cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Voltage-Gated Potassium Channel Kv1.3 as a Target for Inhibiting Detrimental M1 Microglia Functions

Kv1.3 was first discovered in human T cells in 1984 and has since then been pursued as a potential target for immunosuppression. It was later shown to be overexpressed in effector memory T cells, suggesting that Kv1.3 blockers would be particularly useful for the treatment of T cell mediated autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. In fact, the Kv1.3 blocking peptide ShK-186 has recently been found to be effective in Phase-1b study for psoriatic arthritis. We hypothesized that Kv1.3 blockers might also be useful for reducing microglia activation in ischemic stroke and other neurological diseases accompanied by neuroinflammation. Starting with cultured microglia, we observed that Kv1.3 expression is up-regulated in pro-inflammatory M1-like microglia and that Kv1.3 blockers preferentially reduce the production of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha without affecting IL-10 production. In organotypic hippocampal slices exposed to hypoxia/aglycemia Kv1.3 blockers significantly reduced microglia activation and increased neuronal survival. We further observed strong Kv1.3 expression on iNOS expressing inflammatory microglia in human stroke biopsies validating Kv1.3 as potential target. In both mouse and rat models of ischemic stroke the small molecule Kv1.3 blocker PAP-1 significantly reduced infarct area and improved neurological deficit 7 days after reperfusion when administered 12 hours after reperfusion. In the mouse model, PAP-1 selectively reduced brain levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL1-beta and IFN-gamma without affecting IL-10 and BDNF. Based on these findings we propose Kv1.3 inhibitors as potential therapeutic agents for preferentially inhibiting pro-inflammatory M1 microglia functions in ischemic stroke and other neurological diseases.Supported by GM076063 and AG043788.
Flux-driven algebraic damping of m = 1 diocotron mode

Recent experiments with pure electron plasmas in a Malmberg–Penning trap have observed the algebraic damping of m = 1 diocotron modes. Transport due to small field asymmetries produces a low density halo of electrons moving radially outward from the plasma core, and the mode damping begins when the halo reaches the resonant radius r = Rw at the wall of the trap. The damping rate is proportional to the flux of halo particles through the resonant layer. The damping is related to, but distinct from, spatial Landau damping, in which a linear wave-particle resonance produces exponential damping. This paper explains with analytic theory the new algebraic damping due to particle transport by both mobility and diffusion. As electrons are swept around the “cat's eye” orbits of the resonant wave-particle interaction, they form a dipole (m = 1) density distribution. From this distribution, the electric field component perpendicular to the core displacement produces E × B-drift of the core back to the axis, that is, ...
Transuranium Processing Facility Design

The Transuranium Processing Plant will isolate the transuranium elements produced by the irradiation of Pu242 and Am243-Cm244 in the High Flux Isotope Reactor presently under construction at ORNL. ...
RNase H enables efficient repair of R-loop induced DNA damage

R-loops, three-stranded structures that form when transcripts hybridize to chromosomal DNA, are potent agents of genome instability. This instability has been explained by the ability of R-loops to induce DNA damage. Here, we show that persistent R-loops also compromise DNA repair. Depleting endogenous RNase H activity impairs R-loop removal in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, causing DNA damage that occurs preferentially in the repetitive ribosomal DNA locus (rDNA). We analyzed the repair kinetics of this damage and identified mutants that modulate repair. We present a model that the persistence of R-loops at sites of DNA damage induces repair by break-induced replication (BIR). This R-loop induced BIR is particularly susceptible to the formation of lethal repair intermediates at the rDNA because of a barrier imposed by RNA polymerase I.
The Derivation of Discount Rates with an Augmented Measure of Income.

Abstract Most developed economies invest in public goods such as national defense, education, infrastructure, and the environment. Discount rates used to evaluate such projects should reflect the rate of return on the current mix of investment opportunities. Rates derived from the productivity of private capital neglect returns beyond the market boundary. The present paper derives discount rates using an augmented measure of national income inclusive of non-market goods. In an empirical application focusing on air pollution and climate damages in the United States economy, the paper reports that the difference between augmented and market discount rates averages 0.3 percentage points from 1999 to 2014.
Warm starting Bayesian optimization

We develop a framework for warm-starting Bayesian optimization, that reduces the solution time required to solve an optimization problem that is one in a sequence of related problems. This is useful when optimizing the output of a stochastic simulator that fails to provide derivative information, for which Bayesian optimization methods are well-suited. Solving sequences of related optimization problems arises when making several business decisions using one optimization model and input data collected over different time periods or markets. While many gradient-based methods can be warm started by initiating optimization at the solution to the previous problem, this warm start approach does not apply to Bayesian optimization methods, which carry a full metamodel of the objective function from iteration to iteration. Our approach builds a joint statistical model of the entire collection of related objective functions, and uses a value of information calculation to recommend points to evaluate.
Mobile Wellness Resources

ABSTRACTStress in medical students is not unheard of, nor is it unexpected. Medical students have rigorous schedules and must pass a series of examinations, placing enormous pressure on them to succeed. As medical students move into their careers, this same stress can follow them and impact not only their health but also that of their patients. This stress can lead to depression and anxiety and eventually can cause burnout. Libraries are already well aware of the stress students feel, especially around exam time. Therapy dogs visiting the libraries are a common sight, and more libraries are beginning to offer some form of art therapy for students. Medical libraries can further support students’ wellness needs by promoting mobile wellness resources.
The Returns to Education at Community Colleges: New Evidence from the Education Longitudinal Survey

I use nationally representative data from the Education Longitudinal Survey (ELS) to update the literature on returns to community college education. I compare the experiences of the ELS cohort tha...
Uncertainty quantified computational analysis of the energetics of virus capsid assembly

Most of the existing research in assembly pathway prediction/analysis of virus capsids makes the simplifying assumption that the configuration of the intermediate states can be extracted directly from the final configuration of the entire capsid. This assumption does not take into account the conformational changes of the constituent proteins as well as minor changes to the binding interfaces that continues throughout the assembly process until stabilization. This paper presents a statistical-ensemble based approach which provides sufficient samples of the configurational space for each monomer and the relative local orientation between monomers, to capture the uncertainties in their binding and conformations. Furthermore, instead of using larger capsomers (trimers, pentamers) as building blocks, we allow all possible sub-assemblies to bind in all possible combinations. We represent this assembly graph in two different ways. First, we use the Wilcoxon signed rank measure to compare the distributions of binding free energy computed on the sampled conformations to predict likely pathways. Second, we represent chemical equilibrium aspects of the transitions as a Bayesian Factor graph where both associations and dissociations are modeled based on concentrations and the binding free energies. Results from both of these experiments showed significant departure from those one would obtain if only the static configurations of the proteins were considered. Hence, we establish the importance of an uncertainty-aware protocol for pathway analysis, and provide a statistical framework as an important first step towards assembly pathway prediction with high statistical confidence.
USE OF CONSTRAINED SOCKETS: MORE PROBLEMS THAN THEY SOLVE – OPPOSES

When a constrained liner is used in a non-cemented cup it is advisable to add screw fixation to the cup even if the cup has an excellent press-fit because there is more pull-out pressure on the liner with a constrained cup. It also is necessary for the cup to be in the correct anteversion/inclination. It is not advisable to use a constrained liner to “make up” for poor cup position. The patient can still dislocate and then that will require an open reduction. Our most common use with constrained sockets is to cement a liner into a well fixed cemented cup. We also will cement the liner into two-stage infections to keep it stable between those operations. Failure with the cemented liner into a non-cemented cup only occurs with poor surgical technique. There is only one correct surgical technique and violation of this can cause disassociation of the liner from the cup or dislocation of the head from the liner. The correct technique is: 1.) Preferably there is no hood on the liner because that can increase impingement. 2.) The liner size must have a press-fit of the liner edge to the edge of the metal shell. This is absolutely critical. The liner size cannot sink into the shell or be proud of the shell. 3.) The liner cannot be tilted in the shell to change anteversion or inclination. 4.) The backside of the polyethylene liner must be roughened with a high speed bur preferably in a spider web design. 5.) The inside of the cup should be roughened with a carbide bit of a high speed drill. The screw holes should be cleared of fibrous tissue. 6.) The cement thickness is not a critical factor and 1–2mm is always sufficient. 7.) Maintain pressure on the liner with one size smaller pusher (28mm for 32 inner diameter liner) until the cement is hard.
Approaches to learning and school readiness in Head Start: Applications to preschool science

Abstract Approaches to learning are a set of domain-general skills that encompass curiosity, persistence, planning, and engagement in group learning. These skills play a key role in preschoolers' learning and predict school readiness in math and language. Preschool science is a critical domain for early education and facilitates learning across domains. However, no studies to date have examined how approaches to learning affect science outcomes in preschoolers. This study addressed this gap in the literature by testing predictive associations between approaches to learning and gains in science, as well as, math, vocabulary, and listening comprehension, across the school year, in a sample of preschoolers from low-income families. Results indicated that approaches to learning significantly predicted gains in science, and trended towards predicting gains in math, but not vocabulary or listening comprehension. These findings highlighted the potential of approaches to learning to facilitate early science learning for children from low income families.
Synthesis of Recursive ADT Transformations from Reusable Templates

Recent work has proposed a promising approach to improving scalability of program synthesis by allowing the user to supply a syntactic template that constrains the space of potential programs. Unfortunately, creating templates often requires nontrivial effort from the user, which impedes the usability of the synthesizer. We present a solution to this problem in the context of recursive transformations on algebraic data-types. Our approach relies on polymorphic synthesis constructs: a small but powerful extension to the language of syntactic templates, which makes it possible to define a program space in a concise and highly reusable manner, while at the same time retains the scalability benefits of conventional templates. This approach enables end-users to reuse predefined templates from a library for a wide variety of problems with little effort. The paper also describes a novel optimization that further improves the performance and the scalability of the system. We evaluated the approach on a set of benchmarks that most notably includes desugaring functions for lambda calculus, which force the synthesizer to discover Church encodings for pairs and boolean operations.
De-[Constructing] Growth

“De-[Constructing] Growth” is offered as a more nuanced conceptualization that avoids the negative connotations of, and resistance to, “degrowth” by decoupling profit from unsustainable consumption, production, and inequality.
Education and Training in Software Engineering

Although the term “software engineering” has been used widely since the late 1960s, the question of whether to treat it as a distinct academic discipline has only been addressed during the past 10 years. The fact that a steadily increasing number of software engineering degree programs in colleges and universities exist througnout the world indicates a greater acceptance of software engineering as a separate discipline of study. This article contains a history of software engineering in academia, the role of accreditation in various countries, various curriculum models that have been proposed, the gap between academic education and professional knowledge required, an overview of software engineering training issues and certificate programs, university /industry collaborations in software engineering education, distance learning and web-based education in software engineering, the role of professional issues in software engineering education, and information on software engineering education conferences and publications. Keywords: software engineering education; software engineering curricula; software engineering training
Minimum aberration blocking schemes for 128-run designs

Abstract Several criteria have been proposed for ranking blocked fractional factorial designs. For large fractional factorial designs, the most appropriate minimum aberration criterion was one proposed by Cheng and Wu (2002) . We justify this assertion and propose a novel construction method to overcome the computational challenge encountered in large fractional factorial designs. Tables of minimum aberration blocked designs are presented for N=128 runs and n=8–64 factors.
Assessing the Breadth of Framing Effects

Issue frames are a central concept in studying public opinion, and are thought to operate by foregrounding related considerations in citizens' minds. But scholarship has yet to consider the breadth of framing effects by testing whether frames influence attitudes beyond the specific issue they highlight. For example, does a discussion of terrorism affect opinions on proximate issues like crime or even more remote issues like poverty? By measuring the breadth of framing effects, we can assess the extent to which citizens' political considerations are cognitively organized by issues. We undertake a population-based survey experiment with roughly 3,300 respondents which includes frames related to terrorism, crime, health care, and government spending. The results demonstrate that framing effects are narrow, with limited but discernible spillover on proximate, structurally similar issues. Discrete issues not only organize elite politics but also exist in voters' minds, a finding with implications for studying ideology as well as framing.
Reverse Cycle Walking and Its Applications

We study the problem of constructing a block-cipher on a “possibly-strange” set \(\mathcal{S}\) using a block-cipher on a larger set \(\mathcal{T}\). Such constructions are useful in format-preserving encryption, where for example the set \(\mathcal{S}\) might contain “valid 9-digit social security numbers” while \(\mathcal{T}\) might be the set of 30-bit strings. Previous work has solved this problem using a technique called cycle walking, first formally analyzed by Black and Rogaway. Assuming the size of \(\mathcal{S}\) is a constant fraction of the size of \(\mathcal{T}\), cycle walking allows one to encipher a point \(x \in \mathcal{S}\) by applying the block-cipher on \(\mathcal{T}\) a small expected number of times and O(N) times in the worst case, where \(N = |\mathcal{T}|\), without any degradation in security. We introduce an alternative to cycle walking that we call reverse cycle walking, which lowers the worst-case number of times we must apply the block-cipher on \(\mathcal{T}\) from O(N) to \(O(\log N)\). Additionally, when the underlying block-cipher on \(\mathcal{T}\) is secure against \(q = (1-\epsilon )N\) adversarial queries, we show that applying reverse cycle walking gives us a cipher on \(\mathcal{S}\) secure even if the adversary is allowed to query all of the domain points. Such fully secure ciphers have been the the target of numerous recent papers.
Understanding the impact of precision quantization on the accuracy and energy of neural networks

Deep neural networks are gaining in popularity as they are used to generate state-of-the-art results for a variety of computer vision and machine learning applications. At the same time, these networks have grown in depth and complexity in order to solve harder problems. Given the limitations in power budgets dedicated to these networks, the importance of low-power, low-memory solutions has been stressed in recent years. While a large number of dedicated hardware using different precisions has recently been proposed, there exists no comprehensive study of different bit precisions and arithmetic in both inputs and network parameters. In this work, we address this issue and perform a study of different bit-precisions in neural networks (from floating-point to fixed-point, powers of two, and binary). In our evaluation, we consider and analyze the effect of precision scaling on both network accuracy and hardware metrics including memory footprint, power and energy consumption, and design area. We also investigate training-time methodologies to compensate for the reduction in accuracy due to limited bit precision and demonstrate that in most cases, precision scaling can deliver significant benefits in design metrics at the cost of very modest decreases in network accuracy. In addition, we propose that a small portion of the benefits achieved when using lower precisions can be forfeited to increase the network size and therefore the accuracy. We evaluate our experiments, using three well-recognized networks and datasets to show its generality. We investigate the trade-offs and highlight the benefits of using lower precisions in terms of energy and memory footprint.
Delay-optimal scheduling and power control for instantaneous-interference-limited CRs

We study an uplink multi secondary user (SU) cognitive radio system suffering statistical heterogeneity among SUs' channels. This heterogeneity may result in differentiated delay performances to these SUs and result in harmful interference to the PU. We first derive an explicit closed-form expression for the average delay in terms of an arbitrary power-control policy. Then, we propose a delay-optimal closed-form scheduling and power-control policy that can provide the required average delay guarantees to all SUs besides protecting the PU from harmful interference. We support our findings by extensive system simulations and show that it outperforms existing policies substantially.
In-core coolant flow monitoring of pressurized water reactors using temperature and neutron noise

Abstract Noise measurements were performed at the Loss-of-Fluid-Test (LOFT) and Sequoyah-1 pressurized water reactors (PWRs) in order to investigate the possibility of inferring in-core coolant velocities from cross-power spectral density (CPSD) phases of core-exit thermocouple and in-core neutron detector signals. These noise measurements were used to investigate the effects of inlet coolant temperature, core flow, reactor power, and random heat transfer fluctuations on the noise-inferred coolant velocities. The effect on the inferred velocities of varying in-core neutron detector and core-exit thermocouple locations was also investigated. Theoretical models of temperature noise were developed, and the results were used to interpret the experimental measurements. Results of these studies indicate that the neutron detector/thermocouple phase is useful for monitoring core flow in PWRs. Our results show that the interpretation of the phase between these signals depends on the source of temperature noise, the response times and locations of the sensors, and the neutron dynamics of the reactor. At Sequoyah-1 we found that the in-core neutron detector/core-exit thermocouple phase can be used to infer in-core coolant velocities, provided that the measurements are corrected for the thermocouple response time.
Vigilance: The lived experience of women in recovery:

Recovery from addiction is an individualized process and necessitates understanding the phenomenon from the perspective of the individual living the experience. This qualitative study seeks to unde...
Policy Distillation

Abstract: Policies for complex visual tasks have been successfully learned with deep reinforcement learning, using an approach called deep Q-networks (DQN), but relatively large (task-specific) networks and extensive training are needed to achieve good performance. In this work, we present a novel method called policy distillation that can be used to extract the policy of a reinforcement learning agent and train a new network that performs at the expert level while being dramatically smaller and more efficient. Furthermore, the same method can be used to consolidate multiple task-specific policies into a single policy. We demonstrate these claims using the Atari domain and show that the multi-task distilled agent outperforms the single-task teachers as well as a jointly-trained DQN agent.
Multiclass MinMax rank aggregation

We introduce a new family of minmax rank aggregation problems under two distance measures, the Kendall τ and the Spearman footrule. As the problems are NP-hard, we proceed to describe a number of constant-approximation algorithms for solving them. We conclude with illustrative applications of the aggregation methods on the Mallows model and genomic data.
Finite Element Analysis of an Electro-Mechanical Knee Loading Device

The mechanical loading of knee is an effective regimen for treatment of bone related ailments like fractures, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis [1–2]. Efficacy of knee loading is evident from the previous studies done on rodents and other small animals [3]. In order to test this loading concept on human subjects, a prototype of a portable and compact device was designed previously. In this study, the prototype device was re-designed with a modified slider crank mechanism. Since this device has multiple moving parts, durability of the parts under stress is a key factor for its success. Thus, this paper focuses on its mechanical characteristics using finite element analysis (FEA). In particular, structural deformities and modal frequency characteristics are analyzed. The FEA analysis is performed on a CAD model of the device. The static structural and modal analyses are performed on two different configurations, in which different materials were used for selected components. Individual parts were meshed and solved extensively to obtain useful results under maximum loading conditions, such as total deformation, Von Mises stress, and modal frequencies. The analysis results show that ABS plastic based design provides an optimal solution in terms weight, cost, and usability.Copyright © 2016 by ASME
Inferring Beliefs and Desires From Emotional Reactions to Anticipated and Observed Events.

Researchers have long been interested in the relation between emotion understanding and theory of mind. This study investigates a cue to mental states that has rarely been investigated: the dynamics of valenced emotional expressions. When the valence of a character's facial expression was stable between an expected and observed outcome, children (N = 122; M = 5.0 years) recovered the character's desires but did not consistently recover her beliefs. When the valence changed, older but not younger children recovered both the characters' beliefs and desires. In contrast, adults jointly recovered agents' beliefs and desires in all conditions. These results suggest that the ability to infer mental states from the dynamics of emotional expressions develops gradually through early and middle childhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Dual graded graphs for Kac–Moody algebras

Motivated by affine Schubert calculus, we construct a family of dual graded graphs (Γs,Γw) for an arbitrary Kac–Moody algebra g. The graded graphs have the Weyl group W of geh as vertex set and are labeled versions of the strong and weak orders of W respectively. Using a construction of Lusztig for quivers with an admissible automorphism, we define folded insertion for a Kac–Moody algebra and obtain Sagan–Worley shifted insertion from Robinson–Schensted insertion as a special case. Drawing on work of Proctor and Stembridge, we analyze the induced subgraphs of (Γs,Γw) which are distributive posets.
Superposition induced topology changes in quantum gravity

We show that superpositions of classical states in quantum gravity with fixed topology can lead to new classical states with a different topology. We study this phenomenon in a particular limit of the LLM geometries. In this limit, the UV complete minisuperspace of allowed quantum states is exactly given by the Hilbert space of a free chiral boson in two dimensions. We construct this chiral boson purely in terms of combinatorial objects associated with the permutation group. As a byproduct of this analysis, we rederive the Murnaghan-Nakayama rule for characters of the permutation group. We are able to express this rule in terms of operator relations for raising and lowering operators on the Hilbert space of states in a free fermion basis. Our construction provides a preferred notion of bulk locality by studying an appropriate notion of D-brane state generating functions. We describe how multi-droplet LLM geometries with different topologies give new classical limits of the free chiral boson, even though they can be written as superpositions of coherent states with trivial topology. As a consequence, topology cannot be accessed by a single operator measurement in this quantum system. We study other non-linear measurements in the quantum wave-function, based on uncertainty and entanglement between modes of the chiral boson, that can be used as order parameters to measure the topology of such states.
The lower dimensional Busemann-Petty problem for bodies with the generalized axial symmetry

The lower dimensional Busemann-Petty problem asks, whether n-dimensional centrally symmetric convex bodies with smaller i-dimensional central sections necessarily have smaller volumes. For i = 1, the affirmative answer is obvious. If i > 3, the answer is negative. For i = 2 or i = 3 (n > 4), the problem is still open, however, when the body with smaller sections is a body of revolution, the answer is affirmative. The paper contains a solution to the problem in the more general situation, when the body with smaller sections is invariant under rotations, preserving mutually orthogonal subspaces of dimensions l and n − l, respectively, so that i + l ≤ n. The answer essentially depends on l. The argument relies on the notion of canonical angles between subspaces, spherical Radon transforms, properties of intersection bodies, and the generalized cosine transforms.
Energy scarcity and economic growth reconsidered

The analysis in this paper is concerned with the effect of energy scarcity on economic growth in the United States. After defining the notion of scarcity and introducing two measures of scarcity - unit costs and relative energy price - changes in the trend in resource scarcity for natural gas, bituminous coals, anthracite coal, and crude oil over the most recent three decades are investigated. Each of the energy resources became significantly more scarce resources during the decade of the 1970s in the Malthusian Stock Scarcity and Malthusian Flow Scarcity sense. Unit costs exhibit a similar change for natural gas and crude oil but not for bituminous coal and anthracite coal. The situation reversed itself during the 1980s. Natural gas, bituminous coal, anthracite coal, and crude oil all became significantly less scarce resources during the decade of the 1980s than they had been during the 1970s. That is, the increase in scarcity as measured by relative energy prices observed during the decade of the) 1970s was not reversed completely during the 1980s for natural gas and crude oil. Unit costs for natural gas and crude oil demonstrate analogous patterns and test results. Given that change has taken place, it has implications for future economic growth to the extent resource scarcity and economic growth are interrelated. To see whether this is a relevant concern, subsequent to the examination of changing resource scarcity trends, an objective effort is made to identify a long run equilibrium relationship between energy scarcity and economic growth. Relying on cointegration techniques, only for crude oil is there a suggestion that resource scarcity has affected economic growth in the United States over the period 1889–1992.
INSURANCE STATUS AFFECTS MORBIDITY AND COMPLICATION RATE AFTER SHOULDER ARTHROPLASTY

INTRODUCTION Shoulder arthroplasty (SA) is an effective procedure for managing patients with shoulder pain secondary to degenerative joint disease or end stage arthritis that has failed conservative treatment. Insurance status has been shown to be an indicator of patient morbidity and mortality. The objective of the current study is to evaluate the effect of patient insurance status on outcomes following shoulder replacement surgery. METHODS Data was obtained from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample between 2004 and 2011. Analysis included patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty procedures determined by ICD-9 procedure codes. Patient demographics and comorbidities were analyzed and stratified by insurance type. The primary outcome was medical and surgical complications occurring during the same hospitalization with secondary analysis of mortality. Pearson's chi¬squared test and multivariate regression were performed. RESULTS A data inquiry identified 103,290 patients (68,578 Medicare, 27,159 private insurance, 3,544 Medicaid/uninsured, 4,009 Other) undergoing partial, total and reverse total shoulder replacements. The total number of complications was 17,810 (17.24%), and the top three complications included acute cardiac events (8,165), urinary tract infections (3,154), and pneumonia (1,635). The highest complication rate was observed in the Medicare population (20.3%), followed by the Medicaid/uninsured (16.9%), other (11.1%), and the privately-insured cohort (10.5%). Multivariate regression analysis indicated that having Medicare insurance, white race, increasing age, higher comorbidity, and urgent or emergent admissions was associated with medical complications. Black patients, increasing age and comorbities was associated with surgical complications. Overall mortality was 0.20% and was more common in total shoulder arthroplasty and surgeries done on emergent or urgent admissions. DISCUSSION This data reveals that patients with Medicare, Medicaid or no insurance were more likely to have medical complications, most commonly cardiac complications, UTIs and pneumonia. Primary insurance payer status can be considered as an independent risk factor during preoperative risk stratification and planning.
Virtual Links with Finite Medial Bikei

Abstract We consider the question of which virtual knots have finite fundamental medial bikei. We describe and implement an algorithm for completing a presentation matrix of a medial bikei to an operation table, determining both the cardinality and isomorphism class of the fundamental medial bikei, each of which are link invariants. As an example, we compute the fundamental medial bikei for all of the prime virtual knots with up to four classical crossings as listed in the knot atlas.
EFFECT OF OBESITY ON OUTCOME OF TOTAL JOINT ARTHROPLASTY: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Introduction Reported data on impact of obesity on outcome of total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is mixed. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the impact of obesity on surgical procedure and postoperative outcomes after total hip and knee arthroplasty. Methods Pubmed and Scopus databases were searched from 2000 to 2013 for English-language studies that compared the outcomes of total hip or knee arthroplasty between different body mass index (BMI) groups. Data from these studies were pooled and analyzed. Results Twenty-six studies for each type of procedure fulfilled the criteria. Lower BMI was associated with lower risk of superficial (OR=2.16, P Conclusion Obesity is associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications and worse clinical and functional outcomes following TJA.
Theseus: Incentivizing Truth Discovery in Mobile Crowd Sensing Systems

The recent proliferation of human-carried mobile devices has given rise to mobile crowd sensing (MCS) systems that outsource sensory data collection to the public crowd. In order to identify truthful values from (crowd) workers' noisy or even conflicting sensory data, truth discovery algorithms, which jointly estimate workers' data quality and the underlying truths through quality-aware data aggregation, have drawn significant attention. However, the power of these algorithms could not be fully unleashed in MCS systems, unless workers' strategic reduction of their sensing effort is properly tackled. To address this issue, in this paper, we propose a payment mechanism, named Theseus, that deals with workers' such strategic behavior, and incentivizes high-effort sensing from workers. We ensure that, at the Bayesian Nash Equilibrium of the non-cooperative game induced by Theseus, all participating workers will spend their maximum possible effort on sensing, which improves their data quality. As a result, the aggregated results calculated subsequently by truth discovery algorithms based on workers' data will be highly accurate. Additionally, Theseus bears other desirable properties, including individual rationality and budget feasibility. We validate the desirable properties of Theseus through theoretical analysis, as well as extensive simulations.
Path thresholding: Asymptotically tuning-free high-dimensional sparse regression

In this paper, we address the challenging problem of selecting tuning parameters for high-dimensional sparse regression. We propose a simple and computationally efficient method, called path thresholding (PaTh), that transforms any tuning parameter-dependent sparse regression algorithm into an asymptotically tuning-free sparse regression algorithm. More specifically, we prove that, as the problem size becomes large (in the number of variables and in the number of observations), PaTh performs accurate sparse regression, under appropriate conditions, without specifying a tuning parameter. In finite-dimensional settings, we demonstrate that PaTh can alleviate the computational burden of model selection algorithms by significantly reducing the search space of tuning parameters.
A new look at survey propagation and its generalizations

This article provides a new conceptual perspective on survey propagation, which is an iterative algorithm recently introduced by the statistical physics community that is very effective in solving random k-SAT problems even with densities close to the satisfiability threshold. We first describe how any SAT formula can be associated with a novel family of Markov random fields (MRFs), parameterized by a real number ρ ∈ [0, 1]. We then show that applying belief propagation---a well-known “message-passing” technique for estimating marginal probabilities---to this family of MRFs recovers a known family of algorithms, ranging from pure survey propagation at one extreme (ρ = 1) to standard belief propagation on the uniform distribution over SAT assignments at the other extreme (ρ = 0). Configurations in these MRFs have a natural interpretation as partial satisfiability assignments, on which a partial order can be defined. We isolate cores as minimal elements in this partial ordering, which are also fixed points of survey propagation and the only assignments with positive probability in the MRF for ρ = 1. Our experimental results for k = 3 suggest that solutions of random formulas typically do not possess non-trivial cores. This makes it necessary to study the structure of the space of partial assignments for ρ 0 can be viewed as a “smoothed” version of the uniform distribution over satisfying assignments (ρ = 0). Finally, we isolate properties of Gibbs sampling and message-passing algorithms that are typical for an ensemble of k-SAT problems.
ISOLATED ASYMMETRICAL SKIN CREASES AND THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH PATHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTAL DYSPLASIA OF THE HIP: A 21-YEAR OBSERVATIONAL LONGITUDINAL STUDY

Purpose To clarify the true association with pathological DDH and ASC (asymmetrical skin crease). Method Between 1 st January 1995 and 31 st December 2015 all paediatric referrals with suspected hip instability were assessed in a one-stop DDH clinic. All patients had clinical and sonographic assessment with results prospectively recorded onto a database. Result Over this 21-year period, 103 cases were referred with ASC. Seventy were female and 33 male. The age distribution at initial assessment was bimodal with peaks at 3 and 9 months. Eighty-three cases (81%) were referred with ASC, but the hip joints were normal on both clinical examination and sonography. Eighteen cases (17%) were referred with ASC but had an additional risk factor. This group also had normal hips on both clinical examination and sonography. Of the 103 cases, only two had pathological DDH. Both were female and aged 3 and 10 months respectively. They had ASC, but in addition had unilateral limitation of hip abduction, a Galeazzi positive sign and a leg length discrepancy. Radiological assessment diagnosed unilateral irreducible hip dislocations in both cases. Statistical analysis calculated an overall sensitivity for ASC of 100% and a PPV of 1.94%. Conclusion Public Health England NIPE guidelines state that ASC are a ‘screen positive sign’ and should be referred for expert assessment of the hip joints to exclude DDH. This study confirms the opinions of experts and systemic reviews that isolated ASC is an unreliable clinical sign in the diagnosis of pathological DDH. If the hip joint is clinically normal it is highly unlikely that there will be an association with pathological DDH. Routine radiological and sonographic imaging of the hip joints is unnecessary if there is no limitation of hip abduction and normal leg lengths (negative Galeazzi). National guidelines should reflect this.
Generation of and switching among limit-cycle bipedal walking gaits

In this paper we provide a method to generate a continuum of limit cycles using a single precomputed exponentially stable limit cycle designed within the Hybrid Zero Dynamics framework. Guarantees for existence and stability of these limit cycles are provided. We derive analytical constraints that ensure boundedness of the state under arbitrary switching among a finite set of limit cycles extracted from the continuum. These limit cycles are used for changing the speeds of an un-deractuated planar bipedal model while satisfying all modeling constraints such as saturation torque and coefficient of friction in a provably correct manner. A strongly connected directed graph of allowable limit cycle switches is built to obtain valid limit cycle transitions for speed changes within 0.42–0.81 m/s.
Exploiting Webspace organization for accelerating web prefetching

The paper explores how the structure of Webspace and the reading pattern of the surfer affect Web prefetch. We have conducted a series of experiments based on a new prefetch proxy and studied the prefetch performance on several dominant hyperspace structures including chain, tree, and complete graph sub-structures. The study assesses the system's responsiveness and the excess prefetching for various user interaction duration, surfing and prefetch sequences. The results show that the knowledge about the structure of Webspace can be used for intelligent prefetching. The study also offers some interesting insight for authors on how to design a prefetch friendly collection for increasing site responsiveness.
The Surgeon’s Future Role in the Conquest of Cancer

This article is a brief review alluding to the multidisciplinary modalities including basic science technologies that are available in the treatment of today's cancer victim. The roles are discussed of the general surgeon and of the surgical fellow, later a surgical oncologist, as they merge into their respective positions to practice their art. The necessity of limiting the number of surgical oncologists with helpful hints on how they can survive in a nonacademic atmosphere are presented. The multidisciplinary approach to treatment of cancer is stressed.
Effect of Daily Spermatozoan Production but not Age on Transit Time of Spermatozoa Through the Human Epididymis

Daily spermatozoan production, numbers of epididymal spermatozoa, and transit times of spermatozoa through different regions of the epididymis were determined in 38 men, aged 20-49 or 50-79 yr. Specimens were obtained at autopsy within 24 h of death due to traumatic injury or heart failure. Subjects were in apparent good health prior to death, and death was not preceded by an extended period of hospitalization. Daily spermatozoan production per testis (DSP/T) and numbers of epididymal spermatozoa were determined from counts of maturation-phase spermatids or epididymal spermatozoa in tissue homogenized in a Waring blender. Epididymal transit time was calculated as the number of spermatozoa in a given region of the epididymis or in the entire epididymis divided by DSP/T of the connected testis. Parenchymal weight, spermatozoan production rate, numbers of epididymal spermatozoa, and epididymal transit time were similar (p greater than 0.05) between paired testes or epididymides. Men were divided into four groups on the basis of age and DSP/T. Since there was no (p greater than 0.05) effect of age on epididymal transit time, men in different age groups were combined within their respective group on the basis of DSP/T. In the group with high DSP/T, DSP/g parenchyma was much higher and epididymal transit time was much faster. However, parenchymal weights and numbers of epididymal spermatozoa were similar (p greater than 0.05) between DSP/T groups. The similarity in number of spermatozoa in epididymides of men whose DSP/T differed by threefold is consistent with the inability of the human epididymis to store many spermatozoa when no blockage is present.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Preputial Unfurling to Correct the Buried Penis

Recognition of the buried penis is necessary both to ensure its proper management and to avoid performance of a standard circumcision, which can result in penile degloving. We describe a simple technique of unfurling the prepuce which provides adequate functional and cosmetic replacement for the penile shaft skin.
Modeling alignment enhancement for solid polarized targets

A model of dynamic orientation using optimized radiofrequency (RF) irradiation produced perpendicular to the holding field is developed for the spin-1 system required for tensor-polarized fixed-target experiments. The derivation applies to RF produced close to the Larmor frequency of the nucleus and requires the electron spin-resonance linewidth to be much smaller than the nuclear magnetic resonance frequency. The rate equations are solved numerically to study a semi-saturated steady-state resulting from the two sources of irradiation: microwave from the DNP process and the additional RF used to manipulate the tensor polarization. The steady-state condition and continuous-wave NMR lineshape are found that optimize the spin-1 alignment in the polycrystalline materials used as solid polarized targets in charged-beam nuclear and particle physics experiments.
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia: Myths of pharmacologic management

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the leading cause of long-term respiratory morbidity in newborns who require respiratory support at birth. BPD is a multifactorial disorder, and infants are frequently subjected to treatment with multiple pharmacologic agents of dubious efficacy and questionable safety, including diuretics, bronchodilators, corticosteroids, anti-reflux medications, and pulmonary vasodilators. These agents, with narrow therapeutic indices, are widely used despite the lack of an evidence base, and some may do more harm than good. It is incumbent on the clinician to establish a risk:benefit ratio and to avoid drugs that have little efficacy and a high rate of toxicity.
Land Values: Size Matters

Using Clark County, Nevada land auction data from the Bureau of Land Management, we find evidence that the price paid per acre of land initially increases, and then decreases with parcel size and find the price paid per acre to be maximized at approximately 14 acres. We also find that convexity exists on the value-size curve up to approximately 8 acres. We attribute this phenomenon partially to the fact that larger parcels are better suited towards commercial and mixed-use developments. A similar pattern is found for residential land, and can be attributed to the economies of scale developers would need when building tract housing. We also find some evidence that for large lot sizes (over 25 acres), price-per-acre seems relatively constant. Finally, we use this data to approximate difference in price between purchasing smaller contiguous lots and larger lots. In this setting, we find that the value of plottage (assembly) is about $60,000/acre which is the difference between assembling contiguous parcels versus purchasing the equivalent size parcel outright.
Robust optimal planning and control of non-periodic bipedal locomotion with a centroidal momentum model:

This study presents a theoretical method for planning and controlling agile bipedal locomotion based on robustly tracking a set of non-periodic keyframe states. Based on centroidal momentum dynamics, we formulate a hybrid phase-space planning and control method that includes the following key components: (i) a step transition solver that enables dynamically tracking non-periodic keyframe states over various types of terrain; (ii) a robust hybrid automaton to effectively formulate planning and control algorithms; (iii) a steering direction model to control the robot’s heading; (iv) a phase-space metric to measure distance to the planned locomotion manifolds; and (v) a hybrid control method based on the previous distance metric to produce robust dynamic locomotion under external disturbances. Compared with other locomotion methodologies, we have a large focus on non-periodic gait generation and robustness metrics to deal with disturbances. This focus enables the proposed control method to track non-periodic...