cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
VLSI Implementation of Fuzzy Adaptive Resonance and Learning Vector Quantization

We present a mixed-mode VLSI chip performing unsupervised clustering and classification, implementing models of Fuzzy Adaptive Resonance Theory (ART) and Learning Vector Quantization (LVQ), and extending to variants such as Kohonen Self-Organizing Maps (SOM). The parallel processor classifies analog vectorial data into a digital code in a single clock, and implements on-line learning of the analog templates, stored locally and dynamically using the same adaptive circuits for on-chip quantization and refresh. The unit cell performing fuzzy choice and vigilance functions, adaptive resonance learning and long-term analog storage, measures 43 μm×43 μm in 1.2 μm CMOS technology. Experimental learning results from a fabricated 8-input, 16-category prototype are included.
A Score Based Test for Functional Linear Concurrent Regression

Abstract A novel method for testing the null hypothesis of no effect of a covariate on the response is proposed in functional linear concurrent regression. An equivalent random effects formulation of the functional regression model is established under which the testing problem reduces to testing for zero variance component for random effects. For this purpose, a one-sided score test approach is used, which is an extension of the classical score test. Theoretical justification is provided as to why the proposed testing procedure has the correct levels (asymptotically) under null using standard assumptions. Using numerical simulations, the testing method is shown to have the desired type I error rate and higher power compared to a bootstrapped F test currently existing in the literature. The model and the testing procedure give good performances even when the data are sparsely observed, and the functional covariate is contaminated with noise. Applications of the proposed testing method are demonstrated on gait data and a study of child mortality.
An improved derandomization of the switching lemma

We prove a new derandomization of Hastad’s switching lemma, showing how to efficiently generate restrictions satisfying the switching lemma for DNF or CNF formulas of size m using only O(logm) random bits. Derandomizations of the switching lemma have been useful in many works as a key building-block for constructing objects which are in some way provably-pseudorandom with respect to AC0-circuits. Here, we use our new derandomization to give an improved analysis of the pseudorandom generator of Trevisan and Xue for AC0-circuits (CCC’13): we show that the generator e-fools size-m, depth-D circuits with n-bit inputs using only O(log(m/e)D · logn) random bits. In particular, we obtain (modulo the loglog-factors hidden in the O-notation) a dependence on m/e which is best-possible with respect to currently-known AC0-circuit lower bounds.
The liquid droplet radiator—An ultralightweight heat rejection system for efficient energy conversion in space

Abstract A heat rejection system for space is described which uses a recirculating free stream of liquid droplets in place of a solid surface to radiate waste heat. By using sufficiently small droplets (⩽100 μ m diameter) of low vapor pressure liquids (tin, tin-lead-bismuth eutectics, vacuum oils) the radiating droplet sheet can be made many times lighter than the lightest solid surface radiators (heat pipes). The liquid droplet radiator (LDR) is less vulnerable to damage by micrometeoroids than solid surface radiators, and may be transported into space far more efficiently. Analyses are presented of LDR applications in thermal and photovoltaic energy conversion which indicate that fluid handling components (droplet generator, droplet collector, heat exchanger, and pump) may comprise most of the radiator system mass. Even the unoptimized models employed yield LDR system masses less than heat pipe radiator system masses, and significant improvement is expected using design approaches that incorporate fluid handling components more efficiently. Technical problems (e.g. spacecraft contamination and electrostatic deflection of droplets) unique to this method of heat rejection are discussed and solutions are suggested.
Risk-averse optimization for resilience enhancement of complex engineering systems under uncertainties

Abstract With the growth of complexity and extent, large scale interconnected network systems, e.g., transportation networks or infrastructure networks, become more vulnerable to external disturbances. Hence, managing potential disruptive events during the design, operating, and recovery phase of an engineered system and therefore improving the system’s resilience is an important yet challenging task. To ensure system resilience after the occurrence of failure events, this study proposes a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) based restoration framework using heterogeneous dispatchable agents. The scenario-based stochastic optimization (SO) technique is adopted to deal with the inherent uncertainties imposed on the recovery process from nature. Moreover, different from conventional SO using deterministic equivalent formulations, the CVaR risk measure is implemented for this study because of the temporal sparsity of the decision making in applications such as the recovery from extreme events. The resulting restoration framework involves a large-scale MILP problem and thus an adequate decomposition technique i.e. modified Lagrangian dual decomposition, is also employed to achieve tractable computational complexity. Case study results based on the IEEE 37-bus test feeder demonstrate the benefits of using the proposed framework for resilience improvement as well as the advantages of adopting SO formulations.
Neural Language Modeling for Contextualized Temporal Graph Generation.

This paper presents the first study on using large-scale pre-trained language models for automated generation of an event-level temporal graph for a document. Despite the huge success of neural pre-training methods in NLP tasks, its potential for temporal reasoning over event graphs has not been sufficiently explored. Part of the reason is the difficulty in obtaining large training corpora with human-annotated events and temporal links. We address this challenge by using existing IE/NLP tools to automatically generate a large quantity (89,000) of system-produced document-graph pairs, and propose a novel formulation of the contextualized graph generation problem as a sequence-to-sequence mapping task. These strategies enable us to leverage and fine-tune pre-trained language models on the system-induced training data for the graph generation task. Our experiments show that our approach is highly effective in generating structurally and semantically valid graphs. Further, evaluation on a challenging hand-labeled, out-of-domain corpus shows that our method outperforms the closest existing method by a large margin on several metrics. We also show a downstream application of our approach by adapting it to answer open-ended temporal questions in a reading comprehension setting.
Machine learning in/for blockchain: Future and challenges

Machine learning and blockchain are two of the most noticeable technologies in recent years. The first one is the foundation of artificial intelligence and big data, and the second one has significantly disrupted the financial industry. Both technologies are data-driven, and thus there are rapidly growing interests in integrating them for more secure and efficient data sharing and analysis. In this paper, we review the research on combining blockchain and machine learning technologies and demonstrate that they can collaborate efficiently and effectively. In the end, we point out some future directions and expect more researches on deeper integration of the two promising technologies.
Nondebtor Releases and Injunctions in Chapter 11: Revisiting Jurisdictional Precepts and the Forgotten Callaway v. Benton Case

In Callaway v. Benton decided in 1949, the Supreme Court was asked whether a reorganization court could permanently enjoin a state court suit seeking a resolution of the rights and obligations inter se of various nondebtors. Although the reorganization court found that permanently enjoining the litigation was important to the debtor’s reorganization effort, the Supreme Court held that this finding provided no basis on which to displace the nonbankruptcy rights and obligations of the nondebtors. Now, over sixty years later, the federal courts are sharply divided on precisely the same issue (although clothed in different terminology): can a reorganization court approve nondebtor release and injunction provisions in a plan of reorganization when the nondebtor release is important to success of the debtor’s reorganization?Of course, bankruptcy law has seen many changes since Callaway, and the scope of federal bankruptcy jurisdiction, which figured prominently in the Callaway opinion, is now greatly expanded. Nonetheless, Callaway’s prohibition against permanent non-debtor injunctions retains validity. The clumsy evolution of bankruptcy jurisdiction since Callaway, though, has completely obscured its present-day relevance. The jurisdictional reach of modern bankruptcy injunctions in reorganization proceedings is drawn from principles firmly established when Callaway was decided, and Callaway announced an important limiting principle. Understanding the significance of Callaway requires an understanding of the jurisdictional foundations for bankruptcy injunctions in reorganization cases. After describing the contemporary nondebtor release and the general nature of bankruptcy injunctions, this article explores those jurisdictional precepts and the continuing salience of the neglected Callaway v. Benton case.
Connecting Interpretability and Robustness in Decision Trees through Separation

Recent research has recognized interpretability and robustness as essential properties of trustworthy classification. Curiously, a connection between robustness and interpretability was empirically observed, but the theoretical reasoning behind it remained elusive. In this paper, we rigorously investigate this connection. Specifically, we focus on interpretation using decision trees and robustness to $l_{\infty}$-perturbation. Previous works defined the notion of $r$-separation as a sufficient condition for robustness. We prove upper and lower bounds on the tree size in case the data is $r$-separated. We then show that a tighter bound on the size is possible when the data is linearly separated. We provide the first algorithm with provable guarantees both on robustness, interpretability, and accuracy in the context of decision trees. Experiments confirm that our algorithm yields classifiers that are both interpretable and robust and have high accuracy. The code for the experiments is available at this https URL .
Difference Sets Disjoint from a Subgroup II: Groups of Order $$4p^2$$

We study finite groups G having a normal subgroup H and $$D \subset G \setminus H, D \cap D^{-1}=\emptyset ,$$ such that the multiset $$\{ xy^{-1}:x,y \in D\}$$ has every non-identity element occur the same number of times (such a D is called a DRAD difference set). We show that there are no such groups of order $$4p^2$$ , where p is an odd prime.
Few-Shot Classification with Feature Map Reconstruction Networks

In this paper we reformulate few-shot classification as a reconstruction problem in latent space. The ability of the network to reconstruct a query feature map from support features of a given class predicts membership of the query in that class. We introduce a novel mechanism for few-shot classification by regressing directly from support features to query features in closed form, without introducing any new modules or large-scale learnable parameters. The resulting Feature Map Reconstruction Networks are both more performant and computationally efficient than previous approaches. We demonstrate consistent and substantial accuracy gains on four fine-grained benchmarks with varying neural architectures. Our model is also competitive on the non-fine-grained mini-ImageNet and tiered-ImageNet benchmarks with minimal bells and whistles.1
Aeroacoustic Validation of Installed Low Noise Propulsion for NASA’s N+2 Supersonic Airliner

An aeroacoustic test was conducted at NASA Glenn Research Center on an integrated propulsion system designed to meet noise regulations of ICAO Chapter 4 with 10EPNdB cumulative margin. The test had two objectives: to demonstrate that the aircraft design did meet the noise goal, and to validate the acoustic design tools used in the design. Variations in the propulsion system design and its installation were tested and the results compared against predictions. Far-field arrays of microphones measured the acoustic spectral directivity, which was transformed to full scale as noise certification levels. Phased array measurements confirmed that the shielding of the installation model adequately simulated the full aircraft and provided data for validating RANS-based noise prediction tools. Particle image velocimetry confirmed that the flow field around the nozzle on the jet rig mimicked that of the full aircraft and produced flow data to validate the RANS solutions used in the noise predictions. The far-field acoustic measurements confirmed the empirical predictions for the noise. Results provided here detail the steps taken to ensure accuracy of the measurements and give insights into the physics of exhaust noise from installed propulsion systems in future supersonic vehicles.
Simple Flagellated Soft Robot for Locomotion near Air-Fluid Interface

A wide range of microorganisms, e.g. bacteria, propel themselves by rotation of soft helical tails, also known as flagella. Due to the small size of these organisms, viscous forces overwhelm inertial effects and the flow is at low Reynolds number. In this fluid-structure problem, a competition between elastic forces and hydrodynamic (viscous) forces leads to a net propulsive force forward. A thorough understanding of this highly coupled fluid-structure interaction problem can not only help us better understand biological propulsion but also help us design bio-inspired functional robots with applications in oil spill cleanup, water quality monitoring, and infrastructure inspection. Here, we introduce arguably the simplest soft robot with a single binary control signal, which is capable of moving along an arbitrary 2D trajectory near air-fluid interface and at the interface between two fluids. The robot exploits the variation in viscosity to move along the prescribed trajectory. Our analysis of this newly introduced soft robot consists of three main components. First, we fabricate this simple robot and use it as an experimental testbed. Second, a discrete differential geometry-based modeling framework is used for simulation of the robot. Upon validation of the simulation tool, the third part of this study employs the simulations to develop a control scheme with a single binary input to make the robot follow any prescribed path.
Early but not late convalescent plasma is associated with better survival in moderate-to-severe COVID-19.

Background Limited therapeutic options exist for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) is a potential therapeutic, but there is limited data for patients with moderate-to-severe disease. Research question What are outcomes associated with administration of CCP in patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19 infection? Study design and methods We conducted a propensity score-matched analysis of patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19. The primary endpoints were in-hospital mortality. Secondary endpoints were number of days alive and ventilator-free at 30 days; length of hospital stay; and change in WHO scores from CCP administration (or index date) to discharge. Of 151 patients who received CCP, 132 had complete follow-up data. Patients were transfused after a median of 6 hospital days; thus, we investigated the effect of convalescent plasma before and after this timepoint with 77 early (within 6 days) and 55 late (after 6 days) recipients. Among 3,217 inpatients who did not receive CCP, 2,551 were available for matching. Results Early CCP recipients, of whom 31 (40%) were on mechanical ventilation, had lower 14-day (15% vs 23%) and 30-day (38% vs 49%) mortality compared to a matched unexposed cohort, with nearly 50% lower likelihood of in-hospital mortality (HR 0.52, [95% CI 0.28-0.96]; P = 0.036). Early plasma recipients had more days alive and ventilator-free at 30 days (+3.3 days, [95% CI 0.2 to 6.3 days]; P = 0.04) and improved WHO scores at 7 days (-0.8, [95% CI: -1.2 to -0.4]; P = 0.0003) and hospital discharge (-0.9, [95% CI: -1.5 to -0.3]; P = 0.004) compared to the matched unexposed cohort. No clinical differences were observed in late plasma recipients. Interpretation Early administration of CCP improves outcomes in patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19, while improvement was not observed with late CCP administration. The importance of timing of administration should be addressed in specifically designed trials.
Utilization and outcomes of postcardiotomy mechanical circulatory support.

BACKGROUND This study evaluated the utilization and outcomes of postcardiotomy mechanical circulatory support (MCS). METHODS This was a retrospective, single institution analysis of adult cardiac surgery cases that required de novo MCS following surgery from 2011 to 2018. Patients that were bridged with MCS to surgery were excluded. The primary outcomes were early operative mortality and longitudinal survival. Secondary outcomes included postoperative complications, and 5-year all-cause readmission. RESULTS Five hundred and thirty-three patients required de novo postcardiotomy MCS, with the most commonly performed procedure being isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (29.8%). Median cardiopulmonary bypass and cross-clamp times were 185 (IQR 123-260) min and 122 (IQR 81-179) min, respectively. A total of 442 (82.9%) of patients were supported with intra-aortic balloon pump counterpulsation, 23 (4.3%) with an Impella device, and 115 (21.6%) with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Three (0.6%) patients had an unplanned ventricular assist device placed. Operative mortality was 29.8%. Longitudinal survival was 56.1% and 43.0% at 1 and 5 years, respectively. Survival was lowest in those supported with ECMO and highest with those supported with an Impella (p < 0.001). Freedom from readmission was 61.4% at 5 years. Postoperative ECMO was an independent predictor of mortality (HR 5.1, 95% CI 2.0-12.9, p < 0.001), but none of the MCS types predicted long-term hospital readmission after risk adjustment. CONCLUSIONS Postcardiotomy MCS is associated with high operative mortality. Even patients that survive to discharge have compromised longitudinal survival, with nearly only half surviving to 1 year. Close follow-up and early referral to advanced heart failure specialists may be prudent in improving these outcomes.
PHYSFRAME: type checking physical frames of reference for robotic systems

A robotic system continuously measures its own motions and the external world during operation. Such measurements are with respect to some frame of reference, i.e., a coordinate system. A nontrivial robotic system has a large number of different frames and data have to be translated back-and-forth from a frame to another. The onus is on the developers to get such translation right. However, this is very challenging and error-prone, evidenced by the large number of questions and issues related to frame uses on developers' forum. Since any state variable can be associated with some frame, reference frames can be naturally modeled as variable types. We hence develop a novel type system that can automatically infer variables' frame types and in turn detect any type inconsistencies and violations of frame conventions. The evaluation on a set of 180 publicly available ROS projects shows that our system can detect 190 inconsistencies with 154 true positives. We reported 52 to developers and received 18 responses so far, with 15 fixed/acknowledged. Our technique also finds 45 violations of common practices.
Wearable Health Monitoring System for Older Adults in a Smart Home Environment

The advent of IoT has enabled the design of connected and integrated smart health monitoring systems. These smart health monitoring systems could be realized in a smart home context to render long-term care to the elderly population. In this paper, we present the design of a wearable health monitoring system suitable for older adults in a smart home context. The proposed system offers solutions to monitor the stress, blood pressure, and location of an individual within a smart home environment. The stress detection model proposed in this work uses Electrodermal Activity (EDA), Photoplethysmogram (PPG), and Skin Temperature (ST) sensors embedded in a smart wristband for detecting physiological stress. The stress detection model is trained and tested using stress labels obtained from salivary cortisol which is a clinically established biomarker for physiological stress. A voice-based prototype is also implemented and the feasibility of the proposed system for integration in a smart home environment is analyzed by simulating a data acquisition and streaming scenario. We have also proposed a blood pressure estimation model using PPG signal and advanced regression techniques for integration with the stress detection model in the wearable health monitoring system. Finally, the design of a voice-assisted indoor location system is proposed for integration with the proposed system within a smart home environment. The proposed wearable health monitoring system is an important direction to realize a smart home environment with extensive diagnostic capabilities so that such a system could be useful for rendering long-term and personalized care to the aging population in the comfort of their home.
Democracy and Criminal Discovery Reform After Connick and Garcetti

A leading cause of wrongful conviction and wasteful litigation in criminal cases is the nondisclosure of information beneficial to the defense by prosecutors and law enforcement as required by Brady v. Maryland. In Connick v. Thompson and Garcetti v. Ceballos, the Supreme Court weakened Brady’s enforceability by limiting the deterrent force of 42 U.S.C § 1983 liability. Connick highlights Garcetti’s implications as a criminal discovery case, which scholars have not fully analyzed. While Connick restricted § 1983 liability when prosecutors confess to suppressing exculpatory evidence, Garcetti restricted liability when prosecutors are disciplined for bringing Brady evidence to light. Connick and Garcetti illustrate the unfairness and inefficiency caused by subordination of Due Process disclosure duties to other interests. The cases also point toward a solution. Available empirical evidence indicates that full open file discovery statutes are a model for nationwide reform. The statutes restrict the prosecutorial discretion inherent in Brady. They mandate disclosure by the prosecution to the defense of all information obtained in the investigation of a criminal case. As a model for substantive reform, the successful implementation of full open file discovery also vindicates litigation and legislation as complements to internal agency reform, which some scholars view as the sole effective strategy for regulating prosecutorial decision-making. Taken in this light, the investigation and litigation that led to the Connick and Garcetti rulings can open chapters in a similar reform story. The cases underscore Brady’s weak enforceability and the intolerable ensuing cost in wasted lives, trampled liberty, and squandered criminal justice resources. Their holdings should motivate broader adoption of full open file discovery rules as a prerequisite – a necessary, although not a sufficient condition – for improving efficiency, fairness, and finality in the resolution of criminal cases.
On the automorphism group of the Morse complex

Abstract Let K be a finite, connected, abstract simplicial complex. The Morse complex of K, first introduced by Chari and Joswig, is the simplicial complex constructed from all gradient vector fields on K. We show that if K is neither the boundary of the n-simplex nor a cycle, then Aut ( M ( K ) ) ≅ Aut ( K ) . In the case where K = C n , a cycle of length n, we show that Aut ( M ( C n ) ) ≅ Aut ( C 2 n ) . When K = ∂ Δ n , we prove that Aut ( M ( ∂ Δ n ) ) ≅ Aut ( ∂ Δ n ) × Z 2 . These results are based on recent work of Capitelli and Minian.
On the Analysis of Adaptive-Rate Applications in Data-Centric Wireless Ad-Hoc Networks

Adapting applications’ data rates in multi-hop wireless ad-hoc networks is inherently challenging. Packet collision, channel contention, and queue buildup contribute to packet loss but are difficult to manage in conventional TCP/IP architecture. This work explores a data-centric approach based on Name Data Networking (NDN) architecture, which is considered more suitable for wireless ad-hoc networks. We show that the default NDN transport offers better performance in linear topologies but struggles in more extensive networks due to high collision and contention caused by excessive Interests from out-of-order data retrieval and redundant data transmission from improper Interest lifetime setting as well as in-network caching. To fix these, we use round-trip hop count to limit Interest rate and Dynamic Interest Lifetime to minimize the negative effect of improper Interest lifetime. Finally, we analyze the effect of in-network caching on transport performance and which scenarios may benefit or suffer from it.
Anomalous symmetries end at the boundary

A global symmetry of a quantum field theory is said to have an 't Hooft anomaly if it cannot be promoted to a local symmetry of a gauged theory. In this paper, we show that the anomaly is also an obstruction to defining symmetric boundary conditions. This applies to Lorentz symmetries with gravitational anomalies as well. For theories with perturbative anomalies, we demonstrate the obstruction by analyzing the Wess-Zumino consistency conditions and current Ward identities in the presence of a boundary. We then recast the problem in terms of symmetry defects and find the same conclusions for anomalies of discrete and orientation-reversing global symmetries, up to the conjecture that global gravitational anomalies, which may not be associated with any diffeomorphism symmetry, also forbid the existence of boundary conditions. This conjecture holds for known gravitational anomalies in $D \le 3$ which allows us to conclude the obstruction result for $D \le 4$.
Informational value of challenging an incumbent prosecutor

Popular elections are used to select prosecutors in most U.S. states. It has been questioned whether voters have the knowledge or incentive to identify quality individuals. In 2011, New York state instituted a series of salary increases for judges. Prosecutors' salaries are tied to judicial compensation by law so that an exogenous shock arose. I develop a simple asymmetric information model where a better informed insider can choose to contest the incumbent. Theory predicts that if voters are updating beliefs in a sophisticated manner, then in equilibrium there is not an increase in the rate at which incumbents are challenged, but when they are challenged incumbents receive more electoral support. Results from the natural experiment are consistent with the theory. It is estimated that the incumbent's vote margin grows by approximately six percentage points after the salary increase and the probability an incumbent wins a contested re-election increases by 18%.
Simultaneous Grouping and Denoising via Sparse Convex Wavelet Clustering

Clustering is a ubiquitous problem in data science and signal processing. In many applications where we observe noisy signals, it is common practice to first denoise the data, perhaps using wavelet denoising, and then to apply a clustering algorithm. In this paper, we develop a sparse convex wavelet clustering approach that simultaneously denoises and discovers groups. Our approach utilizes convex fusion penalties to achieve agglomeration and group-sparse penalties to denoise through sparsity in the wavelet domain. In contrast to common practice which denoises then clusters, our method is a unified, convex approach that performs both simultaneously. Our method yields denoised (wavelet-sparse) cluster centroids that both improve interpretability and data compression. We demonstrate our method on synthetic examples and in an application to NMR spectroscopy.
Open Set Authorship Attribution toward Demystifying Victorian Periodicals

Existing research in computational authorship attribution (AA) has primarily focused on attribution tasks with a limited number of authors in a closed-set configuration. This restricted set-up is far from being realistic in dealing with highly entangled real-world AA tasks that involve a large number of candidate authors for attribution during test time. In this paper, we study AA in historical texts using a new data set compiled from the Victorian literature. We investigate the predictive capacity of most common English words in distinguishing writings of most prominent Victorian novelists. We challenged the closed-set classification assumption and discussed the limitations of standard machine learning techniques in dealing with the open set AA task. Our experiments suggest that a linear classifier can achieve near perfect attribution accuracy under closed set assumption yet, the need for more robust approaches becomes evident once a large candidate pool has to be considered in the open-set classification setting.
Experimental study of transport properties of Weyl semimetal LaAlGe thin films grown by molecular beam epitaxy

Rare earth compounds display diverse electronic, magnetic, and magnetotransport properties. Recently, these compounds of the type RAlGe (R = La, Ce, Pr) have been shown to exhibit Weyl semimetallic behavior. In this work, we have investigated the crystal structure and electronic and magnetotransport properties of the Weyl semimetal LaAlGe thin films grown by molecular beam epitaxy. The temperature dependence of longitudinal resistivity at different magnetic fields is discussed. Observations of magnetoresistances and the Hall effect at different temperatures and their evolution with magnetic fields up to 6 T are also discussed with relevant mechanisms. We have observed positive unsaturated magnetoresistances with a small quadratic contribution at low temperatures, which tend to saturate at higher fields. The Hall measurements confirm the electron-dominated semimetallic conduction with an average charge carrier density of ∼9.68 × 1021 cm−3 at room temperature.
Distance and intersection number in the curve graph of a surface

In this work, we study the cellular decomposition of S induced by a filling pair of curves v and w, $$Dec_{v,w}(S) = S {\setminus } (v \cup w)$$ , and its connection to the distance function d(v, w) in the curve graph of a closed orientable surface S of genus g. Building on the work of Leasure, efficient geodesics were introduced by the first author in joint work with Margalit and Menasco in 2016, giving an algorithm that begins with a pair of non-separating filling curves that determine vertices (v, w) in the curve graph of a closed orientable surface S and computing from them a finite set of efficient geodesics. We extend the tools of efficient geodesics to study the relationship between distance d(v, w), intersection number i(v, w), and $$Dec_{v,w}(S)$$ . The main result is the development and analysis of particular configurations of rectangles in $$Dec_{v,w}(S)$$ called spirals. We are able to show that, with appropriate restrictions, the efficient geodesic algorithm can be used to build an algorithm that reduces i(v, w) while preserving d(v, w). At the end of the paper, we note a connection between our work and the notion of extending geodesics.
A novel IoT sensor authentication using HaLo extraction method and memory chip variability

Since the inception of encrypted messages thousands of years ago, mathematicians and scientists have continued to improve encryption algorithms in order to create more secure means of communication. These improvements came by means of more complex encryption algorithms that have stronger security features such as larger keys and trusted third parties. While many new processors can handle these more complex encryption algorithms, IoT devices on the edge often struggle to keep up with resource intensive encryption standards. In order to meet this demand for lightweight, secure encryption on the edge, this paper proposes a novel solution, called the High and Low (HaLo) method, that generates Physical Unclonable Function (PUF) signatures based on process variations within flash memory. These PUF signatures can be used to uniquely identify and authenticate remote sensors, and help ensure that messages being sent from remote sensors are encrypted adequately without requiring computationally expensive methods. The HaLo method consumes 20x less power than conventional authentication schemes commonly used with IoT devices, it has an average latency of only 39ms for 512 bit signature generation, and the average error rate is below 0.06%. Due to its low latency, low error rate, and high power efficiency, the HaLo method can progress the field of IoT encryption standards by accurately and efficiently authenticating remote sensors without sacrificing encryption integrity.
Genome-wide trans-ethnic meta-analysis identifies novel susceptibility loci for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Abstract The risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) differs across ethnic groups and there exist gaps in our understanding of the genetic risk of ALL as most studies took place in populations of predominantly European ancestries. In an effort to address these limitations, we performed a genetic meta-analysis of ALL in 76,317 participants across four ethnic groups, including 17,814 non-European individuals and 3,482 total cases. We replicated 15 out of 16 previously identified loci associated with ALL in our trans-ethnic analysis. We further identified five novel associations at genome-wide significance, including three novel loci and two secondary associations at previously known loci (17q12 and near CEBPE). The three putatively novel loci (rs9376090 near MYB/HBS1L, rs10998283 near TET1, and rs9415680 near JMJD1C/NRBF2) were previously shown to be associated with multiple blood cell traits and other hematopoietic cancers. Polygenic risk scores constructed from our trans-ethnic meta-analysis showed similar efficacy in independent Latino (LAT) and non-Latino white (NLW) ALL cohorts (AUC ∼ 0.67-0.68) and could partly explain the increased risk of ALL in LAT compared to NLW. Cross-population analysis also showed high but significantly less than 100% genetic correlation between LAT and NLW, suggesting potential differences in the underlying genetic architecture between ethnic groups. In summary, our findings enhance the understanding of genetic contribution to ALL risk across diverse populations and highlight the importance to include multiple ethnic groups in GWAS. Key Points We identified three novel loci on childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia near genes previously associated with multiple blood cell traits Polygenic risk scores using known and novel risk variants showed similar efficacy in Latino and non-Latino white Americans
Flexible simultaneous mesoscale two-photon imaging of neural activity at high speeds.

Understanding brain function requires monitoring local and global brain dynamics. Two-photon imaging of the brain across mesoscopic scales has presented trade-offs between imaging area and acquisition speed. We describe a flexible cellular resolution two-photon microscope capable of simultaneous video rate acquisition of four independently targetable brain regions spanning an approximate five-millimeter field of view. With this system, we demonstrate the ability to measure calcium activity across mouse sensorimotor cortex at behaviorally relevant timescales. Functional brain imaging with two-photon microscopy is limited by a tradeoff between imaging area and acquisition speed. Here, the authors present Quadroscope, a flexible microscope which allows for simultaneous video rate acquisition of four independently targetable brain regions across 5 mm.
Who Answers for the Government? Bureaucrats, Ministers, and Responsible Parties

A key feature of parliamentary democracy is government accountability vis-a-vis the legislature, but the important question of who speaks for the government—cabinet ministers or unelected bureaucrats, and the institutional underpinnings of this behavior—receives scant attention in the existing literature. We investigate this question with the case of Japan, and data on more than 4 million committee speeches spanning distinct electoral and legislative institutional environments. We document how a party-strengthening electoral system reform in 1994 facilitated a dramatic shift in the nature of government accountability to parliamentary committees: speeches by ministers increased, speeches by bureaucrats decreased, and discursive accountability between ministers and opposition legislators increased. Subsequent legislative reforms expanding junior ministerial roles and placing explicit limits on bureaucratic participation further reinforced the effects. These findings shed new light on the institutional foundations of responsible party government in general, as well as its progressive development in Japan.
Preliminary evaluation of the SimPORTAL major vessel injury (MVI) repair model.

Major vessel injury (MVI) is a dangerous complication associated with laparoscopic surgery that leads, if not properly handled, to blood loss, conversion to open surgery, and eventually death. In this paper, we describe the preliminary evaluation of the SimPORTAL MVI model, created with the goal of simulating an intra-corporeal injury to a large vessel. For this study, we created MVI models for 17 residents (PGY 1–4). Each resident was asked to perform an intracorporeal knot on a penrose drain within a maximum time limit of 6 min (in accordance with European basic laparoscopic urological skills rules) and then to subsequently repair a vessel injury on the MVI model, which was perfused with synthetic blood, within a maximum blood loss of 3 L. During the vessel repair, low lights and pulse sounds were used to simulate the operating room environment. All participants filled out a survey pre- and post-task to score various aspects of the model. We successfully created a model that simulates a critical surgical event. None of the participants reported having previous experience repairing a MVI. Six participants were able to perform the intracorporeal knot, and 12 residents (70.5 %) were able to repair the MVI model under the given time and blood loss limits. Eleven participants agreed that the MVI model behaves like a real vessel, and six felt to be capable of performing the task prior to attempting it. Sixteen participants thought that the MVI model should be part of laparoscopic curriculums during residency. The SimPORTAL MVI model is a feasible low-cost model that would be well appreciated as a part of laparoscopic curriculum for residents. Minor improvements, including pressure measurement in the vessel for task assessment, will be made in the future, and further studies are necessary to definitively validate this model.
Characteristic-based time-domain method for electromagnetic analysis

The characteristic-based time-domain method, developed in the computational fluid dynamics community (CFD) for solving the Euler equations, has been applied to solve electromagnetic problems. The characteristic-based algorithm has several advantages over other time-domain methods. First, it can suppress reflected waves from the truncated outer boundary by simply interdicting the incoming propagation from the split flux vectors. Second, the governing equation can be easily cast into a body-oriented curvilinear coordinates system, which greatly facilitates the computation of electromagnetic fields around a complex scatterer. In addition, the equations in flux vector form are split according to the sign of the eigenvalues. Forward differencing is adopted for the negative eigenvalues, and the backward one is used for the positive eigenvalues. This windward discretization enforces the directional propagation of information for wave motion, and hence provides a more robust stability than a central differencing scheme. In this paper, the characteristic-based finite-volume time-domain method is extended to two applications. One is the analysis of antenna radiation problem. The other is the scattering problem from conducting objects coated with lossy dielectric materials.
Technology and knowledge transfer in energy R&D laboratories. An analysis of effectiveness

Abstract The analysis presented in this paper is part of the on-going National Comparative R&D Laboratory Study Project. The goals of this project are to evaluate the relationship between public policy and the behavior of R&D organizations and identify those factors which contribute to various types of technical advance. Earlier phases of the project have focused on the establishment of a new classification typology for R&D organizations. Additional work on the classification and analysis of R&D organizations is currently underway with funding from the National Science Foundation. The results presented in this presentation are a part of the study which is designed to address the issue of government policy and innovative behavior among corporations. Earlier work has focused on government policy and innovation among technology orientated firms in New York.
Abolition: Emancipation in the Old World, 1880s–1920s

Exactly a century after the first great stirrings of abolition in Britain, slavery had been legally abolished by Brazil's “Golden Law.” In a broad swath of the Old World, however, stretching from the Atlantic coast of Africa through the eastern reaches of the Indian Ocean World, the institution of slavery remained both intact and robust. When the Americas were closed to enslaved Africans in the 1850s and 1860s, the institution was attaining its maximum extension within Africa. As noted in chapter 10, the World Antislavery Convention had been informed that there were 6 to 8 million slaves in India. Another contemporary writer placed the figure as high as 16 million or about one-tenth of the subcontinent's population. At that moment, India probably contained more people in servile status than any other political unit in the world. Old World servitude was not only larger and more widespread than its New World counterpart, but more diverse as well. In India, there was a range of servile statuses, some hereditary, some temporary, that Westerners subsumed under the rubric of slavery. These bondsmen and women occupied a wide range of niches, from those analogous to New World occupations in agriculture, industry, and households to eunuchs, concubines, courtiers, and military officers, without parallels in the Americas. Slaves were still being recruited through interregional slaving and assuring the institution's survival. The employment of slave sailors probably increased during the second third of the nineteenth century.
Faultless Disagreement and Aesthetic Realism

It has recently been argued that certain areas of discourse, such as discourse about matters of taste, involve a phenomenon of ‘‘faultless disagreement’’ that rules out giving a standard realist or contextualist semantics for them. Thus, it is argued, we are left with no choice but to consider more adventurous semantic alternatives for these areas, such as a semantic account that involves relativizing truth to perspectives or contexts of assessment. I argue that the sort of faultless disagreement present in these cases is in fact compatible with a realist treatment of their semantics. Then I briefly consider other considerations that might be thought to speak against realism about these areas of discourse. I conclude with the tentative suggestion that realism about matters of taste is far more plausible (at least in some cases) than most philosophers believe today.
Efficient Mining of Statistical Dependencies

The Multi-Stream Dependency Detection algorithm finds rules that capture statistical dependencies between patterns in multivariate time series of categorical data [Oates and Cohen, 1996c]. Rule strength is measured by the G statistic [Wickens, 1989], and an upper bound on the value of G for the descendants of a node allows MSDD'S search space to be pruned. However, in the worst case, the algorithm will explore exponentially many rules. This paper presents and empirically evaluates two ways of addressing this problem. The first is a set of three methods for reducing the size of MSDD'S search space based on information collected during the search process. Second, we discuss an implementation of MSDD that distributes its computations over multiple machines on a network.
Promoting Safe and Effective Genetic Tests in the United States: Work of the Task Force on Genetic Testing

The Task Force on Genetic Testing was created to review genetic testing in the United States and, when necessary, to make recommendations to ensure the development of safe and effective genetic tests. A survey to explore the state of genetic testing was undertaken for the Task Force and completed in early 1995. The survey, as well as literature reports and other information collected for the Task Force, showed problems affecting safety and effectiveness, as defined by the Task Force: validity and utility of predictive tests, laboratory quality, and appropriate use by healthcare providers and consumers. On the basis of these findings, the Task Force made several recommendations to ensure safe and effective genetic testing. The Secretary of Health and Human Services followed up one recommendation by creating the Secretary's Advisory Committee on Genetic Testing. One of its functions will be to implement other recommendations of the Task Force.
Medical Pearl: Pneumocystis pneumonia prophylaxis for patients on chronic systemic corticosteroids.

will approximate the skin edges and the surgical assistant can then use a surgical marker to apply lines perpendicular to the line of closure (Fig 2). The skin hooks are then removed, and buried sutures are placed at the corresponding skin markings. This allows for a well-approximated defect (Fig 3) that is ready for superficial sutures or skin adhesive. If superficial sutures are used, the skin markings can be used as a landmark to avoid cutting out the deep sutures with the cutting surface of the suture needle. This method can also be used for side-to-side closure of nonelliptical cutaneous defects, such as might be encountered with Mohs micrographic surgery. Again, skin hooks are used to apply linear tension along the line of proposed closure, skin markings are made, and buried sutures are placed in the center of the defect. Redundant cones of tissue are then removed where necessary, and the remainder of the defect closed. Wounds closed in this fashion may result in significantly shorter and potentially better-oriented scars than those achieved by elliptical excision.
Effects of radiation on the survival of excision-defective cells fromDrosophila melanogaster

The effect of various doses of ultraviolet light and ionizing radiation on the survival of excision-defective Drosophila cells has been determined by cloning treated and untreated cells in agarose. Although excision-defective cells survive moderate amounts of DNA damage, they display a severe hypersensitivity to both types of radiation relative to excision-proficient cells. Exposure of ultraviolet-irradiated cells to fluorescent light results in a reduction of the density of pyrimidine dimers in cellular DNA and a 10- to 20- fold increase in survival. Parallel analysis of dimer density and survival, however, suggests that much of the lethal effect of ultraviolet light is due to nondimer damage. Cell proliferation was monitored in both excision-proficient and excision-defective cells exposed to doses of ultraviolet light that reduced survival by 90%. Under these conditions excision-proficient cells displayed exponential growth whereas excision-defective cells exhibited no cell proliferation for 12 days.