cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Animal Economics

Market equilibrium dynamics of herd inventory management are derived for homogenous female populations. Short-run supply is backward bending in response to permanent changes in demand and is rising in response to transitory changes in demand. Increasing inventories are associated with high and falling prices and decreasing inventories with low and rising prices, but there is no market instability in this. These unusual intertemporal substitution effects follow from both rational expectations and appropriately formulated cobweb models and go part of the way toward explaining hog and cattle inventory cycles.
Formally verifying human---automation interaction as part of a system model: limitations and tradeoffs

Both the human factors engineering (HFE) and formal methods communities are concerned with improving the design of safety-critical systems. This work discusses a modeling effort that leveraged methods from both fields to perform formal verification of human---automation interaction with a programmable device. This effort utilizes a system architecture composed of independent models of the human mission, human task behavior, human-device interface, device automation, and operational environment. The goals of this architecture were to allow HFE practitioners to perform formal verifications of realistic systems that depend on human---automation interaction in a reasonable amount of time using representative models, intuitive modeling constructs, and decoupled models of system components that could be easily changed to support multiple analyses. This framework was instantiated using a patient controlled analgesia pump in a two phased process where models in each phase were verified using a common set of specifications. The first phase focused on the mission, human-device interface, and device automation; and included a simple, unconstrained human task behavior model. The second phase replaced the unconstrained task model with one representing normative pump programming behavior. Because models produced in the first phase were too large for the model checker to verify, a number of model revisions were undertaken that affected the goals of the effort. While the use of human task behavior models in the second phase helped mitigate model complexity, verification time increased. Additional modeling tools and technological developments are necessary for model checking to become a more usable technique for HFE.
How Moths Pass the Dry Season in a Costa Rican Dry Forest

The dry and largely deciduous forests in Santa Rosa National Park in northwestern lowland Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica, Central America, have a moth fauna of about 2800 species. These moths pass the six month rain-free dry season, and some other portions of the year, by: (a) remaining dormant in the egg stage (1 species only), (b) remaining dormant in the pupal or prepupal stage (many species), (c) undergoing larval development (a few species of particular life forms) (d) remaining in the Park as a potentially active but non-reproductive adult (many species), and (e) migrating out of the Park after one to two generations and then returning at the beginning of the following rainy season (a few species of particular life forms). The migrating moths constitute a strong link between the dry forest and the rainforests to the east of the dry forest. The seasonal patterns of dormancy of immatures, reproductively dormant adults, and migration are not well correlated with the simple presence or absence of foliage on host plants, or with climate changes (except that the temperature drop that occurs at the beginning of the rainy season appears to be a widely used cue for pupal eclosion). The pattern of habitat use by leaf-eating caterpillars is probably determined more by the seasonal abundance of carnivores (parasitoids and predators) than by the mere presence of leaves; this process is very strongly evident in the failure of many moths to have more than one generation per year, even when their host plants are leafy throughout the six month rainy season or are even evergreen.
Using Focus Groups to Examine the Consequential Aspect of validity

How can focus groups be used to examine issues of consequential validity in large-scale assessment? In relation to a new large-scale assessment, what are teacher concerns, and how do these concerns differ by type of school district? What are the strengths and weaknesses in this approach to looking at consequential validity?
Mediodorsal thalamic lesions impair differential Pavlovian heart rate conditioning

Rabbits with bilateral ibotenic acid or vehicle injections into the mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus (MD) received differential Pavlovian heart rate (HR) conditioning in which tones of different frequencies served as conditioned stimuli (CSs) and a paraorbital electric shock train was the unconditioned stimulus (US). Rabbits with ibotenic acid lesions of MD demonstrated impaired differential HR conditioning, due primarily to enhanced responding to the non-reinforced CS-. The magnitude of the HR conditioned response (CR) was somewhat enhanced in lesioned animals compared to vehicle control animals, as was the HR component of the orienting response to non-reinforced tones. These results are consistent with a role for MD in some aspect of association formation, possibly through its mediation of the late-occurring sympathetic component of the conditioned HR response. These data also demonstrate that MD does not participate in the vagal drive that produces Pavlovian conditioned bradycardia.
Ethnofederalism and ethnonationalism in the separatist politics of chechnya and tatarstan: sources or resources?

Common explanations of the recent war in Chechnya add up to an astonishingly overdetermined picture. The conflict between Russia's central government and its separatist ethnic autonomy was blamed on several grand factors: oil interests, resurgent Islam, imperial collapse, international terrorism, organized crime. Superficially, Chechnya shares most of these features with Tatarstan — another defiant republic of the Russian Federation which has oil, notorious gangsters, and a native population of Islamic heritage. A more detailed account shows, however, that the two state entities have little in common except the Soviet-made institutional framework. Tatarstan is a rare example of an ethnically non-Russian republic within the very urban industrial core of the former USSR, while Chechnya was patently peripheral. Differences in historical legacies and present-day social compositions conditioned very different outcomes of multifaceted political struggles that accompanied the demise of Soviet empire. In Tatarsta...
Influence of Nezara viridula Feeding on Cotton Yield, Fiber Quality, and Seed Germination

The influence of southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (L.), adults (males and females) and fourth to fifth instars on cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., boll abscission, seedcotton yield, fiber quality, and seed viability was evaluated in field studies conducted during 2004 and 2005. Cotton bolls representing several age classes ranging from 0–600 heat units were individually infested with a specific gender or life stage of southern green stink bug. Adults and nymphs induced abscission of bolls that accumulated 0–280 heat units after anthesis. Seedcotton yield was significantly lower in bolls infested with adults (males and females) and late instars through ≈500 heat units after anthesis. Southern green stink bug feeding on bolls significantly affected the physical fiber properties of micronaire (measure of fiber fineness or maturity), strength, uniformity, and fiber length. Discolored cotton lint in the stink bug-infested bolls was more common than in noninfested bolls. Seed germination and development of normal seedlings for seed harvested from stink bug-infested bolls that accumulated ≤500 heat units beyond anthesis were significantly lower compared with noninfested bolls. No significant differences in boll abscission, yield, fiber quality, and seed germination were detected between southern green stink bug males and females or between adults and fourth to fifth instars.
Perineal Laceration and Episiotomy

1. Laceration and episiotomy are common complications of the delivery process. 2. Lacerations and extension of episiotomies may be minimized with careful management of delivery. 3. Laceration and episiotomy repair is an essential skill for all providers who deliver babies.
A sequence labeling approach to deriving word variants

This paper describes a learning-based approach for automatic derivation of word variant forms by the suffix-ation process. We employ the sequence labeling technique, which entails learning when to preserve, delete, substitute, or add a letter to form a new word from a given word. The features used by the learner are based on characters, phonetics, and hyphenation positions of the given word. To ensure that our system is robust to word variants that can arise from different forms of a root word, we generate multiple variant hypothesis for each word based on the sequence labeler's prediction. We then filter out ill-formed predictions, and create clusters of word variants by merging together a word and its predicted variants with other words and their predicted variants provided the groups share a word in common. Our results show that this learning-based approach is feasible for the task and warrants further exploration.
Optical Beacon Sensor for Small Unmanned Aerial System State Estimation

A new optical sensor system is presented that measures a reference vector direction relative to the body frame of a small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) at medium ranges in daylight conditions with high precision and without drift using a low-power, nonlaser, eye-safe optical beacon. The beacon operates as a monochromatic, time-modulated optical source, and the airborne sensor uses both optical band-pass filtering and frequency domain signal processing to separate the beacon signal from reflected and scattered sunlight incident on the sensor's aperture, thus providing increased sensitivity. Characterization of the prototype sensor shows that the reference-vector direction angles can be measured with an accuracy of better than 0.5% of the field of view, resulting in 0.1° accuracy over a 30 degree range, at a measurement update rate of 200 Hz. This result is based on an operating range of 134 m using a 1 W beacon with a 9° beamwidth. The prototype system was integrated into and tested on a small UAS. Flight test results are presented comparing the prototype sensor system's output to an estimate of the reference-vector direction produced by fusing inertial measurement and GPS information, thus demonstrating how this sensor system offers a method of validating sUAS attitude estimation systems. The sensor system may also be used to augment sUAS attitude estimation systems, or for other purposes such as in a precision sUAS landing system or for state estimation in GPS-denied environments.
Mild traumatic brain injury: neurosensory effects.

Purpose of reviewThe purpose of this review is to examine recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of mild traumatic brain injury with attention to the neurosensory sequelae.Recent findingsThere has been a great deal of work done in this area over the last 18 months. Much of the work focuses o
Electromigration Characteristics Under High Frequency Pulsed Current Stressing

Electromigration characteristics of Al lines under pulsed current stressing at frequencies 50–200 MHz were measured. Lifetime was found to depend explicitly on both current on-time and current off period. Lifetime increases with t-off as t50 ∝ (t-off)2.2 and decreases with t-on as t50 ∝ (t-on)−0.7. The data indicate no threshold frequency for drastic change in lifetime. Lifetime was also found to increase with duty cycle as t50 ∝ r−2.7, which is a remarkable improvement over an average current density model.
Trineopentylphosphine: A Conformationally Flexible Ligand for the Coupling of Sterically Demanding Substrates in the Buchwald–Hartwig Amination and Suzuki–Miyaura Reaction

Trineopentylphosphine (TNpP) in combination with palladium provides a highly effective catalyst for the Buchwald–Hartwig coupling of sterically demanding aryl bromides and chlorides with sterically hindered aniline derivatives. Excellent yields are obtained even when both substrates include 2,6-diisopropyl substituents. Notably, the reaction rate is inversely related to the steric demand of the substrates. X-ray crystallographic structures of Pd(TNpP)2, [Pd(4-t-Bu-C6H4)(TNpP)(μ-Br)]2, and [Pd(2-Me-C6H4)(TNpP)(μ-Br)]2 are reported. These structures suggest that the conformational flexibility of the TNpP ligand plays a key role in allowing the catalyst to couple hindered substrates. The Pd/TNpP system also shows good activity for the Suzuki coupling of hindered aryl bromides.
Several issues on logistic system for mine engineering project

Several issues to be considered such as adaptability, safety, interface and ancillary works in process of design logistic system for mine engineering project were discussed by combined experience in mine logistics system design with mine safety operation management and technology development state.
Effect of nitrogen mustard on nucleic acid metabolism.

Summary1. The effect of nitrogen mustard on the incorporation of C14-formate and N15-adenine into the bases of PNA and DNA of small intestine and into the bases of PNA of liver of the rat has been investigated. The drug decreased the incorporation of both precursors into adenine of DNA of intestine to approximately the same extent. This suggests that the drug does not affect specifically the synthesis of the purine skeleton. 3. The drug led to a marked decrease of isotope levels in the bases of DNA of small intestine, but little or no change in the levels in PNA bases of both small intestine and liver.
Admitting cancer patients to the intensive care unit

The allocation of critical care resources must follow criteria of distributive justice. Because most societies cannot indefinitely expand medical care costs, difficult decisions on the quality and quantity of care that can be rendered to each patient are inevitable. Data on which objective decisions can be based are currently being gathered at many levels. It is reasonable to anticipate that over the next few years regulations will be formulated to decide which patients can be admitted to the ICU. Critical care physicians have the right and obligation to be involved in all aspects of these decision-making processes.
Risk Factors for Fatal Maltreatment Victimization and Perpetration

This chapter discusses a variety of risk factors for fatal child maltreatment: child characteristics, parent characteristics, the parent-child relationship, and household characteristics. Some of these include a child’s age and gender, parent/perpetrator age, parent mental health concerns, and social/environmental conditions in the home. The second portion of the chapter will focus on the areas of controversy concerning risk factors for child maltreatment fatalities, including parent/perpetrator gender, race of victim/parent/perpetrator, child behavioral health, and the parent-child relationship. These controversies are fueled by a variety of sources, including the media and historically uninformed assumptions about the “goodness” and limits of parents’ actions toward their children. The chapter will end by covering some risk factors that have been inadequately explored and what how this limits the field’s ability to better identify children who are at risk for a maltreatment fatality.
The Incidence of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome in Babies Born to Women with Sickle Cell Disease: A Single Center Study

Abstract 3225 BACKGROUND: Little is known about the neonatal outcomes of infants born to mothers with SCD. Women with SCD are often treated for pain with opioid medication either intermittently or chronically throughout pregnancy. The incidence of withdrawal or neonatal abstinence syndrome has not been well described making counseling of these women about the risks and benefits of opioid therapy during pregnancy difficult. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in babies born to women with sickle cell disease. METHODS: All pregnancies in women with sickle cell disease were identified within the Johns Hopkins Hospital between January 1, 2001 and January 1, 2011. Retrospective data collection was performed using the electronic medical record. Demographic and outcome information recorded included maternal age, gestational age at time of delivery, outcome of pregnancy, maternal genotype, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions, neonatal abstinence syndrome diagnosis and neonatal length of stay. Student t-tests and chi square analysis were used to compare outcomes as appropriate. RESULTS: 69 unique patients were identified. From these 69 women, 94 pregnancies were identified. Of these 94 pregnancies, 83 live births were noted. The other 11 pregnancies included 3 spontaneous abortions, 3 ectopic pregnancies, 4 terminations and 1 fetal death in utero. The mean maternal age at time of delivery was 25.5 +/− 5.1 years. The mean gestational age was 36 weeks 2 days (median 36 weeks 6 days with a range of 31 weeks 4 days to 39 weeks 3 days). Of the 83 live births noted in this retrospective cohort, 22 (27%) of these infants were admitted to the NICU and17 (20%) were diagnosed with neonatal abstinence syndrome. Of the 17 infants born with NAS, 12 infants (70%) were born to mothers with SS disease, 3 infants (18%) to mothers with Sβthalassemia and 2 infants (12%) to mothers with SC disease. 53% of babies born with NAS were delivered by C-section which was not statistically significantly different than babies born without NAS (42% p=0.60) The mean birth weight of the babies with NAS was 2521 grams compared to babies without NAS which was 2853 grams (p=0.07). 59% of babies with NAS required NICU care compared to 16% of babies without NAS (p CONCLUSIONS: Current recommendations include the use of opioids as needed for vaso-occlusive pain in pregnancies complicated by sickle cell disease. While effective, our study demonstrates that a significant percentage of infants exposed to opioids in utero develop neonatal abstinence syndrome. Future studies are indicated to delineate a dose-response relationship if one exists as well as alternative therapies to address this newly recognized important neonatal co-morbidity. Disclosures: Lanzkron:Hemaquest: Membership on an entity9s Board of Directors or advisory committees; NHLBI: Research Funding.
Mixing Weak Learners in Semantic Parsin

This paper shows results from the application of a novel variant of Random Forests to the shallow semantic parsing problem.
Methods for Studying Wnt Protein Modifications/Inactivations by Extracellular Enzymes, Tiki and Notum

Wnt proteins are modified and inactivated by two extracellular enzymatic antagonists, Tiki and Notum. Tiki proteins act as membrane-tethered metalloproteases to cleave a fragment from the amino terminus of Wnt proteins. Notum is a Wnt deacylase that removes the lipid modification that is essential for Wnt activities. Here, we provide detailed procedures for preparing enzymatic active Tiki and Notum proteins and the in vitro enzymatic reactions. We also describe a metabolic labeling and click chemistry method for detection of Wnt protein acylation.
Zombie girls: a history

Radium-dial painters, mostly young working-class women, haunt the history of health physics and Kate Moore's book The Radium Girls.
Grid-Free Models of Multicellular Systems, with an Application to Large-Scale Vortices Accompanying Primitive Streak Formation

This paper is comprised of two parts. In the first we provide a brief overview of grid-free methods for modeling multicellular systems. We focus on an approach based on Langevin equations, in which inertia is ignored, and stochastic effects on cell motion are included. The discussion starts with simpler models, in which cells are modeled as adhesive spheres. We then turn to more sophisticated approaches in which nontrivial cell shape is accommodated, including the recently introduced Subcellular Element Model, in which each cell is described as a cluster of adhesively coupled over-damped subcellular elements, representing patches of cytoskeleton. In the second part of the paper we illustrate the use of a standard grid-free cell-based model to computationally probe interesting new features associated with primitive streak formation in the chick embryo. Streak formation is a key developmental step in amniotes (i.e., birds, reptiles, and mammals), and can be observed in detail in the chick embryo, where the streak extends across a tightly-packed two-dimensional sheet (the epiblast) comprised of about 50,000 cells. The Weijer group [Cui, Yang, Chuai, Glazier, and Weijer, Dev. Biol. 284 (2005) 37–47] recently observed that streak formation is accompanied by coordinated cell movement lateral to the streak, resulting in two large counter-rotating vortices. We study a mechanism based on cell polarity (in the plane of the epiblast) that provides an explanation for these vortices, and test it successfully using computer simulations. This mechanism is robust, since the emergent vortex formation depends only on the gross features of the initial spatial distribution of planar polarity in the epiblast.
The role of eviction in veterans’ homelessness recidivism*

ABSTRACTEviction is one of the leading causes of homelessness in the U.S.A. Though permanent supportive housing (PSH) helps participants maintain housing, some still leave due to eviction. This study aimed to determine whether eviction is an important predictor of recidivism and time to return to homelessness for participants exiting PSH. The characteristics and post-exit service use of 2802 Veteran PSH participants were analyzed based on exit reason. A Cox proportional hazards survival analysis modeled risk factors for returning to homelessness within 360 days of exit. Compared with other exiters, evicted Veterans remained in the program for less time, were less likely to be receiving service-connected compensation, and used more services – particularly mental health and substance use services – following their exit, and those who returned to homelessness did so more quickly. Identifying participants who might benefit from more intensive services, project-based housing, or income supports may prevent evi...
Mercantilism, Middle Eastern Empire and Chinaâ€™s National Oil Companies: Implications for U.S. Policy

Many have contended that the pusuit of natural resources has fueled international conflict, and some have supposed that Chinaâ€™s growing hunger for fossil fuels is portending just such a conflict in the future, even describing the expansion of Chinese National Oil Companies into regions like Sudan and Darfur as a direct geopolitical challenge to the United States. This paper proposes an alternative explanation of the overseas expansion of Chinese National Oil Companies, ultimately contending that market conditions, not politics, dictate the behavior of Chinese National Oil companies. In developing this argument, this paper outlines the domestic and international market conditions that limit domestic expansion and encourage oversees expansion, the industrial organization of Chinese National Oil Companies, the bureaucratic structure of Chinese regulatory agencies, and the influence of the Chinese energy policy making aparatus. This paper concludes by proposing different policy measures that could be taken to highten cooperation on issues of energy and energy security between the United States and China.
Rapid Solidification Processing and the Control of Structure/Property Relationships

ABSTRACT In general, materials processing plays a major role in the structure/property relationships which make materials useful to society. A recent illustration of this dynamic interplay is provided by rapid solidification processing which leads to compositional uniformity and extremely fine dispersions of second-phase precipitates. The fundamental modes of solidification are discussed, particularly from the standpoints of solute partitioning at the solid-liquid interface, solute trapping, and massive (segregationless) solidification. Segragationless solidification can produce unusually high degrees of super-saturation relative to phases which are otherwise difficult to dissolve in the solid matrix. This condition is favoured by supercooling of the solidification process and by high velocity of the solid-liquid interface. An important consequence of such rapid solidification is that the alloy chemistry can be potentially designed to create small second-phase precipitates which are particularly insoluble in the solid matrix and which therefore resist coalescence on subsequent processing at high temperatures. As a result, these dispersions are very effective in pinning grain boundaries and inhibiting grain growth of the matrix phase. Some recent findings are presented dealing with the influence of these microstructural features on structure/property relationships in alloy systems.
Detecting hidden particles with MATHUSLA

A hidden sector containing light long-lived particles provides a well-motivated place to find new physics. The recently proposed MATHUSLA experiment has the potential to be extremely sensitive to light particles originating from rare meson decays in the very long lifetime region. In this work, we illustrate this strength with the specific example of a light scalar mixed with the standard model--like Higgs boson, a model where MATHUSLA can further probe unexplored parameter space from exotic Higgs decays. Design augmentations should be considered in order to maximize the ability of MATHUSLA to discover very light hidden sector particles.
Mechanically-Induced Morphological Changes in the Organ of Corti

Acute exposures to high-level noise impulses damage the cochlea via mechanical mechanisms that are associated with excessive displacements and stresses developed in the delicate epithelial tissues of the organ of Corti. Such damage has been discussed in the literaure a number of times, and an especially clear description was provided by Davis [1]. Davis and his colleagues used continuous noise at levels of nearly 150 dB SPL at the eardrum. They noted that the Hensen cell attachments represent a mechanically weak link in the structural organization of the organ of Corti. This result was confirmed by Beagley [2], who illustrated the separation of cell junctions between the Deiter and Hensen cells following overstimulation. Since then, others (notably Spoendlin [3] and Voldrich [4]), also using high levels of continuous noise, have demonstrated lesions on the basilar membrane of an equivocal mechanical origin, including rupture of the basilar membrane and Reissners membrane. Spoendlin suggested intensities of around 125 dB SPL as the threshold for mechanically-induced lesions as opposed to metabolically-induced damage. However, the dependance of this rms sound pressure on the exposure duration is not clear. Spoendlin is in agreement with Davis and Beagley concerning the susceptibility to acoustic trauma of the Hensen cell attachments, but he further implicates the pillar cells and the medial attachments of the inner hair cell cuticular area as, “weak spots.” This paper attempts to provide a clear documentation of the morphological sequence of events which is eventually responsible for producing massive structural damage to the organ of Corti. Using blast waves as a vehicle, we will further attempt to qualitatively illustrate a fundamental difference in the way in which continuous and impulse noise may need to be evaluated when assessing the potential for producing trauma.
Don’t Do It on My Carpet: The Humor of William Faulkner’s “Barn Burning”

William Faulkner’s “Barn Burning” has been appreciated critically in just about every way but for its humor. While appreciations not concerned with humor are crucial to understanding the work, they can also be limiting. This discussion of Faulkner and humor in “Barn Burning” will acknowledge that humor stoops to low levels and crudity. But it also soars to great heights, with Faulkner’s command of the English language and ability to draw allusions effortlessly into the fabric of his story.
High neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as an independent adverse prognostic factor in racial minorities with hepatocellular carcinoma.

218Background: An elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been shown to portend poor prognosis in various types of cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, studies that ...
Can the idealized voider derived flow indexes be a measure of voiding efficiency and how accurate are they

Objective Our hypothesis was to confirm whether an idealized voider flow equation (IVFE) that we created is more accurate than trying to rely on estimated flow rates in the same patient in two consecutive voids. We also looked to confirm whether flow index (FI) can be a proxy for voiding efficiency and to identify which FI was best; those based off our own IVFE equations or those derived from the commonly used power equations. Study design We used data from a previous study and calculated flow rates using our IVFE and the power equations. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests were performed along with error analysis using Bland Altman (BA) and accuracy analysis (AA). Results Bland Altman (BA) analysis revealed that flows obtained from normal voiders voiding between 100 and 200 cc as well as from 50 cc to 115% of EBC are comparable and tend to be reproducible in subsequent voids. FI derived from the IVFE exhibit less bias than Qmax making it a better way to compare these voids. A comparison of Qmax and flow index for different combinations of volumes and PVR's was done utilizing BA and accuracy measures both indicating that FI was more reproducible. Conclusion The data support both of our hypothesis that flow index is a good measure of voiding efficiency. We have also shown that IVFE is a better and more accurate measure of calculating a flow index than the power equations regardless of the volume and PVR scenarios that are presented.
Minds On Trial

Why is the criminal law concerned with the contents of people’s minds, what sort of concern is it, and what is it concern for?
Chapter 6 – SOME APPLICATIONS

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the mean value theorem, the sign of the second derivative, maxima and minima, and their applications. It presents a theorem, which has important uses in sketching the graph of y = f(x). If f is continuous, it gives conditions for a rising or falling graph. Another important feature of the graph of a function f is the location of its high and low points. The ordinates of these points are called extremes of f. The chapter describes methods that determine extreme values of a function find many important uses in applied fields. For example, it is important to a manufacturer to use the minimum amount of material in the construction of a particular type of container with a specified capacity. It is important to the owner of a public carrier to know the speed at which to operate it so as to obtain the maximum economy of operation. The numbers and nature of such problems are endless and the study of their solutions constitutes a major field in mathematics. The interpretation of the derivative as a rate of change leads to many useful applications. One is that of related rates. If one has an equation expressing a relationship among a number of variables, each one of which is a function of a variable t (usually time), then the equation expresses an identity in t and one may differentiate with respect to t and obtain a relationship involving these variables and their derivatives with respect to t (rates of change with respect to t).
Molecular Genetics of Human Antithrombin Iii Deficiencies

Abstract A cDNA probe has been used to investigate the molecular genetics of antithrombin III deficiency in 15 kindreds with hereditary thrombosis. The results show that the origins of this disorder are heterogeneous. Complete deletion of one ATIII allele has occurred in two different families. Affected individuals in the remaining 13 families have two copies of the ATIII gene, and both alleles appear grossly normal at the resolution of Southern blotting. Hereditary thrombosis in 12 of these families is caused by (1) dysfunctional mutations which map in the ATIII locus or (2) lesions at unlinked loci which effect antithrombin modification and maturation. The presence of a dysfunctional ATIII gene encoding an inactive, electrophoretically abnormal anticoagulant molecule has been demonstrated for the final kindred, and this dysfunctional gene has been isolated by molecular cloning.
Poly(amidoamine-organosilicon) (PAMAMOS) multi-arm star polymers

A new class of hydrophilic core – hydrophobic arms multi-arm star polymers is described: the first such materials to have silicon located in the side arms. They belong to the broad family of radially layered copolymeric amidoamine-organosilicon (PAMAMOS) dendritic macromolecules and may be viewed as nanostructured, covalently bonded, inverse micelles. Two types of hydrophobic, silicon-containing arms have been used, one based on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and another based on predominantly alkyl chains attached by organosilicon chemistry to the hydrophilic polyamidoamine (PAMAM) core. The former polymers are synthesized by a reaction of amine-terminated PAMAMs by mono-functional epoxy PDMS, while the latter are obtained by haloalkylation of the same PAMAMs with a suitable unsaturated silane followed by alkylthiol addition. The Langmuir film behavior of the multi-arm star polymers with PDMS arms is described and rationalized in comparison with that of other hydrophobically modified PAMAM dendrimers reported in the literature. Their uptake of Cu2+ from aqueous solutions is also described.
The Economic Costs of Asthma

There is a growing international concern about increasing asthma morbidity. While much is known about asthma morbidity, there are few available data on the economic burden of this condition, particularly in underdeveloped countries. In the absence of data on social costs, it is not possible to develop rational approaches to policies regarding resource allocation to reduce morbidity. The purpose of this article is to provide a review of the available literature on the social costs of illness for asthma. In light of this literature, we propose a conceptual model that links asthma morbidity to the social opportunity costs of the disease. We then delineate a framework, based on the proposed model, that can be used to conceptualise and evaluate the relative impact of alternative asthma intervention strategies. Based upon proposed analyses using this model, we believe that it would be possible to compare how various intervention strategies are likely to affect asthma costs and morbidity, thus providing a means for a more rational approach to healthcare policies regarding societal resource allocation for asthma.
Amicus Brief of Professor Jennifer L. Mascott in Lucia v. SEC, 17-130

The question before the Supreme Court in Lucia v. SEC is whether administrative law judges in the Securities and Exchange Commission are "Officers of the United States" subject to the Appointments Clause in Article II of the U.S. Constitution. This brief contends that the Court should consider that question in light of the original public meaning of the Appointments Clause, U.S. Const. art. II, § 2, cl. 2. Substantial evidence from the late eighteenth century suggests that the Clause historically encompassed every federal civil official with ongoing responsibility to carry out a statutory duty. The brief explains how the SEC's ALJs qualify as "Officers of the United States" under that standard and how the historic "statutory duty" standard fits in with Supreme Court precedent interpreting the Appointments Clause.
Haematological Bone Marrow Malignancies

Lymphoproliferative disorders and myeloproliferative disorders frequently involve the skeletal system. Lymphoma of bone might occur as primary lymphoma of bone or as secondary involvement in Hodgkin or Non-Hodgkin disease. Lymphoma of bone usually occurs as an area of osteolysis or as a focal sclerotic lesion with tumor-like signal behavior in MRI. Leukemias as well as chronic myeloproliferative diseases usually show homogeneous diffuse hypercellularity with low signal intensity on T1-w SE images and diffuse hyperintensity in fat-suppressed images. Usually the lesions show marked contrast enhancement. After systemic chemotherapy or in the later stages of disease, due to myelofibrosis, the signal might become more patchy. The findings are nonspecific, however with the knowledge of the clinical data they can be interpreted correctly. Osteomyelosclerosis has a different signal behavior with low signal intensity in all sequences. However, due to enlarged sinusoids contrast enhancement might be intense.
Self-Management of Type 2 Diabetes in Adult Haitian Immigrants: A Qualitative Study:

Introduction: A large body of literature exists on self-management of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in a variety of populations. However, research is limited on how Haitian immigrants self-manage their T2D despite a prevalence of 6.9% in Haiti. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the lived experience of adult Haitian immigrants managing T2D living in the United States. Methodology: Moustakas's phenomenological approach guided this qualitative study. Adult Haitian immigrants diagnosed with T2D for at least 1 year were interviewed. Individual interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, uploaded into NVivo, and analyzed using Moustakas's existential data analysis process. Results: We interviewed 16 participants (mean age 56;12 females; an average of 11 years living in the United States; mean hemoglobin A1c 8.1%). Four themes emerged: self-reliance, spirituality, nostalgia for home, and a desire for positive patient-provider relationships. Cultural influences and health beliefs may affect individual self-management of T2D in this population. Conclusions: These results may assist clinicians in identifying factors that contribute to suboptimal self-management in Haitian immigrants and help patients reach glycemic control. Culturally competent assessment and interventions for Haitian immigrants with T2D may not be provided without considering these four themes.
Parametric computational study on butterfly-shaped hysteretic dampers

A parametric computational study is conducted to investigate the shear yielding, flexural yielding, and lateral torsional buckling limit states for butterfly-shaped links. After validating the accuracy of the finite element modeling approach against previous experiments, 112 computational models with different geometrical properties were constructed and analyzed including consideration of initial imperfections. The resulting yielding moment, corresponding critical shear force, the accumulation of plastic strains through the length of links as well as the amount of energy dissipated are investigated. The results indicate that as the shape of the butterfly-shaped links become too straight or conversely too narrow in the middle, peak accumulated plastic strains increase. The significant effect of plate thickness on the buckling limit state is examined in this study. Results show that overstrength for these links (peak force divided by yield force) is between 1.2 and 4.5, with straight links producing larger overstrength. Additionally, proportioning the links to delay buckling, and designing the links to yield in the flexural mode are shown to improve energy dissipation.
γ-Synuclein Induces Human Cortical Astrocyte Proliferation and Subsequent BDNF Expression and Release.

Abstract γ-Synuclein (γ-syn) is expressed by astrocytes in the human nervous system, and increased extracellularly in the brain and cerebrospinal fluid of individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Upregulation of γ-syn also coincides with proliferation of glioblastomas and other cancers. In order to better understand regulation and function of extracellular γ-syn, primary human cortical astrocytes were treated with γ-syn conditioned media at various physiological concentrations (50, 100, 150 nM) after cell synchronization. Additionally, extracellular brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a neuroprotective growth factor released by astrocytes that has been shown to be decreased extracellularly in neurodegenerative disease, was observed in response to γ-syn treatment. Analysis of 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and propidium iodide through flow cytometry 24 h after release from synchronization revealed an increase in G2/M phase of the cell cycle with 100 nM γ-syn during initial cell division, an effect that was reversed at 48 h. However, increased extracellular BDNF was observed at 48 h with 100 nM and 150 nM γ-syn treatment with no difference between controls at 24 h. Further analysis of cell cycle markers with immunocytochemistry of BrdU and Ki67 after treatment with 100 nM γ-syn confirmed increased initial cell proliferation and decreased non-proliferating cells. Western blot analysis demonstrated increased γ-syn levels after 100 nM treatment at 24 and 48 h, and increased pro-BDNF, mature BDNF and cell viability at 48 h. The results demonstrate that γ-syn internalization by human cortical astrocytes causes upregulation of the cell cycle, followed by subsequent BDNF expression and release.
Influence of WNT and DNA damage response pathway alterations on outcomes in patients with unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer.

3585Background: We assembled a large series of consecutive patients with unresectable metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) to identify genomic biomarkers of response and survival. Methods: Patients ...
A reversible safety-catch method for the hydrogenolysis of N-benzyl moieties

The benzyl groups of β-hydroxy-N-benzyl sulfonamides are labile toward hydrogenolysis-unlike N-benzyl sulfonamides lacking the β-hydroxy moiety. We find that N-acyl-N-benzyl sulfonamides undergo hydrogenolysis under very mild conditions. Based upon these observations, we developed a reversible safety-catch method using tert-butoxycarbonyl moieties to activate N-benzyl sulfonamides toward hydrogenolysis. We also explored the utility of the safety-catch activation method for other nitrogen-based functionality such as N-benzyl carboxamides, imides, and related functionality.
Participation of New Editors After Times of Shock on Wikipedia

User participation is vital to the success of collaborative crowdsourcing platforms such as Wikipedia. Previously user participation has been studied during “normal times”. However, less is known about participation following shocks that draw attention to an article. Such events can be recruiting opportunities due to increased attention; but can also pose a threat to the quality and control of the article and drive away newcomers. We study the collaborative dynamics of Wikipedia articles after times corresponding to shocks generated by drastic increases in attention as indicated by data from Google trends. We find that participation following such events is indeed different from participation during normal times–both newcomers and incumbents participate at higher rates during shocks. We also identify collaboration dynamics that mediate the effects of shocks on continued participation after the shock. The impact of shocks on participation is mediated by the amount of negative feedback given to newcomers in the form of reverted edits and the amount of coordination editors engage in through edits of the article’s talk page.
An Excimer Clamp for Measuring Damaged-Base Excision by the DNA Repair Enzyme NTH1.

Direct measurement of DNA repair enzyme activities is important both for the basic study of cellular repair pathways as well as for potential new translational applications in their associated diseases. NTH1, a major glycosylase targeting oxidized pyrimidines, prevents mutations arising from this damage, and the regulation of NTH1 activity is important in resisting oxidative stress and in suppressing tumor formation. Herein, we describe a novel molecular strategy for the direct detection of damaged DNA base excision activity by a ratiometric fluorescence change. This strategy utilizes glycosylase-induced excimer formation of pyrenes, and modified DNA probes, incorporating two pyrene deoxynucleotides and a damaged base, enable the direct, real-time detection of NTH1 activity in vitro and in cellular lysates. The probe design was also applied in screening for potential NTH1 inhibitors, leading to the identification of a new small-molecule inhibitor with sub-micromolar potency.
Mitigating Large Response Time Fluctuations through Fast Concurrency Adapting in Clouds

Dynamically reallocating computing resources to handle bursty workloads is a common practice for web applications (e.g., e-commerce) in clouds. However, our empirical analysis on a standard n-tier benchmark application (RUBBoS) shows that simply scaling an n-tier application by reallocating hardware resources without fast adapting soft resources (e.g., server threads, connections) may lead to large response time fluctuations. This is because soft resources control the workload concurrency of component servers in the system: adding or removing hardware resources such as Virtual Machines (VMs) can implicitly change the workload concurrency of dependent servers, causing either under- or over-utilization of the critical hardware resource in the system. To quickly identify the optimal soft resource allocation of each server in the system and stabilize response time fluctuation, we propose a novel Scatter-Concurrency-Throughput (SCT) model based on the monitoring of each server’s real-time concurrency and throughput. We then implement a Concurrency-aware system Scaling (ConScale) framework which integrates the SCT model to fast adapt the soft resource allocations of key servers during the system scaling process. Our experiments using six realistic bursty workload traces show that ConScale can effectively mitigate the response time fluctuations of the target web application compared to the state-of-the-art cloud scaling strategies such as EC2-AutoScaling.
On Leveraging Multi-threshold FinFETs for Design Obfuscation

Reverse engineering has been increasingly used by malicious actors to steal valuable Intellectual Property, leading to a loss of revenue and potential compromise of security from pollution of the supply chain with counterfeits. IC camouflaging is a promising approach to counter reverse engineering attacks. In this work, we leverage the availability of multi-threshold FinFET transistors to facilitate camouflaging of logic cells. We propose cell designs, for 2-, 3- and 4-input gates, which realize various logic functions by utilizing different combinations of transistors with different threshold voltages. The structurally identical cells increase the effort needed by an attacker to reverse engineer the logic as the cell's functionality is not apparent from its layout. We explore de-obfuscation of a camouflaged netlist using SAT solver based approach and show that our designs can increase the deobfuscation effort by over 10x compared to limited camouflaging.