cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stability of Distributed 3-D Systems Implemented on Grid Sensor Networks

Using the Givone-Roesser and the Fornasini-Marchesini state space models for m-D systems, a method for distributed information processing in rectangular grid based wireless sensor networks is presented. It can be used for distributed implementation of any general linear system on a grid sensor network. Nonlinearities caused by finite precision number representation schemes used for in node computations and inter node communication are modeled. Stability of the system is analyzed with special consideration given to the influence of inter-node communication on system dynamics. A necessary and sufficient condition for global asymptotic stability under finite precision arithmetic is established. Simulation results are presented to illustrate the theoretical results.
Influence of protein content on the physicochemistry of poly(ε-caprolactone) microparticles

The aim of this work was to determine the influence of protein content on the physicochemical properties of protein-loaded poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL). To achieve this goal, bovine serum albumin (BSA), an example of protein was encapsulated within PCL matrix by emulsion solvent evaporation method. The polymer matrix's rheological properties, hydrophobicity, molecular weight (MW), and thermal behavior were determined. Particle characteristics such as BSA loading, surface area, mean size, morphology, and in vitro release profile were also assessed. After encapsulation process, the polymer crystallinity and crystallization point were markedly increased suggesting that a nucleation phenomenon occurred. The increase in PCL MW (from 46. 7 to 179.4 kDa) led to an increase of both particle size and encapsulation efficiency that was consistent with rheological data. The increase of protein content from 1.6 to 11.5% (w/w) influenced considerably particle's specific surface area and decreased the rate of protein release. Together, these results suggest that beside the nature of the carrier polymer, protein content may have implication on their controlled release, the coating of particle by protein, and on the carrier polymer chemistry and degradation. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 1042–1050, 2006
Ascent Guidance for a Winged Boost Vehicle

The objective of the advanced ascent guidance study was to investigate guidance concepts which could contribute to increased autonomy during ascent operations in a winged boost vehicle such as the proposed Shuttle II. The guidance scheme was required to yield near a full-optimal ascent in the presence of vehicle system and environmental dispersions. The study included consideration of trajectory shaping issues, trajectory design, closed loop and predictive adaptive guidance techniques and control of dynamic pressure by throttling. An extensive ascent vehicle simulation capability was developed for use in the study.
Real Earnings Management: An International Comparison Based on Differences in Investor Protection

This paper examines the relation between investor protection and real earnings management. We build on the work of La Porta et al. (2000), who found that countries with different legal systems protect investors differently. Using a sample of more than 13,000 unique firms in over 54 countries, for a testing period of 2000–2011, we find evidence that companies in countries that have a lower level of investor protection engage in real earnings management. Our findings contribute to the literature on the quality of financial reporting and the importance of the protection of investors from actions that managers take that deviate from normal business practices.
Interpretation of thermoreflectance measurements with a two-temperature model including non-surface heat deposition

We develop a solution to the two-temperature diffusion equation in axisymmetric cylindrical coordinates to model heat transport in thermoreflectance experiments. Our solution builds upon prior solutions that account for two-channel diffusion in each layer of an N-layered geometry, but adds the ability to deposit heat at any location within each layer. We use this solution to account for non-surface heating in the transducer layer of thermoreflectance experiments that challenge the timescales of electron-phonon coupling. A sensitivity analysis is performed to identify important parameters in the solution and to establish a guideline for when to use the two-temperature model to interpret thermoreflectance data. We then fit broadband frequency domain thermoreflectance (BB-FDTR) measurements of SiO2 and platinum at a temperature of 300 K with our two-temperature solution to parameterize the gold/chromium transducer layer. We then refit BB-FDTR measurements of silicon and find that accounting for non-equilibrium between electrons and phonons in the gold layer does lessen the previously observed heating frequency dependence reported in Regner et al. [Nat. Commun. 4, 1640 (2013)] but does not completely eliminate it. We perform BB-FDTR experiments on silicon with an aluminum transducer and find limited heating frequency dependence, in agreement with time domain thermoreflectance results. We hypothesize that the discrepancy between thermoreflectance measurements with different transducers results in part from spectrally dependent phonon transmission at the transducer/silicon interface.
Coronary artery deposition of factor VIII-related antigen in ischemic heart disease.

This study localized Factor VIII–related antigen (FVIIIRAg) directly in the intramural coronary arteries of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Assays were performed on myocardial autopsy sections from 17 patients with and 15 patients without CAD, sing a monospecific FVIIIRAg antibody in the peroxidase–immunoperoxidase technic. FVIIIRAg was quantified by a FVIIIRAg ndex (FRI), as a numerical score based on distribution, thickness, and extension of immunostaining. The mean FRI for the CAD patients was 55 ± 11 and that for the control patients 12 ± 5 ( P < 0.001). The increased amounts of in situ FVIIIRAg suggest this glycoprotein may be involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission Activities Related to High-Level Waste Materials Issues

This paper describes the materials related activities of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC’s) staff in the area of high-level waste licensing of a geologic repository for nuclear waste. It frames these activities in the context of existing draft regulations for high-level waste disposal.
Component procurement strategies in decentralized assembly systems under supply uncertainty

AbstractIn this article we analyze the interactions among the assembler and two component suppliers in their procurement decisions under a Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI) contract. Under the VMI contract, the assembler first offers a unit price for each component and will pay component suppliers only for the amounts used to meet the actual demand. The two independent component suppliers then decide on the production quantities of their individual components before the actual demand is realized. We assume that one of the component suppliers has uncertainty in the supply process, in which the actual number of components available for assembly is equal to a random fraction of the production quantity. Under the assembly structure, both component suppliers need to take into account the underlying supply uncertainty in deciding their individual production quantities, as both components are required for the assembly of the final product. We first analyze the special case under deterministic demand and then extend...
Common object representations for visual recognition and production.

What is the relationship between recognizing objects and drawing objects? We examine the possibility that both functions are supported by a common internal representation. First, we show that a model of ventral visual cortex only optimized to recognize objects in photographs generalizes to drawings of objects, suggesting that the capacity for visual abstraction is rooted in the functional architecture of the visual system. Next, we tested whether practice drawing objects might alter how those and other objects are represented. On each trial, participants sketched an object. The model then guessed the identity of the sketched object, providing realtime feedback. We found that repeatedly sketched objects were better recognized after training, while sketches of unpracticed but similar objects worsened. These results show that visual production can reshape the representational space for objects: by differentiating trained objects and merging other nearby objects in the space.
Earthquake magnitude and source parameters

Previous attempts to find empirical linear relationships between the magnitude, M , of an earthquake and the logarithm of one or more of the source parameters (length L , width W , displacement D ) are reviewed. The fault parameters associated with a set of 27 earthquakes with strike-slip movement in the magnitude range 3.4 to 8.3 are used to test these empirical relationships. It is found that there is no linear relationship between M and log L or log W that is valid over the whole magnitude range. However, a rather good linear relationship is found between M and log D . Using all of the present data, this relationship is M = 1.32 log ⁡ D + 4.27 If only large magnitude events are used, this becomes M = 1.04 log ⁡ D + 4.96 Some improvement in determinations of the displacement D for low magnitude events is necessary in order to distinguish between these two formulas. It is surmised that the second may be closer to the truth. The consequences of such a relationship are discussed.
Effect of continuous feeding on maternal protein metabolism and fetal growth in the rat.

Accelerated maternal catabolism ensures adequate fetal growth in the postabsorptive pregnant mammal during late gestation. However, the relative importance of maternal stores and diet in supplying nutrient requirements to the fetus is unknown. We have measured rates of protein synthesis and breakdown in maternal and fetal tissues during continuous intravenous feeding on days 17 and 20 in the rat, using leucine tracer infusions. Nutrient solutions supplying 180 and 250 kcal.kg-1.day-1 were tested. Changes in fetal size were measured in these rats and in rats maintained on ad libitum chow feeding. In comparison to previous results in the postabsorptive rat, leucine flux from endogenous sources into plasma was significantly suppressed, with only 12-20% of circulating leucine derived from maternal tissues. Muscle protein catabolism (previously described on day 20 of gestation) was abolished with continuous feeding. Fetal growth rate averaged 46%/day on day 17 of gestation in all groups but was reduced to 12%/day on day 20 in the rats intravenously fed 180 kcal.kg-1.day-1 and 22%/day in the rats fed 250 kcal.kg-1.day-1. Fetal growth on day 20 in the rats fed rat chow ad libitum was unaffected. We conclude that by decreasing the maternal contribution to circulating nutrients, continuous intravenous feeding may adversely affect fetal growth in late pregnancy. The findings in the current study underline the physiological importance of maternal-fetal nutrient exchange.
Endocrine Profiles and Semen Quality of Spinal Cord Injured Men

AbstractWe characterized endocrine profiles and semen quality in spinal cord injury subjects using noninjured normal and infertile subjects as controls. Compared to normal controls, spinal cord injury subjects had lower serum levels of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone. Subjects with spinal cord injuries between the T8 and T10 levels had a higher incidence of hormone outliers compared to subjects with injuries at other levels. Sperm motility and per cent normal sperm morphology were lower in spinal cord injury subjects compared to normal controls but not to infertile control subjects. Spinal cord injury subjects with elevated follicle-stimulating hormone levels were azoospermic. We conclude that endocrine abnormalities are likely to accompany spinal cord injury but may not be the sole mechanism contributing to impairments in semen quality.
Axon Initial Segment Cytoskeleton: Architecture, Development, and Role in Neuron Polarity

The axon initial segment (AIS) is a specialized structure in neurons that resides in between axonal and somatodendritic domains. The localization of the AIS in neurons is ideal for its two major functions: it serves as the site of action potential firing and helps to maintain neuron polarity. It has become increasingly clear that the AIS cytoskeleton is fundamental to AIS functions. In this review, we discuss current understanding of the AIS cytoskeleton with particular interest in its unique architecture and role in maintenance of neuron polarity. The AIS cytoskeleton is divided into two parts, submembrane and cytoplasmic, based on localization, function, and molecular composition. Recent studies using electron and subdiffraction fluorescence microscopy indicate that submembrane cytoskeletal components (ankyrin G, βIV-spectrin, and actin filaments) form a sophisticated network in the AIS that is conceptually similar to the polygonal/triangular network of erythrocytes, with some important differences. Components of the AIS cytoplasmic cytoskeleton (microtubules, actin filaments, and neurofilaments) reside deeper within the AIS shaft and display structural features distinct from other neuronal domains. We discuss how the AIS submembrane and cytoplasmic cytoskeletons contribute to different aspects of AIS polarity function and highlight recent advances in understanding their AIS cytoskeletal assembly and stability.
Abstract 5270: The UCSC Xena system for integrating and visualizing functional genomics

UCSC Xena (http://xena.ucsc.edu/) is a bioinformatics tool to visualize functional genomics data from multiple sources simultaneously, including both public and private data. The Xena system consists of a set of federated data hubs and the Xena browser, which integrates across hubs, providing one location to analyze and visualize all data. The lightweight Xena data hubs are straightforward to install on Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems and easily allow hub administrators to authenticate users, ensuring that only authorized users have access to secure data. Loading data into a Xena hub is easy using either our application or command line interface. Hosting public data from major projects, such as TCGA, on public Xena hubs gives users access without having to download these large datasets. The Xena system makes it easy to aggregate across many hubs, allowing users to integrate public datasets and private secure data together or view them separately. This system of the browser and hubs helps researchers combine new or preliminary results from their laptops or internal servers, or even data from a new paper, securely with vetted data from the public sphere. The largest public Xena hub, based at UCSC, currently hosts an expanding set of searchable data, including 806 public datasets from several large consortiums including TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas), ICGC (International Cancer Genome Consortium), Treehouse Childhood Cancer Project, CCLE (Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia), and more. Xena hubs are flexible enough to handle most data types, including gene, exon, miRNA and protein expression, copy number, DNA methylation and somatic mutation data along with phenotypes, subtype classifications and genomic biomarkers. Dynamic Kaplan-Meier survival analysis helps investigators to assess survival stratification by any information while scatter plots and bar graphs offer new insights into the data. Integration with Galaxy gives users access to a myriad of bioinformatics tools for further analysis and hypothesis testing. Citation Format: Mary Goldman, Brian Craft, Jingchun Zhu, Teresa Swatloski, Melissa Cline, David Haussler. The UCSC Xena system for integrating and visualizing functional genomics. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 5270.
Hypercvad Induction Chemotherapy Is Associated with Higher Rates of Stem Cell Mobilization Failure in Mantle Cell Lymphoma ( MCL)

Background: MCL patients deemed fit for high dose regimens undergo induction therapy with rituximab and chemotherapy (HyperCVAD/CHOP/bendamustine) followed by consolidation with ASCT (autologous stem cell transplantation). R-HyperCVAD is a dose intense regimen with high response rates for MCL when used in the upfront setting (ORR 97%; CR 38%; Romaquera JE, JCO 2005). R-bendamustine and R-CHOP are contemporary regimens with similar efficacy (ORR 85-93%; Rummel MJ, Lancet 2013). In a recent randomized phase II trial (SWOG 1106) accrual to the HyperCVAD arm was stopped due to higher than expected rates of peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) mobilization failure. Methods: To assess the impact of these regimens on PBSC collection, we performed a retrospective analysis of newly diagnosed MCL patients undergoing induction chemotherapy with R-HyperCVAD versus R-CHOP/R-bendamustine and referred to transfusion medicine for PBSC collection prior to ASCT from 01/2009 to 12/2013. Patients were not allowed any salvage chemotherapy. The primary end point was successful stem cell collection defined as ability to collect ≥2.1 million CD34 cells/Kg. Secondary endpoints were number of days of apheresis, use of pleraxifor as mobilization salvage and total number of CD34+ cells collected. Results: A total of 91 MCL patients were eligible for analysis (Table 1). Patients who received HyperCVAD were younger at the time of collection (median: 56 vs 62 years; p Ultimately, 81/91 (89%) patients proceeded to high dose chemotherapy and ASCT [82% in HyperCVAD versus 96% in non-HyperCVAD (p=0.06)]. Four of the remaining 10 patients with mobilization failure (all from HyperCVAD arm) proceeded to Allogeneic HCT, the remaining 6 patients did not receive any further treatment. Conclusion: Patients with MCL receiving R-HyperCVAD chemotherapy in the frontline setting have a significantly higher rate of PBSC mobilization failure and collect significantly fewer CD34+ PBSCs when compared to patients treated with comparable regimens. R-HyperCVAD should be used with caution in patients with newly diagnosed MCL who are eligible for ASCT. Some patients failing mobilization may be salvaged with use of plerixafor. Disclosures Chen:Seattle Genetics: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau.
Fluorescence Amplification Method for Forward Genetic Discovery of Factors in Human mRNA Degradation

Nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) degrades mRNAs containing a premature termination codon (PTC). PTCs are a frequent cause of human genetic diseases, and the NMD pathway is known to modulate disease severity. Since partial NMD attenuation can potentially enhance nonsense suppression therapies, better definition of human-specific NMD is required. However, the majority of NMD factors were first discovered in model organisms and then subsequently identified by homology in human. Sensitivity and throughput limitations of existing approaches have hindered systematic forward genetic screening for NMD factors in human cells. We developed a method of in vivo amplification of NMD reporter fluorescence (Fireworks) that enables CRISPR-based forward genetic screening for NMD pathway defects in human cells. The Fireworks genetic screen identifies multiple known NMD factors and numerous human candidate genes, providing a platform for discovery of additional key factors in human mRNA degradation.
Living the Simple Life: Defining Agricultural Simulation Games Through Empire

Using theories of Empire, immaterial labor, and Marx’s commodity fetishism as a framework, this chapter employs qualitative content analysis in its examination of the mobile game Hay Day and its Chinese players. Throughout the chapter, Zhang and Behrmann explore how Hay Day players communicate about their gameplay on the Chinese networking site Weibo in addition to how players reinforce theories grounded in Empire, immaterial labor, and commodity fetishism. Zhang and Behrmann’s critical examination proves that Supercell and Hay Day simulate capitalistic realities in the game by commodifying virtual goods, reinforcing production and consumption, work, and play, creating player hierarchies, and minimizing relationships among players.
Herkunft, Kindheit und Jugend

Als am 24. Februar 1798 der funfundzwanzigjahrige Friedrich von Hardenberg, damals Student an der Bergakademie Freiberg, dem funf Jahre alteren, aber bereits renommierten Kritiker und Ubersetzer August Wilhelm Schlegel (1767–1845) Manuskripte zur Veroffentlichung im ersten Heft der Zeitschrift Athenaeum anbot, fugte er eine Bedingung hinzu: »Hatten Sie Lust offentlichen Gebrauch davon zu machen, so wurde ich um die Unterschrift Novalis bitten — welcher Name ein alter Geschlechtsnahme [sie] von mir ist, und nicht ganz unpassend« (IV, 251). Dieses Pseudonym wurde zu Lebzeiten des Autors funfmal verwendet: bei der Veroffentlichung der Bluthenstaub-Fragmente (1798) und der Hymnen an die Nacht (1800) im Athenaeum; beim Druck der Blumen-Gediche und dann der staatspolitischen Schrift Glauben und Liebe in den Jahrbuchern der preusischen Monarchie, den Friedrich Schlegel (1772–1829) 1798 fur den Freund ermoglichte; und in Friedrich Schlegels Widmung seiner Fragmentensammlung Ideen (1800) »An Novalis«, ebenfalls im Athenaeum. 1802 wurde »Novalis« als Verfassername verwendet, als die Bruder Schlegel und Ludwig Tieck (1773–1853) weitere Schriften ihres inzwischen an Schwindsucht verstorbenen Freundes herausgaben: Zu den Hymnen kamen die unvollendeten Romane Die Lehrlinge zu Sais und Heinrich von Ofterdingen, Geistliche Lieder, einige »Vermischte Gedichte« und die von Fr. Schlegel und Tieck gesammelten und bearbeiteten »Fragmente vermischten Inhalts« hinzu. Erst 1815 erfuhren interessierte Leser in Tiecks Vorrede zur dritten Auflage von Novalis Schriften vom wahren Namen und vom Leben des Autors, wenngleich Tiecks stilisierte Hagiographie auch die Grundlage zum Novalis-Mythos des 19. und fruheren 20. Jahrhunderts schuf. In dem Versuch, ›Dichtung‹ und ›Wahrheit‹ so weit wie moglich voneinander zu unterscheiden, wird in dieser Studie der Name Friedrich von Hardenberg in lebensgeschichtlicher Hinsicht konsequent verwendet und von »Novalis« nur dann gesprochen, wenn es um die Dichtungen und schriftstellerischen Plane nach 1798 geht.
\({\cal K}\)-Convexity1 in \(\Re^{n}\)

We generalize the concept of K-convexity to an n-dimensional Euclidean space. The resulting concept of \({\cal K}\)-convexity is useful in addressing production and inventory problems where there are individual product setup costs and/or joint setup costs. We derive some basic properties of \({\cal K}\)-convex functions. We conclude the paper with some suggestions for future research.
Examining the influence of gender and sexual motivation in college hookups

Objective: Hooking up is common in college, and has been linked to heavy drinking. Hookups have positive as well as negative consequences, and thus the motivations for hooking up are complex. Yet, ...
Designing Cyber Insurance Policies: The Role of Pre-Screening and Security Interdependence

Cyber insurance is a viable method for cyber risk transfer. However, it has been shown that depending on the features of the underlying environment, it may or may not improve the state of network security. In this paper, we consider a single profit-maximizing insurer (principal) with voluntarily participating insureds/clients (agents). We are particularly interested in two distinct features of cybersecurity and their impact on the contract design problem. The first is the interdependent nature of cybersecurity, whereby one entity’s state of security depends not only on its own investment and effort, but also the efforts of others’ in the same eco-system (i.e., externalities). The second is the fact that recent advances in Internet measurement combined with machine learning techniques now allow us to perform accurate quantitative assessments of security posture at a firm level. This can be used as a tool to perform an initial security audit, or pre-screening , of a prospective client to better enable premium discrimination and the design of customized policies. We show that security interdependency leads to a “profit opportunity” for the insurer, created by the inefficient effort levels exerted by interdependent agents who do not account for the risk externalities when insurance is not available; this is in addition to risk transfer that an insurer typically profits from. Security pre-screening then allows the insurer to take advantage of this additional profit opportunity by designing the appropriate contracts which incentivize agents to increase their effort levels, allowing the insurer to “sell commitment” to interdependent agents, in addition to insuring their risks. We identify conditions under which this type of contract leads to not only increased profit for the principal, but also an improved state of network security.
Syncope in a middle aged female: Splenic artery aneurysm revisited.

Abstract Splenic artery aneurysm (SAA) is a rare potentially fatal condition with an estimated prevalence in the general population ranging between 0.2 and 10.4%. Ruptured splenic artery aneurysm poses a great diagnostic challenge to emergency physicians due to non-specific and potentially fatal presentations. Dual (arterial and venous) phase imaging is very important for identifying the source of an active intraabdominal bleed when patients are stable enough to tolerate the exam. Here, we present a case of a 54-year-old female who presented with syncope to the emergency department, diagnosed with ruptured splenic artery aneurysm.
A Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of Psychological Treatments for IBS in Gastroenterology Settings: Promising but in Need of Further Study

Psychological treatments are efficacious for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in clinical trials; however, their effectiveness when conducted in gastroenterology practice settings is unclear. To perform a systematic review of the types and effects of psychological treatments for IBS conducted in gastroenterology clinics. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane central register. Studies conducted in gastroenterology clinic settings with IBS patients who were clinically referred from gastroenterology were included. We identified 3078 citations, of which only eight studies were eligible. Seven studies compared psychological treatments (average n = 25.7; range 12–43) to controls (average n = 25.4 patients; range 12–47), whereas one study compared two active “bonafide” interventions. Psychological treatments varied (cognitive–behavioral therapy, guided affective imagery, mindfulness, hypnosis, biofeedback, emotional awareness training). However, across approaches, short-term benefits were seen. IBS symptoms improved significantly among patients in cognitive and behavioral therapies, mindfulness-based stress reduction, guided affective imagery, and emotional awareness training compared with controls; there was a similar trend for gut-directed hypnotherapy. Similarly, IBS symptoms improved in a study of two active biofeedback and hypnosis treatments. Evidence for the effectiveness of psychological treatment in gastroenterology practice is promising but limited. Study designs that involve a blending of efficacy and effectiveness components are needed.
Growth Plate Injuries of the Lower Extremity: Case Examples and Lessons Learned.

Background: The presence of growth plates at the ends of long bones makes fracture management in children unique in terms of the potential risk of developing angular deformities and growth arrest. Materials wand Methods: We discuss three distinct cases depicting various aspects of physeal injury of the lower extremity in children. Results: The case illustrations chosen represent distinct body regions and different physeal injuries: Salter–Harris II fracture of the distal femur, Salter–Harris VI perichondrial injury of the medial aspect of the knee region, and Salter–Harris III fracture of the distal tibia. The clinical presentation, pertinent history and physical findings, imaging studies, management, and subsequent course are presented. Conclusions: Growth plate injuries of the lower extremity require a high index of suspicion and close monitoring during skeletal growth. Early recognition and proper management of these injuries can minimize long term morbidity. The treatment plan should be individualized after a comprehensive analysis of the injury pattern in each patient. Establishing a long term treatment plan and discussing the prognosis of these injuries with the child's caretakers is imperative.
Resilience modeling of traffic network in post-earthquake emergency medical response considering interactions between infrastructures, people, and hazard

ABSTRACTTimely rescue of injured people by emergency medical services (EMS) is essential for disrupted traffic networks due to the failures of transportation infrastructure following major hazards. Rational resilience performance indicators in terms of EMS cannot only help implementing an optimized post-disaster medical response plan, but also identify the most cost-effective pre-disaster preventive measures. A framework to assess the resilience performance of a typical traffic network in terms of post-earthquake EMS is developed by considering the interactions between building infrastructures, injured people, vulnerable medical centers, EMS vehicles, disrupted traffic network, and natural hazards. Two resilience performance indicators are introduced characterizing the relative importance of different links and overall EMS resilience for the whole network. A virtual community is selected to demonstrate the proposed framework, which is followed by a parametric study of the earthquake magnitude, bridge type...
Introduction: Cognitive Foundations for Improving Mathematical Learning

Abstract In this introductory chapter, we flesh out the detailed descriptions of specific mathematics interventions or classes of intervention provided in the core chapters. We do so with discussion of intervention research more generally, including methodological issues, and the cognitive mechanisms that support mathematics learning as related to intervention approaches. We also touch upon several mathematics interventions that were not covered in the core chapters in order to provide the reader with a more complete overview of the efforts that are being made to improve children's mathematical learning. We close with brief discussions on how parents can influence their children's mathematical development and suggestions for improving research in this area.
The school of rock: Sergei Solov’ev’s workshop and its legacy for the popular music film

Part of a special issue devoted to the centenary of the Film Institute VGIK, this article considers the significant role that the VGIK played in nurturing the production networks responsibl...
Agronomic Performance of Perennial Grain Genotypes in the Palouse Region of the Pacific Northwest, USA

Annual plants are currently the dominant growth habit for grain production systems but often create agroecosystems with negative environmental consequences. Developing grains with a perennial growth habit provides an opportunity to produce staple crops in a more environmentally beneficial manner. Amphiploids of perennial tall wheatgrass (Thinopyrum elongatum) and common annual wheat (Triticum aestivum) have been produced for wheat-like traits while exhibiting post-sexual cycle regrowth (PSCR). Here we report results from two experiments at two locations in the Palouse region of the U.S. Pacific Northwest (PNW) designed to (1) evaluate a subset of the current perennial grain germplasm base and (2) test post-harvest management strategies on key perennial growth habit traits. The first experiment evaluated 18 putative perennial amphiploid lines, two annual wheat varieties, and one intermediate wheatgrass variety (Thinopyrum intermedium) for yield, PSCR, key agronomic traits, and grain quality characteristics. Results from this trial showed mean yields ranged from 713 to 2874 kg/ha among the amphiploids and 1627 to 6867 kg/ha with the annual wheat varieties. Variation across the amphiploids was found for key agronomic and quality traits, indicating potential for continued selection and improvement. When compared to the two annuals, the four highest-yielding amphiploids produced the same yield at one location but 50 to 60% less at the other. Regarding grain qualities, amphiploids had lower test weights and thousand kernel weights, smaller kernel diameters, lower starch content, and higher protein, ash, and fiber. The second experiment investigated the effect of post-harvest residue management on PSCR and winter survival of two amphiploids using mowing, burning, and a control. Mowing the residue and PSCR significantly increased winter survival across both amphiploids at one location from 3% in the control to 63% in the mowed treatment. Burning the residue did not improve survival. Our results address three important challenges in perennial grain development in the Palouse region: selecting a stable perennial habit, increasing grain yield, and improving marketable grain quality traits. Each of these challenges will require significant research efforts by plant breeders and agronomists prior to widespread adoption of perennial grains in the Palouse region of the PNW.
Realization of Multitone Continuous Wave Lidar

We have developed a multitone modulated continuous wave (MTCW) Lidar system made of a CW laser with multiple fixed RF tones for a high precision range finding and velocimetry. In this paper, the MTCW Lidar system has been studied analytically and numerically. A proof-of-concept experiment by employing 1550-nm light source and multiple radio-frequency (RF) tone modulations ranging from 50 MHz to 6 GHz has been performed to demonstrate proof of principle for range finding with <1-cm range resolution. We also provide sine fitting algorithms on the measured RF tones to extract the range information in a single shot RF measurement and demonstrate the ways to improve the resolution beyond the actual RF bandwidth.
Evolution of Gene Expression and Splicing in Parallel Cold-Adapted Fly Populations

Abstract Changes in gene regulation at multiple levels may comprise an important share of the molecular changes underlying adaptive evolution in nature. However, few studies have assayed within- and between-population variation in gene regulatory traits at a transcriptomic scale, and therefore inferences about the characteristics of adaptive regulatory changes have been elusive. Here, we assess quantitative trait differentiation in gene expression levels and alternative splicing (intron usage) between three closely-related pairs of natural populations of Drosophila melanogaster from contrasting thermal environments that reflect three separate instances of cold tolerance evolution. The cold-adapted populations were known to show population genetic evidence for parallel evolution at the SNP level, and here we find significant although somewhat limited evidence for parallel expression evolution between them, and less evidence for parallel splicing evolution. We find that genes with mitochondrial functions are particularly enriched among candidates for adaptive expression evolution. We also develop a method to estimate cis-versus trans-encoded contributions to expression or splicing differences that does not rely on the presence of fixed differences between parental strains. Applying this method, we infer important roles of both cis-and trans-regulation among our putatively adaptive expression and splicing differences. The apparent contributions of cis-versus trans-regulation to adaptive evolution vary substantially among population pairs, with an Ethiopian pair showing pervasive trans-effects, suggesting that basic characteristics of regulatory evolution may depend on biological context. These findings expand our knowledge of adaptive gene regulatory evolution and our ability to make inferences about this important and widespread process.
Related Work and a Taxonomy of Musical Intelligence Tasks

In order to better understand the contributions of this book it is important to put them in context. Given the breadth and complexity of research work at the intersection of AI research and music informatics, a need arises to find useful ways of breaking down and organizing previous research. Indeed, in this section I will not only introduce a broad overview of the related literature, but also propose a unified framework for parsing this varied and complex body of work, delineating a taxonomy for music AI tasks, and mapping out the overall state of the art. In doing so, this chapter constitutes Contribution 1 of this book.
Phototherapy for Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma

Phototherapy with psoralen and ultraviolet A (PUVA) or narrowband-UVB (NBUVB) is frequently used for the patch and plaque stages of mycosis fungoides (MF), the most common type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. This article provides practical guidelines for the design and implementation of a phototherapy protocol for early stage MF, including an overview of treatment phases, response criteria, and considerations in the selection of a light source. Several evolving topics in phototherapy research are also discussed, including the relative efficacy of PUVA versus NBUVB, the role of maintenance therapy, risk of photocarcinogenicity, and combination therapies.
Evaluation of the fragility of pivotal trials used to support US Food and Drug Administration approval for plaque psoriasis.

Background Over the last 5 years, there has been a rapid growth in the number of clinical trials used to support a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for systemic therapies with labeled indications for plaque psoriasis. Objective We aim to evaluate the fragility of clinical trial data used to support FDA approval of therapies for psoriasis. Methods We reviewed the primary endpoints of the pivotal trials of all systemic medications with a labeled indication for plaque psoriasis available from Drugs@FDA. Results Sixty-nine clinical trial primary endpoints met inclusion criteria and were assessed for robustness, yielding a median fragility index of 72 and a median fragility quotient of 0.19. Limitations Efficacy and statistical analysis data for several approved medications were not available on the product label or on Drugs@FDA. Conclusions When compared with randomized controlled trials for FDA approval across various diseases, pivotal trials in psoriasis appear quite robust to changes in outcomes.
Establishing the Effect of Vascular Structure on Laser Speckle Contrast Imagining

Abstract Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging (LSCI) is a powerful tool for non-invasive, real-time imaging of blood flow in tissue. However, the effect of tissue geometry on the form of the electric field autocorrelation function and speckle contrast values is yet to be investigated. In this paper, we present an ultrafast forward model for simulating a speckle contrast image with the ability to rapidly update the image for a desired illumination pattern and flow perturbation. We demonstrate the first simulated speckle contrast image and compare it against experimental results. We simulate three mouse-specific cerebral cortex decorrelation time images and implement three different schemes for analyzing the effects of homogenization of vascular structure on correlation decay times. Our results indicate that dissolving structure and assuming homogeneous geometry creates up to ∼ 10x shift in the correlation function decay times and alters its form compared with the case for which the exact geometry is simulated. These effects are more pronounced for point illumination and detection imaging schemes. Further analysis indicates that correlated multiple scattering events, on average, account for 50% of all dynamic scattering events for a detector over a vessel region and 31% that of a detector over parenchyma region, highlighting the significance of accurate modeling of the three-dimensional vascular geometry for accurate blood flow estimates.
Pediatric Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic and Ureteroscopic Ureterolithotomy and Ureteroplasty

Background: Pediatric urolithiasis may coexist with congenital urinary tract abnormalities, complicating conventional methods of stone treatment. Here, we present an effective case of robot-assiste...
Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis diagnosed in an austere environment.

Abstract Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XPN) is an unusual complication of chronic pyelonephritis typically associated with a large burden of infected and retained kidney stones, a true urologic medical emergency. It is known to occur in middle-aged women experiencing recurrent UTIs. We report upon a case of XPN diagnosed in a 38 year old female residing in an austere area in a South American country with limited access to medical care presenting to the medical unit “COMFORT”, a humanitarian mission initiated by the United States Navy with a chief complaint of lower abdominal pain.
Maximal α-Leakage and its Properties

Maximal α-leakage is a tunable measure of information leakage based on the quality of an adversary’s belief about an arbitrary function of private data based on public data. The parameter α determines the loss function used to measure the quality of a belief, ranging from log-loss at $\alpha=1$ to the probability of error at $\alpha=\infty$. We review its definition and main properties, including extensions to $\alpha\lt 1$, robustness to side information, and relationship to Renyi differential privacy.
The Impact of Faith-Based Narratives on Climate Change Adaptation in Narikoso, Fiji

Most research on climate change in South Pacific island communities has privileged people’s observations of physical environmental change with less attention paid to how people interpret the causes...
Future Directions in Variceal Bleeding

Liver cirrhosis is the final stage of any chronic liver disease, independent of etiology, and is characterized by fibrosis and transition of normal architecture into structurally abnormal nodules. Portal hypertension is a consequence of these changes which may ultimately lead to the formation of varices. Esophageal varices are present in approximately 40% of patients with cirrhosis and as many as 60% of patients with cirrhosis and ascites. Approximately 25% of patients with portal hypertension have gastric varices, most commonly gastroesophageal varices (extending 2–5 cm below gastroesophageal junction and are in continuity with esophageal varices). The most life-threatening complication of liver cirrhosis is acute variceal hemorrhage which is associated with increased mortality cited to be around 20% at 6 weeks. The current mainstay treatments include administration of vasoactive medications, prophylactic antibiotics against spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and bacteremia, as well as endoscopic banding to prevent or treat bleeding varices. This chapter reviews promising new modalities for the management of variceal bleeding. These include endoscopic therapies like self-expandable metallic stents or temporizing modalities, such as hemostatic powder, and endosonographic techniques like endoscopic ultrasound guided angiotherapy. Other non-endoscopic therapies include balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration and the changing role of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunting is also discussed.
Nonradial pulsations in the open cluster NGC 3766

Nonradial pulsations (NRPs) are a proposed mechanism for the formation of decretion disks around Be stars. They are important tools to study the internal structure of stars. NGC 3766 has an unusually large fraction of transient Be stars, so it is an excellent location to study the formation mechanism of Be-star disks. High-resolution spectroscopy can reveal line-profile variations from NRPs, allowing measurements of both the degree, l , and azimuthal order, m . However, spectroscopic studies require large amounts of time with large telescopes to achieve the necessary high signal-to-noise ratio and time-domain coverage. On the other hand, multicolor photometry can be performed more easily with small telescopes to measure l only. Here, we present representative light curves of Be stars and nonemitting B stars in NGC 3766 from the CTIO 0.9m telescope in an effort to study NRPs in this cluster.
Gender roles produce divergent economic expectations

Expectations about economic variables vary systematically across genders. In the domain of inflation, women have persistently higher expectations than men. We argue that traditional gender roles are a significant factor in generating this gender expectations gap as they expose women and men to different economic signals in their daily lives. Using unique data on the participation of men and women in household grocery chores, their resulting exposure to price signals, and their inflation expectations, we document a tight link between the gender expectations gap and the distribution of grocery shopping duties. Because grocery prices are highly volatile, and consumers focus disproportionally on positive price changes, frequent exposure to grocery prices increases perceptions of current inflation and expectations of future inflation. The gender expectations gap is largest in households whose female heads are solely responsible for grocery shopping, whereas no gap arises in households that split grocery chores equally between men and women. Our results indicate that gender differences in inflation expectations arise due to social conditioning rather than through differences in innate abilities, skills, or preferences.
"This 'Family Setting' Is Not that Anymore": Rewards and Challenges of Adult Foster Home Owners.

Small residential care settings for older adults and people with disabilities are found throughout the United States. Those with fewer than 25 residents account for half of residential care setting...
Using Wearables and Machine Learning to Enable Personalized Lifestyle Recommendations to Improve Blood Pressure

Background: Blood pressure (BP) is an essential indicator for human health and is known to be greatly influenced by lifestyle factors, like activity and sleep factors. However, the degree of impact of each lifestyle factor on BP is unknown and may vary between individuals. Our goal is to investigate the relationships between BP and lifestyle factors and provide personalized and precise recommendations to improve BP, as opposed to the current practice of general lifestyle recommendations. Method: Our proposed system consists of automated data collection using home BP monitors and wearable activity trackers and feature engineering techniques to address time-series data and enhance interpretability. We propose Random Forest with Shapley-Value-based Feature Selection to offer personalized BP modeling and top lifestyle factor identification, and subsequent generation of precise recommendations based on the top factors. Result: In collaboration with UC San Diego Health and Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute, we performed a clinical study, applying our system to 25 patients with elevated BP or stage I hypertension for three consecutive months. Our study results validate our system’s ability to provide accurate personalized BP models and identify the top features which can vary greatly between individuals. We also validate the effectiveness of personalized recommendations in a randomized controlled experiment. After receiving recommendations, the subjects in the experimental group decreased their BPs by 3.8 and 2.3 for systolic and diastolic BP, compared to the decrease of 0.3 and 0.9 for the subjects without recommendations. Conclusion: The study demonstrates the potential of using wearables and machine learning to develop personalized models and precise lifestyle recommendations to improve BP.
A giant ubiquitin ligase.

The structure of a giant ubiquitin E3 ligase sheds light on its activation in a substrate-dependent manner and shows how a single E3 enzyme uses distinct recognition modules to confer substrate specificity.