cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Agroecology and Geographical Indications at the WTO and in the EU Between Magic and Rationality: ‘Reinventing’ Marketing Designations to Preserve Rural Economy, Cultural Heritage and the Environment

Agro-ecology and Geographical Indications (GIs) share the underlying assumption that traditional agriculture, as opposed to agro-alimentary industry, is the most effective production paradigm to keep balanced levels of production while preserving economic value, culture, traditions and the environment. The EU and some DCs and LDCs promote GIs at the WTO (TRIPS Council) as cultural and environment-friendly marketing tools to foster sustainable development and traditional agriculture, also protected as ‘cultural expression’ and ‘intangible heritage’ by the UNESCO Conventions. US, Canada, Australia and some DCs oppose this view claiming that GIs effectiveness as ‘cultural guardians’ and ‘income generators’ or ‘environmental tools’ is unproven. GIs did not prevent in the 1990s both the abandonment of traditional grapes in Tuscany to align local wines to international taste (‘Supertuscans’) and the rise of Australian wine exports at the expense of the European ones. However, a rigorous legal and economic assessment shows that GIs are designations used in global markets to distinguish ‘niche’ products with an essential link with the terroir and that they command an ‘extra-price’ from consumers in exchange for ‘quality’. Thus, economic success and, eventually, traditions and biodiversity preservation are not a legal automatism but depend on public recognition. The decrease in EU world wine exports of the 1990s might be also related, more than to the failure of GIs provisions, to the surge of new wine-producing countries and the wave of Wine Trade Agreements signed by the EU (Australia, Chile, South Africa), providing for the prohibition of free-riding on EU famous names and forcing the use of local designations. A sample review of ‘quality regulations’ of selected EU GIs provides evidence of some excellent standards designed to protect traditions and the environment, but this is not always true. As the normative demand for traditional and environmental standards appears not to be strictly binding in EU GIs law but rather a ‘non easily enforceable’ invitation to act, CSR incentives at EU or Member States level may enhance voluntary adoption of best practices, so as to increase cultural, social and environmental added value in GIs quality regulations (but also geographical collective marks), together with greater coordination of public policies that have a bear on GIs earning potential. This may prove effective also in exceptional cases as part of the policies to face plant epidemics (such as the ‘Xylella’ bacterium in the South of Italy), environmental accidents or excessive urbanization and depletion of agrobiodiversity and as a tool to ease coordination and restructuring of production to face increased competition on the global markets, while counterbalancing negative perceptions by the public.
ObamaCare-The Way of the Dodo.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act's provisions will drive up premiums, increase unemployment, and spend money the government doesn't have.
Representing the UMLS® semantic network using OWL

The Semantic Network, a component of the Unified Medical Language System® (UMLS), describes core biomedical knowledge consisting of semantic types and relationships. It is a well established, semiformal ontology in widespread use for over a decade. We expected to "publish" this ontology on the Semantic Web, using OWL, with relatively little effort. However, we ran into a number of problems concerning alternative interpretations of the SN notation and the inability to express some of the interpretations in OWL. We detail these problems, as a cautionary tale to others planning to publish pre-existing ontologies on the Semantic Web, as a list of issues to consider when describing formally concepts in any ontology, and as a collection of criteria for evaluating alternative representations, which could form part of a methodology of ontology development.
Prohibitive Cost of HIV/AIDS Therapy in the United States.

There are U.S. regulations on drug sales by Internet pharmacies; there is a need to make life-sustaining drugs available at prices more people can afford. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
Packet Switch with Internally Buffered Crossbars

This chapter presents an overview of internally buffered crossbar switches as a feasible and attractive alternative to high-performance packet switches for the next generation networks. This type of switch requires that memory works at the same speed as that for IB switches to provide high switching performance. Most internally buffered switches have been shown to outperform IB switches and to emulate OB switches with a speedup no more than 2. Therefore, internally buffered switches result in an economic and efficient solution to the implementation of packet switches. Issues remaining for future research include the provisioning of guaranteed services using internally buffered crossbar switches and the resolution of scalability issues. As line rates continue to increase and memory speedup falls behind, new architectures with more memory-efficient strategies will be needed.
Many-body effect determines the selectivity for Ca2+ and Mg2+ in proteins.

Calcium ion is a versatile messenger in many cell-signaling processes. To achieve their functions, calcium-binding proteins selectively bind Ca 2+ against a background of competing ions such as Mg 2+ . The high specificity of calcium-binding proteins has been intriguing since Mg 2+ has a higher charge density than Ca 2+ and is expected to bind more tightly to the carboxylate groups in calcium-binding pockets. Here, we showed that the specificity for Ca 2+ is dictated by the many-body polarization effect, which is an energetic cost arising from the dense packing of multiple residues around the metal ion. Since polarization has stronger distance dependence compared with permanent electrostatics, the cost associated with the smaller Mg 2+ is much higher than that with Ca 2+ and outweighs the electrostatic attraction favorable for Mg 2+ . With the AMOEBA (atomic multipole optimized energetics for biomolecular simulation) polarizable force field, our simulations captured the relative binding free energy between Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ for proteins with various types of binding pockets and explained the nonmonotonic size dependence of the binding free energy in EF-hand proteins. Without electronic polarization, the smaller ions are always favored over larger ions and the relative binding free energy is roughly proportional to the net charge of the pocket. The many-body effect depends on both the number and the arrangement of charged residues. Fine-tuning of the ion selectivity could be achieved by combining the many-body effect and geometric constraint.
Enabling D/design Through Curriculum, Collaboration, and Cognition

Developing and maintaining a designerly mindset requires a combination of factors. By working with other disciplines, the practice of design becomes contextually relevant to the problem at hand while demonstrating its inherent force multiplying effects. Domain-specific knowledge and the design process enable contextual solutions. This act of practice and performance is enabled through interdisciplinary collaboration, planned curriculum, and understanding the type of student that is being “shaped.”
Low HIV testing rates among US women who report anal sex and other HIV sexual risk behaviors, 2011-2015

Objective In 2016, 19% of HIV diagnoses were in women. About 40% of HIV infections in women aged 18–34 years have been attributed to anal sex, suggesting that women who report high risk behaviors such as anal sex might benefit from HIV testing and prevention with preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP). In this analysis, we estimated HIV testing rates among women who reported anal sex. Study Design We analyzed data from the 2011–2015 National Survey of Family Growth to estimate the proportion of sexually active, nonpregnant US women aged 15-44 years who had an HIV test within the past year, stratified by those who reported anal sex and other risk factors, including ≥2 sexual partners, condomless sex with a new partner or multiple partners, gonorrhea in the past year, or any history of syphilis. Results Overall, 7.9 million of 42.4 million sexually active, nonpregnant US women (18.7%) reported an HIV test within the past year. Among 42.4 million sexually active women, 9.0 million (20.1%) reported they had anal sex in the past year. Among these 9.0 million women, 19.2% reported that their providers asked about their type of intercourse, and 20.1% reported an HIV test within the past year. Overall, HIV testing was higher among women who reported anal sex and reported that their providers asked about type of sex than those whose provider did not ask (37.8% vs 15.9%; P Conclusion Overall, HIV testing rates within the past year were low among women with sexual behaviors that increase their risk of acquiring HIV and especially low among those who reported anal sex. Early detection and treatment of HIV, and HIV prevention with PrEP, are effective health services that protect women’s health and well-being but that can be offered only based on HIV testing results. Women’s health care providers are uniquely poised to assess risk for acquiring HIV, including taking a sexual history that asks about anal sex, and performing HIV testing to identify women who need HIV treatment or might benefit from PrEP.
Abstract WP59: A Clot Burden Score Predicts Functional Outcome and Neurological Complications After Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis

Background and purpose: Involvement of deep venous structures is associated with worse outcomes in patients with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST); however, the impact of clot burden has not ...
Low Utilization of Beta-Blockers Among Medicare Beneficiaries Hospitalized for Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction.

Abstract Background The evidence-based beta-blockers carvedilol, bisoprolol, and metoprolol succinate reduce mortality and hospitalizations among patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Use of these medications is not well described in the general population of patients with HFrEF, especially among patients with potential contraindications. Objectives Our goal was to describe the patterns of prescription fills for carvedilol, bisoprolol, and metoprolol succinate among Medicare beneficiaries hospitalized for HFrEF, as well as to estimate the associations between specific contraindications for beta-blocker therapy and those patterns. Methods and Results With the use of the cohort of 15,205 Medicare beneficiaries hospitalized for HFrEF from 2007 to 2013 in the 5% Medicare random sample, we described prescription fills (30 days after discharge) and dosage patterns (1 year after discharge) for beta-blockers. By means of of Fine and Gray competing risk models, we estimated the associations between potential contraindications (hypotension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], asthma, and syncope) and prescription fill and dosing patterns while adjusting for demographics, comorbidities, and health care utilization. For beneficiaries who did not die or readmitted to the hospital, 38% of hospitalizations were followed by a prescription fill for an evidence-based beta-blocker within 30 days, 12% were followed by prescription fills for at least 50% of the recommended dose of an evidence-based beta-blocker within 1 year, and 9% were followed by a prescription fill for an up-titrated dose of an evidence-based beta-blocker within 1 year. The prevalence of the contraindications were 21% for hypotension, 48% for COPD, 15% for asthma, and 12% for syncope. Among beneficiaries who did not fill a prescription for an evidence-based beta-blocker within 30 days, 67% had at least 1 of these contraindications. Hypotension, COPD, and syncope were each associated with a ∼10% lower risk of filling a prescription for an evidence-based beta-blocker. Conclusions Prescription fill and up-titration rates for evidence-based beta-blockers are low among Medicare beneficiaries with HFrEF, but contraindications explain only a minor part of these low rates.
A randomized pilot study comparing graft-first to fistula-first strategies in older patients with incident end-stage kidney disease: Clinical rationale and study design

Timely placement of an arteriovenous (AV) vascular access (native AV fistula [AVF] or prosthetic AV graft [AVG]) is necessary to limit the use of tunneled central venous catheters (TCVC) in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) treated with hemodialysis (HD). National guidelines recommend placement of AVF as the AV access of first choice in all patients to improve patient survival. The benefits of AVF over AVG are less certain in the older adults, as age-related biological changes independently modulate patient outcomes. This manuscript describes the rationale, study design and protocol for a randomized controlled pilot study of the feasibility and effects of AVG-first access placement in older adults with no prior AV access surgery. Fifty patients age ≥65 years, with incident ESKD on HD via TCVC or advanced kidney disease facing imminent HD initiation, and suitable upper extremity vasculature for initial placement of an AVF or AVG, will be randomly assigned to receive either an upper extremity AVG-first (intervention) or AVF-first (comparator) access. The study will establish feasibility of randomizing older adults to the two types of AV access surgery, evaluate relationships between measurements of preoperative physical function and vascular access development, compare vascular access outcomes between groups, and gather longitudinal assessments of upper extremity muscle strength, gait speed, performance of activities of daily living, and patient satisfaction with their vascular access and quality of life. Results will assist with the planning of a larger, multicenter trial assessing patient-centered outcomes.
Utilization of near infrared fluorescence imaging to track and quantify the pulmonary retention of single-walled carbon nanotubes in mice

Abstract As nanomaterials are used in a wide array of applications, investigations regarding health impacts associated with inhalation are a concern. Reports show that exposure to single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) can induce fibrosis, allergic-type reactions, and pathogen susceptibility. Airway clearance is known to play a primary role in these disease states, yet SWCNT detection in biological systems is challenging. Common techniques, such as electron microscopy, lack spatial resolution and specificity to delineate SWCNTs in carbon-based organisms. Here we validated a near-infrared fluorescence imaging (NIRFI) system to track and semi-quantify SWCNTs over 21 days in tissues of mice exposed intratracheally to 1 dose of SWCNTs. In tandem, we optimized a NIRF-based spectrometry method to quantify SWCNTs, showing that NIRFI was consistent with SWCNT burdens quantified by NIRF spectroscopy in whole lung tissue homogenates. Finally, NIRFI was utilized to localize SWCNTs on lung tissue sections used for pathological analysis. Results revealed that SWCNTs remained in the lung over 21 days and were consistent with alveolar wall restructuring and granuloma formation. This study is the first to quantify SWCNTs in mouse lungs using both semi-quantitative tracking and quantitative mass measurements using NIRF, highlighting this as a sensitive and specific technique for assessing SWCNT clearance in vivo.
Estimating Fatigue in the Main Bearings of Wind Turbines Using Experimental Data

Axial bearing failures, in modern wind turbines, have been one of the major sources of unplanned maintenance expenses for the wind energy business. Although the causes of such failures are unclear, its statistics do increase in wind farms where the wind conditions range in considerably larger spans. It is common belief that torsional vibrations, combined with axial ones resulting from these extreme wind conditions are the major causes of high cycle, fatigue affecting the bearing. In this study, the strain measurements on blades are used to estimate the internal force time histories at the location of the main bearing. A rigid body equilibrium analysis was performed using moments and forces measured at the blades to estimate the force and moments acting on the low speed shaft. Experimental wind data was used to compare the difference between strong wind speed events and low wind speed events. The approach uses the blade bending-moments to isolate the axial excitations and is validated by measured data from an instrumented turbine with four interferometric strain sensors and four temperature sensors for each blade. The instrumented turbine is part of an onshore wind farm site, in Cohocton, NY, where wind conditions span in a large range and turbines are often placed in stop conditions. Preliminary data has shown some large excitations that could eventually lead to crack initiation.
Heterogeneity of Latina/os’ acculturative experiences in the National Latino and Asian American Study: a latent profile analysis

Abstract Purpose This study characterized unobserved subgroups of acculturative experiences among a nationally representative sample of U.S.-residing Latina/os (n = 2541) from the National Latino and Asian American Study. Methods Latent profile analysis was used to characterize the sample by acculturative experiences using nine-factor score indicators regarding discrimination, neighborhood context, family environment, acculturation (language use and preference), and enculturation (ethnic identity). Predictors of profile membership are also examined, including sociodemographics, Latina/o heritage (i.e., ethnic group), generational status, and two acculturative stress domains (legal and interpersonal). Results Four Latina/o subgroups were identified based on acculturative experiences. Profiles were differentiated by family context, neighborhood context, and discrimination: (1) positive experiences (n = 1,743, 69%), (2) cohesive conflict (n = 424, 17%), (3) marginalized conflict (n = 237, 9%), and (4) marginalized (n = 137, 5%). Generational status, heritage, and marital status were the salient predictors of profile membership. Among the foreign-born sample (n = 1617), legal acculturative stress also predicted profile membership. Conclusions Latina/os have heterogeneous experiences living in the United States. Discrimination, family context, and neighborhood environment are more related to varying experiences as opposed to traditional measures of acculturation and enculturation. Future research should characterize Latina/o heterogeneity using these experiences rather than strictly by observed demographics, such as heritage or generational status.
An Approach for Uncertainty Quantification and Management of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Health

The increasing interest in low-altitude unmanned aerial vehi- cle (UAV) operations is bringing along safety concerns. Per- formance of small, low-cost UAVs drastically changes with type, size and controller of the vehicle. Their reliability is sig- nificantly lower when compared to reliability of commercial aircraft, and the availability of on-board sensors for health and state awareness is extremely limited due to their size and propulsion capabilities. Uncertainty plays a dominant role in such a scenario, where a variety of UAVs of differ- ent size, propulsion systems, dynamic performance and reli- ability enters the low-altitude airspace. Unexpected failures could have dangerous consequences for both equipment and humans within that same airspace. As a result, a number of research tasks and methodologies are being proposed in the area of UAV dynamic modeling, health and safety monitor- ing, but uncertainty quantification is rarely addressed. Thus, this paper proposes a perspective towards uncertainty quan- tification for autonomous systems, giving special emphasis to UAV health monitoring application. A formal approach to classify uncertainty is presented; it is utilized to identify the uncertainty sources in UAVs health and operations, and then map uncertainty within a predictive process. To show the application of the methodology proposed here, the design of a model-based powertrain health monitoring algorithm for small-size UAVs is presented as case study. The example il- lustrates how the uncertainty quantification approach can help the modeling strategy, as well as the assessment of diagnostic and prognostic performance.
Immunotherapy approaches for peanut allergy

Introduction: Peanut allergy has continued to increase in prevalence and despite efforts to prevent the allergy with early peanut introduction, treatments for those already with the allergy have been lacking. While the physical effects of peanut allergy have been well known, what has more recently begun to be discussed are the broad psychosocial and financial implications that are also related to the allergy. Oral (OIT), epicutaneous (EPIT), and sublingual (SLIT) immunotherapy have been developed as potential treatments for peanut allergy.Areas covered: Pivotal clinical trials in OIT, EPIT, and SLIT from the past 10 years are reviewed in this manuscript. Peanut OIT has been shown to induce strong desensitization; however, side effects and safety of the treatment have remained a concern. Peanut EPIT has demonstrated a reassuring safety profile but with a more modest protective effect. Peanut SLIT has remained behind in development but recent studies have suggested a balance of desensitization, safety, and convenience.Expert opinion: There are no perfect treatments for peanut allergy and OIT, EPIT, and SLIT each has its unique pros and cons. Shared decision-making between patients and providers will be essential to achieve optimal care for patients with peanut allergy.
Fatal Lung Toxicity After Intralesional Bleomycin Sclerotherapy of a Vascular Malformation.

Although there has been increased utilization of bleomycin in the treatment of low-flow vascular malformations in children, previous studies report minor adverse effects limited to skin changes/necrosis and flu-like symptoms (Horbach et al. in J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 69(3):295–304, 2016). However, there have been rare reported cases of pulmonary injury observed in children after bleomycin intralesional administration. We report a case of fatal lung toxicity in a 15-month-old girl after injecting 7 units of bleomycin into a left cheek macrocystic lymphatic malformation. 1 week after therapy, she developed respiratory distress with imaging findings of pneumothorax and diffuse alveolar damage. Despite extensive management and resuscitative efforts of presumed pneumonitis, further decline resulted in death via respiratory failure. Early detection of pulmonary toxicity would allow prompt therapy and could avoid significant pulmonary damage.
Subpopulations of Stressed Yersinia pseudotuberculosis Preferentially Survive Doxycycline Treatment within Host Tissues.

ABSTRACT Severe systemic bacterial infections result in colonization of deep tissues, which can be very difficult to eliminate with antibiotics. It remains unclear if this is because antibiotics are not reaching inhibitory concentrations within tissues, if subsets of bacteria are less susceptible to antibiotics, or if both contribute to limited treatment efficacy. To detect exposure to doxycycline (Dox) present in deep tissues following treatment, we generated a fluorescent transcriptional reporter derived from the tet operon to specifically detect intracellular tetracycline exposure at the single bacterial cell level. Dox exposure was detected in the spleen 2 h after intraperitoneal injection, and by 4 h postinjection, this treatment resulted in a significant decrease in viable Yersinia pseudotuberculosis bacteria in the spleen. Nitric oxide-stressed bacteria preferentially survived treatment, suggesting that stress was sufficient to alter Dox susceptibility. Many bacteria (∼10%) survived a single dose of Dox, and the antibiotic accumulated at the periphery of microcolonies to growth inhibitory concentrations until 48 h posttreatment. After this time point, antibiotic concentrations decreased and bacterial growth resumed. Dox-treated mice eventually succumbed to the infection, albeit with significantly prolonged survival relative to that of untreated mice. These results indicate that Dox delivery by intraperitoneal injection results in rapid diffusion of inhibitory concentrations of antibiotic into the spleen, but stressed cells preferentially survive drug treatment, and bacterial growth resumes once drug concentrations decrease. This fluorescent reporter strategy for antibiotic detection could easily be modified to detect the concentration of additional antimicrobial compounds within host tissues following drug administration. IMPORTANCE Bacterial infections are very difficult to treat when bacteria spread into the bloodstream and begin to replicate within deep tissues, such as the spleen. Subsets of bacteria can survive antibiotic treatment, but it remains unclear if this survival is because of limited drug diffusion into tissues, or if there are changes within the bacteria, promoting survival of some bacterial cells. Here, we have developed a fluorescent reporter to detect doxycycline (Dox) diffusion into host tissues, and we show that Dox impacts the bacterial population within hours of administration and inhibits bacterial growth for 48 h. However, bacterial growth resumes when antibiotic concentrations decrease. Subsets of bacteria, stressed by the host response to infection, survive Dox treatment at a higher rate. These results provide critical information about the dynamics that occur within deep tissues following antibiotic administration and suggest that subsets of bacteria are predisposed to survive inhibitory concentrations of antibiotic before exposure.
On the problem of a variable Mars atmospheric composition in the determination of temperature and density from the adiabatic speed of sound

Abstract Acoustic anemometry is one of the most precise ways to determine atmospheric temperature on Earth. The technique has similar promise in the Martian atmosphere. Regardless of the atmosphere, temperature is diagnosed from the measured speed of sound using thermodynamic properties that are specific to the composition of the atmosphere. On Mars, the composition of the atmosphere undergoes large seasonal variations due to the exchange of CO2 with the surface. Using standard Mars atmosphere composition instead of the correct, seasonally variable composition can introduce a temperature error of more than 6%, which translates to over 10 ​K for typical Mars temperatures. When this temperature is combined with errors in the specific gas constant, the errors further propagate into the diagnosis of density when using the Ideal Gas Law. A method that incorporates measurements of pressure and CO2 abundance is demonstrated for eliminating compositional errors in diagnosed temperature and density.
Outcomes in Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome.

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is a complex form of congenital heart disease defined by anatomic and functional inadequacy of the left side of the heart with nonviability of the left ventricle to perform systemic perfusion. Lethal if not treated, a strategy for survival currently is well established, with continuing improvement in outcomes over the past 30 years. Prenatal diagnosis, good newborn care, improved surgical skills, specialized postoperative care, and unique strategies for interstage monitoring all have contributed to increasing likelihood of survival. The unique life with a single right ventricle and a Fontan circulation is a focused area of investigation.
A Mini Review of Plant-Based Diets in Hemodialysis.

Background Plant-based diets are defined as an eating pattern focused on the consumption of unprocessed fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, oils, and beans. They can include various forms of vegetarian, vegan, DASH, and Mediterranean diets. Plant-based diets have proven useful in the prevention and treatment of several lifestyle diseases like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. Recently, a growing body of literature has emerged regarding plant-based diets for patients with kidney failure, including those on dialysis. Although evidence is still limited, preliminary findings are encouraging. Summary This article reviews current literature on the use of plant-based diets in the treatment of patients on dialysis.
The Falling Rate of Profit under Constant Rate of Exploitation: A Generalization:

In a two-sector model with circulating capital, Laibman (1982) shows that a capital-using and labor-saving technical change in the consumption goods sector lowers the rate of profit under the assum...
Callable Debt Demographics

This study questions whether certain CEO profiles are linked to a previously unexamined potentially overconfident decision: callable debt issuance. Callable bonds may appear attractive to CEOs who overestimate future firm value and consider the current cost of debt excessive. Using a unique database, we discover that CEOs with traditional personal lives (i.e., Republican, Christian, married parents) do display optimistic tendencies. Not only are they more likely to issue callable debt, their callable issues have shorter call protection periods and are less likely to be called. Because the profiles are formed from observable executive characteristics, they can be easily utilized in employment and investment decisions.
Optimal Placement of Read Thresholds for Coded NAND Flash Memory

Recent advances in the flash memory technology call for more efficient error-correction codes (ECCs) than the conventional, yet very popular, ones such as BCH codes. The ability to make multiple voltage reads allows one to estimate soft values at the time of decoding, which in turn makes soft-decision ECCs such as LDPC codes a suitable candidate for implementation in flash memories. On the other hand, fully utilizing the potential of soft decision based codes demands higher precision memory sensing, which introduces a trade-off between the read latency and the error probability. In this paper, we explore and compares two approaches to optimize the positioning as well as the number of read (word-line) voltages for a specified program/erase (PE) cycle.In the first approach, we aim for selecting those read thresholds that maximize the mutual information (MMI) of the equivalent discrete memoryless channel. By utilizing conventional optimization methods such as the gradient descent (GD), we are able to find the optimal read locations for any number of read probes. Our simulation results show that ~20 reads are effective. Next, we redesign our optimization problem to take the LDPC code structure into account. To do so, we use discretized density evolution (DDE) as a proxy for bit error rate (BER), which serves as our cost function in the GD search. To overcome the problem of local minima, we propose a two-step optimization: MMI for coarse optimization, followed by DDE for fine optimization. Simulation results confirm the effectiveness of this method.1
Offender Motivations and Expectations of Data in Antiquities Looting

Understanding offender motivation is key to developing effective crime reduction policies. Criminological theories seeking to explain offender motivations are plentiful—some argue for a pure utilitarian agenda driven by opportunity (rational choice), others for the influence of socially constructed standards of behavior (strain, learning), and still others argue for accounting for multiple layers of influence (crime pattern theory). Though these theories have been used to explain the presence of antiquities looting, few have sought to examine offender motivations specifically due to a lack of data. But what kind of data should those interested in offender motivations be looking for? How does this align with possible underlying theoretical motivations? This study speaks to these questions by first considering how criminological theoretical paradigms account for antiquities looter motivations. Then, it traces how to approach examining looting motivation by identifying the types of evidence and data needed to test theoretical predictions and which methodologies would be appropriate for such an analysis. Finally, this study demonstrates this approach using case study featuring a newly collected spatiotemporal dataset on antiquities looting in Egypt. Looking from 2015 to 2017, this study will determine what can be learned about possible offender motivations in Egypt at this time.
COLD DIURESIS IN THE NEWBORN

The effect of environmental temperature on urine volume, urine osmolality, creatinine excretion and clearance, and sodium and potassium excretion has been investigated in groups of incubated (seven) and non-incubated (six) newborn, term infants. Environmental temperature for the "warm," incubated infants ranged between 32.6 and 37.6°C; corresponding values for the cooler, non-incubated infants were 22 and 30°C. Fluid intake in the two groups of infants was similar. Urine volume during the second day in the cooler infants was significantly greater and urine osmolality significantly less than the values in the warm infants. Creatinine excretion throughout the study and creatinine clearance during the second day were similar in the two groups of infants. Although a tendency to greater sodium and potassium excretion was observed in the colder infants at all collection periods, this difference was statistically significant only for potassium excretion between 12 and 24 hours and for total (48 hour) potassium excretion. These data document a "cold diuresis," unrelated to water intake, in newborn infants maintained at ambient temperatures below 30°C. This diuresis is not due to increased glomerular filtration rate. It is not observed during the first 12 to 24 hours of life, probably because glomerular filtration during this early period is limiting. The electrolyte diuresis characteristic of adults acutely exposed to cold was not observed in the present study, suggesting that the mechanism of the increased electrolyte excretion during cold exposure is independent of the mechanism of water diuresis.
Harnessing the Power of Multiple Cloud Service Providers: An Economical and SLA-Guaranteed Cloud Storage Service

It is critical for a cloud service broker to minimize its payment cost to cloud service providers for serving the broker's customers while providing SLA-guaranteed services. In this paper, we propose an Economical and SLA-guaranteed cloud Storage Service (ES3), which finds a data allocation and resource reservation schedule with cost minimization. ES3 incorporates (1) a data allocation and reservation algorithm, which allocates each data item to a datacenter and determines the reservation amount on data centers by leveraging all the pricing policies, (2) a genetic algorithm based data allocation adjustment approach, which makes data Get/Put rates stable in each datacenter to maximize the reservation benefit. Our trace-driven experiments show the superior performance of ES3.
Interatomic Auger analysis of the oxidation of thin Ba films: II. Applications to impregnated cathodes

Abstract The oxidation and thermal desorption of evaporated Ba films on different substrates have been characterized using low energy interatomic AES techniques. The films, which were deposited on W〈100〉 (as well as Ir and Os-W) varied from a fractional layer to ∼ 10 layers. Oxidation states, i.e. Ba: O x , ranged from x =0 to x ≈2. Comparison of these data to those from actual impregnated cathodes allows one to infer the thickness and state of oxidation of the cathodes. The results indicate that the active state for “B-type” impregnated cathodes can be reproduced by a near monolayer of the stoichiometric BaO on the W surface. The density of Ba atoms (or O atoms) in this “monolayer” should be ∼ one half that of the W atoms based on size consideration of the Ba compared to the W. This was confirmed by LEED. Measurements of the effusion of Ba compounds from the pores, the substrate interaction and the thermal evaporation indicate that on the W substrate, the monolayer BaO stoichiometric ratio is not only a stable configuration, but also is the one that has the lowest work function (i.e. ∼ 2 eV). The substrate work function is lowered because of the dipole formed from the adsorbed BaO. Studies of the electron interactions between the Ba and O indicate that (in agreement also with surface plasmon results) a more complete electron transfer exists between the Ba and O for the BaO layer on the Ir substrate than on the W substrate. These results are based on the observation that O 2p states on the W substrate appear to be filled not only by Ba 6s but also by W valence electrons.
Lysine Residues Are Not Required for Proteasome-Mediated Proteolysis of the Auxin/Indole Acidic Acid Protein IAA1

Although many ubiquitin-proteasome substrates have been characterized in plants, very little is known about the corresponding ubiquitin attachment(s) underlying regulated proteolysis. Current dogma asserts that ubiquitin is typically covalently attached to a substrate through an isopeptide bond between the ubiquitin carboxy terminus and a substrate lysyl amino group. However, nonlysine (non-Lys) ubiquitin attachment has been observed in other eukaryotes, including the N terminus, cysteine, and serine/threonine modification. Here, we investigate site(s) of ubiquitin attachment on indole-3-acetic acid1 (IAA1), a short-lived Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) Auxin/indole-3-acetic acid (Aux/IAA) family member. Most Aux/IAA proteins function as negative regulators of auxin responses and are targeted for degradation after ubiquitination by the ubiquitin ligase SCFTIR1/AFB (for S-Phase Kinase-Associated Protein1, Cullin, F-box [SCF] with Transport Inhibitor Response1 [TIR1]/Auxin Signaling F-box [AFB]) by an interaction directly facilitated by auxin. Surprisingly, using a Histidine-Hemaglutinin (HIS6x-HA3x) epitope-tagged version expressed in vivo, Lys-less IAA1 was ubiquitinated and rapidly degraded in vivo. Lys-substituted versions of IAA1 localized to the nucleus as Yellow Fluorescent Protein fusions and interacted with both TIR1 and IAA7 in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) two-hybrid experiments, indicating that these proteins were functional. Ubiquitination on both HIS6x-HA3x-IAA1 and Lys-less HIS6x-HA3x-IAA1 proteins was sensitive to sodium hydroxide treatment, indicative of ubiquitin oxyester formation on serine or threonine residues. Additionally, base-resistant forms of ubiquitinated IAA1 were observed for HIS6x-HA3x-IAA1, suggesting additional lysyl-linked ubiquitin on this protein. Characterization of other Aux/IAA proteins showed that they have diverse degradation rates, adding additional complexity to auxin signaling. Altogether, these data indicate that Aux/IAA family members have protein-specific degradation rates and that ubiquitination of Aux/IAAs can occur on multiple types of amino residues to promote rapid auxin-mediated degradation.
Smart Card Standards and Industry Initiatives

Standards like ISO 7816 and industry initiatives like EMV or Open-Card are necessary to ensure that smart card aware applications, cards, and card readers are built to uniform specifications. Without standards, interoperability is not possible. A smart card application or a card itself would be usable only in a very limited environment. But smart cards, readers, and applications developed and manufactured according to standards also work with devices developed by another company in a different part of the world.
On the Semantics of Group Communication

In distributed systems, high service availability can be achieved by replicating the service state. Group communication services, such as membership and atomic broadcast, have been proposed to solve the problem of maintaining state replica consistency. Group membership achieves ‘consistent’ views of the history of server failures and recoveries, while atomic broadcast achieves ‘consistent’ views of the history of service state updates. We examine what ‘consistency’ means in synchronous (hard real-time) as well as in asynchronous (soft real-time) systems.
Effect of Reciprocation Frequency on Friction and Wear of Vibrating Contacts Lubricated with Soybean-Based B100 Biodiesel

The use of renewable, bio-based fuels has become increasingly widespread in recent years, with a major example being biodiesel, a bio-derived alternative to Number 2 diesel fuel. The increased usage of biodiesel gives rise to an augmented need to understand its tribological effects on critical engine components. This study focused on determining the tribological performance of soybean-based B100 (i.e., pure) biodiesel within a fuel injector with varying oscillating frequency by performing a series of linear reciprocating tribological tests of biodiesel-lubricated interfaces with varying reciprocating frequency. Comparison of friction coefficient variation with reciprocating frequency indicated a transition from boundary lubrication to hydrodynamic lubrication as the frequency increased, while hysteresis loop and energy loss observations showed a transition between full stick and partial slip contact with increasing frequency. However, observations of induced wear showed the wear to increase with increasing frequency, most likely due to the augmented number of sliding cycles as well as an increased degree of interfacial slip.
A client-server prototype for Grid-enabling application template design

A computational and data grid was developed at the Center for Computational Research in Buffalo, New York, in order to provide a platform to support scientific and engineering applications across a variety of computer and storage systems. This proof-of-concept grid has been deployed using a critical scientific application in the field of structural biology. The design and functionality of the prototype grid is described, along with plans for a production level grid system based on Globus.
Microcirculatory dynamics in experimental human gingivitis

The purpose of this study was to determine the changes that occur in the gingival microcirculation during the development of experimental gingivitis in humans. There have been no studies published to date combining videomicroscopy and laser Doppler flowmetry to study vascular dynamics in experimental gingivitis. Alterations occurring in the microcirculation of the marginal gingiva in 10 (18-30-year-old), healthy male humans when they suspended oral hygiene procedures in a proscribed area for 12-16 days were monitored. A partial mouth, experimental gingivitis model was employed. Gingival health was evaluated before and after the experimental period by assessing gingival and plaque indices and gingival crevicular fluid volume. Gingival vascular monitoring included measurement of red blood cell velocity in individual gingival microvessels via videomicroscopy and measurement of regional gingival blood flow using laser doppler flowmetry. The number of vessels visible in a given microscopic field in a given subject and the number of vessels exhibiting flow were also determined from the videotapes. Systemic cardiovascular and respiratory parameters were monitored to ensure that gingival vascular changes were not secondary to systemic changes. Gingivitis developed in all subjects; significant increases (Student t-test, p < 0.05) were seen in plaque index, gingival index, bleeding on probing and crevicular fluid volume. No change in superficial capillary blood velocity and a significant decrease in gingival regional blood flow were seen with gingivitis. A significant increase in the number of vessels visible in microscopic fields and a decrease in the % of vessels exhibiting flow were observed. Gingival microcirculation exhibited a dramatic, dynamic change in response to the development and progression of gingivitis.
X-ray induced electron stimulated desorption versus photon stimulated desorption: NH3 on Ni(110)

Abstract The X-ray induced desorption of H+ ions from NH3 layers adsorbed at T = 90 K on Ni(110) has been compared to the corresponding total electron yield (TY) in the photon energy range 390 to 900 eV. The H+ yield exhibits a jump at the N K-edge and the Ni L-edge which inversely varies with the NH3 layer thickness. The H+ Ni L-edge jump is closely correlated to the TY jump. Both vanish for the saturated NH3 multilayer, indicating that the observed Ni L-edge jump in the H+ yield is exclusively due to X-ray induced electron stimulated desorption (XESD). At the N K-edge, the near edge absorption fine structure of the H+ yield and TY of the saturated NH3 multilayer are distinctly different. This is interpreted as the H + yield being the superposition of direct photon stimulated ion desorption (PSID) and XESD. Based on the observed variation of the H+ yield near edge fine structure with varying NH3 layer thickness, a deconvolution of the PSID and XESD contributions is used to derive the relative contribution of PSID versus XESD to be 40% versus 60%, respectively. The relevance of this result for future PSID-SEXAFS studies is discussed. For monolayer NH3 on Ni(110) the polarization dependence of the N K-edge fine structure in the N(KVV) Auger yield indicates that the symmetry axis of NH3, is perpendicular to the surface.
587 NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF IMMIGRANT CHILDREN

We have evaluated the nutritional status, growth and domestic environment of children of new immigrant families in San Francisco. We have collected ethnographic data on food habits, anthro pometric measurements and performed dental and clinical examinations on 1,200 7-12 year olds from three ethnic groups (Chinese, Latin American, Southeast Asian). At the initial examination, performed soon after arrival in the U.S., median height and weight in each group was below the 25th percentile for U.S. children (HANES standards). Subsequent exams showed median growth velocity for all age groups to exceed the 75th percentile (Fels Longitudinal series) indicating these children are in catch-up growth. Chemical and hematologic examinations were normal. The lowest 10% height-for-weight was screened for parasites and compared to a random group; parasites were found in 60% of this sample with some differences between the ethnic groups. The lowest 10% had a significantly higher percent of parasites but exhibited significant catch up growth. About 30% of all children had serious dental conditions, that persisted 6 months later. 30% had non-serious conditions that needed treatment. Approximately 40% have no apparent problems. There is considerable variation between ethnic groups; 75% of the Filipino group have serious dental conditions, compared to 30% in the Chinese, 30% in the Vietnamese, 20% in the Cambodians, and 20% in the Latin Americans. History, dental status, and anthropometric measures are very significant parameters of nutritional assessment. Supported by the San Francisco Foundation.
EUV multilayers for solar physics

We present an overview of currently available EUV multilayer coatings that can be used for the construction of solar physics instrumentation utilizing normal-incidence optics. We describe the performance of a variety of Si-based multilayers, including Si/B4C and new Si/SiC films that provide improved performance in the wavelength range from 25 n 35 nm, as well as traditional Si/Mo multilayers, including broad-band coatings recently developed for the Solar-B/EIS instrument. We also outline prospects for operation at both longer and shorter EUV wavelengths, and also the potential of ultra-short-period multilayers that work near normal incidence in the soft X-ray region.
Guest Editors' Introduction: Stochastic Modeling of Complex Systems

This special issue of CiSE highlights various aspects of and outstanding problems in stochastic modeling of complex systems. The techniques covered include stochastic spectral methods, the information-theoretic approach, and sensitivity analysis for uncertainty quantification. Two application articles-one in the field of ecology and the other in the field of manufacturing design-emphasize the diversity of research disciplines in which the ability to handle uncertainty is crucial to obtaining reliable science-based predictions