cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Graphene-based terahertz polarization converters

In this work, broadband and ultrathin graphene-based polarization converters operating at terahertz (THz) frequencies are designed and presented. The cross-polarization converter is constituted by a periodic L-shaped patterned graphene monolayer placed on a dielectric spacer layer and terminated by a gold substrate. This subwavelength design can convert linearly polarized waves to their cross polarized version operating in reflection. Next, a circular polarization converter is presented operating in transmission, which is based on arrays of rectangular graphene patches positioned over a thin dielectric substrate. This THz design can convert the linear polarized incident wave to circular or elliptical polarized transmitted radiation. Both polarization converters are ultrathin and work over a broad frequency range and for different incident angles. In addition, they have tunable responses and are envisioned to become the building blocks of future integrated THz systems.
Two-Dimensional Echocardiographic Assessment of Normal Mitral Leaflet Motion

Measurement of quantitative data from the time-motion echocardiogram of the mitral valve is often difficult. One-dimensional echo beams usually intercept the anterior mitral leaflet in a variety of places during the cardiac cycle and, most likely, do not accurately reflect the total motion of the entirety of the leaflet. Changes in the geometric configuration of the anterior mitral leaflet and its cyclic spatial relationships to the mitral ring were studied in twenty normal volunteers using a real time, two-dimensional, phased array imaging system. All patients were in normal sinus rhythm and were studied at rest. Breath was held at end expiration. Scans were obtained through both the long and short axes of the mitral valve.
The influence of a first language : training nonnative listeners on voicing contrasts

Learning how to perceive speech contrasts in a second language (L2) is influenced by many factors, including similarity to the first language (L1). Over five days, we trained native English and nat...
Autosomal dominant thrombocytopenia: incomplete megakaryocyte differentiation and linkage to human chromosome 10

We studied a large kindred with nonsyndromic autosomal dominant thrombocytopenia to define the phenotype and used genomic linkage analysis to determine the locus of the abnormal gene. Affected family members are characterized by lifelong moderate thrombocytopenia (mean = 42.7 × 109/L) with moderate propensity toward easy bruising and minor bleeding. Megakaryocytes are present in bone marrow with reduced frequency, and there are no apparent abnormalities of myeloid or erythroid cells. This type of inherited thrombocytopenia has no evident association with hematopoietic malignancy or progression to aplastic anemia. In the past, members of this family have failed therapeutic trials of immunosuppression and splenectomy. In our investigation, we found that affected individuals had normal platelet size compared with unaffected family members and modestly increased thrombopoietin levels. Hematopoietic colony assays from bone marrow and peripheral blood demonstrated that megakaryocyte precursors (CFU-Mk) were dramatically increased in both number and size in affected individuals. Bone marrow cells grown in liquid culture with thrombopoietin failed to develop polyploid cells greater than 8N. Also, electron microscopy demonstrated that megakaryocytes from an affected individual had markedly delayed nuclear and cytoplasmic differentiation. Genome-wide linkage analysis established a single locus for the disease gene on the short arm of chromosome 10 with a maximum 2-point lod score of 5.68 (at θ = 0). By recruiting additional family members, the genomic region was narrowed to 17 centimorgans. We conclude that a gene in this locus plays an important role in megakaryocyte endomitosis and terminal maturation.
Arsenic. Can this toxic metalloid sustain life

It was recently reported that a bacterium, Halomonas species GFAJ-1, isolated from arsenic-rich Mono Lake and further selected for growth under conditions of high arsenate and low phosphate, is able to grow using arsenic instead of phosphorus. This claim, and subsequent studies to evaluate GFAJ-1, has brought new attention to the question of whether arsenic can play an essential or sustaining role for living organisms. If true, this would be in stark contrast to the well known toxicity of this element and its ability to cause a number of diseases, including cancer of the skin, lung, bladder, liver, and kidney. However, while deadly at high doses, arsenic oxide is also an approved and effective chemotherapeutic drug for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). This review examines the evidence that arsenic may be a beneficial nutrient at trace levels below the background to which living organisms are normally exposed. It also examines whether arsenic can be used to sustain organisms growing under high arsenic conditions, specifically the results from recent studies of arsenic biochemistry motivated by the report of GFAJ-1. Both of these topics are considered in the context of the toxicity of this element and its ability to cause cancer and other diseases, yet its Janus-faced ability to effectively treat APL.
System Governance: Emergence of Practical Perspectives Across the Disciplines

As the eventual concept of governance has yet to emerge, traditional sources of power and authority symbols will always be at risk of falling short or even failing catastrophically. This is a daunting challenge since the actual governance landscape have dynamically evolved far more sophisticatedly than the usual well-framed “control” models that are embedded within traditional domains of administrative, public administration and political theories. The purpose of this paper is to articulate an alternative analysis of governance -relevant themes based on systems theoretic principles. This study utilizes a system-of-systems (SoS) conceptualization of governance that relates (1) a ‘governed’ system—the target of governance , with (2) a ‘governing’ system—the direct controller of the ‘governed’ system, (3) a ‘metagovernance’ systems—a metasystem that strategically influences the ‘governing’ system directly and the ‘governed’ system indirectly, and (4) its contextual environment—as anything external to the supposed SoS boundary. The paper will discuss how the symbols of governance that perpetuate “myths of control” thinking within the emergent infranomics discourse will be better understood incorporating for instance pluralist perspectives, role of the observer, and information—a few example of concepts and principles that are well-articulated in systems-based theories and approaches. The main contribution of this study is a set of systems-based ideas representing governance that will continue to remain relevant in spite of emergent problems and increased complexity.
Abstract 47: Brain metastatic versus non-metastatic breast cancer exosomes influence astrocyte response

Brain metastasis is a devastating, late-stage event affecting 10-30% of breast cancer patients, but it is unclear how breast cancer cells can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and colonize the unique brain environment. Exosomes, endosomal-derived extracellular vesicles, have been reported to support premetastatic niche formation through recruitment of tumor growth-supporting cells, creating sites conducive to cancer development. Still, it is not known how exosomes might prime the distinctive brain environment for metastasis despite the ability of circulating exosomes to readily cross the BBB. Glial cells, namely astrocytes and microglia, are important contributors to brain metastasis, and astrocytes in particular secrete exosomes that promote tumor outgrowth in the brain. We therefore investigated the effects of breast cancer exosomes on astrocytes in promoting brain premetastatic niche formation. Using ultracentrifugation, we isolated exosomes from 4T1 metastatic and 67NR nonmetastatic mouse mammary carcinoma and MDA-MB-231 human triple-negative breast cancer cell-conditioned media. Exosomes were characterized using Western immunoblot, dynamic light scatter analysis, and transmission electron microscopy, and labeled with a fluorescent lipid dye. Mouse and human astrocytes were then treated with either 4T1 or MDA-MB-231 exosomes, respectively, and vesicle internalization was assessed using confocal microscopy. Astrocytes were indeed found to internalize cancer exosomes in vitro. Using qPCR analysis, we explored gene expression changes in mouse astrocytes treated with 4T1 exosomes compared to those treated with 67NR exosome nonmetastatic controls. 4T1 exosomes were found to significantly upregulate expression of tenascin C, an astrocyte-derived brain extracellular matrix protein, suggesting the brain matrix could be remodeled prior to cancer cell arrival. Further, astrocytes treated with 4T1 exosomes exhibited significant upregulation of inflammation-associated genes, namely COX-2, IL-6, CCL4 and PDGF-alpha, genes also associated with cancer and metastasis, specifically to the brain. Alternatively, 67NR exosome treated-astrocytes exhibited significant downregulation in these genes of interest, suggesting that there is a unique response profile associated with nonmetastatic versus metastatic breast cancer-derived exosomes. Taken together, these findings suggest that breast cancer exosomes could drive transformation of the brain environment towards a prometastatic site. Citation Format: Megan Sayyad, Madhavi Puchalapalli, Bin Hu, Jennifer Koblinski. Brain metastatic versus non-metastatic breast cancer exosomes influence astrocyte response [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 47.
Utilizing simulated errors in radiotherapy plans to quantify the effectiveness of the physics plan review

Purpose The review of a radiation therapy plan by a physicist prior to treatment is a standard tool for ensuring the quality of treatments. However, little is known about how well this task is performed in practice. The goal of this study is to present a novel method to measure the effectiveness of physics plan review by introducing simulated errors into computerized "mock" treatment charts and measuring the performance of plan review by physicists. Methods We generated six simulated treatment charts containing multiple errors. To select errors, we compiled a list based on events from a departmental incident learning system and an international incident learning system (SAFRON). Seventeen errors with the highest scores for frequency and severity were included in the simulations included six mock treatment charts. Eight physicists reviewed the simulated charts as they would a normal pretreatment plan review, with each chart being reviewed by at least six physicists. There were 113 data points for evaluation. Observer bias was minimized using a simple error vs hidden error approach, using detectability scores for stratification. The confidence interval for the proportion of errors detected was computed using the Wilson score interval. Results Simulated errors were detected in 67% of reviews [58-75%] (95% confidence interval [CI] in brackets). Of the errors included in the simulated plans, the following error scenarios had the highest detection rates: an incorrect isocenter in DRR (93% [70-99%]), a planned dose different from the prescribed dose (92% [67-99%]) and invalid QA (85% [58-96%]). Errors with low detection rates included incorrect CT dataset (0%, [0-39%]) and incorrect isocenter localization in planning system (38% [18-64%]). Detection rates of errors from simulated charts were compared against observed detection rates of errors from a departmental incident learning system. Conclusions It has been notoriously difficult to quantify error and safety performance in oncology. This study uses a novel technique of simulated errors to quantify performance and suggests that the pretreatment physics plan review identifies some errors with high fidelity while other errors are more challenging to detect. These data will guide future work on standardization and automation. The example process studied here was physics plan review, but this approach of simulated errors may be applied in other contexts as well and may also be useful for training and education purposes.
In vivo relationship between joint stiffness, joint-based estimates of muscle stiffness, and shear-wave velocity

Shear-wave (SW) ultrasound elastography is both a clinical and research tool that is increasingly being used to quantify the material properties of muscle. However, how SW velocity relates to stiffness changes on the joint- and musclelevels is poorly understood. Therefore, the purpose of this work was to develop a biomechanical model to estimate plantar flexor muscle stiffness, and measure joint stiffness, joint-based estimates of muscle stiffness, and medial gastrocnemius (MG) SW velocity under different activations (0, 20, and 40%) to quantify the relationships between 1) joint stiffness and jointbased estimates of muscle stiffness; 2) joint stiffness and MG SW velocity; and 3) joint-based estimates of muscle stiffness and MG SW velocity. Our main findings include strong relationships between 1) joint stiffness and joint-based estimates of muscle stiffness $( R^{2}\,= 0 .70)$ and 2) joint stiffness and MG SW velocity $( R^{2}\,= 0 .66)$, and a weak relationship between joint-based estimates of muscle stiffness and MG SW velocity $( R^{2}\,= 0 .24)$. These findings further our understanding of SW velocity measures in muscle and provide a biomechanical model to decompose muscle stiffness from joint stiffness.
Optimal Positioning of Energy Assets in Autonomous Robotic Microgrids for Power Restoration

As the number of natural disasters and the duration of their aftermath continues to rise, the use of mobile and autonomous energy sources formed into a temporary and adaptive microgrid will improve response time and decrease overall recovery time. The optimal positioning of energy resources in the operating field is critical. There are many options for choosing an optimization technique but many of these assume specific connections between voltage source nodes and loads. This paper presents a brief overview of the genetic algorithm optimization in microgrid resource positioning in an operating field with obstacles. The indexing of the nodes and loads and the formulation for optimization of a general model of a microgrid system are presented. Next, the optimization of microgrids using the genetic algorithm approach is explained, as well as the shortest path algorithm used. The results show the success of optimization applied to a variety of test cases. Further research and expansions of optimization in the test cases are then explained.
The product of parts or "norm" of a partition

In this article we study the norm of an integer partition, which is defined as the product of the parts. This partition-theoretic statistic has appeared here and there in the literature of the last century or so, and is at the heart of current research by both authors. We survey known results and give new results related to this all-but-overlooked object, which it turns out plays a comparable role in partition theory to the size, length, and other standard partition statistics.
The Space for Regulation Beyond Borders? The Role of the EU in Regulating Zero Hours Work

This chapter explores how challenges related to zero hours contracts are addressed at the European Union (EU) institutional level. It considers whether in the current context of EU social and economic policy, there are sufficient legal grounds and favourable policy climate for sound regulation addressing this type of work. The chapter first describes the EU competence in the areas of work and employment conditions, in order to define the scope for EU actions. Against this background, it then evaluates the current direction and agenda of EU employment policy to identify what actually has been done. The analysis includes the European Pillar of Social Rights proclaimed in 2017. The chapter then explores in more detail the proposals and negotiations around the revision of two EU directives most pertinent to zero hours contracts: on working time and on working conditions. This serves to present the views of the European social partners on the issues of regulating non-standard employment, the most recent proposals about zero hours contracts, and to show how difficult it has been to achieve any compromise. Overall, efforts by the EU institutions to improve working conditions for workers on zero hours contracts are perceptible and a welcome step but the precedence given to flexibility in the EU employment policy and the tendency to under-enforce social rights call into question their ability to produce intended results.
Clustered randomized controlled trial of a clinic-based problem-solving intervention to improve adherence in adolescents with cystic fibrosis

Abstract Background In Cystic Fibrosis (CF), adherence to pulmonary medications is about 50% and decreases during adolescence. Effective interventions have not been integrated into CF care. This effectiveness study tested a brief, clinic-based behavioral intervention to improve adherence. Methods iCARE (I Change Adherence and Raise Expectations) was a pragmatic, clustered, 2-arm randomized controlled trial at 18 CF Centers. 607 adolescents with CF, ages 11–20 years, participated. Centers were randomized to IMPACT (n = 9; 300 adolescents), a brief problem-solving + education intervention, or standard care (SC; n = 9; 307 adolescents). IMPACT was delivered during a regularly scheduled clinic visit by a member of the clinical care team. The primary outcome was composite pulmonary medication possession ratio (cMPR); secondary endpoints were lung function, Body Mass Index percentile, courses of IV antibiotics, and health-related quality of life at 12 months. Results Effectiveness of the intervention was tested using mixed models, generalized estimating equations comparing IMPACT to SC. Fifty-eight percent of problem-solving sessions targeted barriers to airway clearance, exercise or nutrition, while 18% addressed pulmonary medications. Average intervention fidelity score was 67% (SD = 14%; Range = 25–100%). No significant intervention effects were found for cMPR or any of the secondary outcomes compared to SC. Conclusions The IMPACT intervention did not improve medication adherence or health outcomes over 12 months. Challenges to implementing the intervention as intended during busy clinic visits were identified. Trial Registry ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT01232478; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov.
Race differences in cardiovascular disease and breast cancer mortality among US women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer.

BACKGROUND Breast cancer (BC) survivors are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) due to shared risk factors with BC and cardiotoxic treatment effects. We aim to investigate racial differences in mortality due to CVD and BC among women diagnosed with invasive BC. METHODS Data from 407 587 non-Hispanic Black (NHB) and White (NHW) women diagnosed with malignant BC (1990-2014) were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Cumulative incidence of mortality due to CVD and BC was calculated by race and age (years). Cox models were used to obtain hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) for the association of race/ethnicity with cause-specific mortality. RESULTS The 20-year cumulative incidence of CVD-related mortality was higher among younger NHBs than NHWs (e.g. age 55-69: 13.3% vs 8.9%, respectively). NHBs had higher incidence of BC-specific mortality than NHWs, regardless of age. There was a monotonic reduction in CVD-related mortality disparities with increasing age (age <55: HR = 3.71, 95%CI: 3.29, 4.19; age 55-68: HR = 2.31, 95%CI: 2.15, 2.49; age 69+: HR = 1.24, 95%CI: 1.19, 1.30). The hazard of BC-specific mortality among NHBs was approximately twice that of NHWs (e.g. age <55: HR = 1.98, 95%CI: 1.92, 2.04). CONCLUSIONS There are substantial differences in mortality due to CVD and BC between NHB and NHW women diagnosed with invasive BC. Racial differences were greatest among younger women for CVD-related mortality and similar across age groups for BC-specific mortality. Future studies should identify pathways through which race/ethnicity affects cause-specific mortality, to inform efforts towards reducing disparities.
Diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease Using Wavelet-Based Neural Networks

This chapter examines the utility of wavelet-based neural networks for detecting coronary artery disease noninvasively by using the clinical examination variables and extracting useful information from the diastolic heart sounds associated with coronary occlusions. It has been widely reported that coronary stenoses produce sounds due to the turbulent blood flow in these vessels. These complex and highly attenuated signals taken from recordings made in both soundproof and noisy rooms were detected and analyzed to provide feature set based on extrema representation of the fast wavelet transform coefficients. In addition, some physical exam variables such as sex, age, body weight, smoking condition, diastolic pressure, systolic pressure, and derivation from them were included in the feature vector. This feature vector was used as the input pattern to the neural network.
Performance of discrete liquid helium/vapor and He-I/He-II discriminators

Simple resistive elements called Liquid/Vapor Discriminators (LVDs) are used in the Superfluid Helium On-Orbit Transfer (SHOOT) dewars to discriminate between helium liquid and vapor and between He-I and He-II at discrete locations. The LVDs are small cubes of doped silicon whose resistance is strongly temperature dependent. The application of a small excitation current lowers the resistance of each LVD as it self-heats. The degree of heating depends on whether the LVD is immersed in He-I or He-II or is surrounded by vapor. By comparing the voltage across each LVD to an appropriate threshold, one can discriminate either between liquid and vapor or between He-I and He-II. Both the excitation current and the discrimination point, or threshold can be adjusted on orbit. The LVDs were calibrated early in the mission to optimize the power required for operation in low gravity. Twenty LVDs are located in each of the dewars for several purposes. Among these are to determine if and when the liquid acquisition devices fail to supply liquid to the pumps, to determine roughly the amount of liquid carried into orbit, and to monitor both the liquid/vapor and He-I/He-II phase boundaries during the post-launch pumpdown period. Both ground test results and performance during flight are discussed.
Ostensible Financial Stability Caused by Wealth Inequality

This article investigates ostensible financial stability of an economic sector caused by wealth inequality. When a sector is decomposed into two subsectors that possess a severe wealth inequality, the sector in entirety can look financially stable while the two subsectors have opposite extreme financially instability, one from excessive equity the other from lack thereof. The unstable subsector can result in further financial distress and even trigger a financial crisis. The market instability indicator, an early warning system derived from dynamical systems is used to analyze the subsectoral financial instability of the system. An extreme case analysis is provided to explain what financial instabilities can arise amid seemingly stable economy and positive outcomes.
Pyramid: Machine Learning Framework to Estimate the Optimal Timing and Resource Usage of a High-Level Synthesis Design

The emergence of High-Level Synthesis (HLS) tools shifted the paradigm of hardware design by making the process of mapping high-level programming languages to hardware design such as C to VHDL/Verilog feasible. HLS tools offer a plethora of techniques to optimize designs for both area and performance, but resource usage and timing reports of HLS tools mostly deviate from the post-implementation results. In addition, to evaluate a hardware design performance, it is critical to determine the maximum achievable clock frequency. Obtaining such information using static timing analysis provided by CAD tools is difficult, due to the multitude of tool options. Moreover, a binary search to find the maximum frequency is tedious, time-consuming, and often does not obtain the optimal result. To address these challenges, we propose a framework, called Pyramid, that uses machine learning to accurately estimate the optimal performance and resource utilization of an HLS design. For this purpose, we first create a database of C-to- FPGA results from a diverse set of benchmarks. To find the achievable maximum clock frequency, we use Minerva, which is an automated hardware optimization tool. Minerva determines the close-to-optimal settings of tools, using static timing analysis and a heuristic algorithm, and targets either optimal throughput or throughput-to-area. Pyramid uses the database to train an ensemble machine learning model to map the HLS-reported features to the results of Minerva. To this end, Pyramid recalibrates the results of HLS to bridge the accuracy gap, and enable developers to estimate the throughput or throughputto- area of hardware design with more than 95% accuracy and alleviates the need to perform actual implementation for estimation.
Concurrent Treatment of VEGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs) and Factor Xa Inhibitors Is Associated with Increased Bleeding Risks

ABSTRACT Background: Some cancer patients with thromboembolism require dual treatment of VEGFR TKIs and factor Xa inhibitors (direct or indirect), which may contribute to increased bleeding risks. However, the safety of such combination treatment has not been well characterized in the literature or national guidelines. Methods: This is a single center retrospective study, where we identified metastatic cancer patients (renal cancer, colorectal cancer, sarcoma, etc) who received concurrent VEGFR TKIs (pazopanib, sunitinib, sorafenib, axitinib, regorafenib, vandetanib, lenvatinib or cabozantinib) and Xa inhibitors (low-molecular weight heparin [LMWH] or direct oral anticoagulants [DOACs] including rivaroxaban or apixaban) at the Ohio State University Medical Center. We assessed bleeding risks of dual therapies vs. factor Xa inhibitors alone, using the same patients as self controls. We reviewed medical charts of all identified patients for clinically significant bleeding events (defined as combined major bleeding and clinically relevant non-major bleeding by the International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis criteria). The Cox proportional hazard model was used to compare the differences of time to first clinically significant bleeding event between the groups of concurrent use and anticoagulant use only. Results: A total of 86 patients (26 females and 60 males) were included: 78 Caucasians, 6 African Americans, and 2 others. 81 patients had concurrent TKI and LMWH treatment; 20 patients had concurrent TKI and DOACs; and 85 patients have had been on factor Xa inhibitor alone (LMWH or DOACs) at some point. Some patients had been on both LMWH and DOACs at different time periods. Overall, there were 29 clinically significant bleeding events (including 8 major bleeding) during concurrent treatment and 17 events (4 major bleeding) during factor Xa inhibitor alone over a median follow up of 63 days (52 days for concurrent treatment and 99 days for Xa inhibitor alone). In this self-control study, concurrent treatment was associated with a statistically higher risk of clinically significant bleeding events (HR, 2.84; 95% CI, 1.43-5.64, P Conclusions: Concurrent treatment of VEGFR TKI and factor Xa inhibitors is associated with a significantly increased bleeding risks when compared with factor Xa inhibitors alone in patients with metastatic cancer. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Prediction Model for the Distribution Transformer Failure Using Correlation of Weather Data

Distribution Transformer (DT) is an integral component of a distribution network. Electric utilities have invested efforts in reducing DTs failure rates. This paper presents a method for prediction of probability of DT failure by analyzing a correlation between weather data and historical DT failures data. Logistic regression prediction model is used in order to predict DT failure, and to extract the correlation between parameters of weather and DT failure. Accuracy of prediction is reliable, which is presented using evaluation metrics. This method not only has a vital significance for the maintenance of DTs, but also improves the economic efficiency and reliability of distribution network operation.
“Storytelling Organization” is Being Transformed into Discourse of “Digital Organization”

Storytelling organization is transforming. Epic stories of lived experience are no longer communicable in corporation, schools, or government; it is only discourse that matters. It has taken a long time. Slowly, the invention of the printing press gave birth to the novel and the newspaper, which convey discourse as text with hardly any epic story wisdom at all. Now we are witnessing the proliferation of digital discourse inventions (texting, email, digital measures) that are radically displacing “storytelling organization”, with “virtual organization” discursively explicating everything without any grounding in lived experience wisdom. Managing and organizing have changed, as the “storytelling organization” has become the “virtual organization”. In this essay, I integrate the storytelling theories of Mikhail Bakhtin, Gertrude Stein, Walter Benjamin, and the Kaupapa Māori work of Linda Smith and Graham Smith. I conclude that with the decay of the storytelling organization, without “true storytelling”, we descend into fake news, fake discourse, and meaninglessness. We become like the wisdomless lemmings following one another over the cliff.
La creación de un nuevo espacio: se buscan profesores de español y educación bilingüe comprometidos

Desde el inicio de la educacion bilingue el espanol academico de algunos de los maestros bilingues no ha estado al nivel necesario para funcionar como tales. Los profesores de espanol y educacion b...
Exposures Exposed: A Measurement and User Study to Assess Mobile Data Privacy in Context.

Mobile devices have access to personal, potentially sensitive data, and there is a large number of mobile applications and third-party libraries that transmit this information over the network to remote servers (including app developer servers and third party servers). In this paper, we are interested in better understanding of not just the extent of personally identifiable information (PII) exposure, but also its context i.e., functionality of the app, destination server, encryption used, etc.) and the risk perceived by mobile users today. To that end we take two steps. First, we perform a measurement study: we collect a new dataset via manual and automatic testing and capture the exposure of 16 PII types from 400 most popular Android apps. We analyze these exposures and provide insights into the extent and patterns of mobile apps sharing PII, which can be later used for prediction and prevention. Second, we perform a user study with 220 participants on Amazon Mechanical Turk: we summarize the results of the measurement study in categories, present them in a realistic context, and assess users' understanding, concern, and willingness to take action. To the best of our knowledge, our user study is the first to collect and analyze user input in such fine granularity and on actual (not just potential or permitted) privacy exposures on mobile devices. Although many users did not initially understand the full implications of their PII being exposed, after being better informed through the study, they became appreciative and interested in better privacy practices.
Acute Splenic Artery Thrombosis and Infarction Associated with COVID-19 Disease

Coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) is a viral illness caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It emerged in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and has caused a widespread global pandemic. The symptoms of COVID-19 can vary from mild upper respiratory symptoms to severe pneumonia with hypoxemic respiratory failure. Multiple studies and reports have reported a hypercoagulable state associated with this disease, and various recommendations have emerged to guide the use of anticoagulants for prophylaxis. We are reporting a case of symptomatic acute splenic thrombosis causing splenic infarction in a patient suffering from a severe case of COVID-19 and despite the use of an intermediate dose of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH). The patient was treated with full-dose anticoagulation and was eventually discharged home on a direct oral anticoagulant.
Novel high throughput sequencing - fluorometric approach demonstrates Microcystis blooms across western Lake Erie are promoted by grazing resistance and nutrient enhanced growth

Abstract Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CHABs) are a global public health threat. While CHABs are often promoted by nutrients, an important and often overlooked influence on bloom dynamics is zooplankton grazing. In the present study, zooplankton grazing and nutrient enrichment experiments were combined with next generation sequencing and fluorometric analyses to quantify differential grazing and nutrient effects on specific cyanobacterial genera across the western basin of Lake Erie. Grazing by two different sized daphnids, Daphnia magna and Daphnia pulex, was compared to protozooplankton grazing effects assessed via a dilution approach at sites within the Maumee and Sandusky Bays where Planktothrix, Microcystis, Synechococcus, and Dolichospermum were the dominant genera. Daphnid grazing significantly reduced Synechococcus net growth rates at most sites as well as Planktothrix net growth in Sandusky Bay and Dolichospermum in Maumee Bay. Dilution resulted in significant growth increase of Synechococcus at half of the sites and Planktothrix at most sites evidencing substantial grazing pressure by the protozooplankton community on these genera. In contrast, Microcystis populations were largely unaffected by daphnids and protozooplankton grazing but benefitted from nutrient enrichment more than other CHAB genera. When diatoms were present in moderate abundance, grazing rates by daphnids on diatoms were significantly greater than grazing rates on cyanobacteria. The novel approach used in this study established differences in grazing pressure and nutrient effects on differing taxa and revealed that, while many taxa were grazed by multiple classes of zooplankton (e.g. Planktothrix, Synechococcus, Dolichospermum, diatoms), the lack of grazing pressure on Microcystis coupled with nutrient-enhanced growth in western Lake Erie promotes the occurrence of CHABs of this genus.
Enhancement of calcium‐dependent afterpotentials in oxytocin neurons of the rat supraoptic nucleus during lactation

The firing pattern of oxytocin (OT) hormone synthesizing neurons changes dramatically immediately before each milk ejection, when a brief burst of action potentials is discharged. OT neurons possess intrinsic currents that would modulate this burst. Our previous studies showed the amplitude of the Ca2+-dependent afterhyperpolarization (AHP) following spike trains is significantly larger during lactation. In the present study we sought to determine which component of the AHP is enhanced, and whether the enhancement could be related to changes in whole-cell Ca2+ current or the Ca2+ transient in identified OT or vasopressin (VP) neurons during lactation. We confirmed, with whole-cell current-clamp recordings, our previous finding from sharp electrodes that the size of the AHP following spike trains increased in OT, but not VP neurons during lactation. We then determined that an apamin-sensitive medium-duration AHP (mAHP) and an apamin-insensitive slow AHP (sAHP) were specifically increased in OT neurons. Simultaneous Ca2+ imaging revealed that the peak change in somatic [Ca2+]i was not altered in either cell type, but the slow decay of the Ca2+ transient was faster in both cell types during lactation. In voltage clamp, the whole-cell, Ca2+ current was slightly larger during lactation in OT cells only, but current density was unchanged when corrected for somatic hypertrophy. The currents, ImAHP and IsAHP, also were increased in OT neurons only, but only the apamin-sensitive ImAHP showed an increase in current density after adjusting for somatic hypertrophy. These findings suggest a specific modulation (e.g. increased number) of the small-conductance Ca2+-dependent K+ (SK) channels, or their interaction with Ca2+, underlies the increased mAHP/ImAHP during lactation. This larger mAHP may be necessary to limit the explosive bursts during milk ejection.
Sex Differences in Adoption Attitudes

Abstract The present study investigated the contribution of gender role attitudes to how attitudes toward adoption vary between men and women. Students attending a USA university (N = 148) completed four scales that assessed attitudes regarding the traditional male role, machismo, attitudes toward women, and adoption, respectively. Women endorsed less traditional gender role attitudes and held more favorable attitudes toward adoption. These sex differences in adoption attitudes were mediated by attitudes toward women and by endorsement of machismo. Attitudes toward men's roles moderated sex differences in adoption attitudes; men, but not women, with less traditional attitudes held more positive attitudes toward adoption. Results suggest that attitudes toward gender roles, may explain the sex difference in attitudes toward adoption.
Josephson-junction model of critical current in granular Y 1 Ba 2 Cu 3 O 7 − δ superconductors

We calculate the transport critical-current density in a granular superconductor in magnetic fields below about 5 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ T. The field dependence in this region is assumed to be controlled by intragranular or intergranular Josephson junctions. Various model calculations are fitted to transport critical-current data on bulk ${\mathrm{Y}}_{1}{\mathrm{Ba}}_{2}{\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}{\mathrm{O}}_{7\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\delta}}$ ceramic superconductors, whose average grain size somewhat exceeds 10 \ensuremath{\mu}m. The results yield an average junction cross-sectional area (thickness x length) of 4-6 \ensuremath{\mu}${\mathrm{m}}^{2}$. If the junctions are at the grain boundaries, a London penetration depth of about 150-300 nm is inferred, consistent with other estimates. We conclude that Josephson junctions are limiting the transport critical current in these samples and that they lie at the grain boundaries. The parameters of the fit are not consistent with Josephson junctions at twinning boundaries.
An Introduction to β-Recursion Theory

Publisher Summary α-Recursion Theory or Recursion Theory on (Σ1)-admissible ordinals, is certainly a very successful generalization of the Recursion Theory on ɯ. It has demonstrated that constructions exploiting the Σ2 or Σ3 admissibility of ɯ can be replaced by finer constructions, which rely only on Σ1 admissibility. The minimal degree construction has resisted generalization to arbitrary admissible ordinals, though important progress was made. It is instructive to examine the attempt to adapt it to all admissible ordinals that led to the development of β-Recursion Theory. If α is Σ2-admissible, then the structure is admissible where C is a complete α-recursively enumerable set. A minimal α-degree can then be constructed by applying the α-finite injury method to this structure, much in the way it was first used in the solution to Post's Problem. If α is only Σ1–admissible then, the structure is no longer admissible. Nonetheless, is it still possible to apply the α-finite. This leads to the study of Recursion Theory on possibly inadmissible structures , or β-Recursion Theory.
Genetic Research and Nutritional Individuality

Recent genetic research builds on a base established over the last century by physicians and nutritional scientists, who introduced the concept of biochemical individuality and documented its significance for understanding a wide variety of problems in human health. Current comparative genomic investigations on a variety of organisms (Haemophilus influenzae, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster, Homo sapiens) have established the existence of numerous orthologs (proteins in different organisms that show significant sequence similarities over 80% of their lengths), suggesting significant conservation of structure and probably some of function as well. At the same time, molecular comparisons among individuals within our own species show the existence of abundant molecular variants, many of which have been shown to have functional significance in nutritional and related metabolic contexts. The combination of biochemical individuality and known functional utilities of allelic variants should converge to create a situation in which nutritional optima can be specified as part of comprehensive lifestyle prescriptions tailored to the needs of each person.
Perforation of Meckel's diverticulum caused by a chicken bone: a case report

Introduction Meckel's diverticulum represents a true diverticulum of the ileum containing all three layers of the bowel wall and is found on the wall of the distal ileum, usually about 2 feet from the ileocaecal valve. Although Meckel's diverticulum is a common congenital abnormality of the gastrointestinal tract, it is often difficult to diagnose. Patients with perforation of Meckel's diverticulum may present with right iliac fossa pain, which mimics acute appendicitis.
Impact of Initiation and Deactivation on Melting during Gas-Phase Olefin Polymerization

Olefin polymerization in fluidized-bed reactors may lead to particle overheating. The resulting softening or melting of polymer particles generates polymer sheets, requiring reactor shutdown. Previ...
The Yersinia virulence effector YopM binds caspase-1 to arrest inflammasome assembly and processing

Inflammasome assembly activates caspase-1 and initiates the inflammatory cell death program pyroptosis, which is protective against numerous pathogens. Consequently, several pathogens, including the plague causing bacterium Yersinia pestis, avoid activating this pathway to enhance their virulence. However, bacterial molecules that directly modulate the inflammasome have yet to be identified. Examining the contribution of Yersinia type III secretion effectors to caspase-1 activation, we identified the leucine-rich repeat effector YopM as a potent antagonist of both caspase-1 activity and activation. YopM directly binds caspase-1, which both inhibits caspase-1 activity and sequesters it to block formation of the mature inflammasome. Caspase-1 activation antagonizes Yersinia survival in vivo, and consequently YopM inhibition of caspase-1 is required for Yersinia pathogenesis. Thus, a bacterium obstructs pyroptosis utilizing a direct mechanism of caspase-1 inhibition that is distinct from known viral or host inhibitors.
Intercalation studies of several layered lanthanide oxychlorides with pyridine

Abstract A series of new intercalation compounds of the layered lanthanide oxychlorides, LnOC1 (Ln = Ho, Er, Tm and Yb), with pyridine has been successfully obtained at both room and high temperature (85 °C). The intercalated pyridine stoichiometries (χ) in the (py) x LnOCl compounds, determined by thermal gravimetric analysis, are independent of the reaction temperature and time after 2 weeks with the (py) x ErOCl and (py) x YbOCl, but are affected by the reaction temperature and time with the (py) x HoOCl and (py) x TmOCl. An average interlayer expansion of ∼5 a between the LnOCl layers upon pyridine intercalation suggests that the pyridine ring is oriented perpendicular to the host layers. The pyridine species inserted between the host layers are neutral pyridine molecules. The presence of water in pyridine leads to the pyridinium ion that also intercalates and has been identified by IR spectroscopy.
Studies of water‐soluble oligomers formed in emulsion copolymerization

A polymer chain transfer agent was synthesized by the reaction between poly(vinylbenzyl chloride) latex particles and 2-aminoethanethiol in a basic environment. In subsequent emulsion polymerization reactions, low molecular weight species were formed when waterborn oligomeric radicals diffused to the surface of these seed particles. These low molecular weight oligomers were separated by membrane filtration and their composition and molecular weight weight were analyzed by FTIR and mass spectroscopy. The measured composition results were compared with those that were calculated from the copolymerization equation. The molecular weights were compared with earlier experimental results that were obtained by isolation of oligomers formed when a water-soluble inhibitor was added to a reacting emulsion. Three seeded emulsion copolymerization systems, that is, styrene–acrylic acid, styrenemethacrylic acid, and styrene–methyl methacrylate, were investigated. The distribution of monomer in the water phase and in the copolymer particles was analyzed. The results show that the oligomer compositions for different copolymerization systems can be approximated reasonable well by the copolymerization equation, using the reactivity ratios obtained from bulk copolymerization. The length of the oligomer radicals formed depends on their composition and the properties of the polymer particles, such as surface charge, composition, size, and concentration. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The size of the sensitization zone in 304 stainless steel welds

Factors influencing the size and shape of the sensitization zone in 304 stainless steel welds have been studied through a statistically designed experiment. The results indicate that the width of the sensitization zone is in proportion to the magnitude of the heat input, except when very little fusion occurs. The minimum sensitization size can be obtained with a broadly distributed heat source traveling at high speed, and the maximum size can be obtained with low speed and a narrow heat distribution. Under certain welding conditions, one can obtain welds which are free of sensitization on the surface, and hence, this process may lead to a new method of preventing sensitization-induced intergranular corrosion. By depositing surface sensitization-free welds on either side of a previously sensitized weld, the chromium carbide precipitates dissolve, and the sensitization on the plate surface is eliminated.
The influence of ethane and acetylene upon the thermal structure of the Jovian atmosphere

Abstract Ethane and acetylene, both of which possess more efficient emission bands than methane, have been incorporated into a thermal structure model for the atmosphere of Jupiter. Choosing for illustrative purposes the mixing ratios [ C 2 H 6 ] [ H 2 ] = 10 −5 and [ C 2 H 2 ] [ H 2 ] = 5 × 10 −7 , it is found that these hydrocarbon gases lower the atmospheric temperature within the thermal inversion region by as much as 20 K, subsequently reducing the emission intensity of the 7.7 μm CH 4 band below the observed result. It is qualitatively shown, however, that this cooling by C 2 H 6 and C 2 H 2 could be compensated by aerosol heating resulting from a uniformily mixed aerosol which absorbs 15% of the incident solar radiation. Such aerosol heating has been suggested by uv albedo observations.
Central nervous system manifestations of a valproic acid overdose responsive to naloxone

We report the case of a 22-year-old man who presented with a depressed level of consciousness after ingesting valproic acid. He responded to IV naloxone; over a nine-hour period, his serum valproic acid level decreased from 180.4 to 59.2 μ g/mL with multiple-dose charcoal therapy. We recommend the use of both agents in the treatment of valproic acid overdose.