cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
GPU-accelerated descriptor extraction process for 3D registration in Augmented Reality

Augmented Reality (AR) is a type of human-computer interaction that overlays virtual information on a user's natural visual perception of the environment. Determining where to place these virtual objects so they appear a part of the environment requires real-time tracking. One type of tracking uses point clouds, processed from commodity depth sensors, such as the Microsoft Kinect. In this format, tracking becomes a 3D registration problem which can be quickly solved using local registration methods; however, these techniques require a sufficient overlap between the object-to-track, and the sampled object points from the range camera. 3D descriptors can be used to provide this initial overlap, but require significant computational resources. This work extends previous research towards real-time descriptor computation on large point sets. To do so, the 3D descriptor extraction process is broken down into fundamental algorithmic steps. These steps are optimized by computing them on the GPU using NVIDIA's CUDA framework. Results of an experiment indicate the opportunity for large speed-ups in the most computationally intensive portions of descriptor extraction.
Concordance between Research Sequencing and Clinical Pharmacogenetic Genotyping in the eMERGE-PGx Study

There has been extensive debate about both the necessity of orthogonal confirmation of next-generation sequencing (NGS) results in Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments–approved laboratories and return of research NGS results to participants enrolled in research studies. In eMERGE-PGx, subjects underwent research NGS using PGRNseq and orthogonal targeted genotyping in clinical laboratories, which prompted a comparison of genotyping results between platforms. Concordance (percentage agreement) was reported for 4077 samples tested across nine combinations of research and clinical laboratories. Retesting was possible on a subset of 1792 samples, and local laboratory directors determined sources of genotype discrepancy. Research NGS and orthogonal clinical genotyping had an overall per sample concordance rate of 0.972 and per variant concordance rate of 0.997. Genotype discrepancies attributed to research NGS were because of sample switching (preanalytical errors), whereas the majority of genotype discrepancies (92.3%) attributed to clinical genotyping were because of allele dropout as a result of rare variants interfering with primer hybridization (analytical errors). These results highlight the analytical quality of clinically significant pharmacogenetic variants derived from NGS and reveal important areas for research and clinical laboratories to address with quality management programs.
Acid–Base Reactivity of Perovskite Catalysts Probed via Conversion of 2-Propanol over Titanates and Zirconates

Although perovskite catalysts are well-known for their excellent redox property, their acid–base reactivity remains largely unknown. To explore the potential of perovskites in acid–base catalysis, we made a comprehensive investigation in this work on the acid–base properties and reactivity of a series of selected perovskites, SrTiO3, BaTiO3, SrZrO3, and BaZrO3, via a combination of various approaches including adsorption microcalorimetry, in situ FTIR spectroscopy, steady state kinetic measurements, and density functional theory (DFT) modeling. The perovskite surfaces are shown to be dominated with intermediate and strong basic sites with the presence of some weak Lewis acid sites, due to the preferred exposure of SrO/BaO on the perovskite surfaces as evidenced by low energy ion scattering (LEIS) measurements. Using the conversion of 2-propanol as a probe reaction, we found that the reaction is more selective to dehydrogenation over dehydration due to the dominant surface basicity of the perovskites. Furt...
Elusive Refuge: Chinese Migrants in the Cold War, by Laura Madokoro

Book Review: Elusive Refuge: Chinese Migrants in the Cold War Laura Madokoro Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2016, pp. 331
Primal-Circular Substitutions

There are two ongoing tensions in the creation of new musical systems that traditional innovation procedures in the domain of harmony have acknowledged yet left under-explored in the systematic sense from the composer’s perspective. Learned terminological constraints and reactionary creative practices often limit the realization of underlying creative logic that connects past influences to present innovations, and creative procedures on one structural unit of a particular musical element to those on another. The following paper will proceed by example from theory toward a compositional end, employing algebraic techniques to create a system of chord substitution which serves as an exemplary solution of the aforementioned issues. Primal-circular substitution has a basis in western tertian harmony, shows compatibility with neo-Riemannian local transformation sequences, and re-envisions substitutions as the realization of globally applicable systems.
Chapter 1 Lipid Rafts and Caveolae Organization

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses lipid rafts and caveolae organization. Lipids do not contribute to organizing proteins within the membrane. Cholesterol-rich microdomain, termed lipid rafts, are present in almost all cell plasma membranes studied, whereas caveolae, a specialized subclass of flask-shaped lipid rafts, are present only in cells expressing caveolin protein. Many signaling pathways are organized in non-caveolar lipid rafts that individually appear to be relatively short lived, but which exhibit a stable overall pattern. The importance of cholesterol to the structure and protein organization of plasma membrane caveolae/lipid rafts is evidenced by the fact that cholesterol depletion or disruption abolishes many functions associated with caveolae/lipid rafts. The advent of non-detergent methods for isolating caveolae/lipid rafts has permitted biochemical and structural characterizations of caveolae/lipid raft lipids in a more physiological context. Fluorescent sterol and multiphoton imaging of living cells are providing answers to the question of whether cholesterol-rich domains are actually present in plasma membranes of living cells or whether they are simply artifacts of the methods used to isolate caveolae/lipid rafts.
Syntax and reading comprehension: a meta-analysis of different spoken-syntax assessments.

Background Syntax is a language skill purported to support children's reading comprehension. However, researchers who have examined whether children with average and below-average reading comprehension score significantly different on spoken-syntax assessments report inconsistent results. Aims To determine if differences in how syntax is measured affect whether children with average and below-average reading comprehension score significantly different on spoken-syntax assessments. Methods & procedures Studies that included a group comparison design, children with average and below-average reading comprehension, and a spoken-syntax assessment were selected for review. Fourteen articles from a total of 1281 reviewed met the inclusionary criteria. The 14 articles were coded for the age of the children, score on the reading comprehension assessment, type of spoken-syntax assessment, type of syntax construct measured and score on the spoken-syntax assessment. A random-effects model was used to analyze the difference between the effect sizes of the types of spoken-syntax assessments and the difference between the effect sizes of the syntax construct measured. Outcomes & results There was a significant difference between children with average and below-average reading comprehension on spoken-syntax assessments. Those with average and below-average reading comprehension scored significantly different on spoken-syntax assessments when norm-referenced and researcher-created assessments were compared. However, when the type of construct was compared, children with average and below-average reading comprehension scored significantly different on assessments that measured knowledge of spoken syntax, but not on assessments that measured awareness of spoken syntax. Conclusions & implications The results of this meta-analysis confirmed that the type of spoken-syntax assessment, whether norm-referenced or researcher-created, did not explain why some researchers reported that there were no significant differences between children with average and below-average reading comprehension, but the syntax construct, awareness or knowledge, did. Thus, when selecting how to measure syntax among school-age children, researchers and practitioners should evaluate whether they are measuring children's awareness of spoken syntax or knowledge of spoken syntax. Other differences, such as participant diagnosis and the format of items on the spoken-syntax assessments, also were discussed as possible explanations for why researchers found that children with average and below-average reading comprehension did not score significantly differently on spoken-syntax assessments.
Human immunodeficiency virus and AIDS. 1993 update

Research into the biology of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and the immunopathogenesis of HIV disease, is proceeding rapidly. New therapies are being developed based on this new knowledge. Meanwhile, the proportion of women in the United States with AIDS is rising, and heterosexual spread is the fastest rising mode of transmission. Overall survival with HIV and AIDS appears to be similar in women and men receiving similar treatment. However, the results of several population-based studies indicate that women are less likely to have received antiretroviral therapy than have men. Gynecologic complications of HIV, including recurrent and refractory vaginal candidiasis and an increased frequency of cervical dysplasia and carcinoma, have only recently been recognized. There are still little data on the effect of pregnancy on the course of HIV disease in women. The implications of current knowledge for prevention and treatment of HIV in women are discussed.
A new method for the purification of Qβ RNA-dependent RNA polymerase

A new method for the complete purification of bacteriophage Qβ RNA-dependent RNA polymerase is described. A Qβ strain containing an amber mutation in the coat cistron is used to achieve enzyme overproduction and non-lytic cell growth. Enzyme activity is followed by a host factor-independent specific assay for replicase—the rifampicin-resistant synthesis of poly(G) on poly(C) templates. By step-wise liquid polymer phase partitioning, DEAE-cellulose and phosphocellulose column chromatography, followed by high salt glycerol gradient centrifugation, approx. 10 mg of enzyme more than 95 % pure is obtained from 250 g of mutant infected Escherichia coli.
Prediction of the Transport Properties of Natural Gas and Similar Mixtures

This paper presents a procedure [1] to calculate the viscosity coefficient, µ, and the thermal conductivity coefficient, λ, of a pure fluid or mixture from thermodynamic data. The procedure incorporates the extended corresponding states approach to the thermodynamic properties of nonconformal fluids [2]. Details have been reported elsewhere [1,3].
Synthesis and Antiproliferative Activity of Hybrid Peptides for Ovarian and Prostate Cancer

Ovarian carcinoma is the leading malignancy of the female congenital system with a high mortality rate. In ovarian carcinoma, inappropriate activation of BCL6 has been shown to predict poor prognosis and promote tumor progression whereas inhibition reduces proliferation of cancer. During the malignant transformation of ovarian surface epithelium cells, NRP1 expression was found to be threefold upregulated. We hypothesized that developing a hybrid peptide containing a BCL6 peptide inhibitor with an NRP1 peptide activator would enhance cytotoxic effects on the ovarian cancer cells. Therefore, we designed and synthesized a hybrid peptide conjugate (BNP) with a BCL6 binding motif (GLVATVKEAGRSIHEIPREEL) connected via two beta alanine residues as a linker to the NRP1 sequence (RPARPAR). Two control peptides were synthesized with nonfunctional motifs for BCL6 and NRP1 (B’NP and BN’P respectively). The antiproliferative activities of these hybrid peptides were evaluated using ovarian cancer (SKOV3), prostate cancer (PC3), and human embryonic kidney (HEK293) control cell lines. This study indicates that BN’P (peptide with a BCL6-inhibiting sequence without a NRP1-activating sequence) showed no significant inhibition on cell proliferation of HEK293 but a significant reduction of SKOV3 (73%) and PC3 (63%) at a concentration of 1 µM after 48 h of incubation. The PC3 cytotoxicity was found to be independent of BCL6 inhibition and was not likely resulted from BCL6 inhibition. BNP (peptide with a BCL6-inhibiting and NRP1-activating sequence) did not show any synergistic effect because of the nature of tissue penetration cannot be tested in-vitro. This leaves the value of this hybrid peptide for future in-vivo studies.
Ideal and reality; Community healthcare professionals' experiences of user-involvement in reablement.

Many welfare states offer reablement, also known as restorative care, as an intervention to promote healthy ageing and support older adults in regaining or maintaining their independence in daily life. Reablement is a time-limited, intensive, multidisciplinary, person-centred and goal-directed rehabilitative intervention. Reablement emanates from the user's goals, thus user-involvement is a key factor. The aim of our study was to explore healthcare professionals' experiences of user-involvement in reablement. The context for the study was an urban municipality in south-eastern Norway where reablement had been implemented into home-care services 1.5 years prior to the study. Eighteen healthcare professionals recruited from home-care services participated in focus groups. The material was analysed using qualitative content analysis. The findings resulted in one main theme: Transforming user-involvement from ideal to reality-a demanding process, and four sub-themes: (a) An ideal of self-determination and co-operation; (b) Diverse ability to commit to what user-involvement requires; (c) Continuous co-creation processes; and (d) Challenged by old traditions. User-involvement is a valued ideal that professionals strive towards when providing healthcare. Two main strategies that professionals use to enable user-involvement were identified here: spending sufficient time and having patience with users during the initial stage of an intervention, and starting an intervention by introducing small tasks that users can master. It was also seen that if the time and arenas for interdisciplinary meetings were lacking, professionals could demonstrate traditional attitudes and practice when faced with limited user-involvement in the intervention. There is a need for follow-up over time at the structural, personal, and cultural levels to develop reablement as an intervention with a strong person-centred approach. The findings of this study have relevance for practice development in several reablement settings.
Downregulation of Cgmp Mediated Mitochondrial Biogenesis Contributes to Impaired Angiogenesis in Fetal Lambs with Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (pphn)

Background: PPHN is characterized by impaired angiogenesis of pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAEC), which contributes to decreased pulmonary vasodilation. Our previous studies have shown decreased mitochondrial number in PAEC in PPHN. The specific transcription factors involved and the role of cGMP dependent mechanisms in impaired mitochondrial biogenesis remain unknown. The contribution of decreased mitochondrial biogenesis to impaired angiogenesis is also unclear. Objective: Investigate the hypothesis that …
SOLITARY FIBROUS TUMOR OF BREAST

Solitary fibrous tumours (SFTs) are fibroblastic mesenchymal tumour primarily identified in the pleura but are now being reported in other anatomic sites as well. SFT is generally characterised as a radiologically confined neoplasm composed of a proliferated spindle cells arranged in patternless manner. Intervening tissue shows prominent haemangiopericytoma-like vessels. Stroma is usually fibrous. Tumour is positive for CD34. SFT has a specific translocation representing fusion NAB2 with STAT6 genes. This translocation can be highlighted with very good specificity and sensitivity using STAT6 immunohistochemical stain. Some cases of SFTs have also been described in the breast. Rarely, SFT can show aggressive behaviour. SFT enters the differential diagnoses of benign and malignant spindle cell tumours of breast and it is, therefore, important that its clinical, radiological and pathological features are known to clinicians and diagnosticians. Key words: CD34, myofibroblastoma, NAB2-STAT6, solitary fibrous tumour
Association Between Caregiver Depression and Emergency Department Use Among Patients With Dementia.

Importance Current attempts to gauge the acute care needs of patients with dementia have not effectively addressed the role of caregivers, despite their extensive involvement in decisions about acute care management. Objective To determine whether caregiver depression is associated with increased use of the emergency department (ED) among patients with dementia. Design, Setting, and Participants This longitudinal cohort study used data from the Care Ecosystem study, a randomized clinical trial examining telephone-based supportive care for patients with dementia and their caregivers. Patients were 45 years or older with any type of dementia. A total of 780 caregiver-patient dyads were enrolled from March 20, 2015, until February 28, 2017, and 663 dyads contributed baseline and 6-month data and were included in the analysis. Exposures Caregiver depression (9-item Patient Health Questionnaire score of ≥10). Secondary analyses examined caregiver burden and self-efficacy. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was the number of ED visits in a 6-month period. Results Among the 663 caregivers (467 women and 196 men; mean [SD] age, 64.9 [11.8] years), 84 caregivers (12.7%) had depression at baseline. The mean incidence rate of ED visits was 0.9 per person-year. Rates of ED presentation were higher among dyads whose caregiver did vs did not have depression (1.5 vs 0.8 ED visits per person-year). In a Poisson regression model adjusting for patient age, sex, severity of dementia, number of comorbidities, and baseline ED use, as well as caregiver age and sex, caregiver depression continued to be associated with ED use, with a 73% increase in rates of ED use among dyads with caregivers with depression (adjusted incident rate ratio, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.30-2.30). Caregiver burden was associated with higher ED use in the unadjusted model, but this association did not reach statistical significance after adjustment (incident rate ratio, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.93-1.52). Caregiver self-efficacy was inversely proportional to the number of ED visits in the unadjusted and adjusted models (adjusted incident rate ratio, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.92-0.99). Conclusions and Relevance Among patients with dementia, caregiver depression appears to be significantly associated with increased ED use, revealing a key caregiver vulnerability, which, if addressed with patient- and caregiver-centered dementia care, could improve health outcomes and lower costs for this high-risk population.
Lessons from Building Diverse Adaptive Instructional Systems (AIS)

This paper presents lessons learned from building a wide range of Adaptive Instructional Systems (AISs), ultimately bearing on the question of how to characterize the space of potential AISs to advance the cause of standardization and reuse. The AISs we consider support coached practice of complex decision-making skills—e.g., military tactical decision-making, situation assessment, and systems troubleshooting and management. We illustrate forces that affect system design and dimensions along which systems then vary.
Individual and combined effects of urea and trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) on protein structures

Abstract In this manuscript, we perform all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of model peptides to study the molecular mechanisms accounting for individual and combined effects of two osmolytes, i.e., urea and trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO). We find that urea, which is a denaturant osmolyte, destabilizes mainly hydrophobic and intra-backbone interactions. TMAO, which is a protecting osmolyte, stabilizes charge-charge and intra-backbone interactions whereas it destabilizes hydrophobic interactions. We show that charge-charge interactions are highly sensitive to the presence of TMAO and it may be the main interaction accounting for TMAO stabilizing effect on proteins. These charge-charge interactions are also shown to play a dominant role in how TMAO counteracts the effect of urea. These results are rationalized in terms of the preferential interaction of osmolytes.
The effectiveness of vestibular rehabilitation therapy vs conservative treatment on dizziness: a systematic review and meta-analysis

AbstractBackground: Dizziness is a common condition which may lead to loss of function and disability. Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) may be utilized to affect the vestibular system and re...
Economic Burden Associated With Extended-Release vs Immediate-Release Drug Formulations Among Medicare Part D and Medicaid Beneficiaries.

Importance The United States spends more money on medications than any other country. Most extended-release drugs have not consistently shown therapeutic or adherence superiority, and switching these medications to less expensive, generic, immediate-release formulations may offer an opportunity to reduce health care spending. Objective To evaluate Medicare Part D and Medicaid spending on extended-release drug formulations and the potential savings associated with switching to generic immediate-release formulations. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional study used the 2012 to 2017 Medicare Part D Drug Event and Medicaid Spending and Utilization data sets to analyze 20 extended-release drugs with 37 Medicare formulations and 36 Medicaid formulations. Only cardiovascular, diabetes, neurologic, and psychiatric extended-release drugs saving at most 1 additional daily dose compared with their immediate-release counterparts were included. Extended-release drugs with therapeutic superiority were excluded. Analyses were conducted from January to December 2019. Main Outcomes and Measures Estimated Medicare Part D and Medicaid savings from switching extended-release to immediate-release drug formulations between 2012 and 2017. Results Of the 6252 drugs screened for eligibility from the 2017 Medicaid Drug Utilization database and the 2017 Medicare Part D database, 67 drugs with extended-release formulations that were identified in the Medicare data set (20 distinct drugs with 37 formulations [19 brand, 18 generic]) were included in the analysis. In 2017, Medicare Part D spent $2.2 billion and Medicaid spent $952 million (a combined $3.1 billion) on 20 extended-release drugs. Between 2012 and 2017, Medicare Part D and Medicaid spent $12 billion and $5.9 billion, respectively, on extended-release formulations. Switching from brand-name to generic extended-release formulations was estimated to be associated with a $247 million reduction in Medicare spending and $299 million reduction in Medicaid spending in 2017, whereas switching all brand-name and generic extended-release formulations to immediate-release formulations in both Medicare and Medicaid was estimated to reduce spending by $2.6 billion ($1.8 billion for Medicare and $836 million for Medicaid) in 2017. During the study period, the estimated spending reduction associated with switching all patients receiving extended-release formulations (brand name extended-release and generic extended-release) to generic immediate-release formulations was $13.7 billion ($8.5 billion from Medicare and $5.2 billion from Medicaid). Conclusions and Relevance The findings suggest that switching from extended-release drug formulations to therapeutically equivalent immediate-release formulations when available represents a potential option to reduce Medicare and Medicaid spending.
The relationship between winter minimum temperatures and spring phenology in a Southern Appalachian Cove

Winter minimum temperatures were recorded at four sites in Station Cove, a forested flat-bottomed ravine in the southern Appalachians of South Carolina, U.S.A. Unlike minimum temperatures found in frost hollows, cove minima were warmer than those found outside of the cove. Within the cove, minimum temperatures at study sites in the narrow, gorge-like western portion near a 20 m high cascade were warmer than those in the broader, eastern portion. Additionally, minimum temperatures near the ground were warmer than those at 1.4 m height above the surface. Selected spring-flowering plant species bloomed earlier in the western portion of the cove, while for the same plant species, within cove flowering dates were 2 to 3 weeks earlier than those outside of the cove. Station Cove, therefore, appears to harbor a microclimate that allows for much earlier flowering and leafing out of plant species in spring than does the surrounding region.
Impact of Humic Acids on Phosphorus Retention and Transport

Phosphorus (P) loss is undesirable but prevalent in agricultural fields, as its leaching into natural water bodies usually triggers algae blooms and hypoxic conditions hazardous to aquatic ecosystems. In many developing countries, animal manure, which usually contains high levels of N, P, and organic matter, is directly applied as an economic fertilizer. While the manure-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emission issues have been widely discussed, the impacts of manure applications on nutrient leaching has been rarely discussed. In this study, we have investigated the impact of humic acid (HA) (i.e., a major derivative during manure degradation) on the adsorption and transport of P in goethite-coated silica sand through a series of batch isotherms and column experiments under steady-state flow conditions. The results show that 40 mg L−1 HA could lower the maximum adsorption capacity of goethite-coated silica (for P) by ~ 60%, leading to an increase in P leaching by ~ 70% in the media. This research demonstrates the negative impact that HA applications may have on P retention in agricultural fields.
Integrative Omics Analyses Reveal Epigenetic Memory in Diabetic Renal Cells Regulating Genes Associated With Kidney Dysfunction.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a major complication of diabetes and the leading cause of end-stage renal failure. Epigenetics has been associated with metabolic memory, in which prior periods of hyperglycemia enhance the future risk of developing DKD despite subsequent glycemic control. To understand the mechanistic role of such epigenetic memory in human DKD and identify new therapeutic targets, we profiled gene expression, DNA methylation, and chromatin accessibility in kidney proximal tubule epithelial cells (PTECs) derived from non-diabetic and Type-2 diabetic (T2D) subjects. T2D-PTECs displayed persistent gene expression and epigenetic changes with and without TGFβ1 treatment, even after culturing in vitro under similar conditions as non-diabetic PTECs, signified by deregulation of fibrotic and transport associated genes (TAGs). Motif-analysis of differential DNA methylation and chromatin accessibility regions associated with genes differentially regulated in T2D revealed enrichment for SMAD3, HNF4A, and CTCF transcription factor binding sites. Furthermore, the downregulation of several TAGs in T2D (including CLDN10, CLDN14, CLDN16, SLC16A2, SLC16A5) was associated with promoter hypermethylation, decreased chromatin accessibility and reduced enrichment of HNF4A, histone H3-lysine-27-acetylation, and CTCF. Together, these integrative analyses reveal epigenetic memory underlying the deregulation of key target genes in T2D-PTECs that may contribute to sustained renal dysfunction in DKD.
Sensitivity Analysis of Time-of-Use Rates on Operations of Home Energy Management Systems

Widespread adoption of distributed energy resources, especially solar PV, is observed in present times for residential applications. A similar trend is observed with distributed storage. Falling energy storage costs, the intermittent nature of solar PV, and the mismatch between the solar output and residential load demand are promoting the use of storage. The self-sufficiency provided by the storage can lead to a strained relationship with the utility. In this paper, we develop a model predictive control based residential-scale DC-coupled PV-storage system and analyze the sensitivity of its daily operations to perturbations in the start time, duration, and value of the time-of-use rate along with the variations in the flat PV sell back price. The results can assist the process of designing effective tariff schemes, such that the rate structure is of significant value to the customers, as well as benefits the utility in achieving its goals.
The Generalization Error of the Minimum-norm Solutions for Over-parameterized Neural Networks

We study the generalization properties of minimum-norm solutions for three over-parametrized machine learning models including the random feature model, the two-layer neural network model and the residual network model. We proved that for all three models, the generalization error for the minimum-norm solution is comparable to the Monte Carlo rate, up to some logarithmic terms, as long as the models are sufficiently over-parametrized.
Escaping paternalism: rationality, behavioral economics, and public policy: by M. J. Rizzo and G. Whitman, New York, NY, Cambridge University Press, 2019, 439+ pp., Paperback, ISBN 978-1-108-76000-3

In their new book Escaping Paternalism, Glen Whitman and Mario Rizzo try to persuade readers to be skeptical of behavioral paternalism (Rizzo & Whitman, 2019). Rizzo and Whitman describe behavioral...
Power-attack: a comprehensive tool-chain for modeling and simulating attacks in power systems

Due to the increased deployment of novel communication, control and protection functions, the grid has become vulnerable to a variety of attacks. Designing robust machine learning based attack detection and mitigation algorithms require large amounts of data that rely heavily on a representative environment, where different attacks can be simulated. This paper presents a comprehensive tool-chain for modeling and simulating attacks in power systems. The paper makes the following contributions, first, we present a probabilistic domain specific language to define multiple attack scenarios and simulation configuration parameters. Secondly, we extend the PyPower-dynamics simulator with protection system components to simulate cyber attacks in control and protection layers of power system. In the end, we demonstrate multiple attack scenarios with a case study based on IEEE 39 bus system.
Compliant control and software agents for Internet robotics

This paper describes the architectural principles of a distributed agent-based platform for the remote supervision of robotic manipulation tasks. The main contributions are that real-time constraints can be encapsulated within the local robotic controller through methods of compliant control, and that such a low-level API (application program interface) is the foundation for distributed applications that are evolvable, survivable, and can guarantee stability and compliance even in the presence of failures and lack of QoS (quality of service) provisioning. We discuss our experience with a prototype implementation and outline future research directions.
Snitch: interactive decision trees for troubleshooting misconfigurations

Troubleshooting misconfigurations of modern applications is difficult due to their large and complex state. Snitch is a prototype tool that assists human troubleshooters by finding relationships between application state and subsequent faults. It correlates configuration state and application errors across many machines and users, and across long periods of time. Snitch aids the human expert in extracting patterns from this rich but enormous data set by building decision trees pinpointing potential configuration problems. We applied Snitch to 114 GB of configuration traces from 151 machines over 567 days. We illustrate how Snitch can suggest misconfigurations in case studies of two Windows applications: Messenger and Outlook.
Immunoglobulin G4‐related disease in the urinary bladder

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease is a fibroinflammatory condition of unclear etiology that can present with inflammatory changes and enlargement of a wide variety of organs, most commonly in the gastrointestinal tract. A diagnosis requires an elevated serum immunoglobulin G4 concentration and a tissue biopsy showing a dense plasma cell infiltrate with an increased percentage of immunoglobulin G4+ plasma cells. This disease infrequently presents in the genitourinary tract, and as such might be unfamiliar to and potentially overlooked by urologists. Here we present the third reported case of immunoglobulin G4-related disease manifesting as a mass in the urinary bladder.
Utilizing the Rasch Model to Develop and Evaluate Items for the Tacit Knowledge Inventory for Superintendents (TKIS)

Tacit knowledge was originally introduced into the professional literature by Michael Polanyi and later made popular by researchers in a variety of domains. Measuring this implicit form of procedural knowledge requires multiple approaches to adequately â€œcaptureâ€ what is often known, but not easily articulated. The present study combines use of Sternberg et al.â€™s framework for capturing domain-specific tacit knowledge with that of Rasch modeling to develop and validate items for use on a newly developed tacit knowledge inventory. Development of the Tacit Knowledge Inventory for Superintendents (TKIS) occurred in three phases, including two phases of piloting and Rasch analysis. For illustrative purposes, presentation of results is limited to the Rasch analyses conducted on interpersonal tacit knowledge items. However, the methodology extends its usefulness to researchers and practitioners to guide the development process of similar assessments.
On the equivalence of the properties of quasi-translation invariance and absolute continuity of measures on a locally compact abelian group

We give a simple proof that a measure on a locally compact abelian group G is quasi-translation invariant with continuous translation densities if and only if it is equivalent to Haar measure on G and has a continuous positive density.
Beyond the wedge: Clinical physiology and the Swan-Ganz catheter

The Swan-Ganz catheter was introduced into general clinical medicine in 1970 and quickly gained widespread use in the management of critically ill patients. The device offers highly sophisticated physiologic information; however, in many instances, only the wedge pressure and the cardiac output are utilized when managing acutely ill patients. The purpose of this review is to illustrate and explain the array of physiologic data available from the Swan-Ganz catheter in most circumstances. A basic understanding of the information that can be obtained with the Swan-Ganz catheter is quite useful in the diagnosis and management of a variety of cardiovascular disorders. In addition, the Swan-Ganz catheter can be a helpful tool for teaching cardiovascular pathophysiology.
A community-reinforcement approach to alcoholism☆

Abstract Several theoretical approaches to alcoholism exist. An operant reinforcement approach was used in the present study to develop a new procedure that rearranged community reinforcers such as the job, family and social relations of the alcoholic such that drinking produced a time-out from a high density of reinforcement. The results showed that the alcoholics who received this Community-Reinforcement counseling drank less, worked more, spent more time with their families and out of institutions than did a matched control group of alcoholics who did not receive these procedures. This new approach appears to be an effective method of reducing alcoholism. An analysis in reinforcement terms is presented of the etiology, epidemiology, and treatment of alcoholism.
Race and Nationalism in Zimbabwean Foreign Policy

(1993). Race and nationalism in Zimbabwean foreign policy. The Round Table: Vol. 82, No. 327, pp. 255-279.
Do in-Kind Transfers Damage Local Markets? The Case of TOMS Shoe Donations in El Salvador

We carry out a cluster randomised trial among 979 households in rural El Salvador to test whether shoe donations exhibit negative impacts on local shoe markets. Households in half of the communities were given a pair of children’s shoes at baseline (treatment communities), while all households were given coupons that could be used for shoe purchases at a local shoe store. Although point estimates on coupon redemption and difference-in-difference estimations indicate shoe purchases to be slightly lower among households receiving the donated shoes, we find no statistically significant difference in market shoe purchases between treatment and control households.
Entropy extraction in metastability-based TRNG

True Random Number Generators (TRNG) implemented in deep sub micron (DSM) technologies become biased in bit generation due to process variations and fluctuations in operating conditions. A variety of mechanisms ranging from analog and digital circuit techniques to algorithmic post-processing can be employed to remove bias. In this work we compare the effectiveness of digital post-processing using the XOR function and Von Neumann Corrector with circuit calibration technique for a meta-stability based reference TRNG design. The energy consumption per bit is used as the metric for comparison of the different techniques. The results indicate that the calibration technique is effective for 12% larger process variation than the XOR function and extracts entropy comparable to the Von Neumann Corrector at 56% lesser energy/bit. The analysis thereby demonstrates that circuit calibration provides an efficient tradeoff between entropy and energy/bit for removing bias in lightweight TRNG.
Some properties of contractible transformations on graphs

Abstract Many applications of digital image processing now deal with three and more dimensional images. One way of tracing the digital images of n-dimensional continuous spaces is to use molecular spaces and its intersection graphs. Two graphs modeling the same space can be transformed into each other by contractible transformations. It was shown that contractible transformations retained the Euler characteristic and the homology groups on graphs. In this paper we continue studying properties of these transformations on graphs.
Dialectical Hegemony and the Enactment of Contradictory Definitions in a Rural Community Planning Process

The communicative tensions evident in organizing planning in a rural community are explored. From an organizational perspective, planning involves contestation among groups in regards to established and new ways of organizing. We utilize Weick's (1979) notions of discursive enactment to extend upon Mumby's (1997b) dialectic read of hegemony, or the ways members' narratives operate in constant tension of control and resistance. Our critical analysis of discourse suggests multiple and opposing ideological notions and material experiences of tradition, a knot of enacted dialectics involving outsiders and planning, and tensions managed by engaging a version of tradition that reproduced the status quo. Analysis using this theoretical connection is useful as it uncovers productive and reproductive dimensions of organizing.
Preferential orientation of pendent groups at polymer surfaces: Phenyl ring distribution on polystyrene film surfaces

Abstract It is shown that preferential orientation of pendent groups at polymer surfaces can be modelled in terms of the patchy overlayer model. It then becomes possible to estimate the extent of preferentiai orientation from angular dependent XPS data. This method was applied to solvent-cast atactic and isotactic polystyrene film surfaces. The intensities of the π∗ ← π shake-up transition and the C(1s) peak were monitored for take-off angles between 90° and 15°. The C(1s)/shake-up intensity ratio was constant, as function of take-off angle, for both atactic and (amorphous and semi-crystalline) isotactic films. This suggests that the distribution of phenyl groups relative to the main chain is similar on surfaces of different tacticity and crystallinity Using the patchy overlayer model, it is estimated that a majority (> 75%) of the surface phenyl groups are located at or above the backbone plane; less than 25% are oriented towards the bulk.
Microstructures of sediment flow deposits and subglacial sediments: a comparison

Microstructural analysis of glacial deposits has recently been used as a research tool to determine sediment genesis. However, the occurrence of microstructures in deposits of known origin has not been sufficiently documented, hindering our ability to confidently interpret microstructures in sediments of unknown origin. Our objective is to present a calibration study of microstructures of recent sediment flow deposits and associated sediments from the Matanuska Glacier, Alaska, and to evaluate the degree of commonality with micro-structures found in subglacially deformed sediments. Microstructures in sediment flow deposits can be formed as a result of sediment transport, deposition, and/or post-depositional processes, and are related to the viscosity regime of the source flow. Characteristic microstructures formed during brittle deformation include shears, faults, and brecciation; microstructures formed during ductile deformation include folds, pressure shadows, reorientation of clasts around a ‘core’ stone, fine laminations, basal shear zones, imbrication, and flow fabrics. Other microstructures include fluid escape and injection structures, clast haloes, and fissility. The results of our comparison suggest that sediment flow deposits share many microstructures in common with subglacially deformed sediments.
Nitric oxide and receptors for VIP and PACAP in cutaneous active vasodilation during heat stress in humans

VPAC2 receptors sensitive to vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and pituitary adenylyl cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP), PAC1 receptors sensitive to PACAP, and nitric oxide (NO) generati...
EVIDENCE OF SIMPLE POLYEMBRYONY IN PERMIAN SEEDS FROM ANTARCTICA

Well-preserved seeds with multiple embryos are described from the Permian of the Beardmore Glacier region, Antarctica. The seeds are platyspermic, winged and contain two archegonia in the micropylar end. Each archegonium contains an undifferentiated, multicellular embryo at a comparable stage of development. Attached to one end of each embryo is an elongate structure similar to the suspensor in extant gymnosperms. This discovery represents the earliest example of simple polyembryony yet recorded from the fossil record. A LARGE NUMBER of anatomically preserved ovules have been found in rocks of Paleozoic age, some with exceptionally well-preserved megagametophytes, but to date there are few examples of recognizable embryos from this time period. For example, Stidd and Cosentino (1976) reported the existence of an undifferentiated embryo in the Pennsylvanian seed Nucellangium, and Miller and Brown (1973a, b) described the remains of a vascularized embryo in a voltzialean seed from the Lower Permian of Texas. Paleozoic embryos have also been reported from non-seed plants, including the lycopods Lepidocarpon (Galtier, 1964; Phillips, 1979) and Bothrodendrostrobus (Stubblefield and Rothwell, 1981). Because of the paucity of information on Paleozoic em
Therapeutic Alliance with Juvenile Sexual Offenders: The Effects of Trauma Symptoms and Attachment Functioning

Therapeutic alliance is an influential predictor of successful treatment with transtheoretical capacity. The effectiveness of alliance has been evidenced with adult sex offenders and delinquent youth, but scholarship in this area is only burgeoning with youthful sexual offenders. Client-level variables unique to clinical context may influence the therapeutic alliance and research ought to delineate those factors among youthful sexual offenders. The present study incorporates variables unique to youthful sexual offenders in corrections facilities. Trauma symptoms and attachment patterns are measured among adjudicated male sex offenders (N = 332). The results reveal a significant relationship between youths’ attachment to peers and communication with fathers that positively predicts alliance and that trauma symptoms related to sexual victimization negatively predict alliance. Implications, future research, and treatment suggestions are provided.
Globalization and Armed Conflict Among Nations

While the effects of globalization appear to be wide reaching, should we expect them to have a significant impact on international security relations? Yes, most certainly we should. But just what a...
One-dimensional energy transfer in radiant media

Abstract The equations of one-dimensional radiative energy transfer are extended from their classical astrophysics form to include walls of arbitrary radiative properties. The concepts of emissivity and penetration length are examined. As an application, the case of the steady infinite flat layer is considered, with conduction and radiation present. The wall conditions are so chosen as to give a good model of a low-speed high-temperature boundary-layer. It is found that the effect of the “long-range” process of radiation is to smooth out the temperature profiles and relieve the sharp temperature gradients at the cool wall. As a result, the application of the exact method yields a lower value of both components of the total heat flux (radiation plus convection) than calculated previously by assuming a temperature profile on the basis of conduction only. Such coupling of convective and radiative fluxes is governed by the magnitude of a non-dimensional parameter, depending on the physical properties and the flow geometry of the problem.
Studies on the liver sequestration of lymphocytes bearing membrane-associated galactose-terminal glycoconjugates: Reversal with agents that effectively compete for the asialoglycoprotein receptor

Abstract The removal of “effete” glycoproteins from the circulation represents a proposed physiologic role for the hepatocyte asialoglycoprotein receptor. Our experiments support the hypothesis that this receptor may also be directly involved in the removal from the circulation of cells bearing asialoglycoconjugates. We report that the enhanced liver localization of neuraminidasetreated lymphocytes can be competitively inhibited by the coinjection of asialofetuin (ASF). Fetuin itself was without effect. Competitive inhibition of the liver receptor allowed normal localization to lymphoid tissues of the enzyme-treated lymphocytes, a condition which persisted as long as free ASF was present in the circulation. Our studies support the concept that cell surface carbohydrates play an important role in the tissue distribution of circulating lymphocytes. The process of thymocyte maturation, bone marrow transplantation, and the adoptive immunotherapy with continuous T-cell lines represent conditions where recirculation potential may be influenced by the presence of galactose terminal glycoconjugates.