cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ethical issues surrounding intellectual property rights

Much of today’s international trade is conducted according to trade agreements that involve substantial and uniform protections of intellectual property rights. Intellectual property rights are a socio-economic tool that create a temporary monopoly for inventor firms and enable such firms to charge prices for their innovations that are many times higher than the marginal cost of production of the innovations. This allows the inventor firms to salvage their research-costs and secure a profit on their innovations. A large body of contemporary philosophical and interdisciplinary literature suggests that intellectual property rights give rise to a number of ethical problems. This review paper seeks to give an overview of what these problems are. It also offers an outline of proposals as to how these problems might be alleviated, and it briefly explains the two classical defenses of the ethical permissibility of intellectual property rights. The ethical issues surrounding intellectual property rights are most pertinent when it is socially valuable goods that are given intellectual property protection. The discussions in this paper revolve around just one product type in order to bring out the broader ethical issues surrounding intellectual property rights. In line with much contemporary literature on the ethical dimensions of intellectual property rights, the product type in question is life-saving medicines.
A third-order sigma-delta modulator with extended dynamic range

Oversampling modulators based on high-order sigma-delta modulation provide an effective means of achieving high-resolution analog-to-digital conversion in VLSI technology. Because high-order noise shaping greatly reduces the quantization noise in the signal band, the dynamic range of these modulators tends to be bounded by the thermal noise of the input stage and the maximum voltage swing in the signal path. This paper introduces a third-order cascaded sigma-delta modulator that uses a modified cascaded architecture and reduced gain in the first integrator to increase the dynamic range. An experimental modulator fabricated in a 1-/spl mu/m CMOS technology attains a resolution of 17 b for a 25-kHz signal bandwidth while operating from a single 5-V supply. With an oversampling ratio of 128 and a clock frequency of 6.4 MHz, the modulator achieves a 104-dB dynamic range and a peak signal-to-noise+distortion ratio (SNDR) of 98 dB. As indicated by both measurements and simulations, the cascaded architecture also greatly reduces the discrete noise peaks that can be present in a single-stage architecture. >
The Electronic Pre-Anesthesia Form: An Integral Component of a New Anesthesia Information Management System

g g o l w early a decade ago, we set out to establish an anesthesia information management system AIMS) for our hospital. Anesthesia information anagement systems are a form of clinical inforation system (CIS) that is designed to manage linical information pertaining to the patient’s periperative experience. Such systems vary in their cope and features, but we saw little added value in cquiring a discrete, automated anesthesia record eeper. Instead, we sought out a comprehensive ystem that would record, process, and manage the ntire perioperative process. An important compoent of the perioperative CIS is the Pre-Anesthesia valuation Form, hereafter referred to as the aneshesia “preoperative form” or “preop” for short. his article describes our experience in developing nd implementing an electronic “preop” form for n anesthesia CIS. Traditionally, the anesthesia preoperative asessment has differed from the ubiquitous history nd physical used by other specialties. The form ontains a variety of information, including demoraphic information, surgical diagnosis, procedure, edications, allergies, past surgical history, exanded review of systems, abbreviated physical xam, listing of labs and tests, overall assessment, nd anesthetic plan. The electronic preoperative form embodies ore than a simple electronic record of a patient’s reoperative condition. The electronic form is the ynch pin for an electronic system that manages the erioperative workflow process. Information enered in the form is the basis of the manual and utomated decision-making processes and largely etermines the management of the patient’s aneshetic care. Theoretically, the computer could proess information contained in the form and use redetermined rules and algorithms to suggest any aspects of the patient’s perioperative care “rules-based logic”). An electronic form has numerous advantages ver its paper cousin, but these advantages may be ifficult to exploit and costly to develop. Furtherore, the benefits of an electronic system may be
Effective Curve Number and Hydrologic Design of Pervious Concrete Storm-Water Systems

The effective use of pervious concrete in environmental site design requires consistent design procedures integrating the structural and material properties of the pervious concrete pavement with hydrologic performance of the pervious concrete system. Design procedures to size pervious concrete storm-water systems are presented based on criteria for freeze-thaw protection and drawdown reliability. Hydrologic performance criteria are quantified by an effective curve number, estimated from simulated routing of design storm hydrographs using standard storm-water computations. Combining operational design criteria with the evaluation of hydrologic perfor- mance criteria, as an effective curve number, integrates pervious concrete systems with traditional storm-water management practice and emerging standards for environmental site design.
Simulations with Elaborated Worked Example Modeling: Beneficial Effects on Schema Acquisition

Worked examples have been effective in enhancing learning outcomes, especially with novice learners. Most of this research has been conducted in laboratory settings. This study examined the impact of embedding elaborated worked example modeling in a computer simulation practice activity on learning achievement among 39 undergraduate students within a classroom environment. The students from one introductory forensic science course were randomly assigned to one of two groups that worked through computer-based simulations containing worked example modeling conditions presented in varied order. The computer software administered the modeled simulations, prior knowledge test, pretest, posttests, and a second domain test. Findings from this study suggest that embedded worked example modeling within practice simulations can be an effective method for transfer of learning with novice learners.
Lymphovascular space invasion and lack of downstaging after neoadjuvant chemotherapy are strong predictors of adverse outcome in young women with locally advanced breast cancer

Younger age diagnosis of breast cancer is a predictor of adverse outcome. Here, we evaluate prognostic factors in young women with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). We present a retrospective review of 104 patients younger than 40 years with LABC treated with surgery, radiotherapy (RT), and chemotherapy from 2003 to 2014. Patient-, tumor-, and treatment-related factors important for overall survival (OS), local/regional recurrence (LRR), distant metastasis (DM), and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were evaluated. Mean age at diagnosis was 34 years (23-39 years) with a median follow-up of 47 months (8-138 months). Breast-conserving surgery was performed in 27%. Axillary lymph node dissection was performed in 85%. Sixty percent of patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy with 19% achieving pathologic complete response (pCR), and 61% downstaged. Lymph node positivity was present in 91% and lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) in 35%. Thirty-two percent of patients had triple negative tumors (TN, ER-/PR-/HER2 nonamplified). Four-year OS and RFS was 84% and 71%, respectively. Factors associated with worse OS on multivariate analysis include TN status, LVSI, and number of positive lymph nodes. LVSI was also associated with DM and LRR, as well as worse RFS. Downstaging was associated with improved 4 year RFS in patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (74% vs. 38%, P = 0.002). With high risks of recurrence and inferior OS compared to older women, breast cancer in young women can be difficult to treat. Among additional factors, presence of LVSI and lack of downstaging portends a particularly worse prognosis.
Hedging in an Economy with Asymmetric Taxes: A Comment on Moshe Ayre Milevsky & Eliezer Z. Prisman, Hedging and Pricing with Tax Law Uncertainty: Managing Under an Arkansas Best Doctrine

This comment describes how to construct a hedging portfolio when the derivatives used to construct the hedge are taxed as capital assets and then compares the after-tax cost of that hedge to the cost of assembling a hedging portfolio when derivatives are taxed as ordinary assets. The former hedge is identical to the hedge that Professors Milevsky and Prisman offer as the most efficient hedge against the risk that a hedge will be taxed as a capital asset. This comment then shows that hedging produces a tax benefit when hedges are definitely taxed as ordinary assets, but it has a tax cost when they are definitely taxed as capital assets. This comment also argues that even if hedges are definitely taxed as capital assets, taxpayers can effectively receive ordinary tax treatment by embedding them in contingent debt.
Extension Personnel Selection and Performance-Appraisal: Its Accuracy and Relevance

本研究之目的的主要是進一步決定由美國研究所，發展編製的二個測驗表（句子完成測驗和工作考評表）是否具有可接受的信度和效度以便決定是否能應用於Ohio卅之農業推廣人事管理系統。研究樣本包含所有Ohio卅之新任縣級農業推廣人員，且其工作資歷離研究前，不少于6個月，亦不超過3年為限，樣本數有62人。研究中主要之鑑定方法包含：（1）職位分析;（2）項目選擇;（3）測量分數之使用;（4）建立信度和效度之檢驗。由於上述各種鑑定方法，可能因測量者之概念和使用工具之不同而影響被考評者之實際能力和工作成果之估計。因此，本研究乃深入比較應用于四種鑑定方法之不同測量工具，其與實際推廣人員選擇和工作考評鑑定差誤之關係性。並同時進一步由差誤之鑑定來決定上述二種測驗表之合適性。主要的測量乃量應用Cronbach's Alpha係數來決定測驗表的信度。由實際資料的分析上來看，單項一綜合相關指數較他種標準較適合于項目選擇，並較能增加測量之信度，而應用一般間隔分數則較加權分數較能減低信度之錯誤估計。同時構項效度（Construct Validity）較適于檢定工作考評表之效度而構項效度和標準效度則可適用于測定句子完成測驗表之效度。本研究之簡要結果如下：（1）在工作考評表中，有39個項目（items）因未能達到合適度和相關指數之顯著測定而被認為是無效力之項目。在句子完成測驗表中有6個項目則未能在單項－總和或單項一標準相關指數之檢定中具有顯著性而被判為無效力之項目。（2）在測驗分數的應用上，一般間隔分數被證明比預置加權分數和百分數更能增加測定之信度。（3）工作考評表所包含之十個內容方向（Components）顯示為一個綜合結構。此表經證明為一有致性高，且可應用之測量表。（4）由因子分析和迴歸分析的結果顯示，句子完成測驗表的信度和效度皆低。因此，此表在研究中被判定為一無效性之測量工具。同時亦無法成為縣推廣人員工作成果差異之準確預測項。
Development of an infusion bioreactor for the accelerated preparation of decellularized skeletal muscle scaffolds

The implantation of decellularized tissue has shown effectiveness as a strategy for the treatment of volumetric muscle loss (VML) injuries. The preparation of decellularized tissue typically relies on the diffusion driven removal of cellular debris. For bulky tissues like muscle, the process can be lengthy, which introduces opportunities for both tissue contamination and degradation of key ECM molecules. In this study we report on the accelerated preparation of decellularized skeletal muscle (DSM) scaffolds using a infusion system and examine scaffold performance for the repair of VML injuries. The preparation of DSM scaffolds using infusion was dramatically accelerated. As the infusion rate (1% SDS) was increased from 0.1 to 1 and 10ml/hr, the time needed to remove intracellular myoglobin and actin decreased from a maximum of 140 ± 3hrs to 45 ± 3hrs and 10 ± 2hrs respectively. Although infusion appeared to remove cellular debris more aggressively, it did not significantly decrease the collagen or glycosaminoglycan composition of DSM samples when compared to un-infused controls. Infusion prepared DSM samples retained the aligned network structure and mechanical integrity of control samples. Infusion prepared DSM samples supported the attachment and in-vitro proliferation of myoblast cells and was well tolerated by the host when examined in-vivo. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 32:745-755, 2016.
Cultural Warrior. Public Relations as Artifact and Agent of Culture

Cultural recognition of public relations as a significant and powerful profession began to gain prominence in popular culture with Sloan Wilson’s [1955] bestselling novel, “The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit.” Wilson’s protagonist, Tom Rath, is a dissatisfied, somewhat anxious WW II veteran with a growing family and a modest paying job as a mid-level manager at a not-for-profit foundation. Frustrated in his attempts to be promoted to the top job at the foundation and a growing need to increase his earning potential, Rath begins to look for other employment. A friend tips him off about a job opening at a growing media conglomerate where the money and opportunities for growth should be better. The position is in the public relations department. The novel and the acclaimed movie version starring Gregory Peck [Johnson 1956] were among the first entertainment media to spotlight the growing recognition of public relations as both a profession and a powerful tool for influencing public opinion. It was also acknowledgement of this booming profession’s growing ascendancy and prominent role in American life. It was no accident that author Wilson’s use of public relations as Rath’s entryway to corporate success came at a time when the United States was also ascendant as the world’s leading industrial nation and one of its major military superpowers. As the United States had grown so had the uniquely American-born profession of public relations. At every stage of public relation’s development as a profession it came to reflect as well as help sustain and create the social, political, civic and business institutions that it represented. Beginning with its birth in the late 19 th century, each stage of public relation’s development has been marked by a specific approach to communication that dominated its activities and behavior. Each
Modular scale Yeast Two-Hybrid Screening

Publisher Summary The power of the Yeast Two-Hybrid (Y2H) is its ability to act as a starting point for the identification of interacting proteins. The strain MaV203 has three screening markers: GALI::lacZ, SPALIO::URA3, and GALI::HIS3. Initial screening uses the HIS3 marker to identify potential positives. Secondary screening is then done with other markers to test the strength of the interactions. Any cloning strategy can be used to generate DBORF fusion vectors. The Gateway recombination method is useful for the cloning of large numbers of DB-ORF baits. For the strains and plasmids that we describe, the DB plasmid has a LEU2 marker and the AD plasmid has a TRP1 marker, but other variations of the two-hybrid system use other markers. It is important to make sure that the selective plates one uses to match the markers of the vectors you are using. After obtaining the constructs, the next step is to introduce them into the two-hybrid strain.
Electronic structure of TlBa 2 CaCu 2 O 7-δ

The core levels of ${\mathrm{TlBa}}_{2}$${\mathrm{CaCu}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{7\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\delta}}}$ (Tl-1212) epitaxial films have been measured with x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The valence electronic structure has been determined using the full-potential linear muffin-tin-orbital band-structure method and measured with XPS. The calculations show that a van Hove singularity (VHS) lies above the Fermi level (${\mathrm{E}}_{\mathrm{F}}$) for the stoichiometric compound (\ensuremath{\delta}=0), while for 50% oxygen vacancies in the Tl-O layer (\ensuremath{\delta}=0.5) ${\mathrm{E}}_{\mathrm{F}}$ is in close proximity to the VHS. Samples annealed in nitrogen (to reduce the hole overdoping by the removal of oxygen) exhibit higher core-level binding energies and a higher ${\mathrm{T}}_{\mathrm{c}}$, consistent with a shift of ${\mathrm{E}}_{\mathrm{F}}$ closer to the VHS. Comparisons are made to the core levels and valence bands of ${\mathrm{Tl}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Ba}}_{2}$${\mathrm{CaCu}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{8+\mathrm{\ensuremath{\delta}}}$ (Tl-2212) and ${\mathrm{HgBa}}_{2}$${\mathrm{CaCu}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{6+\mathrm{\ensuremath{\delta}}}$ (Hg-1212). The similarity of the Cu ${2\mathrm{p}}_{3\mathrm{/}2}$ spectra for Tl-1212 and Tl-2212 indicates that the number of Tl-O layers has little effect on the Cu-O bonding. However, the Tl-1212 and Hg-1212 Cu ${2\mathrm{p}}_{3\mathrm{/}2}$ signals exhibit differences which suggest that the replacement of ${\mathrm{Tl}}^{3+}$ with ${\mathrm{Hg}}^{2+}$ results in a decrease in the O 2p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}Cu 3d charge-transfer energy and differences in the probabilities of planar vs apical oxygen charge transfer and/or Zhang-Rice singlet-state formation. Differences between the Tl-1212 and the Tl-2212 and Hg-1212 measured valence bands are consistent with the calculated Cu 3d and (Tl,Hg) 6s/5d partial densities of states.
Validation of Cross-Species Reactivity of the VEGF-A/PDGFRβ Bifunctional Antibody PF-06653157.

Abstract Purpose: PF-06653157 is a bifunctional antagonist monoclonal antibody (mAb) that targets human VEGF-A ligand and PDGF-Rβ. With the advent of PF-06653157 as an angiogenesis inhibitor and potential treatment for angiogenesis deregulation diseases, a relevant toxicology species is needed for toxicity and efficacy studies. Investigative studies were conducted to validate the mAb dual antagonist properties in a human system and determine its cross-reactive pharmacology in nonhuman cells. Methods: Sequence alignment was used to determine percent sequence identity of VEGF and PDGF receptors and ligands; qualitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to determine the presence of PDGF-Rβ on cells of interest. The functional activity of PF-06653157 antibody was assessed in human, dog, porcine, rabbit, rat, mouse, and cynomolgus monkey cells treated with VEGF and PDGF ligands through cell proliferation assays and western blot analysis of AKT and p44/p42 (ERK1/2) protein phosp...
NFLUX Satellite-Based Surface Radiative Heat Fluxes. Part I: Swath-Level Products

AbstractThe Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) ocean surface flux (NFLUX) system originally provided operational near-real-time satellite-based surface state parameter and turbulent heat flux fields over the global ocean. This study extends the NFLUX system to include the production of swath-level shortwave and longwave radiative heat fluxes at the ocean surface. A companion paper presents the production of the satellite-based global gridded radiative heat flux analysis fields. The swath-level radiative heat fluxes are produced using the Rapid Radiative Transfer Model for Global Circulation Models (RRTMG), with the primary inputs of satellite-derived atmospheric temperature and moisture profiles and cloud information retrieved from the Microwave Integrated Retrieval System (MIRS). This study uses MIRS data provided for six polar-orbiting satellite platforms. Additional inputs to the RRTMG include sea surface temperature, aerosol optical depths, atmospheric gas concentrations, ocean surface albedo, and ocean ...
Approximate static condensation algorithm for solving multi-material diffusion problems on meshes non-aligned with material interfaces

Abstract In this paper, we describe a new algorithm for solving multi-material diffusion problem when material interfaces are not aligned with the mesh. In this case interface reconstruction methods are used to construct approximate representation of interfaces between materials. They produce so-called multi-material cells, in which materials are represented by material polygons that contain only one material. The reconstructed interface is not continuous between cells. We suggest the new method for solving multi-material diffusion problems on such meshes and compare its performance with known homogenization methods.
Improved Assays for AGG Interruptions in Fragile X Premutation Carriers

The learning disability fragile X syndrome results from the presence of >200 CGG/CCG repeats in exon 1 of the X-linked gene FMR1. Such alleles arise by expansion from maternally transmitted FMR1 premutation alleles, alleles having 55 to 200 repeats. Expansion risk is directly related to maternal repeat number. However, AGG interruptions to the repeat tract are important modifiers of expansion risk. Thus, the ability to identify such interruptions is crucial for the appropriate genetic counseling of females who are premutation carriers. First-generation triplet-primed PCR assays allow these interruptions to be detected. However, because the triplet primer used has multiple binding sites in the repeat tract, interpreting the results is not straightforward and it is not always possible to unambiguously determine the AGG-interruption status in females because of the difficulties associated with the presence of a second X chromosome. Interpretation is further complicated by any repeat size mosaicism that may be present. We have developed second-generation PCR assays that prime specifically at the interruptions. These assays are simpler to interpret and better able to evaluate this important determinant of expansion risk in females even in those with a mixture of premutation allele sizes.
Microsurgery Fellowships-Development of a Clinical Curriculum

Background Microsurgery fellowships have become an integral part of every plastic surgery training program. While each subspecialty differs in terms of reconstructive requirements, the basic tenets and skill sets remain the same. We explore the possibility of designing a clinical curriculum for microsurgery that can provide residents and fellows with a more foundational and structured approach to microsurgical training. Methods Thirteen core and desired skills to accommodate an “ideal” microsurgery curriculum were listed and categorized according to the level of difficulty. The curriculum was then sent to plastic surgery trainees, fellows, and consultants within Scotland in the form of a survey. They were asked to assign a level of difficulty, basic, intermediate, or advanced, to each of the 13 skill sets. Results A total of 27 surgeons were surveyed; the majority of which were plastic surgery registrars. Overall a broad, generic clinical curriculum was felt to be lacking, but would be beneficial at the start of training. The curriculum should emphasize a step-wise progression, starting from achieving competency in safe, efficient anastomosis at the basic level to eventually mastering the principles of complex reconstruction at a more advanced level. Conclusions A generic clinical curriculum offers a framework for tracking progress, the potential for competency-based assessment, and aid in designing a microsurgery fellowship. The curriculum should reflect the evolving nature of the specialty and provide a foundational platform for future innovations.
A Scalable Analytical Memory Model for CPU Performance Prediction

As the US Department of Energy (DOE) invests in exascale computing, performance modeling of physics codes on CPUs remain a challenge in computational co-design due to the complex design of processors including memory hierarchies, instruction pipelining, and speculative execution. We present Analytical Memory Model (AMM), a model of cache hierarchies, embedded in the Performance Prediction Toolkit (PPT) – a suite of discrete-event-simulation-based co-design hardware and software models. AMM enables PPT to significantly improve the quality of its runtime predictions of scientific codes.
The Relationship Between Intradialytic Nutrition and Gastrointestinal Symptoms Using a Modified Version of the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale

Objective Intradialytic nutrition has been shown to improve nutritional status in maintenance hemodialysis (HD) patients but remains controversial due in part to concerns over hemodynamic stability and gastrointestinal (GI) distress. There are limited data on the relationship between intradialytic nutrition and GI symptoms, possibly due to the lack of a validated tool. Therefore, we intended to validate a questionnaire to measure GI symptoms associated with a single HD treatment and determine the relationship between intradialytic nutrition and GI symptoms. Design Cross-sectional study. Forty-eight maintenance HD patients. Main Outcome Measure GI symptoms and dietary intake during HD treatment. Results In general, we found acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha >0.5, exception reflux domain) and repeatability in all 5 domains of a modified version of the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale. The prevalence of GI symptoms associated with a single HD treatment (generalized score greater than 1) was 54.2, 43.7, 6.2, 41.7, and 45.8% for the abdominal pain, indigestion, reflux, diarrhea, and constipation domains, respectively. More than two-thirds of patients chose to eat during treatment (168.6 ± 165.6 kcal) with the most commonly consumed items being candy, oral supplements, and cookies. There was no difference in GI symptoms among patients who did or did not eat ( P > .05). However, the amount of total dietary fat and fiber consumed during treatment was associated with greater indigestion ( P Conclusion In this sample, the modified version of the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale was a generally valid tool for measuring GI symptoms associated with a single HD treatment. Patients who ate during treatment did not experience greater GI symptoms than those who did not; however, high amounts of fat and fiber may be associated with greater GI symptoms. Prospective trials should examine the relationship between GI symptoms and dietary intake during treatment in HD patients.
Use of Composites in Infrastructure

Construction engineering history may have reached a new stage with the advent and availability of the new, low-cost, high-performance structural composites. Not only the fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) ‘pultruded’ sections can replace steel in many load bearing structures, but strengthening of concrete beams with internally or externally bonded fiber-reinforced plastics (FRP) has also been proved feasible to increase the load carrying capacity and stiffness of existing structures. Composites made with glass, aramid, or carbon fibers are being increasingly considered for pre-tensioning, post-tensioning, or reinforcing concrete. To replace the corroding steel rebars, FRP system may eventually be used in concrete bridge decks or other outdoor concrete flooring structures. However, quantitative guidelines for applications of composites in structures or reinforcement of concrete are not available. This paper reviews the current state of composite applications in infrastructure including concrete reinforcement and focuses on the R&D thrusts the lack of which appears to be hindering the development of the quantitative guidelines.
Designing and evaluating hybrid storage for high performance cloud computing

The need for reliable and fast storage systems is increasingly critical in various fields including artificial intelligence and data analytics. This paper proposes a new architecture for large-scale data storage systems, focusing on comparing performance of software and hardware storage technologies that effectively reduce the computational latency and improve performance. The main contributions include: (1) the combination of Singled Magnetic Recording (SMR) for storing data and Solid State Devices (SSD) for storing metadata is a viable solution for implementing large data storage systems; and (2) the combination of Conventional Magnetic Recording (CMR) for storing data and SSD for storing metadata shows the highest performance for high performance computing. Our experiments are carried out in multiple settings, demonstrating that the proposed architecture successfully improves performance for sequential and random reads/writes. The prototypes are evaluated with a set of workloads, showing the superiority of the proposed data storage configurations. This work provides new opportunities for efficiently processing and storing data and metadata in large-scale data analysis systems.
Water circulation in karst systems: comparing physicochemical and environmental isotopic data interpretation

Many studies have used physicochemical response observed at karst springs during storm events to investigate the concept of diffuse flow in karst systems, but the complete description of the karst systems including the interactions of all components is not fully understood. Studies have shown that physicochemical response measured at karst springs can decrease or increase in response to storm events. It is clear from these studies that the use of only physicochemical response in interpreting water circulation in karst systems can be ambiguous. In this study, both physicochemical and isotope (stable and radiogenic) responses at City Spring, Cookeville, Tennessee, during snowmelt were used to interpret the hydrological cycle of a karst system. At the beginning of snow melting, all physicochemical parameters dropped, and thereafter, temperature, Ca, Mg, and HCO3 increased steadily with increased discharge and total dissolved solids. In contrast, generally Na, Cl, and SO4 remained constant after dropping; however, very high values were observed in the spring water mixed with stormwater runoff. δ2H, δ18O, and 87Sr/86Sr of spring water were stable and contrastingly different from the snow, rain, and spring water mixed with stormwater runoff samples. CO2 pressure was higher than atmospheric and appeared to be degassing. The data suggest that spring discharge is a mix of pre-event water stored in the soil, epikarst zone, and underlying bedrock. The circulation depth is unknown, but is likely controlled by the amount of storm event recharge that occurs through the piston effect. There is little evidence to support dilution by snowmelt. This study shows that combining the techniques and data can provide greater insight into water circulation and monitoring of karst aquifer systems than applying the techniques and data individually.
Memory intensive branch-and-bound search for graphical models

AND/OR search spaces have recently been introduced as a unifying paradigm for advanced algorithmic schemes for graphical models. The main virtue of this representation is its sensitivity to the structure of the model, which can translate into exponential time savings for search algorithms. AND/OR Branch-and-Bound (AOBB) is a new algorithm that explores the AND/OR search tree for solving optimization tasks in graphical models. In this paper we extend the algorithm to explore an AND/OR search graph by equipping it with a context-based adaptive caching scheme similar to good and no-good recording. The efficiency of the new graph search algorithm is demonstrated empirically on various benchmarks, including the very challenging ones that arise in genetic linkage analysis.
Special Tabu Search Topics

In this chapter we begin by discussing probabilistic tabu search and the associated approach called tabu thresholding, which operates by reduced reliance on memory. Then we examine specialized memory mechanisms that have been used to enhance the performance of TS methods. We also discuss of approaches not yet widely considered. Finally, we examine basic strategies embodied in ejection chains, vocabulary building and parallel processing.
The Relationship between Credit Growth and the Expected Returns of Bank Stocks

I find that a 1% increase in aggregate bank credit growth implies that the excess returns of bank stocks over the next one year are lower by nearly 3%. Unlike most other forecasting relationships, credit growth tracks bank stock returns over the business cycle and explains nearly 14% of the variation in bank stock returns over a 1-year horizon. This effect is robust to the exclusion of data from the crisis years and to the inclusion of several popular forecasting variables used in the literature. Credit growth also predicts returns of investment banks and of bank-dependent firms but does not predict returns for any other asset class. I show that this predictive variation in returns reflects the representative agent’s rational response to a small time-varying probability of a tail event that impacts banks and bank-dependent firms. Consistent with this hypothesis I show that the predictive power, as measured by the absolute magnitude of the coefficient on credit growth and the adjusted-R2 at the the 1-year horizon, depends systematically on variables that regulate exposure to tail risk. Historically, the probability of a tail event increases in a recession, therefore this mechanism also explains the observed correlation between variation in aggregate bank credit level and business conditions.
Robotic Image Guided Radiation Therapy

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a highly specialized type of external beam radiation treatment in which a precise and conformal, image-guided focus of ionizing radiation is delivered to a well-defined target volume in a single procedure. The origins of radiosurgery date back to the 1960s and the use of cobalt based techniques. Over the past 10–15 years, linear accelerators have been designed to allow for the delivery of radiosurgery as well. Robotic radiosurgery couples a linear accelerator to a robotic articulated manipulator which allows for the delivery of both SRS and fractionated SRS (also referred to as stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT)). In addition, since frameless techniques are most often employed with robotic radiosurgery, areas outside the cranium can now be treated with similar accuracy. Robotic radiosurgery is currently being used to treat targets located in the brain, spine, head and neck, lung, liver, pancreas, prostate amongst others. This chapter provides the background and technical details of robotic radiosurgery, as well as the current evidence for treatment of various body sites.
Rainfall thresholds for post-fire runoff and sediment delivery from plot to watershed scales

Abstract Wildfire increases the likelihood of runoff, erosion, and downstream sedimentation in many of the watersheds that supply water for Colorado’s Front Range communities. The objectives of this study were to: (1) identify rainfall intensity thresholds for a post-fire runoff or sediment delivery response at plots (≤0.06 ha), hillslopes (0.07–5.2 ha) and watersheds (100–1500 ha) after three Colorado Front Range wildfires for up to four years post-fire; (2) determine how the rainfall thresholds varied by fire location, year post-fire, spatial scale, and mulch treatments; and (3) use long-term rainfall data to map the likely frequency of rainfall events above these intensity thresholds as an indicator of risk for post-fire runoff or sediment delivery from future high severity fires in Colorado. Maximum 60-min rainfall intensity (MI60) thresholds were identified as the values that best separated rain storms that generated responses from those that did not. We found that thresholds did not significantly differ among fires for any year post-fire. Thresholds did significantly vary among spatial scales; for the first two years post-fire, high-confidence thresholds ranged from 4 to 8 mm h−1 across unmulched plots, hillslopes and watersheds. Compared to post-fire year 0, thresholds in year 3 were significantly higher, with high-confidence thresholds up to 22 mm h−1. NOAA Atlas rainfall data were used to compute and map frequencies of threshold exceedance across Colorado. Within the Front Range study area, rain storms with MI60 of 4 mm h−1 have frequencies ranging from 5 to 11 times per summer, while MI60 values of 8 mm h−1 have frequencies of 2–5 times per summer. Maps of threshold exceedance frequency can help identify areas most vulnerable to post-fire runoff and sediment delivery and prioritize post-fire emergency planning.
Implementing Obstetric Venous Thromboembolism Protocols on a Statewide Basis: Results from New York State's Safe Motherhood Initiative.

Objective To determine whether a state-level initiative to reduce obstetric venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk affected outcomes and process measures. Methods In 2013, the Safe Motherhood Initiative (SMI) developed a VTE safety bundle to reduce obstetric VTE risk. A total of 117 of 124 hospitals providing obstetrical services in New York participated in SMI. Data evaluating thromboembolism events (deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism) and thromboprophylaxis process measures were collected from March through November 2015. Results A total of 107 hospitals, in any individual quarter, reported data on each of the VTE bundle outcomes and measures. Centers that provided low-risk care (Level 1 centers) reported the lowest rate of bundle implementation at the end of the study period (55.6%). Mechanical prophylaxis for a cesarean was common at all centers. Hospitals that adopted the bundle were more likely to provide routine pharmacologic prophylaxis for women undergoing cesarean. The risk of VTE did not differ by bundle implementation. Conclusion While adoption of the SMI VTE bundle occurred at a majority of centers across New York, uptake was less likely at low-acuity centers. Bundle adoption was associated with implementation of recommended practices. The rare nature of VTE events underscores the need for large data samples to determine the best prophylaxis strategies.
Macrophages promote epithelial proliferation following infectious and non-infectious lung injury through a Trefoil factor 2-dependent mechanism

Coordinated efforts between macrophages and epithelia are considered essential for wound healing, but the macrophage-derived molecules responsible for repair are poorly defined. This work demonstrates that lung macrophages rely upon Trefoil factor 2 to promote epithelial proliferation following damage caused by sterile wounding, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis or Bleomycin sulfate. Unexpectedly, the presence of T, B, or ILC populations was not essential for macrophage-driven repair. Instead, conditional deletion of TFF2 in myeloid-restricted CD11cCre TFF2 flox mice exacerbated lung pathology and reduced the proliferative expansion of CD45- EpCAM+ pro-SPC+ alveolar type 2 cells. TFF2 deficient macrophages had reduced expression of the Wnt genes Wnt4 and Wnt16 and reconstitution of hookworm-infected CD11cCre TFF2flox mice with rWnt4 and rWnt16 restored the proliferative defect in lung epithelia post-injury. These data reveal a previously unrecognized mechanism wherein lung myeloid phagocytes utilize a TFF2/Wnt axis as a mechanism that drives epithelial proliferation following lung injury.
Improving Human-Machine Collaboration Through Transparency-based Feedback – Part II: Control Design and Synthesis

Abstract To attain improved human-machine collaboration, it is necessary for autonomous systems to infer human trust and workload and respond accordingly. In turn, autonomous systems require models that capture both human trust and workload dynamics. In a companion paper, we developed a trust-workload partially observable Markov decision process (POMDP) model framework that captured changes in human trust and workload for contexts that involve interaction between a human and an intelligent decision-aid system. In this paper, we define intuitive reward functions and show that these can be readily transformed for integration with the proposed POMDP model. We synthesize a near-optimal control policy using transparency as the feedback variable based on solutions for two cases: 1) increasing human trust and reducing workload, and 2) improving overall performance along with the aforementioned objectives for trust and workload. We implement these solutions in a reconnaissance mission study in which human subjects are aided by a virtual robotic assistant in completing a series of missions. We show that it is not always beneficial to aim to improve trust; instead, the control objective should be to optimize a context-specific performance objective when designing intelligent decision-aid systems that influence trust-workload behavior.
Advances in Molecular Research on Bed Bugs (Hemiptera: Cimicidae)

Abstract With the resurgence and increase in infestations of the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius L. (Hemiptera: Cimicidae), across the world, there has been renewed interest in molecular research...
Guest Editorial Special Section on the 2018 International Conference on Compound Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology (CS-MANTECH)

As guest editors for the special section on the 2018 International Conference on Compound Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology (CS-MANTECH), we are pleased to present IEEE Transactions on Semiconductor Manufacturing readers with a selection of papers based on work presented at the 2018 edition of the conference. The CS-MANTECH conference is a valuable technical forum for presenting advancements in compound semiconductor devices, with particular emphasis on the associated manufacturing technologies. Devices based on compound semiconductors have long been used in RF, microwave, and millimeter-wave systems for their high performance, and compound-semiconductors are increasingly finding their way into power systems (through advancements in SiC and GaN device technology). Compound semiconductors are also critical for optoelectronic applications such as detectors, LEDs, and lasers as well. Recently, trends towards tighter integration with silicon-based technologies to provide enhanced system-level performance and functionality have been accelerating.
NP4 Improving Preschool Children's Food Knowledge and Food Choice Intentions: Results From a Childhood Obesity Preventive Intervention

Objective To examine the impact of a large, preventive intervention on preschool children's food knowledge, and intentions to choose nutrient-dense foods for meals and snacks. Description A total of 29 classrooms across 14 predominantly low-income, rural childcare centers (n = 215 children, 52% female, mean age = 4.1y) were randomized into 1 of 16 conditions that differed based on whether a classroom received an intervention curriculum (Healthy Eating, Active Play and Self-Regulation) or parent/caregiver guidance. For the purposes of this study, we focus solely on the 11-week Healthy Eating (HE) curriculum that covered a number of topics, including: identifying “GO” and “WHOA” foods, food groups, increasing fruit and vegetable intake, and building a “healthy plate.” Evaluation Measures were collected pre-post. To assess children's food knowledge, children were first asked to choose their favorite foods from a list of 30 foods and four beverages that vary in energy content. Children were then asked to choose foods for a “healthy lunch” using foods from the same list. A snack selection procedure was used to assess children's food preferences and ability to choose the healthier choice from a list of nine pairs of foods; each pair contained an energy-dense and nutrient-dense food. Children in the HE condition showed a slightly larger increase in their ability to correctly identify nutrient-dense foods. Children in the HE condition showed an increase in nutrition knowledge, and competence in making nutrient-dense snack and meal choices. Children in the HE condition also showed more than a two-fold greater increase in their ability to identify nutrient-dense snack foods than children who were not in the HE condition. Data collection with more than 700 participants is ongoing; results including these additional participants will be shared. Conclusion and Implications Increasing children's food/nutrition knowledge and intentions to choose nutrient-dense over energy-dense foods may lead to the development of healthy dietary patterns that prevent the development of obesity in young children.
Thirty years of Socialist China in Portugal's Foreign Policy

The article looks to the status of Portugal-China bilateral relations in the context of an enormous trade deficit, the fading of Portuguese economic interests in Macao and China, and the removal of China as a vector of Portugal foreign policy. The author stresses that the causes of the phenomenon lay down in the concentration of political priorities in European integration, NATO solidarity and traditional cultural links with former Portuguese-speaking Africa countries. Although the interest advanced by the Chinese side Portugal has made little to invert the situation and its weight on the strategic European relations with the PRC (second in the rank of foreign partners) is minimal representing 0,50% of EU exports to China. China has conceded the “strategic partner” status to five European countries (France, Portugal, Spain, Italy and Germany) till now and as attributed the same condition to the European Union as a whole.
Physical activity and climate change attitudes

Climate change has impacted people, communities, and industries around the world, including sport and physical activity. Drawing from Stern’s (J Soc Issues 56(3):407–424, 2000) value-belief-norm theory, which focuses on identifying predictors of environmentally significant behavior, the purpose of this study was to explore the degree to which physical activity participation is associated with pro-environmental attitudes. The authors collected data at the county level in the USA (N = 3136), accessing publicly available data from a variety of sources. They also controlled for potential alternative explanations, including percent of the county population living in a rural setting, age 65 or older, that is female, that is non-Hispanic White, that has a college degree or greater, and that voted Democrat in the 2016 Presidential election. Results indicate that physical activity participation was positively associated with people’s belief that climate change personally affects them. These beliefs were, in turn, positively associated with the belief new policies are needed to address climate change. The authors discuss contributions to theory and practice.
Myocardial B cells are a subset of circulating lymphocytes with delayed transit through the heart

Current models of B lymphocyte biology posit that B cells continuously recirculate between lymphoid organs, without accumulating in peripheral healthy tissues. Nevertheless, B lymphocytes are one of the most prevalent leukocyte populations in the naive murine heart. To investigate this apparent inconsistency in the literature, we conducted a systematic analysis of myocardial B cell ontogeny, trafficking dynamics, histology, and gene expression patterns. We found that myocardial B cells represent a subpopulation of circulating B cells that make close contact with the microvascular endothelium of the heart and arrest their transit as they pass through the heart. The vast majority (>95%) of myocardial B cells remain intravascular, whereas few (<5%) myocardial B cells cross the endothelium into myocardial tissue. Analyses of mice with B cell deficiency or depletion indicated that B cells modulate the myocardial leukocyte pool composition. Analysis of B cell-deficient animals suggested that B cells modulate myocardial growth and contractility. These results transform our current understanding of B cell recirculation in the naive state and reveal a previously unknown relationship between B cells and myocardial physiology. Further work will be needed to assess the relevance of these findings to other organs.
Efficacy and Social Validity of a Class-Wide Interdependent Group Contingency to Decrease Between-Class Transition Durations

The time students spend actively engaged with instruction is positively correlated with their academic achievement (Dotterer and Lowe in J Youth Adolesc 40:1649–1660, 2011). Conversely, the time spent transitioning between activities is inversely related to the time spent in productive learning activities, thus limiting opportunities for student engagement (Cameron et al. in J Sch Psychol 43:61–85, 2005; Codding and Smyth in J Educ Psychol Consult 18:325–345, 2008). As such, there is a need for behavioral interventions that facilitate effective and efficient transitions. In this applied study, teachers and students implemented an interdependent group contingency to decrease durations of between-class transitions in 4 elementary school classrooms. The treatment package included explicit timing, visual performance feedback, and progressive performance criteria (Brogan et al. in Behav Modif 41:405–421, 2017) in which each class had to outperform its prior shortest transition time to earn rewards. Treatment effects were examined using an ABAB design. Classes demonstrated high implementation fidelity and teachers generally reported high acceptability of the intervention, although correspondence between indirect and direct measures of social validity varied.