cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Scalable Learning of Safety Guarantees for Autonomous Systems using Hamilton-Jacobi Reachability

Autonomous systems like aircraft and assistive robots often operate in scenarios where guaranteeing safety is critical. Methods like Hamilton-Jacobi reachability can provide guaranteed safe sets and controllers for such systems. However, often these same scenarios have unknown or uncertain environments, system dynamics, or predictions of other agents. As the system is operating, it may learn new knowledge about these uncertainties and should therefore update its safety analysis accordingly. However, work to learn and update safety analysis is limited to small systems of about two dimensions due to the computational complexity of the analysis. In this paper we synthesize several techniques to speed up computation: decomposition, warm-starting, and adaptive grids. Using this new framework we can update safe sets by one or more orders of magnitude faster than prior work, making this technique practical for many realistic systems. We demonstrate our results on simulated 2D and 10D near-hover quadcopters operating in a windy environment.
The fractional sum of small arithmetic functions

Abstract Motivated by recent results, we study sums of the form S f ( x ) = ∑ n ≤ x f ( ⌊ x n ⌋ ) , where f is an arithmetic function and ⌊ ⋅ ⌋ denotes the greatest integer function. We improve the error term in the asymptotic formula for S f ( x ) in some specific cases.
Fast Doubly-Adaptive MCMC to Estimate the Gibbs Partition Function with Weak Mixing Time Bounds

We present a novel method for reducing the computational complexity of rigorously estimating the partition functions (normalizing constants) of Gibbs (Boltzmann) distributions, which arise ubiquitously in probabilistic graphical models. A major obstacle to practical applications of Gibbs distributions is the need to estimate their partition functions. The state of the art in addressing this problem is multi-stage algorithms, which consist of a cooling schedule, and a mean estimator in each step of the schedule. While the cooling schedule in these algorithms is adaptive, the mean estimation computations use MCMC as a black-box to draw approximate samples. We develop a doubly adaptive approach, combining the adaptive cooling schedule with an adaptive MCMC mean estimator, whose number of Markov chain steps adapts dynamically to the underlying chain. Through rigorous theoretical analysis, we prove that our method outperforms the state of the art algorithms in several factors: (1) The computational complexity of our method is smaller; (2) Our method is less sensitive to loose bounds on mixing times, an inherent component in these algorithms; and (3) The improvement obtained by our method is particularly significant in the most challenging regime of high-precision estimation. We demonstrate the advantage of our method in experiments run on classic factor graphs, such as voting models and Ising models.
The Limits of Behavioral Economics in Tort Law

Skeptics of rational choice theory have long predicted that behavioral economics would radically transform the legislation, adjudication, and analysis of law. Using tort law as an exemplar, this Article maps out the narrow set of conditions where substantive law can be modified to accommodate irrational decision-makers. Specifically, this Article demonstrates that if injurers are systematically biased, and the due care standard can be expressed quantitatively, and victims are unable to take meaningful precautions, then imposing punitive damages can induce irrational injurers to exercise efficient precautionary care. In all other cases, it is better that the law adopt a presumption of rationality, regardless whether individuals behave rationally in fact.
Transcriptome profiles of Anopheles gambiae harboring natural low-level Plasmodium infection reveal adaptive advantages for the mosquito.

Anopheline mosquitoes are the sole vectors for the Plasmodium pathogens responsible for malaria, which is among the oldest and most devastating of human diseases. The continuing global impact of malaria reflects the evolutionary success of a complex vector-pathogen relationship that accordingly has been the long-term focus of both debate and study. An open question in the biology of malaria transmission is the impact of naturally occurring low-level Plasmodium infections of the vector on the mosquito’s health and longevity as well as critical behaviors such as host-preference/seeking. To begin to answer this, we have completed a comparative RNAseq-based transcriptome profile study examining the effect of biologically salient, salivary gland transmission-stage Plasmodium infection on the molecular physiology of Anopheles gambiae s.s. head, sensory appendages, and salivary glands. When compared with their uninfected counterparts, Plasmodium infected mosquitoes exhibit increased transcript abundance of genes associated with olfactory acuity as well as a range of synergistic processes that align with increased fitness based on both anti-aging and reproductive advantages. Taken together, these data argue against the long-held paradigm that malaria infection is pathogenic for anophelines and, instead suggests there are biological and evolutionary advantages for the mosquito that drive the preservation of its high vectorial capacity.
Fundamentals of vaping-associated pulmonary injury leading to severe respiratory distress

Vaping of flavored liquids has been touted as safe alternative to traditional cigarette smoking with decreased health risks. The popularity of vaping has dramatically increased over the last decade, particularly among teenagers who incorporate vaping into their daily life as a social activity. Despite widespread and increasing adoption of vaping among young adults, there is little information on long-term consequences of vaping and potential health risks. This study demonstrates vaping-induced pulmonary injury using commercial JUUL pens with flavored vape juice using an inhalation exposure murine model. Profound pathological changes to upper airway, lung tissue architecture, and cellular structure are evident within 9 wk of exposure. Marked histologic changes include increased parenchyma tissue density, cellular infiltrates proximal to airway passages, alveolar rarefaction, increased collagen deposition, and bronchial thickening with elastin fiber disruption. Transcriptional reprogramming includes significant changes to gene families coding for xenobiotic response, glycerolipid metabolic processes, and oxidative stress. Cardiac systemic output is moderately but significantly impaired with pulmonary side ventricular chamber enlargement. This vaping-induced pulmonary injury model demonstrates mechanistic underpinnings of vaping-related pathologic injury.
Ferromagnetic Resonance Modes in the Exchange-Dominated Limit in Cylinders of Finite Length

We analyze the magnetic mode structure of axially-magnetized, finite-length, nanoscopic cylinders in a regime where the exchange interaction dominates, along with simulations of the mode frequencies of the ferrimagnet yttrium iron garnet. For the bulk modes we find that the frequencies can be represented by an expression given by Herring and Kittel by using wavevector components obtained by fitting the mode patterns emerging from these simulations. In addition to the axial, radial, and azimuthal modes that are present in an infinite cylinder, we find localized "cap modes" that are "trapped" at the top and bottom cylinder faces by the inhomogeneous dipole field emerging from the ends. Semi-quantitative explanations are given for some of the modes in terms of a one-dimensional Schrodinger equation which is valid in the exchange dominant case. The assignment of the azimuthal mode number is carefully discussed and the frequency splitting of a few pairs of nearly degenerate modes is determined through the beat pattern emerging from them.
A new one-point residual-feedback oracle for black-box learning and control

Abstract Zeroth-order optimization (ZO) algorithms have been recently used to solve black-box or simulation-based learning and control problems, where the gradient of the objective function cannot be easily computed but can be approximated using the objective function values. Many existing ZO algorithms adopt two-point feedback schemes due to their fast convergence rate compared to one-point feedback schemes. However, two-point schemes require two evaluations of the objective function at each iteration, which can be impractical in applications where the data are not all available a priori, e.g., in online optimization. In this paper, we propose a novel one-point feedback scheme that queries the function value once at each iteration and estimates the gradient using the residual between two consecutive points. When optimizing a deterministic Lipschitz function, we show that the query complexity of ZO with the proposed one-point residual feedback matches that of ZO with the existing two-point schemes. Moreover, the query complexity of the proposed algorithm can be improved when the objective function has Lipschitz gradient. Then, for stochastic bandit optimization problems where only noisy objective function values are given, we show that ZO with one-point residual feedback achieves the same convergence rate as that of two-point scheme with uncontrollable data samples. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed one-point residual feedback via extensive numerical experiments.
Vibrations of orthotropic cylindrical shells

Donnel and Wlassow type of equations have been derived for the vibrations of an orthotropic circular cylinder. Frequencies and eigen functions have been determined for a particular type of boundary conditions. An analvsis of the forced vibrations of the shell is also made.
Placing Children at the Heart of Globalization

In the 1970s, Bill Bunge used the metaphor of a “canary in a coal-mine” to highlight a particularly important aspect of a child ’s place in society (Bunge and Bordessa 1975). Bunge was one of the first scholars to indicate a need to study children ’s geographies not just for their own sake, but also as a harbinger of larger social ills. Early work in the discipline focused on children ’s mapping and wayfinding abilities, and how they developed into spatially cognizant beings, but Bunge introduced the import of children ’s local geographies. The local geographies of children — their political and economic contexts — speak to larger societal problems, and I argue that those contexts are often hidden in adult moral panics over teenage pregnancies, schoolyard shootings, and the like. Thirty years after Bunge ’s prophetic words, the plight of young people is of increasing concern and geographers are at the forefront of elaborating that concern and suggesting some of its root causes. Contemporary geographic work places children closer to the center of our understanding of consumption, production, and reproduction, and at the heart of the inequities generated by globalization.
Objections and Replies

In the previous chapter I argued that the organisms and persons in Locke’s ontology have both spatial and temporal extent, and hence both spatial and temporal parts. While I do not claim that Locke was fully aware of these four-dimensional implications, I suspect that he was aware of them at some level of his understanding. It is important to point out, however, that not much rides on this supposition. For on my interpretation, the organisms and persons in Locke’s ontology have both spatial and temporal extent whether he is aware of this or not. Hence he is a four-dimensionalist, whether he is aware of this or not.
Research Applications with Nancy Wilner and Charles Marmar

In each step of configurational analysis assertions are made about patterns that characterize the person in a specific context. Once these statements are clear, it is possible to check their reliability using information retained by recording or notation and thus available to review. Reliability of the configurational analysis method rests with the degree to which a second or third person, blind to the pattern judgments of the first reviewer, can follow the same system and produce comparable results.
QCD at high energy colliders

A selective overview of recent experimental results which test QCD is given. The results discussed are principally from LEP, SLC, and the Tevatron, with some discussion of results from HERA.
Sleep duration and cardiovascular disease: results from the National Health Interview Survey.

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE (CVD) IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF MORTALITY IN THE UNITED STATES AND ELSEWHERE.1 RECENT STUDIES SUGGEST THAT sleep disorders adversely affect cardiovascular health.2 In the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) 2004-2007, more than one-third of the population in the US were reported to have an abnormal sleep duration, defined as either a short or long sleep duration.3 Several studies have shown that compared to 7-8 hours of sleep, both shorter and longer sleep durations are associated with CVD risk factors such as diabetes,4,5 hypertension,6 and obesity.7 However, previous studies8–13 that examined the association between sleep duration and CVD showed inconsistent associations. This included studies that reported an association with CVD for short sleep duration only,13 or long sleep duration only,9,11,14 or both short and long sleep durations.8,10,12 Three previous studies have examined the association between sleep duration and CVD in the US.8,9,14 The Nurses' Health Study8 and the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study14 reported positive associations between sleep duration and coronary heart disease (CHD) in women. The First National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES-1) Follow-up Study reported a positive association between sleep duration and stroke in a nationally representative cohort of 7,844 men and women; however no significant association was found between sleep duration and CHD.9 Accumulating evidence have shown that depression is related to both sleep duration15 and CVD risk.16 However, most of the studies8–10,13 that assessed the association between sleep duration and CVD have not adjusted for depression, potentially an important confounder in the association between sleep duration and CVD. In this context, we examined the association between sleep duration and CVD, including CHD and stroke in the NHIS 2005, a large, nationally representative sample of US adults after controlling for the effect of depression and other confounders.
Hijacking Education Policy Decisions: Ballot Initiatives and the Case of Affirmative Action

In this article, Michele Moses and Lauren Saenz explore a growing trend in education policymaking — the ballot initiative. Specifically, the authors question whether information presented to voters is sufficiently substantive to permit educated decisionmaking about influential policies. Their study, a content analysis of print news media related to the 2006 Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, shows that coverage of this initiative was largely superficial, documenting procedural or topical matters rather than addressing the deeper moral, practical, and historical issues involved. These results, they argue, highlight the important role that mass media should play in a direct democracy, currently an overlooked responsibility. Moses and Saenz end with an appeal to education researchers to monitor the media coverage of education policy debates and, upon finding insubstantial coverage, to present an alternative that is meaningful and accessible to the general public.
Retroperitoneal laparoscopic cryoablation of small renal tumors: intermediate results.

Abstract Objectives To present our experience with laparoscopic renal cryoablation with up to 3 years of follow-up. Laparoscopic renal cryoablation remains a viable option for the treatment of small peripheral renal masses in patients with significant comorbidities. Although partial nephrectomy has been shown to be a safe and reliable method of renal parenchymal preservation, laparoscopic cryoablation still requires longer term data to prove its efficacy. Methods Twenty patients with small renal masses (1.4 to 4.5 cm) underwent laparoscopic renal cryosurgery at our institution. A retroperitoneal laparoscopic approach was used to expose the kidney. Intraoperative ultrasound guidance was used to localize the lesions and monitor iceball formation. A double-freeze technique was used. Needle biopsies of solid masses were performed intraoperatively. Results Renal biopsies revealed renal cell carcinoma in 11 of the 20 patients. Of these 11 patients, none had evidence of recurrent disease at last follow-up, and follow-up scans showed no enhancement of any lesions. Of the 8 patients with follow-up of 2 years or greater, 4 had complete resolution of the renal lesions. The remainder had lesions that were reduced and stable in size. Complications included surgical re-exploration to evaluate pancreatic injury in 1 patient and failure to ablate a lesion in another. Conclusions Laparoscopic renal cryoablation appears to be an effective tool for ablation of small renal lesions. A moderate length of follow-up continues to demonstrate efficacy because no patients had growth of treated pathologic lesions or developed metastasis to date. Continued maturation of data is necessary to determine the long-term efficacy.
Characterizing Failures in Mobile OSes: A Case Study with Android and Symbian

As smart phones grow in popularity, manufacturers are in a race to pack an increasingly rich set of features into these tiny devices. This brings additional complexity in the system software that has to fit within the constraints of the devices (chiefly memory, stable storage, and power consumption) and hence, new bugs are revealed. How this evolution of smartphones impacts their reliability is a question that has been largely unexplored till now. With the release of open source OSes for hand-held devices, such as, Android (open sourced in October 2008) and Symbian (open sourced in February 2010), we are now in a position to explore the above question. In this paper, we analyze the reported cases of failures of Android and Symbian based on bug reports posted by third-party developers and end users and documentation of bug fixes from Android developers. First, based on 628 developer reports, our study looks into the manifestation of failures in different modules of Android and their characteristics, such as, their persistence and dependence on environment. Next, we analyze similar properties of Symbian bugs based on 153 failure reports. Our study indicates that Development Tools, Web Browsers, and Multimedia applications are most error-prone in both these systems. We further analyze 233 bug fixes for Android and categorized the different types of code modifications required for the fixes. The analysis shows that 77% of errors required minor code changes, with the largest share of these coming from modifications to attribute values and conditions. Our final analysis focuses on the relation between customizability, code complexity, and reliability in Android and Symbian. We find that despite high cyclomatic complexity, the bug densities in Android and Symbian are surprisingly low. However, the support for customizability does impact the reliability of mobile OSes and there are cautionary tales for their further development.
Animal feeding operations: encouraging sustainable nutrient usage rather than restraining and proscribing activities

Abstract Due to storm events, spills and careless practices, nutrients from animal feeding operations have denigrated water quality in the United States. Governments at all levels are taking action to reduce pollution problems from these operations. The numerous legislative and regulatory responses have not been directed at employing nutrients from animal wastes in crop production. Instead, the command and control provisions respond to some of the concerns voiced by the public, but their generalized coverage makes them costly and imposes expenses on producers who are not causing any problems. Governments need to consider alternative strategies that would incorporate a relationship between crop land and the animal wastes from feeding operations to more accurately account for environmental costs from excess nutrients.
Dispersive and classical shock waves in Bose-Einstein condensates and gas dynamics

A Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) is a quantum fluid that gives rise to interesting shock-wave nonlinear dynamics. Experiments depict a BEC that exhibits behavior similar to that of a shock wave in a compressible gas, e.g., traveling fronts with steep gradients. However, the governing Gross-Pitaevskii (GP) equation that describes the mean field of a BEC admits no dissipation, hence classical dissipative shock solutions do not explain the phenomena. Instead, wave dynamics with small dispersion is considered and it is shown that this provides a mechanism for the generation of a dispersive shock wave (DSW). Computations with the GP equation are compared to experiment with excellent agreement. A comparison between a canonical one-dimensional (1D) dissipative and dispersive shock problem shows significant differences in shock structure and shock-front speed. Numerical results associated with the three-dimensional experiment show that three- and two-dimensional approximations are in excellent agreement and 1D approximations are in good qualitative agreement. Using 1D DSW theory, it is argued that the experimentally observed blast waves may be viewed as dispersive shock waves.
Cardiovascular and Metabolic Alterations in Mice Lacking β1- and β2-Adrenergic Receptors

Abstract Targeted disruption of murine β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) genes has helped to clarify the role of specific β-AR subtypes in regulating cardiovascular development and function. In the mouse, the β1-AR is primarily responsible for sympathetic regulation of both cardiac chronotropy and inotropy. In contrast, all three β-ARs play a role in regulating peripheral vascular tone. The impact of ablation of both β1- and β2-ARs on cardiac development and on resting cardiovascular and metabolic parameters is remarkably minimal. However, exercise stress reveals additional important contributions of β1- and β2-ARs to cardiovascular performance.
Immunolocalization of α-integrin subunits and extracellular matrix components during human colonic organogenesis

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: The role of cell adhesion molecules in colonic organogenesis remains poorly understood. This study examined the expression of alpha-integrin subunits and extracellular matrix ligands during human colonic development. METHODS: Standard immunohistochemistry was used to characterize extracellular matrix and alpha-integrin subunit expression during development. RESULTS: At 9 weeks, type-IV collagen and laminin were present underlying epithelium, around vascular structures, and surrounding inner circular muscle layer fibers. Fibronectin was uniformly expressed in the mesenchyme. Tenascin distribution was restricted to the presumptive muscle layer and, later, to the villus core and muscularis mucosae. The 9-week epithelium expressed alpha 2, alpha 3, alpha 5, and alpha 8, and, by 11 weeks, alpha 9. alpha 3, alpha 6, and alpha 8 expression was accentuated at the basal membrane. During transition from pseudostratified to simple columnar epithelium, a vertical alpha 2 gradient formed. Mesenchymal cells expressed alpha 5 and alpha 8 by 9 weeks. The developing muscularis (propria and mucosae) showed accentuated alpha 5 expression. By 16 weeks, alpha 8 expression localized to the muscularis mucosae and villus core. Mesenchymal vascular elements stained strongly with anti- alpha 2 and alpha 6 by 9 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: These observations show the complexity and overlap of adhesive receptor expression and ligands during development and reveal early cell commitment to the formation of specific structures. (Gastroenterology 1996 Jan;110(1):58-71)
Nuclear data sheets for A = 247

The available nuclear structure information for all nuclei with mass number A = 247 is presented. Various decay and reaction data are evaluated and compared. Adopted data, levels, and spin and state assignments are given.
Preferential expression of anti-bovine serum albumin IgE homocytotropic antibody synthesis and anaphylactic sensitivity in the neonatal rabbit

Abstract The phenotypic expression of the genetic capacity to synthesize anti-bovine serum albumin (BSA) IgE homocytotropic antibody and later to develop systemic anaphylactic sensitivity to BSA was studied in the neonatal rabbit. Newborn rabbits immunized with soluble bovine serum albumin were rendered totally immunologically unresponsive to BSA. In contrast, newborn rabbits immunized with alum-precipitated BSA or with soluble BSA in conjunction with a Corynebacterium parvum adjuvant produced only anti-BSA IgE homocytotropic antibody during the neonatal period and throughout adult life; these rabbits did not produce anti-BSA antibody that could be detected by the passive hemagglutination or antigen-binding techniques. Immunization of the 7-day-old rabbit with soluble BSA induced immunologic unresponsiveness to BSA with the exception of anti-BSA IgE homocytotropic antibody that was preferentially produced when these rabbits were adults. When alum-precipitated BSA or soluble BSA together with C. parvum was administered to the 7-day-old rabbit, anti-BSA antibodies were produced that were detected by all of the immunologic test procedures. Although anti-BSA IgE homocytotropic antibody could be produced in adult rabbits receiving primary or secondary injections of alum-precipitated BSA, systemic anaphylactic sensitization to BSA developed in only 3 of 32 animals. However, of 36 adult rabbits that developed anti-BSA IgE homocytotropic antibody as a result of neonatal exposure to BSA, 31 developed systemic anaphylaxis to BSA. We conclude that the genetic potential to synthesize specific, IgE homocytotropic antibody and to develop systemic anaphylactic sensitivity can be phenotypically expressed in the neonatal rabbit.
Invariant polynomials on tensors under the action of a product of orthogonal groups

Let K be the product O(n1) × O(n2) × ··· × O(nr) of orthogonal groups. Let V = ⊗ r=1 C n i , the r-fold tensor product of defining representations of each orthogonal factor. We compute a stable formula for the dimension of the K-invariant algebra of degree d homogeneous polynomial functions on V. To accomplish this, we compute a formula for the number of matchings which commute with a fixed permutation. Finally, we provide formulas for the invariants and describe a bijection between a basis for the space of invariants and the isomorphism classes of certain r-regular graphs on d vertices, as well as a method of associating each invariant to other combinatorial settings such as phylogenetic trees.
Mechanisms for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) growth

Abstract We compute the barriers and heats of reaction for the conversion of benzene to naphthalene by acetylene additions using the B3LYP/4-31G approach. The Frenklach mechanism for adding a ring to a PAH molecule is compared with the Bittner–Howard acetylene addition mechanism. Both have low barriers, and the similarities and differences of the two mechanisms are discussed. A ring addition mechanism for cations is also studied, and it is found to have no barriers.
Decomposition and Performance of New High Nitrogen Propellants and Explosives.

As of late, molecules with high nitrogen content have received increased attention, due in large part to their novel energetic materials properties. At the Los Alamos National Laboratory, we continue to pursue the development and characterization of new high-nitrogen materials for applications in a wide variety of fields. In this work three molecules, triaminoguanidinium azotetrazolate (TAGzT), 3,6-bis-nitroguanyl-1,2,4,5-tetrazine and its corresponding bis-triaminoguanidinium salt, are studied all of which are high-nitrogen compounds with little or no oxygen, however, retain energetic material properties as a result of their high heats of formation. Because of this, the decomposition of this class of compounds have limited or no secondary oxidation reactions of carbon and hydrogen. Other materials discussed for comparison include 3,3'-azobis(6-amino-1,2,4,5-tetrazine)-mixed N-oxides (DAATO{sub 3.5}) and 3,6-bis(1H-1,2,3,4-tetrazol-5-ylamino)-s-tetrazine (BTATz) and the nitramine octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX). The fact that many of these molecules approach 80% nitrogen content makes them potentially useful as gas generants or energetic materials with low flame temperatures, while simultaneously increasing the impulse of gun or rocket propellants. The burning rate, flash pyrolysis (T-jump/FTIR spectroscopy), explosive sensitivity and performance properties were determined. Some examples of interesting behaviors include that TAGzT exhibits one of the fastest low pressure burning rates yet measured for an organic compound,more » and 3,6-bis-nitroguanyl-1,2,4,5-tetrazine has one of the lowest pressure exponents yet measured for a pure organic compound.« less
Regional proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy patterns in dementia with Lewy bodies

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) characteristics of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) Alzheimer's disease (AD) and cognitively normal controls were compared. DLB (n = 34), AD (n = 35), and cognitively normal controls (n = 148) participated in a MRS study from frontal, posterior cingulate, and occipital voxels. We investigated DLB patients with preserved hippocampal volumes to determine the MRS changes in DLB with low probability of overlapping AD pathology. DLB patients were characterized by decreased N-acetylaspartate/creatine (NAA/Cr) in the occipital voxel. AD patients were characterized by lower NAA/Cr in the frontal and posterior cingulate voxels. Normal NAA/Cr levels in the frontal voxel differentiated DLB patients with preserved hippocampal volumes from AD patients. DLB and AD patients had elevated choline/creatine, and myo-Inositol/creatine in the posterior cingulate. MRS abnormalities associated with loss of neuronal integrity localized to the occipital lobes in DLB, and the posterior cingulate gyri and frontal lobes in AD. This pattern of MRS abnormalities may have a role in differential diagnosis of DLB and in distinguishing DLB patients with overlapping AD pathology.
Estimation and Inference for the Causal Effect of Receiving Treatment on a Multinomial Outcome

This article considers the analysis of two-arm randomized trials with noncompliance, which have a multinomial outcome. We first define the causal effect in these trials as some function of outcome distributions of compliers with and without treatment (e.g., the complier average causal effect, the measure of stochastic superiority of treatment over control for compliers), then estimate the causal effect with the likelihood method. Next, based on the likelihood-ratio (LR) statistic, we test those functions of or the equality of the outcome distributions of compliers with and without treatment. Although the corresponding LR statistic follows a chi-squared (chi(2)) distribution asymptotically when the true values of parameters are in the interior of the parameter space under the null, its asymptotic distribution is not chi(2) when the true values of parameters are on the boundary of the parameter space under the null. Therefore, we propose a bootstrap/double bootstrap version of a LR test for the causal effect in these trials. The methods are illustrated by an analysis of data from a randomized trial of an encouragement intervention to improve adherence to prescribed depression treatments among depressed elderly patients in primary care practices.
Stability and phonons of KTaO 3

${\mathrm{KTaO}}_{3}$ was investigated using density functional methods. These local-density approximation calculations correctly show the absence of a ferroelectric instability in this compound. Phonon frequencies and bulk properties in good agreement with existing measurements are obtained. A highly anharmonic low-frequency mode corresponding to the observed incipient ferroelectric behavior is identified. The electronic structure shows strong transition metal oxygen covalency as in known ferroelectric perovskites. As expected properties show a strong similarity with ${\mathrm{KNbO}}_{3}$. The absence of ferroelectricity in ${\mathrm{KTaO}}_{3}$ is due to the extreme sensitivity of the soft mode to the covalency and the slight chemical differences of Nb and Ta, particularly the higher d binding energy in Nb.
Linear systems [Book reviews]

Review by S.R. Liberty. Linear Systems, by Professor Thomas Kailath, is a timely and substantive contribution to the textual literature in system theory. It cannot be overemphasized that Linear Systems is a textbook and was obviously written with the student in mind. In fact, the more sophisticated reader who attempts to use Linear Systems as a reference book may have a negative knee-jerk reaction to the format and lecture style of the text. This book is bursting at the seams with Kailath educational philosophy as well as a wealth of linear systems and control concepts. There are several features of the book that make it unique. It contains a strong comprehensive treatment of matrix fraction descriptions and the theories of rational and polynomial matrices. It also contains a fairly thorough treatment of statefeedback compensator design and state observer theory. However, it is not a controls text. These topics are naturally included to deepen, reinforce, and underscore the value of the observability, controllability, and realization concepts which are introduced in other chapters.
Hydrogen-Bonded Tapes Based on Symmetrically Substituted Diketopiperazines: A Robust Structural Motif for the Engineering of Molecular Solids

A series of eight symmetrically substituted diketopiperazines (DKPs) derived from 1-amino-1-carboxycycloalkanes (n = 3−7; 3,3,5,5-tetramethylcyclohexane; 4,4-dimethylcyclohexane; 2-indan) were synthesized and their crystal structures determined. In the solid state, all eight compounds form two pairs of hydrogen bonds with two adjacent molecules to form a one-dimensional structure that we refer to as "tapes". These molecules represent a range of volumes and shapes that contain a common molecular fragment (DKP ring). We examined this series of compounds with three objectives in mind: (i) to establish the ability of the hydrogen-bonded "tape" motif to persist through these differences in volume and shape; (ii) to provide a series of structurally related compounds to use to test computational methods of predicting crystal structure from molecular structure; (iii) to search for qualitative correlations between molecular structure and crystal packing. All compounds form tapes and with one exception, all tapes pack with their long axes parallel. When viewed down their long axis, two types of tapes emerge: planar and nonplanar. The type of tape that forms reflects the conformation adapted by the DKP ringplanar or boat. Planar tapes form when the angle (α) between the two planes defined by the cis-amides in the DKP ring is 180°; nonplanar tapes form when α < 180°. Five of the eight compounds studied form planar tapes, the remaining three compounds form nonplanar tapes. Despite the variability in volume and shape represented by this series of molecules, the persistence of the tape motif in their crystalline solids suggests that the hydrogen-bonding interactions between DKPs dominate the packing arrangement of these molecules. Void space in the crystalline solid is minimized by parallel alignment of tapes that pack in a manner that permits the interdigitation of substituents on adjacent tapes.
Complement does not mediate the cardiac inflammatory response initiated by myocardial ischemia-reperfusion during cardiopulmonary bypass

Abstract Introduction: This study was designed to test the hypothesis that complement mediates the cardiac inflammatory response resulting from ischemia during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Methods: Paired aortic and coronary sinus blood samples were collected from patients undergoing elective, first-time coronary bypass grafting with CPB (n = 17). Sera was analyzed using ELISA to detect levels of C3a and C5a. Histamine, as a marker of C3a or C5a stimulation of the inflammatory response, was also measured. Atrial tissue samples were collected before and after CPB. Tissue was immunohistochemically stained for alternative and classical complement pathway proteins C1q and factor Bb. Results: Systemic C3a levels increased during CPB (837 ± 599 ng/ml). Histamine, C3a and C5a levels across the heart (coronary sinus minus aortic values) were not significantly different at any time-point (baseline: 0.27 ± 1.45, 29 ± 82, -0.45 ± 2.5; reperfusion: -0.35 ± 0.42, -55 ± 211, 0.25 ± 1.20 for histamine, C3a and C5a respectively). Immunohistochemical stains showed no deposition of C1q or Factor Bb. Conclusions: The myocardium is not a source of the complement activation seen during the ischemia-reperfusion of CPB. The elevated levels of C3a created during CPB does not stimulate cardiac inflammation. Complement does not play a significant role in post-CPB cardiac inflammatory state. Download high-res image (118KB) Download full-size image
Phase I study of carboplatin in combination with gemcitabine and irinotecan in patients with solid tumors : Preliminary evidence of activity in small cell and neuroendocrine carcinomas

BACKGROUND. The objective of this study was to determine the maximum tolerated dose and dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) of carboplatin in combination with gemcitabine and irinotecan in patients with solid tumors. METHODS. Patients with solid tumors who were not candidates for standard chemotherapy received escalating doses of carboplatin, gemcitabine, and irinotecan. RESULTS. Twenty-eight patients were enrolled. Two of 4 patients who received carboplatin at an area under the curve (AUC) of 5 on Day 1 with gemcitabine 800 mg/m2 and irinotecan 80 mg/m2 on Days 1 and 8 developed DLT, along with 2 of 12 patients at the immediate-lower dose level: carboplatin at an AUC of 4 on Day 1 with gemcitabine 800 mg/m2 and irinotecan 80 mg/m2 on Days 1 and 8. In an attempt to improve drug delivery on Day 8, a different schedule was studied. Carboplatin at an AUC of 2, gemcitabine 800 mg/m2, and irinotecan 60 mg/m2, all given on Days 1 and 8, was explored in 12 patients. Two patients were unable to receive therapy on Day 8. Twenty-four patients developed grade 3 or 4 hematologic toxicity. Nonhematologic side effects were mostly mild and reversible with the exception of 1 patient, who developed acute liver failure after the fourth cycle of chemotherapy and died. Objective responses were observed in 7 patients, including 5 patients who had small cell and neuroendocrine carcinomas. CONCLUSIONS. Carboplatin in combination with gemcitabine and irinotecan was feasible. However, compromise of single-agent doses of all 3 drugs was necessary because of toxicity. Additional studies are warranted in patients with small cell and high-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Differential backward masking of words and letters by masks of varying orthographic structure.

The effects of structural relationships between targets and masks were investigated using a backward-masking paradigm. Specifically, the masking of single letters, common fiveletter words, and five-letter pseudowords masked by a blank flash, strings of overlapped letters, pseudowords, and words was investigated. Target duration was varied from 2 to 32 msec, with mask duration held constant at 25 msec. The dependent measure was the critical interstimulus interval for correct target identification. Letters were more effectively masked than words and pseudowords. A blank mask caused the least amount of masking, followed by the overlapped letter strings, and then the word and pseudoword masks. In addition to the overall greater masking effectiveness for the three patterned masks, overlapped letter strings masked letters more effectively than they did words. The implications of current theories of masking for these results and the implications of these results for theories of word recognition were discussed.
Harderian Gland: Development and Influence of Early Hormonal Treatment on Porphyrin Content

The porphyrin content of the rat Harderian gland remains low until 12 days of age at which time both porphyrin content and concentration rapidly increase. Intraperitoneal administration of tetraiodothyronine (thyroxine) into newborn animals advances the appearance of porphyrin in the gland. Conversely, a single injection of cortisol acetate into newborns retards the appearance of porphyrin. The time of porphyrin appearance in the gland parallels the time for maturation of the evoked cortical response to visual stimulation in normal and hormone-treated animals.
Fully automated chest wall line segmentation in breast MRI by using context information

Breast MRI has emerged as an effective modality for the clinical management of breast cancer. Evidence suggests that computer-aided applications can further improve the diagnostic accuracy of breast MRI. A critical and challenging first step for automated breast MRI analysis, is to separate the breast as an organ from the chest wall. Manual segmentation or user-assisted interactive tools are inefficient, tedious, and error-prone, which is prohibitively impractical for processing large amounts of data from clinical trials. To address this challenge, we developed a fully automated and robust computerized segmentation method that intensively utilizes context information of breast MR imaging and the breast tissue's morphological characteristics to accurately delineate the breast and chest wall boundary. A critical component is the joint application of anisotropic diffusion and bilateral image filtering to enhance the edge that corresponds to the chest wall line (CWL) and to reduce the effect of adjacent non-CWL tissues. A CWL voting algorithm is proposed based on CWL candidates yielded from multiple sequential MRI slices, in which a CWL representative is generated and used through a dynamic time warping (DTW) algorithm to filter out inferior candidates, leaving the optimal one. Our method is validated by a representative dataset of 20 3D unilateral breast MRI scans that span the full range of the American College of Radiology (ACR) Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) fibroglandular density categorization. A promising performance (average overlay percentage of 89.33%) is observed when the automated segmentation is compared to manually segmented ground truth obtained by an experienced breast imaging radiologist. The automated method runs time-efficiently at ~3 minutes for each breast MR image set (28 slices).
Effect of through-thickness compression on the microstructure of carbon fiber polymer-matrix composites, as studied by electrical resistance measurement

Compression in the through-thickness direction (as in fastening) resulted in reversible and irreversible changes in the microstructure of continuous carbon fiber epoxy-matrix composites, as shown by electrical resistance measurement during dynamic compression. The extent of fiber-fiber contact across the interlaminar interface was increased, with partial irreversibility even at a low stress amplitude of 1 MPa. Within a lamina, fiber squeezing in the through-thickness direction and fiber spreading in the transverse direction occurred upon fastening compression, with partial irreversibility at a stress amplitude of 100 MPa or above. For a single laminae beyond 400 MPa, the lessening of fiber squeezing in the through-thickness direction during unloading dominated over the fiber spreading in the transverse direction during loading.
Hind Limb Lameness in the Lameness Mature Dog

This article describes the differential diagnosis of hind limb lameness in adult dogs with common clinical presentations and diagnostic methods outlined.
The rockwall in rockwall, texas: A study of unusual natural magnetic effects in geoarcheological surveys produced by mineral oxidation

The city council of Rockwall, Texas, decided in 1985 to build a park containing an exposure of the “famed” rockwall after which the city and county of Rockwall derive their names. This wall, thought to be man-made because of it's unusual brick-like appearance, was first discovered in 1851. As a result of weathering, the wall has no surface exposure and crews working for the city had not been able to find it. Geological studies, published between 1927 and 1950, clearly demonstrate that the rockwall is one of a series of sandstone dikes with a carbonate cement and some unusual material constituents. Geoarchaeological methods, including magnetic and electrical resistivity surveys, and Mossbauer studies were used in identifying the precise location of the rockwall. This was possible because of strongly magnetic secondary minerals produced within the wall by weathering of two primary mineral constituents, siderite and marcasite. the resulting natural magnetic anomaly pattern made it possible to pinpoint the wall's location. This pattern closely resembles those identified in association with historic or prehistoric cultural activity. Our observations may help explain why some archeological excavations, at sites associated with well defined magnetic anomalies, do not yield clear sources for those anomalies, i.e., buried cultural material. These anomalies may result from weathering or from other natural processes, and in some cases interpretation of such ambiguities can be resolved using mineralogical and geochemical data.
A model for the determination of residential preferences

Abstract Concern by government officials regarding housing in blighted areas has prompted research into the factors that influence location of low-income families. A model employing factor analysis and multiple linear regression has been developed to aid in the study of the economic and psychological factors invloved in location decisions. Data used was obtained from a survey of low-income families in El Paso, Texas. Future location preferences can be predicted using this model and projected household characteristics.
Multilingualism in the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Age: The Literary-Historical Evidence

While we tend to discuss multilingualism as a primarily modern phenomenon, that is, as the result of massive migrations all over the globe today, people in the European Middle Ages were already extensively on the move, either on crusades or pilgrimages, on business trips or attending major political or clerical meetings. Multilingualism was consequently not an unusual phenomenon. This article brings together evidence from history, the history of language, and from medieval literature at large to confirm how much the knowledge of at least one, if not two and more, foreign languages was quite common at that age. Significantly, however, a number of poets far into the seventeenth century voiced great concern about the consequences of poor foreign language skills, revealing the true extent to which multilingualism was an important matter. Generally, we can assume that the less courtly poets addressed the issue of multilingualism, the more that phenomenon must have been present already then.