cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Unsupervised joint alignment and clustering using Bayesian nonparametrics

Joint alignment of a collection of functions is the process of independently transforming the functions so that they appear more similar to each other. Typically, such unsupervised alignment algorithms fail when presented with complex data sets arising from multiple modalities or make restrictive assumptions about the form of the functions or transformations, limiting their generality. We present a transformed Bayesian infinite mixture model that can simultaneously align and cluster a data set. Our model and associated learning scheme offer two key advantages: the optimal number of clusters is determined in a data-driven fashion through the use of a Dirichlet process prior, and it can accommodate any transformation function parameterized by a continuous parameter vector. As a result, it is applicable to a wide range of data types, and transformation functions. We present positive results on synthetic two-dimensional data, on a set of one-dimensional curves, and on various image data sets, showing large improvements over previous work. We discuss several variations of the model and conclude with directions for future work.
SWFs in five continents and three narratives: Similarities and differences

Organized and targeted state interventions in private markets, especially with respect to investments beyond their own territories, have raised complex issues. Particularly when undertaken in the form of Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs,) these public activities in private markets raised issues with respect to the viability of the private market-based foundations of globalization. How one understands the nature, and character, and therefore the boundaries of legitimate organization and operation of SWFs remains an under-theorized though highly politicized endeavor. More important, perhaps, was the political objective in what might have appeared to be a more anarchic and polycentric global ordering – the development and control of a master narrative, of a transcendent and universal truth, of SWFs. This chapter examines SWF characteristics in different areas and regions. The chapter postulates regionalization grounded in three distinct narrative foundations for SWF regionalism – an economic purpose narrative, a legalist narrative, and a corporatist narrative. The first currently serves as the ‘master narrative’ of SWFs, the lens through which SWFs are understood and around which analysis (especially social science and political analysis) and theory tend to be structured. The other two are alternative narratives that sometimes layer and sometimes seek to displace the master economics narrative. Each produces its own approach to SWF regionalism. The author’s thesis is that the distinctive narratives within which SWFs are conceptualized produce forms of regionalization that provide a powerful tool for structuring analysis of differences among national SWF models. In particular, the ‘regional’ categories discernible through the distinctive lenses of the narratives produce clearly distinctive ‘regions’ of SWFs, grounded on the logic of the narrative rather than on the geographic home of the SWF. Section 2 considers the logic of each of the narratives. Section 3 then considers regionalization under each of these narratives, with a focus on the connection between geographic and narrative regionalism.
Fault in Contract Law

Fault in Contract Law Eric A. Posner 1 March 13, 2008 Abstract. A promisor is strictly liable for breaching a contract, according to the standard account. However, a negligence-based system of contract law can be given an economic interpretation, and it is shown that such a system is in some respects more attractive than the strict-liability system. This may explain why negligence ideas continue to play a role in contract decisions, as a brief discussion of cases shows. Anglo-American contract law is said to be a strict liability system, but it could just as well be a fault-based system. Indeed, one can make a plausible case that a fault- based contract law would be superior to the strict liability system. A fault-based system would result in courts enforcing optimal contracts more systematically than they do currently—if courts could implement the system with sufficient accuracy. The disadvantage of such a system is that courts would need to make difficult inquiries and could make more errors. How the advantages and disadvantages balance out is hard to determine. As many authors have noticed, although Anglo-American contract law is usually called a strict liability system, it does contain pockets of fault. Fault-like notions, such as good faith and best efforts, recur in the cases; and terms are often implied in order to ensure that obligations are reasonable rather than absolute. These doctrines reflect some University of Chicago Law School. Thanks to Richard Craswell, Daryl Levinson, Omri Ben-Shahar, Ariel Porat, Giesela Ruhl, Eyal Zamir, and participants in a seminar at the European University Institute for their helpful comments.
Thiohydroximic Acids: Versatile Reagents for Organic Synthesis

Thiohydroximic acids are a heteroatom-rich class of compounds that have long been used only as a means to study the biology of their glucosinolate subclass. However, due to their wide range of reactivity and surprising stability, they have recently emerged as versatile reagents for heterocycle synthesis. In this Account we highlight the current and potential uses of thiohydroximic acids as building blocks for synthesis, with a focus on recent developments from our group. Thiohydroximic acids have already proven to be useful reagents for thioimidate N-oxides, thiazoline, and oxathiazole synthesis, and many more applications will likely emerge as we continue to evaluate their properties. 1 Synthesis of Thiohydroximic Acids 2 Synthesis of Cyclic Thioimidate N-Oxides 3 Synthesis of Thiazolines 4 Synthesis of 5H-1,4,2-Oxathiazoles 5 Summary
Studies of nuclei at TUNL/HIGS: from hadron structure to exploding stars

An overview of the nuclear physics research program at the High Intensity Gamma-Ray Source (HIγS) of Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory (TUNL) is presented. This program, across the distance scales include studies of hadron structure to measure the electromagnetic and spin polarizabilities, precision measurement of photonuclear cross sections of reactions on light nuclei, and measurements of key nuclear reaction rates relevant to helium burning in stars.
A Comparative Study of the Language People Use to Describe the Personalities of God and their Earthly Parents

Reports on a questionnaire survey of 162 general hospital patients and 34 members of a Sunday School class to discover the correlation between the respondents' concept of the personality of their parents and their concept of the personality of God. Discusses and interprets data and draws implications for pastoral care.
Welfare Maximization with Deferred Acceptance Auctions in Reallocation Problems

We design approximate weakly group strategy-proof mechanisms for resource reallocation problems using Milgrom and Segal’s deferred acceptance auction framework: the radio spectrum and network bandwidth reallocation problems in the procurement auction setting and the cost minimization problem with set cover constraints in the selling auction setting. Our deferred acceptance auctions are derived from simple greedy algorithms for the underlying optimization problems and guarantee approximately optimal social welfare (cost) of the agents retaining their rights (contracts). In the reallocation problems, we design procurement auctions to purchase agents’ broadcast/access rights to free up some of the resources such that the unpurchased rights can still be exercised with respect to the remaining resources. In the cost minimization problem, we design a selling auction to sell early termination rights to agents with existing contracts such that some minimal constraints are still satisfied with remaining contracts. In these problems, while the “allocated” agents transact, exchanging rights and payments, the objective and feasibility constraints are on the “rejected” agents.
Follicular regulatory T cells repress cytokine production by follicular helper T cells and optimize IgG responses in mice.

Follicular helper T (Tfh) cells provide crucial help to germinal center B (GCB) cells for proper antibody production, and a specialized subset of regulatory T cells, follicular regulatory T (Tfr) cells, modulate this process. However, Tfr-cell function in the GC is not well understood. Here, we define Tfr cells as a CD4(+) Foxp3(+) CXCR5(hi) PD-1(hi) CD25(low) TIGIT(high) T-cell population. Furthermore, we have used a novel mouse model ("Bcl6FC") to delete the Bcl6 gene in Foxp3(+) T cells and thus specifically deplete Tfr cells. Following immunization, Bcl6FC mice develop normal Tfh- and GCB-cell populations. However, Bcl6FC mice produce altered antigen-specific antibody responses, with reduced titers of IgG and significantly increased IgA. Bcl6FC mice also developed IgG antibodies with significantly decreased avidity to antigen in an HIV-1 gp120 "prime-boost" vaccine model. In an autoimmune lupus model, we observed strongly elevated anti-DNA IgA titers in Bcl6FC mice. Additionally, Tfh cells from Bcl6FC mice consistently produce higher levels of Interferon-γ, IL-10 and IL-21. Loss of Tfr cells therefore leads to highly abnormal Tfh-cell and GCB-cell responses. Overall, our study has uncovered unique regulatory roles for Tfr cells in the GC response.
Missing the “Target”: Preventing the Unjust Inclusion of Vulnerable Children for Medical Research Studies

The central purpose of medical research on children is to generate new knowledge that can improve children’s health, subject to ethical standards that promote justice. Incorporated in U.S. law, international law, and European Union law, the Justice Principle prohibits targeting in medical research, which is the selection of research subjects because of their manipulability and compromised position, rather than for reasons directly related to the problem being studied. Unfortunately, medical research studies involving children have too often violated the Justice Principle, by targeting children in a compromised position due to their health status and vulnerable to manipulability because of their race and class. For example, a U.S. physician implanted pacemakers in fifty-five healthy African-American children resulting in disability, while a drug company tested an unapproved antibiotic in Nigerian children suffering from meningitis causing the death of eleven children, although there was a proven therapy available to the children. To prevent the targeting of these children, I recommend the development of a Vulnerability and Equity Impact Assessment tool (VEIA) similar to the Health Equity Impact Assessment tool to determine whether it is just to select children from particular groups as research subjects. Specifically, the VEIA will measure the societal burdens borne by children as a result of their race, class, and/or health status that compromises their position and makes them vulnerable to manipulability, the potential risks of the research such as physical and psychological harm, and the prospective benefits from the research such as guaranteed access to the therapy if it works. The research study using children from particular groups should not be approved for funding and/or the drug should not be approved for use, unless based on the VEIA, the researcher shows that the benefits to children from these particular groups outweigh the burdens and the risks.
Evaluating the Output of Machine Translation Systems

This half-day tutorial provides a broad overview of how to evaluate translations that are produced by machine translation systems. The range of issues covered includes a broad survey of both human evaluation measures and commonly-used automated metrics, and a review of how these are used for various types of evaluation tasks, such as assessing the translation quality of MT-translated sentences, comparing the performance of alternative MT systems, or measuring the productivity gains of incorporating MT into translation workflows.
The land sharks are on the squawk box

It turns out riding across America is more than a handy metaphor for building system software.
Ligand‐Promoted C(sp3)−H Olefination en Route to Multi‐functionalized Pyrazoles

A Pd-catalyzed/N-heterocycle-directed C(sp(3) )-H olefination has been developed. The monoprotected amino acid ligand (MPAA) is found to significantly promote Pd-catalyzed C(sp(3) )-H olefination for the first time. Cu(OAc)2 instead of Ag(+) salts are used as the terminal oxidant. This reaction provides a useful method for the synthesis of alkylated pyrazoles.
MINIMISING INFECTION RISK: FORTUNE FAVOURS THE PREPARED MIND

1.Patient Factors a.Intrinsic i.Age ii.Nutritional status iii.Diabetes iv.Smoking v.Obesity b.Coexistent infections at a remote body site c.Altered immune response/Colonisation with microorganisms d.Length of pre-op stay/institutionalisation 2.Pre-Operative a.Hand Prep/Scrub Duration/Technique b.Skin antisepsis/Prep/Hair removal c.Antimicrobial prophylaxis 3.Operative a.Ventilation b.Instrument sterilisation c.Surgery i.Duration ii.Poor hemostasis/Drains/Dead space iii.Tissue trauma/Foreign material
Capturing Structural and Functional Diversity Through Institutional Analysis: The Mayor Position in City Charters

City charters affect the governance of municipal systems in complex ways. Current descriptions and typologies developed to study city charter structures simplify the diverse types and configuration...
What Part of “Illegal” Don’t You Understand? The Social Consequences of Criminalizing Unauthorized Mexican Migrants in the United States:

In this article, we examine the social repercussions of criminally prosecuting individuals that cross into the United States without official documentation. The “criminalization of immigration law”...
Single electron transfer in radical ion and radical-mediated organic, materials and polymer synthesis.

The article discusses the mechanisms and the applications in organic synthesis, materials, supramolecular, and polymer synthesis of most organic reactions mediated by single electron transfer. Each reaction or class of reactions will be discussed by starting with the original discovery publication, followed by a summary of all or most review articles published in the field, and a discussion of the mechanism(s) and of the most important methodologic and synthetic developments since the most recent review was published. The mechanisms of most organic reactions are considered to proceed by two-electron transfer pathways, even though both biology and radical chemistry rely extensively on one-electron transfer processes. Radicals generated by homolytic cleavage at high temperature were traditionally employed in the industrial production of polymers and to a lesser extent in the synthesis of organic molecules.
Flexible graphene electrode-based organic photovoltaics with record-high efficiency.

Advancements in the field of flexible high-efficiency solar cells and other optoelectronic devices will strongly depend on the development of electrode materials with good conductivity and flexibility. To address chemical and mechanical instability of currently used indium tin oxide (ITO), graphene has been suggested as a promising flexible transparent electrode but challenges remain in achieving high efficiency of graphene-based polymer solar cells (PSCs) compared to their ITO-based counterparts. Here we demonstrate graphene anode- and cathode-based flexible PSCs with record-high power conversion efficiencies of 6.1 and 7.1%, respectively. The high efficiencies were achieved via thermal treatment of MoO3 electron blocking layer and direct deposition of ZnO electron transporting layer on graphene. We also demonstrate graphene-based flexible PSCs on polyethylene naphthalate substrates and show the device stability under different bending conditions. Our work paves a way to fully graphene electrode-based fl...
Elective neck management for squamous cell carcinoma metastatic to the parotid area lymph nodes

The objective of this study is to determine if radiotherapy (RT) alone to the cervical lymphatics is a suitable alternative to elective neck dissection (END) in patients who undergo parotidectomy and postoperative RT for squamous cell carcinoma metastatic to the parotid area lymph nodes (PALN). We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 107 patients consecutively treated from November 1969 to March 2012 for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma metastatic to the PALN with a clinically node-negative neck. Primary therapy consisted of parotidectomy in all cases. We compared regional (cervical) control in two subgroups: 42 patients treated with END and RT and 65 patients treated with elective neck irradiation (ENI) alone. The median time of follow-up was 5.5 years (range 0.3-30 years) for all patients and 11 years for living patients (range 1.8-26 years). There was 1 neck recurrence in each subgroup: END and RT, 1/42 (2 %); and ENI alone, 1/65 (1.5 %). No patient experienced a complication related to neck RT. ENI to a dose of approximately 50-60 Gy is a suitable alternative to END and postoperative RT in patients with squamous cell carcinoma metastatic to the PALN.
Copper-catalyzed recycling of halogen activating groups via 1,3-halogen migration.

A Cu(I)-catalyzed 1,3-halogen migration reaction effectively recycles an activating group by transferring bromine or iodine from a sp2 to a benzylic carbon with concomitant borylation of the Ar–X bond. The resulting benzyl halide can be reacted in the same vessel under a variety of conditions to form an additional carbon–heteroatom bond. Cross-over experiments using an isotopically enriched bromide source support intramolecular transfer of Br. The reaction is postulated to proceed via a Markovnikov hydrocupration of the o-halostyrene, oxidative addition of the resulting Cu(I) complex into the Ar–X bond, reductive elimination of the new sp3 C–X bond, and final borylation of an Ar–Cu(I) species to turn over the catalytic cycle.
Mid-infrared spectroscopic imaging enabled by an array of Ge-filled waveguides in a microstructured optical fiber probe

The proof-of-concept of mid-infrared spectroscopic imaging using a unique semiconductor-filled optical fiber probe is demonstrated. This fiber design could potentially promote the advent of next-generation infrared medical endoscope technology.
Incorporation of phosphate into glycogen by glycogen synthase.

Abstract The storage polymer glycogen normally contains small amounts of covalently attached phosphate as phosphomonoesters at C2, C3 and C6 atoms of glucose residues. In the absence of the laforin phosphatase, as in the rare childhood epilepsy Lafora disease, the phosphorylation level is elevated and is associated with abnormal glycogen structure that contributes to the pathology. Laforin therefore likely functions in vivo as a glycogen phosphatase. The mechanism of glycogen phosphorylation is less well-understood. We have reported that glycogen synthase incorporates phosphate into glycogen via a rare side reaction in which glucose-phosphate rather than glucose is transferred to a growing polyglucose chain (Tagliabracci et al. (2011) Cell Metab 13 , 274–282). We proposed a mechanism to account for phosphorylation at C2 and possibly at C3. Our results have since been challenged (Nitschke et al. (2013) Cell Metab 17 , 756–767). Here we extend the evidence supporting our conclusion, validating the assay used for the detection of glycogen phosphorylation, measurement of the transfer of 32 P from [β- 32 P]UDP-glucose to glycogen by glycogen synthase. The 32 P associated with the glycogen fraction was stable to ethanol precipitation, SDS-PAGE and gel filtration on Sephadex G50. The 32 P-signal was not affected by inclusion of excess unlabeled UDP before analysis or by treatment with a UDPase, arguing against the signal being due to contaminating [β- 32 P]UDP generated in the reaction. Furthermore, [ 32 P]UDP did not bind non-covalently to glycogen. The 32 P associated with glycogen was released by laforin treatment, suggesting that it was present as a phosphomonoester. The conclusion is that glycogen synthase can mediate the introduction of phosphate into glycogen, thereby providing a possible mechanism for C2, and perhaps C3, phosphorylation.
Rule-based design of synthetic transcription factors in eukaryotes

To design and build living systems, synthetic biologists have at their disposal an increasingly large library of naturally derived and synthetic parts. These parts must be combined together in particular orders, orientations, and spacing’s to achieve desired functionalities. These structural constraints can be viewed as grammatical rules describing how to assemble parts together into larger functional units. Here, we develop a grammar for the design of synthetic transcription factors (sTFs) in eukaryotic cells and implement it within GenoCAD™, a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software for synthetic biology. Knowledge derived from experimental evidence was captured in this grammar to guide the user to create designer transcription factors that should operate as intended. The grammar can be easily updated and refined as our experience with using sTFs in different contexts increases. In combination with grammars that define other synthetic systems, we anticipate that this work will enable the more reliable, efficient, and automated design of synthetic cells with rich functionalities.
Intraductal administration of an NK1 receptor antagonist attenuates the inflammatory response to retrograde infusion of radiological contrast in rats: implications for the pathogenesis and prevention of ERCP-induced pancreatitis.

Introduction The neurogenic inflammatory mediator, substance P (SP), has been implicated in the pathogenesis of acute secretagogue-induced pancreatitis. We hypothesized that it may also play an important role in the development of acute pancreatitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). AIMS Our aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of CP-96345, a NK1 receptor antagonist, in diminishing post-ERCP pancreatitis in a rat model. Methods The effects of CP-96345, when mixed with the contrast agent, were studied in a rat model of pancreatitis caused by retrograde contrast infusion. After 24 hours, histology, edema, and myeloperoxidase activity (MPO) of pancreas, plasma amylase, and NK1 receptor endocytosis in pancreatic acinar cells were evaluated. Results Intraductal contrast infusion caused increases in plasma amylase, edema, histologic grade, and MPO of pancreas, and NK1 receptor internalization in pancreatic acinar cells. The addition of CP-96345 to the infusate significantly reduced pancreatic edema, MPO activity, and the histologic grade of pancreatitis accompanied by a decrease in NK1 receptor internalization. Conclusions When an NK1 receptor antagonist is delivered along with the contrast media there is significant reduction in the pancreatic inflammation caused by intraductal contrast infusion. These results provide some insight into the pathogenesis of ERCP induced pancreatitis as well as present novel pharmacological targets for its prevention.
Sintering Behavior of Ultrafine Ceramic Particles

Ultrafine particles (UFPs) of aluminum oxide, formed by arc discharge, were sintered in an ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) furnace system and characterized by high resolution electron microscopy (HREM) under UHV conditions. The UFPs produced range in size from 20 to 50 nm and have highly faceted surfaces. The atomic structure of the UFPs corresponds to the cubic (γ) and orthorhombic (δ) variants of the spinel structure. In UFPs, surface faceting plays a major role in determining the final sintering geometry with sintering occurring predominantly on the closed-packed (111) facets. Surface diffusion is the predominant mechanism for sintering, as evidenced by the fact that many sintered particles have their initial adhesion structure ‘;lockedin’ during sintering with no reorientation occurring. Furthermore, the necks formed during sintering have well-defined, atomically-sharp contact angles suggesting that the neck growth process is controlled by the faceted structures and may be modeled by a mechanism similar to crystal growth due to ledges, grain boundaries, and twins. The driving force for sintering can be considered as a chemical potential difference between facet surfaces and the neck region.
Did Analyst Forecast Accuracy and Dispersion Improve after 2002 Following the Increase in Regulation

This article examines the accuracy and dispersion of analyst earnings forecasts from October 1993 to September 2013. The authors found an improvement in these forecast properties in the short run following various regulations in the early 2000s. Over the extended period, however, forecast accuracy significantly declined and dispersion significantly increased. The results are robust to various sensitivity tests and indicate that these regulations did not collectively improve the information environment despite the reduction in analyst conflicts of interest. The problem seems to be largely due to the quality of financial reports.
Elastic Behavior, Birefringence, and Swelling of Amorphous Polyethylene Networks

Polyethylene networks were prepared by γ-irradiation of linear polyethylene, both molten and crystalline. The elastic and photoelastic properties of the networks were studied at high temperatures, i.e., in the molten state. The equilibrium swelling was also measured in several solvents. Values of the crosslinking efficiency G of γ-radiation, the molecular, weight Me between entanglements, the optical anisotropy α of the equivalent random link, and the polymer-solvent interaction parameter μ are deduced. Samples prepared by irradiation in the amorphous state showed markedly non-Gaussian elastic behavior. The presence of a large non-Gaussian term in the optical anisotropy is also deduced. The value of α obtained for swollen samples, which showed substantially Gaussian elastic behavior, was 3.9 × 10−24 cm.3, about one-half of that obtained for dry samples. It corresponds to an equivalent random link of only about 5 CH2 units, on the basis of Denbigh's values for bond polarizabilities. The samples prepared by irradiation in the crystalline state showed lower values for α, which also depended upon the degree of crosslinking. This is attributed to the nonrandom chain configurations prevailing at the time of crosslinking. The same samples were found to show more nearly Gaussian elastic behavior, which is attributed to the same cause.
Privacy-preserving deep learning

Deep learning based on artificial neural networks is a very popular approach to modeling, classifying, and recognizing complex data such as images, speech, and text. The unprecedented accuracy of deep learning methods has turned them into the foundation of new AI-based services on the Internet. Commercial companies that collect user data on a large scale have been the main beneficiaries of this trend since the success of deep learning techniques is directly proportional to the amount of data available for training.
Conscientious Women: The Dispositional Conditions of Institutional Treatment on Civic Involvement

Current thinking about the effect of religion on civic engagement centers on “institutional treatment”—the development of resources, social pathways to recruitment, and motivation that occurs in small groups and activities of congregations. None of this work has yet incorporated the personality traits that may shape the uptake of institutional treatment. Following a growing line of research articulating how individual predispositions condition political involvement, we argue that gendered personality differences may moderate civic skill development. With new data, we find that women do not develop skills from religious involvement at the same rate as men and that this pattern is largely attributable to their distinctive personality profile. The results shift the balance between individuals and institutional influences by augmenting the cognitive bases for acquiring church-gained experiences and linking them to the public square.
Lawyering Within the Domain of Expertise

This Article uses the history of patent prosecution to assess the relationship between the practice of law and the claim of an administrative agency to possess and to employ expertise.
Synthesis of Functionalized 1,3,2-Benzodiazaborole Cores Using Bench-Stable Components

The azaborine motif provides a unique opportunity to develop core isosteres by inserting B–N units in place of C═C bonds within aromatic scaffolds, creating new pseudoaromatic building blocks that retain comparable structural features. Previous synthetic routes to the 1,3,2-benzodiazaborole core have used organoboron dichlorides and boronic acids as the boron precursors. The transformation developed herein utilizes entirely bench stable starting materials, including organotrifluoroborates, enabling a wider array of substrate analogues under facile reaction conditions. Furthermore, physical, structural, and electronic properties of these compounds were explored computationally to understand the influence of the B–N replacement on the structure, aromaticity, and isosteric viability of these analogues.
Non-tariff measures and the world trading system

With the success of the World Trade Organization and its predecessor, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, in reducing conventional tariff barriers, much of the recent focus of regional and multilateral trade agreements has switched to non-tariff measures, both border and behind-the-border policies. This paper considers the recent empirical and theoretical literature on non-tariff measures in the world trading system. It provides a set of stylized facts based on available data on non-tariff measures and reviews the key methods used to estimate their trade impact. It considers the theoretical treatment of these measures in the trade literature with a focus on the rules and institutions that govern non-tariff measures in the world trading system. It discusses some of the major issues regarding international cooperation in these policy areas, in particular whether such cooperation should entail deep integration (involving precise legally binding obligations) or shallow integration (which allows countries greater discretion in the setting of non-tariff measures). Finally, this paper reviews some of the specific features the World Trade Organization uses in dealing with non-tariff measures such as national treatment rules and non-violation complaints, and considers policy options beyond the WTO such as harmonization and mutual recognition of standards.
Game User-Oriented Multimedia Transmission Over Cognitive Radio Networks

Cognitive radio (CR) is an emerging technique to improve the efficiency of spectrum resource utilization. In CR networks, the selfish behavior of secondary users (SUs) can considerably affect the performance of primary users (PUs). Accordingly, game theory, which considers the game players’ selfish behavior, has been applied to the design of CR networks. Most of the existing studies focus on the network design only from the network perspective to improve system performance, such as utility and throughput. However, the users’ experience to the service, which cannot simply be reflected by quality of service, has been largely ignored. The user-perceived multimedia quality and service can be different from the actual received multimedia quality, and thus is very important to consider the network design. To better serve the network users, quality of experience (QoE) is adopted to measure the network service from the users’ perspective and help improve the users’ satisfaction to the CR network service. As CR networks require a lot of data storage and computation for spectrum sensing, spectrum sharing, and algorithm design, cloud computation comes as a convenient solution, because it can provide massive storage and fast computation. In this paper, we propose to design a user-oriented CR cloud network for multimedia applications, where the user’s satisfaction is reflected in the CR cloud network design. In the proposed framework, the PU and SU game is formulated as Stackelberg game. In particular, a refunding term is defined in the users’ utility function to effectively consider and to reflect the network users’ QoE requirement. Our contributions are twofold: 1) a game-based CR cloud network design for multimedia transmission is proposed, and the network user’s QoE requirement is satisfied in the design and 2) the existence and the uniqueness of the Stackelberg Nash equilibrium are proved, and the design is optimal. Our simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the game user-oriented CR cloud network design.
Orthogonal dual-click diyne for CuAAC and/or SPAAC couplings

Carbamate-tethered propargyl and benzocyclononyne moieties within a single molecular unit undergo cycloaddition with azides under complementary CuAAC and/or SPAAC coupling conditions. The carbamate linker can be cleaved by analogy to the –CBz protecting group for click capture-and-release applications.
Effects of wealth inequality on entrepreneurship

This study examines whether personal net worth affects new venture creation and performance. Prior research on wealth and entrepreneurial entry has relied on data providing only a snapshot of the transition into self-employment. The present study draws on a sample of US nascent entrepreneurs actively attempting to start new ventures. Controlling for a number of covariates and the endogenous accumulation of wealth, we find strong evidence of higher dropout rates among low-wealth and moderately wealthy nascent entrepreneurs. However, wealth appears to have no effect on venture creation for those managing to remain in gestation. This suggests liquidity constraints theory applies more toward entrepreneurial disengagement than entrepreneurial entry. Furthermore, the suggestion that the wealthy are able to aggressively grow their ventures is only partially supported by the data when we include a set of covariates correlated with wealth. Integrating these findings, we conclude that entrepreneurial success is concentrated at the top of the wealth distribution, despite notable evidence of capability for those at the lower end of the wealth distribution.
Point-Function Obfuscation: A Framework and Generic Constructions

We give a definitional framework for point-function obfuscation in which security is parameterized by a class of algorithms we call target generators. Existing and new notions are captured and explained as corresponding to different choices of this class. This leads to an elegant question: Is it possible to provide a generic construction, meaning one that takes an arbitrary class of target generators and returns a point-function obfuscator secure for it? We answer this in the affirmative with three generic constructions, the first based on indistinguishability obfuscation, the second on deterministic public-key encryption and the third on universal computational extractors. By exploiting known constructions of the primitives assumed, we obtain new point-function obfuscators, including many under standard assumptions. We end with a broader look that relates different known and possible notions of point function obfuscation to each other and to ours.
Design of GaN-Based MHz Totem-Pole PFC Rectifier

The totem-pole bridgeless power factor correction (PFC) rectifier has recently been recognized as a promising front-end candidate for applications like servers and telecommunication power supplies. This paper begins with a discussion of the advantages of using emerging high-voltage gallium-nitride (GaN) devices in totem-pole PFC rectifiers rather than traditional PFC rectifiers. The critical-mode operation is used in the totem-pole PFC rectifier in order to achieve both high frequency and high efficiency. Then, several high-frequency issues and detailed design considerations are introduced, including extending zero-voltage-switching operation for the entire line-cycle, a variable on-time strategy for zero-crossing distortion suppression, and interleaving control for ripple current cancellation. The volume reduction of differential-mode electromagnetic interference filters is also presented, which benefits greatly from MHz high-frequency operation and multiphase interleaving. Finally, a dual-phase interleaved GaN-based MHz totem-pole PFC rectifier is demonstrated with 99% peak efficiency and 220 W/in $^{\mathrm {{3}}}$ power density.
Juan Manuel Taveras 1919-2002.

Juan M. Taveras, MD, Professor Emeritus at the Harvard Medical School and Radiologist-in-Chief Emeritus of the Massachusetts General Hospital, died in his native Dominican Republic on March 28, 2002. His death marks the passing of a dominant force in the establishment and advancement of the
The Tissue Pathologic Features of Metabolic Bone Disease

In this article, an explanation and definition of basic terms used in metabolic bone disease are presented, with a review of histomorphometric findings in osteoporosis, osteomalacia, Paget's disease, and hyperparathyroidism. An appropriate bone biopsy protocol for diagnostic purposes is also presented.
TNF-insulin crosstalk at the transcription factor GATA6 is revealed by a model that links signaling and transcriptomic data tensors.

Signal transduction networks coordinate transcriptional programs activated by diverse extracellular stimuli, such as growth factors and cytokines. Cells receive multiple stimuli simultaneously, and mapping how activation of the integrated signaling network affects gene expression is a challenge. We stimulated colon adenocarcinoma cells with various combinations of the cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and the growth factors insulin and epidermal growth factor (EGF) to investigate signal integration and transcriptional crosstalk. We quantitatively linked the proteomic and transcriptomic data sets by implementing a structured computational approach called tensor partial least squares regression. This statistical model accurately predicted transcriptional signatures from signaling arising from single and combined stimuli and also predicted time-dependent contributions of signaling events. Specifically, the model predicted that an early-phase, AKT-associated signal downstream of insulin repressed a set of transcripts induced by TNF. Through bioinformatics and cell-based experiments, we identified the AKT-repressed signal as glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3)–catalyzed phosphorylation of Ser 37 on the long form of the transcription factor GATA6. Phosphorylation of GATA6 on Ser 37 promoted its degradation, thereby preventing GATA6 from repressing transcripts that are induced by TNF and attenuated by insulin. Our analysis showed that predictive tensor modeling of proteomic and transcriptomic data sets can uncover pathway crosstalk that produces specific patterns of gene expression in cells receiving multiple stimuli.
Tourism and Economic Development: Evidence from Mexico's Coastline

Tourism is a fast-growing services sector in developing countries. This paper combines a rich collection of Mexican microdata with a quantitative spatial equilibrium model and a new empirical strategy to study the long-term economic consequences of tourism both locally and in the aggregate. We find that tourism causes large and significant local economic gains relative to less touristic regions that are in part driven by significant positive spillovers on manufacturing. In the aggregate, however, these local spillovers are largely offset by reductions in agglomeration economies among less touristic regions, so that the national gains from trade in tourism are mainly driven by a classical market integration effect.
Kinetic Separation and Asymmetric Reactions of Norcaradiene Cycloadducts: Facilitated Access via H2O-Accelerated Cycloaddition

We exploit the Buchner reaction to access 1,2-disubstituted cyclohexadiene synthons (norcaradienes), which participate in H2O-accelerated cycloaddition with dieneophiles to provide cyclopropyl-fused [2.2.2]-bicyclooctene derivatives in good yields. Regioisomeric mixtures can be kinetically separated by exploiting different reaction rates in Diels–Alder reactions. Meso-Diels–Alder products may be enantioselectively desymmetrized, providing highly substituted cyclohexanes with up to seven contiguous stereocenters.
IS CONGENITAL TALIPES EQUINOVARUS A RISK FACTOR FOR PATHOLOGICAL DDH? A 20-YEAR PROSPECTIVE, LONGITUDINAL OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Aim: An assessment of the relationship between pathological Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) and Congenital Talipes Equinovarus (CTEV). Introduction: Traditional UK guidelines consider abnormalities of the foot to be a risk factor for DDH 1,2 . Currently, there is controversy whether congenital foot abnormalities are true risk factors for pathological DDH 3,4 . There is a relationship between CTCV and hip dysplasia though the relationship between CTEV and pathological DDH is less clear 5 . In a previous 11 year prospective longitudinal study no case of Graf Types III, IV or irreducible hip dislocation were associated with CTEV 5 . Subsequent correspondence and case histories have challenged this view 6 Methods: In order to clarify this issue, a 20-year prospective longitudinal observational study was undertaken. All cases of fixed CTEV (Harold & Walker types 1 to 3) referred to the sub-regional Paediatric Orthopaedic clinic at the Royal Blackburn Hospital were evaluated, the feet and hips clinically assessed (Ortolani & Barlow manoeuvres) and the hips ultra-sounded by the senior author (RWP). Modified Graf and Harcke hip ultrasound classification systems were employed. Graf Type III, IV and irreducible hip dislocation were considered pathological. Results: The incidence of CTEV was 1.46 per 1000 live births (nationally quoted incidence of 1 to 2 per 1000 live births 7 ). There was one case of Graf Type III dysplasia with no cases of clinical hip instability. Currently, the clinical significance of this type of dysplasia is uncertain. There were no cases of Graf Type IV dislocations or radiological irreducible hip dislocation. Conclusion: Fixed CTEV should not be considered as a risk factor for pathological DDH and routine sonographic hip screening of CTEV should not be advocated. This is supportive evidence for the current English NIPE guidelines in which the only risk factors screened are family history and breech presentation. Level of evidence: II
The effect of insulin on gastric secretion of potassium

The effect of insulin hypoglycemia on the amount of potassium that could be removed from the stomach of 10 normal dogs was studied. In 5 dogs the gastric secretory volume and the amount of potassium aspirated from the stomach were both increased greatly. In the other 5 dogs, there was no increase in either the volume of secretion or the potassium secreted. A decline in plasma potassium concentration was observed in all 10 animals in response to insulin administration.
How to calculate partition functions using convex programming hierarchies: provable bounds for variational methods

We consider the problem of approximating partition functions for Ising models. We make use of recent tools in combinatorial optimization: the Sherali-Adams and Lasserre convex programming hierarchies, in combination with variational methods to get algorithms for calculating partition functions in these families. These techniques give new, non-trivial approximation guarantees for the partition function beyond the regime of correlation decay. They also generalize some classical results from statistical physics about the Curie-Weiss ferromagnetic Ising model, as well as provide a partition function counterpart of classical results about max-cut on dense graphs (Arora et al., 1995). With this, we connect techniques from two apparently disparate research areas – optimization and counting/partition function approximations. (i.e. #-P type of problems). Furthermore, we design to the best of our knowledge the first provable, convex variational methods. Though in the literature there are a host of convex versions of variational methods (Wainwright et al.; 2005; Heskes, 2006; Meshi et al., 2009), they come with no guarantees (apart from some extremely special cases, like e.g. the graph has a single cycle (Weiss, 2000)). We consider dense and low threshold rank graphs, and interestingly, the reason our approach works on these types of graphs is because local correlations propagate to global correlations – completely the opposite of algorithms based on correlation decay. In the process we design novel entropy approximations based on the low-order moments of a distribution. Our proof techniques are very simple and generic, and likely to be applicable to many other settings other than Ising models.
Honey Encryption Beyond Message Recovery Security

Juels and Ristenpart introduced honey encryption HE and showed how to achieve message recovery security even in the face of attacks that can exhaustively try all likely keys. This is important in contexts like password-based encryption where keys are very low entropy, and HE schemes based on the JR construction were subsequently proposed for use in password management systems and even long-term protection of genetic data. But message recovery security is in this setting, like previous ones, a relatively weak property, and in particular does not prohibit an attacker from learning partial information about plaintexts or from usefully mauling ciphertexts. We show that one can build HE schemes that can hide partial information about plaintexts and that prevent mauling even in the face of exhaustive brute force attacks. To do so, we introduce target-distribution semantic-security and target-distribution non-malleability security notions. We prove that a slight variant of the JR HE construction can meet them. The proofs require new balls-and-bins type analyses significantly different from those used in prior work. Finally, we provide a formal proof of the folklore result that an unbounded adversary which obtains a limited number of encryptions of known plaintexts can always succeed at message recovery.
Electro- and thermal-catalysis by layered, first series Ruddlesden-Popper oxides

Abstract First series Ruddlesden-Popper oxides (referred herein as R-P-1, with a formula An+1BnO3n+1 where n = 1) have been used in a number of electrochemical and thermochemical reactions. In this review, we examine in detail the effect of the synthesis methods and the composition of the A and B sites on their electrocatalytic/catalytic activity. Effects on important activity parameters, such as surface exchange coefficient (k), oxygen diffusion coefficient (D), hyperstoichiometry (δ), and electronic conductivity are discussed. We find that synthesis plays an important role in their final structure and hyperstoichiometric oxygen content, which significantly impact their activity. In addition, we show that the composition of the A and B sites has an effect on the catalytic/electrocatalytic activity parameters, such as D, k, δ, and electrical conductivity. The use of these oxides for thermal-catalysis is also discussed. We find that while R-P-1 oxides have been widely implemented for high temperature electrocatalysis, their potential for thermal-catalysis has not been fully explored. Limited reports on thermal-catalysis suggest that the redox properties of the B-site transition metal in these oxides, as well as the oxide’s ability to accept and release oxygen under reaction conditions play an important role in their catalytic activity. A perspective on catalysis by R-P-1 oxides is provided at the end of the review.