cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the accuracy and reproducibility of a novel probabilistic atlas-based generation for calculation of head attenuation maps on integrated PET/MR scanners.

To propose an MR-based method for generating continuous-valued head attenuation maps and to assess its accuracy and reproducibility. Demonstrating that novel MR-based photon attenuation correction methods are both accurate and reproducible is essential prior to using them routinely in research and clinical studies on integrated PET/MR scanners. Continuous-valued linear attenuation coefficient maps (“μ-maps”) were generated by combining atlases that provided the prior probability of voxel positions belonging to a certain tissue class (air, soft tissue, or bone) and an MR intensity-based likelihood classifier to produce posterior probability maps of tissue classes. These probabilities were used as weights to generate the μ-maps. The accuracy of this probabilistic atlas-based continuous-valued μ-map (“PAC-map”) generation method was assessed by calculating the voxel-wise absolute relative change (RC) between the MR-based and scaled CT-based attenuation-corrected PET images. To assess reproducibility, we performed pair-wise comparisons of the RC values obtained from the PET images reconstructed using the μ-maps generated from the data acquired at three time points. The proposed method produced continuous-valued μ-maps that qualitatively reflected the variable anatomy in patients with brain tumor and agreed well with the scaled CT-based μ-maps. The absolute RC comparing the resulting PET volumes was 1.76 ± 2.33 %, quantitatively demonstrating that the method is accurate. Additionally, we also showed that the method is highly reproducible, the mean RC value for the PET images reconstructed using the μ-maps obtained at the three visits being 0.65 ± 0.95 %. Accurate and highly reproducible continuous-valued head μ-maps can be generated from MR data using a probabilistic atlas-based approach.
Amplification of RNA by an RNA polymerase ribozyme

In all extant life, genetic information is stored in nucleic acids that are replicated by polymerase proteins. In the hypothesized RNA world, before the evolution of genetically encoded proteins, ancestral organisms contained RNA genes that were replicated by an RNA polymerase ribozyme. In an effort toward reconstructing RNA-based life in the laboratory, in vitro evolution was used to improve dramatically the activity and generality of an RNA polymerase ribozyme by selecting variants that can synthesize functional RNA molecules from an RNA template. The improved polymerase ribozyme is able to synthesize a variety of complex structured RNAs, including aptamers, ribozymes, and, in low yield, even tRNA. Furthermore, the polymerase can replicate nucleic acids, amplifying short RNA templates by more than 10,000-fold in an RNA-catalyzed form of the PCR. Thus, the two prerequisites of Darwinian life—the replication of genetic information and its conversion into functional molecules—can now be accomplished with RNA in the complete absence of proteins.
Do Investors See Value in Ethically Sound CEO Apologies? Investigating Stock Market Reaction to CEO Apologies

Since the late 1990s, the number of apologies being offered by CEOs of large companies has exploded (Lindner in Austin American-Statesman, 2007; Adams in USA Today, 2000). Communication and management scholars have analyzed whether and why some of these apologies are more effective or more ethical than others (Souder in Sci Eng Ethics 16:175–184, 2010; Benoit in Accounts, excuses, and apologies: a theory of image restoration strategies, 1995a; Benoit and Czerwinski in Bus Commun Q 60:38–57, 1997). Most of these analyses, however, have remained at the anecdotal level. Moreover, the practical, economic consequences of apologies have not been examined. Almost no rigorous or systematic empirical work exists that examines whether stakeholders (1) reward firms whose CEOs give apologies that are more, rather than less, ethical; and (2) punish firms whose corporate apologies are not ethically sound. This lacuna is surprising given that the whole purpose of an apology is to restore trust between the apologizer and the recipients of the apology. It is also surprising, given that stock market participants do appear, in at least some cases, to evaluate and respond to apologies by CEOs. When Johnson and Johnson was hit by the Tylenol poisonings, its stock price plummeted. One day after CEO James Burke’s apology—an apology widely praised for being ethically sound—approximately a half billion dollars of its previously lost stock value was restored (The financial effect of Burke’s 1982 apology was calculated using Eventus data for a window −1, +1 days around the date of the actual apology.). It appears, then, that a good CEO apology may lead to an increased stock value ceteris paribus. But is the Johnson and Johnson case representative of how the market responds in general to CEO apologies?
Rethinking The Body in Pain

This article calls into question two core suppositions of “The Body in Pain”: that pain is sheerly aversive; and that those who inflict pain do so unawares. I argue that these pieties avoid disturbing questions regarding the pain-filled body. The controlled experience of pain is central to any number of practices; many of them place the body in extremis. Conversely, there are practices of pain-infliction undertaken with the expectation of gratification or social validation. Pain, in short, is alluring as well as aversive.
Missing Data Imputation for Supervised Learning

Missing data imputation can help improve the performance of prediction models in situations where missing data hide useful information. This paper compares methods for imputing missing categorical ...
BICEPS LONG TENDON: PAIN GENERATOR REQUIRING TENODESIS IN TSA – AFFIRMS

Total shoulder arthroplasty is becoming increasingly common. A biceps tenodesis or tenotomy has become a routine part of the operation. There are several advantages to a tenodesis or tenotomy. First, the long head of the biceps tendon is routinely pathologic. One study has shown that there are differences in gene expression and mechanical properties in the long head of the biceps tendon in the setting of glenohumeral joint arthritis. Clinically, we often see inflammation, tearing, adhesions, or other pathology. Second, it is largely accepted that the long head of the biceps tendon has minimal function at the shoulder. The biceps muscle primarily functions at the elbow. Therefore, there is little downside to performing a tenodesis if there is a chance of it generating pain after surgery. Another major reason to perform a tenodesis or a tenotomy is that the technique of total shoulder arthroplasty requires a subscapularis takedown or lesser tuberosity osteotomy. The ligaments and tendon associated with the subscapularis contribute to the stability of the biceps tendon and after subscapularis takedown, it is unlikely that the tendon would remain reduced in the groove. In addition, it is part of a technique to incise and release the rotator interval, additionally creating scarring and/or instability associated with the biceps tendon. Given those reasons, this is a very common and reasonable routine part of the procedure of total shoulder arthroplasty.
Dual language Education And Student Achievement

Dual language classrooms provide English Language Learners (ELLs) an opportunity to receive instruction in their native language as they transition to English fluency. This might allow ELLs to build a stronger foundation in core subjects and lead to better academic outcomes. Dual language education has also grown substantially in popularity among English speaking families across the U.S., as it presents an option to learn content in, and presumably become fluent in, a second language. Despite the spike in practice, there is little causal evidence on what e↵ect attending a dual language school has on student achievement. I examine dual language education and student achievement using admission lotteries from Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District, finding local average treatment e↵ects on math and reading exam scores of more than 0.06 standard deviations per year for participants who were eligible for English second language (ESL) services or designated limited English proficient (LEP). There is also some evidence that attending a dual language school led to a lower probability of having limited English proficient status starting in third grade. For applicants who were not eligible for ESL services or designated as LEP, attending a dual language school has resulted in higher end of grade exam scores of about 0.09 and 0.05 standard deviations per year in math and reading, respectively.
Application of Microgrids in Supporting Distribution Grid Flexibility

Distributed renewable energy resources have attracted significant attention in recent years due to the falling cost of the renewable energy technology, extensive federal and state incentives, and the application in improving load-point reliability. This growing proliferation, however, is changing the traditional consumption load curves by adding considerable levels of variability and further challenging the electricity supply–demand balance. In this paper, the application of microgrids in effectively capturing the distribution network net load variability, caused primarily by the prosumers, is investigated. Microgrids provide a viable and localized solution to this challenge, while removing the need for costly investments by the electric utility on reinforcing the existing electricity infrastructure. A flexibility-oriented microgrid optimal scheduling model is proposed and developed to coordinate the microgrid net load with the aggregated consumers/prosumers net load in the distribution network with a focus on ramping issues. The proposed coordination is performed to capture both inter- and intra-hour net load variabilities. Numerical simulations on a test distribution feeder with one microgrid and several consumers and prosumers exhibit the effectiveness of the proposed model.
Opportunistic scheduling for network coded data in wireless multicast networks

In this paper queue stability in a single-hop wireless multicast networks over erasure channels is analyzed. First, a queuing model consisting of several sub-queues is introduced. Under the queueing stability constraint, we adopt Lyapunov optimization model and define decision variables to derive a network coding based packet scheduling algorithm, which has significantly less complexity and shorter queue size compared with the existing solutions. Further, the proposed algorithm is modified to meet the requirements of time-critical data. Finally, the simulation results verify the effectiveness of our proposed algorithm.
Logarithms and volumes of polytopes

Describing the geometry of the dual amplituhedron without reference to a particular triangulation is an open problem. In this note we introduce a new way of determining the volume of the tree-level NMHV dual amplituhedron. We show that certain contour integrals of logarithms serve as natural building blocks for computing this volume as well as the volumes of general polytopes in any dimension. These building blocks encode the geometry of the underlying polytopes in a triangulation-independent way, and make identities between different representations of the amplitudes manifest.
Tensor-on-tensor regression.

I propose a framework for the linear prediction of a multiway array (i.e., a tensor) from another multiway array of arbitrary dimension, using the contracted tensor product. This framework generali...
The impact of random models on clustering similarity

Clustering is a central approach for unsupervised learning. After clustering is applied, the most fundamental analysis is to quantitatively compare clusterings. Such comparisons are crucial for the evaluation of clustering methods as well as other tasks such as consensus clustering. It is often argued that, in order to establish a baseline, clustering similarity should be assessed in the context of a random ensemble of clusterings. The prevailing assumption for the random clustering ensemble is the permutation model in which the number and sizes of clusters are fixed. However, this assumption does not necessarily hold in practice; for example, multiple runs of K-means clustering returns clusterings with a fixed number of clusters, while the cluster size distribution varies greatly. Here, we derive corrected variants of two clustering similarity measures (the Rand index and Mutual Information) in the context of two random clustering ensembles in which the number and sizes of clusters vary. In addition, we study the impact of one-sided comparisons in the scenario with a reference clustering. The consequences of different random models are illustrated using synthetic examples, handwriting recognition, and gene expression data. We demonstrate that the choice of random model can have a drastic impact on the ranking of similar clustering pairs, and the evaluation of a clustering method with respect to a random baseline; thus, the choice of random clustering model should be carefully justified.
Chapter 4 – Selection Statements

The chapter introduces the use of logical expressions in a variety of selection statements. First if statements are introduced and then if-else statements. This is expanded upon with the use of else and elseif clauses. Nesting and cascading if statements are explained. The switch statement is also demonstrated, as is the concept of choosing from a menu. Finally, “is” functions that return logical true or false are covered. Examples are shown in functions and scripts. Catching errors is shown. Common mistakes that result in logical errors are also explained.
Elucidating the Role of Transcription in Shaping the 3D Structure of the Bacterial Genome

Active transcription has been linked to several genome conformation changes in bacteria, including the recruitment of chromosomal DNA to the cell membrane and formation of nucleoid clusters. Using genomic and imaging data as input into mathematical models and polymer simulations, we sought to explore the extent to which bacterial 3D genome structure could be explained by 1D transcription tracks. Using B. subtilis as a model organism, we investigated via polymer simulations the role of loop extrusion and DNA super-coiling on the formation of interaction domains and other fine-scale features that are visible in chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) data. We then explored the role of the condensin structural maintenance of chromosome complex on the alignment of chromosomal arms. A parameter-free transcription traffic model demonstrated that mean chromosomal arm alignment can be quantitatively explained, and the effects on arm alignment in genomically rearranged strains of B. subtilis were accurately predicted.
The Effect of Monetary Reward on Creativity: The Role of Motivational Orientation

The prolonged debate on the effect of monetary reward on creative performance is still ongoing. Research has shown monetary rewards to have both positive and negative effects on creative performance. We contend that a person’s motivational orientation moderates the effect of monetary rewards on creative performance. An experiment was conducted showing that creative performance can be influenced through two distinct causal pathways. The pathways appear different for people driven predominately by extrinsic motivation and those driven predominately by intrinsic motivation. The exact role of how motivational orientation affects the relationships between monetary reward and creative performance needs further investigation. However, this study generates some insights and suggests directions for future research.
EFFECT OF SAMPLE THICKNESS ON OXIDATION INDUCED BY COMPRESSIVE CYCLIC LOADING OF CONVENTIONAL UHMWPE

Introduction Oxidation of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) can lead to failure of implants used in total joints. Cyclic loading is postulated to be one mechanism of in vivo oxidation in UHMWPE components as one previous study has shown [1]. We developed an accelerated aging test that incorporated compressive cyclic loading that the UHMWPE components would be exposed to in vivo. Surgeons are moving towards larger femoral heads in hip arthroplasty and removing less bone in knee arthroplasty necessitating thinner UHMWPE components. We hypothesized that, in this accelerated aging test, thinner UHMWPE components would be more susceptible to oxidation caused by the cyclic loading due to higher stresses in the material. Materials and Methods All samples tested in this study were Conventional PE: GUR1050 was machined into test specimens, vacuum packaged and gamma sterilized. Test samples were blocks 100 mm × 89 mm in cross-section with 3 different thicknesses: 1 mm, 3 mm, and 10 mm (n=3 each). Three cylinders were cored out of each test sample to serve as controls (Fig 1a) that were physically separated and thereby isolating the oxidation attributable to an applied compressive cyclic load. The controls were placed back into the holes from where they were cored during testing. Compressive loading was administered by a 12.5 mm diameter applicator affixed to a hydraulic test frame (Fig 1b), and all testing was done at 80°C in air. A sinusoidal compressive cyclic stress between 1 and 10 MPa was applied at 5 Hz for 7 days. Microtomed thin films from all samples were analyzed via Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) to quantify oxidation [2] after testing. Oxidation was measured through the thickness of the sample at targeted points along the length from directly underneath the center of the load applicator to 10mm away (Fig 1a). Oxidation was also measured through the thickness of the cylindrical controls. Results The oxidation profiles of each sample at 0.0mm (Fig 2a) and 3.0mm (Fig 2b) from the center point of load application showed that as one decreases the thickness of the test sample the oxidation levels of the sample increase. Both locations showed increased oxidation over the control samples. Discussion Cyclic loading increased the rate of oxidation of gamma sterilized UHMWPE. The oxidation also increased with decreasing thickness of the UHMWPE samples. This oxidation could potentially accelerate the long term oxidative instability and could contribute to the delamination failure of tibial inserts. For figures/tables, please contact authors directly.
Automated detection and quantification of residual brain tumor using an interactive computer-aided detection scheme

Detection of residual brain tumor is important to evaluate efficacy of brain cancer surgery, determine optimal strategy of further radiation therapy if needed, and assess ultimate prognosis of the patients. Brain MR is a commonly used imaging modality for this task. In order to distinguish between residual tumor and surgery induced scar tissues, two sets of MRI scans are conducted pre- and post-gadolinium contrast injection. The residual tumors are only enhanced in the post-contrast injection images. However, subjective reading and quantifying this type of brain MR images faces difficulty in detecting real residual tumor regions and measuring total volume of the residual tumor. In order to help solve this clinical difficulty, we developed and tested a new interactive computer-aided detection scheme, which consists of three consecutive image processing steps namely, 1) segmentation of the intracranial region, 2) image registration and subtraction, 3) tumor segmentation and refinement. The scheme also includes a specially designed and implemented graphical user interface (GUI) platform. When using this scheme, two sets of pre- and post-contrast injection images are first automatically processed to detect and quantify residual tumor volume. Then, a user can visually examine segmentation results and conveniently guide the scheme to correct any detection or segmentation errors if needed. The scheme has been repeatedly tested using five cases. Due to the observed high performance and robustness of the testing results, the scheme is currently ready for conducting clinical studies and helping clinicians investigate the association between this quantitative image marker and outcome of patients.
Energy prediction using spatiotemporal pattern networks

Abstract This paper presents a novel data-driven technique based on the spatiotemporal pattern network (STPN) for energy/power prediction for complex dynamical systems. Built on symbolic dynamical filtering, the STPN framework is used to capture not only the individual system characteristics but also the pair-wise causal dependencies among different sub-systems. To quantify causal dependencies, a mutual information based metric is presented and an energy prediction approach is subsequently proposed based on the STPN framework. To validate the proposed scheme, two case studies are presented, one involving wind turbine power prediction (supply side energy) using the Western Wind Integration data set generated by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) for identifying spatiotemporal characteristics, and the other, residential electric energy disaggregation (demand side energy) using the Building America 2010 data set from NREL for exploring temporal features. In the energy disaggregation context, convex programming techniques beyond the STPN framework are developed and applied to achieve improved disaggregation performance.
SEQUOIA: significance enhanced network querying through context-sensitive random walk and minimization of network conductance.

Network querying algorithms provide computational means to identify conserved network modules in large-scale biological networks that are similar to known functional modules, such as pathways or molecular complexes. Two main challenges for network querying algorithms are the high computational complexity of detecting potential isomorphism between the query and the target graphs and ensuring the biological significance of the query results. In this paper, we propose SEQUOIA, a novel network querying algorithm that effectively addresses these issues by utilizing a context-sensitive random walk (CSRW) model for network comparison and minimizing the network conductance of potential matches in the target network. The CSRW model, inspired by the pair hidden Markov model (pair-HMM) that has been widely used for sequence comparison and alignment, can accurately assess the node-to-node correspondence between different graphs by accounting for node insertions and deletions. The proposed algorithm identifies high-scoring network regions based on the CSRW scores, which are subsequently extended by maximally reducing the network conductance of the identified subnetworks. Performance assessment based on real PPI networks and known molecular complexes show that SEQUOIA outperforms existing methods and clearly enhances the biological significance of the query results. The source code and datasets can be downloaded from http://www.ece.tamu.edu/~bjyoon/SEQUOIA .
Measuring the Value of Recommendation Links on Product Demand

Every major e-commerce site recommends related products on a product’s page. According to a McKinsey & Company retail report, 35% of what consumers purchase on Amazon and 75% of what they watch on ...
On the finite W-algebra for the Lie superalgebra Q(N) in the non-regular case

In this paper, we study the finite W-algebra for the queer Lie superalgebra Q(N) associated with the non-regular even nilpotent coadjoint orbits in the case when N = nl, and the corresponding nilpotent element has Jordan blocks each of size l. We prove that this finite W-algebra is isomorphic to a quotient of the super-Yangian of Q(n).
Forced Migrants : Labour Market Integration and Entrepreneurship

In 2015, worldwide forced displacement was at its highest recorded level, surpassing 65 million. Out of this number, nearly 20 million people are those who fled their countries of origin to seek refuge in third countries. International responsibility sharing in terms of hosting the historical levels of refugee flows has so far been inadequate. Today, lower- and upper-middle income countries host 65 percent of the world's refugees, mostly in urban settings. Whereas refugee camps provide access to basic needs such as shelter, food and healthcare, displaced individuals living in urban settings have to sustain their needs through their own means. In turn, this requires access to labor market.
Identifying Policy Levers And Opportunities For Action Across States To Achieve Health Equity

In the United States, steps to advance health equity often take place at the state and local levels rather than the national level. Using publicly available data sources, we developed a scorecard for all fifty states and the District of Columbia that measures indicators of the use of five evidence-based policies to address domains related to health equity. The indicators are the cigarette excise tax rate, a state's Medicaid expansion status and the size of its coverage gap, percentage of four-year olds enrolled in state-funded pre-kindergarten, minimum wage level, and the presence of state-funded housing subsidy programs and homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing programs. We found that states varied significantly in their implementation of the selected policies and concluded that a variety of approaches to encourage policy changes at the state level will be needed to create healthier and more equitable communities. We describe promising, feasible state-level approaches for states to "do something, do more, do better" when they take action on the five selected policies that can promote health equity.
Conforming conservatives: How salient social identities can increase donations

Abstract This research considers how common perceptions of liberals' generosity can be harnessed for increasing donations. Given conservatives' greater tendency to conform to group norms than liberals, we theorize that conformity tendencies can increase donations by conservatives when accountable to a liberal audience who share a salient identity. Specifically, conservatives donate more when they are accountable to a liberal audience with whom they have a salient shared identity (Study 1) due to their motivation for social approval (Studies 3 and 4). However, if the donation context activates political identity (Studies 2 and 3) or if the unifying social identity is not salient (Study 4), accountability does not impact donation decisions. Notably, liberals do not alter their behavior, ruling out alternative explanations for the pattern of conformity. This research provides insight into the distinct role of accountability for conservatives and importance of audience characteristics for conformity. Though both liberals and conservatives can be generous, this research demonstrates how conformity can be used to increase charitable giving among conservatives.
Building reliable mobile-aware applications using the Rover toolkit

This paper discusses extensions to the Rover toolkit for constructing reliable mobile-aware applications. The extensions improve upon the existing failure model, which addresses client or communication failures and guarantees reliable message delivery from clients to server, but does not address server failures (e.g., the loss of an incoming message due to server failure) (Joseph et al., 1997). Due to the unpredictable, intermittent communication connectivity typically found in mobile client environments, it is inappropriate to make clients responsible for guaranteeing request completion at servers. The extensions discussed in this paper provide both system- and language-level support for reliable operation in the form of stable logging of each message received by a server, per-application stable variables, programmer-supplied failure recovery procedures, server process failure detection, and automatic server process restart. The design and implementation of fault-tolerance support is optimized for high performance in the normal case (network connectivity provided by a high latency, low bandwidth, wireless link): measurements show a best-case overhead of less than 7% for a reliable null RPC over wired and cellular dialup links. Experimental results from both micro-benchmarks and applications, such as the Rover Web Browser proxy, show that support for reliable operation can be provided at an overhead of only a few percent of execution time during normal operation.
Qualitative Simulation for Expert Systems

Abstract Monitoring dynamic chemical processes poses a challenging diagnostic problem when the diagnosIs must be performed while the system operates, when multiple faults are common, and when observations are limited to a relatively small set of variables. The monitoring process involves collecting measurements from sensors, combining this data Into a picture of the current state of the system, and assessing any departure from expected behavior. We present a method called MIMIC for monitoring continuous-variable dynamic systems. MIMIC relies primarily on knowledge derived from a qualitative or semiquantitative model of the monitored system and exploits the system's temporal behavior for diagnosis. The goal of the diagnostic system is to mimic the condition of the physical system by identifying parameter ranges in a model of the process that are consistent with the observations.
Catheter-Associated Bacteriuria: Failure to Reduce Attack Rates Using Periodic Instillations of a Disinfectant Into Urinary Drainage Systems

We assessed the efficacy of periodic instillations of hydrogen peroxide into urinary drainage systems in the prevention of catheter-associated bacteriuria in a prospective and randomized clinical study of 668 patients with indwelling urethral catheters. Bacteriuria was documented in 68 (10%) of the 668 patients after a mean duration of four days of catheterization. There was no difference between the hydrogen peroxide group and the control group in the mean duration of catheterization before the onset of bacteriuria, in the attack rate for bacteriuria, or in the spectrum of etiologic agents recovered. Bag contamination with the same organism responsible for bacteriuria preceded infection in only five (7%) of the 68 patients, three patients using hydrogen peroxide and two in the control group. We conclude that infections arising intraluminally from contamination of the drainage bag are uncommon among catheterized patients and that the periodic instillation of disinfectants into closed sterile drainage systems is not effective in reducing the incidence of catheter-associated bacteriuria. (JAMA1984;251:747-751)
Chemotherapy Trials in Malignant Pheochromocytoma: Report of Two Patients and Review of the Literature

Two patients with metastatic pheochromocytoma received chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil, cyclophosphamide, and streptozotocin. A biochemical response occurred in one instance. A review of the literature and the results in the reported patients indicate cyclophosphamide and/or streptozotocin may have activity in this neoplasm.
Routine Care and Psychosocial Support of the Patient With the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Due to the magnitude of the AIDS epidemic in San Francisco, centralization of services has been essential for providing maximal patient care and support, and allowing for efficient performance of clinical investigation. While other locales with fewer numbers of documented cases may not have the need for such extensive organization, lessons can be adopted from the San Francisco experience. It is never an easy task to provide routine medical care and psychosocial support for a young patient with an ultimately fatal illness. Close cooperation of the medical establishment and the community at large, with governmental assistance and support, facilitates this difficult undertaking.
On the modeling of nonlinear waves for prediction of long-term offshore wind turbine loads

In the design of wind turbines—onshore or offshore—the prediction of extreme loads associated with a target return period requires statistical extrapolation from available loads data. The data required for such extrapolation are obtained by stochastic time-domain simulation of the inflow turbulence, the incident waves, and the turbine response. Prediction of accurate loads depends on assumptions made in the simulation models employed. While for the wind, inflow turbulence models are relatively well established; for wave input, the current practice is to model irregular (random) waves using a linear wave theory. Such a wave model does not adequately represent waves in shallow waters where most offshore wind turbines are being sited. As an alternative to this less realistic wave model, the present study investigates the use of irregular nonlinear (second-order) waves for estimating loads on an offshore wind turbine with a focus on the fore-aft tower bending moment at the mudline. We use a 5 MW utility-scale wind turbine model for the simulations. Using, first, simpler linear irregular wave modeling assumptions, we establish long-term loads and identify governing environmental conditions (i.e., the wind speed and wave height) that are associated with the 20-year return period load derived using the inverse first-order reliability method. We present the nonlinear irregular wave model next and incorporate it into an integrated wind-wave response simulation analysis program for offshore wind turbines. We compute turbine loads for the governing environmental conditions identified with the linear model and also for an extreme environmental state. We show that computed loads are generally larger with the nonlinear wave modeling assumptions; this establishes the importance of using such refined nonlinear wave models in stochastic simulation of the response of offshore wind turbines.
Large Order Expansion in Perturbation Theory

We investigate the large n behavior of the perturbation coefficients E n for the ground state energy of the anharmonic oscillator, considered as a field theory in one space-time dimension. We combine the saddle point expansion for functional integrals introduced in this context by Lipatov with the dispersion relation (in coupling constant) used by Bender and Wu. The complete Feynman rules for the expansion in 1/ n are worked out, and we compute the first two terms, which agree with those computed by Bender and Wu using the WKB approximation. One feature of our analysis is a deformation of the integration contour in function space as one analytically continues in the coupling.
Employee mobility, noncompete agreements, product-market competition, and company disclosure

This study explores the impact on companies’ disclosures of U.S. states’ different propensities to enforce noncompete agreements. I find a negative association between a state’s enforcement of noncompete agreements and disclosure activities of firms headquartered in that state. Companies that face local rivals drive some results. Analyses that focus on several state-level changes in enforcement level of noncompete agreements confirm this association. Overall, the findings are consistent with a higher enforcement of noncompete agreements increasing proprietary costs of disclosure, because companies in high-enforcement settings are less informed about each other due to reduced information leakage from employee transfers across competitors. The results suggest that the overall environment for information spillovers surrounding a firm impacts its degree of disclosure to the capital markets and that state-specific enforcement of noncompete agreements can be used as a novel measure of the proprietary costs of disclosure.
A fully-coupled discontinuous Galerkin spectral element method for two-phase flow in petroleum reservoirs

Abstract A high-order spectral element discontinuous Galerkin method is presented for simulating immiscible two-phase flow in petroleum reservoirs. The governing equations involve a coupled system of strongly nonlinear partial differential equations for the pressure and fluid saturation in the reservoir. A fully implicit method is used with a high-order accurate time integration using an implicit Rosenbrock method. Numerical tests give the first demonstration of high order hp spatial convergence results for multiphase flow in petroleum reservoirs with industry standard relative permeability models. High order convergence is shown formally for spectral elements with up to 8th order polynomials for both homogeneous and heterogeneous permeability fields. Numerical results are presented for multiphase fluid flow in heterogeneous reservoirs with complex geometric or geologic features using up to 11th order polynomials. Robust, stable simulations are presented for heterogeneous geologic features, including globally heterogeneous permeability fields, anisotropic permeability tensors, broad regions of low-permeability, high-permeability channels, thin shale barriers and thin high-permeability fractures. A major result of this paper is the demonstration that the resolution of the high order spectral element method may be exploited to achieve accurate results utilizing a simple cartesian mesh for non-conforming geological features. Eliminating the need to mesh to the boundaries of geological features greatly simplifies the workflow for petroleum engineers testing multiple scenarios in the face of uncertainty in the subsurface geology.
Aging, Jamming, and the Limits of Stability of Amorphous Solids.

Apart from not having crystallized, supercooled liquids can be considered as being properly equilibrated and thus can be described by a few thermodynamic control variables. In contrast, glasses and other amorphous solids can be arbitrarily far away from equilibrium and require a description of the history of the conditions under which they formed. In this paper we describe how the locality of interactions intrinsic to finite-dimensional systems affects the stability of amorphous solids far off equilibrium. Our analysis encompasses both structural glasses formed by cooling and colloidal assemblies formed by compression. A diagram outlining regions of marginal stability can be adduced which bears some resemblance to the quasi-equilibrium replica meanfield theory phase diagram of hard sphere glasses in high dimensions but is distinct from that construct in that the diagram describes not true phase transitions but kinetic transitions that depend on the preparation protocol. The diagram exhibits two distinct s...
Assembly and Translocation of a CRISPR-Cas Primed Acquisition Complex

CRISPR-Cas systems confer an adaptive immunity against viruses. Following viral injection, Cas1-Cas2 integrates segments of the viral genome (spacers) into the CRISPR locus. In type I CRISPR-Cas systems, efficient “primed” spacer acquisition and viral degradation (interference) require both the Cascade complex and the Cas3 helicase/nuclease. Here, we present single-molecule characterization of the Thermobifida fusca (Tfu) primed acquisition complex (PAC). We show that TfuCascade rapidly samples non-specific DNA via facilitated one-dimensional diffusion. Cas3 loads at target-bound Cascade and the Cascade/Cas3 complex translocates via a looped DNA intermediate. Cascade/Cas3 complexes stall at diverse protein roadblocks, resulting in a double strand break at the stall site. In contrast, Cas1-Cas2 samples DNA transiently via 3D collisions. Moreover, Cas1-Cas2 associates with Cascade and translocates with Cascade/Cas3, forming the PAC. PACs can displace different protein roadblocks, suggesting a mechanism for long-range spacer acquisition. This work provides a molecular basis for the coordinated steps in CRISPR-based adaptive immunity.
Change in Depression, Confidence, and Physical Function Among Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Background and purpose Nearly a quarter of those in the United States older than 71 years experience mild cognitive impairment. Persons with mild cognitive impairment battle depression and progressive disengagement from daily activities, which contribute to participation restriction and activity limitation. Daily engagement in meaningful activity (DEMA) is a tailored intervention designed to benefit persons with mild cognitive impairment and their caregivers through preserved engagement and supported adjustment to cognitive changes. This secondary analysis was guided by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) model. Aims were to (i) explore the extent to which change in self-rated activity performance and physical function can predict change in depressive symptoms, (ii) evaluate for difference in confidence and depressive symptoms at ICF levels of activity and participation, and (iii) quantify the impact of daily engagement at the ICF level of participation on physical function. Methods A secondary analysis was conducted using data from the parent study, which was a 2-group randomized trial involving persons with mild cognitive impairment and their informal caregivers participating in the Indiana Alzheimer Disease Center DEMA program. Quantitative analysis (dyads: DEMA N = 20, Information Support N = 20) examined outcomes at posttest and follow-up. Analysis employed linear regression to model the relationship between explanatory and dependent variables and independent t test to examine for difference in confidence, depression, and physical function. Results and discussion At posttest, change in self-rated performance predicted change in depressive symptoms. Those in the DEMA group who engaged in activity at the ICF level of participation demonstrated a significant increase in confidence and physical function. Although not significant, the control group posttest results showed a mean decrease in confidence. Conclusions Results demonstrate a positive impact of DEMA on depressive symptoms, confidence, and physical function. Change in occupational performance predicted change in depressive symptoms. Confidence significantly improved among those who engaged at the ICF participation level. A larger, randomized controlled longitudinal trial is needed to better assess the impact of DEMA on physical function, activity, participation restriction, and quality of life.
Squamous differentiation in papillary thyroid carcinoma: a rare feature of aggressive disease.

Abstract Background Papillary thyroid carcinoma with squamous differentiation (PTC-SD) is a poorly understood pathologic finding of unknown clinical significance. Selected case reports have suggested that PTC-SD is an aggressive tumor with a poor prognosis. Here we present the largest case series of PTC-SD reported in the United States. Materials and methods The cancer registry at our tertiary care referral center was reviewed to identify all patients from 1995-2015 who had been diagnosed with PTC-SD on initial total thyroidectomy or lymph node dissection for recurrent disease. All cases were reviewed by an endocrine pathologist to confirm the diagnosis. Patient demographic, pathology, and outcomes data were collected and reviewed. Results During the study period, ten patients were diagnosed with PTC-SD, six in the primary tumor at the time of initial surgery, and four in lymph node metastases during surgery for recurrent disease. The median age at diagnosis was 56 y and half of the patients were male. Aggressive features such as multifocality (67%), extrathyroidal extension (67%), positive margin (89%), lymph node metastases (80%), and extranodal extension (60%) were far more prominent than is typically seen in classic PTC. Long-term follow-up (median 56.5 mo) demonstrated high rates of locoregional recurrence (60%), pulmonary metastases (30%), and mortality (10%). Conclusions Squamous differentiation is a rare finding in PTC that is associated with aggressive pathologic features and poor long-term outcomes. This phenomenon may represent a step in progression toward dedifferentiation; thus, patients with PTC-SD should have close, life-long surveillance and should be treated according to evidence-based guidelines for high-risk thyroid cancers.
Finance-Informed Citizens, Citizen-Informed Finance: An Essay Occasioned by the International Handbook of Financial Literacy

Purpose: Throughout the world, the dominant discourse treats “financial literacy” as both necessary and sufficient to improve the well-being of individuals and society. Findings: This essay argues that financial literacy is neither, and that promoting financial literacy is a perverse way to address the inadequate retirement funding, overindebtedness, financial crises, and other social ills that have inspired governments and educators to pursue it. In its place, this essay suggests that the aim of financial education ought to be to foster finance-informed citizens, who have the capacity for civic engagement that can create citizen-informed economic policies and financial regulation.
The economic impact of one to two-way street conversions: advancing a context-sensitive framework

AbstractAs many communities across the US convert one-way streets to two-way traffic flow, a growing body of work seeks to understand the implications. While some work indicates that there can be r...
Breeding Strategies for Biofortified Staple Plant Foods to Reduce Micronutrient Malnutrition Globally

One sustainable agricultural approach to reducing micronutrient malnutrition among people at highest risk (i.e., resource-poor women, infants and children) globally is to enrich major staple food crops (e.g., rice, wheat, maize, beans and cassava) with micronutrients through plant-breeding strategies. These target groups are dependent on these staples for their sustenance. Available research has demonstrated that micronutrient-enrichment traits are available within the genomes of these major staple food crops that could allow for substantial increases in the levels of Fe, Zn and provitamin A carotenoids (as well as other nutrients and health-promoting factors) without negatively impacting crop yield. Furthermore, Fe- and Zn-dense seeds can increase crop yields when sowed to soils deficient in these nutrients ensuring their adoption by farmers in these regions once they are developed. Importantly, micronutrient bioavailability issues must be addressed when using a plant-breeding approach to eliminating micronutrient malnutrition. The reduction of antinutrient substances that inhibit micronutrient bioavailability or the increase in substances that promote micronutrient bioavailability from staple plant foods are both options that could be pursued in breeding programs, although care needs to be taken not to compromise agronomic performance and sufficient attention paid to possible beneficial roles of compounds which reduce the bioavailability of trace minerals. The time has come to invest in agricultural technologies to find sustainable solutions to micronutrient malnutrition. Plant breeding is one such technology that should be adopted by the world's agricultural community and that should be supported by the world's nutrition and health communities.
Shaken, Not Stirred: Collapsing a Peptoid Monolayer to Produce Free-Floating, Stable Nanosheets

Two-dimensional nanomaterials play a critical role in biology (e.g., lipid bilayers) and electronics (e.g., graphene), but are difficult to directly synthesize with a high level of precision. Biomimetic peptoid nanosheet bilayers are a versatile synthetic platform for constructing multifunctional, precisely ordered two-dimensional nanostructures. Here we show that nanosheet formation occurs through an unusual monolayer intermediate at the air-water interface. Lateral compression of a self-assembled peptoid monolayer beyond a critical collapse pressure results in the irreversible production of nanosheets. An unusual thermodynamic cycle is employed on a preparative scale, where mechanical energy is used to buckle an intermediate monolayer into a more stable nanosheet. Detailed physical studies of the monolayer-compression mechanism revealed a simple preparative technique to produce nanosheets in 95% overall yield, by cyclical monolayer compressions in a rotating closed vial. Compression of monolayers into stable, free-floating products may be a general and preparative approach to access two-dimensional nanomaterials.View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide