cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A software architecture for cross-layer wireless networks

Conventional data networks are based on a layered architecture, in which a layer implements some aspect of the network while hiding the detailed implementation from the other layers. The introduction of wireless networks has created a need to violate this layered discipline to create cross-layer designs or adaptations. Such cross-layer adaptations optimize the performance of wireless networks by using information from any layer in the network. The key problem is that ad-hoc implementations of cross-layer adaptations introduce complex interactions between layers and thus reduce the level of modularity and abstraction in the network's implementation. This gives rise to a significant increase in complexity. We demonstrate that a new software architecture is able to provide a systematic framework that helps us to implement a wide variety of cross-layer adaptations while preserving to a significant degree the modularity found in the existing network's implementation. To develop such an architecture, we first create a taxonomy of possible cross-layer adaptations. The taxonomy allows a precise description of a wide variety of cross-layer adaptations. Thus our taxonomy can serve as a framework for developing a cross-layer architecture. We develop the software architecture by creating two architectures. We first develop a conceptual architecture, which shows the key mechanisms that are required to implement cross-layer adaptations. This architecture helps us to understand how we can implement cross-layer adaptations by using our architectural framework. We then develop a concrete architecture, which shows how we can implement such a conceptual architecture on real wireless systems. We design the concrete architecture for Hydra, which is a flexible wireless network testbed. We evaluate the proposed architecture by performing three case studies, each of which implements a cross-layer adaptation. The case studies allow us to implement and evaluate the key mechanisms provided by our architectural framework. We also implement each cross-layer adaptation by using a conventional approach, in which one layer performs the cross-layer adaptation directly communicating with other layers and other nodes. Comparing both the implementation techniques allows us to evaluate how our architectural framework supports a wide variety of cross-layer adaptations while reducing the complexity of implementation of cross-layer adaptations.
Effect of flour polymeric proteins on dough thermal properties and breadmaking characteristics for hard red spring wheat genotypes

Abstract The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of variation of flour polymeric proteins on dough thermal properties for hard red spring (HRS) wheat genotypes grown in the U.S. state of North Dakota. Flour polymeric proteins were analyzed by size exclusion HPLC for sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) buffer extractable and unextractable fractions. Mixolab was employed to measure dough thermal property. The Mixolab torque profile was fitted to nonlinear equations, and envelope amplitude value was calculated by treating the torque profile as a wave. The dough tolerance to thermal weakening, as determined from the Mixolab parameters (including the constants of a nonlinear model and envelope torque amplitude values derived from the mixing torque profile during heating from 30 to 70 °C), was identified to have significant (P
Single-Molecule Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

An existence proof for single-molecule tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SMTERS) is given using the frequency domain approach involving the two isotopologues of Rhodamine 6G (R6G) that were previously employed for single-molecule surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SMSERS). A combination of experimental and theoretical studies provides a detailed view of the isotopic response of R6G–d0 and R6G–d4 in the 600 – 800 cm–1 region. The single-molecule nature of the TERS experiment is confirmed through two lines of evidence. First, the vibrational signature of only one isotopologue at a time was observed from multiple TER spectra. Second, the spectral wandering of the 610 cm–1 mode of R6G–d0 was less than ±4 cm–1, which in turn is less than the 10 cm–1 isotopic shift so that no confusion in assignment resulted. As a consequence, the total TERS enhancement factor can now be accurately established as EFTERS = 1.0 × 1013 because only one molecule at a time is measured. Furthermore, EFTERS can be partitioned into an...
Broad-Band EIT Systems - Matched Multi-Λ Scheme

To overcome the conventional slow-light limitation that the product of EIT window and time delay is almost one, the matched multi-λ scheme has the potential to broaden transparency window while maintaining a large group-velocity delay.
Practical Tabletop “X-ray Lasers” Implemented Using High Harmonic Generation

By upconverting light from a femtosecond laser into the EUV, “tabletop x-ray laser” light sources are now possible. Their unique coherence characteristics provide fundamentally new capabilities in x-ray science, and benefit from new experimental approaches.
Relativistic Density Functional Calculations of Hyperfine Coupling with Variational versus Perturbational Treatment of Spin–Orbit Coupling

Different approaches are compared for relativistic density functional theory (DFT) and Hartree–Fock (HF) calculations of electron–nucleus hyperfine coupling (HFC) in molecules with light atoms, in transition metal complexes, and in selected actinide halide complexes with a formal metal 5f1 configuration. The comparison includes hybrid density functionals with range-separated exchange. Within the variationally stable zeroth-order regular approximation (ZORA) relativistic framework, the HFC is obtained (i) with a linear response (LR) method where spin–orbit (SO) coupling is treated as a linear perturbation, (ii) with a spin-polarized approach closely related to a DFT method for calculating magnetic anisotropy (MA) previously devised by van Wullen et al. where SO coupling is included variationally, (iii) with a quasi-restricted variational SO method previously devised by van Lenthe, van der Avoird, and Wormer (LWA). The MA and LWA approaches for HFC calculations were implemented in the open-source NWChem qua...
Progress in Microbial Geochemistry of Selenium in the Environment

Selenium is an essential trace element for human beings and animals.It primarily exists as inorganic or organic selenium species such as Se2-,Se0,Se4+ and Se6+ in the environment.Microorganisms play an important role in the transformation of selenium speciation,which predominantly drive the geochemical cycle of selenium in the geological environment.In this paper,the focus is placed on the microbes in relation to selenium,the action mechanism of microbes during the transformation of selenium speciation,and the recently developed methods for studying microbes on selenium.In addition,future microbial bioremediation application on selenium pollution,the issues involved in the study of microbes on selenium and prospects were also presented in order that readers would get a better understanding about the microbial geochemistry of selenium.
Strategies in the Chinese-English translation of scientific paper under the guidance of Skopos Theory

To fulfill the communicative function of the scientific paper,strategies in the Chinese-English translation of the scientific paper are investigated in the light of Skopos Theory.Four strategies,the acceptability of the target language,the cultural differences,stylistic functions as well as readability,are proposed.Also examples are given to further elucidate the points.
SURE: an experimentation and evaluation testbed for CPS security and resilience: demo abstract

In-depth consideration and evaluation of security and resilience is necessary for developing the scientific foundations and technology of Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS). In this demonstration, we present SURE [1], a CPS experimentation and evaluation testbed for security and resilience focusing on transportation networks. The testbed includes (1) a heterogeneous modeling and simulation integration platform, (2) a Web-based tool for modeling CPS in adversarial environments, and (3) a framework for evaluating resilience using attacker-defender games. Users such as CPS designers and operators can interact with the testbed to evaluate monitoring and control schemes that include sensor placement and traffic signal configuration.
The Role of Reactive Oxygen Species in γ-Globin Gene Activation by Fetal Hemoglobin Inducers.

Enhancing γ-globin expression is an effective therapeutic strategy for sickle cell disease. Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) inducers such as sodium butyrate (NaB), trichostatin A (TSA) and hydroxyurea (HU) have been studied extensively to ascertain molecular and cell signaling mechanisms for γ-gene activation. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) including nitric oxide, superoxide, hydroxyl radicals and hydrogen peroxide stimulate signaling through the cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and p38 MAPK pathways. Indirect evidence supports HU as a nitric oxide donor thus providing a mechanism for HbF induction via cGMP activation. Recently, we and others demonstrated a role for p38 signaling in γ-gene induction by HU as well as NaB, TSA and apicidin. However, the ability of HbF inducers to stimulate ROS formation as a mechanism for γ-globin activation via cGMP or p38 MAPK signaling has not been determined. To clarify this mechanism we measured ROS levels using 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescin diacetate which emits fluorescence at a 529 nm wavelength when activated by hydrogen peroxide. We correlated ROS levels with p38 phosphorylation and γ-globin mRNA levels measured by western blot and real-time PCR respectively. Studies were also completed in the absence and presence of myxothiazol, a known inhibitor of ROS formation to confirm our findings. The positive controls menadione and hemin increased ROS levels 4-fold and 3-fold with a concomitant 6.5-fold and 4-fold increase in γ-globin mRNA respectively. Pretreatment with myxothiazol inhibited maximal HbF induction by both agents. By contrast, NaB and TSA did not increase ROS levels in K562 cells therefore they activate γ-globin by a ROS-independent, p38 MAPK-dependent mechanism. We concluded that ROS play a major role in the mechanism for HbF induction by hemin and the vitamin K derivative, menadione. Investigations were completed which confirmed the ability of HU to stimulate ROS formation as well. Studies are underway to determine the role of hydrogen peroxide and/or nitric oxide in HbF induction by HU via cGMP/p38 MAPK cell signaling.
Impact of Cold Ischemia Time in Kidney Transplants From Donation After Circulatory Death Donors.

BACKGROUND Deceased-donor kidneys are exposed to ischemic events from donor instability during the process of donation after circulatory death (DCD). Clinicians may be reluctant to transplant DCD kidneys with prolonged cold ischemia time (CIT) for fear of an additional deleterious effect. METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study examining US registry data between 1998 and 2013 of adult first-time kidney-only recipients of paired kidneys (derived from the same donor transplanted into different recipients) from DCD donors. RESULTS On multivariable analysis, death-censored graft survival (DCGS) was comparable between recipients of kidneys with higher CIT relative to paired donor recipients with lower CIT when the CIT difference was 1 hour or longer (adjusted hazard ratio, [aHR], 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.88-1.17; n = 6276), 5 hours or longer (aHR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.80-1.19; n = 3130), 10 hours or longer (aHR, 1.15; 95% CI, 0.82-1.60; n = 1124) or 15 hours (aHR, 1.15; 95% CI, 0.66-1.99; n = 498). There was a higher rate of primary non function in the long CIT groups for delta 1 hour or longer (0.89% vs 1.63%; P = 0.006), 5 hours (1.09% vs 1.67%, P = 0.13); 10 hours (0.53% vs 1.78%; P = 0.03), and 15 hours (0.40% vs 1.61%; P = 0.18), respectively. Between each of the 4 delta CIT levels of shorter and longer CIT, there was a significantly and incrementally higher rate of delayed graft function in the long CIT groups for delta 1 hour or longer (37.3% vs 41.7%; P < 0.001), 5 hours (35.9% vs 42.7%; P < 0.001), 10 hours (29.4% vs 44.2%, P < 0.001), and 15 hours (29.6% vs 46.1%, P < 0.001), respectively. Overall patient survival was comparable with delta CITs of 1 hour or longer (aHR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.84-1.08), 5 hours (aHR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.85-1.20), and 15 hours (aHR, 1.27; 95% CI, 0.79-2.06) but not 10 hours (aHR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.09-1.98). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that in the setting of a prior ischemic donor event, prolonged CIT has limited bearing on long-term outcomes.
Promoting physical activity in COPD: Insights from a randomized trial of a web-based intervention and pedometer use

Rationale Low physical activity is highly prevalent among COPD patients and is associated with increased healthcare utilization and mortality and reduced HRQL. The addition of a website to pedometer use is effective at increasing physical activity; however, the timeline of change and impact of environmental factors on efficacy is unknown.
The Price of Crossing the Border for Medications.

Importing medications from Canada or elsewhere may help address the cost of essential medicines (particularly generic drugs) in the United States by allowing competition where it’s currently lacking, and a recently proposed bill addresses the safety of Canadian drugs.
Semi-supervised identification of cancer subgroups using survival outcomes and overlapping grouping information:

Identification of cancer patient subgroups using high throughput genomic data is of critical importance to clinicians and scientists because it can offer opportunities for more personalized treatment and overlapping treatments of cancers. In spite of tremendous efforts, this problem still remains challenging because of low reproducibility and instability of identified cancer subgroups and molecular features. In order to address this challenge, we developed Integrative Genomics Robust iDentification of cancer subgroups (InGRiD), a statistical approach that integrates information from biological pathway databases with high-throughput genomic data to improve the robustness for identification and interpretation of molecularly-defined subgroups of cancer patients. We applied InGRiD to the gene expression data of high-grade serous ovarian cancer from The Cancer Genome Atlas and the Australian Ovarian Cancer Study. The results indicate clear benefits of the pathway-level approaches over the gene-level approaches. In addition, using the proposed InGRiD framework, we also investigate and address the issue of gene sharing among pathways, which often occurs in practice, to further facilitate biological interpretation of key molecular features associated with cancer progression. The R package "InGRiD" implementing the proposed approach is currently available in our research group GitHub webpage ( https://dongjunchung.github.io/INGRID/ ).
Why Current Programs Don't Work

The lecture as a teaching tool is dead. Current programs don't work because we rely on old models of teaching. People learn in different ways. Some people are visual learners, while others learn better from reading or discussing. We need to move away from canned web-delivered training to interactive, hands-on learning to build more effective security awareness programs.
Integrated regional resources management: Based on the experience of the Tennessee Valley Authority

The purpose of this text is to communicate to resource managers and decisionmakers in developing countries the potential of Integrated Regional Resources Management in confronting resource development problems, using the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) as a primary case study. A wide range of resource-related topics is summarized; the application of resource management concepts, tools, techniques, and practices is discussed as they relate to the achievement of integrated approaches to resource management problems and opportunities. The text also reviews TVA's experiences in applying resource management concepts in practice, in developing useful goals and objectives, and in translating those goals and objectives into specific programs and projects.
The Hydroflex penile prosthesis: a test case for the introduction of new urological technology.

AbstractThe AMS Hydroflex**American Medical Systems, Minnetonka, Minnesota. penile prosthesis was introduced for commercial distribution in 1985 but 5 years later this device was no longer available on the United States market. In an attempt to understand why this device, which initially enjoyed substantial popularity, was abruptly withdrawn from the market, patients who underwent implantation at the University of Wisconsin were interviewed and a critical analysis of the Food and Drug Administration approval process of medical devices was performed. An AMS Hydroflex penile prosthesis was implanted in 17 patients (mean age 57.7 years, range 27 to 84 years). The followup period ranged from 37 to 73 months with a mean of 58 months, and 3 patients died within that time. Of the remaining patients 10 (71%) were satisfied with the device in the first months after implantation but only 6 (43%) were satisfied at the time of followup, 9 (64%) were more satisfied with sexual relationships after receiving the prosthe...
Hill on the Motion of the Lunar Perigee

Of Hill’s two innovative papers on the lunar theory, the first, “On the part of the motion of the lunar perigee which is a function of the mean motions of the sun and moon” (Cambridge, MA: JohnWilson, 1877, 28pp; reprinted in Acta Mathematica 8 (1886), pp. 1–36) was by far the most esoteric in its subject matter and hyper-refined in the methods it employed. The second paper introduces the new lunar theory in a more pedestrian and reader-friendly way, as the reader will discover in our later section on “Hill’s Variation Curve.” The first paper must have made a stunning impression on those readers who were prepared to appreciate it; it is a blockbuster of a paper, astonishing in what and how it achieves.We shall attempt to make its essential steps understandable for readers with a moderate amount of training in algebra and the calculus.
Mechanisms of Type I-E and I-F CRISPR-Cas Systems in Enterobacteriaceae

CRISPR-Cas systems provide bacteria and archaea with adaptive immunity against invasion by bacteriophages and other mobile genetic elements. Short fragments of invader DNA are stored as immunological memories within CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat) arrays in the host chromosome. These arrays provide a template for RNA molecules that can guide CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins to specifically neutralize viruses upon subsequent infection. Over the past 10 years, our understanding of CRISPR-Cas systems has benefited greatly from a number of model organisms. In particular, the study of several members of the Gram-negative Enterobacteriaceae family, especially Escherichia coli and Pectobacterium atrosepticum, have provided significant insights into the mechanisms of CRISPR-Cas immunity. In this review, we provide an overview of CRISPR-Cas systems present in members of the Enterobacteriaceae. We also detail the current mechanistic understanding of the type I-E and type I-F CRISPR-Cas systems that are commonly found in enterobacteria. Finally, we discuss how phages can escape or inactivate CRISPR-Cas systems and the measures bacteria can enact to counter these types of events.
Rootstock effects on seed yield and quality in watermelon

This research was conducted to investigate rootstock effects on seed yield and quality in watermelon. The work was conducted in the experimental fields and laboratories of the Department of Horticulture of the University of Cukurova in the 2016 and 2017 growing seasons. Watermelon cv. Crimson sweet (CS) scion was grafted onto three different rootstocks (Cucurbita ‘NUN-9075’, Lagenaria ‘Argentario’, and citron watermelon ‘PI296341’). Plants were assessed according to their main stem length, main stem diameter, number of nodes, biomass, pollen production and development, fruit yield and quality, and seed yield and quality. NUN-9075/CS and Argentario/CS graft combinations resulted in higher average stem length, plant biomass, fruit yield and quality, seed yield, seed emergence, and germination percentage. There was no significant difference observed between graft combinations in pollen viability, pollen germination, and normal pollen production. No significant difference was observed between graft combinations in accelerated ageing (AA), and the seed germination decreased after AA of 192 h. In the second year (2017), there was higher main stem length, main stem diameter, total fruit yield, seed yield, and number of seeds per fruit compared to the first year (2016). Based on the results of this study, NUN-9075 rootstock performed better than other rootstocks; hence, it is recommended as the best rootstock.
Helicobacter pylori infection is not associated with subclinical hepatic encephalopathy in stable cirrhotic patients.

The importance of ammonia-producing Helicobacter pylori infection as a cause of subclinical encephalopathy in cirrhosis was investigated. In addition, a single psychometric test that can reliably detect subclinical hepatic encephalopathy was sought. Out-patients with cirrhosis and no overt encephalopathy underwent [14C]urea breath testing once and psychometric testing on two separate occasions, with an intervening course of clarithromycin/omeprazole if they had subclinical encephalopathy (two of four psychometric tests abnormal). Subclinical encephalopathy was present in 27 of 69 patients (39%), and Helicobacter pylori infection in 14 of 69 (20%). There was no association between the two conditions (P = 0.769). Subclinical encephalopathy resolved in 75% of treated Helicobacter pylori-positive patients and 37.5% of treated Helicobacter pylori-negative patients (P = 0.285). Number connection test-B had high reproducibility among untreated patients (R = 0.655) and high correlation (P ≤ 0.01) with three surrogate gold standards. In stable cirrhotic patients, subclinical hepatic encephalopathy was found to: (1) have a high prevalence, (2) not be associated with Helicobacter pylori infection, and (3) be readily detected with the number connection test-B alone.
Sex and gender differences in compulsive overeating

Abstract Although obesity rates are high, are overall, and have grown dramatically in recent decades, prevalence of obesity in the United States is higher among women, relative to their male counterparts. Conversely, dietary intake is higher for men, and more men than women admit to eating episodes that involve intake of large quantities of food. However, women are more likely to endorse a sense of loss of control over how much they eat and are more likely to experience a host of adverse eating–related consequences and comorbidities. This chapter reviews gender differences across several different disordered eating phenotypes, including nocturnal eating, emotional eating, grazing, food addiction, and binge eating. The psychosocial complications and comorbidities associated with each are also discussed. Animal and human models regarding the importance of hormonal influences on eating behavior and related gender differences are highlighted. Finally, the dearth of treatment outcome studies that include men is noted, with a call for greater attention to the unique forms of maladaptive eating and weight concerns experienced by men.
The influence of patient race, sex, pain-related body postures, and anxiety status on pain management: a virtual human technology investigation.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine mechanisms underlying disparities in pain management among patients with psychological comorbidities. Studies have consistently shown that health care providers, health care trainees, and laypeople are susceptible to biased assessment and treatment decisions for patients presenting with pain. Further, psychological factors may influence the use of demographic and behavioral cues in pain assessment and treatment decisions. The present study employed innovative virtual human technology to capture decision-making approaches at both the group- and individual-level to better elucidate the influence of psychological factors, demographic cues, and pain-related body postures on pain assessment and treatment decisions. Patients and methods One hundred and thirty-two providers and trainees in the areas of nursing, physical therapy, and medicine viewed separate, empirically validated virtual human profiles that systematically varied across pain behaviors, anxiety status, race, and sex. Participants provided pain assessment and treatment ratings using a visual analog scale for each virtual human profile. Results Idiographic analyses revealed that participants used patient pain-related body postures most consistently and reliably across ratings. Nomothetic analyses showed anxious virtual humans were identified as having more anxiety and more likely to be recommended anti-anxiety medications, especially by female participants. Conclusion This innovative study successfully explored the influence of patient pain-related body postures, anxiety status, and demographic characteristics on pain management decisions with virtual human technology and a Lens model design. Results of this study can be used to better inform clinical practice, research, and education regarding the influence of patient variables on pain assessment and treatment decisions.
Trends and predictors of coronary revascularization in patients with coronary artery anomalies and acute myocardial infarction: a nationwide analysis of 8131 patients.

OBJECTIVE Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is rarely associated with coronary artery anomalies (CAA). This confluence makes it difficult to identify and treat the culprit lesion with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Our objective was to evaluate trends and predictors of revascularization in patients with CAA and AMI using a large national database. METHODS We included adult patients with CAA presenting as ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) or non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and undergoing coronary angiography from Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 2000 to 2011, using ICD-9 diagnosis code of 746.85 for CAA. Chi-square test for trend was used to compare revascularization rates over time. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify predictors of revascularization. RESULTS There were almost 4.7 million subjects with AMI undergoing coronary angiography from 2000 to 2011. Of these, there were 8131 patients with CAA, including 3425 STEMI and 4706 NSTEMI patients. Mean age of the CAA population was 59 years with 63.6% males. Overall PCI rate was 47.8% and coronary artery bypass grafting rate was 8.8%. In STEMI patients with CAA, PCI rate increased from 49.9% in 2000 to 77.8% in 2011 (P < 0.001). In NSTEMI patients with CAA, PCI rate remained unchanged from 33.3% in 2000 to 37.3% in 2011 (P = 0.34). Revascularization trends in AMI patients with CAA mirrored those in AMI patients without CAA. CONCLUSION Despite the technical challenges associated with PCI in CAA, PCI rates in STEMI patients with CAA continue to increase over time. On the contrary, PCI rates continue to remain low in CAA patients with NSTEMI, reflecting overall contemporary NSTEMI treatment trends.
Transcriptome analysis of early pregnancy vitamin D status and spontaneous preterm birth.

BACKGROUND We conducted a literature review on the studies that investigated the relationship of preterm birth, including spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB), with vitamin D status. Overall, these studies demonstrated that the incidence of sPTB was associated with maternal vitamin D insufficiency in early pregnancy. However, the potential mechanisms and biological pathways are unknown. OBJECTIVES To investigate early pregnancy gene expression signatures associated with both vitamin D insufficiency and sPTB. We further constructed a network of these gene signatures and identified the common biological pathways involved. STUDY DESIGN We conducted peripheral blood transcriptome profiling at 10-18 weeks of gestation in a nested case-control cohort of 24 pregnant women who participated in the Vitamin D Antenatal Asthma Reduction Trial (VDAART). In this cohort, 8 women had spontaneous preterm delivery (21-32 weeks of gestation) and 17 women had vitamin D insufficiency (25-hydroxyvitamin D < 30 ng/mL). We separately identified vitamin D-associated and sPTB gene signatures at 10 to 18 weeks and replicated the overlapping signatures in the mid-pregnancy peripheral blood of an independent cohort with sPTB cases. RESULT At 10-18 weeks of gestation, 146 differentially expressed genes (25 upregulated) were associated with both vitamin D insufficiency and sPTB in the discovery cohort (FDR < 0.05). Of these genes, 43 (25 upregulated) were replicated in the independent cohort of sPTB cases and controls with normal pregnancies (P < 0.05). Functional enrichment and network analyses of the replicated gene signatures suggested several highly connected nodes related to inflammatory and immune responses. CONCLUSIONS Our gene expression study and network analyses suggest that the dysregulation of immune response pathways due to early pregnancy vitamin D insufficiency may contribute to the pathobiology of sPTB.
Tracking Spatial Health Patterns with Geographic Variation in Grocery Purchasing

We examine geographic variation in aggregate health measures and correlate them with market level food purchasing indices. After controlling for various household characteristics, we find associations not unlike those detailed in the nutritional epidemiology literature. However, the modeling procedures are preliminary and are noisy in their correlation estimates.
Faster Uncertainty Quantification for Inverse Problems with Conditional Normalizing Flows.

In inverse problems, we often have access to data consisting of paired samples $(x,y)\sim p_{X,Y}(x,y)$ where $y$ are partial observations of a physical system, and $x$ represents the unknowns of the problem. Under these circumstances, we can employ supervised training to learn a solution $x$ and its uncertainty from the observations $y$. We refer to this problem as the "supervised" case. However, the data $y\sim p_{Y}(y)$ collected at one point could be distributed differently than observations $y'\sim p_{Y}'(y')$, relevant for a current set of problems. In the context of Bayesian inference, we propose a two-step scheme, which makes use of normalizing flows and joint data to train a conditional generator $q_{\theta}(x|y)$ to approximate the target posterior density $p_{X|Y}(x|y)$. Additionally, this preliminary phase provides a density function $q_{\theta}(x|y)$, which can be recast as a prior for the "unsupervised" problem, e.g.~when only the observations $y'\sim p_{Y}'(y')$, a likelihood model $y'|x$, and a prior on $x'$ are known. We then train another invertible generator with output density $q'_{\phi}(x|y')$ specifically for $y'$, allowing us to sample from the posterior $p_{X|Y}'(x|y')$. We present some synthetic results that demonstrate considerable training speedup when reusing the pretrained network $q_{\theta}(x|y')$ as a warm start or preconditioning for approximating $p_{X|Y}'(x|y')$, instead of learning from scratch. This training modality can be interpreted as an instance of transfer learning. This result is particularly relevant for large-scale inverse problems that employ expensive numerical simulations.
Biofertilizer and biostimulant properties of the microalga Acutodesmus dimorphus

Microalgae represent a potential sustainable alternative for the enhancement and protection of agricultural crops. Cellular extracts and dry biomass of the green alga Acutodesmus dimorphus were applied as a seed primer, foliar spray, and biofertilizer, to evaluate seed germination, plant growth, and fruit production in Roma tomato plants. A. dimorphus culture, culture growth medium, and different concentrations (0, 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 75, and 100 %) of aqueous cell extracts in distilled water were used as seed primers to determine effects on germination. Seeds treated with A. dimorphus culture and with extract concentrations higher than 50 % (0.75 g mL−1) triggered faster seed germination—2 days earlier than the control group. The aqueous extracts were also applied as foliar fertilizers at various concentrations (0, 10, 25, 50, 75, and 100 %) on tomato plants. Extract foliar application at 50 % (3.75 g mL−1) concentration resulted in increased plant height and greater numbers of flowers and branches per plant. Two dry biomass treatments (50 and 100 g) were applied 22 days prior to seedling transplant and at the time of transplant to assess whether the timing of the biofertilizer application influenced the effectiveness of the biofertilizer. Biofertilizer treatments applied 22 days prior to seedling transplant enhanced plant growth, including greater numbers of branches and flowers, compared to the control group and the biofertilizer treatments applied at the time of transplant. The A. dimorphus culture, cellular extract, and dry biomass applied as a biostimulant, foliar spray, and biofertilizer, respectively, were able to trigger faster germination and enhance plant growth and floral production in Roma tomato plants.
Treatment of non-sports related concussion in adolescents following an irritability algorithmic approach: a case series.

Background: Concussion management evidence supports the efficacy of gradual active rehabilitation for return to sport in adolescents, however there is paucity of evidence for non-sports-related con...
Moving from consciousness: raising to foster a social conscience

This past fall semester, I had the idea to lead a small group of graduate students in offering a First Year seminar for new computer science and informatics majors that focuses on ethics. Feeling clever, I themed our sections: "What makes a 'good' computer scientist?" Together, my students and I taught nine sections under this label. It was a learning experience teaching this one-credit course alongside this brilliant group of MS and PhD students, two of whom had been in my undergrad courses previously. We learned very quickly that right now, in our large public university, in our fairly well-funded state, that our first-year students' primary concern was finding a good job. Many selected our seminar because they thought it was going to be about how to make them the best - how to set themselves up to have the best chance at economic success after college. While we were initially surprised at how these first-year students defined our seminar topic title, it makes sense that they would see being 'good' as being best evidenced by achieving financial success.
Oncologic outcomes in primary squamous cell carcinoma of the auricle: a retrospective cohort analysis

The prognostic significance of auricular location in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is controversial. We aimed to characterize risk factors for, and evaluate the cumulative incidence of, locoregional recurrence in a cohort of patients with primary auricular cSCC. The study design was a single-institution retrospective cohort review from 1/2007 to 12/2016. Among 851 potentially eligible individuals, 178 patients with primary auricular cSCC met strict criteria for inclusion. Median follow-up was 32 months, 93% were AJCC 8th edition (AJCC8) stage I and 6% were AJCC8 stage II. Most underwent Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS; 97%) and the remainder underwent wide local excision ± parotidectomy ± neck dissection ± adjuvant therapy (3%). Recurrences occurred in seven patients (4%): six were local and one was regional. The 3-year cumulative incidence of local and regional recurrence for AJCC8 stage I–II tumors were 1% (95% CI 0–5%) and 0%, respectively. Among ten patients upstaged to pT3 disease who underwent MMS alone, none recurred locoregionally. Compared to their respective counterparts, advanced stage, PNI, and LVI associated with a significantly increased risk of locoregional recurrence. Our findings suggest that auricular location may not be a significant risk factor for cSCC staging systems. In the absence of other risk factors, unimodal therapy appears adequate for patients with primary, stage I–II auricular cSCC. The prognostic significance of pT3 auricular cSCC stage due to depth of invasion alone should be evaluated further.
Lobbying with the Competition: Do Firm Differentiation, Law Specificity, and Firm Strategy Matter?

In this paper, we examine how firms choose their lobbying participation given the competitive advantages that can be gained from: (1) firm-specific attributes in the form of differentiation, (2) specificity of tax laws under which firms operate, (3) and other tax strategy policies that firms have at their disposal to gain a competitive advantage. We use tax lobbying surrounding the 2004 American Jobs Creation Act and the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act as our empirical setting. We find that firm differentiation increases individual lobbying and decreases trade association lobbying when the laws being lobbied are narrow in scope. However, broader laws significantly reduce the relation between firm differentiation and individual lobbying. We also find that tax planning and tax lobbying is coordinated, and it is not impacted by law specificity. The findings from our study provide important insights into the circumstances under which firms will choose to lobby for laws and in what format firms will conduct their lobbying.
United States Methods of Evaluating Air Routes in Bilateral Air Agreements

The theory of air route evaluation is simple. It is to assign a monetary value to each unit of traffic (a passenger or a weight unit of cargo) carried or to be carried between the points constituting the route by the carriers presently or prospectively in operation. The total monetary value is about the same as gross revenues obtained or to be obtained by the carrier or carriers from the implementation of the route rights authorized. The value is related to a period of time, usually a year, which may be a current one or a projection thereof to a future year; in the case of a new route, generally the expected first year of operation.
Liquidity Risk, Credit Risk and Interbank Competition

This paper examines the impact of interbank competition on liquidity risk and on the interaction between liquidity and credit risks. We first show that financial intermediation with deposit insurance may increase the impact of liquidity risk, so that intermediated loans may carry higher liquidity premia for borrowers than market-financed loans. Second, with negligible interbank competition, higher credit risk may reduce liquidity risk, so a bank's need for liquidity may also induce it to take on additional credit risk. Third, we show that Bertrand competition among banks in the loan market, introduced by outside lenders purchasing the relationship-specific liquidation skilll of the incumbent lender, has two potential effects: (i) it can improve loan liquidity, and (ii) it can make credit and liquidity risks comonotonic, thereby reducing the inclination of banks to take on excessive credit risk to cope with their liquidity needs. However, interbank competition improves loan liquidity only under some conditions. We identify conditions under which greater interbank competition increases loan liquidity and reduces each bank's overall risk, which includes credit and liquidity risks.
Transduction of Gal+ by Coliphage T1 I. Role of Hybrids of Bacterial and Prophage λ Deoxyribonucleic Acid

Abstract Hybrids of λ and adjacent bacterial deoxyribonucleic acid carried in T1 particles were able to transduce Gal+ with a greatly increased efficiency to strains which were not immune to λ compared to immune strains. The enhanced transduction was dependent on a functional recA+ gene in the recipient. Mutations of the donor's λ prophage which abolished the function of either the cI, O, or P genes in the recipients led to a further enhancement of transduction. The rate of transduction of a nonlysogenic recipient such as W3350 by the hybrid particles may be as much as 140 times greater than transduction of the lysogenic recipient W3350(λ). In addition to the effect of λ immunity in blocking enhanced transduction, mutations of the N gene of the donor's λ prophage abolished enhanced transduction. Mutations in the red, int, xis, and Q genes of the donor's prophage had no significant effect on transduction. The hybrids which mediated the enhanced transduction are called (λ-gal)T1.
Elucidating the role of inhibitory G-protein, Gz, in β-cell preservation and regeneration (1062.3)

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) occurs when β-cell death causes insufficient β-cell mass to maintain normoglycemia. Although select T1D patients are candidates for transplantation, no pharmaceutical cure for T1D exists. Such cures would augment the residual β-cell mass had by most, if not all, T1D patients. We showed the α subunit of the heterotrimeric Gz protein, Gαz, inhibits production of cAMP, a second messenger proposed to potentiate β-cell function and mass. In an obesity-linked T2D model, we demonstrated islets from Gαz-null mice have constitutively increased β-cell cAMP production, insulin secretion, and replicative capacity. We hypothesized Gαz-null mice subjected to chemical induction of T1D would have improved β-cell replication, survival, and, ultimately, mass, especially when treated with drugs known to stimulate cAMP production. To test our hypothesis, we induced diabetes in mice with streptozotocin. The Gαz-null mutation partially protected against hyperglycemia, as did treatment with the known cAMP ...
Using phase change materials for residential air conditioning peak demand reduction and energy conservation in coastal and transitional climates in the State of California

Abstract The recent rapid economic and population growth in the State of California have led to a significant increase in air conditioning use, especially in areas of the State with coastal and transitional climates. This fact makes the electric peak demand to be dominated by air conditioning use in buildings during the summer time. However, this extra peak demand caused by the use of air conditioning equipment lasts only a few days out of the year. As a result, avoidable power outages occur when power utilities do not keep up with such demand. This paper proposes a possible solution to this problem by using building thermal mass via phase change materials to reduce peak air conditioning demand loads. This proposed solution was tested using a wall herein referred to as phase change frame wall (PCFW). The PCFW is a typical residential frame wall in which Phase Change Materials (PCMs) were integrated to add thermal mass. The thermal performance of PCFWs using a hydrated salt PCM was evaluated via computer simulations of residential buildings located in coastal and transitional climates in California. Simulated results indicated that the PCFWs would reduce the space cooling load by an average of 10.4%.
Origin of Elements in the Solar System

The solar system is chemically and isotopically heterogeneous. The earth contains only 0.0003% of the mass of the solar system, but the abundance pattern of non-radiogenic isotopes for each terrestrial element has been defined as “normal”.
Surface chemistry regulates valvular interstitial cell differentiation in vitro.

Abstract The primary driver for valvular calcification is the differentiation of valvular interstitial cells (VICs) into a diseased phenotype. However, the factors leading to the onset of osteoblastic-like VICs (obVICs) and resulting calcification are not fully understood. This study isolates the effect of substrate surface chemistry on in vitro VIC differentiation and calcified tissue formation. Using ω -functionalized alkanethiol self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold [CH 3 (hydrophobic), OH (hydrophilic), COOH (COO − , negative at physiological pH), and NH 2 (NH 3 + , positive at physiological pH)], we have demonstrated that surface chemistry modulates VIC phenotype and calcified tissue deposition independent of osteoblastic-inducing media additives. Over seven days VICs exhibited surface-dependent differences in cell proliferation (COO − = NH 3 + > OH > CH 3 ), morphology, and osteoblastic potential. Both NH 3 + and CH 3 -terminated SAMs promoted calcified tissue formation while COO − -terminated SAMs showed no calcification. VICs on NH 3 + -SAMs exhibited the most osteoblastic phenotypic markers through robust nodule formation, up-regulated osteocalcin and α-smooth muscle actin expression, and adoption of a round/rhomboid morphology indicative of osteoblastic differentiation. With the slowest proliferation, VICs on CH 3 -SAMs promoted calcified aggregate formation through cell detachment and increased cell death indicative of dystrophic calcification. Furthermore, induction of calcified tissue deposition on NH 3 + and CH 3 -SAMs was distinctly different than that of media induced osteoblastic VICs. These results demonstrate that substrate surface chemistry alters VIC behavior and plays an important role in calcified tissue formation. In addition, we have identified two novel methods of calcified VIC induction in vitro . Further study of these environments may yield new models for in vitro testing of therapeutics for calcified valve stenosis, although additional studies need to be conducted to correlate results to in vivo models. Statement of Significance Valvular interstitial cell (VIC) differentiation and aortic valve calcification is associated with increased risk of mortality and onset of other cardiovascular disorders. This research examines effects of in vitro substrate surface chemistry on VIC differentiation and has led to the identification of two materials-based initiation mechanisms of osteoblastic-like calcified tissue formation independent of soluble signaling methods. Such findings are important for their potential to study signaling cascades responsible for valvular heart disease initiation and progression as well providing in vitro disease models for drug development. We have also identified a VIC activating in vitro environment that does not exhibit confluence induced nodule formation with promise for the development of tissue regenerating scaffolds.