cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Limited Progress in Hepatorenal Syndrome (HRS) Reversal and Survival 2002–2018: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Type 1 hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is a fatal complication of cirrhosis. Treatments trend toward HRS reversal, but few show clear mortality benefit. We sought to quantify the progress—or lack thereof—in improving outcomes of type 1 HRS over time. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing type 1 HRS outcomes including (a) overall survival (liver transplant-free survival if reported) and (b) HRS reversal. Each study arm was analyzed separately to look at changes in outcomes over time. RCTs published comparing medical treatments for type 1 HRS were searched using several databases through July 31, 2019. Fourteen RCTs (28 arms) involving 778 participants enrolled between 2002 and 2018 were included. Twelve RCTs measured HRS reversal. In conjunction with albumin (or plasma expander), the most common medications used were terlipressin (13 arms), antibiotics (7), norepinephrine (6), dopamine (4), and midodrine/octreotide (3). Pooled survival rate was 34.6% (95% CI 26.4–43.8), and pooled HRS reversal rate was 42.8% (95% CI 34.2–51.9). Regression analyzing the incremental effect of the year the RCT was initiated showed that more recent studies were not associated with improved survival (OR 1.02, 95% CI 0.94–1.11, p = 0.66) or HRS reversal rates (OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.96–1.11, p = 0.41). There was no survival improvement when RCTs with endpoints assessed ≤ or > 1 month were analyzed separately with respective OR of 1.07 (95% CI 0.95–1.20, p = 0.26) and 0.97 (95% CI 0.85–1.12, p = 0.70). Outcomes have not improved for patients with type 1 HRS since 2002. There is a need to improve prevention and treatment of type 1 HRS.
A comparison of the static and dynamic stability of Pickering emulsions

Abstract Emulsions stabilized with solid particles (Pickering emulsions) are known for their long-term static stability, which is typically defined by the lack of macroscopic coalescence with respect to time. This is attributed to the irreversible adsorption of particles to the oil/water interface, which provides a physical barrier to droplet coalescence. However, because there are so many particle emulsifiers that satisfy this definition, it is difficult to distinguish differences in the relative stabilities of different Pickering emulsion formulations. In this work, a centrifuge is used to compare the relative stabilities of different emulsion formulations. The centrifuge is used to calculate a demulsification pressure for each emulsion. Additionally, because there is little information on the stability of Pickering emulsions during flow, we flow emulsions through a glass capillary tube and correlate a critical demulsification pressure to emulsion formulations that show little change in drop size through the capillary tube, which we define as a dynamically stable emulsion.
Liver transplantation for hepatitis C patients in the era of direct-acting antiviral treatment: A retrospective cohort study.

Abstract Introduction Direct-acting antivirals (DAA's) have revolutionized hepatitis-C virus (HCV) treatment, however controversy remains regarding timing of treatment in relation to liver-transplant (LT). Methods Single-center retrospective study assessing outcomes of listed HCV positive patients in the DAA-era (2014–2017). Patients treated with DAA's before LT (DAA pre-LT) were compared to those who were not treated before LT (No DAA pre-LT) Results 156 HCV positive patients were listed during study-period; 104 (67%) underwent LT while 52 (33%) were de-listed. Of transplanted patients, 48 (46%) received DAA pre-LT while 56 (54%) were treated post-LT. Both groups were comparable in age, gender, MELD, patient and graft survival and cure-rates (98% in DAA pre-LTvs.95% in No DAA pre-LT; p > 0.05). DAA pre-LT group required higher number of treatments-per-patient to clear virus (1.46vs.1.06; p = 0.0006), spent more time on waitlist (331d.vs150d; p = 0.0040) and were less likely to receive livers from HCV positive donors (6%vs.25%; p = 0.0148). Twenty-nine (56%) of the 52 delisted received DAA. They had lower listing-MELD (12vs.18; p = 0.0033), and were more likely to be delisted for “condition improved” (34%vs.4%; p = 0.0143) compared to the 23 (44%) delisted patients who did not receive DAA's. Conclusions DAA's were equally effective in clearing HCV in listed patients irrespective of timing. DAA pre-LT can disadvantage some patients through increase number of treatments needed and longer waitlist times, but treatment in some listed patients with low-MELD can improve condition and alleviate need for LT.
Sleep Characteristics and Rest–Activity Rhythms Are Associated with Gastrointestinal Symptoms Among Adults with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Sleep disturbance is common in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and is associated with poorer quality of life and increased disease activity; however, sleep is a multidimensional process, and little is known about specific sleep characteristics and rest–activity rhythms (RARs) in this population. The purposes were to (1) describe sleep characteristics and RARs; (2) compare sleep characteristics and RARs and GI symptoms by disease activity; and (3) describe associations between sleep characteristics, RARs, and GI symptoms among adults with IBD. We conducted a cross-sectional study of adults with IBD. We measured sleep characteristics and RARs (continuous wrist actigraphy); GI symptoms (PROMIS-GI); and disease activity (physicians’ global assessment). We conducted cosinor and nonparametric analyses to compute RAR variables and bivariate analyses to address the aims. The sample included 37 participants [age M = 38 years (SD = 13.8) and 21 (56.8%) female], of whom 23 (60.6%) were in remission. Sleep efficiency [M = 82.91% (SD 5.35)] and wake after sleep onset (WASO) [M = 42.26 min (SD 18.57)] were not associated with disease activity. Inter-daily stability of the RAR was associated with heartburn/reflux (r = − .491, p = .005) and gas/bloating (r = − .469, p = .008). Intra-daily variability of the RAR was associated with heartburn/reflux (r = .421, p = .018). People with IBD may have disrupted RARs, which are associated with GI symptoms. Research is needed to improve understanding of these associations and to develop interventions to improve these characteristics in adults with IBD.
Swahili Archaeology and History on Pemba, Tanzania: A Critique and Case Study of the Use of Written and Oral Sources in Archaeology

In this chapter I explore the use of historical documents by archaeologists working on the Swahili coast of eastern Africa. I focus on one central region, Pemba-northernmost of Tanzania’s three major offshore islands-where both written and oral historical information has been put to use over the past half century of archaeological research. The use of historical documents has constituted a double-edged sword for those working in Swahili archaeology. Archaeologists have used various kinds of documents, the nature of which will be outlined below, to help choose which sites to excavate, to shape the questions being asked of the material evidence, and to interpret excavation results. It will be argued, however, that documentary ev; lence has not proven especially useful in most of these circumstances, and may have even hindered the progress made toward uncovering and reconstructing the past. Dissonance between the historical and archaeological records has been the norm for the Swahili coast (see Horton 1997; Fleisher this volume) including Pemba. No argument need be made here for how valuable historical sources can be, especially if they are in a dialectical relationship with archaeology, historical linguistics, ethnoarchaeology, or any of the other methodologies available for exploring the past, as their most fruitful uses illustrate (e.g. Miller 1980; Hantaan 1990; Deetz 1991; Kirch and Sahlins 1992; Stahl 1994; 2001; D’Agostino et al 1995; Schoenbrun 1998). It could be said that Swahili archaeology has not been well served when, rather than setting up such a dialectical relationship, we have privileged the ‘voice’ of written documents over that of the archaeological record, and have barely begun to explore the oral traditions and histories which have been so successfully used in African history. Perhaps the most resonant voice can be neither strictly historical or archaeological: a voice that can originate in the tension between sources that do not reinforce each other. The research I have conducted on Pemba has been largely archaeological, but has employed both oral and written documentation where it has been available. I offer this research below as a case study of how dissonance between different kinds of evidence-sites and cites-can sometimes be more useful than harmony between evidentiary voices, and how locally contextualized traditions can provide insights for archaeological interpretation. Before this presentation, I discuss Pemba as a research area within the Swahili coast, the nature of historical sources for eastern Africa in the context of their availability and use elsewhere in Africa, and the archaeology that has been carried out on Pemba to date.
MENINO É AZUL E ÁGUA NO MAPA TAMBÉM:: cartografia, cores, convenções e cultura

Abstract Cartographers have not always used blue as conventional color for water bodies on maps. This standardization only happened in the 19th century due to advances in production techniques. Based on a discussion on the use of colors in cartography and culture, this text reflects on the signification and resignification of symbols in popular culture and maps. By using examples from the social network, the history of cartography and indigenous mapping, I argue that the understanding of colors is not a universal phenomenon or an unquestionable convention. The selection of colors cannot be separated from cultural values, though the canons of the discipline insist on the absolute validity of their norms that grant ontological security to map readers and users. The deconstruction of conventions aims to reflect more deeply on theoretical-methodological approaches to map use in geography education, the conception of symbols as relations between signified and signifier and the problems of Saussure’s semiology model that interprets cartography as a language rather than a form of expression. I suggest a broader debate in order to think about cartographic methodologies that are more inclusive and take into account diversity and culture in education. Keywords Conventional colors, Symbols in culture, Ontological security, Cartographic expression
Impact of low-level fine particulate matter and ozone exposure on absences in K-12 students and economic consequences

High air pollution levels are associated with school absences. However, low level pollution impacts on individual school absences are under-studied. Understanding the variability of pollution at individual schools within an urban region could improve school recess decisions, better identify local pollution sources, and improve local economic impact assessments by providing granular information relevant to specific schools. We modelled PM2.5 and ozone concentrations at 36 schools from July 2015 to June 2018 using data from dense research grade and regulatory sensor networks. We used a generalized estimating equations model to retrospectively estimate rate ratios for association between outdoor pollutant concentrations and daily school absences at each school. We estimated lost school revenue, productivity, and family economic burden. PM2.5 and ozone concentrations and absence rates vary across the School District. Pollution exposure was associated with a rate ratio as high as 1.02 absences per µg/m3 and 1.01 per ppb increase for PM2.5 and ozone, respectively. Significantly, even PM2.5 and ozone exposure below the air quality index breakpoints for good air quality (< 12.1 µg/m3 and < 55 ppb, respectively) was associated with positive rate ratios of absences: 1.04 per µg/m3 and 1.01 per ppb increase, respectively. Granular local measurements enabled demonstration of air pollution impacts that varied between schools and were undetectable with averaged pollution levels. Reducing pollution by 50% would save $426,000 per year districtwide. Pollution reduction benefits would be greatest in schools located in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas. Heterogeneity in exposure, disproportionately affecting socioeconomically disadvantaged schools, points to the need for fine resolution exposure estimation. The economic cost of absences associated with air pollution is substantial even excluding indirect costs such as hospital visits and medication. These findings may help elucidate the differential burden on individual schools and inform local decisions about recess and regulatory considerations for localized pollution sources.
Skills-based education in medical school: a step towards health equity & social justice.

In recent months, the United States has struggled with two pandemics, simultaneously navigating the reopening phases of COVID-19 and engaging in moral conversations about how to reverse and prevent systemic racial injustice. Both pandemics have revealed deep structural shortcomings in our country’s healthcare system and society, and as future physicians and leaders, medical students play a key role in addressing these deficiencies to build a better future for our patients and fellow citizens. To this end, medical students must be equipped with skills in leadership, collaboration, communication and conflict management in order to meaningfully effect change. Recent data have illuminated the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on minority groups nationwide, with Latinx and African-Americans three times as likely to become infected and twice as likely to die from the virus as whites living in the same counties.1 These racial/ethnic disparities are particularly stark in suburban and exurban areas, where differences in how people work and live are more pronounced than in cities.1 Within Massachusetts, medical students have advocated strongly to address racial disparities and increase transparency in COVID-19 data collection, contributing to passage of legislation overhauling the state’s COVID-19 reporting and establishing a disparities task force to address ongoing pandemic-related health disparities. Similarly, student leaders at Harvard Medical School formed the COVID-19 Medical Student Response …
Precision medicine in osteoarthritis: not yet ready for prime time

Osteoarthritis (OA) is defined by the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) as ‘a disorder involving movable joints characterized by cell stress and extracellular matrix degradation...
Person-specific outcome measure (PSO) for use in primary and community care

Patient-reported outcome and experience measures (PROMs and PREMs) fall into three broad categories: condition-specific measures, which are applicable to patients with specific conditions only; generic measures, which apply to all types of patient; and individualised or person-specific measures (iPROMs), which let people identify issues that are most important to them.1 2 Thousands of condition-specific measures have been developed mainly for use in clinical trials; standardised generic measures are widely used in evaluation, for quality improvement and for allocating resources between different groups. However, fewer individualised measures have been developed, although there is increasing awareness of their value in tailoring personalised care in domains such as social prescribing. Individualised measures need to be used alongside generic or condition-specific measures because every patient has their own set of priorities and some are much easier to resolve than others. Several individualised measures were developed during the 1990s, such as SEIQOL (Schedule for Evaluation of Individual Quality Of Life),3 PGI (Patient Generated Index)4 and MYMOP (Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile).5 MYMOP evolved into MYCaW (Measure Yourself Concerns and Wellbeing), which is a little simpler, with two concerns plus well-being.6 7 At the request of customers working in social prescribing projects, at R-Outcomes we used MYMOP and then MYCaW alongside our other measures. This identified a number of issues, which led to the development of a new iPROM, the person-specific outcome (PSO) measure, which is described here. ### Development of the measure We designed …
Eu-Coordinated semiconducting polymer nanoparticles as a novel nanoprobe with two detection method signals for determination of copper(II) ions

Abstract Eu-coordinated semiconducting polymer nanoparticles (SPNs-Eu) were developed for bimodal analysis of copper(II) ions (Cu2+) over a wide dynamic range (μM to pM). In this sensing system, the first readout mode is based on the fluorescence signal of SPNs-Eu. A significant quenching of the fluorophore is selective for the presence of Cu2+ due to the aggregation of SPNs-Eu. The aggregations are caused by chelation of Cu2+ with carboxylate groups on SPNs-Eu and the amount of aggregation can be quantified by the 153Eu signal of SPNs-Eu using single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (sp-ICPMS). This signal is the second readout mode of these nanoparticles, which can be calibrated for sub-pM determination of Cu2+. Compared with the monodisperse SPNs-Eu reagent, aggregation in the presence of Cu2+ significantly decreases the number of detected particles or particle clusters within a sampling period of the sp-ICPMS measurement. The fluorescence readout yields a facile and rapid detection method with a rather limited linear range from 2 μM to 50 μM and a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.29 μM. In contrast, the sp-ICPMS readout provides a far more sensitive analysis method with a linear range from 1 pM to 10 μM and a LOD of 0.42 pM.
Predicting bank insolvency in the Middle East and North Africa

This paper uses a panel of annual observations for 198 banks in 19 Middle East and North Africa countries over 2001-12 to develop an early warning system for forecasting bank insolvency based on a multivariate logistic regression framework. The results show that the traditional CAMEL indicators are significant predictors of bank insolvency in the region. The predictive power of the model, both in-sample and out-of-sample, is reasonably good, as measured by the receiver operating characteristic curve. The findings of the paper suggest that banking supervision in the Middle East and North Africa could be strengthened by introducing a fundamentals-based, off-site monitoring system to assess the soundness of financial institutions.
Cardiac output in polycythemia vera.

Abstract The effects of chronic change in blood volume and hematocrit on cardiac output were studied in 31 subjects: 24 with polycythemia vera (PV) and 7 normal controls. Some of the patients with PV had been treated so that their blood volumes, though not necessarily their hematocrits, were normal, and it was possible to compare normal subjects (7), patients with PV whose blood volumes were elevated at time of study (9), and patients with PV whose blood volumes were normal at time of study (15). Patients with PV who have been treated so that their blood volumes are equivalent to those normal individuals have a lower cardiac output, lower stroke output, and lower blood volume turnover than do normal individuals. There is a direct correlation between blood volume and cardiac output in PV. There is an inverse correlation between hematocrit and cardiac output in PV. The observed effect upon cardiac output depends in part upon the interaction of these 2 independent variables.
Vasomotor Reflexes, Skin

Skin vasomotor reflexes can be evaluated by the skin blood flow response to autonomic stimuli. Skin blood flow is recorded by a flowmeter. Effective stimuli include the Valsalava maneuver and contralateral cold stimulus. The test is straightforward, although the responses are somewhat variable and, for that reason, it is not part of routine autonomic function tests.
Spectral Ringing Artifacts in Hyperspectral Image Data Compression

When using 3-D wavelet transforms for hyperspectral image compression, systematic variations in signal level of different spectral bands can cause widely-varying mean values in spatial planes of spatially low-pass subbands. Failing to account for this phenomenon can have detrimental effects on image compression, including reduced effectiveness in compressing spatially low-pass subband data, and biases in some reconstructed spectral bands.
An Econometric Analysis of the Economic Effects of Population Change

Abstract An econometric model, estimated from time series data for Taiwan, is used to simulate the economic consequences of demographic change. It takes into account the interactions between demographic and economic effects. This study fails to find any significant effects of Taiwan’s family planning program on fertility reduction beyond the secular trend. To increase income by expediting fertility reduction, means beyond family planning programs are needed. The simulation results suggest that in the short run, a slow-growing population yields substantially higher income per capita than does a fast-growing population, though in the long run, the fast-growing population generates slightly better economic performance. Therefore, it may be beneficial for a developing country with a high birth rate to reduce fertility in order to break out of the low-income “trap” as soon as possible.
The effects of remodeling with heart failure on mode of initiation of ventricular fibrillation and its spatiotemporal organization

The effect of the heart failure substrate on the initiation of ventricular fibrillation (VF) and its resulting mechanism is not known. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of substrate on VF initiation and its spatiotemporal organization in the heart failure model. Optical action potentials were recorded from LV wedge preparations either from structurally normal hearts (control, n = 11) or from congestive heart failure (CHF; n = 7), at the epicardial surface, endocardial surface which included a papillary muscle, and a transmural cross section. Action potential duration (APD80) was determined, and VF was initiated. A fast Fourier transform was calculated, and the dominant frequency (DF) was determined. The CHF group showed increased VF vulnerability (69 vs 26 %, p < 0.03), and every mapped surface showed an APD80 gradient which included islands of higher APDs on the transmural surface (M cells) which was not observed in controls. VF in the CHF group was characterized by stable, discrete, high-DF areas that correlated to either foci or spiral waves located on the transmural surface at the site of the papillary muscle. Overall, the top 10 % of DFs correlated to an APD of 101 ms while the bottom 10 % of DFs correlated to an APD of 126 ms (p < 0.01). In the CHF model, APD gradients correlated with an increased vulnerability to VF, and the highest stable DFs were located on the transmural surface which was not seen in controls. This indicates that the CHF substrate creates unique APD and DF characteristics.
The Pauson–Khand Cycloaddition Reaction for Synthesis of Cyclopentenones

The Pauson–Khand reaction is a cocycloaddition of alkynes, alkenes, and carbon monoxide to generate cyclopentenones in a formal [2 + 2 + 1] cycloaddition process. The reaction was discovered and first reported in detail by Ihsan U. Khand and Peter L. Pauson in 1973 in the course of a study aimed principally at the preparation and characterization of various alkene and alkyne complexes derived from Co2(CO)8. The generality of the reaction, typically carried out by heating a mixture of the alkene and the readily formed Co2(CO)6 complex of the alkyne in hydrocarbon or ethereal solvent, was established primarily by an extensive series of studies carried out by the Pauson group throughout the 1970s. The earliest studies established that synthetically reasonable yields, usually in the 40–60% range, and significant regio- and stereoselectivity could be expected even for relatively simple examples. Development of this reaction has reached the point where predictable success and control of selectivity are possible. The variety of successful reactions and systems accessible by means of this cycloaddition is now quite substantial. This chapter addresses the scope and generality of this reaction as well as the current state of the art with regard to control of regio- and stereochemistry. Both inter- and intramolecular versions of the cycloaddition are presented, and current models that have been put forth concerning the reaction mechanism are noted. Synthetic applications of the Pauson–Khand reaction have taken many forms, and representative examples of all major types of systems accessed are presented. The process exemplifies a nearly ideal merging of organometallic with synthetic chemistry, in which advances in each area have promoted development in the other in an almost symbiotic manner. Excellent shorter reviews on the Pauson–Khand reaction have been published. This chapter will provides the reader with both an overview of the reaction as well as a sufficiently detailed understanding of its complexities to permit meaningful evaluation as a possible solution to current or future research needs. Keywords: Pauson–Khand reaction; cycloaddition; intermolecular reaction; cyclopentanones; acyclic alkenes; mechanism; monocyclic alkenes; ring fused bicyclics; polycyclic alkenes; bridged compounds; intermolecular reaction; all-carbon enynes; heteroatom-linked alkenes; synthesis applications; experimental procedures; ethylene; scope; enynes; limitation
Implementing a Progressive Consumption Tax: Advantages of Adopting the VAT Credit-Method System

A credit-method value-added tax, a payroll tax, and a business-level wage subsidy can approximate the economic and distributional consequences of a subtraction-method X-tax. Such a credit-method progressive consumption tax has administrative advantages as compared to a subtraction-method progressive consumption tax, once certain political factors are taken into account. Further, unlike a subtraction-method system, a credit- method progressive consumption tax could easily interact with other tax systems around the world and comply with World Trade Organization rules without sacrifi cing best practice VAT design features that allow for effective enforcement.
The Old Testament Trinitarian Thinking and the Qur'an: Dialoguing with Muslims

My approach in this article is pastoral. To speak and reflect on God is the most noble and encouraging endeavor. Understanding God in the way He has made Himself known to humanity stimulates the highest activity in which humans can be involved. This enterprise sheds light on who God is and what He is doing. The better we know Him, the more we can admire and follow Him. The most honorable privilege is, indeed, to know God personally, nurture an intimate relationship with Him, and study His stunning character of love. Cultivating His presence, closeness, grace, and guidance in everyday life is the most satisfying and rewarding experience, because it fills one’s heart with inner peace and joy. Everything meaningful in spiritual life flows from fostering this practical knowledge and understanding of God. However, a discussion with Muslims about God, especially the Triune God, can be quite painful, because the strongest Islamic polemic against Christianity focuses on the doctrine of the Trinity. They have a different perception of God and like to stress that Christians believe in three gods (tri-theism). They plainly state in their publications and conversations that they do not believe in the Trinity, denying the divinity of Jesus Christ, or that Jesus is the Son of God. They consider Jesus only to be a Prophet (Qur’an 3:84; 5:46). They also refuse to believe in the crucifixion of Jesus (Qur’an 4:157), but affirm His resurrection and ascension into heaven (Qur’an 3:55; 4:158; 5:117; 19:33). In support of their stand against the Trinity, Muslims quote the Qur’ an. The heaviest quotations in this regard are the following two: (1) “Do not say ‘Three.’ Refrain; most charitable is it for you; surely Allah is only One God” (Qur’an 4:171); (2) “They do blas-
Stress-Strain Input for Equivalent-Linear Analyses

The purpose of this technical note is to investigate the sensitivity of computation of the equivalent-linear analysis to the choice of the stress-strain input and to demonstrate the need for care in selecting the correct set of properties. The computer program used in this study is SHAKE and the stress-strain relations considered are the S&I and the H& D relations. Soil types considered in this study are restricted to clays.
Far-from-equilibrium distribution from near-steady-state work fluctuations

A long-standing goal of nonequilibrium statistical mechanics has been to extend the conceptual power of the Boltzmann distribution to driven systems. We report some new progress towards this goal. Instead of writing the nonequilibrium steady-state distribution in terms of perturbations around thermal equilibrium, we start from the linearized driven dynamics of observables about their stable fixed point, and expand in the strength of the nonlinearities encountered during typical fluctuations away from the fixed point. The first terms in this expansion retain the simplicity of known expansions about equilibrium, but can correctly describe the statistics of a certain class of systems even under strong driving. We illustrate this approach by comparison with a numerical simulation of a sheared Brownian colloid, where we find that the first two terms in our expansion are sufficient to account for the shear thinning behavior at high shear rates.
COMPUTATIONAL DISSECTION OF MAMMALIAN REGULATION NETWORKS

Identification of direct targets of an individual or a combination of transcription factors (TFs) is central to determination of regulatory network architecture. Experimental approaches require a combination of expression profiling and binding assay to accurately identify direct targets. Here we propose an adaptive determination of the gene activation thresholds by using regression splines. Since the thresholds are learnt adaptively from the expression data, the identified targets depend on the physiological condition under which the mRNA sample was obtained. It can work with data from a single condition and no separation of genes into foreground and background sets is necessary. Using human cell-cycle as an example, we show that the E2F targets that we identify at the G1/S phase are significantly different from those at the G2/M phase. We verify known targets and find several novel direct targets of E2F in the G2/M phase.
Integrating Association Rule Mining with Relational Database Systems: Alternatives and Implications

Data mining on large data warehouses is becoming increasingly important. In support of this trend, we consider a spectrum of architectural alternatives for coupling mining with database systems. These alternatives include: loose-coupling through a SQL cursor interfaces encapsulation of a mining algorithm in a stored procedures caching the data to a file system on-the-fly and minings tight-coupling using primarily user-defined functionss and SQL implementations for processing in the DBMS. We comprehensively study the option of expressing the mining algorithm in the form of SQL queries using Association rule mining as a case in point. We consider four options in SQL-92 and six options in SQL enhanced with object-relational extensions (SQL-OR). Our evaluation of the different architectural alternatives shows that from a performance perspective, the Cache option is superior, although the performance of the SQL-OR option is within a factor of two. Both the Cache and the SQL-OR approaches incur a higher storage penalty than the loose-coupling approach which performance-wise is a factor of 3 to 4 worse than Cache. The SQL-92 implementations were too slow to qualify as a competitive option. We also compare these alternatives on the basis of qualitative factors like automatic parallelization, development ease, portability and inter-operability. As a byproduct of this study, we identify some primitives for native support in database systems for decision-support applications.
Pricing American-style Derivatives under the Heston Model Dynamics: A Fast Fourier Transformation in the Geskeâ€“Johnson Scheme

Theoretical research on option valuation tends to focus on pricing the plain-vanilla European-style derivatives. Duffie, Pan, and Singleton (Econometrica, 2000) have recently developed a general transform method to determine the value of European options for a broad class of the underlying price dynamics. Contrastingly, no universal and analytically attractive approach to pricing of American-style derivatives is yet available. When the underlying price follows simple dynamics, literature suggests using finite difference methods. Simulation methods are often applied in more complicated cases. This paper addresses the valuation of American-style derivatives when the price of an underlying asset follows the Heston model dynamics (Rev.Fin.S., 1993). The model belongs to the class of stochastic volatility models, which have been proposed in the hope of remedying the strike-price biases of the Blackâ€“Scholes formula. Option values are obtained by a variant of the Geskeâ€“Johnson scheme (JF, 1984), which has been devised in the context of the Blackâ€“Scholes model. The scheme exploits the fact that an American option is the limit of a sequence of â€œBermudanâ€ derivatives. The latter ones can be priced recursively according to a simple formula, and iterations start from valuing a corresponding European-style security. To implement the recursion, one needs to obtain the expected value of â€œBermudanâ€ prices in the joint measure of the state variables of the model. Since the joint density must be, in turn, recovered by inverting the joint characteristic function, an unmodified Geskeâ€“Johnson algorithm implies a computationally unfeasible multiple integration. To drastically reduce the cost of numerical integration, I suggest applying a kernel-smoothed bivariate fast Fourier transformation to obtain the density function. Numerical accuracy of the method is assessed by predicting option prices of the S&P 100 index options
Moral Judgment and Deontology: Empirical Developments

A traditional idea has it that moral judgment involves more than calculating the consequences of actions; it also requires an assessment of the agent's intentions, the act's nature, and whether the agent uses another person as a means to her ends. I survey experimental developments suggesting that ordinary people often tacitly reason in terms of such deontological rules. It's now unclear whether we should posit a traditional form of the Doctrine of Double Effect. However, further research suggests that a range of non-consequentialist factors influence moral judgment, including: intentions, commissions, personal harm, and agent-centered commitments. Many, if not all, such factors appear to affect how involved the agent is in bringing about an outcome.
Boolean algebras and Lubell functions

Let 2 n denote the power set of n , where n = { 1 , 2 , ? , n } . A collection B ? 2 n forms a d-dimensional Boolean algebra if there exist pairwise disjoint sets X 0 , X 1 , ? , X d ? n , all non-empty with perhaps the exception of X 0 , so that B = { X 0 ? ? i ? I X i : I ? d } . Let b ( n , d ) be the maximum cardinality of a family F ? 2 X that does not contain a d-dimensional Boolean algebra. Gunderson, Rodl, and Sidorenko proved that b ( n , d ) ? c d n - 1 / 2 d ? 2 n where c d = 10 d 2 - 2 1 - d d d - 2 - d .In this paper, we use the Lubell function as a new measurement for large families instead of cardinality. The Lubell value of a family of sets F with F ? 2 n is defined by h n ( F ) = ? F ? F 1 / ( n | F | ) . We prove the following Turan type theorem. If F ? 2 n contains no d-dimensional Boolean algebra, then h n ( F ) ? 2 ( n + 1 ) 1 - 2 1 - d for sufficiently large n. This result implies b ( n , d ) ? C n - 1 / 2 d ? 2 n , where C is an absolute constant independent of n and d. With some modification, the ideas in Gunderson, Rodl, and Sidorenko's proof can be used to obtain this result. We apply the new bound on b ( n , d ) to improve several Ramsey-type bounds on Boolean algebras. We also prove a canonical Ramsey theorem for Boolean algebras.
Debt "Hold Up" and International Lending

Are lending contracts between international financial institutions (IFIs) and sovereign borrowers optimal? To address this question this paper builds on two ideas. First, the prospect of future debt relief can make it profitable for an IFI to continue lending even if lending contracts are currently violated. Second, some policy makers may prefer not implement reform contracts, and this preference remains unobserved to the IFI. Hence, some governments may strategically implement contracts in order to accumulate debt. When the debt stock becomes sufficiently large, it can be used as an “hold up” instrument, enabling the government to implement its preferred policy, assured that lending will continue. To mitigate the risk of “hold up”, the IFI may use lending contracts to screen such borrowers, leading to distorted reform contracts.
Soil moisture variability in Iowa

Thirty years (1954–1983) of soil moisture data from 60 sites in Iowa are used to identify the dominant modes of spatial and temporal variability. Both soil moisture and precipitation exhibit a northwest to southeast gradient across Iowa, with wetter conditions in the southeast and drier conditions in the northwest. Climate and soil characteristics are responsible for the spatial variations in soil moisture. There is a pronounced annual soil moisture cycle that has three distinct phases: a moist phase (April–June), a drying phase (June–September), and a recharge phase (September–November). Spring soil moisture is strongly controlled by the amount of recharge during the previous fall. There is no evidence of a long-term trend in soil moisture; however there is significant interannual variability and about 20% of the variance is attributable to El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). The warm (cold) phase of ENSO is associated with above (below) average soil moisture in Iowa. The multi-decadal soil moisture record is used to analyse drought frequency and magnitude in Iowa, and to place the 2012 Midwest drought in historical context. In general, Iowa drought is more common during the latter part of the warm season (August through November), but tends to be more severe during the early part of the warm season (April–July). We find that the 2012 drought was unusual because it persisted and intensified throughout the growing season.
Phase relations, transparency and conductivity in Ga2O3-SnO2-ZnO

Abstract Subsolidus phase relationships in the Ga 2 O 3 SnO 2 ZnO system were determined at 1250 °C using solid state synthesis and X-ray powder diffraction. The two spinels, Zn 2 SnO 4 and ZnGa 2 O 4 , formed a complete solid solution. The optical band gap of the spinel varied with composition from 3.6 eV (Zn 2 SnO 4 ) to 4.7 eV (ZnGa 2 O 4 ). All samples were white and insulating except those containing Ga-doped ZnO. The phase relations and physical properties of Ga 2 O 3 SnO 2 ZnO were compared with those of In 2 O 3 SnO 2 ZnO.
Multi-Unit Auctions with Budget Constraints

Motivated by sponsored search auctions, we study multi-unit auctions with budget constraints. In the mechanism we propose, Sort-Cut, understating budgets or values is weakly dominated. Since Sort-Cut's revenue is increasing in budgets and values, all kinds of equilibrium deviations from true valuations turn out to be beneficial to the auctioneer. We show that the revenue of Sort-Cut can be an order of magnitude greater than that of the natural Market Clearing Price mechanism, and we discuss the efficiency properties of its ex-post Nash equilibrium.
Combinatorics of reductions between equivalence relations

We discuss combinatorial conditions for the existence of various types of reductions between equivalence relations, and in particular identify necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of injective reductions.
Gel-staining techniques.

Gel staining techniques are used to detect proteins and nucleic acids isolated from tissues or cells by electrophoretic separation in gels. Keywords: protein detection; nucleic acid detection; silver stains; fluorescent stains; quantitative analysis
Potential Technology Improvements for the CF6 Turbofan

THE CF6 engine is a dual rotor, high bypass ratio turbofan engine designed for airline operation. It incorporates a variable stator, high pressure ratio compressor, an annular combustor, an air‐cooled core engine turbine and a co‐axial front fan driven by a five‐stage low pressure turbine (Fig. 1). The core engine has an exhaust thrust spoiler which operates in conjunction with the fan cascade reverser during landing roll.
Effect of Contract Farming on the Farmers' Average Return - The Case of the Grain Industry in the U.S.A.

In the literature, the effect of contract farming on the productivity efficiency or profitability is rarely studied, especially in the crop sector. In this paper, we use a farm-level dataset (Agriculture and Resource Management Survey) to examine the effect of contract farming on the farmers' average return for the corn, soybean and wheat producers. The results of the matching estimation show that without matching, the effect of contract farming on the average returns of the corn and soybean producers might be underestimated, and contract farming might have a negligible (statistically insignificant) effect on the average return of the wheat producer.
The fate of children sustaining severe head trauma during birth.

During a five-year period, 42 infants who sustained head trauma during the birth process were evaluated soon thereafter at Columbus Children9s Hospital. Their findings are described. By information available up to 13 years later, 31% were normal and 14% mildly handicapped; 43% had died or were severely handicapped and 12% could not be located.
Tests of Ten Control-Display Linkages

This experiment tested ten different linkages between four displays and four control buttons on a vertically-mounted surface. The displays were arranged in a square and the controls were in a vertical column to the right of the displays. A single panel was used for all tests; different linkages were made by changing electrical connections. Eighty male subjects (eight for each linkage) were tested. The subject’s task was to push the appropriate control button as soon as a light appeared in one of the displays. Each subject was given 96 consecutive trials on the linkage to which he was assigned. Dependent measures were: times to first response, times to correct response, and errors. The results show that one of the ten linkages is best in terms of both time and errors. There are also some significant differences between certain other linkages. These findings hold only for those situations in which, for some reason, it is necessary to have the displays arranged in the form of a square and the controls in a vertical column to the right of the displays.
Applications of quantum message sealing

In 2003, Bechmann-Pasquinucci introduced the concept of quantum seals, a quantum analogue to wax seals used to close letters and envelopes. Since then, some improvements on the method have been found. We first review the current quantum sealing techniques, then introduce and discuss potential applications of quantum message sealing, and conclude with some discussion of the limitations of quantum seals.
Progressive resistance strength training for improving physical function in older adults

Background Muscle weakness in old age is associated with physical function decline. Progressive resistance strength training (PRT) exercises are designed to increase strength. Objectives To assess the effects of PRT on older people and identify adverse events. Search methods We searched the Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Group Specialized Register (to March 2007), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library 2007, Issue 2), MEDLINE (1966 to May 01, 2008), EMBASE (1980 to February 06 2007), CINAHL (1982 to July 01 2007) and two other electronic databases. We also searched reference lists of articles, reviewed conference abstracts and contacted authors. Selection criteria Randomised controlled trials reporting physical outcomes of PRT for older people were included. Data collection and analysis Two review authors independently selected trials, assessed trial quality and extracted data. Data were pooled where appropriate. Main results One hundred and twenty one trials with 6700 participants were included. In most trials, PRT was performed two to three times per week and at a high intensity. PRT resulted in a small but significant improvement in physical ability (33 trials, 2172 participants; SMD 0.14, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.22). Functional limitation measures also showed improvements: e.g. there was a modest improvement in gait speed (24 trials, 1179 participants, MD 0.08 m/s, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.12); and a moderate to large effect for getting out of a chair (11 trials, 384 participants, SMD -0.94, 95% CI -1.49 to -0.38). PRT had a large positive effect on muscle strength (73 trials, 3059 participants, SMD 0.84, 95% CI 0.67 to 1.00). Participants with osteoarthritis reported a reduction in pain following PRT(6 trials, 503 participants, SMD -0.30, 95% CI -0.48 to -0.13). There was no evidence from 10 other trials (587 participants) that PRT had an effect on bodily pain. Adverse events were poorly recorded but adverse events related to musculoskeletal complaints, such as joint pain and muscle soreness, were reported in many of the studies that prospectively defined and monitored these events. Serious adverse events were rare, and no serious events were reported to be directly related to the exercise programme. Authors' conclusions This review provides evidence that PRT is an effective intervention for improving physical functioning in older people, including improving strength and the performance of some simple and complex activities. However, some caution is needed with transferring these exercises for use with clinical populations because adverse events are not adequately reported.
Automatic Compilation Framework for Bloom Filter Based Intrusion Detection

Virus detection at the router level is rapidly gaining in importance. Hardware-based implementations have the advantage of speed and hence can support a large throughput. In this paper we describe an FPGA-based implementation of the Bloom filter virus detection code that is compiled from the native C to VHDL and mapped onto a Virtex XC2V8000 FPGA. Our results show that a single engine tailored for handling virus signatures of length eight bytes can achieve a throughput of 18.6 Gbps while occupying only 8% of the FPGA area.
Network Coding for Speedup in Switches

We present a graph theoretic upper bound on speedup needed to achieve 100% throughput in a multicast switch using network coding. By bounding speedup, we show the equivalence between network coding and speedup in multicast switches - i.e. network coding, which is usually implemented using software, can in many cases substitute speedup, which is often achieved by adding extra switch fabrics. This bound is based on an approach to network coding problems called the "enhanced conflict graph". We show that the "imperfection ratio" of the enhanced conflict graph gives an upper bound on speedup. In particular, we apply this result to K times N switches with traffic patterns consisting of unicasts and broadcasts only to obtain an upper bound of min(2K-1/K, 2N/N+1).