cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Kant’s Compatibilism and His Two Conceptions of Truth

Kant is a compatibilist, in that he holds that the truth of determinism is compatible with the existence of free will, but he is also a conditional incompatibilist, in that he holds that if appearances were things in themselves, then both determinism and incompatibilism would be true. and therefore freedom would not obtain. The problem for Kant interpreters has been to reconcile Kant's compatibilism and conditional incompatibilism; in particular, the challenge is to show how Kant's transcendental idealism (his view that appearances are not things in themselves) makes compatibilism true. In this paper, 1 explain how Kant's views can be reconciled, and I argue that the relevance of transcendental idealism here is that it shows that determinism is known to be true, not in accordance with the familiar correspondence notion of truth, but only in accordance with a weaker notion of truth, Kant's empirical notion of truth, which is a kind of coherence notion of truth.
Failure to detect connexin43 mutations in 38 cases of sporadic and familial heterotaxy.

Background Heterotaxy results from failure to establish normal left/right asymmetry during embryonic development. Typical manifestations include complex heart defects and malpositioning of abdominal organs. Missense base substitutions clustered in a 150–base pair region of the gap-junction gene connexin43 (cx43) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of heterotaxy. Methods and Results cx43 was studied in 38 cases of sporadic and familial heterotaxy. A 400–base pair region containing the previously reported mutation sites was amplified and directly sequenced in 19 patients. Nineteen additional patients were tested for restriction fragments predicted by two of the previously reported missense substitutions. No difference from normal control subjects was detected in any of the patients. Conclusions Randomly selected cases of heterotaxy are unlikely to be the result of mutations in cx43 .
Some Curious Properties and Loci Problems Associated with Cubics and Other Polynomials

The article begins with a well-known property regarding tangent lines to a cubic polynomial that has distinct, real zeros. We were then able to generalize this property to any polynomial with distinct, real zeros. We also considered a certain family of cubics with two fixed zeros and one variable zero, and explored the loci of centroids of triangles associated with the family. Some fascinating connections were observed between the original family of the cubics and the loci of the centroids of these triangles. For example, we were able to prove that the locus of the centroid of certain triangles associated with the family of cubics is another cubic whose zeros are in arithmetic progression. Motivated by this, in the last section of the article, we considered families of cubic polynomials whose zeros are in arithmetic progression, along with the loci of the special points of certain triangles arising from such families. Special points include the centroid, circumcentre, orthocentre, and nine-point centre of...
Exploit failure prediction for adaptive fault-tolerance in cluster computing

As the scale of cluster computing grows, it is becoming hard for long-running applications to complete without facing failures on large-scale clusters. To address this issue, checkpointing/restart is widely used to provide the basic fault-tolerant functionality, yet it suffers from high overhead and its reactive characteristic. In this work, we propose FT-Pro, an adaptive fault management mechanism that optimally chooses migration, checkpointing or no action to reduce the application execution time in the presence of failures based on the failure prediction. A cost-based evaluation model is presented for dynamic decision at run-time. Using the actual failure log from a production cluster at NCSA, we demonstrate that even with modest failure prediction accuracy, FT-Pro outperforms the traditional checkpointing/restart strategy by 13%-30% in terms of reducing the application execution time despite failures, which is a significant performance improvement for long-running applications.
Pro: Has carotid angioplasty and stenting replaced carotid endarterectomy as the treatment of choice for carotid artery disease?

AROTID ENDARTERECTOMY (CEA) has been considered the gold standard for the treatment of extracranial carotid artery disease since the publication of the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET) and the Asymptomatic Carotid Atherosclerosis Study (ACAS). 1,2 These trials demonstrated decreased morbidity and mortality in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients undergoing the procedure versus medical therapy, and often are used as the comparison between CEA and carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS). Specifically, NASCET showed a decrease in the stroke rate from 26% to 9% over 2 years in symptomatic patients, and ACAS demonstrated a reduction in the stroke rate from 11% to 5% over 5 years in asymptomatic patients with 60% stenosis. These results were recently confirmed by the Asymptomatic Carotid Surgery Trial, with a decrease in the 5-year risk of stroke from 11.8% to 6.4% in asymptomatic patients. 3 The ability to generalize these results across a broad spectrum of surgeons has been confirmed through the use of administrative databases and programs such as the National Surgery Quality Improvement Program. 4 In fact, current recommendations are that CEA will benefit asymptomatic patients with a hemodynamically significant stenosis and a life expectancy of 3 to 5 years, as long as the stroke and death rates are less than 3%. Symptomatic patients with a 70% stenosis will benefit from treatment if the expected event rate is less than 6%. However, several potential criticisms have been raised against using this data as the standard for comparison. Many high-risk patients were excluded from these randomized trials since the patients were deemed low-surgical-risk candidates. In addition, major adverse event rates as high as 14-18% were reported in some subgroups of patients included in these trials, such as those with contralateral internal carotid artery occlusion or significant coronary artery disease. In addition, it has been suggested that the results of many surgical series may be biased, with underreporting of events due to the lack of independent neurologic evaluation of patients. Finally, the results of CEA in patients with recurrent stenosis show a significantly higher incidence of cranial nerve injury in many series. 5 Thus, CAS has been proposed as a potentially less invasive and less morbid method of revascularization for some patients. It has been suggested that CAS may be of benefit in patients with anatomic high-risk factors such as previous head and neck
Sonographic evaluation of first-trimester bleeding

Vaginal bleeding is a leading cause of presentation for emergency care during the first trimester of the pregnancy. Clinical assessment of the pregnancy outcome at this stage is less reliable. US examination is crucial in establishing IUP and early pregnancy failure and to exclude other causes of bleeding, such as ectopic pregnancy and molar pregnancy. Diagnosis of a normal IUP at this stage not only assists the physician in an expectant management, but also gives a psychologic boost to the patient. With recent advances in US technology and the availability of high-frequency transvaginal transducers, reliable diagnosis of early pregnancy failure can be made even before the embryo is visible.
ENSO Modulation: Is It Decadally Predictable?

Observations and climate simulations exhibit epochs of extreme El Ni~ Oscillation (ENSO) behavior that can persist for decades. Previous studies have revealed a wide range of ENSO responses to forcings from greenhouse gases, aerosols, and orbital variations, but they have also shown that interdecadal modulation of ENSO can arise even without such forcings. The present study examines the predictability of this intrinsically generated component of ENSO modulation, using a 4000-yr unforced control run from a global coupled GCM [GFDL Climate Model, version 2.1 (CM2.1)] with a fairly realistic representation of ENSO.ExtremeENSOepochsfromthe unforced simulation arereforecastusingthesame(‘‘perfect’’) model but slightly perturbed initial conditions. These 40-member reforecast ensembles display potential predictability of the ENSO trajectory, extending up to several years ahead. However, no decadal-scale predictability of ENSO behavior is found. This indicates that multidecadal epochs of extreme ENSO behavior can arise not only intrinsically but also delicately and entirely at random. Previous work had shown that CM2.1 generates strong, reasonably realistic, decadally predictable high-latitude climate signals, as well as tropical and extratropical decadal signals that interact with ENSO. However, those slow variations appear not to lend significant decadal predictability to this model’s ENSO behavior, at least in the absence of external forcings. While the potential implications of these results are sobering for decadal predictability, they also offer an expedited approach to model evaluation and development, in which large ensembles of short runs are executed in parallel, to quickly and robustly evaluate simulations of ENSO. Further implications are discussed for decadal prediction, attribution of past and future ENSO variations, and societal vulnerability.
Television commercial violence during nonviolent programming: the 1998 major league baseball playoffs.

Objectives. To identify the frequency of violent commercials during the major league baseball playoffs in 1998 and to compare it with the 1996 playoffs. Design and Setting. All 4 World Series games televised on the Fox Television Network (Fox), all 6 National League Championship Series (NLCS) televised by Fox, and 5 of 6 American League Championship Series (ALCS) playoff games televised by the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) were videotaped in October 1998. The results were compared with a similar study that analyzed the 1996 playoffs. Results. Forty-four commercials (11.0 per game) that included violent interactions were noted during the World Series, 53 violent commercials (8.8 per game) during the NLCS, and 40 (8.0 per game) during the ALCS for a total of 137. Of these 137 violent commercials, 78 contained at least 1 violent act, 126 contained at least 1 violent threat, and 12 contained evidence of at least 1 violent consequence. One hundred five of the 137 violent commercials (76.6%) were television promotions and 23 (16.8%) were for big-screen movie promotions. Twenty-three of 35 big-screen movie promotions (65.7%) were violent. Ten of the 137 violent commercials (7.3%) contained obvious blood, of which 9 were televised by NBC. There were, however, an additional 20 commercials televised by Fox that contained visible blood if the videotape was slowed or paused. Sixty-three of the 137 violent commercials (46.0%) used fire and explosions, of which 53 were televised by Fox and 10 by NBC. Guns were involved in 86 of 137 violent commercials (62.8%), with Fox accounting for 64 (6.4 per game) and NBC accounting for 22 (4.4 per game). Knives were used in 1 violent commercial on both Fox and NBC. Comparisons that can be made to 1996 include the following: 1) violent commercials during the World Series (both televised by Fox) increased from 10.1 to 11.0 per game; and 2) violent commercials during the ALCS (both televised by NBC) increased from 6.0 to 8.0 per game. Conclusion. Commercials during the 1998 major league playoffs were similar in violent content, compared with 1996. The violent commercials continue to consist primarily of promotions for television programs and big-screen movies. It continues to be counterintuitive to find such commercials in family-oriented programming and makes it difficult for parents to avoid exposing their children to this form of violence.
The Mos pathway regulates cytoplasmic polyadenylation in Xenopus oocytes.

Cytoplasmic polyadenylation controls the translation of several maternal mRNAs during Xenopus oocyte maturation and requires two sequences in the 3* untranslated region (UTR), the U-rich cytoplasmic polyadenylation element (CPE), and the hexanucleotide AAUAAA. c-mos mRNA is polyadenylated and translated soon after the induction of maturation, and this protein kinase is necessary for a kinase cascade culminating in cdc2 kinase (MPF) activation. Other mRNAs are polyadenylated later, around the time of cdc2 kinase activation. To determine whether there is a hierarchy in the cytoplasmic polyadenylation of maternal mRNAs, we ablated c-mos mRNA with an antisense oligonucleotide. This prevented histone B4 and cyclin A1 and B1 mRNA polyadenylation, indicating that the polyadenylation of these mRNAs is Mos dependent. To investigate a possible role of cdc2 kinase in this process, cyclin B was injected into oocytes lacking c-mos mRNA. cdc2 kinase was activated, but mitogen-activated protein kinase was not. However, polyadenylation of cyclin B1 and histone B4 mRNA was still observed. This demonstrates that cdc2 kinase can induce cytoplasmic polyadenylation in the absence of Mos. Our data further indicate that although phosphorylation of the CPE binding protein may be involved in the induction of Mos-dependent polyadenylation, it is not required for Mosindependent polyadenylation. We characterized the elements conferring Mos dependence (Mos response elements) in the histone B4 and cyclin B1 mRNAs by mutational analysis. For histone B4 mRNA, the Mos response elements were in the coding region or 5* UTR. For cyclin B1 mRNA, the main Mos response element was a CPE that overlaps with the AAUAAA hexanucleotide. This indicates that the position of the CPE can have a profound influence on the timing of cytoplasmic polyadenylation.
Dynamic allostery governs cyclophilin A–HIV capsid interplay

Host factor protein Cyclophilin A (CypA) regulates HIV-1 viral infectivity through direct interactions with the viral capsid, by an unknown mechanism. CypA can either promote or inhibit viral infection, depending on host cell type and HIV-1 capsid (CA) protein sequence. We have examined the role of conformational dynamics on the nanosecond to millisecond timescale in HIV-1 CA assemblies in the escape from CypA dependence, by magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR and molecular dynamics (MD). Through the analysis of backbone (1)H-(15)N and (1)H-(13)C dipolar tensors and peak intensities from 3D MAS NMR spectra of wild-type and the A92E and G94D CypA escape mutants, we demonstrate that assembled CA is dynamic, particularly in loop regions. The CypA loop in assembled wild-type CA from two strains exhibits unprecedented mobility on the nanosecond to microsecond timescales, and the experimental NMR dipolar order parameters are in quantitative agreement with those calculated from MD trajectories. Remarkably, the CypA loop dynamics of wild-type CA HXB2 assembly is significantly attenuated upon CypA binding, and the dynamics profiles of the A92E and G94D CypA escape mutants closely resemble that of wild-type CA assembly in complex with CypA. These results suggest that CypA loop dynamics is a determining factor in HIV-1's escape from CypA dependence.
Simbeeotic: a simulator and testbed for micro-aerial vehicle swarm experiments

ABSTRACT Micro-aerial vehicle (MAV) swarms are an emerging class of mobile sensing systems. Simulation and staged deployment to prototype testbeds are useful in the early stages of large-scale system design, when hardware is unavailable or deployment at scale is impractical. To faithfully represent the problem domain, a MAV swarm simulator must be able to model the key aspects of the sys-tem: actuation, sensing, and communication. We present Simbee-otic, a simulation framework geared toward modeling swarms of MAVs. Simbeeotic enables algorithm development and rapid MAV prototyping through pure simulation and hardware-in-the-loop ex-perimentation. We demonstrate that Simbeeotic provides the appropriate level of fidelity to evaluate prototype systems while maintaining the ability to test at scale.
Chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia: A concise clinical and pathophysiological review

Chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (CMML) is a clonal haematopoietic stem cell disorder with myelodysplastic and myeloproliferative overlap features, and an inherent tendency to transform to acute myeloid leukaemia. Approximately 30% of patients present with clonal cytogenetic abnormalities, while almost 90% have molecular aberrations involving epigenetic regulation, the spliceosome component machinery, tumour suppressor genes and transcription factors/regulators. Numerous prognostic models exist for CMML, with more recent models incorporating prognostic mutations, such as those involving ASXL1. Other variables that seem to consistently affect outcomes include the degree of leucocytosis/monocytosis, anaemia and thrombocytopenia. Allogeneic stem cell transplant remains the only curative option for CMML, while hypomethylating agents can be used for transplant-ineligible patients or those without suitable stem cell sources. Targeting biological pathways activated in CMML offers potential hope for more effective and less toxic therapies.
The earned income tax credit, mental health, and happiness

We study the impact of the earned income tax credit (EITC) on various measures of subjective well-being (SWB) using the National Survey of Families and Households (NSFH) to estimate intent-to-treat effects of the EITC expansion embedded in the 1990 Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. We use a difference-in-differences framework that compares the pre-and post-expansion SWB-changes of women likely eligible for the EITC (low-skilled mothers of working age) to the SWB-changes of a comparison group that is likely ineligible (low-skilled, childless women of working age). Our results suggest that the EITC expansion generated sizeable SWB-improvements in the three major categories of SWB identified in the literature. The NSFH is one of few datasets containing all three major categories of SWB. Subgroup analyses by marital status suggest that improvements accrued more to married than unmarried mothers. Relative to their childless counterparts, married mothers experienced a 15.7% decrease in depression symptomatology (experiential SWB), a 4.4% increase in happiness (evaluative SWB), and a 10.1% increase in self-esteem (eudemonic SWB). We also present specification checks that increase confidence that the observed SWB-effects are explained by the OBRA90 EITC expansion. Lastly, we explore mechanisms that may explain the differential impact of the EITC expansion by marital status.
High throughput screening of seafood for foodborne pathogens

Abstract A movement toward high throughput screening (HTS) is necessary to meet the ever-expanding needs of the food safety community. In an effort to meet these needs, the development and application of HTS techniques are constantly and quickly evolving. This chapter provides an overview of the pathogens and commodities of greatest concern for seafood safety. The progression of the development and application of available rapid screening methods for these pathogens will be presented, including traditional methods and potential modification of those to increase sample throughput. The contemporary, rapid detection methods that can facilitate HTS of seafood will be emphasized. Commercially available systems and future trends for HTS in seafood will also be briefly described.
The Effect of Head Position and/or Stance on the Self-perception of Phonatory Effort.

Summary Background Vocal fatigue is a common but poorly defined complaint of patients presenting with voice disorders. Definitions of vocal fatigue generally include increased self-perceived phonatory effort resulting from references to vocal loading or prolonged voice use resulting in deterioration of function. The present study looks at the role of posture, specifically head position and stance, in self-perceived phonatory effort. Methods Forty-six healthy adults, 13 males and 33 females (mean age was 27.5), with no history of vocal problems/disorders within the past year were recruited. Subjects were asked to sustain the vowel /a/ at a comfortable pitch and loudness for 5–10 seconds in each of six positions: sitting and standing in the manner habitual for each subject, two exaggerated positions of the head (head back and head forward), and two exaggerated positions in standing (standing with knees locked and with knees soft). Each position was repeated three times in randomized order, resulting in 18 trials for each subject. After each repetition of the sustained /a/, subjects were asked to rate their experience of vocal effort using a 100-mm visual analog scale (0–40 least effort, 40–60 habitual effort, and 60–100 increased effort). Results Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed significant difference in the self-perceived phonatory effort levels across positions ( P value post hoc tests ( P Conclusions Based on the findings, posture may play a more important role in vocal fatigue than previously thought.
A Review of Lattice Boltzmann Methods for Multiphase Flows Relevant to Engine Sprays

This paper reviews some applications of lattice Boltzmann methods (LBM) to compute multiphase flows. The method is based on the solution of a kinetic equation which describes the evolution of the distribution of the population of particles whose collective behavior reproduces fluid behavior. The distribution is modified by particle streaming and collisions on a lattice. Modeling of physics at a mesoscopic level enables LBM to naturally incorporate physical properties needed to compute complex flows. In multiphase flows, the surface tension and phase segregation are incorporated by considering intermolecular attraction forces. Furthermore, the solution of the kinetic equations representing linear advection and collision, in which nonlinearity is lumped locally, makes it parallelizable with relative ease. In this paper, a brief review of the lattice Boltzmann method relevant to engine sprays will be presented. As examples of applications of the model, results of drop-drop collisions, drop deformation and liquid jet break-up will be presented. Challenges in employing the LBM will be highlighted.
Determining Spurious Correlation between Two Variables with Common Elements: Event Area-Weighted Suspended Sediment Yield and Event Mean Runoff Depth

Spurious correlation is a classic statistical pitfall pervasive to many disciplines including geography. Although methods of calculating the spurious correlation between two variables possessing a common element in the form of sum, ratio, or product have been developed for a long time, controversial assertions on whether the spurious correlation should be treated or ignored are still prevalent. In this study, we examined this well-known but intriguing issue using the data representing two nonindependent variables, event area-weighted suspended sediment yield (SSYe) and event mean runoff depth (h). By transferring the correlation between SSYe and h to that between suspended sediment transport rate (Qs) and water discharge (Q), we developed a new method of determining whether Qs is truly correlated to Q. The method involves calculating coefficients of spurious correlation () and the associated “pure” spurious correlation (), a hypothesis test, and regression between and . Our analysis showed that (1) there ...
Hidden Substitutes

Substitutable preferences, i.e., preferences without complementarities, are necessary to guarantee the existence of stable outcomes in many market design settings. In this paper, we highlight a form of "hidden substitutability" that arises in many-to-one matching markets with contracts: some preferences over contracts that exhibit complementarity in fact have an underlying substitutable structure. Specifically, we show that some preferences that are not substitutable in the setting of many-to-one matching with contracts become substitutable when an employer is allowed to sign multiple contracts with an individual worker. These substitutably completable preferences guarantee the existence of stable contracting outcomes, even though stable outcomes are not guaranteed, in general, when complementarities are present. Our results imply the existence of a stable, strategy-proof mechanism for allocating workers with specialized skillsets; moreover, our results give new insight into the existing applications of matching with contracts to cadet--branch matching and the design of affirmative action programs.
Angiotensin II und koronare Herzerkrankung, Herzinsuffizienz und plötzlicher Herztod

Ein aktiviertes Renin-Angiotensin-System ist ein wesentlicher Risikofaktor fur kardiovaskulare Ereignisse. Angiotensin II bindet an AT1- und AT2-Rezeptoren. Eine Stimulation von AT1-Rezeptoren geht einher mit einer endothelialen Dysfunktion, hauptsachlich als Konsequenz einer gesteigerten vaskularen Produktion von Superoxid-Radikalen, einer Vasokonstriktion, einer Plattchenaktivierung, einer Freisetzung des Plasminogen-Aktivator-Inhibitors 1, einer Aktivierung der „early-response“-Gene c-fos and c-jun, einer Myozytenhypertrophie, einer Bildung von Bindegewebe, einer Synthese von Endothelin 1 und einer Aktivierung der Wachstumsfaktoren PDGF and TGF-s1.
CONCEPTS IN DESIGN OF COASTAL STRUCTURES

Certain design of the existing and proposed coastal structures for lateral loading in the United States is presently based upon the use of timber which is structurally inefficient in the elastic range. Figure 1, for example, indicates the plan of timber pile structure. This is a low- capacity dolphin composed of 19 piles, where piles in line of load carry two times axial load and three times larger shear than next piles in line of load. A relatively small load will be conducive to yield in the tension or compression members. Repetitive loading will gradually cause collapse of such structure. Being inefficient in the elastic range, timber structures may nevertheless, be adequate to provide safety for condition of shallow water, moderate wind pressures, moderate tides, and for moderate cross and reversing currents. However, such factors as: traffic safety, the possibility of marine borer attack, the location of structures in greater water depths, where they are exposed to waves, currents, tides, winds, and floating objects, indicate a need for larger capacity, more reliable and functional coastal structures consistent with the growing requirements.
Structural investigation of HCN polymer isotopomers by solution-state multidimensional NMR.

Hydrogen cyanide is considered as an important precursor to amino acids and nucleic acids, and its polymers could have profound implications on prebiotic chemistry. Several structures of HCN polymers are speculated, but these structures are disparate both chemically as well as structurally. Here, we employ solution-state NMR spectroscopy to investigate the structure of HCN polymers with 13C and 15N isotopic enrichment. From the multinuclear and multidimensional NMR investigations, we identify some discrete structural units for the most concentrated small molecular components and suggest that the dominating polymers are polyimine chain-like structures, which are formed by base-catalyzed nucleophilic addition reactions.
Cardiac and autonomic mechanisms contributing to SUDEP.

Abstract Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy is likely caused by a cascade of events affecting the vegetative nervous system leading to cardiorespiratory failure and death. Multiple genetic, electrophysiological, neurochemical, and pharmacological cardiac alterations have been associated with epilepsy, which can affect autonomic regulation of the heart and predispose patients to sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. These cardiac and autonomic changes are more frequently seen in patients with longstanding and medication refractory epilepsy and may be a prerequisite for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. Cardiac changes are also observed within the immediate periictal period in patients with and without preexisting cardiac pathology and could be the tipping point in the cascade of events compromising autonomic, respiratory, and cardiac function during an epileptic convulsion. Better understanding if and how these cardiac alterations can make a particular individual with epilepsy more susceptible to sudden unexpected death in epilepsy will hopefully lead us to more effective preventative strategies.
Effect of amygdaloid lesions on pituitary-adrenal axis in the deermouse.

SummaryThe effects of lesions in the medial amygdaloid complex in the deermouse on the pituitary-adrenal axis was investigated. Within 12 hours after lesions, plasma and pituitary ACTH increased significantly and remained significantly higher than control, unlesioned animals. The increases of ACTH also led to significant increases of plasma and adrenal corticosterone. It was concluded that the medial amygdaloid group possibly may exert an inhibitory effect on the pituitary-adrenal axis in the deermouse.
Teaching the Foundations of the Field: A Content Analysis of Potential Creativity Texts

A comparative review was conducted on 7 current books on creativity for consideration as potential text for an undergraduate creativity course, and their content was analyzed based on 13 themes. Choice of books and themes were generated by surveying 13 leading scholars in the field. Themes included Theories and Definitions, Measurement and Assessment, Types of Creativity, and Motivation, among others. A summary of each book is given with the price and which themes it covers, as well as how themes have changed in importance between this analysis and a similar one from 12 year prior.
DNA, Blue Bus, and phase changes

In ‘Exploring the Proof Paradoxes’, Mike Redmayne comprehensively surveyed the puzzles at the intersection of law and statistics, the most famous of which is the Blue Bus problem, which prohibits legal actors from ascribing liability purely on the basis of probabilistic evidence. DNA evidence, however, is a longstanding exception to Blue Bus. Like Blue Bus, DNA presents probabilistic evidence of identity. Unlike Blue Bus, DNA is widely accepted as legitimate, even when it stands alone as so-called ‘naked’ statistical evidence. Observers often explain such DNA exceptionalism in two ways: either that people break down in extreme cases, or relatedly, that modern DNA testing generates effectively unique (as opposed to probabilistic) identifications. While both explanations are understandable, they are unsatisfying in certain ways. Breakdown theory seems unprincipled and falls victim to slippery slopes. Uniqueness theory rests on a fiction and fails to delineate a threshold for when probabilities are sufficien...
Research on Application of UHVDC Segmented Composite Insulators

It is possible to adopt segmented composite insulators in ±800 kV UHVDC transmission lines. In allusion to various technical problems possibly brought by adopting segmented composite insulators, the electric field strength calculation of V-shaped segmented composite insulator strings as well as the research on voltage equalizing characteristics, switching impulse discharge characteristics and corona characteristic test of air clearance at tower head are performed. Research results show that configuring small grading ring to the intermediate junction fitting for V-shaped segmented composite insulator string can improve the electric field strength at the terminal of intermediate fitting effectively; there is no obvious difference between the switching impulse test result of the V-shaped insulator string composed of single unitary insulator in each arm and that of V-shaped segmented composite insulator string, however the discharging path will be affected; there is no occurrence of corona on the intermediate fittings under the voltage of ±1 050 kV. According to experimental results, when V-shaped segmented composite insulators is used in UHVDC transmission project, the configuration scheme of grading ring for V-shaped insulator string composed of single unitary insulator in each arm can still be continued to use to the grading ring configuration at high and low voltage sides, and it is recommended that small grading rings are respectively installed to the intermediate junction positions of DC segmented composite insulators to avoid the affect of arc on terminal crimp area of composite insulator. The research results are available for technical reference in the design of follow-up UHVDC transmission projects and the type selection of insulators.
Adenomas of the pituitary gland--an epidemic?

Within the past decade, there has been a marked increase in the frequency of diagnosis of pituitary tumor in many medical centers. Factors that may be related to increased frequency of diagnosis as well as increased incidence are discussed.
A Time-frequency search for stock market anomalies

We carry out a time-frequency analysis of daily values of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 Index of stock prices based on 62 years of data. The algorithm used is based on pruning dyadic trees to obtain optimal stationary segmentations of nonstationary time series. The resulting time-frequency representations yield insights into the frequency-domain evolution of the US stock market. Details concerning computational speed and recombination are briefly addressed.
A Rule-ordering Theory of Blocking in Nonderived Environments

In Nonderived Environment Blocking (NDEB), a phonological process applies across morpheme boundaries or morpheme-internally when fed by another phonological process but is otherwise blocked from applying. NDEB poses a challenge to both rule-based phonology and Optimality Theory: if P is a process that is blocked in nonderived environments, the challenge in both frameworks is to partition the set of environments of application of P into two subsets – corresponding to derived and nonderived environments – and block the application of the process precisely in nonderived environments. My goal in this paper is to show that NDEB can be reduced to rule ordering. I will do so by presenting a rule-ordering theory of NDEB that uses morpheme structure rules. Every rule P that is blocked in nonderived environments will be ordered after a morpheme structure rule R that removes P’s environments of application. Since morpheme structure rules apply to URs of individual morphemes (which correspond to nonderived environments), R will prevent P from applying precisely in nonderived environments.
Electronic structure aspects of the spin-forbidden reaction CH3(X 2A2″)+N(4S)→HCN(X 1Σ+)+H2(X 1Σg+)

Second order configuration interaction wave functions based on molecular orbitals determined from a state-averaged multiconfigurational self-consistent field procedure are used to investigate the intermediate complex driven model for the spin-forbidden reaction CH3(X 2A2″)+N(4S)→HCN(X 1Σ+)+H2(X 1Σ+). The minimum energy crossing point (MECP), the minimum energy point on the surface of intersection connecting the reactant channel, 3A′′ potential energy surface, and product channel 1A′ potential energy surface, is determined directly, i.e., without a priori characterization of the individual potential energy surfaces. The MECP is found to be 8.2 kcal/mol below of the reactants. The structure at the MECP clearly evinces the incipient formation of a H2 bond. Barrierless paths from the reactants to the intermediate complex-methylnitrene, from the intermediate complex to the MECP, and from the MECP to the products are established. The absence of a barrier on these paths supports the intermediate complex mechanis...
Methylation maintains HSC division fate.

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are responsible for maintaining a sufficient pool of self-renewing cells that can continuously differentiate into lineage-specific hematopoietic cells throughout the lifetime of an individual (1). The choice to self-renew or differentiate is most likely achieved through coordination of extrinsic and intrinsic cell fate signals that drive symmetrical or asymmetrical cell divisions. Several examples of extrinsic signals have been described that regulate HSC self-renewal or differentiation, including Notch signaling in the bone marrow niche (2). Intrinsic mechanisms that regulate these alternative modes of HSC division are still relatively unknown; however, alterations in epigenetic inheritance have been hypothesized as a driving factor. DNA methylation is a heritable epigenetic mark that is highly symmetrical, where 99% of methylated CpG dinucleotides are found to be methylated on both DNA strands (3). DNA methylation patterns are reestablished upon cell division during S phase by the action of DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1). DNMT1 recognizes hemimethylated DNA and remethylates the newly synthesized daughter strand, facilitating epigenetic inheritance in the genome during cell division. In PNAS, a study by Zhao et al. (4) describes how disruption in DNA methylation maintenance has the potential to alter HSC division modes and deregulate lineage-specific gene expression spontaneously, ultimately blocking the self-renewal capacity of HSCs, which leads to their rapid depletion. The molecular mechanism by which DNA methylation regulates transcription and lineage specification is known to be dependent on the complement of factors that can recognize, and are recruited at, sites of differential methylation. Gene promoters often harbor regions of high CpG density known as CpG islands (CGIs) that are typically hypomethylated. Hypomethylation in promoter CGIs may serve as a recruitment signal for transcriptional activators or CXXC-domain–containing proteins that establish a transcriptionally active chromatin (5). Alternatively, methylated CpGs could prevent binding of transcriptional regulators or attract methyl-CpG–binding proteins … [↵][1]1Email: luisa.cimmino{at}nyumc.org. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Robust Estimation of Object Dimensions and External Defect Detection with a Low-Cost Sensor

The measurement of object dimensions as well as the detection and localization of external defects are of large importance for many sectors in industry including agriculture, transportation and production. In this paper we investigate the feasibility of using commercial depth-sensing devices, based on a time-of-flight technology, such as the Kinect v2 camera, for the measurement and inspection of cuboidal objects (boxes). This paper presents a simplified system using only one Kinect sensor. At the beginning, object dimensions are roughly estimated by discovering the best-fit planes for a cloud of point based on a modified version of RANSAC (RANdom Sample Consensus). The precise geometry and morphology of the objects are then achieved by a transformation from depth to RGB representation of the points estimated as belonging to the object. RGB representation is finally processed (using scanlines on the RGB plane perpendicular to the initial edge estimate) to approximate at best the contour of the bounding box. In addition to the above, the paper proposes a method to automatically highlight defects on the objects’ surfaces: this inspection task is performed through the analysis of both the 2D object contours and the histogram of the normalized depth values. The proposed methodology takes a few seconds to deliver the results for the monitored object and, it experienced encouraging results in terms of accuracy. Indeed, the system measured the dimensions of a set of cuboidal objects with an average error of 5 mm and it was able to identify and locate defects and holes on lateral and topmost surfaces. The experimental outcomes pointed out that the system could be effectively exploited within industrial inspection applications, even more so if the low cost of the system is taken under consideration.
Conserving amphibians in the face of land development: integrating field experiments as a planning tool

Regulations designed to guide development practices inadequately reflect ecological understanding and fall short of preserving viable habitats. Environmental consultants use rapid assessments and monitoring on individual ponds to rank pond habitat quality, relying on coarse proxies, including vegetative indicators, soil characteristics, hydroperiod, and breeding evidence in obligate species. Planners incorporate these rankings to inform the layout of neighborhoods, roadways, infrastructure and housing. However, important drivers of amphibian survival and fecundity -- including metapopulation dynamics, habitat connectivity, watershed health, terrestrial density dependence, and environmental gradients -- are often poorly measured and regulated. Given that development proceeds regardless, what options exists improve land development practices? Integrating experimentation into the planning process can inform land development and improve amphibian conservation. Working as part of the design team we employed an adaptive approach called designed experiment to inform development practices. We manipulated Ambystoma opacum larvae within enclosures to test the effects of inter-pond conditions (versus intra-pond density dependence) on the survival and fecundity of conspecifics, Rana sylvatica and Ambystoma maculatum. While the A. maculatum populations were decimated with only 1.5 % survival. For A. opacum and R. sylvatica results indicate habitat variation between ponds accounted for 63.7% and 50.3% of the variance in survival rates of larvae, respectively, and are not predicted by the presence and abundance of egg masses, while density effects accounted for 3.5% and 2.8% of the variation in survival. The results suggest that ponds ranked as high value based on egg mass counts may actually function as habitat sinks. This study illustrates the potential value of assessment approaches that emphasize habitat quality across pond clusters to guide mitigation, conservation, regulations, and to establish sites and funding for ecological research.
Linking CSR Communication Activities to Consumer Brand Evaluations: An Examination of Mediating and Moderating Factors Linking CSR Communication to Brand Evaluations

Using an online survey with an embedded experiment, the current study examines the effect of CSR message context (i.e., social vs. environmental focus) and related factors on individuals' assessmen...
Using physical experiments to estimate the curvatures of principal connections underlying swimming at low reynolds number

The self-propulsion of an articulated body executing cyclic changes in shape in a fluid at low Reynolds number can be modeled geometrically in terms of a connection in a principal fiber bundle. Visualization of the local curvature of this connection enables an intuitive approach to motion planning. We derive connections from idealized physical models for two such systems — one canonical, the other novel — and compare the curvatures of these connections with physical data from laboratory experiments with robots propelling themselves through fluids at Reynolds numbers of order one. Our comparisons validate the models qualitatively and suggest a general strategy for extracting curvature estimates for systems when theoretical models are unavailable.
Effects of the addition of trace amounts of Sc on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-11.6Si alloys

Abstract The effects of the addition of trace amounts of scandium on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-11.6Si alloy were investigated. The results show that the iron-bearing phase of Al-11.6Si alloy without the addition of Sc in the aluminum matrix was present in the acicular form. This acicular iron-bearing phase is a hard and brittle intermetallic compound that is easily broken during the solidification process, causing serious damage in the mechanical properties (especially the ductility) of the alloy. During thermal exposure to high temperature at 250 °C for 100 h, the Al-11.6Si alloy without the addition of Sc undergoes recovery and recrystallization, reducing the mechanical strength. However, trace amounts of Sc transform the acicular iron-bearing phase of Al-11.6Si alloy into the chinese-script iron-bearing phase, thereby reducing the length and the amount of the iron-bearing phase. These factors enhance the ductility of Al-11.6Si alloy with Sc addition. In addition, it was remarkably found that a high density of L12-ordered Al3Sc precipitates are formed during thermal exposure at 250 °C for 100 h in Al-11.6Si alloy with Sc addition. The precipitation of L12-ordered Al3Sc precipitates effectively inhibited grain growth and hindered the movement of dislocations. These factors led to the Sc-containing alloy having the best mechanical properties (strength and ductility) than Al-11.6Si alloy without Sc addition during the following thermal exposure at 250 °C.
Analytical model of the feto-placental vascular system: consideration of placental oxygen transport

The placenta is a transient vascular organ that enables nutrients and blood gases to be exchanged between fetal and maternal circulations. Herein, the structure and oxygen diffusion across the trophoblast membrane between the fetal and maternal red blood cells in the feto-placental vasculature system in both human and mouse placentas are presented together as a functional unit. Previous models have claimed that the most efficient fetal blood flow relies upon structures containing a number of 'conductive' symmetrical branches, offering a path of minimal resistance that maximizes blood flow to the terminal villi, where oxygen diffusion occurs. However, most of these models have disregarded the actual descriptions of the exchange at the level of the intermediate and terminal villi. We are proposing a 'mixed model' whereby both 'conductive' and 'terminal' villi are presumed to be present at the end of single (in human) or multiple (in mouse) pregnancies. We predict an optimal number of 18 and 22 bifurcation levels in the human and the mouse placentas, respectively. Wherever possible, we have compared our model's predictions with experimental results reported in the literature and found close agreement between them.
High-resolution sub-Doppler infrared spectroscopy of atmospherically relevant Criegee precursor CH 2 I radicals: CH 2 stretch vibrations and "charge-sloshing" dynamics

The combination of a pulsed supersonic slit-discharge source and single-mode difference frequency direct absorption infrared spectroscopy permit first high resolution infrared study of the iodomethyl (CH2I) radical, with the CH2I radical species generated in a slit jet Ne/He discharge and cooled to 16 K in the supersonic expansion. Dual laser beam detection and collisional collimation in the slit expansion yield sub-Doppler linewidths (60 MHz), an absolute frequency calibration of 13 MHz, and absorbance sensitivities within a factor of two of the shot-noise limit. Fully rovibrationally resolved direct absorption spectra of the CH2 symmetric stretch mode (ν2) are obtained and fitted to a Watson asymmetric top Hamiltonian with electron spin-rotation coupling, providing precision rotational constants and spin-rotation tensor elements for the vibrationally excited state. Analysis of the asymmetric top rotational constants confirms a vibrationally averaged planar geometry in both the ground- and first-excited vibrational levels. Sub-Doppler resolution permits additional nuclear spin hyperfine structures to be observed, with splittings in excellent agreement with microwave measurements on the ground state. Spectroscopic data on CH2I facilitate systematic comparison with previous studies of halogen-substituted methyl radicals, with the periodic trends strongly correlated with the electronegativity of the halogen atom. Interestingly, we do not observe any asymmetric CH2 stretch transitions, despite S/N ≈ 25:1 on strongest lines in the corresponding symmetric CH2 stretch manifold. This dramatic reversal of the more typical 3:1 antisymmetric/symmetric CH2 stretch intensity ratio signals a vibrational transition moment poorly described by simple "bond-dipole" models. Instead, the data suggest that this anomalous intensity ratio arises from "charge sloshing" dynamics in the highly polar carbon-iodine bond, as supported by ab initio electron differential density plots and indeed consistent with observations in other halomethyl radicals and protonated cluster ions.