cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
AN ASSESSMENT OF SEVEN DESIGN, MATERIAL AND SURGICAL FACTORS IN THE FRETTING CORROSION OF HEAD-NECK MODULAR TAPER JUNCTIONS: A MULTIFACTORIAL DESIGN OF EXPERIMENT STUDY

Introduction Mechanically assisted crevice corrosion (MACC) of head-neck modular taper junctions is prevalent in virtually all head neck tapers in use today. To date, no clear in vitro tests of design, material or surgical elements of the modular taper system have been reported that show which factors principally affect MACC in these tapers. Possible elements include seating load, head-neck offset, surface roughness, taper engagement length, material combination, angular mismatch, and taper diameter. The goals of this study were to use an incremental fretting corrosion test method 1 to assess the above 7 elements using a design of experiments approach. The hypothesis is that only one or two principal factors affect fretting corrosion. Methods A 2 7-2 design of experiment test (7 factors, ¼ factorial, n=32 total runs, 16 samples per condition per factor) was conducted. Factors included: Assembly Force (100, 4000N), Head Offset (1.5, 12 mm), Taper Locking Position (Mouth, Throat), Stem Taper Length (0.44, 0.54 in), Stem Taper Roughness (Ground, Ridged), Taper Diameter (9/10, 12/14), and Stem Material (CoCrMo, Ti-6Al-4V). The heads were CoCrMo coupled with taper coupons (DePuy Synthes, Warsaw, IN). Test components were assembled wet and seated axially with 100 or 4000N assembly force. The assemblies were immersed in PBS and potentiostatically held at −50mV vs. Ag/AgCl. Incremental cyclic loads were applied vertically to the head at 3Hz until a 4000N maximum load was reached (See Fig. 1). Fretting currents at 4000 N cyclic load were used for comparisons while other parameters, including onset load, subsidence, micromotion and pull off load were also captured. Statistical analysis was performed using Pareto charts and Student9s T-tests for single factor comparisons (P Results Average fretting corrosion currents at 4000 N cyclic load ranged from 0 to 23 µA for all test specimens. The primary factors that statistically affected fretting corrosion currents were head-neck offset (P Discussion This work demonstrates that the principal factors affecting fretting corrosion are seating load and head-neck offset. Material combination, taper diameter, engagement length, roughness and angular mismatch were less significant effectors of fretting corrosion. This test assesses early fretting corrosion response but does not necessarily predict long-term performance where crevices and solution changes may be important. Significance This work shows a relative comparison of the effects of multiple design, material and surgical elements on the early fretting corrosion behavior of modular tapers in vitro. Head offset and seating loads represent the most significant factors amongst those studied. For figures, please contact authors directly
Tennessee Beef Producers' Willingness to Participate in a Tennessee Branded Beef Program

Tennessee cattle producer willingness to participate in a hypothetical Tennessee Branded Beef Program (TBBP) was examined using 2016 survey data. Willingness to participate in the TBBP was modeled using a probit model. Among those willing to participate, a Tobit model was used to estimate the pounds of live-weight beef producers were willing to supply into a TBBP. Age, production practices, and risk attitudes influenced willingness to participate. Among those willing to participate, projected TBBP supply per farm averaged 32,329 pounds and was influenced by on-farm animal units, production practices, perceived barriers, risk attitudes, and consequentiality beliefs.
THE STIMULATION OF PLANT GROWTH BY IONIZING RADIATION

Abstract The stimulation of plant growth by exposing seeds or growing plants to low doses of ionizing radiation, or by the use of radioactive fertilizers, has been reported by many investigators during the past 65 years. There is critical evidence that ionizing radiation may stimulate plant growth at certain stages of development and may induce earlier flowering. It can also stimulate lateral bud development, presumably by auxin inactivation. These stimulating effects are usually of small magnitude and are often not reproducible, although in individual tests the differences may be statistically significant. The evidence for increased yields of crop plants is less conclusive. Large increases in yields of crop plants by irradiating seed, soaking seed in radioactive solutions, or by the use of radioactive fertilizers have been reported from the U.S.S.R. Similar tests in the U.S. have given only negative results.
Bayh-Dole Beyond Borders

The Bayh-Dole Act, which encourages patents on federally funded inventions, has been criticized for forcing consumers to "pay twice" for patented products – first through the tax system and again when the patentee charges a supracompetitive price. Supporters counter that patents promote commercialization, but it is doubtful that this benefit can justify the Act's present scope. One important feature of Bayh-Dole, however, has been overlooked in this debate – a feature that arises from the global-public-good nature of knowledge. Without patents on US taxpayer-funded inventions, the United States would have no practical way of internalizing the positive externalities these inventions confer on consumers in other countries. Put differently, the charge that Bayh-Dole forces US consumers to "pay twice" misses the point that eliminating some Bayh-Dole patents would permit non-U.S. consumers to avoid paying at all. To be sure, this "internalization theory" was not the rationale upon which sponsors of the Act relied. And like commercialization theory, it cannot justify the Act's present scope. Rather than relying on internalization theory to defend Bayh-Dole, we highlight ways in which this novel theory can inform Bayh-Dole debates.
Pre-recession wage inflation and the strength of the subsequent recovery

ABSTRACTThis study shows that the rate of wage inflation in the year before a recession is positively related to the rate of employment growth in the subsequent recovery. A possible explanation for this relationship is downward nominal wage rigidity. It is also found that the prior rate of wage inflation is not significantly related to the employment decline during the ensuing recession, suggesting that prior wage inflation has a greater impact on the strength of the recovery from a recession than on the severity of the recession.
Stereotactic body radiation vs. intensity-modulated radiation for unresectable pancreatic cancer.

353Background: Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is an emerging treatment option for unresectable pancreatic cancer, and may be more effective and less toxic than intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed unresectable stage I-III pancreatic adenocarcinoma treated with SBRT (5 fractions, 30-33Gy) or IMRT (25-28 fractions, 45-56Gy with concurrent chemotherapy) between 2008-2016 at our institution. The groups were compared with respect to overall survival (OS), local failure (LF), distant failure (DF), any failure (AF), proportion of patients becoming resectable, and incidence of acute toxicity. Competing risks methods were used for univariate (UVA) and multivariate analysis (MVA) for LF, DF and AF. All endpoints were calculated from end of RT. Results: Median follow-up for surviving patients was 12.9 months. 44 patients received SBRT and 226 patients received IMRT. Patients who received SBRT were older (45% vs 29% > 70 years old, p = 0.05). Otherwise there w...
Financial inclusion and inclusive growth : a review of recent empirical evidence

There is growing evidence that appropriate financial services have substantial benefits for consumers, especially women and poor adults. This paper provides an overview of financial inclusion around the world and reviews the recent empirical evidence on how the use of financial products -- such as payments services, savings accounts, loans, and insurance -- can contribute to inclusive growth and economic development. This paper also discusses some of the challenges to achieving greater financial inclusion and directions for future research.
EFFECT OF SURGICAL TECHNIQUE ON REDUCING TOTAL COST IN PRIMARY HIP ARTHROPLASTY

Introduction While total hip arthroplasty is considered to be one of the most cost-effective medical interventions, the total cost of care for a population patients treated by THR can present a significant burden on the payer, whether it be an employer, private insurer or government. Data on the true cost of care has rarely been made available to the treating physician. Such lack of information makes comprehensive management difficult. Bundled payment models of care require knowledge of all costs associated with the care of our patients and opens new opportunity for analysis to improve management and outcomes. The current study assess the influence of surgical technique on total cost of care for total hip arthroplasty. Methods Payment data for 341 patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty at a single institution from June 1st, 2011 to October 31st, 2014 were analyzed. Each procedure was performed using either the superior, anterior, or posterior exposure. The superior exposure was performed with femoral head excision and without dislocation of the hip. The data were analyzed for total cost, inpatient cost, inpatient physician cost, readmission cost, skilled nursing facility cost, and home healthcare agency cost among the different approaches. Results The superior hip approach for total hip arthroplasty results in a significant total cost savings over a 90-day episode of care when compared to both the anterior and posterior exposure techniques. It reduced overall costs by approximately $2,000 and $7,000 per case versus the other groups respectively. The superior approach also demonstrated savings in inpatient and skilled nursing facility cost when compared to the other groups. Conclusions Surgical technique can have a profound influence on the total cost of care for hip arthroplasty patients. The current study demonstrates that the posterior exposure resulted in the largest consumption of resources post-operatively as measured by total cost of care and that the superior exposure resulted in the least consumption of resources among the three surgical exposures assessed. The study suggests that while we focus on many aspects of improvement in the overall episode of care for our patients, that focus on surgical technique may be worthwhile.
Extended Hilbert Irreducibility and Its Applications

We extend the effective Hilbert irreducibility theorem concerning the reduction of a single multivariate polynomial to one concerning the reduction of an algebraic set, defined by a system of polynomials. The theorem provides the basis for efficient Monte Carlo computations on several problems related to an algebraic set. These include: determining its dimension, counting its components, checking radical ideal membership and equality of algebraic sets, computing the degree of a component, sampling points in a component, and finding a representative general point for each component.
Who serves the poor ? surveying civil servants in the developing world

Who are the civil servants that serve poor people in the developing world? This paper uses direct surveys of civil servants -- the professional body of administrators who manage government policy -- and their organizations from Ethiopia, Ghana, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan and the Philippines, to highlight key aspects of their characteristics and experience of civil service life. Civil servants in the developing world face myriad challenges to serving the world's poor, from limited facilities to significant political interference in their work. There are a number of commonalities across service environments, and the paper summarizes these in a series of 'stylized facts' of the civil service in the developing world. At the same time, the particular challenges faced by a public official vary substantially across and within countries and regions. For example, measured management practices differ widely across local governments of a single state in Nigeria. Surveys of civil servants allow us to document these differences, build better models of the public sector, and make more informed policy choices.
Fast approximation of matrix coherence and statistical leverage

The statistical leverage scores of a matrix A are the squared row-norms of the matrix containing its (top) left singular vectors and the coherence is the largest leverage score. These quantities are of interest in recently-popular problems such as matrix completion and Nystrom-based low-rank matrix approximation as well as in large-scale statistical data analysis applications more generally; moreover, they are of interest since they define the key structural nonuniformity that must be dealt with in developing fast randomized matrix algorithms. Our main result is a randomized algorithm that takes as input an arbitrary n × d matrix A, with n ≫ d, and that returns as output relative-error approximations to all n of the statistical leverage scores. The proposed algorithm runs (under assumptions on the precise values of n and d) in O(nd logn) time, as opposed to the O(nd2) time required by the naive algorithm that involves computing an orthogonal basis for the range of A. Our analysis may be viewed in terms of computing a relative-error approximation to an underconstrained least-squares approximation problem, or, relatedly, it may be viewed as an application of Johnson-Lindenstrauss type ideas. Several practically-important extensions of our basic result are also described, including the approximation of so-called cross-leverage scores, the extension of these ideas to matrices with n ≈ d, and the extension to streaming environments.
Multiple Disk Gaps and Rings Generated by a Single Super-Earth

UC Berkeley Vice Chancellor for Research; Berkeley Center for Integrative Planetary Science; LANL's LDRD program; CSES project; NSF; NASA
A novel twelve class fluctuation test reveals higher than expected mutation rates for influenza A viruses

Influenza virus' low replicative fidelity contributes to its capacity for rapid evolution. Clonal sequencing and fluctuation tests have suggested that the influenza virus mutation rate is 2.7 × 10-6 - 3.0 × 10-5 substitutions per nucleotide per strand copied (s/n/r). However, sequencing assays are biased toward mutations with minimal fitness impacts and fluctuation tests typically investigate only a subset of all possible single nucleotide mutations. We developed a fluctuation test based on reversion to fluorescence in a set of virally encoded mutant green fluorescent proteins, which allowed us to measure the rates of selectively neutral mutations representative of the twelve different mutation types. We measured an overall mutation rate of 1.8 × 10-4 s/n/r for PR8 (H1N1) and 2.5 × 10-4 s/n/r for Hong Kong 2014 (H3N2) and a transitional bias of 2.7-3.6. Our data suggest that each replicated genome will have an average of 2-3 mutations and highlight the importance of mutational load in influenza virus evolution.
Bank Deposits and the Stock Market

I show that households' demand for retail deposits decreases during stock market booms, which induces a contraction in bank lending and a decrease in real activity at bank-dependent firms. I identify this channel using geographic heterogeneity in households' stock market participation. Banks in areas with greater stock ownership see a greater reduction in deposit growth when stock returns are high. This holds even across branches of the same bank, and across zip codes within counties. Counties served by banks financed by more stock-active depositors see a greater decline in bank lending and bank-dependent-firm employment following high stock returns.
Do tests applied to teachers predict their effectiveness

We analyze a teacher evaluation system in Ecuador. The evaluation includes a written test, a demonstration class, and points for experience, degrees, and in-service training. Children taught by teachers with higher scores on the evaluation do not learn more.
Characterization of Acute Renal Failure in the Burned Patient

• In a retrospective review of 35 patients seen over a twoyear period with second- and third-degree burns of 30% or more of their body surface area, six died within 48 hours. Of the remaining 29 patients, polyuric renal failure developed in ten. The functional pattern of this polyuric renal failure appears to be different from other forms of polyuric acute renal failure inthat fractional excretion of urinary sodium remains low and the urine to plasma osmolality ratio is commonly above unity. This functional pattern is consistent with a reduction in glomerular filtration rate with a proximal tubular defect such that a "downstream" osmotic diuresis occurs. The distal nephron appears to be intact and functioning. ( Arch Intern Med 1982;142:2087-2091)
The Effect of Fixatives and/or Air-Drying on the Plasma and Acrosomal Membranes of Human Sperm

It has been hypothesized that some fixatives and conditions of slide preparation expose internal sperm antigens and thus are not suitable for demonstrating surface-specific antigens by immunocytochemical assays. This study examined the ability of five fixatives (glutaraldehyde, acetone, methanol, paraformaldehyde, and periodate-lysine-paraformaldehyde [PLP]) and two conditions of slide preparation (air-drying or maintaining sperm in a liquid phase) to maintain the integrity of human spermatozoal membranes at the ultrastructural level as monitored by transmission electron microscopy. Regardless of the fixative employed, air-drying was detrimental to plasma and acrosomal membrane integrity. Acetone and methanol completely disrupted the plasma and acrosomal membranes over the entire sperm surface whether air-drying or liquid phase conditions were employed. Fixation with glutaraldehyde and paraformaldehyde (to a lesser degree) maintained the morphologic integrity of acrosomal and plasma membranes provided the sperm were maintained in a liquid phase. However, glutaraldehyde and paraformaldehyde fixation increased the postfixation binding of immunoglobulins to the sperm surface. We concluded that immunocytochemistry at the light microscopy level may imply erroneous interpretations regarding antigen/antibody interactions on the sperm plasma membrane surface unless care is taken to verify that the antibodies of interest are binding to the antigenically intact plasma or acrosomal membrane.
Immunocytochemical Localization of Estrogen Receptors in Spontaneous and Experimentally Induced Canine Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Estrogens are believed to play a critical role in the etiology of canine benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH); however, the mechanism has not been elucidated. To gain insight into this problem, we investigated the immunocytochemical localization of estrogen receptors (ER) in normal prostates, spontaneous BPH, and experimentally induced BPH by using a monoclonal ER antibody (H222). In all canine prostates the majority of ER was localized in nuclei of the same histological components: (1) transitional epithelium and subjacent stroma of the prostatic urethra, (2) periurethral prostatic ductal epithelium, and (3) prostatic stroma. ER content in the stroma was highest in the periurethral region of the prostate. Among the different groups of dogs, differences in ER location were seen only in the glandular epithelium. No ER was found in the glandular epithelium of normal prostates of young untreated dogs. In striking contrast, glandular epithelium of spontaneous BPH contained specific nuclear ER staining, though this staining was heterogeneous and was observed in only a minority (less than 10%) of the acinar epithelial cells. ER-positive acini in BPH were located predominantly in the periurethral region. These data demonstrate anatomical and biochemical heterogeneity of prostatic components and indicate that the estrogen sensitivity of prostatic cells is heterogeneous. If estrogen does play a role in BPH, it appears to act selectively rather than uniformly throughout the prostate. We reasoned that if glandular epithelial ER are involved in the development of spontaneous BPH, one might expect to find the same location of ER in BPH that was induced experimentally by specific types of treatment with androgens +/- estradiol. However, among hormone-treated dogs the presence of ER-positive prostatic glandular epithelium varied with the type of hormonal treatment but did not correlate with the experimental induction of glandular BPH. Some treatment groups with induced BPH had ER-positive prostatic glandular epithelial nuclei (with the same extent and pattern of ER localization as in spontaneous BPH); however, other treatment groups with induced BPH had ER-negative glandular epithelium. These data indicate either that glandular epithelial ER may not be involved in the pathogenesis of canine BPH or that there may be different types of BPH that have different etiologies. Possible mechanisms by which estrogen may affect the canine prostate are discussed in light of these new data on ER location.
The Nb Rat Prostatic Adenocarcinoma’s Dose Response to Methotrexate and Adriamycin

The Noble rat prostatic adenocarcinoma, Nb-Pr-A.I.-II, an androgen-insensitive tumor, is the subject of this experiment. Dose responses were carried out with treatment of these tumors with three doses of adriamycin and two doses of methotrexate. Adriamycin treatment resulted in decreased tumor volume and decreased number of metastases in the higher dosage. Methotrexate also decreased metastasis and tumor volume. No animal treated with either of these agents in this protocol had the tumor undergo complete tumor regression, a criteria used in evaluation of chemotherapies with this animal model.
Renal Autotransplantation: An Alternative to Standard Renal Revascularization Procedures

From January 1978 through December 1987, 22 patients underwent 23 renal autotransplantation procedures for the treatment of renovascular hypertension through the retroperitoneal approach. The causes of the renal artery stenosis were as follows: atherosclerosis (15), fibromuscular dysplasia (6), and Takayasu's arteritis (1). Indications for renal autotransplantation were as follow: disease extending into the renal artery branches (10), stenosis of multiple renal arteries (6), atherosclerotic aorta in high-risk patients (4), and stenosis of renal artery in children (2). The mean preoperative blood pressure of 205 +/- 6/109 +/- 3 mm Hg decreased significantly to 139 +/- 4/77 +/- 2 mm Hg (p less than 0.001). The serum creatinine decreased significantly from a mean preoperative level of 2.2 +/- 0.8 mg/dl to a mean postoperative level of 1.4 +/- 0.4 mg/dl (p less than 0.05). Eleven patients with preoperative renal dysfunction had a significant decrease in the serum creatinine from a mean preoperative level of 3.4 +/- 0.3 mg/dl to a mean postoperative level of 1.9 +/- 0.2 mg/dl (p less than 0.001). One operative death occurred as a result of myocardial infarction. There were three postoperative complications, none of which affected the ultimate result in blood pressure or renal function. This experience demonstrates that in selected patients, renal autotransplantation is an excellent alternative in the surgical treatment of renovascular hypertension.
Nonlinear harmonic generation of coherent amplification and self-amplified spontaneous emission

Abstract Nonlinear harmonic generation in a uniform planar undulator is analyzed using the three-dimensional Maxwell–Klimontovich equations that include both even and odd harmonic emissions. After a certain stage of exponential growth, the dominant nonlinear harmonic interaction is caused by strong bunching at the fundamental. As a result, gain length, transverse profile, and temporal structure of these harmonic radiations are eventually determined by those of the fundamental. Transversely coherent third-harmonic radiation power is found to approach one percent of the fundamental power level for current high-gain FEL projects, while the power of the second-harmonic radiation is less but still significant for relatively low-energy FEL experiments.
Surgical Management of Infantile (Ectopic) Ureteroceles: Report of a Modified Approach

Since 1970, our experience in managing 22 patients (24 renal units) with infantile (ectopic) ureteroceles suggests that no single procedure is universally applicable. Certain general principles, however, guide management strategy. First, preservation of the upper pole moiety is successful if there is functioning renal parenchyma on IVP (9 cases with one failure). Second, when extirpation is required, total ureterectomy-ureterocelectomy is unnecessary (13 cases with no reoperations specifically for stump extirpation). Third, urinary tract infections are fairly common in the first postoperative year (4 of 16 patients), being more common in children with common sheath ("double barrel") reimplantations. This review of our experience often showed the primary procedure to be long and difficult with significant blood loss. Although it did not occur in this series, devascularization of the lower pole ureter remains a danger. Therefore, a two-stage procedure was developed to obviate these problems. In the last 4 patients (5 renal units) in this series, the ureteroceles were first incised endoscopically. Six weeks later, reimplantation or upper pole nephrectomy-partial ureterectomy was performed. Adequate early decompression of the ureterocele resulted in less operative time and blood loss (average 27.5 cc for upper pole nephrectomy) at the subsequent procedure. We now prefer this method, especially in very young or compromised patients, although the follow-up time is inadequate to recommend it generally.
Ergodicity breaking of iron displacement in heme proteins.

We present a model of the dynamical transition of atomic displacements in proteins. Increased mean-square displacement at higher temperatures is caused by the softening of the force constant for atomic/molecular displacements by electrostatic and van der Waals forces from the protein-water thermal bath. Displacement softening passes through a nonergodic dynamical transition when the relaxation time of the force-force correlation function enters, with increasing temperature, the instrumental observation window. Two crossover temperatures are identified. The lower crossover, presently connected to the glass transition, is related to the dynamical unfreezing of rotations of water molecules within nanodomains polarized by charged surface residues of the protein. The higher crossover temperature, usually assigned to the dynamical transition, marks the onset of water translations. All crossovers are ergodicity breaking transitions depending on the corresponding observation windows. Allowing stretched exponential relaxation of the protein-water thermal bath significantly improves the theory-experiment agreement when applied to solid protein samples studied by Mossbauer spectroscopy.
Implementation challenges for scalable neuromorphic computing

In the big data era, a new computing system, called Cognitive Computing, that can handle unstructured data, learn and extract the insights is required. A neuromorphic device is a key component for this, and several architectures are reported. Compared to the neuromorphic device with SRAM-based spiking neural network, a cross-bar structure device realizes on-chip leaning, but requires high-density off-chip interconnect, much higher than those for conventional high-end logic devices. Recent progress of solder bumping and 3-dimentional integration technologies are described.
Tallinn, Hacking, and Customary International Law

Tallinn 2.0 grapples with the application of general international law principles through various hypothetical fact patterns addressed by its experts. In doing so, its commentary sections provide a nonbinding framework for thinking about sovereignty, raising important considerations for states as they begin to articulate norms to resolve the question of precisely what kinds of nonconsensual cyber activities violate well-established international laws—a question that will likely be the focus of international lawyers in this area for some time to come.
Context Embedding Networks

Low dimensional embeddings that capture the main variations of interest in collections of data are important for many applications. One way to construct these embeddings is to acquire estimates of similarity from the crowd. Similarity is a multi-dimensional concept that varies from individual to individual. However, existing models for learning crowd embeddings typically make simplifying assumptions such as all individuals estimate similarity using the same criteria, the list of criteria is known in advance, or that the crowd workers are not influenced by the data that they see. To overcome these limitations we introduce Context Embedding Networks (CENs). In addition to learning interpretable embeddings from images, CENs also model worker biases for different attributes along with the visual context i.e. the attributes highlighted by a set of images. Experiments on three noisy crowd annotated datasets show that modeling both worker bias and visual context results in more interpretable embeddings compared to existing approaches.
Myosin IIA interacts with the spectrin-actin membrane skeleton to control red blood cell membrane curvature and deformability

The biconcave disk shape and deformability of mammalian RBCs rely on the membrane skeleton, a viscoelastic network of short, membrane-associated actin filaments (F-actin) cross-linked by long, flexible spectrin tetramers. Nonmuscle myosin II (NMII) motors exert force on diverse F-actin networks to control cell shapes, but a function for NMII contractility in the 2D spectrin-F-actin network of RBCs has not been tested. Here, we show that RBCs contain membrane skeleton-associated NMIIA puncta, identified as bipolar filaments by superresolution fluorescence microscopy. MgATP disrupts NMIIA association with the membrane skeleton, consistent with NMIIA motor domains binding to membrane skeleton F-actin and contributing to membrane mechanical properties. In addition, the phosphorylation of the RBC NMIIA heavy and light chains in vivo indicates active regulation of NMIIA motor activity and filament assembly, while reduced heavy chain phosphorylation of membrane skeleton-associated NMIIA indicates assembly of stable filaments at the membrane. Treatment of RBCs with blebbistatin, an inhibitor of NMII motor activity, decreases the number of NMIIA filaments associated with the membrane and enhances local, nanoscale membrane oscillations, suggesting decreased membrane tension. Blebbistatin-treated RBCs also exhibit elongated shapes, loss of membrane curvature, and enhanced deformability, indicating a role for NMIIA contractility in promoting membrane stiffness and maintaining RBC biconcave disk cell shape. As structures similar to the RBC membrane skeleton exist in many metazoan cell types, these data demonstrate a general function for NMII in controlling specialized membrane morphology and mechanical properties through contractile interactions with short F-actin in spectrin-F-actin networks.
The Opportunities and Limitations of Neutral Carbon Tariffs

Because carbon taxes can lead to loss of competitiveness, applying tariffs on imports from non-carbon-restricting countries helps address the cost disadvantage faced by producers in carbon-restricting countries. Such tariffs, known as border carbon adjustments (BCAs), can also help reduce possible carbon “leakage,” or the growth in foreign emissions due to increased production of carbon-intensive goods in non-carbon-restricting countries. We demonstrate that BCAs that do not exceed the burdens imposed by carbon taxation on domestic like products could be consistent with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. However, “neutral” (i.e., nondiscriminatory) BCAs might still be inefficiently high from a global welfare perspective. This stems from the misaligned focus of BCAs on imports rather than production—the real cause of emissions. The discrepancy between neutrality and efficiency enables carbon-restricted industries to seek inefficiently high BCAs. Recognition of this discrepancy strengthens the case for multilateral alternatives that curb global carbon emissions.
A Toast to Our History

EDITOR’S NOTE : This article is adapted from the address Ms. Kruger delivered as the recipient of the American Diabetes Association’s Outstanding Educator in Diabetes Award for 2017. She delivered the address in June 2017 at the Association’s 77th Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions in San Diego, Calif. A webcast of the speech can be viewed on ADA’s DiabetesPro website at https://professional.diabetes.org/webcasts-ss2017.
Safety nets and natural disaster mitigation: evidence from cyclone Phailin in Odisha

To what degree can vulnerability to extreme weather events be mitigated by access to a rural livelihoods program, particularly with regard to the impacts on women? This paper addresses this question through a natural experiment arising from two independent but overlapping sources of variation: exposure to a devastating cyclone that occurred in the Bay of Bengal region of India and the staggered rollout of a rural livelihoods intervention. Comparisons from household surveys across communities more or less exposed to the storm before and after the introduction of the program reveal that the storm led to significant reductions in overall household expenditure, and that these reductions were indeed the largest for women, adding to the emerging evidence for the frequently-posed hypothesis that women bear the brunt of the effects of disasters on overall household consumption. Participation in the livelihoods program mitigated some of the reductions in household nonfood expenditure and women's consumption, but not on food expenditure. These results from a densely populated region whose topography makes it particularly vulnerable to storms can inform future policy approaches and aid in modeling the impact of these policies on the effects of climate change.
Probability of Collision: Valuation, variability, visualization, and validity

Abstract Probability of collision ( P c ) is becoming more popular as a tool to assess conjunction threats. In this paper, an overview of the types of P c estimation techniques is provided. For each technique, the inputs it requires are delineated. Three-dimensional tools are then presented for depicting the variability of the P c inputs to P c estimates. These depictions are used to quantify the quality of P c input data required to yield actionable P c estimates. Relationships between Mahalanobis space and P c are presented and used to derive bounding values for Type I and II errors.
Scalable Linear Algebra on a Relational Database System

As data analytics has become an important application for modern data management systems, a new category of data management system has appeared recently: the scalable linear algebra system. In this paper, we argue that a parallel or distributed database system is actually an excellent platform upon which to build such functionality. Most relational systems already have support for cost-based optimization—which is vital to scaling linear algebra computations—and it is well-known how to make relational systems scale. We show that by making just a few changes to a parallel/distributed relational database system, such a system can be a competitive platform for scalable linear algebra. Taken together, our results should at least raise the possibility that brand new systems designed from the ground up to support scalable linear algebra are not absolutely necessary, and that such systems could instead be built on top of existing relational technology. Our results also suggest that if scalable linear algebra is to be added to a modern dataflow platform such as Spark, they should be added on top of the system's more structured (relational) data abstractions, rather than being constructed directly on top of the system's raw dataflow operators.
Integrating hypertension phenotype and genotype with hybrid non-negative matrix factorization

Motivation Hypertension is a heterogeneous syndrome in need of improved subtyping using phenotypic and genetic measurements with the goal of identifying subtypes of patients who share similar pathophysiologic mechanisms and may respond more uniformly to targeted treatments. Existing machine learning approaches often face challenges in integrating phenotype and genotype information and presenting to clinicians an interpretable model. We aim to provide informed patient stratification based on phenotype and genotype features. Results In this article, we present a hybrid non-negative matrix factorization (HNMF) method to integrate phenotype and genotype information for patient stratification. HNMF simultaneously approximates the phenotypic and genetic feature matrices using different appropriate loss functions, and generates patient subtypes, phenotypic groups and genetic groups. Unlike previous methods, HNMF approximates phenotypic matrix under Frobenius loss, and genetic matrix under Kullback-Leibler (KL) loss. We propose an alternating projected gradient method to solve the approximation problem. Simulation shows HNMF converges fast and accurately to the true factor matrices. On a real-world clinical dataset, we used the patient factor matrix as features and examined the association of these features with indices of cardiac mechanics. We compared HNMF with six different models using phenotype or genotype features alone, with or without NMF, or using joint NMF with only one type of loss We also compared HNMF with 3 recently published methods for integrative clustering analysis, including iClusterBayes, Bayesian joint analysis and JIVE. HNMF significantly outperforms all comparison models. HNMF also reveals intuitive phenotype-genotype interactions that characterize cardiac abnormalities. Availability and implementation Our code is publicly available on github at https://github.com/yuanluo/hnmf. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Robust, stable time-domain methods for solving MPDEs of fast/slow systems

We explore the stability properties of time-domain numerical methods for multitime partial differential equations (MPDEs) in detail. We demonstrate that simple techniques for numerical discretization can lead easily to instability. By investigating the underlying eigenstructure of several discretization techniques along different artificial time scales, we show that not all combinations of techniques are stable. We identify choices of discretization method and step size, along fast and slow time scales, that lead to robust, stable time-domain integration methods for the MPDE. One of our results is that applying overstable methods along one time-scale can compensate for unstable discretization along others. Our novel integration schemes bring robustness to time-domain MPDE solution methods, as we demonstrate with examples.
Improvements in Irritability with Open-Label Methylphenidate Treatment in Youth with Comorbid Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this open-label study was to examine the effects of long-acting methylphenidate (MPH) treatment on irritability and related emotional symptoms associated with dis...
Association of Facility Type With Procedural-Related Morbidities and Adverse Events Among Patients Undergoing Induced Abortions

Importance Multiple states have laws requiring abortion facilities to meet ambulatory surgery center (ASC) standards. There is limited evidence regarding abortion-related morbidities and adverse events following abortions performed at ASCs vs office-based settings. Objective To compare abortion-related morbidities and adverse events at ASCs vs office-based settings. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective cohort study of women with US private health insurance who underwent induced abortions in an ASC or office-based setting (January 1, 2011-December 31, 2014). Outcomes were abstracted from a large national private insurance claims database during the 6 weeks following the abortion (date of final follow-up, February 11, 2015). Exposures Facility type for abortion (ASCs vs office-based settings, including facilities such as abortion clinics, nonspecialized clinics, and physician offices). Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was any abortion-related morbidity or adverse event (such as retained products of conception, abortion-related infection, hemorrhage, and uterine perforation) within 6 weeks after an abortion. Two secondary outcomes, both subsets of the primary outcome, were major abortion-related morbidities and adverse events (such as hemorrhages treated with a transfusion, missed ectopic pregnancies treated with surgery, and abortion-related infections that resulted in an overnight hospital admission) and abortion-related infections. Results Among 49 287 women (mean age, 28 years [SD, 7.3]) who had 50 311 induced abortions, (23 891 [47%] first-trimester aspiration, 13 480 [27%] first-trimester medication, and 12 940 [26%] second trimester or later), 5660 abortions (11%) were performed in ASCs and 44 651 (89%) in office-based settings. Overall, 3.33% had an abortion-related morbidity or adverse event; 0.32% had a major abortion-related morbidity or adverse event; and 0.74% had an abortion-related infection. In adjusted analyses, there was no statistically significant difference between ASCs vs office-based settings, respectively, in the rates of abortion-related morbidities or adverse events (3.25% vs 3.33%, difference, −0.08%; 95% CI, −0.58% to 0.43%; adjusted OR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.81-1.17), major morbidities or adverse events (0.26% vs 0.33%; difference, −0.06%; 95% CI, −0.18% to 0.06%; adjusted OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.45-1.37), or infections (0.58% vs 0.77%; difference, −0.16%; 95% CI, −0.35% to 0.03%; adjusted OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.52-1.09). Conclusions and Relevance Among women with private health insurance who had an induced abortion, performance of the abortion in an ambulatory surgical center compared with an office-based setting was not associated with a significant difference in abortion-related morbidities and adverse events. These findings, in addition to individual patient and individual facility factors, may inform decisions about the type of facility in which induced abortions are performed.
On Training Recurrent Networks with Truncated Backpropagation Through time in Speech Recognition

Recurrent neural networks have been the dominant models for many speech and language processing tasks. However, we understand little about the behavior and the class of functions recurrent networks can realize. Moreover, the heuristics used during training complicate the analyses. In this paper, we study recurrent networks’ ability to learn long-term dependency in the context of speech recognition. We consider two decoding approaches, online and batch decoding, and show the classes of functions to which the decoding approaches correspond. We then draw a connection between batch decoding and a popular training approach for recurrent networks, truncated backpropagation through time. Changing the decoding approach restricts the amount of past history recurrent networks can use for prediction, allowing us to analyze their ability to remember. Empirically, we utilize long-term dependency in subphonetic states, phonemes, and words, and show how the design decisions, such as the decoding approach, lookahead, context frames, and consecutive prediction, characterize the behavior of recurrent networks. Finally, we draw a connection between Markov processes and vanishing gradients. These results have implications for studying the long-term dependency in speech data and how these properties are learned by recurrent networks.
Fentanyl: A Whole New World?:

This article seeks to document the latest danger in the opioid crisis: fentanyl and related synthetic opioids. Fifty times more potent than pure heroin, cheaper to manufacture in laboratories worldwide, and easily distributed by mail and couriers, fentanyl is flooding the illicit opioid markets throughout the country.
An Intercomparison of GCM and RCM Dynamical Downscaling for Characterizing the Hydroclimatology of California and Nevada

AbstractDynamical downscaling is a widely used technique to properly capture regional surface heterogeneities that shape the local hydroclimatology. However, in the context of dynamical downscaling...
Governing Campus Speech: a Bottom-Up Approach.

I review arguments favoring bans on problematic speech (e.g., hate speech) on campus. Contrasting such calls for top-down regulation, I explore the potential for a “bottom-up approach” to campus speech governance to address vexing concerns pertaining to campus speech without violating free speech and academic freedom principles. I examine the political economy and epistemological dynamics inherent within the two forms of governance. I argue that, relative to a centralized top-down approach, a decentralized bottom-up approach to speech governance avoids political dynamics that bend toward the inappropriate use of power. Further, I argue that a bottom-up approach leaves the discursive space contestable, and therefore more open to new discovery and correction. Recognizing that a bottom up approach is no panacea, I also consider open questions and concerns that warrant further inquiry.
The Gezi Park Protests and the Escalation and De-Escalation of Political Contention

This study argues that escalation and de-escalation processes lie at the heart of protest campaigns. These processes are largely determined by the interactions between protesters and governments, a...
Functional Justiciability and the Existence of a Dispute: A Means of Jurisdictional Avoidance?

In the recent Obligations concerning Negotiations relating to Cessation of the Nuclear Arms Race and to Nuclear Disarmament string of cases the International Court of Justice declined jurisdiction by holding that there was no dispute between the parties. This Article examines the Court’s treatment of the existence of a dispute (“EoD”) jurisdictional objection; it does not purport to analyze the Court’s broader reliance on jurisdictional doctrines as a general means of avoiding cases. From a doctrinal perspective, this Article argues that the Court’s interpretation of the EoD objection in those cases is unpersuasive. Instead, the Article contends that the Court has relied on the existence of a dispute objection as a covert or functional justiciability doctrine. That is, as a ground for discretionarily declining jurisdiction or, to borrow a term from private international law, as an escape device. The Article considers that such jurisdictional avoidance may be justified, doctrinally and normatively, as a form of principled avoidance. Normatively, the decision to rely on a procedural technicality to avoid going into the merits of a potentially explosive case may be seen as a valid exercise of judicial self-restraint – and one that can aid the Court navigate the tensions created by increased skepticism of international adjudication. And policy-wise, avoiding a case on a sensible subject-matter that touches on core aspects of defense and national security could be accepted as a way of side-stepping potential backlash.
Accident-Cause-Specific Risk Analysis of Rail Transport of Hazardous Materials:

Rail plays a key role in the transportation of hazardous materials (hazmat). Improving railroad hazmat transportation safety is a high priority for both industry and government. Many severe railroa...
Order Backlogs and Production Smoothing

Empirical examination of some aggregate manufacturing data suggests that order backlogs may help explain two puzzling facts: (1) the variability of production appears to be greater than that of demand, and (2) inventories appear to be drawn down when demand is low, built up when demand is high.