cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Human coffee drinking: manipulation of concentration and caffeine dose.

In a residential research ward coffee drinking was studied in 9 volunteer human subjects with histories of heavy coffee drinking. A series of five experiments was undertaken to characterize adlibitum coffee consumption and to investigate the effects of manipulating coffee concentration, caffeine dose per cup, and caffeine preloads prior to coffee drinking. Manipulations were double-blind and scheduled in randomized sequences across days. When cups of coffee were freely available, coffee drinking tended to be rather regularly spaced during the day with intercup intervals becoming progressively longer throughout the day; experimental manipulations showed that this lengthening of intercup intervals was not due to accumulating caffeine levels. Number of cups of coffee consumed was an inverted U-shaped function of both coffee concentration and caffeine dose per cup; however, coffee-concentration and dose-per-cup manipulations did not produce similar effects on other measures of coffee drinking (intercup interval, time to drink a cup, within-day distribution of cups). Caffeine preload produced dose-related decreases in number of cups consumed. As a whole, these experiments provide some limited evidence for both the suppressive and the reinforcing effects of caffeine on coffee consumption. Examination of total daily coffee and caffeine intake across experiments, however, provides no evidence for precise regulation (i.e., titration) of coffee or caffeine intake.
Template-based online character recognition

Abstract Handwriting is a common, natural form of communication for humans, and therefore it is useful to utilize this modality as a means of input to machines. One well-known method of classifying individual characters or words is template matching. We demonstrate a template-based system for online character recognition where the number of representative templates is determined automatically. These templates can be viewed as representing different styles of writing a particular character. The templates are then used as a reference for efficient classification using decision trees. Overall, our classifier achieves an 86.9% accuracy on a set of 17,928 alphanumeric characters (36 classes; 10 digits and 26 lowercase letters) with a throughput of over 8 characters per second on a 296 MHz Sun UltraSparc.
Nuclear Import of Influenza Virus RNA Can Be Mediated by Viral Nucleoprotein and Transport Factors Required for Protein Import (

We have fluorescently labeled one of the eight genomic segments of influenza virus RNA and a recombinant influenza viral protein, the nucleoprotein (NP), to investigate the requirement for their uptake into nuclei of digitonin-permeabilized cells. We found that the influenza viral NP behaves like a nuclear localization sequence (NLS) containing protein. Thus, at 0°C it docks at the nuclear envelope only in the presence of the heterodimeric karyopherin (either karyopherin α1β or karyopherin α2β), and docking is competitively inhibited by an unlabeled NLS containing substrate. Like other NLS-containing proteins, at 20°C NP is imported into the nucleus after further addition of the GTPase Ran and of p10. In contrast, the fluorescently labeled, 890-nucleotide-long viral RNA segment does not dock to the nuclear envelope or enter the nucleus either in the presence of exogenous cytosol or of karyopherin heterodimer, Ran, and p10. However, in the presence of NP the RNA is able to dock and enter the nucleus with transport requirements indistinguishable from those for docking and entry of NP. These data indicate that uptake of the influenza virus RNA segment is not via a signal in the RNA but via an NLS of a viral protein such as NP.
Surface-plasmon–polariton excitation of optical microcavities and second-harmonic emission

We have created microscopic Fabry–Perot optical resonator cavities between the flattened end of a tunneling microscope tip and a semitransparent metal film. Power is transferred to cavity modes from a laser beam by means of surface-plasmon–polariton generation and subsequent radiative decay. We compare the dependence of the axial emission from these modes on cavity length and on the angle of incidence with the predictions of a stratified-medium model. The mode structure has a finesse that approaches the theoretical limit. At high incident power, second-harmonic radiation produced by weakly localized surface-plasmon–polaritons is also coupled into the cavity and detected in axial emission.
Development and Initial Validation of the PEG, a Three-item Scale Assessing Pain Intensity and Interference

BACKGROUND Inadequate pain assessment is a barrier to appropriate pain management, but single-item “pain screening” provides limited information about chronic pain. Multidimensional pain measures such as the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) are widely used in pain specialty and research settings, but are impractical for primary care. A brief and straightforward multidimensional pain measure could potentially improve initial assessment and follow-up of chronic pain in primary care.
The oblique wing - Aircraft design for transonic and low supersonic speeds

In tests at transonic speeds a conventional 'subsonic' wing turned at an oblique angle to the flow has demonstrated lift-drag ratios higher than conventional swept-back or delta wings. When returned to its straight position, perpendicular to the flow, such a wing would minimize the display of energy and noise in the airport environment. Following a brief review of theoretical and experimental results, the paper discusses various characteristics of the oblique wing as they relate to aircraft design. Topics covered are lift-drag ratio, flight control and trim and aeroelastic stability. The possibility of an all-wing aircraft for flight at Mach 2 is suggested.
Effect of zonal conditions and posture on pulmonary blood flow distribution to subpleural and interior lung

Observations made on vessels seen directly beneath the pleura may not accurately reflect what occurs in vessels located deeper in the interior of the lung. We quantified flow to subpleural and deep...
Improving the Peer Relationships of Rejected Children

During the last decade, a number of studies have tested the effectiveness of school-based social skill training programs designed to promote positive peer relationships and peer acceptance. In the same time period, research on the characteristics of peer-rejected children has proliferated, as have conceptual models designed to delineate the maladaptive processes involved in the development of peer relation difficulties. It has become apparent that the behavior problems experienced by rejected children are multiple and diverse and that current interventions meet only some of the needs of these children.
Who Should Sing “Ol’ Man River”? The Lives of an American Song

Following closely on the heels of his 2013 book Show Boat: Performing Race in an American Musical, Todd R. Decker’s latest book, also from Oxford University Press, deftly mines the landmark musical...
THE VELOCITY AND ATTENUATION OF SOUND IN CARBONS

A study was made of the velocity and attenuation of high frequency longitudinal sound waves transmitted through carbon rods. The velocities found are independent of frequency and are in fair agreement with values calculated using values for Young's modulus obtained from static deflections. A rather strong dependence of ultrasonic attenuation on particle size and on heat-treatment temperature was found. Rods made from small particle size mixes show a linear dependence of attenuation on frequency. Hysteresis losses are probably responsible for most of the attenuation in this type of carbon. Rods made of large, single-sized particle mixes have high attenuation coefficients with a square frequency dependence in the frequency range used. This is attributed to scattering of sound waves by pores.
Sterilization of Pink Bollworms with Aziridine Chemosterilants and with Hempa

Topical applications of tretamine, P,P -bis (1-aziridinyl)- N -isopropylphosphinic amide (ENT 51256), and the butyl homologue of ENT 51256 (ENT 51028) to male and female moths of Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) caused at least 80% reduction in egg hatch. Topical applications of hempa sterilized females only. Tepa fed in sugar water was toxic and reduced percentage mated, but it sterilized the female moths. Metepa pipetted on the larval diet did not sterilize either males or females.
Housing Satisfaction of Older (55+) Single-Person Householders in U.S. Rural Communities

This study aims to understand the housing satisfaction of older (55+) singleperson householders in U.S. rural communities using the available variables from a secondary data set, the 2011 American Housing Survey (AHS). In this study, housing satisfaction was considered to be an indicator of quality of life. Based on previous studies, we developed a model to test a hypothesized relationship between older (55+) single-person householders’ (N = 1,017) housing satisfaction and their personal, physical, financial, and environmental characteristics. Multiple regression results showed that the model was supported, indicating that significant variables in housing satisfaction include age, gender, health status, age of house, structure type, and unit location. Among the significant variables, health status was revealed to be the strongest factor in housing satisfaction. Housing satisfaction was discussed as potential indicators of quality of life.
Commentary on: SMAS Fusion Zones Determine the Subfascial and Subcutaneous Anatomy of the Human Face: Fascial Spaces, Fat Compartments, and Models of Facial Aging.

Dr Pessa's current article is a well written and beautifully illustrated cadaver study that should be of significant interest to those performing sub-SMAS facelift surgery and/or facial volume augmentation.1 He has extended the findings of Kikkawa et al2 and Mendelson et al,3 who have previously described the orbital retaining ligaments as a bilaminar membrane and roof of the prezygomatic space. Dr Pessa describes 4 additional bilaminar membranes travelling from fascia or periosteum to the SMAS. Further, he describes the deep fat compartments as bordered by a series of bilaminar vertically and horizontally oriented septae through which vessels, nerve branches, and lymphatics may be stabilized as they pass from deep to superficial. The superficial fascia is then further related to the dermis by the unilaminar reticula cutis passing from superficial fascia to skin. Understanding where these fusion points exist allows the surgeon to avoid facial nerve injury. Dr Pessa's use of dye-injection techniques correlated with cross-sectional rather than layered anatomy makes the cadaver dissections abundantly clear. This means of illustration emphasizes the all-important 3-dimensional nature of this complex anatomical area. While descent, deflation, and ligamentous attenuation have each been implicated in the etiology of facial aging, …
Renaissance of inorganic liquid-host neodymium lasers: first demonstration that “liquid glass” lases continuously

Advantages of liquid-host neodymium lasers were recognized in the 1960s [1]. Pulsed lamp pumping produced high pulse energies and average powers, but transient heating effects seriously degraded laser beam quality and extinguished lasing. Improvements in solid-state lasers have made them more attractive for most applications. Nevertheless, heat-removal from poorly-conducting static gain media remains challenging. Developments in pump sources (especially diode-laser arrays) motivate a fresh look at liquid-host rare-earth lasers. Continuous excitation and steady flow of the gain medium [2] eliminate transients and facilitate beam-quality improvement. This first report of CW Nd: liquid laser operation suggests potential for scalability to high average power.
Mediated Geographies Across Arizona: Learning Literacy Skills Through Filmmaking

This chapter explores the project Mediated Geographies: Critical Pedagogy and Geographic Education, which combined the geography departments from the three Universities in Arizona (Northern Arizona State University, Arizona State University, and the University of Arizona). In the pedagogical project we encouraged students to both critically evaluate the vast amount of visual information in their daily lives and become literate in technologies related to digital media. Our four goals were as follows: (1) create a series of integrated geography courses across three universities; (2) have students work in groups on semester-long projects to produce digital video documentaries or multi-media photo essays; (3) use learner-centered education principles combined with critical pedagogy to enhance geographic media literacy within the courses; and (4) have students communicate what they learned to fellow students in a formal, conference setting. Elsewhere, we examine how critical pedagogy and learner-centered education strategies were used to engage students in these projects and how students communicated what they learned in a conference setting (Lukinbeal et al. 2007). In this paper we first review the student documentaries that were created and offer web links to these productions, before turning to our assessment of students’ geographic media literacy skills. We conclude by noting the problems, difficulties, and successes of our project and by making suggestions on how to better assess and implement geographic media literacy skills in pedagogic practice.
THE STUDY ON THE DIFFERENCE IN THE RURAL HOUSEHOLDS'GRAIN CONTRIBUTION IN MAJOR GRAIN PRODUCING AREAS——BASED ON THE SURVEY DATE OF THE RURAL HOUSEHOLDS IN HENAN PROVINCE

By using nearly 5 000 households' on following observations sample information of sixteen villages in Henan province,this paper analyzes the difference in the households' grain contribution,the results suggest that: economic polarization among the households is increasingly obvious in Henan province,so the households with surplus grain are decreasing,the households with no enough grain are increasing and the shortage is enlarged.The grain contribution for security mainly depends on the decreasing the households with surplus grain,and its location differentiation is significant.Natural location advantage is conducive to raising the level of farmers' grain contribution,economic location advantage either does good to or has negative effect on farmers' grain contribution,then with both of the location advantages,the synthesis effects on farmers' grain contribution appear.
Investigation of medical vectors in Tianjin

Objective To grasp the population density and its seasonal fluctuation of main medical vectors in Tianjin,and provide scientific basis for the vector control.Methods The night trapping,lamp trapping,cage trapping and sticky trapping were conducted to monitor the densities of rats,adult mosquitoes,flies and cockroaches respectively.Results From 2011 to 2013,the rat densities were 0.20%,0.19% and 0.23%,and the dominant species was Rattus norvegicus and Mus musculus;the densities of adult mosquitoes were 18.82,11.09 and 8.99 insects per lamp hour in the three years,and Culex pipiens pallens was the dominant species.The fly densities were 4.76,4.20 and3.81 pieces per cage,and Musca domestica was the dominant species.The densities of cockroaches were 1.13,0.54 and 0.34 pieces per sticky and Blattella germanica was the dominant species.Conclusion It is important to carry out health dissemination,environment improvement in vector control.
Exploiting overlays for practical and profitable traffic attraction

The Internet is heading towards efficiency with the continued deployment of technologies such as Content Distribution Networks (CDN) and with the introduction of Peer-to-Peer (P2P) localization. These technologies reduce the amount of costly traffic that ISPs must send to other ISPs. While these advances will undoubtedly cause many residential ISPs to gain profit, the transit ISPs that carry traffic for them will actually lose revenue. In this work, we identify different means by which transit ISPs can increase revenue by subverting CDN and P2P systems and thus causing traffic to flow through them on profitable paths. We evaluate how profitable such techniques are by collecting datasets from the popular BitTorrent P2P system and the world-wide Akamai CDN. We find that many ISPs are able to at least double their profitable P2P or CDN traffic, while some can increase it many more times.
High-Resolution Organic Light-Emitting Diodes Patterned via Contact Printing

In this study, we report a contact printing technique that uses polyurethane-acrylate (PUA) polymers as the printing stamps to pattern electroluminescent layers of organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). We demonstrate that electroluminescent thin films can be printed with high uniformity and resolution. We also show that the performance of the printed devices can be improved via postprinting thermal annealing, and that the external quantum efficiency of the printed devices is comparable with the efficiency of the vacuum-deposited OLEDs. Our results suggest that the PUA-based contact printing can be used as an alternative to the traditional shadow mask deposition, permitting manufacturing of OLED displays with the resolution up to the diffraction limit of visible-light emission.
Interaction Between Aerothermally Compliant Structures and Boundary Layer Transition

The inherent relationship between boundary layer stability, aerodynamic heating, and surface conditions make the potential for interaction between the structural response and boundary layer transition an important and challenging area of study in high speed flows. This interdependence implies that accurate structural response prediction of a hypersonic vehicle necessitates an aerothermoelastic analysis that accounts for boundary layer stability in regions where transition is likely to occur. This study focuses on this problem by incorporating a time-varying boundary layer state into the aerothermoelastic response prediction of a structural panel in hypersonic flow. Results demonstrate that rearward movement of the boundary layer transition front reduces thermal loading to the panel and peak deformation, potentially extending the life of the structure.
A vibration-based diagnostic tool for analysis of superimposed failures in electric machines

This paper presents a generalized approach for health monitoring of electric machines based on the measured vibration data. In this methodology the source of the vibration can be detected through data analysis in frequency domain measured by accelerometer sensors attached to the surface of the machine's stator. This method can separate and distinguish the source of vibration in the case of multiple and superimposed failures on a typical electric machine. Although, the analysis have been performed on a 200W, 4 poles, three phase induction machine, this easy to use technique can be expanded to other types of electric machines as well. The results are proving that the accelerometer data can be used to detect the source of failure even if the failures have occurred in the electrical part of the machine.
Trimmed DOE lens and gain enhancement

The RIT research group has developed, designed, constructed and tested a diffractive optical element (DOE) lens for gain enhancement and beam shaping. Although the lens is unique in that it is much thinner and lighter, the size proved to be much larger than the antenna dimensions. This paper presents a methodology for creating a more realistic size of the DOE lens with respect to the antenna dimensions by trimming the lens along an axis and obtaining the gain enhancement in each case. The simulation is performed in CST Microwave Studio.
Wi(deband)-Fi: A Proposal for an Opportunistic Wideband Architecture based on Wi-Fi

We propose a system, Wideband-Fi, that is motivated by the information theoretic optimality of impulsive frequency shift keying (I-FSK) in wideband systems, and by the availability of orthogonal frequencies in current Wi-Fi systems. Using orthogonal frequencies to approximate I-FSK, Wideband-Fi is able to use non-contiguous spectrum bands in an agile manner, thus allowing aggressive spectrum scavenging. We present the main principles of our proposal, preliminary demonstration of its feasibility, and discuss challenges, and its connection to cognate problems such as transport-layer use of multiple wireless interfaces, and detection of white spaces.
Cultural evolution: Evolution of female genital cutting.

Female genital cutting in five West African nations is frequency-dependent and is associated with higher reproductive success among ethnicities in which cutting predominates, a fitness advantage that may outweigh its costs to physical and psychological health.
Lentiviral CCR5 Intrabody Gene Delivery Provides Protection and Enrichment during CCR5-Tropic Infection.

Abstract The molecular mechanism of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) entry into target cells is a multistep mechanism. The viral envelope glycoproteins (env) binds first to CD4 and subsequently interacts with the V3 loop with a chemokine receptor, CCR5 or CXCR4, triggering the fusion event. Several findings suggest that viruses using CCR5 for entry (R5-tropic HIV-1) is the predominant species transmitted among patients. Importantly, CCR5 expression levels determine disease progression. CCR5 does not seem to be necessary for normal cell function, since individuals with a homozygous mutation (Δ32) do not appear to have clinical, immune alterations. Furthermore, these individuals are highly protected against transmission of R5-tropic HIV-1. Therefore, intervention strategies aimed at altering or blocking CCR5 expression may be beneficial for cellular protection and provide a clinical benefit against HIV-1 infection. We have constructed an HIV-1 derived vector, CAD-R5, expressing an intracellular single-chain antibody (intrabody) specific for CCR5 coupled to a KDEL endoplasmic reticulum retention signal. Intrabody expressing primary T-cells efficiently disrupted CCR5 cell surface expression with a 4.3-fold reduction in CCR5 mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) as compared to the control vector without the intrabody gene (7.9 and 33.6 MFI, respectfully). CAD-R5 transduced primary CD4 T-cells expressing the intrabody gene were resistant to R5-tropic HIV infection as shown by a 50 to 60-fold reduction in HIV-1 p24 concentration. Moreover, intrabody gene expressing cells demonstrated a selective advantage and enriched by 6.4-fold in a population of infected cells as compared to uninfected or infected cells containing vector without the intrabody gene. The SCID-human mouse model, produced by conjoining fetal human thymus and liver under the renal capsule, has become a staple for in vivo testing of T cell anti-retroviral therapy. When CAD-R5 transduced, fetal liver derived CD34+ stem cells were used for reconstitution of the human implants in SCID-hu mice (n = 2, 2 groups), 6-weeks later the human thymi displayed an average of 25% reporter gene expressing T cells. Thymocyte development was not altered by vector integration or loss of CCR5 cell surface expression as determined by the CD4+/CD8+ staining profile. Importantly, CCR5 intrabody expressing thymocytes were also highly resistant to ex vivo R5-tropic HIV-1 challenge with a 3-fold reduction in viral load. These results validate the efficacy of lentiviral delivered CCR5 intrabody mediated protection from R5-tropic HIV-1. The findings also underscore the potential advantage of intrabody gene delivery to CD34+ stem cells, which allows differentiation of protected T cell progeny.
The Counterintuitive Influence of Buyer–Supplier Relationships on Disruptive Technology Adoption: An Extended Abstract

While there has long been a focus on the antecedents of product adoption, there has been significantly less research that has taken a look at the antecedents of quality decision making in an adoption scenario (Bhattacherjee 2001). How does an IT manager know that the technology he/she is buying will provide the correct solution for their current issue? Furthermore, how does the buying manager know that he/she is adopting the ideal technology that will be used continuously by his/her firm and prove to be a fruitful investment?
What is Good for General Motors is Bad for America: The 2009 Bailout Through the Lens of Heskett’s Design-Oriented Theory of Value☆

Abstract This research is an applied case study of the 2009 General Motors bailout using John Heskett’s economics as a starting point for analysis. In 1993, Heskett (1937–2014) wrote in International Design that GM’s myopic design vision at the corporate strategy level led to the company’s stagnation and an inability to compete. Professor Heskett had not only captured GM’s competitive position at the time—he had foretold its future decline. Shortly after that article was published, GM declared losses of $23 billion—the largest in US corporate history. In 2009, despite accumulated losses totaling $35 billion, GM was bailed out and nationalized by the US government in another unprecedented event. Through the lens of the GM bailout, this article examines Heskett’s critique of mainstream economics and uses his research into institutional economics and the national system to help define the rent-seeking asset regime that led to the GM bailout. Key observations will benefit firm management, policy-makers, and those interested in political economics from an historical and institutional point of view.
Minimization of electricity demand and cost for multi-zone buildings: Part I—Modeling and validation

Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems are complex in terms of components that make them up and their different time scales. The inefficient operation of a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system leads to unreasonable electricity consumption during peak periods, which is accompanied by a high cost of electricity use. In a multi-zone building, multiple thermal interactions among the different thermal zones and the effects on electricity demand and cost are not well understood, due to the lack of fundamental knowledge. Meanwhile, multi-zone interactions and building dynamics play a crucial role in the overall electricity demand, cost, and load profiles due to the dependency of states of each individual zone on the thermal characteristics and states of the adjacent zones. The objective of this research is to understand multi-zone and equipment interactions in buildings energy systems, and to use that knowledge to minimize electricity demand and cost. To the best of the authors' knowledg...
The impact of innovation: Evidence from corporate bond exchange-traded funds (ETFs)

Abstract Using distinct features of corporate bond exchange-traded funds (ETFs), I find that financial innovation has a significant and long-term positive valuation impact on the systemically important underlying securities. A one standard deviation increase in ETF ownership reduces high-yield and investment-grade bond spreads by 20.3 and 9.2 basis points, respectively, implying an average monthly price increase of 1.03% and 0.75%. Two novel quasi-natural experiments exploit exogenous changes in ETF eligibility to confirm the effect. Examining theoretical explanations for the effect, I find that ETFs decrease liquidity trader participation, increase institutional ownership, and insignificantly or negatively impact the liquidity of individual bonds.
DESIGN OF RELIABLE CONTROL SYSTEMS WITH GUARANTEED DISTURBANCE REJECTION PERFORMANCE

Abstract A methodology is presented for the design of control systems that remain stable in the presence of a prespecified subset of possible actuator and sensor failures, and that maintain a prescribed level of performance (disturbance rejection) as measured by an H ∞ -norm bound. Both centralized and decentralized control: uuctures can be treated. This new methodology is based on a modification of the Riccati approach to H ∞ -norm optimization. An example illustrates the procedure.
Antibiotic Dosing in Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy

Appropriate antibiotic dosing is critical to improve outcomes in critically ill patients with sepsis. The addition of continuous renal replacement therapy makes achieving appropriate antibiotic dosing more difficult. The lack of continuous renal replacement therapy standardization results in treatment variability between patients and may influence whether appropriate antibiotic exposure is achieved. The aim of this study was to determine if continuous renal replacement therapy effluent flow rate impacts attaining appropriate antibiotic concentrations when conventional continuous renal replacement therapy antibiotic doses were used. This study used Monte Carlo simulations to evaluate the effect of effluent flow rate variance on pharmacodynamic target attainment for cefepime, ceftazidime, levofloxacin, meropenem, piperacillin, and tazobactam. Published demographic and pharmacokinetic parameters for each antibiotic were used to develop a pharmacokinetic model. Monte Carlo simulations of 5000 patients were evaluated for each antibiotic dosing regimen at the extremes of Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes guidelines recommended effluent flow rates (20 and 35 mL/kg/h). The probability of target attainment was calculated using antibiotic-specific pharmacodynamic targets assessed over the first 72 hours of therapy. Most conventional published antibiotic dosing recommendations, except for levofloxacin, reach acceptable probability of target attainment rates when effluent rates of 20 or 35 mL/kg/h are used.
Alice in Wonderland: An X-Rated Musical Fantasy (Bud Townshend, 1976)

ABSTRACTThis article explores the centrality of Alice in Wonderland: An X-Rated Musical Fantasy (1976) to the history of porn, noting the ways that it interfaces with trends in adult film production and stands as representative of several possible avenues for the future of pornography before the VHS era. In exploring the film’s contested authorship, association with the producing career of Bill Osco, connection to other films that use public domain literature as material for adaptation, and relationship to the history of adult cinema, the article argues that the film fascinatingly works through apparently contradictory tensions in the history of the field.
Autonomy, Fulfillment, and Expression

There are multiple reasons for state and private actors to respect people’s autonomy. Respecting expressive activity is a way of respecting the personal autonomy of those who engage in this kind of activity and those who receive their communications, and so of facilitating the flourishing of both.
High figure of merit magneto-optics from interfacial skyrmions on topological insulators

In the Kerr rotation geometry, magneto-optic memory devices typically suffer from low figure-of-merit (FOM) and long write times. We show that skyrmions formed at the interface of a thin-film multiferroic and a topological insulator can give rise to high FOM magneto-optic Kerr effects (MOKEs). Huge differential MOKE can arise in parts of the phase diagram. Resonancelike features in the MOKE spectra arising from the induced low energy TI band gap, the multiferroic-film thickness, and the high energy Drude-like behavior are resolved and explained. The Fermi level dependence of the MOKE signatures is distinct for the different magnetic textures. This has broad implications for magnetic texture characterization, electro-optic modulators and isolators, and high density magnetic optic memory.
Cost Effectiveness of Gastric Cancer Screening According to Race and Ethnicity.

Background & Aims There are marked racial and ethnic differences in non-cardia gastric cancer prevalence within the United States. Although gastric cancer screening is recommended in some regions of high prevalence, screening is not routinely performed in the United States. Our objective was to determine whether selected non-cardia gastric cancer screening for high-risk races and ethnicities within the United States is cost effective. Methods We developed a decision analytic Markov model with the base case of a 50-year-old person of non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, Hispanic, or Asian race or ethnicity. The cost effectiveness of a no-screening strategy (current standard) for non-cardia gastric cancer was compared with that of 2 endoscopic screening modalities initiated at the time of screening colonoscopy for colorectal cancer: upper esophagogastroduodenoscopy with biopsy examinations and continued surveillance only if intestinal metaplasia or more severe pathology is identified or esophagogastroduodenoscopy with biopsy examinations continued every 2 years even in the absence of identified pathology. We used prevalence rates, transition probabilities, costs, and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) from publications and public data sources. Outcome measures were reported in incremental cost-effectiveness ratios, with a willingness-to-pay threshold of $100,000/QALY. Results Compared with biennial and no screening, screening esophagogastroduodenoscopy with continued surveillance only when indicated was cost effective for non-Hispanic blacks ($80,278/QALY), Hispanics ($76,070/QALY), and Asians ($71,451/QALY), but not for non-Hispanic whites ($122,428/QALY). The model was sensitive to intestinal metaplasia prevalence, transition rates from intestinal metaplasia to dysplasia to local and regional cancer, cost of endoscopy, and cost of resection (endoscopic or surgical). Conclusions Based on a decision analytic Markov model, endoscopic non-cardia gastric cancer screening for high-risk races and ethnicities could be cost effective in the United States.
An α -Level OWA Implementation of Bounded Rationality for Fuzzy Route Selection

As people move through uncertain environments, they are often presented with multiple route choices. Deciding which route to take requires an understanding of the environmental features and how they affect the person’s interpreted cost of each route. These quantities can be appropriately modeled as fuzzy numbers to capture the inherent uncertainty in human knowledge. We present an approach to guide a person’s decision-making process through an environment modeled as a fuzzy weighted graph, using an α-level OWA operator to implement the principle of bounded rationality. A cost value is computed for each possible route choice, which can then be used to rank the set of routes and make a decision.
Self-piercing riveting (SPR) in the automotive industry: an overview

Abstract: The automobile industry is one of a growing number of industries to use SPR. One of the main reasons is that alternative lightweight materials are being used in place of steel. The reason for using lightweight materials for vehicles is the need to reduce fuel consumption, reduce CO 2 and minimize the footprint that the automobile leaves on the environment. There are two main types of self-piercing rivets that have unique product and manufacturing considerations.
The Neo-Fregean Argument

Is a name a mere meaningless tag, whose function is simply to denote its bearer, as Mill maintained? Or does it, as Frege thought, have, in addition to its reference, a sense, one its user can associate with it, understand, or ‘grasp’? An argument in favour of the second, Fregean, alternative many philosophers have found well-nigh irresistible is one that takes as its starting point the fact that co-denoting names are apparently not always substitutable salva veritate in sentences ascribing propositional attitudes. Only the postulation of senses, this argument -- which I shall call neo-Fregean -- goes on to claim, can explain this: only a difference in the senses of the names could account for (what is seen as) their different semantic contributions to the sentences in which they occur.1
Predictors of spontaneous ureteral stone passage in the presence of an indwelling ureteral stent

Patients presenting acutely with obstructing stones often have a ureteral stent placed as a temporizing solution. Ureteroscopy is then commonly performed in a staged fashion, but occasionally the stone is found to have passed. We aimed to identify the frequency and predictors of ureteral stone passage with a stent in place. Records were reviewed to identify patients who had a stent placed for a single ureteral stone. Subsequent ureteroscopy or CT scan was used to ascertain stone passage. Effect of age, gender, BMI, stone diameter, alpha blocker use, urinary tract infection, hydronephrosis, and stent duration on stone passage was assessed. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were met in 209 patients. Mean maximum stone diameter was 6.5 ± 2.5 mm. Passage rates for stones < 3 mm, 3–4.9 mm, 5–6.9 mm, and ≥ 7 mm were 50%, 13%, 10%, and 0%, respectively. The overall rate of passage was 8%. Stone passage was associated with smaller maximum stone diameter, more distal stone location, and longer duration of stent before ureteroscopy/CT on univariate analysis (p < 0.01). Stone diameter and stent duration remained significantly associated on multivariable analysis (p = 0.001 and p = 0.05, respectively). Our findings suggest ureteral stone passage with a concurrent ureteral stent is not a rare event as it occurred in 14% of stones less then 7 mm in maximum diameter. Stone size and duration of stent before ureteroscopy or CT were found to be independent predictors of passage. Select patients with small ureteral stones who have been stented should be considered for a trial of urine straining or repeat imaging before subsequent ureteroscopy.
The Perpetual Diamond: Contrast Reversals Along Thin Edges Create the Appearance of Motion in Objects:

The Perpetual Diamond produces motion continuously and unambiguously in one direction despite never physically changing location. The phenomenon consists of a steady, mid-luminance diamond bordered by four thin edge strips and a surrounding background field. The direction of motion is determined by the relative phases of the luminance modulation between the edge strips and the background. Because the motion is generated entirely by changing contrast signals between the edge strips and background, the stimulus is a valuable tool for tests of spatial contrast, temporal contrast, contrast gain, and color contrast. We demonstrate that observers see motion even when the edge strips subtend only seconds of arc on the retina (which is less than the frequently reported 10 minutes of arc) and that perceived motion is due entirely to changes in the difference in contrast phase modulation, independent from the luminance phase.
Reliability of Composite Systems

In the present chapter we discuss methods of determining the reliability of a system when we have information on the reliability of its subsystems, or components, and we know the structure of the system. The reliability function is a function of time, R (t), 0 < t < ∞. In much of the discussion the time argument, t, is fixed at a given value, say t0. Thus, we can often suppress the time variable and write R for R(t0). Furthermore, if a system is comprised of n subsystems (components), the corresponding reliability values will be denoted by R 1, R2, ···, R n . The reliability of the whole system will be denoted by R sys . We would like to be able to express the reliability of the system, R sys , as a function ψ(R 1, ···, R n , of the reliability values of its subsystems. This is generally possible if one has a well defined structure function which describes the interrelations among the subsystems, and if the failure times of the subsystems are mutually independent random variables. If the failure times are not independent but correlated, it may be impossible to determine R sys just from the information on R 1 ···, R n One may need some further information. In such cases, however, upper and lower bounds for R sys can often be determined as functions of R 1, ···, R n .
RU SCHOLARS, SOCIAL NETWORKS, AND BUREAUCRACY: DONGHAI 東海 MEN AND MODELS FOR SUCCESS IN WESTERN HAN CHINA (206 b.c.e.–9 c.e.)

In this study I take men from Donghai, a region of northeast China, as a case study for examining models of success in the Western Han (206 b.c.e.–9 c.e.). Employing digital tools to mine data from The Grand Scribe's Records (Shi ji) and The History of the Western Han (Han shu), I explore the social networks and career patterns of men from a region that enjoyed a reputation for producing a remarkable number of high officials and celebrated Ru. I focus on three questions. First, what was the social mechanism that enabled people to distinguish themselves at both the local and the imperial levels? Second, did these celebrated men from Donghai serve as bridges connecting the local to the capital, directing resources back to their hometown and helping their local fellows achieve success? Third, did their positions in the central government remove them from local society by transforming them into capital-dwelling elites primarily concerned about the success of their families in the central court? In addressing these questions, I probe the dynamics between bureaucratic hierarchy, social networks, and the flow of talent and resources. I investigate various understandings of prestige and the strategies for climbing the ladder of success. Furthermore, I ask which forms of social prestige—for example, academic reputation, wealth, social networks—could bypass the hierarchical system imposed by the imperial bureaucracy, providing direct access to lofty positions. Did the patterns of success seen in the Donghai group reflect a bias built into the sources, constitute a regional variation, or provide a universal model for success in early imperial China?
SPECIFICITY OF RESPONSES OF CELLS IN THE VISUAL CORTEX

Publisher Summary In the past few decades, much progress has been made in working out what might be called the general cellular physiology of the nervous system, including the ionic mechanisms of impulse conduction and synaptic transmission. This has opened the way towards an attack on the functional architecture of the central nervous system. Until very recently, methods for studying single cells in the intact brain did not exist, and it was not until around 1950 that single cortical cells were first recorded. Probably the first finding of profound interest was Mountcastle's discovery that somatosensory cells are aggregated into columnar groups according to modality. This chapter describes the specificity of responses of cells in the visual cortex. The visual system, despite its great analytic capabilities and consequent complexity, has turned out to be especially amenable to study. This is partly because it has a fairly simple anatomic path, with flow of information directed mainly from periphery centrally over a number of relatively discrete stages.
Assessing the Effectiveness of a Novel Microscopy Technique in Middle & High School Science Classrooms

Although research and new technologies have introduced different ways of observing microorganisms, including scanning and electron microscopy, these methods are expensive and require equipment that is typically not found in a middle school classroom. The transmission-through-dye technique (TTD; Gregg et al., 2010), a new optical microscopy method that can be used with current basic light microscopes, relies on the fairly simple mechanism of filtered light passing through a dyed medium to produce an image that reflects cell thickness. With this technique, living microorganisms look bright red against a dark background, and movement can be seen easily among dead microorganisms and debris that show up black. Since the technique is low-cost and easy to implement, it addresses the needs of practitioners and is appropriate for a wide array of school contexts. We describe a three-week, hands-on, inquiry-based unit on TTD microscopy for middle and high school students.
Can Deep Learning Hit a Moving Target? A Scoping Review of Its Role to Study Neurological Disorders in Children

Neurological disorders dramatically impact patients of any age population, their families, and societies. Pediatrics are among vulnerable age populations who differently experience the devastating consequences of neurological conditions, such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders (ASD), cerebral palsy, concussion, and epilepsy. System-level understanding of these neurological disorders, particularly from the brain networks' dynamic perspective, has led to the significant trend of recent scientific investigations. While a dramatic maturation in the network science application domain is evident, leading to a better understanding of neurological disorders, such rapid utilization for studying pediatric neurological disorders falls behind that of the adult population. Aside from the specific technological needs and constraints in studying neurological disorders in children, the concept of development introduces uncertainty and further complexity topping the existing neurologically driven processes caused by disorders. To unravel these complexities, indebted to the availability of high-dimensional data and computing capabilities, approaches based on machine learning have rapidly emerged a new trend to understand pathways better, accurately diagnose, and better manage the disorders. Deep learning has recently gained an ever-increasing role in the era of health and medical investigations. Thanks to its relatively more minor dependency on feature exploration and engineering, deep learning may overcome the challenges mentioned earlier in studying neurological disorders in children. The current scoping review aims to explore challenges concerning pediatric brain development studies under the constraints of neurological disorders and offer an insight into the potential role of deep learning methodology on such a task with varying and uncertain nature. Along with pinpointing recent advancements, possible research directions are highlighted where deep learning approaches can assist in computationally targeting neurological disorder-related processes and translating them into windows of opportunities for interventions in diagnosis, treatment, and management of neurological disorders in children.
Community perspectives on supervised consumption sites: Insights from four U.S. counties deeply affected by opioids.

Abstract Background To address the overdose crisis in the United States, expert groups have been nearly unanimous in calls for increasing access to evidence-based treatment and overdose reversal drugs. In some places there have also been calls for implementing supervised consumption sites (SCSs). Some cities—primarily in coastal urban areas—have explored the feasibility and acceptability of introducing them. However, the perspectives of community stakeholders from more inland and rural areas that have also been hard hit by opioids are largely missing from the literature. Methods To examine community attitudes about implementing SCSs for people who use opioids (PWUO) in areas with acute opioid problems, the research team conducted in-depth interviews and focus groups in four counties: Ashtabula and Cuyahoga Counties in Ohio, and Carroll and Hillsborough Counties in New Hampshire, two states with high rates of opioid overdose. Participants were policy, treatment, and criminal justice professionals, frontline harm reduction and service providers, and PWUO. Results Key informants noted benefits to SCSs, but also perceived potential drawbacks such as that they may enable opioid use, and potential practical barriers, including lack of desire among PWUO to travel to an SCS after purchasing opioids and fear of arrest. Key informants generally believed their communities likely would not currently accept SCSs due to cultural, resource, and practical barriers. They viewed publication of evidence on SCSs and community education as essential for fostering acceptance. Conclusions Despite cultural and other barriers, implementation of SCSs may be more feasible in urban communities with existing (and perhaps more long-standing) harm reduction programs, greater treatment resources, and adequate transportation, particularly if there is strong evidence to support them.