cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Location and Number of Exit Taxiways

Methodology for developing mathematical model analysis for locating exit taxiways and application of analysis for recommending location of exits; establishing typical conditions that can be reasonably generalized; suggested exit locations for various aircraft are based on turnoff speed of 60 mph at sea level, standard atmospheric conditions, and no wind or slope on runway.
The Effect of Internal Control Problems on the Bid-Ask Spread under SOX Section 302

This study examines the relationship between firms’ internal control problems and the bid-ask spread using a sample of firms that disclose the effectiveness of internal controls in financial reports under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX). The bid-ask spread has been used as a proxy for information asymmetry among market participants. By controlling other variables that affect the bid-ask spread, this study shows that the bid-ask spread of ineffective firms has different patterns from that of effective firms in three windows (before, around, and after disclosure). Even though the bid-ask spread of ineffective and effective firms before disclosure is the same, the ineffective firms show higher (lower) bid-ask spread than did effective firms around (after) disclosure. Moreover, the results show that the difference in the bid-ask spread between the two groups of firms after disclosure disappears over time. These results indicate that internal control problems affect market participants’ perceptions of financial statements initially, but over time, participants attempt more actively to understand the financial reporting of firms with internal control problems than of those without.
A Middleware for Power Management in Multicore Smartphones

Increased power consumption is a critical concern for smartphone users. While multi-core processors in smartphones have already emerged in market, current applications are yet to take full advantage of this new architecture, particularly in the area of managing power consumption. This paper addresses the issue of managing power consumption in multicore smartphones via a middleware layer that schedules optimal number of cores for currently running applications taking into account the tradeoff between power consumption, performance and user experience. The paper first describes a simple and accurate method to measure the overall power consumption and then studies the impact of scheduling seven different popular applications over one to four cores on the overall power consumption. Based on this study, the paper proposes three new power-aware scheduling algorithms that dynamically schedule optimal number of cores as well as dynamically adjust the voltage frequency of each online core to achieve the best tradeoff between power consumption, application performance and user experience under the current context. Evaluation from a prototype implementation of the middleware on a quad-core HTC One shows that these algorithms result in significant reduction in power consumption while ensuring good performance and user experience.
Partner telomeres during anaphase in crane-fly spermatocytes are connected by an elastic tether that exerts a backward force and resists poleward motion

As chromosomes move polewards during anaphase in crane-fly spermatocytes, trailing arms commonly stretch backwards for a brief time, as if tethered to their partners. To test that notion, a laser microbeam was used to sever trailing arms and thereby release telomere-containing arm segments (called acentric fragments because they lack kinetochores) from segregating chromosomes. Analysis of the movement of acentric fragments after their release provided clear evidence that previously conjoined partners were indeed tethered at their telomeres and that tethers exerted backward forces that were sufficient to move the fragment across the equator and into the opposite half-spindle. To address concerns that tethers might be artifacts of in vitro cell culture, spermatocytes were fixed in situ, and stretched arms within fixed cells provided strong evidence for tethers in vivo. The substantial resistance that tethers impose on the poleward movement of chromosomes must normally be over-ridden by the poleward 'pulling' forces exerted at kinetochores. In spermatocytes, poleward forces are supplied primarily by the 'traction fibers' that are firmly attached to kinetochores through end-on attachments to the plus ends of kinetochore microtubules.
Cavity-enhanced second harmonic generation via nonlinear-overlap optimization

We describe a large-scale optimization approach that enables automatic discovery of photonic structures for achieving high-efficiency second-harmonic generation.
Cofactor biosynthesis: an organic chemist's treasure trove

Covering: primarily 2000–2005 This Highlight focuses on reactions involved in cofactor biosynthesis that pose interesting mechanistic problems.
Gas and Particle Emissions from Automobile Tires in Laboratory and Field Studies

This paper is directed to air pollution scientists interested in special mobile emission sources. The purpose was to determine the contribution which automobile tires make to air pollution. The gaseous hydrocarbon and sulfur compounds emitted in laboratory tests were identified. Although these hydrocarbons can participate in smog reactions, their mass emission rate is less than 0.1 % of the current exhaust hydrocarbon emission rate. Hydrocarbons from tires are not measurable near a freeway. The particulate emitted from tires ranges in size from 0.01 μm to more than 30 μm, with the larger particles dominating the total mass. Measurements along a California freeway showed that most of the tire debris had settled within 5 m of the pavement edge. Airborne rubber concentrations were less than 0.5 μg/m3, or less than 5% of the total tire wear. These field measurements confirm the indoor emission pattern and verify that tire wear products are not a significant air pollution problem.
Magnetic Imaging of Superconducting Tapes to Determine Current Flow

We have developed a magnetic imaging system that uses magnetoresistive read heads from computer hard disk drives to map the transport-current-induced magnetic field at the surface of superconducting tapes at liquid nitrogen temperature. Transport current pathways are determined from the 2-dimensional magnetic field maps using established inversion schemes. We examined the current flow in pulsed-laser-deposited YBa2Cu3O7- σ films patterned on single crystal SrTiO3 substrates and on a textured yttria-stabilized-zirconia layer deposited on an Inconel ribbon by ion beam assisted deposition. The transport current densities in all cases were consistent with the Critical State Model. For the Inconel-based sample, the transport current density maps have allowed us to observe defects and determine the region that limits the current carrying capacity of the structure.
Determination of the Settling Velocity and Its Significance to Larval Dispersal of the Gypsy Moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae)

The settling velocity of newly hatched gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.), 1st instars was determined to range from 41 to 117 cm/sec. Settling velocity is proportional to the weight of the unfed larvae, and is modified by attached silk. A 90-cm length of silk causes a 30 to 50% reduction in the settling velocity of larvae. The role of settling velocity in the passive dispersal of gypsy moth larvae is discussed in the context of current theories which relate the dispersability of larvae to qualitative differences among populations.
Latinos and Political Advocacy for Cancer Control in a United States–Mexico Border Community

Health policy interventions provide powerful tools for addressing health disparities. The Latino community is one of the fastest growing communities in the United States yet is largely underrepresented in government and advocacy efforts. This study includes 42 Latino adults (M age = 45 years) who participated in focus group discussions and completed a brief questionnaire assessing their experiences with political health advocacy. Qualitative analyses revealed participants considered cancer a concern for the Latino community, but there was a lack of familiarity with political advocacy and its role in cancer control. Participants identified structural, practical, cultural, and contextual barriers to engaging in political health advocacy. This article presents a summary of the findings that suggest alternative ways to engage Latinos in cancer control advocacy.
The Global Spatial Distribution of Economic Activity: Nature, History and the Role of Trade

We explore the role of natural characteristics in determining the worldwide spatial distribution of economic activity, as proxied by lights at night, observed across 240,000 grid cells. A parsimonious set of 24 physical geography attributes explains 47% of worldwide variation and 35% of within-country variation in lights. We divide geographic characteristics into two groups, those primarily important for agriculture and those primarily important for trade, and confront a puzzle. In examining within-country variation in lights, among countries that developed early, agricultural variables incrementally explain over 6 times as much variation in lights as do trade variables, while among late developing countries the ratio is only about 1.5, even though the latter group is far more dependent on agriculture. Correspondingly, the marginal effects of agricultural variables as a group on lights are larger in absolute value, and those for trade smaller, for early developers than for late developers. We show that this apparent puzzle is explained by persistence and the differential timing of technological shocks in the two sets of countries. For early developers, structural transformation due to rising agricultural productivity began when transport costs were still high, so cities were localized in agricultural regions. When transport costs fell, these agglomerations persisted. In late-developing countries, transport costs fell before structural transformation. To exploit urban scale economies, manufacturing agglomerated in relatively few, often coastal, locations. Consistent with this explanation, countries that developed earlier are more spatially equal in their distribution of education and economic activity than late developers.
The Impact of Remittances on Economic Growth and Development in Africa

The perceived factors of economic growth in developing economies have ranged from surplus labor to capital investment and technological change, trade, foreign aid, foreign direct investment, invest...
SHARED DECISION MAKING USING PATIENT REPORTED OUTCOME GRAPHS FOR TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY

Significance In spite of evidence that total knee replacement (TKR) surgery is effective, numerous studies have demonstrated that approximately 20 percent of patients who have undergone TKR surgery are not satisfied. This relatively high rate of patients who are not satisfied is the result of unmet patient expectations. The strongest predictor of dissatisfaction after TKR is unmet expectations (RR = 10.7, Bourne, Chesworth, et al , 2010). This is confirmed by Dunbar, Richardson, and Robertsson (2013): “Unmet expectation seems to be a major cause of unsatisfactory outcomes and satisfaction is most strongly correlated with relief of pain, followed by improvement in physical function.” Objective: To develop patient reported outcome (PRO) recovery graphs for knee function, activity level, and pain relief to be used as a shared decision making tool for total knee replacement surgery. Methods A proprietary joint arthroplasty database of patient reported outcomes (PROs) was analyzed to determine the recovery curve means and standard deviations of four PROs at six time points: pre-operatively, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years post-operatively for total knee replacement surgery. The recovery graphs are stratified by percentile (10%, 26%, 50%, 75%, and 90%) The PROs analyzed were: (1) European quality of life (EQ-5D); Oxford Knee Score (OKS); (3) Lower Extremity Activity Scale (LEAS); and (4) Likert Pain Scale (LPS). The minimum clinically important difference (MCID) was calculated using a distribution method where the MCID equals one half the standard deviation of the score change, MCID = σΔ/2. The LEAS and LPS are used to measure patients’ expectations for pain relief and activity improvement. Prior to discussing surgery, patients are asked to report their pre-operative pain and activity levels and to specify their expected pain relief and activity improvement one year after surgery. Results EQ-5D: MCID 0.086, mean pre-op 0.695, 1 year post op 0.845, mean change 0.150 (1.74 MCIDs). Oxford Knee Score: MCID 4.55, mean pre-op 25.7, 1 year post op 39.7, mean change 14.0 (3.08 MCIDs). Lower Extremity Activity Scale: MCID 1.61, mean pre-op 9.08, 1 year post op 10.82, mean change 1.74 (1.08 MCIDs). Likert Pain Scale: MCID 1.26, mean pre-op 5.98, 1 year post op 1.41, mean change −4.57 (3.63 MCIDs). Stratified recovery graphs for Oxford Knee Score, Lower Extremity Activity Scale, and Likert Pain Scale are attached. Conclusions Pain relief (3.63 MCIDs) and improved knee function (3.08 MCIDs) will be the most dramatic improvements for patients undergoing total knee replacement surgery. Stratified recovery graphs can be used as a shared decision making tool to manage both realistic and unrealistic expectations. The recovery graphs delineate the time course for rehabilitation. Patients typically do not exceed their pre-operative activity level until three months after surgery.
The hospital of the year 2000: three scenarios.

Based on a presentation at the 27th Annual Duke Forum on Health and Hospital Affairs conducted in 1991 in Durham, N.C., this article is a discussion of the forces with a stake in national health policy, a discussion of three ways those forces might come together, and a description of those three scenarios and the issues each would raise.
Weather index insurance and shock coping : evidence from Mexico's CADENA Program

Weather risk and incomplete insurance markets are significant contributors to poverty for rural households in developing countries. Weather index insurance has emerged as a possible tool for overcoming these challenges. This paper provides evidence on the impact of weather index insurance from a pioneering, large-scale insurance program in Mexico. The focus of this analysis is on the ex-post effects of insurance payments. A regression discontinuity design provides find evidence that payments from weather index insurance allow farmers to cultivate a larger land area in the season following a weather shock. Households in municipalities receiving payment also appear to have larger per capita expenditures and income in the subsequent year, although there is suggestive evidence that some of this increase is offset by a decrease in remittances. While the cost of insurance appears to be high relative to the payouts, the benefits exceed the costs for a substantial range of outcomes.
Verbal interference suppresses exact numerical representation.

Language for number is an important case study of the relationship between language and cognition because the mechanisms of non-verbal numerical cognition are well-understood. When the Piraha (an Amazonian hunter-gatherer tribe who have no exact number words) are tested in non-verbal numerical tasks, they are able to perform one-to-one matching tasks but make errors in more difficult tasks. Their pattern of errors suggests that they are using analog magnitude estimation, an evolutionarily- and developmentally-conserved mechanism for estimating quantities. Here we show that English-speaking participants rely on the same mechanisms when verbal number representations are unavailable due to verbal interference. Followup experiments demonstrate that the effects of verbal interference are primarily manifest during encoding of quantity information, and-using a new procedure for matching difficulty of interference tasks for individual participants-that the effects are restricted to verbal interference. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that number words are used online to encode, store, and manipulate numerical information. This linguistic strategy complements, rather than altering or replacing, non-verbal representations.
Universality of cutoff for the Ising model

On any locally-finite geometry, the stochastic Ising model is known to be contractive when the inverse-temperature $\beta$ is small enough, via classical results of Dobrushin and of Holley in the 1970s. By a general principle proposed by Peres, the dynamics is then expected to exhibit cutoff. However, so far cutoff for the Ising model has been confirmed mainly for lattices, heavily relying on amenability and log Sobolev inequalities. Without these, cutoff was unknown at any fixed $\beta>0$, no matter how small, even in basic examples such as the Ising model on a binary tree or a random regular graph. We use the new framework of information percolation to show that, in any geometry, there is cutoff for the Ising model at high enough temperatures. Precisely, on any sequence of graphs with maximum degree $d$, the Ising model has cutoff provided that $\beta<\kappa/d$ for some absolute constant $\kappa$ (a result which, up to the value of $\kappa$, is best possible). Moreover, the cutoff location is established as the time at which the sum of squared magnetizations drops to 1, and the cutoff window is $O(1)$, just as when $\beta=0$. Finally, the mixing time from almost every initial state is not more than a factor of $1+\varepsilon_{\beta}$ faster then the worst one (with $\varepsilon_{\beta}\to0$ as $\beta\to0$), whereas the uniform starting state is at least $2-\varepsilon_{\beta}$ times faster.
Host-selected mutations converging on a global regulator drive an adaptive leap towards symbiosis in bacteria

Host immune and physical barriers protect against pathogens but also impede the establishment of essential symbiotic partnerships. To reveal mechanisms by which beneficial organisms adapt to circumvent host defenses, we experimentally evolved ecologically distinct bioluminescent Vibrio fischeri by colonization and growth within the light organs of the squid Euprymna scolopes. Serial squid passaging of bacteria produced eight distinct mutations in the binK sensor kinase gene, which conferred an exceptional selective advantage that could be demonstrated through both empirical and theoretical analysis. Squid-adaptive binK alleles promoted colonization and immune evasion that were mediated by cell-associated matrices including symbiotic polysaccharide (Syp) and cellulose. binK variation also altered quorum sensing, raising the threshold for luminescence induction. Preexisting coordinated regulation of symbiosis traits by BinK presented an efficient solution where altered BinK function was the key to unlock multiple colonization barriers. These results identify a genetic basis for microbial adaptability and underscore the importance of hosts as selective agents that shape emergent symbiont populations.
Necrotizing Enterocolitis: Research Agenda for a Disease of Unknown Etiology and Pathogenesis

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a significant neonatal public health problem that affects low birth weight infants in neonatal intensive care units throughout the country. As the survival rate of low birth weight infants continues to increase and the number of low birth weight births remains unchanged, it can be anticipated that NEC will continue to be a cause of significant morbidity and mortality in the future.
Current Noise from a Magnetic Moment in a Helical Edge.

We calculate the two-terminal current noise generated by a magnetic moment coupled to a helical edge of a two-dimensional topological insulator. When the system is symmetric with respect to in-plane spin rotation, the noise is dominated by the Nyquist component even in the presence of a voltage bias $V$. The corresponding noise spectrum $S(V,\ensuremath{\omega})$ is determined by a modified fluctuation-dissipation theorem with the differential conductance $G(V,\ensuremath{\omega})$ in place of the linear one. The differential noise $\ensuremath{\partial}S/\ensuremath{\partial}V$, commonly measured in experiments, is strongly dependent on frequency on a small scale ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{K}^{\ensuremath{-}1}\ensuremath{\ll}T$ set by the Korringa relaxation rate of the local moment. This is in stark contrast to the case of conventional mesoscopic conductors where $\ensuremath{\partial}S/\ensuremath{\partial}V$ is frequency independent and defined by the shot noise. In a helical edge, a violation of the spin-rotation symmetry leads to the shot noise, which becomes important only at a high bias. Uncharacteristically for a fermion system, this noise in the backscattered current is super-Poissonian.
Diffusive estimates for random walks on stationary random graphs of polynomial growth

Let \({(G,\rho)}\) be a stationary random graph, and use \({B^G_{\rho}(r)}\) to denote the ball of radius r about \({\rho}\) in G. Suppose that \({(G,\rho)}\) has annealed polynomial growth, in the sense that \({\mathbb{E}[|B^G_{\rho}(r)|] \leq O(r^k)}\) for some \({k > 0}\) and every \({r \geq 1}\). Then there is an infinite sequence of times \({\{t_n\}}\) at which the random walk \({\{X_t\}}\) on \({(G,\rho)}\) is at most diffusive: almost surely (over the choice of \({(G,\rho)}\)), there is a number \({C > 0}\) such that $$\mathbb{E} \left[\mathrm{dist}_G(X_0, X_{t_n})^2 \mid X_0 = \rho, (G,\rho)\right]\leq C t_n\qquad \forall n \geq 1\,.$$ This result is new even in the case when G is a stationary random subgraph of \({\mathbb{Z}^d}\). Combined with the work of Benjamini et al. (Ann Probab 43(5):2332–2373, 2015), it implies that G almost surely does not admit a non-constant harmonic function of sublinear growth. To complement this, we argue that passing to a subsequence of times \({\{t_n\}}\) is necessary, as there are stationary random graphs of (almost sure) polynomial growth where the random walk is almost surely superdiffusive at an infinite subset of times.
On powers of the Euler class for flat circle bundles

Apparently a lost theorem of Thurston [1] states that the cube of the Euler class e3 ∈ H6(BDiff ωδ(S1); ℚ) is zero where Diffωδ(S1) is the analytic orientation preserving diffeomorphisms of the circle with the discrete topology. This is in contrast with Morita’s theorem [5] that the powers of the Euler class are nonzero in H∗(BDiffδ(S1); ℚ) where Diffδ(S1) is the orientation preserving C∞-diffeomorphisms of the circle with the discrete topology. The purpose of this short note is to prove that the powers of the Euler class ek ∈ H∗(BDiff ωδ(S1); ℤ) in fact are nonzero in cohomology with integer coefficients. We also give a short proof of Morita’s theorem [5].
Lensless Imaging With Compressive Ultrafast Sensing

Lensless imaging is an important and challenging problem. One notable solution to lensless imaging is a single-pixel camera that benefits from ideas central to compressive sampling. However, traditional single-pixel cameras require many illumination patterns that result in a long acquisition process. Here, we present a method for lensless imaging based on compressive ultrafast sensing. Each sensor acquisition is encoded with a different illumination pattern and produces a time series where time is a function of the photon's origin in the scene. Currently available hardware with picosecond time resolution enables time tagging photons as they arrive to an omnidirectional sensor. This allows lensless imaging with significantly fewer patterns compared to regular single-pixel imaging. To that end, we develop a framework for designing lensless imaging systems that use ultrafast detectors. We provide an algorithm for ideal sensor placement and an algorithm for optimized active illumination patterns. We show that efficient lensless imaging is possible with ultrafast measurement and compressive sensing. This paves the way for novel imaging architectures and remote sensing in extreme situations where imaging with a lens is not possible.
SOFT-TISSUE RELEASES TO ENHANCE POST-OPERATIVE MOBILITY IN THE STIFF SHOULDER

The standard approach is through the deltopectoral interval. Among patients with prior incisions, one makes every effort to either utilise the old incision or to incorporate it into a longer incision that will allow one to approach the deltopectoral interval and retract the deltoid laterally. The deltopectoral interval is most easily developed just distal to the clavicle, where there is a natural infraclavicular triangle of fat that separates the deltoid and pectoralis major muscles even in very scarred or stiff shoulders. Typically, the deltoid is retracted laterally leaving the cephalic vein on the medial aspect of the exposure. The anterior border of the deltoid is mobilised from the clavicle to its insertion on the humerus. The anterior portion of the deltoid insertion together with the more distal periosteum of the humerus may be elevated slightly. The next step is to identify the plane between the conjoined tendon group and the subscapularis muscle. Dissection in this area must be done very carefully due to the close proximity of the neurovascular group, the axillary nerve, and the musculocutaneous nerve. Scar is then released from around the base of the coracoid. The subacromial space is freed of scar and the shoulder is examined for range of motion. Particularly among patients with prior rotator cuff surgery, there may be severe scarring in the subacromial space. Internal rotation of the arm with dissection between the remaining rotator cuff and deltoid is critical to develop this plane. If external rotation is less than 30 degrees, one can consider incising the subscapularis off bone rather than through its tendinous substance. For every 1 cm that the subscapularis is advanced medially, one gains approximately 20 to 30 degrees of external rotation. The rotator interval between the subscapularis and supraspinatus is then incised. This release is then continued inferiorly to incise the inferior shoulder capsule from the neck of the humerus. This is performed by proceeding from anterior to posterior with progressive external rotation of the humerus staying directly on the bone with electrocautery and great care to protect the axillary nerve. The key for glenoid exposure as well as improvement in motion is deltoid mobilization, a large inferior capsular release, aggressive humeral head cut and osteophyte removal.
Evaluation of navigation performances of GPS devices near interchange area pertaining to wrong-way driving

Abstract Based on past studies, exit ramp terminals are the common locations for drivers to enter a physically separated highway in the wrong direction. Currently, many drivers, especially nonlocal drivers, often rely on voice-guided navigation apps and Global Positioning System (GPS) devices to navigate their routes on and off freeways. A few studies have reported that GPS devices sometimes give drivers wrong information and cause wrong-way entry into a freeway, especially at some confusing interchanges, such as partial cloverleaf and compressed diamond interchanges. The access points located close to exit ramps may also cause a problem for GPS devices in sending accurate voice-guidance. It is unknown if current GPS devices are capable of properly informing drivers regarding turning movements in advance of exit ramp terminals at some common interchanges. The objective of this study is to evaluate the most commonly used GPS devices/navigation apps to identify existing problems and their potential for reducing wrong-way driving (WWD) incidents at interchange terminals. Field experiments were conducted at 10 common freeway interchanges or interchanges with nearby access driveways in the state of Alabama. Results show that most GPS devices have difficulty in providing correct guidance when the spacing between an access point and an exit ramp is less than 300 feet. Our comparison of five different GPS devices used on the same routes reveals that navigation apps have more limitations in guiding drivers than stand-alone GPS devices. Recommendations are offered to help GPS mapping companies improve their devices or add new features to reduce the occurrence of WWD.
Resolving input validation vulnerabilities by retracing taint flow through source code

Various security-oriented static analysis tools are designed to detect potential input validation vulnerabilities early in the development process. To verify and resolve these vulnerabilities, developers must retrace problematic data flows through the source code. My thesis proposes that existing tools do not adequately support the navigation of these traces. In this work I will explore the strategies developers use to navigate tainted data flow in source code and work toward solutions that support successful strategies.
Solid-State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Investigation of the Structural Topology and Lipid Interactions of a Viral Fusion Protein Chimera Containing the Fusion Peptide and Transmembrane Domain.

The fusion peptide (FP) and transmembrane domain (TMD) of viral fusion proteins play important roles during virus–cell membrane fusion, by inducing membrane curvature and transient dehydration. The structure of the water-soluble ectodomain of viral fusion proteins has been extensively studied crystallographically, but the structures of the FP and TMD bound to phospholipid membranes are not well understood. We recently investigated the conformations and lipid interactions of the separate FP and TMD peptides of parainfluenza virus 5 (PIV5) fusion protein F using solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance. These studies provide structural information about the two domains when they are spatially well separated in the fusion process. To investigate how these two domains are structured relative to each other in the postfusion state, when the ectodomain forms a six-helix bundle that is thought to force the FP and TMD together in the membrane, we have now expressed and purified a chimera of the FP and TMD, connected...
Generalized entropy theory of glass-formation in fully flexible polymer melts

The generalized entropy theory (GET) offers many insights into how molecular parameters influence polymer glass-formation. Given the fact that chain rigidity often plays a critical role in understanding the glass-formation of polymer materials, the GET was originally developed based on models of semiflexible chains. Consequently, all previous calculations within the GET considered polymers with some degree of chain rigidity. Motivated by unexpected results from computer simulations of fully flexible polymer melts concerning the dependence of thermodynamic and dynamic properties on the cohesive interaction strength (ϵ), the present paper employs the GET to explore the influence of ϵ on glass-formation in models of polymer melts with a vanishing bending rigidity, i.e., fully flexible polymer melts. In accord with simulations, the GET for fully flexible polymer melts predicts that basic dimensionless thermodynamic properties (such as the reduced thermal expansion coefficient and isothermal compressibility) are universal functions of the temperature scaled by ϵ in the regime of low pressures. Similar scaling behavior is also found for the configurational entropy density in the GET for fully flexible polymer melts. Moreover, we find that the characteristic temperatures of glass-formation increase linearly with ϵ and that the fragility is independent of ϵ in fully flexible polymer melts, predictions that are again consistent with simulations of glass-forming polymer melts composed of fully flexible chains. Beyond an explanation of these general trends observed in simulations, the GET for fully flexible polymer melts predicts the presence of a positive residual configurational entropy at low temperatures, indicating a return to Arrhenius relaxation in the low temperature glassy state.
Quantifying the Local and Spatial Effects of Alcohol Outlets on Crime

This article estimates the relationship between alcohol outlets and crime at micro place street units in Washington, D.C. The analysis tests several spatial hypotheses on the local and spatial diff...
A fusion of archaeology and conservation: Painted clay-covered basketry from the American Southwest

Conservators and archaeologists share an interest in technology. For the archaeologist, technology may be viewed as prehistoric problem solving. For example, technology enables constructions for shelters, food gathering, and keeping warm. For the conservator, technology illustrates artistry or craftsmanship during the manipulation of materials. Both the archaeologist and the conservator are aware, no doubt, that technological style reflects social choice. This article illustrates how the study methods of the conservator can extract and preserve, as well as clarify, the particular technologies presented in very fragmentary material remains and address some of the comparative and interpretive issues associated with prehistoric societies. TITRE-Un exemple de fusion entre l'arch0ologie et la conservation: la vannerie couverte d'argile et peinte provenant du sud-ouest ambricain. RISUME-Les restaurateurs et les arch6ologues cultivent un meme intr&et pour la technologie des objets. Pour les archtologues, la technologie incarne la resolution de problemes aux temps prehistoriques. Ainsi les developpements technologiques permirent de r&soudre de mieux en mieux des problkmes vitaux comme la construction d'abris, la cueillette de nourriture et la protection contre le froid. Pour les restaurateurs, la technologie represente une methode artistique ou artisanale dans l'&tape de la transformation de la matiere. Les archeologues et les restaurateurs se rendent compte, sans doute, que le style de technologie adoptee est un reflet d'un certain choix social. Cet article demontre comment les m&thodes d'analyse utilishes en restauration peuvent mener ' la decouverte, a la pr&servation et ' la clarification de certains aspects technologiques qui ont survecu dans des artefacts tres fragmentaires, ce qui apporte de nouveaux l66ments dans l'&tude comparative et l'interpr6tation des soci&tes pr&historiques. TITULO-Una fusi6n entre la arqueologia y la conservaci6n: cesteria del suroeste americano cubierta con cerimica pintada. RESUMEN-Los conservadores y los arque61ogos comparten un inter&s en la tecnologia. Para el arque61ogo la tecnologia puede ser vista como una resoluci6n prehist6rica de problemas. Por ejemplo, la tecnologia permite la construcci6n de refugios, la recolecci6n de comida y mantenerse abrigado. Para el conservador, la tecnologia ilustra destreza manual o artistica durante la manipulaci6n de los materiales. Sin duda, tanto el arque61ogo como el conservador estin conscientes de que el estilo tecnol6gico refleja elecciones sociales. Este articulo ilustra c6mo los m&todos de estudio del conservador pueden extraer y preservar, asi como aclarar, las tecnologias particulares presentes en los remanentes muy fragmentados de material, y abordar algunos de los aspectos interpretativos y comparativos asociados con sociedades prehist6ricas.
Resistance to sex work stigma

Stigma is ubiquitous in sex work and is well documented in studies of sex workers. But rarely have scholars examined the vital question of whether, and if so how, stigma can be reduced or eliminated from any type of sex work (commercial stripping, pornography, prostitution, etc.). After a brief review of the issues related to stigma, this Commentary proposes a set of preconditions for the reduction and, ultimately, elimination of stigma from sex work.
Signaling and Efficiency in Gift Exchange: An Application to Tipping

In the gift exchange principal–agent game, other-regarding preferences can be sufficient to support an efficient equilibrium with a strictly positive transfer. When the agent is uncertain about the altruism of the principal or the extent to which the principal adheres to social norms, however, he chooses a suboptimal level of effort to insure himself against unfair outcomes. I demonstrate that under certain conditions, a relatively simple change to the structure of the game allows the principal to costlessly signal his type and restores efficiency. I argue that this result has implications for the design of gratuity-based service industries. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The tipping point of perceived change: Asymmetric thresholds in diagnosing improvement versus decline.

Change often emerges from a series of small doses. For example, a person may conclude that a happy relationship has eroded not from 1 obvious fight but from smaller unhappy signs that at some point “add up.” Everyday fluctuations therefore create ambiguity about when they reflect substantive shifts versus mere noise. Ten studies reveal an asymmetry in this first point when people conclude “official” change: people demand less evidence to diagnose lasting decline than lasting improvement, despite similar evidential quality. This effect was pervasive and replicated across many domains and parameters. For example, a handful of poor grades, bad games, and gained pounds led participants to diagnose intellect, athleticism, and health as “officially” changed; yet corresponding positive signs were dismissed as fickle flukes (Studies 1a, 1b, and 1c). This further manifested in real-time reactions: participants interpreted the same graphs of change in the economy and public health as more meaningful if framed as depicting decline versus improvement (Study 2), and were more likely to gamble actual money on continued bad versus good luck (Study 3). Why? Effects held across self/other change, added/subtracted change, and intended/unintended change (Studies 4a, 4b, and 4c), suggesting a generalized negativity bias. Teasing this apart, we highlight a novel “entropy” component beyond standard accounts like risk aversion: good things seem more truly capable of losing their positive qualities than bad things seem capable of gaining them, rendering signs of decline to appear more immediately diagnostic (Studies 5 and 6). An asymmetric tipping point raises theoretical and practical implications for how people might inequitably react to smaller signs of change. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved)
Data Vision: Learning to See Through Algorithmic Abstraction

Learning to see through data is central to contemporary forms of algorithmic knowledge production. While often represented as a mechanical application of rules, making algorithms work with data requires a great deal of situated work. This paper examines how the often-divergent demands of mechanization and discretion manifest in data analytic learning environments. Drawing on research in CSCW and the social sciences, and ethnographic fieldwork in two data learning environments, we show how an algorithm's application is seen sometimes as a mechanical sequence of rules and at other times as an array of situated decisions. Casting data analytics as a rule-based (rather than rule-bound) practice, we show that effective data vision requires would-be analysts to straddle the competing demands of formal abstraction and empirical contingency. We conclude by discussing how the notion of data vision can help better leverage the role of human work in data analytic learning, research, and practice.
Wireless Towers and Home Values: An Alternative Valuation Approach Using a Spatial Econometric Analysis

This is the first study to use an hedonic spatial autoregressive model to assess the impact of wireless communication towers on the value of residential properties. Using quantile analyses based on minimum distances between sold properties and visible and non-visible towers, we examine the relationship between property values and wireless tower proximity and visibility within various specified radii for homes sold after tower construction. For properties located within 0.72 kilometers of the closest tower, results reveal significant social welfare costs with values declining 2.46% on average, and up to 9.78% for homes within tower visibility range compared to homes outside tower visibility range; in aggregate, properties within the 0.72-kilometer band lose over $24 million dollars.
Linguistic Formality and Audience Engagement: Investors' Reactions to Characteristics of Social Media Disclosures*

As firms increasingly use social media to provide disclosures to investors, it is important to understand whether the characteristics that are associated with these disclosures lead to different reactions from investors than disclosures provided via more traditional channels. In this paper, we use an experiment to examine whether linguistic formality in positive news disclosures, and engagement of social media users surrounding the disclosures (e.g., “likes” and “retweets”), affect investors’ judgments about a firm and its management. Results suggest that, as predicted, investors are more sensitive to signals of audience engagement when disclosures use informal rather than formal language. Specifically, when associated with signals of high audience engagement, the use of informal language leads to greater willingness to invest than the use of formal language in a disclosure. However, also as predicted, the use of informal language hurts willingness to invest when associated with signals of low audience engagement. In two follow-up experiments, we investigate how news valence and linguistic formality are expected to affect the level of audience engagement in the first place, and we investigate whether managers strategically vary their use of linguistic formality based on characteristics of the setting. Overall, our results provide evidence on how firms might use social media disclosures to better connect with investors. This study contributes to the growing literature on linguistic attributes of disclosures, and the emerging literature investigating the consequences of issuing financial disclosures through social media.
CONDITIONS FOR SPONTANEOUS HOMOGENIZATION OF THE UNIVERSE

The present-day universe appears to be homogeneous on very-large scales. Yet when the casual structure of the early universe is considered, it becomes apparent that the early universe must have been highly inhomogeneous. The current paradigm attempts to answer this problem by postulating the inflation mechanism. However, inflation in order to start requires a homogeneous patch of at least the horizon size. This paper examines if dynamical processes of the early universe could lead to homogenization. In the past similar studies seem to imply that the set of initial conditions that leads to homogenization is of measure zero. This essay proves the contrary: a set of initial conditions for spontaneous homogenization of cosmological models can form a set of nonzero measure.
Consumer Preferences and Demand for Packaging Material and Recyclability

An increase in the amount of packaging consumed in the U.S. has put pressure on companies to take responsibility for the entire life-cycle of their product. This study uses discrete choice experiments to assess consumer willingness to pay (WTP) for packaging materials and recyclability of a beverage product. A between-subject design was used to analyze the effectiveness of indirect questioning in addressing issues of social desirability bias as well as the effects of information on consumer behavior. Consumer WTP for packaging material was highest for plastic packaging, followed by glass, carton and aluminum. Our empirical analysis reveals that indirect questioning results in WTP values for packaging recyclability that are 60% lower than those obtained from direct questioning. We find that information from a video treatment had a significant and positive effect on consumer preferences and demand for packaging recyclability. Our results suggest that more scrutiny should be placed on studies that do not address social desirability bias when evaluating recycling behavior.
IPED2: Inheritance Path Based Pedigree Reconstruction Algorithm for Complicated Pedigrees

Reconstruction of family trees, or pedigree reconstruction, for a group of individuals is a fundamental problem in genetics. The problem is known to be NP-hard even for datasets known to only contain siblings. Some recent methods have been developed to accurately and efficiently reconstruct pedigrees. These methods, however, still consider relatively simple pedigrees, for example, they are not able to handle half-sibling situations where a pair of individuals only share one parent. In this work, we propose an efficient method, IPED2, based on our previous work, which specifically targets reconstruction of complicated pedigrees that include half-siblings. We note that the presence of half-siblings makes the reconstruction problem significantly more challenging which is why previous methods exclude the possibility of half-siblings. We proposed a novel model as well as an efficient graph algorithm and experiments show that our algorithm achieves relatively accurate reconstruction. To our knowledge, this is the first method that is able to handle pedigree reconstruction from genotype data when half-sibling exists in any generation of the pedigree.
Constrained Keys for Invertible Pseudorandom Functions

A constrained pseudorandom function (PRF) is a secure PRF for which one can generate constrained keys that can only be used to evaluate the PRF on a subset of the domain. Constrained PRFs are used widely, most notably in applications of indistinguishability obfuscation (\(i\mathcal {O}\)). In this paper we show how to constrain an invertible PRF (IPF), which is significantly harder. An IPF is a secure injective PRF accompanied by an inversion algorithm. A constrained key for an IPF can only be used to evaluate the IPF on a subset S of the domain, and to invert the IPF on the image of S. We first define the notion of a constrained IPF and then give two main constructions: one for puncturing an IPF and the other for (single-key) circuit constraints. Both constructions rely on recent work on private constrained PRFs. We also show that constrained pseudorandom permutations for many classes of constraints are impossible under our definition.
The Weighted Matching Approach to Maximum Cardinality Matching

Several papers have achieved time $O(\sqrt n m)$ for cardinality matching, starting from first principles. This results in a long derivation. We simplify the task by employing well-known concepts for maximum weight matching. We use Edmonds' algorithm to derive the structure of shortest augmenting paths. We extend this to a complete algorithm for maximum cardinality matching in time $O(\sqrt n m)$.
Many-body localization in the droplet spectrum of the random XXZ quantum spin chain

Abstract We study many-body localization properties of the disordered XXZ spin chain in the Ising phase. Disorder is introduced via a random magnetic field in the z-direction. We prove a strong form of dynamical exponential clustering for eigenstates in the droplet spectrum: For any pair of local observables separated by a distance l, the sum of the associated correlators over these states decays exponentially in l, in expectation. This exponential clustering persists under the time evolution in the droplet spectrum. Our result applies to the large disorder regime as well as to the strong Ising phase at fixed disorder, with bounds independent of the support of the observables.
More Toda-like (0,2) mirrors

In this paper, we extend our previous work to construct (0, 2) Toda-like mirrors to A/2-twisted theories on more general spaces, as part of a program of understanding (0,2) mirror symmetry. Specifically, we propose (0, 2) mirrors to GLSMs on toric del Pezzo surfaces and Hirzebruch surfaces with deformations of the tangent bundle. We check the results by comparing correlation functions, global symmetries, as well as geometric blowdowns with the corresponding (0, 2) Toda-like mirrors. We also briefly discuss Grassmannian manifolds.