cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quasi-Three-Level Lasers

One of the key developments in the renaissance in solid-state laser technology has been the rapid improvement of diode laser pump sources.1–3 Some of the advantages of diode-pumping relative to lamp-pumping of solid-state lasers include higher overall efficiency, reduced thermal loading of the gain medium, higher reliability, and reduced size. In addition, there are other important differences between these two types of pump sources. For example, diode lasers have higher spectral and spatial brightness, in other words, the diode laser output is narrowband spectrally, and it is directional. The consequence is that much higher volumetric pumping density can be achieved using diode-laser pumps even with low power single-stripe diode lasers relative to high-power lamps. The high pump densities has led to the demonstration of good laser performance at room temperature of several transitions that performed only poorly or not at all at room temperature under lamp pumping. These transitions in rare-earth ions include the 4F3/2- 4I9/2 near 0.94 µm in Nd3+,4–6 the 5I7 - 5I8 near 2.1 µm in Ho3+,7–10 the 3F4 -3H6 near 2.0 µm in Tm3+,11–13 the 4I13/2 - 4I15/2 near 1.5 µm in Er3+,13,14 and the 2F5/2 - 2F7/2 near 1.0 µm in Yb3+ (refs. 15, 16) as shown in Fig. 1. The common element in these laser transitions is that the lower laser levels are in the ground-state multiplet which means that the lower laser levels are only a few hundred cm-1 above the ground state. Thus the lower levels have significant population in thermal equilibrium at room temperature since kT is 207 cm-1 at 300 K. This is in contrast to the common four-level Nd3+ transition near 1.06 µm which has a lower level about 10kT above the ground-state at 300 K thus can be considered unpopulated in thermal equilibruim, or ruby in which the lower laser level is the ground-state. With lamp-pumping, these lasers with lower levels in the ground-state manifold were typically operated at cryogenic temperatures to reduce the lower-level population in thermal equilibruim; at sufficiently low temperature these lasers become four-level lasers and efficient, low threshold performance was obtained.
The Economics of Learning

Psychologists and educators have been concerned with learning behavior for some time. We now know a good deal about the learning process, particularly among the lower-order animals; however, it is abundantly clear from experience that educators have a long way to go before much can be said about how “students” learning within a classroom setting can be improved. The federal government and foundations such as the Ford and the Rockefeller have spent literally billions of dollars over the past several decades researching the learning and educational processes. Unfortunately, researchers have all too frequently concluded that there is no difference between their experimental and control groups—that nothing appears to work in the classroom.
SHELLFISH (MOLLUSCS AND CRUSTACEA) | Shellfish Contamination and Spoilage

This article discusses present and future food safety and food quality challenges for the shellfish industry. Current management strategies and limitations for the problem of foodborne bacteria and viruses, vibrio bacteria, parasites, biotoxins, and chemical pollutants are discussed. Postharvest treatments and intervention strategies for viruses and vibrio bacteria are also discussed.
Variants of the VDR gene and risk of colon cancer (United States).

Objectives: Genetic factors involved in regulating cell growth, such as the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene, may contribute to the etiology of colon cancer. Methods: Using data from a population-based case–control study of colon cancer and from a family-based study of cases with colon cancer and population-based controls, we evaluated the association between four variants of the VDR gene and risk of colon cancer. Results: The polyA (short), BsmI (BB), and TaqI (tt) variants of the VDR gene were in linkage disequilibrium in this mostly Caucasian population. These variants were associated with reduced risk of colon cancer (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.3–0.9). The FokI variant was not associated with colon cancer risk. Although estimates of association were imprecise, there were suggestions that associations were slightly stronger for women than men, for people diagnosed at a younger age, and for those with proximal tumors. Consistent associations were observed from sporadic cases of colon cancer from a population-based study as well as from colon cancer cases from a family-based study. There were no interactions observed by family history. Conclusions: These data suggest that molecular variants of the VDR gene may be related to the development of colon cancer. To further define the impact of the VDR gene on cancer etiology, studies to evaluate the association of these variants with diet and lifestyle factors are needed.
Case Studies in Dropping Out and Dropping Back In.

Michelle Fine notes that dropping out of school is impacted by a school atmosphere which seemingly invites students to disappear (Fine, 1991). Likewise, researchers from the Claremont Graduate School of Education concluded after a year of intensive participatory research in a variety of schools that the issues which normally fill national education reports are not the issues which first reach the lips of students and teachers. Relationships and values were more pressing issues for these students and teachers than national standards (Institute for Education in Transformation, 1992). Moved by this participatory experience Mary Poplin writes, "Because of the intensity of human interactions every day inside schools, there is no place where the despair of the nation or the desperation to transform it is greater" (p. 9). My own study of 20 dropouts found the most common theme to be their complaints about the anonymity, the uncaring, and the humiliation experienced in school (Epstein, 1989). The 20 youngsters in this study returned to a public alternative school where they earned high school diplomas. They subsequently attended four-year colleges and in each case, by the time of my interview, they had successfully completed several years of college work. In this article I share the reflections of two of these youngsters and then ask the following questions: What differences do they note between the
The Effects of Competition on Prescription Payments in Retail Pharmacy Markets

Using pharmacy claims from New Hampshire between 2009 and 2011, I study the extent to which pharmacy competition affects prescription payments. I measure pharmacy competition by the distance to nearby rivals, as well as a fixed‐travel‐time Herfindahl–Hirschman index (HHI) (Dunn and Shapiro 2014). After controlling for various factors, including insurer, pharmacy, drug, and area characteristics, I find higher average drug prices in more concentrated seller (pharmacy) markets, but lower prices in more concentrated buyer (insurer) markets. Ceteris paribus, pharmacies with high market power (concentration in the 90th percentile) charge 2.78% more than those with low market power (concentration in the 10th percentile). The distance effect is more pronounced if a nearby pharmacy belongs to the same national chain. In addition, I show heterogeneous distance effects across different drug types and areas. My analysis contributes to the empirical literature on competition measures by adding new evidence from the retail pharmaceutical market.
Description and analysis of patients and outcomes following third-time heart transplantation: An analysis of the United Network for Organ Sharing database from 1985 to 2017.

BACKGROUND Following second heart transplantation (HTx), some patients experience graft failure and require third-time heart transplantation. Little data exist to guide decision-making with regard to repeat retransplantation in older patients. METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of patients receiving a third HTx, as identified in the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database from 1985 to 2017. RESULTS The study cohort consisted of N = 60 patients, with an average age of 29 with a standard deviation of ±18 years. Overall survival for the cohort at 1, 5, and 10 years is 83%, 64%, and 44%, respectively. The rate of third-time HTxs has steadily increased in all age groups. Patients older than 50 years now account for 18.3% of all third-time HTxs. Although this group demonstrated longer average previous graft survival, after third HTx they demonstrate significantly poorer survival outcomes compared to third-time HTx recipients younger than 21 (P = 0.05). Age over 50, BMI over 30, and diabetes were all found to be independent risk factors for decreased survival following third HTx. CONCLUSIONS We describe trends in patients undergoing third HTx. We highlight subsets of such recipients who exhibit decreased survival.
Gut microbes and behavior

Alterations in the interactions between the gut microbiome, its metabolites, and the brain have been implicated in numerous brain disorders, including developmental disorders, disorders of mood and affect, neurodegenerative disorders, autoimmune conditions, eating disorders and functional gastrointestinal disorders. The specific components of brain gut microbiome disorders include disturbances of the microbial community and metabolite production, altered bidirectional signaling from the gut microbes to the brain and associated alterations in brain structure and function. These disruptions are correlated with the severity of clinical symptoms and disease progression in human and mouse models. Novel therapies are being directed at targets within the brain gut microbiome axis and include prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics, antibiotics, and fecal microbiota transplants.
Management of Chronic Pain in Adults Living With Sickle Cell Disease in the Era of the Opioid Epidemic: A Qualitative Study

Importance The hallmark of sickle cell disease (SCD) is vaso-occlusive pain that may be acute and episodic or may progress to chronic, persistent pain with unpredictable and disabling exacerbations. Patients with SCD rely on opioids almost exclusively for acute and chronic pain management. Objective To understand how the current opioid epidemic and subsequent guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are associated with the management of acute and chronic pain for patients with SCD. Design, Setting, and Participants Qualitative study using semistructured interview guides. Interviews 1 hour or longer were conducted over the telephone. Participants were adults (aged ≥18 years) diagnosed with SCD who experienced pain on 3 or more days per week recruited from national SCD conferences, symposiums, and 2 sickle cell clinics. Open coding analysis facilitated thematic analysis of interview transcripts. Data collection took place from May 2017 to June 2018. Main Outcomes and Measures Participant perspective of any changes to their pain management associated with the 2016 guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Results The 15 adults interviewed had a median (range) age of 32 (21-52) years; 13 (87%) were female; and all were of African American race/ethnicity. Participants reported that recently their opioid prescriptions had become more restrictive, were more closely monitored, and were increasingly difficult to fill in pharmacies. Participants also described increased stigmatization about opioid use and that their medical care was being affected by the physician’s exclusive focus on reducing pain medication use. There was an emerging interest among adult patients in the consideration of the use of alternative therapies, including marijuana, to manage pain. Conclusions and Relevance These findings suggest that from the perspective of adults living with SCD, the opioid epidemic may have negatively affected patients’ care by increasing barriers to opioids. Patients reported decreased opioid dosing, increased stigmatization regarding opioid use, physician preoccupation with opioid dosage interfering with comprehensive care, and lack of access to alternative therapies.
Open OnDemand: HPC for everyone

Open OnDemand is an open source project designed to lower the barrier to HPC use across many diverse disciplines. Here we describe the main features of the platform, give several use cases of Open OnDemand and discuss how we measure success. We end the paper with a discussion of the future project roadmap.
No Faculty Required: Use of a Health Literacy Low Inference Self-Assessment Measure to Promote Behavior Change.

Abstract Objective To determine if use of a health literacy low-inference, self-assessment measure (LISAM), promoted behavior change as measured by increased use of health literacy communication skills (HLCS). Methods The LISAM is a tool used by educators to self-assess their performances after giving a lecture. The tool is low inference because it self-assesses behaviors that are specific, with little room for subjectivity. Forty-four third-year medical students self-assessed HLCS using a LISAM modified to include health literacy communication skills (LISAM-HLCS). Self-assessment followed participation in an audio recorded, standardized patient encounter and again after listening to the recording. Students also created 3 written goals for improvement. This session was repeated 1 week later. Results At Session 2, 71.4% of students met at least 2 of their 3 self-created objectives. The 3 most commonly created objectives were using teach-back, asking more open ended questions, and obtaining patient input into the management plan. Use of the LISAM increased HLCS use at Session 2 versus Session 1 as assessed by both students and study investigators (P Conclusions Without faculty present, students met and adjusted objectives, catalyzing changes in HLCS. The LISAM-HLCS has the potential to empower students to improve communication skills and to reduce dependence on faculty observations.
“Make Way”: Pathogen exploitation of membrane traffic

Intracellular pathogens have evolved numerous strategies to manipulate their host cells to survive and replicate in a hostile environment. They often exploit membrane trafficking pathways to enter the cell, establish a replicative niche, avoid degradation and immune response, acquire nutrients and lastly, egress. Recent studies on membrane trafficking exploitation by intracellular pathogens have led to the discovery of novel and fascinating cell biology, including a noncanonical mechanism of ubiquitination and a novel mitophagy receptor. Thus, studying how pathogens target host cell membrane trafficking pathways is not only important for the development of new therapeutics, but also helps understanding fundamental mechanisms of cell biology.
ATYPICAL TAKOTSUBO CARDIOMYOPATHY ASSOCIATED WITH PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA

Pheochromocytoma is an under-recognized, catecholamine-producing tumor arising from adrenal medullary chromaffin cells. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a rare complication of pheochromocytoma. Compared to primary Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, heart failure and cardiogenic shock may be more common in cases
Development of a Flexible Tunable and Compact Microstrip Antenna via Laser Assisted Patterning of Copper Film

Design and rapid prototyping of a tunable and compact microstrip antenna for industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) band applications is presented in this paper. Laser machining is introduced as a fast and accurate method for the antenna fabrication. The antenna, with an overall dimension of $65\times 46\times0.127$ mm, was fabricated by sandwiching a flexible Kapton polyimide substrate, with a dielectric constant of 3.5, between two flexible copper tapes, as the radiating patch and ground plane, respectively. The radiating patch was patterned in a meander configuration, with three slots, demonstrating the capability to reduce the resonant frequency of the microstrip antenna from 2.4 GHz to 900 MHz, without increasing the overall size of the antenna (87% compact). The effect of mechanical stress on the antenna performance was investigated by performing bend and stretch tests. The antenna was subjected to compressive bend with a minimum radius of curvature of 86 mm and 150 mm along the x-axis and y-axis which resulted in a maximum increase of resonant frequency by 3.1% and 1.3%, respectively. Similarly, the antenna was subjected to tensile bend with a minimum radius of curvature of 79 mm and 162 mm along the x-axis and y-axis which resulted in a maximum decrease of the resonant frequency by 4.2% and 0.3%, respectively. An overall 0.9% decrease in the resonant frequency was measured for an applied strain of 0.09% during stretching the antenna along the y-axis.
"My Death Will Not [Be] in Vain": Testimonials from Last Gift Rapid Research Autopsy Study Participants Living with HIV at the End of Life.

End-of-life (EOL) HIV cure-related research provides a novel approach to studying HIV reservoirs. The Last Gift is a rapid autopsy research study at the University of California San Diego that enrolls terminally ill people living with HIV (PLWHIV) with a desire to contribute to HIV cure-related research. We conducted in-depth baseline and follow-up interviews with Last Gift study participants. We analyzed interview data applying conventional content analysis. Since summer 2017, 13 participants have been enrolled (n = 11 males and 2 females; aged 45-89 years) and 8 participants interviewed. Terminal illnesses included cancers, heart diseases, and neurodegenerative illnesses. Our analysis revealed five key themes: (1) The Last Gift study has tremendous meaning for participants at the end of their life. (2) HIV-specific altruism was a primary motivator to join the Last Gift study, nested within the context of community, scientific advancement, and moral obligation. (3) Participants did not expect physical benefits yet they perceived emotional/psychological, financial, and societal/scientific benefits. (4) There were minimal participant-perceived risks and concerns. (5) Last Gift participants expressed immense gratitude toward study staff. The Last Gift study provides a framework for ethical HIV cure-related research at EOL and highlighted participants' perspectives, motivations, and experiences. Knowing how PLWHIV understand and experience such studies will remain critical to designing ethical, fully informed HIV cure research protocols that are acceptable to PLWHIV.
Observer-Based Controllers for Incrementally Quadratic Nonlinear Systems With Disturbances

Robust global stabilization of nonlinear systems by observer-based feedback controllers is a challenging task. This article investigates the problem of designing observer-based stabilizing controllers for incrementally quadratic nonlinear systems with external disturbances. The nonlinearities considered in the system model satisfy the incremental quadratic constraints, which are characterized by incremental multiplier matrices and encompass many common nonlinearities. The simultaneous search for the observer and the controller gain matrices is formulated as a feasibility problem of linear matrix inequalities, for two parameterizations (i.e., the block diagonal parameterization and the block antitriangular parameterization) of the incremental multiplier matrices, respectively. The closed-loop system implementing the observer-based feedback controller is proven to be input-to-state stable with respect to external disturbances. Using the proposed continuous-time observer-based controllers, event-triggered controllers with time regularization are constructed for globally Lipschitz systems, such that the closed-loop system is Zeno-free and input-to-state practically stable.
Transcriptional subtyping explains phenotypic variability in genetic subtypes of autism spectrum disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication and presence of restricted, repetitive behaviors, and interests. However, individuals with ASD vary significantly in their challenges and abilities in these and other developmental domains. Gene discovery in ASD has accelerated in the past decade, and genetic subtyping has yielded preliminary evidence of utility in parsing phenotypic heterogeneity through genomic subtypes. Recent advances in transcriptomics have provided additional dimensions with which to refine genetic subtyping efforts. In the current study, we investigate phenotypic differences among transcriptional subtypes defined by neurobiological spatiotemporal co-expression patterns. Of the four transcriptional subtypes examined, participants with mutations to genes typically expressed highly in all brain regions prenatally, and those with differential postnatal cerebellar expression relative to other brain regions, showed lower cognitive and adaptive skills, higher severity of social communication deficits, and later acquisition of speech and motor milestones, compared to those with mutations to genes highly expressed during the postnatal period across brain regions. These findings suggest higher-order characterization of genetic subtypes based on neurobiological expression patterns may be a promising approach to parsing phenotypic heterogeneity among those with ASD and related neurodevelopmental disorders.
Who Publishes in Economic Education? A Bibliographic Analysis of the First 50 Years of the Journal of Economic Education:

We examined the characteristics of the authors who published academic articles in the Journal of Economic Education (JEE) during its first 50 years and identify those economists who were most produ...
Comparing the effects of an exposure to a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon mixture versus individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during monocyte to macrophage differentiation: Mixture exposure results in altered immune metrics

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are generated by the incomplete combustion of carbon. Exposures correlate with systemic immune dysfunction and overall immune suppression. Real-world exposures to PAHs are almost always encountered as mixtures; however, research overwhelmingly centers on isolated exposures to a single PAH, benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P). Here, a human monocyte line (U937) was exposed to B[a]P, benz[a]anthracene (B[a]A), or a mixture of six PAHs (6-MIX) to assess the differential toxicity on monocytes. Further, monocytes were exposed to PAHs with and without CYP1A1 inhibitors during macrophage differentiation to delineate PAH exposure and PAH metabolism-driven alterations to the immune response. U937 monocytes exposed to B[a]P, B[a]A, or 6-MIX had higher levels of cellular health and growth not observed following equimolar exposures to other individual PAHs. PAH exposures during differentiation did not alter monocyte-derived macrophage (MDM) numbers; however, B[a]A and 6-MIX exposures significantly altered M1/M2 polarization in a CYP1A1-dependent manner. U937-MDM adherence was differentially suppressed by all three PAH treatments with 6-MIX exposed U937-MDM having significantly more adhesion than U937-MDM exposed to either individual PAH. Finally, 6-MIX exposures during differentiation reduced U937-MDM endocytic function significantly less than B[a]A exposed cells. Exposure to a unique PAH mixture during U937-MDM differentiation resulted in mixture-specific alterations of pro-inflammatory markers compared to individual PAH exposures. While subtle, these differences highlight the probability that using a model PAH, B[a]P, may not accurately reflect the effects of PAH mixture exposures. Therefore, future studies should include various PAH mixtures that encompass probable real-world PAH exposures for the endpoints under investigation.
On Temporalities of Crisis and Puerto Rican Resistance

A review of the exhibition Temporal: Puerto Rican Resistance, curated by Dalina Aimee Perdomo Alvarez, on display at the Museum of Contemporary Photography in Chicago from July 7 to September 19, 2020. The review considers issues of U.S. colonialism, natural disaster, political repression, popular protest, and the temporality of crisis.
Cyanobacterial bloom phenology in Saginaw Bay from MODIS and a comparative look with western Lake Erie.

ABSTRACT Saginaw Bay and western Lake Erie basin (WLEB) are eutrophic catchments in the Laurentian Great Lakes that experience annual, summer-time cyanobacterial blooms. Both basins share many features including similar size, shallow depths, and equivalent-sized watersheds. They are geographically close and both basins derive a preponderance of their nutrient supply from a single river. Despite these similarities, the bloom phenology in each basin is quite different. The blooms in Saginaw Bay occur at the same time and place and at the same moderate severity level each year. The WLEB, in contrast, exhibits far greater interannual variability in the timing, location, and severity of the bloom than Saginaw Bay, consistent with greater and more variable phosphorus inputs. Saginaw Bay has bloom biomass that corresponds to relatively mild blooms in WLEB, and also has equivalent phosphorus loads. This result suggests that if inputs of P into the WLEB were reduced to similarly sized loads as Saginaw Bay the most severe blooms would be abated. Above 500 t P input, which occur in WLEB, blooms increase non-linearly indicating any reduction in P-input at the highest inputs levels currently occurring in the WLEB, would yield disproportionately large reductions in cyanobacterial bloom intensity. As the maximum phosphorus loads in Saginaw Bay lie just below this inflection point, shifts in the Saginaw Bay watershed toward greater agriculture uses and less wetlands may substantially increase the risk of more intense cyanobacterial blooms than presently occur.
Applications of Artificial Intelligence on the Modeling and Optimization for Analog and Mixed-Signal Circuits: A Review

Recently, there have been many studies attempting to take advantage of advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Analog and Mixed-Signal (AMS) circuit design. Automated circuit sizing optimization and improving the accuracy of performance models are the two predominant uses of AI in AMS circuit design. This paper first introduces and explains the basic concepts in AI especially the ones that are more suitable to this application. Next, it surveys some recent studies of various AI techniques for AMS circuit design. Then, it discusses the main approaches as well as the pros and cons of each method. Finally, it gives meaningful insights about the current challenges and open issues, as well as recommends approaches for specific applications.
Endometrial Cancer: Who Lives, Who Dies, Can We Improve Their Story?

BACKGROUND Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecologic cancer in the U.S. The objective of this cohort study was to characterize the clinical and pathologic features that are associated with endometrial cancer-specific death for women cared for at a single National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center. PATIENTS, MATERIALS, AND METHODS This is a retrospective cohort from 2014 to 2017 including all women who had a hysterectomy for EC. Charts were reviewed for clinical and pathologic data, focusing on survival outcomes. RESULTS Seven hundred seventy-one patients with EC underwent hysterectomy with 760 informative for outcomes. Seventy-six (10%) deaths were related to their EC; 62 women died from recurrent EC. Nonendometrioid histology and advanced stage were predictors of recurrence and EC death. Among patients with endometrioid ECs, mismatch repair status was significantly associated with EC-specific survival (relative risk = 4.8; 95% confidence interval, 2.3-10.3; p < .0001). Most patients with EC who recurred died of their disease 62/83 (74.7%). Nearly half of the patients that recurred (27/62) had no additional therapy at the time of recurrence. Overall survival was significantly longer for those women who had additional treatment at the time of recurrence; however, the improvement in overall survival with therapy at recurrence was largely attributable to effects in those women who were adjuvant therapy naive. CONCLUSION Although there is benefit of treatment at the time of recurrence for treatment-naive women; only approximately half of patients were able to receive therapy. There is an urgent need for continued efforts for more effective EC therapy in both the front-line and recurrent setting as well as early identification of cancer diagnosis and recurrence. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Approximately 10% of patients died of their endometrial cancer. Most deaths were from recurrent disease; however, almost 20% of endometrial cancer deaths were within 120 days of surgery. Although treatment at the time of recurrence improves overall survival, only approximately half of patients will receive therapy at the time of recurrence. Traditional prognostic features like histology and stage remain important to predict risk of recurrence, and newer biomarkers, such as mismatch repair status, may improve risk stratification and targeted therapy. There remains an urgent need for improved therapy and early detection of diagnosis and recurrence.
Investigation and Mitigation of Crosstalk in the Prototype ME0 GEM Detector for the Phase-2 Muon System Upgrade of the CMS Experiment: On behalf of the CMS Muon Group

The LHe is currently undergoing a high luminosity upgrade, which is set to increase the instantaneous luminosity by at least a factor of five. This luminosity increase will result in a higher muon flux rate in the forward region and overwhelm the current trigger system of the CMS experiment. The MEO, a gas electron multiplier detector, is proposed for the Phase-2 Muon System Upgrade for the CMS experiment to help increase the muon acceptance and to control the Level 1 muon trigger rate. A recent design iteration of this detector features GEM foils that are segmented on both sides, which helps to lower the probability of high voltage discharges. However, during preliminary testing of the chamber, substantial crosstalk between readout sectors was observed. Here, we investigate, characterize, and quantify the crosstalk present in the detector, and also estimate the performance of the chamber as a result of this crosstalk via simulation results of the detector dead time, efficiency loss, and frontend electronics response. The results of crosstalk via signals produced by applying a square voltage pulse directly on the readout strips of the detector with a signal generator are summarized. We also present the efficacy of mitigation strategies including bypass capacitors and increasing the area of the HV segments on the third GEM foil in the detector. We find that the crosstalk is a result of capacitive coupling between the readout strips on the readout board and between the readout strips and the bottom of the third GEM foil. Our results show that the crosstalk generally follows a pattern where the largest magnitude of crosstalk is within the same azimuthal readout segment in the detector, and in the next-nearest horizontal segments in eta. Generally, the bypass capacitors and increased area of the HV segments successfully lower the crosstalk in the sectors where they are located; on average, we observe a maximum decrease of crosstalk in sectors previously experiencing crosstalk from (1.66±0.03)% to (1.11±0.02)% with all HV segments connected in parallel on the bottom of the third GEM foil, with the addition of an HV low-pass filter connected to this electrode, and an HV divider. However, with these mitigation strategies, we also observe slightly increased crosstalk (≨ 0.4%) in readout sectors farther away.
Computer vision-based approach for smart traffic condition assessment at the railroad grade crossing

Abstract Slow-moving or stopped trains at highway-railroad grade crossings, especially in the populated metropolitan areas, not only cause significant traffic delays to commuters, but also prevent first responders from timely responding to emergencies. In this study, the researchers introduce an automated video analysis, detection and tracking system to evaluate the traffic conditions, analyze blocked vehicle behaviors at grade crossings, and predict the decongestion time under a simplified scenario. A novel YOLOv3-SPP+ model has been developed to improve the detection performance with dividing the image from finer to coarser levels and enhance local features. The SORT module has been integrated to the model for a simple yet efficient manner to track vehicles at the railroad grade crossing. Two field datasets at the Columbia, SC, with train blockage video records have been tested. The model training performance has been evaluated by mAP @0.5, F1 score, and total loss. Based on the training results, our model outperforms other YOLO series models. The field tracking performance has been assessed by the ratio between prediction and ground truth. The mean value of accuracy of our test cases is 92.37%, indicating a reliable tracking performance. In addition, the present results indicate the traffic during and after the crossing blockage does follow a pattern, and there is a general trend of the behavior of the vehicles waiting or taking an alternative route. A good linear correlation between the decongestion time and the number of blocked vehicles has been observed at the monitored grade crossing at the City of Columbia, SC.
Experimental anemia in primates due to vitamin E deficiency.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes experiments that have been performed using 32 young rhesus monkeys fed with purified vitamin E-deficient diets and 30 control monkeys fed the same diets supplemented with vitamin E. The disease caused by vitamin E deficiency in the rhesus monkey has two life-threatening features, muscular dystrophy and anemia. The muscular dystrophy has all the characteristics of nutritional muscular dystrophy as in other species of animals, and it is promptly cured by vitamin E therapy. The anemia is due to ineffective erythropoiesis, and it too responds promptly to vitamin E therapy. In addition to vitamin E, coenzyme Q10 is the only natural product that beneficially affects the anemic, vitamin E-deficient monkey, and the response to coenzyme Q10 is limited to reticulocytosis. A necessity for an interaction between vitamin E and endogenous coenzyme Q in maintaining membrane stability is a plausible explanation of the requirement for vitamin E and of the poor response to coenzyme Q10 therapy.
Purification of interstitial retinol-binding protein from the eye.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the purification of interstitial retinol-binding protein (IRBP) from the eye. IRBP is synthesized and secreted by cells of the neural retina, which may therefore have an important function in regulating its amount in the subretinal space. Purified bovine IRBP binds approximately two molecules of all-trans- retinol and contains 8.4% by weight of carbohydrate that consists of sialic acid, neutral hexoses (mannose, fucose, galactose), and glucosamine in the molar ratio of approximately 1:3:2. The purification of IRBP to homogeneity by high-performance size-exclusion chromatography of crude bovine interphotoreceptor matrix (IPM) is described. Sufficient IRBP is obtained by this method to demonstrate that it consisted of a single concanavalin A (Con A)-binding polypeptide with apparent M r of 140–145K by SDS–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The anion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose (DE-52) followed by gel-filtration chromatography on Sepharose CL-4B can be used to obtain purified preparations of bovine and human IRBPs so permitting their partial characterization. For rat IRBP used, Con A-Sepharose can be followed by anion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. The preparation of bovine IRBP in milligram quantities is described in the chapter.
Advances in defining regulators of cementum development and periodontal regeneration.

Substantial advancements have been made in defining the cells and molecular signals that guide tooth crown morphogenesis and development. As a result, very encouraging progress has been made in regenerating crown tissues by using dental stem cells and recombining epithelial and mesenchymal tissues of specific developmental ages. To date, attempts to regenerate a complete tooth, including the critical periodontal tissues of the tooth root, have not been successful. This may be in part due to a lesser degree of understanding of the events leading to the initiation and development of root and periodontal tissues. Controversies still exist regarding the formation of periodontal tissues, including the origins and contributions of cells, the cues that direct root development, and the potential of these factors to direct regeneration of periodontal tissues when they are lost to disease. In recent years, great strides have been made in beginning to identify and characterize factors contributing to formation of the root and surrounding tissues, that is, cementum, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone. This review focuses on the most exciting and important developments over the last 5 years toward defining the regulators of tooth root and periodontal tissue development, with special focus on cementogenesis and the potential for applying this knowledge toward developing regenerative therapies. Cells, genes, and proteins regulating root development are reviewed in a question‐answer format in order to highlight areas of progress as well as areas of remaining uncertainty that warrant further study.
Surgical Treatment of Rectal Cancer

Approximately 42,000 patients each year are diagnosed with rectal cancer in the USA. Approximately 8,500 die of this disease. Despite remarkable recent advances in new oncologic agents for the treatment of colon and rectal cancer, cure is almost never achieved without surgical resection. However, the current management of rectal cancer is now more varied and complex because of the new approaches with multimodality therapy and the refinements in surgical techniques. For example, small distal rectal cancers with minimal invasion can be treated with a local excision with or without adjuvant therapy. More proximal or more invasive tumors require a “radical” resection. The two most common procedures are the low anterior resection (LAR) and the abdominoperineal resection (APR). Extended resections are occasionally required for patients with cancers that invade or adhere to adjoining structures such as the sacrum, pelvic sidewalls, prostate, or bladder.
Evaluation of the role of rat liver Golgi endo-alpha-D-mannosidase in processing N-linked oligosaccharides.

Abstract Golgi membranes from rat liver have been shown to contain an endo-alpha-D-mannosidase which can convert Glc1Man9GlcNAc to Man8GlcNAc with the release of Glc alpha 1----3Man (Lubas, W. A., and Spiro, R. G. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 3775-3781). We now report that this enzyme has the capacity to cleave the alpha 1----2 linkage between the glucose-substituted mannose residue and the remainder of the polymannose branch in a wide range of oligosaccharides (Glc3Man9GlcNAc to Glc1Man4GlcNAc) as well as glycopeptides and oligosaccharide-lipids. Whereas the tri- and diglucosylated species (Glc3Man9GlcNAc and Glc2Man9GlcNAc), which yielded Glc3Man and Glc2Man, respectively, were processed more slowly than Glc1Man9GlcNAc, the monoglucosylated components with truncated mannose chains (Glc1Man8GlcNAc to Glc1Man4GlcNAc) were trimmed at an increased rate which was inversely related to the number of mannose residues present. The endomannosidase was not inhibited by a number of agents which are known to interfere with N-linked oligosaccharide processing by exoglycosidases, including 1-deoxynojirimycin, castanospermine, bromoconduritol, 1-deoxymannojirimycin, swainsonine, and EDTA. However, Tris and other buffers containing primary hydroxyl groups substantially decreased its activity. After Triton solubilization, the endomannosidase was observed to be bound to immobilized wheat germ agglutinin, indicating the presence of a type of carbohydrate unit consistent with Golgi localization of the enzyme. The Man8GlcNAc isomer produced by endomannosidase action was found to be processed by Golgi enzymes through a different sequence of intermediates than the rough endoplasmic reticulum-generated Man8GlcNAc variant, in which the terminal mannose of the middle branch is absent. Whereas the latter oligosaccharide is converted to Man5GlcNAc via Man7GlcNAc and Man6GlcNAc at an even rate, the processing of the endomannosidase-derived Man8GlcNAc stalls at the Man6GlcNAc stage due to the apparent resistance to Golgi mannosidase I of the alpha 1,2-linked mannose of the middle branch. The results of our study suggest that the Golgi endomannosidase takes part in a processing route for N-linked oligosaccharides which have retained glucose beyond the rough endoplasmic reticulum; the distinctive nature of this pathway may influence the ultimate structure of the resulting carbohydrate units.
The development of spatial representations of large-scale environments

Publisher Summary A series of neurological and philosophical discussions has led to suggestions that space is a model of the environment, constructed from the temporal integration of successive perceptions, which model man as neurologically disposed to create and organize. The model is coordinated to social conventions. It develops and is vulnerable to dissolution. Studies of adults' knowledge about their macroenvironment suggest that human “maps” are not literally maps. Rather, they tend to be fragmented, distorted projectively, and are often several multiple “mini-spatial-representations.” Landmarks and routes are the minimal elements of spatial representation. Survey-representations incorporate configurational elements (outlines, graphic skeletons, figurative metaphors) and may be the final derivative of dense, richly interconnected, and hierarchically organized route maps. The notion of “main sequences” was introduced as a potential explanation for the extensive parallelisms identified among ontogenesis, microgenesis, the course of pathology, and the recovery of function following pathological insult. The development of the sequence of spatial representations in children conforms to the “main sequence” identified in the construction of spatial representation in adults.
Clinical and hemodynamic findings following calf aortic valve transplantation for human aortic valve. A preliminary report.

Abstract Calf aortic valve transplantation for the human aortic valve has been performed in 20 patients and the patients have been followed up to nine months. The condition of all surviving patients showed improvement as indicated by symptomatic relief, reduction in heart size and auscultatory changes. The hemodynamic studies revealed no aortic valvular gradient at rest. The valve was competent in all but 2 in whom it was of little dynamic significance. Left ventricular performance improved. There was no thromboembolism related to the heterograft. No evidence of host rejection was demonstrated. Our continued use of calf aortic valve is based on its easy availability and favorable short-term results of heterotransplantation. Further investigation will be made to determine its long-term results and ultimate fate. No claim is made as to its superiority over valve prosthesis or homograft until such time when long-term follow-up indicates so. It is speculated that relative deepness of the cusps of the calf aortic valve may allow more surface area of contact between the cusps than those of the human aortic valve. It is hoped that this may minimize the incidence of aortic regurgitation, should the valve cusps retract.
Analysis of cleavage fracture potential of martensitic stainless steel fusion structures. Part I. Micromechanical models and material properties

Abstract The major disadvantage of martensitic stainless steels for structural applications in fusion reactors is currently considered to be their potential for low temperature brittle cleavage fracture. This study attempts to review the current understanding of cleavage fracture in steels and the role of microstructure in dictating material resistance to this type of fracture. A parametric analysis of cleavage fracture in a surrogate steel, A533B, is made and the results are used in conjunction with general cleavage fracture theory to establish some potential guidelines for future research in developing the martensitic stainless steels.
Chile: la experiencia latinoamericana de la «solidaridad» para María Zambrano

Este texto aborda la breve estancia de Maria Zambrano en Santiago de Chile, entre el 18 de noviembre de 1936 y el 19 de junio de 1937. Se plantean dos hipotesis: 1) que la experiencia humana y colectiva de la solidaridad que Zambrano constato en Chile cimenta sus ideas sobre la relacion «Madre-Patria» entre Espana y America Latina; y 2) que en este momento, tambien y de manera significativa, experimenta la solidaridad de pareja y el dialogo intelectual junto al entonces su esposo, el historiador Alfonso Rodriguez Aldave.
A generalization of band joins and the merge/purge problem

Many commercial organizations routinely gather large numbers of databases for various marketing and business analysis functions. The task is to correlate information from different databases by identifying distinct individuals that appear in a number of different databases typically in an inconsistent and often incorrect fashion. The problem we study here, which is often called the "merge/purge" problem, is the task of merging data from multiple sources in as efficient manner as possible, while maximizing the accuracy of the result. The key to successful merging requires means of identifying "equivalent" data from diverse sources. The determination that pieces of information are equivalent and represent some aspect of the same domain entity, depends on sophisticated inference techniques and knowledge of the domain. We introduce the use of a rule program that declaratively specifies an "equational theory" for this purpose. Furthermore, the number and size of the data sets involved may be so large that parallel and distributed computing systems may be the only hope for achieving accurate results in a reasonable amount of time with acceptable cost. In this thesis we detail the "sorted neighborhood" method that is used by some commercial organizations to solve merge/purge and present experimental results that demonstrate this approach works well in practice but at great expense. We show the sorted-neighborhood method to be a generalization of the type of database joins known as "band-joins". We present means of improving the accuracy of the results based upon a "multi-pass" approach that succeeds by computing the transitive closure over the results of independent runs considering alternative primary key attributes in each pass. The moral is that a multiplicity of "cheap" passes produces higher accuracy than one "expensive" pass over the data.