cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Long Live The Web

The author opines regarding the importance of the world wide web and the need to defend it in the interests of the digital revolution, prosperity, and liberty. He describes the history of the web's development and threats to its founding principles represented by social networking sites, wireless Internet providers, and collection of personal data regarding online habits. The author discusses web principles including universality, decentralization, and the need for free access to web technologies that companies and individuals use to develop services. INSETS: Web or Internet?;The Future Web in Action.
Effects of a Structured Domain on the Conformational Ensemble of Disordered Regions in Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor

Intrinsically Disordered Proteins (IDP's) lack a unique tertiary structure and exist as conformational ensembles ranging from completely unstructured random coils to compact molten globules. The conformational ensemble and the dynamics of disordered proteins is highly sensitive to its surrounding environment, as well as coding variants such as Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs). IDPs are critical for signaling in the Central Nervous System (CNS), since they can bind with both low-affinity and high-specificity as a result of folding upon binding, and over one-fifth of identified disease-associated SNPs are found in disordered regions. Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin that facilitates neurogenesis in its short (mature) form but apoptosis in its long (pro) form; the former is structured while the latter includes an intrinsically disordered region of over 100 residues. Previously, we explored the effects of the Val66Met mutation on the isolated disordered domain of BDNF (pro-domain) using molecular dynamics simulation with enhanced simulation; finding that the SNP causes global effects on the protein conformational ensemble in addition to local secondary structure changes detected by NMR studies. The effect of the structured region on differential conformational ensembles of long-form proBDNF with and without Val66Met, however, is unknown; the length of the long-form proBDNF makes this question currently inaccessible to NMR techniques. Here we report on results from enhanced-sampling simulations of the complete proBDNF protein, including the structured region and with and without the Val66Met SNP. In particular, we show significant effects of the structured region on radius of gyration, secondary structure around the SNP, and coupling within the hydrogen bond network for both Val66 and Met66 forms.
Mononuclear nickel (II) and copper (II) coordination complexes supported by bispicen ligand derivatives: Experimental and computational studies

Abstract The synthesis, characterization and density functional theory calculations of mononuclear Ni and Cu complexes supported by the N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-bis-(pyridine-2-ylmethyl)-1,2-diaminoethane ligand and its derivatives are reported. The complexes were characterized by X-ray crystallography as well as by UV−visible absorption spectroscopy and EPR spectroscopy. The solid state structure of these coordination complexes revealed that the geometry of the complex depended on the identity of the metal center. Solution phase characterization data are in accord with the solid phase structure, indicating minimal structural changes in solution. Optical spectroscopy revealed that all of the complexes exhibit color owing to d-d transition bands in the visible region. Magnetic parameters obtained from EPR spectroscopy together with other structural data suggest that the Ni(II) complexes are in a pseudo-octahedral geometry and Cu(II) complexes are in a distorted square pyramidal geometry. In order to understand in detail how ligand sterics and electronics affect complex topology detailed computational studies were performed. The series of complexes reported in this article will add significant value in the field of coordination chemistry as Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes supported by tetradentate pyridyl based ligands are rather scarce.
Equilibrium Rate Analysis in Supply Chain Financial Management

This paper addresses Supply Chain Financial Management (SCFM), namely, the analysis of combined operational and financial aspects of supply chains, an important emerging topic in Supply Chain Management (SCM). It further aims to bridge the gap between practical SCM research and analytical tools for modeling and optimization purposes by illustrating how analytical and numerical methods can be used in combination with simple financial and accounting concepts to obtain financial/accounting metrics for supply chains. To this end we introduce Equilibrium Rate Analysis (ERA) as a modeling approach to stochastic systems and their performance metrics, including the domain of SCFM. ERA posits stochastic equilibrium as the mathematical setting of models, and utilizes rate metrics instead of cumulative (time-additive) ones. This approach brings about major conceptual and computational simplifications, which facilitate evaluation and optimization of SCFM metrics. The paper explains in broad outline how to formulate E...
Student Affairs Professionals in the Community College: Critically Examining Preparation Programs From a Social Justice Lens

ABSTRACTTo support the success of community college students, the role of student affairs professionals is critical. Therefore, adequate preparation of student affairs professionals who work in community college settings is paramount. However, literature focused on the intersection between the community college, student affairs, and graduate preparation is sparse, suggesting that too little is known about the preparation of student affairs professionals exiting graduate education and entering a community college setting. We frame this dearth of literature as an issue of social justice. The lack of focus on community colleges within student affairs preparation programs further reinforces a systemic cycle of oppression related to the perception that community colleges are not an integral part of the higher education landscape. We point to potential entry points for the exploration of this topic through systematic inquiry. The goals of this work are to bring awareness to the paucity of literature on this top...
Increasing the rate of spatially-coupled codes via optimized irregular termination

In this paper, we consider the rate-loss problem for spatially-coupled LDPC (SC-LDPC) codes on the binary erasure channel. Although SC-LDPC codes have good noise thresholds under belief-propagation (BP) decoding, they also suffer a rate-loss due to termination that is significant at moderate blocklengths. Our idea is to attach additional variable nodes at the boundary using an irregular degree distribution. Then, this degree distribution is optimized to improve the code rate without reducing the BP threshold. The optimization is formulated as an linear program and solved numerically. Our results show that the code rate can be increased by a reasonable amount without decreasing the BP threshold.
Northern Plains Grain Farm Tuck Marketing Patterns

A survey of farm operators in the Northern Plains Region was conducted to gather information about on-farm storage and truck markets. The objective of the study is to provide information about farm truck grain marketing patterns in the Northern Plains. There is no other source for this information. It should be complementary to other farm-to-market information and national commodity flow publications. Farmers may use the results for their own investment and productivity assessments. Local and regional planners and policy makers can use the information in calibrating travel demand and freight flow models for investment and asset management choices.
Single-shot compressive 3D imaging for neural activity tracking

We describe a 3D camera that consists of only an off-the-shelf diffuser placed in front of a sensor. By using compressed sensing, we reconstruct large volume high-resolution images from a single shot.
Renewables firming using grid scale battery storage in a real-time pricing market

Battery storage has many benefits, such as providing instantaneous response to changes in demand, clean electricity to customers, and integration of intermittent power sources. However, at the present time battery storage has proven to be too costly for widespread implementation. While there has been research to examine the cost at which battery storage will become cost effective for particular applications, little work has been done to determine the most effective placement of battery storage for the greatest impact on the system as a whole. This research examines battery storage in a real-time pricing energy market, and compares the cost effectiveness of three different cases: (1) Battery storage owned and operated by an intermittent renewable energy generation facility, (2) Battery storage connected to the grid providing energy services, (3) Battery storage owned and operated by a manufacturing plant. Realtime pricing data from ISO New England was analyzed to determine the monetary benefits of each case on a per mega-amp-hour basis. By looking at the issue holistically, instead of analyzing specific scenarios as previous researchers have done, the benefits of each placement can be isolated from the overall benefits of connecting storage to the grid. Once the true value of each scenario can be accurately identified, the integration of utility scale battery storage is optimized for the maximum benefits to all.
A Comparative Study of Carvedilol Versus Metoprolol Initiation and 1-Year Mortality Among Individuals Receiving Maintenance Hemodialysis.

Background Carvedilol and metoprolol are the β-blockers most commonly prescribed to US hemodialysis patients, accounting for ∼80% of β-blocker prescriptions. Despite well-established pharmacologic and pharmacokinetic differences between the 2 medications, little is known about their relative safety and efficacy in the hemodialysis population. Study Design A retrospective cohort study using a new-user design. Setting & Participants Medicare-enrolled hemodialysis patients treated at a large US dialysis organization who initiated carvedilol or metoprolol therapy from January 1, 2007, through December 30, 2012. Predictor Carvedilol versus metoprolol initiation. Outcomes All-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and intradialytic hypotension (systolic blood pressure decrease ≥ 20mmHg during hemodialysis plus intradialytic saline solution administration) during a 1-year follow-up period. Measurements Survival models were used to estimate HRs and 95% CIs in mortality analyses. Poisson regression was used to estimate incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and 95% CIs in intradialytic hypotension analyses. Inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to adjust for several demographic, clinical, laboratory, and dialysis treatment covariates in all analyses. Results 27,064 individuals receiving maintenance hemodialysis were included: 9,558 (35.3%) carvedilol initiators and 17,506 (64.7%) metoprolol initiators. Carvedilol (vs metoprolol) initiation was associated with greater all-cause (adjusted HR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.02-1.16) and cardiovascular mortality (adjusted HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.08-1.29). In subgroup analyses, similar associations were observed among patients with hypertension, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and a recent myocardial infarction, the main cardiovascular indications for β-blocker therapy. During follow-up, carvedilol (vs metoprolol) initiators had a higher rate of intradialytic hypotension (adjusted IRR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.09-1.11). Limitations Residual confounding may exist. Conclusions Relative to metoprolol initiation, carvedilol initiation was associated with higher 1-year all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. One potential mechanism for these findings may be the increased occurrence of intradialytic hypotension after carvedilol (vs metoprolol) initiation.
Dynamic MR Imaging of the Pelvic Floor

Over the last decade advances in commercial MR technology have facilitated the development and integration of dynamic MR imaging into the workup of patients with pelvic floor disorders. Dynamic MR imaging demonstrates movement of the pelvic floor and organs, providing functional information refl ecting ligamentous or muscular injury, atrophy or dysfunction. Additionally, it has several advantages over conventional fluoroscopic cystoproctography. The intrinsic T2-weighted signal differences of the pelvic organs provide excellent visualization of the bladder, vagina, small bowel and rectum with minimal preparation, as well as direct visualization of the pelvic floor musculature. The use of cross-sectional imaging eliminates problems of superimposition, magnification and measurement at traditional fluoroscopy. The multiplanar capabilities of MR permit dynamic coronal and axial imaging unavailable using fluoroscopic methods.
From optic flow to laws of control

It is now established beyond a reasonable doubt that people can perceive self-motion from optic flow with sufficient accuracy to guide their locomotion. In particular, the direction of self-motion, or heading, can be judged quite accurately under a variety of conditions. However, as pointed out by Nakayama (1994), it remains controversial as to whether optic flow is actually used to control locomotor behavior. The aim of this chapter is to move beyond the perception of optic flow per se to the question of how a variety of information is used to control human locomotion on foot. We offer an interim report on an ongoing research program that seeks to determine the laws of control for steering and obstacle avoidance in a complex, dynamic environment.
Mechanochemical reaction pathways in solvent-free synthesis of ZSM-5

Abstract Solvent-free methods for the synthesis of ZSM-5 have been previously reported in the literature. These methods typically involve grinding the starting materials together prior to the hydrothermal reaction step. However, very little is known about the reaction intermediates formed during the mechanochemical pre-reaction or about how the pre-reaction impacts the subsequent hydrothermal synthesis conditions (temperature and length of hydrothermal treatment). In this study, the solvent-free synthesis of ZSM-5 was investigated while varying the length and type of grinding (manual, ball-mill) and the components of the reaction mixture. The initial reactions that occurred between the solid-state raw materials during grinding were monitored by powder X-ray diffraction (pXRD). Extended grinding initiates exchange reactions between several reagents to form NaCl and to liberate ammonia and water. The resulting wet paste undergoes facile thermal conversion to crystalline zeolite ZSM-5 framework structures. These results provide valuable insights used to guide the optimization of the synthesis conditions required to prepare stable, crystalline and high surface area ZSM-5 under solvent-free synthesis conditions. The solvent-free approach contributes to the overall goal of a greener, more sustainable ZSM-5 synthesis.
Investigating the Degree of Reliable Change Among Persons Assigned to Receive Mental Health Peer Specialist Services.

Objective:Peer specialists are individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders trained to use their experiences to help others with similar disorders. Evidence for the effectiveness of ...
Claims for contraceptive services among young women filling chronic opioid prescriptions.

Abstract Objective To describe claims for contraceptive services among reproductive-aged women filling chronic opioid prescriptions. Study design Using a large US commercial claims database, IMS Lifelink+, we identified women aged 15–44 years who filled chronic opioid prescriptions (defined as a 90-day supply of opioids without a 30-day gap over a 180-day time period) and had continuous pharmacy and medical enrollment for at least 90 days prior to and 180 days following their index opioid prescription. After excluding women with any claims for pregnancy-related services, we describe claims for contraceptive prescriptions. Results We identified 16,074 women with claims for chronic opioids who had filled an average of 135±28-day supply of opioids over a 180-day period. Of these, 23.4% (n=3759) had a claim for prescription contraception in the 90 days prior or 180 days following their index opioid claim. Of those who had claims for prescription contraception, 70% (n=2642) received oral contraceptives; only 2% had claims related to a long-acting reversible contraceptive (i.e., a contraceptive implant or intrauterine device). Conclusions Commercially insured women filling chronic opioid prescriptions may have unmet needs for prescription contraception. Implications Efforts are needed to ensure that the reproductive health needs of women filling chronic opioid prescriptions are met.
Gasified Rice Hull Biochar is a Source of Phosphorus and Potassium for Container-Grown Plants2

Biochar materials have been reported to improve the chemical, physical, and biological properties of mineral soils and soilless substrates. The objective of this research was to determine the effec...
Pine Street Capital

SUBJECT AREAS: Derivatives; Financial strategy; Hedging; Investment management; Options; Risk management; Securities CASE SETTING: 2000, U.S. A technology hedge fund is trying to decide whether/how to hedge equity market risk. Its hedging choices are short-selling and options. The fund has just gone through one of the most volatile periods in Nasdaq's history, and they are trying to decide whether they should continue their risk management program of short-selling the Nasdaq index, or switch to a hedging program utilizing put options on the index. Specific learning objectives of these cases include these: - To introduce students to the use of equity derivatives in the context of money management, particularly the use of delta-hedging using options. Also teaches how/why risk management decisions are made in a simple levered hedge fund.
Using decision science to gain insight into ethical issues: an example involving thresholds in workers' compensation.

Systematically analyzing and comparing the ethical dimensions of policy-decision alternatives is remarkably difficult. The ethical implications of a set of decision alternatives, as well as the ranking of that set, are subject to any number of quantitative and qualitative variables, not the least of which is differing individual interpretation. In spite of this, decision science offers a consistent, transparent framework from which to analyze the ethical components and implications of policy decisions. Workers' Compensation insurance programs are state-governed systems of insurance in which workers, in exchange for giving up the right to sue their employer and their coemployees, receive some compensation if they are injured on the job, without regard as to who was at fault. Importantly. Workers' Compensation does not compensate workers for all losses. Thus, injured workers often sue those who provide goods and services to their employer's production system. Different states set different thresholds relating to who can be brought into such a lawsuit and under what conditions a sued means-of-production entity can, in turn, bring the injured party's employer into the suit as a third-party defendant. Forensic engineers are often involved in such lawsuits to evaluate whether or not a given component of a production system is or is not defective. Using Workers' Compensation as an example, this paper explores the methodology and the difficulty of quantifying the ethical implications of policy decisions by examining the concept of thresholding a policy variable. Thresholding will be defined and the ethical effect on the various parties of varying a policy threshold will be discussed.
Parent–Child Time Together: The Role of Interactive Technology With Adolescent and Young Adult Children:

Presently, there is a lack of consensus about whether interactive technology enhances or restricts the quality and quantity of shared time between parents and their children. The purposes of this e...
Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori Infection in a National Cohort of Veterans With Noncardia Gastric Adenocarcinoma.

Conventional teaching is that Helicobacter pylori infection is required for the development of non-cardia gastric adenocarcinoma (NCGC) through a sequence of atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia, and finally, cancer.1-3 However, studies have not demonstrated a 100% rate of H pylori infection in gastric malignancy, hypothesized to be due to false negatives, gastric atrophy leading to apparent loss of infection, and inclusion of cardia, nonintestinal cancers.1-3.
Turbulent shear-layer mixing: initial conditions, and direct-numerical and large-eddy simulations

Aspects of turbulent shear-layer mixing are investigated over a range of shear-layer Reynolds numbers, forced shear-layer flows.
Tuberculosis screening in multiple sclerosis: effect of disease-modifying therapies and lymphopenia on the prevalence of indeterminate TB screening results in the clinical setting.

BackgroundTuberculosis screening is recommended in multiple sclerosis patients starting certain disease-modifying therapies. Disease-modifying therapies may affect interferon-gamma release assay re...
Proximal Tubule-Derived Amphiregulin Amplifies and Integrates Profibrotic EGF Receptor Signals in Kidney Fibrosis.

Background Sustained activation of EGF receptor (EGFR) in proximal tubule cells is a hallmark of progressive kidney fibrosis after AKI and in CKD. However, the molecular mechanisms and particular EGFR ligands involved are unknown. Methods We studied EGFR activation in proximal tubule cells and primary tubular cells isolated from injured kidneys in vitro. To determine in vivo the role of amphiregulin, a low-affinity EGFR ligand that is highly upregulated with injury, we used ischemia-reperfusion injury or unilateral ureteral obstruction in mice with proximal tubule cell-specific knockout of amphiregulin. We also injected soluble amphiregulin into knockout mice with proximal tubule cell-specific deletion of amphiregulin's releasing enzyme, the transmembrane cell-surface metalloprotease, a disintegrin and metalloprotease-17 (ADAM17), and into ADAM17 hypomorphic mice. Results Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1)-dependent upregulation of amphiregulin transcript and protein amplifies amphiregulin signaling in a positive feedback loop. YAP1 also integrates signals of other moderately injury-upregulated, low-affinity EGFR ligands (epiregulin, epigen, TGFα), which also require soluble amphiregulin and YAP1 to induce sustained EGFR activation in proximal tubule cells in vitro. In vivo, soluble amphiregulin injection sufficed to reverse protection from fibrosis after ischemia-reperfusion injury in ADAM17 hypomorphic mice; injected soluble amphiregulin also reversed the corresponding protective proximal tubule cell phenotype in injured proximal tubule cell-specific ADAM17 knockout mice. Moreover, the finding that proximal tubule cell-specific amphiregulin knockout mice were protected from fibrosis after ischemia-reperfusion injury or unilateral ureteral obstruction demonstrates that amphiregulin was necessary for the development of fibrosis. Conclusions Our results identify amphiregulin as a key player in injury-induced kidney fibrosis and suggest therapeutic or diagnostic applications of soluble amphiregulin in kidney disease.
Comparing Prospective and Retrospective Reports of Pregnancy Intention in a Longitudinal Cohort of U.S. Women.

Context Measurement of pregnancy intentions typically relies on retrospective reporting, an approach that may misrepresent the extent of unintended pregnancy. However, the degree of possible misreporting is unclear, as little research has compared prospective and retrospective reports of intention for the same pregnancies. Methods Longitudinal data collected between 2010 and 2015 on 174 pregnancies were used to analyze the magnitude and direction of changes in intendedness (intended, ambivalent or unintended) between prospective and retrospective measurements of intendedness using versions of the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy (LMUP). Changes were assessed both continuously and categorically. Differences in the degree of change-by pregnancy outcome and participant characteristics-were examined using mixed-effects linear and logistic regression models. Results Over two and one-half years of follow-up, 143 participants reported 174 pregnancies. Approximately half showed changes in intention between the prospective and retrospective assessments, with 38% of participants reporting increased intendedness and 10% decreased intendedness. Reported intendedness increased more among those who gave birth (mean change in continuous LMUP score, 2.2) than among those who obtained an abortion (0.7), as well as among individuals with a college degree (4.1) than among those with a high school diploma (1.2). Participants who reported recent depression or anxiety symptoms showed more stable intentions (0.02) than those who did not (2.1). Conclusions Retrospective measurement of pregnancy intentions may underestimate the frequency of unintended pregnancy, with such underestimation being greater among certain subgroups. Estimates based on retrospective reports thus may produce inaccurate impressions of intentionality. Further efforts to refine the measurement of pregnancy preferences are needed.
Examining Social Communication Effects of a Picture Communication Board in a Child With Autism

Purpose Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems have been shown to increase requesting and protesting among minimally verbal children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, ...
Indium-Tin-Oxide Transistors with One Nanometer Thick Channel and Ferroelectric Gating.

In this work, we demonstrate high-performance indium–tin-oxide (ITO) transistors with a channel thickness down to 1 nm and ferroelectric Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 as gate dielectric. An on-current of 0.243 A/mm...
Accurate Calibration of Agent-based Epidemiological Models with Neural Network Surrogates.

Calibrating complex epidemiological models to observed data is a crucial step to provide both insights into the current disease dynamics, i.e.\ by estimating a reproductive number, as well as to provide reliable forecasts and scenario explorations. Here we present a new approach to calibrate an agent-based model -- EpiCast -- using a large set of simulation ensembles for different major metropolitan areas of the United States. In particular, we propose: a new neural network based surrogate model able to simultaneously emulate all different locations; and a novel posterior estimation that provides not only more accurate posterior estimates of all parameters but enables the joint fitting of global parameters across regions.
Queer (af)filiations: Houria Bouteldja and decolonial feminism:

This article analyses Houria Bouteldja’s conceptualisation of decolonial feminism as a product of the queer (af)filiations between past and present socio-cultural, linguistic, and epistemological r...
Surgical Anatomy, Anomalies, and Normal Variants of the Pancreas

The pancreas is a digestive organ with both exocrine and endocrine functions that sits in the retroperitoneum at the level of the second lumbar vertebra. It has an extremely close spatial relationship with multiple organs (i.e., the duodenum, stomach, transverse colon, and bile duct) and multiple major blood vessels, including the celiac axis, superior mesenteric artery and vein, portal vein, and vena cava. Acknowledgment and understanding of these close proximities is vital when performing surgical procedures involving the pancreas. Knowledge of pancreatic embryology is also key for the identification of congenital anomalies and their relevance for patients. An in-depth understanding of overall pancreatic anatomy and normal variants is also critical for the proper diagnosis and treatment of any potential resulting pancreatic pathology. Anatomic anomalies and variations of the pancreas include pancreas divisum, annular pancreas, ectopic pancreas, pancreatic agenesis and hypoplasia, pancreatic cysts, and variations of the course and configuration of the duct.
Data-Driven Inference of the Mechanics of Slip Along Glacier Beds Using Physics-Informed Neural Networks: Case study on Rutford Ice Stream, Antarctica

Reliable projections of sea-level rise depend on accurate representations of how fast-flowing glaciers slip along their beds. The mechanics of slip are often parameterized as a constitutive relation (or `sliding law') whose proper form remains uncertain. Here, we present a novel deep learning-based framework for learning the time evolution of drag at glacier beds from time-dependent ice velocity and elevation observations. We use a feedforward neural network, informed by the governing equations of ice flow, to infer spatially and temporally varying basal drag and associated uncertainties from data. We test the framework on 1D and 2D ice flow simulation outputs and demonstrate the recovery of the underlying basal mechanics under various levels of observational and modeling uncertainties. We apply this framework to time-dependent velocity data for Rutford Ice Stream, Antarctica, and present evidence that ocean-tide-driven changes in subglacial water pressure drive changes in ice flow over the tidal cycle.
Focal Concerns and Police Decision Making in Sexual Assault Cases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis:

Sexual assault and case attrition at the arrest stage are serious problems in the United States. Focal concerns have increasingly been used to explain police decision making in sexual assault cases. Because of the popularity of the focal concerns perspective and potential to inform evidence-based training, a systematic review and meta-analysis are needed to condense the literature. In this study, we assess the overall strength of the relationship between focal concerns variables and police decisions to arrest in cases of sexual assault. Our assessment of the effects of focal concerns variables on arrest decision making in sexual assault cases followed the systematic review protocols provided by the Campbell Collaboration of Systematic Reviews. Specifically, we used the Campbell Collaboration recommendations to search empirical literature and used meta-analysis to evaluate the size, direction, and strength of the impact of focal concerns variables on arrest decisions. Our search strategy detected 14 eligible studies and 79 effect sizes. The meta-analysis found several robust and statistically significant correlates of arrest. In fact, each focal concerns concept produced at least one robust arrest correlate. Overall, focal concerns offers a strong approach for explaining police decisions in sexual assault cases. Although practical concerns and resource constraints produced the strongest arrest correlates, results show the importance of additional case characteristics in officers' decision to arrest.
Patients Living With HIV Are Less Likely to Receive Appropriate Statin Therapy for Cardiovascular Disease Risk Reduction

Background:Recent studies suggest that statins are underprescribed in patients living with HIV (PLWH) at risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), but none have assessed if eligible ...
The Association of Hedge Fund Performance with Manager Location, Domicile and Service Provider

This paper evaluates the association of a manager’s choice of location, domicile, prime broker, auditor and administrator with fund performance and survival between 2007 and 2011. The study finds that there is a negative association between most location, domicile and service provider choices and performance during the five-year period from 2007 to 2011 that is reversed in 2008 during the market crisis. During the crisis, managers based in New York City or funds using JPMorgan, Goldman or Morgan Stanley as Prime Brokers showed a positive association with performance, indicating there may be a “put like” option imbedded in the decision to use a top tier Prime Broker or costly location like New York that is valuable during periods of market crisis.
RobustPay + : Robust Payment Routing With Approximation Guarantee in Blockchain-Based Payment Channel Networks

The past decade has witnessed an explosive growth in cryptocurrencies, but the blockchain-based cryptocurrencies have also raised many concerns, among which a crucial one is the scalability issue. Suffering from the large overhead of global consensus and security assurance, even the leading cryptocurrencies can only handle up to tens of transactions per second, which largely limits their applications in real-world scenarios. Among many proposals to improve the cryptocurrency scalability, one of the most promising and mature solutions is the payment channel network (PCN), which offers the off-chain settlement of transactions with minimal involvement of expensive blockchain operations. However, transaction failures may occur due to external attacks or unexpected conditions, e.g., an uncooperative user becoming unresponsive. In this paper, we present a distributed robust payment routing protocol $RobustPay^{+}$ to resist transaction failures, which achieves robustness, efficiency, distributedness and approximate optimization. Specifically, we investigate the problem of robust routing in PCNs from an optimization perspective, which is to find a pair of payment paths for a payment request, while minimizing the worst-case transaction fee, subject to the timeliness and feasibility constraints. We present a distributed 2-approximation algorithm for this problem. Moreover, we modify the original Hashed Time-lock Contract (HTLC) protocol and adapt it to the robust payment routing protocol to achieve robustness and efficiency. Extensive simulations demonstrate that $RobustPay^{+}$ significantly outperforms baseline algorithms in terms of the success ratio and the average accepted value
The increase in the degree of neural forward masking of cochlea following salicylate application.

Abstract Background High doses of salicylate are known to reduce cochlear response amplitude and raise threshold. However, its effect on the cochlear forward masking, reflecting temporal resolution, is still unclear. Methods The neural forward masking of cochlea was evaluated using double-tone stimulation. The first tone burst (5ms) was named the “masker” and the second tone burst (5 ms) was named the “probe”. The frequency and intensity of the masker and probe were equal, and the masker-probe interval varied from 2 to 32 ms. The reduction (%) of the probe-evoked cochlear compound action potential caused by the addition of the masker tone was used to represent cochlear forward masking. The data obtained before and 2 h following the injection of sodium salicylate (250 mg/kg) were compared. Results The neural forward masking of cochlea in the normal rats increased as the masker-probe interval decreased. At 16 kHz, for example, it increased from ~5% to 32ms masker-probe interval to ~85% at 2ms masker-probe interval. Two hours post salicylate injection, the neural forward masking was significantly enhanced except at 32 ms masker-probe interval. Interestingly, this enhancement was only observed in the limited frequency range of 16–30 kHz. Discussion The enhancement of forward masking of cochlea following salicylate administration may reflect defective neurotransmitter release. This frequency-dependent injury in the cochlea may lead to the development of central plasticity observed after salicylate administration, likely through the increase in central gain, leading to perceptual consequences.
Do Countries Specialize? 1

Do rich and poor countries export the same goods to the US? Using highly disaggregate trade flow data – which breaks US imports into thousands rather than tens of goods – this paper documents two significant trends. First, the number of US imports originating in either rich or poor countries exclusively has fallen dramatically as the world has globalized, from 50% in 1972 to 25% in 1994. This growth in intra-sector competition by countries with vastly different factor endowments is greatest in manufacturing, particularly apparel and textiles, and smallest in natural resources. Further analysis reveals a puzzle: when rich and poor countries both export a manufactured good to the US, rich countries receive a significantly higher price for their product than poor countries. To the extent that this signal of unobserved product heterogeneity is motivated by relative factor abundance or innovative potential, it is consistent with the type of specialization implied by both the Heckscher-Ohlin model of trade and Product Cycle Theory. Though supportive of specialization, this intra-aggregate heterogeneity is troubling for empirical research because it indicates that even a very fine categorization of commodities may be too coarse for evaluating trade models.
Resource and mate availability, and previous social experience modulate mate choice in the copepods Acartia tonsa and Acartia hudsonica

Abstract Copepods, the most abundant metazoans in the oceans, exhibit sexual selection through mate choice. Mate choice may depend on resource and mate availability, mate quality, and the ability of an individual to assess potential mates. We measured the relative strength of mate choice for body size in male and female individuals of the copepod species Acartia tonsa and Acartia hudsonica as a function of food availability, encounter time, and previous social experience with the same and opposite sex. Mate choice in A. tonsa females depended on food availability and previous exposure to the opposite sex, whereas exposure to the opposite sex and encounter time affected mate choice in males. For A. hudsonica, previous social experience with the same and opposite sexes and encounter times were important for mate choice in females, and food availability and encounter time affected mate choice in males. The results suggest that mate choice responds to resource and mate availability, as well as social experience, but that the responses are species and sex-specific even within the same genus. Therefore, these copepods appear to have a flexible mate-sampling strategy that allows them to raise or lower their mate preferences in order to balance the benefits and costs associated with finding a desired mate.
An Episodic History of Mathematics: Mathematical Culture Through Problem Solving

Preface 1. The Ancient Greeks 2. Zeno's Paradox and the concept of limit 3. The mystical mathematics of Hypatia 4. The Islamic world and the development of algebra 5. Cardano, Abel, Galois, and the solving of equations 6. Rene Descartes and the idea of coordinates 7. The invention of differential calculus 8. The great Isaac Newton 9. Complex numbers and polynomials 10. The prince of mathematics 11. Sophie Germain and Fermat's Problem 12. Cauchy and the foundations of analysis 13. The prime numbers 14. Dirichlet and how to count 15. Riemann and the geometry of surfaces 16. Georg Cantor and the orders of infinity 17. The natural numbers 18. Henri Poincare, child phenomenon 19. Sonya Kovalevskaya and mechanics 20. Emmy Noether and algebra 21. Methods of proof 22. Alan Turing and cryptography Bibliography Index.
Identification and developmental expression of a novel low molecular weight neuronal intermediate filament protein expressed in Xenopus laevis

Xenopus laevis is a valuable model system for the study of vertebrate neuroembryogenesis. However, very few well-characterized nervous system-specific molecular markers are available for studies in this organism. We screened a X. laevis adult brain cDNA library using a cDNA probe for mouse low molecular weight neurofilament protein (NF-L) in order to identify neuron-specific intermediate filament proteins. Clones for two distinct neuron-specific intermediate filament proteins were isolated and sequenced. One of these encoded for a Xenopus NF-L (XNF-L) and the other for a novel neuron-specific Xenopus intermediate filament protein (XNIF) that was present earlier and more abundantly than XNF-L during development. XNIF contained a central rod domain with multiple sequence features characteristic of IF proteins. The XNF-L was very similar to mouse NF-L, with a 77% sequence identity in the rod domain and the presence of a polyglutamic acid region in the tail domain, characteristic of type IV neurofilament proteins. In contrast, XNIF showed only 60% identity to mouse NF-L in the rod domain and lacked the glutamic acid-rich sequence in the tail domain. XNIF also had a very low (approximately 38%) sequence identity in the head and tail domains as compared to NF-L and other neurofilament proteins (45% identity to the head domain of alpha-internexin). In the adult frog, XNIF mRNA is detected by Northern blots only within the nervous system and by in situ hybridization histochemistry exclusively in neurons, particularly in the medullary reticular system and spinal cord. Antisera raised against the unique tail region of XNIF detected a single distinct 60 kDa band in Western blots of nervous system cytoskeletal preparations, and this XNIF immunoreactivity was concentrated in axons in the PNS and in small perikarya in the dorsal root ganglion. In contrast, NF-L immunoreactivity was principally in the large perikarya in the dorsal root ganglion. In development, XNIF mRNA appears more abundant than XNF-L mRNA in all premetamorphic stages examined. XNIF mRNA is first detectable at stage 24 (26 hr), whereas stable expression of XNF-L is at stage 35/36 (50 hr). XNIF immunoreactivity is detectable within the cement gland, within many neuronal cell bodies and axon tracts within the developing nervous system, and within all cellular layers of the developing retina. The availability of these two distinct neuron-specific intermediate filament proteins, with different temporal and spatial expression patterns, should provide new markers as well as targets for functional perturbation in the developing X. laevis nervous system.
Sub-lethal autolysis. Modification of cell periphery by lysosomal enzymes.

Abstract Lysosomal activation was induced in dog kidney and HEp-2 cells by treatment with anticellular serum and high concentrations (20 μg/ml) of vitamin A alcohol. The morphological changes accompanying the release of enzymes from activated lysosomes were described. Measurements of cell coat thickness by ellipsometry revealed that lysosomal enzymes released extracellularly were able to digest the coat. The scale of enzyme release was an important factor in determining the amount of coat digested. Complement-sufficient anticellular sera and high concentrations of vitamin A induced marked lysosomal activation and extensive digestion of the coat. Complement-deficient anticellular serum produced significantly less lysosomal labilization and only limited digestion of the coat. The digestion of the cell coat induced by these agents was prevented by pretreatment of the cells with either hydrocortisone or chloroquine.
Enigma of Contracted Granular Kidney: A Chapter in the History of Nephrology

British successors of Richard Bright came to regard the disease which bore his name as consisting of several distinct clinical and pathological types, one of which was referred to as contracted granul
Preparation of ZrCx single crystals by an arc melting floating zone technique

Abstract ZrC x single crystals have been produced, using a floating zone technique in which the melting is promoted by means of an electric arc. Beginning with sintered material, it has been possible to produce single crystalline rods of ZrC x having a length of 6 cm and a diameter of up to 3 mm. Experiments with various stinger materials and configurations lead to the conclusion that a sharpened stinger made of sintered ZrC is the most satisfactory. The zone melting was carried out in four different argon-helium atmospheres at atmospheric pressure. Several considerations lead to the conclusion that best results are achieved with an atmosphere consisting of a 75%Ar-25%He mixture. Starting with sintered material with a value of x =1, crystals have been produced, having an average value of x =0.93 without zone leveling.
Diversity in the Strength and Structure of Unruptured Cerebral Aneurysms

Intracranial aneurysms are pathological enlargements of brain arteries that are believed to arise from progressive wall degeneration and remodeling. Earlier work using classical histological approaches identified variability in cerebral aneurysm mural content, ranging from layered walls with intact endothelium and aligned smooth muscle cells, to thin, hypocellular walls. Here, we take advantage of recent advances in multiphoton microscopy, to provide novel results for collagen fiber architecture in 15 human aneurysm domes without staining or fixation as well as in 12 control cerebral arteries. For all aneurysm samples, the elastic lamina was absent and the abluminal collagen fibers had similar diameters to control arteries. In contrast, the collagen fibers on the luminal side showed great variability in both diameter and architecture ranging from dense fiber layers to sparse fiber constructs suggestive of ineffective remodeling efforts. The mechanical integrity of eight aneurysm samples was assessed using uniaxial experiments, revealing two sub-classes (i) vulnerable unruptured aneurysms (low failure stress and failure pressure), and (ii) strong unruptured aneurysms (high failure stress and failure pressure). These results suggest a need to refine the end-point of risk assessment studies that currently do not distinguish risk levels among unruptured aneurysms. We propose that a measure of wall integrity that identifies this vulnerable wall subpopulation will be useful for interpreting future biological and structural data.
A procedure for the microdetermination of formic acid in periodate oxidation mixtures.

Abstract A procedure is described for the enzymic assay of formic acid formed during the periodate oxidation of carbohydrates and carbohydrate derivatives. The enzymic assay of formic acid is based on the action of formyl-tetrahydrofolate synthetase obtained from Clostridium cylindrosporum. Aliquots of the mixture used for the spectroscopic determination of the periodate consumption may be used directly in the enzymic assay. The results obtained using this method on a number of compounds of known structure are given.
Synthesis of alveolar bone Sharpey's fibers during experimental tooth movement in the rat

There is little information concerning the effects of tooth movement on the relative synthesis of bone matrix and Sharpey's fiber collagenous proteins. The purpose of this study was to investigate this situation using radioautographic techniques. The maxillary first molar tooth in rats was tipped toward the midline using an appliance and the animals were injected with 3H-proline after 3 days and sacrificed 24 hr later. Maxillae were sectioned and silver grain proportional areas (grain density/5,000 microm2) evaluated over Sharpey's fibers and adjacent alveolar bone matrix using computerized densitometry and histomorphometric techniques. These data were compared to a group of untreated animals by Fisher's exact test. At depository surfaces of experimental tissues, the silver grain proportional area over bone matrix was significantly greater than over Sharpey's fibers (P<0.05) and control bone matrix (P<0.01). The silver grain proportional area over Sharpey's fibers was not different between the groups. At resorptive surfaces, the silver grain proportional area over both bone matrix and Sharpey's fibers was significantly greater in experimental tissues compared to controls (P<0.01). Thus, movements of adjacent teeth affect both the quantity and ratios of collagenous protein incorporation into Sharpey's fibers and adjacent alveolar bone, which is dependent on the intensity and characteristics of the force.