cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hexamers of the type II secretion ATPase GspE from Vibrio cholerae with increased ATPase activity.

Summary The type II secretion system (T2SS), a multiprotein machinery spanning two membranes in Gram-negative bacteria, is responsible for the secretion of folded proteins from the periplasm across the outer membrane. The critical multidomain T2SS assembly ATPase GspE EpsE had not been structurally characterized as a hexamer. Here, four hexamers of Vibrio cholerae GspE EpsE are obtained when fused to Hcp1 as an assistant hexamer, as shown with native mass spectrometry. The enzymatic activity of the GspE EpsE -Hcp1 fusions is ∼20 times higher than that of a GspE EpsE monomer, indicating that increasing the local concentration of GspE EpsE by the fusion strategy was successful. Crystal structures of GspE EpsE -Hcp1 fusions with different linker lengths reveal regular and elongated hexamers of GspE EpsE with major differences in domain orientation within subunits, and in subunit assembly. SAXS studies on GspE EpsE -Hcp1 fusions suggest that even further variability in GspE EpsE hexamer architecture is likely.
Flinders Petrie and Eugenics at UCL

William Matthew Flinders Petrie is considered the father of scientific archaeology and is credited with developing a chronology of Ancient Egypt using the nondescript artefacts that other archaeologists had ignored. He occupied the first chair of Egyptology in England, and was also well-known for the museum built around his personal collection of Egyptian artifacts at University College London. Petrie's archaeological work has been studied by scholars, from various disciplines, for its scholarly, cultural, and historical value, while Petrie's life and career outside of archaeology have been the subject of relatively little study. Petrie himself wrote two life stories: the first, Ten Years Digging in Egypt, 1881–1891 (1892), detailed the years before his professorship at UCL; in 1932 he published his second, more complete autobiography, Seventy Years in Archaeology. After he died in 1942 there were various obituaries and memorials that outlined his life and major achievements in archaeology. There was very little written about Petrie the man until 1985, when Margaret Drower's Flinders Petrie: A Life in Archaeology was published; it remains the most comprehensive work on Petrie's life. A thin volume of the correspondence of Hilda and Flinders Petrie also allows a glimpse into life on excavation. In short, much of what is known about Petrie focuses on his excavations in Egypt, his time as Professor of Egyptology at University College London, or the museum that bears his name. Subsequently, as a historical matter, Petrie's work in the discipline of eugenics has rarely been discussed as part of his career.
Developmental Regulation of Methyl Benzoate Biosynthesis and Emission in Snapdragon Flowers

In snapdragon flowers, the volatile ester methyl benzoate is the most abundant scent compound. It is synthesized by and emitted from only the upper and lower lobes of petals, where pollinators (bumblebees) come in contact with the flower. Emission of methyl benzoate occurs in a rhythmic manner, with maximum emission during the day, which correlates with pollinator activity. A novel S-adenosyl-l-methionine:benzoic acid carboxyl methyl transferase (BAMT), the final enzyme in the biosynthesis of methyl benzoate, and its corresponding cDNA have been isolated and characterized. The complete amino acid sequence of the BAMT protein has only low levels of sequence similarity to other previously characterized proteins, including plant O-methyl transferases. During the life span of the flower, the levels of methyl benzoate emission, BAMT activity, BAMT gene expression, and the amounts of BAMT protein and benzoic acid are developmentally and differentially regulated. Linear regression analysis revealed that production of methyl benzoate is regulated by the amount of benzoic acid and the amount of BAMT protein, which in turn is regulated at the transcriptional level.
What Your Future Doctor Should Know About Statistics: Must-Include Topics for Introductory Undergraduate Biostatistics

The increased emphasis on evidence-based medicine creates a greater need for educating future physicians in the general domain of quantitative reasoning, probability, and statistics. Reflecting this trend, more medical schools now require applicants to have taken an undergraduate course in introductory statistics. Given the breadth of statistical applications, we should cover in that course certain essential topics that may not be covered in the more general introductory statistics course. In selecting and presenting such topics, we should bear in mind that doctors also need to communicate probabilistic concepts of risks and benefits to patients who are increasingly expected to be active participants in their own health care choices despite having no training in medicine or statistics. It is also important that interesting and relevant examples accompany the presentation, because the examples (rather than the details) are what students tend to retain years later. Here, we present a list of topics we cover...
Involvement of cytochrome P-450 enzyme activity in the control of microvascular permeability in canine lung

Products of cytochrome P-450 enzymes may play a role in capacitative Ca2+ entry in endothelial cells, which can promote a rise in vascular permeability. Thapsigargin (150 nM) stimulated capacitative Ca2+ entry and increased the capillary filtration coefficient (Kf,c) in isolated normal canine lung lobes. Pretreatment of the lobes with cytochrome P-450 inhibitors clotrimazole (10 microM) or 17-octadecynoic acid (5 microM) abolished the thapsigargin-induced increases in Kf,c. Because clotrimazole also blocks Ca2+-activated K+ channels, the K+-channel blocker tetraethylammonium (10 mM) was used to ensure that permeability was not influenced by this mechanism. Tetraethylammonium did not affect thapsigargin-induced permeability. The effects of the cytochrome P-450 arachidonic acid metabolite 5,6-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET) were also investigated in lobes taken from control dogs and dogs with pacing-induced heart failure (paced at 245 beats/min for 4 wk). 5,6-EET (10 microM) significantly increased Kf,c in lobes from the control but not from the paced animals. We conclude that cytochrome P-450 metabolites are involved in mediating microvascular permeability in normal canine lungs, but an absence of 5,6-EET after heart failure does not explain the resistance of lungs from these animals to permeability changes.
Assessing the stability of the Co(I) species of two mononuclear dichlorocobalt compounds bearing 2,2′-bipyridine and trans-2-(2′-quiolyl)methylene-3-quinuclidione via 59Co NMR spectroscopy, electrochemical, and catalyzed proton electroreduction studies

Abstract The Co(I) species resulting from the reduction of two mononuclear species [CoLnCl2] (where L = 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) and n = 2, or L = trans-2-(2′-quiolyl)methylene-3-quinuclidione (quin) and n = 1), was studied by 59Co NMR spectroscopy, UV–visible-NIR spectroscopy, and spectroelectrochemical techniques. A quasi-stable Co(I) species produced by the reduction of [Co(bpy)2Cl2] was studied and gave a 59Co NMR spectroscopic chemical shift of 2934 ppm in CD3CN-D2O (4:1, v/v) and a broad peak of λmax = 600 nm in the UV–visible region of the spectrum. The Co(I) species generated from [Co(quin)Cl2) (when reduced by electrochemical methods) was found to be unstable and produced a transient of λmax = 530 nm. Both [CoLnCl2] species were examined as electrocatalysts for the reduction of protons in an acetonitrile–water solvent mixture in the presence of p-cyanoanilinium tetrafluoroborate. The electrochemical properties of both species showed a dependence on the supporting electrolyte which also affected the electrocatalytic behavior. The simulation of the cyclic voltammograms in CH3CN-H2O (4:1, v/v) allowed for the extraction of kinetic data and suggested a homogenous reaction following the reduction to a Co(I) metal centre with rate constants k = 0.01 s−1 and 2 M s−1 for the Co(I) species with the ligands, bpy and quin, respectively. Analysis of the head space of controlled potential electrolysis experiments for an hour, in the presence of p-cyanoanilinium tetrafluoroborate, confirmed the production of hydrogen, and also showed that the supporting electrolyte affected the production of hydrogen at a glassy carbon electrode in CH3CN–H2O (either 1:1 or 4:1, v/v). A mechanism was postulated which involved a CoIII–H species as the most likely candidate and appeared to involve both a homolytic and a heterolytic pathway towards the production of hydrogen.
Prevention and Treatment of Bleeding Complications in Dermatologic Surgery

In general, the rate of complications in dermatologic surgery is extremely low. A single-center prospective analysis of 1,343 cases of Mohs micrographic surgery reported an overall complication rate of 1.6% (22/1,343), including wound infection, postoperative hemorrhage, hematoma, wound dehiscence, and flap or graft necrosis [1] (IV/B). This chapter reviews the available evidence regarding the prevention and management of bleeding complications of cutaneous surgery. Although much of the data will be generated from the collective dermatologic experience with Mohs micrographic surgery, the conclusions drawn will be applicable to standard excisional surgery, as well other common procedures of the dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon. Not only is peri-operative bleeding the most common complication associated with cutaneous surgery, but it is also the subject for which the most robust evidence exists. It is additionally important to note that complications involving dehiscence, necrosis, poor wound healing, and infection often occur after difficulties with hemostasis.
Gary Becker's Impact on Economics and Policy

It is impossible in a few pages to even touch on the impact Gary Becker had on economics and public policy. Becker was a pioneer whose work spanned many fields, most of which he was responsible for creating. His imagination was limitless, and he applied economics to areas that few would have thought feasible, providing insight, innovation, and reason in every direction he went. Milton Friedman described him as the most important social scientist of the second half of the twentieth century, and the description is not an overstatement. Becker was more than an economist. He was a social thinker who could bring logic to any subject, no matter how unapproachable. It is for that reason that he had such an important impact on public policy. Becker’s seemingly heretical work often reversed stereotypic thoughts and provided approaches to public policy that were not only novel—they were correct. Based on economic theory and empirical analyses that backed it up, Becker provided prescriptions that were both practical and welfare enhancing. Above all, Becker was a scholar in the finest sense of the word, who believed in economics and its power to explain the world. The ultimate economic imperialist, Becker’s real-world orientation gave us new ways to think about economics and its application to policy. 1
E-Participation in the Legislative Process Lessons from Estonia for Enhancing Democratic Empowerment

This paper assesses the success of an innovative national e-participation project in Estonia. To carry out this task, the paper combines quantitative (aggregate user data, content analysis via tagging) and qualitative (individual user survey and interviews with public officials) data analysis. The analysis is conducted with two principal research objectives in mind. Firstly, to explain how e-participation has fared in Estonia, both in terms of citizen mobilization and government responses. The second goal is to evaluate a series of procedural and technological changes for enhancing e-participation. The Estonian case provides ample lessons for ensuring that e-participation in practice can better meet the expectations of users and government officials alike.
Can a culturally responsive model for research design bring us closer to addressing participation disparities? Lessons learned from cancer survivorship studies.

INTRODUCTION Health disparities research demands the inclusion of traditionally excluded peoples. Additional complex issues weigh into health disparities or multicultural research including sociopolitical context, cultural context, network or community context, and micro-level or personal dimensions. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK This paper will present a work in progress based on psycho-oncology research: A Culturally Responsive Model for Research Design. The manuscript will describe the model's governing principles and practices employed to address these study components: 1) purpose of the research; (2) utilization of modified or new conceptual framework and operationalization; (3) methods and procedures; (4) participant and data safety and monitoring; (5) reliable and valid instrumentation; (6) drawing valid conclusions; (7) dissemination of findings; and (8) staff training. This paper will define these issues and present the guiding principles modeled to conduct culturally responsive research and increase research integrity. DISCUSSION Cancer control research is an important part of the stated commitment to reduce cancer incidence, morbidity, and mortality and to increase health-related quality of life. Ethnic minorities are overrepresented in cancer burden, yet underrepresented in research. This paper is part of a movement to articulate practical models for designing culturally responsive, multicultural research. The model may have implications for increasing ethnic minority participation in research.
Proteasome Inhibitor Does Not Affect the Function of Human Immune Systems: Effects on Dendritic Cells, T Lymphocytes and NK Cells.

Abstract Bortezomib is the first proteasome inhibitor approved for the therapy of multiple myeloma (MM) based on its in vitro and in vivo activity in myeloma. However, the toxicity and effects of this drug on the human immune function have not been entirely studied. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of Bortezomib on normal human immune cells including dendritic cells (DC), T lymphocytes and NK cells for cell survival, antigen expression, production of cytokines, and other key parameters of immune cell function. In our evaluation of effect of Bortezomib on DC, we did not observe significant change in the expression of cell surface antigens including CD40, CD80, CD83, CD86, HLA-ABC and HLA-DPQR molecules in terms of percentage of cells positive as well as mean fluorescence intensity (MFI). Bortezomib treated immature DC maintained the ability for antigen uptake as measured by uptake of Dextran-FITC (untrt vs. trt = 798 MFI vs. 802 MFI), maintained the expression levels of antigen uptake receptors including mannose (untrt vs. trt = 85% vs. 79%) and DEC-205 (untrt vs. trt = 49% vs. 42%), and the capacity to produce IL-12 (untrt vs. trt = 135 vs. 125 pg/ml). In addition, Bortezomib treated mature DC was able to induce comparable levels of allogenic T cell proliferation to the untreated mature DC as measured by 3[H]-Thymidine incorporation (untrt vs. trt = 212556 cpm vs. 220571 cpm). Furthermore, cell surface antigen expression including CD3, CD4, CD8, CD28, CD154 (CD40L) and TCRab on T lymphocytes were not changed by Bortezomib treatment. The treated T cells also maintained the ability to secrete IFN-g secretion in response to allogenic DC (untrt vs. trt = 85 vs. 88 pg/ml) or Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (untrt vs. trt = 131 vs. 154 pg/ml). The cytolytic activity of the NK cell population was comparable between proteasome inhibitor treated and untreated control cells against the McCAR (untrt vs. trt = 44% vs. 52%) and MM1S (49% vs. 42%) target MM cell lines. This observation was correlated with similar expression levels of CD2, CD11a, CD94, NKp30, NKp44, NKp46, and KARp50.3 activation antigens in treated versus untreated NK cells. These, in vitro results confirm lack of adverse effects of Bortezomib on immune function, and allow us to incorporate of Bortezomib in multimodality therapy that includes immunotherapy.
Cost-Effectiveness of a Collaborative Care Depression and Anxiety Treatment Program in Patients with Acute Cardiac Illness.

Abstract Objective To use data from a randomized trial to determine the cost-effectiveness of a collaborative care (CC) depression and anxiety treatment program and to assess effects of the CC program on health care utilization. Methods The CC intervention's impact on health-related quality of life, depression-free days (DFDs), and anxiety-free days (AFDs) over the 24-week postdischarge period was calculated and compared with the enhanced usual care (EUC) condition using independent samples t tests and random-effects regression models. Costs for both the CC and EUC conditions were calculated on the basis of staff time, overhead expenses, and treatment materials. Using this information, incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were calculated. A cost-effectiveness acceptability plot was created using nonparametric bootstrapping with 10,000 replications, and the likelihood of the CC intervention's cost-effectiveness was assessed using standard cutoffs. As a secondary analysis, we determined whether the CC intervention led to reductions in postdischarge health care utilization and costs. Results The CC intervention was more costly than the EUC intervention ($209.86 vs. $34.59; z = −11.71; P t = −2.49; P = 0.01) and DFDs ( t = −2.13; P = 0.03), but not AFDs ( t = −1.92; P = 0.057). This translated into an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $3337.06 per quality-adjusted life-year saved, $13.36 per DFD, and $13.74 per AFD. Compared with the EUC intervention, the CC intervention was also associated with fewer emergency department visits but no differences in overall costs. Conclusions This CC intervention was associated with clinically relevant improvements, was cost-effective, and was associated with fewer emergency department visits in the 24 weeks after discharge.
‘Cannot You Use a Loving Violence?’: Cancer Surgery

Saint Agatha, an early Christian martyr, was popularly believed to have had her breasts removed as a method of torture. The young Christian, living in ancient Sicily around 231 AD, had caught the eye of the ‘idolatrous’ governor Quintianus, who, angered by her rejection of his sexual advances, had her arrested for her faith and imprisoned in the house of Aphrodisia, a prostitute who attempted to persuade Agatha to welcome Quintianus’s attentions.2 Finding that she remained unmoved, Quintianus ordered Agatha to be tortured by having her breasts mutilated and cut off. Then, infuriated by the composure with which Agatha bore this punishment, he had her thrown into a dungeon and left to die. Quintianus’s final revenge, however, was futile, since Saint Peter appeared to the stricken Christian and restored her breasts. She died after later being rolled on hot coals, an avowed martyr of the faith.
Multi-Objective Optimization of Impedance Parameters in a Prosthesis Test Robot

We design a control system for a prosthesis test robot that was previously developed for transfemoral prosthesis design and test. The robot’s control system aims to mimic human walking in the sagittal plane. It has been seen in previous work that trajectory control alone fails to produce human-like forces. Therefore, we utilize an impedance controller to achieve reasonable tracking of motion and force simultaneously. However, these objectives conflict. Impedance control design can therefore be viewed as a multi-objective optimization problem. We use an evolutionary multi-objective strategy called Multi-Objective Invasive Weed Optimization (MOIWO) to design the impedance controller. The multi-objective optimization problem admits a set of equally valid alternative solutions known as the Pareto optimal set. We use a pseudo weight vector approach to select a single solution from the Pareto optimal set. Simulation results show that a solution that is selected for pure motion tracking performs very accurate motion tracking (RMS error of 0.06 cm) but fails to produce the desired forces (RMS error of 70% peak load). On the other hand, a solution that is selected for pure force tracking successfully tracks the desired force (RMS error of 12.7% peak load) at the expense of motion trajectory errors (RMS error of 4.5 cm).Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Postsecondary Public Health Nutrition Programs in Egypt: An Educational Gap Within the Allied Health Profession?

Background. Escalating obesity rates have become a major public health problem in Egypt. To address this concern, the education and training of a competent and culturally relevant public health nutrition (PHN) workforce is necessary. The aim of this study is to list and identify current PHN education and training programs offered in Egyptian colleges and universities. Method. An electronic review of websites, departmental homepages, and academic program web links of selected colleges and universities in Egypt (N = 63) was conducted to identify available training and education in PHN and nutrition-affiliated academic programs. Results. Of the 63 identified Egyptian colleges and universities, two universities, both located in Alexandria, offered education and training degrees in PHN, and 16 were identified as offering non-PHN degree programs, predominantly in home economics. Conclusions. The relative scarcity of PHN training programs in colleges and universities in Egypt coupled with the lack of nationally ...
A Comparison of 3 Vitamin D Dosing Regimens in Extremely Preterm Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective To determine the optimal dose of vitamin D supplementation to achieve biochemical vitamin D sufficiency in extremely low gestational age newborns in a masked randomized controlled trial. Study design 100 infants 23 0/7-27 6/7 weeks gestation were randomized to vitamin D intakes of placebo (n = 36), 200 IU (n = 34), and 800 IU/d (n = 30) (approximating 200, 400, or 1000 IU/d, respectively, when vitamin D routinely included in parenteral or enteral nutrition is included). The primary outcomes were serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D concentrations on postnatal day 28 and the number of days alive and off respiratory support in the first 28 days. Results At birth, 67% of infants had 25-hydroxy vitamin D P P = .63, or other respiratory outcomes among groups. Conclusions At birth, most extremely preterm infants have biochemical vitamin D deficiency. This biochemical deficiency is reduced on day 28 by supplementation with 200 IU/d and prevented by 800 IU/d. Larger trials are required to determine if resolution of biochemical vitamin D deficiency improves clinical outcomes. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01600430.
Mass spectrometric analysis of histone variants and post-translational modifications.

Abstract Mass spectrometry based proteomics has revolutionized many aspects of modern biological research. One key area where mass spectrometry continues to significantly contribute is in the analysis of histone post-translational modification (PTM) patterns. Dynamic histone PTMs are known to be intricately associated with gene regulation (both activating and silencing), and also with epigenetic processes, therefore, accurate qualitative and quantitative mapping of modification sites on these proteins is of immense value. Mass spectrometry has been utilized to confirm, discover, quantify and determine the simultaneous combination of histone PTMs from many organisms. Here the recent mass spectrometry based studies of histone variants and the characterization of their modifications is reviewed.
Immobilized epidermal growth factor stimulates persistent, directed keratinocyte migration via activation of PLCγ1

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a critical element in dermal repair, but EGF-containing wound dressings have not been successful clinically. However, these dressings have delivered only soluble EGF, and the native environment provides both soluble and matrix-bound EGF. To address our hypothesis that tethered EGF can stimulate cell behaviors not achievable with soluble EGF, we examined single-cell movement and signaling in human immortalized HaCaT keratinocytes treated with soluble or immobilized EGF. Although both EGF treatments increased collective sheet displacement and individual cell speed, only cells treated with immobilized EGF exhibited directed migration, as well as 2-fold greater persistence compared with soluble EGF. Immunofluorescence showed altered EGF receptor (EGFR) trafficking, where EGFR remained membrane-localized in the immobilized EGF condition. Cells treated with soluble EGF demonstrated higher phosphorylated ERK1/2, and cells on immobilized EGF exhibited higher pPLCγ1, which was localized at the leading edge. Treatment with U0126 inhibited migration in both conditions, demonstrating that ERK1/2 activity was necessary but not responsible for the observed differences. In contrast, PLCγ1 inhibition with U73122 significantly decreased persistence on immobilized EGF. Combined, these results suggest that immobilized EGF increases collective keratinocyte displacement via an increase in single-cell migration persistence resulting from altered EGFR trafficking and PLCγ1 activation.-Kim, C. S., Mitchell, I. P., Desotell, A. W., Kreeger, P. K., Masters, K. S. Immobilized epidermal growth factor stimulates persistent, directed keratinocyte migration via activation of PLCγ1.
Normal Databases for the Relative Quantification of Myocardial Perfusion.

Myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) with SPECT is performed clinically worldwide to detect and monitor coronary artery disease (CAD). MPI allows an objective quantification of myocardial perfusion at stress and rest. This established technique relies on normal databases to compare patient scans against reference normal limits. In this review, we aim to introduce the process of MPI quantification with normal databases and describe the associated perfusion quantitative measures that are used. New equipment and new software reconstruction algorithms have been introduced, which require the development of new normal limits. The appearance and regional count variations of normal MPI scans may differ between these new scanners and standard Anger cameras. Therefore, these new systems may require the determination of new normal limits to achieve optimal accuracy in relative myocardial perfusion quantification. Accurate diagnostic and prognostic results rivaling those obtained by expert readers can be obtained by this widely used technique. Throughout this review, we emphasize the importance of the normal databases and the need for specific databases relative to distinct imaging procedures. Use of appropriate normal limits allows optimal quantification of MPI by taking into account subtle image differences due to the hardware and software used, and the population studied.
Evaluation of the Sensitivity and Accuracy of Birth Defects Indicators on the 2003 Revision of the U.S. Birth Certificate: Has Data Quality Improved?

Background The 2003 revision of the U.S. Birth Certificate was restricted to birth defects readily identifiable at birth. Despite being the lone source of birth defects cases in some studies, we lack population-based information on the quality of birth defects data from the most recent revision of the birth certificate. Methods We linked birth certificate data to confirmed cases from the Florida Birth Defects Registry (FBDR) to assess the sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) of birth defects indicators on the birth certificate. Descriptive statistics and log-binomial regression were used to examine variation in data quality measures by defect type and other characteristics. We also evaluated the contribution of birth certificates as a case ascertainment source for the FBDR. Results Sensitivity of the birth certificate was poor (19.1%) with variation across defects ranging from 55% for anencephaly and 54% for gastroschisis, to 93% for orofacial clefts and gastroschisis to <55% for anencephaly and limb reduction defects. We also observed variation in data quality across maternal, infant, and hospital characteristics. Of cases identified by the birth certificate and not any other FBDR data source, 54.9% were false-positive diagnoses. Conclusions Efforts to restrict the 2003 revision of the birth certificate to defects identifiable at birth have not improved the likelihood that birth certificates will identify infants born with those defects. We do not recommend the use of birth certificates as a source of birth defects data without case verification strategies.
Depth profiling of chemical and mechanical degradation of UV-exposed PV backsheets

The properties of the multilayer PV backsheets, including their interfaces, during weathering are not well-known. In this study, a commercial PPE (polyethylene terephthalate (PET)/PET/ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)) backsheet films was selected as a model system for a depth profiling study of chemical and mechanical properties of a backsheet film during UV exposure. Cryo-microtomy was used to obtain cross-sectional PPE samples. The NIST SPHERE (Simulated Photodegradation via High Energy Radiant Exposure) was used for the accelerated laboratory exposure of the materials with UV at 85°C and two relative humidities (RH) of 5 % (dry) and 60 % (wet). Chemical and mechanical depth profiling of the aged and unaged samples was conducted by Raman microscopic mapping, nanoindentation and atomic force microscopy in quantitative nanomechanical mapping mode. The results indicated that non-uniform degradation took place across the thickness of the PPE backsheet with severe chemical and mechanical degradation observed on the outer pigmented PET layer, two adhesive layers, and the pigmented-EVA layer. The regions with the increase in the modulus detected by nanoindetation were consistent with those showing clear chemical degradation in Raman and Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). This depth profiling study brings new understanding to the mechanisms of failures observed in the backsheets during weathering.
Drop impact on small surfaces: thickness and velocity profiles of the expanding sheet in the air

We consider the radially expanding sheet formed upon impact of a drop on a surface of comparable size to that of the drop. A unified self-similar solution for the unsteady radial thickness profile of the expanding sheet is derived from first principles in the inviscid limit. This unified functional form reconciles two conflicting theoretical profiles of sheet thickness proposed in the literature and allows for the collapse on a single curve direct measurements of sheet thickness profiles reported in the literature and the detailed measurements conducted herein. We show good agreement between our proposed unified thickness profile and data from our experiments for a range of surface-to-drop size ratios. We show that there is an optimal range of surface-to-drop size ratio for which the hypothesis of inviscid thin sheet expansion in the air holds. Outside of this optimal range, either insufficient vertical momentum is transferred to horizontal momentum to form an expanding sheet or viscous effects become too important to neglect. In this latter regime, the dominant effect of surface friction is to modify the velocity profile. We elucidate this effect using a Blasius-type boundary layer model. Finally, we relate the geometry of the drop in its early phase of impact to the sheet thickness profile in the air. We show that the coefficients of the proposed unified similarity thickness profile can directly be linked to volume flux conservation at early times, and to the maximum sheet thickness at the edge of the surface. Our results thus quantitatively link the fluid history on the surface to the thickness and velocity profiles of the freely expanding sheet in the air.
Characterization of the Pectic Enzymes from Monilinia fructicola1)1)Technical Contribution No. 1193 of the South Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29631.

Summary Monilinia fructicola was grown in a chemically defined medium under conditions to give maximum pectic enzyme production. Endo-polygalacturonase (PG), exo-PG, endo-polymethylgalacturonase (PMG), endo-polymethylgalacturonate lyase (PMGL) and pectin methylesterase (PME) activities were detected in the culture filtrates. The PG exhibited a p H optimum at 5.2 and was stable at acidic p H. The PMG exhibited p H optima at 4.5 to 5.0 and 7.5. A heat stability phenomenon was associated with the PG of the two day old culture filtrate.
Abstract P130: Estrogen Receptor β Mediates the Rescue of Cardiac Function in Advanced Heart Failure by Promoting Neoangiogenesis and Reducing Fibrosis

Estrogen can act via the estrogen receptor alpha (ERa) or estrogen receptor beta (ERb) to exert its biological effects, and both of these receptors are present in the heart. We have previously shown that short-term estrogen (E2) treatment can rescue pressure overload-induced decompensated heart failure (HF) in mice, and that this rescue is achieved mainly through the ERb. Furthermore, E2 has been shown to regulate angiogenesis in different tissues. Because HF has been associated with decreased angiogenesis and increased fibrosis, here we investigated whether the E2-induced rescue of HF by the selective ERb agonist DPN can regulate cardiac fibrosis and neoangiogenesis. We used transaortic constriction to induce HF, and once the ejection fraction (EF) reached ∼30%, one group of animals was sacrificed (HF group), and the other three groups received either 17b-estradiol via a subcutaneous pellet implant (0.012mg/pellet, n=16), selective ERa agonist (PPT, 0.625mg/kg/day), or selective ERb agonist (DPN, 0.625mg/kg/day) for 10 days. Serial echocardiography was performed to monitor cardiac structure and function. As expected, E2 rescued HF by restoring EF from 33.17±1.12% to 53.05±1.29%. Mice treated with DPN had a significant EF improvement from 33.17±1.12% to 45.25±2.1% (n=7), while the EF of PPT-treated mice did not improve (31.09±2.3%, n=6). Similarly, only the fractional shortening of DPN-treated mice improved from 15.7±0.58% in HF to 21.95±1.65% with DPN treatment vs. 14.72±1.24% with PPT. Next, we examined whether promotion of cardiac neoangiogenesis and suppression of fibrosis by the selective ERb agonist are possible mechanisms in the rescue action of HF by DPN. DPN treatment was able to reverse the interstitial and perivascular fibrosis observed in HF, while PPT had no effect. The selective ERb agonist also stimulated neoangiogenesis, as the capillary density was increased from 0.46±0.04 microvessels/cardiomyocyte in HF to 0.67±0.07 with DPN treatment, whereas PPT treatment had no effect (0.43±0.03). Our data strongly suggests that upregulation of cardiac neoangiogenesis and reversal of fibrosis are pivotal mechanisms in rescuing advanced HF by the estrogen receptor beta agonist DPN.
Adopting a dyadic perspective to better understand the association between physical attractiveness and dieting motivations and behaviors.

Abstract The relationship between women’s objective physical attractiveness and their dieting motivations and behaviors may depend upon their social environment—specifically, their romantic partners’ attractiveness—such that less attractive women with more attractive partners may be particularly motivated to diet. Theoretically, men’s dieting motivations should not depend on their partners’ attractiveness. We tested this possibility using a sample of 223 U.S. newlywed spouses. After completing measures assessing dieting motivations, each participant was photographed; we used those photographs to code spouses’ objective facial and body attractiveness. Results demonstrated that own and partner attractiveness interacted to predict only women’s dieting motivations and behaviors. Less attractive wives married to more (versus less) attractive husbands reported more dieting motivations and behaviors. In contrast, men’s dieting motivations were not significantly associated with their own and their partners’ attractiveness. These findings highlight the value of adopting a dyadic approach to understanding dieting motivations.
Reversible profound sensorineural hearing loss due to propranolol sensitive hemangioma in an infant with PHACE syndrome

PHACE syndrome is the association of large or segmental infantile hemangiomas of the face or scalp with abnormalities within the posterior fossa, arteries, cardiovascular system, and eyes. We present a case of reversible profound sensorineural hearing loss due to a cerebellopontine angle infantile hemangioma that was successfully treated with propranolol.
Fortification of refined soybean oil by hull oil of two Iranian wild pistachios: Improving thermal stability during frying process

In this research, various concentrations of Kolkhoung (Pistacia khinjuk) hull oil (KHO), Beneh (Pistacia atlantica) hull oil (BHO), and Sesame (Sesamum indicume L. cv. Dezful) seed oil (1%, 2%, 4%,...
Comparisons of self and proxy report on health‐related factors in people with intellectual disability

BACKGROUND The intellectual disability field has learned about the lives of people with intellectual disabilities (ID), largely from the perspective of their family and caregivers. Information from caregivers has been critical to scientific advancement, especially when caregivers are engaged on behalf of individuals with significant language impairment. On the other hand, the perspective of individuals with ID themselves is critical for internal subjective content such as thoughts and feelings. METHODS Participants were 90 adults with ID and a proxy of their choosing. RESULTS Overall, self and caregiver report were significantly related for subjective health but varied for physical activity, social support and stress. CONCLUSIONS These findings add to the growing literature establishing the importance of considering the self-report of adults with ID, particularity when the subject matter focuses on internal thoughts or feelings. Clinical considerations for the use of self and proxy report are discussed.
Compiling Bayesian networks using variable elimination

Compiling Bayesian networks has proven an effective approach for inference that can utilize both global and local network structure. In this paper, we define a new method of compiling based on variable elimination (VE) and Algebraic Decision Diagrams (ADDs). The approach is important for the following reasons. First, it exploits local structure much more effectively than previous techniques based on VE. Second, the approach allows any of the many VE variants to compute answers to multiple queries simultaneously. Third, the approach makes a large body of research into more structured representations of factors relevant in many more circumstances than it has been previously. Finally, experimental results demonstrate that VE can exploit local structure as effectively as state-of-the-art algorithms based on conditioning on the networks considered, and can sometimes lead to much faster compilation times.
Reconsidering the Victory Bike in World War II: Federal Transportation Policy, History, and Bicycle Commuting in America:

The largest federal intervention in bicycle transportation policy in the 20th century damaged the popularity and prospects of adult cycling in the United States. But in contemporaneous publications...
Treatment Patterns and Outcomes in Botulinum Therapy for Patients With Facial Synkinesis.

ImportanceIn the last decade, there has been a significant increase in the number of practitioners administering botulinum toxin for facial synkinesis. However, there are few resources available to...
H&S Company

Appropriate for students interested in purchasing a company. Follows two MBA graduates with $5.2 million in equity to invest as they start the process of choosing an entity structure for their new venture. Excerpt UVA-C-2310 Rev. Sept. 12, 2017 H&S Company As Joseph Christopher drove home, he thought about his recent decision to leave his job to pursue his lifelong goal of purchasing and running a midsize company. Christopher had been working for a middle-market M&A advisory firm for the past three years, after receiving his MBA degree. During that time, he served clients across numerous industries, including building products, aerospace and defense, and consumer products. While working as an associate with the firm, Christopher's interest in purchasing a company grew as the number of interesting companies offered in the private market increased. Believing he had seen enough deal structures and due diligence to actively pursue the acquisition of a business, Christopher contacted his childhood friend, Willa Burr. The two agreed to partner together and began planning their future in earnest. The Acquirers After graduating from their respective MBA programs, both Burr and Christopher were diligent about using their disposable incomes to pay down their student loan balances. While Burr and Christopher hoped potential lenders would appreciate their efforts to pay down their personal debts, they were left with relatively little capital to finance any acquisition. Burr was able to leverage her numerous contacts from her former employer, a boutique private equity group, to secure commitments from three individual investors. Shortly thereafter, Christopher obtained a commitment from his boarding school's endowment fund because its managers were seeking to diversify the fund's overweight allocation in public equities and bonds by building a private equity position. Each of Burr's three individual investors agreed to commit $ 1 million in capital. The endowment fund agreed to commit $ 2 million. Combined with the $ 100,000 committed by both Burr and Christopher from their personal savings, they now had a total of $ 5.2 million in equity to invest. . . .
The Constitutional Origins of the American Civil War

In an incisive analysis of over two dozen clauses as well as several 'unwritten' rules and practices, The Constitutional Origins of the American Civil War shows how the Constitution aggravated the sectional conflict over slavery to the point of civil war. Going beyond the fugitive slave clause, the three-fifths clause, and the international slave trade clause, Michael F. Conlin demonstrates that many more constitutional provisions and practices played a crucial role in the bloody conflict that claimed the lives of over 750,000 Americans. He also reveals that ordinary Americans in the mid-nineteenth century had a surprisingly sophisticated knowledge of the provisions and the methods of interpretation of the Constitution. Lastly, Conlin reminds us that many of the debates that divide Americans today were present in the 1850s: minority rights vs. majority rule, original intent vs. a living Constitution, state's rights vs. federal supremacy, judicial activism vs. legislative prerogative, secession vs. union, and counter-majoritarianism vs. democracy.
Extralobar Resection of Congenital Pulmonary Malformations (Open and MIS Approaches)

This chapter describes the endoscopic/surgical procedure for extralobar resection of congenital pulmonary malformations as performed by the following approaches: thoracotomy and thoracoscopy. The text includes an introduction that outlines the indications, risks, alternatives, essential steps, needed equipment, and variations in technique for the procedure in question. This is followed by a template operative dictation, which provides the reader with an operative report, such as is found in a patient chart or electronic medical record. A description is provided of the following critical concepts for this procedure: thoracic access, identification and dissection of the pulmonary lesion, ligation and division of the associated vascular structures, and chest closure.
Level of Service of Signalized Intersections

The objective of this chapter is to develop a methodology to determine level of service (LOS) at signalized intersections, which is an overall assessment of intersection performance and the basis of input to Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and Surface Transportation Program (STP). Intersection LOS can be determined in two ways, one of which is the procedure documented in Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) and the other is an empirical one through direct measurement in the field.
Steady state penetration of elastic perfectly plastic targets

Steady state axisymmetric deformations of an elastic perfectly plastic target being penetrated by a fast moving rigid cylindrical rod have been analyzed by the finite element method. The target is assumed to obey the von Mises yield criterion and the associated flow rule. Contact between target and penetrator has been assumed to be smooth. A mixed formulation, in which two components of the velocity and four components of the deviatoric stress tensor at each node point, and the hydrostatic pressure at the centroid of an element are taken as unknowns, is employed. This should give a better estimate of tractions acting on the penetrator nose, and hence of the axial resisting force experienced by the penetrator. The effect of the penetrator speed, its nose shape and the elasticity of the target material on the target deformations, and the axial force experienced by the penetrator, has been studied. The consideration of elastic effects helps delineate the elastic-plastic boundary in the target.
Association Between Sleep Duration and Ideal Cardiovascular Health Among US Adults, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2013–2016

INTRODUCTION Short or long sleep duration is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, but the association between sleep duration and cardiovascular health is unclear. Our objective was to quantify the association between sleep duration and ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) in US adults. We hypothesized that very short (<6 h) and very long (≥9 h) sleep duration were associated with poorer CVH compared with sleep lasting 7 to <8 hours. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional evaluation of the nationally representative National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2 cycles (2013-2014 and 2015-2016). Participants were 7,784 cardiovascular disease-free US adults aged 20 to 75. Self-reported sleep duration was categorized as <6 hours, 6 to <7 hours, 7 to <8 hours, 8 to <9 hours, and ≥9 hours. The American Heart Association's ideal CVH metrics were used to determine the number of ideal CVH components, dichotomized as ideal (5-7 components) or not ideal (0-4 components). Survey-weighted logistic and linear regression models were used to determine the association between sleep duration and ideal CVH. RESULTS The weighted prevalences of those who slept 7 to <8 hours were 30.4%, very short sleep duration (<6 h), 9.0%, and very long duration (≥9 h), 13.5%. Only 21.3% of the population had ideal CVH. Compared with 7 to <8 hours, very short duration (OR = 0.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.47-0.90) and very long duration (OR = 0.72; 95% CI, 0.55-0.94) were associated with decreased odds of ideal CVH. We confirmed findings by using linear regression. CONCLUSIONS Very short and very long sleep duration were associated with decreased odds of ideal CVH and lower mean CVH scores. Future research should focus on clarifying causal associations between sleep duration and ideal CVH.