cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Spreadsheet Exercise for Teaching Data Volume and Usage Analysis in the Introductory Database Course

It is argued that volume and usage analysis are useful topics in the introductory database course. Since time is limited and many students struggle with the issues, a simple spread sheet model is presented for helping students learn data volume and usage analysis. A simple example is presented, and student response to a related exercise is reported.
Coastal Andean Archaic

relative time period: Follows the Late Andean Hunting-Collecting tradition and precedes the Early Coastal Andean Formative tradition.
The Story Theory of Truth

This paper presents a new theory of truth entitled “the story theory of truth.” In this theory, the truth of a truth-bearer is defined as unfalsified-ness. Unfalsified-ness is defined in terms of cognitive defeat and supra-epistemic blocking. When a truth-bearer S makes the cognitive agent withdraw their assent to another truth-bearer T, S cognitively defeats T. When truth-bearers conflict and a supra-epistemic blocker (such as self-contradiction or Reductio or Ockham’s razor) blocks (one or more than one of) them, they get blocked. A truth-bearer is true as long as it is undefeated and unblocked. This theory is inspired by a few Indian philosophical ideas.
The Long-Run Consequences of Parental Death

This paper analyzes the causal relationship between parental death during childhood and long-run labor market outcomes by examining the 1853 New Orleans yellow fever epidemic as a natural experiment. In 1853, nearly 8,000 New Orleanians died of yellow fever, leaving many broken families and orphaned children behind. Because yellow fever was spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito,neighboring New Orleanians faced similar risk of contracting yellow fever conditional on nativity and race (the main determinants of yellow fever susceptibility). I link death records from the 1853 yellow fever epidemic to the 1850 Census. I then link children who lost an adult household member and children in neighboring families to the 1880 Census. The results indicate that parental death during childhood lowered the probability of entering white collar occupations (professionals and managers) and increased the probability of entering unskilled occupations or reporting occupational non-response.
Comparison of Skeletal Age and Various Physical and Motor Factors with the Pubescent Development of 10,13, and 16 Year Old Boys

Abstract The purpose of this study was to compare the skeletal ages and various physical and motor factors with the pubescent development of 10, 13, and 16 year old boys. The findings of this study indicated that physical maturation was differentiated most effectively at 13 years of age, although it was not so sensitive to maturational changes as was skeletal age; at 16 years, maturational differentiation was much more limited; and at 10 years, little or no value can be attributed to this method. The 13 and 16 year old boys who were advanced in pubescent development had higher mean scores on all physical and motor tests studied with few exceptions; generally, the differences between the means were significant. In terms of physique types, the only significant difference was found at 16 years of age, where a greater percentage of ectomorphs was found in pubescent group 4 than in group 5.
Medical sieve: a cognitive assistant for radiologists and cardiologists

Radiologists and cardiologists today have to view large amounts of imaging data relatively quickly leading to eye fatigue. Further, they have only limited access to clinical information relying mostly on their visual interpretation of imaging studies for their diagnostic decisions. In this paper, we present Medical Sieve, an automated cognitive assistant for radiologists and cardiologists designed to help in their clinical decision-making. The sieve is a clinical informatics system that collects clinical, textual and imaging data of patients from electronic health records systems. It then analyzes multimodal content to detect anomalies if any, and summarizes the patient record collecting all relevant information pertinent to a chief complaint. The results of anomaly detection are then fed into a reasoning engine which uses evidence from both patient-independent clinical knowledge and large-scale patient-driven similar patient statistics to arrive at potential differential diagnosis to help in clinical decision making. In compactly summarizing all relevant information to the clinician per chief complaint, the system still retains links to the raw data for detailed review providing holistic summaries of patient conditions. Results of clinical studies in the domains of cardiology and breast radiology have already shown the promise of the system in differential diagnosis and imaging studies summarization.
A woman with wrist pain

A woman presented with left wrist pain. The patient was the restrained driver in a motor vehicle accident. On examination, there was tenderness along the ulnar aspect of the distal forearm. Radial pulses were palpable, and motor and sensory examinations were intact. Radiographs were obtained (figures 1 and 2). Figure 1 Lateral …
Factors Affecting the Efficacy of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs in Preventing Post–Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Pancreatitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Post–endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP) is one of the most common and feared complications of ERCP, resulting in considerable morbidity and, rarely, in death.1,2 Post-ERCP pancreatitis prevention has remained the focus of clinical and research interventions. Although numerous trials studying a variety of pharmacological agents (eg, octreotide, corticosteroids, allopurinol, protease inhibitors, nitroglycerin) have yielded disappointing results,1,3–6 a few recent studies have shown significant benefit in reduction of PEP with administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).1,7,8 Recent meta-analyses have shown that prophylactic use of NSAIDs reduces the incidence and severity of PEP.9,10 Because the patient- and procedure-related factors affecting the efficacy of NSAIDs and the optimal timing, route of administration, and type of NSAID for PEP prophylaxis remain unclear, we have systematically evaluated and summarized available data on this topic.
Das iterierte Cash Flow Matching am Beispiel der sofort beginnenden Rentenversicherung gegen Einmalbeitrag

Im Rahmen des Asset-Liability-Managements kommt die Technik des Cash Flow Matchings vor allem bei Rentenversicherungen gegen Einmalbeitrag zum Einsatz. WAhrend die bisherigen Modelle sich dabei auf die Betrachtung bei Vertragsbeginn beschrAnken, wird in der vorliegenden Arbeit ein verallgemeinertes Modell vorgestellt, das sogenannte Iterierte Cash Flow Matching. Dieses erlaubt die Analyse entsprechender Rentenversicherungs-BestAnde und der zugehorigen Aktiva wAhrend der Vertragslaufzeit, u. a. im Hinblick auf mogliche Umschichtungen des Portefeuilles und die Berucksichtigung verAnderter Rechnungsgrundlagen.
The Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS) in Veterans of Afghanistan (OEF) and Iraq (OIF) Wars 2-11 Years after Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) (P3.328)

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the persistence of symptoms of the PCS in Veterans with TBI versus controls at long term follow-up 2-11 years after TBI. BACKGROUND: For Veterans with Deployment-related TBI (DTBI), there is very little data available on the presence of symptoms of the PCS beyond 2 years after the injury. METHODS: This is a controlled cohort study of 85 Veterans with DTBI (TBIS) who were 2-11 years beyond TBI compared to Veterans without TBI (CS) who were matched by age, sex, race and time of deployment. All TBIS and CS were administered the same questionnaires which dealt with PCS symptoms of: Headache (HA), Dizziness (Dz), Vertigo (Vrt), Balance Difficulty (BD), Poor Coordination (PC), Forgetfulness (Fg), and Difficulty with Decisions (DD). These were graded on a scale of None (N), Mild/Moderate (M/M), and Severe/Very Severe (S/VS). Depression was measured with the Beck inventory (BDI-2). Comparisons were done with the Chi Square test. RESULTS: For symptoms of Dz, BD and PC, these were reported these at S/VS level in 13-17[percnt] of TBIS and 1-3.6[percnt] of CS. The symptom was absent in 8-18[percnt]of TBIS and in 58-70[percnt] of CS. For Vertigo, 43[percnt]of TBIS had M/M, and 11[percnt] S/VS Vrt, while in CS, 17[percnt] had M/M and none had SVS problem. Fg and DD were noted at the S/VS level in 75[percnt] and 34[percnt] of TBIS and in 13[percnt] and 4[percnt] of CS. S/VS HA (≥10 days/mo.) occurred in 75[percnt] of TBIS and in 17[percnt] of CS. Depression was moderate in 27[percnt] of TBIS and 14[percnt] of CS, and was severe in 42[percnt] of TBIS and 6[percnt] of CS. All comparisons of TBIS vs CS were significant at pCONCLUSIONS he D-TBI produces long term symptomatology which can cause ongoing morbidity for the Veteran with little improvement over long term follow-up. Disclosure: Dr. Couch has nothing to disclose. Dr. Stewart has nothing to disclose. (p3.328) Language: en
Spline Cubatures for Expectations of Diffusion Processes and Optimal Stopping in Higher Dimensions (with Computational Finance in View)

We develop certain cubature (quadrature) rules for expectations of diffusion processes in ℝ N that are analogous to the well known spline interpolation quadratures for ordinary integrals. By incorporating such rules in appropriate backward induction procedures, we develop new numerical algorithms for solving free-boundary (optimal stopping) problems, or ordinary fixed-boundary problems. The algorithms developed in the paper are directly applicable to pricing contingent claims of both American and European types on multiple underlying assets.
Differential Diagnosis of Osteogenesis Imperfecta in Children

A wide variety of disorders may present with recurrent fractures due to bone fragility, and the mechanisms of bone fragility include both increased and decreased bone density, as well as focal lesions of bone. History, including a detailed family history, physical examination and laboratory and radiographic studies are essential in differentiating among these many conditions. Genetic testing may be indicated as early as in the neonatal period. Although both OI and child abuse are diagnostic considerations in the child with multiple fractures, these entities can very often be distinguished based upon history and radiographic studies (see Chapter XX, Rosenbaum). Disorders that may be considered in the differential diagnosis for fractures in the neonatal period include: prematurity, hypophosphatasia, mucolipidosis type II (I-cell disease) and Menkes disease. In children and adolescents with fractures, the differential diagnosis may include idiopathic juvenile osteoporosis, hypophosphatasia and celiac disease among the more commonly encountered disorders.
Hash Map Inlining

Scripting languages like Javascript and PHP are widely used to implement application logic for dynamically-generated web pages. Their popularity is due in large part to their flexible syntax and dynamic type system, which enable rapid turnaround time for prototyping, releasing, and updating web site features and capabilities. The most common complex data structure in these languages is the hash map, which is used to store key-value pairs. In many cases, hash maps with a fixed set of keys are used in lieu of explicitly defined classes or structures, as would be common in compiled languages like Java or C++. Unfortunately, the runtime overhead of key lookup and value retrieval is quite high, especially relative to the direct offsets that compiled languages can use to access class members. Furthermore, key lookup and value retrieval incur high microarchitectural costs as well, since the paths they execute contain unpredictable branches and many cache accesses, leading to substantially higher numbers of branch mispredicts and cache misses per access to the hashmap. This paper quantifies these overheads, describes a compiler algorithm that discovers common use cases for hash maps and inlines them so that keys are accessed with direct offsets, and reports measured performance benefits on real hardware. A prototype implementation in the HipHop VM infrastructure shows promising performance benefits for a broad array of hash map-intensive server-side PHP applications, up to 37.6% and averaging 18.81%, improves SPECWeb throughput by 7.71% (banking) and 11.71% (e-commerce).
Teachers as Learners

Thus, the title and some parts of the text of the 2011 strategy document highlight the importance of “learning”, but the focus on learning” (or, more precisely, learning outcomes) is not really new. As we will see, these issues also appear in previous World Bank strategy documents (1995 and 1999).
Model for continuous thermal metal to insulator transition

We propose a $d$-dimensional interacting Majorana fermion model with quenched disorder, which gives us a continuous quantum phase transition between a diffusive thermal metal phase with a finite entropy density to an insulator phase with zero entropy density. This model is based on coupled Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev model clusters, and hence has a controlled large-$N$ limit. The metal-insulator transition is accompanied by a spontaneous time-reversal symmetry breaking. We perform controlled calculations to show that the energy diffusion constant jumps to zero discontinuously at the metal-insulator transition, while the time-reversal symmetry-breaking order parameter increases continuously.
Embedded Processors for Networking and Communications

Abstract This paper shortly introduces the PowerQUICC microcontroller family. The PowerQUICC devices provide support for communications protocols such as ATM, HDLC, ISDN, multi-channel HDLC and 10BaseT Ethernet. The flexibility of the devices makes them ideal for equipment such as: SOHO and branch office routers; ADSL and cable modems; and intelligent switching hubs.
Photoinduced Nucleic Acid-Protein Crosslinkage in Ribosomes and Ribosome Complexes

Exposure of aqueous buffered solutions of E. coli 30S and 50S ribosomal subunits and of E. coli 70S ribosomes to ultraviolet radiation results in changes in a number of the initial physical properties of the ribosome components consistent with the formation of covalent crosslinks between the rRNA and protein components of the ribosomal subunits. These changes in physical properties include a dose-dependent decrease in the separability of the rRNA and protein components of the ribosome subunits under conditions normally denaturing for the ribosome structure, co-elution from gel filtration media of the rRNA and protein components of irradiated ribosomes under conditions where the native structure of the ribosomes is completely disrupted, enhanced mobilities of specific ribosomal proteins towards the anodic (+) electrodes in an applied electrical field, and radioactive labelling of specific ribosomal proteins in irradiated ribosomal subunits and 70S ribosomes initially labelled with tritium only in their rRNA components.
Novel Pathways for Regulation of Sinoatrial Node Plasticity and Heart Rate

Heart rate is an amazingly adaptive process with redundant pathways for both acute and chronic regulation in response to a wide range of environmental stimuli. Dramatic changes to basal heart rate are common not only in cardiovascular disease but also under physiological conditions (eg, exercise) as a way to match cardiac output with demand. Driving these changes in heart rate is alterations in activity of the sinoatrial node (SAN), a heterogeneous collection of specialized myocytes located in the right atrium. Defects in SAN function are increasingly common in an aging population (effects ≈1 in 600 patients over the age of 65 years) and manifest as prominent issues with heart rate control.1 Given the growing prevalence of SAN dysfunction and the limitations of available therapies, there is a great need to better understand the various ways the heart has evolved to control intrinsic rate. Article, see p 1058 Normal SAN function depends on a delicate balance between the activity of a relatively small number of automatic cells capable of spontaneously generating an action potential (AP) and the demands of surrounding atrial cells that require external stimulus for activation. This balance (and therefore heart rate) is readily tuned by perturbations at the cell and tissue level. SAN cell automaticity itself depends on a distinct ion channel expression profile that differs substantially from the ion channel signature present in atrial or ventricular cells.2 In contrast to ventricular and atrial cells, the SAN myocyte expresses virtually no inward rectifier K …
The Role of Molecular Weight in Pharmacologic and Biologic Activity of Synthetic Polyanions

Pyran Copolymer (Divema, NSC46015*), a synthetic polyanion, divinyl ether maleic anhydride copolymer, has achieved clinical trial because of antitumor activity and its role as an anti-viral agent. Most of the previous biologic and clinical work with this agent has been done with pyran copolymer of an average molecular weight of 18000. (NSC46015).
Optimal Spectral Estimation and System Trade-Off in Long-Distance Frequency-Modulated Continuous-Wave Lidar

Frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) LIDAR is a promising technology for next-generation integrated 3D imaging systems. However, it has been considered difficult to apply FMCW LIDAR for long-distance (> 100m) targets, such as those in automotive and airborne applications. Maintaining coherence between the reflected beam from the target and locally forwarded beam becomes a significant challenge for tunable laser design. This paper demonstrates the possibility of extending the detection range of FMCW LIDAR beyond the coherence range of its laser by improving the spectral estimation algorithm. By exploiting the Lorentzian prior of the received signal in the spectral domain, > 10x improvement in ranging accuracy is achieved compared to traditional algorithms that do not consider phase noise in the signal model. In light of this finding, the end-to-end modeling framework is presented to examine true system-level trade-offs of FMCW LIDAR and the feasibility of long -distance measurement.
The distribution, mechanisms and evolutionary significance of parthenogenesis in oribatid mites

Highly derived oribatid mites (Brachypylina) seem to fit most predictions of evolutionary theory regarding the ecological, geographical and taxonomic distribution of parthenogenesis. Earlier derivative groups generally do not. We suggest that the ancestors of large, completely parthenogenetic families (for example, Brachychthoniidae, Lohmanniidae, Camisiidae, Trhypoch-thoniidae, Malaconothridae, Nanhermanniidae) were themselves parthenogenetic, and that’ speciation’ and radiation occurred in the absence of sexual reproduction. Further, it is speculated that automixy (meiotic thelytoky) was the process involved — even though some extant species may prove to be secondarily apomictic, just as apomicts evolve from sexually reproducing lineages. If mechanisms for maintaining heterozygosity are effective, automixy can provide all the advantages of parthenogenesis, plus the DNA-repair advantage of meiosis. Genotypes can be diversified by the formation of distinct clones, thereby providing the raw material for successful radiation. The disadvantage of such a system would be its slow rate of change due to the absence of an allele-recruitment mechanism. Much of the above remains speculative since available data are meagre. Future work should include surveys of thelytokous mechanisms in oribatid mites, the genetic characterization of populations of a variety of parthenogenetic and sexual species, and the refinement of hypotheses on phylogenetic relationships of parthenogenetic taxa.
Comments on Kadish's 'Moral Excess'

In his essay titled Moral Excess in the Criminal Law, Professor Kadish relates two prototypes of wrongly decided cases that reflect an affinity for judging law a moral failure, and then raises a general jurisprudential inquiry into the need for an additional excuse doctrine based on non-controversial limits on practical reasoning; all of which, he argues, demonstrate "moral excess." For him, these cases and the more general inquiry teach a timeless lesson about the values of cooperation and human fallibility. Each situation, he concludes, illustrates our tendency to expect more from the law than it is capable of delivering, at least at this time in history. A central, unintended message of his piece is the undoubted humanity of a gifted observer, at least prepared to question, although in the end to defend, settled doctrine. In this essay, I will briefly summarize the three cases - instances of moral excess - on which Professor Kadish and I agree, then rehearse the jurisprudential issue over which we part ways - namely, whether our criminal law ought to take cognizance of bad moral luck. Because Professor Kadish answers this question in the negative, and provides his answer by denying the need for a new excuse or partial excuse doctrine, he does not consider a different question: Whether courts should consider rotten social backgrounds in the sentencing phase? In the final part, I will present a brief argument in favor of reintroducing substantial, guided judicial discretion in sentencing.
Applying Spatial Augmented Reality to Anti-Smoking Message: Focusing on Spatial Presence, Negative Emotions, and Threat Appraisal

ABSTRACTAs smoking has emerged as a health-risk behavior, communication scholars and practitioners have put many efforts into finding out ways to achieve smoking cessation. In this research, participants (N = 57) were randomly assigned to a spatial augmented reality (SAR) condition (3D projection mapping) and 2D flat screen to be exposed to an anti-smoking message. This research provides insightful evidence that the effects of SAR on people’s behavioral intention to spread anti-smoking messages online could be explained by spatial presence and negative emotions. Implications for research on the potential of SAR in terms of emotions and online viral behavioral intentions are discussed.
Montaigne on the art of judgment: the trial of Montaigne

C’est grand cas que les choses en soyent la en nostre siecle, que la philosophie, ce soit, jusques aux gens d’entendement, un nom vainet fantastique, qui se treuve de nul usage et de nul pris, (c) et paropinion et par effect. Michel de Montaigne The essay is by now an established literary form, despite the salacious content sometimes given to it by its inventor. In fact we are hard-pressed to find any essayist as embarassingly personal as Montaigne. But if we make our way back to his original work, quite a different light is shed. For to him, of course essayerwas not “to write a work of literature” but “to try or to test” something. Montaigne tried and tested things as a judge in Bordeaux. Trials, formal andinformal, were familiar to him. Readers of Montaigne are familiar with his notion of “a word in a corner”, an oblique or indirect approach to inquiry.Perhaps the word ‘apologie’ in the title of his EssaisII/12 on Raimond Sebonde and Sextus Empiricus is such an oblique hint, and like the “Apologia” ofSocrates, may be interpreted as a trial. Clearly it is not a plain “defense” ofSebonde’s 1487 Natural Theology, since it demolishes every genus and species of argument found in that work. But that is not to say that the “Apologie” is therefore ironic to the point of sarcasm and ridicule. Rather, I suspect that we have textual and autobiographical evidence to say that it is in truth a trial, taking place in Montaigne’s life and thought, With Sebonde as defendant accused of dogmatism and Sextus Empiricus’ Pyrrho the plaintiff.
Neurotransmitter- and Release-Mode-Specific Modulation of Inhibitory Transmission by Group I Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors in Central Auditory Neurons of the Mouse.

Neuromodulation mediated by metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) regulates many brain functions. However, the functions of mGluRs in the auditory system under normal and diseased states are not well understood. The medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB) is a critical nucleus in the auditory brainstem nuclei involved in sound localization. In addition to the classical calyx excitatory inputs, MNTB neurons also receive synaptic inhibition and it remains entirely unknown how this inhibition is regulated. Here, using whole-cell voltage clamp in brain slices, we investigated group I mGluR (mGluR I)-mediated modulation of the glycinergic and GABAergic inputs to MNTB neurons in both WT mice and a fragile X syndrome (FXS) mouse model (both sexes) in which the fragile X mental retardation gene 1 is knocked out (Fmr1 KO), causing exaggerated activity of mGluR I and behavioral phenotypes. Activation of mGluR I by (RS)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (3,5-DHPG) increased the frequency and amplitude of glycinergic spontaneous IPSCs (sIPSCs) in both WT and Fmr1 KO neurons in a voltage-gated sodium channel-dependent fashion, but did not modulate glycinergic evoked IPSCs (eIPSCs). In contrast, 3,5-DHPG did not affect GABAergic sIPSCs, but did suppress eIPSCs in WT neurons via endocannabinoid signaling. In the KO, the effect of 3,5-DHPG on GABAergic eIPSCs was highly variable, which supports the notion of impaired GABAergic signaling in the FXS model. The differential modulation of sIPSC and eIPSC and differential modulation of glycinergic and GABAergic transmission suggest distinct mechanisms responsible for spontaneous and evoked release of inhibitory transmitters and their modulation through the mGluR I signaling pathway. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Neurons communicate with each other through the release of neurotransmitters, which assumes two basic modes, spontaneous and evoked release. These two release modes are believed to function using the same vesicle pool and machinery. Recent works have challenged this dogma, pointing to distinct vesicle release mechanisms underlying the two release modes. Here, we provide the first evidence in the central auditory system supporting this novel concept. We discovered neural-transmitter- and release-mode-specific neuromodulation of inhibitory transmission by metabotropic glutamate receptors and revealed part of the signaling pathways underlying this differential modulation. The results establish the foundation for a multitude of directions to study physiological significance of different release modes in auditory processing.
Healthier Choices in School Cafeterias: A Systematic Review of Cafeteria Interventions.

Objective To describe school cafeteria interventions in terms of a behavioral economics scheme and to assess which system is more likely to be effective in improving food selection or consumption. Study design With this systematic review, we categorize cafeteria interventions using the behavioral economics theory of Kahneman into system 1 (fast and intuitive thinking) and system 2 (slow and cognitively demanding) or mixed (having elements of system 1 and system 2). Pertinent studies were identified from review of the literature of interventions performed in school and cafeteria settings in children grades K-12 within the past 5 years (2012-2017) at time of search. Results In all, 48 of 978 studies met inclusion criteria. By defining success as a 30% improvement in a desired outcome or statistically significant reduction in body mass index, 89% of system 1, 67% of mixed (had both system 1 and 2 elements), and only 33% of system 2 interventions were successful. Conclusions This review found successful system 1 type school cafeteria interventions to be more common than system 2 type interventions and system 2 type interventions are less effective than system 1.
Relationship between fractography, fractal analysis and crack branching

Abstract A critical part of failure analysis is to understand the fracture process from initiation through crack propagation. Crack propagation in brittle materials can produce crack branching patterns that are fractal in nature, i.e., the crack branching coefficient (CBC). There is a direct correlation between the CBC and strength, σ f : σ f ∝ C B C . This appears to be in conflict with the fractal dimensional increment of the fracture surface, D * , which is independent of strength and related to the fracture toughness of the material, K c : K c = E a 0 1 / 2 D * 1 / 2 , where E is the elastic modulus and a 0 , a characteristic dimension. How can D * be constant in one case and CBC be a variable in another case? This paper demonstrates the relationship between D * and C B C in terms of fractographic parameters. Examples of fractal analysis in analyzing field failures, e.g., that involve comminution, incomplete fractures of components, and potential processing problems will be demonstrated.
Improving chemotherapy infusion operations through the simulation of scheduling heuristics: a case study

Over the last decade, chemotherapy treatments have dramatically shifted to outpatient services such that nearly 90% of all infusions are now administered outpatient. This shift has challenged oncol...
Chapter 4 – Advanced Algorithms

Publisher Summary This chapter is concerned with the algorithms that employ some kind of structured model approach to produce motion. The structure of the model automatically enforces certain qualities or constraints on the motion to be generated. The use of models reduces the dependency of animators, who are concerned with the specifying details of the motion. The models used to control animation can become complex and math intensive. However, producing more complex motion requires the use of more complex mathematical machinery. The chapter discusses both kinematic and dynamic models. Kinematic control refers to the movement of objects irrespective of the forces involved in producing the movement. Dynamic control concerned with computing the underlying forces that are then used to produce movement. Modeling physics and automatically enforcing arbitrary constraints is a nontrivial task. The discussion here is intended for those without specialized knowledge of math, physics, and numerical methods. The algorithms that are typified by emergent behavior are included particle systems, flocking, and autonomous behavior. Finally, the chapter explores an energy minimization technique.
Implications of the COVID-19 San Francisco Bay Area Shelter-in-Place Announcement: A Cross-Sectional Social Media Survey

BACKGROUND: The U.S. has experienced an unprecedented number of shelter-in-place orders throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. There is limited empirical research that examines the impact of these orders. We aimed to rapidly ascertain whether social distancing;difficulty with daily activities (obtaining food, essential medications and childcare);and levels of concern regarding COVID-19 changed after the March 16, 2020 announcement of shelter-in-place orders for seven counties in the San Francisco Bay Area. METHODS: We conducted an online, cross-sectional social media survey from March 14 - April 1, 2020. We measured changes in social distancing behavior;experienced difficulties with daily activities (i.e., access to healthcare, childcare, obtaining essential food and medications);and level of concern regarding COVID-19 after the March 16 shelter-in-place announcement in the San Francisco Bay Area and elsewhere in the U.S. RESULTS: The percentage of respondents social distancing all of the time increased following the shelter-in-place announcement in the Bay Area (9.2%, 95% CI: 6.6, 11.9) and elsewhere in the U.S. (3.4%, 95% CI: 2.0, 5.0). Respondents also reported increased difficulty with obtaining food, hand sanitizer, and medications, particularly with obtaining food for both respondents from the Bay Area (13.3%, 95% CI: 10.4, 16.3) and elsewhere (8.2%, 95% CI: 6.6, 9.7). We found limited evidence that level of concern regarding the COVID-19 crisis changed following the shelter-in-place announcement. CONCLUSION: These results capture early changes in attitudes, behaviors, and difficulties. Further research that specifically examines social, economic, and health impacts of COVID-19, especially among vulnerable populations, is urgently needed. =.
Extending Maps from Products

If C be a compact, Hausdorff space and M be a metric space and if C × M × Y is normal and Z is the image of Y under a closed map, then C × M × Z is normal. This chapter presents an answer to whether X × Z is normal if X is a closed subset of C × M where C is a compact, Hausdorff space and M is a metric space and if X × Y is normal and Z is the image of Y under a closed map. The question is interesting because the class of spaces that can be embedded as a closed subset of a product of a compact, Hausdorff space with a metric space is the class of paracompact p -spaces, also called paracompact M -spaces, which have been studied extensively.
A rare sporadic pancreatic desmoid fibromatosis diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration: Case report and literature review

Intra-abdominal desmoid fibromatosis (also known as desmoid tumor) is a rare benign but often locally aggressive infiltrative fibrous proliferation. Pancreatic desmoid fibromatosis is even rarer, with only 31 cases previously reported in the English-language literature. These tumors present a distinct diagnostic challenge due to their rarity and non-specific image findings and presentation, with most cases diagnosed as desmoid fibromatosis only after surgical resection. This report presents a rare case of pancreatic desmoid fibromatosis in a 72 year old man, who on a follow-up CT for a previously diagnosed angiomyolipoma of the kidney was found to have a 4.0 cm pancreatic tail mass. This was sampled pre-operatively by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA). Examination of the cytology material showed a low-grade spindle cell lesion. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) performed on FNA cell block showed the lesional cells to be positive for beta-catenin, consistent with fibromatosis. Additional mutational analysis on cell block material revealed the characteristic CTNNB1 gene mutation (T41A), confirming the diagnosis. The mass was then surgically resected and again confirmed to be desmoid fibromatosis on histopathologic examination. On review of previously published cases of pancreatic desmoid fibromatosis, most were initially suspected to be some type of pancreatic neoplasm and were not biopsied prior to surgical resection. This case suggests a potential key role for fine-needle aspiration cytology in the preoperative diagnosis of pancreatic and other intra-abdominal desmoid tumors, particularly as evidence emerges that non-surgical treatment may be a viable first option for some cases.
Solvation of potential stable cations and anions originating from the Martian regolith in select ionic liquids

Abstract Element recovery from the Martian regolith using ionic liquids (ILs) is an active area of research within the field of in-situ resource utilization. In this work, we performed a classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulation study to better understand the solvation thermodynamics and structures of potential cationic and anionic species originating from the Martian regolith in two select ILs, i.e., 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([emim][Ac]) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate ([emim][HSO4]), at two temperatures of 298.15 and 473.15 K. The studied cationic and anionic species represent the stable ions, i.e., a series of tetra-, tri-, di-, and monovalent cations, as well as several silicate, phosphate, chromate, titanate, and select halide anions, based on the mineral composition of the Martian regolith. We calculated the solvation free energies (SFEs) of these ionic species in the ILs using the free energy perturbation method. Moreover, we investigated the solvation environment of these ionic solutes by generating the relevant radial distribution functions and calculating the running coordination numbers of ILs' anions and cations surrounding the solutes. Overall, the average absolute values of the SFEs for cationic solutes increase with increasing ion valency (charge) and size of the solute at both temperatures. For anionic solutes, a more complex effect of anion molecular size and charge is responsible for the trends observed in the absolute values of the SFEs. For example, we found orthosilicate to be the most soluble anionic species in both ILs. On the other hand, the dichromate anion was found to be essentially insoluble in both ILs. Comparing between the solvation efficiencies of the ILs, [emim][Ac] shows larger negative SFE values than [emim][HSO4] for all cationic solutes at both temperatures. While the temperature effect on the solvation of cationic solutes is mixed, higher temperatures generally favor the dissolution of the anionic solutes in both ILs. Our results provide molecular insights into the solvation thermodynamics of various potential ionic species that may be extracted from the Martian regolith using suitable ILs.
Reconstruction of Internal Orbital Fractures

Summary Diagnosis of orbital fracture based on history and physical examination should be confirmed by direct coronal CT imaging to define the extent of the defect. The commonly accepted indications for repair of orbital fractures include enophthalmos, persistent diplopia, muscle entrapment, and large fractures (larger than 50%) of the floor and wall. Early repair of orbital fracture is preferred over delayed reconstruction because results are better, particularly with respect to muscle entrapment and enophthalmos. Wide exposure of the orbit that completely delineates the fracture, including a stable posterior ledge of bone, is necessary before selecting a method of reconstruction. Bone grafts and metallic mesh implants are the preferred reconstructive materials.
CRISPR/Cas systems: The link between functional genes and genetic improvement

Abstract With the ever-increasing human population and deteriorating environmental conditions, there is an urgent need to breed environmentally friendly and resource-conserving rice cultivars to achieve sustainable agricultural development and food security. However, conventional rice improvement strategies, such as hybrid breeding, are time-consuming and laborious processes and may not be able to keep pace with increasing food demand in the future. Targeted genome-editing technologies, especially clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein (CRISPR/Cas), permit efficient targeted genome modification and offer great promise for the creation of desired plants with higher yield, improved grain quality, and resistance to herbicides, diseases, and insect pests. There is also great potential for tapping heterosis using the CRISPR/Cas technology. In this review, we focus on the most essential applications of CRISPR/Cas genome editing to rice genetic improvement, considering traits such as yield, quality, and herbicide, disease and insect-pest resistance. We discuss applications of CRISPR/Cas to the exploitation of heterosis. Finally, we outline perspectives for future rice breeding using genome-editing technologies.
Marx’s Theory of Labor Subsumption: Restatement and Critical Assessment

The purpose of this study is to offer a comprehensive restatement and critical assessment of Marx’s theory regarding the subsumption of labor under capital (SLC). The core hypothesis of this accoun...
Chemical Oceanography and the Marine Carbon Cycle: The global carbon cycle: interactions between the atmosphere and ocean

Cycling of carbon among the ocean, atmosphere and land is a fundamental component of the chemical perspective of oceanography because the fugacity () or partial pressure () of carbon dioxide is the most important greenhouse gas in the atmosphere (except for H 2 O, which behaves in a feedback rather than forcing capacity). Since there is about 50 times as much inorganic carbon dissolved in the sea as there is CO 2 in the atmosphere, ocean carbonate chemistry has a great impact on in the atmosphere. On time scales of hundreds to a thousand years the main marine processes that influence in the atmosphere are the thermodynamic temperature dependence of CO 2 solubility in seawater (the solubility pump ), and the interplay between the rate of ocean circulation and the rate of biological carbon removal from the euphotic zone to the deeper reservoirs of the ocean (the biological pump ). On longer time scales, of the order of one to tens of thousands of years, the preservation and dissolution of calcium carbonate along with the rate of weathering and the transport of bicarbonate to the sea come more into play. The Earth is presently in the early stages of a grand acid–base titration of seawater by CO 2 . Anthropogenic CO 2 is being added to the atmosphere at a rate fast enough to have resulted in an approximately 30% increase in the of the atmosphere since pre-industrial time.
Quantitative extraction of adenosine triphosphate from cultivable and host-grown microbes: calculation of adenosine triphosphate pools.

Existing data on adenosine triphosphate (ATP) pools in microbes are deficient for two reasons: (i) incomplete extractions of ATP, and (ii) the failure to take into account that the adverse effects of extracting procedures on standard ATP exert analogous effects on the ATP released from bacterial cells. Methods for correcting observed yields and calculating ATP pools have been demonstrated. Three bacterial species were used in the studies on extraction of ATP: Escherichia coli, Mycobacterium phlei, and Mycobacterium lepraemurium. Perchloric acid and n-butanol were disqualified because of their failure to extract total bacterial ATP even from E. coli and because of inconvenient procedures. The new extraction procedure had minimal effects on standard ATP, liberated 100% of the ATP pools from the three representative species of microbes, and caused no ionic imbalance or quenching of bioluminescence. This method involves vortexing of cell suspensions for 10 s with 23% chloroform (vol/vol), heating at 98 C for the required time (E. coli, 3 min; M. phlei, 5 min; M. lepraemurium, 10 min) and then 1 min at 98 C with vacuum to dry the samples. Heat or chloroform alone may suffice for some microbes and release total ATP from plant and animal cells.
The socio‐political, economic, and cultural determinants of social entrepreneurship activity: An empirical examination

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to incorporate the demand and supply‐side theories of entrepreneurship development in a series of stage‐based models that analyze how macro‐level and contextual variables influence social entrepreneurship activity. The paper investigates the macro‐level influences, including the socio‐political, cultural and economic factors that can stimulate or impede the emergence of social entrepreneurship. Although little research on these determinants has been conducted, this study seeks to reveal that several variables that are crucial in traditional entrepreneurial studies do not appear to significantly affect social entrepreneurship.Design/methodology/approach – To measure social entrepreneurial activity, the authors used the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) findings from the 2009 study. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to test three multi‐level stages of the socio‐political, economic, and cultural determinants of social entrepreneurship activity. The series of...
Cholinergic inhibition of adrenergic neurosecretion in the rabbit iris-ciliary body

The prejunctional effects of cholinergic agents on release of norepinephrine from sympathetic nerve endings were investigated in the isolated, superfused rabbit iris-ciliary body. Stimulation-evoked release of /sup 3/H-norepinephrine was inhibited by the cholinergic agonists methacholine, oxotremorine, muscarine, carbamylcholine and acetylcholine (plus eserine), but was unmodified by pilocarpine or nicotine. Agonist-induced inhibition was antagonized selectively by atropine, indicating a muscarinic response. Atropine alone markedly enhanced norepinephrine release, revealing considerable tonic activation of prejunctional cholinergic receptors in this system. Prejunctional inhibition by carbamylcholine was found to completely override the facilitative action of forskolin or 8-bromo-cyclic AMP on neurotransmitter release. Cholinergic and alpha 2-adrenergic effects on neurosecretion were non-additive, suggesting that the underlying receptors coexist at neurotransmitter release sites.
Dane particles-associated hepatitis B core antigen in patients with HBsAg-positive chronic hepatitis

Dane particles-associated hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) was determined by radioimmunoassay in 61 patients with hepatitis B surface antigen (HGsAg)-positive chronic hepatitis. HBc antigenemia was observed in 61% of patients, especially in those with epidemiological risk factors. Patients with chronic active hepatitis as well as those with chronic persistent hepatitis may have HBc antigenemia. The highest levels of HBcAg were observed in male homosexuals. Follow-up determinations indicate the general tendency of HBcAg to decrease or disappear. HBcAg-positive patients with chronic active hepatitis had a poor prognosis, whereas HBcAg-negative patients frequently had a favorable clinical course of the disease (P less than 0.001). The assay of HBcAg in the serum of patients with HBsAg-positive chronic active hepatitis is a useful parameter with both clinical and epidemiological importance.
Assessment of iron deposition in the heart in sickle cell patients using 3.0 Tesla cardiovascular magnetic resonance

Summary This study investigates the role of 3.0T R2* imaging for measuring cardiac iron overload. Experiments were conducted on calibrated phantoms and sickle cell disease (SCD) patients. R2* imaging at 3.0T enabled assessment of wide range of iron concentrations. R2* values at 3.0T were about double of those at 1.5T. Myocardial R2* showed weak and strong correlations with hepatic R2* and serum ferritin, respectively. In conclusion, R2* imaging at 3.0T is promising technique for assessing cardiac iron overload in SCD with high sensitivity and reproducibility.
Thermophoretic Effects on Seeding Particles in LDV Measurements of Flames

Abstract The motion of LDV seeding particles under the influence of viscous and thermophoretic forces in the rapidly-accelerating, high-temperature-gradient flame environment was studied via the counterfiow premixed twin-flame configuration. Results demonstrate that thermophoretic force can induce significant lag between the fluid and,particle velocities in the active preheat zone of a flame, and suggest that caution should be exercised when interpreting LDV data obtained in this region. A thermophoretic velocity correction to the LDV-determined velocity, with known experimental or computational temperature profile, is proposed. Additional considerations of LDV diagnoslics and its determination of laminar flame speed are also presented.
A Four-Factor Social Support Model to Mediate Stressors Experienced by Children Raised by Grandparents

Increasing numbers of children are being raised by grandparents (CRBG). Grandparents provide a familial connection to these children, yet they tend to experience stressors that limit their effective functioning as surrogate parents. The children also experience stress that attenuates psychosocial well-being. In this article, the phenomenon of CRBG is described and social support is advanced as a theoretical framework to guide the development of prevention and intervention services. The article contributes to the theoretical and applied knowledge base as perhaps the first scholarly work that conceptualizes a specific four-factor social support model to mediate the school-related risk of CRBG and to promote their psychosocial well-being.