cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the training aspects of Deep Neural Network (DNN) for parametric TTS synthesis

Deep Neural Network (DNN), which can model a long-span, intricate transform compactly with a deep-layered structure, has recently been investigated for parametric TTS synthesis with a fairly large corpus (33,000 utterances) [6]. In this paper, we examine DNN TTS synthesis with a moderate size corpus of 5 hours, which is more commonly used for parametric TTS training. DNN is used to map input text features into output acoustic features (LSP, F0 and V/U). Experimental results show that DNN can outperform the conventional HMM, which is trained in ML first and then refined by MGE. Both objective and subjective measures indicate that DNN can synthesize speech better than HMM-based baseline. The improvement is mainly on the prosody, i.e., the RMSE of natural and generated F0 trajectories by DNN is improved by 2 Hz. This benefit is likely from the key characteristics of DNN, which can exploit feature correlations, e.g., between F0 and spectrum, without using a more restricted, e.g. diagonal Gaussian probability family. Our experimental results also show: the layer-wise BP pre-training can drive weights to a better starting point than random initialization and result in a more effective DNN; state boundary info is important for training DNN to yield better synthesized speech; and a hyperbolic tangent activation function in DNN hidden layers yields faster convergence than a sigmoidal one.
Treatment of Chronic Elbow Tendinosis With Buffered Platelet-Rich Plasma

BackgroundElbow epicondylar tendinosis is a common problem that usually resolves with nonoperative treatments. When these measures fail, however, patients are interested in an alternative to surgical intervention.HypothesisTreatment of chronic severe elbow tendinosis with buffered platelet-rich plasma will reduce pain and increase function in patients considering surgery for their problem.Study DesignCohort study; Level of evidence, 2.MethodsOne hundred forty patients with elbow epicondylar pain were evaluated in this study. All these patients were initially given a standardized physical therapy protocol and a variety of other nonoperative treatments. Twenty of these patients had significant persistent pain for a mean of 15 months (mean, 82 of 100; range, 60-100 of 100 on a visual analog pain scale), despite these interventions. All patients were considering surgery. This cohort of patients who had failed nonoperative treatment was then given either a single percutaneous injection of platelet-rich plasma ...
An overwintering cover crop increases inoculum of VAM fungi in agricultural soil

We conducted a field experiment within a low-input reduced tillage trial to determine how a cover crop affects inoculum levels of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi. Plots with and without the hairy vetch cover crop were established on September 30, 1993, under moldboard plow (MP), chisel-disk (CD), and no-till (NT) treatments in low-input (LI) management, and MP in conventional (CONV) management. We conducted a 3-week colonization assay in the greenhouse with bahiagrass seedlings to assess the relative colonization potential of the soils in the fall and following spring. Hairy vetch roots were colonized by indigenous VAM fungi by 65 days after planting, with plants from NT being more colonized than plants from MP or CD plots. Spore populations were greater in the LI than in the CONV system. The beneficial effect of the cover crop on VAM spore populations in soil was manifested in the spring, with the Glomus type group more abundant in plots with cover than without it. The greenhouse bioassay showed that colonization potential of spring 1994 soil samples was higher in plots with cover than without cover for both the LI and CONV systems. Just one season of an overwintering cover crop of hairy vetch increased the inoculum of VAM fungi the following spring before the next cash crop was planted.
Food-addiction scale measurement in 2 cohorts of middle-aged and older women

Background: Excess weight is a major threat to public health. An addiction-like tendency toward certain foods may contribute to overeating. Objective: We aimed to describe the prevalence and associated characteristics in relation to a food-addiction scale in middle-aged and older women. Design: We examined the prevalence and associated characteristics of a food-addiction scale measure in a cross-sectional analysis of 134,175 women participating in 2 ongoing prospective cohort studies of US nurses. Results: Overall, 7839 (5.8%) of the women surveyed met the criteria for food addiction measured by using the modified Yale Food Addiction Scale. The prevalence of food addiction was 8.4% in the younger cohort of women aged 45–64 y and 2.7% in the older cohort of women aged 62–88 y. In the multivariate model, body mass index (BMI; in kg/m2) ≥35.0 (compared with 18.5–22.9) was associated with food addiction, a prevalence ratio (PR) of 15.83 (95% CI: 12.58, 19.91) in the younger cohort of women, and a PR of 18.41 (95% CI: 11.63, 29.14) in the older cohort of women. Several other demographic characteristics and other factors were associated with the food-addiction measure in both cohorts of women. Conclusions: To our knowledge, for the first time in a large, US-based population of women, we documented the prevalence of food addiction by using a novel measurement scale in middle-aged and older women. The results may provide insight into the strong association between behavioral attributes of food consumption and the development of obesity.
Evaluating New Definitions of Acute and Early HIV Infection from HIV Surveillance Data.

Background: The U.S. HIV staging system is being revised to more comprehensively track early and acute HIV infection (AHI). We evaluated our ability to identify known cases of AHI using King County (KC) HIV surveillance data. Methodology: AHI cases were men who have sex with men (MSM) with negative antibody and positive pooled nucleic acid amplification (NAAT) tests identified through KC testing sites. We used KC surveillance data to calculate inter-test intervals (ITI, time from last negative to first positive test) and the serologic algorithm for recent HIV seroconversion (STARHS). For surveillance data, AHI was defined as an ITI of < 30 days and early infection as an ITI < 180 days or STARHS recent result. Dates of last negative HIV tests were obtained from lab reports in the HIV surveillance system or data collected for HIV Incidence Surveillance. Results: Between 2005 and 2011, 47 MSM with AHI were identified by pooled NAAT. Of the 47 cases, 36% had ITI < 1 day, 60% had an ITI < 30 days, and 70% (95% CI=55-82%) had an ITI < 6 months and would have been identified as early HIV infection. Of the 47, 38% had STARHS testing and 94% were STARHS recent. Conclusion: MSM with known AHI were not identified by proposed definitions of AHI and early infection. These known AHI cases were frequently missed by HIV surveillance because concurrent negative antibody tests were not reported. Successful implementation of the revisions to the HIV staging system will require more comprehensive reporting.
Do patients with schizophrenia receive state-of-the-art lung cancer therapy? A brief report.

Objective: Patients with schizophrenia sometimes receive substandard medical care. This study explored such disparities among lung cancer patients with underlying schizophrenia. Methods: This retrospective study focused on patients with pre-existing schizophrenia (or in some instances schizoaffective disorder) and a lung cancer diagnosis made between 1980 and 2004. ‘Disparity’ was defined as a patient's having been prescribed less aggressive therapy for a potentially curable cancer based on state-of-the-art treatment standards for the time and for the cancer stage. Qualitative methods were used to assess healthcare providers' decision-making. Results: 29 patients were included. The median age was 59 years; 38% were men. Twenty-three had non-small cell lung cancer and 6 small cell lung cancer; 17 had potentially curable cancers. Five of 17 had a ‘disparity’ in cancer care: (1) no cancer therapy was prescribed because of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; (2) no cancer therapy was prescribed because of infection; (3) no chemotherapy was prescribed because the patient declined it; radiation was provided; (4) no chemotherapy was prescribed because of the patient's schizophrenia symptoms; radiation was administered; and (5) no surgery was performed because of disorientation from a lobotomy; radiation was prescribed. Comments from healthcare providers suggest reflection and ethical adjudication in decision-making. Conclusion: Schizophrenia was never the sole reason for no cancer treatment in patients with potentially curable lung cancer. This study provides the impetus for others to begin to assess the effect of schizophrenia on lung cancer management in other healthcare settings. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Isospin mixing and model dependence

We show that recent calculations of {Delta}I= (3) /(2) effects in nonleptonic hyperon decay induced by m{sub d}{minus}m{sub u}{ne}0 are subject to significant model dependence. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Competitive effects of the invasive grass Rhynchelytrum repens (Willd.) C.E. Hubb. on pine rockland vegetation.

Abstract The widely invasive grass Rhynchelytrum repens (Willd.) C.E. Hubb. invades globally-imperiled pine rockland forests of South Florida. To examine whether its spread into and persistence in undisturbed areas pose a threat to native species, we investigated whether the presence of R. repens was associated with a decline in the diversity and abundance of native pine rockland understory plants. We showed R. repens density class was strongly associated with a reduction in native species diversity, with high density (20% cover) plots having five fewer species than low density (0.2%) ones. When we separated species by functional groups, we found that graminoids were affected much more than other native species, with R. repens cover explaining 23% of the variation in graminoid diversity. Rhynchelytrum repens is indeed causing harm to pine rockland diversity, and we recommend that land managers take action to: (1) treat infestations before they reach 30% cover, and (2) remove infestations of any density ad...
A Central Limit Theorem for Extreme Sojourn Times of Stationary Gaussian Processes

Let X(t), t ≥ 0, be a real measurable stationary Gaussian process with mean 0 and covariance function r(t). For a given measurable function u(t)such that u(t)→ ∞, for t → ∞, let L t be the sojourn time of X(s), 0 ≤ s ≤ t, above u(t). Assume that the spectral distribution function in the representation of r(t) is absolutely continuous; then r(t) also has the representation r(t) = ∫ b(t + s)b(s)ds, where b ∈ L2. The main result is: If b ∈ L1, and if u(t)increases sufficiently slowly, then (L t -EL t )/(Var(L t ))1/2 has a limiting standard normal distribution for t → ∞. The allowable rate of increase of u(t) with t is specified.
Hereditary Transmission of Congenital Coalition of the Calcaneus to the Navicular

At least some, and perhaps all, cases of calcaneonavicular bar are caused by a specific gene mutation which behaves as an autosomal dominant, probably with reduced penetrance. The available evidence suggests that this gene is distinct from each of the several genes responsible for other fusion defects of the bones of the foot and hand, such as talonavicular synostosis, talocalcaneal synostosis, the multiple fusions reported by Bersani and Samilson, and the two varieties of symphalangism. However, the available evidence concerning etiology of all of these conditions is scanty, and more data are needed. The examination of relatives of such patients, with roentgen examination of the feet and hands of apparently normal relatives, should prove to be rewarding and should furnish needed information concerning the cause and distribution of these defects.
Cardiovascular safety for once-weekly dulaglutide in type 2 diabetes: a pre-specified meta-analysis of prospectively adjudicated cardiovascular events

Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) have a substantial increased risk for cardiovascular (CV) disease and associated mortality than those without diabetes. Dulaglutide is a once-weekly glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist that is approved for treatment of T2D. This meta-analysis evaluates the CV risk in patients with T2D treated with dulaglutide in 9 randomized safety and efficacy trials. Mean (median) treatment duration was 333 (358) days. Reported CV events were independently adjudicated by a treatment-blinded clinical endpoint committee. The primary measure was a 4-component major adverse CV event (4-component MACE) composite endpoint of death due to CV causes, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), nonfatal stroke, or hospitalization for unstable angina. Additional pre-specified endpoints included adjudicated coronary revascularizations, hospitalization for heart failure, and all-cause mortality. A Cox proportional hazards regression model (stratified by study) was used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) and confidence interval (CI). Tests of treatment effects for the primary endpoint were conducted at a 2-sided alpha level of 0.0198 and a corresponding 98.02 % CI was calculated. Statistical heterogeneity between the strata (studies) was tested by including in the Cox model an interaction term between treatment and strata. The analysis included 6010 randomized patients [dulaglutide: 3885; comparator therapy (active or placebo): 2125]; cumulative exposure to dulaglutide or comparator therapy was 3941 and 2223 patient-years, respectively. The demographic and baseline CV disease characteristics were similar across groups. Twenty-six (0.67 %) patients in the dulaglutide group versus 25 (1.18 %) in the comparator group experienced a primary 4-component MACE (HR 0.57; adjusted 98.02 % CI 0.30, 1.10). Results for the 3-component MACE (composite endpoint of death due to CV causes, nonfatal MI or stroke), 6-component MACE (composite endpoint of death due to CV causes, nonfatal MI or stroke, hospitalization for unstable angina or heart failure, or coronary revascularizations) and all-cause mortality were consistent with the primary analysis (HR < 1.0 for all). These results suggest that dulaglutide does not increase the risk of major CV events in T2D patients. The ongoing CV outcomes study, Researching CV Events with a Weekly Incretin in Diabetes (REWIND), will further assess CV safety of dulaglutide.
Topical cyclosporine A 0.05% for recurrent anterior uveitis

Aim To evaluate the effectiveness of treatment with cyclosporine A 0.05% eye drops in reducing frequency and severity of recurrences in patients with recurrent anterior uveitis. Methods A retrospective case-crossover study was conducted by reviewing medical charts of patients treated for recurrent anterior uveitis between 2002 and 2011 at the Kellogg Eye Center by one cornea specialist. We identified patients who had been treated with topical cyclosporine A 0.05% and recorded data regarding demographics, episodes of anterior uveitis, severity of episodes and treatment modalities before and after initiation of cyclosporine A 0.05%. Results Eight patients were identified as having been treated with topical cyclosporine 0.05% in addition to standard treatment with an average follow-up of 54.9±33.9 months (range: 28–143 months). The patients had statistically significant fewer episodes of anterior uveitis, shorter duration of episodes and fewer total days of inflammation per year while on topical cyclosporine 0.05%. Conclusions This study showed improvement of recurrent anterior uveitis in patients while on conventional treatment with cyclosporine A 0.05% compared with conventional treatment alone.
Regulatory Reform, Industrial Change, and Expected Profitability of Low-Income Financial Service Providers: The Effects of Regulatory Events in the 2007-2014 Period

Payday lending, pawn lending, and other alternative financial services experienced rapid growth in the two decades up until the most recent financial crisis. Immediately before and since that time, these businesses have confronted increasing regulatory pressure both at the state and federal levels. This study considers the impacts of these changes over the previous seven years through two methods of inquiry. The study presents evidence on the changing nature of the industry during this period. The study then uses standard event study methods to consider different regulations, judicial findings, and other important announcements have affected the expected profitability of these businesses as measured by the performance of their share prices. Evidence suggests that the regulatory events of 2008 had a negative and significant effect on the return to publicly traded firms in the payday lending industry, and with the exception of 2009 South Carolina law, most other state level regulatory changes appear to have little predictable effect. The impacts at the state level appear connected to the number of stores operated by firms in those states; however, in the case of Arkansas and Delaware legislation, statistically significant effects were found even though the firms considered in this study had little or no presence in these states, perhaps indicating that regulatory events affect the broader sentiment about these firms, irrespective of the direct short-term profit effects of such changes. At the federal level, the recess appointment of Richard Cordray had robust, largely consistent, and negative effect on the excess returns of publicly traded firms in this industry.
Effects of noise and reverberation on virtual sound localization for listeners with bilateral cochlear implants.

Objective: This study investigated the effects of both noise and reverberation on the ability of listeners with bilateral cochlear implants (BCIs) to localize and the feasibility of using a virtual localization test to evaluate BCI users. Design: Seven adults with normal hearing (NH) and two adults with BCIs participated. All subjects completed the virtual localization test in quiet and at 0, −4, −8 dB signal-to-noise ratio in simulated anechoic and reverberant environments. BCI users were also tested at +4 dB signal-to-noise ratio. The noise source was at 0°. A three-word phrase was presented at 70 dB SPL from nine simulated locations in the frontal horizontal plane (±90°). Results: Results revealed significantly poorer localization accuracy for BCI users than NH listeners in all conditions. Significant reverberation effects were observed for BCI users but not listeners with NH. Conclusion: Noise and reverberation have a significant effect on BCI users, and their localization ability can be evaluated using these virtual tests.
Genetic relatedness and colony organization in a species complex of ponerine ants

In Australian ants of the Rhytidoponera impressa group there are two distinct types of colonies which occur sympatrically in most species: monogynous, queenright colonies (Type A), and monogynous or (usually) polygynous worker-reproductive colonies (Type B) in which 1–15 (mean 4.0) mated workers occur in lieu of a queen.
Lack of effect of amphotericin B on urine-bloodpCO2 gradient in spite of urinary acidification defect

The alkaline urine of normal animals and humans has higher carbon dioxide tension (pCO2) than that of blood. On the other hand, the urine-bloodpCO2 gradient is decreased in some patients and experimental animals having urinary acidification defect. It has been proposed that the urine-bloodpCO2 gradient is dependent on H+ accumulation in the distal nephron to form H2CO3 which is not dehydrated to CO2 until it passes the nephrons. We produced a urinary acidification defect in rats by treating the animals with amphotericin B and studied their ability to excrete acute acid and alkali loads. The amphotericin-treated animals could not decrease their urine pH lower than 5.84, even with a plasma HCO 3 − of 10.0 mEq/l. On the other hand, control animals decreased their urine pH to 5.50 with a plasma HCO 3 − of 18.2 mEq/l. There was no significant differences in urine-bloodpCO2 gradient between amphotericin-treated and control rats. Thus, there was a dissociation between the pH of an acid urine andpCO2 of an alkaline urine in the amphotericin-treated rats. The possible mechanisms of this dissociation along with the mechanisms of urinarypCO2 formation are discussed. It is concluded, that the urine-bloodpCO2 gradient during alkaline infusion is not an accurate index of H+ secretory capability.
Walrasian Economics: Economic philosophy and methodology

In this chapter and the following one Walras's economic philosophy and methodology are discussed. They are special aspects of the general philosophical and methodological views that he developed during the creative and mature phases of his theoretical activity. He drew most of his ideas about economic philosophy and methodology from the work of his predecessors, including his father, J.-B. Say, J. S. Mill, A.-A. Cournot, and others mentioned in Chapter 1, and from Pelegrino Rossi (Diemer 2002) and Jules Dupuit (ibid). In regard to the specific features of his economic theorizing, Walras's beliefs about economic science were the same as those of many other important economists, such as those mentioned above, in the respects that will be indicated in this chapter. He tried to implement the methodological ideas of nineteenth-century physical scientists – which were not the same thing as their mechanics or their physics. They, of course, were indebted for many of their methodological ideas to the scientists of previous periods. Whatever their origins, Walras's methodological practices, his use of mathematics, and his modeling techniques were far in advance of anything that economists in centuries previous to his own could have imagined. Walras's ideas about how to undertake economic theorizing, implemented in his mature comprehensive model of general equilibration and equilibrium, constitute a system of economic methodological thought designed to achieve his goal of understanding the economy of his time. The system can be seen to be constituted of a carefully reasoned logical sequence of steps.
Information Fusion and Anomaly Detection with Uncalibrated Cameras in Video Surveillance

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction Geometry Independence of Activity Dense Multi-Camera Matching Multi-Camera Information Fusion and Anomaly Detection Summary and Conclusions
Choosing First-Line Therapy for Follicular Lymphoma (FL): A Decision Analysis

Abstract Introduction: There is no standard of care for first-line therapy of low-grade FL. In US practice, the most common strategy is rituximab with combination chemotherapy. However, the optimal choice of regimen remains controversial; options include RCVP, RCHOP and R-Fludarabine-based chemotherapy (RFlu). Because data from randomized clinical trials are not available and unlikely to be generated in the future, we performed a decision analysis comparing RCVP, RCHOP, and RFlu as first-line therapy for FL. Methods: We constructed a Markov model of sequential first- and second-line therapy based on prescribing patterns in the US. The endpoint of the model was quality-adjusted time to tertiary referral for therapy such as RIT or autologous transplant (≥3rd line). A literature review was performed of the Medline database and international meeting abstracts. Clinical trials of both untreated and previously treated patients were systematically evaluated using explicit eligibility criteria. Data were extracted regarding response rates, treatment-related mortality, and progression-free survival (PFS). Weighted estimates were obtained using a fixed effects meta-analysis. The model also incorporated published data on heath state utilities, risk of anthracycline cardiotoxicity and fludarabine-related delayed cytopenias. Primary and sensitivity analyses were performed using TreeAge software. Results: The optimal treatment strategy consisted of RCHOP in first-line followed by RFlu in second-line (9.0 quality-adjusted life years; QALYs). Strategies containing RCVP in either first- or second-line were inferior (6.2–7.7 QALYs). The model was sensitive to first-line PFS of RCHOP and RFlu when these were varied over the range of estimates obtained from individual published trials. The model was robust in sensitivity analysis of most other parameters, including rate of delayed cytopenias after RFlu, anthracycline cardiotoxicity, and quality of life adjustments. Conclusions: Using decision analysis, the optimal first-line therapy for low-grade FL is RCHOP, followed by RFlu in second-line. This strategy maximizes quality-adjusted time to tertiary therapy. Use of RCVP does not improve overall quality-adjusted time relative to more intensive therapies.
Performance Assessments of Diagnostic Systems Under the FROC Paradigm: Experimental, Analytical, and Results Interpretation Issues

As use of free response receiver-operating characteristic (FROC) curves gains more acceptance for quantitatively assessing the performance of diagnostic systems, it is important that the experimentalist understands the possible role of this approach as one of the experimental design paradigms that are available to him or her among all other approaches as well as some of the issues associated with FROC type studies. In a number of experimental scenarios, the FROC paradigm and associated analytical tools have theoretical and practical advantages over both the binary and the ROC approaches to performance assessments of diagnostic systems, but it also has some limitations related to experimental design, data analyses, clinical relevance, and complexity in the interpretation of the results. These issues are rarely discussed and are the focus of this work.
An after-school intervention targeting executive function and visuospatial skills also improves classroom behavior:

Executive function (EF) describes a complex set of skills, including flexible attention, inhibitory control, and working memory, that coordinate to achieve behavioral regulation. Visuospatial skills (VS) describe the capacity to visually perceive and understand spatial relationships among objects. Emerging research suggests VS skills are associated with classroom functioning, including behavioral adjustment. Children from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to enter school with EF and VS deficits, with consequences for classroom adjustment. In response, we developed and experimentally tested an after-school intervention that incorporates fine and gross motor activities targeting EF and VS skills in a sample of 87 kindergarten and first-grade students from low-income communities. The aim of the present study was to preliminarily explore whether EF and VS skills were bolstered by the intervention and subsequently whether EF and VS skills mediate or moderate intervention impacts on le...
Seeing Colors: Cultural and Environmental Influences on Episodic Memory:

Expectations learned from our perceptual experiences, culture, and language can shape how we perceive, interact with, and remember features of the past. Here, we questioned whether environment also plays a role. We tested recognition memory for color in Bolivia’s indigenous Tsimane people, who experience a different color environment than standard U.S. populations. We found that memory regressed differently between the groups, lending credence to the idea that environmental variations engender differences in expectations, and in turn perceptual memory for color.
Risk of Ischemic Stroke After Perioperative Atrial Fibrillation in Total Knee and Hip Arthroplasty Patients.

Abstract Background To determine if new-onset perioperative atrial fibrillation during arthroplasty represents a benign response to intraoperative cardiac stress or is a risk factor for stroke, we evaluated the subsequent risk of ischemic stroke in patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation occurring during primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods Discharge data of all adult patients undergoing primary TKA or THA from 1997 to 2013 were queried via the New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System database to find patients with new-onset perioperative atrial fibrillation. These patients were then followed up over time to determine their risk of ischemic stroke. Results Of the 312,636 TKA and 215,610 THA unique patient admissions, 3646 (0.7%) had a diagnosis of new-onset perioperative atrial fibrillation. The cohort of patients with this finding was 58.9% female with an average age of 73.6 years and higher prevalence of vascular risk factors. Adjusting for validated stroke risk factors, the risk of ischemic stroke within 1 year after THA or TKA in patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation was 2.7 times higher than in those without a history of atrial fibrillation (odds ratio: 2.7, 95% confidence interval: 1.5-4.8). Hospital length of stay and charges for patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation were also greater than patients with either a prior diagnosis or no diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. Conclusion New-onset atrial fibrillation during TKA and THA may indicate risk of ischemic stroke following surgery that should warrant medical follow-up and may increase hospital length of stay and charges.
Perceived inequity predicts prejudice towards age-gap relationships

Age-gap couples often elicit negative stereotypes and prejudice. According to social exchange and equity theories, we predicted that prejudice towards age-gap couples may stem from perceived relational inequity. We hypothesized that age-gap, as compared to age-matched, couples were perceived as less equitable and, as a result, less liked. To test these hypotheses, people evaluated, and inferred the equity of, age-gap and age-matched relationships. We found that age-gap, as compared to age-matched, couples were more disliked and perceived as less equitable. Within age-gap relationships, older men and women were perceived as reaping greater rewards than their younger partners. Importantly, perceived inequity predicted prejudice towards age-gap, but not age-matched, couples. In exploratory analyses, age-gap couples consistently elicited significantly more prejudice than other types of couples. Implications for age-gap relationships and future research are discussed.
Free Radical Scavenging and Antioxidant Activity of Plant Flavonoids

The occurrence of reactive oxygen species (ROS), termed as prooxidants, is a characteristic of normal aerobic organisms. The term “reactive oxygen species” collectively denotes oxygen-centered radicals such as superoxide (O2·-)and hydroxyl (·OH), as well as nonradical species derived from oxygen, such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), singlet oxygen (1ΔgO2) and hypochlorous acid (HOC1). Radical reactions are central to the maintenance of homeostasis in biological systems. Radical species perform a cardinal role in many physiological processes such as cytochrome P450-mediated oxidative transformation reactions, a plethora of enzymic oxidation reactions, oxidative phosphorylation, regulation of the tone of smooth muscle, and killing of microorganisms.1–3 Excessive generation of free radicals can have deleterious biological consequences.4–6 Organisms are equipped with an armamentarium of defense systems, termed antioxidants in order to safeguard them against the onslaught of ROS.1–3,7 When the generation of prooxidants overwhelms the capacity of antioxidant defense systems oxidative stress ensues. This can cause tissue damage leading to pathophysiological events. ROS play a pivotal role in the action of numerous foreign compounds (xenobiotics). Their increased production seems to accompany most forms of tissue injury.4,5 Whether sustained and increased production of ROS is a primary event in human disease progression or a secondary consequence of tissue injury has been discussed.5,6 Whatever may be the case, the formation of free radicals has been implicated in a multitude of disease states ranging from inflammatory/immune injury to myocardial infarction and cancer.
Formation of Shear Bands in Models of Granular Materials

In this paper we analyze the behavior of a granular material just prior to the appearance of a shear band. Shear band formation has long been associated with stress and strain localization — the deformation develops abruptly and locally near the site of the shear band (Rudnicki and Rice, 1975). It is also recognized that the phenomenon is connected with a change of type in the governing partial differential equations resulting from a continuum theory (Schaeffer, 1990).
Genetically Modified Crops and Biological Control with Egg Parasitoids

Genetically-modified (GM) crops presently are central components of pest management strategies for several important crops worldwide. GM crops include insect-resistant varieties (expressing transgenes from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, or from plant species other than the GM crop, though only the former varieties are commercially available), and herbicide-tolerant varieties (which tolerate post-emergent applications of particular herbicides). This chapter examines potential and known impacts of GM crops on egg parasitoids. Egg parasitoids can be affected by insect-active toxins or proteins produced by insect-resistant GM crops, or by herbicides applied to herbicide-tolerant crops. A review of the literature showed that very little research has addressed the impacts of GM crops on egg parasitoids, compared to the research on larval parasitoids or predatory insects. The amount and focus of research involving egg parasitoids, though, may be subject to existing factual prejudices: (i) the presence of toxins from insect-resistant varieties in herbivore eggs used as hosts by egg parasitoids is improbable, and (ii) the target of herbicide-tolerant varieties is weeds, by way of herbicide applications. However, egg parasitoids can be affected by GM crops through infrequently explored, direct or indirect pathways, such as exposure to GM crop toxins in honeydew or nectars, or pauperization of host populations in insect-resistant crops or of flowering plant communities in herbicide-tolerant crops. These pathways of GM crop effects on egg parasitoids are likely the most important, but have not been adequately addressed. A fuller understanding of any effects of GM crops on egg parasitoids is particularly significant in the context of analyses pointing to the importance of movement of natural enemy populations among crops and between seasons within a landscape, for pest management and biological control at regional scales.
Supporting Function Variants in OpenMP

Although the OpenMP API is supported across a wide and diverse set of architectures, different models of programming – and in extreme cases, different programs altogether – may be required to achieve high levels of performance on different platforms. We reduce the complexity of maintaining multiple implementations through a proposed extension to the OpenMP API that enables developers to specify that different code paths should be executed under certain compile-time conditions, including properties of: active OpenMP constructs; the targeted device; and available OpenMP runtime extensions. Our proposal directly addresses the complexities of modern applications, allowing for OpenMP contextual information to be passed across function call boundaries, translation units and library interfaces. This can greatly simplify the task of developing and maintaining a code with specializations that address performance for distinct platforms and environments.
Design, Modeling, and Analysis of Inductive Resonant Coupling Wireless Power Transfer for Micro Aerial Vehicles (MAVs)

This paper presents the design, modeling, analysis, and experimental validation of an inductive resonant wireless power transfer (WPT) system to power a micro aerial vehicle (MAV). Using WPT, in general, enables longer flight times, virtually eliminates the need for batteries, and minimizes down time for recharging or replacing batteries. The proposed WPT system consists of a transmit coil, which can either be fixed to ground or placed on a mobile platform, and a receive coil carried by the MAV. The details of the WPT circuit design are presented. A power-transfer model is developed for the two-coil system, where the model is used to select suitable coil geometries to maximize the power received by the MAV for hovering. Analysis, simulation, and experimental results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the WPT circuitry. Finally, a wirelessly powered MAV that hovers above the transmit coil is demonstrated in a laboratory setting.
Distributionally Robust Pricing in Auctions

Suppose that in a second-price auction, a seller wishes to set an optimal reserve price, but the information about the distribution of bidders’ iid valuations is scarce: the seller knows only an upper bound for valuations, the distribution’s mean, and, possibly, variance. I find reserve prices optimal in the sense of worst-case expected revenue maximization, where worst case is with respect to the unknown distribution. The optimal reserve price may not be unique, but the set of optimal prices always includes zero in the case when only mean is known.
The disparate data problem: The calibration of creep laws across test type and stress, temperature, and time scales

Abstract Creep data exists in a diaspora. It is not always available in the regime (short, intermediate-, and long-term) or form (minimum-creep-strain-rate, creep deformation, stress-rupture, etc.) of interest. This is particularly true for new alloys where the time-to-qualification can take between 10 and 20 years. For new alloys, extrapolation is performed using short-term creep data. When incorporating the uncertainty of the creep data, the probability distribution in extrapolations expands with time; eventually leading to unrealistic predictions. Standards recommend that extrapolation should not exceed three times the duration of the longest experiment. For example, a creep deformation model calibrated using short-term creep deformation data (e.g. 103 h) is highly unlikely to generate realistic creep deformation predictions near 10 5 h. This study proposes integrating disparate creep data in the calibration process of continuum damage mechanics based constitutive laws that are capable of simultaneously predicting minimum-creep-strain-rate, stress-rupture, deformation, and damage. It is hypothesized that cross-calibrating CDM constitutive models to any and every form of available creep data (across test type, stress range, and temperature range) will lead to more reliable extrapolations. This is demonstrated by integrating minimum-creep-strain-rate, stress-rupture, and short-/intermediate-term creep deformation data into the calibration process of two CDM constitutive models. Successful extrapolations are performed for minimum-creep-strain-rate, stress-rupture, and creep deformation. In addition, the approach facilitates the development of creep design maps that can be used for material selection and design and to compare the interpolation and extrapolation ability of the existing creep models.
Implications of recent MINERvA results for neutrino energy reconstruction

Among the most important tasks of neutrino oscillation experiments is correctly estimating the parent neutrino energy from the by-products of their interactions. Large uncertainties in our current understanding of such processes can significantly hamper this effort. We explore several recent measurements made using the MINERnA detector in the few-GeV NuMI muon neutrino beam at Fermilab: the differential cross-section vs. Q 2 for charged-current quasi-elastic scattering, the differential cross-sections vs. pion angle and pion kinetic energy for resonant single charged pion production, and the differential cross-sections vs. pion angle and kinetic energy for coherent pion production. We furthermore discuss their implications for energy reconstruction in oscillation measurements.
From Benzene to Graphene: Exploring the Electronic Structure of Single-Layer and Bilayer Graphene Using Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons.

In this work, two exercises are described that are designed to teach students about the evolution and behavior of the electronic bands of graphene and bilayer graphene. These exercises involve performing extended Huckel molecular orbital theory calculations on polyacenes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. In the first exercise, students investigate how the molecular orbitals of polyacenes converge into bands as polyacene size increases. Further, students learn that long-range interactions cause frontier-orbital crossing as the size of the polyacene increases. In the second exercise, the concepts of band structures, band crossing, and k-space are explored using the results of frontier orbital calculations on π-stacked dimers of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which represent molecular analogues of layered 2D materials. The results of these calculations show how the geometry and layer–layer offset of the dimer system can affect its electronic structure, and the results can be extrapolated to provide a framework for understanding why subtle changes in the relative orientations of the layers in bilayer graphene can produce qualitative changes in the electronic properties. These calculations are easily implemented with Python or with widely available algebraic manipulation software such as Maple or Mathematica. These exercises are accessible to students who have experience with extended Huckel molecular orbital theory and are suitable for inclusion in the physical chemistry curriculum at the upper-level undergraduate or introductory graduate level.
Center of Mass Estimation for Balance Evaluation Using Convolutional Neural Networks

The Center of Mass (CoM) position of the human body is an important indicator when evaluating a person’s balance ability. Traditionally the CoM position is measured using laboratory-grade devices like a force plate, which is expensive and inconvenient for home use. In this paper, we propose a deep learning-based framework that uses a single depth camera to estimate the CoM position of a human subject. The proposed framework takes the depth image captured by the depth camera as input, and uses supervised learning to estimate the subject’s horizontal CoM position. The model is trained and tested on data collected from multiple subjects in various postures. Evaluation results demonstrate the high accuracy of the proposed approach in estimating the CoM of existing subjects or a new subject. Compared with existing CoM estimation techniques, the proposed framework is easy to set up and does not need any subject identification process, which makes it convenient for home use. The proposed framework can be used as a portable and low-cost tool for CoM measurements and can enable automated balance evaluation at home.
Chemical profiling of red wines using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)

In this study, we explored surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) for analyzing red wine through several facile sample preparations. These approaches involved the direct analysis of red wine with Raman spectroscopy and the direct incubation of red wine with silver nanoparticles (i.e., AgNPs) and a reproducible SERS substrate, the AgNP mirror, previously developed by our group. However, as previously reported for red wine analysis, the signals obtained through these approaches were either due to interference of the fluorescence exhibited by pigments or mainly attributed to a DNA fraction, adenine. Therefore, an innovative approach was developed using solvent extraction to provide more characteristic information that is beneficial for wine chemical profiling and discrimination. Signature peaks in the wine extract spectra were found to match those of condensed tannins, resveratrol, anthocyanins, gallic acid, and catechin, which indicated that SERS combined with extraction is an innovative method for profiling wine chemicals and overcoming well-known challenges in red wine analysis. Based on this approach, we have successfully differentiated three red wines and demonstrated the possible relation between the overall intensity of wine spectra and the ratings. Since the wine chemical profile is closely related to the grape species, wine quality, and wine authentication, the SERS approach to obtain rich spectral information from red wine could advance wine chemical analysis.
Mathematical Music Theory

Mathematical Music Theory offers a new view on musical conceptualization, in particular the power of generalization of models and theorems for musical phenomena. We stress the creative power of this approach, as opposed to traditional conservative music theories.
Influence of T- and B-cell-deficiency on retinal neurocytes of mice withacute ocular hypertension

Background Recently,the study on the cause of optic nerve damage induced by glaucoma is of concern in ophthalmology.Some research showed that the immune system is associated with glaucoma-induced optic neuropathy.Acute ischemia-reperfusion is an ideal model of studying optic neuropathy.ObjectiveThe present study investigates the effect of T and B lymphocyte deficiency on the retinal neurocytes of mice with acute intraocular hypertension.Methods Sixteen SPF CB-17/Icr.Cg-Prkdc~(scid)Lyst~(bg)/CrlVR mice 6-8 week-old (severe combined immunodeficiency mouse,SCID) were used in this study and 16 age-matched SPF wild type (C57BL/6) mice served as controls.The ischemia-reperfusion injury models were induced in the right eyes of 10 SCID mice and 10 C57BL/6 mice through intra-anterior chamber infusion of balanced saline solution for 45minutes to increase the intraocular pressure to 104mmHg,and the left eyes served as model controls.The other 6 SCID mice and 6 C57BL/6 mice served as normal control group.10g/L (2μL) of FlouroGold was injected into the brains of the mice for the labeling of surviving retinal ganglion cells 21 days after ischemia-reperfusion.The thickness of retinal inner nuclear layer was measured by H&E staining under the fluorescent microscope 21 days after ischemic insult.The use of the animals followed the Standard of Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.Results In normal control mice,the morphology of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and retinal structure were similar between SCID mice and C57BL/6 mice.The differences in the numbers of RGCs and retinal thickness were insignificant between the two types of mice(P＞0.05).In the experimental mice,the surviving RGCs were strikingly increased in SCID mice (91%±5%) compared with C57BL/6 mice(78%±5%)(P=0.003).The thickness of the retinal inner nuclear layer was obviously thinner in the model eyes (22.44±1.70μm) compared to model control eyes (31.06±3.75μm) in C57BL/6 mice(P=0.004),but no statistically significant difference was found between the model eyes and model control eyes in SCID mice (33.52±2.13μm vs 34.06±3.00μm) 21 days after ischemia-reperfusion injury(P＞0.05).Conclusion T and B lymphocytes deficient mice show a better tolerance to acute intraocular hypertension than the wild type C57BL/6 mice. Key words: acute ocular hypertension; retina ganglion cells; immunodeficient; retinal ischemia-reperfusion