cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of missing pellet surface geometry on cladding stress distribution and magnitude

Abstract Missing pellet surface (MPS) defects are local geometric defects in nuclear fuel pellets that result from pellet mishandling or manufacturing. The presence of MPS defects can cause significant clad stress concentrations that can lead to through-wall cladding failure for certain combinations of fuel burnup, and reactor power level or power change. Consequently, the impact of MPS defects has limited the rate of power increase, or ramp rate, in both pressurized and boiling water reactors (PWRs and BWRs, respectively). Improved three-dimensional (3-D) fuel performance models of MPS defect geometry can provide better understanding of the probability for pellet clad mechanical interaction (PCMI), and correspondingly the available margin against cladding failure by stress corrosion cracking (SCC). The Consortium of Advanced Simulations of Light Water Reactors (CASL) has been developing the Bison-CASL fuel performance code to consider the inherently multi-physics and multi-dimensional mechanisms that control fuel behavior, including cladding stress concentrations resulting from MPS defects. This paper evaluates the cladding hoop stress distributions as a function of MPS defect geometry with discrete pellet radial cracks for a set of typical operating conditions in a PWR fuel rod. The results provide a first step toward a probabilistic approach to assess cladding failure during power maneuvers. This analysis provides insight into how varying pellet defect geometries affect the distribution of the cladding stress, as well as the temperature distributions within the fuel and clad; and are used to develop stress concentration factors for comparing 2-D and 3-D models.
Modulation of stimulated acid secretion by dibutyryl cyclic AMP in the dog stomach.

ABSTRACT An in vivo canine gastric chamber preparation was used to determine cffects of exogenous cyclic AMP and dibutyryl cyclic AMP on histamine-driven acid secretion and the role of blood flow in these responses. Histamine was infused intravenously at a submaximal rate (1.2 μ g/kg-min) followed by the intraarterial infusion of either cyclic AMP (0.15 mg/kg-min) or dibutyryl cyclic AMP (0.15 mg/kg-min). Acid secretion and mucosal blood flow (aminopyrine clearance) were measured at 15-minute intervals, and electrical potential difference was measured continuously. Histamine alone decreased the potential difference from 82- mV to 48 mV within 60 minutes, increased aminopyrine clearance from 1.0 ml/min to 2.4 ml/min and increased acid output to 220 μ Eq/15 min. All values returned towards control following termination of histamine infusion. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP significantly increased histamine stimulated acid secretion to 350 μ Eq/15 min, but did not alter mucosal blood flow or electrical potential. Cyclic AMP did not change secretory, circulatory or electrical responses to histamine. Therefore, dibutyryl cyclic AMP appears to increase histamine-stimulated acid secretion, and the effect is not mediated by increased mucosal blood flow.
Technology for Early Braille Literacy: Comparison of Traditional Braille Instruction and Instruction with an Electronic Notetaker

IntroductionThe study reported here evaluated whether there was a difference in students’ outcomes for braille fluency when instruction was provided with traditional braille media or refreshable br...
A message from the conference chair

It is my great pleasure to extend a welcome to all of you who are participating in SERA2016 (the 14th IEEE/ACIS International Conference on Software Engineering, Research, Management & Applications) being held at Baltimore, Maryland, USA, June 8 to 10, 2016. The conference is sponsored by the IEEE Computer Society and the International Association for Computer and Information Sciences (ACIS), hosted by Towson University. The SERA 2016 conference provides an international forum where researchers, practitioners and advanced graduate students are invited to share their experience and exchange new ideas related to all aspects of software engineering research and applications. The conference particularly welcomes contributions at the junction of theory and practice, which serve to disseminate research with an immediate impact on applications. The conference is structured to cover the complete software lifecycle from design through deployment to maintenance and evolution. In this conference, we will have keynote speech by Professor Lawrence Chung, University of Texas at Dallas, who has been well-recognized expert in Requirements Engineering, System/Software Architecture and Systems Engineering. Hope that his talk will be fruitful to all of us who are participating in SERA2016.
An Evaluation of the Kinetics of Microwave Doneness Indicators.

The kinetics of MicroRite™ microwave doneness indicator (DI) tags were evaluated at six constant temperatures for six tag widths using the relationship: width2 = k*time. The rate constant results fit the Arrhenius, ln k vs. 1/T, relationship very well (r2 = 0.85). The DI tags performed as predicted by the determined kinetic parameters under variable temperature conditions both external and internal to a microwave oven. Microwave foods with three package designs were cooked at 400 to 1000 W while monitoring internal and surface temperatures. The time/temperature profile of the food was used to determine the DI tag width that would indicate the cook time necessary to insure that a seven log cycle reduction in vegetative pathogen number had occurred.
Diagnostic accuracy of hepatorenal index in the detection and grading of hepatic steatosis

Purpose The objectives of our study were to assess the accuracy of hepatorenal index (HRI) in detection and grading of hepatic steatosis and to evaluate various factors that can affect the HRI measurement. Methods Forty-five patients, who had undergone an abdominal sonographic examination within 30 days of liver biopsy, were enrolled. The HRI was calculated as the ratio of the mean brightness levels of the liver and renal parenchymas. The effect of the measurement technique on the HRI was evaluated by using various sizes, depths, and locations of the regions of interest (ROIs) in the liver. The measurements were obtained by two observers. The HRI was compared with the subjective grading of steatosis. Results The optimal HRI cutoff to detect steatosis was 2.01, yielding a sensitivity of 62.5% and specificity of 95.2%. Subjective grading had a sensitivity of 87.5% and specificity of 62.5%. HRIs of the hepatic steatosis group were statistically different from the no-steatosis group (p < 0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference between mild steatosis and no-steatosis groups (p value = 0.72). There was a strong correlation between different HRIs based on variable placements of ROIs, except when the ROIs were positioned randomly. Interclass correlation coefficient for measurements performed by two observers was 0.74 (confidence interval: 0.58–0.86). Conclusions The HRI is an effective tool for detecting hepatic steatosis. It provides similar accuracy for different methods of ROI placement (except for random placement) and has good interobserver agreement. It, however, is unable to effectively differentiate between absent and mild steatosis. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 44:580–586, 2016
Advances in Prostate Cancer Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography for Staging and Radiotherapy Treatment Planning

Conventional prostate cancer staging strategies have limited accuracy to define the location, grade, and burden of disease. Evaluations have historically relied upon prostate-specific antigen levels, digital rectal examinations, random systematic biopsies, computed tomography, pelvic lymphadenectomy, or 99mtechnetium methylene diphosphonate bone scans. Today, risk-stratification tools incorporate these data in a weighted format to guide management. However, the limitations and potential consequences of their uncertainties are well known. Inaccurate information may contribute to understaging and undertreatment, or overstaging and overtreatment. Meanwhile, advances in multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), whole-body MRI, lymphotropic nanoparticle-enhanced MRI, and positron emission tomography are now available to improve the accuracy of risk stratification to facilitate more informed medical decisions. They also guide radiation oncologists to develop more accurate treatment plans. This review provides a primer to incorporate these advances into routine clinical workflow.
Asymptotics for Number Fields and Class Groups

This article is an exposition of some of the basic questions of arithmetic statistics (counting number fields and distribution of class groups) aimed at readers new to the area. Instead of a thorough treatment of the most general cases, it treats the simplest cases in detailed way, with an emphasis on connections and perspectives that are well known to experts but absent from the literature.
Proven Effectiveness of Missouri 4-H Camps in Developing Life Skills in Youth

Camping is generally believed to be a context for positive youth development. The 4-H Camp environments presumably focus on the development of life skills including managing and thinking; relating and caring; giving and working and; living and being. However, the effectiveness of the Missouri 4-H Camp environments in developing life skills among campers had never been evaluated in a consistent manner across the multiple camping programs. In order to evaluate the efficacy of these camp programs, resident campers within the 10-13 year age range were surveyed about their camping experience during the summer of 2005 and a similar group was surveyed in 2006. Parents of campers were also surveyed both years to gather their perceptions of 4-H Camp’s impact on their children in developing the life skill areas identified above. Parents and youth agreed strongly that the 4-H Camp experience was substantially valuable in developing the life skills identified in the Targeting Life Skills Model (Hendricks, 1998).
Novel Molecular Imaging Detects Evidence of Altered Bone Marrow Biology in Myeloma Precursor Disease (MGUS and smoldering myeloma): A Prospective Clinical Study

Abstract Abstract 2888 Despite its poor sensitivity to detect bone lesions, its inability to define focal disease in the bone marrow, and its incapacity to identify extramedullary disease; skeletal survey remains the gold standard in multiple myeloma (MM). We conducted a prospective clinical study to evaluate novel molecular imaging in MM and its precursors (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, MGUS; smoldering myeloma, SMM). We included 10 MGUS, 10 SMM, and 10 MM (2/8; untreated/treated) patients. To define evidence of osteolytic lesions and extramedullary disease, all patients were assessed by skeletal survey, fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), 18F-sodium fluoride (18F-NaF) PET/CT. To assess bone marrow vascularity we conducted dynamic contrast enhanced-magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI). Using DCE-MRI, we compared exchange rate constants (contrast agent transit from the extravascular compartment to the intravascular compartment, kep ; movement of contrast agent from plasma to extravascular extracellular space, ktrans) with bone marrow biopsies immunostained with CD34 as measures of microvessel density (MVD). All but one MGUS patients were negative by 18F-FDG. One had indeterminate uptake in possible early myelomatous lesions but was negative on 18F-NaF. Two MGUS patients had unexplained focal uptake in bone (one in the left orbital sphenoid and another in the left temporal bone) without CT abnormalities. Two SMM patients had abnormalities by PET/CT. One SMM patient had subtle increased 18F-NaF PET uptake in T12 which corresponded to CT, MRI and DCE-MRI abnormalities in this region; 18F-FDG PET and skeletal survey were negative. Another SMM patient had increased 18F-FDG PET uptake in the left clavicle with negative 18F-NaF that was biopsy proven to be consistent with disease. In 8 MM patients, both 18F-FDG and 18F-NaF PET/CT showed mild to moderate positive PET uptake corresponding with CT abnormalities; the remaining 2 MM patients had CT abnormalities, which were 18F-NaF positive, corresponding with skeletal survey, while 18F-FDG PET was negative. Immunohistochemistry and kep were correlated (r=0.64 and p=0.0003), and DCE-MRI showed higher kep levels in MM versus MGUS patients (mean kep 9.4 vs. 5.0; p Novel molecular imaging techniques detected evidence of altered bone marrow biology in myeloma precursor disease, which was not found on skeletal survey. Our results emphasize the broad biological and clinical heterogeneity in myeloma precursor disease, and the need for molecularly defined phenotypes. This study provides new avenues for future investigations designed to (1) initiate/monitor early treatment in high-risk myeloma precursor disease and (2) to monitor minimal residual disease and/or to detect early relapse. Detailed imaging, clinical, and molecular data will be presented at the meeting. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
NEOSCAN: Phase II trial of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for resectable lung cancers with switch to chemo alternative in 18F-FDG PET nonresponders.

7515 Background: Perioperative chemotherapy improves survival in pts with resectable lung cancers. Administering chemotherapy prior to surgery enables assessment of response and opportunity to swit...
CK2.1, a bone morphogenetic protein receptor type Ia mimetic peptide, repairs cartilage in mice with destabilized medial meniscus

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee involves degeneration of articular cartilage of the diarthrodial joints. Current treatment options temporarily relieve the joint pain but do not restore the lost cartilage. We recently designed a novel bone morphogenetic protein receptor type I (BMPRI) mimetic peptide, CK2.1, that activates BMPRIa signaling in the absence of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP). Our previous research demonstrated that CK2.1 induced chondrogenesis in vitro and in vivo; however, it is unknown if CK2.1 restores damaged articular cartilage in vivo. In this study, we demonstrate that CK2.1 induced articular cartilage (AC) repair in an OA mouse model. We designed hyaluronic acid (HA)-based hydrogel particles (HGPs) that slowly release CK2.1. HGP-CK2.1 particles were tested for chondrogenic potency on pluripotent mesenchymal stem cells (C3H10T1/2 cells) and locally injected into the intra-articular capsule in mice with cartilage defects. C57BL/6J mice were operated on to destabilize the medial meniscus and these mice were kept for 6 weeks after surgery to sustain OA-like damage. Mice were then injected via the intra-articular capsule with HGP-CK2.1; 4 weeks after injection the mice were sacrificed and their femurs were analyzed for cartilage defects. Immunohistochemical analysis of the cartilage demonstrated complete repair of the AC compared to sham-operated mice. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed collagen type IX production along with collagen type II in the AC of mice injected with HGP-CK2.1. Mice injected with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and HGP alone had greater collagen type X and osteocalcin production, in sharp contrast to those injected with HGP-CK2.1, indicating increased chondrocyte hypertrophy. Our results demonstrate that the slow release HGP-CK2.1 drives cartilage repair without the induction of chondrocyte hypertrophy. The peptide CK2.1 could be a powerful tool in understanding the signaling pathways contributing to the repair process, and also may be used as a potential therapeutic for treating degenerative cartilage diseases such as OA.
Steroid Hormone Sulfation Catalyzed by Human Sulfotransferases SULT1E1 and SULT2A1 is Inhibited by Hydroxylated Metabolites of Commonly Observed Airborne Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent, lipophilic molecules with significant human toxicities that include cancer, thyroid abnormalities, diabetes, and other diseases. The volatile PCB co...
Performance improvement in time-delay linear consensus networks

We analyze performance of a class of time-delay first-order consensus networks from a graph topological perspective and present methods to improve it. The performance is measured by the network's square of ℋ 2 -norm and it is shown that it is a convex function of Laplacian eigenvalues and the coupling weights of the underlying graph of the network. First, we propose a tight convex, but simple, approximation of the performance measure in order to achieve lower complexity in our design problems by eliminating the need for eigen-decomposition. Next, we present three methods to improve the performance by growing, re-weighting, or sparsifying the underlying graph of the network. It is shown that our proposed algorithms provide near-optimal solutions with lower complexity with respect to existing methods in literature.
Clinically significant mutations in HIV-infected patients with lung adenocarcinoma

Lung cancer is a major cause of death in HIV-infected (HIV+) persons. In this study, we compared the prevalence of tumour EGFR and KRAS mutations in a cohort of lung adenocarcinoma patients by HIV status. We collected data from 55 HIV+ patients with lung adenocarcinoma matched to 136 uninfected comparators. We compared the prevalence of EGFR and KRAS mutations by HIV status. We then compared survival by HIV status and by cancer mutation status among HIV+ subjects. Presence of KRAS and EGFR genetic alterations did not vary by HIV status (all P>0.1). There was no difference in overall survival by HIV status or by mutation status among HIV+ subjects. We found no major differences in the prevalence of EGFR or KRAS lung adenocarcinoma mutations by HIV status, suggesting that mutational testing should be conducted similarly regardless of the HIV status.
Differentiation and Use of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells for Cardiovascular Therapy and Tissue Engineering

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are capable of differentiating into an unlimited number of cells of any lineage. Collectively, these properties suggest that hiPSC products may be an ideal source of cells for medical science and therapeutic use. Here, we discuss recent advancements in techniques for differentiating hiPSCs into cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells and in the use of hiPSC-derived cells for cardiovascular therapy and tissue engineering.
Candidate Image: When Tweets Trump Tradition

Donald Trump’s image as a presidential candidate was unconventional and non-traditional, upturning the long-held beliefs about candidate image and its relationship to electoral success. An analysis of 1687 tweets identifies the attributes of candidate image that are reflected in them. In addition, 157 of his tweets mentioned in newspaper articles were analyzed to provide an indication of the image attributes that gained earned media or “free publicity.” Comparing this subset of earned media tweets to all the tweets shows a difference between the candidate-projected image and the media-projected image. One-third of Trump’s tweets contained the anger/aggressive attribute, but a much higher percentage of these tweets was mentioned in the newspaper articles. The media coverage of Trump’s tweets helped him have a much higher value in earned media than his opponents. This advantage, coupled with his victories, leads to questions about how Trump’s tweets will affect candidate messaging and candidate image in future campaigns.
Current and Emerging Trends in Point-of-Care Technology and Strategies for Clinical Validation and Implementation.

BACKGROUND: Point-of-care technology (POCT) provides actionable information at the site of care to allow rapid clinical decision-making. With healthcare emphasis shifting toward precision medicine, population health, and chronic disease management, the potential impact of POCT continues to grow, and several prominent POCT trends have emerged or strengthened in the last decade. CONTENT: This review summarizes current and emerging trends in POCT, including technologies approved or cleared by the Food and Drug Administration or in development. Technologies included have either impacted existing clinical diagnostics applications (e.g., continuous monitoring and targeted nucleic acid testing) or are likely to impact diagnostics delivery in the near future. The focus is limited to in vitro diagnostics applications, although in some sections, technologies beyond in vitro diagnostics are also included given the commonalities (e.g., ultrasound plug-ins for smart phones). For technologies in development (e.g., wearables, noninvasive testing, mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance, paper-based diagnostics, nanopore-based devices, and digital microfluidics), we also discuss their potential clinical applications and provide perspectives on strategies beyond technological and analytical proof of concept, with the end goal of clinical implementation and impact. SUMMARY: The field of POCT has witnessed strong growth over the past decade, as evidenced by new clinical or consumer products or research and development directions. Combined with the appropriate strategies for clinical needs assessment, validation, and implementation, these and future POCTs may significantly impact care delivery and associated outcomes and costs.
Material Characteristics Evaluation of Existing Pre-Stressed Concrete Railroad Ties After Service Period

As an important element in track, pre-stressed concrete railroad ties in the high-speed rail industry must meet the safety and performance specifications of high-speed trains. Systematic destructive and non-destructive evaluation of existing concrete ties can lead to a better understanding of the effect of prestressed concrete tie material design on performance and failure within their service life. It has been evident that environmental and climate conditions also have a significant impact on concrete railroad ties, causing various forms of deterioration such as abrasion and freeze-thaw damage. Understanding of the material characteristics that cause failure in different types of existing concrete railroad ties taken from different places is the main focus of this paper. Observing the current status and damages of railroad ties taken from track might give a correlation between the material characteristic and type of distress and cracking seen. Although it has been seen by previous works that effective factors such as air void system and material composition directly affect the performance of concrete ties such as freeze-thaw, material evaluation of existing ties after service life has not been addressed in previous publications. In this research, the authors have investigated the material characteristic such as aggregate and air-void system of existing pre-stressed concrete railroad ties taken from track. However, compressive and splitting tensile strength and fractured surface of samples cored from the ties were acquired. In order to obtain the strength of concrete materials of existing ties, six samples were cored from six different types of ties taken from tracks across the U.S., according to ASTM C42-16, and tested using ASTM C39 and ASTM C496 methods. However, the concrete air-void system (ASTM C457) was measured on saw-cut samples extracted from the ties to evaluate the influence air content and distribution on mechanical properties of the ties. Regarding the history and service life condition of the ties, it seems that material properties of the ties effectively alter the performance of the ties. Aggregate sources used at each location may have different properties such as texture, angularity, and mineralogy, contributing either propagation or resistance in splitting cracking in concrete. Furthermore, the polished surface of samples extracted from the ties show the uniformity and air void system in some ties which demonstrate their superiority in terms of resistance to freeze-thaw damage. Considering the results of this research, comprehensive evaluation of material characteristics might give a better view of existing concrete railroad ties situation, providing a worthwhile background for future tie design considerations.Copyright © 2018 by ASME
University of Wisconsin Department of Statistics

The University of Wisconsin Statistics Department was founded in 1960 by George Box, although its origins are much earlier. Throughout these 50 years, the department has been committed to a balance of theory and practice of statistics, and has been engaged in research endeavors across many disciplines. This document relates some of the early developments and how the composition of the department has evolved.
Regulating Occupational and Product Risks

Abstract Market forces, supplemented by government policy, affect how firms and households jointly determine product and workplace safety levels. After developing the economic theory of how labor and product markets pair prices and health risks we then explain the effects of the relevant government policies, including information, tort liability laws, direct regulation of job and product attributes, and mandatory no-fault insurance to compensate injured parties. Each theoretical development is followed by econometric evidence concerning policy induced outcomes. An important finding is that the most influential economic incentives for product and job safety stem from the fact that people tend not to buy hazardous products or accept employment in hazardous jobs unless the price they pay or the wages they are paid compensate for health risks and safety risks. We conclude with policies of future interest, including greater attention to how one is injured or killed and the distributional impacts of policy.
Devaluation, the Terms of Trade, and Investment in a Keynesian Economy

Obviously, a decrease in investment is unlikely to result from devaluation … the most favourable plausible hypothesis about the effect of devaluation on home investment is that it remains unchanged in real terms. (Black (1959) p. 269)
Diagnostic Accuracy of Noncontrast MR Angiography Protocols at 3T for the Detection and Characterization of Lower Extremity Peripheral Arterial Disease.

PURPOSE To compare the diagnostic accuracy of established non-gadolinium (Gd)-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) angiography protocols with Gd-enhanced MR angiography at 3T for evaluating lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD). MATERIALS AND METHODS From February 2014 to 2015, 20 patients with PAD and intermittent claudication (16 men; age range, 51-76 y; Fontaine stage II) underwent 3-station (abdominopelvic, thigh, and calf) non-Gd MR angiography and bolus-chase Gd MR angiography protocols performed at 3T (Siemens Tim Trio), including quiescent-interval single-shot (QISS) MR angiography for all 3 stations and a combination of quadruple inversion recovery (QIR) MR angiography for the abdominopelvic station and electrocardiogram-gated fast spin echo (ECG-FSE) MR angiography for the extremities. Two radiologists independently evaluated vessel segments for vascular stenosis, diagnosis confidence, graft presence, and Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC) II classification for each station. Diagnostic accuracies and κ agreement were assessed. RESULTS Of 573 vascular segments imaged, 16.9% (97/573, 19/20 patients) demonstrated hemodynamically significant abnormalities. Reader confidence was sufficient for diagnosis in 98% of segments with Gd MR angiography, 93% with QIR/ECG-FSE, and 95% with QISS. Overall reader confidence was higher with QISS than QIR/ECG-FSE within all 3 stations combined (P < .05). With low-confidence segments treated as misdiagnosis, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, accuracy, and κ agreement for all 3 stations combined were 81.4/87.2/57.0/95.8/86.2%/0.578 for QIR/ECG-FSE and 75.0/90.6/61.6/94.7/88.0%/0.597 for QISS. Using TASC II criteria to assess severity, QISS and QIR/ECG-FSE had no statistical difference in agreement with Gd MR angiography. CONCLUSIONS QISS and QIR/ECG-FSE MR angiography protocols demonstrate comparable diagnostic accuracies with high specificity. Either protocol provides an alternative to Gd MR angiography at 3T for patients with PAD.
Malicious Supply Chain Risk: A Literature Review and Future Directions

Supply chain risk management faces a myriad of challenges. Perhaps the most understudied of which deals with intentional disruptions; that is, those disruptions arising from deliberate actions that can negatively affect supply chain operations and performance. The following chapter focuses on suppliers intentionally undermining the operations of a supply chain through opportunistic behavior such as: deception, product fraud, and contract/trust breeches. Such behavior engenders relational failure and leads to a type of risk that extant models of risk management have neglected. Accordingly, proactively managing this type of risk requires a substantially different management approach. The following presents a review of the innovative work in this domain and subsequently advances a framework for aiding managerial decision making for proactively managing and coping with such intentional risk in a supply chain. This framework encapsulates a three-pronged approach centered on avoiding and detecting, mitigating the impact of, and recovering from this unique type of supply chain risk.
Online Trolling and Its Perpetrators: Under the Cyberbridge

Online trolling and other deviant behaviors have always affected online communities. As online trolling becomes widely spread, myriad questions are raised, including: Who is a troll and why do trolls troll? What are the enabling factors of online trolling? How do members and administrators of online communities detect, interpret, and react to trolling? How can online trolling be handled effectively? What is the impact of the socio-cultural and technological environments on online trolling?What motivates trolling? The book answers these questions and includes the following focuses:Hard-core trolls and light trollsGender, trolling, and anti-social behavior onlinePerception of trollingCollaborative trollingIdeological trollsTrolling around the globe
Performance Estimation and Evaluation Framework for Caching Policies in Hierarchical Caches

Abstract The emergence of information-centric network (ICN) architectures has attracted a flurry of renewed research interest in caching policies and their performance analysis. One important feature ICNs offer that is distinct from classical computer caches is a distributed network of caches, namely, a cache network which poses additional challenges both in terms of practical cache management issues and performance analysis. Much attention of the research community has focused on performance analysis of cache networks under various caching policies. However, the issue of how to evaluate and compare caching policies for cache networks has not been adequately addressed. In this paper, we propose a novel and general framework for evaluating caching policies in a hierarchical network of caches. We introduce the notion of a hit probability/rate matrix, and employ a generalized notion of majorization as the basic tool for evaluating caching policies for various performance metrics. We discuss how the framework can be applied to existing caching policies, and conduct an extensive simulation-based evaluation to demonstrate the utility and accuracy of our framework.
The effects of false identification laws on underage alcohol-related traffic fatalities

We examine the effects of policies aimed at restricting the use of false identification to purchase alcohol on traffic fatalities involving alcohol-impaired underage drivers. We find that the implementation of policies that incentivize alcohol retailers to adopt ID scanners reduces traffic fatalities from accidents involving 16-18 year old drivers with a BAC >0, but we do not find that similar policies like vertical ID laws lead to statistically significant changes in traffic fatalities involving underage impaired drivers. A back-of-the-envelope calculation suggests that if all remaining states passed ID scanner laws, the reduction in underage alcohol-related fatal accidents would generate over $400 million in annual economic benefits.
The Importance of Understanding Fundamental Physics and Chemistry of Deep Oil Blowouts

The science of deep oil spills is complex, spanning several engineering and scientific specialties, different environmental conditions, and a large range of dimensional scales. It is also an applied and pragmatic field where research is expected to produce a better assessment and improved response of any spill incident. This summary chapter reviews at an introductory level the important physical and chemical factors relevant to deep oil blowouts, beginning with the nature of the crude oil itself. While knowledge of the necessary properties of such a mixture of hydrocarbons is often limited, this chapter describes the information typically known to spill responders, expressed in units common to the industry. Material characteristics of the leaking reservoir are defined along with some special features of the subsurface release and plume that are not present in surface spills. Finally, the early far-field behavior of the submerged oil is described.
Short communication: Short-term fasting and refeeding induced changes in subcutaneous adipose tissue physiology in 7-day old Japanese quail.

Abstract Adipose tissue development is influenced by a variety of factors, including nutrition and genetic background. Among avian species, the most is known in chickens and it is unclear if other less-artificially-selected birds are similar during the first week post-hatch. The aim of this study was thus to determine effects of fasting and refeeding on adipose tissue physiology in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). On day 7 post-hatch, quail were randomly assigned to fed (control), 6 h of fasting (fasted), or 6 h of fasting followed by 1 h of refeeding (refed) groups. Blood samples were collected for plasma non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) determination and subcutaneous adipose tissues were harvested for gene expression analyses. Plasma NEFAs were elevated in the fasted state and restored to baseline within 1 h of refeeding, whereas the expression of monoglyceride lipase in subcutaneous adipose tissue was not affected by feeding status. CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α mRNA was decreased by fasting and this change persisted through refeeding, whereas neuropeptide Y receptor 5 mRNA was decreased in refed compared to fasted birds. Our results suggest that fasting promotes lipolysis and gene expression changes in young quail with some of these changes restored to original levels within only 1 h of refeeding. Thus, in quail, adipose tissue physiology is dynamic and influenced by short-term changes in nutritional status during the early post-hatch period.
Extracellular matrix: The proteins that function throughout the body.

The idea and meetings that planned this issue focused on extracellular matrix (ECM) started over 4 years ago. The invitations were sent to investigators over 2 years ago and manuscripts have been submitted, reviewed, and edited since the summer and fall of 2018. Most of the manuscripts were published in early view in 2019, and we are thrilled to share the final collection. This volume contains 6 reviews, 13 original research papers, and 4 remembrances. Marion (Emmy) Gordon and I organized the articles into seven topic areas, including ECM structure, genetics, and development; cancer; vascular structures and development; inflammation and wound healing; collagen in special structures; cornea and other ocular tissues; and extracellular vesicles. Anat Rec, 2020. © 2020 American Association for Anatomy.
Effects of stratified training in pediatric nurses

Objective To explore the methods and effects of stratified training in pediatric nurses. Methods Nurses were divided into N0, N1, N2, N3, N4 levels according to stratified nurse administration and trained using stratified nurse training method in Xuzhou Children′s Hospital. A total of 583 nurses received stratified nurse training in 2015 and 536 nurses received traditional training in 2014. The rate of passing theory and practical assessment, nurses′ satisfaction of training, patient′s satisfaction of nursing and the amount of scientific research were compared between two groups. Results The qualification rate of nursing theory and practical assessment in group receiving traditional training was 84.51% and 89.93% respectively, but it arrived at 91.25% and 94.51% after receiving stratified training. The difference was statistically significant (χ2=12.03, 8.28; P<0.05). Nurses′ satisfaction of training was improved from 90.67% to 95.71%, and the satisfaction of patients′ family was increased to 96.76% in 2015 from 90.05% in 2014 (χ2=11.35, 78.98, 9.62; P<0.05). The publications of nursing research were increased from 14 in 2014 to 38 in 2015. Conclusions Individually stratified training could offer appropriate training to pediatric nurses in different layers, and improve the comprehensive quality of nurses and the development of nursing scientific research to provide human resource security for pediatric nursing. Key words: Pediatric Department; Nurse; Stratified training; Effects assessment
Misuse of Titles by Former Government Lawyers

A number of lawyers associated with President Donald Trump, within and outside of his administration, have faced ethical challenges. While the ethical issues for President Trump’s personal lawyer Michael Cohen have grabbed the most headlines, actions of Acting U.S. Attorney General Matthew Whitaker on behalf of World Patent Marketing, a company the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) accused of bilking millions of dollars from consumers, also raised serious ethical questions. Among these questions are Whittaker’s using his title and position as a former U.S. attorney in Iowa in letters long after he had left that position and adopting and forwarding statements prepared by others in responding to complaints about World Patent Marketing. Is it ethical for a former, high-ranking government lawyer to use his or her title and position after leaving office? May a lawyer adopt, incorporate, and present statements prepared by others as the lawyer’s own work without personally verifying the statements? In this ethics column, we explore these and related questions.
Glassy Dynamics in a heavy ion irradiated NbSe 2 crystal.

Fascination with glassy states has persisted since Fisher introduced the vortex-glass as a new thermodynamic phase that is a true superconductor that lacks conventional long-range order. Though Fisher’s original model considered point disorder, it was later predicted that columnar defects (CDs) could also induce glassiness — specifically, a Bose-glass phase. In YBa2Cu3O7−x (YBCO), glassy states can cause distinct behavior in the temperature (T ) dependent rate of thermally activated vortex motion (S). The vortex-glass state produces a plateau in S(T ) whereas a Bose-glass can transition into a state hosting vortex excitations called double-kinks that can expand, creating a large peak in S(T ). Although glass phases have been well-studied in YBCO, few studies exist of other materials containing CDs that could contribute to distinguishing universal behavior. Here, we report on the effectiveness of CDs tilted ~30° from the c-axis in reducing S in a NbSe2 crystal. The magnetization is 5 times higher and S is minimized when the field is parallel to the defects versus aligned with the c-axis. We see signatures of glassiness in both field orientations, but do not observe a peak in S(T ) nor a plateau at values observed in YBCO. Finally, we discuss the possibility that competing disorder induces a field-orientation-driven transition from a Bose-glass to an anisotropic glass involving both point and columnar disorder.
Use of brain radiotherapy as part of first course of treatment for NSCLC with de novo brain metastasis.

9118Background: Loco-regional management of brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are surgery and/or brain radiotherapy, either whole brain (WBRT) or stereotactic (SRS). We used ...
The effect of caregiver key opinion leaders on increasing caregiver demand for evidence-based practices to treat youth anxiety: protocol for a randomized control trial.

Background Research has identified cognitive behavioral therapy with exposures (CBT) as an effective treatment for youth anxiety. Despite implementation efforts, few anxious youth receive CBT. Direct-to-consumer marketing offers a different approach to address the unmet need for youth receiving effective treatments. Involving a local caregiver key opinion leader in direct-to-consumer initiatives may be an effective strategy to increase caregiver demand for CBT. Research indicates that key opinion leaders improve health promotion campaigns, but key opinion leaders have not been studied in the context of increasing caregiver demand for evidence-based treatments. Method Project CHAT (Caregivers Hearing about Anxiety Treatments) will test the role of key opinion leader participation in conducting outreach presentations to increase caregiver desire to seek CBT for their youth's anxiety. Caregiver attendees (N = 180) will be cluster randomized by school to receive one of two different approaches for presentations on CBT for youth anxiety. Both approaches will involve community outreach presentations providing information on recognizing youth anxiety, strategies caregivers can use to decrease youth anxiety, and how to seek CBT for youth anxiety. The researcher-only condition will be co-facilitated by two researchers. In the key opinion leader condition, a caregiver key opinion leader from each local community will be involved in tailoring the content of the presentation to the context of the community, co-facilitating the presentation with a researcher, and endorsing strategies in the presentation that they have found to be helpful. In line with the theory of planned behavior, caregiver attendees will complete measures assessing their knowledge of, attitudes towards, perceived subjective norms about, and intention to seek CBT pre- and post-presentation; they will indicate whether they sought CBT for their youth at 3-month follow-up. Results will be analyzed using a mixed method approach to assess the effectiveness of a key opinion leader to increase caregiver demand for CBT. Discussion This study will be the first to examine the potential of key opinion leaders to increase caregiver demand for CBT. If proven effective, the use of key opinion leaders could serve as a scalable dissemination strategy to increase the reach of evidence-based treatments. Trial registration This trial was registered on clinicaltrials.gov ( NCT04929262 ) on June 18, 2021. At the time of trial registration, pre/post-presentation data had been collected from 17 participants; thus, it was retrospectively registered.
Competition and Collaboration in Document Analysis and Recognition

Over the last twenty years, competitions aimed at showcasing research on various aspects of document analysis have become a significant part of our communal activities. After a quick look at competition in general and organized competitions in other domains, we focus on the organizers’ reports of the 18 competitions completed in conjunction with the 14th Conference on Document Analysis and Research, ICDAR 2017. We provide descriptive statistics on the 130 organizers of these contests, their affiliations, the 450 participants, the platforms that underlie the evaluations, and the spectrum of specified tasks. We comment on the ~ 100 citations garnered by these contests over the intervening 3.5 years. Finally, in what we consider a logical sequel, we speculate on the possibility of an alternative model of small-scale, short-range communal research based on collaboration that seems to offer benefits competitions cannot capture.
An approach for optimizing gold nanoparticles for possible medical applications, using correlative electron energy loss and Raman spectroscopies on electron beam lithographically fabricated arrays

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), as induced by noble metal nanoparticles, is used for medical applications. In this study, gold nanoparticle parameters such as size, shape, separation, substrate etc. are varied systematically using electron beam lithographic fabrication methods. The resultant Raman spectra intensities are correlated with the nanoparticle surface plasmon energies as determined by electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) in a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) at nanometer-scale resolution. It is found that the largest enhancement is achieved when the illuminating laser energy closely matches, or is slightly higher than, the surface plasmon energies. In general, nanoparticle size is a strong determinant factor, and higher intensities are generated by sharply defined features. This approach allows a procedure to identify the optimum combination of nanoparticle parameters and laser energy to generate the largest Raman signals, thus enabling detection, for instance, of smaller, early-stage cancer tumors.
On Multiple Markov SαS Processes

In case {Xt; t ∈ ℝ} is a Gaussian process, Mandrekar [11] and Pitt [12] have studied the structure of n—ple Markov processes. It is shown in ([11], [12]) that a Gaussian process is n—ple Markov if and only if it has the so called Goursat representation introduced in [11]. In [11], a conjecture of Levy [9], [10] is solved (Theorem 3.12). This says that the solution of the nth order stochastic differential equation with white noise input is n—ple Markov if and only if the differential operator satisfies the so called Polya condition; namely, the Wronksians of all orders are different from zero [7] for the solutions. Recently, Adler, Cambanis, Samorodnitsky [1] have studied a representation for symmetric stable left Markov processes. Our purpose is to study n—ple Markov processes and their representations for the symmetric stable case and also to study the Markov properties of the solutions of the nth order ordinary stochastic differential equations with stationary symmetric α-stable input. The latter generalizes earlier work of Hida [6] and Levy [10] and the former allows us to show that a process of type Xt=ϕ(t)L(τ(t)), L Levy process and τ(t) measuring time change in [1] is first order Markov.
Statistical estimation of streamflow depletion from irrigation wells

[1] A multiple regression model was applied to annual time series data (1936–1998) in an attempt to quantify the influence of irrigation wells on annual streamflows of Frenchman Creek in Southwestern Nebraska where intensive well development has taken place since 1950. A strong statistical relationship was found between the logarithm of streamflow and number of wells, current and lagged annual precipitation, and two variables that are the geometric mean of precipitation and number of wells in the current year and the year before last. Estimated mean streamflow from the statistical model in 1998 is approximately one third of that in 1950. A simpler model without the interaction terms between number of wells and precipitation was estimated for the Republican River near its final entry into Kansas from Nebraska, and an even greater decline in mean annual streamflow was found. The present mean is approximately one quarter of the 1950 level.