cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Urinary polyamines as markers of cardiac allograft rejection. A clinical evaluation.

Histologic evaluation of endomyocardial biopsy specimens is the current method of monitoring rejection after cardiac transplantation. Unfortunately, this technique gives a discontinuous evaluation of the recipient immunologic status. A noninvasive marker of immunologic activation and of allograft rejection that would permit a more continuous monitoring than the biopsy technique would be clinically useful. Urinary polyamine excretion reflects cellular proliferation or degeneration and, as a marker of cellular metabolic activity, may also reflect lymphocyte proliferation and organ rejection. From July 1985 to December 1986, urinary polyamines were studied in 18 patients during hospitalization for heart and heart-lung transplantation. Endomyocardial biopsy was performed twice a week and histologic rejection was characterized by standard criteria. Urinary specimens were collected daily and analyzed for polyamines by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Concentrations of acetylputrescine and total urinary polyamines were significantly higher before the 20 rejection episodes than before the 80 biopsies yielding negative results. So that their clinical usefulness could be evaluated, an elevation of polyamines and a daily level variability of 28% or more was chosen to indicate increased metabolic cellular activity and to predict rejection in the next 8 days. On the basis of these definitions, the sensitivity of polyamine assays to predict rejection was 85%, the specificity 88%, and the positive predictive value 79%. Therefore, serial measurements of urinary polyamines may provide daily information on the recipient’s immunologic status after cardiac transplantation.
Effect of clay and organic matter on nitrogen adsorption specific surface area and cation exchange capacity in shales (mudrocks)

Abstract The resistivity log and its conventional application is one of the most important analysis used to find oil and gas saturated intervals. In unconventional oil and gas producing rocks, however, this tool and the consequent technique, is affected by many factors and not considered very reliable. Shale reservoir rocks usually have high total specific surface area (TSSA) due to high clay and total organic content (TOC) and nano-scale pores. Resistivity values are rather low and usually not indicative of reservoir zones in high TSSA rocks. Nitrogen adsorption and cation exchange capacity (CEC) are the common techniques to measure TSSA. Clays and organic matter (OM) affect the measured TSSA using either technique. This effect must be taken into account while calculating water saturation using conventional models. In this paper we investigate the mineralogical and geochemical associations of CEC and TSSA and their effects on resistivity in shale reservoirs. We studied samples from oil and gas producing reservoirs such as Bakken, Haynesville, European Silurian, Niobrara, and Monterey formations. CEC was measured using Co(III)-hexamine 3+ with the spectrophotometric technique and the equivalent TSSA (CEC-TSSA) was calculated. We also measured the specific surface area using sub-critical Nitrogen gas adsorption technique (N2-SSA). Rock mineralogy, organic matter properties and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images were used to further analyze the data. We find that CEC values are directly correlated with the clay type and content regardless of the OM content or level of thermal maturity. Smectite and illite (when negligible smectite is present) dominate the CEC value in shales. N2-SSA correlates with clay content, especially smectite and illite, but is less sensitive to clay type as CEC. This correlation between N2-SSA and clay content was observed in Bakken (no organic matter), thermally mature (gas window) Haynesville, and low TOC ( 2.6 wt%) and Monterey shales. (2) Development of nano-scale OM-hosted pores with high surface area mostly for thermally mature (gas window) shales as observed in high TOC (>1.5 wt%) Silurian shales. Correlation with N2-SSA and CEC values revealed that the average charge density for most of the shales in this study varies between 3 and 5 e/nm 2 and for some high TOC Niobrara samples can be as high as 32. Relatively higher charge density is due to underestimation of the TSSA by nitrogen adsorption technique. The correlation between SSA/CEC and clay content/type are well studied in the literature. However the results of this study aid in understanding how mineralogy, geological factors, organic matter content and thermal maturity affect this correlation in mud rocks from various reservoirs.
Is numerical software relevant? Is it too late to worry about quality?

The long history and little progress of efforts to systematically evaluate and certify numerical software is recounted. Although this continues to be a serious problem, traditional numerical software libraries themselves are becoming increasingly irrelevant in today’s computing environment. The reasons for this are described and some prescriptions for overcoming this crisis are presented.
Data Framing Attack on State Estimation

A new mechanism aimed at misleading a power system control center about the source of a data attack is proposed. As a man-in-the-middle state attack, a data framing attack is proposed to exploit the bad data detection and identification mechanisms currently in use at most control centers. In particular, the proposed attack frames meters that are providing correct data as sources of bad data such that the control center will remove useful measurements that would otherwise be used by the state estimator. The optimal design of a data framing attack is formulated as a quadratically constrained quadratic program. It is shown that the proposed attack is capable of perturbing the power system state estimate by an arbitrary degree controlling only half of a critical set of measurements that are needed to make a system unobservable. Implications of this attack on power system operations are discussed, and the attack performance is evaluated using benchmark systems.
A Synthesis of Dihydrofuran-3(2H)-ones.

Treatment of readily available α′-hydroxyenones with a catalytic amount of strong acid in refluxing toluene affords the corresponding dihydrofuran-3(2H)-ones in excellent yields via a formal 5-endo-trig cyclization.
Direct Observation of Multimer Stabilization in the Mechanical Unfolding Pathway of a Protein Undergoing Oligomerization

Understanding how protein oligomerization affects the stability of monomers in self-assembled structures is crucial to the development of new protein-based nanomaterials and protein cages for drug delivery. Here, we use single-molecule force spectroscopy (AFM-SMFS), protein engineering, and computer simulations to evaluate how dimerization and tetramerization affects the stability of the monomer of Streptavidin, a model homotetrameric protein. The unfolding force directly relates to the folding stability, and we find that monomer of Streptavidin is mechanically stabilized by 40% upon dimerization, and that it is stabilized an additional 24% upon tetramerization. We also find that biotin binding increases stability by another 50% as compared to the apo-tetrameric form. We used the distribution of unfolding forces to extract properties of the underlying energy landscape and found that the distance to the transition state is decreased and the barrier height is increased upon multimerization. Finally, we inve...
The Enantioselective Total Synthesis of Exochomine

Molecules that possess fully substituted chiral centers are often challenging to construct, particularly if those centers connect two seemingly different halves or include a nitrogen atom. Herein, we describe an efficient approach to a molecule that combines both challenges in a single center in the form of exochomine. Failures in direct coupling led to a design fueled by highly specific reaction conditions for several steps and the development of an improved protocol for 1,4-reduction in a hindered context where numerous side reactions were possible. These chemoselective solutions should have value to other problems. Challenges in obtaining matching spectral data for the synthesized natural product are also discussed.
Molecular basis of circadian rhythmicity in renal physiology and pathophysiology

New Findings What is the topic of this review? This brief symposium report is focused on the molecular and physiological evidence that supports a key role for the circadian clock in the regulation of kidney function. What advances does it highlight? Progress in understanding the molecular mechanism of the kidney clock is reviewed here, including new results from global ‘omics’ studies and candidate gene approaches. The molecular kidney clock is a master regulator of gene expression that affects renal electrolyte and drug handling as well as blood pressure. In this brief review, an overview of the molecular and physiological evidence for the kidney clock and the implications for the regulation of renal physiology and pathophysiology are presented. Accumulating evidence suggests that the molecular circadian clock acts as a master regulator of gene expression in the kidney. Global transcriptomic approaches have revealed the important finding that there are thousands of genes in the kidney subject to regulation by the molecular clock. Candidate gene approaches have also yielded information regarding regulation of renal sodium transport genes by the molecular clock. To date, the evidence linking the molecular kidney clock to rhythmic renal function provides strong support for the concept that circadian control of gene expression underlies rhythms in physiological function.
Earnings announcements and option returns

Abstract While prior studies find that returns on option straddles are generally negative, we show that returns on straddles purchased prior to earnings announcements are actually positive. The earnings announcement impact is compounded when the pre-portfolio formation volatility is low (high) and the pre-expiration realized volatility is high (low). Apparently, the average option trader underestimates future volatility before forthcoming earnings announcements, particularly after a period of relatively low volatility, and overestimates future volatility after recent earnings announcements, particularly after a period of relatively high volatility. The overestimation of future volatility after recent earnings announcements also increases with the magnitude of the earnings surprise.
Incidence of subarachnoid hemorrhage is decreasing together with decreasing smoking rates.

Objective: To determine the nationwide incidence of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and report nationwide changes in smoking rates between 1998 and 2012 in Finland. Methods: In this register-based study, we utilized the nationwide Causes of Death Register and Hospital Discharge Register in identifying SAH events between 1998 and 2012. Population statistics in Finland, which were obtained through a database of Statistics Finland, were used to calculate crude annual incidence rates of SAH. For the direct age standardization of crude incidence rates, we used the European Standard Population (ESP) 2013. Data on changes in nationwide smoking rates between 1998 and 2012 were extracted from a database of the National Institute for Health and Welfare. Results: For the total of 79,083,579 cumulative person-years, we identified 6,885 people with SAH. Sudden deaths from SAH away from hospitals or in emergency rooms accounted for 1,771 (26%) of the events. Crude nationwide annual incidence rates varied between 6.2 and 10.0 per 100,000 persons, and increased by age particularly in women. Among 70- to 75-year-old women, the incidence of SAH was highest (22.5 per 100,000 persons). The 3-year average of ESP standardized incidence decreased 24% from 11.7 in 1998–2000 to 8.9 per 100,000 persons in 2010–2012. Daily smoking decreased 30% between 1998 and 2012. Conclusions: The incidence of SAH seems to be decreasing. This tendency may be coupled with changes in smoking rates. The incidence of SAH in Finland is similar to other Nordic countries.
MuSE: accounting for tumor heterogeneity using a sample-specific error model improves sensitivity and specificity in mutation calling from sequencing data

Subclonal mutations reveal important features of the genetic architecture of tumors. However, accurate detection of mutations in genetically heterogeneous tumor cell populations using next-generation sequencing remains challenging. We develop MuSE ( http://bioinformatics.mdanderson.org/main/MuSE ), Mutation calling using a Markov Substitution model for Evolution, a novel approach for modeling the evolution of the allelic composition of the tumor and normal tissue at each reference base. MuSE adopts a sample-specific error model that reflects the underlying tumor heterogeneity to greatly improve the overall accuracy. We demonstrate the accuracy of MuSE in calling subclonal mutations in the context of large-scale tumor sequencing projects using whole exome and whole genome sequencing.
Approximation Resistance from Pairwise-Independent Subgroups

We show optimal (up to a constant factor) NP-hardness for a maximum constraint satisfaction problem with k variables per constraint (Max-kCSP) whenever k is larger than the domain size. This follows from our main result concerning CSPs given by a predicate: A CSP is approximation resistant if its predicate contains a subgroup that is balanced pairwise independent. Our main result is analogous to Austrin and Mossel’s, bypassing their Unique-Games Conjecture assumption whenever the predicate is an abelian subgroup. Our main ingredient is a new gap-amplification technique inspired by XOR lemmas. Using this technique, we also improve the NP-hardness of approximating Independent-Set on bounded-degree graphs, Almost-Coloring, Label-Cover, and various other problems.
Short selling and the pricing of closed-end funds ☆

Abstract We analyze how short selling affects the pricing of U.S. closed-end funds over the 2010–2015 time period. Significant short selling is found in both premium and discount funds and increases as premiums rise. Funds with greater short selling experience significant declines in premiums over the next five days. Our analysis speaks to theories of closed-end fund pricing and is consistent with the neoclassical theory of closed-end fund pricing as described by Ross (2002) , Berk and Stanton (2007) , and Cherkes, Sagi, and Stanton (2009) .
Short and Simple Cycle Separators in Planar Graphs

We provide an implementation of an algorithm that, given a triangulated planar graph with m edges, returns a simple cycle that is a 3/4-balanced separator consisting of at most √8m edges. An efficient construction of a short and balanced separator that forms a simple cycle is essential in numerous planar graph algorithms, for example, for computing shortest paths, minimum cuts, or maximum flows. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first implementation of such a cycle separator algorithm with a worst-case guarantee on the cycle length.We evaluate the performance of our algorithm and compare it to the planar separator algorithms recently studied by Holzer et al. [2009]. Out of these algorithms, only the Fundamental Cycle Separator (FCS) produces a simple cycle separator. However, FCS does not provide a worst-case size guarantee. We demonstrate that (1) our algorithm is competitive across all test cases in terms of running time, balance, and cycle length; (2) it provides worst-case guarantees on the cycle length, significantly outperforming FCS on some instances; and (3) it scales to large graphs.
ATYPICAL FEMORAL FRACTURES WERE ASSOCIATED WITH DETERIORATION OF BONE QUALITY AND CURVATURE OF FEMORAL SHAFT.

Introduction Atypical femoral fracture focused on relation of bisphosphonate use, frequently. However, the mechanism of atypical femoral fracture was not yet clarified. Atypical femoral fractures have been kept femoral shaft cortical thickness and BMD, practically. We hypothesized that atypical femoral fractures were associated with impaired bone quality and curvature of femoral shaft. Materials & Methods We experienced four atypical femoral fractures. One was subtrochanteric and three were shaft fracture. Two cases received bisphosphonate therapy for 3–5 years. BMD, bone metabolic markers, and bone quality markers were evaluated. Histomorphometry and collagen cross-link analysis were performed. Curvature of femoral shaft and 3-D finite element analysis in one incomplete fracture case were assessed. Results BMD values were either maintained or not severely decreased. Deterioration of bone quality were verified by the results of histomorphometry, collagen cross-link analysis, and bone quality maker. Especially, homocystine values, such as one of bone quality markers, were increased in all cases. All atypical femoral shaft fractures showed outward curvature of femoral bone. In one case of incomplete atypical femoral shaft fracture, stress was concentrated at the fracture region according 3-D finite element analysis. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that atypical femoral fractures were estimated associated with deterioration of bone quality and curvature of femoral shaft.
A differential equation for modeling Nesterov's accelerated gradient method: theory and insights

We derive a second-order ordinary differential equation (ODE) which is the limit of Nesterov's accelerated gradient method. This ODE exhibits approximate equivalence to Nesterov's scheme and thus can serve as a tool for analysis. We show that the continuous time ODE allows for a better understanding of Nesterov's scheme. As a byproduct, we obtain a family of schemes with similar convergence rates. The ODE interpretation also suggests restarting Nesterov's scheme leading to an algorithm, which can be rigorously proven to converge at a linear rate whenever the objective is strongly convex.
Tobacco: what is it and why do people continue to use it?

Cigarette smoking among adults has remained at about 20.8% since 2004 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2005b). Those most likely to smoke include men, adults less than age 40, and those living below the poverty line. American Indians/ Alaskan Natives smoke at a much higher rate (32.4%) than nonHispanic Blacks (23.0%), non-Hispanic Whites (21.9%), or Hispanics (15.2%). Cigarette smoking among adolescents has stopped declining since 2005 at a level of 23% (CDC, 2005c, 2005d). Adolescent males and females are equally likely to smoke (22.9% vs. 23.0%), with White adolescents smoking more often (25.9%) than Hispanic (22.0%) or non-Hispanic Black (12.9%) adolescents. While most people recognize the harmful effects of tobacco use,
The impact of exports to China on Latin American growth

Abstract This article analyzes the relationship between GDP growth in seven major Latin American countries and China’s demand for their exports. GLS panel estimation using annual data for the period 1994–2013 shows that the relationship was both statistically and economically significant. Control variables found to be significant in positively affecting GDP growth include the investment-to-output ratio, the exchange rate, and the terms of trade, and, in negatively affecting it, population growth and the unemployment rate. Consistent with recent literature, foreign direct investment was found not to be significant. A sharp drop in exports to China for many of the countries in the sample in 2015 raises questions about the region’s vulnerability to China’s growth slowdown.
Bright photoactivatable fluorophores for single-molecule imaging

Photoactivatable derivatives of the bright and photostable Janelia Fluor dyes enable improved multicolor single-particle tracking and facile localization microscopy in cells.
Number of Wavevectors for Each Frequency in a Periodic Structure

Periodic structures have interesting acoustic and vibration properties making them suitable for a wide variety of applications. In a periodic structure, the number of frequencies for each wavevector depends on the degree of freedom of the unit cell. In this paper, we investigate the number of wavevectors for each frequency. This analysis defines the upper bound for the maximum number of wavevectors for each frequency in a general periodic structure which might include damping. Investigation presented in this paper can also provide an insight for designing materials in which the interaction between unit cells is not limited to the closest neighbor. As an example application of this work, we investigate phonon dispersion curves in hexagonal form of Boron Nitride to show that first neighbor interaction is not sufficient to model dispersion curves with force-constant-model.
The effect of commodity price shocks on public lands distribution: Evidence from Colombia

Abstract How do commodity shocks impact the privatization of public lands? This paper examines this question through the lens of the establishment of private property rights over public lands in Colombia, which has had one of the Western Hemisphere's largest public land distribution programs during the last century. Using data on exogenous international coffee price shocks along with data on land suitability for coffee production as determined by agro-climatic conditions and roughly 250,000 public land grants, I find that coffee price increases generate more public land grants in municipalities where land is more suited to coffee production. Additional tests suggest that the findings are driven by the power of organized cultivators to steer the land grant process in their favor. The findings shed light on the role of organized actors in the countryside extending private extension of control over public territory – a phenomenon that has drastically diminished public lands and natural spaces in numerous countries over the last two centuries.
Repair of Meiotic DNA Breaks and Homolog Pairing in Mouse Meiosis Requires a Minichromosome Maintenance (MCM) Paralog

The mammalian Mcm-domain containing 2 (Mcmdc2) gene encodes a protein of unknown function that is homologous to the minichromosome maintenance family of DNA replication licensing and helicase factors. Drosophila melanogaster contains two separate genes, the Mei-MCMs, which appear to have arisen from a single ancestral Mcmdc2 gene. The Mei-MCMs are involved in promoting meiotic crossovers by blocking the anticrossover activity of BLM helicase, a function presumably performed by MSH4 and MSH5 in metazoans. Here, we report that MCMDC2-deficient mice of both sexes are viable but sterile. Males fail to produce spermatozoa, and formation of primordial follicles is disrupted in females. Histology and immunocytological analyses of mutant testes revealed that meiosis is arrested in prophase I, and is characterized by persistent meiotic double-stranded DNA breaks (DSBs), failure of homologous chromosome synapsis and XY body formation, and an absence of crossing over. These phenotypes resembled those of MSH4/5-deficient meiocytes. The data indicate that MCMDC2 is essential for invasion of homologous sequences by RAD51- and DMC1-coated single-stranded DNA filaments, or stabilization of recombination intermediates following strand invasion, both of which are needed to drive stable homolog pairing and DSB repair via recombination in mice.
Correlation transfer and diffusion of ultrasound-modulated multiply scattered light

We develop a temporal correlation transfer equation (CTE) and a temporal correlation diffusion equation (CDE) for ultrasound-modulated multiply scattered light, which can be used to calculate the ultrasound-modulated optical intensity in an optically scattering medium with a nonuniform ultrasound field and a heterogeneous distribution of optical parameters. We present an analytical solution based on the CDE for scattering of the temporal autocorrelation function from a cylinder of ultrasound in an optically scattering slab. The CDE is valid for moderate ultrasound pressures on a scale comparable with the optical transport mean free path, which must be greater than the ultrasound wavelength and smaller than or comparable to the sizes of both ultrasonic and optical inhomogeneities. These equations should be applicable to a wide spectrum of conditions for ultrasound-modulated optical tomography of soft biological tissues.
A microscale biophotovoltaic device

We report a novel microscale biophotovoltaic device that can release biological photo-energy conversion technology from its restriction to conceptual research, and advance its translational potential toward practical, real-world applications. The device performance was substantially improved in an engineered microfluidic device by (i) using composite graphite/polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) anodic materials for better bacterial adhesion and their electrical coupling, (ii) designing a sandwiched electrode configuration for lower internal ohmic resistance, and (iii) inserting a microfluidic headspace through a gas permeable membrane for continuously supplying necessary gasses to the bacteria. The biophotovoltaic device continuously produced electricity from readily available natural sources such as light, carbon dioxide, and water. In a 90μL microfluidic reactor for the long period of time, we were able to generate maximum power densities of 6.05μW/cm2 and 2.7μW/cm2, through photosynthetic reactions of cyanobacteria, Spirulina Platensis, and Synechocystic sp. PCC 6803, respectively. This performance is the highest power density for the longest period of time among all micro-scale bio-solar cells.
Deep Lexical Semantics

The link between words and the world is made easier if we have conceptualized the world in a way that language indicates. In the effort I will describe, we have constructed a number of core formal theories, trying to capture the abstract structure that underlies language and enable literal and metaphorical readings to be seen as specializations of the abstract structures. In the core theories, we have axiomatized composite entities (or things made out of other things), the figure-ground relation, scalar notions (of which space, time and number are specializations), change of state, causality, and the structure of complex events and processes. These theories explicate the basic predicates in terms of which the most common word senses need to be defined or characterized. We are now encoding axioms that link the word senses to the core theories, focusing on 450 of words senses in Core WordNet that are primarily concerned with events and their structure. This may be thought of as a kind of "advanced lexical decomposition", where the "primitives" into which words are "decomposed" are elements in coherently worked-out theories.
Measuring practicing clinicians’ information literacy: An exploratory analysis in the context of panel management

Background: As healthcare moves towards technology-driven population health management, clinicians must adopt complex digital platforms to access health information and document care. Objectives: This study explored information literacy, a set of skills required to effectively navigate population health information systems, among primary care providers in one Veterans’ Affairs (VA) medical center. Methods: Information literacy was assessed during an 8-month randomized trial that tested a population health (panel) management intervention. Providers were asked about their use and comfort with two VA digital tools for panel management at baseline, 16 weeks, and post-intervention. An 8-item scale (range 0-40) was used to measure information literacy (Cronbach’s α=0.84). Scores between study arms and provider types were compared using paired t-tests and ANOVAs. Associations between self-reported digital tool use and information literacy were measured via Pearson’s correlations. Results: Providers showed moderate levels of information literacy (M= 27.4, SD 6.5). There were no significant differences in mean information literacy between physicians (M=26.4, SD 6.7) and nurses (M=30.5, SD 5.2, p=0.57 for difference), or between intervention (M=28.4, SD 6.5) and control groups (M=25.1, SD 6.2, p=0.12 for difference). Information literacy was correlated with higher rates of self-reported information system usage (r=0.547, p=0.001). Clinicians identified data access, accuracy, and interpretability as potential information literacy barriers. Conclusions: While exploratory in nature, cautioning generalizability, the study suggests that measuring and improving clinicians’ information literacy may play a significant role in the implementation and use of digital information tools, as these tools are rapidly being deployed to enhance communication among care teams, improve health care outcomes, and reduce overall costs.
Systematic review of the effectiveness of health-related behavioral interventions using portable activity sensing devices (PASDs).

Background: Portable activity sensing devices (PASDs) have received significant interest as tools for objectively measuring activity-related parameters and promoting health-related outcomes. Studies of PASDs suggest the potential value of integrating them with behavioral interventions to improve intermediate and downstream clinical outcomes. Objectives: This systematic review describes and evaluates evidence from controlled studies of interventions using PASDs on their effectiveness in health-related outcomes. Study quality was also assessed. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed of MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PsycINFO, EMBASE, and CINAHL databases. We included English-language papers of controlled trials through 2015 reporting the effectiveness of PASDs in improving health-related outcomes in any population. We extracted and analyzed data on study characteristics including design, target population, interventions, and findings. Results: Seventeen trials met the inclusion criteria from a total of 9553 unique records. Study objectives varied greatly, but most sought to increase physical activity. Studies with a “passive” intervention arm using a PASD with minimal behavioral support generally did not demonstrate effectiveness in improving health-related outcomes. Interventions integrating PASDs with multiple behavioral change techniques were more likely to be effective, particularly for intermediate outcomes such as physical activity and weight loss. Trials had small sample sizes but were generally free of bias, except for blinding and selection bias. Conclusion: There is insufficient evidence to draw a conclusion about the general health-related benefits of PASD interventions. PASD interventions may improve intermediate outcomes when coupled with multiple behavioral change techniques. Devices alone or with minimal behavioral change support are insufficient to change health-related outcomes.
Strategy-proofness of the randomized Condorcet voting system

In this paper, we study the strategy-proofness properties of the randomized Condorcet voting system (RCVS). Discovered at several occasions independently, the RCVS is arguably the natural extension of the Condorcet method to cases where a deterministic Condorcet winner does not exists. Indeed, it selects the always-existing and essentially unique Condorcet winner of lotteries over alternatives. Our main result is that, in a certain class of voting systems based on pairwise comparisons of alternatives, the RCVS is the only one to be Condorcet-proof. By Condorcet-proof, we mean that, when a Condorcet winner exists, it must be selected and no voter has incentives to misreport his preferences. We also prove two theorems about group-strategy-proofness. On one hand, we prove that there is no group-strategy-proof voting system that always selects existing Condorcet winners. On the other hand, we prove that, when preferences have a one-dimensional structure, the RCVS is group-strategy-proof.
Strategic Silence: Withholding Certification Status as a Hypocrisy Avoidance Tactic

We examine why organizations that obtain prominent certifications may at times elect not to publicize them. Drawing on the impression management literature, we argue and show that concerns about be...
BLOOD MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES: AN ACID TRIP IN 2015?

Perioperative blood conservation remains an important topic today in order to reduce complications, improve function, and facilitate recovery after a total knee replacement (TKR). Studies have shown that the degree of postoperative anemia is related to an increase in complications. A greater blood loss and need for transfusion is associated with a higher risk of infection, a slower recovery process, increased morbidity to patients, as well as an increased cost to the health care system. Typical blood loss estimates range from 800cc to over 1700cc, when accounting not only for intraoperative but postoperative blood loss. Several strategies have been developed to help mitigate the risk of perioperative blood loss and need for subsequent transfusion. Firstly, preoperative measures such as vitamin and mineral supplementation can ensure the starting hemoglobin and red cell count are maximised. Additionally, erythropoietin can be helpful in refractory cases of preoperative anemia. Preoperative autologous blood donation was used extensively in the past, but has fallen out of favor due to its inefficiency and cost. Intraoperatively, measures such as the use of a tourniquet, meticulous technique, and expeditious surgery can help reduce blood loss. The most effective method, however, has been the use of tranexamic acid (TXA). TXA, an antifibrinolytic compound, has been extremely effective at reducing perioperative blood loss without increasing the risk of thromboembolic events. TXA can be used topically or intravenously. Other methods that can reduce intraoperative blood loss include the use of fibrin sealants, applied to the soft tissues and bony surfaces around the knee. Postoperatively, the avoidance of wound drains is associated with a higher blood count and reduced transfusion risk. Alternatively, drainage reinfusion systems can be used to raise the postoperative blood count, particularly in cases of bilateral TKR.
THE EVALUATION OF THE ESTABLISHED SAFE ZONE IN PATIENTS WITH ARTICULAR SURFACE REPLACEMENT PROSTHESIS

Introduction Studies of metal-on-metal (MoM) hip resurfacing arthroplasty (HRA) have reported high complication and failure rates due to elevated metal ion levels. These rates were shown to be especially high for the Articular Surface Replacement (ASR) HRA, possibly due to its unique design. Associations between metal ion concentrations and various biological and mechanical factors have been reported. Component positioning as measured by acetabular inclination has been shown to be of especially strong consequence in metal ion production in ASR HRA patients, but few studies have evaluated acetabular anteversion as an independent variable. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the associations between component orientation, quantified by acetabular inclination and anteversion, and blood metal ions. Secondly, we sought to report whether conventional safe zones apply to MoM HRA implants or if these implants require their own positioning standards. Methods We conducted a multi-center, prospective study of 512 unilateral ASR HRA patients enrolled from September 2012 to June 2015. At time of enrollment our patients were a mean of 7 (3–11.5) years from surgery. The mean age at surgery was 56 years and 24% were female. All subjects had complete demographic and surgical information and blood metal ions. In addition, each patient had valid AP pelvis and shoot-though lateral radiographs read by 5 validated readers measuring acetabular abduction and anteversion, and femoral offset. A multivariate logistic regression was used with high cobalt or chromium (greater than or equal to 7ppb) as the dependent variable. The independent variables were: female gender, UCLA activity score, age at surgery, femoral head size, time from surgery, femoral offset, acetabular abduction, and acetabular anteversion. Results The average acetabular inclination angle was found to be 44.7° (20.6°–64.5°), and the average anteversion angle was 24° (0.2°–55.3°) (Figure 1). After controlling for the possible confounding variables, the factors contributing to elevated metal ions (≥ 7 ppb) were found to be time from surgery (OR = 1.29, p = 0.011), high abduction angle (– 55°) (OR = 4.40, p = 0.001), low anteversion angle (0°–10°) (OR = 3.82, p = 0.001), and female gender (OR = 3.45, p = 0.001). Discussion and Conclusion We found that blood metal ion levels are affected by both acetabular inclination and anteversion (Figure 2). Furthermore, we observed that there was a high degree of variation in the positioning of these implants, and we conclude that those with high inclination and/or low anteversion angle should be most vigilantly monitored.
O uso de celulares, tablets e notebooks no ensino da matemática

The present article aims to identify the performance and mathematical thinking of students using technology applications, point out the technological tools appropriate to aid the teaching of mathematics, seeking the use of virtual programs, cellphones, tablets e notebooks, in addition to investigate the difficulties encountered in learning. For this, we conducted bibliographic study of many scholars as Moran (2007) Demo (1993), Tajra (2001) and Paiva (2008) and a field survey in State College Dr. Ives Orlando Lopes da Silva, with students 1st year of high school. The uses of such tools can develop in students a more active and joyful participation in the school environment , taking into account the handling of these devices make students feel more familiar in school, improving the quality of teaching and learning. However, these tools require follow-up and care on the part of the teacher, so that their handling be applied correctly and effectively in the development of the discipline.
Exploration of the electric spin polarizability of the neutron in lattice QCD

A scheme to calculate the electric spin polarizability of the neutron, based on a four-point function approach to the background field method, is presented. The connected contributions to this spin polarizability are evaluated within a mixed action calculation employing domain wall valence quarks on MILC asqtad sea quark ensembles. Results are reported for two pion masses, 759 MeV and 357 MeV.
X-Ray Emissions from Accreting White Dwarfs: A Review

Interacting binaries in which a white dwarf accretes material from a companion-cataclysmic variables (CVs) in which the mass donor is a Roche-lobe filling star on or near the main sequence, and symbiotic stars in which the mass donor is a late type giant-are relatively commonplace. They display a wide range of behaviors in the optical, X-rays, and other wavelengths, which still often baffle observers and theorists alike. Here I review the existing body of research on X-ray emissions from these objects for the benefits of both experts and newcomers to the field. I provide introductions to the past and current X-ray observatories, the types of known X-ray emissions from these objects, and the data analysis techniques relevant to this field. I then summarize of our knowledge regarding the X-ray emissions from magnetic CVs, non-magnetic CVs and symbiotic stars, and novae in eruption. I also discuss space density and the X-ray luminosity functions of these binaries and their contribution to the integrated X-ray emission from the Galaxy. I then discuss open questions and future prospects.
Real-Time Grasping Planning for Robotic Bin-Picking and Kitting Applications

Multi-fingered robotic hands can potentially offer a higher degree of dexterity for grasping a variety of parts than a traditional parallel gripper or a custom end of arm tool. However, real-time grasp planning for complex robotic hands is a challenging task. In this paper, we present real-time grasping planning algorithms that utilize two simple yet effective dimension reduction strategies. The first strategy is the “intersected volume” computation which places the robotic palm relative to the object as well as its environment. The second strategy is the “finger curling planes” which decomposes a grasp contact computation problem in high-dimensional configuration space into several independent grasp contact computation problems in low-dimensional configuration space. Our algorithms have been demonstrated with simulation, physical experiments, and robotic bin-picking and kitting applications on two robotic platforms with three different robotic hands.
Electrocardiogram training for residents: A curriculum based on Facebook and Twitter.

Abstract Background We studied whether social media applications can serve as effective educational tools for teaching electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation to medical residents. Methods 39 emergency, family, and internal medicine residents participated in the 33-week “ECG of the Week” curriculum via Facebook and Twitter. ECG skill was assessed before and after the study with a 10-ECG quiz. Outcomes of interest included predictors of participant response rates and post-study quiz performance. Results ECG quiz scores were 66% and 76% on the pre- and post-study assessments respectively. High-performing participants on the pre-study quiz were more likely to have above-average response rates to ECG challenges (36% vs. 0%, p = 0.015). There was no significant difference between pre- and post-study quiz scores. Conclusions Our social media-based ECG curriculum elicited the most participation in residents who were already above-average in ECG reading ability. Future designs will need to better reach residents with below-average baseline ECG reading ability.
Airborne SAR for high resolution imaging

The present contribution is aimed at showing the high resolution imaging capabilities of the InSAeS4 airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar. After a brief description of the main characteristics of such system, some high resolution SAR and single-pass interferometric SAR products on an urban area are shown.
Promises and Challenges in Continuous Tracking Utilizing Amino Acids in Skin Secretions for Active Multi-Factor Biometric Authentication for Cybersecurity

We consider a new concept of biometric-based cybersecurity systems for active authentication by continuous tracking, which utilizes biochemical processing of metabolites present in skin secretions. Skin secretions contain a large number of metabolites and small molecules that can be targeted for analysis. Here we argue that amino acids found in sweat can be exploited for the establishment of an amino acid profile capable of identifying an individual user of a mobile or wearable device. Individual and combinations of amino acids processed by biocatalytic cascades yield physical (optical or electronic) signals, providing a time-series of several outputs that, in their entirety, should suffice to authenticate a specific user based on standard statistical criteria. Initial results, motivated by biometrics, indicate that single amino acid levels can provide analog signals that vary according to the individual donor, albeit with limited resolution versus noise. However, some such assays offer digital separation (into well-defined ranges of values) according to groups such as age, biological sex, race, and physiological state of the individual. Multi-input biocatalytic cascades that handle several amino acid signals to yield a single digital-type output, as well as continuous-tracking time-series data rather than a single-instance sample, should enable active authentication at the level of an individual.
Reverse-Engineering Biological Networks From Large Data Sets

Much of contemporary systems biology owes its success to the abstraction of a network, the idea that diverse kinds of molecular, cellular, and organismal species and interactions can be modeled as relational nodes and edges in a graph of dependencies. Since the advent of high-throughput data acquisition technologies in fields such as genomics, metabolomics, and neuroscience, the automated inference and reconstruction of such interaction networks directly from large sets of activation data, commonly known as reverse-engineering, has become a routine procedure. Whereas early attempts at network reverse-engineering focused predominantly on producing maps of system architectures with minimal predictive modeling, reconstructions now play instrumental roles in answering questions about the statistics and dynamics of the underlying systems they represent. Many of these predictions have clinical relevance, suggesting novel paradigms for drug discovery and disease treatment. While other reviews focus predominantly on the details and effectiveness of individual network inference algorithms, here we examine the emerging field as a whole. We first summarize several key application areas in which inferred networks have made successful predictions. We then outline the two major classes of reverse-engineering methodologies, emphasizing that the type of prediction that one aims to make dictates the algorithms one should employ. We conclude by discussing whether recent breakthroughs justify the computational costs of large-scale reverse-engineering sufficiently to admit it as a mainstay in the quantitative analysis of living systems.
Single-crystal N-polar GaN p-n diodes by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy

N-polar GaN p-n diodes are realized on single-crystal N-polar GaN bulk wafers by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy growth. The current-voltage characteristics show high-quality rectification and electroluminescence characteristics with a high on currents ∼10 kA/cm2, low off currents 109, and interband photon emission. The measured electroluminescence spectrum is dominated by a strong near-band edge emission, while deep level luminescence is greatly suppressed. A very low dislocation density leads to a high reverse breakdown electric field of ∼2.2 MV/cm without fields plates—the highest reported for N-polar epitaxial structures. The low leakage current N-polar diodes open up several potential applications in polarization-engineered photonic and electronic devices.
Coupling of damped and growing modes in unstable shear flow

Analysis of the saturation of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability is undertaken to determine the extent to which the conjugate linearly stable mode plays a role. For a piecewise-continuous mean flow profile with constant shear in a fixed layer, it is shown that the stable mode is nonlinearly excited, providing an injection-scale sink of the fluctuation energy similar to what has been found for gyroradius-scale drift-wave turbulence. Quantitative evaluation of the contribution of the stable mode to the energy balance at the onset of saturation shows that nonlinear energy transfer to the stable mode is as significant as energy transfer to small scales in balancing energy injected into the spectrum by the instability. The effect of the stable mode on momentum transport is quantified by expressing the Reynolds stress in terms of stable and unstable mode amplitudes at saturation, from which it is found that the stable mode can produce a sizable reduction in the momentum flux.
New quantum effects in relativistic magnetohydrodynamics

Chiral anomaly induces a new kind of macroscopic quantum behavior in relativistic magnetohydrodynamics, including the chiral magnetic effect. In this talk we present two new quantum effects present in fluids that contain charged chiral fermions: 1) the turbulent inverse cascade driven by the chiral anomaly; 2) quantized chiral magnetic current induced by the reconnections of magnetic flux. We also discuss the implications for the evolution of the quark-gluon plasma produced in heavy ion collisions.