cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Who’s cooking? Trends in US home food preparation by gender, education, and race/ethnicity from 2003 to 2016

While US home cooking declined in the late twentieth century, it is unclear whether the trend has continued. This study examines home cooking from 2003 to 2016 by gender, educational attainment, and race/ethnicity. Nationally representative data from the American Time Use Study from 2003 to 2016 and linear regression models were used to examine changes in the percent of adults aged 18–65 years who cook and their time spent cooking, with interactions to test for differential changes by demographic variables of gender, education, and race/ethnicity. Cooking increased overall from 2003 to 2016. The percent of college-educated men cooking increased from 37.9% in 2003 to 51.9% in 2016, but men with less than high school education who cook did not change (33.2% in 2016) (p < 0.05). College-educated women who cook increased from 64.7% in 2003 to 68.7% in 2016, while women with less than high school education had no change (72.3% in 2016) (p < 0.05). Women with less education spent more time cooking per day than high-educated women, but the reverse was true for men. Among men, the percent who cook increased for all race/ethnic groups except non-Hispanic blacks. Among women, only non-Hispanic whites increased in percent who cook. Among both men and women, non-Hispanic blacks had the lowest percentage who cooked, and non-Hispanic others spent the greatest amount of time cooking. Home cooking in the United States is increasing, especially among men, though women still cook much more than men. Further research is needed to understand whether the heterogeneity in home cooking by educational attainment and race/ethnicity observed here contributes to diet-related disparities in the United States.
Adolescents and young adults with cancer: aspects of adherence - a questionnaire study.

Purpose For adolescents and young adults (AYAs), a cancer diagnosis represents an extraordinary strike in a vulnerable phase of life. They have special needs that the medical system has to take into consideration, and they exhibit a lower degree of therapy adherence than both older and younger patients. The purpose of this study was first to analyze the adherence of AYAs with cancer compared to a group of older patients and, second, to determine correlated parameters, with focus on the psychosocial interaction between physicians and patients. Patients and methods In 2012, a complete 1 year cohort of patients reported, by use of a questionnaire, to the Rostock clinical cancer registry, and a group of older patients were invited to answer a multi-item set of questionnaires on a volunteer basis, leading to a population-based cross-sectional analysis. This included a bias due to non-answering which is unavoidable in such a setting. The questionnaire consisted of well-established standard questionnaires, a questionnaire on adherence that has just recently been published, and a self-written questionnaire focusing on patient-physician relationship. The responses were analyzed for our current study. Results Gender, religion, education, age, anxiety, family atmosphere, or physician-patient relationship were not significantly correlated to adherence in AYAs. However, markedly more AYAs, as compared to the older patients group, considered breaking off therapy and reported suboptimal communication with the physicians. Only the perceived physical illness could be identified as a factor related to adherence among the AYA group. Conclusion Our findings confirm the need for more focused approaches to serve the special needs of AYAs, with particular attention on specific items that showed up discriminating AYAs from older patients, that is, Internet use and communication with physicians. Here, further research is needed to examine adherence to specific treatment protocols.
Finding Structure in Science and Mathematics

One can view the laws of nature as having goals and intentions to produce the complex structures that we see. But there is another, deeper, way of seeing our world. The universe is full of many chaotic phenomena devoid of any goals and intents. The structure that we see comes from the amazing ability that scientists have to act like a sieve and isolate those phenomena that have certain regularities. By examining such phenomena, scientists formulate laws of nature. There is an analogous situation in mathematics in which researchers choose a subset of structures that satisfy certain axioms. In this paper, we examine the way these two processes work in tandem and show how science and mathematics progress in this way. The paper ends with a speculative note on what might be the logical conclusion of these ideas.
Is PAT-Net Going Against the Current?

(2005). Is PAT-Net Going Against the Current? Administrative Theory & Praxis: Vol. 27, No. 1, pp. 178-181.
Living Standards: Consumer Durables

During the eighth century B.C.E. Israel-Judah’s growing economy was embedded in a vigorous international economy. This, together with control over the major trade routes “poured wealth into both countries.” There is reason to believe that by the later seventh century Judah had once again become a wealthy nation. But in what forms was this wealth consumed? Both the Bible and archaeology testify strongly to part of the answer: a significant extension in the possession of housing and other consumer durables. The archaeological evidence indicates that this was the case not only in the larger or royal cities, but also in smaller towns and settlements. Kathleen Kenyon (1960, p. 177) concluded that while “Samaria and Megiddo allow us to get some glimpse of royal and official luxury” the finds at other sites “suggest fairly general prosperity but little luxury.” On the basis of the review of the evidence that follows I believe that this represents an understatement.
Are transvestites necessarily heterosexual

A survey of 372 male cross-dressers gathered data about present and childhood experiences and attitudes in light of the growing knowledge about transvestism. This article focuses on data related to sexual orientation, particularly in relationship to the definition of transvestism in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders of the American Psychiatric Association. It is argued that transvestism is not necessarily a heterosexual phenomenon.
Non-Axisymmetric Guided Waves for Tubing Inspection

Great progress is being made on the use of axisymmetric ultrasonic guided waves in tubing for defect detection, classification and sizing. Benefits of excellent penetration and sensitivity to certain defects are possible. However, ultrasonic guided wave propagation and reflection in tubing is still not completely understood. For more comprehensive knowledge of ultrasonic guided waves in tubing, a study on non-axisymmetric modes cannot be avoided. A number of non-axisymmetric modes close to the axisymmetric modes on a dispersion diagram often makes it difficult to generate a single axisymmetric mode in tubing. Also, non-axisymmetric reflections occur due to non-axisymmetric defects, even for axisymmetric impingement. The purpose of this study is to explore the use of non-axisymmetric ultrasonic guided waves for both faster and simpler inspection as well as defect sizing analysis. As a result, it is hoped to optimize detection and screening via distance, incident angle, and frequency tuning.
Playing with whiteness: toward a second wave of critical whiteness pedagogy

This essay relies on methods of narrative research to both present and consider an example of a second-wave of critical whiteness pedagogy in K-12 contexts. The author focuses on his interactions w...
Electron Spin Resonance Investigations into the Interaction Between Proteins and Synthetic Polymers

In a previous paper (1) we showed that RNase in pure aqueous solution is strongly adsorbed on Sepharose and Biogel. To determine the conformational changes of the enzyme due to binding to the gel, two different ESR-spin labelled RNase preparations were investigated. The advantage of the ESR technique over UV, fluorescence and CD or NMR techniques is its indifference to turbidity or opacity. Thus, heterogeneous mixtures and suspensions of solid particles in water can be investigated. RNase was reacted with N-4-(2.2.6.6-tetra-methyl-l-oxyl-piperidinyl) bromacetamide once on the active site at pH 5.5 (RNase I), and once on the enzyme surface, in borate buffer at pH 8.5 (RNase II).
Emerging opportunities for induced pluripotent stem cells in orthopaedics.

Abstract The discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has revolutionized biomedicine. Although the potential of iPSCs for tissue regeneration, disease modeling and drug screening has been largely recognized, findings of iPSC research to date are mostly focused on neurology, cardiology and haematology. For orthopaedics, growing interest in the unique cell type has prompted more researchers to get involved in iPSC research. In this article, we introduce the brief history of cellular reprogramming and different reprogramming methods that have been developed, discuss the biology of iPSCs and review previously reported findings of iPSC studies in orthopaedics. The Translational potential of this article Stem cell therapies hold great promise for treating orthopaedic diseases, manifested in recent study findings and results of clinical trials. iPSCs are a unique stem cell type derived from a patient’s own cells while still possessing the embryonic stem cell-featured pluripotency for generation of all tissues in the body. The distinctive properties make iPSCs much desirable to fulfill the promise of regenerative medicine for clinical orthopaedics.
Process intensification of biomass fast pyrolysis through autothermal operation of a fluidized bed reactor

Abstract Heat transfer is the bottleneck to fast pyrolysis of biomass. Although the enthalpy for pyrolysis of biomass is relatively small operation at temperatures around 500 °C constrains heat carrier selection to inert gases and granular media that can sustain only modest thermal fluxes in practical pyrolysis systems. With heat transfer controlling the rate of pyrolysis, reactor capacity only scales as the square of reactor diameter and does not benefit from economies of scale in building larger reactors. We have eliminated this heat transfer bottleneck by replacing it with partial oxidation of pyrolysis products to provide the enthalpy for pyrolysis in a fluidized bed reactor, a process that can be described as autothermal pyrolysis. The oxygen-to-biomass equivalence ratio depends upon the kind of biomass being pyrolyzed and the level of parasitic heat losses from the reactor, but under conditions that simulate adiabatic operation, equivalence ratios are around 0.10, compared to 0.20 or higher for autothermal gasifiers. At this low equivalence ratio, there was no significant loss in bio-oil yield when operating the reactor autothermally (64.8 wt%) as compared to conventional pyrolysis (64.4 wt%). Carbon balances indicate that less valuable pyrolysis products (char and aqueous, bio-oil light ends) are consumed via partial oxidative reactions to provide the enthalpy for pyrolysis. While the carbon yields of char and bio-oil light ends decreased by 25.0% and 21.3%, respectively, the most valuable pyrolysis product (bio-oil heavy ends) only decreased 8.0%.
Surgical Treatment of Flat Back Syndrome With Anterior Hyperlordotic Cages.

BACKGROUND Traditional correction for flat back syndrome is performed with a posterior-based surgery or combined approaches in revision cases. OBJECTIVE To evaluate outcome from anterior surgery with the use of hyperlordotic cages (HLCs) in patients with flat back syndrome. METHODS All patients operated with or without prior posterior lumbar surgery were studied. Pre- to postoperative sagittal alignment was analyzed. Radiographic parameters were analyzed including T1 pelvic angle (T1PA), sagittal vertical axis (SVA), pelvic tilt (PT), pelvic incidence (PI), lumbar lordosis (LL), sacral slope (SS), pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis (PI-LL), and T4-12TK. RESULTS All 50 patients (mean age of 58 yr, 72% female with mean body mass index of 28) demonstrated significant radiographic alignment difference in their spinopelvic and global parameters from pre- to postoperative standing: LL (-37.04° vs -59.55°, P < .001), SS (35.12 vs 41.13, P < .001), PI-LL (23.55 vs 6.46), T4-12 TK (30.59 vs 41.67), PT (28.22 vs 22.13), SVA in mm (80.94 vs 37.39), and T1PA (28.70° vs 18.43°, P < .001). Using linear regression analysis, predicted pre- to postoperative change in standing LL corresponded to a pre- to postoperative changes in standing PI-LL mismatch, T1PA, TK, SS, PT, and SVA (R2 = 0.59, 0.38, 0.25, 0.16, 0.12, and 0.17, respectively). Five degrees of pre- to postoperative change in T1PA translates to -4.15° change in LL. CONCLUSION Anterior surgery with HLCs followed by posterior instrumentation is an effective technique to treat flat back syndrome. HLCs are effective to maximize LL up to 30°, which is equivalent in magnitude to a pedicle subtraction osteotomy, but associated with less blood loss, quicker recovery, lower complications, and good surgical outcome.
Percutaneous screw-reinforced cement osteoplasty for palliation of postremission pain in larger lytic sacro-acetabular iliac cavities.

Abstract We present 2 cases of palliative percutaneous screw fixation for refractory pain from periacetabular residual cavities, after clinical remission, from osteolytic iliac masses involving the cortices of the sacroiliac joint (SIJ). Two patients—1 with a treated 8 cm breast metastasis and another with a treated 14 cm plasmacytoma—were selected for osseous stabilization based on imaging criteria and physical signs of iliac deformability and SIJ dysfunction. Neither lesion exhibited active malignancy following systemic therapy or discrete fracture. Following computed tomography-guided screw fixation across the mass and SIJ, with surrounding cement osteoplasty, to reduce mechanical stress on abnormal bone, both patients reported pain resolution beyond 1-year. This technique may be a suitable palliation even for large treated pelvic metastastic cavities and in the absence of fracture.
Next Steps in Wearable Technology and Community Ambulation in Multiple Sclerosis.

Walking impairments are highly prevalent in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) and are associated with reduced quality of life. Walking is traditionally quantified with various measures, including patient self-reports, clinical rating scales, performance measures, and advanced lab-based movement analysis techniques. Yet, the majority of these measures do not fully characterize walking (i.e., gait quality) nor adequately reflect walking in the real world (i.e., community ambulation) and have limited timescale (only measure walking at a single point in time). We discuss the potential of wearable sensors to provide sensitive, objective, and easy-to-use assessment of community ambulation in PwMS. Wearable technology has the ability to measure all aspects of gait in PwMS yet is under-studied in comparison with other populations (e.g., older adults). Within the studies focusing on PwMS, half that measure pace collected free-living data, while only one study explored gait variability in free-living conditions. No studies explore gait asymmetry or complexity in free-living conditions. Wearable technology has the ability to provide objective, comprehensive, and sensitive measures of gait in PwMS. Future research should investigate this technology’s ability to accurately assess free-living measures of gait quality, specifically gait asymmetry and complexity.
Atlanto-axial fracture-dislocations. Failure of posterior C.1 to C.2 fusion.

1. Ten consecutive cases of acute atlanto-axial fracture dislocation were treated by posterior C.1-C.2 fusion. 2. In eight cases there was significant redislocation warranting further therapy. 3. Operative fusion together with prolonged firm immobilisation are recommended only after a trial of conservative therapy.
What is the Difference between a Conclusion and a Fact

In Ashcroft v. Iqbal, building on Bell Atlantic v. Twombly, the Supreme Court instructed district courts to treat a complaint’s conclusions differently from allegations of fact. Facts, but not conclusions, are assumed true for purposes of a motion to dismiss. The Court did little to help judges or lawyers understand the elusive distinction, and, indeed, obscured the distinction with its language. The Court said it was distinguishing “legal conclusions” from factual allegations. The application in Twombly and Iqbal, however, shows that the relevant distinction is not between law and fact, but rather between different types of factual assertions. This essay, written for a symposium on the tenth anniversary of Ashcroft v. Iqbal, explores the definitional problem with the conclusion-fact distinction and examines how district courts have applied the distinction in recent cases.
Winnowing and Endorsing: Separating the Two Distinct Functions of Party Primaries

This chapter of an edited volume on presidential primaries focuses on the relationship of the primaries to the general election. It does not suffice that the rules are sound for each stage of the overall electoral system considered separately. Instead, the relationship of the two stages must also be sound for the overall system to be coherent. The chapter analyzes this relationship by examining the possibility of a “bolt” from a brokered convention, as occurred in 1912 when ex-president Theodore Roosevelt launched his separate Progressive Party (“Bull Moose”) candidacy after losing his bid for the GOP nomination. The chapter considers the hypothetical possibility that something similar might occur in the context of the 2020 Democratic Party primary, where deep ideological divisions between two wings of the party have become evident. If Democrats are internally torn between progressives and moderates, what is the relationship between this internal party split and the general presidential election that inevitably must follow? The chapter considers whether the use of Ranked Choice Voting in the general election and eliminating so-called “sore loser” laws, to permit the losing candidate of a divisive primary election to run in the general election as an independent candidate, would provide a more coherent relationship between the two stages of the overall process than what currently exists.
Acoustically Coupled Wideband RF Filters with Bandwidth Reconfigurablity Using Ferroelectric Aluminum Scandium Nitride Film

This paper reports a 2.3 GHz wideband acoustically coupled filter with large bandwidth reconfigurability realized in ferroelectric aluminum-scandium-nitride (Al 0.7 Sc 0.3 N) films. Benefiting from large electromechanical coupling of the Al 0.7 Sc 0.3 N film, bandwidths ∼3-times larger compared to state-of-art AlN acoustically coupled counterparts are achieved Furthermore, for the first time, we are demonstrating the use of the recently discovered ferroelectricity in Al 1-x Sc x N films (x>27%) for large bandwidth tuning of the filter. The acoustically coupled filter architecture provides superior characteristics compared to conventional electrically coupled filters (i.e. lattice, ladder, etc.) including the lithographical bandwidth definition through proper IDT patterning, and realization of the filter within a single / monolithic structure. Here $1\mu \mathrm{m}$ -thick Al 0.7 Sc 0.3 N films are acoustically engineered to implement 2.3 GHz filters with −3dB bandwidths (BW −3dB ) over 70-117 MHz are demonstrated with an insertion loss of −6dB (dominated by the routing line resistance). Large tuning of 15 MHz (∼15%) is achieved through application of ∼60 volts, DC, using a bias-tee. Such high-performance filters enable realization of reconfigurable RF front-end for emerging multi-band wireless systems that require extensive compatibility with a wide variety of communication standards in the forthcoming 5G landscape.
Evaluating LTE Coverage and Quality from an Unmanned Aircraft System

Despite widespread LTE adoption and dependence, rural areas lag behind in coverage availability and quality. In the United States, while the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which regulates mobile broadband, reports increases in LTE availability, the most recent FCC Broadband Report was criticized for overstating coverage. Physical assessments of cellular coverage and quality are essential for evaluating actual user experience. However, measurement campaigns can be resource, time, and labor intensive; more scalable measurement strategies are urgently needed. In this work, we first present several measurement solutions to capture LTE signal strength measurements, and we compare their accuracy. Our findings reveal that simple, lightweight spectrum sensing devices have comparable accuracy to expensive solutions and can estimate quality within one gradation of accuracy when compared to user equipment. We then show that these devices can be mounted on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to more rapidly and easily measure coverage across wider geographic regions. Our results show that the low-cost aerial measurement techniques have 72% accuracy relative to the ground readings of user equipment, and fall within one quality gradation 98% of the time.
Unusual presentation of idiopathic intracranial hypertension

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension typically presents with holocephalic headache associated with nausea, vomiting and bilateral papilledema. Involvement of the sixth cranial nerve is relatively common. The involvement of other cranial nerves, however, is rare in this disorder. We describe a patient with idiopathic intracranial hypertension who presented with episodic unilateral retro-orbital pain and multiple cranial nerve abnormalities without papilledema. Imaging studies excluded alternate diagnoses, and the immediate resolution of symptoms after lumbar puncture confirmed that these symptoms were due to intracranial hypertension. Atypical presentations of such a disabling yet treatable disorder is very important to recognise and address.
Using Data to Guide Action in Response to the Public Health Crisis of Opioid Overdoses

A comprehensive, data-driven model utilizing a data warehouse across departments and disciplines in Massachusetts enables complex analysis of the opioid epidemic based on population-level data, inc...
Error and Shape Measurement Tools for Cardiac Projection Images: A Closer Look

Large number of techniques have emerged as measurement tools for left ventricle analysis in cardiac imaging. Due to the large variabilities in the cardiac data sets, it is not clear which technique is most clinically useful and stable to operate. This paper takes a closer look at existing tools and compares them. Finally the paper presents a general purpose three stage measurement system which incorporates features based on a combination of shape, fitting, and polyline methods.
Anticancer properties of bisaminoquinolines with modified linkers.

Abstract We have previously reported the unique features of dimeric bisaminoquinolines as anticancer agents and have identified their cellular target as PPT1, a protein palmitoyl-thioesterase. We now report a systematic study on the role of the linker in these constructs, both with respect to the distance between the heterocycles, the linker hydrophobicity and the methylation status (primary vs. secondary vs. tertiary) of the central nitrogen atom on the observed biological activity.
Experimental Characterization of Composite Structures Subjected to Underwater Impulsive Loadings

The use of composite materials in the construction of marine vessels and aircrafts is increasing and motivated by low weight advantages. These structures have to offer blast resistance, which is critical for a wide range of transportation applications. In this context, we present an investigation of the performance of composite monolithic and sandwich panels subjected to underwater impulsive loadings. A fluid-structure interaction experimental setup allows monitoring the real time deflection of composite panels exposed to blast loadings, by means of a shadow moire technique. The performance of these panels is compared to solid and sandwich steel structures having a similar areal mass. Both non-destructive and destructive post mortem analysis are conducted to evaluate the extent and the type of damage induced by the dynamic event. This characterization is performed at different locations of the specimens and for different impulse intensities. The experimental results will be correlated to numerical predictions obtained from finite element analysis in a second presentation.
Fuzzy Set Methods in Pattern Recognition

Dealing with uncertainty is a common problem in pattern recognition. Rarely do object descriptions from different classes fall into totally disjoint regions of feature space. This uncertainty in class definition can be handled in several ways. In this paper we present several approaches to the incorporation of fuzzy set information into pattern recognition. We then introduce a new technique based on the fuzzy integral which combines objective evidence with the importance of that feature set for recognition purposes. In effect, the fuzzy integral performs a local feature selection, in that it attempts to use the strongest measurements first in the object classification. Algorithm performance is illustrated on real and synthetic data sets.
Derived invariance of the number of holomorphic $1$-forms and vector fields

NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Annales Scientifiques de l'Ecole Normale Superieure . Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Annales Scientifiques De l Ecole Normale Superieure, [Vol 44, Issue 3, May-June 2011] The original publication is available at www.elsevier.com.
Spectroscopic properties of [n.1]-Metacyclophanenylidenes

The syntheses and fluorescence emission spectra of a series of bis-[n.1]-metacyclophanenylidenes (1: n=4; 2: n=5; 3: n=6) are discussed. The photophysical properties of 1–3 are compared to a model compound, tetrakis-(m-tolyl)-ethylene, 4. Varying the degree of phenyl ring torsional freedom drastically alters the fate of the arylethylene excited singlet. Compound 1 exhibits strong fluorescence at room temperature (∅f = 0.43), while 2 and 3, though over ten times less fluorescent (∅f(2) = 0.03, ∅f (3)= 0.01), are still at least ten times more fluorescent than 4 (∅f < 0.001). These results are suggestive of the importance of phenyl ring torsional motion in the nonradiative decay of the excited singlet state. The light-induced ring closure, typical of arylethylenes, is attenuated in 1–3.
Cofinite graphs and their profinite completions

We generalize the idea of cofinite groups, due to B. Hartley, [2]. First we define cofinite spaces in general. Then, as a special situation, we study cofinite graphs and their uniform completions. The idea of constructing a cofinite graph starts with defining a uniform topological graph $\Gamma$, in an appropriate fashion. We endow abstract graphs with uniformities corresponding to separating filter bases of equivalence relations with finitely many equivalence classes over $\Gamma$. It is established that for any cofinite graph there exists a unique cofinite completion.
Judicial Federalism and Supreme Court Review of State Court Decisions: A Sensible Balance Emerges

State courts are free to exercise final authority as arbiters of state law and adopt state standards that protect individual rights more than federal law. While state courts have responded to such urgings with expansive rulings, they have not always been careful about spelling out in their decisions whether they were relying on state law, federal law, or both. This judicial imprecision creates a jurisdictional dilemma for the Supreme Court when it is asked to review the state court decision. If the state's decision rests on independent and adequate state grounds, the Court will apply judicial restraint and decline review. The genesis of the Supreme Court’s “independent and adequate state ground” rule is generally considered to lie in Murdock v. City of Memphis. The Court held that presence of a federal question in a state court decision did not empower the Supreme Court to decide state issues; if there was a state ground that sufficiently supported the judgement. Deciding whether a state court decision was based on a sufficiently broad non-federal ground generally involves two separate determinations: whether the state decision was grounded on independent state law, and if so, whether that law was adequate to support the judgement. The Supreme Court noted in Henry v. Mississippi the state procedural ground will not be considered adequate unless it serves a legitimate state interest.One of the principle reasons for the Court’s independent and adequate state ground rule is respect for state courts. However, potential tensions between federal and state court arise. It is also clear that a workable and practical balance is needed. That balance emerges from Michigan v. Long. The Court’s new option for handling ambiguous state decisions which might rest on an independent and adequate state ground is a reasonable rule.
ZAPs and Non-Interactive Witness Indistinguishability from Indistinguishability Obfuscation

We present new constructions of two-message and one-message witness-indistinguishable proofs (ZAPs and NIWIs). This includes:
A stochastic Galerkin approach to uncertainty quantification in poroelastic media

Recent concerns over the safety of oil and natural gas extraction, fracking, and carbon sequestration have driven the need to develop methods for uncertainty quantification for coupled subsurface flow and deformation processes. Traditional Monte Carlo methods are versatile but exhibit prohibitively slow convergence. In this work, we develop an intrusive polynomial chaos expansion method for Biot's poroelasticity equations based on the Galerkin projection with uniform and log-normally distributed material parameters. We analyze accuracy and efficiency of our method and compare it to the Monte Carlo method. We verify exponential convergence of the stochastic Galerkin approach.
Quantifying an Adherence Path-Specific Effect of Antiretroviral Therapy in the Nigeria PEPFAR Program

ABSTRACTSince the early 2000s, evidence has accumulated for a significant differential effect of first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) viral load suppression. This finding was replicated in our data from the Harvard President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program in Nigeria. Investigators were interested in finding the source of these differences, that is, understanding the mechanisms through which one regimen outperforms another, particularly via adherence. This question can be naturally formulated via mediation analysis with adherence playing the role of a mediator. Existing mediation analysis results, however, have relied on an assumption of no exposure-induced confounding of the intermediate variable, and generally require an assumption of no unmeasured confounding for nonparametric identification. Both assumptions are violated by the presence of drug toxicity. In this article, we relax these assumptions and show that certain path-specific e...
Nail: a practical tool for parsing and generating data formats

Nail is a tool that greatly reduces the programmer effort for safely parsing and generating data formats defined by a grammar. Nail introduces several key ideas to achieve its goal. First, Nail uses a protocol grammar to define not just the data format, but also the internal object model of the data. Second, Nail eliminates the notion of semantic actions, used by existing parser generators, which reduces the expressive power but allows Nail to both parse data formats and generate them from the internal object model, by establishing a semantic bijection between the data format and the object model. Third, Nail introduces dependent fields and stream transforms to capture protocol features such as size and offset fields, checksums, and compressed data, which are impractical to express in existing protocol languages. Using Nail, we implement an authoritative DNS server in C in under 300 lines of code and grammar, and an unzip program in C in 220 lines of code and grammar, demonstrating that Nail makes it easy to parse complex real-world data formats. Performance experiments show that a Nail-based DNS server can outperform the widely used BIND DNS server on an authoritative workload, demonstrating that systems built with Nail can achieve good performance.
Model-Checking markov chains in the presence of uncertainties

We investigate the problem of model checking Interval-valued Discrete-time Markov Chains (IDTMC). IDTMCs are discrete-time finite Markov Chains for which the exact transition probabilities are not known. Instead in IDTMCs, each transition is associated with an interval in which the actual transition probability must lie. We consider two semantic interpretations for the uncertainty in the transition probabilities of an IDTMC. In the first interpretation, we think of an IDTMC as representing a (possibly uncountable) family of (classical) discrete-time Markov Chains, where each member of the family is a Markov Chain whose transition probabilities lie within the interval range given in the IDTMC. This semantic interpretation we call Uncertain Markov Chains (UMC). In the second semantics for an IDTMC, which we call Interval Markov Decision Process (IMDP), we view the uncertainty as being resolved through non-determinism. In other words, each time a state is visited, we adversarially pick a transition distribution that respects the interval constraints, and take a probabilistic step according to the chosen distribution. We show that the PCTL model checking problem for both Uncertain Markov Chain semantics and Interval Markov Decision Process semantics is decidable in PSPACE. We also prove lower bounds for these model checking problems.
Simulation-based game theoretic analysis of keyword auctions with low-dimensional bidding strategies

We perform a simulation-based analysis of keyword auctions modeled as one-shot games of incomplete information to study a series of mechanism design questions. Our first question addresses the degree to which incentive compatibility fails in generalized second-price (GSP) auctions. Our results suggest that sincere bidding in GSP auctions is a strikingly poor strategy and a poor predictor of equilibrium outcomes. We next show that the rank-by-revenue mechanism is welfare optimal, corroborating past results. Finally, we analyze profit as a function of auction mechanism under a series of alternative settings. Our conclusions coincide with those of Lahaie and Pennock [2007] when values and quality scores are strongly positively correlated: in such a case, rank-by-bid rules are clearly superior. We diverge, however, in showing that auctions that put little weight on quality scores almost universally dominate the pure rank-by-revenue scheme.
Why should agents be emotional for entertaining users? A critical analysis

Emotional agents can play a very important role in all those computer applications where the user does not (only) want to perform a task, but (also) to have a more engaging experience than with traditional systems. In fact, it is commonly assumed that the agents’ ability to process and display affective states, and to show emotional reactions, is crucial for causing a more enjoyable interaction between agent and user. This work proposes to analyze such assumption from a critical viewpoint, identifying several open issues that are worth debating in the community and studying through empirical methods.
Data Placement in Intermittently Available Environments

In this paper, we address the problem of data placement in a grid based multimedia environment, where the resource providers, i.e. servers, are intermittently available. The goal is to optimize the system performance by admitting maximum number of users into the system while ensuring user Quality of Service (QoS). We define and formulate various placement strategies that determine the degree of replication necessary for video objects by using a cost-based optimization procedure based on predictions of expected requests under various time-map scenarios and QoS demands. We also devise methods for dereplication of videos based on changes in popularity and server usage patterns. Our performance results indicate the benefits obtained the judicious use of dynamic placement strategies.
Tunneling anisotropic magnetoresistance with half-metallic electrodes

Tunneling anisotropic magnetoresistance (TAMR) is the difference in resistance of a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) due to a change in direction of the magnetization of one or both of the magnetic electrodes with respect to the flow of current, i.e. tunnel conductance for magnetization in the plane differs from magnetization out of the plane.1-5 This is in contrast to the tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) effect where resistance can change by hundreds or thousands of percent depending on the relative orientation of the magnetization of the two electrodes.6 Over the past decade, the TMR effect has been used in several data storage applications and is a fundamental element of most spintronics research. Generally, the TAMR effect is much smaller than the TMR effect, being on the order of, at most, a few %, due to the origin of the TAMR effect being spin-orbit coupling (SOC).7,8 Finding a system with large TAMR, however, could expand the functionality of MTJs and open the door to new applications, i.e. multiple (more than two) robust resistance states in a single MTJ.
Achieving Critical System Survivability Through Software Architectures

Software-intensive systems often exhibit dimensions in size and complexity that exceed the scope of comprehension of system designers and analysts. With this complexity comes the potential for undetected errors in the system. While software often causes or exacerbates this problem, its form can be exploited to ameliorate the difficulty in what is referred to as a survivability architecture. In a system with a survivability architecture, under adverse conditions such as system damage or software failures, some desirable function will be eliminated but critical services will be retained. Making a system survivable rather than highly reliable or highly available has many advantages, including overall system simplification and reduced demands on assurance technology. In this paper, we explore the motivation for survivability, how it might be used, what the concept means in a precise and testable sense, and how it is being implemented in two very different application areas.
Identifying Heterogeneity in Economic Choice and Selection Models Using Mixtures

independence of a class of economic choice models. We state an economic property known as reducibility and prove that reducibility ensures linear independence and hence identiﬁcation. Reducibility makes verifying the identiﬁcation of nonlinear models easy. We use our mixtures framework to prove identiﬁcation in three classes of economic models: 1) continuous outcomes including simultaneous equations, 2) multinomial discrete choice, and 3) selection and mixed continuous-discrete choice. We rely on linear independence, not identiﬁcation at inﬁnity. For selection, we allow for essential heterogeneity in both the selection and outcome equations and fully identify the joint distribution of outcomes.
An Approach to Evaluate Data Trustworthiness Based on Data Provenance

Today, with the advances of information technology, individual people and organizations can obtain and process data from different sources. It is critical to ensure data integrity so that effective decisions can be made based on these data. An important component of any solution for assessing data integrity is represented by techniques and tools to evaluate the trustworthiness of data provenance. However, few efforts have been devoted to investigate approaches for assessing how trusted the data are, based in turn on an assessment of the data sources and intermediaries. To bridge this gap, we propose a data provenance trust model which takes into account various factors that may affect the trustworthiness and, based on these factors, assigns trust scores to both data and data providers. Such trust scores represent key information based on which data users may decide whether to use the data and for what purposes.
Improved Crack Type Classification Neural Network based on Square Sub-images of Pavement Surface

The previous neural network based on the proximity values was developed using rectangular pavement images. However, the proximity value derived from the rectangular image was biased towards transverse cracking. By sectioning the rectangular image into a set of square sub-images, the neural network based on the proximity value became more robust and consistent in determining a crack type. This paper presents an improved neural network to determine a crack type from a pavement surface image based on square sub-images over the neural network trained using rectangular pavement images. The advantage of using square sub-image is demonstrated by using sample images of transverse cracking, longitudinal cracking and alligator cracking.
Foreign direct investment in Africa : policies also matter

Africa has not succeeded in attracting much foreign direct investment in the past few decades. When countries did attract multinational companies, it was principally because of their (abundant) natural resources and the size of their domestic market. Angola, Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria, and South Africa have traditionally been the main recipients of foreign direct investment in Sub-Saharan Africa. But the author shows that a few Sub-Saharan countries have generated interest among international investors by improving their business environment. In the 1990s, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, and Senegal attracted substantial foreign direct investment--more so than countries with bigger domestic markets (Cameroon, Republic of Congo, and Kenya) and greater natural resources (Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe). Mali and Mozambique, which improved their business climate spectacularly in the 1990s, did so with a few strategic actions: liberalizing trade, launching an attractive privatization program, modernizing mining and investment codes, adopting international agreements on foreign direct investment, developing a few priority projects that had multiplier effects on other investment projects, and mounting an image-building effort in which political figures such as the nation's president participated. These actions are similar to those associated with the success of other small countries with limited natural resources, such as Ireland and Singapore about 20 years ago.
Bipolar Cell Pathways for Color and Luminance Vision in a Dichromatic Mammalian Retina

The mammalian retina is fundamentally dichromatic, with trichromacy only recently emerging in some primates. In dichromats, an array of short wavelength-sensitive (S, blue) and middle wavelength-sensitive (M, green) cones is sampled by approximately ten bipolar cell types, and the sampling pattern determines how retinal ganglion cells and ultimately higher visual centers encode color and luminance. By recording from cone-bipolar cell pairs in the retina of the ground squirrel, we show that the bipolar cell types sample cone signals in three ways: one type receives input exclusively from S-cones, two types receive mixed S/M-cone input and the remaining types receive an almost pure M-cone signal. Bipolar cells that carry S- or M-cone signals can have a role in color discrimination and may contact color-opponent ganglion cells. Bipolar cells that sum signals from S- and M-cones may signal to ganglion cells that encode luminance.
The RCAF complex mediates chromatin assembly during DNA replication and repair

Chromatin assembly is a fundamental biological process that is essential for the replication and maintenance of the eukaryotic genome1,2,3,4. In dividing cells, newly synthesized DNA is rapidly assembled into chromatin by the deposition of a tetramer of the histone proteins H3 and H4, followed by the deposition of two dimers of histones H2A and H2B to complete the nucleosome—the fundamental repeating unit of chromatin5. Here we describe the identification, purification, cloning, and characterization of replication-coupling assembly factor (RCAF), a novel protein complex that facilitates the assembly of nucleosomes onto newly replicated DNA in vitro. RCAF comprises the Drosophila homologue of anti-silencing function 1 protein ASF16 and histones H3 and H4. The specific acetylation pattern of H3 and H4 in RCAF is identical to that of newly synthesized histones. Genetic analyses in Saccharomyces cerevisiae demonstrate that ASF1 is essential for normal cell cycle progression, and suggest that RCAF mediates chromatin assembly after DNA replication and the repair of double-strand DNA damage in vivo.
Time and Energy Efficient Matrix Factorization Using FPGAs

In this paper, new algorithms and architectures for matrix factorization are presented. Two fully-parallel and block-based designs for LU decomposition on configurable devices are proposed. A linear array architecture is employed to minimize the usage of long interconnects, leading to lower energy dissipation. The designs are made scalable by using a fixed I/O bandwidth independent of the problem size. High level models for energy profiling are built and the energy performance of many possible designs is predicted. Through the analysis of design tradeoffs, the block size that minimizes the total energy dissipation is identified. A set of candidate designs was implemented on the Xilinx Virtex-II to verify the estimates. Also, the performance of our designs is compared with that of state-of-the-art DSP based designs and with the performance of designs obtained using a state-of-the-art commercial compilation tool such as Celoxica DK1. Our designs on the FPGAs are significantly more time and energy efficient in both cases.
A decision theoretic approach to targeted advertising

A simple advertising strategy that can be used to help increase sales of a product is to mail out special offers to selected potential customers. Because there is a cost associated with sending each offer, the optimal mailing strategy depends on both the benefit obtained from a purchase and how the offer affects the buying behavior of the customers. In this paper, we describe two methods for partitioning the potential customers into groups, and show how to perform a simple cost-benefit analysis to decide which, if any, of the groups should be targeted. In particular, we consider two decision-tree learning algorithms. The first is an "off the shelf" algorithm used to model the probability that groups of customers will buy the product. The second is a new algorithm that is similar to the first, except that for each group, it explicitly models the probability of purchase under the two mailing scenarios: (1) the mail is sent to members of that group and (2) the mail is not sent to members of that group. Using data from a real-world advertising experiment, we compare the algorithms to each other and to a naive mail-to-all strategy.