cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the Origin of the Heterogeneous Emission from Pyrene Sequestered Within Tetramethylorthosilicate-Based Xerogels: A Decay-Associated Spectra and O2 Quenching Study

Steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy are used to determine the local microheterogeneity surrounding pyrene molecules sequestered within tetramethylorthosilicate-derived xerogels. After compensation for the intrinsic background emission from the xerogel, we find that the pyrene intensity decay kinetics are best described by a two-term rate law. This is consistent with the pyrene molecules distributing primarily into two microenvironments. Under ambient conditions, the individual pyrene microenvironments exhibit excited-state fluorescence lifetimes that differ by ∼100 ns. However, the pyrene I1 to I3 band ratios that are associated with each microenvironment are statistically equivalent to one another. These results show that the local dipolarity surrounding these pyrene microenvironments are similar, but the decay rates associated with each microenvironment are very different. The longer-lived pyrene species (Environment #1) constitutes ∼1/2 of the total fluorescence and it exhibits an O2 quenching sensitivity (Ksv1) of (5.19 ± 0.52 × 10−3 %O2−1 and a bimolecular quenching constant (kq1) of (2.30 ± 0.23) × 104 %O2−1 s−1. Environment #2, associated with the shorter-lived pyrene species, exhibits an O2 quenching sensitivity (Ksv2) of (2.31 ± 0.16) × 10−2 %O2−1 and a bimolecular quenching constant (kq2) of (2.11 ± 0.23) × 105 %O2−1 s−1. These results are interpreted as follows: Environment #1 consists of pyrene molecules sequestered within a relatively rigid siloxane network wherein non-radiative decay pathways are lessened, but these pyrene molecules are not quenched readily by O2. Environment #2 consists of pyrene molecules adsorbed onto surface silanols within the xerogel. These pyrene molecules are quenched by the silanols and they are simultaneously more accessible to O2 compared to Environment #1.
Yablovian ‘If-Thenism’

ABSTRACTThe paper explores Stephen Yablo's suggestion that ‘If-Thenism’ in the philosophy of mathematics is best formulated as the thesis that the real content of a mathematical claim C is the result of subtracting the potentially problematic metaphysical commitments of mathematics (numbers exist) from C [Yablo 2017]. Yablo's proposal assumes that some propositions make others true. The present discussion assumes that propositions are coarse-grained sets of possible worlds and asks what Yablo's proposal looks like on that assumption. The conclusion is that the adequacy of the proposal turns on hard-to-settle questions about the truthmakers for propositions expressed by material conditionals.
Impact of restaurant owners'/managers' handling of customers' unexpected incidents on customers' revisit intention

The main purpose of this research is to explore whether or not restaurant owners/managers handle customers' unexpected incidents can affect customers' intention to revisit the same restaurant. We used the case of coupon incident as an example. We then designed an experiment and conducted a survey, and also developed single-equation regression models (both two-stage least squares and ordinary least squares procedures) to test the hypothesis. Results demonstrate that customers who were unhappy when restaurant owners/managers denied them the use of effective coupons were less likely to revisit the same restaurant, as well as no matter the reasons for disallowing coupon use, customers' intention to revisit the same restaurant was frustrated by the experience. Consequently, the main contribution of this study is in offering a different analytical perspective on customer post-purchase behavioural intention by verifying whether the way restaurant owners/managers handle customers' unexpected incidents may influence customers' revisit intention.
Topological Surface States: A New Type of 2D Electron Systems

Abstract Topological Surface States (TSS) represent new types of two dimensional electron systems with novel and unprecedented properties distinct from any quantum Hall-like or spin-Hall effects. Their topological order can be realized at room temperatures without magnetic fields and they can be turned into magnets, exotic superconductors or Kondo insulators leading to worldwide interest and activity in the topic. We review the basic concepts defining such topological matter and the key experimental probe that revealed the Z 2 topological order in the bulk of these spin-orbit interaction dominated insulators. This review focuses on the key results that demonstrated the fundamental topological properties such as spin-momentum locking, non-trivial Berrys phases, mirror Chern number, absence of backscattering, protection by time-reversal and other discrete (mirror) symmetries and their remarkable persistence up to the room temperature elaborating on results first discussed by M.Z. Hasan and C.L. Kane in the Rev. of Mod. Phys., 82, 3045 (2010). Additionally, key results on broken symmetry phases such as quantum magnetism and uperconductivity induced in topological materials are briefly discussed.
Ultra Low Power Composite Free Layer Spin-Orbit Torque MRAM

Spin-transfer torque MRAM (STT-MRAM) serves as a promising candidate for next generation memory. However, STT-MRAM suffers from tunnel barrier degradation under rapid operations and a poor spin polarization. In contrast, spin-orbit torque MRAM (SOT-MRAM) utilizes spin-orbit interaction at the interface of heavy metal (HM) and ferromagnetic (FM) layers via mechanisms such as the Rashba effect and spin Hall effect (SHE1 2. Since current only flows through the heavy metal in SOT-MRAM, device performance is no longer limited by insulator breakdown. Because no charge current through the FM layer is needed in SOT devices, the other unrecognized benefit of SOT is its compatibility with low-damping magnetic insulators (MI). SOT experiments with YIG/Pt, YIG/Ta, and YIG/W have demonstrated the potential for ultra-low damped switching of YIG in SOT systems3 4. SOT switching has also been demonstrated in TmIG based system5. Here, we propose a composite free layer SOT-MRAM (Fig. 1a). The MTJ is a cylinder structure with a diameter D. The free layer consists of an easily switched YIG layer and a thermally stable high anisotropy $( \mathrm {K}_{u} \sim 10 ^{7}$ ergs/cc $) \mathrm {L}1 _{0} -$FePt or $\mathrm {L}1 _{0} -$FePd layer. These two layers are ferromagnetically coupled through the RKKY exchange provided by the Pd layer. It has been shown that exchange coupling between magnetic soft and hard layers can reduce the critical current6. Current CoFeB based devices necessitate larger diameters due to the low anisotropy. By adopting FePt or FePd, we can reduce the device area, which is favorable for high density applications. We optimized our device by running micromagnetic simulations in the macrospin approximation. A device of small diameter $( \mathrm {D} < 30$ nm) with low write energy $( \mathrm {E}_{w} < 1$ fJ) can be achieved for 1 ns switching while maintaining thermal stability $\triangle =60 \mathrm {k}_{B}\mathrm {T}$ at room temperature.
Rare case of low-grade extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type, arising in the setting of chronic rhinosinusitis and harboring a novel N-terminal KIT mutation

Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKTCL-NT), is a rare aggressive subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma characterized by angioinvasion, angiodestruction, necrosis and strong association with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). ENKTCL-NT occurs worldwide and is more prevalent in Asian and the Native American populations of Mexico, Central and South America. It represents approximately 10% of all peripheral T-cell lymphomas worldwide. The aim of this report is to present a rare case of ENKTCL-NT with an unusually indolent clinical course and low-grade histopathologic features. A 71-year-old Asian woman with a long-standing history of seasonal rhinosinusitis presented with persistent nasal congestion, cough, and fever unresponsive to antihistamines and antibiotics. Histopathological evaluation of a polypoid nasal mass revealed an atypical infiltrate with predominantly small lymphoid cells that were CD2+, surface CD3-, cytoplasmic CD3+, CD5(dim)+, CD7(dim)+, cytotoxic markers (granzyme B and perforin)+, EBER+ and CD56-. The Ki-67 proliferative index was very low ( T). A diagnosis of low-grade ENKTCL-NT was rendered. Our case of ENKTCL-NT is unusual due to (1) an indolent clinical course (2) low-grade histopathologic features including a low proliferative index (3) lack of CD56 expression and (4) a novel KIT mutation. This case raises awareness of the existence of a subset of cases of ENKTCL-NT that can potentially be misdiagnosed as a reactive process, particularly in patients with recurrent chronic rhinosinusitis.
Supporting the Development of Professional Identity in the Millennial Learner.

* Abbreviations: I-CA2R2E — : individual connection, create, acknowledge and adjust, reflect and role model, and exchange PIF — : professional identity formation As teachers, we train learners to be knowledgeable and competent in the practice of medicine. No less important is the way teachers impact the development of learners’ professional identity. Social scientists in the 1950s noted medical education’s charge “to shape the novice into the effective practitioner of medicine, to give [them] the best available knowledge and skills, and to provide [the novice] with a professional identity so that [they] come to think, act, and feel like a physician.”1 Many have stressed the importance of curricula focused on learners’ personal and professional development.2 An awareness of professional identity development helps teachers understand some of the workplace differences noted between generations, particularly with millennial learners. Continuing the Council on Medical Student Education in Pediatrics series on great clinical teachers, our article focuses on supporting professional identity formation (PIF) in millennial learners. Professional identity formation (ie, the socialization and professionalization of a physician) develops in stages over time.3 PIF consists of ordering and reordering personal and professional priorities as one progresses from student to effective practitioner.3–5 This process has been linked to one’s personal identity development.6 Characteristics of 3 important stages of physician PIF include the following5: Address correspondence to Michael A. Barone, MD, MPH, National Board of Medical Examiners, 3750 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19104. E-mail: mbarone{at}nbme.org
Az alkalmazott és autonóm rajz összefonódása a képzőművészet határterületein: Liezen-Mayer Sándor két színházi függönytervéről

Stage curtains are works in the border zone between applied art and high art, having a special place on account of their function and peculiar theme in the oeuvre of some 19th century artists. In t...
Association of Continuous Assessment of Step Count by Remote Monitoring With Disability Progression Among Adults With Multiple Sclerosis

Importance Disability measures in multiple sclerosis (MS) fail to capture potentially important variability in walking behavior. More sensitive and ecologically valid outcome measures are needed to advance MS research. Objectives To assess continuous step count activity remotely among individuals with MS for 1 year and determine how average daily step count is associated with other measures of MS disability. Design, Setting, and Participants In a prospective longitudinal observational cohort study, 95 adults with relapsing or progressive MS who were able to walk more than 2 minutes with or without an assistive device were recruited between June 15, 2015, and August 8, 2016, and remotely monitored in their natural environment for 1 year. Patients were excluded if they had a clinical relapse within 30 days or comorbidity contributing to ambulatory impairment. Longitudinal analysis was performed from October 2017 to March 2018. Revised analysis was performed in December 2018. Intervention Activity monitoring of step count using a wrist-worn accelerometer. Main Outcomes and Measures Average daily step count compared with in-clinic assessments and patient-reported outcomes. Results Of the 95 participants recruited (59 women and 36 men; mean [SD] age, 49.6 [13.6] years [range, 22.0-74.0 years]), 35 (37%) had progressive MS, and the median baseline Expanded Disability Status Scale score was 4.0 (range, 0-6.5). At 1 year, 79 participants completed follow-up (83% retention). There was a modest reduction in accelerometer use during the 1 year of the study. A decreasing average daily step count during the study was associated with worsening of clinic-based outcomes (Timed 25-Foot Walk, β = −13.09;P Conclusions and Relevance Continuous remote activity monitoring of individuals with MS for 1 year appears to be feasible. In this study, a decreasing average daily step count during a 1-year period was associated with worsening of standard ambulatory measures but could also occur even when traditional disability measures remained stable. These results appear to support the prospect of using the average daily step count as a sensitive longitudinal outcome measure in MS and as a clinically relevant metric for targeted intervention.
Jugadores de veto y cambio constitucional: ¿Se puede desbloquear la Constitución de Pinochet?

Este articulo analiza las disposiciones de enmienda de la Constitucion chilena y las encuentra inusuales en una perspectiva comparada. Explica su peculiaridad desde las condiciones historicas de su adopcion original en 1925. Asi pues, encuentra que las disposiciones de enmienda son muy dificiles de superar, particularmente por las (justificadas) intenciones de reemplazar completamente la constitucion existente (de Pinochet). En consecuencia, no se pueden incluir enmiendas importantes en el nuevo proyecto, y es probable que la mayoria de las nuevas disposiciones tengan un caracter simbolico
Shylock, Bassanio, and the Jacob Narrative: Jewish Love and Christian Wealth in The Merchant of Venice

Shakespeare’s structural allusions to the Jacob narrative in The Merchant of Venice subvert traditional readings of the play, which posit Jew against Christian, law against charity, or wealth again...
Improved change monitoring using an ensemble of time series algorithms

Abstract An ensemble of time series algorithms improves land change monitoring. The methodology combines the Continuous Change Detection and Classification (CCDC; Zhu & Woodcock, 2014) and Cumulative Sum of Residuals (CUSUM) algorithms for break detection and the Chow Test (Chow, 1960) for removing false positives (or breaks in time series not representing land change). The algorithms included are based on fundamentally different approaches to change detection and therefore offer unique advantages. The ensemble, or the combination of the three algorithms, was applied to 3 Landsat scenes in the United States and the results were assessed based on their ability to correctly discern structural breaks from stable time periods. The CUSUM test was shown to detect significant breaks 84.18% of the time and the Chow Test correctly removed breaks in 87.4% of the breaks analyzed. The ensemble produced results with lower frequency of errors of omission and commission (Type-I and Type-II errors) than a single algorithm approach. These results indicate that using a combination of break detection algorithms can be an improvement over typical approaches that utilize only one algorithm.
Identifying adverse molecular features of HPV+ head and neck cancers using patient-derived models.

6057Background: Advancing therapy for human papilloma virus-related (HPV+) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is hindered by inadequate preclinical models and risk stratification tools. ...
Asymmetric synthesis of functionalized 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines.

Highly enantioselective rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation (>98% ee) and Sharpless epoxidation (>90% ee) of o-nitrocinnamyl substrates lead to intermediates that can be transformed into tetrahydroquinoline derivatives. Starting materials are produced in high-yielding Heck reactions of an o-nitroaryl iodide and α-acetamidoacrylate or methyl acrylate.
Presentations and outcomes of interstitial lung disease and the anti-Ro52 autoantibody

Distinct clinical presentations of interstitial lung disease (ILD) with the myositis-specific antibodies, including anti-synthetase antibodies, are well-recognized. However, the association between ILD and the myositis-associated antibodies, including anti-Ro52, is less established. Our objectives were to compare presenting phenotypes of patients with anti-Ro52 alone versus in combination with myositis-specific autoantibodies and to identify predictors of disease progression or death. We performed a retrospective cohort study of 73 adults with ILD and a positive anti-Ro52 antibody. We report clinical features, treatment, and outcomes. The majority of patients with ILD and anti-Ro52 had no established connective tissue disease (78%), and one-third had no rheumatologic symptoms. Thirteen patients (17.8%) required ICU admission for respiratory failure, with 84.6% all-cause mortality. Of the 73 subjects, 85.7% had a negative SS-A, and 49.3% met criteria for idiopathic pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF). The 50 patients with anti-Ro52 alone were indistinguishable from patients with anti-Ro52 plus a myositis-specific autoantibody. ICU admission was associated with poor outcomes (HR 12.97, 95% CI 5.07–34.0, p = 1:320 were associated with better outcomes (HR 0.4, 95% CI 0.16–0.97, p = 0.04, and HR 0.29, 95% CI 0.09–0.81, p = 0.03, respectively). Presentations of ILD with the anti-Ro52 antibody are heterogeneous, and outcomes are similar when compared to anti-Ro52 plus myositis-specific antibodies. Testing for anti-Ro52 may help to phenotype unclassifiable ILD patients, particularly as part of the serologic criteria for IPAF. Further research is needed to investigate treatment of ILD in the setting of anti-Ro52 positivity.
Arterial spin labeling versus 18F-FDG-PET to identify mild cognitive impairment.

Abstract Neurodegenerative biomarkers support diagnosis and measurement of disease progression in the Alzheimer's disease (AD) continuum. 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography (18F-FDG-PET), which measures glucose metabolism, is one of the most commonly used biomarkers of neurodegeneration, but is expensive and requires exposure to ionizing radiation. Arterial Spin Labeled (ASL) perfusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) provides non invasive quantification of cerebral blood flow (CBF), which is believed to be tightly coupled to glucose metabolism. Here we aimed to compare the performances of ASL derived CBF and 18F-FDG-PET derived standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) in discriminating patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) from older Controls. 2D pseudo continuous ASL and 18F-FDG-PET data with adequate scan quality from 50 MCI study participants (age=73.0 ± 7.0 years, 16 female) and 35 older controls (age=70.2 ± 6.9 years, 20 female), acquired in close temporal proximity, usually on the same day, were considered for this study. We assessed Control-patient group differences both at voxel level and within a priori regions of interest (ROIs). We also compared their area under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) with mean CBF or SUVR in a priori selected posterior cingulate cortex (PCC). CBF and 18F-FDG-PET showed abnormalities in similar areas, particularly in medial temporoparietal regions, consistent with the typically observed pattern of prodromal AD. The hypoperfusion pattern with relative CBF (obtained by normalizing voxel CBF values with mean CBF in putamen) was more localized than with absolute CBF. Pearson's correlation coefficients between the T-scores corresponding to the group-differences obtained with 18F-FDG-PET SUVR and absolute and relative ASL CBF were 0.46 and 0.43 (p
Comparison of driving capacity among patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and healthy controls using the lane change task.

Abstract Objective Compare driving capacity of individuals with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and healthy controls (HC) using a driving simulation program. Methods A prospective study was performed on individuals with ALS who reported they were still driving, and a group of HCs. Demographic data included age and gender. Assessment included cognitive assessments (Montreal cognitive assessment [MoCA] and ALS Cognitive Behavioral Scale [ALS-CBS]); gait speed (m/s); ALS Functional Rating Scale-revised total score (ALSFRS-R); and simulated driving assessment (Lane Change Task [LCT]). The LCT is a simple assessment tool which simulates the visual, cognitive, and motor demands of driving to detect at-risk drivers and uses distractions (secondary tasks) to quantify the performance loss on the primary task (lane changes). Results Twenty-eight individuals with ALS (22 males, mean age 64 years) and 20 HCs (7 males, mean age 59 years) were studied. Individuals with mild to moderate ALS (ALSFRS-R mean 36.2) were older, had mild cognitive difficulty (MoCA 24 vs 27; ALS-CBS 14.19 [SD 3.85]) and mobility decline (gait speed 1.1 vs 1.4 m/s) compared to HC. Driving assessment using the LCT found no differences in baseline scores or during motor, cognitive, or visually distracting conditions. Conclusions Individuals with ALS with mild to moderate disease progression, with cognitive and motor weakness still demonstrate similar driving capacity to HCs using a driving simulation task. Driving assessment needs to be expanded longitudinally and perhaps with more robust measures to more precisely identify types of driving challenges that lead to cessation of driving in individuals with ALS.
Report of Epodemiology Workshop: Introduction

As a result of a growing body of knowledge about variations in the volume and composition of human milk, many questions have arisen concerning the determinants of lactational performance, the effects of human milk upon the recipient infant, and the effects of breast feeding on both infant and mother. Inasmuch as information from the basic and clinical sciences does not suffice to answer these questions, epidemiologic studies in populations living in different environments are needed both for testing hypotheses evolving from basic and clinical studies and for developing public health methods to improve the performance, health, and survival of infants and their mothers.
Bi-Directional Gated Recurrent Unit Based Ensemble Model for the Early Detection of Sepsis

Early prediction of sepsis is essential to give the patient timely treatment since each hour of delayed treatment has been associated with an increase in mortality. Current sepsis detection systems rely on empirical Clinical Decision Rules(CDR)s, which are based on vital signs that can be collected from the bedside. The main disadvantages of CDRs include questions of generalizability and performance variance when applied to the populations different from the groups used for derivation and often take years to develop and validate. This paper proposes a deep learning model using Bi-Directional Gated Recurrent Units(GRU), which uses a wide range of parameters that are associated with vitals, laboratory, and demographics of patients. The proposed model has an area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) of 0.97, outperforming all the existing systems in the current literature. The model can handle the missing data, and irregular sampling intervals frequently present in medical records.Clinical relevance—The proposed model can be used to predict the onset of sepsis 6 hours ahead of time by the use of a machine learning algorithm. This proposed method outperforms the sepsis prediction machine learning models found in the current literature.
Cow/Calf Production Records:

The use of records in a production medicine program can vary from the simple to the complex. Regardless of the degree of sophistication in the system, records should accurately document events occurring in the herd. Historians and politicians frequently use the phrase. "How do we know where we are going, if we don't know where we have been?" Records leave a written documentation for others to follow. The development of production medicine programs depend to a large degree on informaton transfer between the producer, veterinarian, and various resource people involved in production agriculture. This exchange of ideas and concepts should result in cost efficient beef production for the enterprise. Each person plays a significant role. The producer establishes goals for the operation and provides day-to-day observations and documentation. The veterinarian provides documentation, technical and decisionmaking skills. Resource personnel provide the latest economic and technical information. The use of production records allows all parties involved to evaluate the operation's performance from a production and economic perspective while taking advantage of available technology.
Bargaining and Opinion Assignment on the US Supreme Court

We formulate a new game-theoretic model of bargaining on the US Supreme Court. In the model, a degree of monopoly power over policy endogenously accrues to the assigned writer despite an “open rule” permitting other justices to make counteroffers. We assume justices are motivated ultimately by a concern for judicial policy, but that the policy impact of an opinion depends partly on its persuasiveness, clarity, and craftsmanship—its legal quality. The effort cost of producing a high-quality opinion creates a wedge that the assignee can exploit to move an opinion from the median without provoking a winning counteroffer. We use this bargaining model as the foundation for a formal analysis of opinion assignment. Both the bargaining and opinion assignment models display rich and tractable comparative statics, allowing them to explain well-known empirical regularities, as well as to generate new propositions, all within a unified and internally consistent framework.
Myofibroblast dedifferentiation proceeds via distinct transcriptomic and phenotypic transitions

Myofibroblasts are the major cellular source of collagen, and their accumulation - via differentiation from fibroblasts and resistance to apoptosis - is a hallmark of tissue fibrosis. Clearance of myofibroblasts by dedifferentiation and restoration of apoptosis sensitivity has the potential to reverse fibrosis. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and mitogens such as FGF2 have each been shown to dedifferentiate myofibroblasts, but - to our knowledge - the resultant cellular phenotypes have neither been comprehensively characterized or compared. Here, we show that PGE2 elicited dedifferentiation of human lung myofibroblasts via cAMP/PKA, while FGF2 utilized MEK/ERK. The 2 mediators yielded transitional cells with distinct transcriptomes, with FGF2 promoting but PGE2 inhibiting proliferation and survival. The gene expression pattern in fibroblasts isolated from the lungs of mice undergoing resolution of experimental fibrosis resembled that of myofibroblasts treated with PGE2 in vitro. We conclude that myofibroblast dedifferentiation can proceed via distinct programs exemplified by treatment with PGE2 and FGF2, with dedifferentiation occurring in vivo most closely resembling the former.
Evaluation of Augmented Reality Application Usage and Measuring Students’ Attitudes toward Instrumentation

Incorporation of previously reported AR technology (ARiEL) for a general chemistry laboratory was attempted for the second time, a replication effort designed to provide students with an option to read about the nature of instruments used in an experiment. Students’ app usage was tracked to understand the type and amount of information accessed, and the original Attitudes toward the Subject of Chemistry (ASCI) was modified and validated using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to measure students’ attitudes toward instrumentation. The results of these assessments indicated that students preferred information directly related to the target experiment, and the amount of time spent accessing information deemed less essential to the task at hand was not substantial. Nevertheless, the modified ASCI measurements suggested positive changes in both cognitive and affective domains of students’ attitudes, overall. These results were in agreement with the initial study of ARiEL, implying that an additional system such as ARiEL could be helpful for general chemistry students in making instrumentation more approachable.
Abstract P16: Alteplase Within 4.5 Hours via Telemedicine and In-Person for Central or Branch Retinal Artery Occlusion vs Medical Management

Introduction: Central or branch retinal artery occlusion (CRAO/BRAO) results in acute monocular vision loss. Only one prospective study of IV tPA use within 4.5 hours with a recent updated patient-...
Spatial segmentation for processing videos for farming automation

Abstract A camera mounted on the front of a large agricultural machine captures a rich collection of visual data. Powerful cues about the upcoming field can be extracted through video processing. However, to access these cues requires methods to focus only on a specific region of the video frame, for example, the region containing the vehicle attachment or the upcoming field. To separate these different spatial regions in farming videos, this paper presents a spatial segmentation method using a rapidly-trained classifier. This classifier is trained on low-level hand-crafted features with limited data and can be easily adapted to different farming applications. We consider two applications here: classifying farming activities and automatic control to lift the header of a combine harvester. We demonstrate experimentally that the segmentation algorithm enables activity classification accuracy of 87%, as well as a prediction error of about 1.3 s on the correct time to lift the combine header.
A fast Data-Driven method for genotype imputation, phasing, and local ancestry inference: MendelImpute.jl.

Motivation Current methods for genotype imputation and phasing exploit the volume of data in haplotype reference panels and rely on hidden Markov models. Existing programs all have essentially the same imputation accuracy, are computationally intensive, and generally require pre-phasing the typed markers. Results We introduce a novel data-mining method for genotype imputation and phasing that substitutes highly efficient linear algebra routines for hidden Markov model calculations. This strategy, embodied in our Julia program MendelImpute.jl, avoids explicit assumptions about recombination and population structure while delivering similar prediction accuracy, better memory usage, and an order of magnitude or better run-times compared to the fastest competing method. MendelImpute operates on both dosage data and unphased genotype data and simultaneously imputes missing genotypes and phase at both the typed and untyped SNPs. Finally, MendelImpute naturally extends to global and local ancestry estimation and lends itself to new strategies for data compression and hence faster data transport and sharing. Availability Software, documentation, and scripts to reproduce our results are available from https://github.com/OpenMendel/MendelImpute.jl. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available from Bioinformatics online.
Twitter and Instagram Use in the Urology Residency Application Process.

Abstract Objectives : To define urology applicant attitudes and usage trends of social media (SM) during the 2021 urology match cycle. Methods : We emailed an anonymous, de-identified 22-question, multiple choice survey to all applicants to our institution for the 2021 Urology Residency Match. We asked participants about use of SM and which aspects they found useful in the application process. Univariate descriptive analyses were conducted based on survey responses. Chi-square analyses were performed to define significant differences in use of social media and resultant match outcomes. Results : Of the 528 students who registered for the 2021 AUA Match, 398 received our survey (75%), and 144 responded (27% of applicants nationwide). Of survey participants, 49% made a new account on Twitter while 30% had a preexisting account. Most participants (71%) had a preexisting Instagram account, while only 3% made a new account. Most participants agreed Twitter was used as a source to gather information about programs (84%) and learn about events (89%). Participants found SM most helpful for announcing event dates (71%) and highlighting resident social life (59%). Applicants did not match more highly on their rank lists if they used Twitter (p=0.427) or Instagram (p=0.166) and were not more likely to get more interviews if they used Twitter (p=0.246) or Instagram (p=0.114) Conclusions : Applicants found Twitter to be an important source of information through the virtual interview process. Despite the use of SM by most applicants, published content did not impact rank list decisions nor did SM engagement predict match outcomes.
Donor Age and Time in Culture Affect Dermal Fibroblast Contraction in a Hydrogel Skin Graft Model

Regenerating functional skin without the formation of scar tissue remains an important goal for Tissue Engineering. Current hydrogel-based grafts minimize contraction of full-thickness skin wounds and support skin regeneration using adult or neonatal foreskin dermal fibroblasts, which are often expanded in vitro and used after multiple passages. Based on the known effects of 2D tissue culture expansion on cellular proliferation and gene expression, we hypothesized that differences in donor age and time in culture may also influence the functionality of 3D skin constructs by affecting fibroblast-mediated graft contraction. To validate these predicted differences in fibroblast phenotype and resulting 3D graft model contraction, we isolated porcine dermal fibroblasts of varying donor age for use in a 2D proliferation assay and a 3D cell-populated collagen matrix contractility assay. In 2D cell culture, doubling time remained relatively consistent between all age groups from passage 1 to 6. In the contractility assays, fetal and neonatal groups contracted faster and generated more contractile force than the adult group at passage 1. However, after 5 passages in culture, there was no difference in contractility between groups. These results show how cellular responses differ based on donor age and time in culture, which could account for important differences in biomanufacturing of 3D hydrogel-based skin grafts. Future research and therapies using bioengineered skin grafts should consider how results may vary based on donor age and time in culture before seeding. IMPACT STATEMENTLittle is known about the impact of donor age and time in culture on the contraction of the 3D hydrogel-based graft. These results show how cellular phenotypes differ based on donor age and time in culture, which could account for important inconsistencies in biomanufacturing of skin grafts and in vitro models. These findings are relevant to research and therapies using bioengineered skin graft models and the results can be used to increase reproducibility and consistency during the production of bioengineered skin constructs. Future in vivo studies could help determine the best donor age and time in culture for improved wound healing outcomes or more reproducible in vitro testing constructs.
A Look at Restaurant Commissaries

Restaurant commissaries range the full spectrum from simple storage of food and supplies to multi-milliondollar processing plants. The author discusses the cost effectiveness of commissary units, including their operating costs, quality control, and scope.
Cellular Immune Response to Viruses and the Biological Role of Polymorphic Major Transplantation Antigens

The various categories of infectious agents that confront higher vertebrate hosts are quite different with respect to acuteness and rapidity of the disease process they incite. Consequently, the evolutionary or selective pressure that ultimately determines whether the relationship between parasite and host becomes symbiotic or parasitic is also decisive in shaping a particular part of the host physiology specifically for that function. Since most parasites have an enormously faster generation cycle than the vertebrate host, the parasites’ adaptive capacity is much the greater of the two. The ultimate equilibrium of the host-parasite relationship and their relative capacity to adapt mutually are obviously determined by both parties. What establishes this balance is poorly understood, but, viewed teleologically, survival of both parasite and host seems to keep the relationship in check. Within the vertebrate host whose reactive systems are called into play by such infections, immune responses by antibodies and cells (reviewed in Notkins, 1975, Bloom and Rager-Zisman, 1975; Blanden et al., 1976b), nonspecific resistance by macrophages (Lindenmann et al., 1978; Cheers and McKenzie, 1978) or other cells, past and present experience with infection, as well as concurrent infections all play some part.
Ribonucleotide Reductase from Euglena gracilis, a Deoxyadenosylcobalamin-dependent Enzyme

Abstract A ribonucleotide reductase requiring 5'-deoxyadenosylcobalamin has been detected in Euglena gracilis var. bacillaris by measuring 3H exchange from labeled coenzyme to water. Extracts were partially purified by centrifugation, dialysis, and treatment with MnCl2. These extracts catalyzed the reduction of ribonucleoside triphosphates to the corresponding deoxyribonucleotides as measured by colorimetric assay with the diphenylamine procedure. The enzyme required 5'-deoxyadenosylcobalamin, a dithiol, and a ribonucleoside triphosphate for exchange activity and reduction. Monothiols could not replace the dithiol requirement. Ribonucleoside diphosphates were slightly active as substrates in both assay systems. Mg++, at low concentrations, did not affect the reaction; at concentrations greater than 2 mm, this ion was inhibitory. The reduction of ribonucleotides was inhibited by adding deoxyribonucleotides other than the immediate products; e.g. ATP reduction was inhibited by adding dGTP, dCTP, or dUTP, but not by dATP. dTTP inhibited the reduction of all ribonucleotides to the greatest extent. The molecular weight of this enzyme, determined by sucrose density gradient centrifugation, was approximately 145,000. Extracts of Ochromonas malhamensis and Ochromonas danica showed no activity in the 3H exchange assay under similar conditions.
Distinct ethanol drinking microstructures in two replicate lines of mice selected for drinking to intoxication

The High Drinking in the Dark (HDID) mice have been selectively bred for reaching high blood ethanol concentrations (BECs) following the limited access Drinking in the Dark (DID) test. We have shown previously that mice from the first HDID replicate line (HDID-1) drink in larger, but not longer, ethanol drinking bouts than the low-drinking HS/Npt control mice when consuming modest amounts in the DID test. Here, we assessed drinking microstructure in HDID-1 mice during binge-like levels of ethanol intake using a lickometer system. Mice from both HDID replicates (HDID-1 and -2) and HS mice were also given three DID tests (single-bottle ethanol, two-bottle choice and single-bottle saccharin) using a continuously recording BioDAQ system to determine whether there are selection-dependent changes in drinking microstructure. Larger ethanol bout size in the HDID-1 mice than the HS mice was found to be due to a larger lick volume in these mice. HDID-1 and HDID-2 mice were also seen to have different drinking microstructures that both resulted in high intake and high BECs. The HDID-1 mice drank in larger ethanol bouts than HS, whereas HDID-2 mice drank in more frequent bouts. This pattern was also seen in two-bottle choice DID. The HDID-2 mice had a high bout frequency for all fluid types tested, whereas the large bout size phenotype of the HDID-1 mice was specific to alcohol. These findings suggest that selection for drinking to intoxication has resulted in two distinct drinking microstructures, both of which lead to high BECs and high ethanol intake.
Assessing peak-to-average power ratios for communications applications

High peak-to-average ratio (PAR) is a significant drawback for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM). Accordingly, many authors have proposed different PAR reduction methods that rely on different trade-offs. It is important to quantify the effectiveness of an individual PAR reduction method. The PAR at a certain probability level (10/sup -4/, 10/sup -5/, etc) has proven to be a popular but inconsistent metric. We propose to use the expected PAR, E[PAR], as a metric to compare the different PAR reduction methods, in this paper we derive a closed form expression for the E[PAR] for the selected mapping (SLM) approach. We also evaluate SLM in terms of its computational cost as characterized by the expected number of different phase mappings to be tried.
Characterization of the Binding Protein for Epidermal Growth Factor

Abstract Physical, chemical, and enzymatic properties of the protein which binds epidermal growth factor (EGF) have been examined. A molecular weight of 29,300 was determined from sedimentation equilibrium studies, in agreement with a value of 30,000 calculated from the s020, w (2.83 S) and D020, w (8.73 x 10-7 cm2 s-1). It has an E1%1 cm at 280 nm of 15.6 and the isoelectric point is 5.6. The circular dichroic spectrum indicates a major nonhelical character with a minor amount of α helical structure. The amino acid composition was determined. No free sulfhydryl groups were detected. Hexosamine analysis revealed the presence of glucosamine and galactosamine. EGF-binding protein was found to be an arginine esterase with a restricted substrate specificity. Kinetic studies of the catalytic hydrolysis of Nα-benzoyl-l-arginine ethyl ester revealed a Km of 130 µm and a pH optimum in the range of pH 7.8 to 8.5, where the specific activity is approximately 390 µmoles per min per mg. This arginine esterase is not identical, but is related antigenically, to the arginine esterases associated with the nerve growth factor complex. The EGF-binding protein is postulated to function in the enzymatic liberation of active EGF from an inactive precursor.
Space Station Freedom assembly sequence - History, methods, and status

The goal of SSF assembly sequence design is to yield an operations-capable configuration at each stage of construction. Among the primary considerations of sequence designers are launcher payload-mass constraints, EVA time capabilities, and the ensuring of sufficient functionality at each construction stage. Trade studies are conducted to examine alternative hardware-delivery sequences; every iteration of this process either refines existing margins or reflects the redesign of one of the various elements.
Somatosensory input to auditory association cortex in the macaque monkey.

We investigated the convergence of somatosensory and auditory inputs in within subregions of macaque auditory cortex. Laminar current source density and multiunit activity profiles were sampled wit...
Simplified Asymptotic Solutions of Differential Equations Having Two Turning Points, with an Application to Legendre Functions

Asymptotic approximations of differential equations of the form are obtained, for the case , uniformly valid for real or complex values of x lying in bounded or unbounded intervals or regions. Here, , and have no singularities inside the interval or region under consideration, and does not vanish except at a critical point where it has a double zero. By an appropriate Liouville transformation, along with a perturbation of the new independent variable, uniform asymptotic approximations involving parabolic cylinder functions are obtained. These approximations are accompanied by strict and realistic error bounds, and the new theory is applied to obtain a uniform asymptotic approximation for the associated Legendre function with m and n large, with positive and bounded.
Richard Hill, The New International Telecommunication Regulations and the Internet: A Commentary and Legislative History

In December 2012, news of a UN effort to take control of the Internet spread like wildfire around the world. The story related to the World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT), alleging an attempt by authoritarian and nondemocratic governments to assert greater control over digital information flows through the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) International Telecommunication Regulation Treaty. Coverage was extraordinarily one-sided, reflecting a lack of understanding over the history of regulating international information flows, as well as the stakes and agendas involved while often projecting a naive myth of the undeniable value of free flows of information.
Modeling and Likelihood Prediction of Prefabrication Feasibility for Electrical Construction Firms

AbstractElectrical contracting firms have consistently pursued industrializing their business through the implementation of prefabrication, lean production, and supply chain integration. Despite the pioneering prefabrication efforts of electrical contractors, there is still no clear understanding of the determinants of electrical prefabrication feasibility in terms of supply chain collaboration and surrounding industry requirements. Accordingly, this paper presents the development of prediction models of prefabrication feasibility for electrical contractors. The research tasks of this study were performed in three main phases. The first phase included various data collection tasks, including conducting semistructured interviews, providing an online questionnaire, and obtaining relevant local economic data of the respondents’ metropolitan areas. The second phase involved the utilization of the collected questionnaire responses and economic data to develop logistic regression models that relate the prefabri...
A role for Engrailed-2 in determination of skeletal muscle physiologic properties.

The molecular basis underlying the establishment of the myogenic lineage, subsequent differentiation, and the establishment of specific fiber types (i.e., fast versus slow) is becoming well understood. In contrast, the regulation of the general properties of a specific anatomical muscle group (e.g., leg versus jaw muscles) and the regulation of muscle-fiber properties within a particular group are less well characterized. We have investigated the potential role of the homeobox-containing gene, Engrailed-2 (En-2), in the mouse, which is specifically expressed in myoblasts in the first arch and maintained in the muscles of mastication in the adult. We have generated mice that ectopically express En-2 in all muscles during early development and primarily in fast muscles in the adult. Ectopic En-2 in nonjaw muscles leads to a decrease in fiber size, whereas overexpression in the jaw muscles leads to a shift in fiber metabolic properties as well as a decrease in fiber size. In contrast, loss of En-2 in the jaw leads to a shift in fiber metabolic properties in the jaw of female mice only. Jaw muscles are sexually dimorphic, and we propose that the function of En-2 and mechanisms guiding sexual dimorphism of the jaw muscles are integrated. We conclude that the specific expression of En-2 in the jaw therefore plays a role in specifying muscle-fiber characteristics that contribute to the physiologic properties of specific muscle groups.