cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Block-Wise Non-Malleable Codes

Non-malleable codes, introduced by Dziembowski, Pietrzak, and Wichs (ICS'10) provide the guarantee that if a codeword c of a message m, is modified by a tampering function f to c', then c' either decodes to m or to "something unrelated" to m. In recent literature, a lot of focus has been on explicitly constructing such codes against a large and natural class of tampering functions such as split-state model in which the tampering function operates on different parts of the codeword independently. In this work, we consider a stronger adversarial model called block-wise tampering model, in which we allow tampering to depend on more than one block: if a codeword consists of two blocks c = (c1, c2), then the first tampering function f1 could produce a tampered part c'_1 = f1(c1) and the second tampering function f2 could produce c'_2 = f2(c1, c2) depending on both c2 and c1. The notion similarly extends to multiple blocks where tampering of block ci could happen with the knowledge of all cj for j <= i. We argue this is a natural notion where, for example, the blocks are sent one by one and the adversary must send the tampered block before it gets the next block. A little thought reveals that it is impossible to construct such codes that are non-malleable (in the standard sense) against such a powerful adversary: indeed, upon receiving the last block, an adversary could decode the entire codeword and then can tamper depending on the message. In light of this impossibility, we consider a natural relaxation called non-malleable codes with replacement which requires the adversary to produce not only related but also a valid codeword in order to succeed. Unfortunately, we show that even this relaxed definition is not achievable in the information-theoretic setting (i.e., when the tampering functions can be unbounded) which implies that we must turn our attention towards computationally bounded adversaries. As our main result, we show how to construct a block-wise non-malleable code (BNMC) from sub-exponentially hard one-way permutations. We provide an interesting connection between BNMC and non-malleable commitments. We show that any BNMC can be converted into a nonmalleable (w.r.t. opening) commitment scheme. Our techniques, quite surprisingly, give rise to a non-malleable commitment scheme (secure against so-called synchronizing adversaries), in which only the committer sends messages. We believe this result to be of independent interest. In the other direction, we show that any non-interactive non-malleable (w.r.t. opening) commitment can be used to construct BNMC only with 2 blocks. Unfortunately, such commitment scheme exists only under highly non-standard assumptions (adaptive one-way functions) and hence can not substitute our main construction.
FARMERS’ WILLINGNESS TO COOPERATE IN ECOSYSTEM SERVICE PROVISION: DOES TRUST MATTER?

Ecosystem service provision in agriculture may require cooperation between farmers. Trust fosters cooperation in many economic and social interactions and is important to the success of traditional agricultural cooperatives. Little is known about how trust affects farmers’ willingness to cooperate to provide an ecosystem service, what types of trust are most important, and under what conditions trust may matter. In this study, we present results of a survey of Missouri crop farmers exploring the role trust plays in farmers’ stated willingness to cooperate to control pests. We find that most farmers say they are willing to cooperate, and most farmers are willing to trust others. However, we find little evidence that trust positively influences farmers’ willingness to cooperate to control pests. Instead, we find that trust may only matter under certain conditions, such as when participants’ farms are dissimilar, and that other determinants, such as the perceived benefit of cooperation and environmental concern, are more important than trust to farmers who are contemplating cooperation to control pests.
Empirical Study of Domain Adaptation with Naïve Bayes on the Task of Splice Site Prediction

For many machine learning problems, training an accurate classifier in a supervised setting requires a substantial volume of labeled data. While large volumes of labeled data are currently available for some of these problems, little or no labeled data exists for others. Manually labeling data can be costly and time consuming. An alternative is to learn classifiers in a domain adaptation setting in which existing labeled data can be leveraged from a related problem, referred to as source domain, in conjunction with a small amount of labeled data and large amount of unlabeled data for the problem of interest, or target domain. In this paper, we propose two similar domain adaptation classifiers based on a na¨A±ve Bayes algorithm. We evaluate these classifiers on the difficult task of splice site prediction, essential for gene prediction. Results show that the algorithms correctly classified instances, with highest average area under precision-recall curve (auPRC) values between 18.46% and 78.01%.
Exon capture optimization in amphibians with large genomes

Gathering genomic-scale data efficiently is challenging for nonmodel species with large, complex genomes. Transcriptome sequencing is accessible for organisms with large genomes, and sequence capture probes can be designed from such mRNA sequences to enrich and sequence exonic regions. Maximizing enrichment efficiency is important to reduce sequencing costs, but relatively few data exist for exon capture experiments in nonmodel organisms with large genomes. Here, we conducted a replicated factorial experiment to explore the effects of several modifications to standard protocols that might increase sequence capture efficiency for amphibians and other taxa with large, complex genomes. Increasing the amounts of c0 t-1 repetitive sequence blocker and individual input DNA used in target enrichment reactions reduced the rates of PCR duplication. This reduction led to an increase in the percentage of unique reads mapping to target sequences, essentially doubling overall efficiency of the target capture from 10.4% to nearly 19.9% and rendering target capture experiments more efficient and affordable. Our results indicate that target capture protocols can be modified to efficiently screen vertebrates with large genomes, including amphibians.
Effect of lung bud excision on cardiopulmonary development in the chick.

Previous experiments have not assessed the role of pulmonary development in cardiovascular morphogenesis. We studied this relationship by excising the left lung bud of chick embryos prior to completion of intracardiac septation. White leghorn eggs were incubated to Hamilton-Hamburger stages 28-29. Embryos were exposed by opening the shell and membranes. The left thoracic wall was incised, lung bud amputated, and embryos reincubated. After fixation in 10% formol in chick Ringer's, the lungs and pulmonary vessels were microdissected, measured and compared using ratios of lung volume. (L1/Lr) and diameters of pulmonary arteries (A1/Ar) and veins (V1/Vr). Intracardiac abnormalities were evaluated after removing the free wall of right and left ventricles. The 65 stage-matched control embryos included 30 with sham thoracic incisions. Of the 85 surviving embryos undergoing lung bud excision, 16 had diminished left lung volumes (L1/Lr ≥ .75), 17 had small pulmonary arteries (A1/Ar ≤ .86), all had small pulmonary veins (V1/Vr .82) which correlated with their small lung volume ratios and 13 (72%) had 1 or more ventricular septal defects (VSDs). Supracristal VSD was noted in 11 (61%) and membranous VSD in 2 (11%). Two control embryos had membranous VSD (3%). We conclude that since lung bud excision can alter cardiac as well as pulmonary morphology, it is important to evaluate cardiopulmonary morphogenesis if basic mechanisms underlying clinical anomalies of heart and lung are to be understood.
Nonlinear Multiconductor Transmission Line Analysis of Broadband Switching Metamaterials

In this paper, we present a nonlinear multiconductor transmission line model to analyze the time-domain and nonlinear responses of broadband switching metamaterials. This analysis employs coupled transmission lines loaded with nonlinear elements to model the response of the metamaterial structures to a vertically polarized free-space excitation. Using this analysis we first examine the time-domain response of a broadband switching metamaterial structure loaded with high-speed Schottky diodes. We then show that this structure’s response to incident power can be effectively inverted by replacing these Schottky diodes with varactor diodes. Experimental results are presented for both structures in WR-284 waveguide, which show good agreement with results generated from full-wave and transmission line analysis. We also use the circuit model to simulate power-dependent material parameters and both the input and output third-order intercept point for both the Schottky-loaded and varactor-loaded metamaterials.
Faculty Service Loads and Gender: Are Women Taking Care of the Academic Family?

This paper investigates the amount of academic service performed by female versus male faculty. We use 2014 data from a large national survey of faculty at more than 140 institutions as well as 2012 data from an online annual performance reporting system for tenured and tenure–track faculty at two campuses of a large public, Midwestern University. We find evidence in both data sources that, on average, women faculty perform significantly more service than men, controlling for rank, race/ethnicity, and field or department. Our analyses suggest that the male–female differential is driven more by internal service—i.e., service to the university, campus, or department—than external service—i.e., service to the local, national, and international communities—although significant heterogeneity exists across field and discipline in the way gender differentials play out.
A computational model of texture segmentation

An algorithm for finding texture boundaries in images is developed on the basis of a computational model of human texture perception. The model consists of three stages: (1) the image is convolved with a bank of even-symmetric linear filters followed by half-wave rectification to give a set of responses; (2) inhibition, localized in space, within and among the neural response profiles results in the suppression of weak responses when there are strong responses at the same or nearby locations; and (3) texture boundaries are detected using peaks in the gradients of the inhibited response profiles. The model is precisely specified, equally applicable to grey-scale and binary textures, and is motivated by detailed comparison with psychophysics and physiology. It makes predictions about the degree of discriminability of different texture pairs which match very well with experimental measurements of discriminability in human observers. From a machine-vision point of view, the scheme is a high-quality texture-edge detector which works equally on images of artificial and natural scenes. The algorithm makes the use of simple local and parallel operations, which makes it potentially real-time. >
Equivalent Equations of Motion for Gravity and Entropy

We demonstrate an equivalence between the wave equation obeyed by the entanglement entropy of CFT subregions and the linearized bulk Einstein equation in Anti-de Sitter space. In doing so, we make use of the formalism of kinematic space [1] and fields on this space, introduced in [2]. We show that the gravitational dynamics are equivalent to a gauge invariant wave-equation on kinematic space and that this equation arises in natural correspondence to the conformal Casimir equation in the CFT.
A CASE SERIES COMPARISON BETWEEN THE NOVEL USE OF BLOCKING SCREWS IN ANTEGRADE IM NAIL FIXATION AGAINST PLATE FIXATION FOR OSTEOPOROTIC SUPRACONDYLAR FEMORAL FRACTURES

Introduction To compare the union rates and post-operative mobility of antegrade intramedullary nailing of osteoporotic traumatic supracondylar femoral fractures (AO classification A to C2) with those of plating. Materials/Methods We studied any traumatic intra or extra-articular supracondylar femoral fracture from 2005–2010. Patients were either admitted directly to our level 1 trauma centre or were referred from another hospital. Nineteen patients were identified, consisting of primarily fixation with five antegrade nails and fourteen plates. We defined osteoporotic bone as being present in anyone over sixty years old or who had a clinical diagnosis. One nail and six plates were excluded due to young age or fracture severity. This left four nails, six less invasive stabilisation system plates and two dynamic condylar screw plates. Both groups were comparable with respect to age, sex and AO fracture classification. Results There was a significant difference in achieving union between the two groups (p=0.040). Union occurred within three months in all four fractures in the nail group but only three fractures (38%) united after primary fixation in the plate group. There were two failures due to screw pullout, one failure due to screw breakage, one broken plate after delayed-union and one screw breakage after non-union. The patients in the nail group had better mobility and less pain than the plate group but the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion We have shown that for patients with osteoporotic, supracondylar femoral fractures, fixation with an antegrade IM nail provides significantly better healing compared to plate fixation.
MicroRNAs as novel therapeutic adjuvants to treat drug resistant breast cancers

R to chemotherapy drugs results in poor response rates and treatment failure in more than 90% of patients with metastatic breast cancers. Understanding the mechanisms underlying such resistance is therefore crucial for the development of new, efficacious cancer drugs. Unfortunately, in spite of extensive inquiry in this field, little is known about the key molecules/ signaling pathways that regulate this phenomenon. We have discovered that microRNAs (miRNAs) may play critical roles in mediating drug sensitivity/resistance in breast cancers. We have identified miRNAs that are differentially expressed between chemo-resistant and sensitive HER2+ breast cancer cells. Specifically, through high-throughput miRNA inhibitor library screens, we have identified miRNAs that sensitize drug-resistant breast cancer cells to paclitaxel and trastuzumab (herceptin), a drug combination commonly used for the treatment of HER2+ metastatic breast cancers. Our studies reveal that cognate miRNA/s, which sensitize/de-sensitize resistant tumor cells to drug-induced cell death are differentially expressed in the Her2+ metastatic breast cancer paitents compared to normal matched controls. Importantly, using liposome-based or biocompatible nanoparticles-based approaches, we have demonstrated that candidate miRNAs can be systemically delivered to sensitize and therefore, eliminate chemoresistant metastatic breast cancers in tumor bearing mice. These findings suggest that certain miRNAs are selectively cytotoxic in a drug-specific manner and these miRNAs may serve as novel biomarkers and provide potent adjuvant therapeutic tools for the treatment of drug-resistant metastatic breast cancers.
A thermodynamic approach to nonlinear ultrasonics for material state awareness and prognosis

We develop a thermodynamic framework for modeling nonlinear ultrasonic damage sensing and prognosis in materials undergoing progressive damage. The framework is based on the internal variable approach and relies on the construction of a pseudo-elastic strain energy function that captures the energetics associated with the damage progression. The pseudo-elastic strain energy function is composed of two energy functions—one that describes how a material stores energy in an elastic fashion and the other describes how material dissipates energy or stores it in an inelastic fashion. Experimental motivation for the choice of the above two functionals is discussed and some specific choices pertaining to damage progression during fatigue and creep are presented. The thermodynamic framework is employed to model the nonlinear response of material undergoing stress relaxation and creep-like degradation. For each of the above cases, evolution of the nonlinearity parameter with damage as well as with macroscopic measurables like accumulated plastic strain is obtained.
The design of a single-chip multichannel video decoder

An analog video decoder is a complicated SOC (system-on-chip) with both analog and digital circuits on it, while a multichannel video decoder will have several decoders integrated on the same chip. In this paper, we talk about the design of a four-channel video decoder. We address the common issues met in the SOC design, and how we handle them in this design. The paper covers different kinds of blocks: analog, phase-locked loop (PLL), digital data-path, and microprocessor etc.
Incorporating knowledge into structural equation models using auxiliary variables

In this paper, we extend graph-based identification methods by allowing background knowledge in the form of non-zero parameter values. Such information could be obtained, for example, from a previously conducted randomized experiment, from substantive understanding of the domain, or even an identification technique. To incorporate such information systematically, we propose the addition of auxiliary variables to the model, which are constructed so that certain paths will be conveniently cancelled. This cancellation allows the auxiliary variables to help conventional methods of identification (e.g., single-door criterion, instrumental variables, half-trek criterion), as well as model testing (e.g., d-separation, over-identification). Moreover, by iteratively alternating steps of identification and adding auxiliary variables, we can improve the power of existing identification methods via a bootstrapping approach that does not require external knowledge. We operationalize this method for simple instrumental sets (a generalization of instrumental variables) and show that the resulting method is able to identify at least as many models as the most general identification method for linear systems known to date. We further discuss the application of auxiliary variables to the tasks of model testing and z-identification.
Concurrent Growth and Formation of Electrically Contacted Monolayer Transition Metal Dichalcogenides on Bulk Metallic Patterns

While new species and properties of two-dimensional (2D) materials are being reported with extraordinary regularity, a significant bottleneck in the field is the ability to controllably process material into working devices. We report a chemical vapor deposition process to selectively grow 2D material in a deterministic manner around lithographically defined bulk metallic patterns which concurrently provide as-grown contacts to the material. Monolayer films, with lateral extent of up to hundreds of microns are controllably grown on and around patterned regions of transition metals. By using different combinations of metallic pattern and oxide based precursor, heterostructured MoS2/WS2 growth has been observed as well. The materials display strong luminescence, monolayer Raman signatures, and relatively large crystal domains. In addition to producing high optical quality monolayer material deterministically and selectively over large regions, the metallic patterns remain conductive and therefore have the advantage of providing as-grown metallic contacts to the material, offering a path for simple device fabrication and large scale production
A Theoretical Analysis of Noisy Sparse Subspace Clustering on Dimensionality-Reduced Data

Subspace clustering is the problem of partitioning unlabeled data points into a number of clusters so that data points within one cluster lie approximately on a low-dimensional linear subspace . In many practical scenarios, the dimensionality of data points to be clustered is compressed due to the constraints of measurement, computation, or privacy. In this paper, we study the theoretical properties of a popular subspace clustering algorithm named sparse subspace clustering (SSC) and establish formal success conditions of SSC on dimensionality-reduced data. Our analysis applies to the most general fully deterministic model, where both underlying subspaces and data points within each subspace are deterministically positioned, and also a wide range of dimensionality reduction techniques (e.g., Gaussian random projection, uniform subsampling, and sketching) that fall into a subspace embedding framework. Finally, we apply our analysis to a differentially private SSC algorithm and established both privacy and utility guarantees of the proposed method.
High-bandwidth optical MCM: FPGA with optical I/O on waveguide-integrated SLC

Chip-level optical packaging on a waveguide-integrated surface laminar circuit (SLC) provides a promising solution for high-density and low-power I/O in future high-performance computing systems. We developed and demonstrated a high performance optical multi-chip module which consists of an FPGA with 12-channel optical I/O on a waveguide-integrated SLC that operates at data rate over 6 Gb/s per channel.
Neighborhood Conditions and Psychosocial Outcomes Among Middle-Aged African Americans: A Cross-sectional Analysis

Objective: We examined associations between observed neighborhood conditions (good/adverse) and psychosocial outcomes (stress, depressive symptoms, resilience, and sense of control) among middle-ag...
PERI-PROSTHETIC FRACTURES: REPAIR OR REPLACE?

Peri-prosthetic fractures above a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are becoming increasingly more common, and typically occur at the junction of the anterior flange of the femoral component and the osteopenic metaphyseal distal femur. In the vast majority of cases the TKA is well-fixed and has been functioning well prior to fracture. For loose components, revision is typically indicated. Typically a megaprosthesis is required. For well-fixed components, internal fixation is preferred. Fixation options include retrograde nailing or lateral plating. Nails are typically considered in arthroplasties that allow intercondylar access (“open box PS” or CR implants) and have sufficient length of the distal fragment to allow multiple locking screws to be used. This situation is rare, as most distal fragments are quite short. If a nail is chosen, use of a long nail is preferred, since it allows the additional fixation and alignment that diaphyseal fill affords. Short nails should be discouraged since they can “toggle” in the meta-diaphysis and do not engage the diaphysis to improve coronal alignment. Plates can be used with any implant type and any length of distal fragment. The challenge with either fixation strategy is obtaining stable fixation of the distal fragment while maintaining length, alignment, and rotation. Fixation opportunities in the distal fragment can be limited due to obstacles caused by femoral component lugs, boxes, stems, cement mantles, and areas of stress shielding or osteolysis. Modern lateral locked plates can be inserted in a biologically friendly submuscular extra-periosteal fashion. More recent developments with polyaxial locked screws (that allow angulation prior to end-point locking) may offer even more versatility when distal fragment fixation is challenging. The goal of fixation is to obtain as many long locked screws in the distal fragment as possible. High union rates have been reported with modern locked plating techniques, however, biplanar fluoroscopic vigilance is required to prevent malalignments, typically valgus, distraction, and distal fragment hyperextension.
Operator Tail Dependence of Copulas

A notion of tail dependence based on operator regular variation is introduced for copulas, and the standard tail dependence used in the copula literature is included as a special case. The non-standard tail dependence with marginal power scaling functions having possibly distinct tail indexes is investigated in detail. We show that the copulas with operator tail dependence, incorporated with regularly varying univariate margins, give rise to a rich class of the non-standard multivariate regularly varying distributions. We also show that under some mild conditions, the copula of a non-standard multivariate regularly varying distribution has the standard tail dependence of order 1. Some illustrative examples are given.
Rainich conditions in (2 + 1)-dimensional gravity

In (3 + 1) spacetime dimensions, the Rainich conditions are a set of equations expressed solely in terms of the metric tensor which are equivalent to the Einstein-Maxwell equations for non-null electromagnetic fields. Here we provide the analogous conditions for (2 + 1)-dimensional gravity coupled to electromagnetism. Both the non-null and null cases are treated. The construction of these conditions is based upon reducing the problem to that of gravity coupled to a scalar field, which we have treated elsewhere. These conditions can be easily extended to other theories of (2 + 1)-dimensional gravity. For example, we apply the geometrization conditions to topologically massive gravity coupled to the electromagnetic field and obtain a family of plane-fronted wave solutions.
A Kernel-Based Predictive Model of EV Capacity for Distributed Voltage Control and Demand Response

Energy storage and reactive power supplied by electric vehicles (EVs) through vehicle-to-grid (V2G) operation can be coordinated to provide voltage support, thus reducing the need of grid reinforcement and active power curtailment. Optimization and control approaches for V2G-enabled reactive power control should be robust to variations and offer a certain level of optimality by combining real-time control with an hours-ahead scheduling scheme. This paper introduces an optimization and control framework that can be used for charging batteries and managing available storage while using the remaining capacity of the chargers to generate reactive power and cooperatively perform voltage control. Stochastic distributed optimization of reactive power is realized by integrating a robust distributed sub-gradient method with conditional ensemble predictions of V2G capacity. Hence, the proposed solutions can meet system operational requirements for the upcoming hours by enabling instantaneous cooperation among distributed EVs.
On an energy equality in the theory of evolution equations

We give an elementary proof of a basic ‘energy’ equality in the theory of evolution equations in the setting, which usually starts with introducing .
The shapes of nuclei

Gerry Brown initiated some early studies on the coexistence of different nuclear shapes. The subject has continued to be of interest and is crucial for understanding nuclear fission. We now have a very good picture of the potential energy surface with respect to shape degrees of freedom in heavy nuclei, but the dynamics remain problematic. In contrast, the early studies on light nuclei were quite successful in describing the mixing between shapes. Perhaps a new approach in the spirit of the old calculations could better elucidate the character of the fission dynamics and explain phenomena that current theory does not model well.
An introduction to the discharging method via graph coloring

We provide a "how-to" guide to the use and application of the Discharging Method. Our aim is not to exhaustively survey results proved by this technique, but rather to demystify the technique and facilitate its wider use, using applications in graph coloring as examples. Along the way, we present some new proofs and new problems.
OBLIQUITIES OF EXOPLANET HOST STARS FROM PRECISE DISTANCES AND STELLAR ANGULAR DIAMETERS

The next generation of exoplanet space photometry missions proposed by both NASA and ESA promise to discover small transiting planets around the nearest and brightest main-sequence stars. The physical and rotational properties of these stars, in conjunction with Gaia-precision distances, can be used to determine the inclination of the stellar rotation axis. Given edge-on orbital paths for transiting planets, stellar inclinations can be interpreted as obliquities projected into the line of sight, which can be used to more clearly reveal the system architectures of small planets and the factors that drive their orbital evolution. To demonstrate the method, we use a sample of simulated target stars for the NASA Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission. Based on predicted characteristics of these stars and likely measurement uncertainties, we show that the expected TESS discoveries will allow us to finely differentiate the true underlying obliquity distribution. Under conservative assumptions in our illustrative example--in which the true distribution is assumed to contain systems drawn from both well-aligned and isotropic distributions (e.g., due to multiple migration channels)--the correct fractions can be determined to within $0.15$, thus enabling constraints on the evolutionary processes that shape system architectures. Moreover, because of the excellent astrometric precision expected from Gaia, this technique will also be applicable to the large number of planets already discovered by ${\textit Kepler}$ orbiting much more distant stars.
When will a Darwinian approach be useful for the study of society

In recent years, some have claimed that a Darwinian perspective will revolutionize the study of human society and culture. This project is viewed with disdain and suspicion, on the other hand, by many practicing social scientists. This article seeks to clear the air in this heated debate by dissociating two claims that are too often assumed to be inseparable. The first is the ‘ontological’ claim that Darwinian principles apply, at some level of abstraction, to human society and culture. The second is the more ‘pragmatic’ claim that this observation necessitates substantial changes in the practices of social scientists. Even if some version of the first claim is true, I argue – which I believe is quite likely – the second does not follow. This observation ought to chasten the most overzealous advocates of Darwinian social science, as well as softening the instinctive resistance of many social scientists and historians to the genuine insights enabled by a Darwinian approach. The conclusion discusses these i...
Investigation of Body-Tie Effects on Ion Beam Induced Charge Collection in Silicon-On-Insulator FETs Using the Sandia Nuclear Microprobe

Abstract Silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology exhibits three main advantages over bulk silicon technology for use in radiation environments. (1) SOI devices are immune to latchup, (2) the volume of the sensitive region (body) and hence total charge collection per transient irradiation is much reduced in SOI devices and (3) the insulating layer blocks charge collection from the substrate (i.e., no funneling effect). This effectively raises the single event upset (SEU) threshold for the SOI device. However, despite their small active volume SOI devices are still vulnerable to single event effects (SEE). Inherent in the SOI transistor design is a parasitic npn bipolar junction transistor (BJT), where the source-body-drain acts as an emitter-base-collector BJT. An ion strike to a floating (not referenced to a specific potential) body creates a condition where the excess minority carriers in the drain-body cause the parasitic BJT to turn on and inject more charge into the drain than was deposited in the device by the ion. In extreme cases the floating body effect (FBE) can trigger a high-current state called single-event snapback (SES) where channel conduction is sustained indefinitely through regenerative electron-impact ionization near the drain junction. Tying the body to the source limits the emitter-base current and reduces the sensitivity of the device to single ion strikes. Unfortunately, the body-tie loses effectiveness with distance due to resistivity, and in regions far enough from the tie the BJT is still in effect. Using the Sandia nuclear microprobe we have created charge collection maps on Sandia CMOS6rs SOI FETs of varying channel widths. These devices have body ties at both ends of the channel region. Results clearly demonstrate that distance of the ion strike from the body tie has an inverse effect upon charge collection and SES sensitivity due to the resistivity of the channel. Experimental results compare well with DAVINCI simulations and electrically induced snapback thresholds. In addition, an interesting saturation effect of SES versus the amount of injected charge is observed.
Dynamic wheel pavement force sensitivity to variations in heavy vehicle parameters, speed and road roughness

Research has been undertaken to study numerically and experimentally the effects of large vehicle parameters on dynamic wheel pavement loads. Here, a two–axle truck having constant speed and travelling along a straight road was used and only the tyre normal loads on pavements are considered. To identify the required accuracy of vehicle parameter measurements, a simulation model sensitivity analysis was conducted. Forty–two vehicle parameters were considered along with three values of road roughness and four vehicle speeds. The Phase 4 simulation program, as developed by the University of Michigan, was used and prediction of normal pavement loads was shown to be predominantly sensitive to accuracies in measurement of wheelbase, base vehicle curb weight, payload weight, suspension stiffness, unsprung weight, tyre stiffness and coulomb friction. Additional observations were made regarding the effects of vehicle parameter measurements, road roughness and vehicle speed on mean tyre/pavement loads, maximum tyre/pavement loads and on the Dynamic Load Coefficient.
Risk factors for trachelectomy following supracervical hysterectomy.

Introduction We identified risk factors for trachelectomy after supracervical hysterectomy (SCH) due to persistence of symptoms. Material and methods A retrospective case–control study in a university-affiliated hospital. Seventeen women who underwent a trachelectomy following SCH for nonmalignant indications between June 2002 and October 2014 were compared with 68 randomly selected women (controls) who underwent a SCH within the same time period. Demographics and clinical characteristics were compared between the study and control groups. Univariate analysis identified potential risk factors for trachelectomy following SCH. Univariate logistic regression models predicted which patients would have a trachelectomy following SCH. Results The occurrence of trachelectomy following SCH during the study period was 0.9% (17/1892). The study group was younger than the control group (mean age 38 ± 6 years vs. 44 ± 5 years; p < 0.001). Patients who had a history of endometriosis [odds ratio (OR) 6.23, 95% CI 1.11–40.5, p = 0.038] had increased risk for trachelectomy. Pathology diagnosed endometriosis only among women in the study group. Preoperative diagnosis of abnormal uterine bleeding (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.06–0.075, p = 0.016), anemia (OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.01–0.53; p = 0.003), and fibroid uterus (OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.07–0.82, p = 0.024) reduced the risk for future trachelectomy. Conclusion Young age and endometriosis are significant risk factors for trachelectomy following SCH.
Chapter 4 – Manure Management

Animal manure is a well-recognized potential source of a wide variety of infectious agents that can cause disease in humans, directly or indirectly, particularly through consumption of contaminated water or food. Although state regulations and guidance, based on Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) guidelines, are available to assist producers in handling and managing animal manure stockpiles and storage, they emphasize engineering and nutrient management, with some recent attention to air-quality impacts rather than pathogen aspects. For confined, rather than grazed or pastured animal production, treatment generally involves the initial collection and removal of manure-urine (slurry) from the animal housing units, with subsequent storage in lagoons followed by spraying onto fields. Alternatively, for solid manure, it may be stacked in high piles, sometimes under roofs and on stabilized surfaces to prevent uptake of precipitation and leaching of nutrients and runoff. It may be further treated by composting or several other means if equipment is available. As newer technologies are implemented, nutrient stabilization, pathogen reduction, and volatile organic emissions reductions are likely to be realized during treatment and with land application.
Long-term growth scenarios for Bangladesh

Bangladesh has achieved robust economic growth over the past 10 years, with real GDP growing by more than 6 percent on average each year. This paper investigates whether the country will be able to maintain such high levels of growth going forward. A simple growth model calibrated to the Bangladesh economy is used to analyze various growth scenarios. The main finding of the paper is that it is crucial for the country to focus on reforms to raise total factor productivity (TFP) growth, to sustain the high real GDP growth seen in the recent past. The country will fail to achieve high growth in absence of strong TFP growth despite meeting the levels of investment as outlined in the Seventh Five Year Plan. The model is also used to gain insights on government debt sustainability given different growth scenarios. The analysis highlights the significance of meeting revenue targets in maintaining sustainability, considering the planned expansion in expenditures.
New trends in the chemistry of organometalloporphyrins

Abstract The evolution and the current trends in a new area of chemistry of organometalloporphyrins, in metalloporphyrin chemistry are reviewed. Synthesis and properties of out of plane, di-nuclear, and “Skewered” metalloporphyrins are described. The new chemistry of metalloporphyrins was initiated by the application of Cr(CO)6, metal carbonyl in general, for insertion of Cr ion (metal ions) into porphyrins.
Fine Asymptotics for Universal One-to-One Compression of Parametric Sources

Universal source coding at short blocklengths is considered for an i.i.d. exponential family of distributions. The Type Size code has previously been shown to be optimal up to the third-order rate for universal compression of all memoryless sources over finite alphabets. The Type Size code assigns sequences ordered based on their type class sizes to binary strings ordered lexicographically. To generalize this type class approach for parametric sources, a natural scheme is to define two sequences to be in the same type class if and only if they are equiprobable under any model in the parametric class. This natural approach, however, is shown to be suboptimal. A variation of the Type Size code is introduced, where type classes are defined based on neighborhoods of minimal sufficient statistics. The asymptotics of the overflow rate of this variation are derived and a converse result establishes its optimality up to the third-order term.
Mapping DNA methylation with high-throughput nanopore sequencing

DNA chemical modifications regulate genomic function. We present a framework for mapping cytosine and adenosine methylation with the Oxford Nanopore Technologies MinION using this nanopore sequencer's ionic current signal. We map three cytosine variants and two adenine variants. The results show that our model is sensitive enough to detect changes in genomic DNA methylation levels as a function of growth phase in Escherichia coli.
BIOLOGIC APPROACHES TO POST-TRAUMATIC OSTEOARTHRITIS: COMPARISON OF THREE TREATMENT SCHEMAS

Summary The ideal therapy for post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) must be mechanism-based and target multiple anabolic and catabolic pathways. Our results suggest an innovative combination of known pro-anabolic and anti-catabolic biologics to treat post-traumatic cartilage degeneration. Introduction Untreated joint injuries can result in cartilage wear and the development of PTOA. Previous studies identified the mechanisms that may govern the progression to PTOA. Here we hypothesised that targeted biologic interventions combined based on the type/time of cellular responses may constitute an effective novel treatment algorithm to arrest PTOA. Methods Eleven human donor normal tali, age 19–71 yo, from the Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network were impacted using a 4mm cylindrical indenter with the impulse of 1N as discribed. 8mm cartilage explants (4mm impacted core + 4mm non-impacted adjacent ring) were removed from the joint and cultured for 14 days in 5% fetal bovine serum with or without selected biologics. Treatment groups consisted of 1) Impacted control (IC), 2) Un-impacted control (UIC); 3–5) Impaction + three combinations of BMP-7/OP-1 (100ng/ml), P188 (8 ug/ml) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) antagonist (100ng/ml) defined as Combo1, Combo2, and Combo3. All treatments were administered according to previously reported post-injury cellular responses. Combo1: P188 administered at day 0 for 48hrs + BMP-7 administered at day 0 for 48hrs and at days 7–14 + anti-TNF-α administered at days 0–7; Combo2: All three agents administered at day 0 for 48hrs and anti-TNF-α and BMP-7 administered again at day 7 for 48hrs; Combo3: All agents administered simultaneously at day 0 for 48hrs. Tissue and media were collected on days 0, 2, 7, and 14 and analyzed for cell viability, Safranin O staining, and proteoglycan (PG) synthesis. Results A single impact to articular cartilage resulted in cell death within the superficial layer of impacted region, which if untreated, expanded to the adjacent non-impacted area. It reduced cell viability by more than 2-fold (p Discussion Current study reports two important findings: 1) the same combination of agents, but administered at various treatment regimens, can induce different effects. Prolonged administration of anti-TNF-α and BMP-7 (Combo1) had a strong effect on cell survival and matrix preservation, but was less effective in inducing chondrocyte synthetic activity suggesting that overstimulation/overdosing can have a detrimental effect on chondrocyte anabolism; 2) a window of opportunity exists to arrest cell death and delay/prevent cartilage degeneration.
Climate model uncertainty in impact assessments for agriculture: A multi-ensemble case study on maize in sub-Saharan Africa

We present maize production in sub-Saharan Africa as a case study in the exploration of how uncertainties in global climate change, as reflected in projections from a range of climate model ensembles, influence climate impact assessments for agriculture. The crop model AquaCrop-OS (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) was modified to run on a 2° × 2° grid and coupled to 122 climate model projections from multi-model ensembles for three emission scenarios (Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 3 [CMIP3] SRES A1B and CMIP5 Representative Concentration Pathway [RCP] scenarios 4.5 and 8.5) as well as two “within-model” ensembles (NCAR CCSM3 and ECHAM5/MPI-OM) designed to capture internal variability (i.e., uncertainty due to chaos in the climate system). In spite of high uncertainty, most notably in the high-producing semi-arid zones, we observed robust regional and sub-regional trends across all ensembles. In agreement with previous work, we project widespread yield losses in the Sahel region and Southern Africa, resilience in Central Africa, and sub-regional increases in East Africa and at the southern tip of the continent. Spatial patterns of yield losses corresponded with spatial patterns of aridity increases, which were explicitly evaluated. Internal variability was a major source of uncertainty in both within-model and between-model ensembles and explained the majority of the spatial distribution of uncertainty in yield projections. Projected climate change impacts on maize production in different regions and nations ranged from near-zero or positive (upper quartile estimates) to substantially negative (lower quartile estimates), highlighting a need for risk management strategies that are adaptive and robust to uncertainty.
Unsteady Motion of a Sphere Along a Circular Path in a Viscous Fluid

Abstract : Forces on a sphere moving unsteadily along a circular path in a viscous fluid are measured, and it is found that within the experimental range the formula valid for rectilinear motion has to be modified to account for the curvature of the path. (Author)
iComp: a tool for scanpath visualization and comparison

To evaluate differences across viewers' visual attentional patterns, scanpath comparison has recently gained popularity in eye tracking studies, supplementing traditional objective (performance) and subjective measures (e.g., heat maps or [retrospective] talk-aloud). We introduce iComp, an open-source visualization tool that implements quantitative scanpath comparison in loci and sequence. iComp can be used to objectively compare the attentional qualities of synthetic images.
TRES survey of variable diffuse interstellar bands

Diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs) are absorption features commonly observed in optical/near-infrared spectra of stars and thought to be associated with polyatomic molecules that comprise a significant reservoir of organic material in the universe. However, the central wavelengths of almost all DIBs do not correspond with electronic transitions of known atomic or molecular species and the specific physical nature of their carriers remains inconclusive despite decades of observational, theoretical, and experimental research. It is well established that DIB carriers are located in the interstellar medium, but the recent discovery of time-varying DIBs in the spectra of the extragalactic supernova SN2012ap suggests that some may be created in massive star environments. Here we report evidence of short time-scale (10-60 d) changes in DIB absorption line substructure toward 3 of 17 massive stars observed as part of a pathfinder survey of variable DIBs conducted with the 1.5-m Tillinghast telescope and Tillinghast Reflector Echelle Spectrograph (TRES) at Fred L. Whipple Observatory. The detections are made in high-resolution optical spectra (R = 44000) having signal-to-noise ratios of 5-15 around the 5797 and 6614 angstrom features, and are considered significant but requiring further investigation. We find that these changes are potentially consistent with interactions between stellar winds and DIB carriers in close proximity. Our findings motivate a larger survey to further characterize these variations and may establish a powerful new method for probing the poorly understood physical characteristics of DIB carriers.
Using negative curvature in solving nonlinear programs

Minimization methods that search along a curvilinear path composed of a non-ascent negative curvature direction in addition to the direction of steepest descent, dating back to the late 1970s, have been an effective approach to finding a stationary point of a function at which its Hessian is positive semidefinite. For constrained nonlinear programs arising from recent applications, the primary goal is to find a stationary point that satisfies the second-order necessary optimality conditions. Motivated by this, we generalize the approach of using negative curvature directions from unconstrained optimization to equality constrained problems and prove that our proposed negative curvature method is guaranteed to converge to a stationary point satisfying second-order necessary conditions.
Robust Chi‐square Monitor Performance with Noise Covariance of Unknown Aspect Ratio

This paper identifies a bound for the worst-case (largest) missed-detection and false-alarm probabilities for a chisquare monitor in which the input signal vector cannot be perfectly decorrelated. A new method for bounding monitor missed-detection performance is introduced that leverages the aspect ratio (ratio of maximum to minimum eigenvalue) for the covariance matrix of the imperfectly decorrelated signal. An application to signal deformation monitoring (SDM) for the global positioning system (GPS) indicates that the new bound is both tight and relatively inexpensive to compute.