cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Muscle shortening along the normal esophagus during swallowing.

Longitudinal shortening of the esophagus during peristaltic contraction has been previously analyzed globally using spaced mucosal clips. This method gives a relatively crude measurement. In this study, local longitudinal shortening (LLS) was evaluated using simultaneous high-resolution endoluminal ultrasound (HREUS) and manometry based on basic principles of muscle mechanics. We sought to determine if there are regional differences in LLS of the esophageal muscle during swallow-induced peristaltic contraction and evaluate shortening of the circular smooth muscle (CSM) and longitudinal smooth muscle (LSM) of the esophagus. Twenty normal subjects underwent simultaneous HREUS/manometry at 4 levels (5, 10, 15, and 20 cm above the upper border of the lower esophageal sphincter [LES] high-pressure zone) in the esophagus with 5-mL swallows of water. Ultrasound images were recorded with synchronized manometric pressure data. The images were digitized and the cross-sectional surface area (CSA) of the LSM, CSM, and total muscle (TM) were measured at baseline (at rest) and at peak intraluminal pressure (implying peak CSM contraction) during swallowing. LLS was calculated for the CSM and LSM using the principle of mass conservation, whereby the change in CSA relative to the resting CSA is quantitatively equal to the relative change in length of a local longitudinal muscle segment.CSM, LSM, and TM all shortened longitudinally, with the circular muscle shortening more than the longitudinal muscle, LLS of the CSM and TM layers at 5 cm above the LES was significantly greater than at 20 cm (CSM: 30% difference, P .05). Peak intraluminal pressure strongly correlated with peak muscle thickness of all layers at all levels (r = 0.96-0.98).LLS increases from the proximal to the distal esophagus during bolus transport. CSM and LSM both shorten longitudinally, with CSM shortening more than LSM. The increase in LLS increases the efficiency of peristaltic contraction and likely contributes to the axial displacement of the LES preceding hiatal opening and esophageal emptying.
Origin of the Phosphorescence Radiation in Aromatic Hydrocarbons

WHEREAS the triplet nature of the (π, π*) phosphorescent state of aromatic hydrocarbons has been definitely proved by the electron spin resonance investigations1, the origin of the phosphorescence radiation is far from being understood.
VNC in High-Latency Environments and Techniques for Improvement

VNC (Virtual Network Computing), a form of thin client computing, offers many advantages over traditional desktop computing including lower costs, higher security, ubiquitous access to resources, and easier maintenance. In this paper, we focus on the problems of using VNC to display video over a high-latency network, and how to solve them. VNC performance is inherently capped at 1 frame per round-trip time (between the client and server) due to its client-pull communication style. We describe VNC-HL, our extension of VNC, which improves frame rate performance by employing a pre-requesting technique to periodically request updates, even with several previous requests pending. Experimental results demonstrate up to an order of magnitude of improvement. VNC-HL achieved 14 FPS over a network with 500 ms of latency.
THE GEOMETRY OF CONFIGURATION SPACES FOR CLOSED CHAINS IN TWO AND THREE DIMENSIONS

In this note we analyze the topology of the spaces of configurations in the euclidian space $\bbr^n$ of all linearly immersed polygonal circles with either fixed lengths for the sides or one side allowed to vary. Specifically, this means that the allowed maps of a $k$-gon $\langle l_1, l_2, \dots, l_k\rangle$ where the $l_i$ are the lengths of the successive sides, are specified by an ordered $k$-tuple of points in $\bbr^n$, $P_1,~P_2, \dots, P_k$ with $d(P_i, P_{i+1}) = l_i$, $1 \le i \le k-1$ and $d(P_k, P_1) = l_k$. The most useful cases are when $n = 2$ or $3$, but there is no added complexity in doing the general case. In all dimensions, we show that the configuration spaces are manifolds built out of unions of specific products $(S^{n-1})^H\times I^{(n-1)(k-2 -H)}$, over (specific) common sub-manifolds of the same form or the boundaries of such manifolds. Once the topology is specified, it is indicated how to apply these results to motion planning problems in $\bbr^2$.
POTENTIATION OF NEUROMUSCULAR BLOCKADE USING A COMBINATION OF PANCURONIUM AND DIMETHYLTUBOCURARINE Studies in children following acute burn injury or during reconstructive surgery

The neuromuscular effects of the combined administration of pancuronhim and dimethyltubocurarine were evaluated in children undergoing reconstructive surgery (n = 6), or the skin grafting of acute burn wounds: body surface area (BSA) burns less than 40% (n =5); and BSA burns greater than 40% (n =6). A dose of pancuronium 0.005 mg kg−1 was considered to be equipotent with dimethyitubocurarine 0.02 mg kg−1, and each dose was defined as being equal to 1 relaxant equivalent (RE). Incremental doses of the combination of pancuronium and dimethyltubocurarine were administered until a 95% depression of twitch height was achieved (ED95). These results were compared with previously published data for pancuronium and dimethyltubocurarine alone. The mean ED95 of the combination in the control population (reconstructive surgery) was 5.1 RE, compared with 10.8 RE and 10.0 RE for pancuronium and dimethyltubocurarine, respectively, administered alone. In the acutely burned population, the mean ED95 for the combination was 9.9 and 15.9 RE, respectively, compared with 26 RE for pancuronium alone in burned patients. In all groups of patients, significantly less total drug was required when the combined therapy was used.
Fractional order statistic approximation for nonparametric conditional quantile inference

Abstract Using and extending fractional order statistic theory, we characterize the O ( n − 1 ) coverage probability error of the previously proposed (Hutson, 1999) confidence intervals for population quantiles using L -statistics as endpoints. We derive an analytic expression for the n − 1 term, which may be used to calibrate the nominal coverage level to get O ( n − 3 / 2 [ log ( n ) ] 3 ) coverage error. Asymptotic power is shown to be optimal. Using kernel smoothing, we propose a related method for nonparametric inference on conditional quantiles. This new method compares favorably with asymptotic normality and bootstrap methods in theory and in simulations. Code is provided for both unconditional and conditional inference.
Transaortic Renal Artery Endarterectomy

Primary: Renovascular hypertension due to unilateral or bilateral ostial renal artery stenosis >60%. Secondary: Preservation of kidney parenchyma in cases of severe unilateral or bilateral renal artery stenosis in conjunction with infrarenal aortic aneurysm or aortoiliac occlusive disease.
Bureaucratic Behavior: Budget Cuts, Imperfect Information, and the 2013 Sequester

In order to advance the economic theory on bureaucrats and bureaucracies, this study models the behavior of a bureaucrat who has imperfect information regarding his financier. This model reveals that if a bureaucrat is forced to cut spending, he will trim nonproductive “discretionary profit” spending, but he will also decrease output by cutting factor input expenditures. The bureaucrat will prefer to cut labor hours rather than wages. This study then explores the 2013 federal sequester and analyzes federal agencies’ actions in the context of the model. This study finds that Congress and many federal departments jointly acted in line with the model predictions. Federal bureaus cut unproductive and productive expenditures. Factor input cuts came largely from furloughs and hiring freezes (labor cuts) because Congress prohibited federal pay rate cuts.
Numerical solution of radiation view factors within a thermoelectric device

Abstract The geometry of a TED (thermoelectric device) is three-dimensional and is dependent upon device functionality and the thermoelectric material used within. To properly design and model a TED, radiation heat transfer should be resolved within the cavity, especially at high operating temperatures. Radiation heat transfer is often ignored or over-simplified due to the computationally intensive process of resolving the radiation view factor F ij within a particular geometry. This study utilizes hybrid CPU-GPU high-performance computing to numerically resolve F ij between the interior hot- and cold-side ceramic plates within a unit cell TED, taking into account the shadow effect contributions of interconnectors and thermoelectric material legs through a point-in-polygon algorithm. To provide values of F ij for a variety of potential design applications, the packing density θ was varied between 0.1 and 0.9, the height to width ratio of the thermoelectric elements was varied between 0.5 and 1.75 and top and bottom interconnector thicknesses were varied between 0.125 and 0.25 mm. Results indicate F ij behaves non-linearly with θ exhibiting exponential decay with an increase in θ. Increasing the leg height to width ratio of the thermoelectric material and interconnector thickness non-linearly and monotonically decreases F ij , respectively.
Attenuation of vascular relaxation after development of tachyphylaxis to peroxynitrite in vivo

Peroxynitrite, formed endogenously by the near diffusion-limited reaction of nitric oxide with superoxide anion, induces vascular relaxation. This effect is subject to rapid tachyphylaxis, suggesti...
Associations between Public Library Use and Reading Aloud among Families with Young Children.

Objective To measure public library use in a sample of families with young children and examine associations with reading aloud. Study design We interviewed 200 parents of 6- to 18-month-old children visiting a hospital-based pediatric clinic. We assessed public library card ownership, public library visitation, and awareness of public library programming. We assessed reading aloud using the StimQ READ questionnaire. We used multivariable logistic and linear regression to examine associations while adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics. Results In multivariable analysis, parents who owned a public library card had greater odds of reading aloud daily to their 6- to 18-month-old child (aOR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.0-3.8) and higher StimQ READ scores (β = 0.9; 95% CI, 0.2-1.6). Parents who visited a public library once a month or more often had greater odds of reading aloud daily (aOR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.8-6.7) and higher StimQ READ scores (β = 1.3; 95% CI, 0.6-2.0). Parents whose 6- to 18-month-old child had ever visited a public library did not have greater odds of reading aloud daily (aOR, 1.4; 95% CI, 0.7-2.9), but did have higher StimQ read scores (β = 1.2; 95% CI, 0.4-2.0). Parents who felt informed about available public library programs for children had greater odds of reading aloud daily (aOR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.3-5.1) and higher StimQ READ scores (β = 1.1; 95% CI, 0.4-1.9). Conclusion In this sample of families with young children, we found positive associations between public library use and reading aloud.
Creating Data-Driven Feedback for Novices in Goal-Driven Programming Projects

Programming environments that afford the creation of media-rich, goal-driven projects, such as games, stories and simulations, are effective at engaging novice users. However, the open-ended nature of these projects makes it difficult to generate ITS-style guidance for students in need of help. In domains where students produce similar, overlapping solutions, data-driven techniques can leverage the work of previous students to provide feedback. However, our data suggest that solutions to these projects have insufficient overlap to apply current data-driven methods. We propose a novel subtree-based state matching technique that will find partially overlapping solutions to generate feedback across diverse student programs. We will build a system to generate this feedback, test the technique on historical data, and evaluate the generated feedback in a study of goal-driven programming projects. If successful, this approach will provide insight into how to leverage structural similarities across complex, creative problem solutions to provide data-driven feedback for intelligent tutoring.
OpenFOAM Computational Fluid Dynamic Simulations of Two-Phase Flow and Mass Transfer in an Advanced-Flow Reactor

Advanced-flow reactor (AFR) technology is an alternative to scale-up continuous flow chemistries from micro to milli scales, while retaining mass and heat transfer performance. Here we conduct two-phase computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations using the open source software OpenFOAM in order to predict hydrodynamic parameters in the AFR for different operating conditions. After modification and validation of the interFoam solver based on the volume-of-fluid method to account for mass transfer across immiscible interfaces, it is applied to the AFR to predict specific interfacial areas (a) and individual mass transfer coefficients (kL) to yield overall mass transfer coefficients (kLa). The results are in good agreement with semiempirical values and the surface renewal theory of Danckwerts, except at the largest flow rates for which numerical coalescence is observed. A study of the influence of fluid properties yields the following conclusions. The contact angle is the variable that affects the flow pat...
Multiphysics Simulation of 3-D ICs With Integrated Microchannel Cooling

A multiphysics-based co-simulation technique is developed based on the finite element method for the characterization of 3-D high-frequency integrated circuits (ICs) with integrated microchannel cooling. The multiphysics in the co-simulation includes full-wave electromagnetic, fluid, and transient conjugate heat transfer analyses. For incompressible and fully developed flows, the governing equations of fluid flow are decoupled from temperature, and the velocity field is obtained analytically. The full-wave electromagnetic and the transient conjugate heat transfer analyses are coupled through temperature-dependent material properties. The efficiency of the co-simulation is enhanced through an adaptive time-stepping scheme, a domain decomposition scheme called the finite element tearing and interconnecting (FETI), and FETI-enabled parallel computing. The capability and the efficiency of the proposed co-simulation in analyzing practical and large-scale 3-D ICs are demonstrated through numerical examples. The effectiveness of heat removal through integrated microchannel cooling and the thermal impact on high-frequency characteristics of 3-D IC designs are also demonstrated.
Issue-Based Design Education: Changing the way future communication designers are taught in a global society

AbstractCommunication design education in the United States takes on various methodologies and teaching strategies. This paper focuses on an alternative methodology called Issue-Based Design Education (IBDE). Educational experiences in IBDE would encourage meaning making and social responsibility while learning to think critically about design solutions. A discussion on the importance and value of advocacy through design products and surfaces is addressed. The paper will propose that an “Issue Based” methodology can lead to a stronger understanding of social worth as a communication designer.The paper draws on the discourse of design scholars who have argued that designers need to be more socially conscious and socially relevant when creating visual products. A discussion on the importance and value of advocacy through design products and surfaces is addressed.In addition, the paper will provide a case study on IBDE strategies, processes, and final products used in a visual communication undergraduate pro...
Feeding Ecology of Sidewinder Rattlesnakes, Crotalus cerastes (Viperidae)

Abstract: Dietary studies are important for understanding predator–prey relationships and species interactions because they provide information on the trophic resources available to predators and their potential impact on prey populations. We relied on stomach contents of museum specimens and literature records to examine ontogenetic (size-related), sexual, seasonal, and geographic variation in the feeding habits of Sidewinders, Crotalus cerastes. Sidewinders fed primarily on lizards and slightly less frequently on mammals; birds and snakes were rarely consumed. The vast majority of C. cerastes consumed single prey items ingested head-first. Juvenile and adult female Sidewinders consumed lizards and mammals with similar frequency. We observed an ontogenetic shift in feeding patterns of adult male C. cerastes because they included more mammals in their diets, compared with juvenile males. Sidewinders are classic ambush (sit-and-wait) predators and, as predicted by theory, actively foraging lizards and mamm...
Modulation of activity and conduction in single dorsal column axons by kilohertz-frequency spinal cord stimulation.

Kilohertz-frequency spinal cord stimulation (KHF-SCS) is a new mode of SCS that may offer better pain relief than conventional SCS. However, the mechanism of action is poorly characterized, especia...
A matricial view of the Karpelevič Theorem

Abstract The question of the exact region in the complex plane of the possible single eigenvalues of all n-by-n stochastic matrices was raised by Kolmogorov in 1937 and settled by Karpelevic in 1951 after a partial result by Dmitriev and Dynkin in 1946. The Karpelevic result is unwieldy, but a simplification was given by Đokovic in 1990 and Ito in 1997. The Karpelevic region is determined by a set of boundary arcs each connecting consecutive roots of unity of order less than n. It is shown here that each of these arcs is realized by a single, somewhat simple, parameterized stochastic matrix. Other observations are made about the nature of the arcs and several further questions are raised. The doubly stochastic analog of the Karpelevic region remains open, but a conjecture about it is amplified.
Akt inhibitor MK‐2206 in combination with bendamustine and rituximab in relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia: Results from the N1087 alliance study

Akt is a downstream target of B cell receptor signaling and is a central regulator of CLL cell survival. We aim to investigate the safety and efficacy of the Akt inhibitor MK-2206 in combination with bendamustine and rituximab (BR) in relapsed and/or refractory CLL in a phase I/II study. A standard phase I design was used with cohorts of three plus three patients to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of MK-2206 in combination with BR in relapsed CLL. Single-agent MK-2206 (weekly dosed) was administered one-week in advance before BR on cycle 1 and subsequently was given with BR at the same time for cycle 2-6. Phase II employed the MTD of MK-2206 with BR to evaluate safety and efficacy of this study combination. Thirteen relapsed/refractory CLL were treated for maximal 6-cycle of therapy. The maximum tolerated dose of MK-2206 was 90 mg by mouth once weekly. The most common grade 3/4 adverse events were neutropenia (46%), febrile neutropenia (23%), rash (15%), diarrhea (15%), and thrombocytopenia (15%). Overall response rate was 92% with a median progression free survival and treatment free survival of 16 and 24 months, respectively. Five patients (38%) achieved complete remission or complete remission with incomplete count recovery, two of whom were MRD negative. The efficacy and tolerability of this combination indicates that Akt inhibition combined with chemoimmunotherapy is a promising novel treatment combination in CLL and deserves further prospective clinical trial.
Book Review: History of Early American Magazines Repeating Itself

This is a book review of "The Rise and Fall of Early American Magazine Culture" (2012) by Jared Gardner.
Genetic Algorithm design of an adaptive, multirate LQR controller for a multi-machine MVDC shipboard electric distribution system with constant power loads

Over the last two decades, the US Navy has invested significantly in developing Integrated Power Systems (IPS) on warships. Future warship classes equipped with IPS are expected to have Medium Voltage DC distribution. DC distribution systems are host to scores of power converters which provide tailored voltage, frequency, and power quality to connected loads. When coupled to high-bandwidth controllers, power converters appear as constant power loads to the distribution system. The negative non-linear impedance associated with constant power loads reduces stability margins and limits the efficacy of linear control methods. The inclusion of megawatt level pulsed loads, such as laser weapons or railguns, further exacerbates the challenge to designers. A recently introduced control scheme, Adaptive Select-Matrix LQR (LQR-SM), is a flexible and adaptable centralized control approach to multi-input, multi-rate, high order systems. This paper presents the design and implementation of the LQR-SM control scheme in a complex hypothetical naval zonal MVDC distribution system that includes: multiple power generating units, multiple active energy storage devices, multiple load zones, and pulsed loads.
Correction to: Climate change and ecosystem composition across large landscapes

In the original publication, the Electronic Supplementary Material (ESM) was published incorrectly. The correct version of ESM is given in the link below.
What Fossils Tell Us about the Evolution of the Neocortex

Mammalian neocortex became relatively a larger fraction of the brain in mammals as they evolved during the Cenozoic era, the past 65 million years. The evolution of neocorticalization is measured by changes in the ratio of the surface area of neocortex to the surface area of the whole brain. Neocorticalization occurred to different extents in different lineages. The overall increase is evident in the positive slope of the regression of neocortical ratio on geological age. The degree of neocorticalization varied in different taxa, greatest in primates and least in marsupials in the sample measured here. The extent of human neocorticalization is not unique for a primate. At least one monkey, a mangabey (Cercocebus), measured as slightly more neocorticalized although the difference between the human and monkey endocasts in this sample was very small. All of the anthropoid primates, including an australopithecine, were very similar in their measurements. These conclusions are based on measurements in over 100 endocranial casts (endocasts) from many different orders of mammals, including 10 living species.
Patellofemoral Problems in Adolescent Athletes

Adolescent athletes can suffer from a host of benign and serious patellofemoral mechanism problems. Anterior knee pain, which afflicts up to 25 % of young female athletes, can be diagnosed as Osgood-Schlatter syndrome, Sinding-Larsen-Johansson syndrome, and patellofemoral pain syndrome. These usually respond to education, rest, and physical therapy. Osteochondritis dissecans of the patellofemoral joint and patella cartilage fissures are a more serious condition and may require surgical intervention. Excessive force can overload the open growth plates of an adolescent’s knee and can cause unique fractures of the patella and the tibial tuberosity that often need internal fixation. In conclusion, this chapter presents an approach to patellar dislocation in the young athlete with open growth plates, focusing on a pediatric friendly technique of medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction.
The Three American Wests

In the twenty-first century, there are three American Wests, which cut across cultural, political, physical, and economic boundaries. Parts of the West are booming, building homes, and adding popul...
A Comparison of Nonmajors' & Majors' Incoming Science Process Skills

Recommendations for undergraduate biology education include integration of research experiences into the curriculum, regardless of major. While non-biology majors and biology majors differ in affective characteristics, it is not clear if they differ in their incoming science process skills. We created a scenario-based assessment instrument – designed to gauge science process skills – that was accessible to nonmajors and majors. We evaluated nonmajors9 and majors9 open-ended responses using a rubric. We also assessed students9 science identity, confidence, and attitudes with a pre-course survey. While affective differences between the populations are evident, we did not detect meaningful differences in science competency. These findings indicate that nonmajors and majors are skilled in the process of science and have the ability to engage in meaningful scientific inquiry, confirming our hypothesis that, in supporting a scientifically literate citizenry, educators must emphasize teaching strategies that target affective differences between nonmajors and majors.
The American securitization of China and Russia: U.S. geopolitical culture and declining unipolarity

Policymakers define threats through the development and presentation of threat narratives, which seek to shape, promote, and limit policy agendas and debate through public discourse. Since 2015, Am...
Chapter 15 – Column Chromatography

Publisher Summary Column chromatography is used to separate proteins during preparation. It can also be used to analyze or characterize different materials and/or reactions, and it can be used to study the kinetics of an enzyme reaction. This chapter discusses various techniques and types of columns for column chromatography. Partition chromatography is used to obtain a continuous series of separatory funnels. Thin-layer chromatography and paper chromatography use the same partition principle to separate materials but on a continuous basis. Paper chromatography can be done in either an ascending or descending mode. Ion exchange chromatography uses the preferential binding of various positive ions to a particular negative ion bound to the column (or vice versa) to yield the separation of material. Adsorption chromatography utilizes the force of attraction of protein to the column support material. It may result from hydrophobic interaction and/or van der Waals interaction. Molecular exclusion chromatography, also called gel filtration or molecular sieve chromatography is often referred to by the trade name of the most commonly used support material, Sephadex. An adaptation of affinity chromatography is the use of immobilized enzymes.
Are patients more adherent to newer drugs

The annual preventable cost from non-adherence in the US health care system amounts to $100 billion. While the relationship between adherence and the health system, the condition, patient characteristics and socioeconomic factors are established, the role of the heterogeneous productivity of drug treatment remains ambiguous. In this study, we perform cross-sectional retrospective analyses to study whether patients who use newer drugs are more adherent to pharmacotherapy than patients using older drugs within the same therapeutic class, accounting for unobserved heterogeneity at the individual level (e.g. healthy adherer bias). We use US Marketscan commercial claims and encounters data for 2008-2013 on patients initiating therapy for five chronic conditions. Productivity is captured by a drug's earliest Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval year ("drug vintage") and by FDA" therapeutic potential" designation. We control for situational factors as promotional activity, copayments and distribution channel. A 10-year increase in mean drug vintage is associated with a 2.5 percentage-point increase in adherence. FDA priority status, promotional activity and the share of mail-order prescription fills positively influenced adherence, while co-payments had a negative effect. Newer drugs not only may be more effective in terms of clinical benefits, on average. They provide means to ease drug therapy to increase adherence levels as one component of drug quality, a notion physicians and pharmacy benefit managers should be aware of.
Left anterior descending artery avoidance in patients receiving breast irradiation.

Abstract Purpose Dose to the left anterior descending artery (LAD) may be significant in patients receiving left-sided irradiation for breast cancer. We investigated if prospective contouring and avoidance of the LAD during treatment planning were associated with lower LAD dose. Methods and Materials We reviewed dosimetric plans for 323 patients who received left whole breast or chest wall irradiation with or without internal mammary node (IMLN) coverage between 1/2014 and 1/2019 at a single institution. The LAD was contoured prospectively for 155 cases, and techniques were utilized to minimize LAD dose. Dose-volume-histograms from these patients were compared to those of 168 patients for whom the LAD was contoured retrospectively after treatment completion. EQD2 was calculated to account for fractionation differences. Results Compared to cases where the LAD was contoured retrospectively (n = 126), prospective LAD contouring (n = 124) was associated with lower unadjusted median max and mean LAD doses for 250 patients receiving whole-breast irradiation (WBI) without IMLN coverage: 8.5 Gy vs 5.2 Gy (p 90%). Conclusions Prospective contouring and avoidance of the LAD were associated with lower max and mean LAD doses in patients receiving WBI and with lower max LAD doses in patients receiving IMLN treatment. Further reduction in LAD dose may require stricter optimization weighting or compromise in IMLN coverage.
A feasibility study to use machine learning as an inversion algorithm for aerosol profile and property retrieval from multi-axis differential absorption spectroscopy measurements

Abstract. In this study, we explore a new approach based on machine learning (ML) for deriving aerosol extinction coefficient profiles, single-scattering albedo and asymmetry parameter at 360 nm from a single multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) sky scan. Our method relies on a multi-output sequence-to-sequence model combining convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for feature extraction and long short-term memory networks (LSTMs) for profile prediction. The model was trained and evaluated using data simulated by Vector Linearized Discrete Ordinate Radiative Transfer (VLIDORT) v2.7, which contains 1 459 200 unique mappings. From the simulations, 75 % were randomly selected for training and the remaining 25 % for validation. The overall error of estimated aerosol properties (1) for total aerosol optical depth (AOD) is - 1.4 ± 10.1 %, (2) for the single-scattering albedo is 0.1±3.6 %, and (3) for the asymmetry factor is - 0.1 ± 2.1 %. The resulting model is capable of retrieving aerosol extinction coefficient profiles with degrading accuracy as a function of height. The uncertainty due to the randomness in ML training is also discussed.
Sopron−Fertő, as a priority tourism development area

In 2016, the organizational management of tourism in Hungary has changed, the basis of which was defined in the CLVI. Tourism Development Act of 2016. The law puts the focus of tourism development on the tourist areas, which aims to make the destinations able to renew their competitive travel offers in the short term for both foreign and domestic guests who are looking for experiences or have higher specific spending. One of the five priority tourism development areas named by the Government until September 2017 is the Sopron-Fertő destination. Based on the 122 completed questionnaires, it can be stated that five towns (Sopron, Buk, Hegykő, Fertőd and Nagycenk) in the Sopron-Fertő priority tourism development area are known among households participating in domestic tourism.
A New Java Runtime for a Parallel World

Parallelism is here to stay. Unfortunately, today’s mainstream programming languages (such as Java) are not designed for easy parallelisation. We thus propose to extend Java with primitives for parallel queries, using a radically redesigned Java runtime system.
Towards Robust Neural Retrieval Models with Synthetic Pre-Training.

Recent work has shown that commonly available machine reading comprehension (MRC) datasets can be used to train high-performance neural information retrieval (IR) systems. However, the evaluation of neural IR has so far been limited to standard supervised learning settings, where they have outperformed traditional term matching baselines. We conduct in-domain and out-of-domain evaluations of neural IR, and seek to improve its robustness across different scenarios, including zero-shot settings. We show that synthetic training examples generated using a sequence-to-sequence generator can be effective towards this goal: in our experiments, pre-training with synthetic examples improves retrieval performance in both in-domain and out-of-domain evaluation on five different test sets.
Effectiveness of Messenger RNA Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccines Against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Infection in a Cohort of Healthcare Personnel.

In a large cohort of US healthcare personnel (HCP) without prior COVID-19 infection, 94,382 doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine were administered to 49,220 individuals. The adjusted vaccine effectiveness following two doses of each of the two available brands of mRNA vaccine exceeded 96%.
Genomic drivers of early-life fitness in Picea rubens

Red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) is a coniferous tree with a highly fragmented range in eastern North American montane forests. It serves as a foundational species for many locally rare and threatened taxa and has therefore been the focus of large-scale reforestation efforts aimed at restoring these montane ecosystems, yet genetic input guiding these efforts has been lacking. To tackle this issue, we took advantage of a common garden experiment and a whole exome sequencing dataset to investigate the impact of different population genetic parameters on early-life seedling fitness in red spruce. The level of inbreeding, genetic diversity and genetic load were assessed for 340 mother trees sampled from 65 localities across the species range and compared to different fitness traits measured on 5100 of their seedlings grown in a controlled environment. We identified an overall positive influence of genetic diversity and negative impact of genetic load and population-level inbreeding on early-life fitness. Those associations were most apparent for the highly fragmented populations in the Central and Southern Appalachians, where lower genetic diversity and higher inbreeding were associated with lower germination rate, shorter height and reduced early-life fitness of the seedlings. These results provide unprecedented information that could be used by field managers aiming to restore red spruce forests and to maximize the success of future plantations.
Operational Considerations for Designing Machinery-Aft Condenser-Condenser Scoop Systems

Condenser scoops have attractive features for circulating cooling seawater through the main condenser. Further developments are required, however, to enable the designer to fully utilize the simplification and cost reduction attributed to the scoop system. Therefore this paper reviews recent machinery-aft condenser installations, developments in inlet and outlet scoop designs, and boundary-layer measurements at the outlet scoop locations of a 91,000-dwt and a 160,000-dwt tanker. A rational approach based on Hotta's formulation is discussed for estimating the effects of seawater temperature, condenser tube fouling, and reduced scoop flow during operation on the condenser vacuum. A simulation study using the Hampton Maru service data is presented to illustrate this approach. Relevant experience in condenser corrosion and fouling is also reviewed and a proposal for using Campbell's condenser tube tester in shipboard condenser corrosion and fouling research is presented.
Surgical Alternatives to Standard Endoprosthetic Replacement and Allograft Reconstruction for Malignant Tumors of the Musculoskeletal System

The advent of adjuvant chemotherapy modalities and limb sparing surgical techniques has permitted oncological surgeons and their patients with musculoskeletal tumors to consider a variety of limb salvage reconstructions.(1–11) The diminished role of primary amputation is illustrated by a recent analysis of 160 malignant bone tumors treated at UCLA between January 1981 and September 1986. During that period, only 23 patients (14.4%) underwent primary amputation for local control of the tumor. Tumor size alone was considered to be the indication for amputation in 13 patients, age less than 11 years with lack of skeletal naturity was considered to be the indication in 6 patients, and location in the tibia was the sole indication in 4. The remaining 137 patients (85.6%) underwent primary limb salvage procedures, with endoprosthetic reconstruction in 103 patients (64%), internal hemipelvectomy resections in 20 (12.5%), and excision alone in an additional 14 patients 8.8%). In 1983, Dubousset described the medial gastrocnemic transfer for coverage of proximal tibial replacements, and in 1984, Lewis introduced the expandable endoprosthesis.
Precautionary Principles: Definitions, Issues, and Implications for Risky Choices

This paper deals with several legal and risk-based aspects of making precautionary decision in the public interest. It addresses European Union, US, and other statements of regulatory precaution that have been used to make environmental decisions. The purpose of this article is to discuss how the methods in quantitative risk analysis (QRA) can help understand the impact of prospective a precautionary decisions by providing a sound risk management framework Keywords: precaution; risk; causation; decision-making; uncertainty
Minimum airgap-permeance data for the doubly-slotted pole structures common in variable-reluctance-motors

Minimum airgap-permeance data for double-salient pole structures, such as those common in variable-reluctance motors (VRMs), are presented. The data are derived from a finite-element analysis of a family of doubly salient pole structures. The ratio of the rotor interpolar arc to the stator pole arc and the ratio of the rotor pole undercut to rotor interpolar arc length are identified as the critical parameters governing minimum airgap permeance. The data are normalized to the active axial length of the motor, and are independent of the active radius of the motor. The permeance data are used to compute minimum inductance for three VRMs which have been experimentally characterized. Comparison of the computed and measured values indicates that end turn effects comprise a significant portion of the measured minimum inductance for motors with a short axial length. A second comparison is made between the data presented and the conventional flux tube analysis, indicating that the finite-element data are about as accurate as those obtained with flux tubes but are easier to implement. >
Generation and astrophysical applications of relativistic pair plasmas with ultra-intense lasers

We discuss the production of relativistic electron-positron plasmas by the interaction of ultra-intense lasers with high-Z targets. We review the potential astrophysical applications of such laser experiments, including gamma-ray bursts, blazar jets and black holes. We propose future experiments involving collisions of such pair fireballs and the study of collisionless shocks in pair plamsas.
Safe, But Exposed: Inherent Conflicts in Safety Signal Conceptualization

[Clin Psychol Sci Prac 17: 234–237, 2010] Safety behaviors are a strategy many individuals with anxiety disorders develop to reduce anxiety and perpetuate avoidance. Experimental research has consistently suggested that safety behavior interferes with treatment outcome. Helbig-Lang and Petermann (2010) highlight distinctions between maladaptive safety behavior and adaptive coping. In this commentary, I highlight some inherent conflicts that exist in the conceptualization of safety behavior as it relates to the conceptualization of anxiety disorder, including (a) naturally occurring efforts to obtain safety, even for stimuli that carry low threat risk, (b) examination of the full range of emotions associated with safety behavior, and (c) professional attitudes that contribute to mixed signals regarding the importance of safety. Recommendations are offered to begin to resolve these conflicts.
Delayed hypersensitivity reaction related to the use of pegfilgrastim

Filgrastim and pegfilgrastim are granulocyte colony-stimulating factor products, which have been part of the supportive treatment of cancer patients for years to increase the white blood cell count and absolute neutrophil count with the objective of preventing neutropenic fever in patients at risk because of chemotherapy. Pegfilgrastim is a glycosylated form of filgrastim with a prolonged duration of effect, a reduced renal clearance, and relatively fewer side effects. We present a patient with early breast cancer who developed a rash more than a week after the use of pegfilgrastim. Clinicians must be aware of the possibility of a delayed hypersensitivity reaction as the application of this drug is increasing and an adverse event can result in delay of chemotherapy treatment.
Emotion-based impulsivity, smoking expectancies, and nicotine dependence in college students.

The aim of this study was to enhance our understanding of the relationship between affect-related dispositions to rash action, negative urgency (NU: the tendency to act rashly when in a negative mood), positive urgency (PU: the tendency to act rashly when in a positive mood), and level of nicotine dependence symptoms by examining how the two traits transact with affect-related smoking expectancies. Based on the Acquired Preparedness model of addictive behaviors, we hypothesized that the relationship between PU and level of nicotine dependence would be mediated by positive affect smoking expectancies. We also hypothesized that the relationship between NU and level of nicotine dependence would be mediated by negative affect reduction expectancies. We studied 131 college-aged smokers and found support for this model; positive affect expectancies for smoking mediated the relationship between PU and level of nicotine dependence symptoms. Negative affect reduction smoking expectancies mediated the relationship ...
Correlation between planned prosthetic and residual bone trajectories in dental implants.

Abstract Statement of problem. The success of dental implant treatment relies on a well-developed treatment plan approach. Historically, implant placement was guided mainly by residual bone height and width, at times compromising prosthetic needs. Purpose. This study analyzed the amount of deviation between planned prosthetic trajectory and residual bone trajectory in different areas of the maxillary and mandibular dental arches, by using a tomographic survey in conjunction with imaging/surgical guides. Methods and material. Ninety-two patients with a total of 235 implant sites were selected for the study. An imaging and surgical guide with a radiopaque indicator was constructed to determine the planned prosthetic trajectory. Cross-sectional tomograms were taken through the indicator at each implant site. The outlines of the available bone, planned prosthetic trajectory, and residual bone trajectory were traced, and the difference in the trajectory between the 2 trajectories was determined. Results. Discrepancies between the planned prosthetic and the residual bone trajectories were greater in the mandibular molar area. This site was statistically different from other site groups at P =.05 (Tukey method). Statistically, all other site groups were not significantly different. (J Prosthet Dent 1999;81:562-7.)
A Structural Model of the U.S. Housing Market: Improvement and New Construction☆

Abstract Built on foundations set in earlier structural models of housing markets, this model of the U.S. market includes endogenous household formation and household investment demand that allows different response to economics variables; household investment demand share equations for new construction and improvement; and a new construction supply equation that includes speculative supply behavior. The model predicts moderate housing price growth. Predictions of growth in total investment in housing depend heavily on assumptions about future income growth. Improvement is predicted to continue to grow in importance relative to new construction.
Expert advice on daytime talk television: A beneficial source of information for the general public?

Experts on talk television have an opportunity to disseminate useful information to the general public. However, many negative claims have been made about experts on talk television, including that experts are not utilized effectively by being delegated to the end of talk shows, by not being given much time to present advice, and by not providing useful advice. None of these claims have been examined utilizing empirical evidence. This study seeks to correct this deficiency. It examines 78 talk show transcripts for expert advice. Results indicated that talk shows utilized a small portion of their potential as a source of useful information; however, the analysis also suggested changes which talk shows could implement to increase the effectiveness of expert advice.
Cooperative Nonlinearities in Auditory Cortical Neurons

Cortical receptive fields represent the signal preferences of sensory neurons. Receptive fields are thought to provide a representation of sensory experience from which the cerebral cortex may make interpretations. While it is essential to determine a neuron's receptive field, it remains unclear which features of the acoustic environment are specifically represented by neurons in the primary auditory cortex (AI). We characterized cat AI spectrotemporal receptive fields (STRFs) by finding both the spike-triggered average (STA) and stimulus dimensions that maximized the mutual information between response and stimulus. We derived a nonlinearity relating spiking to stimulus projection onto two maximally informative dimensions (MIDs). The STA was highly correlated with the first MID. Generally, the nonlinearity for the first MID was asymmetric and often monotonic in shape, while the second MID nonlinearity was symmetric and nonmonotonic. The joint nonlinearity for both MIDs revealed that most first and second MIDs were synergistic and thus should be considered conjointly. The difference between the nonlinearities suggests different possible roles for the MIDs in auditory processing.
Itinerant electron ferromagnetism of a two dimensional system

Abstract A two-dimensional system, such as that found at the interface of a metal-oxide-semiconductor sandwich or on the surface of the liquid helium, is shown to be ferromagnetic for densities corresponding to r s 10.8 within the ring diagram scheme at T = 0. The states of fractional, agnetization are not allowed for both the Coulomb and the zero-range interactions among the electrons. This system is shown to support spin waves. This should be compared with the Wigner crystallization of the system expected to occur for r s ≳ 9.
Molecular markers of aggressiveness of thyroid cancer.

Purpose of review To review recent progress at defining molecular markers that predict the biological behavior of thyroid cancer. Recent findings Thyroid cancer behavior is defined by the effects of the initiating oncogene as well as secondary events in tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment that are both genetic and epigenetic. Over the past several years, there has been intense focus on identifying molecular markers to better predict the aggressiveness of thyroid cancers and also to define therapeutic targets. The results of recent articles in this area of work are summarized with a focus of differentiated follicular-cell-derived forms of thyroid cancer. Summary Clinical staging predicts tumor behavior in many cases, but does not allow true 'personalization' of initial therapy or identify potential therapeutic targets for patients with progressive disease that does not respond to standard therapies. Recent data point to several new opportunities to refine thyroid cancer treatment based on molecular information. Several highlighted articles have begun to apply this information with clinical intent.