cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimal Sales Force Diversification and Group Incentive Payments

In this research, we show that the interaction between territory allocation and sales force compensation---two key drivers of sales productivity---strongly affects the firm's profitability. We analyze an agency-theoretic model that jointly considers the degree of negative or positive correlation across territory outcomes, differences in territories' sales potentials, the agency problem with risk-averse salespeople, and the availability of both own-territory compensation elements, such as commission, and elements dependent on the performance of others, such as group commissions or tournaments. We find that allocating salespeople to negatively correlated sales territories beneficially diversifies each salesperson's portfolio of sales outcomes when this allocation includes a group commission pay component, and can improve profitability even with a decrease in average territory sales performance. In a larger sales force, a balanced allocation of salespeople, coupled with a group commission, dominates an imbalanced allocation. Comparing piece-rate compensation (with or without a group commission component) to tournaments alongside the allocation problem, we find that tournaments are favored over piece-rate plans when territories are highly positively correlated, territory sales potentials are similar, and salespeople have a low disutility for effort and are not very risk-averse. A piece-rate plan conversely dominates a tournament when these conditions are reversed.
Automatic generation of heterogeneous spectrometers for radio astronomy

We have developed a software package to automatically generate spectrometers with minimal user input. Spectrometer design is often done by building the instrument from scratch. We have automated this design, creating a parameterized spectrometer that only requires a recompile to implement a change in specification. This spectrometer combines FPGAs and GPUs, doing coarse channelization on the FPGA and sending each subband to the GPUs for further processing. The server software is designed for flexibility, allowing astronomers to easily modify the processing algorithm run on the GPU and customize the instrument to fit their science goals.
Detection of cytomegalovirus nucleic acid sequences in pancreas in type 2 diabetes

Abstract Nucleic acid sequences specific for human cytomegalovirus (CMV) were found in samples of pancreatic tissue from patients with non-insulin-dependent (type 2) diabetes mellitus. RNA extracted from paraffin-embedded or fresh-frozen specimens from 14 of 32 (44%) diabetic patients but from none of 49 non-diabetic controls reacted with 10 kb (pJN201) or 6·6 kb (pCM3) probes of human CMV immediate-early or late gene products, respectively. The RNA from the 32 diabetic patients did not react with nucleic acid probes for mumps, rubella, or coxsackie B viruses. In-situ nucleic acid hybridisation on tissues from 5 randomly selected human-CMV-positive patients showed that the human CMV signal was localised primarily in the islets of Langerhans and not in exocrine cells. Despite the clear viral nucleic acid signal in tissues of human-CMV-positive patients, there were no morphological injuries to the islets, no inflammatory cells in the islets, and no perivascular inflammatory cell cuffing. These findings suggest a possible association of human CMV with type 2 diabetes in human beings.
Complications and radiographic findings following cemented total hip replacement: a retrospective evaluation of 97 dogs.

Cemented total hip replacement (cTHR) is commonly performed to treat intractable coxofemoral pain in dogs. While owners generally perceive a good outcome after the procedure, the longevity of the implant may be limited by complications such as infection and aseptic loosening. The objective of this retrospective study was to identify the prevalence of complications and radiographic changes following cTHR, and to identify factors that may predispose to a need for revision surgery. Medical records and radiographs from 97 dogs that underwent cTHR were evaluated for signalment, preoperative degree of osteoarthritis, technical errors, intra-operative culture results, and the post-operative radiographic appearance of the implant. The complications occurring in the intra-operative and short-term (eight week) time period were recorded. Mean (±SD) follow-up time was 1.1 ± 1.6 years (range: 0–7.7 years). Seven dogs had a short-term complication and a revision surgery was performed in eleven dogs. Osseous or cement changes were radiographically detectable in the majority of cTHR. Eccentric positioning of the femoral stem and the presence of radiolucent lines at the femoral cement-bone interface were positively associated with the occurrence of revision surgery. The clinical significance of the periprosthetic radiographic changes is unclear and further investigation is warranted.
Scaling and Generalization in Neural Networks: A Case Study

The issues of scaling and generalization have emerged as key issues in current studies of supervised learning from examples in neural networks. Questions such as how many training patterns and training cycles are needed for a problem of a given size and difficulty, how to represent the input and how to choose useful training exemplars, are of considerable theoretical and practical importance. Several intuitive rules of thumb have been obtained from empirical studies, but as yet there are few rigorous results. In this paper we summarize a study of generalization in the simplest possible case-perceptron networks learning linearly separable functions. The task chosen was the majority function (i.e. return a 1 if a majority of the input units are on), a predicate with a number of useful properties. We find that many aspects of generalization in multilayer networks learning large, difficult tasks are reproduced in this simple domain, in which concrete numerical results and even some analytic understanding can be achieved.
Topical 5-fluorouracil treatment of superficial basal cell epithelioma. A light and electron microscopic study.

A 27-year-old patient developed superficial basal cell epitheliomas approximately 20 years after taking Fowler's solution. One of the lesions was successfully treated with topical 2% 5-fluorouracil solution under occlusion. Sequential biopsies of the lesion before, during and after therapy were examined by light and electron microscopy, and the changes at various stages are described. Changes occurred only in tumor cells and adjacent epidermis, and only after occlusion of 5-FU. After one week of occlusive therapy, focal discontinuities in the basal lamina and intercellular spaces were wider with reduction and condensation of tonofilaments. Mitochondrial degeneration was seen along with irregularities in nucleoli. These changes were most prominent after two weeks of occlusive therapy, and many degenerating keratinocytes were seen detached from other cells. One month after cessation of therapy, the entire area was excised, and no evidence of tumor was seen.
Noise Characteristics of an Instrumental Particle Absorbance Technique

Noise characteristics and noise reduction techniques for the particle soot absorption spectrometer (PSAP) are discussed. It is shown through elementary propagation of errors analysis and verified through simulations and by experiments that the PSAP signal noise varies as the −3/2 power of the integration time and not the assumed −1/2. It is also shown that neither simple boxcar averaging of independent absorptivity values nor the commonly used moving boxcar average allow realization of the maximum signal to noise ratio. Instead it is argued that maximal noise reduction is realized by post-processing of the raw reference and sample channel intensities. Finally the implications of these findings are demonstrated with representative field data.
Effects of selected hormones and male cohorts on final oocyte maturation, ovulation, and steroid production in walleye (Stizostedion vitreum)

Abstract A series of in vivo and in vitro experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of selected hormones and male cohorts on oocyte maturation and ovulation in walleye captured from the wild. In one experiment conducted 2 weeks prior to the normal spawning season, single intramuscular injections of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG, 500 IU kg −1 ) and des-Gly 10 [D-Ala 6 ] LHRH-ethylamide (LHRHa, 100 μg kg −1 ) stimulated final oocyte maturation and ovulation. LHRHa induced oocyte maturation faster than hCG. The presence of spermiating males had a slight stimulatory effect on oocyte maturation in non-injected fish, but did not potentiate the effects of LHRHa. In a second experiment conducted 3 weeks prior to normal spawning, hCG (500 IU kg −1 ), LHRHa (100 μg kg −1 ), and 17,20-P (100 μg kg −1 ) all induced final oocyte maturation. In this experiment, however, hCG was more effective than LHRHa, and there was no male cohort effect. In maturing females, oestradiol-17β levels declined, and testosterone levels increased transiently prior to final oocyte maturation and ovulation. Levels of 17α,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20-P) were significantly elevated 2 and 3 days prior to ovulation. Cortisol levels were high (50–100 ng ml −1 ) in newly captured fish and remained elevated during the experimental period. No control fish in either experiment underwent final oocyte maturation. These findings suggest that capture and confinement stress may inhibit oocyte maturation in walleye. In vitro, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was a potent inducer of final oocyte maturation whereas LHRHa had no effect. Of various steroids tested in vitro, 17,20-P and 17α,20β,21 -trihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one were the two most effective inducers of final oocyte maturation and ovulation, and the lowest dose of 17,20-P tested (0.01 ng ml −1 ) was a consistent and potent inducer of final oocyte maturation. These data, together with our in vivo results, support the hypothesis that 17,20-P may be the maturation-inducing steroid in walleye. Cortisol, alone or in combination with hCG, had no effect on oocyte maturation or ovulation in vitro, indicating that any negative effects of cortisol on oocyte maturation in walleye probably occurs at higher levels of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.
Sudden cardiac death

Most sudden deaths in industrial nations are the result of underlying coronary artery disease. Longitudinal studies have demonstrated that the percent of all coronary events presenting as sudden death increases with age in both men and women. Relative weight is another important risk factor; the age-adjusted rate of sudden cardiac death for the upper weight tercile in the Framingham study was over 2 times higher for men and 3 times higher for women than the rate for the lower weight tercile. Most patients who die suddenly initially experience ventricular tachycardia that subsequently degenerates into ventricular fibrillation. Patients with a high risk of sudden cardiac death include: survivors of myocardial infarction with left ventricular dysfunction or complex ventricular ectopy, or both; survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, particularly when the event is not associated with an acute myocardial infarction; patients with recurrent ventricular tachycardia; and patients with dilated congestive cardiomyopathy, particularly when associated with ventricular ectopy. Reducing the risk of sudden death in these patients remains a major challenge.
Exploring mental effort and nausea via electrodermal activity within scenario-based tasks

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x CHAPTER 1. OVERVIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1.
217: Antenatal screening for HSV: The cost-effectiveness of various screening modalities

SCREENING MODALITIES SARAH LITTLE, ANJALI KAIMAL, AARON CAUGHEY, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California OBJECTIVE: To investigate which, if any, antenatal screening program for genital HSV is cost-effective. STUDY DESIGN: A decision analytic model was created in Data TreeAge Pro. Our primary outcome was cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) from a societal perspective. 13 screening regimens were compared. (1) Type-specific screening at 35 weeks gestational age with acyclovir suppression if screen positive. (2-12) Screening women and, if negative, their partners, using all combinations of various screening times [15 vs. 35 weeks], screening protocols [HSV-2 only vs. 1 and 2], and therapeutic interventions [counseling vs. counseling plus suppression for women vs. counseling plus suppression for women and their partners]. RESULTS: Table 1 displays the costs, QALYs, incremental cost per QALY and cases of neonatal HSV for no screening as compared to the three most cost-effective screening modalities. Only the limited screening program, where women alone are screened at 35 weeks of gestation for seropositivity to HSV-2 and offered suppressive therapy if screen positive, was robust in sensitivity analysis. CONCLUSION: A limited antenatal screening program may be cost-effective. Caution is advised, however, as even minor considerations for increased falsepositive lesion detection or disutility from a positive screen appear to drastically alter the cost-effectiveness of any HSV screening program.
Super-Invar as a target for a pulsed high-intensity proton beam

We describe measurements performed on samples consisting of the alloy Super-Invar, which is a candidate material for a robust solid target used in conjunction with an intense pulsed proton beam. A low coefficient of thermal expansion is the characteristic property which makes Super-Invar an attractive target candidate. We have irradiated our samples at the Brookhaven Linac Isotope Producer facility. Tests for variations of the thermal expansion coefficient as a function of inflicted radiation damage are described. The high radiation dose is severely detrimental to its low coefficient of thermal expansion.
The excitation of resonant triads by single internal waves

The stability of progressive internal waves of modes 1 and 3, propagating down a long tank filled with a linearly stratified salt water solution, is studied theoretically and experimentally. Examination of the spectra of the waves shows when a1 > 10−2, where a is the wave amplitude and l is the vertical wavenumber, that single internal waves excite waves of several resonant triads, where the excited waves belong to that set of triads with the largest theoretical growth rates. For example, a wave of mode 3 with a non-dimensional frequency around 0.66 excites waves of the following triads: (5,8,3), (6,9,3), (8,11,3), (9,12,3) and (10,13,3), where the integers are mode numbers. The spontaneous appearance of these naturally excited triads greatly complicates attempts to isolate and study preselected wave interactions. In one case, when waves of mode 1 and 3 with al > 10−2 were generated simultaneously while tuned to the (1,3,4,7) multiple resonance, the fastest growing wave was neither a wave of mode 4 located at the difference frequency nor a wave of mode 7 at the sum frequency, but rather a wave of mode 9 located at a frequency slightly above that of the 4-wave.
The Interpretive Guidance on the Notion of Direct Participation in Hostilities: A Critical Analysis

Civilians who directly participate in hostilities lose their protection from attack for such time as they so participate. Additionally, they neither factor into proportionality calculations nor need be considered when taking “precautions in attack”. The principle reflects both treaty and customary international law. In 2009, the International Committee of the Red Cross released the interpretive guidance on the notion of direct participation in hostilities. This chapter critically analyzes the guidance, pointing out both its strengths and weaknesses. In doing so, it addresses four key questions: (1) Who qualifies as a civilian? (2) What acts constitute “direct participation”? (3) When does the notion apply? and (4) Do any further restrictions on attack attach to application of the rule?
Equatorially trapped plasma populations

The SCATHA observations of the equatorially trapped plasmas are presented in order to emphasize the importance of making measurements at the equator. The UCSD plasma detector and the GSFC electric field experiment are described, as are the pertinent characteristics of the magnetometer and mass spectrometers. The electron distribution reveals a width of 20 deg to 60 deg, narrowing with increasing energy. The 20- to 100-eV ion fluxes typically exhibit temperatures in the 20to 50-eV range and densities of 1-10 per cu cm. The electron population typically ranges from 50 to 500 eV, with temperatures of 100-200 eV and densities also in the 1-10 per cu cm range. Field-aligned populations of lower energy are occasionally found in both ions and electrons at the same location.
Static Detection of Disassembly Errors

Static disassembly is a crucial first step in reverse engineering executable files, and there is a considerable body of work in reverse-engineering of binaries, as well as areas such as semantics-based security analysis, that assumes that the input executable has been correctly disassembled. However, disassembly errors, e.g., arising from binary obfuscations, can render this assumption invalid. This work describes a machine-learning-based approach, using decision trees, for statically identifying possible errors in a static disassembly; such potential errors may then be examined more closely, e.g., using dynamic analyses. Experimental results using a variety of input executables indicate that our approach performs well, correctly identifying most disassembly errors with relatively few false positives.
Effects of CO2 Phase Change, SO2 Content and Flow on the Corrosion of CO2 Transmission Pipeline Steel

Results from previous studies demonstrated that significant corrosion of carbon steel was observed when 1% SO2 impurity was contained in a supercritical CO2 phase in the presence of small amounts of water (650 ppm). Considering real situations for CO2 transportation pipelines, the effects of CO2 phase change, impurity concentration and flow were evaluated in the present study in order to establish a clearer understanding of the corrosion risk for such pipelines. Different CO2 phases (liquid and supercritical), concentrations of SO2 (< 1%) and flow velocities were used in an autoclave based study. The corrosion rate of steel samples was determined by weight loss measurements. The surface morphology and the composition of the corrosion product layers were analyzed by using surface analytical techniques (SEM, EDS, and IFM). Results showed that the corrosion rate decreased with decreasing SO2 content in the supercritical CO2 phase containing 650 ppm of water. In addition, significant localized corrosion was observed when CO2 phase was liquid.
Younger Journalists More Likely to Use Social Media

A national survey of journalists’ social media use found that younger journalists used social media tools in newsgathering more often than did their older colleagues. Social media use ranked lower as a newsgathering tool, compared to face-to-face interviews, phone calls and email correspondence.
Watch this Space

There comes a point in every language teacher’s career when practice in the classroom is incongruent with preconceived, sometimes idealistic expectations. This is due in part to the mismatch between those expectations and the psychological realities of second language learning. Moreover, the vagaries of the classroom environment make it all the more difficult to predict how learning will unfold. And yet we continue to teach, all the while striving to refine our intuitive strategies through experience.
Stationary phase approximation in focal mechanism determination

abstract Tests of the stationary phase approximation method applied to P waves for the determination of focal mechanisms have been carried through for eight earthquakes selected from different geographic locations and depth ranges. The results are found to be in close agreement with the solutions obtained from S -wave polarization data for four earthquakes and in reasonable agreement for three earthquakes. In general, however, the P polarities are more consistent with S -wave polarization solutions than with the solutions obtained by the present method. The stationary phase solutions agree with the P -wave spectrum solutions determined in a previous study. The method is applicable to shallow-focus earthquakes, and to earthquakes of large magnitude in which methods using S -wave polarization data and P -wave spectra are difficult to apply.
Characterization and Comparison of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis Strains Recovered from Epiphytic and Symptomatic Infections of Maize in Iowa.

Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. nebraskensis (Cmn), the causal organism of Goss’s wilt and leaf blight of maize, can be detected in the phyllosphere of its host prior to disease development. We compared the morphology and pathogenicity of 37 putative isolates of Cmn recovered from asymptomatic and symptomatic maize leaves. Thirty-three of the isolates produced mucoid orange colonies, irrespective of the source of isolation and all but four of these isolates were pathogenic on maize. The remaining 4 isolates recovered from asymptomatic leaves had large fluidal yellow colonies, and were non-pathogenic on maize. Isolates varied in their aggressiveness on a susceptible hybrid of maize but no significant differences in aggressiveness were detected between epiphytic isolates and those recovered from diseased maize tissues. The genomics of Cmn is poorly understood; therefore as a first step to determining what genes may play a role in virulence, we compared 33 putative virulence gene sequences from 6 pathogenic and a non-pathogenic isolate recovered from the phyllosphere. Sequence polymorphisms were detected in 5 genes, cellulase A, two endoglucanases, xylanase B and a pectate lyase but there was no relationship with pathogenicity. Further research is needed to determine what genes play a role in virulence of Cmn. Our data show however, that the virulence factors in Cmn likely differ from those reported for the closely related subspecies michiganensis and sepedonicus.
Secure Optical Communication Using Random Mode Mixing and Time-Reversal Symmetry in Multimode Fibers

We experimentally demonstrate an encryption method for transmission through multimode fibers. The encryption is provided by chaotic mode mixing, and time-reversal symmetry of counter-propagating light ensures that only an authorized party can decrypt the message.
Multiscale Modeling of Dislocation Mechanisms in Nanoscale Multilayered Composites

It is well known that the mechanical behavior of nanoscale multilayered composites is strongly governed by single dislocation mechanisms and dislocation-interface interactions. Such interactions are complex and multiscale in nature. In this work, two such significant effects are modeled within the dislocation dynamics-continuum plasticity framework: elastic properties mismatch (Koehler image forces) and interface shearing in the case of weak interfaces. The superposition principle is used to introduce the stress fields due to both effects solved for by finite elements. The validation of both methodologies is presented. Furthermore, it was found that the layer-confined threading stress of a dislocation in hair-pin configuration increases if the layer is surrounded by layers made of a stiffer material and that this strengthening effect grows more significant as the layer thickness decreases. The observation made through molecular dynamics, that weak interfaces act as dislocation sinks, was also captured with our approach. A dislocation is attracted to the interface independent of its sign or character. Also the force increases sharply as the dislocation approaches the interface. These findings agree with published molecular dynamics simulations and dislocation-based equilibrium models of this type of interaction.
Pyogenic Osteomyelitis of the Spine

Symptoms in osteomyelitis of the spine depend on the extent of bony involvement and on the anatomic site and its relationship to segmental nerves, pleura and peritoneum. The lumbar spine is most often affected and back pain is the usual presenting symptom. Often there is a time lag between clinical manifestation and development of radiographic abnormalities. The similarities and differences between pyogenic and tuberculous osteomyelitis are discussed.
Reliability and maintainability data for liquid metal cooling systems

This paper presents component failure rate data for use in assessment of liquid metal cooling systems. Best estimate data applicable to fusion liquid metal coolants is presented. Repair times for similar components are also referenced in this work. These data support probabilistic safety assessment and reliability, availability, maintainability and inspectability analyses
Effects of lipoteinchoic acid of Bifidobacterium on the expression of CD44v6 and MMP-2 in human colon cancer cell lines.

Objective To study the effects of lipoteichoic acid(LTA) of Bifidobacterium on the expression of CD44v6 and matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2) in two human colon carcer cell lines with different metastatic capacities.Method The changes of the mRNA and protein expression of CD44v6 and MMP-2 in LoVo cells and HT-29 cells treated with bifidobacterial LTA were detected by RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry.Result There were overexpressions of mRNA and protein of CD44v6 and MMP-2 in LoVo and HT-29 cells,which remarkbly decreased after treated with LTA of Bifidobacterium(P0.01).Conclusion LTA of Bifidobacterium can inhibit metastasis in the two human colon carcinoma cells with different metastatic potential by down regulating the expressions of CD44v6 and MMP-2.
Effect of EDTA as root surface conditioner on the treatment of chronic periodontitis

AIM: To evaluate the effect of EDTA as adjunctive root surface conditioner to periodontal flap surgery on the treatment of chronic periodontitis.METHODS: Twenty chronic periodontitis patients with probing depth(PD) 5mm after 4 weeks of initial therapy were included in this study.PD,clinical attachment loss(CAL) and SBI were recorded before surgery.Flap surgery was conducted bilaterally from incisors to first premolars.After calculus and granulation was completely removed,the right side of the root surface was embrocated with EDTA for 3min,while the left side was rinsed by saline only(control).RESULTS: Three months after surgery,PD and CAL in experimental group were 3.21±1.20mm and 2.02±1.07mm,while those of the control group were 3.74±1.80mm and 2.48±1.23mm.Improvement of clinical parameters was significantly better in experimental group than in control group(P0.05).CONCLUSION: EDTA as root surface conditioner could improve the effect of periodontal flap surgery.
The Angular Distribution of the Polarization of Ground State Photoneutrons from 16O

The polarization of photoneutrons from the reaction 16O(γ, \(\overrightarrow n \) O)15O has been measured at laboratory angles of 45, 60, 90, 120, and 135o in the photon energy range 21.6 to 25.7 MeV. The results have been combined with those from previous measurements of the angular distributions to give, for the first time, the Legendre coefficients characteristic of the differential neutron polarization. Small, but significant, contributions from non-El absorption processes are found throughout the range. The polarization exhibits appreciable energy dependence at all angles.
Acylcarnitines: Analysis in Plasma and Whole Blood Using Tandem Mass Spectrometry

The acylcarnitine profile is a diagnostic test for inherited disorders of fatty acid and branched-chain amino acid catabolism. Patients with this type of metabolic disorder accumulate disease-specific acylcarnitines that correlate with the acyl coenzyme A compounds in the affected mitochondrial metabolic pathways. For example, propionylcarnitine accumulates in patients with both propionic and methylmalonic acidemias. The test identifies and quantifies the species of acylcarnitines in the whole blood or blood plasma of patients at risk for or suspected of having such a disorder. The acylcarnitines are analyzed using electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. The instrument is used in the precursor ion scan mode to record the molecular species giving rise to fragment ions at m/z 99, derived specifically from the methylated acylcarnitines within the specimen. Quantification is based on the principle of stable isotope dilution, whereby concentrations are derived from the response ratio of each acylcarnitine species to that of a deuterium-labeled acylcarnitine standard. Interpretation of the acylcarnitine profile requires recognition of abnormal concentrations of specific analytes or patterns of analytes and knowledge of their metabolic origin.
Achieving Balance Through the Art of Eating: Demystifying Eastern Nutrition and Blending it with Western Nutrition

Eastern and Western approaches to nutrition are unique and possess both strengths and weaknesses. Blending the best of both techniques will allow for the development of an integrative nutrition system that is more effective than either tradition on its own. The Western view to nutrition is already adopting certain attributes of the Eastern medicine philosophy as exemplified by the progression towards individualized nutrition through methods such as nutrigenetics. Nevertheless, many differences still remain between Eastern and Western nutritional concepts. Becoming fluent in both Western and Eastern methodologies can ensure the extraction of the best from both techniques for the development of a comprehensive, systematic, and holistic nutritional approach to achieve optimal health.
Observational biases for transiting planets

Observational biases distort our view of nature, such that the patterns we see within a surveyed population of interest are often unrepresentative of the truth we seek. Transiting planets currently represent the most informative data set on the ensemble properties of exoplanets within 1 AU of their star. However, the transit method is inherently biased due to both geometric and detection-driven effects. In this work, we derive the overall observational biases affecting the most basic transit parameters from first principles. By assuming a trapezoidal transit and using conditional probability, we infer the expected distribution of these terms both as a joint distribution and in a marginalized form. These general analytic results provide a baseline against which to compare trends predicted by mission-tailored injection/recovery simulations and offer a simple way to correct for observational bias. Our results explain why the observed population of transiting planets displays a non-uniform impact parameter distribution, with a bias towards near-equatorial geometries. We also find that the geometric bias towards observed planets transiting near periastron is attenuated by the longer durations which occur near apoastron. Finally, we predict that the observational bias with respect to ratio-of-radii is super-quadratic, scaling as $(R_P/R_{\star})^{5/2}$, driven by an enhanced geometric transit probability and modestly longer durations.
COMPUTATION OF EIGENVALUES/EIGENFUNCTIONS FOR TWO POINT BOUNDARY VALUE PROBLEMS

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the computation of eigenvalues/eigenfunctions for two point boundary value problem. In solving linear two-point boundary value problems, the code SUPORT uses the method of superposition together with orthonormalization of the base solutions to the homogeneous equation when linear dependence threatens. This chapter presents extensions of the procedure used by SUPORT to allow computation of solutions of eigenvalue problems. The technique is iterative on the eigenvalue parameter and requires a nonlinear equation solver as a driver routine. When solving eigenvalue problems by means of an initial value technique, the nonlinear function evaluated by the root finder is dependent on the boundary conditions at the final end point. The chapter describes the effects of the orthonormalization process on the iterative scheme and the advantages of preassigning orthonormalization points. It presents several examples that demonstrate the applicability of the code and allow comparison of various optional features.
Building Geoscience Semantic Web Applications Using Established Ontologies

The EarthCollab project is using the VIVO Semantic Web software suite to support the discovery of information, data, and potential collaborators within the geodesy and polar science communities. This paper discusses the ontology selection, consolidation, and reuse efforts of EarthCollab. EarthCollab’s ontology design approach heavily emphasizes ontology reuse, bringing together existing ontologies to support diverse use cases related to the discovery of geoscience information and resources. We developed a small local ontology to tie these existing ontologies together and to build appropriate geoscience-relevant connections. Five key ontology decision drivers are presented to outline EarthCollab’s ontology design process and decision points: use cases, existing systems and metadata, semantic application dependencies, external ontology characteristics, and community recommendations for good ontological modeling practices.
Potential Fluctuations at Low Temperatures in Mesoscopic-Scale SmTiO3/SrTiO3/SmTiO3 Quantum Well Structures.

Heterointerfaces of SrTiO3 with other transition metal oxides make up an intriguing family of systems with a bounty of coexisting and competing physical orders. Some examples, such as LaAlO3/SrTiO3, support a high carrier density electron gas at the interface whose electronic properties are determined by a combination of lattice distortions, spin–orbit coupling, defects, and various regimes of magnetic and charge ordering. Here, we study electronic transport in mesoscale devices made with heterostructures of SrTiO3 sandwiched between layers of SmTiO3, in which the transport properties can be tuned from a regime of Fermi-liquid like resistivity (ρ ∝ T2) to a non-Fermi liquid (ρ ∝ T5/3) by controlling the SrTiO3 thickness. In mesoscale devices at low temperatures, we find unexpected voltage fluctuations that grow in magnitude as T is decreased below 20 K, are suppressed with increasing contact electrode size, and are independent of the drive current and contact spacing distance. Magnetoresistance fluctuatio...
Advanced Practice Clinician Training for Neurology.

Background The specialty of Neurology is faced with a fundamental problem of economics: supply and demand. The projected increase in provider supply is unlikely to keep up with projected increases in patient-care demand. Many large academic centers have used residents to meet this patient-care demand. However, the conflict between education of residents and patient-care needs has created a hindrance to both of those missions. Many specialties have been using advanced practice clinicians (APCs) to help address the need for patient care. In the setting of a residency program, this availability of APCs can help to alleviate patient-care demands for the resident and allow for better allocated educational time. Neurology has not historically been a popular choice for APCs and a standardized educational curriculum for a Neurology APC has not been established. Methods The authors share an example curriculum recently implemented for training new inpatient Neurology APCs. This curriculum includes a 12-week program complete with rotations through various subspecialties and proposes fundamental lecture topics for use in education. The authors share their expectations for clinical duties that evolve over the course of the 12-week program in conjunction with expectations for increasing clinical knowledge as well as efficiency in system utilization. Conclusion The addition of APCs to support a busy inpatient Neurology practice has obvious beneficial implications but the integration and education of this new staff must be structured and well-designed to support the confidence of the APC in both their knowledge and their role as an indispensable member of the care team.
Querying stakeholders to inform comparative effectiveness research.

Despite the growing recognition of the value of stakeholder engagement in research, there is limited guidance on effectively eliciting stakeholder views during the comparative effectiveness research (CER) process. This article outlines the potential role of each stakeholder (patient, provider, policymaker and payer) throughout the CER process and provides examples of practical questions that researchers can ask the four primary stakeholder groups at each step of the CER process. This guide aims to assist in the development of meaningful stakeholder–researcher shared decision-making to incorporate stakeholder views in the design, conduct and dissemination of patient-centered CER.
Active Flexible Wing Control Using QFT

Abstract The elastic response of wings on flexible aircraft tend to attenuate the commanded control action, However, the availability of multiple control surfaces on modern aircraft affords the accommodation of wing twisting and presents an opportunity for load alleviation. In this paper two lateral/directional controllers for a flexible aircraft are developed using the QFT robust control design method: a baseline design, and an optimization based control law incorporating load alleviation concepts, Simulation of the resultant lateral controllers shows that this design reduces the wing loads by over 50% while maintaining roll control power.
WAIL: collection-based personal web archiving

Web Archiving Integration Layer (WAIL) is a desktop application written in Python that integrates Heritrix and OpenWayback. In this work we recreate and extend WAIL from the ground up to facilitate collection-based personal Web archiving. Our new iteration of the software, WAIL-Electron, leverages native Web technologies (e.g., JavaScript, Chromium) using Electron to open new potential for Web archiving by individuals in a stand-alone cross- platform native application. By replacing OpenWayback with PyWb, we provide a novel means for personal Web archivists to curate collections of their captures from their own personal computer rather than relying on an external archival Web service. As extended features we also provide the ability for a user to monitor and automatically archive Twitter users' feeds, even those requiring authentication, as well as provide a reference implementation for integrating a browser-based preservation tool into an OS native application.
Feasibility of Using an Electrolysis Cell for Quantification of the Electrolytic Products of Water from Gravimetric Measurement.

A gravimetric method for the quantitative assessment of the products of electrolysis of water is presented. In this approach, the electrolysis cell was directly powered by 9 V batteries. Prior to electrolysis, a known amount of potassium hydrogen phthalate (KHP) was added to the cathode compartment, and an excess amount of KHCO3 was added to the anode compartment electrolyte. During electrolysis, cathode and anode compartments produced OH−(aq) and H+(aq) ions, respectively. Electrolytically produced OH−(aq) neutralized the KHP, and the completion of this neutralization was detected by a visual indicator color change. Electrolytically produced H+(aq) reacted with HCO3−(aq) liberating CO2(g) from the anode compartment. Concurrent liberation of H2(g) and O2(g) at the cathode and anode, respectively, resulted in a decrease in the mass of the cell. Mass of the electrolysis cell was monitored. Liberation of CO2(g) resulted in a pronounced effect of a decrease in mass. Experimentally determined decrease in mass (53.7 g/Faraday) agreed with that predicted from Faraday’s laws of electrolysis (53.0 g/Faraday). The efficacy of the cell was tested to quantify the acid content in household vinegar samples. Accurate results were obtained for vinegar analysis with a precision better than 5% in most cases. The cell offers the advantages of coulometric method and additionally simplifies the circuitry by eliminating the use of a constant current power source or a coulometer.
What is holding back housing

There are two major factors constraining the homeownership rate today: limited supply relative to net household formation and restricted credit availability. In this paper, we carefully document each of these factors, arguing that is is very difficult to fix the supply issues, as so much of the problem is local zoning laws, while steps can be taken to fix the credit availability issues. The supply/demand imbalance is currently the more significant of the two problems, as it places upward pressure on both home prices and rents.
Uveal Effusion After Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy.

Importance Immune checkpoint inhibitors, including antiprogrammed cell death protein-1 (anti-PD-1) and antiprogrammed cell death ligand-1 (anti-PD-L1) monoclonal antibodies, have recently been introduced as a promising new immunotherapy for solid cancers. The adverse effects typically include inflammation of the skin, endocrine, and gastrointestinal systems. Objective To describe 3 patients who developed uveal effusion after initiating anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody therapy. Design, Setting, and Participants This case series was conducted in a university-based ocular oncology practice. The participants were a 68-year-old African American man with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung and 2 white men, aged 52 years and 85 years, with metastatic cutaneous melanoma; all were taking anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody therapy. Main Outcomes and Measures Ocular findings of 3 patients. Results We identified 3 patients who developed uveal effusion within 1 to 2 months after initiating anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody therapy. Uveal effusion resolved completely in 6 to 12 weeks after discontinuation of systemic therapy in 2 patients and persisted in 1 patient who continued the therapy. Conclusions and Relevance Uveal effusion should be considered in patients taking anti-PD-1 and/or PD-L1 monoclonal antibody therapy. Because of the role of the PD-1 pathway in the inhibition of self-reactive T cells, PD-1 inhibition might lead to inflammation because of immune-related adverse effects.
MINERAL RESOURCE EXPLORATION, INVENTORY AND ASSESSMENT

Digital Landsat data in the form of computer compatible tapes (CCT's)are a natural supplement to existing or developing digital mineral resource inventory and geographic information systems. However, no one has yet attempted to design a total system which combines these valuable data sets. A growing body of literature among which are Abrams (1978), Abrams and others (1977), Blodget and others (1978),Bolviken and others, (1977), Lyon and Prelat (1978), Huntington and Green (1978), Schmidt (1976), Taranik (1978), and Taranik and others (1978), describe digital methods of enhancing Landsat images and multispectral analysis for geologic applications, thereby, improving rock discrimination, highlighting rock alteration zones by ratioing methods, and spectral measurement of rocks and rock products.
Pollen morphology of the Cordioideae (Boraginaceae): Auxemma, Cordia, and Patagonula

The subfam. Cordioideae comprises three genera: Auxemma (2 spp.), Cordia (c. 300 spp.), and Patagonula (2 spp.). Pollen of 47 species was examined in LM and SEM, and a selected group in TEM. Auxemma and Patagonula are 3-colporate and variously rugulose or irregularly striate. In Cordia 43 species were examined, including both forms of seven heterostyled ones. Six pollen types were found: sect. Cordia is 3-colpor(oid)ate with a striate-reticulate tectum; sect. Varronia is 3-porate reticulate; sects. Gerascanthus, Myxa, Rhabdocalyx, and Superbiflorae are 3-colpor(oid)ate and variously spinulose; C. aurantiaca and C. taguahyensis are 3-colpor(oid)ate and clavate; C. lauta is 3-porate and conspicuously clavate; and C. bordasii is 3-colporate and “rugulose”. In TEM most cordias have a disrupted foot layer/endexine interface. Pollen from the long and short styled plants is only weakly dimorphic in SEM and TEM. Most Cordioideae can be distinguished from most Ehretioideae by the pseudocolpi or pseudocolpoid depressions and rugulose tecta in the latter subfamily. The problems of measuring pollen grains are also discussed.
My Obscure Career as an Aspiring Poet

‘My Obscure Career as an Aspiring Poet’ is an account of my struggle and endless frustration, since my undergraduate days at the University of Pennsylvania, to get my poetry published. That struggl...
'Avinu, Malkeinu, Kin(g) of All the Earth': A Yom Kippur D’var Torah

This talk explores the image of divine Kingship that is central to the liturgy of the Jewish High Holidays. The divine King is our sovereign and judge, and that image might even suggest a God Who is painfully transcendent and even austere. But the metaphor is much richer and multi-layered than that. The notion of divine Kinship emphasizes God’s immanence as much as God’s transcendence. It is a token of God’s engagement with the world and of God’s responsibility to the world. Moreover, in the Kabbalistic imagination, the attribute of “Malkhut,” divine Kingship, is associated with the Shekinah, the indwelling presence of God, the part of God that lives with us in exile, usually thought of as the feminine aspect of God. And it is at least worth noting that the Anglo-Saxon root of king – “cyning” – just meant “member of the kindred.” This text ends with a postscript that further explores the image of divine Kingship in the context of our contemporary sensibilities about gender hierarchies and the understandable aversion to employing apparently unapologetic masculine language about God.
Prehospital Frailty and Screening Criteria for Palliative Care Services in Critically Ill Older Adults: An Observational Cohort Study

Background: The use of formalized criteria (or triggers) for palliative care services (PCSs) has been associated with increased use of PCSs in the intensive care unit (ICU). Objective: To explore t...
Normative Measurements of the Skull Base on Imaging

This chapter reviews the normative measurements of foramina and major landmarks within the anterior, middle, pterygopalatine, sellar and parasellar regions, and posterior fossa. While the chapter provides objective imaging criteria that can help identify abnormalities, relative asymmetry is sometimes more important than absolute size for determining nerve canal/foramen abnormality. Besides making diagnoses, knowledge of skull base morphometrics is often relevant for surgical planning. In addition, examples of conditions associated with abnormal anatomical dimensions are depicted.
Mining Network Traffic with the k -Means Clustering Algorithm for Stepping-Stone Intrusion Detection

Intruders on the Internet usually launch network attacks through compromised hosts, called stepping stones, in order to reduce the chance of being detected. With stepping-stone intrusions, an attacker uses tools such as SSH to log in several compromised hosts remotely and create an interactive connection chain and then sends attacking packets to a target system. An effective method to detect such an intrusion is to estimate the length of a connection chain. In this paper, we develop an efficient algorithm to detect stepping-stone intrusion by mining network traffic using the - means clustering. Existing approaches for connection-chain-based stepping-stone intrusion detection either are not effective or require a large number of TCP packets to be captured and processed and, thus, are not efficient. Our proposed detection algorithm can accurately determine the length of a connection chain without requiring a large number of TCP packets being captured and processed, so it is more efficient. Our proposed detection algorithm is also easier to implement than all existing approaches for stepping-stone intrusion detection. The effectiveness, correctness, and efficiency of our proposed detection algorithm are verified through well-designed network experiments.