cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Extent and Duration of Analysts' Optimistic Expectations of Initial Public Offer Firms

We examine analysts' implied expected rates of return for recent IPO firms relative to more seasoned firms. We document that analysts have relatively more optimistic expectations about recent IPO firms relative to seasoned firms, and these optimistic expectations persist, on average, for four years following the IPO. We also document that the market has optimistic expectations for recent IPO firms relative to more seasoned firms, but only for the first year following listing. Our results are robust to controls for industry, size, book-to-market, the age of the firm, analysts' expected long-term growth, the number of analysts following the firms, the level of dispersion in analysts' forecasts, and external financing activities. Our results suggest that analysts' retain optimistic expectations regarding recent IPO firms relative to more seasoned firms for an extended period of time after the IPO event.
Analysis on Influential Factors of Dielectric Barrier Discharge on Water Treatment

In dielectric-barrier-discharge(DBD) water treatment, there are lots of factors influencing the discharge power and treatment effect. To investigate these factors, we established a platform for double-dielectric barrier discharge experiments. The results show that, under the same conditions, the plasma power increases with discharge time. Discharge power grows most obviously in the initial 60 seconds, and after 120 seconds, it gets stable at about 2 times as much as its initial value. When the air gap is fixed, there is nonlinear relationship between liquid surface height and discharge power: under a relatively low applied voltage, discharge power decreases with increasing liquid surface height, but this effect weakens with the increase of applied voltage. The initial conductivity of liquid is another important factor influencing the discharge power: under the same output voltage, high conductivity liquid will have high discharge power; but with the same discharge power, lower initial conductivity benefits chemical reaction, as well as the treatment effect. Researching the effect of parameters of DBD in water treatment, especially the liquid parameters, on power changes and treatment effect will improve the related theory about DBD applications in sewage treatment, and provide references for the design and optimization of DBD water treatment equipment.
Design of solar power charging device on the unmanned remote telemetry station

In this paper the designer analyzed the application environment and supply requirement of the remote telemetry station from the perspective of automatic telemetry system. In order to meet these needs, the specifications of solar charging device on unmanned remote telemetry station were proposed. By the principle of the reliability design on the electronic circuits and the potential translation technique, a device has been designed for meeting the needs of unmanned remote telemetry station solar charging. This device has the characteristics of simple structure and reliable operation. It is very easy to install and has high efficiency of charging. This design method also has great and practical significance for solving the energy supply of other unmanned equipment.
Direct Product Testing With Nearly Identical Sets.

In this work we analyze a direct product test in which each of two provers receives a subset of size n of a ground set U , |U | = Θ(n), and the two subsets intersect in about (1 − δ)n elements. We show that if each of the provers provides labels to the n elements it received, and the labels of the two provers agree in the intersection between the subsets with non-negligible probability, then the answers of the provers must correspond to a certain global assignment to the elements of U . While previous results only worked for intersection of size at most n/2, in our model the questions and expected answers of the two provers are nearly identical. This is related to a recent construction of a unique games instance (ECCC TR14-142) where this setup arises at the “outer verifier” level. Our main tool is a hypercontractive bound on the Bernoulli-Laplace model (aka a slice of the Boolean hypercube), from which we can deduce a “small set expansion”-type lemma. We then use ideas from a recent work of the author about “fortification” to reduce the case of large intersection to the already studied case of smaller intersection. 1 Direct Product Testing Let U and R be finite sets, let n ≥ 1 be a natural number, and let 0 ≤ α ≤ 1. We define the following two prover game. The provers are asked to agree on an assignment f : U → R ahead of time. Then a verifier picks at random two subsets S, S′ ⊆ U that intersect in αn elements on average. The verifier sends one subset to each prover. The prover is supposed to report what f(x) is for every x in the subset it got, but is not necessarily truthful. The verifier checks that the assignments reported by the provers agree on the intersection between the two sets. Let S be the family of sized-n subsets of U . Direct Product Test(α): 1. The verifier picks uniformly at random a set S ∈ S. 2. The verifier picks a correlated set S′ ∈ S as follows: for1 k ∼ Poisson((1 − α)n) times, switch an element from S with a uniform element outside of S. ∗dmoshkov@csail.mit.edu. Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, MIT. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Number 1218547. Several other choices of a correlated S′ have been used in other works. The one we use follows a convention from probability literature.
Highly deformable thermal interface materials enabled by covalently-bonded carbon nanotubes

Abstract The exceptional thermal conductivity of individual carbon nanotubes have rarely materialized in bulk materials mainly due to the large thermal contact resistance between carbon nanotubes (CNTs). This can be attributed to weak van der Waals bonding at the CNT junctions where the outstanding phonon transport along the strong covalent bonding on the graphitic layer is largely impeded. In bulk materials, however, it has been extremely difficult to achieve covalently bonded junctions between CNTs. Here we report polymer composites consisting of sponge-like CNT structures whose junctions between CNTs are covalently bonded, resulting in a high thermal conductivity and a low Young’s modulus, which are hard to achieve at the same time. The low modulus allows thermal interface material (TIM) to easily deform to make the surfaces of heat sink/source fully in contact, which is essential for TIM. Our facile scalable preparation process also makes our composite very attractive as TIM as well as provides insight to better utilize high thermal conductivity of CNTs.
Extrahepatic obstructive jaundice due to inflammatory polyp of common bile duct.

(1975). Extrahepatic Obstructive Jaundice Due to Inflammatory Polyp of Common Bile Duct. Postgraduate Medicine: Vol. 58, No. 3, pp. 259-260.
New species, chromosome cytology and notes on the southern African Iridaceae-Irideae: Moraea, Roggeveldia and Homeria

A new species for each of Moraea (120 species), Homeria (32 species) and Roggeveldia (2 species), African genera of Iridaceae–Irideae subtribe Homeriinae, is described. Moraea vlokii from the interior Swartberg Mountains of the southern Cape, is most closely related to the widespread winter rainfall area species M. gawleri, from which it differs by its short, crestless style arms, obtuse subequal tepals and solitary leaf. In Roggeveldia, until now monotypic, the new R. montana is a plant of low stature with a single long, terete and slender leaf, occurring locally in the Kamiesberg (central Namaqualand) and Swartberg Mountains. Although its flowers correspond closely to those of R. fistulosa in their free stamens and simple style branches that alternate with the stamens, the taller R. fistulosa has a short, straight and thick hollow leaf. Homeria serratostyla, restricted to the Richtersveld, northern Namaqualand, is assigned to section Homeria, and seems most closely related to H. patens. Notable additional populations, including significant range extensions, are reported for Moraea incurva, M. insolens, M. linderi, Homeria fenestrata, H. galpinii and H. schlechteri. Original chromosome counts for each of the new species and several more of Homeria are also included here.
On fracture loci of ductile materials under non-proportional loading

Abstract For general stress states the fracture locus, under strictly proportional loadings, may be viewed as a two dimensional surface. Deviations from that locus under non-proportional loadings have received limited attention in the literature. The general problem is quite complex because of unavoidably intertwined history effects on both damage-free plasticity and plasticity-induced damage. This work first reports on a systematic attempt at quantifying deviations from the proportional fracture locus given a fracture theory. Two generic types of nonproportional loading are considered, which are believed to represent a heuristic integrity basis for an infinity of possible loading histories. In doing so, emphasis is laid on that component of the deviation associated with damage, thus reducing the representation of plastic flow to its simplest form. The predictive capability of the simple theory is then employed to rationalize experimental trends from the literature.
Management of Resistant, Atypical and Culture-negative Periprosthetic Joint Infections after Hip and Knee Arthroplasty.

Background Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a devastating complication following lower extremity total joint arthroplasty (TJA). It is a leading cause of morbidity and revision following TJA. As such, PJI is a significant driver of healthcare costs. The prevalence of PJI related to resistant and atypical organisms is increasing, and approximately 10-30% of PJIs are culture-negative. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current epidemiology, diagnostics, and management of PJI associated with resistant and atypical pathogens and of culture-negative PJIs. Methods The published literature related to the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of atypical, drug-resistant, and culture-negative PJI is reviewed. Results The clinical diagnosis of PJI is often challenging, particularly when pathogens are fastidious or when antibiotics have been administered empirically. Molecular diagnostic studies, such as synovial α-defensin, may provide rapid, accurate identification of PJI, even in the setting of concurrent antibiotics administration or systemic inflammatory disease. Once PJI is diagnosed, two-stage exchange arthroplasty remains the gold standard for treating PJI with resistant microorganisms, since there is a high rate of treatment failure with irrigation and debridement and with one-stage exchange arthroplasty. Conclusion Additional research is needed to define the optimal treatment of PJIs associated with rare pathogens, such as fungi and mycobacteria. There is a need for inexpensive, reliable tests that rapidly detect specific microbial species and antimicrobial susceptibilities. Additional research is also required to define the specific organisms, clinical scenarios, surgical techniques, and antimicrobial regimens that allow for reproducible treatment success with prosthetic retention strategies.
Bronchial Artery Embolization

This section provides a comprehensive procedural report for bronchial artery embolization procedure with up-to-date explanatory notes, synopsis of the indications and contraindications, and potential complications in an organized and practical format.
MMIC Technology for Broadband Wireless Access

The increasing role and volume of data communications combined with the convenience of wireless access provide the motivation for the development of high speed, compact, affordable and portable high data rate digital radios that can be integrated with notebook computers and function for extended periods of time on battery power. Such radios can be constructed only as a result of an intense development effort in wireless communication systems and continued integration of hardware. High communication speeds dictate multi-megahertz channels which are more readily available at higher frequencies. Recent history of local and wide area wireless communications suggests the requirement for speeds of 10 Mbps or more, best implemented in the NII and HIPERLAN bands at 5 GHz and beyond.
Gallium-Antimony System

The binary system Ga-Sb has been investigated by thermal, X-ray, and metallo-graphic methods. The intermetallic compound GaSb melts at 705.9°C and forms a eutectic with antimony at 11.8 atomic pet Ga. This eutectic melts at 589.8°C. A eutectic appears to be formed at 29.8°C but is too close to the composition of pure gallium to be detected.
Interactions of Retinoids and Transforming Growth Factor-Beta in the Chemoprevention of Cancer

Several years ago, we suggested that some new approaches are necessary if we intend to solve the problem of epithelial cancer in humans [1]. The conventional clinical approach that has been followed with most epithelial cancer has been to wait until the patient has invasive disease and then treat this disease with cytotoxic chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation. None of these modalities has been uniquely successful for the treatment of all types of epithelial cancer, in spite of some advances that have occurred. In the conventional approach to the disease, cancer is treated as if it were an entity that could be destroyed or removed, ignoring the evidence that cancer is a diffuse, evolutionary, developmental process [2]. What is called “cancer” in clinical incidence statistics is the process in its terminal stages; by this time many of the physiological controls that allow for orderly epithelial growth have been lost.
Fabrication and Performance of Integrated Fluxgate for Current Sensing Applications

The recently developed Fluxgate technology from Texas Instruments has enabled the production of the industry’s first current sensing integrated circuit with a fully integrated fluxgate device and a compensation coil driver. This paper presents an overview of the Fluxgate technology, focusing on the fabrication and performance of the integrated magnetic field sensing device.
Evaluation of OTN solutions for metro networks in Asia

We compare OTN (Optical Transport Network) solutions for two Asian networks by using muxponders (no OTN switching) and transponders (with OTN switching) solutions and find that in the presence of sub-10G clients, OTN switching can lower the network costs, in addition to its other advantages of digital restoration in the event of fiber cuts.
Experimental validation of adaptive observers for battery management systems

A lithium ion battery model includes several parametric uncertainties, which need to be identified in real time in order to determine accurate estimates of State of Charge (SOC) and State of Health. Recently, an augmented adaptive observer that simultaneously estimates the parameters of the underlying linear dynamics and algebraic nonlinearities in a modified Single Particle Model (SPM) was proposed. In this paper, we validate this observer experimentally using a Panasonic cell. The algebraic nonlinearities included are both due to open circuit potential and due to over potential. Using the properties of these potential functions and experimental constraints, a novel adaptive observer was used to estimate their parameters as well as those of the underlying linear dynamics. The experimental results show that the adaptive observer results in accurate SOC estimation and parameter convergence.
Vaccines We Need But Don't Have.

Abstract Vaccinations have had tremendous success in the 20th century. However, in the 21st century, we are facing complex immunological issues in relation to controlling underlying infectious diseases. Therefore, new technologies are needed to develop vaccines against infectious diseases like respiratory syncytial virus, human immunodeficiency virus, and cytomegalovirus. In addition, recent emerging infections have taught us that we must prepare preventative measures in advance using our scientific abilities.
La Forge’s VISOR and the Pictures in Our Heads: Understanding Media Studies Through Star Trek

Media studies involves looking at more than what we see on a television screen. It focuses on one of the inescapable aspects of human experience – the relationship between people and technology (“technics” [1]), and the mediation of our experiences. We never experience phenomena directly. Instead, our experiences are mediated through things between us and the world. Media studies explores both content and form of media. It focuses on the relationships that different types of media foster, the messages we receive via a medium, and the material qualities of artifacts and systems through which we experience the world. Geordi La Forge’s VISOR, as found in the fictional world of Star Trek, is a prime example. It is both “the medium and the message”, in Marshal McLuhan’s terms [2]. Beyond the example of the VISOR, all of us depend on complex socio-technical systems to mediate our experiences. Media studies works to reveal how these systems contribute to our lives and help to constitute our social world. Drawing from many different disciplines, media studies scholars investigate the means of communication we otherwise take for granted.
Installation und Betrieb

Die Installation und Inbetriebnahme erfolgt in drei Phasen: 1. Vorbereitung des Raumes und des Arbeitsplatzes 2. Installation der Hardware und Software 3. Kalibrierung und Leistungstests (Akzeptanztests, Betriebsqualifizierung)
Harmonic Generation Measurements in Unidirectional Graphite/Epoxy Composites

A consideration of nonlinearity is essential for describing many important physical phenomena and processes in solids. The determination of nonlinearity is of importance for the characterization of materials, especially the newly developed ones. The existing techniques for measurements of the nonlinearity can be divided into two main categories. One is the measurements of strain dependence of the ultrasonic velocity (induced by stress, temperature, etc.). The other is the measurements of the harmonic generation in the solids.
Congress Extends USA PATRIOT Act by 1 Month

On the last day of the 2005 legislative session, the U.S. Congress passed Senate Bill 2167, which extended the existing USA PATRIOT Act by one month. The Act’s provisions, which had been set to expire on December 31, 2005, will now set to expire on February 3, 2006. The passage of the extension maintains the status quo represented by the existing USA PATRIOT Act for a few weeks. However, the objections and concerns raised by critics of the PATRIOT Act are also maintained as well. The one-month extension allows both supporters and critics a bit of time to regroup. However, with such a short time to the next deadline, the political storm surrounding the Act is unlikely to die down.
Psychological Theory and the Gamification of Learning

Research on the gamification of learning currently lacks a sturdy theoretical foundation on which to build new knowledge. In this chapter, we identify and explore several theories from the domain of psychology to provide this foundation. This includes the theory of gamified instructional design, classic conditioning theories of learning, expectancy-based theories, goal-setting theory, and self-determination theory. For each theory (or family of theories), we describe the theory itself, relate it to gamification research, and identify the most promising future research directions given that basis. In exploring these theories, we conclude that gamification is not a “new” instructional technique per se but is instead a new combination and presentation of classic motivational techniques. This combination may provide unique value over other approaches, but this is an unresolved empirical question. We conclude by making specific recommendations for both gamification researchers and practitioners to best advance the study of gamification given this sturdy theoretical basis.
Methods of solving dilation equations

A wavelet basis is an orthonormal basis for L2(ℜ), the space of squareintegrable functions on the real line, of the form {gnkn,k∈z, where gnk (t) = 2n/2 g (2nt−k) and g is a single fixed function, the wavelet Each multiresolution analysis for L2(ℜ) determines such a basis. To find a multiresolution analysis, one can begin with a dilation equation f (t) = ∑ ck f (2t −k). If the solution f (the scaling function) satisfies certain requirements, then a multiresolution analysis and hence a wavelet basis will follow. This paper surveys methods of achieving this goal. Two separate problems are involved: first, solving a general dilation equation to find a scaling function, and second, determining when such a scaling function will generate a multiresolution analysis. We present two methods for solving dilation equations, one based on the use of the Fourier transform and one operating in the time domain utilizing linear algebra. The second method characterizes all continuous, integrable scaling functions. We also present methods of determining when a multiresolution analysis will follow from the scaling function. We discuss simple conditions on the coefficients {ck} which are “almost” sufficient to ensure the existence of a wavelet basis, in particular, they do ensure that {gnk}n,kez is a tight frame, and we present more complicated necessary and sufficient conditions for the generation of a multiresolution analysis. The results presented are due mainly to Cohen, Colella, Daubechies, Heil, Lagarias, Lawton, Mallat, and Meyer, although several of the results have been independently investigated by other groups, including Berger, Cavaretta, Dahmen, Deslauriers, Dubuc, Dyn, Eirola, Gregory, Levin, Micchelli, Prautzsch, and Wang.
ARE THERE SIDE-TO-SIDE DIFFERENCES IN KNEE MORPHOLOGY IN PATIENTS WITH BILATERAL PATELLAR INSTABILITY:

IntroductionIt is not known if there are side-to-side differences in knee morphology in patients with bilateral patellar instability (BPI). Such knowledge would help to answer the question whether ...
Evolutionary Relationships of Enzymes in the Genus Drosophila

While basking in the dawn of the age of DNA sequence data, this is an opportune time for us, as Drosophila evolutionary biologists, to take both a retrospective and prospective look at what the now traditional analyses of protein evolution have told us, and still can tell us, about the history of our favorite genus. The genus Drosophila is an extraordinarily rich testing ground for the evolutionary potential of molecular data. It is old enough so the evolutionary rates of change of conserved molecules can be measured, yet many speci-ation events are comparatively recent. Hence, the more ephemeral events involved in genome reorganization can be traced as well. This chapter will summarize and expand on the the conclusions of an earlier effort (MacIntyre and Collier, 1986), and, present new data on the evolutionary rates of change of several enzymes. In addition, we will examine in more detail the remarkable correspondence between allozyme and chromosome based phylogenies of several species groups.
Determination of Seven Manufacturing Impurities in FD&C Red No. 40 by Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography.

Background: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration batch-certifies color additives to ensure that each lot meets published specifications for coloring food, drugs, and cosmetics. Objective: An ultra-high-performance LC (UHPLC) method was developed to determine seven manufacturing impurities in the monoazo color additive FD&C Red No. 40 (R40). The analytes consist of two intermediates, an impurity originating from one intermediate, a reaction by-product, and three subsidiary colors. The intermediates are 4-amino-5-methoxy-2-methylbenzenesulfonic acid [cresidine-p-sulfonic acid (CSA)] and 6-hydroxy-2-naphthalene sulfonic acid sodium salt (SS). The impurity originating from the intermediate SS is 6,6'-oxybis[2-naphthalenesulfonic acid] disodium salt. The reaction by-product is 4,4'-(diazoamino)bis[5-methoxy-2-methylbenzenesulfonic acid disodium salt. The subsidiary colors are sodium salts of CSA coupled with 2-naphthol-3,6-disulfonic acid, 2-naphthol-6,8-disulfonic acid, or 2-naphthol. Methods: Samples of R40 were dissolved in an ammonium acetate buffer modified to pH 9.2, filtered, and analyzed by UHPLC. Quantitation of the analytes was performed by calibration in the presence of the color additive matrix. Results: UHPLC validation studies showed linear calibration curves (R² = 0.9999), good recovery (95-121%) and precision (RSDs = 1.0-6.3%), and LOQs ranging from 0.002 to 0.030%. Survey analyses of 31 samples from 11 manufacturers yielded results by the new UHPLC method and a previously used HPLC method that are consistent within experimental error. Conclusions: The new UHPLC method provides faster analysis time, improved separation, and similar sensitivity compared to the HPLC method. Highlights: An UHPLC method was developed and validated to determine seven manufacturing impurities in R40 submitted to the FDA for batch certification.
Bioplastic feedstock production from microalgae with fuel co-products: A techno-economic and life cycle impact assessment

Abstract The current and future consumption of petroleum-based plastics, which will be 20% of global annual oil comsumption by 2050, is leading to the investigation and development of feedstock alternatives. Algae-based plastics offer a promising substitute that would decrease oil consumption, improve environmental impact, and in some cases even improve plastic performance. This study investigates the economic viability and environmental impact of an algae biorefinery that integrates the complementary functions of bioplastic feedstock (BPFS) and fuel production. The BPFS and biofuel biorefinery modeled herein includes nine different production scenarios. Performance of the facility was validated based on experimental systems with modeling work focusing on mass and energy balances of all required sub-processes in the production pathway. Results show that the minimum selling price of the BPFS is within the realm of economic competition with prices as low as $970 USD tonne−1. Additionally, life cycle impact assessment results indicate drastic improvements in performance of the produced BPFS, with reductions in greenhouse gas emissions ranging between 67 and 116% compared to a petroleum-based plastic feedstock. These results indicate that an algae biorefinery focused on BPFS production and fuels has the potential to operate both economically and sustainably. Sensitivity analysis results, alternative co-products (given that fuels represent minimal value) and product market potential are also discussed.
A Good Age to Marry? An Intergenerational Model of the Influence of Timing Attitudes on Entrance into Marriage

Do timing attitudes-subjective evaluations of particular ages as good ages to marry-influence entrance into marriage? To address this question, we formulated an intergenerational model of how parents' and children's timing attitudes influence children's marriage behavior. We theorized that both parents' and children's timing attitudes influence expectations of when children will marry. In turn, both parents' and children's marital expectations would influence children's actual entrance into marriage. We tested the model using intergenerational panel data from Nepal collected in 2008-2014. Timing attitudes of young people and their parents did influence expectations, as well as entrance into marriage. Young people's own attitudes were more influential than their parents' attitudes in determining children's expectations, but not behavior. Further, while the influence of parents was relatively even, mothers appear slightly more influential than fathers.
Data aggregation to better understand the impact of computerisation on employment

Data reduction methods are called for to address challenges presented by big data. Correlation of two variables may be less clear if data are organised at disaggregate levels in regression analysis. In this study, we apply data aggregation to regression analysis in the context of a study forecasting the impact of computerisation on jobs and wages. We show that data grouped by the ranked independent variable, versus random or other grouping schemes, provides a clearer pattern of the employment impacts of computerisation probability on job categories. The coefficient estimates are more consistent for groupings based on a ranked independent variable, than those provided by random grouping of the same independent variable. The improved estimations can have positive policy implications.
Harmonics and Stability Evaluation of Converter-Interfaced Combined Heat and Power Units

Grid integration of medium-sized combined heat and power (CHP) units is challenging due to strict grid codes and conventional generators lack of control flexibility to meet these grid codes. Adding a two-stage ac-dc-ac power electronics interface between the generator and the utility grid will accelerate the interconnection process of CHP units. For the dc-ac stage, a voltage source converter (VSC) has been widely used as a grid-tied inverter because of its fast control and low total harmonics distortion (THD). In this paper, several topologies of generator-side rectifiers for ac-dc power conversion are explored and analyzed. The harmonics impact of various rectifiers on the CHP generator are evaluated. The overall cost of the electrical system, when using various types of rectifiers, is assessed and the VSC back-to-back converter interface configuration is found to be optimal. The overall system stability is also examined using small-signal impedance analysis to assess potential instability issues at the system level.
Attitudes toward opioid use disorder pharmacotherapy among recovery community center attendees.

Abstract Background Despite their proven efficacy, medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) are underutilized. Negative beliefs and attitudes toward MOUD are quite common, yet rapidly expanding recovery community centers (RCCs) may offer a promising venue for fostering MOUD support as they operate under the maxim, “many pathways [to recovery], all should be celebrated” and are utilized mainly by those with opioid use disorder. The current study provides a first look at MOUD attitudes and their correlates in RCC attendees. Methods The study conducted a cross-sectional survey (N = 320) of recovering adults attending 31 RCCs across New England, assessing demographic, treatment, and recovery-relevant factors, as well attitudes (positive vs. negative) toward the use of agonist and antagonist MOUD. The study used frequencies and confidence intervals to obtain prevalence estimates for positive and negative attitudes toward agonist and antagonist MOUD, and to examine differences between them. Spearman correlations identified correlates of MOUD attitudes (at p Results Positive attitudes were common and more prevalent than negative attitudes for both agonist (positive: 71.4 [66.1, 76.3]%; negative: 28.6 [23.7, 33.9]%) and antagonist (positive: 76.5 [71.4, 81.1]%; negative: 23.5 [18.9, 28.6]%) MOUD, which did not differ. The study identified several correlates of MOUD attitudes at the p Conclusions Findings reveal very high rates of positive MOUD attitudes among RCC participants, highlighting the potential for this growing tier of recovery support to foster acceptance and peer support for medication-facilitated recovery pathways. Correlates of attitudes further reveal opportunities for facilitating MOUD acceptance within and beyond the RCC network.
Assessment of CO2/CH4 Separation Performance of 3D-Printed Carbon Monoliths in Pressure Swing Adsorption

In recent years, the benefits of high material loading, digital tuning, and flexibility in geometric design have made three-dimensional (3D) printing an especially promising way of formulating adso...
California Plants: A Guide to our Iconic Flora

MATT RITTER. 2018. California Plants: A Guide to our Iconic Flora. (ISBN-13: 978-09998960-0-6, pbk). Pacific Street Publishing, San Luis Obispo, California, U.S.A. (Orders: www.pacificstreetpublishing. com). $27.50 US, 321 pp , 1000+ color photos, 150 maps, 6" × 9".
Approach to Limb Weakness.

“Approach to limb weakness” provides an overview of the pathways of the motor system and the type of weakness seen with pathology at each level from the cortex to the muscle. This article provides the clinical pearls needed to identify different patterns of weakness and accurately localize the level of weakness. It offers important pointers that help distinguish among the different etiologies of weakness at each level, as well as various diagnostic approaches and treatments of diseases that lead to limb weakness. The diagnoses discussed are meant to be representative and not exhaustive, as a complete differential for each pattern of weakness is beyond the scope of this article.
A New Algorithm for Energy Minimization with Discontinuities

Many tasks in computer vision involve assigning a label (such as disparity) to every pixel. These tasks can be formulated as energy minimization problems. In this paper, we consider a natural class of energy functions that permits discontinuities. Computingthe exact minimum is NP-hard. We have developed a new approximation algorithm based on graph cuts. The solution it generates is guaranteed to be within a factor of 2 of the energy function's global minimum. Our method produces a local minimum with respect to a certain move space. In this move space, a single move is allowed to switch an arbitrary subset of pixels to one common label. If this common label is a then such a move expands the domain of a in the image. At each iteration our algorithm efficiently chooses the expansion move that gives the largest decrease in the energy. We apply our method to the stereo matching problem, and obtain promisingex perimental results. Empirically, the new technique outperforms our previous algorithm [6] both in terms of runningti me and output quality.
VHDL modeling for analog-digital hardware designs (VHSIS hardware description language)

A description is given of techniques for simulation modeling and of a physical design verification methodology for assuring simulation and interconnection correspondence. Following the introductory material, details of the simulation model are presented. Then a description of a physical design verification methodology is given, followed by results from current designs, and key points are summarized. >
Many Interests, Many Talents

Abstract Dorothy Bracey has spent her entire academic career at one institution located in her home town of New York City, but her intellectual pursuits have crossed many boundaries and taken her around the globe. Her scholarship and her life have been influenced by her interest in the overlap of law and justice and have led to her studies of police corruption, juvenile prostitution, the Chinese justice system and Native American legal contradictions. A woman of many interests, in addition to her work as a scholar, she has held a variety of leadership positions in both the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences and the American Society of Criminology and has served as the editor of two professional journals.
Autophagy enhances NFκB activity and boosts early anti-fungal immunity (INM8P.447)

To avoid excessive inflammation, molecular signaling that triggers immune responses has to be well restrained by various cellular and molecular regulatory mechanisms. However, in infections, such restraints must be removed to exert quick and efficient anti-microbial responses. Here, we report a novel role of autophagy in systemic Candida infection by enhancing early immune responses through increased nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) activity. First, we found that Atg7 conditional knockout (CKO) mice with LysM -Cre were susceptible to Candida infection. Our ex vivo experiments showed that autophagy did not affect Candida-phagocytosis and inhibition of Candida expansion by macrophages and neutrophils. We also found that phagocytosed conidia were not contained in LC3-positive vesicles. The data suggested that it is unlikely that autophagy played a role in “direct” Candida killing by myeloid cells. Unexpectedly, instead, enhancement of NFκB activation was observed in a certain macrophage subset. Enhancement of NFκB activation was achieved by autophagy-mediated sequestration of an NFκB inhibitor. This allows the macrophages to release chemokines to effectively attract neutrophils to infected sites, resulting in better resistance to Candida in wild-type mice compared to Atg7 CKO mice. Thus, autophagy protects mice from systemic Candida infection by a mechanism distinct from those that protect mice from bacteria and viruses.
The Equivalence Problem and Correctness Formulas for a Simple Class of Programs (Extended Abstract)

This paper is concerned with the semantics (or computational power) of very simple loop programs over different sets of primitive instructions. Recently, a complete and consistent Hoare axiomatics for the class of {x←0, x←y, x←x+1, x←x∸1, do x...end} programs which contain no nested loops, was given, where the allowable assertions were those formulas in the logic of Presburger arithmetic. The class of functions computable by such programs is exactly the class of Presburger functions. Thus, the resulting class of correctness formulas has a decidable validity problem. In this paper, we present simple loop programming languages which are, computationally, strictly more powerful, i.e. which can compute more than the class of Presburger functions. Furthermore, using a logical assertion language that is also more powerful than the logic of Presburger arithmetic, we present a class of correctness formulas over such programs that also has a decidable validity problem. In related work, we examine the expressive power of loop programs over different sets of primitive instructions. In particular, we show that an {x←0, x←y, x←x+1, do x ... end, if x=0 then y←z}-program which contains no nested loops can be transformed into an equivalent {x←0, x←y, x←x+1, do x ... end}-program (also without nested loops) in exponential time and space. This translation was earlier claimed, in the literature, to be doable in polynomial time, but then this was subsequently shown to imply that PSPACE=PTIME. Consequently, the question of translatability was left unanswered. Also, we show that the class of functions computable by {x←0, x←y, x←x+1, x←x∸1, do x ... end, if x=0 then x←c}-programs is exactly the class of Presburger functions. When the conditional instruction is changed to “if x=0 then x←y+1”, then the class of computable functions is significantly enlarged, enough so, in fact, as to render many decision problems (e.g. equivalence) undecidable.
Interconnect Geometry Optimization Using Modular Artificial Neural Networks

This paper describes a methodology for crosstalk prediction and minimization in interconnect wiring using artificial neural networks. Neural networks are used as parameterized models to achieve two important mappings. The first—forward map—maps the geometric and material parameters of interconnects (for example width, length, separation, conductivity, dielectric constant k) to equivalent electrical parameters (for example, R,L,C,G). Such a relationship would normally require quasi-TEM solutions of EM problems. The second—reverse map—is the reverse of the first mapping equivalent electrical parameters to interconnect geometric and material parameters. The crosstalk minimization approach proposed involves topological decomposition of interconnect into standard cells—portions of interconnect referred to as wirecells—and the derivation of the above two mappings for each wirecell. Crosstalk is iteratively minimized in the domain of SPICE circuit parameters and the resulting optimized SPICE equivalent circuit mapped back into the wirecell geometric domain using the reverse neural net mapping. For computational efficiency and high accuracy, the technique initially establishes a library of re-usable neural wirecell models using a field solver coupled with a circuit simulator and a neural network multi-paradigm prototyping system. The approach offers two important advantages. First, the simultaneous effect of multiple non-correlated geometric and material wirecell characteristics on crosstalk can be accurately computed and crosstalk minimized by iterative modification of interconnect geometry and material characteristics. Second, the approach produces—as a by-product—system level contours of equicoupling called isocouples to guide design activities such as placement and route. Crosstalk prediction and minimization results are presented for a high performance operational transconductance amplifier in which reduction in crosstalk by variation of interconnect layout geometry resulted in a 41% increase in gain.
Balancing National Security with a Community's Right-to-Know: Maintaining Public Access to Environmental Information Through EPCRA's Non-Preemption Clause

Over the past decade, public information regarding potential environmental hazards has been restricted due to national security concerns over terrorism. Citizens across the country are now hampered in their ability to assess the danger of local chemical facilities—and take proper precautionary measures—due to changing laws that limit or deny access to information about these facilities. This Note explains how states can enhance access to public environmental information while respecting legitimate security concerns. By decreasing reporting thresholds and making information accessible on the internet, states can strike a more proper balance between security concerns and a community’s right to know about chemical and environmental dangers. This Note discusses this balance, and suggests that information regarding chemical plant facilities should remain public because it poses a low security risk and offers a high public beneat.
Measurement of fuzzy values using artificial neural networks and fuzzy arithmetic

A methodology for monitoring complex systems utilizing artificial neural networks and fuzzy arithmetic is presented. It employs the notion of a virtual measuring device, i.e., a software-based instrument for the measurement of user-specified dynamic variables with operational significance. Neural networks are utilized for mapping a set of complex, temporal input patterns to a simplified set of membership functions. The resultant membership functions are supplied to a rule-based system, which draws a conclusion about the validity of the network responses based on the statistical characteristics of the original training signals. The notion of time is explicitly incorporated into the decision-making procedure, rendering the measuring process a dynamic one. The rule-based system is supplemented by fuzzy algebraic techniques composing an optimization algorithm capable of identifying the most appropriate shape and position of the resultant membership functions in the universe of discourse. Data obtained from an experimental nuclear reactor during a start-up period are utilized to demonstrate the excellent tolerance of the methodology to noisy and faulty signals. >
COMMINUTED FRACTURES OF THE DISTAL END OF THE HUMERUS IN THE ADULT.

This Instructional Course is meant to be an addendum to previous courses, supplementing them with a review of a series of eighteen comminuted fractures of the distal end of the humerus. In the past two years I have tried to use the information obtained in this study. Open reduction and internal fixation was the treatment of choice whenever possible and thus far I have no regrets. I tried the transolecranon posterior approach and found it helpful in re-establishing the relationship of the condyles to each other and to the ulna. Elbow motion after operation was started at approximately seven to ten days and some loss of position was noted when fixation was not secure. Hence, I have become more cautious in pressing for early motion when there is any doubt as to the security of fixation. This lecture calls attention to the variance of opinion concerning treatment of supracondylar and intercondylar fractures of the humerus in the adult. Closed reduction and traction have not proved adequate for the treatment of this fracture and have not given the best functional result. Open reduction appears to be most advantageous when all other factors are favorable. Since the survey was conducted, several more open reductions have convinced me of the advantages of this procedure. The primary objective was to secure strong enough fixation to permit early motion of the elbow. Advanced age of a patient should not be a strong deterrent when considering open reduction as treatment. Even extensively comminuted fractures can be improved, and the patient thus can be given a better chance to have more function and use of the elbow. If security of fixation is not anticipated, the treatment of choice should be traction combined with early motion.
Magnesium-25 nuclear magnetic resonance in aqueous phosphate solutions

Abstract Magnesium-25 nuclear magnetic resonance is studied in aqueous solutions of molecules containing phosphate groups which bind magnesium ion. The line width of magnesium ion in 1.5 M magnesium chloride solutions is 3.8 ± 0.5 Hz and is significantly broadened by the addition of phosphate-containing molecules such as ATP. The line broadening is shown to contain effects due to the nuclear electric quadrupole interaction as well as effects due to chemical exchange of the magnesium ion between complexed and uncomplexed sites in solution. The chemical exchange rate of magnesium ion with ATP is measured to be 2 × 10° sec −1 at 25°C, an ionic strength of 4.5 and pH of 7.9. The possibility of using magnesium-25 nuclear magnetic resonance to study magnesium ion interactions with enzymes is examined.
Structure of the 7S globulin (vicilin) from pea (Pisum sativum)

Abstract The Daresbury synchrotron has been used to obtain X-ray scattering data on solutions of the pea 7S globulin (vicilin) to an angular resolution corresponding to the modulus of the scattering vector | k | ⪅ 14.5 nm −1 . The angular range 0.45 nm −1 ⩽| k | ⩽ 6.5 nm −1 reveals scattering details characteristic of the subunit size, shape and arrangement. The protein can be modelled in terms of three touching non-spherical subunits each containing two spherical scattering domains of unequal radii. Circular dichroism studies indicate that the ordered protein secondary structure contains mainly β-sheet and little α-helix. Structure-prediction calculations on the primary sequence of the subunit suggest that the domains may correspond to regions of β-sheet.
Beta-particle dosimetry in radiation synovectomy

Beta-particle dosimetry of various radionuclides used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis was estimated using Monte Carlo radiation transport simulation coupled with experiments using reactor-produced radionuclides and radiachromic film dosimeters inserted into joint phantoms and the knees of cadavers. Results are presented as absorbed dose factors (cGy-cm2/MBq-s) versus depth in a mathematical model of the rheumatoid joint which includes regions of bone, articular cartilage, joint capsule, and tissue (synovium) found in all synovial joints. The factors can be used to estimate absorbed dose and dose rate distributions in treated joints. In particular, guidance is provided for those interested in (a) a given radionuclide's therapeutic range, (b) the amount of radioactivity to administer on a case-by-case basis, (c) the expected therapeutic dose to synovium, and (d) the radiation dose imparted to other, nontarget components in the joint, including bone and articular cartilage.