cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regression Learning Vector Quantization

Learning Vector Quantization (LVQ) is a popular class of nearest prototype classifiers for multiclass classification. Learning algorithms from this family are widely used because of their intuitively clear learning process and ease of implementation. In this paper we propose an extension of the LVQ algorithm to regression. Just like the LVQ algorithm, the proposed modification uses a supervised learning procedure to learn the best prototype positions, but unlike LVQ algorithm for classification, it also learns the best prototype target values. This results in the effective partition of the feature space, similar to the one the K-means algorithm would make. Experimental results on benchmark datasets showed that the proposed Regression LVQ algorithm performs better than the nearest prototype competitors that choose prototypes randomly or through K-means clustering, classification LVQ on quantized target values, and similarly to the memory-based Parzen Window and Nearest Neighbor algorithms.
Distinguishing the two forms of the constant percentage learning curve model

. There is often evidence of confusion between two forms of the constant percentage learning curve model: the cumulative average and the individual unit forms. Failure to distinguish between the two models can lead to their misuse and to potentially serious errors of estimation. A precise statement of the difference between the two clarifies the errors of misspecification. This note provides an analytical comparsion of the two models and addresses empirical estimation issues. Resume. On a souvent la preuve de la confusion entre deux formules de modele de la courbe d'apprentissage a pourcentage constant: celle de la moyenne cumulative et celle de l'unite individuelle. Le fait de ne pas distinguer les deux modeles peut conduire a une mauvaise utilisation et eventuellement a de serieuses erreurs d'estimation. Un examen precis de la difference entre les deux peut clarifier les erreurs de specification. Cet article presente une comparaison analytique des deux modeles et traite des questions d'estimation empirique.
Minimal Forbidden Subgraphs of Unimodular Multicommodity Networks

An integral matrix with independent columns is called unimodular if the greatest common divisor of the determinants of its maximum-rank square submatrices is one. An integral matrix A not necessarily having independent columns is defined to be unimodular if every basis of A has that property. It is known that this is so if and only if the extreme points of the set of nonnegative vectors x satisfying Ax = b are integral for all integral vectors b. Here the constraint matrix of a k-commodity network flow problem is shown to be unimodular if and only if the associated undirected graph does not have a subgraph homeomorphic to the following graphs: i the complete graph on four nodes, and if k ≥ 3, ii a cycle with three additional edges, each a duplicate of a different edge of the cycle, having no node with degree 2 these graphs have from three to six nodes. The following algorithm checks whether subgraphs of the above type are present. First find the 2-connected subgraphs that contain at least two edges. Then reduce each such subgraph to a graph with fewer nodes and arcs. The forbidden subgraphs are not present if and only if the algorithm reduces each 2-connected subgraph to a cycle with two edges. When this is not possible, a forbidden subgraph is produced. Suitable implementation of the algorithm results in On complexity, where n is the number of edges of the original graph.
Emotion, Person, and Expression

Benedicte Grima. The Performance of Emotion among Paxtun Women: "The Misfortunes which Have Befallen Me." Modern Middle East Series, 17. Austin: University of Texas Press, 1992. xi. 241 pp. $14.95 (paper).
Effects of Soil Moisture and Composition and Fungal Isolate on Prevalence of Beauveria bassiana in Laboratory Colonies of the Red Imported Fire Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Microbial control of red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, by the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin, has been inconsistent. Therefore, fungal isolates and precisely controlled soil moisture and composition were investigated as possible limiting factors. For each experiment, ant colonies were collected from the field and placed into 19-liter buckets at room temperature. Fungal inoculation in all experiments was by point-source placement of B. bassiana growing in a single 100 by 15 mm petri dish into the colony; data were collected for 8–10 wk on percentage infection and on ant numbers by a stake-count method and by a population-index rating. Two fungal isolates did not differ in efficacy, and both were inferior to GardStar (permethrin) in killing the ants. B. bassiana reduced ant numbers more effectively in −0.2 bar soil than in −0.5 bar soil, which in turn was better than 0 bar (wet) or −1.0 bar (dry) soil moisture. Even in dry soil (−1.0 bar), however, up to 22.5% of the ants were infected. According to all three parameters, B. bassiana killed more ants in silt (70:15:15, silt:sand:clay) and in sandy soil (15:70:15) than in clay (15:15:70). Results with B. bassiana in clay did not differ significantly from the control.
Corporate Social Responsibility's Impact on Stock Performance -- The Case of the Children's Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative

This study examines the abnormal returns to the shareholders of companies that have enrolled in the Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative (CFBAI) as well as those of their competitors that did not join the initiative. We find that, on average, the former group of companies is much larger than the latter. Shareholders of both groups experience significant abnormal return of -3% in the month of enrollment. However, the former group experiences an abnormal return of 16% over the next five years, while those of the latter experience an abnormal return of -34%. These abnormal returns net out to be an average abnormal gain of $14.5 billion for companies enrolled in the initiative and an average abnormal loss of $1.7 billion for non-enrolled competitors. The findings suggest that being in a position to be socially responsible is of benefit to shareholders while being ill situated can hurt them.
An Improved Current-Comparator-Based Power Standard With an Uncertainty of 2.5 $\mu\hbox{W/VA}\ (k = 1)$

An improved power standard derived from a current comparator power bridge for calibrating active/reactive power and energy meters under sinusoidal conditions is described. Measurements can be made at any power factor from zero lag through unity to zero lead, at positive or negative power, at 120 V, 5 A, and 50 or 60 Hz. The improved power standard has an estimated uncertainty of not more than 2.5 $\mu\hbox{W/VA}$ at $k = 1$ . Special high-accuracy current and voltage range extenders have been incorporated to extend the current and voltage ranges up to 200 A and 1200 V, respectively.
Does Foreign Ownership Matter? Assessing the Effects of Internationalized Bank Ownership

Foreign financial institutions bought overwhelming stakes in central and east European (CEE) banks during the postcommunist transition. Recent estimates suggest that foreign banks, mostly western, own over sixty percent of all CEE banking assets, and in seven CEE states, the figure is over eighty percent. This outcome is surprising because at the outset of transition, no CEE government wanted to hold internationally competitive tenders for their state-owned banks. Rather, CEE politicians preferred to protect domestic ownership. Stemming from their interwar experience, CEE transition states feared that foreign domination in finance could lead to economic instability, dependence on external borrowing and foreign interference in political decisions. In the event, significant international pressure and a series of bank crises in the 1990s resulted in the privileging of foreign capital in CEE bank privatization for most of the region. The central question this study will answer is whether transition states that sold their banks to foreigners benefited as the international institutions promised they would.
Trends in reasons for non-receipt of influenza vaccination during pregnancy in Georgia, 2004-2011.

Abstract Background Considerable research has identified barriers to antenatal influenza vaccination, yet no research has explored temporal trends in reasons for non-receipt. Purpose To examine trends in reasons for non-receipt of influenza vaccination during pregnancy. Methods Serial cross-sectional analyses using 8 years of Georgia Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring Survey (PRAMS) data were conducted. Weighted logistic regression was used to examine trends in the prevalence of citing reasons for non-receipt over time. Results Between 2004 and 2011, 8300 women reported no influenza vaccination during or immediately before pregnancy. Proportions of women citing “doctor didn’t mention vaccination,” “in first trimester during influenza season,” and “not pregnant during influenza season” decreased significantly over time (Doctor didn’t mention: 48.0% vs. 27.1%, test for trend p p p = 0.001). Safety concerns increased over 2004 proportions in 2010 (concern about side effects for me: 40.2% vs. 28.5%, prevalence ratio (PR): 1.41, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.16, 1.71; concern about harming my baby: 38.9% vs. 31.0%, PR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.53) and 2011 (concern about side effects for me: 39.0% vs. 28.5%, PR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.13, 1.65; concern about harming my baby: 38.8% vs. 31.0%, PR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.50). Following the 2009/2010 H1N1 pandemic, more Hispanic women cited concern about vaccination harming their baby than other women; in 2011, their concern remained elevated relative to non-Hispanic white women (63% vs. 35%; adjusted PR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.23, 2.61). Conclusion Examining trends in reasons for non-receipt of antenatal influenza vaccination can reflect successes related to vaccine promotion and areas for improvement. By highlighting differential impacts of the 2009/2010 H1N1 pandemic, we reveal opportunities for additional research on tailoring vaccine promotion efforts to specific types of women.
A reevaluation of homothallism, heterothallism and the species concept in Sistotrema brinkmanni.

SUMMARY The basidiomycete Sistotrema brinkmanni (Bres.) J. Erikss., as a nomenclatural entity, is a composite of homothallic, bipolar, and tetrapolar subspecies-all previously subjected to extensive cultural analysis by Biggs. Six further contributions to this system are discussed: (1) The marked enhancement of sporulation for the heterothallic as well as the homothallic subspecies on minimal media, (2) The detection of sporulation upon homokaryotic mycelia of heterothallic strains, an irregular feature recognized by Biggs in the bipolar Phlebia (Peniophora) luidoviciana (Burt) and by Raper and Krongelb in the tetrapolar Schizophyllum commune Fr., (3) The confirmation of homokaryotic dikaryosis as well as meiosis in homothallic strains of Sistotrema by the use of killing-kinetics and an analysis for recombination between auxotrophic mutations, (4) The demonstration, through nutritionally forced heterokaryosis and genetic recombination, that isolation between homothallic and bipolar counterparts of this system is not absolute, (5) The recognition of heterogenic incompatibility (recognized earlier by Biggs among "subgroups" of the tetrapolar subspecies) as common in all three subspecies, and (6) The induction of mutations (modifiers) that lead to self-sterility in homothallic strains and often disrupt homodikaryosis.
Sequential longitudinal evaluation of cardiac growth and ventricular diastolic filling in fetuses of well controlled diabetic mothers

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and abnormal ventricular diastolic filling in the infant of the diabetic mother is related to poor maternal glycemic control. Evaluation of fetuses of well controlled diabetic mothers has not been examined. Eleven fetuses of nondiabetic mothers (normals) and 9 fetuses of well controlled insulin-dependent diabetic mothers (FODMs) underwent serial evaluation of cardiac growth and ventricular diastolic filling using M-mode and Doppler echocardiography at 20-26 weeks' (period 1), 27-33 weeks' (period 2), 34-40 weeks' (period 3),m and 48-72 hours after birth (period 4). Indices of right and left ventricular diastolic filling included time velocity integral ratios (E/A and %E/E+A). Cardiac growth and birth weight in the two groups were similar consistent with "good" glycemic control. This conclusion was supported by similar maternal glycosylated hemoglobin (%A1C) prenatally and newborn %A1C and C-peptide values postnatally. Heart rate before and after birth and placental resistance prenatally were similar. Both normals and FODMs demonstrated an increase in left ventricular E/A and %E/E+A ratios from period 1 to 4 (p < 0.0001). This shift occurred earlier (by period 2) in normals (p < 0.01). Right ventricular filling ratios increased by period 4 in normals only (p < 0.01). No differences were noted between the groups during any period. Good glycemic control in FODMs results in normal cardiac growth and ventricular diastolic filling. Progression of diastolic filling is abnormally delayed, however, and is presumably more exaggerated in poorly controlled diabetics.
Does your hospital need a robot or a management trainer? On advising the health care executive who is interested in innovation, but uncommitted to it

Executives of small hospitals and home health services have heard that this is the Age of Computers, Telecommunications, Robotics, and Gene Engineering, and they wonder if their organizations might benefit from the high technology and advanced management tools employed by big corporations and “leading edge” hospitals. But they are too tired and busy to greatly expand their technical/managerial expertise, especially since there are so many choices among possible innovations, ranging from robotics to management training, each choice demanding different new expertise, and each requiring an investment of time and energy. We helped several health care executives to identify their options for innovation. We offered a scoring scheme to sort out the innovation options (a simple but effective way to decide what innovation would be “right” for their organization), and a simple, “back of the envelope” tutorial on robotics in health care. The principle is to allow the administrators to make a quick evaluation of the paths they might wish to travel. Our point here is that for every “natural-born” innovator, there must be dozens of interested but uncommitted persons who need some gentle, simple help. To the extent that the diffusion of medical systems depends on a mass market, these fence-sitters must receive help and guidance.
The Emergence and Evolution of Social Networking Sites as an Organizational Form

A number of new organizational structures have emerged in recent years, including peer production networks, digitally organized social movements, and social networking sites (SNSs). Researchers hav...
Sitting and Sizing of Distributed Wind Generation Based on Simulated Annealing Genetic Algorithm

The optimal configuartion of distributed generators is one of the important issues for the smart grid. The reasonable sitting and sizing of distributed power is very important for network planning. Based on the distributed wind power generation platform,and considering the influence about the distribution network loss and the voltage quality,a new power flow calculation method with a view to the effection of the distributed wind generator is applied for related electrical parameters of this distribution network. The simulated annealing genetic algorithm is applied to optimization algorithm for sitting and sizing of distributed wind generation based on the proposed power flow method. Finally,an example is given to show the effectiveness of the method.
Evaluation of Drilled Shaft Capacity Using Embedded Sensors and Statnamic Testing

AbstractThis paper presents an application of the embedded data collector (EDC) approach using strain and acceleration measurements at the top and bottom of a pile (drilled shaft) during dynamic loading (Statnamic) for estimation of static side and tip resistance. For assessment of the skin friction, wave propagation along the pile was modeled as a one-dimensional (1D) wave equation with nonlinear static skin friction and viscous damping. The soil–pile system was divided into segments, and each segment was characterized with independent multilinear skin friction. The skin friction of each segment was determined by least-squares fitting of computed particle velocities to the measured data at the top and bottom of the pile. For assessment of the tip resistance, the pile tip was modeled as a single—degree-of-freedom nonlinear system. A nonlinear stiffness–displacement relationship was determined by balancing force and energy from inertia, damping, and stiffness against the measured tip data. The technique wa...
Modern obstetrical management of the low birth weight infant.

The rationale for a group of obstetrical and early neonatal interventions directed at optimizing the outcome of low birth weight infants is presented. Emphasis is on a combined perinatal team approach, problem anticipation, early identification, and the selective utilization of both conservative and aggressive patient management protocols. The importance of the mother-infant relationship in long-term prognosis of small babies is also discussed.
Regional spectrophotometric properties of 951 Gaspra

Abstract Spectrophotometric examination of the Galileo Solid State Imager (SSI) observations from the Galileo spacecraft reveal surface compositional heterogeneities in mineral compositions not related to geologic unit. These include variations in olivine and orthopyroxene content on the order of 15% and 25%, respectively. Opaque mineral phases across the inter-ridge regions vary in quantity, but consistently modeled better with ilmenite. The macroscale fraction of metallic iron varies subtly (0–10%) in quantity and in grain size (60–100 μm). Color properties also vary across the inter-ridge regions, indicating variations in regolith maturity. Comparisons of near-infrared ratio-reflectance suggest changes in regolith maturity that are different from those seen on the lunar surface and asteroid 433 Eros, commensurate with Gaspra's higher olivine content. Visible to near-infrared slopes compared to near-ultraviolet to visible slopes are indicative of a nanophase iron content of 0.01%–0.1%. Spectral mixing modeling studies of the SSI color spectra show results consistent with the presence of both microphase (> 50 nm) and nanophase (
Impact of an Invasive Insect and Plant Defense on a Native Forest Defoliator

Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis [L.] Carriere) in the United States is threatened by the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae Annand). The native hemlock looper (Lambdina fiscellaria Guenee) also appears to have played a role in previous population declines of this conifer. Although these two insects co-occur in much of the adelgid’s invaded range, their interactions remain unstudied. We assessed looper performance and preference on both uninfested and adelgid-infested foliage from adelgid-susceptible hemlocks, as well as on uninfested foliage from an eastern hemlock that is naturally adelgid-resistant. Larvae reared on uninfested foliage from adelgid-susceptible hemlocks experienced 60% mortality within the first two weeks of the experiment, and pupated at a lower weight than larvae fed adelgid-infested foliage. Despite differences in foliage source, this first look and strong pattern suggests that the hemlock looper performs better (pupates earlier, weighs more) on adelgid-infested foliage. In addition, trends suggested that larvae reared on foliage from the adelgid-resistant tree survived better, pupated earlier, and weighed more than in the other treatments. Larvae preferred adelgid-resistant over adelgid-susceptible foliage. Our results suggest that looper perform slightly better on adelgid-infested foliage and that plant resistance to xylem-feeding adelgid may increase susceptibility to foliar-feeding looper larvae.
The inner blood-retinal barrier: Cellular basis and development

The blood-retinal barrier (BRB) regulates transport across retinal capillaries maintaining proper neural homeostasis and protecting the neural tissue from potential blood borne toxicity. Loss of the BRB contributes to the pathophysiology of a number of blinding retinal diseases including diabetic retinopathy. In this review, we address the basis of the BRB, including the molecular mechanisms that regulate flux across the retinal vascular bed. The routes of transcellular and paracellular flux are described as well as alterations in these pathways in response to permeabilizing agents in diabetes. Finally, we provide information on exciting new studies that help to elucidate the process of BRB development or barriergenesis and how understanding this process may lead to new opportunities for barrier restoration in diabetic retinopathy.
How Much Negative Pressure Are We Generating During Thoracentesis

Handheld digital pleural manometers (DPMs) are used to measure pleural pressure during thoracentesis. Lee et al demonstrated concordance between pleural pressure measurements done with a DPM and with an electronic transducer manometer.[1][1] Only static intrathoracic pressure can be measured with
Abstract TMP54: The Role of Erythrocyte Cd47 in Intracerebral Hematoma Clearance

Background: Enhancing hematoma clearance through phagocytosis may reduce brain injury after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). In the current study, we investigated the role of CD47 in regulating eryt...
Coarse-Grained Model of the SNARE Complex Shows that Quick Zippering Requires Partial Assembly

Neuronal transmitters are released from nerve terminals via the fusion of synaptic vesicles with the presynaptic membrane. Vesicles become attached to the membrane via the SNARE complex. The SNARE complex comprises the vesicle associate protein Synaptobrevin (Syb), the membrane associated protein syntaxin (Syx), and the cytosolic protein SNAP25, which together form a four-helical bundle. The full assembly of Syb onto the core SNARE bundle promotes vesicle fusion. We investigated SNARE assembly using a coarse-grained model of the SNARE complex. The model retains chemical specificity, and was calibrated using single molecule experiments and all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. Steered force-control simulations of SNARE unzippering by peeling off Syb were used to set up initial disassembled states of the SNARE complex. From these states, the assembly process was simulated. We found that if Syb is in helical form, then the SNARE complex assembles rapidly, on a sub-microsecond time-scale. We found that assembly times grow exponentially with separation distance between Syb and Syx C-termni. The formation of helical turns is likely to substantially decelerate the assembly, consistent with single molecule force experiments that show SNARE assembly duration on the time-scale of hundreds of ms. Since synaptic vesicle fusion occurs at a sub-millisecond time-scale, our results indicate that for biologically relevant rapid assembly the SNARE complex needs to be partially zippered and its constituent helices brought into proximity, possibly by means of molecular chaperones.
Thermal Wave Detection and Analysis of Adhesion Disbonds and Corrosion in Aircraft Panels

Pulse-echo ultrasonic techniques are widely used for the purpose of nondestructive evaluation (NDE) of materials. Knowledge of the elastic wave velocities in a material permits time-of-flight measurements to be converted into measurements of the subsurface depths of various subsurface defects which are strong elastic wave scatterers. In recent years, the authors and others have utilized an analogous pulse-echo technique to study thermal wave scattering from subsurface defects [1–4]. In this technique, the waves are launched as the result of energy deposited at the sample surface from a suitably pulsed heat source, and the resulting time evolution of the surface temperature is monitored by means of an infrared (IR) camera. Descriptions of the detailed methods for processing the data stream from the camera in real time, so as to effect box-car or lock-in image processing, have been presented elsewhere [1–4].
The Effect of Citations to Collaboration Networks

In this paper we investigate collaborations in computer science based on the Association for Computing and Machinery (ACM) Digital Library dataset. We have constructed two types of network of collaborations one based on all publications and a second that only considers publications with at least one citation. We compare and measure the metrics for both the networks and we show that there are slight structural changes and significant fluctuations in the ranking of authors.
Manganese Deficiency Induced by Lime Rich Co-Utilization Products

Lime addition to biosolids during the wastewater treatment process controls odors, aids in dewatering and reduces pathogens. Pathogen reduction as a result of lime addition can be sufficient to meet PSRP (Process to Significantly Reduce Pathogens) standards set by EPA 503 regulations (USEPA, 1993). When used properly, lime stabilized biosolids will increase soil pH as well as add nitrogen and other nutrients to soil for agronomic crops. However, under certain conditions (light-textured Coastal Plain soils which are prone to Mn deficiency) application of lime-treated biosolids has resulted in Mn deficiency in susceptible crops. Manganese deficiency is the result of several soil, plant and environmental factors and will not necessarily reoccur in the same field from year to year. However, deficiencies following biosolids applications have occurred on long-term research plots as well as on farmer’s fields. As a result of these deficiencies, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) considered limiting the use of limed biosolids on susceptible soils to meet the lime requirement of the crop.
Investigating Neglect Benevolence and Communication Latency During Human-Swarm Interaction

In practical applications of robot swarms with bio-inspired behaviors, a human operator will need to exert control over the swarm to fulfill the mission objectives. In many operational settings, human operators are remotely located and the communication environment is harsh. Hence, there exists some latency in information (or control command) transfer between the human and the swarm. In this paper, we conduct experiments of human-swarm interaction to investigate the effects of communication latency on the performance of a human-swarm system in a swarm foraging task. We develop and investigate the concept of neglect benevolence, where a human operator allows the swarm to evolve on its own and stabilize before giving new commands. Our experimental results indicate that operators exploited neglect benevolence in different ways to develop successful strategies in the foraging task. Furthermore, we show experimentally that the use of a predictive display can help mitigate the adverse effects of communication latency.
A Universal 8-State, 5-Neighbor Cellular Space

This chapter presents an understanding of the transition function. The transition function f described and defined in this chapter is a partial function. It is defined on some but not all neighborhood states. Its domain of definition is a very small subset of the set of all possible neighborhood states. In establishing the universality of the space to be defined, all the desired computing, constructing, reading, erasing, and stimulating operations are carried out in a space which is entirely quiescent. To make the description of a universal computer-constructor in this space intelligible, it is necessary to provide a direct and simple means of escaping from the complexities of f and arriving at a higher level of organization. This is done by developing a basic set of components. The eight states labeled as 0, 1,…, 7 are divided into two disjoint subsets: one for representing structure and one for communication purposes. The first subset (0, 1, 2, 3) is called the structure subset and its elements are called the structure states. The second subset (4, 5, 6, 7) is called the signal subset and its elements are called signal states.
Equivalence Checking for High-Assurance Behavioral Synthesis

The rapidly increasing complexities of hardware designs are forcing design methodologies and tools to move to the Electronic System Level (ESL), a higher abstraction level with better productivity than the state-of-the-art Register Transfer Level (RTL). Behavioral synthesis, which automatically synthesizes ESL behavioral specifications to RTL implementations, plays a central role in this transition. However, since behavioral synthesis is a complex and error-prone translation process, the lack of designers’ confidence in its correctness becomes a major barrier to its wide adoption. Therefore, techniques for establishing equivalence between an ESL specification and its synthesized RTL implementation are critical to bring behavioral synthesis into practice. The major research challenge to equivalence checking for behavioral synthesis is the significant semantic gap between ESL and RTL. The semantics of ESL involve untimed, sequential execution; however, the semantics of RTL involve timed, concurrent execution. We propose a sequential equivalence checking (SEC) framework for certifying a behavioral synthesis flow, which exploits information on successive intermediate design representations produced by the synthesis flow to bridge the semantic gap. In particular, the intermediate design representation after scheduling and pipelining transformations permits effective correspondence of internal operations between this design representation and the synthesized RTL implementation, enabling scalable, compositional equivalence checking. Certifications of loop and
Internal Audit Competency Changes in Response to Financial Reporting Quality Failures

Limited data availability on the internal audit function (IAF) has constrained research on the topic. This study uses manually collected data from LinkedIn of internal audit personnel that overcome certain limitations of previous survey-based data. Using this longitudinal data, we find that IAF competency is inversely related to the propensity of material weaknesses and misstatements. We also find that IAF competency improves in the year following material weakness and restatement disclosures. Importantly, we document that the increase in competency is not uniform across firms and is greater in firms with longer auditor tenure and higher audit committee accounting expertise. These findings suggest that while there is no regulatory oversight governing the IAF, certain auditor and governance characteristics influence its value. Regulators that have focused on improving financial reporting quality by enhancing oversight over external auditors and audit committees should also consider focusing on the IAF.
NPH Insulin: Fewer Episodes of Severe Hypoglycemia Than Analogs and Less Than One-Half the Cost.

Adding a LABA to an inhaled corticosteroid is safe but does not reduce the likelihood of a serious exacerbation requiring hospitalization. There is a small reduction in nonsevere asthma exacerbations, with one fewer exacerbation for every 53 patients treated for six months.
Hürthle Cell Neoplasms in Papanicolaou- and Romanowsky-Stained Specimens

Hurthle cell neoplasms are a distinct category of thyroid neoplasms that originate from metaplastic thyroid follicular epithelial cells. Hurthle cells are identified by the presence of abundant, granular cytoplasm that is brightly eosinophilic on hematoxylin and eosin staining and contain numerous mitochondria ultrastructurally. On alcohol-fixed Papanicolaou-stained slides, the cells have abundant green, blue, or orange cytoplasm, while on air-dried Romanowsky-stained slides, the cells have abundant blue or gray-pink cytoplasm. Both of these slide preparations are routinely examined in our practice on the vast majority of our thyroid specimens. A number of controversies have surrounded Hurthle cell neoplasms since their original description, including whether it is possible to separate benign from malignant Hurthle cell lesions cytologically, or even histologically. A number of entities, both neoplastic and nonneoplastic, that are in the differential diagnosis of Hurthle cell neoplasms are discussed. As do most laboratories in the United States, we categorize our thyroid aspirates according to the Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology and do not attempt to separate Hurthle cell adenomas from Hurthle cell carcinomas on cytology specimens.
A CLASS OF HIGHLY REPEATED DNA SEQUENCES UBIQUITOUS TO THE HUMAN GENOME

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses a class of highly repeated DNA sequences ubiquitous to the human genome. A highly repetitive family of 300-nucleotide-long sequences has been isolated from human DNA. These sequences appear to be interspersed with single-copy DNA sequences and are characterized by a site for the restriction enzyme Alu I located 170 nucleotides from one end. The same sequence family has been found in 300-nucleotide long inverted repeated human DNA. This Alu family of sequences contains over half of the 300-nucleotide long repeated sequences and constitutes at least 3% of the human genome. This corresponds to a 300-nucleotide long sequence repeated more than 200,000 times. The Alu family appears to be interspersed throughout 30 to 60% of the human genome. The Alu family does not appear to be related to the tandemly repeated sequences which have been isolated from human DNA by restriction enzyme cleavage. These sequences may be related to repeated sequences which have been found to be interspersed throughout the hnRNA. These hnRNA sequences have a very low complexity as indicated by fingerprint analysis. The inverted repeated DNA sequences have been shown to contain the same sequences as the repeated hnRNA sequences.
Shear-induced amyloid formation of IDPs in the brain

The IDP amyloid β-protein (Aβ) has been both the prime causative suspect and drug development target in the fight against Alzheimer's disease (AD). Unfortunately, all clinical trials against Aβ based on this assumption have failed. This review proposes that the Aβ IDP conformation ensembles in the research laboratory may be somewhat different than those of Aβ found within the human brain. It is argued that the multiple quiescent Aβ molecular conformations may be the incorrect drug targets. Instead there may be much more complex ensembles found in the flowing liquids within the brain. The highly flexible Aβ is quite sensitive to shear-induced aggregation. Different shear types and shear energies must be generated by Aβ-containing fluids flowing through different constricted brain spaces at different velocities. A model is proposed in which Aβ subjected to shear-induced aggregation produces toxic Aβ oligomers that are different from those produced in the laboratory. It is proposed that amyloid researchers seeking Alzheimer drug candidates should perform experiments under shear conditions that attempt to mimic those found in the brain. Because Aβ experiments in devices with narrow bore capillaries are rather limited, it is imperative that further experiments of this type be carried out using spinal tap needles and microliter syringes. It is believed that analytical errors may be generated by plating out of amyloids on the inner wall surfaces of these capillary devices. It is suggested that shear-induced aggregation due to flow in confined brain fluid flow pathways may be responsible for many related amyloid diseases and brain trauma events.
Marital Status and Dementia: Evidence from the Health and Retirement Study

Objectives We provide one of the first population-based studies of variation in dementia by marital status in the United States. Method We analyzed data from the Health and Retirement Study (2000-2014). The sample included 15,379 respondents (6,650 men and 8,729 women) aged 52 years and older in 2000 who showed no evidence of dementia at the baseline survey. Dementia was assessed using either the modified version of the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS) or the proxy's assessment. Discrete-time hazard regression models were estimated to predict odds of dementia. Results All unmarried groups, including the cohabiting, divorced/separated, widowed, and never married, had significantly higher odds of developing dementia over the study period than their married counterparts; economic resources and, to a lesser degree, health-related factors accounted for only part of the marital status variation in dementia. For divorced/separated and widowed respondents, the differences in the odds of dementia relative to married respondents were greater among men than among women. Discussion These findings will be helpful for health policy makers and practitioners who seek to better identify vulnerable subpopulations and to design effective intervention strategies to reduce dementia risk.
Neonatal Severe Hyperparathyroidism: Novel Insights From Calcium, PTH, and the CASR Gene.

Context Neonatal severe hyperparathyroidism (NSHPT) is rare and potentially lethal. It is usually from homozygous or heterozygous germline-inactivating CASR variant(s). NSHPT shows a puzzling range of serum calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. Optimal therapy is unclear. Evidence acquisition We categorized genotype/phenotype pairings related to CASRs. For the 2 pairings in NSHPT, each of 57 cases of neonatal severe hyperparathyroidism required calcium, PTH, upper normal PTH, and dosage of a germline pathogenic CASR variant. Evidence synthesis Homozygous and heterozygous NSHPT are 2 among a spectrum of 9 genotype/phenotype pairings relating to CASRs and NSHPT. For the 2 NSHPT pairings, expressions differ in CASR allelic dosage, CASR variant severity, and sufficiency of maternofetal calcium fluxes. Homozygous dosage of CASR variants was generally more aggressive than heterozygous. Among heterozygotes, high-grade CASR variants in vitro were more pathogenic in vivo than low-grade variants. Fetal calcium insufficiency as from maternal hypoparathyroidism caused fetal secondary hyperparathyroidism, which persisted and was reversible in neonates. Among NSHPT pairings, calcium and PTH were higher in CASR homozygotes than in heterozygotes. Extreme hypercalcemia (above 4.5 mM; normal 2.2-2.6 mM) is a robust biomarker, occurring only in homozygotes (83% of that pairing). It could occur during the first week. Conclusions In NSHPT pairings, the homozygotes for pathogenic CASR variants show higher calcium and PTH levels than heterozygotes. Calcium levels above 4.5 mM among NSHPT are frequent and unique only to most homozygotes. This cutoff supports early and robust diagnosis of CASR dosage. Thereby, it promotes definitive total parathyroidectomy in most homozygotes.
Carburizing Heat Treatment of Selective-Laser-Melted 20MnCr5 Steel

As a novel manufacturing technology, additive manufacturing (AM) has many advantages such as energy saving, reduced material waste, faster design-to-build time, design optimization, reduction in manufacturing steps, and product customization compared to conventional manufacturing processes. Heat treatment is widely used to improve the properties of conventional manufactured steel parts. The response of additively manufactured steel parts to heat treatment may be different from conventionally manufactured steel parts due to variations in the as-deposited alloy microstructure. An understanding of heat treatment processes for additively manufactured steel parts is necessary to develop their heat treatment process parameters. In the present work, 20MnCr5 steel was selected to investigate the carburizing heat treatment of additively manufactured parts. These parts were fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM) for the carburizing study. It was found that the AM parts fabricated by the SLM process show the microstructure of tempered martensite, while the microstructure of as-received wrought part is ferrite and pearlite. It was also experimentally found that the SLM process decarburizes the entire SLM part. Before carburizing, a normalization process was conducted on both SLM and wrought 20MnCr5 parts to reduce the effect of the pre-carburizing microstructure. The objective of this project is to determine the carburizing performance of additively manufactured steel parts. The results for the SLM parts in terms of carbon concentration and microhardness profiles are compared with the results for the wrought steel. It was found that the carburized SLM part in the present work has higher carbon concentration near the surface, deeper case depth, and higher total carbon flux than the carburized wrought part.
Dynamic- and Static-Elastic Moduli and Strength Properties of Early-Age Portland Cement Concrete Pavement Mixtures

AbstractThis paper investigates the development of compressive strength (fc′), flexural strength (fr), and static elastic modulus (Ec) in relation to the dynamic modulus (Ed) for portland concrete ...
Clinical evaluation of SMBG systems

Abstract Error grid analysis was created to describe the clinical accuracy and significance of type 1 diabetes patients' estimations of current blood glucose levels; subsequently, it was used as a metric to describe the clinical accuracy of systems for self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG), and to teach patients and healthcare professionals how to use these data to monitor and adjust clinical decisions. The consensus error grid was developed based on clinicians' ratings of the danger of various errors in SMBG measurements. The recently designed surveillance error grid assigns a spectrum of risk to errors in SMBG results and may be useful in postmarket decision-making.
Association ofSOD3 promoter DNA methylation with its down-regulation in breast carcinomas.

Superoxide dismutase 3 (SOD3) is a secreted antioxidant enzyme that regulates reactive oxygen species in the microenvironment. It is also a potential tumour suppressor gene that is significantly do...
Nanoengineered Coating; Lotus Effect, Morphology, Contact Angles and Wettability

The understanding of the surface behavior, interaction, wettability, and topographies of surfaces with fluids is very important to remove impurities from the devices and components and to develop washing fluids to clean large area surfaces. We synthesized nano particle filled composites by wet and semi-wet techniques to achieve hydrophobicity and hence the lotus effect. Nanocomposites with different composition of polymers doped with titania nanoparticles were studied to evaluate effects on wettability. Light scattering methods were used to study the absorptions and particle size. The contact angle and hydrophobic characteristics were very composition dependent in thin film composites. At certain compositions, we observed that material showed very high anisotropy in droplet shapes which diminished with loadings of nanoparticles. These composites did not show any change in hydrophobic characteristics when exposed with ultraviolet radiation.
Plant trait heterosis is quantitatively associated with expression heterosis of the plastid ribosomal proteins

Abstract The use of hybrids is widespread in agriculture, yet the molecular basis for hybrid vigor (heterosis) remains obscure. To identify molecular components that may contribute to the known higher photosynthetic capacity of maize hybrids, we analyzed proteomic and transcriptomic data from seedling leaf tissues of the B73xMo17 hybrid and its inbred parents. Subunits of complexes required for chloroplast protein synthesis and for the light reactions of photosynthesis were expressed above mid-parent and high-parent levels, respectively. Nuclear and plastid-encoded subunits were expressed similarly and in a dominant pattern with B73 as the high-parent for most proteins. The reciprocal hybrid displayed the same pattern with B73 still the dominant parent. Protein expression patterns were mostly the same in the adult leaf blade. To identify potential seedling biomarkers for adult trait heterosis, we compared seedling leaf protein levels to adult plant heights of 15 hybrids with varied levels of heterosis. Expression heterosis (hybrid/mid-parent expression levels) was most positively correlated with plant height heterosis (hybrid/mid-parent plant height) for the plastid-encoded and nuclear-encoded chloroplast ribosomal proteins; the cytosolic ribosomal proteins were slightly less correlated. Ethylene biosynthetic enzymes were expressed below mid-parent levels in the hybrids, and the ethylene biosynthesis mutant, acs2/acs6, largely phenocopied the hybrid proteome, indicating that a reduction in ethylene biosynthesis may mediate the differences between inbreds and their hybrids. Levels of jasmonic acid biosynthetic enzymes were reduced in both acs2/acs6 and the hybrid. Expression heterosis of these proteins was most negatively correlated with plant height heterosis, indicating a potential role in heterosis. Significance Statement Heterosis (hybrid vigor) boosts the growth and resilience of crops and livestock above the levels of both parents, yet its underlying mechanisms remain unknown. We analyzed expression patterns of all proteins in maize hybrids and their inbred parents. Differences in several molecular machines and biochemical pathways were found and quantitatively assessed using a panel of 15 hybrids to determine association with trait heterosis. Seedling leaf chloroplast ribosomal proteins were able to quantitatively infer levels of adult plant heterosis. Expression levels of biosynthetic enzymes for the stress hormone, ethylene, were reduced in hybrids and mutation of these genes in an inbred caused the proteome to resemble a hybrid. Repression of ethylene biosynthesis may play a key role in maize heterosis.
A 12MHz/38.4MHz Fast Start-Up Crystal Oscillator using Impedance Guided Chirp Injection in 22nm FinFET CMOS

Low power mobile and edge computing systems requires fast wakeup for pleasant end user experience and for efficient data processing. Fast start up oscillators are needed to enable system to periodically go to sleep state and wakeup. Oscillators implementing techniques like negative resistance (Rn) boosting [1] or external power injection [2–5] demonstrated sub$- 100 \mu \mathrm{s}$ startup time. To boost Rn, either large bias current or multiple bias stages are required. Other techniques like Injection at start phase is proven to be highly efficient if the injected frequency matches the crystal frequency [4] or injected clock phase matches oscillation crossing phase [5]. However, it is difficult to maintain the injection frequency close to the crystal frequency across PVT variations and the efficiency drops sharply when there is a frequency mismatch [3]. Spreading the injection energy close to the target crystal using frequency dithering or chirp [2] can cover the crystal resonance frequency $(\mathrm{f}_{0})$, however energy is not concentrated at $\mathrm{f}_{0}$ which degrades the injection efficiency. To optimize the injection efficiency and hence startup time, a new robust impedance guided chirp injection (IGCI) frequency locking technique for ultrafast startup of reference oscillators is demonstrated in an Intel 22FFL test chip achieving 6.5x reduction in start-up time at 38.4MHz. An impedance guided feedback network detects $\mathrm{f}_{0}$ and injects high energy only at resonance. As a result, both start-up time and energy can be reduced significantly. Since the injection frequency is guided by the crystal impedance, a higher injection efficiency can always be guaranteed across PVT variations without accurate calibration of injection frequency and no high speed (power) detection circuit is needed.
A retrospective study of characteristics and survival in patients with breast cancer brain metastases classified by subtype using NCI SEER registry.

1031Background: Breast cancer brain metastasis (BCBM) de novo is associated with the worst prognosis among all types of metastases in breast cancer (BC). Analysis of factors associated with BCBM st...