cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Approximation methods for infinite Bayesian Stackelberg games: modeling distributional payoff uncertainty

Game theory is fast becoming a vital tool for reasoning about complex real-world security problems, including critical infrastructure protection. The game models for these applications are constructed using expert analysis and historical data to estimate the values of key parameters, including the preferences and capabilities of terrorists. In many cases, it would be natural to represent uncertainty over these parameters using continuous distributions (such as uniform intervals or Gaussians). However, existing solution algorithms are limited to considering a small, finite number of possible attacker types with different payoffs. We introduce a general model of infinite Bayesian Stackelberg security games that allows payoffs to be represented using continuous payoff distributions. We then develop several techniques for finding approximate solutions for this class of games, and show empirically that our methods offer dramatic improvements over the current state of the art, providing new ways to improve the robustness of security game models.
Potential pitfalls and methods of improving in utero diagnosis of transposition of the great arteries, including the baby bird's beak image.

Objective. The goal of this study was to analyze our recent experience with fetuses with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) to identify potential pitfalls and possible methods to better detect conotruncal anomalies such as TGA. Methods. We analyzed all nonreferral obstetric ultrasound examinations in which we performed basic, targeted, or formal fetal echocardiography with a newborn diagnosis of TGA. Results. Nine neonates had TGA. Five of these cases were diagnosed prenatally, and 4 of these had complex congenital heart abnormalities. In these 4 cases, there were abnormalities in the cardiac axis (n = 3), abnormal valves or ventricular size (n = 2), and ventricular septal defects (n = 3) that were detected on the 4-chamber view of the heart. In all cases that were not detected prenatally, both prospective and retrospective reviews of the 4-chamber heart appeared normal. The prospective analyses of the outflow tracts were all interpreted as normal, whereas the retrospective review showed subtle abnormalities such as the “baby bird’s beak” image. In review of these cases, there was failure to show the “crisscross” relationship of the outflow tracts. In 1 case, 5 short axis views of the heart, retrospectively showed the artery originating from the left ventricle and bifurcated, representing the pulmonary artery. Conclusions. Transposition of the great arteries may be associated with complex cardiac disease that could be detected on the 4-chamber view of the heart. When the 4-chamber view is normal, it is important to identify the crisscross relationship of the outflow tracts. If this is not done, it is important to document that the pulmonary artery bifurcates and originates from the right ventricle. Five short axis views of the heart may be helpful to detect conotruncal abnormalities. Key words: fetal echocardiography; fetus; prenatal diagnosis; ultrasound.
Internal wave signal processing: a model-based approach

A model-based approach is proposed to solve the oceanic internal wave signal processing problem that is based on state-space representations of the normal-mode vertical velocity and plane wave horizontal velocity propagation models. It is shown that these representations can be utilized to spatially propagate the modal (depth) vertical velocity functions given the basic parameters (wave numbers, Brunt-Vaisala frequency profile, etc.) developed from the solution of the associated boundary value problem as well as the horizontal velocity components. These models are then generalized to the stochastic case where an approximate Gauss-Markov theory applies. The resulting Gauss-Markov representation, in principle, allows the inclusion of stochastic phenomena such as noise and modeling errors in a consistent manner. Based on this framework, investigations are made of model-based solutions to the signal enhancement problem for internal waves. In particular, a processor is designed that allows in situ recursive estimation of the required velocity functions. Finally, it is shown that the associated residual or so-called innovation sequence that ensues from the recursive nature of this formulation can be employed to monitor the model's fit to the data.
MRI of the liver a pictorial essay

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an extremely useful modality for evaluation of the complex pathophysiology of the liver. The high degree of soft tissue contrast afforded by MRI accurately detects and characterizes both focal and diffuse abnormalities of the liver. In this article we present a pictorial review of MRI of the liver.
An Agent-Based Modeling Approach to Evaluate Protective Action Strategies in a Water Distribution Contamination Event

Water distribution systems are vulnerable to both intentional and accidental contamination, which endangers public health and erodes public trust in municipal services. Appropriate protective actions should be selected by public officials or utility managers as the contaminant propagates through the network to best protect public health. Response actions typically attempt to control hydraulics in the network or the water consumption of the public, and decision-makers may be made aware of a security threat through consumer complaints or public health services. Consumers can be influenced to reduce their water consumption through, for example, boil water orders and drinking water restrictions. The interactions and information exchange between the utility managers and consumers will dynamically influence the system hydraulics, increasing the complexity of the decision-making process for the utility managers. An agent-based modeling framework was developed to simulate the dynamic and adaptive actions and reactions in a contamination event. Utility managers and consumers are modeled as agents, and the agent-based model was coupled with a water distribution system simulator to predict the emergent public health for diverse protective action strategies. The modeling framework is applied to a virtual case study, Mesopolis, to investigate the significance of the interactions among consumers and utility managers in water distribution system threat management.
Treatment cost of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis.

In 1994, the National Center for Health Statistics estimated that more than 14 million people (54 per thousand) had chronic bronchitis and sought treatment for 90.9% of their acute episodes. However, few studies have been done on the treatment cost of chronic bronchitis using national data. We conducted a retrospective analysis of claims for patients treated for acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (AECB) to assess the frequency of services rendered and the costs to the health care system. Records were selected for the study based on a primary diagnosis of AECB according to the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, code. Medicare was the primary source of data on patients aged > or =65 years; data from the National Healthcare and Cost Utilization Project, the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, and the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey were used for patients aged or =65 years and $419 million for patients aged or =65 years, and $408 million for the 73,299 patients aged or =65 years and 5.8 days with a mean cost of $5561 for younger patients. Room and board represented the largest percentage of the mean hospital costs of AECB. Inpatient physician services cost $32 million and $11 million for the 2 age groups, respectively. Diagnosis-specific data for outpatient services were found to be less reliable than inpatient data, possibly due to diagnostic coding omissions; 331,000 outpatient office visits for AECB were found for those aged > or =65 years and 237,000 visits for those aged or =65 years and 4.2 million visits for those aged <65 years; total outpatient costs would be $452 million and $317 million, respectively. Because the treatment costs of AECB are largely the costs of hospitalization, any new therapy that allows more patients to be treated in the outpatient setting is likely to generate significant savings.
Inequalities via symmetric polynomial majorization

We consider a partial order on positive vectors induced by elementary symmetric polynomials. As a corollary we obtain a short proof of the SSLI inequality of Neff et al. (2012), which was first obtained via a more elaborate approach.\footnote{Added 18/9/2015: It has been brought to our attention~\citep{neff.private} that a line of approach closely related to ours has been developed by M. \v{S}ilhav\'y, who considers a rich generalization based on Pick functions. This idea is natural and elegant (This idea is natural and elegant (and was also suggested by the author to P. Neff on June 1, 2015. Completely independent of us, M. \v{S}ilhav\'y has recently developed the Pick function approach fully~\citep{neff.private}), and parts of it are even implicit in the recent article of Jozsa and Mitchison (2015). The key contribution of \v{S}ilhav\'y's work is presentation of necessary and sufficient conditions for the E-monotonicity studied in this paper.} Our proofs are based on a simple observation that uses suitable integral representations and yields a family of monotonicity inequalities under a partial order determined by elementary symmetric polynomials, and thereby yields elementary proofs of the inequality of Neff et al. (2012) as well as related entropy inequalities of Jozsa and Mitchison (2015).
School Counselor Preparation in Kenya: Do Kenyan School Counselors Feel Adequately Prepared to Perform Their Roles?.

School counselor training in Kenya is a relatively new phenomenon. This study examined Kenyan school counselors’ perceptions of the adequacy of their preparedness to perform their roles within the school setting. The survey was administered to 105 school counselors in four counties. The findings revealed that Kenyan school counselors perceived themselves as being adequately prepared; however, participants revealed deficiencies in their preparation and ability to deal with a wide range of student issues. Implications of these findings to the training of school counselors and counselor training programs are discussed.
Learning Strategic Decisionmaking in 'Authoritania': An Events Simulation

Authoritania is a fictional country through which students are exposed to decision-making processes across a range of actors in an authoritarian context. The simulation is a supplement to my course “Authoritarianism: Institutions & Practices” as a means to reinforce course material presented in more traditional classroom instruction. The simulation emphasizes three areas of learning — bureaucratic politics, contingent events, and government-activist interaction — and mixes in-class simulation sessions and a significant online component through a website designed and administered specifically for the simulation. The paper discusses the specifics of the simulation goals, design, implementation, and learning outcomes.
Interdisciplinary Research and Environmental Management

Interdisciplinary environmental research is a difficult task that often fails to meet its potential. Causes of such difficulties are examined. The demand that such research be useful and practical is given particular attention. It is reasoned that the meanings of the words useful and practical must be examined in the context of the kinds of decisions forced upon modern society; only then should specific meanings of such words be imposed as a demand upon such research. It is further reasoned that given the problems of modern society, the words useful and practical must be associated with a more broad and even more radical meaning when applied to interdisciplinary research as compared to disciplinary research.
Cognition and Justice: New Ways to Think Like a Lawyer

Practicing lawyers commonly pursue “functional justice,” which I define as the peaceful resolution of competing interests. That justice includes two sub-types: rule-abiding justice and rule-changing justice. Law schools focus primarily on rule-changing justice, while practicing attorneys most often pursue rule-abiding justice. This article, delivered as a Hartman Hotz Lecture at the University of Arkansas, explores the problems arising from that rift.The pursuit of rule-changing and rule-abiding justice require complementary, but somewhat different, cognitive skills. By overlooking the complex skills of rule-abiding justice, law schools fail to fully prepare their graduates to “think like a lawyer.” Schools should continue to teach the skills of rule-changing justice, but must complement that work with more attention to rule-abiding justice. Otherwise, clients suffer and lawyers risk losing more of that work to other professionals.
The Effect of Alterations in Intestinal Flora on Host Resistance to Systemic Bacterial Infection

known. Dubos and Schaedler (1959) demonstrated that pathogen-free mice (mice specially bred and raised without Gram-negative organisms in the gastrointestinal tract) were more susceptible to the intravenous challenge of Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae, as measured by survival. In this laboratory (Dineen, 1960, 1961) it has been shown that essentially the same results could be obtained by chemically altering the intestinal flora by the use of neomycin. This situation then posed several questions which related to host resistance. Specifically the importance of the bowel flora itself in maintaining the host' s ability to withstand infection needed further clarification. Therefore, further studies were performed in which various methods were employed for reducing the intestinal bacteria and for re-establishing them as well and measuring their effects on the resistance of the host. The organisms used in the challenge of the animals included several staphylococcal species as well as K. pneumoniae. The implication from these studies is that the presence of pathogenic organisms under "control" (i.e.,
Waste Heat Recovery and Utilization during Sintering Process

It is one of the effective ways to reduce energy consumption of sintering process that recovery and utilization waste heat during,also it can improve the economic effectiveness in the sintering. The composition and characteristics of the sintering process of waste heat resources were described, moreover the main factors influencing the waste heat recovery and utilization during sintering process were analyzed, it included cooling wind speed of cooling machine, material thickness of cooling machine, import cooling air temperature,power ancillary equipment, hot air sintering and air leakage and so on. On the basis, the way of waste heat recovery and utilization was found,provide theoretical basis for the iron and steel industry energy conservation and emissions reduction.
Thermal life of PVC insulated appliance hookup wires

Accelerated thermal aging tests according to ASTM D3032 were used to predict life expectancies of major appliance hookup wires having PVC insulations.
Combate Contra la Corrupción Internacional y Enfoque en América Latina: Ley FCPA y Nuevo Programa del Departamento de Justicia de los Estados Unidos (International Anti-Corruption Efforts and Focus on Latin America: FCPA and the New DOJ Voluntary Disclosure Pilot Program)

Spanish Abstract: Este articulo analiza la ley de practicas corruptas en el extranjero de los Estados Unidos (“FCPA”), su aplicacion en America Latina, y el nuevo programa piloto del Departamento de Justicia de los Estados Unidos (“DOJ”), anunciado el 5 de abril de 2016, que busca incentivar a que las empresas informen voluntariamente y auto-denuncien sus infracciones de FCPA, cooperen con el DOJ y remedien cualquier falta o defecto en sus controles y sistemas de cumplimiento. El articulo recopila datos desde una nueva base de datos de la Universidad de Stanford llamada “Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Clearinghouse”. Entre 2006 y 2016, se cuentan 54 casos donde el DOJ y la Comision de Valores de los Estados Unidos (“SEC”) han interpuesto acciones legales en contra de empresas o individuos por infracciones de FCPA en la region. La mayor cantidad de infracciones se han dado en Mexico (12), Argentina (10), Brasil (8) y Venezuela (8). En total, los casos se reparten en 12 paises. El articulo tambien discute los efectos de gobierno corporativo en cuanto a que las autoridades norteamericanas, lideradas por el DOJ y la SEC, han tomado un rol mucho mas activo en fiscalizar infracciones de FCPA no solo a personas y entidades norteamericanas, sino que a un grupo cada vez mayor de personas y entidades extranjeras (no norteamericanas).English Abstract: This article focuses on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act ("FCPA"), its application in Latin America, and the Department of Justice’s (“DOJ”) new one-year pilot program, announced on April 5, 2016, to encourage companies to self-report violations of FCPA and to cooperate with the DOJ’s Fraud Section. Using data from the newly launched "Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Clearinghouse" at Stanford Law School, we take a look at enforcement actions from the DOJ and the SEC involving Latin America for the period 2006-2016, showing that there are 54 cases involving FCPA violations in the region, mostly originating from Mexico (12), Argentina (10), Brazil (8) and Venezuela (8). The cases are distributed in 12 different countries in the region.The article also discusses some corporate governance implications of how US enforcement agencies, led by the DOJ and the SEC, are stretching their enforcement powers to reach not only US individuals and companies, but also an increasingly wide set of foreign individuals and entities for improper payments of foreign officials.
Volatile and Within-Needle Terpene Changes to Douglas-fir Trees Associated With Douglas-fir Beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Attack.

Mass attack by tree-killing bark beetles (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) brings about large chemical changes in host trees that can have important ecological consequences. For example, mountain pine beetle ( Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) attack increases emission of terpenes by lodgepole pine ( Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud.), affecting foliage flammability with consequences for wildfires. In this study, we measured chemical changes to Douglas-fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca (Mirb.) Franco) foliage in response to attack by Douglas-fir beetles ( Dendroctonus pseudotsugae Hopkins) as trees die and crowns transitioned from green/healthy, to green-infested (year of attack), to yellow (year after attack), and red (2 yr after attack). We found large differences in volatile and within-needle terpene concentrations among crown classes and variation across a growing season. In general, emissions and concentrations of total and individual terpenes were greater for yellow and red needles than green needles. Douglas-fir beetle attack increased emissions and concentrations of terpene compounds linked to increased tree flammability in other conifer species and compounds known to attract beetles (e.g., α -pinene, camphene, and D-limonene). There was little relationship between air temperature or within-needle concentrations of terpenes and emission of terpenes, suggesting that passive emission of terpenes (e.g., from dead foliage) does not fully explain changes in volatile emissions. The potential physiological causes and ecological consequences of these bark beetle-associated chemical changes are discussed.
The spectrum of lower leg injuries in skiing.

The authors discuss the mechanism of injury and treatment of spiral and bending tibial fractures, boot-top fractures of the fibula, tendinous injuries, pressure problems caused by boots, and sprained and fractured ankles. Ankle and foot injuries have markedly decreased in the last 30 years.
Pitch Deviation Analysis of Pathological Voice in Connected Speech

Objectives: This study compares normal and pathologic voices using a novel voice analysis algorithm that examines pitch deviation during connected speech. The study evaluates the clinical potential of the algorithm as a mechanism to distinguish between normal and pathologic voices using connected speech. Methods: Adult vocalizations from normal subjects and patients with known benign free-edge vocal fold lesions were analyzed. Recordings had been previously obtained in quiet under controlled conditions. Two phrases and sustained lal were recorded per subject. The subject populations consisted of 10 normal and 31 abnormal subjects. The voice analysis algorithm generated 2-dimensional patterns that represent pitch deviation in time and under variable window widths. Measures were collected from these patterns for window widths between 10 and 250 ms. For comparison, jitter and shimmer measures were collected from sustained lal by means of the Computerized Speech Lab (CSL). At-test and tests of sensitivity and specificity assessed discrimination between normal and abnormal populations. Results: More than 58% of the measures collected from connected speech outperformed the CSL jitter and shimmer measures in population discrimination. Twenty-five percent of the experimental measures (including lal) indicated significantly different populations (p <.01%). Conclusions: The results demonstrate that the algorithm distinguishes between normal and abnormal populations by use of samples of connected speech.
Prediction of steady‐state imipramine and desmethylimipramine plasma concentrations from single‐dose data

Tricyclic antidepressant plasma levels were measured in patients and healthy subjects after a single dise of desmethylimipramine (DMI) or imipramine (IMI) and after chronic dosing to steady states. Tricyclic plasma levels measured 24 hr after the single oral dose correlated with steady-state plasma levels. In patients receiving DMI there was a correlation (r = 0.97, n = 10) between 24-hr and steady-state DMI levels, while in normal subjects receiving IMI the correlation was r = 0.92 (n = 20) between 24-hr and steady-state total tricyclic levels (IMI plus its metabolite, DMI). These results suggest the possibility that after a test dose of tricyclic antidepressant, a patient may be put on a "therapeutic" dosage regimen without delay.
Private-time and Public-time

A most significant consequence of the growing division of labour in modern society has been man’s multiple participation in the social world. In traditional societies, the person’s various group affiliations are interrelated in a sort of concentric pattern, so that membership in any social group or network necessarily implies membership in some others. In modern society, on the other hand, these affiliations may be represented by a web of intersecting circles which are not contained in — and are, at least in part, independent of — one another (Simmel, 1964).
Conclusion: Lessons and limitations of the Chinese reform

After fifteen years, it is clear that there is substantial ex-post coherence to the Chinese reform process. It should also be clear that this coherence is not the result of a carefully plotted reform strategy. Indeed, during some crucial periods, the coherence of the reform process emerged in spite of, not because of, the policies of Chinese leaders. Coherence was a characteristic of the economic environment in which the transition path unfolded, rather than of the explicit choices of policymakers. Just as planned economies have an internal consistency, so also is there a generally consistent logic to the way such systems dissolve. The interrelatedness of command economies – which is usually seen as an obstacle to reform – may also become an advantage in the transformation process. There are certain critical, or core, features of the command economy, and once those are eliminated or weakened, the system has a tendency to devolve into a different type of system. Provided there is some political will to move the system in the direction of a market economy during this dissolution process, a positive process of transformation may be set in motion even without a clear or comprehensive commitment to a reformed market economy at the outset. The Chinese transition process has also been robust. Clearly, many of the initiatives advanced by the Chinese government failed, and many of the most successful reform measures were introduced with little forethought or awareness of the consequences.
Exploiting leech saliva to treat osteoarthritis: A provocative perspective

Plant and animal-derived products are crucial components in complementary and alternative medicine. Although modern medicine has provided numerous innovations and advancements, these often fail to reveal new and dependable, inexpensive treatments nor real cures that are relatively free of adverse side effects. We present evidence that hirudotherapy, which utilizes leeches, improves certain diseases, including osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis, a disease in joints, could benefit from use of medicinal peptides found in leech saliva, components of its immune system.
Characterization of the Putative Stem Cells From Umbilical Cord Blood.

Abstract Abstract 4231 Cord blood (CB) is a rich source of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) with long-term repopulating activity necessary for allogeneic stem cell transplantation. CD34+ stem cells are considered sufficient for transplantation, however recent progress in stem cell biology indicates that cells with other surface markers such as CD133 or cells expressing high aldehyde dehydrogenase activity with low side scatter (ALDHhigh/SSClow) or a rare side population (SP) of cells that exclude the Hoechst 33342 vital dye via multi drug transporters have been shown to possess stem cell properties. We characterized CD34+, CD133+, ALDH+ and SP in mononuclear cells (MNC) isolated from human CB. While the SP cell population is rare and detectable in few CB-MNC examined, we found abundant CD34+ and CD133+ cells (1.0+/-0.5 and 0.8+/-0.4 per 100 CD45+ MNC cells, respectively) following the ISHAGE protocol. A distinct ALDH+ cell population (median of 0.26%; range of 0.1 to 0.5%) was also present in all of the CB-MNC analyzed. Over 90% of the ALDH+ cells were also CD34+ and CD133+. The ability of CB-MNC to form colonies in methocult semi-solid media supplemented with cytokines yielded myeloid, lymphoid and erythroid colonies. The clonogenic potential of CB-MNC ranged from 16-48%. We are assessing the colony forming ability of purified stem cell fractions using flow cytometry. The clonogenic efficiency of these individual putative stem cells will be discussed. Download : Download high-res image (226KB) Download : Download full-size image Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Visual memories are stored along a compressed timeline

In continuous recognition the recency effect manifests as a decrease in accuracy and a sublinear increase in response time (RT) with the lag of a repeated stimulus. The recency effect could result from the gradual weaken- ing of mnemonic traces. Alternatively, the recency effect could result from a search through a compressed timeline of recent experience. These two hypotheses make very different predictions about the shape of response time distributions. Using highly-memorable pictures to mitigate changes in accuracy enabled a detailed examination of the effect of recency on retrieval dynamics. The recency at which pictures were repeated ranged over two orders of magnitude across three experiments. Analysis of the RT distributions showed that the time at which memories became accessible changed with the recency of the probe, as predicted by a serial search model suggesting that visual memories can be accessed by sequentially scanning along a compressed representation of the past.
High-Speed Two-Photon Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy of NADH for Label-Free Metabolic Imaging

Two-photon fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (TP-FLIM) of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide is a sensitive metabolic imaging modality. Here, a video rate TP-FLIM system is demonstrated for metabolic imaging in cells and tissues.
Staged management of giant bilateral perinephric adipocytic neoplasms

We present a patient with giant bilateral perinephric masses favored to represent liposarcoma preoperatively. Bilateral renal involvement posed a clinical challenge; careful histologic assessment and surgical planning allowed preservation of renal function.
Investigation of hot-carrier-injection assisted TDDB and multi-stage hot-hole induced leakage current in BCD HV NMOS

With continuous improvement of the figure-of-merit (RdS on vs. BVd ss ) in high-voltage device, HCI induced device burnout emerged. In this work, we showed that the mechanism of burnout is due to HCI assisted TDDB (HA-TDDB) as evident from various Vg and temperature dependence characterization. We demonstrated that hot-hole assisted TDDB can be initiated by a 3-stage hot-hole induced leakage current (HHLC), i.e. interface traps generation at initial stage, oxide traps at 2nd stage and oxide breakdown after percolation path formation in last stage, which is different compared to hot-electron assisted TDDB. Furthermore, oblique percolation path accounted for the large Weibull slope. Negligible area-dependence at high Vd bias is ascribed to self-heating effect which mitigates impact-ionization. TCAD simulation and junction temperature at different Vd bias were performed to support the hypotheses. After thoroughly understanding the mechanism, HA-TDDB lifetime was significantly improved via process and design rule optimization.
Measurements of the Tm169(n,2n)Tm168 cross section from threshold to 15 MeV

Measurements of the $^{169}\mathrm{Tm}(n,2n)^{168}\mathrm{Tm}$ cross section have been performed via the activation technique at 13 energies between 8.5 and 15.0 MeV. The purpose of this comprehensive data set is to provide an alternative diagnostic tool for obtaining subtle information on the neutron energy distribution produced in inertial confinement deuterium-tritium fusion experiments at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The $^{169}\mathrm{Tm}(n,2n)^{168}\mathrm{Tm}$ reaction not only provides the primary 14-MeV neutron fluence, but also the important down-scattered neutron fluence, the latter providing information on the density achieved in the deuterium-tritium plasma during a laser shot.
ITOMP: incremental trajectory optimization for real-time replanning in dynamic environments

We present a novel optimization-based algorithm for motion planning in dynamic environments. Our approach uses a stochastic trajectory optimization framework to avoid collisions and satisfy smoothness and dynamics constraints. Our algorithm does not require a priori knowledge about global motion or trajectories of dynamic obstacles. Rather, we compute a conservative local bound on the position or trajectory of each obstacle over a short time and use the bound to compute a collision-free trajectory for the robot in an incremental manner. Moreover, we interleave planning and execution of the robot in an adaptive manner to balance between the planning horizon and responsiveness to obstacle. We highlight the performance of our planner in a simulated dynamic environment with the 7-DOF PR2 robot arm and dynamic obstacles.
Applications of Thermal Analysis to the Study of Polymer Blends

Thermal analysis provides a rapid means of assessing the compatibility of small samples of polymer blends. In this chapter, the application and practical limitations of thermal analysis in the study of polymer blends are explored. Thermodynamic principles of blend miscibility are presented and the usefulness of thermal methods are discussed in relation to other techniques frequently used to characterise polymer blends. Examples of technically significant polymer blends are given and a detailed discussion of quantitative thermal analysis of both compatible and phase separated blends is presented with attention to areas of current controversy.
Localized, Gap, and Resonance Modes

It is only seven years since the first experimental discovery of localized vibration modes in crystals, (1) but in those seven years more studies, both theoretical and experimental, of exceptional vibration modes have been carried out than in the first eighteen years following their theoretical discovery by I. M. Lifshitz. (2) It seemed appropriate, therefore, at a Conference devoted to localized excitations in solids to survey the studies of localized vibrations in solids, which have been carried out in the past few years. Since a great deal of the existing work has been surveyed elsewhere recently (3), I will restrict my remarks here largely to the results of very recent investigations.
Criteria for Classification of Neoplasms for Pathologists and Statisticians

Terminology used by pathologists for the classification of neoplasms plays a crucial role in the interpretation and statistical analysis of data derived from rodent carcinogenesis studies (Greaves and Faccini, 1984). It is evident that statistical analysis of such pathology data will continue to be essential for the process of human risk estimation. Much of this data is tabulated (converted to numbers) on the basis of classification schemes selected by pathologists. However, classification of lesions from examination of tissue sections with a light microscope is to some extent an interpretative art (Wehner, 1983), whereas statistics is a mathematical science.
The POPOP4 library and codes for preparing secondary gamma-ray production cross sections

The POPOP4 code for converting secondary gamma ray yield data to multigroup secondary gamma ray production cross sections and the POPOP4 library of secondary gamma ray yield data are described. Recent results of the testing of uranium and iron data sets from the POPOP4 library are given. The data sets were tested by comparing calculated secondary gamma ray pulse height spectra measured at the ORNL TSR-II reactor.
Body Image and Sports/Athletics

This article examines body image within the sport context and suggests that although athletes generally are more satisfied with their bodies than nonathletes, there are special considerations due to the environments in which they train and compete. Risk factors, such as weigh-ins, sport body stereotypes, and revealing uniforms, are identified, and suggestions are made for how to create a body-healthy sport environment for male and female athletes.
Diagnostic Thresholds for Androgen-Producing Tumors or Pathologic Hyperandrogenism in Women by Use of Total Testosterone Concentrations Measured by Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

BACKGROUND: Previously defined thresholds for total testosterone (TT) concentrations to screen for androgen-producing tumors (APTs) have used RIA, which can be less accurate in women. We aimed to define diagnostic thresholds to screen for APTs or postmenopausal pathologic hyperandrogenism using TT concentrations measured by Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study on all women with TT ≥3.5 nmol/L and all postmenopausal women presenting with hyperandrogenism between 2004 and 2014 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. RESULTS: Of the 369 women with TT ≥3.5 nmol/L, 89 were included and subdivided into 3 groups based on their clinical diagnosis [21 (24%), APT; 16 (18%), postmenopausal pathologic hyperandrogenism; 52 (58%), polycystic ovary syndrome]. The source of the APT was more frequently ovarian (81%, n = 17) than adrenal (19%, n = 4). The diagnostic threshold using ROC analysis for TT to identify APT in women with severe biochemical hyperandrogenemia was ≥5.1 nmol/L (sensitivity, 90%; specificity, 81%). In a second analysis of a cohort of postmenopausal women only presenting with symptoms or signs of hyperandrogenism, median TT was significantly higher in the postmenopausal pathologic hyperandrogenism group (APT and ovarian hyperthecosis) vs the idiopathic hyperandrogenism group (4.9 vs 0.8 nmol/L; P CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic threshold for TT concentration as measured by LC-MS/MS to identify APT in women with biochemical severe hyperandrogenemia was TT ≥5.1 nmol/L. In postmenopausal women, the diagnostic threshold for pathologic hyperandrogenism was lower (TT ≥2.2 nmol/L).
Optical probing of acetylcholine receptors on neurons in the medial habenula with a novel caged nicotine drug analogue

Key points A new caged nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist was developed, ABT594, which is photolysed by one- and two-photon excitation. The caged compound is photolysed with a quantum yield of 0.20. One-photon uncaging of ABT594 elicited large currents and Ca2+ transients at the soma and dendrites of medial habenula (MHb) neurons of mouse brain slices. Unexpectedly, uncaging of ABT594 also revealed highly Ca2+ -permeable nAChRs on axons of MHb neurons. Abstract Photochemical release of neurotransmitters has been instrumental in the study of their underlying receptors, with acetylcholine being the exception due to its inaccessibility to photochemical protection. We caged a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist, ABT594, via its secondary amine functionality. Effective photolysis could be carried out using either one- or two-photon excitation. Brief flashes (0.5-3.0 ms) of 410 nm light evoked large currents and Ca2+ transients on cell bodies and dendrites of medial habenula (MHb) neurons. Unexpectedly, photorelease of ABT594 also revealed nAChR-mediated Ca2+ signals along the axons of MHb neurons.
Long-Term Growth of the Neoaortic Root After Arterial Switch Operation.

Background The growth of the neoaortic root after the arterial switch operation for the transposition of the great arteries remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the growth of the neoaortic root and identify risk factors for neoaortic root dilatation. Methods Serial angiographic measurements of the neoaortic root for at least 10 years were evaluated in 145 patients. A total of 1,876 measurements of the sinuses of the Valsalva and the neoaortic annuli were obtained. A linear mixed effects model was used for z-score analysis, including evaluation of risk factors for neoaortic root dilatation. To assess changes in the time course of neoaortic root absolute diameters, a nonlinear mixed effects model with a growth curve model was used. Results The growth curve revealed progressive growth of the neoaortic root during somatic growth and stabilization in adulthood without normalization. The growth rates of the sinus and annulus were 0.0046 and 0.029 z-score per year, respectively. The sinus and annulus were estimated to grow up to 47 ± 1 mm and 31 ± 1 mm, respectively. Major risk factors for neoaortic root dilatation were double-outlet right ventricle (parameter estimate [PE] = 2.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.5 to 2.7, p Conclusions The risk for neoaortic root dilatation was common. Long-term surveillance is mandatory, particularly in patients with double-outlet right ventricle and neoaortic valve insufficiency.
Analysis of blood and fecal microbiome profile in patients with celiac disease

Abstract Celiac disease is a multifactorial autoimmune enteropathy triggered by ingestion of gluten in genetically predisposed individuals. The increase of incidence in celiac disease suggests that additional environmental factors other than gluten may contribute to its onset and development. While intestinal dysbiosis has already been associated with celiac disease, the role that the blood microbiome plays in the loss of tolerance to gluten is unknown. In this study we aimed at evaluating weather celiac patients are characterized by alterations in the blood microbiome and how these changes may relate to the intestinal microbiome composition and, ultimately, to the loss of tolerance to gluten. Our data highlight alterations in the blood microbiome composition and taxonomic diversity in celiac patients as compared to healthy subjects. Although preliminary, these findings suggest that changes in the blood microbiome may contribute to the pathogenesis of celiac disease and open the possibility of new therapeutic and diagnostic tools for celiac patients.
Patchwork Policies, Spillovers, and the Search for Oil and Gas

The United States has a complex patchwork of mineral ownership, where rights to oil and gas may be owned by the federal government, state governments, or private agents. I show why the policies imposed by one owner have theoretically ambiguous spillover effects on the drilling and production outcomes of neighboring plots of land. Exploiting a natural experiment in Wyoming with exogenous ownership assignment, I find significant spillovers: federal land close to state land has a lower probability of drilling than federal land far from state land.
Colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals in energy transfer reactions.

Excitonic energy transfer is a versatile mechanism by which colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals can interact with a variety of nanoscale species. While this process is analogous to dipole–dipole coupling in molecular systems, the corresponding energy transfer dynamics can deviate from that of molecular assemblies due to manifestations of bulk-like features in semiconductor colloids. In particular, weak exciton binding, small singlet–triplet exciton splitting, and the energy disorder across nanocrystal ensembles can all play distinctive roles in the ensuing energy conversion processes. To characterize the variety of energy transfer schemes involving nanocrystals, this feature article will discuss the latest research by both our group and other groups on the key scenarios under which nanocrystals can engage in energy transfer with other nanoparticles, organic fluorophores, and plasmonic nanostructures, highlighting potential technological benefits to be gained from such processes. We will also shed light on experimental strategies for probing the energy transfer in nanocrystal-based assemblies, with a particular emphasis on novel characterization techniques.
Effects of Auditory Training on Electrophysiological Measures in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Identifying objective changes following an auditory training program is central to the assessment of the program’s efficacy. This study aimed (1) to objectively determine the efficacy of a 12-week auditory processing training (APT) program in individuals with autism spectrum disorder using auditory evoked potentials (AEPs) and (2) to identify the top central AEP predictors of the overall score on the Test of Auditory Processing Skills-3 (TAPS-3), the primary behavioral outcome measure of the APT program published in our earlier article. A one-group pretraining, posttraining design was used. The sample included 15 children and young adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Participants underwent the APT program consisting of computerized dichotic training, one-on-one therapist-directed auditory training, and the use of remote microphone technology at home and in the classroom. All participants underwent pre- and posttraining auditory brain stem responses (ABRs), complex auditory brain stem responses (cABRs), and auditory late responses (ALRs). Test results from ABRs and ALRs were grouped based on scores obtained in their dominant and nondominant ears. Paired t-tests were used to assess the efficacy of the training program, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression was used to assess the relationship between ALRs and the TAPS-3 overall summed raw score reported in our earlier article. When compared with pretraining results, posttraining results showed shorter ABR latencies and larger amplitudes. The cABRs showed decreased latencies of the frequency following waves, a reduction in pitch error, and enhancement of pitch strength and phase shift. ALR results indicated shorter latencies and larger amplitudes. Our earlier article showed that the TAPS-3 overall score was significantly higher after training. This study showed that the top three ALR predictors of TAPS-3 outcomes were P1 amplitude in the dominant ear, and N1 amplitude in the dominant and nondominant ears.
Two-Dimensional Semiconductors for Atomically-Thin Opto-Electronics

I will present recent computational and experimental advances on enhancing light-matter interactions in two-dimensional materials and their heterostructures for making opto-electronic devices and present strategies for exploting thier tenability.
On the Rights and Rites of Robots and Artilects

From the very earliest times, humans have often given names to and found special meanings to natural objects such as trees, rocks, water, mountains, and to objects in the sky such the sun, moon and stars, or groups of stars. At the same time, we have created objects out of stone, wood, mud and metals, and given names and special meaning to them as well. Various religions have holy objects that are believed to have special powers and that need to be treated in special, reverential ways. Many humans develop a close interrelation with certain animals such as dogs, cats, and horses. We often love our dog more than our children, or our horse more than our wife. Even in modern times, many of us give our automobiles, motorbikes, or bicycles affectionate names. We talk to them, pat them, show them that we care and appreciate them.
Deferasirox - a rarer cause of Fanconi syndrome.

ABSTRACTDeferasirox is a recently approved iron chelator and is widely used to treat iron overload in transfusion-dependent patients. Its once-daily dosing and oral route of administration have mad...
Revising Boilerplate: A Comparison of Private and Public Company Transactions

The phenomenon of “sticky boilerplate” causing inefficient contract terms to persist exists across a variety of commercial contract types. One explanation for this failure to revise suboptimal terms is that the key agents on these transactions, including attorneys and investment bankers, are short sighted; their incentives are to get the deal done rather than ensure that they are using the best terms possible for their clients. Moreover, these agents face a first mover disadvantage that deters unilateral revisions to inefficient terms. If agency costs are indeed driving the stickiness phenomenon, we expect that the pace of revision will vary across settings where the agency costs are likely to be significantly different. Using a hand-collected dataset of “No Recourse” terms used in commercial contracts, we test whether agency costs explain contract stickiness by comparing two different contexts: public versus private company deals. Our study is preliminary, but we find evidence that market-wide revisions to the No Recourse clause are greater in the private company setting where agency costs are likely smaller. Further, we find that industry-wide coordination events that signal that other lawyers are likely to revise their clauses are key to inducing widespread change. This change appears to be accelerated by the presence of large law firms that may be better able to coordinate the shift to a new market standard.