cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Private Values of Risk Tradeoffs at Superfund Sites: Housing Market Evidence on Learning about Risk

This paper incorporates a Bayesian learning model into a hedonic framework to estimate the value that residents place on avoiding cancer risks from hazardous-waste sites. We show that residents are...
Assessing the Value of Delay to Short-Haul Carriers

This paper aims at examining the commercial vehicle operators’ value of delay (VOD) due to highway congestion inurban area. The VOD is a fundamental parameter that influences the private sector’s response to public freightprojects and policies. This paper adopts two methods to estimate the VOD; one being the stated preference (SP)survey and the other being simulation of a carrier’s fleet operations. The former applies a Logit model and estimates adriver perceived VOD as $56.48 per vehicle per hour for the regular short-haul delivers. The latter gauges theeconomic impact of delay on carrier’s fleet operations in the Houston highway network. The operations essentiallyreflect more of a just-in-time system due to the rather stringent time window constraints. The simulation is conductedon a rolling time horizon with a heuristic algorithm for dispatching trucks. The major findings include, but are notlimited to as follows. The drivers paid by miles perceive a significantly higher VOD than the others; the drivers aremore willing to pay for a faster trip when the toll charges do not come out of their own pockets; VOD increases withuncertainty and demand for capacity. The comparison between the survey and the simulation results also indicatesthat the interviewed drivers perceive a significantly lower VOD than they may actually experience as a fleet, anindicator of myopic vision.
Vertebral artery dissection presented as lateral medullary syndrome in a patient with migraine: A case report

Purpose: Migraine and artery dissection are both rare causes of ischemic stroke. The mechanism of migraine-related intracranial artery dissection is still unknown. It is proposed that the repeated attack of migraine would make the involved artery more vulnerable to tearing and lead to dissection. Case report: We describe a 42-year-old female suffering from basilar-type migraine for more than 20 years. The patient complained severe dizziness with hyperventilation while watching television. Initially anxiety and migraine attack were impressed in the emergency room, but dizziness accompanied with dysarthria and dysphagia was noted later. After admission, lateral medullary syndrome was suspected after a detailed neurological examination, and a brain magnetic resonance image (MRI) revealed an acute infarction on the left lateral medulla oblongata, confirming the clinical diagnosis Furthermore, cerebral angiography revealed the left distal vertebral artery dissection. The patient was reluctant to use an anticoagulant; therefore aspirin was given for secondary stroke prevention and topiramate for migraine prophylaxis. Conclusion: The exact mechanism of migraine-related intracranial artery dissection has yet to be proven, we propose that this may be caused by vessel wall edematous changes with repeated migraine attacks resulting in sudden or unusual stretching.
Chinese Wall security model and conflict analysis

D.D.C. Brewer and M.J. Nash (IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy, pp. 206-14, 1988) introduced Chinese Wall security policy models for commercial security. These were later updated by T.Y. Lin (Proc. 5th Aerospace Comput. Security Appl. Conf., pp. 286-93, 1989). Applying Z. Pawlak's (1997) idea of conflict analysis, this paper introduces a practical way of computing an extended model.
Meat and Morality: Alternatives to Factory Farming

Scientists have shown that the practice of factory farming is an increasingly urgent danger to human health, the environment, and nonhuman animal welfare. For all these reasons, moral agents must consider alternatives. Vegetarian food production, humane food animal farming, and in-vitro meat production are all explored from a variety of ethical perspectives, especially utilitarian and rights-based viewpoints, all in the light of current U.S. and European initiatives in the public and private sectors. It is concluded that vegetarianism and potentially in-vitro meat production are the best-justified options.
Red Algae Lose Key Mitochondrial Genes in Response to Becoming Parasitic

Red algal parasites are unusual because the vast majority of them parasitize species with which they share a recent common ancestor. This strategy has earned them the name ‘‘adelphoparasites,’’ from the Greek, adelpho, meaning ‘‘kin.’’ Intracellular adelphoparasites are very rare in nature, yet have independently evolved hundreds of times among the floridiophyte red algae. Much is known about the life history and infection cycle of these parasites but nearly nothing in known about their genomes. We sequenced the mitochondrial genomes of the free-living Gracilariopsis andersonii and its closely related parasite Gracilariophila oryzoides to determine what effect a parasitic lifestyle has on the genomes of red algal parasites. Whereas the parasite genome is similar to the host in many ways, the genes encoding essential proteins ATP8 and SDHC are pseudogenes in the parasite. The mitochondrial genome of parasite from a different class of red algae, Plocamiocolax puvinata, has lost the atp8 gene entirely, indicating that this gene is no longer critical in red algal parasite mitochondria.
Relations Among Risk, Religiosity, and Marital Commitment

In this study, the authors examined the degree to which religiosity was related to marital commitment among married couples living in a highly religious but divorce prone area of the United States. They assessed whether church attendance, faith community support, and general religiosity were related to marital commitment and whether these variables buffered against the negative effects of known risks for marital distress. Results indicated that faith community support and general religiosity were significantly related to increased marital commitment among husbands and wives. Among wives, these variables buffered against the deleterious effects of low income on marital commitment. Based on these findings, the authors discuss implications for professionals who work with married couples.
Timing constraints for correct performance

Novel methodology and algorithms for the derivation of timing constraints on all the interconnects were developed and applied to solving layout related timing problems. This methodology is based on detailed information on timing characteristics of cells and nets. A minimax approach for identifying maximal delay bounds for nets which do not violate the timing constraints on any of the logical paths in the design was proposed. An approximation algorithm with proven polynomial time behavior was described. The recursive application of this algorithm results in the distribution of the whole remaining path slacks between the comprising nets, and as a result, zero slack is achieved. The obtained timing bounds were applied to produce layouts free from timing problems. >
Modeling and Prediction of Distribution System Voltage Distortion Caused by Nonlinear Residential Loads

Electric utilities have expressed concern over increased nonlinear loading of residential power distribution systems. The number and variety of power electronic products found in the typical home continues to grow rapidly, imposing a burden on local power companies to supply reliable, distortion-free service. In order to adequately prepare for the future, utilities must be able to predict the harmonic impact of new power electronic equipment and evaluate the ability of existing power systems to accommodate these nonlinear loads. This paper describes a modeling methodology that uses SPICE simulation software to predict the voltage distortion caused by nonlinear residential loads. Results of applying the methodology to a specific distribution system containing either of two different types of harmonic-rich loads, i.e., variable speed air conditioners or electric vehicle battery chargers, are presented as well.
Multitasking the Ising model on the ETA 10 supercomputer

A discussion is presented of multitasking various scientific programs on the ETA 10 supercomputer. The architecture of the ETA 10 is described, especially the features relevant for understanding the authors' strategy for multitasking the Ising model. This strategy will also be useful for a wide class of physical systems that have local interactions. The authors also summarize their results for solving large, dense, unsymmetric systems of linear equations, i.e. the LINPACK benchmark. They summarize the multitasking software that will soon be available for general use on the ETA 10. >
Compression braking control for heavy-duty vehicles

Modern heavy-duty vehicles are equipped with a compression braking mechanism that augments their braking capability and reduces the wear of the conventional friction brakes. We consider a vehicle speed control problem using a continuously variable compression braking mechanism. The variability of the compression brake is achieved through the control of the brake valve of the vehicle's turbocharged diesel engine. An adaptive controller is designed to ensure good speed tracking performance in brake-by-wire, or vehicle-following, driving scenarios even during large variations in mass and road grade. Our approach is to first consider the model without compression brake actuator dynamics and derive a model reference adaptive controller using the speed-gradient procedure. Then, the actuator dynamics are included in the design via the use of the backstepping procedure. The backstepping controller is implemented with a simplified numerical differentiator-based approximation.
Fissile Material Stockpiles and Production, 2008

This article presents estimates of global and national stockpiles of highly enriched uranium and separated plutonium based on the 2008 Global Fissile Material Report by the International Panel on Fissile Materials. 1 The global stockpile of highly enriched uranium (HEU) is estimated to be 1670 ± 300 tons. It is declining as Russia and the United States blend down about 40 tons per year of HEU for use in light-water power-reactor fuel. This rate of blend-down is far higher than the estimated rate of production of HEU, currently believed to be limited to production by Pakistan for weapons and by India for naval fuel. The global stockpile of separated plutonium, all of which can be used for weapons, is about 500 tons. About half of this stockpile is civilian and is currently growing at less than 5 tons a year. This rate will increase significantly once Japan's Rokkasho reprocessing plant begins commercial operation. Only India and Pakistan and perhaps Israel are believed to be producing plutonium for weapons...
Individual mineral supplement intake by ewes swath grazing or confinement fed pea-barley forage

Previous research has reported high variation in intake of self-fed protein and/or energy supplements by individual animals, however little is known about variation in consumption of mineral supplements. Sixty mature range ewes (non-pregnant, non-lactating) were used in a completely randomized design repeated 2 years to determine if feeding method of intercropped field pea (Pisum sativum L.) and spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) forage (swath grazed or fed as hay in confinement) affected individual ewe mineral consumption. Thirty ewes were allocated to 3 confinement pens (10 ewes/pen) and 30 ewes were allocated to 3 grazing plots (10 ewes/plot). Ewes had ad libitum access to feed, water, and a mineral supplement containing 1% titanium dioxide as an external marker. Forage dry matter intake (DMI) was calculated using estimates of fecal output, and in vitro 48-h forage DM digestibility. Ewe supplement intake was determined from fecal and supplement Ti concentrations, and fecal output. Forage and mineral intakes were analyzed using ewe as the experimental unit, and plot or pen as the experimental unit for intake variation. A year×treatment interaction (P 0.05) between treatments in 2010. In this study, variation in individual ewe intake of mineral supplement was large in both grazing ewes and ewes fed hay in confinement.
Gender-Related Traits in Transsexuals and Nontranssexuals

Thirty-eight male-to-female (M-to-F) transsexuals, 7 female-to-male (F-to-M) transsexuals, 135 nontranssexual men, and 225 nontranssexual women were assessed on the following: gender diagnosticity (GD) measures, which assessed male- vs. female-typical occupational and hobby preferences; instrumentality; expressiveness; self-ascribed masculinity; and self-ascribed femininity. M-to-F transsexuals differed strongly and significantly from nontranssexual men on GD and self-ascribed femininity (effect sizes from 1.84 to 3.40) and more weakly on instrumentality, expressiveness, and self-ascribed masculinity (effect sizes from 0.40 to 0.56). F-to-M transsexuals differed strongly and significantly from nontranssexual women on GD and on self-ascribed masculinity and femininity (effect sizes from 2.45 to 3.97), but not on instrumentality or expressiveness (effect sizes of 0.07 and 0.39). The degree to which the six assessed gender-related traits distinguished transsexual from nontranssexuals was strongly correlated with the degree to which these same traits distinguished nontranssexual men from nontranssexual women. Using comparison data from past research, M-to-F transsexuals were quite similar to gay men on all gender-related traits except self-ascribed femininity, but F-to-M transsexuals were considerably more masculine than lesbian women on all gender-related traits except for instrumentality and expressiveness.
Real-time communication in FieldBus multiaccess networks

There has been an increasing need of timely and predictable communication services for embedded real-time systems in automated factories and industrial process controls. Work has been done on real-time communication with deadline guarantees in point-to-point, token bus/token ring/FDDI, and DQDB (Distributed Queue Dual Bus) networks. However, due to the random access nature of the CSMA/CD type multiaccess networks, they are not suitable for applications with stringent timing constraints. We consider real-time communication services with absolute deadline guarantees in multiaccess local area networks equipped with a centralized scheduler, such as the SP-50 FieldBus, an industrial standard protocol for process control and manufacturing applications. Similar to most token-passing networks, in a centralized scheduling multiaccess network, the access to the bus is controlled by a token. Only the station currently holding the token has the exclusive right to use the multiaccess bus. Unlike the token bus, token ring, or FDDI network, the multiaccess network uses a centralized token scheduling scheme and the token need not be allocated to the stations in a cyclic fashion. We show that the pinwheel and the distance-constrained scheduling techniques can be adapted to schedule the token in centralized-scheduling multiaccess networks to guarantee message deadlines.
Design of Wireless Local Area Network Security Program Based on Near Field Communication Technology

In order to solve wireless local area network (WLAN) security problem due to the open-wide nature of wireless radio and the improvement of computing power, a design of WLAN security program based on near field communication (NFC) is presented in this paper. In this paper, the importance of having access to handshake for WPA2 brute force is explained. The proposed design protects the four-way handshake by taking advantage of NFC short-range character to eliminate the risk of intercept. For implementation, Android system is selected as a mobile device development platform. The design is compatible with the IEEE 802.11i which ensures the massive expansion in the future. Furthermore, the design simplifies operations to improve users’ experience without much extra hardware cost and offers an option to the owner of WLAN to control the access physically, which benefits commercialization of NFC. From one perspective, this design can solve the wireless network security problem effectively.
A micro‐mechanical study of peak strength and critical state

We present a micro-mechanical analysis of macroscopic peak strength, critical state, and residual strength in two-dimensional non-cohesive granular media. Typical continuum constitutive quantities such as frictional strength and dilation angle are explicitly related to their corresponding grain-scale counterparts (e.g., inter-particle contact forces, fabric, particle displacements, and velocities), providing an across-the-scale basis for a better understanding and modeling of granular materials. These multi-scale relations are derived in three steps. First, explicit relations between macroscopic stress and strain rate with the corresponding grain-scale mechanics are established. Second, these relations are used in conjunction with the non-associative Mohr–Coulomb criterion to explicitly connect internal friction and dilation angles to the micro-mechanics. Third, the mentioned explicit connections are applied to investigate, understand, and derive micro-mechanical conditions for peak strength, critical state, and residual strength.
Evidence for rCBV as an early response marker following bevacizumab treatment

I appreciate the thoughtful letter from Schmainda et al. regarding the utility of rCBV derived from MRI as a biomarker of response to bevacizumab therapy in patients with recurrent glioblastoma (GBM). The authors cite their recent work in which they found that tumoral rCBV changes were predictive of overall survival at 2 and 16 weeks, but not 8 weeks, after the start of bevacizumab therapy in patients with GBM.1 Certainly this issue is not settled science, and I hope that further studies will be performed by the authors or others to clarify the timing at which perfusion imaging adds value to standard MRI in the assessment of patients with brain tumors. In my editorial,2 I suggest that the use of rCBV as an early response marker for bevacizumab therapy is not well supported to date. On one hand, there are the data from the authors, based on a cohort of 13 patients (point of reference: n for the Kickingereder et al3 paper showing a relationship between pretreatment rCBV and outcomes was 71) suggesting a relationship between changes in rCBV and survival at 2 and 16 weeks. Interestingly, no relationship was found at 8 weeks, when the cohort size was 17 rather than 13. (In the interests of full disclosure, I was the associate editor who recommended that the authors′ paper be published.) On the other hand, because negative results are typically (and unfortunately) unreported, we do not know how many patients with perfusion data treated with bevacizumab were similarly analyzed over the last decade but whose data were never published because of the lack of association between rCBV changes and outcomes. Based on conversations with colleagues over the years, I would suggest this is not a few, so I think it is important to consider publication bias for positive results. This was part of the rationale for suggesting that Schmainda et al's1 recent study of 13 patients notwithstanding, the evidence in support of rCBV as an early response marker to bevacizumab therapy is not as robust today as would have been predicted 10 years ago.
Modeling Brand Correlation Through Iterative Sparsity Search

The quantification of brand correlation is an important task in marketing research to understand the similarity of sales performance between multiple brands of similar products. We propose a statistical model for studying the sales performance of a single brand in multiple geographic locations (markets) as a spatial process, and the similarity between two brands is quantified as the covariance of two spatial processes. For fast computing that scales well to a large number of brands and markets, we propose a new algorithm called iterative sparsity search (ISS), to efficiently estimate a sparse covariance structure in the multivariate spatial model. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method using real-world data from consumer packaged goods in grocery stores. In this case study, the sales performance of multiple brands in multiple markets is modeled using multivariate spatial processes with a covariance structure incorporating both brand dependence and spatial dependence. The holdout-sample results in the study show that the brand correlation estimates from the proposed method are very useful in predicting the sales performance of grocery brands in unexplored markets.
Intergroup and intragroup spacing in the plains vizcacha, Lagostomus maximus

Direct observations and radiotelemetry were used to study spatial organization of the plains vizcacha ( Lagostomus maximus ) in semi-arid scrub of La Pampa Province, Argentina. Vizcachas live in social groups, the members of which share a communal burrow system and a common home range. Although home range boundaries are not defended, little overlap occurs between home ranges of neighboring groups. All sex and age classes defend the communal burrow system by chasing intruders. Adult males advertise occupancy of the home range with vocalizations and scent marks. Vocalizations were given most frequently during spring, when new immigrants began dispersing into the burrow systems; scentmarking and chases were most frequent during the breeding season. These behaviors occur primarily at burrows.
Polymer-Inorganic High Contrast and High Sensitivity Resists for Nanolithography

Polyhedral oligosilsesquioxane methacrylate (POSSMA)/methyl methacrylate(MMA)/tert-butyl methacrylate(TBMA)/tert-butyl acrylate(TBA) copolymers were synthesized by solution polymerization. Their preliminary lithography-related properties were studied. It is shown that the mass ratio of MMA/POSSMA=85.8/14.2 leads to an X-ray resist with a high contrast of 23.5 without sacrificing the sensitivity(1350 mJ/cm2) which remains comparable to that of standard PMMA. By careful manipulation of components and compositions, this generic type of polymer could potentially be utilized as a DUV or e-beam resist as well.
Determinations of Red Blood Cell Volume Distribution Width and Microalbuminuria for Diagnosing Type 2 Diabetes with Early Kidney Disorder

Objective To investigate the possibility of applying red cell volume distribution width (RDW) and microalbuminuria (MA) in diagnosing type 2 diabetes with early kidney disorder.Methods RDW and MA were measured using automatic blood analyzer and immunoturbidity method,respectively,while qualitative detection of urine proteins was done by urine analyzer.Results RDW and MA in diabetes with both positive and negative urine proteins showed a statistically significant differences from those in the control (F=87.45, P0.01).RDW and MA in diabetes were higher than those in control group.MA values in diabetes with positive urine proteins were significantly different (F=549.78,P0.01) from those in diabetes with nega- tive urine proteins while RDW exhibited no significant difference (P0.05) in these two diabetes groups. Conclusion RDW and MA can be applied for the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes with early kidney disorder.
PRAS40 Regulates Protein Synthesis and Cell Cycle in C2C12 Myoblasts

PRAS40 is an mTOR binding protein that has complex effects on cell metabolism. Our study tests the hypothesis that PRAS40 knockdown (KD) in C2C12 myocytes will increase protein synthesis via upregulation of the mTOR-S6K1 pathway. PRAS40 KD was achieved using lentiviruses to deliver short hairpin (sh)-RNA targeting PRAS40 or a scrambled control. C2C12 cells were used as either myoblasts or differentiated to myotubes. Knockdown reduced PRAS40 mRNA and protein content by >80% of time-matched control values but did not alter the phosphorylation of mTOR substrates, 4E-BP1 or S6K1, in neither myoblasts nor myotubes. No change in protein synthesis in myotubes was detected, as measured by the incorporation of 35S-methionine. In contrast, protein synthesis was reduced 25% in myoblasts. PRAS40 KD in myoblasts also decreased proliferation rate with an increased percent of cells retained in the G1 phase. PRAS40 KD myoblasts were larger in diameter and had a decreased rate of myotube formation as assessed by myosin heavy chain content. Immunoblotting revealed a 25–30% decrease in total p21 and S807/811 phosphorylated Rb protein considered critical for G1 to S phase progression. Reduction in protein synthesis was not due to increased apoptosis, since cleaved caspase-3 and DNA laddering did not differ between groups. In contrast, the protein content of LC3B-II was decreased by 30% in the PRAS40 KD myoblasts, suggesting a decreased rate of autophagy. Our results suggest that a reduction in PRAS40 specifically impairs myoblast protein synthesis, cell cycle, proliferation and differentiation to myotubes.
Influence of source and amount of dietary protein on performance, blood metabolites, and reproductive function of primiparous beef cows.

Forty Angus x Hereford 2-yr-old primiparous cows (358 kg) were used to determine the effects of source and amount of CP on performance, reproductive function, and metabolic status of suckled primiparous cows. A 2 x 2 factorial treatment arrangement was used; cows received either 100 or 150% of NRC recommendations for CP in diets that contained either soybean meal (low escape = L) or corn gluten meal/blood meal (high escape = H) as the principal supplemental protein source. Resulting treatments were 100-L, 100-H, 150-L, and 150-H. Cows were individually fed diets for 100 d or until they were observed to be in standing estrus. Diets were isoenergetic and limit-fed to meet NRC recommendations for NE, Ca, and P for 364-kg, 2-yr-old primiparous cows producing 4.5 kg of milk daily and gaining .23 kg/d. Increased CP tended (P = .09) to increase ADG in cows, but body condition score was unaffected. Increased CP and use of a CP source with higher potential for ruminal escape increased ADG in calves from d 0 to 97 (P = .002 and .04, respectively), which corresponded with numerical changes in milk production. Feeding high escape CP sources decreased plasma glucose and urea N (P = .04 and .0001, respectively). Increased CP tended (P = .12) to increase plasma glucose and increased (P = .0001) plasma urea N. Treatment had no effect on profiles of LH or progesterone. Although numerical differences in conception rate seemed large for 100-L compared with the remaining treatments, statistical significance was not detected.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Blueberry, blackberry, and blackcurrant differentially affect plasma lipids and pro-inflammatory markers in diet-induced obesity mice

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Evidence indicates that berry anthocyanins are anti-atherogenic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory. However, berries differ vastly in their anthocyanin composition and thus potentially in their biological and metabolic effects. The present study compared hypolipidemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of blueberry (BB), blackberry (BK), and blackcurrant (BC) in a diet-induced obesity (DIO) mouse model. MATERIALS/METHODS: Male C57BL/6J mice were fed a high fat (HF; 35% fat, w/w) control diet or a HF diet supplemented with freeze-dried 5% BB, 6.3% BK or 5.7% BC for 12 weeks (10 mice/group) to achieve the same total anthocyanin content in each diet. Plasma lipids, antioxidant status and pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured. The expression of genes involved in antioxidant defense, inflammation, and lipid metabolism was determined in the liver, epididymal adipose tissue, proximal intestine, and skeletal muscle. Histological analysis was performed to identify crown-like structure (CLS) in epididymal fat pads to determine macrophage infiltration. RESULTS: No differences were noted between the control and any berry-fed groups in plasma levels of liver enzymes, insulin, glucose, ferric reducing antioxidant power, superoxide dismutase, and tumor necrosis factor α. However, BK significantly lowered plasma triglyceride compared with the HF control and other berries, whereas BC significantly reduced F4/80 mRNA and the number of CLS in the epididymal fat pad, indicative of less macrophage infiltration. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides evidence that BB, BK and BC with varying anthocyanin composition differentially affect plasma lipids and adipose macrophage infiltration in DIO mice, but with no differences in their antioxidant capacity and anti-inflammatory potential.
Leader Election in Unreliable Radio Networks.

The dual graph model describes a radio network that contains both reliable and unreliable links. In recent years, this model has received significant attention by the distributed algorithms community [Kuhn/Lynch/Newport/Oshman/Richa, PODC 2010; Censor-Hillel/Gilbert/Kuhn/Lynch/Newport, Dist. Comp. 2014; Ghaffari/Haeupler/Lynch/Newport, DISC 2012; Ghaffari/Lynch/Newport, PODC 2013; Ghaffir/Kantor/Lynch/Newport, PODC 2014; Newport, DISC 2014; Ahmadi/Ghodselahi/Kuhn/Molla, OPODIS 2015; Lynch/Newport, PODC 2015]. Due to results in [Ghaffari/Lynch/Newport, PODC 2013], it is known that leader election plays a key role in enabling efficient computation in this difficult setting: a leader can synchronize the network in such a manner that most problems can be subsequently solved in time similar to the classical radio network model that lacks unreliable links. The feasibility of efficient leader election in the dual graph model, however, was left as an important open question. In this paper, we answer this question. In more detail, we prove new upper and lower bound results that characterize the complexity of leader election in this setting. By doing so, we reveal a surprising dichotomy: (1) under the assumption that the network size n is in the range 1 to N, where N is a large upper bound on the maximum possible network size (e.g., the ID space), leader election is fundamentally hard, requiring ~Omega(sqrt(N)) rounds to solve in the worst-case; (2) under the assumption that n is in the range 2 to N, however, the problem can be solved in only ~O(D) rounds, for network diameter D, matching the lower bound for leader election in the standard radio network model (within log factors) [Ghaffari/Haeupler, SODA 2013].
Taking a Closer Look at Photovoice as a Participatory Action Research Method

ABSTRACTThis article involves an exploration into the ongoing claim that photovoice is a participatory action research (PAR) method. The article begins with a description of PAR and the theories that inform this methodology, followed by a brief history of photographic methods in research and the emergence of photovoice. The following section is an exploration of the goals and theories underlying photovoice, noting divergences from PAR in the following areas: 1) the positionality of the researcher, 2) decision-making power, and 3) the length of time dedicated to the overall process. The article concludes with further suggestions and considerations associated with photovoice and its implications to social work practice.
The frailty index outperforms DNA methylation age and its derivatives as an indicator of biological age

The measurement of biological age as opposed to chronological age is important to allow the study of factors that are responsible for the heterogeneity in the decline in health and function ability among individuals during aging. Various measures of biological aging have been proposed. Frailty indices based on health deficits in diverse body systems have been well studied, and we have documented the use of a frailty index (FI34) composed of 34 health items, for measuring biological age. A different approach is based on leukocyte DNA methylation. It has been termed DNA methylation age, and derivatives of this metric called age acceleration difference and age acceleration residual have also been employed. Any useful measure of biological age must predict survival better than chronological age does. Meta-analyses indicate that age acceleration difference and age acceleration residual are significant predictors of mortality, qualifying them as indicators of biological age. In this article, we compared the measures based on DNA methylation with FI34. Using a well-studied cohort, we assessed the efficiency of these measures side by side in predicting mortality. In the presence of chronological age as a covariate, FI34 was a significant predictor of mortality, whereas none of the DNA methylation age-based metrics were. The outperformance of FI34 over DNA methylation age measures was apparent when FI34 and each of the DNA methylation age measures were used together as explanatory variables, along with chronological age: FI34 remained significant but the DNA methylation measures did not. These results indicate that FI34 is a robust predictor of biological age, while these DNA methylation measures are largely a statistical reflection of the passage of chronological time.
The Effect of Regulatory Fit on Twitter Fandom in the National Hockey League Postseason

Social media has become a powerful source of sports information. The uncertainty of outcomes of a sporting event is a contributing factor to fan satisfaction, which in turn affects fans’ social-media habits. If teams can determine specific factors that affect these social-media habits, marketing conclusions can be drawn. The current research followed the Twitter accounts of 4 National Hockey League (NHL) teams throughout the 2015 NHL postseason to observe changes in fan engagement. The results displayed increasing growth during each subsequent round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, which indicates an advantageous time to gain fans and develop brand loyalty. The current research showed that retweets and favorites earned on team tweets were shown to have the greatest correlation to followers gained. The growth demonstrated during the postseason provides sports organizations the opportunity to cultivate a strong and loyal following for their teams through strategic marketing initiatives.
CorrigendumCorrigendum to “Analysis of the variation in use-dependent inactivation of high-threshold tetrodotoxin-resistant sodium currents recorded from rat sensory neurons”: [Neuroscience 143 (2006) 923–938]

On page 931, Fig. 6, in the Tripathi et al. (2006) study, there was a glitch in the pClamp 8 protocol used to acquire data on inactivation from the closed state of high-threshold tetrodotoxin-resistant Na currents recorded from acutely isolated rat DRG cells. The glitch made it appear as if there was a fast phase of inactivation, which was complete before the first time point of 5 ms included in the protocol. Subsequent experiments with a revised data acquisition protocol demonstrated that no inactivation from the closed state occurred over the first 5 ms at 50 mV, and that overall inactivation was well fitted with a single exponential function. This new information was used to correct the data presented in the results and in Fig. 6 on inactivation from the closed state in the Tripathi et al. (2006) study. The correction method was to subtract out the artifactual inactivation corresponding to the 5 ms time point from that observed at the other time points. The resulting corrected Fig. 6 is presented below. For the corrected data, the time constant for inactivation from the closed state averaged 2667 827 ms, and there was a significant correlation between the amount of inactivation from the closed state observed after 10 s, and use-dependent inactivation (see part D below). Other data acquired in the Tripathi et al. (2006) study indicated that the high threshold tetrodotoxin-resistant Na channels expressed by individual DRG cells were homogeneous regarding inactivation properties regardless of the amount of use-dependent inactivation exhibited (see Fig. 2, Tripathi et al., 2006). Thus, we believe that the method of correction employed is reasonably accurate. The correct Fig. 6 appears here. (Available online 12 May 2011)
Maternidad y prostitución ¿contradictorias y excluyentes?

Se presenta un estudio que exploro en las vivencias de maternidad de mujeres que ejercen la prostitucion a nivel de via publica. Asi, se enfoco la maternidad como una institucion social vinculada a imaginarios prescriptivos y a politicas de control de genero; y a su vez, se entendio la prostitucion como institucion patriarcal que estigmatiza a las mujeres que la ejercen. En base al analisis de entrevistas en profundidad realizadas en Barcelona, los resultados dan cuenta que el ‘ideal maternal’ convive con el estigma de la prostitucion, aunque no se interioriza negativamente, pues se desarrollan estrategias para gestionar la maternidad en el marco de una ‘vida oculta’; sin embargo, tambien se vislumbra que esta gestion implica vivenciar experiencias muchas veces contradictorias en el marco del ejercicio de la prostitucion.
The One: A Simulation Study of CAPM Market Returns

This study presents a new method for calculating beta through a back-solving process, which assumes the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) to be absolute. This process has improved asset pricing abilities and allows for the discovery of the “one-true” market returns. The market portfolio returns required for CAPM to be accurate are then calculated and compared with eight popular financial distributions and five market proxies. The overall best distribution to use for CAPM market returns is the student t-distribution. This study also contributes to the literature in that it finds the market proxies used in other studies to discredit the CAPM, namely the NYSE, are inefficient and adversely affect the results.
Number Theory, Dialogue, and the Use of Spreadsheets in Teacher Education

This paper demonstrates the use of a spreadsheet in teaching topics in elementary number theory. It emphasizes both the power and deficiency of inductive reasoning using a number of historically significant examples. The notion of computational experiment as a modern approach to the teaching of mathematics is discussed. The paper, grounded in a teacher-student dialogue as an instructional method, is a reflection on the author’s work over the years with prospective teachers of secondary mathematics.
Factors Associated with Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Chinese American Adults: The Chinese American Eye Study (CHES).

Objective To assess associations between age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and multiple factors comprising a conceptual model of AMD risk in a population of Chinese Americans, and to draw comparisons with a similar risk assessment of a Latino population. Design A cross-sectional population-based study. Participants We enrolled 4582 Chinese Americans aged ≥50 residing in Monterey Park, California. Methods Participants completed a comprehensive eye examination, including stereoscopic fundus photography and ocular biometric measurements. Fundus images were graded using a modified version of the Wisconsin Age-Related Maculopathy Grading System. Main Outcomes and Measures Odds ratios for factors significantly modifying the risk of AMD and its related retinal lesions. Results Of the eligible participants, 4172 (72%) had fundus photographs gradable for AMD. Early AMD was present in 375 eyes (4.6%), and late AMD was present in 17 (0.2%). Shorter axial length, male sex, older age, and family history of AMD were identified as independent risk factors for prevalent AMD and its characteristic retinal lesions using a conceptual model of potential AMD risk factors. Of 4 AMD risk factors identified for Latinos, 3 (older age, male sex, shorter axial length) overlapped with those identified for Chinese Americans, with an association similar in magnitude and direction. Lower levels of education were a risk factor specific to Latinos. Based on a multivariable logistic regression model, the predicted probability of early AMD was 31% lower among Chinese Americans relative to Latinos (95% confidence interval [CI], 17%–43%). Chinese Americans also had statistically significantly lower odds of any AMD and 2 types of early retinal lesions symptomatic of AMD. Conclusions Factors associated with prevalent AMD are similar for Chinese Americans and Latinos. Chinese Americans who were older, were male, had a family history of AMD, and had a shorter axial length were at an increased risk for AMD compared with those without these risk factors. We observed a significantly lower predicted prevalence of AMD among Chinese Americans compared with Latinos, even after controlling for all relevant covariates, suggesting that additional genetic or lifestyle differences may play an important role in determining AMD risk.
T2-weighted images are superior to other MR image types for the determination of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma intratumoral heterogeneity.

Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) remains the main cause of death in children with brain tumors. Given the inefficacy of numerous peripherally delivered agents to treat DIPG, convection enhanced delivery (CED) of therapeutic agents is a promising treatment modality. The purpose of this study was to determine which MR imaging type provides the best discrimination of intratumoral heterogeneity to guide future stereotactic implantation of CED catheters into the most cellular tumor regions. Patients ages 18 years or younger with a diagnosis of DIPG from 2000 to 2015 were included. Radiographic heterogeneity index (HI) of the tumor was calculated by measuring the standard deviation of signal intensity of the tumor (SDTumor) normalized to the genu of the corpus callosum (SDCorpus Callosum). Four MR image types (T2-weighted, contrast-enhanced T1-weighted, FLAIR, and ADC) were analyzed at several time points both before and after radiotherapy and chemotherapy. HI values across these MR image types were compared and correlated with patient survival. MR images from 18 patients with DIPG were evaluated. The mean survival ± standard deviation was 13.8 ± 13.7 months. T2-weighted images had the highest HI (mean ± SD, 5.1 ± 2.5) followed by contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images (3.7 ± 1.5), FLAIR images (3.0 ± 1.1), and ADC maps (1.6 ± 0.4). ANOVA demonstrated that HI values were significantly higher for T2-weighted images than FLAIR (p 0.05). For children with DIPG, T2-weighted MRI demonstrates the greatest signal intensity variance suggesting tumor heterogeneity. Within this heterogeneity, T2-weighted signal hypointensity is known to correlate with increased cellularity and thus may represent a putative target for CED catheter placement in future clinical trials.
Solving the multiagent selection and scheduling problem

Consider Ann’s morning scheduling problem. Ann is a graduate student, who, among many other objectives, would like to both exercise and work on research during her morning. I summarize possible morning activities in Table 1. Even for these two simple objectives, selecting a feasible schedule from the many possible schedules (run then generate experimental results, write then bike, swim then read some related work, etc.) may be non-trivial. However, suppose Ann wants to run with her friend Bill, who notoriously oversleeps his alarm. Additionally, suppose also that Ann must coordinate the use of her lab’s computational cluster with her lab mate Claire. Without further information from Bill and Claire, it is impossible for Ann to determine which candidate schedules will successfully achieve her morning goals. One option for Ann would be to myopically select her schedule anyway, with the risk that her attempt to run with Bill or to use the computational cluster could result in a failed goal. As another option, Ann could also volunteer to collect the scheduling constraints of both Bill and Claire and generate a single joint morning schedule. However, this puts additional scheduling burden on Ann while requiring both Bill and Claire to reveal other scheduling commitments they may prefer to keep private. Even if Ann employed a centralized computational agent to solve this global scheduling problem, the resulting combinatorics may limit the scalability of such a centralized approach. Instead, the pervasiveness of personal computational devices, coupled with desires for scalability and privacy, argue for decentrally solving such problems using multiagent algorithms. My thesis focuses on providing scalable, multiagent algorithms for solving rich, complex multiagent activity scheduling and selection problems, while retaining as much privacy as possible on behalf of the human users. My approach is distinct from other recent multiagent scheduling approaches (Hunsberger 2002; Smith et al. 2007; Shah, Conrad, and Williams 2009) in that it uses a constraint-based representation of selection (finite-domain) aspects of scheduling problems in addition to the scheduling aspects. I proceed by introducing the Multiagent Selection and Scheduling Problem
A fuzzy control-based approach for the selection of health interventions

A recent study showed that around 77% of the U.S. population experiences regularly physiological symptoms of stress such as sleep deprivation, fatigue, and migraines, and 73% psychological symptoms such anxiety, angry, and lack of focus. Thus, psychological stress remains an important issue of public health. In this paper, propose a mechanism for the selection of stress interventions based on fuzzy control theory. Here, we model the user as a dynamical system, in particular, we use the well-known analogy of a fluid reservoir or tank to model the user's accumulation of stress. In this model, inputs correspond to stressors which increase the level of fluid and the outputs correspond to interventions which release stress and drain the tank. Thus, we tackle the problem keeping a user's healthy stress level by using a fuzzy logic approach. Through several examples and extensive simulations we evaluate the performance of our proposed mechanism for the selection of stress interventions.
Standardized approach to pericardial effusion management

The purpose of this review is to provide evidence-based, standardized recommendations on intervention for pericardial effusions. The appropriate management strategy is determined by effusion etiology. Pericardiocentesis under echocardiographic or fluoroscopic guidance is recommended for acute viral or idiopathic pericardial effusions. Due to recurrence risk, indwelling pericardial catheter placement is recommended for malignant pericardial effusions. Intrapericardial instillation of sclerosing or antineoplastic agents and percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy are alternative strategies. If less invasive options are not feasible or successful, pericardiotomy may be considered. Wide anterior pericardiectomy is indicated for relapse after repeated drainage. Potential procedural risks and therapeutic benefits are considered in determining the approach to intervention. The following core competencies are addressed in this article: Practice-based learning and improvement, Medical knowledge, and Patient care.
THE INTERNET IS A BOY’S CLUB?: ANALYZING GENDER DIFFERENCES IN COMPUTER & INTERNET ADOPTION BY OLDER ADULTS

This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced version of an article accepted for publication in Innovation in Aging following peer review. The version of record Wilson D. A. (2019). THE INTERNET IS A BOY’S CLUB?: ANALYZING GENDER DIFFERENCES IN COMPUTER & INTERNET ADOPTION BY OLDER ADULTS. Innovation in Aging, 3(Suppl 1), S862. https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igz038.3167 is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igz038.3167. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.