cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The players of micro-dating: Individual and gender differences in goal orientations toward micro-dating apps

Dating apps on smartphones have brought speed dating on the Internet to a new level. This exploratory investigation sought to determine what kinds of people use these apps, what their motivations are, and what precautions they take before meeting someone. One hundred and seventy-three non-users and 57 current users of dating apps were surveyed. The data suggest that the strongest motive for using dating apps is not for dating or sex, but for entertainment. On the other hand, the more frequent users of these apps are people whose personalities are predisposed towards varied sexual partners. These different motives may represent a disconnect between those who wish to kill time and those who are seeking sexual partners.
Using hyperspectral data to quantify water-quality parameters in the Wabash River and its tributaries, Indiana

A hand-held spectrometer was used to collect above-water spectral measurements for measuring optically active water-quality characteristics of the Wabash River and its tributaries in Indiana. Water sampling was undertaken concurrent with spectral measurements to estimate concentrations of chlorophyll chl and total suspended solids TSS. A method for removing sky and Sun glint from field spectra for turbid inland waters was developed and tested. Empirical models were then developed using the corrected field spectra and in situ chl and TSS data. A subset of the field measurements was used for model development and the rest for model validation. Spectral characteristics indicative of waters dominated by different inherent optical properties IOPs were identified and used as the basis of selecting bands for empirical model development. It was found that the ratio of the reflectance peak at the red edge 704 nm with the local minimum caused by chl absorption at 677 nm was a strong predictor of chl concentrations coefficient of determination R2 = 0.95. The reflectance peak at 704 nm was also a good predictor for TSS estimation R2 = 0.75. In addition, we also found that reflectance within the near-infrared NIR wavelengths 700–890 nm all showed a strong correlation 0.85–0.91 with TSS concentrations and generated robust models. Results suggest that hyperspectral information provided by field spectrometer can be used to distinguish and quantify water-quality parameters under complex IOP conditions.
Item Management of Second-Phase Technology Alteration in Fuzhou Plywood Factory

Based on general stating item and its management,Project construct item and its management,this article explicates (item's) management of Fuzhou Plywood Factory's second-Phase technologic alteration,including item arrangement,Project object management,and evaluation after items,for reference to the relevant item management.
An on-line early warning system for voltage stability in regional power grid considering wind power and electrified railway load

With the increasing diversity of distribution load and the large scale accessing of wind power,the problem of voltage stability in regional grid is gradually highlighted,traditional off-line analysis can not conduct a real-time tracking of the power system,and on-line analysis is applied only in province grid.Based on energy management system,on-line early warning system for voltage stability in regional power grid is designed and implemented by applying sensitivity analysis and method for continuation power flow.In this paper,the warning system is used to model the five traction loads and two wind plants.Based on multiple data integration,the index of voltage stability and information of early warning are given on real time,the weak links are provided and reported automatically.The system was put into operation in Xinyang power system and recognized by dispatchers.
Determination of cholesterol in edible oil by GC-FID

Objective:To develop a method for cholesterol determination in edible oil by gas chromatography flame ionization detector(GC-FID).Methods:The cholesterol in edible oil was saponified by alkali solution,and derived from Silyl-991,then directly extracted by n-hexane and removed impurity by water,finally detected by gas chromatography-flame ionization detector(GC-FID).Results:The detection limit of the method was 0.83 ng,the recoveries of 88.68～97.40% were obtained,when dopant concentration was from 0.50 mg/kg to 10.00 mg/kg,RSD was 7.72%.Conclusion:The method for determination of cholesterol in edible oil by GC-FID was high sensitive,easy to operate.It can be used in research of the cholesterol in edible oil.
Muscles cannot break a NuRDy heart.

The recent article from Gomez‐del Arco et al (2016) in Cell Metabolism reveals the essential role of chromodomain‐helicase‐DNA‐binding protein 4 ( CHD4 ) in the control of alternative gene expression in cell types that share seemingly redundant, yet distinct, biological properties, such as the contractile activities of striated cardiac or skeletal muscles. An altered expression of genes for alternative sarcomeric and metabolic programs occurred upon genetic inactivation of Chd4 in skeletal or cardiac cells, leading to formation of “hybrid” striated muscles and pathological outcomes.
Daily Goals Formulation and Enhanced Visualization of Mechanical Ventilation Variance Improves Mechanical Ventilation Score

BACKGROUND: The systematic implementation of evidence-based practice through the use of guidelines, checklists, and protocols mitigates the risks associated with mechanical ventilation, yet variation in practice remains prevalent. Recent advances in software and hardware have allowed for the development and deployment of an enhanced visualization tool that identifies mechanical ventilation goal variance. Our aim was to assess the utility of daily goal establishment and a computer-aided visualization of variance. METHODS: This study was composed of 3 phases: a retrospective observational phase (baseline) followed by 2 prospective sequential interventions. Phase I intervention comprised daily goal establishment of mechanical ventilation. Phase II intervention was the setting and monitoring of daily goals of mechanical ventilation with a web-based data visualization system (T3). A single score of mechanical ventilation was developed to evaluate the outcome. RESULTS: The baseline phase evaluated 130 subjects, phase I enrolled 31 subjects, and phase II enrolled 36 subjects. There were no differences in demographic characteristics between cohorts. A total of 171 verbalizations of goals of mechanical ventilation were completed in phase I. The use of T3 increased by 87% from phase I. Mechanical ventilation score improved by 8.4% in phase I and 11.3% in phase II from baseline ( P = .032). The largest effect was in the low risk V T category, with a 40.3% improvement from baseline in phase I, which was maintained at 39% improvement from baseline in phase II ( P = .01). mechanical ventilation score was 9% higher on average in those who survived. CONCLUSIONS: Daily goal formation and computer-enhanced visualization of mechanical ventilation variance were associated with an improvement in goal attainment by evidence of an improved mechanical ventilation score. Further research is needed to determine whether improvements in mechanical ventilation score through a targeted, process-oriented intervention will lead to improved patient outcomes. (ClinicalTrials.gov registration NCT02184208.)
Overview of grand challenges and smartgrid research framework for a smooth transition in Qatar's electrical sector

Arabian Gulf has experienced a great transition in the last decades. Largely due to high petrol incomes, it has been financed in a lop-sided way. Nowadays, these oil-rich countries are looking for ways to move out of this situation by diversifying their income channels. Ironically, one of these channels has been renewable energy research which will enable these countries to deploy more of these technologies in their own grids and to become regional and global leaders in that area. In other words, oil revenues are utilized to investigate ways of phasing them out of our daily lives. This paper looks at renewable energy research efforts in the Gulf region at large and in Qatar in particular. The current situation of the national grids and their sources, electricity prices are investigated to estimate the benefits of a possible move to renewable energy based smartgrid infrastructure. Finally, knowledge gaps are identified and further steps are recommended for a successful and smooth transition.
Hashing Techniques: A Survey and Taxonomy

With the rapid development of information storage and networking technologies, quintillion bytes of data are generated every day from social networks, business transactions, sensors, and many other domains. The increasing data volumes impose significant challenges to traditional data analysis tools in storing, processing, and analyzing these extremely large-scale data. For decades, hashing has been one of the most effective tools commonly used to compress data for fast access and analysis, as well as information integrity verification. Hashing techniques have also evolved from simple randomization approaches to advanced adaptive methods considering locality, structure, label information, and data security, for effective hashing. This survey reviews and categorizes existing hashing techniques as a taxonomy, in order to provide a comprehensive view of mainstream hashing techniques for different types of data and applications. The taxonomy also studies the uniqueness of each method and therefore can serve as technique references in understanding the niche of different hashing mechanisms for future development.
Abstract WP254: Emergency Medicine Pharmacist Impact on Door-to-Needle Time in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke

Introduction: Current AHA/ASA guidelines recommend a door-to-needle time (DTN) of 60 minutes or less when administering tPA for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Several studies have correlated early administration of tPA for AIS to improved outcomes. At the study setting, emergency medicine pharmacists (EMPs) are part of the acute stroke care team and are heavily involved in initial stroke care including patient evaluation, acute hypertension management, and preparation and administration of tPA. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of EMPs on the outcomes of patients with AIS treated with tPA in the emergency department. Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center, cohort study of patients who received tPA between August 1, 2012 and August 30, 2014. Patients were included if they had a preliminary diagnosis of AIS. Patients were excluded if they received tPA at an outside medical facility or received tPA for an indication other than AIS. The primary objective of this study was to compare DTN times with or without EMP involvement in AIS care. Secondary objectives included evaluating changes in neurological status via measurement of the National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS), rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, rate of in-hospital mortality, and discharge disposition. Results: A total of 100 patients were included. EMPs were involved in the care of 49 patients. EMP care was associated with a significant improvement in DTN time (median 46 [IQR 34.5 - 67] minutes vs. 58 [IQR 45 - 79] minutes), p=0.019. There was also a significant improvement in NIHSS scores at 24 hours post-tPA in favor of the EMP group (median NIHSS 1 [IQR 0 - 4] vs. 2 [IQR 1 - 9.25]), p=0.047. There were no other significant differences between groups with regard to secondary outcomes. Conclusions: The involvement of an EMP in the initial care of AIS patients was associated with a significant improvement in DTN times and NIHSS scores at 24 hours post-tPA. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Mesocoelium Odhner, 1901 (Digenea: Mesocoelidae) revisited; a revision of the family and re-evaluation of species composition in the genus

The family Mesocoelidae Dollfus, 1929 is revised supporting the recognition of Pintneria Poche, 1907 where the testesare tandem and Mesocoelium Odhner, 1910 where the testes are oblique to nearly side by side. Nine basic body types aredefined within Mesocoelium of which four contain only a single species the: zhejiangensis body type represented by Me- socoelium zhejiangensis Xida & Puzhu, 1986; pesteri body type represented by Mesocoelium pesteri Saoud, 1964; brienibody type represented by Mesocoelium brieni Vercammen-Grandjean, 1960; and carli body type represented by Mesocoe- lium carli Andre, 1915. Keys to species are proposed for the remaining five body types the: lanceatum; mesembrinum;monas; sociale; and leiperi body types. The characteristics used to separate the nine body types and those used in the fiveproposed keys to species are discussed. Mesocoelium zhejiangensis, Mesocoelium cameroonensis Saoud, 1964, Mesocoe- lium meggitti Bhalerao, 1927, Mesocoelium monodi Dollfus, 1929 and Mesocoelium americanum Harwood, 1932 are re-described and Mesocoelium neohylae n. sp. is described. We consider Mesocoelium leptobotiae Pu-qin, 1981 to besynonymous with Mesocoelium burdwanenesis Mukherjee, 1968; Mesocoelium magniovum Wang, Sun, Zhao, Zhang W Mesocoelium elongatum Goto & Ozaki, 1929, Me- socoelium ovatum Goto & Ozaki, 1930 and Mesocoelium pearsei Goto & Ozaki, 1930 to be synonymous with Mesocoe- lium lanceatum Goto & Ozaki, 1929; Mesocoelium marrsi Fernando, 1933 to be synonymous with Mesocoelium burti Fernando, 1933; Mesocoelium travassosi Pereira & Cuocolo, 1940 to be synonymous with M. meggitti; Mesocoelium asymmetrovitellarius Kumari & Verma, 1992 to be synonymous with Mesocoelium melanostictii Rao, 1989; and Meso- coelium varunae Baugh, 1957 and Mesocoelium dolichenteron Richard, 1965 to be synonymous with Mesocoelium sociale (Luhe, 1901).
Late archaic hunter-gatherer lithic technology and function (chipped stone, ground stone, and fire-cracked rock): a study of domestic life, foodways, and seasonal mobility on Grand Island in Michigan's Upper Peninsula

This doctoral research highlights the complicated trajectories of hunter-gatherers by offering a case study from an understudied but rich hunter-gatherer landscape, the Late Archaic period (c. 5,000-2,000 BP) on Grand Island in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, United States. Although there is a paucity of Late Archaic period archaeological data from the mainland of the Upper Peninsula, recent excavations by the Grand Island Archaeological Program (GIAP), directed by James M. Skibo (Illinois State University) and co-directed by Eric C. Drake (Hiawatha National Forest), have yielded a sizable body of evidence of Late Archaic occupations on Grand Island. I have been a staff member and collaborator with GIAP since 2007, conducting research, laboratory work, and co-directing excavations. My analysis of 39,186 lithics from five sites on the island more than doubles the current number of c. 32,000 lithics analyzed in the entire southern shore of Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula from dated Late Archaic sites. Similarly, the 495 faunal remains identified and analyzed by Terrance Martin and Elizabeth Scott for this dissertation also more than doubles the total 296 pieces of animal bones analyzed from dated Late Archaic sites of the Upper Peninsula. In addition, in contrast to those sites, where no complete and finished projectile points have been recovered in context, GIAP have identified a total of five projectile points. These points may contribute to data on diagnostic artifact types in the Upper Peninsula, which is currently almost non-existent, and to our general understanding of exchange practices and social interactions.
Cranial Nerve XII: Hypoglossal

The twelfth cranial nerve, the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII), is a pure motor nerve that exits at the level of the post-olivary sulcus in the medulla and courses antero-laterally to reach the homonymous canal. We describe the anatomical course, function, pathology and major clinical syndromes.
Is Theriocide Murder

Many societies widely consider certain theriocides reprehensible. Examples are sadistic killings and the killing of charismatic wildlife. But the great majority are seen as neither wrong nor illegal. However, given the looming possibility that some animal species will be granted legal personhood, some theriocides might eventually be criminalized. If vivisection were criminalized, for example, then a corollary and a distinct practical possibility is that those who engage in scientific experimentation will be prosecuted for murder. Are we ready for this potential bombshell? Only if animals acquire legal personhood does this question make any sense. Three pressing further issues are (1) the criteria of legal personhood; (2) the species who will achieve legal personhood; and (3) with what sort of justice will theriocidal acts be served?
Crustacean epifauna of seagrass and macroalgae in Apalachee Bay, Florida, USA

Epifaunal crustaceans on turtlegrass (Thalassia testudinum) and five dominant macroalgae (Anadyomene stellata, Digenia simplex, Halimeda incrassata, Laurencia poitei and Penicillus lamourouxii) were quantitatively sampled bimonthly over a one-year period from September 1979 to September 1980 in a subtropical seagrass meadow in Apalachee Bay, Florida (northeastern Gulf of Mexico). These plant species exhibited a wide range of morphologies, with surface area-to-biomass ratios differing by over 2.5 times. A similar suite of crustaceans occurred on all macrophytes despite differences in shape or architecture among plant species. Relative abundances of many crustaceans, however, varied among plant hosts. Similarity analysis indicated that the epifaunal associates of T. testudinum were distinct from those of the macroalgae. Species richness was generally higher on turtlegrass than on any of the macroalgae. Abundances of total crustaceans per plant biomass or per plant surface area, on the other hand, were greater on all macroalgal species compared to the seagrass. Abundances (per plant biomass or plant surface area) of 14 of the 16 numerically dominant epifaunal species differed significantly among macrophytes. Twelve of the 16 species had greater abundance on one or more macroalgae, while only two species were more abundant on T. testudinum. Almost half of the dominant species had greatest abundances on the branching red alga L. poitei. Although abundances per plant biomass and plant surface area were greater on macroalgae relative to turtlegrass, densities (individuals per meter square of bottom) of animals associated with T. testudinum were significantly greater than those associated with macroalgae, primarily because of the greater abundance of turtlegrass in the grass bed. Both surface area-to-biomass ratios and degree of branching were poorly correlated with epifaunal abundance and number of species. Neither structural feature is an adequate predictor of faunal abundance and species richness among plant species, especially when macrophytes with very different morphologies are compared.
Impact of Chemotherapy Stock-Out on Standard Therapy Delivery Among Cancer Patients in Botswana

Background: Cancer drug shortages represent a complex global issue with potentially adverse survival outcomes. Up to 98% of oncologists and pharmacists surveyed in North America reported at least 1...
A foveated channelized Hotelling search model predicts dissociations in human performance in 2D and 3D images

We developed a foveated search model based on the channelized Hotelling observer (FCHO) that processes each image in parallel with Gabor channels which center frequencies decrease with retinal eccentricity (distance away from the fovea). The FCHO model is based on how radiologists read 3D volumes by scrolling through 2D slices. The model includes a search component that explores the image by making eye movements guided by peripheral processing and a slice scroll component that changes the current slice for the 3D images. We designed an experiment consisting of a free search in 2D and 3D noise filtered with power-law statistics matching mammograms. Two different targets were embedded in this background: one resembling a microcalcification and another one resembling a mass. Unlike traditional model observers (chanellized Hotelling and non-prewhitening matched filter with an eye filter), performance for the FCHO search model for both 2D and 3D search tasks showed similar dissociations as that of human observers. Detectability of a microcalcification-like target was significantly higher than for a mass-like target in 2D search but comparable or lower in 3D search. Together, our results suggest that 3D search tasks will require more computationally complex 3D search models that take into account the foveated properties of the visual system and eye movements to predict human observer performance in clinically relevant tasks.
The Civic Labor of Volunteer Moderators Online

Volunteer moderators create, support, and control public discourse for millions of people online, even as moderators’ uncompensated labor upholds platform funding models. What is the meaning of thi...
Automated theorem proving for łukasiewicz logics

This paper is concerned with decision proceedures for the ℵ0-valued Łukasiewicz logics, . It is shown how linear algebra can be used to construct an automated theorem checker. Two decision proceedures are described which depend on a linear programming package. An algorithm is given for the verification of consequence relations in , and a connection is made between theorem checking in two-valued logic and theorem checking in which implies that determing of a ⊃-free formula whether it takes the value one is NP-complete problem.
Understanding post-communist transitions: the relevance of Austrian economics

The economic literature about the post-communist transition focused primarily on the debate between gradualism and “shock therapy”, and on issues such as prices liberalization, privatization, and macroeconomic stability. Some other factors, emphasized mainly by Austrian economics, were generally given less prominence, although, in retrospect, they were no less important. These include the difficulties of reallocating heterogeneous physical and human capital, the institutions underpinning foreign investment and financial markets, democracy understood as a collective learning process, the importance of civil society, and the threat of populism.
Adsorptive Spin Coating To Study Thin-Film Stability in Both Wetting and Nonwetting Regimes

A new thin-film fabrication method, adsorptive spin coating, was evaluated in the preparation of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) thin films on silicon-wafer-supported poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) substrates. This method takes advantage of the rapid spontaneous adsorption of PVOH at the substrate-solution interface during the brief contact period and the directionality of drying during spinning. Similar to the results obtained using dip coating, the PVOH thin films wet the 2 kDa PDMS substrate and exhibit dewetted fractal morphologies on thicker PDMS substrates. This method generated PVOH films with thicknesses that were comparable to those prepared by dip coating except that thicker PVOH films were obtained at lower spin rates, following the Meyerhofer relationship in the wetting regime. Stepwise dewetting dynamics of confined PVOH drops were captured using high-speed photography. Drying and polymer aggregation initiate at the periphery of the drop and propagate toward the center of the drop. Each dewetted thin film adopts the footprint of the original drop and shows globally ordered patterns, which depend on both initial drop size and spin rate. The PVOH thin films have excellent stability toward water rinse if they are continuous and are given sufficient time to dry. This new adsorptive spin-coating method is not only straightforward but also unique in its ability to generate globally ordered morphologies that are the outcome of fast spontaneous adsorption, spin symmetry, and temporally and spatially adjustable drying rates. It is a valuable tool for fabricating a wide range of thin-film systems where surface adsorption/reaction is rapid, in both wetting and nonwetting regimes.
The relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms and dental implant loss: a scoping review.

Objectives The purpose of this review was to evaluate the relationship between genetic polymorphisms and dental implant loss. Materials and methods All case-control studies examining single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and dental implant failure were considered. A Boolean search was conducted on PubMed and Scopus to find eligible studies. Results The initial search produced 78 results. Twenty-one studies were considered for inclusion after review and 16 were included in the final review. Twenty-two different polymorphisms were analyzed and statistically significant correlation was found for IL-4, IL-1A, IL-1B, MMP-8, and MMP-1 polymorphisms for dental implant failure. Discussion A limited number of comprehensive studies have been done in this field. Additional studies with larger sample sizes and different ethnic backgrounds need to be done to see if the results can be reproduced. Of the polymorphisms studied, the IL-4 (+33), MMP-8 (-799), MMP-1 (-519), and MMP-1 (-1607) polymorphisms show the greatest association with dental implant loss.
Do income supplemental programs for older adults’ help reduce primary caregiver burden? Evidence from Mexico

In countries such as Mexico without formal public long-term care policies, informal care becomes the main source of support for older adults. Alternative social programs, such as supplemental income programs, for older adults could alleviate caregiver burden, especially if supplemental income were to be used for paid care or to compensate non-paid family caregivers. This work is the first to analyze the effects of a supplemental income program for older adults on primary caregiver burden. To identify how such a program might affect caregiver burden, we analyze rich panel data on 433 adults 70 years and older in two communities, one receiving a supplemental income program and the other not, in Yucatan, Mexico. Data were collected in 2008 and 2009 among treatment and control groups before and 6 months after program introduction. We employ a difference-in-differences approach. In our sample, most care is provided by non-paid female caregivers. We find that individuals in both the treatment and control groups received fewer hours of care over time. The decrease was lower for older adults who received the supplemental income, but the difference with those who did not was not statistically significant. We also observe few changes on caregiving burden; even after program introduction, more than 98% of caregivers remained unpaid and the same primary caregiver remained. Altogether, our work suggests supplemental income programs have negligible effects on caregiving, making evident the urgent need for other strategies to support non-paid caregivers who bear most of the burden for old-age care in Mexico.
Embryonic and postnatal development of mouse olfactory tubercle

The olfactory tubercle (OT) is located in the ventral-medial region of the brain where it receives primary input from olfactory bulb (OB) projection neurons and processes olfactory behaviors related to motivation, hedonics of smell and sexual encounters. The OT is part of the dopamine reward system that shares characteristics with the striatum. Together with the nucleus accumbens, the OT has been referred to as the "ventral striatum". However, despite its functional importance little is known about the embryonic development of the OT and the phenotypic properties of the OT cells. Here, using thymidine analogs, we establish that mouse OT neurogenesis occurs predominantly between E11-E15 in a lateral-to-medial gradient. Then, using a piggyBac multicolor technique we characterized the migratory route of OT neuroblasts from their embryonic point of origin. Following neurogenesis in the ventral lateral ganglionic eminence (vLGE), neuroblasts destined for the OT followed a dorsal-ventral pathway we named "ventral migratory course" (VMC). Upon reaching the nascent OT, neurons established a prototypical laminar distribution that was determined, in part, by the progenitor cell of origin. A phenotypic analysis of OT neuroblasts using a single-color piggyBac technique, showed that OT shared the molecular specification of striatal neurons. In addition to primary afferent input from the OB, the OT also receives a robust dopaminergic input from ventral tegmentum (Ikemoto, 2007). We used tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression as a proxy for dopaminergic innervation and showed that TH onset occurs at E13 and progressively increased until postnatal stages following an 'inside-out' pattern. Postnatally, we established the myelination in the OT occurring between P7 and P14, as shown with CNPase staining, and we characterized the cellular phenotypes populating the OT by immunohistochemistry. Collectively, this work provides the first detailed analysis of the developmental and maturation processes occurring in mouse OT, and demonstrates the striatal nature of the OT as part of the ventral striatum (vST).
Extended experience with a non-cytotoxic DNMT1-targeting regimen of decitabine to treat myeloid malignancies.

The nucleoside analogue decitabine can deplete the epigenetic regulator DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), an effect that occurs, and is saturated at, low concentrations/doses. A reason to pursue this molecular-targeted effect instead of the DNA damage/cytotoxicity produced with high concentrations/doses, is that non-cytotoxic DNMT1-depletion can cytoreduce even p53-null myeloid malignancies while sparing normal haematopoiesis. We thus identified minimum doses of decitabine (0·1-0·2 mg/kg) that deplete DNMT1 without off-target anti-metabolite effects/cytotoxicity, and then administered these well-tolerated doses frequently 1-2X/week to increase S-phase dependent DNMT1-depletion, and used a Myeloid Malignancy Registry to evaluate long-term outcomes in 69 patients treated this way. Consistent with the scientific rationale, treatment was well-tolerated and durable responses were produced (~40%) in genetically heterogeneous disease and the very elderly.
Novel Optimization-Based Design and Surgical Evaluation of a Treaded Robotic Capsule Colonoscope

Robotic capsule endoscopes (RCEs) are being widely investigated to improve the state of various endoscopy procedures. This article presents the novel design of a multi-DOF sensor-enabled RCE for colonoscopies (Endoculus) and evaluates porcine in vivo and ex vivo performance. The novelty of the design includes a custom “double-worm” drive that removes axial gear forces while reducing radial moments, and the full parameterization of gear geometries allows for size minimization via an optimization routine over design constraints. Two independently controlled motors drive micro-pillared treads above and below the device allowing for two-degrees of freedom (2-DOF) skid-steering, even in a collapsed lumen. The Endoculus contains all functionality of a traditional endoscope: a camera, adjustable light emitting diodes (LEDs), channels for insufflation and irrigation, and a tool port for endoscopy instruments (e.g., forceps, snares, etc.). Additionally, the Endoculus carries an inertial measurement unit, magnetometer, motor encoders, and motor current sensors to aid in future autonomy strategies. Porcine surgical evaluation demonstrated locomotion up to 40 mm/s on the colon mucosa, 2-DOF steering, the ability to traverse haustral folds, and functionality of endoscopy tools. This platform will enable future validation of feedback control, localization, and mapping algorithms in the unconventional in vivo environment.
Spectroscopic and Computational Comparisons of Thiolate-Ligated Ferric Nonheme Complexes to Cysteine Dioxygenase: Second-Sphere Effects on Substrate (Analogue) Positioning

Parallel spectroscopic and computational studies of iron(III) cysteine dioxygenase (CDO) and synthetic models are presented. The synthetic complexes utilize the ligand tris(4,5-diphenyl-1-methylimidazol-2-yl)phosphine (Ph2TIP), which mimics the facial three-histidine triad of CDO and other thiol dioxygenases. In addition to the previously reported [FeII(CysOEt)(Ph2TIP)]BPh4 (1; CysOEt is the ethyl ester of anionic l-cysteine), the formation and crystallographic characterization of [FeII(2-MTS)(Ph2TIP)]BPh4 (2) is reported, where the methyl 2-thiosalicylate anion (2-MTS) resembles the substrate of 3-mercaptopropionate dioxygenase (MDO). One-electron chemical oxidation of 1 and 2 yields ferric species that bind cyanide and azide anions, which have been used as spectroscopic probes of O2 binding in prior studies of FeIII-CDO. The six-coordinate FeIII-CN and FeIII-N3 adducts are examined with UV-vis absorption, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and resonance Raman (rRaman) spectroscopies. In addition, UV-vis and rRaman studies of cysteine- and cyanide-bound FeIII-CDO are reported for both the wild-type (WT) enzyme and C93G variant, which lacks the Cys-Tyr cross-link that is present in the second coordination sphere of the WT active site. Density functional theory (DFT) and ab initio calculations are employed to provide geometric and electronic structure descriptions of the synthetic and enzymatic FeIII adducts. In particular, it is shown that the complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) method, in tandem with n-electron valence state second-order perturbation theory (NEVPT2), is capable of elucidating the structural basis of subtle shifts in EPR g values for low-spin FeIII species.
Hypercoagulability and thrombosis

The identification of new blood protein defects leading to thrombosis, coupled with the development of readily available laboratory testing techniques, now allows the cause of thrombosis to be identified in many patients. Because of these advances, clinical and laboratory specialists must be familiar with blood protein defects associated with thrombosis and must evaluate patients using combined modalities of both clinical and laboratory assessment. Defining the cause depends on both clinical and laboratory studies and assumes major importance for designing appropriate therapy.
Regional Variation in Penile Prosthesis Utilization among Medicare Patients with Erectile Dysfunction.

Abstract Objective To characterize penile prosthesis surgery utilization and assess for regional differences in the use of this procedure across the United States. Materials & Methods We examined penile prosthesis surgeries (inflatable and semirigid implants) in Medicare beneficiaries with erectile dysfunction (ED) for the years 2006 through 2014. Adjusted utilization rates were calculated per 1000 beneficiaries accounting for age and race. Utilization rates were examined nationally and by hospital referral region (HRR). Results The national adjusted rate of penile prosthesis surgery declined from 5.41 per 1000 beneficiaries in 2006 to 3.74 per 1000 beneficiaries in 2014. The number of beneficiaries diagnosed with ED outpaced the number of patients undergoing surgery. Regional variation was observed; a 12-fold difference in 2014 (1.9/1000 in Norfolk, VA to 24.2/1000 in Miami, FL). Adjustment of 2014 data by urology provider density reduced variation between HRRs, and as a result a 3.5-fold difference was observed. Over 60% of HRRs performed 0 to Conclusion The rate of penile prosthesis surgery is declining amongst Medicare beneficiaries with ED. Significant regional variation exists in the utilization of penile prosthesis surgery. This variation may be explained by a series of urologist and patient-specific factors, including provider density. Penile prosthesis surgery in Medicare beneficiaries is likely highly dependent on where these patients seek care.
Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy for Monitoring Chemoresistance of Cancer Cells

Electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is an electrokinetic method that allows for the characterization of intrinsic dielectric properties of cells. EIS has emerged in the last decade as a promising method for the characterization of cancerous cells, providing information on inductance, capacitance, and impedance of cells. The individual cell behavior can be quantified using its characteristic phase angle, amplitude, and frequency measurements obtained by fitting the input frequency-dependent cellular response to a resistor-capacitor circuit model. These electrical properties will provide important information about unique biomarkers related to the behavior of these cancerous cells, especially monitoring their chemoresistivity and sensitivity to chemotherapeutics. There are currently few methods to assess drug resistant cancer cells, and therefore it is difficult to identify and eliminate drug-resistant cancer cells found in static and metastatic tumors. Establishing techniques for the real-time monitoring of changes in cancer cell phenotypes is, therefore, important for understanding cancer cell dynamics and their plastic properties. EIS can be used to monitor these changes. In this review, we will cover the theory behind EIS, other impedance techniques, and how EIS can be used to monitor cell behavior and phenotype changes within cancerous cells.
Phenomenology in Public Administration: Bridging the Theory–Practice Gap:

Phenomenology is the study of things as they “appear” (phenomena) to us in their own terms, prior to formal conceptualization. This article traces the development of phenomenology in public adminis...
Potential Microfluidic Devices for COVID-19 Antibody Detection at Point-of-Care (POC): A Review

COVID-19 has been declared a global pandemic which has brought the world economy and the society to a standstill. The current emphasis of testing is on detection of genetic material of SARS-CoV-2. Such tests are useful for assessing the current state of a subject: Infected or not infected. In addition to such tests, antibody testing is necessary to stratify the population into three groups: never exposed, infected, and immune. Such a stratification is necessary for safely reopening the society and remobilizing the economy. The aim of this review article is to inform the audience of the current diagnostic and surveillance technologies that are being employed for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies along with their shortcomings, and to highlight microfluidic sensors and devices that show promise of being commercialized for detection and quantification of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in low-resource and Point-of-Care (POC) settings.
Coca-Cola: A Decisive IRS TransferPricing Victory, at Last

Coca Cola v. Commissioner (Tax Court, Nov. 18, 2020) is the first decisive IRS victory in a major transfer pricing case since 1979. If the outcome is not reversed on appeal, this will mark an important shift in transfer pricing litigation in the US, and perhaps indicate that the IRS could win some of the other major pending cases, like the one against Facebook.
A Cascaded Droplet Microfluidic Platform Enables High-throughput Single Cell Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing at Scale

Abstract Single-cell antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) offers a promising technology by achieving unprecedented rapid testing time; however, its potential for clinical use is marred by its limited capacity for performing AST with scalable antibiotic numbers and concentrations. To lift the one antibiotic condition per device restriction common in single-cell AST, we develop a cascaded droplet microfluidic platform that uses an assembly line design to enable scalable single-cell AST. Such scalability is achieved by executing bacteria/antibiotic mixing, single-cell encapsulation, incubation, and detection in a streamlined workflow, facilitating susceptibility testing of each new antibiotic condition in 2 min after a 90 min setup time. As a demonstration, we test 3 clinical isolates and 8 positive urine specimens against 15 antibiotic conditions for generating antiprograms in ∼2 h and achieve 100% and 93.8% categorical agreement, respectively, compared to laboratory-based clinical microbiology reports which becomes available only after 48 h.
The Lomatium grayi complex (Apiaceae) of the western United States: a taxonomic revision based on morphometric, essential oil composition, and larva-host coevolution studies

The Lomatium grayi complex is morphologically diverse across it range. The type species of this complex, Lomatium grayi s.s., has been found to not be a host of the larvae of Papilio indra, while the other three morphotypes are larval-hosts. A fifteen character, morphometric analysis was conducted on 390 herbarium specimens from throughout the range of this species. PCA, MANOVA, CDA, and Tukey tests revealed that the majority of the characters in this dataset were significantly different between four regional morphotypes. As a result of the morphometric analysis, the morphotypes are herein proposed as four species. Two new species are proposed for populations of L. grayi in the Pacific Northwest. Lomatium papilioniferum is proposed for plants in California, western Idaho, northern Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. Lomatium klickitatense is proposed for populations of robust plants from western Klickitat County, Washington, and northern Hood River County, Oregon. Lomatium grayi var. depauperatum is elevated to a species. This leaves no infraspecific taxa within L. grayi s.s. A presence/absence phenetic analysis of combined essential oil data was inconclusive regarding the composition of L. grayi s.s., which was found to be more similar to Lomatium klickitatense and Lomatium depauperatum than other species of Lomatium. Taxonomic treatments for each of the four species in this complex are provided. A key to these species and the multiple species that have been commonly mistaken for L. grayi is also included.
Proteinase inhibitors in legume herbivore defense: from natural to genetically engineered protectants

Proteinase inhibitors (PIs) from legumes have the potential for use as protectants in response to pests and pathogens. Legumes have evolved PIs that inhibit digestive proteinases upon herbivory resulting in delayed development, deformities, and reduced fertility of herbivorous insects. Legume PIs (serine proteinase inhibitors and cysteine proteinase inhibitors) have been overexpressed in plants to confer plant protection against herbivores. Recently, the co-expression of multiple PIs in transgenic plants enhanced host defense over single PI expression, i.e., in an additive fashion. Therefore, a synthetic PI could conceivably be designed using different inhibitory domains that may provide multifunctional protection. Little attention has yet given to expanding PI gene repertoires to improve PI efficacy for targeting multiple proteinases. Also, PIs have been shown to play an important role in response to abiotic stresses. Previously published papers have presented several aspects of strategic deployment of PIs in transgenic plants, which is the focus of this review by providing a comprehensive update of the recent progress of using PIs in transgenic plants. We also emphasize broadening the potential usefulness of PIs and their future direction in research, which will likely result in a more potent defense against herbivores.
Regulatory Control of Radiopharmaceutics

A regulatory process is the process by which a control body collects the data and vital information from concerned institutions, organize and document this flow of information, compare and correlate the information provided by each contributing institution, then amalgamate the compiled information to produce a one homogeneous set of basic guidelines which can be the reference point for those who have contributed to this regulatory process or those who are entering the field without prior experience.
Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism and Polymerase Chain Reaction-HLA DQα Analysis of Casework Urine Specimens

DNA was isolated from casework urine samples previously submitted for toxicological analysis. The quality and quantity of DNA isolated was determined by spectrofluorometry and agarose yield gel electrophoresis. Hae III restricted samples were then resolved by analytical agarose gel electrophoresis, transferred to a membrane by Southern blotting and hybridized with a chemiluminescently-labelled (D2S44) probe. The DNA fragment banding patterns were indistinguishable from the DNA banding patterns of blood specimens collected from the same donor. Only 5 of 20 samples yielded banding patterns and the banding intensity relative to background was low. Genomic DNA was also obtained from casework samples by Chelex extraction, amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and then genotyped for human leucocyte antigen (HLA) DQα. Of 20 specimens, 13 (65%) were typed correctly producing identical results for urine and blood specimens obtained from the same donor. Aging studies of casework samples and normal samples (from a non-drug using population) were also conducted with PCR-HLA DQα analysis. Results of these studies indicate that amplification by PCR was more likely to produce positive results. Based on these findings, we conclude that PCR-initiated analysis is more suitable than RFLP analysis for individualization of urine samples.
Energy usage behavior modeling in energy disaggregation via marked hawkes process

Energy disaggregation, the task of taking a whole home electricity signal and decomposing it into its component appliances, has been proved to be essential in energy conservation research. One powerful cue for breaking down the entire household's energy consumption is user's daily energy usage behavior, which has so far received little attention: existing works on energy disaggregation mostly ignored the relationship between the energy usages of various appliances across different time slots. To model such relationship, we combine topic models with Hawkes processes, and propose a novel probabilistic model based on marked Hawkes process that enables the modeling of marked event data. The proposed model seeks to capture the influence from the occurrence and the marks of one usage event to the occurrence and the marks of subsequent usage events in the future. We also develop an inference algorithm based on variational inference for model parameter estimation. Experimental results on both synthetic data and three real world data sets demonstrate the effectiveness of our model, which outperforms state-of-the-art approaches in decomposing the entire consumed energy to each appliance. Analyzing the influence captured by the proposed model provides further insights into numerous interesting energy usage behavior patterns.
Development of sympathetic neurons: neurotransmitter plasticity and differentiation factors.

Publisher Summary This chapter examines the way sympathetic neurons acquire their adult complement of transmitters to determine whether the neurotransmitter phenotype of sympathetic neurons is plastic during development in vivo as in vitro . The neurotransmitter plasticity displayed by sympathetic neurons is not unique. Examination of the development of transmitter properties has disclosed a number of examples of altered expressions of transmitter synthetic enzymes and neuropeptides, and it suggests that not only quantitative but also qualitative changes in transmitter expressions are common. The chapter presents a hypothesis that the local environment, rather than the target, provides the instructive cues that result in the acquisition of the adult transmitter phenotype. Significant progress has been made in identifying the differentiation factors that affect the sympathetic neurotransmitter phenotype. Two of these, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), are members of a recently described family of cytokines, and they have actions on hematopoietic cells and neurons, including sympathetic, sensory, and motor neurons. The present challenge is to define where and how these cytokines and other differentiation factors normally act to influence the properties of not only sympathetic neurons but also other classes of responsive neurons.