorporating power insights such as lobbies, coalitions, and campaigns. This article provides a framework grounded in theoretical power theories and draws additional insights from policy mix studies. It investigates how focusing events and feedback loops shape the coalition of interest groups in policymaking through implementations of power mechanisms. Our framework is tested through two different power stories of energy transition in Iran and Germany. Our findings reveal that the centrally planned economy of Iran leaves society with a negligible or passive role in the energy transition. The passive role of society in the energy transition is mainly caused by subsidizing energy. In addition, the financial and economic crisis resulting from other macro-economic challenges, such as sanctions, may exacerbate the minor involvement of civil society in the slow expansion of renewables in Iran. By contrast, as a robust economy with a corporatist tradition, Germany has made a strong advocacy coalition of energy transition that resulted in political incentives for substantial renewable energy deployment. Regarding the theoretical question of the power dynamics in divergent countries’ energy transitions, the proposed framework based on the interest group coalitions and power mechanism offers an understanding of the social character of energy transitions.

Multi-pass cells for post-compression of ultrashort laser pulses

Ultrafast lasers reaching extremely high powers within short fractions of time enable a plethora of applications. They grant advanced material processing capabilities, are effective drivers for secondary photon and particle sources, and reveal extreme light-matter interactions. They also supply platforms for compact accelerator technologies, with great application prospects for tumor therapy or medical diagnostics. Many of these scientific cases benefit from sources with higher average and peak powers. Following mode-locked dye and titanium-doped sapphire lasers, broadband optical parametric amplifiers have emerged as high peak- and average power ultrashort pulse lasers. A much more power-efficient alternative is provided by direct post-compression of high-power diode-pumped ytterbium lasers—a route that advanced to another level with the invention of a novel spectral broadening approach, the multi-pass cell technique. The method has enabled benchmark results yielding sub-50-fs pules at average powers exceeding 1 kW, has facilitated femtosecond post-compression at pulse energies above 100 mJ with large compression ratios, and supports picosecond to few-cycle pulses with compact setups. The striking progress of the technique in the past five years puts light sources with tens to hundreds of TW peak and multiple kW of average power in sight—an entirely new parameter regime for ultrafast lasers. In this review, we introduce the underlying concepts and give brief guidelines for multi-pass cell design and implementation. We then present an overview of the achieved performances with both bulk and gas-filled multi-pass cells. Moreover, we discuss prospective advances enabled by this method, in particular including opportunities for applications demanding ultrahigh peak-power, high repetition rate lasers such as plasma accelerators and laser-driven extreme ultraviolet sources.

Three-dimensional spatial transcriptomics uncovers cell type localizations in the human rheumatoid arthritis synovium

The inflamed rheumatic joint is a highly heterogeneous and complex tissue with dynamic recruitment and expansion of multiple cell types that interact in multifaceted ways within a localized area. Rheumatoid arthritis synovium has primarily been studied either by immunostaining or by molecular profiling after tissue homogenization. Here, we use Spatial Transcriptomics, where tissue-resident RNA is spatially labeled in situ with barcodes in a transcriptome-wide fashion, to study local tissue interactions at the site of chronic synovial inflammation. We report comprehensive spatial RNA-Seq data coupled to cell type-specific localization patterns at and around organized structures of infiltrating leukocyte cells in the synovium. Combining morphological features and high-throughput spatially resolved transcriptomics may be able to provide higher statistical power and more insights into monitoring disease severity and treatment-specific responses in seropositive and seronegative rheumatoid arthritis.

Power dynamics in organisations and the role of information systems

Power dynamics in organisations and the role of information systems

Statistical power or more precise insights into neuro-temporal dynamics? Assessing the benefits of rapid temporal sampling in fMRI.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), a non-invasive and widely used human neuroimaging method, is most known for its spatial precision. However, there is a growing interest in its temporal sensitivity. This is despite the temporal blurring of neuronal events by the blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal, the peak of which lags neuronal firing by 4-6 seconds. Given this, the goal of this review is to answer a seemingly simple question - "What are the benefits of increased temporal sampling for fMRI?". To answer this, we have combined fMRI data collected at multiple temporal scales, from 323 to 1000 milliseconds, with a review of both historical and contemporary temporal literature. After a brief discussion of technological developments that have rekindled interest in temporal research, we next consider the potential statistical and methodological benefits. Most importantly, we explore how fast fMRI can uncover previously unobserved neuro-temporal dynamics - effects that are entirely missed when sampling at conventional 1 to 2 second rates. With the intrinsic link between space and time in fMRI, this temporal renaissance also delivers improvements in spatial precision. Far from producing only statistical gains, the array of benefits suggest that the continued temporal work is worth the effort.

Genetic dissection of complex traits using hierarchical biological knowledge

Despite the growing constellation of genetic loci linked to common traits, these loci have yet to account for most heritable variation, and most act through poorly understood mechanisms. Recent machine learning (ML) systems have used hierarchical biological knowledge to associate genetic mutations with phenotypic outcomes, yielding substantial predictive power and mechanistic insight. Here, we use an ontology-guided ML system to map single nucleotide variants (SNVs) focusing on 6 classic phenotypic traits in natural yeast populations. The 29 identified loci are largely novel and account for ~17% of the phenotypic variance, versus <3% for standard genetic analysis. Representative results show that sensitivity to hydroxyurea is linked to SNVs in two alternative purine biosynthesis pathways, and that sensitivity to copper arises through failure to detoxify reactive oxygen species in fatty acid metabolism. This work demonstrates a knowledge-based approach to amplifying and interpreting signals in population genetic studies.

Draugos ar zinātni: zinātniskie aspekti Jāņa Veseļa daiļradē

Writer Jānis Veselis is a classic of the Latvian literature, one of the most peculiar prose writers from the 1920s to 1940s. Initially, the artistic style of Veselis was heavily influenced by World War I poetics of collision and expressionism, later by the ideas about neopagan movements. The writer has an active imagination. His writing style is characterised by fabulous neo-mythical tendencies. Despite that, Veselis was friends with science. Many of his texts are filled with delight about the achievements of modern science. He is taken away by the explosive growth of the exact sciences, especially astronomy. In the centre of many of Veselis’s works (“Sun’s Cemetery” (Saules kapsēta, 1921); “People of Fields” (Tīrumu ļaudis, 1927); literary cycle “Soul of Steel” (Tērauda dvēsele, 1934–1946)), there is a representative of engineer’s profession. Scientific aspects in the most concise way are integrated into the literary cycle of novels called “Soul of Steel” (“Human Uprising” (Cilvēku sacelšanās, 1934); “Soul of Steel” (Tērauda dvēsele, 1938); “Big March” (Lielais gājiens, 1946)). The novels are interspersed with science-fiction motifs. The first two novels of the cycle revolve around an engineer-constructor named Rudājs. He postulates ideas about man’s ability to control natural processes, and he also dreams about expanding into the universe. The novels “Human Uprising” and “Soul of Steel” are saturated with reflections about different modern science problems. For example, about obtaining energy from splitting atoms, endless lengths of space, and the universe’s eventual border. Scientific concepts and terminology from physics, chemistry, and astronomy are all common in the novels. At the end of the cycle’s second novel, the main character goes into the vast universe in his self-constructed rocket. The trilogy shows the writer’s power of insight and his rich imagination. In the context of the time, that is considered a rather innovative occurrence in Latvian novel. The dissonant mixture of scientific and mythological elements is regarded as a misleading element.

An integrated modelling approach examining the influence of goals, habit and learning on choice using visual attention data

Previous economics literature has explored the role of visual attention on choice in isolation without accounting for other influences such as habits and goals or learning effects, nor their interrelationship. In this paper, we: (i) develop a novel joint framework to explore the relationship between visual attention, observed heterogeneity from stated habits and goals, and choice outcomes while accounting for shorter- and longer-term learning effects; and (ii) investigate whether accounting for these relationships improves model predictive power and behavioral insights. The empirical analysis used an eye-tracked discrete choice experiment on sugar-sweetened beverage purchasing (n = 152 adults with 20 choice tasks). Results suggest that habits, goals, and shorter-term learning are key drivers of information acquisition whereas cumulative choices (longer-term learning) affect subsequent choice outcome. Importantly, ignoring the joint relationship between habits, visual attention and choice may exaggerate the role of visual attention, leading to incorrect behavioral insights and reduced prediction accuracy.

The COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 Pandemic

The Shape of Air: American Sign Language as Narrative Prosthesis in 21st Century North American Media

The Shape of Air: American Sign Language as Narrative Prosthesis in 21st Century North American Media

Get the picture? Lessons learned from a smartphone-based post-occupancy evaluation

In the past several decades, it has been widely recognized that psychological aspects, including perceived control over one’s indoor environment, are important to holistic building occupant comfort and satisfaction evaluations. However, current post-occupancy evaluations tend to focus on collecting quantitative data, despite overwhelming evidence that subtle qualitative factors can profoundly impact the quality of occupants’ adaptive opportunities and comfort. This paper presents the development and demonstration of a novel smartphone-based survey that is used to concurrently collect: 1) office occupants’ subjective evaluation of usability and comfort of spaces, 2) participant-sourced photographs of electrical and mechanical systems for improving occupant comfort, and 3) open-ended questions about the uploaded photos. This paper is primarily focused on methodological aspects of the photograph-based smartphone post-occupancy evaluation, while providing select results of a pilot study involving 41 participants in Canada. The photographs yield significant explanatory power and contextual insights for quantitative results, though with significant post-processing effort and a reduced sample size.

Performance Improvement of Space-Time Block Coding Using Flexible Feedback Bits Over Rician Channels

This paper addresses the concept of multiple-input multiple-output system using space-time block coding with the partial presence of channel state information at the transmitter. An efficient orthogonal space-time block coding system with 4-transmit and multiple receive antennas is developed. By employing an additional transmit antenna, the channel state information of 1, 2 or 3 feedback bits are utilized to improve the performance. The proposed scheme considers Rician flat fading channel with different line of sight power values. Moreover, the proposed system achieves full diversity order and a code rate of 3/4. In addition to that, the effect of different scales of partial feedback information on the performance is evaluated. Several examples of one and two receive antennas with different values of Rician factor and different number of feedback bits are simulated. Numerical results show that sizable performance improvement of the proposed scheme is obtained accordingly with increasing the number of feedback bits.

Differential efficacy of non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation for the acute treatment of episodic and chronic cluster headache: A meta-analysis.

BackgroundTwo randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled trials (ACT1, ACT2) evaluated non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) as acute treatment for cluster headache. We analyzed pooled ACT1/ACT2 data to increase statistical power and gain insight into the differential efficacy of nVNS in episodic and chronic cluster headache.MethodsData extracted from ACT1 and ACT2 were pooled using a fixed-effects model. Main outcome measures were the primary endpoints of each study. This was the proportion of participants whose first treated attack improved from moderate (2), severe (3), or very severe (4) pain intensity to mild (1) or nil (0) for ACT1 and the proportion of treated attacks whose pain intensity improved from 2–4 to 0 for ACT2.ResultsThe pooled population included 225 participants (episodic: n = 112; chronic: n = 113) from ACT1 (n = 133) and ACT2 (n = 92) in the nVNS (n = 108) and sham (n = 117) groups. Interaction was shown between treatment group and cluster headache subtype (p < 0.05). nVNS was superior to sham in episodic but not chronic cluster headache (both endpoints p < 0.01). Only four patients discontinued the studies due to adverse events.ConclusionsnVNS is a well-tolerated and effective acute treatment for episodic cluster headache.Trial registrationThe studies were registered at clinicaltrials.gov (ACT1: NCT01792817; ACT2: NCT01958125).

‘Que cherchent-ils au Ciel?’: Seeing with the Blind in Bruegel, Baudelaire and Maeterlinck

ABSTRACTThis article examines depictions of blindness across painting, poetry and theatre. Bruegel’s sixteenth-century painting, The Parable of the Blind, strongly resonates with Baudelaire’s and Maeterlinck’s portraits of the blind in mid- to late-nineteenth-century France and Belgium. I argue that Baudelaire’s poem ‘Les Aveugles’ and Maeterlinck’s one-act play Les Aveugles used the motif of blindness to undermine the power of sight, encouraging the reader/spectator to cultivate a synaesthesia of the senses. Here, blindness becomes emblematic of the condition of the poet/seer in modernity, the blind embodying the tension between the poet’s plunge into darkness and his upward glance toward the eternal.

BAYESIAN LARGE-SCALE MULTIPLE REGRESSION WITH SUMMARY STATISTICS FROM GENOME-WIDE ASSOCIATION STUDIES.

Bayesian methods for large-scale multiple regression provide attractive approaches to the analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWAS). For example, they can estimate heritability of complex traits, allowing for both polygenic and sparse models; and by incorporating external genomic data into the priors, they can increase power and yield new biological insights. However, these methods require access to individual genotypes and phenotypes, which are often not easily available. Here we provide a framework for performing these analyses without individual-level data. Specifically, we introduce a "Regression with Summary Statistics" (RSS) likelihood, which relates the multiple regression coefficients to univariate regression results that are often easily available. The RSS likelihood requires estimates of correlations among covariates (SNPs), which also can be obtained from public databases. We perform Bayesian multiple regression analysis by combining the RSS likelihood with previously proposed prior distributions, sampling posteriors by Markov chain Monte Carlo. In a wide range of simulations RSS performs similarly to analyses using the individual data, both for estimating heritability and detecting associations. We apply RSS to a GWAS of human height that contains 253,288 individuals typed at 1.06 million SNPs, for which analyses of individual-level data are practically impossible. Estimates of heritability (52%) are consistent with, but more precise, than previous results using subsets of these data. We also identify many previously unreported loci that show evidence for association with height in our analyses. Software is available at https://github.com/stephenslab/rss.