cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computational Fluid Dynamic Analysis of a Blood Pump: An FDA Critical Path Initiative

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) has become a routine tool in recent times for use in blood-contacting medical device design and analysis, such as prosthetic heart valves and ventricular assist devices (VADs). While CFD can aid in design by decreasing the need for expensive prototyping and iterative laboratory testing, standardizations are not currently available for CFD to be used for medical device safety analysis at the preclinical stage. To address this, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s Center of Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) has sponsored CFD “round-robins.” This paper focuses on Computational Round Robin #2 – Model Blood Pump. The exact geometries, flow conditions and fluid characteristics for the CFD analysis have been supplied to the participants. In the CFD analysis presented in this paper, a rotating fluid zone around the pump impeller was used to avoid the complexities of a dynamic mesh. The rotating fluid zone was modeled by including the centrifugal and Coriolis forces in the Navier-Stokes equations. The Shear Stress Transport (SST) k-ω turbulence model was used and the steady-state solutions for the desired flow conditions were calculated. Current experimental data is still being collected by FDA for the flow conditions given in the study. However, some of the pump operating characteristics are available from work of other investigators and are used to validate the CFD results.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Long duration test of a 30-kW class thermal arcjet engine

The paper describes a recent long-duration test of a 30-kW arcjet engine. This engine performed very well for 573 hours at power levels between 24 and 29 kW and with ammonia as the propellant at a mass flow rate between 0.25 and 0.27 g/s. The specific impulse varied between about 850 and 950 s and the thrust efficiency between 36 and 40 percent. The cause of final engine failure and the conditions of the electrodes and insulator are discussed in detail. An important part of this very long-term test effort was the performance and efficiency of the facility. The construction of this facility and the performance of the various critical components are discussed.
Bottom-up and top-down computations in word- and face-selective cortex

As your eyes scan this page, your visual system performs a series of computations that allow you to derive meaning from the printed words. The visual system solves this task with such apparent ease that you may never have thought about the challenges that your brain must overcome for you to read a page of text. The brain must overcome similar challenges to enable you to recognize the faces of your friends. Two factors affect how the neurons in the visual system respond to what you are looking at: the physical features of the object and your cognitive state (for example, your knowledge, past experiences, and the cognitive demands of the task at hand). To figure out exactly how these factors influence the responses of the neurons, Kay and Yeatman used functional magnetic resonance imaging to scan the brains of human volunteers as they viewed different images (some of which were of faces or words). The volunteers had to perform various tasks while viewing the images. These tasks included focusing their attention on a small dot, categorizing the image, and stating whether the image had previously been shown. From the brain imaging data, Kay and Yeatman developed a model of the brain circuits that enable faces and words to be recognized. The model separately characterizes the influence of physical features and the influence of cognitive state, and describes several different types of processing: how the brain represents what is seen, how it makes a decision about how to respond, and how it changes its own activity when carrying out the decision. The model has been made freely available online so that other researchers can reproduce and build upon Kay and Yeatman’s findings. The current model is not perfect, and it does not describe neural activity in fine detail. However, by obtaining new experimental measurements, the model could be systematically improved.
Base loci of linear series are numerically determined

We introduce a numerical invariant, called a moving Seshadri constant, which measures the local positivity of a big line bundle at a point. We then show how moving Seshadri constants determine the stable base locus of a big line bundle.
Finding consensus in speech recognition: word error minimization and other applications of confusion networks☆

We describe a new framework for distilling information from word lattices to improve the accuracy of the speech recognition output and obtain a more perspicuous representation of a set of alternative hypotheses. In the standard MAP decoding approach the recognizer outputs the string of words corresponding to the path with the highest posterior probability given the acoustics and a language model. However, even given optimal models, the MAP decoder does not necessarily minimize the commonly used performance metric, word error rate (WER). We describe a method for explicitly minimizing WER by extracting word hypotheses with the highest posterior probabilities from word lattices. We change the standard problem formulation by replacing global search over a large set of sentence hypotheses with local search over a small set of word candidates. In addition to improving the accuracy of the recognizer, our method produces a new representation of a set of candidate hypotheses that specifies the sequence of word-level confusions in a compact lattice format. We study the properties of confusion networks and examine their use for other tasks, such as lattice compression, word spotting, confidence annotation, and reevaluation of recognition hypotheses using higher-level knowledge sources.
Generating functions for the coefficients of the Cremmer–Gervais R-matrices

The coecients of certain operators on V V can be constructed using generating functions. Necessary and sucient conditions are given for some such operators to satisfy the Yang{ Baxter equation. As a corollary we obtain a simple, direct proof that the Cremmer{Gervais R-matrices satisfy the Yang{Baxter equation. This approach also claries Cremmer and Gervais’s original proof via the dynamical Yang{Baxter equation. c 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. MSC: Primary 81R50; secondary 17B37; 20G42; 16W35
Distributed Optimization Decomposition for Joint Economic Dispatch and Frequency Regulation

Economic dispatch and frequency regulation are typically viewed as fundamentally different problems in power systems and, hence, are typically studied separately. In this paper, we frame and study a joint problem that co-optimizes both slow timescale economic dispatch resources and fast timescale frequency regulation resources. We show how the joint problem can be decomposed without loss of optimality into slow and fast timescale subproblems that have appealing interpretations as the economic dispatch and frequency regulation problems, respectively. We solve the fast timescale subproblem using a distributed frequency control algorithm that preserves network stability during transients. We solve the slow timescale subproblem using an efficient market mechanism that coordinates with the fast timescale subproblem. We investigate the performance of our approach on the IEEE 24-bus reliability test system.
The Effects of Differential Income Replacement and Mortality on U.S. Social Security Redistribution

We study redistribution via the U.S. Social Security retirement system for cohorts of men born during the second half of the 20th century. Our focus is on redistribution across race and education groups. The cohorts we study are younger than cohorts studied in previous, similar research and thus more exposed to recent increases in earnings inequality. All else equal, this should increase the degree of progressivity of Social Security redistribution due to the structure of the benefit formula. However, we find that redistribution is only modestly progressive for individuals born as late as 1980. Differential mortality rates across race and education groups are the primary explanation. While Black–White mortality gaps have narrowed some in recent years, they remain large and dull progressivity. Mortality gaps by education level are also large and unlike the gaps by race, they are widening, which puts additional regressive pressure on Social Security redistribution.
Optically switchable directional invisibility

It is shown that a scatterer can be designed to be directionally invisible for an incident field composed of a given sum of plane waves. These scatterers are invisible only when all plane waves are present with the given amplitudes and directions of incidence, which suggests a new type of "switchable" invisibility. Such objects could find application in optical devices such as couplers, switches, and optical position sensors. It is also demonstrated that the designed scatterers have balanced gain-loss profiles that are more general than most PT-symmetric objects considered so far.
Effects of diet and exercise on weight-related outcomes for breast cancer survivors and their adult daughters: an analysis of the DAMES trial.

Few trials have aimed to promote diet and exercise behaviors in both cancer survivors and their family members and examine their associations with weight-related outcomes. We conducted a secondary analysis to examine associations between change in diet and exercise behaviors and weight-related outcomes for overweight breast cancer survivors and their overweight adult daughters in the Daughters And MothErS Against Breast Cancer (DAMES) randomized trial. The DAMES trial assessed the impact of two iteratively tailored, mailed print diet and exercise interventions against standard brochures over a 12-month period. This analysis examined change in diet and exercise behaviors and weight-related variables from baseline to post-intervention for the 50 breast cancer survivors and their adult daughters randomized to the intervention arms. To reduce the potential for type II error in this pilot, p values <0.10 were considered statistically significant. For mothers, change in diet quality was uniquely related to change in BMI (β = −0.12, p = 0.082), weight (β = −0.12, p = 0.060), and waist circumference (β = −0.38, p = 0.001), whereas change in caloric intake was related to waist circumference (β = 0.21, p = 0.002). For daughters, change in caloric intake was related to change in waist circumference (β = 0.12, p = 0.055). However, change in diet quality was not associated with weight-related outcomes in daughters. Additionally, change in exercise was not associated with weight-related outcomes in mothers or daughters. Findings support mail-based and other tailored interventions for weight loss in this population, with an emphasis on diet quality for breast cancer survivors and caloric intake for their adult daughters.
Do National Basketball Association Players Need Higher Salaries to Play in High Tax States? Evidence from Free Agents

This article investigates the impact of taxes on the salaries received by National Basketball Association free agents from 2010 to 2014. High state income tax rates affect the after-tax income rece...
Implications of minimum wage increases on labor market dynamics lessons for emerging economies

This paper offers evidence on the relationship between the minimum wage and unemployment and informal employment, and identifies some of the lessons learned on the potential effects of increasing the minimum wage. Most of the evidence suggests that sizable increases in the minimum wage are likely to exacerbate unemployment and the prevalence of informal employment, which could have negative consequences for labor productivity and businesses as a result of reduced investment in employee training and loss of productive workers. This outcome occurs when businesses adopt the main channels available for absorbing increased labor costs. The majority of the empirical evidence suggests that the effects of minimum wage increases on unemployment and the demand for labor are unclear. The outcome depends in large part on the specific characteristics of the labor markets and the degree of compliance with the minimum wage law. Most of those affected by minimum wage increases are less qualified workers. In Latin American and Asia, differences in the effects of minimum wage increases depend largely on the size and type of firms. In countries with high levels of informal employment, minimum wage increases can increase informal employment, since the formal workers who lose their jobs are absorbed by the informal sector of the economy. In general, businesses have five mechanisms for absorbing the added labor costs. Given the characteristics of the labor market in emerging economies, it is likely that businesses faced with increased labor costs will resort to less than optimal channels, which will tend to affect their productivity and the labor market in general.
I-ROBOT: HELPING ASSURE OUTCOME IN THE COMPLEX PRIMARY HIP

Longevity of total hip arthroplasty (THA) is dependent upon avoiding both short- and long-term problems. One of the most common short-term / early complications of THA is instability while longer term issues of wear remain a concern. Both of these concerns appear to be related to implant position: either static or functional. While achieving “ideal” implant position in primary THA for osteoarthritis is only successful in 50% of cases (Callanan et al.), it is even more difficult in complex primary disorders such as dysplasia and post-traumatic arthritis. Many theories exist as to why implant position and short-term complications appear to be higher in this “complex primary” cohort but certainly the ability to achieve desired implant position appears to be more challenging. The loss of usual anatomic landmarks, the presence of soft tissue contractures, and the recognition of both pelvic and femoral deformities play a role. Enabling technologies have emerged to help in achieving improved implant position. These technologies include both navigation (both imageless and image guided) as well as the newly adopted technology of robotic assistance. Robot-assisted THA is based upon a CT scan protocol. Three-dimensional pre-operative planning on both the femoral and acetabular side can be performed. Precision guided bone preparation and exacting implant delivery is achievable using robotic technology. Examples of use of this technology in complex primary THA will be demonstrated including planning, preparation and implantation.
Optimizing Memory Efficiency for Convolution Kernels on Kepler GPUs

Convolution is a fundamental operation in many applications, such as computer vision, natural language processing, image processing, etc. Recent successes of convolutional neural networks in various deep learning applications put even higher demand on fast convolution. The high computation throughput and memory bandwidth of graphics processing units (GPUs) make GPUs a natural choice for accelerating convolution operations. However, maximally exploiting the available memory bandwidth of GPUs for convolution is a challenging task. This paper introduces a general model to address the mismatch between the memory bank width of GPUs and computation data width of threads. Based on this model, we develop two convolution kernels, one for the general case and the other for a special case with one input channel. By carefully optimizing memory access patterns and computation patterns, we design a communication-optimized kernel for the special case and a communication-reduced kernel for the general case. Experimental data based on implementations on Kepler GPUs show that our kernels achieve 5.16× and 35.5% average performance improvement over the latest cuDNN library, for the special case and the general case, respectively.
Flat flexible thin milli-electrode array for real-time in situ water quality monitoring in distribution systems

Drinking water quality along distribution systems is critical for public health. Until now, general end-users have had no effective method to measure the drinking water quality in situ and identify first-hand any violation. In return, there has been no feedback closed-loop of water quality monitoring and a control regime along distribution systems to provide real-time in situ early-warning for water treatment plants. This study targeted this crucial challenge by developing flat flexible thin micro-electrode array (MEA) sensors that integrate multiple types of mm-sized sensors to simultaneously monitor critical water quality parameters (temperature, conductivity, pH, Cl− and ClO−). MEA films were directly mounted onto a water tube that simulated a distribution system. Each type of sensor showed high accuracy with an R2 value higher than 0.95 in the calibration tests. The shock tests clearly demonstrated the higher sensitivity of the MEA sensors than commercial sensors, and the advantage of integrating multiple types of sensors on a single film for auto-correction. More importantly, the Ag nanoparticle-modified ClO− MEA sensors showed high selectivity in the presence of competing elements (Cl−). Four-week tests in tap water revealed the intact structure of the MEA sensors and stable signal output. Overall, the MEAs possessed high accuracy, sensitivity, and selectivity for monitoring water quality. The flat flexible thin material and integrated configuration make the deployment of the sensors easy along distribution systems and at end-user points, and ultimately enable the in situ assessment of water quality in the water infrastructure.
Dissociated Emergent Response System and Fine-Processing System in Human Neural Network and a Heuristic Neural Architecture for Autonomous Humanoid Robots

The current study investigated the functional connectivity of the primary sensory system with resting state fMRI and applied such knowledge into the design of the neural architecture of autonomous humanoid robots. Correlation and Granger causality analysis was utilized to reveal the functional connectivity patterns. Dissociation was found among the primary sensory system, in that the olfactory cortex and the somatosensory cortex were strongly connected to the amygdala whereas the visual cortex and the auditory cortex were strongly connected with the frontal cortex. The posterior cingulate cortex and the anterior cingulate cortex were found to maintain constant communication with the primary sensory system, the frontal cortex, and the amygdala. Such neural architecture inspired the design of dissociated emergent response system and fine-processing system in autonomous humanoid robots, with separate processing units and another consolidation center to coordinate the two systems. Such design can help autonomous robots to detect and respond quickly to danger, so as to maintain their sustainability and independence.
Whitaker Test after Pyeloplasty: Establishment of Normal Ureteral Perfusion Pressures

Twenty-seven patients underwent percutaneous ureteral perfusion after successful surgical repair of ureteropelvic junction obstruction in order to determine the perfusion pressures in ureters without obstruction. In each patient, the postoperative ureteropelvic junction appeared widely patent and the rest of the ureter appeared entirely normal. Ureteral perfusion was performed via percutaneous puncture of the collecting system; the pressure in the pelvis was measured through this needle and bladder pressure was monitored through a urethral catheter. "Absolute" (renal pelvic) and "differential" (renal pelvic minus bladder) pressures were measured at 10, 15, and 20 ml/min perfusion rates. Absolute and differential pressures rose as the perfusion rates increased; absolute pressure rose but differential pressure fell as the bladder was filled. The upper limit of normal differential pressure encountered with the bladder empty was 13 cm of water during perfusion at 10 ml/min.
Urinary Excretion and Deficiency of Prothrombin in Nephrotic Syndrome

Plasma and urinary prothrombin conncentration and plasma prothrombin activity were measured in a group of 17 patients with the nephrotic syndrome. An immunologic assay using a monospecific antibody against human prothrombin was employed in the measurement of prothrombin concentration in the plasma and urine. Prothrombin-deficient plasma was used as the substrate in the measurement of plasma prothrombin activity. A control group consisting of five normal volunteers was included for comparison. Both the activity and concentration of prothrombin were significantly lower in the nephrotic group as compared with the control group. Significant quantities of immunoreactive prothrombin were detected in the urine of the majority of nephrotic patients. This study has provided unequivocal evidence of urinary excretion and acquired deficiency of prothrombin in the nephrotic syndrome.
Effect of Impaired Renal Function on Tamoxifen

There is no information available in the literature on the blood levels of tamoxifen in patients with decreased renal function. As serious side effects of tamoxifen administered at high doses have been reported, a patient with decreased renal function and metastatic breast cancer was studied to determine the blood levels of tamoxifen while under therapy. Since no abnormally elevated levels of tamoxifen were found in this patient during the month of therapy, results of this study indicate that tamoxifen can be administered to patients with some degree of renal impairment without the risk of giving rise to abnormally elevated blood levels.
The Short-Term Effect of Radical Hysterectomy on Urethral and Bladder Function

To investigate bladder neck and urethral function after radical hysterectomy, 21 patients were investigated before and 3 months after the operation. Each patient had an excretory urogram, CO2 cystoscopy, uroflowmetry, water cystometry and a urethral pressure profile, using a dual sensor microtransducer catheter, at rest and during stress. Postoperatively there was a significant reduction in urethral length and urethral closure pressure; however, pressure transmission ratios were maintained, indicating no loss of bladder neck support with stress. Of the six patients with pre-operative bladder neck weakness, two (33%) had stress urinary incontinence at the 3 months assessment. No patient with a normal pre-operative assessment developed this complication. Fifteen (71%) voided by abdominal straining and this manoeuvre emptied the bladder effectively. These data suggest that patients with pre-operative evidence of an incompetent bladder neck may be predisposed to develop stress urinary incontinence after radical hysterectomy because of a reduction in the urethral closure pressure.
Measuring the wafer temperature in CVD tools using the wireless SensArray HighTemp-400 wafer

As technology nodes become smaller it is getting more important to control all aspects of influencing parameters on the deposition of thin films using a CVD process. It is well known that physical parameters like gas flow or temperature heavily influence the deposition rate and the quality/properties of the deposited thin films. To achieve good chamber to chamber matching of the deposition rate and high quality films it is crucial to control the physical parameters. In this paper we will present the wireless measurement of the temperature on the wafer surface up to 400°C under real temperature and process like conditions using the SensArray HighTemp-400 wafer. This approach paves the way for the control or the monitoring of the temperature on the wafer surface for the thin film deposition processes.
From Territorial to Monetary Sovereignty

State sovereignty is closely intertwined with, but not limited to, control over territory and people. It has long been recognized that control over monetary affairs is a critical part of genuine sovereignty. In this Article, I go a step further and argue that the relevance and importance of territorial versus monetary sovereignty has shifted in favor of the latter. This shift goes hand in hand with the rise of credit-based financial systems. Such systems depend, in the last instance, on backstopping by an entity with control over its own money supply and no binding survival constraints. Only states with monetary sovereignty fit this pattern. All others are de facto more like private entities, which by definition cannot manipulate their own survival constraint. States can surrender their monetary sovereignty directly by adopting another currency or by issuing their own debt in foreign currency and under foreign law. They also compromise their sovereignty by permitting unlimited capital inflows denominated in currencies other than their own. This is because in times of crisis they will not be able to rescue the domestic financial system from its tendency to self-destruct without subjecting itself to a sovereign debt crisis and the implied need to rely on a lifeline from other states or supranational entities.
Anticipating complexity in the deployment of gene drive insects in agriculture

ABSTRACTInsects cause substantial losses to agricultural crops each year and require intensive management approaches. Genetic pest management has emerged as a viable, non-chemical alternative for managing insect pests. The development of engineered gene drives for agricultural use is promising, though unproven, and has the potential to impact farmers as well as broader socio-ecological systems in several ways. Drawing on lessons from the deployment of other pest control technologies, this paper considers how insects containing gene drives could intersect with some of the complexities that characterize agricultural systems. Gene drives are being developed in a landscape of pest management shaped by past and current approaches, experiences, regulations, public opinion, and pest invasions. Because gene drive insects may spread well beyond their release area, stakeholder groups at different spatial scales need to be engaged in decisions about their deployment. This new paradigm both complicates and offers gre...
Identifying predictors for bleeding in hospitalized cancer patients: A cohort study

Abstract Background Bleeding and thrombosis are both major complications of hospitalization in cancer patients. Concern regarding bleeding risk may reduce compliance with thromboprophylaxis. We assessed incidence of major and clinically relevant non-major bleeding (MCRNMB) and identified risk factors associated with in-hospital bleeding risk in hospitalized cancer patients. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of consecutive adults admitted to general oncology floor at Cleveland Clinic from 11/2012–12/2014 ( n = 3525). Patients were excluded for bleeding on admission ( n = 108), age n = 1), non-malignant disease ( n = 2) and incomplete data ( n = 56). Data collected included demographics, body mass index (BMI), cancer type, length of stay (LOS), use of anticoagulants and baseline laboratory values (+ 48 h). Univariate risk factors were identified with logistic regression analysis. Multivariable risk factors were identified with stepwise logistic regression and confirmed with bootstrap analysis. Results The study population comprised 3358 patients of whom 69 (2.1%) developed MCRNMB. Median age was 62 (range, 19–98) years and 56% male. Median length of stay was 5 (range, 0–152) days. The majority of bleeding events were either gastrointestinal (GI) ( N = 23, 33%) or retroperitoneal ( N = 10, 14%). In multivariable analysis, anemia as the reason for admission (7.78, 95% CI 4.0–15.1, P P P = 0.008) and thrombocytopenia (1.7, 95% CI 1.0–2.9, P = 0.05) were predictive. Conclusion The incidence of MCRNMB in a population of hospitalized cancer patients was 2.1%. Risk factors at admission included type of cancer and morbid obesity. Improved prediction of bleeding risk can assist physicians in optimizing selection of thromboprophylaxis in this population that is also at increased risk of VTE.
Semiconductor platforms for ultra low power IoT solutions

Intelligent connected sensor and actuator endpoint nodes enable the Internet-of-Things (IoT). A brief overview of endpoint node functional blocks and requirements for low-power consumption are discussed. VLSI technology enablers for IoT include Ultra low Power (ULP) and Ultra Low Leakage (ULL) semiconductor process platform extensions. ULP and ULL implementations for bulk silicon technologies are presented and compared to fully-depleted silicon-on-insulator (FDSOI) technology. FDSOI utilizes Back Bias (BB) to improve performance and achieve the lowest dynamic and static power, enabling cost-effective low-power IoT applications.
Vector-valued multivariate conditional value-at-risk

Abstract In this study, we propose a new definition of multivariate conditional value-at-risk (MCVaR) as a set of vectors for arbitrary probability spaces. We explore the properties of the vector-valued MCVaR (VMCVaR) and show the advantages of VMCVaR over the existing definitions particularly for discrete random variables.
Dynamic Analysis and Design of Motorcycle Mounting System Subjected to Road Loads

This paper presents a comprehensive model of a motorcycle mounting system. The model presented herein consists of two main assemblies. The powertrain assembly and the swing-arm assembly are modeled as a six degree of freedom rigid bodies. The two assemblies are connected to each other using a shaft that is usually referred to as the coupler. The connection points on both assemblies are known.Unlike automobiles, motorcycle performance and handling is highly affected by the external disturbance. In addition to minimizing the shaking loads, the mounting system must be set up such that it also minimizes the external disturbance from the environment such as irregularities in the road profile and road bumps. This disturbance can be transmitted through the tire patch to the engine causing it to hit nearby components. The engine movement needs to be minimized due to space limitations surrounding the engine. In order to do so, these transmitted external loads must be minimized by the use of the mounting system. The load minimization process is achieved by selecting the optimum stiffness parameters, location and orientation of the mounting system that are supporting the engine. This goal is achieved by an optimization scheme that guarantees that the transmitted loads are minimized. An investigation will be done to explore the effect of different road profiles on the mount final geometrical shape.
Oxytocin signaling in the medial amygdala is required for sex discrimination of social cues.

Oxytocin is a hormone that promotes milk production, contractions during childbirth, and many social interactions in humans and other creatures. It has also been implicated in conditions like autism or schizophrenia, which show altered social interactions. Oxytocin is made and released by cells in the brain called neurons. The oxytocin-producing neurons are clustered in a brain region called the hypothalamus, and oxytocin can act over a long distance in the brain or in the body. Many mammals detect chemical signals called pheromones that are involved in social interactions. These chemicals are detected by neurons in a structure within the cartilage of the nose called the vomeronasal organ. Pheromone-sensing neurons in the vomeronasal organ connect with another part of the brain called the medial amygdala. The medial amygdala, in turn, connects with regions of the brain that control behavior. Mice in particular rely on pheromones for social communication. Male and female mice respond differently to pheromones. Male mice prefer to investigate female mice to other males. The neurons in medial amygdala of male mice also become more active in response to scents from females than from males. Oxytocin is known to act on the medial amygdala, but its exact role in the male’s preference for females and their scents is not known. Now, Yao et al. show that oxytocin controls male preference for interacting with females and their scents by turning on neurons in the medial amygdala. In the experiments, male mice genetically engineered to lack oxytocin do not prefer female mice to other males, and they also appear unable to distinguish male and female scents. These mice also have less activity in the neurons of the medial amygdala when exposed to females and their scents. Directly manipulating these neurons and the oxytocin receptors on them also altered sex-preferences in male mice. The experiments show that oxytocin alters the behaviors of male mice in response to females or their scents by manipulating a specific set of brain cells. More studies of these cells or their interactions with oxytocin might help scientists understand oxytocin-liked diseases that impair social interactions or develop new treatments for conditions like autism or schizophrenia.
Who Is My Neighbor? The Spatial Efficiency of Partisanship

Relative to its overall statewide support, the Republican Party has been over-represented in congressional delegations and state legislatures over the last decade in a number of US states. A challe...
Soliton interaction in the modified Kadomtsev–Petviashvili-(II) equation

We study soliton interaction in the Modified Kadomtsev–Petviashvili-(II) equation (MKP-(II)) using the totally non-negative Grassmannian. One constructs the multi-kink soliton of MKP equation using...
Impact of peripheral immune status on central molecular responses to facial nerve axotomy.

Abstract When facial nerve axotomy (FNA) is performed on immunodeficient recombinase activating gene-2 knockout (RAG-2−/−) mice, there is greater facial motoneuron (FMN) death relative to wild type (WT) mice. Reconstituting RAG-2−/− mice with whole splenocytes rescues FMN survival after FNA, and CD4+ T cells specifically drive immune-mediated neuroprotection. Evidence suggests that immunodysregulation may contribute to motoneuron death in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Immunoreconstitution of RAG-2−/− mice with lymphocytes from the mutant superoxide dismutase (mSOD1) mouse model of ALS revealed that the mSOD1 whole splenocyte environment suppresses mSOD1 CD4+ T cell-mediated neuroprotection after FNA. The objective of the current study was to characterize the effect of CD4+ T cells on the central molecular response to FNA and then identify if mSOD1 whole splenocytes blocked these regulatory pathways. Gene expression profiles of the axotomized facial motor nucleus were assessed from RAG-2−/− mice immunoreconstituted with either CD4+ T cells or whole splenocytes from WT or mSOD1 donors. The findings indicate that immunodeficient mice have suppressed glial activation after axotomy, and cell transfer of WT CD4+ T cells rescues microenvironment responses. Additionally, mSOD1 whole splenocyte recipients exhibit an increased astrocyte activation response to FNA. In RAG-2−/− + mSOD1 whole splenocyte mice, an elevation of motoneuron-specific Fas cell death pathways is also observed. Altogether, these findings suggest that mSOD1 whole splenocytes do not suppress mSOD1 CD4+ T cell regulation of the microenvironment, and instead, mSOD1 whole splenocytes may promote motoneuron death by either promoting a neurotoxic astrocyte phenotype or inducing Fas-mediated cell death pathways. This study demonstrates that peripheral immune status significantly affects central responses to nerve injury. Future studies will elucidate the mechanisms by which mSOD1 whole splenocytes promote cell death and if inhibiting this mechanism can preserve motoneuron survival in injury and disease.
Placeholder Nucleosomes Underlie Germline-to-Embryo DNA Methylation Reprogramming.

Summary The fate and function of epigenetic marks during the germline-to-embryo transition is a key issue in developmental biology, with relevance to stem cell programming and transgenerational inheritance. In zebrafish, DNA methylation patterns are programmed in transcriptionally quiescent cleavage embryos; paternally inherited patterns are maintained, whereas maternal patterns are reprogrammed to match the paternal. Here, we provide the mechanism by demonstrating that "Placeholder" nucleosomes, containing histone H2A variant H2A.Z(FV) and H3K4me1, virtually occupy all regions lacking DNA methylation in both sperm and cleavage embryos and reside at promoters encoding housekeeping and early embryonic transcription factors. Upon genome-wide transcriptional onset, genes with Placeholder become either active (H3K4me3) or silent (H3K4me3/K27me3). Notably, perturbations causing Placeholder loss confer DNA methylation accumulation, whereas acquisition/expansion of Placeholder confers DNA hypomethylation and improper gene activation. Thus, during transcriptionally quiescent gametic and embryonic stages, an H2A.Z(FV)/H3K4me1-containing Placeholder nucleosome deters DNA methylation, poising parental genes for either gene-specific activation or facultative repression.
Macroeconomic Nowcasting and Forecasting with Big Data

Data, data, data. . . . Economists know their importance well, especially when it comes to monitoring macroeconomic conditions—the basis for making informed economic and policy decisions. Handling large and complex data sets was a challenge that macroeconomists engaged in real-time analysis faced long before so-called big data became pervasive in other disciplines. We review how methods for tracking economic conditions using big data have evolved over time and explain how econometric techniques have advanced to mimic and automate best practices of forecasters on trading desks, at central banks, and in other market-monitoring roles. We present in detail the methodology underlying the New York Fed Staff Nowcast, which employs these innovative techniques to produce early estimates of GDP growth, synthesizing a wide range of macroeconomic data as they become available. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Economics Volume 10 is August 2, 2018. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org...
Two Phosphoglucomutase Paralogs Facilitate Ionophore-Triggered Secretion of the Toxoplasma Micronemes

Paralogs of the widely prevalent phosphoglucomutase (PGM) protein called parafusin function in calcium (Ca2+)-mediated exocytosis across eukaryotes. In Toxoplasma gondii, the parafusin-related protein 1 (PRP1) has been associated with Ca2+-dependent microneme organelle secretion required for essential processes like host cell invasion and egress. Using reverse genetics, we observed PRP1 to be dispensable for completion of the lytic cycle, including host cell invasion and egress by the parasite. However, the absence of the gene affected increased microneme release triggered by A23187, a Ca2+ ionophore used to raise the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration mimicking the physiological role of Ca2+ during invasion and egress. The basal levels of constitutive microneme release in extracellular parasites and phosphatidic acid-triggered microneme secretion were unaffected in the mutant. The phenotype of the deletion mutant of the second PGM-encoding gene in Toxoplasma, PGM2, was similar to the phenotype of the PRP1 deletion mutant. Furthermore, the ability of the tachyzoites to induce acute infection in the mice remained normal in the absence of both PGM paralogs. Our data thus reveal that the microneme secretion upon high Ca2+ flux is facilitated by the Toxoplasma PGM paralogs, PRP1 and PGM2. However, this protein-mediated release is neither essential for lytic cycle completion nor for acute virulence of the parasite. IMPORTANCE Ca2+-dependent exocytosis is essential for the life cycle of apicomplexan parasites. Toxoplasma gondii harbors a phosphoglucomutase (PGM) ortholog, PRP1, previously associated with Ca2+-dependent microneme secretion. Here it is shown that genetic deletion of either PRP1, its PGM2 ortholog, or both genes is dispensable for the parasite's lytic cycle, including host cell egress and invasion. Depletion of the proteins abrogated high Ca2+-mediated microneme secretion induced by the ionophore A23187; however, the constitutive and phosphatidic acid-mediated release remained unaffected. Secretion mediated by the former pathway is not essential for tachyzoite survival or acute in vivo infection in the mice.
Self-Assembling Rulers for Approximating Generalized Sierpinski Carpets

Discrete self-similar fractals have been used as test cases for self-assembly, both in the laboratory and in mathematical models, ever since Winfree exhibited a tile assembly system in which the Sierpinski triangle self-assembles. For strict self-assembly, where tiles are not allowed to be placed outside the target structure, it is an open question whether any self-similar fractal can self-assemble. This has motivated the development of techniques to approximate fractals with strict self-assembly. Ideally, such an approximation would produce a structure with the same fractal dimension as the intended fractal, but with specially labeled tiles at positions corresponding to points in the fractal. We show that the Sierpinski carpet, along with an infinite class of related fractals, can approximately self-assemble in this manner. Our construction takes a set of parameters specifying a target fractal and creates a tile assembly system in which the fractal approximately self-assembles. This construction introduces rulers and readers to control the self-assembly of a fractal structure without distorting it. To verify the fractal dimension of the resulting assemblies, we prove a result on the dimension of sets embedded into discrete fractals. We also give a conjecture on the limitations of approximating self-similar fractals.
The Financial System, Financial Regulation and Central Bank Policy

Traditional money and banking textbooks are long, expensive, and full of so much institutional and technical modeling detail that students cannot understand the big picture. Thomas F. Cargill presents a new alternative: a short, inexpensive book without the 'bells and whistles' that teaches students the fundamentals in a clear, narrative form. In an engaging writing style, Cargill explains the three core components of money and banking, and their interactions: 1) the financial system, 2) government regulation and supervision, and 3) central bank policy. Cargill focuses on the interaction between government financial policy and central bank policy and offers a critique of the central bank's role in the economy, the tools it uses, how these tools affect the economy, and how effective these policies have been, providing a more balanced perspective of government policy failure versus market failure than traditional textbooks.
Theory of residence-time control by output feedback

The problem of residence-time control by the observer-based output feedback is formulated and solved for the case of linear systems with small additive input noise. Both noiseless and noisy measurements are considered. In the noiseless measurements case, it is shown that the fundamental bounds on the achievable residence time depend on the nonminimum phase zeros of the system. In the noisy measurements case, the achievable residence time is shown to be always bounded, and an estimate of this bound is given. Controller design techniques are presented. The development is based on the asymptotic large deviations theory.
Young Driver Compliance With Graduated Driver Licensing Restrictions Before and After Implementation of a Decal Provision.

Abstract Purpose In May 2010, New Jersey implemented the first-in-the-nation decal provision to increase intermediate drivers' compliance with Graduated Driver Licensing restrictions and ultimately reduce young driver crashes. We previously found that the provision was associated with a 9.5% decline in crash rates. This study evaluates whether the decal provision was associated with an increase in compliance with passenger and nighttime restrictions. Methods We analyzed New Jersey driver licensing and crash data from 2008 through 2012. We used the quasi-induced exposure method to estimate prevalence of noncompliance among 20,593 nonresponsible 17- to 20-year-old intermediate drivers involved in crashes. Multivariate log-binomial regression models compared the monthly prevalence of noncompliance with restrictions pre and post implementation, adjusted for age, sex, season, and area income and population density. Analyses were conducted in 2016–2017. Results Overall estimated noncompliance with the nighttime restriction was 1.75% before and 1.71% after the decal provision ( p = .83). Noncompliance with the passenger restriction was 8.68% before and 8.31% after ( p = .35). Introduction of the decal provision was not associated with a change in noncompliance rates. Conclusions Compliance rates among New Jersey intermediate drivers were high both before and after the decal provision. Findings do not suggest that the decline in crash rates following implementation was because of increased compliance with nighttime or passenger driving restrictions. Additional research is needed to understand mechanisms by which decal provisions may reduce young driver crashes.
K--8 learning trajectories derived from research literature: sequence, repetition, conditionals

Computing curricula are being developed for elementary school classrooms, yet research evidence is scant for learning trajectories that drive curricular decisions about what topics should be addressed at each grade level, at what depth, and in what order. This study presents learning trajectories based on an in-depth review of over 100 scholarly articles in computer science education research. We present three levels of results. First, we present the characteristics of the 600+ learning goals and their research context that affected the learning trajectory creation process. Second, we describe our first three learning trajectories (Sequence, Repetition, and Conditionals), and the relationship between the learning goals and the resulting trajectories. Finally, we discuss the ways in which assumptions about the context (mathematics) and language (e.g., Scratch) directly influenced the trajectories.
Political Campaigns and Church Contributions

Abstract We combine a new dataset of weekly Catholic church donations with a new dataset of presidential-election campaign stops to explore the impact of stops on donations. We find that stops increase donations, with a campaign stop generating 2 percent more donations in the following week. Our results suggest that this effect is of short duration. Using a well-known list of politically-motivated words, we find that this effect does not appear to vary based on the political language used by the parish. Our results underscore the contemporary political dimension of US religiosity and the elemental relationship between religious and political events more generally.
Evidence on the Incentive Properties of Share Contracts

Abstract Ever since Adam Smith, share contracts have been condemned for their lack of incentives. Sharecropping tenants face incentives to undersupply productive inputs since they receive only a fraction of the marginal revenue. The empirical literature reports that lands under sharecropping are indeed less productive and employ inputs less intensively than those operated by owners. This paper shows that (1) sharecropping and fixed‐rent tenancy are both associated with low‐quality lands, (2) plots under sharecropping and fixed rent present (on average) the same unconditional productivity, (3) controlling for observed land quality and input use, their average productivities are also identical to those of owner‐operated plots, and (4) the input choices satisfy the same profit maximization conditions for all land contracts. These results challenge the conventional wisdom connecting sharecropping to incentive distortions. They support an alternative view that farmers optimally employ more input resources into...
Bank Capital and Lending Relationships

This paper investigates the mechanisms behind the matching of banks and firms in the loan market and the implications of this matching for lending relationships, bank capital, and the provision of credit. I find that bank-dependent firms borrow from well capitalized banks, while firms with access to the bond market borrow from banks with less capital. This matching of bank-dependent firms with stable banks smooths cyclicality in aggregate credit provision and mitigates the effects of bank shocks on the real economy.