cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Designing 21st Century Communications: Architecture, Services, Technology, and Facilities

Increasing demand for new applications and services, continuous technology innovation, and rapidly changing economics are motivating the creation of a fundamentally new architecture for 21 st century digital communications. Traditional architectural models for communications have been oriented toward meeting exacting requirements of a finite set of well-defined services, essentially, a fixed set of modalities, with well known and well defined parameters. Consequently, this infrastructure has become a restrictive barrier to the deployment of new and enhanced services and capabilities. Meeting the many requirement challenges of continual change requires replacing traditional rigid designs with those that are significantly more flexible and customizable. Often, advances in networking are measured only by increased capacity, and certainly substantially more capacity is required. Fortunately, advanced optical technologies have been created to support 100 Gbps and higher capabilities. However, high capacity alone does not guarantee high performance, and high performance capability does not guarantee required flexibility and determinism. Today, new types of digital communications infrastructure are being designed, prototyped, and provisioned in early implementations. These new design provide for a foundation infrastructure consisting of discoverable, reconfigurable resources that can be dynamically integrated and used. This infrastructure can be considered a programmable platform that can support many more services than traditional deployments, including highly differentiated and deterministic services.
Clinical indicators of hemorrhagic shock in pregnancy

Background Several hemodynamic parameters have been promoted to help establish a rapid diagnosis of hemorrhagic shock, but they have not been well validated in the pregnant population. In this study, we examined the association between three measures of shock and early blood transfusion requirements among pregnant trauma patients. Methods This study included 81 pregnant trauma patients admitted to a level 1 trauma center (2010–2015). In separate logistic regression models, we tested the relationship between exposure variables—initial systolic blood pressure (SBP), shock index (SI), and rate over pressure evaluation (ROPE)—and the outcome of transfusion of blood products within 24 hours of admission. To test the predictive ability of each measure, we used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results A total of 10% of patients received blood products in the patient cohort. No patients had an initial SBP≤90, so the SBP measure was excluded from analysis. We found that patients with SI>1 were significantly more likely to receive blood transfusions compared with patients with SI 3 was not associated with blood transfusion compared with ROPE≤3 (OR 2.92; 95% CI 0.28 to 30.42). Furthermore, comparison of area under the ROC curve for SI (0.68) and ROPE (0.54) suggested that SI was more predictive than ROPE of blood transfusion. Conclusion We found that an elevated SI was more closely associated with early blood product transfusion than SBP and ROPE in injured pregnant patients. Level of evidence Prognostic, level III
The Art and Science of Student-Managed Investment Portfolios

Student-managed portfolios are now well-established experiential learning tools in business programs. A variety of factors, including behavioral differences in student decision making, are impossible to replicate in a simulated environment. The learning outcomes gained from the management of real funds include real-world experience as students learn to adhere to investment policies, conduct economic and security-specific research, interact with internal and external constituents, monitor performance, and place trades. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the literature on student funds and documents key benefits and challenges, as well as best practices for overcoming these challenges.
POSTURAL INFLUENCE ON LOBAR DISTRIBUTION OF BLOOD FLOW IN DOGS.

SummaryA study was undertaken in dogs to determine the role of posture on regional pulmonary arterial perfusion and to establish a set of normal values for lobar blood flow in various body positions. Relative flow through each of the seven lobes was measured by in vitro tissue counting in five body positions following intravenous injection of albumin macroaggregates. In each position a definite flow gradient was found which favored the dependent lobes. Quantitative results are presented as are values for lung and lobar weights.The technical assistance of Mrs. Mary Lee Griswold is acknowledged.
Measles, mumps, and rubella antibody patterns of persistence and rate of decline following the second dose of the MMR vaccine.

Abstract Background Antibodies to measles, mumps, and rubella decline 3% per year on average, and have a high degree of individual variation. Yet, individual variations and differences across antigens are not well understood. To better understand potential implications on individual and population susceptibility, we reanalyzed longitudinal data to identify patterns of seropositivity and persistence. Methods Children vaccinated with the second dose of measles, mumps, rubella vaccine (MMR2) at 4–6 years of age were followed up to 12 years post-vaccination. The rates of antibody decline were assessed using regression models, accounting for differences between and within subjects. Results Most of the 302 participants were seropositive throughout follow-up (96% measles, 88% mumps, 79% rubella). The rate of antibody decline was associated with MMR2 response and baseline titer for measles and age at first dose of MMR (MMR1) for rubella. No demographic or clinical factors were associated with mumps rate of decline. One month post-MMR2, geometric mean titer (GMT) to measles was high (3892 mIU/mL), but declined on average 9.7% per year among those with the same baseline titer and 15 months, respectively. GMT to mumps one month post-MMR2 was 151, declining 9.2% per year. Only 14% of subjects had the same persistence trends for all antigens. Conclusions The rate of antibody decay varied substantially among individuals and the 3 antigen groups. A fast rate of decline coupled with high variation was observed for mumps, yet no predictors were identified. Future research should focus on better understanding waning titers to mumps and its impacts on community protection and individual susceptibility, in light of recent outbreaks in vaccinated populations.
Reasons for use, potential use, or discontinued use of hookah among US young adult college students.

Introduction Given the increase in hookah use among young adults, characteristics of hookah use/users, as well as reasons for its use or discontinuation among young adults, are critical to understand. Methods Data from a study of 18-25 year olds from seven Georgia colleges/universities (n=2865) were analyzed to examined: 1) differences in socio-demographics and other substance use among current (past 4 months), never, and former hookah users; 2) use characteristics among current users (e.g. device types/flavors used, quit intentions); and 3) reasons for use, potential use, and discontinued use among current, never, and former users. Results Of the students, 56.3% were never users, 12.4% were current, and 31.3% former users. Correlates of being a current (vs never) user included being 'other race' (vs White), attending a historically black college/university (HBCU vs technical college), and use of other substances. Correlates of being a former (vs never) hookah user included being older (vs younger), being 'other race' (vs White), attending an HBCU (vs technical college), and use of other tobacco products, marijuana, or alcohol. Among current users, 73.7% reported no intention to quit; 26.2% attempted to quit in the past year. Two factors were identified regarding reasons for current use (flavors, social reasons): one factor regarding potential use among never users (related to flavors and social factors), and three factors regarding discontinued use (inconvenience, anti-tobacco attitude, social reasons). Conclusions Findings indicate the risk factors for hookah use and the importance of particular factors (e.g. flavors, social influences) relevant to regulation/policy.
Understanding lung cancer screening behavior: Racial, gender, and geographic differences among Indiana long-term smokers

Lung cancer screening is a relatively new screening option. Inequalities related to screening behavior have been documented in other types of cancer screening. Because stage at presentation drives mortality in lung cancer, it is critical to understand factors that influence screening behavior in lung cancer screening in order to intervene. However, we must first understand where disparities exist in lung cancer screening participation in order to effectively guide intervention efforts. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the association of sociodemographic (including key disparity-related variables) and knowledge with lung cancer screening behavior. This cross-sectional, descriptive study used survey methodology to collect data from 438 screening-eligible individuals in the state of Indiana between January and February 2017 and measured sociodemographic variables and knowledge about lung cancer and screening. Key sociodemographic and health status characteristics associated with screening behavior included race, geographic area of residence, income, health insurance, and family history of lung cancer. Of the variables generally reflective of disparities, key differences were noted by race and geographic area of residence with total knowledge scores as well as screening behavior, respectively. Results indicate key differences in race and geographic area of residence that may perpetuate screening behavior disparities. We have a unique opportunity at this early implementation stage in lung cancer screening to learn what variables influence screening behavior from our target patient population. This knowledge can be used to design equitable patient outreach programs, meaningful, tailored patient engagement materials, and effective patient-clinician decision support tools.
Recent progress in in-vivo sampling and analysis.

This article reviews recent developments in in-vivo sampling and sample preparation for analysis of biological systems. The trend towards microanalytical techniques is justified by the small amount of sample that is available from some biological systems and the need to minimize interference with the system that is being studied or analyzed.Different approaches to direct in-vivo sampling and sample preparation are described, including microsampling, ultrafiltration, microextraction, microdialysis, solid-phase microextraction, biosensors, ambient mass spectrometry, spectroscopy, and microfluidic devices (review).
MYC Dysregulates Mitotic Spindle Function Creating a Dependency on TPX2

The MYC oncogene promotes tumorigenesis in part by facilitating cell cycle entry thus driving cellular proliferation. Tumors that overexpress MYC frequently demonstrate aneuploidy, numerical chromosome alterations associated with highly aggressive cancers, rapid tumor evolution, and poor patient outcome. While the role of MYC in overcoming the G1/S checkpoint is well established, it remains poorly understood whether MYC induces chromosomal instability (CIN). Here, we identify a direct influence of MYC on mitotic progression. MYC overexpression induces defects in microtubule nucleation and spindle assembly, promoting chromosome segregation defects, micronuclei and CIN. We examined which mitotic regulators are required for the survival of MYC-overexpressing cells and found a reliance on high TPX2 expression. TPX2, a master microtubule regulator, is overexpressed together with MYC in multiple cell lines, in mouse tumor models and in aggressive human breast cancers. High TPX2 expression is permissive for mitotic spindle assembly and chromosome segregation in cells with deregulated MYC, whereas TPX2 depletion blocks mitotic progression, induces cell death and prevents tumor growth. Importantly, attenuation of MYC expression reverses the mitotic defects observed, even in established tumor cell lines, implicating an ongoing role for high MYC in the persistence of a CIN phenotype in tumors. Here, we implicate the MYC oncogene as a regulator of spindle assembly and dynamics and identify a new MYC-TPX2 synthetic-lethal interaction that could represent a future therapeutic strategy in MYC-overexpressing cancers. Our studies suggest that blocking MYC activity can attenuate the emergence of CIN and tumor evolution.
Quality of care reported by proxies - Does resident cognition count?

Resident self-reports are considered the primary source of quality of care information, but proxy reports by family or staff can also be used to supplement or substitute resident reports. This stud...
The Limits to Partial Banking Unions: A Political Economy Approach

This paper studies the welfare effects of a "partial banking union" in which cross-country transfers for bailouts are set at the supranational level, but policymakers in member countries decide the distribution of funds. This allows the self-interested policymakers to extract rents in the bailout process. In equilibrium, such a banking union can actually lower the welfare of citizens in the country receiving transfers compared to the autarky case, as the receiving country must increase its share of the overall burden of the bailout, in order to compensate for the rent-seeking distortion. Supranational fiscal rules are ineffective at reversing this result.
The Occupational Structures of Low- and High-Wage Service Sector Establishments:

The occupational structure of an establishment provides a description of its production process by detailing the distribution and relative intensity of tasks performed. In this study, the author in...
Contextual-Based Image Inpainting: Infer, Match, and Translate

We study the task of image inpainting, which is to fill in the missing region of an incomplete image with plausible contents. To this end, we propose a learning-based approach to generate visually coherent completion given a high-resolution image with missing components. In order to overcome the difficulty to directly learn the distribution of high-dimensional image data, we divide the task into inference and translation as two separate steps and model each step with a deep neural network. We also use simple heuristics to guide the propagation of local textures from the boundary to the hole. We show that, by using such techniques, inpainting reduces to the problem of learning two image-feature translation functions in much smaller space and hence easier to train. We evaluate our method on several public datasets and show that we generate results of better visual quality than previous state-of-the-art methods.
Dispersion for Data-Driven Algorithm Design, Online Learning, and Private Optimization

A crucial problem in modern data science is data-driven algorithm design, where the goal is to choose the best algorithm, or algorithm parameters, for a specific application domain. In practice, we often optimize over a parametric algorithm family, searching for parameters with high performance on a collection of typical problem instances. While effective in practice, these procedures generally have not come with provable guarantees. A recent line of work initiated by a seminal paper of Gupta and Roughgarden (2017) analyzes application-specific algorithm selection from a theoretical perspective. We progress this research direction in several important settings. We provide upper and lower bounds on regret for algorithm selection in online settings, where problems arrive sequentially and we must choose parameters online. We also consider differentially private algorithm selection, where the goal is to find good parameters for a set of problems without divulging too much sensitive information contained therein. We analyze several important parameterized families of algorithms, including SDP-rounding schemes for problems formulated as integer quadratic programs as well as greedy techniques for several canonical subset selection problems. The cost function that measures an algorithm's performance is often a volatile piecewise Lipschitz function of its parameters, since a small change to the parameters can lead to a cascade of different decisions made by the algorithm. We present general techniques for optimizing the sum or average of piecewise Lipschitz functions when the underlying functions satisfy a sufficient and general condition called dispersion. Intuitively, a set of piecewise Lipschitz functions is dispersed if no small region contains many of the functions' discontinuities. Using dispersion, we improve over the best-known online learning regret bounds for a variety problems, prove regret bounds for problems not previously studied, and provide matching regret lower bounds. In the private optimization setting, we show how to optimize performance while preserving privacy for several important problems, providing matching upper and lower bounds on performance loss due to privacy preservation. Though algorithm selection is our primary motivation, we believe the notion of dispersion may be of independent interest. Therefore, we present our results for the more general problem of optimizing piecewise Lipschitz functions. Finally, we uncover dispersion in domains beyond algorithm selection, namely, auction design and pricing, providing online and privacy guarantees for these problems as well.
An Attenuated CRISPR-Cas System in Enterococcus faecalis Permits DNA Acquisition.

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are critical public health concerns. Among the prime causative factors for the spread of antibiotic resistance is horizontal gene transfer (HGT). A useful model organism for investigating the relationship between HGT and antibiotic resistance is the opportunistic pathogen Enterococcus faecalis, since the species possesses highly conjugative plasmids that readily disseminate antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors in nature. Unlike many commensal E. faecalis strains, the genomes of multidrug-resistant (MDR) E. faecalis clinical isolates are enriched for mobile genetic elements (MGEs) and lack c lustered r egularly i nterspaced s hort p alindromic r epeats (CRISPR) and C RISPR- as sociated protein (Cas) genome defense systems. CRISPR-Cas systems cleave foreign DNA in a programmable, sequence-specific manner and are disadvantageous for MGE-derived genome expansion. An unexplored facet of CRISPR biology in E. faecalis is that MGEs that are targeted by native CRISPR-Cas systems can be maintained transiently. Here, we investigate the basis for this "CRISPR tolerance." We observe that E. faecalis can maintain self-targeting constructs that direct Cas9 to cleave the chromosome, but at a fitness cost. Interestingly, DNA repair genes were not upregulated during self-targeting, but integrated prophages were strongly induced. We determined that low cas9 expression contributes to this transient nonlethality and used this knowledge to develop a robust CRISPR-assisted genome-editing scheme. Our results suggest that E. faecalis has maximized the potential for DNA acquisition by attenuating its CRISPR machinery, thereby facilitating the acquisition of potentially beneficial MGEs that may otherwise be restricted by genome defense.IMPORTANCE CRISPR-Cas has provided a powerful toolkit to manipulate bacteria, resulting in improved genetic manipulations and novel antimicrobials. These powerful applications rely on the premise that CRISPR-Cas chromosome targeting, which leads to double-stranded DNA breaks, is lethal. In this study, we show that chromosomal CRISPR targeting in Enterococcus faecalis is transiently nonlethal. We uncover novel phenotypes associated with this "CRISPR tolerance" and, after determining its genetic basis, develop a genome-editing platform in E. faecalis with negligible off-target effects. Our findings reveal a novel strategy exploited by a bacterial pathogen to cope with CRISPR-induced conflicts to more readily accept DNA, and our robust CRISPR editing platform will help simplify genetic modifications in this organism.
Synchronization transition in neuronal networks composed of chaotic or non-chaotic oscillators

Chaotic dynamics has been shown in the dynamics of neurons and neural networks, in experimental data and numerical simulations. Theoretical studies have proposed an underlying role of chaos in neural systems. Nevertheless, whether chaotic neural oscillators make a significant contribution to network behaviour and whether the dynamical richness of neural networks is sensitive to the dynamics of isolated neurons, still remain open questions. We investigated synchronization transitions in heterogeneous neural networks of neurons connected by electrical coupling in a small world topology. The nodes in our model are oscillatory neurons that – when isolated – can exhibit either chaotic or non-chaotic behaviour, depending on conductance parameters. We found that the heterogeneity of firing rates and firing patterns make a greater contribution than chaos to the steepness of the synchronization transition curve. We also show that chaotic dynamics of the isolated neurons do not always make a visible difference in the transition to full synchrony. Moreover, macroscopic chaos is observed regardless of the dynamics nature of the neurons. However, performing a Functional Connectivity Dynamics analysis, we show that chaotic nodes can promote what is known as multi-stable behaviour, where the network dynamically switches between a number of different semi-synchronized, metastable states.
Maelstrom Represses Canonical Polymerase II Transcription within Bi-directional piRNA Clusters in Drosophila melanogaster.

Summary In Drosophila, 23–30 nt long PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) direct the protein Piwi to silence germline transposon transcription. Most germline piRNAs derive from dual-strand piRNA clusters, heterochromatic transposon graveyards that are transcribed from both genomic strands. These piRNA sources are marked by the heterochromatin protein 1 homolog Rhino (Rhi), which facilitates their promoter-independent transcription, suppresses splicing, and inhibits transcriptional termination. Here, we report that the protein Maelstrom (Mael) represses canonical, promoter-dependent transcription in dual-strand clusters, allowing Rhi to initiate piRNA precursor transcription. Mael also represses promoter-dependent transcription at sites outside clusters. At some loci, Mael repression requires the piRNA pathway, while at others, piRNAs play no role. We propose that by repressing canonical transcription of individual transposon mRNAs, Mael helps Rhi drive non-canonical transcription of piRNA precursors without generating mRNAs encoding transposon proteins.
Numerical Investigation of Low-Noise Airfoils Inspired by the Down Coat of Owls

Numerical analysis of airfoil geometries inspired by the down coat of the night owl is presented. The bioinspired geometry consists of an array of 'finlet fences', which is placed near the trailing edge of the baseline (NACA 0012) airfoil. Two fences with maximum nondimensional heights, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are investigated, where [Formula: see text] is the displacement thickness at 2.9% chord upstream of the airfoil trailing edge. Wall-resolved large eddy simulations are performed at chord-based Reynolds number, [Formula: see text], flow Mach number, [Formula: see text], and angle of attack, [Formula: see text]. The simulation results show significant reductions in unsteady surface pressure and farfield radiated noise with the fences, in agreement with the measurements available in the literature. Analysis of the results reveals that the fences increase the distance between the boundary layer turbulence (source) and the airfoil trailing (scattering) edge, which is identified to be the mechanism behind high-frequency noise reduction. These reductions are larger for the taller fence as the source-scattering edge separation is greater. Two-point correlations show that the fences reduce the spanwise coherence at low frequencies for separation distances greater than a fence pitch (distance between two adjacent fences) and increase the coherence for smaller distances, the increase being higher for the taller fence. This increase in coherence and the reduced obliqueness of the leading edge of the fence are hypothesized to be responsible for the small increase in farfield noise at low frequencies observed in the simulations with the taller fence.
Deep Networks with Shape Priors for Nucleus Detection

Detection of cell nuclei in microscopic images is a challenging research topic, because of limitations in cellular image quality and diversity of nuclear morphology, i.e. varying nuclei shapes, sizes, and overlaps between multiple cell nuclei. This has been a topic of enduring interest with promising recent success shown by deep learning methods. These methods train for example convolutional neural networks (CNNs) with a training set of input images and known, labeled nuclei locations. Many of these methods are supplemented by spatial or morphological processing. We develop a new approach that we call Shape Priors with Convolutional Neural Networks (SP-CNN) to perform significantly enhanced nuclei detection. A set of canonical shapes is prepared with the help of a domain expert. Subsequently, we present a new network structure that can incorporate ‘expected behavior’ of nucleus shapes via two components: learnable layers that perform the nucleus detection and a fixed processing part that guides the learning with prior information. Analytically, we formulate a new regularization term that is targeted at penalizing false positives while simultaneously encouraging detection inside cell nucleus boundary. Experimental results on a challenging dataset reveal that SP-CNN is competitive with or outperforms several state-of-the-art methods.
American woodcock singing-ground survey sampling of forest type and age

The American Woodcock Conservation Plan calls for halting and reversing declines of American woodcock (Scolopax minor) populations through creation and management of early successional forest (ESF). Counts of displaying male woodcock along routes of the American woodcock singing‐ground survey (SGS) are used to assess regional population status and trends, and there is a need to assess whether SGS routes represent the region. We assessed whether individual SGS routes (330‐m buffers) in the Boreal‐Hardwood and Prairie‐Hardwood Transitions of Minnesota, USA represented land covers within local landscapes, defined using simulated 10‐minute blocks, and whether the routes, in aggregate, represented land covers of our study region. Our land covers included non‐forest classes, age‐based ESF (≤20 years), and persisting classes for deciduous‐mixed and evergreen forests and woody wetlands. We found that the median value of mean absolute differences (MAD) between percentages for route buffer and block cover classes was 3.78 percentage points. Twenty‐two of 81 (27%) route buffers had MAD values ≥5 percentage points. Within Minnesota, more of these routes (19 of 22) occurred in the Boreal‐Hardwood Transition than in the Prairie‐Hardwood Transition. Relative to local landscapes, route buffers most frequently and strongly under‐represented open water, barren land, evergreen ESF, persisting woody wetlands, and woody wetland ESF and over‐represented developed land and grassland‐pasture. When we compared routes in aggregate to our study region, the magnitude of percentage point differences for individual covers did not exceed 5, except for open water. Given the relatively small differences we observed, we conclude that SGS routes well represent land covers within our study region.
A flux-balanced fluid model for collisional plasma edge turbulence: Model derivation and basic physical features

We propose a new reduced fluid model for the study of the drift wave–zonal flow dynamics in magnetically confined plasmas. Our model can be viewed as an extension of the classic Hasegawa-Wakatani (HW) model and is based on an improved treatment of the electron dynamics parallel to the field lines, to guarantee a balanced electron flux on the magnetic surfaces. Our flux-balanced HW (bHW) model contains the same drift-wave instability as previous HW models, but unlike these models, it converges exactly to the modified Hasegawa-Mima model in the collisionless limit. We rely on direct numerical simulations to illustrate some of the key features of the bHW model, such as the enhanced variability in the turbulent fluctuations and the existence of stronger and more turbulent zonal jets than the jets observed in other HW models, especially for high plasma resistivity. Our simulations also highlight the crucial role of the feedback of the third-order statistical moments in achieving a statistical equilibrium with strong zonal structures. Finally, we investigate the changes in the observed dynamics when more general dissipation effects are included and, in particular, when we include the reduced model for ion Landau damping originally proposed by Wakatani and Hasegawa.
Creating life after death: should posthumous reproduction be legally permissible without the deceased's prior consent?

Scientific advances enable to retrieve and use gametes of a deceased person, thereby creating a child after the death of a genetic parent. This article reviews and compares legislation governing posthumous reproduction in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Israel. It shows that each country has its own distinctive features, yet three common elements exist—legal ambiguity, a requirement for prior consent, and permission for the partner, but not the parents, to retrieve and use the deceased's gametes. The article demonstrates that courts often do not follow the legal requirements, and thus there are no clear guiding principles regarding posthumous reproduction. The article then discusses three justifications for permitting posthumous reproduction in the absence of the deceased's prior consent. The first justification relates to an interest in ‘genetic continuity’, which reflects people's desire in leaving a ‘piece’ of themselves in the world and maintaining a chain of continuity. The second justification concerns the ‘respect-for-wishes’ model of autonomy, according to which people must be treated in a way that we assume they would want to be treated. The third justification touches upon the interests of the deceased's partner and parents, as well as of the resulting child.
Reverse Current Model for Coronal Mass Ejection Cavity Formation

We report here a new model for explaining the three-part structure of coronal mass ejections (CMEs). The model proposes that the cavity in a CME forms because a rising electric current in the core prominence induces an oppositely directed electric current in the background plasma; this eddy current is required to satisfy the frozen-in magnetic flux condition in the background plasma. The magnetic force between the inner-core electric current and the oppositely directed induced eddy current propels the background plasma away from the core, creating a cavity and a density pileup at the cavity edge. The cavity radius saturates when an inward restoring force from magnetic and hydrodynamic pressure in the region outside the cavity edge balances the outward magnetic force. The model is supported by (i) laboratory experiments showing the development of a cavity as a result of the repulsion of an induced reverse current by a rising inner-core flux-rope current, (ii) 3D numerical magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations that reproduce the laboratory experiments in quantitative detail, and (iii) an analytic model that describes cavity formation as a result of the plasma containing the induced reverse current being repelled from the inner core. This analytic model has broad applicability because the predicted cavity widths are relatively independent of both the current injection mechanism and the injection timescale.
A heterogeneous spatial model in which savanna and forest coexist in a stable equilibrium

In work with a variety of co-authors, Staver and Levin have argued that savanna and forest coexist as alternative stable states with discontinuous changes in density of trees at the boundary. Here we formulate a nonhomogeneous spatial model of the competition between forest and savanna. We prove that coexistence occurs for a time that is exponential in the size of the system, and that after an initial transient, boundaries between the alternative equilibria remain stable.
The spillover effects of health IT investments on regional health care costs

Health IT investments are often presumed to ameliorate the societal challenge of significant and accelerating health care costs. However, mixed results based on hospital level analyses have been found. We argue that the effects of health IT investments go beyond hospital level due to patient mobility and information sharing. We provide empirical evidence that, although EMR adoption is found to increase the operational costs for the adopting hospitals, it has significant spillover effects by reducing the health care costs of the other hospitals in the same region. These regional externalities are stronger especially in the long term. We further analyze whether the spillover effects differ by EMR technology type (basic vs. advanced EMR) and by distributional characteristics of EMR in the region. Results reveal that not all hospitals need to have the same advanced level of EMR to achieve an optimal reduction in regional health care costs. Additionally, higher software integration among adopting hospitals further decreases regional health care costs. Overall, our results provide support to the role of EMR investments in reducing societal health care costs. Previous research based on hospital level analyses may have underestimated the societal impact of EMR adoption as externalities can lead to benefits to be realized at other hospitals in the region. Estimates, based on our results, suggest that EMR investments can lead to net reduction in national health care cost by about $47 billion dollars over 4 years. Policy makers should take into account the spillover effects, software integration and distribution of EMRs while formulating policies on subsidizing EMR investments.
Intragenus (Homo) variation in a chemokine receptor gene (CCR5).

Humans have a comparatively higher rate of more polymorphisms in regulatory regions of the primate CCR5 gene, an immune system gene with both general and specific functions. This has been interpreted as allowing flexibility and diversity of gene expression in response to varying disease loads. A broad expression repertoire is useful to humans—the only globally distributed primate—due to our unique adaptive pattern that increased pathogen exposure and disease loads (e.g., sedentism, subsistence practices). The main objective of the study was to determine if the previously observed human pattern of increased variation extended to other members of our genus, Homo. The data for this study are mined from the published genomes of extinct hominins (four Neandertals and two Denisovans), an ancient human (Ust’-Ishim), and modern humans (1000 Genomes). An average of 15 polymorphisms per individual were found in human populations (with a total of 262 polymorphisms). There were 94 polymorphisms identified across extinct Homo (an average of 13 per individual) with 41 previously observed in modern humans and 53 novel polymorphisms (32 in Denisova and 21 in Neandertal). Neither the frequency nor distribution of polymorphisms across gene regions exhibit significant differences within the genus Homo. Thus, humans are not unique with regards to the increased frequency of regulatory polymorphisms and the evolution of variation patterns across CCR5 gene appears to have originated within the genus. A broader evolutionary perspective on regulatory flexibility may be that it provided an advantage during the transition to confrontational foraging (and later hunting) that altered human-environment interaction as well as during migration to Eurasia and encounters with novel pathogens.
Do Male Workers Prefer Male Leaders? An Analysis of Principals' Effects on Teacher Retention

Using a 40-year panel of all public school teachers and principals in New York State, we explore how female principals affect rates of teacher turnover—an important determinant of school quality. We find that male teachers are about 12% more likely to leave their schools when they work under female principals than under male principals. In contrast, we find no such effects for female teachers. Furthermore, when male teachers request transfers, they are more likely to be to schools with male principals. These results suggest that opposition from male subordinates could inhibit female progress in leadership.
Protecting User Privacy: An Approach for Untraceable Web Browsing History and Unambiguous User Profiles

The overturning of the Internet Privacy Rules by the Federal Communications Commissions (FCC) in late March 2017 allows Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to collect, share and sell their customers' Web browsing data without their consent. With third-party trackers embedded on Web pages, this new rule has put user privacy under more risk. The need arises for users on their own to protect their Web browsing history from any potential adversaries. Although some available solutions such as Tor, VPN, and HTTPS can help users conceal their online activities, their use can also significantly hamper personalized online services, i.e., degraded utility. In this paper, we design an effective Web browsing history anonymization scheme, PBooster, aiming to protect users' privacy while retaining the utility of their Web browsing history. The proposed model pollutes users' Web browsing history by automatically inferring how many and what links should be added to the history while addressing the utility-privacy trade-off challenge. We conduct experiments to validate the quality of the manipulated Web browsing history and examine the robustness of the proposed approach for user privacy protection.
Selecting Frontline Therapy for CLL in 2018

The treatment landscape of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has changed dramatically in the last few years. The role of chemoimmunotherapy has declined significantly for patients with CLL. Fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, rituximab chemotherapy remains the standard frontline therapy for young fit patients with CLL, especially if IGHV mutated. For older adults, ibrutinib has been shown to be superior to chlorambucil. Hence, the role of chlorambucil monotherapy in the current era in the management of CLL is limited. The combination of chlorambucil and obinutuzumab is an alternative option for patients with comorbidities. For patients with del(17p), ibrutinib has become the standard treatment in the frontline setting. Several phase 3 trials with novel targeted agents, either as monotherapy or in combination, are either ongoing or have completed accrual. The results of many of these trials are expected in the next 1 to 2 years, and they will further help refine the frontline treatment strategy.
Prevalence of Potentially Clinically Significant Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in Athletes with and without Sport-Related Concussion.

Abstract Previous studies have shown that mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) can cause abnormalities in clinically relevant magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences. No large-scale study, however...
Dropouts in Longitudinal Studies: Methods of Analysis†

The statistical analysis of repeated-measures data when some participants drop out prior to the end of the study has been reviewed. Methods considered include complete-case analysis, where only the cases that are followed to the end of the study, are analyzed; imputation methods that fill in values after drop out, and multiple imputation, a refinement that accounts for imputation uncertainty; and methods that can be applied to the nonrectangular data set that arises from the missing data, including maximum likelihood for linear and nonlinear mixed models. Methods of analysis when the missing data are not missing at random are also reviewed. Keywords: attrition; imputation; incomplete data; missing at random; missing values; repeated measures
Quantifying the mechanics of locomotion of the schistosome pathogen with respect to changes in its physical environment.

Schistosomiasis is a chronic and morbid disease of poverty affecting approximately 200 million people worldwide. Mature schistosome flatworms wander in the host's hepatic portal and mesenteric veno...
Incremental value of extracellular volume assessment by cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging in risk stratifying patients with suspected myocarditis

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) has become a key investigative tool in patients with suspected myocarditis. However, the prognostic implications of T1 mapping, including extracellular volume (ECV) calculation, is less clear. Patients with suspected myocarditis who underwent CMR evaluation, including T1 mapping at our institution were included. CMR findings including late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), native T1 mapping, and ECV calculation were associated with first major adverse cardiac events (MACE). MACE included a composite of all-cause death, heart failure hospitalization, heart transplantation, documented sustained ventricular arrhythmia, and recurrent myocarditis. One hundred seventy-nine patients with a mean age of 49 ± 15 years were identified. Seventy nine individuals (44%) were female. Mean LVEF was 48 ± 16. At a median follow-up of 4.1 [interquartile-range (IQR) 2.2–6.1] years, 22 (12%) patients experienced a MACE. Mean ECV (per 10%) was significantly associated with MACE (HR 2.09, 95% CI 1.07–4.08, p = 0.031). Presence of ECV ≥ 35% demonstrated significant univariable association with MACE (HR 3.3, 95% CI 1.43–7.97, p = 0.005) and such association was maintained when adjusted to LVEF (HR 3.42, 95% CI 1.42–7.94, p = 0.006). ECV ≥ 35% portended a greater than threefold increased hazards to MACE adjusted to LGE presence (HR 3.14, 95% CI 1.29–7.36, p = 0.012). In patients without LGE, ECV ≥ 35% portended a greater than sixfold increased hazards (HR 6.6, p = 0.010). In the multivariable model including age, LVEF and LGE size, only ECV ≥ 35% maintained its significant association with outcome. ECV calculation by CMR is a useful tool in the risk stratification of patients with clinically suspected myocarditis, incremental to LGE and LVEF.
Deterministic Browser

Timing attacks have been a continuous threat to users' privacy in modern browsers. To mitigate such attacks, existing approaches, such as Tor Browser and Fermata, add jitters to the browser clock so that an attacker cannot accurately measure an event. However, such defenses only raise the bar for an attacker but do not fundamentally mitigate timing attacks, i.e., it just takes longer than previous to launch a timing attack. In this paper, we propose a novel approach, called deterministic browser, which can provably prevent timing attacks in modern browsers. Borrowing from Physics, we introduce several concepts, such as an observer and a reference frame. Specifically, a snippet of JavaScript, i.e., an observer in JavaScript reference frame, will always obtain the same, fixed timing information so that timing attacks are prevented; at contrast, a user, i.e., an oracle observer, will perceive the JavaScript differently and do not experience the performance slowdown. We have implemented a prototype called DeterFox and our evaluation shows that the prototype can defend against browser-related timing attacks.
Comparison of Subjective Responses to Oral and Intravenous Alcohol Administration Under Similar Systemic Exposures

Background Individuals perceive the effects of alcohol differently, and the variation is commonly used in research assessing the risk for developing an alcohol use disorder. Such research is supported by both oral and intravenous (IV) alcohol administration techniques, and any differences attributable to the route employed should be understood. Our objective was to test whether an individual's subjective responses to alcohol are similar when the breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) trajectory resulting from oral administration is matched by IV administration. Methods We conducted a 2-session, within-subject study in 44 young adult, healthy, nondependent drinkers (22 females and 22 males). In the first session, subjects ingested a dose of alcohol which was individually calculated, on the basis of total body water, to yield a peak BrAC near 80 mg/dl, and the resulting BrAC trajectory was recorded. A few days later, subjects received an IV alcohol infusion rate profile, precomputed to replicate each individual's oral alcohol BrAC trajectory. In both sessions, we assessed 4 subjective responses to alcohol: SEDATION, SIMULATION, INTOXICATION, and HIGH; at baseline and frequently for 4 hours. We compared the individuals' baseline-corrected responses at peak BrAC and at half-peak BrAC on both the ascending and descending limbs. We also computed and compared Pearson-product moment correlations of responses by route of administration, the Mellanby measure of acute adaptation to alcohol, and the area under the entire response curve for each subjective response. Results No significant differences in any measure could be attributed to the route of alcohol administration. Eleven of 12 response comparisons were significantly correlated across the routes of alcohol administration, with 9 surviving correction for multiple measures, as did the Mellanby effect and area under the response curve correlations. Conclusions The route of alcohol administration has a minimal effect on subjective responses to alcohol when an individual's BrAC exposure profiles are similar.
Genomic Landscape of Multiple Myeloma with Elevated Lactate Dehydrogenase

Background Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a malignant clonal plasma cell disorder. Elevated Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) has been associated with drug resistance and short survival. The biologic basis of this observation is uncertain. In this study, we sought to define the genomic landscape of MM patients with high LDH. Methods Utilizing data from the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) CoMMpass database, we identified a cohort of patients with baseline LDH values and RNA-seq data available for inclusion. The RNA-seq data was analyzed to predict differentially expressed genes. We evaluated for enrichment of high risk cytogenetic changes within the high LDH group. Overall survival (OS) was estimated by Kaplan Meier method and a log-rank test. Results We identified 871 patients who met inclusion criteria (High LDH N = 143; Normal LDH N = 728). LDH continued to remain a poor prognostic factor consistent with prior literature, with median survival 660 days vs 795 days (p = 0.02852). There was no difference in the non-synchronous mutations between high vs normal LDH group. Hypergeometric test revealed Del(17p13) was significantly enriched (p = 0.011) in the high LDH subset compared to normal LDH. While there was no statistically significant difference in the presence of t(4;14) (p = 0.16) and t(14;16) (p = 0.21). GSEA detected 572 gene sets significantly up-regulated in the high LDH group (FDR q The ClueGO analysis using two separate sets of up-regulated DEGs revealed upregulation of different molecular signatures. The first gene set (fold > 1.5x) showed significant enrichments (p 2x) was strongly associated (p Conclusion Elevated LDH was confirmed as a poor prognostic factor in the MMRF CoMMpass cohort. Overrepresentation of Del17p likely contributes to poor prognosis. In MM, overexpression of proteolytic and cell adhesion signatures, evasion/suppression of host immune system along with hyper-proliferative signatures via cell division and RTK pathways in MM patients with high LDH offers insight into the aggressive disease in these patients. Targeting tumor microenvironment and RTK pathways may provide novel therapeutic strategies in this subtype of MM.