cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimal Leader Election Scheme for Peer-to-Peer Applications

Leader election is one of the most frequently encountered problems in peer-to-peer applications. However, choosing the best node is not a trivial problem and the obtained performance can dramatically vary depending on it. Another issue is what to measure in the evaluation and comparison of different leader election schemes. It is not clear yet what metrics best capture the performance objective. In this paper, we introduce two performance metrics, the worst link stress (WLS) and the degree of interference (DOI), for the leader election problem, and present a fully distributed, optimal scheme that elects a leader according to the DOI-minimizing criterion in a peer-to-peer network. Our scheme does not require network collaboration, and the communication/computation overhead is low. The only assumption is that the participating nodes can obtain a list of IDs of the nodes in the session through the underlying P2P substrates. After examining the correctness of the algorithm, we present simulation results demonstrating the benefits of the optimal leader election scheme. Through the simulation results, we conclude that the algorithm is simple yet effective in achieving the design goals, particularly in reducing (1) the worst link stress and balancing load in the network, and (2) the network bandwidth usage.
Seasonal and Cultivar-Associated Variation in Oviposition Preference of Oriental Fruit Moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) Adults and Feeding Behavior of Neonate Larvae in Apples

The Oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) has become a pest of tree fruits since its introduction to the United States in the early twentieth century. Oriental fruit moth has historically been a major pest problem in peach production, and outbreaks in commercial apple (Malus spp.) orchards in the eastern United States were rare until the late 1990s. Recent outbreaks in Mid-Atlantic apple orchards have lead researchers to investigate host-associated effects on oriental fruit moth biology, behavior, and population dynamics. Studies were designed to assess cultivar level effects in apples on oviposition and larval feeding behavior of oriental fruit moth. In a mixed cultivar apple orchard, total oriental fruit moth oviposition and oviposition site preferences varied between cultivars. These preferences also varied over time, when sampling was repeated at various times of the growing season. Although most adult female oriental fruit moth preferentially oviposited in the calyx and stem areas of apple fruit, noticeable numbers of eggs also were laid on the sides of fruit, contradicting some previous reports. Oriental fruit moth females exhibited a strong ovipositional preference for fruit that were previously damaged by oriental fruit moth or codling moth, Cydia ponmonella (L.). The majority of newly hatched oriental fruit moth larvae were observed to spend <24 h on the surface of apple fruit before entry, and this behavior was observed on several apple cultivars. Neonate larvae exhibited a preference for entering fruit at either the stem or calyx ends, regardless of their initial site of placement. Our findings underscore the importance of adequate spray coverage and accurate timing of insecticide applications targeting oriental fruit moth.
Role of genetic heterogeneity and epistasis in bladder cancer susceptibility and outcome: a learning classifier system approach.

Background and objective Detecting complex patterns of association between genetic or environmental risk factors and disease risk has become an important target for epidemiological research. In particular, strategies that provide multifactor interactions or heterogeneous patterns of association can offer new insights into association studies for which traditional analytic tools have had limited success. Materials and methods To concurrently examine these phenomena, previous work has successfully considered the application of learning classifier systems (LCSs), a flexible class of evolutionary algorithms that distributes learned associations over a population of rules. Subsequent work dealt with the inherent problems of knowledge discovery and interpretation within these algorithms, allowing for the characterization of heterogeneous patterns of association. Whereas these previous advancements were evaluated using complex simulation studies, this study applied these collective works to a ‘real-world’ genetic epidemiology study of bladder cancer susceptibility. Results and discussion We replicated the identification of previously characterized factors that modify bladder cancer risk—namely, single nucleotide polymorphisms from a DNA repair gene, and smoking. Furthermore, we identified potentially heterogeneous groups of subjects characterized by distinct patterns of association. Cox proportional hazard models comparing clinical outcome variables between the cases of the two largest groups yielded a significant, meaningful difference in survival time in years (survivorship). A marginally significant difference in recurrence time was also noted. These results support the hypothesis that an LCS approach can offer greater insight into complex patterns of association. Conclusions This methodology appears to be well suited to the dissection of disease heterogeneity, a key component in the advancement of personalized medicine.
Intratracheal bleomycin causes airway remodeling and airflow obstruction in mice

In addition to parenchymal fibrosis, fibrotic remodeling of the distal airways has been reported in interstitial lung diseases. Mechanisms of airway wall remodeling, which occurs in a variety of chronic lung diseases, are not well defined and current animal models are limited. The authors quantified airway remodeling in lung sections from subjects with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and controls. To investigate intratracheal bleomycin as a potential animal model for fibrotic airway remodeling, the authors evaluated lungs from C57BL/6 mice after bleomycin treatment by histologic scoring for fibrosis and peribronchial inflammation, morphometric evaluation of subepithelial connective tissue volume density, TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP-mediated nick-end labeling) assay, and immunohistochemistry for transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1), TGFβ2, and the fibroblast marker S100A4. Lung mechanics were determined at 3 weeks post bleomycin. IPF lungs had small airway remodeling with increased bronchial wall thickness compared to controls. Similarly, bleomycin-treated mice developed dose-dependent airway wall inflammation and fibrosis and greater airflow resistance after high-dose bleomycin. Increased TUNEL(+) bronchial epithelial cells and peribronchial inflammation were noted by 1 week, and expression of TGFβ1 and TGFβ2 and accumulation of S100A4(+) fibroblasts correlated with airway remodeling in a bleomycin dose-dependent fashion. IPF is characterized by small airway remodeling in addition to parenchymal fibrosis, a pattern also seen with intratracheal bleomycin. Bronchial remodeling from intratracheal bleomycin follows a cascade of events including epithelial cell injury, airway inflammation, profibrotic cytokine expression, fibroblast accumulation, and peribronchial fibrosis. Thus, this model can be utilized to investigate mechanisms of airway remodeling.
Who Tortures the Terrorists? Transnational Terrorism and Military Torture

Do governments respond to terrorism with torture? Although governments face incentives to increase torture in response to terrorist attacks, previous research finds no relationship between terror and state torture. We argue that this is unsurprising because incentives to violate human rights differ across domestic government agencies. Using new data that disaggregates state torture by the government agency responsible for the abuse, we investigate the effect of transnational and domestic terrorism on torture perpetrated by military officials. We find that military agents—especially those in democracies—engage in substantively more widespread torture when confronted with terrorism and that this behavior is particularly likely in response to transnational attacks.
Computational design of second‐site suppressor mutations at protein–protein interfaces

The importance of a protein–protein interaction to a signaling pathway can be established by showing that amino acid mutations that weaken the interaction disrupt signaling, and that additional mutations that rescue the interaction recover signaling. Identifying rescue mutations, often referred to as second-site suppressor mutations, controls against scenarios in which the initial deleterious mutation inactivates the protein or disrupts alternative protein–protein interactions. Here, we test a structure-based protocol for identifying second-site suppressor mutations that is based on a strategy previously described by Kortemme and Baker. The molecular modeling software Rosetta is used to scan an interface for point mutations that are predicted to weaken binding but can be rescued by mutations on the partner protein. The protocol typically identifies three types of specificity switches: knob-in-to-hole redesigns, switching hydrophobic interactions to hydrogen bond interactions, and replacing polar interactions with nonpolar interactions. Computational predictions were tested with two separate protein complexes; the G-protein Gαi1 bound to the RGS14 GoLoco motif, and UbcH7 bound to the ubiquitin ligase E6AP. Eight designs were experimentally tested. Swapping a buried hydrophobic residue with a polar residue dramatically weakened binding affinities. In none of these cases were we able to identify compensating mutations that returned binding to wild-type affinity, highlighting the challenges inherent in designing buried hydrogen bond networks. The strongest specificity switches were a knob-in-to-hole design (20-fold) and the replacement of a charge–charge interaction with nonpolar interactions (55-fold). In two cases, specificity was further tuned by including mutations distant from the initial design. Proteins 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Borders on the mind: re-framing border thinking

From one viewpoint, interstate borders are simple ‘artefacts on the ground’. Borders exist for a variety of practical reasons and can be classified according to the purposes they serve and how they serve them. They enable a whole host of important political, social, and economic activities. From a very different perspective, borders are artefacts of dominant discursive processes that have led to the fencing off of chunks of territory and people from one another. Such processes can change and as they do, borders live on as residual phenomena that may still capture our imagination but no longer serve any essential purpose. Yet, what if, although still necessary for all sorts of reasons, borders are also inherently problematic? We need to change the way in which we think about borders to openly acknowledge their equivocal character. In other words, we need to see a border not as that which is either fixed or that as such must be overcome, but as an evolving construction that has both practical merits and demerits that must be constantly reweighed. Thinking about borders should be opened up to consider territorial spaces as ‘dwelling’ rather than national spaces and to see political responsibility for pursuit of a ‘decent life’ as extending beyond the borders of any particular state. Borders matter, then, both because they have real effects and because they trap thinking about and acting in the world in territorial terms. Keywords: borders, frontiers, decent life, dwelling, territory, heterotopia, globalization (Published online: 7 November 2008) Citation: Ethics & Global Politics. Vol. 1, No. 4, 2008, pp. 175-191. DOI: 10.3402/egp.v1i4.1892
Semi active internal model control for passive disturbance rejection

This paper presents novel results on the asymptotic rejection of periodic disturbances utilizing no external power sources. The exposition is done for Single Input, Single Output linear time invariant systems that have a passive characteristic; representative of many vibration control schemes. The Internal Model Control approach is utilized to develop a controller that will asymptotically track reference commands or reject disturbances. The passivity of the open loop system is then utilized to determine a controller that acts in a semi-active fashion for the disturbance rejection case only. Two issues are addressed: overall closed loop stability and asymptotic rejection of the disturbance. The resulting controller leads to a discontinuous dynamic system and methods are given for handling this. Experimental results on a Single Degree of Freedom electromechanical testbed verify the performance and advantages of the Send Active Internal Model (SAIM) method. By carefully modulating the rate of energy dissipation, performance levels akin to fully active vibration control can be achieved without utilizing external power.
Speech Translation for Triage of Emergency Phonecalls in Minority Languages

We describe Ayudame, a system designed to recognize and translate Spanish emergency calls for better dispatching. We analyze the research challenges in adapting speech translation technology to 9-1-1 domain. We report our initial research in 9-1-1 translation system design, ASR experiments, and utterance classification for translation.
Mechanical dissociation of bronchi from parenchyma in the immature piglet lung.

Previous studies of isolated piglet lungs suggested that local distending forces around bronchi might be relatively weak before postnatal growth and maturation. The present study used tantalum bron...
CO2 and pH Independently Modulate L-Type Ca2+ Current in Rabbit Carotid Body Glomus Cells

The carotid bodies respond to changes in arterial O2, CO2, and pH, and Ca2+ influx via voltage-gated Ca2+ channels is an important step in the chemoreception process. The objectives of the present ...
Standards for Certification of Appellate Specialists

This practice note surveys state requirements for certification of appellate practice specialists.
Calliandra anthoniae (Leguminosae, Mimosoideae, Ingeae), a new species, and a new combination in Pseudopiptadenia Rauschert (Leguminosae, Mimosoideae, Mimoseae)

Calliandra anthoniae is described and illustrated, and the combinationPseudopiptadenia suaveolens is made.
Urinary Flow Measurements Via Acoustic Signatures with Application to Telemedicine

ow measurements from acoustic signatures of of the urine stream produced by their impact on a liquid free surface. This hypothesis is driven by conceptually similar studies in the acoustics literature which have successfully correlated rainfall rates to sound emissions resulting from jet and droplet impacts on lakes and other large bodies of water. This approach, known as ‘sonouroowmetry’ (SUF), if shown to be feasible and of sucient accuracy could represent an attractive application for telemedicine. We report on acoustic measurements and correlation/trends obtained from controlled experimental simulations of male urination as well as limited clinical measurements. It is found that at physiological ow levels there is a general correlation between increasing
Nanjing Venereal Outpatient Syphilis Antibody Detection Results Analysis

Objective:To investigate the situation of syphilis infection in Nanjing City STD clinic patients. Method:The collection of Nanjing City STD clinic patients blood samples of 2255,while RPR and TPPA test for syphilis. Result:The STD clinic patients three years a total of 2255 copies,266 copies of syphilis antibody positive,the positive rate was 11.80%. The average positive rate was 10.05% in male( 134/1333 ),the average positive rate of female was 14.32%( 132/922 ),no significant difference. Syphilis in patients with RPR negative and TPPA positive accounted for 22.93%. Conclusion: Syphilis patients negative for RPR and TPPA for early syphilis positive proportion increases,should cause height to take seriously.
Production Benefit and Cultivation Techniques of Ratooning Rice

Economic benefit of ratooning rice was analyzed in this paper.The results showed that economic benefit and input-output ratio of ratooning rice were improved by 93.75% and 12.68%,respectively,as compared with the single cropping rice.The cultivation techniques had the merit of saving labors and cost as well as high yield and high efficiency.Cultivation techniques of ratooning rice for high yield were also expounded.
The nature of the intraperitoneal exudate associated with infertility: peritoneal fluid and serum lysozyme activity.

An intraperitoneal inflammatory process has been associated with infertility in women without anatomic distortion of the pelvic viscera, particularly with endometriosis. This phenomenon was investigated by measuring peritoneal fluid (PF) and serum levels of a major secretory product of the macrophage, lysozyme, in fertile and infertile women undergoing laparoscopy. Serum lysozyme levels were in the normal range and did not correlate with total PF lysozyme. Regression analysis revealed a negative correlation between adnexal adhesions and PF volume (P
Abstract 341: The Revascularization Heart Team: Feasibility and Cross-sectional Patient Profile in a Large Academic Center

The American College of Cardiology guidelines assign a Class IC recommendation for the use of a Heart Team approach in the treatment of complex coronary artery disease (CAD). However, doubts remain regarding the practical application and functionality of this method in providing routine cardiovascular care. We sought to assess the feasibility of the Heart Team approach to adjudicate complex CAD through analyzing personnel participation, as well as anatomic and comorbid patient characteristics. From May to October, 2012 we convened a daily Heart Team meeting to discuss evidence based management of patients with complex CAD. All cases were comprehensively reviewed by a team of interventional cardiologists, non-invasive cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, and anesthesiologists within 72 hours of angiography in our health system. Meetings occurred on average 3.5 days per week and included an average of 4 physicians from the multidisciplinary team. Patient profiles are detailed in Table 1. Recommendations for treatment were made based on a consensus decision amongst the group, and ultimately 20% of patients received medical therapy, 26.4% underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), 38.2 % had coronary bypass with or without valve repair or replacement, 0.9% went for minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass, and 2.7% were treated with a hybrid procedure including PCI followed by surgery. We found a structured Heart Team approach to be feasible, and effective in formulating revascularization strategies for individual patients. This represents a successful model for the implementation of the Heart Team in routine care, which has great potential to positively influence quality of care. Further analyses are being explored to evaluate the impact of the Heart Team on patient outcomes. ![Graphic][1] [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif
CAMPHOR-DERIVED AFFINITY REAGENTS FOR SPECIFIC LABELING OF CYTOCHROME P-450 CAM : SYNTHESIS AND APPLICATION OF ISOBORNYL MERCAPTAN

D(-)-Isobornyl mercaptan (IBM) was prepared from D(-)- Isoborneol to serve as a reversible, covalent label of the putative substrate binding cysteine of P-450 CAM . The binding difference spectrum shows maxima at 383 nm and 470 nm, characteristic of lipophylic thiols, representing two predominant orientations in the active site. The K D for IBM is 0.47 μM, significantly lower than that of the substrate camphor. Reconstitution of the camphor methylene hydroxylase system shows that IBM is able to stimulate oxidation of NADH.
Mythology remains: one more tale behind The Principles of Scientific Management

AbstractF.W. Taylor had a vision for his Principles of Scientific Management (PSM) to be read by experts of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers ahead of general public. Taylor printed his work privately and raced to distribute it to experts prior to popular release. It has been a standard notion in management history to date that Taylor won that race. Previously unpublished materials in the guise of archival sources, including the Library of Congress’ catalogs of copyright entries and the U.S. Copyright Office’s applications of copyright registration reveal a different history: Taylor’s victory was a myth that never materialized. Against Taylor’s wishes and contrary to what historians accepted as accurate – non-experts read and judged Taylor’s treatise first – the situation that Taylor tenaciously raced to avoid and conclusively failed to. What new evidence tells about the publication of PSM deviates from what is currently known about this important chapter of management history, but it also reve...
Identifying Unique Challenges to the Provision of Rehabilitation Services on the Navajo Reservation.

The purpose of this study was to Investigate client factors related to the success or failure of American Indians in the Navajo Vocational Rehabilitation Project (NVRP). Previous information from rehabilitation service providers, including both state and Indian vocational rehabilitation project staff, indicated that there were barriers to service delivery unique to reservation-based Indians. However, little formal documentation of those barriers existed in the professional literature. It was the intent of this study to systematically review individual case files and provide documentation of client, family, communication, and service system variables that influence the success or failure of NVRP clients. Several variables were identified through discriminate function analysis as predictive of successful case closure in the Navajo Vocational Rehabilitation System.
The dynamic complexity of transitive closure is in DynTC 0

This paper presents a fully dynamic algorithm for maintaining the transitive closure of a binary relation. All updates and queries can be computed by constant depth threshold circuits of polynomial size (TC0 circuits). This places dynamic transitive closure in the dynamic complexity class DynTC0, and implies that transitive closure can be maintained in database systems that include first-order update queries and aggregation operators, using a database with size polynomial in the size of the relation.
Urea cycle and other disorders of hyperammonemia

Hyperammonemia, characterized by excess ammonia in the blood, can be a life-threatening condition. Clinical symptoms are nonspecific, and include poor feeding, lethargy, irritability, tachypnea, seizures, obtundation, and respiratory insufficiency. Hyperammonemia is due to defect in detoxification or overproduction of ammonia. Defects in the urea cycle lead to the most severe hyperammonemia. Other causes of hyperammonemia include various metabolic defects such as certain organic acidurias, fatty acid oxidation defects, drugs and liver disease. The most important diagnostic test for the diagnosis of hyperammonemia is measuring plasma ammonia. Various biomarkers are used for the differential diagnosis of hyperammonia. They include plasma and urine amino acid profiles, urine organic acid profiles, and plasma acylcarnitine profiles. Management of acute hyperammonia includes discontinuation of protein intake, and treatment with nitrogen scavengers and glucose. Arginine is administrated in all urea cycle defects except arginase deficiency. Disease follow-up biomarkers include plasma ammonia levels, specific amino acids, and urine orotic acid. Since patients are on a low protein diet, markers of nutritional deficiency are also monitored.
Retrofitting the Regulated Power Plant: Optimizing Energy Allocation to Electricity Generation, Water Treatment, and Carbon Capture Processes at Coal-Fired Generating Facilities

Minimizing the human health and environmental impacts from electricity generation at existing coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) will require extensive plant retrofit, but the separations technologies for reducing CO2 and wastewater emissions at CFPPs are energy intensive. This paper quantifies the electricity generation efficiency and revenue implications of allocating electricity, steam, or residual heat to these emission control processes under several different regulatory scenarios. We develop an energy balance model of the National Energy Technology Laboratory’s 550 MW CFPP without carbon capture (CC) and add models of five CC technologies (one electricity driven and four thermal processes) and five wastewater treatment (WT) technologies (one electricity driven and four thermal processes) to comply with the Clean Power Plan and Effluent Limitation Guidelines emissions regulations. Plant revenue is maximized by utilizing residual heat for WT or CC, but the optimal allocation of limited residual heat reso...
Dribbble: Exploring the Concept of Viral Events on an Art World Social Network Site

While virality is a much-studied topic on popular social media sites, it has been rarely explored on sites like Dribbble, a social networking site for artists and designers. Using a mixed-method approach, we explore virality from a user-centric perspective. Interviews with informants confirm that viral-like events do exist on Dribbble, though what spreads are stylistic choices. While what spreads is different than on other platforms, our work suggests that the mechanics that drive these events are similar, suggesting an underlying social phenomenon that is reflected in different ways on different platforms. Our results are supported by regression modeling using variables identified by our informants. Our work contributes to social media studies since smaller sites like Dribbble are rarely studied, particularly using mixed methods approaches, as well as to the body of research around information diffusion and viral events.
Investigation of inrush currents during a short circuit test on a 440 MVA, 400 kV GSU transformer

The intention of this paper is to provide specific information about Elin’s short circuit test experience, which was obtained during tests on a 440 MVA, 400 kV three phase generator step up transformer, performed and certified by the KEMA High Power Laboratory in the Netherlands. One specific challenge for the transformer manufacturer at the pre-set short circuit test method, is the appearance of undesirable inrush currents and saturation effects, which is investigated in this paper by means of an adequate non-linear magnetic circuit model of the transformer. The inrush current effects on core saturation are simulated by the computer model and compared with the experiences at the real short circuit test. Finally, the impact of inrush currents on axial winding forces is discussed and some efforts by the manufacturer as well as by the testing laboratory to reduce inrush currents are described.
A Remote Joint System for Large Vacuum Ducts

A large remote vacuum duct joining system has been developed for fusion machines that uses several two-jaw screwdriven clamps. The preferred location for clamp installation is inside the vacuum duct where access space is available for the actuating device. It also decreases space needed for handling operations exterior to the duct. The clamp system is unique in that it is low cost, applies force directly over the seal, permits leak testing to the seal annulus, is highly reliable, can be remotely replaced, and is usable on a variety of other applications.
CHAPTER 7 – The Phylogeny of Ratite Birds: Resolving Conflicts between Molecular and Morphological Data Sets

The chapter attempts to investigate paleognath interrelationships and further augments both morphological and molecular data sets. It describes several new postcranial characters and adds new characters to the osteological database, based on an examination of cranial morphology. Within the framework of paleognath monophyly, the debate has shifted to controversies over the interrelationships among the ratites. At the heart of this debate are apparent conflicts over, first, what morphological characters appear to tell us about those interrelationships, and second, the seemingly disparate relationships implied by several different molecular data sets, on the one hand, and morphology, on the other. Because DNA hybridization distances suggest that the relative rates in the nuclear genome are essentially parallel to those in the mitochondrial genome, there is at least some reason to predict that any long-branch artifacts of clustering arising within one data set might also be present in the other. Thus, the fact that there is congruence in results from DNA hybridization studies and those based on mitochondrial gene sequences does not necessarily constitute a sufficient reason for believing that molecular data is producing a robust estimate of relationships.
The Professional Socialization of Early Career Medical Laboratory Scientists

The medical laboratory science profession has faced more than twenty-years of a workforce shortage. One component that plays a role in the workforce shortage is the attrition of early career medical laboratory scientists shortly after graduation from an accredited medical laboratory science educational program. This study seeks to identify factors that contribute to the professional socialization of early career clinical laboratory scientists. In this study early career medical laboratory scientists9 express high levels of professional behaviors and attitudes coupled with a strong professional identity necessary to remain in the medical laboratory science profession. In addition, this study identified the presence of a theory-practice transition gap that may contribute to retention and attrition of new professional9s as they transition from the classroom into the medical laboratory workforce. ABBREVIATIONS: MLS - Medical Laboratory Science, RG - Recent Graduate, NAACLS – National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science, ASCLS – American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science
Doubling theorem and boundary states of five-dimensional Weyl semimetal

We study the generic band structures of the five-dimensional (5D) Weyl semimetal, in which the band degeneracies are 2D Weyl surfaces in the momentum space, and may have nontrivial linkings with each other if they carry nonzero second Chern numbers. We prove a number of theorems constraining the topological linking configurations of the Weyl surfaces, which can be viewed as a 5D generalization of the celebrated doubling theorem for 3D Weyl semimetal. As a direct physical consequence of these constraints, the 5D Weyl semimetal hosts a rich structure of topological boundary states. We show that on the 4D boundary of the 5D Weyl semimetal, there are 3D chiral Fermi hypersurfaces protected by bulk Weyl surfaces. On top of that, for bulk Weyl surfaces that are linked and carry nonzero second Chern numbers, the associated boundary 3D Fermi hypersurfaces will shrink to singularities at certain energies, which trace out a protected 1D Weyl nodal arc, in analogy to the Fermi arc on the 3D Weyl semimetal surface.
Gang Influence: Mediating the Gang–Delinquency Relationship With Proactive Criminal Thinking:

Controlling for basic demographic variables, parental knowledge, prosocial peer associations, and precursor measures of each outcome, the current study sought to compare two putative intervening me...
Origins of scaling relations of globular cluster systems

Globular cluster (GC) systems demonstrate tight scaling relations with the properties of their host galaxies. In previous work, we developed an analytic model for GC formation in a cosmological context and showed that it matches nearly all of the observed scaling relations across 4 orders of magnitude in host galaxy mass. Motivated by the success of this model, we investigate in detail the physical origins and evolution of these scaling relations. The ratio of the combined mass in GCs $M_{\rm GC}$ to the host dark matter halo mass $M_h$ is nearly constant at all redshifts, but its normalization evolves by a factor of $\sim$10 from birth to $z=0$. The relation is steeper than linear at halo masses $M_h \lesssim 10^{11.5} M_{\odot}$, primarily due to non-linearity in the stellar mass-halo mass relation. The near constancy of the ratio $M_{\rm GC}/M_h$, combined with the shape of the stellar mass-halo mass relation, sets the characteristic $U-$shape of the GC specific frequency as a function of host galaxy mass. The contribution of accreted satellite galaxies to the buildup of GC systems is a strong function of the host galaxy mass, ranging from $\approx$0% at $M_h \approx 10^{11} M_{\odot}$ to 80% at $M_h \approx 10^{15} M_{\odot}$. The metal-poor clusters are significantly more likely to form ex-situ relative to the metal-rich clusters, but a substantial fraction of metal-poor clusters still form in-situ in lower mass galaxies. Similarly, the fraction of red clusters increases from $\approx 10$% at $M_h = 10^{11} M_{\odot}$ to $\approx 60$% at $M_h \approx 10^{13} M_{\odot}$, and flattens at higher $M_h$. Clusters formation occurs essentially continuously at high redshift, while at low redshift galactic mergers become increasingly important for cluster formation.
CHANGES IN THE DISTRIBUTION AND STATUS OF THE FRESHWATER MUSSEL (BIVALVIA: UNIONIDA) FAUNA OF THE JAMES RIVER BASIN, MISSOURI

During 2009–2010, we qualitatively surveyed new and existing locations in the James River Basin, Missouri, to update the distribution and status of the freshwater mussel fauna and determine if changes had occurred over a 25-year period. We calculated a suite of metrics to measure richness, diversity, and community composition. We observed significantly fewer live taxa in the James River mainstem and significantly fewer live individuals in Finley Creek than in a 1982–1984 survey effort, including a nearly complete collapse of the mussel fauna in Finley Creek. Basin-wide and across species, values for probability of extirpation were significantly higher than values for probability of colonization, and all tribes had higher probabilities of local extirpation than colonization. Even locations in the James River Basin with relatively high species richness represented low diversity. In the James River mainstem, declines in diversity and abundance were seen throughout the river, but especially below the confluence with Wilsons Creek.
Dividend Smoothing: An Agency Explanation and New Evidence

In spite of considerable research into firm dividend behavior, dividend smoothing has eluded a definitive explanation. This paper provides an agency interpretation of dividend smoothing and offers evidence that variation in corporate governance and managerial incentive conflicts explains differences in intertemporal properties of dividends. We argue that smooth dividends are an alternative to traditional corporate governance mechanisms. Empirically, we document a greater degree of dividend smoothing, fewer dividend cuts, and a trend towards regular incremental dividend increases at firms with weak traditional monitoring mechanisms. The effect of governance on dividend changes is largest for firms with high free cash flow. We document consistent patterns for total shareholder payout and overall commitment to external claimholders. However, dividends and repurchases are not perfect substitutes and adjustments to repurchases are secondary to the weakly governed managers’ need to sustain dividends.
Development of a Physiologically-Based Mathematical Model for Quantifying Nanoparticle Distribution in Tumors

Nanomedicine holds promise for the treatment of cancer, as it enables tumor-targeted drug delivery. However, reports on translation of most nanomedicine strategies to the clinic so far have been less than satisfactory, in part due to insufficient understanding of the effects of nanoparticle (NP) physiochemical properties and physiological variables on their pharmacological behavior. In this paper, we present a multiscale mathematical model to examine the efficacy of NP delivery to solid tumors; as a case example, we apply the model to a clinically detectable primary pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) to assess tissue-scale spatiotemporal distribution profiles of NPs. We integrate NP systemic disposition kinetics with NP-cell interactions in PDAC abstractly described as a two-dimensional structure, which is then parameterized with human physiological data obtained from published literature. Through model analysis of delivery efficiency, we verify the multiscale approach by showing that NP concentration kinetics of interest in various compartments predicted by the whole-body scale model were in agreement with those obtained from the tissue-scale model. We also found that more NPs were trapped in the outer well-perfused tumor region than the inner semi-necrotic domain. Further development of the model may provide a useful tool for optimal NP design and physiological interventions.
Structural modeling of the Western Transverse Ranges: An imbricated thrust ramp architecture

16 pages, 11 figures, 1 appendix.-- In Appendix Table A1, we include the API numbers and coordinates for the wells we incorporated into our cross sections. Some of the wells were interpreted by the studies cited in our work, while others had a well log available through the Department of Conservation, California, website (https://maps.conservation.ca.gov/doggr/wellfinder/#close)
Highway crash detection and risk estimation using deep learning.

Abstract Crash Detection is essential in providing timely information to traffic management centers and the public to reduce its adverse effects. Prediction of crash risk is vital for avoiding secondary crashes and safeguarding highway traffic. For many years, researchers have explored several techniques for early and precise detection of crashes to aid in traffic incident management. With recent advancements in data collection techniques, abundant real-time traffic data is available for use. Big data infrastructure and machine learning algorithms can utilize this data to provide suitable solutions for the highway traffic safety system. This paper explores the feasibility of using deep learning models to detect crash occurrence and predict crash risk. Volume, Speed and Sensor Occupancy data collected from roadside radar sensors along Interstate 235 in Des Moines, IA is used for this study. This real-world traffic data is used to design feature set for the deep learning models for crash detection and crash risk prediction. The results show that a deep model has better crash detection performance and similar crash prediction performance than state of the art shallow models. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis was conducted for crash risk prediction using data 1-minute, 5-minutes and 10-minutes prior to crash occurrence. It was observed that is hard to predict the crash risk of a traffic condition, 10 min prior to a crash.
A Quantitative Digital Subtraction Angiography Technique for Characterizing Reduction in Hepatic Arterial Blood Flow During Transarterial Embolization.

There is no standardized and objective method for determining the optimal treatment endpoint (sub-stasis) during transarterial embolization. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of using a quantitative digital subtraction angiography (qDSA) technique to characterize intra-procedural changes in hepatic arterial blood flow velocity in response to transarterial embolization in an in vivo porcine model. Eight domestic swine underwent bland transarterial embolizations to partial- and sub-stasis angiographic endpoints with intraprocedural DSA acquisitions. Embolized lobes were assessed on histopathology for ischemic damage and tissue embolic particle density. Analysis of target vessels used qDSA and a commercially available color-coded DSA (ccDSA) tool to calculate blood flow velocities and time-to-peak, respectively. Blood flow velocities calculated using qDSA showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.01) between partial- and sub-stasis endpoints, whereas time-to-peak calculated using ccDSA did not show a significant difference. During the course of embolizations, the average correlation with volume of particles delivered was larger for qDSA (− 0.86) than ccDSA (0.36). There was a statistically smaller mean squared error (p < 0.01) and larger coefficient of determination (p < 0.01) for qDSA compared to ccDSA. On pathology, the degree of embolization as calculated by qDSA had a moderate, positive correlation (p < 0.01) with the tissue embolic particle density of ischemic regions within the embolized lobe. qDSA was able to quantitatively discriminate angiographic embolization endpoints and, compared to a commercially available ccDSA method, improve intra-procedural characterization of blood flow changes. Additionally, the qDSA endpoints correlated with tissue-level changes.
Caffeine for preterm infants: Fixed standard dose, adjustments for age or high dose?

Abstract Caffeine is an effective treatment for apnea of prematurity and has several important benefits, including decreasing respiratory morbidity and motor impairment. In this article, we focus on the dose of caffeine. We review the evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of standard caffeine dosing and alternative dosing approaches, including the use of high dose caffeine and routine dose adjustments for age. Current evidence suggests high dose caffeine may provide additional benefit in reducing the risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and extubation failure, but may also increase the risk of cerebellar hemorrhage and seizures. Increasing the standard caffeine citrate dose every 1–2 weeks to a goal dose of 8 mg per kilogram every 24 h may help maintain therapeutic effect. We conclude by highlighting the need for additional trials before high dose caffeine is routinely used.
Development of a wild-type Escherichia coli environmental bloom model to evaluate alternatives to formaldehyde fumigation in broiler chicken hatch cabinets.

Horizontal transmission of opportunistic Escherichia coli during hatch can have detrimental effects on early performance, particularly as pioneer colonizers. Commercially, formaldehyde is often applied in the United States to combat the bacterial bloom that occurs inside of the hatching environment. The purpose of these experiments was to develop a replicable E. coli horizontal challenge model to evaluate alternatives to formaldehyde sanitation applied to the hatching environment. In experiment 1, two trials were conducted for 2 wild-type (WT) E. coli isolates (isolate 1 [I1] or isolate 2 [I2]) to determine the appropriate in ovo challenge dose and day of embryogenesis (DOE) for challenge administration. In experiment 1 trial 1, the most appropriate inoculation dose and time point were determined to be 102 cfu/embryo on DOE 19. Experiment 1 trial 2 evaluated whether placement of seeder (direct-challenged) embryos with contact (indirect-challenged) embryos during hatch affected contact hatchability. Trial 2 showed no differences in hatchability between groups. A 7-day experiment (experiment 1 trial 2) was conducted to evaluate the effects of I1 or I2 on horizontal transmission, gram-negative bacterial (GNB) recovery from the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), and impact on BW gain (BWG). Compared with the negative control, seeder, and contact chicks challenged with I1 or I2, we observed increased (P < 0.05) GNB recovered from GIT on the day of hatch. There was a marked (P < 0.05) reduction in 7-day BWG between the I1 indirect-challenged group and the negative control group. To further validate the model, 2 7-day trials (experiment 2, experiment 3) were conducted to evaluate the effects of formaldehyde fumigation on coliform recovery from the hatching environment and on early performance using I1 for the challenge. Isolate 1 positive control hatchers had increased levels of circulating coliforms compared with the negative control and formaldehyde-treated hatchers, although there was no significant impact on performance induced by challenge or formaldehyde treatment in experiment 2 or experiment 3. These data provide a potential model for investigations related to horizontal transmission of WT E. coli at a low dose on DOE 19 to promote simulated commercially relevant bacterial blooms under laboratory conditions.
Regulatory B cells in cancer

Tumorigenesis proceeds through discrete steps where acquisition of genetic lesions and changes in the surrounding microenvironment combine to drive unrestricted neoplastic proliferation and metastasis. The ability of tumor-infiltrating immune cells to promote tumor growth via the provision of signals that enable tumor cell survival and proliferation as well as contribute to immune suppression is an active area of research. Recent efforts have provided us with mechanistic insights into how B cells can positively and negatively regulate immune responses. Negative regulation of immune responses in cancer can be mediated by regulatory B cells and is often a result of increased production of cytokines that can directly and indirectly affect anti-tumor immune function and cancer cell growth. Signals that lead to the expansion of regulatory B cells and the spectrum of their functional roles are not well understood and are the subject of active research by many groups. Here, we elaborate broadly on the history of regulatory B cells in cancer and summarize recent studies that have established genetic models for the study of regulatory B cell function and their potential for therapeutic intervention in the setting of solid cancers.
Culture and the Environment in the Pacific Northwest

Douglas and Wildavsky argue that environmental activism is rooted in an egalitarian cultural bias. Others, like Paehlke, counter that environmental commitments and concerns are autonomous from redistributive concerns. Students of the “New Politics” agree that environmentalism is autonomous from conventional left-right distributive concerns but also argue that environmental attitudes and beliefs are embedded in “postmaterial” values, such as citizen participation. Still other scholars emphasize a cultural consensus around environmental values and beliefs. What distinguishes environmental activists, in this view, is less what they believe than their willingness to make sacrifices for those values and beliefs. Drawing upon several surveys of environmental groups and the mass public in the Pacific Northwest, we test these four hypotheses and find that the Douglas-Wildavsky “cultural theory,” although not without its limitations, appears to provide the more satisfactory account of environmental preferences.
Near-Fully Efficient, Back-Conversion Suppressed OPA and Efficient Upconversion of Fractional Harmonics

We show simultaneous phase matching of OPA and idler SHG suppresses back-conversion in OPA. Spatiotemporal analysis of LNB-based devices demonstrates femtosecond pulse amplification with 45% signal energy efficiency and efficient fractional-harmonic upconversion of the pump.
Improved window energy efficiency with thermal insulating polymer-air multilayer

Abstract Polymer-air multilayer (PAM) was developed to reduce the heat loss through windowpane. A PAM consists of a few polymer films separated from each other by air gaps. Thanks to the excellent optical properties of the polymer films, the visible transmittance of PAM is higher than 70%, and the haze is ~1.8%. PAM not only has mechanisms to reduce the conductive and convective heat transfer, but also can obstruct the radiative heat transfer. By mounting a 6 mm-thick 4-layer PAM on the indoor side of a glass pane, the overall U-factor is lowered from 5.8 W/(m2·K) to 2.85 W/(m2·K) . PAM is resilient and robust, attractive for the window retrofitting applications.
Effects of Reflection and Refraction of Ultrasonic Waves on the Angle Beam Inspection of Anisotropic Composite Material

Nondestructive testing of composite materials by ultrasonic techniques has several specific features resulting from strong material anisotropy and inhomogeneity. This requires reexamination of old testing methodologies and development of new ones. The latest developments in this direction were recently reviewed by Henneke and Duke [1] and by Bar-Cohen [2].