cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
IMMUNOMODULATORY EFFECTS OF CIGARETTE SMOKE

Cigarette smoke is a major health risk factor which significantly increases the incidence of diseases including lung cancer and respiratory infections. This increased susceptibility may result from cigarette smoke-induced impairment of the immune system. While the acute effects of cigarette smoke on the immune system are less clear, chronic exposure to cigarette smoke or nicotine causes T cell unresponsiveness. This apparent T cell anergy may account for or contribute to the immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory properties of cigarette smoke/nicotine. Nicotine-induced immunosuppression may result from its direct effects on lymphocytes, indirectly through its effects on the neuroendocrine system, or both.
Honor among thieves: collusion in multi-unit auctions

We consider collusion in multi-unit auctions where the allocation and payments are determined using the VCG mechanism. We show how collusion can increase the utility of the colluders, characterize the optimal collusion and show it can easily be computed in polynomial time. We then analyze the colluders' coalition from a cooperative game theoretic perspective. We show that the collusion game is a convex game, so it always has a non-empty core, which contains the Shapley value. We show how to find core imputations and compute the Shapley value, and thus show that in this setting the colluders can always share the gain from their manipulation in a stable and fair way. This shows that this domain is extremely vulnerable to collusion.
Optical Rankine Vortex

An optical vortex may exhibit a hallmark attributed to viscosity in classical fluids: solid-body rotation near the vortex core. This effect, attributed to spatial coherence properties, may be extended beyond optics to other wave systems. Non-quantized circulation results.
Improving Front-End Flow in an Urban Academic Medical Center Emergency Department: The Emergency Department Discharge Facilitator Team

Length of stay (LOS) is an important determinant of patient satisfaction and overall emergency department (ED) operational efficiency. In an effort to reduce length of stay for low-acuity “treated and released” patients, our department created a discharge facilitator team (DFT) composed of an attending physician, physician assistant, and registered nurse. The DFT identified patients who could be rapidly treated and released in the low-acuity treatment Adult Urgent Care Center (AUCC) and provided them rapid treatment and discharge. To assess the efficacy of the DFT, linear regression was used to compare AUCC LOS at times the team was and was not active. Patients seen by the DFT had a LOS that was 35 % shorter than other AUCC patients. There was a 28-min reduction in AUCC LOS during periods where the DFT was active (95% CI 22 to 33 min). We conclude that the establishment of a DFT was associated with a significant reduction in LOS for all low-acuity patients. Other academic medical centers may consider implementing a similar program in order to reduce LOS and improve ED throughput for low acuity patients.
Legal Guilt, Normative Innocence, and The Equitable Decision Not to Prosecute

Charging discretion is no monolith. Instead, prosecutors consider three sets of reasons to decline or pursue charges: legal reasons, administrative reasons, and equitable reasons. The conventional wisdom is that prosecutors are best positioned to evaluate these reasons. Consequently, prosecutors are granted almost unfettered charging discretion. More narrowly, when prosecutors decline or pursue charges for equitable reasons, they exercise their prerogative unchecked. This is defensible only if prosecutors are most competent to exercise equitable discretion. That question is almost never asked or critically analyzed. Instead, case law and commentators justify prevailing institutional design with reference only to uncontroversial understandings that prosecutors know most about legal merits and strategic priorities. In fact, several reasons exist to believe that prosecutors are ill suited to consider the normative merits of potential charges. First, professional prosecutors fail sufficiently to individualize cases, lumping them instead into legal boxes. Second, professional prosecutors prioritize institutional concerns over equitable particulars. Notably, prosecutors are least competent to adequately consider the equities in the precise types of cases in which commonsense discretion matters most. Specifically, in the petty-crime context, absolute enforcement of expansive code law is both undesirable and impossible, and, consequently, measured exercises of equitable discretion are warranted and anticipated. Put simply, petty-crime enforcement should turn on thoughtful evaluation of equitable considerations, such as relative blameworthiness. Legal guilt, by contrast, is often peripheral (or, in any event, presumed). In this way, easy legal cases may raise tough normative questions. And prosecutors have no special claim to know the answers, as the novel data that I provide help to show.
Making the Grade: English/Language Arts Pathways for Students Recommended for Expulsion

Academic failure and exclusionary discipline practices are key elements in what has been described as the “school to prison pipeline.” While there exists a strong body of research on the risks for ...
Phonemes, segments and features

As the token generative phonologist invited to comment on the article by Hickok (henceforth H.), I feel that it is incumbent upon me to both clarify some terms and to counter an assumption about the content of generative theories of phonology made in H.'s article. While I restrict myself most specifically to H.'s article, I hope that these comments are also of some use to others who, like H., aim to integrate the ideas of various traditions in models of speech processing.
Attributable costs of central line-associated bloodstream infections in a pediatric hematology/oncology population.

Background Although several studies have estimated the attributable cost and length of stay (LOS) of central line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) in the pediatric intensive care unit setting, little is known about the attributable costs and LOS of CLABSIs in the vulnerable pediatric hematology/oncology population. Methods We studied a total of 1562 inpatient admissions for 291 pediatric hematology/oncology patients at a single tertiary care children's hospital in the mid-Atlantic region between January 2008 and May 2011. Costs were normalized to year 2011 dollars. Propensity score matching was used to estimate the effect of CLABSIs on total cost and LOS while controlling for other covariates. Results Sixty CLABSIs occurred during the 1562 admissions. Compared with the patients without a CLABSI, those who developed a CLABSI tended to be older (9.0 years vs 7.5 years; P = .026) and to have a tunneled catheter (46.7% vs 27.0%) and a peripherally inserted central catheter (20.0% vs 11.2%) as opposed to other types of catheters ( P P P Conclusions Among pediatric hematology/oncology patients, CLABSI was associated with an additional LOS of 21 days and increased costs of nearly $70,000. These findings may inform decisions regarding the value of investing in efforts to prevent CLABSIs in this vulnerable population.
Classified conditional entropy coding of LSP parameters

Summary form only given. A new LSP speech parameter compression scheme is proposed which uses conditional probability information through classification. For efficient compression of speech LSP parameter vectors it is essential that higher order correlations are exploited. The use of conditional probability information has been hindered by high complexity of the information. For example, a LSP vector has 34 bit representation at 4.8 K bps CELP coding (FS1016 standard). It is impractical to use the first order probability information directly since 2/sup 34//spl ap/1.7/spl times/10/sup 10/ number of probability tables would be required and training of such information would be practically impossible. In order to reduce the complexity, we reduce the input alphabet size by classifying the LSP vectors according to their phonetic relevance. In other words, speech LSP parameters are classified into groups representing loosely defined various phonemes. The number of phoneme groups used was 32 considering the ambiguity of similar phonemes and background noises. Then conditional probability tables are constructed for each class by training. In order to further reduce the complexity, split-VQ has been employed. The classification is achieved through vector quantization with a mean squared distortion measure in the LSP domain.
Multiple elements of the allergic arm of the immune response modulate autoimmune demyelination

Analysis of mRNA from multiple sclerosis lesions revealed increased amounts of transcripts for several genes encoding molecules traditionally associated with allergic responses, including prostaglandin D synthase, histamine receptor type 1 (H1R), platelet activating factor receptor, Ig Fc ɛ receptor 1 (FcɛRI), and tryptase. We now demonstrate that, in the animal model of multiple sclerosis, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), mediated by T helper 1 (Th1) T cells, histamine receptor 1 and 2 (H1R and H2R) are present on inflammatory cells in brain lesions. Th1 cells reactive to myelin proteolipid protein expressed more H1R and less H2R than Th2 cells. Pyrilamine, an H1R antagonist, blocked EAE, and the platelet activating factor receptor antagonist CV6209 reduced the severity of EAE. EAE severity was also decreased in mice with disruption of the genes encoding Ig FcγRIII or both FcγRIII and FcɛRI. Prostaglandin D synthase and tryptase transcripts were elevated in EAE brain. Taken together, these data reveal extensive involvement of elements of the immune response associated with allergy in autoimmune demyelination. The pathogenesis of demyelination must now be viewed as encompassing elements of both Th1 responses and “allergic” responses.
c-Type Cytochromes and Manganese Oxidation in Pseudomonas putida MnB1

Pseudomonas putida MnB1 is an isolate from an Mn oxide-encrusted pipeline that can oxidize Mn(II) to Mn oxides. We used transposon mutagenesis to construct mutants of strain MnB1 that are unable to oxidize manganese, and we characterized some of these mutants. The mutants were divided into three groups: mutants defective in the biogenesis of c-type cytochromes, mutants defective in genes that encode key enzymes of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and mutants defective in the biosynthesis of tryptophan. The mutants in the first two groups were cytochrome c oxidase negative and did not contain c-type cytochromes. Mn(II) oxidation capability could be recovered in a c-type cytochrome biogenesis-defective mutant by complementation of the mutation.
SVD reconstruction algorithm and determination of signal number by frequency domain information

By using signal theory and noise subspace fitting in radar array signal processing, the paper first derives a singular value decomposition algorithm for reconstructing the true waveform scattered by underground object. More importantly, based on this reconstruction algorithm, a quantitative criterion for determining the signal number present in the waveform is given from the frequency domain information provided by the emitted waveform.
Hurt feelings and personality socialization in the family

The purpose of this article is to summarize a developmental, relational theory of personality socialization in the family and other settings. This theory consists of two assumptions about space and time, from which are derived two respective processes about the ability to love and the ability to negotiate. The contents of the theory consist of three modalities: Being, Doing, and Having. From these processes and contents other models about a continuum of likeness, selfhood and personality propensities, priorities, and intimacy are developed. This theory can be evaluated in the laboratory through self-report, paper-and-pencil tests, and in applied or clinical settings through enrichment programs, workbooks, and therapeutic tasks.
Accelerometer-measured sedentary time among Hispanic adults: Results from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL)

Excessive sedentary behavior is associated with negative health outcomes independent of physical activity. Objective estimates of time spent in sedentary behaviors are lacking among adults from diverse Hispanic/Latino backgrounds. The objective of this study was to describe accelerometer-assessed sedentary time in a large, representative sample of Hispanic/Latino adults living in the United States, and compare sedentary estimates by Hispanic/Latino background, sociodemographic characteristics and weight categories. This study utilized baseline data from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) that included adults aged 18–74 years from four metropolitan areas (N = 16,415). Measured with the Actical accelerometer over 6 days, 76.9% (n = 12,631) of participants had > 10 h/day and > 3 days of data. Participants spent 11.9 h/day (SD 3.0), or 74% of their monitored time in sedentary behaviors. Adjusting for differences in wear time, adults of Mexican background were the least (11.6 h/day), whereas adults of Dominican background were the most (12.3 h/day), sedentary. Women were more sedentary than men, and older adults were more sedentary than younger adults. Household income was positively associated, whereas employment was negatively associated, with sedentary time. There were no differences in sedentary time by weight categories, marital status, or proxies of acculturation. To reduce sedentariness among these populations, future research should examine how the accumulation of various sedentary behaviors differs by background and region, and which sedentary behaviors are amenable to intervention.
Pur-alpha regulates cytoplasmic stress granule dynamics and ameliorates FUS toxicity

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is characterized by progressive loss of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. Mutations in several genes, including FUS, TDP43, Matrin 3, hnRNPA2 and other RNA-binding proteins, have been linked to ALS pathology. Recently, Pur-alpha, a DNA/RNA-binding protein was found to bind to C9orf72 repeat expansions and could possibly play a role in the pathogenesis of ALS. When overexpressed, Pur-alpha mitigates toxicities associated with Fragile X tumor ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) and C9orf72 repeat expansion diseases in Drosophila and mammalian cell culture models. However, the function of Pur-alpha in regulating ALS pathogenesis has not been fully understood. We identified Pur-alpha as a novel component of cytoplasmic stress granules (SGs) in ALS patient cells carrying disease-causing mutations in FUS. When cells were challenged with stress, we observed that Pur-alpha co-localized with mutant FUS in ALS patient cells and became trapped in constitutive SGs. We also found that FUS physically interacted with Pur-alpha in mammalian neuronal cells. Interestingly, shRNA-mediated knock down of endogenous Pur-alpha significantly reduced formation of cytoplasmic stress granules in mammalian cells suggesting that Pur-alpha is essential for the formation of SGs. Furthermore, ectopic expression of Pur-alpha blocked cytoplasmic mislocalization of mutant FUS and strongly suppressed toxicity associated with mutant FUS expression in primary motor neurons. Our data emphasizes the importance of stress granules in ALS pathogenesis and identifies Pur-alpha as a novel regulator of SG dynamics.
Models to predict prevalence and transition dynamics of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in community nursing homes

Background Recent spread of USA300 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) to nursing homes has been of particular concern. We sought to predict the ultimate prevalence of USA300 and non-USA300 MRSA and to examine the influence of potential risk factors on MRSA acquisition in community nursing homes. Methods The data were collected during a longitudinal MRSA surveillance study that involved 449 residents in 6 community nursing homes in Wisconsin. The subjects were screened every 3 months for up to 1 year. Markov chain models were employed to predict strain-specific prevalence of MRSA at steady state, and to assess the influence of potential risk factors, including recent hospitalizations, invasive medical devices, and antibiotic exposure on MRSA acquisition rates and average duration of colonization. Results At steady state, 20% (95% confidence interval [CI], 15%-25%) of residents were predicted to remain colonized with non-USA300 and 4% (95% CI, 2%-7%) with USA300 MRSA. Residents who used antibiotics during the previous 3 months were twice more likely to acquire MRSA than those who did not (acquisition rates, 0.052; 95% CI, 0.038-0.075 and 0.025; 95% CI, 0.018-0.037, respectively). Conclusions Non-USA300 was predicted to remain the dominant MRSA strain in community nursing homes. The higher rate of MRSA acquisition among residents with recent antibiotic exposure suggests that antibiotic stewardship may reduce MRSA colonization in this setting.
Measuring Lipid Bilayer Permeability with Biomimetic Membranes

While there are numerous active mechanisms controlling which molecules cross a cell’s plasma membrane to enter the cytoplasm, these are not the only routes by which molecules can enter cells. In fact, transport by passive diffusion across the lipid bilayer of the plasma membrane represents a nearly universal mechanism of molecular entry. Passive transport represents a key route by which both drugs and environmental toxins can cross biological barriers. Understanding the barrier properties of the lipid bilayer and what molecular characteristics control its permeability is therefore of fundamental interest to toxicology and drug development. Methods of measuring and predicting this permeability have been the topics of research for decades. Today, sophisticated biomimetic cell membranes, coupled with advanced analytical tools and computer modeling, allow new insight into this important biological property.
Chemically Induced Mutations in the Mouse that Affect the Fundus and Electroretinogram

C57BL/6J (“Black 6”) mice were mutagenized with a chemical mutagen (ENU) that induces point mutations and were bred for three generations to render recessive mutations homozygous. Both first- (G1, dominant screen) and third- (G3, recessive screen) generation mice were tested in two ways. First, the retinogram in response to nine different stimuli was measured automatically after dark adaptation and during presentation of a steady light to light adapt the retina. Second, the fundus was photographed and analyzed for abnormalities. The results of screening 177 G3 mice from 31 Gl founders are as follows. One G3 mouse was found to have normal a and b waves, but no c wave after retesting. Another G3 mouse produced no measurable electroretinogram (ERG) and both of its fundi appeared very abnormal; the heredity of these traits are now being tested. We examined the fundus of 610 G3 mice, 100 G2 mice, and 79 Gl mice. Twenty-four G3 mice had an abnormal fundus appearance but their ERGs were indistinguishable from normal. For 19 G3 mice, the branching pattern of the retinal vessels was abnormal in one eye only; for 2 mice from the same G1 pedigree, the branching pattern of the retinal vessels was abnormal in both eyes, and for 5 mice the fundus or the optic disk appeared to have abnormal white blotches that are now being characterized histologically. Thus, screening for visual phenotypes among a relatively small number of mutagenized mice has produced a promising number of “leads;’ demonstrating the feasibility for using this approach to generate mouse models of human diseases and to use ”genetic dissection“ to help understand the visual system. We are now in the process of increasing the rate of screening to 10,000 G3 mice per year and are developing a rapid test for visually evoked potentials of the cortex.
Inducing Congress to Create Separate Patent Infringement Categories: A Solution to Multiple Actor Liability Evasion

The definition of infringement is fairly ambiguous in patent law, which presents courts with the unique and difficult problem of determining infringement liability when multiple actors work together to infringe a method patent. Under current statutory guidelines, method patent infringement requires all steps of a patented process to be completed by a single entity, however when multiple parties work together without a contractual relationship, but complete all the patented steps, they may escape liability which results in the violation of the patent holders’ rights. Congress was granted the Constitutional right to promote the arts and sciences, therefore it is their job to ensure that the patent system works efficiently and provides clear guidance to the courts. When drafting the statutes that govern patent law, it was Congress’ intention to protect the rights of inventors, not potential infringers. By allowing evasion of infringement liability to occur, patentees lose their coveted rights which stifles innovation and places a strain on the market system. This article provides the missing solution to multiple actor infringement liability evasion in the scholarly literature by proposing that Congress should create separate infringement subcategories to hold multiple actor infringers liable when all steps of the patented method are completed, regardless of whether the parties are considered a single entity. The statutory amendments would first clearly define infringement, and subsequently create distinct categories under both direct and indirect infringement statutes. Determination of infringement liability would then be based on the relationships between the parties who are involved in the infringement. By Congress revising the statute, courts will have more guidance which would limit the uncertainty of their current decisions, thus providing more reliable outcomes.
Pressure-based Coupled Simulation of Pressure Recovery and Distortion in an S-Duct

The problem of a compressible flow through an S-shaped compact offset intake diffuser is studied computationally using the general purpose CFD code ANSYS Fluent. Steady-state converged solutions are calculated using second-order upwind discretizations. A hierarchy of four computational meshes, one unstructured and three block-structured, is applied to evaluate grid independence. The near-wall resolution in all four meshes is fine enough to resolve the viscosity-affected near-wall region all the way to the laminar sublayer. Performance of four turbulence RANS models are compared: Spalart-Allmaras, SST k-, Realizable k-, and Reynolds Stress model with low-Re stress-omega formulation of the pressure-strain term. Numerical predictions of total pressure recovery and pressure distortion are compared with the experimental data. An excellent agreement is presented for pressure recovery, and favorable agreement is found in the prediction of distortion. An additional configuration of the S-duct model incorporating test probes is considered to evaluate the effects of experimental instrumentation at the Aerodynamic Interface Plane (AIP) on predicting distortion.
High Temperature Properties of Sintered Silicon Nitride

Since silicon nitride is fabricated using liquid phase sintering, sintering additives usually remain between Si3N4 grains as grain boundary phases. The grain boundary phases are softened and suddenly reduce the strength of sintered body under high temperature. This phenomenon occurs more notably when grain boundary phases contain glassy ones. The condition of grain boundary phases also influences the creep property under high temperature. This paper investigates the internal friction of Si3N4 sintered body, which relates to grain boundary slip and diffusion of atoms. This investigation will clarify the relationship between the conditions of grain boundary phases (ex. crystallization) and the internal friction changes. The creep properties of sintered body are also studied by analyzing the results of internal friction measurements. This will allow us to fully consider the relationship between the composition of sintering additives and the effects of heat treatment for crystallization.
Human plasma LDL cryopreserved with sucrose maintains in vivo kinetics indistinguishable from freshly isolated human LDL in cynomolgus monkeys

We previously reported that freeze-thawing of LDL causes marked alterations in its structure and in vitro biological behavior, and that such changes can be completely abolished by the addition of sucrose to the LDL solution prior to freezing. (Rumsey, S. C. et al., J. Lipid Res. 1992. 33: 1551-1561). We now questioned whether the cryopreservative action of sucrose would be equally effective in maintaining the in vivo metabolic characteristics of LDL. Two dual-label LDL turnover studies were performed in cynomolgus monkeys (n = 8) comparing freshly isolated human LDL with human LDL that was frozen in sucrose (10% w/v) for a short (20 h) or long period (6 months). The same sucrose-cryopreserved LDL was used for both the short- and long-term studies; different fresh LDL preparations were used in each study. Absorption spectrophotometry, gel filtration, and electron microscopy of LDL samples frozen with sucrose showed no evidence of physical alterations or aggregation, and there was no evidence of very rapid clearance of cryopreserved LDL from monkey plasma after injection. Fractional catabolic rates (FCR) of fresh and frozen LDL were very similar in either the short-term or long-term experiments: 2.09 +/- 0.86 versus 2.16 +/- 0.88, short-term and 3.03 +/- 2.28 versus 3.08 +/- 2.29, long-term (pools per day; mean +/- SD). The difference between FCR of fresh and frozen LDL for each animal averaged -0.076 +/- 0.074 and 0.01 +/- 0.22 (mean +/- SD), for short-term and long-term freezing, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Study on physical properties of ionic liquid and ethanol solution for absorbing SO_2

The pH value,electrical conductivity,density of quaternary ammonium ionic liquids and ethanol solution for absorbing SO2 were researched.The results show that with an increase of temperature,the values of pH decrease,conductivity increase and then decrease slightly,and density decreases.With the increasing concentration of ionic liquids,the values of pH increase and then kept balance,the values of conductivity increase and then decrease slightly,and the values of density decrease.The values of pH and moisture content decrease,electrical conductivity and density increase in saturated solution compared with the former solution,and the system of the saturated CPL-TBAB ILs and ethanol solution are miscible.
Empirical Determination of Lower Bounds on RP Embedding.

Data analysis is critical to many (if not a ll) Homeland Security missions. Data to be fielded in this domain is typically immense in cardinality (number of records) and immense in dimensionality (features per record). Random Projections (RP) have been proposed as an effective technique for embedding a metric space of dimension d into one of dimension k while retaining bounds on the distortion of the metric under embedding. More recently, Achlioptas has shown from work founded on the Johnson-Lindenstrauss lemma on embeddings that a sparse random matrix could give additional computational savings in random projection, and he also gives a theorical embedding bound 0 k . However, empirical evidence shows that one can choose 0 k k << and yet retain low distortion in the metric. In the paper we propose an experimental approach to find the optimum lower bound of 0 k for any distribution models in terms of classification.
Graph reduction for material integrated process networks with flow segregation

Abstract In this paper, a scalable framework is developed to analyze complex process networks consisting of multiple material integration loops. Using information on the orders of magnitude of different material flows, the framework identifies the time scales where different process units evolve, and the manipulated inputs available in each time scale, in an automated fashion. The application of the framework is illustrated via a case study on an example process network.
On the Optimality of OFDMA MIMO Channels

This paper studies the optimality of OFDMA in MIMO enabled multiuser multicarrier uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) dual system. In the special low SNR and SIMO cases, we prove that OFDMA is actually DL sum rate optimal. For the general MIMO case, we modify the algorithms in [1] and [2] to compute the optimal sum capacity of multiuser multicarrier UL/DL system. Our numerical results show the probability of OFDMA being sum-rate optimal is non-travial regardless of the SNR regions. Finally, we evaluate a set of computation efficient sum-rate approaches for OFDMA.
The plan of enrichment designs for dealing with high placebo response

To deal with high placebo response in clinical trials for psychiatric and other diseases, different enrichment designs, such as the sequential parallel design, two-way enriched design, and sequential enriched design, have been proposed and implemented recently. Depending on the historical trial information and the trial sponsors' resources, detailed design elements are needed for determining which design to adopt. To assist in making more suitable decisions, we perform evaluations for selecting required design elements in terms of power optimization and sample size planning. We also discuss the implementation of the interim analysis related to its applicability.
In severe asthma, benralizumab reduced daily oral glucocorticoid dose and asthma exacerbations at 6 months

Source Citation Nair P, Wenzel S, Rabe KF, et al; ZONDA Trial Investigators. Oral glucocorticoid-sparing effect of benralizumab in severe asthma. N Engl J Med. 2017;376:2448-58. 28530840
Normal Zone Evolution and Propagation in a Cryogenically Stable Superconductor

The time evolution of a normal zone and propagation of the normal front are calculated for a cryogenically stable superconductor resembling the configuration of a UW Energy Storage Conductor laboratory prototype of 13.5 cm diameter stabilized with 400 RRR A1 carrying 765 kA in a field of 3.5 T. The coupled heat transport and current diffusion equations with temperature dependent physical properties are solved numerically. Both radial adiabatic and superfluid helium cooling cases are treated. A factor of four enhancement in the propagation velocity occurs in the adiabatic case and a transient propagation velocity in the superfluid helium cooling case exists because of the heat generation due to the transient non-uniform current distribuion in the stabilizer.
Irregularity-Aware Graph Fourier Transforms

In this paper, we present a novel generalization of the graph Fourier transform (GFT). Our approach is based on separately considering the definitions of signal energy and signal variation, leading to several possible orthonormal GFTs. Our approach includes traditional definitions of the GFT as special cases, while also leading to new GFT designs that are better at taking into account the irregular nature of the graph. As an illustration, in the context of sensor networks we use the Voronoi cell area of vertices in our GFT definition, showing that it leads to a more sensible definition of graph signal energy even when sampling is highly irregular.
Dative Bonding between Closed-Shell Atoms: The BeF- Anion.

Beryllium can exhibit unusually strong attractive interactions under conditions where it is nominally a closed-shell atom. Two prominent examples are the Be2 dimer and the He–BeO complex. In the present study, we examine the bonding of the closed-shell Be–F– anion. This molecule preserves the closed-shell character of the individual atoms as the electron affinity of F is high (328.16 kJ mol–1) while that of Be is negative. Photodetachment spectroscopy was used to determine the vibrational frequency for BeF– and the electron affinity of BeF (104.2 kJ mol–1). The latter has been used to determine a lower bound of 343 kJ mol–1 for the bond energy of BeF–. Electronic structure calculations yielded predictions that were in good agreement with the observed data. A natural bond orbital analysis shows that BeF– is primarily bound by a dative interaction.
Decorrelation of Laser Speckle Patterns for Crack-Tip High Strain Field Determination and Use in Brittle-Ductile Fracture Analysis

The uses of laser speckle photography are widespread in mechanics and metrology[1][2]. Most, if not all, of the applications of laser speckle involve the comparison of two correlated speckle patterns of a given field before and after some perturbation to the system has occurred. From the relative displacement of the correlated patterns either Young’s fringes or isothetic fringes may be produced when the specklegram is processed[3]. It is from these fringes that one quantitatively determines the speckle spacing from which such information as displacement and displacement gradient (strain) can be calculated. However, if the displacement, displacement gradient, surface tilt, or surface out-of-plane displacement is excessive, or if the surface morphology changes, the correlation of the speckle patterns is lost and the fringes are either distorted or simply no longer visible. In this case the speckle patterns are said to be decorrelated and accurate quantitative information about changes to the system is no longer available.
A Graphical Approach to the Design of Sequential Attribute Sampling Plans

The design of a sequential sampling plan or test requires the use of complicated equations that relate the input parameters of the plan to the boundaries of the acceptance and rejection regions. A nomogram is presented that simplifies the required calcu..
Red Cell Sodium and Ionic Fluxes in Patients with Hyper- and Hypothyroidism

To investigate the status of the Na+ concentrations [Na+]i, K+ concentrations [K+]i and ionic fluxes in red cells of human subjects with abnormal thyroid function, we measured the Na+-K+ pump activity as well as Na+-K+ contransport (CoT), Na+-Li+ countertransport (CTT) and Na+ passive permeability in erythrocytes of 37 normal subjects, 19 untreated hyperthyroid patients, 12 treated hyperthyroid patients and 9 hypothyroid patients with T4 replacement. The mean [Na+]i value in the untreated hyperthyroidism group was significantly higher than that in the normal subjects (p<0.5), but not significantly different from that in the treated hyperthyroidism group. The mean [Na+]i value in the hypothyroidism with T4 replacement group, however, was significantly lower than that in the normal group (p<.01). We did not find any significant difference of [K+]i in comparing each group. It was found that the Na+-K+ pump activity in erythrocytes was significantly increased in untreated hyperthyroidism (mean; 23.4% above control, p<10−5), but there was no significant difference in treated hyperthyroidism and hypothyroid patients with T4 replacement. The rate constant for ouabain-sensitive Na+ efflux in the hypothyroidism with T4 replacement group was markedly higher than that in normal subjects (p<.01), but not significantly different in the untreated hyperthyroidism group. We observed a significant increase of the Na+ CoT value in the patients with untreated hyperthyroidism as campared with that of the normal subjects (p<.05), but there was no significant difference in the patients treated for hyperthyroidism and the hypothyroidism with T4 replacement group. However, the rate constant for Na+-CoT in the patients with hypothyroidism with T4 replacement was significantly higher than that in normal subjects (p<.05). We observed a marked decrease of Na+-Li+CTT value in the patients with untreated hyperthyroidism versus that in the normal group (p<.01). Passive Na+ permeability in the patients with untreated hyperthyroidism was markedly increased (p<.05), and was markedly decreased in the patients with hypothyroidism with T4 replacement compared to normal subjects (p<.01). It can be concluded from these studies that an increase in Na+-K+ pump activity in the patients untreated for hyperthyroidism might then be regarded as a secondary adaptive cellular response to higher [Na+]i values due to enhanced passive Na+ permeability, rather than a direct effect of the thyroid hormone.
Effects of bicarbonate and some other anions on the shoot content of P32, Ca45 Fe59, Rb86, Sr90, Ru106, Cs137, and Ce144 in bean and barley plants

Bean and barley plants were cultured in nutrient solutions and subsequently treated to include a control and 10 me of NaCl, NaNO3, Na2SO4, or NaHCO3 added per liter. The content of P32, Ca45, Fe59, Rb86, Sr90, Ru106, Cs137, or Ce144 in the shoots was determined after an 8-hour period on treatment.
The triple variable index combines information generated over time from common monitoring variables to identify patients expressing distinct patterns of intraoperative physiology

Mean arterial pressure (MAP), bispectral index (BIS), and minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) represent valuable, yet dynamic intraoperative monitoring variables. They provide information related to poor outcomes when considered together, however their collective behavior across time has not been characterized. We have developed the Triple Variable Index (TVI), a composite variable representing the sum of z-scores from MAP, BIS, and MAC values that occur together during surgery. We generated a TVI expression profile, defined as the sequential TVI values expressed across time, for each surgery where concurrent MAP, BIS, and MAC monitoring occurred in an adult patient (≥18 years) at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center between January and July 2014 (n = 5296). Patterns of TVI expression were identified using k-means clustering and compared across numerous patient, procedure, and outcome characteristics. TVI and the triple low state were compared as prediction models for 30-day postoperative mortality. The median frequency MAP, BIS, and MAC were recorded was one measurement every 3, 5, and 5 min. Three expression patterns were identified: elevated, mixed, and depressed. The elevated pattern displayed the highest average MAP, BIS, and MAC values (86.5 mmHg, 45.3, and 0.98, respectively), while the depressed pattern displayed the lowest values (76.6 mmHg, 38.0, 0.66). Patterns (elevated, mixed, depressed) were distinct across the following characteristics: average patient age (52, 53, 54 years), American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status 4 (6.7, 16.1, 27.3%) and 5 (0.1, 0.6, 1.6%) categories, cardiac (2.2, 6.5, 16.1%) and emergent (5.8, 10.5, 12.8%) surgery, cardiopulmonary bypass use (0.3, 2.6, 9.8%), intraoperative medication administration including etomidate (3.0, 7.3, 12.6%), hydromorphone (47.6, 26.3, 25.2%), ketamine (11.2, 4.6, 3.0%), dexmedetomidine (18.4, 16.6, 13.6%), phenylephrine (74.0, 74.8, 83.0), epinephrine (2.0, 6.0, 18.0%), norepinephrine (2.4, 7.5, 21.2%), vasopressin (3.4, 7.6, 21.0%), succinylcholine (74.0, 69.0, 61.9%), intraoperative hypotension (28.8, 33.0, 52.3%) and the triple low state (9.4, 30.3, 80.0%) exposure, and 30-day postoperative mortality (0.8, 2.7, 5.6%). TVI was a better predictor of patients that died or survived in the 30 days following surgery compared to cumulative triple low state exposure (AUC 0.68 versus 0.62, p < 0.05). Surgeries that share similar patterns of TVI expression display distinct patient, procedure, and outcome characteristics.
‘Tonight we’re gonna give it 35%’: expressions of transgender identity in the early work of Laura Jane Grace

This article provides a literary analysis of the early work of Laura Jane Grace, the punk rock band Against Me!’s transgender frontwoman, specifically that work which was composed before she came o...
Improving HbA1c with Glucose Self-Monitoring in Diabetic Patients with EpxDiabetes, a Phone Call and Text Message-Based Telemedicine Platform: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: We conducted a randomized controlled trial of EpxDiabetes, a novel digital health intervention as an adjunct therapy to reduce HbA1c and fasting blood glucose (FBG) among patients with ...
Komentarz do przepisów prawa finansowego

Traditionally, the two main tools of fscal policy to create healthy economic growth are taxes and spending, both of which are subject to statutory and Consitutional restrictions. However, inﬂation, employment and the ﬂow of money can also be affected through regulations, which are hindered neither by the need to collect taxes nor by restrictions on appropriations. Sound fscal policy and fscal law must consider the effects of regulations on economic performance, the proverbial elephant sitting in the room. Regulations, which have been called hidden taxes, play an increasingly greater role in theguidance of the U. S. economy. The recent performance of the US economy provides empirical evidence of the effects of reducing regulations as well as indications of the effects of regulation on innovation. In addition to the traditional primary tools of fscal policy, taxes and spending, fscal policy and fiscal law must consider the effects of regulations and the use of regulatory policy to affect the economy, inﬂation, and the ﬂow of money through the economic system.
Draft Genome Sequence of Desulfurobacterium thermolithotrophum Strain HR11, a Novel Thermophilic Autotrophic Subspecies from a Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vent

ABSTRACT Desulfurobacterium sp. strain HR11 was isolated from a hydrothermal vent on the Juan de Fuca Ridge. We present the 1.55-Mb genome sequence of HR11, which contains 1,624 putative protein-coding sequences. Overall genome relatedness index analyses indicate that HR11 is a novel subspecies of D. thermolithotrophum.
Distributed Sensing Using Smart End-User Devices: Pathway to Federated Learning for Autonomous IoT

There is a dearth of research in developing low-cost solutions for distributed decision making in IoT networks. Most studies in the literature require the deployment of additional sensors for data collection. In this study, we propose to leverage available sensors built-in smartphones, to properly collect and broadcast data for different decision-making purposes in smart cities infrastructures, for example, intelligent transportation networks, smart health services, security and emergencies, industrial control, smart agriculture, home automation and so on. To this end, we first introduce our new platform (including software and mobile app implementation) to identify available sensors at each end-user device. We have identified a wide range of sensors including gyroscope, ambient light sensor, temperature, magnetic field sensor, orientation sensor, game rotation vector, linear acceleration, relative humidity, gravity, geomagnetic rotation vector, etc. As the sensors are already integrated within the phone, therefore, using these sensors can be beneficial considering the complexity, efficiency, and cost of the overall system. The challenge is to design a system that can trigger distributed devices to be self-activated and agreed to generate all available sensors data. Besides, as devices can send a continuous stream of data, therefore, size of data could be mounted and could be in the haphazard structure, which would give us hurdles to identify a device sensor data from another and to make an intelligent decision. To tackle all of these, we propose a distributed sensing approach that is capable to identify a device using token, can activate distributed end-user devices to send data to the cloud whenever it requires and store data in the cloud server maintaining proper format. This approach enables remote data collection leveraging available end-user devices and reduces the cost of installing new sensors for autonomous IoT applications. We then build on our efficient sensing platform to enable distributed intelligence among a network of smart devices. To this end, we leverage the computational capacity of these devices for local decision making, i.e., instead of broadcasting all sensing information to a centralized agent and solve a large-scale decision-making problem, each smart device communicates with a limited set of neighboring devices. This will also pave the way for implementing federated learning as a promising solution for distributed decision making.
Oral fluency in a second language: A research agenda for the next ten years

This paper reviews how the construct of oral fluency in a second language (L2) has been defined and researched over the last twenty-five years. The emerging picture is somewhat kaleidoscopic, as domains of cognitive, social, individual and linguistic influences on L2 speech have been opened up for study. L2 fluency research presents a wealth of directions for future exploration, five of which have been laid out here as an achievable, though not comprehensive, agenda for the coming decade. Four of these studies focus on the relationship between variables such as perceived fluency, utterance fluency, idiomaticity, task familiarity, vocabulary size and learner self-reflection, while the fifth focusses on supporting fluency development in the L2 classroom. As an aid to prospective researchers, the five studies are laid out in practical detail, together with suggestions on how these might need to be altered to fit the local context in which the research is undertaken.
Concordance Analysis of the 23-Gene Expression Signature (myPath Melanoma) With Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization Assay and Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Array in the Analysis of Challenging Melanocytic Lesions: Results From an Academic Medical Center.

BACKGROUND Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays are well-established molecular tests for the analysis of challenging melanocytic lesions. A 23-gene expression signature (GES), marketed as myPath Melanoma, is a recently introduced molecular test that categorizes melanocytic lesions as "benign," "malignant," and "indeterminate." There are few studies on the concordance between FISH, SNP, and GES in the analysis of melanocytic lesions. METHODS A single-institution retrospective analysis of 61 contiguous cases of challenging melanocytic lesions with molecular analysis by 2 or more techniques. The primary objective was to determine the intertest agreement, which was calculated as percent agreement. A secondary objective was to determine the combined-test performance, that is, the frequency of obtaining a successful test (a test with an abnormal or normal, benign or malignant result) when 2 or more molecular tests were performed. RESULTS Of the 61 cases, 58 cases were submitted for analysis using the GES assay, 44 cases were submitted for FISH analysis, and 21 cases were submitted for SNP array analysis. Percent agreement between GES and FISH array was 50.9% (18/34), which improved to 69.7% (18/23) when indeterminate/equivocal results were excluded. Similarly, percent agreement between GES and SNP array was 57.1% (8/14); this improved to 77.8% (7/9) when indeterminate/equivocal results were excluded. In 44% of cases submitted for GES and FISH and in 39% of cases submitted for GES and SNP, one test was successful and the other was not. CONCLUSION For challenging melanocytic lesions, the choice of a molecular test is consequential as the GES assay correlated with FISH and SNP arrays approximately only half of the time. This improved when cases with indeterminate/equivocal results were excluded from the calculations. The combined-test analysis supports the utility of conducting more than one molecular test, as this increased the odds of obtaining a successful test.