cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Probing Ligand Structure–Activity Relationships in Pregnane X Receptor (PXR): Efavirenz and 8-Hydroxyefavirenz Exhibit Divergence in Activation

Efavirenz (EFV), an antiretroviral that interacts clinically with co-administered drugs via activation of the pregnane X receptor (PXR), is extensively metabolized by the cytochromes P450. We tested whether its primary metabolite, 8-hydroxyEFV (8-OHEFV) can activate PXR and potentially contribute to PXR-mediated drug-drug interactions attributed to EFV. Luciferase reporter assays revealed that despite only differing from EFV by an oxygen atom, 8-OHEFV does not activate PXR. Corroborating this, treatment with EFV for 72 h elevated the mRNA abundance of the PXR target gene, Cyp3a11, by approximately 28-fold in primary hepatocytes isolated from PXR-humanized mice, whereas treatment with 8-OHEFV did not result in a change in Cyp3A11 mRNA levels. FRET-based competitive binding assays and isothermal calorimetry demonstrated that even with the lack of ability to activate PXR, 8-OHEFV displays an affinity for PXR (IC50 12.1 μm; KD 7.9 μm) nearly identical to that of EFV (IC50 18.7 μm; KD 12.5 μm). The use of 16 EFV analogues suggest that other discreet changes to the EFV structure beyond the 8-position are well tolerated. Molecular docking simulations implicate an 8-OHEFV binding mode that may underlie its divergence in PXR activation from EFV.
Parental health literacy and progression of chronic kidney disease in children.

Limited health literacy has been associated with adverse outcomes in children. We evaluated this association in the setting of chronic kidney disease (CKD). We assessed the parental health literacy of 367 children enrolled in the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children (CKiD) Study, using the Short Test of Functional Health Literacy (STOFHLA). We evaluated the association between parental health literacy and CKD progression, defined as time to the composite event of renal replacement therapy (RRT, dialysis, or kidney transplant) or 50% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Median CKiD participant age was 9.5 years, 63% were male, and 59% non-Hispanic white. Median eGFR at baseline was 63 ml/min/1.73 m2, and median urine protein-to-creatinine ratio was 0.22. The median STOFHLA score was 98. Over a median follow-up of 3.7 years, the overall CKD progression rate was 2.8 per 100 person-years. After adjustment for demographic and clinical factors, the relative time to CKD progression was 28% longer per 1 SD increase in STOFHLA score (relative time, 95% CI, 1.28, 1.06–1.53). In this cohort of children with CKD, higher parental health literacy was associated with a nearly 30% longer time to the composite CKD progression outcome.
Sociological orbit based mobility profiling and routing for wireless networks

A study of wireless users' mobility has been proven beneficial to several applications such as radio link lifetime estimation, location prediction, resource allocation, etc. However, the suggested approaches to studying mobility have varied in terms of the details of the mobility information required. In our empirical study, we show that each network user has a probabilistic list of places (e.g., buildings on campus) to visit each day, also referred to as a mobility profile. We further show that over a period of time (e.g., a week) a user may repeatedly follow a mixture of mobility profiles with certain probabilities, also referred to as a sociological orbit. Unlike earlier work, we present a novel profiling technique capable of processing sporadic mobility data (which is more commonly found) and building mobility profiles for each user, using a Mixture of Bernoulli's distribution based on the Expectation-Maximization algorithm. We demonstrate the usefulness of our mobility profiles in hub-level location predictions with 10% to 30% higher accuracy than a common statistical method. We propose a suite of Sociological Orbit aware Location Approximation and Routing (SOLAR) protocols that leverage upon mobility profile information exchange. Within MANET, extensive performance analysis shows that our SOLAR variations significantly outperform conventional routing protocols like Dynamic Source Routing (DSR) and Location Aided Routing (LAR) in terms of higher data throughput, lower control overhead, and lower end-to-end delay. Within Intermittently Connected Mobile Ad hoc Networks (ICMAN), similar results are obtained by comparing our multi-path hub-level routing method called SOLAR-HUB, and two variations of user-level routing techniques (S-SOLAR-KSP and D-SOLAR-KSP) based on "contact probabilities" with the performance of Epidemic Routing. Finally, we formulate a novel routing problem within probabilistic graphs of finding an optimal delivery sub-graph that maximizes the delivery probability. Our multi-fold solution proves the hardness of our optimization problem and presents an algorithm to approximate the objective function. We then model user mobility with Semi-Markov Processes to compute pair-wise user contact probabilities, and propose and highlight the superiority of an edge-constrained routing protocol over a probabilistic routing protocol, and an epidemic routing protocol proposed in literature for intermittently connected networks.
Caregiver Stress: The Role of Spirituality in the Lives of Family/Friends and Professional Caregivers of Cancer Patients

Caring for loved ones or patients who have chronic or serious illness or disability can be one of the most challenging times in a personal or professional caregiver’s life. The experience is filled with so many challenging events that can result in emotional, physical, social, and spiritual changes, not only in the patient, but also in those who care for the patient. These changes can create considerable challenges for those involved in the caring process. However, the changes can also offer an opportunity for growth, fulfillment, and deepening of relationships. However, there is no simple roadmap to follow in learning how to care for others so that the positives outweigh the negatives. The changes that occur in patients and in caregivers are unpredictable; often resolutions are not easy to find.
Follicular Thyroid Neoplasms

Follicular thyroid neoplasms are solitary nodules that present as a mass. Follicular adenomas are benign, encapsulated tumors with follicular differentiation that are more common in women, usually occur in adults, and are more common in areas of iodine deficiency. Follicular adenomas measure 1–3 cm and usually are smaller than follicular carcinomas, although size may overlap. Follicular neoplasms lack cytologic features of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Malignancy in follicular neoplasms requires capsular or vascular invasion. The capsule in follicular carcinomas often is thicker and more irregular than that of adenomas. Various histologic patterns, including microfollicular, macrofollicular, normofollicular, and trabecular growth, may be seen in follicular neoplasms. Areas of papillary architecture may be seen. Follicular neoplasms may have different cytomorphologies, including mucinous, signet ring cell, and clear cell, and may have intratumoral fat. Follicular neoplasms show immunopositivity for thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF1), thyroglobulin, and keratin and are negative for chromogranin, synaptophysin, and calcitonin. Follicular neoplasms often show RAS mutations, and a few have t(2;3)(q13;p25) involving PAX8 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ encoding a fusion protein. Follicular adenomas show increased expression of p27 cell cycle inhibitory protein and decreased Ki67 proliferative indices (LI) compared with follicular carcinomas, and carcinomas with metastases have higher Ki67 LI levels than those without. However, in an individual lesion, these and other immunohistochemical or molecular markers cannot separate benign from malignant follicular neoplasms definitively. Cytologic specimens cannot distinguish benign from malignant follicular neoplasms, as diagnosis of malignancy requires invasive growth. Follicular adenomas are treated with lobectomy and have an excellent prognosis. Follicular carcinomas show capsular and/or vascular invasion. Vascular invasion must occur within or beyond the capsule. Tumors with capsular invasion only (no vascular invasion) have more indolent behavior than those with vascular invasion. Follicular carcinomas with focal capsular and/or vascular invasion have been designated as minimally invasive, whereas those with more extensive invasion have been characterized as widely invasive, although this classification is being used less often. Tumors with extensive vascular invasion often are referred to as angioinvasive follicular carcinomas. Unlike PTC, which has frequent lymph node metastases, follicular carcinomas usually metastasize directly to viscera. Minimally invasive follicular carcinomas have a low mortality rate (3%–5% in some studies), and those with only capsular invasion (no vascular invasion) have a particularly good prognosis. Widely invasive carcinomas are aggressive, with a long-term mortality rate of 50 %.
Constructing Inheritance Class Hierarchies

In this chapter we formulate a heuristic procedure that can produce an inheritance class hierarchy. The procedure is heuristic since we don’t spell out how to make key decisions, such as finding common features for a group of classes. These decisions have to be made based on your knowledge of the application domain.
Coordination, Concertation and Conflict in Labour Market Reform: Spain and Italy in the Crisis

The aim of this paper is to use the employment-labor market policy responses to the crisis of the last several years in Italy and Spain to understand these two countries’ capacity for a coordinated policy response and policy innovation. It tries to answer the puzzle as to why Spain’s previously well-established system of concerted policy making breaks down in the crisis, producing a state-directed form of adjustment, whereas Italy, which has failed to produce a consensus on economic reform over the last decade or so, was able to produce a strong coalition, involving employers, unions and government authorities, around a concerted crisis response. Although it is difficult to generalize beyond these two cases, the paper tries to use this analysis to consider the nature of relationship between coalitions and different types of labor market policy response, the extent to which those coalitions can be sustained or are weakened by crisis conditions, and the implications of that process for policy reform.
The Physical Condition of College Freshmen

(1941). The Physical Condition of College Freshmen. The Journal of Health and Physical Education: Vol. 12, No. 2, pp. 80-82.
Muscle activation pattern elicited through transcutaneous stimulation near the cervical spinal cord.

OBJECTIVE Neuromuscular electrical stimulation can help activate muscles of individuals with neurological disorders. However, conventional electrical stimulation targets distal branches of motor axons, and activates muscles non-physiologically. For example, stimulation at the muscle belly activates muscles in a highly synchronized manner. Accordingly, we investigated whether the muscle activation pattern was more asynchronized through transcutaneous stimulation near the cervical spinal cord (tsCSC). APPROACH A stimulation array was placed on the posterior side near the cervical spinal cord, to target the arm and hand muscles. Stimulation trains of 10 Hz and 30 Hz were delivered. Electromyogram signals were recorded to quantify the muscle activation patterns. Arm and finger joint kinematics were also recorded using a motion capture system. MAIN RESULTS After an initial synchronized activation prior to 35 ms after stimulation onset, we observed substantial asynchronized muscle activities with a long latency (>35 ms). The asynchronized activation is also more evident in distal muscles compared with the proximal muscles. In addition, the decreased synchronization level of muscle activities correlated with a reduced fluctuation of joint movement. The highly asynchronized muscle activities indicated an activation of the sensory axons and/or dorsal roots as well as a possible involvement of some spinal-supraspinal circuitry. SIGNIFICANCE Our tsCSC approach can improve the muscle activation pattern during electrical stimulation with a possible involvement of the spinal and supraspinal pathways, which can facilitate applications on rehabilitation/assistance of individuals with impaired motor function.
A framework for city wide activity data recorder and providing secured way to forensic users for incidence response

In this paper, a framework has been designed, which will maintain a blockchain-based database system. The system will be used for keeping citizens daily life data of a whole city. Basically, this data gives support to any incidence inspection team to scrutinize citizens activity in-depth, for any criminal case that needs to be investigated. To perform this forensic work a framework is required which can keep the data confidential and ensures the data will not be tampered by any party related to an investigation (citizen or personnel from forensic organizations). On the other hand, any unauthorized access from any intruder can be restricted. To prevent data tampering, a blockchain-based data structure has been used by our framework to ensure the immutability. This kind of work is not been done in a collective manner, in earlier time mostly blockchain was used with bitcoin. However, it has a huge potential we have applied this in our framework to work with our daily life activity log data.
CLIP: Carbon Dioxide testing suitable for Low power microelectronics and IOT interfaces using Room temperature Ionic Liquid Platform

Health and safety considerations of room occupants in enclosed spaces is crucial for building management which entails control and stringent monitoring of CO2 levels to maintain acceptable air quality standards and improve energy efficiency. Smart building management systems equipped with portable, low-power, non-invasive CO2 sensing techniques can predict room occupancy detection based on CO2 levels exhaled by humans. In this work, we have demonstrated the development and proof-of-feasibility working of an electrochemical RTIL- based sensor prototype for CO2 detection in exhaled human breath. The portability, small form factor, embedded RTIL sensing element, integrability with low-power microelectronic and IOT interfaces makes this CO2 sensor prototype a potential application for passive room occupancy monitoring. This prototype exhibits a wide dynamic range of 400–8000 ppm, a short response time of ~10 secs, and a reset time of ~6 secs in comparison to commercial standards. The calibration response of the prototype exhibits an R2 of 0.956. With RTIL as the sensing element, we have achieved a sensitivity of 29 pF/ppm towards CO2 at ambient environmental conditions and a three times greater selectivity towards CO2 in the presence of N2 and O2. CO2 detection is accomplished by quantifying the capacitance modulations arising within the electrical double layer from the RTIL- CO2 interactions through AC- based electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and DC- based chronoamperometry.
Preschool asthma: Examining environmental influences using geographic information systems.

Objective This study was conducted to explore if environmental factors co-occur in areas with high asthma rates in Head Start (HS) children. Design Descriptive. Sample Convenience sample of 56 children with asthma enrolled in HS, ages 3-5 years. Measurements Geographic Information Systems using ArcGIS 10.4 was used to geocode and map aggregated address data at the census tract level through vector map analysis. Location, race, economic status, pollution remediation sites, age of housing, and blood lead levels were assessed for areas with high asthma concentration. Results Most children with asthma resided in one census tract, which was 1% of the total service area. Fifty-six percent of housing was built before 1960 with only 10% after 1990, suggesting deteriorating conditions. Pollution remediation sites were found in the vicinity of asthma cases. Elevated lead levels were found in 22% of all HS children; specific values for the children with asthma were not available. Conclusion Several co-occurring factors were identified. The need for proactive interventions to decrease asthma risk/poor asthma outcomes with HS is evident. GIS locates children with high susceptibility to asthma. This allows public health nurses to target interventions and educate and empower families about environmental exposures and asthma risk factors.
Correlating Laboratory and Field Compaction Levels to Achieve Optimum In Situ Mechanical Properties for Pervious Concrete Pavements

AbstractMechanical properties of pervious concrete (PC) are highly influenced by the applied compaction; however, the required level of compaction to achieve the desired density and strength in the...
Evidence for the Role of Cell Reprogramming in Naturally Occurring Cardiac Repair

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a fatal disease without a cure. If untreated, increased pulmonary vascular resistance kills patients within several years due to right heart failure. Even with the currently available therapies, survival durations remain short. By the time patients are diagnosed with this disease, the damage to the right ventricle (RV) has already developed. Therefore, agents that repair the damaged RV have therapeutic potential. We previously reported that cardiac fibrosis that occurs in the RV of adult Sprague-Dawley rats with PAH could naturally be reversed. We herein investigated the mechanism of this remarkable cardiac repair process. Counting of cardiomyocytes showed that the elimination of cardiac fibrosis is associated with the increased RV myocyte number, suggesting that new cardiomyocytes were generated. Immunohistochemistry showed the expression of α-smooth muscle actin and Sox-2 in RV myocytes of rats with PAH. Transmission electron microscopy detected the structure that resembles maturing cardiomyocytes in both the RV of PAH rats and cultured cardiomyocytes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells. We propose that the damaged RV in PAH can be repaired by activating the cell reprogramming mechanism that converts resident cardiac fibroblasts into induced cardiomyocytes.
Analysis of Biological Noise in an Organelle Size Control System

Analysis of fluctuation in organelle size provides a new way to probe the mechanisms of organelle size control systems. By analyzing cell-to-cell variation and within-cell fluctuations of flagellar length in Chlamydomonas, we show that the flagellar length control system exhibits both types of variation. Cell to cell variation is dominated by cell size, while within-cell variation results from dynamic fluctuations that are subject to a constraint, providing evidence for a homeostatic size control system. We analyzed a series of candidate genes affecting flagella and found that flagellar length variation is increased in mutations which increase the average flagellar length, an effect that w show is consistent with a theoretical model for flagellar length regulation based on length-dependent intraflagellar transport balanced by length-independent disassembly. Cells with greater differences in their flagellar lengths show impaired swimming but improved gliding motility, raising the possibility that cells have evolved mechanisms to tune intrinsic noise in length. Taken together our results show that biological noise exists at the level of subcellular structures, with a corresponding effect on cell function, and can provide new insights into the mechanisms of organelle size control.
8 Rapid cycle improvement in the hot zone

Background UNTHSC opened Fort Worth’s first drive-through coronavirus testing site which functioned as both a community service and an opportunity for health professional students to learn rapid cycle improvement. Nasopharyngeal swabs were administered through vehicle windows in what was referred to as ‘the hot zone.’ Throughout 12 weeks many changes were made to the hot zone, including installing a tent, adding a second lane, improving hot zone staff training, and staggering opening times. Objectives To ensure safe, efficient, and effective SARSCoV-2 testing for patients and staff. Methods Total tests and times per test were recorded. Time in PPE was calculated from the time PPE was donned to average time doffed. Positive test count was used as a metric for pathogen exposure. Total cases among staff were also recorded along with near misses, incidents, and good catches as discussed in daily team debrief. Training was standardized and videos were created for hot zone and safety officer staff. Results The site was open from March to June. With the tent, the accidental hot zone entry rate dropped from average of almost once per day to only once in 11 weeks. There were only 3 heat related incidents intercepted and 0 cases of COVID-19 among the 400 students and faculty. 8 safety incidents occurred. An average of 4 good catches or incidents prevented were counted per week. With staggering, time in full PPE was reduced from 165 minutes to 120 minutes. The record for most tests administered per shift increased from 55 for one lane to 112 for two lanes (figure 1). Conclusions Lessons learned here about heat safety, pathogen safety, and hot zone training can be applied to all drive thru testing sites. With this ongoing pandemic, it is wise to look for ways to improve test sites as well as potential vaccination sites.
Fetal Autoimmune-Mediated Complete Heart Block: Favorable Mortality Outcome In 20 Cases From A Single Center

Background: Fetuses exposed to maternal autoimmune diseases, such as Lupus or Sjogren's syndrome, are at risk of developing autoimmune-mediated heart block. Maternal anti-Ro/SSA or anti-La/SSB antibodies produced cross the human placenta and cause inflammation, cell death, and scaring of the fetal cardiac conduction system. The risk of mortality to the exposed fetus has been reported to be at least 18%. We were interested in detailing the outcomes and associated prenatal …
The influence of bacteria on the growth, lipid production, and extracellular metabolite accumulation by Phaeodactylum tricornutum (Bacillariophyceae)

To examine the impact of heterotrophic bacteria on microalgal physiology, we co-cultured the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum with six bacterial strains to quantify bacteria-mediated differences in algal biomass, total intracellular lipids, and for a subset, extracellular metabolite accumulation. A Marinobacter isolate significantly increased algal cell concentrations, dry biomass, and lipid content compared to axenic algal cultures. Two other bacterial strains from the Bacteroidetes order, of the genera Algoriphagus and Muricauda, significantly lowered P. tricornutum biomass, leading to overall decreased lipid accumulation. These three bacterial co-cultures (one mutualistic, two competitive) were analyzed for extracellular metabolites via untargeted liquid chromatography mass spectrometry to compare against bacteria-free cultures. Over 80% of the extracellular metabolites differentially abundant in at least one treatment were in higher concentrations in the axenic cultures, in agreement with the hypothesis that the co-cultured bacteria incorporated algal-derived organic compounds for growth. Furthermore, the extracellular metabolite profiles of the two growth-inhibiting cultures were more similar to one another than the growth-promoting co-culture, linking metabolite patterns to ecological role. Our results show that algal-bacterial interactions can influence the accumulation of intracellular lipids and extracellular metabolites, and suggest that utilization and accumulation of compounds outside the cell play a role in regulating microbial interactions.
REVIEW OF GIS DEVELOPMENTS IN GEOTECHNICAL INSTRUMENTATION ON THE CENTRAL ARTERY/TUNNEL PROJECT, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

This paper discusses the Geographic Information System (GIS) application developed for rapid analyses and reporting of instrumentation and survey data on the Central Artery/Tunnel Project in Boston, Massachusetts. Recent developments of the GIS application have included the addition of modules for preparing groundwater and settlement contour plans, and integration of digital photographs into the project-wide mapping. A module for inserting geological cross sections is underway.
Dietary dairy proteins improve lipoprotein profiles in C57/Bl6 mice

A third of HDL forms in the gut; HDL's Apo A1 also acts in innate immune function. Thus microbiota may alter HDL biology. Gut microbiota differed in C57/Bl6 mice fed from weaning to 13wks with diet...
Can Governments Promote Competition? Some Reflections About the Knowledge Limitation of Regulators for Undertaking Competition Policy Enforcement

This paper offers some reflections about the adequacy of the conventional Industrial Organization view in providing a positive explanation of market behavior and economic causalities leading firms to undertake business strategies deemed as "restrictive". We explore the convenience of using this view as a normative yardstick for enforcing competition policy in a predictable way. This stems from the inability of this view in providing knowledge to the regulator, so to undertake his regulatory activity in a regular, predictable way. After exposing the intrinsic flaws of the conventional view, we propose an alternative perspective, based on the notion of network competition, which is rooted in the Austrian Economics understanding of market process, capable of guiding government initiatives for the promotion of competition.
In Search of an Intergenerational Agenda for Cooperative Extension

“Intergenerational programming” refers to the wide range of initiatives that aim to bring young people and older adults together to interact, stimulate, educate, support, and provide care for one another. In recent years, we have seen a groundswell of intergenerational program activity at the local and national levels, grounded in a variety of disciplines and taking place in a widerange of settings. Such initiatives represent a practical, effective means for enriching the lives of young people and older adults, promoting family cohesion, and strengthening community support systems. This article focuses on intergenerational programming from the perspective of cooperative extension, a national educational network linked to land-grant universities throughout the country. Discussion centers on how intergenerational programming strategies have been used and can be enhanced to strengthen and enrich extension programs, particularly in the children, youth, and family area.
Breaking the silence, dismantling taboos: Latino novels on AIDS.

As AIDS has ravaged the world in the last two decades, literature has played an important role in giving testimony of the epidemic. According to different communities and particular experiences, AIDS literature can offer ways of coping and surviving. In the last few years the U.S. Latino/a population has been highly affected by AIDS. The first genres to register AIDS were poetry and theatre. In this essay I examine how AIDS is represented in the first four Latino novels to deal with the subject matter: Ana Castillo's So Far from God, Daniel Torres's Moriras si da una primavera, Elias Miguel Munoz's The Greatest Performance, and Jaime Manrique's latin Moon in Manhattan. My critical reading centers on how AIDS constitutes a new articulation of identity, particularly gay and ethnic identity. Most importantly, I propose that these novels contribute to dismantling homophobia and compulsory heterosexuality, deconstructing sexual and cultural taboos, and breaking the silence on AIDS/SIDA.
Thinking clearly about postoperative delirium and perioperative medications: how concerned should we be?

Delirium has been described since Hippocrates’ time. In1837, Sir Charles Dickens wrote the following detaileddescription of the syndrome in The Pickwick Papers—TheStroller’s Tale, ‘‘The mood in this account is also a mixtureof frivolous buffoonery and abject terror. Illusions andhallucinations abound’’.
Continuous‐Time Martingales

This article introduces the concept of continuous-time martingales. Several examples of continuous-time martingales are presented, along with some of the most important results in modern martingale theory. The reader is assumed to be familiar with the elements of discrete-time martingales, standard Brownian motion, and basic concepts in stochastic integration. Keywords: stochastic processes; martingales; continuous time; brownian motion; girsanov theorem
On null sets of P-harmonic measures

In a Lipschitz domain Ω ⊂ R n, associated to the p-Laplace equation $$\text{div}(\left\vert\bigtriangledown_u\right\vert^{p-2}\bigtriangledown_u)=0$$ one can define a notion of p-harmonic measure on subsets E ⊂ ∂Ω by solving the Dirichlet problem for (1) with boundary values χE. Denote by w p(x; E) the p-harmbnic function with boundary values 1 on E and 0 on ∂Ω\E. In the linear case p = 2 for each x ∈ Ω we do obtain a Borei measure on ∂Ω. This is no longer true in the nonlinear case p ≠ 2. Yet the monotonicity properties of classical harmonic measures extend to their nonlinear counterparts. Many applications of this principle are in [GLM], [HM].
Rare haplotypes of the gene TAS2R38 confer bitter taste sensitivity in humans

Background The TAS2R38 gene is widely responsible for the well-known bimodal response to a family of bitter chemicals which includes 6-n-propylthiouracial (PROP). There are two common haplotypes of this gene, the recessive AVI and the dominant PAV, both of which are well studied. Conversely, the role of rare TAS2R38 haplotypes on bitter taste sensitivity has been notoriously difficult to study due to small sample sizes. Here we present PROP sensitivity data of 97 individuals that have been observed to carry rare haplotypes (AAV, AAI, PAI, PVI) of the TAS2R38 gene.
Race Disparity Under Advisory Guidelines: Dueling Assessments and Potential Responses

Dueling studies of race disparity, one by the U.S. Sentencing Commission (USSC, 2010) and an alternative analysis published in this issue by Ulmer, Light, and Kramer (2011), diverge sharply in their methodological choices and in their characterization of trends in federal sentencing. The Commission’s study suggests a marked increase in race disparity, differences in sentencing outcomes between racial groups that cannot be explained by controlling for relevant nonrace factors, after the Supreme Court’s decisions in United States v. Booker (2005) and Gall v. United States (2007). Those decisions rendered the federal Sentencing Guidelines advisory and set a highly deferential standard of appellate review. The alternative analysis finds more modest changes, which are largely confined to immigration offenses and to the decision whether to impose a sentence of prison or probation. Yet, in several of their key findings, the Commission’s research and the new analysis by Ulmer et al. (2011) reach similar conclusions. Both agree that for Black male offenders compared withWhite male offenders, the “in/out” decision—whether to impose a sentence of imprisonment or probation—is a source of persistent and increasing disparity. Both suggest that evidence of race disparity under the mandatory Guidelines, before 2003, was unstable and inconclusive. And surprisingly, both also indicate that race disparity affecting Black male offenders reached its lowest levels ever under the PROTECT Act in 2003 and 2004, when the Guidelines were at their most mandatory and inflexible and departures were closely policed through de novo appellate review. Although narrow, those areas of agreement have potentially important implications for sentencing law. This policy essay evaluates the support that the new research lends
On the impact of low-rank interference on distributed multi-agent optimization

In this paper, we study the impact of low-rank interference on the problem of optimizing a sum of convex objective functions corresponding to multiple agents. We prove that the impact of interference can mathematically be regarded as additional constraints to original unconstrained optimization. The proposed analysis uses the notion of interference alignment where the agent transmissions are aligned in either the null space or range space of interference. We consider two cases: (i) when the interference is uniquely determined by the transmitter; and, (ii) when the interference is only determined by the receiver. The former requires the null space of the interference while the latter requires the range space. Experiments on distributed source localization demonstrate good performance of our interference cancellation strategy.
Evaluating the Public Support for Educational Vouchers: A Case Study.

Abstract This paper examines several factors that affect the support for educational vouchers. A theory of the choice of public or private schools and a discussion of rational voting behavior indicate the types of people who would most likely support a voucher. Survey data on a voucher proposal (Proposal H) that appeared on the November 1978 ballot in Michigan provide a test of the theory. The results of a binary logit model indicate that income and public school quality are inversely related to the support for the voucher. Other findings indicate that the probability of favoring the voucher increases among blacks, Catholics, families with children enrolled in private schools and those who anticipated a decrease in taxes. The probability of favoring the voucher decreases among employees of the public school system, those who perceived a tax increase and those who believed the voucher would reduce local public school expenditures.
The development and mature structure of dentine in the pike, Esox lucius, analysed by microradiography

Abstract Mineral distribution was determined by microradiography in mature and developing teeth of the pike, Esox lucius. A thin, evenly-and-highly-calcified enameloid layer covered all teeth. A less calcified pallial cone of compact primitive orthodentine underlaid the enameloid layer. The outer part of the pallial layer showed striated density variations perpendicular to the surface. This corresponded to the layer of numerous von Korff fibres. Remainder of pallial layer contained highly branched dentinal canals in an evenly calcified matrix. The pallial cone of dentine was filled with calcified trabeculae of osteodentine separated by spaces containing soft tissue. The trabeculae showed calcification patterns corresponding to the distribution of a coarse and fine fibre matrix. Coarse fibre matrix was less calcified than fine. The enameloid and pallial compact dentine formed and calcified before osteodentine formed. Osteodentine appeared first as thin calcified rods of coarse fibre matrix which increased in diameter and fused to form the mature trabeculae. A final covering of fine fibre matrix formed and calcified on the bundles of coarse fibre matrix. Current concepts of the structure of osteodentine and its relation to bone are discussed.
CTH07-5: Free Space Optical MIMO System Using an Optical Pre-Amplifier

Multiple transmitter and receivers can be used to combat link outage due to the atmosphere turbulence and scattering in an urban 'last-mile' free space optical communication system. We investigate the use of an optical preamplifier in the resulting multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) system for atmospheric line-of-sight optical communication, with signal repetition across the laser array. The optically preamplified system has better performance than previous MIMO system relying on electronic amplification. Our focus is on determining symbol error probability for uncoded transmission.
Tolerating correlated failures for generalized Cartesian distributions via bipartite matching

Faults are expected to play an increasingly important role in how algorithms and applications are designed to run on future extreme-scale systems. Algorithm-based fault tolerance (ABFT) is a promising approach that involves modifications to the algorithm to recover from faults with lower overheads than replicated storage and a significant reduction in lost work compared to checkpoint-restart techniques. Fault-tolerant linear algebra (FTLA) algorithms employ additional processors that store parities along the dimensions of a matrix to tolerate multiple, simultaneous faults. Existing approaches assume regular data distributions (blocked or block-cyclic) with the failures of each data block being independent. To match the characteristics of failures on parallel computers, we extend these approaches to mapping parity blocks in several important ways. First, we handle parity computation for generalized Cartesian data distributions with each processor holding arbitrary subsets of blocks in a Cartesian-distributed array. Second, techniques to handle correlated failures, i.e., multiple processors that can be expected to fail together, are presented. Third, we handle the colocation of parity blocks with the data blocks and do not require them to be on additional processors. Several alternative approaches, based on graph matching, are presented that attempt to balance the memory overhead on processors while guaranteeing the same fault tolerance properties as existing approaches that assume independent failures on regular blocked data distributions. The evaluation of these algorithms demonstrates that the additional desirable properties are provided by the proposed approach with minimal overhead.
From the Ground Up: Modernism Away from the Center

Over the coming year, readers of the JAE will see a significant expansion of the Reviews section to include critical commentary on exhibits, symposia, competitions, buildings, practices, films, and...
ABC dont ever forget glucose.

This article summarizes the diagnosis and acute management of glucose-based emergencies for the foundation year doctor, principally focusing on hypoglycaemia and the hyperglycaemic emergencies of diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperglycaemic hyperosmolar state. The causes of hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia are given in Table 1.
Characteristics of the Spanish grammar and sociolinguistic proficiency of dual immersion graduates

Dual immersion schools in the United States, which combine native Spanish speakers and students learning Spanish as an L2, encourage English development while promoting Spanish learning. However, relatively little is known about the levels of Spanish attained by dual immersion graduates. This case study describes the performance on a number of measures of a graduating class at a Spanish-English dual immersion school. It analyzes their proficiency in speaking, reading and writing, their production of three grammatical forms, and their ability to identify and produce appropriately polite Spanish. Heritage Spanish speakers evidenced fairly strong Spanish systems. L2 Spanish learners scored low on several measures, but overall could communicate their ideas. Several recommendations are offered for immersion classroom pedagogy.
Comparison of drinking water mutagenicity with leaching of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from water distribution pipes

Abstract The primary objectives of this study were to examine the changes in concentration of six polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and the possibility of changes in mutagenic potential of treated waters as a result of their passage through commonly used distribution pipes. With the exception of the finished water taken at one treatment plant in which the total concentration of the six PAH was 138.5 parts per trillion (ppt), the total initial concentration in all other treated water ranged from 0 to 13.4 ppt. The corresponding total PAH concentration in water after passage through the distribution pipes varied from 0 to 61.6 ppt. This demonstrated that PAH concentration in water can increase as a result of their passage through coated distribution pipes. Mutagenic activity was also detected in many of the treated water samples, however, the levels of this activity did not correlate with either the transit of water through the distribution system or the levels of PAH in the water. There was some evidence to indicate that the water treatment process itself may have contributed to the mutagenicity observed in the finished water.
Martin Edelweiss’s Quest for Glory, Guided by Prospero and Other Wizards

AbstractNabokov’s novel Glory (Podvig, 1932) was often viewed as a “regression” to traditional novel writing and, therefore, perceived as untypical for the innovative modernist Nabokov (Sirin). More recently there have been critical voices reading the novel as marked by Silver Age aesthetics, not least for its fantasy and fairytale elements and its inclusion of subtexts such as Shakespeare’s The Tempest. My article argues the later approach, specifically examining in detail the allusions to Shakespeare’s play as a vital key to a new interpretation. In my reading, Martin Edelweiss, the novel’s dreamy protagonist is an Ariel figure and his earthbound opposite and friend and rival Darwin, a Caliban figure. It examines the question whether there are no other ways to cross forbidden borders than physically traversing them and that the “wizard” who created both Martin-Ariel and Darwin-Caliban used them as symbolic figures and pointers to his own artistic mission which – in the tradition of the “shipwreck surviv...
Tuning Criterion of Variable Piezoelectric Circuitry for Frequency-Shift-Based Damage Identification Enhancement

A new concept of using piezoelectric transducer circuitry with tunable inductance to enhance the performance of frequency-shift-based damage identification method has been recently proposed. While previous work has shown that the frequency-shift information used for damage identification can be significantly enriched by tuning the inductance in the piezoelectric circuitry, a fundamental issue of this approach, namely, how to tune the inductance to best enhance the damage identification performance, has not been addressed. Therefore, this research aims at advancing the state-of-the-art of such a technology by proposing guidelines to form favorable inductance tuning such that the enriched frequency measurement data can effectively capture the damage effect. Our analysis shows that when the inductance is tuned to accomplish eigenvalue curve veering, the change of system eigenvalues induced by structural damage will vary significantly with respect to the change of inductance. Under such curve veering, one may obtain a series of frequency-shift data with different sensitivity relations to the damage, and thus the damage characteristics can be captured more effectively and completely. When multiple tunable piezoelectric transducer circuitries are integrated with the mechanical structure, multiple eigenvalue curve veering can be simultaneously accomplished between desired pairs of system eigenvalues. An optimization scheme aiming at achieving desired set of eigenvalue curve veering is formulated to find the critical inductance values that can be used to form the favorable inductance tuning for multiple piezoelectric circuitries. In the numerical analyses of damage identification, an iterative second-order perturbation-based algorithm is used to identify damages in beam and plate structures. Numerical results show that the performance of damage identification is significantly affected by the selection of inductance tuning, and only when the favorable inductance tuning is used, the locations and severities of structural damages can be accurately identified.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Evolution of colour vision in mammals

Colour vision allows animals to reliably distinguish differences in the distributions of spectral energies reaching the eye. Although not universal, a capacity for colour vision is sufficiently widespread across the animal kingdom to provide prima facie evidence of its importance as a tool for analysing and interpreting the visual environment. The basic biological mechanisms on which vertebrate colour vision ultimately rests, the cone opsin genes and the photopigments they specify, are highly conserved. Within that constraint, however, the utilization of these basic elements varies in striking ways in that they appear, disappear and emerge in altered form during the course of evolution. These changes, along with other alterations in the visual system, have led to profound variations in the nature and salience of colour vision among the vertebrates. This article concerns the evolution of colour vision among the mammals, viewing that process in the context of relevant biological mechanisms, of variations in mammalian colour vision, and of the utility of colour vision.
A Comparison of the Electronic Transition Energies for Ethene, Isobutene, Formaldehyde, and Acetone Calculated Using RPA, TDDFT, and EOM-CCSD. Effect of Basis Sets

The effect of basis sets on the calculated transition energies for ethene, formaldehyde, acetone, and isobutene has been studied at the RPA, TDDFT, and EOM-CCSD theoretical levels. Polarization functions beyond the (d,p) level have little effect on the calculated energies. However, diffuse functions have a major effect on the calculated energies. Using 6-311(2+,2+)G(d,p) which has two sets of diffuse functions, EOM-CCSD gave very good agreement with the available experimental data in most cases. Another set of diffuse functions led to lower transition energies in a few cases. The RPA calculations for ethene are in fairly good agreement with the first 10 experimental transition energies, and TDDFT is less satisfactory. On the other hand, for formaldehyde and acetone, TDDFT gives fairly good agreement with experiment for the first states, and RPA is quite unsatisfactory. The use of global diffuse functions instead of additional atom-centered diffuse functions was examined. They proved to be quite satisfacto...
Prenatal prescription of macrolide antibiotics and infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.

Abstract Objective: To assess the association between prenatal antibiotics, including erythromycin, and infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis in a large cohort of infants. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of births to women enrolled in Tennessee Medicaid/TennCare, 1985–1997. Prescriptions for erythromycin, nonerythromycin macrolides, and other antibiotics were identified from pharmacy files linked with birth certificate files. The primary study outcome was development of pyloric stenosis in the infant, identified from linked hospital discharge diagnosis and surgical procedure codes. Results: The cohort included 260,799 mother/infant pairs. Among these women, 13,146 filled prescriptions for erythromycin (50.4 per 1000), and 621 filled prescriptions for nonerythromycin macrolides (2.4 per 1000). There was no association with prenatal erythromycin prescription and infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis either after 32 weeks’ gestation (adjusted odds ratio 1.17, 95% confidence interval, 0.84, 1.64, P = .33) or at any time during pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio 1.15, 95% confidence interval 0.84, 1.56, P = .36). There was an association between maternal prescriptions for nonerythromycin macrolides and infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (adjusted odds ratio 2.77, 95% confidence interval 1.22, 6.30, P = .01). Conclusion: The hypothesized association between erythromycin and infantile pyloric stenosis was not seen. Causal inference from the association between prenatal nonerythromycin macrolides and infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis is limited by the small number of affected children and the evidence of other differences between users of nonerythromycin macrolides and controls.