cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Peer lending and the subsumption of the informal

ABSTRACTThe informal financial practices of financially ‘excluded’ groups in the United States are being enrolled in a regulatory project to make new markets and produce financially self-sufficient subjects on the edges of the financial system. Drawing on mixed-methods qualitative research working with nonprofits in the San Francisco Bay Area, this paper explores how informal rotating savings and credit associations (ROSCAs) are being repurposed and formalized to make the risks of financially excluded groups legible, tractable and priceable for ‘mainstream’ financial service providers. In so doing, the paper explores how the credit score orders practices and relations that are ‘outside’ of the ‘financial mainstream’. While others have documented how the efforts of NGOs to marketize and commodify the social networks and cultural practices of the poor result in forms of dispossession, this is not what my research finds. Instead, I show how formalized ROSCAs are redistributing calculative agency, and enablin...
Atmospheric-pressure photoelectron emission from H-terminated and amino-terminated diamond

We report investigations of the ultraviolet-induced emission of electrons from diamond into air, argon, and SF6 gases at atmospheric pressure. Although diamond has long been known to be a facile emitter of electrons in vacuum, the present results show that H-terminated and amino-terminated diamond can also act as emitters of low-energy electrons into gases at atmospheric pressure. Present results show that emission currents follow the trend Ar > air > SF6. We attribute these differences to the fact that Ar does not form stable anions and the emitted electrons remain as free electrons with very low effective mass, while electrons in air form O2− and electrons in SF6 form SF6− anions. The observed trends are consistent with trends reported in ion mobility measurements. Photoemission of electrons from diamond into argon gas at atmospheric pressure.
The Landscape and Ecological Environment Protection in Relation to Eco-tourism in Taibai National Forest Park

Taibai Mountains is an important and popular ecological tourism area in China.The paper analyzed the problems with the protection regarding the landscape and environment.Improvement measures were suggested.
3D Seismic Survey Technology Under Condition of Desert in Liuta Mining Area Of Inner Mongolia

In view of the Liuta mining area yellow sand cover,the hypsography are big,the coal bed buries the depth,the coal bed to be many,the small fault growth and so on does not favor the seismic survey the characteristic,used the small line-spacing,slightly to off-set the technology to solve the hypsography to be big,the coal bed buried the depth the question.By the width azimuth observation system,the wideband receiving,folds 3D surface uniform oscillation amplitude to compensate,the 3D surface uniformity deconvolution and so on,the methods enhanced the material resolution maximum limit,increased the imagery precision;In the process of Explanation,with the wave impedance inversion and the seismic survey analysis technology has clarified the small faults,specially the growth situation of the small faults,which has obtained the good geological effect and the economic efficiency.
Pediatric temporal bone fractures

Twenty-seven temporal bone fractures in 25 pediatric patients were evaluated over a 6-year period. The diagnosis was confirmed with otoscopy and high-resolution computed tomography scans (HRCT). Three-dimensional reconstruction of high-resolution computed tomography scans were used to aid in the diagnosis. The most common fracture was an oblique fracture which is oriented in an axial or horizontal plane with the temporal bone. Facial nerve paralysis was found in 6 of our patients, which is less than the expected incidence when compared to adults. Hearing loss was found in 24 patients, the most common of which was conductive hearing loss, which had a higher incidence than expected when compared with adults.
Results of Intensive Chemotherapy in 998 Patients Aged 65 Years or Older with Acute Myeloid Leukemia or High-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome - Predictive Prognostic Models for Outcome.

Background. Elderly patients (age ≥ 65 years) with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have a poor prognosis. AML-type therapy results are often derived from studies in younger patients and may not apply to elderly AML. Many investigators and oncologists advocate, at times, only supportive care or frontline single agents, phase I–II studies, low intensity regimens, or “targeted” therapies. Baseline expectations for outcomes of elderly AML with “standard” AML-type therapy are not well defined. Study Aims. To develop prognostic models for complete response (CR), induction (8-week) mortality, and survival rates in elderly AML, which define expectations with standard AML type therapy. Patients and Methods. 998 patients age ≥ 65 years with AML or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (≥ 10% blasts) treated with intensive chemotherapy between 1980 and 2004 were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses of prognostic factors used standard methods. Results. The overall CR rate was 45% and induction mortality 29%. Multivariate analyses identified consistent independent poor prognostic factors for CR, 8-week mortality, and survival. These included age ≥ 75 years, unfavorable karyotypes (often complex), poor performance (3–4 ECOG), longer duration of antecedent hematologic disorder, treatment outside the laminar airflow room, and abnormal organ functions. Patients could be divided into: 1) a favorable group (about 20% of patients) with expected CR rates above 60%, induction mortality rates below 10%, and 1-year survival rates above 50%; 2) an intermediate group (about 50% of patients) with expected CR rates of 50%, induction mortality rates of 30%, and 1-year survival rates of 30%; and 3) an unfavorable risk group (about 25% to 30% of patients) with expected CR rates of less than 20%, induction mortality rates above 50%, and 1-year survival rates of less than 10%. Conclusions. Prognostic models were developed for elderly patients with AML, which may assist in therapeutic and investigational decisions.
67Ga-metalloprobes: monitoring the impact of geometrical isomers on accumulation profiles in rat cardiomyoblasts and human breast carcinoma cells

Geometrically similar monocationic gallium(III) complexes and their radiolabeled SPECT counterparts were obtained from Schiff base precursor ligands using ligand exchange reactions to evaluate the impact of cis and trans-isomers on their cellular accumulation profiles in rat cardiomyoblasts (H9c2(2-1)) and human breast carcinoma (MCF-7neo) cells. 67Ga-metalloprobes comprising trans-phenolates showing an overall octahedral geometry and exhibiting uniform spatial distribution of positive charges on their molecular surface show steady-state accumulation in H9c2(2-1) and MCF-7neo cells, and localize in the mitochondria of the cells. Importantly, the surrogate geometrically similar and monocationic metalloprobe counterparts possessing the cis arrangement of phenolates do not show cellular uptake in H9c2(2-1) and MCF-7neo cells. Exploiting their modest fluorescent traits, live cell imaging indicates that trans-isomers of metalloprobes localize within the mitochondria of cells following their penetration, thereby indicating the excellent correlation of radiotracer data and live-cell microscopy results. Overall, these results indicate that the cell uptake profiles of metalloprobes within this class are mediated by the spatial distribution of charges over their molecular surface and hydrophobicity.
Novel Cadmium Resistance Determinant in Listeria monocytogenes

Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that can cause severe disease (listeriosis) in susceptible individuals. It is ubiquitous in the environment and often exhibits resistance to heavy metals. One of the determinants that enables Listeria to tolerate exposure to cadmium is the cadAC efflux system, with CadA being a P-type ATPase. Three different cadA genes (designated cadA1 to cadA3) were previously characterized in L. monocytogenes A novel putative cadmium resistance gene (cadA4) was recently identified through whole-genome sequencing, but experimental confirmation for its involvement in cadmium resistance is lacking. In this study, we characterized cadA4 in L. monocytogenes strain F8027, a cadmium-resistant strain of serotype 4b. By screening a mariner-based transposon library of this strain, we identified a mutant with reduced tolerance to cadmium and that harbored a single transposon insertion in cadA4 The tolerance to cadmium was restored by genetic complementation with the cadmium resistance cassette (cadA4C), and enhanced cadmium tolerance was conferred to two unrelated cadmium-sensitive strains via heterologous complementation with cadA4C Cadmium exposure induced cadA4 expression, even at noninhibitory levels. Virulence assessments in the Galleria mellonella model suggested that a functional cadA4 suppressed virulence, potentially promoting commensal colonization of the insect larvae. Biofilm assays suggested that cadA4 inactivation reduced biofilm formation. These data not only confirm cadA4 as a novel cadmium resistance determinant in L. monocytogenes but also provide evidence for roles in virulence and biofilm formation.IMPORTANCEListeria monocytogenes is an intracellular foodborne pathogen causing the disease listeriosis, which is responsible for numerous hospitalizations and deaths every year. Among the adaptations that enable the survival of Listeria in the environment are the abilities to persist in biofilms, grow in the cold, and tolerate toxic compounds, such as heavy metals. Here, we characterized a novel determinant that was recently identified on a larger mobile genetic island through whole-genome sequencing. This gene (cadA4) was found to be responsible for cadmium detoxification and to be a divergent member of the Cad family of cadmium efflux pumps. Virulence assessments in a Galleria mellonella model suggested that cadA4 may suppress virulence. Additionally, cadA4 may be involved in the ability of Listeria to form biofilms. Beyond the role in cadmium detoxification, the involvement of cadA4 in other cellular functions potentially explains its retention and wide distribution in L. monocytogenes.
Multi-resonant Electromagnetic Shunt in Base Isolation for Vibration Damping and Energy Harvesting

Abstract This paper investigates multi-resonant electromagnetic shunts applied to base isolation for dual-function vibration damping and energy harvesting. Two multi-mode shunt circuit configurations, namely parallel and series, are proposed and optimized based on the H2 criteria. The root-mean-square (RMS) value of the relative displacement between the base and the primary structure is minimized. Practically, this will improve the safety of base-isolated buildings subjected the broad bandwidth ground acceleration. Case studies of a base-isolated building are conducted in both the frequency and time domains to investigate the effectiveness of multi-resonant electromagnetic shunts under recorded earthquake signals. It shows that both multi-mode shunt circuits outperform traditional single mode shunt circuits by suppressing the first and the second vibration modes simultaneously. Moreover, for the same stiffness ratio, the parallel shunt circuit is more effective at harvesting energy and suppressing vibration, and can more robustly handle parameter mistuning than the series shunt circuit. Furthermore, this paper discusses experimental validation of the effectiveness of multi-resonant electromagnetic shunts for vibration damping and energy harvesting on a scaled-down base isolation system.
Exploring new heights with pulmonary functional imaging: insights into high-altitude pulmonary edema

the unique environmental challenge to the pulmonary physiology from exposure to high altitudes may hold unique insights into regulation of pulmonary function under stress. For example, high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is a mysterious disease characterized by individual differences in response to
Robust Exponential Convergence with Bounded Controllers

We consider the problem of stabilizing an uncertain/nonlinear system when the norm of the control input is bounded by a prespecified constant. We treat continuous-time dynamical systems whose nominal part is linear and whose uncertain/nonlinear part is norm-bounded by a known affine function of the norm of the system state and the norm of the control input. Given a prespecified rate of convergence and a ball containing the origin of the state space, we present controllers which guarantee that, for all allowable uncertainties and nonlinearities, there is a region of attraction from which all solutions converge to the given ball with the prespecified convergence rate.
Leisure and the Dao

There are no rules about leisure in Dao philosophy. In fact, the word leisure rarely appears in any English translation of Dao texts, but the Dao itself embodies a leisure philosophy. Live in the present, mirror nature, find the Way by leaving the path, and “When the work is done, stop.” Leisure as time spent in nature serves to restore or renew physical and psychological equilibrium. It is a Daoist staple that the common approach to work actively distorts human potential—it carves people up, limits them, and takes them away from what is natural. Conversely, leisure leads to a transformative state that leads to (1) questions of how we define work and leisure and (2) eventually nurtures a relationship between leisure and work that is not dichotomous.
Frictions that activate change: dynamics of global to local non-governmental organizations for female education and empowerment in China, India, and Pakistan*

AbstractThis article examines how non-governmental organizations create resources and spaces for girls and women’s education and empowerment in China, India and Pakistan – in the context of global expectations and local state relations as well as cultural norms. We examine the dynamics that foster female empowerment associated with educational attainment. Analysis showed that the five NGO’s responses to enabling and constraining local needs and demands gave rise to productive friction that activated positive development. We conclude that engaging local individuals as managers, teachers or facilitators who can negotiate with international actors and with the state is an effective foundation for maintaining a balance between being accountable to local contingencies and norms and to global social justice principles of the projects. These models indicated that “effective scale” might better be defined as a collaboration between the local and global, rather than “scaling up” in size.International NGO partnersh...
Flat focus: depth of field analysis for the FlatCam lensless imaging system

Lensless imaging systems, such as the recently proposed FlatCam, offer numerous advantages over lens-based systems such as a thin form-factor, low cost, and higher light throughput. However, little work has been done in analyzing these systems' depth of field characteristics. A depth-dependent calibration step is necessary to obtain the image from the FlatCam measurements, and this calibration determines the system's depth of field. In this paper, we characterize the FlatCam's depth of field properties and show that (a) for scene depths on the order of tens of centimeters, it is possible to perform depth-selective refocusing from a single captured image and (b) for sufficiently large scene depths, calibrating for one depth can provide a very large depth of field.
Role of ET and NO in resuscitative effect of diaspirin cross-linked hemoglobin after hemorrhage in rat.

Diaspirin cross-linked hemoglobin (DCLHb) is a hemoglobin-based therapeutic agent that produces significant cardiovascular effects, possibly due to its actions on vasoactive substances, such as endothelin (ET) and nitric oxide (NO). We have studied the modulation of cardiovascular effects of DCLHb by an NO synthase inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), and an ETA-receptor antagonist, FR-139317, in hemorrhaged rats. Control rats resuscitated with vehicle [Ringer lactate (RL), 4 ml/kg iv] did not show any improvement in O2 consumption, base deficit, systemic hemodynamics, or regional blood flow after hemorrhage, and the rats survived for 120 min after hemorrhage. Plasma ET-1 and guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) concentrations increased after hemorrhage. DCLHb produced an increase in ET-1 and decreased cGMP concentrations in plasma. Pretreatment with L-NAME (10 mg/kg iv) or FR-139317 (4 mg/kg iv) attenuated the DCLHb-induced improvement in survival time, base deficit, systemic hemodynamics, and regional blood circulation. L-NAME (10 mg/kg iv) per se did not produce any resuscitative effect; therefore the NO mechanism may not be contributing toward the efficacy of DCLHb in hemorrhaged rats. However, FR-139317 attenuated the efficacy of DCLHb; therefore an increase in plasma ET-1 concentration by DCLHb may be contributing toward the efficacy of DCLHb in hemorrhage. Hemorrhage-induced increase in cGMP levels could be attenuated by L-NAME, but L-NAME was not effective in resuscitation of hemorrhaged rats, indicating a lack of role of NO in resuscitation. It is concluded that the ET mechanism is more important in the beneficial effect of DCLHb than the NO mechanism in hemorrhage.
Knot grasping, folding, and re-grasping

This paper analyzes the physical resources necessary and sufficient to tie a knot of given structure. We present the first sufficient bound on the number of fingers required to tie a given knot; the bound is linear in the number of crossings appearing in the knot diagram for a given knot. We also present a lower bound on the required number of fingers, under a particular model of knot tying. We study how many re-grasps are sufficient to tie an arbitrary knot, and present an algorithm that can yield a small sufficient number of re-grasps to tie the given knot. Physical experiments in which different knots are tied and untied by robots, alone and in collaboration with a human, serve as a proof of concept to show the simplicity and correctness of the approach.
BeginToReason: An Introduction to Symbolic Reasoning (Abstract Only)

Computer science (CS) students often evaluate the behavior of the code they write by running it on specific inputs, studying the outputs, and then inductively reasoning to a more general understanding of the code. This is a good starting point in the student's career, but successful graduates must be able to reason deductively about the code they create and encounter. They must be able to reason about the code on all inputs, without running the code. This paper describes an online system named "BeginToReason" that is designed to introduce symbolic reasoning, and the results of its use. One hundred and fourteen students were asked to use BeginToReason after receiving no prior instructions on formal reasoning. Several weeks later, a question on their final exam tested their ability to utilize formal reasoning. Across all question variations presented to the students, they completed an average of at least 80% correctly indicating that the online tool is a useful tool for teaching formal reasoning. Subsequent analysis of the results indicates that student responses may have been influenced by the phrasing of the questions as well as their use of concrete numerical examples to solve the problem.
Nonreactive Scattering of N2 from Layered Graphene Using Molecular Beam Experiments and Molecular Dynamics

Conventional gas surface interaction (GSI) models and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been compared with angular distributions and average translational energies for N2 scattered from highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) measured by angle and velocity resolved molecular beam scattering experiments. The translational energy and angular distributions of the scattered N2 were obtained for incidence energies near 30 and 68 kJ mol–1, incidence angles of 30°, 45°, and 70°, and a surface temperature of 677 K. The trajectories of scattered nitrogen molecules were found to fall into three main categories, i.e., single collision, multiple collisions with escape, and multiple collisions without escape. While the conventional GSI models did not match the translational energy and angular distributions obtained from the experiments, the results obtained from MD simulations were found to be in good agreement. The MD simulations also showed that the number of surface layers used to model the HOPG surface an...
Wireless power transfer integrated board for low power IoT applications

IoT edge devices are of interest to sustainability research because of their support for low energy applications. This work focuses on a wireless power transfer (WPT) system at GHz frequency based on near field coupling (NFC) with a class E rectifier and DC-DC converter with power inductor, designed for loads in the mW range. The design is completed on an integrated board, allowing for integration of the WPT coils and power inductor on the circuit board with designed electrical characteristics. The WPT coils and class E rectifier are designed for maximum efficiency, minimizing the losses associated with high frequency, low power operation. A commercial off the shelf (COTS) buck converter is integrated into the architecture to fix the output voltage. The power inductor is fabricated with a Nickel Zinc ferrite epoxy composite screen printed on the top and bottom layer of the integrated board. The complete circuit design is fabricated and measured, with the total measured system efficiency peaking at 22.7% power efficiency at a WPT transmission distance of 2 mm.
Identity-Adaptive Facial Expression Recognition through Expression Regeneration Using Conditional Generative Adversarial Networks

Subject variation is a challenging issue for fa- cial expression recognition, especially when handling unseen subjects with small-scale lableled facial expression databases. Although transfer learning has been widely used to tackle the problem, the performance degrades on new data. In this paper, we present a novel approach (so-called IA-gen) to alleviate the issue of subject variations by regenerating expressions from any input facial images. First of all, we train conditional generative models to generate six prototypic facial expressions from any given query face image while keeping the identity related information unchanged. Generative Adversarial Networks are employed to train the conditional generative models, and each of them is designed to generate one of the prototypic facial expression images. Second, a regular CNN (FER-Net) is fine- tuned for expression classification. After the corresponding prototypic facial expressions are regenerated from each facial image, we output the last FC layer of FER-Net as features for both the input image and the generated images. Based on the minimum distance between the input image and the generated expression images in the feature space, the input image is classified as one of the prototypic expressions consequently. Our proposed method can not only alleviate the influence of inter-subject variations, but will also be flexible enough to integrate with any other FER CNNs for person-independent facial expression recognition. Our method has been evaluated on CK+, Oulu-CASIA, BU-3DFE and BU-4DFE databases, and the results demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed method.
New helium bubble growth mode at a symmetric grain-boundary in tungsten: accelerated molecular dynamics study

This work, with an emphasis on helium irradiation rates appropriate for fusion-plasma conditions, advances the understanding of helium evolution at grain boundaries in W, an important consideration...
Social Structure Theories of Crime

This chapter presents the sociological orientation that has dominated American criminology since the 1920s. This chapter examines social structure theories. These theories have three common characteristics. They portray crime as a product of deficiencies in the social structure, such as poverty and the lack of educational opportunity. Another feature is their focus on the lower-class milieu as the source of crime. Because they view crime as a lower-class problem, social structure theorists examine only the lower-class segments of society in seeking to explain crime. Some criminologists apply strain theories to white-collar offenses and others to explain increases in crimes by women. Third, this is a macro-theory tradition. Social structure theories are designed to account for variations in rates of crime among groups, not to explain individual-level criminality. Strain theory is one of the purest sociological approaches to understanding crime. It is rooted in Emile Durkheim's concept of anomie. Strain or frustration is a product of failure that is to be disproportionately experienced within the lower class because of structural limitations on opportunities. This failure elicits innovative or deviant responses to meet culturally emphasized success goals, primarily the goals of material acquisition and higher status.
Stochastic correlation analysis to rank the impact of intermittent wind generation on unreliability margins of power systems

Power systems are vulnerable to extreme contingencies (like an outage of a major generating substation or transmission line) that can cause significant generation and load loss and can lead to further cascading outages of other transmission facilities and generators in the system. Power systems operators take time-ahead actions (real time to day ahead) actions based on forecasted data as well as telemetry. However, there is a probability of extreme swings in wind generation that can push the power system that is already close to system boundaries into unreliable states. Increasing penetration on wind generation and uncertainties in short term forecast can move the system into operational states that can violate N-l reliability criteria. While the power system planning accounts for worst case analyses to mitigate such emergencies, it is necessary to understand the spatial and temporal correlation of load buses with intermittent wind generation. The ranking of wind generators based on stochastic correlation to unreliability margins of load buses provides an insight of system vulnerabilities that can be corrected by appropriate emergency controls. A Monte-Carlo simulation of wind uncertainty forecast is performed to identify the probability distributions of unreliability margins. Ranking of wind generators is performed based on stochastic correlation analysis of the wind power generated and the load losses at the buses. This helps in not only identifying weak buses in the power system but also in identifying the vulnerable wind locations to plan for system reinforcements. Power system modeling and hybrid simulation to calculate unreliability margins are performed using nCAT and demonstrated on the 32-bus Nordic test system.
Chemical Approaches to Dynamically Modulate the Properties of Synthetic Matrices.

As knowledge about the dynamic nature of tissues within the human body has increased, the need for cell culture models that mimic the properties of these dynamic microenvironments has grown. Hydrogels are useful platforms for investigating cellular responses to microenvironment cues in disease and regeneration processes and recently have been designed to contain dynamic bonds to regulate the mechanical and biochemical properties of the matrix in three-dimensional cell culture applications. In this Viewpoint, we highlight recent advances in developing hydrogels with dynamic properties for modeling aspects of human tissues, providing control over the properties of the synthetic matrix on multiple length and time scales, and their application for understanding or directing cell response. We conclude by discussing how orthogonal chemistries can be utilized to design dynamic hydrogel platforms for controlling both the mechanical and biochemical environment, affording opportunities to investigate more complex q...
27 Dental risk assessment and management in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has recently developed a new dental risk assessment toolkit for patients undergoing electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The project has been led by an Integrated Clinical Fellow working between the specialist dental service and psychiatry. This fellowship funded by Health Education England was delivered in collaboration with the trust’s Medical Director and Deputy Medical Director. The project aims to optimise patient safety as well as address the gaps in knowledge held by the ECT team through current guidance provided by NICE and The Royal College of Psychiatrists. A focus group consisting of anaesthetists working in ECT have raised concerns regarding their confidence and ability to manage dental risk in the context of modern developments including legal issues of risk management and consent, patient attitude to dental health and technological advances in dentistry. This has indicated a need for tools to support best practice. A questionnaire was designed and distributed at a national ECT conference. This provided information on current practice across the country and indicated inconsistencies in practice. An interactive e-learning workbook was developed using educational theory and learner activity design. Doctors and nurses completing dental assessments contributed to the design, identifying the aims and intended learning objectives. This is the first training resource of its nature to be designed and implemented within the field of ECT. Simple and effective training has empowered staff to confidently complete an appropriate dental assessment. Clinical implications have been reported by anaesthetists with improvements in management techniques. The team has recognised that dental assessment should be a shared responsibility. The project has led to the proposal of a national minimum standard for dental assessment criteria to better identify and manage patients at risk of dental and oral soft tissue trauma.
Marketing Strategy and Financial Performance

Corporate strategy and marketing strategy are about finding positive net present value opportunities that match the needs of at least a portion of a market. Ultimately this matching is the key to the identification of a successful business model. This chapter examines corporate strategy from a marketing perspective with an emphasis on the importance of identifying and satisfying customer needs rather than focus on the creation of structural barriers to competition that is often the emphasis of treatments of corporate strategy.
First enantiospecific total synthesis of the important biogenetic intermediates, (+)-polyneuridine and (+)-polyneuridine aldehyde, as well as 16-epi-vellosimine and macusine A.

The first enantiospecific total synthesis of the alkaloids 16-epi-vellosimine (1), (+)-polyneuridine (2), (+)-polyneuridine aldehyde (3), and macusine A (4) is reported. The key oxidation was accomplished with the Corey−Kim reagent to provide the important biogenetic intermediates, 16-epi-vellosimine (1) and polyneuridine aldehyde (3), the latter of which is required for the conversion of the sarpagan skeleton into the ajmalan system in the biosynthesis of quebrachidine.
A Multi-Layer Graphical Model for Approximate Identity Matching

Many organizations maintain identity information for their customers, vendors, and employees, etc. However, identities being compromised cannot be retrieved effectively. In this paper we first present a case study on identity problems existing in a local police department. The study show that more than half of the sampled suspects have altered identities existing in the police information system due to deception and errors. We build a taxonomy of identity problems based on our findings. The decision to determine matching identities involves some uncertainty because of the problems identified. We propose a probability-based multi-layer graphical model to capture the uncertainty. Experiments show that the proposed model performs significantly better than the searching technique based on exact-match. With 20% of training data labeled, the model with semi-supervised learning achieved performance comparable to that of fully supervised learning.
Reducing Vulnerable Employment: Is there a Role for Reproductive Health, Social Protection, and Labor Market Policy?

Reproductive health and employment are inextricably linked for women. Across the globe, women are the primary caretakers of children, and a woman’s reproductive years tend to overlap with her econo...
Towards Bidding Connect Four

Allis [1] has determined that the player who goes first in Connect Four always has a winning strategy. We consider the discrete bidding variation of the game instead of alternating turns. In discrete bidding, each player holds an integer number of chips, and the players bid for the next turn. Whoever wins the bid takes a turn and gives his chips to the other player; thus, the total number of chips stays constant. Introducing bidding to the game alters a player’s strategy, as multiple moves in succession are now possible. Develin and Payne [2] have completed an analysis of Tic-Tac-Toe using discrete bidding and have determined a winning strategy. We analyze bidding Connect Two on all board sizes and bidding Connect Three on a 3-by-3 board, which will give us insight into the strategy for Connect Four. Acknowledgements: I would like to thank Dr. Catherine Stenson for her advice and support as I undertook this project. Page 2 RHIT Undergrad. Math. J., Vol. 13, No. 1
Dopaminergic neurons can influence heat-box place learning in Drosophila

Dopamine provides crucial neuromodulatory functions in several insect and rodent learning and memory paradigms. However, an early study suggested that dopamine may be dispensable for aversive place...
A novel anchorage system for strengthening slender RC columns with externally bonded CFRP composite sheets

Abstract Previous studies have shown that using externally bonded (EB) fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) is one of the most effective techniques for strengthening reinforced concrete (RC) structures. The current guidelines recommend using anchorage systems to prevent debonding failure. Strengthening RC columns for flexure, the use of an anchorage system is necessary to transfer the forces from the column to the foundation. In this study, three types of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) anchors were tested under pullout loading. The best of the three anchors, based on the results of pullout tests, was used in strengthening one RC column. Three half-scale specimens of RC columns were tested under a combination of constant axial and cyclic lateral load. As expected, the results showed that strengthening RC columns with lateral confinement only increased the ductility of the columns but did not have a major effect on the moment capacity or stiffness. However, the lateral stiffness, moment capacity, and ductility of the columns confined with CFRP and strengthened with longitudinal CFRP sheets anchored to the foundation using a proposed novel anchor exhibited significant improvements.
Interhemispheric Surgical Approaches for Ruptured Intraventricular Arteriovenous Malformation-Associated Aneurysms: Technical Report and Case Series.

Background Aneurysms associated with brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) represent a hemorrhage risk in addition to that of the AVM nidus. In high-risk or unresectable cases, targeted treatment of an aneurysm causing hemorrhage may effectively decrease future hemorrhage risk. The objective of this report is to describe our series of patients with intraventricular AVM-associated aneurysms treated surgically. We highlight technical nuances of the surgical approaches to aneurysms in the lateral and third ventricles. Methods A retrospective review was performed of patients in whom an intraventricular aneurysm rupture was responsible for hemorrhage. In each patient, the aneurysm was excluded surgically via an interhemispheric approach, including transcallosal, transchoroidal, or transcingulate corridors. Aneurysm, AVM characteristics, surgical approach, and outcomes were reviewed. Results Six patients were included in the series. In 5 patients, the disease was located on the left and approached from the right. Aneurysms were located in, or projecting into, the lateral ventricle in 4 patients (transcingulate approach) and in the third ventricle in 2 patients (transchoroidal fissure approach). The aneurysm was clipped in 1 patient and resected in 5 patients. The associated AVM was resected in 2 patients. In all patients, the surgical approach allowed adequate treatment of the aneurysm without new neurologic morbidity. No patients experienced recurrent intraventricular hemorrhage during follow-up. Conclusions Ruptured intraventricular aneurysms associated with brain AVMs can be treated surgically to reduce the risk of rebleeding in patients in whom the aneurysms are not accessible to endovascular treatment and in which the AVM nidus may not be safely resected.
Should I Stay or Should I Go? Trading Behavior Under Ambiguity

We provide new empirical evidence on investors' firm-level trading behavior in response to daily changes in stock ambiguity-Knightian uncertainty. The effect of ambiguity is distinct from and contrasts with the well-documented effect of risk, and shares a similar economic significance. An increase in ambiguity is associated with a subsequent reduction in stock and option trading and holdings, and is consistent with limited participation. A similar response is triggered by closest peers' ambiguity, suggesting information spillovers. Interestingly, an increase in ambiguity is associated with a subsequent increase in book-depth and a lower price impact, consistent with information inertia.
Association of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug Use With Survival in Patients With Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck Treated With Chemoradiation Therapy

Importance Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, are commonly prescribed medications with anti-inflammatory and antiplatelet properties used long term to decrease the risk of cardiovascular events. A recent study showed that aspirin was associated with improved survival in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) who were treated with surgery. Objective To examine whether use of NSAIDs during definitive chemoradiation therapy (CRT) was associated with improved outcomes in patients with HNSCC. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study analyzed patients with HNSCC who were treated with CRT at a single institution between January 1, 2005, and August 1, 2017. Patient and tumor characteristics included age, race/ethnicity, smoking status, alcohol use, comorbidities (respiratory, cardiovascular, immune, renal, endocrine), disease stage, human papillomavirus status, and treatment duration. Data were analyzed from May 1, 2019, to March 17, 2020. Exposures Patients were dichotomized by NSAID use during treatment. Main Outcomes and Measures The association of NSAID use with patterns of failure, disease-specific survival (DSS), and overall survival (OS) was examined using multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models. Survival estimates for OS and DSS were generated using Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Results A total of 460 patients (median [interquartile range] age, 60 [53.9-65.6] years; 377 [82.0%] men) were included in the analysis. Among these patients, 201 (43.7%) were taking NSAIDs during treatment. On univariate analysis, NSAID use (hazard ratio [HR], 0.63; 95% CI, 0.43-0.92;P = .02) was associated with better OS. On Cox regression analysis, after backward selection adjustment for potentially confounding factors (age, smoking status, primary tumor site, human papillomavirus status, diabetes, stroke, hyperlipidemia), NSAID use remained significantly associated with better OS (HR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.38-0.90;P = .02). NSAID use was associated with significantly better OS at 5 years compared with patients who did not take concurrent NSAIDs (63.6% [56 of 88 patients]; 95% CI, 58%-73% vs 56.1% [83 of 148 patients]; 95% CI, 50%-63%;P = .03). NSAID use was not associated with better DSS in univariate (HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.48-1.41;P = .47) or multivariate (HR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.57-1.70;P = .44) analysis. NSAID use was not associated with better response to treatment (HR, 1.44; 95% CI, 0.91-2.27;P = .12) or distant failure (HR, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.68-1.84;P = .65). Change in local control with NSAID use was not statistically significant (HR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.31-1.10;P = .10). Conclusions and Relevance This cohort study suggests a possible OS advantage for patients taking NSAIDs during chemoradiation for HNSCC. Further studies examining this association are warranted.
Are Perceived Barriers to Exercise and Level of Interest in Fitness Programs Different Between Preoperative and Postoperative Bariatric Surgery Groups

Background: Exercise following bariatric surgery is associated with better outcomes. We aimed to assess the level of interest in fitness programs, self-reported exercise duration, and perceived obs...
CRISPR-Cas13 mediated Knock Down in Drosophila cultured cells.

Abstract Manipulation of gene expression is one of the best approaches for studying gene function in vivo. CRISPR-Cas13 has the potential to be a powerful technique for manipulating RNA expression in diverse animal systems in vivo, including Drosophila melanogaster. Studies using Cas13 in mammalian cell lines for gene knockdown showed increased on-target efficiency and decreased off-targeting relative to RNAi. Moreover, catalytically inactive Cas13 fusions can be used to image RNA molecules, install precise changes to the epitranscriptome, or alter splicing. However, recent studies have suggested that there may be limitations to the deployment of these tools in Drosophila, so further optimization of the system is required. Here, we report a new set of PspCas13b and RfxCas13d expression constructs and use these reagents to successfully knockdown both reporter and endogenous transcripts in Drosophila cells. As toxicity issues have been reported with high level of Cas13, we effectively decreased PspCas13b expression without impairing its function by tuning down translation. Furthermore, we altered the spatial activity of both PspCas13b and RfxCas13d by introducing Nuclear Exportation Sequences (NES) and Nuclear Localization Sequences (NLS) while maintaining activity. Finally, we generated a stable cell line expressing RfxCas13d under the inducible metallothionein promoter, establishing a useful tool for high-throughput genetic screening. Thus, we report new reagents for performing RNA CRISPR-Cas13 experiments in Drosophila, providing additional Cas13 expression constructs that retain activity.
The MiniBooNE Experiment

The MiniBooNE experiment was designed to optimize the search for the appearance of ν e events in a beam of ν μ . Accordingly, many design choices were made and auxiliary systems implemented to maximize detection efficiency for ν μ and ν e CC events sensitive to mass splittings of \(\Delta m^{2} \sim 1\) eV2 while maintaining discrimination power between the two neutrino species. This chapter describes the physical layout of the experiment and the detector subsystems most crucial to the measurement of muon kinematics. An expanded description of the beamline and neutrino flux calculation can be found in [1], while the overall design and performance of the detector is discussed in more detail in [2].
An Exploration of Factors Impacting Middle School Students’ Attitudes Toward Computer Programming

Computer programming is becoming an essential skill for young students regardless of their education or career goals. Therefore, for students to develop and for educators and researchers to accurat...
Isotopic analyses of Ordovician–Silurian siliceous skeletons indicate silica-depleted Paleozoic oceans

The Phanerozoic Eon marked a major transition from marine silica deposition exclusively via abiotic pathways to a system dominated by biogenic silica sedimentation. For decades, prevailing ideas predicted this abiotic-to-biogenic transition were marked by a significant decrease in the concentration of dissolved silica in seawater; however, due to the lower perceived abundance and uptake affinity of sponges and radiolarians relative to diatoms, marine dissolved silica is thought to have remained elevated above modern values until the Cenozoic radiation of diatoms. Studies of modern marine silica biomineralizers demonstrated that the Si isotope ratios (δ30 Si) of sponge spicules and planktonic silica biominerals produced by diatoms or radiolarians can be applied as quantitative proxies for past seawater dissolved silica concentrations due to differences in Si isotope fractionations among these organisms. We undertook 446 ion microprobe analyses of δ30 Si and δ18 O of sponge spicules and radiolarians from Ordovician-Silurian chert deposits of the Mount Hare Formation in Yukon, Canada. These isotopic data showed that sponges living in marine slope and basinal environments displayed small Si isotope fractionations relative to coeval radiolarians. By constructing a mathematical model of the major fluxes and reservoirs in the marine silica cycle and the physiology of silica biomineralization, we found that the concentration of dissolved silica in seawater was less than ~150 μM during early Paleozoic time-a value that is significantly lower than previous estimates. We posit that the topology of the early Paleozoic marine silica cycle resembled that of modern oceans much more closely than previously assumed.
COVID-19 patient accounts of illness severity, treatments and lasting symptoms

First-person accounts of COVID-19 illness and treatment complement and enrich data derived from electronic medical or public health records. With patient-reported data, it is uniquely possible to ascertain in-depth contextual information as well as behavioral and emotional responses to illness. The Novel Coronavirus Illness Patient Report (NCIPR) dataset includes complete survey responses from 1,592 confirmed COVID-19 patients ages 18 to 98. NCIPR survey questions address symptoms, medical complications, home and hospital treatments, lasting effects, anxiety about illness, employment impacts, quarantine behaviors, vaccine-related behaviors and effects, and illness of other family/household members. Additional questions address financial security, perceived discrimination, pandemic impacts (relationship, social, stress, sleep), health history, and coping strategies. Detailed patient reports of illness, environment, and psychosocial impact, proximal to timing of infection and considerate of demographic variation, is meaningful for understanding pandemic-related public health from the perspective of those that contracted the disease.