cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sampling theorem for polynomial interpolation

The classic polynomial interpolation approach is used to derive a sampling theorem for the class of signals that are the response of systems described by differential equations with constant coefficients. In particular, the polynomial that interpolates the signal between the sampling points for increasing order will give increasing accuracy for stable one-sided sequences, if the sampling rate is at least six times the highest pole frequency (Bolgiano sampling rate [7]). The convergence is ensured also for nonstable poles that lie in a certain region of the complex plane. If, instead, we use the symmetrical polynomial approach, it is enough to sample at a rate that is just two times the highest pole frequency (Nyquist sampling rate), with some constraints on the real part of the poles. A bound for the error is derived for both cases and a comparison to the Shannon-Whittaker sampling theorem is presented.
An Efficient Implementation of Phonological Rules using Finite-State Transducers

Context-dependent phonological rules are used to model the mapping from phonemes to their varied phonetic surface realizations. Others, most notably Kaplan and Kay, have described how to compile general context-dependent phonological rewrite rules into finite-state transducers. Such rules are very powerful, but their compilation is complex and can result in very large nondeterministic automata. In this paper we present a simplified rewrite rule system and a technique to efficiently compile such a system into finite-state transducers.
Alignment of Sfi I sites with the Not I restriction map of Schizosaccharomyces pombe genome

Abstract A Sfi I restriction map of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe genome was aligned with the Not I restriction map. There are 16 Sfi I sites in the S. pombe genome. Three Sfi I sites are on chromosome III which is devoid of Not I sites. The sizes of the entire genome and individual chromosomes, calculated from the Sfi I fragment sizes, are consistent with that calculated from the Not I fragment sizes. The Sfi I map provides greater physical characterization of the S. pombe genome and further validates the use of S. pombe chromosomal DNA as size standard. These maps have allowed detection of polymorphism on all three chromosomes.
Checking Process Stability with the Variogram

Modern quality control methods are increasingly being used to monitor complex industrial processes. A key requirement for such methods is the derivation of long records. Once such records are obtai ...
An interactive version of the PBGUNS program for the simulation of axisymmetric and 2-D, electron and ion beams and guns

PBGUNS, a program for the simulation of ion and electron beam extraction systems has been modified to permit their interactive design on an IBM-PC. The program can be interrupted after any relaxation cycle and its electrode configuration, and most other parameters, modified. A graphical interface is used in the modification of the electrodes on the screen without exiting the program or having to save (or restore) binary data. The program uses previous results to speed convergence of the new configuration and is quite tolerant of significant changes in electrodes and/or potentials. It is written in FORTRAN 77 (with DOS extenders) and can be run on any high end PC with at least 16 MBytes of memory.
FieldVis: A Tool for Visualizing Astrophysical Magnetohydrodynamic Flow

Astronomers have long been challenged to test theories of observable phenomena at great distances from Earth. One such area of active research is the study of fast, collimated jets of ionized matter, or plasma, formed near massive black holes at the centers of distant galaxies. Our group is involved in magnetohydrodynamic simulations that track the time and space evolution of the full 3D velocity and magnetic vector fields, plus fundamental scalar fields such as density and pressure. To accomplish the complex visualization of these jets, we developed FieldVis, a simulation tool that focuses primarily on representing 3D vector and scalar fields. Examining data from a sample 3D magnetohydrodynamic fluid simulation graphically illustrates the usefulness of our visualization package. Through our work, we found that streaklines with varying surface properties such as texture and color are the most effective way to extract information from our data. The techniques we used are not specific to astrophysical problems and can extend to other sets of vector and scalar fields. In the future, we plan to use FieldVis to visualize tangled magnetic fields in simulated galaxy clusters, as well as velocity and magnetic structures produced by intermittent jets
Analysis of Unit-Level Changes in Operations with Increased SPP Wind from EPRI/LCG Balancing Study

Wind power development in the United States is outpacing previous estimates for many regions, particularly those with good wind resources. The pace of wind power deployment may soon outstrip regional capabilities to provide transmission and integration services to achieve the most economic power system operation. Conversely, regions such as the Southeastern United States do not have good wind resources and will have difficulty meeting proposed federal Renewable Portfolio Standards with local supply. There is a growing need to explore innovative solutions for collaborating between regions to achieve the least cost solution for meeting such a renewable energy mandate. The Department of Energy funded the project 'Integrating Midwest Wind Energy into Southeast Electricity Markets' to be led by EPRI in coordination with the main authorities for the regions: SPP, Entergy, TVA, Southern Company and OPC. EPRI utilized several subcontractors for the project including LCG, the developers of the model UPLAN. The study aims to evaluate the operating cost benefits of coordination of scheduling and balancing for Southwest Power Pool (SPP) wind transfers to Southeastern Electric Reliability Council (SERC) Balancing Authorities (BAs). The primary objective of this project is to analyze the benefits of regional cooperation for integrating mid-western wind energy into more » southeast electricity markets. Scenarios were defined, modeled and investigated to address production variability and uncertainty and the associated balancing of large quantities of wind power in SPP and delivery to energy markets in the southern regions of the SERC. DOE funded Oak Ridge National Laboratory to provide additional support to the project, including a review of results and any side analysis that may provide additional insight. This report is a unit-by-unit analysis of changes in operations due to the different scenarios used in the overall study. It focuses on the change in capacity factors and the number of start-ups required for each unit since those criteria summarize key aspects of plant operations, how often are they called upon and how much do they operate. The primary analysis of the overall project is based on security-constrained unit commitment (SCUC) and economic dispatch (SCED) simulations of the SPP-SERC regions as modeled for the year 2022. The SCUC/SCED models utilized for the project were developed through extensive consultation with the project utility partners, to ensure the various regions and operational practices are represented as best as possible in the model. SPP, Entergy, Oglethorpe Power Company (OPC), Southern Company, and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) actively participated in the project providing input data for the models and review of simulation results and conclusions. While other SERC utility systems are modeled, the listed SERC utilities were explicitly included as active participants in the project due to the size of their load and relative proximity to SPP for importing wind energy. « less
How Infants Learn About the Visual World.

The visual world of adults consists of objects at various distances, partly occluding one another, substantial and stable across space and time. The visual world of young infants, in contrast, is often fragmented and unstable, consisting not of coherent objects but rather surfaces that move in unpredictable ways. Evidence from computational modeling and from experiments with human infants highlights three kinds of learning that contribute to infants’ knowledge of the visual world: learning via association, learning via active assembly, and learning via visual-manual exploration. Infants acquire knowledge by observing objects move in and out of sight, forming associations of these different views. In addition, the infant’s own self-produced behavior—oculomotor patterns and manual experience, in particular—is an important means by which infants discover and construct their visual world.
Rapid estimation of cylinder erosion rates in abrasive dust‐laden streams

Erosion yield data for particular combinations of target and projectile materials (via laboratory experiments carried out with a narrow-size distribution over the important range of impact velocities and incidence angles), together with recently developed rational correlations for inertial impaction of suspended particles on a cylinder in high Reynolds number crossflow are used to provide a tractable framework for predicting the erosion rates of, say, heat exchanger tubes immersed in particle-laden streams of combustion products.“Universal” results are cast in terms of the following accessible parameters: sensitivity of erosion yield to projectile incident velocity and angle, ratio of mean particle size to the threshold size required for impaction on the cylindrical target, spread of the mainstream particle size distribution (here log-normal), and the characteristic “slip” Reynolds number for the critical size abrasive particle in the mainstream. Applications of the results are illustrated, and several generalizations are discussed.
THE DIFFICULTY OF CENTERING CIRCULAR DISCS

Centering, positioning an object within specified bounds, is a common computer task, for example making selections using a touch screen or positioning icons relative to each other. The experiments measured times for participants (n = 155) to position a circular cursor with diameter, p = 40 pixel or approximately 10 mm, completely within circular targets with a variety of diameters, w. The analysis divides the total movement time into two parts, the time for the cursor to touch the target and the centering time, the remaining time for participants to indicate that the cursor is completely within the target by clicking on the mouse button. The time to touch the target is modeled well by the initial cursor-target separation, and the centering time is modeled well by the index of difficulty, IDC = p/(w-p). Both models have high correlation, r 2 = 0.99.
Automating dChip: toward reproducible sharing of microarray data analysis

Background: During the past decade, many software packages have been developed for analysis and visualization of various types of microarrays. We have developed and maintained the widely used dChip as a microarray analysis software package accessible to both biologist and data analysts. However, challenges arise when dChip users want to analyze large number of arrays automatically and share data analysis procedures and parameters. Improvement is also needed when the dChip user support team tries to identify the causes of reported analysis errors or bugs from users. Results: We report here implementation and application of the dChip automation module. Through this module, dChip automation files can be created to include menu steps, parameters, and data viewpoints to run automatically. A data-packaging function allows convenient transfer from one user to another of the dChip software, microarray data, and analysis procedures, so that the second user can reproduce the entire analysis session of the first user. An analysis report file can also be generated during an automated run, including analysis logs, user comments, and viewpoint screenshots. Conclusion: The dChip automation module is a step toward reproducible research, and it can prompt a more convenient and reproducible mechanism for sharing microarray software, data, and analysis procedures and results. Automation data packages can also be used as publication supplements. Similar automation mechanisms could be valuable to the research community if implemented in other genomics and bioinformatics software packages.
Design of DC traction motor drives for high efficiency under accelerating conditions

A design of a DC series motor drive that minimizes both armature and field winding copper losses is presented. A nonlinear feedback is first applied to linearize the system. A closed-form expression of optimal control that minimizes the total copper losses is derived using Pontryagin's Maximum principle. A computer simulation of a conventional drive and the energy-efficient drive of the same size are presented. The energy consumption comparison is made to show the effectiveness of the control law. Finally, implementation techniques of the energy-efficient drive are discussed. >
Shoulder Function and 3-Dimensional Scapular Kinematics in People With and Without Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

Background and Purpose. Several factors such as posture, muscle force, range of motion, and scapular dysfunction are commonly believed to contribute to shoulder impingement. The purpose of this study was to compare 3-dimensional scapular kinematics, shoulder range of motion, shoulder muscle force, and posture in subjects with and without primary shoulder impingement syndrome. Subjects. Forty-five subjects with impingement syndrome were recruited and compared with 45 subjects without known pathology or impairments matched by age, sex, and hand dominance. Methods. Shoulder motion and thoracic spine posture were measured goniometrically, and force was measured with a dynamometer. An electromagnetic motion analysis system was used to capture shoulder kinematics during active elevation in both the sagittal and scapular planes as well as during external rotation with the arm at 90 degrees of elevation in the frontal plane. Results. The impingement group demonstrated slightly greater scapular upward rotation and clavicular elevation during flexion and slightly greater scapular posterior tilt and clavicular retraction during scapular-plane elevation compared with the control group. The impingement group demonstrated less range of motion and force in all directions compared with the control group. There were no differences in resting posture between the groups. Discussion and Conclusion. The kinematic differences found in subjects with impingement may represent scapulothoracic compensatory strategies for glenohumeral weakness or motion loss. The decreased range of motion and force found in subjects with impingement support rehabilitation approaches that focus on strengthening and restoring flexibility.
Do Affordable Housing Projects Harm Suburban Communities? Crime, Property Values, and Taxes in Mount Laurel, NJ

This paper offers a mixed-method analysis of the municipal-level consequences of an affordable housing development built in suburban New Jersey. Opponents of affordable housing development often suggest that creating affordable housing will harm surrounding communities. Feared consequences include increases in crime, declining property values, and rising taxes. To evaluate these claims, the paper uses the case of Mt. Laurel, NJ - the site of a landmark affordable housing legal case and subsequent affordable housing development. Employing a multiple time series group control design, we compare crime rates, property values, and property taxes in Mt. Laurel to outcomes in similar nearby municipalities that do not contain comparable affordable housing developments. We find that the opening of the affordable housing development was not associated with trends in crime, property values, or taxes, and discuss management practices and design features that may have mitigated potential negative externalities.
Interleukin-1β and neurogenic control of blood pressure in normal rats and rats with chronic renal failure

Increased sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity plays a role in the genesis of hypertension in rats with chronic renal failure (CRF). The rise in central SNS activity is mitigated by increased local expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS) mRNA and NO(2)/NO(3) production. Because interleukin (IL)-1beta may activate nitric oxide in the brain, we have tested the hypothesis that IL-1beta may modulate the activity of the SNS via regulation of the local expression of neuronal NOS (nNOS) in the brain of CRF and control rats. To this end, we first found that administration of IL-1beta in the lateral ventricle of control and CRF rats decreased blood pressure and norepinephrine (NE) secretion from the posterior hypothalamus (PH) and increased NOS mRNA expression. Second, we observed that an acute or chronic injection of an IL-1beta-specific antibody in the lateral ventricle raised blood pressure and NE secretion from the PH and decreased NOS mRNA abundance in the PH of control and CRF rats. Finally, we measured the IL-1beta mRNA abundance in the PH, locus coeruleus, and paraventricular nuclei of CRF and control rats by RT-PCR and found it to be greater in CRF rats than in control rats. In conclusion, these studies have shown that IL-1beta modulates the activity of the SNS in the central nervous system and that this modulation is mediated by increased local expression of nNOS mRNA.
The Ethiopian Developmental State: Requirements And Perquisites

The paper will take a close look at Prime Minister Zenawi’s recent proposal of building a development state in Ethiopia with a view to determining whether such a scheme is practicable or even desirable in present day Ethiopia.
Full-body motion planning and control for the car egress task of the DARPA robotics challenge

We present a motion planning and control method for contact-rich full-body behaviors, particularly, the car egress task of the DARPA Robotics Challenge (DRC). We take advantage of human experience by manually specifying multiple task phases, each of which has a specific contact mode. Then, we optimize a sequence of static robot poses as well as contact locations that satisfy all constraints, such as geometric constraints, joint limit constraints, and equilibrium constraints. To accommodate model errors, uncertainties, and satisfy continuous contact constraints, we use online robot pose optimization to generate smooth trajectories based on sensor feedback and user inputs. We demonstrate with experiments that our motion planning method is capable of generating a rough plan for the challenging car egress task of the DRC. Combined with online robot pose optimization, the rough plan could be applied with excellent performance.
Primary Tracheal Epithelioid Angiosarcoma - Uncommon Tumor at an Uncommon Site

We report a rare case of an elderly gentleman presenting with hemoptysis and stridor secondary to a primary tracheal EpithelioidAngiosarcoma (EAS). EAS continues to be a rare clinical entity with its occurrence in the trachea having been described only twice before to our knowledge. This case also demonstrates the importance of Immunochemistry in accurately making a diagnosis of EAS as the epithelioid features mimic other epithelial tumors like adenocarcinomas. In the absence of definitive guidelines, treatment decisions are often made on a case-by-case basis. The inability to perform surgical resection led to a poor outcome in our patient with second-line radiation therapy failing to achieve remission.
Alligators and Litigators: A Recent History of Everglades Regulation and Litigation

A clear understanding of the litigation and regulatory history of Everglades restoration is a critical antecedent for appreciating the shape of current Everglades restoration measures. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the various steps taken (and the respective resulting litigation) to restore the Everglades and resolve water quality problems in south Florida. The article begins by reviewing the catalyst of restoration efforts, U.S. v. South Florida Water Management District and its resulting consent decree. The article then reviews the litigation efforts of agriculture groups brought to challenge the decree and their ultimate settlement with applicable state and federal agencies. Thereafter, the article shifts focus to the next wave of litigation brought by environmental groups and the Miccosukee tribe challenging the implementation of the 1994 Everglades Forever Act. This line of cases evokes various state, federal, and constitutional arguments (including alleged violations of the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act) to challenge the various components of the Act, including its authorization of the Everglades Construction Project and development of fundraising mechanisms. In fine, the article reflects the interplay between the competing interest of various interest groups and government agencies present in each step of Everglades restoration.
Fertilization and early embryology: Embryo quality and pregnancy potential of fresh compared with frozen embryos—is freezing detrimental to high quality embryos?

To determine the effect of cryopreservation on embryo quality and the pregnancy potential of embryos, donated oocytes from the same donor (n = 24) were randomly allocated, with subsequent transfer to two or more different ovum recipients resulting in at least one fresh and one frozen embryo transfer cycle from the same cohort of oocytes. Endometrial receptivity was controlled in all ovum recipients, and male factor patients were excluded. The number of embryos transferred, mean embryo grade transferred, number of high quality embryos (grade < or = 2.5, grade 1 being best) transferred and embryo implantation and live birth rates are reported. Significantly more embryos (4.4 +/- 1.2 versus 3.3 +/- 1.2, P < 0.00003) of higher quality (1.9 +/- 0.5 versus 2.1 +/- 0.5, P < 0.013) and of a more advanced cell stage (3.0 +/- 0.6 versus 2.6 +/- 0.7, P < 0.019) were transferred fresh than after cryopreservation respectively. Implantation rates/embryo [19/151 (12.6%) and 9/111 (8.1%)] and live birth rates/transfer [11/42 (26.2%) and 6/45 (13.3%)], from fresh and frozen transfers respectively, were not significantly different despite the larger number of high quality embryos transferred fresh. Embryo cryopreservation adversely affects embryo quality, but does not have detrimental effects on the implantation or pregnancy potential of high quality embryos. Because of the loss of embryos during freeze-thawing during frozen embryo cycles, every effort should be made to attempt a fresh transfer.
HSP induction inhibits iNOS mRNA expression and attenuates hypotension in endotoxin-challenged rats

Endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS)-induced hypotension is, in part, mediated via induction of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), release of nitric oxide, and suppression of vascular reactivity (vasoplegia). Induction of heat shock proteins (HSP) or inhibition of iNOS expression improves survival in LPS-challenged rodents. We studied the effect of induction of HSP on LPS-mediated iNOS expression and on LPS-induced vasoplegia and hypotension. Rats were treated with the HSP inducer sodium arsenite (6 mg/kg iv) or saline control. Seventeen hours later, rats were challenged intravenously with 10 mg/kg of Escherichia coli LPS O127:B8 or saline control. Arsenite pretreatment resulted in expression of HSP 70 mRNA and of HSP 70 and heme oxygenase-1 proteins, inhibition of LPS-mediated iNOS mRNA induction, reversal of the LPS-induced hyporesponsiveness to norepinephrine ex vivo in isolated mesenteric arteries, and attenuation of LPS-induced hypotension in vivo. Our data suggest that induction of HSP expression protects rats from LPS by blocking LPS-induced iNOS expression, leading to inhibition of the overproduction of nitric oxide and thereby reversing LPS-induced vasoplegia and LPS-induced hypotension.
338 THE EFFECT OF A SEPARATE WOMEN'S HEALTH TRACK ON RESIDENTS' COMFORT LEVEL IN WOMEN'S HEALTH TOPICS.

Objective Since its establishment in 1999, the Women9s Health Track (WHT) has developed a more formalized curriculum in gender-specific education for the WHT residents. In so doing, there may be an indirect effect for learning opportunities for all internal medicine (IM) residents regardless of their track. Our aim was to evaluate whether all residents9 comfort level in women9s health topics has improved over the last 2 years. Methods We administered a questionnaire in 2003 and again in 2005 to IM residents, addressing comfort level on 16 common women9s health topics. Both years, the questionnaires were distributed at an IM noon conference. Data were evaluated using chi-square tests and logistic regression. Results 80 of 90 (89%) residents in 2003 and 82 of 88 (93%) of residents in 2005 attending the conference responded to the questionnaire. In 2005, 41% of the respondents were female, 27% were postgraduate year (PGY)-1, 40% PGY-2, 31% PGY-3, and 2% PGY-4, similar to respondents in 2003. In both years, most residents felt comfortable addressing cervical cancer (88% in 2003; 91% in 2005), breast cancer (88%; 94%), osteoporosis (88%; 89%), and sexually transmitted diseases (88%; 90%). Fewer residents in either year were comfortable addressing infertility (25%; 24%), sexual assault (20%; 27%), medical problems in pregnancy (25%; 35%), and preconception counseling (29%; 39%). Compared to 2003, residents9 comfort level in addressing women9s health topics had increased in 12 out of 16 topics, but this was not statistically significant. In multivariable analyses controlling for survey year, PGY level, sex, residency track, and female sex predicted higher comfort level in 7 out of 16 topics. Conclusion We found no clear evidence of increased comfort level in addressing women9s health topics among all IM residents after a more formalized women9s health track curriculum.
Factors Affecting Prestocking Coded Wire Tag Loss in Lake Trout Tagged by an Automated System

AbstractTag loss is an important consideration in tagging studies. We used two approaches to describe prestocking coded wire tag (CWT) loss in Lake Trout Salvelinus namaycush tagged by an automated tagging system and released in the Laurentian Great Lakes. First, four strains of Lake Trout tagged by an automated system through the Great Lakes Mass Marking Program were observed for up to 254 d to describe how tag loss and adipose fin clip success relates to time posttagging. Second, we also evaluated final tag loss and fin clip success from 197 tag lots from 2011 to 2013 that were tagged with an automated system to explore the factors affecting tag loss and fin clip success, and to compare tag loss and fin clip success rates with those from 1,080 tag lots from 1985 to 2003 that were manually tagged. Coded wire tag losses from experimental lots of four strains of Lake Trout were low and ranged from 2.8% to 5.7%. Coded wire tag losses stabilized 150 d posttagging, when fish had a mean length of 131 mm, which...
Therapeutic Modalities in Early-Stage Uterine Papillary Serous Carcinomas, Carcinosarcomas, Clear-Cell and Mixed Histology Carcinomas: Treatment of Choice Is Combined Chemotherapy and Radiation

The entities covered in this chapter are uterine serous carcinoma (USC), carcinosarcoma, and clear-cell carcinoma together with tumors of mixed histology. Overall, these represent 3–10 % of all endometrial cancers but they are responsible for a significant percentage of endometrial cancer mortality. Recent strides in chemotherapy for some of these cancers offer hope that their addition, either alone or as a part of combined modality treatment including radiation, will lead to improvements in survival.
Medical Management (β Blocker ± Disopyramide) of Left Ventricular Outflow Gradient Secondary to Systolic Anterior Motion of the Mitral Valve After Repair.

Systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve (SAM) occurs intraoperatively after mitral valve repair (MVRr) in up to 14% of cases and typically resolves in the operating room with conservative measures. Less commonly SAM may also occur in the early or late postoperative period. The clinical course and optimal management of such cases is poorly defined, but reoperation is common. We describe our experience using disopyramide to successfully treat postoperative SAM refractory to beta blockade. Seven patients were retrospectively identified with mitral valve prolapse who underwent MVRr from 2003 to 2015 and were found during follow-up to have severe SAM with a left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradient not observed intraoperatively. All 7 patients were successfully managed medically. In 5 cases, SAM persisted even after maximization of beta blockade, and the addition of disopyramide led to significant improvement or resolution of SAM, the LVOT gradient, and mitral regurgitation. The postoperative LVOT gradient initially exceeded 30 mm Hg in 6 of 7 patients. In 2 patients, the LVOT gradient exceeded 100 mm Hg, and both were managed medically with disopyramide with complete resolution of SAM. In conclusion, SAM after MVRr typically follows a benign clinical course and can be managed medically in most cases. When an initial treatment strategy of beta blockade is insufficient, the addition of disopyramide can effectively alleviate and terminate this condition and should be considered before reoperation.
The Treatment of Crack Addiction

The treatment and rehabilitation of crack-addicted persons is difficult and frustrating, requiring tolerance and compassionate understanding. This is partly due to the widespread availability of the drug, the powerful marketing strategies used to sell it, and the strong craving experienced by the addicts.1 Treatment is usually conducted in psychiatric facilities or in ongoing drug and alcohol treatment programs.
THE DECISION BLOCK

This chapter discusses decision blocks in Turbo BASIC. The decision block is the second fundamental block structure in Turbo BASIC programming. This block is used to choose or select a course of action based on some condition. The IF/END IF block structure is the most versatile of the branching structures. The IF/END IF block can be used to perform a task or not based on a condition. It can also use it to choose between two tasks based on a condition. The IF/END IF form is usually easier to read and understand. The extended form of the IF/END IF decision block involves a second condition embedded in an ELSEIF statement. Ideally, the ELSEIF statements should be used sparingly. Thereafter, program solution can be simplified by using the SELECT CASE decision structure if the need is to perform one task from among several alternative tasks. The decision block structure also often uses a condition that compares two expressions; more than one comparison in a condition can be used. Subsequently, logical operators can often reduce the amount of programming required where complex comparisons are necessary. Real roots are essentially the only things computed. Thus, it is reasonable to consider using a variable to indicate when there are real roots. Using a variable in this way is called setting a flag.
Improving Cloud Storage Usage Experience for Mobile Applications

Cloud storage services are becoming increasingly popular in mobile apps. Through comprehensive real app studies, we reveal that many mobile apps making use of cloud storage services provide poor usage experience, such as unnecessary energy consumption, extended synchronization response time, and redundant network traffic. The root cause of these problems stems from the way that current commercial cloud storage providers choose to deploy their services to mobile platforms: in order to have fast and easy deployment, they totally avoid client-side system-level file operation monitoring and servicing, which has been an essential part of the successfulness of traditional distributed file systems, and leave the implementation of the important client-side operations like caching, consistency assurance totally to mobile app developers. We propose StoArranger, a user-space system-wide service aiming to improve cloud storage usage experience for exiting mobile applications. We briefly present the design, the associated challenges, and our ongoing implementation of StoArranger.
Reality and Models: Difficulties Associated with Applying General Ecological Models to Specific Situations

This paper presents a personalized and philosophical evaluation of some present capabilities and limitations of ecological modeling. I stress that the evaluation is personal and based primarily upon my own research and experiences. The paper is not meant to be a state-of-the-art review, hence there are few references to the literature.
A parametric study of the circumferential shearing of rubber tubes Beyond isothermality and material homogeneity

Rubber technologists and engineers use the finite element method (FEM) for the analysis of stress-strain fields in deformed rubber components. In this analysis, material homogeneity and isothermality of the deformations are generally assumed. Most rubber components, however, possess material non-homogeneity and undergo non-isothermal deformations. The objective of the present paper is to numerically determine the effects of the material non-homogeneity, the temperature gradient, the geometry, and the boundary rotations on the circumferential shear of a rubber tube. Computer simulations within the context of entropic finite thermoelasticity reveal that the thickness of the tube and the boundary rotations have primary effects on the stress-strain fields, whereas the effects of the temperature gradient and the material non-homogeneity are of secondary importance.
Higher Order Drifts and the Parallel Equation of Motion

This chapter formalizes the definition of drift velocity in general terms for arbitrary field configurations; some specific second order drifts are discussed. We show why guiding center particles follow curved magnetic field lines (a non-trivial fact) and discuss the conditions for that to happen. Since drifts are, by definition, perpendicular to the local magnetic field vector, we then examine the parallel motion of the guiding center, introducing the all-important concepts of particle trapping, mirror points and periodic bounce motion. In discussing the concept of bounce period we show that, like a pendulum at rest, even non-bouncing equatorial (90∘-pitch angle) particles have an intrinsic bounce period (with which external perturbations can resonate). In the second part of this chapter we take a close look at the guiding center particle’s parallel acceleration and total kinetic energy change along a magnetic field line in the presence of a field-aligned electric field, deriving the energy equation and the so-called betatron and Fermi accelerations. The chapter ends with a thorough discussion of the effects of given potential (conservative) parallel electrostatic fields on a particle’s bounce motion, identifying distinct regions of behavior in a parallel/perpendicular velocity map—a subject of importance in auroral physics.
Two SERK Receptor-Like Kinases Interact with EMS1 to Control Anther Cell Fate Determination

Cell signaling pathways mediated by leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinases (LRR-RLKs) are essential for plant growth, development, and defense. The EMS1 (EXCESS MICROSPOROCYTES1) LRR-RLK and its small protein ligand TPD1 (TAPETUM DETERMINANT1) play a fundamental role in somatic and reproductive cell differentiation during early anther development in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). However, it is unclear whether other cell surface molecules serve as coregulators of EMS1. Here, we show that SERK1 (SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS RECEPTOR-LIKE KINASE1) and SERK2 LRR-RLKs act redundantly as coregulatory and physical partners of EMS1. The SERK1/2 genes function in the same genetic pathway as EMS1 in anther development. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation, Forster resonance energy transfer, and coimmunoprecipitation approaches revealed that SERK1 interacted biochemically with EMS1. Transphosphorylation of EMS1 by SERK1 enhances EMS1 kinase activity. Among 12 in vitro autophosphorylation and transphosphorylation sites identified by tandem mass spectrometry, seven of them were found to be critical for EMS1 autophosphorylation activity. Furthermore, complementation test results suggest that phosphorylation of EMS1 is required for its function in anther development. Collectively, these data provide genetic and biochemical evidence of the interaction and phosphorylation between SERK1/2 and EMS1 in anther development.
Engagement and outcomes for a computerised cognitive-behavioural therapy intervention for anxiety and depression in African Americans.

Background Computerised cognitive–behavioural therapy (CCBT) helps improve mental health outcomes in White populations. However, no studies have examined whether CCBT is acceptable and beneficial for African Americans. Aims We studied differences in CCBT use and self-reported change in depression and anxiety symptoms among 91 African Americans and 499 White primary care patients aged 18–75, enrolled in a randomised clinical trial of collaborative care embedded with an online treatment for depression and anxiety. Method Patients with moderate levels of mood and/or anxiety symptoms (PHQ-9 or GAD-7≥10) were randomised to receive either care-manager-guided access to the proven-effective Beating the Blues ® CCBT programme or usual care from their primary care doctor. Results Compared with White participants, African Americans were less likely to start the CCBT programme ( P =0.01), and those who did completed fewer sessions and were less likely to complete the full programme ( P =0.03). Despite lower engagement, however, African Americans who started the CCBT programme experienced a greater decrease in self-reported depressive symptoms (estimated 8-session change: −6.6 v. −5.5; P =0.06) and similar decrease in anxiety symptoms (−5.3 v. −5.6; P =0.80) compared with White participants. Conclusions CCBT may be an efficient and scalable first-step to improving minority mental health and reducing disparities in access to evidence-based healthcare. Declaration of interest None. Copyright and usage © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 2017. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Non-Commercial, No Derivatives (CC BY-NC-ND) license.
A First-In-Human Clinical Trial of Adoptive Therapy Using CD19-Specific Chimeric Antigen Receptor Re-Directed T-Cells for Recurrent/Refractory Follicular Lymphoma.

Abstract The immunotherapeutic ablation of lymphoma is a conceptually attractive treatment modality that is the subject of intense translational research activities. One approach being piloted through the City of Hope Lymphoma SPORE is the application of cellular immunotherapy employing cytolytic T-lymphocyte (CTL) grafts genetically engineered for CD19-specific effector functioning. This has been achieved by the construction of a chimeric T-cell antigen receptor (CAR) composed of a CD19-specific single chain immunoglobulin variable fragment (scFv) extracellular targeting domain molecularly coupled to the CD3 complex zeta chain. Cytolytic T-cells that are genetically modified to express this CAR display HLA-independent CD19-specific recognition and killing of lymphoma target cells. Using clinically applicable plasmid gene transfer/selection systems our group has demonstrated that anti-CD19 CAR+/HyTK+ CD8+ effectors can be generated from CTL precursors present in the peripheral blood and expanded to clinically relevant cell doses. We have designed an FDA-authorized (BB-IND#11411) clinical trial in which patients with recurrent/refractory follicular lymphoma undergo leukapheresis and a polyclonal CTL product derived that a.) expresses the anti-CD19 CAR, b.) kills CD19+ lymphoma targets, c) remains dependent on exogenous IL-2 for survival and proliferation, and d.) is sensitive to ganciclovir ablation by virtue of co-expression of the selection-suicide transgene HyTK. The trial is designed to assess the safety of intra-patient dose escalation beginning at a cell dose of 100x106 cells/m2 escalating to a dose of 2,000x106 cells/m2. In addition, this trial employs the use of rituximab to clear circulating B-cells prior to the first T-cell dose and fludarabine following the first T-cell infusion to both induce temporary lymphopenia and limit anti-transgene rejection responses. The protocol employs low-dose subcutaneous rhuIL-2 to support the numerical and temporal persistence of transferred CTLs. Treated patients are monitored with immunologic correlative studies that include Q-PCR for tracking persistence of transferred CTLs, RT-QPCR for following the levels of CD19+ B-cells in the peripheral blood, bone marrow, and lymph nodes, as well as, CT and PET imaging studies to follow disease responses. Here, we report on our initial clinical experience treating patients on this trial.
Blockchain and the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation: A Chance to Harmonize International Data Flows

Future economic growth is dependent on global data sharing. With the EU’s GDPR going into effect May 25, 2018, data privacy law in the EU will be uniform in text. The GDPR applies extraterritorially to any organization that can reach the EU market in terms of access by an EU citizen. While a consistent and coordinated interpretation of the GDPR provides organizations with the requisite assurances needed when operating in an international environment, stricter standards and higher fines require the organizations to rethink their international privacy compliance protocols. Trust-failures in society are the driving force behind such comprehensive regulatory frameworks, but emerging technology like blockchain can aid in minimizing these privacy concerns. Among other things, blockchain properties include decentralization, authentication, confidentiality, accountability, and access control management. By treating data flows as transactions, blockchain applications can work with regulations to facilitate the secure transfer of information. The purpose of this paper is to begin a conversation around utilizing blockchain technology and reducing harmonizing regulations like the GDPR to an automated protocol.
Crystallography of cubic-tetragonal transformation in the indium-thallium system

The diffusionless transformation from cubic to tetragonal in In-TI alloys on cooling is analyzed by metallographic and X-ray measurements. Theories of atom movements are tested by precision pole figures, and it is concluded that the transformation occurs by a double shear process, (101) [101] followed by (011) [011].
Organ-specific translation elongation rates measured by in vivo ribosome profiling

Protein synthesis and degradation are intricate biological processes involving more than a hundred proteins operating in a highly orchestrated fashion. Despite the progress, few options are available to access translation in live animals as the increase in animal's complexity limits the repertoire of experimental tools that could be applied to observe and manipulate processes within animal's body, organs, and individual cells. It this study, we developed a labeling-free method for measuring organ- and cell-type specific translation elongation rates. It is based on a time-resolved delivery of translation initiation and elongation inhibitors in live animals followed by ribosome profiling. It also reports translation initiation sites in an organ-specific manner. Using this method, we found that the elongation rates differ among mouse organs and determined them to be 6.8, 5.2, and 4.4 amino acids per sec for liver, kidney, and skeletal muscle, respectively.
Reducing inherent biases introduced during DNA viral metagenome analyses of municipal wastewater

Metagenomics is a powerful tool for characterizing viral composition within environmental samples, but sample and molecular processing steps can bias the estimation of viral community structure. The objective of this study is to understand the inherent variability introduced when conducting viral metagenomic analyses of wastewater and provide a bioinformatic strategy to accurately analyze sequences for viral community analyses. A standard approach using a combination of ultrafiltration, membrane filtration, and DNase treatment, and multiple displacement amplification (MDA) produced DNA preparations without any bacterial derived genes. Results showed recoveries in wastewater matrix ranged between 60–100%. A bias towards small single stranded DNA (ssDNA; polyomavirus) virus types vs larger double stranded DNA (dsDNA; adenovirus) viruses was also observed with a total estimated recovery of small circular viruses to be as much as 173-fold higher. Notably, ssDNA abundance decreased with sample dilution while large dsDNA genomes (e.g., Caudovirales) initially increased in abundance with dilution before gradually decreasing with further dilution in wastewater samples. The present study revealed the inherent biases associated with different components of viral metagenomic methods applied to wastewater. Overall, these results provide a well-characterized approach for effectively conducting viral metagenomics analysis of wastewater and reveal that dilution can effectively mitigate MDA bias.
Waveform, Confinement and Heater Thickness Effects on the Critical Heat Flux from Electrically-Heated Thin Strips*

Three parameters affecting the critical heat flux from vertical, electrically heated, thin (0.051-0.254 mm) silver strips in R-113 (CC12F-CC1F2) are discussed. The first is the reduction in critical heat flux (up to 32%) with decreasing ribbon thickness due to a lateral thermal conduction effect. The second is a reduced RMS heat flux for an AC sinusoidal waveform. The third is the reduced critical heat flux (up to 40%) from a vertical ribbon when confined between parallel plates, with no apparent dependence on ribbon length.
Bacterial Genome Sequencing

For over 30 yr, the Sanger method has been the standard for DNA sequencing. Instruments have been developed and improved over time to increase throughput, but they always relied on the same technology. Today, we are facing a revolution in DNA sequencing with many drastically different platforms that have become or will soon become available on the market. We review a number of sequencing technologies and provide examples of applications. We also discuss the impact genomics and new DNA sequencing approaches have had on various fields of biological research.
Prevalence of peritonitis and the ascitic fluid protein concentration among chronic liver disease patients

The prevalence of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) or its variants, bacterascites (BA), and culture-negative neutrocytic ascites (CNNA), may vary depending on the underlying liver disease and protein content of ascites. In this study, we compared the frequency of peritonitis (SBP, BA, CNNA) upon admission in alcoholic (ALD), cholestatic (CLD), and hepatocellular liver disease (HLD); determined the relationship between Child's class and prevalence of peritonitis; and assessed ascitic total protein as a risk factor for peritonitis. Between January 1989 and April 1991, 113 consecutive patients were admitted with chronic liver disease and ascites (49, ALD; 22, CLD; and 42, HLD). All had admission paracentesis. SBP was defined as polymorphonuclear cell count (PMN) > or = 250 mm3 with a positive culture, BA as PMN or = 250/mm3 with negative culture. No patients with obvious intraabdominal source for infection (i.e., secondary peritonitis) were included in the analysis. The prevalence of peritonitis was 8/113 (7%); four patients had SBP, one BA, and three CNNA. The occurrence of peritonitis was independent of the type of liver disease (ALD, 8%; CLD, 9%; HDL, 5%). Neither ascitic fluid total protein nor the severity of liver disease (Child's class) predicted the occurrence of peritonitis. We conclude that the occurrence of peritonitis is unrelated to the type of liver disease, and severity of liver disease did not predict the presence of peritonitis. Also, ascitic fluid total protein < 1.0 g/dl may not be a sensitive predictor of risk of peritonitis.