cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
There Is Wisdom in Harnessing the Strengths of Your Enemy: Customized Encoding to Thwart Side-Channel Attacks

Side-channel attacks are an important concern for the security of cryptographic algorithms. To counteract it, a recent line of research has investigated the use of software encoding functions such as dual-rail rather than the well known masking countermeasure. The core idea consists in encoding the sensitive data with a fixed Hamming weight value and perform all operations following this fashion. This new set of countermeasures applies to all devices that leak a function of the Hamming weight of the internal variables. However when the leakage model deviates from this idealized model, the claimed security guarantee vanishes. In this work, we introduce a framework that aims at building customized encoding functions according to the precise leakage model based on stochastic profiling. We specifically investigate how to take advantage of adversary's knowledge of the physical leakage to select the corresponding optimal encoding. Our solution has been evaluated within several security metrics, proving its efficiency against side-channel attacks in realistic scenarios. A concrete experimentation of our proposal to protect the PRESENT Sbox confirms its practicability. In a realistic scenario, our new custom encoding achieves a hundredfold reduction in leakage compared to the dual-rail, although using the same code length.
Total Synthesis of (-)-Lasonolide A.

The lasonolides are novel polyketides that have displayed remarkable biological activity in vitro against a variety of cancer cell lines. Herein we describe our first-generation approach to the formal synthesis of lasonolide A. The key findings from these studies ultimately allowed us to go on and complete a total synthesis of lasonolide A. The convergent approach unites two highly complex fragments utilizing a Ru-catalyzed alkene–alkyne coupling. This type of coupling typically generates branched products; however, through a detailed investigation, we are now able to demonstrate that subtle structural changes to the substrates can alter the selectivity to favor the formation of the linear product. The synthesis of the fragments features a number of atom-economical transformations which are highlighted by the discovery of an engineered enzyme to perform a dynamic kinetic reduction of a β-ketoester to establish the absolute stereochemistry of the southern tetrahydropyran ring with high levels of enantiosel...
Chloromethane to olefins over H-SAPO-34: Probing the hydrocarbon pool mechanism

Abstract By means of in situ FTIR and ex situ 13 C NMR studies, the initial periods of the chloromethane-to-olefins (CTO) reaction over SAPO-34 were probed in order to investigate the activation period of the reaction and to elucidate the formation of the catalyst active site. A methylated benzene species has been observed to form during the initial activation period of the reaction, and a direct positive correlation was constructed between the formation of this species and the catalytic activity. The data thus indicate that these methylated benzene species contribute to the formation of active sites within SAPO-34 for the CTO reaction. This is the first known report identifying a direct semi-quantitative correlation between the catalyst activity and growth of a methylated benzene active species, during the activation period of the chloromethane to olefins reaction. The findings here in correspond well to those reported for the methanol to olefins reaction, suggesting that a similar ‘hydrocarbon pool’ mechanism may be responsible for the formation of light olefins in CTO chemistry as well.
Strategies for smoking cessation among high risk populations to prevent lung cancer.

Cigarette smoking has been identified as the primary causal risk factor in developing lung cancer [1], which is a leading cause of cancer death among both men and women in the United States (U.S.) ...
Effective recruitment strategies: Experience from the carbohydrate and related biomarkers (CARB) feeding study

B56 Purpose: Individuals from underrepresented minority groups are thought to be difficult to recruit into cancer prevention research trials. This is may be due, in part, to a low level of trust in scientific research, competing demands for time, and limited English proficiency. Using data from a Seattle-based randomized, controlled feeding study, Carbohydrates and Related Biomarkers (CARB), which aims to recruit 88 participants (22 Hispanics and 22 African Americans), we examined strategies for recruiting underrepresented individuals into prevention trials. The overall goal of the CARB study is to understand the relationship between physiologic response to specific dietary patterns and mechanisms related to carcinogenesis. The study aims to recruit two groups of participants; those who are normal weight and those who are overweight; and examine biomarkers of insulin, glucose, IGF1, IGFBP3, leptin, adiponectin, interleukin-6, C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A. Methods: Study eligibility criteria were: 1) 18-45 years of age; 2) BMI = 18-24.9 or BMI = 28.0-40.0; 3) no preexisting health conditions; 4) non-smoking; and 5) normal fasting blood glucose (
Does Sg&A Expenditure Create a Long-Term Asset?*

In this paper we investigate whether selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenditure (excluding R&D and advertising expenditure) creates a long-lived asset. GAAP requires SG&A expenditure to be expensed immediately as a period cost to recognize using up of economic benefits. We hypothesize and find that SG&A expenditure generates future economic benefits and consequently current SG&A expenditure has a positive multi-period impact on subsequent earnings. Analyzing contemporaneous stock returns, we infer that investors do not view all of SG&A expenditure as an expense in the current period, but rather seem to recognize some of the asset value implicit in SG&A by differentiating it from the remaining components of earnings. We also document that no excess returns can be earned in subsequent periods by investment strategies that are based on publicly available SG&A information, suggesting that the contemporaneous stock prices may already fully value the intangible asset created by contemporaneous SG&A expenditure. Our analysis of executive compensation indicates that the changes in bonus and equity compensation are negatively associated with the change in SG&A expenditure, but the negative association decreases when current SG&A expenditure has a relatively greater impact on future profitability. Overall, the evidence suggests that the capital market and the executive labor market recognize the asset value created by SG&A expenditure despite its expensing for financial reporting purposes.
Designer interphases for the lithium-oxygen electrochemical cell

An electrochemical cell based on the reversible oxygen reduction reaction: 2Li+ + 2e - + O2↔ Li2O2, provides among the most energy dense platforms for portable electrical energy storage. Such Lithium-Oxygen (Li-O2) cells offer specific energies competitive with fossil fuels and are considered promising for electrified transportation. Multiple, fundamental challenges with the cathode, anode, and electrolyte have limited practical interest in Li-O2 cells because these problems lead to as many practical shortcomings, including poor rechargeability, high overpotentials, and specific energies well below theoretical expectations. We create and study in-situ formation of solid-electrolyte interphases (SEIs) based on bromide ionomers tethered to a Li anode that take advantage of three powerful processes for overcoming the most stubborn of these challenges. The ionomer SEIs are shown to protect the Li anode against parasitic reactions and also stabilize Li electrodeposition during cell recharge. Bromine species liberated during the anchoring reaction also function as redox mediators at the cathode, reducing the charge overpotential. Finally, the ionomer SEI forms a stable interphase with Li, which protects the metal in high Gutmann donor number liquid electrolytes. Such electrolytes have been reported to exhibit rare stability against nucleophilic attack by Li2O2 and other cathode reaction intermediates, but also react spontaneously with Li metal anodes. We conclude that rationally designed SEIs able to regulate transport of matter and ions at the electrolyte/anode interface provide a promising platform for addressing three major technical barriers to practical Li-O2 cells.
My Treatment Approach: Pancreatic Cysts

Our treatment approach for either symptomatic or incidentally found pancreatic cysts continues to improve. The true incidence of pancreatic cysts is not known, and pancreatic cystic neoplasms, especially intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms, are currently most commonly diagnosed and resected. This is a result of increasing awareness, widespread availability of imaging, and better understanding of the nature of pancreatic cysts as well. Recent studies on molecular analysis and devices such as microbiopsy forceps help us better define and select the treatment approach to alleviate symptoms and to prevent malignant tumors while avoiding unnecessary surgery.
Low-dimensional and data fusion techniques applied to a supersonic multistream single expansion ramp nozzle

Low-dimensional models of experimental and simulation data for a complex supersonic jet are fused to reconstruct time-dependent coefficients. Data fusion techniques use the strengths of experimental statistical ensembles and the time resolution of large-eddy simulation to provide a more complete view of the flow.
Deformed state lattice planning

Search-based planning that uses a state lattice has been successfully applied in many applications but its utility is limited when confronted with complex problems represented by a lattice with many nodes and edges with high branching factor. However, in many seemingly complex problems, proper “form-fitting” can reduce the number of nodes and edges needed to represent the problems, provides a concise state lattice and therefore simplifies the computation. This paper proposes a planning framework which strikes to identify concise representations of problems, creates such “form-fitting” state lattice on which a more concise search can take place. In a sense, we take a conventional state lattice and map it onto a deformed space, and then the motion primitives and heuristics follow. Since the contribution of the paper is not the search approach but rather the means by which the lattice is deformed, any search-based planner can then be easily changed to a corresponding deformed version with no increase in time complexity. This paper demonstrate the benifits of the approach which includes 1) planned path can be followed with few changes in motion primitives and thus can provide global smoothness of planned path; 2) fewer states are expanded and thus shorter time to search solution in state space is required, and 3) fewer states are expanded and thus less memory is required to save the state lattice. We demonstrate the benefit of the proposed approach in illustrative toy examples, as well as robot experiments.
The “Black Sounds” of Ene Mihkelson’s Katkuhaud (‘Plague Grave’) and W. G. Sebald’s Austerlitz . Part II. Memory and Emotion

Part I of this article appeared in Interlitteraria 2016, 21/2 . Part II elaborates on how Mihkelson and Sebald represent their experiences of emotional memory and their feelings of fear, grief, emptiness, and loneliness – in the post-World War II and our historical era. In its comparisons of Mihkelson and Sebald, and both with Lorca, the essay stresses the emotional affinities between human beings that may exist alongside linguistic, historical, political, and other cultural differences.
Examining How Romantic Relationship Quality Influences Individual Psychological Distress Over Time for Men and Women

Poor relationship quality can increase an individual’s psychological distress. There is substantial debate regarding the influence of relationship quality for men and women. Some have found that women’s psychological distress is affected more by poor relationship quality compared to men. Others have found that psychological distress is equally affected for men and women, but it may look different—depressive symptoms for women and total alcohol consumption for men. In this study we examined how men and women differed in changes in relationship quality and changes in psychological distress. Then, we examined how changes in one manifestation of psychological distress and changes in relationship quality were related and how this association differed for men and women. Women reported lower initial relationship quality and total alcohol consumption but higher initial depressive symptoms. Men and women only differed on changes in total alcohol consumption, with women decreasing less than men over 25 years. Finally, both changes in total alcohol consumption and changes in depressive symptoms were related to changes in relationship quality for women, but not men. The reverse direction did not differ by gender, although change in depressive symptoms was related to change in relationship quality. Implications for future research are discussed.
Effect of eye closures and openings on photostasis in albino rats.

PURPOSE. TO determine the effects of eye closure and opening on photostasis, the regulation of light absorption by retinal rods in the albino rat. METHODS. The approach was to measure the effect of eye closure and opening on rhodopsin bleaching in situ and to use those results to simulate what happens to rhodopsin when a living rat opens or closes its eyes during daylight exposure. Completely dark-adapted, dead albino rats, each with one eye closed or open, were exposed to a standard lighting situation. The rhodopsin bleaching rate in closed versus open eyes was measured. Rhodopsin bleached at a more reduced rate in closed eyes than in open eyes. This measured reduction of rate in closed eyes was applied to a simulation of rhodopsin bleaching in open and closed eyes. The simulation used idealized conditions to verify the simulation itself, and then it was applied to previously published photostasis results. RESULTS. Rhodopsin in closed eyes bleaches at half the rate found in open eyes. The absorption spectrum of rat red blood cells was compared with the rat rhodopsin absorption spectrum, and the comparison showed that blood does not absorb the main-band wavelengths of rhodopsin. Simulating rhodopsin bleaching with eyes closed (half intensity) and open (full intensity) during daylight hours showed a slight effect on the total number of photons absorbed in an entire day. The simulation set limits to the maximal effect of eyes open all day versus eyes closed all clay. At a habitat intensity of 200 lux, for example, this maximal effect (eyes always open versus always closed) was calculated to be ±9%. At the lowest intensity, 3 lux, this maximal effect was ±28%, but it is only 1% at the highest intensity, 400 lux. CONCLUSIONS. Eye closures and openings have a slight effect on photostasis in albino rats. There are two reasons for this: The eyelids reduce the effective bleaching intensity by half. Moreover, during the "dim-out" of closure, rhodopsin continues to regenerate and approaches a new, higher value. This accumulation of rhodopsin enhances the rate of photon absorption because the rate is proportional to the product (rhodopsin X intensity). Thus, the increased rhodopsin concentration in the rods partially compensates for the reduced intensity of lid closure, and the photon absorption rates, with eyes closed, do not decrease by the full factor of 2 implied by the intensity reduction. In addition, when the eyes are subsequently opened after such a dim-out, the retina is suddenly exposed again to the full intensity of the environment. At this time, photon absorption rate, rhodopsin X intensity, is transiently higher than just before eye opening. Thus, the compensatory interplay between bleaching and regeneration in closed and open eyes results in the near compensation of light absorption and maintenance of the stasis close to 10 l6 photons per eye per day. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1998;39:603-609)
Restricted Patterns and Replacement Rules

The main topics of this chapter are replacement rules and patterns. No other available programming systemcomes close to Mathematical ability to match patterns in arbitrary structures (expressions). The ability to selectsubexpressions on the basis of their form and/or contents and to manipulate them permits the construction ofvery elegant, short, and direct programs. However, the use of pattern matching in very large expressions mayrequire a lot of time because of the potential combinatorial explosion of all possible pattern realizations. But athoughtful, appropriate use of patterns allows us to write programs that are quite elegant, fast, natural, and easyto read and to maintain. We begin this chapter with a discussion of Boolean variables and functions because thedetermination of truth values is an important part of constructing special patterns.
Social Justice, Urban

Urban social justice is a term that suggests that inequalities are socially produced rather than bound in universal truths. The term suggests that social justice is embedded in social processes that are directly related to the mode of production as it is expressed spatially. Cities are spaces of oppression and inequality but they are also spaces of political liberation. Much like traditional thinking about justice and social justice, urban social justice is about equitable processes and outcomes and it assumes a role for the state in their production. Questions focus on what is being distributed, how it is distributed, and with what outcome. Will just processes produce just outcomes or are inequalities better addressed through redistribution? Can the mode of production remain the same and produce just outcomes? At what scale is social justice produced? Is economic inequality the only source of oppression and injustice? If it is not, what alternative processes are necessary to produce social justice? Is it possible and/or desirable to create a universal idea of justice in multicultural societies? If justice is socially produced and is different for different groups, do intra- and inter-group cleavages become problems?
Improving Youth Access to Mental Health Support through a Youth–Adult Partnership

Mental and behavioral health disorders are major issues facing young people in the United States; yet, the majority of youth who need support do not get help. Young people tend not to get help for 2 interacting reasons: system barriers that prevent youth from seeking help, and personal reasons that can influence them to forgo treatment. Youth–Adult Partnerships (Y-APs) have the potential to improve mental health programming and increase service utilization because they create space to blend youth and service provider knowledge and experience. This article provides a detailed case study of a youth–adult partnership’s 2-year community assessment and strategic planning process that led to the development of an innovative mental health model that has been sustained for 15 years. This article highlights the practices that contributed to adult transformation and the importance of adults’ roles as boundary spanners in the implementation and sustainability of an intervention that addresses both system barriers and personal reasons youth forgo mental health treatment.
Introduction to the Research Symposium Forum.

Purpose The purpose of this introduction is to provide an overview of the articles contained within this research forum of JSLHR. Each of these articles is based upon presentations from the 2017 AS...
Synthesis and High Alkaline Chemical Stability of Polyionic Liquids with Methylpyrrolidinium, Methylpiperidinium, Methylazepanium, Methylazocanium, and Methylazonanium Cations

Herein, we present the synthesis of five styrene-based poly(ionic liquids) (PILs) containing (covalently linked) saturated N-heterocyclic cations with various ring sizes (i.e., methylpyrrolidinium, methylpiperidinium, methylazepanium, methylazocanium, and methylazonanium). High alkaline chemical stability was confirmed by 1H NMR spectroscopy after 4 weeks in 40 mol equiv of KOH (1.0 M KOH in D2O) at 80 °C for PILs with 5-, 6-, 7-, and 8-membered ring cations; a requirement for polymer electrolyte separators in long-lasting alkaline fuel cells. Additionally, ion conductivity of PILs increased by 4 orders of magnitude with increasing water content, where a master percolation power law curve was observed, that is, similar conductivity versus water volume fraction for all PILs, regardless of cation size.
Confluence of structural distortion and A -site composition in the band gaps of perovskite niobate and tantalate photocatalysts

The effects of structural distortion and $A$-site composition on the band gaps and band-edge orbitals of perovskite niobate and tantalate photocatalysts are explored using density-functional theory and crystal-field theory. When filled $d$ orbitals are introduced to the $A$ site by replacing alkali metal cations with silver, the crystal-field splitting energies of the $A$-site $d$ orbitals play a dominant role in determining the effect of silver in narrowing the band gap. It is demonstrated that an intuitive, geometry-based metric can usually predict within 0.1 eV the extent to which the presence of silver narrows the band gap. The ability to make such predictions is both valuable and potentially generalizable toward the design of photocatalysts.
A characterization of epileptogenesis presented in hippocampal neural activity in a rat tetanus toxin model

We built a regression model to describe the progress of epileptogenesis in a rat intrahippocampal tetanus toxin (TeNT) epilepsy model by identifying informative neural features from hippocampal local field potentials (LFPs). The LFPs were recorded from the awake and freely behaving animals during the latent period and the active-seizure period. Frequency domain neural features including power spectral density, coherence and phase coherence were calculated from the hippocampal LFPs. A least angle regression with elastic net regularization (LARS-ENR) model successfully predicted a relative day from the first seizure in multiple rats (R2 test = 0.724±0.025). By leveraging a characteristic of LARS-ENR which reduces unnecessary features, we identified the neural features related to epileptogenesis in a TeNT model.
Multi-level convolutional autoencoder networks for parametric prediction of spatio-temporal dynamics

Abstract A data-driven framework is proposed towards the end of predictive modeling of complex spatio-temporal dynamics, leveraging nested non-linear manifolds. Three levels of neural networks are used, with the goal of predicting the future state of a system of interest in a parametric setting. A convolutional autoencoder is used as the top level to encode the high dimensional input data along spatial dimensions into a sequence of latent variables. A temporal convolutional autoencoder (TCAE) serves as the second level, which further encodes the output sequence from the first level along the temporal dimension, and outputs a set of latent variables that encapsulate the spatio-temporal evolution of the dynamics. The use of dilated temporal convolutions grows the receptive field exponentially with network depth, allowing for efficient processing of long temporal sequences typical of scientific computations. A fully-connected network is used as the third level to learn the mapping between these latent variables and the global parameters from training data, and predict them for new parameters. For future state predictions, the second level uses a temporal convolutional network to predict subsequent steps of the output sequence from the top level. Latent variables at the bottom-most level are decoded to obtain the dynamics in physical space at new global parameters and/or at a future time. Predictive capabilities are evaluated on a range of problems involving discontinuities, wave propagation, strong transients, and coherent structures. The sensitivity of the results to different modeling choices is assessed. The results suggest that given adequate data and careful training, effective data-driven predictive models can be constructed. Perspectives are provided on the present approach and its place in the landscape of model reduction.
Rett's Syndrome

Rett's syndrome (RTT) is an X-linked dominant neurodevelopmental disorder affecting females predominantly and is associated with mutations in the methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 gene. Diagnosis is based on strict clinical criteria with both classic (86%) and atypical (14%) forms recognized. The disorder follows a typical clinical profile of early normal development, regression of acquired speech and fine motor skills, followed by stabilization and improvement in interaction and communication with a slow but gradual progression of motor deficits. Survival is prolonged, the average age being slightly more than 50 years. Associated abnormalities include small stature, gastrointestinal dysfunction, seizures, breathing and sleep abnormalities, and scoliosis. Treatment is currently based on physical, occupational, and speech therapies, as well as management of intercurrent problems and nutritional support. Research into appropriate definitive treatment is on-going.
The dual nature of trade: measuring its impact on imitation and growth

Abstract Imports embodying foreign technology raise output directly as inputs into production and indirectly through reverse engineering. This paper quantifies spillovers from high technology imports to domestic imitation and innovation in developed and developing countries. It then considers the contribution of foreign and domestic innovation to growth in per capita GDP. Patent data from 1965 to 1990 for 75 countries are used to create proxies for imitation and innovation. High technology imports positively affect domestic imitation and innovation. Moreover, their role is greater in developing nations. Finally, foreign technology embodied in imports plays a greater role in growth than domestic technology.
Emerging themes in cohesin cancer biology

Mutations of the cohesin complex in human cancer were first discovered ~10 years ago. Since then, researchers worldwide have demonstrated that cohesin is among the most commonly mutated protein complexes in cancer. Inactivating mutations in genes encoding cohesin subunits are common in bladder cancers, paediatric sarcomas, leukaemias, brain tumours and other cancer types. Also in those 10 years, the prevailing view of the functions of cohesin in cell biology has undergone a revolutionary transformation. Initially, the predominant view of cohesin was as a ring that encircled and cohered replicated chromosomes until its cleavage triggered the metaphase-to-anaphase transition. As such, early studies focused on the role of tumour-derived cohesin mutations in the fidelity of chromosome segregation and aneuploidy. However, over the past 5 years the cohesin field has shifted dramatically, and research now focuses on the primary role of cohesin in generating, maintaining and regulating the intra-chromosomal DNA looping events that modulate 3D genome organization and gene expression. This Review focuses on recent discoveries in the cohesin field that provide insight into the role of cohesin inactivation in cancer pathogenesis, and opportunities for exploiting these findings for the clinical benefit of patients with cohesin-mutant cancers.
Mass Media Consumption and Sexual Image Sharing from a Social Cognitive Perspective

In the current study, we employed social cognitive theory as our theoretical framework to examine the importance of reality television consumption, pornography consumption, and exposure to celebrities’ sexual images on individuals’ public and private sexual image sharing frequency, image-editing behavior, and their strategic preference for social media platforms. In our sample, about 68.4% of participants have engaged in private sexual image sharing, most with their committed romantic relationship partner; about 43.4% have engaged in public sexual image sharing. Individuals show clear preference for Snapchat for sharing their sexual images. Bootstrapping regression analyses results from survey data (N =190) suggested that reality television consumption, exposure to celebrities’ sexual images and gender were significant predictors of private and public sexual image sharing, controlling for pornography consumption and other individual differences such as relationship status and loneliness. Reality television consumption was also a significant predictor of optimized and protective image editing behavior. Implications and limitations are discussed in the context of sexual image sharing.
Nurse-Administered Propofol Continuous Infusion Sedation: A New Paradigm for Gastrointestinal Procedural Sedation.

INTRODUCTION Nurse-Administered Propofol Continuous Infusion Sedation (NAPCIS) is a new nonanesthesia propofol delivery method for gastrointestinal endoscopy. NAPCIS is adopted from the computer-assisted propofol sedation (CAPS) protocol. We evaluated the effectiveness, efficiency, and safety of NAPCIS in low-risk subjects. METHODS Between December 2016 and July 2017, patients who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy or colonoscopy with NAPCIS at our center were compared against 2 historical control groups of similar patients who had undergone procedures with CAPS or midazolam and fentanyl (MF) sedation. RESULTS The mean age of the NAPCIS cohort (N = 3,331) was 55.2 years (45.8% male) for 945 esophagogastroduodenoscopies and 57.8 years (48.7% male) for 2,386 colonoscopies. The procedural success rates with NAPCIS were high (99.1%-99.2%) and similar to those seen in 3,603 CAPS (98.8%-99.0%) and 3,809 MF (99.0%-99.3%) controls. NAPCIS recovery times were shorter than both CAPS and MF (24.8 vs 31.7 and 52.4 minutes, respectively; P < 0.001). On arrival at the recovery unit, 86.6% of NAPCIS subjects were recorded as "Awake" compared with 82.8% of CAPS and 40.8% of MF controls (P < 0.001). Validated clinician and patient satisfaction scores were generally higher for NAPCIS compared with CAPS and MF subjects. For NAPCIS, there were only 4 cases of oxygen desaturation requiring transient mask ventilation and no serious sedation-related complications. These low complication rates were similar to those seen with CAPS (8 cases of mask ventilation) and MF (3 cases). DISCUSSION NAPCIS seems to be a safe, effective, and efficient means of providing moderate sedation for upper endoscopy and colonoscopy in low-risk patients.
Stabilization of the Cyclic Response of the Ni49.9 Ti50.1 Shape Memory Actuators under Thermomechanical Loads

AbstractThis work is focused on the development of a novel strategy to achieve dimensional stability for 55NiTi actuators that operate at a relatively higher temperature; i.e., with an austenite fi...
Dynamic modeling, analysis, and comparative study of a quadruped with bio-inspired robotic tails

Looking to nature, animals frequently utilize tails to work alongside or in place of their legs to maneuver, stabilize, and/or propel to achieve highly agile motions. Although the single-link robotic tail shows its dynamical superiority and practical effectiveness in mobile platform maneuvering, most tails observed in nature have multi-link structures. Therefore, to investigate this novel tail structure, bio-inspired and biomimetic multi-link robotic tails were proposed and implemented. However, due to the lack of a whole-body dynamic model, previous research focused on investigating the tail subsystem independently without considering the mobile platform’s motions, which introduces deficiencies on both analysis and control. To bridge this theoretical gap, this paper presents a unified dynamics model that incorporates both the quadruped and the tail subsystems as a complete coupled dynamic system. Classical multibody dynamics formulation based on the principle of virtual work is utilized to derive the dynamic model. Based on the new whole-body dynamic model, three typical tail structures, including a single-link pendulum tail, a multi-link rigid tail, and a multi-link flexible tail are evaluated. The results indicate that by using a center of mass-based benchmark, the multi-link tail structure is dynamically equivalent to the single-link tail structure for bending motion. However, for rolling motions, the multi-link structure illustrates noticeable dynamical benefits compared to a single-link structure due to its higher inertia. In addition, a multi-link flexible structure shows significant oscillations and uncontrollable dynamic behaviors due to its under-actuation feature, which may limit its usage for highly dynamic applications.
Topology of the iso-spectral real manifolds associated with the generalized Toda lattices on semisimple Lie algebras

This paper concerns the topology of isospectral real manifolds of certain Jacobi elements associated with real split semisimple Lie algebras. The manifolds are related to the compactified level sets of the generalized (nonperiodic) Toda lattice equations defined on the semisimple Lie algebras. We then give a cellular decomposition and the associated chain complex of the manifold by introducing colored Dynkin diagrams which parametrize the cells in the decomposition. We also discuss the Morse chain complex of the manifold.
Soil carbon dioxide and methane emissions and carbon balance with crop rotation and nitrogen fertilization

Abstract Quantifying soil CO2 and CH4 emissions and C balance under dryland cropping systems in arid and semiarid regions is needed to understand their contributions to climate change. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of crop rotation and N fertilization rate on soil CO2 and CH4 fluxes and C balance under dryland farming from 2012 to 2016 in the northern Great Plains, USA. Treatments were two crop rotations (continuous spring wheat [Triticum aestivum L.], CW; and spring wheat-pea [Pisum sativum L.], WP) and four N fertilization rates (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg N ha−1) applied to spring wheat. The soil CO2 flux peaked immediately after planting, fertilization, and intense precipitation (>15 mm in a day) when the emissions varied among treatments. Treatment did not affect soil CH4 uptake, except that the uptake varied with N fertilization rate in 2015–2016. Cumulative annual soil CO2 flux was 35–55% greater with CW than WP at 50–150 kg N ha−1 in 2013–2014 and 2015–2016, but was 37% greater with WP than CW at 100 kg N ha−1 in 2014–2015. Mean cumulative soil CH4 flux was 34% greater with CW than WP at 0 kg N ha−1, but was 16% greater with WP than CW at 150 kg N ha−1. Yield-scaled soil CO2 and CH4 fluxes were unaffected (P > 0.05) by treatments, but varied among years. Carbon balance was negative and unaffected by treatments. Results showed that soil CO2 emissions can be reduced by using legume-nonlegume crop rotation with reduced N fertilization rate with limited impact on soil CH4 emissions. Dryland spring wheat-based cropping systems was a carbon source in the semiarid region.
Early toxicity and clinical outcomes after chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy for lymphoma.

Background Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) infusion is associated with early toxicity. Yet, whether early toxicity development holds ramifications for long-term outcomes is unknown. Methods From a large cohort of consecutive adult patients treated with CAR-T therapies for relapsed or refractory lymphomas from 2016 to 2019, we assessed progression-free survival (PFS), by toxicity development (cytokine release syndrome (CRS), neurotoxicity, or cardiotoxicity]. We also assessed the relationship of toxicity development to objective disease response, and overall survival (OS). Multivariable regression was utilized to evaluate relationships between standard clinical and laboratory measures and disease outcomes. Differences in outcomes, by toxicity status, were also assessed via 30-day landmark analysis. Furthermore, we assessed the effects of early anti-CRS toxicity therapy use (at ≤grade 2 toxicity) on maximum toxicity grade observed, and long-term disease outcomes (PFS and OS). Results Overall, from 102 CAR-T-treated patients, 90 were identified as treated with single-agent therapy, of which 88.9% developed toxicity (80 CRS, 41 neurotoxicity, and 17 cardiotoxicity), including 28.9% with high-grade (≥3) events. The most common manifestations were hypotension at 96.6% and fever at 94.8%. Among patients with cardiac events, there was a non-significant trend toward a higher prevalence of concurrent or preceding high-grade (≥3) CRS. 50.0% required tocilizumab or corticosteroids. The median time to toxicity was 3 days; high grade CRS development was associated with cardiac and neurotoxicity. In multivariable regression, accounting for disease severity and traditional predictors of disease response, moderate (maximum grade 2) CRS development was associated with higher complete response at 1 year (HR: 2.34; p=0.07), and longer PFS (HR: 0.41; p=0.02, in landmark analysis), and OS (HR: 0.43; p=0.03). Among those with CRS, relative blood pressure (HR: 2.25; p=0.004), respectively, also associated with improved PFS. There was no difference in disease outcomes, or maximum toxicity grade (CRS, neurotoxicity, or cardiotoxicity) observed, based on the presence or absence of the use of early CRS-directed therapies. Conclusions Among adult lymphoma patients, moderate toxicity manifest as grade 2 CRS after CAR-T infusion may associate with favorable clinical outcomes. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Required Resources to Support Information Science

Information services for Urban Governance has become a major administrative activity. Ninety percent of all countries and ninety seven percent of all cities over 50,000 population are involved with computerized information services. Expenditures are in excess of $400 million annually. There are currently over 40,000 persons employed in these services by county and local government. Research at The University of California, Irvine, has indicated that in the majority of instances computerized information processing has reduced costs of government, has increased speed and ease of government operations, has increased cooperation and is proving useful for decision making. This research also found that staff is not usually reduced. Also, information technology will become even more influential and important than it is now.
A New Phase Noise Mitigation Method in OFDM Systems with Simultaneous CPE and ICI Correction

OFDM suffers severe performance degradation in the presence of phase noise. Different methods have been proposed to mitigate phase noise effects either in time or in frequency domain. While the time-domain approach is impractical in most applications due to the need of ideal assumptions, such as special pilot pattern or AWGN channel, the alternative frequency-domain approach appears to be a better choice in correcting common phase error (CPE) and intercarrier interference (ICI), which are the results from phase noise. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, ICI has never been considered simultaneously with CPE correction except in [1].
Welfare and Capitalism in Postwar Japan: The End of Japan's Social Protection as We Know It: Becoming Like Britain?

The structural logic approach put forth in this book predicts the most likely policy outcomes on the basis of the government type, party strength, and district magnitude. This chapter applies the logic to explain why Japan's social protection system began to change fundamentally in the post-1996 period. At first sight, there appears to be little difference between the pre-1996 and the post-1996 periods: the government type remained the same – that is, coalition governments. This apparent continuity, however, masked a tidal shift in Japanese politics that occurred after the electoral and legislative rules were changed in the latter half of the 1990s. In October 1996 the Lower House adopted a SMD-dominant mixed electoral system, requiring the typical Lower House politician to compete for a single seat in her district. This chapter covers the period from the 1996 Lower House elections through to 2006. Of critical importance here is the centralization of decision making within the LDP as a consequence of the new electoral rules. The LDP leadership had always found it very difficult to impose its will on the party, due to the weakening of the party that occurred under the MMD/SNTV system. Japan's MMD/SNTV system had empowered intraparty veto players, such as habatsu leaders and subcommittees of the Policy Affairs Research Council (PARC), which were allied with different ministries. Under the new electoral rules, the elimination of intraparty competition eroded the basis of the old LDP politics by making it possible for the party leader to centralize the party.
Florida Public Hurricane Loss Model (FPHLM): research experience in system integration

The Florida Public Hurricane Loss Model (FPHLM) developed in the State of Florida offers an open, public and effective tool for the government to regulate the insurance ratemaking process. It is also open to public scrutiny and provides an understandable baseline to check the windstorm insurance rate. Currently, the model has finished its development on probabilistic assessment of insured hurricane wind risk to residential properties and has successfully passed the audit of Florida Commission on Hurricane Loss Projection Methodology. As a multi-disciplinary large scale project, its system development and integration faced numerous challenges varying from technical factors to project management aspects. In addition, different from the general practice of software system development, FPHLM is essentially a research oriented project where the algorithms are constantly revised, validated and improved along with the research progress, which inevitably poses additional challenges upon the system development and integration cycle. With the help of systematic project management and advanced software development theories, techniques and tools, the FPHLM team overcame these challenges while maintaining delivery schedules, meeting budget constraints, and offering good software development practices. This paper addresses the challenges and experiences associated with the integration process of the FPHLM software system, which we believe will benefit the related digital-government applications.
Scalable photon monte carlo algorithms and software for the solution of radiative heat transfer problems

Radiative heat transfer plays a central role in many combustion and engineering applications. Because of its highly nonlinear and nonlocal nature, the computational cost can be extremely high to model radiative heat transfer effects accurately. In this paper, we present a parallel software framework for distributed memory architectures that implements the photon Monte Carlo method of ray tracing to simulate radiative effects. Our primary focus is on applications such as fluid flow problems in which radiation plays a significant role, such as in combustion. We demonstrate the scalability of the framework for two representative combustion test problems, and address the load balancing problem resulting from widely varying physical properties such as optical thickness. This framework allows for the incorporation of other, user-specified radiative properties, which should enable its use within a wide variety of other applications.
Pictorial embellishments in a tape-slide instructional program

An expanding national interest in the development of tested instructional materials has focused research attention on the identification of treatment variables which can optimize the effectiveness of such materials. Instructional product researchers, ordinarily through the use of controlled variation experiments, attempt to ferret out the qualities in instructional products that lead to increased learner attainment of the objectives associated with particular products. The treatment variables of most interest are those that are I) readily manipulable, that is, relatively easy to modify, and 2) significantly correlated with learner accomplishment. One such variable may be the use or nonuse of pictorial embellishments in tape-filmstrip programs or other sound-visual materials. This addition of cartoons is fairlyr standard practice. Whether the rationale is that the embellishments add "interest" or that they help clarify the audio word, there are certainly many such filmstrips currently on the market. Few empirical investigations, however, have demonstrated the instructional merits of cartoon embellishments, particularly when the criterion was cognitive learner achievement.
Assessment of HIV-Related School Policy in North Carolina

Abstract This paper presents results from a content analysis of HIV-related school policy in North Carolina. A policy assessment tool was developed and applied based on recommendations drawn from the professional literature. Four major policy content areas were identified: (1) access, (2) confidentiality/communication, (3) medication issues, and (4) HIV education. Of 79 responding school systems, 68 had established policies which were compared to the recommendations acknowledged in the literature. Results indicate a general failure of local school boards to implement the type of detailed HIV-related school policies described in the professional literature. Overall, North Carolina school policies lacked statements referring specifically to HIV/AIDS. Specificity is necessary to protect the rights of HIV-infected children to an education in the least restrictive environment and to protect their confidentiality. It is also necessary for policies to specify details related to HIV education of students and staf...
Leaching of BTEX from Aged Crude Oil Contaminated Model Soils: Experimental and Modeling Results

It is generally assumed that soil properties such as organic matter content, porosity, and mineral surface area have a significant effect on the bioavailability and leachability of aged petroleum hydrocarbons. In order to test this hypothesis, nine model soils or sorbents (i.e., fine and coarse quartz sand, montmorillonite and kaolinite clay, peat, 60A and 150A silica gel, a loam soil, and non-porous glass beads) were spiked with a crude oil, aged for 27 months in the laboratory, and transferred to glass columns for the performance of continuous flow leaching experiments. The column effluents were periodically sampled for 43 days and analyzed for BTEX. A one-dimensional flow model for predicting the dissolution and dispersion of individual hydrocarbons from a multi-component NAPL such as crude oil was used to fit the leaching data (i.e., the BTEX concentration versus time curves) by adjusting the equilibrium oil-leachate partitioning coefficient (K ol ) for each respective hydrocarbon. The Peclet number, ...