cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
From failure to failure: The politics of international banking regulation

ABSTRACT It is now clear that Basel III, a much discussed set of proposals to govern the international banking system drawn up by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, has fallen far short of its creators’ aims. Even more puzzlingly, this is not without precedent. Eleven years ago, partly in response to the Asian financial crisis of 1997, the Basel Committee attempted to overhaul global banking rules in order to enhance the stability of the global financial system. The culmination of its five-year efforts, the Basel II Accord, was abandoned by regulators before ever being fully implemented. In this paper, I ask why Basel II failed to meet the Basel Committee's original objectives and why Basel III has met a similar fate. Drawing on recent work on the politics of global regulation, I present a theoretical framework which emphasizes the importance of timing and sequencing in determining the outcome of rule-making in global finance. The success of this framework in explaining the failure of Basel II an...
Methods of Attosecond X-Ray Pulse Generation

We review several proposals for generation of solitary attosecond pulses using two types of free electron lasers which are envisioned as future light sources for studies of ultra-fast dynamics using soft and hard x-rays.
Gender differences in abdominal aortic aneurysm presentation, repair, and mortality in the Vascular Study Group of New England

Objective Prior studies of gender differences in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair suggest there may be differences in presentation, suitability for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), and outcomes between men and women. Methods We used the Vascular Study Group of New England database to identify all patients undergoing EVAR or open AAA repair. We analyzed demographics, comorbidities, and procedural, and perioperative data. Results were compared using the Fisher exact test and the Student t -test. Multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards modeling were performed to identify predictors of mortality. Results We identified 4026 patients (78% men) who underwent AAA repair (54% EVAR). Women were less likely than men to undergo EVAR for intact aneurysms (50% vs 60% of intact AAA repair; P P = .23). Women were older (median age, 75 vs 72 years for intact; P P P P P = .013) among patients undergoing EVAR for intact aneurysms. Women stayed in the hospital longer (4.3 vs 2.7 days; P = .018) and had lower odds of being discharged home, even after adjusting for age. Among patients undergoing open repair for intact aneurysms, women more frequently experienced leg ischemia/emboli (4% vs 1%; P = .001) and bowel ischemia (5% vs 3%; P = .044). Women had higher 30-day mortality after OAR for intact (4% vs 2%; P = .03) and rupture (48% vs 34%; P = .03) repairs. However, 30-day mortality after EVAR was similar for intact (1% in men vs 1% in women; P = .57) and rupture (29% in men vs 27% in women; P > .99) repairs. Late survival was worse in women than men only for patients undergoing open repair of ruptured aneurysms (hazard ratio, 1.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-3.1; P = .04). After controlling for age, type of repair, urgency at presentation (ie, elective/intact vs ruptured), comorbidities, and other relevant risk factors, gender was not predictive of 30-day or 1-year mortality. Conclusions Women with AAAs are being treated at older ages and smaller AAA diameters and are undergoing rupture repair at smaller diameters than men. Women are more likely to experience perioperative complications as a result of less favorable vascular anatomy. Age >80 years, comorbidity, presentation, and type of repair are more important predictors of mortality than gender.
Comparison of Computational Methods for Stability and Control Analysis

The purpose of this paper is to compare methods for computation of stability and control derivatives via three methods: DATCOM, VLLAMAR, and High Angle of Attack Stability and Control. DATCOM is a compilation of data from various aircraft and is utilized as coded into Advanced Airplane Analysis by DARcorporation. VLLAMAR is a vortex lattice computer code useful for multiple surface subsonic aircraft. The code solves the 3-D small perturbation subsonic potential equation using the vortex lattice panel method. High Angle of Attack Stability and Control is an integration of three codes. One code is VORLAX, which is a generalized vortex lattice program. The second code is VORLIF, a semi empirical strake/wing vortex analysis code. The final code is VTXCHN, which is an engineering prediction code developed to predict aerodynamic loads acting on a body. The vehicle used for comparison of these codes is the BAI Maxdrone, which is an unmanned aerial research vehicle operated by the Flight Mechanics Laboratory at Texas A&M University. Data for the BAI Maxdrone is not available, so stability and control characteristics will be compared to hand calculations. This paper will compare the three methods and comment on ease of use, applicability to configuration, and how close results of the three methods are to one another. For the purposes of this paper, only longitudinal characteristics of the vehicle will be compared. Nomenclature D C α = drag coefficient due to angle of attack derivative L C α = lift coefficient due to angle of attack derivative el L C δ = lift coefficient due to elevon deflection derivative m C α = moment coefficient due to angle of attack derivative el m C δ = moment coefficient due to elevon deflection derivative
Endoscopic Two-Photon Imaging

Two-photon microscopy and spectroscopy have been shown to be powerful techniques for minimally invasive mapping of tissue structure and biochemistry. We present recent advances in developing miniaturized two-photon biopsy probes and endoscopes for clinical diagnosis.
IL-27 Facilitates Skin Wound Healing through Induction of Epidermal Proliferation and Host Defense

Skin wound repair requires a coordinated program of epithelial cell proliferation and differentiation as well as resistance to invading microbes. However, the factors that trigger epithelial cell proliferation in this inflammatory process are incompletely understood. In this study, we demonstrate that IL-27 is rapidly and transiently produced by CD301b+ cells in the skin after injury. The functional role of IL-27 and CD301b+ cells is demonstrated by the finding that CD301b-depleted mice exhibit delayed wound closure in vivo, which could be rescued by topical IL-27 treatment. Furthermore, genetic ablation of the IL-27 receptor (Il27Ra−/−) attenuates wound healing, suggesting an essential role for IL-27 signaling in skin regeneration in vivo. Mechanistically, IL-27 feeds back on keratinocytes to stimulate cell proliferation and re-epithelialization in the skin, whereas IL-27 leads to suppression of keratinocyte terminal differentiation. Finally, we identify that IL-27 potently increases expression of the antiviral oligoadenylate synthetase 2, but does not affect expression of antibacterial human beta defensin 2 or regenerating islet-derived protein 3-alpha. Together, our data suggest a previously unrecognized role for IL-27 in regulating epithelial cell proliferation and antiviral host defense during the normal wound healing response.
Research on Photovoltaic Cell Model Based on Matlab/Simulink

A PV module simulation model sets up based on mathematical model of solar cells under Matlab/simulink environment is introduced.Compared with other common modeling methods,this model has the characteristics of simple algorithm,simplified structure and easy operation,and can preferably describe the electrical characteristics of photovoltaic arrays.The more important work is that the influence of arbitrary light intensity and temperature on series-resistance Rs parameter is considered in the process of modeling,and the experiments for solar cell output character were implemented.The comparison between theoretic estimation and measured data proves that the error between them is less than 6% which is in range of project allowance.In comparison with traditional methods,it has not only improved the accuracy,but also provided a reference for the research of PV system.
Kindergartens disinfection effect monitoring analysis of Shijiazhuang city in 2013

Objective To understand the disinfection quality of kindergartens in Shijiazhuang,for providing scientific basis for guiding disinfection. Methods The detection results of disinfection quality in nurseries in Shijiazhuang in 2013 were collected for statistical analysis. Results The qualified rates of disinfection in kindergartens in Shijiazhuang were 90. 74% in 2013. With 81. 69% for activity room air,87. 50% for bedroom air,92. 77% for employees' hands,92. 25% for the article surface,100% for disinfectants,and 87. 79% for tableware. The qualified rates of public and private kindergartens were 89. 10%,92. 36% respectively. The qualified rate was 90. 31% in plain counties,and 84. 21% in mountain counties. There has been significant statistically difference between plain counties and mountain counties in employees' hands( χ2= 12. 265,P 0. 05). There is no significant difference in the distribution of communicable diseases in city,mountain counties and plain counties( χ2= 4. 224,P 0. 05). Conclusions The overall quality of disinfection work in kindergartens in Shijiazhuang was good,but the investment and guidance of kindergartens in mountain should be strengthened.
Enhanced Spontaneous Emission at Third-Order Dirac Exceptional Points in Inverse-Designed Photonic Crystals

We formulate and exploit a computational inverse-design method based on topology optimization to demonstrate photonic crystal structures supporting complex spectral degeneracies. In particular, we discover photonic crystals exhibiting third-order Dirac points formed by the accidental degeneracy of monopolar, dipolar, and quadrupolar modes. We show that, under suitable conditions, these modes can coalesce and form a third-order exceptional point, leading to strong modifications in the spontaneous emission (SE) of emitters, related to the local density of states. We find that SE can be enhanced by a factor of 8 in passive structures, with larger enhancements ∼sqrt[n^{3}] possible at exceptional points of higher order n.
Four-Wave Mixing Spectroscopy of Metastable Defect States in Diamond

Efficient, cw four-wave mixing can be observed in solids whenever resonant excitation of defects is accompanied by-optical saturation at low intensities. Saturation of ground state absorption generates a large third order nonlinearity and occurs quite generally when intersystem crossing places defects (excited on allowed transitions) in metastable excited states.
The privacy leaky bucket: your mobile devices: poster

Booming wireless technology makes personal mobile device a norm (smartphone, tablet, etc) and the wireless communication becomes fundamental in daily life. The goal of this paper is to assess how much personal information is leaked (or can be extrapolated) from a systematically collected open-in-air message exchanges. We monitor the wireless traffic and we apply data mining technique to answer the question of how much personal information can be observed and inferred through open wireless medium.
Extremely Brown and Incredibly Ignored

“Extremely Brown and Incredibly Ignored,” Alex Espinoza, California State University, Fresno.
Erythrocyte Scaffolding Protein p55 Functions as An Essential Regulator of Neutrophil Polarity

Erythrocyte p55 is a prototypical member of a family of scaffolding proteins known as Membrane Associated Guanylate Kinase Homologues (MAGUKs). MAGUKs are multi-domain proteins that couple signals from specialized sites at the plasma membrane to intracellular signal transduction pathways and the cytoskeleton. P55 was originally identified in the erythrocytes as part of a ternary complex with protein 4.1R and glycophorin C, providing a critical linkage between the actin cytoskeleton and the plasma membrane. Although p55 is expressed in a variety of tissues, especially hematopoietic cells, its biological function is unclear. Here, using a p55 knockout mouse model, we show that p55 plays a prominent role in the regulation of neutrophil polarization. Neutrophils are the first respondents during infection and injury, adopting a highly polarized morphology when stimulated with chemotactic factors. G proteincoupled surface receptors recognize the external chemotactic gradient and translate it into an internal gradient of signaling molecules. At the front of the cell, accumulation of the lipid product phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP3), activation of the small GTPase Rac, and polymerization of F-actin stimulates a positive feedback loop promoting pseudopod formation. Here, we show that neutrophils lacking p55 form multiple transient pseudopods at the sides and back of the cell upon stimulation. P55 is required for limiting the pseudopod in the direction of chemoattractant. As a result, these neutrophils do not migrate efficiently up a chemotactic gradient in vitro. Biochemical analysis indicates that total F-actin polymerization and total Rac activation is similar between wild type and p55 knockout neutrophils. However, we found that phosphorylation of AKT, the major kinase downstream of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-PIP3 pathway, is almost completely blocked in p55 knockout neutrophils. This finding suggests that p55 exerts its functional effect by regulating PIP3 accumulation or its localization at the membrane, which is responsible for amplification of the frontness signal and stability of the leading edge pseudopod. Consistent with this finding, the p55 null mice are significantly more susceptible to spontaneous and induced infections. Taken together, we have identified p55 as a novel mediator of the frontness signal in neutrophils that promotes polarization and efficient chemotaxis.
Differentiation and polarized function of Sertoli cells in vitro.

The seminiferous epithelium is composed of two populations of cell types, supportive epithelial elements, the highly polarized Sertoli cells and differentiating elements, the germ cells. The Sertoli cell is a tall, narrow, columnar cell that extends from the basal lamina of the seminiferous epithelium to the tubule lumen. It possesses numerous lateral branches which surround the developing germ cells and it appears to provide support for their differentiation. The basal aspects of the Sertoli cells are linked by specialized tight junctional complexes and these junctions subdivide the seminiferous epithelium into two compartments, basal and apical (Dym and Fawcett, 1970). The tight junctions form the morphological basis of the blood-testis barrier. The basal domain of the cell, in contact with extracellular matrix molecules, possesses receptors for circulating plasma constituents (e.g., FSH receptors — Orth and Christensen, 1977). The apical surface of the cell, in contact with the tubule lumen, is undoubtedly involved in sperm release (Fawcett, 1975). An examination of the ultrastructure of the Sertoli cell reveals a highly polar organization of the organelles (Fawcett, 1975).
Elucidation of Renal Scars in Children With Vesicoureteral Reflux Using Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound: A Pilot Study.

Introduction Vesicoureteral reflux is a common disorder in children but can result in kidney scarring following acute pyelonephritis. The gold standard diagnostic to detect renal scars in children is 99m Tc-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scintigraphy. DMSA has a number of limitations including radiation exposure, need for sedation, and radiotracer supply shortages. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a technique whereby biocompatible microspheres of inert gas are administered i.v. that reflect ultrasonography sound waves and do not involve radiation. Because the contrast agent is rapidly cleared, contrast images must be obtained within minutes of administration. CEUS has been used in a variety of organ systems, but its use in pediatric kidney diseases is limited. Methods In this study, we performed CEUS in 7 children with documented renal scars by radiographic imaging consistent with reflux nephropathy. Results In all subjects, CEUS detected all previously known radiologic abnormalities as well as detecting new areas of hypoenhancing renal parenchyma. None of the patients experienced any serious adverse events. Discussion This study represents the first report of using CEUS to characterize renal scars in children with reflux nephropathy. We conclude that CEUS is a highly sensitive, rapid, and cost-effective diagnostic imaging modality for detecting and monitoring renal scars in children with vesicoureteral reflux.
Changing face of metastatic prostate cancer: the law of diminishing returns holds true.

Purpose of reviewProstate cancer presents with a multitude of faces. It ranges from localized cancers staying quiescent for many years during active surveillance to the raging diffuse liver metastases causing terminal disease. The incidence of metastatic disease is increasing. This review will highl
Inference in Forensic Pathology

Forensic pathologists make inferences about cause and manner of death. Those inferences have come under increasing scrutiny by the courts, by social critics of our findings, and by society at large...
Infertility, epistemic risk, and disease definitions

I explore the role that values and interests, especially ideological interests, play in managing and balancing epistemic risks in medicine. I will focus in particular on how diseases are identified and operationalized. Before we can do biomedical research on a condition, it needs to be identified as a medical condition, and it needs to be operationalized in a way that lets us identify sufferers, measure progress, and so forth. I will argue that each time we do this, we engage in epistemic risk balancing that inevitably draws upon values and interests, often including social and ideological values. My main interest here is in the conceptualization of infertility as a disease. Infertility is a rich test case for exploring the interplay between interests and epistemic risk management. There is no uncontested or standardized definition of infertility. The various definitions of it are internally ambiguous and tension-ridden, and in spectacular contradiction with one another. Many interest groups who are invested in framing infertility as a pressing problem deserving of social and medical redress are quick to insist that it is a legitimate ‘disease,’ but they cannot agree on which disease it is, what its symptoms or diagnostic markers are, or even what its basic ontology is. I suggest that there are political explanations for this epistemic mess. Indeed, I contend that there are good scientific and ethical reasons to reduce away the category of ‘infertility,’ especially understood as a scientific or medical category; I argue that we should excise the concept from our research and clinical practices.
Cyclic GMP/Protein Kinase Localized Signaling and Disease Implications

Cyclic guanosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cGMP) and its downstream target, protein kinase G (PKG or cGK), play central roles in cellular regulation and are important to cardiovascular homeostasis and disease pathophysiology. Cyclic GMP is synthesized via either nitric oxide (NO) or natriuretic peptide (NP) stimulation pathways, each coupled to corresponding cyclases, and catabolized by select members of the phosphodiesterase superfamily. Growing evidence now supports control of cGMP and PKG in distinct microdomains within the myocyte, which results in differential downstream targeting. This regional control stems from distinct localization of the relevant signaling components and their capacity to translocate in the cell under both physiological and pathophysiological conditions to further impact the net response. This chapter discusses current understanding of microdomain regulation of the cGMP/PKG pathway, as this information is important to optimally leverage their effects for the treatment of cardiovascular disease.
New states of matter and chemistry at extreme pressures: Low-Z extended solid

High-pressure research, whether static or dynamic, provides “windows” to novel states, transformations, and properties of highly compressed extended states of light elemental solids that may comprise the internal structures of giant planets and stars. These low-Z extended solids are extremely hard, have high energy density, and exhibit novel electronic and nonlinear optical properties—superior to other known materials at ambient conditions. These materials are often formed at formidably high pressures and are highly metastable at ambient conditions; only a few systems have been recovered at ambient conditions, limiting the materials to the realm of fundamental scientific discovery. An exciting new research area has recently emerged that aims to understand and ultimately allow for control of the stability, bonding, structure, and properties of low-Z extended solids. This article presents an overview of the basic principles that govern and control the pressure-induced chemistry in dense solids. This is aimed at identifying high energy density, low-Z extended solids that are amenable to up-scaled synthesis and stabilization at ambient conditions.
Effects of scopolamine on autonomic profiles underlying motion sickness susceptibility

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of scopolamine on the physiological patterns occurring prior to and during motion sickness stimulation. In addition, the use of physiological profiles in the prediction of motion sickness was evaluated. Sixty subjects ingested either 0.6 mg scopolamine, 2.5 mg methoscopolamine, or a placebo. Heart rate (HR), respiratory sinus arrhythmia (an index of vagal tone), and electrogastrograms were measured prior to and during the exposure to a rotating optokinetic drum. Compared to the other groups, the scopolamine group reported fewer motion sickness symptoms, and displayed lower HR, higher vagal tone, enhanced normal gastric myoelectric activity, and depressed gastric dysrhythmias before and during motion sickness induction. Distinct physiological profiles prior to drum rotation could reliably differentiate individuals who would develop gastric discomfort from those who would not. Symptom-free subjects were characterized by high levels of vagal tone and low HR across conditions, and by maintaining normal (3 cpm) electrogastrographic activity during drum rotation. It was concluded that scopolamine offered motion sickness protection by initiating a pattern of increased vagal tone and gastric myoelectric stability.
Engineered promoters enable constant gene expression at any copy number in bacteria

The internal environment of growing cells is variable and dynamic, making it difficult to introduce reliable parts, such as promoters, for genetic engineering. Here, we applied control-theoretic ideas to design promoters that maintained constant levels of expression at any copy number. Theory predicts that independence to copy number can be achieved by using an incoherent feedforward loop (iFFL) if the negative regulation is perfectly non-cooperative. We engineered iFFLs into Escherichia coli promoters using transcription-activator-like effectors (TALEs). These promoters had near-identical expression in different genome locations and plasmids, even when their copy number was perturbed by genomic mutations or changes in growth medium composition. We applied the stabilized promoters to show that a three-gene metabolic pathway to produce deoxychromoviridans could retain function without re-tuning when the stabilized-promoter-driven genes were moved from a plasmid into the genome.
Preoperative Imaging Findings and Cost in Adults With Postlingual Deafness Prior to Cochlear Implant.

Objective:To assess the imaging findings of computed topography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in adults with postlingual deafness and otherwise normal clinical history and physical exam...
Sea Farming (Aquaculture)

Interest in aquaculture in the Western World developed only about 30 years ago despite documentation that various types of aquaculture were practiced as early as 2000 B.C. in the Far East. Optimistic articles predicting that sea farming or pond culture would soon provide seafoods cheaply and in controlled situations—a “new found” protein source—that would literally feed the world. As time passed few examples of aquaculture success were reported in Western nations; an obvious and widespread lack of significant progress was evident. Based on the great expectation generated by early reports, entrepreneurs in the Western World hoped for profitable ventures and perhaps a miracle remedy for the world hunger situation. Large corporations allotted substantial portions of their financial resources to aquaculture at a time when in many developed countries buzz words such as “new ventures” and “diversification” were popular; unfortunately, at this same time, biotechnology of aquatic organisms and aquaculture field trials for many species were unavailable. Accounts of failed ventures were commonplace.
Spin Trapping of Radical Species Involved in the Propagation of Lipid Peroxidation

Lipid peroxidation is a naturally occurring process involving the generation of free radicals mainly derived from the polyunsaturated fatty acids that are incorporated into the phosphoglycerides of membranes. The peroxidative process has been shown to be a radical chain reactive sequence which has separate initiation, propagation and termination steps.1 Initiation is thought to occur either by a radical addition to a double bond or by abstraction of an allylic hydrogen by a reactive radical. In either case, generation of an appropriate chain initiating radical must preceed the propagation reactions.
REPAIR AND RECOMBINATION OF UV-IRRADIATED PHAGE LAMBDA

ABSTRACT Intracellular λ DNA (from tandem duplication phages) was extracted and assayed by a transfection procedure. If phage development is blocked, recombination is very low, unless the phages have been UV-irradiated. Repair (recovery of infectivity) and recombination of irradiated DNA proceed readily in the presence of chloramphenicol and rifampin; inhibitors of DNA gyrase (coumermycin and oxolinic acid) block repair and reduce recombination. Recombination, very low in recA cells, is nearly normal in recB . Pyrimidine dimers seem not to be the primary recombinogenic photoproducts.
Transcriptome and Functional Profile of Cardiac Myocytes Is Influenced by Biological Sex.

Background—Although cardiovascular disease is the primary killer of women in the United States, women and female animals have traditionally been omitted from research studies. In reports that do in...
Comparative Economics in Historical Perspective

This paper presents evidence showing that there have been since antiquity two opposed types of institutional systems: one resembling central planning and present in ancient China, ancient Egypt, the Inca Empire and other territorial states, and another one with strong market institutions, protection of property rights present mostly in city-states not just in the Mediterranean but throughout the world. A new database documenting these diverse institutional clusters from the antiquity is described and their links analyzed.
Hurts to Be Too Early: Benefits and Drawbacks of Communication in Multi-Agent Learning

We study a multi-agent partially observable environment in which autonomous agents aim to coordinate their actions, while also learning the parameters of the unknown environment through repeated interactions. In particular, we focus on the role of communication in a multi-agent reinforcement learning problem. We consider a learning algorithm in which agents make decisions based on their own observations of the environment, as well as the observations of other agents, which are collected through communication between agents. We first identify two potential benefits of this type of information sharing when agents’ observation quality is heterogeneous: (1) it can facilitate coordination among agents, and (2) it can enhance the learning of all participants, including the better informed agents. We show however that these benefits of communication depend in general on its timing, so that delayed information sharing may be preferred in certain scenarios.
Impacts of Simulated M9 Cascadia Subduction Zone Motions on Idealized Systems

Ground motions have been simulated for a magnitude 9 (M9) Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake, which will affect the Puget Lowland region, including cities underlain by the Seattle, Everett, and Ta...
An Adult Brain Atlas Reveals Broad Neuroanatomical Changes in Independently Evolved Populations of Mexican Cavefish

A shift in environmental conditions impacts the evolution of complex developmental and behavioral traits. The Mexican cavefish, Astyanax mexicanus, is a powerful model for examining the evolution of development, physiology, and behavior because multiple cavefish populations can be compared to an extant, ancestral-like surface population of the same species. Many behaviors have diverged in cave populations of A. mexicanus, and previous studies have shown that cavefish have a loss of sleep, reduced stress, an absence of social behaviors, and hyperphagia. Despite these findings, surprisingly little is known about the changes in neuroanatomy that underlie these behavioral phenotypes. Here, we use serial sectioning to generate brain atlases of surface fish and three independent cavefish populations. Volumetric reconstruction of serial-sectioned brains confirms convergent evolution on reduced optic tectum volume in all cavefish populations tested. In addition, we quantified volumes of specific neuroanatomical loci within several brain regions that have previously been implicated in behavioral regulation, including the hypothalamus, thalamus, and habenula. These analyses reveal an enlargement of the hypothalamus in all cavefish populations relative to surface fish, as well as subnuclei-specific differences within the thalamus and prethalamus. Taken together, these analyses support the notion that changes in environmental conditions are accompanied by neuroanatomical changes in brain structures associated with behavior. This atlas provides a resource for comparative neuroanatomy of additional brain regions and the opportunity to associate brain anatomy with evolved changes in behavior.
The Choice Architecture of School Choice Websites

We conducted a randomized factorial experiment to determine how displaying school information to parents in different ways affects what schools they choose for their children in a hypothetical scho...
Digital Twin Enabled Smart Control Engineering as an Industrial AI: A New Framework and A Case Study

In the way towards Industry 4.0, the complexity of the industrial systems increases due to the presence of multiple agents, Cyber-Physical Systems, distributed sensing, and big data introducing unknown dynamics that affect the production goals of the manufacturing processes. Thus, Digital Twin is a breaking technology corresponding to the capacity of developing a virtual representation of any complex system in order to perform design, analysis, and behavior prediction tasks that enhance the understanding of these systems through new enabling capabilities like real-time analytics, parallel sensing, or Smart Control Engineering. In this paper, a novel framework is proposed for the design and implementation of Digital Twin applications to the development of Smart Control Engineering. The steps of this framework involve system documentation, multidomain simulation, behavioral matching, and real-time monitoring. This framework is applied to develop the Digital Twin for a real-time vision feedback infrared temperature uniformity control. The obtained results show that Digital Twin is a fundamental part of the transformation into Industry 4.0.
Current Available Computer-Aided Detection Catches Cancer but Requires a Human Operator

Introduction: This study intends to show that the current widely used computer-aided detection (CAD) may be helpful, but it is not an adequate replacement for the human input required to interpret mammograms accurately. However, this is not to discredit CAD’s ability but to further encourage the adoption of artificial intelligence-based algorithms into the toolset of radiologists. Methods: This study will use Hologic (Marlborough, MA, USA) and General Electric (Boston, MA, USA) CAD read images provided by patients found to be Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) 6 from 2019 to 2020. In addition, patient information will be pulled from our institution’s emergency medical record to confirm the findings seen in the pathologist report and the radiology read. Results: Data from a total of 24 female breast cancer patients from January 31st 2019 to April 31st 2020, was gathered from our institution’s emergency medical record with restrictions in patient numbers due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Within our patient population, CAD imaging was shown to be statistically significant in misidentifying breast cancer, while radiologist interpretation still proves to be the most effective tool. Conclusion: Despite a low sample size due to COVID-19, this study found that CAD did have significant difficulty in differentiating benign vs. malignant lesions. CAD should not be ignored, but it is not specific enough. Although CAD often marks cancer, it also marks several areas that are not cancer. CAD is currently best used as an additional tool for the radiologist.
Food Desert Assessment: An Analytical Framework for Comparing Utility of Metrics and Indices; Case Study of Key Factors, Concurrences, and Divergences

Background: Low accessibility to healthy and nutritious food has been hypothesized to increase health disparities. Low-accessibility areas, called food deserts, are particularly commonplace in lower-income neighborhoods. However, indices for modeling food desert intensity are subjectively defined, and there is little agreement in the literature on their validity or relative strength. Methods: We first propose an assessment framework for objectively defining and comparing the utility of food desert indices using machine learning models. We introduce the concept of food desert index utility score, based on which we can compare the strength of indices for describing the food environment. We then explore the effect of the geographic spatial resolution of models and the impact of neighborhood-level income on the utility of food desert indices. Results: We observe the following: 1) Including healthy food suppliers only within a half-a-mile distance (as opposed to 1, 10, or 20 miles) from residents and discarding other food source variables leads to models of food environment with the highest utility scores. 2) The widely-accepted distinction between rural and urban areas in modeling food deserts adds little value to the utility score of the resulting models in our study region (Metro Atlanta). 3) The highest utility food desert index identified in our study region used a combination of access to food suppliers and the share of residents with low income and low access to vehicles. This approach achieved a utility score of 93% for identifying food deserts.
Trichophagia and trichobezoar in trichotillomania: A narrative mini-review with clinical recommendations

Abstracts A subset of individuals with trichotillomania (TTM; hair-pulling disorder) engages in trichophagia (TPG; eating hair). In a small minority of these cases, TPG leads to the development of a trichobezoar (TB; hairball) in the gastrointestinal tract, which can result in life-threatening medical complications. The literature on TPG/TB is extremely scarce; however, a substantial number of surgical case reports exist. We conducted a narrative review of this literature with the aim of describing a clinical picture of TTM patients with TB. Most cases are females and peak age at presentation is in middle childhood/adolescence. TBs can remain asymptomatic for years but eventually cause a host of medical complications. Symptoms tend to be nonspecific (e.g., abdominal pain) and patients may deny TTM/TPG when seeking medical treatment. Diagnostic signs include palpable mass in the upper abdomen, bad breath, and alopecia. Many patients have comorbid emotional disorders, but only a small minority has severe mental illness or intellectual disability. Habitual eating of inedible material other than hair appears uncommon, and mostly restricted to early childhood. Fatalities are rare and primarily occur in children after delayed medical attention. Providers should screen for TPG in individuals with TTM of all ages.
Assessment of organizational readiness for participatory occupational safety, health and well-being programs.

BACKGROUND Organizational readiness for change measures were reviewed to develop an assessment tool for guiding implementation of an occupational safety and health program based on Total Worker Health (TWH) principles. Considerable conceptual ambiguity in the theoretical and empirical peer-reviewed literature was revealed. OBJECTIVE Develop and validate an assessment tool that organizations can use to prepare for implementation of a participatory TWH program. METHODS Inclusion criteria identified 29 relevant publications. Analysis revealed eight key organizational characteristics and predictors of successful organizational change. A conceptual framework was created that subject matter experts used to generate prospective survey items. Items were revised after pretesting with 10 cognitive interviews with upper-level management and pilot-tested in five healthcare organizations. Reliability of the domain subscales were tested based on Cronbach's α. RESULTS The Organizational Readiness Tool (ORT) showed adequate psychometric properties and specificity in these eight domains: 1) Current safety/health/well-being programs; 2) Current organizational approaches to safety/health/well-being; 3) Resources available for safety/health/well-being; 4) Resources and readiness for change initiatives to improve safety/health/well-being; 5) Resources and readiness for use of teams in programmatic initiatives; 6) Teamwork; 7) Resources and readiness for employee participation; and 8) Management communication about safety/health/well-being. Acceptable ranges of internal consistency statistics for the domain subscales were observed. CONCLUSIONS A conceptual model of organizational readiness for change guided development of the Organizational Readiness Tool (ORT), a survey instrument designed to provide actionable guidance for implementing a participatory TWH program. Initial internal consistency was demonstrated following administration at multiple organizations prior to implementation of a participatory Total Worker Health® program.
Does the isolation effect require attention

An item that differs from the surrounding items is remembered better than an item that is consistent with its surroundings; this is known as the von Restorff effect or isolation effect (von Restorff, Psychologische Forschung, 18, 299–342, 1933). Theoretical explanations have proposed that the isolate is processed differently from control items, though some research has suggested that this processing might require more attention for semantic than for physical isolates. To test this possibility, in the present study we examined the isolation effects for physical isolates and semantic isolates under full and divided attention. Participants viewed lists of categorized words, with some lists containing either a physical or a semantic isolate, followed by immediate written free recall. Across three experiments, divided attention eliminated the semantic isolation effect but did not impact the physical isolation effect. Furthermore, semantic isolates were output earlier in recall than controls, whereas physical isolates were output more similarly to controls. These findings suggest that semantic isolation effects require attention during encoding, whereas physical isolation effects are relatively automatic.
Power analysis for cross-sectional and longitudinal study designs

Power and sample size estimation constitutes an impor-tant component of designing and planning modern scientific studies. It provides information for assessing the feasibility of a study to detect treatment effects and for estimating the resources needed to conduct the project. This tutorial discusses the basic concepts of power analysis and the major differences between hypothesis testing and power analyses. We also discuss the advantages of longitudinal studies compared to cross-sectional studies and the statistical issues involved when designing such studies. These points are illustrated with a series of examples.
Accidental Incest, Filial Cannibalism, and Other Peculiar Encounters in Late Imperial Chinese Literature – By Tina Lu

In this important work of literary criticism, the author explores themes of literal and figurative geographical and social boundaries in late imperial Chinese literature. Tina Lu is concerned with ...
Bundling Public and Private Goods

I review cases in which developers have chosen to conserve local environmental amenities as part of a profit-oriented strategy. The proximity of these amenities adds more to the value of the property than could have been gained by destroying them and building more residences. I show that this is consistent with a theoretical proposition not previously noted: a price discriminating monopolistic supplier of a private good that may be bundled with a local public good should provide the public and private goods at a Pareto efficient level: there is no underprovision of the public good in this case. Even though there is no market for the public good the fact that its provision alters customers' willingness to pay for the private good will ensure that it is provided efficiently, provided that this willingness to pay can be captured by the seller of the private goods.
Constructions of orthonormal lattices and quaternion division algebras for totally real number fields

We describe some constructions of orthonormal lattices in totally real subfields of cyclotomic fields, obtained by endowing their ring of integers with a trace form. We also describe constructions of quaternion division algebras over such fields. Orthonormal lattices and quaternion division algebras over totally real fields find use in wireless networks in ultra wideband communication, and we describe the application.
Environmental Policy and Tournaments: A Theoretical Formulation with Over-compliance

In this paper the concept of rank-order tournament is illustrated as an incentive mechanism targeting potential over-compliant polluters - those already complying with existing environmental regulations but can further develop the capacity to exceed such regulatory requirements. Employing partial equilibria in a game theoretic framework it is demonstrated that (1) participants have the tendency to over-invest in pollution abatement, contrary to the standard result in principal-agent problems where the principal’s choice of contract fails to induce an agent’s efficient level of effort; (2) higher expected returns from the game induce lower emissions for each player; and (3) emissions with high risks of negative impacts, or emissions reductions with the most benefits should be accorded high prizes in the game; (4) low cost firms achieve a higher environmental improvement than high-cost firms for any given standard and prize structure. A scheme of the nature presented here is attractive in several ways: the cost of emissions reductions from ‘losers’ in the game are incurred privately but the benefits of these emissions reduction are a public good; it provides firms with a reason to over-comply, without which they have no incentive to exceed regulatory requirements. Keywords : environmental regulation, incentives, over-compliance, tournaments
Neutral amino acid transport at the human blood-brain barrier.

The kinetics of human blood-brain barrier neutral amino acid transport sites are described using isolated human brain capillaries as an in vitro model of the human blood-brain barrier. Kinetic parameters of transport (Km, Vmax, and KD) were determined for eight large neutral amino acids. Km values ranged from 0.30 +/- 0.08 microM for phenylalanine to 8.8 +/- 4.6 microM for valine. The amino acid analogs N-methylaminoisobutyric acid and 2-aminobicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-carboxylic acid were used as model substrates of the alanine- and leucine-preferring transport systems, respectively. Phenylalanine is transported solely by the L-system (which is sensitive to 2-aminobicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-carboxylic acid), and leucine is transported equally by the L- and ASC-system (which is sodium-dependent and N-methylaminoisobutyric acid-independent). Dose-dependent inhibition of the high affinity transport system by p-chloromercuribenzenesulfonic acid is demonstrated for phenylalanine, similar to the known sensitivity of blood-brain barrier transport in vivo. The Km values for the human brain capillary in vitro correlate significantly (r = 0.83, p less than 0.01) with the Km values for the rat brain capillary in vivo. The results show that the affinity of human blood-brain barrier neutral amino acid transport is very high, i.e. very low Km compared to plasma amino acid concentrations. This provides a physical basis for the selective vulnerability of the human brain to derangements in amino acid availability caused by a selective hyperaminoacidemia, e.g. hyperphenylalaninemia.
Designing a Constitutional Right of Secession: Applying Normative Principles and Empirical Findings

How do normative principles and empirical research inform standards for the constitutional design of secession procedures? The problem is particularly thorny since contemporary cases of secession always involve conflicts in which some rights-holders find their legitimate interests frustrated. Beginning with a set of widely shared normative assumptions and current empirical findings, this paper argues in favor of a plebiscitary, constitutional provision permitting unilateral secession under certain qualifications, which are spelled out and defended. It argues that the various moral theories of secession converge on this institutional solution once the relevant empirical evidence is considered.
Teachers as Consultees

Although the school consultant may assist many different consultees - including administrators, counselors, and parents - he or she is most likely to consult with teachers (Costenbader, Swartz, & Petrix, 1992). Furthermore, given the fact that most school consultation occurs in elementary schools (Alpert & Yammer, 1983; Gresham & Kendell, 1987), it is reasonable to assume that the consultant’s most frequent consultee will be an elementary schoolteacher. For this reason, in Chap. 9, we shall focus to a large extent on characteristics of teachers who have been assigned to kindergarten through grade 6 classrooms as well as aspects of consultation that occur at these grade levels. Chapter topics that pertain to the general enterprise of teaching are the complexity of classroom teaching; rewards and challenges of teaching; and teacher recruitment and retention issues. Other topics regarding teachers and consultation are: why teachers seek consultation; teacher expectations for consultation; how teachers view and respond to student problems prior to consultation; and characteristics that differentiate teachers who participate in consultation from those who do not. The final section of Chap. 9 presents potential strategies to maximize the effectiveness of consultation with teachers (e.g., adapting consultation methods to fit teachers’ daily schedules; working with problem-solving teams (PSTs) as in RTI; and enhancing knowledge and skill transfer back to the classroom). A major point of this chapter is that, although most teachers today are dedicated and want to help students to succeed, often they are not assisted sufficiently in their efforts to do so. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the school consultant to offer support to teachers via consultation so that they may work effectively within the constraints of their role.