cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multi-messenger aspects of cosmic neutrinos

The recent observation of TeV-PeV neutrinos by IceCube has opened a new window to the high-energy Universe. I will discuss this signal in the context of multi-messenger astronomy. For extragalactic source scenarios the corresponding gamma-rays are not directly observable due to interactions with the cosmic radiation backgrounds. Nevertheless, the isotropic sub-TeV gamma ray background observed by Fermi -LAT contains indirect information from secondary emission produced in electromagnetic cascades. On the other hand, observation of PeV gamma rays would provide a smoking-gun signal for Galactic emission. Interestingly, the overall energy density of the observed neutrino flux is close to a theoretical limit for neutrino production in ultra-high energy cosmic ray sources and might indicate a common origin of these phenomena. I will highlight various multi-messenger relations and their implications for neutrino source scenarios.
How to recognize convexity of a set from its marginals

Abstract We investigate the regularity of the marginals onto hyperplanes for sets of finite perimeter. We prove, in particular, that if a set of finite perimeter has log-concave marginals onto a.e. hyperplane then the set is convex. Our proof relies on measuring the perimeter of a set through a Hilbertian fractional Sobolev norm, a fact that we believe has its own interest.
Three-manifolds with many flat planes

We discuss the rigidity (or lack thereof) imposed by dierent no- tions of having an abundance of zero curvature planes on a complete Riemann- ian 3-manifold. We prove a rank rigidity theorem for complete 3-manifolds, showing that having higher rank is equivalent to having reducible universal covering. We also study 3-manifolds such that every tangent vector is con- tained in a at plane, including examples with irreducible universal covering, and discuss the eect of nite volume and real-analiticity assumptions.
A READMISSION RISK ASSESSMENT TOOL TO MANAGE MODIFIABLE RISK FACTORS PRIOR TO PRIMARY HIP AND KNEE ARTHROPLASTY

Introduction Reducing readmissions after total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is challenging. Pre-operative risk stratification and optimization pre surgical care may be helpful in reducing readmission rates after primary TJA. Assessment of the predictive value of individual modifiable risk factors without a tool to properly stratify patients may not be helpful to the surgical community to reduce the risk of readmission. We developed a scoring system: Readmission Risk Assessment Tool (RRAT) as part of a Perioperative Orthopaedic Surgical Home model that allows for risk stratification in patients undergoing elective primary TJA at our institution. We analyzed the relationship between the RRAT score and readmission following primary hip or knee arthroplasty. Methods The RRAT, which is scored incrementally based on the number and severity of modifiable comorbidities was used to generate readmission scores for a cohort of 207 readmitted and 2 cohorts of 234 (random and age-matched) non-readmitted patients each. Regression analysis was performed to assess the strength of association between individual risk factors, RRAT score and readmissions. We also calculated the odds and odds ratio (OR) at each level of RRAT score to identify patients with relatively higher risk of readmission. Results There were 207(2.08%) 30-day readmissions in 9,930 patients over a 6-year period (2008 to 2013). Surgical site infection was the most common cause of readmission (93 cases, 45%). The median RRAT scores were 3 (IQR: 1, 4) and 1 (IQR: 0, 2) for readmitted group and non-readmitted group respectively. The RRAT score was significantly associated with readmission with odds ratio between 1.5 and 1.9 under various model assumptions. A RRAT score of 3 or higher resulted in higher odds of readmission. Discussion and Conclusion Population health management, cost-effective care and optimization of outcomes to maximize value are the new maxims for healthcare delivery in the United States. The RRAT has a significant association with readmission following joint arthroplasty and could potentially be a clinically meaningfully tool for risk mitigation.
Yield of a second screening colonoscopy 10 years after an initial negative examination in average-risk individuals

Background and Aims Current guidelines recommend screening colonoscopy at 10-year intervals in average-risk individuals who had baseline screening colonoscopy (no polyps or only hyperplastic polyps ≤5 mm in the recto-sigmoid colon), but the yield of repeat screening at 10 years is unknown. Our aim was to describe the yield of second screening colonoscopy in average-risk individuals performed at least 8 years after a first screening colonoscopy had shown no polyps or only distal hyperplastic polyps ≤5 mm in size. Methods This was a review of a database for colonoscopies performed at Indiana University Hospital between January 1999 and November 2015. Results A total of 4463 individuals underwent screening colonoscopy between January 1999 and July 2007, of which 1566 individuals had no polyps, and 334 individuals had only distal hyperplastic polyps ≤5 mm; 378 individuals (58.4% female) had follow-up screening at least 8 years after the baseline screening examination, with a mean (± standard deviation [SD]) interval of 9.74 years (± 1.2 years; range 8-15 years). Mean (± SD) age at baseline screening examination was 56.7 years (± 5.5 years) and at follow-up screening examination was 66.4 years (± 5.6 years). At the second screening, there were 224 patients (59.3%) with at least 1 polyp, including 144 (38.1%) with at least 1 conventional adenoma. The adenoma detection rate at the second screening examination was 36.1% and 56.8% in the groups with no polyp at baseline and with only distal hyperplastic polyps, respectively. There were 15 advanced neoplasms in 13 individuals (3.4%), of which 12 lesions were proximal to the sigmoid colon. There were no cancers at follow-up. Conclusions Among individuals aged ≥50 years, with normal baseline screening colonoscopy results, the incidence of advanced lesions at a second screening colonoscopy at least 8 years later was comparable to that in baseline screening studies. Our findings support current recommendations for screening at 10-year intervals in average-risk individuals.
Bendings by finitely additive transverse cocycles

Let $S$ be any closed hyperbolic surface and let $\lambda$ be a maximal geodesic lamination on $S$. The amount of bending of an abstract pleated surface (homeomorphic to $S$) with the pleating locus $\lambda$ is completely determined by an $(\mathbb{R}/2\pi\mathbb{Z})$-valued finitely additive transverse cocycle $\beta$ to the geodesic lamination $\lambda$. We give a sufficient condition on $\beta$ such that the corresponding pleating map $\tilde{f}_{\beta}:\mathbb{H}^2\to\mathbb{H}^3$ induces a quasiFuchsian representation of the surface group $\pi_1(S)$. Our condition is genus independent.
DISLOCATION FOLLOWING THA: CAUSES AND CURES

Hip dislocation is one of the most common causes of patient and surgeon dissatisfaction following hip replacement. To correctly treat dislocation, the causes must first be understood. Patient factors included age greater than 70, medical co-morbidities, female gender, musculo-ligamentous laxity, revision surgery, issues with the abductors and trochanter and education. Issues related to the surgeon and technique are surgical volume and experience, the surgical approach and repair, adequate restoration of femoral offset and leg length, correct component position, and avoidance of soft tissue or bony impingement. There are also implant-related factors. Chief among these is the design of the head and neck region. Is the femoral head diameter sufficient, and in concert with the prosthetic neck is there an adequate head-neck ratio? Skirts on longer neck lengths greatly reduce the head-neck ratio and should be avoided if possible. There must be available offset choices in order to restore soft tissue tension. Lipped liners aid in gaining stability, yet if improperly placed may result in impingement and dislocation. Late dislocation may result from polyethylene wear, soft tissue destruction, trochanteric or abductor disruption and weakness, or infection. Understanding the causes of hip dislocation allow prevention in a majority of instances. Proper pre-operative planning includes the identification of high-offset patients in whom inadequate restoration of offset will reduce soft tissue tension and abductor efficiency. Component position must be accurate to achieve stability without impingement. Finally, patient education cannot be over-emphasised, as most dislocations occur early, and are preventable with proper instructions.
A Pseudopolynomial Algorithm for Alexandrov's Theorem

Alexandrov's Theorem states that every metric with the global topology and local geometry required of a convex polyhedron is in fact the intrinsic metric of some convex polyhedron. Recent work by Bobenko and Izmestiev describes a differential equation whose solution is the polyhedron corresponding to a given metric. We describe an algorithm based on this differential equation to compute the polyhedron given the metric, and prove a pseudopolynomial bound on its running time.
Detection of Breeding Blankets Using Antineutrinos

The Plutonium Management and Disposition Agreement between the United States and Russia makes arrangements for the disposal of 34 metric tons of excess weapon-grade plutonium. Under this agreement Russia plans to dispose of its excess stocks by processing the plutonium into fuel for fast breeder reactors. To meet the disposition requirements this fuel would be burned while the fast reactors are run as burners, i.e., without a natural uranium blanket that can be used to breed plutonium surrounding the core. This article discusses the potential application of antineutrino monitoring to the verification of the presence of a breeding blanket. It is found that a 36 kg antineutrino detector, exploiting coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering and made of silicon could determine the presence of a breeding blanket at a liquid sodium cooled fast reactor at the 95 percent confidence level within 90 days.
Early warning, early action : the use of predictive tools in drought response through Ethiopia's productive safety net programme

This paper investigates the use of early warning tools as part of Ethiopia's Disaster Risk Management framework. Analyzing, in particular, the Livelihoods, Early Assessment and Protection tool, Livelihood Integrated Assessment and Hotspots Assessments, the paper delineates the scope and objectives of existing early warning tools, their commonalities and limitations. From a disaster risk financing and insurance perspective, the paper investigates possible enhancements in the existing early warning framework and its use that could facilitate greater timeliness of drought response. The paper argues that based on the existing early warning instruments and continued improvements to the early warning systems, it is possible to enable early action during the onset of a drought.
Genetic evidence for natural selection in humans in the contemporary United States

Recent findings from molecular genetics now make it possible to test directly for natural selection by analyzing whether genetic variants associated with various phenotypes have been under selection. I leverage these findings to construct polygenic scores that use individuals' genotypes to predict their body mass index, educational attainment (EA), glucose concentration, height, schizophrenia, total cholesterol, and (in females) age at menarche. I then examine associations between these scores and fitness to test whether natural selection has been occurring. My study sample includes individuals of European ancestry born between 1931 and 1953 who participated in the Health and Retirement Study, a representative study of the US population. My results imply that natural selection has been slowly favoring lower EA in both females and males, and are suggestive that natural selection may have favored a higher age at menarche in females. For EA, my estimates imply a rate of selection of about -1.5 mo of education per generation (which pales in comparison with the increases in EA observed in contemporary times). Although they cannot be projected over more than one generation, my results provide additional evidence that humans are still evolving-albeit slowly, especially compared with the rapid changes that have occurred over the past few generations due to cultural and environmental factors.
New and emerging treatments for photoaging

This article originally appeared in Dermatologie Clinics, Volume 13, Number 2, as part of an issue on Cosmetic Dermatology.
Chinese Divisia Monetary Index and GDP Nowcasting

Since China’s enactment of the Reform and Opening-Up policy in 1978, China has become one of the world’s fastest growing economies, with an annual GDP growth rate exceeding 10 % between 1978 and 2008. But in 2015, Chinese GDP grew at 7 %, the lowest rate in 5 years. Many corporations complain that the borrowing cost of capital is too high. This paper constructs Chinese Divisia monetary aggregates M1 and M2, and, for the first time, constructs the broader Chinese monetary aggregates, M3 and M4. Those broader aggregates have never before been constructed for China, either as simple-sum or Divisia. The results shed light on the current Chinese monetary situation and the increased borrowing cost of money. GDP data are published only quarterly and with a substantial lag, while many monetary and financial decisions are made at a higher frequency. GDP nowcasting can evaluate the current month’s GDP growth rate, given the available economic data up to the point at which the nowcasting is conducted. Therefore, nowcasting GDP has become an increasingly important task for central banks. This paper nowcasts Chinese monthly GDP growth rate using a dynamic factor model, incorporating as indicators the Divisia monetary aggregate indexes, Divisia M1 and M2 along with additional information from a large panel of other relevant time series data. The results show that Divisia monetary aggregates contain more indicator information than the simple sum aggregates, and thereby help the factor model produce the best available nowcasting results. In addition, our results demonstrate that China’s economy experienced a regime switch or structure break in 2012, which a Chow test confirmed the regime switch. Before and after the regime switch, the factor models performed differently. We conclude that different nowcasting models should be used during the two regimes.
The status of UK manufacturing

This article, first published last year, discusses the status of the UK economy and in particular that of the manufacturing sector, and attempts to put some international perspective on this status. It also discusses briefly how the development of computer technology may affect working practices in the next few years and thus help the nation become more competitive.
The partially observable hidden Markov model and its application to keystroke dynamics

The partially observable hidden Markov model (POHMM) is introduced.In keystroke dynamics, the key names partially reveal typist behavior.The POHMM hidden state is conditioned on an independent Markov chain.The marginalized POHMM is equivalent to the HMM.A method of POHMM parameter smoothing is described.We perform user identification, verification, and continuous verification. The partially observable hidden Markov model is an extension of the hidden Markov Model in which the hidden state is conditioned on an independent Markov chain. This structure is motivated by the presence of discrete metadata, such as an event type, that may partially reveal the hidden state but itself emanates from a separate process. Such a scenario is encountered in keystroke dynamics whereby a users typing behavior is dependent on the text that is typed. Under the assumption that the user can be in either an active or passive state of typing, the keyboard key names are event types that partially reveal the hidden state due to the presence of relatively longer time intervals between words and sentences than between letters of a word. Using five public datasets, the proposed model is shown to consistently outperform other anomaly detectors, including the standard HMM, in biometric identification and verification tasks and is generally preferred over the HMM in a Monte Carlo goodness of fit test.
On Q-Resolution and CDCL QBF Solving

The proof system Q-resolution and its variations provide the underlying proof systems for the DPLL-based QBF solvers. While (long-distance) Q-resolution models a conflict driven clause learning (CDCL) QBF solver, the inverse relation is not well understood. This paper shows that CDCL solving not only does not simulate Q-resolution, but also that this is deeply embedded in the workings of the solver. This contrasts with SAT solving, where CDCL solvers have been shown to simulate resolution.
Constraints on Lu-Hf and Nb-Ta systematics in globally subducted oceanic crust from a survey of orogenic eclogites and amphibolites

To further understand Lu-Hf and Nb-Ta systematics in globally subducted oceanic crust, this paper evaluates all available Lu-Hf garnet isochron ages and initial ɛHf values in conjunction with present-day bulk-rock Lu-Hf isotope and trace element (K, Nb, Ta, Zr, and Ti in addition to Lu-Hf) data from the world's orogenic eclogites and amphibolites (OEAs). Approximately half of OEAs exhibit Lu-Hf and Nb-Ta systematics mimicking those of unsubducted oceanic crust whereas the rest exhibit variability in one or both systems. For the Lu-Hf system, mixing calculations demonstrate that subduction-related phase transformations, in conjunction with open system behavior, can shift subducted oceanic crust toward higher Lu/Hf, or toward lower Lu/Hf that can also be associated with unradiogenic ɛHf values. However, evaluation of potential mechanisms for fractionating Nb from Ta is more complicated because many of the OEAs have Nb-Ta systematics that are decoupled from Lu-Hf and the behavior of K, Zr, and Ti. Nonetheless, the global data set demonstrates that the association between unradiogenic ɛHf and elevated Nb/Ta observed in some kimberlitic eclogite xenoliths can be inherited from processes that occurred during subduction of their oceanic crustal protoliths. This allows for a geologically based estimate of the Nb concentration in a reservoir composed of deeply subducted oceanic crust. However, mass balance calculations confirm that such a reservoir, when considered as a whole, likely has a Nb concentration similar to unsubducted oceanic crust and is therefore not the solution to the problem of the Earth's “missing” Nb.
Imaging freeform optical systems designed with NURBS surfaces

The designs of two imaging freeform systems using nonuniform rational basis-spline (NURBS) optical surfaces are described. The first system, a 10 deg×9 degf/2 three-mirror anastigmat has four times higher spatial resolution over the image plane compared with the equivalent conventional rotational aspheric design, and 2.5 times higher resolution compared with a 10th-order XY polynomial freeform design. The mirrors for the NURBS freeform design have more than twice the asphericity than the conventional rotational and XY polynomial designs. In the second system, a Ritchey–Chretien telescope followed by a two-mirror NURBS freeform corrector is compared to a four-mirror Korsch telescope, for imaging to a visible-infrared imaging spectrometer. The freeform corrector design had 70% smaller spot sizes over the field and eliminated the large tertiary required in Korsch type design. Both of these NURBS freeform designs are possible due to a custom optical design code for fast accurate NURBS optimization, which now has parallel raytracing for thousands of NURBS grid points.
Nonlinear Analysis of Chaotic Flow in a Three-Dimensional Closed-Loop Pulsating Heat Pipe

Numerical simulation has been conducted for the chaotic flow in a 3D closed-loop pulsating heat pipe (PHP). Heat flux and constant temperature boundary conditions were applied for evaporator and condenser sections, respectively. Water and ethanol were used as working fluids. Volume of Fluid (VOF) method has been employed for two-phase flow simulation. Spectral analysis of temperature time series was carried out using Power Spectrum Density (PSD) method. Existence of dominant peak in PSD diagram indicated periodic or quasi-periodic behavior in temperature oscillations at particular frequencies. Correlation dimension values for ethanol as working fluid was found to be higher than that for water under the same operating conditions. Similar range of Lyapunov exponent values for the PHP with water and ethanol as working fluids indicated strong dependency of Lyapunov exponent to the structure and dimensions of the PHP. An O-ring structure pattern was obtained for reconstructed 3D attractor at periodic or quasi-periodic behavior of temperature oscillations. Minimum thermal resistance of 0.85 degree/W and 0.88 degree/W were obtained for PHP with water and ethanol, respectively. Simulation results showed good agreement with experimental results from other work under the same operating conditions.
Hypercoagulability After Injury in Premenopausal Females - A Prospective, Multicenter Study

Background Recent studies suggest there are gender-specific differences in injury response that may be related to coagulation. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that rapid thrombelastography (rTEG) coagulation profiles differ by gender. Methods Adult trauma patients were prospectively followed at 3 level 1 trauma centers over a 14-month period. rTEG was obtained upon arrival and serially at several time points during the hospital stay. Female patients were stratified into premenopausal (≤50 years) and postmenopausal (>50 years) age groups with age-matched male cohorts. Values were analyzed using a repeated-measures multilevel linear model to evaluate the effect of gender on coagulation. Results A total of 795 patients had serial rTEG data (24% female and 76% male). Compared with age-matched males, premenopausal females were more hypercoagulable by rTEG on admission (P 4-fold increased risk of hypercoagulable complications than premenopausal females (odds ratio, 4.7; P = .038). Conclusion This prospective, multicenter study demonstrates that premenopausal females are relatively hypercoagulable compared with age-matched males early after injury. However, this did not translate into higher thromboembolic complications.
Atomic and Ionic Radii of Elements 1–96

Atomic and cationic radii have been calculated for the first 96 elements, together with selected anionic radii. The metric adopted is the average distance from the nucleus where the electron density falls to 0.001 electrons per bohr3, following earlier work by Boyd. Our radii are derived using relativistic all-electron density functional theory calculations, close to the basis set limit. They offer a systematic quantitative measure of the sizes of non-interacting atoms, commonly invoked in the rationalization of chemical bonding, structure, and different properties. Remarkably, the atomic radii as defined in this way correlate well with van der Waals radii derived from crystal structures. A rationalization for trends and exceptions in those correlations is provided.
Estimating Causal Effects with Ancestral Graph Markov Models

We present an algorithm for estimating bounds on causal effects from observational data which combines graphical model search with simple linear regression. We assume that the underlying system can be represented by a linear structural equation model with no feedback, and we allow for the possibility of latent variables. Under assumptions standard in the causal search literature, we use conditional independence constraints to search for an equivalence class of ancestral graphs. Then, for each model in the equivalence class, we perform the appropriate regression (using causal structure information to determine which covariates to include in the regression) to estimate a set of possible causal effects. Our approach is based on the "IDA" procedure of Maathuis et al. (2009), which assumes that all relevant variables have been measured (i.e., no unmeasured confounders). We generalize their work by relaxing this assumption, which is often violated in applied contexts. We validate the performance of our algorithm on simulated data and demonstrate improved precision over IDA when latent variables are present.
FEMORO-ACETABULAR IMPINGEMENT: SOLUTION OPTIONS

The majority of patients who develop hip arthritis have a mechanical abnormality of the joint. The structural abnormalities range from instability (DDH) to impingement. Impingement leads to osteoarthritis by chronic damage to the acetabular labrum and adjacent cartilage. In situations of endstage secondary DJD, hip arthroplasty is the most reliable treatment choice. In young patients with viable articular cartilage, joint salvage is indicated. Treatment should be directed at resolving the structural abnormalities that create the impingement. Femoral abnormalities corrected by osteotomy or increased head-neck offset by chondro-osteoplasty creating a satisfactory head-neck offset. This can safely be done via anterior surgical dislocation. The acetabular-labral lesions can be debrided and/or repaired. Acetabular abnormalities should be corrected by “reverse” PAO in those with acetabular retroversion or anterior acetabular debridement in those with satisfactory posterior coverage and a damaged anterior rim. Often combinations of the above are indicated. This talk will also update issues related to hip impingement and joint salvage surgery that have arisen over the past year.
Volatility and slow technology diffusion

Abstract I study the effects of uncertainty on technology adoption and thereby on volatility and growth. I present an analytically-tractable model in which: (i) uncertainty about the returns to adoption delays technology diffusion; and (ii) the mean and volatility of output growth are jointly determined in equilibrium. I then test the key predictions of the model by studying the introduction of three major information and communication technologies (ICTs)—computers, internet, and cell phones. I find that countries with more volatile growth rates of real GDP per capita have higher time adoption lags and lower average growth, as predicted by the model.
Learning topology of distribution grids using only terminal node measurements

Distribution grids include medium and low voltage lines that are involved in the delivery of electricity from substation to end-users/loads. A distribution grid is operated in a radial/tree-like structure, determined by switching on or off lines from an underling loopy graph. Due to the presence of limited real-time measurements, the critical problem of fast estimation of the radial grid structure is not straightforward. This paper presents a new learning algorithm that uses measurements only at the terminal or leaf nodes in the distribution grid to estimate its radial structure. The algorithm is based on results involving voltages of node triplets that arise due to the radial structure. The polynomial computational complexity of the algorithm is presented along with a detailed analysis of its working. The most significant contribution of the approach is that it is able to learn the structure in certain cases where available measurements are confined to only half of the nodes. This represents learning under minimum permissible observability. Performance of the proposed approach in learning structure is demonstrated by experiments on test radial distribution grids.
Constitutive regulation of the glutamate/aspartate transporter EAAT1 by Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II.

Glutamate clearance by astrocytes is an essential part of normal excitatory neurotransmission. Failure to adapt or maintain low levels of glutamate in the central nervous system is associated with multiple acute and chronic neurodegenerative diseases. The primary excitatory amino acid transporters in human astrocytes are EAAT1 and EAAT2 (GLAST and GLT-1, respectively, in rodents). While the inhibition of calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase (CaMKII), a ubiquitously expressed serine/threonine protein kinase, results in diminished glutamate uptake in cultured primary rodent astrocytes (Ashpole et al. 2013), the molecular mechanism underlying this regulation is unknown. Here, we use a heterologous expression model to explore CaMKII regulation of EAAT1 and EAAT2. In transiently transfected HEK293T cells, pharmacological inhibition of CaMKII (using KN-93 or tat-CN21) reduces [3H]-glutamate uptake in EAAT1 without altering EAAT2-mediated glutamate uptake. While over-expressing the Thr287Asp mutant to enhance autonomous CaMKII activity had no effect on either EAAT1 or EAAT2-mediated glutamate uptake, over-expressing a dominant-negative version of CaMKII (Asp136Asn) diminished EAAT1 glutamate uptake. SPOTS peptide arrays and recombinant glutathione S-transferase-fusion proteins of the intracellular N- and C-termini of EAAT1 identified two potential phosphorylation sites at residues Thr26 and Thr37 in the N-terminus. Introducing an Ala (a non-phospho mimetic) at Thr37 diminished EAAT1-mediated glutamate uptake, suggesting that the phosphorylation state of this residue is important for constitutive EAAT1 function. Our study is the first to identify a glutamate transporter as a direct CaMKII substrate and suggests that CaMKII signaling is a critical driver of constitutive glutamate uptake by EAAT1.
The effect of financial reporting quality on corporate dividend policy

This study examines how financial reporting quality affects corporate dividend policy. We find that higher quality reporting is associated with higher dividends. This positive association is more pronounced among firms with more severe free cash flow problems and among firms with higher ownership by monitoring-type institutional investors. Further analysis of the relation between reporting quality and under−/over-payment of dividends suggests that reporting quality largely mitigates underpayment of dividends. Additionally, both a granger causality test and a difference-in-difference analysis of dividend changes around a quasi-exogenous reporting event yield evidence consistent with the direction of causality going from financial reporting to dividends. Overall, these findings are consistent with financial reporting quality acting as a governance mechanism that induces managers to pay dividends by disciplining free cash flow problems. Our findings support the view that dividends are the result of enhanced monitoring (Jensen 1986; La Porta, Lopez-de-Silanes, Shleifer, and Vishny 2000).
The nonconcavity of money-metric utility: A new formulation and proof ☆

We offer a new, succinct proof of the fact that the money metric utility is concave for any preference relation representable by a concave function if and only if the indirect utility is affine in wealth. Our proof exploits the existence of a least concave representation established in Debreu (1976), and brings into salience the observation that the money-metric utility to be itself a least-concave representation of the preferences if it is concave. This observation is apparently new.
Generalizations of Schwarzschild and (Anti) de Sitter Metrics in Clifford Spaces

After a very brief introduction to generalized gravity in Clifford spaces (C-spaces), generalized metric solutions to the C-space gravitational field equations are found, and inspired from the (Anti) de Sitter metric solutions to Einstein’s field equations with a cosmological constant in ordinary spacetimes. C-space analogs of static spherically symmetric metrics solutions are constructed. Concluding remarks are devoted to a thorough discussion about Areal metrics, Kawaguchi–Finsler Geometry, Strings, and plausible novel physical implications of C-space Relativity theory.
S3Pool: Pooling with Stochastic Spatial Sampling

Feature pooling layers (e.g., max pooling) in convolutional neural networks (CNNs) serve the dual purpose of providing increasingly abstract representations as well as yielding computational savings in subsequent convolutional layers. We view the pooling operation in CNNs as a two step procedure: first, a pooling window (e.g., 2&#xd7; 2) slides over the feature map with stride one which leaves the spatial resolution intact, and second, downsampling is performed by selecting one pixel from each non-overlapping pooling window in an often uniform and deterministic (e.g., top-left) manner. Our starting point in this work is the observation that this regularly spaced downsampling arising from non-overlapping windows, although intuitive from a signal processing perspective (which has the goal of signal reconstruction), is not necessarily optimal for learning (where the goal is to generalize). We study this aspect and propose a novel pooling strategy with stochastic spatial sampling (S3Pool), where the regular downsampling is replaced by a more general stochastic version. We observe that this general stochasticity acts as a strong regularizer, and can also be seen as doing implicit data augmentation by introducing distortions in the feature maps. We further introduce a mechanism to control the amount of distortion to suit different datasets and architectures. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach, we perform extensive experiments on several popular image classification benchmarks, observing excellent improvements over baseline models.
Globalization and the gender earnings gap : evidence from Sri Lanka and Cambodia

Disasters in Bangladesh and protests elsewhere have created an intense debate about the value, particularly to women, of apparel employment in developing countries. This paper focuses on how the forces of globalization, specifically the Multi-Fibre Arrangement (MFA), have affected women's wages in the apparel sector in developing countries. The paper uses household and labor force surveys from Cambodia and Sri Lanka to estimate both apparel wage premiums relative to other industries and the male-female wage gap before and after the end of the MFA. The approach builds on new models that apply traditional trade theory (e.g., the Heckscher-Ohlin and Stolper-Samuelson theorems) to analyze the effect of globalization on gender-based earnings. The authors find large positive wage premiums and a closing of the male-female wage gap during the MFA period, but smaller premiums and a widening wage gap after the end of the MFA. The results suggest that the benefits of apparel exports for women in developing countries remain significant post-MFA. They also model an approach for studying the effects of globalization that differentiates males and females as separate factors. This may be a fruitful alternative to discrimination models or those that analyze the effects of globalization on women in terms of skill. Further research is necessary to identify the potential development effects of post-MFA apparel employment and to thoroughly compare the benefits documented in this paper with the costs that may come with apparel jobs.
SURGICAL EXPOSURE IN THE REVISION KNEE: GETTING THERE SAFELY

Exposure in revision total knee replacement can be quite challenging due to scar formation from one or many previous incisions. Disruption of the patellar or quadriceps tendon during revision must be avoided at all costs and many surgical maneuvers have been described to permit safe exposure in order to remove the implants during the initial stage of reconstruction. Standard maneuvers include recreation of the medial and lateral gutters, patient dissection to allow the soft tissue to stretch over time and proximal medial exposure of the tibia and release of the semimembranosis tendon insertion. There are three specialised techniques for exposure during revision total knee replacement: the quadriceps snip as described by Insall, the V-Y quadriceps turndown as described by Coonse and Adams, and the tibial tubercle osteotomy as described by Whiteside. The quadriceps snip is a proximal lateral extension of the medial arthrotomy used during a standard approach. It is easy to perform and can be used for most revision situations. This is should be the standard first choice for gaining exposure in revision surgery. The V-Y quadriceps turndown is quite extensile and is a combination of a lateral retinacular release connected to the proximal portion of the medial arthrotomy. Although it allows excellent exposure in revision situations, it is associated with extensor weakness and extensor lag. The Whiteside tibial tubercle osteotomy is also a versatile approach. Care should be taken to preserve a lateral periosteal sleeve, and subsequent repair with wire presents the best healing possibility. It is quite elegant in providing access to the proximal tibia to facilitate removal of a well fixed, stemmed tibial component.
Semiconductor manufacturing education at San Jose State University

An informal 'opportunistic' laboratory supplement to semiconductor manufacturing education is described. This approach evolved at San Jose State University in conjunction with the traditional curriculum. The curriculum and program resulted from interaction with local semiconductor companies. The traditional undergraduate and the graduate curricula are listed and briefly discussed. The Master of Science degree, a cross-disciplinary program used by practicing semiconductor manufacturing engineers as part time students, is discussed in detail. The Center for Electronic Materials and Devices, a research center with a focus on education, is described. Laboratory short course on microfabrication held in the IC Labs at San Jose State University are attended by professionals from industry. >
Sorting via Chip-Firing

We investigate a variant of the chip-firing process on the infinite path graph $\mathbb{Z}$: rather than treating the chips as indistinguishable, we label them with positive integers. To fire an unstable vertex, i.e. a vertex with more than one chip, we choose any two chips at that vertex and move the lesser-labeled chip to the left and the greater-labeled chip to the right. This labeled version of the chip-firing process exhibits a remarkable confluence property, similar to but subtler than the confluence that prevails for unlabeled chip-firing: when all chips start at the origin and the number of chips is even, the chips always end up in sorted order. Our proof of sorting relies upon an independently interesting lemma concerning unlabeled chip-firing which says that stabilization preserves a natural partial order on configurations. We also discuss some extensions of this sorting phenomenon to other graphs (variants of the infinite path), to other initial configurations, and to other Cartan-Killing types.
Buoyant instabilities in downward flow in a symmetrically heated vertical channel

This study of the downward flow of nitrogen in a tall, partially heated vertical channel (upstream isothermal at Ts∗, heated region isothermal at Tin∗, downstream adiabatic) shows the strong effects of buoyancy even for small temperature differences. Time-dependent oscillations including periodic flow reversals occur along the channel walls. Although the flow and heat transfer are asymmetric, the temperature and axial component of velocity show symmetric reflections at two times that are half a period apart and the lateral component of velocity shows antisymmetric reflections at the two times. There is strong interaction between the downward flow in the central region of the channel and the upward flow along the heated channel walls. At the top of the heated region, the upward buoyant flow turns toward the center of the channel and is incorporated into the downward flow. Along the channel centerline there are nonmonotonic variations of the axial component of velocity and temperature and a large lateral component of velocity that reverses direction periodically. Results are presented for Re = 219.7 and GrRe2=1.83, 8.0 and 13.7. The heat transfer and the frequency of the oscillations increase and the flow and temperature fields become more complex as GrRe2 increases. The results have applications to fiber drying, food processing, crystal growth, solar energy collection, cooling of electronic circuits, ventilation, etc.
Cosmology and convention

Abstract I argue that some important elements of the current cosmological model are 'conventionalist’ in the sense defined by Karl Popper. These elements include dark matter and dark energy; both are auxiliary hypotheses that were invoked in response to observations that falsified the standard model as it existed at the time. The use of conventionalist stratagems in response to unexpected observations implies that the field of cosmology is in a state of 'degenerating problemshift’ in the language of Imre Lakatos. I show that the 'concordance’ argument, often put forward by cosmologists in support of the current paradigm, is weaker than the convergence arguments that were made in the past in support of the atomic theory of matter or the quantization of energy.
Beliefs about Victim‐Offender Conferences: Factors Influencing Victim‐Offender Engagement

Victim-offender conferences provide victims an opportunity to pursue their justice goals while talking directly with their offender. Although research on victims’ conference participation willingness is growing, it has tended to neglect the influence of context factors. Drawing on the theory of planned behavior, the study reported in this article elicited beliefs about justice goals, emotions, perceived support, and external control beliefs related to intent to participate in a victim-offender conference. Analysis indicated that beliefs about justice goals, anticipated emotions, social support, and behavior control influence conference participation willingness. The article identifies implications for research and practice regarding restorative justice and conference participation.
"Against Marrying a Stranger": Marital Matchmaking Technologies in Saudi Arabia

Websites and applications that match and connect individuals for romantic purposes are commonly used in the Western world. However, there have not been many previous investigations focusing on cultural factors that affect the adoption of similar technologies in religiously conservative non-Western cultures. In this study, we examine the socio-technical and cultural factors that influence the perceptions and use of matchmaking technologies in Saudi Arabia. We report the methods and findings of interviews with 18 Saudi nationals (nine males and nine females) with diverse demographics and backgrounds. We provide qualitatively generated insights into the major themes reported by our participants related to the common approaches to matchmaking, the current role of technology, and concerns regarding matchmaking technologies in this cultural con-text. We relate these themes to specific implications for designing marital matchmaking technologies in Saudi Arabia and we outline opportunities for future investigations.
A Game-Theoretic Model for Analysis and Design of Self-organization Mechanisms in IoT

We propose a framework based on Network Formation Game for self-organization in the Internet of Things (IoT). In this framework, heterogeneous and multi-interface nodes are modeled as self-interested agents who individually decide on establishment and severance of links to other agents. Through analysis of the static game, we formally confirm the emergence of realistic topologies from our model, and analytically establish the criteria that lead to stable multi-hop network structures.
In-situ reflection high energy electron diffraction study of structure and morphology evolution of AlN thin films during growth

AIN films were grown on Si (111) substrates using a PSMBE deposition system. Two types of growth methods were used: (i) a continuous growth at one temperature and (ii) a two stage growth where a buffer layer at low temperature is followed by deposition at higher temperature. The structure and morphology of the films grown at different temperatures are compared. The evolution of surface structure and morphology of the film during the growth were studied using in-situ RHEED, X-ray diffraction, and AFM.
Electron holes in phase space: What they are and why they matter

This is a tutorial and selective review explaining the fundamental concepts and some currently open questions concerning the plasma phenomenon of the electron hole. The widespread occurrence of electron holes in numerical simulations, space-craft observations, and laboratory experiments is illustrated. The elementary underlying theory is developed of a one-dimensional electron hole as a localized potential maximum, self-consistently sustained by a deficit of trapped electron phase-space density. The spatial extent of a hole is typically a few Debye lengths; what determines the minimum and maximum possible lengths is explained, addressing the key aspects of the as yet unsettled dispute between the integral and differential approaches to hole structure. In multiple dimensions, holes tend to form less readily; they generally require a magnetic field and distribution-function anisotropy. The mechanisms by which they break up are explained, noting that this transverse instability is not fully understood. Examp...
The Ring Imaging Detector for CLEO III

Abstract The CLEO detector will undergo major improvements in conjunction with a high luminosity upgrade of the CESR electron positron collider, that should increase the luminosity of this machine by a factor of 10. The most innovative feature of the planned CLEO detector is the addition of a state of the art particle identification system, based on a Ring Imaging Cherenkov detector featuring excellent hadron identification at all the momenta relevant to the study of decays of B mesons produced at the Y(4S) resonance. The mechanical design and the readout electronics will be discussed.