cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Turn-on delay of Josephson interferometer logic devices

It has generally been assumed that the switching dynamics of Josephson logic devices can be well approximated by treating the Josephson device as a capacitatively-shunted switch which opens instantaneously when a control current crosses threshold. In this approximation, the switching delay is proportional to RC, where R = load resistance and C = device capacitance. However, we show here that the above approximation is quite incorrect in the technologically important case of logic interferometers in which resonances are suppressed by internal damping. We treat in detail the case of damped two-junction interferometers with step-function control current. Analysis of the equations of motion shows that in addition to the RC delay there is an initial turn-on delay during which the output voltage is very small, and which is most pronounced for heavy internal damping. It consists of the time required for the difference in phase between the two junctions to increase to a critical value, followed by approximately the first half-cycle of growth of the average of the junction phases. The turn-on delay is a strong function of overdrive, (i.e., the factor by which the control current amplitude exceeds threshold), being smallest at large overdrives, and scales as (C/i 0 )1/2, where i 0 = junction critical current. Hence it can be reduced by miniaturization and/or increased junction current density. For parameter values typical of 5μm Josephson circuit technology, the turn-on delay is on the order of 10pS at large overdrives (≃2).
21st century gigascale integration (GSI)

Summary form only given. Throughout the past 35 years integrated electronics has advanced at a pace unmatched in technological history. Minimum feature sizes have declined by about a factor of 1/50, switching energy of a binary transition has decreased by approximately 1/105 times, the number of transistors per chip has multiplied by around 50/spl times/106, the price range of a chip has remained virtually unchanged and its reliability has increased manifold. As a consequence of these unprecedented advances, integrated electronics has been the principal driver of the modern information revolution. The ubiquitous microchip has had a profound and pervasive impact on our Lives. Consequently, future prospects for continuing the technological advance of integrated electronics are of paramount importance to society as a whole. The central thesis of this discussion is that future opportunities for multi-billion transistor chips-described as gigascale integration (GSI)-in the 21st century will be governed by a hierarchy of physical limits. The levels of this hierarchy can be codified as (1) fundamental, (2) material, (3) device, (4) circuit and (5) system.
Enhanced CH4 emissions from a wetland soil exposed to elevated CO2

Methane emissions from wetland soils are generally a positive function ofplant size and primary productivity, and may be expected to increase dueto enhanced rates of plant growth in a future atmosphere of elevatedCO2. We performed two experiments with Orontium aquaticum, acommon emergent aquatic macrophyte in temperate and sub-tropical wetlands, todetermine if enhanced rates of photosynthesis in elevated CO2atmospheres would increase CH4 emissions from wetland soils.O. aquaticum was grown from seed in soil cores under ambient and elevated(ca. 2-times ambient) concentrations of CO2 in an initialglasshouse study lasting 3 months and then a growth chamber study lasting 6months. Photosynthetic rates were 54 to 71% higher underelevated CO2 than ambient CO2, but plantbiomass was not significantly different at the end of the experiment. Ineach case, CH4 emissions were higher under elevated thanambient CO2 levels after 2 to 4 months of treatment, suggestinga close coupling between photosynthesis and methanogenesis in our plant-soilsystem. Methane emissions in the growth chamber study increased by 136%. We observed a significant decrease in transpirationrates under elevated CO2 in the growth chamber study, andspeculate that elevated CO2 may also stimulate CH4 emissions by increasing the extent and duration offlooding in some wetland ecosystems. Elevated CO2 maydramatically increase CH4 emissions from wetlands, a sourcethat currently accounts for 40% of global emissions.
The highly influential teacher: recognising our unsung heroes.

Objectives This study was designed to investigate the roles, characteristics and contributions to the educational process of highly influential teachers described retrospectively by faculty members who were former medical students and trainees. Methods The authors collected 20 appreciative inquiry narratives from a convenience sample of 22 faculty members (91% collection rate) at three medical schools that had volunteered to participate in a year-long programme of faculty development in humanism in medicine. The faculty members wrote narratives in response to the prompt: ‘Write about your most influential teacher.’ The four authors performed qualitative analysis of the 20 narratives using the constant comparison method to identify the characteristics of influential teachers. Results Particular relational features with their learners explain the profound influences of these teachers on the professional development of their learners. All influential teachers shared qualities of excellence in teaching and nearly all were described as caring, generous and selfless in their relationships with learners. Conclusions Highly influential teachers have no official roles, yet appear to profoundly influence the professional development of many learners at various stages of the educational process.
Measuring the impact of employee loss

Turnover and retention are of major concern to organizations, and require measurement that is meaningful, accurate, and thoughtful. This article describes the main concepts, key factors, and techniques necessary to accurately measure employee loss. Regrettable and nonregrettable turnover are considered, analysis techniques are presented using case studies, strategies for controlling turnover are described, and an explanation of how improved measurement of turnover and retention can help implement organizational strategy is presented.
Cytokine production by human herpesvirus 8-infected dendritic cells

We have shown previously that human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8)-infected dendritic cells (DCs) undergo incomplete maturation and have a defective antigen-presenting function. Here, we examined the effects of HHV-8 infection on cytokine production, which is critical to the function of DCs. We detected expression of interleukin (IL)-6, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α, MIP-1β, RANTES and IL-12p40 from 2 to 6 h post-infection, and these peaked by 15–24 h. Expression of these factors decreased 24–48 h post-infection, with the exception of TNF-α which remained high throughout the entire 72 h. Interestingly, while IL-12p40 expression increased post-infection, bioactive IL-12p70 was not detected in the supernatants. These results suggest an intentional skewing of cytokine production in HHV-8-infected DCs towards induction of a Th2 response.
Comparative Evaluation of Small-molecule Chemosensitizers in Reversal of Cisplatin Resistance in Ovarian Cancer Cells

Cisplatin-resistance is one of the major challenges in the treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer. Small-molecule chemosensitizers provide a therapeutically feasible approach to overcome cisplatin resistance in ovarian cancer. However, proper selection of chemosensitizer is of prime importance owing to phenotypic differences in cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancers. The resistance reversal activity of chemosensitizers buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), triethylenetetramine (TETA), genistein, rapamycin and colchicine was investigated in various cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells, 2008 C13, CP70 and OVCAR 8 using MTT assays. Cellular accumulation of cisplatin in the presence of chemosensitizers was analyzed by inductively-coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). Chemosensitizers exhibited resistance reversal activity in 2008 C13 and CP70 cells in the following order; colchicine> genistein>TETA> rapamycin ≥ BSO (p<0.05), which is in correlation with cellular accumulation of cisplatin. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that resistance reversal activity of chemosensitizers varies with phenotypic behavior of cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells. Data from our study can be utilized to choose a specific chemosensitizer for individualized combination therapy for cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer.
Evolving toward a human-cell based and multiscale approach to drug discovery for CNS disorders

A disruptive approach to therapeutic discovery and development is required in order to significantly improve the success rate of drug discovery for central nervous system (CNS) disorders. In this review, we first assess the key factors contributing to the frequent clinical failures for novel drugs. Second, we discuss cancer translational research paradigms that addressed key issues in drug discovery and development and have resulted in delivering drugs with significantly improved outcomes for patients. Finally, we discuss two emerging technologies that could improve the success rate of CNS therapies: human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-based studies and multiscale biology models. Coincident with advances in cellular technologies that enable the generation of hiPSCs directly from patient blood or skin cells, together with methods to differentiate these hiPSC lines into specific neural cell types relevant to neurological disease, it is also now possible to combine data from large-scale forward genetics and post-mortem global epigenetic and expression studies in order to generate novel predictive models. The application of systems biology approaches to account for the multiscale nature of different data types, from genetic to molecular and cellular to clinical, can lead to new insights into human diseases that are emergent properties of biological networks, not the result of changes to single genes. Such studies have demonstrated the heterogeneity in etiological pathways and the need for studies on model systems that are patient-derived and thereby recapitulate neurological disease pathways with higher fidelity. In the context of two common and presumably representative neurological diseases, the neurodegenerative disease Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), and the psychiatric disorder schizophrenia (SZ), we propose the need for, and exemplify the impact of, a multiscale biology approach that can integrate panomic, clinical, imaging, and literature data in order to co
Verified Software: Theories, Tools, Experiments

The ideal of verified software has long been the goal of research in Computer Science. This paper argues that the time is ripe to embark on a Grand Challenge project to construct a program verifier, based on a sound and complete theory of programming, and evaluated by experimental application to a representative sample of useful computer software.
Pro-B-cell to pre-B-cell development in B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia expressing the MLL/AF4 fusion protein

The most common chromosomal abnormality of infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the t(4;11)(q21;q23) that gives rise to the MLL/AF4 fusion gene. Leukemic blasts expressing MLL/AF4 are arrested at an early progenitor stage with lymphoid or monocytoid characteristics. A novel B-lineage ALL cell line termed B-lineage-3 (BLIN-3) requiring human bone marrow (BM) stromal cell contact and interleukin-7 (IL-7) for optimal proliferation has been established. BLIN-3 cells have a CD19(+)/CD10(-) phenotype typical of infant ALL, and they harbor the t(4;11)(q21;q23) chromosomal translocation. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis confirmed the presence of the MLL/AF4 fusion mRNA and protein in BLIN-3. Initial BLIN-3 cultures had a pro-B cell phenotype and did not express cytoplasmic or surface mu heavy chain. After approximately 5 months in culture on BM stromal cells plus IL-7, BLIN-3 sublines emerged expressing mu heavy chain and VpreB on the cell surfaces (ie, pre-B-cell receptor [BCR](+)). BLIN-3 cells expressing pre-BCR had the t(4;11)(q21;q23) translocation and expressed the MLL/AF4 fusion protein. Cross-linking the BLIN-3 pre-BCR led to enhanced cell proliferation, demonstrating that BLIN-3 expressed a functional pre-BCR. Increased acquisition of surface pre-BCR in BLIN-3 sublines was associated with loss of DJ rearrangements and the appearance of VDJ rearrangements. These results indicate that expression of the MLL/AF4 fusion protein is compatible with BM stromal cell and cytokine dependency, functional immunoglobulin gene segment rearrangement, and subsequent expression of a potentially diverse antigen receptor repertoire. Thus, the expression of MLL/AF4 is compatible with the normal developmental program of human B-lineage cells.
An inexpensive open-source ultrasonic sensing system for monitoring liquid levels

Liquid levels are measured in a variety of agricultural applications, and are often measured manually, which can be time-consuming and labor-intensive. Rapid advances in electronic technologies have made a variety of inexpensive sensing, monitoring, and control capabilities available. A monitoring system was developed and evaluated for automatic measurement of liquid levels, and demonstrated by monitoring water levels in evaporation pans used in evaporation studies and irrigation scheduling. The system is composed of an ultrasonic sensor, a microcontroller-based data logger, and a temperature sensor. The ultrasonic sensor measures the distance from the sensor to the liquid surface. Air temperature is measured by the temperature sensor, and is used to compensate for changes in the speed of sound due to air-temperature variations to improve accuracy of ultrasonic distance measurements. The datalogger is programmed to take measurements and to store data on a memory card which can be downloaded for processing and analysis. All components of the system were assembled in a PVC housing. The system was tested in the field, and resulted in water levels measured by the system corresponding very closely to those measured manually (R 2 > 0.98). This system is inexpensive, with total cost of US$85, and easy to build, install, and
Avoiding Delay Jitter in Cyber-Physical Systems Using One Way Delay Variations Model

Delay jitter adversely affects the performance ofnetworked real-time applications that require accurate prediction of packet delivery times. Delay jitter can be smoothed by holding packets in a play-back buffer for a certain time called a playback delay. In this paper, we propose a scheme to enhance the prediction of the play-back delay in Networked Control Systems (NCSs) with no need for clock synchronization. Our newly proposed scheme differs from previous schemes by using the one way delay variation. We have studied the behavior of one way delay variation by conducting extensive measurements between 50 strategically located wired and wireless connected hosts. The advantage of our scheme is that it significantly improves handlingof sudden delay spikes, provides a closer approximation to the round trip time (RTT), and exhibits less frequent outliers.
Differential effect of three-repeat and four-repeat tau on mitochondrial axonal transport

Tau protein is present in six different splice forms in the human brain and interacts with microtubules via either 3 or 4 microtubule binding repeats. An increased ratio of 3 repeat to 4 repeat isoforms is associated with neurodegeneration in inherited forms of frontotemporal dementia. Tau over-expression diminishes axonal transport in several systems, but differential effects of 3 repeat and 4 repeat isoforms have not been studied. We examined the effects of tau on mitochondrial transport and found that both 3 repeat and 4 repeat tau change normal mitochondrial distribution within the cell body and reduce mitochondrial localization to axons; 4 repeat tau has a greater effect than 3 repeat tau. Further, we observed that the 3 repeat and 4 repeat tau cause different alterations in retrograde and anterograde transport dynamics with 3 repeat tau having a slightly stronger effect on axon transport dynamics. Our results indicate that tau-induced changes in axonal transport may be an underlying theme in neurodegenerative diseases associated with isoform specific changes in tau's interaction with microtubules.
Combinatorial Fusion Criteria for Robot Mapping

We address the problem of sensor fusion for stereo and ultrasound depth measurements for map building for a robot operating in a cluttered environment. In such a situation it's difficult to make useful and realistic assumptions about the sensor or environment statistics. Combinatorial Fusion Analysis is used to develop an approach to fusion with unknown sensor and environment statistics. A metric is proposed that shows when fusion from a set of fusion alternatives will produce a more accurate estimation of depth than either sonar or stereo alone and when not. The metric consists of two criteria: (a) the performance ratio PR(A,B) between sensors A and B, and (b) the diversity d(A,B) between A and B as captured by the rank-score function fA and fB. Experimental results are reported to illustrate that these two CFA criteria are viable predictors to distinguish between positive cases (the combined system performs better than or equal to the individual systems) and negative cases.
Cultural Value Dimensions and Ethnicity within Kenya

The study compared the cultural values along the seven World Values Survey dimensions. Subjects were 811 males, age 18 to 35, proportionately representing the 11 largest ethnic groups in Kenya. The study extended research in cultural differences between ethnic identities within a country, supplemental to cultural differences between countries. Significant differences are found between the Kenyan ethnic groups on the dimensions of masculinity, uncertainty avoidance, indulgence vs. restraint, and long-term orientation. Post-hoc analyses differentiated between individual ethnic groups on the cultural dimensions. Implications for management are presented to acknowledge ethnic differences in world orientation based on cultural dimension differences of ethnicities within Kenya.
Presidential Use of Force in the Drone Age

The diversionary hypothesis has advanced substantially and now recognizes that opportunities to use force diminish when a president’s need is greatest. Drone technology, however, now supplies presidents with an opportunity-creating tool. The War on Terror’s ever-present, stateless belligerents and the relatively insignificant operating costs of drone technology have fundamentally altered the cost-benefit calculus underlying use of force abroad allowing for stronger theoretical linkages between domestic political conditions and a president’s foreign policy decisions. Using data measuring drone strikes outside of congressionally sanctioned warzones, we show that political and economic domestic conditions indeed influence the president’s use of drone force.
The brain as a chemical machine.

Publisher Summary The energy metabolism of the brain is one of the most active of all the organs in the body. Oxygen is utilized in the brain almost entirely for the oxidation of carbohydrates. The brain not just consumes oxygen at a rapid rate, but it is dependent on continued uninterrupted oxidative metabolism for maintenance of its functional and structural integrity. Not all of the oxygen consumption of brain is used for energy. The brain contains a variety of oxidases and hydroxylases that function in the synthesis and metabolism of a number of neurotransmitters, neuromodulators, etc. All of these enzymes are present in the brain, and the reactions catalyzed by them utilize oxygen. When the total turnover of the neurotransmitters and the sum total of the maximal velocities of all the oxidases involved in their synthesis and degradation are considered, it is clear that the oxygen consumed in the turnover of the neurotransmitters can account for only a very small, possibly immeasurable, fraction of the total oxygen consumption of the brain.
A Thermal Radiation Heat Source and Imaging System for Biomedical Research

A thermal radiation imaging system has been developed which is capable of heating an area of 1 cm2 with up to 18 cal/cm2-sec of radiant flux with a uniformity of ±1%. The source and the optical imaging system provide a high degree of stability and reproducibility for extended periods. The radiant heat flux is achieved using a resistance-heated graphite element enclosed in an inert atmosphere. The radiant energy from the source is collected and refocused by means of a compound optical imaging system, sometimes called a “clamshell” imaging system. The high degree of flux uniformity is achieved by means of a heat flux redistributor placed at the image focus of the system.
Positivity of for symplectic representations

Abstract Let π a cuspidal generic representation of SO(2n+1). We prove that L( 1 2 ,π)⩾0 . To cite this article: E. Lapid, S. Rallis, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 334 (2002) 101–104
A Sampling System for Measurement of Nanometer-Sized Particles in Hydrogen

Particle counting in reactive gases such as hydrogen and oxygen utilizing condensation nucleus counter (CNC) technology is now possible with counters such as the CPC 7651 being commercially available. Described here is a sampling system that allows these counters to be used for continuous monitoring in hydrogen and oxygen.A closed sampling system is described which maintains the inlet of the particle counter at slightly above atmospheric pressure, utilizing sample gas pressure to maintain the proper sample flow rate. This avoids the use of a sampling pump which is a potential ignition source when used with reactive gases. For continuous monitoring applications, refilling of the working fluid during operation is necessary. A pressurized fill system is also described which allows a counter to be refilled against the elevated pressure at the sample inlet. The fill system provides an inert gas above the working fluid and can also be used to refill multiple particle counters.
THU0355 Monotherapy versus combination therapy in the treatment of fibromyalgia

Background At the present time three drugs (pregabalin, duloxetine, milnacipran) are approved by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of fibromyalgia. There is no medication currently that is capable of complete symptom control, as the available drugs have been shown to improve only one or two fibromyalgia symptoms. Objectives The aim of the present study was to assess the potential additive or synergistic effects of combined pharmacotherapy in comparison to monotherapy in treatment of fibromyalgia. Methods This was a retrospective study reviewing 785 patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Pregabalin, flexibly dosed (50-450 mg/day), was administered to 122 fibromyalgia patients in combination with Duloxetine, also flexibly dosed (30-120 mg/day), or Milnacipran (25-200 mg/day). Three hundred and thirty-four patients were administered one of the three FDA approved drugs alone. Outcome measures included the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), The Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) and the patients’ Global Improvement scale (PGI). Emergent adverse reactions were also recorded. Results Treatment with pregabalin in combination with either duloxetine or milnacipran was superior to monotherapy in regards to improvements in fibromyalgia severity, sleep quality, depression and pain interference with daily activity. Combination therapy resulted in an improvement in the pain score of 29.3% when compared to that of monotherapy. Conclusions Treatment with combined pharmacotherapy significantly improved fibromyalgia severity and associated symptomatology. Combination therapy is synergistic in their effects and yields greater results in multiple symptom domains compared to that of monotherapy. Larger, prospective trials should be developed to test this conclusion and to assess safety and tolerability of combination therapy. Disclosure of Interest S. Metyas Consultant for: Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, M. Ibrahim: None Declared, E. Ortiz: None Declared, S. Maher: None Declared, D. Arkfeld Consultant for: Cypress Pharmaceuticals
Gluconic acid as a fresh beef decontaminant

Effectiveness of 0, 1.5 and 3.0% gluconic acid (G) and/or 0 and 1.5% lactic acid (L) solutions in reducing aerobic psychrotrophic bacteria plate counts (PPCs) and lactic acid bacteria counts (LACs) on vacuum-packaged beef was investigated at 0, 14, 28 and 56 days of storage. Instrumental and visual color changes were evaluated up to 28 days. Steaks treated with 1.5% L, plus 1.5% G or 3.0% G, solutions showed 2.0 and 2.5 log reductions (P 0.05). However, PPCs were lower (P<O.05) for samples treated with 1.5% L than with 1.5% G at 28 and 56 days of storage. The effect of G plus L in reducing (P<0.05) LACs was evident at all storage periods. Inoculation with Lactobacillus fermentum (104 colony forming units [CFU]/ml) resulted in higher (P<0.05) PPCs and LACs at 28 and 56 days compared to noninoculated counterparts. Increasing G from 1.5 to 3.0% decreased (P<0.05) redness and increased (P<0.05) yellowness at day 0. Samples treated with 1.5% L solution had numerically the lowest a* values at days 0 and 14. This detrimental effect was reduced (P<0.05) when 1.5% G was added in combination with L, because redness increased (P<0.05) at day 14. At 0 day, 1.5% L steaks showed the fastest (P<0.05) rate of color deterioration. At 14 days, the presence of L alone or in combination with 1.5 or 3% G resulted in steaks with slightly faster (P<0.05) color deterioration compared to steaks treated with G or not treated. At day 28, 3.0% G samples revealed the fastest (P<0.05) color deterioration. This detrimental effect on color was reduced (P<O.05) when G plus L was applied at 1.5%.
Analysis on Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure and Government Strategy

The necessity and urgency of electric vehicle charging infrastructure were analyzed as starting points in this paper. Then quasi-public and quasi-operational characteristics of charging infrastructure were defined,and it was demonstrated that the diversification of charging infrastructure builders,including government,is essential and feasible. On the basis of international and domestic experiences,the role of government as investment financing policy maker and necessary financial subsidy supporter was proposed. Finally,main strategies for government were suggested,including improving overall strategic awareness of charging infrastructure,strengthening assisting for externality research,promoting diversification of builders,improving the subsidy mechanism and reinforcing regulation and macro guidance for local government.
Application of Projection Pursuit Method in Risk Assessment of Reclaimed Water

In order to comprehensively reflect the risk assessment of reclaimed water,twelve related evaluation factors were selected to establish the risk assessment index system of the reclaimed water by taking the health,economic and ecological environment risks as the criteria layer.Taking Chongqing City,Sichuang,Guizhou and Yunan Province as an example,projection pursuit model was used to evaluate the risk of the reclaimed water,and the genetic algorithm was adopted to calculate the optimal projection direction vector.The results show that the risk of the reclaimed water in Chongqing City and Sichuang Province are higher while that of Guizhou and Yunnan Province are lower.The evaluation results of projection pursuit model are consistent with the actual situation.Therefore,the proposed method is efficient and accurate for evaluation risk of urban reclaimed water.
Comparative beta-blocking activities and effects on sodium excretion of sotalol and propranolol.

This study compares beta-blocking effects and effects on urinary sodium excretion of propranolol and sotalol, a new beta blocker. All subjects received a liquid, 100 mEq. sodium diet. Acute effects were studied in 4 normal men who received graded daily doses (5 to 1,280 mg. orally) of the 2 beta blockers after a control period in a crossover design. Subacute effects were studied in 2 groups of 6 men who received 2 doses of each drug for 4 days. Both propranolol and sotalol produced dose-related attenuation of the increases in heart rate and decreases in diastolic blood pressure during isoproterenol infusions. Neither drug appreciably altered 24 hour urinary sodium, potassium, or creatinine excretion. Both drugs reversed the day-night ratio of urinary sodium excretion, but propranolol produced this effect at a lower dose level than sotalol. Reversal of the day-night ratio was not dose related with either drug and could not be directly correlated with beta blockade.
Multiple Nodules and Masses

Multiple pulmonary nodules are most often metastases from a distant primary tumor, but they must be distinguished from a number of inflammatory and infectious diseases that may cause multiple pulmonary nodules or masses. Calcification of nodules is common and most often the result of a healed granuloma from tuberculosis or histoplasmosis. Silicosis and coal worker’s pneumoconiosis both cause upper lobe nodules and masses that may have a characteristic appearance with an upper lobe distribution. Sarcoidosis occasionally causes multifocal opacities that may appear as solid nodules or masses on the chest x-ray, but computed tomography often reveals air bronchograms and confirms the opacities to be consolidations rather than masses. Confirmation of consolidations rather than solid masses makes metastases unlikely.
A Comprehensive View of Frequent Emergency Department Users Based on Data from a Regional HIE

Objectives A small but significant number of patients make frequent emergency department (ED) visits to multiple EDs within a region. We have a unique health information exchange (HIE) that includes every ED encounter in all hospital systems in our region. Using our HIE we were able to characterize all frequent ED users in our region, regardless of hospital visited or payer class. The objective of our study was to use data from an HIE to characterize patients in a region who are frequent ED users (FEDUs). Methods We constructed a database from a cohort of adult patients (18 years old or older) with information in a regional HIE for a 1-year period beginning in April 2012. Patients were defined as FEDUs (those who made four or more visits during the study period) and non-FEDUs (those who made fewer than four ED visits during the study period). Predictor variables included age, race, sex, payer class, county of residence, and International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes. Bivariate (χ(2)) and multivariate (logistic regression) analyses were performed to determine associations between predictor variables and the outcome of being a FEDU. Results The database contained 127,672 patients, 12,293 (9.6%) of whom were FEDUs. Logistic regression showed the following patient characteristics to be significantly associated with the outcome of being a FEDU: age 35 to 44 years; African American race; Medicaid, Medicare, and dual-pay payer class; and International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes 630 to 679 (complications of pregnancy, childbirth, and puerperium), 780 to 799 (ill-defined conditions), 280 to 289 (diseases of the blood), 290-319 (mental disorders), 680 to 709 (diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue), 710 to 739 (musculoskeletal and connective tissue disease), 460 to 519 (respiratory disease), and 520 to 579 (digestive disease). No significant differences were noted between men and women. Conclusions Data from an HIE can be used to describe all of the patients within a region who are FEDUs, regardless of the hospital system they visited. This information can be used to focus care coordination efforts and link appropriate patients to a medical home. Future studies can be designed to learn the reasons why patients become FEDUs, and interventions can be developed to address deficiencies in health care that result in frequent ED visits.
CryptoLock (and Drop It): Stopping Ransomware Attacks on User Data

Ransomware is a growing threat that encrypts auser's files and holds the decryption key until a ransom ispaid by the victim. This type of malware is responsible fortens of millions of dollars in extortion annually. Worse still, developing new variants is trivial, facilitating the evasion of manyantivirus and intrusion detection systems. In this work, we presentCryptoDrop, an early-warning detection system that alerts a userduring suspicious file activity. Using a set of behavior indicators, CryptoDrop can halt a process that appears to be tampering witha large amount of the user's data. Furthermore, by combininga set of indicators common to ransomware, the system can beparameterized for rapid detection with low false positives. Ourexperimental analysis of CryptoDrop stops ransomware fromexecuting with a median loss of only 10 files (out of nearly5,100 available files). Our results show that careful analysis ofransomware behavior can produce an effective detection systemthat significantly mitigates the amount of victim data loss.
Higher-spin massless S matrices in four dimensions

On-shell, analytic $S$-matrix elements in massless theories are constructed from a finite set of primitive three-point amplitudes, which are fixed by Poincar\'e invariance up to an overall numerical constant. We classify all such three-point amplitudes in four dimensions. Imposing the simplest incarnation of locality and unitarity on four-particle amplitudes constructed from these three-particle amplitudes rules out all but an extremely small subset of interactions among higher-spin massless states. Notably, the equivalence principle and the Weinberg-Witten theorem are simple corollaries of this principle. Further, no massless states with helicity larger than two may consistently interact with massless gravitons. Chromodynamics, electrodynamics, Yukawa and ${\ensuremath{\phi}}^{3}$ theories are the only marginal and relevant interactions between massless states. Finally, we show that supersymmetry naturally emerges as a consistency condition on four-particle amplitudes involving spin-$3/2$ states, which must always interact gravitationally.
Associated or Enrolled 1900–1918

Nathaniel Porter Ball, like Grace Bingham Bessey, was another early member of the American Meteor Society (AMS) who came to meteor work later in life.
Dose Adjusted IV Busulfan/Cyclophosphamide (BU/CY) and Autologous (AU) Stem Cell Transplantation (SCT) for Recurrent Lymphoma.

The optimal preparative therapy for AuSCT for lymphoma is unknown. High dose Bu/CY is a generally well tolerated, and an effective regimen for allogeneic SCT for hematologic malignancy (HM), and autologous SCT for myeloid malignancies. It has, however, been less well studied for lymphoid malignancies. IV busulfan has largely replaced oral busulfan because of more predictable pharmacokinetics, and ease of administration. We have treated 46 patients (pts) with recurrent, chemosensitive lymphoma or lymphoma in which an initial complete remission was not achieved with the Bu/CY regimen and AuSCT from 2001 – 2004. 4 pts had AIDS related NHL (ARL). Patients had received a median of two chemoradiotherapeutic regimens prior to SCT. Diagnoses were indolent NHL (n = 12), aggressive NHL (n = 28) and Hodgkin’s disease (n = 6). IV busulfan was given at a dose of 0.8 mg/kg (based on actual or ideal body weight (IBW) whichever was less) every six hours for 16 doses (for patients 20% IBW) was given on days −3 and −2. AuSCT was performed on day 0. Additional autologous bone marrow was infused in pts who had less than 2 x 106/ kg CD 34+ progenitor cells (n = 2). Median (range) patient age was 56 (24–78) years. Four pts were = 70 years old at the time of transplant. Median (range) times to ANC = 0.5 and platelets = 20k were 10 (8–12) and 12 (8–64) days, respectively. Regimen related toxicities (according to the Bearman toxicity scale) included grade II-III mucosal toxicity (n = 7), hepatic VOD (n = 1), and grade II GI toxicity (n = 7). Documented infection occurred in 16 (35%) pts. Two pts (4.4%) died before day 100 from non-relapse causes (progressive pulmonary toxicity (n = 1), recurrence of melanoma (n = 1). Late (= day 100) non-relapse mortality (NRM) occurred in two pts (respiratory failure, (n = 1); hepatic VOD (n = 1). Overall NRM was 8.7% (4/46 patients). No NRM occurred in pts with ARL or pts > 70 yrs. Fourteen of 40 pts with NHL have had relapse/progression. Three of six pts with HD have had relapse/progression. Actuarial progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) probabilities are 67% and 100% at 32 mos for pts with indolent NHL and 44% and 79% at 25 mos for pts with aggressive NHL, respectively. High dose IV Bu/CY as preparation for AuSCT, with dose reduction of IV busulfan to 14 mg/kg for patients = 50 years is well tolerated and is associated with favorable PFS and OS probabilities. The regimen has also been well tolerated in pts over the age of 70 with no life threatening or fatal toxicities in this subgroup.
Methodology for electric potential sensor noise measurement in salt water

Currently, there is not a known standard that exists for comparing electric potential sensors in salt water. This paper is a study for a methodology to produce repeatable noise measurements for salt water electric potential sensor development. By creating a baseline for each subsystem, a model for overall background noise measurement can be made. This allows for tracking where the dominant noise is added into the overall measuring system. This methodology also allows for variation in sensor creation, amplifier design, and data acquisition system selection to be compared with consistency between datasets. To validate the methodology, a study on a Texas Instruments instrumentation amplifier used as a preamplifier to the electrical potential sensor is performed and shown. The electric potential sensor probe used is comprised of three orthogonal pairs of silver silver chloride (Ag/AgCl) electrodes. Two electric potential sensor probes are designed and tested; one is a three inch diameter spherical probe with cylindrical electrodes and the other is a 3 inch diameter spherical probe with disc electrodes. Both have preamplifier inside the sphere and having the preamplifier contained inside the probe is to limit the noise occurred on the input to the preamplifier. The study is performed and the best sensor option for lowest noise floor is shown.
Global metabolic rewiring for improved CO 2 fixation and chemical production in cyanobacteria

Cyanobacteria have attracted much attention as hosts to recycle CO2 into valuable chemicals. Although cyanobacteria have been engineered to produce various compounds, production efficiencies are too low for commercialization. Here we engineer the carbon metabolism of Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 to improve glucose utilization, enhance CO2 fixation and increase chemical production. We introduce modifications in glycolytic pathways and the Calvin Benson cycle to increase carbon flux and redirect it towards carbon fixation. The engineered strain efficiently uses both CO2 and glucose, and produces 12.6 g l-1 of 2,3-butanediol with a rate of 1.1 g l-1 d-1 under continuous light conditions. Removal of native regulation enables carbon fixation and 2,3-butanediol production in the absence of light. This represents a significant step towards industrial viability and an excellent example of carbon metabolism plasticity.
A PRIMER ON AMERICAN LABOR LAW, SIXTH EDITION

A Primer on American Labor Law is an accessible guide written for nonspecialists—labor and management representatives, students, general practice lawyers, and trade unionists, government officials, and academics from other countries. It covers such topics as the National Labor Relations Act, unfair labor practices, the collective bargaining relationship, dispute resolution, the public sector, and public-interest labor law. This thoroughly updated fourth edition contains extensive new material, covering developments in the eleven years since the third edition, including the continuing decline in union membership, job security rights, wrongful discharge litigation and dispute resolution procedures, ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) litigation, cases involving sexual harassment and sexual orientation, the most recent collective bargaining agreements in professional sports, and the debate—spurred by globalism—on international labor standards. Much of the discussion of the National Labor Relations Act discusses decisions and policy changes by the National Labor Relations Board during the author's chairmanship in 1994-1998.
Inherited SHQ1 mutations impair interaction with NAP57/dyskerin, a major target in dyskeratosis congenita

Background The inherited bone marrow failure syndrome dyskeratosis congenita (DC) is most frequently caused by mutations in DKC1 (MIM# 300126), the gene encoding NAP57 (aka dyskerin). The typically missense mutations modulate the interaction of NAP57 with its chaperone SHQ1, but no DC mutations have been identified in SHQ1 (MIM# 613663). Here, we report on two compound heterozygous mutations in SHQ1 in a patient with a severe neurological disorder including cerebellar degeneration. Methods The SHQ1 mutations were identified by patient exome sequencing. The impact of the mutations was assessed in pulldown assays with recombinant NAP57. Results The SHQ1 mutations were the only set of mutations consistent with an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. The mutations map to the SHQ1-NAP57 interface and impair the interaction of the recombinant SHQ1 variants with NAP57. Conclusion Intrauterine growth retardation and the neurological phenotype of the patient are reminiscent of the severe clinical variant of DC, the Hoyeraal-Hreidarsson syndrome (HH). Hence, SHQ1 screening may be warranted in patients with inherited bone marrow failure syndromes.
Reply to "Herpes Simplex Virus 1, Macrophages, and the Cornea".

In a letter to the editor regarding our report in the Journal of Virology (JVI) ([1][1]), several issues were raised by Daniel Carr, and our responses to his points are as follows. (i) Dr. Carr, in support of his comments, cites papers by Tumpey et al. ([2][2]) and Thomas et al. ([3][3]). However,
Differential Regulation of Lipoprotein and Hepatitis C Virus Secretion by Rab1b

Secretory cells produce diverse cargoes, yet how they regulate concomitant secretory traffic remains insufficiently explored. Rab GTPases control intracellular vesicular transport. To map secretion pathways, we generated a library of lentivirus-expressed dominant-negative Rab mutants and used it in a large-scale screen to identify regulators of hepatic lipoprotein secretion. We identified several candidate pathways, including those mediated by Rab11 and Rab8. Surprisingly, inhibition of Rab1b, the major regulator of transport from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi, differently affected the secretion of the very-low-density lipoprotein components ApoE and ApoB100, despite their final association on mature secreted lipoprotein particles. Since hepatitis C virus (HCV) incorporates ApoE and ApoB100 into its virus particle, we also investigated infectious HCV secretion and show that its regulation by Rab1b mirrors that of ApoB100. These observations reveal differential regulation of hepatocyte secretion by Rab1b and advance our understanding of lipoprotein assembly and lipoprotein and HCV secretion.
Understanding Business Interests in International Large-Scale Student Assessments: A Media Analysis of "The Economist," "Financial Times," and "Wall Street Journal".

The media analysis is situated in the larger body of studies that explore the varied reasons why different policy actors advocate for international large-scale student assessments (ILSAs) and adds ...
Efficiency, Uniqueness, and Robustness

There are (at least) three primary considerations when designing a sketch-based authentication system: computational complexity, security, and tolerance. In this chapter, using the generalized Simple K-Space (SKS) approach, the efficiency of model construction is studied. There are two algorithmic implementations to construct this model: the direct/forward approach (or primal algorithm) or the indirect/backward (or dual algorithm). The efficiency of constructing the SKS model is important because the model is most definitely the computational bottleneck of this method. Here, the dual algorithm is shown to enable the use of a model approximation that significantly improves the efficiency for computing the high dimensional model representation. Also, the tradeoff between security and usability is analyzed using SKS. In particular, it is demonstrated that as smoothing parameters of the SKS model asymptotically approach zero, the model is unique and provides “perfect security.” However, we also demonstrate the model is generally not unique, but more robust, when a sufficient amount of smoothing occurs over the model. Therefore, SKS is shown to explicitly provide fine-tuned controllability of the security/usability tradeoff.
Least Squares Isotonic Regression in Two Dimensions

Given a finite partially-ordered set with a positive weighting function defined on its points, it is well known that any real-valued function defined on the set has a unique best order-preserving approximation in the weighted least squares sense. Many algorithms have been given for the solution of this isotonic regression problem. Most such algorithms either are not polynomial or they are of unknown time complexity. Recently, it has become clear that the general isotonic regression problem can be solved as a network flow problem in time O(n4) with a space requirement of O(n2), where n is the number of points in the set. Building on the insights at the basis of this improvement, we show here that, in the case of a general two-dimensional partial ordering, the problem can be solved in O(n3) time and, when the two-dimensional set is restricted to a grid, the time can be further improved to O(n2).
Microsurgical Subinguinal Varix Ligation: Techniques and Technical Pearls

Varicocele can be defined as dilatation or tortuosity (varicosity) of the veins of the pampiniform plexus. Varicoceles are present in approximately 15% of unselected men, in 40% of men presenting with primary infertility, and a much higher percentage of couples with secondary infertility [1, 2]. Varicoceles are the most commonly seen and correctable cause of male-factor infertility [3]. Tulloch’s report in 1955 [4] brought to the forefront the proactive treatment and study of varicoceles in the subfertile male. Previously, many investigators felt that varicocele repair was cosmetic or only halted testicular injury at best. Since this time, many studies have demonstrated that improvement in semen parameters and chance of pregnancy are very possible with surgical repair of varicoceles.
Land-Use Change and Food Supply

Large-scale deployment of biofuels has a profound effect on allocation of land resources. The expansion of biofuels industry requires a greater amount of crop lands for producing biofuel feedstocks. This additional crop lands could be supplied through (1) reallocation of existing crop lands from other crops (e.g., rice, fruits and vegetables, tobacco, cotton) towards production of biofuel feedstocks (e.g., corn, sugarcane, jatropha, rapeseed), (2) conversion of forest and pasture lands to crop lands. The land-use change thus occurs directly and indirectly. For example, when forest land is converted to produce sugarcane, such conversion is termed as direct land-use change. When biofuels displace existing crop lands in one part of the world, and production of food crops increases in other parts of the world (e.g., by converting forest lands to crop lands), this conversion is termed as indirect land-use change.