cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Silencing KRAS Overexpression in Cadmium-Transformed Prostate Epithelial Cells Mitigates Malignant Phenotype.

Cadmium (Cd) is a potential human prostate carcinogen. Chronic Cd exposure malignantly transforms RWPE-1 human prostate epithelial cells into CTPE cells by an unclear mechanism. Previous studies show that RWPE-1 can also be malignantly transformed by arsenic, and KRAS activation is key to causation and maintenance of this phenotype. Although Cd and arsenic can both transform prostate epithelial cells, it is uncertain whether their mechanisms are similar. Thus, here we determined whether KRAS activation is critical in causing and maintaining Cd-induced malignant transformation in CTPE cells. Expression of KRAS, miRNAs, and other genes of interest was analyzed by Western blot and RT-PCR. Following stable KRAS knockdown (KD) by RNA interference using shRNAmir, the malignant phenotype was assessed by various physical and genetic parameters. CTPE cells greatly overexpressed KRAS by 20-fold, indicating a likely role in Cd transformation. Thus, we attempted to reverse the malignant phenotype via KRAS KD. Two wee...
To excise or not to excise infected urachal cysts: A case report and review of the literature

Abstract Urachal anomalies, and urachal cysts in particular, are common congenital anomalies that can remain asymptomatic throughout a lifetime or rarely cause life threatening illness if infected. We present a case of a complicated infected urachal cyst and review the literature on its work up and management, including the controversial issue of whether surgical management is always necessary for definitive treatment of this entity.
Neuroimaging Correlates of Post-Stroke Aphasia Rehabilitation in a Pilot Randomized Trial of Constraint-Induced Aphasia Therapy

BACKGROUND Recovery from post-stroke aphasia is a long and complex process with an uncertain outcome. Various interventions have been proposed to augment the recovery, including constraint-induced aphasia therapy (CIAT). CIAT has been applied to patients suffering from post-stroke aphasia in several unblinded studies to show mild-to-moderate linguistic gains. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the neuroimaging correlates of CIAT in patients with chronic aphasia related to left middle cerebral artery stroke. MATERIAL AND METHODS Out of 24 patients recruited in a pilot randomized blinded trial of CIAT, 19 patients received fMRI of language. Eleven of them received CIAT (trained) and eight served as a control group (untrained). Each patient participated in three fMRI sessions (before training, after training, and 3 months later) that included semantic decision and verb generation fMRI tasks, and a battery of language tests. Matching healthy control participants were also included (N=38; matching based on age, handedness, and sex). RESULTS Language testing showed significantly improved performance on Boston Naming Test (BNT; p<0.001) in both stroke groups over time and fMRI showed differences in the distribution of the areas involved in language production between groups that were not present at baseline. Further, regression analysis with BNT indicated changes in brain regions correlated with behavioral performance (temporal gyrus, postcentral gyrus, precentral gyrus, thalamus, left middle and superior frontal gyri). CONCLUSIONS Overall, our results suggest the possibility of language-related cortical plasticity following stroke-induced aphasia with no specific effect from CIAT training.
Pathogenicity and peramivir efficacy in immunocompromised murine models of influenza B virus infection

Influenza B viruses are important human pathogens that remain inadequately studied, largely because available animal models are poorly defined. Here, we developed an immunocompromised murine models for influenza B virus infection, which we subsequently used to study pathogenicity and to examine antiviral efficacy of the neuraminidase inhibitor peramivir. We studied three influenza B viruses that represent both the Yamagata (B/Massachusetts/2/2012 and B/Phuket/3073/2013) and Victoria (B/Brisbane/60/2008, BR/08) lineages. BR/08 was the most pathogenic in genetically modified immunocompromised mice [BALB scid and non-obese diabetic (NOD) scid strains] causing lethal infection without prior adaptation. The immunocompromised mice demonstrated prolonged virus shedding with modest induction of immune responses compared to BALB/c. Rather than severe virus burden, BR/08 virus-associated disease severity correlated with extensive virus spread and severe pulmonary pathology, stronger and persistent natural killer cell responses, and the extended induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. In contrast to a single-dose treatment (75 mg/kg/day), repeated doses of peramivir rescued BALB scid mice from lethal challenge with BR/08, but did not result in complete virus clearance. In summary, we have established immunocompromised murine models for influenza B virus infection that will facilitate evaluations of the efficacy of currently available and investigational anti-influenza drugs.
MIF is necessary for late-stage melanoma patient MDSC immune suppression and differentiation

Patients diagnosed with unresectable stage IV melanoma have an average survival of 6–10 months; a survival time that hasn’t changed significantly in the last 30 years. Despite some encouraging improvements in response rates and overall survival in patients receiving Ipilimumab (anti-CTLA-4) and/or Nivolumab (anti-PD-1) immunotherapies, the majority of patients will ultimately progress. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are potently immunosuppressive innate immune cells that accumulate in advanced cancer patients and actively inhibit anti-tumor T lymphocyte responses; therefore, can contribute to immunotherapeutic resistance. Increased circulating MDSCs in stage III/IV melanoma patients predict patient mortality and directly correlate with reduced melanoma antigen-specific T cells. Our results demonstrate that circulating monocytic MDSCs are found in significantly higher numbers in chemotherapy naive late stage melanoma patients and the immunosuppressive activity of these cells is highly reliant upon the innate immunomodulatory cytokine, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). Moreover, inhibition of MIF results in a functional reversion from immune suppressive MDSC to an immunostimulatory dendritic cell (DC)-like phenotype that is at least partly due to reductions in MDSC prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ). These findings indicate that monocyte-derived MIF is centrally involved in melanoma MDSC induction and immune suppressive function and that therapeutic targeting of MIF may provide a novel means of inducing anti-tumor immune responses in late stage melanoma patients.
Wireless power transfer for implantable medical devices using piecewise resonance to achieve high peak-to-average power ratio

Wireless power transfer is emerging as the pre-eminent powering technology for implantable medical devices. Efficiency, simplicity, and reliability are the key goals for receivers in vivo. We use piecewise resonant wireless power transfer (PR-WPT) to achieve these goals. A high peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) waveform is generated by a current-mode class D amplifier operating at 6.78 MHz. A 4∗h-order passive filter is matched to the fundamental and third harmonic voltages of the transmitter, using harmonic elimination for the waveform and closed-form impedance analysis. A full-bridge Schottky rectifier converts the matched voltage into dc. Experiment demonstrates the proof of principle and simulation results show that the piecewise resonant methods can increase the dc output voltage by up to 30%, hence improving the rectifier efficiency. Potential applications for PR-WPT systems are discussed.
Tests for Homogeneity of Scale Against Ordered Alternatives

A locally most powerful rank test (LMPRT) for the ordered scale alternatives is derived, assuming that the location parameters of the populations are all equal but unknown. A parametric test based on the likelihood derivative method is also obtained for the ordered scale alternatives. Asymptotic distributions of both the statistics are derived and the statistics are compared via the Pitman efficiency criterion. It is surmised that the asymptotic efficiency of the LMPRT relative to the likelihood derivative test procedure is less than one and tends to unity as the number of samples becomes large. A heuristic class of rank tests is also proposed for the above hypothesis-testing problem, where certain constants are chosen so as to maximize the efficacy. An asymptotically distribution-free test is also proposed for the case when the locations are unequal and unknown.
The Fourth Amendment Exclusionary Rule as an Article of Faith

In this article, I seek to demonstrate that the Fourth Amendment Exclusionary Rule can be better described as an article of faith rather than sound public policy based on empirical evidence. As background, I explain that the contemporary exclusionary rule is a judge-made remedy designed solely to deter future police misconduct. Any other justification for the rule, such as it being constitutionally required or needed to preserve the integrity of the criminal justice process, is beyond the scope of the modern rule. I then illustrate the rule’s true character using a hypothetical involving residential fires and response time. Finally, I contend that a utilitarian remedy, such as the Fourth Amendment Exclusionary Rule, which assumes immediate and certain costs and burdens in hopes of achieving attenuated and indirect benefits, needs to be supported by convincing data and empirical evidence. Next, I consider the utility proposition that justifies the rule. First, I argue that there is no credible, empirical evidence to support the proposition that the exclusionary rule effectively deters future police misconduct. Second, I present arguments that undermine the assumption that the rule provides meaningful deterrence. Third, I describe some of the adverse costs of the exclusionary rule, again using hypotheticals to illustrate the rule’s burdens. Finally, I argue that balancing the rule’s certain and immediate costs against its speculative and remote benefits leads to the conclusion that the rule cannot be pragmatically justified as sound policy.In conclusion, I list several alternative remedies that might effectively deter police misconduct while avoiding harmful consequences of the exclusionary rule. I argue that although these proposals present issues and concerns, they should nevertheless be seriously considered given the imprudence and lack of support for the contemporary Fourth Amendment Exclusionary Rule.
Distance-based outlier detection for high dimension, low sample size data

Despite the popularity of high dimension, low sample size data analysis, there has not been enough attention to the sample integrity issue, in particular, a possibility of outliers in the data. A n...
Streamlining the state-dependent Riccati Equation controller algorithm

The State Dependent Riccati Equation (SDRE) controller design is a relatively new practical approach for nonlinear control problems that is closely related to the classical linear quadratic regulator. The SDRE control algorithm relies on the solution of a continuous-time Riccati equation at each time update. This approach has been recently applied to control experimental autonomous air vehicles with relative success. To make the SDRE approach practical in applications where the computational resources are limited and the dynamic models are complex, it is necessary to streamline this control algorithm and its implementation. This paper takes a first step towards this goal by studying the behavior of several iterative algorithms to solve continuous-time Riccati equations. It is shown that Kleinman's algorithms is superior to other iterative algorithms. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the maximum number of iterations, before the algorithms stops, should be considered a design parameter. This design parameters can be used to trade-off stability and performance. If chosen properly, it is possible to reduce the time complexity of the algorithm without significantly degrading the performance of the closed loop system.
Fit for Robust Multivariable Design

The first ten Chapters of this book dealt exclusively with single input single output systems with parameter uncertainty. We presented methods for robust analysis and synthesis using formulations that exploited properties of polynomials. A major part of the book was influenced by a variant of the Nyquist Theorem which holds for polynomials, that allowed us to determine D-stability from a finite set of Nyquist plot data. This provided the basis of synthesis procedures for D-stabilisation and robust performance. A second approach employed a rectangular polynomial value set overbound which led to conditions for polynomial family stabilization in terms of the simultaneous stabilization of a finite number of polynomials. Since dynamic descriptions and properties of multi input multi output systems are generalizations and extensions of those for SISO systems and the Nyquist Theorem can still be applied, one would expect that our methods can be extended to the multivariable case. In this Chapter we will demonstrate how the Finite Inclusions Theorem can be used in robust analysis and synthesis of multi input multi output systems with parameter uncertainty.
A Declarative Entity Representation Framework

Fundamental to data cleaning is the need to account for multiple data representations. We propose a formal framework that can be used to reason about and manipulate data representations. The framework is declarative and combines elements of a generative grammar with database querying. It also incorporates actions in the spirit of programming language compilers. This framework has multiple applications such as parsing and data normalization. Data normalization is interesting in its own right in preparing data for analysis as well as in pre-processing data for further cleansing. We empirically study the utility of the framework over several real-world data cleaning scenarios and find that with the right normalization, often the need for further cleansing is minimized.
Diabetic Nerve Disease, Neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy consists of a set of clinical syndromes, the signs and symptoms of which depend on the part of the nervous system damaged by chronic hyperglycemia. The most common type of diabetic neuropathy is distal symmetric sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DPN). DPN is characterized by progressive distal sensory and, in severe cases, motor dysfunction due to loss of sensory and motor axons. Diabetes also damages the autonomic nervous system, thoracic and lumbar nerve roots, isolated peripheral nerves, and cranial nerves. This article focuses on the sensory aspects of DPN.
Internal Fault Analysis in Disk-Type Transformer Winding Using Network Reduction

Internal winding faults are the most common cause of failure in power transformers. The complicated electrical and geometrical configuration of transformers makes it difficult to produce models able to predict their behavior under transient conditions in an accurate and efficient manner. Internal fault analysis of windings requires a detailed (turn-by-turn) modeling approach that results in very large systems that can be difficult to define and computationally expensive. In addition, in many cases the fault analysis does not require from measurements at all turns, but only at the turns related to the fault condition. The purpose of this work is to describe a modeling approach for internal fault analysis of transformer windings using a frequency domain approach in combination with Kron's network reduction to preserve only the nodes of particular interest, and the numerical inverse Laplace transform to obtain the transient response of the system in the time domain. A prototype transformer winding with 2000 turns is used for this purpose. Comparisons between the open and short circuit faults for the complete network system and the equivalent reduced network provide the same results considering a very small portion of the original system's size.
Current Strategies for Site-Directed RNA editing using ADARs

Adenosine Deaminases that Act on RNA (ADARs) are a group of enzymes that catalyze the conversion of adenosines (A's) to inosines (I's) in a process known as RNA editing. Though ADARs can act on different types of RNA, editing events in coding regions of mRNA are of particular interest as I's base pair like guanosines (G's). Thus, every A-to-I change catalyzed by ADAR is read as an A-to-G change during translation, potentially altering protein sequence and function. This ability to re-code makes ADAR an attractive therapeutic tool to correct genetic mutations within mRNA. The main challenge in doing so is to re-direct ADAR's catalytic activity towards A's that are not naturally edited, a process termed Site-Directed RNA Editing (SDRE). Recently, a handful of labs have taken up this challenge and two basic strategies have emerged. The first involves redirecting endogenous ADAR to new sites by making editable structures using antisense RNA oligonucleotides. The second also utilizes antisense RNA oligonucleotides, but it uses them as guides to deliver the catalytic domain of engineered ADARs to new sites, much as CRISPR guides deliver Cas nucleases. In fact, despite the intense current focus on CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, SDRE offers a number of distinct advantages. In the present review we will discuss these strategies in greater detail, focusing on the concepts on which they are based, how they were developed and tested, and their respective advantages and disadvantages. Though the precise and efficient re-direction of ADAR activity still remains a challenge, the systems that are being developed lay the foundation for SDRE as a powerful tool for transient genome editing.
328) Select Metabolomics Reveal Potential Biomarkers of Fibromyalgia that Correlate with Pain and Fatigue

Currently, there are no established biomarkers for the diagnosis or symptoms of pain and fatigue in individuals with fibromyalgia (FM). The objective of this study was to identify potential biomarkers in individuals with FM, and to correlate these putative biomarkers with FM-symptoms using a targeted metabolomics approach. The current study was a secondary analysis from baseline data taken in the Fibromyalgia Activity Study with TENS (FAST). We analyzed plasma samples and baseline patient-reported outcomes for resting pain and fatigue from 59 women with FM (mean±SD; age=49.69±11.54, BMI=35.23±10.91) matched with 38 healthy controls (HC) (age=51.0±11.46, BMI=32.33±8.66). Serum/plasma metabolomic extracts were derivatized and analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry for 63 key metabolites representing the tricarboxylic acid cycle, glycolysis, pentose phosphate pathway, amino acid metabolism, neurotransmission, reactive oxygen species defense, and energetics. Differences between FM and HC were assessed for each metabolite using unpaired t-tests (corrected p
Second-Harmonic Generation in the Nonlinear Relief Grating Coupler

There are many techniques for the wavelength conversion by using the nonlinear effects. The second harmonic generation (SHG) is attracted by many workers to obtain the blue light. Tien1 investigated SHG in form of coherent Cerenkov radiation, but did not obtain the high efficient SHG because of the large propagation loss. Taniuchi2 demonstrated that the efficient guided-wave frequency doubler can extract blue light where the Cerenkov radiation scheme is employed. In this scheme, the phase-matching condition between the fundamental guided wave and the second harmonic radiation wave can be automatically satisfied by adjusting the waveguide parameters.1 Recently, SHG is investigated by using the grating couplers. Suhara3 studied the SHG in the waveguide with uniform and chirped gratings both theoretically and experimentally. Matsumoto4 analyzed the quasi-phase-matched second harmonic generation by backward propagation interaction.
A New Hexagonal 12-Layer Perovskite-Related Structure: Ba6R2Ti4O17 (R ) Nd and Y)

The crystal structure of Ba6R2Ti4O17 (R = Nd and Y) was determined by combined analysis of X-ray and neutron powder diffraction data. Both materials crystallize in hexagonal symmetry with space group P63/mmc, Z = 2. The unit cell parameters at room temperature are a = 5.99283(9) A and c = 29.9289(8) A for Nd and a = 5.93055(4) A and c = 29.5239(3) A for Y. The structure can be described as stacking of cubic (c) and hexagonal (h) [BaO3] layers as well as ordered, oxygen-deficient, pseudo-cubic (c‘) [BaO2] layers in the sequence of (c‘cchcc)2 along the c-axis and belongs to the 12-layer hexagonal perovskite-related family. The structural framework exhibits face-sharing TiO6 octahedral layers (Ti2O9), RO6 octahedral layers, and TiO4 tetrahedral layers. The TiO4 subunits form around the c‘ layers.
BMI and related risk factors among U.S. Marshallese with diabetes and their families.

Objective: Examine cross-sectional associations between body mass index (BMI) and related health behaviors, barriers and facilitators to health care, and perceived health status among a sample of U...
Immunosuppressive therapy to reduce mitral regurgitation in Libman–Sacks endocarditis: a case report

Background Libman-Sacks endocarditis is a cardiac manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and is characterized by non-bacterial verrucous vegetations, causing valvular stenosis and/or regurgitation. The effectiveness of immunosuppressive therapy for valve dysfunction due to Libman-Sacks endocarditis has not been reported. Case summary A 67-year-old woman with a history of chronic atrial fibrillation was emergently admitted with acute decompensated heart failure. Transoesophageal echocardiogram revealed severe mitral regurgitation (MR) due to oedematous thickening and poor coaptation of the medial edge of A2/P2 segments and the lateral edge of A3/P3 segments. Serial blood culture results were negative, suggesting bacterial infective endocarditis to be a less likely cause of valvular damage. Because the patient developed photosensitivity, livedo reticularis, and pancytopenia, Libman-Sacks endocarditis with rapidly progressive SLE was diagnosed on the basis of positive test results of anti-double-stranded DNA-IgG and its complement titer. Two months after, immunosuppressive therapy including corticosteroids, a transoesophageal echocardiogram revealed thinning of the degenerative mitral valve leaflets and a reduction of MR from severe to mild. Discussion Corticosteroid therapy for Libman-Sacks endocarditis reportedly increases the extent of fibrosis and scarring of the valve leaflets, resulting in worse valve function. In our patient, MR decreased from severe to mild after corticosteroid therapy. Because low-echoic thickening of the mitral valve leaflets suggested acute oedematous changes without scarring and fibrosis and other clinical symptoms of SLE rapidly progressed, early initiation of immunosuppressive therapy for Libman-Sacks endocarditis lead to a benign clinical course in our patient.
15 STORMS, CRISIS, AND NEAR DEATH, 1985–1993

The expansion of IBM's worldwide business took many forms in 1980. Among the most visible were the 8 million square feet of plant and laboratory space under construction in eight countries at the end of the year. — IBM Annual Report, 1980 1 Behind IBM's Dominance of the mainframe business, its annual rankings by business magazines as the most admired corporation, and the whimsical ads of the "Little Tramp" and IBM's PCs hid a story of corporate failure of gigantic proportions. Beginning in the late 1980s and extending over two decades, IBM dismissed or retired some 200,000 employees, more than half of whom were located in the United States. A generation of executives and middle managers left, too, including John Akers, the first chairman to be terminated in IBM's history. The tsunami of layoffs and retirements proved so massive that an employee walking through almost any IBM office in North America saw entire floors of empty cubicles and offices, an old IBM telephone directory tossed on the floor, an IBM coffee mug perched on a window sill, or perhaps a half dozen IBMers working in a space that used to hold over 100 colleagues. At least there was more than enough parking. It did not matter whether the location was a sales office, factory, divisional headquarters, or laboratory. IBMers gauged the extent of the layoffs by the number of cars parked out front. Ironically, most of these empty buildings were relatively new. A construction boom at IBM during the 1970s and 1980s added skyscrapers in such cities as Paris, Chicago, New York, Minneapolis, and Detroit, and new factories on both sides of the Atlantic and in Asia. It seemed executives needed their own tower, especially sales executives.
Robotic excision of deep infiltrating endometriosis at the uretero-vesical junction.

Objective: To describe the surgical approach for Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis (DIE) of the uretero-vesical junction and bladder reconstruction. Materials and methods: Bimodal visualization with the help of cystoscopy and robotic-assisted laparoscopy is a useful technique that can be used to delineate the deep infiltrating endometriotic lesion of the bladder wall. Results: We present the case of a 36 year old G3P3 woman, with right sided hydroureter/hydronephrosis and biopsy proven DIE. Pre-operative MRI was suggestive of bladder wall lesion involving the posterior right bladder wall and extending to right uretero-vesical junction. On entry into the abdomen, the pelvis looked normal except for the right sided hydroureter. Hysterectomy was performed without difficulty. Bimodal visualization was then utilized to delineate the endometriotic lesion. Cystotomy was then performed and endometriotic lesion of the bladder was subsequently excised. This was followed by right sided ureterolysis and excision of endometriotic lesion of uretero-vesical junction. Bladder was reconstructed and the ureter was re-implanted. Psoas hitch was performed to reduce tension on the anastomosis. Post-operative course was uneventful. Retrograde cystogram performed one month post-operatively showed no contrast leak after re-implantation of right ureter. Foleys catheter was removed at 4 weeks post-operatively. Ureteric stent and nephrostomy tube were removed post-operatively at 8 weeks and 9 weeks respectively. Conclusion: Deep infiltrating endometriosis can be present in normal looking pelvis. In patients with deep infiltrating endometriosis of the bladder, bimodal visualization might be needed to delineate the extent of the disease.
"Hinglish" Language - Modeling a Messy Code-Mixed Language.

With a sharp rise in fluency and users of "Hinglish" in linguistically diverse country, India, it has increasingly become important to analyze social content written in this language in platforms such as Twitter, Reddit, Facebook. This project focuses on using deep learning techniques to tackle a classification problem in categorizing social content written in Hindi-English into Abusive, Hate-Inducing and Not offensive categories. We utilize bi-directional sequence models with easy text augmentation techniques such as synonym replacement, random insertion, random swap, and random deletion to produce a state of the art classifier that outperforms the previous work done on analyzing this dataset.
Precipitation printing towards diverse materials, mechanical tailoring and functional devices

Abstract Additive manufacturing allows for the fabrication of complex structures which are hard to achieve through conventional machining, extrusion, injection molding or blow molding processes. Current additive manufacturing methods for polymers, such as vat photopolymerization, powder bed fusion, material extrusion and binder jetting, still have limitations on the types of polymers that can be 3D printed. Recently, a novel solution-based polymer additive manufacturing method, termed precipitation printing, is developed which is based on the solubility of the polymer being printed in two mutually miscible solvents. In this work, the precipitation printing technique is further developed to expand the range of applicable materials, towards different thermoplastics (poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)), thermoset rubber (acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR)) and polymer nanocomposites (multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)-PVDF). The printing process is rapid and enables the realization of large structures with complex geometries as well as printing at a higher resolution than the material extrusion method, while also allowing the fabrication of micro-scale structures with greater than 100 μm resolution. Porosity and mechanical property tailoring of the precipitation printed materials are achievable through the control of process parameters, such as solvent/non-solvent pair selection, salinity of the non-solvent and printing temperature. In addition, the successful demonstrations of a directly 3D printed NBR check valve and a MWCNTs-PVDF strain gauge indicate the great potential for precipitation printing as a promising one-step process for the production of functional devices.
Awareness and Working Knowledge of Secure Design Principles: A User Study

Software systems are everywhere, and therefore, software security breaches impact every enterprise system. Although the software engineers and system developers are provided with various secure software development guidelines and processes, attacks exploiting software vulnerabilities are on the rise. The prevalence of software vulnerabilities and the increasing number of hacked enterprise systems underline the need for guidance in the design and implementation of secure software. If the software engineers and system developers consider applying and implementing the Secure Design Principles (SDPs), the enterprise systems would be secured against many types of attacks. In this research, we conducted a survey study among participants who have experience in designing and/or developing software (such as native application, browser application, or mobile application) to test their familiarity and working knowledge of SDPs. We also explored if the demographic variables (age, gender, experience, education) are associated with their knowledge of SDPs. We also discovered misconception of secure design principles and gathered participants’ opinions on the ways to implement SDPs.
Mechanically-created gaps promote flowering and seed set of rare Penstemon personatus: Disentangling canopy opening from ground disturbance

Abstract Fire exclusion from mixed conifer forests of northern California has changed the growing environment for understory plants, including the rare Penstemon personatus D.D. Keck, a rhizomatous perennial species endemic to the northern Sierra Nevada. We asked whether increased light availability and/or ground disturbance associated with mechanical thinning would change density or promote flowering of P. personatus, with particular interest in the effects of 0.2 ha gaps, where tree removal created canopy openings that may be similar to those that characterized stands under mixed-severity fire regimes. We found evidence of trade-offs at small spatial scales, with both total and flowering stem density decreasing in plots with increased ground disturbance, but a strong positive flowering stem density response in plots where tree removal increased solar exposure. One year post-treatment, solar exposure was positively correlated with flower density, seeds per capsule, and predicted seed set. At the treatment scale, there were no significant differences in total stem density among treatments or years, however flowering stem density was significantly higher in gaps two years post-treatment. The gap treatment was also strongly associated with higher flower densities, and a predicted mean rank seed set (365 seeds m−2) that was 6 times greater than seed set within the thinning treatment (53 seeds m−2), contrasting sharply with a near total lack of seed set in control plots. This study emphasizes the importance of canopy gaps to this rare species, with local negative effects of ground disturbance from mechanical thinning offset by treatment-level promotion of flowering and seed set.
Model Exploration of an Information-Based Healthcare Intervention Using Parallelization and Active Learning

This paper describes the application of a large-scale active learning method to characterize the parameter space of a computational agent-based model developed to investigate the impact of CommunityRx, a clinical information-based health intervention that provides patients with personalized information about local community resources to meet basic and self-care needs. The diffusion of information about community resources and their use is modeled via networked interactions and their subsequent effect on agents' use of community resources across an urban population. A random forest model is iteratively fitted to model evaluations to characterize the model parameter space with respect to observed empirical data. We demonstrate the feasibility of using high-performance computing and active learning model exploration techniques to characterize large parameter spaces; by partitioning the parameter space into potentially viable and non-viable regions, we rule out regions of space where simulation output is implausible to observed empirical data. We argue that such methods are necessary to enable model exploration in complex computational models that incorporate increasingly available micro-level behavior data. We provide public access to the model and high-performance computing experimentation code.
Impact of prehospital pediatric asthma management protocol adherence on clinical outcomes.

To evaluate the frequency of EMS protocol non-adherence during pediatric asthma encounters and its association with emergency department (ED) length of stay (LOS) and hospital admission. This is a ...
Paternal Jail Incarceration and Birth Outcomes: Evidence from New York City, 2010–2016

To examine population-level associations between paternal jail incarceration during pregnancy and infant birth outcomes using objective measures of health and incarceration. We use multivariate logistic regression models and linked records on all births and jail incarcerations in New York City between 2010 and 2016. 0.8% of live births were exposed to paternal incarceration during pregnancy or at the time of birth. After accounting for parental sociodemographic characteristics, maternal health behaviors, and maternal health care access, paternal incarceration during pregnancy remains associated with late preterm birth (OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.21, 1.48), low birthweight (OR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.27, 1.53), small size for gestational age (OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.17, 1.57), and NICU admission (OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.05, 1.24). We found strong positive baseline associations (p < 0.001) between paternal jail incarceration during pregnancy with probabilities of all adverse outcomes examined. These associations did not appear to be driven purely by duration or frequency of paternal incarceration. These associations were partially explained by parental characteristics, maternal health behavior, and health care. These results indicate the need to consider paternal incarceration as a potential stressor and source of trauma for pregnant women and infants.
The irrelevance of intentions to refer: demonstratives and demonstrations

According to Mario Gomez-Torrente in Roads to Reference, the reference of a demonstrative is fixed in an object by the speaker’s referential intentions (IRH). I argue that this is a mistake. First, I draw attention to a venerable alternative theory that Gomez-Torrente surprisingly overlooks: the reference is fixed in an object directly by a relation established in perceiving the object. Next I criticize IRH, arguing that it is implausible, redundant, and misleading. Finally, I present a theory of demonstrations that is like the alternative theory for demonstratives. For, though demonstrations do not determine the reference of demonstratives, they play an independent referential role which is important in explaining David Kaplan’s famous Carnap-Agnew example and many others including some of Gomez-Torrente’s.
Mathematics of Trust: Controlled and Uncontrolled Influence in Social Systems

We propose a new activation function (Trust) with desirable mathematical properties intended for influence dynamics in social systems. We show that that Trust, which accounts for both a targeted user's opinion and willingness to learn, outperforms popular alternatives i.e. Sigmoid, TanH, in both controlled and uncontrolled systems across variations of network size, initial opinion, credibility, and duration. We modify the influence dynamics model first introduced by [1] to allow for continuous gradient updates and effectively shift a user's opinion in a finite number of steps. The implications of this research suggest that (i) selectivity of activation functions in a social system can drive more effective influence, (ii) it is possible to account for phenomenon such as stubbornness, skepticism, and extremism when targeting a user. We believe the results can potentially enhance applications in marketing, political campaigning, and general persuasion.
William Bridge Cooke, 1908-1991

For most of us, among favorite images remembered from MSA forays and meetings are those of Dr. William Bridge Cooke colorfully attired in one of his mushroom shirts, carefully crafted by his wife. He accepted the task of summarizing results of these excursions as a serious responsibility. A prolific author, writing nearly 200 articles during his long and productive life, Bridge pioneered standards for microbial observations during waste-water treatment, and was renowned for his knowledge of fungal ecology and taxonomy, especially ofthe Polyporaceae. But first and foremost, Bridge was a lover of the out-of-doors, es? pecially the mountains, and the fungi they relinquished to an avid collector. William Bridge Cooke was born July 16, 1908 in Foster, Warren County, Ohio, and died at the age of 83 in Cincinnati, Ohio on December 30, 1991. He was the eldest of the four children of William Thomas
Factors associated with alcohol and responsibility for fatal highway crashes.

"RESPONSIBILITY" FOR A CRASH WAS DETERMINED IN 292 AUTOMOBILE DRIVERS AND 113 PEDESTRIANS, AGED 15 AND OLDER KILLED IN ALAMEDA AND SACRAMENTO COUNTIES, CALIF., DURING 1960-67. PEDESTRIANS WITH BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATIONS (BAC) OF 0.10% OR OVER WERE RESPONSIBLE IN 61% OF THE FATALITIES INVOLVING PEDESTRIANS. AMONG BOTH PEDESTRIANS AND DRIVERS, WHOSE WITH ZERO BAC WERE RESPONSIBLE IN 47% OF THE CASES; WITH 0.05 - 0.099% BAC, 79%; AND WITH 0.15% OR OVER, 89%. AMONG CRASH-RESPONSIBLE DRIVERS AND PEDESTRIANS AGED 15-19, 44% HAD ZERO BAC AND 20% HAD 0.10% OR HIGHER. CRASH-RESPONSIBLE PERSONS AGED 20-59 HAD ZERO BAC IN 26% AND 0.10% OR HIGHER 64%, WHEREAS 61% OF CRASH-RESPONSIBLE PERSONS AGED 60 OR OVER HAD ZERO BAC AND 36% HAD 0.10% OR HIGHER. IN 39 CRASHES BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE KILLED; IN 19 BOTH HAD ZERO BACS OR LESS THAN 0.05%; IN 10 THE PASSENGERS HAD SUBSTANTIALY LOWER BACS THAN THE DRIVERS; IN 7 BOTH HAD 0.10% BAC OR HIGHER; IN 3 THE DRIVER HAD A LOWER BAC THAN THE PASSENGERS. THERE WAS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRESUMPTIVE PROBLEM DRINKERS AND OTHERS IN CRASH RESPONSIBILITY EITHER AT ZERO BAC OR AT 0.10% AND HIGHER. BAC WAS MORE IMPORTANT IN CRASH RESPONSIBILITY THAN VEHICLE AGE. IN TEEN-AGERS, NEARLY ALL ALCOHOL-RELATED CRASHES OCCURRED AT NIGHT AND AT RELATIVELY LOW BACS. /AUTHOR/
News From Home: The Media Needs of Canadians in the U.S.A.

Canadian citizens a re traveling and relocating to the United States in record numbers. However, little i s known about their media habits, particularly t heir needs and sources used for home news. This n ationwide survey f ound that while in the U.S.A., Canadians desire and are willing t o seek out home news in American m edia. Le nombre de citoyena canadiens voyageant et st installant aux Etats-Unis, ddpasse tous les records. Cependant leurs habitudes a 1tQgard des media sont peu connues, notamment leurs besoins et leurs sources de nouvelles enprovenance de leur patrie. Cette enquete nationale a dtabli que lee canadiens vivant aux Etata-Unis eprouvent 1' envie et le besoin de trouver des informations canadiennes dans la presee amdricaine. Canadian citizens are relocating in large numbers in the United States. By the end of 1979, nearly 300,000 Canadians were listed under the a 1 ien reg istry program of the US. Imnigration and Naturalization Service (INS). The nunber has been increasing at a rate of about 15,000 per year (INS, 1980, 83).
Surface Chemistry of InP(100) After Wet and Electrochemical Etching Is Digital Etching Possible

The objective of this investigation was to develop a procedure for cleaning InP, to study the electrochemistry of InP(100) surfaces, and to look at the possibility of electrochemical digital etching of InP. Wet etches included pretreatment with Br 2 /CH 3 OH and HF solutions, which left trace amounts of C and O. UV ozone cleaning of InP gave similar results but left the surface with a phosphate layer. Ion bombardment and annealing of InP resulted in a clean, well-ordered surface with a (2 X 4) reconstruction. However, voltammetry studies of this surface, in various pH solutions, suggested the presence of some dispersed clusters of metallic In. Voltammetry in acid electrolytes, 10 mM HCl and 10 mM H 2 SO 4 , evidenced oxidation of the metallic In clusters at -0.6 V to form a "stable" surface with a (1 X 1) low-energy electron diffraction pattern. Reduction in the hydrogen evolution region, at pH 9, resulted in the dissolution of some P, probably as a phosphine species. This was supported by the appearance of small amounts of metallic In on the surface. Those results suggested that digital etching of InP may be possible. However, a more extensive investigation of P reduction showed it was not surface-limited, making it unsuitable for electrochemical digital etching.
Traditional and chemical techniques for stimulation of Shorea javanica (Dipterocarpaceae) resin exudation in Sumatra.

Resin tappers in Sumatra induce resin flow in Shorea javanica by first opening vertical rows of small (3 cm) holes in the tree trunk. After 6–12 mo, larger (10–15 cm) holes are opened between the rows of small holes for resin harvest. Informants reported that opium applied to trees increased resin yields. Application of 10% 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid to artificial trunk wounds ofS. javanica production trees increased resin yields by 110% relative to controls in 72-h trials. Wounds of previously untapped trees exuded no resin in response to the same treatment.
Notes from the Field: How India's Corporate Law Firms are Influencing Her Legal, Policy and Regulatory Frameworks

While the Indian legal profession has been widely acclaimed for leading socio-political movements during the country’s independence-era and for some years thereafter, it has since been perceived as largely aloof from policy advocacy, and has been accused of restricting its advocacy role to courtrooms. The litigating bar is often applauded for limited policy outcomes achieved through what is known as the 'PIL' route in India. On the other hand, the relatively small and nascent corporate bar is often criticized for its lethargy in policy activism in its specialized fields, let alone the general policy advocacy sphere. The influence on law and policy that 'Washington law firms' exercise in the US, and the magic circle law firms exercise in UK and the Eurozone have been extensively documented by academia and the media. Subject to a few exceptions, the successful Indian corporate bar is lesser known to possess these attributes. The last decade has, however, witnessed a remarkable shift in this trend, with corporate law firms in India taking a deeper interest in formulation and reform of the country’s policy and legal frameworks in their areas of practice. By increasingly showcasing 'policy affairs' in their suite of transactional and advisory services, they are following the footsteps of their American and British counterparts. Taking cue from these and other trends, this essay hypothesizes that the current policy frameworks allow wide latitude for the corporate legal services sector to influence policy formulation, implementation and reform in India. Analyzing practices of law firms that are already using these opportunities strategically, it proceeds to predict the implications of these opportunities for India’s Big Law.
A Riview of: “SLOW FOOD: THE CASE FOR TASTE”

Slow Food: The Case for Taste, begins the way a book with this name should begin—slowly. After a series of introductions you are plunged into the world of Bra, Italy in a manner that is a cultural ...
Discussion Addendum for: Preparation of 4-Acetylamino-2, 2, 6, 6-tetramethylpiperidine-1- oxoammonium Tetrafluoroborate and the Oxidation of Geraniol to Geranial (2,6-Octadienal, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2e)-)

4-Acetylamino-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy 4-Acetamido-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-oxopiperidinium tetrafluoroborate Tetrafluoroboric acid Sodium hypochlorite Water Silica gel Methylene chloride Keywords: 4-Acetylamino-2, 2, 6, 6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxoammonium tetrafluoroborate; Oxidation; Geraniol; Geranial; 2,6-Octadienal; 3,7-dimethyl-; (2e)-; Oxoammonium ion; Stoichiometric oxidations; Solubility; Colors; Oxoammonium salts; Reaction rate; Benzyl alcohol; Polyalcohols
Altered feeding responses in mice with targeted disruption of the dopamine-3 receptor gene.

Dopamine signaling has been implicated in the control of food intake and body weight. In particular, dopamine is important in the control of meal size and number and is thought to mediate the response to metabolic deprivation states. In the present experiments, the authors assessed the role of the dopamine-3 receptor (D 3 R) in the feeding responses to 2-deoxi-D-glucose, mercaptoacetate, and peripheral insulin. All 3 compounds increased food intake in wild-type mice, but the hyperphagic responses were blunted in D 3 R -/- mice. In other experiments, D 3 R / mice were hyperresponsive to the administration of amylin and leptin relative to wild-type mice. These results support the hypothesis that D 3 Rs; chronically inhibit the effects of adiposity hormone, thereby contributing to a net anabolic state.
Determination of airborne 2,4-toluenediisocyanate vapors.

Abstract An accurate and convenient sampling and analytical method was developed for airborne 2,4-toluenediisocyanate (TDI). A chromophoric derivatizing reagent was used to convert the TDI to a stable urea derivative during collection for subsequent quantification by liquid chromatography. The overall accuracy (at the 95% confidence level) and precision of the method are ± 7.9% and ± 10.0% respectively under laboratory conditions. Long term stability was observed for both the reagent coated sorbent tube and TDI urea derivative. A TDI concentration of 1 ppb can be detected by taking 15-1 sample volume.
Spectral methods for simulations of transition and turbulence

Abstract The basic elements of spectral methods for unsteady, three-dimensional simulations of transition and turbulence are reviewed with a special emphasis on recent developments. Illustrations of large-scale applications are provided for both incompressible and compressible flow.