cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Evaluation of Weak State Mechanism Design for Indirection in Dynamic Networks

State signaling and maintenance mechanisms play crucial roles in communication network protocols. State is used to facilitate indirections in protocols such as routing. Design approaches for traditional state signaling mechanisms have been categorized into soft and hard state. In both approaches, the state is deterministic. Hence, we call both as having strong state semantics, or more crisply, refer to them as strong state. If the state tracks entities with dynamic nature, strong state rapidly becomes invalidated and needs to be refreshed explicitly through control packets. In this paper, we evaluate the recently proposed weak state. Weak state is a generalization of soft state that is characterized by probabilistic semantics and local updates. It is interpreted as a probabilistic hint and not absolute truth. Weak state also contains the confidence in the state value, which is a measure of the probability that the state remains valid. The confidence or the state semantics is decayed locally without the need for explicit state update traffic traversing the network. The local updates also help the protocol use better estimates for the state value. We define two metrics, pure distortion and informed distortion, to evaluate the consistency of the weak state paradigm and compare it against strong state. Pure distortion measures the average gap between the actual value of the state and the value maintained at a remote node. On the other hand, the use of confidence increases the protocol's ability to cope with even large pure distortion. The resulting effective distortion is captured by the informed distortion metric. Using mathematical analysis, we compare weak with strong state. Local updates reduce the pure distortion because the protocol uses the best estimate of state value. The informed distortion is also significantly less because the probabilistic confidence value hints the protocol if the state is invalid. The weak state mechanism can be used to build protocols (- eg: WSR [1]), which systematically interpret the state information. The state itself can be mostly updated locally, with less frequent explicit update messages over the network (i.e. leading to dramatic reductions in control traffic).
Predicting the mechanical behavior of self-deformed micromachined cantilevers

This research aims at characterizing and predicting the mechanical behavior of thin film materials that are used in micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS). Micro machined bilayer cantilevers of various dimensions were fabricated and analyzed to extract models. The models designed in this process are foreseen to be an essential tool for MEMS designers as they would relate the loading parameters, material properties and geometry of the microstructures with its performance characteristics. A computational methodology based on empirical modeling was developed that enables the designer to prototype the designs before fabrication. The proposed model generates accurate material properties applicable at the microscopic level, thereby accelerating the design and development process. The performance of the proposed model was compared to the experimental values and the results were found to be very encouraging.
network structure and the kinship perspective

Structural kinship analysis in the Radcliffe-Brown tradition shares many important features with much contemporary formal social network analysis in anthropology and other disciplines. Although the kinship studies lack the mathematical formalism of other approaches, substantive results are of a high order. Using Fortes's Tallensi analysis as a representative of these works, the kinship method is formalized and generalized; the results help clarify some unresolved problems in Fortes's studies and illuminate the close relationship between this kind of kinship work and contemporary network analysis. [social structure, kinship, social network, Tallensi, Fortes, mathematical anthropology]
Maternal Medication Use and Neuroblastoma in Offspring

The association between a mother's use of specific medications during pregnancy and lactation and neuroblastoma in her offspring was evaluated in a case-control study. Newly diagnosed cases of neuroblastoma (n=504) in the United States and Canada were identified between 1992 and 1994 at 139 hospitals affiliated with the Pediatric Oncology Group or the Children's Cancer Group clinical trial programs. One age-matched control was sampled from the community of each case by means of random digit dialing. Exposure information was ascertained retrospectively from mothers in a structured telephone interview. Odds ratios were estimated using conditional logistic regression, with adjustment for maternal sociodemographic factors. The results did not support an association between neuroblastoma and maternal exposure to diuretic agents, antiinfective agents, estrogens, progestins, sedatives, anticonvulsant drugs, or drugs that may form N-nitroso derivatives. Mothers of cases were more likely to report using medications containing opioid agonists while they were pregnant or nursing than were mothers of controls (odds ratio=2.4, 95% confidence interval: 1.3, 4.3). Specifically, more mothers of cases reported using medications containing codeine while pregnant or nursing than did mothers of controls (odds ratio=3.4, 95% confidence interval: 1.4, 8.4). This preliminary finding may be due to bias, confounding, or chance, and additional studies are needed for confirmation.
RN-to-BSN Programs in the Community College Setting: Challenges and Successes

The complexity of health care and the recommendation of the Institute of Medicine to increase the proportion of nurses with a baccalaureate degree to 80% by 2020 requires educators and other stakeholders to consider a range of structures for providing RN-to-BSN programs. Although relatively few RN-to-BSN programs are offered in a community college setting, the concept is generating interest. This article provides a broad analysis of one region's experience with respect to this trend that is influencing nursing education. Facing significant challenges that are associated with planning and implementing the first bachelor's degree to be offered at a community college in Washington State, faculty from both Olympic College's and University of Washington Tacoma's nursing programs joined in a unique and constructive partnership. The faculty team used plans and successful strategies to overcome potential obstacles. The authors outline recommendations for others considering this approach to BSN education.
A Three-Dimensional Synthetic Focus System

Synthetic focus imaging techniques suitable for reconstructing 3-D acoustic images of flaws inside silicon nitride are described. A 50 MHz imaging system consisting of a precision scanner, a microcomputer controller, and a minicomputer image processor has been developed for this purpose. A square synthetic aperture is used to image flaws in flat disc samples and a cylindrical synthetic aperture is used in the cylindrical rod case. We have developed the theory to predict the imaging performance of the two aperture geometries. The respective Point Spread Functions are simulated and agree well with theoretical results. Special attention is given to reconstructing images of specular reflectors. Computer simulations based on theoretical flaw models have been carried out.
Agriculture in an Unstable Economy Revisited

ORE than a decade has passed since T. W. Schultz wrote Agriculture in an Unstable Economy. It has been a decade during which the forces in the agricultural economy have shown the book prophetic and at the same time have proven it inadequate. It has also been a decade in which numerous agricultural economists have contributed significantly to our theories and knowledge regarding the agricultural economy. Some, including Professor Schultz, have attempted to set their analysis within the framework of the total economy, but none have emphasized the effects of cyclical instability to the extent of Agriculture in an Unstable Economy.3
A cognitive assessment of highly superior autobiographical memory

ABSTRACTHighly Superior Autobiographical Memory (HSAM) is characterised as the ability to accurately recall an exceptional number of experiences and their associated dates from events occurring throughout much of one's lifetime. The source of this ability has only begun to be explored. The present study explores whether other enhanced cognitive processes may be critical influences underlying HSAM abilities. We investigated whether enhanced abilities in the domains of verbal fluency, attention/inhibition, executive functioning, mnemonic discrimination, perception, visual working memory, or the processing of and memory for emotional details might contribute critically to HSAM. The results suggest that superior cognitive functioning is an unlikely basis of HSAM, as only modest advantages were found in only a few tests. In addition, we examined HSAM subjects’ memory of the testing episodes. Interestingly, HSAM participants recalled details of their own experiences far better than those experiences that the ex...
Structure of 12 Be and 12 O ground states

Consideration of Coulomb energies for ${}^{12}\mathrm{O}$ and ${}^{12}\mathrm{Be},$ combined with other information, strongly suggests that the ${}^{12}\mathrm{Be}$(g.s.) contains about 52% of the configuration ${}^{10}\mathrm{Be}(\mathrm{g}.\mathrm{s}.)\ensuremath{\bigotimes}(2s\frac{1}{2}{)}^{2}.$
Cryoinjury of MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells and Inhibition of Post-Thaw Recovery Using TNF-α:

Cryoinjury of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells and its enhancement using tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) as an adjuvant, were investigated. Through a series of experiments in a two level factori...
Targeting the Androgen Receptor with Steroid Conjugates

The androgen receptor (AR) is a major therapeutic target in prostate cancer pharmacology. Progression of prostate cancer has been linked to elevated expression of AR in malignant tissue, suggesting that AR plays a central role in prostate cancer cell biology. Potent therapeutic agents can be precisely crafted to specifically target AR, potentially averting systemic toxicities associated with nonspecific chemotherapies. In this review, we describe various strategies to generate steroid conjugates that can selectively engage AR with high potency. Analogies to recent developments in nonsteroidal conjugates targeting AR are also evaluated. Particular focus is placed on potential applications in AR pharmacology. The review culminates with a description of future prospects for targeting AR.
Fast Separation and Quantification Method for Nitroguanidine and 2,4-dinitroanisole by Ultrafast Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Explosives are now persistent environmental pollutants that are targets of remediation and monitoring in a wide array of environmental media. Nitroguanidine (NG) and 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN) are two insensitive energetic compounds recently used as munitions explosives. To protect our environment and human health, the levels of these compounds in soils and waters need to be monitored. However, no sensitive analytical methods, such as liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), have been developed for detecting these new compounds at trace levels and to be concurrently applied to monitor the common explosives. In general, the concentrations of explosives in either soil or water samples are very low and widely distributed. Therefore, a fast and sensitive method is required to monitor those compounds and increase our ability to find and address the threats they pose to human health and ecological receptors. In this study, a fast and sensitive analytical method has been developed to quantitatively determine NG and DNAN in soil, tap water, and river water by using ultrafast LC-MS/MS. To make this method a comprehensive analytical technique for other explosives as well, it has included other commonly used explosives in the method development, such as octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX), 1,3,5-trinitroper-hydro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX), 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene (ADNT), and pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN). The method detection limits (MDLs) of these compounds in soil ranged from 0.2 to 5 ppb, and a good linearity was obtained over a concentration range of 0.5-200 ppb. The recoveries of some compounds are equal to or better than the current EPA methods but with much higher sensitivities.
Prevention of gallbladder hypomotility via FATP2 inhibition protects from lithogenic diet-induced cholelithiasis

Gallstone disease is a widespread disorder costing billions for annual treatment in the United States. The primary mechanisms underlying gallstone formation are biliary cholesterol supersaturation and gallbladder hypomotility. The relative contribution of these two processes has been difficult to dissect, as experimental lithogenic diets cause both bile supersaturation and alterations in gallbladder motility. Importantly, there is no mechanistic explanation for obesity as a major risk factor for cholelithiasis. We discovered that lithogenic diets induce ectopic triacylglycerol (TAG) accumulation, a major feature of obesity and a known muscle contraction impairing condition. We hypothesized that prevention of TAG accumulation in gallbladder walls may prevent gallbladder contractile dysfunction without impacting biliary cholesterol saturation. We utilized adeno-associated virus-mediated knock down of the long-chain fatty acid transporter 2 (FATP2; Slc27A2), which is highly expressed by gallbladder epithelial cells, to downregulate lithogenic diet-associated TAG accumulation. FATP2-knockdown significantly reduced gallbladder TAG, but did not affect key bile composition parameters. Importantly, measurements with force displacement transducers showed that contractile strength in FATP2-knockdown gallbladders was significantly greater than in control gallbladders following lithogenic diet administration, and the magnitude of this effect was sufficient to prevent the formation of gallstones. FATP2-driven fatty acid uptake and the subsequent TAG accumulation in gallbladder tissue plays a pivotal role in cholelithiasis, and prevention of this process can protect from gallstone formation, even in the context of supersaturated bile cholesterol levels, thus pointing to new treatment approaches and targets.
Innovation and Agreement? Tensions among the Outputs of Collaborative Governance

Collaborative governance seeks to achieve results that are difficult to achieve using more traditional public policy tools or political processes. It has the potential to address policy problems that transcend the authority or capability of individual agencies or legislative bodies, or to resolve conflicts among stake holders divided by organizational boundaries, distrust, or competing frames of reference. Successful collaborations redress both types of challenges by producing innovative policy solutions and political agreements on those solutions.Producing both innovations that address pressing policy challenges and agreement among divided stake holders is a tall order. Innovation benefits from a diversity of perspectives and ideas, along with robust, probing exchanges among the adherents of those perspectives and ideas. Political agreements, by contrast, benefit from homogeneous perspectives and shared interests. Key factors that enable innovation therefore complicate attempts to achieve political agreement, and many factors that enable agreement may make innovation less likely.Because some of the factors that enable innovation and agreement among collaboration partners differ and may undermine one another, producing both innovation and agreement is even more challenging than producing either one in the absence of the other. This paper reviews the literatures on collaboration, multi-party conflict resolution, and advocacy coalitions to identify factors that enable collaborative governance to generate either innovation or agreement – or both at the same time. The literature review pinpoints tensions between the characteristics of collaborative governance that produce policy innovation and those that produce political agreement. The paper goes on to identify key variables – including drivers, institutions, and processes – for studying how those tensions affect the production of different types of innovation and agreement by collaborative governance initiatives. Research propositions follow regarding the factors that enable collaborative governance initiatives to produce innovations, agreements, both, or neither. Studies that use the variables to investigate the propositions can improve understanding of the factors that enable collaborative governance initiatives to manage the tensions between innovation and agreement.
Breeding of a New Three-line Hybrid Rice Combination Qiyou 546

Qiyou 546,a new three-line hybrid rice combination was developed from the cross between male sterile line G98 Aand restoring line R546.R546 was bred by the way of cross and multiple-cross with good characters by Guizhou Rice Research Znstitute,in orde to breed the hybrid rice of cold resistance in Mountainous villages of Guizhou.The results showed that the average yield of Qiyou 546 was 620.06kg/667m2,8.77% higher than that of CK(Qianzaoyou 2017)in Guizhou rice early maturity group regional tests during 2012—2013,and the average yield was 594.33kg/667m2,4.97% higher than that of CK in production test at 2013.The resistance to rice blast in the comprehensive evaluation was "middle susceptibility".It was registered as a commercial variety in 2014 in Guizhou province(No.Qianshendao2014012)of early maturing area.
Regional distribution of amino acids in Friedreich's ataxia brains.

The distribution of amino acids in two Friedreich's ataxia brains is compared to 4 control brains. Glutamate and G A BA were decreased in the ce r ebe l-lar hemispheres and/or in the vermis. Taurine concentrations were uniformly elevated throughout the areas studied. Taurine /glutamate and taurine/ GABA ratios were consistently elevated in Friedreich's ataxia brains, whereas glutamate/ glutamine ratios were consistently decreased (with normal glutamine concentrations).
Abstract 2416: Important role of FTO in the survival of rare panresistant triple-negative inflammatory breast cancer cells under a severe metabolic challenge

Cancer is an evolution-like process. Effectively dealing with the currently untreatable component of breast cancer (the cells that drive metastasis) is vital. In this regard, we have developed a model of panresistant cancer cells that allows us to evaluate therapeutic agents to eradicate them. We have previously shown that only 0.01% cells survive a metabolic challenge involving lack of glutamine in culture medium of SUM149 triple-negative Inflammatory Breast Cancer (TN-IBC) cell line. These cells, designated as SUM149-MA for metabolic adaptability, are resistant to chemotherapeutic drugs, and they efficiently metastasize to multiple organs in nude mice. The MA cells can survive a variety of challenges in the metastasis process because of their embryo-like nature. We hypothesized that obesity-related molecular networks, which normally help in cellular and organismal survival under metabolic challenges, may help in the survival of MA cells. We found that fat mass and obesity-associated protein FTO is overexpressed in MA cells. It was reported recently that obesity-associated cis-acting elements in non-coding region of FTO regulate the expression of IRX3 gene, thus activating obesity networks. Here we found that IRX3 protein is significantly overexpressed in MA cells (4 to 5-fold) as compared to the parental SUM149 cell line, supporting our hypothesis. We utilized MO-I-500, a pharmacological inhibitor of FTO to investigate its role in MA cells. When included in a glutamine-starvation medium in 1.5 to 2 μM range, MO-I-500 significantly (>90%) inhibited survival and/or colony formation of SUM149-MA cells as compared to untreated cells or those treated with a control compound MO-I-100. Interestingly, MO-I-500 treatment had no significant effect on cell growth of either the SUM149 or SUM149-MA cell line when added to a complete medium containing glutamine that does not pose a metabolic challenge. Furthermore, SUM149-MA cells that were initially selected in a glutamine-free medium were not affected by a subsequent treatment with MO-I-500, even in glutamine-free medium. These results are significant as they reveal linkages between tumor adaptability, the embryonic nature of cancer cells, and obesity-like networks at the roots of therapy-resistant TN-IBC. They also suggest a novel approach for evaluating potential anticancer agents that would halt cancer evolution and prevent development of resistance to currently offered therapies. Supported by a State of Texas Grant for Rare and Aggressive Cancers. Citation Format: Balraj Singh, Hannah E. Kinne, Ryan D. Milligan, Laura J. Washburn, Mark Olsen, Anthony Lucci. Important role of FTO in the survival of rare panresistant triple-negative inflammatory breast cancer cells under a severe metabolic challenge. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 2416.
The electret behavior of 66 nylon

The subject of electrets and their theoretical justification is, at best, confused. First, to review briefly the history of the subject, the name “electret” was devised as an electrical analogue to “magnet”. As the name implies an electret is an object having associated with it an apparently permanent electric field. This must be clearly distinguished from a battery which can continuously supply current. A stable electret cannot supply current. The field can be observed by a simple experiment using an electrometer in which one electrode is connected to one side of the electret and the other electrode is brought up to the other side of the electret. The work performed in bringing the electrode up to the side of the electret, passing through the field gradient results in the accumulation of charge in the electrometer. In actual practice, a capacitor is placed across the electrometer to accumulate the charge and a voltage is thereby observed.
Part I: C 2 sbnd C 4 hydrocarbons separation addressed via molecular cluster models carved out from periodic MOF-74-Mg/Zn structures

Abstract Selective sorption of hydrocarbons by tunable sorbents such as metal-organic frameworks is the most promising alternative to traditional cryogenic distillation. Here, density functional theory is used to investigate the selective sorption of C 2 C 4 hydrocarbons by MOF-74-Mg/Zn via periodic and molecular cluster calculations. Both methods agree in showing significant differences in binding energies between olefins and paraffins at the open metal sites of the MOF. The binding energies found using molecular cluster models, however, are significantly smaller than those obtained from the periodic approach, exemplifying the importance of fully accounting for the chemical environment experienced by the adsorbed hydrocarbons.
Anyon condensation and a generic tensor-network construction for symmetry-protected topological phases

Bosonic symmetry protected topological (SPT) phases are bosonic analogs of free-fermion topological insulators and superconductors, but require interactions to be realized. Previously, a wide range of bosonic SPT phases protected by on-site symmetries has been systematically investigated, which are found to be related to group cohomology theory. However, a systematic understanding of SPT phases protected by spatial symmetries is still lacking. Here, the authors present systematic constructions of tensor-network wave functions for bosonic SPT phases protected by a general symmetry group SG involving both on-site and spatial symmetries. They find, in spatial dimension $d=1,2,3$, that a wide range of bosonic SPT phases are classified by the group cohomology ${H}^{d+1}$SG,U(1), in which the time-reversal symmetry and mirror symmetries should be treated as anti-unitary operations. They also provide generic tensor-network wave functions for these SPT phases that are useful for numerical simulations. As a by-product, the authors demonstrate a generic connection between rather conventional symmetry-enriched topological phases and SPT phases via an anyon condensation mechanism.
On the Robustness of Bayesian Fingerprinting Estimates of Global Sea Level Change

AbstractGlobal mean sea level (GMSL) over the twentieth century has been estimated using techniques that include regional averaging of sparse tide gauge observations, combining satellite altimetry observations with tide gauge records in empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analyses, and most recently the Bayesian approaches of Kalman smoothing (KS) and Gaussian process regression (GPR). Estimated trends in GMSL over 1901–90 obtained using the Bayesian techniques are 1.1–1.2 mm yr−1, approximately 20% lower than previous estimates. It has been suggested that the adoption of a less restrictive subset of records biased the Bayesian-derived estimates. In this study, different subsets of records are used to demonstrate that GMSL estimates based on the Bayesian methodologies are robust to tide gauge selection. A method for determining the resolvability of individual sea level components estimated in a Bayesian framework is also presented and applied. It is found that the incomplete tide gauge observations result...
Attenuated Essential Thrombocytemia Induced in Mice by the Expression of AML1/MDS1/EVI1 (AME) or an AME Mutant: Comparison between Two New Models of Myeloproliferative Disorders.

Essential thrombocytemia (ET) is a myeloproliferative disorder characterized by a primary increase in platelets count often associated with splenomegaly and/or hepatomegaly often developing/evolving in thrombosis. The t(3;21)(q26;q22) resulting in the AML1/MDS1/EVI1 ( AME ) fusion gene is associated with several hematological disorders often characterized by severe dysmegakaryopoiesis, suggesting that AME alters the megakaryocytic program. By BM infection and transplantation we generated two groups of mice that express either wild type AME or a point/internal-deletion mutant of AME (AME-D-C). This mutant lacks the eighth zinc finger motif and is unable to interact with the CtBP corepressor. Both groups of mice developed a fatal disease with features of human ET, however Kaplan-Meyer analysis showed a significant difference (p The bone core biopsies were normocellular in eight AME mice, three were hypocellular and only one was hypercellular. In contrast the cellularity in all the AME-D-C samples was normal. The most prominent aspects of the AME-mice were an increased number of BM megakaryocytes often grouped in clusters of four to six elements located in proximity of sinuses or in paratrabeculae and rare megakaryocytes that contained intact white cells in their cytoplasm. These two features previously described as endosteal dislocation and emperipolesis, often seen in patients with MPD or ET, were absent in AME-D-C-mice, in which only a minimum increase of megakaryocyte without atypical aspects was observed. No significant differences were found in spleen size, weight and histological features aside from a slight increase in fibrosis in AME-D-C-mice. These results suggest that a mutation in the eighth zinc finger motif and the abrogation of CtBP binding could attenuate the myeloproliferative phenotype caused by AME particularly in terms of histological features and overall survival.
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons via Iron(III)-Catalyzed Carbonyl-Olefin Metathesis.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are important structural motifs in organic chemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry, and materials science. The development of a new synthetic strategy toward these compounds is described based on the design principle of iron(III)-catalyzed carbonyl–olefin metathesis reactions. This approach is characterized by its operational simplicity, high functional group compatibility, and regioselectivity while relying on FeCl3 as an environmentally benign, earth-abundant metal catalyst. Experimental evidence for oxetanes as reactive intermediates in the catalytic carbonyl–olefin ring-closing metathesis has been obtained.
P-126 An audit to determine if people with a learning disability (ld) and known to the hospice have achieved their preferred place of death (ppd) and if the initial discussion had taken place, with an outcome established and documented

Aims and objectives To establish documented evidence of the preferred place of death (PPD) of people with a learning disability (LD) and establish if PPD was achieved and documented. Additionally; to establish where initial conversation took place with regards to PPD. To establish if an “easy read” Preferred Priorities for Care was used or not. To add some narrative to capture the complexity of caring for each individual with a learning disability. Background This audit evolved as an outcome of a previous learning disabilities audit in January 2015. Following discussion at a multi-disciplinary team meeting it was agreed that a further audit on an individual’s PPD would highlight if the hospice was meeting their objectives within the learning disability pathway under future planning considerations. Method A qualitative retrospective audit was completed from 12 patient’s notes on i-care entries, who were known to have a learning disability over a one year period. Results All deaths achieved their PPD with 100 percent documented evidence. There was a rich narrative and person-centred care, demonstrating continuity. Conclusion The results revealed aspiring achievements with significant learning outcomes for the hospice multi-disciplinary teams. Actions identified were: An easy read booklet for preferred priorities for care to be offered where appropriate: To highlight the importance of documenting capacity/PPD discussions where appropriate. Current notes to be reviewed with regards to power of attorney/registration. To promote awareness of the resource folder in the clinical nurse specialist office: To share the importance of the narrative and adherence to the standard in the learning disability pathway.
Fiber-optic temperature sensor using dual fabry-perot cavities filled with gas of different pressure

Abstract We present a fiber-optic temperature sensor based on dual Fabry-Perot cavities formed at the end of a multicore fiber and filled will with gas of differential pressure. Making use of the unique relationship of the refractive index of a gas to its pressure and absolute temperature, a theoretical model is developed to extract the absolute temperature from the differential shifts of the spectral fringes from the two cavities. The demodulation of the sensor is inherently insensitive to the strain applied on the sensor. In addition, the sensor has excellent stability due to the use of gas, which has stable optical properties even at elevated temperature, as the sensing element. Such a sensor was fabricated with dual cavities filled with air of a differential pressure of 1000 psi and the sensor is tested for measurement of absolute temperatures up to 900 K (627 °C). The sensor performance in terms of accuracy, resolution, cross-sensitivity to strain, and stability are studied.
RSTensorFlow: GPU Enabled TensorFlow for Deep Learning on Commodity Android Devices

Mobile devices have become an essential part of our daily lives. By virtue of both their increasing computing power and the recent progress made in AI, mobile devices evolved to act as intelligent assistants in many tasks rather than a mere way of making phone calls. However, popular and commonly used tools and frameworks for machine intelligence are still lacking the ability to make proper use of the available heterogeneous computing resources on mobile devices. In this paper, we study the benefits of utilizing the heterogeneous (CPU and GPU) computing resources available on commodity android devices while running deep learning models. We leveraged the heterogeneous computing framework RenderScript to accelerate the execution of deep learning models on commodity Android devices. Our system is implemented as an extension to the popular open source framework TensorFlow. By integrating our acceleration framework tightly into TensorFlow, machine learning engineers can now easily make benefit of the heterogeneous computing resources on mobile devices without the need of any extra tools. We evaluate our system on different android phones models to study the trade-offs of running different neural network operations on the GPU. We also compare the performance of running different models architectures such as convolutional and recurrent neural networks on CPU only vs using heterogeneous computing resources. Our result shows that although GPUs on the phones are capable of offering substantial performance gain in matrix multiplication on mobile devices. Therefore, models that involve multiplication of large matrices can run much faster (approx. 3 times faster in our experiments) due to GPU support.
The need for improved dermoscopy training in residency: a survey of US dermatology residents and program directors.

Background: Inadequate dermoscopy training represents a major barrier to proper dermoscopy use. Objective: To better understand the status of dermoscopy training in US residency programs. Methods: A survey was sent to 417 dermatology residents and 118 program directors of dermatology residency programs. Results: Comparing different training times for the same training type, residents with 1-10 hours of dedicated training had similar confidence using dermoscopy in general (p = 1.000) and satisfaction with training (p = .3224) than residents with >10 hours of dedicated training. Comparing similar training times for different training types, residents with 1-10 hours of dedicated training had significantly increased confidence using dermoscopy in general (p = .0105) and satisfaction with training (p = .0066) than residents with 1-10 hours of only bedside training. Lastly, residents with 1-10 hours of dedicated training and >10 hours of dedicated training had significantly increased confidence using dermoscopy in general (p = .0002, p = .2471) and satisfaction with training (p <.0001, p < .0001) than residents with no dermoscopy training at all. Conclusions: Dermoscopy training in residency should include formal dermoscopy training that is overseen by the program director and is possibly supplemented by outside dermoscopy training.
A common variant alters SCN5A–miR-24 interaction and associates with heart failure mortality

SCN5A encodes the voltage-gated Na+ channel NaV1.5 that is responsible for depolarization of the cardiac action potential and rapid intercellular conduction. Mutations disrupting the SCN5A coding sequence cause inherited arrhythmias and cardiomyopathy, and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) linked to SCN5A splicing, localization, and function associate with heart failure-related sudden cardiac death. However, the clinical relevance of SNPs that modulate SCN5A expression levels remains understudied. We recently generated a transcriptome-wide map of microRNA (miR) binding sites in human heart, evaluated their overlap with common SNPs, and identified a synonymous SNP (rs1805126) adjacent to a miR-24 site within the SCN5A coding sequence. This SNP was previously shown to reproducibly associate with cardiac electrophysiological parameters, but was not considered to be causal. Here, we show that miR-24 potently suppresses SCN5A expression and that rs1805126 modulates this regulation. We found that the rs1805126 minor allele associates with decreased cardiac SCN5A expression and that heart failure subjects homozygous for the minor allele have decreased ejection fraction and increased mortality, but not increased ventricular tachyarrhythmias. In mice, we identified a potential basis for this in discovering that decreased Scn5a expression leads to accumulation of myocardial reactive oxygen species. Together, these data reiterate the importance of considering the mechanistic significance of synonymous SNPs as they relate to miRs and disease, and highlight a surprising link between SCN5A expression and nonarrhythmic death in heart failure.
Self-Interaction Error in Density Functional Theory: An Appraisal

Self-interaction error (SIE) is considered to be one of the major sources of error in most approximate exchange-correlation functionals for Kohn–Sham density-functional theory (KS-DFT), and it is large with all local exchange-correlation functionals and with some hybrid functionals. In this work, we consider systems conventionally considered to be dominated by SIE. For these systems, we demonstrate that by using multiconfiguration pair-density functional theory (MC-PDFT), the error of a translated local density-functional approximation is significantly reduced (by a factor of 3) when using an MCSCF density and on-top density, as compared to using KS-DFT with the parent functional; the error in MC-PDFT with local on-top functionals is even lower than the error in some popular KS-DFT hybrid functionals. Density-functional theory, either in MC-PDFT form with local on-top functionals or in KS-DFT form with some functionals having 50% or more nonlocal exchange, has smaller errors for SIE-prone systems than doe...
Effects of Boat Engine Noise on the Auditory Sensitivity of the Fathead Minnow, Pimephales promelas

Fishes are constantly exposed to various sources of noise in their underwater acoustic environment. Many of these sounds are from anthropogenic sources, especially engines of boats. Noise generated from a small boat with a 55 horsepower outboard motor was played back to fathead minnows, Pimephales promelas, for 2 h at 142 dB (re: 1 μPa), and auditory thresholds were measured using the auditory brainstem response (ABR) technique. The results demonstrate that boat engine noise significantly elevate a fish's auditory threshold at 1 kHz (7.8 dB), 1.5 kHz (13.5 dB), and 2.0 kHz (10.5 dB), the most sensitive hearing range of this species. Such a short duration of noise exposure leads to significant changes in hearing capability, and implies that man-made noise generated from boat engines can have far reaching environmental impacts on fishes.
An Investigation of exemplary teaching practices of teachers of Native American students

iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS v DEDICATION vii TABLE OF CONTENTS viii LIST OF TABLES x LIST OF FIGURES xi CHAPTER
Optimization of Energy Cost Seawater Desalinization by Reverse Osmosis: Case of Bousmail Station in Algeria

The energy needs for seawater desalinization by reverse osmosis are such that they constitute the largest share of operating costs. Seventy percent of this energy is absorbed by the only device used to bring pressure membranes, and hence its importance in the price structure of the cubic meter desalinated water. Thus, research in the field of energy recovery from the concentrate was an important factor in lowering desalination cost.
Design and characterization of tabletop anechoic and sonication chambers

Access to anechoic chambers for acoustic testing can be an expensive and limited resource for acousticians. The purpose of this work was to develop small scale, portable anechoic and sonication chambers that could be used for rapid and simultaneous testing. Using consumer off the shelf (COTS) products, low cost anechoic and sonication chambers were designed and built. Upon completion the prototypes were characterized for their acoustic performance. Both the anechoic and sonication chambers were characterized by their ability reduce ambient noise. The characterization was completed by measuring transmission loss (TL) through the chamber walls. Second, the sonication chamber was tested for spatial sound pressure level (SPL) variation. The procedure for spatial testing inside the chamber included measuring SPL along a horizontal stage using mini microphones. The performance and characterization of these chambers will be presented and discussed.
6d, \( \mathcal{N}=\left(1,\;0\right) \) Coulomb branch anomaly matching

6d QFTs are constrained by the analog of ’t Hooft anomaly matching: all anomalies for global symmetries and metric backgrounds are constants of RG flows, and for all vacua in moduli spaces. We discuss an anomaly matching mechanism for 6d $$ \mathcal{N}=\left(1,\;0\right) $$ theories on their Coulomb branch. It is a global symmetry analog of Green-Schwarz-West-Sagnotti anomaly cancellation, and requires the apparent anomaly mismatch to be a perfect square, $$ \varDelta {I}_8=\frac{1}{2}{X}_4^2 $$ . Then ΔI 8 is cancelled by making X 4 an electric/magnetic source for the tensor multiplet, so background gauge field instantons yield charged strings. This requires the coefficients in X 4 to be integrally quantized. We illustrate this for $$ \mathcal{N}=\left(2,\;0\right) $$ theories. We also consider the $$ \mathcal{N}=\left(1,\;0\right) $$ SCFTs from N small E8 instantons, verifying that the recent result for its anomaly polynomial fits with the anomaly matching mechanism.
On the trustability of the safety measures of collaborative robots: 2D Collision-force-map of a sensitive manipulator for safe HRC

Sensitive manipulators have become wide-spread in collaborative robot applications and the industry is aiming for ways to use the advantages of Human-Robot-Collaboration (HRC) in an efficient way. Nevertheless most applications do not go beyond the coexistence of humans and robots. To facilitate a closer collaboration between humans and robots we examine the ability of sensitive robots to safeguard contact situations with humans. More precisely, we study the relation between certain robot parameters and the resulting biomechanical load to humans during a potential collision. As use case we consider a generic abstraction of a pick and place application in a laboratory setup. Particularly, the effects of changing the end effector velocity and varying the pick and place position were investigated. To do so, potential contact situations within the range of the robots workspace are evaluated. A statistical model of the robot behavior is presented for the investigated application scenario, and the experimental findings are elaborated in a theoretical context. It is discussed how the deduced information can be utilized to safeguard a collaborative robot application with a flexible pick and place position and how this holistic approach leads to a safe and efficient integration of collaborative tasks in general.
Current Midyear Municipal Budget Forecast Accuracy

This chapter examines current year budget forecast performance for municipal governments in the United States. Midyear forecasts are especially important for governments because budgets authorize public spending and changes to legal financial plans. Ample research examines forecasts beyond the current fiscal year, yet little work analyzes forecasts made during the current fiscal year for the remainder of that year. Although an examination of the literature suggests that midyear forecasts can reflect substantial improvement, the empirical analysis shows no significant evidence of improvement and even finds evidence that expenditure forecasts become worse at shorter time horizons.
A Content Analysis Revealing MPA Students’ Unquestioning Followership as their Ethical Stance and the Implications for Ethical Competence

This articled reported the findings from a content analysis of two iterations of 131 Master of Public Administration (MPA) students’ essays wherein they described their ethical stance for a standal...
Performance Evaluation of Transport Protocols in Tactical Network Environments

Wireless channels, heterogeneous technologies, constrained resources, interference, and high mobility of nodes are some of the characteristics that make communications in tactical networks extremely challenging. Given the availability of a number of transport protocols, designed with different use cases and motivations, and recent developments in the area of congestion control, it is of great interest to military applications developers to study the performance of such protocols in tactical network scenarios. To this end, this paper evaluates three TCP congestion control implementations, namely CUBIC, Compound TCP (CTCP), and Bottleneck Bandwidth and Round-trip propagation time (BBR), in an emulated military-relevant networking environment. We then extend the study to include other transport protocols, more specifically: Stream Control Transmission Protocol (STCP), UDP-based Data Transfer protocol (UDT), Quick UDP Internet Connections (QUIC), and Mobile Sockets (Mockets). To evaluate their performance, we measured the average latency and throughput for several different common use cases and network conditions.
Dynamic economic dispatch of islanded water-energy microgrids with smart building thermal energy management system

Abstract In this paper, a mixed integer nonlinear programming formulation is proposed to intelligently dispatch the distributed generators, manage buildings’ thermal energy, and support the water demand in an islanded water-energy microgrid. To optimize the demand of water distribution system, pump’s nonlinear scheduling and hydraulic factors, and daily water usage of buildings are added to the formulation. In addition, thermal management of electric chillers considering customers’ comfort level and outside temperature forecast was formulated. For a summer cooling schedule, it is shown that adjusting the indoor temperature settings at 20–25 °C for both occupied and unoccupied hours offers the lowest daily operation cost and peak demand charges. A fixed temperature setting of 25 °C during the occupied and unoccupied hours results in a lower daily cost and demand charges than a wide temperature setting of 15–30 °C. Lowest daily costs and electricity demand can be achieved within the proposed integrated water-energy microgrid with optimal water demand and building thermal energy management. By incorporating the water system constraints in the optimization model, hourly cost savings up to $150 can be achieved. In addition, incorporating building’s thermal management in the proposed economic dispatch model can result in up to $20 hourly energy saving in the water-energy system.
Stable Jobs or iPhones? The Dilemma of Innovation in Socialism:

Perhaps the greatest strength of capitalism has been its ability to promote sustained technological progress. A viable socialism must also promote sustained technological progress while avoiding th...
Reporting animal crime: Individual, family, and community influences

In this study, I borrow from Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model to examine motivations to report animal crime. I argue that such motivations are related to individual traits, early socialization, an...