cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
THE MITOTIC APPARATUS. PHYSICAL-CHEMICAL FACTORS CONTROLLING STABILITY.

Previous investigations have shown that the mitotic apparatus (MA) can be isolated from dividing sea urchin eggs in water buffered at pH 5.6 and that the addition of 1 M hexanediol to the solution raises the usable pH to 6.4. Long chain glycols appeared to be much more effective than related compounds in increasing the stability of the MA, and the aim of the investigations reported here was to determine the basis of this specificity. These experiments show that this impression of specificity is misleading and that under suitable experimental conditions a variety of compounds can be substituted for the glycols. A number of alcohols will duplicate the action of the glycols in stabilizing the MA at pH 6.4, but they must be used at a similar per cent concentration rather than at a similar molar concentration. Increases in the concentration of alcohol or glycol allow isolation at more alkaline pH values, and a pH-concentration relation for the stability of the MA, covering the range from pH 5.6–8, has been determined. These results indicate that the action of these compounds in stabilizing the mitotic apparatus is non-specific and is similar to their effects on the solubility of proteins. The isolation and stabilization of the mitotic apparatus can thus be viewed as a function of the solubility properties of its constituent proteins, opening a variety of new experimental approaches to this problem.
On Finite Sample Distributions of Generalized Classical Linear Identifiability Test Statistics

Abstract In the estimation of econometric simultaneous equations models, hypothesized necessary conditions for the identifiability of a single equation usually specify the exclusion of a number of variables from the structural equation in question. If the pre-determined variables are completely exogenous, if the disturbances in the equations are jointly normally distributed, and if a moderately high degree of precision can be obtained in reduced-form estimation, then the exact finite sample distribution of the generalized classical linear identifiability test statistic can be closely approximated by Snedecor's F with appropriate degrees of freedom.
Anisotrophy of the vigdergauz microstructure

A recent article by Vigdergauz considered two-component, linearly elastic plates. It showed the existence of spatially periodic microstructures producing plates of extremal rigidity. For the microstructures which maximize or minimize the effective bulk modulus, Vigdergauz asserted that the effective behavior was isotropic. We show this is wrong: the effective tensor is in fact anisotropic.
Thermal diffusivity of porous (Ca1−xMgx)Zr4(PO4)6 ceramic

Abstract The thermal diffusivity (α) of single-phase (Ca1−xMgx)Zr4(PO4)6, or CMZP, ceramic with x = 0.1 and x = 0.4 was investigated in terms of porosity and temperature. The thermal diffusivity exhibits a lower temperature dependence at higher pore content and is roughly independent of temperature above 300 °C. In the same thermal environment, CMZP with x = 0.4 shows lower values of thermal diffusivity compared with that having x = 0.1. The phonon mean free path (L) is calculated to be 2.2 A for x = 0.1 and 1.7 A for x = 0.4.
Particle Emissions from Chrome Plating

Aerosol particles formed from the bursting of small gas bubbles emitted from the anode and cathode electrodes during electrolytic chrome plating were measured with a laboratory apparatus. The measured aerosol particle emission factors were about 5.15 mg particles/amp-hour or 3.81 mg Cr+ 6/amp hour. The cathode gases generated more particles on a gas volume basis with 20 mg particles/liter hydrogen gas evolved from the cathode compared to 1 mg particles/liter oxygen gas evolved from the anode. With about 35% more cathode hydrogen gas evolved than anode oxygen gas evolved and with the much greater particle emissions caused by the cathode hydrogen on a gas volumetric basis, the aerosol particle emissions from the cathode bubble bursting were about 97% of the total particle mass emissions. The particle size distributions measured from the cathode had a mass median aerodynamic diameter of about 38 μ m whereas the anode mass median particle diameter was about 8 μ m. The anode particle mass size distribution was...
Applying time-dependent variance-based global sensitivity analysis to represent the dynamics of an agent-based model of land use change

The growing body of knowledge on modeling land use systems points to epistemic uncertainty as one of the challenging obstacles in development and application of agent-based models (ABMs). To decrease outcome uncertainty, sensitivity analysis (SA) is performed as part of model verification and validation. Oftentimes, however, it is inadequately addressed, partly because of the lack of tools and techniques that focus on an explicit evaluation of ABM dynamics. The nonlinear processes, inherent in such models, necessitate longitudinal SA with time path investigation of input-output relationships of endogenous variables. In response to the outlined deficiencies, this study investigates the potential of time-dependent global sensitivity analysis (time-GSA) in examining the dynamics of outcome uncertainty of a simple ABM of land use change. Specifically, we apply first and total order sensitivity indices to decompose variance of output landscape fragmentation, apportioned to model inputs for multiple time steps and multiple realizations of the ABM. We focus the analysis on selected complex systems characteristics including preference uncertainty, path dependence, access to information, and magnitude of interactions and feedbacks. We conclude that the factor sensitivity measures vary significantly during model execution. Consequently, a static snapshot of ABM sensitivity, taken at the end of the simulation, is inadequate when deciding on factor prioritization and reduction. Assuming that ABM dynamics is a result of factor interaction, we observe a distinct time lag of nonlinearity, which unfolds after the formation of the seeds of development. Therefore, we argue for further application of time-GSA in ABM as one of the visual quantitative techniques contributing to evaluation of ABM nonlinearity.
Asymmetric metabolism of hypothalamic catecholamines alternates with side of ovulation in a lizard (Anolis carolinensis).

We determined levels of monoamines and their metabolites in 2 hypothalami dissected from the right and left hemibrains of 15 females during the right-left alternating ovulatory cycle of Anolis carolinensis. Tissue contents of the following were measured using HPLC and electrochemical (coulometric) detection: dopamine (DA) and its metabolite 2,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), norepinephrine (NE) and its metabolites 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol (DHPG), and serotonin (5-HT) and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA). An asymmetry ratio (AR) was determined by subtracting hypothalamic content (pM/mg) on the larger ovary (LO) side from that on the smaller ovary (SO) side, divided by the sum of the 2 sides (AR = SO − LO/SO + LO). The AR of MHPG and DHPG both decreased as the largest follicle in the LO grew during the cycle, from >0 (content higher on the SO side) at the beginning of the cycle to <0 (content higher on the LO side). The average content of MHPG in the 2 sides significantly increased during the cycle. There were no significant asymmetric changes in hypothalamic DA or DOPAC. The average content of DA increased during the cycle, whereas the content of DOPAC, as well as DOPAC/DA, did not change. The average content of 5-HT increased, and the average metabolite ratio of 5-HIAA/5-HT decreased during the cycle without significant asymmetries. The metabolite ratios of NE and DA, but not 5-HT, were asymmetric on the same side in a given female. These results suggest, that catecholamine metabolism shifts from being greater on the SO side of the hypothalamus to being greater on the LO side of the hypothalamus. This shift occurs when a follicle has reached 4.7–5.2 mm in diameter, with ovulation occurring at 8 mm. The asymmetric changes in catecholamine metabolism in synchrony with asymmetric ovarian growth indicate the presence of neural communication, in one direction or the other or both, between the ovaries and hypothalamus. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Different Roles of EIIABMan and EIIGlc in Regulation of Energy Metabolism, Biofilm Development, and Competence in Streptococcus mutans

The phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system (PTS) is the major carbohydrate transport system in oral streptococci. The mannose-PTS of Streptococcus mutans, which transports mannose and glucose, is involved in carbon catabolite repression (CCR) and regulates the expression of known virulence genes. In this study, we investigated the role of EII(Glc) and EIIAB(Man) in sugar metabolism, gene regulation, biofilm formation, and competence. The results demonstrate that the inactivation of ptsG, encoding a putative EII(Glc), did not lead to major changes in sugar metabolism or affect the phenotypes of interest. However, the loss of EII(Glc) was shown to have a significant impact on the proteome and to affect the expression of a known virulence factor, fructan hydrolase (fruA). JAM1, a mutant strain lacking EIIAB(Man), had an impaired capacity to form biofilms in the presence of glucose and displayed a decreased ability to be transformed with exogenous DNA. Also, the lactose- and cellobiose-PTSs were positively and negatively regulated by EIIAB(Man), respectively. Microarrays were used to investigate the profound phenotypic changes displayed by JAM1, revealing that EIIAB(Man) of S. mutans has a key regulatory role in energy metabolism, possibly by sensing the energy levels of the cells or the carbohydrate availability and, in response, regulating the activity of transcription factors and carbohydrate transporters.
Equilibrium in the Spatial ‘Valence’ Model of Politics

It has been a standard result of the stochastic, or probabilistic, spatial model of voting that vote maximizing candidates, or parties, will converge to the electoral mean (the origin). This conclusion has appeared to be contradicted by empirical studies. Here, a more general stochastic model, incorporating ‘exogeneous’ valence, is constructed. Contrary to the standard result, it is shown in Theorem 1 of this paper that a potentially severe domain constraint (determined by the electoral and stochastic variance, valence as well as the dimension of the space) is necessary for the existence of equilibrium at the electoral mean. A more stringent condition, independent of the dimension of the space, is shown to be sufficient. An empirical study of Israel for 1992 shows that the necessary condition failed. This suggests that, in proportional electoral systems, a pure strategy equilibrium will almost always fail to exist at the electoral mean. Instead, in both the formal and empirical models, each party positions itself along a major electoral axis in a way which is determined by the valence terms. A second empirical analysis for Britain for the elections of 1992 and 1997 shows that, in fact, the necessary and sufficient condition for the validity of the ‘mean voter theorem’ was satisfied, under the assumption of unidimensionality of the policy space. Indeed the low valence party, the Liberal Democrat Party, did appear to locate at the electoral center. However, the high valence parties, Labour and the Conservatives, did not. This suggests that, in polities based on plurality rule, valence is a function of activist support rather than a purely exogenous factor. Theorem 2 shows, as in Britain, that exogeneous and activist valence produce opposite effects.
A generalized diffusion model for growth of nanoparticles synthesized by colloidal methods.

A nanoparticle growth model is developed to predict and guide the syntheses of monodisperse colloidal nanoparticles in the liquid phase. The model, without any a priori assumptions, is based on the Fick’s law of diffusion, conservation of mass and the Gibbs–Thomson equation for crystal growth. In the limiting case, this model reduces to the same expression as the currently accepted model that requires the assumption of a diffusion layer around each nanoparticle. The present growth model bridges the two limiting cases of the previous model i.e. complete diffusion controlled and adsorption controlled growth of nanoparticles. Specifically, the results show that a monodispersion of nanoparticles can be obtained both with fast monomer diffusion and with surface reaction under conditions of small diffusivity to surface reaction constant ratio that results is growth ‘focusing’. This comprehensive description of nanoparticle growth provides new insights and establishes the required conditions for fabricating monodisperse nanoparticles critical for a wide range of applications.
TREHALOSE AND ANHYDROBIOSIS: THE EARLY WORK OF J. S. CLEGG

![Figure][1] The brine shrimp, Artemia salina , produces encysted embryos that are capable of surviving complete dehydration – or at least as complete as is technically feasible; according to the best measurements available, they can be reduced to <0.007 g water g–1 dry mass ([Clegg, 1978
Liberal neutrality, autonomy, and drug prohibitions

Face a l'importance du taux d'incarceration aux Etats-Unis, l'A. defend, parmi les theories liberales, celle de la neutralite qui revendique la protection de l'autonomie de la personne contre l'emprisonnement systematique issu du droit penal, d'une part, et lutte contre la criminalisation de l'usage leger de la drogue, d'autre part.
Clinical xenotransplantation of organs: why aren't we there yet?

Mohiuddin discusses the lessons learned from large animal xenograft models and why the immunological barrier is still the most important hurdle preventing clinical xenotransplantation of organs.
Groin and Medial Thigh Pain in a 17-year-old Girl

An athletic and otherwise healthy 17-year-old girl presented to her pediatrician with a 2-year history of mild intermittent left groin and medial thigh pain of insidious onset and no history of trauma. She was 3-years postmenarche when her symptoms began. The patient described the pain as a ‘‘muscle-type ache’’ that occurred after playing soccer or cheerleading. Plain radiographs of the pelvis showed a bone lesion in the left inferior pubic ramus (Fig. 1A), after which a CT scan of the pelvis was obtained, and an orthopaedic oncology referral was made. On presentation to our clinic, the patient reported no pain at the time of the visit, but rather she stated that the aching pain occurred only with activity, and generally persisted for 24 to 48 hours. She denied any fevers, chills, or other constitutional symptoms. Physical examination showed a well-appearing 17-yearold adolescent girl in no apparent distress. She was afebrile and vital signs were within normal limits. She ambulated without a limp. Her examination was unremarkable except for mild pain in the region of the left ischial tuberosity with resisted knee flexion. There was no tenderness to deep palpation in that area. Otherwise she had full painless ROM of her hip and knee, with full strength and normal sensation throughout her left lower extremity. Serum laboratory tests were normal including the white blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein.
The Temporal Genesis of Primary and Secondary Brain Damage in Experimental and Clinical Head Injury

Head injury in both the clinical and laboratory setting is a complex and multifactorial process which may involve many interactive primary and secondary insults. Not only is direct mechanical injury a factor but ischemia/hypoxia, brain swelling and edema, arterial and intracranial hypertension, subarachnoid hemorrhage, to name but a few, are frequently involved. Studies from our head injury center during the past ten years have attempted to identify and document primary and secondary factors, examine their temporal relationships and study their interaction in the pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury. It will be the purpose of this presentation to summarize the data from our head injury center regarding some of these factors. This will include both clinical and laboratory studies aimed at distinguishing between primary and secondary effects and their temporal sequence. It is our fundamental hypothesis that much of the damage incurred in head trauma is due to secondary effects and that areas of brain tissue which are rendered marginally dysfunctional can recover if the proper milieu is provided. Clinical and laboratory studies will be presented in the order of occurrence following trauma.
Treatment of Incest Families: A Cognitive-Behavioral Model

Assessment and treatment of incest families is one of the most complex and controversial topics in mental health. This paper, which contains a detailed case study, presents a cognitive-behavioral model of treatment where the goal is to keep the family together, establish communication and behavioral guidelines to ensure that the incest can not reoccur, and revitalize the marital bond. The therapeutic theme is for each family member to see herself or himself as a survivor rather than as a victim of incest.
Seeds of Change: Assia Djebar’s Les Enfants du nouveau monde/ Children of the New World: a novel of the Algerian War

Examining Djebar’s third novel, Les Enfants du nouveau monde , ( Children of the New World: A Novel of the Algerian War ), her first to depict the Algerian Revolution, I argue that it not only reveals the political, feminist, and aesthetic elements that define her later work, but is a well-crafted text that is politically correct in its anti-colonial stance, subversive in its feminist objectives; it expresses Djebar’s belief that Algerian independence alone will not liberate women. The novelist discerns a significant gender gap regarding the goals of liberation: Algerian men struggle against French colonialism, women seek agency within their family and society and political independence from France. In my analysis, I ground the text historically (Amrane-Minne), and apply anti-colonial and feminist theory (Fanon; Mernissi).
Biochemical Effects of Carbamazepine: Possible Mechanisms of Action in Affective and Seizure Disorders

Our ongoing double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of carbamazepine1 continues to suggest that carbamazepine has acute antimanic and antidepressant effects as well as prophylactic properties in both phases of manic-depressive illness. These data are paralleled by a large number of open and, in a few instances, controlled clinical trials by investigators in Japan, Europe and the U.S. (this symposium). In particular, carbamazepine is clinically useful in many patients who are not responsive to lithium carbonate. These findings are of obvious clinical import as well as of interest in relationship to possible differential mechanisms of action of carbamazepine and lithium carbonate and the possibility of different underlying biochemical and neural substrates in these two groups of patients. This manuscript briefly reviews the effects of carbamazepine on classical neurotransmitter-modulator systems as well as on neuroendocrine and neuropeptide mechanisms. The physiological effects of carbamazepine are summarized elsewhere1,2.
Focus on ECGs: A New Feature of the Texas Heart Institute Journal.

The art of reading the 12-lead ECG is diminishing. Young cardiologists are focusing on mastering newer and more direct cardiac imaging techniques, such as echocardiography, computed tomography, and MRI, and they are devoting less effort to mastering the ECG. Yet the ECG is still widely used in clinical practice for evaluating patients with chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations, syncope, and various other signs and symptoms. We're happy to announce a new section titled Focus on ECGs, beginning with the February issue of the Journal. This section will present a case with interesting and challenging ECGs, along with a quiz and a short comment to describe a practical approach for interpreting these ECGs. Our first Focus on ECGs case (presented on page 94) features a patient with a cardiac pacemaker in place, which adds a level of complexity to the interpretation of an ECG. The associated quiz provides a good exercise to prepare physicians—particularly cardiology fellows in training—to read pacemaker ECGs. Once an article is published, readers are invited to participate in an accompanying blog, which will be available at THIJournal.blogspot.com. This blog will provide an opportunity for further discussion and dissemination of the knowledge of ECG interpretation. The blog discussion will close 2 weeks after the original publication. Guidelines are presented below for authors to follow as they prepare their manuscripts for submission. We look forward to receiving your contributions to the new section, as well as your thoughts posted on the blog. We hope that you enjoy this new offering from the THI Journal.
Euroequity Offerings: A Preliminary Note on Worldwide Regulatory Harmony

This article addresses the international regulation of Euroequity distributions and the possibilities for regulatory harmonization. In particular, the article focuses on whether the regulation of these offerings in the U.S. and the U.K. should be or could be harmonized. It provides an in-depth analysis of the development of the primary and secondary Euroequity markets and identifies the major issues to be resolved in the construction of an international regulatory framework.
Design of Protocols for Task Administration in Collaborative Production Systems

Customer-focused and concurrent engineering service systems process tasks more effectively as a result of the power of collaboration among multiple participants. In such environments, however, complex situations might arise that require decisions beyond simple coordination.Task Administration Protocols (TAPs) are designed as a control mechanism to manage complex situations in collaborative task environments. This article presents the design of TAPs for collaborative production systems in which tasks are performed by the collaboration of multiple agents. Three component protocols are found to constitute TAPs and are triggered at appropriate stages in task administration: 1) Task Requirement Analysis Protocol, 2) Shared Resource Allocation Protocol, and 3) Synchronization & Time-Out Protocol. A case study with TAPs metrics for task allocation in a collaborative production system is investigated to compare performance under TAPs, and under a non-TAP coordination protocol (which is considered to be simpler). In terms of task allocation ratio, the case study indicates that performance under TAPs is significantly better (up to 10.6%) than under the non-TAP coordination protocol, especially under medium or high load conditions. The advantage of TAPs can be explained by their design with relatively higher level of collaborative intelligence, addressing more complex control logic compared with non-TAP coordination protocols.
Comment on ‘The economics of tobacco advertising: spending, demand, and the effects of bans’

This paper comments on a paper by Lancaster and Lancaster ‘The economics of tobacco advertising: spending, demand, and the effect of bans’, published in the International Journal of Advertising, 22(1). In their response, the authors specifically tackle comments made on their method of meta-analysis.
Analyses in support of risk-informed natural gas vehicle maintenance facility codes and standards :

Safety standards development for maintenance facilities of liquid and compressed gas fueled large-scale vehicles is required to ensure proper facility design and operation envelopes. Standard development organizations are utilizing risk-informed concepts to develop natural gas vehicle (NGV) codes and standards so that maintenance facilities meet acceptable risk levels. The present report summarizes Phase I work for existing NGV repair facility code requirements and highlights inconsistencies that need quantitative analysis into their effectiveness. A Hazardous and Operability study was performed to identify key scenarios of interest. Finally, scenario analyses were performed using detailed simulations and modeling to estimate the overpressure hazards from HAZOP defined scenarios. The results from Phase I will be used to identify significant risk contributors at NGV maintenance facilities, and are expected to form the basis for follow-on quantitative risk analysis work to address specific code requirements and identify effective accident prevention and mitigation strategies.
Minimizing the Energy Loss of the Bi-Articular Actuation in Bipedal Robots

In this work, we investigate the effect actuator position on the theoretical energy consumption of an electrically powered bipedal robot. Specifically, considerable gains are possible through the optimization of the actuator placement relative to joints and their axes, in particular biarticular actuators, are proposed. The energy losses of electric actuators on the two most powerful and inefficient joints of a biped, the hip and the knee, are considered. In standing or walking tasks of a biped’s legs within mathematical model, furthermore, imposing constraints on the actuator placement is used in a genetic algorithm to find the optimum configuration of various biarticular configurations.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Advantages of Simultaneous Imaging Using an Atomic Force Microscope Integrated with an Inverted Light Microscope

Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) permits measurements on biological samples below the limits of light microscopy resolution under physiological environments and other controlled conditions. Consequently, AFM has become an increasingly valuable technique in cell biology. One of the most exciting advances in AFM instrumentation has been its integration with the light microscope. This permits investigators to take advantage of the power and utility of light microscopy and scanning probe microscopy simultaneously. In combining a light microscope with an AFM, scanner components must be specifically designed so that they do not adversely impact the light microscope's optical imaging capabilities. For example, an AFM-ILM (inverted light microscope) hybrid system should be fully compatible with the highest quality, off-the-shelf 0.50–0.55 NA numerical aperture (NA) OEM objectives and condensers.
Thrombocytopenia Absent Radius Syndrome

Thrombocytopenia-absent radius (TAR) syndrome is a relatively uncommon condition characterized by absent radii with the presence of thumbs and congenital or early-onset thrombocytopenia that tends to resolve in childhood. The precise cause of this condition is unknown, although recently a microdeletion of chromosome 1q21.1 has been found in all investigated individuals. However, this microdeletion alone is not sufficient to cause TAR syndrome, and another, uncharacterized genetic alteration is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis.
Transcriptional regulation of GABAA receptor γ2 subunit gene

Abstract We have cloned the promoter regions of the genes for the mouse and human γ2 subunits of the type A receptors for γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). For the mouse, the two major transcription start sites were at +1 (by definition) and +43, as established by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) and primer extension. This numbering places the start methionine at +297. There was no TATA or CCAAT box. Both mouse and human sequences have a candidate neuron-restrictive silencer element (NRSE) site in the first intron (+956 in mouse). We made assorted mouse-based promoter/reporter (luciferase) constructs starting from a core extending from −331 to +136, varying sizes at both ends, and including and excluding the putative NRSE and more proximal sequences. These were tested by transient transfection in several neuron-like and non-neuronal cell lines. Both proximal and distal downstream elements appeared to help direct expression to neuron-like cells, the NRSE in the intron, by repression in non-neurons, and a 24-bp portion of the 5′ untranslated region starting at +113 (named GPE1) by preferentially promoting expression in neuron-like cells. Cotransfected human NRSF (transcription factor for NRSE) reduced reporter expression in neuron-like cells for constructs containing the NRSE in two locations. In gel mobility shift assays, the mouse γ2 NRSE and a consensus NRSE both bound in vitro translated NRSF very similarly, and the NRSF gave the same major shifted band with the mouse γ2 NRSE as was observed with nuclear extracts.
Study on toxicity of polyhexamethylene disinfection solution

Objective:To investigate the security of polyhexamethylene disinfection solution.Methods:We performed toxicology experiments according to the evaluation and testing approaches in MOH′s Technical Standard For Disinfection.Results:This sterilant has no irritation to the skin,either no micronucleus formation inductive effect.The mouse acute oral toxicity test suggested it belonged to practically non-toxic subsance.No toxic effect was observed in every different dosage group during the subacute toxicity experiments.Conclusion:Sterilant is a safe and stable disinfectant and suitable for dermal steriliation.
Applications of TGA/FT-IR Analysis to Polymer Systems

FT-IR spectrometry was used to perform evolved gas analysis from samples used in thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) techniques. In this study, we demonstrate the utility of such combined FT-IR/TGA/DTA techniques for identification of evolved gases from their infrared spectra and also for providing useful chemical insight regarding the sample.
Edward Bond and the Royal National Theatre

Edward Bond envisaged that during his lifetime he would write a series of plays opening with The Pope’s Wedding and closing with The Sea. However, Bond has admitted subsequently that, having completed this dramatic cycle, he discovered there were many other plays he wanted to write (Bond letter to Coult in Hay, 179).
Equivalence of Finite-Valued Symbolic Finite Transducers

Symbolic Finite Transducers, or SFTs, is a representation of finite transducers that annotates transitions with logical formulas to denote sets of concrete transitions. This representation has practical advantages in applications for web security analysis, where it provides ways to succinctly represent web sanitizers that operate on large alphabets. More importantly, the representation is also conducive for efficient analysis using state-of-the-art theorem proving techniques. Equivalence checking plays a central role in deciding properties of SFTs such as idempotence and commutativity. We show that equivalence of finite-valued SFTs is decidable, i.e., when the number of possible outputs for a given input is bounded by a constant.
Highly efficient, high speed vertical photodiodes based on few-layer MoS 2

Layered transition metal dichalcogenides, such as MoS2, have recently emerged as a promising material system for electronic and optoelectronic applications. The two-dimensional nature of these materials enables facile integration for vertical device design with novel properties. Here, we report highly efficient photocurrent generation from vertical MoS2 devices fabricated using asymmetric metal contacts, exhibiting an external quantum efficiency of up to 7%. Compared to in-plane MoS2 devices, the vertical design of these devices has a much larger junction area, which is essential for achieving highly efficient photovoltaic devices. Photocurrent and photovoltage spectra are measured over the photon energy range from 1.25 to 2.5 eV, covering both the 1.8 eV direct K-point optical transition and the 1.3 eV Σ-point indirect transition in MoS2. Photocurrent peaks corresponding to both direct and indirect transitions are observed in the photocurrent spectra and exhibit different photovoltage–current characteristics. Compared to previous in-plane devices, a substantially shorter photoresponse time of 7.3 μs is achieved due to fast carrier sweeping in the vertical devices, which exhibit a −3 dB cutoff frequency of 48 kHz.
Keynote Th-K: Integrated optomechanical and superconducting quantum circuits

I will present recent work at Caltech on the integration of optomechanical crystals for light and sound with electronic superconducting quantum circuits. Utilizing the silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer platform, we have made key advances in the fabrication and integration of extremely low loss microwave phonon structures and low loss microwave superconducting resonators of high impedance. These technical advancements offer several intriguing opportunities for quantum information processing and networking with phonons, photons, and electrons in an integrated, wafer-scale platform. The focus of my talk will be on two examples of our efforts in this direction: (i) nonreciprocal photon transport and amplification arising from synthetic magnetic flux and reservoir engineering in an optomechanical crystal circuit, and (ii) waveguide-QED systems consisting of microwave-bandgap circuits with embedded transmon-like qubits.
Perceptions of Families of Intensive Care Unit Patients Regarding Involvement in Delirium-Prevention Activities: A Qualitative Study

Background Nonpharmacologic delirium-prevention strategies are commonly used in the intensive care unit by bedside nurses. With up to 80% of intensive care unit patients becoming delirious, and lacking treatment options, prevention is key. However, with increasing nurse workloads, innovative delirium-prevention strategies such as involving the patient's family are needed. Objective To gain insight into opinions of patients' families regarding active participation in delirium-prevention activities to inform specific recommendations for involving patients' families in such activities. Methods Purposeful sampling was used. Patients' families were contacted to be interviewed about their opinions and attitudes on participation in nonpharmacologic delirium prevention activities while visiting the intensive care unit. An interview guide was created and used to facilitate discussion. Interviews were conducted, transcribed verbatim, and coded by 2 independent coders. Themes were identified, defined, and compared between independent coders; disagreements were resolved by the study team. Results After 10 interviews were conducted, thematic saturation occurred. Three major themes emerged: (1) consistent family presence and participation in care, (2) improving ease of interactions between family and patient, and (3) delirium education for families. Conclusion Family members want to be involved with care and delirium prevention; however, many times they do not know what to do without the direction of a health care provider. Family members would benefit from open dialogue with the bedside nurse to increase family comfort and involvement in care.
Symmetry (The Same Thing Over and Over)

Symmetry is a concept dear to the hearts of mathematicians. Inherent in nature, first appropriated by the classical geometers and artists, it now finds itself expressed in all kinds of mathematics, including the formulas of algebra and calculus. To a mathematician, there is nothing like the thrill of looking at a mathematical formula and seeing in it all the balance, harmony and sheer beauty that the subject is capable of.
Bankruptcy Tourism and FNC

An increasing number of multinational insolvencies has created a need for coordination among national courts. The idea of 'modified universalism' has gathered broad support as an approach to that coordination. That approach requires identification of one jurisdiction as the site of the 'main' proceeding through which the coordination may be done, but that requirement in turn creates the risk of forum shopping. The problem of claiming main status for a proceeding commenced in an inappropriate forum is addressed by a test: the main proceeding is located in the jurisdiction of the 'centre of main interests' of the debtor (COMI). Inevitably, a debate has arisen about the proper application of the COMI test. This paper asserts that the key factor in that debate should be the public interest in insolvency cases. That assertion is part of the larger debate concerning the goals of bankruptcy law, whether to serve the purely private purposes of the parties directly involved or to achieve important public goals as well.
The Allelic Spectrum of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease in Over 17,000 Individuals with Neuropathy (P2.058)

OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency, positive rate, and type of mutations in 14 genes ( PMP22 , GJB1 , MPZ , MFN2 , SH3TC2 , GDAP1 , NEFL , LITAF , GARS , HSPB1 , FIG4 , EGR2 , PRX , RAB7A ) associated with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) in a cohort of 17,880 individuals referred to a commercial genetic testing laboratory. BACKGROUND: CMT is a complex molecular disorder with causative mutations in more than 30 genes that have essential roles in axonal transport, myelin structure, and membrane metabolism. The large spectrum of genetically identifiable disease alleles complicates the molecular diagnosis. DESIGN/METHODS: De-identified results from sequencing assays and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) were extracted from an internal database. The data included 100,102 Sanger sequencing, 2,338 next generation sequencing (NGS), and 21,990 MLPA assays. RESULTS: Genetic abnormalities were identified in 18.5% (n=3,312) of all individuals. Testing by Sanger and MLPA (n=3,216) showed that duplications (dup) (56.7%) or deletions (del) (21.9%) in the PMP22 gene accounted for the majority of positive findings followed by mutations in the GJB1 (6.7%), MPZ (5.3%), and MFN2 (4.3%) genes. GJB1 del and mutations in the remaining genes explained 5.3% of the abnormalities. Pathogenic mutations were distributed as follows: missense (70.6%), nonsense (14.3%), frameshift (8.7%), splicing (3.3%), in-frame deletions/insertions (1.8%), initiator methionine mutations (0.8%), and non-stop changes (0.5%). Mutation frequencies, positive rates, and the types of mutations were similar between tests performed by either Sanger (n=17,377) or NGS (n=503). Large differences in the mutation frequencies and positive rates of GJB1 , and MFN 2 were found when compared to similar studies. CONCLUSIONS: The initial screening of four genes ( PMP22, GJB1, MPZ, and MFN2 ) may identify a genetic cause in 94.9% of CMT cases. The results of this study provide guidance for the assessment of a genetic etiology in patients with CMT. Study Supported by: Quest Diagnostics Disclosure: Dr. Higgins has received personal compensation for activities with Quest Diagnostics. Dr. Higgins has received license fee payments from Jackson Laboratories. Dr. Higgins has received research support from Quest Diagnostics.
Comparative Clustering for Contingent Collectives

Clustering creates collectives of cases that have similar properties with a degree of distinctiveness. Clustering requires some composite measure of similarity or disparity, a criterion for conformity among collectives (linkage), and a strategy for configuring collectives. The collectives produced by a clustering method are conventionally called clusters. There are many methods of clustering, however, which typically differ to some degree in the groupings that result (Abonyi and Balaz 2007; Everitt et al. 2001; Kaufman and Rousseeuw 1990; Xu and Wunsch 2009). It is by comparing the collectives produced by different methods of clustering that one can gain insight from inconsistencies and have some confidence relative to consistencies. We call this comparative or complementary clustering and we use the term contingents (groups from groupings) for collectives of cases that emerge from this compound approach using cross-tabulations. Preliminary prioritization can be done among contingents and then progress to comparisons within contingents so that the computational complexities of comprehensive comparisons can be controlled.
Microfluidic platforms with nanoscale features

Abstract Cells residing in a microenvironment interact with both the extracellular matrix (ECM) and the neighboring cells. The ECM constructed from biomacromolecules often includes nanotopography. Through the ECM, interstitial flows facilitate nutrient transport and play an important role in tissue maintenance and pathobiology. A biomimetic microenvironment should take these factors into consideration. This chapter discusses the integration of these microenvironment factors into a dynamic cell culture platform using poly(dimethylsiloxane)-based microfluidic systems. It will highlight the engineering of microfluidic cell culture platforms with embedded nanoscale features for cancer cell detection and stem cell regulation. Although at an early stage of development, such nanostructured microfluidic platforms promise to expand our fundamental understanding of cell-topography interactions under flow and to guide our design of culture systems that can exploit these interactions for cell-based applications.
Allergen-specific CD8+ T cells in peanut-allergic individuals

CD8+ T cells are seldom considered in IgE mediated food allergy; we show that peanut specific CD8+ T cells are increased in peanut allergic human subjects.
Prediction of Tumor Control in 90Y Radioembolization by Logit Models with PET/CT-Based Dose Metrics

The aim of this work was to develop models for tumor control probability (TCP) in radioembolization with 90Y PET/CT-derived radiobiologic dose metrics. Methods: Patients with primary liver cancer or liver metastases who underwent radioembolization with glass microspheres were imaged with 90Y PET/CT for voxel-level dosimetry to determine lesion absorbed dose (AD) metrics, biological effective dose (BED) metrics, equivalent uniform dose, and equivalent uniform BED for 28 treatments (89 lesions). The lesion dose-shrinkage correlation was assessed on the basis of RECIST and, when available, modified RECIST (mRECIST) at first follow-up. For a subset with mRECIST, logit regression TCP models were fit via maximum likelihood to relate lesion-level binary response to the dose metrics. As an exploratory analysis, the nontumoral liver dose-toxicity relationship was also evaluated. Results: Lesion dose-shrinkage analysis showed that there were no significant differences between model parameters for primary and metastatic subgroups and that correlation coefficients were superior with mRECIST. Therefore, subsequent TCP analysis was performed for the combined group using mRECIST only. The overall lesion-level mRECIST response rate was 57%. The AD and BED metrics yielding 50% TCP were 292 and 441 Gy, respectively. All dose metrics considered for TCP modeling, including mean AD, were significantly associated with the probability of response, with high areas under the curve (0.87-0.90, P 0.75) and specificity (>0.83) calculated using a threshold corresponding to 50% TCP. Because nonuniform AD deposition by microspheres cannot be determined by PET at a microscopic scale, radiosensitivity values extracted here by fitting models to clinical response data were substantially lower than reported for in vitro cell cultures or for external-beam radiotherapy clinical studies. There was no correlation between nontumoral liver AD and toxicity measures. Conclusion: Despite the heterogeneous patient cohort, logistic regression TCP models showed a strong association between various dose metrics and the probability of response. The performance of mean AD was comparable to that of radiobiologic dose metrics that involve more complex calculations. These results demonstrate the importance of considering TCP in treatment planning for radioembolization.
Prime Editing: Precision Genome Editing by Reverse Transcription.

Genome editing is a method for making targeted sequence changes to the genomes of living cells. Prime editing, recently reported by Anzalone et al. (2019), is a new technology that uses reverse transcription to "write" programmed sequence changes into genomic DNA and thus promises significant technical advances.
Gastroesophageal reflux and asthma.

In summarizing the evolving relationship of GER and pulmonary disease, one cannot ignore the potential role of reflux in patients with recurrent pneumonia or atypical asthma. Infants with vomiting, failure to thrive, and wheezing, and patients with recurrent pulmonary infiltrates, spasmodic nocturnal cough, and choking should have an evaluation of esophageal function with attention to GER. Trie need to investigate GER in the wheezing patient who has a history of episodic difficulty related to specific inciting factors such as allergens and viral syndromes, or in the chronic asthmatic who is free of gastrointestinal complaints and rarely has nocturnal coughing or pneumonitis, is doubtful. If one finds that GER exists, one needs to understand that it may not be causing disease but may be coincidental or possibly caused by pharmacologic therapy. If GER is found, medical therapy should precede surgical intervention.
An Explicative and Predictive Study of Employee Attrition using Tree-based Models

We develop tree-based models to estimate the probability of an employee leaving a firm during a job transition from a dataset of anonymously submitted resumes through Glassdoor’s online portal. Dataset construction and summary statistics are first summarized followed by a more in depth examination through four exploratory studies. Insights provided by these studies are then used to engineer features that serve as input into subsequent attrition related predictive models. We finally perform a thorough search through several dozen binary classification techniques in the cases of an original and extended feature set. We find tree-based methods including random forests and light gradient boosted trees provide the overall strongest predictive performance. Finally, we summarize ROC curves for several such models and describe future potential research directions.