cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Application of structured composite source models to problems in speech processing

An extension of the hidden Markov framework which may lead to substantial reductions in the complexity of implementing such a framework for speech modeling and recognition is proposed. This extension is suggested by the observation that speech statistics exhibit temporal structure over multiple time scales. Such temporal variation leads naturally to a special structure for the HMM (hidden Markov model). The structured composite source (SCS) is introduced as a generalization of the HMM. Theorems are developed for representing an arbitrary HMM as an SCS using techniques developed for multiple time scale analysis of weakly coupled Markov chains. Modification of the algorithms for the estimation of HMM parameters from sample data, the forward-backward and the baum-Welch algorithms, is straightforward, and results in a significant reduction in the computational complexity of the reestimation procedure. >
Micromechanical membrane switches for microwave applications

This paper proposes the fabrication of low-cost, low-loss microwave switches using thin metal membranes actuated by electrostatic fields. Measurement of switch test structures and modeling indicates that these devices have a potential 1000 to 2000-GHz figure-of-merit. Various aspects of fabrication, design, performance, and application of these devices are discussed. >
Characterizing non-methane volatile organic compounds emissions from a swine concentrated animal feeding operation

Emissions of non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) were determined from a swine concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) in North Carolina. NMVOCs were measured in air samples collected in SUMMA and fused-silica lined (FSL) canisters and were analyzed using a gas chromatography flame ionization detection (GCeFID) system. Measurements were made from both an anaerobic lagoon and barn in each of the four seasonal sampling periods during the period June 2007 through April 2008. In each sampling period, nine to eleven canister samples were taken from both the anaerobic lagoon and barn over a minimum of four different days during a period of w1 week. Measurements of meteorological and physiochemical parameters were also made during the sampling period. In lagoon samples, six NMVOCs were identified that had significantly larger emissions in comparison to other NMVOCs. This included three alcohols (ethanol, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, and methanol), two ketones (acetone and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK)) and an aldehyde (acetaldehyde). The overall average fluxes for these NMVOCs, ranged from 0.18 m gm �2 min � 1 for 2-ethyl-1-hexanol to 2.11 m gm �2 min �1 for acetone, with seasonal fluxes highest in the summer for four (acetone, acetaldehyde, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol and MEK) of the six compounds In barn samples, there were six NMVOCs that had significantly larger concentrations and emissions in comparison to other NMVOCs. These consisted of two alcohols (methanol and ethanol), an aldehyde (acetaldehyde), two ketones (acetone and 2,3-butanedione), and a phenol (4-methylphenol). Overall average barn concentration ranged from 2.87 ppb for 4-methylphenol to 16.12 ppb for ethanol. Overall average normalized barn emission rates ranged from 0.10 g day �1 AU �1 (1 AU (animal unit) ¼ 500 kg of live animal weight) for acetaldehyde to 0.45 g day �1 AU �1 for ethanol. The NMVOCs, 4methylphenol and 2,3-butanedione, which have low odor thresholds (odor thresholds ¼ 1.86 ppb and 0.068e0.264 ppb for 4-methylphenol, and ¼ 4.37 ppb and 1.42e7.39 ppb for 2-3-butanedione) and an offensive odor were identified in canister samples. Both 4-methylphenol and 2,3-butanedione barn concentrations exceeded their odor thresholds frequently. HAPs were identified in lagoon samples (methanol, acetaldehyde and MEK) and barn samples (methanol, acetaldehyde and 4-methylphenol) that were also classified as NMVOCs with significantly larger lagoon and barn emissions in comparison with other NMVOCs. The overall average lagoon fluxes and overall average normalized barn emissions for NMVOCs reported in this paper were used to estimate their North Carolina swine CAFO emissions. Of the NMVOCs, ethanol was estimated to have the largest North Carolina swine CAFO emission at 206,367 kg yr �1 . The barns were found to have higher emissions than the lagoons for all NMVOCs, contributing between 68.6 to w100% of individual compounds estimated North Carolina swine CAFO emissions.
A novel ferrite quarter-wave plate

Coupled-wave theory is applied to make an adjustment to the length of an elliptical Faraday rotator to obtain a ferrite quarter-wave plate with non-reciprocal properties. A ferrite rotator can be interposed between two such quarter-wave plates and matrix algebra used to obtain a new reciprocal ferrite phase shifter. A pulsed 180 deg non-reciprocal phase shifter is also described.
Sensor Selection for Driving State Recognition

Driver activity recognition in the car cockpit is a necessary component for intelligent driver assistance systems. Since this has to be based on the sensor data stream available from the vehicle, an important question is what sensors are necessary and for which driver activities. We present results of a large-scale sensor selection study with naturalistic driving data looking at driving maneuver classification using ensemble methods.
On the impact of research network based testbeds on wide-area experiments

An important stage of wide-area systems and networking research is to prototype a system to understand its performance when deployed in the real Internet. A key requirement of prototyping is that results obtained from the prototype experiments be representative of the behavior if the system were deployed over nodes connected to commercial ISPs. Recently, distributed testbeds such as PlanetLab and RON have become increasingly popular for performing wide-area experimentation. However, such testbeds typically consist of a significant fraction of nodes with connectivity to research and education networks which potentially hinder their usability in prototyping systems.In this paper, we investigate the impact of testbeds with connectivity to research and education networks on the applications and network services so that such testbeds can be leveraged for evaluation and prototyping. Specifically, we investigate when the representativeness of wide-area experiments deployed on such testbeds is affected by studying the routing paths that applications use over such testbeds. We then investigate how the representativeness of wide-area experiments is affected by studying the performance properties of such paths. We further measure the impact of using such testbeds on application performance via application case studies. Finally, we propose a technique that uses the currently available testbeds but reduces their bias by exposing applications evaluated to network conditions more reflective of the conditions in the commercial Internet.
Heat-of-Adsorption Solar Thermal Energy Storage

The storage of solar thermal energy has been a subject of extensive study for many years. Various storage concepts have been extensively investigated. However, little research has been done on energy storage in the heat-of- adsorption of chemical compounds. Zeolite is, perhaps, the only substance that has been studied for its heat-of- adsorption properties (1).A recent proposal utilizes the hygroscopic properties of sodium sulfide for thermal storage (2). Sodium sulfide has a storage capacity of 3600 kJ per kilogram. The system is economically desirable as sodium sulfide costs a mere $0.27 per kilogram (3).Experimental research has been continuing for a year on the feasibility of the system. The performance of the model has been reasonably close to the expected level. It is believed that further work can raise the storage temperatures to levels suitable for space heating and other low temperature ap plications. This system has two problems: 1) the salt has to be under vacuum, 2) the chemical odor in the v...
SETUP REDUCTION AND MACHINE AVAILABILITY

This paper is an extension of Billington, who used the framework of the economic production quantity (EPQ) to model setup cost reduction. In the present paper, we use the EPQ model as a starting point to investigate the nature of setup costs and the effect of setup time reduction on the increase in available capacity. Reducing setup is vital to a company's success because a lengthy changeover of machinery is expensive: it demands long production runs to justify its cost, and these, in turn, lead to excessive inventory and to a slow response to customer needs. As in Billington, setup reduction is modeled as a function of an annual amortized investment. The paper examines the behavior of the setup time, the inventory cost, the lot size, and the freeing up of machine time in the face of a capacity constraint. A solution algorithm is provided to find setup times that minimize the sum of setup and holding cost, subject to a constraint on machine availability. The analysis sheds light on the true nature of setup cost and on the opportunity cost of not reducing setups. In the constrained optimization, the Lagrangian multiplier gives an estimate of the marginal value of adding one time unit of machine capacity, or, alternatively, of reducing one unit of setup time.
Intraperitoneal chemotherapy requires expertise and should be the standard of care for optimally surgically resected epithelial ovarian cancer patients

Abstract Women presenting with epithelial ovarian cancer should be treated in centers with both aggressive surgical and chemotherapy teams prepared to confront the modifiable factors, which can optimize the patient's outcome. This implies experience in extensive cytoreductive surgery, including the removal of the tumor from the upper abdomen. An intraperitoneal (IP) catheter should be left in place for the consideration of IP chemotherapy. The supportive care structures need to be in place with teams prepared to help women complete six cycles of intravenous and IP paclitaxel (Taxol) and IP cisplatin with the least toxicity. Survival figures of 128 months are to be expected when no residual disease is left behind and IP chemotherapy is administered successfully.
Healing of 56 segmental femoral shaft fractures after locked nailing: Poor results of dynamization

We treated 56 consecutive acute segmental femoral shaft fractures with closed static locked nailing. 12 nails were dynamized after 6 (5-10) months due to slow fracture healing and 5 united after another 5 (3-8) months. The other 7 required cancellous bone grafting and all healed uneventfully 6 (5-8) months after grafting. Since dynamization did not promote healing in most of our cases we suggest early cancellous bone grafting in cases of delayed union.
Performance-Based Oversize and Overweight Permitting System

This paper presents a conceptual framework for a federally supervised, state-administered, performance-based oversize and overweight permit program for the operation of heavier and larger vehicles on the public highways. The structure of the permitting system is based on experiences and practices in implementing performance-based systems in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States. Conceptually, the framework consists of three main interrelated components: administrative, enforcement, and evaluation systems. The administrative system comprises several elements directed at establishing the requirements, standards, and administration of the permitting system. The enforcement system includes regulations, special conditions, education or communication to the industry, effective fines or penalties for violators, and adjudication. The enforcement system will periodically generate records indicating carrier compliance or noncompliance with the terms and conditions of permits and the frequency of these events. The evaluation system defines the data and processes to ensure that the permitting system is continuously evaluated. The results of the evaluation are necessary for revising the performance standards, limits, and conditions for the permitted vehicles. The challenge is enforcement of the performance-based, oversize and overweight permitting system. Periodic reassessments of permitted vehicles in addition to continued roadside enforcement of operating conditions are recommended.
Diurnal and Semidiurnal Tides in Global Surface Pressure Fields

Global surface pressure data from 1976 to 1997 from over 7500 land stations and the Comprehensive Ocean‐ Atmosphere Data Set have been analyzed using harmonic and zonal harmonic methods. It is found that the diurnal pressure oscillation (S1) is comparable to the semidiurnal pressure oscillation ( S2) in magnitude over much of the globe except for the low-latitude open oceans, where S2 is about twice as strong as S1. Over many land areas, such as the western United States, the Tibetan Plateau, and eastern Africa, S1 is even stronger than S2. This is in contrast to the conventional notion that S2 predominates over much of the globe. The highest amplitudes (;1.3 mb) of S1 are found over northern South America and eastern Africa close to the equator. Here S1 is also strong (;1.1 mb) over high terrain such as the Rockies and the Tibetan Plateau. The largest amplitudes of S2 (;1.0‐1.3 mb) are in the Tropics over South America, the eastern and western Pacific, and the Indian Ocean. Here S1 peaks around 0600‐0800 LST at low latitudes and around 1000‐1200 LST over most of midlatitudes, while S2 peaks around 1000 and 2200 LST over low- and midlatitudes. Here S1 is much stronger over the land than over the ocean and its amplitude distribution is strongly influenced by landmasses, while the land‐sea differences of S2 are small. The spatial variations of S1 correlate significantly with spatial variations in the diurnal temperature range at the surface, suggesting that sensible heating from the ground is a major forcing for S1. Although S2 is much more homogeneous zonally than S1, there are considerable zonal variations in the amplitude of S2, which cannot be explained by zonal variations in ozone and water vapor. Other forcings such as those through clouds’ reflection and absorption of solar radiation and latent heating in convective precipitation are needed to explain the observed regional and zonal variations in S2. The migrating tides and 1 S 1 predominate over other zonal wave components. However, the nonmigrating tides are substantially stronger 2 S 2 than previously reported. The amplitudes of both the migrating and nonmigrating tides decrease rapidly poleward with a slower pace at middle and high latitudes.
Relationships Among Women's Use of Aggression, Their Victimization, and Substance Use Problems: A Test of the Moderating Effects of Race/Ethnicity

This study examined whether relationships among women's aggression, their victimization, and substance use problems were moderated by race/ethnicity. A total of 412 community women (150 African Americans, 150 Latinas, and 112 Whites) who recently were aggressive against a male partner completed a 2-hour computer-assisted interview. ANOVA and path analysis revealed that (a) for all women, victimization and aggression were strongly related; (b) race/ethnicity moderated the relationships between victimization and alcohol and drug use problems; and (c) no groups evidenced a relationship between alcohol or drug use problems and aggression. Findings suggest that it is essential to develop culturally relevant, gender-specific interventions to reduce both women's aggression and victimization, as well as related negative behaviors such as alcohol and drug use.
An extension of the keyword method facilitates the acquisition of simple Spanish sentences

Subjects were taught Spanish-English paired-associates by using the keyword method. The item pairs ranged in length from one to four words. Subjects using the keyword method recalled many more constituents of n-a-v-n Spanish sentences than subjects spontaneously using rehearsal, but no more than subjects spontaneously using imagery. The results of the study suggest that the keyword method facilitates recall by inducing subjects to process item-specific information for individual words.
Backtracking dynamics for a Hopfield-style network

Summary form only given, as follows. An energy-ascent dynamics has been defined for the Hopfield-style network with properties complementary to the energy-descent dynamics. The Hopfield-style network energy descent/ascent dynamics was extended with a backtracking algorithm that visits a stable state and then backtracks from it to visit other stable states also reachable from the same initial state via energy descent/ascent. This algorithm was applied to information retrieval to retrieve all answers (network stable states) to one question (initial state). It was also shown how it can be used to solve binary constraint satisfaction problems. Experiments on using it to solve the N-queens problem were carried out. >
The Gastroenterology Fellowship Market: Should There Be A Match?

We are helping a task force of the American Gastroenterology Association to evaluate the current state of the (decentralized) market for gastroenterology fellows, and to assess the prospects of reorganizing it via a suitably designed centralized clearinghouse, a "match." This market used a match from 1986 until the late 1990s. Starting in 1996, participation in the match declined precipitously, and it was formally abandoned after 1999. Consequently, the experience of this market when the match was in place, in comparison to the periods before and since, allows an assessment of the effects of the match. An analysis of how the match failed in the 1990s yields insights into the prospects for success of a new match. These events offer economists a rare window on how decentralized labor markets clear, and on how market clearinghouses succeed and fail.
A VLSI implementation of a cellular rotator array

A description is given of the design of a systolic VLSI chip for the implementation of signal-processing algorithms that may be decomposed into simple real rotations. Applications of this chip include projection operators and discrete Fourier and cosine transforms. Large problems may be computed by tilting together many chips for increased throughput. A CMOS VLSI chip containing 138000 transistors in a 5*3 array of rotators has been designed, fabricated, and tested. The chip has a 32-MHz clock and performs real rotations at a rate of 30 MHz. The systolic nature of the chip makes use of fully synchronous bit-serial interconnects and a very regular structure. The result is a very simple and quickly implemented hardware solution. >
Thermally activated phase slips in superfluid spin transport in magnetic wires

We theoretically study thermally activated phase slips in superfluid spin transport in easy-plane magnetic wires within the stochastic Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert phenomenology, which runs parallel to the Langer-Ambegaokar-McCumber-Halperin theory for thermal resistances in superconducting wires. To that end, we start by obtaining the exact solutions for free-energy minima and saddle points. We provide an analytical expression for the phase-slip rate in the zero spin-current limit, which involves a detailed analysis of spin fluctuations at the extrema of the free energy. An experimental setup for a magnetoelectric circuit is proposed, in which thermal phase slips can be inferred by measuring nonlocal magnetoresistance.
Parylene insulated probes for scanning electrochemical-atomic force microscopy.

Scanning electrochemical-atomic force microscopy (SECM-AFM) is a powerful technique that can be used to obtain in situ information related to electrochemical phenomena at interfaces. Fabrication of probes to perform SECM-AFM experiments remains a challenge. Herein, we describe a method for formation of microelectrodes at the tip of commercial conductive AFM probes and demonstrate application of these probes to SECM-AFM. Probes were first insulated with a thin parylene layer, followed by subsequent exposure of active electrodes at the probe tips by mechanical abrasion of the insulating layer. Characterization of probes was performed by electron microscopy and cyclic voltammetry. In situ measurement of localized electrochemical activity with parylene-coated probes was demonstrated through measurement of the diffusion of Ru(NH)63+ across a porous membrane.
Systems Learning for Complex Pattern Problems.

Learning numerous complex patterns, or concepts, in higher animals and humans, for instance for the task of visual object recognition, may require extensive exposure and learning experience over a relatively long time period. What are the principles behind such long-term learning and development? We describe our efforts in this direction and discuss the many challenges.
Effects of apical membrane Cl−-formate exchange on cell volume in rabbit proximal tubule

We used real-time recordings of cell volume changes to test for the role of the Cl(-)-formate exchanger in mediating NaCl entry across the apical membrane of rabbit proximal tubule cells. In the absence of extracellular Cl-, 0.5 and 5 mM formate in the tubule lumen induced an increase in cell volume of 1 and 9%, respectively. Formate-induced cell swelling was reduced by alkalinizing the tubule lumen or by addition of luminal amiloride (2 mM), indicating that the increase in cell volume results from the intracellular accumulation of Na-formate via nonionic diffusion of formic acid in parallel with Na(+)-H+ exchange. The cell volume increase induced by 0.5 mM formate was potentiated (from 1 to 4%) by Cl-, as expected for a formate-mediated stimulation of NaCl uptake via parallel Cl(-)-formate exchange and Na(+)-H+ exchange across the apical membrane. By contrast, the cell volume increase induced by 5 mM formate was attenuated (from 9 to 4%) by Cl-. The attenuating effect of Cl- on formate-induced cell swell...
Has Sliding-Clip Renorrhaphy Eliminated the Need for Collecting System Repair During Robot-Assisted Partial Nephrectomy?

Abstract Objective: We evaluated whether single-layer renorrhaphy (SLR) without collecting system (CS) closure is sufficient following robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN). Patients and Methods: One hundred fifty consecutive patients underwent RAPN by a single surgeon and were prospectively labeled with regard to CS entry during surgery. Patients with CS entry were subdivided into two groups: those with classical renorrhaphy (CR) (i.e., two-layer repair) and those with SLR (i.e., without CS repair). Perioperative variables and outcomes were compared between CR and SLR groups. Results: Ninety patients had CS entry during RAPN. Of these 90 patients, 64 had CR, and 26 had SLR, with mean ages of 62 and 59 years (p = 0.22), tumor sizes of 3.4 and 3.3 cm (p = 0.61), Mayo Adhesive Probability scores of 1.8 and 1.8 (p = 0.95), and radius, exophytic/endophytic, nearness to CS, and laterality scores of 8.5 and 8.0 (p = 0.16), respectively. Mean warm ischemia times (WITs) were 19.6 and 17.3 minutes (p = 0.04), ...
The use of electronic health record systems to create treatment summaries and survivorship care plans.

56Background: The Commission on Cancer’s recent mandate stated that accredited programs issue treatment summaries (TSs) with survivorship follow-up care plans (SCPs). ASCO’s model of survivorship care also supports the use of these documents. One of the primary purposes of the documents is to enhance coordination and communication between the oncology team and primary care providers. Here we describe the experience of a survivorship program in using electronic health records (EHR) to develop TSs and SCPs. Methods: An interdisciplinary team at an academic cancer center was appointed to develop clinical tools to facilitate the creation and dissemination of TSs and SCPs. Enhancements were made to an institutional off-the-shelf EHR system that automatically populated available treatment information to the TS. This system used SmartLinks to pull data from the primary source of entry (e.g. surgical history, chemotherapy administered, and cancer stage). Clinicians edited and added pertinent information not autom...
The Pattern of microRNA Binding Site Distribution.

Micro-RNA (miRNA or miR) regulates at least 60% of the genes in the human genome through their target sites at mRNA 3’-untranslated regions (UTR), and defects in miRNA expression regulation and target sites are frequently observed in cancers. We report here a systematic analysis of the distribution of miRNA target sites. Using the evolutionarily conserved miRNA binding sites in the TargetScan database (release 7.1), we constructed a miRNA co-regulation network by connecting genes sharing common miRNA target sites. The network possesses characteristics of the ubiquitous small-world network. Non-hub genes in the network—those sharing miRNA target sites with small numbers of genes—tend to form small cliques with their neighboring genes, while hub genes exhibit high levels of promiscuousness in their neighboring genes. Additionally, miRNA target site distribution is extremely uneven. Among the miRNAs, the distribution concentrates on a small number of miRNAs, in that their target sites occur in an extraordinarily large number of genes, that is, they have large numbers of target genes. The distribution across the genes follows a similar pattern; the mRNAs of a small proportion of the genes contain extraordinarily large numbers of miRNA binding sites. Quantitatively, the patterns fit into the P(K) ∝ K−α relationship (P(K): the number of miRNAs with K target genes or genes with K miRNA sites; α: a positive constant), the mathematical description of connection distribution among the nodes and a defining characteristic of the so-called scale-free networks—a subset of small-world networks. Notably, well-known tumor-suppressive miRNAs (Let-7, miR-15/16, 26, 29, 31, 34, 145, 200, 203–205, 223, and 375) collectively have more than expected target genes, and well-known cancer genes contain more than expected miRNA binding sites. In summary, miRNA target site distribution exhibits characteristics of the small-world network. The potential to use this pattern to better understand miRNA function and their oncological roles is discussed.
The World Bank as a Human Rights-Free Zone

This chapter analyses the World Bank’s approach to human rights, which it characterizes as incoherent, counterproductive and unsustainable. In analyzing the reasons for the Bank’s aversion to rights, it focuses on the “political prohibition” contained in the Bank’s Articles of Agreement and the contorted way in which it has been interpreted to prevent engagement with rights. The result is a policy approach that directly contradicts the international community’s consistent recognition of an integral relationship between human rights and development. It also prevents the Bank from putting into practice much of its own policy research and analysis, which points to the indispensability of the human rights dimensions of many core development issues.
EAC-Net: Deep Nets with Enhancing and Cropping for Facial Action Unit Detection

In this paper, we propose a deep learning based approach for facial action unit (AU) detection by enhancing and cropping regions of interest of face images. The approach is implemented by adding two novel nets (a.k.a. layers): the enhancing layers and the cropping layers, to a pretrained convolutional neural network (CNN) model. For the enhancing layers (noted as E-Net ), we have designed an attention map based on facial landmark features and apply it to a pretrained neural network to conduct enhanced learning. For the cropping layers (noted as C-Net ), we crop facial regions around the detected landmarks and design individual convolutional layers to learn deeper features for each facial region. We then combine the E-Net and the C-Net to construct a so-called Enhancing and Cropping Net ( EAC-Net ), which can learn both features enhancing and region cropping functions effectively. The EAC-Net integrates three important elements, i.e., learning transfer, attention coding, and regions of interest processing, making our AU detection approach more efficient and more robust to facial position and orientation changes. Our approach shows a significant performance improvement over the state-of-the-art methods when tested on the BP4D and DISFA AU datasets. The EAC-Net with a slight modification also shows its potentials in estimating accurate AU intensities. We have also studied the performance of the proposed EAC-Net under two very challenging conditions: (1) faces with partial occlusion and (2) faces with large head pose variations. Experimental results show that (1) the EAC-Net learns facial AUs correlation effectively and predicts AUs reliably even with only half of a face being visible, especially for the lower half; (2) Our EAC-Net model also works well under very large head poses, which outperforms significantly a compared baseline approach. It further shows that the EAC-Net works much better without a face frontalization than with face frontalization through image warping as pre-processing, in terms of computational efficiency and AU detection accuracy.
Effectiveness of viable cryopreserved placental membranes for management of diabetic foot ulcers in a real world setting.

In a multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT), the use of viable cryopreserved placental membrane (vCPM) for chronic diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) resulted in a higher proportion of wound closure in comparison to good wound care: 62% versus 21% (p 50% wound area reduction by week 4 and wound closure by week 12. The results of this study mirror previous RCT efficacy data, supporting the benefits of vCPM for DFU management. These results can also influence policy and treatment decisions regarding advanced vCPM technology.
Complementary online services in competitive markets: maintaining profitability in the presence of network effects

A growing number of firms are strategically utilizing information technology and the Internet to provide online services to consumers who buy their products. Online services differ from traditional services because they often promote interactivity among users and exhibit positive network effects. While the service increases the value obtained by consumers, network effects are known to intensify price competition and thus may reduce firms' profits. In this paper, we model the competition between two firms that sell a differentiated product when each firm can offer a complementary online service to its customers. We derive the market equilibrium and determine how firms should adjust their strategies to account for network effects. We find that when the service exhibits network effects, a firm's decision whether or not to offer the service depends on both the competitor's decision and the competitor's service quality. When the service does not exhibit network effects, this is not the case. In addition, we show that a firm can benefit from the technological ability to offer the service, and from an increase in the strength of network effects or in the market size of the service, only when the value customers derive from the direct functionalities (those that do not rely on the network) of the service are sufficiently high. As a result, a firm's investment in the direct functionalities of its service increases with the strength of network effects of the service as long as the marginal development cost is not too high. Finally, we show that inefficiencies in terms of the number of firms offering the service as well as the total number of service users may prevail.
Psychopathology, Models of

The purpose of this article is to describe theories used to account for the development of psychopathology in adolescence. After providing some brief historical context regarding the way theories of psychopathology are influenced by the mores of their times, this article gives a description of eight of the major theoretical perspectives underlying modern attempts to explain aberrant human behavior. The central tenets of the medical model, psychoanalytic theory and its offshoots, behaviorism, cognitive theory, humanisms, family systems theory, and the biobehavioral model are described. Lastly, the integrative perspective of developmental psychopathology is introduced.
Simplified finite element modeling of post-tensioned concrete members with mixed bonded and unbonded tendons

Abstract Tendon filler materials serve as a critical layer, protecting a post-tensioned bridge’s steel reinforcement against corrosion and subsequent strength loss. Recent adoption of flexible filler materials in post-tensioning tendons in bridge construction – an alternative to the more typical cementitious grout which is currently common in the U.S. – has implications on member flexural behavior. This paper describes the development and experimental validation of a simplified, computationally inexpensive finite element modeling (FEM) approach for unbonded tendons. Flexural members containing both unbonded post-tensioned steel and bonded pretensioned steel, or “mixed tendons”, were modeled. FEM results were then validated against experimentally obtained ultimate strength, tendon stress, and plastic hinge length data. The developed analytical approach described herein was found to predict the ultimate flexural strength, failure mode and tendon stress with good accuracy, within 5%. Prediction of the ultimate displacement was fairly accurately modeled (within 15%) for the mixed tendon beams.
Interfacial zone surrounding the diamond in reaction bonded diamond/SiC composites: Interphase structure and formation mechanism

Abstract Diamond/SiC composites have attracted considerable research interests due to their outstanding properties sought for a wide range of applications. Among a few techniques used for the fabrication of diamond/SiC composites, molten Si infiltration is an approach highly favored due to its cost-effectiveness and process flexibility. This study critically evaluated the interfacial zone surrounding the diamond in a reaction bonded (RB) diamond/SiC composite. XRD suggests that the composite consists of diamond, α-SiC, β-SiC, Si, and graphite. TEM reveals that a thin layer of graphite surrounds the diamond grain and it appears to form through a process of diamond graphitization and amorphous carbon transformation during the fabrication. In addition, a carbon dissolution and saturation process is proposed as a predominant mechanism for the formation of nano-crystalline SiC near the interface as well as the defects inside the SiC grits. A minor Al4C3 phase is occasionally detected near the interface region.
FMOC Solid Phase Synthesis of Phosphopeptides

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the FMOC, a varian amino tag, solid phase synthesis of phosphopeptides. Two major methods for the synthetic production of phosphorylated peptides have been used. Initial work with solution and solid phase peptide synthesis revolved around the use of t-Boc or Fmoc chemistry and the incorporation of phosphorylated/protected amino acid derivatives during synthesis of the chain. Major problems exist with protected phospho-amino acids. The repetitive treatment of the peptide with TFA during t-Boc/NMP causes increasing loss of phosphate with each exposure. Repeated exposure to piperidine with FMOC/NMP chemistries can cause either beta elimination of alkyl-phosphates or loss of protecting group. With either chemistry, the protecting groups are difficult to remove during cleavage, resulting in poor yields of the desired species and high salt concentrations. Phosphitylation followed by oxidation to derivitize the free side chain functional group is the second major method for the production of synthetic phospho-peptides.
Beware of the isolated intermediate quality measure: A lesson in choosing an ovarian cancer surgeon

6546 Background: Measuring surgical quality has recently focused on isolated processes (such as P4P measures) and intermediate outcomes (such as infection rates). Some have argued that such isolate...
Association between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Exfoliation Syndrome: The Utah Project on Exfoliation Syndrome.

Purpose Exfoliation syndrome (XFS), the most common recognizable cause of open-angle glaucoma worldwide, is a systemic disorder with genetic predisposition due to variations in lysyl oxidase-like 1 (LOXL1) function, leading to altered elastin matrices in ocular and systemic tissues. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a highly prevalent disorder also involving elastic tissue dysfunction and is associated with glaucoma. Because of the similarities between the disorders, we sought to uncover any relationship in the prevalence of these diagnoses. Design Case-control, retrospective cohort study. Participants A cohort of 81 735 patients diagnosed with OSA at ages 50 to 90 years was identified from medical records from 1996 to 2017 in the Utah Population Database. Case subjects were matched to random controls on sex and birth year in a 4:1 ratio. Methods International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes or their Tenth Revision equivalent were used to define a diagnosis of OSA (ICD-9 327.23) and a diagnosis of XFS (ICD-9 365.52 and 366.11). Conditional logistic regression odds ratios (ORs) accounting for individual matching on sex and birth year were used to estimate the risk of XFS in patients with OSA. Models included adjustment for race, obesity, tobacco use, hypertension (HTN), atrial fibrillation (AF), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Main Outcome Measure Whether patients with OSA have an increased risk of diagnosis of XFS compared with controls without OSA. Results There was an increased risk of an XFS diagnosis in patients with OSA compared with non-OSA controls (OR, 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–1.59; P = 0.03). In a stratification of patients by HTN diagnosis history, patients with OSA and HTN exhibited an increased risk of XFS compared with non-OSA controls with HTN (OR, 2.67; 95% CI, 2.06–3.46; P Conclusions Patients with OSA may be at an increased risk of XFS compared with patients without OSA, particularly in patients with a history of HTN.
LHCb measurements of the exotic tetraquark candidate $\chi_{c1}(3872)$ in high-multiplicity $pp$ and $p$Pb collisions

Abstract The last decade of hadron spectroscopy has unveiled a wealth of states that do not have the properties expected of particles composed of two or three valence quarks. Among the most intriguing of these exotics is the χc1(3872), which various models attempt to describe as a hadronic molecule, a compact tetraquark, an unexpected charmonium state, or their mixtures. To date, most experimental studies of the χc1(3872) have focused on its production through B meson decays. Heavy ion collisions, as well as high multiplicity pp collisions, offer a new window on the properties of this poorly understood hadron. In these systems, promptly produced χc1(3872) hadrons can interact with other particles in the nucleus and/or those produced in the collision. The influence of these interactions on the observed χc1(3872) yields provides information that can help discriminate between the various models of its structure, as well as give insight into the dynamics of the bulk particles produced in these collisions. With a full range of precision vertexing, tracking, and particle ID capabilities covering 2 to 5 in units of rapidity, the LHCb experiment is especially well suited to measurements of both prompt and non-prompt exotic hadrons. These proceedings present new LHCb measurements χc1(3872) production in high multiplicity pp collisions and pPb collisions through the decay to J/ψπ+π−.
Isomorphisms of graded skew Clifford algebras

A regular algebra of global dimension n+1 is often called a quantum ℙn. In 2011, Nafari, Vancliff and Zhang showed that graded skew Clifford algebras (GSCAs) could be used to classify most quadratic quantum ℙ2s. Some time later, Chandler, Tomlin and Vancliff used their work with certain families of GSCAs to develop a conjecture on the quantum space of a generic quadratic quantum ℙ3. These results suggest that (the isomorphism classes of) GSCAs are likely to play a fundamental role in the classification of quadratic quantum ℙ3s. In this article, we will discuss some of these results on GSCAs and discuss new results on isomorphisms between GSCAs.
A Fundamental Misunderstanding of Risk: The Bias Associated with the Annualized Calculation of Standard Deviation

Quantifiable, measurable risk is of critical importance when making data-driven decisions in finance and investment management, but what if the generally accepted practice of the investment industr...
Self-weighing Practices and Associated Health Behaviors during COVID-19.

Objective: In this study, we investigated self-weighing frequency (SWF) among adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and retrospectively (6 months) before the pandemic, and whether SWF was associated with changes in health-related behaviors. Methods: United States adults (N = 1607) completed a health-related questionnaire during COVID-19 and associated shelter-in-place. We categorized respondents into 4 groups of SWF at the time of the pandemic: "Never," " 1x a week." Results: The proportion of adults never weighing increased during the pandemic (15% to 25%), whereas the proportion of those weighing < 1x week went down (41% to 29%). Higher SWF was significantly associated with changes in energy expenditure including increased total physical activity (PA), lower likelihood of decreases in vigorous, moderate, and walking PA, and a lower likelihood of sitting more. More frequent self-weighing also was associated statistically with lower likelihood of keeping unhealthy eating behaviors the same. Conversely, there was no significant difference in changes in alcohol, caffeine, takeout, fruit or vegetable consumption, and television viewing among SWF groups. Conclusion: SWF decreased during the pandemic in the lower 2 SWF categories. Higher SWF was associated with fewer negative changes in health behaviors, especially related to PA.
Pregnancy and Parenting in Medical School: Highlighting the Need for Data and Support.

More than 8% of medical students graduate from medical school with at least one non-spouse dependent, the majority of whom are likely children. However, there are no national studies on medical students who are parents, and very little is known about what medical schools are doing to support them. A growing literature on the experiences of residents and attending physicians who are parents has neglected to include those of medical students who are parents. It is possible that focusing on research and policy change for residents and attending physicians who are parents without considering medical students may bring about improvements that come too late for many. Further data are needed both on the available policies for students who are parents and on the experiences and needs of these students. Leading national organizations in medical education can help guide medical schools by leveraging their national networks to highlight existing best practices and to foster discussions about how best to support medical students who are parents.
In situ impregnation of continuous thermoplastic composite prepreg for additive manufacturing and automated fiber placement

Abstract Components made from thermoplastic composites (TPC) by additive manufacturing (AM) and automated fiber placement (AFP) are gaining popularity because of the material system’s inherent advantages over thermosets, but high material costs and limited production flexibility are hindering more widespread use. This paper discusses prototyping, fluid flow modeling, and testing of a novel in situ preimpregnator (prepregger) for lower-cost TPC feedstock used in AM and AFP. Prior attempts by researchers to address this technical need have generally resulted in low-quality prepreg with low fiber volume fraction (Vf) and high void content, which can be explained by Darcy’s law applied to the highly viscous polymer melts. Uniformly spreading the fiber tow thin before impregnation is the key to rapid and complete impregnation. Based on initial experiments with a flexible experimental setup to quickly test concepts, a prototype prepregger consisting of dry fiber payout reel with slight torsional resistance, fixed pin fiber spreader, double slot die coater fed with polymer melt from a microextruder, consolidator with pultrusion exit die, and prepreg downstream drive mechanism was designed and built. Predictions from a steady-state flow model of the coating die/microextruder system assuming creeping flow and Newtonian fluid behavior agreed well with experimental flow measurements for a variety of polymer melts and operating conditions. Once ideal input parameters were determined, prepreg tape specimens exhibited complete impregnation but low Vf and excessive encapsulation due to insufficient consolidation and removal of excess resin. Experiments where pultrusion dies were used for filament manufacturing showed significantly improved Vf and prepreg quality. Future work is suggested to facilitate commercialization of this promising process technology.
Urbanism Theories and the Early Twentieth-Century Black Metropolis

This study integrates three theories of urbanism into a single framework suggesting that urban population size has a nonlinear relationship with social-world intensity. Hypotheses derived from this...
Mining morphological evolution in microfossils using volume density diagrams

A technique is explored to visualize series of bivariate morphometric measurements of microfossil shells through geological time with the help of 3D-animated volume-density distributions. Visualization tests were performed using two existing and published sets of morphometric data, i.e., the Neogene coccolithophorid group Calcidiscus leptoporus-Calcidiscus macintyrei and the planktonic foraminifera plexus of Globorotalia menardii. The technique converts series of downcore bivariate morphometric shell data into a continuous frequency distribution, which can be investigated with the help of a graphical data mining tool called Voxler from Golden Software. This tool allowed us to compose and animate complex subsurface structures raised from morphometric measurements of microfossils, and so provides an intuitive, comprehensive insight into the structure and dynamics of complicated evolutionary patterns. With upcoming future large morphometric data sets for oceanic microfossils, this instructive illustration method may hopefully serve to raise more interest in studying topics like morphological evolution, speciation and advances to achieve more universial species concepts needed so strongly in paleontology. An important conclusion from the experiments is that the structure of size frequency distribution through time shows a stronger differentiation into separate morphotype clusters in the coccolith example than in the case of the investigated planktonic foraminifers. The difference between the groups is explained by the differences in ontogenetic shell growth between the alga C. leptoporus and the foraminifer G. menardii. These differences have implications for morphotype classification and evolutionary research by means of morphometry with coccolithophorids and foraminifers.
Motor Learning and Control for Practitioners

With an array of critical and engaging pedagogical features, the fourth edition of Motor Learning and Control for Practitioners offers the best practical introduction to motor learning available. This reader-friendly text approaches motor learning in accessible and simple terms, and lays a theoretical foundation for assessing performance; providing effective instruction; and designing practice, rehabilitation, and training experiences that promote skill acquisition. Features such as Exploration Activities and Cerebral Challenges involve students at every stage, while a broad range of examples helps readers put theory into practice. The book also provides access to a fully updated companion website, which includes laboratory exercises, an instructors’ manual, a test bank, and lecture slides. As a complete resource for teaching an evidence-based approach to practical motor learning, this is an essential text for practitioners and students who plan to work in physical education, kinesiology, exercise science, coaching, physical therapy, or dance.