cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Efficient scheduling policies to reduce mean and variance of cycle-time in semiconductor manufacturing plants

The problem of reducing the mean and variance of cycle time in semiconductor manufacturing plants is addressed. Such plants feature a characteristic reentrant process flow, where lots repeatedly return at different stages of their production to the same service stations for further processing, consequently creating much competition for machines. We introduce a new class of scheduling policies, called Fluctuation Smoothing policies. Unanimously, our policies achieved the best mean cycle time and Standard Deviation of Cycle Time, in all the configurations of plant models and release policies tested. As an example, under the recommended Workload Regulation Release policy, for a heavily loaded Research and Development Fabrication Line model, our Fluctuation Smoothing policies achieved a reduction of 22.4% in the Mean Queueing Time, and a reduction of 52.0% in the Standard Deviation of Cycle Time, over the baseline FIFO policy. These conclusions are based on extensive simulations conducted on two models of semiconductor manufacturing plants. The first is a model of a Research and Development Fabrication Line. The second is an aggregate model intended to approximate a full scale production line. Statistical tests are used to corroborate our conclusions. >
Characteristics and predictors of readiness to quit among emergency medical patients presenting with respiratory symptoms

To examine behavioral factors that lead patients to consider quitting smoking and features associated with readiness to quit among adults who are seeking treatment in the emergency department (ED) for respiratory symptoms. A toal of 665 adult smokers seeking treatment in an ED for respiratory symptoms and respiratory illness answered survey questions during the ED visit. Patients self-reported "readiness to quit" was broadly distributed among this patient population. Patients with COPD, pneumonia or asthma perceived higher risks from smoking than other patients with respiratory complaints. Over half of all participants had scores indicative of depression. Regression analysis showed that prior efforts to quit, confidence, perceived importance of quitting and decisional balance were each significantly predictive of readiness to quit, accounting for 40% of the variance. While many of these patients appear unaware of the connection between their symptoms and their smoking, patients with diagnosed chronic respiratory illness perceived higher risks from their smoking. In patients who do not perceive these risks, physician intervention may increase perceived risk from smoking and perceived importance of quitting. Interventions designed for the ED setting targeting this patient population should consider screening for depressive symptoms and, when appropriate, making referrals for further evaluation and/or treatment. Medications that can help alleviate depression and withdrawal symptoms while quitting smoking, such as bupropion, may be particularly useful for this subset of patients, as depression is a substantial barrier to quitting.
Development of screening assays for nanoparticle toxicity assessment in human blood: preliminary studies with charged Au nanoparticles

As nanoparticles have found increased use in both consumer and medical applications, corresponding increases in possible exposure to humans necessitate studies examining the impacts of these nanomaterials in biological systems. This article examines the effects of approximately 30-nm-diameter gold nanoparticles, with positively and negatively charged surface coatings in human blood. Here, we study the exposure effects, with up to 72 h of exposure to 5, 15, 25 and 50 µg/ml nanoparticles on hemolysis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and platelet aggregation in subsets of cells from human blood. Assessing viability with hemolysis, results show significant changes in a concentration-dependent fashion. Rates of ROS generation were investigated using the dichlorofluorscein diacetate-based assay as ROS generation is a commonly suspected mechanism of nanoparticle toxicity; herein, ROS was not a significant factor. Optical monitoring of platelet aggregation revealed that none of the examined nanoparticles induced aggregation upon short-term exposure.
A Study Of Issues And Problems Women Face In Attempting To Pursue Careers In Educational Administration In Kenya

A STUDY OF ISSUES AND PROBLEMS WOMEN FACE IN ATTEMPTING TO PURSUE CAREERS IN EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION IN KENYA
EXTRACTING TIME FROM PHYLOGENIES: POSITIVE INTERPLAY BETWEEN FOSSIL AND GENETIC DATA

Temporal information on mammalian evolution allows testing of hypotheses about the mode of speciation and extinction, comparison of rates of evolution across taxa, and correlation of cladogenesis with important geological processes. Important insights can be made from combining data from fossils and molecules (DNA sequences), and relevant methods are expanding. When considering these methods, careful consideration should be given to features affecting time estimation (e.g., accuracy of tree construction, branch length estimation, taxonomic and genomic sampling, and sources of genetic and calibration errors). We report on the available methods that aid in evolutionary time estimation from molecular data and corresponding fossils. We recommend several steps to improve this process. First, we recommend using appropriate DNA substitution models to help correct DNA distance estimates and construct trees with more reliable branch lengths. Second, we recommend using multiple fossil calibration dates where possible. Third, in general, we recommend a conservative approach to time estimation by reporting inherent errors associated with genetic distances, calibration selection and application. In conclusion, temporal data derived from molecular clocks should be regarded in light of their dependence on paleontological information and their synergy with fossil data rather than competing with paleontological information. Thus, despite the varied sources of error, we encourage the extraction of time from molecular data with careful examination of potential biases.
Food irradiation: A risk not worth taking

reports are ignored by Tritsch. For a polemic such as this, it is not possible in an editorial to delve into all arguments and available evidence. The areas of polyploidy, mutagenicity, and unique radiolytic products would be appropriate for such arguments. The question remains why the editors of Nutrition accepted such a contribution and why other high-quality journals continue to give space to such unfounded criticism. Moreover, it is Tritsch’s challenge to prove the WHO experts wrong. He calls food irradiation an experiment of a century’s duration until it is forbidden because of cancer induction. He states that food irradiation is far worse than any disease against which it might be directed. WHO has recommended with authority the consumption of irradiated poultry, where available, because of food-borne pathogens. Tritsch has failed to overturn such recommendations with his unfounded arguments.
Abstract #DDT01-2: Development of an RNAi therapeutic targeting KSP and VEGF for the treatment of liver cancers

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 18-22, 2009; Denver, CO Malignancies of the liver, including hepatocelluar carcinoma and metastatic tumors of different origin, represent a high unmet medical need. Current therapeutic strategies frequently comprise inhibiting more than one molecular pathway contributing to tumor growth and maintenance. We are developing ALN-VSP, an RNAi therapeutic for liver malignancies comprised of lipid particle-formulated small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) targeting VEGF and the mitotic kinesin, KSP (Eg5, Kif11). For each target, potent and specific siRNA duplexes have been identified following extensive screening in cell culture. Single dose screens were conducted initially; then, a subset of siRNAs was evaluated for dose-response and lead siRNAs selected based on potency in vitro . Moreover, silencing of KSP in vitro leads to cell death in multiple tumor cell lines, while silencing of VEGF leads to inhibition of VEGF secretion into cell culture medium. To achieve hepatic delivery, lipid particle formulations have been evaluated and shown to achieve silencing of hepatic gene expression with multiple siRNAs directed against distinct targets, including VEGF and KSP. To evaluate the potential of this approach for treating liver cancer, pre-clinical mouse orthotopic liver tumor model studies have been conducted with ALN-VSP. These tumor models comprised direct injection of human hepatoma cells (Hep3B) into the liver of scid/beige mice, which resulted in tumor growth as well as alpha-fetoprotein secretion. In these studies, ALN-VSP demonstrated dose-dependent mRNA suppression, mRNA cleavage consistent with an RNAi mechanism, monoaster formation consistent with KSP inhibition, inhibition of tumor growth and reduction of circulating AFP, and prolongation of survival. In addition, extension of lifespan with ALN-VSP was superior to the approved multi-kinase inhibitor, Sorafenib, in preliminary studies using this animal model. These studies indicate the potential therapeutic benefit of the RNAi therapeutic ALN-VSP targeting VEGF and KSP for the treatment of liver cancer. An IND application for ALN-VSP was submitted in 2008 and received FDA clearance in January. The Phase I clinical trial of ALN-VSP in patients will be initiated in the first half of 2009. Citation Information: In: Proc Am Assoc Cancer Res; 2009 Apr 18-22; Denver, CO. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; 2009. Abstract nr DDT01-2.
Products of 3≦Z≦9 from long-lived intermediates in the reactions 336 MeV40Ar+Ag,154Sm and Au

Angular and energy distributions have been measured for products of 3≦Z≦9 from reactions of 336MeV40Ar+107,9Ag/154Sm/197Au. The c.m. differential cross sections and mean energies increase as one moves from ≈100deg. to ≈170deg. similar to those for fission or evaporation-like emission. Most characteristics mimic those observed for4He, but the cross sections are smaller by a factor of as ≈1/300 for each reaction studied. A semiclassical analysis has been used to estimate the effective barriers to emission and root-mean-square spins of the emitters.
Preliminary analysis of reconstructions from aerial images of disaster props

This paper provides a preliminary analysis of reconstructions of seven disaster props from datasets collected over five flights with a small unmanned aerial vehicle and finds 181 anomalies present in four categories. Commercial and free software are available to create reconstructions from digital images, but their accuracy and limitations have not been formally explored for disaster assessment. This work analyzes the output of two packages, Agisoft Photoscan, and Microsoft ICE for five image datasets of seven Disaster City®props. The 181 anomalous results are divided into four categories: ghosting, misalignment, misproportions, and the Dali effect. These metrics are valuable to Urban Search and Rescue teams, structural specialists, and insurance claims adjusters who need to reliably assess whether it is safe to enter a building, or accurately estimate the severity of damage. The analysis suggests the reconstructions might be misleading and further work must be done to determine why and suggest methods of improvement.
OPTIMIZATION OF CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A 300 MW UNIT WITH CIRCULATING FLUIDIZED BED BOILER

To solve the problems occurred during the operation,such as low ascending and descending rate of unit load,unstable air and flue system etc,optimization of control strategy for unit coordination as well as air and flue system was conducted,based on the analysis of control strategy for a 300 MW unit with CFB.After the improvement,the ascending and descending rate of unit load significantly increased;when the load rose from 200 MW to 250 MW at rate of 4.5 MW/min,and dropped from 300 MW to 250 MW at the same rate,the deviation of main steam pressures were below 0.6 MPa,and the bed temperatures were controlled within 850~900 ℃.Therefore,all the main parameters were controlled within normal range.
Streaming Media Technology and Its Application on Digital Campus

As a blend of video,audio and pictures,the streaming media can thoroughly overcome the defects that the traditional Internet can only transmit characters and pictures,therefore,it will become the major trend of the application of the Internet.This paper aims at introducing the basic principles and quality control of transmission of the streaming media system as well as its application on the digital teaching platform.In conclusion,through a concrete streaming media technology,this paper analyzes the current situation and problems of the network technology in the educational industry,and furthermore presents the usage of the streaming media technology on the digital campus.
Ephaptic Self-Attenuation Conceals Early Afterdepolarizations Associated with Long QT-3 Syndrome

Gain-of-function mutations in the cardiac voltage-gated sodium channel (Nav1.5) are associated with the long QT-3 (LQT3) syndrome. Early afterdepolarizations (EADs) are common in isolated myocyte models of LQT3, but rare in tissue and patients with LQT3 mutations. We have shown that Nav1.5 is densely expressed at the intercalated disk and narrowing intercellular separation can support an alternative form of cell-to-cell coupling known as ephaptic coupling (EpC). EpC occurs when sodium channels in the depolarizing cell decrease the intercellular cleft potential, depolarizing the apposing membrane from the extracellular rather than the intracellular domain. Critically, EpC models predict that decreasing intercellular separation slows conduction due to reduced sodium current driving force. Here, we test the novel hypothesis that ephaptic self-attenuation can “mask” the LQT3 phenotype by reducing the driving force and late sodium current that produces EADs.We tested our hypothesis both in a pharmacological LQT3 model in isolated guinea pig hearts experiments (n=3), paced at 500 ms basic cycle length using late sodium current agonist ATXII (7nM), and a computational model. Acute interstitial edema, induced by 20 g/l mannitol, increased intercellular cleft width but did not alter action potential duration (APD). ATXII prolonged APD by 80±11 ms, and ATXII plus mannitol prolonged APD by 165±7 ms and produced EADs. In a computational model incorporating EpC, a recent LRd formulation, and a sodium channel LQT3-associated mutant model, we show that for wide clefts, mutant myocytes consistently produce EADs, while for small clefts and wild-type myocytes, EADs are suppressed. For both large and small widths, the mutant sodium channel incompletely inactivates, but only for small cleft widths is late sodium current sufficiently reduced, suppressing EADs. These data demonstrate that intercellular edema in LQT3 underlies the formation of EADs presumably by an ephaptically-mediated mechanism.
Cellular Response of Escherichia coli to Microgravity and Microgravity Analogue Culture

Spaceflight and spaceflight-analogue studies reveal that microgravity or aspects of the microgravity environment impact the physiology, stress resistance, and molecular biology of microbes. Escherichia coli is an ideal model bacterium for microgravity and microgravity analogue investigations, as it is the most well-characterized organism, and has pathogenic strains that could cause infections during spaceflight. It is also a key player in ecosystems critical for sustaining life in space, such as renewal of resources like oxygen and water, as well as waste recycling. This chapter reviews the current literature on the effect of microgravity and modeled microgravity systems on E. coli physiology and molecular biology, with implications for risk assessment and astronaut health as well as beneficial applications for the general public.
A prototype graphics framework for interactive instruction of computer hardware concepts

This study explains the design and implementation of an interactive graphics framework for ‘fun-based’ interactive instruction of computer hardware and architecture for engineering and technology (ET) students. The system helps students to visualize internal peripherals of a computer and assemble them onto a motherboard to examine results immediately making the course interesting, fun and easily understandable which a conventional text document may not do so. Computer architecture is a complex course which is difficult for both instructors to teach and students to understand effectively using a conventional textbook. Many studies have been conducted regarding the abilities of engineering students on computer architecture. Learning about the hardware components and practicing the assembly process greatly enhances the skill sets of students and allows them to gain sufficient mastery over the underlying concepts. To this end, to facilitate interactive and fun-filled learning, this research employs a learner-centric, user-friendly graphics framework to teach hardware and computer architecture concepts.
Assessing Public Health Majors through the Use of e-Portfolios.

When assessing an entire academic program, there are various possibilities; most require students to reflect holistically on knowledge learned. Final presentations, internships, theses, and dissertations all require the students to recall the entirety of their learning experience. These are more traditional ways to assess the student as well as the program as a whole. However, with advancement in technology, the use of electronic portfolios (e-Portfolios) has been advocated to highlight student accomplishments as well as to document program and course outcomes. The following project illustrates the use of e-portfolios and develops specific rubrics in order to measure both student learning and program assessment. The use of e-Portfolios as an assessment measure was developed and implemented into the Public Health Program. All graduating students, upon completing their internships, create an ePortfolio. These portfolios are used by faculty for both student and program assessment purposes. Data collected over the 7 semesters provides valuable insight into both students’ level of competencies and program outcomes for both Pubic Health core goals and objectives.
Injuries in an Extreme Conditioning Program

Background:Extreme conditioning programs (ECPs) are fitness training regimens relying on aerobic, plyometric, and resistance training exercises, often with high levels of intensity for a short duration of time. These programs have grown rapidly in popularity in recent years, but science describing the safety profile of these programs is lacking.Hypothesis:The rate of injury in the extreme conditioning program is greater than the injury rate of weightlifting and the majority of injuries occur to the shoulder and back.Study Design:Cross-sectional study.Level of Evidence:Level 4.Methods:This is a retrospective survey of injuries reported by athletes participating in an ECP. An injury survey was sent to 1100 members of Iron Tribe Fitness, a gym franchise with 5 locations across Birmingham, Alabama, that employs exercises consistent with an ECP in this study. An injury was defined as a physical condition resulting from ECP participation that caused the athlete to either seek medical treatment, take time off fr...
Macroinvertebrate Drift, Adult Insect Emergence and Oviposition

Abstract This chapter introduces key concepts and sampling methods concerning drift of benthic stream invertebrates, and the emergence and oviposition behavior of lotic insects, with a focus on the growing array of methods for their quantification being applied in food web and ecosystem studies. Methods are provided to measure the rate of net clogging (which informs the design of drift studies), compare drift among habitat types in wadeable streams and between day and night, and quantify the vertical distribution of drift in large rivers. Methods are also described for sampling emerging adults and estimating emergence flux, examining dispersal distances of adult insects laterally from a stream, and quantifying emergence or postemergent adults as prey available to terrestrial insectivores. Finally, methods are presented regarding a phenomenon closely linked to both emergence and drift, oviposition, including observing behavior and searching for insect eggs, quantifying egg densities and oviposition-site selection, rearing insect eggs, and measuring hatch success.
Detecting preferences based on eye movement using combinatorial fusion

When tasked with comparing two images on a screen, a subject's eye movement can be captured and analyzed in order to understand the process of preference formation. The process of comparing two images and developing a preference is analyzed based on a sample dataset. Although it is known in general that our preferences are shaped by our past experiences, a systemic understanding of the factors which lead to preference decision making remains a challenging problem. In this paper, we propose a set of five attributes which are extracted from the temporal eye movement sequence: last duration, total duration, gaze count, interest sustainability, and region change. Each of these five attributes is a scoring system (ranking system). We then use the combinatorial fusion algorithm (CFA) framework to combine pairs of attributes using the rank-score characteristic (RSC) function and cognitive diversity (CD). Our results demonstrate that combination of two attributes can improve individual attributes if the attribute pair has a higher cognitive diversity. Our work represents a new paradigm to use combinatorial fusion for preference detection based on eye movement.
Chapter 15 Attention and Memory in Context-Independent and Context-Interactive Situations

In context-independent situations the target and context are physically distinct and conceptually unrelated; in context-interactive situations, target and context are conceptually related. Developmental differences in attentional selectivity have been examined mostly in the former, where children typically are insufficiently selective and vulnerable to contextual distraction. In contrast, in context-interactive situations children are too selective. The patterns in these situations thus provide a different perspective about the development of attentional selectivity. In this chapter, the developmental relation between attention and memory in context-independent and context-interactive situations is examined.
Dispensing with Power: A Response to Three Papers on Historical Criticism

The essays printed here all make the case for historical criticism in reasonable and persuasive terms. Professor Weinbrot’s paper shows how recovering the meaning that classical allusions, formal word order, and particular loaded phrases had for their original audiences makes us better readers of eighteenth-century novels. One of his examples is the phrase “dispensing power,” which James II claimed in his attempt to remake the monarchy on an autocratic model, and which Samuel Richardson used in a different context while describing Pamela in her “exalted condition.” Further research shows that controversial pamphlets contemporaneous with Richardson’s novel discussed the refusal of Quakers to pay tithes by using the same phrase, an intriguing circumstance as Pamela attends a masquerade dressed as a Quaker. Professor Hume’s paper details how little we know about many aspects of dramatic history, and rightly criticizes sweeping claims based on sparse data. Although we shall always wrestle with inadequate data, our readers still expect us to speculate, and as long as we do so honestly, labeling our guesses as guesses, what we do is at worst harmless and at best suggestive. If some factual discoveries decisively invalidate earlier readings, others enrich our sense of context while leaving room for different interpretations. Professor Ezell, who describes herself as “quite happy with the constructions of databases and counting things,” correctly rejects the preposterous and increasingly widespread belief that “close reading is . . . totally inappropriate as a method of studying literary history.” We need to nurture and celebrate scholars who understand the importance of historical evidence, even when that evidence is incomplete, and who also understand the subtleties of rhetorical, cultural, and aesthetic interpretation that remain well beyond the reach of any existing computer program.
Children and Issues Around Palliative Care

In 1993, Pediatric Palliative Care (PCC) was defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as compassionate and all-inclusive care when curative treatment is no longer possible. Since then however, PCC has broadened into family-centered care aimed at enhancing quality of life and minimizing suffering of all children with life-threatening conditions, no matter what the outcome of the illness (Field and Behrman, 2003). As described by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP, 2000), the goal of PCC is to add life to the child’s years, not simply years to the child’s life. Each year in the United States, approximately 50,000 children die and 500,000 children live with life-threatening conditions (Himelstein et al., 2004). According to the 2002 Annual Summary of Vital Statistics (Arias et al., 2002), 27,567 infants and 25,845 children and adolescents (1 to 19 years) died. Out of 53,455 total childhood deaths, 36% of children died from preventable injuries (Figure 10.1), suggesting that the bereavement needs of the surviving family, friends and community are vast. However, the majority childhood deaths are related to an unavoidable underlying chronic illness or condition (Figure 10.1; Feudtner et al., 2002) and this is where palliative care strategies can make an enormous difference. A recent analysis of deaths of individuals less than 25 years old in Washington State found that 52 percent occurred in the hospital, 8 percent in the emergency department or during transport, and 22 percent at other sites, and 17 percent at home (Feudtner et al., 2002).
Cardiogenic stroke in the elderly.

Cardiogenic stroke accounts for 15-20% of all ischemic strokes and for more than double that number in the very elderly. In this article, available data regarding cardiogenic embolism, its prevention and management in the elderly are reviewed in addition to the epidemiology, diagnosis, and major sources of cardiac emboli, and nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation
Specificity in Plant-Pathogen Interactions

There is a remarkable degree of specificity in plant-pathogen interactions. That is, despite the presence of a diverse array of potential pathogens in the environment, only a few plant species or cultivars become infected. Moreover, only certain biotypes or strains of plant pathogens are capable of inducing disease in certain cultivars of a single plant species. Specificity is not confined only to plant-pathogen interactions, it is also a feature of animal-pathogen and plant-plant interactions. Brian (1976) has recognized five levels of specificity: First, the distinction between pathogens and absolute nonpathogens; second, the distinction between host and nonhost for a particular pathogen; third, the distinction among specialized races of some microorganisms in terms of their ability to attack a certain range of host species; fourth, specificity pertaining to the ability of certain pathogens to attack only a single plant species, or a few closely related species; and, finally, specificity related to the restriction of physiological races of a pathogen to a few genotypes of the host species.
"A Stranger to Its Laws": Freedom, Civil Rights, and the Legal Ambiguity of Romer V. Evans (1996)

The Supreme Court's 1996 ruling in Romer v. Evans is widely seen as a significant extension of civil rights to gays and lesbians. We offer a reading of Romer v. Evans (1996) that eschews traditiona...
Philosophy, Art, and Religion: Understanding Faith and Creativity

At a time when religion and science are thought to be at loggerheads, art is widely hailed as religion's natural spiritual ally. Philosophy, Art, and Religion investigates the extent to which this is true. It charts the way in which modern conceptions of 'Art' often marginalize the sacred arts, construing choral and instrumental music, painting and iconography, poetry, drama, and architecture as 'applied' arts that necessarily fall short of the ideal of 'art for art's sake'. Drawing on both history of art and philosophical aesthetics, Graham sets out the historical context in which the arts came to free themselves from religious patronage, in order to conceptualize the cultural context in which religious art currently finds itself. The book then relocates religious art within the aesthetics of everyday life. Subsequent chapters systematically explore each of the sacred arts, using a wide range of illustrative examples to uncover the ways in which artworks can illuminate religious faith, and religious content can lend artworks a deeper dimension.
Effects of heating time and sodium metabisulfite on the nutritional value of full-fat soybeans for chicks.

Two 21-d trials were conducted to evaluate the effect of heating time and sodium metabisulfite (SMBS) on the nutritional value of full-fat soybeans for chicks. In Trial 1, four pen-replicates of eight chicks each were fed corn-based diets (19% CP; 3,167 kcal of ME/kg) containing either 44% CP soybean meal or full-fat soybeans. The soybeans either were unheated or were autoclaved at 121 degrees C for 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, or 90 min. Soybean oil was added to the soybean meal diet to make it isoenergetic with the soybean diets. Trypsin inhibitor, urease activity, and the solubility of protein in the soybeans decreased as heating time increased. Weight gain increased and feed:gain and pancreas weights decreased quadratically (P less than .01) with heating time. Rate and efficiency of gain were maximized when the soybeans were heated for 40 min; further heating for 60 or 90 min reduced performance. In Trial 2, SMBS was added at levels of 0, 1, or 2% to full-fat, unheated soybeans or to soybeans before autoclaving at 121 degrees C for 10, 20, or 40 min. Four pen-replicates of seven chicks each were fed corn-soybean diets (19% CP; 3,144 kcal of ME/kg) with 12 treatments in a factorial arrangement of heating times and SMBS levels. The rate and efficiency of chick weight gain improved linearly (P less than .01) and pancreas weights decreased linearly (P less than .01) as heating time increased. Less heating time was required to maximize performance and minimize pancreas weights when SMBS was added, resulting in a heating time x SMBS interaction (P less than .05). Under the conditions of this research, chicks fed full-fat soybeans achieved maximum performance when the soybeans were heated at 121 degrees C for 40 min, and SMBS decreased by one-half the heating time required to inactivate the trypsin inhibitors. Trypsin inhibitor activity in soybeans was more closely related to their nutritional value than was urease activity.
Biological significance of RNA-seq and single-cell genomic research in woody plants

RNA-seq and single-cell genomic research emerge as an important research area in the recent years due to its ability to examine genetic information of any number of single cells in all living organisms. The knowledge gained from RNA-seq and single-cell genomic research will have a great impact in many aspects of plant biology. In this review, we summary and discuss the biological significance of RNA-seq and single-cell genomic research in plants including the single-cell DNA-sequencing, RNA-seq and single-cell RNA sequencing in woody plants, methods of RNA-seq and single-cell RNA-sequencing, single-cell RNA-sequencing for studying plant development, and single-cell RNA-sequencing for elucidating cell type composition. We will focus on RNA-seq and single-cell RNA sequencing in woody plants, understanding of plant development through single-cell RNA-sequencing, and elucidation of cell type composition via single-cell RNA-sequencing. Information presented in this review will be helpful to increase our understanding of plant genomic research in a way with the power of plant single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis.
ASTRAL-MP: scaling ASTRAL to very large datasets using randomization and parallelization.

MOTIVATION Evolutionary histories can change from one part of the genome to another. The potential for discordance between the gene trees has motivated the development of summary methods that reconstruct a species tree from an input collection of gene trees. ASTRAL is a widely used summary method and has been able to scale to relatively large datasets. However, the size of genomic datasets is quickly growing. Despite its relative efficiency, the current single-threaded implementation of ASTRAL is falling behind the data growth trends is not able to analyze the largest available datasets in a reasonable time. RESULTS ASTRAL uses dynamic programing and is not trivially parallel. In this paper, we introduce ASTRAL-MP, the first version of ASTRAL that can exploit parallelism and also uses randomization techniques to speed up some of its steps. Importantly, ASTRAL-MP can take advantage of not just multiple CPU cores but also one or several graphics processing units (GPUs). The ASTRAL-MP code scales very well with increasing CPU cores, and its GPU version, implemented in OpenCL, can have up to 158× speedups compared to ASTRAL-III. Using GPUs and multiple cores, ASTRAL-MP is able to analyze datasets with 10 000 species or datasets with more than 100 000 genes in <2 days. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION ASTRAL-MP is available at https://github.com/smirarab/ASTRAL/tree/MP. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Blood lead levels in children in urban and rural areas: Using multilevel modeling to investigate impacts of gender, race, poverty, and the environment.

Abstract Many studies of children's exposure to lead (Pb) are carried out in urban and industrialized environments. This study analyzed blood lead level (BLL) data collected from 2011 to 2016 from approximately 140,000 children ages
Resident Enumerators for Continuous Monitoring

Quality high-frequency data can be collected in a context of protracted insecurity by relying on locally recruited enumerators who live in the survey areas. Using resident enumerators is cost-effective, increases flexibility, and builds trust between enumerators and respondents. Supervision and motivation challenges typically associated with the use of long-term resident enumerators were resolved by relying on tablets for data collection and cell phones to pay salaries and offer feedback.
Automated means to classify lab-scale termite damage

Abstract We evaluated convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to visually classify severity of termite attack according to the rating scale from the AWPA E1 standard. The wood wafer dataset contained only 181 uniquely damaged samples. To help compensate for the lack of a large dataset, we performed stratified 5-fold cross validation in which the number of testing samples varied from 33 to 39. Data augmentation was performed on-the-fly on each training set by rotating and flipping samples to generate from 8520 to 8880 images. The CNNs tested included sequential AlexNet, InceptionV3, ResNet50, and InceptionV4-ResNetV2. Each CNN trained relatively well with no sign of overfitting. Sequential AlexNet achieved the best performance, predicting samples with an overall adjusted accuracy of 76.5%, followed by InceptionV3, ResNet50, and InceptionV4-ResNetV2 with 75.0%, 70.8%, and 67.2%, respectively. Sequential AlexNet reached a top-2 accuracy of 97.2%. Mispredictions were more prevalent in the E1 mid-grade ranges, i.e., 4–6 and 8–9. We believe that AlexNet out-performed the other CNNS because of two possible reasons: (1) the other deeper CNNs learned spurious features from the samples that led to more mispredictions; or (2) the other deeper CNNs simply require a training dataset larger than we had available. Future work will focus on developing machine-learning software to grade samples and segment the damage on early/latewood. In addition, we plan to solicit and collect more termite damage samples worldwide in order to enhance our tool and further validate our current findings based only on a limited dataset.
Physiological transport of Rabinowitsch fluid model with convective conditions

Abstract The leading objective of this paper is to discuss the simulation of mixed convection flow for physiological transport of Rabinowitsch fluid model with convective conditions. Peristaltic flow motion is considered in an inclined tube. Effects of mixed convection and convective boundary constraints are also considered for the Rabinowitsch fluid model. The current problem is displayed and exact solutions are managed under large wavelength and small Reynolds number approximation. We have used mathematica software to calculate pressure rise. The effect of different parameters on temperature and velocity profile are displayed graphically. The characteristics of the peristaltic motion are inspected by scheming diagrams and results for shear thickening and shear thinning fluids are discussed separately. It is found that by increasing values of Biot number declines the thermal conductivity which gives to decline of temperature profile.
If You are Serious About Impact, Create a Personal Impact Development Plan:

To achieve impact, academics need to create personal impact development plans, focused on what and on whom to have an impact and the necessary competencies to do so. Profession and university leade...
Development and Demonstration of Microgrid System Utilizing Second-Life Electric Vehicle Batteries

Abstract As microgrids grow in popularity, the cost of energy storage becomes a more and more pressing issue for the industry to solve. One potential solution to this problem is the development of second-life battery-based energy storage systems (ESSs). This paper discusses the design, construction, and operation of a commercial-scale microgrid consisting of 164.5 kW of solar photovoltaics (PV), 262 kWh of energy storage, 2 buildings with a total area of 1550 m2, and an average power demand of 85 kW. The ESS was built using second-life Nissan Leaf battery modules to demonstrate the performance potential of retired electric vehicle (EV) batteries for stationary energy storage. Prior to assembling the ESS, each Nissan Leaf module was tested to characterize its state of health (SoH). The average SoH of the modules before use was 71%, however evidence gathered suggested this is near the upper limit of initial second-life battery health. This challenges the conventional wisdom in the literature that EV batteries are retired soon after they reach 80% SoH. Data from the first year of microgrid operation were presented, demonstrating that the second-life batteries performed as designed. Analysis revealed that the microgrid achieved an average reduction in maximum peak-time demand of 60% and peak-time energy use of 39%. Results support the case that second-life batteries are well-suited for commercial-scale energy storage.
Vision Threatening Disease Triage Using Tele-Ophthalmology during COVID-19 in the Emergency Department: A Pilot Study

Purpose : The Centers for Disease Control reports 28.2% of surveyed US adults had reduced access to medical care (June/August 2020) due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with 8.9% reporting reduced access to vision care. A non-mydriatic digital retinal camera was piloted for deployment to the Emergency Department (ED) to help address this gap in vision care. Referrals for clinical follow-up in vision threatening diseases (VTDs) such as age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy (DR), and glaucoma were assessed with human readers. Artificial Intelligence (AI) deep learning software was evaluated in known DR cases. Methods : 33 patients with known VTDs (48.48% male, avg 59.33 years) and 36 control subjects (41.67% male, avg 31.33 years) were included in tele-ophthalmology screening. A Canon CR-2 Plus AF non-mydriatic retinal camera captured 45-degree angle color and auto-fluorescence images of the eyes. Images (136 eyes) were graded by a certified telemedicine reader on site and an off-site clinical ophthalmologist following International Clinical Diabetic Retinopathy Disease Severity Scale (ICDRSS). Intergrader agreement between readers was evaluated with Cohen's kappa. An automated deep learning screening software optimized for DR (SELENA+, EyRIS Pte Ltd, Singapore) performed independent validation of readable color fundus images (17 eyes). Results : 5.07% of images were deemed unreadable by graders due to poor quality. Intergrader agreement for subject referral was κ = 0.710 (95% CI 0.545-0.875, p<.0005), with the clinical ophthalmologist generating more referrals than the telemedicine reader. Readers had 96.97% sensitivity (95% CI 91.12-1.028) and 72.22% specificity (95% CI 57.59- 86.85) in detecting referable disease. Positive predictive value was 76.19% (CI 63.31%- 89.07%) and negative predictive value was 96.30% (CI 89.17%- 1.034%). Of the 10 false positives, 6 were referred for rule out of glaucoma. Four had early stage cataracts that were deemed nonurgent. SELENA+ referred 100% of the known 9 DR patients. Conclusions : Tele-ophthalmology deployment in the ED helps limit patient and staff exposure to SARS-CoV-2 without sacrificing evaluation for VTDs. Tele-ophthalmology readers err on the side of caution to avoid missing VTD in a given patient. Use of AI can help keep strict adherence to referral guidelines.
Comparative description of the mRNA expression profile of Na+ /K+ -ATPase isoforms in adult mouse nervous system.

Mutations in genes encoding Na+ /K+ -ATPase α1, α2, and α3 subunits cause a wide range of disabling neurological disorders, and dysfunction of Na+ /K+ -ATPase may contribute to neuronal injury in stroke and dementia. To better understand the pathogenesis of these diseases, it is important to determine the expression patterns of the different Na+ /K+ -ATPase subunits within the brain and among specific cell types. Using two available scRNA-Seq databases from the adult mouse nervous system, we examined the mRNA expression patterns of the different isoforms of the Na+ /K+ -ATPase α, β and Fxyd subunits at the single cell level among brain regions and various neuronal populations. We subsequently identified specific types of neurons enriched with transcripts for α1 and α3 isoforms and elaborated how α3-expressing neuronal populations govern cerebellar neuronal circuits. We further analyzed the co-expression network for α1 and α3 isoforms, highlighting the genes that positively correlated with α1 and α3 expression. The top ten genes for α1 were Chn2, Hpcal1, Nrgn, Neurod1, Selm, Kcnc1, Snrk, Snap25, Ckb and Ccndbp1 and for α3 were Sorcs3, Eml5, Neurod2, Ckb, Tbc1d4, Ptprz1, Pvrl1, Kirrel3, Pvalb, and Asic2.
Longitudinal Dispersion Coefficients for Streams

A simplified method is presented to predict the longitudinal dispersion coefficient for natural streams. A dimensionless parameter, β, which is the function of the shape of the channel cross sectio...
Dark matter and cosmological nucleosynthesis

It is shown that big bang nucleosynthesis requires at least some of the baryons in the universe must be dark. All current solutions seem to require at least two ad hoc assumptions. Of these more complex but complete solutions, the ability to produce large scale free structures where these dark baryons lie may be the best way to resolve the different proposed solutions to the several different dark matter problems.
Bargaining Power on the Supreme Court

How can we figure out relative bargaining power within the Supreme Court? We argue that fluidity, the switching of votes by a justice between the initial internal conference vote and the final reported vote in a case, can reveal the likely location of the majority opinion - because all else equal justices should be less likely to switch the happier they are with the majority opinion. Different theories make various predictions for opinion location. We draw out the implications for how happy a particular choice of assignee should make each justice in the majority. This in turn should correlate to the probability of vote switching. We then compare the predictions of each model to observed vote switching. We make use of multilevel probit regression and roughly 40 years of Supreme Court vote data. Among the theories we consider, we find that the evidence from fluidity supports the conclusion that authorship does matter. In particular, the evidence is compatible with the bargaining and opinion assignment model in Lax and Cameron (2007), suggesting that power within the Court does lie partially in the hands of opinion authors and thus of the Chief Justices who pick them, as constrained by the need to maintain a majority coalition.
Perspectives on a Pair of Envelopes

The two envelopes problem has generated a significant number of publications (I have benefitted from reading many of them, only some of which I cite; see the epilogue for a historical note). Part of my purpose here is to provide a review of previous results (with somewhat simpler demonstrations). In addition, I hope to clear up what I see as some misconceptions concerning the problem. Within a countably additive probability framework, the problem illustrates a breakdown of dominance with respect to infinite partitions in circumstances of infinite expected utility. Within a probability framework that is only finitely additive, there are failures of dominance with respect to infinite partitions in circumstances of bounded utility with finitely many consequences (see the epilogue).
The matricellular protein CCN1 suppresses hepatocarcinogenesis by inhibiting compensatory proliferation

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and is on the rise in the United States. Previous studies showed that the matricellular protein CCN1 (CYR61) is induced during hepatic injuries and functions to restrict and resolve liver fibrosis. Here, we show that CCN1 suppresses hepatocarcinogenesis by inhibiting carcinogen-induced compensatory hepatocyte proliferation, thus limiting the expansion of damaged and potentially oncogenic hepatocytes. Consistent with tumor suppression, CCN1 expression is downregulated in human HCC. Ccn1(ΔHep) mice with hepatocyte-specific deletion of Ccn1 suffer increased HCC tumor multiplicity induced by the hepatocarcinogen diethylnitrosamine (DEN). Knockin mice (Ccn1(dm/dm)) that express an integrin α6β1-binding defective CCN1 phenocopied Ccn1(ΔHep) mice, indicating that CCN1 acts through its α6β1 binding sites in this context. CCN1 effectively inhibits epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-dependent hepatocyte proliferation through integrin α6-mediated accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby triggering p53 activation and cell cycle block. Consequently, Ccn1(dm/dm) mice exhibit diminished p53 activation and elevated compensatory hepatocyte proliferation, resulting in increased HCC. Furthermore, we show that a single dose of the EGFR inhibitor erlotinib delivered prior to DEN-induced injury was sufficient to block compensatory proliferation and annihilate development of HCC nodules observed 8 months later, suggesting potential chemoprevention by targeting CCN1-inhibitable EGFR-dependent hepatocyte proliferation. Together, these results show that CCN1 is an injury response protein that functions not only to restrict fibrosis in the liver, but also to suppress hepatocarcinogenesis by inhibiting EGFR-dependent hepatocyte compensatory proliferation.