cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Search for Supersymmetry in Four W and Multiple b-Quark Final States

In this talk, the latest results from CMS on searches for new physics in final states with four W bosons and multiple b-quarks are presented using up to 20 fb 1 of data from the 8 TeV LHC run of 2012. This final state is of special importance in the context of the search for third generation squarks in gluino or sbottom cascade decays. The four W final state is reconstructed in a variety of final states ranging from zero to four leptons, and including up to eight or more jets and E miss .
V. Molecular structures of acetate-bridged dimers of a 2-arylpyridine and a 2,6-diarylpyridine cyclometallated by palladium(II)

Abstract The crystal and molecular structures of dimeric cyclopalladated acetato(OAc)-bridged complexes of a 2-arylpyridine ( 1 ) and a 2,6-diarylpyridine ( 2 ), [Pd( 1 )OAc] 2 ( 3 ) and [Pd( 2 )OAc] 2 ( 4 ) have been determined by X-ray diffraction. In each. two planar acetates, nearly perpendicular to each other, cis -bridge two Pd II atoms, while the other two square planar sites on each metal are occupied by the cyclometallated aryl-substituted pyridine. The two metal coordination planes are in near parallel registry with one another, giving a “boat” molecule shape of exact ( 3 or near ( 4 ) two-fold symmetry. The non-bonding Pd⋯Pd distance (δ) strongly correlates with the angle (α) subtended by the metal coordination planes, which in turn seems related to the steric requirements of the non-bridging ligands. In 3 , with the planar nitrophenylpyridine ligand, α 25.7° and δ 2.822(6) A, the shortest Pd⋯Pd distance yet observed in dimers of this type. The PdC lengths, 1.94 A in 3 and 1.944 A in 4 , are significantly shorter than the calculated length, 2.05 A, suggesting partial multiple bond character in these shortest PdC (aryl) bonds so far observed. PdN bond lengths are near expected single bond lengths. Failure of trans -dimetallation to occur in 4 , analogous to that recently observed with certain 2,6-dialkylpyridines or to the tridentate behavior of terpyridine in [Pd terpy X] + compounds, appears due to a combination of the shortened PdC bond in the first-formed metallated ring and the larger constraining angles (near 120° for sp 2 carbons) in the remaining (unmetallated) ring.
Metabolic Studies in Patients with Cancer of the Gastro-Intestinal Tract. XX. Lipotropic Properties of Protein.∗

Conclusions1. Patients with gastrointestinal cancer fed protein-rich diets pre operatively do not have fatty infiltration of the liver at laparotomy. 2. Patients with gastro-intestinal cancer who ingested 75 g of amino acid mixture during the 10 hours before operation were found at laparotomy to have concentrations of fat as abnormally high as those of fasted patients.
Effects of transition from elementary school to junior high school on early adolescents' self‐esteem and perceived competence

Early adolescents' self-esteem and perceived competence in the cognitive, social, and physical domains were examined across the transition from elementary school to junior high school. Self-esteem and perceived social and physical competence were either stable or increased for most children. Cognitive competence was unchanged. It was concluded that, in general, early adolescents' perceptions of self-esteem and competence are not adversely affected by the transition.
Understanding the MIND phenotype: macrophage/microglia inflammation in neurocognitive disorders related to human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Tissue macrophages play important roles in maintaining homeostasis in most organs of the body including the brain where microglia represent the resident phagocytic cells of this compartment. The possibility of one day harnessing macrophage plasticity to treat or ameliorate disorders including obesity, cancer, organ damage, intestinal disorders, neurodegeneration, and cardiovascular disease in which these cells play a role, is a very exciting prospect. Inflammatory signaling is required for regenerative repair, healing, and pathogen clearance functions. However, when the inflammatory response persists in a chronic fashion over an extended period of time, damage to neurons is followed by neuronal injury and dysfunction. Macrophages in the brain are heterogeneous arising from tissues during embryogenesis, and in the adult, from bone marrow derived monocytes that enter through the blood–brain-barrier. While much of our insight regarding macrophage functional subtypes has been garnered through elegant studies in mice, which are amenable to genetic manipulation, far less is known about such cells in human tissues, and particularly in the brain under normal, disease, or injurious conditions. In this regard, non-human primate models for human immunodeficiency virus have been extremely useful for understanding the contribution of bone marrow-derived monocytes in neurological disease and their interaction and impact on the activation state of resident microglia in the brain. This review will focus on what has been learned from the rhesus macaque models about the types of macrophages present in the brains of animals with encephalitis. In vitro studies, which have used human blood monocytes differentiated into macrophages to address the question of macrophage subsets in HIV infection will be highlighted. Recent insights on macrophage phenotype and persistent inflammation in the brain in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder from immunohistochemical studies on human autopsy tissue will be examined.
Best Practices for Establishing a Model-Based Design Culture

The transition to Model-Based Design must be managed carefully, both to demonstrate short-term benefits and to establish a culture that enables the full realization of the theoretical benefits of this approach. In this paper we introduce the concepts of Model-Based Design, highlight some of its benefits, and then discuss in detail the 10 best practices for adopting a Model-Based Design culture across an organization. These best practices have been gleaned from successful and not-sosuccessful transformations to Model-Based Design at companies from a variety of different industries.
Microstructure of temporo-parietal white matter as a basis for reading ability: evidence from diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging.

Abstract Diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to study the microstructural integrity of white matter in adults with poor or normal reading ability. Subjects with reading difficulty exhibited decreased diffusion anisotropy bilaterally in temporo-parietal white matter. Axons in these regions were predominantly anterior–posterior in direction. No differences in T1-weighted MRI signal were found between poor readers and control subjects, demonstrating specificity of the group difference to the microstructural characteristics measured by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). White matter diffusion anisotropy in the temporo-parietal region of the left hemisphere was significantly correlated with reading scores within the reading-impaired adults and within the control group. The anisotropy reflects microstructure of white matter tracts, which may contribute to reading ability by determining the strength of communication between cortical areas involved in visual, auditory, and language processing.
FPD-an environment for exact timing analysis

The authors introduce a novel circuit model that accurately represents the temporal behavior of combinational circuits. This circuit model is the basis for the derivation of a new sensitizing criterion which provides the necessary conditions for accurate timing analysis. The authors describe the FPD timing analysis environment supported by the sensitizing criterion and present examples of its application. >
Incorporating Uncertainty into Demographic Modeling: Application to Shark Populations and Their Conservation

Abstract: I explored the effect of uncertainty in demographic traits on demographic analyses of sharks, an approach not used before for this taxon. I used age-structured life tables and Leslie matrices based on a prebreeding survey and a yearly time step applied only to females to model the demography of 41 populations from 38 species of sharks representing four orders and nine families. I used Monte Carlo simulation to reflect uncertainty in the estimates of demographic traits and to calculate population statistics and elasticities for these populations; I used correlation analysis to identify the demographic traits that explained most of the variation in population growth rates ( λ ). The populations I examined fell along a continuum of life-history characteristics that can be linked to elasticity patterns. Sharks characterized by early age at maturity, short lifespan, and large litter size had high λ values and short generation times, whereas sharks that mature late and have long lifespans and small litters have low λ values and long generation times. Sharks at the “fast” end of the spectrum tended to have comparable adult and juvenile survival elasticities, whereas sharks at the “slow” end of the continuum had high juvenile survival elasticity and low age–zero survival ( or fertility ) elasticity. Ratios of adult survival to fertility elasticities and juvenile survival to fertility elasticities suggest that many of the populations studied do not possess the biological attributes necessary to restore λ to its original level after moderate levels of exploitation. Elasticity analysis suggests that changes in juvenile survival would have the greatest effect on λ, and correlation analysis indicates that variation in juvenile survival, age at maturity, and reproduction account for most of the variation in λ. In general, combined results from elasticity and correlation analyses suggest that research, conservation, and management efforts should focus on these demographic traits.
Learning from the crowd: an evolutionary mutual reinforcement model for analyzing events

Social media is inarguably a powerful medium for mobilizing support for various real-life events be it for social, political, or economic transformation. Further, in contrast to the generic information obtained from the mainstream media, novel and specific information available at social media sites makes them valuable sources for event analysis. However, due to the power law distribution of the Internet, these overwhelmingly large number of sources are buried in the Long Tail making it extremely challenging to identify the quality sources among them. In this research, we propose an evolutionary mutual reinforcement model to confront these challenges. Due to absence of ground truth, a novel evaluation strategy is introduced. The results indicate tremendous potential. 25% to 130% information gain is obtained with the proposed approach when compared against the state-of-the-art baselines, viz. Google blog search and Icerocket blog search. Further, our ranking methodology is capable of identifying the highly informative sources much earlier than the aforementioned baselines. The proposed model affords an apparatus for micro and macro event analysis.
Stressors of Parents with Young Handicapped and Nonhandicapped Children

Parents of very young (12 to 60 months) handicapped (N = 31) and nonhandicapped (N = 33) children completed the Questionnaire on Resources and Stress-Short Form Adapted (QRS-SFA) (Salisbury, 1986b)...
Microwave spectroscopy and structures of two conformers of 1H-heptafluoropropane.

Two conformations of 1,1,2,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane (1H-heptafluoropropane, HFP) have been observed and characterized by its microwave rotational spectrum. The HC1C2C3 dihedral angle is analogous to the CCCC dihedral angle in butane and exhibits both trans and gauche orientations. Rotational transitions of all three selection rules are observed for the gauche conformer, consistent with C1 symmetry. Only a- and b-type transitions are observed for the trans form, consistent with a 180° dihedral angle and overall Cs symmetry. Computed models at the PBE0/VTZ level are in excellent agreement with experimental results. The structures were characterized by scaling the principal coordinates of the computed models to exactly reproduce the observed second moments.
Agent-based simulation for software project planning

Estimates of task duration and resource requirements in software engineering are notoriously inaccurate, and as a result effective project management often must be very dynamic. In response to new information or revised estimates, it may be necessary to reassign resources, cancel optional tasks, etc. Project management tools that make projections while treating decisions about tasks and resource assignments as static will not yield realistic results. In this paper we describe some preliminary attempts to adapt a simulation-based planning algorithm developed for planning experimental activities of Mars rovers to the problem of planning for software project management. Simulation techniques offer the potential for modeling the way agents behave in project development, and the way a manager might adapt the project plan based on the project status at future points, resulting in a tool that more accurately reflects the realities of software project management.
Aspen Lung Conference 2010: systems biology of lung diseases--progress in the omics era.

The 53rd annual Thomas L. Petty Aspen Lung Conference focused on the dramatic progress that has been made in the past several years in applying large-scale, unbiased data acquisition (“omics”) to the study of lung biology and disease. The conference organizers, Mark Geraci, Ivor Douglas, Stephen Rennard, and David Schwartz, put together a terrific program, and the invited speakers and participants presented data describing the rapid evolution of experimental approaches that should encourage pulmonary scientists to begin to think about a true molecular systems biology of the lung.
The capacity of the interference channel with a cognitive relay in strong interference

The interference channel with a cognitive relay consists of a classical interference channel with two source-destination pairs and with an additional cognitive relay that has a priori knowledge of the sources' messages and aids in the sources' transmission. We derive a new outer bound for this channel using an argument originally devised for the “more capable” broadcast channel, and show the achievability of the proposed outer bound for a class of channels where there is no loss in optimality if both destinations decode both messages. This result is analogous to the “very strong interference” capacity result for the classical interference channel and for the cognitive interference channel, and is the first capacity known capacity result for the general interference channel with a cognitive relay.
Population structure of Armillaria species in several forest types

Population structure of Armillaria calves- cens, A. gemina, A. gallica and A. ostoyae in New York was studied in plots established at six sites and tran- sects at three others. No significant differences among species in size or density of genets (identified by so- matic incompatibility) was detected. The size distri- bution of genets revealed a high frequency of very small genets (mostly associated with single sample points) and a uniformly lower frequency of larger gen- ets ranging up to 670 m2 (44 m long). Density of genets (including all Armillaria species) was higher in plots with more species of Armillaria. There was little spatial overlap between genets regardless of species. Five of 33 pairs of isolates from within roots and from su- perficial, associated rhizomorphs consisted of differ- ent species; the other 28 pairs were comprised of sin- gle genets. The data suggest that expansion beyond the initial resource unit is a critical phase in the de- velopment of genets and are consistent with patchwise distribution of niches that differentiate Armillaria spe- cies in these stands. Evidence from two plots, in which A. ostoyae apparently colonized planted stands of co- nifers on sites previously unforested or supporting hardwoods, supports the concept that basidiospores are important in the population structure of Armillaria species and the epidemiology of the diseases they cause.
Measurement of the complete far-field pattern of large antennas by radio-star sources

A correlation technique for measuring the complete far-field patterns of large-aperture antennas is described and evaluated analytically. The technique uses radio-star sources and employs an auxiliary antenna for providing a reference signal for crosscorrelation with the test-antenna signal. The major advantages provided by the correlation method, relative to single-antenna radiometric systems, are improved sensitivity, greater interference rejection, and the capability for measuring polarization and phase responses of test antennas, in addition to their gain pattern. Full realization of the ultimate capabilities of the technique requires the performance of crosscorrelation for high ratios of pre-detection to post-detection bandwidths.
Development and implementation of pass/fail grading system for advanced pharmacy practice experiences

Abstract Objective This article describes the process of determining the need for a pass/fail grading system for APPE rotations and the development and implementation of a pass/fail grading process. Methods Preceptors, faculty, and students were surveyed prior to the development and implementation of pass/fail grading and a new evaluation tool. Preceptors were surveyed after the new grading scheme had been in place for one year about their perceptions of student performance. Rates of APPE commendations under a pass/fail system and the number of students achieving a 4.0 under a point-based system are reported. Results Surveys from preceptors indicate that pass/fail grading decreased preceptors concerns about distinguishing between student performances (56.6% had concerns prior to switching versus 30.6% having concerns after switching to pass/fail). Survey results also indicate that pass/fail grading did not affect preceptor’s perception of student motivation (61.4% felt concerned under a graded system versus 12.2% were concerned after switching to pass/fail). A pass with honors commendation was given in 17.2% of rotation evaluations, contrasting with 83.1% of students achieving a 4.0 grade in a rotation prior to switching to pass/fail. Conclusions The transition to a pass/fail grading system for APPE rotations is not associated with reductions in student motivation or performance, and is acceptable to preceptors. The implementation of a pass/fail system is complicated and takes a significant investment of time, but resulted in an APPE evaluation system which preserves student motivation, fosters robust feedback, decreases grade inflation, and allows preceptors to distinguish and reward student performance.
Phase shift and pulse distortion in body waves due to internal caustics

Body waves that form an internal caustic attain a±π/2 phase shift in the vicinity of the point where the ray touches the caustic. This phase shift distorts a pulse propagating along the ray into its allied function. Asymptotic and numerically exact solutions for a particular model illustrate this property for waves on the back branch of a travel-time curve and the class of multiply reflected waves analogous to PdP waves in the Earth. Numerically exact solutions show that the π/2 phase shift is a high-frequency effect and that the phase shift tends toward zero for very low frequencies. The frequency dependence of the phase shift acts to maintain causality for broad-band pulses. Properties of the phase shift associated with internal caustics can be used to predict wave forms in a variety of applications; multiply reflected waves in a sphere ( pP, PP, PPP ) provide a simple example.
Grundlegungsfragen der Medienethik: Für die Rückgewinnung der Ethik durch die Kommunikationswissenschaft

Kommunikationswissenschaft scheint noch immer dem Wertfreiheitspostulat von Max Weber verpflichtet zu sein. Damit jedoch bleibt sie im Modus theoretischer Vernunft befangen, die sagt, was ist und wie etwas funktioniert. Wo sie, wie im Rahmen des radikalen Konstruktivismus oder der Systemtheorie, dann Medienethik zu treiben versucht, verfangt sie sich letztlich in pragmatischer Rationalitat (Jurgen Habermas) anstatt zur moralisch-praktischen Vernunft zu gelangen: Funktionale Normativitat wird der moralischen vorgeordnet. Um innerhalb der Kommunikationswissenschaft Medienethik begrunden und realisieren zu konnen, bedarf es daher der Inkorporation der philosophischen Ethik in diese Disziplin: Nur in interdisziplinarer Arbeit, in der die Kommunikationswissenschaft den Gegenstand und die philosophische Ethik den moral point of view konstituiert, kann Medienethik entworfen werden. Hierzu wird vorgeschlagen, mit einem Konzept postsubstanzialistischer Subjektivitat und dem Universalisierbarkeitsprinzip anzusetzen, um dann unter Heranziehung anthropologischer Reflexion Prinzipien und Maximen einer menschenrechtlichen Medienethik zu entwerfen.
Optimization of stock portfolio risks based on correlation filtering using minimum perturbations of eigenvectors

Calculating financial correlation matrices is the basis of constructing investment portfolios.To avoid "curse of dimensionality" of financial correlation matrices and thus facilitate optimization of financial portfolio risk,inspired by the KR filtering method based on random matrix theory(RMT) and Krzanowski stability of correlation matrix eigenvectors,this study got the minimum perturbation of a certain eigenvector in a correlation matrix when the corresponding eigenvalue changed and introduced the eigenvector stability of correlation matrix measured by the minimum perturbation into RMT filtering.Thus the KRMIN method used for financial correlation denoising was established.The KRMIN method is based on improvement on the KR method.For the KRMIN filter,the setting method of new eigenvalues replacing noisy ones is gotten by extending that of the KR method,and the new eigenvalues are computed by simulated annealing.Theoretical studies have shown that because eigenvectors of earnings correlation matrices are more stable and calculation of eigenvalues is more accurate,the KRMIN filter can produce better portfolios than the KR filter.By means of bootstrapping technique,the empirical study used LCPB,PG+,KR and KRMIN methods for portfolio optimization of different number of stocks.It proves that all the methods can result in optimization of stock portfolio risks by filtering return correlation matrices.Portfolio risks of KR and KRMIN methods considering Krzanowski stability of eigenvectors of earnings correlation matrices are lower than those of the other two methods.And in contrast to the KR method,the KRMIN method can cause greater stability of eigenvectors of earnings correlation matrices and lowerportfolio risks.
TH‐CD‐207A‐08: Simulated Real‐Time Image Guidance for Lung SBRT Patients Using Scatter Imaging

Purpose: To develop a comprehensive Monte Carlo-based model for the acquisition of scatter images of patient anatomy in real-time, during lung SBRT treatment. Methods: During SBRT treatment, images of patient anatomy can be acquired from scattered radiation. To rigorously examine the utility of scatter images for image guidance, a model is developed using MCNP code to simulate scatter images of phantoms and lung cancer patients. The model is validated by comparing experimental and simulated images of phantoms of different complexity. The differentiation between tissue types is investigated by imaging objects of known compositions (water, lung, and bone equivalent). A lung tumor phantom, simulating materials and geometry encountered during lung SBRT treatments, is used to investigate image noise properties for various quantities of delivered radiation (monitor units(MU)). Patient scatter images are simulated using the validated simulation model. 4DCT patient data is converted to an MCNP input geometry accounting for different tissue composition and densities. Lung tumor phantom images acquired with decreasing imaging time (decreasing MU) are used to model the expected noise amplitude in patient scatter images, producing realistic simulated patient scatter images with varying temporal resolution. Results: Image intensity in simulated and experimental scatter images of tissue equivalent objects (water, lung, bone) match within the uncertainty (∼3%). Lung tumor phantom images agree as well. Specifically, tumor-to-lung contrast matches within the uncertainty. The addition of random noise approximating quantum noise in experimental images to simulated patient images shows that scatter images of lung tumors can provide images in as fast as 0.5 seconds with CNR∼2.7. Conclusions: A scatter imaging simulation model is developed and validated using experimental phantom scatter images. Following validation, lung cancer patient scatter images are simulated. These simulated patient images demonstrate the clinical utility of scatter imaging for real-time tumor tracking during lung SBRT.
Insights on Vision Derived from Studying Human Single Neurons

Investigating the living brain, and in particular relating its activity to behavior is one of the most important challenges in neuroscience. Researchers use many different techniques to explore this relationship. Careful observation of patients with brain lesions or neuroimaging methods such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), electroencephalography (EEG), or near infra-red spectroscopy (NIRS) are examples of procedures which allow researchers to make inferences about brain activity in a non-invasive way.
Teacher attunement to peer-nominated aggressors.

This study examined the associations between teacher attunement to aggressive students and students' characteristics in a sample (n = 278) of youth in 5th-grade classrooms with the assumption that certain student characteristics may either prime or hinder teachers' attunement to aggressive students. Teacher attunement was measured as the agreement between teacher- and peer-nominations for students who start fights. Teachers rated their students on the following characteristics: academic competence, affiliation, popularity, internalizing behavior, and Olympian qualities. Higher affiliation, popularity, and internalizing behavior were associated with decreased odds for teacher attunement to aggressive youth. Higher Olympian qualities were associated with increased odds for teacher attunement to aggressive youth. Implications for interventions are discussed. Aggr. Behav. 43:263-272, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Energy and Thermal Aware Scheduling in Data Centers

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction Related Work Intermachine Scheduling Intramachine Scheduling Evaluation Conclusion References
Interaction of Lactoferrin with Sequestered Transition Metal Ions

All living organisms require several different transition metal ions to develop, grow, and function as designed. Since many of these metal ions, like copper, zinc and iron are so reactive that the biochemical reactions dependent on these essential elements typically involve the formation of specific protein-metal ion complexes or chelates. Indeed, the absorption, transport, cellular accumulation, and steady-state molecular distribution of these transition metal ions within and between intracellular compartments would appear to be determined, in part, by a series of directional metal ion transfer events between macromolecules.
Ninety Miles From Freedom: The Rights of the Guantanamo Bay Detainees

This article addresses the split in the D.C. Circuit regarding the application of the Constitution to Guantanamo Bay. In the wake of Rasul v. Bush, lower courts have struggled with the Court's language in footnote 15 that the conduct described undoubtably described custody in violation of the laws and Constitution of the United States. It is the position of this article that the Due Process Clause of the 5th Amendment applies to the detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and that using the test articulated under Mathews v. Eldridge, the detainees are entitled to counsel and access to the evidence against them.
Race and Gender Intersections

In the 1980s and 1990s there has been a proliferation of writing by and about women of color that challenges heretofore accepted theories of society. Yet this theorizing remains imbedded in the margin. In 1985, Stacy and Thorne co-authored a seminal article entitled The Missing Feminist Revolution in Sociology , arguing that while a great deal of feminist research had been written to challenge existing sociological theory, these findings had had little to no impact on its formation. Currently, in every social theory text, gender is either segregated into a section on feminist theory, or ignored completely. Yet, while ‘feminist theory’ remains marginalized, or ignored, the theorizing by and about women of color remains marginalized within the margins. In sociological theory texts, the few women of color that are cited, are segregated into subsections within the feminist theory section. Lest we think that the position of marginalization within the margins is simply a byproduct of white male hegemony, this pattern, while less prevalent, is also present in feminist theorizing. While, certainly, most edited volumes now include articles by and about women of color, such scholarly works have had a bifurcated influence on the development of feminist theory. As many women of color scholars note, there is a ‘high’ and ‘low’ theory, and the former still continues to exclude much of the experientially based theorizing of women of color. Thus, US women of color remain relegated to the margin in the margin. Yet, it is clear that the theorizing of women of color has had a major impact on feminist theory with the development of ‘Intersectionality Theory’ that challenges multiple levels of oppression, and has the theoretical potential to further our understanding of social phenomena.
Trends in brain cancer mortality among U.S. Gulf War veterans: 21 year follow-up.

Abstract Objective Previous mortality studies of U.S. Gulf War veterans through 2000 and 2004 have shown an increased risk of brain cancer mortality among some deployed individuals. When veterans possibly exposed to environmental contaminants associated with demolition of the Khamisiyah Ammunition Storage Facility at Khamisiyah, Iraq, have been compared to contemporaneously deployed unexposed veterans, the results have suggested increased risk for mortality from brain cancer among the exposed. Brain cancer mortality risk in this cohort has not been updated since 2004. Methods This study analyzes the risk for brain cancer mortality between 1991–2011 through two series of comparisons: U.S. Gulf War deployed and non-deployed veterans from the same era; and veterans possibly exposed to environmental contaminants at Khamisiyah compared to contemporaneously deployed but unexposed U.S. Gulf War veterans. Risk of brain cancer mortality was determined using logistic regression. Life test hazard models were created to plot comparisons of annual hazard rates. Joinpoint regression models were applied to assess trends in hazard rates for brain cancer mortality. Results U.S. Army veterans possibly exposed at Khamisiyah had similar rates of brain cancer mortality compared to those not possibly exposed; however, veterans possibly exposed had a higher risk of brain cancer in the time period immediately following the Gulf War. Conclusion Results from these analyses suggest that veterans possibly exposed at Khamisiyah experienced different patterns of brain cancer mortality risk compared to the other groups.
The Value of System Dynamics Modeling in Policy Analytics and Planning

An efficacious policy and planning process must be focused on enhancing the ability of decision makers to make sense of an uncertain and complex environment. One tool that could prove useful in this process is system dynamics modeling, created by Jay Forrester at MIT. Use of small system dynamics models (with each module containing ten stocks or less) as a decision support tool has recently been explored in three areas of regional planning: modeling a regional economic and education strategy for Central Coast California; the modeling of U.S.-China relations; and, the modeling of violent extremist activity. In each case, an integrated system dynamics model was created or planned that included multiple modules that comprise a strategic system. The models allowed decision-makers to use a “flight control simulator” or “dashboard” to better understand potential, non-linear, behavioral outcomes over time. When used in concert with other methods and tools of evaluation, system dynamics may provide enhanced understanding and key insights into problems previously thought too complex for this level of analysis and may encourage decision makers to examine a longer time horizon in overcoming policy resistance and establishing system stability.
Competitive equilibria in school assignment

Abstract Top Trading Cycles was originally developed as an elegant method for finding a competitive equilibrium of Shapley and Scarf's housing market. We extend the definition of a competitive equilibrium to the school assignment problem and show that there remains a profound relationship between Top Trading Cycles and a competitive equilibrium. Specifically, in every competitive equilibrium with weakly decreasing prices, the equilibrium assignment is unique and exactly corresponds to the Top Trading Cycles assignment. This provides a new way of interpreting the worth of a student's priority at a given school. It also provides a new way of explaining Top Trading Cycles to students and a school board.
Oxidation of aromatic oxygenates for the production of terephthalic acid

Abstract We study the production of terephthalic acid (TA) from biomass-derived aromatic oxygenates. Among several heterogeneous catalysts tested, a carbon-supported Ir catalyst in 4-heptanone solvent gives the best TA yield from 1,4-dihydroxymethylbenzene. A maximum 76% TA yield is achieved at 100 °C and 12 bar O2. Based on kinetic measurements, we show that the reaction progresses in two distinct pathways. First, the alcohol groups of the substrate are converted to the aldehydes via an O-assisted dehydrogenation pathway over Ir, and then the aldehydes are oxidized to the acid in the solution via a free radical mechanism. We demonstrate that it is easier to oxidize aromatic diols than p-xylene over a heterogeneous catalyst, and thus, the biomass route to TA may be an attractive alternative to the commercial crude oil-based process.
NOTES: Past, Present, and Future

Surgery has always gravitated around a balance between safety and efficacy. Surgeons have been on a constant crusade to make their operations better, safer, and more recently less invasive. The quest toward minimal access surgery has been a constant evolution. Minimally invasive surgery has evolved from multiple angles that have somewhat completed each other. Perhaps laparoscopy has been the area that has witnessed the fastest growth and universal acceptance. It has pushed common open operations to the point of obsolete. Laparoscopy has become the new standard of care. In a similar way, endoscopy has evolved to become an invaluable tool in the diagnosis and management of pathology in the gastrointestinal tract. Many procedures that are now routinely done through minimal access approaches were not even thought as possible less than a century ago. The aim of this chapter is to describe the historical evolution of flexible endoscopy to natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES), examine some of the current applications, and seed some thoughts for the future.
Multiple Minority Stress and LGBT Community Resilience among Sexual Minority Men

Minority stress theory has widespread research support in explaining health disparities experienced by sexual and gender minorities. However, less is known about how minority stress impacts multiply marginalized groups, such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people of color (LGBT POC). Also, although research has documented resilience in the face of minority stress at the individual level, research is needed that examines macro-level processes such as community resilience (Meyer, 2015). In the current study, we integrate minority stress theory and intersectionality theory to examine multiple minority stress (i.e., racial/ethnic stigma in LGBT spaces and LGBT stigma in one's neighborhood) and community resilience (i.e., connection to LGBT community) among sexual minority men of different racial/ethnic groups who use a geosocial networking application for meeting sexual partners. Results showed that Black sexual minority men reported the highest levels of racial/ethnic stigma in LGBT spaces and White sexual minority men reported the lowest levels, with Asian and Hispanic/Latino men falling in between. Consistent with minority stress theory, racial/ethnic stigma in LGBT spaces and LGBT stigma in one's neighborhood were associated with greater stress for sexual minority men of all racial/ethnic groups. However, connection to LGBT community played more central role in mediating the relationship between stigma and stress for White than POC sexual minority men. Results suggest that minority stress and community resilience processes may differ for White and POC sexual minority men. Potential processes driving these differences and implications for minority stress theory are discussed.
Trade Liberalization and Economic Development

This essay investigates the extent to which trade liberalization affects developed and developing countries differently. In particular, we examine whether exports respond differently to changes in trade barriers in rich and poor countries.
Design and Implementation of Digital FIR Filters

Publisher Summary Finite impulse response (FIR) digital filters possess several properties that make them attractive for a wide range of applications. An exactly linear phase-response can be achieved with FIR filters, with the result that they can be used in the reconstruction of signals without phase distortion. Under most practical situations, FIR filters of high orders can be implemented efficiently by indirect design approaches. One of the major advantages of FIR filters is that near-optimal multidimensional FIR filters can be designed easily starting from one-dimensional (1-D) prototypes and using spectral transformations. FIR filters naturally lend themselves to efficient implementation of multirate signal processing algorithms and can be used to achieve extremely efficient sampling rate conversions. Many techniques have been advanced for the design and implementation of FIR filters. This chapter presents several techniques for the design of FIR digital filters, including recent procedures that lead to efficient implementations. It reviews FIR filter preliminaries and discusses the windowing technique for FIR design, with particular emphasis on Kaiser's window, and optimal FIR designs with equiripple weighted error, emphasizing Remez exchange techniques developed for FIR filters by McClellan and Parks. The chapter also discusses maximally flat FIR filters and linear programming techniques for FIR designs.
NSAID effect on sporadic colon polyps.

UNLABELLED In this study, our objective was to determine whether 6 months of open-label therapy with sulindac 400 mg/daily or piroxicam 20 mg/daily promote regression of adenomatous colonic polyps left in situ. Left-sided colonic polyps (size 3-12 mm) detected at colonoscopy were measured and left without being biopsied. The bowel wall opposite to the polyps was marked with India ink submucosally. Patients were assigned to drug therapy, and compliance was determined by pill count. Polyps were measured during sigmoidoscopy after 3 and 6 months of treatment; polyps were removed at the 6-month examination. Examiners were not blinded to drug therapy or previous polyp measurements. Seven patients completed 6 months of therapy (five sulindac and two piroxicam). Two additional patients treated with piroxicam were withdrawn secondary to adverse events (bleeding gastric ulcer and rash). In one patient treated with sulindac, a 6-mm polyp disappeared, and two other polyps seemed to regress partially. One polyp regressed partially in a piroxicam-treated patient. All other polyps remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS We did not observe dramatic regression of sporadic colon adenomatous polyps to either sulindac or piroxicam after 6 months of therapy in this small uncontrolled pilot study.
Activating and Performing Nostalgia at Places of Sorrowful Exile

This paper examines the emergence of different forms of nostalgia during the collaborative production of videos about exile among nine Chilean political refugees living in California. It shows that nostalgia, a set of emotions and imaginary activities that yearns for the past, has evolved with time and has different manifestations throughout the different stages of life in exile. It presents the medium of video as an ethnographic tool used in making nostalgia visible through most stages of its creation from the preproduction activities, to the taping, and editing. Five major forms of nostalgia are presented, giving particular importance to the forms of nostalgia that were performed in front of the camera by the exiles.
Environmental Risk Information Seeking: The Differential Roles of Anxiety and Hopelessness

ABSTRACTAmericans’ concern about water quality has increased over the years. Indeed, several water issues made national news coverage during the past few years, such as lead in Flint, Michigan, alg...
Solitary waves and localized nonlinear excitations in the strongly nonlinear β-Fermi-Pasta-Ulam-Tsingou chain

We develop new analytic descriptions for solitary waves (SWs) and SW-like objects in the non-integrable and strongly nonlinear β -Fermi-Pasta-Ulam-Tsingou (β -FPUT) system for various strengths of the harmonic term in the potential. We then show that that the collision of identical solitary waves in the decorated β -FPUT chain can lead to the formation of one or more long-lived localized nonlinear excitations (LNEs), thereby suggesting that these systems allow engineering of preferential energy distribution over extended times.
Evolutionary Explanations for Humor and Creativity

Abstract In this chapter, I explore evolutionary explanations for humor and creativity, via humor production—the ability to generate a verbal comment or behavior that other people find funny. Proposed evolutionary mechanisms for the origin of the human capacity for humor production include Darwinian natural selection and sexual selection. Natural selection explanations for humor are hampered by the difficulty of distinguishing genuine adaptations from evolutionary by-products, and by a problematic emphasis on group selection. A sexual selection view of humor as a trait-indicator of genetic fitness has been studied extensively and boasts impressive empirical support. Alternatives to the trait-indicator view, such as the use of humor to signal compatibility, interest, or warmth, have also been suggested. The wide range of interpersonal contexts in which humor production can play out suggests a pluralism of mechanisms underlying humor production ability—rich fodder for future research.
A Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Productive Processes Inventory

Psychotherapy is generally effective for resolving a variety of presenting problems. However, the mechanisms of change that contribute to this effectiveness are not generally well-understood. The purpose of this paper is to present refinements to an instrument developed to assess client perception of therapy productiveness. In other words, what things occur in therapy sessions that clients identify as giving rise to success in achieving their therapeutic goals. This paper presents the results of a confirmatory factor analysis to test and refine the factor structure of the Productive Processes Inventory. A sample of 286 individuals in individual, couple and family therapy completed the PPI and related measures. Results showed that a modified three factor structure presented the best fit to these data. Implications for research and clinical practice are presented and discussed.
Competition and Cooperation among Different Attractive Forces in Solutions of Inorganic-Organic Hybrids Containing Macroionic Clusters.

Hybrids composed of nanoscale inorganic clusters and organic ligands are ideal models for understanding the different attractive forces during the self-assembly processes of complex macromolecules ...
Impact of High Temperature on Performance of Wearable Electro-Textile Antennas

The utilization of electro-textile materials in the fabrication of wearable antennas has continued to grow tremendously over the last decade. As these antennas become ubiquitous, the possibility of them being exposed to extreme environments becomes highly probable. The purpose of this study is to analyze the performance parameters of a wearable electro-textile patch antenna at high temperatures to validate its operation especially as a part of firefighting gear. The patch antenna is experimentally exposed to the hot temperature of up to 80 °C. Simulation results of the antenna are compared with the measured counterparts under room temperature condition to validate its nominal performance. The antenna radiation patterns are also measured in an anechoic chamber for room and hot temperature conditions. The antenna performance parameters measured in the hot temperature show a 40% lower return loss. A reduction in gain by 10 dB is observed as well, which is a clear implication that the antenna degraded in terms of performance under high temperature.
Where We Fit

This chapter situates the evolving role of the Educational Technology Department at Hostos within the operation and mission of Hostos Community College, the City University of New York, and the educational development of Hostos students. Of New York City’s boroughs, Bronx residents have the least broadband Internet access. As a campus located in the South Bronx, one of the poorest congressional districts in the country, the college administration’s willingness to invest in developing the college’s technological capacity and educational technology offerings over the past two decades, along with the work of faculty and staff to research and implement educational technology into their courses, has been critical to student success. Since 2002, Hostos Community College has incrementally increased funding and staffing to support greater broadband capacity and technological resources, resulting in what is today, the Educational Technology Department. Faculty have also been encouraged to innovate within their classrooms and beyond the college, which has spawned fruitful collaborations between faculty and Educational Technology staff members, resulting in awards, publications, increased funding, and a culture of innovation at Hostos Community College.