cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adaptive probabilistic branch and bound with confidence intervals for level set approximation

We present a simulation optimization algorithm called probabilistic branch and bound with confidence intervals (PBnB with CI), which is designed to approximate a level set of solutions for a user-defined quantile. PBnB with CI is developed for both deterministic and noisy problems with mixed continuous and discrete variables. The quality of the results is statistically analyzed with order statistic techniques and confidence intervals are derived. Also, the number of samples and replications are designed to achieve a certain quality of solutions. When the algorithm terminates, it provides an estimation of the desired quantile with confidence intervals, and an approximation level set, including a statistically guaranteed set in the true desirable level set, a statistically pruned set, and a set which is not statistically specified. We also present numerical experiments with benchmark functions to visualize the algorithm and its capability.
Adaptive coding and modulation for hybrid FSO/RF systems

Hybrid free space optical (FSO)/RF communication systems can provide high throughput short range “lastmile” connectivity. Since channel conditions are highly variable, adaptive symbol rate and modulation schemes are attractive for this application to make better use of available resources. This paper focuses on the information-theoretic analysis of such FSO/RF systems and introduces an adaptive communication scheme resulting in a capacity-approaching and seamless joint system. Numerical and simulation results give insight into the relation between adaptive parameters and system performance, and provide guidance for the design of a practical hybrid system.
Estimation of flows and temperatures in process networks

In the course of daily operation of a petroleum refinery or chemical complex, many thousands of items of infor-mation are generated, gathered, and recorded. These data are, in turn, used to plan, schedule, control, and evaluate process operations. Because of the highly integrated nature of modern processes, inaccurate data taken from one part of the process can easily lead to poor decisions that affect other parts of the processes. For instance, if inventory and production data on one product are inaccurate, the manufacturer may be forced to substitute a premium grade product to meet his delivery, thereby incurring a quality giveaway and creating an additional demand for the substitute product. Or, he may have to procure the supply from some other sources at additional costs. Or, he may accumulate unnecessarily large inventory, thereby tying up production and storage facilities needed for other products. Because of the immense scale of operations, even a small percentage change in inventory or flow may make a substantial difference in revenues or profits. The availability of accurate and consistent process data is therefore crucial to all process analyses.
Ideas Matter: Voices from the United Nations

Abstract This article is based on UN Voices: The Struggle for Development and Social Justice (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 2005). a volume of oral history interviews with 73 individuals who were key to the evolution of UN development thinking. This article has two purposes: to provide a flavour of the UN story that those 73 voices tell in the book; and to discuss its central conclusions about the role of international organisations as intellectual actors. Oral history as method and product provides insights in solving a key puzzle in contemporary affairs—how ideas eventually become part of international discourse, policy, and action.
Approximate global alignment of sequences

We propose two novel dynamic programming (DP) methods that solve the approximate bounded and unbounded global alignment problems for biological sequences. Our first method solves the bounded alignment problem. It computes the distribution of the edit distance between the remaining suffixes. For a given bound k and approximation p%, it uses this distribution to prune the entries of the DP matrix that will lead to alignments with more than k edit operations with more than p% probability. Our second method addresses the unbounded global alignment problem. For each entry of the distance matrix, it dynamically computes an upper bound to the distance between the unaligned suffixes. This bound, along with the lower bound as computed for the bounded case, is then used to eliminate the entries of the distance matrix. According to our experimental results, our methods are up to three times faster than the competing methods for the bounded alignment and up to two times faster for the unbounded alignment, even with 100% approximation. Our methods use only 17-68% of the space used by the next best competitor.
Optimal Design of Spatial Source-and-Relay Matrices for a Non-Regenerative Two-Way MIMO Relay System

This paper considers a system where two users exchange information via a non-regenerative half-duplex two-way MIMO relay and each of the two users and the relay is equipped with multiple antennas. We study the design of the spatial source covariance matrices (or source matrices) at the two users and the spatial transformation matrix (or relay matrix) at the relay to maximize the achievable weighted sum rate of the system. The source matrices and the relay matrix are optimized alternately until convergence. If the relay matrix is given, we show that the optimal design of the source matrices (for uniformly weighted sum rate) follows a generalized water filling (GWF) algorithm. If the source matrices are given, we show two search algorithms to optimize the relay matrix. The first algorithm is a hybrid gradient method which adaptively switches between the (steepest) gradient descent and the Newton's search. The second is an iterative weighted minimum mean square error (WMMSE) method which alternately refines the MMSE equalizers at the users and the relay matrix. We compare the convergence behaviors of the two algorithms and demonstrate their advantage over prior algorithms. We also show an optimal structure of the relay matrix, which is useful to reduce the search complexity.
Business and Workers' Welfare in the Progressive Era: Workmen's Compensation Reform in Massachusetts, 1880–1911

Of all business-supported reform in the early twentieth century, none was more significant or widely accepted than workmen's compensation for industrial accidents. Using the experience of Massachusetts as a case study, Mr. Asher reveals the unique consensus of management and labor which produced “the first victory for the idea of the modern welfare state in the United States.”
Sphingomyelin modulates the transbilayer distribution of galactosylceramide in phospholipid membranes.

The interrelationships among sphingolipid structure, membrane curvature, and glycosphingolipid transmembrane distribution remain poorly defined despite the emerging importance of sphingolipids in curved regions and vesicle buds of biomembranes. Here, we describe a novel approach to investigate the transmembrane distribution of galactosylceramide in phospholipid small unilamellar vesicles by 13C NMR spectroscopy. Quantitation of the transbilayer distribution of [6-13C]galactosylceramide (99.8% isotopic enrichment) was achieved by exposure of vesicles to the paramagnetic ion, Mn2+. The data show that [6-13C]galactosylceramide prefers (70%) the inner leaflet of phosphatidylcholine vesicles. Increasing the sphingomyelin content of the 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphatidylcholine vesicles shifted galactosylceramide from the inner to the outer leaflet. The amount of galactosylceramide localized in the inner leaflet decreased from 70% in pure 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphatidylcholine vesicles to only 40% in 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphatidylcholine/sphingomyelin (1:2) vesicles. The present study demonstrates that sphingomyelin can dramatically alter the transbilayer distribution of a monohexosylceramide, such as galactosylceramide, in 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphatidylcholine/sphingomyelin vesicles. The results suggest that sphingolipid-sphingolipid interactions that occur even in the absence of cholesterol play a role in controlling the transmembrane distributions of cerebrosides.
The chemistry of drugs part IV, Configurations of antimalarials derived from qinghaosu: Dihydroqingyhaosu, artemether, and artesunic acid

The structures of the antimalarials dihydroqinghaosu (2), artemether (3), and artesunic acid (7a) derived from qinghaosu were elaborated by 1H-NMR spectroscopy, and supported with X-ray data obtained for 2 and 3. Several new derivatives, useful for the chemical characterization of dihydroqinghaosu (2) and artesunic acid (7a), were prepared.
Collaborative Creation of Adventure Games in the ESL One-Computer Classroom

This is a report on a workshop conducted at ISAGA ‘91 in Kyoto, Japan. The format of this workshop was as follows. First, two short simulations used in an ESL teacher-training course were demonstrated to participants: one of a “traditional” (grammar-focused) language-learning exercise, the other of a “communicative” activity. A debriefing was conducted in which participant reactions were discussed, as well as the apparent effects of the simulations on actual teacher trainee behavior. Finally, the presenter showed how generic computer software can be adapted to a novel use in the ESL classroom, describing an activity in which ESL students collaboratively create a computerized text-adventure game. The activity is intended to promote self-reliance in writing tasks by taking students from an environment of peer support to one of increasing independence. At the same time, it creates a “bridge” for the novice teacher from a highly teacher-centered (traditional) classroom to one in which the teacher’s role is quite different.
The LicT protein acts as both a positive and a negative regulator of loci within the bgl regulon of Streptococcus mutans.

An open reading frame (ORF) that would encode a putative antiterminator protein (LicT) of the BglG family was identified in the genomic DNA sequence of Streptococcus mutans. A DNA sequence that would encode a potential ribonucleic antiterminator (RAT) site in the mRNA at which the putative antitermination protein LicT would bind was located immediately downstream from this ORF. These putative antitermination components are upstream of a glucose-independent β-glucoside-utilization system that is responsible for aesculin utilization by S. mutans NG8 in the presence of glucose. It was hypothesized that these putative regulatory components were an important mechanism that was involved with the controlled expression of the S. mutans bglP locus. A strain of S. mutans containing a licT : : Ω-Kan2 insertional mutation was created. This strain could not hydrolyse aesculin in the presence of glucose. The transcriptional activity associated with other genes from the bgl regulon was determined in the licT : : Ω-Kan2 genetic background using lacZ transcriptional fusions and β-galactosidase assays to determine the effect of LicT on these loci. The LicT protein had no significant effect on the expression of the bglC promoter, a regulator of the bglA locus. However, it is essential for the optimal expression of bglP. These data correlate with the phenotype observed on aesculin plates for the S. mutans wild-type strain NG8 and the licT : : Ω-Kan2 strain. Thus, the glucose-independent β-glucoside-specific phosphotransferase system (PTS) regulon in S. mutans relies on LicT for BglP expression and, in turn, aesculin transport in the presence of glucose. Interestingly, LicT also seems to negatively regulate the expression of the bglA promoter region. In addition, the presence of the S. mutans licT gene has been shown to be able to activate a cryptic β-glucoside-specific operon found in Escherichia coli.
Does Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Predispose Patients to Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the Absence of Cirrhosis

Abstract Context.—Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is recognized as a complication of cirrhosis related to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Diabetes and the metabolic syndrome are also associated with HCC. However, it is not clear whether NAFLD predisposes patients to HCC in the absence of cirrhosis. Objective.—To seek evidence that HCC can develop in NAFLD unaccompanied by cirrhosis. Design.—Retrospective case study was performed on cases from 2004 to 2007 at the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center, using the key words hepatocellular carcinoma, liver explant, and liver resection. The diagnosis of HCC was identified and confirmed by hematoxylin-eosin–stained slides in 50 cases. Cause of liver disease was determined by review of liver histology, clinical history, and laboratory data. Results.—Three patients presented with advanced HCC with features of metabolic syndrome, including an elevated body mass index. Each patient had bland steatosis on liver biopsy, without fibrosis or cirrhosi...
‘… (Excepting Barricades Erected to Prevent Us from Peacefully Assembling)’: So-called ‘Violence’ in the Global North Alterglobalization Movement

This paper examines 'violence' in the Global North alterglobalization movement. It reviews major theories of violence and non-violence used by social movements and their analysts, indexes the kinds of movement events which get described as violence, and then analyzes the significance both of the movement's tactical experiences and of the discourse itself.
Characterization of the Autoimmune Antigenic Determinant for Ribonucleoprotein (RNP) Antibody

Small nuclear ribonucleoprotein complexes are antigens in various autoimmune diseases. The serological pattern of high titers of circulating antibody to nuclear ribonucleoprotein (RNP) antigen is a diagnostic marker for mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD); whereas antibody to Sm is prevalent in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Both calf thymus and rabbit thymus are commonly used, excellent sources for preparation of the corresponding antigens RNP and Sm in clinical and research laboratories (A. M. Boak et al., accompanying paper). Thus, biochemical and structural characterization of the minimal antigenic determinant in these preparations is important for its use in the laboratory, as well as significant for understanding MCTD, SLE, and other examples of autoimmunity. Purification and biochemical analyses of immunologically active RNP from many different preparations of calf thymus extract has revealed that the majority of antibody in monospecific MCTD patient sera recognizes an antigen composed of the 165 nucleotide RNA, U1 RNA, and five peptides. Calf thymus U1 RNA was found to be identical in sequence to that of man. A sequence of 55 nucleotides within the 165 nucleotide RNA was the minimal RNA fragment found in RNP particles that were still immunologically active. Two of the RNP peptides react with patient sera monospecific for RNP and thus, are presumably the antigenic peptides complexed with the 55 nucleotide RNA sequence.
Pulsed radiofrequency of the sural nerve for the treatment of chronic ankle pain.

Background The application of radiofrequency (RF) has been successfully used in the treatment of chronic pain conditions, including facet arthropathy, sacroiliac joint pain, groin pain, radicular pain, cervicogenic headaches, and phantom limb pain. Due to the neurodestructive effect of continuous RF ablation and possible deafferentation sequelae, only pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) has been applied to peripheral sensory nerves. There are no previous reports of successful PRF application to the sural nerve. Objectives To report on the successful use of PRF to the sural nerve for the treatment of ankle pain. To discuss current theories on the mechanism by which PRF produces pain relief. Methods The report presented here describes the case of a 39-year old patient who sustained injury to her ankle. The patient was complaining of pain in the distribution of the sural nerve, which was confirmed by electrodiagnostic studies. The pain did not respond to oral and topical analgesics. The patient had short-term relief with a sural block with bupivacaine and triamcinolone. The patient then underwent PRF application to the right sural nerve for 240 seconds at 45 volts. Results The patient reported complete relief. There was no pain recurrence 5 months after the procedure. Limitations This report describes a single case report. Conclusions It is conceivable that PRF may provide long-term pain relief in cases of sural nerve injury. The exact mechanism of the antinociceptive effect is still unknown. Possible mechanisms include changes in molecular structure by the electric field, early gene expression, stimulation of descending inhibitory pathways, and transient inhibition of excitatory transmission.
Making the move from clinician to manager. Do you have what it takes

From the outside, management doesn't look like so difficult a job: schedule a few employees, attend a few meetings. From the inside, however, it's a different story, especially when it is the "inside" of the manager that determines managerial success. Although the author addresses clinicians who are interested in management, she has words of wisdom for all future and current managers.
Variation of daily solar radiation in North America during the extreme months

Data from 38 Canadian and 105 United States stations are used to prepare maps for North America of several statistics of the frequency distribution of daily solar radiation for the extreme months of the year, June and December. Because frequencies of daily solar radiation values at many stations are skewed significantly toward high or low values, statistics of the normal or Gaussian distribution (arithmetic mean, standard deviaton, etc.) are not used. Instead the maps have been prepared for non-parametric statistics, such as the median and certain percentiles. In addition, maps are presented which show the per cent of days receiving amounts of solar radiation below specified levels (e. g., per cent of days in December with less than 100 ly), and a map of the annual range of solar radiation is included. There is a brief discussion of some of the principal features of the solar radiation climate of North America as shown on the maps.
Effect of prolonged high sodium chloride ingestion and withdrawal upon blood pressure of dogs.

Summary1. Three well trained standardized dogs were given excess sodium chloride in the diet in amounts approximating 2.5 g per kg weight for 205, 56 and 154 days respectively. The first effect was a marked increase in the daily variations in blood pressure and a small but significant elevation of the systolic pressure. In only one dog was the diastolic pressure elevated. As excess salt ingestion was continued there was evidence of increasing adaptation characterized by a drop in the previously elevated systolic pressure. Adaptation finally became so highly developed that when the salt stress was increased by giving 2% saline solution as the sole source of drinking water, 2 dogs showed no additional elevation in systolic pressure while one showed a small but significant elevation. 2. After adaptation to salt was complete, a second stress caused elevation of both systolic and diastolic pressure but continuation of the second stress led to adaptation. 3. The sudden withdrawal of excess salt after administra...
Isomotifs de dimension inférieure ou égale à un

Once having recollected some of V. Voevodsky’s results as found in [Voe00], we prove the equivalence of categories, announced in loc. cit. § 3.4 (p. 218), between the derived category of 1-isomotives of P. Deligne on a perfect field and the triangulated category of geometric effective motives of dimension less than or equal to 1.
Dual-axis piezoresistive cantilevers for tracking: applications

This chapter describes two main applications of the dual-axis piezoresistive cantilever: (a) AFM data tracking, for which the device was originally designed, and (b) lateral force microscopy (LFM). For AFM data tracking, the cantilever was mounted on a modified compact-disk actuator controlled by a two-channel servo controller. The lateral force signal from the cantilever, generated by the interaction between the cantilever tip and the data pit sidewall, was used as input to a negative feedback loop within the servo controller in order to keep the tip on track.
Design Space Toolbox V2: Automated Software Enabling a Novel Phenotype-Centric Modeling Strategy for Natural and Synthetic Biological Systems

Mathematical models of biochemical systems provide a means to elucidate the link between the genotype, environment and phenotype. A subclass of mathematical models, known as mechanistic models, quantitatively describe the complex non-linear mechanisms that capture the intricate interactions between biochemical components. However, the study of mechanistic models is challenging because most are analytically intractable and involve large numbers of system parameters. Conventional methods to analyze them rely on local analyses about a nominal parameter set and they do not reveal the vast majority of potential phenotypes possible for a given system design. We have recently developed a new modeling approach that does not require estimated values for the parameters initially and inverts the typical steps of the conventional modeling strategy. Instead, this approach relies on architectural features of the model to identify the phenotypic repertoire and then predict values for the parameters that yield specific instances of the system that realize desired phenotypic characteristics. Here, we present a collection of software tools, the Design Space Toolbox V2 based on the System Design Space method, that automates (1) enumeration of the repertoire of model phenotypes, (2) prediction of values for the parameters for any model phenotype and (3) analysis of model phenotypes through analytical and numerical methods. The result is an enabling technology that facilitates this radically new, phenotype-centric, modeling approach. We illustrate the power of these new tools by applying them to a synthetic gene circuit that can exhibit multi-stability. We then predict values for the system parameters such that the design exhibits 2, 3 and 4 stable steady states. In one example, inspection of the basins of attraction reveals that the circuit can count between 3 stable states by transient stimulation through one of two input channels: a positive channel that increases the count, and a negative channel that decreases the count. This example shows the power of these new automated methods to rapidly identify behaviors of interest and efficiently predict parameter values for their realization. These tools may be applied to understand complex natural circuitry and to aid in the rational design of synthetic circuits.
Vitamin D Metabolism Varies among Women in Different Reproductive States Consuming the Same Intakes of Vitamin D and Related Nutrients

BACKGROUND The impact of the reproductive state on vitamin D metabolism and requirements is uncertain in part because of a lack of studies with controlled dietary intakes of vitamin D and related nutrients. OBJECTIVE We aimed to quantify the impact of the reproductive state on a panel of vitamin D biomarkers among women of childbearing age consuming equivalent amounts of vitamin D and related nutrients. METHODS Nested within a feeding study providing 2 doses of choline, healthy pregnant (26-29 wk gestation; n = 26), lactating (5 wk postpartum; n = 28), and control (nonpregnant/nonlactating; n = 21) women consumed a single amount of vitamin D (511 ± 48 IU/d: 311 ± 48 IU/d from diet and 200 IU/d as supplemental cholecalciferol) and related nutrients (1.6 ± 0.4 g Ca/d and 1.9 ± 0.3 g P/d) for 10 wk. Vitamin D biomarkers were measured in blood obtained at baseline and study end, and differences in biomarker response among the reproductive groups were assessed with linear mixed models adjusted for influential covariates (e.g., body mass index, season, race/ethnicity). RESULTS At study end, pregnant women had higher (P < 0.01) circulating concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D; 30%], 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D; 80%], vitamin D binding protein (67%), and C3 epimer of 25(OH)D3 (100%) than control women. Pregnant women also had higher (P ≤ 0.04) ratios of 25(OH)D to 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [24,25(OH)2D; 40%] and 1,25(OH)2D to 25(OH)D (50%) than control women. In contrast, no differences (P ≥ 0.15) in vitamin D biomarkers were detected between the lactating and control groups. Notably, the study vitamin D dose of 511 IU/d achieved vitamin D adequacy in most participants (95%) regardless of their reproductive state. CONCLUSIONS The higher concentrations of vitamin D biomarkers among pregnant women than among control women suggest that metabolic adaptations, likely involving the placenta, transpire to enhance vitamin D supply during pregnancy. The study findings also support the adequacy of the current vitamin D RDA of 600 IU for achieving serum 25(OH)D concentrations ≥50 nmol/L among women differing in their reproductive state. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01127022.
AMPA Receptor Plasticity in the Nucleus Accumbens Mediates Withdrawal-Related Negative-Affective States.

Addiction is a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by craving, compulsive drug use, and loss of control over limiting drug intake ([Koob and Volkow, 2010][1]). The emergence of negative-affective states (e.g., dysphoria, anxiety, irritability) with chronic drug use has been hypothesized to
Reducing data movement energy via online data clustering and encoding

Modern computer systems expend significant amounts of energy on transmitting data over long and highly capacitive interconnects. A promising way of reducing the data movement energy is to design the interconnect such that the transmission of 0s is considerably cheaper than that of 1s. Given such an interconnect with asymmetric transmission costs, data movement energy can be reduced by encoding the transmitted data such that the number of 1s in each transmitted codeword is minimized. This paper presents a new data encoding technique based on online data clustering that exploits this opportunity. The transmitted data blocks are dynamically clustered based on the similarities between their binary representations. Each data block is expressed as the bitwise XOR between one of multiple cluster centers and a residual with a small number of 1s. The data movement energy is minimized by sending the residual along with an identifier that specifies which cluster center to use in decoding the transmitted data. At runtime, the proposed approach continually updates the cluster centers based on the observed data to adapt to phase changes. The proposed technique is compared to three previously proposed energy-efficient data encoding techniques on a set of 14 applications. The results indicate respective energy savings of 5%, 9%, and 12% in DDR4, LPDDR3, and last level cache subsystems as compared to the best existing baseline encoding technique.
Epidemiological Effectiveness and Cost of a Fungal Meningitis Outbreak Response in New River Valley, Virginia: Local Health Department and Clinical Perspectives

Objective We evaluated the effectiveness and cost of a fungal meningitis outbreak response in the New River Valley of Virginia during 2012-2013 from the perspective of the local public health department and clinical facilities. The fungal meningitis outbreak affected 23 states in the United States with 751 cases and 64 deaths in 20 states; there were 56 cases and 5 deaths in Virginia. Methods We conducted a partial economic evaluation of the fungal meningitis outbreak response in New River Valley. We collected costs associated with the local health department and clinical facilities in the outbreak response and estimated the epidemiological effectiveness by using disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) averted. Results We estimated the epidemiological effectiveness of this outbreak response to be 153 DALYs averted among the patients, and the costs incurred by the local health department and clinical facilities to be $30,413 and $39,580, respectively. Conclusions We estimated the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $198 per DALY averted and $258 per DALY averted from the local health department and clinical perspectives, respectively, thereby assisting in impact evaluation of the outbreak response by the local health department and clinical facilities. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:38-46).
Impacts of Sublethal Mercury Exposure on Birds: A Detailed Review.

Mercury is a ubiquitous environmental contaminant known to accumulate in, and negatively affect, fish-eating and oceanic bird species, and recently demonstrated to impact some terrestrial songbirds to a comparable extent. It can bioaccumulate to concentrations of >1 μg/g in tissues of prey organisms such as fish and insects. At high enough concentrations, exposure to mercury is lethal to birds. However, environmental exposures are usually far below the lethal concentrations established by dosing studies.
Input Design for Online Fault Diagnosis of Nonlinear Systems with Stochastic Uncertainty

Fault diagnosis is crucial for ensuring stable and reliable operation of high-performance systems in the presence of abnormal events. System uncertainties often make discrimination between normal and faulty behavior a challenging task. This paper presents an active fault diagnosis (AFD) method for nonlinear systems with stochastic uncertainty. AFD involves the optimal design of system inputs for discriminating between multiple model hypotheses that correspond to various operational scenarios. The proposed AFD method relies on minimizing the probability of error in hypothesis selection subject to hard input and state chance constraints. Moment-based approximations for a bound on the probability of error in hypothesis selection as well as for chance constraint evaluation are introduced in order to derive a tractable surrogate AFD problem that is amenable to online implementations. The performance of the AFD method for offline and online fault diagnosis is demonstrated on a continuous bioreactor with multipl...
Should I Stay or Should I Go: Why Immigrant Reunification Decisions Should be Based on the Best Interest of the Child

Last month, Emily Ruiz, a four-year-old American citizen boarded a plane from Guatemala to return home to New York. She was accompanied by her grandfather, but when he was denied entry into the United States due to a twenty-year-old immigration violation, Emily’s family was faced with a dilemma: should Emily return with her grandfather to Guatemala, should they allow her to be taken into state custody, or should her parents, both undocumented immigrants, risk deportation by attempting to pick her up from US immigration authorities? Emily’s parents chose to have her return with her grandfather. The reaction to the story of Emily Ruiz was immediate. Pro-immigrant supporters expressed outrage at what they termed the “deportation” of an American citizen. Others were furious that Emily had citizenship at all, calling her an “anchor baby” and the perfect example of why birthright citizenship must be eliminated. Emily’s story and the passionate reactions it has created highlights the virulent debate raging in this country over the meaning of citizenship. This paper focuses on the most important part of that debate, which is how birthright citizenship, combined with the massive crack down on illegal immigration, threatens the future of American democracy.
Antibiotic bone cement’s effect on infection rates in primary and revision total knee arthroplasties

Antibiotic bone cement’s effect on infection rates in primary and revision total knee arthroplasties
Full wave simulation of snowpack applied to microwave remote sensing of sea ice

A fully coherent snowpack scattering and emission model is developed by numerically solving Maxwell's equations over the entire snowpack on a bottom half-space. The scattering matrix of the snowpack is directly obtained including both amplitude and phase. Both bistatic scattering coefficients and brightness temperatures of the snowpack are derived from full wave simulations. Simulation results demonstrate backscattering enhancement effects and coherent thin layer effects. The model is applied to study microwave signatures of the Arctic sea ice where the snow cover thickness has rapidly decreased. Microwave signatures are important in classification of sea-ice types and in quantitative characterization of snow cover properties. Both have strong impacts on the thermodynamics of sea ice. In the fully coherent model, a half-space dyadic Green's function is used in the volume integral equation to represent the effects of the underlying sea ice. Discrete dipole approximation is used to solve the volume integral equations, where parallel fast Fourier transform technique is utilized to accelerate the matrix-vector multiplications. The snowpack is represented as a bicontinuous medium. Periodic boundary conditions are applied in the two horizontal dimensions to simulate an infinite lateral extent of the snowpack.
Convex Minimization Algorithms

This chapter delves into three advanced algorithms for convex minimization. The projected gradient algorithm is useful in minimizing a strictly convex quadratic over a closed convex set. Although the algorithm extends to more general convex functions, the best theoretical results are available in this limited setting. We rely on the MM principle to motivate and extend the algorithm. The connections to Dykstra’s algorithm and the contraction mapping principle add to the charm of the subject. On the minus side of the ledger, the projected gradient method can be very slow to converge. This defect is partially offset by ease of coding in many problems.
Socio-Demographic and Mental Health Profile of Admitted Cases of Self-Inflicted Harm in the US Population

Self-inflicted harm (SIH) has a substantial lifetime prevalence, it is associated with tremendous costs, and its rate is increasing on a national scale. To examine the characteristics of those admitted for SIH in the US and to investigate the factors that potentially modify the methods used for SIH. This was a retrospective analysis of admitted cases of SIH including suicide attempts between 2007 and 2012 using the National Trauma Data Bank. We included a total of 204,633 cases admitted for SIH. Our participants were 75.1% males. Those aged 15–24 (21%), 25–34 (22%), 35–44 (19%), 45–54 (19%), and 55–64 (10%) years comprised the largest age groups among our cases—70.8%, 11.5%, 11.1%, and 6.6% were, respectively, Caucasians, Hispanics, Blacks, and Asian/Others. Analyses of the SIH methods revealed that Blacks were less likely to self-poison [Odds Ratio (OR): 0.78] compared to Whites, whereas individuals with psychiatric disorders or substance abuse carried 2.5 and 2.0-fold higher risk, respectively. Blacks were also less likely to use anoxic methods (OR: 0.69), whereas patients with psychiatric disorders or substance abuse carried 1.5-fold higher risk. Being Black, Hispanic, and Asian (OR: 0.58, 0.55, and 0.55, respectively) as well as having psychiatric disorders (OR: 0.80) were associated with lower risks of using firearms, whereas its risk was increased with increasing age. Blacks (OR: 0.77) were less likely to cut or pierce in contrast to Hispanics (OR: 1.4), Asians/Others (OR: 1.29), and those with psychiatric disorders (2.5-fold higher risk) or drug abuse (2-fold higher risk). Blacks (OR: 1.11), Hispanics (OR: 1.13), and Asians/Others (OR: 1.57) were more likely to jump from high places, whereas those with substance abuse were less likely (OR: 0.77). Among patients admitted for SIH, males, those aged 15–64 years, and Whites comprised the largest sex, age, and racial/ethnic groups, respectively. We also found that several factors including race/ethnicity, gender, age, and having concurrent psychiatric or drug abuse disorders can potentially influence the methods used for SIH.
Rising Retrieval Rates of Inferior Vena Cava Filters in the United States: Insights From the 2012 to 2016 Summary Medicare Claims Data

Abstract Background To determine recent inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) retrieval volumes and rates in the Medicare population. Methods The summary Medicare claims data were searched for the years 2012 to 2016 to identify the frequency of IVCF placements and retrievals. The new Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System code for filter retrieval introduced in 2012, 37193, was used to track filter retrievals. Trends in number of IVCF placements and retrievals over the study period were evaluated, both of which were further stratified by physician specialty and site of service. Aggregate and compound annual growth rates for retrievals were also computed. Results A total of 255,034 filters were placed over the study period, with the filter placement volume declining from 61,889 in 2012 to 38,095 in 2016. Filter retrievals, however, increased from 4,327 in 2012 to 8,405 in 2016. The net filter retrieval rate per annual filters placed increased from 6.9% in 2012 to 22.1% in 2016, yielding an average filter retrieval rate and compound annual growth rate of 11.6% and 18.1% respectively. Radiologists placed and retrieved the majority of filters (60.4% placed, 63.5% retrieved) compared with nonradiologists. The inpatient setting was the dominant site for filter placement compared with the outpatient setting for filter retrieval across all years and specialties. Conclusions Since introduction of the unique Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System code for IVCF retrieval in 2012, IVCF placements in the Medicare population have been declining and net retrieval rates have risen. Radiologists continue to place and retrieve the majority of filters.
Problem-based Learning in Computer-assisted Translation Pedagogy

This article discusses problem-based learning (PBL) and its potential application to computer-assisted translation (CAT) pedagogy. Problem-based learning is situated in the CAT classroom as a final course component in which students challenge their previously-acquired knowledge and skill sets to solve unique, ill-defined problems that mirror those encountered in the language industry. This constructivist approach to education is designed to empower students to be self-directed, collaborative learners and to foster critical thinking and reflection. Moreover, problem-based learning is a means to encourage professional behavior and to develop skills beyond the mere use of translation technologies. This article explores the potential advantages and disadvantages of this educational approach as documented in related professional fields. In addition, the article addresses the ways in which problems are designed and implemented in the translation classroom, with a discussion of how they can and should be aligned with course learning objectives. The article concludes with a discussion of ways students’ work ought to be assessed to enhance gains often seen in PBL environments.
Influence of Immune Priming and Egg Adaptation in the Vaccine on Antibody Responses to Circulating A(H1N1)pdm09 Viruses After Influenza Vaccination in Adults.

Background Although ferret antisera used in influenza surveillance did not detect antigenic drift of A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses during the 2015-2016 season, low vaccine effectiveness was reported in adults. We investigated the immune basis of low responses to circulating A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses after vaccination. Methods Prevaccination and postvaccination serum samples collected from >300 adults (aged 18-49 years) in 6 seasons (2010-2011 to 2015-2016) were analyzed using hemagglutination inhibition assays to evaluate the antibody responses to 13 A(H1N1) viruses circulated from 1977 to 2016. Microneutralization and serum adsorption assays were used to verify the 163K and 223R specificity of antibodies. Results Individual antibody profiles to A(H1N1) viruses revealed 3 priming patterns: USSR/77, TW/86, or NC/99 priming. More than 20% of adults had reduced titers to cell-propagated circulating 6B.1 and 6B.2 A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses compared with the A/California/07/2009 vaccine virus X-179A. Significantly reduced antibody reactivity to circulating viruses bearing K163Q was observed only in the USSR/77-primed cohort, whereas significantly lower reactivity caused by egg-adapted Q223R change was detected across all 3 cohorts. Conclusion Both 163K specificity driven by immune priming and 223R specificity from egg-adapted changes in the vaccine contributed to low responses to circulating A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses after vaccination. Our study highlights the need to incorporate human serology in influenza surveillance and vaccine strain selection.
Photometric Calibration of LSST Data

Science studies made by the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) will reach systematic limits in nearly all cases. Requirements for accurate photometric measurements are particularly challenging. Advantage will be taken of the rapid cadence and pace of the LSST survey to use celestial sources to monitor stability and uniformity of photometric data. A new technique using a tunable laser is being developed to calibrate the wavelength dependence of the total telescope and camera system throughput. Spectroscopic measurements of atmospheric extinction and emission will be made continuously to allow the broad-band optical flux observed in the instrument to be corrected to flux at the top of the atmosphere. Calibrations with celestial sources will be compared to instrumental and atmospheric calibrations.
Stem Cell Delivery Methods and Routes

A long-held tenet of cell therapies has been that a biologically relevant dose of cells must be delivered to the site of injury and at least transiently engraft. It naturally follows that strategies to optimize these endpoints would be pursued as a translational goal. Optimization of progenitor cell efficacy requires delivery of the implanted progenitor cells to the site of neurological injury without significant effect on cell viability and function. An ideal delivery vehicle would provide high levels of cellular engraftment without affecting viability. Delivery vehicles include intravenous infusion, intra-arterial infusion, direct implantation (with or without synthetic scaffolds), and intrathecal infusion. In addition, preliminary investigation into novel forms of delivery such as cellular manipulation to improve engraftment and the seeding of extruded biocompatible polymer nanofiber scaffolds is under way. We will discuss the potential benefits and untoward effects associated with each method of delivery. Also, emerging data suggest that the tenet of local delivery/engraftment to achieve a positive biological effect is cell type-specific and not necessary in all circumstances.
Inhibitory effect of C-reactive protein on the release of tissue factor pathway inhibitor from human endothelial cells: reversal by low molecular weight heparin.

Aim. The effects of C-reactive protein (CRP) and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) on the release of tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) from human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were examined. Methods. Confluent HUVECs were resuspended and plated in 48-well plates coated with fibronectin polymer. Cells were allowed to attach for 3 h; they were then washed, and fresh medium with or without CRP at different concentrations (0 to 20 ng/mL) was added. At 4 h, TFPI released in the medium was measured using a commercial TFPI ELISA kit for total TFPI antigen. In parallel assays, wells containing HUVECs and CRP were treated with tinzaparin at 1 μg/mL. Results. Data showed that CRP significantly inhibited TFPI release from HUVECs in a concentration-dependent manner. In contrast, LMWH increased endothelial TFPI release. The amount of endothelial TFPI released was dependent on the heparin molecular weight distribution, with minimal effect at 3 000 Da and maximum at 8 000 to 12 000 Da. LMWH effectively reversed the inhibitory effects of CRP on TFPI release from HUVECs. Conclusion. These findings support the hypothesis that CRP may play a direct role in promoting a hypercoagulable state by decreasing the release of the natural anticoagulant TFPI, which can be counteracted by LMWH.
Non-dominated Sorting Based Multi/Many-Objective Optimization: Two Decades of Research and Application

For more than two decades, non-dominated sorting has been a cornerstone in most successful multi/many-objective optimization algorithms. In this chapter, we discuss the effect of non-dominated sorting in multi- and many-objective scenarios. Thereafter, we present some of the most widely used optimization algorithms involving non-dominated sorting, where we discuss their extent and ubiquity across many scientific disciplines. Finally, we go over some of the state-of-the-art combinations of non-dominated sorting with other optimization techniques.
Buzz and pipelines: the costs and benefits of local and nonlocal interaction

Explanations for why firms in some clusters outperform others rest on the assumed benefits of local and nonlocal interaction. In this article, we extend research on knowledge sharing by modeling local and global interactions between firms distributed across industrial clusters. Our simulation model develops an evolutionary framework where firms explore and exploit knowledge sets accumulated over time by recombining technologies held by local and nonlocal partners. In investigating the opportunity cost structure of local and nonlocal interaction, our simulation raises two important questions that call for additional theoretical and empirical analysis. First, can too much local interaction induce technological lock-in and restrict innovation in clusters? Second, does nonlocal interaction entail opportunity costs to clusters that can outweigh its benefits?
Correction: Nutritional status in chronic spinal cord injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The authors noted that there were two typographical errors in Table 2. Under the ‘Tetraplegia’ group of ‘Gorgey et al. [55]’ the ‘RMR’ value was originally given as ‘14,101 ± 10’. This has now been corrected to ‘1411 ± 10’. Under the ‘Tetra’ group of ‘Sabour et al. [22]’ the ‘Energy intake’ was originally given as ‘20,123 ± 681’. This has now been corrected to ‘2013 ± 681’. This has been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
The Evolution of Asset/Liability Management

This review tracks the development of asset/liability management from its roots in liability management outsourcing to its most recent interpretation as a broad liability-driven investing strategy.
Incidence and Risk Factors for Clostridium Difficile-Associated Diarrhea Following Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty

Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) is a well-known cause of complications and increased hospital cost following surgery. As CDAD rates continue to be adopted as a quality metric by institutions, it is important to detect high-risk patients prior to surgery, including revision total hip arthroplasty (rTHA). This study was performed to identify the incidence and risk factors of CDAD within 30 days of rTHA. The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) was accessed from 2015 to 2016 to identify rTHA procedures. Overall, 4,178 patients were included. Preoperative and perioperative variables were analyzed as potential risk factors for the development of CDAD. To compare categorical variables, Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used, while t-tests were used to detect differences in continuous variables. Independent risk factors for CDAD were identified using stepwise logistic regression. The rate of CDAD was found to be 0.5% (20/4,178) within 30 days of rTHA. Preoperative functional dependence (odds ratio [OR] = 3.34; p = 0.035) and dyspnea (OR = 3.80; p = 0.019), were statistically significant risk factors for the development of CDAD after rTHA. Septic revision was not a significant risk factor for CDAD (OR = 2.50; p = 0.082). The incidence of CDAD after rTHA in the United States is approximately 0.5%. Independent risk factors for CDAD include preoperative functional dependence and dyspnea. High-risk patients must be identified prior to surgery and antibiotic selection for other infections should be managed judiciously.