cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Well-posedness and nonlinear smoothing for the “good” Boussinesq equation on the half-line

Abstract In this paper we study the regularity properties of the “good” Boussinesq equation on the half line. We obtain local existence, uniqueness, and continuous dependence on initial data in low-regularity spaces. Moreover we prove that the nonlinear part of the solution on the half line is smoother than the initial data, obtaining half derivative smoothing of the nonlinear term in some cases. Our paper improves the result in [17] , being the first result that constructs solutions for the initial and boundary value problem of the “good” Boussinesq equation below the L 2 space. Our theorems are sharp within the framework of the restricted norm method that we use and match the known results on the full line in [20] and [13] .
Jobless Recovery and Structural Change: A VAR Approach:

This study uses a vector autoregression approach to examine the link between jobless recoveries and the fast employment expansion in finance, health and education (FHE) sectors. Both reduced-form estimates and impulse responses indicate a negative effect of the expansion on aggregate employment. While the expansion Granger causes aggregate employment fluctuations, up to 40 per cent of the error variance of those fluctuations can be explained by innovations in the expansion. Moreover, movements in aggregate employment are reduced by 25 per cent when the expansion is accounted for. Therefore, the fast expansion of the FHE sectors is shown to have notably contributed to the onset of jobless recoveries.JEL Classification: E24, E32, C32
Structural stability and local dynamics in disease-causing mutants of human apolipoprotein a-I: what makes the protein amyloidogenic?

Apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I, a single chain of 243 amino acids) is the major structural and functional protein on plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL, a.k.a. “good cholesterol”). ApoA-I and HDL rem...
Long-term Operational Experience with the Barrel CRID at SLD

The Barrel CRID detector has been operating successfully at SLD for the past seven years. It is an important tool for SLD physics analyses. The long-term operational experience with this device is described.
Convergence of Weighted Min-Sum Decoding Via Dynamic Programming on Trees

Applying the max-product (and sum-product) algorithms to loopy graphs is now quite popular for best assignment problems. This is largely due to their low computational complexity and impressive performance in practice. Still, there is no general understanding of the conditions required for convergence or optimality of converged solutions or both. This paper presents an analysis of both attenuated max-product decoding and weighted min-sum decoding for low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes, which guarantees convergence to a fixed point when a weight factor, β, is sufficiently small. It also shows that, if the fixed point satisfies some consistency conditions, then it must be both a linear-programming (LP) and maximum-likelihood (ML) decoding solution. For (dv, dc)-regular LDPC codes, the weight factor must satisfy β(dv-1) 1 are given. Finally, connections are explored with recent work on the threshold of LP decoding.
Exploring the Impact of Delivery Performance on Customer Transaction Volume and Unit Price: Evidence from an Assembly Manufacturing Supply Chain

This study examines the effect of delivery performance on customer transactions. We propose that different delivery performance dimensions (on-time delivery rate, early delivery inaccuracy, late delivery inaccuracy, and delivery speed) have varying impacts on future customer transaction quantities and unit prices. We further explore the effect of customer types on the proposed relationships. Trade customers (resellers) and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) customers generally have different operational needs for deliveries and therefore may value these metrics differently. Using instrumental variable regression, we analyze a proprietary transaction-level dataset. The information was compiled by a Fortune 500 manufacturer from its Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) control product supply chain, consisting of the manufacturer and its customers. The results indicate that measures of delivery performance affect customer transaction quantity and unit price differently. Furthermore, these impacts can differ significantly between trade customers and OEM customers. These findings provide fine-grained insights about tuning delivery capabilities to increase sales volume or boost price.
Dynamic substrate preferences predict metabolic properties of a simple microbial consortium

Mixed cultures of different microbial species are increasingly being used to carry out a specific biochemical function in lieu of engineering a single microbe to do the same task. However, knowing how different species’ metabolisms will integrate to reach a desired outcome is a difficult problem that has been studied in great detail using steady-state models. However, many biotechnological processes, as well as natural habitats, represent a more dynamic system. Examining how individual species use resources in their growth medium or environment (exometabolomics) over time in batch culture conditions can provide rich phenotypic data that encompasses regulation and transporters, creating an opportunity to integrate the data into a predictive model of resource use by a mixed community. Here we use exometabolomic profiling to examine the time-varying substrate depletion from a mixture of 19 amino acids and glucose by two Pseudomonas and one Bacillus species isolated from ground water. Contrary to studies in model organisms, we found surprisingly few correlations between resource preferences and maximal growth rate or biomass composition. We then modeled patterns of substrate depletion, and used these models to examine if substrate usage preferences and substrate depletion kinetics of individual isolates can be used to predict the metabolism of a co-culture of the isolates. We found that most of the substrates fit the model predictions, except for glucose and histidine, which were depleted more slowly than predicted, and proline, glycine, glutamate, lysine and arginine, which were all consumed significantly faster. Our results indicate that a significant portion of a model community’s overall metabolism can be predicted based on the metabolism of the individuals. Based on the nature of our model, the resources that significantly deviate from the prediction highlight potential metabolic pathways affected by species-species interactions, which when further studied can potentially be used to modulate microbial community structure and/or function.
CHAPTER 3 – Sensor Models

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the influence of the sensor on remote-sensing measurements. Its primary impact is a local spatial and spectral integration of the signal by which the “resolution” of the image data are determined. The sensor converts the upwelling radiance (reflected and/or emitted) into an image of the radiance spatial distribution. Several important transformations of the radiometric, spatial, and geometric properties of the radiance occur at this stage. The chapter focuses on the way the sensor modifies the signal of interest in remote sensing. Generally, the sensor degrades the signal of interest, that is, the portion of the total radiance that contains information about the earth's surface. The sensor affects the spatial and radiometric quality of the signal. It is important to understand the nature of this degradation to properly design image processing algorithms and to interpret their results. The important aspects of this sensor influence are as follows: scene spatial features are weighted by the sensor spatial response, including blurring by the optics, image motion, detector, and sensor electronics; scene spectral radiances received at the sensor are weighted by the sensor spectral response in each band; the overall imaging process, under reasonable assumptions, is a linear transform of the at-sensor radiance; geometric distortion arises from internal sensor, external platform, and topographic factors.
Sulfur Hazes in Giant Exoplanet Atmospheres: Impacts on Reflected Light Spectra

Recent work has shown that sulfur hazes may arise in the atmospheres of some giant exoplanets, due to the photolysis of H_2S. We investigate the impact such a haze would have on an exoplanet's geometric albedo spectrum and how it may affect the direct imaging results of the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST), a planned NASA space telescope. For temperate (250 K < T_(eq) < 700 K) Jupiter-mass planets, photochemical destruction of H_2S results in the production of ~1 ppmv of S_8 between 100 and 0.1 mbar, which, if cool enough, will condense to form a haze. Nominal haze masses are found to drastically alter a planet's geometric albedo spectrum: whereas a clear atmosphere is dark at wavelengths between 0.5 and 1 μm, due to molecular absorption, the addition of a sulfur haze boosts the albedo there to ~0.7, due to scattering. Strong absorption by the haze shortward of 0.4 μm results in albedos <0.1, in contrast to the high albedos produced by Rayleigh scattering in a clear atmosphere. As a result, the color of the planet shifts from blue to orange. The existence of a sulfur haze masks the molecular signatures of methane and water, thereby complicating the characterization of atmospheric composition. Detection of such a haze by WFIRST is possible, though discriminating between a sulfur haze and any other highly reflective, high-altitude scatterer will require observations shortward of 0.4 μm, which is currently beyond WFIRST's design.
JOINT IMPLANT REGISTRIES 2015: SEPARATING THE WHEAT FROM THE CHAFF

The value of joint registries is to (1) provide large scale longitudinal follow-up of classes of implants and individual implants—thereby providing potential for improved performance—and (2) serve as a tripwire for unexpected problem implants which is well appreciated. The purpose of this talk is not to reiterate the value of joint arthroplasty registries, but rather to look at several key findings from joint registries around the world and discuss what these mean for orthopaedic surgery today. Observation #1: Registries can tell us where the biggest problems are so we can act on them: Example: Early failures—those occurring in the first two years—account for about half of all failures by ten years. Early failures consist of mainly technically related problems and infections. If we can reduce these problems, we can reduce the number of patients having a second surgery after joint replacement by almost half. For one type of early failure (infection), the registry data show rate of infection after THA and TKA has not declined substantially in the last 20 years. We need major innovation in this area to solve this problem. On the other hand, registry data show early failures in older patients after THA are often due to periprosthetic femur fracture: we can solve this problem now with choice of stem fixation or prophylactic wires in high risk patients. Observation #2: Innovation can and does work! It is not correct to suggest that no new implants have led to improved results. Example: Registry data demonstrate that cross-linked polyethylene bearings have reduced the risk of revision after THA dramatically, especially in younger patients. Observation #3: Gathering more detailed information, such as patient reported outcomes, at least on limited samples of patients, can provide further insights. Example: Registry data demonstrate much greater variability in clinical outcomes of TKA in younger patients compared to older patients. Observation #4: Having national registries from different countries provides synergistic information. Example: Combining data from several national registries provides information on performance of femoral heads of different diameter and material that are not available from just one source. Observation #5: Registries may provide unexpected information that opens unexpected avenues for study. Example: Several registries demonstrate men have a 1.5–2 times higher risk of infection after TKA. We did not know this before. Why is this? Can we reduce it?
Impact of fiber weaves on 56 Gbps SerDes interface in glass epoxy packages

Some package substrates are composed of glass fiber bundles and epoxy resin which have different electrical properties. These differences result in variations in characteristic impedance and propagation speeds, which may be detrimental at high data rates. The insertion loss (IL), within pair skew and differential to common mode conversion ratio of transmission lines may drastically increase due to the fiber weave effect. Consequently, the link budget of high speed communication channels may be significantly hindered. This paper addresses the problems due to the fiber weave effect and provides mitigation techniques at the package level, particularly for 56 Gbps Serializer/Deserializer (SerDes) interface.
Integrated modeling of second phase precipitation in cold-worked 316 stainless steels under irradiation

Abstract The current work combines the Cluster Dynamics (CD) technique and CALPHAD-based precipitation modeling to address the second phase precipitation in cold-worked (CW) 316 stainless steels (SS) under irradiation at 300–400 °C. CD provides the radiation enhanced diffusion and dislocation evolution as inputs for the precipitation model. The CALPHAD-based precipitation model treats the nucleation, growth and coarsening of precipitation processes based on classical nucleation theory and evolution equations, and simulates the composition, size and size distribution of precipitate phases. We benchmark the model against available experimental data at fast reactor conditions (9.4 × 10 −7 dpa/s and 390 °C) and then use the model to predict the phase instability of CW 316 SS under light water reactor (LWR) extended life conditions (7 × 10 −8 dpa/s and 275 °C). The model accurately predicts the γ′ (Ni 3 Si) precipitation evolution under fast reactor conditions and that the formation of this phase is dominated by radiation enhanced segregation. The model also predicts a carbide volume fraction that agrees well with available experimental data from a PWR reactor but is much higher than the volume fraction observed in fast reactors. We propose that radiation enhanced dissolution and/or carbon depletion at sinks that occurs at high flux could be the main sources of this inconsistency. The integrated model predicts ∼1.2% volume fraction for carbide and ∼3.0% volume fraction for γ′ for typical CW 316 SS (with 0.054 wt% carbon) under LWR extended life conditions. This work provides valuable insights into the magnitudes and mechanisms of precipitation in irradiated CW 316 SS for nuclear applications.
Implications of the Hasse principle for zero cycles of degree one on principal homogeneous spaces

Let $k$ be a perfect field of virtual cohomological dimension $\leq 2$. Let $G$ be a connected linear algebraic group over $k$ such that $G^{sc}$ satisfies a Hasse principle over $k$. Let $X$ be a principal homogeneous space under $G$ over $k$. We show that if $X$ admits a zero cycle of degree one, then $X$ has a $k$-rational point.
A SEARCH FOR NEUTRON STAR PRECESSION AND INTERSTELLAR MAGNETIC FIELD VARIATIONS VIA MULTIEPOCH PULSAR POLARIMETRY

In order to study precession and interstellar magnetic field variations, we measured the polarized position angle of 81 pulsars at several-month intervals for four years. We show that the uncertainties in a single-epoch measurement of position angle are usually dominated by random pulse-to-pulse jitter of the polarized subpulses. Even with these uncertainties, we find that the position angle variations in 19 pulsars are significantly better fitted (at the 3σ level) by a sinusoid than by a constant. Such variations could be caused by precession, which would then indicate periods of ~(200-1300) days and amplitudes of ~(1-12) degrees. We narrow this collection to four pulsars that show the most convincing evidence of sinusoidal variation in position angle. Also, in a handful of pulsars, single discrepant position angle measurements are observed which may result from the line of sight passing across a discrete ionized, magnetized structure. We calculate the standard deviation of position angle measurements from the mean for each pulsar and relate these to limits on precession and interstellar magnetic field variations.
Water availability drives signatures of local adaptation in whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis Engelm.) across fine spatial scales of the Lake Tahoe Basin, USA.

Patterns of local adaptation at fine spatial scales are central to understanding how evolution proceeds, and are essential to the effective management of economically and ecologically important forest tree species. Here, we employ single and multilocus analyses of genetic data (n = 116 231 SNPs) to describe signatures of fine-scale adaptation within eight whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis Engelm.) populations across the local extent of the environmentally heterogeneous Lake Tahoe Basin, USA. We show that despite highly shared genetic variation (FST = 0.0069), there is strong evidence for adaptation to the rain shadow experienced across the eastern Sierra Nevada. Specifically, we build upon evidence from a common garden study and find that allele frequencies of loci associated with four phenotypes (mean = 236 SNPs), 18 environmental variables (mean = 99 SNPs), and those detected through genetic differentiation (n = 110 SNPs) exhibit significantly higher signals of selection (covariance of allele frequencies) than could be expected to arise, given the data. We also provide evidence that this covariance tracks environmental measures related to soil water availability through subtle allele frequency shifts across populations. Our results replicate empirical support for theoretical expectations of local adaptation for populations exhibiting strong gene flow and high selective pressures and suggest that ongoing adaptation of many P. albicaulis populations within the Lake Tahoe Basin will not be constrained by the lack of genetic variation. Even so, some populations exhibit low levels of heritability for the traits presumed to be related to fitness. These instances could be used to prioritize management to maintain adaptive potential. Overall, we suggest that established practices regarding whitebark pine conservation be maintained, with the additional context of fine-scale adaptation.
Text as Data

An ever-increasing share of human interaction, communication, and culture is recorded as digital text. We provide an introduction to the use of text as an input to economic research. We discuss the features that make text different from other forms of data, offer a practical overview of relevant statistical methods, and survey a variety of applications.
Performance studies of antenna pattern design using the minimax algorithm

To guarantee service quality, it is desirable to shape the antenna pattern so that it provides uniform gain over the intended service region. This paper investigates the performance of the beam pattern with respect to different relative weight and step-size decay rate. The beam shaping design example used in this paper demonstrates how the Minimax algorithm shapes the antenna mainlobe to circular and elliptical beams with different relative weight. The array antennas used in this simulation study are 148 and 244 elements non-uniformly spaced antennas.
A Dual-Pivot Pattern Simulating Native Knee Kinematics Optimizes Functional Outcomes After Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Abstract Background Few studies on kinematics correlate patterns to functional outcomes after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of this study was to determine if lateral pivot motion in early flexion and medial pivot in high flexion, simulating native knee kinematics, produces superior clinical outcomes. A second objective was to determine if specific kinematic patterns produce superior outcomes. Methods One hundred twenty consecutive TKAs were performed using sensor trials to record intraoperative knee kinematics. Lateral and medial pivot pattern designations were based on the center of rotation within 3 flexion zones: 0°-45° (early), 45°-90°, and 90° to full flexion (late). Knee Society Scores, pain scores, and patient satisfaction were analyzed in relation to kinematic patterns. Results Knee Society function scores were higher in TKAs with early lateral pivot/late medial pivot intraoperative kinematics compared to all other kinematic patterns (P = .018), and there was a greater decrease in the proportion who reported that their knee never feels normal (P = .011). Early lateral/late medial pivot had greater function scores at 1-year (P Conclusion Patients with an intraoperative early lateral pivot pattern followed by medial pivot motion in later flexion, reported higher functional outcome scores along with higher overall patient satisfaction. Replicating the dual-pivot kinematic pattern observed in native knees may improve function and satisfaction after TKA.
The Treatment of Chinese SOEs in China's WTO Protocol of Accession

The two central issues in China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) were its economic size and the large role the state had played in economic decisions – the treatment of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) as central to addressing the latter point. While the Protocol of Accession imposed obligations on China that went beyond what was required of other WTO members, it has not been effective at resolving concerns about Chinese SOEs. This demonstrates, in part, the limitations in using the WTO as a vehicle to promote economic reform.
Identifying Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) Data Completeness Issues in a Rural Transit Authority System

We analyzed AVL stop level data from a rural transit system to identify data completeness and systematic data capture failures. Systematic data loss could compromise the validity of further analyses of the data, such as schedule adherence or run time performance. We audited the data to identify missing values and possible data recording errors. The frequency of missing values was analyzed as a function of trip start time, stop number, day of the week, and last reported seconds late. We also perform an outlier and extreme value analysis as a function of missing records per trip. We conclude that there are systematic data capture errors in the system that needs to be addressed before further studies, such as run time analysis can be performed. Given the widespread adoption of an AVL system by rural transit system, it is recommended that detail data completeness analysis becomes routine before using the data generated to perform other studies.
How many atheists are there

One crucible for theories of religion is their ability to predict and explain the patterns of belief and disbelief. Yet, religious nonbelief is often heavily stigmatized, potentially leading many a...
Decomposing moduli of representations of finite-dimensional algebras

Consider a finite-dimensional algebra A and any of its moduli spaces $${{\mathcal {M}}}(A,\mathbf {d})^{ss}_{\theta }$$ of representations. We prove a decomposition theorem which relates any irreducible component of $${{\mathcal {M}}}(A,{\mathbf {d}})^{ss}_{\theta }$$ to a product of simpler moduli spaces via a finite and birational map. Furthermore, this morphism is an isomorphism when the irreducible component is normal. As an application, we show that the irreducible components of all moduli spaces associated to tame (or even Schur-tame) algebras are rational varieties.
MobiRNN: Efficient Recurrent Neural Network Execution on Mobile GPU

In this paper, we explore optimizations to run Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) models locally on mobile devices. RNN models are widely used for Natural Language Processing, Machine translation, and other tasks. However, existing mobile applications that use RNN models do so on the cloud. To address privacy and efficiency concerns, we show how RNN models can be run locally on mobile devices. Existing work on porting deep learning models to mobile devices focus on Convolution Neural Networks (CNNs) and cannot be applied directly to RNN models. In response, we present MobiRNN, a mobile-specific optimization framework that implements GPU offloading specifically for mobile GPUs. Evaluations using an RNN model for activity recognition shows that MobiRNN does significantly decrease the latency of running RNN models on phones.
Megawatt peak power from a Mamyshev oscillator.

Fiber lasers that generate ultrashort light pulses can offer practical advantages over solid-state lasers for some applications. However, the achievement of high peak power with environmentally stable designs remains a major challenge for fiber oscillators. We demonstrate that an environmentally stable source based on cascaded Mamyshev regeneration can reach peak power at least an order of magnitude higher than that of previous lasers with similar fiber mode area. By designing the oscillator to support parabolic pulse formation and exploiting the step-like saturable absorber characteristic of Mamyshev regeneration, unprecedented nonlinear phase shifts can be managed. Numerical simulations reveal key aspects of the pulse evolution and realistically suggest that (after external linear compression) peak powers approaching 10 MW are possible from an ordinary single-mode fiber. Experiments with a ring-cavity oscillator based on ytterbium-doped fibers are limited by available pump power, but they still yield 50-nJ and 40-fs pulses for ∼1 MW peak power. The combination of environmental stability, established previously, with the performance described here should make the Mamyshev oscillator extremely attractive for applications.
Empirical Investigation of Tufte’s “Lie Factor” with Computer Generated Graphics

Abstract Standards have been suggested by graphics artists and statisticians concerned by the fact that graphic presentation sometimes distorts underlying data. Experimental evidence to support the standards is sorely lacking. Such evidence has become absolutely essential considering the importance of the computer-based graphics as a presentation tool and also because of their use as decision aids. The purpose of the study reported in the paper was to examine how distorted graphs affect the decision making process in the financial forecasting context. The results of this study and a series of others planned in this area should shed some light on the empirically-based standards to be set and may pave the way for an expert graph maker.
Presumptive Downstaging From Preoperative Irradiation for Bladder Cancer as Determined by Flow Cytometry: Preliminary Report

Abstract Presumptive tumor downstaging was evaluated in 28 patients with grade 11 or III, solid, muscle-infiltrating bladder cancer (clinical category T3) treated by integrated irradiation (2000 rad to the whole pelvis in 5 days) and cystectomy (1–14 days later) by comparing the results of flow cytometry (FCM) on barbotage specimens obtained before and after irradiation (at the time of cystectomy) and the results of pretreatment clinical stage (T category) and post cystectomy pathological stage (P category). The patients were divided into three groups: (1) P > T, (2) P = T, and (3) P T group, none showed a CRR. The proportion of patients in the various T/P groups is consistent with that previously observed in patients receiving integrated irradiation (2000 rad in 5 days) and cystectomy (1–14 days later). The overall downstaging response of 43 %, as determined by FCM, correlates well with the pathological downstaging rates of 40%–68% reported by others following high dose (4000–5000 rad) integrated irradiation cystectomy regimens; however, it is more than the 27 % rate reported with the low dose short course (2000 rad in 5 days) regimen. The correlation of the FCM findings with clinico-pathological downstaging is consistent with the possibility that FCM may be useful in identifying a favorable radiation response.
SIX DEGREES-OF-FREEDOM TASK SPACE CONTROL FOR THE PUMA 560 MANIPULATOR: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

Abstract The Nonlinear Feedback method of robot control is an exact linearizing and decoupling control algorithm based on Differetial Geometric Control Theory. It is a Task Servo scheme. In this paper experimental results of the trajectory tracking performance of the Nonlinear Feedback based task servo controller on a PUMA 560 manipulator is presented. The task planning is in the six dimensional space of Cartesian position and orientation corresponding to Unimation’s OAT convention. This orientation representation was chosen due to its intuitive nature when task description is done with respect to a horizontol work bench. A reduced dynamic model is used and a sampling frequency of 185 Hz is achieved. The trajectory tracking performance of the Nonlinear Feedback scheme is compared with three other joint servo schemes: Independent Joint PD control, PD control with Feedforward Torque Computations and Computed Torque method.
Light Chain Nephropathy

In 13 specimens of renal tissue from 11 patients, deposits of monoclonal immunoglobulin light chains and continuous granular electron-dense material within tubular basement membranes and in association with the glomerular basement membrane were identified. All but one patient were men n the fifth to seventh decades of life, and each presented with azotemia and features of glomerular rather than tubulointerstitial disease. Osteolytic bone lesions occurred in only three patients, and a bone marrow plasmacytosis greater than 30 percent consistent with plasma cell myeloma was identified in only four patients. Light chain distribution in the nephron was confirmed with immunoelectron microscopy and was not associated with deposition of other serum proteins such as immunoglobulin heavy chains, complement, transferrin, alpha 2 macroglobulin and albumin. The electron dense deposits differed in distribution and character from those associated with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type II (dense deposit disease), amyloidosis, cryoglobulinemia, macroglobulinemia and benign monoclonal gammopathy. Serum from six of these patients did not bind to normal human or rat renal parenchyma in vitro. Kappa light chain nephropathy was characterized by predominant linear tubular basement membrane kappa deposits, and nodular mesangial and linear glomerular basement membrane kappa immunostaining. Lambda light chain nephropathy was characterized by linear lambda glomerular basement membrane and tubular basement membrane immunostaining. Manifestations of glomerular dysfunction dominated the clinical presentation of light chain nephropathy, and most patients did not have typical features of multiple myeloma. The diagnosis was predicated upon thorough immmunohistologic assessment of renal biopsy material.
Concurrent Antiglomerular Basement Membrane Antibody and Immune Complex Mediated Glomerulonephritis

A teenage male, with Goodpasture's syndrome and serum antiglomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) antibodies, had a focal proliferative glomerulonephritis with crescents. Immunofluorescence microscopy of his glomeruli using anti-IgG antibodies demonstrated both intense linear GBM staining, and granular subepithelial staining. Electron microscopy revealed numerous subepithelial electron-dense deposits. Identical IgG subclass restriction (dominance of IgG1 and IgG4) of both types of glomerular deposits in this patient supports, but does not prove, a postulate that the linear staining was due to anti-GBM antibodies bound to intact GBM, and that the granular staining was due to anti-GBM antibodies complexed with freed GBM antigens.
Lipoblastoma in Infancy and Childhood

Lipoblastoma is a rare benign neoplasm of fetal-embryonal fat tissue with a 14% tendency to recur. It occurs almost exclusively in infants and children. To my knowledge, less than 100 cases, including children and adults, have been reported in the English literature. Two retroperitoneal and one case of mesenteric lipoblastoma, all presenting as a large palpable abdominal mass, are described. Our patients, aged 12 years, 7 months, and 11 months, were treated by total surgical excision of the tumors. They are alive and well 5, 4, and 3 years postoperative, respectively, with no evidence of recurrence and no indication for any adjunctive therapy. Pathologic evaluation was decisive for the best treatment and prognosis.
The paradigm sways: Macroeconomics turns to history

In the Euro and the Battle of Ideas, Markus Brunnermeier, Harold James, and Jean-Pierre Landau show how the Eurozone Crisis reveals deep-seated and sometimes incompatible European traditions in economic policy. In The Shifts and the Shocks, Martin Wolf uses the history of the GFC to analyze the global economy and highlight its vulnerabilities. In The End of Alchemy, Mervyn King argues that the GFC challenged basic understandings of money and finance, and proposes fundamental banking reforms. Historian of science Thomas Kuhn called the failure of an explanatory model, and the emergence of a new framework that better fits the data, a “paradigm shift” (Kuhn 1970). These three books suggest that a paradigm shift may be under way in macroeconomics. As each of these books shows, narrative understandings of history inform the actions of international institutions, governments, central banks, financial institutions, firms and households. Such narrative understandings are not reducible to objective facts. Instead, they are the subjective understandings of the past that economic actors use to make conjectures about the future. Such conjectures shape decisions about interest rates, investing, saving and spending. In this view markets look less objective and efficient than classical economics has traditionally held. Macroeconomic policy may be taking a “turn to interpretation” similar to shifts in other social sciences in the last third of the 20th century. The emergence of such a paradigm would be an exciting development for the discipline.
Predictions of first passage times in sparse discrete fracture networks using graph-based reductions.

We present a graph-based methodology to reduce the computational cost of obtaining first passage times through sparse fracture networks. We derive graph representations of generic three-dimensional discrete fracture networks (DFNs) using the DFN topology and flow boundary conditions. Subgraphs corresponding to the union of the $k$ shortest paths between the inflow and outflow boundaries are identified and transport on their equivalent subnetworks is compared to transport through the full network. The number of paths included in the subgraphs is based on the scaling behavior of the number of edges in the graph with the number of shortest paths. First passage times through the subnetworks are in good agreement with those obtained in the full network, both for individual realizations and in distribution. Accurate estimates of first passage times are obtained with an order of magnitude reduction of CPU time and mesh size using the proposed method.
An Oasis of Knowledge: the Early History of Gateway University Research Park

In this paper, we chronicle the early history of the development of the Gateway University Research Park at the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. We document the institutional efforts of faculty, administrators, and public leaders who moved the Gateway idea from seed to harvest to provide guideposts for other institutions to possibly follow that are contemplating establishing a research park. Our summary emphasizes the concept of cooperation not only because it is a cornerstone of the successful development of Gateway, but also because it might be a key element to which others relate.
Photonic-band-gap gyrotron amplifier with picosecond pulses.

We report the amplification of 250 GHz pulses as short as 260 ps without observation of pulse broadening using a photonic-band-gap circuit gyrotron traveling-wave-amplifier. The gyrotron amplifier operates with a device gain of 38 dB and an instantaneous bandwidth of 8 GHz. The operational bandwidth of the amplifier can be tuned over 16 GHz by adjusting the operating voltage of the electron beam and the magnetic field. The amplifier uses a 30 cm long photonic-band-gap interaction circuit to confine the desired TE03-like operating mode while suppressing lower order modes which can result in undesired oscillations. The circuit gain is >55 dB for a beam voltage of 23 kV and a current of 700 mA. These results demonstrate the wide bandwidths and a high gain achievable with gyrotron amplifiers. The amplification of picosecond pulses of variable lengths, 260–800 ps, shows good agreement with the theory using the coupled dispersion relation and the gain-spectrum of the amplifier as measured with quasi-CW input pu...
Pay-what-you-want pricing under competition: Breaking the Bertrand Trap

Abstract This paper investigates the viability of Pay-What-You-Want (PWYW) pricing when firms compete without restrictions of a minimum payment requirement. When PWYW pricing is practiced without restricting the presence of consumers paying less than marginal cost, or any minimum payment requirement, then the only two equilibrium structures are: either both firms use posted, marginal cost pricing, or one firm adopts PWYW pricing and the other uses posted pricing. The asymmetric pricing equilibrium leads to a softening of price competition where both firms earn positive profits and the Bertrand Trap is broken.
Umbilical mesenchymal stromal cells provide intestinal protection through nitric oxide dependent pathways.

Abstract Background Umbilical-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (USCs) have shown promise in the protection of ischemic organs. We hypothesized that USCs would improve mesenteric perfusion, preserve intestinal histological architecture, and limit inflammation by nitric oxide–dependent mechanisms following intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury. Methods Adult wild-type C57BL/6J (WT) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase knock out (eNOS KO) mice were used: (1) WT IR + vehicle, (2) WT IR + USC, (3) eNOS KO IR + vehicle, and (4) eNOS KO IR + USC. Mice were anesthetized, and a midline laparotomy was performed. The superior mesenteric artery was clamped with a nonoccluding clamp for 60-min. Following IR, mice were treated with an injection of 250 μL phosphate buffered saline or 2 × 106 USCs suspended in 250-μL phosphate buffered saline solution. Mesenteric perfusion images were acquired using laser Doppler imaging. Perfusion was analyzed as a percentage of baseline. At 24 h, mice were euthanized, and intestines were harvested. Intestines were evaluated for injury, and data were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney or Kruskal–Wallis tests. Results Intestinal mesenteric perfusion was significantly improved in WT mice treated with USC therapy compared with eNOS KOs. Intestinal histological architecture was preserved with USC therapy in WT mice. However, in eNOS KO mice, this benefit was abolished. Finally, the presence of several cytokines and growth factors were significantly improved in WT mice compared with eNOS KO mice treated with USCs. Conclusions The benefits of USC-mediated therapy following intestinal IR injury likely occur via nitric oxide–dependent pathways. Further studies are required to define the molecular mechanisms by which USCs activate endothelial nitric oxide synthase to bring about their protective effects.
Contributions of Spherical Harmonics to Gravitational Moment

A scalar gravitational potential function expressed as a series of spherical harmonics frequently serves as the basis for a model of an astronomical body’s gravitational field. The contribution of ...
Collapsing corporate confusion: Leveraging network structures for effective entity resolution in relational corporate data

In this paper, we introduce a novel battery of classifiers to resolve artificial inconsistencies among entity names within large datasets. Using data on the corporate sector, we describe the logic underlying a relational approach to entity resolution, and its importance for data acquisition, feature extraction, and integration. We subsequently leverage the relational structure of BoardEx employment data to assess the efficacy of these methods as compared to a ground-truth sample of coded name inconsistencies. We show that these methods hold significant promise for cleaning artificial distinctions in entity names via enrichment from integration with external data, and further demonstrate the effect of such resolution on the accuracy of extracted network topology features. We conclude with implications for existing findings and steps for future work.
A robust method for RNA extraction and purification from a single adult mouse tendon

Background Mechanistic understanding of tendon molecular and cellular biology is crucial toward furthering our abilities to design new therapies for tendon and ligament injuries and disease. Recent transcriptomic and epigenomic studies in the field have harnessed the power of mouse genetics to reveal new insights into tendon biology. However, many mouse studies pool tendon tissues or use amplification methods to perform RNA analysis, which can significantly increase the experimental costs and limit the ability to detect changes in expression of low copy transcripts. Methods Single Achilles tendons were harvested from uninjured, contralateral injured, and wild type mice between three and five months of age, and RNA was extracted. RNA Integrity Number (RIN) and concentration were determined, and RT-qPCR gene expression analysis was performed. Results After testing several RNA extraction approaches on single adult mouse Achilles tendons, we developed a protocol that was successful at obtaining high RIN and sufficient concentrations suitable for RNA analysis. We found that the RNA quality was sensitive to the time between tendon harvest and homogenization, and the RNA quality and concentration was dependent on the duration of homogenization. Using this method, we demonstrate that analysis of Scx gene expression in single mouse tendons reduces the biological variation caused by pooling tendons from multiple mice. We also show successful use of this approach to analyze Sox9 and Col1a2 gene expression changes in injured compared with uninjured control tendons. Discussion Our work presents a robust, cost-effective, and straightforward method to extract high quality RNA from a single adult mouse Achilles tendon at sufficient amounts for RT-qPCR as well as RNA-seq. We show this can reduce variation and decrease the overall costs associated with experiments. This approach can also be applied to other skeletal tissues, as well as precious human samples.
Variability in soil-water retention properties and implications for physics-based simulation of landslide early warning criteria

Rainfall-induced shallow landsliding is a persistent hazard to human life and property. Despite the observed connection between infiltration through the unsaturated zone and shallow landslide initiation, there is considerable uncertainty in how estimates of unsaturated soil-water retention properties affect slope stability assessment. This source of uncertainty is critical to evaluating the utility of physics-based hydrologic modeling as a tool for landslide early warning. We employ a numerical model of variably saturated groundwater flow parameterized with an ensemble of texture-, laboratory-, and field-based estimates of soil-water retention properties for an extensively monitored landslide-prone site in the San Francisco Bay Area, CA, USA. Simulations of soil-water content, pore-water pressure, and the resultant factor of safety show considerable variability across and within these different parameter estimation techniques. In particular, we demonstrate that with the same permeability structure imposed across all simulations, the variability in soil-water retention properties strongly influences predictions of positive pore-water pressure coincident with widespread shallow landsliding. We also find that the ensemble of soil-water retention properties imposes an order-of-magnitude and nearly two-fold variability in seasonal and event-scale landslide susceptibility, respectively. Despite the reduced factor of safety uncertainty during wet conditions, parameters that control the dry end of the soil-water retention function markedly impact the ability of a hydrologic model to capture soil-water content dynamics observed in the field. These results suggest that variability in soil-water retention properties should be considered for objective physics-based simulation of landslide early warning criteria.
Immunity Ratione Materiae of State Officials from Foreign Criminal Jurisdiction: Where is the State Practice in Support of Exceptions?

In the summer of 2017, the UN International Law Commission adopted Draft Article 7 and an associated draft annex for its project on immunity of state officials from foreign criminal jurisdiction. The draft article identifies six “crimes under international law in respect of which immunity ratione materiae shall not apply”: genocide; crimes against humanity; war crimes; crime of apartheid; torture; and enforced disappearance. Given the divergences within the Commission when considering and adopting Draft Article 7 (as evidenced by the plenary debate in 2016 and 2017, the unusual recorded vote on whether to refer the matter to the Commission's drafting committee, and the Commentary), it is difficult to conclude that the Commission is expressing a view that Draft Article 7 reflects lex lata.
Measurement of a superconducting qubit with a microwave photon counter

Fast, high-fidelity measurement is a key ingredient for quantum error correction. Conventional approaches to the measurement of superconducting qubits, involving linear amplification of a microwave probe tone followed by heterodyne detection at room temperature, do not scale well to large system sizes. We introduce an approach to measurement based on a microwave photon counter demonstrating raw single-shot measurement fidelity of 92 % . Moreover, the intrinsic damping of the photon counter is used to extract the energy released by the measurement process, allowing repeated high-fidelity quantum nondemolition measurements. Our scheme provides access to the classical outcome of projective quantum measurement at the millikelvin stage and could form the basis for a scalable quantum-to-classical interface.
The Feasibility of Telephone-Administered Cognitive Testing in Individuals 1 and 2 Years after Inpatient Rehabilitation for Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract Traumatic brain injury (TBI) often results in cognitive impairment, and trajectories of cognitive functioning can vary tremendously over time across survivors. Traditional approaches to me...
Mechanism of actin polymerization revealed by cryo-EM structures of actin filaments with three different bound nucleotides.

We used cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to reconstruct actin filaments with bound AMPPNP (β,γ-imidoadenosine 5'-triphosphate, an ATP analog, resolution 3.1 A), ADP-Pi (ADP with inorganic phosphate, resolution 3.1 A), or ADP (resolution 3.6 A). Subunits in the three filaments have similar backbone conformations, so assembly rather than ATP hydrolysis or phosphate dissociation is responsible for their flattened conformation in filaments. Polymerization increases the rate of ATP hydrolysis by changing the positions of the side chains of Q137 and H161 in the active site. Flattening during assembly also promotes interactions along both the long-pitch and short-pitch helices. In particular, conformational changes in subdomain 3 open up multiple favorable interactions with the DNase-I binding loop in subdomain 2 of the adjacent subunit. Subunits at the barbed end of the filament are likely to be in this favorable conformation, while monomers are not. This difference explains why filaments grow faster at the barbed end than the pointed end. When phosphate dissociates from ADP-Pi-actin through a backdoor channel, the conformation of the C terminus changes so it distorts the DNase binding loop, which allows cofilin binding, and a network of interactions among S14, H73, G74, N111, R177, and G158 rearranges to open the phosphate release site.