cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On analytical and numerical approaches to division and label structured population models

Abstract Even among cells in the same population, the concentration of a protein or cellular constituent can vary considerably. This heterogeneity can arise from several sources, including differences in kinetic rates between cells and distribution of cellular constituents through cell division. Compartmental models have been used to describe the distribution of the number of divisions undergone by cells in a population. More recently, such models have been coupled with the dynamics of intracellular labels and analytical solutions to the division and label structured population equations have been found. However, such approaches have thus far focused on simple models of intracellular dynamics such as the decay of an intracellular label. In this work, we demonstrate that analytical solutions are possible for more general forms of intracellular dynamics offering the promise to lend mathematical insight into population dynamics in more realistic biological settings.
Epidemiological Analysis of Rabies between 2002 and 2007 in Zengcheng City

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of rabies in Zengcheng City, and to formulate the preventive measures. Method Retrospective analysis of rabies outbreak was carried out between 2002 and 2007 in Zengcheng city.Result The cases of rabies occurred in Zengcheng city were increasing yearly, and the morbidity of rabies increased from (1 case in 2002)to (10 cases in 2006),so the epidemiological situation is relatively serious; After the launching of the sanitation-education facilitating preventing rabies item, the morbidity declined obviously, there were 7 cases occurred in 2007.The the epidemiological situation was controlled effectively.Conclusion The epidemiological situation is relatively serious in Zengcheng city, After the launching of the sanitation-education facilitating preventing rabies item, the consciousness and awareness of preventing rabies is promoting in public, the epidemic situation is effectively controlled in a short time.
Study of Irregular Data Field Volume Rendering Based on Cell Occluded Trimming

This paper uses an average opacity buffer by convolving the opacity buffer with a box filter of the size,thus the average opacity buffer enables us to determinate if a cell is fully occluded,which enables us to cull the cells occluded directly so as to reduce the amount of data and accelerate the rendering in object-order volume rendering for irregular data fields.
Flexible fiberoptic sigmoidoscopy. Important screening tool for colorectal disorders.

PreviewPolyps in the colon can and often do progress to colon cancer. However, since the process usually takes several years, early treatment is highly successful. The challenge for the physician comes in convincing patients to undergo the screening test. The authors describe an effective and safe way to perform flexible sigmoidoscopy that not only ensures a thorough examination of the entire colon but also minimizes patient discomfort and the risk of complications.
The Effects of Refund Anticipation Loans on Tax Filing and EITC Takeup

The IRS has an uneasy relationship with tax return preparers. Preparers may ease the tax filing process and improve take-up of benefits like the earned income tax credit (EITC); however, preparers also profit from financial products sold in connection with tax preparation that have been viewed as exploitative. But can we have a market for low-income tax preparation without such products, and should we? I estimate the effects of regulation curtailing the market for refund anticipation loans (RALs) on a variety of outcomes, including demand for paid tax preparation, EITC take-up, and demand for other financial products, to explore the source of RAL demand and the relationship between RALs and tax compliance. Nearly eliminating RALs reduced demand for paid tax preparation and EITC take-up, and increased demand for an alternative product, which suggests that lack of access to the payment system may be an important driver of RAL demand and that even present-biased individuals may benefit from RALs.
HIF1α-induced PDGFRβ signaling promotes developmental HSC production via IL-6 activation

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have the ability to both self-renew and differentiate each of the mature blood cell lineages and thereby reconstitute the entire blood system. Therefore, HSCs are therapeutically valuable for treatment of hematological malignances and bone marrow failure. We showed recently that transient glucose elevation elicited dose-dependent effects on HSCs through elevated metabolic activity and subsequent reactive oxygen species-mediated induction of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1α (Hif1α). Platelet-Derived Growth Factor B (pdgfb), a Hif1α-target, and its receptor, pdgfrb, were significantly upregulated in response to metabolic stimulation. Although the function of PDGF signaling is well established in vascular development, its role in hematopoiesis is less understood. Exposure to either a pan-PDGF inhibitor or a PDGFRβ-selective antagonist in the context of Hif1α stimulation blocked elevations in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) formation as determined by runx1;cmyb whole-mount in situ hybridization (WISH) and HSPC-reporter flow cytometry analysis. Similar results were observed for morpholino (MO) knockdown of pdgfrb or dominant-negative pdgfrb expression, indicating that PDGFRβ signaling is a key downstream mediator of Hif1α-mediated induction of HSPCs. Notably, overexpression of Pdgfb ligand enhanced HSPC numbers in the aorta-gonado-mesonephros (AGM) at 36 hours postfertilization (hpf) and in the caudal hematopoietic tissue at 48 hpf. A survey of known PDGF-B/PDGFRβ regulatory targets by expression analysis revealed a significant increase in inflammatory intermediates, including Interleukin 6 (IL-6) and its receptor (IL-6R). MO-mediated knockdown of il6 or chemical inhibition of IL-6R antagonized the effect of Pdgfb overexpression. Furthermore, epistatic analysis of IL-6/IL-6R function confirmed activity downstream of Hif1α. Together, these findings define a Hif1α-regulated signaling axis mediated through PBFGB/PDGFRβ and IL-6/IL-6R that acts to control embryonic HSPC production.
The Adolescent Patient Interview: Adolescent Confidentiality and Consent

The interview of the adolescent patient differs from that of the pediatric patient and the adult in method, content, and structure. Confidentiality rules apply to the adolescent especially in certain domains such as sexuality. Following these guidelines may lead to a more rewarding clinical encounter and an enhanced relationship with the adolescent. Under certain circumstances, an adolescent may consent to nonemergency medical care; in addition, the consent of a parent or guardian is not required for healthcare providers to render emergency care to minor patients.
Integration in Aggregating Cellular Slime Moulds

1. Cellular-slime-mould amoebae that adhere poorly to one another on contact and effectively do not secrete the chemotactic agent acrasin may become strongly adhesive and start to secrete it. This change, which is particularly important for their aggregation, has been called integration , and the reverse change, disintegration . 2. In Polysphondylium violaceum a cell may receive the integrative stimulus at some distance from the acrasin source that attracts it, but usually it does not change till it has moved close to it or actually reached it; so either an aggregation is simply a heap without any tributary cell-streams, or virtually continuous streams are slowly built out from the centre. 3. In Dictyostelium discoideum the spread of integration, in comparison with cell velocity, may be so rapid that the inflowing streams very soon reach their ultimate extent, though if the population density is not too high their cells only slowly establish contact with one another. 4. As the peripheral cells become integrated, they ‘relay’ the centre9s influence. Whether the streams are uninterrupted or ‘stippled’, there need be no continuous and finely graded centrifugal decrement in acrasin secretion: orderly aggregation is ensured by the sequence in which secretion is induced, which results in the centrifugal propagation of one or more comparatively narrow zones in which the gradient is adequate for orientation. 5. A spontaneous or an experimentally produced decrease in the strength of the integrative stimulus, or adaptation to the stimulus, or both, may induce some integrated cells to revert to the unintegrated state. 6. The spread of disintegration , too, in comparison with cell velocity, tends to be more rapid in D. discoideum than in P. violaceum : in the former species all the cells in a considerable length of stream may begin to separate at almost the same time; in the latter they may detach themselves in succession. 7. As disintegration may affect any part of an aggregation, various patterns result therefrom. If it slowly spreads from the centre of a P. violaceum aggregation while the streams are still growing at their outer ends, a ‘fairy ring’ is formed, in which cell movement remains polar. 8. Populations of a D. mucoroides strain, if not too sparse, aggregate at a comparatively fixed time after consuming the available food; but those of D. discoideum at widely different densities and degrees of starvation produce synchronous outbursts of aggregation when transferred from darkness to light. 9. The development and distinctive properties of the initiators of aggregation centres are considered. These cells can release acrasin into the medium without there being any there already or without there being sufficient to induce the remaining cells to secrete. 10. Much evidence is against aggregation being basically a sexual phenomenon.
How Federal Tax Law Rewards Housing Segregation

Residual, de facto segregation is among the most enduring barriers to equal opportunity in America. Nearly five decades after the Fair Housing Act of 1968, Blacks and Latinos still tend to live in neighborhoods where the majority of residents are people of color. Such racial segregation is often accompanied by economic segregation. Meanwhile, sociologists, housing law scholars, and poverty law experts have stressed the importance of residential location to the impact of poverty and the potential for upward economic mobility. But an unlikely source of federal housing law—the tax code—may interfere with efforts to promote more integrated communities. This Article argues that federal tax law rewards White-flight and economic segregation and, as a result, may exacerbate the enduring effects of past policies like redlining and exclusionary zoning, while also limiting the effectiveness of non-tax federal programs intended to promote housing choice, such as the Section 8 tenant voucher program. The Article begins by using publicly available data from the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Housing and Urban Development to map the flow of mortgage interest deduction benefits and the location of low-income housing tax credit properties in a representative city, Philadelphia. Next, the Article uses thought experiments to demonstrate how features of the tax law create monetary incentives to reinforce the segregation patterns reflected in the spatial distribution of these tax-subsidies. Finally, the Article sets forth recommendations for tax policy reforms that would better promote integrated communities.
Lead Poisoning Due to Herbal Medications

Many herbal products are harmless or possess minimal toxicity, whereas, some contain toxic ingredients that may not be identified due to lack of quality control or not listed on the label. Over the years, several case reports and studies have documented that herbal medications may contain ingredients that are toxic. Several studies have documented that some herbal medications contained high concentrations of heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, and arsenic. Publications of such case reports and studies have repeatedly reminded us that we have failed in our legal and civic duties of educating users of herbal medications and general population about the grave concerns posed by the herbal medications and their associated toxicities.
Flow2Code: from hand-drawn flowcharts to code execution

Flowcharts play an important role when learning to program by conveying algorithms graphically and making them easy to read and understand. Computer-based flowchart design requires the user to learn the software first, which often results in a steep learning curve. Paper-drawn flowcharts don't provide feedback. We propose a system that allows users to draw their flowcharts directly on paper combined with a mobile phone app that takes a photo of the flowchart, interprets it, and generates and executes the resulting code. Flow2Code uses off-line sketch recognition and computer vision algorithms to recognize flowcharts drawn on paper. To gain practice and feedback with flowcharts, the user needs only a pencil, white paper, and a mobile device. The paper describes a tested system and algorithmic model for recognizing and interpreting offline flowcharts as well as a novel geometric feature, Axis Aligned Score (AAS), that enables fast accurate recognition of various quadrilaterals.
A review of perovskite solar cells with a focus on wire-shaped devices

Solar energy is clean and practically inexhaustible. The science of converting this clean, abundant energy into the usable form of electricity is known as photovoltaics, and is a large area of focus in science today. Perovskite solar cells have rapidly surpassed both dye sensitized solar cells and quantum dot solar cells in performance, which have made them a spot light in the solar cell research arena. Despite the widespread focus on perovskite material for energy harvesting, one should notice most research devices are on rigid flat substrates, limiting their application potential. Wire-shaped photovoltaic devices could prove to be pivotal in the niche area of integrated power systems in composites and other fabric applications. However, wire-shaped devices greatly lag in performance in comparison to their planar counterparts. Herein is an investigation into the governing device mechanisms (independent of substrate geometry), the evolution from rigid to flexible substrates, and finally, recent progress on flexible wire-shaped devices, with a focus on perovskite. It is through this lens that we review common characterization techniques, hurdles to the realization of wire-shaped perovskite devices, and the future direction of wire-shaped photovoltaic technology.
Finite-wave-vector electromagnetic response in lattice quantum Hall systems

In a quantum Hall system, the finite-wave-vector Hall conductivity displays an intriguing dependence on the Hall viscosity. Here, the authors study this connection for quantum Hall systems on a lattice and find that the neat continuum relation breaks down. In the process, they introduce a universal formalism for studying lattice quantum Hall systems and find that, in the low flux density limit, generic lattice wave functions connect smoothly to the Landau levels of the continuum. They also introduce a quantum mechanical method for calculating the electromagnetic response of such systems.
Background on Stereotaxis

This chapter reviews the historical background of stereotaxy, beginning with the stereotaxic apparatus of Horsley and Clarke, acknowledging some of the earlier nineteenth-century methodology, and including the early work associated with the Horsley–Clarke frame. The development of a human stereotactic frame by Spiegel and Wycis is then reviewed, followed by discussion of the many subsequent systems, including those of Leksell, Reichert, Mundinger, Talairach, Narabayashi, and others. The development of stereotactic systems not requiring a frame—so-called “frameless stereotaxy,” “neuronavigation,” and “image-guidance”—resulted from the availability of computational resources. The multiple technologies available to accomplish fundamental component tasks of stereotaxy are then reviewed: for definition of intraoperative coordinate spaces: articulated arms, sonic digitizers, optical digitizers, electromagnetic digitizers; for accomplishment of co-registration: paired-pair methodology, contour matching, mutual information algorithms; for stereotactic effectors: probes, radiation beams, graphic displays, heads-up displays, and robotics.
Initiation Mechanisms of Nocturnal Convection without Nearby Surface Boundaries over the Central and Southern Great Plains during the Warm Season

AbstractThe number of case studies in the literature of nocturnal convection has increased during the past decade, especially those that utilize high-spatiotemporal-resolution datasets from field e...
Analysis of the 13C isotope ratios of amino acids in the larvae, pupae and adult stages of Calliphora vicina blow flies and their carrion food sources

Adult blow flies are one of the first necrophagous insects to colonize fresh carcasses. The eggs they lay hatch into larvae, which then feed on the decomposing body. Like all organisms, blow flies “are what they eat,” meaning that the isotopic composition of their body tissues reflects their diet. This manuscript combines ecology with a forensic application by using isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) to understand the relationship between the δ13C of amino acids in different carrion sources and the blow fly that feed on them. We also measure the amino acid-level fractionation that occurs at each major life stage of the blow flies. Adult blow flies from a commercial strain of Calliphora vicina (Robineau-Desvoidy) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) oviposited on raw pork muscle, beef muscle, or chicken liver. Larvae, pupae, and adult blow flies from each carrion were selected for amino acid compound-specific isotope analysis. Canonical discriminant analysis showed that flies were correctly classified to specific carrion types in 100% (original rules) and 96.8% (leave-one-out cross-validation [LOOCV]) of cases. Regarding life stages, we obtained 100% and 71% of correct classification in original rules and LOOCV, respectively. The isotope ratios of most of the essential amino acids did not significantly change between life stages (at 95% CI). However, some non-essential amino acids (Ala, Ser, and Glu) and some conditionally essential amino acids (Gly and Pro) were isotopically depleted in the adult stage. Except for the essential amino acids, the amino acids in larvae and pupae were enriched in 13C, and adult blow flies were depleted in 13C relative to the carrion on which they fed. These results make it possible to exclude potential sources of carrion as larval food. Amino acid-specific IRMS could help inform entomologists whether a fly has just arrived from another location to feed on a corpse or has emerged from a pupa whose feedstock was the corpse. Such insight could enhance the significance of blow flies for post-mortem interval determinations. The analytical ability to link organisms from one trophic level to another through the use of compound-specific isotope analysis of amino acids could have wide-reaching consequences in a variety of disciplines.
High-Efficiency and High-Density Single-Phase Dual-Mode Cascaded Buck–Boost Multilevel Transformerless PV Inverter With GaN AC Switches

This paper introduces a high-efficiency and high-density single-phase dual-mode cascaded buck–boost multilevel transformerless photovoltaic (PV) inverter for residential application. This inverter topology combines a regulated cascaded H-bridge multilevel inverter stage with an unregulated GaN-based ac boost converter. The cascaded H-bridge inverter and the ac boost share a common inductor. Compared with the traditional cascaded H-bridge PV inverter, this topology significantly enlarges the input voltage range due to the additional ac boost. And, a flexible number of PV panels can be used. To control the multiple dc-link PV voltages and to reduce the switching loss of the ac boost, this paper further introduces a dual-mode operation. The two modes are buck mode and buck–boost mode. To maximize the utilizations of the dc-link voltages, this paper presents a minimized ac boost duty-cycle generation strategy with feedforward. Then, a dual-mode modulation based on the boost feedforward duty-cycle generation is introduced. This paper also uses an indirect current control for this inverter, since the ac boost is an unregulated stage. The ac boost stage is implemented with two interleaved phases and the ac switches based on the 650-V E-mode GaN FETs. Finally, an 8-port 2-kW prototype based on this topology is developed and demonstrated. Compared with the state-of-the-art microinverter-based 2-kW PV inverter system, the developed inverter prototype achieves 40% reduction of the total power loss, 25% improvement of the power density, 37.5% reduction of the power connectors, 50% reduction of the device count, and 87.5% reduction of the main magnetic count. Operating with natural convection cooling, this PV inverter achieves 98.0% efficiency at 60% of load and 97.8% efficiency at full load. The power density of the packaged PV inverter is 5.8 W/in3.
Impact of Atrial Fibrillation on Falls in Older Patients: Which is a Problem, Existence or Persistence?

Abstract Objectives Several studies have suggested a possible relationship between atrial fibrillation (AF) and falls. However, whether the relationship depends on AF types is unclear. We investigated the relationship between sustaining AF and falls. Design Single hospital-based cohort study with a follow-up of falls within 3 years after baseline. Setting and Participants A total of 14,056 patients from our cohort between February 2010 and March 2016. Measures Incidence of falls within 3 years by baseline cardiac rhythm was measured, and we investigated the effects of AF types on incidence of falls. Results The study population was divided into younger ( Conclusions/Implications PeAF, not PAF, was associated independently with falls in older patients, suggesting the possible effect of irregular beats on physical frailty in the older population.
The interplay of economic stress and mothers’ use of rewards and the relations to prosocial behaviors in low-income adolescents:

The role of contextual stressors, such as economic stress, in the development of positive outcomes among adolescents is an important area of inquiry. The current study aimed to examine the links be...
Increasing Dental Students’ Understanding of Population Surveillance Through Data Mining

An understanding of population surveillance is important for predoctoral dental students, so they will comprehend the health needs of the population in order to provide needed care and promote overall health. The aim of this study was to teach data mining and surveillance methodologies to dental students and to assess the association between systemic health factors and tooth loss in patients visiting the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine clinics. The students were calibrated to using the data mining methodologies from the Electronic Health Record (EHR) using a rubric and presentation by a faculty member. The EHR was reviewed for age, gender, race/ethnicity, number of natural teeth present, systemic diseases reported including cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and history of any form of tobacco use. A total of 1,338 patients who visited the clinics in spring 2017 were included in the study; of those, 354 (27%) had
At the intersection of palliative care and radiation oncology.

Radiation oncologists, as oncology providers who frequently care for patients with advanced cancers, serve as primary palliative care providers for their patients. The intersection of palliative care and radiation oncology, or “palliative radiation oncology,” is a concept that would have been foreign over a decade ago. However, given increasing awareness and understanding of the importance of palliative care to cancer patients’ quality-of-life and to disease outcomes, the radiation oncology community is primed to incorporate generalist palliative care into everyday practice. This focused issue, including eleven invited articles and two original research articles, explores the complex intersection of palliative care and radiation oncology to provide a comprehensive overview of their integration in the care of advanced cancer patients.
Economic Valuation of Bee Pollination Services for Passion Fruit (Malpighiales: Passifloraceae) Cultivation on Smallholding Farms in São Paulo, Brazil, Using the Avoided Cost Method

This paper estimates the economic value of ecosystem services provided by Brazilian native bee, Xylocopa spp. Latreille (Hymenoptera: Apidae), pollination on a scale relevant to individual smallholder farmers that produce yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims). The study areas are located in the vicinity of Pedro de Toledo and Itariri (Sao Paulo State-Brazil), in the Atlantic Forest region. The local economy is based on family farms, small stores, and ecotourism. The value was obtained using the ecological economics Avoided Cost Method, also known as replacement cost. Farms from this region informally hire temporary day laborers to supplement natural pollination with manual pollination of passion fruit flowers, so the cost of contracting temporary laborers was used to estimate the economic value of bee pollination. The value of pollination services was estimated at US$ 2,583.00 per hectare over 2 yr of P. edulis farming. Our estimates based on passion fruit farmer surveys and ecological valuation over 2 yr suggest that manual pollination accounts for 44-48% of production costs and results in a loss of ~58% of profits when wild bee pollination services are not available and manual pollination is required. We suggest that smallholder farmers follow the suggestions of previous studies and conserve adequate forest habitat for bee nesting and foraging, plan pesticide use around flowering and pollination, and supplement bee populations to maximize the benefit of the pollination ecosystem service and profits.
Striking hard rock veins. Multinational Corporations and Miners’ Unions in Mexico and the United States, 1906-1952

This paper analyzes simultaneous strikes during the first half of the 20th century in North America. The transformation of production in copper, lead, zinc, and silver mining districts determined t...
Assessing the property value and tax revenue impacts of SunRail stations in Orlando, Florida

Abstract Community support for public transit could come more easily if transit systems demonstrate positive fiscal impacts beyond those achieved through fare box returns. Transit systems have the potential to generate additional public revenues through catalyzing development around transit stations, yielding increased property values and property taxes. This paper provides an assessment of the property value changes and development impacts that have occurred around the SunRail commuter rail system since the locations of the stations were announced in 2007. We estimate tax revenue impacts resulting from property value changes around each station. The findings show that tax revenue impacts have been highly variable across the system, with some stations having experienced modest to substantial value increases, while others have remained stagnant. However, SunRail stations generally outperformed their control areas that were identified as part of this study. SunRail investments appear to have catalyzed new development around stations and yielded measurable (re)development benefits in the form of property tax increases from new transit-oriented developments.
Dynamic response of spider orb webs subject to prey impact

Abstract Orb webs are strong biological structures that are crucial for orb-weaving spiders’ survival in nature. These light weight and reusable structures not only serve for prey capture but also provide vibration signal transmission to spider. In this paper, we present a model for the spider dragline silk constitutive equation, by considering its biological micro-structure. The model is validated using experimental data. A full model of spider web with two lumped masses (spider at its web center and a prey impacting a radial line) is then developed and its dynamic response due to prey impact is investigated. The results show that the dynamic response of the web is related to the amount of silk materials used in the web construction and may be little affected by the number of radial lines. The effects of pre-stretch on the dynamic response of the web is also investigated. The results show frequency of the vibration is smaller with larger pre-stretch. This is in contrast to the frequency of linear elastic string where the frequency increases with larger pre-stretch. Considering material microstructure and developed constitutive equation, this discrepancy is attributed to the reduction of shear modulus and damage to the dragline silk when pre-stretch is applied. Furthermore, the effects of damage (missing radial line) on the dynamic response of our model web are investigated. The results show that while the prey-impacted radial line transmits the largest force to the spider for undamaged web, for damaged web, other fibers could transmit larger force. The frequency of peak force that is inserted to the spider also shifts to the lower frequencies for damaged web compared to intact web. This may provide a signaling mechanism to spider that its web is damaged and should be repaired. This paper suggests possible sensing mechanisms to spider when the web is subjected to impact or its web is damaged. These suggestions should provide an avenue of research to biologist. The results obtained in this research could lead to development of artificial webs for capturing and repulsing projectile impacting the web or development of sensors.
Association of Metformin With the Growth of Vestibular Schwannomas.

ObjectiveTo assess whether medication use, specifically statin, metformin, and aspirin, affects the growth of vestibular schwannomas (VSs).Study DesignRetrospective case series.SettingSingle tertia...
Inertial migration of spherical particles in channel flow of power law fluids

The cross-stream inertial migration of neutrally buoyant particles in a power law fluid in a pressure-driven flow between two parallel walls is studied using three-dimensional numerical simulations. The particles are modeled as rigid and compliant spherical shells filled with a Newtonian fluid. Our simulations show that the particles in the flow equilibrate at stable off-center positions that depend on the particle size and fluid power exponent. In a shear thickening fluid, the equilibrium position is insensitive to the particle size. In a shear thinning fluid, an additional unstable off-center equilibrium position emerges for smaller particles, which leads to the accumulation of such particles at the channel centerline. We find that these equilibrium positions are insensitive to the magnitude of the channel Reynolds number and particle elasticity. The results of our study have applications to sorting, focusing, and separation of synthetic particles and biological cells.
Comparison of single-Doppler and multiple-Doppler wind retrievals in Hurricane Matthew (2016)

Abstract. Hurricane Matthew (2016) was observed by the ground-based polarimetric Next Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD) in Miami (KAMX) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration WP-3D (NOAA P-3) airborne tail Doppler radar near the coast of the southeastern United States for several hours, providing a novel opportunity to evaluate and compare single- and multiple-Doppler wind retrieval techniques for tropical cyclone flows. The generalized velocity track display (GVTD) technique can retrieve a subset of the wind field from a single ground-based Doppler radar under the assumption of nearly axisymmetric rotational wind, but it has been shown to have errors from the aliasing of unresolved wind components. An improved technique that mitigates errors due to storm motion is derived in this study, although some spatial aliasing remains due to limited information content from the single-Doppler measurements. A spline-based variational wind retrieval technique called SAMURAI can retrieve the full three-dimensional wind field from airborne radar fore–aft pseudo-dual-Doppler scanning, but it has been shown to have errors due to temporal aliasing from the nonsimultaneous Doppler measurements. A comparison between the two techniques shows that the axisymmetric tangential winds are generally comparable between the two techniques, and the improved GVTD technique improves the accuracy of the retrieval. Fourier decomposition of asymmetric kinematic and convective structure shows more discrepancies due to spatial and temporal aliasing in the retrievals. The strengths and weaknesses of each technique for studying tropical cyclone structure are discussed and suggest that complementary information can be retrieved from both single- and dual-Doppler retrievals. Future improvements to the asymmetric flow assumptions in single-Doppler analysis and steady-state assumptions in pseudo-dual-Doppler analysis are required to reconcile differences in retrieved tropical cyclone structure.
From Newton to Schrödinger and Beyond

Newton’s second law of classical mechanics describes the motion of a “particle” by use of a second-order ordinary differential equation. A slight change in the history of physics would instead have given us a partial differential equation for a complex function “ψ(x, t),” and a pointer function, W(x, t), to describe the motion of the particle. The form of the p.d.e. can be found, essentially uniquely, from the requirement that the peak of a sufficiently narrow pointer function should point at all times to the Newtonian particle. In fact, this p.d.e. is identical with the non-relativistic wave equatiom of Schrodinger.
Quantum approach for nanoparticle fluorescence by sub-ns photon detection.

Well defined detection and analysis of nanoparticle-sized samples such as extracellular vesicles or viruses may be important for potential disease diagnostics. However, using conventional flow-cytometry optical methods to evaluate such small particles is quite challenging. The reason is that the particle is smaller than the diffraction limit, making detection difficult. An alternative approach is fluorescence detection via conjugated fluorochromes attached to the nanoparticles; the challenge in this case is the limitation imposed upon detection of a very small number of emitted photons buried in high background photon counts. Emitted fluorescence is described by the well-known equation kf = σa I Q, which describes the emitted fluorescence rate (kf) (photons/s) as the multiplication of molecular absorption cross section(σa), excitation intensity (I), and quantum yield (Q). In addition, the excitation rate is equal to 1/t, which is the inverse of the lifetime of several ns representing the most typical conjugated fluorescent molecules used in flow cytometry. We recently developed a sub-ns photon sensor that is faster than most fluorescence lifetimes, since sub-ns speed is a critically important parameter for the separation of individual emitted photons. Based on our observation of fluorescence and background levels on typical commercial flow cytometers it is evident that a significant component of the background is induced by water-molecular vibrations. Therefore, understanding what constitutes all the components that contribute to the signals we measure in flow cytometry would help in defining what we currently call "background signals." We attempted to define a theoretical model to try to unravel these issues. This model was based on use of a reflective dry surface in the absence of water molecules. Our objective was to determine if it is possible to minimize background and enhance signal, and to provide valuable information on the contributing components of the signals collected. In order to test this model, we tested a single dried particle 50 nm in diameter on a reflective surface with minimum background. While this is clearly not a standard biological system, our results suggest that this quantum approach closely follows established photon base theory. Our goal was to define the parameters for practical nanoparticle-fluorescence analysis while enhancing our knowledge of the contribution of background properties.
Comparative study of Machine Learning methods for variability analysis in High-speed link

Non-intrusive stochastic analysis of a complex system requires a fast deterministic solver to simulate the mapping between the input and output. Different machine learning methods, namely Partial Least Square regression, Gaussian Process, and Polynomial Chaos expansion can be used to represent the input - output mapping. Once they are trained to learn the mapping, they are used to replace the expensive process that generates the output given an input, such as a full-wave electrogmanetic solver. Aforementioned methods are compared in this paper when trained on a simple high-speed link.
UroVysion Fluorescent in Situ Hybridization (U-FISH) Remains the Most Sensitive Method for Pancreatobiliary Stricture Malignancy Detection

Abstract Background and Aims Reports on fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) of pancreatobiliary strictures have shown a wide range of sensitivities for malignancy detection. Our aim was to determine the sensitivity and specificity at our institution of biliary brushings, forceps biopsies, fine needle aspirations, FISH, and their combinations. Methods The study entailed a retrospective review of all cases with pancreatobiliary stricture specimens at our institution over a 5-year period. The medical record for each case was reviewed to independently confirm the presence or absence of malignancy. Sensitivities and specificities were calculated for each method. Results The cohort consisted of 181 sampling procedures from 154 patients. Of the patients, 39 (25.3%) had primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and 41 (26.6%) had malignancy. Brush cytology sensitivity ranged from 24 to 63%. Forceps biopsy sensitivity ranged from 24 to 49%. FNA sensitivity ranged from 32 to 60%. Brush FISH ranged from 58 to 95%. Specificity was 99% for brush FISH and 100% for all other methods. The one false positive was an isolated FISH result in a case of PSC. Conclusion FISH should be performed since it is more sensitive than all other methods and nearly perfect in specificity outside the context of PSC. In PSC, isolated positive FISH results should be interpreted with caution.
The Existence of Yellow Books (Kitab Kuning) as the Sources of Islamic Studies at Islamic Boarding Schools Within the Industrial Revolution Dialectics

One pride of Islamic boarding schools in Indonesia is related to their curriculum. Although Indonesian government through the Ministry of Religious Affairs has organized the curriculum for educational institutions, kitab kuning still exist as a part of curriculum used at Islamic Boarding schools. Along with the rapid development of technology in the industrial revolution era 4.0, the existence of Kitab Kuning as the sources of Islamic studies seems to be seriously threatened. This article will explain the existence of Kitab Kuning as the main sources of Islamic studies in the industrial revolution era. This research used a qualitative method. The research data was collected through observation, interview, documentation, and focus group discussion. The data sources were the leaders, teachers, students, experts of Islamic boarding schools knowing a lot about the Kitab Kuning and industrial revolution demands. The research results showed that the Islamic Boarding School Students got difficulties and required more time to understand the meanings contained in those Kitab Kuning. The students also tended to open links containing Islamic sciences that changed the students’ habits from opening books to opening android, yet freedom of utilizing information technology is highly limited at the Islamic Boarding Schools in Indonesia.
Syntactic complexity in college-level English writing: Differences among writers with diverse L1 backgrounds

Abstract This paper explores differences in the syntactic complexity in English writing among college-level writers with different first language (L1) backgrounds. We sampled 200 argumentative essays written by native-speaker (NS) U.S. university students from the Louvain Corpus of Native English Essays (LOCNESS; Granger, 1996) and 1400 argumentative essays produced by non-native speaker (NNS) English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners of seven different L1 backgrounds (200 from each L1 background) from the International Corpus of Learner English Version 2.0 (ICLE 2.0; Granger, Dagneaux, Meunier, & Paquot, 2009). These essays were analyzed using 14 syntactic complexity measures with the L2 Syntactic Complexity Analyzer (Lu, 2010). When the EFL learners’ L1 backgrounds were ignored, significant differences emerged in only three of the 14 measures between the NNS group and the NS group. However, when the learners were grouped by their L1 backgrounds, significant differences emerged between the NS group and one or more NNS groups in all 14 measures, and the NNS groups demonstrated drastically varied patterns of difference from the NS group. The implications of such varied patterns for L2 writing research and pedagogy and for automatic native language identification of learner texts are considered.
Occurrence of benzotriazoles (BTRs) in indoor air from Albany, New York, USA, and its implications for inhalation exposure

AbstractDespite the widespread use of benzotriazoles as corrosion inhibitors in many household goods, studies on the occurrence of these compounds in indoor air are scarce. In this study, five benzotriazole derivatives were measured in 83 indoor air samples collected from various locations in Albany, New York, USA. Benzotriazoles were found in a majority of the indoor air samples, and the concentrations of their sum in bulk (vapor plus particulate phases) indoor air ranged from below the method limit of quantification to 492 ng·m−3 (geometric mean: 5.8 ng·m−3). The highest geometric mean concentration was found in air samples collected in parking garages (155 ng·m−3), followed by barbershops (13.6), public places (11.5), auto repair shops (5.2), automobiles (4.5), homes (4.5), offices (3.7), and laboratories (2.8). Inhalation exposure to benzotriazoles was calculated on the basis of the measured geometric mean concentrations and air inhalation rate. The highest exposure dose was found for teenagers, with ...
The best constant in the Davis inequality for the expectation of the martingale square function

A method is introduced for the simultaneous study of the square function and the maximal function of a martingale that can yield sharp norm inequalities between the two. One application is that the expectation of the square function of a martingale is not greater than √3 times the expectation of the maximal function. This gives the best constant for one side of the Davis two-sided inequality. The martingale may take its values in any real or complex Hilbert space. The elementary discrete-time case leads quickly to the analogous results for local martingales M indexed by [0,∞). Some earlier inequalities are also improved and, closely related, the Levy martingale is embedded in a large family of submartingales.
Source apportionment of formaldehyde during TexAQS 2006 using a source-oriented chemical transport model

[1] In this study, a source-oriented version of the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model was developed and used to quantify the contributions of five major local emission source types in Southeast Texas (vehicles, industry, natural gas combustion, wildfires, biogenic sources), as well as upwind sources, to regional primary and secondary formaldehyde (HCHO) concentrations. Predicted HCHO concentrations agree well with observations at two urban sites (the Moody Tower [MT] site at the University of Houston and the Haden Road #3 [HRM-3] site operated by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality). However, the model underestimates concentrations at an industrial site (Lynchburg Ferry). Throughout most of Southeast Texas, primary HCHO accounts for approximately 20–30% of total HCHO, while the remaining portion is due to secondary HCHO (30–50%) and upwind sources (20–50%). Biogenic sources, natural gas combustion, and vehicles are important sources of primary HCHO in the urban Houston area, respectively, accounting for 10–20%, 10–30%, and 20–60% of total primary HCHO. Biogenic sources, industry, and vehicles are the top three sources of secondary HCHO, respectively, accounting for 30–50%, 10–30%, and 5–15% of overall secondary HCHO. It was also found that over 70% of PAN in the Houston area is due to upwind sources, and only 30% is formed locally. The model-predicted source contributions to HCHO at the MT generally agree with source apportionment results obtained from the Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) technique.
A PT-SOA Model for CPS/IoT Services

Service computing technologies have been widely applied to many application domains to facilitate rapid system integration for desired goals. However, existing service models need to be enhanced for cyber-physical systems (CPS) and internet-of-things (IoT). In this paper, we develop an ontology model for the specification of services in CPS/IoT. First, we discuss the major differences in modeling software services and services in CPS/IoT. Then, we propose a novel PT-SOA (PT stands for physical things) model, which is mainly extended from OWL-S, to enhance existing service models for CPS/IoT systems. Finally, we show a case study system to illustrate how our model can facilitate proper service selection and composition.
The Full Domain Partition Approach to Parallel Adaptive Refinement

The combination of adaptive refinement, multigrid and parallel computing for solving partial differential equations is considered. In the full domain partition approach, each processor contains a partition of the grid plus the minimum number of additional coarse elements required to cover the whole domain. A parallel adaptive refinement algorithm using the full domain partition is presented. The method is a small modification of a sequential adaptive refinement algorithm, and uses no interprocessor communication during the refinement process. The only communication is one global reduction before refinement and three all-to-all communication steps for synchronization after the refinement is completed. Numerical computations on a network of up to 4 workstations show that parallel efficiency rates of 85% to near 100% can be obtained.
Design Issues in High Performance Fault-Tolerant Multicomputers

There are a number of upcoming applications in space and defense systems which require computing with very high levels of both performance and dependability. The computer architectures generally believed to be most applicable with regard to performance requirements are highly parallel structures which make use of large numbers of processors operating concurrently. This type of highly parallel approach is cost effective in VLSI implementations where relatively inexpensive microcomputer-based nodes are implemented as a small set of custom chip-types and then replicated as many copies. For many specialized applications, these systems offer the performance of supercomputers at a fraction of their cost. There has been a large commitment of resources to the development of several promising experimental systems of this type (Ultramax, RP3, Butterfly Machine, Hypercube, Warp, Connection Machine, etc.). However, none of the parallel machines currently under development are designed to provide fault tolerance and, more generally, the level of dependability needed for many critical application environments.
On long range effects in the motion of artificial satellites.

The long range effects as caused by the Moon and the Sun are of primary importance for establishing the stability of highly eccentric orbits of satellites. For the time being no complete analytical theory exists which can treat such orbits. The use of Halphen’s method of treating secular planetary effects was suggested for the determination of the long range lunar effects in the motion of artificial satellites.