cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adaptive filesystem compression for embedded systems

Embedded system secondary storage size is often constrained, yet storage demands are growing as a result of increasing application complexity and storage of personal data and multimedia files. Filesystem compression offers a solution. This paper formalizes the problem of automatic filesystem compression using multiple compression algorithms. The average latency of on-line file accesses is optimized under a constraint on filesystem capacity. Our solution is based on predictive control. Predicted latency implications are used to solve the file compression state selection problem using a multiple choice knapsack problem formulation. This approach is evaluated on filesystem traces and compared with other efficient heuristics. Our approach results in 34.1% reduction in file access latency compared to a straight-forward heuristic that decompresses frequently-accessed files and compresses least recently used files with more aggressive compression algorithms. It reduces file access latency by 67.7% compared to uniformly compressing files to the shallowest level required to meet storage capacity constraints.
Clonal diversity alters the infection dynamics of a malaria parasite (Plasmodium mexicanum) in its vertebrate host

Ecological and evolutionary theory predicts that genetic diversity of microparasites within infected hosts will influence the parasite replication rate, parasitemia, transmission strategy, and virulence. We manipulated clonal diversity (number of genotypes) of the malaria parasite, Plasmodium mexicanum, in its natural lizard host and measured important features of the infection dynamics, the first such study for any natural Plasmodium-host association. Hosts harboring either a single P. mexicanum clone or various combinations of clones (scored via three microsatellite markers) were established. Production of asexually replicating stages (meronts) and maximal meront parasitemia did not differ by clonal diversity, nor did timing of first production of transmission stages (gametocytes). However, mean rate of gametocyte increase and maximal gametocyte parasitemia were greater for hosts with mixed-clone infections. Characteristics of infections were more variable in hosts with mixed-clone infections than with single-clone infections except for first production of gametocytes. One or more of the parasite reproductive traits were extreme in 20 of 52 hosts with mixed-clone infections. This was not associated with specific clones, but diversity itself. The overall pattern from studies of clonal diversity for human, rodent, and now reptile malaria parasites confirms that the genetic diversity of infections in the vertebrate host is of central importance for the ecology of Plasmodium.
Eudaimonic growth: Narrative growth goals predict increases in ego development and subjective well-being 3 years later.

We examine (a) the normative course of eudaimonic well-being in emerging adulthood and (b) whether people’s narratives of major life goals might prospectively predict eudaimonic growth 3 years later. We define eudaimonic growth as longitudinal increases in eudaimonic well-being, which we define as the combination of psychosocial maturity and subjective well-being (SWB). College freshmen and seniors took measures of ego development (ED; to assess maturity; Loevinger, 1976) and SWB at Time 1 (T1) and again 3 years later (Time 2). ED levels increased longitudinally across that time for men and T1 freshmen, but SWB levels did not change. Participants also wrote narratives of 2 major life goals at T1 that were coded for an explicit emphasis on specific kinds of personal growth. Participants’ intellectualgrowth goals (especially agentic ones) predicted increases in ED 3 years later, whereas participants’ socioemotional-growth goals (especially communal ones) predicted increases in SWB 3 years later. These findings were independent of the effects of Big Five personality traits—notably conscientiousness, which on its own predicted increases in SWB. We discuss (a) emerging adulthood as the last stop for normative eudaimonic growth in modern society and (b) empirical and theoretical issues surrounding the relations among narrative identity, life planning, dispositional traits, eudaimonia, and 2 paths of personal growth.
The Turkish Drawbridge: European Integration and the Cultural Economics of National Planning

This article examines the relations between the Turkish State Planning Organisation (SPO) and the Western economic system during the first two decades of national planning in Turkey (1960–1980). It traces how the SPO, established with the guidance and full endorsement of international economic institutions came to vehemently oppose Turkish participation in one of their pillars: the European Economic Community (EEC), the predecessor of the European Union. It argues that the shift in the SPO's world-view was founded upon two distinct understandings of the Turkish nation and its development, situates these understandings within the intellectual history of Turkey's past ambivalence towards the West, and, in doing so, provides a historical case-study of the ideological clash between modernisation and dependency theories of development.
Improved Bounds on the Performance of Convolutional Codes over the Correlated Rayleigh-Fading Channel

New bounds on the probability of bit error are presented for a communication system with binary antipodal modulation and soft-decision maximum-likelihood decoding over a correlated Rayleigh-fading channel. The bounds are illustrated by considering a system using convolutional encoding. The bounds are closed-form expressions in terms of the code's transfer function. They are shown to be tighter than previously developed closed-form bounds for communications in correlated Rayleigh fading.
On the stability and control of nonlinear systems via vector Lyapunov functions

Vector Lyapunov theory has been developed to weaken the hypothesis of standard Lyapunov theory in order to enlarge the class of Lyapunov functions that can be used for analyzing system stability. In this paper, we extend the theory of vector Lyapunov functions by constructing a generalized comparison system whose vector field can be a function of the comparison system states as well as the nonlinear dynamical system states. Furthermore, we present a generalized convergence result which, in the case of a scalar comparison system, specializes to the classical Krasovskii-LaSalle invariant set theorem. In addition, we introduce the notion of a control vector Lyapunov function as a generalization of control Lyapunov functions and show that asymptotic stabilizability of a nonlinear dynamical system is equivalent to the existence of a control vector Lyapunov function. Moreover, using control vector Lyapunov functions, we construct a universal decentralized feedback control law for a decentralized nonlinear dynamical system that possesses guaranteed gain arid sector margins in each decentralized input channel. Finally, we establish connections between the recently developed notion of vector dissipativity and optimality of the proposed decentralized feedback control law.
Evidence-based systematic review: effects of intensity of treatment and constraint-induced language therapy for individuals with stroke-induced aphasia.

Purpose This systematic review summarizes evidence for intensity of treatment and constraint-induced language therapy (CILT) on measures of language impairment and communication activity/participat...
Learning from Peers on Social Media Platforms

More and more companies have adopted social media platforms for supporting knowledge sharing among customers and employees, where individuals ask and answer questions among each other. Hence, it is important to understand the knowledge-sharing behavior of users on these systems. We propose a theoretically-grounded, dynamic structural model with endogenized knowledge-sharing behavior that takes into account “learning by sharing” and “knowledge spillover,” which are two salient features that are enabled by so cial platforms. Our model recognizes the dynamic and interdependent nature of knowledge-seeking and sharing decisions and allows them to be driven by knowledge increments and social-status building in anticipation of future reciprocal rewards. Applying this model to a unique panel of data from an expertise-sharing forum used to shore up customer support at a Fortune 500 firm, we illustrate the dynamic interdependency between individual decisions. We show that an individual is more willing to contribute to the community when her peers are more knowledgeable. We further demonstrate how a “core/periphery” knowledge sharing structure emerges, discourage users with low social status from participating, and creates a barrier to knowledge sharing and integration for the company. An exploratory sensitivity analysis shows that hiding the identity of the knowledge seeker breaks the core/periphery structure and improves the knowledge sharing by 20.46%.
Gingival recession treatment with connective tissue grafts in smokers and non-smokers

Background: Cigarette smoking can adversely affect the results of many periodontal procedures. The purpose of this study was to determine whether cigarette smoking affects wound healing of subepithelial connective tissue grafts.Methods: Seventeen systemically healthy patients with 22 Miller Class I or II mucogingival defects were divided into a non-smoker group or smoker group. Patients were regarded as smokers if they reported smoking 10 to 20 cigarettes per day. The following parameters were documented at the surgery date and 3 and 6 months postoperatively: recession depth (RD), recession width (RW), keratinized gingiva height measured apico-coronally (KG), relative attachment level (RAL), probing depths (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), and the full-mouth plaque score (FMP). Salivary cotinine samples were taken at the surgery to confirm the smoking history and to quantify cigarette use.Results: Non-smokers (0- to 10-ng/ml cotinine level) healed with statistically more recession coverage than the smokers...
Whole genome transcription profiling of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in human and tick host cells by tiling array analysis

Background Anaplasma phagocytophilum (Ap) is an obligate intracellular bacterium and the agent of human granulocytic anaplasmosis, an emerging tick-borne disease. Ap alternately infects ticks and mammals and a variety of cell types within each. Understanding the biology behind such versatile cellular parasitism may be derived through the use of tiling microarrays to establish high resolution, genome-wide transcription profiles of the organism as it infects cell lines representative of its life cycle (tick; ISE6) and pathogenesis (human; HL-60 and HMEC-1).
Bargaining Costs and Rational Behavior A Simple Model

This article presents a discussion of the effects of bargaining costs on the behavior of rational bargainers. Rationality is defined so as to reflect the bargainers' recognition of cooperative as well as conflictual aspects of bargaining. Bargaining is viewed as a sequential non-zero-sum game, which allows the bargainers to communicate through exchanges of their demands. It is shown that if the communication process were entirely costless, no need for communication would arise. The presence of bargaining costs makes each bargainer's behavior vulnerable to his opponent's actions, and thus opens the way for bargaining. As a result, a rational bargainer may make demands deviating from his expectations of the final terms of agreement. Rational behavior becomes, in a sense, unpredictable and may not suffice to reach an agreement. Some implications of the analysis are discussed.
Orbit injection dump simulations of the H 0 and H - Beams

Simulations of the transport of H0 and H- beams to the spallation neutron source (SNS) ring injection dump are carried out using the ORBIT code. During commissioning and early operations, beam losses in this region have been the highest in the accelerator and have presented the most obvious hurdle to cross in achieving high intensity operation. Two tracking models are employed: 1) a piecewise continuous symplectic representation of the lattice elements in the injection chicane and dump line, and 2) particle tracking in full 3D magnetic fields, as obtained from OPERA code evaluations. The physics models also include estimations of scattering from both the primary and secondary stripper foils, and beam losses due to apertures throughout the beam line.
EUV Astrophysics with ALEXIS : The Wide View

The Array of Low Energy X-ray Imaging Sensors (ALEXIS) satellite is Los Alamos’ pathfinding small space mission achieving low cost and rapid development time for its technology demonstration and science goals. The ALEXIS satellite contains the ALEXIS telescope array, which consists of six EUV/ultrasoft X-ray telescopes utilizing normal incidence multilayer mirrors, microchannel plate detectors, and thin UV rejecting filters. Each telescope is tuned to a relatively narrow bandpass centered at either 130, 171, or 186 angstroms. Each telescope has a 33° field-of-view, and a resolution of ∼ 0.25°. With each 50 s rotation of the satellite, the telescopes scan most of the anti-solar hemisphere of the sky. The spacecraft is controlled exclusively from a ground station located at Los Alamos.
Viremia caused by varicella-zoster virus: association with malignant progressive varicella.

Three groups of patients were evaluated to determine the relation between viremia caused by varicella-zoster virus and the type of varicella course the patient had. The groups were: (1) children with varicella who had no known underlying disease, who were not receiving immunosuppressive therapy, and who had a typical course of varicella ("normal" children); (2) children who were considered to be at risk of developing progressive varicella because of preexisting disease or because they were receiving immunosuppressive therapy and who had a typical course of varicella; and (3) patients who were at risk of developing progressive varicella and who had a progressive varicella course. Viremia in association with exanthem occurred in patients who had a progressive varicella course, but it was not observed, either during incubation or exanthem, in normal children or in patients at risk of progressive infection who had a typical varicella course. The viremia was cell-associated in three patients.
Initial colonization of periphyton on natural and artificial apices of Myriophyllum heterophyllum Michx

SUMMARY. 1. The initial colonization of periphyton on natural and artificial apices of Myriophyllum heterophyllum Michx was compared at three depths in the littoral zone of Lake Winnipesaukee, a soft-water New England lake. After a 1 week incubation period, the apices were sampled and the periphyton was removed and counted as numbers of periphyton organisms per centimetre of stem. 2. Initial colonization on both substrates was characterized by diatoms, particularly small single-celled species, throughout the spring and summer. Blue-green and green algae occurred in low numbers on both substrates during mid-summer, usually forming a greater percentage of the population of the natural apices. Blooms of the green alga Zygnema sp. dominated both substrates in late August. 3. Community composition generally did not differ significantly by depth or substrate on the natural and artificial apices: however, total abundance was significantly greater on the natural apices. M. heterophyllum appeared to serve as a neutral substrate in terms of community composition but had a positive effect on the total numbers of algae.
Drug-eluting stents and late adverse clinical outcomes lessons learned, lessons awaited.

Endothelial cells form a continuous syncytium that separates the intravascular and extravascular space. The endothelium is a selectively permeable and metabolically active vascular component that regulates important pathophysiological processes such as hemostasis, thrombosis, and synthesis of growth
The Visual System: Capabilities and Limitations

While the main substance of this book is a detailed compendium and evaluation of the design features and merits of the various display technologies, it is critical for the display designer and systems engineer to remember at all times that the ultimate purpose of any visual display is to provide useful and appropriate information to the person(s) using the display. In most operating environments, the display user needs to receive the desired information accurately and promptly; hence, two of the main evaluation criteria of display efficacy are speed and accuracy of information reception from the display. These criteria for display evaluation will be discussed in Chap. 4, which summarizes the visually important display parameters and the effects of these parameters upon human visual performance with the display.
Normal Neutrophil Function in Cathepsin G-Deficient Mice

Cathepsin G is a neutral serine protease that is highly expressed at the promyelocyte stage of myeloid development. We have developed a homologous recombination strategy to create a loss-of-function mutation for murine cathepsin G. Bone marrow derived from mice homozygous for this mutation had no detectable cathepsin G protein or activity, indicating that no other protease in bone marrow cells has the same specificity. Hematopoiesis in cathepsin G-/- mice is normal, and the mice have no overt abnormalities in blood clotting. Neutrophils derived from cathepsin G-/- mice have normal morphology and azurophil granule composition; these neutrophils also display normal phagocytosis and superoxide production and have normal chemotactic responses to C5a, fMLP, and interleukin-8. Although cathepsin G has previously shown to have broad spectrum antibiotic properties, challenges of mice with Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, or Escherichia coli yielded survivals that were not different from those of wild-type animals. In sum, cathepsin G-/- neutrophils have no obvious defects in function; either cathepsin G is not required for any of these normal neutrophil functions or related azurophil granule proteases with different specificities (ie, neutrophil elastase, proteinase 3, azurocidin, and/or others) can substitute for it in vivo.
Legal Briefs: Devastating Consequences From Prolonged Use of an Umbilical Arterial Catheter

A 960-g, 26-3/7 weeks’ gestation male twin B was delivered by normal vaginal spontaneous delivery in the breech position to 31-year-old, healthy, gravida 3 para 1 mother whose pregnancy was complicated by preterm labor and diamniotic dichorionic twins. The mother received antibiotics, a partial course of betamethasone, and magnesium sulfate for tocolysis. At delivery, the infant had a heart rate (HR) less than 100 beats per minute, no respiratory effort, and was blue. The infant was intubated and required resuscitation, including chest compressions for 15 seconds, and 2 doses of epinephrine via an endotracheal tube (ETT). Apgar scores were 2 at 1 minute, 4 at 5 minutes, and 7 at 10 minutes. The infant was then admitted to the NICU, where an umbilical venous catheter (UVC) and an umbilical arterial catheter (UAC) were placed. The UVC was placed in the right atrium, where it remained until its removal several days later, and his UAC was placed appropriately at the seventh thoracic vertebrae and removed on day 13. The infant’s vital signs and blood pressure were normal. He had respiratory distress syndrome, for which he was given 3 doses of surfactant. Initially, the infant required 100% oxygen, but after several hours, the inspired oxygen was weaned to 30%, and the ventilator settings were low. His initial complete blood cell count revealed a white blood cell count (WBC) of 3.1 × 103/uL, a platelet count of 185 × 103/uL, and a hematocrit reading of 51% (0.51). The infant was given ampicillin and gentamicin after blood culture results were obtained, and he was started on low-dose indomethacin for intraventricular hemorrhage prophylaxis. On day 1, the fraction of inspired oxygen (Fio2) and ventilatory settings were low. The blood gas values were normal, with some permissive hypercarbia in the …
Modeling CO2 Release Experiment in the Shallow Subsurface and Sensitivity Analysis

A small-scale, controlled carbon dioxide (CO2) release experiment was conducted at the Brackenridge Field Laboratory, Austin, Texas, to simulate CO2 leakage from a geological sequestration site. The main purpose of the experiment was to assess impacts of soil physical properties on soil CO2 measurements for detecting near-surface CO2 leakage signals. The field site includes one shallow CO2 injection well (1.1-m depth) and three wells for monitoring soil CO2 concentrations. CO2 was released at a depth of 1.1 m below the surface for approximately 6 hours. CO2 concentrations at the sensor locations clearly showed the arrival of CO2 from the injection well. A numerical model accounting for CO2 diffusion and dissolution into soil pore water was constructed and then calibrated with the CO2 measurements from the experiment. Using the calibrated numerical model, a set of sensitivity runs was conducted to assess effects of soil physical properties on modeled CO2 concentration (or flux). Results of the sensitivity runs show that CO2 concentrations (or fluxes) are sensitive to change in soil physical properties. Peak CO2 concentrations modeled in the sensitivity runs are most sensitive to soil porosity, and peak CO2 fluxes are most sensitive to the soil impedance factor. This study indicates that soil physical properties can have significant impacts on the soil CO2 measurements used for detecting CO2 leakage signals.
Low-Z High Power Targets for Neutrino Beams: Performance under Intense Proton Flux

Abstract Low-Z materials have been used in the production of intense neutrino beams and are under consideration in future multi-MW class experiments. Irradiation-induced damage and its energy correlation are discussed based on experimental, experience and simulation data.
The Chevron bunionectomy: a trigonometric analysis to predict correction.

A trigonometric analysis was developed in an attempt to predict the postoperative hallux valgus angles and inter-metatarsal angles after Chevron bunionectomy. This analysis was used in 20 feet to p...
How we treat granuloma pyogenicum.

Granuloma pyogenicum is a benign growth that may appear anywhere on the skin or mucous membranes following trauma. It must be removed or destroyed completely or it is likely to recur. A feeder vessel lies deep in the dermis.
Optical Fredericks Transition in a Nematic Liquid Crystal Layer

One of the most fascinating aspects of liquid crystals is the Fredericks transition, which can occur when a finite sample of nematic liquid crystal is subjected to an externally applied magnetic or electric field. It is well-known that the director orientation throughout a sample of liquid crystal may be affected by a sufficiently strong magnetic or electric field. More specifically, the director alignment throughout a thin sample of nematic liquid crystal will not be influenced by the external magnetic or electric field when its magnitude is less than the critical field strength or Fredericks threshold, but will be influenced by the external field and start to adjust its orientation whenever the magnitude of the field is above the critical field strength. This change in the director alignment after the magnitude of the field increases beyond the critical field strength is called the Fredericks transition. It is exactly this important aspect of liquid crystals that provides many applications of liquid crystals for displays.
Heterosexual Dating Double Standards in Undergraduate Women and Men

Traditional heterosexual dating and courtship scripts (e.g., men pay for date, women take partner’s last name in marriage) reflect different standards of desirable behavior for women and men. Analogous to sexual double standards, dating double standards reflect the greater agency and power traditionally accorded to men in society. In the present study, we investigated factors related to young heterosexual adults’ endorsement of dating double standards. Participants were 330 female and male U.S. undergraduates at a California public university (57 % female, ages 18–25 years-old) from diverse ethnic backgrounds. In the Heterosexual Dating Double-Standards Scale, respondents rate the desirability of five dating and courtship behaviors (initiate date, hold door open, pay for date, propose marriage, take spouse’s last name) separately for women and men. Preliminary analyses revealed participants generally expressed double standards by rating the desirability of behaviors differently for female and male characters in the traditional direction (e.g., paying for a date rated more desirable for a man than for a woman). We predicted dating double standards would be positively related to factors previously found to predict traditional gender roles (viewing popular media, religious attendance) as well as attitudes that reflect traditional views (conservative political beliefs, benevolent and hostile sexism, disavowing a feminist identity). These hypotheses were generally supported. Among these correlations, dating double standards were strongly associated with benevolent sexism (among women and men) and with hostile sexism (among men). Implications for future research are discussed.
The costs of stunting in South Asia and the benefits of public investments in nutrition

South Asia is home to the largest number of stunted children worldwide: 65 million or 37% of all South Asian children under 5 were stunted in 2014. The costs to society as a result of stunting during childhood are high and include increased mortality, increased morbidity (in childhood and later as adults), decreased cognitive ability, poor educational outcomes, lost earnings and losses to national economic productivity. Conversely, investing in nutrition provides many benefits for poverty reduction and economic growth. This article draws from analyses conducted in four sub-Saharan countries to demonstrate that investments in nutrition can also be very cost-effective in South Asian countries. Specifically, the analyses demonstrate that scaling up a set of 10 critical nutrition-specific interventions is highly cost-effective when considered as a package. Most of the interventions are also very cost-effective when considered individually. By modelling cost-effectiveness of different scale-up scenarios, the analysis offers insights into ways in which the impact of investing in nutrition interventions can be maximized under budget constraints. Rigorous estimations of the costs and benefits of nutrition investments, similar to those reported here for sub-Saharan countries, are an important next step for all South Asian countries in order to drive political commitment and action and to enhance allocative efficiency of nutrition resources.
Ferromagnetism and spin-dependent transport in n -type Mn-doped bismuth telluride thin films

We describe a detailed study of the structural, magnetic, and magnetotransport properties of single-crystal, $n$-type, Mn-doped bismuth telluride thin films grown by molecular beam epitaxy. With increasing Mn concentration, the crystal structure changes from the tetradymite structure of the ${\mathrm{Bi}}_{2}{\mathrm{Te}}_{3}$ parent crystal at low Mn concentrations towards a BiTe phase in the (${\mathrm{Bi}}_{2}{\mathrm{Te}}_{3}{)}_{m}({\mathrm{Bi}}_{2}{)}_{n}$ homologous series. Magnetization measurements reveal the onset of ferromagnetism with a Curie temperature in the range 13.8--17 K in films with $\ensuremath{\sim}$2%$\ensuremath{-}$$\ensuremath{\sim}$10% Mn concentration. Magnetization hysteresis loops reveal that the magnetic easy axis is along the $c$ axis of the crystal (perpendicular to the plane). Polarized neutron reflectivity measurements of a 68-nm-thick sample show that the magnetization is uniform through the film. The presence of ferromagnetism is also manifest in a strong anomalous Hall effect and a hysteretic magnetoresistance arising from domain-wall scattering. Ordinary Hall effect measurements show that the carrier density is $n$ type, increases with Mn doping, and is high enough ($\ensuremath{\ge}2.8\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{13}$ cm${}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$) to place the chemical potential in the conduction band. Thus the observed ferromagnetism is likely associated with both bulk and surface states. Surprisingly, the Curie temperature does not show any clear dependence on the carrier density but does increase with Mn concentration. Our results suggest that the ferromagnetism probed in these Mn-doped bismuth telluride films is not mediated by carriers in the conduction band or in an impurity band.
Interimpurity Luminescence in Silicon with Highly Spin-Polarized Carriers

Luminescence associated with electron transfer from shallow donors to shallow acceptors in silicon is analyzed with respect to electron and hole spin-polarization, interimpurity separation, and delay time between optical excitation of the impurity pair system and the observation of the luminescence: Spin-polarizations of up to 97% are achieved at the low temperatures and high magnetic fields employed, resulting in up to 90% quenching of the lumines-cence. The hole g-factor is obtained in the absence of applied stress.
Input Output Devices

Reference EPFL-ARTICLE-158568View record in Web of Science Record created on 2010-11-25, modified on 2017-05-10
Beyond Single Occupancy Vehicles: Automated Transit and Shared Mobility

It is commonly accepted that Automated Transit will still be as relevant as it is now, if not more so, even when fully-automated vehicles become a reality. We need to develop a consensus on how vehicle automation will transform and perhaps disrupt the traditional transit systems, what new and different types of market-driven and publicly-run frameworks will emerge, and how we should invest our limited public resources. The two day session on Automated Transit and Shared Mobility Track (ATSM) during the 2015 Automated Vehicle Symposium (AVS) explored implications for the changing roles of transit and shared mobility as vehicle automation progresses. This chapter not only documents the main ideas presented during the symposium, but also supplements certain ideas with further discussions and clarifications after the conference.
Open-Water Curves

A graphically classical way of presenting the propeller solution is the propeller open-water curve set. The open-water (O − W) curves correspond to the design propeller running in open water behind a propeller boat in a towing tank. Of course there are few if any towing tanks of high enough speed to achieve scaled predictions. The alternative is calculated O − W performance with a program, such as VsProp, which is being used for the purpose here.
Reducing the inappropriate utilization of clinical laboratory tests.

Reimbursement policies for health-care services in Connecticut and the U.S. have gradually shifted towards fixed reimbursements through implementation of managed care. As a result, there is an increasing need by physicians and other care givers to reduce costs without compromising the quality of the care being delivered. The clinical laboratory is one area where significant cost reductions may be realized. More effective utilization can be accomplished with the elimination of panels of tests, such as the general chemistry profile, removal of antiquated tests or those that provide redundant information, judicious use of drug assays, acceptance of clinical practice guidelines, and use of reflex testing algorithms. Physicians should also focus more on prognostic indicators for disease prevention. Point-of-care testing devices which have higher costs than incremental central laboratory expenses should be used only if it reduces overall operating expenses, as assessed by outcomes analyses. New technologies such as DNA probes can substantially improve diagnostic efficiency. Physicians and clinical laboratories must collaborate to achieve more efficient utilization practices.
Scaling-Up: An Overview of Urban Agriculture in North America

This overview addresses the most recent decade of growth and change in urban agriculture in North America. Based on a series of case studies and review of current practice it identifies four directions of urban agriculture: growing up—vertical farming, growing in urban voids, growing systems, and going public. These directions respond to three critical questions: how has urban agriculture responded to both processes of deindustrialization and urban growth? What are the strategies to “scale up” what has largely been many small-scale community-based efforts into more significant land use patterns? How can urban agriculture have a significant impact on the social, ecological, and spatial systems of the city? Collectively, the new forms of practice and projects of the emerging Urban Agriculture Movement offer critical alternatives for reorganizing and shaping urban forms and processes.
Münzverstärkung (Token Economy)

Munzverstarkung ist ein Therapieverfahren, durch das erwunschtes Verhalten unter Verwendung systematischer Anreize haufiger werden soll. Munzsysteme basieren auf Prinzipien der operanten Verstarkung (► Kap. 67). Tokens, d. h. Munzen, verbinden erwunschtes Verhalten und naturliche Verstarker. Sie wirken als konditionierte, generalisierte Verstarker und sind damit Geld vergleichbar. Munzverstarkungstechniken fordern die Entwicklung und Aufrechterhaltung des erwunschten Verhaltens in einem offentlich zuganglichen Rahmen. Munzverstarkung wird durch 3 Komponenten definiert, durch: 1. eine Anzahl objektiv definierter Ziele oder Zielverhaltensweisen, 2 die Munzen/Tokens als Austauschmedium und 3. einige verschiedene, spater dafur eintauschbare Verstarker bzw. Belohnungen.
Povidone-Iodine–Based Solutions for Decolonization of Nasal Staphylococcus aureus: A Randomized, Prospective, Placebo-Controlled Study

Abstract Background Nasal S. aureus decolonization reduces the risk of surgical site infections following orthopedic procedures. Povidone-iodine (PI)-based solutions have shown promising results in bacteria decolonization. However, the unique physiology of the nose may pose many challenges for the bioactivity profiles of PI solutions. We attempted to compare the antibacterial efficacy of an off-the-shelf PI product with a specifically-manufactured PI-based skin and nasal antiseptic (SNA). Methods This randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted at a single institution between April 2014 and July 2015. Four hundred twenty-nine patients undergoing primary or revision total joint arthroplasty, femoroacetabular osteoplasty, pelvic osteotomy, or total shoulder arthroplasty were included. 10% off-the-shelf PI, 5% PI based SNA, or saline (placebo) were used for nasal decolonization. Baseline cultures were taken immediately preoperatively, followed by treatment of both nares twice for 2 minutes with 4 applicators. Reculturing of the right nostril occurred at 4 hours and left nostril at 24 hours. There was no industry sponsorship for this study. Results Ninety-five of the 429 patients (22.1%) were positive for S. aureus ; 13 (3.03%) were methicillin-resistant S. aureus . Of these 95, 29 were treated with off-the-shelf PI, 34 with SNA, and 32 with saline swabs. At 4 hours post-treatment, S. aureus culture was positive in 52% of off-the-shelf PI patients (15/29), 21% of SNA patients (7/34), and 59% of saline (19/32). After 24 hours post-treatment, S. aureus culture was positive in 72% of the off-the-shelf PI (21/29), 59% of the SNA (20/34), and 69% of the saline group (22/32). SNA was significantly more effective at decolonizing S. aureus over the 4-hour time interval (p=0.003); no significant difference was observed over the 24-hour time interval between the three groups. Conclusions A single application of PI-based SNA prior to surgery may be effective in eliminating nasal S. aureus in over two thirds of patients. Off-the-shelf PI swabs were not as effective at 4 hours as the specifically-manufactured product for S. aureus decolonization and may have similar efficacy as placebo, but the data is insufficient to establish equivalence.
Corrections to “On Decentralized Estimation With Active Queries”

We provide a counterexample to a key lemma used in the proofs of the convergence of decentralized estimation algorithms in [2]. We also provide an alternative lemma that establishes a new proof of the convergence results in the paper [2].
The new normal of structure/function studies in the era of CRISPR/Cas9

Major advances in gene-editing technologies have enabled the rapid dissection of proteins in complex biological systems, facilitating biological experiments to complement biochemical studies with purified components. In this editorial, we highlight CRISPR/Cas9-based strategies to rapidly manipulate endogenous genes — strategies that have already transformed functional studies of proteins in metazoan systems. We further describe emerging tools using a catalytically dead version of Cas9 (dCas9) that do not cleave DNA, but can alter gene expression and/or local chromatin states, edit single nucleotide bases, and permit the visualization of specific genomic loci. Looking to the not-too-distant future, CRISPR/Cas9-based methodologies promise to lead to discoveries of new biology, opening the door for bold new synthetic biology platforms.
Does High Stock Price Synchronicity Always Hurt Mutual Fund Industry? Sentiment Matters

Investors have agreed that high synchronicity of stock returns adversely influences professional funds' profitability. However, different market conditions where high synchronicity exists may have ...
Structural Aspects and Heterogeneity of Immunoglobulin Fc Receptors

Publisher Summary Defining specific receptors simply on the basis of their ligand-binding activities may lead to some confusion, depending on the nature of the ligand chosen for study. The subsequent use of these ligands as affinity reagents for the purification of solubilized FcR can pose problems. At the level of the individual cell, binding of Ig to its receptor can modulate cell behavior dramatically. Cross-linking of the IgE Fc receptor, for example, causes explosive degranulation of mast cells and basophils, with important physiological consequences. Of no less interest are the macrophage functions triggered by interaction of IgG Fc receptors with immune complexes or opsonized particles. This chapter discusses FcR structure and examines the recent data that suggests the existence of FcR heterogeneity. The first observation is that mouse macrophages have more than one class of FcR for IgG. Studies have revealed that the formation of rosettes with antibody-coated erythrocytes was examined using both normal and trypsin-treated macrophages. Erythrocytes sensitized with “early” antisera failed to bind to trypsinized macrophages although they formed rosettes with untreated cells. On the other hand, erythrocytes sensitized with hyperimmune mouse serum formed rosettes regardless of trypsin treatment of the macrophages. The chapter discusses specificity and heterogeneity of Fc receptor activity that include mouse Fc receptors for IgG1, IgG2b, and IgG2a; guinea pig Fc receptors for IgG, Fc receptors for IgG on human cells, and Fc receptors for IgE, IgA, and IgM.
Racial Attitudes and Mixed Race Identification: Comparing Opinion Across Whites, Blacks, Asians and Latinos

In 2008, 2.2% of Americans identified with two or more racial categories. Indeed, assertions of non-traditional identities evoking a mixed race (or multiracial) background are more prevalent in society today, particularly among younger generations. The rise of multiracial identification is indicative of new social norms that govern racial identification which offer a more inviting environment for individuals to assert multiracial identities. Yet, as a trend of multiracial self-identification grows, it demands the attention of those that self-identify with the established racial categories, such as white or black, who must then consider and respond to these identities. I anticipate that response to multiracial identities will vary by racial background. As a general pattern, I argue that whites tend to interpret multiracial identities with normative optimism about U.S. race relations while racial minorities generally respond more unfavorably to the assertions of these identities. Because of this, racial minorities will be more critical of multiracial identities and challenge the legitimacy of these identities. Using recent public opinion data, I examine the relationship between views on multiracial identities and other racial and political attitudes and compare how this relationship may differ across whites, blacks, Latinos and Asians.
Solving the really hard problems with cooperative search

We present and experimentally evaluate the hypothesis that cooperative parallel search is well suited for hard graph coloring problems near a previously identified transition between under- and overconstrained instances. We find that simple cooperative methods can often solve such problems faster than the same number of independent agents.
Evaluating a chemical source-tracing suite for septic system nitrate in household wells

Abstract Reducing human and ecological risks of groundwater nitrate contamination requires understanding the source of nitrate. Land use practices, such as agriculture and residential development, can increase groundwater nitrate concentrations. This study evaluated a chemical source-tracing suite that paired analysis of agricultural herbicide metabolites and human wastewater constituents. The source-tracing suite was tested in an area subject to nitrate from both agriculture and on-site waste (“septic”) systems. Monitoring wells showed that agricultural contamination was deeper (>5 m) in the aquifer consistent with its origin a greater distance from wells and that on-site waste (“septic system”) contamination was shallower in the aquifer (
The History, Present, and Future of Police Deception During Interrogation

Woody examines the history of deception during police interrogations in the United States and then reviews current deceptive practices, ongoing changes in accepted deceptive interrogation tactics, and likely future directions. He presents the history of civilian policing and ties this history directly to the practices of police interrogation in the early twentieth century, which relied heavily on physical coercion. He then examines the impact of media attention, legal investigations, and court decisions that led to the replacement of physical coercion with deceptive tactics. The use of deception has been foundational for police interrogators throughout the mid- and late twentieth century. He concludes by presenting ongoing changes to the use of deception in police interrogation, particularly due to challenges by journalists, scholars, police reformers, and recent court cases, and a look toward the future.
A Review of Recent Developments in Forced Vibration Dynamic Testing of Elastomers

The dynamic behavior of elastomers is usually characterized by linear viscoelastic models consisting of various combinations of linear springs and linear, viscous damping elements. The most commonly used model consists ofa linear spring and a linear dashpot in parallel. The stiffness of the spring and the damping coefficient describe the dynamic behavior of the model. These properties are determined for a material under dynamic test conditions. Because the material is inherently nonlinear, it is not completely described by this model which compounds the testing problems. Furthermore, it is difficult to measure dynamic properties accurately. Any compliance in the test machine will usually affect the measured spring rate, and damping in the test machine will usually add to the measured damping coefficient. A recent analytical study of the resonant-beam test machine has quantified these effects. These results have prompted the move toward transmitted force methods for testing in which the force transmitted through the sample and motion across the sample are the measured signals. From these signals the dynamic properties are then computed; however this places very strict requirements on the instrumentation and computation system. The principles of measurement systems applicable to dynamic testing are presented. Test equipment along with recent developments in instrumentation and test methods are described. The test conditions which influence the results are also reviewed. The present state of the art of forced vibration dynamic testing of elastomers is presented.
T cell antigen recognition: Evolution-driven affinities.

T lymphocytes are essential for adaptive immune responses; most recognize peptides bound to cell-surface major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. The T cell receptor for antigen (TCR; on most T cells, a dimer of an α and a β chain associated with invariant signaling subunits) binds both peptide and MHC determinants (1⇓–3). Accordingly, for any given T cell, the TCR specificity is determined by both the antigenic peptide and the particular MHC molecule the peptide binds. This property, called MHC restriction, is a critical feature of T cell antigen recognition. It has major functional and clinical implications in settings such as organ transplantation and T cell-mediated therapies. MHC restriction results from, and is often used to refer to, the ability of TCRαβ complexes to interact with MHC molecules. A new study by Krovi et al. in PNAS (4) clarifies the controversial question of whether TCR gene sequences have been skewed during evolution toward MHC recognition. The dominant constraint governing TCR interactions with peptide-MHC complexes (pMHC) is the diversity of both components (2). In addition to being clonotypic (one cell expressing a single TCR specificity), the mammalian TCR repertoire is highly diverse, with a potential for ∼1015 specificities (1). Such diversity is generated in developing T cells through rearrangement of genomic regions of similar organization for both α and β loci (Fig. 1). Rearrangement generates de novo diversity within both α and β chains in a segment called complementarity determining region 3 (CDR3), through both deletion and nontemplated addition of nucleotides. Two additional segments, CDR1 and CDR2, carry diversity among variable (V) domains of TCR chains. All 3 CDRs form loops protruding from the core Vα or Vβ domain and mediate pMHC binding. Mirroring TCR diversity, allelic diversification has made MHC molecules highly polymorphic both at the species … [↵][1]1Email: bosselur{at}nih.gov. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1