cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Distributed Symmetric Function Computation in Noisy Wireless Sensor Networks with Binary Data

We consider a wireless sensor network consisting of n sensors, each having a recorded bit, the sensor’s measurement, which has been set to either “0” or “1”. The network has a special node called the fusion center whose goal is to compute a symmetric function of these bits; i.e., a function that depends only on the number of sensors that have a “1.” The sensors convey information to the fusion center in a multi-hop fashion to enable the function computation. The problem studied is to minimize the total transmission energy used by the network when computing this function, subject to the constraint that this computation is correct with high probability. We assume the wireless channels are binary symmetric channels with a probability of error p, and that each sensor uses rαunits of energy to transmit each bit, where r is the transmission range of the sensor. The main result in this paper is an algorithm whose energy usage is Θ (n(loglogn)(√logn/n)α), and we also show that any algorithm satisfying the performance constraints must necessarily have energy usage Ω (n(√logn/n)α). Then, we consider the case where the sensor network observes N events, and each node records one bit per event, thus having N bits to convey. The fusion center now wants to compute N symmetric functions, one for each of the events.
Maximum sum rates via analysis of 2-user interference channel achievable rates region

Treating the interference as noise, the paper studies the first derivative of the frontiers which trace the achievable rates region of the 2-user interference channel. The achievable rates region in this case was found to be the convex hull of the union of two regions, each is bounded by a log-defined line. Those log-defined lines are characterized by holding one of the transmitters at full power, while the other transmitter sweeps its full power range [1]. Maximizing the sum rates for the 2-user interference channel translates to the study of the first intersection point with lines of slope -1 approaching the rates region from positive infinity. The paper achieves the same result reported in [2], that the maximum sum rates solution is one of three points: one user transmitting with full power while the other user is silent, or both users transmitting at full power simultaneously. The result in [2] is achieved through analysis of the objective function, while the solution presented herein follows from analyzing the first derivative of the rates region frontiers.
Gender Differences in Body Weight Perception and Weight-Loss Strategies of College Students

Gender differences in college students' perceptions and satisfaction with body weight were examined. Females tended to perceive themselves as overweight when they were not, failed to see themselves as underweight when they were, and many of those who did not see themselves as even slightly overweight wanted to lose weight. Although males reported some dissatisfaction with their bodies, they tended to want to gain rather than lose weight. Females dieted more frequently than did males, and nearly one-third of the females reported either self-induced vomiting or laxative use as a weight-loss strategy. The relationship between social pressure for female slenderness, dieting, and eating disorders are discussed.
Secreted and Placental Membrane Forms of Folate-Binding Protein Occur Sequentially During Pregnancy in Swine

Abstract The objective was to understand how two forms of folate-binding protein interact to accomplish folate transport during pregnancy in swine. Specific folate binding was measured in uterine flushings during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy and in allantoic fluid (secreted form) and placental membranes (membrane form) throughout later pregnancy. In addition, the localization of the secreted form of folate-binding protein (sFBP) in uterine wall sections was assessed. Uterine flushings were collected on Days 10, 13, and 15 of the estrous cycle and pregnancy. Allantoic fluid and placentas were collected on Days 20, 35, 50, 70, 90, and 105 of pregnancy. Uterine-wall sections were collected on all days of the experiment. Folate binding was measured by incubation of aliquots of uterine flushings, allantoic fluid, or placental microsomal membranes with 0.5–4 nM [3H]folate. Uterine-wall sections were incubated with purified anti-FBP IgG or normal rabbit serum IgG to localize sFBP. Folate binding did not...
Contingency-Constrained Reserve Requirements in Joint Energy and Ancillary Services Auction

This paper presents a security-constrained unit commitment model for energy and ancillary services auction which can be used by an ISO to optimize reserve requirements in electricity markets. The proposed day-ahead algorithm determines reserve requirements by simulating contingencies rather than specifying the requirements as fixed system constraints. To address the computational complexity, the original auction problem is decomposed into a master problem for solving unit commitment and subproblems for considering network security constraints. Numerical examples show that the proposed joint auction model can clear energy and ancillary services bids simultaneously while minimizing the total operating cost and satisfying transmission security constraints.
Design and directed evolution of a dideoxy purine nucleoside phosphorylase

Purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) catalyzes the synthesis and phosphorolysis of purine nucleosides, interconverting nucleosides with their corresponding purine base and ribose-1-phosphate. While PNP plays significant roles in human and pathogen physiology, we are interested in developing PNP as a catalyst for the formation of nucleoside analog drugs of clinical relevance. Towards this aim, we describe the engineering of human PNP to accept 2',3'-dideoxyinosine (ddI, Videx((R))) as a substrate for phosphorolysis using a combination of site-directed mutagenesis and directed evolution. In human PNP, we identified a single amino acid, Tyr-88, as a likely modulator of ribose selectivity. RosettaLigand was employed to calculate binding energies for substrate and substrate analog transition state complexes for single mutants of PNP where Tyr-88 was replaced with another amino acid. In parallel, these mutants were generated by site-directed mutagenesis, expressed and purified. A tyrosine to phenylalanine mutant (Y88F) was predicted by Rosetta to improve PNP catalytic activity with respect to ddI. Kinetic characterization of this mutant determined a 9-fold improvement in k(cat) and greater than 2-fold reduction in K(M). Subsequently, we used directed evolution to select for improved variants of PNP-Y88F in Escherichia coli cell extracts resulting in an additional 3-fold improvement over the progenitor strain. The engineered PNP may form the basis for catalysts and pathways for the biosynthesis of ddI.
Forest-floor Disturbance Reduces Chipmunk (Tamias spp.) Abundance Two Years after Variable-retention Harvest of Pacific Northwestern Forests

Abstract We evaluated the two-year effects of variable-retention harvest on chipmunk (Tamias spp.) abundance () and habitat in mature coniferous forests in western Oregon and Washington because wildlife responses to density/pattern of retained trees remain largely unknown. In a randomized complete-block design, six treatments were applied to 13-ha units at three sites (blocks): four retention levels of original basal area (BA) in an aggregated tree pattern (100, 75, 40, and 15%) and two retention levels in a dispersed tree pattern (15 and 40%). Log-yarding method differed at each site (suspension cable, shovel-loader, or helicopter). We used an information-theoretic approach to compare six candidate regression models for their ability to predict treatment responses of chipmunk and associated habitat variables. Chipmunk had a positive linear relationship with retention level that predicted a 50% reduction in abundance as % BA retention decreased from 100 to 15% (R2 = 0.36). Disturbed soil cover was strongl...
Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor Cdkn2c deficiency promotes B1a cell expansion and autoimmunity in a mouse model of lupus

The lupus-prone NZM2410 mice present an expanded B1a cell population that we have mapped to the Sle2c1 lupus susceptibility locus. The expression of Cdkn2c, a gene encoding for cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p18(Ink4c) and located within Sle2c1, is significantly lower in B6.Sle2c1 B cells than in B6 B cells. To test the hypothesis that the B1a cell expansion in B6.Sle2c1 mice was due to a defective p18 expression, we analyzed the B1a cell phenotypes of p18-deficient C57BL/6 mice. We found a dose-dependent negative correlation between the number of B1a cells and p18 expression in B cells, with p18-deficient mice showing an early expansion of the peritoneal B1a cell pool. p18 deficiency enhanced the homeostatic expansion of B1a cells but not of splenic conventional B cells, and the elevated number of B6.Sle2c1 B1a cells was normalized by cyclin D2 deficiency. These data demonstrated that p18 is a key regulator of the size of the B1a cell pool. B6.p18(-/-) mice produced significant amounts of anti-DNA IgM and IgG, indicating that p18 deficiency contributes to humoral autoimmunity. Finally, we have shown that Sle2c1 increases lpr-associated lymphadenopathy and T cell-mediated pathology. B6.p18(-/-).lpr mice showed a greater lymphadenopathy than B6.Sle2c1.lpr mice, but their renal pathology was intermediate between that of B6.lpr and B6.Sle2c1.lpr mice. This indicated that p18-deficiency synergizes, at least partially, with lpr-mediated pathology. These results show that Cdkn2c contributes to lupus susceptibility by regulating the size of the B1a cell compartment and hence their contribution to autoimmunity.
Cytologic features of hyperplastic epidermis

The cytologic features of hyperplastic epidermis in common lesions such as verruca, seborrheic keratosis, condyloma accuminatum, fibroepithelial polyp, corn, radiodermatitis, prurigo nodularis, epidermal nevus, dermatofibroma, tricholemmona, inverted follicular keratosis and pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia were studied. Common, as well as distinguishing cytologic points are recognized.
RUNNING INTERFERENCE: Prospects and Obstacles to Using Small Interfering RNAs as Small Molecule Drugs

RNA interference (RNAi) is a well-conserved, ubiquitous, endogenous mechanism that uses small noncoding RNAs to silence gene expression. The endogenous small RNAs, called microRNAs, are processed from hairpin precursors and regulate important genes involved in cell death, differentiation, and development. RNAi also protects the genome from invading genetic elements, encoded by transposons and viruses. When small double-stranded RNAs, called small interfering (si)RNAs, are introduced into cells, they bind to the endogenous RNAi machinery to disrupt the expression of mRNAs containing complementary sequences with high specificity. Any disease-causing gene and any cell type or tissue can potentially be targeted. This technique has been rapidly utilized for gene-function analysis and drug-target discovery and validation. Harnessing RNAi also holds great promise for therapy, although introducing siRNAs into cells in vivo remains an important obstacle. Pilot siRNA clinical studies began just three years after the discovery that RNAi works in mammalian cells. This review discusses recent progress and obstacles to using siRNAs as small molecule drugs.
A deterministic multi-way rendezvous library for haskell

The advent of multicore processors requires mainstream concurrent programming languages with high level concurrency constructs and effective debugging techniques. Unfortunately, many concurrent programming languages are non-deterministic and allow data races. We present a deterministic concurrent communication library for an existing multi-threaded language. We implemented the SHIM communication model in the Haskell functional language, which supports asynchronous communication and transactional memory. The SHIM model uses multi-way rendezvous to guarantee determinism. We describe two implementations of the model in Haskell, demonstrating the ease of writing such a library. We illustrate our library with examples and experimentally compare two implementations. We also compare our new model with equivalent sequential programs and parallel versions using Haskell's existing concurrency mechanisms.
Optimizing seeding rates for winter cereal grains and frost-seeded red clover intercrops

Growing winter cereal grain/forage legume intercrops can provide multiple benefits to cropping systems in the North Central USA. Intercropping red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) with winter cereal grains can provide forage and a green manure crop. Seeding rate recommendations for sole crops may not optimize intercrop system productivity if interactions exist. This study was conducted during the 2002–2003 and 2003–2004 growing seasons to determine optimum cereal grain and red clover forage seeding rates for maximum returns using partial budget analyses. In March, red clover was frost-seeded at 0, 300, 600, 900, 1200, and 1500 seeds m 22 into winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack) seeded at 100, 200, 300, and 400 seeds m 22 the previous October. Triticale and wheat maximized returns at seeding rates of 300 and 400 seeds m 22 . No cereal grain by red clover seeding rate interactions were detected for red clover dry matter production (DM). Red clover plant densities after cereal grain harvest were 10 to 22% of the original seeding rates. Red clover DM production and return was maximized at 3.49 Mg ha 21 with 900 seeds m 22 in 2003 and 6.67 Mg ha 21 with 1200 seeds m 22 in 2004. Winter cereal/red clover intercrops in the North Central USA can maximize return using a cereal grain seeding rate between 300 and 400 seeds m 22 and red clover seeding rates between 900 and 1200 seeds m 22 .
Association of Plasma β-Amyloid Level and Cognitive Reserve With Subsequent Cognitive Decline

Context Lower plasma -amyloid 42 and 42/40 levels have been associated with incident dementia, but results are conflicting and few have investigated cognitive decline among elders without dementia. Objective To determine if plasma -amyloid is associated with cognitive decline and if this association is modified by measures of cognitive reserve. Design, Setting, and Participants We studied 997 black and white communitydwelling older adults from Memphis, Tennessee, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, who were enrolled in the Health ABC Study, a prospective observational study begun in 1997-1998 with 10-year follow-up in 2006-2007. Participant mean age was 74.0 (SD, 3.0) years; 55.2% (n=550) were female; and 54.0% (n=538) were black. Main Outcome Measures Association of near-baseline plasma -amyloid levels (42 and 42/40 measured in 2010) and repeatedly measured Modified Mini-Mental State Examination (3MS) results. Results Low -amyloid 42/40 level was associated with greater 9-year 3MS cognitive decline (lowest -amyloid tertile: mean change in 3MS score, �6.59 [95% confidence interval [CI], �5.21 to �7.67] points; middle tertile: �6.16 [95% CI, �4.92 to �7.32] points; and highest tertile: �3.60 [95% CI, �2.27 to �4.73] points; P.001). Results were simi
Toward a Cohesive Theory of Polymerization Volume Change, 1

Rational design of polymer-based composites must include an understanding of how and why polymerization volume change occurs. Computational chemistry methods offer significant leverage in such processes. An obstacle to their use has been the meager amount of systematic volume change data collected under the same conditions and using the same methods. This work provides volume change data for eight oxiranes using the mercury dilatometry method. Densities of pure monomers are often unknown for newly synthesized compounds, but are required for the correction of the composite to monomer volume change. The densities have been estimated here by the application of a newly-developed quantum mechanically-based quantitative structure property relationship (QMQSPR). This computational chemistry model can be used to estimate densities of a large array of organic compounds with sufficient accuracy for most routine purposes. These results are presented herein.
Hot Versus Cold Tonsillectomy: A Systematic Review of the Literature:

OBJECTIVE: We systematically reviewed the literature comparing monopolar electrocautery versus cold knife dissection tonsillectomy.METHODS: The MEDLINE database was searched using the key words “to...
Patriarchy and Gender-Based Violence: Experiences of Female Sex Workers in India

This qualitative study explored gender-based violence among female sex workers in India. Ten sex workers from Kamathipura, Asia’s largest red-light area based in Mumbai, were interviewed. Radical sexual pluralist feminist theory informed data analysis and data interpretation. Results revealed high incidence of gender-based violence with sex workers reporting intense physical and sexual violence and coercion from male partners, pimps and clients. The exposure to violence significantly contributed to sex workers’ inability to negotiate safe sex, leading to high HIV risks. The research highlights the lack of a sound policy on sex work in India and the drawbacks of the criminalization of sex work.
Duty to Whom

If we have a duty to pay taxes, to whom do we owe a duty? The literature over the last few thousand years has discussed three possibilities – to God, to some segment of the community, or to the state. The next few sections of this chapter review this literature and the various arguments that have been put forth that assert we have a duty to pay taxes.
The Subsection Lactarioideae of Russula

Russula sect. Compactae subsect. Lactarioideae contains ten accepted species which may be distinguished on the basis of size of the pileus, taste and odor of the trama, spacing of the lamellae, and...
H atom attack on propene.

The reaction of propene (CH3CH═CH2) with hydrogen atoms has been investigated in a heated single-pulsed shock tube at temperatures between 902 and 1200 K and pressures of 1.5−3.4 bar. Stable products from H atom addition and H abstraction have been identified and quantified by gas chromatography/flame ionization/mass spectrometry. The reaction for the H addition channel involving methyl displacement from propene has been determined relative to methyl displacement from 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene (135TMB), leading to a reaction rate, k(H + propene) → H2C═CH2 + CH3) = 4.8 × 1013 exp(−2081/T) cm3/(mol s). The rate constant for the abstraction of the allylic hydrogen atom is determined to be k(H + propene → CH2CH═CH2 + H2) = 6.4 × 1013 exp(−4168/T) cm3/(mol s). The reaction of H + propene has also been directly studied relative to the reaction of H + propyne, and the relationship is found to be log[k(H + propyne → acetylene + CH3)/k(H + propene → ethylene + CH3)] = (−0.461 ± 0.041)(1000/T) + (0.44 ± 0.04). The res...
Managing Risks to Civil Infrastructure due to Natural Hazards: Communicating Long-Term Risks due to Climate Change

Civil infrastructure facilities play a central role in the well-being of modern society. Lifecycle engineering of such facilities requires consideration of uncertainties in natural hazard occurrence and intensity, and the response of buildings, bridges, transportation networks and lifelines to these hazards. The service periods for certain critical civil infrastructure facilities may extend well beyond the service lives of 50–100 years traditionally adopted for buildings and bridges. The potential effects of global climate change on such facilities, both in terms of frequency and severity of the extreme events from natural hazards, have become a major concern to facility owners and to authorities responsible for managing risk in the public interest. This paper examines issues that must be addressed in life-cycle reliability assessment of civil infrastructure that must remain functional for service periods of several generations.
On the flux Richardson number in stably stratified turbulence

The flux Richardson number (often referred to as the mixing efficiency) is a widely used parameter in stably stratified turbulence which is intended to provide a measure of the amount of turbulent kinetic energy that is irreversibly converted to background potential energy (which is by definition the minimum potential energy that a stratified fluid can attain that is not available for conversion back to kinetic energy) due to turbulent mixing. The flux Richardson number is traditionally defined as the ratio of the buoyancy flux to the production rate of turbulent kinetic energy . An alternative generalized definition for was proposed by Ivey & Imberger (J. Phys. Oceanogr., vol. 21, 1991, pp. 650–658), where the non-local transport terms as well as unsteady contributions were included as additional sources to the production rate of . While this definition precludes the need to assume that turbulence is statistically stationary, it does not properly account for countergradient fluxes that are typically present in more strongly stratified flows. Hence, a third definition that more rigorously accounts for only the irreversible conversions of energy has been defined, where only the irreversible fluxes of buoyancy and production (i.e. the dissipation rates of and turbulent potential energy ( )) are used. For stationary homogeneous shear flows, all of the three definitions produce identical results. However, because stationary and/or homogeneous flows are typically not found in realistic geophysical situations, clarification of the differences/similarities between these various definitions of is imperative. This is especially true given the critical role plays in inferring turbulent momentum and heat fluxes using indirect methods, as is commonly done in oceanography, and for turbulence closure parameterizations. To this end, a careful analysis of two existing direct numerical simulation (DNS) datasets of stably stratified homogeneous shear and channel flows was undertaken in the present study to compare and contrast these various definitions. We find that all three definitions are approximately equivalent when the gradient Richardson number . Here, , where is the buoyancy frequency and is the mean shear rate, provides a measure of the stability of the flow. However, when , significant differences are noticeable between the various definitions. In addition, the irreversible formulation of based on the dissipation rates of and is the only definition that is free from oscillations at higher gradient Richardson numbers. Both the traditional definition and the generalized definition of exhibit significant oscillations due to the persistence of linear internal wave motions and countergradient fluxes that result in reversible exchanges between and . Finally, we present a simple parameterization for the irreversible flux Richardson number based on that produces excellent agreement with the DNS results for .
Taking Out the Trash

Abstract Creating a higher level of self-esteem and a more positive body image is oftentimes an overwhelming task. Many of the negative images that people have of themselves are a result of others' words. Throughout the years people hear and believe negative messages about themselves that shape their lives and attitudes. This activity is designed to facilitate the acknowledgement of these messages and the removal of them.
Triangular data privacy-preserving model for authenticating all key stakeholders in a cloud environment

Abstract Cloud computing is a relatively new paradigm that provides numerous advantages to service providers, developers, and customers with respect to flexibility, scalability, and availability at a lower cost. Motivated by these technical and economical advantages, many data owners outsource their data to centralized large data centers where the data are not only stored but also shared among multiple users. This method of data outsourcing brings many new security challenges for data integrity. There have been several mechanisms proposed lately that allow data owners to use a public verifier (e.g., a third-party auditor (TPA)) for efficiently auditing cloud data integrity. The use of a TPA for this purpose is inevitable, since it provides several advantages to both cloud service users (CSUs) and cloud service providers (CSPs) in terms of efficiency, fairness, trust, etc. – which is essential to achieve economies of scale for cloud computing. Although the existing public auditing schemes are capable of simultaneously performing multiple auditing tasks (including the integrity of cloud data) in an efficient manner, these methods can reveal confidential information to public verifiers which makes a TPA a potential threat to the data security of CSUs and the reputation of CSPs. Therefore, cloud computing requires a holistic approach to security that can deal with all the potential threats that exist in the cloud environment. Taking these points into account, this paper presents a novel triangular data privacy-preserving (TDPP) model that supports public auditing with the capability of auditing all the key stakeholders (i.e., CSU, TPA, and CSP) for achieving optimal security in a cloud environment. Specifically, our proposed TDPP model supports three types of auditing. First, the TPA can audit the CSP for ensuring (a) the correctness of the CSU's data stored at the service provider side and (b) that the CSP is in full compliance of its own service level agreement (SLA). Second, the TPA can audit the CSU to (a) determine any violation of terms and conditions defined in the SLA for the cloud services provided by the CSP and (b) monitor the feedback provided by the CSU for the utilized services. Third, either the CSU or CSP can audit the TPA to minimize the possibility of any potential insider threats or attacks. For instance, the CSU can audit the TPA to (a) ensure that private information being shared with the TPA is not disclosed to any third party or misused by an insider and (b) verify that the TPA performs assigned auditing tasks according to the given specification within the agreed time frame. Our experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of our proposed scheme when auditing all key stakeholders.
The Competitive Fringe: Informing New Customer Experiences and Driving Additional Value for Recipients

In myriad marketplaces today, customers demand greater flexibility and customization, both in the shopping and purchasing experiences they encounter and in the actual products they buy. Postal services are no different. For postal operators (POs) to capitalize in both traditional letter mail and parcel delivery marketplaces, they must become more data-driven to create additional value in existing product offerings and offer new product offerings. In particular, just as new technologies such as Quick Response (QR) codes have transformed the way consumers browse catalogs and purchase goods, there are opportunities for the data generated in growing parcel markets to further improve direct mail and catalog targeting.
Youth with substance abuse histories exhibit dysfunctional representation of expected value during a passive avoidance task

Individuals with substance abuse (SA) histories show impairment in the computations necessary for decision-making, including expected value (EV) and prediction error (PE). Neuroimaging findings, however, have been inconsistent. Sixteen youth with (SApositive) and 29 youth without (SAnegative) substance abuse histories completed a passive avoidance task while undergoing functional MRI. The groups did not significantly differ on age, gender composition or IQ. Behavioral results indicated that SApositive youth showed significantly less learning than SAnegative youth over the task. SApositive youth show problems representing EV information when attempting to avoid sub-optimal choices in bilateral inferior frontal gyrus and striatum. Furthermore, SApositive youth showed a significantly increased differential response to reward versus punishment feedback modulated by PE in posterior cingulate cortex relative to SAnegative youth. Disrupted decision-making is likely to exacerbate SA as a failure to represent EV during the avoidance of sub-optimal choices is likely to increase the likelihood of SA. With respect to the representation of PE, future work will be needed to clarify the impact of different substances on the neural systems underpinning PE representation. Moreover, interaction of age/development and substance abuse on PE signaling will need to be explored.
Mathematical modeling and simulation of nanoparticles transport in heterogeneous porous media

Abstract Nanoparticle applications in the petroleum industry have grown recently especially in EOR and waterflooding. Although the nanoparticles are small, they can be retained in the porous media by three different damage mechanisms i.e. surface deposition, mono-particle plugging, and multi-particles plugging. This could severely decrease the porosity and permeability of the porous medium. Consequently, a numerical model that accurately describes these damage mechanisms is essential for forecasting and optimization of nanoparticles transport in porous media. In this paper, we have developed a mathematical model that combines Darcy and convection-diffusion equation to describe fluid flow, nanoparticles transport, and interaction in porous media. Pore throat size distribution is used to characterize the heterogeneity. Permeability field is generated as a function of the pore throat size distribution. Pore throat size and permeability distributions are dynamic functions of the nanoparticles deposition and plugging. The mathematical model is solved on a two-dimensional domain using alternating direction implicit scheme. The model is validated with experimental data to obtain the model parameters. Sensitivity analysis is presented using the proposed numerical model. The model shows that each of the three damage mechanisms could be dominant at specific conditions. Dimensional analysis is then used to derive a correlation that relates the degree of damage to main dimensionless numbers that control the efficiency of nanoparticle transport. The preliminary numerical results demonstrate that nanoparticle size, concentration, injection rate and permeability are the dominant factors that control the degree of formation damage.
Investigational therapies for squamous cell lung cancer: from animal studies to phase II trials.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: It remains challenging to treat squamous cell lung cancer (SCC) with limited therapeutic options. However, recent breakthroughs in targeted therapies and immunotherapies have shed some light on the management of this deadly disease.Areas covered: The article first reviews the current treatment options for advanced SCC, especially recent FDA approved molecular agents (afatinib, ramucirumab and necitumumab) and immunotherapies (nivolumab, pembrolizumab and atezolimumab). We then provide an overview on investigational therapies with data ranging from preclinical to phase II studies, focusing on new cytotoxic agents, emerging molecularly targeted agents (including a PARP inhibitor for Homologous Recombinant Deficiency positive SCC) and novel immunotherapeutic strategies.Expert opinion summary: Identification of potential therapeutic targets, development of novel clinical trials and the rapid approvals of immune checkpoint inhibitors have shifted the management paradigm for squamous cell ...
Ha surgido una literatura postdictatorial en Cuba

This article proposes a new reading of Cuban contemporary fiction produced by the writers of Generation Zero from the framework of trauma and memory studies in literature. Taking Idelber Avelar’s framework of post-dictatorial fictions in Latin American as point of departure, the essay suggests a relation between some recent Cuban government policies directed at a transition towards a neoliberal, capitalistic economic model, a process which has consequentially lead to the erosion of a memory of human rights violations and totalitarianism by the state. With this goal, the essay describes common themes and narrative devices in the work of Generation Zero writers to show how this fiction allegorizes the historical traumas lived in Cuba after 1959.
Technology and Inequality Case Study: Search

Using our simple conceptual framework of mediation, model, mobilization , and wealth effects, we analyze the case of online search. Search is a high-stakes commercial activity that strongly influences consumer attention and action. The mediation of search is an evolving contest between search companies trying to provide results that serve their business model needs, and expand their reach, while other players attempt to understand the secretive algorithms behind search engines for their own promotion purposes. The business model of search, tied to advertising auctions, has been highly profitable, and resulted in a highly concentrated search industry.
Recovering clear, natural identifiers from obfuscated JS names

Well-chosen variable names are critical to source code readability, reusability, and maintainability. Unfortunately, in deployed JavaScript code (which is ubiquitous on the web) the identifier names are frequently minified and overloaded. This is done both for efficiency and also to protect potentially proprietary intellectual property. In this paper, we describe an approach based on statistical machine translation (SMT) that recovers some of the original names from the JavaScript programs minified by the very popular UglifyJS. This simple tool, Autonym, performs comparably to the best currently available deobfuscator for JavaScript, JSNice, which uses sophisticated static analysis. In fact, Autonym is quite complementary to JSNice, performing well when it does not, and vice versa. We also introduce a new tool, JSNaughty, which blends Autonym and JSNice, and significantly outperforms both at identifier name recovery, while remaining just as easy to use as JSNice. JSNaughty is available online at http://jsnaughty.org.
Medieval and Renaissance Rome: Mending the divide

Historians of late medieval and renaissance Italy have long seen the fourteenth century as a dramatic period of upheaval and transformation. Yet despite the fact that Rome has long fascinated scholars, the city's fourteenth-century history is often given short shrift. Only the dazzling figure of Cola di Rienzo consistently draws scholarly attention, resulting in his somewhat exaggerated role in Roman political history. With important exceptions, Anglophone scholars primarily interested in the Italian Renaissance have traditionally begun their histories in the mid-fifteenth century with the result that fourteenth-century Rome is largely passed over. The Avignon Papacy, 1309–1377, is seen as a period of abandonment and ruin. The situation is different among scholars, mostly Continental, whose study of fourteenth-century Rome's social and economic history has been appearing over the last few decades. This historiography, which has largely operated discretely from the Anglophone tradition, has conclusively demonstrated that late medieval Rome must be considered alongside Italy's city communes. This has transformative implications for Roman historiography. Recent work on Rome's earlier medieval history, as well as on the history and character of the Italian communes, suggests that now more than ever there is much to be gained by bringing these discrete strands of scholarship on late medieval Rome to bear on one another.
Minimally Invasive Treatment of Benign Esophageal Tumors

Benign esophageal tumors are rare entities that constitute less than 0.5 % of the population on autopsy (Plachta A, Am J Gastroenterol 38:639–652, 1962; Attah EB, Hajdu SI, J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 55(3):396–404, 1968) and only 1–2 % of resected esophageal neoplasms (Nguyen NT, Reavis KM, El-Badawi K, Hinojosa MW, Smith BR, Surg Innov 15(2):120–125, 2008). Most of them are clinically unremarkable. Thus, expectant management of a small, benign-appearing solid or cystic lesion may be acceptable. Traditionally, the management of larger or symptomatic lesions is surgical resection. With advances in minimally invasive surgical and endoscopic techniques in last decades, tumor removal can be achieved by a variety of methods. Generally, small intraluminal lesions can be managed with simple endoscopic ablation or resection. Endoscopic mucosal resection may be used for the removal of submucosal lesions, but only by an experienced endoscopist. For large intramural or extramural lesions, enucleation or even resection by using thoracoscopic or laparoscopic techniques has demonstrated feasibility and efficacy as a treatment of choice alongside standard thoracotomy or laparotomy.
Treatment Modalities in Adolescents Who Present with Heavy Menstrual Bleeding.

Abstract Study Objective On this study we sought to determine the relationship of bleeding disorders to iron deficiency anemia. Additionally, this study was undertaken to examine all current treatment modalities used in a menorrhagia clinic with respect to heavy menstrual bleeding management to identify the most effective options for menstrual management in the setting of an underlying bleeding disorder. Design, Setting, Participants, Interventions, and Main Outcome Measures We performed a retrospective chart review of adolescents younger than 21 years with heavy menstrual bleeding attending a multidisciplinary hematology-adolescent gynecology clinic. Information including demographic characteristics, bleeding diathesis, hematologic parameters, treatment, and the diagnosis was extracted from each chart. Subjects were grouped into 2 categories on the basis of the diagnosis of a bleeding disorder. Hemoglobin level, iron deficiency anemia, and need for transfusion were compared between a bleeding disorder and no bleeding disorder group. Subjects were grouped into categories depending on hormonal modality and treatment success of the groups were compared. Results Seventy-three subjects were tested for a bleeding disorder. Of the subjects who completed testing, 34 (46%) were diagnosed with a bleeding disorder. Thirty-nine subjects (54%) had heavy menstrual bleeding because of other causes. There was no significant difference in hemoglobin between those with and without a bleeding disorder. Iron deficiency anemia was significantly higher in subjects without a bleeding disorder. In a comparison of hormone therapy success, the levonorgestrel intrauterine device (89%, 8 out of 9 subjects) had the highest rate of menstrual suppression followed by norethindrone acetate 5-10 mg/d (83%, 5 out of 6 subjects), and the transdermal patch (80%, 4 out of 5 subjects). All subjects using tranexamic acid as well as hormonal therapy had 100% achievement of menstrual suppression. Conclusion A high frequency of bleeding disorders was found in those tested. Subjects with a bleeding disorder were less likely to present with severe anemia requiring blood transfusion and less likely to have iron deficiency anemia. Although combined oral contraceptives were commonly used clinically for menstrual suppression, they were not found to be the most effective option.
Vape Factor Fast Find-Adult (VF3-A): a prototype survey method for recording brand-specific vaping factors in adult populations

Background In population studies, vaping is often treated as a dichotomous exposure (present/absent) without consideration of specific vaping devices and materials being used. A survey instrument is needed to record specific vaping devices and materials. Methods We developed a database of 613 vaping device models and 3196 vaping liquid products, indexed by device brand, device type, liquid brand, liquid name and liquid flavour type. We developed a survey instrument to allow participants to report their vaping device and liquid from the indexed lists. The survey was pilot tested with a convenience sample of 208 adults (≥age 21). We validated the vaping device and liquid responses with a recontact survey. We report the proportion of respondents finding their products, characteristics of people finding their products and survey response times. Results Devices used most frequently in the past 30 days were electronic cigarettes (33% of respondents), vaping pens (28%) and vaping mods (16%). Fifty-seven per cent used liquids containing nicotine most frequently in the past 30 days, followed by liquids without nicotine (20%) and marijuana or hashish (10%). Most (85%) participants found their vaping device successfully (median 19.7 s) and 74% found their vaping liquid (median 19.8 s). Females and older adults were less likely to find their devices and liquids. Responses were validated for 91% and 76% of devices and e-liquids, respectively. Conclusions This study demonstrated the feasibility of an internet-based survey instrument to record specific vaping factors for use in studies of vaping and health.
Occupancy modeling species–environment relationships with non-ignorable survey designs

Statistical models supporting inferences about species occurrence patterns in relation to environmental gradients are fundamental to ecology and conservation biology. A common implicit assumption is that the sampling design is ignorable and does not need to be formally accounted for in analyses. The analyst assumes data are representative of the desired population and statistical modeling proceeds. However, if data sets from probability and non-probability surveys are combined or unequal selection probabilities are used, the design may be non-ignorable. We outline the use of pseudo-maximum likelihood estimation for site-occupancy models to account for such non-ignorable survey designs. This estimation method accounts for the survey design by properly weighting the pseudo-likelihood equation. In our empirical example, legacy and newer randomly selected locations were surveyed for bats to bridge a historic statewide effort with an ongoing nationwide program. We provide a worked example using bat acoustic detection/non-detection data and show how analysts can diagnose whether their design is ignorable. Using simulations we assessed whether our approach is viable for modeling data sets composed of sites contributed outside of a probability design. Pseudo-maximum likelihood estimates differed from the usual maximum likelihood occupancy estimates for some bat species. Using simulations we show the maximum likelihood estimator of species-environment relationships with non-ignorable sampling designs was biased, whereas the pseudo-likelihood estimator was design unbiased. However, in our simulation study the designs composed of a large proportion of legacy or non-probability sites resulted in estimation issues for standard errors. These issues were likely a result of highly variable weights confounded by small sample sizes (5% or 10% sampling intensity and four revisits). Aggregating data sets from multiple sources logically supports larger sample sizes and potentially increases spatial extents for statistical inferences. Our results suggest that ignoring the mechanism for how locations were selected for data collection (e.g., the sampling design) could result in erroneous model-based conclusions. Therefore, in order to ensure robust and defensible recommendations for evidence-based conservation decision-making, the survey design information in addition to the data themselves must be available for analysts. Details for constructing the weights used in estimation and code for implementation are provided.
Crop Price Volatility and its Influence on Crop Patterns

Uncertainty has often been a challenge faced by farmers. This study uses a theoretical simulation approach with dissimilar crops in order to understand the impact of price volatility on water extraction and equality. To do so, this study goes beyond linear connections and creates a model based on 3 endogenous modules (upstream farms, downstream farms, and groundwater) and 2 exogenous models (surface water and crop prices). Results show that regardless of which crop price becomes volatile, farmers tend to increase production of crop with longer adjustment time. The understanding of such behavior combined with knowledge of water requirements of crops, could guide agricultural societies toward policy designs that align with their current, and future economic and environmental goals.
The Future of the Diagnosis of Male (In) Fertility

Traditionally, the diagnosis of male (in)fertility has relied on the results from clinical evaluation and semen analysis. Although these approaches have undeniable merit, often times causes for subfertility are more covert and are not readily identified by these traditional approaches. In these instances, the diagnosis is simply written as idio-pathic or undiagnosed. The genomic and proteomic eras have promised great potential to remedy those cases defined as undiagnosed and further advance our understanding of the complex processes that combine and contribute to the so-called fertile and infertile male.
Psychosocial-sexual issues

The female breast is discussed in terms of cultural, psychosocial, and sexual aspects. These elements are significant in medical and surgical management of breast disease and have relevance in the resulting quality of life for female patients.
Chapter 20 Fixed-income pricing

Abstract This chapter surveys the literature on fixed-income pricing models, including dynamic term-structure models, and interest-rate sensitive, derivative pricing models. Our overview of conceptual approaches highlights the tradeoffs that have emerged between the complexity of the probability model for the “risk factors≓, data availability, the pricing objective, and the tractability of the resulting pricing model. Initially, we examine term-structure models that price both bonds (default-free and defaultable) and fixed-income derivatives with payoffs in terms of prices or yields on these bonds. These include affine, quadratic-Gaussian, and various stochastic volatility models of the term structure. Then we turn to models designed to price fixed-income derivatives, taking the current yield curve as an input into the pricing framework. These include models based on forward rates and the LIBOR and Swaption Market models.
Donor‐derived infections and infectious risk in xenotransplantation and allotransplantation

Post-transplantation infections are common in allograft recipients and should be expected in all immunocompromised hosts. Based on the need for immunosuppression in xenotransplantation, procedures developed to enhance safety in allotransplantation can be applied in future xenotransplantation clinical trials. Standardized approaches can be developed to guide the evaluation of common infectious syndromes in xenograft recipients. The opportunity created by screening of swine intended as xenograft donors has equal applicability to allotransplantation-notably broader screening strategies for allograft donors such as use of advanced sequencing modalities including broad-range molecular probes, microarrays, and high-throughput pyrosequencing. Considerations in management of allotransplant- and xenotransplant-associated infections are largely the same. Experience in xenotransplantation will continue to inform thinking regarding donor-derived infections in allotransplantation. We expect that experience in managing complex allotransplant recipients will similarly inform clinical trials in xenotransplantation.