cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An inter-regional comparison: fatal crashes in the southeastern and non-southeastern United States: preliminary findings

The southeastern United States, particularly those states representing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's and Federal Highway Administration's Region IV, have consistently had among the highest number of fatal crashes and fatal crash rates compared to the other five regions in the US. These states--Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, are suspected of sharing traits in common that lead to their systematically poor crash record. Inter-regional and intra-regional comparisons, such as the comparison between southeastern and non-southeastern states, raises interesting and challenging research questions that are applicable to similar comparisons. First, is there a sound practical and theoretical justification supporting an inter-regional comparison framework? Second, is there a way to construct a meaningful statistical hypothesis and test to determine whether one region, which is comprised of numerous entities, suffers from a characteristically better or worse crash record? This paper addresses each of these questions. After providing a brief summary of the Southeast's safety record, we discuss the issues pro and con surrounding inter-regional comparisons, illustrating the statistical strategy for such an analysis approach. Then, a simple generalizable statistical procedure is used for testing the hypothesis that southeastern states have a poorer crash record than non-southeastern states. Finally, we explore possible relationships between safety belt use, roadway functional class, vehicle miles of travel, and driver age on fatal crash occurrence. The data used in the analyses are from the Fatal Analysis Reporting System (FARS), primarily data compiled for 1995. The analysis suggests that regional differences in fatal crashes may indeed exist, that these differences are related in part to seat-belt use, VMT by functional classification, and speed limit differences, and that more detailed studies are needed to quantify the effect of these and other factors. The approach developed here lends insight as to where future in-depth studies may reveal causal factors of fatal crashes, and illustrates the relative safety performance records of US regions.
ORIENTATION AND MOVEMENT OF WOLF SPIDERS PARDOSA LAPIDICINA (ARANEAE, LYCOSIDAE) IN THE INTERTIDAL ZONE

Abstract Wolf spiders, Pardosa lapidicina Emerton 1885, occupy cobble beaches along the tide line about Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, USA, and move back and forth on the beaches with the tides. I compared the orientation and movement in the low intertidal of three groups with normal access to the entire intertidal zone and a group from the high intertidal prevented from using the low intertidal by a barrier of dense salt-marsh cordgrass Spartina alterniflora. They included a group captured in the high intertidal (High), one captured in the low intertidal (Low), one from the low intertidal but not captured (Observed), and one captured behind cordgrass (Cordgrass). The High group moved farther and more unidirectionally than the others, and the Cordgrass group exhibited the most variable orientation of the manipulated spiders. All groups exhibited a roughly southwesterly orientation from the release site. The Low and Observed groups moved shorter distances than the others, and High individuals appeared mor...
X‐ray structure of ILL2, an auxin‐conjugate amidohydrolase from Arabidopsis thaliana

The plant hormone indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) is the most abundant natural auxin involved in many aspects of plant development and growth. The IAA levels in plants are modulated by a specific group of amidohydrolases from the peptidase M20D family that release the active hormone from its conjugated storage forms. Here, we describe the X-ray crystal structure of IAA-amino acid hydrolase IAA-leucine resistantlike gene 2 (ILL2) from Arabidopsis thaliana at 2.0 A resolution. ILL2 preferentially hydrolyses the auxin-amino acid conjugate N-(indol-3-acetyl)-alanine. The overall structure of ILL2 is reminiscent of dinuclear metallopeptidases from the M20 peptidase family. The structure consists of two domains, a larger catalytic domain with three-layer alpha beta alpha sandwich architecture and aminopeptidase topology and a smaller satellite domain with two-layer alphabeta-sandwich architecture and alpha-beta-plaits topology. The metal-coordinating residues in the active site of ILL2 include a conserved cysteine that clearly distinguishes this protein from previously structurally characterized members of the M20 peptidase family. Modeling of N-(indol-3-acetyl)-alanine into the active site of ILL2 suggests that Leu175 serves as a key determinant for the amino acid side-chain specificity of this enzyme. Furthermore, a hydrophobic pocket nearby the catalytic dimetal center likely recognizes the indolyl moiety of the substrate. Finally, the active site of ILL2 harbors an absolutely conserved glutamate (Glu172), which is well positioned to act as a general acid-base residue. Overall, the structure of ILL2 suggests that this enzyme likely uses a catalytic mechanism that follows the paradigm established for the other enzymes of the M20 peptidase family.
Synthesis and Characterization of Photolabile Derivatives of Serotonin for Chemical Kinetic Investigations of the Serotonin 5-HT3 Receptor†

A series of photolabile o-nitrobenzyl derivatives of serotonin (caged serotonin) were synthesized: the amine-linked serotonin derivatives N-(2-nitrobenzyl) serotonin (Bz-5HT) and N-(alpha-carboxy-2-nitrobenzyl) serotonin (N-CNB-5HT), and O-alpha-carboxy-2-nitrobenzyl) serotonin (O-CNB-5HT), which has the caging group attached to the phenolic OH group. All the derivatives released free serotonin when excited by 308-nm or 337-nm laser pulses. The time constant of serotonin release from N-CNB-5HT was 1. 2 ms, with a quantum yield of 0.08. This is too slow for rapid chemical kinetic measurements. O-CNB-5HT is suitable for transient kinetic investigations of the serotonin 5-HT(3) receptor. It released serotonin with a time constant of 16 micros and a quantum yield of 0.03. The biological properties of O-CNB-5HT were evaluated, and the applicability of the compound for kinetic studies of the 5-HT(3) receptor was demonstrated. O-CNB-5HT does not activate the 5-HT(3) receptor by itself, nor does it modulate the response of a cell when co-applied with serotonin. When irradiated with a 337-nm laser pulse, O-CNB-5HT released free serotonin that evoked 5-HT(3) receptor-mediated whole-cell currents in NIE-115 mouse neuroblastoma cells.
Effects of Mechanical Impact to the Skull on Tissue Density of the Cerebral Cortex

Clinically, the use of computerized tomography of the head provides data concerning alterations in brain tissue that are recorded as regional changes in tissue density. In the experimental setting, high sensitivity in testing for tissue density changes can be obtained with the use of measurement of brain samples with an organic gradient3. Use of this methodology in the laboratory may provide pertinent information that can be applied to the clinical setting.
Targeting of TGFβ signature and its essential component CTGF by miR-18 correlates with improved survival in glioblastoma

The miR-17∼92 cluster is thought to be an oncogene, yet its expression is low in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cell lines. This could allow unfettered expression of miR-17∼92 target genes such as connective tissue growth factor (CTGF; or CCN2), which is known to contribute to GBM pathogenesis. Indeed, microRNA-18a (but not other miR-17∼92 members) has a functional site in the CTGF 3' UTR, and its forced reexpression sharply reduces CTGF protein and mRNA levels. Interestingly, it also reduces the levels of CTGF primary transcript. The unexpected effects of miR-18a on CTGF transcription are mediated in part by direct targeting of Smad3 and ensuing weakening of TGFβ signaling. Having defined the TGFβ signature in GBM cells, we demonstrate a significant anti-correlation between miR-18 and TGFβ signaling in primary GBM samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Most importantly, high levels of miR-18 combined with low levels of the TGFβ metagene correlate with prolonged patient survival. Thus, low expression of the miR-17∼92 cluster, and specifically miR-18a, could significantly contribute to GBM pathogenesis.
Research Directions Suggested by the ACLU

Alan Reitman, Associate Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union, submitted a series of questions which the practitioners of civil liberties would like behavioral scientists to answer. Triandis translates these questions to researchable topics, reviews some of the literature relevant to each, and suggests the kinds of studies that need to be done in order to provide some answers.
North American SynchroPhasor Initiative - An Update of Progress

In 2007, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), along with involved electric utility companies and other organizations, formed the North American SynchroPhasor Initiative (NASPI). The goal of NASPI is to improve power system reliability through wide-area measurement, monitoring and control. This will be achieved by facilitating a robust, widely available and secure synchronized data measurement infrastructure for the interconnected North American electric power system. It also includes associated analysis and monitoring tools for better planning and operation, and improved reliability. With funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, several smart grid investment grant and demonstration projects have recently been selected for award that will significantly advance synchrophasor technology. This paper provides an update on NASPI with current status and work underway.
Commentary on Marczinski and colleagues: mixing an energy drink with an alcoholic beverage increases motivation for more alcohol in college students.

Background This commentary discusses the study by Marczinski and colleagues in which they used an alcohol priming procedure to examine the effects of an alcohol/energy drink mixture on the priming effect. Methods The significance of the main findings from this study and new avenues of investigation are discussed. Results Using an alcohol priming paradigm, Marczinski and colleagues report that an alcohol/energy drink combination (AmED) prolongs the desire-to-drink rating compared with alcohol alone. Conclusions The results of this laboratory study add to the growing body of literature that the intoxicating effects of AmED are different than the intoxication by alcohol alone.
Cottonwood leaf beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) defoliation impact on Populus growth and above-ground volume in a short-rotation woody crop plantation

Abstract 1 The impact of cottonwood leaf beetle Chrysomela scripta F. defoliation on four plantation-grown Populus clones was examined over three growing seasons. We used a split-plot design with two treatments: protected (by insecticides) and an unprotected control. Tree height and diameter at 1 m were measured annually and above-ground volume was calculated. 2 Protected trees of most clones had grown over 2 m taller after three growing seasons. Diameter differences ranged from over 1–4 cm larger on protected trees. Insecticide protection increased above-ground volume over 20 dm3 in one clone, and at least 4 dm3 in all others. Chrysomela scripta defoliation resulted in a 50–73% loss of above-ground volume. Defoliation also resulted in increased lateral branching and forked terminals on unprotected trees. 3 Defoliation impact varied among clone. The pure Populus deltoides clone 91 × 04-03 showed the greatest growth response to chemical protection, whereas clone NM2 (P. nigra × P. maximowiczii) responded the least. 4 Pest control is a key issue in short-rotation plantation management. Until adequate pest-resistant clones can be developed and natural enemy complexes better understood, chemical (biorational and organic) and cultural control may be used to reduce impacts of herbivorous pests.
Picoeukaryote diversity in coastal waters of the Pacific Ocean

The extraordinary molecular phylogenetic diversity of picoeukaryotes and their contri- butions to marine processes have been highlighted recently. Herein, picoeukaryotic diversity in the coastal Pacific Ocean is characterized for the first time. Close to full length small subunit ribosomal RNA (ssu rRNA) gene amplicons were cloned and sequenced from size fractionated samples (<2 µm) taken between September 2000 and October 2001. Sequences belonging to the order Mamiellales were abundant, with Micromonas pusilla-like sequences in all 5 libraries (4 operational taxonomic units, OTUs, at ≥99% sequence similarity), Ostreococcus in 4 (1 OTU) and Bathycoccus in 2 (1 OTU). Phylogenetic reconstruction showed distinct Micromonas clades at this site (although not for other Mamiellales), supporting the idea that the designation M. pusilla harbors cryptic species. In combi- nation with picophytoplankton dynamics previously reported for the same period, the data indicates that picoplanktonic primary production at this site is likely to be dominated by prasinophytes. Fur- thermore, a Micromonas-clade with no cultured representatives was identified bearing highest iden- tity to Sargasso Sea shotgun clone sequences. Comparison of the Pacific sequences with the shotgun clones showed Ostreococcus and Micromonas at 1 Sargasso site with elevated chlorophyll (chl) lev- els, but not at other Sargasso sites. Other Pacific clones were primarily Novel Alveolate Group II, which were highly diverse based on OTU analyses. Novel Alveolate Group I, Ciliophora, Cercozoa- like and stramenopile sequences were also retrieved. Although picoeukaryotic diversity has been characterized in only 1 other Pacific Ocean sample (equatorial Pacific), most stramenopile and alveo- late sequences corresponded to previously identified phylogenetic clades from studies conducted in other oceans and for which no cultured representatives exist.
Improving course relevance: incorporating the social value of computing into your courses

It is important to ask to what degree does a given undergraduate curriculum either reinforce impeding myths and misconceptions about computing or work to dismantle them. Particular focus should be placed on motivating examples and programming projects throughout the curriculum, with special focus on the introductory courses. Students' perceptions about computing, if they have a realistic opinion regarding computing at all, is strongly correlated with the programming projects they or their peers have worked on. Is computing seen as boring (duck counting), not serious (games), or maybe solely focused on business/commerce?
Abstract 332: Phosphoprotein Abundance Changes in Hypertensive Cardiac Remodeling

There is over-whelming evidence that protein phosphorylations regulate cardiac function and remodeling. A wide variety of protein kinases, e.g., phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), Akt, GSK-3, TGFβ, and PKA, MAPKs, PKC, Erks, and Jaks, as well as phosphatases, e.g., phosphatase I (PP1) and calcineurin, control cardiomyocyte growth and contractility. In the present work, we used global phosphoprotein profiling to identify phosphorylated proteins associated with pressure overload (PO) cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. Phosphoproteins from hypertrophic and systolic failing hearts from male hypertensive Dahl salt-sensitive rats; trans-aortic banded (TAC); Spontaneously hypertensive heart failure (SHHF) rats were analyzed. Profiling was performed by 2-dimensional difference in gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) on phosphoenriched proteins. A total of 25 common phosphoproteins with differences in abundance in 1) the 3 hypertrophic and /or 2) the 2 systolic failure heart models were identified (CI > 99%) by Matrix assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-MS) and Mascot analysis. Among these were 1) myofilament proteins, including alpha-tropomyosin and myosin regulatory light chain 2; cap Z interacting protein (cap ZIP), and tubulin β5; 2) mitochondrial proteins, including pyruvate dehydrogenase α, branch chain ketoacid dehydrogenase E1, and mitochondrial creatine kinase 3) phosphatases, including protein phosphatase 2A and protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit and 4) other proteins including proteosome subunits α type 3 and β type 7, , and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 1A (eIF1A). These include previously described and novel phosphoproteins in cardiac hypertrophy and systolic failure. The database of phosphoproteins identified may provide new insights and therapeutic targets for heart failure.
Ozone Cracking in the Los Angeles Area

Abstract Cracking of rubber, due to the presence of ozone, was determined in the Los Angeles area by measuring the number of cracks and the crack depth after exposure of standardized bent rubber strips to the atmosphere. The cracking shows a daily and seasonal variation due to the difference in ozone concentration as well as difference in temperature. Results over a three year test period are presented, as well as a comparison with oxidant and ozone values measured in the same area. The ozone concentration usually reaches a maximum during the day and is highest during the summer months. Its origin has been traced to the action of sunlight on mixtures of organic material and oxides of nitrogen, common air pollutants in urban areas. A comparison with chemical measurements of the oxidizing power of the air shows a similar trend. The rubber test is useful in the correct interpretation of outdoor exposure tests of rubber goods, since it integrates the variable action of ozone due to large fluctuations in its c...
Collecting Data from mHealth Users via SMS Surveys: A Case Study in Kenya

We report results from a set of experimental surveys designed to assess the feasibility of using SMS surveys to collect data on users of an mHealth service in Kenya. We sent a short set of five or six questions to all new users of m4RH, an SMS-based service in Kenya which provides information on family planning methods. The timing of the survey, the talk-time incentive offered for completing the survey, and access to the family planning service were randomized to estimate the impact of these factors on response rates. In addition, a subset of users were sent a second follow up survey 5 to 11 weeks later. We find that 39.5% of users began the first survey and 20.9% of users completed all questions on the first survey. In contrast, 28.4% of users began the second survey and 14.1% of users completed the second survey. The vast majority of responses received were properly formatted and comprehensible. Survey timing, survey incentives for completion, and access to treatment had no effect on the response rates for either the first or second surveys. Our results indicate that SMS surveys are a feasible mode of data collection for our population of interest and, for this population, do not require individual financial incentives to encourage response.
N-Point Compactifications

(1965). N-Point Compactifications. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 72, No. 10, pp. 1075-1081.
When Does A*A = B*B and Why Does One Want to Know?

(1996). When Does A*A = B*B and Why Does One Want to Know? The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 103, No. 6, pp. 470-482.
Technical implications in proximal forearm transplantation.

The field of vascularized composite allotransplantation has developed for more than a decade. Investigators are defining patient selection criteria, transplant indications, immunologic regimens, and tolerance. The majority of the current reported hand transplantations have been for treatment of dist
Effect of different acting mechanism insecticides against Xenopsylla cheopis

Objective To make the technique stores for controlling flea-borne diseases,the trials were carried out to look for insecticides which knocked down quickly,high lethal rate and low cost against Xenopsylla cheopis.Methods The spraying test was carried out against Xenopsylla cheopis with 8 kinds of original insecticides from 4 types insecticides.The residual effect of 5 kind insecticides from market were observed against Xenopsylla cheopis by contact method to observe at the first day,7th day,14th day.Observing their knocking down and lethal number and calculated KT50 and lethal rate.According to the results and market price,the ratio of effect and price were computed.Results When dosage at 1.4 mg/ m3,KT50 from 3 to 4 min,the lethal rate was above 97%,it was efficiently that lambda-cyhalothrin,beta-cypermethrin,beta-cyfluthrin,other insecticide efficacy were not good;the efficacy stand or fall of other insecticides was propoxurchlorpyrifostetramethrinazamethiphosfipronil in turn by spraying method.The good and bad residual effect was prolexyoushidominexblattanesazamethiphos in turn by forcing to contact method.When dosage at 30 mg ai/m2,Prolex had still good residual effect that death rate arrived 100% after the 14th day.The ratio of effect and price was calculated by applying dosage and market price.Controlling cost from low to high were dominexyoushiprolexblattanexazamethiphos.Conclusion The result indicated that the efficacy of pyrethrum insecticide was obvious better than carbamic este insecticides,organic phosphorus insecticides and controlling costs was lower.
Polysomnography performed in the unattended home versus the attended laboratory setting--Sleep Heart Health Study methodology.

Study Objective: To compare polysomnographic recordings obtained in the home and laboratory setting. Design and Setting: Multicenter study comparing unsupervised polysomnography performed in the participant's home with polysomnography supervised at an academic sleep disorders center, using a randomized sequence of study setting. Sleep Heart Health Study (SHHS) standardized polysomnographic recording and scoring techniques were used for both settings. Participants: 64 of 76 non-SHHS participants recruited from 7 SHHS field sites who had both a laboratory and home polysomnogram meeting acceptable quality criteria. Measurements and Results: Median sleep duration was greater in the home than in the laboratory (375 vs 318 minutes, respectively, P <.0001) as was sleep efficiency (86% vs 82%, respectively, P <.0024). Very small, but significant increases in percentage of rapid eye movement sleep and decreases in stage 1 sleep were noted in the laboratory. Employing multiple definitions of respiratory disturbance index (RDI), median RDI was similar in both settings (for example, RDI with 3% desaturation: home 12.4, range 0.6-67; laboratory 9.5, range 0.1-93.4, P =.41). Quartile analysis of laboratory RDI showed moderate agreement with home RDI measurements. Based on the mean of laboratory and home RDI and using a cutpoint of 20, there was a biphasic distribution, with the RDI 3% above 20 being more common in the recordings performed in the laboratory than in the home and below 20 being more common in the recordings performed in the home than in the laboratory. These differences could not be attributed to quality of recording, age, sex, or body mass index. Conclusions: Using SHHS methodology, median RDI was similar in the unattended home and attended laboratory setting with differences of small magnitude in some sleep parameters. Differences in RDI between settings resulted in a rate of disease misclassification that is similar to repeated studies in the same setting. Abbreviations: Arl, arousal index; BMI, body mass index; ICC, intraclass correlation coefficient; PSG, polysomnography; RDI, respiratory disturbance index; REM, rapid eye movement sleep; SHHS, Sleep Heart Health Study Citation: Iber C; Redline S; Kaplan Gilpin AM et al. Polysomnography performed in the unattended home versus the attended laboratory setting-sleep heart health study methodology.
Biogeochemical gradients in the lower Columbia River

Water, suspended particulate materials (SPM), and biota were sampled between June 14 and 22, 1992 at forty-five mid-channel sites along a downstream gradient in the lower 350 km of the Columbia River drainage, at four mid-channel sites in the lower 27 km of the Willamette drainage and at the mouths of nine smaller tributaries to the Columbia. Water samples were analyzed for nutrient (ammonium, nitrate, phosphate, silicate), dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and SPM concentrations, bacterial cell density and activity, and zooplankton composition and density. The SPM samples were analyzed for particulate organic carbon (POC), plant pigment (chlorophyll and pheopigment) and major metal (Al, Mn, Ti, V) content as well as stable isotopic ( $$\delta ^1 $$ 3C) composition of the POC. Willamette waters displayed significantly higher nutrient and DOC concentrations than those in the mainstem Columbia or any of the smaller tributaries. Elevated nutrient and DOC concentrations are attributed to runoff from the extensive agricultural lands found throughout the Willamette Valley. Regardless of collection site, total Al content of all riverborne particles was high (5.8 ± 0.5% by weight), indicating total SPM mass was predominantly (∼ 70±) detrital mineral. Nonetheless, the majority of riverborne organic matter was not allochthonous but rather derived from healthy phytoplankton as indicated by high chlorophyll a to POC (Chl:POC) values. Chlorophyll a concentration increased by almost 100% downstream in the mainstem Columbia between Bonneville Dam and the estuary. This apparent increase in phytoplankton biomass was not accompanied by a parallel decrease in any nutrient concentration probably because non-point source additions occurred all along the drainage and compensated for nutrient loss due to phytoplankton growth. Despite nutrient concentrations near eutrophic levels, phytoplankton biomass in the Willamette was significantly lower than that in the mainstem Columbia. This particular contrast between the Willamette and the mainstem Columbia is likely due to light limitation imposed on the phytoplankton by specific differences in the mixing dynamics of the two flow regimes. POC in Willamette waters displayed a 50% reduced chlorophyll content and 2–2.5% 13C-depletion relative to that present in waters from the mainstem Columbia. These compositional dissimilarities may simply reflect physiological difference between the diatom communities that comprised the bulk of phytoplankton in these two systems at the time of sampling. Alternatively, they may be caused by greater contribution of POC from non-phytoplankton sources in the Willamette. An argument is advanced suggesting that methanotrophy has contributed up to 5% of the POC that was measured in the Willamette River at the time of our study.
A 24-GHz, +14.5-dBm fully integrated power amplifier in 0.18-/spl mu/m CMOS

A 24-GHz +14.5-dBm fully integrated power amplifier with on-chip 50-/spl Omega/ input and output matching is demonstrated in 0.18-/spl mu/m CMOS. The use of substrate-shielded coplanar waveguide structures for matching networks results in low passive loss and small die size. Simple circuit techniques based on stability criteria derived result in an unconditionally stable amplifier. The power amplifier achieves a power gain of 7 dB and a maximum single-ended output power of +14.5-dBm with a 3-dB bandwidth of 3.1 GHz, while drawing 100 mA from a 2.8-V supply. The chip area is 1.26 mm/sup 2/.
Creative Computing and Society: When Undergraduates Design a Curriculum for an Introductory Computing Course

Understanding of computing skills and concepts is no longer viewed as optional, but is knowledge that is required to progress in several fields outside of computer science, even outside STEM fields. Despite the need for this knowledge, non-STEM majors' participation in computing courses is still lacking. This is especially true for women and other minority groups. In our work, our main motivation was creating a course at our institution, Bucknell University to make computer science more accessible to non-STEM majors on our campus. We adopted an approach of situating course design in the experiences and perspectives of undergraduate students themselves. To achieve this, the course curriculum and materials were mainly designed and created by three undergraduate students, all below the junior level, who connected course topics to a wide variety of topics outside computing. This project is based on the precept that students from varied disciplinary backgrounds and intermediate computing knowledge can provide a unique lens to articulate the needs of their fellow students. In order to serve the purpose of emphasizing creativity and society, we chose a sketch based programming language, namely p5.js (a JavaScript library which brings Processing to the web), which gives students the possibility and flexibility to create projects that are directly relevant to their own interests, while gaining a basic conceptual understanding of Computer Science
Space-Time Coding: an Overview

This work provides an overview of the fundamental aspects and of some recent advances in space-time coding (STC). Basic information theoretic results on Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) fading channels, pertaining to capacity, diversity, and to the optimal Diversity Multiplexing Tradeoff (DMT), are reviewed. The code design for the quasi-static, outage limited, fading channel is recognized as the most challenging and innovative with respect to traditional “Gaussian” coding. Then, a survey of STC constructions is presented. This culminates with the description of families of codes that are optimal with respect to the DMT criterion and have error performance that is very close to the information theoretic limits. The paper concludes with some important recent topics, including open problems in STC design.
IRanker: Query-Specific Ranking of Reviewed Items

Item (e.g., product) reviews are one of the most popular types of user-generated content in Web 2.0. Reviews have been effectively used in collaborative filtering to recommend products to users based on similar users, and also to compute a product's star rating. However, little work has studied how reviews can be used to perform query-specific ranking of items. In this paper, we present efficient top-k algorithms to rank items, by weighing each review's rating by its relevance to the user query. We propose a non-random access algorithm and perform a comprehensive evaluation of our method on multiple datasets. We show that our solution significantly outperforms the baseline approach in terms of query response time.
To Go or not to Go!: What Influences Newcomers of Hybrid Communities to Participate Offline

More and more the boundaries of online and offline spaces are becoming fuzzy. Hybrid communities have emerged as socio-technical platforms capitalizing on this fuzzy border. They support the blend of computer-mediated communications with face-to-face interactions. This intertwined nature of online-offline interactions in hybrid communities pose extra burdens on their members, especially newcomers. Newcomers in the hybrid communities are required to make decisions about in-person meetings with strangers with scarce knowledge and limited commitment to the group. In this work, we explore what influences newcomers' offline participation in the context of Meetup. Following a set of theoretical frameworks, we have identified factors relevant to newcomers' decisions about their first offline event and we have examined the impact of each of those factors through statistical regression models. Our results show that factors contributing to reducing uncertainty and sense of inclusiveness play a key role in newcomers' decision making process about what events to attend offline. Based on our findings, we provide design guidelines for community technology developers to better support newcomers in their decision to start participating offline in hybrid communities.
Mechanical disruption of the primary tumor using magnetic beads inhibits metastasis of breast cancer. (100.24)

Successful anti-tumor effects are weakened by removal of the tumor antigen pool (i.e. surgery) or use of cytoreductive and immunosuppressive therapies (i.e. chemotherapy and radiation). We hypothesize that mechanical disruption of the tumor in situ will augment immune responses due to antigen release. Iron particles were injected as magneto-rheological fluid (MRF) into an orthotopic primary breast cancer and followed by application of a magnetic field to exert force and shear stress on the tumor. This will result in disruption of the tumor’s architecture and induction of classical “danger signals”: necrotic death, release of tumor antigen with activation of a localized immune response. To promote systemic immune responses we combined MRF treatments with immunotherapy (IT) at suboptimal dosages. Tumors treated with daily application of magnetic field showed increased necrotic cell death, recruitment of activated DCs (i.e. MHC II+, CD83+) to the draining LNs with production of proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines. We then combined MRF treatment with IT to determine if systemic anti-tumor effects could be achieved. Not only have we observed suppression of tumor growth on the contralateral side treated with MRF and IT but also we saw absence of metastasis to the bone marrow of animals treated with either MRF and IT or MRF and magnetic field alone. These data suggest that MRF and magnetic field application to the primary tumor synergize with immunotherapy in disseminated cancer.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors for Treating Neurocognitive and Neuropsychiatric Disorders Following Traumatic Brain Injury: An Evaluation of Current Evidence

The prevalence of neuropsychiatric disorders following traumatic brain injury (TBI) is 20%-50%, and disorders of mood and cognition may remain even after recovery of neurologic function is achieved. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) block the reuptake of serotonin in presynaptic cells to lead to increased serotonergic activity in the synaptic cleft, constituting first-line treatment for a variety of neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric disorders. This review investigates the utility of SSRIs in treating post-TBI disorders. In total, 37 unique reports were consolidated from the Cochrane Central Register and PubMed (eight randomized-controlled trials (RCTs), nine open-label studies, 11 case reports, nine review articles). SSRIs are associated with improvement of depressive but not cognitive symptoms. Pooled analysis using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale demonstrate a significant mean decrease of depression severity following sertraline compared to placebo-a result supported by several other RCTs with similar endpoints. Evidence from smaller studies demonstrates mood improvement following SSRI administration with absent or negative effects on cognitive and functional recovery. Notably, studies on SSRI treatment effects for post-traumatic stress disorder after TBI remain absent, and this represents an important direction of future research. Furthermore, placebo-controlled studies with extended follow-up periods and concurrent biomarker, neuroimaging and behavioral data are necessary to delineate the attributable pharmacological effects of SSRIs in the TBI population.
Radiation: A Primer

One of the most challenging parts for the human journey to Mars is the risk of radiation exposure and the inflight and long-term health consequences of the exposure. This ionizing radiation travels through living tissues, depositing energy that causes structural damage to DNA and alters many cellular processes. —NASA Space Radiation Element Scientist Lisa Simonsen, Ph.D.
Uncertainty analysis of urban sewer system using spatial simulation of radar rainfall fields: New York City case study

The goal of this study is to investigate the uncertainty of an urban sewer system’s response under various rainfall and infrastructure scenarios by applying a recently developed nonparametric copula-based simulation approach to extreme rainfall fields. The approach allows for Monte Carlo simulation of multiple variables with differing marginal distributions and arbitrary dependence structure. The independent and identically distributed daily extreme rainfall events of the corresponding urban area, extracted from nationwide high resolution radar data stage IV, are the inputs of the spatial simulator. The simulated extreme rainfall fields were used to calculate excess runoff using the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s approach. New York City is selected as a case study and the results highlight the importance of preserving the spatial dependence of rainfall fields between the grids, even for simplified hydrologic models. This study estimates the probability of combined sewer overflows under extreme rainfall events and identifies the most effective locations in New York City to install green infrastructure for detaining excess stormwater runoff. The results of this study are beneficial for planners working on stormwater management and the approach is broadly applicable because it does not rely on extensive sewer system information.
DME potential for data capability

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and aviation stakeholders are modernizing the National Airspace System (NAS) from operations based on analog communications, fix-to-fix navigation, and surveillance; to operations based on digital communications, Performance Based Navigation (PBN), and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), through the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) program. To improve the safety, security, and efficiency of air traffic operations, more digital information technologies are being introduced to provide additional Communications, Navigation, and Surveillance (CNS) services. Through aviation radio technology advancement, it may be possible to increase the data capacity and functionality of existing systems and still maintain backward compatibility without increasing the demand on the already crowded aviation spectrum. This paper presents concepts for transparently introducing data capabilities into the Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) signal, and identifies potential aviation applications that may make use of this data capability. In conducting our research, we developed both analytical and simulation models for assessing the DME data capacities. We also evaluated various potential CNS services that could be enabled, and found that DME spectrum could be used more efficiently, providing a channel for data exchange to support additional CNS services.
Endocrine Management after Pituitary Surgery

The detection and treatment of pituitary-hormone deficiencies constitutes a major part of patient management following surgery for pituitary and hypothalamic tumors. In the immediate postoperative period, the appearance of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and/or thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) deficiency may be of little importance due to the routine use of corticosteroids and to the long plasma half-life of thyroxine, whereas acute deficiency of the posterior pituitary octapeptide, vasopressin, may result in a life-threatening disturbance of water balance. The management of ACTH, TSH, gonadotropin, and growth-hormone (GH) deficiencies assumes a greater significance in the long-term follow-up of patients beyond the immediate postoperative period. This chapter will review some basic concepts and recent developments in the perioperative use of corticosteroids and in the postoperative detection and treatment of pituitary-hormone deficiencies.
Isobaric and isochoric properties of glass-formers

From new results for the equation of state of dibutylphthalate in combination with previously reported dielectric relaxation data, an analysis of the volume contribution to the dynamics was carried out for this fragile glass-former (m P =84). We find that the ratio of the isochoric and isobaric fragilities equals 0.75, the largest found to date for any molecular van der Waals liquids, reflecting a strong temperature effect, consistent with the large fragility. The relaxation times superpose when plotted versus temperature times the specific volume raised to the 3.2 power. This is a somewhat larger value of the exponent than expected based on the fragility of DBP. The implication is that for molecular glass-formers, the classical Lennard-Jones repulsive potential may represent the limit for fragile liquids.
A Secure and Robust Scheme for Sharing Confidential Information in IoT Systems

Abstract In Internet of Things (IoT) systems with security demands, there is often a need to distribute sensitive information (such as encryption keys, digital signatures, or login credentials etc.) to the devices, so that it can be retrieved for confidential purposes at a later moment. However, this piece of information cannot be entrusted to any individual device, since the malfunction of one device will jeopardize the security of the entire network. Even if the information is split among the devices, there is still a danger when attackers compromise a group of them. Therefore we have designed and implemented a secure and robust scheme to facilitate the sharing of sensitive information in IoT networks. This solution provides two important features: 1) This scheme uses Threshold Secret Sharing (TSS) to split the information into shares to be kept by all devices in the system. And so the information can only be retrieved collaboratively by groups of devices. 2) This scheme ensures the privacy and integrity of that piece of information even when there is a large amount of sophisticated and collusive attackers who can hijack the devices. It is able to identify all the compromised devices, while still keeping the secret unknown and unforgeable to attackers.
Developing methodology for service life prediction of PV materials: Quantitative effects of light intensity and wavelength on discoloration of a glass/EVA/PPE laminate

Abstract Service life prediction (SLP) is important for the long-term performance and reliability evaluation of materials used in photovoltaics (PV). This paper has introduced our first work on developing methodology for SLP of PV materials using a glass/EVA/PPE backsheet (EVA: ethylene-vinyl acetate, PPE: polyethylene terephthalate (PET)-PET-EVA) laminated system. The NIST SPHERE (Simulated Photodegradation via High Energy Radiant Exposure) was used for the accelerated laboratory exposure. Specifically, the quantitative effects of spectral UV irradiances ranging from 60.5 W/m2 to 142.5 W/m2 and different spectral wavelengths centered at 306 nm, 326 nm, 354 nm and 452 nm, respectively, on discoloration of the laminates were systematically investigated. Applicability of the reciprocity law to the discoloration response of this system was carefully validated by three mathematic methods, suggesting that a linear correlation can be established between the light intensity and the discoloration of the laminates. Moreover, an exponential relationship was found between the UV wavelength and discoloration. A shorter UV wavelength led to a greater discoloration, and photobleaching effects occurred under a longer wavelength centered at 452 nm. Fluorescence emission was also recorded along with the discoloration for samples exposed to different light intensities. These results have indicated the importance of selecting appropriate irradiance levels and wavelength ranges for an accelerated light source to ensure a similar degradation mechanism with the outdoor exposure. This quantitative study has laid crucial groundwork for developing accelerated laboratory testing and building predictive models for service lives of PV materials.
Flux-Balance Based Modeling of Biofilm Communities

Models of microbial community dynamics generally rely on a sub-scale model for microbial metabolisms. In systems such as distributed multispecies communities like biofilms, where it is not reasonable to simplify to a small number of limiting substrates, tracking the large number of active metabolites likely requires measurement or estimation of large numbers of kinetic and regulatory parameters. Alternatively, a largely kinetics-free methodology is proposed combining cellular level constrained, steady state metabolic flux analysis with macro scale microbial community models. The methodology easily allows coupling of macroscale information, including measurement data, with cell-scale metabolism. Illustrative examples are included.
Estimating Transient Climate Response in a Large‐Ensemble Global Climate Model Simulation

The transient climate response (TCR), defined to be the warming in near-surface air temperature after 70 years of a 1% per year increase in CO2, can be estimated from observed warming over the 19th and 20th centuries. Such analyses yield lower values than TCR estimated from global climate models (GCMs). This disagreement has been used to suggest that GCMs’ climate may be too sensitive to increases in CO2. Here we critically evaluate the methodology of the comparison using a large ensemble of a fully coupled GCM simulating the historical period, 1850–2005. We find that TCR estimated from model simulations of the historical period can be much lower than the model’s true TCR, replicating the disagreement seen between observations and GCM estimates of TCR. This suggests that the disagreement could be explained entirely by the details of the comparison and undercuts the suggestions that GCMs overestimate TCR.
Impact of number of registration points on the positional accuracy of a prosthetic treatment plan incorporated into a cone beam computed tomography scan by surface scan registration: An in vitro study.

Objectives To evaluate the accuracy of a prosthetic treatment plan incorporation into a cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan using point-based registration with three registration points selected and to evaluate the impact of number of registration points on prosthetic plan accuracy. Material and methods A CBCT scan of a completely dentate master model with removable teeth was exposed after removing the mandibular left first premolar, second premolar, and first molar. A digital scan of the master model with all teeth present was made by scanning a stone replica using a laboratory scanner. The digital model was registered onto the three-dimensional (3D) volume rendering of the CBCT scan using implant planning software. The point-based registration was repeated using three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, and 10 reference points. Metrology software was used to measure the 3D deviation of the registered models for each reference point group on standard tessellation language (STL) files obtained from the CBCT scans. An STL file of the master model with all teeth present obtained from another CBCT scan was used as reference. Results Using three registration points, the registered prosthetic plan had a mean absolute deviation of 17.63 µm from the reference. Increasing the number of registration points failed to demonstrate statistically significant effects on the deviation (p > 0.05). Conclusions For this clinical scenario, three registration points provided adequate accuracy for prosthetic plan incorporation into CBCT scans. Increasing the number of registration points had no significant impact on the prosthetic plan accuracy in this study.
Exploiting Intel Optane SSD for Microsoft SQL Server

New NVM-based devices provide unparalleled performance (i.e., significantly reduced latency) than Flash-based SSDs. In this paper, we look into exploiting an NVM-based block device -- the Intel Optane SSD -- as a caching layer for Microsoft SQL Server. We reveal that naive usage of Optane SSD can result in up to 23% higher query response time than Flash SSD. We explain the issues of simple caching by analyzing the I/O characteristics of Intel Optane SSD. To exploit Optane SSD as a caching layer, we propose an Optane SSD-aware caching strategy including an optimized cache replacement policy and a cache access filter.