Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Wiretap channel with causal state information and secure rate-limited feedback

In this paper, we consider the secrecy capacity of a wiretap channel in the presence of causal state information and secure rate-limited feedback. In this scenario, the causal state information from the channel is available to both the legitimate transmitter and legitimate receiver. In addition, the legitimate receiver can send secure feedback to the transmitter at a limited rate Rf. We shown that the secrecy capacity is bounded by Cs ≥ max {p(u|v) p(x|u,v) max min{I(U;Y|v) - I(U;Z|V) + H(V|Z) + Rf, I(U;Y|V)}, p(u)p(x|u,v) max min{H(V|Z,U) + Rf, I(U;Y|V)}}. Moreover, when the channel to the legitimate receiver is less noisy than the channel to the eavesdropper, the bound is shown to be tight. The capacity achieving scheme is based on both the Wyner wiretap coding and two steps of shared-key generation: one from the state information and one via the noiseless feedback. Finally, we consider several special cases. When state information is available only at the legitimate receiver, the analysis suggests that unlike previous results involving feedback, it is better to use the feedback to send the state information to the transmitter (when possible), rather than send a random key.
Empirical evidence for a recent slowdown in irrigation-induced cooling

Understanding the influence of past land use changes on climate is needed to improve regional projections of future climate change and inform debates about the tradeoffs associated with land use decisions. The effects of rapid expansion of irrigated area in the 20th century has remained unclear relative to other land use changes, such as urbanization, that affected a similar total land area. Using spatial and temporal variations in temperature and irrigation extent observed in California, we show that irrigation expansion has had a large cooling effect on summertime average daily daytime temperatures (−0.14°C to −0.25°C per decade), which corresponds to an estimated cooling of −1.8°C to −3.2°C since the introduction of irrigation practices. Irrigation has negligible effects on nighttime temperatures, leading to a net cooling effect of irrigation on climate (−0.06°C to −0.19°C per decade). Stabilization of irrigated area has occurred in California since 1980 and is expected in the near future for many irrigated regions. The suppression of past human-induced greenhouse warming by increased irrigation is therefore likely to slow in the future, and a potential decrease in irrigation may even contribute to a more rapid warming. Changes in irrigation alone are not expected to influence broad-scale temperatures, but they may introduce large uncertainties in climate projections for irrigated agricultural regions, which provide ≈40% of global food production.
L2-Proficiency-Dependent Laterality Shift in Structural Connectivity of Brain Language Pathways

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and a longitudinal language learning approach were applied to investigate the relationship between the achieved second language (L2) proficiency during L2 learning and the reorganization of structural connectivity between core language areas. Language proficiency tests and DTI scans were obtained from German students before and after they completed an intensive 6-week course of the Dutch language. In the initial learning stage, with increasing L2 proficiency, the hemispheric dominance of the Brodmann area (BA) 6-temporal pathway (mainly along the arcuate fasciculus) shifted from the left to the right hemisphere. With further increased proficiency, however, lateralization dominance was again found in the left BA6-temporal pathway. This result is consistent with reports in the literature that imply a stronger involvement of the right hemisphere in L2 processing especially for less proficient L2 speakers. This is the first time that an L2 proficiency-dependent laterality shift in the structural connectivity of language pathways during L2 acquisition has been observed to shift from left to right and back to left hemisphere dominance with increasing L2 proficiency. The authors additionally find that changes in fractional anisotropy values after the course are related to the time elapsed between the two scans. The results suggest that structural connectivity in (at least part of) the perisylvian language network may be subject to fast dynamic changes following language learning.
The Cross-Modal Spread of Attention Reveals Differential Constraints for the Temporal and Spatial Linking of Visual and Auditory Stimulus Events

The integration of multisensory information has been shown to be guided by spatial and temporal proximity, as well as to be influenced by attention. Here we used neural measures of the multisensory spread of attention to investigate the spatial and temporal linking of synchronous versus near-synchronous auditory and visual events. Human participants attended selectively to one of two lateralized visual-stimulus streams while task-irrelevant tones were presented centrally. Electrophysiological measures of brain activity showed that tones occurring simultaneously or delayed by 100 ms were temporally linked to an attended visual stimulus, as reflected by robust cross-modal spreading-of-attention activity, but not when delayed by 300 ms. The neural data also indicated a ventriloquist-like spatial linking of the auditory to the attended visual stimuli, but only when occurring simultaneously. These neurophysiological results thus provide unique insight into the temporal and spatial principles of multisensory feature integration and the fundamental role attention plays in such integration.
Genome‐Wide Transcriptional Profiling of Human Embryonic Stem Cells Differentiating to Cardiomyocytes

Mammals are unable to regenerate their heart after major cardiomyocyte loss caused by myocardial infarction. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) can give rise to functional cardiomyocytes and therefore have exciting potential as a source of cells for replacement therapy. Understanding the molecular regulation of cardiomyocyte differentiation from stem cells is crucial for the stepwise enhancement and scaling of cardiomyocyte production that will be necessary for transplantation therapy. Our novel hESC differentiation protocol is now efficient enough for meaningful genome‐wide transcriptional profiling by microarray technology of hESCs, differentiating toward cardiomyocytes. Here, we have identified and validated time‐dependent gene expression patterns and shown a reflection of early embryonic events; induction of genes of the primary mesoderm and endodermal lineages is followed by those of cardiac progenitor cells and fetal cardiomyocytes in consecutive waves of known and novel genes. Collectively, these results permit enhancement of stepwise differentiation and facilitate isolation and expansion of cardiac progenitor cells. Furthermore, these genes may provide new clinically relevant clues for identifying causes of congenital heart defects.
Addressing the unique challenges of inner-city practice: a direct observation study of inner-city, rural, and suburban family practices

Previous research on geographic variations in health care contains limited information regarding inner-city medical practice compared with suburban and rural settings. Our main objective was to compare patient characteristics and the process of providing medical care among family practices in inner-city, suburban, and rural locations. A cross-sectional multimethod study was conducted emphasizing direct observation of out patient visits by trained research nurses involving 4, 454 consecutive patients presenting for outpatient care to 138 family physicians during 2 days of observation at 84 community family practices in northeast Ohio. Time use during office visits was assessed with the Davis Observation Code; satisfaction was measured with the Medical Outcomes Study nine-item Visit Rating Scale; delivery of preventive services was as recommended by the US Preventive Services Task Force; and patient-reported domains of primary care were assessed with the Components of Primary Care Instrument. Results show that inner-city patients had more chronic medical problems, more emotional problems, more problems evaluated per visit, higher rates of health habit counseling, and longer and more frequent office visits. Rural patients were older, more likely to be established with the same physician, and had higher rates of satisfaction and patient-reported physician knowledge of the patient. Suburban patients were younger, had fewer chronic medical problems, and took fewer medications chronically. Inner-city family physicians in northeast Ohio appear to see a more challenging patient population than their rural and suburban counterparts and have more complex outpatient office visits. These findings have implications for health system organization along with the reimbursement and recruitment of physicians in medically underserved inner-city areas.
Burden and Prevention of Adverse Cardiac Events in Patients with Concomitant Chronic Heart Failure and Coronary Artery Disease: A Literature Review

Summary Background Chronic heart failure (HF) or coronary artery disease (CAD) confers risk for thromboembolism and secondary adverse cardiac events (ACEs) (e.g., mortality, myocardial infarction, and stroke). When HF and CAD occur concomitantly, ACE risk is reported to be elevated. We investigated ACEs, their epidemiology, and the resulting burden among patients with concomitant HF and CAD through a structured review of recent literature. Antithrombotic treatment for ACE prevention was assessed. Methods Pertinent databases (PubMed, other) were searched for relevant articles published from January 2004 to March 2015. Data collected included ACE incidence, healthcare resource use, costs, change in quality of life attributed to ACEs, and treatment practice for prevention of ACEs in patients with concomitant HF and CAD. Results Mortality rates for patients with both HF and CAD ranged from 4.9–12.3% at 30 days to 13.7–86% for periods between 9.9 months and 10 years. Incidence of ACEs among HF patients with CAD is, respectively, at least 82% and 15% higher than for patients without HF or without CAD, except for stroke investigated in two studies. All‐cause and HF‐related hospitalization is the main driver of the economic burden in patients with HF, the majority of whom had CAD origin. Despite high prevalence of ischemic complications, there is limited evidence to support the use of warfarin‐type antithrombotics among HF patients. Conclusion This study confirms that patients with concomitant HF and CAD are at elevated risk for ACEs and suggests the need for effective new antithrombotic treatments to further decrease ischemic complication rates in this population.
Cryomilling-induced solid dispersion of poor glass forming/poorly water-soluble mefenamic acid with polyvinylpyrrolidone K12

Abstract The effect of mechanical impact on the polymorphic transformation of mefenamic acid (MFA) and the formation of a solid dispersion of mefenamic acid, a poor glass forming/poorly-water soluble compound, with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) K12 was investigated. The implication of solid dispersion formation on solubility enhancement of MFA, prepared by cryomilling, was investigated. Solid state characterization was conducted using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy combined with crystal structure analysis. Apparent solubility of the mixtures in pH 7.4 buffer was measured. A calculation to compare the powder patterns and FTIR spectra of solid dispersions with the corresponding physical mixtures was conducted. Solid state characterization showed that (1) MFA I transformed to MFA II when pure MFA I was cryogenically milled (CM); and (2) MFA forms a solid dispersion when MFA was cryogenically milled with PVP K12. FTIR spectral analysis showed that hydrogen bonding facilitated by mechanical impact played a major role in forming solid dispersions. The apparent solubility of MFA was significantly improved by making a solid dispersion with PVP K12 via cryomilling. This study highlights the importance of cryomilling with a good hydrogen bond forming excipient as a technique to prepare solid dispersion, especially when a compound shows a poor glass forming ability and therefore, is not easy to form amorphous forms by conventional method.
Understanding the Environmental Impact of Sustainable IT: An Empirical Examination

Despite increasing emphasis on the adoption of IT targeted at reducing adverse environmental impact of organizations’ operations, referred to as green IT, or sustainable IT, there is a lack of empirical research that investigates the impact of different sustainable IT practices on environmental performance. By drawing on past research on the types of sustainable IT practices (defined in terms of “information to support decision-making”, “direct IT assets and infrastructure”, “collaboration” and “sustainable products and services”, and the resource based theory of IT and IT assets classes, we examine the relationship between sustainable IT practices and environmental performance (defined in terms of direct and indirect emissions). Drawing from a secondary database of 223 observations from 47 sustainable IT organizations, we test our hypotheses and find that different sustainable IT practices affect environmental performance differently. Specifically, “information to support decision making” reduces direct emissions while “direct IT assets and infrastructure” reduce both direct and indirect emissions. “Collaboration” does not have any positive environmental impact. “Sustainable products and services” reduce indirect emissions but not direct emissions. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Atmosphere Feedbacks during ENSO in a Coupled GCM with a Modified Atmospheric Convection Scheme

Abstract The too diverse representation of ENSO in a coupled GCM limits one’s ability to describe future change of its properties. Several studies pointed to the key role of atmosphere feedbacks in contributing to this diversity. These feedbacks are analyzed here in two simulations of a coupled GCM that differ only by the parameterization of deep atmospheric convection and the associated clouds. Using the Kerry–Emanuel (KE) scheme in the L’Institut Pierre-Simon Laplace Coupled Model, version 4 (IPSL CM4; KE simulation), ENSO has about the right amplitude, whereas it is almost suppressed when using the Tiedke (TI) scheme. Quantifying both the dynamical Bjerknes feedback and the heat flux feedback in KE, TI, and the corresponding Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project (AMIP) atmosphere-only simulations, it is shown that the suppression of ENSO in TI is due to a doubling of the damping via heat flux feedback. Because the Bjerknes positive feedback is weak in both simulations, the KE simulation exhibits th.
LMI sufficient conditions for the consensus of linear agents with nearly-periodic resets

The paper focuses on the problem of consensus in the framework of hybrid systems. We consider networks of scalar agents interconnected via directed graphs. Precisely, the network consists of a large number of agents belonging to several clusters. Each cluster is represented by a fixed directed strongly connected graph and almost all the time there is no link between different clusters. In each cluster there exists a specific agent called leader. At specific instants, the leaders interact via a fixed directed strongly connected graph. In this model the agents have continuous dynamics but the states of the leaders are reseted at the instants when they interact between them. In the paper, we first characterize the consensus value of this model and show it depends only on the initial condition and the interaction topologies. Next, we provide sufficient condition in Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI) form for the global uniform exponential stability of the consensus in presence of an almost periodic reset rule. The numerical implementation of this LMI condition requires a polytopic embedding which is provided before the illustrative example.
High-flexion TKA Designs: What Are Their In Vivo Contact Mechanics?

To accommodate for high flexion, new total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) have been designed. Unlike older designs which have been found to exhibit decreasing contact area with increasing flexion, we hypothesized the new designs would be associated with improved contact mechanics. We compared in vivo contact mechanics for 10 subjects having a fixed-bearing high-flexion posterior-stabilized (LPS-Flex) TKA and 10 subjects having a fixed-bearing high-flexion posterior cruciate-retaining (CR-Flex) TKA. All subjects performed deep knee bends to maximum flexion while under fluoroscopic surveillance. In vivo kinematics obtained using a three-dimensional to two-dimensional registration technique, were input into a three-dimensional inverse dynamic mathematical model to determine the contact forces. The contact areas and contact stresses were determined using a deformable contact model. The contact forces, contact areas, and contact stresses in both these implants increased with increasing flexion. The medial contact area in the LPS-Flex was higher than the CR-Flex for most of the flexion cycle. The lateral contact area was higher in the CR-Flex than the LPS-Flex in early and midflexion ranges. Although the lateral contact stresses were similar in both implants, the CR-Flex experienced higher medial contact stress than the LPS-Flex throughout flexion. However, both these implants were able to maintain sufficient contact area so the contact stress values were well below the yield strength of crosslinked polyethylene.
The Fina Nagu volcanic complex: Unusual submarine arc volcanism in the rapidly deforming southern Mariana margin

In the Mariana convergent margin, large arc volcanoes disappear south of Guam even though the Pacific plate continues to subduct and instead, small cones scatter on the seafloor. These small cones could form either due to decompression melting accompanying back‐arc extension or flux melting, as expected for arc volcanoes, or as a result of both processes. Here, we report the major, trace, and volatile element compositions, as well as the oxidation state of Fe, in recently dredged, fresh pillow lavas from the Fina Nagu volcanic chain, an unusual alignment of small, closely spaced submarine calderas and cones southwest of Guam. We show that Fina Nagu magmas are the consequence of mantle melting due to infiltrating aqueous fluids and sediment melts sourced from the subducting Pacific plate into a depleted mantle wedge, similar in extent of melting to accepted models for arc melts. Fina Nagu magmas are not as oxidized as magmas elsewhere along the Mariana arc, suggesting that the subduction component responsible for producing arc magmas is either different or not present in the zone of melt generation for Fina Nagu, and that amphibole or serpentine mineral destabilization reactions are key in producing oxidized arc magmas. Individual Fina Nagu volcanic structures are smaller in volume than Mariana arc volcanoes, although the estimated cumulative volume of the volcanic chain is similar to nearby submarine arc volcanoes. We conclude that melt generation under the Fina Nagu chain occurs by similar mechanisms as under Mariana arc volcanoes, but that complex lithospheric deformation in the region distributes the melts among several small edifices that get younger to the northeast.
Finitely ramified iterated extensions

Let K be a number field, t a parameter, F = K(t), and '(x) ∈ K(x) a polyno- mial of degree d ≥ 2. The polynomialn(x, t) = ' ◦n (x)−t ∈ F(x), where ' ◦n = '◦'◦� � �◦ ' is the n-fold iterate of ', is absolutely irreducible over F; we compute a recursion for its discriminant. Let F' be the field obtained by adjoining to F all roots (in a fixed F) of �n(x, t) for all n ≥ 1; its Galois group Gal(F'/F) is the iterated monodromy group of '. The iterated extension F' is finitely ramified over F if and only if ' is post-critically finite. We show that, moreover, for post-critically finite ', every specialization of F'/F at t = t0 ∈ K is finitely ramified over K, pointing to the possibility of studying Galois groups of number fields with restricted ramification via tree representations associated to iterated monodromy groups of post-critically finite polynomials. We discuss the wildness of rami- fication in some of these representations, describe prime decomposition in terms of certain finite graphs, and also give some examples of monogene number fields that arise from the construction.
The Implications for Desistance of the Developmental Course of Childhood Aggressive Behavior

Title of Dissertation: THE IMPLICATIONS FOR DESIST ANCE OF THE DEVELOPMENTAL COURSE OF CHILDHOOD AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR Sarah Nicholson Bacon, Doctor of Philosophy, 2006 Dissertation directed by: Professor Hanno Petras, P h.D. Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice One of the most important goals for criminological research is to further our understanding of the concept of desistance. Challenges in defining and measuring desistance have been exacerbated by the lack of theoreti cal foundations to guide inquiry and empirical research. To date, only a few predictors have been empirically identified, and all of them are exclusively relevant to adulthood. An important objective for desistance research, then, is to identify factors assoc iated with earlier desistance. This research endeavors to meet this objective by specifying a c onceptual model relating the developmental course of early childhood aggression to off ending behavior during adolescence and early adulthood. The relationships propo sed by the conceptual model are assessed using a longitudinal measure of aggression and a alytic techniques designed to assess change in development over time. An additi onal extension of existing research is the comparison of these relationships for boys and g irls. Data come from Johns Hopkins University’s Prevention In tervention Research Center’s school-based interventions trials in Baltimo re City Schools. Participants comprise an epidemiologically defined sample of urban, pr imarily African-American, first grade boys and girls. Results suggest that some path ways to desistance may be identified before adulthood, thus supporting the notion that ex minations of early development have utility for informing our understanding of l ater processes. THE IMPLICATIONS FOR DESISTANCE OF THE DEVELOPMENTA L COURSE OF CHILDHOOD AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR by Sarah Nicholson Bacon Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate Sc hool of the University of Maryland, College Park in partial fulfillme nt of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy 2006
Of saints and sinners: How appeals to collective pride and guilt affect outgroup helping

We examined how appeals to collective guilt and pride can motivate people to help members of a disadvantaged outgroup. Results from two experiments supported the prediction that appeals to collective pride are more effective than appeals to collective guilt in prompting high identifying group members’, but not low identifying group members’ willingness to help the outgroup. Study 2 demonstrated that, as expected, pride appeals generated more empathy for the disadvantaged group than guilt appeals, particularly among high identifiers, and empathy mediated the relationship between emotional appeals and helping. The results complement existing research on collective guilt by demonstrating how high identifiers can be persuaded to help members of a disadvantaged outgroup even in the context of historical harmdoings.