PURCHASE OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS (PDR) PROGRAMS: HAVE WE PAID TOO MUCH?

While many states such as Vermont have adopted the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) programs to protect farmland, few studies have examined how the prices of such development rights are determined and whether the prices are close to the market value. Using data from the state of Vermont, this study first examines the effects of development restrictions on the market price of rural and semi-rural properties and then addresses the question of whether the prices paid for development rights are close to the market value. Our results based on an hedonic model suggest that development restrictions do reduce the market value of rural and semi-rural properties in Northern Vermont but the prices paid by Vermont's PDR programs are significantly higher than the estimated market value.Agricultural and Food Policy, Land Economics/Use,

Constitutional Law - Criminal Procedure - Fourth Amendment - Ordering Passengers out of Vehicle During Traffic Stop

The Supreme Court of the United States held that a police officer who orders passengers to exit a vehicle until completion of a traffic stop does not violate the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution because the public interest in the safety of law enforcement personnel outweighs an individual\u27s right to be free from arbitrary interference. Maryland v. Wilson, 117 S. Ct. 882 (1997)

Long-term Arrhythmia Monitoring in Cryptogenic Stroke: Who, How, and for How Long?

Cryptogenic stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) account for approximately one-third of stroke patients [1]. Paroxys-mal atrial fibrillation (PAF) has been suggested as a major etiology of these cryptogenic strokes [2, 3]. PAF can be difficult to diagnose because it is intermittent, often brief, and asymptomatic. PAF might be more prevalent than persistent atrial fibrillation in stroke and TIA patients, especially in younger populations [4, 5]. In patients with atrial fibrillation, anticoagulation provides significant risk reduction [6]. A new generation of oral anticoagulants has been approved for non-valvular atrial fibrillation, providing a variety of therapeutic options for patients with atrial fibrillation and risk of stroke [7]. Prior practice included an admission electrocardiogram (ECG) and continuous telemetry monitoring while in hospital [8]. However, this approach can lead to under-detection of brief asymptomatic events, which can occur at variable intervals, often outside of the hospital setting. Technological advancements have led to devices that can monitor cardiac rhythms outside of the hospital for longer durations resulting in higher yield of detection of atrial fibrillation events. Moreover, recent studies show that the normal monitoring time for arrhythmias may be shorter than ideal in order to detect atrial fibrillation, and increasing this interval could significantly improve detection of atrial fibrillation in these patients [9, 10]. The aim of this study is to review the literature in order to define what subgroup of patients, with what methodologies, and for how long monitoring for atrial fibrillation should occur in patients presenting with cryptogenic stroke

Airplane Pitch Response to Rapid Configuration Change: Flight Test and Safety Assessment

This paper examines airplane response to rapid flap extension on seven general aviation airplanes. The scenario involves a pilot flying in the traffic pattern becoming distracted, abruptly extending flaps while looking outside the airplane, and failing to notice airspeed and pitch-attitude changes. The airplanes tested reached pitch forces of up to 36 lbf, meeting FAA requirements but exceeding the capability of 55% of the population. Flight data showed a pitch-up to more than 30˚ in 5 s after flap extension, causing airspeed to drop below stall speed for four of the airplanes. At traffic pattern altitudes, stalling an airplane can be fatal. The NTSB lists over 1000 accidents caused by loss of control in the traffic pattern between 1982 and 2017. As general aviation airplanes do not carry flight data recorders, it is unknown how many of those accidents may have involved stalls caused by uncommanded response after flap extension. From the data gathered in flight, it seems possible some were. To improve safety, flight training should prepare students to anticipate rapid pitch changes during flap extension and retraction. In addition, airplane developers could interconnect flaps with the elevator, reduce horizontal tail size, or use a T-tail. The FAA should consider reducing the maximum pitch stick and wheel forces in 14 CFR §23.143 to 20 lbf or less

Inducible Control of Subcellular RNA Localization Using a Synthetic Protein-RNA Aptamer Interaction

Evidence is accumulating in support of the functional importance of subcellular RNA localization in diverse biological contexts. In different cell types, distinct RNA localization patterns are frequently observed, and the available data indicate that this is achieved through a series of highly coordinated events. Classically, cis–elements within the RNA to be localized are recognized by RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), which then direct specific localization of a target RNA. Until now, the precise control of the spatiotemporal parameters inherent to regulating RNA localization has not been experimentally possible. Here, we demonstrate the development and use of a chemically–inducible RNA–protein interaction to regulate subcellular RNA localization. Our system is composed primarily of two parts: (i) the Tet Repressor protein (TetR) genetically fused to proteins natively involved in localizing endogenous transcripts; and (ii) a target transcript containing genetically encoded TetR–binding RNA aptamers. TetR–fusion protein binding to the target RNA and subsequent localization of the latter are directly regulated by doxycycline. Using this platform, we demonstrate that enhanced and controlled subcellular localization of engineered transcripts are achievable. We also analyze rules for forward engineering this RNA localization system in an effort to facilitate its straightforward application to studying RNA localization more generally.National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Director’s New Innovator Award Program (grant number 1DP2OD007124 )

Growth and Diversity of the Population of the Soviet Union

The most remarkable feature of the Soviet Union's demography is its ethnic diversity. More than 90 ethnic groups are indigenous to the territory of the Soviet Union. Ethnic Russians composed only 50.8 percent of the population according to preliminary 1989 census results. The article examines official Soviet statistics for the period 1959 to 1989 to illustrate some of the risks in describing Soviet demographic behavior. Is fertility in the Soviet Union high or low? Answer: both. Is the Soviet population growing rapidly or slowly? Answer: both. The changing ethnic composition of the population of the USSR as a whole reflects large differences in growth rates of ethnic groups; the changing composition of the USSR by region also reflects differences in migration by ethnic group. Differences in growth rates are reshaping the ethnic composition of the Soviet labor force. For the USSR as a whole between 1979 and 1989, three-fourths of the net increment to the working ages was contributed by the one-sixth of the population in 1979 that was traditionally Muslim in religion.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/67141/2/10.1177_000271629051000112.pd

Real-Time Satellite Component Recognition with YOLO-V5

With the increasing risk of collisions with space debris and the growing interest in on-orbit servicing, the ability to autonomously capture non-cooperative, tumbling target objects remains an unresolved challenge. To accomplish this task, characterizing and classifying satellite components is critical to the success of the mission. This paper focuses on using machine vision by a small satellite to perform image classification based on locating and identifying satellite components such as satellite bodies, solar panels or antennas. The classification and component detection approach is based on “You Only Look Once” (YOLO) V5, which uses Neural Networks to identify the satellite components. The training dataset includes images of real and virtual satellites and additional preprocessed images to increase the effectiveness of the algorithm. The weights obtained from the algorithm are then used in a spacecraft motion dynamics and orbital lighting simulator to test classification and detection performance. Each test case entails a different approach path of the chaser satellite to the target satellite, a different attitude motion of the target satellite, and different lighting conditions to mimic that of the Sun. Initial results indicate that once trained, the YOLO V5 approach is able to effectively process an input camera feed to solve satellite classification and component detection problems in real-time within the limitations of flight computers