cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
THE PERFORMANCE OF U. S. DOMESTIC EQUITY MUTUAL FUNDS DURING RECENT RECESSIONS

In this study, I investigate the performance of five categories of U.S. domestic equity mutual funds during the recessions of 1990 and 2001 and during the 12 months following each recession. I show that recessions identified by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) are not all the same with regard to their impact on the behavior of common stock prices, and that investment strategies based on a fixed rule of thumb are likely to lead to disastrous outcomes. For example, the rule of thumb which dictates picking small capitalization common stocks in the ensuing 12 months from the end of a recession produced good results after the recession of 1990, but produced disappointment results after the recession of 2001. During the recession of 1990, stockmutual fund performance was higher in the post recession period, which is in line with past research on the behavior of common stock prices. The funds as a group earned higher returns than the S&P 500 index during the recession and after. However, during the recession of 2001, four of the five mutual fund categories and the S&P 500 index realized negative returns during the recession. Moreover, all of the fund categories and the market realized negative returns in the 12 months following the recession.
What do We Expect of Criminal Justice? Critical Questions of Sanction Policy, Sentencing Purpose and the Politics of Reform

Sentencing decisions are among the most critical in the criminal justice system. Thev' have obvious consequences for the person convicted, equalli' important implications for the efficiency of criminal law and direct bearing on the structure of the criminal justice system. Current debate about sentencing policy centers on suggestions for system change; change that would affect the entire criminaljustice system.Recognizing the established fact of sentencing disparities and questioning the rehabilitative orientation of the indeterminate/indefinite sentencing model, social scientists, legal authorities, practitioners and politicians advance a variety ofpolicl' proposals. These proposals build on both substantive and procedural reforms for criminal law and range from the introduction of flat or definite sentencing to modifications of the existing indefinite systems.This article directs attention to these proposals and assesses the theoretical assumptions about law and government that underlie the different po...
Most cancer in firefighters is due to radio-frequency radiation exposure not inhaled carcinogens

Recent reviews and reports of cancer incidence and mortality in firefighters conclude that they are at an increased risk of a number of cancers. These include leukemia, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, male breast cancer, malignant melanoma, and cancers of the brain, stomach, colon, rectum, prostate, urinary bladder, testes, and thyroid. Firefighters are exposed to a long list of recognized or probable carcinogens in combustion products and the presumed route of exposure to these carcinogens is by inhalation. Curiously, respiratory system cancers and diseases are usually not increased in firefighters as they are in workers exposed to known inhaled carcinogens. The list of cancers with increased risk in firefighters strongly overlaps the list of cancers at increased risk in workers exposed to electromagnetic fields (EMF) and radiofrequency radiation (RFR). Firefighters have increased exposure to RFR in the course of their work, from the mobile two-way radio communications devices which they routinely use while fighting fires, and at times from firehouse and fire vehicle radio transmitters. I suggest that some of the increased cancer risk in firefighters is caused by RFR exposure, and is therefore preventable. The precautionary principle should be applied to reduce the risk of cancer in firefighters, and workman's compensation rules will necessarily need to be modified.
Elevated N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide is associated with mortality in tobacco smokers independent of airflow obstruction.

Background Tobacco use is associated with an increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease. N-terminal pro-brain natiuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), a widely available biomarker that is associated with cardiovascular outcomes in other conditions, has not been investigated as a predictor of mortality in tobacco smokers. We hypothesized that NT-proBNP would be an independent prognostic marker in a cohort of well-characterized tobacco smokers without known cardiovascular disease. Methods Clinical data from 796 subjects enrolled in two prospective tobacco exposed cohorts was assessed to determine factors associated with elevated NT-proBNP and the relationship of these factors and NT-proBNP with mortality. Results Subjects were followed for a median of 562 (IQR 252 – 826) days. Characteristics associated with a NT-proBNP above the median (≥49 pg/mL) were increased age, female gender, and decreased body mass index. By time-to-event analysis, an NT-proBNP above the median (≥49 pg/mL) was a significant predictor of mortality (log rank p = 0.02). By proportional hazard analysis controlling for age, gender, cohort, and severity of airflow obstruction, an elevated NT-proBNP level (≥49 pg/mL) remained an independent predictor of mortality (HR = 2.19, 95% CI 1.07–4.46, p = 0.031). Conclusions Elevated NT-proBNP is an independent predictor of mortality in tobacco smokers without known cardiovascular disease, conferring a 2.2 fold increased risk of death. Future studies should assess the ability of this biomarker to guide further diagnostic testing and to direct specific cardiovascular risk reduction inventions that may positively impact quality of life and survival.
Analysis of complementary unilateral slot and strip resonators printed on anisotropic substrates

A systematic method, based on the two-dimensional spectral domain method, for analyzing complementary unilateral slot and strip resonators is presented. The resonators are printed on anisotropic substrates with tensor permittivity and permeability, including the off-diagonal terms and ferrite properties. Numerical data are presented to illustrate the response of resonators to changes in material properties of the substrate. >
Teacher Research Explores the Refugee and Immigrant Experience: A Review of American Dreams, Global Visions: Dialogic Teacher Research with Refugee and Immigrant Families , by Donald F. Hones

As a teacher educator at the University of Wisconsin, Donald Hones makes “dialogic teacher research” a course requirement to help his students better understand the personal histories and international influences that bring refugees and immigrants to the United States. Hones defines this research as “ethnographic, participatory, and narrative,” with the purpose of illuminating economical, political, social, and cultural relationships and “extend[ing] these dialogues to promote broader understanding and social justice in schools and communities” (p. xiii). Teacher educators frequently assign their students to fieldwork in schools with diverse populations to expose them to changing U.S. demographics and the need for multicultural education. Hones goes a step further by requiring his students to engage personally with one immigrant or refugee family. In his recent book, American Dreams, Global Visions, Hones argued that teachers must take on cultural roles that inform U.S.-born citizens and empower immigrants. He provided evidence of the lessons learned by four of his students by including their dialogic research projects with Hmong, Mexican, Assyrian/Kurdish, and Kosovar newcomers.
An Estimation Algorithm for Stochastic Linear Hybrid Systems with Continuous-State-Dependent Mode Transitions

We propose an estimation algorithm for stochastic linear hybrid systems with continuous-state-dependent mode transitions. We utilize Gaussian mixture approximations to overcome the exponentially growing complexity of the estimation problem. Furthermore, when computing the mode transition probabilities, we need to solve a multivariate integral that arises due to the continuous-state-dependent mode transition property. By Gaussian approximations, we simplify the integral and propose two methods for computing it: a Monte Carlo (MC) integration method for a general class of mode transition probability functions; and an analytical method for a special class of mode transition probability functions that can be expressed in terms of Gaussian probability density functions. We analyze the convergence and probabilistic error bound of the MC integration and demonstrate the performance of the proposed algorithm with an aircraft tracking example.
Development in Myxococcus xanthus involves differentiation into two cell types, peripheral rods and spores.

Myxococcus xanthus, a gram-negative bacterium, has a complex life cycle. In response to starvation, most cells in a population participate in the formation of multicellular aggregates (i.e., fruiting bodies) in which cells differentiate into spores. However, some cells do not enter aggregates. In this and the two accompanying reports, the biology and physiology of these nonaggregated cells is examined. A technique to separate aggregated cells from nonaggregated cells was developed; then differentiating cells at stages throughout the course of development were isolated. In this report we (i) describe peripheral rods, those cells which remain outside aggregates after aggregation has ceased in the rest of the population; (ii) document the occurrence of peripheral rods in several wild-type strains; and (iii) characterize the expression of developmentally regulated genes in both aggregated and nonaggregated cells. These studies have shown that myxobacterial hemagglutinin, protein S (Tps), protein S1 (Ops), protein C, and several phosphatase activities are expressed in cell-type-specific patterns. These data demonstrate that peripheral rods constitute a cell type distinct from either vegetatively growing cells or spores. The description of a second, late developmental cell type (in addition to spores) opens an entirely new line of investigation in M. xanthus, i.e., the regulation of the differentiation of vegetatively growing cells into two cell types that differ significantly in biology, shape, and localization within the population.
On the negative cost girth problem in planar networks

In this paper, we discuss an efficient divide-and-conquer algorithm for the negative cost girth (NCG) problem in planar networks. Recall that the girth of an unweighted graph (directed or undirected) is the length of the shortest cycle in the graph. We extend the notion of girth to arbitrarily weighted networks as follows: The negative cost girth of a graph is the number of edges in a shortest negative cost simple cycle, i.e., a negative cost cycle having the fewest number of edges. The NCG problem in general networks has been well-studied, and there exist several algorithms for this problem. Clearly, the extant algorithms for the NCG problem can be used when the input network is restricted to be planar. However, the techniques used in this paper result in an algorithm with a superior running time. Our algorithm is based on the well-known Lipton-Tarjan planar separator theorem. On a directed, weighted, planar network G = { V , E , c } with n vertices, m = O ( n ) edges, and negative cost girth k, the algorithm runs in O ( n 1.5 ? k ) time. This is a significant improvement over the O ( m ? n ? k ) = O ( n 2 ? k ) running time that results, when the fastest known topology-oblivious algorithm for the NCG problem is restricted to planar networks. Additionally, our algorithm can be extended to find the NCG in selected generalizations of planar networks.
Proteases in agricultural dust induce lung inflammation through PAR-1 and PAR-2 activation

Workers exposed to aerosolized dust present in concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) are susceptible to inflammatory lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Extracts of dust collected from hog CAFOs [hog dust extract (HDE)] are potent stimulators of lung inflammatory responses in several model systems. The observation that HDE contains active proteases prompted the present study, which evaluated the role of CAFO dust proteases in lung inflammatory processes and tested whether protease-activated receptors (PARs) are involved in the signaling pathway for these events. We hypothesized that the damaging proinflammatory effect of HDE is due, in part, to the proteolytic activation of PARs, and inhibiting the proteases in HDE or disrupting PAR activation would attenuate HDE-mediated inflammatory indexes in bronchial epithelial cells (BECs), in mouse lung slices in vitro, and in a murine in vivo exposure model. Human BECs and mouse lung slice cultures stimulated with 5% HDE released significantly more of each of the cytokines measured (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, keratinocyte-derived chemokine/CXC chemokine ligand 1, and macrophage inflammatory protein-2/CXC chemokine ligand 2) than controls, and these effects were markedly diminished by protease inhibition. Inhibition of PARs also blunted the HDE-induced cytokine release from BECs. In addition, protease depletion inhibited HDE-induced BEC intracellular PKCα and PKCe activation. C57BL/6J mice administered 12.5% HDE intranasally, either once or daily for 3 wk, exhibited increased total cellular and neutrophil influx, bronchial alveolar fluid inflammatory cytokines, lung histopathology, and inflammatory scores compared with mice receiving protease-depleted HDE. These data suggest that proteases in dust from CAFOs are important mediators of lung inflammation, and these proteases and their receptors may provide novel targets for therapeutic intervention in CAFO dust-induced airways disease.
The association between in-service sexual harassment and post-traumatic stress disorder among Department of Veterans Affairs disability applicants.

ABSTRACT Objective: The goal was to describe the association between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and in-service sexual harassment in a nationally representative sample of Department of Veterans Affairs PTSD disability applicants. Method: The study was a cross-sectional survey. Results: Of 4,918 eligible veterans, 3,337 (68%) returned surveys. Nonresponse bias appeared to be minimal. After adjustment for other reported traumas, women’s reported in-service sexual harassment severity was significantly associated with PTSD symptom severity (p < 0.0001). The effect seen was about the same size as that seen for combat exposure among the men and for in-service sexual assault among the women. Men showed no association between in-service sexual harassment and PTSD (p = 0.33), although power was low for this test. Conclusion: Sexual harassment significantly contributed to female veterans’ PTSD symptoms; its contribution to men’s symptoms was unclear. We discuss mechanisms through which sexual harassment m...
Foreword to the Special Issue on Zero Emission Research and Technology Center testing field site, Bozeman, Montana, USA

Carbon capture and storage in geologic formations is considered an important emerging technology for mitigating global climate change. Successful deployment of this technology will likely require monitoring techniques for storage verification, environmental monitoring, and public assurance. Near surface monitoring will play a vital role for public assurance, and a variety of technologies have already been implemented at other pilot sites. Other sites, however, have been appropriately selected for storage and do not leak. So while they are extremely useful for understanding deep geologic behavior of CO2 (which was the primary goal), they yield little or no information about performance of near surface detection technologies, transport of CO2 in shallow zones, and shallow zone environmental effects. The need for a site with controlled flux, the ability to start and stop flow to measure onset and recovery response times and with a large enough spatial extent to permit testing of most relevant detection technologies was recognized. The Zero Emission Research and Technology Center (ZERT, a collaborative involving three universities and six DOE national laboratories in the USA) has developed a site with controlled, shallow release of CO2. This special issue of the journal presents the results of some of these controlled experiments at the ZERT site.
Cloaking at Optical Frequencies

The ability to render objects invisible using a cloak - not detectable by an external observer - for concealing objects has been a tantalizing goal1-6. Here, we demonstrate a cloak operating in the near infrared at a wavelength of 1550 nm. The cloak conceals a deformation on a flat reflecting surface, under which an object can be hidden. The device has an area of 225 um2 and hides a region of 1.6 um2. It is composed of nanometre size silicon structures with spatially varying densities across the cloak. The density variation is defined using transformation optics to define the effective index distribution of the cloak.
FRI0527 Underlying diagnosis predicts patient-reported outcomes after revision total hip arthroplasty

Background Pain and function are the most important outcomes after hip arthroplasty. While focus has been on revision rates, less attention has been paid to factors that are associated with suboptimal patient-reported outcomes such as pain and function. Objectives To assess the association of underlying diagnosis with patient-reported outcomes (PROs) after revision total hip arthroplasty. Methods We used prospectively collected data from the Mayo Clinic Total Joint Registry, a large U.S. institutional registry, that collects pre- and post-operative pain and function outcomes using a validated Hip questionnaire in all patients who undergo THA at the Mayo Clinic. We used data on all revision THAs from 1993-2005 captured electronically in the registry. We used logistic regression to assess the odds of moderate-severe index hip pain and moderate-severe ADL limitations 2- and 5-years after revision THA. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) are presented. Results The underlying diagnosis was loosening, wear or osteolysis in 73% and 75%; dislocation, bone or prosthesis fracture, instability or non-union in 17% and 15%; and failed prior arthroplasty with components removed or infection in 11% and 11%, respectively. In multivariable-adjusted analyses that included 15-additional variables including preoperative ADL limitations, compared to patients with loosening/wear/osteolysis, patients with dislocation/fracture/instability/non-union had OR of 2.2 (95% CI, 1.3-3.5; p=0.002) and those with failed prior arthroplasty/infection had OR of 1.6 (95% CI, 1.0-2.8; p=0.06). At 5-years, ORs were lower and differences were no longer significant Moderate-severe pain did not differ significantly by diagnosis, at 2- or 5-years in multivariable adjusted analyses, with one exception, i.e. failed prior arthroplasty/infection had a trend towards significance with odds ratio of 1.9 (95% CI, 0.9-3.8; p=0.07). Conclusions Underlying diagnosis is independently associated with ADL limitations, but not pain, at 2-years after revision THA. Patients should be informed of the risk of poorer outcomes based on their diagnosis. Disclosure of Interest J. Singh Grant/research support from: takeda, Savient, Consultant for: takeda, Savient, allergan, Ardea, Regeneron, Novartis, D. Lewallen: None Declared
Theory and Simulation of Dopant Diffusion in SiGe

Strained Si-based technology has imposed a new challenge for understanding dopant implantation and diffusion in SiGe that is often used as the buffer layer for a strained Si cap layer. In this work, we describe our latest modeling effort investigating the difference in dopant implantation and diffusion between Si and SiGe. A lattice expansion theory was developed to account for the volume change due to Ge in Si and its effect on defect formation enthalpy. The theory predicts that As diffusion in SiGe is enhanced by a factor of ∼10, P diffusion by a factor of ∼2, and B diffusion is retarded by a factor of ∼6, when compared to bulk Si. These predictions are consistent with experiment. Dopant profiles for As, P, and B were simulated using process simulators FLOOPS and DIOS. The simulated profiles are in good agreement with experiment.
Picosecond Control of Photogenerated Radical Pair Lifetimes Using a Stable Third Radical.

Photoinduced electron transfer reactions in organic donor–acceptor systems leading to long-lived radical ion pairs (RPs) have attracted broad interest for their potential applications in fields as diverse as solar energy conversion and spintronics. We present the photophysics and spin dynamics of an electron donor − electron acceptor − stable radical system consisting of a meta-phenylenediamine (mPD) donor covalently linked to a 4-aminonaphthalene-1,8-dicarboximide (ANI) electron-accepting chromophore as well as an α,γ-bisdiphenylene-β-phenylallyl (BDPA) stable radical. Selective photoexcitation of ANI produces the BDPA–mPD+•–ANI–• triradical in which the mPD+•–ANI–• RP spins are strongly exchange coupled. The presence of BDPA is found to greatly increase the RP intersystem crossing rate from the initially photogenerated BDPA–1(mPD+•–ANI–•) to BDPA–3(mPD+•–ANI–•), resulting in accelerated RP recombination via the triplet channel to produce BDPA–mPD–3*ANI as compared to a reference molecule lacking the BDP...
Experimental study on mixed-burning lignite on a 1913t/h supercritical bituminous coal fired boiler equipped with LNASB

The mixed-burning test with large proportion of lignite was performed on low NOxaxis swirling burner(LNASB)of a supercritical 600MW unit once-through boiler using bituminous as the design coal.According to the conventional operation mode,optimization and adjustment on such running operational factors as pulverizing system,LNASB operating arm and air volume were conducted to make the lignite proportion on one coal mill reach 50%.For boilers with front and back wall opposed swirling combustion,on the premise of not changing the devices,the middle two layers of the burner can burning lignite with proportion of 50%;under condition with oxygen content of 4.2%and the opening degree of OFA damper of 30%,the operation state reached the best.
"She Just Doesn't Know Him Like We Do": Illuminating Complexities in Surrogate Decision Making

When patients are not able to speak for themselves, surrogate decision makers are asked to guide treatment decisions and formulate a plan of care in accordance with what the patients would have wanted. This necessitates an exploration into the patients' views about life and how it should be lived, how the patients constructed their identity or life story, and their attitudes towards sickness and suffering. When an individual appoints a surrogate, such as a healthcare power of attorney, a common presumption is that this designation evinces merit. This obscures the possibility of multiple other considerations that influence individual choice. This article presents a clinical case in which the claim to know someone best created a controversy that brought treatment decisions to a standstill. Further, it illuminates how the question, "Given the current medical condition, what would this person want?" risks presuming that a singular, unambiguous preference exists and that one person can provide the answer. Clinical ethicists can play a vital role in situations when there is a dispute among a designated surrogate and family members over a patient's preference. By embracing the complexity of the desire to synthesize seemingly irreconcilable perspectives about identity, uncovering the reasons that underlie disagreement, and guiding inquiry in such a way that allows stakeholders to move beyond the conflict, clinical ethicists can facilitate decision making that honors the patient and may mitigate moral distress.
Modeling high-order statistics in the turbulent Ekman layer

Results from a direct numerical simulation (DNS) of the neutral and unstable turbulent Ekman layer at a Reynolds number of 1000 were used to evaluate turbulence closure models. For the neutrally stratified Ekman layer, the higher-order moments of velocity were examined and the accuracy of a kurtosis model was assessed. For the unstable Ekman layer, the analysis of higher-order moments was extended to temperature-velocity correlations. Model coefficients were optimised using DNS data and it was shown that the optimised models accurately captured the distributions of all fourth-order moments. These low-Reynolds number results can be extrapolated to higher Reynolds numbers to parameterise turbulence in other flow fields with rotational effects such as the atmospheric boundary layer.
Abstract 222: D-Series Resolvins Modulate Postinjury Signaling Pathways in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Introduction: Recent work suggests that the resolution of inflammation is an active process involving specialized molecules that are locally generated. D-series resolvins (RvD) are endogenous pro-resolving lipid mediators derived from the ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). VSMC activation following vascular injury leads to neointimal hyperplasia which may reflect a relative “resolution deficit” in the vessel wall. Objectives: We sought to determine the effects of RvD on injury-related inflammatory and growth factor signaling pathways in VSMC, using in vitro and in vivo models. Hypothesis: We hypothesize that RvD will attenuate VSMC activation responses and modulate vascular injury. Methods: Human VSMC were treated with cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β), growth factors (PDGF, AngII) or oxidant stress (H 2 O 2 ) in the presence of RvD1 or RvD2 (.01-100 nM), and phenotype was assessed by cytotoxicity, proliferation, migration (transwell), monocyte adhesion (U937) and adhesion molecule expression (qPCR and flow cytometry) assays. NZW rabbits (N=4) underwent bilateral femoral balloon injury with intraluminal delivery of RvD2 (10 nM vs vehicle control) to examine acute effects (3 days) on the injury response. Results: RvD treatment of VSMC produced dose-dependent inhibition of VSMC proliferation (max %inhibition: RvD1 58.8%, p Conclusion: RvD broadly inhibit VSMC activation responses and may modulate the vascular injury response in-vivo .
Generalizations of the theory and deployment of triangular inequality for compiler-based strength reduction

Triangular Inequality (TI) has been used in many manual algorithm designs to achieve good efficiency in solving some distance calculation-based problems. This paper presents our generalization of the idea into a compiler optimization technique, named TI-based strength reduction. The generalization consists of three parts. The first is the establishment of the theoretic foundation of this new optimization via the development of a new form of TI named Angular Triangular Inequality, along with several fundamental theorems. The second is the revealing of the properties of the new forms of TI and the proposal of guided TI adaptation, a systematic method to address the difficulties in effective deployments of TI optimizations. The third is an integration of the new optimization technique in an open-source compiler. Experiments on a set of data mining and machine learning algorithms show that the new technique can speed up the standard implementations by as much as 134X and 46X on average for distance-related problems, outperforming previous TI-based optimizations by 2.35X on average. It also extends the applicability of TI-based optimizations to vector related problems, producing tens of times of speedup.
Curriculum Mapping as a Strategy for Supporting Teachers in the Articulation of Learning Goals

ABSTRACTThis article describes and provides supporting empirical evidence of a curriculum mapping strategy to aid elementary school science teachers to articulate learning goals for a given curriculum and thus build a deeper understanding of the science content embedded within the curriculum. Seven teachers used the mapping strategy to collaboratively map out the learning goals for the science kit units they use in their classrooms. Three elements of the mapping strategy, conceptualized as components of culturally mediated learning, were found to be important contributors to the teachers’ understanding of the units: the physical mapping table, the construct of types of knowledge (declarative, procedural, and schematic), and the process of collaborative sense making. Through the mapping, the teachers became more able to identify the learning targets of each lesson, understand how each aspect of the unit adds to or is peripheral to the trajectory toward achieving the learning goals, and adjust their teachin...
Novel Organelles with Elements of Bacterial and Eukaryotic Secretion Systems Weaponize Parasites of Drosophila

Summary The evolutionary success of parasitoid wasps, a highly diverse group of insects widely used in biocontrol, depends on a variety of life history strategies in conflict with those of their hosts [1]. Drosophila melanogaster is a natural host of parasitic wasps of the genus Leptopilina . Attack by L. boulardi ( Lb ), a specialist wasp to flies of the melanogaster group, activates NF-κB-mediated humoral and cellular immunity. Inflammatory blood cells mobilize and encapsulate Lb eggs and embryos [2–5]. L. heterotoma ( Lh ), a generalist wasp, kills larval blood cells and actively suppresses immune responses. Spiked virus-like particles (VLPs) in wasp venom have clearly been linked to wasps' successful parasitism of Drosophila [6], but the composition of VLPs and their biotic nature have remained mysterious. Our proteomics studies reveal that VLPs lack viral coat proteins but possess a pharmacopoeia of (1) the eukaryotic vesicular transport system, (2) immunity, and (3) previously unknown proteins. These novel proteins distinguish Lh from Lb VLPs; notably, some proteins specific to Lh VLPs possess sequence similarities with bacterial secretion system proteins. Structure-informed analyses of an abundant Lh VLP surface and spike-tip protein, p40, reveal similarities to the needle-tip invasin proteins SipD and IpaD of Gram-negative bacterial type-3 secretion systems that breach immune barriers and deliver virulence factors into mammalian cells. Our studies suggest that Lh VLPs represent a new class of extracellular organelles and share pathways for protein delivery with both eukaryotic microvesicles and bacterial surface secretion systems. Given their mixed prokaryotic and eukaryotic properties, we propose the term mixed-strategy extracellular vesicle (MSEV) to replace VLP.
The strange geometry of skip-gram with negative sampling

Despite their ubiquity, word embeddings trained with skip-gram negative sampling (SGNS) remain poorly understood. We find that vector positions are not simply determined by semantic similarity, but rather occupy a narrow cone, diametrically opposed to the context vectors. We show that this geometric concentration depends on the ratio of positive to negative examples, and that it is neither theoretically nor empirically inherent in related embedding algorithms.
Establishing a Factor Model for Aesthetic Preference for Visual Complexity of Brand Logo

Brand logo design has been extensively studied, yet little research has tapped into visual complexity and how it influences aesthetic preference for logo design. Past research proposed three major ...
Parallel State Duties: Ninth Circuit Class Actions Premised on Violations of the FDCA Reporting Requirements

Recent Ninth Circuit decisions suggest the court's willingness to accommodate plaintiffs that bring product liability cases against manufacturers who fail to comply with the FDCA's adverse event reporting requirements. Moreover, the developments in federal case law explain that a manufacturer's reporting duties in such suits extend only to the FDA and not individual medical providers. This may create a degree of commonality among potential claimants such that class treatment under Fed. R. Civ. P. 23 is appropriate, but the Fairness in Class Action Litigation Act of 2017 threatens to make such an approach infeasible if passed by Congress.
Multidose Botulinum Toxin A for Intralaryngeal Injection: A Cost Analysis

Summary Objectives Botulinum toxin A (BtxA) injection is the mainstay treatment for laryngeal dystonias. BtxA product labeling states that reconstituted toxin should be used within 4 hours on a single patient despite several studies that have demonstrated multidose BtxA to be safe and effective. Many insurance carriers mandate the use of an outside pharmacy which necessitates a single-use approach. This study compares the cost savings of multidose BtxA for laryngeal dystonia compared to single-use. Study Design This is a retrospective review and projected cost savings analysis. Methods Records and billing information were reviewed for patients receiving BtxA for intralaryngeal injection at a single laryngology division in 2015. Inclusion criteria included CPT 64617 or J0585; exclusion criteria included CPT 64616. The price of BtxA 100 unit vial for calculation was $670. Results A total of 142 patients were seen for intralaryngeal BtxA injection resulting in 337 visits over 1 year. The average BtxA dose per visit was 2.86 units with an average of 3.06 procedure visits per year. The calculated cost of BtxA treatment using a single vial approach was found to be $2,050 per patient per year. If billed instead for $7/unit with 5 units wastage charge per visit, the yearly per patient charge is $168. Single vial-use of BtxA injection thus represents a 1,118% price increase versus multidose use. When estimated for yearly prevalence of spasmodic dysphonia, multidose BtxA use would save almost $100 million annually. Conclusions Multidose botulinum toxin A application utilizing per unit billing is significantly less expensive than per single-use vial billing and would save the health-care system significant amount of money without any sacrifice in safety or effectiveness.
Genomics of Peritoneal Malignancies

The peritoneum protects the intraabdominal organs. This function is exploited by aggressive cancers originating from organs within the abdomen, resulting in peritoneal metastasis. We discuss genomic variants that may lead to peritoneal metastasis from multiple cancers. Peritoneal malignancies are attributed to epithelial-mesenchymal transition. These metastatic lesions harbor similar genetic mutations to the primary tumor yet may manifest clone-specific aberrations that promote propagation. Peritoneal metastasis are increasingly being treated with surgical resection as an adjunct to radiation, chemotherapy, and other biologic therapies. We describe genetic and genomic variances that are predictive markers for metastasis and burgeoning indicators for peritoneal malignancies.
Lifting elementary embeddings j : V λ → V λ

We describe a fairly general procedure for preserving I3 embeddings j: Vλ → Vλ via λ-stage reverse Easton iterated forcings. We use this method to prove that, assuming the consistency of an I3 embedding, V = HOD is consistent with the theory ZFC + WA where WA is an axiom schema in the language {∈, j} asserting a strong but not inconsistent form of “there is an elementary embedding V → V”. This improves upon an earlier result in which consistency was established assuming an I1 embedding.
Experimental characterization and physics-based modeling of the temperature-dependent diffuse reflectance of plasma-sprayed Nd2Zr2O7 in the near to short-wave infrared.

Supercontinuum-laser illumination in conjunction with CO2-laser heating has been implemented to measure the near to short-wave infrared (970–1660 nm) diffuse reflectance of plasma-sprayed Nd2Zr2O7 as a function of temperature. Owing to the broadband nature of this experimental technique, the diffuse reflectance of plasma-sprayed Nd2Zr2O7 has been measured at many wavelengths and has been shown to decrease with increasing temperature. A physics-based model for diffuse reflectance predicated on the crystal/electronic band structure of highly scattering semiconductor materials has been constructed to interpret the results of these measurements. Baseline materials characterization has also been performed to assist in the development of crystal/electronic band structure-optical property relationships that could be useful for the design of next-generation environmental barrier coatings. This characterization has included ambient and non-ambient x-ray diffraction as well as room-temperature, integrating-sphere diffuse reflectance spectroscopy.
Homophily and Social Network Engagement: Evidence From a Video Gaming Platform

I estimate how increased similarity with one’s friends in a social network member leads one to engage further with the social network. Participation is modeled based on user utility derived both from participating in events close to their preferred “location” and from their friends’ simultaneous participation in the event. This suggests that, even after controlling for network structure, focal users will participate more as their friends’ preferences move closer to their own. These implications are tested using panel data from an online video gaming network. Homophily is measured by similarity in recent past video game playing choices. Because the data track users over time, I am able to test effects from deviations in similarity measures from week to week. Decomposing similarity measures based on whether the focal user’s, or her friends’, preferences are changing which helps to identify causal effects. The evidence supports a large increase in engagement from increased homophily. Platform managers can profitably incorporate these effects into their CRM systems.
Optimal Feature Selection for the Detection of Autonomic Dysreflexia in Individuals with Tetraplegia

Autonomic dysreflexia (AD) is a common post-secondary health condition in individuals with spinal cord injuries. Common symptoms include severe headaches, sweating above the level of injury and if the symptoms are not managed, they escalate to cause hemorrhagic strokes or even death. Currently individuals are taught to be aware of their triggers and symptoms, but it is extremely difficult for newly injured individuals to be trained. We developed a physiological telemetry system which uses commercially available sensors and a support vector machine to detect AD with a high level of accuracy. In this paper, we determined how physiological features which can be used in the detection of AD should be optimally weighted to develop the most sensitive detection model. We compared two different weighting methods including feature importance and recursive feature elimination (RFE). Linear SVMs developed with the weights were then evaluated based on their performance in detection of AD. The accuracy of AD detection was improved to 97.38% with a sensitivity of 86.78% through the development of a linear SVM with the optimal weights of the three features
Acceleration of charged particles to extremely large energies by a sub-Dreicer electric field

Acceleration of a fraction of initially low-energy electrons in a cold, collisional plasma to energies orders of magnitude larger than thermal is shown to be possible with a sub-Dreicer electric field. Because such an electric field does not satisfy the runaway condition, any acceleration will be statistical. Random scattering collisions are probabilistic such that there is 63% chance that a particle collides after traveling one mean free path and a 37% chance of not colliding. If one considers only the electrons that do not collide on traversing a mean free path and also considers that the collisional mean free path scales quadratically with particle kinetic energy, one realizes that there will be a small fraction of electrons that never collide and are accelerated to increasingly high energy. Because the mean free path scales quadratically with kinetic energy, after each successfully traveled mean free path, continued acceleration becomes more likely. This model is applied to an MHD-driven plasma jet experiment at Caltech and it is shown that electrons are accelerated by an electric field associated with a fast magnetic reconnection event occurring as the jet breaks apart. This statistical acceleration model indicates that a fraction ∼1.3 × 10−7 of electrons with initial energy distributed according to a Maxwellian with T = 2 eV will be accelerated to 6 keV in the Caltech experiment and then collide to produce the observed X-ray signal. It is shown that the statistical acceleration model provides a credible explanation for the production of solar energetic electrons.
Towards expressive input for character dialogue in digital games

While there has been work in interactive narrative built using theory and practice from theater, it has mostly focused on the structure of narrative and how a player's interaction with the plot alters that structure. How a player interacts has usually been tied to common game interaction paradigms. There is an understanding that a videogame player exists somewhere between an audience member and a stage actor---but rarely are players allowed to express themselves in a manner similar to an actor. This paper argues that the acting and directing knowledge of theater is a potentially bountiful resource for designing player and NPC interactions. To illustrate this, the paper presents a literature review of theatrical methodology, its existing relationship to games, and a survey of projects in the interactive narrative and character interaction spaces. The chosen theater practices provide a useful basis for a new type of interaction between players and non-player characters. Additionally, particularly when looking at acting practices, their major concerns with the relationship between character and actor provide useful language to describe and further explore the relationship between the player and their avatar. Finally, this paper proposes one possible way of building systems to encourage new modes of play and alter the relationship between designers, systems, and players.
Customized versus Population Growth Standards for Morbidity and Mortality Risk Stratification Using Ultrasonographic Fetal Growth Assessment at 22 to 29 Weeks' Gestation.

Objective The aim of study is to compare the performance of ultrasonographic customized and population fetal growth standards for prediction adverse perinatal outcomes. Study Design This was a secondary analysis of the Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study: Monitoring Mothers-to-Be, in which l data were collected at visits throughout pregnancy and after delivery. Percentiles were assigned to estimated fetal weights (EFWs) measured at 22 to 29 weeks using the Hadlock population standard and a customized standard ( www.gestation.net ). Areas under the curve were compared for the prediction of composite and severe composite perinatal morbidity using EFW percentile. Results Among 8,701 eligible study participants, the population standard diagnosed more fetuses with fetal growth restriction (FGR) than the customized standard (5.5 vs. 3.5%, p The population standard diagnosed FGR among black women and Hispanic women at nearly double the rate it did among white women (p Conclusion At 22 to 29 weeks' gestation, EFW percentile alone poorly predicts perinatal morbidity whether using customized or population fetal growth standards. The population standard diagnoses FGR at increased rates in subgroups not at increased risk of morbidity and at lower rates in subgroups at increased risk of morbidity, whereas the customized standard does not.
ENT/head and neckENT emergencies

Airway emergencies, including any lesion that compromises the upper airway, can be life-threatening. Stridor, acute epiglottitis, an inhaled foreign body and a patient with bleeding tonsils require a prompt, methodical approach. Clear communication and cooperation between anaesthetist and surgeon is vital.
Clinical Development and Evaluation of Megavoltage Topogram for Fast Patient Alignment on Helical Tomotherapy.

Abstract Purpose To develop and evaluate a fast patient localization tool using megavoltage (MV)-topogram on helical tomotherapy. Methods and Materials Eighty-one MV-topogram pairs for 18 pelvis patients undergoing radiation were acquired weekly under an institutional review board–approved clinical trial. The MV-topogram imaging protocol requires 2 orthogonal acquisitions at static gantry angles of 0 degrees and 90 degrees for a programed scan length. A MATLAB based in-house software was developed to reconstruct the MV-topograms offline. Reference images (digitally reconstructed topograms, digitally reconstructed topograms) were generated using the planning computed tomography and tomotherapy geometry. The MV-topogram based alignment was determined by registering the MV-topograms to the digitally reconstructed topogram using bony landmark on commercial MIM software. The daily shifts in 3 translational directions determined from MV-topograms were compared with the megavoltage computed tomography (MVCT) based patient shifts. Linear-regression and two one-sided tests equivalence tests were performed to investigate the relation and equivalence between the 2 techniques. Seventy-eight MV-topogram pairs for 19 head and neck patients were included to validate the finding. Results The magnitudes of alignment differences of (MVCT − MV-topogram) (and standard deviations) were −0.3 ± 2.1, −0.8 ± 2.4, and 1.6 ± 1.7 mm for pelvis and 0.6 ± 1.2, 0.8 ± 4.2, 1.6 ± 2.6 mm for head and neck; the linear-regression coefficients between 2 imaging techniques were 1.18, 1.10, 0.94, and 0.86, 0.63, 0.38 in the lateral, longitudinal, vertical directions for pelvis and head and neck, respectively. The acquisition time for a pair of MV-topograms was up to 12.7 times less than MVCT scans (coarse scan mode) while covering longer longitudinal length. Conclusions MV-topograms showed equivalent clinical performance to the standard MVCT with significantly less acquisition time for pelvis and H&N patients. The MV-topogram can be used as an alternative or complimentary tool for bony landmark-based patient alignment on tomotherapy.
Evaluation for Primary Hyperparathyroidism in Patients Who Present With Nephrolithiasis

Abstract: Background The incidence of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP) is likely underestimated. Nephrolithiasis may indicate PHP with indication for parathyroidectomy. We sought to determine the proportion of patients with an index diagnosis of nephrolithiasis that have serum calcium levels measured, parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels measured if hypercalcemic, and time to referral for definitive management if PHP is diagnosed. Methods A single-institution retrospective review was performed of adult patients presenting with nephrolithiasis between July 1, 2016 and December 31, 2018. Exclusion criteria included currently admitted patients, prior nephrolithiasis, congenital or acquired urinary tract anomalies, and patients on calciuretics. Records were assessed for serum calcium and PTH measurement, as well as referrals. Univariate statistical analysis was performed. Results Of 1782 patients with nephrolithiasis screened, 968 met inclusion criteria. Patients were 49.8% female, 88.9% white. Mean age was 53 y. Within this cohort, 620 (64.0%) patients had a calcium measured, with a mean elapsed time from presentation of 27 d (interquartile range [IQR] 0-8). Twelve patients (1.58%) with calcium measured were hypercalcemic and eight (66.7%) had PTH measured with a mean elapsed time from presentation of 183 d (IQR 72-310), all had elevated or non-suppressed PTH. Five (62.5%) were referred to surgeons with mean elapsed referral time of 270 d (IQR 95-492). Conclusions Many with index nephrolithiasis are not assessed for hypercalcemia or hyperparathyroidism. Patients with serum calcium and PTH values indicating PHP diagnosis may have significant delay to parathyroidectomy. Targeted interventions with electronic health record alerts or automated reflex testing may improve care in this domain.