cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reforming Family Court: Getting It Right Between Rhetoric and Reality

Family Court reform efforts in recent years have expanded the court’s jurisdiction and supervisory authority while heralding the Family Court judge as the leader of a team of professionals who are solving the problems that bring families to court. This article challenges that reform paradigm by asking a series of questions about the way in which we talk about – rather than analyze – this court reform movement: What do we say about the reform work we do, and to what degree is what we say accurate? How does the way in which we talk about Family Court reform implicate our analysis of what we are achieving? How does our place or role within the system affect our perceptions of reform? What limits our willingness and ability to apply rigorous evaluative techniques to determine whether we are reaching our goals? And if we are failing, can we acknowledge failure and learn from it? These questions are answered by uncovering the predominant use of stories and conventional justifications to support current court reform efforts rather than erecting a vigorous accountability system grounded in systemic knowledge to substantiate the reform choices funded by federal agencies and encouraged by prominent judicial and bar organizations. The article concludes that these efforts have not yet been proven to be effective and thus worth adopting more broadly. Unless court reformers are willing to hold themselves accountable for their efforts and to analyze critically whether goals are being accomplished, we cannot determine whether the problem-solving paradigm is adding value to families’ lives or whether an improved due process paradigm continues to offer the best opportunity for fairness and justice when court intervention is necessary.
Improving Food Aid: What Reforms Would Yield the Highest Payoff?

Summary This paper develops an integrated model of the food aid distribution chain, from donor appropriations through operational agency programming decisions to household consumption choices. We use this model to simulate alternative policies and to perform sensitivity analysis to establish how varying underlying conditions—for example, delivery costs, the political additionality of food, targeting efficacy—affect optimal food aid policy for improving the well-being of food insecure households. We find that improved targeting by operational agencies is crucial to advancing food security objectives. At the donor level, the key policy variable under most model parameterizations is ocean freight costs associated with cargo preference restrictions on the US food aid.
European Agricultural Biotechnology Preferences and Policy: Growth and Trade Implications*

European Union policies effectively prohibit the production and consumption of genetically modified agricultural products. This paper examines the prohibition's effects on research and development, innovation, trade flows, and economic growth using a Heckscher–Ohlin–Samuelson trade model with a neo- Schumpeterian approach. Restrictive European Union policies on biotechnology production and consumption result in: an effective export subsidy of capital to the South; changing trade flows; North America being the dominant producer of biotechnology research and development; the South being a dominant producer of biotechnology products; and the European Union being the dominant producer of traditional agricultural products.
Reducing time to treatment and patient costs with breast cancer: the impact of patient visits.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of processes aimed at reducing time to treatment initiation (TTI) on minimizing the days spent to complete pretreatment visits and the associated costs for patients with nonmetastatic breast cancer. METHODS System-wide initiatives were implemented in 2014 to minimize TTI, by incorporating multiple strategies (eg, creation of teams, patient liaisons, process mapping) and enhanced communication to increase coordinated visits. Average number of days spent to complete visits, TTI, and associated patient costs including driving expenses, parking, food, childcare, and lost wages were calculated and compared between the years 2015 and 2018. RESULTS In 2015, the median TTI was 43.5 days and the average number of separate days spent to attend multidisciplinary visits prior to first treatment was 1.86. These were reduced to 29 days and 1.52 visits, respectively, in 2018 (p < 0.0001 for both). When evaluating treatment visits by surgical procedure, the average number of visits was reduced regardless of surgical procedure. The average number of visits was highest for patients undergoing mastectomy with reconstruction (2.34 in 2015, reduced to 1.65 in 2018, p < 0.0001). A single visit to complete treatment planning was associated with patient costs of $249 as compared with multiple trips costing $491 for 2 visits and up to $1,226 for 5 visits. CONCLUSIONS In breast cancer patients, implementing processes to reduce time to treatment was associated with fewer visits required prior to treatment initiation, resulting in lower patient costs.
Streptococcus pneumoniae, S. mitis, and S. oralis Produce a Phosphatidylglycerol-Dependent, ltaS-Independent Glycerophosphate-Linked Glycolipid.

Lipoteichoic acid (LTA) is a Gram-positive bacterial cell surface polymer that participates in host-microbe interactions. It was previously reported that the major human pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae and the closely related oral commensals S. mitis and S. oralis produce type IV LTAs. Herein, using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry-based lipidomic analysis, we found that in addition to type IV LTA biosynthetic precursors, S. mitis, S. oralis, and S. pneumoniae also produce glycerophosphate (Gro-P)-linked dihexosyl (DH)-diacylglycerol (DAG), which is a biosynthetic precursor of type I LTA. cdsA and pgsA mutants produce DHDAG but lack (Gro-P)-DHDAG, indicating that the Gro-P moiety is derived from phosphatidylglycerol (PG), whose biosynthesis requires these genes. S. mitis, but not S. pneumoniae or S. oralis, encodes an ortholog of the PG-dependent type I LTA synthase, ltaS By heterologous expression analyses, we confirmed that S. mitis ltaS confers poly(Gro-P) synthesis in both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus and that S. mitis ltaS can rescue the growth defect of an S. aureus ltaS mutant. However, we do not detect a poly(Gro-P) polymer in S. mitis using an anti-type I LTA antibody. Moreover, Gro-P-linked DHDAG is still synthesized by an S. mitis ltaS mutant, demonstrating that S. mitis LtaS does not catalyze Gro-P transfer to DHDAG. Finally, an S. mitis ltaS mutant has increased sensitivity to human serum, demonstrating that ltaS confers a beneficial but currently undefined function in S. mitis Overall, our results demonstrate that S. mitis, S. pneumoniae, and S. oralis produce a Gro-P-linked glycolipid via a PG-dependent, ltaS-independent mechanism.IMPORTANCE The cell wall is a critical structural component of bacterial cells that confers important physiological functions. For pathogens, it is a site of host-pathogen interactions. In this work, we analyze the glycolipids synthesized by the mitis group streptococcal species, S. pneumoniae, S. oralis, and S. mitis We find that all produce the glycolipid, glycerophosphate (Gro-P)-linked dihexosyl (DH)-diacylglycerol (DAG), which is a precursor for the cell wall polymer type I lipoteichoic acid in other bacteria. We investigate whether the known enzyme for type I LTA synthesis, LtaS, plays a role in synthesizing this molecule in S. mitis Our results indicate that a novel mechanism is responsible. Our results are significant because they identify a novel feature of S. pneumoniae, S. oralis, and S. mitis glycolipid biology.
Zero Queueing for Multi-Server Jobs

Cloud computing today is dominated by multi-server jobs. These are jobs that request multiple servers simultaneously and hold onto all of these servers for the duration of the job. Multi-server jobs add a lot of complexity to the traditional one-server-per-job model: an arrival might not "fit'' into the available servers and might have to queue, blocking later arrivals and leaving servers idle. From a queueing perspective, almost nothing is understood about multi-server job queueing systems; even understanding the exact stability region is a very hard problem. In this paper, we investigate a multi-server job queueing model under scaling regimes where the number of servers in the system grows. Specifically, we consider a system with multiple classes of jobs, where jobs from different classes can request different numbers of servers and have different service time distributions, and jobs are served in first-come-first-served order. The multi-server job model opens up new scaling regimes where both the number of servers that a job needs and the system load scale with the total number of servers. Within these scaling regimes, we derive the first results on stability, queueing probability, and the transient analysis of the number of jobs in the system for each class. In particular we derive sufficient conditions for zero queueing. Our analysis introduces a novel way of extracting information from the Lyapunov drift, which can be applicable to a broader scope of problems in queueing systems.
A modified sequential probability ratio test

Abstract We describe a modified sequential probability ratio test that can be used to reduce the average sample size required to perform statistical hypothesis tests at specified levels of significance and power. Examples are provided for z tests, t tests, and tests of binomial success probabilities. A description of a software package to implement the test designs is provided. We compare the sample sizes required in fixed design tests conducted at 5% significance levels to the average sample sizes required in sequential tests conducted at 0.5% significance levels, and we find that the two sample sizes are approximately equal.
An interpretation and modification of the SWT function

In this paper a new interpretation and modification of the SWT function in terms of the total damaging energy density is proposed and discussed. The total damaging energy density is the sum of the damaging part of the strain energy density and complementary energy density corresponding to the first quadrant in damaging σD-eD axes. For cyclic loading with positive mean stress (σm≥0) the proposed function reduces to the original SWT formulation. For cyclic loading with negative mean stress (σm<0) the maximum stress is augmented by 1/3 of absolute value of the mean stress. The proposed approach shows a consistent correlation of the mean stress effects for both positive and negative mean stresses.
Survivability Analysis of Networked Systems

Survivability is the ability of a system to continue operating despite the presence of abnormal events such as accidental failures and malicious intrusions. Ensuring system survivability has increased in importance as critical infrastructures have become heavily dependent on computers. Examples of these infrastructures are utility, transportation, communication, and financial networks. Complicating the analysis of these networked systems is their inter-dependencies: a failure in one may trigger a failure in another. In this talk I present a two-phase method for performing survivability analysis of networked systems. First, we inject failure and intrusion events into a system model, use model checking to verify it for fault- and service-related properties, and visually display the model’s effects with respect to a given property as a scenario graph. Then, we annotate the graphs with symbolic or numeric probabilities to enable reliability analysis using standard Markov Decision Process policy iteration algorithms. We use similar modeling and analysis techniques to do latency and cost-benefit analyses of these networked systems. We model dependencies among events using Bayesian Networks. We applied our two-phase method to two large cases studies from the financial industry and are currently applying it to a case study on intrusion detection systems.
Adolescent intermittent ethanol exposure induces sex‐dependent divergent changes in ethanol drinking and motor activity in adulthood in C57BL/6J mice

With alcohol readily accessible to adolescents, its consumption leads to many adverse effects, including impaired learning, attention, and behavior. Adolescents report higher rates of binge drinking compared to adults. They are also more prone to substance use disorder in adulthood due to physiological changes during the adolescent developmental period. We used C57BL/6J male and female mice to investigate the long-lasting impact of binge ethanol exposure during adolescence on voluntary ethanol intake and open field behavior during later adolescence (Experiment 1) and during emerging adulthood (Experiment 2). The present set of experiments were divided into four stages: (1) adolescent intermittent vapor inhalation exposure, (2) abstinence, (3) voluntary ethanol intake, and (4) open field behavioral testing. During adolescence, male and female mice were exposed to air or ethanol using intermittent vapor inhalation from postnatal day (PND) 28-42. Following this, mice underwent short-term abstinence from PND 43-49 (Experiment 1) or protracted abstinence from PND 43-69 (Experiment 2). Beginning on PND 50-76 or PND 70-97, mice were assessed for intermittent voluntary ethanol consumption using a two-bottle choice drinking procedure over 28 days. Male adolescent ethanol-exposed mice showed increased ethanol consumption following short-term abstinence and following protracted abstinence. In contrast, female mice showed no changes in ethanol consumption following short-term abstinence and decreased ethanol consumption following protracted abstinence. There were modest changes in open field behavior following voluntary ethanol consumption in both experiments. These data demonstrate a sexually divergent shift in ethanol consumption following binge ethanol exposure during adolescence and differences in open field behavior. These results highlight sex-dependent vulnerability to developing substance use disorders in adulthood.
Stability results on radial porous media and Hele-Shaw flows with variable viscosity between two moving interfaces

We perform a linear stability analysis of three-layer radial porous media and Hele-Shaw flows with variable viscosity in the middle layer. A nonlinear change of variables results in an eigenvalue problem that has time-dependent coefficients and eigenvalue-dependent boundary conditions. We study this eigenvalue problem and find upper bounds on the spectrum. We also give a characterization of the eigenvalues and prescribe a measure for which the eigenfunctions are complete in the corresponding $L^2$ space. The limit as the viscous gradient goes to zero is compared with previous results on multi-layer radial flows. We then numerically compute the eigenvalues and obtain, among other results, optimal profiles within certain classes of functions.
Generation of attached Langmuir circulations by a suspended macroalgal farm

In this study, we focus on Langmuir turbulence in the deep ocean with the presence of a large macroalgal farm using a large eddy simulation method. The wave–current interactions are modelled by solving the wave-averaged equations. The hydrodynamic process over the farm is found to drive a persistent flow pattern similar to Langmuir circulations but is locked in space across the farm. These secondary circulations are generated because the cross-stream shear produced by the rows of canopy elements leads to a steady vertical vorticity field, which is then rotated to the downstream direction under the effect of vortex force. Since the driving mechanism is similar to the Craik–Leibovich type 2 instability theory, these secondary circulations are also termed as attached Langmuir circulations. We then apply a triple decomposition on the flow field to unveil the underlying kinematics and energy transfer between the mean flow, the secondary flow resulting from the farm drag and the transient eddies. Flow visualizations and statistics suggest that the attached Langmuir circulations result from the adjustment of the upper ocean mixed layer to the macroalgal farm, and they will weaken (if not disappear) when the flow reaches an equilibrium state within the farm. The triple-decomposed energy budgets reveal that the energy of the secondary flow is transferred from the mean flow under the action of canopy drag, while the transient eddies feed on wave energy transferred by the Stokes drift and energy conversion from the secondary flow.
The Challenges of Delivering Content and Applications on the Internet

Summary form only given. In this talk, we will give an overview of how content and applications are distributed on the Internet, with an emphasis on the approaches being used by Akamai. We will describe some of the technical challenges involved in operating a distributed computing platform with thousands of servers across multiple geographies on behalf of thousands of customers. The talk will be introductory in nature and should be accessible to a broad audience.
Dark matter detection, Standard Model parameters and Intermediate Scale Supersymmetry

The vanishing of the Higgs quartic coupling at a high energy scale may be explained by Intermediate Scale Supersymmetry, where supersymmetry breaks at (109-1012) GeV. The possible range of supersymmetry breaking scales can be narrowed down by precise measurements of the top quark mass and the strong coupling constant. On the other hand, nuclear recoil experiments can probe Higgsino or sneutrino dark matter up to a mass of 1012 GeV. We derive the correlation between the dark matter mass and precision measurements of standard model parameters, including supersymmetric threshold corrections. The dark matter mass is bounded from above as a function of the top quark mass and the strong coupling constant. The top quark mass and the strong coupling constant are bounded from above and below respectively for a given dark matter mass. We also discuss how the observed dark matter abundance can be explained by freeze-out or freeze-in during a matter-dominated era after inflation, with the inflaton condensate being dissipated by thermal effects.
Conway and Aperiodic Tilings

This is a brief introduction to the geometric aspects of aperiodic tiling and the collaboration of John Conway and the author in the decade 1990-2000.
Unifying the concepts of scattering and structure factor in ordered and disordered samples

Scattering methods are widely used in many research areas to analyze and resolve material structures. Given its importance, a large number of textbooks are devoted to this topic. However, technical details in experiments and disconnection between explanations from different perspectives often confuse and frustrate beginner students and researchers. To create an effective learning path, the core concepts of scattering and structure factor are reviewed in this article in a self-contained way. Classical examples of scattering photography and intensity scanning are calculated. Sample CPU and GPU codes are provided to facilitate the understanding and application of these methods.
The Closed Rule

The closed rule constitutes a critical component of managerial power in the contemporary House of Representatives and an increasingly important element of the legislative process. Subject to the approval of the full membership, the closed rule allows managers to block all amendments to a measure when bringing that measure to the floor. Despite objections from the minority, both Republicans and Democrats regularly use the closed rule when in the majority, and rank-and-file members ordinarily approve any closed rule put to a floor vote. Once rarely used, the closed rule has become managers’ preferred instrument for controlling the House floor agenda. This Article presents the first comprehensive analysis of the closed rule in the legal literature. After situating the closed rule within its institutional and theoretical context, this Article examines the use of the closed rule by the Republican majority in the 109th Congress and the Democratic majority in the 110th Congress. The Article then undertakes both a positive and normative analysis. The positive analysis generalizes three prominent accounts of the closed rule from political theory and argues that the closed rule can more accurately be understood as a broadly managerial instrument for maintaining order on the House floor. The normative analysis identifies and discusses several undesirable effects of the closed rule - its tendency to increase legislative fragmentation and redundancy, its facilitation of third-party capture, and its weakening of bipartisan cooperation and compromise. But the normative analysis rejects claims that the closed rule is inherently undemocratic, arguing instead that the closed rule represents a deliberate, rational, and legitimate attempt by the rank and file to locate the House at the optimal point between too much managerial power and outright chaos on the floor.
Two-dimensional turbulence in a massless fluid with a relativistic lattice Boltzmann model

We investigate a relativistic adaptation of the lattice Boltzmann method that reproduces the equations of motion for a turbulent, two-dimensional, massless hydrodynamic system. The classical lattice Boltzmann method and its extension to relativistic fluid dynamics are described. The numeric formulation is evaluated using a zero-averaged stirring force introduced into the numerics to induce turbulence, and the flow characteristics produced are compared to properties of a classical turbulent hydrodynamic flow. The model can reasonably be expected to offer quantitative simulations of electron fluid flows in graphene or Kagome lattices.
Collectivity and manifestations of minimum-bias jets in high-energy nuclear collisions

Collectivity, as interpreted to mean flow of a dense medium in high-energy A-A collisions described by hydrodynamics, has been attributed to smaller collision systems – p-A and even p-p collisions – based on recent analysis of LHC data. However, alternative methods reveal that some data features attributed to flows are actually manifestations of minimum-bias (MB) jets. In this presentation I review the differential structure of single-particle pt spectra from SPS to LHC energies in the context of a two-component (soft + hard) model (TCM) of hadron production. I relate the spectrum hard component to measured properties of isolated jets. I use the spectrum TCM to predict accurately the systematics of ensemble-mean pt in p-p, p-A and A-A collision systems over a large energy interval. Detailed comparisons of the TCM with spectrum and correlation data suggest that MB jets play a dominant role in hadron production near midrapidity. Claimed flow phenomena are better explained as jet manifestations agreeing quantitatively with measured jet properties.
Facilitating Knowledge Sharing from Domain Experts to Data Scientists for Building NLP Models

Data scientists face a steep learning curve in understanding a new domain for which they want to build machine learning (ML) models. While input from domain experts could offer valuable help, such input is often limited, expensive, and generally not in a form readily consumable by a model development pipeline. In this paper, we propose Ziva, a framework to guide domain experts in sharing essential domain knowledge to data scientists for building NLP models. With Ziva, experts are able to distill and share their domain knowledge using domain concept extractors and five types of label justification over a representative data sample. The design of Ziva is informed by preliminary interviews with data scientists, in order to understand current practices of domain knowledge acquisition process for ML development projects. To assess our design, we run a mix-method case-study to evaluate how Ziva can facilitate interaction between domain experts and data scientists. Our results highlight that (1) domain experts are able to use Ziva to provide rich domain knowledge, while maintaining low mental load and stress levels; and (2) data scientists find Ziva’s output helpful for learning essential information about the domain, offering scalability of information, and lowering the burden on domain experts to share knowledge. We conclude this work by experimenting with building NLP models using the Ziva output for our case study.
Impact of Voluntary Folic Acid Fortification of Corn Masa Flour on RBC Folate Concentrations in the U.S. (NHANES 2011–2018)

Surveillance data have highlighted continued disparities in neural tube defects (NTDs) by race-ethnicity in the United States. Starting in 2016, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized voluntary folic acid fortification of corn masa flour to reduce the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) among infants of Hispanic women of reproductive age. To assess the impact of voluntary corn masa fortification, cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2018 for Hispanic women of reproductive age with available red blood cell (RBC) folate concentrations were analyzed, with additional analyses conducted among Hispanic women whose sole source of folic acid intake was fortified foods (enriched cereal grain products (ECGP) only), excluding ready-to-eat cereals and supplements. RBC folate concentration (adjusted geometric mean) among Hispanic women of reproductive age did not differ between 2011–2016 and 2017–2018, though RBC folate concentration increased significantly among lesser acculturated Hispanic women consuming ECGP only. Concentrations of RBC folate for those born outside the U.S and residing in the U.S <15 years increased from 894 nmol/L (95% CI: 844–946) in 2011–2016 to 1018 nmol/L (95% CI: 982–1162; p < 0.001) in 2017–2018. Primarily Spanish-speaking Hispanic women of reproductive age who only consumed ECGP saw an increase from 941 nmol/L (95% CI: 895–990) in 2011–2016 to 1034 nmol/L (95% CI: 966–1107; p = 0.03) in 2017–2018. By subpopulation, we observed no significant changes in the proportion at risk of NTDs (<748 nmol/L) and no changes in the model-based estimated NTD rates following voluntary corn masa fortification. This analysis suggests that there is a remaining risk among Hispanics for folate sensitive NTDs, though continued monitoring of folate status in future NHANES data cycles will help inform the long-term efficacy of voluntary fortification of corn masa flour.
Decentralized Autonomous Organizations: Internal Governance and External Legal Design

Most of the applications and uses of digital assets are improved and expanded with well-functioning and well-governed DAOs. The article evaluates the technical and internal governance solutions promulgated by DAO projects. Particular emphasis is placed on the duality of feedback effects between internal DAO governance and external DAO legal designs.
On the periods of abelian varieties

In this expository paper, we review the formula of Chowla and Selberg for the periods of elliptic curves with complex multiplication, and discuss two methods of proof. One uses Kronecker's limit formula and the other uses the geometry of a family of abelian varieties. We discuss a generalization of this formula, which was proposed by Colmez, as well as some explicit Hodge cycles which appear in the geometric proof.
Finite generation of cohomology for Drinfeld doubles of finite group schemes

We prove that the Drinfeld double of an arbitrary finite group scheme has finitely generated cohomology. That is to say, for G any finite group scheme, and D(G) the Drinfeld double of the group ring kG, we show that the self-extension algebra of the trivial representation for D(G) is a finitely generated algebra, and that for each D(G)-representation V the extensions from the trivial representation to V form a finitely generated module over the aforementioned algebra. As a corollary, we find that all categories $${{\,\mathrm{rep}\,}}(G)^*_\mathscr {M}$$ dual to $${{\,\mathrm{rep}\,}}(G)$$ are also of finite type (i.e. have finitely generated cohomology), and we provide a uniform bound on their Krull dimensions. This paper completes earlier work of Friedlander and the author.
"Everything feels risky now": Perceived "risky" sexual behavior during COVID-19 pandemic.

Social distancing through the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted sexuality and relationships, which may also change risk perceptions beyond traditional definitions (e.g. sexually transmitted infections). This study examines risk perceptions related to sexuality during the pandemic. We present qualitative analyses of a survey of adults in the United States (N = 333) to identify impacts of COVID-19 on individuals' risk perceptions. Risky sexual behavior definitions included: (1) COVID-19-related, (2) STI/pregnancy, (3) relationship-related, (4) physical boundaries, (5) drug or alcohol, and (6) multiple risks. Conventional public health messaging may need to incorporate changing risk definitions to address sexual health during the pandemic.
longfin causes cis-ectopic expression of the kcnh2a ether-a-go-go K+ channel to autonomously prolong fin outgrowth

Organs stop growing to achieve a characteristic size and shape in scale with the body of an animal. Likewise, regenerating organs sense injury extents to instruct appropriate replacement growth. Fish fins exemplify both phenomena through their tremendous diversity of form and remarkably robust regeneration. The classic zebrafish mutant longfint2 develops and regenerates dramatically elongated fins and underlying ray skeleton. We show longfint2 chromosome 2 overexpresses the ether-a-go-go-related voltage-gated potassium channel kcnh2a. Genetic disruption of kcnh2a in cis rescues longfint2, indicating longfint2 is a regulatory kcnh2a allele. We find longfint2 fin overgrowth originates from prolonged outgrowth periods by showing Kcnh2a chemical inhibition during late stage regeneration fully suppresses overgrowth. Cell transplantations demonstrate longfint2-ectopic kcnh2a acts tissue autonomously within the fin intra-ray mesenchymal lineage. Temporal inhibition of the Ca2+-dependent phosphatase calcineurin indicates it likewise entirely acts late in regeneration to attenuate fin outgrowth. Epistasis experiments suggest longfint2-expressed Kcnh2a inhibits calcineurin output to supersede growth cessation signals. We conclude ion signaling within the growth-determining mesenchyme lineage controls fin size by tuning outgrowth periods rather than altering positional information or cell-level growth potency.
Few new drugs deserve expedited regulatory treatment.

DISCLOSURES: This commentary is based on work by the author that was supported by Arnold Ventures and the Harvard-MIT Center for Regulatory Science. The funders had no role in the writing of this c...
Epigenetic regulation of epithelial dectin-1 through an IL-33-STAT3 axis in allergic disease.

Allergic diseases arise in susceptible individuals in part because of decrements in protective pathways. The mechanism by which these anti-inflammatory molecules become repressed remains unclear. We have previously reported that epithelial dectin-1 prevents aberrant type 2 responses and is downregulated in the epithelium of allergic patients. Here we report that dectin- 1 is constitutively expressed by the respiratory epithelium in humans, and that IL-33 specifically acts as a repressor of dectin-1. Mechanistically, this occurs via IL-33-dependent STAT3 activation and the subsequent repression of the dectin-1 gene, CLEC7A. We have identified a novel enhancer region upstream of the proximal promoter of CLEC7A that is only accessible in epithelial cells, but not in hematopoietic cells. Epigenetic repression of CLEC7A through this newly identified locus, downstream of an aberrant IL-33-STAT3 axis, occurs in the epithelium of allergic individuals. Collectively, our data identify a mechanism of epigenetic fine-tuning of dectin-1 expression in epithelial cells that may participate in allergenicity.
A series representation of the discrete fractional Laplace operator of arbitrary order

Abstract Although fractional powers of non-negative operators have received much attention in recent years, there is still little known about their behavior if real-valued exponents are greater than one. In this article, we define and study the discrete fractional Laplace operator of arbitrary real-valued positive order. A series representation of the discrete fractional Laplace operator for positive non-integer powers is developed. Its convergence to a series representation of a known case of positive integer powers is proven as the power tends to the integer value. Furthermore, we show that the new representation for arbitrary real-valued positive powers of the discrete Laplace operator is consistent with existing theoretical results.
Multi-session delivery of synchronous rTMS and sensory stimulation induces long-term plasticity

Abstract Background Combining training or sensory stimulation with non-invasive brain stimulation has shown to improve performance in healthy subjects and improve brain function in patients after brain injury. However, the plasticity mechanisms and the optimal parameters to induce long-term and sustainable enhanced performance remain unknown. Objective This work was designed to identify the protocols of which combining sensory stimulation with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) will facilitate the greatest changes in fMRI activation maps in the rat's primary somatosensory cortex (S1). Methods Several protocols of combining forepaw electrical stimulation with rTMS were tested, including a single stimulation session compared to multiple, daily stimulation sessions, as well as synchronous and asynchronous delivery of both modalities. High-resolution fMRI was used to determine how pairing sensory stimulation with rTMS induced short and long-term plasticity in the rat S1. Results All groups that received a single session of rTMS showed short-term increases in S1 activity, but these increases did not last three days after the session. The group that received a stimulation protocol of 10 Hz forepaw stimulation that was delivered simultaneously with 10 Hz rTMS for five consecutive days demonstrated the greatest increases in the extent of the evoked fMRI responses compared to groups that received other stimulation protocols. Conclusions Our results provide direct indication that pairing peripheral stimulation with rTMS induces long-term plasticity, and this phenomenon appears to follow a time-dependent plasticity mechanism. These results will be important to lead the design of new training and rehabilitation paradigms and training towards achieving maximal performance in healthy subjects.
Cell Association via Boundary Detection: A Scalable Approach Based on Data-Driven Random Features

The problem of cell association is considered for cellular users present in the field. This has become a challenging problem with the deployment of 5G networks which will share the sub-6 GHz bands with the legacy 4G networks. Instead of taking a network-controlled approach, which may not be scalable with the number of users and may introduce extra delays into the system, we propose a scalable solution in the physical layer by utilizing data that can be collected by a large number of spectrum sensors deployed in the field. More specifically, we model the cell association problem as a nonlinear boundary detection problem and focus on solving this problem using randomized shallow networks for determining the boundaries for location of users associated to each cell. We exploit the power of data-driven modeling to reduce the computational cost of training in the proposed solution for the cell association problem. This is equivalent to choosing the right basis functions in the shallow architecture such that the detection is done with minimal error. Our experiments demonstrate the superiority of this method compared to its data-independent counterparts as well as its computational advantage over kernel methods.
Investors' Perceptions of Activism via Voting: Evidence from Contentious Shareholder Meetings†

Motivated by the increasing influence of shareholder votes on corporate policies, we examine investors’ perceptions of activism via voting. To identify instances of activism via voting, we focus on annual meetings with at least one ballot item where a substantial fraction of shareholders is expected to vote against management’s voting recommendation, indicating an increase in their monitoring activity. We define such meetings as “contentious.” Using a sample of almost 28,000 meetings between 2003 and 2012, we examine stock returns over the period between the proxy filing and the annual meeting. This period captures when investors learn about the contentious nature of the upcoming meeting and form expectations about its likely impact on firms’ policies. We find that abnormal stock returns prior to contentious meetings are significantly positive and higher than those prior to non-contentious meetings. These higher abnormal returns increase with the contentiousness of the meeting; are more pronounced in firms with poor past performance, which are more likely to respond to shareholder pressure; and persist after controlling for firm-specific news and proxies for risk factors. Our results are consistent with investors’ expecting activism via voting to have a positive impact on firm value, on average, and cast doubts on regulatory attempts to restrict the use of shareholder votes.
Ballute Aerocapture Trajectories at Neptune

Using an inflatable ballute system for aerocapture at planets and moons with atmospheres has the potential to provide significant performance benefits compared not only to traditional all propulsive capture, but also to aeroshell based aerocapture technologies. This paper discusses the characteristics of entry trajectories for ballute aerocapture at Neptune. These trajectories are the first steps in a larger systems analysis effort that is underway to characterize and optimize the performance of a ballute aerocapture system for future missions not only at Neptune, but also the other bodies with atmospheres.
JT gravity and the ensembles of random matrix theory

We generalize the recently discovered relationship between JT gravity and double-scaled random matrix theory to the case that the boundary theory may have time-reversal symmetry and may have fermions with or without supersymmetry. The matching between variants of JT gravity and matrix ensembles depends on the assumed symmetries. Time-reversal symmetry in the boundary theory means that unorientable spacetimes must be considered in the bulk. In such a case, the partition function of JT gravity is still related to the volume of the moduli space of conformal structures, but this volume has a quantum correction and has to be computed using Reidemeister-Ray-Singer "torsion." Presence of fermions in the boundary theory (and thus a symmetry $(-1)^F$) means that the bulk has a spin or pin structure. Supersymmetry in the boundary means that the bulk theory is associated to JT supergravity and is related to the volume of the moduli space of super Riemann surfaces rather than of ordinary Riemann surfaces. In all cases we match JT gravity or supergravity with an appropriate random matrix ensemble. All ten standard random matrix ensembles make an appearance -- the three Dyson ensembles and the seven Altland-Zirnbauer ensembles. To facilitate the analysis, we extend to the other ensembles techniques that are most familiar in the case of the original Wigner-Dyson ensemble of hermitian matrices. We also generalize Mirzakhani's recursion for the volumes of ordinary moduli space to the case of super Riemann surfaces.
A Computer Aided Design Package for Nonlinear Model Applications

Abstract An important aspect of multivariable control system design involves the formulation of reliable mathematical models. Gas turbine engine control systems, with their inherent nonlinearities, provide common practical examples of the need for nonlinear models. In this paper we discuss a computer-aided design package for generation of such nonlinear models, using an approach involving notions of power series and algebraic tensors. Two independent computing systems are employed interactively in the overall process of model formulation, identification, and validation. The package is sufficiently generalized to accommodate any particular nonlinear modeling problem when formulated within the framework of the algebraic tensor scheme.
Growing balanced covering sets

Abstract Given a bipartite graph with bipartition ( A , B ) where B is equipartitioned into k blocks, can the vertices in A be picked one by one so that at every step, the picked vertices cover roughly the same number of vertices in each of these blocks? We show that, if each block has cardinality m, the vertices in B have the same degree, and each vertex in A has at most cm neighbors in every block where c > 0 is a small constant, then there is an ordering v 1 , … , v n of the vertices in A such that for every j ∈ { 1 , … , n } , the numbers of vertices with a neighbor in { v 1 , … , v j } in every two blocks differ by at most 2 ( k − 1 ) c ⋅ m . This is related to a well-known lemma of Steinitz, and partially answers an unpublished question of Scott and Seymour.
Real-Time Parameter Estimation using Output Error

Output-error parameter estimation, normally a post- ight batch technique, was applied to real-time dynamic modeling problems. Variations on the traditional algorithm were investigated with the goal of making the method suitable for operation in real time. Im- plementation recommendations are given that are dependent on the modeling problem of interest. Application to ight test data showed that accurate parameter estimates and un- certainties for the short-period dynamics model were available every 2 s using time domain data, or every 3 s using frequency domain data. The data compatibility problem was also solved in real time, providing corrected sensor measurements every 4 s. If uncertainty corrections for colored residuals are omitted, this rate can be increased to every 0.5 s.
Influence of Mpv17 on Hair-Cell Mitochondrial Homeostasis, Synapse Integrity, and Vulnerability to Damage in the Zebrafish Lateral Line

Noise exposure is particularly stressful to hair-cell mitochondria, which must produce enough energy to meet high metabolic demands as well as regulate local intracellular Ca2+ concentrations. Mitochondrial Inner Membrane Protein 17 (Mpv17) functions as a non-selective cation channel and plays a role in maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis. In zebrafish, hair cells in mpv17a9/a9 mutants displayed elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), elevated mitochondrial calcium, hyperpolarized transmembrane potential, and greater vulnerability to neomycin, indicating impaired mitochondrial function. Using a strong water current to overstimulate hair cells in the zebrafish lateral line, we observed mpv17a9/a9 mutant hair cells were more vulnerable to morphological disruption than wild type (WT) siblings simultaneously exposed to the same stimulus. To determine the role of mitochondrial homeostasis on hair-cell synapse integrity, we surveyed synapse number in mpv17a9/a9 mutants and WT siblings as well as the sizes of presynaptic dense bodies (ribbons) and postsynaptic densities immediately following stimulus exposure. We observed mechanically injured mpv17a9/a9 neuromasts were not more vulnerable to synapse loss; they lost a similar number of synapses per hair cell relative to WT. Additionally, we quantified the size of hair cell pre- and postsynaptic structures following stimulation and observed significantly enlarged WT postsynaptic densities, yet relatively little change in the size of mpv17a9/a9 postsynaptic densities following stimulation. These results suggest chronically impaired hair-cell mitochondrial activity influences postsynaptic size under homeostatic conditions but does not exacerbate synapse loss following mechanical injury.
A New Formulation for Hybrid LES-RANS Computations

Ideally, a hybrid LES-RANS computation would employ LES only where necessary to make up for the failure of the RANS model to provide sufficient accuracy or to provide time-dependent information. Current approaches are fairly restrictive in the placement of LES and RANS regions; an LES-RANS transition in a boundary layer, for example, yields an unphysical log-layer shift. A hybrid computation is formulated here to allow greater control over the placement of LES and RANS regions and the transitions between them. The concept of model invariance is introduced, which provides a basis for interpreting hybrid results within an LES-RANS transition zone. Consequences of imposing model invariance include the addition of terms to the governing equations that compensate for unphysical gradients created as the model changes between RANS and LES. Computational results illustrate the increased accuracy of the approach and its insensitivity to the location of the transition and to the blending function employed.
An Attempt to Distinguish Between a Section 351 Transfer and a B Reorganization

ABSTRACT This paper explores the overlap between Code Section 351 and Code Section 368(a)(1)(B) when a transfer of stock in one corporation for stock in another corporation occurs, detailing the di...
Genome-wide covariation in SARS-CoV-2.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus causing the global pandemic is a coronavirus with a genome of about 30Kbase length. The design of vaccines and choice of therapies depends on the structure and mutational stability of encoded proteins in the open reading frames(ORFs) of this genome. In this study, we computed, using Expectation Reflection, the genome-wide covariation of the SARS-CoV-2 genome based on an alignment of ≈130000 SARS-CoV-2 complete genome sequences obtained from GISAID. We used this covariation to compute the Direct Information between pairs of positions across the whole genome, investigating potentially important relationships within the genome, both within each encoded protein and between encoded proteins. We then computed the covariation within each clade of the virus. The covariation detected recapitulates all clade determinants and each clade exhibits distinct covarying pairs.
Beating Random Assignment for Approximating Quantum 2-Local Hamiltonian Problems

The quantum k-Local Hamiltonian problem is a natural generalization of classical constraint satisfaction problems (k-CSP) and is complete for QMA, a quantum analog of NP. Although the complexity of k-Local Hamiltonian problems has been well studied, only a handful of approximation results are known. For Max 2-Local Hamiltonian where each term is a rank 3 projector, a natural quantum generalization of classical Max 2-SAT, the best known approximation algorithm was the trivial random assignment, yielding a 0.75-approximation. We present the first approximation algorithm beating this bound, a classical polynomial-time 0.764-approximation. For strictly quadratic instances, which are maximally entangled instances, we provide a 0.801 approximation algorithm, and numerically demonstrate that our algorithm is likely a 0.821-approximation. We conjecture these are the hardest instances to approximate. We also give improved approximations for quantum generalizations of other related classical 2-CSPs. Finally, we exploit quantum connections to a generalization of the Grothendieck problem to obtain a classical constant-factor approximation for the physically relevant special case of strictly quadratic traceless 2-Local Hamiltonians on bipartite interaction graphs, where a inverse logarithmic approximation was the best previously known (for general interaction graphs). Our work employs recently developed techniques for analyzing classical approximations of CSPs and is intended to be accessible to both quantum information scientists and classical computer scientists.
Not engaging with problems in the lab: Students’ navigation of conflicting data and models

Students' framing is important in shaping their engagement in introductory physics laboratory classrooms.