cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Soft Tissue Closure of Grafted Extraction Sockets in the Posterior Maxilla: The Rotated Pedicle Palatal Connective Tissue Flap Technique

The sequelae of socket collapse and localized ridge resorption after tooth extraction in the posterior maxilla can adversely affect esthetics, function, and future implant placement. Immediate grafting of extraction sockets may help to preserve natural ridge contours; but lack of available soft tissue can prevent primary closure or exert tension that hampers graft turnover and compromises the visible gingival scallop. Exposed barrier membranes may also be susceptible to bacterial infection that may lead to secondary graft failure. The rotated pedicle palatal connective tissue flap is a relatively simple technique for soft tissue coverage of grafted sockets without excessive tension. This article presents the technique.
Investigation of Strain Gradients and Magnitudes During Microbending

Sheet metal forming of parts with microscale dimensions is gaining importance due to the current trend towards miniaturization, especially in the electronics industry. In microforming, although the process dimensions are scaled down, the polycrystalline material stays the same (e.g., the grain size remains constant). When the specimen feature size approaches the grain size, the properties of individual grains begin to affect the overall deformation behavior. This results in inhomogeneous deformation and increased data scatter of the process parameters. In this research, the influence of the specimen size and the grain size on the distribution of plastic deformation through the thickness during a 3-point microbending process is investigated via digital image correlation. Results showed that with miniaturization, a decrease in the strain gradient existed which matched previous research with respect to micro-hardness measurement.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Bacterial meningitis as a cause of death in lung transplant donors: Early outcomes in recipients.

BACKGROUND Lung transplant remains an established treatment for end-stage lung disease, but limited organ availability remains a major barrier and contributor to waitlist mortality.1 Only 20% of available organs are considered suitable for lung transplantation (Am J Transplant, 16, 2016 and 141; Thorac Surg Clin, 25, 2015 and 35). Successful lung transplantation has been reported from donors infected with bacterial or fungal organisms, but there is a paucity of evidence regarding the use of donors with bacterial meningitis (Transplant Proc, 32, 2000 and 75; Transplantation, 64, 1997 and 365; Ann Thorac Surg, 86, 2008 and 1554). METHOD The Cleveland Clinic lung transplant database was retrospectively reviewed for patients between January 1998 and December 2014. Post-transplantation outcomes collected included graft dysfunction, infectious complications, and survival. RESULTS The recipients were identified as having lungs from donors with bacterial meningitis. All recipients remained free of infectious organisms responsible for bacterial meningitis related in the donor. Severe primary graft dysfunction (PGD) was not seen in these recipients. CONCLUSION In our study, lung transplantation from increased risk donors with bacterial meningitis was not associated with an increased risk of early infectious complications in recipients. Donors with bacterial meningitis should be considered for lung donation and may expand the donor pool safely.
Endovascular Thrombectomy of Septic Thrombophlebitis of the Inferior Vena Cava: Case Report and Review of the Literature:

We describe the cases of 2 patients who had septic thrombophlebitis and were successfully managed with endovascular thrombectomy. Patient A developed septic thrombophlebitis of the inferior vena cava after several retroperitoneal resections for metastatic renal cell carcinoma. The thrombus was successfully removed via endovascular mechanical balloon thrombectomy. Patient B was a patient with pancreatic adenocarcinoma involving the portal vein who developed a septic inferior vena cava thrombus extending from the level and beyond the renal veins, for which she underwent endovascular thrombectomy. We argue that this approach is safe and feasible. It should be considered as a supplemental treatment modality for select decompensating patients who require lifesaving interventions and have contraindications to traditional management of surgical thrombectomy or excision of the involved venous segment.
Towards an Empirical Relation between the Polygonal Circuit Area and the Topological Form Index

This paper begins with a review of the Euler relation for the polyhedra and derives the corresponding Schlafli relation in n, the polygonality, and p, the connectivity of the polyhedra. The use of the Schlafli symbols to organize the mapping of the polyhedra and its extension into the 2D and 3D networks is described. The topological form index, represented by , is introduced and is defined as the ratio of the polygonality, n, to the connectivity, p, in a structure. Next a discussion is given of establishing a conventional metric of length in order to compare topological properties of the polyhedra and networks in 2D and 3D. A fundamental structural metric is assumed for the polyhedra. The metric for the polyhedra is, in turn, used to establish a metric for tilings in the Euclidean plane. The metrics for the polyhedra and 2D plane are used to establish a metric for networks in 3D. Once the metrics have been established, a conjecture is introduced that the area of the elementary polygonal circuit in the polyhedra and 2D and 3D networks is proportional to the topological form index, , for these structures. Data of the form indexes and the corresponding elementary polygonal circuit areas, for a selection of polyhedra and 2D and 3D networks, is tabulated and the results of a least squares regression analysis of the data plotted in a Cartesian space are reported. From the regression analysis it is seen that a quadratic in successfully correlates the topological form indexes with the corresponding elementary polygonal circuit area data of the polyhedra and 2D and 3D networks. A brief discussion of the evident rigorousness of the Schlafli indexes over all the polyhedra and 2D and 3D networks, based upon the correlation of the topological form index with elementary polygonal circuit area, and the suggestion that an Euler-Schlafli relation for the 2D and 3D networks in terms of the Schlafli indexes is possible, concludes the paper.
Geophysical Constraints on Recycling of Oceanic Lithosphere

The path of an oceanic slab as it subducts beneath a continent or ocean is generally illuminated by a plane of earthquakes. In most subduction zones the earthquake activity is probably confined to the upper tens of kilometers of the plate and also to depths less than about 680 km. However, despite the apparent rigidity suggested by the presence of earthquakes, recent studies have shown that the subducted lithosphere can contort without tearing and/or without substantial release of seismic energy (e.g., Schneider and Sacks, 1987, Hasegawa and Sacks, 1981). In addition, slabs can have significant aseismic extent. In many regions, therefore, the path of the slab or even its existence is not obvious.
Behavior management conference panel II report--Third-party payer issues.

Panel II discussed key issues related to third-party payment for behavior management in pediatric dentistry and responded to a series of questions raised by the Conference Planning Committee. The panel was composed of individuals representing consumers (parents and caretakers), pediatric dentists, other health care providers, and a large dental insurance plan. They were charged with: (1) identifying problems related to third-party coverage and benefits for behavior management; (2) developing recommendations for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry; and (3) prioritizing the problems and recommendations. (Pediatr Dent. 2004;26:171-174)
Maximum Endurance of a Turbofan in Cruise with Head or Tail-Wind

Maximizing the endurance of an aircraft is a problem with several applications. This paper proposes an optimal control framework to solve the maximum endurance problem of a turbofan in cruise, and takes into account the presence of head or tail-winds. Since the optimal solution of this problem involves finding the root of a quintic polynomial, an approximate state-feedback analytical solution is proposed using the first iteration of Newton's method. This is the main contribution of the paper. Upper error bounds are also derived for the proposed algorithm in order to validate its accuracy. Simulation results are shown and compared with the maximum endurance performance mode of a Boeing 737 FMS. The simulation results show that the proposed speed is closer to the optimal solution than the speed of a commercial FMS.
Rejection Sampling and Noncausal Sampling Under Moment Constraints

In the rejection sampling problem, a sequence of samples distributed according to $Q$ are observed sequentially by a sampler which stops and makes the selection at a certain point so that the selected sample is distributed according to P. Harsha-Jain-McAllester-Radhakrishnan showed that the expected length of a variable-length compression of the index of the selected sample is approximately $D(P\Vert Q)$ . We prove Renyi generalizations of their result under some regularity conditions on the information spectrum. It turns out that causality matters except for Renyi divergence of order 1. For $\alpha\in(0,1)$ , the minimum $\alpha$ -moment of the selected index is approximately $\exp \ \left(\alpha D_{\frac{1}{1-\alpha}}(P\Vert Q)\right)$ · In contrast, in the variant where the sequence is observed noncausally, the minimum $\alpha$ -moment $((\alpha\geq 0)$ is approximately $\exp(\alpha D_{1+\alpha}(P\Vert Q))$ . The proof is based on a simple optimization duality between sampling and covering.
Reflective journaling to decrease anxiety among undergraduate nursing students in the clinical setting

Objective: Many nursing students experience anxiety in the clinical setting. Increased anxiety impairs students’ ability to learn and can negatively affect patient safety. To promote student learning and patient safety, it is imperative that nurse educators identify and implement strategies to decrease nursing students’ anxiety. The purpose of this qualitative study was to determine how undergraduate nursing students perceive the impact of writing reflective journals on their anxiety level associated with their first clinical rotation experience early in their program of study. Methods: Participants were randomly assigned by their clinical group to either write guided reflective journals, non-guided reflective journals, or no reflective journals during their first clinical rotation where they provided patient care. Five individuals from each intervention group were randomly selected to participate in an interview. Themes related to the participants’ perceptions of the impact of writing reflective journals on their anxiety were determined through qualitative analysis. Results and implications: Participants who wrote guided or non-guided reflective journals experienced decreased anxiety associated with their first clinical rotation. Participants in the non-journaling group expressed that they would have benefitted from having a journal assignment. Four themes were identified related to experiences with writing journals: allowed time, identified feelings, assisted with processing, and increased confidence. The findings of this study support the use of reflective journals as a pedagogical intervention to decrease nursing students’ anxiety associated with the first clinical experience. Additional benefits of the reflective journaling included taking time to identify and process feelings and increased confidence in future clinical experiences.
Interrogation of Human Milk Oligosaccharide Fucosylation Patterns for Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Trends in Group B Streptococcus

For newborns, human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) serve as an important source of protection against bacterial pathogens. HMOs prevent infection by functioning as decoy receptors that bind pathogens to inhibit cellular adhesion. HMOs also play a protective role by acting as prebiotics that selectively promote the growth of symbiotic gut bacteria over pathogens. Fucosylated HMOs in particular are well-known for their roles as both decoy receptors and prebiotics. Recently, we discovered that HMOs possess antimicrobial activity against Group B Streptococcus (GBS) by increasing cellular permeability. HMO extracts from a single donor can contain over 100 different structures; however, studies using heterogeneous HMO mixtures do not provide insight into the specific structural requirements needed to achieve antimicrobial activity. In this study, we address this void by completing a structure activity study on the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of six neutral, fucosylated and five neutral, nonfucosylat...
Characteristics of shrub morphology on nest site selection of Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) in high-elevation sagebrush habitat

ABSTRACT Selection of nest sites directly influences reproductive success for Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus); thus, regional evaluation of how this species selects nest sites is necessary for effective habitat management. We evaluated fine-scale nest site selection of Greater Sage-Grouse in the Centennial Valley of southwest Montana. We conducted vegetation surveys at nest sites (n = 90) of radio-tagged Greater Sage-Grouse and paired random locations across 2 breeding seasons (2014–2015). The majority of nests were located under mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana), three-tip sagebrush (A. tripartita), and basin big sagebrush (A. tridentata ssp. tridentata) shrubs. We used generalized linear models and information theory to evaluate competing hypotheses about nest site selection. Our top model indicated that nest site selection was primarily associated with nest shrub morphological characteristics and cover provided by the nest shrub. Mountain big sagebrush and thre...
Proceedings of the 2012 Symposium on Simulation for Architecture and Urban Design

SpringSim'12, sponsored by the Society for Modeling and Simulation (SCS) and in collaboration with the ACM SIGSIM, brings together scientists and scholars from a variety of disciplines to collaborate and exchange ideas. Featuring members of industry, academia, military, and government from all over the world, SpringSim continues its mission to offer a unique setting for the discussion and advancement of all aspects of modeling and simulation. SpringSim'12 features an exciting group of world-renowned experts giving presentations concerning a variety of topics. Many of the SpringSim symposiums will offer tutorials and panel discussions covering topics specific to those fields.
Analysis of Process-Related Quality Metrics and Survival of Patients with Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

ObjectiveTo analyze the association of prior reported key quality metrics—neck dissection ≥18 nodes, radiation oncology referral for stage III/IV disease, unplanned surgery ≤14 days, and unplanned ...
Application of an intersectional framework to understanding the association of disability and sexual orientation with suicidal ideation among Oregon Teens.

Abstract Background Suicide is the second leading cause of death among U.S. youth. Prior research has found that disability and sexual orientation are each independently associated with suicide risk. However, most analyses regarding sexual orientation or disability in relation to teenagers’ health have isolated the effects of these identities via multiple regression models. That approach assumes there is no multiplicative or synergistic effect between the two identities. Objective To examine the association between suicidal ideation and the intersection of disability and sexual orientation. Methods Cross-sectional data from the 2015 Oregon Healthy Teens Survey were analyzed using Poisson regression analysis with robust variance to estimate the relationship between the intersection of disability and sexual orientation and youth reports of suicidal ideation. We calculated three measures of interaction: 1) the excess risk due to interaction (RERI); 2) the proportion attributable to interaction (AP); and 3) the synergy index (SI). Results Sexual minority teenagers with disabilities had higher risk of suicidal ideation (adjusted relative risk [ARR] = 2.82, 95% CI: 2.47–3.21) with respect to heterosexual teenagers without disabilities. The risk was also elevated, to a lesser degree, for heterosexual youth with disabilities (ARR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.78–2.19) and LGB youth without disabilities (ARR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.95–2.42) with respect to the reference group. Our measures of interaction were indicative of a synergistic effect between disability and sexual orientation. Conclusions Our findings suggest the combination of disability and minority sexual orientation may be associated with compounded negative experiences that could exacerbate the risk of suicide.
Baseline 3D-ADC outperforms 2D-ADC in predicting response to treatment in patients with colorectal liver metastases

To examine the value of baseline 3D-ADC and to predict short-term response to treatment in patients with hepatic colorectal metastases (CLMs). Liver MR images of 546 patients with CLMs (2008–2015) were reviewed retrospectively and 68 patients fulfilled inclusion criteria. Patients had received systemic chemotherapy (n = 17), hepatic trans-arterial chemoembolization or TACE (n = 34), and 90Y radioembolization (n = 17). Baseline (pre-treatment) 3D-ADC (volumetric) of metastatic lesions was calculated employing prototype software. RECIST 1.1 was used to assess short-term response to treatment. Prediction of response to treatment by baseline 3D-ADC and 2D-ADC (ROI-based) was also compared in all patients. Partial response to treatment (minimum 30% decrease in tumor largest transverse diameter) was seen in 35.3% of patients; 41.2% with systemic chemotherapy, 32.4% with TACE, and 35.3% with 90Y radioembolization (p = 0.82). Median baseline 3D-ADC was significantly lower in responding than in nonresponding lesions. Area under the curve (AUC) of 3D-ADC was 0.90 in 90Y radioembolization patients, 0.88 in TACE patients, and 0.77 in systemic chemotherapy patients (p < 0.01). Optimal prediction was observed with the 10th percentile of ADC (1006 × 10−6 mm2/s), yielding sensitivity and specificity of 77.4% and 91.3%, respectively. 3D-ADC outperformed 2D-ADC in predicting response to treatment (AUC; 0.86 vs. 0.71; p < 0.001). Baseline 3D-ADC is a highly specific biomarker in predicting partial short-term response to treatment in hepatic CLMs. • Baseline 3D-ADC is a highly specific biomarker in predicting response to different treatments in hepatic CLMs. • The prediction level of baseline ADC is better for90Y radioembolization than for systemic chemotherapy/TACE in hepatic CLMs. • 3D-ADC outperforms 2D-ADC in predicting short-term response to treatment in hepatic CLMs.
Improved mutual information measure for clustering, classification, and community detection

The information theoretic measure known as mutual information is widely used as a way to quantify the similarity of two different labelings or divisions of the same set of objects, such as arises, for instance, in clustering and classification problems in machine learning or community detection problems in network science. Here we argue that the standard mutual information, as commonly defined, omits a crucial term which can become large under real-world conditions, producing results that can be substantially in error. We derive an expression for this missing term and hence write a corrected mutual information that gives accurate results even in cases where the standard measure fails. We discuss practical implementation of the new measure and give example applications.
Out From the Halls

The shame surrounding the construct of disability strikes at the very context of an individual’s soul. The healing of shame associated with a learning disability diagnosis is a journey. To be free requires the inner looking into the core of self, once viewed and acknowledged healing enters. In this journey the individual is held by hands greater than their own. The path of healing is an individual passage and choice. Out from the Halls by Lisa Boskovich is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Based on a work at https://rdsjournal.org. Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at https://www.rds.hawaii.edu.
Estimation Based Protection of Three-Phase Saturable Core Transformer for Cross-Country Fault Detection

Despite decades-old research in the area of power system protection, situations where traditional protection schemes might not operate effectively still exist. Such gaps in the protection capabilities of traditional relays must be addressed to ensure the safe and secure operation of the power grid. The focus of this paper is on cross-country faults. Specifically, we are interested in accurately detecting an internal fault in the presence of an external fault close to our protection zone. This is an important problem, because the external disturbance may have two adverse effects. First, it may cause relays that monitor nearby zones to issue a trip command, as if the fault was within their protection zones. Second, schemes that guard against this problem may desensitize the relay and fail in detecting a fault that may happen inside the protection zone during the external fault. Our approach is model-based. The dynamic models of the protected and measuring devices are utilized alongside the obtained measurements to verify that the measurements are consistent with the devices operating normally. The performance of our approach is tested with an external fault, a difficult case of an internal fault, namely a transformer inter-turn fault, and a combination of the two previous cases. Results are provided showing that our approach works correctly in all three cases.
A note on a class of generalized nilpotent groups introduced by Bechtell and Doerk

All groups are finite with Φ(G) denoting the Frattini subgroup of a group G. If G is nilpotent with subgroups H and K where H≤K, then Φ(H)≤Φ(G) and Φ(H)≤Φ(K). However, as demonstrated by the symmet...
Advancing a Social Identity Model of System Attitudes

The connection between social identity and attitudes toward the criminal justice system (CJS) is an area of interest among criminologists and legitimacy scholars. Previous work has proposed a social identity theory of legitimation, positing that individuals categorize CJS officials as either in-group (i.e. legitimate authority) or out-group (i.e. illegitimate enforcer). Subsequently, how individuals perceive their CJS – including the sincerity of its commitment to the rule of law – is tied to this relationship. Those viewing the government as an out-group oppressor are less likely to accept its legitimacy. This article explores this thesis. From the perspective of system justification theory, how the CJS is categorized should depend on how strongly an individual identifies as belonging to a group disadvantaged by the CJS. System justification theorists hypothesize that system justification (including acceptance of system legitimacy) is more likely when members of disadvantaged groups believe that group interests are less important. Alternative models that explain attitudes toward the system by using social identity theory suggest the opposite: Those who identify more strongly with disadvantaged groups and hold their interests to be more important nonetheless justify oppositional systems and view them legitimately. The present study uses a sample of Black Americans (a disadvantaged group in the American CJS) to determine whether group identification predicts system justification.
Survival of Listeria monocytogenes and shigatoxigenic Escherichia coli during the production and aging of farmstead-style cheese

Abstract Survival of L. monocytogenes (LM) and shigatoxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC) during manufacture and aging of unpasteurized, farmstead-style cheese was investigated. Cheese produced with fresh, unpasteurized milk inoculated with a two-strain cocktail of LM and STEC (both ∼4.5 log cfu mL−1) was aged for 84 days at 4, 10, or 22 °C. Bacterial populations were assessed weekly. Pathogen populations were unchanged throughout cheese manufacture, but were significantly lower in whey than in curd. Aging at 4 °C caused a significant reduction in STEC and LM populations to below the enumeration limit on day 84. At 10 °C, a significant decrease in STEC was observed, but LM levels increased significantly; at 22 °C, populations of both pathogens increased. Regardless of aging temperature or time, both pathogens were detected in every cheese sample analyzed. Results suggest that aging cheese at the lowest temperature possible will provide the best control of STEC and LM.
Uniform Trigonometrization Method for Optimal Control Problems with Control and State Constraints

Application of indirect optimization methods to solve constrained optimal control problems is not a straightforward task. This study presents a new construct, the Uniform Trigonometrization Method ...
Thermo-mechanical degradation in ABS-Fe3O4 polymer nanocomposite due to repeated electromagnetic heating

Abstract The reinforcement of conductive nano-/micro-fillers in thermoplastic polymers allows for rapid heating upon exposure to electromagnetic (EM) radiation. This phenomenon has been used to create reversible adhesives that allow bonding/removal of substrates via controlled EM exposure. This process of repeated heating/cooling can introduce thermal and mechanical degradation, which is not well understood. In this work, ferromagnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4) were embedded in ABS polymer using melt-processing. The resulting polymers were subjected to EM heating with varying exposure time and multiple heat/cool cycles. TGA and FTIR spectroscopy were conducted to understand the extent of thermomechanical degradation. Tensile and Izod impact tests were performed on samples post EMI exposure and compared with control samples (no EMI exposure) to understand the effects of degradation. Results indicate that prolonged exposure to induction heating reduces the overall mechanical properties of the reversible polymer. However, repeated heating of ABS/Fe3O4 nanocomposites within the melting temperature only effects the ductility, and is attributed to loss of the toughening agent butadiene. Overall, the study creates a first benchmark for a possible path to control EM heating to prevent thermomechanical degradation of reversible thermoplastics.
Effects of pre-tests and feedback on performance outcomes and persistence in Massive Open Online Courses

Abstract This study examined the effects of pre-tests and feedback on learning and persistence in a massive open online course (MOOC). Participants (N = 399) from around the world enrolled in the American Museum of Natural History's (AMNH) climate change MOOC and were randomly assigned to one of four experimental conditions. Learners in the first group took pre-tests without receiving feedback. Learners in the second group took pre-tests and received basic (correct/incorrect) feedback. Learners in the third group took pre-tests and received elaborate feedback. The fourth group was the control. Learning outcomes were measured via post-tests. Results indicated that: (1) among all students, pre-tests and feedback did not affect learning outcomes; (2) pre-tests negatively affected persistence; (3) among those who completed the course, pre-tests positively affected learning outcomes; and (4) among those who took pre-tests, persistence positively affected learning. These findings represent a new contribution to assessment and feedback literature.
The Development and Psychometric Evaluation of the Electronic Fetal Monitoring Knowledge Scale.

Background The aim of this study was to develop and assess the psychometric properties of the Electronic Fetal Monitoring Knowledge Scale (EFMKS), a self-report and short instrument measuring knowledge concerning Electronic Fetal Monitoring (EFM). Methods. The EFMKS was developed in a three-phase process by using an integrated mixed-methods approach that included literature reviews, professional focus groups, expert consultations and a psychometric survey evaluation. The psychometric evaluation was conducted by recruiting a sample of 128 professionals (midwives and doctors). Content validity, exploratory factor analysis, discriminant and construct validity, test-retest reliability and internal consistency were explored. Results The expert panel determined that the content validity was satisfactory. The final 10-item scale consisted of three factors explaining 73% of the total variance in the data. Discriminant validity was satisfactory. Internal consistency reliability (α = 0.89) and test-retest reliability (0.85) were satisfactory. The majority of the midwives and the obstetricians had a good level of knowledge while approximately one third of them had a low level of knowledge in EFM. Conclusion The EFMK demonstrated good content validity, an easily interpretable three-factor structure, high internal consistency, high test-retest reliability, and satisfactory discriminant and construct validity with sample characteristics. The EFMKS may be used for evaluating the EFM knowledge of health professionals and for identifying the areas of their knowledge gap. Based on study findings, an annual multi-professional CTG training is necessary for all intrapartum staff and in particular for the midwives and doctors with shorter clinical experience in the labor ward.
Bimorph Pinned Piezoelectric Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducers for Space Imaging Applications

This paper reports a bimorph pinned piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (PMUT) for enhanced sound pressure output and electromechanical coupling factor for space imaging applications. An equivalent circuit model has been built to analyze the dynamic behavior of PMUTs and prototype devices have been designed, fabricated. Experimental results show a 58% measured increase in the electromechanical coupling factor and pulse-echo measurements show a 4-meter traveling distance in air under a 133 kHz driving frequency. As a demonstration example, a relatively long-distance (>1.5 meters) ultrasound imaging test in air is conducted using a $4\times 4$ bimorph, pinned dual-electrode PMUTs array based on the transmission beamforming scheme. As such, this work enhances and extends the PMUT performances and capabilities for potential broad applications. [2021-0102]
Subtle Inverse Crimes: Naïvely training machine learning algorithms could lead to overly-optimistic results.

While open databases are an important resource in the Deep Learning (DL) era, they are sometimes used "off-label": data published for one task are used for training algorithms for a different one. This work aims to highlight that in some cases, this common practice may lead to biased, overly-optimistic results. We demonstrate this phenomenon for inverse problem solvers and show how their biased performance stems from hidden data preprocessing pipelines. We describe two preprocessing pipelines typical of open-access databases and study their effects on three well-established algorithms developed for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) reconstruction: Compressed Sensing (CS), Dictionary Learning (DictL), and DL. In this large-scale study we performed extensive computations. Our results demonstrate that the CS, DictL and DL algorithms yield systematically biased results when naively trained on seemingly-appropriate data: the Normalized Root Mean Square Error (NRMSE) improves consistently with the preprocessing extent, showing an artificial increase of 25%-48% in some cases. Since this phenomenon is generally unknown, biased results are sometimes published as state-of-the-art; we refer to that as subtle inverse crimes. This work hence raises a red flag regarding naive off-label usage of Big Data and reveals the vulnerability of modern inverse problem solvers to the resulting bias.
Laser Output Detection

It is, of course, necessary to know the output of the laser. In the biomedical field it is much more important to be precise and accurate. The laser reaction in living tissue changes with but small changes in the various parameters of the laser output, whether it be changes in power, energy outputs or pulse duration. The findings of laser research at various centers cannot be compared unless accurate outputs of laser radiation are made. This important field is in a very much confused state at the present time because of the difficulty of measurement of laser output, especially of high outputs. Exit energies above 1500 joules exit energy have been used in biomedical applications with the pulsed solid-state lasers, 0.5–10 watts power outputs are to be used for the argon laser and 25 watts for the carbon dioxide laser. It would seem, at first glance, that the problem of measurements should be simple, for it is merely the detection of classical changes in electromagnetic fields. Many studies of this problem have been done in our laboratory by Hornby and Rockwell.
Principe de Hasse pour les surfaces de del Pezzo de degré 4

Cette these porte sur l'arithmetique des surfaces munies d'un pinceau de courbes de genre $1$, des surfaces de del Pezzo de degre $4$ et des intersections de deux quadriques dans $\mathbf{P}^n_k$. Dans les deux premiers chapitres, nous developpons la technique introduite par Swinnerton-Dyer en 1993 et raffinee par Colliot-Thelene, Skorobogatov et Swinnerton-Dyer en 1998 permettant d'etudier les points rationnels des surfaces munies d'un pinceau de courbes de genre $1$. Le troisieme chapitre, qui repose sur le second, est consacre aux surfaces de del Pezzo de degre $4$ et aux intersections de deux quadriques dans $\mathbf{P}^n_k$. Soient $k$ un corps de nombres et $X$ une intersection lisse de deux quadriques dans $\mathbf{P}^n_k$. On dit que $X$ satisfait au principe de Hasse si l'existence d'un $k_v$-point de $X$ pour toute place $v$ de $k$ suffit a assurer l'existence d'un $k$-point de $X$. Colliot-Thelene et Sansuc ont conjecture que (i) $X$ satisfait au principe de Hasse si $n\geq 5$; (ii) $X$ satisfait au principe de Hasse si $n=4$ et $\mathrm{Br}(X)/\mathrm{Br}(k)=0$. Le but du troisieme chapitre est de demontrer la conjecture (i), ainsi qu'une grande partie de la conjecture (ii), en admettant l'hypothese de Schinzel et la finitude des groupes de Tate-Shafarevich des courbes elliptiques sur les corps de nombres.
Using Loglinear Models to Compress Datacube

A data cube is a popular organization for summary data. A cube is simply a multidimensional structure that contains in each cell an aggregate value, i.e., the result of applying an aggregate function to an underlying relation. In practical situations, cubes can require a large amount of storage, so, compressing them is of practical importance. In this paper, we propose an approximation technique that reduces the storage cost of the cube at the price of getting approximate answers for the queries posedagain st the cube. The idea is to characterize regions of the cube by using statistical models whose description take less space than the data itself. Then, the model parameters can be used to estimate the cube cells with a certain level of accuracy. To increase the accuracy, and to guarantee the level of error in the query answers, some of the "outliers" (i.e., cells that incur in the largest errors when estimated), are retained. The storage taken by the model parameters and the retained cells, of course, shouldt ake a fraction of the space of the full cube and the estimation procedure should be faster than computing the data from the underlying relations. We use loglinear models to model the cube regions. Experiments show that the errors introduced in typical queries are small even when the description is substantially smaller than the full cube. The models also offer information about the underlying structure of the data modeled by them. Moreover, these models are relatively easy to update dynamically as data is added to the warehouse.
A Distributed Control System and Scripting Language for “Interactivity” in Live Performance

This paper describes the architecture of a new control system and associated scripting language currently under development in a collaboration between computer scientists, engineers, and artists. The system is designed to facilitate the creation of real-time relationships between people and media elements in live performance and installation artworks. It draws on the experience of the UCLA HyperMedia Studio in producing media-rich artistic works and suggests an approach also useful for prototyping “interactive” and “smart” spaces for entertainment and education.
Scarcity and Frontiers: How Economies Have Developed Through Natural Resource Exploitation

List of figures List of tables List of boxes Preface Acknowledgements 1. Introduction: scarcity and frontiers 2. The agricultural transition (from 10,000 BC to 3000 BC) 3. The rise of cities (from 3000 BC to 1000 AD) 4. The emergence of the world economy (from 1000 to 1500) 5. Global frontiers and the rise of Western Europe (from 1500 to 1914) 6. The Atlantic economy triangular trade (from 1500 to 1860) 7. The golden age of resource-based development (from 1870 to 1914) 8. The age of dislocation (from 1914 to 1950) 9. The contemporary era (from 1950 to present) 10. Epilogue: the age of ecological scarcity? Index.
Composition and value of returned industrial information technology equipment revisited

At the 2000 ISEE Conference, the authors presented data on the compositional make-up and the characteristic values associated with recoveries expected from returned personal computer systems, associated with parts, and commodities received at the IBM/sub TM/ Asset Recovery Center in Endicott, NY. Information was obtained from a sample of 1999 returns and data was displayed comparing the values of the commodities, parts, and systems vs. system age. Additionally, a comparison of machine resale value by technology was also shown. Key points indicated the expected rapid drop in system value due to changing technology as well as a transitional breakpoint between the third and fourth year of a systems age where the parts contained in a system start to have more value than the system itself. This paper refreshes the study with the values obtained from a 2001 return stream and compares the data to that collected in 1999 to determine if the trends and conclusions have changed. The authors also present data and conclusions for system parts recovery value versus technology.
Crystal Structure of IscA, an Iron-sulfur Cluster Assembly Protein from Escherichia coli

IscA, an 11 kDa member of the hesB family of proteins, binds iron and [2Fe-2S] clusters, and participates in the biosynthesis of iron-sulfur proteins. We report the crystal structure of the apo-protein form of IscA from Escherichia coli to a resolution of 2.3A. The crystals belong to the space group P3(2)21 and have unit cell dimensions a=b=66.104 A, c=150.167 A (alpha=beta=90 degrees, gamma=120 degrees ). The structure was solved using single-wavelength anomalous dispersion (SAD) phasing of a selenomethionyl derivative, and the IscA model was refined to R=21.4% (Rfree=25.4%). IscA exists as an (alpha1alpha2)2 homotetramer with the (alpha1alpha2) dimer comprising the asymmetric unit. Cys35, implicated in Fe-S cluster assembly, is located in a central cavity formed at the tetramer interface with the gamma-sulfur atoms of residues from the alpha1 and alpha2' monomers (and alpha1'alpha2) positioned close to one another (approximately equal 7 A). C-terminal residues 99-107 are disordered, and the exact positions of Cys99 and Cys101 could not be determined. However, computer modeling of C-terminal residues in the tetramer suggests that Cys99 and Cys101 in the alpha1 monomer and those of the alpha1' monomer (or alpha2 and alpha2') are positioned sufficiently close to coordinate [2Fe-2S] clusters between the two dimers, whereas this is not possible within the (alpha1alpha2) or (alpha1'alpha2') dimer. This symmetrical arrangement allows for binding of two [2Fe-2S] clusters on opposite sides of the tetramer. Modeling further reveals that Cys101 is positioned sufficiently close to Cys35 to allow Cys35 to participate in cluster assembly, formation, or transfer.
Insect fragments in flour: relationship to lesser grain borer (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) infestation level in wheat and rapid detection using near-infrared spectroscopy.

We determined that the number of insect fragments, quantified using the standard flotation method, in flour milled from wheat infested with larvae, pupae, or preemergent adults of the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), was proportional to infestation level. Wheat infested with a single preemergent adult contributed 28 and 10× as many fragments as wheat infested with a single larva or pupa, respectively. Using regression models that were developed from these data, we predicted that the maximum infestation level that would result in flour with fragment counts below the Food and Drug Administration defect action level (75 fragments/50 g of flour) was 0.95 and 1.5% (380–640 infested kernels/kg of wheat) for pupae and larvae, but it decreased to 0.05% (20 infested kernels/kg) when the grain was infested with preemergent adults. We also reexamined the accuracy and sensitivity of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for detecting insect fragments in flour by testing three different NIR spectrometers. NIRS-predicted numbers of insect fragments were correlated with the actual number of fragments. NIRS is less precise than the standard flotation method, but it is rapid, nondestructive, does not require extensive sample preparation, and could easily be automated for a more sophisticated sampling protocol for flour based on prescreening samples with NIRS followed up by use of the standard flotation method when necessary.
Racial differences in the distribution of a low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) polymorphism and its association with serum lipoprotein, lipid and apolipoprotein levels

The low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor-related protein (LRP) is a cell receptor that has close structural homology to the LDL and very low density lipoprotein receptors and thus is believed to play an important role in lipid metabolism. This study was carried out to evaluate the distribution of a known tetranucleotide repeat polymorphism in the LRP gene and its association with serum lipoprotein-lipid and apolipoprotein levels in four large samples comprising Hispanics (n=373) and non-Hispanic Whites (n=522) from the U.S. and Nigerian Blacks from Sokoto (n=390) and Benin (n=800). A total of four alleles, designated 83, 87, 91 and 95 bp, were observed. The 83 bp allele was observed at 0.4-1.1% in the two U.S. populations but was completely absent in African Blacks. Sokoto Blacks had significantly different frequencies of the 87 and 91 bp alleles compared to Hispanics (P=0.008) and non-Hispanic Whites (P=0.024). The frequency of the 91 bp allele was also significantly higher in Benin Blacks compared to Hispanics (P=0.026) and non-Hispanic Whites (P=0.054). The analysis of the relationship between the LRP polymorphism and serum lipid traits yielded some significant race and gender specific significant association for lipoprotein(a) in non-Hispanic White males (P=0.02); HDL2-cholesterol in Hispanic females (P=0.03) and apolipoprotein B in Benin males (P=0.04). We also observed an interaction between the LRP polymorphism and menopausal status for Lp(a) in Hispanic females (P=0.014). However, considering multiple comparisons were performed, these associations could be due to chance. Our data indicate that although the LRP tetranucleotide polymorphism exhibits inter-racial differences in its distribution, it does not appear to have a significant role in affecting serum lipid traits.
Absorption and emission spectra of 2, 3-benzobiphenylene—Comparison with pariser-parr-pople SCF-MO-CI calculations

Abstract 2,3-Benzobiphenylene was prepared by a synthetic route starting with α,α,α′,α′-tetrabromo orthoxylene. Its electronic absorption, fluorescence, delayed emission, and fluorescence polarization spectra were experimentally characterized. A semi-empirical SCF-MO-CI method was used to calculate properties associated with the transitions. With the aid of the computation the electronic transitions of 2,3-benzobiphenylene are assigned. A table of ground and excited state bond orders was compiled. Electron densities for filled and unfilled MO's were generated and are presented schematically. By comparison of theory and experiment, 2,3-benzobiphenylene is characterized as a single aromatic system that contains an essentially aromatic four-membered cyclobutadiene ring.
OMENTAL AND MESENTERIC CYSTS IN CHILDREN

. Six children with omental or mesenteric cysts are reported. The cysts usually gave rise to an uncharacteristic clinical picture and deceptive findings, which lead to misconception of the nature of the lesions. The primary step to correct diagnosis is to include the disease among the differential possibilities; ultrasonography may offer conclusive information.
Biographical sketch: Merton M. Gill

(1984). Biographical sketch: Merton M. Gill. Psychoanalytic Inquiry: Vol. 4, Commentaries on Merton Gill's Analysis of Transference, pp. 315-323.
The Logic of Belief Persistence

The principle of belief persistence, or conservativity principle, states that ‘When changing beliefs in response to new evidence, you should continue to believe as many of the old beliefs as possible’ (Harman, 1986, p. 46). In particular, this means that if an individual gets new information, she has to accommodate it in her new belief set (the set of propositions she believes), and, if the new information is not inconsistent with the old belief set, then (1) the individual has to maintain all the beliefs she previously had and (2) the change should be minimal in the sense that every proposition in the new belief set must be deducible from the union of the old belief set and the new information (see, e.g., Gardenfors, 1988; Stalnaker, 1984). We focus on this minimal notion of belief persistence and characterize it both semantically and syntactically.
Electron donor-bridge-acceptor molecules with bridging nitronyl nitroxide radicals: influence of a third spin on charge- and spin-transfer dynamics.

Appending a stable radical to the bridge molecule in a donor−bridge−acceptor system (D−B−A) is potentially an important way to control charge- and spin-transfer dynamics through D−B−A. We have attached a nitronyl nitroxide (NN•) stable radical to a D−B−A system having well-defined distances between the components: MeOAn−6ANI−Ph(NN•)−NI, where MeOAn = p-methoxyaniline, 6ANI = 4-(N-piperidinyl)naphthalene-1,8-dicarboximide, Ph = phenyl, and NI = naphthalene-1,8:4,5-bis(dicarboximide). MeOAn-6ANI, NN•, and NI are attached to the 1, 3, and 5 positions of the Ph bridge. Using both time-resolved optical and EPR spectroscopy, we show that NN• influences the spin dynamics of the photogenerated triradical states 2,4(MeOAn+•−6ANI−Ph(NN•)−NI-•), resulting in slower charge recombination within the triradical compared to the corresponding biradical lacking NN•. The observed spin−spin exchange interaction between the photogenerated radicals MeOAn+• and NI-• is not altered by the presence of NN•, which only accelerates...