cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hidden Markov modelling for SAR automatic target recognition

This paper discusses the application of hidden Markov models (HMMs) to solve the translational and rotational invariant automatic target recognition (TRIATR) problem associated with SAR imagery. This approach is based on a cascade of these stages: preprocessing, feature extraction and selection, and classification. Preprocessing and feature extraction and selection involve successive applications of extraction operations from measurements of the Radon transform of target chips. The features which are invariant to changes in rotation, position and shifts, although not to changes in scale are optimized through the use of feature selection techniques. The classification stage successively takes as its inputs the multidimensional multiple observation sequences, parameterizes them statistically using continuous density models to capture target and background appearance variability, and thus results in the TRIATR-HMMs. Experimental results have demonstrated that the recognition rate is as high as 99% over both the training set and the testing set.
TGFβ3 inhibits E-cadherin gene expression in palate medial-edge epithelial cells through a Smad2-Smad4-LEF1 transcription complex

Dissociation of medial-edge epithelium (MEE) during palate development is essential for mediating correct craniofacial morphogenesis. This phenomenon is initiated by TGFβ3 upon adherence of opposing palatal shelves, because loss of E-cadherin causes the MEE seam to break into small epithelial islands. To investigate the molecular mechanisms that cause this E-cadherin loss, we isolated and cultured murine embryonic primary MEE cells from adhered or non-adhered palates. Here, we provide the first evidence that lymphoid enhancer factor 1 (LEF1), when functionally activated by phosphorylated Smad2 (Smad2-P) and Smad4 (rather than β-catenin), binds with the promoter of the E-cadherin gene to repress its transcription in response to TGFβ3 signaling. Furthermore, we found that TGFβ3 signaling stimulates epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) and cell migration in these cells. LEF1 and Smad4 were found to be necessary for up-regulation of the mesenchymal markers vimentin and fibronectin, independently of β-catenin. We proved that TGFβ3 signaling induces EMT in MEE cells by forming activated transcription complexes of Smad2-P, Smad4 and LEF1 that directly inhibit E-cadherin gene expression.
The Only Universal Monarchy: Freemasonry, Ritual, and Gender in Revolutionary Rhode Island, 1749-1803

The researcher Samuel Biagetti has defended a doctoral thesis, entitled “The Only Universal Monarchy: Freemasonry, Ritual, and Gender in Revolutionary Rhode Island, 1749-1803”, at Columbia University in the United States of America in May, 2015.
National Perspective of Health Outcomes of 8- to 11-Year-Old Children Born Prematurely and Their Full-Term Peers

Purpose The specific aim of this study was to evaluate the health sequelae of preterm birth on children 8 to 11 years of age as compared to same age children born at term; selected variables include special health care needs, chronic conditions, and caregiver perception of health. Design/Methods A secondary data analysis was conducted to evaluate the health outcomes of children 8 to 11 years of age who were born prematurely compared to a sample of children born at term. The 2011/2012 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) is a nationally representative telephone interview survey of parents/caregivers of children 0 to 17 years of age. Preterm birth was determined by parent report of birth more than 3 weeks early. Results Utilizing the Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) Screener, 35% of children born prematurely, compared to 24% of children born at term were identified as having a special health care need. The 5 most prevalent conditions were the same in both groups of 8 to 11 year old children and in the larger total sample of children 2 to 17 years of age. However 82% of children born prematurely were described by parents as having excellent or very good health. Conclusions Premature birth places children at increased risk for conditions that impede the crucial activities of childhood (education, psychosocial development and play). These conditions may require both medications and increased health care services. Implications for Practice Understanding the relationship between preterm birth and ongoing health risks has the potential to inform the health care providers' ability to provide care that maximizes the potential of children born prematurely. Health care providers need to be cognizant of this risk, utilizing early screening and encouraging intervention and family supports.
Microchip missionary

Talk about an engineering challenge! Translate a 2000-page document into 4000 different languages. And can we have that by yesterday, please? This is the task facing Wycliffe Bible Translators as they move into the new millennium. Of the world's approximately 6000 languages, two-thirds need substantial work done on the New Testament, and over 90% do not have most of the Old Testament. The amount of effort needed to complete the task? Only about 100000 person-years (not including all the support work that goes into each translation). Wycliffe and other similar missionary organizations are increasingly turning their attention to computational methods of recording and analyzing data and, more recently, to automatic computer translation techniques, which is the author's focus. He has been involved with the Mikrokosmos Machine Translation Project at New Mexico State University (http://crl.nmsu.edu/Research/Projects/mikro), which concentrates on methods for knowledge based machine translation between Spanish, Chinese and English. He is now applying these methods to Bible translation.
High Refractive Index Polymers Based on Thiol–Ene Cross-Linking Using Polarizable Inorganic/Organic Monomers

The self-initiation of the thiol–ene coupling reaction of tetravinyl monomers containing main group elements and trivinyl heterocycles with alkyl and aryl dithiols resulted in the formation of highly cross-linked prepolymer gels which upon final curing at 120 °C yielded hard, monolithic polymeric materials. Because of the presence of highly polarizable main group elements such as Si, Ge, Sn, and S and the relative absence of highly electronegative elements, the resulting polymers exhibited high refractive indices ranging from 1.590 to 1.703 and Abbe numbers between 24.3 and 45.0. All of the polymers were highly transparent over the UV–vis region of the spectrum. Moreover, due to the high cross-linked density achievable in specific compositions, very hard materials capable of being ground and polished could be produced. The range of compositions produced yields important structure–property relationships, indicating the effect of monomer structure on mechanical and optical properties.
Characteristics of U.S. Adults with Usual Daily Folic Acid Intake above the Tolerable Upper Intake Level: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2003–2010

The Food and Drug Administration mandated that by 1998, all enriched cereal grain products (ECGP) be fortified with folic acid in order to prevent the occurrence of neural tube defects. The Institute of Medicine established the tolerable upper intake level (UL) for folic acid (1000 µg/day for adults) in 1998. We characterized U.S. adults with usual daily folic acid intake exceeding the UL. Using NHANES 2003-2010 data, we estimated the percentage of 18,321 non-pregnant adults with usual daily folic acid intake exceeding the UL, and among them, we calculated the weighted percentage by sex, age, race/ethnicity, sources of folic acid intake, supplement use and median usual daily folic acid intakes. Overall, 2.7% (standard error 0.6%) of participants had usual daily intake exceeding the UL for folic acid; 62.2% were women; 86.3% were non-Hispanic whites; and 98.5% took supplements containing folic acid. When stratified by sex and age groups among those with usual daily folic acid intake exceeding the UL, 20.8% were women aged 19-39 years. Those with usual daily intake exceeding the folic acid UL were more likely to be female, non-Hispanic white, supplement users or to have at least one chronic medical condition compared to those not exceeding the folic acid UL. Among those with usual daily folic acid intake exceeding the UL who also took supplements, 86.6% took on average >400 µg of folic acid/day from supplements. Everyone with usual daily folic acid intake exceeding the UL consumed folic acid from multiple sources. No one in our study population had usual daily folic acid intake exceeding the UL through consumption of mandatorily-fortified enriched cereal grain products alone. Voluntary consumption of supplements containing folic acid is the main factor associated with usual daily intake exceeding the folic acid UL.
Developing new isotope-coded mass spectrometry-cleavable cross-linkers for elucidating protein structures.

Structural characterization of protein complexes is essential for the understanding of their function and regulation. However, it remains challenging due to limitations in existing tools. With recent technological improvements, cross-linking mass spectrometry (XL-MS) has become a powerful strategy to define protein–protein interactions and elucidate structural topologies of protein complexes. To further advance XL-MS studies, we present here the development of new isotope-coded MS-cleavable homobifunctional cross-linkers: d0- and d10-labeled dimethyl disuccinimidyl sulfoxide (DMDSSO). Detailed characterization of DMDSSO cross-linked peptides further demonstrates that sulfoxide-containing MS-cleavable cross-linkers offer robust and predictable MS2 fragmentation of cross-linked peptides, permitting subsequent MS3 analysis for simplified, unambiguous identification. Concurrent usage of these reagents provides a characteristic doublet pattern of DMDSSO cross-linked peptides, thus aiding in the confidence of c...
Effects of Role Stress-Job Design-Technology Interaction on Employee Work Satisfaction

The interaction effects of each of three role stress variables—role conflict, ambiguity, and overload—and job design characteristics on employee satisfaction with work are examined across different...
New Heterometallic Zirconium Metalloporphyrin Frameworks and Their Heteroatom-Activated High-Surface-Area Carbon Derivatives

Four cubic zirconium-porphyrin frameworks, CPM-99(H2, Zn, Co, Fe), were synthesized by a molecular-configuration-guided strategy. Augmentation of meso-substituted side arms (with double-torsional biphenyl rings) of tetratopic porphyrin linkers leads to a successful implementation of zirconium-carboxylate frameworks with cubic 2.5 nm cage. The hard-templating effect of Zr6-polyoxo-cluster and uniformly embedded (metallo)porphyrin centers endow CPM-99 with highly desirable properties as precursors for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts. The pyrolytic products not only retain the microcubic morphology of the parent CPM-99 but also possess porphyrinic active sites, hierarchical porosity, and highly conducting networks. CPM-99Fe-derived material, denoted CPM-99Fe/C, exhibits the best ORR activity, comparable to benchmark 20% Pt/C in alkaline and acidic media, but CPM-99Fe/C is more durable and methanol-tolerant. This work demonstrates a new route for the development of nonprecious metal ORR catalysts fr...
Design, Fabrication, and Characterization of Near-IR Gold Bowtie Nanoantenna Arrays

We demonstrate tunable, near-IR plasmonic nanoantennas using a 2D array of relatively large Au bowtie nanoantennas (BNAs) as the design template. We explore the geometric conditions for enhanced plasmonic response for BNAs bound to an SiO2 substrate as well as for BNAs supported on SiO2 pillars. Contrary to previous reports, we perform both systematic experimental and simulation studies exploring the influence of BNA gap spacing, array periodicity, and pillar height on plasmon-resonance-wavelength tunability and maximum field enhancement. We demonstrate that the peak of the plasmon resonance response can be tuned from ∼1.3 to 2.2 μm with respect to array periodicity, and a maximum field enhancement of ∼16 000 is theoretically achievable for pillar-supported BNAs (p-BNAs) of height 2.5 μm and array periodicity of 1.8 μm—a factor of 4× larger field enhancement than that from substrate-bound BNAs. We also find that the p-BNAs possess a maximum refractive index sensitivity of 1763 nm RIU–1, which is among the...
Review of Commercial GaN Power Devices and GaN-Based Converter Design Challenges

Gallium nitride (GaN) power devices are an emerging technology that have only recently become available commercially. This new technology enables the design of converters at higher frequencies and efficiencies than those achievable with conventional Si devices. This paper reviews the characteristics and commercial status of both vertical and lateral GaN power devices, providing the background necessary to understand the significance of these recent developments. In addition, the challenges encountered in GaN-based converter design are considered, such as the consequences of faster switching on gate driver design and board layout. Other issues include the unique reverse conduction behavior, dynamic $R_{\mathrm {{ds}},\mathrm {{on}}}$ , breakdown mechanisms, thermal design, device availability, and reliability qualification. This review will help prepare the reader to effectively design GaN-based converters, as these devices become increasingly available on a commercial scale.
Exploring social presence transfer in real-virtual human interaction

We explore whether a peripheral observation of apparent mutual social presence between a real human (RH) and a virtual human (VH) can in turn increase a subject's sense of social presence with the VH. In other words, we explore whether social presence can “transfer” from one RH-VH interaction to another. Specifically, we carried out an experiment where human subjects were asked to play a game with a VH. As they entered the game room, approximately half of the subjects were exposed to a brief but apparently engaging conversation between an RH and the VH. The subjects who were exposed to the brief RH-VH interaction had significantly higher measures of both emotional connection and the attentional allocation dimension of social presence for the VH, compared to those who were not. We describe the motivation, the experiment, and the results.
Regional Variance Dependant Sub-frame Reduction for Face Detection in High Definition Video Frames

Statistical learning based face detection systems search multiple scale sub-frames of an image or frame of a video stream with a trained classifier to detect face objects. If the frame is large there will be a large number of these sub-frames. Sections of the frame with a regional variance below a predefined threshold do not need to be searched as it is not possible for a face to exist in these spaces. A preprocessing system to eliminate these low variance regions of a frame is presented in this paper. A top down quad-tree deconstruction of the frame is used to accomplish this task. Regional variance is computed and tested to determine if a given quadrant should be further broken down. If below a predefined threshold that region will be eliminated in a mask image. This procedure is continued until all sections are eliminated or a defined tree depth is reached. The resulting mask image is then smoothed and subjected to thresholding, merging the remaining valid search areas. The resulting filled mask is then used to determine whether a given sub-frame should be sent to a Viola-Jones face detection cascade. Preliminary results show promise in reducing the number of sub-frames that must be considered for detection, increasing the speed of the detection system.
Stimulation of electro-fermentation in single-chamber microbial electrolysis cells driven by genetically engineered anode biofilms

Abstract Unwanted metabolites produced during fermentations reduce titers and productivity and increase the cost of downstream purification of the targeted product. As a result, the economic feasibility of otherwise attractive fermentations is low. Using ethanol fermentation by the consolidated bioprocessing cellulolytic bacterium Cellulomonas uda , we demonstrate the effectiveness of anodic electro-fermentations at maximizing titers and productivity in a single-chamber microbial electrolysis cell (SCMEC) without the need for metabolic engineering of the fermentative microbe. The performance of the SCMEC platform relied on the genetic improvements of anode biofilms of the exoelectrogen Geobacter sulfurreducens that prevented the oxidation of cathodic hydrogen and improved lactate oxidation. Furthermore, a hybrid bioanode was designed that maximized the removal of organic acids in the fermentation broth. The targeted approach increased cellobiose consumption rates and ethanol titers, yields, and productivity three-fold or more, prevented pH imbalances and reduced batch-to-batch variability. In addition, the sugar substrate was fully consumed and ethanol was enriched in the broth during the electro-fermentation, simplifying its downstream purification. Such improvements and the possibility of scaling up SCMEC configurations highlight the potential of anodic electro-fermentations to stimulate fermentative bacteria beyond their natural capacity and to levels required for industrial implementation.
High rates of gasified rice hull biochar affect geranium and tomato growth in a soilless substrate

Gasified rice hull biochar (GRHB) is a byproduct of rice production, where rice hulls are gasified to generate energy for other aspects of rice processing. Other research has shown that GRHB up to 10% (v/v) in a soilless substrate can provide much, but not all, of a potted floriculture crops’ phosphorus and potassium needs. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of higher GRHB rates on floriculture crop nutrition and growth. Two experiments were conducted with GRHB rates ranging from 0% to 30% (v/v) of a soilless peatmoss-based substrate. Geranium (Pelargonium ×hortorum ‘Maverick Red’) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Megabite’) were grown in 10-cm diameter pots with amended substrates. Addition of GRHB up to 30% affected the physical properties of the peatmoss-based substrate by increasing container capacity (CC) and decreasing unavailable water (UAW). Summarizing across the two experiments, amending a peatmoss substrate with 15% and 20% GRHB provided sufficient P and K for production of geranium and tomato in soilless substrates over a 5 to 6 week production cycle. However, GRHB did not provide a sufficient source of micronutrients to support acceptable crop growth. Geranium responded negatively to high rates (>10%) with reduced shoot and root growth, while tomato responded positively to higher rates with increased shoot growth. Higher rates of GRHB (>10%) can be recommended for some crops, but not all.
Harvesting Harmony: Mindfulness in Physical Education

Mindfulness practices are gaining popularity in the United States as a way to become more aware of the present moment. Practicing these skills has been shown to benefit children and adults in many ...
Implementing synchronous DC link voltage control with phase skipping on a three-phase microinverter using minimum DC link capacitance

To improve light load efficiency, a three-phase photovoltaic (PV) based microinverter may operate in single-phase, two-phase or three-phase mode depending on the available input power. Therefore, its DC link capacitor may be subjected to large peak-to-peak voltage ripple when operating in phase skipping mode. This paper determines the minimum value of the DC link capacitor by allowing the maximum acceptable voltage ripple on the DC link. This allows for the use of film capacitors instead of electrolytic capacitors in order to improve the microinverter reliability. It is proposed that a simple synchronous control method can be used to regulate the DC link voltage with the presence of large voltage ripple. The DC link voltage controller is synchronized with the phase-locked loop and samples the average value of DC link voltage without introducing unwanted harmonics into the voltage sense path. A 300-W three-phase microinverter prototype was built to verify the proposed DC link voltage control performance. Inverter output current total harmonic distortion of 1.6% was achieved even though the DC link peak-to-peak voltage ripple reached as high as 87 V with 219 V split DC link voltage. Dynamic response is fast enough to easily track the most extreme ramp change in input PV power.
Semiparametric regression analysis for composite endpoints subject to componentwise censoring

SUMMARYComposite endpoints with censored data are commonly used as study outcomes in clinical trials. For example, progression-free survival is a widely used composite endpoint, with disease progression and death as the two components. Progression-free survival time is often defined as the time from randomization to the earlier occurrence of disease progression or death from any cause. The censoring times of the two components could be different for patients not experiencing the endpoint event. Conventional approaches, such as taking the minimum of the censoring times of the two components as the censoring time for progression-free survival time, may suffer from efficiency loss and could produce biased estimates of the treatment effect. We propose a new likelihood-based approach that decomposes the endpoints and models both the progression-free survival time and the time from disease progression to death. The censoring times for different components are distinguished. The approach makes full use of available information and provides a direct and improved estimate of the treatment effect on progression-free survival time. Simulations demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms several other approaches and is robust against various model misspecifications. An application to a prostate cancer clinical trial is provided.
Discussion of Papers by Suomi and Bowlby

John Bowlby began his chapter (with acknowledgments to Robert Hinde) with a statement of six ways in which studies of animal behavior can contribute to a study of human behavior. Two of these pertain especially to experimental studies, two perhaps specifically to naturalistic studies, and two to studies of both types. Let me first consider experimental studies and their contributions with particular reference to Dr. Suomi’s chapter, and then turn to naturalistic studies, referring both to Dr. Bowlby’s paper and to some work of my own.
The GATA-E box-GATA motif in the EKLF promoter is required for in vivo expression.

The erythroid Kruppel-like factor (EKLF) is a key regulatory protein in globin gene expression. This zinc finger transcription factor is required for expression of the adult β globin gene, and it has been suggested that it plays an important role in the developmental switch from fetal γ to adult β globin gene expression. We have previously described a sequence element in the distal promoter region of the mouse EKLF gene that is critical for the expression of this transcription factor. The element consists of an E box motif flanked by 2 GATA-1 binding sites. Here we demonstrate that mutation of the E box or the GATA-1 consensus sequences eliminates expression from the EKLF promoter in transgenic mice. These results confirm the importance of this activator element for in vivo expression of the EKLF gene.
An overview of process systems engineering approaches for process intensification: State of the art

Abstract Process intensification offers the potential to drastically reduce the energy consumption and cost of producing chemicals from both bulk and distributed feedstocks. This review article aims to offer an extensive survey on state-of-the-art process systems engineering (PSE) approaches for process intensification. From both academic and industrial perspectives, this paper provides an overview of the development of various process intensification technologies, specifically those under the categories of separation, reaction, hybrid reaction/separation, and alternative energy sources. A current status analysis in the areas of modeling and simulation is then provided. An indicative list of PSE publications specialized on process intensification is presented to illustrate the progresses made so far towards the deployment of novel process intensification technologies. We also highlight some recent advances for the modeling, design, and synthesis of intensified systems, as well as for the assessment of their controllability/operability/safety performance. Key open questions in these areas include: (i) how to systematically derive intensified designs, and (ii) how to ensure the operability and optimality of the derived intensified structures while delivering their expected functionality.
Are Today’s Students With Disabilities More Likely to Attend Full-Day Kindergarten or Part-Day Kindergarten? Analysis of Two Cohorts of Students and Their Teachers:

Some education policy analysts have called for increased participation of young children in full-day kindergarten programs as opposed to part-day kindergarten. However, little is known about whethe...
The effect of number of applications and application date on phosphonate residue in nutmeats of pecan

Abstract Scab on pecan is caused by Venturia effusa, and epidemics of the disease can cause substantial yield loss and associated cost of control. Phosphonate fungicides have been widely used since 2011 to manage this disease, and are a valuable class of fungicide due to their low risk of resistance development, and the fact that V. effusa has developed reduced sensitivity to at least four classes of the seven used to control scab in the southeastern USA. As with many other pesticides, use of phosphonates can result in residues in produce destined for human or animal consumption. Indeed, in 2013, the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) for phosphonate in pecan and other agricultural produce was set to 2 ppm by the EU, based on new legislation. Recently the EU revised legislation pertaining to nut crops and granted a permanent MRL of 500 ppm for this commodity group. Even though phosphonate fungicides are labelled for use on pecan in the USA, it is not known how foliar (canopy) application affects residue in pecan nutmeats. In both 2016 and 2017 we compared how number of applications, and timing of those applications affected phosphonate residue in nutmeats. Phosphonate residue increased with the number applications during the season. The relationship between the number of phosphonate applications and the log ppm was linear. Residue accumulation varied depending on experiment, with a percentage increase for each additional spray 94, 26 and 45% per additional spray, depending on experiment. The maximum residue recorded was 928.0 ppm and was from a tree receiving 9 sprays of phosphonate. In a further three experiments, timing of single sprays did not appear to have a profound or consistent effect on residue level at harvest, although nutmeats from trees receiving later applications tended to have the highest phosphonate residues. The vast majority (96.2%) of nutmeat samples from individual trees in the six experiments receiving a range of 1–9 sprays per season had phosphonate residue
A Question of Faith

The original purpose of this essay was: (1) To describe and discuss the history of weed science ( Chap. 1); (2) To discuss value questions related to pesticides ( Chap. 2); (3) To present my view of weed science’s dominant paradigm ( Chap. 3); (4) To question the faith of many involved in agriculture in the possibility of perpetual increases in production and ever more efficient herbicides. This edition has been edited using the perspective gained over 20 years but each chapter retains the same purpose.
A Historical Evaluation of the Single Audit: Thirty Years from Initial Legislation to Uniform Guidance

ABSTRACT The U.S. government, through federal granting agencies (grantors), awards grants to state/local governments and nonprofit organizations (grantees) to meet national objectives. Since its in...
INDEPENDENT VALIDATION OF THE 2002 AMERICAN JOINT COMMITTEE ON CANCER PRIMARY TUMOR CLASSIFICATION FOR RENAL CELL CARCINOMA USING A LARGE, SINGLE INSTITUTION COHORT

Purpose: The primary tumor classification for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) was updated by the American Joint Committee on Cancer in 2002. To date the new classification has not been validated using an independent group of patients and, therefore, its accuracy for predicting patient outcome is unknown. In the current study we evaluated the 2002 primary tumor classification and compared its predictive ability with that of the 1997 classification. Materials and Methods: We studied 2,746 patients treated with radical nephrectomy or nephron sparing surgery for unilateral, sporadic RCC between 1970 and 2000. Cancer specific survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The predictive abilities of the 1997 and 2002 classifications were compared using the concordance index. Results: There were 812 deaths from RCC a mean of 3.3 years following nephrectomy. Median followup in patients still alive at last followup was 9 years. Estimated 5-year cancer specific survival rates by the 2002 tumor classification were 97%, 87%, 71%, 53%, 44%, 37% and 20% in patients with pT1a, pT1b, pT2, pT3a, pT3b, pT3c and pT4 RCC, respectively. The concordance index for the association between the 2002 classification and death from RCC was 0.752 compared with 0.737 for the 1997 classification, indicating that the 2002 version contained more predictive ability. Conclusions: Our data suggest that the 2002 primary tumor classification with pT1 cancers subclassified into pT1a and pT1b provides excellent stratification of patients according to cancer specific survival and it has a predictive ability that is superior to that of the 1997 classification.
Terms of public service: Framing mobile privacy discourses

Engaging normative theories of the press and research examining the evolution of privacy coverage, this study examines press coverage of mobile app privacy issues between 2013 and 2016. The research sheds light on how the press frames privacy concerns within the mobile app context. Since such coverage can define the norms circumscribing the flows of users’ personal information, this study contributes to the debate about the role of the press in alerting the public to privacy issues that carry significant public interest implications. Ultimately, mobile privacy coverage favors certain solutions over others, emphasizes privacy tradeoffs over privacy rights, and balances user powerlessness with mobile app convenience and innovation, with implications for privacy discourses in public and policy arenas.
Do Cell Membranes Flow Like Honey or Jiggle Like Jello

Cell membranes experience frequent stretching and poking: from cytoskeletal elements, from osmotic imbalances, from fusion and budding of vesicles, and from forces from the outside. Are the ensuing changes in membrane tension localized near the site of perturbation, or do these changes propagate rapidly through the membrane to distant parts of the cell, perhaps as a mechanical mechanism of long-range signaling? Literature statements on the timescale for membrane tension to equilibrate across a cell vary by a factor of ≈106 . This study reviews and discusses how apparently contradictory findings on tension propagation in cells can be evaluated in the context of 2D hydrodynamics and poroelasticity. Localization of tension in the cell membrane is likely critical in governing how membrane forces gate ion channels, set the subcellular distribution of vesicle fusion, and regulate the dynamics of cytoskeletal growth. Furthermore, in this study, it is proposed that cells can actively regulate the degree to which membrane tension propagates by modulating the density and arrangement of immobile transmembrane proteins. Also see the video abstract here https://youtu.be/T6K7AIAqqBs.
Improved child marriage laws and its association with changing attitudes and experiences of intimate partner violence: a comparative multi-national study.

Background Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a multi-national problem with many health consequences. Some research suggests that reducing rates of child marriage can improve gender norms and health outcomes related to IPV. Here, we examine whether changes in national child marriage laws can improve attitudes about domestic violence and reduce intimate partner violence at scale. Methods Data on attitudes towards violence and violence experienced were obtained from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and longitudinal data on child marriage policy from WORLD and MACHEquity databases (1995-2012). Treatment countries were included if they improved their national child marriage policies from harmful (under 18) to more protective and control countries were included if they had a constant child-marriage policy that allowed girls to marry under the age of 18. Our final data set included 5 treatment and 14 control countries for women's outcomes, 2 treatment and 9 control countries for men's outcomes and 2 treatment and 7 control countries for IPV outcomes (for which fewer countries collect data). We combined individual level responses to five questions on attitudes about domestic violence to create a scale from 0 (always unacceptable) to 5 (always acceptable). All analyses employed a difference-in-differences approach adjusting for individual and country level predictors. Results Data were available for 532 255 women, of which 96 414 also completed the domestic violence modules, and 104 704 men. National changes to a protective child marriage policy were associated with improved attitudes towards violence among women (-0.21 points, 95% confidence interval (CI) = -0.28, -0.14) and men (-0.98 points, 95% CI = -1.13, -0.83). Additionally, the risk of women experiencing physical and sexual abuse reduced by a greater proportion in treatment compared to control countries (odds ratio OR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.50, 0.84; OR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.45, 0.88, respectively). Conclusions Our large multi-national study is the first of its kind to critically evaluate the role of national policy on attitudes towards and experiences of IPV among both men and women, and finds that these laws have protective outcomes. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that gender egalitarian laws positively influence norms and health at the national level.
Vertebral bone quality score predicts fragility fractures independently of bone mineral density

Abstract Background Current evidence suggests that dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans, the conventional method defining osteoporosis, is underutilized and, when used, may underestimate patient risk for skeletal fragility. It has recently been suggested that other imaging modalities may better estimate bone quality, such as the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based vertebral bone quality (VBQ) score which also may assess vertebral compression fracture risk in patients with spine metastases. Purpose To evaluate whether VBQ score is predictive of fragility fractures in a population with pre-existing low bone density and at high-risk for fracture. Study Design/Setting Retrospective single-center cohort. Patient Sample Patients followed at a metabolic bone clinic for osteopenia and/or osteoporosis. Outcome Measures Radiographically-documented new-onset fragility fracture. Methods Patients with a DXA and MRI scans at the time of consultation and ≥2-year follow-up were included. Details were gathered about patient demographics, health history, current medication use, and serological studies of kidney function and bone turnover. For each patient, VBQ score was calculated using T1-weighted lumbar MRI images. Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to identify the independent predictors of a new fragility fracture. To support the construct validity of VBQ, patient VBQ scores were compared to those in a cohort of 45 healthy adults. Results Seventy-two (39.1%) study participants suffered fragility fractures, the occurrence of which was associated with higher VBQ score (3.50 vs. 3.01; p Conclusions Here we demonstrate the novel, MRI-derived VBQ score is both an independent predictor of fragility fracture in at-risk patients and a superior predictor of fracture risk than DXA-measured BMD. Given the frequency with which MRIs are obtained by patients undergoing spine surgery consultation, we believe the VBQ score could be a valuable tool for estimating bone quality in order to optimize the management of these patients.
The complexity of protein structure and the challenges it poses in developing biopharmaceuticals

In this chapter the key elements and characteristics of what constitutes the structure of a protein, along with the associated nomenclature that underlines the vocabulary of this subject are reviewed. Once delineated the discussion proceeds to explain how these unique structural properties of proteins play out in creating the challenging environment that needs to be studied, understood and overcome in order to develop a successful protein biopharmaceutical. Effectively, this chapter lays out the biophysical battlefield the biopharmaceutical scientist must transverse through to capture the rewards of achieving the successful approval of a protein drug product.
All Good Things Come in Threes: Assessing Student-Designed Games via Triadic Game Design

Game design is emerging in contemporary education, especially in constructionist curricula for student-centered and discovery learning. While previous work focused on assessing how complementary skills (e.g., computational thinking) develop through game design, few have attempted to assess the very games designed by students. Here, we show preliminary results on using the Triadic Game Design (TGD) model to assess the elements that may constitute a ”balanced” student-designed game in the context of constructionist learning. Our results show that TGD is viable to carry out such assessment. We conclude by discussing the limitations of our approach and propose directions for future work.
Secondary Task Engagement During Automated Drives: Friend and Foe?

Engaging in non-driving related tasks while driving (secondary tasks) can impair driving. Conversely, on monotonous or long drives secondary tasks may help fatigued drivers maintain alertness and v...
Surgical Teamwork and the Pragmatic Ethics of the Outcome.

Surgical teams engage in complex social and technical practices to maintain group cohesion and ensure that routine practices stay on track. The work of communication, coordination, and surveillance...
Considerations and Management of a Laryngeal Fracture after Sneezing.

Abstract Non-traumatic laryngeal fracture is uncommon but should be suspected whenever patients present with dysphonia, odynophagia, dysphagia, neck crepitus, or hemoptysis following a sneeze or coughing episode. Physical examination coupled with computed tomography is essential for making the diagnosis. Management can vary depending on the severity of the case, but the general approach is similar to any trauma. In this report, we describe a non-traumatic laryngeal fracture that occurred following a forceful sneeze. The case was notable for the presence of pneumomediastinum, independent mobility of the thyroid ala, and operative intervention was pursued to repair the fracture.
Falling Behind: Bank Data on the Role of Income and Savings in Mortgage Default

For many American households, buying a home is one of the largest sources of debt. We use mortgage data at the individual borrower level joined to their deposit account data to investigate the relationship between income shocks and default for borrowers with different levels of home equity, income, payment burden, and savings. First, we find that mortgage default closely followed a negative income shock regardless of a borrower’s level of home equity, income, or payment burden (as measured by total debt-to-income at origination). This provides suggestive evidence against a simple model of strategic default where deeply underwater borrowers stop making mortgage payments only because they are underwater. Second, we find that deeper and longer duration negative income shocks were associated with increasing delinquency. To the extent that homeowners income recovered quickly, they promptly resumed making mortgage payments, while those who suffered longer, deeper income shocks fell further into delinquency. Third, default rates for homeowners with smaller financial buffers were higher regardless of their income level or payment burden. The default rate for borrowers with less than the one mortgage payment equivalent held in reserve was 7 times higher than the default rate for borrowers with at least four mortgage payments in reserve. Half of homeowners who defaulted had fewer than 1.4 mortgage payment equivalents held in reserves, and this was true across all levels of total DTI at origination. These findings suggest that a policy based on maintaining a minimum post-purchase financial buffer may be a better approach to default prevention than underwriting standards based on measuring the borrowers’ static ability-to-repay at origination.
An Active Hybrid Modulation Strategy for a Si/SiC Hybrid Multilevel Converter

This paper proposes a hybrid modulation strategy for a medium-voltage hybrid seven-level (7-L) converter, which consists of a three-phase silicon (Si) IGBT-based active-neutral-point-clamped (ANPC) stage and a cascaded silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFET-based H-bridge (HB) stage in each phase. Within the framework of the proposed modulation strategy, three floating HB converters are controlled using a high-frequency three-level (3-L) space-vector-modulation (SVM), while a low-frequency modulation is applied to the ANPC converter. To regulate the DC voltages across floating capacitors, a zero-sequence voltage (ZSV) injection method is adopted. The proposed method possesses three major advantages. First, it enables the simplification from a 7-L to a 3-L SVM, which significantly reduces the computational burden. Second, with all the high-frequency switching actions assigned to SiC devices in the HB stage, the power loss of the hybrid 7-L converter is reduced. Third, the hybrid modulation together with the ZSV injection enables a wider stable operating range compared to the existing 7-L SVM method. Finally, both simulation and experimental results performed on the scale-down and the full-scale 1 MVA prototype validate the effectiveness of the proposed hybrid modulation strategy.
Personal relative deprivation and the belief that economic success is zero-sum.

Why do people view economic success as zero-sum? In seven studies (including a large, nationally representative sample of more than 90,000 respondents from 60 countries), we explore how personal relative deprivation influences zero-sum thinking-the belief that one person's gains can only be obtained at other people's expense. We find that personal relative deprivation fosters a belief that economic success is zero-sum, and that this is true regardless of participants' household income, political ideology, or subjective social class. Moreover, in a large and preregistered study, we find that the effect of personal relative deprivation on zero-sum thinking is mediated by lay perceptions of society. The more people see themselves as having been unfairly disadvantaged relative to others, the more they view the world as unjust and economic success as determined by external forces beyond one's control. In turn, these cynical views of society lead people to believe that economic success is zero-sum. We discuss the implications of these findings for research on social comparisons, the distribution of resources, and the psychological consequences of feeling personally deprived. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Remote sensing of physical and biological properties of estuaries

Estuarine remote sensing instruments are described with respect to their state-of-the-art capabilities. Remote sensing studies of estuaries can be considered as being of two different types: estuarine intercomparisons (between estuaries) and intraestuarine (within estuary assessments). Current research has allowed initial efforts of estuarine intercomparisons of light attenuation and suspended sediments. Remote sensing can provide inputs to mathematical models used for research and management of estuaries and near coastal waters. The in situ optical profiling approach is transferable to other estuarine studies. >
Behavioural Mechanisms for Defence Against Pathogens

ABSTRACT Behavioural strategies can assist organisms to defend themselves against pathogens. Both reflexive and learned behaviours can play important roles in pathogen defence. Reflexive behaviours, like coughing and vomiting, can be instrumental in expelling pathogens from the body, and avoidance of excrement is an important strategy for minimizing contact with pathogens. Learned food aversions and the avoidance of stimuli previous associated with illness minimize contact with pathogens. Considerable evidence has shown that behavioural changes can be induced by immune activation, and it has been argued that this “sickness behaviour” may assist the organism to recover from infection. Immune activation is associated with the production of cytokines, some of which (most notably, interleukin-1, IL-1) have potent behavioural activities. IL-1 decreases several behavioural activities, such as food intake, and sexual activity in females. These changes in behaviour can facilitate the return to health. Thus sickness behaviour can be an important mechanism for defence against pathogens. It is significant that sickness behaviour is not stereotyped and can be adapted to the nature of the threat and the immediate needs of the organism. Certain kinds of behavioural experiences, most notably stressful ones, may induce immune activation and cytokine production. Environmental stressors and immune activation produce some similar physiological responses: increased body temperature, and activation of the sympathetic nervous system, the adrenal medulla, and the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis, as well as brain catecholamines and indoleamines. These observations have led to the concept that pathogen invasion induces “immune stress”. The physiological responses induced can assist the defence of the organism against infections, at least in part by changing behaviour. It is argued that learned and reflexive behavioural strategies, and physiological and behavioural responses to illness, are all important components of host defence against pathogens.
Other refinement methods

Least squares is a powerful data fitting method when the distribution of statistical fluctuation in the data is approximately normal, or Gaussian, but it can perform poorly if the distribution function has longer tails than a Gaussian distribution. Chapter 8.2 discusses several procedures that work better than least squares if the normality condition is not satisfied. Maximum likelihood methods, which are identical to least squares for a normal distribution, can be designed to be optimum for any distribution. Other methods are robust, because they work well over a broad range of distributions, and resistant, because they are insensitive to the presence in the data of points that disagree with the model. Maximum entropy methods are particularly useful when there are insufficient data. Keywords: entropy maximization; maximum-likelihood methods; robust/resistant methods