cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A wavelet-based time?frequency analysis approach for classification of motor imagery for brain?computer interface applications

Electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings during motor imagery tasks are often used as input signals for brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). The translation of these EEG signals to control signals of a device is based on a good classification of various kinds of imagination. We have developed a wavelet-based time-frequency analysis approach for classifying motor imagery tasks. Time-frequency distributions (TFDs) were constructed based on wavelet decomposition and event-related (de)synchronization patterns were extracted from symmetric electrode pairs. The weighted energy difference of the electrode pairs was then compared to classify the imaginary movement. The present method has been tested in nine human subjects and reached an averaged classification rate of 78%. The simplicity of the present technique suggests that it may provide an alternative method for EEG-based BCI applications.
A thermocapillary convection experiment in microgravity

Results are reported of the Surface Tension Driven Convection Experiment (STDCE) aboard the USML-1 Spacelab, which was launched on June 25, 1992. In the experiment, 10 cSt silicone oil was placed in an open 10-cm-dia circular container, which was 5 cm deep. The fluid was heated either by a cylindrical heater (1.11 cm diameter) located along the container centerline or by a CO{sub 2} laser beam to induce thermocapillary flow. Several thermistor probes were placed in the fluid to measure the temperature distribution. The temperature distribution along the liquid-free surface was measured by an infrared imager. Tests were conducted over a range of heating powers, laser-beam diameters, and free surface shapes. An extensive numerical modeling of the flow was conducted in conjunction with the experiments. Some results of the temperature measurements with flat free surfaces are presented in this paper and they are shown to agree well with the numerical predictions. 25 refs., 12 figs.
Integrating heterogeneous microarray data sources using correlation signatures

Microarrays are one of the latest breakthroughs in experimental molecular biology. Thousands of different research groups generate tens of thousands of microarray gene expression profiles based on different tissues, species, and conditions. Combining such vast amount of microarray data sets is an important and yet challenging problem. In this paper, we introduce a “correlation signature” method that allows the coherent interpretation and integration of microarray data across disparate sources. The proposed algorithm first builds, for each gene (row) in a table, a correlation signature that captures the system-wide dependencies existing between the gene and the other genes within the table, and then compares the signatures across the tables for further analysis. We validate our framework with an experimental study using real microarray data sets, the result of which suggests that such an approach can be a viable solution for the microarray data integration and analysis problems.
Development of a multipurpose fruit and vegetable processor for a manned mission to Mars

Abstract Current plans for long duration space missions anticipate the need for self-sustaining habitats, which would include plants for food and atmospheric reprocessing. Growth of food, in turn, necessitates a food processing element. A multipurpose fruit and vegetable processor (MFVP) was designed and built for this purpose by comparing potential technologies using equivalent system mass (ESM) impact, a NASA metric. As an example of selection and evaluation, the concentration sub-unit to produce tomato concentrate is reviewed. Evaporation, and integrated membrane approaches—microfiltration (MF), ultrafiltration (UF) and reverse osmosis (RO)—were compared for applicability. Direct RO was selected and tests evaluated operating conditions, maximum concentration and flux decline. Filtration performance parameters were obtained: permeate flux, volume concentration factor (VCF) and power usage. Pressure and temperature were the determining factors in performance and a maximum concentrate of 22.7 °Brix was projected. Increases in cross-flow velocity (CFV) added power demand and therefore was found to raise ESM. Added transmembrane pressure (TMP), on the other hand was found to offset power increases by reducing processing time. The study validated the use of ESM as a tool for selecting technologies and proved the usability of RO for the MFVP process.
Using patterns to teach software subsystem design

In 1996, the Rochester Institute of Technology initiated the first undergraduate software engineering program in the United States. Building on a foundation in mathematics, natural science, computer science, and computer engineering, the program aims to graduate a new type of engineer: one who can approach software system development with the disciplined, methodical, analytic approach characteristic of traditional engineering discipline. The first course specifically developed for software engineering is titled "Engineering of Software Subsystems". The goal of this course is to raise the level of design discourse above that of simple functions or object classes. A key strategic decision in the development of this course was the adoption of "design patterns" as the central organizing thread. This paper reports on the effects the authors have observed as a result.
Phosphatidylserine Regulation of Ca2+-triggered Exocytosis and Fusion Pores in PC12 Cells

The synaptic vesicle protein synaptotagmin I (Syt I) binds phosphatidylserine (PS) in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner. This interaction is thought to play a role in exocytosis, but its precise functions remain unclear. To determine potential roles for Syt I-PS binding, we varied the PS content in PC12 cells and liposomes and studied the effects on the kinetics of exocytosis and Syt I binding in parallel. Raising PS produced a steeply nonlinear, saturating increase in Ca(2+)-triggered fusion, and a graded slowing of the rate of fusion pore dilation. Ca(2+)-Syt I bound liposomes more tightly as PS content was raised, with a steep increase in binding at low PS, and a further gradual increase at higher PS. These two phases in the PS dependence of Ca(2+)-dependent Syt I binding to lipid may correspond to the two distinct and opposing kinetic effects of PS on exocytosis. PS influences exocytosis in two ways, enhancing an early step leading to fusion pore opening, and slowing a later step when fusion pores dilate. The possible relevance of these results to Ca(2+)-triggered Syt I binding is discussed along with other possible roles of PS.
Propionyl-L-carnitine improves exercise performance and functional status in patients with claudication

Abstract PURPOSE: We tested the hypothesis that propionyl-L-carnitine would improve peak walking time in patients with claudication. Secondary aims of the study were to evaluate the effects of propionyl-L-carnitine on claudication onset time, functional status, and safety. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 155 patients with disabling claudication from the United States (n = 72) or Russia (n = 83) received either placebo or propionyl-L-carnitine (2g/day orally) for 6 months. Subjects were evaluated at baseline and 3 and 6 months after randomization with a graded treadmill protocol at a constant speed of 2 miles per hour, beginning at 0% grade, with increments in the grade of 2% every 2 minutes until maximal symptoms of claudication forced cessation of exercise. Questionnaires were used to determine changes in functional status. RESULTS: At baseline, peak walking time was 331 ± 171 seconds in the placebo group and 331 ± 187 seconds in the propionyl-L-carnitine group. After 6 months of treatment, subjects randomly assigned to propionyl-L-carnitine increased their peak walking time by 162 ± 222 seconds (a 54% increase) as compared with an improvement of 75 ± 191 seconds (a 25% increase) for those on placebo ( P CONCLUSIONS: Propionyl-L-carnitine safely improved treadmill exercise performance and enhanced functional status in patients with claudication.
The performance of Fourier transform division multiplexing schemes on peak limited channels

Inherent in the method of Fourier transform division multiplexing (FTDM) is the possibility that the FTDM encoder will yield spurious power bursts, which can affect the linearity of the channel. A common way for dealing with such bursts is to clip the signal at some predetermined peak power level. The authors obtain explicit formulas for the probability distributions of such bursts and for the errors that the clipping induce in the decoder. The formulas can help the FTDM code designer to decide on an appropriate average power constraint. >
Local-field enhancement on rough surfaces of metals, semimetals, and semiconductors with the use of optical second-harmonic generation

Optical second-harmonic generation was used to study the local-field enhancement due to surface roughness on various materials ranging from the alkalis to a semiconductor. The roughness morphology was standardized by evaporating each material onto the same chemically etched glass slide, having microstructures hundreds to thousands of angstroms in size. With the laser excitation at 1.06 ..mu..m, the observed second-harmonic enhancements for different materials varied from 27 to 1 x 10/sup -3/ times that of silver. They were in fair agreement with a simple model calculation assuming that the rough surface is composed of a distribution of noninteracting hemispheroids on a plane. The results are used to predict some rather substantial enhancements for surface Raman scattering for a number of substrate materials.
Mobile IPv4 secure firewall traversal with deployment of foreign agents

Currently mobile IP can enable mobile users to enjoy seamless roaming. However, if home networks are firewall-protected, mobile users can not access their home networks without successful authentication. So mobile users are out of contact with their home agents and then get lost to some extent. In this paper, we consider the case that, in mobile IPv4, a mobile node away from home obtains a care-of address from a foreign agent and communicates with its home agent and a correspondent node that are both behind the firewall of the home network. Our solution can achieve successful firewall traversal as well as end-to-end security by applying IPsec mechanisms on network entities. It does not require any modification of protocols and network entities. Besides, if foreign agents are deployed hierarchically, the security associations do not need to be renegotiated whenever a mobile node changes its network attachment point.
Segmentation of 4D MR renography images using temporal dynamics in a level set framework

A novel 4D level set framework was developed to segment dynamic MR images into the cortex, medulla and collecting system. The novelty of the method is that it combines information from spatial anatomical structures and temporal dynamics. The accuracy of the fully automatic 4D level set algorithm was found to be comparable to manual segmentation performed by experts on renal anatomy. The algorithm requires less than one minute to automatically segment a single kidney 4D patient data set with more than 40 time points.
A state-variable approach to symbolic circuit simulation in the time domain

Presents a hierarchical method for performing symbolic simulation in the time domain using a state-variable approach. The authors illustrate the development of the symbolic state-variable matrices for the subcircuits of a partitioned network, and the methodology for the hierarchical analysis. The resultant state equations are combined to produce the compact state-variable equations for the entire system. This hierarchical method exhibits a large reduction in the number of operations and in the size of the characteristic matrices needed to characterize the state variable equations for the network. This enables the application of the method to large-scale networks. The method accommodates a model for ideal operational amplifiers. >
Adaptive multi-site testing for analog/mixed-signal circuits incorporating neighborhood information

Increasing integration packs more functionality in a single chip necessitating the testing of even more specification parameters. However, there is a tendency to keep test time budged constrained, which leads test engineers to seek more efficient test strategies. Statistical test compaction methods offer generic and circuit independent means of achieving efficient testing. Adaptive test methodologies have been shown to achieve better test quality versus test time trade-off compared to non-adaptive methods. In this work, we propose a new adaptive test approach geared for multi-site applications to achieve a significantly better test time/test quality trade-off. We employ an innovative compound-device approach that enables us to exploit device-to-device correlations. Moreover, we use neighbor device statistics for efficient defect screening. We show that despite the constraints imposed by multi-site testing, we successfully reap the benefits of adaptive testing in a multi-site environment.
Diabetes: Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment

Importance Chronic diseases have overtaken acute diseases, such as infections, as the major cause of premature mortality worldwide. Diabetes mellitus, a chronic degenerative metabolic disease, has reached epidemic proportions in the past 30 years, with worldwide prevalence approaching 400 million people. Observations and Advances The epidemic is largely secondary to an increasing sedentary lifestyle and highly prevalent overweight and obesity contributing to the development of type 2 diabetes. Clinical research efforts have developed and demonstrated effective strategies for prevention, and the annual incidence of diabetes in the United States may be decreasing for the first time in 3 decades. The long-term complications of diabetes cause severe morbidity and mortality. Here too the means of reducing the burden of microvascular and cardiovascular disease have been proved. Conclusions and Relevance Improved glycemic control and better management of other identified risk factors for the complications of diabetes and more effective treatment of cardiovascular disease and microvascular complications have resulted in a more optimistic outlook for people with diabetes. This review focuses on recent advances in diagnosis and management and the remaining challenges in the prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus.
Amygdalar opioids modulate hypothalamic melanocortin-induced anorexia.

Abstract We wanted to assess the possibility that opioid activity in the central amygdala (CeA) could modulate the feeding inhibition of melanocortin stimulation of the paraventricular hypothalamus (PVN). The melanocortin system is important in both the acute regulation of satiety and feeding behavior and in the integration of long-term appetite signals. Melanotan II (MTII) is a synthetic MC3R and MC4R agonist which reduces food intake when given intracerebroventricularly (ICV) and into the PVN. Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-(me) Phe-Gly-ol (DAMGO), a µ-opioid receptor agonist, increases food intake, while opioid antagonists, like naltrexone (NTX), inhibit food intake after injection into many brain sites involved in appetite regulation, including the CeA. In food-deprived male Sprague-Dawley rats, co-injected intra-PVN MTII partially blocked the orexigenic effect of co-injected intra-CeA DAMGO. Intra-CeA NTX co-injected with intra-PVN MTII reduced food intake significantly more than either alone. NTX administered intra-CeA reduced c-Fos-immunoreactivity (IR) in nucleus accumbens neurons significantly compared to the intra-PVN MTII treated animals, animals co-injected intra-PVN with MTII and intra-CeA with NTX animals, and control animals. Intra-PVN MTII induced c-Fos-IR in significantly more PVN neurons than observed in control animals. Intra-CeA NTX co-injected with intra-PVN MTII induced c-Fos-IR significantly in PVN neurons relative to control and intra-CeA NTX animals. Such data support the significance of opioid action within the CeA as a modulator of the feeding regulation action of melanocortins within the PVN, occurring within the context of a larger appetitive network.
An Economic Model of Swedish Emigration

I. Introduction, 111. — II. Previous analyses of European migration, 112.— III. Econometric investigation of migration, 114. — IV. The model, 115.— V. The econometric results, 120. — VI. Conclusions, 124.
Acceptance of electronic monitoring and its consequences in different cultural contexts: A conceptual model

Abstract The trend towards globalization recently has been further strengthened by the attempts of multinational corporations (MNCs) to outsource technology-based jobs to developing countries. This trend raises questions regarding appropriate performance control options available to MNCs. The current paper proposes that electronic performance monitoring (EPM) may be an effective tool in ensuring production quality standards in distant operations. EPM is widely used in many industrialized countries. However, the use of EPM on a global scale may lead to an array of questions regarding appropriateness and effectiveness of this procedure in different cultural contexts. We propose a model that describes the interaction of major EPM characteristics and national culture dimensions, and suggest possible implications of this interaction on creating culture-sensitive EPM designs. The effects of culture on perceptions of acceptability and fairness of EPM and relevant individual and organizational outcomes are discussed.
Cognitive engineering of gestural primitives for multi-modal interaction in a virtual environment

An important task of cognitive engineering for human-machine performance systems is to engineer the performability of a human observer in the simulated environment. For human observers to act in an environment: 1) they must perceive affordances of surrounding objects and their potential behaviors under interaction, and 2) the machine should be able to interpret human motions as an intentional drive. In this paper the concept of generative mechanisms is introduced to represent such affordances as abstract models placed in interactive pathways. The classification of gestural primitives is proposed, and implementations are presented through case studies. The application of generative mechanisms is discussed through examples for linking gestural primitives to graphic and auditory displays.
Dopamine D2 receptors form higher order oligomers at physiological expression levels

G-protein-coupled receptors are generally thought to be organized as dimers; whether they form higher order oligomers is a topic of much controversy. We combined bioluminescence/fluorescence complementation and energy transfer to demonstrate that at least four dopamine D2 receptors are located in close molecular proximity in living mammalian cells, consistent with their organization as higher order oligomers at the plasma membrane. This implies the existence of multiple receptor interfaces. In addition to the symmetrical interface in the fourth transmembrane segment (TM4) we identified previously by cysteine (Cys) crosslinking, we now show that a patch of residues at the extracellular end of TM1 forms a second symmetrical interface. Crosslinking of D2 receptor with Cys substituted simultaneously into both TM1 and TM4 led to higher order species, consistent with our novel biophysical results. Remarkably, the rate and extent of crosslinking at both interfaces were unaltered over a 100-fold range of receptor expression. Thus, at physiological levels of expression, the receptor is organized in the plasma membrane into a higher order oligomeric structure.
Book Review: Accounting Information Systems

Accounting Information Systems, Second edition by James A. Hall, South-Western College Publishing, 1998, pp. 797. Reviewed by Thomas G. Amyot, (amyott@rosnet.strose.edu), College of Saint Rose
Portable X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy as a rapid screening technique for analysis of TiO2 and ZnO in sunscreens.

Abstract This investigation reports a rapid and simple screening technique for the quantification of titanium and zinc in commercial sunscreens using portable X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (pXRF). A highly evolved technique, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) was chosen as a comparative technique to pXRF, and a good correlation (r 2 > 0.995) with acceptable variations (≤ 25%) in results between both techniques was observed. Analytical figures of merit such as detection limit, quantitation limit, and linear range of the method are reported for the pXRF technique. This method has a good linearity (r 2 > 0.995) for the analysis of titanium (Ti) in the range of 0.4–14.23 wt%, and zinc (Zn) in the range of 1.0–23.90 wt%. However, most commercial sunscreens contain organic ingredients, and these ingredients are known to cause matrix effects. The development of appropriate matrix matched working standards to obtain the calibration curve was found to be a major challenge for the pXRF measurements. In this study, we have overcome the matrix effect by using metal-free commercial sunscreens as a dispersing media for the preparation of working standards. An easy extension of this unique methodology for preparing working standards in different matrices was also reported. This method is simple, rapid, and cost-effective and, in comparison to conventional techniques (e.g., ICP-MS), did not generate toxic wastes during sample analysis.
CONTROL OF LARVAL GROWTH VARIATION IN A POPULATION OF PSEUDACRIS TRISERIATA (ANURA: HYLIDAE).

Population geneticists have discovered considerable genetic variation in natural populations (Lewontin, 1974). Of these data, the majority are concerned with polymorphisms in discrete characters such as color morphs or allozyme variants, characters whose genetic basis is simple, but whose ecological significance is often poorly understood. As a result, there is disagreement on to what degree the extensive genetic variation in such traits actually results in genetic variation in fitness components in nature (Kimura and Ohta, 1971; Lewontin, 1974). This problem may be approached in another manner by the study of phenotypically variable traits whose ecological significance can be elucidated, and whose relationships to one or more fitness components can be uncovered. By determining the extent to which the phenotypic variability reflects genetic variation, an understanding of the mechanistic role of such genetic variation in natural populations can be attained. Certain larval anuran populations present an excellent opportunity for such an approach. Tadpole populations suffer large mortalities between egg hatching and metamorphosis (Herried and Kinney, 1966; Calef, 1973; Licht, 1974; Creusere and Whitford, 1976; Cecil and Just, 1979). This is particularly true for the species which breed in temporary ponds. Vertebrate and invertebrate predators take a heavy toll of larvae (Heyer et al., 1975; Walters, 1975), and drying of a pond can restrict survival to only the fastest devel-
Allergic and nonallergic factors in upper and lower airway disease.

The specific allergic and nonallergic mechanisms that prevail in diseases of the upper and lower airways, e.g., rhinitis and asthma, are reviewed. These mechanisms and diseases are probably not more prevalent in wind players than in others, but they may significantly impair a musician’s capabilities. Specific allergic triggers include pollens, molds, dusts, and danders; and the typical immediate inflammatory response to these is mediated by IgE. There is a growing understanding of late-phase reactions, which are triggered by IgE but which occur four to 12 hours after antigen exposure. Specific allergic responses may occur with or without nonspecific, non-IgE reactions, which include responses to a wide variety of irritants including cold air, particulates, and infections. There is a growing realization that host responses to specific allergens and nonspecific irritant factors can influence and accentuate each other. Treatment should be directed toward identification and avoidance of both kinds of triggers. Immunotherapy is sometimes required.
Optimal Operation Mode Selection for a DC Microgrid

This paper considers an optimal control problem to improve dc microgrid stability while minimizing its operation cost. A dc microgrid consists of various components, such as renewable energy sources, loads, and power lines. Every component may change its role during operation by switching to a different mode in real time. A switched system approach is employed to ensure the stability of a dc microgrid with a rich array of operation modes. Meanwhile, an optimal control algorithm is designed to improve the system performance by appropriately selecting the operation modes. A typical dc microgrid with three source buses and one load bus is implemented. The effectiveness of the algorithms is verified by MATLAB/Simulink time-domain tests and numerical studies.
Forecast of measles incidence by ARIMA model in Hangzhou

Objective To forecast measles incidence in Hangzhou, to provide scientific references for measles control and prevention in Hangzhou. Methods Based on surveillance data about measles, used ARIMA model to forecast measles incidence in 2013. Results The season model ARIMA(2, 0, 1) ×(0, 1, 1)52 was built that forecasted the trend of measles in Hangzhou 2013, MAE was 3.26 and MAPE was 7.92%. It was identical with trend projection results. Conclusion Seasonal model of ARIMA applied in short-term prediction of measles has a good effect.
Insulin-Dependent Apparent Translocation of Glucose Transport Activity: Studies by the Reconstitution Method

Nearly a decade ago, we found that when rat epididymal adipocytes were exposed to [125I]iodoinsulin for 10 min at 37°C, 125I activity would associate with two subcellular structures that could be fractionated by sucrose density-gradient centrifugation into the plasma membrane fraction (peak 1) and a low-density microsomal fraction (peak 2).(1) The latter peak (peak 2 of 125I activity) was later identified as the peak of the internalized hormone.(2,3) During this study, however, we noticed several similarities between the characteristics of the peak 2 formation, i,e., the endocytotic internalization of the hormone-receptor complex, and those of the hormonal action on glucose transport. Thus, both reactions are very slow at a low temperature, such as 15°C,(2) both reactions require adenosine triphosphate (ATP) not only for their development(2,3) but also for their reversal,(4,5) and both reactions are completed in approximately 5–10 min at 37°C when the hormone concentration is 1 nM.(2,6) We therefore postulated as a working hypothesis that the complex of glucose and its transport carrier might be co-internalized along with the insulin-receptor complex. In theory, one can test this working hypothesis by measuring the distribution of glucose transport activity in subcellular fractions obtained from the basal and plus-insulin states of adipocytes using the aforementioned sucrose density-gradient centrifugation.
A review of the western Pacific species of the crangonid genus Metacrangon Zarenkov, 1965 (Decapoda: Caridea), with descriptions of seven new species

A review of species of the crangonid genus Metacrangon Zarenkov, 1965 (Decapoda: Caridea) from the Northwest andtropical Southwest Pacific Ocean is presented. Twenty-one species, including seven new to science, are recognized: M. asiaticus (Kobjakova, 1955) from the Kuril Islands and Komandor Islands; M. bythos n. sp. from Japan; M. clevai n. sp. from the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu; M. cornuta Komai & Komatsu, 2009 from Japan; M. holthuisi Komai, 2010 fromJapan; M. karubar n. sp. from Indonesia to Solomon Islands; M. laevis (Yokoya, 1933) from northern Japan and the Rus-sian Far East; M. longirostris (Yokoya, 1933) from Japan; M. miyakei Kim, 2005 from Japan; M. monodon (Birshtein V M. nipponensis (Yokoya, 1933) from Japan; M. obliqua n. sp. from Ja-pan; M. ochotensis (Kobjakova, 1955) from the South Kuril Islands; M. proxima Kim, 2005 from Japan; M. punctata n. sp. from Indonesia, Solomon Islands and New Caledonia; M. robusta (Kobjakova, 1935) from the Sea of Japan and theSea of Okhotsk; M. similis Komai, 1997 from Japan; M. sinensis Fujino & Miyake, 1970 from the northern part of the EastChina Sea; M. trigonorostris (Yokoya, 1933) from Japan; M. tropis n. sp. from Japan; and M. tsugaruensis n. sp. fromJapan. These species are classified into two informal species groups. The new species are fully described and illustrated.Some previously known species, for which detailed descriptions along modern standards are deemed necessary, are rede-scribed. Metacrangon asiaticus is elevated from a subspecies of M. variabilis to full species status. A key to aid in theidentification of the western Pacific species is provided. Bathymetrical and geographical distributions of the treated spe-cies are summarized. It is strongly suggested that each species is highly localized. The species richness is highest in waters around the Japanese Archipelago (17 of the 41 known species occur in the areas).
Overall survival is increased among stage III pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy compared to surgery first and adjuvant chemotherapy: An intention to treat analysis of the National Cancer Database

Background Outcomes of neoadjuvant systemic therapy versus an upfront operation for clinical, stage III pancreatic adenocarcinoma remain poorly defined. Our aim was to compare survival among patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy versus surgery-first with an intention-to-treat analysis. Methods The National Cancer Data Base was reviewed from 2002–2011 for patients with clinical, stage III adenocarcinoma of the head or body of the pancreas. Patients were categorized as neoadjuvant or surgery-first. The intention-to-treat analysis included all neoadjuvant therapy patients in whom a potentially curative operation was planned and all surgery-first patients for whom adjuvant therapy was recommended. Intention-to-treat overall survival was compared by Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards multivariable regression. Results A total of 593 patients were identified: 377 (63.6%) in the neoadjuvant cohort, wherein 104 (27.6%) experienced preoperative attrition, and 216 (36.4%) in the surgery-first cohort, of whom 30 (13.9%) failed to receive intended adjuvant chemotherapy. Intention-to-treat Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated superior survival for neoadjuvant compared to surgery-first (median overall survival 20.7 months vs 13.7 months, log rank P P = .0012) for neoadjuvant compared to surgery-first. Conclusion Despite preoperative attrition, neoadjuvant therapy in clinical, stage III pancreatic cancer patients is associated with improved overall survival when compared to patients receiving surgery-first.
Telomere recombination pathways: tales of several unhappy marriages

All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. –Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
Proofs of Age: The What and the Why

The Proof of Age proceeding really began when the heir petitioned that he or she was now of age. The guardians were “warned” of the impending hearing and the 12 men of the village, diligently questioned about their memory, told why they knew the heir had been baptized 21 years ago. The memories are noteworthy for the weight they place on acts of writing that set the date, for an attention to details and specific information, and to the exclusion of the direct voices or memories of women. Jurors often joined in a common memory and, since they opened with a self-stated age, we get a cross section of the middle-aged and elderly men who would have represented the lore and social memory of the village.
Juno at Jupiter: The mission and its path to unveiling secrets of the history of the solar system

The Juno mission is described, focusing on its orbits at Jupiter, how the plan evolved, and science return so far. Juno is a NASA New Frontiers spacecraft in a near-polar highly elliptical 53-day orbit at Jupiter. Since arrival in July 2016, it has used 9 science investigations to study the planet's atmospheric composition and structure, magnetic and gravity fields, and polar and extended magnetosphere. A radiation monitoring investigation contributes to our understanding of Jupiter's environment. Juno's primary science goal is to understand the origin and evolution of Jupiter, to shed light on how the Earth and other planets formed. Baseline objectives will be satisfied with 32 science orbits, a spin-stabilized solar powered spacecraft, an electronics vault for radiation shielding, and a robust payload with microwave receivers, X- and Ka-band radio science hardware, vector magnetometers, high- and low-energy charged particle detectors, radio and plasma wave antennas, UV and IR spectroscopic imagers, and a visible light camera for public outreach. Observations are made in a limited number of orientations, including Gravity Science (spin axis and main antenna pointing to Earth), and microwave atmospheric sounding (spin plane passing through Jupiter's center). Prime science data are collected near closest approach (perijove), plus calibrations, occasional remote sensing, and continued magnetospheric observations in the outer parts of the orbit. Juno's mission plan has evolved since the 2005 proposal due to design and ops choices, e.g., mission design (cruise or early orbital trajectory), orbit period (11, 14, then 53 days), perijove attitudes (2 or more), and DSN coverage (34- and 70-m stations). Choices were partly motivated by the effect on science return. Selected preliminary science results are summarized, including the benefits of decisions as the plan evolved. Juno has begun to unveil Jupiter — peeling apart its interior by measuring gravity and magnetic fields, using microwaves to probe its atmosphere down to 100s of km, exploring its polar and extended magnetosphere, and imaging the poles for the first time. In doing so, it is revealing secrets of the history of the Earth and solar system.
When Ordinary People Do Extraordinary Things

It is with enormous sadness and yet great hope that I write this letter. As many of you know, historian, academic, activist, and inspiration to millions of people, Howard Zinn, born August 24th, 1922, passed away on January 27th, 2010. His personal story and life’s work are a call to all of us to make the world a more just and humane place.
A 2.4GHz IEEE 802.15.6 Compliant 1.52nJ/bit TX & 1.32nJ/bit RX Multiband Transceiver for Low Power Standards

This paper describes an 802.15.6 compliant 2.36–2.484GHz multiband transceiver that uses an energy efficient programmable digital power amplifier on the transit side and a zero power passive voltage gain frontend using a 1:3 balun on the receive side to achieve low power operation. A 7th harmonic injection locked oscillator and zero power passive polyphase filter generates the phases at 2.4GHz required for phase modulation on the transmit side and for LO generation on the receive side. This enables channel selection using a 342.86 MHz PLL, i.e., at 1/7th of the RF frequency of 2.4GHz to result in low power consumption. The prototype transmitter consumes 1.48 mW of power while delivering −9.47dBm output power resulting in an energy efficiency of 1.52nJ/bit at 971kbps data rate. The measured RMS EVM for $\pi/4$ DQPSK modulation is 5.68%. The prototype receiver consumes 1.29mW of power resulting in an energy efficiency of 1.32nJ/bit while achieving a receiver noise figure of 10.2dB and an IIP3 of −24.1 dBm. This design does not use offchip inductors.
Neural-Network-Based G-OSNR Estimation of Probabilistic-Shaped 144QAM Channels in DWDM Metro Network Field Trial

A two-stage neural network model is applied on captured PS-144QAM raw data to estimate channel G-OSNR in a metro network field trial. We obtained 0.27dB RMSE with first-stage CNN classifier and second-stage ANN regressions.
Pick your battles: Re-examining the Framework for community colleges

Information literacy is a valued skill in almost every academic discipline, and increasingly valued by employers in the workforce. This point is of particular interest to librarians and faculty at community colleges, where job-ready skills and practical concepts are the priority for our students. However, reception of the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education has been lukewarm among community college librarians. Many librarians who work in community colleges believe the Framework is meant for four-year schools and research-based institutions. By closely re-examining the Framework and recognizing student needs, community college librarians can use the Framework much more effectively.
The Optical Path of Ancient Photons and the Supernova Project

Here we present evidence that the analysis of the Supernova Project failed to consider the simplest model which is capable of predicting all type 1a Supernovae (SN1a) distances from their redshifts z. This model is based upon the Hypergeometrical Universe Theory (HU), where the Universe is a hyperspherical hypersurface under lightspeed radial expansion. This permits simple short-distance compliance with the Hubble Law. The mapping of the Hubble Law with the hyperspherical short-distance expansion provides a Current 4D radius of 13.58 Billion Light Years if we consider H0=72 km/s/Mpc. Notice that the Universe under the Hypergeometrical Universe Theory is an embedded hypersurface within a 4D Spatial Manifold, with a lightspeed expanding radius. Because of that it is possible to speak of Current (in absolute time) Universe. Einstein’s ideas about Time and Relativity are refuted by HU and astronomical observations. Redshifting is shown to have a geometrical nature.
Sustainability and Resilience Through Micro-scale Decisions for Change

The impacts of human-induced change are significant, affecting our environment, climate, fauna, and people in various ways. Recognition of needed change is widespread. Sustainability and resilience efforts reflect such awareness and often focus on pathways for moving forward that address current and future issues through decisions based on analysis, planning, management, and policy. The chapter highlights essential micro-scale thinking to bring about change in order to mitigate the negative impacts of human-induced growth and development. The use of spatial analytical approaches, including geographic information systems, spatial optimization, and spatial statistics, is a central theme. Application studies are reviewed to highlight the significance of micro-scale decisions for change as a component to achieving long-term sustainability and resilience.
Commentary: Mutation: source of variation in evolutionary ecology

Mutation is a key force in evolutionary ecology. While the source of new genetic variation, mutation is often considered separately from other mechanisms. This commentary accompanies the mini-special issue/topical collection to draw attention to mutation in evolutionary ecology. We highlight each of the diverse papers, and provide context for future studies. New technologies and datasets coming online suggest a vibrant future of mutation investigations in evolutionary ecology.
A Penny on the Dollar: Racial Inequalities in Wealth among Households with Children:

The dynamics of racial/ethnic wealth inequality among U.S. families with resident children (child households) have been understudied, a major oversight because of wealth’s impact on child developme...
Attachment and trust in artificial intelligence

Abstract Lack of trust is one of the main obstacles standing in the way of taking full advantage of the benefits artificial intelligence (AI) has to offer. Most research on trust in AI focuses on cognitive ways to boost trust. Here, instead, we focus on boosting trust in AI via affective means. Specifically, we tested and found associations between one's attachment style—an individual difference representing the way people feel, think, and behave in relationships—and trust in AI. In Study 1 we found that attachment anxiety predicted less trust. In Study 2, we found that enhancing attachment anxiety reduced trust, whereas enhancing attachment security increased trust in AI. In Study 3, we found that exposure to attachment security cues (but not positive affect cues) resulted in increased trust as compared with exposure to neutral cues. Overall, our findings demonstrate an association between attachment security and trust in AI, and support the ability to increase trust in AI via attachment security priming.
Consumer Perceptions and Pricing Practices for Weddings

Weddings represent a specific consumption experience with unusual pressures (financial and emotional). Societal pressures of perfection and the experience itself, including conspicuous consumption, experience, and credence qualities, create a unique consumption and pricing environment. Study 1 provides evidence of a two-tier retail pricing approach for “regular” and “wedding” items. Study 2 suggests this phenomenon has been propagated by a tendency to attach elevated importance to wedding products. This paper documents the practice of elevated wedding pricing and offers insight into why the practice is tolerated and perpetuated.
Host- and age-dependent transcriptional changes in Mycobacterium tuberculosis cell envelope biosynthesis genes after exposure to human alveolar lining fluid

Tuberculosis (TB) infection, caused by the airborne pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb), resulted in almost 1.4 million deaths in 2019 and the number of deaths is predicted to increase by 20% over the next 5 years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Upon reaching the alveolar space, M.tb comes in close contact with the lung mucosa before and after its encounter with host alveolar compartment cells. Our previous studies show that homeostatic innate soluble components of the alveolar lining fluid (ALF) can quickly alter the cell envelope surface of M.tb upon contact, defining subsequent M.tb-host cell interactions and infection outcomes in vitro and in vivo. We also demonstrated that ALF from 60+ year old elders (E-ALF) vs. healthy 18- to 45-year-old adults (A-ALF) is dysfunctional with loss of homeostatic capacity and impaired innate soluble responses linked to high local oxidative stress. In this study, a targeted transcriptional assay demonstrates that M.tb exposure to human ALF alters the expression of its cell envelope genes. Further, our results indicate that A-ALF-exposed M.tb upregulates cell envelope genes associated with lipid, carbohydrate, and amino acid metabolism, as well as genes associated with redox homeostasis and transcriptional regulators. Conversely, M.tb exposure to E-ALF shows lesser transcriptional response, with most of the M.tb genes unchanged or downregulated. Overall, this study indicates that M.tb responds and adapts to the lung alveolar environment upon contact, and that the host ALF status determined by factors such as age might play an important role in determining infection outcome.
Measuring Information from Moments

We investigate the problem of representing information measures in terms of the moments of the underlying random variables. First, we derive polynomial approximations of the conditional expectation operator. We then apply these approximations to bound the best mean-square error achieved by a polynomial estimator -- referred to here as the PMMSE. In Gaussian channels, the PMMSE coincides with the minimum mean-square error (MMSE) if and only if the input is either Gaussian or constant, i.e., if and only if the conditional expectation of the input of the channel given the output is a polynomial of degree at most 1. By combining the PMMSE with the I-MMSE relationship, we derive new formulas for information measures (e.g., differential entropy, mutual information) that are given in terms of the moments of the underlying random variables. As an application, we introduce estimators for information measures from data via approximating the moments in our formulas by sample moments. These estimators are shown to be asymptotically consistent and possess desirable properties, e.g., invariance to affine transformations when used to estimate mutual information.
A Data-driven Probabilistic-based Flexibility Region Estimation Method for Aggregated Distributed Energy Resources.

This paper presents a data-driven, distributionally robust chance-constrained optimization method for estimating the real and reactive power controllability of aggregated distributed energy resources (DER). At the DER-level, a two-dimensional flexibility region can be formed based on the real and reactive power regulating limits of each DER considering forecast uncertainty. At the feeder-level, an aggregated flexibility region is computed via a multi-directional search method. In each search direction, extend the real and reactive power of each controllable DER towards its operational limits until: i) all DERs' maximum operational limits are reached or, ii) one or more of the distribution network operational limits are violated. The method enables three key features for operating aggregated DER resources: controllability estimation, visualization, and risk quantification. Simulation results demonstrated the effectiveness of the algorithm and quantified the impact of different parameter settings on the flexibility region boundary changes. The proposed algorithm is robust and computationally efficient and can meet real-time computing needs.
Packaged Vacations: Tourism Development in the Spanish Caribbean

Evan Ward's compelling study provides analytical insight into the evolution of today's principal tourism destinations in the Spanish Caribbean. "Packaged Vacations" examines the political and economic forces that led to the creation of resorts in Puerto Rico, Mexico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic, as well as the impact tourism has had on local environments, economies, and cultures.By comparing and constrasting a number of case studies, Ward reveals how historical, political, architectural, planning, and environmental factors led to the unique identities of resorts throughout the region. He also demonstrates that the growth of tourism in the region into a major economic force is driven as much by local and European interests as by those of American corporations.
Response Essay: Rethinking Federal Circuit Jurisdiction—A Short Comment

Professor Gugliuzza's article, Rethinking Federal Circuit Jurisdiction, 1 is a massive piece of scholarship inquiring into the jurisdiction of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and proposing jurisdictional remedies in the hope of curing the Federal Circuit's problem with patent law. Specifically, Professor Gugliuzza proposes to transfer much of the subject-matter jurisdiction of the Federal Circuit other than its exclusive patent jurisdiction to other courts and to fill the resulting void with appealed nonpatent cases, particularly commercial cases that involve business and economic issues, for example antitrust cases, 2 in the hope that the Federal Circuit will thereby become educated in the economics of innovation and establish patent law doctrines that foster innovation and avoid establishing patent law doctrines that impede and diminish innovation. 3
Modeling and Simulation

Designing a system requires both creativity and rationalization. These two processes are antagonist. The former is about divergent thinking (i.e., generation of ideas and brainstorming processes when it is done by a group of people). The later is about convergent thinking (i.e., analysis of ideas and synthesis into concepts, evaluation and prioritization of concepts). Generating concepts requires formalizing them in order to share them, and this is where modeling enters into play. We need to have the right conceptual tools in order to share ideas and concepts. This chapter introduces a few of these conceptual tools such as models.