cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regretting Roth ? Why and How the Supreme Court Could Deprive Tenured Public Teachers of Due Process Rights in Employment

INTRODUCTION 593 I. PREVAILING LAW: THE ROTH/PERRY APPROACH 595 A. Before Roth and Perry 595 B. Setting the Standard: Board of Regents of State Colleges v. Roth 596 C. Elaborating the Standard: Perry v. Sindermann 597 D. “Discretion Formulation” of the Roth/Perry Approach 598 II. REGRET AND RETRENCHMENT 599 A. Seeds of Regret: Dissatisfaction with Roth/Perry in Due Process Cases 600 1. Sandin v. Conner 600 2. Town of Castle Rock v. Gonzales 602 B. Signs of Retrenchment: Restricting Public Employees’ Constitutional Rights 605 1. Speech: Garcetti v. Ceballos 605 2. Equal Protection: Engquist v. Oregon Department of Agriculture 606 3. Implications: Common Trend, Separate Traditions 608 III. SELECT STATE PERFORMANCE-BASED PUBLIC TEACHER EMPLOYMENT STATUTES 610 A. Illinois 610 B. Michigan 612
TESTING THE MODEL AND SOME POLICY-ANALYTIC SIMULATION EXPERIMENTS

This chapter discusses a series of tests of the Philadelphia Region Econometric Model and a set of public policy-related simulations with the model. These simulations include those involving: (1) forecasting, (2) the effect of 1973 oil shortage on the region, (3) the impact of potential defense spending cutbacks, (4) revenue sharing, (5) local government tax policy, and (6) the effects of a “no-growth” policy. The chapter also reviews regional growth and metropolitan decentralization. The chapter also describes a submodel of a firm, and the simulations involving that firm are presented. The first step in the evaluation of regional econometric models is to view their ex post performance in replicating economic activity during the sample period. If the model is linear—in both parameters and variables—a reduced form of the model may be calculated using the actual values of the exogenous variables and the lagged endogenous variables during the sample period.
Club Networks And Innovation In Fashion-Oriented Contexts

We examine a common but largely overlooked form of networks, i.e., clubs. Prior research has examined multi-firm collaboration involving task-flow interdependencies, with network centrality allowin...
A Note on the Ego-Strength Scale and Sex Differences in College Students

This paper presents data bearing on the inconsistencies observed in the failure of Barron’s Es scale to predict therapy outcome for females. It is suggested that in females, Es is more likely to be associated with either the male or female role orientation, rather than masculinity or femininity per se.
Social trends in the iterated prisoner's dilemma

In this paper, we utilize a multi-objective genetic algorithm (GA) to investigate the Iterated Prisoner's Dilemma problem with a population of players that don't have uniform objectives. Each of the members of our population has one of four objective pairs. We simulate a tournament similar to those in previous work to investigate patterns of convergence in objective pairs when they are free to change. We also consider the most successful objective pair within a population when members' objective pairs are fixed.
Evaluation of Risk to the Suprascapular Nerve During Arthroscopic SLAP Repair: Is a Posterior Portal Safer?

Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare the risk of glenoid perforation during SLAP repair for suture anchors placed through an anterolateral portal versus a posterolateral portal of Wilmington. Methods Ten bilateral cadaveric shoulders were randomized to suture anchor placement through an anterolateral portal on one shoulder and a posterolateral portal on the contralateral shoulder. Anchors were placed into anterior, posterior, and far posterior positions on the glenoid rim (1 o'clock, 11 o'clock, and 10 o'clock positions for right shoulders). The shoulder was then dissected, and the distance from the suture anchor tip to the nerve was measured if perforation occurred. The maximum load and failure mechanism of each anchor was assessed with a materials testing system machine. Results Only 2 of 20 anchors placed in the posterosuperior glenoid through the posterolateral portal perforated compared with 16 of 20 of the anchors placed through the anterolateral portal ( P P = .18). We did not observe a significant difference in biomechanical strength ( P > .05). Conclusions There is a high rate of glenoid perforation in close proximity to the suprascapular nerve when placing anchors in the posterosuperior glenoid through an anterolateral portal. Use of the posterolateral portal results in a much lower incidence of glenoid perforation for anchors placed in the posterosuperior glenoid, but there is a higher risk of glenoid perforation for an anchor placed in the anterosuperior glenoid from the posterolateral portal. Clinical Relevance There is a higher risk of injury to the suprascapular nerve when suture anchors are placed in the posterosuperior glenoid through an anterolateral portal compared with a posterolateral portal for SLAP repair.
Variability and compensation of cardiomycoyte ionic conductances at the population level

Conductances of ion channels and transporters controlling cardiac excitation may vary in a population of subjects with different cardiac gene expression patterns. However, the amount of variability and its origin are not quantitatively known. We propose a new computational method to predict this variability that consists of finding combinations of conductances generating a normal intracellular Ca2+ transient without any constraint on the action potential. Furthermore, we validate experimentally its predictions using the Hybrid Mouse Diversity Panel, a model system of genetically diverse mouse strains that allows us to quantify inter-subject versus intra-subject variability. The method predicts that conductances of inward Ca2+ and outward K+ currents compensate each other to generate a normal Ca2+ transient in good quantitative agreement with current measurements in ventricular myocytes from hearts of different isogenic strains. Our results suggest that a feedback mechanism sensing the aggregate Ca2+ transient of the heart suffices to regulate ionic conductances.
Real-world evaluation of multichannel audio enhancement using acoustic pilot signals

In reverberant environments, the performance of multichannel audio enhancement systems depends on the accuracy with which the acoustic impulse responses between sources and microphones can be estimated. Since these responses are difficult to estimate in real-world environments, many multichannel audio enhancement experiments are conducted using simulated data. We propose an experimental method that sidesteps the channel estimation problem by measuring the acoustic impulse responses using pilot signals emitted from a beacon placed near the source of interest. We demonstrate the utility of the method on a multichannel speech mixture recorded in a noisy and reverberant room.
Social Work Education: Ensuring Its Viability into the Future

The most common type of employer for social workers is a private, nonprofit, or charitable organization (34.3% of all social workers); however 41% of social workers work for the government when combining together federal, state, and local governments (The George Washington University Health Workforce Institute, Profile of the social work workforce, http://www.socialserviceworkforce.org/resources/profile-social-work-workforce, 2017). Given these organizations focus on individuals who are indigent, have serious behavioral health challenges and are typically covered through Medicaid and/or Medicare, ensuring social workers know how to supervise within public sector limitations while simultaneously being steeped in compliance related material, such as medical necessity, is vital to their success. However, most social work schools fail to offer targeted classes in these areas, often leaving graduates to learn from those with little or no formal training in key subject areas. While it may appear that addressing these concerns is relatively simple, there are many obstacles to doing so, including faculty having a lack of familiarity with new content and a distrust of public mental health systems (Hoge et al., in Clin Supv 30:184, 2011). Establishing a core set of public sector-based knowledge areas that build on the Council on Social Work Education nine competencies should be a priority, as otherwise social work education and its future utility may be drawn into question (Council on Social Work Education, Educational policy and accreditation standards for baccalaureate and master’s social work programs, https://www.cswe.org/getattachment/Accreditation/Accreditation-Process/2015, 2015).
Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Operational Modal Analysis in Sheared Wind Flow

There has been increased interest in implementing co-located renewable energy generation systems in urban areas, and vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) are a candidate technology for capturing the unsteady, omnidirectional winds that are typical of an urban environment. Before the technology can be widely deployed, the issues of reliability and environmental noise must be addressed. Knowledge of the structural dynamic response of the rotor blades as a function of the wind state that enters the rotor will facilitate a better understanding of both reliability (of the blades and driveline bearings) and noise (frequency content of the blade motions that causes structure-borne noise). An experimental modal model was developed to relate the forces introduced by wind loads to the response of the structure. Experimental modal analysis was performed on a 600 W lift-type (Darrieus) VAWT for a range of azimuth angles and tower heights. Additionally, operational modal analysis was conducted in an indoor simulated wind environment test bed. A modal filtering technique was applied and verified using an electro-dynamic shaker and was then used to analyze the operational data. The effects of wind speed and shear on the modal response were investigated. The key results were a shift down in resonance frequencies with increasing height of the turbine tower for rotor modes coupled to the tower response and significant changes in operational modal response for non-uniform (sheared) wind conditions, especially from the 5 Hz mode of vibration. Future work will involve operational testing of vibration and acoustic emissions of the VAWT on a building rooftop.
Activation of endothelial cell phospholipase D by migrating neutrophils.

BACKGROUND Vascular endothelium plays a critical role in regulating the integrity of intercellular adhesive and junctional contacts in response to migrating neutrophils during the inflammatory process. Biochemical responses induced in endothelial cells by adherent, migrating neutrophils are poorly understood. This study was undertaken to explore the possibility that endothelial cell phospholipase D (PLD) is activated when neutrophils migrate through endothelial cell monolayers in response to chemotactic stimuli. METHODS Bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (BPAEC) were cultured on polycarbonate filters at the base of inserts in Transwell chambers (Costar, Cambridge, MA) and subsequently labeled with 3H-myristic acid. Human neutrophil migration through BPAEC monolayers was measured in response to a chemoattractant gradient produced by leukotriene B4 (LTB4). After neutrophils were induced to migrate through endothelial monolayers in the presence of 0.1% ethanol, the filters were excised, and cellular lipids were extracted. Levels of labeled phosphatidylethanol (PEt), an index of activation of endothelial cell PLD, were measured in chromatographs of resolved phospholipids. RESULTS When neutrophils migrated through endothelial monolayers in response to LTB4, endothelial cells accumulated significant levels of PEt, indicating activation of endothelial cell PLD. Kinetic analysis demonstrated that PEt generation closely paralleled chemotactic migration over a 2-hour time period. Direct contact of neutrophils with the endothelium failed to induce PEt formation in the absence of neutrophil chemotaxis, and LTB4 was an ineffective stimulus of endothelial cell PLD activity in the absence of migrating neutrophils. Neutrophil migration-dependent endothelial PLD activation was observed when chemotaxis was induced by an unrelated chemoattractant, serum activated by exposure to Escherichia coli. However, neutrophil migration alone could not account for activation of endothelial cell PLD, since the peptide chemoattractant f-met-leu-phe (FMLP) induced comparable migration of neutrophils through endothelial monolayers but did not induce PEt generation. CONCLUSIONS Our study indicates that chemotactic migration of neutrophils through endothelial monolayers results in endothelial cell PLD activation. This process may amplify both target and effector cell reactivity during the inflammatory response.
A central role for glial CCR5 in directing the neuropathological interactions of HIV-1 Tat and opiates

The collective cognitive and motor deficits known as HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) remain high even among HIV+ individuals whose antiretroviral therapy is optimized. HAND is worsened in the context of opiate abuse. The mechanism of exacerbation remains unclear but likely involves chronic immune activation of glial cells resulting from persistent, low-level exposure to the virus and viral proteins. We tested whether signaling through C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5) contributes to neurotoxic interactions between HIV-1 transactivator of transcription (Tat) and opiates and explored potential mechanisms. Neuronal survival was tracked in neuronal and glial co-cultures over 72 h of treatment with HIV-1 Tat ± morphine using cells from CCR5-deficient and wild-type mice exposed to the CCR5 antagonist maraviroc or exogenously-added BDNF (analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA). Intracellular calcium changes in response to Tat ± morphine ± maraviroc were assessed by ratiometric Fura-2 imaging (analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA). Release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its precursor proBDNF from CCR5-deficient and wild-type glia was measured by ELISA (analyzed by two-way ANOVA). Levels of CCR5 and μ-opioid receptor (MOR) were measured by immunoblotting (analyzed by Student’s t test). HIV-1 Tat induces neurotoxicity, which is greatly exacerbated by morphine in wild-type cultures expressing CCR5. Loss of CCR5 from glia (but not neurons) eliminated neurotoxicity due to Tat and morphine interactions. Unexpectedly, when CCR5 was lost from glia, morphine appeared to entirely protect neurons from Tat-induced toxicity. Maraviroc pre-treatment similarly eliminated neurotoxicity and attenuated neuronal increases in [Ca2+]i caused by Tat ± morphine. proBDNF/BDNF ratios were increased in conditioned media from Tat ± morphine-treated wild-type glia compared to CCR5-deficient glia. Exogenous BDNF treatments mimicked the pro-survival effect of glial CCR5 deficiency against Tat ± morphine. Our results suggest a critical role for glial CCR5 in mediating neurotoxic effects of HIV-1 Tat and morphine interactions on neurons. A shift in the proBDNF/BDNF ratio that favors neurotrophic support may occur when glial CCR5 signaling is blocked. Some neuroprotection occurred only in the presence of morphine, suggesting that loss of CCR5 may fundamentally change signaling through the MOR in glia.
Effects of grab bars and backrests on independent wheelchair transfer performance and technique

OBJECTIVE For individuals who rely on wheeled mobility devices for primary mobility, the ability to transfer independently greatly enhances participation in activities within and outside of the home. Nonlevel transfers are challenging and inevitable as not all surfaces in all settings can be made level with an individual's seat to floor height. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of two transfer aids, grab bars, and backrests, on the performance and quality of nonlevel transfers. METHODS This study employed a repeated-measures design with transfer setup as the independent variable. Sixty-eight (53 men and 15 women) wheeled mobility device users performed level and nonlevel transfers to a bare surface, a surface with grab bars present, a surface with grab bars, and a backrest present. For each condition, participants were asked to transfer as high and as low as they could go while still performing an independent and safe transfer. The transfer assessment instrument was used to evaluate the quality of their transfer technique. RESULTS Participants were able to transfer an absolute height up to 2.5 cm (1″) higher and lower when grab bars or grab bars and a backrest were present on the surface (p < 0.042) and 2.3 cm (~1″) higher relative to their wheelchair level seat high when grab bars were present on the surface (p < .001). Transfer technique significantly improved for both uphill and downhill transfers with the presence of grab bars and a backrest as shown by the transfer assessment instrument scores (p < 0.046). CONCLUSIONS The presence of grab bars and a backrest on transfer surfaces may help mobility device users to achieve higher and lower absolute transfer heights and facilitate better transfer technique.
Defining atheism, theism, and god

At first glance, atheism seems simple to define. If atheism is the negation of theism, and if theism is the view that at least one god exists, then atheism is the negation of this view. However, the common definitions that follow from this insight suffer from two problems: first, they often leave undefined what “god” means, and, second, they understate the scope of the disagreement between theists and atheists, which often has as much to do with the fundamental character of reality as with the existence of one being in it. Some writers address the second problem by reinterpreting atheism as the logical consequence of particular metaphysical views, such as naturalism or physicalism, which are then taken as the true meaning of atheism. These interpretations, though more satisfactory in some respects, can result in concepts of atheism that are unclear or too narrow, and they often still leave “god” undefined. In this paper, I propose that atheism be defined as the proposition that reality is solely an impersonal order. Theism is the proposition that reality is not solely an impersonal order, being either a personal order, that is, an order founded by at least one person, or an impersonal order plus at least one transcendent person. A god is a person who is not subject to the laws governing that order and thus transcends it. I explain these definitions and briefly discuss some of their implications. First I survey prior definitions of atheism to display the problems they raise.
Associations of Maternal Gestational Weight Gain and Obesity With the Timing of Pubertal Onset in Daughters

Early puberty is associated with adverse health outcomes, but little is known regarding early-life determinants influencing pubertal timing. We examined the associations between maternal gestational weight gain (GWG) and the timing of the onset of breast development (thelarche) and pubic hair development (pubarche) in a cohort of 2,070 girls born in a Kaiser Permanente Northern California facility between 2005 and 2006. Using Weibull regression models accommodating interval censoring and adjusting for important confounders, we found that excess GWG was associated with increased risk of early thelarche (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.50, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.26, 1.78) and early pubarche (HR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.66). Inadequate GWG was associated with early thelarche (HR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.08, 1.71). The associations between excess or inadequate GWG and risk of earlier thelarche were stronger if mothers were obese before or at the beginning of pregnancy (body mass index ≥30 kg body weight per m height squared) (HR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.53, 2.63; HR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.45, 2.98, respectively). Similar associations were found for pubarche outcome. Inclusion of girls' prepubertal body mass index slightly attenuated these associations, but they remained significant. Monitoring of maternal weight before and throughout pregnancy might help prevent early pubertal onset and subsequent negative health outcomes.
Overcoming Barriers to Development of Novel Therapies for Cardiovascular Disease: Insights From the Oncology Drug Development Experience.

Summary Despite the fact that cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number 1 cause of death globally, investment in drug development and new drug approvals for CVD are precipitously declining. In contrast, the trajectory of both investment in development as well as new drug approvals for oncology have been increasing steadily over the same time frame. The factors that have spurred drug development in oncology may be applicable to new efforts to overcome barriers to drug development for CVD. Greater investment in basic research and application of expedited regulatory pathways have contributed to a lowering of development barriers in oncology. Barriers in implementation are also critical. More rapid adoption of guideline-based therapies and lower access barriers by payers have contributed to fewer implementation barriers for oncology therapeutics. There is substantially greater advocacy among patients and physicians for new oncology therapeutics, and such advocacy efforts are likely to have had a meaningful impact on lowering barriers to develop new oncology therapeutics. Broad support of patient and physician advocacy efforts directed towards CVD may help overcome existing development and implementation barriers to new drug development, thereby spurring more rapid progress in the fight to eradicate cardiovascular disease.
Public policy relating to consumer comprehension of television commercials: A review and some empirical results

The utility of disclosure supers in television commercials in providing consumers with useful information is investigated. First the role of the various regulatory agencies in monitoring disclosure supers is reviewed. Next we review the role of consumer behavior theory in explaining how consumers process disclosure information. Then we develop and test hypotheses relating to four format aspects of disclosure supers. The findings supported the hypotheses. Viewers demonstrated lower levels of comprehension for disclosure information relative to information in the body copy of the commercials. Comprehension of disclosure information increased when typeface of disclosure was larger and when a voice-over accompanied the disclosure, but decreased when volume of information in disclosure supers increased. The implications of the findings for public policy are discussed.
Examining Intensive Groups in YouTube Commenter Networks

Focal structures are the sets of individuals in social networks that are not influential on their own but are influential collectively. These individuals, when coordinating, can be responsible for massive information diffusion, influence operations, or could coordinate (cyber)-attacks. These communities have high tension than other communities in the social network and can mobilize crowds. In this research, we propose a two-level decomposition optimization method for identifying these intensive groups in the complex social networks by constructing a two-level optimization problem for maximizing the local individual’s degree centrality values and the global modularity measures. We also demonstrate the assembled centrality modularity method by applying to a network of YouTube users commenting on conspiracy theory videos to identify coordinating commenters. The dataset consisted of 9,661 users commenting on 4,145 conspiracy theory videos and the derived commenter network contained more than 4.4 million edges. Focal structure analysis was applied to this network to identify sets of users that are coordinating to promote disinformation dissemination. Our proposed model identifies smallest atomic units having high influence, interactions, higher reachability for information propagation. A multi-criteria optimization problem is also employed to rank the identified sets for further investigations.
SANDER, THE MISMATCH THEORY, AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION: CRITIQUING THE ABSENCE OF PRAXIS IN POLICY

This Article provides an efficient synthesis of the research to date on a controversial topic, Professor Richard Sander's mismatch theory, and the traction it continues to gain through litigation and political posturing. It is also the point of embarkation on a forthcoming exploration of the appropriate place for African American law students. Throughout the Article, I inject my own thoughts and analysis about Sander's, and each critic's, research and perspectives. This Article is timely because concepts like equity, equality, fairness, and justice continue to be heatedly discussed in a variety of forums, including academic journals and political debates. The Article's goal is to broaden the considerations involved in current affirmative action discussions and question policies constructed absent the voices of those most affected.
Networked Decision Making for Poisson Processes With Applications to Nuclear Detection

This paper addresses a detection problem where a network of radiation sensors has to decide, at the end of a fixed time interval, if a moving target is a carrier of nuclear material. The problem entails determining whether or not a time-inhomogeneous Poisson process due to the moving target is buried in the recorded background radiation. In the proposed method, each of the sensors transmits once to a fusion center a locally processed summary of its information in the form of a likelihood ratio. The fusion center then combines these messages to arrive at an optimal decision in the Neyman-Pearson framework. The approach offers a pathway toward the development of novel fixed-interval detection algorithms that combine decentralized processing with optimal centralized decision making.
Inheritors of the Earth: How Nature is Thriving in an Age of Extinction

Chris Thomas’ work explores species changes globally and in various ecosystems since the inception of the Anthropocene. In his work, Thomas acknowledges that we are in a period of rapid species ext...
Developing a national research agenda to reduce consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and increase safe water access and consumption among 0- to 5-year-olds: a mixed methods approach

Objective: Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption in early childhood is a public health concern. Adequate hydration in early childhood is also important. We developed a national research agenda to improve beverage consumption patterns among 0–5-year-olds. This article focuses on the process used to develop this research agenda. Design: A mixed methods, multi-step process was used to develop the research agenda, including: (i) a scientific advisory committee; (ii) systematic reviews on strategies to reduce SSB consumption and increase water access and consumption; (iii) two stakeholder surveys to first identify and then rank strategies to reduce SSB consumption and increase water access and consumption; (iv) key informant interviews to better understand determinants of beverage consumption and strategies to improve beverage consumption patterns among high-risk groups; (v) an in-person convening with experts; and (vi) developing the final research agenda. Setting: This process included research and stakeholders from across the United States. Participants: A total of 276 participants completed survey 1 and 182 participants completed survey 2. Key informant interviews were conducted with 12 stakeholders. Thirty experts attended the convening, representing academia, government, and non-profit sectors. Results: Thirteen key issue areas and 59 research questions were developed. Priority topics were beverage consumption recommendations, fruit-flavoured drink consumption, interventions tailored to high-risk groups, and family engagement in childcare. Conclusions: This research agenda lays the groundwork for research efforts to improve beverage patterns of young children. The methods used can be a template to develop research agendas for other public health issues.
Characteristics of Pediatric Patients With Retained Bullet Fragments and Need for Follow-Up Blood Lead Monitoring.

OBJECTIVES Multiple case reports of lead toxicity related to retained bullet fragments in pediatric patients sustaining gunshot wound have been published. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the demographic and clinical characteristics of gunshot wounds (GSWs) could be classified high/low risk and whether routine blood lead monitoring is necessary in these patients. METHODS A single-center prospective case series of pediatric GSW patients presenting to the emergency department (ED). The data points that were collected and analyzed included age, sex, race, wound location, disposition, and baseline and follow-up lead levels within 6 months post-injury. RESULTS Twenty patients were enrolled in the study and the median age was 7.5 years (interquartile range 5.25-10.75); 75% of the patients were African American. A total of 15 patients (75%) had injuries in either a lower or upper extremity, 9 of whom required admission. Almost all of the injuries involving the head, chest, or abdomen required admission. Of the patients, 65% were admitted and 35% were discharged. All of the patients had an initial blood lead level taken, and follow-up lead levels were determined at 6 months post-injury to be <5 μg/dL. Twelve of 20 patients were lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Pediatric GSW is common in male African Americans and these patients had baseline and follow-up lead levels below the reference level. These patients were difficult to follow up. Based on the available data, follow-up lead monitoring may not be indicated.
Respiratory monitoring during mechanical ventilation.

Careful respiratory monitoring is imperative in patients receiving mechanical ventilation. This article reviews invasive measurements of arterial and mixed venous blood gases, non-invasive measurements of arterial oxygenation, respiratory center function, respiratory muscle function, respiratory mechanics, and breathing pattern.
Ketamine for Prehospital Pain Management Does Not Prolong Emergency Department Length of Stay

Ketamine is gaining acceptance as an agent for prehospital pain control, but the associated risks of agitation, hallucinations and sedation have raised concern about its potential to prolong emerge...
Combined multiplicative–Heston model for stochastic volatility

Abstract We consider a model of stochastic volatility which combines features of the multiplicative model for large volatilities and of the Heston model for small volatilities. The steady-state distribution in this model is a Beta Prime and is characterized by the power-law behavior at both large and small volatilities. We discuss the reasoning behind using this model as well as consequences for our recent analyses of distributions of stock returns and realized volatility.
Segmental Dtw: A Parallelizable Alternative to Dynamic Time Warping

In this work we explore parallelizable alternatives to DTW for globally aligning two feature sequences. One of the main practical limitations of DTW is its quadratic computation and memory cost. Previous works have sought to reduce the computational cost in various ways, such as imposing bands in the cost matrix or using a multiresolution approach. In this work, we utilize the fact that computation is an abundant resource and focus instead on exploring alternatives that approximate the inherently sequential DTW algorithm with one that is parallelizable. We describe two variations of an algorithm called Segmental DTW, in which the global cost matrix is broken into smaller sub-matrices, subsequence DTW is performed on each sub-matrix, and the results are used to solve a segment-level dynamic programming problem that specifies a globally optimal alignment path. We evaluate the proposed alignment algorithms on an audio-audio alignment task using the Chopin Mazurka dataset, and we show that they closely match the performance of regular DTW. We further demonstrate that almost all of the computations in Segmental DTW are parallelizable, and that one of the variants is unilaterally better than the other for both empirical and theoretical reasons.
Long-term survival after heart transplantation for cardiac sarcoidosis.

Background Cardiac sarcoidosis is an increasingly common indication for a heart transplant, but there is a paucity of knowledge with regard to long-term outcomes following transplant. Methods We utilized the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database to retrospectively analyze adult patients undergoing first-time, single-organ heart transplant between January 1999 and March 2020. Results Of the 41,447 patients that underwent heart transplant during the study period, 289 (0.7%) were transplanted for a primary diagnosis of restrictive cardiomyopathy due to cardiac sarcoidosis (RCM-Sarcoidosis). RCM-Sarcoidosis was associated with 33% reduced risk of mortality over 10 years compared to non-RCM indications in a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model (p = .03). Ten-year survival functions were improved among RCM-Sarcoidosis compared to this reference group (73.4% [64.2%-80.6%] vs. 59.5% [58.8%-60.1%], p = .002). Among patients transplanted after 1999 who had at least 10 years of follow-up (n = 19,489), median survival of RCM-Sarcoidosis patients was 11.9 [8.3-14.6] years while that of non-RCM patients was 9.9 [4.0-13.1] years. RCM-Sarcoidosis was not associated with an increased risk of secondary outcomes such as graft failure, rejection, or infection. The incidence of retransplant was comparable between RCM-Sarcoidosis and non-RCM patients (1.38% vs. 1.50%, p = .93). Conclusions These data suggest that long-term outcomes following transplant for cardiac sarcoidosis are favorable compared to heart transplant for other indications.
Evaluation of the role of Babesia species and Cytauxzoon felis in feline anemia cases in Colorado, USA.

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the blood of cats in Colorado, USA, with suspected infectious causes of anemia for the presence of Babesia species and Cytauxzoon felis DNA. Results of PCR testing for other common vector-borne diseases potentially associated with anemia are also reported. Methods Samples from 101 cats were tested using a PCR assay that coamplified the DNA of C felis and Babesia species mitochondrial DNA. PCR testing for DNA of hemoplasmas, Bartonella species, Ehrlichia species, Anaplasma species, Neorickettsia risticii and Wolbachia genera was also performed if not carried out previously. Results Twenty-two cats (21.8%) were positive for DNA of an infectious agent. DNA from hemoplasma species were amplified from 14 cats (13.9%). Bartonella species DNA was amplified from four cats (4%) and Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma platys, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Wolbachia genera DNA were amplified from one cat each. Babesia species and C felis mitochondrial DNA were not amplified from any sample. Conclusions and relevance Based on the results of this study, it does not appear that Babesia species or C felis are clinically relevant in anemic cats in Colorado, USA. For C felis, this suggests that the vector Amblyomma americanum is still uncommon in this geographic area.
Cosplay on Demand? Instagram, OnlyFans, and the Gendered Fantrepreneur

Fan producers engaged in monetization, or what Suzanne Scott has termed “fantrepreneurs,” struggle with legal mechanisms for brand-building given the limitations of both copyright and platform mode...
Pathophysiologic Aspects of Ischemic Edema

1. Within 5 min of interference with the arterial blood supply, a recognizable water uptake, as measured by specific gravity of the brain tissue, can be observed. This abnormal water uptake, based on the swelling of cellular elements of the affected brain parenchyma, progresses further with the continuation of ischemia. 2. The onset of necrotic changes in the brain parenchyma (with the exclusion of blood vessels) produces a drastic further reduction in specific gravity, presumably due to the osmotic effect of products of lysosomal digestion, as well as to fatty transformation of the necrotic tissue. 3. Release of the arterial occlusion and reestablishment of the circulation markedly accelerate the reduction in specific gravity of brain tissue which has been exposed to prolonged ischemia (3 or 6 h). Following 1 h of occlusion, a pronounced drop in specific gravity occurs after some delay and in relation to the development of necrotic changes. 4. Opening of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to serum proteins in the post-ischemic periods, as evaluated by the behavior of Evans blue tracer, is of a transitory nature. This opening, which appears to be due to a greatly increased pinocytotic passage of proteins across the endothelial layer, seems to be independent of necrotic changes in the parenchyma or of an increase in the cerebral blood flow (CBF). 5. Ischemic brain edema can be regarded as predominantly of the cytotoxic type, starting with an intracellular accumulation of water, and later intensifying markedly due to osmotic movement of water into necrotic areas of the brain parenchyma. Opening of the BBB to proteins, which occurs after some delay according to the principles of the “maturation” phenomenon, introduces in addition a vasogenic component into the ischemic pathology.
Minimizing Blood Transfusion in Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Through a Multimodal Approach.

Abstract Background We introduced a multimodal, multidisciplinary approach to perioperative blood management aimed at reducing blood transfusions in primary knee (TKA) and hip (THA) arthroplasty. The protocol included (1) preoperative hemoglobin optimization through a multidisciplinary approach, (2) minimization of perioperative blood loss, and (3) adherence to evidence-based transfusion guidelines. Methods Evaluation of 1010 consecutive patients undergoing primary TKA (488) or THA (522) was performed. Results A significant reduction in the overall transfusion rate (1.4% vs 17.9%, P Conclusion Adoption of a multimodal blood management algorithm can significantly reduce blood transfusions in primary joint arthroplasty.
Treatment of established postoperative nausea and vomiting: a quantitative systematic review

The relative efficacy of antiemetics for the treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is poorly understood. Systematic search (MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, bibliographies, any language, to 8.2000) for randomised comparisons of antiemetics with any comparator for the treatment of established PONV. Dichotomous data on prevention of further nausea and vomiting, and on side effects were combined using a fixed effect model. In seven trials (1,267 patients), 11 different antiemetics were tested without placebos; these data were not further analysed. Eighteen trials (3,809) had placebo controls. Dolasetron 12.5–100 mg, granisetron 0.1–3 mg, tropisetron 0.5–5 mg, and ondansetron 1–8 mg prevented further vomiting with little evidence of dose-responsiveness; with all regimens, absolute risk reductions compared with placebo were 20%–30%. The anti-nausea effect was less pronounced. Headache was dose-dependent. Results on propofol were contradictory. The NK1 antagonist GR205171, isopropyl alcohol vapor, metoclopramide, domperidone, and midazolam were tested in one trial each with a limited number of patients. Of 100 vomiting surgical patients receiving a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, 20 to 30 will stop vomiting who would not have done so had they received a placebo; less will profit from the anti-nausea effect. There is a lack of evidence for a clinically relevant dose-response; minimal effective doses may be used. There is a discrepancy between the plethora of trials on prevention of PONV and the paucity of trials on treatment of established symptoms. Valid data on the therapeutic efficacy of classic antiemetics, which have been used for decades, are needed.
Cost-benefit analysis of two strategies for prevention of Haemophilus influenzae type b infection.

A cost-benefit analysis for Haemophilus influenzae type b disease prevention was developed to examine two officially recommended preventive strategies: H influenzae type b capsular polysaccharide immunization and rifampin prophylaxis of exposed contacts. The social costs of H influenzae type b disease in the 1984 US birth cohort will be $1.937 billion when base case assumptions are made. If it is assumed that 60% of all children could be vaccinated at 24 months of age, universal vaccination has the highest economic benefits of any single preventive strategy considered (net savings $64.8 million). Rifampin prophylaxis of appropriate household contacts has the highest benefit to cost ratio (59:1), but because rifampin prevents only secondary disease, only half as many cases can be prevented with rifampin prophylaxis of appropriate household contacts (501 cases prevented, $1,994 per case prevented) as with universal vaccination at 24 months (985 cases prevented, $63,484 per case prevented). Single-dose vaccination of day-care attendees at 18 months of age is the most expensive preventive strategy considered ($148,445 per case prevented, 306 cases prevented). Rifampin prophylaxis of appropriate day-care contacts prevents the fewest H influenzae type b cases ($46,041 per case prevented, 72 cases prevented).
Foundations for Change: Rule of Law, Development, and Democratization

This article advances the discussion of democratization as a complex process. Much of the democratization story focuses on wealth and how it advances or maintains liberalization. However, in this work, we demonstrate that the route to democracy and the route to wealth lie in the limitations on the state, specifically the rule of law which holds the state accountable as it creates a realm of sovereign space for man. We focus on the rule of law and evaluate how the lack of corruption in government and the enforcement of property rights impact wealth, the formation of civil society, and the corresponding shift of power structures that lead to democratization efforts. We analyze the hypothesized relationships through a nested analysis design, focusing on the developing world, where previous modernization theories have been less applicable, and explain how rule of law has an increasing impact on both development and democratization.
Perioperative management of low birth weight infants for open‐heart surgery

Infants of birth weight ≤2500 g are termed low birth weight (LBW). These children often have considerable morbidity from prematurity and intra-uterine growth restriction. Additionally, LBW infants have increased risk for cardiac and noncardiac congenital anomalies and may require surgery. Primary rather than palliative surgical repair of cardiac lesions has been preferred in recent years. However, LBW remains a risk factor for increased mortality and morbidity after open-heart surgery (OHS). There is a paucity of information about the anesthetic challenges presented by LBW infants undergoing OHS. This review summarizes the perioperative issues of relevance to anesthesiologists who manage these high-risk patients. Emphasis is placed on management concerns that are unique to LBW infants. Retrospective data from the authors' institution are provided for those aspects of anesthetic care that lack published studies. Successful outcome often requires substantial hospital resources and collaborative multi-disciplinary effort.
Crop water requirements for rainfed and irrigated rice (Paddy) in China

A parametric crop water use and yield model was used to calculate temporal and spatial water consumption for rice for the region of China and Korea. The objective was to investigate evapotranspiration (ET) demand and associated irrigation water application strategies for irrigated and rainfed crop production. A network of 241 stations provided the seasonal climatic input consisting of data averaged over approximately a 20 year period. Highest ET under full irrigation (first harvest) was observed in the northwestern, northcentral, and southwestern inland sections of China, whereas least ET occurred in son hcentral China. In order to achieve optimum crop yields, over 1000 mm of irrigation water was needed in the northwest and southwest, in contrast to about 500 mm in southcentral China. The number of required irrigations exceeded eight per growing season in the western and central interior, the edges of the Tibetan Plateau, and the south China littoral. A brief sensitivity analysis was conducted to determine the degree of error introduced by faulty or uncertain station input data.
Component based game development: a solution to escalating costs and expanding deadlines?

Expanding deadlines and escalating costs have notoriously plagued the game industry. Although the majority of the game development costs are spent on art and animation, significant cost reductions and more importantly reductions in development time can be achieved when developers use off the shelf components rather than develop them from scratch. However, many game developers struggle with component integration and managing the complexity of their architectures. This paper gives an overview of developing games with components, presents a reference architecture that outlines the relevant areas of reuse and signifies some of the problems with developing components unique to the domain of games.
Vitamin C Nutriture Has Little Short-Term Effect on Vitamin E Concentrations in Healthy Women

To determine whether the postulated sparing effect of vitamin E by ascorbic acid (AA) is important for human nutrition, we studied vitamin E status in 20 healthy pre-menopausal women (age 20-43 y) with high or low vitamin C intakes for 6 wk in a live-in metabolic unit. The experimental diet contained no fruits and vegetables and provided 5 mg/d of AA (Recommended Dietary Allowance = 60 mg/d), 3 mg/d of alpha-tocopherol (RDA = 10 mg/d) and 42 g/d of tocopherol-stripped safflower oil to increase the vitamin E requirement. Half of the subjects revived a daily AA supplement of 495 mg (high AA group). A biochemical ascorbate deficiency was attained in the low AA group as indicated by plasma AA concentrations that reached the lower limit of normal by study d 15. Oral doses (20 mg) of hexadeuterated RRR-alpha-tocopherol acetate (d6-alphaT) were given daily to all subjects on d 15-21. Measures of vitamin E status included d6-alphaT and unlabeled alpha-tocopherol concentrations in plasma, platelets, buccal cells and adipose. The levels of unlabeled alpha-tocopherol decreased over time in plasma and platelets and were unchanged for buccal cells and adipose, but were not significantly affected by AA intake. Likewise, the rise and fall of plasma and platelet d6-alpha T, and measures of lipid peroxidation, were not affected by AA intake. Although vitamin C nutriture did not significantly affect vitamin E status within the 6-wk time period of this experiment, further study of this question is warranted, because some of the present results indicate a trend toward sparing of tissue tocopherol by high AA intake.