cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of chemiluminescence in human neutrophils by dapsone

Dapsone at doses of 0.5 to 5.0 micrograms/ml was found to produce a dose-dependent inhibition of opsonized zymosan-induced human polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) chemiluminescence (CL) in vitro. Simultaneous exposure of PMN to dapsone and zymosan was as effective in reducing CL as preincubation of PMN with dapsone. Preincubation of PMN with dapsone followed by washing, resulted in the loss of dapsone-mediated CL inhibition, indicating that dapsone did not permanently alter the CL-generating mechanism and that the drug had to be present to inhibit CL. Dapsone did not absorb light at the wavelength of CL and was not toxic to PMN at concentrations tested. Sodium azide, an inhibitor of myeloperoxidase-mediated CL inhibited PMN CL to the same degree as dapsone. When incubated together with PMN, dapsone and azide did not produce an additive inhibition of CL. These data suggest that inhibition of myeloperoxidase may be the mechanism by which dapsone inhibits PMN CL.
Intermittent Use of Copper-Silver Ionization for Legionella Control in Water Distribution Systems: A Potential Option in Buildings Housing Individuals at Low Risk of Infection

One copper-silver ionization system was sequentially installed onto the hot-water recirculation lines of two hospital buildings colonized with Legionella pneumophila, serogroup 1. A third building with the same water supply and also colonized with Legionella served as a control. Four weeks after activation of the system, distal site positivity for Legionella in the first test building dropped to zero. After operating for 16 weeks, the system was disconnected and installed onto the second test building. Twelve weeks of disinfection reduced the distal site positivity for Legionella in the second test building to zero. Legionella recolonization did not occur in the first test building for 6-12 weeks and in the second test building for 8-12 weeks after inactivation of the system. The control building remained Legionella-positive throughout the experimental period. A significantly higher copper concentration was found in the biofilm taken from a sampling device than in that from water. This is likely to be the reason that the copper-silver ionization system had the residual effect of preventing early recolonization. Our study raises the possibility that one copper-silver unit could be rotated among several buildings to maintain a Legionella-free environment. Such an approach may be cost-effective for buildings housing individuals at low risk for contracting legionnaires' disease.
Algorithms for blind signal separation and recovery in static and dynamic environments

We propose update laws for the problem of blind separation in static and dynamic environments. The energy function is based on an approximation of the mutual information as a measure of independence. Both feedforward and feedback structures of the neural network are considered. A general framework to develop the update law for the dynamic model is proposed. Computer simulations to support the analytical work are provided.
Hyflow2: a high performance distributed transactional memory framework in scala

Distributed Transactional Memory (DTM) is a recent but promising model for programming distributed systems. It aims to present programmers with a simple to use distributed concurrency control abstraction (transactions), while maintaining performance and scalability similar to distributed fine-grained locks. Any complications usually associated with such locks (e.g., distributed deadlocks) are avoided. We propose a new DTM framework for the Java Virtual Machine named Hyflow2. We implement Hyflow2 in Scala and base it on the existing ScalaSTM API soon to be included in the Scala standard library. We thus aim to create a smooth transition from multiprocessor STM programs to DTM.
Spectroscopic Measurements in the Shock Relaxation Region of a Hypervelocity Mach Reflection

We examine the spatial temperature profile in the non-equilibrium relaxation region behind a stationary shock wave. The normal shock wave is established through a Mach reflection configuration from an opposing wedge arrangement for a hypervelocity air Mach 7.42 freestream. Schlieren images confirm that the shock configuration is steady and the location is repeatable. Emission spectroscopy is used to identify dissociated species and to obtain vibrational temperature measurements using the NO and OH A-X band sequences. Temperature measurements are presented at selected locations behind the normal shock. LIFBASE is used as the simulation spectrum software for OH temperature-fitting, however the need to access higher vibrational and rotational levels for NO leads to the use of an in-house developed algorithm. For NO, results demonstrate the contribution of higher vibrational and rotational levels to the spectra at the conditions of this study. Very good agreement is achieved between the experimentally measured NO vibrational temperatures and calculations performed using a state-resolved, one-dimensional forced harmonic oscillator thermochemical model.
MOLECULAR AND METABOLIC PROFILES SUGGEST THAT INCREASED LIPID CATABOLISM IN ADIPOSE TISSUE CONTRIBUTES TO LEANNESS IN DOMESTIC CHICKENS

Domestic broiler chickens rapidly accumulate fat and are naturally hyperglycemic and insulin resistant, making them an attractive model for studies of human obesity. We previously demonstrated that short-term (5 h) fasting rapidly upregulates pathways of fatty acid oxidation in broiler chickens and proposed that activation of these pathways may promote leanness. The objective of the current study was to characterize adipose tissue from relatively lean and fatty lines of chickens and determine if heritable leanness in chickens is associated with activation of some of the same pathways induced by fasting. We compared adipose gene expression and metabolite profiles in white adipose tissue of lean Leghorn and Fayoumi breeds to those of fattier commercial broiler chickens. Both lipolysis and expression of genes involved in fatty acid oxidation were upregulated in lean chickens compared with broilers. Although there were strong similarities between the lean lines compared with broilers, distinct expression signatures were also found between Fayoumi and Leghorn, including differences in adipogenic genes. Similarities between genetically lean and fasted chickens suggest that fatty acid oxidation in white adipose tissue is adaptively coupled to lipolysis and plays a role in heritable differences in fatness. Unique signatures of leanness in Fayoumi and Leghorn lines highlight distinct pathways that may provide insight into the basis for leanness in humans. Collectively, our results provide a number of future directions through which to fully exploit chickens as unique models for the study of human obesity and adipose metabolism.
Predicting the future: resource requirements and predictive optimism

The partitioning of systems for parallel simulation is a complex task, requiring consideration of both computational load requirements and communications activity. Typically, this information is not accurately known prior to execution. This paper investigates the use of historical information for the prediction of future requirements, both for computation and communications. In addition, for optimistic simulation algorithms, we present a novel technique (which we call predictive optimism) whereby binary prediction schemes can be used to increase the accuracy of optimistic assumptions, thereby decreasing rollbacks and potentially improving overall simulator performance.
A charge sharing based harmonic-reject mixer for RF applications

Harmonic-reject mixers are required in receivers to prevent signals near the LO harmonics from introducing large interferences into the desired signal band. To achieve high attenuation of interferers in harmonic-reject mixers, sub-mixings with accurate gain are required. Existing oversampling harmonic-reject mixer structures employ either three or four mixers with different gains. A harmonic-reject mixer that employs only two mixers with the same gains is proposed to minimize mismatch. Instead of varying the mixer gain, charge sharing is used to implement gain factors with high matching and accuracy. As only two clocks are required for the two signal paths, the layout is greatly simplified and high matching is possible. A prototype circuit has been designed in 65nm CMOS, and the amount of rejection for 3rd and 5th harmonic are simulated to be 44dB and 46dB, respectively. The mixer has a noise figure of 13dB and an IIP3 of -3.1dBm and consumes 11mA at 1.2V supply voltage.
Evaluation of visual and instrument shade matching

Abstract Statement of problem. Visual color matching to determine shades in dentistry is inconsistent and unreliable. If accurate, instrumental measurement of tooth color would provide objective, quantified data to match natural teeth to clinical shade guides. Purpose. This study evaluated and compared the ability of a new computerized colorimeter and a simple visual test to match ceramic shade guide teeth. Material and methods. Thirty-one (n = 31) observers with normal color vision were allowed unlimited time to match one set of Vita Lumin shade guide teeth to the corresponding shade guide teeth of a second Vita Lumin shade guide. The same test was administered to 14 of the observers several months later to determine within-subject variability. A computerized colorimeter (Colortron II) equipped with a positioning guide was used to measure the middle third of each shade guide tooth. Through a "match tool" present in the computer's software, readings from one shade guide were matched with readings of the other shade guide by using CIELAB measurements and ΔE values. The mean number of correct matches by the colorimeter and of correct matches in visual test were compared with a 1-tailed t test. Repeatability for both tests was determined with a paired t test. Results. The Colortron II instrument correctly matched 8 of the 16 tabs (50% correct), whereas visual matching by examiners averaged 7.7 of 16 correct matches (48% correct) (standard deviation 2.7). No statistically significant differences existed between the 2 methods. The colorimeter demonstrated 100% repeatability and the visual test demonstrated fair repeatability (correlation coefficient r=.60). Conclusions. Shade determination by visual means was inconsistent. Accuracy of a new colorimeter in matching porcelain shade guide teeth was only slightly better. (J Prosthet Dent 1998;80:642-8.)
Lessons Learned From Developing Reactor Pressure Vessel Steel Embrittlement Database

Materials behaviors caused by neutron irradiation under fission and/or fusion environments can be little understood without practical examination. Easily accessible material information system with large material database using effective computers is necessary for design of nuclear materials and analyses or simulations of the phenomena. The developed Embrittlement Data Base (EDB) at ORNL is this comprehensive collection of data. EDB database contains power reactor pressure vessel surveillance data, the material test reactor data, foreign reactor data (through bilateral agreements authorized by NRC), and the fracture toughness data. The lessons learned from building EDB program and the associated database management activity regarding Material Database Design Methodology, Architecture and the Embedded QA Protocol are described in this report. The development of IAEA International Database on Reactor Pressure Vessel Materials (IDRPVM) and the comparison of EDB database and IAEA IDRPVM database are provided in the report. The recommended database QA protocol and database infrastructure are also stated in the report.
Proof Without Words: A Sum and Product of Three Tangents

(2002). Proof Without Words: A Sum and Product of Three Tangents. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 75, No. 1, pp. 40-40.
Hydrothermal Synthesis of Hydroxyapatite Crystals in the Presence of Methanol

The effect of methanol on the morphology of hydroxyapatite (HAp) crystals has been studied under hydrothermal conditions. A precursor HAp slurry prepared from CaCO3 and CaHPO4⋅2H2O was synthesized hydrothermally in the presence of methanol. The products obtained from slurries containing varying amounts of methanol were found to be carbonate-containing HAp by X-ray diffraction and IR spectrometry. TEM showed that the morphology of the products was influenced by the amount of methanol added to the slurry. The products obtained from slurries without methanol were rod-like or granular crystals, about 20 to 100nm in size. Addition of methanol to the slurries caused an increase in the ratio of plate-like crystals to rod-like crystals or granular crystals. When the weight of methanol added was equal to the weight of the slurry, only plate-like crystals 20 to 200nm in size were obtained. X-ray diffraction patterns of oriented products indicated that the plane grown selectively was the a-plane of the plate-like crystals. The results by DTA suggested that the variation of the morphology can be attributed to the adsorption of methanol on the surface of the HAp nuclei inhibiting the crystal growth along a particular axis.
Spectral ship surveillance from space

Remote surveillance of the ocean will soon become a high priority for the U.S. Navy, as international threats to close strategic choke points intensify, as piracy flourishes, and as gaps in U.S. waters continue to permit illegal intrusions with contraband cargo. A critical need is arising to identify threats as early and as distant from our shores as possible. A growing constellation of spectrally-capable satellites can facilitate this function, which must be performed autonomously. Earth's total ocean area is 1014 (1 m)2 pixels. This paper develops a spectral anomaly detection algorithm that is based on a statistical mixture model of clouds and ocean. A real time implementable prototype version is derived using clairvoyant fusion methods. Development of a second generation version applicable to a more accurate clutter model is also described.
The Adrenals and Pituitary in Initiation of Lactation

ConclusionsExperiments of several types indicate that adrenal cortical hormone is necessary for milk production, and that the disturbance of cortical function produced by hypophysectomy, or adrenalectomy prevents the initiation of lactation in the guinea pig.
Semi-F-Spaces

Semi-F-spaces are spaces such that given any pair of disjoint cozero sets, every countable subset of one is completely separated from the other. This generalizes the notion of an F-space and is stronger than the property that every countable subset is C*-embedded. Semi-F-spaces are studied and several examples are given.
Minority Recruitment and Participation in Health Research

ince 1993, all investigators funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct clinical research have been expected to demonstrate appropriate inclusion of racial and ethnic minorities and women in their research or clearly demonstrate why they should be excluded in order to pursue a specific research objective. This mandate, the NIH Revitalization Act, was a response to the realization that women and minorities were underrepresented in clinical research. These guidelines have mandated the inclusion of minorities in clinical research in an effort to better understand disparities in health and to improve the generalizability of research findings. While few would argue with the goals of this mandate, investigators have been challenged in its implementation. This article gives an overview of some of the challenges raised by minority participation in research and describes some of the consequences of a lack of minority involvement in research.
Neural correlates of attentional bias for cannabis cues: Influence of sex

Aims: Attentional biases (AB) interfere with decision making processes and AB to drug cues is a cardinal feature of addiction that may contribute to relapse. Thus it is critical to identify the neural correlates of AB for improving interventions. Cue responsivity and AB differ between males and females suggesting the neural correlates of AB to drug cues may also be sex-specific. Methods: We explored associations between AB for cannabis cues (CCs) and neural responses to CCs among males (n=24) and females (n=14) seeking treatment for cannabis use disorder (CUD). CUDs were exposed to CCs and comparison cues (500ms duration; 48 images of each cue type) presented in a quasi-random order in a BOLD fMRI fast event-related paradigm. Males and females did not differ in demographic or drug use characteristics. Male and female CUDs also completed a visual dot-probe AB task, which contained pictures of CCs and nondrug cues to examine whether sex influences AB and to investigate relationships between AB and neural responses to CCs. Results: CUDs showed an AB to CCs (22.8±4.7ms), which was not significantly different between males and females. Neural responses to CCs were strongest in the ventral striatum in females and the amygdala inmales.Males showed positive correlations between AB and increased CC-induced brain activity in visual cortex and bilateral parahippocampus whereas females showed positive correlations (all bilateral) in the insula, lateral orbitofrontal cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and middle temporal cortex. (T values range from 3 to 6, p=0.01). Conclusions: Results suggest that AB to CCs has different brain correlates for men and women. Thus, strategies to address AB may need to target sex-specific brain vulnerabilities for maximum impact on relapse. Financial support: PA DOH CURE.
Occurrence of ovarian malignancy in Childhood and adolescence: A Community- wide evaluation

During childhood and adolescence, the rate of malignancy in ovarian enlargement is reported to be high-approximately 35% in many large series from tertiary centers. To assess whether this represents an overestimation because of the referral patterns of these institutions, a retrospective review was conducted at five hospitals in Nashville, Tennessee. In females 21 years of age and under, borderline or malignant ovarian neoplasms were identified in only eight (5.8%) of 137 individuals with ovarian enlargement and eight (9.8%) of 82 females with ovarian neoplasms. All six malignant neoplasms were of germ-cell origin. The borderline neoplasms were of epithelial origin, and occurred in females in their late teens. We conclude that the frequency with which ovarian enlargement represents malignancy in this age group appears to be much smaller than previously suggested. Nevertheless, because of the potential for malignant ovarian neoplasia in young females, the presence of an abdominal-pelvic mass requires prompt and thorough attention.
Beyond the Supernatural: Latino Healers Treating Latino Immigrants in NYC

This essay analyzes the role of the botanica (ethnic healing store) among the Latino population of New York City. It examines how botanicas provide health care services to an ethnically diverse clientele. At the same time, the study reviews the specialized knowledge base and hierarchical roles that healers have among the community that seeks their services.
Diversity of arthropods in farmed wetlands in the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Plain and effects of detrital subsidies

ABSTRACTWetland acreage has declined continentally in the USA. With the loss of natural wetlands, farmed wetlands may be a surrogate for natural wetlands. Seasonally, flooded rice fields are commonly managed wetlands on the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Plain. This study had two objectives: (1) catalog arthropod diversity in rice fields; (2) investigate if detrital subsidies could elicit trophic cascades that reduce nuisance organisms. In 2013 and 2014, experimental rice plots were established, and detritus was applied to half of the plots in each year. Floating pitfall traps, aquatic D-net sweeping, Gee crawfish traps and root/sediment corers were used to sample for arthropods. Over the two growing seasons, 143 different species were sampled from 13 orders, totaling 49,251 individuals. Detrital subsidies neither elicited a detectable trophic cascade nor did they significantly alter the rice field arthropod community. Contrary to previous studies, results suggest that macroinvertebrate communities in farmed wetl...
Large scale data clustering and graph partitioning via simulated mixing

In this paper, we propose a new spectral clustering algorithm relying on a simulated mixing process over a graph. In contrast to existing spectral clustering algorithms, our algorithm does not necessitate the computation of eigenvectors. Alternatively, our algorithm determines the equivalent of a linear combination of eigenvectors of the normalized similarity matrix, which are weighted by the corresponding eigenvalues obtained by the mixing process on the graph. We use the information gained from this linear combination of eigenvectors directly to partition the dataset into meaningful clusters. Simulations on real datasets show that our algorithm achieves better accuracy than standard spectral clustering methods as the number of clusters increase.
The Case-Based Collaborative Learning Peer Observation Worksheet and Compendium: An Evaluation Tool for Flipped Classroom Facilitators.

Introduction In a flipped classroom, students learn basic concepts before class, allowing them time during class to apply newly gained knowledge to problem sets and cases. Harvard Medical School (H...
Modeling large-scale winter recreation terrain selection with implications for recreation management and wildlife

Abstract Winter recreation is a rapidly growing activity, and advances in technology make it possible for increasing numbers of people to access remote backcountry terrain. Increased winter recreation may lead to more frequent conflict between recreationists, as well as greater potential disturbance to wildlife. To better understand the environmental characteristics favored by winter recreationists, and thus predict areas of potential conflict or disturbance, we modeled terrain selection of motorized and non-motorized recreationists, including snowmobile, backcountry ski, and snowmobile-assisted hybrid ski. We used sports recorder Global Positioning System (GPS) devices carried by recreationists at two study areas in Colorado, USA, (Vail Pass and the San Juan Mountains), to record detailed tracks of each recreation type. For each recreation activity, we modeled selection of remotely-sensed environmental characteristics, including topography, vegetation, climate, and road access. We then created spatial maps depicting areas that recreation activities were predicted to select and combined these maps to show areas of potential ecological disturbance or interpersonal conflict between motorized and non-motorized activities. Model results indicate that motorized and non-motorized activities select different environmental characteristics, while still exhibiting some similarities, such as selection for ease of access, reflected in proximity to highways and densities of open forest roads. Areas predicted to have only motorized recreation were more likely to occur further from highways, with greater forest road densities, lower canopy cover, and smoother, less steep terrain, while areas with only non-motorized recreation were closer to highways, with lower forest road densities, more canopy cover and steeper terrain. Our work provides spatially detailed insights into terrain characteristics favored by recreationists, allowing managers to maintain winter recreation opportunities while reducing interpersonal conflict or ecological impacts to sensitive wildlife.
An attempt to understand information processing capability in complex networks

A steady increase in complex systems is currently observed, thereby establishing an increased need for the use of statistical methods to analyze complex systems. In this paper, drawing upon several views of complex systems, we contemplate a complex system as network mapped from a system that primarily constitutes of interactions observed among system components, interactions of human actors in the system, and the influence of human interaction on system components. An initial attempt by the authors to understand the structural importance of the nodes in information processing capability of a network, from an information theory perspective is portrayed. Few simple examples of networks are used to illustrate on how the concept of entropy can be used to understand their structural emergence. Further, an attempt in inclusion of human actors and decision making in systems is portrayed with the help of expected value theory where in, a node is contemplated to be a decision maker, and the creation of an edge between two given nodes to be an act of communication.
Buchananomics: The Economic Policies of James Buchanan

When James Buchanan took office the United States was sound financially. The treasury was running in the black as revenues of the federal government exceeded expenditures. Buchanan recommended that these monies be spent on great national projects such as increased naval construction to protect our vast tonnage afloat which was greater than any other nation or extinguishing the national debt. Being a die-hard Jacksonian on economic issues, he believed that revenues should match and not exceed expenditures. When the panic of 1859 hit, Buchanan utilized a blend of monetary and fiscal policies to remedy the situation.
From geography to medicine: exploring innerspace via spatial and temporal databases

Spatial and temporal (ST) databases have traditionally been used to manage geographic data. However, the human body is another important low dimensional physical space which is extensively measured, queried and analyzed in the field of medicine. Health care is fundamental to the lives of all people, young or old, rich or poor, healthy or ill. This is an opportune time for research in this area due to the international priority to improve human health and the recent passage of health care legislation to provide electronic medical records and databases in many countries such as the United States. ST datasets in medicine include 3-D images (e.g., CT and MRI), spatial networks in the body (e.g., circulatory system), recorded for each patient at various times (per visit or frequently during hospitalization). We envision a spatio-temporal framework for monitoring health status over the long term (via dental X-rays, mammograms, etc.) or predicting when an anomalous decay or growth will change in size. An ST framework may play an important role in improving health care quality by providing answers on the progression of disease and the treatment of many pathologies (e.g., cancer). However, realizing such a framework poses significant challenges for researchers, each of which is a non-trivial task that has not been addressed by previous work. Taking on these challenges, therefore, would mark the beginning of the next fantastic voyage [2] in spatial and temporal databases.
Th1/Th2 and Tc1/Tc2 cells: biology, experimental models and clinical translation

In the spectrum of the expanding universe of murine and human functional T-cell subsets remain the initial members, the CD4 + Th1/Th2 and CD8 + Tc1/Tc2 subsets. The biology of these subsets has been elucidated in great detail, with subset definitions morphing from simple cytokine secretion profiles to the current definitions that emphasize transcription factor expression. Also, T-helper subset cross-regulation has shifted from an emphasis on cytokine cross-regulation to modulation at the transcription factor level. Finally, it is becoming increasingly clear that the Th1/Th2 subsets, which were generally considered relatively stable, have a high degree of subset plasticity. Keeping pace with this new biology, experimental transplantation researchers have provided a relatively sophisticated understanding of the role of the Th1/Th2 subsets in graft-versus-host disease (GVHD; particularly, acute GVHD), graft-versus-tumor (GVT) effects and graft rejection. This information now forms the rationale for attempts to control the Th1/Th2 balance post-transplant as a strategy to permit beneficial transplantation responses without increased GVHD. In particular, ex vivo graft engineering to control the balance of Th1/Th2 effectors contained in the allogeneic T-cell inoculum represents a promising approach to improve transplantation outcome.
Abstract 085: Renal and Neural Mechanisms of Age-Related Hypertension

Aim: Hypertension (HTN) is positively correlated with age and sympathetic tone in humans. We hypothesize that sympathetically driven sodium chloride cotransporter (NCC)-mediated sodium retention co...
Longitudinal elastic wave imaging using nanobomb optical coherence elastography (Conference Presentation)

Wave-based optical coherence elastography (OCE) is a rapidly emerging technique for localized elasticity assessment of tissues due to its high displacement sensitivity and simple implementation. This method does not require prior knowledge of mechanical load characteristics, such as the applied preload and applied stress on the sample. Currently, noncontact wave excitation has been accomplished with various methods, such as focused micro air-pulse and acoustic techniques. However, they are limited by the inability to target specific tissues and usually only image the transversely propagating elastic wave, which generally requires scanning the probe beam across the sample. In addition, the upper frequency components of the elastic waves are limited to a few kilohertz, which are sensitive to boundary conditions due to their long wavelengths. In this study, we demonstrated that rapid vaporization of perfluorocarbon inside dye nanoparticles that was excited by a pulsed laser excitation, termed “nanobombs”, can produce high frequency longitudinal elastic waves in tissue mimicking phantoms. The nanoparticles were excited by a 1064 nm pulsed laser, which was co-focused with the OCT probe beam. The longitudinal elastic waves, which propagated axially (i.e., following the optical path), were directly imaged by a phase-sensitive Fourier domain mode-locked based OCT system. The detected elasticity was validated with well-established air-pulse OCE and the “gold standard” uniaxial mechanical testing. The results demonstrate the feasibility of performing nanobomb elastography in tissue with the potential for targeting specific tissues and producing longitudinal elastic waves with high frequency content.
Predictors of prostate bed nodule on MRI in patients with rising PSA after radical prostatectomy.

122Background: Radical prostatectomy (RP) is a common treatment modality for localized prostate cancer. Biochemical failure after RP is usually evaluated with whole body imaging to rule out metasta...
Avocado-related knife injuries: Describing an epidemic of hand injury.

Abstract Introduction Recent media reports have described knife injuries sustained while preparing avocados; however, this rise has not been reported in the literature. The purpose of this study is to describe, quantify, and trend emergency department (ED) encounters associated with avocado-related knife injuries. Methods The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) was queried for avocado-related knife injuries from 1998 to 2017. Patient demographic and injury data was collected and analyzed to describe trends in incidence, patient demographics, and injury patterns associated with an ED encounter for an avocado-related knife injury. Results There were an estimated 50,413 (95% Confidence Interval: 46,333–54,492) avocado-related knife injuries from 1998 to 2017. The incidence of avocado-related knife injuries increased over this time period (1998–2002 = 3143; 2013–2017 = 27,059). This increase correlated closely with a rise in avocado consumption in the U.S. (Pearson's Correlation: 0.934, p Conclusion Avocado-related knife injuries are a preventable cause of hand injury. The incidence has risen significantly in recent years, possibly due to an increased consumption of avocados in the United States. Education on safe avocado preparation techniques and public safety initiatives, such as warning labels, could help prevent serious injuries in the future.
Shadow Transfer: Single Image Relighting For Urban Road Scenes

Illumination effects in images, specifically cast shadows and shading, have been shown to decrease the performance of deep neural networks on a large number of vision-based detection, recognition and segmentation tasks in urban driving scenes. A key factor that contributes to this performance gap is the lack of `time-of-day' diversity within real, labeled datasets. There have been impressive advances in the realm of image to image translation in transferring previously unseen visual effects into a dataset, specifically in day to night translation. However, it is not easy to constrain what visual effects, let alone illumination effects, are transferred from one dataset to another during the training process. To address this problem, we propose deep learning framework, called Shadow Transfer, that can relight complex outdoor scenes by transferring realistic shadow, shading, and other lighting effects onto a single image. The novelty of the proposed framework is that it is both self-supervised, and is designed to operate on sensor and label information that is easily available in autonomous vehicle datasets. We show the effectiveness of this method on both synthetic and real datasets, and we provide experiments that demonstrate that the proposed method produces images of higher visual quality than state of the art image to image translation methods.
Gut microbiome and CAR-T therapy

Considerable progress has been made in cancer therapeutics recently with targeted strategies that are efficacious and less toxic. Immunotherapy and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells are increasingly being evaluated in a variety of tumors in the relapsed/refractory as well as frontline disease settings, predominantly in hematologic malignancies (HM). Despite impressive outcomes in select patients, there remains significant heterogeneity in clinical response to CAR T-cells. The gut microbiome has emerged as one of the key host factors that could potentially be modulated to enhance responses to immunotherapy. Several recent human studies receiving immunotherapy showed a significantly superior response and survival in patients with the more diverse gut microbiome. Currently, it is unknown if gut microbiota modulates anti-tumor responses to CAR T-cells. Based on molecular and immunological understanding, we hypothesize that strategically manipulating gut microbiota may enhance responses to CAR T-cells. In this review, we further discuss resistance mechanisms to CAR T-cells in HM, potential approaches to overcome resistance by harnessing gut microbiota and other related novel strategies.
Working Memory, Processing Speed, and Memory Functioning Are Minimally Predictive of Victoria Symptom Validity Test Performance.

A sound performance validity test is accurate for detecting invalid neuropsychological test performance and relatively insensitive to actual cognitive ability or impairment. This study explored the...
Multi-modal embeddings using multi-task learning for emotion recognition

General embeddings like word2vec, GloVe and ELMo have shown a lot of success in natural language tasks. The embeddings are typically extracted from models that are built on general tasks such as skip-gram models and natural language generation. In this paper, we extend the work from natural language understanding to multi-modal architectures that use audio, visual and textual information for machine learning tasks. The embeddings in our network are extracted using the encoder of a transformer model trained using multi-task training. We use person identification and automatic speech recognition as the tasks in our embedding generation framework. We tune and evaluate the embeddings on the downstream task of emotion recognition and demonstrate that on the CMU-MOSEI dataset, the embeddings can be used to improve over previous state of the art results.
Capacitive versus Overlap Decoupling of Adjacent Radio Frequency Phased Array Coil Elements: An Imaging Robustness Comparison When Sample Load Varies for 3 Tesla MRI

Phased array (PA) receive coils are built such that coil elements approximate independent antenna behavior. One method of achieving this goal is to use an available decoupling method to decouple adjacent coil elements. The purpose of this work was to compare the relative performance of two decoupling methods as a function of variation in sample load. Two PA receive coils with 5 channels (5-ch) each, equal outer dimensions, and formed on 12 cm diameter cylindrical phantoms of conductivities 0.3, 0.6, and 0.9 S/m were evaluated for relative signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and parallel imaging performance. They were only tuned and matched to the 0.6 S/m phantom. Simulated and measured axial, sagittal, and coronal 5-ch PA coil SNR ratios were compared by dividing the overlap by the capacitive decoupled coil SNR results. Issues related to the selection of capacitor values for the two decoupling methods were evaluated by taking the ratio of the match and tune capacitors for large and small 2 channel (2-ch) PA coils. The SNR ratios showed that the SNR of the two decoupling methods were very similar. The inverse geometry-factor maps showed similar but better overall parallel imaging performance for the capacitive decoupled method. The quotients for the 2-ch PA coils’ maximum and minimum capacitor value ratios are 3.28 and 1.38 for the large and 3.28 and 2.22 for the small PA. The results of this paper demonstrate that as the sample load varies, the capacitive and overlap decoupling methods are very similar in relative SNR and this similarity continues for parallel imaging performance. Although, for the 5-ch coils studied, the capacitive decoupling method has a slight SNR and parallel imaging advantage and it was noted that the capacitive decoupled coil is more likely to encounter unbuildable PA coil configurations.
Teaching Sustainability Through an Innovative Upcycling Design Project

As educators, developing and providing a course that empowers students to be individuals whose knowledge, skills, and values promote sustainable ideas and behavior – and contribute to the local and global community – should be a priority assignment and have significant meaning. This was designed as the final project in a required undergraduate course for the Apparel Design (APD) concentration. The main purpose of the project was to upcycle an old, shabby, useless material/product that students had but no longer used. This project focused on providing hands-on experience and enhancing students’ problem-solving and design skills. It immersed students in the concept of sustainability and encouraged them to think about things they had but were not using, and how these could be brought back to life to make innovative, useful products. In the process of transforming old items, students also transformed their ways of looking at things.
Physiological Monitoring Detected Changes During Women's Soccer Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury.

A growing number of studies utilizing wearable technologies are examining the influence of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) on intense training, recovery, and injury risk. Exercise biometric (EB) data were collected on collegiate, female soccer players during a preseason camp. One player sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Baseline anthropometric and EB data were compared to non-injured, position-matched teammates. All players had similar baseline testing. The injured athlete had a higher body mass index (BMI) and slower vision reaction time (RT). On the day of her injury (DOI), relative percentage heart rate recovery (tHRR) between intense training sets was calculated. Relative percentage tHRR was much lower for the injured athlete, indicating reduced recovery between training sets immediately prior to the injury. Also on DOI, the injured athlete had a lower glomerular filtration rate (GFR). In addition to BMI and RT differences, the lower relative percentage tHRR and GFR on the DOI observed for the injured athlete may reflect an imbalanced ANS recovery, and potentially to risk factors leading to her ACL injury.
Structural comparison of ethylenediamine platinum(II) complexes containing thiourea and its di- and tetramethyl substituted derivatives

Three new platinum(II) complexes, [Pt(en)(tu)2](NO3)2 (1), [Pt(en)(dmtu)2] (NO3)2 (2) and [Pt(en)(tmtu)2](NO3)2 (3) (where en = ethylenediamine, tu = thiourea, dmtu = 1,3-dimethyl-2-thiourea and tm...
Effect of environment and field management strategies on phenolic acid profiles of hard red winter wheat genotypes.

BACKGROUND Integrated wheat management strategies can affect grain yield and flour end-use properties. However, the effect of integrated management and its interaction with environmental factors on the phenolic acid profiles of wheat has not been reported. The phenolic acid profile has become another parameter for the evaluation of wheat quality due to its potential health benefits. RESULTS Year × location × management and year × management × genotype interactions were significant for the total phenolic content (TPC) of wheat samples. The year × location × management × genotype interaction was significant for the concentration of trans-ferulic acid and several other phenolic acids. Field management practices with no fungicide application (e.g., farmer's practice, enhanced fertility) may lead to increased accumulation of phenolic compounds, especially for WB4458, which is more susceptible to fungi infection. However, this effect was also related to growing year and location. Higher soil nitrogen content at sowing also seems to affect the TPC and phenolic acid concentration positively. CONCLUSION Wheat phenolic acid profiles are affected by genotype, field management, environment, and their interactions. Intensified field management, in particular, may lead to decreased concentration of wheat phytochemicals. The level of naturally occurring nitrogen in the soil may also affect the accumulation of wheat phytochemicals. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Klg: Kinase-like gene product (vertebrates)

The chapter discusses the kinase-like gene product (Klg), which is devoid of DFG motif that is found within the catalytic domain of almost all other PKs. In Klg, this sequence is replaced with ALS. The protein has no known function and it is not yet certain that it is a functional PTK. Klg exists as a monomer. There are presently no known isoforms. The chicken gene was found to be highly expressed in two independently derived chicken liver tumor cell lines. It was not detected in adult liver cells but was detected in embryonic liver. Expression was also detected in a variety of embryonic tissues including brain, spleen, and thymus. Expression in adult tissues was generally lower than that found in embryonic tissues.
Polycaprolactone thin-film drug delivery systems: Empirical and predictive models for device design.

Abstract Purpose To define empirical models and parameters based on theoretical equations to describe drug release profiles from two polycaprolactone thin-film drug delivery systems. Additionally, to develop a predictive model for empirical parameters based on drugs' physicochemical properties. Methods Release profiles from a selection of drugs representing the standard pharmaceutical space in both polycaprolactone matrix and reservoir systems were determined experimentally. The proposed models were used to calculate empirical parameters describing drug diffusion and release. Observed correlations between empirical parameters and drug properties were used to develop equations to predict parameters based on drug properties. Predictive and empirical models were evaluated in the design of three prototype devices: a levonorgestrel matrix system for on-demand locally administered contraception, a timolol-maleate reservoir system for glaucoma treatment, and a primaquine-bisphosphate reservoir system for malaria prophylaxis. Results Proposed empirical equations accurately fit experimental data. Experimentally derived empirical parameters show significant correlations with LogP, molecular weight, and solubility. Empirical models based on predicted parameters accurately predict experimental release data for three prototype systems, demonstrating the accuracy and utility of these models. Conclusion The proposed empirical models can be used to design polycaprolactone thin-film devices for target geometries and release rates. Empirical parameters can be predicted based on drug properties. Together, these models provide tools for preliminary evaluation and design of controlled-release delivery systems.
The shape of culture: Reproduction and decline

Voltaire tells this story about change and decline: When the two travellers [a French councill or and a Brahmin] arrived in Asia Minor the councillor said to the Brahmin: “Would you believe that a republic was once established in a corner of Italy that lasted 500 years, and that possessed this Asia Minor, Asia, Africa, Greece, Spain and the whole of Italy?” “So it quickly turned into a monarchy?” said the Brahmin. “You're right,” said the other, “but that monarchy fell, and every day we publish fine dissertations to discover the causes of its decline and fall.” “You take too much trouble,” said the Indian; “this empire fell because it existed.” Art is self destructive, at least under contemporary conditions, because artists often reject the past to create something new. It can be said that culture and cultural styles – abstract expressionism, punk rock, ragtime – eventually do fail and the explanation may be (in the spirit of Voltaire's account) that cultural producers and the public become bored with something that has existed too long. Nevertheless, some cultural forms persist longer and are more resilient than others. Resiliency and persistence are themselves problematic. When a cultural form becomes universally accepted – such as Levi jeans, a song from a Broadway musical, or the current widespread revival of Chaplin films by third world countries and by IBM – should we not conclude that such a form has become a meaningless component of the cultural life of a period, rather than a distinctive cultural product that carries original social and symbolic meaning?
Future Trends in Authorship Attribution

Authorship attribution, the science of inferring characteristics of an author from the characteristics of documents written by that author, is a problem with a long history and a wide range of application. This paper surveys the history and present state of the discipline — essentially a collection of ad hoc methods with little formal data available to select among them. It also makes some predictions about the needs of the discipline and discusses how these needs might be met.
Comparison of spaced‐antenna baseline wind estimators: Theoretical and simulated results

[1] Formulas for the theoretical precision of cross-beam winds measured with spaced-antenna profilers are developed and compared with results obtained from simulations for conditions of high signal-to-noise-ratios. These formulas relate the precision of wind measurement to radar and atmospheric parameters. Formulas for Briggs' Full Correlation Analysis, the Intersection method, and the Slope-at-Zero-Lag method are each presented for two implementations-estimating parameters for assumed Gaussian shaped correlation functions, and a direct finite difference method where this assumption is not necessary. For each wind measurement method and implementation, these formulas are used to evaluate, as an example, the theoretical performance of MAPR, NCAR's 915 MHz, Multiple Antenna Profiling Radar. The theory is also compared with the standard error obtained from simulations presented by Kawano et al. [2002] for the MU radar in Shigaraki, Japan. Comparisons show that the Intersection and Briggs' FCA methods are identical and provide the best performance.