cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
EVIDENCE FOR NONLINEAR GENERATION OF VUV LIGHT BY FOUR-WAVE PARAMETRIC OSCILLATION (FWPO) IN H 2 -CONTAINING CLOUDS NEAR B-TYPE SUPERGIANTS

The few dozen ~100-cm-1-wide emission bands that dominate archived VUV spectra of B-type supergiant stars in the range 900-1200 A are reasonably assigned as fourth legs of H2 four-wave parametric oscillation (FWPO) processes occurring in clouds near the stars.
Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of Cyclopentyl β-Amino Esters by [3+2] Cycloaddition of Enecarbamates with Electrophilic Metalloenolcarbene Intermediates.

Chiral cyclopentyl β-amino esters are formed catalytically by [3+2] cycloaddition reactions of enecarbamates with electrophilic metalloenolcarbenes in high yield with up to 98 % ee and excellent diastereocontrol. Use of β-silyl-substituted enoldiazoacetates with a chiral dirhodium catalyst and trans-β-arylvinylcarbamates are optimal for this transformation, which occurs with hydrogen-bond association between the vinylcarbamate and the intermediate metalloenolcarbene. Reductive conversion of the protected amino esters forms highly functionalized cyclopentyl β-amino acids and 3-aminocyclopentanones.
Grand challenges: opportunities and perils in ubiquitous data availability for the open access power systems environment

Summary form only given. One of the key tenets underlying FERC orders 888 and 889, and more generally underlying the move toward competitive markets, has been the presumption that open access requires widespread availability of data on the transmission network. In particular, Order No. 889 required utilities to establish electronic systems to share information about available transmission capacity, coining the acronym OASIS, for "Open Access Same-time Information System." In the eyes of many critics, the deployment of OASIS systems has not been as effective as envisioned when order 889 was issued. Some might argue that this failure reflects the inherent challenge of summarizing available transmission capability in a simple, easy to understand, concise data set in near real time. Others might argue that there have remained significant restrictions on the raw data that reflect the state of the transmission system, and that these restrictions themselves have been impediments to effective "open access." In light of the above, this paper is intended to raise some of the issues that might be encapsulated by the following question: "what if a maximally feasible amount of transmission and distribution system operational data were made universally available?" Would this open beneficial new commercial and technical opportunities, or would this be an unacceptable peril to privacy of consumers and the security of a critical national infrastructure?.
"No Allergy to Making Money? Communities, Commercialization, and Innovation"

Despite the increasing importance of online communities in innovation, there is little research about the process by which the innovations and products generated in these communities are commercial...
Vortex Generators in a Two-Dimensional External-Compression Supersonic Inlet

Vortex generators within a two-dimensional external-compression supersonic inlet for Mach 1.6 were investigated to determine their ability to increase total-pressure recovery, reduce total-pressure...
Biogeochemical versus ecological consequences of modeled ocean physics

Abstract. We present a systematic study of the differences generated by coupling the same ecological–biogeochemical model to a 1°, coarse-resolution, and 1∕6°, eddy-permitting, global ocean circulation model to (a) biogeochemistry (e.g., primary production) and (b) phytoplankton community structure. Surprisingly, we find that the modeled phytoplankton community is largely unchanged, with the same phenotypes dominating in both cases. Conversely, there are large regional and seasonal variations in primary production, phytoplankton and zooplankton biomass. In the subtropics, mixed layer depths (MLDs) are, on average, deeper in the eddy-permitting model, resulting in higher nutrient supply driving increases in primary production and phytoplankton biomass. In the higher latitudes, differences in winter mixed layer depths, the timing of the onset of the spring bloom and vertical nutrient supply result in lower primary production in the eddy-permitting model. Counterintuitively, this does not drive a decrease in phytoplankton biomass but results in lower zooplankton biomass. We explain these similarities and differences in the model using the framework of resource competition theory, and find that they are the consequence of changes in the regional and seasonal nutrient supply and light environment, mediated by differences in the modeled mixed layer depths. Although previous work has suggested that complex models may respond chaotically and unpredictably to changes in forcing, we find that our model responds in a predictable way to different ocean circulation forcing, despite its complexity. The use of frameworks, such as resource competition theory, provides a tractable way to explore the differences and similarities that occur. As this model has many similarities to other widely used biogeochemical models that also resolve multiple phytoplankton phenotypes, this study provides important insights into how the results of running these models under different physical conditions might be more easily understood.
Perspectives on global health amongst obstetrician gynecologists: A national survey.

ObjectiveTo characterize contemporary attitudes toward global health amongst board-certified obstetricians-gynecologists (Ob-Gyns) in the US.MethodsA questionnaire was mailed to members of the Amer...
Live-in “strangers”: An experiential account of gerontology educational immersion in senior housing

ABSTRACTGerontology education programs that combine elements of experiential service-learning, community participation, and residential immersion have been emerging in the United States and internationally. Combining fieldwork, interviews, and immersion methods, this study draws on qualitative ethnographic and phenomenologic design, whereby a student lived in senior housing for 3.5 years. The study is among the longest and most intensive gerontological field experiences ever reported. It is based on more than 2,000 hours of observations and conversational interviews with 14 residents. Major patterns based on observational data show the importance of shared history, support for one another, negotiating environmental tensions, and demand for attention on the part of residents. Major themes derived from interviews elaborate on family conflict, conflict between residents, and life decisions. Results show that a unique combination of physical and social proximity in an intergenerational alliance enables life e...
Mediator Thinking in Civil Cases

In this study we investigated mediators' thinking in twenty real-life civil case mediations. We found evidence that their thinking unfolds along two planes: one intuitive (system 1) and the other rational (system 2). On the former, mediators frame the mediation as a distributive process, instinctively evaluate the situation as well as the parties, and engage in habitual interventions. On the rational plane, the mediators develop goals, rationally evaluate the situation, mentally map what is going on, and choose among a variety of rational steps, such as pressing, delaying the mediation, and extracting offers, in order to accomplish their goals.
Developmental Dysfunction of VIP Interneurons Impairs Cortical Circuits

Summary GABAergic interneurons play important roles in cortical circuit development. However, there are multiple populations of interneurons and their respective developmental contributions remain poorly explored. Neuregulin 1 ( NRG1 ) and its interneuron-specific receptor ERBB4 are critical genes for interneuron maturation. Using a conditional ErbB4 deletion, we tested the role of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-expressing interneurons in the postnatal maturation of cortical circuits in vivo . ErbB4 removal from VIP interneurons during development leads to changes in their activity, along with severe dysregulation of cortical temporal organization and state dependence. These alterations emerge during adolescence, and mature animals in which VIP interneurons lack ErbB4 exhibit reduced cortical responses to sensory stimuli and impaired sensory learning. Our data support a key role for VIP interneurons in cortical circuit development and suggest a possible contribution to pathophysiology in neurodevelopmental disorders. These findings provide a new perspective on the role of GABAergic interneuron diversity in cortical development. Video Abstract
When Price Discrimination Fails – A Principal Agent Problem with Social Influence

I develop a theoretical model of price discrimination under social influence. I find that social influence gives sellers the incentive to artificially create and maintain excess demand on the market. The rationing occurs mainly at the low end of the market and sometimes results in full rationing of the low end. Furthermore, the incidence of price discrimination under social influence is much lower than in the absence of it. Social influence lowers the profitability of price discrimination and incentivizes sellers to reduce product variety and to only target the high end of the market, a fact that is consistent with many empirical observations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On equitable social welfare functions satisfying the Weak Pareto Axiom: A complete characterization

The present paper examines the problem of aggregating infinite utility streams with a social welfare function that respects the Anonymity and Weak Pareto Axioms. The paper provides a complete characterization of domains (of the one period utilities) on which such an aggregation is possible. A social welfare function satisfying the Anonymity and Weak Pareto Axioms exists on precisely those domains that do not contain any set of the order type of the set of positive and negative integers. The criterion is applied to decide on possibility and impossibility results for a variety of domains. It is also used to provide an alternative formulation of the characterization result in terms of the accumulation points of the domain.
Heavy-quark QCD exotica

This review presents an overview of the remarkable progress in the field of heavy-quark exotic hadrons over the past 15 years. It seeks to be pedagogical rather than exhaustive, summarizing both the progress and specific results of experimental discoveries, and the variety of theoretical approaches designed to explain these new states.
ANI-1: an extensible neural network potential with DFT accuracy at force field computational cost

Deep learning is revolutionizing many areas of science and technology, especially image, text, and speech recognition. In this paper, we demonstrate how a deep neural network (NN) trained on quantum mechanical (QM) DFT calculations can learn an accurate and transferable potential for organic molecules. We introduce ANAKIN-ME (Accurate NeurAl networK engINe for Molecular Energies) or ANI for short. ANI is a new method designed with the intent of developing transferable neural network potentials that utilize a highly-modified version of the Behler and Parrinello symmetry functions to build single-atom atomic environment vectors (AEV) as a molecular representation. AEVs provide the ability to train neural networks to data that spans both configurational and conformational space, a feat not previously accomplished on this scale. We utilized ANI to build a potential called ANI-1, which was trained on a subset of the GDB databases with up to 8 heavy atoms in order to predict total energies for organic molecules containing four atom types: H, C, N, and O. To obtain an accelerated but physically relevant sampling of molecular potential surfaces, we also proposed a Normal Mode Sampling (NMS) method for generating molecular conformations. Through a series of case studies, we show that ANI-1 is chemically accurate compared to reference DFT calculations on much larger molecular systems (up to 54 atoms) than those included in the training data set.
How does governance affect tax avoidance? Evidence from shareholder proposals

ABSTRACTI examine the effect of corporate governance on tax avoidance. Specifically, I use a regression discontinuity design to analyse the effect of governance-related shareholder proposals that pass or fail by a small percentage of votes. The passage of such proposals around the 50% threshold can be viewed as random assignment of improved governance and thus cleanly identifies a causal estimate. I find that the adoption of governance proposals decreases cash effective tax rates (ETR), which suggests that improved governance increases tax avoidance. The result contributes to our understanding of the determinants of firms’ ETR.
A covariant description of the deuteron

An introduction to the use of Bethe-Salpeter and quasipotential equations in the description of electron scattering from the deuteron is provided. The basic formalism and many technical issues are introduced in the context of a simple scalar theory. Results for bound-state wave functions and scattering phases shifts for a variety of quasipotential prescriptions are presented and qualitative characteristics of these solutions are discussed. The elastic form factors for the bound state in this model are calculated using the spectator or Gross equation. The calculations are then extended to account for the complexities associated with nucleon spin and results are presented for the elastic structure functions of the deuteron using the spectator equation. This calculation is shown to produce a good description of elastic electron scattering from the deuteron over the range of momentum transfers for which data are available.
Bayesian Measures of Explained Variance and Pooling in Multilevel (Hierarchical) Models

Explained variance (R2) is a familiar summary of the fit of a linear regression and has been generalized in various ways to multilevel (hierarchical) models. The multilevel models that we consider in this article are characterized by hierarchical data structures in which individuals are grouped into units (which themselves might be further grouped into larger units), and variables are measured on individuals and each grouping unit. The models are based on regression relationships at different levels, with the first level corresponding to the individual data and subsequent levels corresponding to between-group regressions of individual predictor effects on grouping unit variables. We present an approach to defining R2 at each level of the multilevel model, rather than attempting to create a single summary measure of fit. Our method is based on comparing variances in a single fitted model rather than with a null model. In simple regression, our measure generalizes the classical adjusted R2. We also discuss ...
Solar to fuels conversion technologies: a perspective

To meet increasing energy needs, while limiting greenhouse gas emissions over the coming decades, power capacity on a large scale will need to be provided from renewable sources, with solar expected to play a central role. While the focus to date has been on electricity generation via photovoltaic (PV) cells, electricity production currently accounts for only about one-third of total primary energy consumption. As a consequence, solar-to-fuel conversion will need to play an increasingly important role and, thereby, satisfy the need to replace high energy density fossil fuels with cleaner alternatives that remain easy to transport and store. The solar refinery concept (Herron et al. in Energy Environ Sci 8:126–157, 2015), in which captured solar radiation provides energy in the form of heat, electricity or photons, used to convert the basic chemical feedstocks CO2 and H2O into fuels, is reviewed as are the key conversion processes based on (1) combined PV and electrolysis, (2) photoelectrochemically driven electrolysis and (3) thermochemical processes, all focused on initially converting H2O and CO2 to H2 and CO. Recent advances, as well as remaining challenges, associated with solar-to-fuel conversion are discussed, as is the need for an intensive research and development effort to bring such processes to scale.
Online Prediction with Selfish Experts

We consider the problem of binary prediction with expert advice in settings where experts have agency and seek to maximize their credibility. This paper makes three main contributions. First, it defines a model to reason formally about settings with selfish experts, and demonstrates that ``incentive compatible'' (IC) algorithms are closely related to the design of proper scoring rules. Second, we design IC algorithms with good performance guarantees for the absolute loss function. Third, we give a formal separation between the power of online prediction with selfish experts and online prediction with honest experts by proving lower bounds for both IC and non-IC algorithms. In particular, with selfish experts and the absolute loss function, there is no (randomized) algorithm for online prediction---IC or otherwise---with asymptotically vanishing regret.
Germ Granules Prevent Accumulation of Somatic Transcripts in the Adult Caenorhabditis elegans Germline

The germ cells of multicellular organisms protect their developmental potential through specialized mechanisms. A shared feature of germ cells from worms to humans is the presence of nonmembrane-bound, ribonucleoprotein organelles called germ granules. Depletion of germ granules in Caenorhabditis elegans (i.e., P granules) leads to sterility and, in some germlines, expression of the neuronal transgene unc-119::gfp and the muscle myosin MYO-3 Thus, P granules are hypothesized to maintain germ cell totipotency by preventing somatic development, although the mechanism by which P granules carry out this function is unknown. In this study, we performed transcriptome and single molecule RNA-FISH analyses of dissected P granule-depleted gonads at different developmental stages. Our results demonstrate that P granules are necessary for adult germ cells to downregulate spermatogenesis RNAs and to prevent the accumulation of numerous soma-specific RNAs. P granule-depleted gonads that express the unc-119::gfp transgene also express many other genes involved in neuronal development and concomitantly lose expression of germ cell fate markers. Finally, we show that removal of either of two critical P-granule components, PGL-1 or GLH-1, is sufficient to cause germ cells to express UNC-119::GFP and MYO-3 and to display RNA accumulation defects similar to those observed after depletion of P granules. Our data identify P granules as critical modulators of the germline transcriptome and guardians of germ cell fate.
Dimensionality and Disagreement: Asymptotic Belief Divergence in Response to Common Information

We provide a model of boundedly-rational, multidimensional learning and characterize when beliefs will converge to the truth. Agents maintain beliefs as marginal probabilities rather than joint probabilities, and agents' information is of lower dimension than the model. As a result, for some observations agents may face an identification problem affecting the role of data in inference. Beliefs converge to the truth when these observations are rare, but beliefs diverge when observations presenting an identification problem are frequent. Robustly, two agents with differing priors who observe identical, unambiguous information may disagree forever, with stronger disagreement the more information received.
Verge of Collapse: The Pros/thesis of Art Research

Abstract In this article I will explore prosthesis as a metaphor of embodiment in art-based research to challenge the Utopian myth of wholeness and normality in art and the human body. I will discuss the historical origins of “prosthesis,” its use as a rhetorical augmentation of language and technological augmentation of amputated bodies, to suggest that the visual language of art disrupts and extends beyond the dialectical closure of thesis, antithesis , and synthesis through the divergent interconnectivity of prosthesis .
Externalities, public goods, and property rights revisited: regulations based on traditional B–C analyses are too lax*

Pigou advocated for marginal damage taxes on negative externalities, Samuelson described the conditions for optimal pure public goods provision, and both Pigou and Samuelson believed that non-exclu...
Increase in acid sphingomyelinase level in human retinal endothelial cells and CD34+ circulating angiogenic cells isolated from diabetic individuals is associated with dysfunctional retinal vasculature and vascular repair process in diabetes

Background Diabetic retinopathy is a microvascular disease that results from retinal vascular degeneration and defective repair due to diabetes-induced endothelial progenitor dysfunction. Objective Understanding key molecular factors involved in vascular degeneration and repair is paramount for developing effective diabetic retinopathy treatment strategies. We propose that diabetes-induced activation of acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) plays essential role in retinal endothelial and CD34+ circulating angiogenic cell (CAC) dysfunction in diabetes. Methods Human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs) isolated from control and diabetic donor tissue and human CD34+ CACs from control and diabetic patients were used in this study. ASM messenger RNA and protein expression were assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. To evaluate the effect of diabetes-induced ASM on HRECs and CD34+ CACs function, tube formation, CAC incorporation into endothelial tubes, and diurnal release of CD34+ CACs in diabetic individuals were determined. Results ASM expression level was significantly increased in HRECs isolated from diabetic compared with control donor tissue, as well as CD34+ CACs and plasma of diabetic patients. A significant decrease in tube area was observed in HRECs from diabetic donors compared with control HRECs. The tube formation deficiency was associated with increased expression of ASM in diabetic HRECs. Moreover, diabetic CD34+ CACs with high ASM showed defective incorporation into endothelial tubes. Diurnal release of CD34+ CACs was disrupted with the rhythmicity lost in diabetic patients. Conclusion Collectively, these findings support that diabetes-induced ASM upregulation has a marked detrimental effect on both retinal endothelial cells and CACs.
Application Crash Consistency and Performance with CCFS.

Recent research has shown that applications often incorrectly implement crash consistency. We present the Crash-Consistent File System (ccfs), a file system that improves the correctness of application-level crash consistency protocols while maintaining high performance. A key idea in ccfs is the abstraction of a stream. Within a stream, updates are committed in program order, improving correctness; across streams, there are no ordering restrictions, enabling scheduling flexibility and high performance. We empirically demonstrate that applications running atop ccfs achieve high levels of crash consistency. Further, we show that ccfs performance under standard file-system benchmarks is excellent, in the worst case on par with the highest performing modes of Linux ext4, and in some cases notably better. Overall, we demonstrate that both application correctness and high performance can be realized in a modern file system.
CacheZoom: How SGX Amplifies the Power of Cache Attacks

In modern computing environments, hardware resources are commonly shared, and parallel computation is widely used. Parallel tasks can cause privacy and security problems if proper isolation is not enforced. Intel proposed SGX to create a trusted execution environment within the processor. SGX relies on the hardware, and claims runtime protection even if the OS and other software components are malicious. However, SGX disregards side-channel attacks. We introduce a powerful cache side-channel attack that provides system adversaries a high resolution channel. Our attack tool named CacheZoom is able to virtually track all memory accesses of SGX enclaves with high spatial and temporal precision. As proof of concept, we demonstrate AES key recovery attacks on commonly used implementations including those that were believed to be resistant in previous scenarios. Our results show that SGX cannot protect critical data sensitive computations, and efficient AES key recovery is possible in a practical environment. In contrast to previous works which require hundreds of measurements, this is the first cache side-channel attack on a real system that can recover AES keys with a minimal number of measurements. We can successfully recover AES keys from T-Table based implementations with as few as ten measurements.
An Empirical Analysis of Amazon EC2 Spot Instance Features Affecting Cost-effective Resource Procurement

Many cost-conscious public cloud workloads ("tenants") are turning to Amazon EC2's spot instances because, on average, these instances offer significantly lower prices (up to 10 times lower) than on-demand and reserved instances of comparable advertized resource capacities. To use spot instances effectively, a tenant must carefully weigh the lower costs of these instances against their poorer availability. Towards this, we empirically study four features of EC2 spot instance operation that a cost-conscious tenant may find useful to model. Using extensive evaluation based on both historical and current spot instance data, we show shortcomings in the state-of-the-art modeling of these features that we overcome. Our analysis reveals many novel properties of spot instance operation some of which offer predictive value while others do not. Using these insights, we design predictors for our features that offer a balance between computational efficiency (allowing for online resource procurement) and cost-efficacy. We explore "case studies" wherein we implement prototypes of dynamic spot instance procurement advised by our predictors for two types of workloads. Compared to the state-of-the-art, our approach achieves (i) comparable cost but much better performance (fewer bid failures) for a latency-sensitive in-memory Memcached cache, and (ii) an additional 18% cost-savings with comparable (if not better than) performance for a delay-tolerant batch workload.
Designing a bicycle and pedestrian traffic monitoring program to estimate annual average daily traffic in a small rural college town

Abstract Cycling and walking are commonly recognized as energy-efficient alternatives to motorized transport. Research and practice lack a comprehensive set of methods to assess spatiotemporal patterns of traffic volumes across an entire transportation network. Current non-motorized traffic monitoring programs are primarily implemented in urban areas and for singular components of the network (e.g., off-street trails, specific corridors). Our approach synthesizes ongoing efforts in non-motorized traffic monitoring to estimate Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT), across an entire network in Blacksburg, VA – a small, rural college town. We selected count sites across the network, stratified by street functional class (e.g., major roads, local roads), centrality of the link relative to origins and destinations, and planned bicycle facilities. We collected 45,456 h of pedestrian and cyclist counts using three types of automated counters: pneumatic tube (n = 12), passive infrared (n = 10), and radio beam (n = 3) at both reference locations (n = 4; 1-year) and short-duration locations (n = 97; 1-week) during 2015. We found a strong correlation between manual validation counts and automated counts. We used day-of-year scaling factors to estimate AADT for bicycles and pedestrians and found that temporal and spatial patterns differed between modes. Pedestrian volumes were higher and more variable than bicycle volumes (median [interquartile range] AADT for pedestrians: 135 [89–292]; bicycles: 23 [11–43]); both modes were positively correlated with street functional class, presence of facilities, and proximity to campus. Our approach provides insight for planners or policymakers interested in comprehensive monitoring programs to track performance measures or for use in environmental and health impact studies.
Lead and Juvenile Delinquency: New Evidence from Linked Birth, School, and Juvenile Detention Records

Using a unique data set linking preschool blood lead levels, birth, school, and detention records for 125,000 children born between 1990 and 2004 in Rhode Island, we estimate the impact of lead on ...
The pinnacle set of a permutation

Abstract The peak set of a permutation records the indices of its peaks. These sets have been studied in a variety of contexts, including recent work by Billey, Burdzy, and Sagan, which enumerated permutations with prescribed peak sets. In this article, we look at a natural analogue of the peak set of a permutation, instead recording the values of the peaks. We define the “pinnacle set” of a permutation w to be the set { w ( i ) : i is a peak of w } . Although peak sets and pinnacle sets mark the same phenomenon for a given permutation, the behaviors of these sets differ in notable ways as distributions over the symmetric group. In the work below, we characterize admissible pinnacle sets and study various enumerative questions related to these objects.
Why do accruals predict earnings

Abstract Higher accruals are associated with lower subsequent earnings. We show this phenomenon can be explained by the way sales, profits, and working capital respond to changes in a firm's product markets. Empirically, high accruals predict high subsequent sales growth but a long-lasting drop in both profits and profitability. Accruals also predict an increase in future competition, suggesting that accruals are correlated with abnormally high—and, in equilibrium, transitory—true profitability that attracts new entrants to the industry. Overall, the predictive power of accruals is better explained by product-market effects than by measurement error in accruals or diminishing returns from investment.
The role of the saturable absorber in a mode-locked fiber laser

We experimentally investigated the role of the saturable absorber (SA) in a mode-locked fiber laser. It is shown that the modulation depth of the SA significantly affects the pulse duration at the laser output for a given cavity design (mainly cavity dispersion and nonlinearity).
Internet of Things Security Research: A Rehash of Old Ideas or New Intellectual Challenges?

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a new computing paradigm that spans wearable devices, homes, hospitals, cities, transportation, and critical infrastructure. Building security into this new computing paradigm is a major technical challenge. What IoT security problems can we solve using existing security principles? And, what new problems and challenges in this space will require new security mechanisms?
The World Health Organization's Ninth Director-General: The Leadership of Tedros Adhanom.

In May, the World Health Assembly elected Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus as its ninth Director-General, the first African to lead the World Health Organization (WHO) since its formation in 1948. Dr. Tedros faces a daunting task, with WHO facing a crisis of confidence after its much-maligned response to the West African Ebola epidemic. Does his leadership record bode well for the Organization’s future success? That success is vital to world health, as WHO alone has the international legitimacy to forge cooperative solutions to complex health challenges. Dr. Tedros’s record offers a sharp contrast between promise and peril for the Organization. As health minister for Ethiopia, Dr. Tedros forged unprecedented gains in population health; nevertheless, his country’s human rights record was abysmal during this same time period. In a new Milbank Quarterly Early View op-ed, Lawrence O. Gostin explains that WHO is currently in an unvirtuous cycle. Member states have lost confidence in the Organization, while donors refuse to fully fund it, leading to additional dysfunction and failure. If Dr. Tedros is to succeed, he must regain badly eroded trust — not only among member states, but also among civil society.
iSTART Therefore I Understand: But Metacognitive Supports Did not Enhance Comprehension Gains

iSTART is an intelligent tutoring system designed to provide self-explanation instruction and practice to improve students’ comprehension of complex, challenging text. This study examined the effects of extended game-based practice within the system as well as the effects of two metacognitive supports implemented within this practice. High school students (n = 234) were either assigned to an iSTART treatment condition or a control condition. Within the iSTART condition, students were assigned to a 2 × 2 design in which students provided self-assessments of their performance or were transferred to Coached Practice if their performance did not reach a certain performance threshold. Those receiving iSTART training produced higher self-explanation and inference-based comprehension scores. However, there were no direct effects of either metacognitive support on these learning outcomes.
Active disk Paxos with infinitely many processes

We present an improvement to the Disk Paxos protocol by Gafni and Lamport which utilizes extended functionality and flexibility provided by Active Disks and supports unmediated concurrent data access by an unlimited number of processes. The solution facilitates coordination by an infinite number of clients using finite shared memory. It is based on a collection of read-modify-write objects with faults, that emulate a new, reliable shared memory abstraction called a ranked register. The required read-modify-write objects are readily available in Active Disks and in Object Storage Device controllers, making our solution suitable for state-of-the-art Storage Area Network (SAN) environments.
A General Methodology for Bilinear System Stability with Output Feedback

Abstract New results are derived for the stability analysis of bilinear systems (BLS) with output feedback of a general form which includes linear control functions, quadratic functions, all functions which satisfy Lipschitz condition and others. Theorems and applications are obtained for time-variant, continuous and discrete BLS. The results form a base for adaptive trajectory-tracking controllers. The sufficient conditions which are derived can be applied directly to the range of admissible controller gains for given plant parameters, or there is a trade off between controller and plant design parameters. The method does not depend on the computation of a Liapunov function and indirect stability analysis as do most techniques which are available in the literature. In the continuous case, certain necessary conditions also are derived. A field-controlled, electric motor example is presented.
Discrete-Time Nonlinear Analysis and Feedback Control with Nonquadratic Performance Criteria

Abstract In this paper we develop a unified framework to address the problem of discrete-time optimal nonlinear analysis and feedback control. Asymptotic stability of the closed-loop nonlinear system is guaranteed by means of a Lyapunov function which can clearly be seen to be the solution to the steady-state form of the discretetime Bellman equation thus guaranteeing both stability and optimality. The overall framework provides the foundation for extending discrete-time linear-quadratic controller synthesis to nonlinear-nonquadratic problems.
Quantitative Electron Microscopic Study of Membranous Glomerulopathy

Primary and secondary membranous glomerulopathy (MGN) may be indistinguishable by light microscopy and immunofluorescence. It has been noted occasionally anecdotally that the distribution of subepithelial immune complex deposits by electron microscopy may differ between these two subgroups. The authors examined 23 cases of primary and 22 cases of secondary MGN and quantitated the percentage of glomerular basement membrane occupied by immune complexes for each group. Mean percentage involvement of GBM with deposits was 49% +/- 15% for the primary group and 16% +/- 15% for the secondary group; these were statistically significantly different at the P less than 0.05 level. When far-advanced disease cases (Churg Class IV) were eliminated from the groups, the mean percentage involvement of GBM was 48% +/- 15% and 12% +/- 7% for the idiopathic and secondary groups, respectively (P less than 0.01). The quantitative differences in involvement of the GBM with immune complex deposits between primary and secondary MGN may represent fundamentally different types of antigen-antibody complexes or variable patterns in deposition of complexes derived from the circulation or formed in situ.
Posterior Urethral Valves in the Newborn: Treatment and Functional Results

Between 1977 and 1984, 30 newborn boys were diagnosed and treated with posterior urethral valves. Presenting symptoms varied but included respiratory distress, oligohydramnios, urinary ascites, abdominal mass, urinary retention, and renal insufficiency. Diagnostic modalities consisted of excretory urography and voiding cystoure-thrography in all patients and ultrasonography in 20 (12 prenatal). Treatment consisted of valve ablation alone in 14, vesicostomy and later valve ablation in 4 premature infants, valve ablation and later upper tract reconstruction in 8, loop ureterostomy in 2, and valve ablation and immediate reconstruction in 2. Follow-up in our patients has demonstrated that even though surgical reconstruction may be technically successful, ultimate functional outcome may be dependent upon the degree of renal impairment at presentation.
Selective Venous Sampling for ACTH in Cushing’s Syndrome: Differentiation Between Cushing’s Disease and the Ectopic ACTH Syndrome

We performed selective venous catheterization and sampling for ACTH in six patients with ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas (Cushing's disease) and four patients with occult ectopic ACTH-secreting neoplasms. In five patients with Cushing's disease in whom the inferior petrosal sinus could be catheterized, ACTH levels were unequivocally higher than simultaneous peripheral values: The ratio was greater than 2.0, with a range of 2.2 to 16.7. In contrast, the inferior petrosal sinus-to-peripheral ACTH ratio in three patients with ectopic ACTH secretion was less than 1.5. In the fourth patient, an arteriovenous gradient of 6.8 was shown 2 years before a bronchial carcinoid tumor was clinically apparent. Central-to-peripheral ACTH ratios at the level of the jugular bulb and jugular vein were not diagnostic. We conclude that selective venous ACTH sampling from the inferior petrosal sinus is a reliable and useful aid in the differential diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome when standard clinical and biochemical studies are inconclusive.
The Natural History of Infection With the Lymphadenopathy-Associated Virus Human T-Lymphotropic Virus Type III

Abstract Over half of the persons infected with the lymphadenopathy-associated virus/human T-lymphotropic virus type III (LAV/HTLV-III), the retrovirus that causes the acquired immunodeficiency syn...
Cyst Fluid Antibiotic Concentrations in Polycystic Kidney Disease: Differences between Proximal and Distal Cysts

Cyst fluid antibiotic concentrations in polycystic kidney disease: Differences between proximal and distal cysts. The concentrations of several antibiotics were measured in the cyst fluid of six adult patients with polycystic kidney disease Seventy-nine cysts were aspirated at surgery or autopsy Sixty-one cysts could be categorized as arising from the proximal nephron and 16 from the distal nephron by cyst fluid to serum sodium ratios. Serum, urine, and cyst fluid were simultaneously analyzed for sodium, creatinine, and various antibiotics. Gentamicin, tobramycin, cephapirin, and ticarcillin were either undetectable or present in low concentrations in renal cysts. Cyst fluid antibiotic concentrations did not correlate with cyst volume or creatinine clearance. Cysts of proximal nephron origin had higher antibiotic concentrations than distal cysts. In one patient with normal renal function, inulin was undetectable in renal cysts after a continuous 36-hour i.v. infusion. Para-aminohippurate, however, was detected in the renal cysts of this patient. These data help explain the poor clinical response of infected renal cysts to antibiotic therapy. They also suggest that antibiotics and other solutes may enter cyst fluid across tubular cells in addition to entry by glomerular filtration. Concentration intra kystique d'antibiotiques dans la maladie poly kystique renale: Differences entre les kystes proximaux et distaux. Les concentrations de plusieurs antibiotiques dans le liquide des kystes ont ete mesurees chez six sujets adultes atteints de maladie polykystique. Soixante dix neuf kystes ont ete ponctionnes pendant des interventions chirurgicales ou des autopsies. Soixante et un kystes ont pu etre classes comme proximaux et seize comme distaux en fonction du rapport de concentration de sodium kyste/plasma. Des determinations de concentration de sodium, de creatinine et de divers antibiotiques ont ete realisees simultanement pour le plasma, l'urine et le liquide des kystes. La gentamicine, la tobramycine, la cephapirine et la ticarcilline etaient soit non detectables soit a des concentrations tres faibles dans les kystes. Les concentrations d'antibiotiques dans les kystes n'etaient pas correlees avec le volume du kyste ou la clearance de la creatinine. Les kystes proximaux avaient des concentrations d'antibiotiques plus elevees que les kystes distaux. Chez un malade dont la fonction renale etait normale l'inuline n'etait pas detectable dans les kystes apres une perfusion continue de 36 heures. Le para-aminohippurate, cependant, a ete detecte dans les memes kystes. Ces resultats permettent de comprendre la reponse clinique faible des kystes infectes au traitement antibiotique. Ils suggerent aussi que les antibiotiques ainsi que d'autres substances dissoutes peuvent penetrer dans les kystes a travers les cellules tubulaires en sus de la penetration par filtration glomerulaire.
The Influences of Sample Distribution and Age on Reference Intervals for Adult Males

This investigation was designed to improve reference information and to evaluate the influences of sample distribution and age on the derived reference intervals. Specimens from 127 men were collected after a 12- to 14-hour fast and analyzed by 60 different laboratory procedures. Differences in the reference intervals derived, using three separate statistical methods, appeared to be unimportant clinically, but the percentile method was preferred because it required no assumptions concerning the frequency distribution. Relationships between age and analyte concentrations were examined by linear regression analysis, and the analytes were placed in one of three groups, according to the significance of this relationship: greatest significance (P less than or equal to 0.01), 18 analytes; intermediate significance (0.01 less than or equal to P less than or equal to 0.05), 12 analytes; and least significance (P greater than 0.05), 30 analytes. The age-related changes for each analyte were evaluated according to analytic variation, population dispersion, and clinical relevance. Age-dependent reference intervals for adult males are recommended for albumin, cholesterol, phosphorus, and sedimentation rate.
Hyponatremia Due to Cerebral Salt-Wasting Syndrome. Combined Cerebral and Distal Tubular Lesion

A 76-year-old white man was evaluated for a syndrome of hyponatremia, hypotension, and high urinary sodium excretion. There was evidence of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone and renal salt wasting in the presence of a normal glomerular filtration rate. He had a distal tubular acidification defect and unresponsiveness to standard doses of mineralocorticoids. The renin aldosterone axis was normal, as were thyroid and adrenal function. The patient could not dilute the urine, nor excrete a standard water load. Renal concentrating ability was normal, but there was no additional response to exogenous vasopressin. With modest salt restitution, the patient continued to lose large quantities of sodium in the urine, resulting in severe postural hypotension. Renal biopsy showed normal glomeruli with distinct degeneration of the distal tubules. There was no evidence of an acute inflammatory interstitial nephritis. The patient did not respond to therapeutic doses of mineralocorticoid (fludrocortisone), but treatment with water restriction, increased salt intake, and large doses of mineralocorticoids resulted in a normal serum sodium level and blood pressure. This case falls in the category of "cerebral salt wasting" syndrome. The cause was a combination of idiopathic secretion of antidiuretic hormone and distal tubular degeneration resulting in pseudohypoaldosteronism.
Safety and efficacy of salvage nano-particle albumin bound paclitaxel in recurrent cervical cancer: A feasibility study

After platinum and taxane chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab, active regimens for advanced or recurrent cervical cancer are lacking. Our objective was to review a single institution experience in treating recurrent, refractory cervical cancer with nano-particle albumin bound (NAB) paclitaxel with or without bevacizumab. This retrospective case series was conducted in accordance with the regulations set forth by the Institutional Review Board at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical center. The chemotherapy log at the outpatient infusion center at the University of Arizona Cancer Center was reviewed to identify all advanced cervical cancer patients treated with NAB-paclitaxel from November 2011 until February 2015. The following data points were extracted from patient charts: demographic information, number of cycles, progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), dose reductions and dose-limiting toxicities. In addition the average number of treatment cycles and age at recurrence were calculated. A total of 12 subjects were identified as receiving treatment with NAB-paclitaxel. Mean age at time of recurrence was 47.2 years (36–55). Nine subjects had squamous cell histology and three subjects had adenocarcinoma histology. All subjects had failed treatment with platinum and taxane, or platinum and topotecan chemotherapy. Two subjects were lost to follow up. The Median number of cycles of NAB-paclitaxel was 6.5 (2–19). The total number of cycles of NAB-paclitaxel in the study population was 65. Seven subjects were treated in combination with bevacizumab. Of these, three subjects are still alive and one subject is currently receiving active treatment with NAB-paclitaxel. The median PFS and OS for all subjects that met mortality endpoint was 4.8 months and 8.9 months (n = 7), respectively. One subject discontinued NAB-paclitaxel secondary to peripheral neuropathy, and one subject developed a vesicovaginal fistula while obtaining combination NAB-paclitaxel and bevacizumab therapy. NAB-paclitaxel with or without bevacizumab is tolerable and potentially active in treating recurrent cervical cancer after failing platinum-taxane or topotecan chemotherapy. This small case series deserves confirmation through prospective clinical trials.
Owners on both sides of the deal: mergers and acquisitions and overlapping institutional ownership

Using a corporate governance lens, this study considers owners with a stake in both the acquiring and the target firms in the context of mergers and acquisitions. A possible agency problem arises with regard to monitoring implications as managers may be able to take advantage of compromised monitoring because overlapping owners may focus on the aggregate value for both the acquiring and the target firms and nonoverlapping owners may be interested only in the acquirer's side of the deal. The results suggest that when more owners overlap in their ownership of both the acquiring and target firms, the acquiring firms are more likely to experience decreased shareholder value through merger and acquisition deals. This effect, however, can be constrained by stronger board control. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.