Most Popular Books by Lin Wang

Effective risk allocation is crucial for the success of transport infrastructure public-private partnership (PPP) projects. However, the inherent features of multiple entities, multiple tasks, and dynamicity make it highly challenging to obtain a risk allocation solution. This study aims to develop a scenario-driven modeling methodology for dynamic project risk allocation with multi-entity involvement and multi-task whole-coverage. First, a resolution framework for the scenario-driven risk allocation modeling is designed, in which risk identification and scenario assumptions are elaborated, and a four-stage resolution framework is constructed to fit the complex dynamic scenario. Subsequently, a multistage dynamic tripartite model is proposed based on rule definition, algorithm design, Shapley method extension, and visualized matrix construction. Furthermore, a case study is conducted to verify the applicability of the proposed model. It indicates that the obtained risk allocation solution is beneficial for entities to clarify their respective undertaken risks and specific allocation proportions at any time. This study provides an effective problem-solving methodology for risk allocation based on a comprehensive scenario with multi-feature consideration, a clear framework with whole-process guidance, an efficient model with quick response and visualized presentation, and a beneficial application attempt with reference implications.

Since 2004, the National Institute for School Leadership (NISL) has offered the Executive Development Program (EDP), a training program for sitting school principals that is typically delivered in two-day workshops once per month over 12 months. From its inception through 2018, 15,000 principals across 23 states have participated in the EDP. This report presents findings from part of RAND''s evaluation of the EDP, focusing on how principals applied their EDP training and coaching to their work as school leaders. The authors draw on a survey of 172 EDP participants, phone interviews of 74 EDP-trained school principals, and nine in-depth case studies to examine what improvement efforts principals attempted in their schools and what strategies they applied to reach their goals.

Small molecules are known to play critical role in understanding most biological mechanisms of cells and organisms. Some examples, such as RNAs, peptides and drug molecules, etc., work by modulating cellular function, but with unknown modes. In most cases, these actions involve the small molecule interacting with proteins serving various functions. In recent years, much effort has been made in the investigation of interactions between small molecules (ligands) and target proteins. In our laboratory, a new technique termed Dynamic Isoelectric focusing Anisotropy Binding Ligand Assay (DIABLA) is being in collaboration with the Tolley Laboratory (SIU) developed to fulfill this task. In this technique, a protein mixture is separated within the capillary using dynamic isoelectric focusing, while a specific small molecule is evenly distributed throughout the capillary. Fluorescence anisotropy is then used to identify target proteins that bind with the ligand. In our research, emphasis has been put on evaluating optimum detection conditions for the fluorescence anisotropy aspects of the measurement. Fluorescence anisotropy has been proven to be an effective and powerful tool in evaluating ligand-protein interactions. In our studies, various protein-ligand systems are investigated, especially inhibitor-cyclooxygenase (COX) systems which include naproxen-COX system, ibuprofen-COX system, resveratrol-COX system and COX inhibitor II-COX system. Other systems include biotin-streptavidin system and progesterone-progesterone receptor system. Several fundamental parameters (concentration, pH, etc.) that affect the detection of fluorescence anisotropy measurement are evaluated. In addition, non-specific binding of the ligands with BSA was also tested as a comparison to specific binding of ligand-COX. By optimizing the binding conditions, the detection limit of using fluorescence anisotropy technique was found to be as low as nanomolar concentrations, which is much improved compared to the current literature reported micromolar regime. A binding curve representing the anisotropy''s value as a function of protein concentration was constructed experimentally for each study system. On another study, mathematical calculation of the binding curve was also carried out by Wolfram Mathematica for prediction of the binding curve as well as estimation of the dissociation constant (Kd). By simply curve fitting experimental data to our simulated binding curve, with known ligand concentration, the dissociation constant (Kd) can be obtained with very high accuracy relative to current reported value. Isoelectric focusing coupled fluorescence anisotropy was also performed on the laboratory built system to test the validation of DIABLA. Three standard dyes, rose bengal, erythrosin B and Ru(bpy)3 were used for calibration of the in-laboratory built instrument. Fluorescence measurements were performed in both Horiba Jobin Yvon fluorimeter and our in-laboratory built DIABLA equipment by Cecil Bailey. Good correspondence of data acquired by DIABLA equipment and Horiba fluoremeter was successfully obtained, which proves the validation of DIABLA. Ongoing research is focusing on investigation of the standard dyes as well as some protein mixtures in capillary using DIABLA equipment. In another study, in investigation of inhibitor-COX system, fluorescence properties of most inhibitors were tested for further applications. Fluorescence excitation and emission spectra, fluorescence quantum yield, as well as fluorescence lifetimes were tested with the inhibitors dissolved in both ethanol and water. The difference of fluorescence properties observed in different solvents revealed the solvent effects as well as some possible intramolecular transitions or intermolecular interactions, such as internal charge transfer (ICT) and molecule aggregations.

The authors of this report build on past studies by using survey data from a nationally representative sample to examine how middle and high school English language arts (ELA) and mathematics teachers use and perceive their instructional materials in terms of engagement, challenge, and usability. In addition, the authors use interview data to understand teachers'' perceptions about what makes instructional materials engaging, appropriately challenging, and usable. Engagement is the extent to which the instructional materials pique and sustain student interest and attention; appropriately challenging is the extent to which the materials address the academic and learning needs of students; and usable is the extent to which the materials feature components that teachers desire and that are easy to enact or adapt to meet the needs of their students. Gaining insight into teachers'' perceptions of their materials is important because this insight can affect the work of curriculum developers; it can influence state, school district, and other decisionmakers in their materials-adoption processes. Furthermore, teachers'' modifications of materials can affect students'' opportunities to achieve academic standards. This insight has become even more important during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic because of instruction moving online and teachers having to adapt their instruction and materials accordingly.

"Product line extension is pervasive in categories of horizontally differentiated products. Despite the popularity of this marketing strategy, its effects on performance metrics relevant to brand managers remain largely under-studied. Extending a brand''s product line can cause product proliferation (i.e., the marketing of seemingly identical products by a brand), which has been identified to incur several costs. This thesis explores the effects of product line length on the following metrics: product sales, product exit, new product trial, and brand preference. It also considers the structure of a product line in order to assess the impacts of product proliferation. Methodologically, the author develops a dynamic path analysis model, a threshold regression model, and a multiple discrete-continuous model. The empirical results from the U.S. potato chip market suggest that a brand''s product line length has positive effects on its product sales and the likelihood of consumers'' trial of its new products (i.e., products within the first year after launch). However, it also has a positive effect on the hazard of product exit for its new products and negative effects on consumers'' preferences for both the brand and its competitors. The author further characterizes the structure of a product line by distinct SKUs (i.e., SKUs with unique configurations) and duplicate SKUs (i.e., SKUs similar to distinct SKUs previously introduced). The results indicate that the number of a brand''s duplicate SKUs, which can measure the degree of product proliferation, has no effect on its product sales. Even though it has a positive effect on the likelihood of new product trial, it has a positive effect on the product exit hazard for the brand''s mature products (i.e., products surviving more than one year) and a negative effect on consumers'' preference for the brand. In contrast, although the number of a brand''s distinct SKUs has a negative effect on the likelihood of new product trial, it has negative effects on the product exit hazard for the brand''s mature products and consumers'' preference for its competitors." --

Cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels are increasingly being used in building enclosures due to their good structural and fire safety performance. However, prolonged exposure to moisture during construction and in service are durability concerns for most wood products, including CLT. The wetting and drying behavior of CLT wall assemblies can be studied by hygrothermal simulations in which a deterministic approach is normally used. However, in reality, there are always uncertainties in input parameters--such as material properties, environmental loads, and design variables--that may lead to discrepancies between simulation results and actual performance. The hygrothermal performance of 16 CLT wall assemblies with various design configurations was tested in a building envelope test facility, and discrepancies between simulations and measurements were observed. This paper further investigates the discrepancies between simulations and measurements of a CLT wall assembly with two different types of water-resistive barriers (WRBs) that were caused by the uncertainties of input parameters using sensitivity analyses. Simulation results obtained from DELPHIN and WUFI Pro simulation programs are compared with measurements for validation. The influential factors--including material properties, rain loads, and cladding ventilation rates--are studied using a one-factor-at-a-time method under different environmental loads. The examined parameters are assigned with two extreme values based on their uncertainties. The root mean square difference of CLT moisture content between the cases with the two extreme values is calculated to evaluate the importance of each parameter. The simulation results show that the influence of the moisture storage function is more significant than the moisture transport properties (i.e., vapor resistance factor and moisture diffusivity) and that the wall assembly with a vapor-permeable WRB is more sensitive to the variations in the rain deposition factor and cladding ventilation rate than the wall with a non-vapor-permeable WRB.

This thesis Develop a new suitable nano-gold mediated silver antibody microarray technology. Application examples show that the antibody array efficently detects differences in protein and phospho-protein concentration independently of cell type. For activation and inhibition of signaling pathways, cytoplasmic and nuclear distribution are very important and can reflect differential functions, even when total phospho-proteins are not changed. Evidence for new and rapid common cytoplasmic signaling about ERK, JNK, STAT3, Akt and p70S6 in chosen functions of three treated cell lines. Setup new positive or negative co-localized relationships and interaction about p-p38 and p38, Smad1 and Smad2/3, ERK or p38 with Smad1, ERK or p38 with c-Myc, among Akt, ERK and p70S6, p70S6 with p38 and smad1,2,3 in three treated cell lines.

The subject matter of this paper concerns the natural price barriers that markets encounter. The ideas in this paper can be applied to any market: equity, commodity, currency or fixed income. It is common market experience that prices (or yields) exhibit resistance and support: at key levels there is a tendency for prices to show difficulty in progressing further, something which is not explained by popular random walk models. Some resistance and support prices are very strong while some are weak. If the resistance price or the support price is not strong, then the market price might go through this key level. If the resistance or the support is very strong, then the market price might simply be reflected back. We give examples of modeling support and resistance levels. We show how it is possible for the random behaviour of prices to behave almost like a lognormal random walk (say for stock prices) and yet for there to be a far richer structure for the asset price behaviour over small scale movements.