cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Relation between Expected Returns, Realized Returns, and Firm Risk Characteristics

Existing literature employs two general approaches to assess the validity of alternative proxies for firm-specific cost of equity capital or expected return (hereafter Et)1(rt)). The first approach involves examining the association between the proxy for Et)1(rt) and future realized returns. The second approach focuses on the association between the Et)1(rt) proxy and contemporaneous risk characteristics of firms. The results of these two streams of literature are mixed. Easton and Monahan (2005) (hereafter EM) and Guay, Kothari, and Shu (2005) (hereafter GKS) focus on the association between alternative proxies for Et)1(rt) and future realized returns and conclude that none of the proxies they examine provide valid estimates of the construct of interest. In contrast, Botosan and Plumlee (2005) (hereafter BP) conclude that two common proxies for Et)1(rt) — rDIV (Botosan and Plumlee 2002) and rPEG (Easton 2004) — are valid, based on their finding that both are associated with firm-specific risk characteristics in a theoretically predictable and stable manner. Furthermore, Pastor, Sinha, and Swaminathan (2008) document a positive association between market-level implied cost of capital and risk as measured by the volatility of market returns, consistent with the estimates capturing time-varying Et)1(rt). In this paper, our goal is to reconcile the conflict between these two streams of literature and provide additional evidence pertaining to the construct validity of the proxies employed in extant research. Contrary to the results documented in EM and GKS, we document a positive association between ten of the twelve Et)1(rt) proxies included in our study and future realized returns after controlling for new information. 1 We reconcile our findings to those in EM and GKS by demonstrating that the prior results are due to empirical misspecification. Finally, we show that two of the proxies, rDIV and rPEG, demonstrate not only the expected relation with future realized returns, but also with firm-specific risk. We also address several other issues regarding the use of implied cost of capital estimates including: (1) analysts’ forecast bias, (2) the efficacy of realized returns for Et)1(rt) before and after controlling for news, (3) the effectiveness of averaging several Et)1(rt) proxies, and (4) the substitution of realized values for analysts’ forecasts of cash flows or earnings. Our evidence suggests that deviations between analysts’ expectations and those of the market lead to potentially less powerful proxies but do not generate biased or * Accepted by Steven Salterio. We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the David Eccles School of Business. We also wish to thank Kin Lo, K. Ramesh, Matt Magilke, and the workshop participants at the
Nonparametric Interest Rate Cap Pricing: Implications for the ‘‘Unspanned Stochastic Volatility“ Puzzle*

Asset prices depend on two elements: the dynamics of the state variables and the pricing kernel. Traditional term structure models differ in factor dynamics. However, most of them imply a log-linear pricing kernel. We investigate empirically the role of factor dynamics and pricing kernel in pricing interest rate derivatives using a nonparametric approach. We find that interest rate cap prices are very sensitive to the specification of factor dynamics, especially when they are close to expiration. In addition, nonlinear log-pricing kernels improve the pricing of long-maturity caps, although significant pricing errors remain. Recent published studies document models that fit the London Inter-Bank offer Rate (LIBOR) and swap rates but do not price derivatives well, leading to the so-called ‘‘unspanned stochastic volatility puzzle.” Additional volatility factors seem to be needed to explain cap prices. However, the relative mispricing between interest rate caps and underlying LIBOR and swap rates could also potentially be due to mis-specifications of the parametric models used. Our paper provides evidence for unspanned stochastic volatility from a nonparametric perspective.
Microresonator Brillouin Gyroscope

Using counter-propagating Brillouin lasers in a high-Q chip-based resonator, rotation measurement with a sensitivity of 15 degree/hour/ Hz is demonstrated. This is close to navigation grade performance and surpasses prior micro-optical systems by 40X.
A Sequential Two-Step Algorithm for Fast Generation of Vehicle Racing Trajectories

The problem of maneuvering a vehicle through a race course in minimum time requires computation of both longitudinal (brake and throttle) and lateral (steering wheel) control inputs. Unfortunately, solving the resulting nonlinear optimal control problem is typically computationally expensive and infeasible for real-time trajectory planning. This paper presents an iterative algorithm that divides the path generation task into two sequential subproblems that are significantly easier to solve. Given an initial path through the race track, the algorithm runs a forward-backward integration scheme to determine the minimum-time longitudinal speed profile, subject to tire friction constraints. With this fixed speed profile, the algorithm updates the vehicle's path by solving a convex optimization problem that minimizes the resulting path curvature while staying within track boundaries and obeying affine, time-varying vehicle dynamics constraints. This two-step process is repeated iteratively until the predicted lap time no longer improves. While providing no guarantees of convergence or a globally optimal solution, the approach performs very well when validated on the Thunderhill Raceway course in Willows, CA. The predicted lap time converges after four to five iterations, with each iteration over the full 4.5 km race course requiring only thirty seconds of computation time on a laptop computer. The resulting trajectory is experimentally driven at the race circuit with an autonomous Audi TTS test vehicle, and the resulting lap time and racing line is comparable to both a nonlinear gradient descent solution and a trajectory recorded from a professional racecar driver. The experimental results indicate that the proposed method is a viable option for online trajectory planning in the near future.
Modular functionalization of allenes to aminated stereotriads.

Nitrogen-containing stereotriads, compounds with three adjacent stereodefined carbons, are commonly found in biologically important molecules. However, the preparation of molecules bearing these motifs can be challenging. Herein, we describe a modular oxidation protocol which converts a substituted allene to a triply functionalized amine of the form C–X/C–N/C–Y. The key step employs a Rh-catalyzed intramolecular conversion of the allene to a strained bicyclic methylene aziridine. This reactive intermediate is further elaborated to the target products, often in one reaction vessel and with effective transfer of the axial chirality of the allene to point chirality in the stereotriad.
Amination–Oxidation Strategy for the Copper-Catalyzed Synthesis of Monoarylamines

A novel approach for the synthesis of monoarylamines from aryl halides is presented. This method employs an inexpensive, nontoxic metal source (copper) and incorporates a stable ammonia surrogate (α-amino acids), obviating the need for special experimental setup or handling of ammonia reagents. This process, which is proposed to proceed via an amination–oxidation sequence, selectively promotes the transformation of a range of aryl and heteroaryl iodides as well as bromides to the corresponding monoarylamines.
Automated structure refinement of macromolecular assemblies from cryo-EM maps using Rosetta

Cryo-EM has revealed the structures of many challenging yet exciting macromolecular assemblies at near-atomic resolution (3-4.5A), providing biological phenomena with molecular descriptions. However, at these resolutions, accurately positioning individual atoms remains challenging and error-prone. Manually refining thousands of amino acids - typical in a macromolecular assembly - is tedious and time-consuming. We present an automated method that can improve the atomic details in models that are manually built in near-atomic-resolution cryo-EM maps. Applying the method to three systems recently solved by cryo-EM, we are able to improve model geometry while maintaining the fit-to-density. Backbone placement errors are automatically detected and corrected, and the refinement shows a large radius of convergence. The results demonstrate that the method is amenable to structures with symmetry, of very large size, and containing RNA as well as covalently bound ligands. The method should streamline the cryo-EM structure determination process, providing accurate and unbiased atomic structure interpretation of such maps.
Teacher–Student Interactions Measurement, Impacts, Improvement, and Policy

An increasingly robust science of classroom processes identifies teacher–student interactions as a key asset for improving student learning and development. Observational methods to assess interact...
EFFECT OF SPINAL DEFORMITY ON PELVIC ORIENTATION FROM STANDING TO SITTING POSITION

Introduction Accurate and reproducible cup positioning is one the most important technical factors that affects outcomes of total hip arthroplasty (THA). Although Lewinnek9s safe zone is the most accepted range for anteversion and abduction angles socket orientation, the effect of fixed lumbosacral spine on pelvic tilt and obliquity is not yet established. Questions: What is the change in anteversion and abduction angle from standing to sitting in a consecutive cohort of patients undergoing THA? What is the effect of fixed and flexible spinal deformities on acetabular cup orientation after THA? Material and Methods Between July 2011 and October 2011, 68 consecutive unilateral THAs were implanted in 68 patients with a mean age of 71 ± 6 years old. Radiographic evaluation included standing anteroposterior (AP) and lateral pelvic radiographs, and sitting lateral pelvic radiograph, measuring lumbosacral angle (LSA), sacral angle (SA), and sagittal pelvic tilt angle (SPTA). Computer generated 3D pelvis models were used to analyze the correlation between different pelvic tilts and acetabular cup orientation in abduction and anteversion. Results The mean standing STPA was 3.7o of anterior tilt (range: −9o of anterior tilt to 25o of posterior tilt). The mean SPTA in sitting was −17.7o of posterior tilt (range: −38o of posterior tilt to 7o of anterior tilt). In a fixed spinal deformity (54%) the SPTA was significantly smaller compared to the flexible pelvis group (10o versus 30.9o, p=0.0001). Flexible pelvises (46%) had a posterior tilt from standing to sitting resulting in increased anteversion. Overall, mean change in LSA and SA from standing to sitting was 22.5o and 20.2o, respectively. The mean post-operative functional anteversion and abduction angles were 19.2o and 42.1o, respectively. In the virtual 3D pelvic models, when the abduction angle was between 40 and 45 degrees, anteversion changed of 0.75 degrees for 1 degree of change of pelvic tilt. Discussion There is a significant change in pelvic tilt from standing to sitting, especially in patients with flexible spines, where the functional anteversion increases with sitting. Patients with a fixed pelvis have significantly less change in sagittal tilt and therefore less change in anteversion from standing to sitting position. Care should be taken to adjust cup positioning in fixed spinal deformity.
Déjà Q: Using Dual Systems to Revisit q-Type Assumptions

After more than a decade of usage, bilinear groups have established their place in the cryptographic canon by enabling the construction of many advanced cryptographic primitives. Unfortunately, this explosion in functionality has been accompanied by an analogous growth in the complexity of the assumptions used to prove security. Many of these assumptions have been gathered under the umbrella of the “uber-assumption,” yet certain classes of these assumptions—namely, q-type assumptions—are stronger and require larger parameter sizes than their static counterparts. In this paper, we show that in certain bilinear groups, many classes of q-type assumptions are in fact implied by subgroup hiding (a well-established, static assumption). Our main tool in this endeavor is the dual-system technique, as introduced by Waters in 2009. As a case study, we first show that in composite-order groups, we can prove the security of the Dodis-Yampolskiy PRF based solely on subgroup hiding and allow for a domain of arbitrary size (the original proof only allowed a logarithmically-sized domain). We then turn our attention to classes of q-type assumptions and show that they are implied—when instantiated in appropriate groups—solely by subgroup hiding. These classes are quite general and include assumptions such as q-SDH. Concretely, our result implies that every construction relying on such assumptions for security (e.g., Boneh-Boyen signatures) can, when instantiated in appropriate composite-order bilinear groups, be proved secure under subgroup hiding instead.
Social media and credibility indicators: The effect of influence cues

Abstract Guided by the MAIN model, this study examines how individuals evaluate the source credibility of tweets and retweets based on non-content attributes. Three types of heuristics were examined, including authority, identity, and bandwagon cues. Findings suggest that all three heuristics impacted source credibility perceptions to some extent. Authority cues most strongly influenced source credibility perceptions, and cue-cumulative effects were demonstrated in which different heuristics triggered by different agency cues increased perceptions of credibility. Moreover, the presence of retweets reduced perceptions of source credibility compared to conditions with no retweets.
The respiratory burst oxidase

The respiratory burst oxidase is an enzyme found principally in phagocytes (Babior 1978; Weiss et al. 1978; Tauber et al. 1979) that catalyzes the 1-electron reduction of oxygen to \(O_2^ - \) at the expense of NADPH:
O’Connor’s argument for indeterminism

Timothy O’Connor has recently defended a version of libertarianism that has significant advantages over similar accounts. One of these is an argument that secures indeterminism on the basis of an argument that shows how causal determinism threatens agency in virtue of the nature of the causal relation involved in free acts. In this paper, I argue that while it does turn out that free acts are not causally determined on O’Connor’s view, this fact is merely stipulative and the argument that he presents for this conclusion begs the question.
Pile-driving pressure and particle velocity at the seabed: quantifying effects on crustaceans and groundfish

We modeled the effects of pile driving on crustaceans, groundfish, and other animals near the seafloor. Three different waves were investigated, including the compressional wave, shear wave, and interface wave. A finite element (FE) technique was employed in and around the pile, whereas a parabolic equation (PE) code was used to predict propagation at long ranges from the pile. Pressure, particle displacement, and particle velocity are presented as a function of range at the seafloor for a shallow-water environment near Rhode Island. We discuss the potential effects on animals near the seafloor.
Minimization of Macrosegregation in DC Cast Ingots Through Jet Processing

With an increase in demand for aluminum alloys, industrial suppliers are seeking to increase the size and speed of casting processes. Unfortunately operating the existing Direct-Chill (DC) process in such conditions tends to enhance metallurgical defects. Perhaps the most recognized of these defects is macrosegregation, whose effects are permanent once the material is solidified. In order to facilitate the expansion of the DC process without increasing the presence of macrosegregation, a novel jet mixing method to distribute the liquid metal is presented. The governing equations for this process are derived and the operating parameters necessary to minimize the centerline macrosegregation are predicted. The results of commercial-scale tests are presented, validating the predictive equations and performance of this process.
Sex determining mechanisms: an evolutionary perspective.

The beginning of this century marked the onset of studies on the inherited and environmental basis of sex, and a variety of sex determining mechanisms are now known in plants and animals. The two major categories of sex determining mechanisms are dioecy (separate sexes) and hermaphroditism (both sexes within the same individual), but there is further variety within both of these classes. Considering dioecious species, the most widespread mechanism is heterogamety, in which one sex is labeled XX and the other XY. Systems slightly more complicated than this, involving three or more factors, are also known. In addition, some species are haplo-diploid, with females arising from fertilized eggs, males from unfertilized eggs. In contrast to these systems, some dioecious species have environmental sex determination, whereby sex is determined in response to environmental effects experienced early in life. With hermaphroditic species, the distinction between male and female is not inherited as such, because both sex types occur in each individual (whether sequentially or simultaneously). However, the extent of male/female expression may be subject to genetic and environmental influences (Charnov, 1982).
Uncertainty Analysis of Fluid-Structure Interaction of a Deformable Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator

The objective of this paper is to present the results of a detailed uncertainty analysis for high-fidelity fluid–structure interaction modeling of a deformable hypersonic inflatable aerodynamic decelerator at peak heating conditions for lifting Mars entry with a turbulent flow assumption. Uncertainty results are presented for the structural deformation response and surface conditions (pressure, shear stress, and convective heat transfer) of the inflatable decelerator with an efficient polynomial chaos expansion approach. The uncertainty results are compared with results obtained in a previous study for ballistic Mars entry. Approximately half of the flowfield and structural modeling uncertainties show at least 90% combined contribution to the inflatable decelerator deflection and resulting surface condition uncertainties. For lifting Mars entry, global nonlinear sensitivity analysis shows that the tensile stiffness of the inflatable structure’s axial cords and radial straps and the torus torsional and ten...
The Native-Born Occupational Skill Response to Immigration within Education and Experience Cells

Studies estimating the consequences of immigration on wages paid to native-born workers often reveal small-to-nonexistent effects when using cross city or state variation (the “spatial approach”) but large deleterious effects when using variation across education-by-experience cells (the “national approach”). One mechanism of labor market adjustment emphasized in the spatial approach is that native-born workers respond to immigration by specializing in occupations demanding skills in which they have a comparative advantage, thereby helping to protect themselves from labor market competition and wage losses. This paper examines whether the national approach also identifies this skill response. We find evidence that such a response does occur among workers without college experience. However, regressions using traditional education-by-experience cells do not find skill reallocation consistent with comparative advantage for college-educated natives. This result points to limitations of the education-by-experience cell model.
Analysis of Beta Attenuation Monitor Filter Rolls for Particulate Matter Speciation

ABSTRACTInstruments such as Beta Attenuation Monitors (BAMs) provide real-time PM2.5 mass concentration data and are now widely used in compliance monitoring networks. These devices collect the PM on a filter tape in 1-hour samples. In this work, the use of BAM filter spots for chemical speciation was investigated. Filter tapes from several sites in California were analyzed for a series of chemical species including elements, ions, organic and elemental carbon, and molecular markers. A major issue was the blank values in the filter tape. Based on blank spot analyses, it was determined that measurement of organic and elemental carbon (OC/EC) and elements were infeasible. A total of 22 BAM samples (each comprising 24 1-hour spots) from 12 sites were analyzed for ions and black carbon (BC). Additionally, 336 1-hour spots were composited to analyze for molecular markers (MM). Measurements of ions and BC at each site appear to have been underestimated likely due to volatilization losses. MM measurements in these 336 BAM filter spots suggest that organic speciation of BAM filters could be a viable method for measuring useful marker species. Statistical analysis was conducted by grouping samples into classes with mass concentrations greater and less than 80 µg m–3. Measurement of Delta-C concentrations (i.e., Delta C = BC370 nm – BC880 nm) in these two groups of samples revealed that most of the high PM2.5 concentration days PM2.5 greater than 80 µg m–3) were likely not substantially impacted by biomass combustion particles. A major portion of the samples analyzed in this work with high concentrations of PM2.5 were inorganic species such as ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate and other ions. Results suggested that some useful information may be derived from BAM tape analyses. However, different filter substrates and sample handling and storage practice might make a wider range of analyses possible.
The genetic basis of the comorbidity between cannabis use and major depression.

Background and aims While the prevalence of major depression is elevated among cannabis users, the role of genetics in this pattern of comorbidity is not clear. This study aimed to estimate the heritability of cannabis use and major depression, quantify the genetic overlap between these two traits and localize regions of the genome that segregate in families with cannabis use and major depression. Design Family-based univariate and bivariate genetic analysis. Setting San Antonio, Texas, USA. Participants Genetics of Brain Structure and Function study (GOBS) participants: 1284 Mexican Americans from 75 large multi-generation families and an additional 57 genetically unrelated spouses. Measurements Phenotypes of life-time history of cannabis use and major depression, measured using the semistructured MINI-Plus interview. Genotypes measured using ~1 M single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on Illumina BeadChips. A subselection of these SNPs were used to build multi-point identity-by-descent matrices for linkage analysis. Findings Both cannabis use [h2 = 0.614, P = 1.00 × 10−6, standard error (SE) = 0.151] and major depression (h2 = 0.349, P = 1.06 × 10−5, SE = 0.100) are heritable traits, and there is significant genetic correlation between the two (ρg = 0.424, P = 0.0364, SE = 0.195). Genome-wide linkage scans identify a significant univariate linkage peak for major depression on chromosome 22 [logarithm of the odds (LOD) = 3.144 at 2 centimorgans (cM)], with a suggestive peak for cannabis use on chromosome 21 (LOD = 2.123 at 37 cM). A significant pleiotropic linkage peak influencing both cannabis use and major depression was identified on chromosome 11 using a bivariate model (LOD = 3.229 at 112 cM). Follow-up of this pleiotropic signal identified a SNP 20 kb upstream of NCAM1 (rs7932341) that shows significant bivariate association (P = 3.10 × 10−5). However, this SNP is rare (seven minor allele carriers) and does not drive the linkage signal observed. Conclusions There appears to be a significant genetic overlap between cannabis use and major depression among Mexican Americans, a pleiotropy that appears to be localized to a region on chromosome 11q23 that has been linked previously to these phenotypes.
Time travelers: mapping museum visitors across time and space

Open-air museums may encompass structures, buildings, sites, and other types of objects and artifacts that span across space and, because these objects were built and/or used during multiple periods of significance, across time. The multiplicity of storylines can confuse visitors. Thus, this paper introduces Somewhere in Time, a novel installation that integrates a combination of technologies with historic content that allows users to explore both time and space across museum structures/sites. We describe our work conceptualizing and designing a personalized, interactive map (Time Travelers) that allows visitors to explore complex narratives across both time and space.
Deconstructing Odorant Identity via Primacy in Dual Networks.

In the olfactory system, odor percepts retain their identity despite substantial variations in concentration, timing, and background. We study a novel strategy for encoding intensity-invariant stim...
ADVANCES IN WOUND CLOSURE: A BARBED APPROACH

Wound closure is typically not the surgeon9s favorite part of the case. It is critical, however, for preventing infection, avoiding early re-operation and is the portion of the procedure that is most directly visible to the patient. The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of bidirectional, barbed suture for wound closure in primary total hip (THA) and knee arthroplasty (TKA) to determine whether its use is safe, cosmetic and associated with time savings when compared with traditional suture. We carried out a blinded, randomised controlled trial comparing bidirectional, barbed suture (Quill™ SRS; Angiotech Pharmaceuticals) and a traditional absorbable layered closure following primary THA and TKA. We randomised 20 THAs (10 Quill; 10 traditional) and 31 TKAs (16 Quill; 15 traditional). Power analysis determined that a minimum of 23 patients per arm of the study were required to show a significant difference in closure times using an alpha of 0.05 and a beta of 0.80. Wound closure in the Quill group was significantly faster than traditional suture by a mean of 4.1 minutes (9.2 vs. 13.2 minutes; p = 0.0005). Traditional closure required a mean 5.6 sutures, compared to a mean 2.7 sutures (p Our results have been confirmed by a similar recently published randomised study by Gilland et al, who showed a mean reduction in closure time of 4.7 minutes. However, these authors concluded that overall costs were lower with a barbed suture based on a reduction in operative times. This method of closure has also been shown to provide a stronger and more water-tight closure than traditional interrupted sutures.
Personal health monitoring and preventative medicine with integrative personal Omics profiling

W the advent of new high-throughput technologies it is now possible to monitor profiles of thousands of molecules in a longitudinal manner that may help reshape and redefine personalized medicine. Comprehensive personal healthy monitoring is expected to benefit from combining genomic information with regular examination of physiological states by multiple high-throughput methods. To prove this principle, we performed an integrative Personal Omics Profile (iPOP) analysis from a single individual over a 14-month period, combining genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic, and autoantibodyomic information collected from over 20 time points. Our iPOP analysis unveiled extensive, dynamic molecular changes across various physiological stages. Medical risks were also evaluated using genomic information, including Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) as a high risk disease, the onset of which was observed during the course of our study and is reflected in our iPOP data. Our study demonstrates that personal health monitoring with longitudinal iPOP could relate genomic information and global functional omics activity to physiological and medical interpretation, and eventually benefit personalized medicine.
Compared to high and low cannabis use, moderate use is associated with fewer cognitive deficits in psychosis

Literature on the relationship of cannabis use and cognition in schizophrenia provides the paradoxical view that cannabis use is sometimes linked with less severe impairment in neurocognition. This paper explored the possibility that this is a reflection of a dose related response between lifetime cannabis use and two forms of cognition, neurocognition and metacognition, in schizophrenia. It was hypothesized that three groups of patients could be differentiated, those with (1) little to no cannabis use with poor levels of cognition, (2) moderate cannabis use and relatively better levels of cognition and (3) high cannabis use with relatively poorer levels of cognition. Sixty-six adults with schizophrenia completed assessments of neurocognition, metacognition and months of lifetime cannabis use. A k-means cluster analysis yielded three distinct groups based on these assessments. The clusters included: (1) low cannabis/poor cognition (n = 34); (2) heavy cannabis/moderately impaired cognition (n = 10); and (3) moderate cannabis/higher cognition (n = 22). Consistent with our hypothesis, participants with high and moderate lifetime cannabis use had lesser impairment of neurocognition and metacognition compared to low lifetime cannabis use. Participants with moderate lifetime cannabis use also had lesser impairment of metacognition compared to low and heavy use. These findings suggest that a dose related relationship exists between cannabis use and cognition. Results could be due to an influence of pre-existing cognitive level on likelihood of lifetime cannabis use, or to an interaction between use and cognitive function.
Experimental Study of Aqueous Binary Mixture Droplet Vaporization on Nanostructured Surfaces

In this study, heat transfer due to vaporization is investigated for low concentration binary mixtures of 2-propanol/water on nanostructured surfaces. The surfaces comprise zinc oxide (ZnO) nanocry...
Discrete decreased activity in the lower thoracic spine on FDG-PET/CT: Another respiration-related artifact

1425 Objectives When reading whole body FDG-PET/CT studies, sagittal images are useful in evaluating the spine. On such images, we have occasionally seen isolated decreased FDG activity involving one or two lower thoracic vertebrae just above the level of diaphragmatic surface abutting the vertebral column. In such cases, further observation revealed coexistence of the so-called ‘Banana artifact’, i.e., attenuation artifact adjacent to the diaphragm (lung base and the dome of the liver and spleen) due to diaphragmatic motion. Based on this observation, we hypothesized that diaphragmatic motion can cause an artifactually decreased activity in the lower thoracic spine as well. The aim of this study was to formally evaluate 1) whether our hypothesis is correct and if so 2) its frequency. Methods 154 PET/CT scans (81 males and 73 females, age 61±13 years) were analyzed. On the coronal CT images, the vertebra above where the hemi-diaphragmatic surfaces abut the vertebral column was defined as the target vertebra (TV). On sagittal PET images, FDG activity in TV was visually assessed. The SUV ratio of TV to the average of the SUV of 2 reference vertebrae, i.e., a vertebra 2 levels above and a vertebra 2 levels below the TV, was assessed (T/R). Then, the severity of banana artifact on coronal PET images was graded as 0 if no artifact, 1 if a thin photopenic stripe, and 2 if a thick banana-shaped photopenic artifact in the vicinity of diaphragm. Results Visually decreased activity in TV was present in 0% (0/93), 3% (1/34) and 59% (16/27) of scans graded as 0, 1, and 2, respectively (Grade 0 and/or 1 vs. Grade 2, p Conclusions Error of attenuation correction from respiratory motion can lead to underestimation of FDG activity in the lower thoracic spine; this should not be interpreted as possible marrow replacement process requiring further imaging if there is coexisting banana artifact.
CoSTAR: Instructing collaborative robots with behavior trees and vision

For collaborative robots to become useful, end users who are not robotics experts must be able to instruct them to perform a variety of tasks. With this goal in mind, we developed a system for end-user creation of robust task plans with a broad range of capabilities. CoSTAR: the Collaborative System for Task Automation and Recognition is our winning entry in the 2016 KUKA Innovation Award competition at the Hannover Messe trade show, which this year focused on Flexible Manufacturing. CoSTAR is unique in how it creates natural abstractions that use perception to represent the world in a way users can both understand and utilize to author capable and robust task plans. Our Behavior Tree-based task editor integrates high-level information from known object segmentation and pose estimation with spatial reasoning and robot actions to create robust task plans. We describe the cross-platform design and implementation of this system on multiple industrial robots and evaluate its suitability for a wide variety of use cases.
Drag Forces in Velocity Gradient Flow

Exploratory investigation was made of drag coefficient for circular cylinder as influenced by velocity gradient along its axis under simplified test conditions; three-dimensional aspects of flow mechanics were described qualitatively; experiments indicated that local drag coefficient varied along length of cylinder; relation between pier diameter, motor depth, and velocity gradient.
Edge waves in plates with resonators: an elastic analogue of the quantum valley Hall effect

We investigate elastic periodic structures characterized by topologically nontrivial bandgaps supporting backscattering suppressed edge waves. These edge waves are topologically protected and are obtained by breaking inversion symmetry within the unit cell. Examples for discrete one and two-dimensional lattices elucidate the concept and illustrate parallels with the quantum valley Hall effect. The concept is implemented on an elastic plate featuring an array of resonators arranged according to a hexagonal topology. The resulting continuous structures have non-trivial bandgaps supporting edge waves at the interface between two media with different topological invariants. The topological properties of the considered configurations are predicted by unit cell and finite strip dispersion analyses. Numerical simulations demonstrate edge wave propagation for excitation at frequencies belonging to the bulk bandgaps. The considered plate configurations define a framework for the implementation of topological concepts on continuous elastic structures of potential engineering relevance.
Improvements in the Performance of a Calibration System for Rogowski Coils at High Pulsed Currents

This paper describes improvements of a calibration system for Rogowski coils at high pulsed currents developed at the National Research Council of Canada. This system is designed to provide traceable calibrations of Rogowski coils and weld current meters for users in resistance welding industry, secondary laboratories, and other organizations. The accuracy of the improved calibration system is related to the improved measurement of harmonic content of the test pulsed currents and is estimated for individual tests.
The Era of Big Spatial Data: A Survey

The recent explosion in the amount of spatial data calls for specializedsystems to handle big spatial data. In this survey, we summarizethe state-of-the-art work in the area of big spatial data. We categorizethe existing work in this area according to six different angles, namely,approach, architecture, language, indexing, querying, and visualization.1 The approaches used to implement spatial query processing can becategorized as on-top, from-scratch and built-in approaches. 2 Theexisting works follow different architectures based on the underlyingsystem they extend such as MapReduce, key-value stores, or parallelDBMS. 3 The high-level language of the system is the main interfacethat hides the complexity of the system and makes it usable fornon-technical users. 4 The spatial indexing is the key feature of manysystems which allows them to achieve orders of magnitude performancespeedup by carefully laying out data in the distributed storage. 5 Thequery processing is at the heart of all the surveyed systems as it definesthe types of queries supported by the system and how efficiently theyare implemented. 6 The visualization of big spatial data is how thesystem is capable of generating images that describe terabytes of datato help users explore them. This survey describes each of these components,in detail, and gives examples of how they are implemented inexisting systems. At the end, we give case studies of real applicationsthat make use of these systems to provide services for end users.
Motivating compliance: Juvenile probation officer strategies and skills

ABSTRACTJuvenile probation officers aim to improve youth compliance with probation conditions, but questions remain about how officers motivate youth. The study’s purpose was to determine which officer-reported probation strategies (client-centered vs. confrontational) were associated with their use of evidence-based motivational interviewing skills. Officers (N = 221) from 18 Indiana counties demonstrated motivational interviewing skills by responding to scenarios depicting issues common to youth probationers. Results of a hierarchical multiple regression analysis indicated that, while officer endorsement of client-centered strategies was not associated with differential use of motivational interviewing skills, officers endorsing confrontational strategies were less likely to demonstrate motivational interviewing skills.
Row cones, perron similarities, and nonnegative spectra

AbstractIn further pursuit of the diagonalizable real nonnegative inverse eigenvalue problem (RNIEP), we study the relationship between the row cone and the spectracone of a Perron similarity S. In the process, a new kind of matrix, row Hadamard conic (RHC), is defined and related to the D-RNIEP. Characterizations are given when , and explicit examples are given for all possible set-theoretic relationships between the two cones. The symmetric NIEP is the special case of the D-RNIEP in which the Perron similarity S is also orthogonal.
A germanium space-charge-limited triode

An experimental solid-state triode directly analogous to a vacuum-tube triode is described. Control and modulation of the flow of space-charge-limited (SCL) electron currents in germanium have been achieved by inserting a control electrode into an n+πn+ solid-state diode. This electrode consists of a set of closely spaced p+ stripes that are capacitively coupled with the emitter and collector. Results indicate that the control electrode modulates the current flow in a manner analogous to that of the grid electrode in a vacuum-tube triode. The SCL current obeys the three-halves power law as predicted for a field-dependent mobility of the form \micro = \micro o(E_{c}/E)^{1/2} where \micro 0 is the low field mobility and E c the critical electric field. An analysis of the I-V characteristics of the fabricated solid-state triodes reveals that these structures are capable of exhibiting a high transconductance, a large amplification factor, and an input impedance greater than a megohm. An important advantage of such a device is a potentially low noise figure as predicted by theory. Other attractive features of the device, such as a low sensitivity to temperature changes and an expected high frequency response, will also be discussed.
The LNED and LFED conjectures for algebraic algebras

Abstract Let K be a field of characteristic zero and A a K-algebra such that all the K-subalgebras generated by finitely many elements of A are finite dimensional over K. A K- E -derivation of A is a K-linear map of the form I − ϕ for some K-algebra endomorphism ϕ of A , where I denotes the identity map of A . In this paper we first show that for all locally finite K-derivations D and locally finite K-algebra automorphisms ϕ of A , the images of D and I − ϕ do not contain any nonzero idempotent of A . We then use this result to show some cases of the LFED and LNED conjectures proposed in [21] . More precisely, we show the LNED conjecture for A , and the LFED conjecture for all locally finite K-derivations of A and all locally finite K- E -derivations of the form δ = I − ϕ with ϕ being surjective. In particular, both conjectures are proved for all finite dimensional K-algebras. Furthermore, some finite extensions of derivations and automorphism to inner derivations and inner automorphisms, respectively, have also been established. This result is not only crucial in the proofs of the results above, but also interesting on its own right.
Research Needs for Effective Transition in Lifelong Care of Congenital Genitourinary Conditions: A Workshop Sponsored by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Over the last 5 decades, health-care advances have yielded quantum improvements in the life expectancy of individuals with congenital genitourinary conditions (CGCs), leading to a crisis of care. Many individuals with CGC enter adulthood unprepared to manage their condition. Pediatric CGC specialists lack training to manage adulthood-related health-care issues, whereas adult genitourinary specialists lack training within the context of CGCs. To address these challenges, the National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases convened individuals with CGCs and experts from a variety of fields to identify research needs to improve transitional urology care. This paper outlines identified research needs.
Oxidative DNA damage is epigenetic by regulating gene transcription via base excision repair

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have emerged as important cellular-signaling agents for cellular survival. Herein, we demonstrate that ROS-mediated oxidation of DNA to yield 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (OG) in gene promoters is a signaling agent for gene activation. Enhanced gene expression occurs when OG is formed in guanine-rich, potential G-quadruplex–forming sequences (PQS) in promoter-coding strands, initiating base excision repair (BER) by 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (OGG1), yielding an abasic site (AP). The AP enables melting of the duplex to unmask the PQS, adopting a G-quadruplex fold in which apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 (APE1) binds, but inefficiently cleaves, the AP for activation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or endonuclease III-like protein 1 (NTHL1) genes. These details were mapped via synthesis of OG and AP analogs at single-nucleotide precision within the promoter of a luciferase reporter system. The reporters were analyzed in human and mouse cells while selectively knocking out or down critical BER proteins to identify the impact on luciferase expression. Identification of the oxidatively modified DNA base OG to guide BER activity in a gene promoter and impact cellular phenotype ascribes an epigenetic role to OG.
Completing a joint PMF from projections: A low-rank coupled tensor factorization approach

There has recently been considerable interest in completing a low-rank matrix or tensor given only a small fraction (or few linear combinations) of its entries. Related approaches have found considerable success in the area of recommender systems, under machine learning. From a statistical estimation point of view, the gold standard is to have access to the joint probability distribution of all pertinent random variables, from which any desired optimal estimator can be readily derived. In practice high-dimensional joint distributions are very hard to estimate, and only estimates of low-dimensional projections may be available. We show that it is possible to identify higher-order joint PMFs from lower-order marginalized PMFs using coupled low-rank tensor factorization. Our approach features guaranteed identifiability when the full joint PMF is of low-enough rank, and effective approximation otherwise. We provide an algorithmic approach to compute the sought factors, and illustrate the merits of our approach using rating prediction as an example.
Intrinsic Entropies of Log-Concave Distributions

The entropy of a random variable is well-known to equal the exponential growth rate of the volumes of its typical sets. In this paper, we show that for any log-concave random variable $X$ , the sequence of the $\lfloor n\theta \rfloor ^{\text {th}}$ intrinsic volumes of the typical sets of $X$ in dimensions $n \geq 1$ grows exponentially with a well-defined rate. We denote this rate by $h_{X}(\theta )$ , and call it the $\theta ^{\text {th}}$ intrinsic entropy of $X$ . We show that $h_{X}(\theta )$ is a continuous function of $\theta $ over the range [0, 1], thereby providing a smooth interpolation between the values 0 and $h(X)$ at the endpoints 0 and 1, respectively.
Free Will and Advances in Cognitive Science

Freedom of will is fundamental to morality, intuition of self, and normal functioning of society. However, science does not provide a clear logical foundation for this idea. This paper considers the fundamental argument against free will, so called reductionism, and why the choice for dualism against monism, follows logically. Then, the paper summarizes unexpected conclusions from recent discoveries in cognitive science. Classical logic turns out not to be a fundamental mechanism of the mind. It is replaced by dynamic logic. Mathematical and experimental evidence are considered conceptually. Dynamic logic counters logical arguments for reductionism. Contemporary science of mind is not reducible; free will can be scientifically accepted along with scientific monism.