cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pragmatics and Legal Texts: How Best to Account for the Gaps between Literal Meaning and Communicative Meaning

It is often assumed or asserted by courts and scholars that the literal meaning of a legal text is co-terminous with its communicative meaning, but such an understanding is mistaken. There is often a gap between the two. Accounting for that gap, though, raises difficult issues. The linguistic phenomena responsible for the gap between literal and communicative meaning can be identified as involving pragmatic processes (Recanati 2004). In evaluating these pragmatic processes, theories that offer accounts of specific linguistic phenomena offer conceptual advantages compared to more reductive theories that seek to identify deep underlying principles of communication applicable across various linguistic phenomena. In all cases, for a linguistic theory to be useful it must, as a general matter, be explanatory and persuasive and, importantly, offer some insight into the interpretation of legal texts. This paper argues that the legal meaning of a legal text is generally constrained by its communicative meaning, demonstrates the gap between literal meaning and communicative meaning, and finally argues in favor of theories that explain pragmatic processes in terms of specific systematic effects in language.
Ethical problems in foetal diagnosis and abortion

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the ethical problems in fetal diagnosis and abortion. The development of methods for the cytogenetic and biochemical analysis of cells cultured from fluid withdrawn from the amniotic sac during mid-pregnancy has made possible the prenatal diagnosis of many genetic disorders. Abortion at this time is much more traumatic to the mother than early abortion, both physically and emotionally. Most cases of gross chromosomal abnormality occur sporadically with affected individuals having low viability and reproductive capacity; thus, their removal at a prenatal stage would be expected to have little effect on the genetic structure of the population. The availability of fetal diagnosis encourages the carriers of a deleterious gene to increase their families and the population frequency of the deleterious gene involved will rise. On examining the effect of selective abortion on the frequency of genes causing autosomal recessive diseases, it was concluded that the overall effect would be trivial. Aside from the dysgenic effects of selective abortion, another ethical problem arises in cases of the X-linked disorders that cannot be diagnosed prenatally. In such cases, the abortion of all male fetuses is often proposed.
An extinction cue reduces appetitive Pavlovian reinstatement in rats

Abstract A Pavlovian appetitive conditioning preparation with rats was used to assess the effect of an extinction cue on reinstatement after extinction. Reinstatement provides an animal analog to relapses following treatment in humans; it occurs when a conditioned stimulus elicits strong conditioned responding following extinction and presentation of the unconditioned stimulus. An extinction cue is a stimulus presented during extinction of behavior controlled by the conditioned stimulus and is also presented later when the behavior would be expected to return/relapse following extinction (i.e., when reinstatement occurs). An extinction cue has been shown previously to reduce and prevent other instances of relapse analogs (spontaneous recovery and renewal). The authors tested whether an extinction cue would also reduce reinstatement, and included controls for reinstatement and for potential alternative accounts of an extinction cue’s effect on reinstatement. The extinction cue reduced reinstatement, but a cue not presented during extinction did not affect reinstatement, bearing on several alternative explanations of the reduction effect. The authors suggest the extinction cue reduces reinstatement by helping to retrieve a memory encoded during extinction, and that reinstatement is due at least in part to a failure to retrieve that extinction memory.
The effect of post-traumatic-stress-disorder on intra-operative analgesia in a veteran population during cataract procedures carried out using retrobulbar or topical anesthesia: a retrospective study

A growing proportion of veterans treated at the Veterans Health Administration (VA) have a history of post-traumatic-stress-disorder (PTSD), and there exists a higher rate of PTSD amongst veterans than the general population. The purpose of this study is to determine the correlation between PTSD and intra-operative analgesia, intra-operative time, and anesthesia type for cataract surgery in a veteran population. Secondary objectives are to determine if patient age, and first or second eye surgery affect intra-operative pain control or are correlated with type of anesthesia modality. A retrospective study of 330 cataract surgeries performed by resident physicians between January and September 2012 at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville and Murfreesboro Campuses was completed. Three hundred and thirty veteran patients were selected if their cataract surgery was performed between January and September 2012. Combined cases were excluded. The primary outcome evaluated was intra-operative analgesia. Secondary outcomes included history of post-traumatic-stress-disorder, anesthesia type, first or second eye, pain control, intra-operative heart rate and blood pressure, age, and case complexity. Data was analyzed using an unpaired two-sample Welch’s t-test assuming unequal variance and Z test of comparison of proportions. Patients with post-traumatic-stress-disorder reported higher pain scores, had longer operative times, and were more likely to have received a retrobulbar block. Operative time was not associated with an increased pain score, irrespective of anesthesia type, when controlled for PTSD. Complex cases had longer operative times, more sedation, and higher pain scores. P < 0.05 was used consistently. Post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety are more prevalent in the veteran population. Our data suggests that a history of post-traumatic-stress-disorder was correlated with higher pain scores, longer operative times, and with having received a retrobulbar block. Patients without a history of PTSD were more likely to have received topical anesthesia with or without sedation. The veteran population requires more sedation to allay anxiety and perceptions of discomfort, which may account for longer surgical times. The veteran population is a special population and it is important to investigate how PTSD in the veteran population affects intra-operative analgesia.
On the Separation of Time Scales in Stochastic Differential Equations

Abstract The identification of appropriate time scales for systems containing small parameters (parasitic elements) is a key step in the asymptotic analysis of such systems. When the system model contains stochastic fluctuations, the problem is compounded by the interaction of the fluctuations with the parasitic elements. In this paper we adapt some ideas of Hoppensteadt to the problem of time scaling stochastic differential equations with parameters and use some limit theorems of Khas’minskii, Papanicolaou and others to carry out the asymptotic analysis of these systems. Particular attention is given to the structure of the boundary layers in these problems, and the relationship between the time scales of the boundary layers and the scaling of the stochastic fluctuations. The role of models of this type in control theoretic studies is outlined.
Implementation of a scalable, web-based, automated clinical decision support risk-prediction tool for chronic kidney disease using C-CDA and application programming interfaces.

Background and objective Clinical decision support tools for risk prediction are readily available, but typically require workflow interruptions and manual data entry so are rarely used. Due to new data interoperability standards for electronic health records (EHRs), other options are available. As a clinical case study, we sought to build a scalable, web-based system that would automate calculation of kidney failure risk and display clinical decision support to users in primary care practices. Materials and methods We developed a single-page application, web server, database, and application programming interface to calculate and display kidney failure risk. Data were extracted from the EHR using the Consolidated Clinical Document Architecture interoperability standard for Continuity of Care Documents (CCDs). EHR users were presented with a noninterruptive alert on the patient's summary screen and a hyperlink to details and recommendations provided through a web application. Clinic schedules and CCDs were retrieved using existing application programming interfaces to the EHR, and we provided a clinical decision support hyperlink to the EHR as a service. Results We debugged a series of terminology and technical issues. The application was validated with data from 255 patients and subsequently deployed to 10 primary care clinics where, over the course of 1 year, 569 533 CCD documents were processed. Conclusions We validated the use of interoperable documents and open-source components to develop a low-cost tool for automated clinical decision support. Since Consolidated Clinical Document Architecture-based data extraction extends to any certified EHR, this demonstrates a successful modular approach to clinical decision support.
Bayesian estimation of physiological parameters governing a dynamic two-compartment model of exhaled nitric oxide

The fractional concentration of nitric oxide in exhaled breath (FeNO) is a biomarker of airway inflammation with applications in clinical asthma management and environmental epidemiology. FeNO concentration depends on the expiratory flow rate. Standard FeNO is assessed at 50 mL/sec, but “extended NO analysis” uses FeNO measured at multiple different flow rates to estimate parameters quantifying proximal and distal sources of NO in the lower respiratory tract. Most approaches to modeling multiple flow FeNO assume the concentration of NO throughout the airway has achieved a “steady-state.” In practice, this assumption demands that subjects maintain sustained flow rate exhalations, during which both FeNO and expiratory flow rate must remain constant, and the FeNO maneuver is summarized by the average FeNO concentration and average flow during a small interval. In this work, we drop the steady-state assumption in the classic two-compartment model. Instead, we have developed a new parameter estimation approach based on measuring and adjusting for a continuously varying flow rate over the entire FeNO maneuver. We have developed a Bayesian inference framework for the parameters of the partial differential equation underlying this model. Based on multiple flow FeNO data from the Southern California Children's Health Study, we use observed and simulated NO concentrations to demonstrate that our approach has reasonable computation time and is consistent with existing steady-state approaches, while our inferences consistently offer greater precision than current methods.
A Synoptic Catalogue of Vacillated Nomenclature Usages in the Literature of Family-Group Names Gyponinae Stål and Scarinae Amyot & Serville, Genera Gypona Germar and Scaris Le Peletier & Serville, Synonyms, and Use of Docalidia ferruginea (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)

ABSTRACT A synoptic, annotated catalogue is provided, documenting the long history of vacillated nomenclature usages between leafhopper family-group names Gyponidae Stal 1870c and Scaridae Amyot & Serville 1843a (nec Scaridae Rafinesque 1810b), between genus-group names Gypona Germar 1821a and Scaris Le Peletier & Serville 1828a (nec Scaris Chaudoir 1879), synonyms, and use of Docalidia ferruginea (Fabricius) in the literature for Iassus ferrugineus, beginning at the formation of each taxon and ending at the present. Authors' annotations, where applicable, follow each citation. A photograph of the lectotype of Iassus ferrugineus Fabricius (Coelidiinae) and a misidentified specimen (Gyponinae) by Germar are shown for comparative purposes.
Radial umbilical dermatofasciolysis to invert the skin following umbilical herniorrhaphy

Abstract Background Umbilical hernia is a common congenital anomaly, and can result in the appearance of a protuberant umbilicus. In select cases, inversion of the umbilical skin can be impaired by the presence of thickened dermis or fascial remnants of the umbilical stalk. Description of operative technique After umbilical herniorrhaphy, the skin is everted over the left index finger and radial partial thickness incisions in the fascia and dermis of the undersurface of the umbilicus. The umbilical skin is then inverted and secured to the fascia. Conclusion This operative technique can allow complete inversion of the umbilical skin creating an aesthetically appealing umbilical hernia repair.
Evolution of river-routing schemes in macro-scale models and their potential for watershed management

ABSTRACTMacro-scale river-routing schemes first emerged to channel runoff generated as a by-product from land surface models to oceans. In the past decade, as discharge of major rivers was identified as a suitable parameter to test the performance of the macro-scale land surface models, river-routing received significant attention, with development of multiple schemes. As resolution improves, the possibility of river-routing schemes connecting the global models with watershed issues has emerged as an option. Yet, even as results from these schemes become easily available, a comprehensive overview of their scope and limitation when considering regional or watershed-centric applications is lacking. To address this gap, 18 published river-routing schemes are compared by examining their structure, rationale and limitations. Due to the diverse nature of scheme implementations, a direct comparison of performance is not yet possible. However, features and studies geared towards watershed-scale applications are h...
Patterns in Systems with Competing Incommensurate Lengths

The interplay between two possibly incommensurate lengths can lead to complex spatial patterns. A series of experimets by Lowe and Gollub (1,2) on nematic liquid crystal convection cells with spatially periodic forcing fields provide visual images of a number of such patterns. This paper will use the Lowe-Gollub experiments to discuss general aspects of spatial structure in systems with competing incommensurate lengths. Particular applications to polar liquid crystals (3,4) and icosahedral quasi-crystals (5,6) will be considered. Spatial structure in these systems is microscopic (on a scale of tens of Angstroms) rather than macroscopic (on a scale of hundreds of microns) as in the Lowe-Gollub experiments. Nevertheless, the general mechanisms for pattern formation to be discussed in this paper apply to both cases.
Network tools identify early signs of anxiety

Novel network analyses identify constellations of childhood symptoms that predict anxiety disorders and depression during adolescence and young adulthood.
A depth-of-interaction encoding PET detector module with dual-ended readout using large-area silicon photomultiplier arrays.

The performance of a depth-of-interaction (DOI) encoding PET detector module with dual-ended readout of LYSO scintillator arrays using large-area SiPM arrays was evaluated. Each SiPM array, with a surface area of 50.2 × 50.2 mm2, consists of 12 × 12 C-series SiPMs from SensL (SensL, Inc). The LYSO array, with a total size of 46 × 46 mm2 and a pitch size of 1.0 mm, consists of a 46 × 46 array of 0.945 × 0.945 × 20 mm3 polished LYSO crystals, separated by Toray reflector. Custom front-end electronics were designed to reduce the 288 SiPM signals of one detector module to nine signals, eight for position information and 1 for timing information. Schottky diodes were used to block noise from SiPMs that did not detect a significant number of scintillation photons following a gamma interaction. Measurements of noise, signal, signal-to-noise ratio, energy resolution and flood histogram quality were obtained at different bias voltages (26.0 to 31.0 V in 0.5 V intervals) and at two temperatures (5 °C and 20 °C). Clear acrylic plates, 2.0 mm thick, were used as light guides to spread the scintillation photons. Timing resolution, depth of interaction resolution, and the effect of event rate on detector performance were measured at the bias voltage determined to be optimal for the flood histograms. Performance obtained with and without the noise-blocking Shottky diodes was also compared. The results showed that all crystals in the LYSO array can be clearly resolved, and performance improved when using diodes to block noise, and at the lower temperature. The average energy resolution, flood histogram quality, timing resolution and DOI resolution were 23.8% ± 2.0%, 1.54 ± 0.17, 1.78 ± 0.09 ns and 2.81 ± 0.13 mm respectively, obtained at a bias voltage of 30.0 V and a temperature of 5 °C using the diode readout method. The event rate experiments showed that the flood histogram and energy resolution of the detector were not significantly degraded for an event rate of up to 150 000 counts s-1.
Calidad del agua para riego: situación histórica y actual del río Colorado (Comunicación breve)

The quality of water for irrigations is conditioned by salt (amount and type) and the sediment it has. The characteristics of the water destined for irrigation influence the edaphic properties, the yield of the crops, the infrastructure of the irrigation systems and the durability of pressurized irrigation systems. The objective of this work was to compare the current data (2014-2017) and those from the historical series (1969-2007) of electrical conductivity (CE), total dissolved solids (TSD) and pH in the Multiple Use System of the Colorado River in 25 de Mayo (La Pampa). These parameters were periodically determined, on the matrix channel, which leads the water to the irrigated area of 25 de Mayo. The annual and inter annual behavior of the parameters in this period was analyzed regarding the monthly average values of the historical series that belong to the Ente Provincial del Rio Colorado (Government of La Pampa). The analyzed results indicate that the monthly average of the EC and TSD of the last four years are higher than the monthly historical average. The pH was higher than the monthly historical average during 2014, except for the months of November and December. In 2015 and 2016, the registered values were lower than the historical ones. The changes of the analyzed results, specifically the salinity (EC and TSD), could be due mainly to the decrease in the flow that has been registered in the last years.
Pèlerin et réfugié : regards théologiques croisés

Le refugie et le pelerin sont des figures eminemment contemporaines qui se rejoignent dans le mouvement marquant leur etre. Le pelerin est par essence habite par la transcendance et le desir, et tendu vers le lieu saint. Le refugie constitue lui aussi une figure de deplacement, marquee par l’urgence du depart et la radicalite de la transformation identitaire. Le contraste des dimensions constitutives de l’etre-refugie et de l’etre-pelerin eclaire d’un jour nouveau la nature de ces deux figures, leurs fondements s’entrelacant dans l’experience migratoire du peuple de l’Exode et la maniere d’etre du Christ en chemin. Le regard theologique croise du refugie et du pelerin met en lumiere leur commune fluidite, mais revele aussi une interpellation reciproque a l’aulne de la radicalite du refugie et de l’hospitalite du pelerin. Pelerin et refugie esquissent ainsi le chemin d’une experience itinerante de Dieu en post-modernite.
Immediate and delayed auditory feedback in declarative learning: An examination of the feedback related event related potentials.

Abstract The study examined the effect of feedback timing on the FRN and N170 ERP components in the context of feedback-based learning, by manipulating feedback timing and presenting auditory feedback. Previous studies reported that the FRN was modulated by feedback timing when feedback was visual. Additionally, the N170 ERP component was recently found to be sensitive to the timing of visual feedback (Arbel et al., 2017). The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the extent to which the FRN and N170 are modulated by feedback timing when feedback is auditory. Thirty healthy young adults were tasked with learning the names of 56 novel objects through trial-and-error guided by feedback in a two-choice paired association task. The 56 object-name pairs were divided into four sets, each containing fourteen items presented in five training blocks and a sixth testing block. In two of the sets auditory feedback was given 500 ms following a response, and in the two other sets feedback delivery was delayed by 6500 ms. The FRN was not found sensitive to the timing of the auditory feedback. However, sensitivity to timing was found in the N1-P2 complex preceding the FRN. The N170 was found sensitive to both feedback timing and valence, providing additional evidence to its relevance to feedback processing. Moreover, the elicitation of the N170 by auditory feedback suggests that the system that gives rise to the N170 in the context of processing delayed feedback is not unique to visual input.
License Plate Character Recognition Using Binarization and Convolutional Neural Networks

The goal of an Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) system is to capture and recognize a vehicle license plate. This is an important computer vision problem and has number of application domains: law enforcement, public safety agencies, and toll gate systems to name a few. At the heart of ALPR systems is the character recognition system as it is a unique identifier for any given vehicle. We construct an ALPR character recognition system by creating a dataset to simulate a captured license plate image, applying multiple binarization techniques to segment the characters from state, from the plate and from each other and finally using this dataset to train a convolutional neural network.
Archaeology and Social Memory

This review provides a road map through current trends and issues in archaeological studies of memory. Many scholars continue to draw on Halbwachs for collective memory studies, emphasizing how the...
Quasi-static fading MAC with many users and finite payload

Consider a (multiple-access) wireless communication system where users are connected to a unique base station over a shared-spectrum radio links. Each user has a fixed number k of bits to send to the base station, and his signal gets attenuated by a random channel gain (quasi-static fading). In this paper we consider the many-user asymptotics of Chen-Chen-Guo’2017, where the number of users grows linearly with the blocklength. In addition, we adopt a per-user probability of error criterion of Polyanskiy’2017 (as opposed to classical joint-error probability criterion). Under these two settings we derive bounds on the optimal required energy-per-bit for reliable multi-access communication. We confirm the curious behaviour (previously observed for non-fading MAC) of the possibility of perfect multi-user interference cancellation for user densities below a critical threshold. Further we demonstrate the suboptimality of standard solutions such as orthogonalization (i.e., TDMA/FDMA) and treating interference as noise (i.e. pseudo-random CDMA without multi-user detection).
Abstract WP286: Review of Neuroimaging Prior to Transfer Acceptance and Rate of Endovascular Treatment

Background: With the advent of extended window EVT for acute stroke (AIS), interhospital transfer is increasingly frequent; with growing demand but static resources, stroke centers need to identify...
Spiking and homogenization of biological matrices for production of reference materials using cryogenic processes

Biological reference materials (RMs) are essential for quality assurance, traceability of measurement results and for method validation. When addressing new measurement questions or emerging regulatory issues, rigorous large-scale CRM production may not be time efficient or economically practical using current production methods. By amending a relatively small matrix batch with a compound(s) of interest at the homogenization step, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) can create a custom material on an “as-needed” basis and circumvent the time delay inherent in large-batch production, thereby generating a fit-for-purpose, rapid-response RM. Here, Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) was cryohomogenized and spiked with an aquaculture antibiotic and antibiotic metabolite. The resultant material was analyzed using liquid chromatography-high resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS/MS) to determine the effectiveness of the amendment technique in a fresh-frozen matrix by assessing homogeneity and accuracy to the target concentration (e.g. mass fraction). Target mass fractions were achieved for both spike components, with RSDs below 5% in replicate measurements of each compound (n = 8). The stability of the spiked compounds was assessed one year post-production and mass fractions were stable, within 1–6% of the initial measurement results, indicating minimal change to the amended analyte concentrations over time. The results support this method as a promising new technique for custom, small-batch RM generation.
Space-time-resolved quantum electrodynamics description of Compton scattering

The standard method for approaching quantum electrodynamic (QED) field theory uses a perturbative $S$-matrix approach. This approach is explicitly nondynamical and provides only a one-time, static map between an initial state to be evolved by the ``full propagator'' of a bona-fide interacting field theory and an asymptotically equivalent effective initial state to be evolved by the ``free propagator'' of the corresponding noninteracting field theory. We provide a detailed derivation of a nonperturbative and dynamical approach to QED that allows one to study the space-time dynamics of electron-photon interactions directly. As an example of this method, we compute the time-resolved dynamics of Compton scattering for a system with a nontrivial spatial structure in only one dimension while restricting to the case of a single electron and at most one photon. This approach retains the massless photon of quantum electrodynamics in contrast to previous approaches that resorted to using massive bosons [T. Cheng, E. R. Gospodarczyk, Q. Su, and R. Grobe, Ann. Phys. 325, 265 (2010)] to represent the photon. The dynamics of Compton scattering are illustrated using joint probability distributions that evolve in time. This information is compared to that provided by the $S$ matrix.
Transfer of oral bacteria to the fetus during late gestation.

The fetus develops in a privileged environment, as the placenta serves as both a gateway for nutrients and a barrier for pathogen transfer to the fetus. Regardless, recent evidence suggests the presence of bacterial DNA in both placenta and fetus, and we have reported that DNA and protein from small numbers of bacteria gain access to the fetus from the maternal bloodstream. Other routes of environmental bacterial transfer from the mother to fetus remain unknown, as well as the physiological relevance of their presence. In these experiments, we examine multiple routes by which bacterial cellular components can enter the fetus and the fetal response to influx of bacterial DNA and protein. We inoculated maternal sheep with genetically-labeled S. aureus (Staphylococcus aureus) using three routes: intravenously, orally, and intra-vaginally. The inoculum did not produce sepsis or fever in the ewes, therefore mimicking incidental exposure to bacteria during pregnancy. 3–5 days post inoculation, we assessed the presence of bacterial components in the fetal tissues and analyzed fetal brain tissue to identify any alterations in gene expression. Our results demonstrate that components of bacteria that were introduced into the maternal mouth were detected in the fetal brain and that they stimulated changes in gene expression. We conclude that an oral route of transmission is relevant for transfer of bacterial cellular components to the fetus.
Turn of the decade: versatility of 2D hexagonal boron nitride

The era of two-dimensional (2D) materials, in its current form, truly began at the time that graphene was first isolated just over 15 years ago. Shortly thereafter, the use of 2D hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) had expanded in popularity, with use of the thin isolator permeating a significant number of fields in condensed matter and beyond. Due to the impractical nature of cataloguing every use or research pursuit, this review will cover ground in the following three subtopics relevant to this versatile material: growth, electrical measurements, and applications in optics and photonics. Through understanding how the material has been utilized, one may anticipate some of the exciting directions made possible by the research conducted up through the turn of this decade.
Phonon gas model for thermal conductivity of dense, strongly interacting liquids

Developing predictive thermal property models for liquids based on microscopic principles has been elusive. The difficulty is that liquids have gas-like and solid-like attributes that are at odds when considering the frameworks of microscopic models: Models for gases are simple due to randomness and low density, whereas models for crystalline solids rely on symmetry and long-range order for easier calculation. The short-range order in liquids does, however, provide structure to neighboring molecules similar to amorphous solids, and there have been recent advances indicating that collective vibrational modes store heat in liquids. Models combining Debye approximations from solid-state physics and Frenkel’s theory of liquids can accurately predict the heat capacity of liquids. Phonon-like dispersions in liquids have also been widely observed in neutron scattering experiments. These developments motivate us to propose a model where high-frequency vibrational modes, which travel at the speed of sound and have a mean free path on the order of the average intermolecular distance, conduct heat in liquids. We use this liquid phonon gas model to calculate the thermal conductivity of liquids with varying intermolecular interaction energies from strongest to weakest—Coulomb, hydrogen-bonding, Keesom, and London dispersion energy. Generally, the model is more accurate as the intermolecular interaction energy and density of liquids increase. The calculated thermal conductivity of Coulombic-bound molten sodium nitrate and hydrogen-bonded water is within 1.46% and 2.98% of the experimentally measured values, respectively, across their entire temperature ranges. Further modal analysis of the velocity and the mean free path of collective vibrations could establish the liquid phonon gas model as an accurate model for weakly interacting liquids as well.
Evaluation of Machine Learning-Based Regression Techniques for Prediction of Oil and Gas Pipelines Defect

Magnetic flux leakage (MFL) signals allow the scale of metal failure defects present on a pipeline to be observed, located, and measured. An advanced and reliable intelligent pipeline monitoring system is needed to protect the local ecosystem from disastrous effects due to malfunctioning pipelines. MFL plays a vital role in gas pipeline examination; various studies have explored smart MFL based defect prediction systems. Machine learning-based defect prediction systems allow predicting the characteristics of the oil and gas defects in real-time. As fault detection control is applied to low-performance embedded systems, prediction algorithms' reliability is of utmost importance. The intention was to extend the work of previous researchers and provide insight into the behavior of the selected classifiers with time as a robustness factor, an experimental design that constitutes the novelty of this study. For the said purpose, a prerecorded dataset comprised of MFL signals has been utilized. Prediction of defect length has been performed with several approaches, including linear regression (LR), linear regression with stochastic gradient descent (LRSGD), support vector machine (SVM), Gaussian process regression (GPR), boosting regression tree ensemble (BSTE), binary decision tree (BDT), stepwise (SW), and artificial neural network (ANN). The results indicated that ANN yields the best prediction results for MFL based defect predictions, followed by GRP regression analysis. The presented results can be utilized to design and implement a defect length prediction model to be deployed underwater, providing real-time prediction results.
Open Relation Modeling: Learning to Define Relations between Entities.

Relations between entities can be represented by different instances, e.g., a sentence containing both entities or a fact in a Knowledge Graph (KG). However, these instances may not well capture the general relations between entities, may be difficult to understand by humans, even may not be found due to the incompleteness of the knowledge source. In this paper, we introduce the Open Relation Modeling task - given two entities, generate a coherent sentence describing the relation between them. To solve this task, we propose to teach machines to generate definition-like relation descriptions by letting them learn from definitions of entities. Specifically, we fine-tune Pre-trained Language Models (PLMs) to produce definitions conditioned on extracted entity pairs. To help PLMs reason between entities and provide additional relational knowledge to PLMs for open relation modeling, we incorporate reasoning paths in KGs and include a reasoning path selection mechanism. We show that PLMs can select interpretable and informative reasoning paths by confidence estimation, and the selected path can guide PLMs to generate better relation descriptions. Experimental results show that our model can generate concise but informative relation descriptions that capture the representative characteristics of entities and relations.
The incorporation of women into the public sector in Chile, 1860–1930: from rejection to encouragement

The incorporation of women into the public arena has increasingly attracted the attention of scholars in public administration. Yet there has been little analysis of this phenomenon from a long-ter...
Electronic Structures of Square Planar Metal Complexes

The relative energies of the molecular orbitals in square planar metal complexes is a problem which has received considerable attention in the last few years (1–10). of the antibonding molecular orbitals derived from the d valence orbitals, it is generally accepted that the σ*(x2-y2) orbital is much less stable than the other four levels [π*(xy), σ*(z2), π*(xz, yz)]. This level scheme is consistent with the fact that almost all known square planar metal complexes contain a d8central metal ion and are diamagnetic, since eight valence electrons can be exactly accomodated in the four reasonably stable orbitals.
Ecomusicology, Music Studies, and the IASPM: Beyond “Epistemic Inertia”

Ecomusicologists have answered Philip Tagg’s call to develop a more interdisciplinary and interprofessional “music studies.” Ecomusicologists are demonstrating an exceptional openness to theories and methodologies generated from outside their home disciplines. Of course, no single transdisciplinary conversation will solve all of the problems Philip Tagg outlines in “Caught on the Back Foot: epistemic inertia and visible music” (2011). However, ecomusicology provides evidence that a more holistic, integral, and relational music studies is possible. The chapter will outline four ecomusicological literatures as evidence: ecocritical musicology, soundscape studies, ecohistorical scholarship, and ecosystems communication approaches. Pastoral ideologies have inhibited ecological research in the past, but recent advances have helped the environmental study of music become more relational and relevant.
An Empirical Analysis of Pricing in the United States Cheese Industry: 2000-2010

The U.S. cheese industry has historically used the organized Exchange spot cheese prices as reference prices in contract cheese market. Furthermore, the Exchange cheese prices have been influencing government-set prices of milk used in cheese manufacturing (i.e. Class III milk). The thinness of the Exchange spot cheese market has been raising concerns as to whether it adequately represents the cheese market fundamentals, which is important for the effective performance of cheese industry. The empirical evidence presented in the paper may suggest that due to the nature of cheese manufacturing, which basically depends on one input (milk), and a presence of government milk pricing, Class III milk price has become a key strategic variable in the modern cheese industry. While variation in cheese production and stock explains 4-15% of variation in the Exchange cheddar cheese price, variation in lagged Class III milk price explains 72% of variation in the Exchange cheddar cheese price. Furthermore, the effect of lagged Class III milk price on the Exchange cheddar cheese price and its variance tends to be stronger than the effect of cheese production and stock.
Asymptotic amplitudes, Cauchy gains, an associated small-gain principle, and an application to inhibitory biological feedback

The notions of asymptotic amplitude for signals, and Cauchy gain for input/output systems, and an associated small-gain principle, are introduced. These concepts allow the consideration of systems with multiple, and possibly feedback-dependent, steady states. A Lyapunov-like characterization allows the computation of gains for state-space systems, and the formulation of sufficient conditions insuring the lack of oscillations and chaotic behaviors in a wide variety of cascades and feedback loops. An application in biology (MAPK signaling) is worked out in detail.
Fault-Tolerant Parallel and Distributed Computing for Software Engineering Undergraduates

We report on our experience of integrating Fault-Tolerant Parallel and Distributed Computing (FTPDC) concepts in three core and elective courses in spring 2014 at Michigan Technological University, namely Model-Driven Software Development, Software Quality Assurance and Operating Systems. Our objective is to educate senior undergraduate Software Engineering students on the design, verification and implementation of fault tolerance in Parallel and Distributed Computing (PDC) systems. Towards this end, we design three course modules that include several lectures, demonstrations and homework assignments. We implement these course modules based on a discovery-based method of teaching where students are required (individually and in groups) to solve problems by modeling, simulating and verifying models of FTPDC systems. The students' performances and their feedback show that the designed course modules for the modeling and automated analysis of FTPDC have significantly helped them to understand the basic concepts of FTPDC and explore more advanced concepts. We will improve the design of the third course module to enhance students' skills in the implementation of fault-tolerance mechanisms.
Carcinoma of the cervix: results obtained from the irradiation of the parametrium with radioactive colloidal gold.

Abstract During the four-year period of 1950 to 1953, inclusive, 324 patients with cancer of the cervix, League of Nations Stages I, II, and III, have been treated by two quite different methods. One group was treated with x-rays and radium. This group is subdivided into clinic and private patients. In the other group the parametrium was treated with radiogold injected transvaginally, and the cervix was treated either by radium or by Wertheim hysterectomy, or by both radium and hysterectomy. In all patients operated upon a fairly extensive pelvic lymphadenectomy was done at the time of the hysterectomy. The two to four and one-half year survival rate of patients with Stage I lesions was 91.4 per cent in the series treated with radiogold, 78.1 per cent in the series of private patients treated with x-ray and radium, and 72 per cent in the clinic patients treated with x-ray and radium. The one-half to four and one-half year survivals were 92.1 per cent, 80.4 per cent, and 68.8 per cent, respectively. Not many patients with Stage II lesions were treated with radiogold in the first two years of the study. Eight out of nine patients (88.8 per cent), however, with Stage II lesions more than two years ago are alive and well. The one-half to four and one-half year survival rate for patients with Stage II lesions was 89.3 per cent in the series treated with radiogold, 56.5 per cent in the series of private patients treated with x-ray and radium, and 48.1 per cent in the series of clinic patients treated with x-ray and radium. There were 11 patients among the 70 subjected to radical operation in whom the lymph nodes were positive. Nine of these patients are alive and apparently free of disease. The incidence of positive nodes in Stage I cases operated upon was 9.8 per cent and in Stage II cases, 31.5 per cent. In the group of 70 patients subjected to operation, one patient developed a ureterovaginal fistula, one a ureterorectovaginal fistula, and one a vesicovaginal fistula. The study also has shown that a dosage of 8,000 to 10,000 r is necessary to destroy epidermoid cancer in the cervix itself.
Characterization of the Mechanical Properties of Plasma-Sprayed Coatings

The heterogeneous nature of plasma-sprayed coatings plays a major role in their mechanical properties. The fundamental deformation modes are usually classified as adhesive or cohesive. However, these failure mechanisms are poorly understood, especially when they are related to coating performance under service conditions.
Effective interfacial area and liquid holdup of Nutter Rings at high liquid loads

The effective interfacial area of the Nutter Ring NR#1, NR#1.75 and NR#2.5 was measured by absorbing CO 2 from air with NaOH. Liquid holdup was measured using air-water as test system. The liquid load was varied between 20 and 180 m 3 /m 2 .h and the influence of the pressure drop was investigated. Correlations are derived from the experimental data which represent the measured data within an accuracy of 10%. The aim of this work is to present the test results as well as to summarize how the effective interfacial area can be calculated in order to motivate other researchers to publish interfacial area instead of k OG .a, when using CO 2 -NaOH as test system.
Photon-counting compressive sensing laser radar for 3D imaging

We experimentally demonstrate a photon-counting, single-pixel, laser radar camera for 3D imaging where transverse spatial resolution is obtained through compressive sensing without scanning. We use this technique to image through partially obscuring objects, such as camouflage netting. Our implementation improves upon pixel-array based designs with a compact, resource-efficient design and highly scalable resolution.
Interpretation and modeling of quasiperiodic diffraction patterns observed in equatorial VHF scintillation due to plasma bubbles

Quasiperiodic diffraction patterns have been observed in VHF scintillation recorded at Ascension Island in 1981. The patterns occur most often at the beginning or end of a scintillation patch and are shown to be consistent with those expected from irregularities having east-west scale sizes of a few hundred meters that are associated with the walls (edges) of equatorial plasma bubbles. By adjusting the geophysical parameters in a computer simulation of the amplitude fluctuations expected simultaneously at VHF, L-Band and C-Band, we model a specific event in detail. The model contains information on the size and strength of the structures that cause the regular fading patterns. In addition, multi-frequency diffraction patterns are computed for a 'phase screen' model based on high resolution measurements of a structured plasma bubble wall made using the AE-E satellite. The results are qualitatively very similar to the observations. Finally, implications of the model results for the extraction of information about the vertical structure of the irregularities are discussed.
Achieving target hematocrit in dialysis patients : New concepts in iron management

The management of anemia in dialysis patients involves a comprehensive understanding of the role of erythropoietin deficiency and of the importance of adequate available iron. It is clear that iron and recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) in concert allow the clinician to achieve a given target hemotocrit in dialysis patients. By first repleting and then maintaining iron stores, and with an appreciation of the concept of functional iron deficiency, the nephrologist can achieve target hematocrits with the lowest necessary dose of rHuEPO. Iron repletion and maintenance is difficult to achieve with oral iron, and parenteral iron is needed in most cases. New protocols for ongoing parenteral maintenance therapy with iron dextran or iron gluconate, a form of iron likely to be available soon in the United States, should lead to achievement of target hematocrits in a greater number of patients and be cost-effective in improving patient outcomes.
An intuitionistic view of the Dempster---Shafer belief structure

We discuss the Dempster---Shafer belief theory and describe its role in representing imprecise probabilistic information. In particular, we note its use of intervals for representing imprecise probabilities. We note in fuzzy set theory that there are two related approaches used for representing imprecise membership grades: interval-valued fuzzy sets and intuitionistic fuzzy sets. We indicate the first of these, interval-valued fuzzy sets, is in the same spirit as Dempster---Shafer representation, both use intervals. Using a relationship analogous to the type of relationship that exists between interval-valued fuzzy sets and intuitionistic fuzzy sets, we obtain from the interval-valued view of the Dempster---Shafer model an intuitionistic view of the Dempster---Shafer model. Central to this view is the use of an intuitionistic statement, pair of values, (Bel(A) Dis(A)), to convey information about the value of a variable lying in the set A. We suggest methods for combining intuitionistic statements and making inferences from these type propositions.
Zeta-potentials of intact cell monolayers determined by electro-osmosis

By measuring the electro-osmotic flow velocity of buffer through a glass capillary, on the inner surface of which cells have been grown, the ζ-potential of these cells can be determined without the changes in ζ-potential, viability and morphology caused by the chemical, enzymatic or mechanical pretreatment hitherto necessary for cell dispersion in the microelectrophoretic method. Cells grown in a monolayer inside the capillaries were: BGM, HEP-2, and RPMI 1846 (the last one also could be grown in suspension).
The SCRUB security data sharing infrastructure

Sharing data between organization is important aspect of network protection that is not currently occurring since it is unsafe. This talk is about a suite of tools that can be used to "scrub" data (using anonymization) so it can be safely shared. SCRUB* is an infrastructure because all the tools use the same anonymization algorithms for seamless sharing independent of the data source.
The Role of High-Potential Iron Protein and Cytochrome c8 as Alternative Electron Donors to the Reaction Center of Chromatium vinosum†

Under anaerobic conditions, intact cells of the purple sulfur bacterium Chromatium vinosum exhibit rapid photooxidation of the two low-potential hemes of the c-type cytochrome associated with the r...