cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
THE PROCESSING OF CRISIS AND NON-CRISIS STRATEGIC ISSUES

This paper asserts that organizations process different types of strategic issues in systematically different ways, proposing that organizational decision-makers expend greater resources, centralize authority and generate a greater volume of causal explanations during the processing of crisis versus non-crisis strategic issues. Data from comparative tracings of several crisis and non-crisis issues in a single organization lend preliminary support to the propositions. By conceptualizing the process of issue resolution both from an instrumental and symbolic perspective, this type of response to crisis issues can be interpreted. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.
Correcting the geometry and color of digital images

A unified method for correcting the geometry and color of digital images is presented. The method uses a color chart with a prearranged array of known color patches. Using the true geometry and color of the chart and geometry and color of the image of the chart, transformation functions that describe the geometry and color characteristics of the camera are determined. The transformation functions are then used to correct the geometry and color of obtained images. Experimental results of the proposed method on images acquired under different scene illuminations and camera settings are presented and evaluated.
Probe–Sample Coupling in the Magnetic Resonance Force Microscope

The magnetic resonance force microscope (MRFM) provides a route to achieving scanned probe magnetic resonance imaging with extremely high spatial resolution. Achieving this capability will require understanding the force exerted on a microscopic magnetic probe by a spatially extended sample over which the probe is scanned. Here we present a detailed analysis of this interaction between probe and sample. We focus on understanding the situation where the micromagnet mounted on the mechanical resonator generates a very inhomogeneous magnetic field and is scanned over a sample with at least one spatial dimension much larger than that of the micromagnet. This situation differs quite significantly from the conditions under which most MRFM experiments have been carried out where the sample is mounted on the mechanical resonator and placed in a rather weak magnetic field gradient. In addition to the concept of a sensitive slice (the spatial region where the magnetic resonance condition is met) it is valuable to map the forces exerted on the probe by spins at various locations; this leads to the concept of the force slice (the region in which spins exert force on the resonator). Results of this analysis, obtained both analytically and numerically, will be qualitatively compared with an initial experimental finding from an EPR-MRFM experiment carried out on DPPH at 4 K.
Moisture Permeation of Polymer Sealants and Interface Modifying Films

The original intent of this project was to identify and/or perfect vendor-supplied, state-of-the-art hydrophobic polymer sealants, such that the end product could meet military criteria for hermeticity in hybrid microelectronic devices. Solubility and diffusivity constants and permeabilities for several types of hydrophobic polymers were determined. Data from the laboratory and theory from literature both indicate that moisture impermeable polymers are not attainable, at least to meet military standards. The project objective was then redirected towards finding a means of passivating the surface of a microelectronic device against moisture. It was found that interface modification, i.e., passivation of the chemically reactive surface species, provides significant protection in high temperature and humidity environments. Plasma polymerization of hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) afforded phenomenal protection to moisture sensitive thin film nichrome resistors even under the most severe test conditions.
Application of Q-DFT to Atoms in Excited States

This chapter is concerned with the application of Q-DFT to atoms in their excited states. As noted in the introduction (Chap. 1), the framework of the Q-DFT mapping from an interacting system of electrons to a model S system of noninteracting fermions with equivalent density, is general in that it is the same for both the ground and excited states of the real system. Hence, all the equations governing Q-DFT and consequently all the approximation schemes, are equally applicable to systems in their excited states. Additionally, within Q-DFT, the state of the S system is arbitrary: the model system may be constructed to be in a ground or excited state configuration [1–6] (see also Chap. 5). A benefit of the mapping from an excited state of an atomto a model S system in its ground state is that fewer single particle orbitals of the latter may have to be obtained. For example, in the mapping of any singly or doubly excited state of the He atom to an S system in its ground state, only one orbital of the latter need be determined. For an example of such a mapping from an excited state of the exactly solvable Hooke’s atom [7] to an S system in its ground state with equivalent density, see [1] and QDFT. The arbitrariness of the S system configuration within Q-DFT contrasts with that of traditional excited state density functional theory [8] where the mapping is restricted to an S system having the same excited state configuration as that of the atom. It is also observed (see [1] and Chap. 5) that if the mapping is to an S system of the same configuration as that of the interacting system, then the Correlation-Kinetic contributions are small in comparison to when the mapping is to a model system in a different configuration. This is the case for the mapping from both the ground and excited states of the interacting system. Thus, in approximation methods within Q-DFT in which one wishes to initially ignore Correlation-Kinetic effects, it is best to map an interacting system to an S system of the same configuration.
Proline in Honey: An Osmoregulatory Hypothesis

SummaryPreviously published data are used to support a proposal that the hypopharyngeal glands of the worker honeybee (Apis mellifera) contain a large concentration of proline, which counterbalances the osmotic pressure of nectar and facilitates the transfer of invertase from the glands to the nectar. The hypothesis offers an alternative explanation to that put forward by other authors, for the addition of proline by the bees during the processing of nectar into honey.
GPS2 at the crossroad of lipid metabolism and inflammation in mouse adipose tissue

Obesity-induced defects in insulin signaling lead to the development of insulin resistance and Type II Diabetes (T2D). Currently, in the United States, the large majority of adults are overweight or obese, with roughly 60 millions of Americans being at a significantly higher risk for several diseases including diabetes and hypertension. G-protein pathway suppressor 2 (GPS2) has recently emerged as a novel and important regulator of homeostasis and inflammatory responses in metabolic organs. Previous work from our lab and others indicates that GPS2 is a multi-functional protein shuttling between the cytosol, where it inhibits activation of the stress kinase JNK as a modulator of ubiquitin signaling downstream of TNFα receptor, and the nucleus, where it regulates gene expression at the level of gene transcription by inhibiting pro-inflammatory gene targets and activating key mediators of the lipolysis pathway. Characterization of adipose tissue-specific knock-out and overexpression mice will be presented to...
Nitrous Oxide Abuse and Vitamin B12 Action in a 20-Year-Old Woman: A Case Report

Herein, we report a case of a 20-year-old (ethnicity not reported) woman with a history of nitrous oxide abuse and clinical symptoms consistent with spinal cord subacute combined degeneration with associated low serum concentrations of vitamin B12, elevated methylmalonic acid levels, and radiologic evidence of demyelination of the dorsal region of the spinal column. The health of the patient improved dramatically with B12 supplementation. In this case, we discuss the interaction of nitrous oxide with the enzymatic pathways involved in the biochemistry of vitamin B12.
Growth of Ti:Al2O3 Crystals by a Gradient-Freeze Technique*

The demonstration1 of the wavelength-tunable Ti:Al2O3 laser has led to renewed interest in the growth of sapphire crystals doped with Ti3+ ions, which are responsible for the laser action. Laser performance has generally been limited by a parasitic optical absorption band of unknown origin that is present in the laser output wavelength region.
Signals or Mixed Signals: Why Opportunities for Mobilization are not Opportunities for Policy Reform

Drawing on political opportunity theory, the theory of legislative logic, and political mediation theory, we hypothesize differential effects of the political environment on the actions of challengers (suffragists) and state actors (legislators) in the women's suffrage movement. We use sequential logistic regression to assess the effects of explanatory variables on two intermediate stages of mobilization and policy change. In the case of challengers, we estimate the likelihood a state-level organization is present in any given legislative year. In the case of state actors, we estimate the likelihood a bill passes one legislative house given the presence of a state-level suffrage organization and that a bill has been introduced. Mixed signals are apparent in that challengers and legislators respond to the same environmental factors differently. Challengers respond to perceived opportunities for change. Legislators seek to enhance their political careers and are responsive to the demands of challengers when...
The effect of Metrazol in isolated mammalian cells.

SummaryIn short-term experiments, oxygen uptake by mouse fibroblast cells is inhibited by the addition of the convulsant Metrazol. After 30 hours of incubation in suspension culture, the effect of Metrazol is reversed. Both oxygen uptake and cell growth are enhanced. Cells grown in the presence of the drug multiply 13 times faster and use up 3 times as much oxygen as control cells.The authors wish to express their gratitude to Dr. Warren M. Sperry without whose encouragement and support this work would not have been possible.
Expression of the Na+/K+-transporting ATPase gamma subunit FXYD2 in renal tumors

Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a form of renal cancer that may be confused with other eosinophilic renal tumors, including oncocytoma, type 2 papillary RCC, and clear-cell RCC with eosinophilic features. There are currently no robust markers to distinguish these neoplasms. Chromophobe RCC and renal oncocytoma are presumably derived from the distal nephron. FXYD2 is a distal tubule regulator of the trimeric Na(+/)K(+)-transporting ATPase that is enriched in kidney tissue. In this study, we investigated the expression of FXYD2 in normal human kidney, 27 chromophobe RCCs, 30 oncocytomas, 15 clear-cell RCCs, and 11 papillary RCCs. Immunohistochemical staining for FXYD2 showed diffuse, strong immunoreactivity in the basolateral membrane of distal tubules of normal human kidney. Ninety-six percent (26/27) of chromophobe RCCs were immunoreactive for FXYD2 in a distinctly membranous pattern. Twenty-five of these tumors showed at least focal 2+ staining. In contrast, only 17% (5/30) of renal oncocytomas, 11% (2/15) of clear-cell RCCs, and 0% (0/11) of papillary RCCs displayed FXYD2 immunoreactivity. None of these cases showed ≥2+ FXYD2 staining. A subset of cases was confirmed as oncocytoma or chromophobe RCC using cytokeratin 7, colloidal iron, and interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of chromosomes 1, 2, 6, 10, and 17. Among this subset, 100% (7/7) of chromophobe RCCs were FXYD2 positive, whereas 17% (2/12) of oncocytomas were stained with FXYD2. The oncocytomas that stained with FXYD2 did so in a weak (1+), patchy manner. In contrast, chromophobe RCCs showed ≥2+ staining in 86% (6/7) of these tumors. For comparison, this subset was also stained for kidney-specific cadherin (Ksp-cadherin). Ksp-cadherin showed positive staining in 100% (7/7) of chromophobe RCCs and 33% (4/12) of oncocytomas. This is the first report demonstrating the potential utility of FXYD2 immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of chromophobe RCC.
Gender Differences in the Use and Benefit of Advanced Learning Technologies for Mathematics.

We provide evidence of persistent gender effects for students using advanced adaptive technology while learning mathematics. This technology improves each gender’s learning and affective predispositions toward mathematics, but specific features in the software help either female or male students. Gender differences were seen in the students’ style of use of the system, motivational goals, affective needs, and cognitive/affective benefits, as well as the impact of affective interventions involving pedagogical agents. We describe 4 studies, with hundreds of students in public schools over several years, which suggest that technology responses should probably be customized to each gender. This article shows differential results before, during, and after the use of adaptive tutoring software, indicating that digital tutoring systems can be an important supplement to mathematics classrooms but that male and female students should be addressed differently. Female students were more receptive than male students to seeking and accepting help provided by the tutoring system and to spending time seeing the hints; thus, they had a consistent general trend to benefit more from it, especially when affective learning companions were present. In addition, female students expressed positively valenced emotions most often and exhibited more productive behaviors when exposed to female characters; these affective pedagogical agents encouraged effort and perseverance. This was not the case for male students, who had more positive outcomes when no learning companion was present and their worst affective and cognitive outcomes when the female character was present.
Reading about the Power of Music: "Mole Music" and "Children of the Stone".

In this article, I review two books that address the power of music for the individual and group. Both books address the benefits of making, learning, and listening to music during times of conflic...
A new deadlock resolution protocol and message matching algorithm for the extreme-scale simulator

Investigating the performance of parallel applications at scale on future high-performance computingi¾?HPC architectures and the performance impact of different HPC architecture choices is an important component of HPC hardware/software co-design. The Extreme-scale Simulator xSim is a simulation toolkit for investigating the performance of parallel applications at scale. xSim scales to millions of simulated Message Passing Interface MPI processes. The xSim toolkit strives to limit simulation overheads in order to maintain performance and productivity criteria. This paper documents two improvements to xSim: 1i¾?a new deadlock resolution protocol to reduce the parallel discrete event simulation overhead and 2i¾?a new simulated MPI message matching algorithm to reduce the oversubscription management cost. These enhancements resulted in significant performance improvements. The simulation overhead for running the NASA Advanced Supercomputing Parallel Benchmark suite dropped from 1,020% to 238% for the conjugate gradient benchmark and 102% to 0% for the embarrassingly parallel benchmark. Additionally, the improvements were beneficial for reducing overheads in the highly accurate simulation mode of xSim, which is useful for resilience investigation studies for tracking intentional MPI process failures. In the highly accurate mode, the simulation overhead was reduced from 37,511% to 13,808% for conjugate gradient and from 3,332% to 204% for embarrassingly parallel. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A probabilistic DBNN with applications to sensor fusion and object recognition

Given an input vector x, a classifier is supposed to tell which class is most likely to have produced it. Thus most data classifiers are designed to have K output nodes corresponding to K classes, {w/sub i/: i=1,...,K}. When pattern classes are clearly separated, this kind of data classifier usually performs very well. A specific model is the decision-based neural network (DBNN), which is effective in many signal/image classification applications. This is particularly the case when pattern classes are clearly separable. However, for those applications which have complex pattern distribution with two or more classes overlapping in pattern space, the traditional DBNN may not be effective or appropriate. For such applications, it is preferable to adopt a probabilistic classifier. In this paper, we develop a new probabilistic variant of the DBNN, which is meant for better estimate probability density functions corresponding to different pattern classes. For this purpose, new learning rules for probabilistic DBNN are derived. In experiments on face databases, we have observed noticeable improvement in various performance measures such as recognition accuracies and, in particular, false acceptance/rejection rates. Taking advantage of probabilistic output values of the DBNN, we construct a multiple sensor fusion system for object classification. In a sense, it represents an extension of the traditional hierarchical structure of DBNN.
Geometric Resonance of Composite Fermions near Bilayer Quantum Hall States.

A single-layer to bilayer transition is induced in a two-dimensional electron gas by applying a parallel magnetic field, enabling the direct study of composite fermions.
Improved Survival in Patients with Peripheral T Cell Lymphoma, Unspecified Following High-Dose Therapy and Stem Cell Transplantation: A Retrospective Review of a Single Institution’s Experience.

Background: Peripheral T-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (PTCL) account for approximately 10% of all non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas in the U.S. and Europe. PTCL, unspecified (PTCL-U), as classified by the WHO, is the most common subtype. The ability of high-dose therapy (HDT) and stem cell transplantation (SCT) to improve patient outcome was evaluated in the current study. Methods: All patients with PTCL-U evaluated at our institution who had tissue specimens available for review from January, 1994 to December, 2005 were identified and both clinical characteristics and treatment course obtained from the medical record. Results: 89 patients with PTCL-U were identified, with a median follow up of 13 months (range 1 month–12 years). The median age at diagnosis was 56 years (range 24–90). The IPI was low, intermediate or high in 34%, 44% and 22% of patients, respectively. On univariate analysis, age >60 (p 1 (p 60 (p=.0006) and ECOG performance status >1 (p=.007) were independently associated with poorer overall survival. Fifty-seven percent of patients were treated initially with an anthracycline-based regimen, most commonly CHOP (53%). Patients with a low (0–1), intermediate (2–3) or high (4–5) IPI experienced a 61%, 29% and 18% 5-year overall survival, respectively. Fourteen patients (16%) received HDT and autologous (n=12) or allogeneic (n=2) SCT, either at the time of a first partial or complete response (n=11) or at the time of first relapse (n=3). The median survival in those patients treated initially with an anthracycline-based regimen alone was 11 months (95% CI 0.6–1.6 years). Improvement in both 5-year overall (75% vs 24%, HR=5.6, 95% CI 2.0–23.4, p=.0004) and disease-free (60% vs 26%, HR=3.2, 95% CI 1.3–9.3, p=.008) survival was observed in patients who received HDT/SCT, as compared to patients treated with anthracycline-based therapy alone. Furthermore, improvement in both 5-year overall (80% vs 26%, HR=5.8, 95% CI 1.7–35.7, p=.002) and disease free (72% vs 26%, HR=3.8, 95% CI 1.3–15.8, p=.009) survival was observed in patients who received HDT/SCT at the time of a first partial or complete response when compared to patients who received anthracycline-based therapy. When patients who failed to achieve a first partial or complete response were excluded from the analysis, improved 5-year overall (80% vs 57%, HR=0.5, 95% CI 0.1–2.1, p=.4) and disease-free (72% vs 53%, HR=0.7, 95% CI 0.1–2.3, p=.5) survival were observed in patients who received upfront HDT/SCT, although this failed to reach statistical significance. The improved overall and disease free survival observed in patients receiving HDT/SCT, either at the time of a first response or at the time of relapse, remained significant when accounting for differences in the IPI. In conclusion, selected patients with PTCL-U may benefit from treatment with HDT/SCT following a first response to conventional anthracycline-based chemotherapy.
Effects of acute ingestion of a pre-workout dietary supplement with and without p- synephrine on resting energy expenditure, cognitive function and exercise performance

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of acute ingestion of a pre-workout dietary supplement (PWS) with and without p-synephrine (S) on perceptions of readiness to perform, cognitive function, exercise performance, and markers of safety. In a randomized, double-blind, and counterbalanced manner; 25 healthy and recreationally active male and female participants ingested a flavored maltodextrin placebo (PLA), a PWS containing beta-alanine (3 g), creatine nitrate as a salt (2 g), arginine alpha-ketoglutarate (2 g), N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine (300 mg), caffeine (284 mg), Mucuna pruiriens extract standardized for 15% L-Dopa (15 mg), Vitamin C as Ascorbic Acid (500 mg), niacin (60 mg), folate as folic acid (50 mg), and Vitamin B12 as Methylcobalamin (70 mg) with 2 g of maltodextrin and flavoring; or, the PWS with Citrus aurantium (PWS + S) extract standardized for 30% p-synephrine (20 mg). Participants had heart rate (HR), blood pressure, resting energy expenditure (REE), 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECG), perceptions about readiness to perform, cognitive function (Stroop Color-Word test), bench and leg press performance (2 sets of 10 repetitions at 70% of 1RM and 1 set to failure), and Wingate anaerobic capacity (WAC) sprint performance determined as well as donated blood samples prior to and/or following exercise/supplementation. Data were analyzed by MANOVA with repeated measures as well as mean changes from baseline with 95% confidence intervals (CI). No clinically significant differences were observed among treatments in HR, blood pressure, ECG, or general clinical blood panels. There was evidence that PWS and PWS + S ingestion promoted greater changes in REE responses. Participants reported higher perception of optimism about performance and vigor and energy with PWS and PWS + S ingestion and there was evidence that PWS and PWS + S improved changes in cognitive function scores from baseline to a greater degree than PLA after 1 or 2 h. However, the scores in the PWS + S treatment did not exceed PLA or PWS responses at any data point. No statistically significant differences were observed among treatments in total bench press lifting volume, leg press lifting volume or WAC sprint performance. Within the confines of this study, ingestion of PWS and/or PWS + S prior to exercise appears to be well-tolerated when consumed by young, healthy individuals. The primary effects appear to be to increase REE responses and improve perceptions about readiness to perform and cognitive function with limited to no effects on muscular endurance and WAC. The addition of 20 mg of p-synephrine to the PWS provided limited to no additive benefits. This trial ( NCT02952014 ) was retrospectively registered on September 13th 2016.
CHRONIC RIGHT VENTRICULAR PACING: EFFECTS ON HEART FAILURE HOSPITALIZATION AND MORTALITY IN THE PRESENCE OF NORMAL LEFT VENTRICULAR EJECTION FRACTION

Background: Guidelines indicate Biv pacemaker (PM) in pts with left ventricular (LV) EF 40% right ventricular (RV) pacing. We examined the effect of chronic RV pacing in pts with baseline LVEF >50%. Methods: 80/220 pts with insertion of RV PM for bradycardia b/w 2006-16, and baseline
Effect of out-of-plane specimen movement on the accuracy of the smallest specimen strain measurable using the digital image correlation technique

This investigation determined the smallest strain accurately measurable by a state-of-the-art digital image correlation (DIC) – based tool used in structural health monitoring, in a specimen subjected to out-of-plane movement, building upon a study that concluded that out-of-plane specimen movement results in noise in DIC-based strain measurements. This study was motivated by initially undetected damage at low strains in connections of a real-world bridge, whose detection would have prevented its propagation, resulting in lower repair costs. The smallest strains accurately measurable using the state-of-the-art DIC tool, over a range of specimen out-of-plane displacement amplitudes, were determined.
Racial Differences in Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy Use and Discontinuation in Association with Mortality among Medicare Breast Cancer Patients by Receptor Status

Background: There are racial disparities in breast cancer mortality. Our purpose was to determine whether racial/ethnic differences in use and discontinuation of adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) differed by hormone receptor status and whether discontinuation was associated with mortality. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study with SEER/Medicare dataset of women age ≥65 years diagnosed with stage I–III breast cancer in Medicare Part-D from 2007 to 2009, stratified by hormone receptor status. We performed multivariable logistic regressions to assess racial differences for the odds of AET initiation and Cox proportional hazards models to determine the risk of discontinuation and mortality. Results: Of 14,902 women, 64.5% initiated AET Conclusions: There are racial/ethnic differences in AET use and discontinuation. Discontinuing treatment was associated with higher risk of all-cause and cancer-specific mortality regardless of hormone receptor status. Impact: This study underscores the need to study factors that influence discontinuation and the survival benefits of receiving AET for hormone receptor–negative breast cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 26(8); 1266–75. ©2017 AACR .
Optic Nerve Tilt, Crescent, Ovality, and Torsion in a Multi-Ethnic Cohort of Young Adults With and Without Myopia.

Purpose The purpose of this article is to evaluate optic nerve head (ONH) characteristics in an ethnically diverse cohort of young U.S. adults. Methods In this study, 409 myopes and 206 nonmyopes (median age 22 years) completed measures including biometry and spectral domain optical coherence tomography from enface (ovality and torsion) and cross-sectional (tilt and crescent width) scans. Associated factors were evaluated using multivariable models. Results In myopic versus nonmyopic right eyes, median tilt (6.0° vs. 2.4°; P < 0.0001) and frequency of crescents (49% vs. 10%; P < 0.0001) were higher in myopes. Right eyes with crescents had higher median tilts (8.8° [myopic], 9.0° [nonmyopic]) than those without crescent (2.5° [myopic], 2.1° [nonmyopic]), irrespective of refractive group (both P < 0.0001). Torsion was similar between groups, with a slight difference in ovality (0.89 vs. 0.91; P < 0.03). Data in the left eyes were similar, and modeling was done only for the right myopic eyes. Multivariable models showed that an increased tilt was associated with ethnicity (P < 0.001), the presence of crescent (P < 0.001), and smaller ONH diameter (P < 0.0031), with interactions between ethnicity and crescent (P = 0.002). Specifically, ONH tilt was significantly higher in Asian eyes without crescent (P < 0.0001 for all comparisons), and crescent width was associated with increased tilt in non-Asian eyes (P < 0.02). Crescent width was associated with ethnicity (greatest in Asians) and disc tilt. Interactions were observed between tilt and ethnicity, whereby tilt had a greater effect on crescent width in non-Asian eyes, and crescent width was associated with increased tilt in non-Asian eyes. Conclusions The data clarify the influence of ethnicity and myopia on ONH characteristics in young adults and may inform future studies of biomechanical properties or of retinal pathology of the myopic eye.
The Los Alamos Neutron Science Center Spallation Neutron Sources

Abstract The Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) provides the scientific community with intense sources of neutrons, which can be used to perform experiments supporting civilian and national security research. These measurements include nuclear physics experiments for the defense program, basic science, and the radiation effect programs. This paper focuses on the radiation effects program, which involves mostly accelerated testing of semiconductor parts. When cosmic rays strike the earth's atmosphere, they cause nuclear reactions with elements in the air and produce a wide range of energetic particles. Because neutrons are uncharged, they can reach aircraft altitudes and sea level. These neutrons are thought to be the most important threat to semiconductor devices and integrated circuits. The best way to determine the failure rate due to these neutrons is to measure the failure rate in a neutron source that has the same spectrum as those produced by cosmic rays. Los Alamos has a high-energy and a low-energy neutron source for semiconductor testing. Both are driven by the 800-MeV proton beam from the LANSCE accelerator. The high-energy neutron source at the Weapons Neutron Research (WNR) facility uses a bare target that is designed to produce fast neutrons with energies from 100 keV to almost 800 MeV. The measured neutron energy distribution from WNR is very similar to that of the cosmic-ray-induced neutrons in the atmosphere. However, the flux provided at the WNR facility is typically 5×107 times more intense than the flux of the cosmic-ray-induced neutrons. This intense neutron flux allows testing at greatly accelerated rates. An irradiation test of less than an hour is equivalent to many years of neutron exposure due to cosmic-ray neutrons. The low-energy neutron source is located at the Lujan Neutron Scattering Center. It is based on a moderated source that provides useful neutrons from subthermal energies to ∼100 keV. The characteristics of these sources, and ongoing industry program are described in this paper.
Accessing Files and Printing Documents

In this chapter, we’ll look at how to connect your school’s iPads to local storage and online storage for accessing existing files and creating new files. We’ll also cover how to print documents from iPads to your school’s printers.
One-way quantum repeaters with quantum Reed-Solomon codes

We show that quantum Reed-Solomon codes constructed from classical Reed-Solomon codes can approach the capacity on the quantum erasure channel of $d$-level systems for large dimension $d$. We study the performance of one-way quantum repeaters with these codes and obtain a significant improvement in key generation rate compared to previously investigated encoding schemes with quantum parity codes and quantum polynomial codes. We also compare the three generations of quantum repeaters using quantum Reed-Solomon codes and identify parameter regimes where each generation performs the best.
Parallel optimization of signal detection in active magnetospheric signal injection experiments

Signal detection and extraction requires substantial manual parameter tuning at different stages in the processing pipeline. Time-series data depends on domain-specific signal properties, necessitating unique parameter selection for a given problem. The large potential search space makes this parameter selection process time-consuming and subject to variability. We introduce a technique to search and prune such parameter search spaces in parallel and select parameters for time series filters using breadth- and depth-first search strategies to increase the likelihood of detecting signals of interest in the field of magnetospheric physics. We focus on studying geomagnetic activity in the extremely and very low frequency ranges (ELF/VLF) using ELF/VLF transmissions from Siple Station, Antarctica, received at Qubec, Canada. Our technique successfully detects amplified transmissions and achieves substantial speedup performance gains as compared to an exhaustive parameter search. We present examples where our algorithmic approach reduces the search from hundreds of seconds down to less than 1s, with a ranked signal detection in the top 99th percentile, thus making it valuable for real-time monitoring. We also present empirical performance models quantifying the trade-off between the quality of signal recovered and the algorithm response time required for signal extraction. In the future, improved signal extraction in scenarios like the Siple experiment will enable better real-time diagnostics of conditions of the Earth's magnetosphere for monitoring space weather activity. We advance parameter search/pruning strategies for detecting Siple signals.We present a multi-threaded implementation that achieves good scalability.The techniques are able to select good parameters for the signal processing pipeline.The methods can be used to detect events exhibiting magnetospheric amplification.
Drug Metabolism: Review of Principles and the Fate of One-Ring Psychotomimetics

Interest in the metabolic fate of compounds foreign to the body (xenobiotics) has intensified dramatically during the past decade. Research efforts are derived today from a variety of disciplines and any attempt to review the entire field is likely to require a “team of experts.” Fortunately, a number of books that cover various aspects of drug metabolism have appeared recently. The most chemically oriented is the Testa and Jenner monograph (1976), which provides an excellent description of biotransformation processes with much fine molecular detail. The Chemical Society, London, publishes a good review series entitled “Foreign Compound Metabolism in Mammals” (Hathway, 1975). A bibliographic survey, “The Fate of Drugs in the Organism” (Hirtz, 1976), has recorded 9000 references (through about 1972) dealing with various aspects of drug metabolism. Two textbook-type publications (Goldstein et al., 1974; La Du et al., 1971) are mainly concerned with the fate and mechanism of action of small molecules. The more traditional textbooks in medicinal chemistry contain good chapters on drug metabolism (McMahon, 1970; Daniels and Jorgensen, 1977). Biologically oriented material will be found in the series “Concepts in Biochemical Pharmacology,” particularly Part 2 (Brodie and Gillette, 1971) and Part 3 (Gillette and Mitchell, 1975). The publications of the proceedings of a number of symposia provide first-rate discussions of specific topics. Two symposium publications focus on in vitro aspects of microsomal oxidations (Estabrook et al., 1973a; Gillette et al., 1969).
Scanning Tunneling Microscopy Studies of Alcohol/Alkane Mixtures Adsorbed on Graphite Surfaces

Mixtures of triacontanol/triacontane adsorbed on graphite surfaces have been investigated using STM in order to understand the relative importance of functional groups in determining the adsorbate/surface sticking probability. The images observed for these mixtures indicate that the alcohol and alkanes form separate regions on the surface and that the sticking probability is dependent on the liquid phase environment above the graphite surface. The mixtures exhibit interesting reorganization dynamics during which the alcohols and alkanes separate out on the surface.
The effects of 3D sound in a 360-degree live concert video on social presence, parasocial interaction, enjoyment, and intent of financial supportive action

Abstract What would be the social consequences of rendering three-dimensional (3D) sound in a pre-recorded live concert video? Although previous studies demonstrate that the rendering of 3D sound in a pre-recorded live concert may foster a sense of presence, whether and how 3D sound will affect audience's experiences beyond the reporting of a sense of presence has yet to be elucidated. To further investigate the socio-psychological impact of 3D sound in a pre-recorded live concert content, a 2 × 2 mixed design experiment (N = 44), having sound as a within factor (2D vs. 3D) and visualization display mode as a between factor (monoscopic TV vs. stereoscopic VR), was conducted. Drawing from the social presence theory and related work, we specifically investigated whether 3D sound in a pre-recorded live concert content, rendered either through a monoscopic TV screen or a stereoscopic VR device, will contribute to enhancing audience's sense of being with a performer (i.e., social presence), and whether this will subsequently influence audience's psychological engagement with the performer (i.e., parasocial interaction), enjoyment as need satisfaction, and intent of financial supportive action towards the performer. Results showed that 3D sound enhanced a sense of social presence, and this, in turn, positively influenced parasocial interaction and enjoyment. In addition, parasocial interaction, fostered by social presence, positively affected audience's intent of financial supportive action. Further implications of the findings with respect to the role of 3D sound in a pre-recorded live concert content, rendered through a VR technology, are discussed.
Fentanyl and Drug Overdose: Perceptions of Fentanyl Risk, Overdose Risk Behaviors, and Opportunities for Intervention among People who use Opioids in Baltimore, USA.

Background: Fentanyl-related mortality has skyrocketed among people who use opioids (PWUO) in North America. The current study of PWUO aims to examine the perceived fentanyl risk and training needs...
Explicit Expressions and Bounds of Performance and Systemic Risk Measures in Symmetric Linear Systems Driven by Heavy-Tailed Noise

We consider exponentially stable linear systems subject to heavy-tailed noise. Based on the distributional properties of the output dynamics, we introduce novel performance and risk indexes to evaluate system's response towards the exogenous and/or structural sources of noise. We derive explicit expressions of the aforementioned indexes whenever possible, as well as general spectral-related estimates. We apply the obtained rigorous results to improve systemic performance on a case study of a distributed consensus system.
The archaeothanatology of seated-flexed burials in the prehispanic southern Andes

Abstract Natural and anthropogenic taphonomic processes in seated-flexed human burials introduce variability in the archaeological record that may obscure evidence for standardization of funerary practice and prolonged ritual interaction with ancestral remains. This archaeothanatological study of 182 seated-flexed burials from a Tiwanaku-affiliated site in southern Peru (500–1100 CE) examines evidence for primary burial, post-depositional decomposition and dissociation, sediment infilling, and disturbance caused by human agents. The results suggest a high degree of standardization in body preparation, and a protracted timeline for Tiwanaku funerary rituals that included secondary manipulation of human remains. Although archaeothanatological studies of seated-flexed burials are rare in the Andes and elsewhere, this study calls attention to the importance of collecting data from various lines of evidence to disentangle natural and anthropogenic taphonomic processes in this popular form of burial.
SkinnerDB: regret-bounded query evaluation via reinforcement learning

Robust query optimization becomes illusory in the presence of correlated predicates or user-defined functions. Occasionally, the query optimizer will choose join orders whose execution time is by many orders of magnitude higher than necessary. We present SkinnerDB, a novel database management system that is designed from the ground up for reliable optimization and robust performance.SkinnerDB implements several adaptive query processing strategies based on reinforcement learning. We divide the execution of a query into small time periods in which different join orders are executed. Thereby, we converge to optimal join orders with regret bounds, meaning that the expected difference between actual execution time and time for an optimal join order is bounded. To the best of our knowledge, our execution strategies are the first to provide comparable formal guarantees. SkinnerDB can be used as a layer on top of any existing database management system. We use optimizer hints to force existing systems to try out different join orders, carefully restricting execution time per join order and data batch via timeouts. We choose timeouts according to an iterative scheme that balances execution time over different timeouts to guarantee bounded regret. Alternatively, SkinnerDB can be used as a standalone, featuring an execution engine that is tailored to the requirements of join order learning. In particular, we use a specialized multi-way join algorithm and a concise tuple representation to facilitate fast switches between join orders. In our demonstration, we let participants experiment with different query types and databases. We visualize the learning process and compare against baselines.
Improved read/write cost tradeoff in DNA-based data storage using LDPC codes

Abstract With the amount of data being stored increasing rapidly, there is significant interest in exploring alternative storage technologies. In this context, DNA-based storage systems can offer significantly higher storage densities (petabytes/gram) and durability (thousands of years) than current technologies. Specifically, DNA has been found to be stable over extended periods of time which has been demonstrated in the analysis of organisms long since extinct. Recent advances in DNA sequencing and synthesis pipelines have made DNA-based storage a promising candidate for the storage technology of the future. Recently, there have been multiple efforts in this direction, focusing on aspects such as error correction for synthesis/sequencing errors and erasure correction for handling missing sequences. The typical approach is to use separate codes for handling errors and erasures, but there is limited understanding of the efficiency of this framework. Furthermore, the existing techniques use short block-length codes and heavily rely on read consensus, both of which are known to be suboptimal in coding theory. In this work, we study the tradeoff between the writing and reading costs involved in DNA-based storage and propose a practical scheme to achieve an improved tradeoff between these quantities. Our scheme breaks with the traditional separation framework and instead uses a single large block-length LDPC code for both erasure and error correction. We also introduce novel techniques to handle insertion and deletion errors introduced by the synthesis process. For a range of writing costs, the proposed scheme achieves 30-40% lower reading costs than state-of-the-art techniques on experimental data obtained using array synthesis and Illumina sequencing. The code, data, and Supplementary Material is available at https://github.com/shubhamchandak94/LDPC_DNA_storage.
Frequency-Dependent Spatial Coherence in Conventional and Chirp Transmissions

The development of adaptive imaging techniques is contingent on the accurate and repeatable characterization of ultrasonic image quality. Adaptive transmit frequency selection, filtering, and frequency compounding all offer the ability to improve target conspicuity by balancing the effects of imaging resolution, the signal-to-clutter ratio, and speckle texture, but these strategies rely on the ability to capture image quality at each desired frequency. We investigate the use of broadband linear frequency-modulated transmissions, also known as chirps, to expedite the interrogation of frequency-dependent tissue spatial coherence for real-time implementations of frequency-based adaptive imaging strategies. Chirp-collected measurements of coherence are compared to those acquired by individually transmitted conventional pulses over a range of fundamental and harmonic frequencies, in order to evaluate the ability of chirps to recreate conventionally acquired coherence. Simulation and measurements in a uniform phantom free of acoustic clutter indicate that chirps replicate not only the mean coherence in a region-of-interest but also the distribution of coherence values over frequency. Results from acquisitions in porcine abdominal and human liver models show that prediction accuracy improves with chirp length. Chirps are also able to predict frequency-dependent decreases in coherence in both porcine abdominal and human liver models for fundamental and pulse inversion harmonic imaging. This work indicates that the use of chirps is a viable strategy to improve the efficiency of variable frequency coherence mapping, thus presenting an avenue for real-time implementations for frequency-based adaptive strategies.
Integrated Cyber and Physical Anomaly Location and Classification in Power Distribution Systems

Identifying the anomaly location and type (fault or attack) is of paramount importance for enhancing cyber-physical situational awareness, and taking informed and effective mitigation actions in power distribution systems with an increasing number of attack points in distributed and renewable energy sources. This article proposes the fault and attack location and classification (FALCON) system to classify and locate cyber and physical anomalies, including false data injection attacks on protection devices, replay attacks on communication networks, and physical faults on distribution lines. The proposed system takes as input the transient short-circuit current and voltage measured by protection relays, the relays command status as well as the fault alarm from fault indicators, which is fed into a deep neural network that classifies and identifies the location of the fault and attacks in the distribution system. Numerical studies demonstrate FALCON's capability to classify and locate multiple cyber and physical anomalies with more than 98% accuracy, even when multiple devices are simultaneously compromised. Furthermore, the impact of different sets of input data is explored to highlight the importance of fault indicators, fault voltage data, and data collected from the RES relays.
Gastrointestinal symptomatology, diagnosis, and treatment history in patients with underweight avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder and anorexia nervosa: Impact on weight restoration in a meal-based behavioral treatment program.

OBJECTIVE Gastrointestinal (GI) concerns are often presumed to complicate nutritional rehabilitation for restrictive eating disorders, yet their relationship to weight restoration outcomes is unclear. This retrospective chart review examined GI history and weight-related discharge outcomes in primarily adult, underweight inpatients with anorexia nervosa (AN, N = 107) or avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID, N = 22) treated in a meal-based, behavioral eating disorder program. METHOD Lifetime GI symptomatology, diagnoses, diagnostic tests, and procedures were abstracted from medical records. Generalized linear models examined associations of GI diagnoses, tests, and procedures with discharge BMI and rate of weight gain. RESULTS Ninety-nine percent of patients reported GI symptomatology and 83% had one or more GI diagnoses; with constipation and GERD most common. GI diagnoses (p <.01) and testing (p <.001) were more common in ARFID than AN. Average inpatient weight gain (1.59 kg/week), and discharge BMI (18.5 kg/m2 ), did not differ by group. Slower weight gain in patients with (1.3 kg/week), versus without (1.7 kg/week), history of tube feeding (p = .02), accounted for a main effect of GI procedures on inpatient rate of gain (p = .01). DISCUSSION Despite ubiquitous GI symptomatology, meal-based weight restoration achieved average weekly weight gain above recommended APA guidelines for hospitalized patients with an eating disorder. History of tube feeding was associated with slower mean weight gain, which remained, however, within recommended APA guidelines.