cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Variation-Aware Low-Power Synthesis Methodology for Fixed-Point FIR Filters

In this paper, we present a novel finite-impulse response (FIR) filter synthesis technique that allows for aggressive voltage scaling by exploiting the fact that all filter coefficients are not equally important to obtain a ldquoreasonably accuraterdquo filter response. Our technique implements a level-constrained common-subexpression-elimination algorithm, where we can constrain the number of adder levels (ALs) required to compute each of the coefficient outputs. By specifying a tighter constraint (in terms of the number of adders in the critical path) on the important coefficients, we ensure that the later computational steps compute only the less important coefficient outputs. In case of delay variations due to voltage scaling and/or process variations, only the less important outputs are affected, resulting in graceful degradation of filter quality. The proposed architecture, therefore, lends itself to aggressive voltage scaling for low-power dissipation even under process parameter variations. Under extreme process variation and supply voltage scaling (0.8 V), filters implemented in the predictive technology model (PTM) 70 nm technology show an average power savings of 25%-30% with minor degradation in filter response in terms of normalized passband/stopband ripple (0.02 at a scaled voltage of 0.8 V compared with 0.005 at a nominal supply).
An inhibitory role for FAK in regulating proliferation: a link between limited adhesion and RhoA-ROCK signaling.

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) transduces cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix into proliferative signals. We show that FAK overexpression induced proliferation in endothelial cells, which are normally growth arrested by limited adhesion. Interestingly, displacement of FAK from adhesions by using a FAK−/− cell line or by expressing the C-terminal fragment FRNK also caused an escape of adhesion-regulated growth arrest, suggesting dual positive and negative roles for FAK in growth regulation. Expressing kinase-dead FAK-Y397F in FAK−/− cells prevented uncontrolled growth, demonstrating the antiproliferative function of inactive FAK. Unlike FAK overexpression–induced growth, loss of growth control in FAK−/− or FRNK-expressing cells increased RhoA activity, cytoskeletal tension, and focal adhesion formation. ROCK inhibition rescued adhesion-dependent growth control in these cells, and expression of constitutively active RhoA or ROCK dysregulated growth. These findings demonstrate the ability of FAK to suppress and promote growth, and underscore the importance of multiple mechanisms, even from one molecule, to control cell proliferation.
Research Applications of the Livermore RTNS-II Neutron Sources

The Lawrence Livermore Laboratory has completed construction of the Rotating Target Neutron Source-II (RTNS-II) Facility. These sources, built and operated for the Office of Fusion Energy of the Department of Energy, will be operated by LLL as a national facility for the study of materials damage processes induced by 14-MeV neutrons. Design strength of the sources is 4 x 10/sup 13/ n/s with a maximum flux of 1 X 10/sup 13/ n/cm/sup 2/s. The 400 keV, 150 mA D/sup +/ accelerators and 5000 rpm titanium--tritide target assemblies were built using experience gained with LLL's RTNS-I neutron source. The RTNS-I source, producing 6 x 10/sup 12/ n/s, is currently the most intense 14-MeV source available. RTNS-I has been used for fusion reactor materials studies for the past six years. The experimental program for the new sources will be oriented toward fundamental measurements of high energy neutron-induced effects. The data produced will be used to develop models of damage processes to help guide materials selection for future fusion reactors.
Recent Developments in Language Assessment and the Case of Four Large-Scale Tests of ESOL Ability.

This review article surveys recent developments and validation activities related to four large-scale tests of L2 English ability: the iBT TOEFL, the IELTS, the FCE, and the TOEIC. In addition to describing recent changes to these tests, the paper reports on validation activities that were conducted on the measures. The results of this research constitute some of the evidence available to support claims that these tests are suitable for their intended purposes. The discussion is organized on the basis of a framework that considers test purpose, selected test method characteristics, and important aspects of test usefulness.
The Characteristics and Motivations of Contemporary Entrepreneurship Students

Entrepreneurship is among the fastest growing curricular areas at universities. The rationale for delivering entrepreneurship education to students is well understood; however, minimal research has examined the characteristics, motivations, and attitudes of those choosing to enroll. The authors examine data collected across 5 years from 2,664 students enrolled in a multidisciplinary entrepreneurship course offered at a major university in the United States. It highlights why demographic characteristics, career intentions, and what is termed entrepreneurial maturity should be taken into consideration in course and program development. The study provides valuable baseline data that can inform entrepreneurship education research, pedagogy, and assessment.
Emergency Departments and Older Adult Motor Vehicle Collisions

In 2009 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that there were 33 million licensed drivers 65 years and older in the U.S. This represents a 23 percent increase from 1999, a number that is predicted to double by 2030. Although motor vehicle collisions related to emergency department visits for older adults are lower per capita than for younger adults, the older-adults MVCs require more resources, such as additional diagnostic imaging and increased odds of admission. Addressing the specific needs of older adults could lead to better outcomes, yet not enough research exists. It is important to continue training emergency physicians to treat the increasing older-patient population, but it is also imperative that we increase our injury prevention and screening methodology. We review research findings from the article "Emergency Department Visits by Older Adults for Motor Vehicle Collisions: A Five-Year National Study," with commentary on current recommendations and policies for the growing older-adult driving population.
Anomalous accumulation rates in the Vostok ice‐core resulting from ice flow over Lake Vostok

The accumulation rate of snow is crucial to the development of accurate age-depth models for ice-cores. The dating of the Vostok ice-core assumes that accumulation rates generally vary linearly between the core site and the ice divide 250 km to the west [Jouzel et al., 1996; Lorius et al., 1985; Petit et al., 1999], an assumption which impacts the timing of prominent climatic transitions. We present evidence for a local accumulation rate anomaly at the ice surface above the western shoreline of Lake Vostok. A significant thickening between isochronous layers results from this geographically fixed high accumulation zone which can be stratigraphically traced to a depth of 820-1100 m in the Vostok ice-core, a portion known for its high accumulation rates and paleoclimate records that deviate from other Antarctic ice-core records. This non-climatic accumulation anomaly in the Vostok ice-core impacts the flow dependent age models and subsequent interpretations of sequencing of global climate shifts during the last glacial. Additional unrecognized accumulation anomalies are likely present at other depths in this and other cores. These previously unreported geographically fixed accumulation rate anomalies are introduced into ice-cores drilled away from ice domes (e.g., Byrd and Vostok) and should be considered in age depth models.
Maximum Likelihood Localization of a Diffusive Point Source Using Binary Observations

In this paper, we investigate the problem of localization of a diffusive point source of gas based on binary observations provided by a distributed chemical sensor network. We motivate the use of the maximum likelihood (ML) estimator for this scenario by proving that it is consistent and asymptotically efficient, when the density of the sensors becomes infinite. We utilize two different estimation approaches, ML estimation based on all the observations (i.e., batch processing) and approximate ML estimation using only new observations and the previous estimate (i.e., real time processing). The performance of these estimators is compared with theoretical bounds and is shown to achieve excellent performance, even with a finite number of sensors
Phenotypic and molecular analyses of A/WySn mice

Abstract Objective: Since its first description, the A strain of mice have been utilized extensively as models to study the processes involved in clefting of the midfacial region. Of the A substrains, the A/WySn has a spontaneous rate of clefting of the lip of about 20% to 30%. The A/WySn mouse model was utilized in this study to analyze and compare the phenotypic and molecular changes in the midfacial region of embryos with and without cleft. Results: Scanning electron microscopy and skeletal and cartilage preparations of newborn A/WySn pups showed the presence of bilateral and unilateral clefts of the lips and the disruption of the skeletal and cartilaginous components of the mice with clefts of the lip. The expression of the msx1 homeobox gene was analyzed by whole mount in situ hybridization of A/WySn embryos at different stages of midfacial development. The results showed that there was misregulation of the expression of the msx1 gene in embryos with cleft, with a persistence of expression in the dis...
The Caste System and Best Practices in Legal Education

My thesis today is that the evolution and adoption of best practices in legal education has been retarded by our unique caste system, which tends to categorize both people and teaching methods in ways that are harmful to the outcomes legal education should care most about. Given that we know what best practices in legal education need to resemble, and given that support for the best results of learning cuts across all castes, what is the problem? What are the lines that we need to erase if best practices are to be universally implemented?
Affirmative Action and the First Amendment's Single Minority of One

The First Amendment respects the dignity and autonomy of the individual by ensuring the availability of an expressive forum for the “minority of one.” Yet under our Equal Protection jurisprudence, we permit the government to aggregate individuals into collectives on the basis of immutable characteristics and subject them to group-oriented policies that may offend and disrespect their individual sense of dignity and self-worth. This piece explores the relationship between (and the appropriateness of) the latter in light of the former.
A Return to a National Origin Preference? Mexican Immigration and the Principles Guiding U.S. Immigration Policy

The provocative question raised by Rogers Smith's “Living in a Promiseland? Mexican Immigration and American Obligations” is whether the tortured history of U.S.-Mexican relations and the racialized context of Mexican immigrant reception can best be ameliorated through targeted immigration policies that would create added opportunities for Mexican migrants relative to others. I argue that the current, more universally-principled system of U.S. immigration policy, supplemented by an inclusive legalization program, can better serve the needs of potential Mexican migrants and Mexican immigrants resident in the United States. Also, I am more skeptical than Smith is about the depths of Mexico's commitment to seeking binational strategies to address the needs of its emigres abroad.
Amino acid requirements for the axenic growth of Tieghemiomyces parasiticus.

Tieghcmiomyces parasiticus made excellent axenic growth on a defined medium containing glycerol as the carbon source and either casein hydrolysate or a combination of specific amino acids as the nitrogen source. Growth was greater and more rapid on high concentrations (2-4%) of casein hydrolysate than on lower concentrations (0.2-1%), but there was no evidence of use of casein hydrolysate as a carbon source. Results showed an absolute requirement for L-cysteine and near total requirement for L-valine and L-leucine.
Lacertus Fibrosis versus Achilles Allograft reconstruction for Chronic Distal Biceps Tears: A Biomechanical Study

Background:The bicipital aponeurosis, or lacertus fibrosus, can potentially be used as a reconstruction graft in chronic distal biceps tendon tears.Purpose:To evaluate construct stiffness, load to ...
Comparison of left ventricular function assessment between echocardiography and MRI in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Cardiomyopathy in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is associated with death in approximately 40% of patients. Echocardiography is routinely used to assess left ventricular (LV) function; however, it has limitations in these patients. We compared echocardiographic measures of cardiac function assessment to cardiac MRI. We included children and young adults with DMD who had MRI performed between January 2010 and July 2015. We measured echocardiographic and MRI parameters of function assessment, including strain. Presence of late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) was assessed by MRI. Subjects were divided into two groups based on MRI left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF): group I, LVEF ≥55% and group II, LVEF <55%. We included 41 studies in 33 subjects, with 25 in group I and 16 in group II. Mean age of subjects was 13.6 ± 2.8 years and mean duration between echocardiogram and MRI was 7.6 ± 4.1 months. Only 8 of 16 (50%) patients in group II had diminished function on echocardiogram. Echocardiographic images were suboptimal in 16 subjects (39%). Overall, echocardiographic parameters had weak correlation with MRI-derived ejection fraction percentage. MRI-derived myocardial strain assessment has better correlation with MRI ejection fraction as compared to echocardiography-derived strain parameters. Echocardiography-based ventricular functional assessment has weak correlation with MRI parameters in children and young adults with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. While this correlation improves in the subset of subjects with adequate echocardiographic image quality, it remains modest and potentially suboptimal for clinical management. Accordingly, we conclude that MRI should be performed routinely and early in children with DMD, not only for LGE imaging but also for functional assessment.
Effects of meals of different fats on blood coagulation.

Previous work has shown that a high-fat meal produces an increased coagulability of the blood. This fact is of interest in view of the effects of dietary fat on the serum cholesterol and its association with coronary disease. Since fats containing large amounts of unsaturated fatty acid tend to reduce the serum cholesterol rather than increase it, it is important to examine the effects of fats with different fatty acid composition on blood coagulation. Comparisons are presented of the effect on blood coagulability of feeding butterfat, corn oil, hydrogenated coconut oil, and a marine fish oil.
Large local reactions to insect envenomation.

Purpose of review Insect stings often induce large local reactions (LLRs) that result in morbidity. These reactions do have an immunologic basis; however, patients presenting with LLRs should be managed differently than those with systemic allergic reactions, as described in this review. Recent findings Morbidity results from the inflammation itself along with the iatrogenic consequences of treatment. The prescription of antihistamine medications and the use of antibiotics are generally not indicated for patients with LLRs because of the risks/side-effects of these medications and the low probability of benefit. Some patients are also concerned over the possibility that a future sting will evolve into a life-threatening reaction. Although these reactions do involve IgE, patients are not at sufficient risk to warrant prescription of autoinjectable epinephrine. Venom-specific immunotherapy can be considered when LLRs are frequent and associated with significant impairment. Summary Clinicians can reduce morbidity from LLRs by reassuring the patients, avoiding medications that result in side-effects when they are not indicated, and referring to an allergist when there are additional concerns, such as frequent impairment.
134: TLR2 and TLR4 differentially regulate DC to stimulate T cell cytokines in response to mycoplasma superantigen

Mycoplasma arthritidis induces arthritis, toxic shock and skin necrosis in mice. M. arthritidis mitogen (MAM), a potent superantigen (SAg) secreted by M. arthritidis , contributes to some of these symptoms in certain mouse strains. We previously demonstrated that C3H mouse strains differing in expression of TLR4, differ in immune reactivity to MAM due to differential engagement of TLR2 and TLR4. Herein, we demonstrated that in TLR4-defect C3H/HeJ (TLR2+/4−) mice, following injection of MAM SAg, the splenic DCs were activated to express significantly higher B7-1 + CD8a + surface markers than expressed in wild-type mice, and produced remarkably elevated IL-1b, IL-12p40, IFNg, and TNFa. In contrast, in wild-type C3H/HeSnJ (TLR2+/4+) mice, the interaction of MAM with both TLR4 and TLR2 led to reduction of the B7-1 + CD8a + DC subset that led to the down-regulated TNFa and IFNg, but up-regulated IL-6, IL-10 and IL-17. Interestingly, in mice injected with live M. arthritidis , injections of anti-B7-1 antibody to C3H/HeSnJ but not C3H/HeJ greatly enhanced arthritis severity that is now found to be associated to the elevation of IL-6, TGFb, IL-17 and IL-23 in sera or in the culture supernatants of splenic T cells. Thus the results suggest that TLR2 and/or TLR4 differentially control distinct DC subsets to influence Th17 differentiation in response to MAM superantigen. DC function that is regulated as the consequence of the cross-talk of discrete TLRs, B7-1 and CD8a molecules in response to MAM SAg might largely influence the outcome of subsequent adaptive immune responses in murine inflammatory diseases caused by M. arthritidis .
Idelalisib-induced pneumonitis.

A woman in her 40s with relapsed follicular lymphoma presented with a few days history of shortness of breath and cough producing yellow sputum. There were no reported toxic exposures or contacts with sick people. Medications included idelalisib initiated 5 months ago and a multivitamin. Vital signs were notable for tachycardia and tachypnoea, oxygen saturation was 89% on room air. The alveolar–arterial gradient was 50 mm Hg (expected for age, 16 mm Hg). Examination revealed diffuse crackles in bilateral lung fields. Routine biochemical investigations were unremarkable and multiple infectious studies were negative. Chest …
Resynchronization techniques for V.34 FAX

V.34 half duplex ITU standard recommendation is used in high-speed fax transmission. The key challenge in the V.34 half duplex scheme is the resynchronization of carrier phase and clock after every switching between primary and control channel. The performance and the resynchronization speed of V.34 digital receiver depend, crucially on proper estimation and tracking of sampler timing phase and carrier phase after every resynchronization event This paper describes the methods implemented for recovering the baud/carrier timing phase, by making optimum use of training signals during resynchronization. This paper, also address the empirical approaches, which helps in faster synchronization to minimize the errors. These schemes are implemented on TMS30C55X DSP processor, and tested with commercially available fax machines.
Do Bilateral Investment Treaties Erode Institutional Quality

Capital importing countries use bilateral investment treaties (BITs) as a means to attract foreign investors who see in these investment agreements an effective tool to employ in case of potential investment disputes. Several countries, often at the expense of their sovereign rights, have engaged in an unbridled foreign capital competition that has resulted in a massive proliferation of BITs since the 1990s. This paper contributes to the debate that BITs might harm the institutional quality (IQ) of signatory countries due to the possibility established by BITs to resort to international jurisdictions to settle potential investment disputes. Using a panel of 132 countries over the period 1984 – 2012, the results suggest that BITs have no significant effects on IQ. However, the results reveal a significant and positive effect of BITs on the IQ of Southern countries. While BITs do not significantly affect some IQ components such as corruption, law and order, quality of bureaucracy, government stability, and investment profile, I find that BITs have a positive and significant effect on the socioeconomic conditions of Southern countries. More specifically, I find that North-North BITs and South-North BITs have a significant and positive effect on socioeconomic conditions. In contrast, I find no significant effects of South-South BITs, North-South BITs on IQ. I conclude that South-North BITs rather than South-South BITs are beneficial to Southern countries by improving their socioeconomic conditions.
Multiplexed Single-Cell Imaging: Past, Present, and Future

Abstract Jia-Ren Lin from the Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology at Harvard Medical School was awarded best poster at the annual Society of Biomolecular Imaging and Informatics meeting held in Boston, September 2016. His work focuses on single-cell imaging, especially on developing new methods for simultaneously detecting many antigens, named cyclic immunofluorescence (CycIF). This method could be applied in different stages of drug development, from discovery phase, preclinical research to clinical research. The current works and future directions of CycIF method are summarized in the following overview.
Pharmacological activation of the neurotensin receptor 1 abrogates the methamphetamine-induced striatal apoptosis in the mouse brain.

Abstract Methamphetamine (METH) is a widely abused psychostimulant displaying potent addictive and neurotoxic properties. METH induces neurotoxicity of dopaminergic terminals and striatal neurons in the striatum. Despite much information on neurotransmitters, the role of neuropeptides is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the role of the neuropeptide neurotensin on the METH-induced apoptosis of some striatal neurons in mice. We observed that a single injection of METH (30 mg/kg, ip) induced the loss of approximately 15% of striatal neurons. An agonist of the neurotensin receptor 1 (PD149163, ip at various doses) attenuated the METH-induced striatal neuron apoptosis. Utilizing quantitative real time PCR, we showed that METH also up-regulated neurotensin gene expression with 96% increase in preproneurotensin mRNA levels in the striatum as compared to the control. Additionally, NTR1 agonist (ip injection) attenuated hyperthermia at 2 h post-METH injection; hyperthermia is a putative and significant component of METH-induced neurotoxicity. To investigate the role of neurotensin without affecting core body temperature, we performed stereotactic injection of PD149163 into the striatum and observed that this compound maintained attenuated the METH-induced apoptosis in the striatum, while leaving core body temperature unaffected. There was no effect of NTR1 agonist on METH-induced dopamine terminal degeneration, as evidenced by tyrosine hydroxylase levels determined by Western blot. These data indicate that the neuropeptide neurotensin modulates the striatal neuronal apoptosis induced by METH through diverse mechanisms that need to be investigated. Furthermore, due to its neuroprotective properties, neurotensin receptor agonists show potential as drug candidates for the treatment of METH abuse and some neurological disorders.
Increased Biosynthetic Gene Dosage in a Genome-Reduced Defensive Bacterial Symbiont.

ABSTRACT A symbiotic lifestyle frequently results in genome reduction in bacteria; the isolation of small populations promotes genetic drift and the fixation of deletions and deleterious mutations over time. Transitions in lifestyle, including host restriction or adaptation to an intracellular habitat, are thought to precipitate a wave of sequence degradation events and consequent proliferation of pseudogenes. We describe here a verrucomicrobial symbiont of the tunicate Lissoclinum sp. that appears to be undergoing such a transition, with low coding density and many identifiable pseudogenes. However, despite the overall drive toward genome reduction, this symbiont maintains seven copies of a large polyketide synthase (PKS) pathway for the mandelalides (mnd), cytotoxic compounds that likely constitute a chemical defense for the host. There is evidence of ongoing degradation in a small number of these repeats—including variable borders, internal deletions, and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). However, the gene dosage of most of the pathway is increased at least 5-fold. Correspondingly, this single pathway accounts for 19% of the genome by length and 25.8% of the coding capacity. This increased gene dosage in the face of generalized sequence degradation and genome reduction suggests that mnd genes are under strong purifying selection and are important to the symbiotic relationship. IMPORTANCE Secondary metabolites, which are small-molecule organic compounds produced by living organisms, provide or inspire drugs for many different diseases. These natural products have evolved over millions of years to provide a survival benefit to the producing organism and often display potent biological activity with important therapeutic applications. For instance, defensive compounds in the environment may be cytotoxic to eukaryotic cells, a property exploitable for cancer treatment. Here, we describe the genome of an uncultured symbiotic bacterium that makes such a cytotoxic metabolite. This symbiont is losing genes that do not endow a selective advantage in a hospitable host environment. Secondary metabolism genes, however, are repeated multiple times in the genome, directly demonstrating their selective advantage. This finding shows the strength of selective forces in symbiotic relationships and suggests that uncultured bacteria in such relationships should be targeted for drug discovery efforts. Author Video: An author video summary of this article is available.
Organizational culture and knowledge sharing: design of incentives and business processes

The purpose of this paper is to present and study an analytical model of knowledge management (KM) in which employees’ fit with a firm’s organizational culture improves with their sharing and learning of the firm’s common organizational practices.,Incentive rewards motivate knowledge workers to share their knowledge and contribute to a firm’s central knowledge base. The authors develop a model in which the firm’s cultural fit changes with the sequence of KM-based business processes including sharing, learning, evaluation, and production, and then analytically investigate the design of knowledge sharing rewards as well as the business process sequence to shape a firm’s organizational cultural fit and maximize its profit.,The best sequence of KM processes is solved in the following order: (Announcement), (Evaluation), (Sharing), (Learning), and (Production). The sharing reward for knowledge workers is analytically derived accordingly, which increases with the level of KM systems and decreases with the probability of a worker staying in the firm, the probability of a culturally unfit worker being identified by the firm, and the probability of a worker being culturally fit on the labor market. The optimal volume of knowledge base is also investigated with respect to these factors.,Applying a novel analytical approach, the authors model and study KM processes and their relationships with organizational culture and incentives. The research provides valuable insights for managers to implement KM practices.
Force-Driven Traffic Simulation for a Future Connected Autonomous Vehicle-Enabled Smart Transportation System

Recent technology advances significantly push forward the development and the deployment of the concept of smart , such as smart community and smart city. Smart transportation is one of the core components in modern urbanization processes. Under this context, the connected autonomous vehicle (CAV) system presents a promising solution towards the enhanced traffic safety and mobility through state-of-the-art wireless communications and autonomous driving techniques. Being capable of collecting and transmitting real-time vehicle-specific, location-specific, and area-wide traffic information, it is believed that CAV-enabled transportation systems will revolutionize the existing understanding of network-wide traffic operations and reestablish traffic flow theory. This paper develops a new continuum dynamics model for the future CAV-enabled traffic system, realized by encapsulating mutually-coupled vehicle interactions using virtual internal and external forces. Leveraging Newton’s second law of motion, our model naturally preserves the traffic volume and automatically handles both the longitudinal and lateral traffic operations due to its 2-D nature, which sets us apart from the existing macroscopic traffic flow models. Our model can also be rolled back to handle the conventional traffic of human drivers, and the experiment shows that the model describes real-world traffic behavior well. Therefore, we consider the proposed model a complement and generalization of the existing traffic theory. We also develop a smoothed particle hydrodynamics-based numerical simulation and an interactive traffic visualization framework. By posing user-specified external constraints, our system allows users to visually understand the impact of different traffic operations interactively.
Minimax Decision-rule Concepts

In real situations parameters such as a priori probabilities are rarely known exactly. In some problems a priori probabilities can be estimated with a high degree of confidence. In situations where this cannot be done the minimax criterion is often an acceptable alternative for determining the best receiver operation. The minimax decision function corresponds to the Bayes decision function for the a priori probabilities which makes the Bayes risk a maximum. The minimax criterion has the additional characteristic of being independent of the actual a priori probabilities.
Test-taking anxiety among nursing & general college students

This study examined whether nursing students experience an unusual amount of debilitative anxiety in academic achievement, compared to general university students and provided senior psychiatric nursing students with a hands-on experience in research. A nonprobability convenience sample of 225 students was drawn from a university in the eastern United States. Alpert and Haber's Achievement Anxiety Test was administered to 94 nursing students and 131 general university students. Results indicated that nursing students do not have a statistically significantly higher debilitative anxiety than the general student population. However, all students experienced significantly higher levels of debilitative anxiety than were found by Alpert and Haber. Implications for academic nursing are discussed.
Monin–Obukhov Similarity and Local-Free-Convection Scaling in the Atmospheric Boundary Layer Using Matched Asymptotic Expansions

AbstractThe Monin–Obukhov similarity theory (MOST) is the foundation for understanding the atmospheric surface layer. It hypothesizes that nondimensional surface-layer statistics are functions of o...
On Model Reduction of Structured Systems

A general framework for defining the reachability and controllability Gramians of structured linear dynamical systems is proposed. The novelty is that a formula for the Gramian is given in the frequency domain. This formulation is surprisingly versatile and may be applied in a variety of structured problems. Moreover, this formulation enables a rather straightforward development of error bounds for model reduction in the \(H_{\text{2}}\) norm. The bound applies to a reduced model derived from projection onto the dominant eigenspace of the appropriate Gramian. The reduced models are structure preserving because they arise as direct reduction of the original system in the reduced basis. A derivation of the bound is presented and verified computationally on a second order system arising from structural analysis.
Strategic Inventory and Supplier Encroachment

Problem definition: In a two-period model of a dyadic supply chain, we study the interaction between the use of strategic inventory withholding by the buyer and the use of a direct selling channel ...
Variable agreement with coordinate subjects is not a form of agreement attraction

Abstract Agreement attraction (e.g., ∗The key to the cabinets are rusty) is not attributable to the linear proximity between the local noun and verb (Franck, Vigliocco, & Nicol, 2002). However, agreement with a disjoined subject (e.g., The horses or the clock is red) is specifically sensitive to the number of the nearer noun (Haskell & MacDonald, 2005). The present study highlights other differences between the influence on agreement of a local noun in the classic attraction configuration and the nearer noun in a coordinate subject. Experiments using a two-alternative forced-choice paradigm and eyetracking during reading show, first, that a singular second conjunct tends to elicit a singular verb; this influence of a singular noun contrasts with the lack of effect from a singular attractor. Second, in comprehension a singular second conjunct both facilitates processing of an ungrammatical singular verb and inhibits processing of a grammatical plural verb. This symmetrical effect contrasts with the lack of an agreement attraction effect in comprehension of grammatical sentences. It is proposed that variable agreement with coordinate subjects should be given distinct theoretical treatment, relating these phenomena to the cross-linguistic phenomenon of closest conjunct agreement.
Mutual trust-based subtask allocation for human–robot collaboration in flexible lightweight assembly in manufacturing

Abstract A human–robot hybrid cell is developed for flexible assembly in manufacturing through the collaboration between a human and a robot. The selected task is to assemble a few LEGO blocks (parts) into a final product following specified sequence and instructions. The task is divided into several subtasks. A two-level feedforward optimization strategy is developed that determines optimum subtask allocation between the human and the robot before the assembly starts. Human's trust in robot and robot's trust in human are considered, computational models of the trust are derived and real-time trust measurement and display methods are developed. A feedback approach is integrated into the feedforward subtask allocation in the form of subtask re-allocation if trust levels reduce to below specified thresholds. It is hypothesized that subtask re-allocation may help regain trust and maintain satisfactory performance. Experiment results prove that (i) the integrated (feedforward + feedback) optimum subtask allocation is effective to maintain satisfactory trust levels of human and robot that result in satisfactory human–robot interactions (HRI) and assembly performance, and (ii) consideration of two-way trust (human's trust in robot and robot's trust in human) produces better HRI and assembly performance than that produced when one-way trust (human's trust in robot) or no trust is considered.
Mobilizing Grievances in an Authoritarian Setting: Threat and Emotion in the 1953 Plzeň Uprising:

Material and physical threat can play a crucial role in the emergence of protest, yet few studies have explored the micro-level mechanisms that transform threat into collective action under repress...
Free Will in a Quantum World

In this paper, I argue that Conway and Kochen’s Free Will Theorem (Conway and Kochen 2006, 2009) to the conclusion that quantum mechanics and relativity entail freedom for the particles, does not change the situation in favor of a libertarian position as they would like. In fact, the theorem more or less implicitly assumes that people are free, and thus it begs the question. Moreover, it does not prove neither that if people are free, so are particles, nor that the property people possess when they are said to be free is the same as the one particles possess when they are claimed to be free. I then analyze the Free State Theorem (Conway and Kochen 2009), which generalizes the Free Will Theorem without the assumption that people are free, and I show that it does not prove anything about free will, since the notion of freedom for particles is either inconsistent, or it does not concern our common understanding of freedom. In both cases, the Free Will Theorem and the Free State Theorem do not provide any enlightenment on the constraints physics can pose on free will.
Detecting Slow HTTP POST DoS Attacks Using Netflow Features

Network security is a constant challenge, with new attacks and vulnerabilities being frequently introduced. Application layer Denial of Service (DoS) attacks are a rising attack variant, which inflicts network stress and service interruptions. The implementation of detection and mitigation techniques for such attacks have been a priority for some time, but more sophisticated attack permutations are constantly being introduced, often making prior prevention techniques ineffective. In this work, we focus specifically on the detection of Slow HTTP POST DoS attacks. We execute several Slow HTTP POST attack configurations within a live network environment to represent a real-world attack scenario, with varying levels of severity. For our methodology, we utilize features of network flow (Netflow) traffic to detect these attack configurations. Netflow has proven to be a more scalable solution compared to full packet capture when performing data collection, allowing for near real-time network monitoring. Eight machine learners were implemented to determine which learner would achieve optimal performance metrics when detecting Slow HTTP POST attacks. As our data is very large, we also evaluate the use of data sampling techniques to increase attack detection performance. Overall, our results show a high detection rate when detecting Slow HTTP POST attacks, achieving relatively low false alarm rates.
Electromechanical Brillouin scattering in integrated planar photonics

The exploitation of Brillouin scattering, the scattering of light by sound, has led to demonstrations of a broad spectrum of novel physical phenomena and device functionalities for practical applications. Compared with optomechanical excitation by optical forces, electromechanical excitation of acoustic waves with transducers on a piezoelectric material features intense acoustic waves sufficient to achieve near-unity scattering efficiency within a compact device footprint, which is essential for practical applications. Recently, it has been demonstrated that gigahertz acoustic waves can be electromechanically excited to scatter guided optical waves in integrated photonic waveguides and cavities, leading to intriguing phenomena such as induced transparency and nonreciprocal mode conversion, and advanced optical functionalities. The new integrated electromechanical Brillouin devices, utilizing state-of-the-art nanofabrication capabilities and piezoelectric thin film materials, succeed guided wave acousto-optics with unprecedented device integration, ultrahigh frequency, and strong light-sound interaction. Here, we experimentally demonstrate large-angle (60°) acousto-optic beam deflection of guided telecom-band light in a planar photonics device with electromechanically excited gigahertz (∼11 GHz) acoustic Lamb waves. The device consists of integrated transducers, waveguides, and lenses, all fabricated on a 330 nm thick suspended aluminum nitride membrane. In contrast, conventional guided-wave acousto-optic devices can only achieve a deflection angle of a few degrees at most. Our work shows the promises of such a new acousto-optic device platform, which may lead to potential applications in on-chip beam steering and routing, optical spectrum analysis, high-frequency acousto-optic modulators, RF or microwave filters and delay lines, as well as nonreciprocal optical devices such as optical isolators.
BitSAD v2: Compiler Optimization and Analysis for Bitstream Computing

Computer vision and machine learning algorithms operating under a strict power budget require an alternate computing paradigm. While bitstream computing (BC) satisfies these constraints, creating BC systems is difficult. To address the design challenges, we propose compiler extensions to BitSAD, a DSL for BC. Our work enables bit-level software emulation and automated generation of hierarchical hardware, discusses potential optimizations, and proposes compiler phases to implement those optimizations in a hardware-aware manner. Finally, we introduce population coding, a parallelization scheme for stochastic computing that decreases latency without sacrificing accuracy, and provide theoretical and experimental guarantees on its effectiveness.
"I think we know more than our doctors": How Primary Caregivers Manage Care Teams with Limited Disease-related Expertise

Healthcare providers play a critical role in the management of a chronic illness by providing education about the disease, recommending treatment options, and developing care plans. However, when managing a rare disease, patients and their primary caregivers often work with healthcare systems that lack the infrastructure to diagnosis, treat, or provide education on the disease. Little research has explored care coordination practices between patients, family members, and healthcare providers under these circumstances. With the goal of identifying opportunities for technological support, we conducted qualitative interviews with the primary caregivers of children with a rare neurodegenerative disorder, ataxia-telangiectasia. We report on the responsibilities that the primary caregivers take on in response to care teams' lack of experience with the illness, and the ways in which an online health community supports this care coordination work. We also describe barriers that limited participants' use of the online health community, including the emotional consequences of participation and information overload. Based on these findings, we discuss two promising research agendas for supporting rare disease management: facilitating primary caregivers' care coordination tasks and increasing access to online community knowledge.
A perceptual basis for the systematic phonological correspondences between Japanese load words and their English source words

There exist systematic sound correspondences in Japanese loan words whose English origins contain a tense or lax vowel followed by a voiceless stop. For English words of the structure (C1)V1C2({C3/v2}), the length of Japanese loan word vowels and consonants corresponding to V1 (tense or lax) and C2 (voiceless stop) is predicted by the quality of V1 and any following elements. To test the hypothesis that these correspondences follow from perceptual assimilation, 18 native speakers of Japanese were presented with nonsense words uttered by two native speakers of American English, where C1 = /g/, V1 =/ i , i, u , u/, C2 = /p, t, k/, C3 = /s, t/ and v2 = /ə/. The subjects chose which of four katakana representations sounded closest to each stimulus: S(hort)V + S(ingle)C, SV + G(eminate)C, L(ong)V + SC or LV + GC. The response patterns for CVC and CVC/s/ tokens were consistent with the experimental hypothesis in so far as they matched loan word correspondences and correlated with certain durational properties of the stimuli. However, the responses to CVC/t/ and CVCv tokens did not match the existing systematic correspondences, implicating factors other than perceptual assimilation.
The Opioid Requiring Patient: Systems Level Management

Prescription opioid abuse and overdose is a far reaching epidemic, requiring a systems level approach to tackle this problem on a population level. There are many methods used by various systems to manage compliance to opioid prescribing guidelines. Education of providers and patients, modification of EMRs, and facilitating work flow are examples of interventions used. The underlying principles behind these targets is to change the behavior of providers and patients. Changing behavior is complex, and utilizing behavioral change theories may help make targeted interventions more effective. Behavioral change theories suggest that motivations for change are multifaceted, taking into account benefits and risks of change, social pressure to change, feasibility of change, moral obligations to change, etc. This chapter organizes the myriad of past opioid interventions into a few main categories based on behavioral change theories.
Thermal Simulation of Different Microfluidic Structures in Copper-core-embedded PCB

This paper suggests a copper-core-embedded PCB for power modules thermal management. Four kinds of heat dissipation micro-channel structures have been designed through the copper core, namely, no channel structure, whole area straight-through structure, partial straight-through structure, partial periodic array structure. The fluidic channels were realized by machining and the closed microfluidic structures were obtained by diffusion welding. To analog the power module working, a 60W simulated heat source was realized by thin film ceramic process. The functional module and copper-core-embedded PCB integrated models were structured by CATIA. Thermal-fluid coupling simulations were conducted by a synchronous CFD tools (Flo-EFD) to reveal thermal and flow characteristics of different types copper-core-embedded micro-channels. From our simulation results, the surface temperature of functional module can be reached to 600 °C when no channel structure copper-core-embedded PCB was used. Once the active microfluidic structures were introduced into PCB, the surface temperatures of functional modules showed significant reductions, sharply down to 45°C. Among the three microfluidic structures, partial periodic array structure played the best performance in cooling capability, through which the maximum surface temperatures of functional module was 38.42°C.
Moral Hazard versus Liquidity in Household Bankruptcy

This paper studies the role of moral hazard and liquidity in driving household bankruptcy. First, I estimate that increases in potential debt forgiveness have a positive, but small, effect on filing using a regression kink design. Second, exploiting quasi-experimental variation in mortgage payment reductions, I estimate that filing is five times more responsive to cash-on-hand than relief generosity. Using a sufficient statistic, I show the estimates imply large consumption-smoothing benefits of bankruptcy for the marginal filer. Finally, I conclude 83% of the filing response to dischargeable debt comes from liquidity effects rather than a moral hazard response to financial incentives.