cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Why Do Firms Go Public

Why entrepreneurs choose to conduct an IPO has received relatively little attention when compared to other IPO topics such as initial underpricing and the long-run performance of IPOs. In this chapter, I summarize, analyze, and expand the current discussion on why firms go public. I begin by discussing the theoretical underpinnings and testable hypotheses offered thus far in the academic literature. I then discuss the empirical evidence for (and against) each of these potential explanations after presenting the intuition behind them. I focus on two types of empirical research: a) large-sample publicly-available financial and stock data and b) proprietary survey data. When dealing with the topic of why firms go public, both approaches to research contain their own challenges. Publicly available data sources typically do not contain detailed information on private firms (particularly in the US). Without private firm data, it is difficult to compare private and public firms to isolate the factors determining why firms go public. In addition, it is problematic to ascertain motives for the factors observed in these types of studies. Survey data, on the other hand, has not been widely accepted in the Finance discipline and has its own challenges in collecting. After discussing the theories and traditional empirical research on why firms go public, I discuss four surveys that have either indirectly or directly addressed the motives for going public.After reviewing and discussing the existing evidence, I provide an in-depth analysis of the Brau and Fawcett (2006a) survey question, “How important were/are the following motivations for conducting an IPO?” In the conclusion, I attempt to pull all of the theories together and argue that all of them are valid, in certain instances, for certain entrepreneurs. In some samples, specific theories have greater efficacy. In other samples, these same theories have weak explanatory power.
Diffusion Tensor Imaging of Healthy and Infarcted Porcine Hearts: Study on the Impact of Formalin Fixation.

Abstract Background Because of the complexities with in-vivo cardiac diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), ex-vivo formalin-fixed specimens are used to investigate cardiac remodeling in diseases, and reported results have shown conflicting trends. This study investigates the impact of formalin fixation on diffusion properties and optimizes tracking parameters based on controls to understand remodeling in myocardial infarction (MI). Methods DTI was performed on four healthy (controls) and four MI-induced, formalin-fixed (PoMI) ex-vivo porcine hearts. Controls were scanned before fixation (PrCtrl) and rescanned (PoCtrl) after formalin fixation. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were estimated in all hearts. Tracking parameters (FA, tract termination angle [TTA], and fiber length) were optimized in controls and then used to investigate structural remodeling in PoMI hearts. Results Fixation increased ADC and decreased FA. PoMI showed increased ADC but decreased FA in the infarcted region compared to the remote region. TTA showed a sharp increase in slope from 5° to 10°, which flattened after 25° in all groups. Mean fiber length for different tracking length ranges showed that PoCtrl had shorter fibers compared with PrCtrl. Fibers around the infarction were shorter in length and disarrayed compared to the PoCtrl group. Conclusion Formalin fixation affects diffusion properties; hence, DTI parametric trends observed in pathology may be influenced by the fixation process, which can cause contradictory findings.
Evaluating the Efficacy of Children Participating in Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters and Head Start.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters program when implemented within Head Start programs by measuring children’s language proficiency scores. Participants were kindergarteners concurrently enrolled in both a Head Start program and the Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters program along with a comparison group of kindergarteners only enrolled in a Head Start program. According to the results of the chi-square analysis, all of the children who participated in the “Head Start and HIPPY” group scored “developed” on all sections of Texas Primary Reading Inventory or its Spanish language equivalent, El Inventario de Lectura en Espanol de Tejas. However, only about 33 percent of children in the “Head Start Only” group demonstrated “developed” remarks. The remainder of the “Head Start Only” group (67%) scored “needs intervention” on the Texas Primary Reading Inventory/El Inventario de Lectura en Espanol de Tejas. Children...
Temporal Variation in Songbird Abundance on Grasslands in Canaan Valley, West Virginia

Abstract Grassland songbirds have been declining due to loss of habitat. In Canaan Valley, WV, grassland habitats primarily consist of active and idle pastures and hayfields. Our objectives were to document the species of breeding birds that occurred on grasslands of the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge and evaluate temporal patterns of abundance among months and years. This study took place on 3 idle hayfields and 3 idle pastures in the Refuge during the summers of 1999 and 2000. At the conclusion of the first field season, half of each field was mowed. A total of 28 species—13 in 1999 and 27 in 2000—was documented. Dolichonyx oryzivorus (Bobolink), Sturnella magna (Eastern Meadowlark), Passerculus sandwichensis (Savannah Sparrow), and Agelaius phoeniceus (Red-winged Blackbird) were dominant. Additional species observed included Ammodramus savannarum (Grasshopper Sparrow) and Circus cyaneus (Northern Harrier). Species diversity, species richness, and total bird abundance varied among months (P < 0....
Anti-tumor activity of letrozole in patients with recurrent advanced low malignant potential or low-grade serous ovarian tumors

5582 Purpose: To evaluate the clinical activity of oral Letrozole in patients with recurrent and advanced low malignant potential or low grade serous ovarian tumors and to determine the impact of steroid receptor expression on this observed activity. Methods: In a phase II design, we recruited patients with confirmed recurrent advanced stage low malignant potential tumors and recurrent low-grade serous carcinomas. Measurable disease was required. Steroid hormone expression (ER and PR), EGFR, and Her2/neu expression were determined on available pathological material by IHC from the initial surgery or at documentation of recurrent disease and blood was obtained before enrollment and every other month while on therapy. Letrozole was administered orally at a dose of 2.5 mg once a day. The endpoints were objective response rate assessed by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumor. Adverse events were graded using the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria. Results: Thirteen patients meeting elig...
Abstract 2877: TRAMP-injected mice fed a no-carbohydrate ketogenic diet demonstrate prolonged survival and decreased tumor volumes compared to mice fed western or low-fat diets

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Introduction and Objective: In multiple previous studies, we have shown that mice injected with subcutaneous prostate cancer cells (LNCaP or LAPC-4) and fed a no-carbohydrate ketogenic diet (NCKD, 84% fat, 0% carbohydrate, 16% protein) have significantly decreased tumor volume and significantly prolonged survival, compared to mice fed a western diet (WD, 40% fat, 44% carbohydrate, 16% protein). All previous studies utilized a human prostate cancer cell line, requiring the use of immunodeficient mice. We sought to replicate these previous studies to determine whether diet affected tumor progression and survival in an immunocompetent model. Methods: In this treatment model, 75 male C57bl/6 mice were initially fed WD ad libitum for a period of 14 days. After this 14 day period, all mice were injected subcutaneously with 2.5×105 TRAMP cells and randomized to one of three diets: WD, NCKD, or low-fat diet (LF, 12% fat, 72% carbohydrate, 16% protein). Mice receiving LF diet were fed ad libitum, and served as the reference group in paired-feeding protocols for mice receiving WD and NCKD. Tumor volumes were assessed twice weekly, and mice were sacrificed when tumor volumes reached 1000mm3. Survival was calculated using a Log-rank test and tumor volumes were compared among dietary groups using Kruskal-Wallis test for significance. Results: Mice fed a NCKD demonstrated a trend towards decreased tumor volumes compared to mice fed WD and LF. Median tumor volume at study day 66 for mice fed WD, LF, and NCKD were 1091.2 mm3, 1082.9 mm3, and 661.5mm3 respectively. While the tumor volumes were smaller in mice fed NCKD versus LF or WD, these differences did not reach statistical significance (WD vs. NCKD, p=0.06; LF vs. NCKD, p=0.12). There was no significant difference between tumor volumes among mice fed WD compared to LF (p=0.95). Additionally, a trend towards improved survival was seen in mice fed NCKD vs. WD (p=0.09). Conclusion: This study in an immunocompetent xenograft model supports the findings of multiple previous studies. Mice fed a NCKD demonstrated a trend towards prolonged survival and decreased tumor volume compared to mice fed WD. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2877.
Eggshell Differences between Parasitic and Nonparasitic Icteridae

Etude comparative de l'epaisseur de la coquille, de sa masse et de son poids par rapport a celui de la femelle selon que l'espece concernee d'Icteridae est ou non un parasite social.
Systems-Centered Functional Subgrouping and Large-Group Outcome

303 1 SCT® and Systems-Centered® are registered trademarks of Dr. Yvonne M. Agazarian and the Systems-Centered Training and Research Institute Inc., a nonprofit organization. The authors would like to acknowledge the contributions of Emma N. Cleary and Corinne N. Stockmal to the preparation of this manuscript. 2 Professor, Institute for Decision Excellence and Leadership, Department of Psychiatry, State University of New York. Correspondence should be addressed to Richard M. O’Neill, PhD, ABPP, CGP, Upstate Medical University, 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210. E-mail: oneillr@ upstate.edu. 3 Assistant Professor, College of Nursing, Penn State University. Large experiential groups are common at association conferences and are presented as positive experiences with positive outcomes. However, empirical investigation of effects is lacking. Systems-Centered therapy (SCT) methods are designed to improve the process and outcome of groups whatever their size. In this project, large-group members (n = 264) were trained to use SCT’s cardinal method of “functional subgrouping” while discussing professional roles. Preto postgroup, members on average reported no change in mood, but members scoring higher on the SCT Functional Subgrouping Questionnaire (FSQ) reported significantly more positive change in mood and greater connection to the association. Also, members with higher FSQ scores reported feeling more heard during the group and greater satisfaction with learning. Suggestions are made for future research that may further substantiate these findings.
Clinical efficacy analysis of blue light in treatment of neonatal jaundice

Objective To analyze the clinical efficacy of blue light in treatment of neonatal jaundice. Methods 150 cases with neonatal jaundice were divided into two groups.The control group for 74 cases was received conventional treatment,and the treatment group for 76 cases was treated with blue light based on conventional treatment. Results The total effective rate of the treatment group was 97.37%,and the incidence rate of adverse reactions was 11.84%;the total effective rate of the control group was 72.97%,and the incidence rate of adverse reactions was 12.16%.The difference of total effective rate between the two groups was statistically significant(P0.05),and the difference of adverse reactions between two groups was no statistically significant(P0.05). Conclusion The effect of blue light in treatment of neonatal jaundice is evident,and with less adverse reactions,which is worthy of promotion.
Utilization of Polyacetylene, (CH)x, in the Fabrication of Rechargeable Batteries

Polyacetylene, (CH)x, is the first example of a covalent organic polymer which may be chemically doped either p- or n-type to give a series of semiconductors and ultimately “organic metals”.1 The electrical conductivity can be varied over twelve orders of magnitude depending on the dopant concentration.1 Detailed studies have shown that a semiconductor-metal transition occurs at dopant concentrations near 1 mole percent. In the metallic range, (1–10 mole percent) the conductivity increases at a relatively slow rate up to a value of ~103 ohm−1cm−1 at room temperature. We have shown previously that ~0.1 mm thick films of (CH)x may also be controllably doped electrochemically in a very simple, rapid procedure, either in aqueous or non-aqueous solution, through the semiconducting to the metallic regime.2 Thus, the use of aqueous KI solutions or CH2Cl2 solutions of, e.g., [(n−C4H9)4 N]+[C104]−, [(n−C4H9)4N]+[AsF6]−, etc. yield flexible, golden-silvery films of [CHI0.07]x (σ25°C= 9.7 ohm−1cm−1), [CH(C104)0.0645]x (σ25°C=970 ohm−1cm−1), and [CH(AsF4)0.077]x (σ25°C=553 ohm−1cm−1), respectively. In the doped state, the polyacetylene is believed to exist as the stabilized polycarbonium ion, (CH+y)x, with the corresponding number of monovalent counter anions such that the overall composition is [(CH+y)A y − ]X.1
Studies on extrarenal erythropoietin

Abstract The plasma of nephrectomized rats exposed to intense hypoxia contained detectable amounts of an erythropoietic stimulating factor. The titer of this factor increased with further increase in the intensity of hypoxia. Extrarenal erythropoietin is capable of stimulating heme synthesis by bone marrow cells in vitro and is neutralized by antiserum to erythropoietin. These data indicate that extrarenal erythropoietin is probably identical to that of renal origin, and its production is regulated by the intensity of hypoxia.
Teachers' knowledge, attitudes, and supportive behaviors toward LGBT students: Relationship to Gay-Straight Alliances, antibullying policy, and teacher training

ABSTRACTThis study focused on the association between 3 school-level supports for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students and teachers' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors toward LGBT youth. Framed within social support theory, the study used survey method with a sample of 98 teachers in Grades 6–12. The purpose was to examine the relation among GSAs, enumerated antibullying policies, and provision of LGBT-related training and teachers' knowledge and attitudes, as well as the frequency with which teachers engage in behaviors or activities to support LGBT youth. Results demonstrate that teachers reported a higher frequency of engaging in behaviors to support LGBT students when they worked in a school with an active GSA or enumerated antibullying policy and received training specifically related to LGBT youth. Across all teachers, ratings of the frequency of taking on supportive roles were significantly lower compared with their ratings of the importance of doing so. Despite acknowledging th...
Abstract 013: Early Life Stress Increases Susceptibility to Develop Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome in a Sex-specific Manner

Recent epidemiological studies demonstrate that women have a greater prevalence of metabolic syndrome with associated increases in fasting glucose not seen in men. Lifestyle factors including diet and physical activity contribute to the risk of developing metabolic disease; however, it has been reported that exposure to early life stress (ELS) has enduring emotional, immune, and metabolic disturbances resulting in increased risk for obesity and type II diabetes. To investigate the effects of ELS as an independent risk factor for metabolic disease, we expose C57Bl/6 mice to maternal separation (MSep), an established behavioral stress model during postnatal life. At weaning, mice were placed on a low-fat diet (LFD, n=6-10) or high-fat diet (HFD, 60% fat calories, n=10) for 16 weeks. Body weight (BW) gain was not different between MSep and control (C) mice when fed a LFD; however, only female MSep mice display higher fat mass compared to C (6.7 ± 0.5 vs. 5.2±0.5 g, p<0.05). Magnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed elevated levels of visceral fat in female MSep mice compared to C, suggesting that MSep increases central adiposity. HFD increased BW in male MSep mice vs C (54.2± 0.7 vs 51.3 ± 0.5, p<0.05); however, BW was dramatically exaggerated in female MSep mice vs. C (48.2± 1.3 vs 34.4 ±2.3 g, p<0.05). Accordingly, fat mass was increased in female MSep mice vs. C (18.2 ± 1.4 vs. 7.6 ± 0 g, p<0.05). Only female MSep exhibited significant impaired glucose tolerance (AUC: 18445±507 vs 22070± 696 AU, p<0.05), hepatomegaly, hypercholesterolemia (156±20 vs. 82 ± 2 mg/dl, p<0.05), hyperleptinemia and hyperinsulinemia (p<0.05) compared to C. Because impaired metabolic function has been linked to inflammation, we characterized splenocytes in female HFD-fed mice. We found a lower population of T-cells but no difference in B-cells in MSep mice vs. C. Functional studies of T cell differentiation demonstrated a reduced capability of naive T cells to differentiate into anti-inflammatory T regulatory cells in MSep mice vs. C (54± 4 vs. 66± 1 % FoxP3+/CD25+ cells, p<0.05, n=3). The ability to polarize into the pro-inflammatory Th17 phenotype remained intact. These data suggest that the mechanisms by which MSep primes the metabolic responses are sex-specific. NIH R00 HL111354
Ion Mobility Collision Cross Section Compendium

In this review, we focus on an important aspect of ion mobility (IM) research, namely the reporting of quantitative ion mobility measurements in the form of the gas-phase collision cross section (CCS), which has provided a common basis for comparison across different instrument platforms and offers a unique form of structural information, namely size and shape preferences of analytes in the absence of bulk solvent. This review surveys the over 24,000 CCS values reported from IM methods spanning the era between 1975 to 2015, which provides both a historical and analytical context for the contributions made thus far, as well as insight into the future directions that quantitative ion mobility measurements will have in the analytical sciences. The analysis was conducted in 2016, so CCS values reported in that year are purposely omitted. In another few years, a review of this scope will be intractable, as the number of CCS values which will be reported in the next three to five years is expected to exceed the total amount currently published in the literature.
Joint learning of local and global features for entity linking via neural networks

A system, method and computer program product for disambiguating one or more entity mentions in one or more documents. The method facilitates the simultaneous linking entity mentions in a document based on convolution neural networks and recurrent neural networks that model both the local and global features for entity linking. The framework uses the capacity of convolution neural networks to induce the underlying representations for local contexts and the advantage of recurrent neural networks to adaptively compress variable length sequences of predictions for global constraints. The RNN functions to accumulate information about the previous entity mentions and/or target entities, and provide them as the global constraints for the linking process of a current entity mention.
Bio-efficacy of medicinal plants used for the management of diabetes mellitus in Gabon. An ethnopharmacological approach

Objective: The present study aimed to survey a wide range of Gabonese plants for their anti-diabetic activity. Materials andMethods: This study focused on the identification of medicinal plants used in the local treatment of diabetes mellitus. We carried out ethnobotanical investigations in rural and urban areas of three provinces of Gabon using a semi-structured interview. Results: Forty-eight plant species belonging to 31 families and 47 genera were recorded, a majority of which have been documented previously to have medicinal properties. Most have documented anti-diabetic properties with characterized therapeutic chemical compounds. Of the plant parts used for treatment, bark was employed most frequently (51%), followed by leaves (29%); the remaining 20% comprised roots, fibers, beans, bulbs, kernels, rhizome, skin and stem. Regarding the mode of preparation, decoction was the most widely used (59%), followed by maceration (17%) and infusion (14%). Almost all the plant products were administered orally (98%). Conclusions: Taken in concert, this study highlights the possibility of exploiting traditional knowledge of specific medicinal plants for the inexpensive treatment and management of diabetes.
Upper GI GVHD: similar outcomes to other grade II graft-versus-host disease

The significance of upper gastrointestinal tract (UGI) acute GVHD (aGVHD) compared with other grade II aGVHD is not clearly defined. We compared the outcomes of patients with grade II aGVHD with or without biopsy-proven UGI involvement in three groups: grade II aGVHD without UGI (n=178), grade II aGVHD with UGI and other sites (n=102) and isolated UGI aGVHD (n=32). The overall response (ORR) to steroids at day 28 differed among the three groups (76, 67 and 91%, respectively, P=0.01), but was only marginally different in direct comparison with those without or with UGI aGVHD (P=0.07) or with isolated UGI aGVHD (P=0.06). In multivariate analysis, as compared with grade II aGVHD patients without UGI involvement, those with UGI involvement and those with isolated UGI aGVHD had similar risks of chronic GVHD, relapse and non-relapse mortality and similar disease-free survival and overall survival. Our data suggest that patients with UGI aGVHD have similar outcomes as those without UGI involvement, supporting the view that UGI aGVHD should still be included as a grade II-defining event.
Technology Review: Statistics Web Apps

(2017). Technology Review: Statistics Web Apps. The College Mathematics Journal: Vol. 48, No. 5, pp. 378-382.
Determining essential scales and associated uncertainties for regional atmospheric infrasound propagation by incorporating three-dimensional weather model forecasts

Understanding infrasound propagation is important for geophysical and military applications. Infrasound signatures can be detected from larger sources such as nuclear detonations and from smaller sources such as bridges, dams, and buildings. Infrastructure sources produce signals of lower amplitude, leading to more regional (up to 150 km) propagation. However, current methods for calculating regional infrasound propagation involve assumptions about the atmosphere, such as horizontal homogeneity, that deviate from more realistic environmental conditions and decrease the accuracy of the infrasound predictions. To remedy this issue, we have interfaced three-dimensional forecasts from the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) meteorological model with range-dependent parabolic equation propagation models. To test the improvement of infrasound propagation predictions with more realistic weather data, we conducted sensitivity studies with different propagation ranges and horizontal resolutions and compared the...
The Propositional Interpretation of Noun Phrases

Vendler (1967, 1968, 1975) observed that derived NPs and ing of -NPs may be paraphrased by that-clauses in some contexts, but not in others: (1) John is informed of the collapse of the Germans (2) John is informed of the collapsing of the Germans (3) John is informed that the Germans collapsed (4) the collapse of the Germans was gradual (5) the collapsing of the Germans was gradual (6) # that the Germans collapsed was gradual I’ll refer to the question why different readings of derived and ing of -nominals are selected in different contexts as the selection problem. A possible solution to the problem is that different readings are selected in different contexts because (i) derived NPs and ing of -NPs are ambiguous between the event-interpretation and the propositional interpretation and (ii) the selectional properties of the predicates with which they combine determine which interpretation is chosen. I’ll refer to claim (i) as the ambiguity hypothesis. In section 6.2, I’ll address the selection problem, in particular I’ll discuss whether the ambiguity hypothesis is correct.
Sensitivity Analysis for Variational Systems

The paper mostly concerns applications of the generalized differentiation theory in variational analysis to Lipschitzian stability and metric regularity of variational systems in infinite-dimensional spaces. The main tools of our analysis involve coderivatives of set-valued mappings that turn out to be proper extensions of the adjoint derivative operator to nonsmooth and set-valued mappings. The involved coderivatives allow us to give complete dual characterizations of certain fundamental properties in variational analysis and optimization related to Lipschitzian stability and metric regularity. Based on these characterizations and extended coderivative calculus, we obtain efficient conditions for Lipschitzian stability of variational systems governed by parametric generalized equations and their specifications.
Quality Assurance in Acute Inpatient Services

Improved quality of care for patients has been sought by physicians and has been their goal since the time of Hippocrates. Although certainly not binding, the Hippocratic oath has served as an ethical guide for the medical profession since its beginning. Perhaps the most quoted sentence and dictum from the oath is “I will prescribe regimen for the good of my patients according to my ability and my judgment and never do harm to anyone” (Dorland, 1981). Although the term quality of careis not mentioned, it is implied in the Hippocratic oath. Hippocrates and those who followed over the next several centuries during the height of the Greek and Roman Empires tried to understand mental illness and contributed positively to care of the mentally ill. It was not long, however, before ignorance, superstition, and stigma played important roles in the neglect and maltreatment of the “insane.” From time to time, a voice was raised on the side of the mentally ill and their needs, but it was largely unheard or disregarded. The mentally ill or insane were beaten, accused of witchcraft, and left to starve and were housed with vagrants, criminals, and other of society’s rejects.
At the Limits of Recovery: On Not Reading Joanna Southcott

ABSTRACTThis essay considers the work of Joanna Southcott – self-proclaimed prophetess and one of the most prolific writers of the British Romantic era – as a way to identify the limitations of a r...
Influence of Longer Range Transfer of Vapor Interface Modified Caging Constraints on the Spatially Heterogeneous Dynamics of Glass-Forming Liquids

Based on the elastically collective nonlinear Langevin equation (ECNLE) theory of bulk relaxation in glass-forming liquids, and our recent ideas of how interface-nucleated modification of caging co...
A pilot test of the Adult Sickle Cell Quality of Life Measurement Information System (ASCQ-Me) and the Jenerette Self-Care Assessment (J-SAT) Tools in adults with sickle cell disease

The purpose of this study was to pilot test two sickle cell-specific instruments, the Adult Sickle Cell Quality of Life Measurement Information System (ASCQ-Me) and Jenerette Self-Care Assessment Tool (J-SAT), to determine recruitment rate, percent completion of the instrument battery, and patient perceptions of health-related quality of life outcomes and self-care activities in a convenience sample of adults with sickle cell disease (SCD). A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted. Participants were recruited from a sickle cell clinic and conference on SCD. Subjects completed self-administered assessments including demographic and clinical characteristics, ASCQ-Me, and the J-SAT. Twenty of 22 participants completed the instruments (2 refusals) and most instruments had 100% completion rates. Participants reported average to healthier status on ASCQ-Me measures than a normative referent population of 556 individuals with SCD. Participants also reported high disease severity and high J-SAT scores (mean = 30.2), indicating frequent participation in self-care activities. There was good participation, low refusal rates, and subjects completed the instruments and items without difficulty. Based on this work, a multi-method, multi-site study in Jamaica and the USA will be conducted to understand the relationships between health-related quality of life, stigma, and self-management in adults with SCD.
Application of variable- and distributed-order fractional operators to the dynamic analysis of nonlinear oscillators

Many physical processes in nature exhibit complex dynamics that result from a combination of multiscale, nonlinear, non-local, and memory effects. Recent experimental measurements conducted in a variety of physical domains have shown that, at the macroscale level, these effects typically result in significant deviations from the behavior predicted by classical models. Notably, the underlying dynamics was often shown to be of non-integer order and possibly better captured by fractional-order models. Fractional operators are intrinsically multiscale; thus, they provide a natural approach to account for non-local and memory effects. In this study, we present the possible application of variable-order (VO) and distributed-order (DO) fractional operators to a few classes of nonlinear lumped parameter models that have great practical relevance in mechanics and dynamics. More specifically, we present a methodology to define VO and DO fractional operators that are capable of capturing various physical transitions characteristic of contact dynamics, nonlinear reversible systems, hysteretic systems, and nonlinear damped oscillator systems. Despite using simplified lumped parameters models to illustrate the application of VO and DO operators to mechanics, we show numerical evidence of their unique modeling capabilities as well as their connection to more complex systems at the continuum scale. Further, for a selected problem involving distributed nonlinear damping, we provide approximate analytical solutions that are helpful to better understand the underlying dynamics and to quantify the accuracy of our numerical models.
Demo : Intelligent Vehicular Perception of Non-Line-of-Sight Environment using Visible Light Communication with Stereo Cameras

In this work, we explore the use of multi-camera setups through stereo-vision enabled cameras to perceive immediate and non-line of sight environments of a vehicle. Our proposed system uses visible light communication between a transmitter and receiver vehicle to convey information about the scene in front of the transmitter vehicle. Such a system virtually enables a “see-through-the-vehicle-in-front”, functionality by combining scene perception with vehicle-vehicle communication. We posit to demonstrate this functionality using a device-device communication setup using a stereo camera that does perception mapping and visible light communication reception from a LED transmitter.
Abstract 257: Ventricular Fibrillation Amplitude Spectral Area to Assess the Myocardial Effect of Hemodynamic and Metabolic Interventions During Cardiac Resuscitation in a Rat Model

Introduction: The amplitude spectral area (AMSA) of ventricular fibrillation (VF) has been shown to track the myocardial energy state and to predict the effect of defibrillation. We measured AMSA i...
MO-PaDGAN: Reparameterizing Engineering Designs for Augmented Multi-objective Optimization

Abstract Multi-objective optimization is key to solving many Engineering Design problems, where design parameters are optimized for several performance indicators. However, optimization results are highly dependent on how the designs are parameterized. Researchers have shown that deep generative models can learn compact design representations, providing a new way of parameterizing designs to achieve faster convergence and improved optimization performance. Despite their success in capturing complex distributions, existing generative models face three challenges when used for design problems: (1) generated designs have limited design space coverage, (2) the generator ignores design performance, and 3) the new parameterization is unable to represent designs beyond training data. To address these challenges, we propose MO-PaDGAN, which adds a Determinantal Point Processes based loss function to the generative adversarial network to simultaneously model diversity and (multi-variate) performance. MO-PaDGAN can thus improve the performances and coverage of generated designs, and even generate designs with performances exceeding those from training data. When using MO-PaDGAN as a new parameterization in multi-objective optimization, we can discover much better Pareto fronts even though the training data do not cover those Pareto fronts. In a real-world multi-objective airfoil design example, we demonstrate that MO-PaDGAN achieves, on average, an over 180% improvement in the hypervolume indicator when compared to the vanilla GAN or other state-of-the-art parameterization methods.
Spatial Heterogeneity Automatic Detection and Estimation

Spatial regression is widely used for modeling the relationship between a dependent variable and explanatory covariates. Oftentimes, the linear relationships vary across space, when some covariates have location-specific effects on the response. One fundamental question is how to detect the systematic variation in the model and identify which locations share common regression coefficients and which do not. Only a correct model structure can assure unbiased estimation of coefficients and valid inferences. In this work, we propose a new procedure, called Spatial Heterogeneity Automatic Detection and Estimation (SHADE), for automatically and simultaneously subgrouping and estimating covariate effects for spatial regression models. The SHADE employs a class of spatially-weighted fusion type penalty on all pairs of observations, with location-specific weight adaptively constructed using spatial information, to cluster coefficients into subgroups. Under certain regularity conditions, the SHADE is shown to be able to identify the true model structure with probability approaching one and estimate regression coefficients consistently. We develop an alternating direction method of multiplier algorithm (ADMM) to compute the SHAD efficiently. In numerical studies, we demonstrate empirical performance of the SHADE by using different choices of weights and compare their accuracy. The results suggest that spatial information can enhance subgroup structure analysis in challenging situations when the spatial variation among regression coefficients is small or the number of repeated measures is small. Finally, the SHADE is applied to find the relationship between a natural resource survey and a land cover data layer to identify spatially interpretable groups.
Position Sensing using an Asymmetric Carbon Nanotube Dimer and a Tree-Based Classification Approach

This paper presents a nano-particle sensing system composed of an asymmetric carbon nanotube (CNT) dimer along with a tree-based classification approach. Electromagnetic coupling in asymmetric CNT dimers split the CNT plasmonic resonances into two distinct resonances known as the bonding and anti-bonding modes. The proximity of an external nano-particle (NP) to the CNT dimer perturbs the dimer's near-field distribution and causes different shifts in the bonding and anti-bonding resonances depending on the NP location. We have studied one such case of the NP sensing system, where the NP is lying on the dimer plane and moving perpendicular to the dimer axis. The NP movement is divided into six regions around the dimer and a dataset is created for 150 different locations of the NP by mapping them to the relative shifts in bonding and anti-bonding resonances. Finally, a tree-based machine learning algorithm is applied to fit the training data and predict the NP location for a given random pair of relative shifts in bonding and anti-bonding resonances. This new sensing modality predicts the NP location correctly in 90% of the test cases.
Unexpected CMV replication kinetics in CMV- donor seropositive recipient seronegative liver transplant recipients receiving preemptive antiviral therapy

Background Detailed CMV kinetics in donor CMV-seropositive, recipient CMV-seronegative (D+R-) transplant recipients receiving preemptive therapy (PET) have not been fully defined. Methods The study population consisted of PET arm of a randomized CMV prevention trial in D+R- liver transplant recipients. CMV-DNA PCR assays were performed weekly for 100 days using a sensitive assay. Viral load and clinical parameters were compared for patients with or without high-level increase (defined as higher than the group median log10 increase in viral load from baseline after PET initiation). Results Among 79 patients, 93.6% (74/79) developed an increase from baseline viral loads of median 120 IU/mL to 3,350 IU/mL; 25.7% (19/74) of the patients had peak levels > 10,000 IU/mL. None of the patients with rise in viral load underwent testing for CMV resistance and viremia resolved with PET with valganciclovir. Patients with high-level increase in viral load had significantly lower rate of recurrent viremia than those without such increase (40%,16/40 vs. 71.8%, 28/39, p=0.004), respectively. Conclusions A majority of D+R- recipients had a marked increase in viral load after initiation of PET before resolution of viremia. This phenomenon is associated with lower rates of subsequent recurrent viremia and does not necessarily imply antiviral resistance.
spNNGP R package for Nearest Neighbor Gaussian Process models

This paper describes and illustrates functionality of the spNNGP R package. The package provides a suite of spatial regression models for Gaussian and non-Gaussian point-referenced outcomes that are spatially indexed. The package implements several Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) and MCMC-free Nearest Neighbor Gaussian Process (NNGP) models for inference about large spatial data. Non-Gaussian outcomes are modeled using a NNGP Polya-Gamma latent variable. OpenMP parallelization options are provided to take advantage of multiprocessor systems. Package features are illustrated using simulated and real data sets.
Dorsal root ganglion stimulation of injured sensory neurons in rats rapidly eliminates their spontaneous activity and relieves spontaneous pain.

ABSTRACT Dorsal root ganglion field stimulation (GFS) relieves evoked and spontaneous neuropathic pain by use-dependent blockade of impulse trains through the sensory neuron T-junction, which becomes complete within less than 1 minute for C-type units, also with partial blockade of Aδ units. We used this tool in the spinal nerve ligation (SNL) rat model to selectively block sensory neuron spontaneous activity (SA) of axotomized neurons at the fifth lumbar (L5) level vs blockade of units at the L4 level that remain uninjured but exposed to inflammation. In vivo dorsal root single-unit recordings after SNL showed increased SA in L5 units but not L4 units. Ganglion field stimulation blocked this SA. Ganglion field stimulation delivered at the L5 dorsal root ganglion blocked mechanical hyperalgesia behavior, mechanical allodynia, and ongoing spontaneous pain indicated by conditioned place preference, whereas GFS at L4 blocked evoked pain behavior but not spontaneous pain. In vivo single-unit recordings of spinal cord dorsal horn (DH) wide-dynamic-range neurons showed elevated SA after SNL, which was reduced by GFS at the L5 level but not by GFS at the L4 level. In addition, L5 GFS, but not L4 GFS, increased mechanical threshold of DH units during cutaneous mechanical stimulation, while L5 GFS exceeded L4 GFS in reducing evoked firing rates. Our results indicate that SA in injured neurons supports increased firing of DH wide-dynamic-range neurons, contributing to hyperalgesia, allodynia, and ongoing pain. Ganglion field stimulation analgesic effects after nerve injury are at least partly attributable to blocking propagation of this SA.
Interannual variability and climatic sensitivity of global wildfire activity

Abstract Understanding historical wildfire variations and their environmental driving mechanisms is key to predicting and mitigating wildfires. However, current knowledge of climatic responses and regional contributions to the interannual variability (IAV) of global burned area remains limited. Using recent satellite-derived wildfire products and simulations from version v1.0 of the land component of the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM land model [ELM] v1) driven by three different climate forcings, we investigated the burned area IAV and its climatic sensitivity globally and across nine biomes from 1997 to 2018. We found that 1) the ELM simulations generally agreed with the satellite observations in terms of the burned area IAV magnitudes, regional contributions, and covariations with climate factors, confirming the robustness of the ELM to the usage of different climate forcing sources; 2) tropical savannas, tropical forests, and semi-arid grasslands near deserts were primary contributors to the global burned area IAV, collectively accounting for 71.7%–99.7% of the global wildfire IAV estimated by both the satellite observations and ELM simulations; 3) precipitation was a major fire suppressing factor and dominated the global and regional burned area IAVs, and temperature and shortwave solar radiation were mostly positively related with burned area IAVs; and 4) noticeable local discrepancies between the ELM and remote-sensing results occurred in semi-arid grasslands, croplands, boreal forests, and wetlands, likely caused by uncertainties in the current ELM fire scheme and the imperfectly derived satellite observations. Our findings revealed the spatiotemporal diversity of wildfire variations, regional contributions and climatic responses, and provided new metrics for wildfire modeling, facilitating the wildfire prediction and management.
What's in a name? Nomenclature for colour aberrations in birds reviewed

A review is presented of the seven commonest types of colour aberrations in birds together with suggestions for a standardised universal nomenclature to identify and distinguish these aberrations. These aberrations are: Leucism (congenital absence of melanin-producing cells), Progressive Greying (progressive loss of melanin-producing cells), Albino (total absence of melanin due to lack of the key enzyme), Brown (incompletely coloured melanin), Ino (even less completely coloured melanin), Dilution (altered deposition of melanin) and Melanism (altered distribution of melanin). It is proposed that these terms should be based not only on the resulting plumage but also should distinguish the underlying processes resulting in the aberrant pigmentation. By reviewing previously used terms for colour aberrations, and cross-referencing these with my proposed terminology, errors in earlier names are pointed out, and resulting in a more comprehensive nomenclature for colour aberrations found in wild birds. ‘There has been some confusion in the past in the recording and description of variant plumages … and this paper represents an attempt to clarify some parts of it.’ (Harrison 1963a)
Methionine restriction exposes a targetable redox vulnerability of triple-negative breast cancer cells by inducing thioredoxin reductase.

Tumor cells are dependent on the glutathione and thioredoxin antioxidant pathways to survive oxidative stress. Since the essential amino acid methionine is converted to glutathione, we hypothesized that methionine restriction (MR) would deplete glutathione and render tumors dependent on the thioredoxin pathway and its rate-limiting enzyme thioredoxin reductase (TXNRD). Triple (ER/PR/HER2)-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells were treated with control or MR media and the effects on reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant signaling were examined. To determine the role of TXNRD in MR-induced cell death, TXNRD1 was inhibited by RNAi or the pan-TXNRD inhibitor auranofin, an antirheumatic agent. Metastatic and PDX TNBC mouse models were utilized to evaluate in vivo antitumor activity. MR rapidly and transiently increased ROS, depleted glutathione, and decreased the ratio of reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione in TNBC cells. TXNRD1 mRNA and protein levels were induced by MR via a ROS-dependent mechanism mediated by the transcriptional regulators NRF2 and ATF4. MR dramatically sensitized TNBC cells to TXNRD1 silencing and the TXNRD inhibitor auranofin, as determined by crystal violet staining and caspase activity; these effects were suppressed by the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine. H-Ras-transformed MCF-10A cells, but not untransformed MCF-10A cells, were highly sensitive to the combination of auranofin and MR. Furthermore, dietary MR induced TXNRD1 expression in mammary tumors and enhanced the antitumor effects of auranofin in metastatic and PDX TNBC murine models. MR exposes a vulnerability of TNBC cells to the TXNRD inhibitor auranofin by increasing expression of its molecular target and creating a dependency on the thioredoxin pathway.
Extending Due Process Protections to Unadmitted Aliens within the U.S. Through the Functional Approach of Boumediene

Although noncitizens seeking entry possess some statutory protection under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), they have generally been unable to challenge the validity of the INA. Further, such unadmitted noncitizens have few avenues for redress if their rights are violated under the INA. Without a means to check legislative mandates or executive enforcement, these noncitizens are subject to the mercy of Congress and the President, with minimal oversight by the judiciary. Even if physically present within the U.S., such unadmitted noncitizens are deemed to be outside of the nation’s border as a matter of law. Because the scope of the protections of the Constitution’s due process clause has been traditionally limited to those within the border, these unadmitted noncitizens have been treated as though beyond its reach. During the last several decades, however, the landscape of constitutional rights of unadmitted noncitizens has begun to shift in a piecemeal fashion. Some courts have made limited extensions of constitutional protection to such inadmissible noncitizens. Yet, until recently, there had been no consistent framework from which one could reconcile the cases extending constitutional protection to arriving noncitizens seeking entry and the nonextraterritorial rule of constitutional application. In the Supreme Court’s decision in Boumediene v. Bush, Justice Kennedy articulated a functional approach to extraterritorial constitutional application. It conclusively dispelled the bright-line rule that the protections contained within the Constitution never extend beyond the border of the United States. This functional approach cohesively explains the landmark cases that extend due process protections to certain unadmitted noncitizens and provides a rule by which noncitizens may argue their entitlement to other constitutional protections. In this article, I apply the functional approach and argue for extending to arriving noncitizens within the U.S. several Fifth Amendment due process clause protections.
Concerning Oils and Fats

§ 215. Oils are thick fluids which in summer at least burn in fire. All of nature’s kingdoms have same oily substances or fats, but particularly the vegetable and animal kingdoms. [Scheffer was probably unaware of mineral petroleum.]