cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Disappearing Parents: Immigration Enforcement and the Child Welfare System

This article presents original empirical research that documents systemic failures of the federal immigration enforcement and state child welfare systems when immigrant parents in detention and deportation proceedings have children in state custody. The intertwined but uncoordinated workings of the federal and state systems result in severe family disruptions and raise concerns regarding parental rights of constitutional magnitude. I document this phenomenon in two ways. First, I present an "anatomy of a deportation," providing a case study of an actual parent whose detention and eventual deportation has separated her from her four young children for over two years and threatens her with the permanent termination of her parental rights. Next, I present the results of empirical research I conducted of child welfare personnel to demonstrate that the case study is not an isolated occurrence. On the contrary, my analysis of the results of over 50 surveys and 20 interviews with attorneys, caseworkers, and judges in the juvenile court system in one Arizona county makes clear the concerns identified in the case study occur with alarming frequency. The analysis section of the paper provides a discussion of the constitutional and structural concerns raised by the case study and data presented. Finally, the article concludes with reforms that could be adopted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, child protective services agencies, and Congress to address the systemic failures described.
An alternative application of imagery in youth sport: Promoting the transfer of life skills to other contexts

AbstractSignificant sport psychology research has been devoted to the positive effects that sport participation can have on youth outcomes, including social, emotional, and physical skills (Gould & Carson, 2008; Petitpas, Cornelius, Van Raalte, & Jones, 2005). Central to this concept is the idea that learning that occurs during sport participation will actually transfer these valuable life skills to other non-sport contexts in a youth's life (Danish & Nellen, 1997). This article proposes imagery as one potential strategy for facilitating this transfer of learning process from a youth development framework. Several practical suggestions for youth coaches on the application of imagery techniques for life skill utilization in and out of sport are discussed.
Fertility Preservation in Children and Adolescents With Cancer

Objective Advancements in oncologic therapy have increased long-term survival rates for children with childhood cancers. As survival has increased, the secondary effects of treatment have come into focus for patients and family. Infertility preservation in prepubertal children is a particularly difficult task as options are limited compared to adult counterparts with mature gametes. Methods A systematic review of the published literature was conducted using keywords relevant to fertility preservation in the pediatric population undergoing oncologic treatment. Results We review the impact of cancer therapy upon gonadal function and identify the risk factors for future infertility in the prepubertal population. Treatment modifications that could modify the degree of potential damage to reproductive organs yet maintain oncologic principles were highlighted. Pubertal males and females have the opportunity to donate mature sperm or oocytes as do their adult counterparts; however, for the prepubertal child this is not the case. The options for these patients are considered investigational at this point and center on testicular tissue cryopreservation in males and oophorectomy vs ovarian cortical tissue cryopreservation in females. Conclusion Infertility is an unfortunate side effect of oncologic treatment. Options are limited in the prepubertal population but tissue preservation and potential fertility should be discussed with all at-risk patients and their parents.
AtomChase: Directed search towards atomicity violations

Atomicity violation is one of the main sources of concurrency bugs. Empirical studies show that the majority of atomicity violations are instances of the three-access pattern, where two accesses to a shared variable by a thread are interleaved by an access to the same variable by another thread. We present a novel approach to atomicity violation detection that directs the execution towards three-access candidates. The directed search technique comprises two parts: execution schedule synthesis and directed concurrent execution that are based on constraint solving and concolic execution. We have implemented this technique in a tool called AtomChase. In comparison to five previous tools on 22 benchmarks with 4.5 million lines of Java code, AtomChase increased the number of three-access violations found by 24%. To prevent reporting false alarms, we confirm the non-atomicity of the found execution traces. We present and prove sufficient conditions for non-atomicity of traces with the three-access pattern. The conditions could recognize the majority of 89% of the real atomicity violations found by AtomChase. Checking these conditions is more than an order of magnitude faster than the exhaustive check.
Is genetic drift a force

One hotly debated philosophical question in the analysis of evolutionary theory concerns whether or not evolution and the various factors which constitute it (selection, drift, mutation, and so on) may profitably be considered as analogous to “forces” in the traditional, Newtonian sense. Several compelling arguments assert that the force picture is incoherent, due to the peculiar nature of genetic drift. I consider two of those arguments here – that drift lacks a predictable direction, and that drift is constitutive of evolutionary systems – and show that they both fail to demonstrate that a view of genetic drift as a force is untenable. I go on to diagnose the reasons for the stubborn persistence of this problem, considering two open philosophical issues and offering some preliminary arguments in support of the force metaphor.
Falls in the elderly. Is prevention possible

PreviewFalls are a major medical problem in the elderly. They lead to fractures, dependency, and often death. Physicians caring for these patients need to look for cardiac and neurologic causes but should not ignore a multitude of background factors.
Financial Regulation and its Significance for Microfinance in Latin America and the Caribbean

This study builds on a survey sent to 23 Bank Superintendencies and Central Banks in the Latin America and the Caribbean during late spring/summer of 1997. The survey contained number of issues related to financial regulation and supervision that could potentially pose obstacles to financial institutions involved in microfinance. Although there are a great number of financial regulations which in one way or another affect institutions which lend to microentrepreneurs, the study focuses on those regulations which, while appropriate for most other financial institutions, may have a negative impact on microfinance institutions. These regulations impose restrictions that are particularly costly to institutions involved in microfinance, either by raising the cost of financial service delivery or by not providing the intended reduction in risk to the institution. The study identifies a number of areas in which such biases against microfinance exist or could potentially exist, including, capital requirements, loan loss provisioning, usury laws, documentation, and restrictions on the operations of financial entities. The areas of potential and actual bias are summarized at the end of the paper where some recommendations are also put forward on how to address them.
‘My House Shall Be Called the House of Prayer’: Religion and the Material Culture of the Episcopal Household, c.1500 to c.1800

Over the past three decades, the study of material culture has become a pervasive feature of historical scholarship. From art to shoes, from porcelain to glass, ‘things’ are increasingly viewed as a useful medium through which to reconstruct what mattered to historical actors in everyday life. Taking its lead from this vast scholarship, this discussion examines how material culture was integrated into a programme of devotion, edification and religious instruction within England’s episcopal palaces, a group of buildings in which the relationship between the material and the spiritual was particularly fraught. Adopting a long chronological span, from 1500 to 1800, it analyses how that relationship evolved into the eighteenth century, a period noted for its proliferation of things and apparently ‘secular’ character.
Lipemia clearing in peptone and anaphylactic shock.

ConclusionsLipemia clearing factor was formed in vivo during peptone and anaphylactic shock, presumably as the result of the release of heparin or a heparin-like substance. It is suggested that hypoxia inhibits the in vivo activity of lipemia clearing factor but does not affect its in vitro activity.
CRT-400.07 Risk Factors, Cause and Impact of Long Hospital Stay After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

Transcathether aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is expected to have shorter hospitalization period than surgical aortic valve replacement. However, there may be factors associated with longer hospital stay (LOS). We aimed to assess factors, causes and impact of LOS after TAVR. Medical records of 110
Understanding the Antecedents of Adverse Peer Relationships Among Early Adolescents in the United States: An Ecological Systems Analysis

This study examines ecological level correlates of adverse peer relationships among early adolescents (ages 12-14). Data analysis was conducted using the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY...
Characteristic Length of the Glass Transition in Isochorically Confined Polymer Glasses

We report the effect of isochoric confinement on the characteristic length of the glass transition (ξα) for polystyrene (PS) and poly(4-methylstyrene) (P4MS). Utilizing silica-capped PS and P4MS nanoparticles as model systems, ξα values are determined from the thermal fluctuation model and calorimetric data. With decreasing nanoparticle diameter, ξα decreases, suggesting a reduction in the number of segmental units required for cooperative motion at the glass transition under confinement. Furthermore, a direct correlation is observed between ξα and the isochoric fragility (mv) in confined polymers. Due to a nearly constant ratio of the isochoric to isobaric fragility in confined polymer nanoparticles, a correlation between ξα and mv also implies a correlation between ξα and the volume contribution to the temperature dependence of structural relaxation. Lastly, we observe that when the fragility and characteristic length are varied in the same system the relationship between the two properties appears to b...
The difficult gall bladder: Outcomes following laparoscopic cholecystectomy and the need for open conversion

Abstract Introduction Surgery for the difficult gallbladder (DGB) is associated with increased risk compared to more routine laparoscopic cholecystectomies (LC). Laparoscopic “damage control” methods including cholecystostomy, fundus-down approach and subtotal cholecystectomy (SC) have been proposed to avoid conversion to open. We hypothesized that a Total LC (TLC) for DBG can be completed safely with an acceptably low conversion rate. Material and methods All patients that underwent LC from January 2005–June 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Cases met criteria for DGB if they were necrotic/gangrenous, involved Mirizzi syndrome, had extensive adhesions, were converted to open, lasted more than 120 min, had prior tube cholecystostomy or known GB perforation. Results A total of 2212 patients underwent LC during the study time period, of which 351 (15.8%) met criteria for DGB. Of these cases, 213 (60.7%) were admitted from the emergency department and 67 (19.1%) underwent urgent/emergent cholecystectomy (within 24 h). Additionally 18 (5.1%) had pre-operative tube cholecystostomies. Seventy patients (19.9%) were converted to open. Indications for conversion included severe inflammation/adhesion (n = 31, 46.3%), difficult anatomy (n = 14, 20.9%) and bleeding (n = 6, 9.0%). Predictors for conversion included urgent/emergent intervention (OR, 0.80; 95% CI 0.351–0.881, p = 0.032), previous abdominal surgery (OR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.181–4.035, p = 0.013) and necrotic/gangrenous cholecystitis (OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.356–4.044, p = 0.033). Comparing the TLC and the conversion groups, mean operative time and length of hospital stay were significantly different; 147 ± 47 min vs 185 ± 71 min; p Conclusion Total laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be safely performed in difficult gallbladder situations with a lower conversion rate than previously reported. Possible predictors of conversion include urgency, necrotic gallbladder and history of prior abdominal surgeries. For patients converted to open, similar morbidity and mortality can be expected.
The ACC and Google: Engaging Patients to Promote Guideline-Based Care.

![Figure][1] ![Figure][1] ![Figure][1] There is an increasing emphasis on longitudinal, rather than episodic, management of patients in health care. Cardiovascular clinicians, hospitals, and health systems will be accountable for 1-year or longer patient outcomes. Prescribing
Revisiting the Evaluation for Cross Document Event Coreference.

Cross document event coreference (CDEC) is an important task that aims at aggregating event-related information across multiple documents. We revisit the evaluation for CDEC, and discover that past works have adopted different, often inconsistent, evaluation settings, which either overlook certain mistakes in coreference decisions, or make assumptions that simplify the coreference task considerably. We suggest a new evaluation methodology which overcomes these limitations, and allows for an accurate assessment of CDEC systems. Our new evaluation setting better reflects the corpus-wide information aggregation ability of CDEC systems by separating event-coreference decisions made across documents from those made within a document. In addition, we suggest a better baseline for the task and semi-automatically identify several inconsistent annotations in the evaluation dataset.
HEREDITARY PANCREATITIS: Gene Defects and Their Implications

Hereditary pancreatitis is a rare condition characterized by acute and chronic pancreatitis transmitted in an autosomal dominant fashion. 22 In addition, there is an epidemiologic link to pancreatic cancer in some affected families. 11 The recent elucidation of the molecular defects responsible for two forms of hereditary pancreatitis has provided important insights into the pathophysiology of these disease states, and bolstered the argument that premature activation of trypsin in acinar cells may be an important pathogenic and pathophysiologic event in certain presumably nonhereditary forms of acute and chronic pancreatitis in humans. 5 Failure of a secondary brake mechanism responsible for inactivation of prematurely activated cationic trypsin in acinar cells seems to be the fundamental defect in type I hereditary pancreatitis (R117H cationic trypsin), and may explain the pathogenesis of type II hereditary pancreatitis (N21I cationic trypsin). 5 In this article we review hereditary pancreatitis from historical and clinical perspectives, and discuss the potential impact of identification of these gene defects on our pathophysiologic understanding and management of patients with hereditary and nonhereditary forms of acute and chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
Sacral Biomechanics and Reconstruction

En bloc resection is considered a mainstay of treatment for primary tumors of the sacrum. Based on the extent and location of the tumor, following en bloc resection spinopelvic continuity can be compromised, and as such reconstruction is necessary. However, en bloc resection often creates a difficult reconstructive challenge for orthopedic and plastic oncologic and reconstructive surgeons due to the combination of a segmental bony defect and the complex biomechanics of the sacrum. In addition to these significant mechanical issues, the surgical anatomy of the bony, vascular, and visceral pelvic structures contributes to a technically demanding reconstruction. The purpose of this chapter is to describe the biomechanical and technical challenges of reconstruction following sacral resection and the authors’ suggestions to address those challenges.
Tactile perception of the roughness of 3D-printed textures

Surface roughness is an integral quality of texture perception. We manufactured textures using high-resolution 3D printing, which allows precise specification of the surface spatial topography. In ...
Optogenetic dissection of roles of specific cortical interneuron subtypes in GABAergic network synchronization.

Key points An increase in the excitability of GABAergic cells has typically been assumed to decrease network activity, potentially producing overall anti-epileptic effects. Recent data suggest that inhibitory networks may actually play a role in initiating epileptiform activity. We show that activation of GABAergic interneurons can elicit synchronous long-lasting network activity. Specific interneuron subpopulations differentially contributed to GABA network synchrony, indicating cell type-specific contributions of interneurons to cortical network activity. Interneurons may critically contribute to the generation of aberrant network activity characteristic of epilepsy, warranting further investigation into the contribution of distinct cortical interneuron subpopulations to the propagation and rhythmicity of epileptiform activity. Abstract In the presence of the A-type K+ channel blocker 4-aminopyrdine, spontaneous synchronous network activity develops in the neocortex of mice of either sex. This aberrant synchrony persists in the presence of excitatory amino acid receptor antagonists (EAA blockers) and is considered to arise from synchronous firing of cortical interneurons (INs). Although much attention has been given to the mechanisms underlying this GABAergic synchrony, the contribution of specific IN subtypes to the generation of these long-lasting discharges (LLDs) is incompletely understood. We employed genetically-encoded channelrhodopsin and archaerhodopsin opsins to investigate the sufficiency and necessity, respectively, of activation of parvalbumin (PV), somatostatin (SST) and vasointestinal peptide (VIP)-expressing INs for the generation of synchronous neocortical GABAergic discharges. We found light-induced activation of PV or SST INs to be equally sufficient for the generation of LLDs, whereas activation of VIP INs was not. By contrast, light-induced inhibition of PV INs strongly reduced LLD initiation, whereas suppression of SST or VIP IN activity only partially attenuated LLD magnitude. These results suggest neocortical INs perform cell type-specific roles in the generation of aberrant GABAergic cortical network activity.
Understanding the Needs of Searchers with Dyslexia

As many as 20% of English speakers have dyslexia, a language disability that impacts reading and spelling. Web search is an important modern literacy skill, yet the accessibility of this language-centric endeavor to people with dyslexia is largely unexplored. We interviewed ten adults with dyslexia and conducted an online survey with 81 dyslexic and 80 non-dyslexic adults, in which participants described challenges they face in various stages of web search (query formulation, search result triage, and information extraction). We also report the findings of an online study in which 174 adults with dyslexia and 172 without dyslexia rated the readability and relevance of sets of search query results. Our findings demonstrate differences in behaviors and preferences between dyslexic and non-dyslexic searchers, and indicate that factoring readability into search engine rankings and/or interfaces may benefit both dyslexic and non-dyslexic users.
Identification of HLA-A0201 restricted epitope of novel cancer/testis antigens VCX/Y and generation of antigen-specific T-cell receptor engineered T cells for treatment of solid tumor malignancies.

160Background: To identify HLA-A0201 restricted epitope of novel cancer/testis antigen VCX/Y, generate antigen specific T cells and T-cell receptor (TCR) engineered T cells for adoptive cell therapy (ACT) of solid cancer patients. Methods: Reverse-immunology method was used to identify HLA-A0201 restricted epitope of VCX/Y. The high binding score peptide or whole length of VCX3A mRNA were pulsed or transfected to mature dendritic cells (mDC) from HLA-A0201+ donor and then stimulated autologous naive T cells. Tetramer guided sorting were performed to purify the epitope specific T cells and CTL clones were generated with limiting dilution. TCR were cloned out from high activity CTL clone and the recombinant of retrovirus vector were constructed to introduce the TCR to allogeneic PBMC to generate the TCR engineered T cells. Results: One peptide which its sequence was shared with all VCX/Y members was identified. Interesting, only CTL clone generated from simulation of VCX3A mRNA transfected DC can recognize ...
Revisiting the Price Elasticity of Gasoline Demand

In this document, we investigate the evolution of the income elasticity and the price elasticity of the demand for gasoline over the period 1975-2006. By using the Probabilistic Reduction Approach, we were able to model changes in mean heterogeneity and variance heterogeneity directly into the model. This method allowed us to determine the timing and the size of shifts in the elasticities. Our estimates are consistent with the current literature: there has been a shift in the price elasticity of gasoline demand. This shift, not present in the income elasticity, occurred almost at the beginning of the period of study. We use these estimates to compute several welfare measures. We also present a sketch of the relationship between a Monthly Fixed Effect panel data model and a Time Series Model with Monthly Dummy Variables.
Compactification: Randall, Fainlight, Sedakova

In every poem, there is a tug of war between the poem’s temporality, its successiveness as the reader moves from line to line, from stanza to stanza, and its spatiality, its shape, which becomes a figure for the transcendence of time and evanescence, a figure for the way in which things (especially people, and works of art!) endure in our hearts and minds. Poets who do not love succession often employ various strategies to escape from the linearity and rush of time, and in particular from the linearity of narrative (driving us from beginning to middle to end) and argument (insisting on the necessary inference from premise, premise, premise… to conclusion). They employ repetition in a certain way, and they are especially fond of circles and rings, the result of various kinds of compactification, as the mathematicians call it.
Using predictive Bayesian Monte Carlo- Markov Chain methods to provide a probablistic solution for the Drake equation

Abstract Are we alone in the universe? It is an age-old question that continues to encourage interest and controversy among the public as well as academics. Development of explanations for life elsewhere ranges widely, but few mathematical models have been developed to measure the likelihood of concurrent, intelligent life, and those that exist are widely speculative due to the lack of information. However, with the addition of information from Kepler explorations for new solar systems within our galaxy, and calculation of the potential number of stars in the expanse of the universe, data for a useful probabilistic model to determine the likelihood of life beyond Earth may be possible with the use of predictive Bayesian statistics. Predictive Bayesian statistical methods are designed to use limited, uncertain data, to develop results. The result provides a probability curve of the likelihood of life in the universe that includes both uncertainty and potential variability within the result to provide a means to define the probability of life in the galaxy as well as life within proximity to earth. That said, the results indicate that the probability we are alone (
Evaluating Separation Selectivity and Collision Cross Section Measurement Reproducibility in Helium, Nitrogen, Argon, and Carbon Dioxide Drift Gases for Drift Tube Ion Mobility–Mass Spectrometry

Previous ion mobility (IM) studies have demonstrated that varying the drift gas composition can be used to enhance chemical selectivity and resolution, yet there are few drift gas studies aimed at achieving quantitatively reproducible mobility measurements. Here, we critically evaluate the conditions necessary to achieve reproducible collision cross section (CCS) measurements in pure drift gases (helium, nitrogen, argon, and carbon dioxide) using a commercial uniform field drift tube instrument. Optimal experimental parameters are assessed based on the convergence of CCS measurements to reproducible values which are compared with literature values. A suite of calibration standards with diverse masses, biological classes, and charge states are examined to assess chemical selectivity and resolution achievable in each drift gas. Results indicate nitrogen and argon perform similarly and are sufficient for most applications where high resolving power and high peak capacity are desired. Carbon dioxide exhibits more selectivity for resolving structurally heterogeneous compounds, which may be preferable in specific analyte pair separations. Helium demonstrated modest separation capabilities but has utility for comparison to theoretical values and previously published work. In drift gases other than nitrogen, pressure differentials up to 230 mTorr between the drift tube and upstream chamber were optimal for improving correlation to literature values, while in nitrogen, the recommended pressure differential of 150 mTorr was found appropriate. We present recommended experimental parameters as well as gas-specific CCS measurements for structurally homogeneous sets of analytes which are suitable for use by other laboratories as standards for purposes of instrument calibration and overall assessment of IM separation performance.
Folian-cv1 Is a Member of a Highly Acidic Phosphoprotein Class Derived From the Foliated Layer of the Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica) Shell and Identified in Hemocytes and Mantle

The proteins derived from the foliated layer of the oyster, Crassostrea virginica, shell are unusually acidic and highly phosphorylated, which together may be characteristic of molluscan shell having foliated microstructure. Here we report the identification of a gene encoding a member of this class of phosphoproteins that we collectively refer to as folian. Using an in silico approach, a virtual probe was constructed from a 7 amino acid N-terminal sequence (DEADAGD) determined for a 48 kDa folian phosphoprotein and used to screen an oyster EST databank. A sequence that matched the N-terminus of the 48 kDa protein was found and used to identify the full gene from a C. virginica BAC library. We named the gene folian-cv1 based on the shell layer and species of origin. The molecular weight of the deduced gene product, minus the signal peptide and putative phosphorylation and glycosylation, is 32 kDa. Genomic Southern analysis reveals two variants of the gene in the population studied that differ by 4 point mutations. The mature protein is composed of 43.3% Asp, 32.6% Ser and 9.1% Glu with 37.5% of the amino acids of the protein potentially phosphorylated. The primary sequence of folian-cv1 is organized in blocks, with a short relatively hydrophobic block at the N-terminus and with the remainder containing low complexity regions largely dominated by aspartic acid and serine arranged in various sequence patterns. Overall, the protein is predicted to be highly disordered. PCR and sequence analyses identified folian-cv1 expression in the mantle and hemocytes. Immuno-histochemical staining of mantle tissue reveals that cells of the shell-facing epithelium and in the periostracal groove secrete a continuous layer of folian-positive material and that folian-positive hemocytes move through the mantle epithelium. The function in shell formation of folian proteins in general and folian-cv1 in particular is not known. However, based on the complexity of this class of proteins and the two methods of their delivery to the region of shell formation, it is possible they are involved in diverse ways in this process.
A deep neural network model for hazard classification

Hazard learning algorithms employing ground penetrating radar (GPR) data for purposes of discrimination, detection, and classification suffer from a pernicious robustness problem; models trained on a particular physical region using a given sensor (antenna system) typically do not transfer effectively to diverse regions interrogated with differing sensors. We implement a novel training paradigm using region-based stratified cross-validation that improves learning induction across disparate data sets. We test this training paradigm on a novel deep neueral network architecture (DNN) and report empirical results from testing/training on data collected from multiple sites. Furthermore, we discuss the relationship between penalty loss and evaluation metrics.
Smart Geographies and the Political Economy of Innovation and Inequality

This chapter focuses on recent changes in the structure and practices of geographies of global economic governance that have become more influential in response to the financial crisis of 2008. At their core is a ‘smart specialization strategy’ aimed at revitalizing core economies and flexibilizing regional development pathways through targeted research and innovation investments. While ostensibly directed at regionally and locality sensitive development strategies, the paper argues that these smart specialization initiatives intersect in important ways with the growing economic and political dominance of large cities, especially capital cities. Such primate city concentration of wealth, political influence, and social capital poses real political risks in shaping future political and economic agendas, and efforts to manage regional inequalities.
Seeking an ideal solution to the management of personal information collections

Introduction. This paper reports on the observation of twenty participants engaged on personal projects. The goal was to understand how people organize and structure a personal information collection. Method. Selected participants were asked to choose a relatively new project that they would likely be working on and completing in six to eight weeks. Participants were interviewed three times over the study period and the interviews were transcribed. Analysis. Members of the research team independently read each interview transcript, then met to discuss their independent analyses of the data. Through several iterations of this process, the researchers developed the themes and working definitions for their coding of the transcripts. Results. Participants changed the organization of their collections by adding new folders or categories, increasing the number of separate piles for information, or adding tags. They collected more information for their project than anticipated and found their initial plans for managing this information inadequate. Some abandoned their collections, while others faced the inadequacy of their strategies with resignation. Conclusion. Participants often described the need for a system which allowed for greater integration of their information. They assigned human qualities - an intelligent automated helper that would magically solve the challenges they face with the management of a personal information collection.
Superheroes of A Thousand Faces: The Irresistible Stan Lee

One of the most influential storytellers of the last sixty years was the exuberant Stan Lee, who helped create Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, the Hulk, Daredevil, Iron Man, the Black Panther, and the X-Men. In a short burst of creativity in the early 1960s, Lee created most of his iconic characters, and changed popular culture in the process. This essay, a review of Liel Leibovitz’s Stan Lee: A Life in Comics (2020), explores Lee’s astonishing creativity and distinctiveness, which can be found in a combination of joyful ebullience, capacity to wink, delight in human diversity, wit, commitment to human rights, and understanding of the essentials of the hero’s journey, or the monomyth, as described by Joseph Campbell.
Dependence of integrated, instantaneous, and fluctuating entropy production on the initial state in quantum and classical processes

We consider the additional entropy production (EP) incurred by a fixed quantum or classical process on some initial state $\ensuremath{\rho}$, above the minimum EP incurred by the same process on any initial state. We show that this additional EP, which we term the ``mismatch cost of $\ensuremath{\rho}$,'' has a universal information-theoretic form: it is given by the contraction of the relative entropy between $\ensuremath{\rho}$ and the least-dissipative initial state $\ensuremath{\varphi}$ over time. We derive versions of this result for integrated EP incurred over the course of a process, for trajectory-level fluctuating EP, and for instantaneous EP rate. We also show that mismatch cost for fluctuating EP obeys an integral fluctuation theorem. Our results demonstrate a fundamental relationship between thermodynamic irreversibility (generation of EP) and logical irreversibility (inability to know the initial state corresponding to a given final state). We use this relationship to derive quantitative bounds on the thermodynamics of quantum error correction and to propose a thermodynamically operationalized measure of the logical irreversibility of a quantum channel. Our results hold for both finite- and infinite-dimensional systems, and generalize beyond EP to many other thermodynamic costs, including nonadiabatic EP, free-energy loss, and entropy gain.
Pseudo-Pelger-Huët anomaly in a patient on tacrolimus.

![Figure][1] A 63-year-old man was discovered to have abnormal laboratory results after routine blood work and was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia with myelodysplasia-related changes (AML-MRC). After bone marrow confirmation, the patient was treated with chemotherapy followed by
Validity as Applied to Neuropsychological Assessment

The concept of test validity basically corresponds to the question of whether a test or an assessment procedure supplies the kind of information needed for a particular interpretation. This issue is very important because the test scores in and of themselves are meaningless unless they refer to a defined realm of observable phenomena. In clinical psychology, the consequence of interest may be a particular personality style or behavioral disorder. For clinical neuropsychology, the consequence of interest may range from whether brain impairment exists to the implications of the test results for adaptive behavior. Before particular issues that affect the validity of neuropsychological tests are described, general applicable concepts of validity and threats to validity are reviewed.
Rearrangements in steady multiple vortex flows

We are concerned here with steady, inviscid flows in two dimensions which have concentrated regions of vorticity. In particular, we study such flows which {open_quotes}desingularize{close_quotes} a configuration of point vortices in stable equilibrium with an irrotational flow. The vorticity functions in these flows are obtained as solutions of a variational problem for energy set in classes of rearrangements of fixed functions. It is inherent in the formulation of this problem that constraining sets which isolate different t regions of vorticity must be introduced. The existence of solutions of the variational problem follows from results of Burton, but in order for this to provide a flow with a continuous pressure, additional properties must be established. The simplest way to accomplish this is to show that the support of the vorticity is bounded away from the boundary of the constraining set. The major step in our analysis is a {open_quotes}local support lemma{close_quotes} which shows that this is possible under certain circumstances. This generalizes our earlier work for one vortex which in turn builds on results of Turkington. As we show below, it follows from the theory of Burton that for each vortex region {Omega}{sub i} there is a profile function {phi}{sub i}more » such that the vorticity {omega}{sub i} on that region satisfies {omega}{sub i} = {phi}, {omicron} {psi}, where {psi} is the stream function for the flow. Turkington and Eydeland have given an iterative method for computing vortex flows with multiple vortex regions when the profile functions, rather than rearrangement classes, are prescribed in advance. 14 refs, 4 figs.« less
Ultra-high capacity WDM optical packet routing through an 8-node data vortex sub-network

We demonstrate routing of 8-WDM-channel 10 Gb/s optical packets through an 8-node sub-network of the data vortex, realizing virtual buffering within the switching fabric. Single pulse WDM encoding for the header simplifies packet control and reduces latency.
l-Asparaginase II of Escherichia coli STUDIES ON THE ENZYMATIC MECHANISM OF ACTION

The enzymatic mechanism of asparaginase action has been explored using the acyl acceptor, hydroxylamine. Asparaginase catalyzed the synthesis of the hydroxamate from asparagine and more slowly from aspartic acid. β-Aspartohydroxamate was also a substrate for asparaginase. These reactions have rates which are linearly dependent on the concentration of the enzyme and can therefore be used as convenient colorimetric assays. The activity which catalyzed these reactions migrated precisely with asparaginase II during isoelectric focusing with an isoelectric point of 4.9. The reactions with hydroxylamine suggest a mechanism which involves a β-aspartyl enzyme intermediate. Further support for this mechanism has been obtained from exchange studies which showed that asparaginase catalyzed the incorporation of oxygen from 18O-labeled water into aspartic acid. Useful kinetic analysis of the hydrolysis of asparagine cannot be carried out because the concentration of water cannot be varied as a kinetic parameter. The hydroxylaminolysis reactions, however, allowed demonstration of a ping-pong mechanism consistent with a reaction pathway involving an acyl enzyme intermediate.
A dimensionless number describing the effects of recharge and geometry on discharge from simple karstic aquifers.

[1] The responses of karstic aquifers to storms are often used to obtain information about aquifer geometry. In general, spring hydrographs are a function of both system geometry and recharge. However, the majority of prior work on storm pulses through karst has not studied the effect of recharge on spring hydrographs. To examine the relative importance of geometry and recharge, we break karstic aquifers into elements according to the manner of their response to transient flow and demonstrate that each element has a characteristic response timescale. These fundamental elements are full pipes, open channels, reservoir/constrictions, and the porous matrix. Taking the ratio of the element timescale with the recharge timescale produces a dimensionless number, γ, that is used to characterize aquifer response to a storm event. Using sets of simulations run with randomly selected element parameters, we demonstrate that each element type has a critical value of γ below which the shape of the spring hydrograph is dominated by the shape of the recharge hydrograph and above which the spring hydrograph is significantly modified by the system geometry. This allows separation of particular element/storm pairs into recharge-dominated and geometry-dominated regimes. While most real karstic aquifers are complex combinations of these elements, we draw examples from several karst systems that can be represented by single elements. These examples demonstrate that for real karstic aquifers full pipe and open channel elements are generally in the recharge-dominated regime, whereas reservoir/constriction elements can fall in either the recharge- or geometry-dominated regimes.
The Video-On-Demand Trial in Taiwan: A Partially DAVIC Compliant System

This paper reviews the Video-On-Demand technical trial conducted by Computer & Communication Research Laboratories in Taiwan. This trial is one of the key realization of Taiwan‘s National Information Infrastructure. The primary goal is to provide a testbed and platform for new product development, interoperability test, and interactive multimedia applications. It also explores the technical difficulties from which experiences can be gained for future large scale deployment. Open system and end-to-end system are the most important requirements of the VOD system in this trial. Open system allows a variety of video servers and set-top boxes to be integrated into the system while end-to-end system requires system integration know-how. An overview of the Video-On-Demand system is provided in this paper. The architecture of the video server, delivery network and set-top box will be examined. The system integration issues including content preparation will also be discussed.
Providers, Prescriptions and Patients: Methodology for U.S. Health Care Reform

Abstract Health care reform should be considered equal parts moral and economic issues. The United States spends more on health care than any other nation in the world ($2.6 trillion annually), yet the U.S. has some of the worst health outcomes of developed nations.1,2 Although health care spending comprises over one-sixth of the economy (17.9% of GDP), over fifty million U.S. citizens live without health insurance. The U.S. needs to use finances more efficaciously not only to enhance quality of care and patient outcomes, but to avoid a looming economic crisis.3 Recently, the Congressional Budget Office reported that if Medicare cost inflation exceeds overall economic growth by 2.5%, the top marginal tax rates in 2050 will approach 92%.3,4 The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) addresses problems associated with cost, coverage and quality by introducing: the Individual Mandate, Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), Bundled Payments for Care Improvement (BPCI) Initiative, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), and many more pilot programs that act as vehicles of site-specific reform. However, underlying health care problems still remain that must be resolved to facilitate the ACA reforms. These daunting issues include, but are certainly not limited to: the shortage of physicians, ACO practitioner liability, weaknesses of the Individual Mandate, the remaining uninsured and the outmoded practices of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The goal of this paper is to address these problems and propose strategic reforms that will either augment or exist concomitantly with the ACA.
Tracking and recognizing people in colour using the earth mover's distance

This paper proposes a method that tracks and recognizes people in indoor scenes. Background subtraction and foreground silhouette analysis are used to detect people. The colour of each person's clothes is used as a distinguishing feature for the purpose of tracking and recognizing people. Clothing colour is extracted using histograms on a luminance and perceptually uniform chrominance colour space. A measure of dissimilarity between different histograms is computed using the earth mover's distance. This approach has been used in an application consisting in monitoring people entering or leaving a room.
Integration of VBR video and ABR data sources at a DSL-based access node

ATM over xDSL allows integrated access of video, voice and data services into the Internet with QoS support. In this paper, we study the integration of MPEG video calls and high-speed data calls at an ATM DSL access multiplexer (DSLAM). The interactivity in video calls requires a stringent delay QoS (but relaxed cell loss). In contrast, data calls have a stringent cell loss QoS requirement (but relaxed delay). We study an access strategy which allocates separate buffers to the 2 types of traffic and assigns priority to video in accessing the channel. We first present a Markov-modulated fluid model for the video sources based on measurements performed on a large number of MPEG sequences. Then, we present a computationally efficient fluid analysis of multiplexed video calls. Finally, we provide a fluid analysis of the low-priority data buffer. We derive a model for the output fluid process of the video buffer and approximate it with a two-state model. We use both the full and approximate models to calculate the cell loss for data. We compare the performance of these two methods to a commonly-used approximate method. The study shows that: (1) our two-state approximation is fairly accurate while computationally very efficient; (2) the commonly used method is overly inaccurate compared to the first two methods.
Pediatric epilepsy surgery: the widening spectrum of surgical candidacy.

With many types of epilepsy now alleviated or controlled by surgery, inte-rest has shifted to other seizure types that are not traditionally amenable to surgical therapy. This trend is particularly evident at pediatric centers where seizure presentations are diverse and often extremely severe. Many present as severe electroclinical syndromes with adverse prognoses that are well studied [1, 2]. Thus, without definitive intervention, the [...]
Effort as determinant of intake and patterns of drinking in the guinea pig.

Abstract The influence of effort (FR size) and duration of access to the drinking tube on the Guinea pig's daily water intake and pattern of drinking was studied. As FR size increased there was a reduction in the number of drinking bouts and in the daily intake. The Guinea pig adjusted to the decline in the number of drinking bouts by increasing the amount of water consumed per bout and compensated for the reduction in total intake by increasing the efficiency of utilization of water. These non-deprived animals were able to maintain control growth rates except during the most demanding schedules. These findings are discussed in relation to the hypothesis that the motivation for appetetive behavior arises from constraints on free feeding and drinking.
Phencyclidine disrupts long- but not short-term memory within a spatial learning task

In the first experiment rats with 1, 2, 3 or 4 mg/kg phencyclidine (PCP), or saline injections were tested for acquisition or retention of a cheese board spatial task (dry land version of a water maze). Results indicate that relative to controls or rats with injections of 1 and 2 mg/kg PCP, rats with 3 or 4 mg/kg PCP injections were impaired in acquisition and retention of the task as measured by increased distances traveled to find the correct food location. This impairment was primarily observed in between days but not within days performance. In the second experiment rats with 4 mg/kg PCP or saline injections were tested for memory performance of a delayed spatial matching-to-sample task. Results indicate that relative to controls rats with 4 mg/kg PCP injections were not impaired at either 1–5 or 30 s delays. It is suggested that PCP through its blocking action of the NMDA receptor mediates long- but not short-term memory for spatial location information as well as the ability to retrieve previously learned spatial location information.