cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Bi-Objective Approach to Evaluate Highway Routing and Regulatory Strategies for Hazardous Materials Transportation

Hazardous materials (hazmat) transportation is of concern to policymakers because of the serious safety, health, and environmental risks associated with the release of hazmat. One effective approach to minimize risks associated with hazmat transport is the prohibition of hazmat transportation on higher risk links that either pose safety hazards or increased exposure by traversing densely populated areas. Because of high risk, there are multiple stakeholders involved in hazmat transportation. While shippers and carriers are directly involved in making routing decisions, regulatory agencies influence this decision by imposing routing restrictions. In this paper, we apply a bi-objective shortest path problem to evaluate routing and regulation plans for hazmat transportation. We characterize the cost objective as the shortest path between an origin and a destination. The risk objective is to minimize the risk of exposure by restricting the link with the highest risk on the best available path from an origin to a destination. We formulate the bi-objective model and apply it to a test network. Solutions consider multiple origin-destination pairs and present a non-dominated frontier to establish routing and regulatory strategies for hazmat transportation.
Global Analysis of Predicted G Protein−Coupled Receptor Genes in the Filamentous Fungus, Neurospora crassa

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) regulate facets of growth, development, and environmental sensing in eukaryotes, including filamentous fungi. The largest predicted GPCR class in these organisms is the Pth11-related, with members similar to a protein required for disease in the plant pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae. However, the Pth11-related class has not been functionally studied in any filamentous fungal species. Here, we analyze phenotypes in available mutants for 36 GPCR genes, including 20 Pth11-related, in the model filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa. We also investigate patterns of gene expression for all 43 predicted GPCR genes in available datasets. A total of 17 mutants (47%) possessed at least one growth or developmental phenotype. We identified 18 mutants (56%) with chemical sensitivity or nutritional phenotypes (11 uniquely), bringing the total number of mutants with at least one defect to 28 (78%), including 15 mutants (75%) in the Pth11-related class. Gene expression trends for GPCR genes correlated with the phenotypes observed for many mutants and also suggested overlapping functions for several groups of co-transcribed genes. Several members of the Pth11-related class have phenotypes and/or are differentially expressed on cellulose, suggesting a possible role for this gene family in plant cell wall sensing or utilization.
Quantitative Analyses Using Video Bioinformatics and Image Analysis Tools During Growth and Development in the Multicellular Fungus Neurospora crassa

Neurospora crassa (Neurospora) is a nonpathogenic multicellular fungus. Neurospora has many attributes that make it an ideal model organism for cell biology and genetic studies, including a sequenced genome, a predominantly haploid life cycle and the availability of knock-out mutants for the ~10,000 genes. Neurospora grows by polar extension of tube-like structures called hyphae. Neurospora has a complex life cycle, with two asexual sporulation pathways and a sexual cycle that produces meiotic progeny. This study analyzes stages during the formation of a colony, from asexual spore to mature hyphae with the use of video bioinformatics and image analysis tools. We are the first to analyze the asexual spore size, hyphal compartment size and hyphal growth rate in an automated manner, using video and image analysis algorithms. Quantitative results were obtained for all three phenotypic assays. This novel approach employs phenotypic parameters that can be utilized for streamlined analysis of thousands of mutants. This software, to be made publicly available in the future, eliminates subjectivity, and allows high-throughput analysis in a time saving manner.
Modeling three-dimensional site response effects in the Marina District Basin, San Francisco, California

Abstract Loma Prieta aftershock data recorded in the Marina District of San Francisco clearly show a large amplification in ground motion and a much longer duration of shaking relative to the response recorded at nearby rock sites for frequencies between 1 and 10 Hz. Some of the amplification can be explained by the difference in impedance between the Marina sites and the rock sites; however, 1D models underpredict the amplification in the range 1 to 3 Hz and cannot account for the increased durations. The available geologic information within the Marina District indicates lateral variations in sediment thickness and composition. Our previous experience with modeling wave propagation in these types of basin environments has shown that these structures can greatly amplify and prolong the duration of the signals observed at sites within the basin. In this study, the seismic response of the Marina basin is modeled with a 3D finite-difference wave field simulation technique. Results from the numerical simulations at the basin sites indicate that the large amplitude arrivals following the direct S wave are surface waves traveling at relatively slow apparent velocities. In general, the surface waves contain the strongest recorded motions and produce the long duration of shaking observed at these sites. In addition, spectral ground motions from the 3D basin models do fairly well in reproducing the observed spectral amplification near 1 Hz that is characteristic of the basin sites. The simulation results suggest that focusing effects due to the geometry of the basin structure itself have a significant impact in determining the resonant periods at these basin sites.
Conical functions of purely imaginary order and argument

Associated Legendre functions are studied for the case where the degree is in conical form −½ + iτ (τ real), and the order iμ and argument ix are purely imaginary (μ and x real). Conical functions in this form have applications to Fourier expansions of the eigenfunctions on a closed geodesic. Real-valued numerically satisfactory solutions are introduced which are continuous for all real x. Uniform asymptotic approximations and expansions are then derived for the cases where one or both of μ and τ are large; these results (which involve elementary, Airy, Bessel and parabolic cylinder functions) are uniformly valid for unbounded x.
Anorexia nervosa : Levels of causation.

Anorexia nervosa remains an enigma among Western cultures. Various causal explanations have been offered, encompassing biological, psychological, and sociocultural models. These explanations, however, focus on the immediate or proximal mechanisms of causation. A more thorough understanding of anorexia nervosa can be achieved by understanding the relationship between these factors and ultimate causation, the level of explanation which deals with individual reproductive fitness. This paper reviews the biological, psychological, sociocultural, and evolutionary models and indicates a necessary synthesis between proximate and ultimate levels of causation in examining the anorexia nervosa puzzle.
Surface of the Shoot Apex: A Reinforcement-Field Theory for Phyllotaxis

Theory for leaf patterning, phyllotaxis, is usually expressed in terms of interactions in the surface of the apical dome of the shoot. Mechanisms for leaf formation, however, usually relate to phenomena in the longitudinal section, e.g. periclinal divisions. Studying epidermal cell file patterns and the directionality of cellulose in the outer walls of the dome we have found distinct patterns of cells and reinforcing cellulose on the surface. Changes in the epidermal pattern correlate with the phyllotactic sequence to suggest that: Recently established leaves are associated with fields of tangential cellulose reinforcement which extend toward the apical dome. Where such aligned fields come into contact so as to generate relatively abrupt angular changes in reinforcement pattern, a new leaf will appear. As this region of discontinuity develops into a hoop-reinforced structure, the visible primordium, a new single field of tangentially aligned reinforcement is generated. The new field interacts with other fields to continue the cycle. In whorled phyllotaxis two angular discontinuities appear to be involved with each new leaf; the pertinent older leaves are just one plastochron older than the leaf being initiated. In spiral phyllotaxis (3:2) a single angular discontinuity appears to be involved initially; the pertinent older leaves are three and five plastochrons older than the leaf being formed. There are two major differences from previous theories of phyllotaxis. First, the cyclic changes in leaf initiation are thought to be based on the constructive involvement of new leaves in modifying the dome's reinforcement pattern. Many theories assume that leaf formation is spontaneous and the role of nearby leaves is inhibitory. Second, the pattern sequence can explain the concurrent appearance of reinforced stem tissue along with leaves.
Some Basic Queries Respecting World Regionalism

IN THE opinion of many, the globe, and not merely the nation or even the continent or oceanic area, has become the areal unit within which a host of planning and functional activities relating to administration and well-being must be carried on. Regionalism on a world scale has been actively and widely advocated recently, especially in the United States, as an aid-in fact, an indispensability-in conducting these tasks. It is mentioned especially as an aid in world unity as well as administration. Certain assumptions, which are sometimes lost sight of, underlie the whole matter of post-war world organization. The more basic of these will be stated as a background for the critical examination of world regionalism to follow.
Abstract 255: Association of 24-Hour Heart Rate and Rate Pressure Product With Atherosclerosis Risk Factors in Nonhypertensive Individuals

Heart rate (HR) is an established marker of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity and an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, the exact mechanism by which the SNS mediates its deleterious effects remains unknown. The main objective of this study was to determine if 24-hour mean HR and heart rate pressure product (HR24 and RPP24) obtained using ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring are associated with atherosclerosis risk factors in young-middle aged non-hypertensive patients in the preclinical phase of disease. Data were obtained from 186 non-hypertensive individuals aged 18-45. HR24 and RPP24 were significantly associated with known atherosclerosis risk factors (elevated SBP/DBP (p< 0.001), endothelial dysfunction (p< 0.05), insulin resistance (p< 0.001), and inflammatory adipokines: CRP (p< 0.001), IL-6 (p< 0.001), and PAI-1 (p< 0.001). These data suggest that elevated HR and RPP may be potential markers of elevated risk for future atherosclerotic events in t...
Fusion in degenerative spondylolisthesis becomes controversial…again

Commentary on : Forsth P, Olafsson G, Carlsson T, et al. A Randomized, controlled trial of fusion surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis. N Engl J Med 2016;374:1413–23[OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3]. Ghogawala Z, Dziura J, Butler WE, et al. Laminectomy plus fusion versus laminectomy alone for lumbar spondylolisthesis. N Engl J Med 2016;374:1424–34.[OpenUrl][4][CrossRef][5][PubMed][6] The role of fusion in degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) was hotly debated in the 1990s, until two studies were performed suggesting that patients undergoing fusion in addition to laminectomy had better outcomes and less progression of listhesis than patients undergoing laminectomy alone.1 ,2 These were single centre studies that used rudimentary randomisation techniques and generally subjective, surgeon-reported outcomes. While relatively high-quality studies for the time, they would be viewed as no better than level 2 evidence today. Based largely on the results of these studies and the explosion of new devices, laminectomy and fusion became the standard treatment for DS, and over 95% of patients with DS undergoing surgery in the USA now undergo a fusion with some type of instrumentation.3 More recently, the role of fusion has been questioned, especially as less invasive decompressive techniques have been developed.4 As a result, two recent randomised controlled trials were performed comparing laminectomy to laminectomy and fusion. Forsth et al 5 reported the results of the Swedish Spinal Stenosis Study (SSSS), which included 247 patients, 135 of whom had DS. The trial was performed at seven sites across Sweden, with patient enrolment from 2006 to 2012. They randomised patients to either decompression alone (D) or decompression and fusion (DF). All patients with DS underwent a midline laminectomy, and … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DN%2BEngl%2BJ%2BMed%26rft.volume%253D374%26rft.spage%253D1413%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1056%252FNEJMoa1513721%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F27074066%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1056/NEJMoa1513721&link_type=DOI [3]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=27074066&link_type=MED&atom=%2Febmed%2F21%2F4%2F148.atom [4]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DN%2BEngl%2BJ%2BMed%26rft.volume%253D374%26rft.spage%253D1424%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1056%252FNEJMoa1508788%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F27074067%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [5]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1056/NEJMoa1508788&link_type=DOI [6]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=27074067&link_type=MED&atom=%2Febmed%2F21%2F4%2F148.atom
Epigenetic regulation of redox state mediates persistent cardiorespiratory abnormalities after long‐term intermittent hypoxia

Key points The effects of short-term (ST; 10 days) and long-term (LT; 30 days) intermittent hypoxia (IH) on blood pressure (BP), breathing and carotid body (CB) chemosensory reflex were examined in adult rats. ST- and LT-IH treated rats exhibited hypertension, irregular breathing with apnoea and augmented the CB chemosensory reflex, with all these responses becoming normalized during recovery from ST- but not from LT-IH. The persistent cardiorespiratory responses to LT-IH were associated with elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in the CB and adrenal medulla, which were a result of DNA methylation-dependent suppression of genes encoding anti-oxidant enzymes (AOEs). Treating rats with decitabine either during LT-IH or during recovery from LT-IH prevented DNA methylation of AOE genes, normalized the expression of AOE genes and ROS levels, reversed the heightened CB chemosensory reflex and hypertension, and also stabilized breathing. Abstract Rodents exposed to chronic intermittent hypoxia (IH), simulating blood O2 saturation profiles during obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), have been shown to exhibit a heightened carotid body (CB) chemosensory reflex and hypertension. CB chemosensory reflex activation also results in unstable breathing with apnoeas. However, the effect of chronic IH on breathing is not known. In the present study, we examined the effects of chronic IH on breathing along with blood pressure (BP) and assessed whether the autonomic responses are normalized after recovery from chronic IH. Studies were performed on adult, male, Sprague–Dawley rats exposed to either short-term (ST; 10 days) or long-term (LT, 30 days) IH. Rats exposed to either ST- or LT-IH exhibited hypertension, irregular breathing with apnoeas, an augmented CB chemosensory reflex as indicated by elevated CB neural activity and plasma catecholamine levels, and elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in the CB and adrenal medulla (AM). All these effects were normalized after recovery from ST-IH but not from LT-IH. Analysis of the molecular mechanisms underlying the persistent effects of LT-IH revealed increased DNA methylation of genes encoding anti-oxidant enzymes (AOEs). Treatment with decitabine, a DNA methylation inhibitor, either during LT-IH or during recovery from LT-IH, prevented DNA methylation, normalized the expression of AOE genes, ROS levels, CB chemosensory reflex and BP, and also stabilized breathing. These results suggest that persistent cardiorespiratory abnormalities caused by LT-IH are mediated by epigenetic re-programming of the redox state in the CB chemosensory reflex pathway.
Improving image quality of digital breast tomosynthesis by artifact reduction

Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) is a new breast imaging modality for which the factors that affect image quality and methods for improvement are still under investigation. Various reconstruction artifacts arise from factors including the limited scan angular range, the limited detector field-of-view, the collimator shadows near the detector boundary, and the inaccurate estimation of path-length for x-rays near the breast periphery and the detector boundary. In this work, we studied the causes of some major reconstruction artifacts and developed correction methods for the artifacts by compensation for the tissue attenuation coefficient utilizing accurate geometric information of the DBT system and breast boundary. We will discuss the different artifacts and the correction methods in DBT reconstruction. The effectiveness of the methods will be demonstrated by comparison of reconstructed DBT images with and without artifact reduction.
Bargaining in Supply Chains (Long Version)

We study experimentally bargaining in a multiple-tier supply chain with horizontal competition and sequential bargaining between tiers. Our treatments vary the cost differences between firms in tiers 1 and 2. We measure how these underlying costs influence the efficiency, negotiated prices and profit distribution across the supply chain, and the consistency of these outcomes with existing theory. We find that the structural issue of cost differentials dominates personal characteristics in explaining outcomes, with profits in a tier generally increasing with decreased competition in the tier and increasing with decreased competition in alternate tiers. The Balanced Principal model of supply chain bargaining does a good job explaining our data, and outperforms the common assumption of leader-follower negotiations. We find a significant anchoring effect from a firm's first bid but no effect of the sequence of those bids, no evidence of failure to close via escalation of commitment, and mixed results for a deadline effect. We also find an interesting asymmetry between the buy and sells sides in employed bidding strategy. The buy side makes predominantly concessionary offers after the initial anchor, but a significant number of sell side firms engage in aggressive anti-concessionary bidding, a strategy that is effective in that it increases prices while not compromising closure rates.
Cholesterol Biosynthesis in Liver Tissue

Most of the early stages of cholesterol biosynthesis in liver tissue are now well defined with regard to control sites, intermediates, and specific enzymes (e.g. (1)). In contrast much basic information is still to be obtained for the stages of cholesterol biosynthesis after squalene cyclization. The purpose of this report is to review recent findings in our laboratory which elucidate mechanisms of liver enzymes catalyzing conversion of squalene and sterol intermediates to cholesterol. In particular, we identified a liver protein which functions uniquely as carrier for water insoluble precursors during cholesterol biosynthesis. This protein is designated squalene and sterol carrier protein or SCP. In this report we describe the properties of SCP; its role as activator of reactions catalyzed by microsomal enzymes; its specificity; and the inhibition of its binding and activation functions by inhibitors of cholesterol biosynthesis.
Spatial Variation in Density of White-footed Mice Along Edges in Fragmented Habitat

Abstract The influence of forest fragmentation and associated habitat edges differentially affects forest-dependent organisms, particularly when certain species are able to use resources from surrounding matrix habitats. The white-footed mouse is a forest habitat generalist and is known to disperse among adjoining farmland habitats, including agricultural matrix, in fragmented agro-ecosystems. However, little is known about spatial variation in population density within adjoining farmland habitats or how this relationship varies seasonally. In addition quantifying the extent to which white-footed mice use agricultural matrix as habitat is important for inferring potential ecosystem services (predation of weed seed and waste grain) rendered within row-crop fields. We used spatially explicit capture-recapture models to estimate density of white-footed mice along a gradient of patch (forest fragment) interior to matrix (crop field) interior that spanned fragmented habitat edges. Spatial variation in populati...
Monocrystalline 1.7-eV-Bandgap MgCdTe Solar Cell With 11.2% Efficiency

This work demonstrates a monocrystalline 1.7 eV Mg0.13Cd0.87Te solar cell with an open-circuit voltage of 1.176 V and an active-area efficiency of 11.2%. The absorber layer is clad in wider bandgap passivation layers that effectively confine electrons and holes via the resulting band offsets. The potential barriers cladding the absorber are generated using higher magnesium compositions than the absorber and provide excellent carrier confinement. This ultimately leads to long minority carrier lifetimes (>500 ns) and high photoluminescence quantum efficiencies yielding an implied open-circuit voltage of 1.3 V. However, the same barriers at the heterointerfaces reduce fill factor by impeding transport; this is apparent as series resistance losses that can be overcome with operation at higher temperatures. The photocurrent loss mechanisms are simulated and analyzed, laying out the pathway for further improvements in current generation and, thus, efficiency.
The Educational Contribution of Interactive Whiteboards

Interactive whiteboards IWBs are a key element of smart technology being used in classrooms. The principal concern when using interactive whiteboards in an educational setting is how effectively IW...
Exercise and Smoking

DR. BRUNNER: I will present a few data on physical occupational activity and coronary artery disease (CAD). The collective settlements — kibbutzim — provide a good opportunity to investigate this question. People in the kibbutzim live in uniform environmental conditions. There is no private property. Type of work or job position has no influence on standard of living. Food is prepared in a common kitchen and served in a common dining room. The members are engaged in different types of work such as agriculture, fishing, building, light industry, teaching, accounting, clerical or managerial. The following two diagrams demonstrate the incidence (per year in 1000 men) of new cases of various clinical manifestations of CAD, found in a retrospective 15-year survey, comprising 5,279 men and 5,229 women, 40–64 years-old, members of collective settlements. The subjects are Ashkenazim, European-born Jews. Those whose jobs required strenuous physical exertion were contrasted with those whose work was largely sedentary. A sedentary worker was defined as one who at least 80% of his working hours is in a sitting position. People performing light or hard physical work were included in the category of physical workers. In all age brackets the incidence (per 1,000 men per year) of manifestations of CAD was 2½–3 times greater in sedentary than in physical male workers (FIG. 1).
Fast Tamper Detection for Hierarchical Data in Live Cloud Forensics

For digital forensics in the era of cloud computing, it is crucial that forensic artifacts are seized from a cloud infrastructure and analyzed in a timely manner. Unfortunately, when the forensic artifacts (e.g., the filesystem of the suspect's machine) are collected and transmitted from the cloud to the forensic investigator, in the form of a data stream, the metadata that describes the structure or hierarchy of the forensic artifacts might be lost. Even though researchers demonstrated the measures for detecting malicious tampering in the streaming data, an efficient approach is still desired to pinpoint the tampered location in a data hierarchy. In this paper, we present an efficient tamper detection scheme which is capable of pinpointing the location of the tampered data in the data hierarchy quickly, without the aid of metadata. Our scheme can be easily integrated into the existing streaming forensic data transmission schemes. The evaluation demonstrates both the effectiveness and the performance of the proposed scheme.
Upper airway wheezing: Inducible laryngeal obstruction vs. excessive dynamic airway collapse

There are multiple causes of dyspnea upon exertion in young, healthy patients to primarily include asthma and exercise-induced bronchospasm. Excessive dynamic airway collapse (EDAC) describes focal collapse of the trachea or main bronchi with maintained structural integrity of the cartilaginous rings. It is commonly associated with pulmonary disorders like bronchiectasis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. It is believed to result secondary to airway obstruction in these conditions. While uncommon in young, healthy adults, it has recently been found as a cause of dyspnea in this population. Inducible laryngeal obstruction (ILO) is an umbrella term that describes an induced, intermittent upper airway impediment. While ILO is found in 10% of young patients with exertional dyspnea, it is primarily inspiratory in nature due to paradoxical closure of the glottis or supraglottis. This report highlights the presentation of a United States Army soldier who after a deployment was given a diagnosis of asthma, later found to have ILO and was subsequently diagnosed with concurrent EDAC. We follow up with a literature review and discussion of symptomatology, diagnosis, exercise bronchoscopy, and treatment modalities for both EDAC and ILO.
ULTRA-WIDEBAND RADAR DETECTION IN WHITE NOISE

The purpose of this paper is to examine in detail aspects of UWB detection in white Gaussian noise. Specifically, we assume a range-spread target using a point scattering model with a single polarization. We also assume a single pulse has been transmitted as opposed to multiple pulses. Hence we are not considering the problem of compensating for range walk or cancelling clutter with multiple pulses.
A Shared Spatial Model for Multivariate Extreme-Valued Binary Data with Non-Random Missingness

Clinical studies and trials on periodontal disease (PD) generate a large volume of data collected at various tooth locations of a subject. However, they present a number of statistical complexities. When our focus is on understanding the extent of extreme PD progression, standard analysis under a generalized linear mixed model framework with a symmetric (logit) link may be inappropriate, as the binary split (extreme disease versus not) maybe highly skewed. In addition, PD progression is often hypothesized to be spatially-referenced, i.e. proximal teeth may have a similar PD status than those that are distally located. Furthermore, a non-ignorable quantity of missing data is observed, and the missingness is non-random, as it informs the periodontal health status of the subject. In this paper, we address all the above concerns through a shared (spatial) latent factor model, where the latent factor jointly models the extreme binary responses via a generalized extreme value regression, and the non-randomly missing teeth via a probit regression. Our approach is Bayesian, and the inferential framework is powered by within-Gibbs Hamiltonian Monte Carlo techniques. Through simulation studies and application to a real dataset on PD, we demonstrate the potential advantages of our model in terms of model fit, and obtaining precise parameter estimates over alternatives that do not consider the aforementioned complexities.
The Horak Debate Concerning Human Nature and the Nature of All Other Beings

The aim of this chapter is to introduce the Horak debate (Horak nonjaeng 湖洛論爭) in the history of Korean Confucianism and to critically examine some recent research on that debate. It is widely accepted that the Horak debate deserves special attention as one of the representative debates in the history of Korean Confucianism. Such an evaluation and continuous interest in the debate are supported not only because the debate has been formulated for a long term with the participation of numerous Confucian scholars, but also because the debate demonstrates well a characteristic of the tradition of Korean Confucianism. While I translate and introduce selected passages of the primary texts written by two major debaters, Han Wonjin 韓元震 (pen name: Namdang 南塘, 1682–1751) and Yi Gan 李柬 (pen name: Oeam 巍巖, 1677–1727), I intend to explore two points; (1) There is no doubt that one of the major and common concerns of Korean Confucians was to understand Zhu Xi’s Neo-Confucianism (Jujahak 朱子學). Through numerous debates, they have analyzed, extended, clarified, and advanced Zhu Xi’s Neo-Confucianism in new and delicate ways. I shall introduce the Horak debate as a typical exemplar of such invaluable works; (2) Most researchers of the debate focus mainly on intelligible descriptions of key concepts or the logical system used in the debate, but they relatively overlook what makes the debaters develop their different views. I would like to claim that it is equally significant to understand practical concerns implied in the debate. Participants’ sincere contemplations on character-cultivation/nurture, self-cultivation, or gongbu 工夫 (gongfu in Chinese, practical concern) are essential parts of the debate as a comprehensive Confucian discussion.
447 The impact of patient travel distance on quality indicators in gynecologic surgery

Objectives To characterize patient travel distance to a comprehensive cancer center (CC) for gynecologic surgery; to determine the impact of travel distance on perioperative quality indicators. Methods Patients who underwent first gynecologic surgery at a CC from 1/2000–3/2018 were identified. Travel distance was defined as ‘‘‘‘‘close’’’’’ (≤50 mi) or ‘‘‘‘‘far’’’’’ (>50 mi). Patient demographics, procedural complexity, rates of reoperation, reporting to improve safety and quality (RISQ) events, and postoperative mortality were identified. Results Of 23,340 patients, 19,246 were included in the close group and 4,094 in the far group. Median distance traveled was 19.25mi (range 0–4963): 14.35mi for close group, 85.21mi far group. Median age was 55 years (range 18–97). There was no difference in age (p=0.87) or ASA status (p=0.16) between groups. Patients in the far group underwent more complex procedures based on RVUs (p=0.00) and case length (p=0.00) and had 1-day longer length of stay (p=0.003). There were more non-White (p=0.00), non-English speaking (p=0.00), and unmarried (p=0.00) patients in the close group. There was no difference in rate of reoperation (p=0.95) or 30-, 60-, or 90-day mortality (p=0.35, 0.80, 0.34) between groups. Patients who traveled farther had 1% more RISQ events (p=0.003), but this did not hold on multivariate analysis. Conclusions We demonstrate that patients who travel for centralized specialty gynecologic surgical care have more complex procedures, more perioperative adverse events, and longer length of stay, without negative impact on perioperative quality of care, reoperation, or postoperative mortality.
Teaching a Man to Fish: Teaching Cases of Business Analytics

This paper gives an overview of a somewhat unusual business analytics initiative at a southeastern public university in the USA. The massive influx of data and the accessibility of analytics tools have presented a provocative opportunity for businesses to improve decision-making and have also created a demand for talent with data analytics skills. Though many universities have stepped up to meet this growing need for data analytics talent, the vast majority have done so by offering specialized programs at the M.S. level. The school offers embedded undergraduate analytics program with experiential learning. This paper includes our motivations and reasons behind the analytics program as well as how we have implemented it.
Fast-dissolving antioxidant curcumin/cyclodextrin inclusion complex electrospun nanofibrous webs.

Curcumin/Hydroxypropyl-beta-Cyclodextrin (HP-β-CyD) and Curcumin/Hydroxypropyl-gamma-Cyclodextrin (HP-γ-CyD) inclusion complex nanofibrous webs were produced using electrospinning technique for the purpose of orally fast-dissolving antioxidant food supplement. Curcumin was totally preserved without any loss during the electrospinning process. The aqueous solutions of curcumin/HP-β-CyD and curcumin/HP-γ-CyD were yielded uniform fiber morphology with ~200 nm and ~900 nm average fiber diameter, respectively. Both Curcumin/CyD webs were produced in the form of free-standing and flexible character. Curcumin is a natural bioactive compound with poor water-solubility, however, the phase solubility test and dissolution/disintegration tests (water and artificial saliva) revealed that the water-solubility of curcumin was prominently improved by inclusion complexation with CyD. The antioxidant effect of curcumin in Curcumin/CyD webs was also enhanced due to higher solubility of curcumin by CyD inclusion complex. The results showed that HP-γ-CyD is significantly more effective than HP-β-CyD in order to enhance the solubility and antioxidant property of curcumin in Curcumin/CyD webs.
Comparative Analysis of PMU Based Corridor Voltage Stability Indices and Enhanced Approach

This paper provides the comparative analysis including concepts, validation and limitations of four different synchrophasor measurement based corridor voltage stability indices (VSI) namely: a) Thevenin based equivalent, b) Area Equivalent, c) Power Equivalent and d) Radial Equivalent and Independent (REI) equivalent. To validate these four approaches, continuation power flow solutions are used as a benchmark and equivalent 2-port network is developed for the corridor buses. Moreover, a threshold methodology is proposed for Area, Power and REI based equivalents to facilitate better operator awareness. An enhanced algorithm is proposed to take into account impact of nearest Q-limits for hybrid approach using measurement from phasor measurement units (PMUs) and minimal model information for corridor VSI.
Early-life ketamine exposure attenuates the preference for ethanol in adolescent Sprague-Dawley rats

Ketamine, a noncompetitive N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, produces quick and effective antidepressant results in depressed juvenile and adult individuals. The long-term consequences of using ketamine in juvenile populations are not well known, particularly as it affects vulnerability to drugs of abuse later in life, given that ketamine is also a drug of abuse. Thus, the current study examined whether early-life ketamine administration produces long-term changes in the sensitivity to the rewarding effects of ethanol, as measured using the conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm. On postnatal day (PD) 21, juvenile male and female rats were pretreated with ketamine (0.0 or 20 mg/kg) for 10 consecutive days (i.e., PD 21-30) and then evaluated for ethanol-induced CPP (0.0, 0.125, 0.5, or 2.0 g/kg) from PD 32-39. Results revealed that early-life ketamine administration attenuated the rewarding properties of ethanol in male rats, as ketamine pretreated rats failed to exhibit ethanol-induced CPP at any dose compared to saline pretreated rats, which showed an increased preference towards the ethanol-paired compartment in a dose-dependent manner. In females, ethanol-induced CPP was generally less robust compared to males, but ketamine pretreatment resulted in a rightward shift in the dose-response curve, given that ketamine pretreated rats needed a higher dose of ethanol compared to saline pretreated rats to exhibit ethanol-induced CPP. When considered together, the findings suggest that early use of ketamine does not appear to enhance the vulnerability to ethanol later in life, but in contrast, it may attenuate the rewarding effects of ethanol.
An Entropy Proof of the Arithmetic Mean–Geometric Mean Inequality

Many proofs are known for the inequality between the arithmetic mean and the geometric mean. This note gives a new derivation, interpreting the means as final and initial values of entropy, and the...
An expert overview of emerging therapies for acute myeloid leukemia: novel small molecules targeting apoptosis, p53, transcriptional regulation and metabolism

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive malignancy of clonal myeloid precursor cells. Curative therapy has classically involved the use of intensive induction chemotherapy followed by consoli...
Evaluating Validity of Synthetic Data in Perception Tasks for Autonomous Vehicles

Autonomous vehicles have the potential to completely upend the way we transport today, however deploying them safely at scale is not an easy task. Any autonomous driving system relies on multiple layers of software to function safely. Among these layers, the Perception layer is the most data intensive and also the most complex layer to get right. Companies need to collect and annotate lots of data to properly train deep learning perception models. Simulation systems have come up as an alternative to the expensive task of data collection and annotation. However, whether simulated data can be used as a proxy for real-world data is an ongoing debate. In this work, we attempt to address the question of whether models trained on simulated data can generalize well to the real-world. We collect datasets based on two different simulators with varying levels of graphics fidelity and use the KITTI dataset as an example of real- world data. We train three separate deep learning based object detection models on each of these datasets, and compare their performance on test sets collected from the same sources. We also add the recently released Waymo Open Dataset as a challenging test set. Performance is evaluated based on the mean average precision (mAP) metric for object detection. We find that training on simulation in general does not translate to generalizability on real-world data and that diversity in the training set is much more important than visual graphics’ fidelity.
The 2-D Cluster Variation Method: Topography Illustrations and Their Enthalpy Parameter Correlations

One of the biggest challenges in characterizing 2-D image topographies is finding a low-dimensional parameter set that can succinctly describe, not so much image patterns themselves, but the nature of these patterns. The 2-D cluster variation method (CVM), introduced by Kikuchi in 1951, can characterize very local image pattern distributions using configuration variables, identifying nearest-neighbor, next-nearest-neighbor, and triplet configurations. Using the 2-D CVM, we can characterize 2-D topographies using just two parameters; the activation enthalpy (e0) and the interaction enthalpy (e1). Two different initial topographies (“scale-free-like” and “extreme rich club-like”) were each computationally brought to a CVM free energy minimum, for the case where the activation enthalpy was zero and different values were used for the interaction enthalpy. The results are: (1) the computational configuration variable results differ significantly from the analytically-predicted values well before e1 approaches the known divergence as e1→0.881, (2) the range of potentially useful parameter values, favoring clustering of like-with-like units, is limited to the region where e0<3 and e1<0.25, and (3) the topographies in the systems that are brought to a free energy minimum show interesting visual features, such as extended “spider legs” connecting previously unconnected “islands,” and as well as evolution of “peninsulas” in what were previously solid masses.
Efficient Quantum Correction Model for Multi-dimensional CMOS Simulations

We present a new Quantum correction algorithm suitable for multi-dimensional CMOS simulations. The quantum effects are included using the Modified Local Density Approximation (MLDA). Physically accurate spatial distribution of quantized carriers can be predicted with only ten to twenty percents increased of computation time. The algorithm is also suitable to integrate into a device simulator. Simulation results are in good agreement with experimental data.
Self-talk: Review and sport-specific model

Abstract Self-talk is a key component of the sport psychology canon. Although self-talk has been widely endorsed by athletes and coaches as a performance enhancement strategy, a comprehensive model of self-talk in sport that might be used to guide systematic research has yet to be developed. This purpose of this paper is to: (a) review theory and research related to self-talk in sport; and (b) present a sport-specific model that builds upon existing theory and research, and addresses key questions related to self-talk. The paper begins with a definition of self-talk, developed with consideration of the discursive nature of inner speech and dual process theories. Extant self-talk models related to self-talk in sport are reviewed and serve as a foundation for a sport-specific model of self-talk. Components of the model (i.e., self-talk, System 1, System 2, behaviour, contextual factors, personal factors) are presented, the reciprocal relationships among model components are explored, and implications of the sport-specific model of self-talk are discussed.
Combinatorics and Algorithms of Geometric Arrangements

In this talk we survey the most important combinatorial and algorithmic results on arrangements. Arrangements are the subdivisions of Euclidean space defined by collections of algebraic manifolds. They have turned out to be a crucial concept in Computational Geometry with numerous unforeseen applications to a wide variety of fundamental geometric problems. We will discuss some key areas, such as zone and lower envelope theorems, many cell problems, and point location. Many of the fundamental algorithmic techniques in geometry can be illustrated on problems in arrangements. Examples include randomized algorithms and epsilon-nets, parametric search, partition trees, and duality.
Heavy quark effective theory and nonrelativistic QCD Lagrangian to order α s / m 3

The HQET and NRQCD Lagrangian is computed to order {alpha}{sub s}/m{sup 3}. The computation is performed using dimensional regularization to regulate the ultraviolet and infrared divergences. The results are consistent with reparametrization invariance to order 1/m{sup 3}. Some subtleties in the matching conditions for NRQCD are discussed. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Online ciphers from tweakable blockciphers

Online ciphers are deterministic length-preserving permutations EK: ({0, 1}n)+ → ({0, 1}n)+ where the i-th block of ciphertext depends only on the first i blocks of plaintext. Definitions, constructions, and applications for these objects were first given by Bellare, Boldyreva, Knudsen, and Namprempre.We simplify and generalize their work, showing that online ciphers are rather trivially constructed from tweakable blockciphers, a notion of Liskov, Rivest, and Wagner. We go on to show how to define and achieve online ciphers for settings in which messages need not be a multiple of n bits.
Scientific Method for Ecological Research: Properties and domains of ecological concepts

Summary There are three types of ecological concept. Natural concepts define and classify measurable or observable entities in the ecological world. These are frequently common objects, such as organisms, or features of the environment, such as rainfall. Natural concepts such as chemical compositions can also be used to imply some property. Functional concepts define a measurable process, interaction, or structure, such as photosynthesis, migration, or eutrophication, that applies to natural concepts. New functional concepts arise to describe newly understood structures or interactions in natural concepts and research into functional concepts is constantly used to refine the definition of existing natural concepts and their classifications. Integrative concepts describe organization or properties of ecological systems that can not be measured as absolute quantities and must be explained by a theory. For example, ecosystems are theoretical constructions, and ecosystem theory describes general organizational and functional properties of ecosystems But we can measure only particular instances of ecosystems, and not all instances are identical or share all of the supposed properties in the same way. Similarly, resilience of an ecological system is not measurable directly but is inferred from species persistence when changes occur. The interest in such concepts lies not in the measurement, which is indirect or comparative, but in the underlying causes of why one species may be persistent and another not. Functional concepts must be used to explain integrative concepts and the interest lies in how constant explanations are in different circumstances, e.g., can greater resilience always be explained in the same way?
Theory of Magnetic Phase Transitions

The current state of theoretical understanding of magnetic phase transitions is reviewed. General concepts, including critical exponent relations, scaling, and universality are presented. Several ‘characteristic’ models are described and results from mean-field (Landau) theory, renormalization group, and various numerical approaches are presented for phase diagrams and exponent values. Keywords: phase transitions; critical behavior; multicritical behavior; Monte Carlo; series expansions; renormalization group; Ising model; Heisenberg model; XY-model; Blume-Capel model
Investigations of stabilizing additives—III: Antagonistic effect of thioester on hindered amine antioxidants for radiation stability

Abstract The use of hindered amines as primary antioxidants has been investigated both in a model antioxidant activity system and polypropylene. Also, the effectiveness of hindered amines in the presence of thioester has been evaluated. The antagonistic aspects of thioester on the ability of hindered amine to prevent polymer oxidation is discussed.
Validity and Reliability of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) in Competitive Sport

Abstract Objective This study replicates and extends the work of Gucciardi, Jackson, Coulter, and Mallett (2011) in relation to the validity of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC; Connor & Davidson, 2003) in sport. Three primary aims were explored: 1) Examine the factor structure and fit of three versions of the CD-RISC: the original 25-item CD-RISC, both as a 25-item five factor scale and as a 25-item unidimensional scale, and the 10-item CD-RISC-10; 2) examine gender invariance of the best fitting version of the CD-RISC; and 3) examine the validity of the best fitting CD-RISC by relating it to affect and performance anxiety in a sample of competitive American distance runners (N = 409). Design Cross-sectional. Methods Multiple self-report questionnaires were delivered through an online medium. Results Using confirmatory factor and item level analyses, the CD-RISC-10-item scale was psychometrically superior to the unidimensional 25-item and the five factor 25-item CD-RISC versions. The CD-RISC-10-item exhibited measurement invariance for gender, with significant configural, strong, and weak analyses. Using structure equation modeling, the CD-RISC-10-item scale moderately and positively correlated with positive affect and was inversely related to negative affect and performance anxiety, establishing convergent and divergent validity. Conclusion The findings offer some initial psychometric evidence for the use of the CD-RISC-10 in sport performers.