cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enterprise-wide decision support systems: PSE contributions & promise

While traditionally the process systems engineering community has focused its attention on the design, operation and control of process units or processing trains, within the last decade the boundaries of systems being investigated have expanded to encompass entire plants and networks of plants. Particularly in the operations domain, planning and scheduling applications have extended to networks of production and distribution facilities, such as refinery networks. Furthermore these supply chain applications have moved from the operational level to the tactical level, involving considerations such as inventory policy and transportation mode selection, and even advancing to strategic levels, including decisions such as capacity expansion, site selection, go/no-go decisions on new facilities and/or new technologies, and new product and/or new market introductions. More recently still the scope of research has been further expanding to include not only the physical aspects of the supply chain but also the research and development pipeline, the financial flows of the enterprise, as well as consideration of external entities such as suppliers, partners, competitors and even governmental and regulatory bodies within the decision framework. As the system boundaries have expanded, the resulting decision support systems have correspondingly had increasing impact on core issues central to the management of the entire enterprise. From a methodological point of view, the scope and complexity of the decision models have also increased tremendously, the need for dealing with the dynamics of the decision processes has become unavoidable, the importance of uncertainty and risk has come very much to the foreground, and the relevance of multicriteria optimization strategies has been well established. In this paper the contributions of the process systems engineering community to the study of enterprise-wide decision problems will be reviewed, examples of noteworthy contributions will be highlighted and a prognosis of promising new developments given.
A shading language on graphics hardware: the pixelflow shading system

Over the years, there have been two main branches of computer graphics image-synthesis research; one focused on interactivity, the other on image quality. Procedural shading is a powerful tool, commonly used for creating high-quality images and production animation. A key aspect of most procedural shading is the use of a shading language, which allows a high-level description of the color and shading of each surface. However, shading languages have been beyond the capabilities of the interactive graphics hardware community. We have created a parallel graphics multicomputer, PixelFlow, that can render images at 30 frames per second using a shading language. This is the first system to be able to support a shading language in real-time. In this paper, we describe some of the techniques that make this possible.
Ultra-broadband phase matching of optical frequency conversion using transient molecular birefringence

We show that transient birefringence imposed in a molecular gas with a femtosecond laser pulse phase matches nonlinear frequency conversion-with bandwidths that support 1 fs laser pulses with up to a 20% conversion efficiency.
Partitioned structural eigenvalue analysis, Part II: Implementation and performance evaluation

New forms of component mode synthesis methods derived in Part I 19 by approximating the fourvariable partitioned equations of motion are implemented. It is shown that the modal selection criterion derived in Part I can be used for a rational selection of each free-free substructural modes. Numerical experiments show that the present flexibilitybased component mode synthesis formula outperforms the stiffness-based method, including the CraigBampton method for simple plates and ring modeld with solid elements. As the flexibility-based method does require a tree-like hierarchical decomposition, it is recommended for parallel implementation.
Manipulating microparticle interactions using highly charged nanoparticles

Nanoparticle halos Colloidal probe atomic force microscopy Nanoparticle adsorption Depletion forces Colloidal forces Zeta potential measurement a b s t r a c t An experimental study was performed to investigate the potential use of highly charged, spherical nanoparticles to control the forces between spherical microparticles, with the aim of developing novel methods for reversibly controlling the stability of a colloidal dispersion. A specific focus of the project was to determine the degree to which the nanoparticles strongly adsorb to the microparticles, as such adsorption would severely limit reversibly controlling forces and stability. Colloidal probe atomic force microscopy (CP-AFM) was used to measure the force between a silica microparticle and a silica plate in solutions of highly charged polystyrene nanoparticles at varying pH, covering the range over which the silica surfaces were very weakly charged (e.g., pH ≤ 3) to highly charged (e.g., pH 6.0). It was found that except for the highest pH, where the silica zeta potential was approximately −60 mV, addition of relatively low concentrations of the nanoparticles (e.g., 0.1% vol.) led to an increased repulsion between the microparticle and plate. This increased repulsion was evident even at pH 4.0 when the fractional surface coverage of the nanoparticles was only 1%. At low nanoparticle concentrations, this force decayed exponentially with a decay length equal to the bulk Debye length, indicating that it was electrostatic in origin. At higher nanoparticle concentrations (1.0% vol.), long-range depletion forces became significant, causing a deviation from the exponential behavior. This increased repulsion did not disappear upon flushing the nanoparticles out of the system, indicating that the nanoparticles were held in relatively deep energy wells. These results suggest that strong adsorption of nanoparticles should be expected in all but the most highly repulsive systems and also illustrate the challenges associated with using charged
Food group intake patterns and nutrient intake vary across low-income Hispanic and African American preschool children in Atlanta: a cross sectional study

The food group intake patterns of low income Hispanic and African American preschool children are not well documented. The aim of this study was to perform a food group intake analysis of low income minority preschool children and evaluate how macronutrient and micronutrient intake compares to Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI). A cross sectional study design using three-day food diaries analyzed by dietary analysis software (Nutrient Database System for Research) was used. Children were recruited from well-child clinics at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding and North Dekalb Grady Satellite Clinic, Atlanta, GA. Low-income, African American and Hispanic preschool age children (n = 291) were enrolled. A total of 105 completed and returned the 3-day food diaries. Chi-squared tests were used to assess demographic variables. The mean percentage of intake per day of specific food groups and sub-groups were obtained (servings of given food group/total daily servings). Food intake data and proportion of children meeting DRIs for macro- and micronutrients were stratified by race/ethnicity, nutritional status, and caloric intake, and were compared using t-tests. Regression models controlling for age, BMI and sex were obtained to assess the effect of total caloric intake upon the proportional intake of each studied food group. The mean age of African American children was 2.24 ± 1.07 years and Hispanic children 2.84 ± 1.12 years. African Americans consumed more kcal/kg/day than Hispanics (124.7 ± 51 vs. 96.9 ± 33, p < 0.05). Hispanics consumed more fruits (22.0 ± 10.7% vs. 14.7 ± 13.7%, p < 0.05), while African Americans consumed more grains (25.7 ± 7.8% vs. 18.1 ± 6.4%, p < 0.05), meats (20.7 ± 9.0% vs. 15.4 ± 6.1%, p < 0.05), fats (9.8 ± 5.4% vs. 7.0 ± 5.8%, p < 0.05), sweet drinks (58.7 ± 17.1% vs. 41.3 ± 14.8%, p < 0.05) and low-fat dairy products (39.5 ± 19.3% vs. 28.9 ± 12.6%, p < 0.05). Among Hispanics, the proportional intake of fruits, fats and grains varied by total caloric intake, while no difference by total caloric intake was found for the dietary patterns of African Americans. Micronutrient intake also differed significantly between African American and Hispanic children. Food group intake patterns among low-income children differ by ethnic group. There is a need for more research to guide program design and target nutritional interventions for this population.
The Skeptical Environmentalist: Measuring the Real State of the World. Bjorn Lomborg. 2001. Cambridge University Press, New York. 496 pp. $69.95 hardcover, $27.95 paperback.

In The Skeptical Environmentalist, Danish statistician Bjorn Lomborg delivers one overarching message: don't worry. The world is doing fine. Water, forests, fossil fuel supplies, biodiversity, and air quality are all in good shape, and most are getting better. Global human welfare is improving in every possible way. Thing are not perfect, but technology will deliver the answers to all our worries. Contemporary environmental concerns are a “litany” developed by a handful of people to serve their own agendas. Above all, Lomborg seeks to free the world from the tyranny of that litany.
Distributions of Opinion and Extremist Radicalization: Insights from Agent-Based Modeling

We apply an agent-based opinion dynamics model to investigate the distribution of opinions and the size of opinion clusters. We use parameter sweeps to examine the sensitivity of opinion distributions and cluster sizes relative to changes in individuals’ tolerance and uncertainty. Our results demonstrate that opinion distributions and cluster sizes are structurally unstable, not stationary, and have fat tails in most configurations of the model, rather than stable Gaussian distributions. Hence, extremist radical individuals occur far more frequently than “normally” expected. Opinion clusters, in addition to being fat-tailed, reveal a dynamic transition from lognormal to exponential distributions as parameters change.
Hepatitis B Virus X and Regulation of Viral Gene Expression

The efficient replication of hepatitis B virus (HBV) requires the HBV regulatory hepatitis B virus X (HBx) protein. The exact contributions of HBx are not fully understood, in part because of the limitations of the assays used for its study. When HBV replication is driven from a plasmid DNA, the contribution of HBx is modest. However, there is an absolute requirement for HBx in assays that recapitulate the infectious virus life cycle. There is much evidence that HBx can contribute directly to HBV replication by acting on viral promoters embedded within protein coding sequences. In addition, HBx may also contribute indirectly by modulating cellular pathways to benefit virus replication. Understanding the mechanism(s) of HBx action during virus replication may provide insight into novel ways to disrupt chronic HBV replication.
Phase Structure Characterization and Processing-Structure-Property Relationships in Linear Low-Density Polyethylene Blown Films

In the film-blowing process, the primary molecular parameters, such as molecular architecture, molecular weight and its distribution, and processing condition can all affect film morphology. The morphological structure of film, in turn, determines the final film properties. Therefore, the characterization of film morphological structure is crucial for the understanding of Processing–Structure–Property (P–S–P) relationships. The previous investigations on polyethylene blown films were mainly carried out on high-density polyethylene (HDPE), due to its simplicity of molecular architecture. Nevertheless, the blown films based on linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) give improved transparency and mechanical properties. Moreover, recent developments of new catalysts (metallocene catalysts) and processes enable producers to exercise greater control over short chain branching distribution and molecular weight distribution. As part of a larger effort to investigate P–S–P interactions in polyethylene blown films, this chapter chooses two LLDPE blown films made under different processing conditions. Morphology investigation is carried out using solid-state NMR, DSC, TEM, and IR dichroism. Morphological features are then correlated with the mechanical properties and processing conditions.
A probabilistic model for evaluation of volleyball scoring systems.

Abstract A probabilistic model for the game of volleyball is developed to evaluate alternative scoring systems. This Markov chain model is then recursively solved, to determine the distribution of the number of serves per game and the probability that a given team wins. These results are then used to evaluate the effects on the game of volleyball of a proposed change in the scoring system.
LTCC Thick Film Process Characterization

Abstract Low temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) technology has proven itself in military/space electronics, wireless communication, microsystems, medical and automotive electronics, and sensors. The use of LTCC for high frequency applications is appealing due to its low losses, design flexibility and packaging and integration capability. The LTCC thick film process is summarized including some unconventional process steps such as feature machining in the unfired state and thin film definition of outer layer conductors. The LTCC thick film process was characterized to optimize process yields by focusing on these factors: 1) Print location, 2) Print thickness, 3) Drying of tapes and panels, 4) Shrinkage upon firing, and 5) Via topography. Statistical methods were used to analyze critical process and product characteristics in the determination towards that optimization goal.
Medicaid Audit: Crisis in Confidentiality and the Patient-Psychiatrist Relationship

The authors describe their experience with a routine Medicaid audit and discuss the damage such a procedure can do to the trust between psychiatrists and patients, confidentiality, doctors’ reputat...
Psychopharmacology in the intensive care unit.

The authors discuss the factors that influence whether to prescribe a psychotropic drug, the choice of drug, and dosage for critically ill patients. The interaction of psychiatric medication with disease of specific organ systems is emphasized.
Analogical abduction and prediction: Their impact on deception

To deceive involves corrupting the predictions or explanations of others. A deeper understanding of how this works thus requires modeling how human abduction and prediction operate. This paper proposes that most human abduction and prediction are carried out via analogy, over experience and generalizations constructed from experience. I take experience to include cultural products, such as stories. How analogical reasoning and learning can be used to make predictions and explanations is outlined, along with both the advantages of this approach and the technical questions that it raises. Concrete examples involving deception and counter-deception are used to explore these ideas further.
From Deficit to Expansive Learning: Policies, Outcomes, and Possibilities for Multicultural Education and Systemic Transformation in the United States

This chapter outlines the cultural-historical context that informs the depth and breadth of the construction of difference based on race, class, language, and ability in relation to multicultural education in the United States today. The chapter first highlights the history of multicultural movement from the early twentieth century to the present. The author examines demographic changes that underscore a need for national policies to address diversity and new populations including policies that account for immigrants who constitute an increasingly diverse and skilled global citizenry. Then, the chapter reviews the ways in which education scholars have conceptualized culture and multiculturalism in United States. The author argues educators must understand the history and cultural contexts of students’ lives in order to develop a multicultural classroom and curriculum. Lastly, the chapter presents two successful education programs for youth from historically marginalized culturally and linguistically diverse background: The Migrant Student Leadership Institute and Learning Lab, author recommends educators pursue multicultural curricula and programming as a means to foster a critical dialogue about the importance of non dominant students and communities’ active participation in a democratic and inclusive society.
Turbulent boundary layer response to the introduction of stable stratification

The response of an initially neutral rough-wall turbulent boundary layer to a change in wall temperature is investigated experimentally. The change causes a localized peak in stable stratification that diffuses and moves away from the wall with downstream distance. The streamwise and wall-normal components of turbulent velocity fluctuations are damped at similar rates, even though the stratification only directly impacts the wall-normal component. The Reynolds shear profiles reveal the growth of an internal layer that scales approximately with the bulk Brunt–Vaisala frequency.
Differences in Functional Outcome Across Subtypes with Spetzler-Martin Grade II Arteriovenous Malformations.

Background The Spetzler-Martin grading system for brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) is based on size (S), eloquence (E), and deep venous drainage (V). However, variation exists due to subgroup heterogeneity. While previous studies have demonstrated variations in outcomes within grade III AVMs, no studies have focused on grade II AVM subtypes. Objective We aim to delineate how functional outcomes differ among patients with subtypes of grade II AVMs. Methods We retrospectively reviewed patients with AVMs evaluated at our institution from 1990 to 2013. Grade II AVMs were divided into 3 subtypes: group 1 (S2V0E0), group 2 (S1V0E1), and group 3 (S1V1E0). Baseline characteristics were compared, and functional status was assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at pretreatment and last follow-up. Differences in mRS between the 2 time points were compared. Results A total of 208 grade II patients (34.0%) were retrieved from 611 graded patients. After accounting for missing data, our cohort consisted of 137 patients. Mean age of all patients was 37.2 years, with 74 females (54.0%). No significant difference was observed across subgroups for pretreatment mRS ( P = .096), treatment modalities ( P = .943), follow-up durations ( P = .125), and mRS at last follow-up ( P = .716). In a subgroup analysis between group 1 and group 3, more patients with worsened mRS were observed in group 3 ( P = .039). This distinction was further confirmed in surgically treated patients ( P = .049), but not in patients treated with radiosurgery ( P = .863). Conclusion Subtypes of grade II AVMs portend different posttreatment gains in functional outcome. Group 1 (S2V0E0) patients had the best functional outcome gain from treatment, while group 3 (S1V1E0) patients fared less well, particularly with surgical treatment.
Risk Tolerance and Goals-Based Savings Behavior of Households: The Role of Financial Literacy

This study uses a national dataset to examine the association among risk tolerance, financial literacy, and goals-based savings behavior of households. The results indicate that three out of five households do not have any emergency funds set aside, and about half the households have not calculated how much money they will need for retirement. However, both financial literacy and risk tolerance are associated with goals-based savings behavior, such as saving for emergencies, and planning for retirement among households. Implications for policy makers, scholars, and researchers in the area of behavioral economics and household finance are included.
Effects of hemin and hemodialysis in a patient with acute intermittent porphyria and renal failure.

Key Points Hemin and hemodialysis had an additive effect in decreasing ALA and PBG in our patient with acute intermittent porphyria and renal failure. The time course of ALA and PBG reaccumulation after hemodialysis is not known.
P1.21 Comparison of shipped versus freshly frozen self-collected vaginal samples for microbiota assessment

Introduction Studies have confirmed that self-collected and clinician-collected mid-vaginal swabs sample the same microbial diversity. Self-collected samples shipped through the mail for PCR-based STI testing has also been validated. We sought to determine if the microbiota of shipped vaginal samples are concordant with freshly frozen samples. Methods In January-February 2016, 20 women self-collected six mid-vaginal swabs which were then stored in two different nucleic acid preservatives (3 E-swabs in 2 ml of modified C2 (MO BIO) and 3 in 2 ml of Amies/RNALater). Modified C2 was selected for ease of use in laboratory processing and DNA extraction. For each set of 3 swabs, 2 were immediately frozen (−80°C) and one was sent at room temperature to the University of Idaho in a FedEx “Clinical Pak” which was then return shipped to Baltimore. Meta-taxonomic analysis was performed by sequencing the V3-V4 regions of the 16S rRNA gene. Hierarchical clustering of vaginal microbiota was used to assign community state types (CST) to each sample. Bayesian hierarchical models were applied to perform within-women comparisons of shipped and freshly frozen samples. Results Average duration of transit for the shipped samples was 8 days (SD: 1.60, range: 6–11). Paired comparison of CSTs between a woman’s shipped and freshly frozen samples as well as between C2 and Amies/RNALater revealed no differences (100% concordance, kappa: 1.0 for both). After correction for multiple testing, no significant differences between phylotype relative and absolute abundances were detected in C2 or Amies/RNALater groups. Similarly, there were no statistically significant differences between total bacterial loads of shipped versus freshly frozen samples in C2 (p-value: 0.47) or Amies/RNALater (p-value: 0.21) samples. Conclusion There were no differences in vaginal microbiota composition and structure between a woman’s shipped and freshly frozen vaginal samples stored in Amies/RNAlater or C2. These data enable future studies to allow participants to self-collect and mail vaginal microbiota specimens.
Ribociclib for post-menopausal women with HR+/HER2- advanced or metastatic breast cancer

ABSTRACTIntroduction: The introduction of CDK4/6 inhibitors, such as ribociclib, has changed the treatment landscape for post-menopausal women with HR+/HER2- advanced or metastatic breast cancer. As first-line treatment of HR+/HER2- MBC, the addition of a CDK4/6 inhibitor to an aromatase inhibitor improves progression-free survival compared to an aromatase inhibitor alone.Areas covered: In this drug profile, we review the current market for HR+/HER2- MBC, as well as the characteristics, mechanism, pharmacology, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, metabolism, clinical efficacy, toxicities, monitoring, and dosing modification of the CDK4/6 inhibitor ribociclib.Expert commentary: CDK4/6 inhibitors, such as ribociclib, improve outcomes in post-menopausal women with HR+/HER2- MBC. The most common toxicity of ribociclib is neutropenia, which is generally not complicated and can be managed with dose modification and/or supportive care measures. Additional research will help better define the optimal clinical use...
Why Human Papillomaviruses Activate the DNA Damage Response (DDR) and How Cellular and Viral Replication Persists in the Presence of DDR Signaling

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) require the activation of the DNA damage response (DDR) in order to undergo a successful life cycle. This activation presents a challenge for the virus and the infected cell: how does viral and host replication proceed in the presence of a DDR that ordinarily arrests replication; and how do HPV16 infected cells retain the ability to proliferate in the presence of a DDR that ordinarily arrests the cell cycle? This raises a further question: why do HPV activate the DDR? The answers to these questions are only partially understood; a full understanding could identify novel therapeutic strategies to target HPV cancers. Here, we propose that the rapid replication of an 8 kb double stranded circular genome during infection creates aberrant DNA structures that attract and activate DDR proteins. Therefore, HPV replication in the presence of an active DDR is a necessity for a successful viral life cycle in order to resolve these DNA structures on viral genomes; without an active DDR, successful replication of the viral genome would not proceed. We discuss the essential role of TopBP1 in this process and also how viral and cellular replication proceeds in HPV infected cells in the presence of DDR signals.
SOX10/keratin dual-color immunohistochemistry: An effective first-line test for the workup of epithelioid malignant neoplasms in FNA and small biopsy specimens.

Background The characterization of poorly differentiated neoplasms in fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and small biopsy specimens usually requires immunohistochemistry (IHC) with a panel of markers. Because of an increasing need to preserve limited diagnostic material for tumor genotyping and a mounting demand for cost containment, the authors investigated the usefulness of dual-color IHC with antibodies directed against broad-spectrum keratins and SOX10, a neuroectodermal transcription factor consistently expressed in melanoma, in the workup of epithelioid malignant neoplasms. Methods A total of 107 cases of FNA cell blocks (49 cases) and small biopsies (58 cases) were selected, including 34 melanomas, 31 epithelioid/pleomorphic sarcomas, and 42 carcinomas. IHC was performed on all specimens using a peroxidase-based brown chromogen for SOX10 and an alkaline phosphatase-based red chromogen for keratins AE1/AE3. The presence or absence of staining in lesional cells was scored. Results The majority of tumors demonstrated 1 of 3 distinct patterns: 1) malignant melanomas with nuclear SOX10 (sensitivity of 94% and specificity of 95%); 2) epithelioid/pleomorphic sarcomas negative for both SOX10 and AE1/AE3 (sensitivity of 84% and specificity of 88%); and 3) carcinomas with cytoplasmic AE1/AE3 (sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 98%). In addition, a fourth pattern with cytoplasmic AE1/AE3 and nuclear SOX10 was observed in a subset of carcinomas, most notably triple-negative breast cancers. Conclusions SOX10/keratin dual-color IHC appears to be an effective, sensitive, and specific test to distinguish between melanoma, sarcoma, and carcinoma. This approach can identify melanoma, prioritize additional studies, and limit the number of markers needed to workup an epithelioid malignant neoplasm, thereby potentially reducing costs and preserving valuable tissue for ancillary studies with which to guide therapy. Cancer Cytopathol 2018;126:179-89. © 2018 American Cancer Society.
Spatial gradient monitor for GBAS

In this paper, we develop a ground monitor capable of detecting anomalous signal-in-space(SIS) spatial gradients for rising, newly acquired, and re-acquired satellites in the Ground Based Augmentation System (GBAS). These gradients can be caused by satellite orbit ephemeris faults and ionospheric fronts. The monitor utilizes differential code and carrier phase measurement across multiple reference receiver antennas as the basis for detection. We show that the new monitor significantly improves the detection performance over existing fault detection algorithms under tropospheric turbulence and that it is capable of meeting Category III precision approach and landing requirements.
Combining Vaccines with Therapies that Render Tumor Cells more Susceptible to Immune Mediated Killing

Therapeutic cancer vaccines are an efficient and minimally toxic way to stimulate the host’s immune system in a dynamic way such that immune responses persists beyond the period of vaccine administration. The persisting immunity can be utilized by standard of care therapies given concurrently or subsequently to vaccines in the fight against cancer. Emerging pre-clinical and clinical evidence shows that the standard of care anti-cancer therapies can “modulate”. Both the Tumor and the immune system of the host such as to potentiate the immune response induced by therapeutic cancer vaccines. This book chapter focuses on these combinatorial approaches to cancer that target the residual cancer cells in the host that have not been contained by definitive procedures such as surgery. Specifically, we discuss the biological basis of anti-tumor immunity, immunomodulation with standard of care therapies such as radiation, cytotoxic chemotherapies, hormone abrogation and small molecule inhibitors, pre-clinical and clinical evidence of synergism in combinatorial strategies, clinical trial design and published and ongoing clinical studies in that regard.
Young Adult Outreach: An Examination of Outreach Attempts at Branch Libraries in a Large Urban Public Library System

AbstractAlthough outreach is a stated or implied goal of nearly all library systems, there is no universal definition of what constitutes outreach and how to evaluate its success. A survey of insti...
Diseases of the Gastrointestinal Tract

A significant part of the literature concerned with the effects of alcohol on the esophagus represents clinical impressions, guilt by association, and epidemiologic observations rather than experimentation. With regard to epidemiologic data, a number of reports suggest that the chronic use of alcohol in significant amounts increases the incidence of cancer of all membranes from mouth through gullet. With regard to the latter, Tuyns (1970) cites a number of studies, including that by Wynder (1961), which demonstrate an increased incidence of esophageal cancer among heavy whiskey drinkers and littler or no increase in incidence for beer or wine drinkers. Of interest is the observation that cancer of the esophagus has a more significant correlation with chronic alcoholism than with cirrhosis.
Simulating the Long-Term Performance of Multifunctional Green-Pervious Concrete Pavement in Stormwater Runoff–Induced PAHs Remediation

AbstractStormwater runoff–induced polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) increasingly raise concerns about groundwater quality and safety. Among stormwater management infrastructures and facilitie...
Escolarización en Confinamiento: Experimento natural y prueba de esfuerzo

La pandemia causada por el coronavirus en 2020 ha supuesto un autentico experimento natural que permite obtener evidencia empirica sobre el contrafactual de “que pasaria si las escuelas cerraran”; y al mismo tiempo, ha sido una prueba de esfuerzo en toda regla que ha puesto transparentemente de manifiesto tanto las fortalezas como las debilidades del sistema educativo en su conjunto y las de todos y cada uno de sus actores y componentes. Nuestra posicion de partida es que las crisis creadas por la pandemia estan acelerando tendencias y procesos, desafios y problemas, y que tal aceleracion de la Historia supone tanto nuevos riesgos como nuevas oportunidades para los sistemas escolares. Este articulo pretende explorar, a partir de la evidencia empirica disponible, esos riesgos y oportunidades y que opciones existen para proteger y sostener el sistema escolar publico en la nueva normalidad.
Enhanced Activity and Stability of Acidothermus cellulolyticus Endoglucanase 1 in IonicLiquids via Engineering Active Site Residues and Non-Native DisulfideBridges

We report the rational mutagenesis and engineering of endoglucanase 1 (E1) from Acidothermus cellulolyticus, an industrially relevant cellulase, for improved biomass conversion in ionic liquids. Th...
Structural Estimation of Kidney Transplant Candidates' Quality of Life Scores: Improving National Kidney Allocation Policy Under Endogenous Patient Choice and Geographical Sharing

We develop a data-driven framework for assessing the impact of changes to the deceased-donor kidney allocation policy taking into account the transplant candidates' (endogenous) organ acceptance behavior and sharing among different locations under UNOS' geographically tiered allocation structure. To be specific, we develop a dynamic structural model of the transplant candidates' accept/reject decisions for organ offers. Our model of the national list (and its geographic structure) can be incorporated into the Kidney Pancreas Simulation Allocation Model (KPSAM) that is used to inform policy makers. Moreover, it allows important features of the transplant system such as the degree of tissue matching, changes in the health status of the transplant candidates as they wait on the list, organ quality, geographical sharing and cold-ischemia time of the organs as well as the heterogeneity in transplant candidates' quality of life scores. Using United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS) data on transplant candidates, donors, organ offers, and follow up results on transplant outcomes, we estimate the transplant candidates' quality of life scores on dialysis versus post transplant. Our estimates yield similar results on average to what is typically assumed in the medical literature. However, they differ significantly when patient and donor characteristics are considered. We then consider policy proposals that have been considered by UNOS. This counterfactual analysis helps assess the (unintended) consequences of such policies. We find that although the current policy increases the total number of transplants by 2.63% and total life years by 4.45%, it decreases total quality adjusted life years by 1.68%. Moreover, it increases the disparity in probability of getting a transplant for patients of different health scores by 69.3% whereas it decreases disparity across patients with different sensitization (CPRA) scores. These happen due to the current prioritization of healthier patients for kidneys of better quality. Our results reveal that geographical redistricting of the transplant system, as done for the liver allocation system, does not change the system performance significantly. Hence, it should not be implemented. However, the brevity matching policy, currently being considered by UNOS, can further increase the total number of transplants by 1.50%, and is worth considering further.
Clinical outcomes of catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy: Insights from the Johns Hopkins ARVC Program.

Background Previous studies of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA) of ventricular tachycardia (VT) in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), relying on limited numbers of procedures, have not reported VT-free survival in parallel for single and multiple procedures (ie, after the last procedure). Data regarding the impact of RFA on VT burden are scarce. Objective The purpose of this study was to provide new insights on clinical outcomes based on a large series of VT ablation procedures from the current era in ARVC patients. Methods We evaluated consecutive patients with definite ARVC who underwent RFA procedures between 2009 and 2019 at our center. We assessed VT-free survival, for single and multiple procedures, and changes in VT burden and antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) after RFA. Results Among 116 patients, there were 166 RFA procedures, 106 (63.9%) of which involved epicardial ablation. Cumulative freedom from VT after a single procedure was 68.6% and 49.8% at 1 and 5 years, respectively. Cumulative VT-free survival after multiple procedures was 81.8% and 69.6% at 1 and 5 years, respectively. VT burden per RFA was reduced after vs before ablation (mean 0.7 vs 10.0 events/year; P Conclusion In ARVC patients, RFA provided good VT-free survival after a single procedure, with multiple procedures required for more sustained freedom from VT recurrence. Marked reduction in VT burden permitted discontinuation of AADs.
Friends in High Places: Demand Spillovers and Competition on Digital Platforms

By lowering transaction costs, digital platforms may foster complementary dynamics across offerings that compete in other settings. In a study of the Spotify music streaming platform, I study the effect of peer expansion on provider performance and consider when demand spillovers outweigh substitution across providers on a digital platform. I find that, on average, increases in peer demand improve provider performance on the Spotify platform, however provider characteristics moderate this effect. Expansion by popular peers improves provider performance, while expansion by niche peers does not generate sufficient spillovers to overcome the negative effects of substitution. I explore how platform recommendation systems magnify spillovers and consider the strategic implications of these market dynamics. In doing so, I highlight that digital platforms alter how firms compete and whom they compete with.
Horse Racing Jobs in New York State

This paper reviews the claims that have been presented over the past four decades for the number of jobs created by the sport of horse racing in New York State. The paper suggests these asserted job claims have been overestimated and should be seriously questioned by the public, the media and policy makers.
Gasification and pyrolysis of municipal solid waste (MSW)

Abstract: This chapter discusses gasification and pyrolysis as alternative methods to grate combustion. These processes are important alternatives to combustion since they produce fuels, chemicals, electricity or heat from waste. First, the theory behind gasification and pyrolysis is discussed, along with key differences between these processes and full combustion. This chapter also provides an overview of the products that can be made from gasification, environmental issues and different types of gasification processes. Specific examples of facilities that are in operation are discussed later in this chapter.
Toxicology in the Arts, Culture, and Imagination

Toxicology, in addition to its obvious scientific content, has played a role, since time immemorial, in the way people think about their exposures to hazards of any kind, inadvertent or intentional. It has been widely depicted in the arts and cultures of societies throughout the world and has become a metaphor, sometimes tongue in cheek, for evil and malicious intent, and has even been appropriated, ironically, to represent a kind of seductive allure.
Traveling Waves for the Mass in Mass Model of Granular Chains

In the present work, we consider the mass in mass (or mass with mass) system of granular chains, namely, a granular chain involving additionally an internal (or, respectively, external) resonator. For these chains, we rigorously establish that under suitable “anti-resonance” conditions connecting the mass of the resonator and the speed of the wave, bell-shaped traveling-wave solutions continue to exist in the system, in a way reminiscent of the results proven for the standard granular chain of elastic Hertzian contacts. We also numerically touch upon settings, where the conditions do not hold, illustrating, in line also with recent experimental work, that non-monotonic waves bearing non-vanishing tails may exist in the latter case.
Trochlear Nerve (Cranial Nerve IV)

The trochlear nerve supplies the superior oblique muscle. The primary action of this muscle is eye intorsion, with secondary and tertiary actions being eye depression and abduction, respectively. Patients with trochlear nerve palsy will thus complain of vertical diplopia (double vision), often with a torsional component, which is greatest on downgaze and on gaze to the side opposite the paralyzed superior oblique muscle. Patients with unilateral superior oblique palsies typically tilt their heads to the side opposite the paretic muscle to decrease the degree of diplopia.
Cointegration Analysis of Commodity Prices: Much Ado about the Wrong Thing?

This study highlights some problems with using the Johansen cointegration statistics on data containing a negative moving average (NMA) in the error term of the data generating process. We use a Monte Carlo experiment to demonstrate that the asymptotic distribution of the Johansen cointegration statistics is sensitive to the NMA parameters and that using the stated 5% critical values results in severe size distortion. In our experiment, using the asymptotic critical values resulted in empirical size of 76% in the worst case. To date a NMA in the error term was known to cause poor small sample performance of the Johansen cointegration statistics; however our study demonstrates that problems associated with a NMA in the error term do not improve as sample size increases. In fact, the problems become more severe. Further, we show that commodity prices in the U.S. tend to exhibit this property. We recommend that researchers pretest data for NMA in the error term before using the standard asymptotic critical values to test for cointegrating rank.
Risk and utility in portfolio optimization

Abstract Modern portfolio theory (MPT) addresses the problem of determining the optimum allocation of investment resources among a set of candidate assets. In the original mean-variance approach of Markowitz, volatility is taken as a proxy for risk, conflating uncertainty with risk. There have been many subsequent attempts to alleviate that weakness which, typically, combine utility and risk. We present here a modification of MPT based on the inclusion of separate risk and utility criteria. We define risk as the probability of failure to meet a pre-established investment goal. We define utility as the expectation of a utility function with positive and decreasing marginal value as a function of yield. The emphasis throughout is on long investment horizons for which risk-free assets do not exist. Analytic results are presented for a Gaussian probability distribution. Risk-utility relations are explored via empirical stock-price data, and an illustrative portfolio is optimized using the empirical data.
"Transfusion indication RBC (PBM-02)": gap analysis of a Joint Commission Patient Blood Management Performance Measure at a community hospital.

BACKGROUND The Joint Commission accredits health care organisations in the USA as a prerequisite for licensure. In 2011, TJC published seven Patient Blood Management Performance Measures to improve the safety and quality of care. These Measures will provide hospital-specific information about clinical performance. MATERIALS AND METHODS Of the seven TJC PBM Performance Measures, we decided to evaluate PBM-02, "Transfusion indication RBC", at our hospital. Blood transfusion orders were collected from May 2 to August 2, 2011 and the data analysed. RESULTS Of the 724 consecutive red blood cell transfusion orders, 694 (96%) documented both clinical indication and pre-transfusion haemoglobin/haematocrit results. The leading transfusion indication (47% of total) was "high risk patients with pre-transfusion Hb of <9 g/dL". The majority (72%) of non-actively bleeding patients received a single unit of blood as recommended by our transfusion guidelines. However, 70% of these patients went on to receive additional units and 21% of the initial orders were placed for two or more units. Patients with active bleeding and special circumstances accounted for 17% and 4% of the transfusions, respectively. Our blood utilisation did not change by introducing the single-unit transfusion policy. DISCUSSION The majority (96%) of the transfusion orders met The Joint Commission criteria by providing both transfusion indication and pre-transfusion Hb and/or Hct values. Our transfusion guidelines recommend single-unit red blood cell transfusions with reassessment of the patient after each transfusion for need to receive more blood. Although most (72%) initial orders followed our transfusion guidelines, 70% of patients who received a single unit initially went on to receive more blood (some in excess of 10 units). Our objective data may be helpful in evaluating blood ordering practices at our hospital and in identifying specific clinical services for review.
Incentives and Efficiency in Uncertain Collaborative Environments

We consider collaborative systems where users make contributions across multiple available projects and are rewarded for their contributions in individual projects according to a local sharing of the value produced. This serves as a model of online social computing systems such as online Q&A forums and of credit sharing in scientific co-authorship settings. We show that the maximum feasible produced value can be well approximated by simple local sharing rules where users are approximately rewarded in proportion to their marginal contributions and that this holds even under incomplete information about the player's abilities and effort constraints. For natural instances we show almost 95% optimality at equilibrium. When players incur a cost for their effort, we identify a threshold phenomenon: the efficiency is a constant fraction of the optimal when the cost is strictly convex and decreases with the number of players if the cost is linear.
University licensing of patents for varietal innovations in agriculture

There has been a sharp increase in the number of patented agricultural products from public universities in the United States. We develop an experiment to examine the revenue stream to universities from licensing plant-based innovations. In the experiment we asked subjects to bid for access for a patented input that would be used to manufacture a differentiated product; treatments were employed to solicit bids that were financed by fees, royalties, and a combination of the two mechanisms under exclusive and non-exclusive contracts. The literature studying the economics of downstream duopoly competition in quantity suggests that revenues for the innovator would be greatest under a non-exclusive contract that uses fees and royalties. In our experiment we allow more than two firms to obtain access to the patent in the non-exclusive treatments, and our empirical results suggest that innovator revenues are greatest when royalties are used alone in a non-exclusive contract.
Robotic-assisted Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty: The MAKO Experience

Since its introduction, unicompartmental knee arthroplasty has been controversial because of poor early clinical outcomes due to implant design, bony fixation, surgical instrumentation, and technique. Improvements in surgical technique and implant design have resulted in improved results and greater survivorship. The ability to obtain accurate implant placement includes avoiding surgeon decisions leading to potential errors. These errors include alignment in the sagittal, coronal, and axial planes on each prepared condyle as well as the preservation of the joint line and the resulting overall limb alignment as something critical to obtaining a successful outcome.