cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Long range, high resolution laser radar

Abstract A high energy, chirped pulse laser was used to demonstrate long range, high resolution radar. A broadband nanosecond chirped pulse propagated to a target, and upon compression sub-millimeter surface resolution was obtained. This technique avoided the nonlinear effects in air that were seen when a picosecond pulse propagated to the target.
Cache-Adaptive Analysis

Memory efficiency and locality have substantial impact on the performance of programs, particularly when operating on large data sets. Thus, memory- or I/O-efficient algorithms have received significant attention both in theory and practice. The widespread deployment of multicore machines, however, brings new challenges. Specifically, since the memory (RAM) is shared across multiple processes, the effective memory-size allocated to each process fluctuates over time. This paper presents techniques for designing and analyzing algorithms in a cache-adaptive setting, where the RAM available to the algorithm changes over time. These techniques make analyzing algorithms in the cache-adaptive model almost as easy as in the external memory, or DAM model. Our techniques enable us to analyze a wide variety of algorithms --- Master-Method-style algorithms, Akra-Bazzi-style algorithms, collections of mutually recursive algorithms, and algorithms, such as FFT, that break problems of size N into subproblems of size Theta(Nc).We demonstrate the effectiveness of these techniques by deriving several results: 1. We give a simple recipe for determining whether common divide-and-conquer cache-oblivious algorithms are optimally cache adaptive. 2. We show how to bound an algorithm's non-optimality. We give a tight analysis showing that a class of cache-oblivious algorithms is a logarithmic factor worse than optimal. 3. We show the generality of our techniques by analyzing the cache-oblivious FFT algorithm, which is not covered by the above theorems. Nonetheless, the same general techniques can show that it is at most O(loglog N) away from optimal in the cache adaptive setting, and that this bound is tight.These general theorems give concrete results about several algorithms that could not be analyzed using earlier techniques. For example, our results apply to Fast Fourier Transform, matrix multiplication, Jacobi Multipass Filter, and cache-oblivious dynamic-programming algorithms, such as Longest Common Subsequence and Edit Distance.Our results also give algorithm designers clear guidelines for creating optimally cache-adaptive algorithms.
How do premium subsidies affect crop insurance demand at different coverage levels: the case of corn

This study explores the relationship between the demand for federal corn insurance and premium subsidies at each coverage level using county-level data. The study shows that the elasticities of demand with respect to per U.S. dollar net premium vary across insurance plans, coverage levels, and regions. The results indicate that corn producers in riskier regions are more sensitive to premium changes for crop insurance. However, the heterogeneity of demand was overlooked in the majority of existing insurance demand studies, which could result in biased conclusions. In addition, this study estimates the changes in producers’ corn insurance purchases if premium subsidy rates were to be reduced by 10 percentage points. The expected change in corn revenue insurance demand at the 75% coverage level in the Southern Plains (− 12.182%) would be three times greater than it is at the 80% coverage level in the Corn Belt (− 4.167%) with a 10 percentage point reduction in premium subsidy rates, similar to the corn yield insurance demand.
Mn-Mediated Radical-Ionic Annulations of Chiral N-Acylhydrazones.

Sequencing a free radical addition and nucleophilic substitution enables [3 + 2] and [4 + 2] annulations of N-acylhydrazones to afford substituted pyrrolidines and piperidines. Photolysis of alkyl iodides in the presence of Mn2(CO)10 leads to chemoselective iodine atom abstraction and radical addition to N-acylhydrazones without affecting alkyl chloride functionality. Using radical precursors or acceptors bearing a suitably positioned alkyl chloride, the radical addition is followed by further bond construction enabled by radical–polar crossover. After the alkyl radical adds to the imine bond, the resulting N-nucleophile displaces the alkyl chloride leaving group via 5-exo-tet or 6-exo-tet cyclizations, furnishing either pyrrolidine or piperidine, respectively. When both 5-exo-tet and 6-exo-tet pathways are available, the 5-exo-tet cyclization is preferred. Isolation of the intermediate radical adduct, still bearing the alkyl chloride functionality, confirms the order of events in this radical–polar cross...
Supermassive black holes

OF ALL the legacies of Einstein's general theory of relativity, none is more fascinating than black holes. While we now almost take their existence for granted, for much of the 20th century black holes were viewed as mathematical curiosities with no counterparts in nature. Einstein himself never believed in black holes and wrote two papers in which he argued against their existence. Einstein's resistance to the idea is understandable. Like most physicists of his day, he found it hard to believe that nature could permit the formation of objects as extreme as black holes. Indeed, the gravitational fields of black holes are strong enough to prevent light from escaping, and even distort space and the flow of time around them.
Geometric Neural Phrase Pooling: Modeling the Spatial Co-occurrence of Neurons

Deep Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) are playing important roles in state-of-the-art visual recognition. This paper focuses on modeling the spatial co-occurrence of neuron responses, which is less studied in the previous work. For this, we consider the neurons in the hidden layer as neural words, and construct a set of geometric neural phrases on top of them. The idea that grouping neural words into neural phrases is borrowed from the Bag-of-Visual-Words (BoVW) model. Next, the Geometric Neural Phrase Pooling (GNPP) algorithm is proposed to efficiently encode these neural phrases. GNPP acts as a new type of hidden layer, which punishes the isolated neuron responses after convolution, and can be inserted into a CNN model with little extra computational overhead. Experimental results show that GNPP produces significant and consistent accuracy gain in image classification.
Congruence Closure in Intensional Type Theory

Congruence closure procedures are used extensively in automated reasoning and are a core component of most satisfiability modulo theories solvers. However, no known congruence closure algorithms can support any of the expressive logics based on intensional type theory ITT, which form the basis of many interactive theorem provers. The main source of expressiveness in these logics is dependent types, and yet existing congruence closure procedures found in interactive theorem provers based on ITT do not handle dependent types at all and only work on the simply-typed subsets of the logics. Here we present an efficient and proof-producing congruence closure procedure that applies to every function in ITT no matter how many dependencies exist among its arguments, and that only relies on the commonly assumed uniqueness of identity proofs axiom. We demonstrate its usefulness by solving interesting verification problems involving functions with dependent types.
Analyzing Network Coding (Gossip) Made Easy

We introduce projection analysis—a new technique to analyze the stopping time of protocols that are based on random linear network coding (RLNC). Projection analysis drastically simplifies, extends, and strengthens previous results on RLNC gossip protocols. We analyze RLNC gossip in a general framework for network and communication models that encompasses and unifies the models used previously in this context. We show, in most settings for the first time, that the RLNC gossip converges with high probability in optimal time. Most stopping times are of the form O(k + T), where k is the number of messages to be distributed and T is the time it takes to disseminate one message. This means RLNC gossip achieves “perfect pipelining.” Our analysis directly extends to highly dynamic networks in which the topology can change completely at any time. This remains true, even if the network dynamics are controlled by a fully adaptive adversary that knows the complete network state. Virtually nothing besides simple O(kT) sequential flooding protocols was previously known for such a setting. While RLNC gossip works in this wide variety of networks our analysis remains the same and extremely simple. This contrasts with more complex proofs that were put forward to give less strong results for various special cases.
Recovery from Work and the Productivity of Working Hours

Observations on munitions workers are organized to examine the relationship between their output each week, their working hours and days each week, and their working hours and days in adjacent weeks. The hypothesis is that workers need to recover from work, and a long working week results in greater fatigue and stress, and yet provides insufficient time for recuperation before the next week's work opens. Workers require time off the job to restore their physical, mental and emotional capacities, and if a long working week provides inadequate time to repair, then their subsequent work performance suffers.
The Evolution of Physician Practice Styles: Evidence from Cardiologist Migration

Physician treatment choices for observably similar patients vary dramatically across regions. This paper exploits cardiologist migration to disentangle the role of physician-specific factors such as preferences and learned behavior versus environment-level factors such as hospital capacity and productivity spillovers on physician behavior. Physicians starting in the same region and subsequently moving to dissimilar regions practice similarly before the move. After the move, physician behavior in the first year changes by 0.6-0.8 percentage points for each percentage point change in practice environment, with no further changes over time. This suggests environment factors explain between 60-80 percent of regional disparities in physician behavior.
ATF4 regulates arsenic trioxide-mediated NADPH oxidase, ER-mitochondrial crosstalk and apoptosis

Arsenic is a mitochondrial toxin, and its derivatives, such as arsenic trioxide (ATO), can trigger endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the associated unfolded protein response (UPR). Here, we show that arsenic induction of the UPR triggers ATF4, which is involved in regulating this ER-mitochondrial crosstalk that is important for the molecular pathogenesis of arsenic toxicity. Employing ATF4+/+ and ATF4-/- MEFs, we show that ATO induces UPR and impairs mitochondrial integrity in ATF4+/+ MEF cells which is largely ablated upon loss of ATF4. Following ATO treatment, ATF4 activates NADPH oxidase by promoting assembly of the enzyme components Rac-1/P47phox/P67phox, which generates ROS/superoxides. Furthermore, ATF4 is required for triggering Ca++/calpain/caspase-12-mediated apoptosis following ATO treatment. The IP3R inhibitor attenuates Ca++/calpain-dependent apoptosis, as well as reduces m-ROS and MMP disruption, suggesting that ER-mitochondria crosstalk involves IP3R-regulated Ca++ signaling. Blockade of m-Ca++ entry by inhibiting m-VDAC reduces ATO-mediated UPR in ATF4+/+ cells. Additionally, ATO treatment leads to p53-regulated mitochondrial apoptosis, where p53 phosphorylation plays a key role. Together, these findings indicate that ATO-mediated apoptosis is regulated by both ER and mitochondria events that are facilitated by ATF4 and the UPR. Thus, we describe novel mechanisms by which ATO orchestrates cytotoxic responses involving interplay of ER and mitochondria.
Prohibition of e-cigarettes in the US: Are prohibitions where alcohol is consumed related to lower alcohol consumption?

Recently, research has suggested negative consequences related to electronic cigarette (e-cig) use, including the increased risk for alcohol use and abuse. Previous work found that cigarette smoking ban legislation lowered overall smoking and alcohol use rates; however, researchers have not yet examined the potential effects of prohibiting e-cig use. The present study surveyed 617 individuals from a community-based online sample in the US (mean age = 33.33, SD = 10.50, 54.7 per cent female) who reported their smoking/e-cig use status, alcohol consumption, and the presence of e-cig prohibitions where they consume alcohol. E-cig prohibition was associated with a lower likelihood of being an e-cig user (OR = 0.12, p < 0.001) or dual user (use both cigarettes and e-cigs) (OR = 0.07, p < 0.001). Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test scores (b = −1.92, p < 0.001), total drinks consumed over 14 days (b = −4.58, p = 0.002), and average drinks per drinking day (b = −0.71, p < 0.001) were all lower when e-cigs were prohibited. Findings are an initial step in this line of research and suggest important future work examining implications of e-cig prohibition recommendations and policy.
Near-optimal (euclidean) metric compression

The metric sketching problem is defined as follows. Given a metric on n points, and ϵ > 0, we wish to produce a small size data structure (sketch) that, given any pair of point indices, recovers the distance between the points up to a 1 + ϵ distortion. In this paper we consider metrics induced by l2 and l1 norms whose spread (the ratio of the diameter to the closest pair distance) is bounded by Φ > 0. A well-known dimensionality reduction theorem due to Johnson and Lindenstrauss yields a sketch of size O(ϵ−2 log(Φn)n log n), i.e., O(ϵ−2 log(Φn)n log n) bits per point. We show that this bound is not optimal, and can be substantially improved to O(ϵ−2 log(1/ϵ) · log n + log log Φ) bits per point. Furthermore, we show that our bound is tight up to a factor of log(1/ϵ).We also consider sketching of general metrics and provide a sketch of size O(n log(1/ϵ) + log log Φ) bits per point, which we show is optimal.
RATIONALISING THE USE OF DISTAL FIBULA LOCKING PLATES IN ANKLE FRACTURE FIXATION

Introduction Despite costing up to 5X more than a one-third tubular plate (TTP) and no absolute indications, distal fibula locking plates (DFLP) are becoming increasingly popular in the fixation of ankle fractures, particularly in the elderly. We reviewed all our distal fibula fracture fixations, over the course of one year, in order to rationalise DFLP use. Methods Patient demographics, Weber classification, use of DFLP or TTP and the mode of fixation were recorded. Open fractures and tibial plafond fractures were excluded. Results 51/84 (61%) of patients had DFLP fixation of their distal fibula fracture, the majority (44/51) of which were for Weber B fractures. The DFLP was used in bridge mode for 12 Weber B fractures and in neutralisation mode for remaining 32. There was a significant difference in age between the DFLP and TTP groups for all fractures (p Discussion In 32/44 of our cases, we used the DFLP to neutralise a lag screw. However DFLP are only of mechanical benefit when adequate fracture compression is not obtained either due to fracture comminution or due to osteoperotic bone, often seen in the elderly. All 32 of these Weber B fractures were amenable to a lag screw and were not comminuted. There was also no significant age difference between this group and the group of Weber B fractures that were treated with a lag screw/ neutralisation plate. In these cases therefore, the DFLP did not offer any mechanical advantage. Conclusion We propose limiting the use of the DFLP to fibula fractures where intra-fragmentary compression cannot adequately be obtained, thus reducing our use by over 60% and significantly reducing our implant costs for such injuries.
Detection of Lipid-Linked Peptidoglycan Precursors by Exploiting an Unexpected Transpeptidase Reaction

Penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) are involved in the synthesis and remodeling of bacterial peptidoglycan (PG). Staphylococcus aureus expresses four PBPs. Genetic studies in S. aureus have implicated PBP4 in the formation of highly cross-linked PG, but biochemical studies have not reached a consensus on its primary enzymatic activity. Using synthetic Lipid II, we show here that PBP4 preferentially acts as a transpeptidase (TP) in vitro. Moreover, it is the PBP primarily responsible for incorporating exogenous D-amino acids into cellular PG, implying that it also has TP activity in vivo. Notably, PBP4 efficiently exchanges D-amino acids not only into PG polymer, but also into the PG monomers Lipid I and Lipid II. This is the first demonstration that any TP domain of a PBP can activate the PG monomer building blocks. Exploiting the promiscuous TP activity of PBP4, we developed a simple, highly sensitive assay to detect cellular pools of lipid-linked PG precursors, which are of notoriously low abundance. Th...
Personalized Search: Potential and Pitfalls

Traditionally search engines have returned the same results to everyone who asks the same question. However, using a single ranking for everyone in every context at every point in time limits how well a search engine can do in providing relevant information. In this talk I present a framework to quantify the "potential for personalization" which we use to characterize the extent to which different people have different intents for the same query. I describe several examples of how we represent and use different kinds of contextual features to improve search quality for individuals and groups. Finally, I conclude by highlighting important challenges in developing personalized systems at Web scale including privacy, transparency, serendipity, and evaluation.
HIV Tat Impairs Neurogenesis through Functioning As a Notch Ligand and Activation of Notch Signaling Pathway.

Alterations in adult neurogenesis have been noted in the brain of HIV-infected individuals and are likely linked to HIV-associated neurocognitive deficits, including those in learning and memory. But the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. In the study, we took advantage of doxycycline-inducible and astrocyte-specific HIV-1 Tat transgenic mice (iTat) and determined the relationship between Tat expression and neurogenesis. Tat expression in astrocytes was associated with fewer neuron progenitor cells (NPCs), fewer immature neurons, and fewer mature neurons in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus of the mouse brain. In vitro NPC-derived neurosphere assays showed that Tat-containing conditioned media from astrocytes or recombinant Tat protein inhibited NPC proliferation and migration and altered NPC differentiation, while immunodepletion of Tat from Tat-containing conditioned media or heat inactivation of recombinant Tat abrogated those effects. Notch signaling downstream gene Hes1 promoter-driven luciferase reporter gene assay and Western blotting showed that recombinant Tat or Tat-containing conditioned media activated Hes1 transcription and protein expression, which were abrogated by Tat heat inactivation, immunodepletion, and cysteine mutation at position 30. Last, Notch signaling inhibitor N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)-l-alanyl]-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester (DAPT) significantly rescued Tat-impaired NPC differentiation in vitro and neurogenesis in vivo. Together, these results show that Tat adversely affects NPCs and neurogenesis through Notch signaling and point to the potential of developing Notch signaling inhibitors as HIV/neuroAIDS therapeutics. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT HIV infection of the CNS causes cognitive and memory deficits, which have become more prevalent in the era of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Neurogenesis is impaired in HIV-infected individuals. But the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this study, we have discovered that HIV Tat impairs neurogenesis through the Notch signaling pathway. These findings are particularly important because Tat protein has recently been detected in the brain of HIV-infected individuals with HIV replication in the periphery being effectively controlled by cART. The current study not only further highlights the importance of HIV Tat protein in HIV/neuroAIDS, but also presents a new strategy to develop novel HIV/neuroAIDS therapeutics, particularly in the era of cART.
Convergence rates of inertial splitting schemes for nonconvex composite optimization

We study the convergence properties of a general inertial first-order proximal splitting algorithm for solving nonconvex nonsmooth optimization problems. Using the Kurdyka-Łojaziewicz (KL) inequality we establish new convergence rates which apply to several inertial algorithms in the literature. Our basic assumption is that the objective function is semialgebraic, which lends our results broad applicability in the fields of signal processing and machine learning. The convergence rates depend on the exponent of the “desingularizing function” arising in the KL inequality. Depending on this exponent, convergence may be finite, linear, or sublinear and of the form O(k−p) for p > 1.
Beyond Exchangeability: The Chinese Voting Process

Many online communities present user-contributed responses, such as reviews of products and answers to questions. User-provided helpfulness votes can highlight the most useful responses, but voting is a social process that can gain momentum based on the popularity of responses and the polarity of existing votes. We propose the Chinese Voting Process (CVP) which models the evolution of helpfulness votes as a self-reinforcing process dependent on position and presentation biases. We evaluate this model on Amazon product reviews and more than 80 StackExchange forums, measuring the intrinsic quality of individual responses and behavioral coefficients of different communities.
HMGB1 Stimulates Activity of Polymerase β on Nucleosome Substrates.

The process of base excision repair (BER) recognizes and repairs small lesions or inappropriate bases on DNA through either a short-patch or long-patch pathway. The enzymes involved in BER have been well-characterized on DNA substrates, and, somewhat surprisingly, many of these enzymes, including several DNA glycosylases, AP endonuclease (APE), FEN1 endonuclease, and DNA ligases, have been shown to have activity on DNA substrates within nucleosomes. DNA polymerase β (Pol β), however, exhibits drastically reduced or no activity on nucleosomal DNA. Interestingly, acetylation of Pol β, by the acetyltransferase p300, inhibits its 5′ dRP-lyase activity and presumably pushes repair of DNA substrates through the long-patch base excision repair (LP-BER) pathway. In addition to the major enzymes involved in BER, a chromatin architectural factor, HMGB1, was found to directly interact with and enhance the activity of APE1 and FEN1, and thus may aid in altering the structure of the nucleosome to be more accessible to...
Boundary Terms and Three-Point Functions: An AdS/CFT Puzzle Resolved

$$ \mathcal{N}=8 $$ superconformal field theories, such as the ABJM theory at Chern-Simons level k = 1 or 2, contain 35 scalar operators $$ {\mathcal{O}}_{IJ} $$ with Δ = 1 in the 35 v representation of SO(8). The 3-point correlation function of these operators is non-vanishing, and indeed can be calculated non-perturbatively in the field theory. But its AdS4 gravity dual, obtained from gauged $$ \mathcal{N}=8 $$ supergravity, has no cubic A 3 couplings in its Lagrangian, where A IJ is the bulk dual of $$ {\mathcal{O}}_{IJ} $$ . So conventional Witten diagrams cannot furnish the field theory result. We show that the extension of bulk supersymmetry to the AdS4 boundary requires the introduction of a finite A 3 counterterm that does provide a perfect match to the 3-point correlator. Boundary supersymmetry also requires infinite counterterms which agree with the method of holographic renormalization. The generating functional of correlation functions of the Δ = 1 operators is the Legendre transform of the on-shell action, and the supersymmetry properties of this functional play a significant role in our treatment.
Looking Back to Leap Forward: The Potential for e-mediation at Work

In this chapter, we provide an overview of the broad field of Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) so that we can set the stage for a more nuanced discussion of how e-mediation might contribute to dispute resolution mechanisms in the workplace. We discuss the context in which e-mediation has developed and grown, and consider non e-commerce uses for e-mediation such as the use of e-mediation in workplace conflicts. The primary aims of this chapter are (a) providing an overview of the ODR field and (b) provoking new and promising areas of expansion for e-mediation generally and in the workplace specifically. We propose several research avenues as well as suggestions for the application of e-mediation to online and on-ground workplace disputes based on relevant research. It is our hope that this chapter encourages further exploration and experimentation in the field of e-mediation at work.
Looking for Someone to Blame: Delegation, Cognitive Dissonance, and the Disposition Effect

We analyze brokerage data and an experiment to test a cognitive dissonance based theory of trading: investors avoid realizing losses because they dislike admitting that past purchases were mistakes, but delegation reverses this effect by allowing the investor to blame the manager instead. Using individual trading data, we show that the disposition effect—the propensity to realize past gains more than past losses—applies only to nondelegated assets like individual stocks; delegated assets, like mutual funds, exhibit a robust reverse-disposition effect. In an experiment, we show that increasing investors' cognitive dissonance results in both a larger disposition effect in stocks and a larger reverse-disposition effect in funds. Additionally, increasing the salience of delegation increases the reverse-disposition effect in funds. Cognitive dissonance provides a unified explanation for apparently contradictory investor behavior across asset classes and has implications for personal investment decisions, mutual fund management, and intermediation.
Error estimates for the kernel gain function approximation in the feedback particle filter

This paper is concerned with the analysis of the kernel-based algorithm for gain function approximation in the feedback particle filter. The exact gain function is the solution of a Poisson equation involving a probability-weighted Laplacian. The kernel-based method - introduced in our prior work - allows one to approximate this solution using only particles sampled from the probability distribution. This paper describes new representations and algorithms based on the kernel-based method. Theory surrounding the approximation is improved and a novel formula for the gain function approximation is derived. A procedure for carrying out error analysis of the approximation is introduced. Certain asymptotic bounds for bias and variance are derived for the general nonlinear non-Gaussian case. Comparison with the constant gain function approximation is provided. The results are illustrated with the aid of numerical experiments.
Analyst Coverage and the Likelihood of Meeting or Beating Analyst Earnings Forecasts

This paper examines the relation between analyst coverage and whether firms meet or beat analyst earnings forecasts. We distinguish between whether a firm's reported quarterly earnings meet (i.e., equal or exceed by one cent) or beat (i.e., exceed by more than one cent) its consensus analyst earnings forecasts. We find a positive relation between analyst coverage and whether a firm meets or beats analyst forecasts. However, the more pronounced relation is that between analyst coverage and meeting analyst forecasts. Also, when we consider exogenous shocks to analyst coverage due to brokerage mergers or closures and conglomerate spinoffs, we continue to find a robust positive relation only between analyst coverage and meeting analyst forecasts. To shed light on the causal relation involved, we examine and find that greater analyst coverage is associated with a significantly larger market reaction to negative earnings surprises. We also document that firms with greater analyst coverage are more likely to guide analyst earnings forecasts downwards. Taken together, our evidence suggests that greater analyst coverage raises the pressure on managers to meet analyst earnings forecasts. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Couette flows of a granular monolayer—an experimental study

Abstract An experimental study concerning rapid flows of granular materials in a two-dimensional planar granular Couette flow apparatus is performed. The device is capable of generating particulate flows in the grain-inertia regime at different shearing rates and solid volume fractions. Multi-color spherical glass particles are sheared across an annular test-section for several wall angular velocities. A video recorder is used to record the motion of particles and consecutive images are stored and analyzed by an image processing technique for evaluating individual grain velocities. Experimental data for the mean velocity, the root-mean-square (RMS) fluctuation velocity components and the solid volume fraction profiles are obtained. The resulting mean velocity profiles have a roughly linear variation for the range of solid volume fractions and shear rates studied. The solid volume fraction profiles exhibit non-uniform variations with the highest concentration occurring near the center of the shearing cell. The RMS fluctuation velocities are roughly constant, with the streamwise fluctuation being somewhat larger than the cross-stream direction. The experimentally measured flow properties are in reasonable agreement with the earlier theoretical and simulation results.
Associations between adverse childhood experiences, student-teacher relationships, and non-medical use of prescription medications among adolescents.

Abstract Objective Few studies have investigated associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACE) and nonmedical use of prescription medication (NMUPM) in population-based samples of adolescents, and even fewer have examined whether promotive factors might buffer these effects. The present study assesses the direct effects of ACE and positive student-teacher relationships on NUMPD and whether positive student-teacher relationships moderate this association. Design Data were from the 2013 Minnesota Student Survey (MSS), an in-school survey administered every three years to students throughout Minnesota. The analytic sample (n = 104,332) was comprised of 8th, 9th, and 11th graders. Results Approximately 3% of students acknowledged past year NMUPM, the majority of whom reported at least one ACE. The most frequently used prescription drug was Ritalin/ADHD medications (1.71%) followed by opiate-based painkillers (1.67%), tranquilizers (0.92%), and stimulants (0.75%). Students who reported any use tended to use more than one medication. For every additional ACE, there was a 56%, 51%, 47%, and 52% increase in the odds of past year stimulant use, ADHD medication, pain reliever, and tranquilizer use, respectively. The estimated rate of the number of prescription drugs used increased by 62% for every additional ACE. Positive student- teacher relationships buffered the association between ACE and NMUPD, especially at higher levels of ACEs. Conclusion Our findings have important implications for prevention work. Training educators to recognize trauma symptomology and cultivating strong student-teacher relationships are important considerations for future school-based substance use prevention initiatives.
Reimagining WHO: leadership and action for a new Director-General.

Summary Three candidates to be the next WHO Director-General remain: Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, David Nabarro, and Sania Nishtar. The World Health Assembly's ultimate choice will lead an organisation facing daunting internal and external challenges, from its own funding shortfalls to antimicrobial resistance and immense health inequities. The new Director-General must transform WHO into a 21st century institution guided by the right to health. Topping the incoming Director-General's agenda will be a host of growing threats—risks to global health security, antimicrobial resistance, non-communicable diseases, and climate change—but also the transformative potential of the Sustainable Development Goals, including their universal health coverage target. Throughout, the next Director-General should emphasise equality, including through national health equity strategies and, more boldly still, advancing the Framework Convention on Global Health. Success in these areas will require a reinvigorated WHO, with sustainable financing, greater multisector engagement, enhanced accountability and transparency, and strengthened normative leadership. WHO must also evolve its governance to become far more welcoming of civil society and communities. To create the foundation for these transformative changes, the Director-General will need to focus first on gaining political support. This entails improving accountability and transparency to gain member state trust, and enabling meaningful civil society participation in WHO's governance and standing up for the right to health to gain civil society support. Ultimately, in the face of a global environment marked by heightened nationalism and xenophobia, member states must empower the next Director-General to enable WHO to be a bulwark for health and human rights, serving as an inspiring contra-example to today's destructive politics, demonstrating that the community of nations are indeed stronger together.
Virtual Rehabilitation - Benefits and Challenges.

Virtual rehabilitation represents the provision of therapeutic interventions locally or at a distance, using Virtual Reality hardware and simulations. Such therapy has been applied to various patient populations, including musculo-skeletal, post-stroke, and cognitively- impaired. This article reviews the benefits brought by VR-enhanced and VR-based rehabilitation to the above patient groups. Also discussed are the many challenges in integrating this new technology into the medical care system.
Generating random factored ideals in number fields

We present a randomized polynomial-time algorithm to generate a random integer according to the distribution of norms of ideals at most N in any given number field, along with the factorization of the integer. Using this algorithm, we can produce a random ideal in the ring of algebraic integers uniformly at random among ideals with norm up to N, in polynomial time. We also present a variant of this algorithm for generating ideals in function fields.
Who’s Who? Detecting and Resolving Sample Anomalies in Human DNA Sequencing Studies with Peddy

The potential for genetic discovery in human DNA sequencing studies is greatly diminished if DNA samples from a cohort are mislabeled, swapped, or contaminated or if they include unintended individuals. Unfortunately, the potential for such errors is significant since DNA samples are often manipulated by several protocols, labs, or scientists in the process of sequencing. We have developed a software package, peddy, to identify and facilitate the remediation of such errors via interactive visualizations and reports comparing the stated sex, relatedness, and ancestry to what is inferred from the individual genotypes derived from whole-genome (WGS) or whole-exome (WES) sequencing. Peddy predicts a sample's ancestry using a machine learning model trained on individuals of diverse ancestries from the 1000 Genomes Project reference panel. Peddy facilitates both automated and interactive, visual detection of sample swaps, poor sequencing quality, and other indicators of sample problems that, if left undetected, would inhibit discovery.
Fedosov observables on constant curvature manifolds and the Klein–Gordon equation

Abstract In this paper we construct the Fedosov star-algebra of observables on the phase–space of a single particle in the case of all (finite-dimensional) constant curvature manifolds imbeddable in a flat space with codimension one. This set of spaces includes the two-sphere and de Sitter (dS)/Anti-de Sitter (AdS) space–times. The algebra of observables was constructed by DQ techniques using, in particular, the algorithm provided by Fedosov. The purpose of this paper was three-fold. One was to verify that DQ gave the same results as previous analyses of these spaces. Another was to verify that the formal series used in the conventional treatment converged by obtaining exact and nonperturbative results for these spaces. The last was to further develop and understand the technology of the Fedosov algorithm.
DIFFERENCES IN JOINT STABILITY BETWEEN TWO SEMI-CONSTRAINED REVISION TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT SYSTEMS

Introduction Tibiofemoral constraint in patients with total knee replacements (TKR) is dependent on both implant geometry and the surrounding soft tissue structures. Choosing more highly constrained geometries can reduce the contribution of soft tissue necessary to maintain joint stability [1]. Often when knee revision surgeries are required, the soft tissue and bone are compromised leading to the use of more constrained implants to ensure knee stability [2]. The current study quantifies the differences in varus-valgus (VV) and internal-external (IE) constraint between two types of total knee revision systems: SIGMA® TC3© and ATTUNE® REVISION. Methods Nine cadaveric knees (7 male, age 64.0 ± 9.8 years, BMI 26.28 ± 4.92) were implanted with both fixed-bearing SIGMA TC3 and ATTUNE REVISION knee systems. Five knees received the TC3 implant first, while the remaining 4 received the ATTUNE implant first. The knees were mounted in an inverted position, and a six degree-of-freedom force-torque sensor (JR3, Woodland, CA) was rigidly secured to the distal tibia (Fig. 1). A series of manual manipulations applying IE and VV torques was performed through the flexion range [3]. Each specimen was then revised to the alternate revision system, and the manual manipulations were repeated. Joint loads were calculated, and tibiofemoral kinematics were described according to the Grood-Suntay definition [4]. VV and IE kinematics were calculated as a function of flexion angle, VV torque, and IE torque as has been described previously [3]. The knees were analysed at ±6 Nm VV and ±4 Nm IE, and the kinematics were normalized to the zero load path. A paired t-test (p < .05) was employed to identify significant differences between the kinematics of the two knee systems at 10o flexion increments. Results Less VV motion was observed in the ATTUNE REVISION system compared to the TC3 system reaching statistical significance in mid-flexion. (Fig. 2). No significant differences were observed in IE rotation between the two designs, except in full extension where the SIGMA TC3 provided increased constraint (Fig. 3). Discussion The ATTUNE REVISION System provided increased VV constraint compared to the TC3 design. The ATTUNE tibial post was more conforming to the femoral box throughout flexion, which contributed to the increased constraint. However, this increase was not concurrent with a reduction in IE rotational freedom as has been common with more constrained revision systems [5]. ATTUNE REVISION provides additional VV stability while retaining knee IE freedom and, therefore, may enable more natural knee kinematics for patients with MCL deficiency in need of a revision TKR. Future work will focus on how the increased levels of VV constraint affect weight-bearing knee kinematics in the presence of ligament deficiency. Acknowledgements This work was supported by DePuy Synthes Joint Reconstruction, Warsaw, Indiana, a Johnson and Johnson Company. For figures and references – please contact authors directly
Cassini imaging search rules out rings around Rhea

[1] We have conducted an intensive search using the Cassini ISS narrow-angle camera to identify any material that may orbit Rhea. Our results contradict an earlier and surprising inference that Rhea, the second-largest moon of Saturn, possesses a system of narrow rings embedded in a broad circum-satellite disk or cloud.
EFFECTIVE INFORMATION LOSS OUTSIDE THE HORIZON

If a system falls through a black hole horizon, then its information is lost to an observer at infinity. But we argue that the accessible information is lost before the horizon is crossed. The temperature of the hole limits information carrying signals from a system that has fallen too close to the horizon. Extremal holes have T = 0, but there is a minimum energy required to emit a quantum in the short proper time left before the horizon is crossed. If we attempt to bring the system back to infinity for observation, then acceleration radiation destroys the information. All three considerations give a critical distance from the horizon , where rH is the horizon radius and ΔE is the energy scale characterizing the system. For systems in string theory where we pack information as densely as possible, this acceleration constraint is found to have a geometric interpretation. These estimates suggest that in theories of gravity we should measure information not as a quantity contained inside a given system, but in terms of how much of that information can be reliably accessed by another observer.
Why is growth better in the United States than in other industrial countries

Although the official statistics imply that the rate of growth of real GDP in the United States has declined in recent years, it has still been substantially higher than the real growth rates in Europe and the other industrial countries, leading to higher real per capita incomes. This paper discusses ten reasons for the higher rate of real economic growth.
Fairness in Criminal Justice Risk Assessments: The State of the Art

Objectives:Discussions of fairness in criminal justice risk assessments typically lack conceptual precision. Rhetoric too often substitutes for careful analysis. In this article, we seek to clarify...
A new model of the chemistry of ionizing radiation in solids: CIRIS

The collisions between high-energy ions and solids can result in significant physical and chemical changes to the material. These effects are potentially important for better understanding the chemistry of interstellar and planetary bodies, which are exposed to cosmic radiation and the solar wind, respectively; however, modeling such collisions on a detailed microscopic basis has thus far been largely unsuccessful. To that end, a new model, entitled CIRIS: the Chemistry of Ionizing Radiation in Solids, was created to calculate the physical and chemical effects of the irradiation of solid materials. With the new code, we simulate O2 ice irradiated with 100 keV protons. Our models are able to reproduce the measured ozone abundances of a previous experimental study, as well as independently predict the approximate thickness of the ice used in that work.
A Simple, Cost-Effective Sensor for Detecting Lead Ions in Water Using Under-Potential Deposited Bismuth Sub-Layer with Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV).

This research has developed a simple to use, cost effective sensor system for the detection of lead ions in tap water. An under-potential deposited bismuth sub-layer on a thin gold film based electrochemical sensor was designed, manufactured, and evaluated. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) measurement technique was employed in this detection. Tap water from the Cleveland, OH, USA regional water district was the test medium. Concentrations of lead ion in the range of 8 × 10−7 M to 5 × 10−4 M were evaluated, showing a good sensitivity over this concentration range. The calibration curve for the DPV measurements of lead ions in tap water showed excellent reproducibility with R2 value of 0.970. This DPV detection system required 3–6 min to complete the detection measurement. A longer measurement time of 6 min was used for the lower lead ion concentration. The selectivity of this lead ion sensor was very good, and Fe III, Cu II, Ni II, and Mg II at a concentration level of 5 × 10−4 M did not interfere with the lead ion measurement.
One-way functions and Pseudorandom generators

Pseudorandom generators transform in polynomial time a short random “seed” into a long “pseudorandom” string. This string cannot be random in the classical sense of [6], but testing that requires an unrealistic amount of time (say, exhaustive search for the seed). Such pseudorandom generators were first discovered in [2] assuming that the function (a x modb) is one-way, i.e., easy to compute, but hard to invert on a noticeable fraction of instances. In [12] this assumption was generalized to the existence of any one-way permutation. The permutation requirement is sufficient but still very strong. It is unlikely to be proven necessary, unless something crucial, like P=NP, is discovered. Below, among other observations, a weaker assumption about one-way functions is proposed, which is not only sufficient, but also necessary for the existence of pseudorandom generators.
THE ANTERIOR APPROACH: BETTER, FASTER, SAFER – AFFIRMS

Increasing data is emerging, consistently demonstrating a more rapid recovery for patients undergoing direct anterior approach (DAA) surgery. In one study, objective findings of early recovery including timed up and go tests, Functional Independence Measures are significantly faster in the first 2 weeks, and normalise by 6 weeks. A more recent randomised study shows a quicker achievement of the functional milestones of discontinuing walking aids, discontinuing opioids, stair ascent, and walking 6 blocks, as well as accelerometer measures of activity in the first 2 weeks after surgery. In both of these studies, seasoned surgeons well beyond their learning curves performed the surgeries. A prospective MRI study of volume before and after surgery has shown full recovery or mild hypertrophy of most muscles at an average of 24 weeks from surgery, but a sustained loss of muscle volume for the obturator internus muscle in the DAA, and sustained loss of muscle volume for obturator internus, obturator externus, piriformis, and quadratus femoris in the posterior approach patients. The muscles that are released in the surgeries recover incompletely. Prospective assessment of muscle strength demonstrated loss of flexion strength in the DAA group and loss of external rotation strength in the Posterior group at 6 weeks. By 3 months, the DAA group had returned to normal in their strength, while the Posterior group had persistent external rotation weakness. Prospective assessment of gait, pre-operatively and at 6 months showed similar improvements in frontal and sagittal plane range of movement in gait, with a similar improvement in transverse plane movement (internal and external rotation) in the DAA group, but no change in the Posterior cohort. The precision of socket placement, after undergoing a learning curve, was greater with the use of fluoroscopy in the DAA. Cutting and subsequently repairing a muscle can have a clinically insignificant, but nonetheless objectively measurable effect on the function of that muscle. Observed downsides of DAA include a higher prevalence of wound complications in obese patients, and possibly a higher risk of periprosthetic fractures in elderly, thin women. Recent larger registry data would also suggest that there is no difference in dislocation rate between the 2 referenced approaches, and possibly a higher femoral revision rate for the DAA. These may be honest and real depictions of a large learning curve as we further understand and disseminate the subtleties of proper execution of DAA surgery.