cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Convex Functions and the Legendre-Fenchel Transform

The first part of this book illustrated the use of entropy concepts in analyzing stochastic and statistical mechanical systems. Convexity was a recurring theme. Suppose that ρ is a probability measure on ℝ d such that $$ {c_p}\left( t \right) = \log \int_{{\mathbb{R}^d}} {\exp \left\langle {t,x} \right\rangle \rho \left( {dx} \right)} $$ is finite for all t in ℝ d . The function c ρ (t), called the free energy function of ρ, is a convex function on ℝ d [Example VII.1.2]. The Legendre-Fenchel transform of c ρ (t) is given by $$ I_\rho ^{\left( 1 \right)}\left( z \right) = \mathop {\sup }\limits_{t \in {\mathbb{R}^d}} \left\{ {\left\langle {t,z} \right\rangle } \right. - {c_\rho }\left. {\left( t \right)} \right\},z \in {\mathbb{R}^d}. $$
Laser processing of metamaterial structures (Presentation Recording)

The use of metamaterials structures has been the subject of extensive discussions given their wide range of applications. However, a large fraction of the work available to date has been limited to simulations and proof-of-principle demonstrations. One reason for the limited success inserting these structures into functioning systems and real-world applications is the high level of complexity involved in their fabrication. Direct-write processes are ideally suited for the fabrication of arbitrary periodic and aperiodic structures found in most metamaterial and plasmonic designs. For these applications, laser-based processes offer numerous advantages since they can be applied to virtually any surface over a wide range of scales. Furthermore, laser direct-write or LDW allows the precise deposition and/or removal of material thus enabling the fabrication of novel metamaterial designs. This presentation will show examples of metamaterial and plasmonic structures developed at the Naval Research Lab using LDW, and discuss the benefits of laser processing for these applications. This work was sponsored by The Office of Naval Research.
Corruption as solidarity: an inverted republicanism to resist inverted totalitarianism

According to conventional republican accounts of political vices and virtues, solidarity is a virtue that strengthens the polity and corruption is a vice that undermines political and social bonds. Season 2 of â€œThe Wireâ€? offers the figure of Frank Sabotka as a counter-exemple to this traditional narrative. Sabotka engages in corruption as a means to maintain his labour union in an ultimately futile act of resistance against the encroaching forces of post-industrial capitalism. In my paper I read the figure of Sobotka against more traditional accounts of the relationship between solidarity and corruption as found in such diverse political theorists as Richard Rorty, Niccolo Machiavelli, Quentin Skinner, Hannah Arendt, and Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri. I argue that Sobotka complicates the conventional understanding of the dynamics between corruption and solidarity. Traditional institutions for practicing solidarity such as labour unions, religious organizations, and political parties are all compromised in fundamental ways by late modern capitalism, thereby making political solidarity difficult to maintain. However, corruption, seen by classical republicans as a threat to the social fabric of the state, may under these conditions be re-appropriated as a means for resisting the onslaught of global capital by those whose very way of life is threatened by its expansion. As such, the figure of Sobotka raises the possibility of an inverted republicanism that can resist the inverted totalitarianism Sheldon Wolin identifies as the condition of post-World War II American Democracy and that is depicted in â€œThe Wire.â€?
Human Capital External Effect and Taxation of Physical Capital Income

It is commonly believed that taxation of physical capital is "a bad idea". Whereas in reality many countries do levy heavy taxes on capital income. In this paper we show that taxation of physical capital can be justified when there is non-convexity of technology due to human capital external effect. We demonstrate that taxation of capital income should be implemented via residence-based taxation, that is, to increase the welfare of the residents of the country, the government has to levy the entire tax burden only on them. We also show that source-based taxation reduces welfare.
Reinventing Richard Goldschmidt: Reputation, Memory, and Biography

Richard Goldschmidt was one of the most controversial biologists of the mid-twentieth century. Rather than fade from view, Goldschmidt’s work and reputation has persisted in the biological community long after he has. Goldschmidt’s longevity is due in large part to how he was represented by Stephen J. Gould. When viewed from the perspective of the biographer, Gould’s revival of Goldschmidt as an evolutionary heretic in the 1970s and 1980s represents a selective reinvention of Goldschmidt that provides a contrast to other kinds of biographical commemorations by scientists.
276 SECONDARY HYPERPARATHYROIDISM AND HYPOVITAMINOSIS D IN AFRICAN AMERICANS WITH HEART FAILURE.

Purpose Elevated serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) was previously reported in 8 African Americans (AAs) consecutively hospitalized in February 2005 with congestive heart failure (CHF) (Am J Med Sci 2006;331:30). The contribution of hypovitaminosis D to the appearance of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) was not addressed. Melanin is a natural sunscreen. Methods and Results Herein we report on SHPT (PTH > 65 pg/mL) and hypovitaminosis D (25(OH)D 30 ng/mL). We found (mean ± SEM): Conclusions Hypovitaminosis D is prevalent among AAs, with or without heart failure, whereas SHPT was confined to those with CHF where [Ca2+]o and [Mg2+]o balance can be compromised by chronic aldosteronism and loop diuretic. The potential for macro- and micronutrient supplements in the overall management of AA with heart failure is called into question.
Dengue virus NS1 enhances viral replication and pro-inflammatory cytokine production in human dendritic cells

Dengue virus (DV) has become the most prevalent arthropod borne virus due to globalization and climate change. It targets dendritic cells during infection and leads to production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Several DV non-structural proteins (NS) modulate activation of human dendritic cells. We investigated the effect of DV NS1 on human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (mo-DCs) during dengue infection. NS1 is secreted into the serum of infected individuals where it interacts with various immune mediators and cell types. We purified secreted DV1 NS1 from supernatants of 293T cells that over-express the protein. Upon incubation with mo-DCs, we observed NS1 uptake and enhancement of early DV1 replication. As a consequence, mo-DCs that were pre-exposed to NS1 produced more pro-inflammatory cytokines in response to subsequent DV infection compared to DCs exposed to heat-inactivated NS1 (HNS1). Therefore the presence of exogenous NS1 is able to modulate dengue infection in mo-DCs.
Modern Voluntarist Views of Faith

THE way of thinking to be considered in this chapter is that which stresses the part played by the will in the act or state of faith. We are familiar from recent works of philosophical theology with such statements as the following: Faith is distinguished from the entertainment of a probable proposition by the fact that the latter can be a completely theoretic affair. Faith is a “yes” of self-commitment, it does not turn probabilities into certainties; only a sufficient increase in the weight of evidence could do that. But it is a volitional response which takes us out of the theoretic attitude.1
Gepigmenteerde huidafwijkingen in het gelaat

Tio D, Van Doorn R, Mooi WJ, Van Montfrans C. Gepigmenteerde huidafwijkingen in het gelaat. Huisarts Wet 2016;59(8):356-60.
More Symmetry in Science

The role of analogy in science is considered. Two additional symmetries in science are discussed: symmetry of evolution of quasi-isolated systems and symmetry of states, of systems.
Sentinel lymphatic mapping in breast cancer.

Axillary lymph node dissection remains an essential element in the surgical management of most patients with operable invasive breast cancer. The histologic status of the axillary nodes remains the single best predictor of survival in patients with breast cancer. Axillary lymph node dissection provides excellent regional tumor control, and the pathologic information gained is pivotal to the planning of adjuvant therapy. No procedure, invasive or noninvasive, has proved as accurate and effective in accomplishing these goals. Even so, axillary lymph node dissection is a major operation that may be associated with scarring, numbness, and occasionally lymphedema. With earlier mammographic detection, an increasing proportion of breast cancer patients will have negative axillary nodes, and this group presumably cannot benefit from axillary lymph node dissection. Sentinel lymphatic mapping may prove beneficial for this subset of breast cancer patients.
The Helicity of a Knotted Vortex Filament

The helicity H associated with a knotted vortex filament is considered. The filament is first constructed starting from a circular tube, in three stages involving injection of (integer) twist, deformation and switching of crossings. This produces a vortex tube in the form of an arbitrary knot K; each vortex line in the tube is a (trivial) satellite of K, and the linking number of any pair of vortex lines in the tube is the same integer n. It is shown that in these circumstances the helicity is given by H = nк 2 where к is the circulation associated with the tube. This result is discussed in relation to earlier works, in particular the work of Calugareanu (1959, 1961) which establishes that, for a twisted ribbon with axis C the number n is the sum of three ingredients: $$\frac{H}{{{\kappa ^2}}} = n = W(C) + T(C) + \frac{1}{{2\pi }}{[\Delta \Theta ]_C}$$ where W(C) is the writhing number and T(C) is the total torsion. The quantity [∆Θ] C represents the net angle of rotation of the spanwise vector on the ribbon relative to the Frenet triad in one passage round C. Both T(C) and [∆Θ] C are discontinuous in deformations that take C through an inflexion point. The generic behaviour in such passage through an inflexion point is analysed and clarified in §6.
Pharmacist-industry relationships.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to document, in their own words, beliefs and attitudes that American pharmacists have towards the pharmaceutical industry and pharmacists’ interactions with industry. Methods An ethnographic-style qualitative study was conducted utilizing open-ended interviews with four hospital pharmacists, two independent pharmacists, two retail pharmacists and one administrative pharmacist in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area to elicit descriptions of and attitudes towards pharmacists’ relationships with industry. Analysis of the qualitative material followed established ethnographic conventions of narrative thematic analysis. Key Findings All pharmacists reported interactions with pharmaceutical company representatives. Most had received free resources or services from industry, including educational courses. Respondents uniformly believed that industry promotional efforts are primarily directed towards physicians. Although respondents felt strongly that drug prices were excessive and that ‘me-too’ drugs were of limited use, they generally had a neutral-to-positive view of industry-funded adherence/compliance programmes, coupons, vouchers, and copay payment programmes. Interviewees viewed direct-to-consumer advertising negatively, but had a generally positive view of industry-funded drug information. Conclusions Pharmacists may represent a hitherto under-identified cohort of health professionals who are targeted for industry influence; expanding roles for pharmacists may make them even more attractive targets for future industry attention. Pharmacy schools should ensure that students learn to rely on unbiased information sources and should teach students about conflicts of interest and the risks of interacting with industry. Further research should be conducted on the extent to which pharmacists’ attitudes towards their duties and towards drug assessment and recommendation are influenced by the pharmaceutical industry.
Institutions and the Stages of Growth

This paper reconsiders growth regressions from the perspective of Walt Whitman Rostow’s classic growth stages framework. We revised Rostow’s stages and then code every country that has data available according to the framework. We then estimate growth regression by stage and with interaction variables between institutions and growth stages. We find that the determinants of growth do vary by stage and that different institutions have different impacts by stage.
The Regulation of Trading Markets: A Survey and Evaluation

The U.S. equity markets have undergone profound changes since the late 20th century. Electronic order books have almost entirely replaced manual floor- and telephone-based trading. New trading venues and order types have proliferated. Technology made these developments possible, but regulation has also had an important impact on the market’s structural features. This paper surveys market structure regulation and the issues it has raised, including high-frequency trading, non-displayed liquidity, and market centers’ fee structures, each of which has attracted criticism in the popular press and proposals or requests for comment by the Securities and Exchange Commission. We also discuss proposals for alternative market structures.
Decentralized Stabilization Via Game Theoretic Methods

Abstract Game theoretic ideas are employed in establishing the tradeoffs between control effort and “degree” of stabilization for a class of feedback controls. These control laws are particularly suited for decentralized stabilization of interconnected systems.
Outcomes of resection for solitary ≤5 cm intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Abstract Background Resection remains the treatment of choice achieving 5-year survival rates of 22% to 40%. The aim of this analysis was to examine the outcomes of patients with solitary ≤5 cm intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed on 123 patients undergoing resection for primary intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma from 1995 to 2013. Group 1 included patients with asymptomatic solitary intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma measuring ≤5 cm. Results Group 1 (n = 33, 27%) had a greater rate of underlying liver disease, cirrhosis, minor resection, favorable pathologic features including decreased rate of perineural invasion, vascular invasion, lymph node involvement, and satellite nodules (P Conclusion Resection of solitary intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma ≤5 cm can achieve 5-year survival rates up to 71%. Results were comparable to those of patients undergoing transplantation for hepatocellular cancer within the Milan criteria.
Multiple invasion speeds in a two-species integro-difference competition model

We study an integro-difference competition model for the case that two species consecutively invade a habitat. We show that if a species spreads into a traveling wave of its rival, or if two species expand their spatial ranges in both directions, in a direction where open space is available, the species with larger invasion speed can always establish a wave moving into open space with its own speed. We demonstrate that when one species is stronger in competition, under appropriate conditions, the speeds at which the boundaries between two species move can be analytically determined. We find that in general there are multiple invasion speeds in the model. It is possible for a species to develop two separate waves propagating with different invasion speeds. It is also possible for each species to establish a single wave spreading with distinct speeds in both directions. The mathematical analysis relies on linear determinacy and new techniques developed.
Age trends in 30 day hospital readmissions: US national retrospective analysis.

Abstract Objective To assess trends in and risk factors for readmission to hospital across the age continuum. Design Retrospective analysis. Setting and participants 31 729 762 index hospital admissions for all conditions in 2013 from the US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Nationwide Readmissions Database. Main outcome measure 30 day, all cause, unplanned hospital readmissions. Odds of readmission were compared by patients’ age in one year epochs with logistic regression, accounting for sex, payer, length of stay, discharge disposition, number of chronic conditions, reason for and severity of admission, and data clustering by hospital. The middle (45 years) of the age range (0-90+ years) was selected as the age reference group. Results The 30 day unplanned readmission rate following all US index admissions was 11.6% (n=3 678 018). Referenced by patients aged 45 years, the adjusted odds ratio for readmission increased between ages 16 and 20 years (from 0.70 (95% confidence interval 0.68 to 0.71) to 1.04 (1.02 to 1.06)), remained elevated between ages 21 and 44 years (range 1.02 (1.00 to 1.03) to 1.12 (1.10 to 1.14)), steadily decreased between ages 46 and 64 years (range 1.02 (1.00 to 1.04) to 0.91 (0.90 to 0.93)), and decreased abruptly at age 65 years (0.78 (0.77 to 0.79)), after which the odds remained relatively constant with advancing age. Across all ages, multiple chronic conditions were associated with the highest adjusted odds of readmission (for example, 3.67 (3.64 to 3.69) for six or more versus no chronic conditions). Among children, young adults, and middle aged adults, mental health was one of the most common reasons for index admissions that had high adjusted readmission rates (≥75th centile). Conclusions The likelihood of readmission was elevated for children transitioning to adulthood, children and younger adults with mental health disorders, and patients of all ages with multiple chronic conditions. Further attention to the measurement and causes of readmission and opportunities for its reduction in these groups is warranted.
Integrating Theory and Practice in MPA Education in China: The FITS Model at Northeastern University

Professional MPA education in China has emerged and developed in response to both internal and external factors since the 1990s. After 13 years of development, great achievements have been made, an...
The Primary Surface Area of Corals and Variations in Their Susceptibility to Diagenesis

Reef-related carbonate sediments are well known for their extreme diagenetic susceptibility in meteoric environments. The rate at which mineralogically unstable aragonite and compositionally unstable magnesium calcites dissolve in meteoric reservoirs is regulated partly by the amount of sediment surface area that is available for reaction with the bulk aquifer. Most common reef allochems are composed of submicron crystals (Sorby 1879) which have disproportionately large surface areas (Fig. 1, Chave and Schmalz 1966). The total surface area of common polycrystalline, carbonate skeletal allochems, is often orders of magnitude higher than monocrystalline carbonate grains of equivalent dimensions (Walter and Morse 1984). Reef-related carbonate allochems thus have very high diagenetic rates that result from the high surface area of their biogenic, polycrystalline constituents.
Radioisotope thermoelectric generator cooling in the Shuttle bay

The paper describes a Shuttle-integrated radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) that consists primarily of a pump package and plumbing connected directly to the Shuttle payload heat exchanger. The RTG utilizes on-board water evaporative cooling capability, which is normally used for ascent, entry, and for supplementing the radiators. Attention is given to the RTG cooling concepts which include: (1) an active thermal cooling system (ATCS), where two Freon-21 loops operate simultaneously to transport heat from the Orbiter subsystem and payloads through liquid-to-liquid heat exchangers and pin-fin coldplates to four heat sinks, and (2) an atmosphere revitalization system (ARS) which provides for thermal, pressure, and contaminate control of the crew cabin and its equipment. The use of a payload heat exchanger to reduce weight, cost and complexity associated with an independent cooling system was investigated in detail.
On Becoming Virtuous

Based on Ben Franklin’s project to develop his virtuousness, we present an assignment that provides a structured process to facilitate students’ virtuousness in their day-to-day lives. Students det...
Physicochemical and Functional Properties of Proso Millet Storage Protein Fractions

Abstract The understanding of the protein structure-function relationship is very important to the study of protein chemistry. In this research, the physicochemical, functional, and structural properties of the storage protein fractions from two defatted proso millet cultivars (Dawn and Plateau) were determined and reported. The results show that protein recovery efficiency of 53.5% and 60.1% was recorded for Dawn and Plateau, respectively. The average denaturation temperature of all fractions was about 82.1 ± 3.5 °C. Surface hydrophobicity values for Dawn fractions were 11781, 10594, 316, and 2225 for albumin, globulin, and glutelin, respectively and 3415, 2865, 353, and 456 for Plateau fractions, respectively. Most of the protein fractions showed the highest solubility at pH 9 and lowest solubilities at pH ≤ 7 with solubility range from 5.7 to 100%. Emulsifying activity index (EAI) of less than 0.25 m2/g was recorded for most fractions, while the highest emulsion stability index (ESI) recorded was about 60 min. Prolamin fractions showed three major peptide bands of 11, 14, and 24 kDa while glutelin fraction revealed only a major band of 15 kDa and several minor bands of 11, 22, 24, 78, 209 kDa. No differences in the electrophoresis pattern were observed for the fraction with or without a reducing agent.
Risk Factors for Disability After Emergency Department Discharge in Older Adults.

Background We have previously shown that older adults discharged from the emergency department (ED) experience an increased disability burden within a 6-month time period after ED discharge. The objective of this study was to identify risk factors associated with increased disability burden among older adults discharged from the ED. Methods This study is part of an ongoing longitudinal study of 754 community-living persons aged ≥70 years. The analytic sample included 813 ED visits without hospitalization from 430 participants who had ≥1 visit to an ED during a 14-year follow-up period (1998-2012). Information on ED visits and disability burden in 13 functional activities was collected during monthly interviews. Twenty-nine candidate risk factors were evaluated for their independent associations with increased disability burden using a longitudinal multivariable model. Results In the multivariable analyses, age ≥ 85 (adjusted risk ratio [aRR] 1.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05 - 1.24), being unmarried (aRR 1.15, 95% CI 1.05 - 1.27), lower extremity weakness (aRR 1.20, 95% CI 1.07 - 1.34), and physical frailty (aRR 1.25, 95% CI 1.13 - 1.37) were associated with increased disability burden. As the number of risk factors increased, the predicted mean disability burden (on a scale 0-13) also increased, ranging from a value of 1.80 (95% CI 1.43 - 2.27) for 0 risk factors to a value of 8.59 (95% CI 7.93 - 9.29) for 4 risk factors. Conclusion Among older adults discharged from the ED, several risk factors were associated with increased disability burden over the following 6 months, including age ≥ 85, being unmarried, lower extremity weakness, and physical frailty. Further research is needed to evaluate whether risk stratification based on non-modifiable factors or interventions targeting modifiable risk factors improve functional outcomes for older adults discharged from the ED.
Budget Breaker? The Financial Cost of U.S. Military Alliances

How do alliance commitments affect U.S. military spending? This question is at the heart of debates about the value of alliances and the future of U.S. grand strategy. One perspective, which we call the budget hawk view, asserts that alliances are exorbitantly expensive, as they require military investments to deter third-party adversaries and reassure allies, encourage free-riding, and facilitate reckless allied behavior. A competing view, which we label the bargain hunter perspective, claims that U.S. alliance commitments are relatively cheap and might even reduce military spending. Allies provide key military capabilities, reassurance and extended deterrence are cheaper than it might initially seem, and alliances reduce the need for costly military interventions by promoting peace. Despite the importance of this debate, few studies have attempted to determine the degree to which alliance commitments affect U.S. military spending. We use over-time variation in the number of U.S. alliance commitments to estimate their financial toll. A statistical model of U.S. defense expenditures from 1947 to 2019 shows that one new alliance commitment adds between $11 and $21 billion to the size of the defense budget. Military alliances benefit the United States in many ways but, consistent with the budget hawk view, they are expensive for Washington to maintain. As scholars and policymakers weigh the benefits and burdens of alliance commitments, they should consider whether the political and economic gains of security guarantees exceed their high financial cost.
Evaluating disease outbreaks with syndromic surveillance using medical student clinical rotation patient encounter logs.

Context: While the data generated by medical students at schools that require electronic patient encounter logs is primarily used to monitor their training progress, it can also be a great source of public health data. Specifically, it can be used for syndromic surveillance, a method used to analyze instantaneous health data for early detection of disease outbreaks. Objective: To analyze how the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) codes input by medical students at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine into the Clinical Rotation Evaluation and Documentation Organizer (CREDO) patient encounter logging system could act as a new syndromic surveillance tool. Methods: A CREDO database query was conducted for ICD-10 codes entered between November 1, 2019 and March 13, 2020 using the World Health Organization's 2011 revised case definitions for Influenza Like Illness (ILI). During that period, medical students had an approximated mean of 3,000 patient encounters per day from over 1,500 clinical sites. A cumulative sum technique was applied to the data to generate alert thresholds. Breast cancer, a disease with a stable incidence during the specified timeframe, was used as a control. Results: Total ILI daily ICD-10 counts that exceeded alert thresholds represented unusual levels of disease occurred 11 times from November 20, 2020 through February 28, 2020. This analysis is consistent with the COVID-19 pandemic timeline. The first statistically significant ILI increase occurred nine days prior to the first laboratory confirmed case in the country. Conclusion: Syndromic surveillance can be timelier than traditional surveillance methods, which require laboratory testing to confirm disease. As a result of this study, we are installing a real-time alert for ILI into CREDO, so rates can be monitored continuously as an indicator of possible future new infectious disease outbreaks.
Teaching Risk Analytics Using R

We discuss our experience with using R, which is a free software that is particularly suitable for computer simulation, in a risk analytics course offered to students having different experience levels and technical sophistication. We highlight relevant packages in R that we found useful for the purposes of input modeling and stochastic optimization along with several examples. We also introduce a new package that allows the simulation of decision trees. Student feedback regarding the use of R in comparison to a spreadsheet-based platform has been very positive.
Education of Radiologists in Healthcare Disparities.

Abstract Disparities exist in access to a multitude of screening and diagnostic imaging examinations and procedures. To address these disparities within radiology, emphasis so far has been placed upon diversifying the workforce and formally educating trainees on healthcare disparities. Currently, there is no organized and nationally accepted educational program or content for practicing radiologists specific to diversity and healthcare disparity. This void can be addressed by providing an educational curriculum framework for practicing radiologists based on three key factors: individual efforts, calling for institutional change, and national collaboration. Individual efforts should focus on acknowledging the existence of disparities, understanding the contribution of one's implicit bias in perpetuating disparities, understanding and highlighting issues related to insurance coverage of radiology examinations, and participating in radiology political action committees. These efforts can be facilitated by a consolidated web-based training program for practicing radiologists. To pave the way for meaningful systemic change, the implementation of institutional change like that initiated by the Culture of Safety movement in 2002 is needed. A national collaborative effort initiated by radiology organizations to empower radiologists and recognize positive changes would further provide support. Summary A three-pronged educational framework combining individual radiologist education, institutional change, and national collaboration will enable radiologists to play a role in addressing imaging-related disparities in healthcare.
Basic Theory and Instrumentation for FT-IR Spectrometry

The basic instrument for Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometry is the Michelson interferometer. In its simplest form, the Michelson interferometer consists of two mutually perpendicular plane mirrors, one of which can travel in a direction perpendicular to its plane. Bisecting the planes of these two mirrors is a semi-reflecting film, or beamsplitter. An ideal beamsplitter has zero absorption, and a reflectance and transmittance both equal to 0.50
Effects of Negative and Positive Evidence on Adult Word Learning

This study compared negative and positive evidence in adult word learning, predicting that adults would learn more forms following negative evidence. Ninety-two native English speakers (32 men and 60 women [M age = 20.38 years, SD = 2.80]), learned nonsense nouns and verbs provided within English frames. Later, participants produced plural and past tense forms for the irregular nouns and verbs following negative or positive evidence. As anticipated, correct production followed negative evidence, and errors followed positive evidence. Additionally, participants learned more verbs than nouns. Implications for first and second language learning are discussed.
Viterbi detector with added noise detection channel

Summary form only given. Media transition noise in disk drives can be comparable to electronic noise, and media design compromises are made to minimize it (K.E. Johnson, J. Appl. Phys., vol. 87, no.9, pt.1-3, pp. 5365-70, 2000). However, its presence also "signals" that a bit transition is present. By separating the noise signal from the signal+noise signal, a noise metric can be added to the normal PR Viterbi metric, potentially lowering the channel error rate. The proposed noise channel signal is taken just before the PR lowpass filter, then passed through a bandpass filter from Nyquist f/sub n/ to 2f/sub n/ (or up to the media grain size noise limit). If the playback signal has little energy above f/sub n/ or if it is close to a PR shape, the transition noise n/sub z/ will dominate in the second channel (termed the noise z-channel). The channels are separately sampled.
Text-independent speaker identification using binary-pair partitioned neural networks

The N-way speaker identification task is partitioned into N*(N-1)/2 binary-pair classifications. The binary-pair classifications are performed with small neural nets, each trained to make independent binary decisions on small fragments of speech data. Three issues were investigated concerning optimally combining a large number of fragmentary binary decisions into a single N-way decision: (1) incorporating speech energy and phonetic content information to compute an improved probability measure at the individual speech frame level; (2) combining binary frame-level decisions into a binary segment-level decision; and (3) combining the binary segment-level decisions into a single N-way segment level decision. It was shown that the two-way classifiers can be combined to achieve 100% speaker identification performance for large speaker populations. >
Brief History of the Early Development of Theoretical and Experimental Fluid Dynamics

The sight of an airplane flying overhead typifies the laws of aerodynamics in action, and it is easy to forget that just two centuries ago, these laws were so mysterious or unknown or misunderstood as to preclude a flying machine from lifting off the ground, let alone successfully flying through the air. Ultimately, the present understanding of fluid dynamics in general and aerodynamics in particular is a product of intellectual thought and empirical observation that is steeped in several millennia of history. The purpose of this chapter is to give the readers of this encyclopedia some idea of how this intellectual thought evolved, what empirical observations were made, and the role played by some of the movers and shakers who helped to bring us to the current level of understanding of fluid dynamics and aerodynamics. Keywords: continuum; hydrodynamics; drag; Bernoulli's equation; Euler equations; Navier–Stokes equations; transition; boundary layer; Kutta-Joukowski theorem
Semi-Markov Cascade Representations of Local Solutions to 3-D Incompressible Navier-Stokes

A probabilistic approach int roduced by LeJan and Sznitrnan (1997) perm its derivation of weak solutions to 3-d incompressible Navier-Stokes equations whose Fourier transform may be rep resented by an expected value of a stochastic cascade. This approach was extended in Bhattacharya et al. (2003) by met hods which would yield unique global solutions by a stochastic representation under “small initial data conditions”. A connection to iterative contraction maps on appropriate function space was also provided which would also yield local existence and uniqueness under “short time” constraint s, but with out stochastic cascade representations. In t he present paper the authors (i.) Provide a stochastic cascade representation for local solutions, and (ii.) Provide time-asymptotics for global solutions from t he stochastic representation.
Highly visible, curiously intangible.

Is it just lack of data that limits our understanding of modern human origins, or are we not looking at the existing data with an open mind? Clark uses the transition from the Middle to the Upper Paleolithic in Europe, between 35,000 and 45,000 years before present, to illustrate his view that blinkered vision rather than lack of data are holding us back. He maintains that research traditions are reinforcing perceived differences between modern humans and neandertals, rather than allowing for a range of paleolithic adaptations held in common by all circum-Mediterranean hominids.
Eduardo Posada Carbó. La nación soñada. Violencia, liberalismo y democracia en Colombia

Posada argumenta en este libro que cualquier esperanza de que Colombia se convierta en la nacion en que suena —un pais pacifico, sin violencia, “liberal” y “democratico”, terminos que define en una forma a la que nos referiremos en un momento— depende en buena parte de la elite intelectual colombiana. Estos “creadores de opinion” —artistas, periodistas, historiadores y cientificos sociales entre otros— deben dejar de ser “derrotistas” y aprender a estar “orgullosos” de su pais y de su historia. Deben “evitar estereotipos” y apreciar mas bien “la dinamica de procesos historicos muy complejos” (p. 298).
Disorders of Pulmonary Function, Sleep, and the Upper Airway in Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease

Charcot-Marie Tooth disease (CMT) encompasses several inherited peripheral motor-sensory neuropathies and is one of the most common inherited neuromuscular diseases. Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease can be associated with several disorders that may be encountered by the pulmonary physician, including restrictive pulmonary impairment, sleep apnea, restless legs, and vocal cord dysfunction. Restrictive pulmonary impairment has been described in association with phrenic nerve dysfunction, diaphragm dysfunction, or thoracic cage abnormalities. Central sleep apnea may be associated with diaphragm dysfunction and hypercapnia, whereas obstructive sleep apnea has been reported as possibly due to a pharyngeal neuropathy. Restless legs and periodic limb movement during sleep are found in a large proportion of patients with CMT2, a type of CMT associated with prominent axonal atrophy. Vocal cord dysfunction, possibly due to laryngeal nerve involvement, is found in association with several CMT types and can often mimic asthma. There may be special therapeutic considerations for the treatment of those conditions in individuals with CMT. For instance, bi-level positive airway pressure may be more appropriate than continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for the treatment of sleep apnea in the individual with concomitant restrictive pulmonary impairment. The prominence of peripheral neuropathy as a cause of the restless legs syndrome in CMT may justify treatment with neuropathic medications as opposed to the more commonly recommended dopaminergic agents. The risk of progression to bilateral vocal cord dysfunction in CMT and the risk of aspiration with laryngeal neuropathy may limit the therapeutic options available for vocal cord paralysis.
Structural basis for synaptic adhesion mediated by neuroligin-neurexin interactions

The heterophilic synaptic adhesion molecules neuroligins and neurexins are essential for establishing and maintaining neuronal circuits by modulating the formation and maturation of synapses. The neuroligin-neurexin adhesion is Ca2+-dependent and regulated by alternative splicing. We report a structure of the complex at a resolution of 2.4 A between the mouse neuroligin-1 (NL1) cholinesterase-like domain and the mouse neurexin-1β (NX1β) LNS (laminin, neurexin and sex hormone–binding globulin–like) domain. The structure revealed a delicate neuroligin-neurexin assembly mediated by a hydrophilic, Ca2+-mediated and solvent-supplemented interface, rendering it capable of being modulated by alternative splicing and other regulatory factors. Thermodynamic data supported a mechanism wherein splicing site B of NL1 acts by modulating a salt bridge at the edge of the NL1-NX1β interface. Mapping neuroligin mutations implicated in autism indicated that most such mutations are structurally destabilizing, supporting deficient neuroligin biosynthesis and processing as a common cause for this brain disorder.
A time domain solution for the attenuation, at high amplitudes, of perforated tube silencers and comparison with experiment†

A numerical method, for determining the sound transmission loss of perforated tube silencers in the exhaust systems of internal combustion engines, is described; mean fluid flow and intense sound are allowed for in the analysis. The quasi-one-dimensional equations governing the sound field are approximated in finite difference form and are solved in the time domain. This is because non-linear hydrodynamic effects at the orifices need to be taken into account, and a time domain solution is a particularly versatile way of doing this. Transmission loss data measured on two experimental silencers are presented alongside numerical predictions and agreement is shown to be very good. Comparison is made between the present scheme and an equivalent frequency domain analysis and it is seen that the time domain method gives superior predictions of the transmission loss.
Proteoglycans from normal and degenerate cartilage of the adult human tibial plateau

Proteoglycans were extracted from normal and degenerate cartilage of the human tibial plateau. Both areas possessed proteoglycans of similar chemical composition, though the degenerate cartilage contained a greater proportion of molecules of lower buoyant density and enriched in keratan sulfate. There was no evidence for the changes in glycosaminoglycan synthesis that have been described for clinically osteoarthritic cartilage, or for changes in the ability to aggregate with hyaluronic acid.
The response of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate to norepinephrine in the hypothalamus and pineal organ of female rats in proestrus or diestrus.

The response of cAMP to norepinephrine (NE) was measured in hypothalamic tissue and pineal glands of cycling female rats killed on the mornings of proestrus and diestrus (in 4-day cycles) or diestrus II (in 5-day cycles). The results from 4- or 5-day cycles were similar in all cases. The report of Weiss and Crayton that the response of adenylate cyclase in pineal homogenates to NE is reduced on proestrus was confirmed, and a similar but lesser reduction was also detected with intact pineal glands incubated in vitro. Chopped hypothalamic tissue incubated in vitro revealed a greater response of cAMP levels to NE on proestrus compared to diestrus in the anterior hypothalamic- preoptic area, but no significant changes in the middle or posterior hypothalamus. In an effort to reproduce the changes noted on proestrus, ovariectomized animals were injected with estradiol benzoate for 2 days, but no effects of the treatment on the cAMP response to NE were found. If the animals were also given reserpine, however, th...
Immunological Relationships and a Genetic Interpretation of Major and Minor Acidic Proteins in Human Parotid Saliva

Isoelectric focusing was performed on parotid salivas selected for their electrophoretic phenotypes of proline-rich acidic salivary proteins. Fractions encompassing narrow pH regions were pooled and examined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Isoelectric focusing yielded partial purification of major and minor acidic proline-rich proteins which were subsequently compared by immunoelectrophoresis and double immunodiffusion against goat anti-human parotid saliva. Cross-reactivity without spurring between all fractions containing major Pr proteins in both immunoelectrophoresis and double immunodiffusion suggests that these proteins are immunologically very similar or identical.
Subjective framing and attitudes towards risk

Abstract Numerous examples of framing effects have been reported since Kahneman and Tversky's (1979) original article on prospect theory. However, the focus has been on imposed frames. We design an experiment to elicit subjective frames and to verify if these frames yield the same systematically different choices observed in experiments using imposed frames. We then compare the predictive power of frames with that of knowledge of risk preferences. For our experiment, we find no relationship between choice and attitudes towards risk, while a clear relationship exists between choice and frame.
A technique to occlude the nasal chemoreceptors during lingual flavor stimulation

Abstract A method was devised to prevent stimulation of the nasal chemoreceptors when flavors are presented to the tongue. This was accomplished by bucking the otherwise normal movement of odorous molecules from mouth to nose through the nasopharynx with a stream of air flowing in the opposite direction.
The association of social networks with substance use among homeless men in Los Angeles who have unprotected sex with women

AbstractThis study examined the association between social network characteristics and heavy drinking and crack use among homeless men who had unprotected sex with women. This study focused on network members with whom homeless men used substances. Of 305 randomly selected homeless men in Los Angeles, California, 182 participants who had unprotected sex with women during the previous 6 months were included in the final analysis. To obtain social network data, respondents were asked to provide the first names of 20 individuals they had contact with during the previous 6 months. In the final multivariate logistic regression model, social network characteristics were examined as possible influences on heavy drinking and crack use. The likelihood of heavy drinking was significantly increased by the proportion of network members with whom homeless men used alcohol. Likelihood of crack use was also associated with the proportion of network members with whom the respondent used drugs. Results indicated that usin...
SeSAME/EAST syndrome--phenotypic variability and delayed activity of the distal convoluted tubule

Background Mutations in the K+ channel KCNJ10 (Kir4.1) cause an autosomal recessive syndrome featuring seizures, sensorineural deafness, ataxia, mental retardation, and electrolyte imbalance (SeSAME). Kir4.1 localizes to the basolateral membrane of the renal distal convoluted tubule, and its loss of function mimics renal features of Gitelman syndrome, with hypokalemic alkalosis, hypomagnesemia, and hypocalciuria. Presentation early in life due to seizures provides an opportunity to investigate the development of the electrolyte defect with age.
Regulation of adiponectin and leptin secretion and expression by insulin through a PI3K-PDE3B dependent mechanism in rat primary adipocytes.

Adiponectin is intimately involved in the regulation of insulin sensitivity, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and cardiovascular functions. The circulating concentration of adiponectin is decreased in obesity and Type 2 diabetes. The present study attempts to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the regulation of adiponectin secretion and expression in rat primary adipocytes. The β-agonist, isoprenaline, decreased adiponectin secretion and expression in a dose-dependent manner in primary adipocytes. Importantly, such an inhibitory effect could be blocked by insulin. The opposing effects of isoprenaline and insulin could be explained by differential regulation of intracellular cAMP levels, since cAMP analogues suppressed adiponectin secretion and expression in a fashion similar to isoprenaline, and insulin blocked the inhibitory effects of the cAMP analogue hydrolysable by PDE (phosphodiesterase). A specific PDE3 inhibitor, milrinone, and PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase) inhibitors abolished the effects of insulin on adiponectin secretion and expression. In the same studies, leptin secretion and expression displayed a similar pattern of regulation to adiponectin. We conclude that insulin and β-agonists act directly at the adipocytes in opposing fashions to regulate the production of adiponectin and leptin, and that a PI3K-PDE3B-cAMP pathway mediates the effects of insulin to restore β-agonist/cAMP-suppressed secretion and expression of these two adipokines.
Institutional support for undergraduate research

Institutional support is critical for establishing and maintaining an undergraduate research program. This paper discusses some of the challenges that one may encounter when seeking to institutionalize undergraduate research, including budget and personnel issues. It provides various views and ideas from schools that have been successful in securing institutional support for undergraduate research, and makes some suggestions of rationales for effectively arguing on behalf of undergraduate research. This paper is based on ideas generated at a breakout session at the 2012 national conference on Trends in Undergraduate Research in the Mathematical Sciences. Additional resources for a more in-depth discussion of the ideas presented in this paper are also provided.