cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract P6-10-04: Outcome of Triple Negative Breast Cancer in Patients with or without Deleterious BRCA Mutations

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) affects 10-17% of all breast cancers and is associated with a poor prognosis. The biology of TNBC is poorly understood; however, it has been shown that up to 60% of BRCA1 mutation carriers develop TNBC. The aim of this study was to determine if there were differences in the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates of BRCA mutation-associated TNBC and Non-BRCA mutation-associated TNBC. Methods: Patients with TNBC who were referred between 1997 and 2010 for genetic counseling were included in the analysis. Data was collected from a prospectively maintained IRB-approved research database. All patients with one primary breast cancer and negative expression of ER, PR, and Her2 were included in this study. A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed to determine survival outcomes. Results: Out of 98 TNBC patients, 48 (48 %) were BRCA negative, and 47 (49%) were found to have a deleterious BRCA mutation (42 BRCA1 and 5 BRCA 2); 3 (3%) patients had a variant of uncertain significance in BRCA2 and were removed from study. The median age of diagnosis for BRCA positive TNBC was 42 years (range, 21-71) and for BRCA negative TNBC was 40.5 years (range, 21-64). There were no significant differences between age at diagnosis, nuclear grade, stage (I-III), or tumor histology of BRCA positive and BRCA negative TNBCs. The PFS for BRCA positive patients was 230.7 (range, 2-271) months and for BRCA negative was 203.1 (range, 2-258) months (p = 0.19). The overall survival (OS) for BRCA positive patients was 263.4 (range, 2-292) months and for BRCA negative 236.2 (2-279) months (p = 0.39). Conclusion: Outcome of triple-negative breast cancer is not different in BRCA mutation carriers versus non carriers. Further studies need to evaluate whether different therapies will change the outcome in these subgroups of TNBC. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-10-04.
Clinical Evaluation of the Accu-Chek Advantage Blood Glucose Monitoring System

Accurate, precise capillary blood glucose measurements are necessary in the management and prevention of the major complications of diabetes. The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy and precision of the Accu-Chek Advantage blood glucose–monitoring system (Boehringer Mannheim, Indianapolis) in a population with diabetes. Within-day and day-to-day precision using manufacturer’s control solutions showed standard deviations ranging from 3.0 mg/dL to 3.8 mg/dLfor the low levels and coefficients of variation ranging from 1.9% to 6.4% for the middle and high levels. Evaluation of accuracy compared the monitoring system result with a whole blood reference method (hexokinase) as well as with a venous plasma reference method. Linear regression statistics were: y = 0.98x + 1.4, correlation coefficient = 0.99, n = 200 (Advantage vs whole blood reference) and y = 0.89x + 9.8, correlation coefficient = 0.98, n = 200 (Advantage vs plasma reference). Accu-Chek Advantage blood glucose–monitoring system has a reliable degree of precision and accuracy and can be used effectively for the self-monitoring of blood glucose.
Jesse C. Selber, MD, MPH, FACS.

I want to thank Dr. Jesse Selber for serving as guest editor for this issue of Seminars in Plastic Surgery on “Robotics in Plastic Surgery.” We also appreciate the efforts made by each outstanding author for sharing with us their knowledge. Dr. Jesse Selber is the Director of Clinical Research and an Associate Professor in the Department of Plastic Surgery at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. He is a graduate of University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York and the Harvard School of Public Health, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Dr. Selber trained in Surgery and Plastic Surgery at Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and completed a clinical fellowship in Microvascular Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX. A microvascular reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Selber's research involves head and neck reconstruction, breast reconstruction, microsurgery, abdominal wall reconstruction, microsurgical training, robotic-assisted reconstructive surgery, and other areas. He also has an active robotic reconstructive surgery practice in which he developed and utilizes four unique procedures. His research and clinical work has led to invitations to instruct, lecture, and perform surgery all over the world. In addition, Dr. Selber has had over 60 articles published in peer-reviewed journals and serves as a reviewer or editor for multiple journals. He holds offices in several national plastic surgery societies including the American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and is an executive board and founding member of the Robotic Assisted Microsurgical and Endoscopic Society (RAMSES).
Effects of Oxidants, Acids and other Agents on Particle Clearance in the Rat

e> An11. ocrup. Hyy .• Vol. 38. Suppleme nt I, pp. 927- 931 , 1994 Elsevier Scienoe Ltd Copyright <D 1994 British Occupational Hygiene Society Prinred in G real Brirain. All rish1s reserved Pergamon Inhaled Parlldts VII EFFECTS OF OXIDANTS, ACIDS AND OTHER AGENTS ON PARTICLE CLEARANCE IN THE RAT* R. F. PHALEN, R. C. MANNlX and M. T. KLEINMAN Community and Environmental Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92717, U.S.A. Abstract- A series of inhalation experiments examining the effects of pollutants on the clearance of monodisperse tracer particles from the rat respiratory tract was performed. Exposures were as brief as 3 hand as long as 4 h per day for 21 days. Pollutant concentrations ranged from community air levels to several times the workplace standards. Short-term clearance was measured by analysing serially- collected faeces. Long-term clearance was measured by repeated, external gamma ray counting of the upper body. Ozone consistently delayed short-term clearance and accelerated long-term clearance. Particulate material usually had effects opposite to those of ozone. Some mixtures had greater effects than expected from the components; others had lesser effects. These studies identified several air pollutants that alter respiratory tract clearance rates. The studies also demonstrated the usefulness of the rat model. I NTRODUCTION THE MEASUREMENT of inhaled particle clearance efficiency is an important assessment in toxicological evaluations. Failure of this self-cleaning process leads to a build-up of foreign matter in the respiratory tract, perhaps increasing the likelihood of infections and other diseases. This paper deals with the effects we have observed in particle clearance studies using rats during the past 15 years. Acute and repeated pollutant exposures, which represented air pollution episodes were performed. The pollutant concentrations ranged from ambient air levels, up to several times concentrations found in the workplace. MATERIALS AND METHODS Animals Male barrier-reared Sprague-Dawley rats (Hilltop Laboratory Animals, Scottdale, Pennsylvania) weighing about 200 g were delivered in filter-equipped cartons and housed in particle and gas filtering laminar-flow caging systems for about 1 week prior to study. Quality control examinations were performed to establish that the rats were free of lung disease. Exposures Among the pollutants studied were ozone, sulphur dioxide, formaldehyde vapour, nitrogen dioxide, nitric acid vapour, acidic aerosols (sulphuric acid and ammonium bisulphate), combustion-generated aerosols (diesel-exhaust soot and propane-flame soot), ferric oxide and sulphate aerosols containing catalytic metals. Pollutants were *This paper was included in Poster Session 5 and the discussion included in the summary presented in Section 12.
Nutritional quality of eggs from hens fed distillers dried grains with solubles

A feeding trial was conducted with laying hens where either 10% or 20% regular-fat distiller's dried grains with solubles (R-DDGS) or low-fat DDGS (L-DDGS) were incorporated into the feed. Production parameters and the effect of DDGS on egg nutritional quality, focusing on yolk lipids, were evaluated. Neither R-DDGS nor L-DDGS at up to 20% of laying hen feeds had a statistically significant impact on hen weight gain, egg production, feed intake, feed efficiency, egg mass, or egg weight. Specific gravity was slightly lower for eggs from hens fed 10% R-DDGS or 20% L-DDGS. Eggs from layers fed DDGS had enhanced levels of tocopherols, tocotrienols, and xanthophylls in the yolk, as well as also increased yolk yellow and red color. Eggs from L-DDGS diet had higher tocopherol content, but eggs from R-DDGS diets had higher xanthophylls. Fatty acid composition in eggs was slightly altered by DDGS, but the ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids was very similar. Feeding DDGS to layer hens had no effect on lecithin or cholesterol content of the eggs. Thus, inclusion of DDGS in the diet of laying hens resulted in increases of several beneficial lipophilic nutrients in egg yolks with no apparent detrimental effects.
Most students get breaking news first from Twitter

This study examines news consumption patterns of college students by asking where respondents get breaking news and where this source leads them next. The findings, based on an online survey, show ...
Mobilization of Transposons

The ability to share genetic information with other bacteria represents one of the most important adaptive mechanisms available to bacteria pathogenic for humans. The exchange of many different types of genetic information appears to occur frequently and exchange of determinants responsible for antimicrobial resistance is the best studied, since the movements of resistance determinants are easy to follow and the clinical importance of resistance dissemination is so great. The most common vehicles by which bacteria exchange resistance determinants are plasmids and transposons.
Prediction: Mechanical Aspects

In many multinomial probit (MNP) applications, the knowledge of the choice function is the ultimate piece of information and many a study would terminate after calibration. For instance, in traffic-flow theory, the knowledge of the critical gap and its variance is all one needs for studying unsignalized intersections and passing zones on two-lane bidirectional roads; in toxicology, the knowledge of the critical dosage of a drug that will cause death in 50% of the population of rats may be the only thing that is needed of a binary probit model. In both of these instances, the use of a MNP model terminates with the calibration process and its interpretation. In demand forecasting, there are also instances where the final answer results directly from the calibration process; for instance, to estimate the monetary value of travel time, some researchers have calibrated binary probit (and logit) models of route choice between two highways, one of which has a toll.
Physiology of single neurons: voltage- and ligand-gated ionic channels

In this chapter we ask how hippocampal neurons translate their synaptic inputs into an output signal sent toward other neurons. This basic question has two aspects. First, what are the firing patterns for pyramidal cells and interneurons? Neuronal firing patterns determine both how cells respond to synaptic inputs and the timing of synaptic events that they elicit in other cells. Second, what are the detailed physiological mechanisms, such as electrotonic properties or ionic-channel density and kinetics, that determine how and why a neuron responds as it does? We wish to know how a neuron functions as a device that processes its inputs that are distributed in space and time. A model of a neuron (Chapter 4) must capture the phenomenology correctly; preferably, the model will accurately represent underlying mechanisms to achieve that objective. Before expanding on these themes, let us first consider the preparations that are used for cellular neurophysiology, with some of their advantages and disadvantages. In vivo studies are the sine qua non for understanding the normal repertoire of neuronal firing patterns and synaptic inputs and how these are correlated with behavioral states. However, stable intracellular recording is very difficult when animals are moving, such as during exploration-associated theta rhythm. Voltage-clamping cells in vivo is likely to be extraordinarily difficult.
Definition of full-time and part-time employment, and distributional assumptions: the implications for the estimated full-time and part-time wage equations

This paper demonstrates that rejecting the standard definition of full-time and part-time workers, the estimated number of hours that an individual is likely to work as a full-time worker is a func...
Efficiency Use of Irrigation Water

This chapter provides a brief overview of the efficiency use of irrigation water in Egypt, background of efficiency use of irrigation water in Egypt, scope of the chapter, political development model of delta, ecological definition, social definition, political definition, the three stages of development of a delta, the three stages of development of a delta in Egypt and mathematical model of efficiency use of irrigation water in Egypt.
Abstract 19002: Predictive Value of the Intraoperative Pulmonary Artery Flow Study for Early and Late Outcome After Surgical Treatment of Pulmonary Atresia With Ventricular Septal Defect and Major Aortopulmonary Collateral Arteries (MAPCAs)

Introduction & Hypothesis: 1. To evaluate the accuracy of the intraoperative pulmonary artery (PA) flow study in determining the feasibility of concomitant VSD closure after complete one-stage unifocalization in patients with pulmonary atresia with VSD and MAPCAs. 2. To determine the ability of the PA flow study to predict long-term outcomes. Methods: Between October 1996 and May 2015, a PA flow study was obtained in 92 patients undergoing complete one-stage unifocalization. The study was performed by cannulating the unifocalized central PA. With the heart beating, incremental volumes of blood were pumped through the PAs. The ability to achieve 100% flow (2.5 l/min/m 2 ) into the pulmonary bed at a mean pressure (mPAP) ≤ 30 mmHg was used as an indicator for acceptability of VSD closure. Results: Among the 92 patients who had a PA flow study, 23 had a mPAP > 30 mmHg and the VSD was left open. VSD closure was performed in 69 patients (mPAP 24 ± 5 mmHg, range 11-34 mmHg). However, four (5.8%) required patch fenestration due to suprasystemic RV pressure. The recorded mPAPs of these 4 patients were 29, 24, 22 and 28 mmHg, respectively. In the whole cohort, median weight at operation was 7.9 kg (range, 2.5-54 kg). The PA flow study accurately predicted successful VSD closure (area under the curve 0.852, Figure 1A). VSD closure at the time of unifocalization resulted in a clear survival advantage (p = 0.0363). mPAP correlated with RVP to LVP ratio (rho 0.460, p = 0.0001) and better long-term results were observed with intraoperative mPAP ≤ 30 mmHg (p = 0.24, Figure 1B). Conclusions: Successful VSD closure in patients with MAPCAs can be reliably defined by an intraoperative PA flow study with a cut-off of 30 mmHg. The PA flow study predictive value is particularly useful to select patients in which the VSD should be left open. mPAP strongly correlates with the intraoperative RVP/LVP ratio and lower values of mPAP at the time of the unifocalization are associated with improved long-term outcomes.
Using Modular Ontologies to Capture Causal Knowledge contained in Bayesian Networks

A Bayesian Network (BN) is a popular framework for causal studies. Causal relationships and interactions can be captured in the topology of a BN, creating a Causal Bayesian Network (CBN). This framework enables us to reason under uncertainty and capture the strength of causal links as conditional probabilities. However, there currently is no quick and efficient way to utilize the causal knowledge contained within a CBN, once it has been learned from data. In this paper we will examine a novel, conceptual approach that uses a modular ontology to store the probabilistic relationships among variables contained within a CBN. We will demonstrate this conceptual approach for patients of depression. This will be done by learning CBN structures from pre-existing National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH) study on Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D) patient dataset. Once we have a CBN, we will capture and standardize the patient variables in a modular ontology based on the structure and definitions found in the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities Terminology (MedDRA).
Sweep-tone evoked stimulus frequency otoacoustic emissions in humans: Development of a noise-rejection algorithm and normative features.

Abstract In recent years, there has been a growing interest to measure stimulus frequency otoacoustic emissions (SFOAEs) using sweep tones. While there are several advantages of the sweep-tone technique, one of the major problems with sweep-tone methodologies is the lack of an objective analysis procedure that considers and rejects individual noisy recordings or noisy segments. A new efficient data-driven method for rejecting noisy segments in SFOAE analysis is proposed and the normative features of SFOAEs are characterized in fifty normal-hearing young adults. The automated procedure involved phase detrending with a low-order polynomial and application of median and interquartile ranges for data outlier rejection from individual recordings. The SFOAE level and phase were analyzed using the least-squared fit method, and the noise floor was estimated using the error of the mean of the sweep level. Overall, the results of this study demonstrated the effectiveness of the automated noise rejection procedure and described the normative features of sweep-tone evoked SFOAEs in human adults.
The Balance Between Burden Carrying, Variable Terrain, and Thermoregulatory Pressures in Assessing Morphological Variation

A series of studies have lately shown specific morphological correlations with energetic savings during locomotor tasks, including burden carrying and walking up inclines. These energetic savings appear significant and make sense given the interactions between morphological variation and behavior in many populations. For example, a wider pelvis for one’s mass has been shown to save people energy while carrying both front and back burdens. Ethnographic reports suggest that females, who maintain a wider pelvis for their mass in any given group, carry a much higher proportion of burdens than males—some have even suggested that carrying is “women’s work.” Simultaneously, a shorter tibia has been correlated with energy efficiency while walking up inclines, while a longer tibia has been shown to increase speed along flat terrain. All of these traits have also been shown to be correlated with climatic variables, particularly temperature, such that morphology may result from some interaction between selection pressures for thermoregulatory and mobility adaptations. Here I review work on the mobility effects of pelvic width and limb proportions in the context of carrying burdens across variable terrain and while balancing thermoregulatory pressures.
Key Supplier Involvement in IT-enabled Operations: When Does it Lead to Improved Performance?

Abstract As firms continue to invest in IT resources and collaborate with key suppliers, many fail to benefit from these activities. Drawing on resource orchestration theory and the relational view of interfirm competitive advantage, we examine the contingent relationships among IT resources, key supplier involvement, and the focal firm's performance. Using a multi-informants dataset from the manufacturing sector in China, we find that supplier involvement mediates the positive effect of IT resources on the focal firm's performance only when there is a high level of mutual trust and when competitive intensity is low in the focal firm's environment. In a highly competitive environment, however, mutual trust dampens the positive effect of supplier involvement on the focal firm's performance, which reveals the “hidden costs” of interfirm trust. In contrast, the direct positive effect of IT resources on the focal firm's performance is amplified by mutual trust when competitive intensity is high, suggesting that the focal firm will fare better without supplier involvement under these conditions. Therefore, key supplier involvement in the focal firm's IT-enabled operations does not always lead to improved performance and its effect on performance is contingent on relational and environmental variables.
L 2 Space

In many applications of the theory of stochastic processes, an important role is played by families of square integrable (second-order) r.v.’s. In this section, we give some basic definitions and prove some fundamental inequalities involving second-order complex-valued r.v.’s.
Sharp Spectral Lines of Luminescent Centers in Solids

In the first part of this article we consider the interactions of luminescent centers in solids with radiation and review the basic mechanisms present in spectral lines, such as saturation, and homogeneous and inhomogeneous broadening, and relate them to the lineshapes. The phenomena that affect the width of sharp lines in crystals are due to the interaction of the optically active centers with the thermal vibrations of the solid and to the spatial randomness of these centers. This randomness is present even in nominally ordered solids because the sites occupied by the luminescent centers in such solids are not exactly equal, due to the slight changes in the local crystalline field. In such systems the effects of randomness become evident at very low temperatures where the thermal broadening is drastically reduced, and the spectral lines appear mainly affected by a residual inhomogeneous broadening due to the spatial randomness. In glasses this randomness may represent the prevalent cause of broadening even at room temperature and may produce lines as wide as 100 cm−1for rare earth centers. Inhomogeneous broadening may have relevant effects on the spectral characteristics of a system of luminescent ions when monochromatic laser light is used to excite selectively the ions residing in a particular environment. The technique used in this case is called FLN (Fluorescence Line Narrowing); the conditions for its applications are examined.
TRANSIENTS IN THE NONLINEAR ADJUSTMENT TO GEOSTROPHY

The consequences of nonlinearity on the character of the waves generated during the adjustment to geostrophic equilibrium of a layer of incompressible fluid are investigated by comparing the results of a linear analysis to the approximate solution to the full nonlinear problem obtained numerically. The calculations show that when nonlinear advection and rotation are both important to the dynamics, the evolution of the flow is quite different from that found in the linear, rotating problem of Cahn and the nonlinear, nonrotating problem of Stoker. Solutions presented demonstrate that the adjustment is accomplished by the formation of a large amplitude jump in layer depth which propagates in the opposite direction to that of the initial discontinuity, i.e. towards high pressure. Comparison of this solution to that for the linear problem suggests that the jump is formed by the steepening of Poincare waves and that nonlinear effects have little influence on the rate of approach to the final geostrophic state.
Rules, Norms and Principles: A Conceptual Framework

This chapter develops a conceptual framework for talking about the notions of rules, norms and principles. It is hoped that this framework will allow us to properly distinguish between merely verbal and substantive issues concerning these notions. It is argued that the substantive debate about rules is not about whether a rule exists, or what a rule is, but about what it takes for a rule to be a norm on behavior. One result of this way of looking at things is a recasting of the problem about rule-following: what is it that constitutes correct following of a rule in a case where there is no explicit intention to conform one’s behavior to a rule. Finally, some issues concerning the general problem of normativity of both rules and rule-following is discussed in the chapter.
Alcohol and Tobacco Use in an Ethnically Diverse Sample of Breast Cancer Patients, Including Sea Island African Americans: Implications for Survivorship.

Background/Objective: Data suggest that modifiable risk factors such as alcohol and tobacco use may increase the risk of breast cancer (BC) recurrence and reduce survival. Female BC mortality in South Carolina is 40% higher among African Americans (AAs) than European Americans (EAs). Given this substantial racial disparity, using a cross-sectional survey design we examined alcohol and tobacco use in an ethnically diverse statewide study of women with recently diagnosed invasive breast cancer. This included a unique South Carolina AA subpopulation, the Sea Islanders (SI), culturally isolated and with the lowest European American genetic admixture of any AA group. Methods: Participants (42 EAs, 66 non-SI AA, 29 SIs), diagnosed between August 2011 and December 2012, were identified through the South Carolina Central Cancer Registry and interviewed by telephone within 21 months of diagnosis. Self-reported educational status, alcohol consumption and tobacco use were obtained using elements of the Behavior and Risk Factor Surveillance System questionnaire. Results: Alcohol: EAs were approximately twice as likely to consume alcohol (40%) and to be moderate drinkers (29%) than either AA group (consumers: 24% of non-SI AAs, 21% of SIs; moderate drinkers 15% and 10% respectively). Users tended to be younger, significantly among EAs and non-SI AAs, but not SIs, and to have attained more education. Heavy drinking was rare (<=1%) and binge drinking uncommon (<=10%) with no differences by race/ethnicity. Among both AA subgroups but not EAs, alcohol users were six to nine times more likely to have late stage disease (Regional or Distant), statistically significant but with wide confidence intervals. Tobacco: Current cigarette smoking (daily or occasional) was reported by 14% of EAs, 14% of non-SI AAs and 7% of SIs. Smoking was inversely associated with educational attainment. Use of both alcohol and cigarettes was reported by 3 to 6% of cases. Conclusions: Prevalences of alcohol and cigarette use were similar to those in the general population, with alcohol consumption more common among EAs. Up to half of cases used alcohol and/or tobacco. Given the risks from alcohol for disease recurrence, and implications of smoking for various health outcomes, these utilization rates are of concern.
The relationship between task difficulty and motor performance complexity.

Difficult tasks are commonly equated with complex tasks across many behaviors. Motor task difficulty is traditionally defined via Fitts’ law, using evaluation criteria based on spatial movement constraints. Complexity of data is typically evaluated using non-linear computational approaches. In this project, we investigate the potential to evaluate task difficulty via behavioral (motor performance) complexity in a Fitts-type task. Use of non-linear approaches allows for inclusion of many features of motor actions that are not currently included in the Fitts-type paradigm. Our results indicate that tasks defined as more difficult (using Fitts movement IDs) are not associated with complex motor behaviors; rather, an inverse relationship exists between these two concepts. Use of non-linear techniques allowed for the detection of behavioral differences in motor performance over the entire action trajectory in the presence of action errors and among neutrally co-constrained effectors not detected using traditional Fitts’-type analyses utilizing movement time measures. Our findings indicate that task difficulty may potentially be inferred using non-linear measures, particularly in ecological situations that do not obey the Fitts-type testing paradigm. While we are optimistic regarding these initial findings, further work is needed to assess the full potential of the approach.
Charge transporting nanostructured polymers for electrochemical systems-a themed collection

Author(s): Patel, SN; Balsara, NP | Abstract: Guest editors Shrayesh N. Patel and Nitash P. Balsara introduce this themed collection on charge transporting nanostructured polymers for electrochemical systems.
Delayed vibrational modulation of the solvated GFP chromophore into a conical intersection.

Green fluorescent protein (GFP) has revolutionized bioimaging and life sciences. Its successes have inspired modification of the chromophore structure and environment to tune emission properties, but outside the protein cage, the chromophore is essentially non-fluorescent. In this study, we employ the tunable femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy (FSRS) and transient absorption (TA) to map the energy dissipation pathways of GFP model chromophore (HBDI) in basic aqueous solution. Strategic tuning of the Raman pump to 550 nm exploits the stimulated emission band to enhance excited state vibrational motions as HBDI navigates the non-equilibrium potential energy landscape to pass through a conical intersection. The time-resolved FSRS uncovers prominent anharmonic couplings between a global out-of-plane bending mode of ∼227 cm−1 and two modes at ∼866 and 1572 cm−1 before HBDI reaches the twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) state on the ∼3 ps time scale. Remarkably, the wavelet transform analysis reveals a ∼500 fs delayed onset of the coupling peaks, in correlation with the emergence of an intermediate charge-separated state en route to the TICT state. This mechanism is corroborated by the altered coupling matrix for the HBDI Raman modes in the 50% (v/v) water–glycerol mixture, and a notable lengthening of the picosecond time constant. The real-time molecular “movie” of the general rotor-like HBDI isomerization reaction following photoexcitation represents a significant advance in comprehending the photochemical reaction pathways of the solvated GFP chromophore, therefore providing a crucial foundation to enable rational design of diverse nanomachines from efficient molecular rotors to bright fluorescent probes.
Ability of Isokinetic Dynamometer to Predict Isotonic Knee Extension 1-Repetition Maximum

Context:Resistance training exercise prescription is often based on exercises performed at a percentage of a 1 repetition maximum (1 RM). Following knee injury, there is no consensus when a patient...
The Present and the Future

One way the present dictates the future is when a trend becomes effectively irreversible. The chapter lists a large number of trends that have reached this point of no return and explains why some of these “tipping points” are examples of technology substitution, while others are not.
Black Students’ College Preferences: The Role of the White Racial Frame in Perpetuating Integration:

Much research has found support for the perpetuation hypothesis, which predicts that the racial contexts that youth grow up in direct them into analogous situations and institutions in their future...
Evaluating wildland fire liability standards - does regulation incentivise good management?

Fire spread on forested landscapes depends on vegetation conditions across the landscape that affect the fire arrival probability and forest stand value. Landowners can control some forest characteristics that facilitate fire spread, and when a single landowner controls the entire landscape, a rational landowner accounts for spatial interactions when making management decisions. With multiple landowners, management activity by one may impact outcomes for the others. Various liability regulations have been proposed, and some enacted, to make landowners account for these impacts by changing the incentives they face. In this paper, the effects of two different types of liability regulations are examined – strict liability and negligence standards. We incorporate spatial information into a model of land manager decision-making about the timing and spatial location of timber harvest and fuel treatment. The problem is formulated as a dynamic game and solved via multi-agent approximate dynamic programming. We found that, in some cases, liability regulation can increase expected land values for individual land ownerships and for the landscape as a whole. But in other cases, it may create perverse incentives that reduce expected land value. We also showed that regulations may increase risk for individual landowners by increasing the variability of potential outcomes.
18F-FDG-PET Hyperactivity in Alzheimers Disease Cerebellum and Primary Olfactory Cortex

Cerebellar involvement in Alzheimers disease (AD) has not been studied to the extent that cortical neuropathological changes have. Historical and recent histopathological literature demonstrate cerebellar AD pathology while functional investigation has demonstrated disrupted intrinsic cortical-cerebellar connectivity in AD. Additionally, olfactory deficits occur early in AD, prior to the onset of clinical symptoms. The neurological basis for the involvement of the cerebellum and olfactory system in the disease course remain unclear. 18F-fludeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) data from the Alzheimers Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) were analyzed to characterize metabolism in the cerebellum and olfactory region of AD, mild-cognitive impaired (MCI), and age-matched cognitively normal (CN) controls. In contrast to known parietal and temporal lobe FDG hypo-metabolism within the default mode network in AD, a significant FDG hyper-metabolism was found in the cerebellum and olfactory cortical regions (including the piriform cortex, olfactory tubercle, anterior olfactory nucleus, and nucleus accumbens shell). The increase in cerebellum glucose utilization was shown also in late- verses early-MCI patients. The cerebellar and olfactory regions both contain inhibitory distal and inter-neuronal connections that are vulnerable to disruption in AD. The hyper-metabolism in the cerebellum and olfactory structures may reflect disruption of local and system-wide inhibitory networks due to AD neurodegeneration, suggesting a hypothetical mechanism for susceptibility of the olfactory system to early AD pathology.
Increasing user trust in a fetching robot using explainable AI in a traded control paradigm

Recently, there has been an increase use of collaborative robots in manufacturing, healthcare, military, and personal use scenarios. Such robots operate under shared or traded control paradigms with their human operators or users. Therefore, it is important to understand how to address and improve issues of trust between the humans and collaborative robots. In this paper, we investigate the impact of robotic agent transparency to their subjective trust level by a human operator. Several experiments were conceived with the help of a fetching mobile robot under traded control, and data such as subjective trust level was collected during experimentation. Results indicate that trust is easier to lose than it is to gain. Furthermore, results also indicate that agent transparency's effect on operator trust is more significant in tasks of increasing complexity.
Inappropriate Prescription of Direct Oral Anticoagulant Starter Packs

Abstract Background The 30-day direct oral anticoagulant starter pack has simplified the treatment of acute venous thromboembolisms, but it is not appropriate for use in patients with other indications for anticoagulation. Methods A retrospective analysis of national outpatient pharmacy claims data between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2018, was performed. Adult patients (ages >18 years) with continuous insurance enrollment at least 12 months prior to and 1 month following a direct oral anticoagulant starter pack prescription during the study period were included. The primary study outcome was the rate of inappropriate prescription of direct oral anticoagulant starter packs, defined as a prescription without a venous thromboembolism diagnosis within the prior 45 days or a prescription with a prior starter pack fill within the past 45 days. Results A total of 3711 direct oral anticoagulant starter pack prescription fills were identified, representing 3634 unique patients. The mean patient age was 62.8 years (standard deviation [SD] 15.1) and 1871 (50.4%) were females. There were 770 (20.7%) direct oral anticoagulant starter pack fills identified as potentially inappropriate. Patients prescribed inappropriate fills were likely to be older than patients with appropriate fills (64.7 years vs 62.4 years, P Conclusions A significant proportion of patients using direct oral anticoagulant starter packs did not have a diagnosis of acute venous thromboembolism, raising concerns about inappropriate prescribing and potential bleeding complications. Future studies are needed to identify factors associated with inappropriate direct oral anticoagulant starter pack prescription and evaluate efforts to reduce this practice.
Structure-function studies of Rgg binding to pheromones and target promoters reveal a model of transcription factor interplay

Regulator gene of glucosyltransferase (Rgg) family proteins, such as Rgg2 and Rgg3, have emerged as primary quorum-sensing regulated transcription factors in Streptococcus species, controlling virulence, antimicrobial resistance, and biofilm formation. Rgg2 and Rgg3 function is regulated by their interaction with oligopeptide quorum-sensing signals called short hydrophobic peptides (SHPs). The molecular basis of Rgg-SHP and Rgg-target DNA promoter specificity was unknown. To close this gap, we determined the cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of Streptococcus thermophilus Rgg3 bound to its quorum-sensing signal, SHP3, and the X-ray crystal structure of Rgg3 alone. Comparison of these structures with that of an Rgg in complex with cyclosporin A (CsA), an inhibitor of SHP-induced Rgg activity, reveals the molecular basis of CsA function. Furthermore, to determine how Rgg proteins recognize DNA promoters, we determined X-ray crystal structures of both Streptococcus dysgalactiae Rgg2 and S. thermophilus Rgg3 in complex with their target DNA promoters. The physiological importance of observed Rgg-DNA interactions was dissected using in vivo genetic experiments and in vitro biochemical assays. Based on these structure-function studies, we present a revised unifying model of Rgg regulatory interplay. In contrast to existing models, where Rgg2 proteins are transcriptional activators and Rgg3 proteins are transcriptional repressors, we propose that both are capable of transcriptional activation. However, when Rgg proteins with different activation requirements compete for the same DNA promoters, those with more stringent activation requirements function as repressors by blocking promoter access of SHP-bound conformationally active Rgg proteins. While a similar gene expression regulatory scenario has not been previously described, in all likelihood it is not unique to streptococci.
Lymphatic Transport Efficiency Determines Metastatic Potential of Cutaneous Melanoma.

Background In staging patients with clinical stage I-II melanoma, the sentinel lymph node (SLN) is the most important prognostic indicator; however, the false negative rate of SLN biopsy (SLNB) is 15%. Methods Nine patients with clinical Stage I-II melanoma underwent SLNB with repeated intraoperative radiotracer measurements to determine lymphatic transport efficiency (LTE), which was correlated with clinicopathologic data. Results LTE demonstrated the potential to predict SLN status. LTE in patients with occult nodal metastasis is 40 times faster than those with negative SLNBs. There was no confounding of LTE by clinicopathologic factors. Significance LTE may be a novel biomarker for metastasis, with transformative potential for personalized precision diagnostics of early-stage disease and improved patient survival.
Predicting Non Farm Employment.

U.S. Nonfarm employment is considered one of the key indicators for assessing the state of the labor market. Considerable deviations from the expectations can cause market moving impacts. In this paper, the total U.S. nonfarm payroll employment is predicted before the release of the BLS employment report. The content herein outlines the process for extracting predictive features from the aggregated payroll data and training machine learning models to make accurate predictions. Publically available revised employment report by BLS is used as a benchmark. Trained models show excellent behaviour with R2 of 0.9985 and 99.99% directional accuracy on out of sample periods from January 2012 to March 2020. Keywords Machine Learning; Economic Indicators; Ensembling; Regression, Total Nonfarm Payroll
Transcatheter Heart Valve Downstream Fluid Dynamics in an Accelerated Evaluation Environment

Transcatheter aortic valve replacements (TAVRs) provide minimally invasive delivery of bioprosthetic heart valves (BHVs) for the treatment of aortic valve disease. While surgical BHVs show efficacy for 8-10 years, long-term TAVR durability remains unknown. Pre-clinical testing evaluates BHV durability in an ISO:5840 compliant accelerated wear tester (AWT), yet, the design and development of AWTs and their accuracy in predicting in vivo performance, is unclear. As a result of limited knowledge on AWT environment and BHV loading, durability assessment of candidate valves remains fundamentally empirical. For the first time, high-speed particle image velocimetry quantified an ISO:5840 compliant downstream AWT velocity field, Reynolds stresses, and turbulence intensity. TAVR enface imaging quantified the orifice area and estimated the flow rate. When valve area and flow rate were at their maximum during peak systole (1.49 cm2 and 16.05 L/min, respectively), central jet velocity, Reynolds normal and shear stress, and turbulence intensity grew to 0.50 m/s, 265.1 Pa, 124.6 Pa, and 37.3%, respectively. During diastole, unique AWT recirculation produced retrograde flow and the directional changes created eddies. These novel AWT findings demonstrated a substantially reduced valve fully loaded period and pressure not matching in vivo or in vitro studies, despite the comparable fluid environment and TAVR motion.
Banking Market Development and Spillovers to Stock Market Liquidity

We exploit the staggered removal of a geography-based market friction—the adoption of interstate banking deregulation—to investigate whether banking market development can spill over to the functioning of the equity market, measured as stock market liquidity. Interstate banking deregulation prompted large, sophisticated, out-of-state banks to lend within deregulating states’ borders, potentially altering equity traders’ costs of screening and monitoring borrowers, gathering funds, and/or expectations about economic growth in deregulating states. We find that stock market liquidity increases following banking deregulation, especially for borrowers characterized by greater screening and monitoring costs. Overall, our findings suggest that banking development has positive spillover effects on the functioning of the equity market.
Synchronous Fiber-Optic Gravitational Telescopes

Optical fibers may be used to sense a number of parameters including rotation. A new form of fiber-optic device is proposed, which is sensitive to gravitational radiation, and is based on the BRAGINSKY-MENSKII synchronous electromagnetic gravitational-wave detector. The fiber-optic gravitational telescope employs a very large Sagnac interferometer to detect the gravitationally-induced phase modulation.
A profile of travelers who are willing to stay in environmentally friendly hotel.

The purpose of this study is to describe travelers that have indicated they are willing to stay in green hotel in order to better understand the market segment. There is very little knowledge about these types of travelers, thus making it difficult for hoteliers to know how to create marketing campaigns that target them. Data were collected via an online survey company. Behavior characteristics provided a more distinguishing profile of the traveler than did demographics or psychographics. Most travelers were willing to pay the same amount for a green hotel as a traditional hotel. Implications, future research, and limitations are discussed.
A General Learning Theory and its Application to Schema Abstraction1

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on ACT system that embodies the extremely powerful thesis that a single set of learning processes underlies the whole gamut of human learning—from children learning their first language by hearing examples of adult speech to adults learning to program a computer by reading textbook instructions. The computer simulation is called ACT. The ACT theory describes its application to research on abstraction of schemas. In ACT, knowledge is divided into two categories: declarative and procedural. The declarative knowledge is represented in a propositional network similar to semantic network representations. ACT's declarative knowledge is a set of assertions or propositions and it ignores the technical aspects of its network representation. ACT represents its procedural knowledge as a set of productions. The ACT production system can be seen as a considerable extension and modification of the production systems, and can only have their conditions satisfied by active propositions. ACT's activation mechanism is designed such that the only propositions active are those that have recently been added to the data base or that are closely associated to propositions which have been added.
Fermi-Bose Correspondence at Finite Temperature

The correspondence between fermi-sea/bose-condensate displacements and the number-conserving product of two fermi/bose fields is generalised to finite temperatures. It is shown that the straightforward generalisation that involves making the sea-bosons participate in the thermodynamic averaging does not work out. A remedy is found which involves treating the sea-displacement bosons at zero temperature while all finite temperature effects have to be lumped into the coefficients. We also show that all the finite temperature dynamical four-point and six-point functions come out correctly as do some of the commutation rules involving the fermion/boson product that go through unscathed. It is also shown that this unusual prescription of leaving out the sea-bosons from the thermodynamic averaging does in fact reproduce the correct RPA dielectric function at finite temperature. This article is not however, critic-proof.
Black–Litterman Approach

We take the reader through the Black–Litterman approach, providing all the proofs. We show how minor modifications of the original model greatly improve its range of applications. We discuss full generalizations of this and related models Keywords: views; shrinkage; equilibrium; nonnormal markets; entropy pooling
Social media institutionalization in the U.S. federal government

Abstract Social media adoption changes the existing organizational technology paradigm of public sector organizations. This paper explains the internal decisions that are necessary before new technologies can be used to support the strategic mission of a government organization and which behavioral and technological changes are integrated into the organization's standard operating procedures. This is an important theoretical contribution, because social media technologies are developed and hosted by third parties outside of government, with government's role limited to reactively evaluating their internal needs, strategic alignment, and existing routines. Evidence from qualitative interviews with social media directors in the U.S. federal government and a digital ethnography of their online practices expand the existing theory of social media adoption by adding two distinct activities: strategic alignment and routinization which lead to the institutionalization of new technologies.