cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Micropreconcentrator for Enhanced Trace Detection of Explosives and Chemical Agents

The design, fabrication, and testing of a sorbent-coated microfabricated preconcentrator device in complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor is presented. As a sorbent-coated device, the preconcentrator is used to collect, concentrate, and deliver analyte sampled from air for analysis with a detector. The preconcentrator in this paper is based on a perforated flowthrough microhotplate structure that is coated with a sorbent layer to maximize vapor trapping efficiency. The coating sorbs the analytes of interest during the collection phase at ambient temperatures. A thermal desorption cycle is then used to rapidly heat the preconcentrator to 180 degC in 40 ms to release a concentrated wave of analyte. A finite-volume method was used to simulate the temperature distribution on a microhotplate and to model the time to reach the steady-state temperature. The experimental electrical measurements of the device were found to be in good agreement with the predicted values obtained using the finite-volume method. The preconcentrator device was demonstrated by interfacing to the front end of a handheld chemical agent detector and a handheld trace explosives detector. The preliminary results showed signal enhancement for the detection of the nerve agent simulant dimethylmethylphosphonate and the explosive 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene
Complexity analysis: a quantitative approach to usability engineering

This paper describes complexity analysis, a quantitative approach to software usability engineering that has been successfully leveraged in several real-world projects. Complexity analysis is based on finding and quantifying impediments that get in the way of easily learning and using software. These impediments -- such as long sequences of manual steps, confusing user interfaces, and cryptic error messages -- are quantified by measures we call "complexity metrics". These metrics provide easily-understood usability comparisons between steps in a task, overall tasks, releases, and products. They are generated through rigorous, detailed rating scales associated with the following six aspects of software usability: context shifts, navigational guidance, input parameters, system feedback, error feedback, and new concepts. Although complexity analysis is a lighter-weight usability evaluation method than usability testing, empirical results show that complexity metrics are strongly correlated to usability testing time-on-task measures.
Basic Mechanisms of Protein Turnover

Although this book is about human protein metabolism, very little of the information on the molecular mechanisms of protein turnover comes from studies of human cells or tissues. Nevertheless, the basic mechanisms are generally the same in all eukaryotic cells, so that the processes described in this chapter are applicable to human tissues.
The USPTO Patent Examination Research Dataset: A Window on the Process of Patent Examination

A surprisingly small amount of empirical research has been focused on the process of obtaining a patent grant from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO). The purpose of this document is to describe the Patent Examination Dataset (PatEX), make a large amount of information from the Public Patent Application Information Retrieval system (Public PAIR) more readily available to researchers. PatEX includes records on over 9 million US patent applications, with information complete as of January 24, 2015 for all applications included in Public PAIR with filing dates prior to January 1, 2015. Variables in PatEX cover most of the relevant information related to US patent examination, including characteristics of inventions, applications, applicants, attorneys, and examiners, and status codes for all actions taken, by both the applicant and examiner, throughout the examination process. A significant section of this documentation describes the selectivity issues that arise from the omission of “nonpublic” applications. We find that the selection issues were much more pronounced for applications received prior to the implementation of the American Inventors Protection Act (AIPA) in late 2000. We also find that the extent of any selection bias will be at least partially determined by the sub-population of interest in any given research project.
Pseudomonas Activation of the Inflammasome

Mammals have evolved a multi-layered defense system to prevent infection and rapidly kill microbes. The ability to circumvent each of these defensive barriers distinguishes successful pathogens from other microbes. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is no exception. It has developed an armamentarium of virulence determinants that allow its persistence and spread within a host. One aspect of P. aeruginosa pathogenesis for which our understanding is rapidly evolving is the interaction of this bacterium with a particular element of the host innate immune response: the inflammasome. Here we will discuss the emerging models of how P. aeruginosa suppresses, subverts, evades and even exploits the inflammasome.
Technological Change, Job Tasks, and CEO Pay

This paper examines how changes in the composition of the human capital of the workforce impact the CEO. Over the last fifty years, technological change has caused the tasks workers perform to shift from routine to nonroutine work. I estimate that these changes in the workforce caused CEO pay to double over the last thirty years, explaining roughly one-third of the aggregate increase in CEO pay. Consistent with this effect being caused by synergies between CEOs and nonroutine workers, I use text analysis of 10-K statements to show that managers of nonroutine workforces focus relatively more on employees and that this focus leads to large increases in firm value and profitability. Together, these results suggest that a substantial portion of the increase in CEO pay over the past three decades represents an optimal response to technological change.
Consideration of in vivo studies of extended release dosage forms

Problems concerning in vivo studies of extended release dosage forms were discussed in this article.The discussion focused on general considerations of bioavailability and bioequivalence study,considerations of in vivo studies of multiple strengths,and general considerations of clinic trials of extended release dosage forms.The importance of food effect on bioavailability and post-meal bioequivalence in studies of extended release dosage forms were emphasized.The discussion also dealt with the relation between pharmaceutical studies and in vivo studies,as well as further studies based on in vivo and in vivo results.
Study on characteristics of grain yield and rice quality of Yangjing 4227 under different sowing dates

With the early-ripe Japonica(Oryza sativa L) variety Yangjing 4227 as material,effects of sowing and planting periods on yield and yield component,rice quality and RVA profile were studied.The results showed that: With the delay of sowing date,yields of Yangjing 4227 firstly increased then decreased gradually,ripened panicles increased,1000-kernel weight and kernel numbers per ear decreased.Under different sowing date treatments,head rice rate,chalkiness percent,amylose content,setback of RVA were significantly different.Among all sowing date treatments,head rice rate was the highest and chalkiness percent/rate was the lowerest under sowing date of 25th April.Gel consistency was the smallest under sowing date of 5th June.With sowing date postponing,Peak Viscosity,Breakdown Viscosity and Setback Viscosity firstly rised then declined.To achieve high yield and good rice quality,the optimum seeding time of Yangjing 4227 is from 5th May to 25th May.
Levetiracetam for the prevention of busulfan-induced seizures in pediatric hematopoietic cell transplantation recipients:

Objective The objective of this study was to compare clinical outcomes in children undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation who received levetiracetam versus those who received phenytoin for the prevention of busulfan-induced seizures. Methods This study was an IRB-approved, single-center, retrospective analysis of pediatric patients receiving intravenous busulfan for hematopoietic cell transplantation conditioning from January 2009 to July 2014. The primary study endpoint was the incidence of seizure during busulfan administration (day -8 to 0). Key transplant related-outcomes were also collected, including the incidence of graft rejection, sinusoidal obstruction syndrome, relapse, and death. Results A total of 20 patients met criteria for inclusion in the study. The population was heterogeneous with regard to the indication for hematopoietic cell transplantation, donor type, stem cell source, and conditioning regimen. Nine patients (45%) received levetiracetam and 11 (55%) received phenytoin for seizure prophylaxis. No seizures or graft rejections were observed in the study population. One relapse, one case of sinusoidal obstruction syndrome, and two deaths occurred in the levetiracetam group, while no relapses, two cases of sinusoidal obstruction syndrome, and one death occurred in the phenytoin group. Conclusion These data suggest similar safety and effectiveness between levetiracetam and phenytoin for the prevention of busulfan-induced seizures in a small, heterogeneous pediatric hematopoietic cell transplantation population.
The Non-Community Countries

The most important non-Community country of emigration is Spain. Spanish net emigration has increased from 69,000 in 1954 to 227,000 ten years later. The trend is away from overseas migration to Common Market migrations.
Activation and Inactivation of Primary Human Immunodeficiency Virus Envelope Glycoprotein Trimers by CD4-Mimetic Compounds.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) entry into cells is mediated by the viral envelope glycoproteins (Env), a trimer of three gp120 exterior glycoproteins, and three gp41 transmembrane glycoproteins. The metastable Env is triggered to undergo entry-related conformational changes when gp120 binds sequentially to the receptors, CD4 and CCR5, on the target cell. Small-molecule CD4-mimetic compounds (CD4mc) bind gp120 and act as competitive inhibitors of gp120-CD4 engagement. Some CD4mc have been shown to trigger Env prematurely, initially activating Env function, followed by rapid and irreversible inactivation. Here, we study CD4mc with a wide range of anti-HIV-1 potencies and demonstrate that all tested CD4mc are capable of activating as well as inactivating Env function. Biphasic dose-response curves indicated that the occupancy of the protomers in the Env trimer governs viral activation versus inactivation. One CD4mc bound per Env trimer activated HIV-1 infection. Envs with two CD4mc bound were activated for infection of CD4-negative, CCR5-positive cells, but the infection of CD4-positive, CCR5-positive cells was inhibited. Virus was inactivated when all three Env protomers were occupied by the CD4mc, and gp120 shedding from the Env trimer was increased in the presence of some CD4mc. Env reactivity and the on rates of CD4mc binding to the Env trimer were found to be important determinants of the potency of activation and entry inhibition. Cross-sensitization of Env protomers that do not bind the CD4mc to neutralization by an anti-V3 antibody was not evident. These insights into the mechanism of antiviral activity of CD4mc should assist efforts to optimize their potency and utility. Importance The trimeric envelope glycoproteins of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) mediate virus entry into host cells. Binding to the host cell receptors, CD4 and CCR5, triggers changes in the conformation of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein trimer important for virus entry. Small-molecule CD4-mimetic compounds inhibit HIV-1 infection by multiple mechanisms: (i) direct blockade of the interaction between the gp120 exterior envelope glycoprotein and CD4; (ii) premature triggering of conformational changes in the envelope glycoproteins, leading to irreversible inactivation; and (iii) exposure of cryptic epitopes to antibodies, allowing virus neutralization. The consequences of the binding of the CD4-mimetic compound to the HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins depends upon how many of the three subunits of the trimer are bound and upon the propensity of the envelope glycoproteins to undergo conformational changes. Understanding the mechanistic factors that influence the activity of CD4-mimetic compounds can help to improve their potency and coverage of diverse HIV-1 strains.
Modeling Interconnect Variability at Advanced Technology Nodes and Potential Solutions

The advent of multigate transistor technology for 20-nm technology node and beyond, has increased the importance of wire parasitics, in particular, wire resistance in determining the circuit delay computation. Variability in wire dimensions directly impacts the wire parasitics, hence, the overall system performance. For the first time, in this paper, we study circuit variability for 11- and 7-nm technology nodes based on GDSII-level layouts. We propose novel hybrid multipatterning flows, which combine the litho-etch-litho-etch and self-aligned-spacer technologies, to reduce circuit variability induced by the lithography process. We engineer the hybrid solutions to have reduced variability in wire resistance, and circuit performance, and develop variability models for each patterning proposal. We also find the increasing need of these hybrid solutions at the 7-nm technology node. For Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) lithography to enable higher circuit performance than the proposed patterning regimes, it requires a high precision in core variation of less than 1 nm.
Comparing levels of evidence between Choosing Wisely and Essential Evidence Plus

Although there has been increasing emphasis on the use of evidence to guide medical practice, using primary research studies to answer questions at the point-of-care is too time-consuming for most primary care physicians. Instead, physicians generally rely on secondary sources of evidence-based medicine from trusted curators. The American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation’s Choosing Wisely campaign is an example of a secondary source of evidence focused on common medical practices that clinicians and patients should rethink in light of poor evidence …
A Single Angiotensin II Hypertensive Stimulus Is Associated with Prolonged Neuronal and Immune System Activation in Wistar-Kyoto Rats

Activation of autonomic neural pathways by chronic hypertensive stimuli plays a significant role in pathogenesis of hypertension. Here, we proposed that even a single acute hypertensive stimulus will activate neural and immune pathways that may be important in initiation of memory imprinting seen in chronic hypertension. We investigated the effects of acute angiotensin II (Ang II) administration on blood pressure, neural activation in cardioregulatory brain regions, and central and systemic immune responses, at 1 and 24 hour post-injection. Administration of a single bolus intra-peritoneal (I.P.) injection of Ang II (36 µg/kg) resulted in a transient increase in the mean arterial pressure (MAP) (by 22±4 mmHg vs saline), which returned to baseline within 1 hour. However, in contrast to MAP, neuronal activity, as measured by manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance (MEMRI), remained elevated in several cardioregulatory brain regions over 24 hours. The increase was predominant in autonomic regions such as the subfornical organ (SFO; ~20%), paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN; ~20%) and rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM; ~900%), among others. Similarly, systemic and central immune responses, as evidenced by circulating levels of CD4+/IL17+ T cells, and increased IL17 levels and activation of microglia in the PVN respectively, remained elevated at 24 hours following Ang II challenge. Elevated Fos expression in the PVN was also present at 24 hours (by 73±11%) following Ang II compared to control saline injections, confirming persistent activation of PVN. Thus, even a single Ang II hypertensive stimulus will initiate changes in neuronal and immune cells that play a role in the developing hypertensive phenotype.
Multi-device wireless charging based on misalignment insensitive of conformal strongly coupled magnetic resonant system

In this paper, the misalignment property of the Conformal Strongly Coupled Magnetic Resonant (CSCMR) system is studied and applied to power multi-device simultaneously. A planar CSCMR WPT system shows excellent misalignment in azimuth plane compared to traditional SCMR system. The Receiving (RX) resonator can be moved around the Transmitting (TX) resonator in the same plane without scarifying efficiency. Using the misalignment insensitive property, a CSCMR WPT system with one transmitter and multiple receivers in the same plane or out of the plane is realized and all the receivers are successfully charged simultaneously.
“A fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God”: A study of fear in the Epistle to the Hebrews:

Does the author of Hebrews seek to quell fear or create it? The answer to both seems to be yes. To better understand the argument as a coherent whole, however, readers must seek to understand how h...
Conjoined White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) Fawns

In May 2016 conjoined white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) fawns were found deceased in southeastern Minnesota. The bodies of the fawns were joined ventrally and laterally with two separate necks and heads. This is the first case described of conjoined two-headed white-tailed deer brought to full-term gestation and delivered.
Insulin receptor sensitization restores neocortical excitation/inhibition balance in a mouse model of autism

Met receptor tyrosine kinase regulates neurogenesis, differentiation, migration, connectivity, and synaptic plasticity. The human Met gene has been identified as a prominent risk factor for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Met gene-altered mice serve as useful models for mechanistic studies of ASD. Inactivation of Met in excitatory cortical neurons in mice (Emx1 cre /Met flox mice) yields a phenotype in which significantly decreased GABAA receptor-mediated inhibition shifts the excitation/inhibition (E/I) balance toward excitation in the somatosensory cortex. Further, unlike that seen in wild-type mice, insulin does not increase inhibition in the mutant cortex, suggesting that one of the consequences of kinase inactive Met gene could be desensitization of insulin receptors. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the effects of insulin receptor sensitizer, pioglitazone, on inhibition in the somatosensory thalamocortical circuitry. We used whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology and analyzed excitatory and inhibitory responses of cortical layer IV excitatory cells following stimulation of their thalamic input in thalamocortical pathway intact brain slices. We applied insulin alone and insulin + a thiazolidinedione, pioglitazone (PIO), to test the effects of sensitizing insulin receptors on inhibitory responses mediated by GABAA receptors in the somatosensory cortex of Emx1 cre /Met flox mice. In WT brain slices, application of insulin together with PIO did not enhance the effect of insulin alone. In contrast, PIO application induced a much larger inhibition than that of insulin alone in Met-defective cortex. Thus, insulin resistance of GABAA receptor-mediated response in Met mutant mice may result from desensitized insulin receptors. Sporadic clinical studies reported improved behavioral symptoms in children with autism following PIO treatment. We show that PIO can aid in normalization of the E/I balance in the primary somatosensory cortex, a potential physiological mechanism underlying the positive effects of PIO treatment.
Deletion of Extra Domain A of Fibronectin Reduces Acute Myocardial Ischaemia/Reperfusion Injury in Hyperlipidaemic Mice by Limiting Thrombo-Inflammation

Background Fibronectin splicing variant containing extra domain A (Fn-EDA), which is an endogenous ligand for Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), is present in negligible amounts in the plasma of healthy humans, but markedly elevated in patients with co-morbid conditions including diabetes and hyperlipidaemia, which are risk factors for myocardial infarction (MI). Very little is known about the role of Fn-EDA in the pathophysiology of acute MI under these co-morbid conditions. Materials and Methods We determined the role of Fn-EDA in myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in the hyperlipidaemic apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE−/−) mice. Infarct size, plasma cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels, intravascular thrombosis (CD41-positive), neutrophil infiltration (Ly6 B.2-positive), neutrophil extracellular traps (citrullinated H3-positive) and myocyte apoptosis (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling-positive) were assessed in myocardial I/R injury model (1-hour ischaemia/23 hours of reperfusion). Results Irrespective of gender, Fn-EDA−/−ApoE−/− mice exhibited smaller infarct size and decreased cTnI levels concomitant with reduced post-ischaemic intra-vascular thrombi, neutrophils influx, neutrophil extracellular traps and myocyte apoptosis (p Conclusion Fn-EDA exacerbates TLR4-dependent myocardial I/R injury by promoting post-ischaemic thrombo-inflammatory response. Targeting Fn-EDA may reduce cardiac damage following coronary artery re-canalization after acute MI.
Neighborhood Disorder and Obesity-Related Outcomes among Women in Chicago.

Neighborhood psychosocial stressors like crime and physical disorder may influence obesity-related outcomes through chronic stress or through adverse effects on health behaviors. Google Street View imagery provides a low-cost, reliable method for auditing neighborhood physical disorder, but few studies have examined associations of Street View-derived physical disorder scores with health outcomes. We used Google Street View to audit measures of physical disorder for residential census blocks from 225 women aged 18–44 enrolled from 4 Chicago neighborhoods. Latent neighborhood physical disorder scores were estimated using an item response theory model and aggregated to the block group level. Block-group level physical disorder scores and rates of police-recorded crime and 311 calls for service requests were linked to participants based on home addresses. Associations were estimated for 6 obesity-related outcomes: body mass index, obesity, total moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and weekly consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, fast food, and snacks. Hierarchical regression models estimated cross-sectional associations adjusting for individual sociodemographics and neighborhood poverty. Higher neighborhood physical disorder was associated with greater odds of obesity (OR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.01, 2.02). Living in a neighborhood with a higher crime rate was associated with an increase in weekly snack consumption of 3.06 (95% CI: 1.59, 4.54).
Epizootiology of Rabies: The Americas

The epizootiology of wildlife rabies in North America, mongoose rabies in the Caribbean, and dog and vampire bat rabies in Latin America is discussed. Particular emphasis is given to the distribution and prevalence of antigenic variants in geographically separate areas and in areas where the disease is enzootic in several host species.
Electrically Mediated Gene Delivery to the Skin

The easy accessibility of skin makes it an excellent target for gene transfer protocols. To fully take advantage of skin as a target for gene transfer, it is important to establish an efficient and reproducible delivery system. Electroporation as a tool for delivery of plasmid DNA is a strong candidate to meet these delivery criteria. Electroporation of the skin is a simple, direct, in vivo method to deliver genes for therapy. Efficient delivery to the skin can be utilized for both prophylactic and therapeutic approaches. In previous work, we evaluated delivery conditions to the skin utilizing a plasmid encoding luciferase. These studies were performed in various animal models. Most recently, the work has been performed in a guinea pig model to evaluate the potential of this approach in an animal model with skin thickness and structure similar to human. Results clearly showed that effective delivery was related to both the electrode and the parameters chosen. For delivery of DNA vaccines, a multielectrode array was utilized to deliver a plasmid encoding hepatitis b surface antigen resulted in high antibody levels. Use of this array reduced muscle twitches associated with administration of pulses. This approach was also assessed for delivery of angiogenic growth factors to the skin in areas of ischemia. For this work a 4-plate electrode was utilized with parameters for therapeutic delivery of angiogenic growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Delivery resulted in accelerated wound healing when compared to no treatment or injection of plasmid without electroporation. These results further demonstrate that electroporation can be used to augment the efficiency of direct injection of plasmid DNA to skin and may have utility in several therapeutic applications.
Evidence that the pituitary gland is the site of inhibitory action of porcine follicular fluid upon FSH secretion in the rat.

This study has examined the effects of porcine follicular fluid (PFF) on the adenohypophyseal secretion of LH and FSH following LHRH treatment. The animal model selected for study was the proestrous rat in which preovulatory LH and FSH surges were blocked with phenobarbital. To elicit the release of gonadotropins from this preparation, two different i.v. LHRH infusion protocols were used. The first elicited a proestrouslike LH and FSH surge while the second infusion schedule evoked the predominant release of FSH with only minor changes in LH. PFF suppressed LHRH-induced FSH secretion in both preparations but had only negligible effects on LH secretion. Interestingly, the suppressive effects of PFF were variable and depended upon the mode in which LHRH was presented.
Testing Models of Natural Systems: Can It be Done?

Testability is at the heart of virtually all philosophical conceptions of scientific theory. Verificationists, confirmationists, and falsificationists share the belief that scientific theories must be in some manner testable. The Kuhnian concept of a critical “anomaly” that undermines accepted standard concepts also implicitly invokes a notion of falsification—the anomaly stands out against a background of paradigmatic expectation, thus providing partial grounds for rejection of previously held views.1 More recently, social constructionists have greatly challenged the determinative nature of empirical evidence, but recent constructionist accounts nevertheless allow an important role for experimental tests, even if placing the use and intepretation of those tests in a firmly social context.2
Role of Natural Organic Matter as Sorption Suppressant in Soil

Black carbon (charcoal, char, soot, biochar) in its raw state can be a strong adsorbent of organic compounds. This chapter reviews and presents new evidence that during weathering in soil, the surface activity of black carbon becomes reduced by deposition of natural organic matter from the surrounding soil matrix on its surfaces. This can rapidly lead to as much as a two-order-of-magnitude decline in the distribution coefficient of the contaminant and a sharp decline in the N2 B.E.T. specific surface area of the black carbon in the mixture. Humic substances suppress sorption by competing for sorption sites and, at cryogenic temperatures, by blocking pore entrances. The competitive effect increases with adsorbate molecular size due to size exclusion (steric) constraints that allow smaller molecules greater access to interior surfaces. It may also increase to the extent adsorbate and humics undergo common interactions with the surface, such as H-bonding. Weathering of black carbon must be taken into accounted in contaminant fate models and in strategies involving the use of black carbon for crop enhancement or soil stabilization.
And the Winner is… Awards for the Integration of Science and Practice in Psychology

Psychotherapists from all fields perform difficult and challenging work, trying to help their clients gain insight into their problems and make lasting changes in their thoughts and behaviors. Unfortunately, too often the work of a psychotherapist is minimized, neglected, or disregarded. Where departmental or conference awards may be presented regularly, public recognition for evidence-based and clinically-relevant published work is lacking. The present paper aims to acknowledge the most valuable recent accomplishments in the field of mental health assessment and treatment. Nominations were accepted for works published during 2017, papers of enduring value, and most valuable psychologist, and votes were cast by a panel of judges. These valuable contributions are recommended for all psychotherapists who hope to improve their work with clients.
Securitization and Liquidity Creation in Markets with Adverse Selection

This paper provides an information-based theory of tranching, a practice in which sellers slice a financial asset into debt securities with different seniority. I use the price posting framework to analyze asset-backed security markets with adverse selection and find that tranching is a robust equilibrium outcome. Tranching decomposes the asset into “information insensitive” and “information sensitive” components. The expected cash flow of the information insensitive component is independent of the seller's private signal, whereas the expected cash flow of the information sensitive component varies with the signal. When buyers are restricted to trade shares of assets, they have to purchase both components proportionally. Tranching, however, allows buyers to disproportionately purchase the information insensitive component. As a result, buyers are less concerned about adverse selection, and total trading volume in the market increases. My model also generates testable predictions on the liquidity of individual debt securities: the selling probability of a debt security increases in its seniority, which is observable to buyers, yet decreases with its performance, which is ex-ante unobservable to buyers; these predictions are supported by my empirical analysis of the non-agency MBS market.
Multiset Matrix Product State Calculations Reveal Mobile Franck-Condon Excitations Under Strong Holstein-Type Coupling

We show that the dynamics of (vertical) Franck-Condon excitations in the regime where Holstein-coupled vibrational modes mix strongly with electronic degrees of freedom sharply contrasts with the known self-localized behavior of vibrationally relaxed excitations. Instead, the strongly coupled modes are found to periodically induce resonances between interacting electronic sites, during which effective excitation transfer occurs, allowing Franck-Condon excitations to attain substantial mean square displacements under conditions where relaxed excitations are essentially trapped to a single site. In demonstrating this behavior, we employ a multiset matrix product state formalism. We find this tensor network state method to be a remarkably efficient and accurate approach for the notoriously difficult problem posed by the Holstein model in the regime where the electronic coupling, the vibrational quantum, and the vibrational reorganization energy are comparable in magnitude.
Guest Editorial Special Issue on Parallel and Distributed Processing for Computational Social Systems

Great strides have been made in computational methods for social systems. However, real-world modeling problems require novel computational techniques to support modeling and analyses with time and resource constraints. The emergence of parallel architectures, in the form of multicore/manycore processors, and distributed platforms, have led to the formulation of new approaches for large-scale information processing, modeling and simulation, and new tools for analysis. Due to the inherent interdisciplinary nature of the research in computational social systems, techniques that utilize parallel and distributed algorithms, systems, and methodologies continue to evolve in diverse disciplines. This special issue provides a platform to bring together these researchers to showcase innovative research in computational social systems that leverage the emerging trends in parallel and distributed processing, algorithms, computational modeling, and high-performance computing. The call for papers was issued in 2017, with the submission deadline of December 29, 2017.We received a number of strong submissions. The papers went through a rigorous review process and six high-quality papers were selected. The special issue papers are distributed across multiple issues of the TRANSACTIONS, specifically the last two issues of 2018 and this issue. We provide brief descriptions of the papers below.
Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: A Concise Review of Diagnosis and Management.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a rare, chronic cholestatic liver disease characterized by progressive idiopathic stricturing of the biliary system, typically leading to cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease, and colonic or hepatobiliary malignancy. Its presentation is often that of asymptomatic alkaline phosphatase elevation. When symptoms are present, they typically include fatigue, pruritus, or jaundice. The diagnosis can be confirmed via cholangiography, either magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRCP) or endoscopic retrograde cholangiography if the former is inconclusive. The clinical course is marked by progressive liver disease leading to cirrhosis with its attendant complications of portal hypertension, often including recurrent episodes of cholangitis. Greater elevation in alkaline phosphatase or liver stiffness is associated with worse clinical outcomes. Management includes endoscopic treatment of symptomatic biliary strictures and evaluation of dominant strictures as no adequate medical treatment is available. Multiple medical therapies are under evaluation. Ultimately, liver transplantation may be necessary for management of decompensated cirrhosis or disabling symptoms. There is also a markedly increased risk of cancer, notably including cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder and colorectal cancers (particularly in patients with colitis). Cancer screening can be done with semi-annual liver imaging (MRCP or ultrasound) and colonoscopy every 1–2 years in those with colitis.
The acceptance profile of invasion percolation at $p_c$ in two dimensions

Invasion percolation is a stochastic growth model that follows a greedy algorithm. After assigning i.i.d. uniform random variables (weights) to all edges of $\mathbb{Z}^d$, the growth starts at the origin. At each step, we adjoin to the current cluster the edge of minimal weight from its boundary. In '85, Chayes-Chayes-Newman studied the `acceptance profile' of the invasion: for a given $p \in [0,1]$, it is the ratio of the expected number of invaded edges until time $n$ with weight in $[p,p+\text{d}p]$ to the expected number of observed edges (those in the cluster or its boundary) with weight in the same interval. They showed that in all dimensions, the acceptance profile $a_n(p)$ converges to one for $p p_c$. In this paper, we consider $a_n(p)$ at the critical point $p=p_c$ in two dimensions and show that it is bounded away from zero and one as $n \to \infty$.
Surgical Techniques: Cervical Osteotomies—Anterior Osteotomy With/Without Corpectomy

The purpose of this chapter is to describe the surgical technique for an anterior osteotomy with or without corpectomy. Technical nuances and pitfalls will be discussed by the authors.
Conservation Genetics of the Endangered Yellow Lampmussel (Lampsilis cariosa)

Determining the genetic diversity of unionid populations is important for the preservation of the species and ecosystems in which they reside. The Yellow lampmussel, Lampsilis cariosa, is an endangered unionid found along the Atlantic Slope drainages in the United States and Canada. Along with many other North American unionid species, L. cariosa populations are declining. In order to enhance conservation efforts, the genetic structure and diversity of current populations must be examined. A sample of 178 individuals of L. cariosa from 20 populations in the Susquehanna and Delaware River drainages, and two different river populations in Maine were genotyped at the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit one (COI) gene and seven microsatellite loci. Haplotype genetic diversity for L. cariosa was low, while nucleotide diversity was high. Analysis of mtDNA showed significant population structure but lower than that of other mussel species. Our results indicate past gene flow among populations found in the Susquehanna and Delaware drainages with recent demographic expansion. As an endangered species with currently small population sizes, conservation efforts for L. cariosa should focus on protecting genetic diversity by preserving the largest populations in different drainages.
Role call: sex, gender roles, and intimate partner violence

Intimate partner violence (IPV) continues to be viewed in gendered and heteronormative ways. Stanziani, Cox, and Coffey (2018, Adding insult to injury: Sex, sexual orientation, and juror decision-m...
Level of consciousness is dissociable from electroencephalographic measures of cortical connectivity, slow oscillations, and complexity

Leading neuroscientific theories posit a central role for the functional integration of cortical areas in conscious states. Considerable evidence supporting this hypothesis is based on network changes during anesthesia, but it is unclear whether these changes represent state-related (conscious vs unconscious) or drug-related (anesthetic vs no anesthetic) effects. We recently demonstrated that carbachol delivery to prefrontal cortex (PFC) restored wakefulness despite continuous administration of the general anesthetic sevoflurane. By contrast, carbachol delivery to parietal cortex, or noradrenaline delivery to either prefrontal or parietal cortices, failed to restore wakefulness. Thus, carbachol-induced reversal of sevoflurane anesthesia represents a unique state that combines wakefulness with clinically relevant anesthetic concentrations in the brain. To differentiate the state-related and drug-related associations of cortical connectivity and dynamics, we analyzed the electroencephalographic data gathered from adult male Sprague Dawley rats during the aforementioned experiments for changes in functional cortical gamma connectivity (25–155 Hz), slow oscillations (0.5–1 Hz), and complexity ( SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Numerous theories of consciousness suggest that functional connectivity across the cortex is characteristic of the conscious state and is reduced during anesthesia. However, it is unknown whether the observed changes are state-related (conscious vs unconscious) or drug-related (drug vs no drug). We used a novel rat model in which cholinergic stimulation of PFC produced wakefulness despite continuous exposure to a general anesthetic. We demonstrate that, as expected, general anesthesia reduces connectivity. Surprisingly, the connectivity remains suppressed despite pharmacologically induced wakefulness in the presence of anesthetic, with restoration occurring only after the anesthetic is discontinued. Thus, whether an animal exhibits wakefulness or not can be dissociated from cortical connectivity, prompting a reevaluation of the role of connectivity in level of consciousness.
The tectonic architecture of wrinkle ridges on Mars

Abstract The geodynamic history of Mars is written largely in the form of its tectonic structures. A global population of compressional structures records a history of interior cooling and contraction, in combination with volcanic loading and flexure of the lithosphere. The most common of these structures are wrinkle ridges, interpreted as having formed by folding of near-surface layered volcanic materials above blind thrust faults. Topographic profiles of wrinkle ridges are found to dominantly fall into three classes: symmetric ridges, arch-style ridges characterized by broad convex upward backlimbs, and double ridges characterized by a broad arch and narrow ridge. A Monte Carlo boundary element model was used to constrain the underlying geometry of faults associated with the different ridge types. Symmetric ridges are pop-up structures formed between quasi-symmetric thrust and backthrust faults, in some cases above a horizontal decollement or low angle fault at depth. Arch-style ridges formed above a dominant primary thrust fault of near constant dip, with a secondary backthrust playing a lesser role in generating subtle inflections in the backlimb. Double ridges require two backthrust faults to localize strain within the narrow ridge at the ridge crest and to generate the secondary antiform on the backlimb. In these ridges, both the upper primary thrust and backthrust are contained within the layered volcanic materials, while the lower portions of the primary thrust can extend deep into the crust or upper mantle. A shallower depth of fault penetration in areas of thicker crust is consistent with the depth of faulting being limited by the brittle-ductile transition. Dips vary widely, but are typically steep in the upper faults and quite gentle in the lower faults. Thus, while wrinkle ridges do provide important records of tectonic and geodynamic processes on Mars as well as other bodies, the associated tectonic structures are more complex and varied than previously considered.
High-performance jet fuel optimization and uncertainty analysis

Abstract High-performance jet fuel represents a subset of sustainable aviation fuel that improves the value and performance of the fuel while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and remaining within ‘drop-in’ operability and safety limits. Here, performance gains via increased specific energy [MJ/kg] and energy density [MJ/L] achievable with high-performance jet fuel have been bound by optimizing blends of molecules considering 10 operability and safety properties. Aleatoric and epistemic uncertainties associated with the optimization have been quantified using Latin hypercube sampling, with the associated variance in performance, composition, and operability properties reported. Two optimization scenarios were considered-one with and one without the 8% minimum aromatic requirement- to determine the effect on fuel performance and composition while exploring the possibility of replacing aromatics with cycloalkanes in jet fuel. The results of this study are average specific energy/energy density increases of 1.61/2.36% and 1.84/2.46% relative to Jet A with and without the aromatic constraint respectively, indicating that aromatics are not desirable for fuel performance. Uncertainty for performance properties was low with 1σ and 2σ values at ±0.2% and ±0.4% of the average Pareto front values for both scenarios, which suggests that this study is a good indicator of the performance benefits that can be conferred via high-performance jet fuel. Compositions were biased heavily toward cycloalkanes at 70% and 81% respectively, with low-temperature viscosity and density serving as the limiting operability constraints. This study concludes that cycloalkanes can replace aromatics in jet fuel considering operability limits while increasing fuel performance and reducing soot emissions.
Automated Structured Reporting for Thyroid Ultrasound: Effect on Reporting Errors and Efficiency

Abstract Purpose To compare the effectiveness of different reporting templates using the ACR Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS) for thyroid ultrasound. Methods In this retrospective study, four radiologists implemented ACR TI-RADS while dictating 20 thyroid ultrasounds for each of four different templates: free text, minimally structured, fully structured, fully structured and automated (embedded software automatically sums TI-RADS points, correlates with nodule size, and inserts appropriate recommendation into report impression). In total, 80 reports were constructed per template type. Frequencies of different errors related to ACR TI-RADS were recorded: errors in point assignment, point addition, risk-level assignment, and recommendation. Reporting times were recorded, and a survey about using the template was administered. Differences in error rates were compared using χ2 and Fisher’s exact tests, and differences in reporting times were compared using Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results Across all readers, errors were identified in 27.5% of reports (22 of 80) for the free text template, 28.8% (23 of 80) for the minimally structured template, 18.8% (15 of 80) for the fully structured template, and 0% (0 of 80) for the fully structured and automated template (P Conclusion A structured reporting template for thyroid ultrasound that automatically executed steps of ACR TI-RADS resulted in fewer reporting errors for radiologists.
Effective-field-theory analysis of boson-trimer bond lengths to next-to-leading order

Cold helium atoms are a unique system in which a single excited three-body Efimov bound state occurs, naturally, without the need for an external magnetic field. While three-body bound-state energies of cold helium atoms have previously been investigated, recent experimental techniques have allowed their structure to also be studied. The weak interaction between helium atoms leads to a helium-helium (dimer) scattering length $a$ much larger than the helium-helium effective range of interaction $r$. This feature is exploited in a theory that systematically expands observables in powers of $r/a$, known as short-range effective field theory (SREFT), which has been used successfully to investigate properties of cold-atom systems. Using SREFT, we investigate the average bond length of atoms in the three-body ground state and excited Efimov bound state of cold helium atoms. At leading-order (next-to-leading order) in SREFT, we find the average bond length of the $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ trimer ground state is 8.35(33) $\AA{}$ (10.29(2) $\AA{}$) and the average bond length of the excited $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ trimer Efimov bound state is 103(4) $\AA{}$ (105.3(2) $\AA{}$).
Plotting Positions and Economics of Engineering Planning

Study of plotting positions in hydrologic flood frequency analysis for selection of economical plotting position method; it is shown by means of sampling from extreme values and normal distribution...