cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bucking the trend: improved evaluation and annotation practices for ESL error detection systems

The last decade has seen an explosion in the number of people learning English as a second language (ESL). In China alone, it is estimated to be over 300 million (Yang in Engl Today 22, 2006). Even in predominantly English-speaking countries, the proportion of non-native speakers can be very substantial. For example, the US National Center for Educational Statistics reported that nearly 10 % of the students in the US public school population speak a language other than English and have limited English proficiency (National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) in Public school student counts, staff, and graduate counts by state: school year 2000---2001, 2002). As a result, the last few years have seen a rapid increase in the development of NLP tools to detect and correct grammatical errors so that appropriate feedback can be given to ESL writers, a large and growing segment of the world's population. As a byproduct of this surge in interest, there have been many NLP research papers on the topic, a Synthesis Series book (Leacock et al. in Automated grammatical error detection for language learners. Synthesis lectures on human language technologies. Morgan Claypool, Waterloo 2010), a recurring workshop (Tetreault et al. in Proceedings of the NAACL workshop on innovative use of NLP for building educational applications (BEA), 2012), and a shared task competition (Dale et al. in Proceedings of the seventh workshop on building educational applications using NLP (BEA), pp 54---62, 2012; Dale and Kilgarriff in Proceedings of the European workshop on natural language generation (ENLG), pp 242---249, 2011). Despite this growing body of work, several issues affecting the annotation for and evaluation of ESL error detection systems have received little attention. In this paper, we describe these issues in detail and present our research on alleviating their effects.
Distinct, convergent second messenger pathways modulate neuronal calcium currents

Abstract Norepinephrine (NE) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) inhibit N -type calcium channels in embryonic chick sensory neurons. We demonstrate here that the modulatory actions of the two transmitters are mediated through distinct biochemical pathways. Intracellular application of the pseudosubstrate inhibitor for protein kinase C blocks the inhibition produced by NE (and the protein kinase C activator oleoylacetylglycerol), but not that produced by GABA. Calcium current inhibition produced by oleoylacetylglycerol occludes inhibition by subsequent application of NE; GABA-mediated inhibition, however, is not eliminated by prior activation of protein kinase C. These results demonstrate that multiple biochemical pathways converge to control N-type calcium channel function.
A Simple Nonnegative Process for Equilibrium Models

Abstract This paper presents a general specification for dynamic equilibrium models where nonnegative variables follow the autoregressive gamma process in Jasiak and Gourieroux (2006). The model solution implies linear dynamics for endogenous variables, and provides conditional and unconditional moments in closed-form. Finding the solution is computationally inexpensive, requiring only to solve linear and quadratic equations. The specification can be applied to a wide variety of models in finance and economics. Two applications are presented. First, a time-varying volatility premium in a long-run risks asset pricing model. Second, time-varying volatility in policy shocks in a simple New Keynesian model. Accuracy in these models’ solutions is high and not significantly affected by time-varying volatility.
Sleep: hitting the reset button

Many aspects of sleep, including the how and why, are still mysterious, especially its relationship to learning and memory. A new study suggests that sleep may serve to reset synaptic potentiation, linking it to homeostatic plasticity.
AN EFFICIENT SYSTEM FOR GEOMETRIC ASSEMBLY SEQUENCE GENERATION AND EVALUATION

In this paper, we present a software system which can automatically determine how to assemble a product from its parts, given only a geometric description of the assembly. Incorporated into a larger CAD tool, this system, the Stanford Assembly Analysis Tool (STAAT), could thus provide immediate feedback to a team of product designers about the complexity of assembling the product being designed. This would be particularly useful in complex assemblies where each designer may not be fully aware of the impact of his design changes on the assemblability of the product as a whole. STAAT’s underlying data structure is an efficient version of the non-directional blocking graph (NDBG), a compact representation of the blocking relationships in an assembly. STAAT implements several techniques using this structure, under a unified approach in which the same software “machinery” can analyze the product under different assembly constraints. In initial experiments conducted on relatively small polyhedral assemblies of 20 to 40 parts and 500 to 1500 faces, using one-step translational motions, STAAT generated assembly sequences much more quickly than did previous NDBG-based systems. We are working now on extending both these results and the underlying theory to more sophisticated cases.
Measuring Gay Populations and Antigay Hate Crime

Objectives. The study of crime directed at gay and lesbian targets is hampered by two measurement problems: Police agencies provide unreliable data on hate crime, and tract-level census data contain no direct information about gay or lesbian population density. This article attempts to gauge two quantities that cannot be measured directly or unambiguously: the size of the gay and lesbian populations and the number of hate crimes directed at gay and lesbian targets. Methods. Population data for New York City were gathered from market research lists and from a special tabulation of the 1990 Census. Hate crime data were obtained from the Anti-Violence Project and the New York Police Department. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess the reliability of each measure and the correlation between latent population density and hate crime. Results. Each of these measures offers a reliable means by which to assess cross-sectional differences in the population density and victimization of gay men. Census and police data prove to be inferior indicators of lesbian population density and antilesbian hate crime. For both men and women, population density is strongly correlated with the incidence of hate crime. Conclusions. Despite the fact that advocacy groups record many more antigay incidents than do the police, both sources of data are in agreement about where hate crimes occur. The strong correlation between population density and hate crime against gay men implies that Census data could be used to forecast the occurrence of hate crime in areas where no police records exist.
Energy from food — old values and new perspectives

Summary Current methods for assessment of food energy values are under pressure from a need for an internationally agreed method; remaining uncertainties in the composition, utilization and dietary effects of unavailable carbohydrate; the occurrence of new food ingredients; the application of new processing methods; the development of empirical approaches to food energy assessment and the potential for more functionally and biochemically based systems of assessment. Also, the experimental evaluation of alternative carbohydrates may be a tricky problem.
Integrating performance monitoring and communication in parallel computers

A large and increasing gap exists between processor and memory speeds in scalable cache-coherent multiprocessors. To cope with this situation, programmers and compiler writers must increasingly be aware of the memory hierarchy as they implement software. Tools to support memory performance tuning have, however, been hobbled by the fact that it is difficult to observe the caching behavior of a running program. Little hardware support exists specifically for observing caching behavior; furthermore, what support does exist is often difficult to use for making fine-grained observations about program memory behavior.Our work observes that in a multiprocessor, the actions required for memory performance monitoring are similar to those required for enforcing cache coherence. In fact, we argue that on several machines, the coherence/communication system itself can be used as machine support for performance monitoring. We have demonstrated this idea by implementing the FlashPoint memory performance monitoring tool. FlashPoint is implemented as a special performance-monitoring coherence protocol for the Stanford FLASH Multiprocessor. By embedding performance monitoring into a cache-coherence scheme based on a programmable controller, we can gather detailed, per-data-structure, memory statistics with less than a 10% slowdown compared to unmonitored program executions. We present results on the accuracy of the data collected, and on how FlashPoint performance scales with the number of processors.
Psychopathology in patients with endogenous Cushing's syndrome: ‘atypical’ or melancholic features

Objective Prolonged elevations of glucocorticoids have been linked to the effective disturbances experienced by patients with Cushing's syndrome. Major depression has been most commonly reported in patients with endogenous Cushing's syndrome. The purpose of this study was to determine whether these patients experience melancholic or 'atypical' subtype depression and to determine relations between current psychological functioning and factors such as duration and severity of Cushing's syndrome. Design and patients We examined 33 adult patients with documented Cushing's syndrome and 17 hospitalized, matched controls, using standardized structured interviews and tests. Results During the active phase of Cushing's syndrome (prior to and/or on admission), 66.7% of all patients reported histories meeting criteria for a psychiatric diagnosis. Of those with a diagnosis during Cushing's syndrome, 50% reported major depression. Upon presentation to this institution, atypical depression was the most common diagnosis involving 51.5% (n =17) of all enrolled patients. Of the 17 with atypical depression, 8 reported a co-morbid psychiatric disorder. The duration of Cushing's syndrome was an important factor in predicting whether patients sought psychological intervention or met criteria for psychiatric diagnosis. Conclusion Patients with active endogenous Cushing's syndrome exhibit significant psychopathology expressed primarily by atypical depression. Longer duration of Cushing's syndrome may place them at increased risk of such psychopathology.
The TransiTion From Prison To CommuniTy iniTiaTive an examination of Gender responsiveness for Female offender reentry

This review examines female offender reentry within the context of the Transition from Prison to Community Initiative (TPCI). Specifically, we consider each stage of the TPCI, noting the extent to ...
Analysis of environmentally induced spacecraft anomalies

the ground data processing system. But until the anomaly analysis is completed and a ground source is identified, these nonconforming results that are not due to the satellite itself are considered anomalies. In this presentation, we will not further address virtual anomalies. The rest of this presentation will be divided into two sections. The first will discuss the anomaly investigation process and provide some examples of results of anomaly analyses and anecdotal material. To assist the reader in following the typically contorted process of the initial stages of anomaly analysis, a number of decision trees will be used. The discussions in the first section will be formulated around these trees. The second section will discuss the various classes of environmentally induced anomalies and provide some insight into the relevance of various orbital and environmental parameters. Anomaly Analysis Methodology
NHS breast screening: a model national programme.

The United Kingdom’s NHS Breast Screening Programme is an impressive example of a high-coverage mammography screening service. The recent report from the Advisory Committee on Breast Cancer Screening (see pages 59–61) traces the history of the programme since its inception in 1988. As it was set up, the programme offered free threeyearly, single-view mammography to women aged 50–64. It has now been expanded to offer two-view mammography to women aged 50–70, and it achieves 75% coverage of the target population. The programme is estimated to save around 1400 lives per year, one per eight women regularly screened. This is consistent with estimates of the benefit of mammography programmes in the US. The costs have been estimated as £3000 per year of life saved. While more sophisticated cost effectiveness analyses are possible, it is clear that the UK programme represents value for money in health economic terms. The screening regimen, as it was initiated in 1988, might be considered minimal, and indeed some colleagues might still consider it so in view of the three-year interscreening interval. However, its spareness and simplicity may be an important contributor to its success. In offering secondary preventive services at a national level, delicate balances have to be struck with respect to effectiveness, cost, deliverability and acceptability. The three-yearly programme is deliverable within the financial resources and the numbers of appropriately qualified staff available. It is acceptable to the public, as evidenced by the high coverage, and it is saving lives. As treatment options improve, the mutually adjusted benefits of screening and adjuvant therapies will take on some importance. These may lead to further refinement of the target population, so that screening is offered only to those most likely to benefit from it. Primary prevention strategies may also have implications for the effectiveness of screening or the appropriate target population. In the meantime, the UK’s Breast Screening Programme has led to a reduction in deaths from breast cancer, in the size of tumours at presentation and in the number of mastectomies. Indirect effects include the mass of downstream research, which has added to our understanding of breast cancer natural history and control, and to the standardization and dissemination of good practice in diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Other countries may do well to look to the UK programme as one to emulate. Graham A Colditz Associate Director, Channing Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 181 Longwood Avenue, Boston MA 02115, USA
MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY IN AN INITIALLY HEALTHY ELDERLY SAMPLE: FINDINGS AFTER FIVE YEARS OF FOLLOW-UP

This report summarizes morbidity and mortality data for 263 initially healthy elderly men and women from the beginning of this study through five years of follow-up. The mortality rate for this sample averaged approximately 1.8% per year and the duration of terminal illness averaged 4.9 months. The cancer incidence rate has increased whereas new diagnoses of cardiovascular disease and degenerative conditions have declined. The data support the potential for maximizing vigour and health well into the seventh and eighth decades of life.
Generalized Eady waves

Solutions are obtained for the baroclinic instability problem for situations in which the static stability and mean shear vary geminately with height. The simple solution given by Eady is shown to be a special limiting case of a class of exact solutions for flows whose basic states have a vanishing interior potential vorticity gradient. The generalized solutions show that the temperature amplitude distribution is particularly sensitive to vertical variations in static stability but that phases and other amplitudes are only slightly influenced by such variations. When the static stability and shear increase (decrease) with height an enhanced temperature maximum occurs at the upper (lower) surface in comparison with the standard Eady solution. The generalized solutions also help to explain the character of annulus waves and predict a short-wave cut-off that is the same as that given by Eady's theory provided that it is based on the vertically averaged gravitational frequency.
Contrast ultrasound molecular imaging: harnessing the power of bubbles.

This editorial refers to ‘Cardiovascular molecular imaging: an overview’ by A. Saraste et al .,2 pp. 643–652, this issue; ‘Ultrasound molecular imaging of atherosclerosis’ by B.A. Kaufmann,3 pp. 617–625, this issue; ‘Contrast ultrasound molecular imaging of inflammation in cardiovascular disease’ by J.R. Lindner,4 forthcoming; ‘Molecular imaging using contrast-enhanced ultrasound: evaluation of angiogenesis and cell therapy’ by H. Leong-Poi,5 doi:10.1093/cvr/cvp248, Advance Access publication July 2009; ‘The utilization of ultrasound and microbubbles for therapy in acute coronary syndromes’ by T.R. Porter,8 pp. 636–642, this issue; and ‘Cardiovascular therapeutic uses of targeted ultrasound contrast agents’ by S.T. Laing et al .,9 pp. 626–635, this issue. Over the past decade, there has been an escalating effort by researchers in academic institutions and industry to develop novel, non-invasive medical imaging approaches for evaluating tissue phenotype. These emerging techniques are designed to detect the cellular or molecular mediators of disease rather than structural or functional consequences of disease. The clinical justification for this trend is that molecular imaging provides unique information that could potentially be used to diagnosis disease at a very early stage, … *Corresponding author. Tel: +1 503 494 8750; fax: +1 503 494 8550. E-mail address : lindnerj{at}ohsu.edu
Subregional Variation in Upland Hardwood Forest Composition and Disturbance Regimes of the Central Hardwood Region

Oaks and hickories characterize the Central Hardwood Region, with its temperate, humid climate and deep soils. Several xerophytic species characterize stands on xeric sites; mesic sites usually have greater diversity of oaks and hickories and include maple, ash, beech, and yellow-poplar. Ice and wind storms are common disturbances across the region; wildland fires ignited by lightning are uncommon and generally confined to small, stand-size areas. Variable environmental conditions, topography, and forest species compositions from the eastern Appalachians to the western Ozarks can require different silvicultural prescriptions to create early successional habitats, even in stands of similar appearance.
Twentieth century north atlantic climate change. Part I: assessing determinism

Boreal winter North Atlantic climate change since 1950 is well described by a trend in the leading spatial structure of variability, known as the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). Through diagnoses of ensembles of atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM) experiments, we demonstrate that this climate change is a response to the temporal history of sea surface temperatures (SSTs). Specifically, 58 of 67 multi-model ensemble members (87%), forced with observed global SSTs since 1950, simulate a positive trend in a winter index of the NAO, and the spatial pattern of the multi-model ensemble mean trend agrees with that observed. An ensemble of AGCM simulations with only tropical SST forcing further suggests that variations in these SSTs are of primary importance. The probability distribution function (PDF) of 50-year NAO index trends from the forced simulations are, moreover, appreciably different from the PDF of a control simulation with no interannual SST variability, although chaotic atmospheric variations are shown to yield substantial 50-year trends. Our results thus advance the view that the observed linear trend in the winter NAO index is a combination of a strong tropically forced signal and an appreciable “noise” component of the same phase. The changes in tropical rainfall of greatest relevance include increased rainfall over the equatorial Indian Ocean, a change that has likely occurred in nature and is physically consistent with the observed, significant warming trend of the underlying sea surface.
IL-12 secreting tumor-targeted chimeric antigen receptor T cells eradicate ovarian tumors in vivo

A novel approach for the treatment of ovarian cancer includes immunotherapy with genetically engineered T cells targeted to ovarian cancer cell antigens. Using retroviral transduction, T cells can be created that express an artificial T cell receptor (TCR) termed a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). We have generated a CAR, 4H11-28z, specific to MUC-16ecto antigen, which is the over-expressed on a majority of ovarian tumor cells and is the retained portion of MUC-16 after cleavage of CA-125. We previously demonstrated that T cells modified to express the 4H11-28z CAR eradicate orthotopic human ovarian cancer xenografts in SCID-Beige mice. However, despite the ability of CAR T cells to localize to tumors, their activation in the clinical setting can be inhibited by the tumor microenvironment, as is commonly seen for endogenous antitumor immune response. To potentially overcome this limitation, we have recently developed a construct that co-expresses both MUC16ecto CAR and IL-12 (4H11-28z/IL-12). In vitro, 4H11-28z/IL-12 CAR T cells show enhanced proliferation and robust IFNγ secretion compared to 4H11-28z CAR T cells. In SCID-Beige mice with human ovarian cancer xenografts, IL-12 secreting CAR T cells exhibit enhanced antitumor efficacy as determined by increased survival, prolonged persistence of T cells, and higher systemic IFNγ. Furthermore, in anticipation of translating these results into a phase I clinical trial which will be the first to study IL-12 secreting CAR T cells in ovarian cancer, an elimination gene has been included to allow for deletion of CAR T cells in the context of unforeseen or off-tumor on-target toxicity.
Biliary phospholipases in the prairie dog model for cholesterol cholelithiasis.

Lysolecithin has been implicated as a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of cholecystitis and cholesterol cholelithiasis. The phospholipases are key enzymes in the generation of a number of metabolites including lysolecithin, but conflicting reports exist concerning the presence of these enzymes in the biliary tract. In this study, measurement of phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase activity by means of the hydrolysis of radiolabeled phosphatidylcholine (100 nmol) by 90 μg of homogenate protein during a 60-min incubation demonstrated substantial enzyme activities in gastric fundus and distal ileum (90% and 70% hydrolysis, respectively), whereas activity was virtually undetectable in gallbladder mucosa (0.7% hydrolysis). Additional studies were conducted in prairie dogs fed diets high in cholesterol or with trace amounts of cholesterol using homogenates of gallbladder mucosa, seromuscularis and full-thickness tissue, as well as samples of hepatic and gallbladder bile. The only hydrolytic activity in excess of blank values that was detected was a highly variable phospholipase A2 activity in several gallbladder biles from animals given diets with both low levels and high levels of cholesterol, with the enzyme activities of the two dietary groups being similar. These results demonstrate that prairie dog gallbladder contains extremely low levels of phospholipase activity, in marked contrast to other gastrointestinal tissues. However, there was evidence of a phospholipase A2 activity in gallbladder bile. In light of the low activity in gallbladder tissue, the source of this enzyme appears to be the liver and not the gallbladder. The fact that hydrolytic activity after cholesterol feeding was similar to that in control animals suggests that the increases in lysolecithin concentration in gallbladder bile that occur during early cholelithiasis may result from stasis rather than from an increased hepatic secretion of phospholipase. (Hepatology 1994;19:743–749).
Electronic skin: architecture and components

Conceptual hardware architecture of skin-like circuits is described. An elastomeric skin carries rigid islands on which active subcircuits are made. The subcircuit islands are interconnected by stretchable metallization. We concentrate on recent advances in stretchable thin-film conductors, by covering their construction, evaluation, and laboratory and theoretical analysis. Reversibly stretchable conductors with electrically-critical strains ranging from 10% to 100% have been made.
Inferences regarding the diet of extinct hominins: structural and functional trends in dental and mandibular morphology within the hominin clade

This contribution investigates the evolution of diet in the Pan – Homo and hominin clades. It does this by focusing on 12 variables (nine dental and three mandibular) for which data are available about extant chimpanzees, modern humans and most extinct hominins. Previous analyses of this type have approached the interpretation of dental and gnathic function by focusing on the identification of the food consumed (i.e. fruits, leaves, etc.) rather than on the physical properties (i.e. hardness, toughness, etc.) of those foods, and they have not specifically addressed the role that the physical properties of foods play in determining dental adaptations. We take the available evidence for the 12 variables, and set out what the expression of each of those variables is in extant chimpanzees, the earliest hominins, archaic hominins, megadont archaic hominins, and an inclusive grouping made up of transitional hominins and pre-modern Homo . We then present hypotheses about what the states of these variables would be in the last common ancestor of the Pan – Homo clade and in the stem hominin. We review the physical properties of food and suggest how these physical properties can be used to investigate the functional morphology of the dentition. We show what aspects of anterior tooth morphology are critical for food preparation (e.g. peeling fruit) prior to its ingestion, which features of the postcanine dentition (e.g. overall and relative size of the crowns) are related to the reduction in the particle size of food, and how information about the macrostructure (e.g. enamel thickness) and microstructure (e.g. extent and location of enamel prism decussation) of the enamel cap might be used to make predictions about the types of foods consumed by extinct hominins. Specifically, we show how thick enamel can protect against the generation and propagation of cracks in the enamel that begin at the enamel– dentine junction and move towards the outer enamel surface.
Challenges of hybrid electric vehicles for military applications

Hybrid electric vehicles are steadily coming to fruition in the commercial market due to their proven benefits in fuel economy and lower emission of pollutants. For military vehicles, the drivers for hybrid electric vehicles are quite different; although the fuel economy remains a desirable feature for both the commercial and military sectors. The military needs for hybrid electric reside in their ability to generate significant level of electric power onboard the vehicles to meet the demand of the warfighter thus expanding his mission capabilities in terms of mobility, survivability and lethality. The Army recognizes the payoffs of hybrid electric propulsion for tactical and combat vehicles. However, the fielding of hybrid electric military vehicles has been much slower than the commercial vehicles due to the technical challenges that must be overcome before the hybrid technology can be considered viable for military applications. This paper describes some of the challenges and the proposed solutions and their state of development and future trends.
Contour-based hybrid displacement estimation for image sequence compression

A contour-based hybrid scheme for video sequence displacement estimation is described. It is a combination of a contour-based and a multiframe gradient-based algorithm. By using three successive image frames, the proposed system can select reliable motion-related-frame differences, extract moving edge tokens, and ignore noise. The contour-based estimation method can provide a reasonable initial displacement estimate for each moving edge neighborhood. As only one motion vector per edge neighborhood needs to be transmitted and the receiver can find the edge and region information by itself, this approach can reduce the overhead bits to be transmitted. To complete a low-bit-rate video coding system, some coding algorithms need to be applied to transmit the motion-compensated frame differences. >
Multi-humanoid world modeling in Standard Platform robot soccer

In the RoboCup Standard Platform League (SPL), the robot platform is the same humanoid NAO robot for all the competing teams. The NAO humanoids are fully autonomous with two onboard directional cameras, computation, multi-joint body, and wireless communication among them. One of the main opportunities of having a team of robots is to have robots share information and coordinate. We address the problem of each humanoid building a model of the world in real-time, given a combination of its own limited sensing, known models of actuation, and the communicated information from its teammates. Such multi-humanoid world modeling is challenging due to the biped motion, the limited perception, and the tight coupling between behaviors, sensing, localization, and communication. We describe the real-world opportunities, constraints and limitations imposed by the NAO humanoid robots. We contribute a modeling approach that differentiates among the motion model of different objects, in terms of their dynamics, namely the static landmarks (e.g., goal posts, lines, corners), the passive moving ball, and the controlled moving robots, both teammates and adversaries. We present experimental results with the NAO humanoid robots to illustrate the impact of our multi-humanoid world modeling approach. The challenges and approaches we present are relevant to the general problem of assessing and sharing information among multiple humanoid robots acting in a world with multiple types of objects.
Moving teeth faster, better and painless: Is it possible?

As tentativas de correcao de dentes apinhados ou projetados remontam a 3000 anos de historia. Fo-ram encontradas mumias egipcias com aneis metali-cos rudimentares envoltos em alguns dentes. Apare-lhos ortodonticos toscos, mas surpreendentemente bem elaborados, tambem foram encontrados entre artefatos gregos e etruscos
On the efficiency of matched pairs in Bernoulli trials

SUMMARY Two methods for testing hypotheses concerning the equality of two proportions are compared. The first method is the large sample test for proportions considered in most elementary texts. The other method is applicable under more general assumptions than the first and requires a pairing of the observations from the two populations. The two procedures are compared, using three different measures of asymptotic efficiency, under conditions where both are applicable. At least for the measures of efficiency considered, the matched pairs procedure is shown to do almost as well as the usual large sample test.
Minimum Chernoff entropy and exponential bounds for locating changes

Large deviation theory makes extensive use of Chernoff exponential bounds to establish exert rates of convergence for certain probabilities. In this article, stronger exponential bounds from martingale theory are utilized to give results on the errors of the maximum-likelihood estimate of the location of a change between two probability measures in terms of the minimum Chernoff entropy (MCE). For example, the probability of estimating the change point exactly is bigger than one minus twice the MCE. These results support the use of the MCE as an appropriate distance measure between probability measures for applications such as the automatic classification of digital modulation signal constellations.
United States - Definitive Safeguard Measures on Imports of Certain Steel Products (WT/DS259; WT/DS252; WT/DS248; WT/DS249; WT/DS251; WT/DS258; WT/DS254; WT/DS253: DSR 2003:VII, 3117)

The Appellate Body decision in the steel dispute is the latest in a line of unsatisfactory decisions in the safeguards area. The problem stems from the fact that the treaty text regarding the preconditions for the use of safeguard measures is badly deficient. The Appellate Body with its usual emphasis on textualism has done little to resolve the puzzles that the text creates. WTO members are left with little guidance about the proper use of safeguards beyond some confusing and sometimes incoherent standards. We review these issues as they have arisen in prior decisions, and then discuss the details of the steel dispute. Our emphasis there is on the panel decision more than the Appellate Body report, as the latter breaks little new ground.
Status of Algae as Vehicles for Commercial Production of Fuels and Chemicals

This chapter provides a brief overview of role of algae for the production of fuels and chemicals. Characteristics of algae and its production in open raceway ponds have been covered to identify the critical areas that require further exploration and development.
An Electrostatic Induction Model for Fluoroalkane Polymers

An electrostatic induction model based on atom-centered partial charges is presented. In this representation, the local electric field is evaluated at each bond center. The bonds are treated as entities polarizable only in a direction parallel to the bond itself by means of a scalar bond polarization parameter. The resulting induced charge separation contributes to the local electric field experienced by neighboring bonds, resulting in a final set of charges which are calculated self-consistently. The model provides a reasonable approximation to dipole moment vectors and polarizabilities of small molecule fluoroalkanes. The results are discussed in comparison with other induction models. This model fits well into the framework of established atomistic potential energy calculations using an atom-centered partial charge representation.
Should hypercholesterolemia be treated in patients older than 65

Recent studies have tipped the balance in favor of treatment in older patients with high cholesterol and known atherosclerosis.
Non-Autonomous Logistic Equations and Optimization of Renewable Resources Management

This paper concerns applications of the non-autonomous logistic equation to bioeconomic fishery models. We develop a generalized model which satisfies both biological and economic principles of optimization without overexploitation. We also provide conditions to optimize the revenue and to maximize the sustainable yield. 16 Copyright © SIAM Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited
Distribution and ontogeny of thyrotropin-releasing hormone degrading enzymes in rats

The distribution and ontogeny of tissue prolyl endopeptidase and pyroglutamyl peptidase I activities were studied in the rat from the 7th day before birth to adulthood. While low levels of prolyl e...
Myxopapillary ependymoma: a SEER analysis of epidemiology and outcomes

Myxopapillary ependymoma (MPE) is an exceedingly rare tumor histology. While surgery is clearly the treatment of choice, controversy exists regarding the role of adjuvant radiotherapy (RT). Using the Surveillence, epidemiology, and end results (SEER) database, we aimed to determine the epidemiology, prognostic factors, and treatment-related outcomes for MPE. A total of 773 cases were found in the SEER database. The incidence in the American population was found to be 1.00 per million person-years. On multivariate analysis, receipt of surgery (HR = 0.14, CI = 0.06-0.35, p < 0.001), receipt of RT (HR = 4.06, CI = 1.87-8.81, p < 0.001), age less than 30 (HR = 0.24, CI = 0.08-0.72, p = 0.01), and Caucasian race (HR = 0.37, CI = 0.13-0.996, p = 0.049) were statistically significant prognostic factors. The mean tumor size among those receiving RT (4.6 cm) was significantly larger than among those not receiving RT (3.2 cm, p = 0.0002). Those who lived in metropolitan areas were more likely to receive RT than those who did not. Given multiple previous studies show that RT improves PFS and the discrepancy in tumor size, selection bias is likely a significant contributor to the apparent negative impact of RT on OS. Regardless, surgery remains the most crucial aspect in the care of patients with MPE.
Targeting mTOR: A Little Bit of History and a Large Future

The molecular target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway has been studied intensively for more than 20 years. These research efforts have been facilitated greatly by the serendipitous discovery and identification of rapamycin during a scientific expedition to Easter Island in 1964, highlighting the contribution of natural product discovery in unraveling important scientific and medical discoveries. Elegant work by several independent teams of investigators unraveled rapamycin’s unique mechanism of action through mTOR, sometimes called the master regulator of cell growth, energy utilization, metabolism, aging, and proliferation. Although several important conceptual gaps remain to be filled, the mTOR pathway is now understood at a level of molecular detail that rivals that of any other signaling cascade in mammalian cells. The exceedingly rapid rate of knowledge accumulation in this area stands as a tribute to the combined powers of chemical biology, yeast and Drosophila genetics, and biochemical and genetic studies in mammalian cells. The implications of targeting mTOR and related signaling elements to prevent and treat malignant and nonmalignant disorders with rapamycin and rapamycin analogs, called rapalogs, and possibly more versatile small molecule inhibitors, are astounding. Nonetheless, the challenges associated with the transition of rapamycin from the laboratory bench to the clinic have underscored the fact that we still have much to learn about the intricacies of the mTOR pathway itself, as well as the integration of this pathway into the network of signaling cascades that underpins the multitude of genetic subtypes that constitute cancer and other proliferative disorders. However, there is much optimism about making progress in this regard, given the immense headway made to date as introduced in this chapter and discussed more specifically throughout this book.
Dynamic and diverse sugar signaling

Sugars fuel life and exert numerous regulatory actions that are fundamental to all life forms. There are two principal mechanisms underlie sugar 'perception and signal transduction' in biological systems. Direct sensing and signaling is triggered via sugar-binding sensors with a broad range of affinity and specificity, whereas sugar-derived bioenergetic molecules and metabolites modulate signaling proteins and indirectly relay sugar signals. This review discusses the emerging sugar signals and potential sugar sensors discovered in plant systems. The findings leading to informative understanding of physiological regulation by sugars are considered and assessed. Comparative transcriptome analyses highlight the primary and dynamic sugar responses and reveal the convergent and specific regulators of key biological processes in the sugar-signaling network.
Semiconductor Research Needs in the Nanoscale Physical Sciences: A Semiconductor Research Corporation Working Paper

The purpose of this paper is to identify areas in the basic physical sciences where additional research is needed to sustain the extraordinary progress in electronics that has now extended for several decades. Also, it is argued that basic research will provide the foundation for the discovery of new generations of nanoelectronic devices that will continue the experimental rate of reduction in cost per function. Some of the fundamental areas requiring further research are the chemistry and physics of material interfaces, conductivity at small dimensions, deterministic doping effects, and nanomagnetics. Discovery research also is needed in the functional synergy of nanoelectronic materials and non-traditional fabrication methods.
Putin and Russia in retro and forward: The nuclear dimension

Deterioration in security relations as between NATO and Russia reached boiling point in the aftermath of Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its subsequent destabilization of Eastern Ukraine....
Emerging role of immunotherapy in precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is an aggressive type of leukemia that carries poor prognosis in adults especially in the setting of high risk cytogenetics and relapsed/refractory (R/R) disease. Advancements in immunotherapy have led to the development of several monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells that are capable of targeting certain surface antigens on leukemic cells, resulting in their destruction.Areas covered: This article reviews the mechanism of action, outcomes of various trials, and adverse effects of MoAbs and CAR-T cells used in the treatment of precursor B-cell ALL.Expert commentary: Some of the immunotherapeutic agents that have been approved for the treatment of R/R precursor B-cell ALL have shown superior efficacy and safety profile compared to chemotherapy in advanced disease. Several trials are now being conducted to evaluate the role of certain MoAbs in combination with chemotherapy in the treatment of B-cell ALL. Additional...
Enhanced Mean Retrieval Score Estimation for Query Performance Prediction

We study the problem of mean retrieval score estimation for query performance prediction (QPP). We propose an enhanced estimator which estimates the mean based on calibrated retrieval scores. Each document score is adjusted based on features that model potential tradeoffs that may exist in the retrieval process of that specific document. Using the proposed estimator, we derive several previously suggested QPP methods, from which we gather an initial set of calibration features. Based on these features and few additional ones, we propose two estimator instantiations. Using an evaluation over several TREC benchmarks, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our estimation approach.
Zeolite-Catalyzed Formaldehyde–Propylene Prins Condensation

Prins condensation of formaldehyde with propylene to form 3-buten-1-ol is investigated using microporous solid acid catalysts. Zn/H-beta shows high conversion but leads to a broad product distribution composed primarily of pyrans. Mechanistic studies revealed that 3-buten-1-ol reacts via Prins cyclization or dehydrate to 1,3-butadiene that further reacts with formaldehyde via a hetero-Diels–Alder reaction. These secondary reactions are suppressed over ZSM-5 catalysts: 3-buten-1-ol is the predominant product over H-ZSM-5 zeolite under all conditions investigated. 3-Buten-1-ol selectivity of up to 75 % is achieved. In a second step 3-buten-1-ol dehydrates at temperatures as low as 423 K, forming 1,3-butadiene. Although Bronsted acid sites are the primary catalytic sites, ion exchange of ZnII increases the overall rate and 3-buten-1-ol selectivity. H-ZSM-5 showed significant differences in reactivity and selectivity as a function of the Si/Al ratio; optimal catalytic properties were observed within Si/Al=40–140.
(S)‐4‐(tert‐Butyl)‐2‐[4‐(trifluoromethyl)pyridin‐2‐yl]‐4,5‐dihydrooxazole

[1416819-91-4] C13H15F3N2O (MW 272.27) InChI = 1S/C13H15F3N2O/c1-12(2,3)10-7-19-11(18-10)9-5-4-8(6-17-9)13(14,15)16/h4-6,10H,7H2,1-3H3/t10-/m1/s1 InChIKey = AATATIAROAAKIN-SNVBAGLBSA-N Alternate Name: (S)-5-CF3-pyrox-tBu. Physical Data: mp 104–105 °C. Solubility: most organic solvents, such as diethyl ether, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, hexanes, acetone, and dimethylformamide. Form Supplied in: white solid/crystals. Analysis of Reagent Purity: (S)-5-CF3-pyrox-tBu has been characterized by optical rotation, 1H and 13C NMR, IR, and HRMS.1 Preparative Methods: (S)-5-CF3-pyrox-tBu can be prepared by coupling (S)-tert-leucinol and 5-trifluoromethylpicolinic acid using isobutylchloroformate and N-methylmorpholine.1 The reagent can also be purchased from Sigma Aldrich. Purification: (S)-5-CF3-pyrox-tBu can be purified using silica gel flash chromatography using 2:1 hexanes:EtOAc with 1% NEt3. The reagent will hydrolyze on silica gel without pretreatment of the silica with NEt3. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: no particular precautions need to be observed when using this reagent. The reagent is stable at room temperature in a dry atmosphere.
An enhanced recovery program for bariatric surgical patients significantly reduces perioperative opioid consumption and postoperative nausea

Abstract Background Patients frequently remain in the hospital after bariatric surgery due to pain, nausea, and inability to tolerate oral intake. Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) concepts address these perioperative complications and therefore improve length of stay for bariatric surgery patients. Objectives To determine if ERAS concepts increase the proportion of patients discharged on postoperative day 1. Secondary objectives included mean length of stay, perioperative opioid use, emergency department visits, and readmissions. Setting A large metropolitan university tertiary hospital. Methods A quantitative before and after study was conducted for patients undergoing bariatric surgical patients. Data were collected surrounding length of stay, perioperative opioid consumption, antiemetic therapy requirements postoperatively, multimodal analgesia compliance, emergency department visits, and hospital readmission rates. Wilcoxon rank-sum and χ2 test were used to compare continuous and categorical variables, respectively. A secondary analysis was performed using Aligned Rank Transformation and Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel χ2 tests to account for an increase in sleeve gastrectomies in the intervention group. Results The 2 groups had clinically similar baseline characteristics. Comparison group (N = 366) and ERAS group (N = 715) patients underwent a primary bariatric surgery procedure. There was an increase in the number of patients undergoing a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in the intervention group. After accounting for this increase, the percentage of patients discharged on postoperative day 1 was unchanged (79.8% non-ERAS versus 83.1% ERAS, P = .52). ERAS length of stay was statistically significantly lower for gastric bypass (P Conclusions Implementing ERAS did not reduce the percentage of patients discharged on postoperative day 1 in a bariatric surgery program with historically low length of stay, but it led to significant reductions in perioperative opioid use, decreases in postoperative nausea, and early emergency room visits.
Optical read-out and modulation of peripheral nerve activity

Numerous clinical and research applications necessitate the ability to interface with peripheral nerve fibers to read and control relevant neural pathways. Visceral organ modulation and rehabilitative prosthesis are two areas which could benefit greatly from improved neural interfacing approaches. Therapeutic neural interfacing, or 'bioelectronic medicine', has potential to affect a broad range of disorders given that all the major organs of the viscera are neurally innervated. However, a better understanding of the neural pathways that underlie function and a means to precisely interface with these fibers are required. Existing peripheral nerve interfaces, consisting primarily of electrode-based designs, are unsuited for highly specific (individual axon) communication and/or are invasive to the tissue. Our laboratory has explored an optogenetic approach by which optically sensitive reporters and actuators are targeted to specific cell (axon) types. The nature of such an approach is laid out in this short perspective, along with associated technologies and challenges.
Tests of Lorentz Symmetry in the Spin-Coupling Sector

An overview is given of recent and ongoing experiments constraining Lorentz violation in the spin-coupling sector, with particular focus on the author's tests of Lorentz symmetry using a 129 Xe/ 3 He Zeeman maser and an atomic hydrogen maser.