cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The impact of genetic structure on sequencing analysis

Genome-wide association studies have made substantial progress in identifying common variants associated with human diseases. Despite such success, a large portion of heritability remains unexplained. Evolutionary theory and empirical studies suggest that rare mutations could play an important role in human diseases, which motivates comprehensive investigation of rare variants in sequencing studies. To explore the association of rare variants with human diseases, many statistical approaches have been developed with different ways of modeling genetic structure (ie, linkage disequilibrium). Nevertheless, the appropriate strategy to model genetic structure of sequencing data and its effect on association analysis have not been well studied. We investigate 3 statistical approaches that use 3 different strategies to model the genetic structure of sequencing data. We proceed by comparing a burden test that assumes independence among sequencing variants, a burden test that considers pairwise linkage disequilibrium (LD), and a functional analysis of variance (FANOVA) test that models genetic data through fitting continuous curves on individuals’ genotypes. Through simulations, we find that FANOVA attains better or comparable performance to the 2 burden tests. Overall, the burden test that considers pairwise LD has comparable performance to the burden test that assumes independence between sequencing variants. However, for 1 gene, where the disease-associated variant is located in an LD block, we find that considering pairwise LD could improve the test’s performance. The structure of sequencing variants is complex in nature and its patterns vary across the whole genome. In certain cases (eg, a disease-susceptibility variant is in an LD block), ignoring the genetic structure in the association analysis could result in suboptimal performance. Through this study, we show that a functional-based method is promising for modeling the underlying genetic structure of sequencing data, which could lead to better performance.
Contrasting Effects of Post-Transplant Lymphopenia on Proliferation and Degranulation in Antigen-Specific CD8 Memory T Cells.

Lymphopenia following bone marrow transplant (BMT) can induce expansion of donor T cells which help contribute to reconstitution in recipients. We are interested in elucidating the responses of transplanted CD8 T memory (TM) to lymphopenic signals in the recipient splenic and marrow environments. To compare proliferative responses of marrow and spleen populating antigen-specific CD8 TM to lymphopenic signals, purified (95% pure) CFSE labeled B6 CD8 TM were co-transplanted with syngeneic or allogeneic TCD-BM to ablatively conditioned (9.0 Gy) syngeneic B6 recipients. Antigen-specific CD8 TM were obtianed following priming B6 mice against BALB.B antigens. An H60 tetramer (LTFNYRNL/H2-K b ) conjugated to PE was used to identify immunodominant H60-specific CD8 + cells which expressed a central memory (TM) phenotype (CD44 + , Ly6C + ). Three days post-transplant of these CD8 TM, recipient spleen and marrow cells were analyzed for CFSE dilution in gated H60 + CD8 + T cells. Transferred H60 + CD8 + cells in the marrow compartment consistently showed greater (5 – 6 cell divisions) proliferative activity compared to those populating the spleen (1 – 2 divisions) in recipients of syngeneic (i.e. homeostatic) as well as allogeneic TCD-BM. Thus, the marrow compartment apparently provided greater support for the early homeostatic proliferation of these MiHA-specific CD8 TM. Furthermore, the presence of antigen in B6 recipients of allogeneic BM did not significantly enhance the proliferation of transferred CD8 + TM, indicating that homeostatic signals induced greater overall proliferation than antigen activation in the simultaneous presence of both signals early post-transplant. To examine for non-proliferative functional activity in transplanted antigen-specific CD8 TM, degranulation was assessed by surface expression of LAMP-1 (CD8 107a) which was analyzed 3 days after the transfer of purified splenic CD8 T cells from B6 BALB.B into lethally irradiated (9.0 Gy) syngeneic B6 mice. Analysis of recipient spleeen and marrow showed that transferred antigen-specific in these tissues markedly upregulated surface LAMP-1 expression. Interestingly, there was greater frequency (~90%) of CD8 + TM in the spleen expressing LAMP-1 than in the bone marrow (56%). To determine if this degranulation response was limited to transplanted TM, a homogeneous population of naive T cells (TN) from OT-1 RAG −/− TCR tg mice was prepared and transplanted in an identical manner. LAMP-1 expression was marginally detectable in these cells. In total, these results suggest that transplanted CD8 TM and TN respond differently in the homeostatic environment post-transplant. Moreover the observations may suggest that CD8 TM can exhibit effector-like activity in the lymphopenic milieu immediately post-transplant. These findings have implications for the relative contribution of hematopoietic compartments during immune reconstitution after HCT.
Typed self-evaluation via intensional type functions

Many popular languages have a self-interpreter, that is, an interpreter for the language written in itself. So far, work on polymorphically-typed self-interpreters has concentrated on self-recognizers that merely recover a program from its representation. A larger and until now unsolved challenge is to implement a polymorphically-typed self-evaluator that evaluates the represented program and produces a representation of the result. We present Fωμi, the first λ-calculus that supports a polymorphically-typed self-evaluator. Our calculus extends Fω with recursive types and intensional type functions and has decidable type checking. Our key innovation is a novel implementation of type equality proofs that enables us to define a versatile representation of programs. Our results establish a new category of languages that can support polymorphically-typed self-evaluators.
Twenty-First-Century Trials and Tribulations: Market Competition and National Dependence on Higher Education

In the early twenty-first century there was no question as to the existence of the global economy, nor was there debate surrounding the need for knowledge capital, and the US was engulfed in war after 9/11. Higher education continued to be a focus of presidential administrations as research could meet the needs of the marketplace and the war and educate citizens to be productive, contributing members of society. As the US reclaimed power after 9/11 and the economy recovered from decline, the university was positioned to promote and consolidate a democratic national agenda. Policy initiatives to support increased access to higher education contributed to the focus on human capital, a challenge to the purpose of the institution in the first decade of the twenty-first century.
On the pairing theory of the bose superfluid

In analogy to the BCS theory of superconductivity, a self-consistent pairing theory of the Bose superfluid is developed along lines closely resembling the original Bose pairing model of Valatin and Butler. A new treatment of the zero-wave-vector terms is given which necessitates an attractive part to the interaction in order that a nontrivial solution for the (k-dependent) coherence parameter can exist. It is emphasized that the superfluid phase is best identified with a nonvanishing coherence parameter rather than with the presence of Bose-Einstein condensation, for, in systems with repulsive interactions, condensation can exist in our model without coherence. However, the coherent (superfluid) phase is shown to possess a macroscopic condensation which vanishes at the same temperature,Tλ, that marks the vanishing of coherence. The superfluid spectrum is manifestly gapless and initially linear. Numerical solutions to the self-consistent integral equations atT=0 have been obtained for various pseudopotentials, some of which yield dispersion curves qualitatively resembling helium. The quasi-particle spectrum, condensed fraction, specific heat and sound velocity have been computed as functions of temperature for the complete range 0→Tλ for an attractive Gaussian pseudopotential whilst for more realistic pseudopotentials our numerical techniques were powerful enough only to yield solutions in a range nearT=0 not extending up toTλ. The appropriateness of the model to account for the properties of superfluid helium is discussed and various extensions of our numerical work suggested.
Optimal mobile robot path planning in the presence of moving obstacles

This paper presents an optimisation method to search for the optimal trajectory of an unmanned mobile robot while avoiding stationary and moving obstacles that may be in collision route. In order to meet the kinematic restrictions of the vehicle, the path is estimated using a finite-dimensional approximating space generated by B-splines basis functions. A penalised continuous functional is used to convert the constrained minimisation problem into an unconstrained one. The optimisation is performed through a genetic algorithm that searches the finite-dimensional space of the B-splines coefficients which determine the trajectory to be travelled. Experimental results with linear and nonlinear moving obstacle fields illustrate the estimated optimal trajectories.
The Future of Reading/Thinking: Epistemological Construction in the Age of the Kindle

Whether as an application on our tablets (such as an I-pad or an Android device) or as a single application piece of hardware such as a (Nook or Kindle), the handheld digital reading device is quickly becoming a fixture in contemporary life. It is not only changing the way in which books are bought and sold, but it is changing the nature of what it is to read and how our knowledge is constructed. Drawing on Walter Ong’s theories of secondary orality (2002) and McLuhan’s concepts of technologies as extensions of particular faculties with trade-offs in other areas (McLuhan, 1964), this paper argues that the handheld digital reader is not only a device which allows for reading of books, but it is also a rhetorical device. In order to accomplish this, the paper demonstrates that the handheld digital reader came as a response to a deviance amplifying rhetorical situation (Bitzer, 1968) brought on by the advent of easy duplication and a dwindling readership. This paper shows that the handheld digital reader functions as a social intervention (Brown, 1978; Opt & Gring, 2009) creating an attention shift (Brown W. R., 1982) which initially alters one’s epistemology, but with ontological and axiological repercussions. Finally, the paper discusses the potential ramifications of a rhetorical future populated by people whose worldviews have been heavily influenced by the inherent rhetoric of the handheld digital reading device and advising changes in rhetorical theory and practice which will have to be considered in light of these changes.
The complement system: a potential target for stroke therapy.

Anti-complement strategies appear to hold great promise for the development of stroke therapeutics. Yet caution should be exercised. It is clear that the complement cascade is a complex and intricate system with widely varied effects, and if any knowledge has been gained from the many failed attempts at translating stroke therapies to the bedside, it is that cavalier application of under-elucidated therapies that leads to wasted resources and the potential for poor patient outcomes.
MCT Avalanche Photodiode Detector FOR Two-MICRON Active Remote Sensing Applications

Mercury Cadmium Telluride electron initiated avalanche photodiodes demonstrated a breakthrough in lidar active remote sensing technology. A lidar detection system, based on an array of these devices, was integrated and characterized for $2-\mu \mathrm{m}$ applications. Characterization experiments were focused on evaluating the dark current, gain and responsivity variations with bias voltage. Quantum efficiency and input dynamic range including noise-equivalent-power and maximum detectable power, were calculated from these results. Operating the detection system using four pixels at 77.6 K, 12 V bias resulted in a current responsivity of 615.8 A/W and a voltage responsivity of 1.45 GV/W. Minimum detectable power of 14 pW was obtained, which is equivalent to 5.7 fW/H z 1l2 noise-equivalent-power, indicating an average noise-equivalent-power of 1.4 fW/H z 1l2 per pixel. Work is in progress to integrate and validate this detection system using a newly developed triple-pulse integrated path differential absorption lidar for simultaneous and independent atmospheric measurements of water vapor and carbon dioxide.
Evaluation of a mandatory phishing training program for high-risk employees at a US healthcare system.

Objective The study sought to understand the impact of a phishing training program on phishing click rates for employees at a single, anonymous US healthcare institution. Materials and methods We stratified our population into 2 groups: offenders and nonoffenders. Offenders were defined as those that had clicked on at least 5 simulated phishing emails and nonoffenders were those that had not. We calculated click rates for offenders and nonoffenders, before and after a mandatory training program for offenders was implemented. Results A total of 5416 unique employees received all 20 campaigns during the intervention period; 772 clicked on at least 5 emails and were labeled offenders. Only 975 (17.9%) of our set clicked on 0 phishing emails over the course of the 20 campaigns; 3565 (65.3%) clicked on at least 2 emails. There was a decrease in click rates for each group over the 20 campaigns. The mandatory training program, initiated after campaign 15, did not have a substantial impact on click rates, and the offenders remained more likely to click on a phishing simulation. Discussion Phishing is a common threat vector against hospital employees and an important cybersecurity risk to healthcare systems. Our work suggests that, under simulation, employee click rates decrease with repeated simulation, but a mandatory training program targeted at high-risk employees did not meaningfully decrease the click rates of this population. Conclusions Employee phishing click rates decrease over time, but a mandatory training program for the highest-risk employees did not decrease click rates when compared with lower-risk employees.
An Audit and Feedback Intervention to Improve Internal Medicine Residents' Performance on Ambulatory Quality Measures: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Audit and feedback is an effective method to improve attending physician performance. However, there are limited data on how audit and feedback impacts care provided by resident physicians. The authors conducted a 3-arm randomized clinical trial among internal medicine resident physicians to examine the impact of an audit and feedback intervention on ambulatory quality measures (AQMs). Residents in all 3 groups received an email containing the contact information of a population health coordinator and a list of AQMs (control). In addition, the Practice Target group received individual AQM data compared to the target AQM goals for all primary care practices. The Peer Comparison group received information on individual AQM data compared to the average performance of residents in the same postgraduate year. Residents in each intervention group received updated information 6 months later. Ten AQMs related to diabetes care, hypertension management, lipid control, and cancer screening, as well as a composite quality score, were examined at baseline, 6 months, and 13 months. At 13 months follow-up, the Practice Target group had statistically significant improvement in cervical cancer screening rate (77% vs. 65.3%), colorectal cancer screening rate (72.5% vs. 64.6%), and composite quality score (71.7% vs 65.4%) compared to baseline. Providing internal medicine residents with individual AQMs data compared to target goal for the practice led to statistically significant improvement in cancer screening rates and the composite quality score. Audit and feedback may be a relatively simple yet effective tool to improve population health in the resident clinic setting.
Real-world cost analysis of endovascular repair versus open repair in patients with nonruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to provide a nationwide, all-payer, real-world cost analysis of endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) versus open aortic aneurysm repair (OAR) in patients with nonruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (non-rAAA). Methods All non-rAAA patients registered between July 2009 and March 2015 in the Premier Healthcare Database were analyzed. The Student t-test and the χ2 test were used for continuous and categorical variables, respectively; median value comparisons were done with the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney rank-sum test. The in-hospital absolute mean total cost (sum of fixed cost and variable cost) and subcategories were analyzed after adjustment for inflation at July 2015. Fixed costs included all overhead costs while variables costs included in-hospital services including procedures, room and board, services provided by hospital staff, and pharmacy costs. Total cost was stratified based on admission type (emergency vs nonemergency), 75th percentile of length of hospital stay among individual procedures (expected vs extended stay), mortality, and complications. Student t-test and Fisher's analysis of variance were used for comparing mean cost. Year-wise comparison of mean cost was done with analysis of variance to look for a trend over time. Results Our study cohort included 38,809 non-rAAA patients (33,171 EVAR and 5638 OAR). The mean total cost of index admission was lower in EVAR in comparison with OAR ($32,052 vs $36,091; P Conclusions Overall hospitalization costs associated with EVAR of non-rAAA was lower than the hospitalization cost of OAR. Interestingly, we found that, among patients who had an expected hospital length of stay, the hospitalization cost after OAR was significantly lower than after EVAR. The average hospitalization cost of OAR was stable during the 5 years study period, whereas the hospitalization cost of EVAR increased significantly over time. Further studies are required to identify reasons for increased costs associated with EVAR.
Detection of a 50 degree-long Trailing Tidal Tail for the Globular Cluster M5

Using photometry and proper motions from Gaia Data Release 2, we detect a 50 degree-long stream of about 70 stars extending westward from the halo globular cluster M5. Based on the similarities in distance, proper motions, inferred color-magnitude distribution, and trajectory, we identify this stream as the trailing tidal tail of M5. While the surface density of stars is very low (~1.5 stars per square degree, or approximately 35 magnitudes per square arcsecond), selecting only stars having proper motions consistent with the orbit of the cluster yield a detection significance ~10 sigma. While we find a possible continuation of the stream to ~85 degrees, increasing foreground contamination combined with a greater predicted stream distance make it difficult to detect with current data even if the stream continues unabated. The non-uniform distribution of stars in the stream appears to be consistent with episodic tidal stripping, with the most recently shed stars now trailing the cluster by tens of degrees. We provide a table of the highest-ranked candidate stream stars for ongoing and future spectroscopic surveys.
Determining the academic and affective outcomes of dyad reading among third graders

Dyad reading involves a lower level reader paired with a higher level reading partner who models proficient oral reading while providing access to challenging texts. Previous research has reported ...
Specificity of operation of general interest in the Serbia with special view on water management

In this paper, the author presents the specificities of economic entities performing activities of general interest. In the Republic of Serbia, the state is responsible for the regulating of organized and permanent performance and the development of activities of general interest. In Serbia, the state ensures performing this activity through public companies or capital companies of which it is the sole founder, but it is possible to allow performing the aforementioned activities by entrusting them to a third party. The author conducted a survey related to the necessary conditions for performing activities of general interest by entrusting to a third party a few dozen of economic entities in Serbia. The author considers that, with fulfillment of prescribed conditions, the successful performing activities of general interest can be carried out by privately owned economic entities, since state-owned enterprises have proved to be insufficiently efficient and economical in practice.
Descriptive Epidemiology of Infant Botulism in California: The First 40 Years.

Objective To ascertain the descriptive epidemiology of infant botulism, the flaccid paralysis that results when neurotoxigenic Clostridium species produce botulinum toxin (BoNT) in the infant colon, in its first 40 years following initial recognition in California in 1976. Study design Cases were defined by laboratory identification of BoNT and/or neurotoxigenic Clostridium species in patients' feces. Parents were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive epidemiologic characteristics were compared between 1976-1996 and 1997-2016. Results From 1976-2016, 1345 cases of infant botulism occurred in 45 of 58 California counties (6.5 cases/100 000 live-births/year) caused by BoNT types A, B, Ba, Bf, and F; 88% of cases were ≤6 months of age and 51% were female. Cases were white (84.2%), Asian (8.9%), other races (3.8%), and African American (2.8%); 29.4% of cases were Hispanic. More than 99% of cases were hospitalized. Case occurrence peaked in summer-fall. Of 8 designated geographic regions, the Central Coast counties had 3 times the statewide incidence in both 20-year time periods. Breast-fed patients (83%) were more than twice as old at onset as formula-fed patients (median, 4.4 vs 1.7 months, respectively; P Conclusions Comprehensive continuous surveillance of infant botulism for 40 years in a large, diversely populated state identified fundamental epidemiologic characteristics of this uncommon illness. Unusual features included greater than 99% case hospitalization, absence of male preponderance, and a distinctive age distribution.
A simplified cell-based assay to identify coronavirus 3CL protease inhibitors

We describe a mammalian cell-based assay capable of identifying coronavirus 3CL protease (3CLpro) inhibitors without requiring the use of live virus. By enabling the facile testing of compounds across a range of coronavirus 3CLpro enzymes, including the one from SARS-CoV-2, we are able to quickly identify compounds with broad or narrow spectra of activity. We further demonstrate the utility of our approach by performing a curated compound screen along with structure-activity profiling of a series of small molecules to identify compounds with antiviral activity. Throughout these studies, we observed concordance between data emerging from this assay and from live virus assays. By democratizing the testing of 3CL inhibitors to enable screening in the majority of laboratories rather than the few with extensive biosafety infrastructure, we hope to expedite the search for coronavirus 3CL protease inhibitors, to address the current epidemic and future ones that will inevitably arise.
Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists: a Comprehensive Review of Finerenone

We aim to review the mechanism of action and safety profile of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) and discuss the differences between selective and non-selective MRAs. More specifically, finerenone is a new medication that is currently under investigation for its promising cardiovascular and nephrological effects. MRAs are well known for their utility in treating heart failure, refractory hypertension, and diverse nephropathies, namely, diabetic nephropathy. As their name denotes, MRAs inhibit the action of aldosterone at the mineralocorticoid receptor, preventing receptor activation. This prevents remodeling, decreases inflammation, and improves proteinuria. There are not significant differences in outcomes between selective and non-selective MRAs. A new selective MRA named finerenone (originally BAY 94-8862) has shown promising results in several trials (ARTS-HF and ARTS-DN) and smaller studies. Finerenone may have a dose-dependent benefit over older MRAs, decreasing rates of albuminuria and levels of BNP and NT-ProBNP without causing a significant increase in serum potassium levels. This medication is not yet approved as it is still in phase 3 clinical trials (FIGARO-DKD and FIDELIO-DKD trials). MRAs are beneficial in several disease states. Newer medications, such as finerenone, should be considered in patients with heart failure and diabetic nephropathy who may benefit from a reduction in albuminuria and BNP/NT-ProBNP. Data surrounding finerenone are limited to date. However, results from ongoing clinical trials, as well as new trials to evaluate use in other pathologies, could validate the implementation of this medication in daily practice.
Gastrointestinal Disorders and Risk of First-Ever Ischemic Stroke

Background and Purpose: Recent studies suggest that alteration of the normal gut microbiome contributes to atherosclerotic burden and cardiovascular disease. While many gastrointestinal diseases ar...
How Much of Barrier to Entry is Occupational Licensing

We exploit state variation in licensing laws to study the effect of licensing on occupational choice using a boundary discontinuity design. We find that licensing reduces equilibrium labor supply by an average of 17%-27%. The negative labor supply effects of licensing appear to be strongest for white workers and comparatively weaker for black workers.
The Effect of Homelessness on Patient Wait Times in the Emergency Department.

Abstract Background Prolonged emergency department (ED) wait times could potentially lead to increased morbidity and mortality. While previous work has demonstrated disparities in wait times associated with race, information about the relationship between experiencing homelessness and ED wait times is lacking. Objectives The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between residence status (undomiciled vs. domiciled) and ED wait times. We hypothesized that being undomiciled would be associated with longer wait times. Methods We obtained data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey from 2014 to 2017. We compared wait times in each triage category using t tests. We used multivariate linear regression to explore associations between residence status and wait times while controlling for other patient- and hospital-level variables. Results On average, undomiciled patients experienced significantly longer mean ED wait times than domiciled patients (53.4 vs. 38.9 min; p Conclusions Undomiciled patients experience longer ED wait times when compared with domiciled patients. This disparity is not explained by undomiciled patients seeking care in the ED for minor illness, because the disparity is more pronounced for urgent and emergent triage categories.
EFFECT OF THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE PHASE AND DIET ON BLOOD LACTATE RESPONSES TO EXERCISE

Previous research has shown women on normal mixed diets have varied blood lactate (LA) responses to exercise across their menstrual cycle (MC) phases. This study examined the effect of diet on this finding. Eurmenonrheic women (n=10) completed a discontinuous exercise protocol consisting of 4 intervals of 6 min exercise, separated by 6 min rest, at 30, 50, 70 and 90% VO2max. The exercise was performed after a 3 day pen od under each of the following conditions: 1 - low carbohydrate (35% of total caloric intake) - mid-follicular phase (LCHO-FP), 2 - low carbohydrate - mid-luteal phase (LCHO-LP), 3 - high carbohydrate (75%) - mid-follicular phase (HCHO-FP), 4 - high carbohydrate - mid-luteal phase (HCHO-LP). Eucaloric status was maintained during the study. The MC phase was confirmed by blood hormonal levels. Significant (P<0.05) MC phase - diet interaction effects were found. LA was lower at 70% VO2max in the LCHO-LP (3.7±0.2 mmol·l-1) than at the other conditions (5.0±0.7 to 6.0±0.7 mmol·l-1; mean ±SEM). Also, LA during LCHO-LP at rest and all other exercise intensities tended to be lower than all other MC phase/diet conditions (P<0.06). LA responses at rest and during exercise in the HCHO-LP, HCHO-FP, and LCHO-FP conditions did not differ significantly. The present findings demonstrate that an "athletic type diet", high in carbohydrates, negates the menstrual cycle phase difference in lactate responses to exercise previously reported in the literature; however, the menstrual phase differences do exist when a diet low in carbohydrates is consumed.
Atlanto-occipital decompression of vertebral artery for a variant of bow hunter's syndrome: 2-dimensional operative video

Rotational vertebral artery (VA) occlusion syndrome, also known as bow hunter's syndrome, is an uncommon variant of vertebrobasilar insufficiency typically occurring with head rotation.1-3 The most common presenting symptom is dizziness (76.8%), followed by visual abnormalities and syncope (50.4% and 40.4%, respectively).2 Osteophytic compression due to spinal spondylosis has been shown to be the most common etiology (46.2%), with other factors, such as a fibrous band, muscular compression, or spinal instability, being documented.1,2 Treatment is dependent on the level and site of VA compression with anterior, anterolateral, or posterior approaches being described.1,4 We present the case of a 72-yr-old male with osteophytic compression of the V3 segment of the vertebral artery at the occipital-cervical junction. The patient underwent a C1 hemilaminectomy and removal of osteophytic compression from the occipital-cervical joint. The patient had complete resolution of compression of his vertebral artery on postoperative imaging and remained neurologically intact following the procedure. We review the literature on this topic, the technical nuances of the procedure performed, and review the different treatment modalities available for this rare condition.1-11 The patient consented to the procedure and to publication of their image.
Relative Prices, Comparative Advantage, and Trade Patterns with Three or More Countries and Goods

The present paper shows relative price competition with constant cost production for three or more countries and goods can lead to a wide variety of complex trade patterns. The universal McKenzie-Jones efficiency in the global unit input matrix reduces to relative prices of efficient goods. Specialization requires the unlikely condition of global comparative advantage involving relative prices of all goods. Relative price competition can lead countries to diversify exports, import and export the same good, not trade, and form separate trade groups. The analysis extends restrictions on trade patterns due to inconsistent relative wages.
Electronic-Photonic Cryogenic Egress Link

A novel coherent optical link is proposed to serve as the interconnection technology between the room temperature and cryogenic temperature environment for quantum computing and high-performance superconducting computing. The tradeoff on the energy efficiency of this link is discussed. A prototype optical transmitter is fabricated in the 45RFSOI CMOS process and characterized at the cryogenic temperature. Measurement results show that this optical transmitter is able to be directly driven by superconducting electronics with millivolt-level voltage swing, and the new link has five times better energy efficiency than the traditional intensity modulation, direct-detection link.
Immune deficiencies in GBM: Glioblastoma patients have elevated CD14+ HLA DR negative myeloid suppressors, are lymphopenic and have deficiencies in dendritic cell differentiation

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 12-16, 2008; San Diego, CA 264 Recent data from animal models and some human clinical trials indicate that glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) may be susceptible to dendritic cell (DC) mediated immunotherapy. These data suggest promising indications of improved immunity and survival, but additional work is needed to improve the efficacy of DC vaccines. A particularly acute area of deficiency is the uniformity of cultured cells used for vaccination. In addition, vaccination regimens will be enhanced if used at times when patients have the best ability to respond to immune stimulation. To this end, we have characterized the immune phenotype of 22 patients with primary or recurrent GBM. Furthermore, we have identified an optimal culture condition to maximize uniformity of DC preparations. We found that CD14+ cells from GBM patients are generally incapable of generating DC. Five culture conditions were tested that all produced highly uniform DC preparation in normal blood donors. Of the five culture conditions, only one was capable of approximating the highly pure DC preparations seen in normal donors (84.2±9.2% CD83% in the best condition for GBM patients vs. 95.1±8.0% for normal donors). The same patients were immune phenotyped by immunostaining of whole blood and subsequent flow cytometry. GBM patients were profoundly lymphopenic. Only 12.3±2.4% compared to normal controls 31.6± 2.2% (p<0.0001) of the circulating white blood cells were lymphocytes. The number of CD4 T cells per ul of blood were significantly reduced for every subset tested. Although the percentage of monocytes were reduced in GBM patients, they had elevated levels of circulating CD14+/HLA-DR- (myeloid suppressors; 24.2±4.0% vs. 8.5±2.1%; p=0.0007). To determine if these changes corresponded to changes in circulating growth factor levels, we measured the plasma levels of 26 cytokines and growth factors. This data will be reported as well as our complete immune phenotype. We also examined the effect of dexamethasone and disease status on the immune phenotypes of GBM patients. We saw no significant differences in the immune phenotype between newly diagnosed patients and those with recurrent disease. Dexamethasone is commonly used to treat edema in GBM patients and is a powerful immune suppressor. While, the dexamethasone was largely responsible for the lymphopenia, lower absolute CD4 levels and elevated CD14+/HLA-DR- monocytes, it had no effect on the percentage of regulatory T cells, the percent of monocytes or in vitro culture of DCs. Our findings suggest that GBM patients exhibit immune defects mediated both by dexamethasone and by tumor mediated factors. This work was supported through a Developmental Research grant from the Mayo Clinic Brain Tumor SPORE CA108961-03.
Evaluation of Coal Liquids in a Single Cylinder Direct-Injection, Stratified-Charge Engine

Indicated specific energy consumption and exhaust emissions were measured for three coal-derived liquids in a direct injection, stratified-charge (PROCO) engine. The three fuels were obtained from different coal refining processes. One of the fuels met current gasoline specifications while the other two had volatilities somewhat below the specification and were more typical of some current gasoline blending components. 6 refs.
Dynamics of levitating dust particles near asteroids and the Moon

[1] Using a numerically modeled nonmonotonic potential profile plasma sheath, we identify the equilibrium height and charge of levitating dust particles for nanometer to 10 µm sized particles over a five order of magnitude variation in the gravity of an airless central body. The stability and time scales of the dust particle motion about the equilibria are computed. The range of initial velocities that results in levitation of a dust particle is dominated by the particle size and is relatively insensitive to the mass of the central body and the particle's charge. By studying the dynamics of levitating dust particles, we are able to move beyond the point solutions that have been previously considered. This work enables more complete evaluations of the importance of dust levitation in the evolution of airless bodies and the hazard that levitating dust particles pose to exploration vehicles.
Bounds on $\nu_{\mu}$ Oscillations from Atmospheric Neutrinos

A reanalysis of identified muon neutrino interactions from IMB 3 yields bounds on $\sin^{2}(2 \theta)$ and $\Delta m^{2}$. The limit $\sin^{2}(2 \theta) < 0.72$ is in conflict with the recent announcement of a neutrino mass.
Dementia in the incarcerated elderly adult: innovative solutions to promote quality care.

Purpose To provide an overview of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and diagnostic considerations of Alzheimer's disease (AD) with a special focus on elderly prison inmates. Multiple therapeutic interventions currently used for inmates with AD and a brief protocol for clinicians working with this population are provided. Data sources Review of scientific literature. Conclusions Early detection and appropriate treatment of AD and other dementias are particularly challenging inside of correctional institutions, and a lack of prison-specific guidelines for AD leaves clinicians struggling to deliver innovative, quality care to a vulnerable population of elderly inmates. Implications for practice Clinicians working in prisons can promote optimal safety and health for each inmate through early diagnosis and treatment of those with dementia. Researchers studying dementia need to include the large incarcerated population in the United States in ongoing research and guideline development.
Modeling and Dynamics of Two-Phase Flow Heat Exchangers using Temperature - Entropy Bond Graphs

Two-phase flow heat exchangers have many industrial and residential applications, such as in nuclear power plants, HVAC systems, steam generators, and heat pumps. Dynamic response of such heat exchangers are of interest in order to increase reliability and decrease energy consumption. This paper utilizes true bond graphs, with temperature and rate of change of entropy as power variables, to model the dynamics of two-phase flow heat exchangers. A bond graph for variable density flow is derived such that it satisfies mass, momentum, and energy equations. Due to thermofluid bond graphs requirements, a specific entropy - specific volume plane is developed and an algorithm to calculate 2-phase flow properties from this plane is discussed. For stability purposes, the resulting nonlinear system equations are nondimensionalized. Simulation results of the model for a condenser of a residential air-conditioning unit is compared with experimental data. Comparison shows good agreement in both magnitude and shape of the response between the bond graph model and the experiments.
Personalizing Navigation in Folksonomies Using Hierarchical Tag Clustering

The popularity of collaborative tagging, otherwise known as "folksonomies", emanate from the flexibility they afford users in navigating large information spaces for resources, tags, or other users, unencumbered by a pre-defined navigational or conceptual hierarchy. Despite its advantages, social tagging also increases user overhead in search and navigation: users are free to apply any tag they wish to a resource, often resulting in a large number of tags that are redundant, ambiguous, or idiosyncratic. Data mining techniques such as clustering provide a means to overcome this problem by learning aggregate user models, and thus reducing noise. In this paper we propose a method to personalize search and navigation based on unsupervised hierarchical agglomerative tag clustering. Given a user profile, represented as a vector of tags, the learned tag clusters provide the nexus between the user and those resources that correspond more closely to the user's intent. We validate this assertion through extensive evaluation of the proposed algorithm using data from a real collaborative tagging Web site.
Calcifying Pseudoneoplasm of the Cervicomedullary Junction: Case Report and a Literature Review.

Background Calcifying pseudoneoplasm of the neuroaxis (CAPNON) is a rare, slow-growing tumor of a fibro-osseous origin that may present anywhere in the neuroaxis. Although typically benign, symptoms of CAPNONs typically present secondary to compression and surrounding mass effect. Histologically, the tumor has the characteristics of a foreign body reaction with giant cells, ossification, and the formation of psammoma bodies. On imaging, they can easily be confused with malginant lesions such as chondrosarcoma or chondroblastoma or even more benign pathologies like meningioma. Case Description We present a case of a patient with an incidentally found calcifying pseudoneoplasm involving the cervicomedullary junction with further involvement of the vertebral artery and the hypoglossal nerve. We also review the literature on these tumors to date. Conclusion Calcifying pseudoneoplasm of the neuroaxis is a slow-growing, benign, noninfiltrative lesion whose pathogensis and natural history remains unclear. It can appear anywhere in the neuroaxis and does not have a prevelant location. Because of the indolent course and relative rarity of this tumor, there are no current guidelines on the immediate and long-term management of CAPNONs. This entity, although quite rare, should be considered in the differential for calcified lesions at the cervicomedullary junction. The consensus for treatment of CAPNONs when symptomatic is surgical resection.
Amelin: a 4.1-related spectrin-binding protein found in neuronal cell bodies and dendrites

An immunoreactive, structural, and functional analog of erythrocyte protein 4.1 is present in neuronal cell bodies and dendrites. Other investigators have described the isolation of a 4.1 analog in brain with structural characteristics suggesting that its identity was synapsin I, a neuronal phosphoprotein localized in the presynaptic terminal in association with small synaptic vesicles. In this report we demonstrate that the cell body/dendritic form of brain protein 4.1, which we have named amelin, is distinct from that of synapsin I on the basis of subcellular localization, migration in 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and structural criteria. We also demonstrate that amelin, like synapsin I, can bind brain spectrin on nitrocellulose paper. Neither amelin nor synapsin I binds calmodulin, as determined by a blot binding assay. We hypothesize that there exists in brain a family of 4.1-related proteins with distinct subcellular localization and function.
The T-Matrix Method in Electron-Molecule Scattering

The current need for the development of accurate ab-initio methods for electron-molecule scattering calculations, and the difficulty of applying numerical methods, has lead to renewed interest in discrete-basis-set methods. The application of discrete-basisset methods is further suggested by the success of these methods in molecular bound state calculations. Although the standard albegraic variational methods of Hulthen,1 Kohn,2 and Rubinow3 have been studied extensively for electron-atom collisions, serious technical difficulties have delayed application of these methods to electron-molecule collision processes. Recently, several other discrete-basis-set methods have been studied which seem better suited to electron-molecule scattering. These methods avoid or minimize the need to compute free-free and bound-free interaction matrix elements since these are difficult to evaluate in the absence of spherical symmetry. The new methods also appear to be free from the spurious resonances which occur in the standard variational methods.
Matrixx v. Siracusano and Student v. Fisher

“Matrixx's argument rests on the premise that statistical significance is the only reliable indication of causation. This premise is flawed.” So ruled the US Supreme Court this year in a judgment of huge significance. As a drug company learns that it must disclose even statistically insignificant side effects, Stephen T. Ziliak congratulates the judges, and two giants of statistics fight on from their graves.
Towards Efficient MapReduce Using MPI

MapReduce is an emerging programming paradigm for data-parallel applications. We discuss common strategies to implement a MapReduce runtime and propose an optimized implementation on top of MPI. Our implementation combines redistribution and reduce and moves them into the network . This approach especially benefits applications with a limited number of output keys in the map phase. We also show how anticipated MPI-2.2 and MPI-3 features, such as MPI_Reduce_local and nonblocking collective operations, can be used to implement and optimize MapReduce with a performance improvement of up to 25% on 127 cluster nodes. Finally, we discuss additional features that would enable MPI to more efficiently support all MapReduce applications.
Realism, Rhetoric and the Possibility of Reform in Rousseau's Considerations on the Government of Poland

Rousseau's Considerations on the Government of Poland is generally deemed to be a practical rather than philosophical work, exemplifying Rousseau's willingness to compromise his own moral and political principles in the face of concrete realities and limitations. The objective of this work, though, is much more radical and transformative than is typically recognized. What is on the surface a hard-nosed appeal to self-interest is, more subtly, an education of self-interest by means of a transformed political imagination. In this way Rousseau himself performs a true legislator's function in attending to cultivating the morals, customs, and beliefs that are the precondition of sound political institutions. However, while the Social Contract presents the culture-building dimension of the legislator's art as pre-political and prior to actual institution building, in Poland Rousseau explores the possibility of cultural transformation that is simultaneous with institutional reforms.
The Weber Location Problem: The Threshold Objective

Abstract A new objective for the Weber location problem is proposed. The weights of the Weber problem are drawn form a multivariate distribution. The objective is to minimize the probability of over-running a cost threshold. Alternatively, we may wish to minimize the threshold for a given probability. These concepts can be applied to many optimization models as well. We analyze the problem and develop an optimal algorithm to solve it. An illustrative example is solved and computational results for randomly generated problems are presented.
The role of the social network in contraceptive decision-making among young, African American and Latina women.

Abstract Purpose Understanding reasons for contraception decisions is critical to improving our ability to reduce rates of unintended pregnancies. We used an in-depth qualitative approach to examine the contraceptive decision-making process, with special attention to the role of the social network, among a group of young, postpartum urban minority women. Methods Brief surveys and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 consenting postpartum women. In-person one-on-one interviews were then reviewed for themes using an iterative process. Qualitative analysis techniques identifying emergent themes were applied to interview data. Results In this cohort of African American (63%) and Hispanic (37%) women (median age, 26), 73% had unplanned pregnancies. The social network, including friends, mothers, and partners, were key sources of contraception myths, misconceptions, and vicarious experiences. Women also utilized media, including the internet, as an additional source of information. Information relayed by the social network had a direct influence on contraceptive decisions for many women. Conclusions The experiences and opinions of the social network influence contraceptive decisions in this population of young, minority women. The social network, including friends, family members, and media sources, is a key source of contraceptive information for many women. Comprehensive contraception counseling should explore the experiences and opinions of the patient's social network to the extent possible.