cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Principal components regression control for multivariate autocorrelated cascade processes

A comprehensive methodology for multivariate autocorrelated cascade process control using multiple regressions in conjunction with principal component analysis (PCA) is presented in this paper. PCA is used to alleviate the multicollinearity problem among input variables and reduce the dimension of the variables. An integrated principal components selection rule is proposed to reduce the number of variables. A multiple regression model with estimated parameters based on a selected number of principal components is developed. The autoregressive error correction model is used to address the issue of dependent residuals from the multiple regression model. Further, interpretation of out-of-control signals based on the principal components in process monitoring is discussed. The implementation of the proposed methodology is demonstrated considering a real life example of the sugar-beet pulp drying process. A general guideline for controlling multivariate autocorrelated processes also is developed.
Neutral Carrier-Based “Ca2+-Selective” Microelectrodes for the Measurement of Tetraphenylphosphonium

been widely used for the measurement of both extra- used as a membrane potential probe for interior negaand intracellular calcium. The electrodes demonstrate tive cells and organelles. The cation distributes behigh selectivity against other cations such as magne- tween internal and external spaces according to the sium, sodium, and potassium. We report, however, that Nernst equation, Dc A RT/F ln(Ce/Ci), where Dc, R, the ETH 1001-based microelectrode is a superior tetra- T, and F refer to the membrane potential with respect phenylphosphonium (TPP / )-sensitive electrode. The to the outside, the gas constant, absolute temperature, electrode exhibits a Nernstian response for [Ca 2/ ] u and Faraday’s constant, respectively. Ce and Ci repre10 05 M but for [TPP / ] u 10 07 M. Using two different sent the concentration, or strictly the activity, of the methods, we found that log kTPPCa (selectivity coeffi- probe externally and internally. Continuous measurecient for TPP / with respect to Ca 2/ ) is in the range of ment of [TPP / ] is typically made by selective electrodes 03.0 to 05.3. We argue that the ETH 1001 microelec- constructed with a polyvinyl chloride-based membrane trode can be used as a commercially available TPP / containing tetraphenylboron as an ion exchanger (10). electrode. We illustrate this application by making Steady-state measurements can be made from cell exmembrane potential recordings in respiring mitochon- tracts that have been incubated with [ 3 H]TPP / . With dria. The results are identical to those obtained using proper calibration and correction for probe binding (4), conventional ion-exchange TPP / electrodes. q 1996
Development and Validation of an Index to Predict Activity of Daily Living Dependence in Community-Dwelling Elders

Background: Maintaining independence in daily functioning is an important health outcome in older adults. A key measure of functional independence in elders is the ability to do activities of daily living (ADL) without the assistance of another person. However, few prognostic indices have been developed that stratify elders into groups at variable risk for developing ADL dependence. Objective: We sought to develop and validate a prognostic index that distinguishes between elders at different risk of ADL dependence. Research Design, Subjects, and Measures: We studied subjects enrolled in Asset and Health Dynamics Among the Oldest Old (AHEAD), a nationally representative cohort of elders older than the age of 70. We included 5239 subjects (mean age, 77) reporting that they could do each of 5 ADL (bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, and eating) without the assistance of another person at baseline. Subjects were divided into development (n 3245) and validation (n 1994) samples based on region of the United States. Our primary outcome was the need for help (dependence) with at least one ADL at 2 years. We used logistic regression to select among predictor variables encompassing several domains: demographic characteristics, comorbid conditions, functional status, cognitive status, and general health indicators. Results: The 9 independent predictors of 2-year ADL dependence were age older than 80, diabetes, difficulty walking several blocks, difficulty bathing or dressing, need for help with personal finances, difficulty lifting 10 pounds, inability to name the Vice President, history of falling, and low body mass index. We created a risk score by assigning 1 point to each risk factor. In the development sample, rates of 2-year ADL dependence in subjects with 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 or more risk factors were 1.3%, 2.8%, 3.8%, 10%, 22%, and 33%, respectively (P 0.001, roc area 0.79). In the validation sample, the rates were 0.7%, 4.3%, 8.7%, 11%, 18%, and 40% (P 0.001, roc area 0.77). The risk score also discriminated between subjects at variable risk for a combined outcome of either ADL decline or death (4.3%, 7.6%, 15%, 21%, 30%, and 47%). Conclusion: Using data available from patient reports, we validated a simple risk index that distinguished between elders at variable risk of ADL dependence. This index may be useful for identifying elders at high risk of poor outcomes or for risk adjustment.
Predictors of Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA) in African American Young Adolescents

Background African American adolescents residing in the South are at increased risk for obesity and physical inactivity, yet our understanding of potential influences is limited.
ACL2SIX: A Hint used to Integrate a Theorem Prover and an Automated Verification Tool

We present a hardware verification environment that integrates the ACL2 theorem prover and SixthSense, an IBM internal formal verification tool. In this environment, SixthSense is invoked through an ACL2 function acl2six that makes use of a general-purpose external interface added to the ACL2 theorem prover. This interface allows decision procedures and model-checkers to be connected to ACL2 by simply writing ACL2 functions. Our environment also exploits a unique approach to connect the logic of a general-purpose theorem prover with machine designs in VHDL without a language embedding. With an example of a pipelined multiplier, we show how our environment can be used to divide a large verification problem into a number of simpler problems, which can be verified using automated verification engines
Antioxidant status and stress resistance in long- and short-lived lines of Drosophila melanogaster.

The purpose of this study was to understand the nature of the biochemical and physiological variations between genetically different lines of Drosophila melanogaster. Selection for early or delayed reproduction has given rise to lines with substantial and heritable differences in longevity. The hypotheses tested were that either: (i) a compensatory slowing of metabolism, (ii) increased antioxidative enzyme activities, or (iii) elevated resistance to stressful conditions underlie these differences in longevity. The metabolic rate, metabolic potential (i.e. total amount of oxygen consumed during average lifespan) and speed of walking were all greater in long-lived than in short-lived flies, but there was no enhancement of antioxidant defenses. In fact, catalase activity was significantly lower in the long-lived flies. Long life was largely maintained under heat stress and starvation conditions, and was maintained to a lesser extent upon exposure to paraquat, a superoxide radical generator. In contrast, the 'short-lived' flies had a longer lifespan under cold stress and hyperoxia, also an inducer of radical generation. These results contradict the first two hypotheses and suggest that alleles underlying either long or short life are linked with enhanced resistance to specific kinds of stress, which may account for the preservation of these alleles in the parental population.
Impact of navigation accuracy on the intervention rate in a highly automated air traffic control system

Progress in navigation technology is expected to bring about a lower air traffic control (ATC) intervention rate than the rate that could be expected based upon today's navigation and flight control capabilities. The extent to which this may occur is quantified, and additional possible benefits, such as increasing air traffic throughput and intervening earlier in potential loss of separation between aircraft, are discussed. A prototypic aircraft-aircraft encounter is defined. It includes a simple intervention-decision rule which attempts to capture the prudence practiced by today's air traffic controllers, and which typifies one type of decision rule presently under consideration for use in a future automated ATC system such as AERA 3. This rule is applied to an operational environment where GPS (Global Positioning System) is employed to navigate user-preferred routes. >
Function and expression of adhesion molecules on human basophils

Although the human basophil is predominantly a circulating cell, it is known to participate in a variety of inflammatory responses. For example, basophils have clearly been identified in skin at sites of contact hypersensitivity, erythema multiforme, bullous pemphigoid, and cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity reactions and in the airways of subjects with allergic rhinitis and asthma?' 2 In addition, an influx of basophils accompanies the allergic late phase response that occurs after antigen challenge of the skin and airways. 3-s Thus basophils, like other granulocytes, can emigrate from the intravascular compartment into specific tissues. The observation that increased numbers of basophils accumulate at certain inflammatory sites suggests that they are activated and recruited to these locations. During this process it is necessary for these cells to interact with endothelial cells, parenchymal cells, and extracellular matrix proteins as they undergo margination, transendothelial migration, and enter the tissue space. Essentially all of the steps in this process involve the interaction of basophil cell surface adhesion molecules with specific adhesion molecule counterreceptors. Several extensive reviews have recently been written on cell adhesion molecule biology 6s and the potential role of these molecules in allergic diseases. 91x This article will focus on the expression and function of adhesion molecules on human basophils.
Is orphan drug pricing blowing a bubble? The unique situation of orphan drugs and why high prices will likely persist

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) data show that there are a growing number of applications and approvals for orphan drugs every year. Newer orphan drugs are generally sold at high prices, which has raised the question about the sustainability of the orphan drug market and the possibility of a bubble. As more orphan drugs enter the market, reimbursement policies from payers could shift away from full reimbursement. But the orphan drug market is not a free market. It is open only to specifically indicated drugs for few numbers of patients. The orphan drug market is unique with its value to patients, comparative costs to hospital stays, time of development, high monetary risk, high entry standards (the FDA marketing approval for orphan drugs), small markets, willing payers and strong patient advocates. Here, we examine classical definitions of bubble assets, and look at specific examples of orphan drugs that seem to be overpriced compared to cost estimates. Currently, there is no evidence for bubble fo...
Geocenter Variations from Analysis of SLR Data

The Earth’s center of mass (CM) is defined in the satellite orbit dynamics as the center of mass of the entire Earth system, including the solid earth, oceans, cryosphere and atmosphere. Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) provides accurate and unambiguous range measurements to geodetic satellites to determine variations in the vector from the origin of the ITRF to the CM. Estimates of the Global mass redistribution induced geocenter variations at seasonal scales from SLR are in good agreement with the results from the global inversion from the displacements of the dense network of GPS sites and from ocean bottom pressure model and GRACE-derived geoid changes.
Explicit matrices for sparse approximation

We show that girth can be used to certify that sparse compressed sensing matrices have good sparse approximation guarantees. This allows us to present the first deterministic measurement matrix constructions that have an optimal number of measurements for l 1 /l 1 approximation. Our techniques are coding theoretic and rely on a recent connection of compressed sensing to LP relaxations for channel decoding.
Electron microscopy, histochemistry, and microbiology of bacterial adhesion in trichomycosis axillaris

Study of a case of trichomycosis axillaris by electron microscopy revealed a specific encapsulated Corynebacterium adhering to but not penetrating the hair shaft. External to this were two other biochemically distinctive pleomorphic Corynebacteria shown to be incapable of direct adherence to the hair. All three types were entrapped in a virtually insoluble cement substance, which they elaborate and which is responsible for the grossly visible colonization that is so characteristic of this disease. (J AM ACRD DERMATOL 10:1005–1014, 1984.)
Prenatal effects of herbicides: evaluation by the prenatal development index.

The herbicides 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T and many of the esters of these compounds produced cleft palates in CD-1 mice. Silvex and Agent Orange also produced cleft palates. Depending on the dose and means of administration variable responses relating to the production of cleft palates, effect on fetal weight, and effect on fetal mortality were obtained. In order to view these data comprehensibly, the Prenatal Development Index was determined. This index was computed from the incidence of malformed fetuses, fetal mortality and fetal body weight. This made it possible to evaluate data from some experiments with feto-toxic doses of compounds in which the high incidence of fetal mortality and consequently low incidence of viable fetuses obscured the response.
Evidence-based review of the black-box warning for droperidol

Purpose. Data collected from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Freedom of Information Act are presented to help clinicians understand the data prompting the black-box warning for droperidol and to make educated decisions regarding the use of droperidol and alternative agents. Summary. A written request was submitted to FDA to provide a report of any and all reports of cardiovascular adverse events related to droperidol that were part of the decision to add a black-box warning to the label of droperidol. The report listed 277 cases of adverse effects associated with droperidol since its introduction to the market in 1970. Many of the reports were duplicates, leaving a total of 65 individual cases. Of these cases, only 2 described adverse effects possibly caused by droperidol in dosages commonly used in the United States. In addition to these reports, the results of two European studies prompted FDA to make the decision for the black-box warning. Both studies used droperidol doses 50–100 times higher than those used in the United States. Conclusion. Studies show that there is a dose-dependent increase in the rate of adverse cardiovascular events when droperidol is used either alone or in combination with other medications that cause Q-T interval prolongation. At this time, there does not appear to be significant evidence to suggest that serotonin type 3-receptor (5-HT3) antagonists are safer than droperidol with regard to Q-T interval prolongation. More studies are needed to determine the safety and efficacy of droperidol when used in doses of 0.625–1.25 mg compared with the 5-HT3 antagonists.
Isolated Pustular Nodule on the Thumb

Ahealthy younggirlpresented in June 2014with a 4-week history of a painless, enlarging lesion on her right thumb that started as a small erythematous blister. She reported recently injuring her hand on a metal fence at home and biting her nails frequently. She lives on a farm in Ohio and hasextensivedirectcontactwithsheepand cows; family pets include a cat, a dog, and a hamster. There was no known recent travel or contact with anyone with a similar lesion. She reported mild tender lymphadenopathy of the right axilla but denied fever. Examination revealed an erythematous, 1 × 1.5-cm, well-defined eroded pustule with central crusting and an erythematous border (Figure). There were several slightly enlarged, mildly tender lymph nodes noted in the right axilla. Complete blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and basicmetabolic panel results were unremarkable. Findings on radiography revealed focal soft-tissue swelling with no evidence of foreign body, subcutaneous gas, or osseous involvement. Quiz at jamapediatrics.com Figure. Eroded and crusted pustule with surrounding inflammation on the thumb.
SPECIES-SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS EXPLAIN THE PERSISTENCE OF STIGEOCLONIUM TENUE (CHLOROPHYTA) IN A WOODLAND STREAM

The heterotrichous alga Stigeoclonium tenue Kuetzing is dominant in many streams with high densities of herbivores. Previous in situ studies in Walker Branch (WB), a woodland stream in eastern Tennessee, indicated that dominance by Stigeoclonium basal cells was “grazer-dependent”; however, Stigeoclonium also appeared to have a lower biomass–specific productivity rate than other species that dominated when snails were experimentally removed. Here, an explicit test of the grazing dependence of Stigeoclonium was made with unialgal cultures established in the laboratory. Five different “assemblage types” were tested: 1 and 2) unialgal cultures of Stigeoclonium at low and high biomass, 3 and 4) a mixed assemblage of diatoms at low and high biomass, and 5) a natural stream community. Reduction in chlorophyll a after exposure to snail grazing was dependent on assemblage type (one-way ANOVA, P < 0.0001); low biomass Stigeoclonium tiles and tiles from the stream (on which basal cells of Stigeoclonium were dominant) were most grazer-resistant. In addition, Stigeoclonium had a lower biomass-specific productivity rate (measured as H14CO3− uptake) than a mixed assemblage of diatoms, regardless of biomass level, suggesting an underlying tradeoff between resistance to herbivory and competitive ability. Additional laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the response of Stigeoclonium to high (approx. 150 μmol quanta ·m−2· s−1)and low (approx. 25 μmol quanta · m−2· s−1) irradiance when nutrients were at 1) ambient WB concentrations and 2) increased 1000× ambient concentrations. There was a positive response of growth to increased irradiance only under high nutrient conditions. This suggests that observed reductions in the abundance of Stigeoclonium under high irradiance/low nutrient conditions that occur on a seasonal basis in WB can be explained in part by autecological resource requirements of this alga. We use these results to model the response of algal communities dominated by basal-regenerating species (e.g. Stigeoclonium) to gradients in herbivory and productivity. The results of our culture studies, combined with an overview of factors affecting communities dominated by grazer-resistant species, illustrate how both broad-scale (e.g. functional form) and species-specific studies can be combined to achieve an understanding of community dynamics.
Oxidation Resistance of Hafnium Diboride Ceramics with Additions of Silicon Carbide and Tungsten Boride or Tungsten Carbide

Dense samples of HfB2–SiC, HfB2–SiC–WC, and HfB2–SiC–WB were prepared by field-assisted sintering. The WB and WC additives were incorporated by solid solution into the HfB2 and the HfC that formed during sintering. Oxidation of the samples was studied using isothermal furnace oxidation between 1600° and 2000°C. Sample microstructure and chemistry before and after oxidation were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The addition of WC and WB did not alter oxidation kinetics of the baseline HfB2–SiC composition below 1800°C; however, at 2000°C, HfB2–SiC–WC and HfB2–SiC–WB had oxide scales that were 30% thinner than the oxide scale of HfB2–SiC. It is believed that WC and WB promoted liquid-phase densification of the HfO2 scale, thereby reducing the path of oxygen ingress, during oxidation.
Modeling of peptides connecting the ligand-binding and transmembrane domains in the GluR2 glutamate receptor.

Ligand-gated Glutamate receptors (GluR) mediate synaptic signals in the nervous system. Ionotropic GluRs of AMPA type, the subject of the present study, are tetrameric assemblies of monomer subunits, each of which is constructed in a modular fashion from functional subdomains. The extracellular ligand binding domain (LBD) changes its conformation upon binding of an agonist ligand followed by opening of a transmembrane (TM) ion channel. Peptides connecting the LBD and TM domains facilitate gating of the channel, and their structure and composition are important for the receptor functioning. In this study we used Replica Exchange Molecular Dynamics (REMD) simulations to model S1M1 and S2M3 connecting peptides of the GluR2 receptor in two implicit solvents, water and interfacial water/lipid medium characterized by lower polarity. Propensity of these peptides to form helical structures was analyzed using helicity measure derived from the free energy of the simulated ensembles of structures. The S1M1 and S2M3 connecting peptides were not helical in our simulations in both dielectric environments in the absence of the rest of the protein. The structures of the LBD fragment with known high resolution α-helical structure and of the TM3 helix were successfully predicted in the simulations, which in part validate our results. The S2M3 peptide which is important in gating formed a well-defined coil structure and salt-bridges with the S2 domain. The S1M1 peptide formed a loop structure via formation of internal salt-bridges. Potential implications of these structures on function of the receptor are discussed.
Rearranging pepsinogen and pepsin by protein engineering.

Eukaryotic aspartic proteases, such as pepsin, are synthesized as a single-chain zymogen. After activating into single-chain proteases, they contain bilobal structures. The three-dimensional structures of the N- and C-terminal lobes are homologous. It has been hypothesized that the origin of this internal similarity in eukaryotic aspartic proteases is derived from an evolutionary process of gene duplication and fusion (1). A primordial form of aspartic protease is probably a homodimer. The retroviral aspartic proteases are homodimers and structurally related to the eukaryotic aspartic proteases (2). Thus, the retroviral proteases may represent the primordial forms of eukaryotic enzymes. In this scenario, the gene of a homodimeric retroviral protease is integrated in the host genome of a primordial eukaryotic cell. The protease gene is retained by mutational processes which provided survival advantages to the host in evolution. It ultimately evolved through gene duplication and fusion to a single-chain, internally symmetrical eukaryotic enzyme.
Evaluation of Serum Volume Losses During Long-Term Storage.

Aliquots of serum collected in a large case-control study of cervical cancer were stored at -70°C for up to 4 years during implementation of the study. When 500 μL serum aliquots were thawed in preparation for carotenoid and vitamin A assays, volumes were noticeably variable and fell below 500 μL in the majority of the samples. We were concerned about evaporation/sublimation during storage of the samples because loss of water would concentrate the analytes of interest. We evaluated the use of density and sodium ion concentration measurements to confirm its occurrence. We found that serum density was an unreliable indicator of extent of volume loss since the anticipated increases in density due to evaporation were of the same magnitude as inter-individual variation in serum density. In contrast, Na+ concentration is tightly regulated and would rise if water had been lost from the samples. In a representative sample of serum aliquots from the case-control study, 24 of 25 vials contained less than 500 μL of serum. The mean sodium ion concentration (138.1 ± 3.6 mmol/L) was within the normal range for human serum of 136-145 mmol/L, and no correlation was observed between serum volume and Na+ concentration. These results strongly suggest that the observed low volumes were not due to evaporative losses. Instead, the variably low volumes of serum aliquots were probably due to pipetting errors in the initial aliquotting resulting from the use of air-displacement pipettes.
On the origin of dinitrogen hydrogenation promoted by [(η5- C5Me4H)2Zr]2(μ2, η2,η2-N2)

The origin of the hydrogenation of the dinitrogen ligand in [(η5-C5Me4H)2Zr]2(μ2,η2,η2-N2) has been investigated by a combined computational and experimental study. Density functional theory calculations on the zirconocene dinitrogen complex demonstrate significant imido character in the zirconium nitrogen bonds, arising from effective π-back-bonding from the low-valent zirconium and the side-on bound N2 ligand. The twisted ground-state structure of the N2 complex is a key requirement for nitrogen hydrogenation, as calculations on the model complex [(η5-C5H5)2Zr]2(μ2,η2,η2-N2) reveal reduced overlap as the dihedral angle between the zirconocene wedges approaches 0°. Experimentally, isotopic labeling studies on the microscopic reverse are consistent with a 1,2-addition mechanism for nitrogen hydrogenation.
The Mictini Are Not Monophyletic (Hemiptera: Coreidae: Coreinae)

We show the pantrppical tribe Mictini to be polyphyletic, and we separate it into 3: Mictini (s.s.) Amyot and Serville (Old World), Nematopodini Amyot and Serville (New World), and Acanthocerini Bergroth (New World). These tribes do not appear to be closely related to one another. We list the genera now placed in each tribe.
Black Hills Forestry: A History. By John F. Freeman.

Black Hills Forestry: A History . By John F. Freeman. (Boulder: University Press of Colorado, 2015. xv + 246 pp. Illustrations, map, graph, notes, bibliography, index. $34.95.) For most of the United States, the Black Hills is the place with Mount Rushmore’s stone presidents’ heads, or perhaps Sturgis, where Harley-Davidson bikers gather. Even the historically inclined might first associate the Black Hills with the Battle of the Little Bighorn and the Great Sioux War. However, as John F. Freeman shows in his traditional narrative history, Black Hills Forestry , the Black Hills have also played an important role in national forestry policy in the United States. … jorth{at}calpoly.edu
Impact on Power System Flexibility by Electric Vehicle Participation in Ramp Market

This paper investigates electric vehicle (EV) participation in the flexible ramp market. We take into account EV stochastic mobility, and evaluate impact on power system reliability and flexibility. Based on dynamic programming, the model deals with uncertainties and variations of net load, as well as EV charging requirements. Markov process is utilized in estimating the aggregated power capacity of EVs. Two participation modes are analyzed: 1) EV direct provision of the ramp product; and 2) EV cooperation with the conventional generator. Moreover, we propose new indices to evaluate power system flexibility. Finally, numerical experiments are conducted to validate the proposed approach and illustrate how EV involvement into the ramp market can improve power system reliability and flexibility.
Press nationalism emerges in pollution disaster reporting

This content analysis examines how The New York Times and The Washington Post framed the Bhopal gas leak in India in 1984 and the British Petroleum oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. Findings...
Preparing online students for comprehensive examinations.

OBJECTIVE: Identify and remedy difficulties in the preparation of online students for certification examination success. DESIGN: The final examination scores for the CLS Seminar course for the 2008 class of 27 on-campus and 10 online students were compared for statistical differences in seven examination areas. Problem areas were identified and changes in the CLS Seminar course were made in 2009 to improve the scores of the online students. The examination scores for the 2009 class of 33 on-campus and 10 online students were studied to determine improvement. Student9s two-tailed t-test was used to determine statistical significance of differences between scores of on-campus and online students. INTERVENTIONS: Interactive video over the web; used to answer online student questions, review games, more class time, and more recorded review sessions; were added to the Seminar. The study guides provided during preceptorships were tied to the objectives of the seminar course and the questions on examinations. Specific objectives for each question missed on the final examinations were provided to the student. RESULTS: In 2008, examination scores for online students were lower in two of seven areas by a statistically significant amount than on-campus students. The difference approached significance in a third area. After interventions in 2009, the examinations scores had equalized with the exception of one area, Immunology. CONCLUSION: Increasing the amount and method of review in areas deemed important to online education was successful in improving examination scores. ABBREVIATIONS:Chem= chemistry, hemat = hematology, immuno= immunology, micro= microbiology, urine= urinalysis, CLS=clinical laboratory science
Expert and Non-Expert Attitudes towards (Secure) Instant Messaging

In this paper, we present results from an online survey with 1,510 participants and an interview study with 31 participants on (secure) mobile instant messaging. Our goal was to uncover how much of a role security and privacy played in people’s decisions to use a mobile instant messenger. In the interview study, we recruited a balanced sample of ITsecurity experts and non-experts, as well as an equal split of users of mobile instant messengers that are advertised as being more secure and/or private (e.g., Threema) than traditional mobile IMs. Our results suggest that peer influence is what primarily drives people to use a particular mobile IM, even for secure/private IMs, and that security and privacy play minor roles.
Developments in State Action

On March 1, 2016, the ABA Section of Antitrust, Exemptions and Immunities Committee presented a panel with an update on state action immunity since N.C. Dental. After giving a brief refresher on N.C. Dental, the panel discussed the recent Federal Trade Commission guidance on the decision, an update on pending state action cases, and how states have reacted since the N.C. Dental decision.
Attack path reconstruction from adverse consequences on power grids with a focus on Monitoring-Layer attacks

The Monitoring Layer (ML) attacks injects false measurements to manipulate operation decisions. Existing research on ML attacking models have an intrinsic deficiency: an attacker's goal is modeled by erroneous measurements, but not by final consequences on power grids. In this paper, we propose an ML-attack model based on adverse physical consequences. The proposed modeling method is essential to reconstruct attack paths in power system forensics and to future development of defense mechanisms against ML attacks. Examples of attack paths reconstruction are presented, on a sub-transmission system and a low voltage distribution system.
Young children’s thinking about touchscreens versus other media in the US

AbstractAlthough children’s use of touchscreen devices has rapidly expanded, how young children conceive of these devices is relatively unknown. Here, we examined young children’s recognition, attribution of functions, and preference for using touchscreens as opposed to other devices. Forty-three preschoolers answered questions regarding six devices; for comparison, a group of 16 adults was also tested. Children recognized the devices as well as adults, but attributed fewer functions to touchscreen devices than did adults. However, compared to other media, children attributed more and different functions to touchscreens. Interestingly, children did not uniformly prefer touchscreen devices, but chose selectively for different tasks. The results show surprising differences from adult users as well as a developing understanding among young children regarding media tools.
Flow Rate Measurement Method for Gaseous Fuel Injection for Pulse Detonation Engines

A mass-flow model was developed to calculate the flow rates of a gaseous fuel and oxidizer injected intermittently into a pulse detonation engine. The procedure used the mass-flow parameter of the ...
Comparison of growth performance of Berkshire purebreds and crossbreds sired by Hereford and Tamworth breeds raised in alternative production system

OBJECTIVE The objective of the present study was to compare growth performance of Berkshire purebred pigs (BB), Hereford (HB) and/or Tamworth (TB) sired Berkshire crossbred pigs reared in a hoop structure in two experiments. METHODS In the first experiment, BB was compared to TB while HB and TB were compared in the second. Body weights (BW) were recorded at 3 days of age and every 28 days from birth until 140 days of age. There was no significant difference between the BW of BB and TB, but HB was heavier than TB by 84 days of age. Least square means of average daily gain (ADG) were evaluated using one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS The mean parity (±standard deviation) of the sows was 3.42±2.14 and a total of 45 farrowing occurred from year 2012 to 2014. The mean number of total born, number born alive, number of mummies, and number weaned were 9.23±2.52, 7.87±2.53, 0.04±0.21, and 5.94±2.74, respectively. Parity did not have a significant effect on the growth performance of the pigs. For BB and TB, there was only one time frame in which there was a significant difference in the ADG: between 28 and 56 days of age. For HB and TB, the overall ADG of HB was significantly greater than the total ADG of TB. CONCLUSION The breed of the sire did not affect the growth performance of the progeny between Berkshire purebreds and Tamworth×Berkshire crossbreds. The breed of the sire did have an effect between Hereford and Tamworth sired Berkshire crossbreds (p<0.05). The Hereford sired pigs were found to have increased growth performance compared to Tamworth sired.
The Role of Arizona Desert Humanitarians in Compassionate Migration

Arizona desert humanitarians cultivate compassionate migration by working to bring unauthorized migrants, the discursive systems that dehumanize them, and the inhumane conditions of their migration out of the shadows. An examination of desert “counter-conducts” includes nonlinguistic modes of advancing compassionate migration inherent in Tucson Samaritan photography and in artwork fashioned from items collected walking migrant trails. Ultimately, hiking desert trails to provide migrants life-saving water serves a transformative function in allowing for the evolution of a conscious connection and community that reaches across national borders.
Photoelectron Transfer Dissociation Reveals Surprising Favorability of Zwitterionic States in Large Gaseous Peptides and Proteins

Structural characterization of proteins in the gas phase is becoming increasingly popular, highlighting the need for a greater understanding of how proteins behave in the absence of solvent. It is clear that charged residues exert significant influence over structures in the gas phase due to strong Coulombic and hydrogen-bonding interactions. The net charge for a gaseous ion is easily identified by mass spectrometry, but the presence of zwitterionic pairs or salt bridges has previously been more difficult to detect. We show that these sites can be revealed by photoinduced electron transfer dissociation, which produces characteristic c and z ions only if zwitterionic species are present. Although previous work on small molecules has shown that zwitterionic pairs are rarely stable in the gas phase, we now demonstrate that charge-separated states are favored in larger molecules. Indeed, we have detected zwitterionic pairs in peptides and proteins where the net charge equals the number of basic sites, requiri...
Glycosylated hemoglobin level may predict the severity of gastroparesis in diabetic patients.

Abstract Aim To investigate the association between glycemic control represented by glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level and the value of 4-h gastric retention on nuclear scan. Methods We retrospectively reviewed records of diabetic patients who had 4-h nuclear gastric emptying study, with documented 4-h retention value, between January 1st, 2002 and July 30th, 2014 and had HbA1C level close to the time of the study. We divided our cohort into patients with good glycemic control (HbA1C 9, group C). The 4-h retention value and symptoms were compared between the 3 groups. Results Our cohort included 299 patients; mean age was 59 ± 14. The median interval between performing gastric emptying study and measuring HbA1C was 41 days. There were 94 patients in group A (HbA1C 6.1 ± 0.4), 131 patients in group B (HbA1C 7.9 ± 0.5), and 74 patients in group C (HbA1C 10.9 ± 1.6). The mean gastric retention value was different between the three study groups, 8.3% ±17, 11.5% ±19, and 14.4% ±21, respectively (P = .03). Conclusion This is the first study to show that HbA1C level is significantly associated with the 4-h retention value on nuclear gastric emptying scan.
A correlation based matrix completion approach to gene expression prediction

Finding candidate genes that could cause specific diseases has been the subject of many studies. This is an important research task, however in the biological experimentation domain it can be very expensive and time consuming. So an alternative way is to find gene expression values from partial measurements and try to predict the rest. By using computational methods, we can statistically estimate these relationships faster and in a more efficient way, providing domain experts suggestions on what exploration of likely relationships they should be focusing. One common computational approach is to model the gene expression data as a matrix (where each row represents a gene and each column a subject); the entries of the matrix can then be mRNA measurements that show the extent of gene expressions. Since entries of the dataset are based on partial measurements, the dataset has missing values, and the problem is then to estimate the missing values and thus to recover the global matrix based on the known values. In this paper, we present a correlation based approach to the matrix completion task (CMC) and discuss its functionality. The CMC based algorithm is then compared to a state-of-the-art nuclear-norm minimization iterative algorithm. Our results show that the CMC based algorithm significantly outperforms the iterative algorithm and even shows a better tendency when the amount of missing values grow. We argue that the CMC based algorithm can provide good estimates for missing values, possibly guiding time consuming biological gene expression profiling as to which values should be confirmed. Although our primary focus is on gene expression prediction, the strategy discussed is applicable to any highly correlated dataset where missing values need to be estimated/recovered.
When Is It Safe Not to Reimplant an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator at the Time of Battery Depletion

The implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a life-saving therapy in various patient populations. Although data on the outcomes of initial ICD implants are abundant, data on ICD replacements, especially in patients with improved left ventricular (LV) function, are scarce. Therefore, it is not known when it is safe to not replace an ICD that has reached the end of battery life. This article reviews data on patients with primary prevention ICDs who have improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction during follow-up and provides some guidance, based on the available evidence, related to circumstances when replacement of an ICD may be forgone.
Pulmonary Lymphoproliferative Disorders

Lymphoproliferative disorders of the lung represent a constellation of disease processes that include benign nonneoplastic conditions, intermediate or indeterminate disorders, primary malignant lymphomas, and secondary involvement by extrapulmonary malignant lymphomas, leukemias, and plasma cell dyscrasias (Table 12-1).
Forest Nutrient Cycling: Leaching and Weathering

As suggested in Figure 9-1, a large number of processes important in forest nutrient cycling are potentially at risk of alternation from air pollutant deposition. It has been hypothesized that acid deposition may accelerate leaching of nutrients from forest foliage and forest soils, and may alter weathering rates of forest soil minerals.
Design of Objective Functions for Water Resource Systems

Specific problems in operation of complex water resources systems are basically two: (1) decisions on water releases, and (2) satisfaction of various levels of service. The first problem relates to how much water will be released from storage in a given time interval. The second problem relates to the distribution of positive or negative effects of these releases among the water related interests.
Sleep across the lifespan

Sleep represents a complex neurophysiological process which varies significantly across the lifespan. Sleep-wake activity is governed by a complex array of neural processes, influenced by the environment, and tightly integrated with other key biological processes such as thermoregulation, hormone release, and feeding behaviors. Changes in sleep quality and duration across the lifespan occur in part as a result of the influences of age-dependent physiological processes (e.g., menopause) or diseases (e.g., heart failure) on sleep. Conversely, changes in sleep over the lifespan impact a wide variety of physiological systems, including those important in modulating weight, metabolism, immune function, and inflammation. Thus, changes in sleep across the lifespan may influence the propensity for age-dependent diseases as well as susceptibility to chronic diseases, including diabetes, vascular disease, and cancer. This chapter reviews key changes in circadian rhythm, sleep architecture, sleep patterns, and sleep disorders across the lifespan, providing an overview of sleep neurophysiology and age-specific sleep characteristics which, as described more fully in other chapters, influence propensity for obesity and chronic diseases. A discussion of sleep in key periods in the lifespan – infants, children, adolescence, middle age, and older adulthood – is provided. A better appreciation of sleep changes across the lifespan may improve our understanding of disease mechanisms and may highlight novel approaches for improving health at critical developmental periods.
De repente los lugares desaparecen de Patricio Manns: ¿ciencia ficción a la chilena?

Estudio la novela de Manns en su aproximacion y desvio a la ciencia-ficcion canonica. La dimension historica, con alusiones a Chile, la seriedad de su problematica y la poeticidad de su lenguaje, construyen un insolito ejemplar del genero y de la literatura chilena contemporanea. Mann's novel is studied in its approach to and deviation from the standard science fiction genre. The historical dimension, with specific allusions to Chile, the seriousness of its subject and the poetics of its language, form an unusual example of the genre and of contemporary Chilean literature
Movement and thermal niche of the first satellite‐tagged Mediterranean spearfish (Tetrapturus belone)

The Mediterranean spearfish (Tetrapturus belone) is one of the least‐studied istiophorid billfishes, with little known of its biology, ecology, and behavior. To assess the species’ movement and thermal niche, we analyzed telemetry data from, to our knowledge, the first and only Mediterranean spearfish ever outfitted with a pop‐up satellite archival transmitting tag. Throughout a 29‐day deployment during July and August 2015, the fish travelled in Italian waters of the Tyrrhenian and Ligurian Seas, spending on average 93% of each 24‐hr period above 30 m and exhibiting a diel activity pattern comprised of daytime vertical movement and nighttime near‐surface residency. The preferred thermal niche was 26–28°C, but the spearfish experienced temperatures as low as 14.2°C during descents. Vertical distribution was limited throughout the deployment with more time spent at depth in areas where the thermocline was comparatively deeper and weaker, consistent with habitat compression experienced by other billfishes.
Outcomes of Meaningful Work: A Meta-Analysis

Using job characteristics theory as a framework, we calculated meta‐analytic effect sizes between meaningful work and various outcomes and tested a mediated model of meaningful work predicting proximal and distal outcomes with meta‐analytic structural equation modelling (MASEM). From 44 articles (N = 23,144), we found that meaningful work had large correlations (r = 0.70+) with work engagement, commitment, and job satisfaction; moderate to large correlations (r = 0.44 to −0.49) with life satisfaction, life meaning, general health, and withdrawal intentions; and small to moderate correlations (r = −0.19 to 0.33) with organizational citizenship behaviours, self‐rated job performance, and negative affect. The best MASEM fitting model was meaningful work predicting work engagement, commitment, and job satisfaction and these variables subsequently predicting self‐rated performance, organizational citizenship behaviours, and withdrawal intentions. This meta‐analysis provides estimated effect sizes between meaningful work and its outcomes and reveals how meaningful work relates directly and indirectly to key outcomes.
Reconceptualizing developmental language disorder as a spectrum disorder: issues and evidence

Background There is considerable variability in the presentation of developmental language disorder (DLD). Disagreement amongst professionals about how to characterize and interpret the variability complicates both the research on understanding the nature of DLD and the best clinical framework for diagnosing and treating children with DLD. We describe and statistically examine three primary possible models for characterizing the variability in presentation in DLD: predictable subtypes; individual differences; and continuum/spectrum. Aims To test these three models of DLD in a population-based sample using two distinct types of cluster analyses. Methods & procedures This study included children with DLD (n = 505) from the US Epidemiological Study of Language Impairment database. All available language and cognitive measures were included. Two cluster methods were used: Ward's method and K-means. Optimal cluster sizes were selected using Bayesian information criteria (BIC). Bootstrapping and permutation methods were used to evaluate randomness of clustering. Outcomes & results Both clustering analyses yielded more than 10 clusters, and the clusters did not have spatial distinction: many of these clusters were not clinically interpretable. However, tests of random clustering revealed that the cluster solutions obtained did not arise from random aggregation. Conclusions & implications Non-random clustering coupled with a large number of non-interpretable subtypes provides empirical support for the continuum/spectrum and individual differences models. Although there was substantial support for the continuum/spectrum model and weaker support for the individual differences model, additional research testing these models should be completed. Based on these results, clinicians working with children with DLD should focus on creating treatment plans that address the severity of functioning rather than seeking to identify and treat distinct subtypes. Additional consideration should be given to reconceptualizing DLD as a spectrum condition.