cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The value-relevance of financial and non-financial information for Internet companies

This article assesses the extent to which non-financial measures of Internet usage are incrementally value-relevant over and above basic financial information across four Internet industry sectors. Using ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analysis we test the extent to which net income, book value, unique users, page views, and hours per user are able to explain stock prices for a sample of 341 firm quarters for the period Q1: 1999–Q1: 2000. Our results indicate that net income has no ability to explain market values for the pooled sample or for any of the Internet sectors examined. With respect to the non-financial variables, we find that for e-tailers and content/community firms, page views have the greatest explanatory power. For service companies, unique users have the greatest ability to explain market values, and for infrastructure companies, none of our non-financial variables are significant. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Progressive and selective merge: computing top-k with ad-hoc ranking functions

The family of threshold algorithm (ie, TA) has been widely studied for efficiently computing top-k queries. TA uses a sort-merge framework that assumes data lists are pre-sorted, and the ranking functions are monotone. However, in many database applications, attribute values are indexed by tree-structured indices (eg, B-tree, R-tree), and the ranking functions are not necessarily monotone. To answer top-k queries with ad-hoc ranking functions, this paper studies anindex-merge paradigm that performs progressive search over the space of joint states composed by multiple index nodes. We address two challenges for efficient query processing. First, to minimize the search complexity, we present a double-heap algorithm which supports not only progressive state search but also progressive state generation. Second, to avoid unnecessary disk access, we characterize a type of "empty-state" that does not contribute to the final results, and propose a new materialization model, join-signature, to prune empty-states. Our performance study shows that the proposed method achieves one order of magnitude speed-up over baseline solutions.
OSMOLARITY MODULATES K+ CHANNEL FUNCTION ON RAT HIPPOCAMPAL INTERNEURONS BUT NOT CA1 PYRAMIDAL NEURONS

1. Whole-cell and single-channel recording methods were used in conjunction with infrared video microscopy techniques to examine the properties of voltage-activated potassium channels in hippocampal neurons during the application of hyposmolar solutions to hippocampal slices from rats. 2. Hyposmolar external solutions (osmolarity reduced by 10% to 267 mosmol l-1) produced a significant potentiation of voltage-activated K+ current on lacunosum/moleculare (L/M) hippocampal interneurons, but not on CA1 and subiculum pyramidal neurons. Hyperpolarization-activated (IH) and leak currents were not altered during the application of hyposmolar solutions in all cell types. 3. Mean channel open time and the probability of channel opening were dramatically increased under hyposmolar recording conditions for outside-out patches from L/M interneurons; no changes were observed for patches from CA1 pyramidal neurons. Mean current amplitude and the threshold for channel activation were not affected by hyposmotic challenge. 4. Hyposmolar external solutions produced a significant reduction in the firing frequency of L/M interneurons recorded in current-clamp mode. Hyposmolar solutions had no effect on resting membrane potential, action potential amplitude or duration, and spike after-hyperpolarization amplitude. 5. These results indicate that selective modulation of interneuron ion channel activity may be a critical mechanism by which osmolarity can regulate excitability in the central nervous system.
A Modular Software Infrastructure for Distributed Control of Collaborating UAVs

Collaborating unmanned aerial vehicles can e‐ciently perform surveillance, mapping, and other tasks without human risk. Currently deployed unmanned aerial vehicles demonstrate a need for increased autonomy and cooperation. We present a UAV software architecture and hardware platform that have demonstrated single-user control of a ∞eet of aircraft, distributed task assignment, and vision-based navigation. A modular software infrastructure has been developed to coordinate distributed control, communications, and vision-based control. Along with the onboard control architecture, a set of user interfaces has been developed to allow a single user to e‐ciently control the ∞eet of aircraft. Distributed and vision-based control are enabled by powerful onboard computing capability and an aircraft-to-aircraft ad-hoc wireless network. Custom modiflcations to the Sig Rascal airframe are required to support this capability, including reinforcement and vibration isolation. We describe original elements of the system that provide unique capabilities for collaboration, followed by results of a ∞ight demonstration.
Causes of Natural Gas Pipeline Explosive Ruptures

Abstract Large crater-forming pipeline explosive ruptures in the past 25 years are briefly reviewed in this paper. The National Transportation Safety Board reports on these accidents have found the mechanical failure of damaged or defective pipe to be the rupture cause. An alternative cause explored and discussed here is the explosive ignition of accumulated gas leaks from pipeline defects into surrounding air spaces. Remedial actions augmented to address the added risks associated with pipeline leaks and nearby air spaces could improve public safety.
Silicon/water vapor chamber as heat spreaders for microelectronic packages

A numerical study is performed to characterize the thermal and mechanical performances of silicon/water vapor chambers as heat spreaders for electronics cooling applications and to compare their performance against Cu heat spreaders. 2D flow and energy equations are solved in the vapor and liquid regions, along with conduction in the wall. An equilibrium model for heat transfer and a Brinkman-Forchheimer extended Darcy model for fluid flow are solved in the wick region. In addition to thermal modeling, FEA is also performed to study the impact of the proposed design on die stresses. The study shows that this system can match or thermally perform better than a more standard Cu spreader while also reducing the compressive stress in the Si by as much as 96%. Analysis shows that there are two main factors contributing towards the reduction of stress in the Si die, namely, the better CTE match between the Si die and the Si heat spreader and higher compliance (less stiffness) of the vapor chamber compared to standard heat spreaders. Thus Si vapor chambers provide a good design alternative to a standard Cu heat spreader without compromising on the reliability and performance of the Si.
A high-performance VLSI architecture for the histogram peak-climbing data clustering algorithm

Image feature separation is a crucial step for image segmentation in computer vision systems. One efficient and powerful approach is the unsupervised clustering of the resulting data set; however, it is a very computationally intensive task. This paper presents a high-performance architecture for unsupervised data clustering. This architecture is suitable for VLSI implementations. It exploits paradigms of massive connectivity like those inspired by neural networks, and parallelism and functionality integration that can be afforded by emerging nanometer semiconductor technologies. By utilizing a "global-quasi-systolic, local-hyper-connected" architectural approach, the hardware can process real-time DVD-quality video at the highest rate allowed by the MPEG-2 standard. The architecture is a realization of the histogram peak-climbing clustering algorithm, and it is the first special-purpose architecture that has been proposed for this important problem. The architecture has also been prototyped using a Xilinx field programmable gate array (FPGA) development environment. Although this paper discusses a computer vision application, the architecture presented can be utilized in the acceleration of the clustering process of any type of high-dimensionality data.
Self-critical federal science? The ethics experiment within the U.S. Human Genome Project.

On October 1, 1988, thirty-five years after co-discovering the structure of the DNA molecule, Dr. James Watson launched an unprecedented experiment in American science policy. In response to a reporter's question at a press conference, he unilaterally set aside 3 to 5 percent of the budget of the newly launched Human Genome Project to support studies of the ethical, legal, and social implications of new advances in human genetics. The Human Genome Project (HGP), by providing geneticists with the molecular maps of the human chromosomes that they use to identify specific human genes, will speed the proliferation of a class of DNA-based diagnostic and risk-assessment tests that already create professional ethical and health-policy challenges for clinicians. “The problems are with us now, independent of the genome program, but they will be associated with it,” Watson said. “We should devote real money to discussing these issues.” By 1994, the “ELSI program” (short for “Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications”) had spent almost $20 million in pursuit of its mission, and gained both praise and criticism for its accomplishments.
Early retirement processes among older men. Occupational differences.

This study examines the influence of the occupational work context on early retirement, focusing specifically on the ways in which the nature of work in the occupation constrains early retirement processes. Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Mature Men and the Dictionary of Occupational Titles, a model of early retirement is specified in which retirement is a function of health, pension coverage, union membership, the wage rate, compulsory retirement regulations, tenure, and certain background factors. This model is estimated within occupational job families where a job family is a cluster of occupations grouped according to major task dimensions of the occupational work context. The findings indicate that the effects of certain traditional determinants of early retirement vary substantially across occupational work contexts, demonstrating that the labor force opportunities of older men are defined within an occupational context, and that the impact of individual and job characteristics r...
A METHOD FOR MEASURING OCTANOL:WATER PARTITION COEFFICIENTS OF HIGHLY TOXIC ORGANOPHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS

Octanol:water partition coefficients (log P) can be used to provide invaluable information for the overall understanding of the uptake, distribution, biotransformation, and elimination of a wide variety of chemicals. This is especially important in the study of certain classes of organophosphorus compounds, e.g., chemical warfare agents. Although several analytical methods currently exist for providing the necessary data for determination of log P values, their use in the study of chemical warfare agents has been limited due to the rapid hydrolysis and biolethality of this class of compounds. To overcome those limitations a rapid, convenient, and safe method for generating the required data was developed using a computer-controlled gas chromatograph (GC) equipped with a nitrogen phosphorus detector. For method development four organophosphorus compounds were used:diisopropyl methyl phosphonate (DIMP), diethyl p -nitrophenyl phosphate (paraoxon), diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP), and pinacolyl methylphosp...
Effect of vitamin E intake on levels of vitamins E and C in the central nervous system and peripheral tissues: implications for health recommendations.

Vitamin E (α-γ-tocopherol) is an important component in biological membranes. A decrease in its concentration imposes structural and functional damage to the cells. The object of this study was to assess the effect of a graded dietary vitamin E (E) intake on E concentration in specific regions of the brain, and its influence on vitamin C levels and neurological function. Following a 2-month period, rats supplemented with 5, 30, 60, 250 or 500 mg all-rac-α-tocopherol-acetate/kg diet (mg E/kg diet) exhibited a significant increase of E concentration in brain and peripheral tissues. However, while blood and liver showed a dose response increase in E concentration which correlated well with the different levels of E in the diet, the central nervous system (CNS) followed the same pattern of increase of vitamin E in brain tissue only when the diet was supplemented with 5, 30, or 60 mg E/kg diet. No further increase in E concentration was observed when the diet was supplemented with 250 or 500 mg E/kg diet. Similarly, the heart tissue showed a significant increase in its E concentration when the was enriched with 5, 30, or 60 mg E/kg diet, with no further increases at 250 or 500 mg. Vitamin C concentration in brain cortex and cerebellum, plasma, liver, and heart was reduced in the groups receiving 250 or 500 mg E/kg diet. Compared to the low E group, rats supplemented with the 60, 250 or 500 mg E/kg diet showed a significant enhancement in striatal dopamine (DA) release, but no differences were observed among the latter three groups.
Maximum likelihood estimation of object location in diffraction tomography. II. Strongly scattering objects

For pt.I see ibid., vol.39, no.3, p.672-82, 1991. The problem of estimating the location of a known scattering object from noisy, limited scattering data is solved within exact, scalar wave scattering theory. The estimation procedure is shown to be a generalization of an earlier procedure developed within the Born and Rytov approximations of weak scattering theory and is compared with that earlier procedure in a computer simulation study of electromagnetic tomography. >
Computational Analysis of Control Systems Using Dynamic Optimization

Several concepts on the measure of observability, reachability, and robustness are defined and illustrated for both linear and nonlinear control systems. Defined by using computational dynamic optimization, these concepts are applicable to a wide spectrum of problems. Some questions addressed include the observability based on userinformation, the determination of strong observability vs. weak observability, partial observability of complex systems, the computation of L 2 -gain for nonlinear control systems, and the measure of reachability in the presence of state constraints. Examples on dynamic systems defined by both ordinary and partial differential equations are shown.
Group I Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors at GABAergic Synapses in Monkeys

Recent data showed that group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are located perisynaptic to the postsynaptic specializations of asymmetric glutamatergic synapses in the cerebellum and hippocampus in rats. In the present study, we used immunogold labeling to elucidate the subsynaptic localization of group I mGluRs (mGluR1a and mGluR5) in the internal and external segments of the globus pallidus in monkeys. In contrast to hippocampal and cerebellar neurons, which receive massive glutamatergic inputs, dendrites of pallidal neurons are covered with GABAergic boutons from the striatum intermingled with a small proportion of glutamatergic terminals arising largely from the subthalamic nucleus. In line with previous data, mGluR1a and mGluR5 immunoreactivity was found at the edge of the postsynaptic specializations of asymmetric synapses established by subthalamic-like boutons in the monkey pallidum. However, a large proportion of gold particles were also seen in the main body of the postsynaptic specializations of symmetric synapses formed by striatal GABAergic terminals. These data raise questions about the possible sources of activation of these receptors and the potential roles of group I mGluRs in modulating GABAergic neurotransmission at striatopallidal synapses.
Crosstalk noise in FPGAs

In recent years, due to rapid advances in VLSI manufacturing technology capable of packing more and more devices and wires on a chip, crosstalk has emerged as a serious problem affecting circuit reliability. Even though FPGAs are more immune to crosstalk noise than their ASIC counterparts manufactured in the same technological process, we have reached the point where FPGAs have become affected by crosstalk as well. Because FPGAs have regular interconnect structures, crosstalk noise can be more easily controlled. In this paper, we investigate the crosstalk noise in FPGAs and propose new strategies to reduce its impact on delay. Our methods can reduce crosstalk noise by statistically significant amounts with no penalty in performance, power, or area.
Draft Genome Sequence of Leptolinea tardivitalis YMTK-2, a Mesophilic Anaerobe from the Chloroflexi Class Anaerolineae

We present the draft genome sequence of Leptolinea tardivitalis YMTK-2, a member of the Chloroflexi phylum. This organism was initially characterized as a strictly anaerobic nonmotile fermenter; however, genome analysis demonstrates that it encodes for a flagella and might be capable of aerobic respiration.
Individual and Partner-Level Factors Associated with Condom Non-Use Among African American STI Clinic Attendees in the Deep South: An Event-Level Analysis

The US HIV/AIDS epidemic is concentrated in the Deep South, yet factors contributing to HIV transmission are not fully understood. We examined relationships between substance use, sexual partnership characteristics, and condom non-use in an African American sample of STI clinic attendees in Jackson, Mississippi. We assessed condom non-use at last intercourse with up to three recent sexual partners reported by participants between January and June 2011. Participant- and partner-level correlates of condom non-use were examined using generalized estimating equations. The 1295 participants reported 2880 intercourse events, of which 1490 (51.7 %) involved condom non-use. Older age, lower educational attainment, reporting financial or material dependence on a sex partner, sex with a primary partner, and higher frequency of sex were associated with increased odds of condomless sex. HIV prevention efforts in the South should address underlying socioeconomic disparities and structural determinants that result in partner dependency and sexual risk behavior.
The Adsorption Properties of Amorphous, Metal-Decorated Microporous Silsesquioxanes for Mixtures of Carbon Dioxide, Methane and Hydrogen

A set of adsorbents belonging to a class of amorphous, nanoporous materials composed of spherosilicate building blocks, containing isolated titanium metal sites, was investigated for their ability to separate equimolar binary gas mixtures of CH4/H2, CO2/H2, and CO2/CH4. The cubic silicate building blocks (spherosilicate units: Si8O20) in these adsorbents are cross-linked by SiCl2O2 bridges and decorated with −OTiCl3 and −OSiMe3 groups. Adsorption isotherms, selectivity and energies at 300 K for pressures up to 100 bar for CH4/H2 and pressures up to 50 bar for CO2/H2 and CO2/CH4 were generated via molecular simulation describing physisorption using the Grand Canonical Monte Carlo method. Selectivity was also predicted using ideal adsorbed solution theory. Among the materials studied in this work, high-density material with no −OTiCl3 groups proved to be the best performing separator for the gas mixtures, with selectivities between 10 and 35 from high to low pressures for CH4/H2 mixtures, 45 and 65 for CO2/...
Effect of Sympathectomy upon Blood Supply of Bone

ConclusionsOn the fifth day following lumbar sympathectomy the blood supply to the tibia in the rat is decreased. This paradoxical effect may be the result of disproportionately greater dilatation of the vessels in soft tissues.
Multiple Modes of Ryanodine Receptor 2 Inhibition by Flecainide

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) causes sudden cardiac death due to mutations in cardiac ryanodine receptors (RyR2), calsequestrin, or calmodulin. Flecainide, a class I antiarrhythmic drug, inhibits Na+ and RyR2 channels and prevents CPVT. The purpose of this study is to identify inhibitory mechanisms of flecainide on RyR2. RyR2 were isolated from sheep heart, incorporated into lipid bilayers, and investigated by single-channel recording under various activating conditions, including the presence of cytoplasmic ATP (2 mM) and a range of cytoplasmic [Ca2+], [Mg2+], pH, and [caffeine]. Flecainide applied to either the cytoplasmic or luminal sides of the membrane inhibited RyR2 by two distinct modes: 1) a fast block consisting of brief substate and closed events with a mean duration of ∼1 ms, and 2) a slow block consisting of closed events with a mean duration of ∼1 second. Both inhibition modes were alleviated by increasing cytoplasmic pH from 7.4 to 9.5 but were unaffected by luminal pH. The slow block was potentiated in RyR2 channels that had relatively low open probability, whereas the fast block was unaffected by RyR2 activation. These results show that these two modes are independent mechanisms for RyR2 inhibition, both having a cytoplasmic site of action. The slow mode is a closed-channel block, whereas the fast mode blocks RyR2 in the open state. At diastolic cytoplasmic [Ca2+] (100 nM), flecainide possesses an additional inhibitory mechanism that reduces RyR2 burst duration. Hence, multiple modes of action underlie RyR2 inhibition by flecainide.
In vitro intestinal exchanges of Na+, K+, Cl− 3H2O in experimental bovine neonatal enteritis

The pathophysiology of neonatal enteritis was studied using a specially designed in vitro apparatus. Differences were measured in the amounts and transport direction of ions and3H2O across intestinal segments of 4 normal and 4 diarrheic calves, whose ages ranged from 9 to 12 days. Na+ and K+ were quantitated by flame photometry, Cl− by titration, and3H by liquid scintillation. Mucosal and serosal solution electrolyte concentrations in intestinal segments from the 4 control calves remained in balance without net losses or gains. For the 4 diarrheic calves, significant mucosal solution gains and serosal solution losses occurred for Na+ (16–20 mEq/liter) and K+ (0.8–1.1 mEq/liter), but Cl− concentrations remained in equilibrium, and HCO 3 − loss was inferred. Specific activity of3H2O in the mucosal solution at the end of the trial was 9–13×10−4 μCi/ml and 11–21×10−4 μCi/ml for the control and diarrheic calves, respectively. Hence, Na+, K+ and3H2O were being transferred into the intestinal lumen of diarrheic calves, representing substantial body losses. Distinct histopathologic differences were found between the 2 groups.
Risk Factors for Wound Complications After Direct Anterior Approach Hip Arthroplasty

Abstract Background Previous studies have suggested that wound complications may be higher after direct anterior approach (DAA) hip arthroplasty, but, specific risk factors have not been closely examined. Methods We conducted a retrospective case-control study of 651 consecutive DAA hip arthroplasty surgeries performed by 2 surgeons over a 3-year period. Outcome measures included any postoperative wound problem (including prolonged drainage, wound dehiscence, wound necrosis, suture granuloma, and superficial infection) requiring additional intervention or reoperation. Univariate odds ratios (ORs) were calculated, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine risk correlation. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were created to determine disease predictability. Results A total of 75 patients (11.5%) experienced wound complications requiring additional intervention, of which, 13 (1.9%) required reoperation. Multivariate regression analysis found that development of wound complications was significantly and independently associated with body mass index (BMI) 30-35 kg/m 2 (OR 2.05; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08-3.88), BMI 35-40 kg/m 2 (OR 3.40; 95% CI 1.42-8.26), BMI > 40 kg/m 2 (OR 7.28; 95% CI 2.55-20.78), and diabetes mellitus (OR 2.97; 95% CI 1.46-6.07). Reoperation for wound complication was significantly associated with BMI > 40 kg/m 2 (OR 5.68; 95% CI 1.17-27.48) and diabetes mellitus (OR 13.08; 95% CI 3.97-43.11). Optimal cutoff values for BMI were found through receiver operator characteristic curve analysis to be 28.0 kg/m 2 for development of wound complications and 28.2 kg/m 2 for reoperation for wound complications. Conclusion Obesity and diabetes mellitus are significantly associated with postoperative wound-healing complications and the need for reoperation for these wound complications after DAA hip arthroplasty.
Shape Matters: Effect of 1D, 2D, and 3D Isovolumetric Quantum Confinement in Semiconductor Nanoparticles

Semiconductor nanoparticles (NPs) are a class of nanoscopic materials with highly tunable optical and electronic properties. The electronic density of states of these NPs depends strongly on both shape and size and has allowed semiconductor NPs to be tailored for applications in various fields including photovoltaics, solid-state lighting, and biological labeling. This work presents investigation of the effect of shape on excitonic properties of electronically excited NPs. Specifically, this work focuses on isovolumetric NPs and addresses the question of how optical properties of NPs are impacted by isovolumetic deformation of NP shapes. The effects of three shapes, representing 1D, 2D, and 3D quantum confinement, for three sizes and four semiconductor materials (CdSe, CdS, CdTe, and PbS) were studied. The electronic excitation in these NPs was described using electron–hole (eh) quasiparticle representation, and exciton binding energies, eh-joint probabilities, and eh-separation distances were calculated ...
Carpal tunnel release : a prospective, randomized assessment of open and endoscopic methods

To define the role of two-portal endoscopic carpal-tunnel release as a method for the treatment of compression of the median nerve at the wrist, a prospective, randomized, multicenter study was performed on 169 hands in 145 patients. Either open or endoscopic carpal-tunnel release was performed in all of the patients who had clinical signs and symptoms consistent with carpal tunnel syndrome, had not responded to or had refused non-operative management, and had had electrodiagnostic studies consistent with carpal tunnel syndrome. Follow-up evaluations were performed at twenty-one, forty-two, and eighty-four days. At the end of the follow-up period, both the open and endoscopic methods had resulted in high levels of achievement of the primary outcomes (relief of pain and paresthesias). The numbness and paresthesias were relieved in eighty (98 per cent) of eighty-two hands in the open-release group compared with seventy-seven (99 per cent) of seventy-eight hands in the endoscopic-release group. This parameter was not recorded for three hands in the open-release group or six hands in the endoscopic-release group. The satisfaction of the patients with the procedure, graded on a scale of 0 to 100 per cent, averaged 84 per cent in the open-release group compared with 89 per cent in the group that had had endoscopic release. We found no significant differences between the two groups with regard to the secondary quantitative-outcome measurements, including two-point discrimination, postoperative interstitial-pressure data for the carpal canal, Semmes-Weinstein monofilament testing, and motor strength. The open technique resulted in more tenderness of the scar than did the endoscopic method. Thirty-two (39 per cent) of eighty-two hands in the open-release group and fifty (64 per cent) of seventy-eight hands in the endoscopic-release group were not tender at eighty-four days. This parameter was not recorded for three hands in the open-release group and six hands in the endoscopic-release group. The open method also resulted in a longer interval until the patient could return to work (median, twenty-eight days, compared with fourteen days for the open-release and endoscopic-release groups). Four complications occurred in the endoscopic carpal-tunnel release group: one partial transection of the superficial palmar arch, one digital-nerve contusion, one ulnar-nerve neuropraxia, and one wound hematoma.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Three Contributions of MOOCs

MOOCs can add value to higher education in three ways. First, MOOCs can benefit students and their families by improving the ‘value proposition’ of the investment in higher education. Second, MOOCs can help colleges and universities cut costs and generate additional revenues, and thus improve their financial condition. Third, MOOCs contribute to the shift from the conventional paradigm of higher education to a ‘Higher Education 2.0’ paradigm where outside-the-system learning, documented by badges, certificates and nano-diplomas, and other verifiable experiences are packaged in searchable digital portfolios. Higher Education 2.0 offers a revolutionary pathway to employment that augments or even bypasses conventional universities and their associated costs – and MOOCs can play a significant role in this higher education revolution.
Who broke the build?: automatically identifying changes that induce test failures in continuous integration at Google scale

Quickly identifying and fixing code changes that introduce regressions is critical to keep the momentum on software development, especially in very large scale software repositories with rapid development cycles, such as at Google. Identifying and fixing such regressions is one of the most expensive, tedious, and time consuming tasks in the software development life-cycle. Therefore, there is a high demand for automated techniques that can help developers identify such changes while minimizing manual human intervention. Various techniques have recently been proposed to identify such code changes. However, these techniques have shortcomings that make them unsuitable for rapid development cycles as at Google. In this paper, we propose a novel algorithm to identify code changes that introduce regressions, and discuss case studies performed at Google on 140 projects. Based on our case studies, our algorithm automatically identifies the change that introduced the regression in the top-5 among thousands of candidates 82% of the time, and provides considerable savings on manual work developers need to perform.
Temperature and fluence limits for a type 316 stainless-steel controlled thermonuclear reactor first wall

Results of a series of neutron irradiation experiments conducted on annealed and 20% cold-worked Type 316 stainless steel in a high-flux mixed-spectrum fission reactor to simulate a controlled ther...
Stratocumulus to cumulus transition by drizzle

The stratocumulus to cumulus transition (SCT) is typically considered to be a slow, multi-day process, caused primarily by dry air entrainment associated with overshooting cumulus, with minor influence of drizzle. This study revisits the role of drizzle in the SCT with large eddy simulations coupled with a two-moment bulk microphysics scheme that includes a budget on aerosol (Na) and cloud droplet number concentrations (Nc). We show a strong precipitation-induced modulation of the SCT by drizzle initiated in penetrative cumulus under stratocumulus. Lagrangian SCT simulations are initiated with various, moderate Na (100-250 cm-3), which produce little to no drizzle from the stratocumulus. As expected, drizzle formation in cumuli is regulated by cloud depth and Nc, with stronger dependence on cloud depth, so that, for the current case, drizzle is generated in all simulations once cumulus clouds become sufficiently deep. The drizzle generated in the cumuli washes out stratocumulus cloud water and much of the aerosol, and a cumulus state appears for approximately 10 hours. With additional simulations with a fixed Nc (100 cm-3), we show that prediction of Nc is necessary for this fast SCT since it is a result of a positive feedback of collision-coalescence induced aerosol depletion that enhances drizzle formation. A fixed Nc does not permit this feedback, and thus results in weak influence of drizzle on the SCT. Simulations with fixed droplet concentrations that bracket the time varying aerosol/drop concentrations are therefore not representative of the role of drizzle in the SCT.
Jaguar: Indoor Navigation System for Organizations

Global Positioning System (GPS) technology is widely used for outdoor navigation, but it is still challenging to apply this technology to a mid-scale or indoor environment. Using GPS in this way raises issues, such as reliability, deployment cost, and maintenance. Recently, companies like Google have begun to provide accurate indoor mapping. However, current implementations rely on both Wi-Fi and cellular technologies which have a hard time identifying the user's exact location in an indoor environment. There are two research questions in this paper: (1) How do we design a flexible and cost efficient indoor navigation system for organizations? (2) How to find an optimized path in a mid-scale/local environment. Here we propose Jaguar, which is a novel navigation system that utilizes a customized KML map with NFC technologies to address above questions. Our system includes an Android mobile application, a web-based map authoring tool and an implementation of a Cartesian plane based path finding algorithm. The initial testing of the system shows successful adaptation for a school campus environment.
The role of retinoblastoma protein in apoptosis

The retinoblastoma gene and its protein product (Rb) have been studied intensively for their role in development, oncogenesis, cell growth, differentiation and cell cycle regulation. In addition, Rb appears to be a key factor in protecting cells from apoptosis. It is likely that Rb plays an essential role in cell survival by regulating the activity of multiple apoptotic mediators. Rb expression as a nuclear phosphoprotein is essential for normal cell cycle function. Clearly, any damage to the cell cycle or to DNA integrity is a potent trigger of apoptosis and Rb involvement. The E2F transcription factor is a critical component in the Rb-dependent apoptotic pathway(s), and can act either in concert or independently of the p53 tumour suppressor. Until recently, it was suggested that Rb, E2F and p53 modulate the apoptotic threshold by acting upstream of certain death proteases involved in programmed cell death. However, Rb activity can also be regulated downstream by the interleukin-converting enzyme-like (ICE-like) proteases, which abolish Rb activity by cleavage of aspartate-enriched regions within its C-terminus. Finally, Bcl-2, which inhibits multiple-factorial-induced apoptosis, does so, in part, by modulating the phosphorylation state of Rb. Taken together, Rb acts not only as a tumour suppressor protein which controls cell cycle function, but also determines the final destiny of a cell through apoptosis.
Improving the Combination Pneumococcal Vaccination Rate in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients at an Adult Rheumatology Practice.

Objective. The risk of developing invasive pneumococcal infection is 13 times higher in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in comparison with the general population. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention anticipates a US$7.6 million medical cost reduction by providing pneumococcal vaccination. The objective of this study was to improve the rate of combination pneumococcal vaccination (pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine 23 + pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 13) in patients with SLE in our adult academic rheumatology practice. Methods. With the use of physician- and staff-based surveys, we analyzed the underlying barriers in providing vaccination. We then planned a multifaceted intervention including pre-visit planning, day-of-visit planning, weekly review, and monthly feedback. Results. Our project is one of the few studies planned to improve combination pneumococcal vaccination rates in adult patients with SLE and we report an impressive improvement from 10% baseline rate to 59% vaccination rate by the end of the study period. This highlights the role of planning an intervention with an integrated workflow and the importance of sharing performance data, which leads to high compliance among team members. Conclusion. The significant improvement in combination vaccination rate in eligible patients with SLE and the additional rise of vaccine rates seen in other eligible patients in the practice draws attention to the high adaptiveness of the intervention resulting in a true practice change. Our quality project design can serve as a model that can be adapted by other specialty clinics to achieve higher vaccination standards.
Mutual Coupling Reduction between Two Circular Patches Using H -Shape DGS

Isolation enhancement between two closely spaced microstrip circular patches is presented in this paper. Two patches are placed on the top of RO3003 substrate with thickness of 1.52 mm and relative permittivity of 3. Defective Ground Structure (DGS)of H -shape slot was inserted on the ground plan underneath the two patches to achieve mutual coupling reduction of 18 dB with an isolation of 0.05 λ 0 edge-to-edge at 4.8 GHz. The total gain of single antenna fed in the array is 5.5 dBi after the present of the DGS. The array is suitable for MIMO applications where high isolation is required.
Exploring how exchange orientation affects conflict and intimacy in the daily life of romantic couples

We test the hypothesis that partners’ tendency to “keep score” in a relationship—as reflected in their exchange orientation—will moderate the effect of daily conflicts on their relationship evaluat...
Stalking Victimization: Examining the Impact of Police Action and Inaction on Victim-Reported Outcome

Drawing data from a sample of stalking victims, this study assessed the impact of nine subsequent police actions, including police inaction, on victim-reported outcome of their stalking situation after the incident was reported to the police. The outcome variable has three response categories: the situation got worse, the situation stayed the same, and the situation got better. The author found three of the nine police actions were significantly related to the outcome variable. The author found that victims were more likely to report that their stalking situation improved when the responding officer took a report or warned the perpetrator. The author also found that police inaction increased the odds of victims reporting that their stalking situation worsened as well as the odds of victims reporting that their stalking situation improved. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Hurricane evacuation beliefs and behaviour of inland vs. coastal populations

Although hurricanes can cause severe hazard effects well inland, little is known about the evacuation behaviour of inland populations compared to coastal populations. Using survey data collected in...
The Tulane accelerated physician training program (TAP-TP): A novel combination of scholarship and service.

In spite of a projected shortage of physicians in the USA, the relatively long time and duration of training and high expense, the education of U.S. physicians has changed little over the past 120 ...
Racism and Bioethics: The Myth of Color Blindness

Like many fields, bioethics has been constrained to thinking to race in terms of colorblindness, the idea that ideal deliberation would ignore race and hence prevent bias. There are practical and ethically significant problems with colorblind approaches to ethical deliberation, and important reasons why race is ethically relevant. Future discourse needs to understand how and why race is relevant in bioethics.
Habitat Benefits of Restored Oyster Reefs and Aquaculture to Fish and Invertebrates in a Coastal Pond in Rhode Island, United States

Oyster habitat restoration seeks to recover lost ecosystem services including increased provisioning of refuge and foraging habitat for fish and invertebrate communities. The goal of this study was to quantify the ecosystem service benefit of habitat provisioning in Ninigret Pond, RI, following oyster restoration. Four metrics were measured, abundance, biomass, species richness, and diversity, as well as isotopic composition in fish and invertebrates collected seasonally from restored oyster, aquaculture, and bare sediment sites, to examine whether the oyster habitat outperformed the bare sediment habitat. Sampling locations were chosen in Foster's Cove north and south, Grassy Point, South Sanctuary, and an Aquaculture lease; each had two restored oyster sites and one bare sediment site. Each site was sampled using a box trap, seine net, shrimp trap, and minnow trap. Oyster habitats had significantly greater metrics than did bare sediment habitats in some comparisons from the box trap and seine net samples. Restored oyster sites at South Sanctuary had lower metric values than the other oyster sites. Metrics from the Aquaculture sites were comparable to the Foster's Cove and Grassy Point restored oyster sites and often outperformed South Sanctuaryrestored oyster sites. Seasonally, spring and autumn samples tended to have higher abundance and biomass values than summer samples. Isotopic composition of five species occurring at both restored oyster and bare sediment sites demonstrated some differences in the trophic levels between species but not between habitat types. In Ninigret Pond, fish and invertebrate abundance, biomass, species richness, and diversity benefit from the use of oyster and bare sediment habitats. Coastal zone managers interested in restoring the ecological function of oyster reefs to support fish and invertebrate communities should consider strategically locating restoration projects within the mosaic of structured habitats and monitoring them for selected ecosystem services.
Associations between indicators of socioeconomic position and DNA methylation: A systematic review

Abstract Socioeconomic position (SEP) is a major determinant of health across the life course. Yet, little is known about the biological mechanisms explaining this relationship. One possible explanation is through an epigenetic process called DNA methylation (DNAm), wherein the socioeconomic environment causes no alteration in the DNA sequence but modifies gene activity, gene expression, and therefore long-term health. To understand the evidence supporting a potential SEP-DNAm link, we performed a systematic review of published empirical findings on the association between SEP (from prenatal development to adulthood) and DNAm measured across the life course, with an eye toward evaluating how the timing, duration, and type of SEP exposure influenced DNAm. Across the 37 studies we identified, there was some evidence for the effect of SEP timing and duration on DNAm, with early-life SEP and persistently low SEP being particularly strong indicators of DNAm. Different indicators of SEP also had some unique associations with DNAm profiles, suggesting that SEP is not a singular concept, but rather that different aspects of the socioeconomic environment can shift DNAm patterns through distinct pathways. These differences with respect to SEP timing, duration, and type were notable because they were detected even among heterogenous study designs. Overall, findings from this review underscore the importance of analyzing SEP timing, duration, and type, given the complex relationship between SEP and DNAm across the lifespan. To guide future research, we highlight current limitations in the literature and propose recommendations for overcoming some of these challenges.
“Come, O pilgrim”—but buy local: an isotopic investigation of animal provisioning at Iron Age II Tel Dan

This pilot study examines the provisioning of domestic sheep and goats as it pertains to pilgrimage at the archeological site of Tel Dan (Tell el-Qadi), Israel, an Iron Age IIA–B (ca. 10th/9th–7th c. BCE) religious center in the southern Levant traditionally associated with Israelite Yahwistic worship. The question of how far animals were transported for sacrifice is addressed through isotopic analyses (carbon, oxygen, and strontium) on tooth enamel of domestic sheep and goats (predominately sheep) from Iron Age IIA–B contexts at Tel Dan through sequential intra-tooth sampling. While the results show some diversity of origins among the animals, none was brought from a distance greater than 10–20 km from Tel Dan. As such, the data suggest that however far pilgrims traveled to the site, the animals sold for sacrifice and consumption were raised locally.
Neurologic Complications of Poverty: the Associations Between Poverty as a Social Determinant of Health and Adverse Neurologic Outcomes.

Purpose of review Increasing attention has been paid in recent decades to social determinants of health as a risk factor for disease development and disease severity. While traditionally heart disease, family history, lipid profile, and tobacco use have all been associated with increased risk of neurological disease, numerous studies now show that the influence of poverty may be just as strong a risk factor. This study summarizes the recent literature on poverty as it contributes to neurological disease. Recent findings Children growing up in poverty have increased risk for cognitive deficits and behavioral disorders as reported by Noble et al. (Dev Sci. 9(6):642-54, 2006) and Farah et al. (Brain Res. 1110(1):166-74, 2006) as well as worse outcomes when it comes to epilepsy management and disease course as discussed by Camfield et al. (Epilepsia. 57(11):1826-33, 2016). In adulthood, as the number of social determinants of health increases, the incidence of stroke and severe stroke increases significantly as reported by Reshetnyak et al. (Stroke. 51:2445-53, 2020) as does exposure to neurologically significant infectious diseases and incidence of dementia as reported by Sumilo et al. (Rev Med Virol. 18(2):81-95, 2008) and Zuelsdorff et al. (Alzheimer's Dement. 6(1):e12039, 2020). Social determinants of health including poverty should be considered a risk factor for disease. More attention is needed from clinicians as well as from a public health perspective to address this disparity.
Exploring Undergraduates' Breadth of Socio-scientific Reasoning Through Domains of Knowledge

Socio-scientific issues (SSI) are informed by science concepts but require consideration of societal aspects in order to be effectively understood and resolved. As a result, functional scientific literacy necessitates fluency with science as well as other domains of knowledge when engaged in reasoning about science and societal dimensions of SSI (i.e., socio-scientific reasoning (SSR)). However, a holistic examination of those domains of knowledge that inform a particular SSI has not been undertaken. In this investigation, thematic analysis is employed to explore domains of knowledge undergraduates (N = 91) used when reasoning about a regionally relevant SSI after completing a semester-long course about contemporary water-related issues. We found that participants used a number of knowledge domains, including science and ethics, as well as domains from the social sciences, though the number and type of knowledge domains differed within and across SSR dimensions. These findings inform SSI research and instruction in the context of SSI, as they begin to make concrete the diversity of knowledge domains with which individuals need familiarity and which must be synthesized to effectively understand and respond to SSI and thus exhibit functional scientific literacy.