cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Excited-State Vibrational Coherence in Methanol Solution of ZnII Tetrakis(N-methylpyridyl)porphyrin: Charge-Dependent Intermolecular Mode Frequencies and Implications for Electron-Transfer Dynamics in Photosynthetic Reaction Centers

The nature of the intermolecular vibrational modes between the redox-active chromophores and the protein medium in the photosynthetic reaction center is central to an understanding of the structural origin of the quantum efficiency of the light-driven charge-separation reactions that result in storage of solar energy. In recent work on this issue, we have characterized the low-frequency vibrational coherence of Zn(II) meso-tetrakis(N-methylpyridyl)porphyrin (ZnTMPyP) and compared it to that from bacteriochlorophyll a in polar solution and in the small light-harvesting subunits B820 and B777. The charge-transfer character of ZnTMPyP's π* excited states afford us the opportunity to characterize how the intermolecular vibrational modes and potential with the surrounding medium are affected by the charge on the porphyrin macrocycle. The excited-state vibrational coherence observed with Q-band (S(1) state) excitation at 625 nm of ZnTMPyP in methanol solution contains dominant contributions from a pair of rapidly damped (effective damping time γ < 400 fs) components that are assigned to the hindered translational and librational porphyrin-solvent intermolecular modes. The 256 cm(-1) mean frequency of the intermolecular modes is significantly higher than that observed previously in the ground state, 79 cm(-1), with Soret-band excitation at 420 nm [Dillman et al., J. Phys. Chem. B. 2009, 113, 6127-6139]. The increased mode frequency arises from the activation of the ion-dipole and ion-induced-dipole terms in the intermolecular potential. In the ground state, the π-electron density of ZnTMPyP is mostly confined to the region of the porphyrin macrocycle. In the excited state, the π-electron density is extensively delocalized from the porphyrin out to two of the peripheral N-methylpyridyl rings, each of which carries a single formal charge. The charge-dependent terms contribute to a significant stabilization of the equilibrium geometry of the porphyrin-solvent complex in the excited state. In the photosynthetic reaction center, these terms will play an important role in trapping the charged products of the forward, charge-separation reactions, and the location of the bacteriopheophytin acceptor in a nonpolar region of the structure enhances the rate of the secondary charge-separation reaction.
Magnetic Circular Dichroism of the R 2 Band in KCl and KF

Circular dichroism has been observed in both the zero-phonon line and sidebands of the ${R}_{2}$ transition in KCl and KF. The magnetic field was of magnitude 8 kG and the temperature range was $7^{\ensuremath{\circ}}\mathrm{K}gTg1.3^{\ensuremath{\circ}}\mathrm{K}$. The zero-phonon-line dichroism was analyzed by a method of moments. It is shown theoretically that the changes in zeroth moment depend on the strain in the sample, whereas the changes in first moment do not. Experimentally the strain dependence of the zeroth moment is measured by applying a variable external stress simultaneously with the magnetic field. Quite good agreement is found with theory in a non-parameter fit. An estimate of the ground-state splitting in the internal strain field of the crystal is made (${\ensuremath{\delta}}_{0}=1.5$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$). The first-moment data yield values of the reduced angular momentum $\ensuremath{\Lambda}b$ (0.06\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.01 for KCl and 0.11\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.01 for KF) and of the reduced spin-orbit coupling $\ensuremath{\Lambda}\ensuremath{\lambda}b$ (-0.32\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.03 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ for KCl and -0.68\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.07 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ for KF). The strength of the Jahn-Teller interaction as defined by the parameter ${k}^{2}$ is deduced (${k}^{2}=3.2$ for KCl and 2.3 for KF). A study of the well-resolved sideband peaks in KF enables a self-consistent assignment of phonon symmetries for the peaks in strain- and magnetic-field-induced dichroism to be made. The good agreement between theory and experiment in all measurements further confirms the Van Doorn ${F}_{3}$ model of the $R$ center and Silsbee's analysis based on a dynamic Jahn-Teller effect in the ground state.
Immunochemical Analysis of Tuberculin Purified Protein Derivative with Special Reference to United States-Japan Antigen 7

Immunochemical analysis of tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) by crossed immunoelectrophoresis and other agar gel techniques revealed substantial variation in antigen levels among PPDs and significant differences that were dependent upon the antiserum used. D-Arabino-D-mannan was identified as a major polysaccharide constituent of PPD; D-arabino-D-galactan and United States-Japan antigen 6 were also present. United States-Japan antigen 7 was found to be a major anodal constituent of all preparations of PPD. This antigen was purified and demonstrated to be a molecularly heterogenous small protein or large peptide with an average molecular weight of e,8,000. Antigen 7 possessed tuberculin activity with about one fourth the potency of PPD. When studied in animals sensitized with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium kansasii, antigen 7 displayed no more tuberculin specificity than PPD. Tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) is an antigenic preparation derived from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the etiologic agent of tuberculosis. It has had extremely widespread clinical, epidemiologic, and investigative use, both in intracutaneous delayed skin testing and in in vitro stimulation of cultured cells [1]. Many of those who use PPD do not recognize that it is a nonuniform product which can be standardized only biologically and which varies considerably in composition and activity from batch to batch. The lack of specificity of tuberculin reactions observed in some geographic areas has been attributed to the presence in PPD of antigenic constituents which are common to M tuberculosis and other mycobacteria. It appears likely that increased knowledge of the composition of PPD would lead to the development of more uniform, more readily standardized,
Analysis on morbidity rate of the new diagnosed subtypes of hypertension and the its correlation with glycolipid and serum uric acid in Baise

Objective To study the morbidity rate of the new diagnosed subtypes of hypertension in Baise city and its relationship with metabolic syndrome(MS).Methods The blood pressure,obesity,blood glucose,blood lipid and serum uric acid of the residents age from 16 to 81 in Baise city was measured.The indices of hypertension of isolated systolic hypertension(ISH),isolated diastolic hypertension(IDH) and systolic-diastolic hypertension(SDH)was calculated,and their relationship with metabolic syndrome(MS) was analyzed.Results 4427 in 15102 participants were suffered from the hypertension,2605 case were new diagnosed;3561 present hypertensive cases,the morbidity rate of isolated systolic hypertension(ISH),isolated diastolic hypertension(IDH) and systolic diastolic hypertension(SDH) were 8.7 percent,6.5 percent and 8.4 percent respectively.SDH dominated in the male and ISH dominated in the female.Mean BMI,waist hip ratio(WHR),mean serum urea acid,fasting blood sugar(FBS),TC,TG,LDLC and vLDLC of SIH and SDH groups were higher than that of the control group(P0.01),while the mean HDLC in SIH and SDH groups is low(P0.01).Mean BMI,WHR,mean serum urea acid,TC,TG,LDLC and vLDLC of IDH group were higher than that of the control group(P0.01),while the mean HDLC of IDH group is lower(P0.01).There is no statically significant difference of fasting blood sugar(FBS)between the IDH group and the control group(P0.05).Conclusion The morbidity of the new diagnosed hypertension and the subtype of IDH is higher than that of SDH and ISH groups.SDH dominated in the male and ISH dominated in the female;It featured on that mean FBS of IDH is lower than which in groups of SDH and ISH,but higher than control group,the mean of TG and vLDLC are all higher than which in groups of SDH and ISH.The prevention and treatment for different hypertension subtypes should be separated.60% hypertension patients are missed diagnosed.The propaganda of the prevention for hypertension is still remaining to be done.
DOES THE QUANTUM SUM RULE HOLD AT THE BIG BANG

In Dice 2010 Sumati Surya brought up a weaker Quantum sum rule as a biproduct of a quantum invariant measure space. Our question is, does it make sense to have disjoint sets to give us quantum conditions for a measure at the origin of the big bang? We argue that the answer is no, which has implications as to quantum measures and causal set structure. What is called equation (1) in the text requires a length, and interval, none of which holds at a point in space-time.singularity. Planck’s length, if it exists, is a natural way to get about the ‘bad effects’ of a cosmic singularity at the beginning of space-time evolution, but if a new development is to believed, namely by Stoica in the article, about removing the cosmic singularity as a break down point in relativity, there is nothing which forbids space-time from collapsing to a point. If that happens, the cautions as to no disjoint intervals at a point, raise the questions as to the appropriateness of Surya’s quantum measure with full force. However, if we have to have Planck’s length, then the existence of quantum vector measures cannot be challenged and equation (1) holds. The existence of well defined equation (1) rests upon if a minimum Planck’s length is essential in the cosntruction of cosmology.
A Survey of Wind Characteristics Below 1500 Ft

A survey is given of the important observational and theoretical generalizations of the wind distribution up to about 500 ft, including work by Prandtl, Deacon, Monin and Obukhov, and Ellison. The vertical distribution of peak gust velocities is also discussed. Some of the less precise theories of the wind distribution above 500 ft are also described.
The Ultimate Three-legged Stool: Using Energy Efficiency, Fuel Switching, and Renewable Energy

ABSTRACT In today's world, energy projects are becoming more complex and the methods to achieving energy goals more complicated. This article will document and discuss how a typical school district in Pennsylvania improved its energy efficiency by using off-the-shelf technology, reduced its fuel costs using various fuel-switching methods, and implemented comprehensive renewable energy projects. By implementing a “three-legged stool” approach, a very stable energy program has been created, with excellent results.
RESIDENTIAL DISTANCE TO PUBLIC HOUSING AND ITS DIFFERENTIAL INFLUENCE ON INFANT MORTALITY ACROSS RACE

Infant mortality is a major problem in the United States. Understanding the relationship between geographic variation and birth outcomes is important to develop and implement targeted interventions. This study examined the relationship between contextual residential distance to public housing and infant mortality. All singleton births (N = 30,554) and infant deaths (N = 361) occurring between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 2007 in Richmond, VA were analyzed. Maternal race, education, smoking during pregnancy, method of payment, gestational age, and sex of the infant were significantly associated with infant mortality. African Americans were 1.6 times as likely to reside 1 to 2 miles or less closer to public housing (p<.0001) than European Americans. Residential contextual variables play a role in poor birth outcomes, and public health professionals should be aware of this association when developing interventions.
Reprocessing of Nuclear Fuel

Nuclear fuel reprocessing was developed for recovery of plutonium for use in nuclear weapons with regard for ultimate disposal of radioactive wastes. Consequently, significant amounts of actinides remain in those wastes. France and Great Britain have become major commercial reactor fuel reprocessors of fuel from light reactors and gas-cooled reactors, and have paid special attention t5o waste disposal. Other countries have developed fuel reprocessing for their own use. High-level radioactive wastes from weapons production and from commercial fuel reprocessing are now vitrified in preparation for eventual storage in geological repositories. More efficient reprocessing methods have resulted in reduced actinide content in reprocessing wastes. However, there is much room for improvement in reprocessing as well as in nuclear waste management.
Creating a measure for the entrepreneurial inclination to "Be Your Own Boss"

Despite being one of the most cited reasons for voluntarily leaving a job, the entrepreneurship literature has yet to develop and examine a construct for the desire to be your own boss. I address t...
Molecular Insights into the Mechanisms of SUN1 Oligomerization in the Nuclear Envelope.

Abstract The LINC complex is found in a wide variety of organisms and is formed by the transluminal interaction between outer- and inner-nuclear-membrane KASH and SUN proteins, respectively. Most extensively studied are SUN1 and SUN2 proteins, which are widely expressed in mammals. Although SUN1 and SUN2 play functionally redundant roles in several cellular processes, more recent studies have revealed diverse and distinct functions for SUN1. While several recent in vitro structural studies have revealed the molecular details of various fragments of SUN2, no such structural information is available for SUN1. Herein, we conduct a systematic analysis of the molecular relationships between SUN1 and SUN2, highlighting key similarities and differences that could lead to clues into their distinct functions. We use a wide range of computational tools, including multiple sequence alignments, homology modeling, molecular docking, and molecular dynamic simulations, to predict structural differences between SUN1 and SUN2, with the goal of understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying SUN1 oligomerization in the nuclear envelope. Our simulations suggest that the structural model of SUN1 is stable in a trimeric state and that SUN1 trimers can associate through their SUN domains to form lateral complexes. We also ask whether SUN1 could adopt an inactive monomeric conformation as seen in SUN2. Our results imply that the KASH binding domain of SUN1 is also inhibited in monomeric SUN1 but through weaker interactions than in monomeric SUN2.
Environmental stochasticity and intraspecific competition influence the population dynamics of Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)

Members of the Culex pipiens complex (Cx. pipiens quinquefasciatus in Southern USA) play a critical role in the spillover of urban arboviruses such as West Nile virus or St. Louis encephalitis virus. Field studies have shown strong correlation between the periodicity of rainfall events and larval proliferation. However, mechanistic determinants driving this relationship are poorly understood. We hypothesize that rainfall events decrease strain from intraspecific competition through the associated reduction of immature density and the introduction of detritus. To address our hypothesis, we used laboratory competition experiments to inform a deterministic matrix projection model consisting of an age-structured larval matrix coupled with a stage-structured adult mosquito matrix. Rain events were simulated in a competition-based metabolic age model and compared to a null model including environmental variability. Variable rain delays in two-event simulations showed optimal proliferation occurring with rain delays between 16 and 21 days when including density-dependent effects. These results are comparable to the pattern observed in natural populations, indicating that Cx. quinquefasciatus proliferation rates can be modeled mechanistically as a density-dependent system. The empirical understanding of density-dependence as it relates to environmental stochasticity provides a theoretical platform for the study of larval dynamics and the impact of larval control in this medically relevant disease vector.
Comparison of coherence-area measurement techniques for bright entangled twin beams

Quantum states of light with multiple spatial modes are fundamental for quantum imaging and parallel quantum information processing. Thus their characterization, which can be achieved through measurements of the coherence area, is an important area of research. We present a comparative study between two different measurement techniques for the coherence area of bright entangled twin beams of light generated with a four-wave mixing process in a hot rubidium vapor cell. The first one provides a direct characterization of the size of the coherence area and is based on correlation measurements between spatial intensity fluctuations of the twin beams with an electron-multiplying charge-coupled-device camera. The second one provides an indirect measure and is based on a noise analysis of different spatial regions of the twin beams in the time domain with a single photodiode. We show that the indirect technique, which can be implemented with a significantly less complicated measurement scheme, gives an estimate of the size of the coherence area consistent with the direct measurement technique performed in the spatial domain.
Polymers and High-Energy Irradiation: Degradation and Stabilization

The primary and secondary events which occur in polymers exposed to high-energy radiation are briefly surveyed with emphasis on the role of oxygen in causing polymer degradation. In addition slow, post-irradiation reactions are discussed as they relate to deterioration during storage. Potential methods of polymer stabilization against high-energy radiation are then reviewed from the viewpoints of electron and ion scavenging, energy transfer processes, radical scavenging (both carbon-centred and peroxyl) and also acceleration of radical decay. Some recently developed additive combinations, based on hindered amines, are discussed in detail and shown to operate by suppressing the formation of hydroperoxides during the free-radical oxidative chain process which immediately follows exposure to high-energy irradiation. The absence of these thermally labile groups improves post-irradiation storage stability. Finally, the effects of the radiation and radiation-induced events on stabilizers themselves are considered.
The Role of Protein Kinase C in Diabetic Retinal Vascular Abnormalities

There is an increasing preponderance of literature that suggests an important role for PKC in the development of diabetic retinopathy. Hyperglycemia activates the DAG-PKC pathway, which in turn regulates a number of vascular functions. Studies show that PKC has a direct effect on retinal blood flow and leukostasis, ECM deposition and basement membrane thickening, and vascular permeability and angiogenesis. Recent investigations have examined the potential role of PKC inhibitors in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy. This chapter outlines those investigations and discusses ongoing clinical trials in this area.
Pathogenesis of Pediatric Rheumatologic Diseases.

The pathogenesis of pediatric rheumatologic conditions varies with the specific disorder; however, certain commonalities are seen: altered migration of cells into tissues, production of inflammatory mediators, and enhanced activation of cells. Autoantibodies signal loss of tolerance and B and T cells may be seen on pathologic evaluation. Neutrophils are commonly observed in tissues for many diseases and are recruited through the activation of endothelial cells. These cellular infiltrates define the inflammatory response character and in some cases provide a therapeutic framework. Increased knowledge of the interactions of these cells and their products allow targeted treatments for rheumatic diseases.
Integrating clinical pharmacy services into patient care in an early-phase clinical trial clinic.

e18228Background: Early phase clinical trials have broadened treatment options for patients with cancer. Expert management of these new therapies is essential to positive patient outcomes. At Memor...
Complete Sternal-Sparing HeartMate 3 Implantation: A Case Series of 10 Consecutive Patients.

Background Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy has been the standard of care for selected patients with advance heart failure. Even though considerable strides have been achieved with the introduction of the newest centrifugal pump, therapy is still burdened with significant perioperative complications. Smaller devices, along with improved techniques and instruments, have encouraged the adoption of minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) techniques for LVAD implantation to improve perioperative outcomes. Methods We describe a technique for complete sternal-sparing (CSS) HeartMate 3 (Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL) left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation using bilateral thoracotomies and discuss early clinical outcomes of the first ten consecutive patients who underwent CSS implantation of the HeartMate 3 LVAD at our institution. Results The median length of stay in the intensive care unit was 3.5 days. No patients required reexploration for postoperative bleeding. There was no incidence of right ventricle failure, stroke, renal failure, hepatic failure, or myocardial infarction. The median length of hospitalization after LVAD implantation was 14.5 days (interquartile range, 12 to 17 days). Conclusions Our early outcomes suggest that the CSS approach may reduce the incidence of right ventricular failure, bleeding, intubation time, and intensive care unit length of stay. Further studies are needed to fully elucidate the advantages of CSS LVAD implantation compared with median sternotomy.
Density of benthic macroalgae in the intertidal zone varies with surf zone hydrodynamics

Surf zone hydrodynamics influence subsidies (larval settlers and phytoplankton food) to the intertidal zone; subsidies have been observed to be much higher at more dissipative shores compared to re...
Bond Strength Measurement for Additively Manufactured Inconel 718- GRCop84 Copper Alloy Bimetallic Joints.

Abstract To benefit from the fascinating properties of multi-material structures, the interfacial joint should exhibit good mechanical strength. Evaluating the shear strength of a bimetallic joint via conventional methods is usually complex, and in most cases produces unreliable data due to induced bending stress among others. In this work, a novel single-shear test device was designed and fabricated to measure shear strength of bimetallic joints. The device was first standardized by shearing standard materials, and the results were in good agreement with published data. Subsequently, the shear strength of Inconel 718/copper alloy (GRCop-84) bimetallic joint built via laser engineered net shaping (LENS™) was evaluated. Compression test on the bimetallic joint was carried out as well for more mechanical characterization. Both shear and compressive yield strengths of the bimetallic joints were compared with the base materials in addition to influence of thermal cycling on the joint strength. Inconel 718/GRCop-84 bimetallic-joint shear strength was 220 ± 18 MPa and 231 ± 27 MPa for as-printed sample and after thermal cycling, respectively. Likewise, the bimetallic yield strength after compression test was 232 ± 3 MPa and 337 ± 15 MPa. No cracking through or along the interface was observed even after thermal cycling, which indicates no thermal degradation at the bimetallic interfacial joint. Increase in compressive yield strength after thermal cycling could be attributed to precipitation of Cr2Nb particles in GRCop-84 matrix along with strengthening due to gamma phases in Inconel 718. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and backscatter electron imaging were used to examine the interfacial microstructures and failure modes. EDS was used as well to analyze the interface elemental composition. The development of the single-shear test device can provide an added opportunity to effectively evaluate mechanical behavior, reliability and performance of additively manufactured multi-material structures through bond strength analysis.
Determinants of FtsZ C-terminal linker-dependent regulation of cell wall metabolism in Caulobacter crescentus

Abstract Bacterial cell division requires assembly of a multi-protein machinery or “divisome” that remodels the cell envelope to cause constriction. The cytoskeletal protein FtsZ forms a ring-like scaffold for the divisome at the incipient division site. FtsZ has three major regions – a conserved, polymerizing GTPase domain; a C-terminal conserved (CTC) peptide required for binding membrane-anchoring proteins; and a C-terminal linker (CTL) of poor length and sequence conservation. We previously demonstrated that, in Caulobacter crescentus, the CTL regulates FtsZ polymerization in vitro and cell wall metabolism in vivo. To understand the mechanism of CTL-dependent regulation of cell wall metabolism, here we investigated the impact of the CTL on Z-ring structure in cells and employed genetics to identify molecular determinants of the dominant lethal effects of ΔCTL. Deleting the CTL specifically resulted in formation of dense, asymmetric, non-ring FtsZ assemblies in vivo. Moreover, we observed that production of an FtsZ variant with the GTPase domain of Escherichia coli FtsZ fused to the CTC of C. crescentus FtsZ phenocopied the effects of C. crescentus ΔCTL, suggesting the CTC mediates signaling to cell wall metabolism. Finally, whereas overproduction of ZapA, FzlC, or FtsEX had slight protective effects against ΔCTL, depletion of FtsA partially suppressed the effects of ΔCTL. From these results, we propose that the cell wall misregulation downstream of ΔCTL results from its aberrant assembly properties and is propagated through the interaction between the CTC of FtsZ and FtsA. Our study provides mechanistic insights into CTL-dependent regulation of cell wall enzymes downstream of FtsZ. Importance Bacterial cell division is essential and requires the recruitment and regulation of a complex network of proteins needed to initiate and guide constriction and cytokinesis. FtsZ serves as a master regulator for this process, and its function is highly dependent on both its self-assembly into a canonical “Z-ring” and interaction with protein binding partners, which results in the activation of enzymes that remodel the cell wall to drive constriction. Using mutants of FtsZ and its binding partners, we have established the role of its C-terminal linker domain in regulating Z-ring organization, as well as the requirement for its C-terminal conserved peptide and interaction with the membrane-anchoring protein FtsA for regulating cell wall remodeling for constriction.
Nonlinearities in the flicker electroretinogram: A tool for studying retinal dysfunction applied to early-stage diabetic retinopathy.

Abstract The flicker electroretinogram (ERG) is typically analyzed in terms of peak-to-trough amplitude and implicit time. However, additional important information may be captured by spectral-domain analysis of the ERG harmonics (responses that occur at multiples of the stimulus frequency). This study describes an approach to analyze the harmonic components of the flicker ERG and its application to patients who have early-stage non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR). Of particular interest were the sub-harmonic components occurring at 1.5x and 2.5x the stimulus frequency that produce cycle-to-cycle variation in amplitude termed “period doubling.” Twenty visually-normal subjects, 20 diabetic subjects who have no clinically-apparent retinopathy (NDR), and 20 diabetic subjects who have mild NPDR participated. ERGs were recorded in response to sinusoidal flicker (27–63 Hz) and Fourier analysis was performed to extract fundamental and harmonic response amplitudes. Linear quantile mixed models (LQMMs) were used to compare the amplitude of the response components among the three subject groups. Results indicated that the maximum sub-harmonic amplitude occurred in the stimulus frequency range of 33–38 Hz for all subjects. The LQMMs showed a significant sub-harmonic amplitude reduction for the mild NPDR subjects compared to the controls; sub-harmonic amplitude for the NDR subjects did not differ significantly from the controls. In contrast, the fundamental response did not differ among the groups for stimulus frequencies between 33 and 38 Hz. Modeling these results indicated that subharmonic amplitude loss in mild NPDR subjects may be attributed to attenuated feedback occurring early in the retina, possibly at the synapse of cone photoreceptors and OFF bipolar cells.
The Penicillium chrysogenum and Aspergillus nidulans wetA developmental regulatory genes are functionally equivalent.

Aspergillus nidulans andPenicillium chrysogenum are related fungi that reproduce asexually by forming multicellular conidiophores and uninucleate conidia. InA. nidulans, spore maturation is controlled by thewetA (AwetA) regulatory gene. We cloned a homologous gene (PwetA) fromP. chrysogenum to determine if spore maturation is regulated by a similar mechanism in this species. ThePwetA andAwetA genes are similar in structure and functional organization. The inferred polypeptides share 77% overall amino acid sequence similarity, with several regions having > 85% similarity. The genes also had significant, local sequence similarities in their 5′ flanking regions, including conserved binding sites for the product of the regulatory geneabaA.PwetA fully complemented anA. nidulans wetA deletion mutation, demonstrating thatPwetA and its 5′ regulatory sequences function normally inA. nidulans. These results indicate that the mechanisms controlling sporulation inA. nidulans andP. chrysogenum are evolutionarily conserved.
Surgical Treatment of Septic Shoulders: A Comparison Between Arthrotomy and Arthroscopy.

Purpose To compare the efficacy, as measured through the rate of reoperation, and rates of other 30-day perioperative complications between arthrotomy and arthroscopy for the treatment of septic native shoulders in a national patient population. Methods Patients who were diagnosed with septic arthritis in a native shoulder and underwent irrigation and debridement through arthrotomy or arthroscopy were identified in the 2005-2016 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Patient preoperative characteristics were characterized. Rate of reoperation, a proxy used to measure treatment efficacy, and other perioperative complications were compared between the 2 procedures. Results In total, 100 patients undergoing shoulder arthrotomy and 155 patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy for septic shoulder were identified. On univariate analysis, there were no statistically significant differences in patient preoperative characteristics, operative time (60 vs. 48 minutes, P = .290), length of stay (7.5 vs. 6.6 days, P = .267), or time to reoperation (8.9 vs. 7.2 days, P = .594) between the 2 surgical groups. On multivariate analysis controlling for patient characteristics, there were no statistically significant differences in risk of reoperation (relative risk [RR] = 1.914, 99% confidence interval [CI] = 0.730-5.016, P = .083), any adverse events (RR = 1.254, 99% CI = 0.860-1.831, P = .122), minor adverse events (RR = 1.304, 99% CI = 0.558-3.047, P = .421), serious adverse events (RR = 1.306, 99% CI = 0.842-2.025, P = .118), or readmission (RR = 0.999, 99% CI = 0.441-2.261, P = .998) comparing arthrotomy with arthroscopy. Conclusions By demonstrating similar rates of reoperation, other postoperative complications, and 30-day readmissions, the current study suggests that arthrotomy and arthroscopic surgery have similar efficacy in treating septic shoulders. However, owing to the small sample size, there is still the possibility of a type II error. Level of Evidence Level III, therapeutic retrospective comparative study.
O(mlogn) split decomposition of strongly-connected graphs

In the early 1980s, Cunningham described a unique decomposition of a strongly-connected graph. A linear time bound for finding it in the special case of an undirected graph has been given previously, but up until now, the best bound known for the general case has been O(n^3). We give an O(mlogn) bound.
Conversion to Remote Proctoring of the Community English Language Program Online Placement Exam at Teachers College, Columbia University

The online placement test for the Community English Language Program (CLP) at Teachers College, Columbia University has been administered in a computer lab since 2015. While most of the components ...
Words to Submit by: Language Patterns Indicate Conference Acceptance for the International Communication Association:

Language patterns of complexity and confidence often indicate positive persuasion outcomes across settings. For example, such word types correlate with funding support from grant agencies and onlin...
The consequences of linking IRS tax disclosures to financial statements on analysts’ effective tax rate and earnings forecasts

This study examines the effect of uncertain tax position (UTP) disclosures on analysts’ effective tax rate (ETR) and earnings forecasts. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires that firms provide detailed information about UTPs reported in their annual 10-K filings on their Schedule UTP form. Schedule UTP applies to federal tax positions for which a corresponding tax reserve has been created for financial reporting purposes. Academics and practitioners have deliberated whether Schedule UTP disclosures could lead to firms altering how they account for their unrecognized tax benefits (UTBs) in financial statements in an effort to report fewer UTPs on Schedule UTP. Overall, we find that analysts’ ETR and earnings forecast errors increased after Schedule UTP implementation, which suggests that Schedule UTP reduced the usefulness of information for financial statement users. We also find that that ETR forecast errors are greater for firms that have a lower probability of inclusion in the IRS Coordinated Industry Case (CIC) program. Our findings contribute to the debate regarding the extent of tax policy overlapping with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles financial reporting. Our results are also timely given that the Treasury Department is currently considering additional Schedule UTP disclosure requirements, which may further incentivize firms to alter UTB reporting in their financial statements.
The Effect of Qigong Meditation on Serum Cortisol, BDNF, and Cognitive Function: A Pilot Study

Background: Mind–body practices have a variety of health implications, including inflammatory modulation, cognitive improvement, and impact on neurofunction. Some of these effects have been demonstrated through rapidly developing technology and their impact on circulating blood levels of hormones and other molecules. As neurotrophic factors like brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and hormones such as cortisol have been shown to play a role in cognitive function, this pilot study assessed the influence of a mind–body intervention, Qigong, on circulating levels in participants. Methods: Participants were prospectively enrolled to perform three separate cognitive assessments before and after a 30-minute, self-guided Qigong meditation developed from historical literature. Each participant was assigned to one of two groups according to their level of experience with meditation. Circulating levels of BDNF and cortisol were analyzed before and after the intervention. Group-level mean changes in BDNF and cortisol, as well as mean change in cognitive assessment score, were compared between groups using t-tests. Results: Fourteen participants were enrolled with equal allocation to the two groups. Though BDNF increased in inexperienced meditators and decreased in experienced meditators after Qigong, there were no differences in the mean change between groups. Similarly, no differences were noted in cortisol between groups; however, there was a significant reduction in all participants after Qigong (n=14, P=0.001). No significant difference in cognitive assessment was noted between groups after Qigong compared to baseline. Conclusion: This pilot study provides preliminary data to suggest circulating levels of cortisol may respond to Qigong meditation. While we were able to indirectly measure cognitive function and directly measure circulating levels of BDNF, the small sample size in this study did not allow us to determine the relationship with Qigong. Larger studies are needed to expand on these findings.
Occupational Reflection as Intervention in Inpatient Psychiatry.

Importance The recovery model in mental health involves person-driven care and informed decision making to enhance engagement in meaningful activities and inclusion in society. To facilitate the recovery process, occupational therapy practitioners must support their clients in understanding how their participation in meaningful occupation is intimately related to their health and well-being. Objective To explore whether engaging in an occupational reflection intervention on an inpatient psychiatric unit can support the recovery of adults living with serious mental illness (SMI). Design Using a phenomenological design, we conducted semistructured interviews to assess whether participation in an occupational reflection intervention supported recovery. Setting An inpatient psychiatric unit at a university medical center. Participants We recruited 10 adults living with SMI using purposive sampling. Intervention Participants engaged in a structured occupational reflection intervention using the Occupational Experience Profile (OEP). The OEP is a time-use diary that captures respondents' subjective experiences of pleasure, productivity, restoration, and connection in relation to their participation in occupations over 24 hr. Study participants engaged in collaborative analyses regarding their OEP results to explore their subjective experiences in relation to their occupational participation. Outcomes and Measures: Participant self-report during interviews. Results Engaging in structured reflection affected participants' experiences of recovery by promoting insight into and awareness of how occupations affect mental health, encouraging positive reframing of occupational experience, and facilitating identification of strategies to support recovery and meaningful participation after discharge. Conclusions and Relevance: Occupational reflection can promote the recovery of adults living with SMI. What This Article Adds: A structured occupational reflection intervention can help adults living with SMI in inpatient psychiatric units to understand the close relationship between their participation in occupations and their health. This process provides valuable insight to clients regarding how to support their recovery through engagement in meaningful occupation.
Retrieval of UVB aerosol extinction profiles from the ground-based Langley Mobile Ozone Lidar (LMOL) system

Abstract. Aerosols emitted from wildfires are becoming one of the main sources of poor air quality in the US mainland. Their extinction in UVB (wavelength range 280–315 nm) is difficult to be retrieved using simple lidar techniques because of the impact of O3 absorption and lacking information of lidar ratio at those wavelengths. The 2018 Long Island Sound Tropospheric Ozone Study (LISTOS) campaign in the New York City region allowed the characterization of lidar ratio for UVB aerosol retrieval. An algorithm for the aerosol extinction retrieval out of the Langley Mobile Ozone Lidar (LMOL) was used in conjunction with the NASA Langley High Altitude Lidar Observatory (HALO) 532 nm aerosol extinction product. This approach requires assuming 2 parameters, the lidar ratio at 292 nm and the Angstrom Exponent (AE) between 532 nm and 292 nm. The objective of this work is to determine these two parameters and assess the retrieval error caused by improper assumption of lidar ratio. This work also accomplishes the first know 292 nm aerosol product inter-comparison between HALO and Tropospheric Ozone Lidar Network (TOLNet) ozone lidar. HALO results were compared with the aerosol data retrieved from the 292 nm band from LMOL with different approximations of the lidar ratio and the AE to determine optimal parameters. Using optimized parameters, the LMOL aerosol extinction can be retrieved with a 10 % accuracy up to 3 km. This work highlights the importance of the lidar ratio and AE in the retrieval and validation of 292 nm aerosol profiles obtained from UV-lidar. Errors arise from approaches that utilize a random priori lidar ratio and AE assumption. The lidar ratios at 292 nm determined in this work will also improve our understanding of the UVB optical properties of aerosol in the lower troposphere affected by transported wildfire emission.
Patterns of Failure After SBRT Reirradiation for Recurrent Head and Neck Cancer.

Purpose/Objective(s) Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is an emerging modality for the reirradiation of head and neck cancers (HNC). The need to use smaller reirradiation volumes to limit severe toxicity concerns represents a challenge in determining optimal target coverage. Herein, we investigate the associated patterns of failure after SBRT using previously defined spatial and dosimetric analysis (Mohamed et al, Radiat Oncol. 2017). Materials/Methods SBRT reirradiation HNC cases treated between 2014-2019 and surveilled by CT, PET/CT, and/or MRI were reviewed retrospectively in this IRB approved study. Patients with radiographic evidence of recurrence within the head and neck region after SBRT were identified. Multifocal disease was defined as any non-contiguous FDG-avid or biopsy positive disease seen on imaging. Diagnostic scans were co-registered with planning CT scans (pCT) for manual segmentation of recurrent gross volumes (rGTV). rGTVs were then deformed to co-registered pCTs for failure classification. The classification followed a granular typology of 5 failure categories: central high-dose (type A or “in-field”), peripheral high-dose (type B), central low-dose (type C), peripheral low-dose (type D or “marginal”), and extraneous-dose (type E or “out of field”). Each type was determined based on the centroid location of rGTV relative to the planning target volumes plus the dose received by 95% of rGTV volume. Results A total of 106 SBRT cases were reviewed out of which 34 patients (32%) recurred after SBRT; 27 (79%) patients had squamous cell carcinomas, 7 (21%) received postoperative SBRT, and 24 (71%) received concurrent systemic therapy. Twenty-three (68%) patients received 42.5-45 Gy in 5 fractions (Fx) and 7 (21%) patients received 36 Gy in 6 Fx. Median time to failure was 5.5 months (range, 1-22 months). Twenty-two recurrences (65%) were out-of-field type E failures, 6 (18%) type A, 3 (9%) type C, and 3 (9%) type D. Fourteen of 16 (88%) multifocal SBRT reirradiation cases had Type E failures compared to 8 of 18 (44%) unifocal SBRT cases. Among the 6 in-field failures, 3 received 36 Gy in 6 Fx and 3 received 42.5-45 Gy in 5 Fx. Conclusion Post SBRT reirradiation recurrences were seen in one-third of cases with the majority of failures being Type E (outside the treatment field), particularly in patients who were treated for multifocal disease. The use of 42.5-45 Gy in 5 Fx appears to be an effective biological dose for local tumor control. Marginal (Type C and D) failures may be reduced with larger margins, but limit feasibility of SBRT. Therefore, future reirradiation strategies should aim to improve patient selection, multimodal therapy, and margin definition in the HNC SBRT reirradiation setting.
Knowledge-based tutoring: the GUIDON program

"Knowledge-Based Tutoring" describes the advantages and difficulties of adapting an expert system for use in teaching and problem solving. In this case the well-known rule-based expert system, MYCIN, which has been widely used in medical artificial intelligence to do infectious disease diagnosis and therapy selection, is used as a base for the instructional program GUIDON. MYCIN's rules are interpreted by GUIDON in order to evaluate a student's problem solving and provide assistance as the student gathers information about a patient and makes a diagnosis. The book describes what GUIDON does, how it is constructed, and the benefits and limitations of its design.This is the first attempt to adapt a rule base for tutoring and opens the door to what will most likely be a dramatic growth in interest in the use of expert systems for teaching. Clancey points out that it is easy to build an expert system that "works," but difficult to build one that makes knowledge explicit so that it can be taught. His dramatic demonstration of the separation of tutoring from subject matter knowledge will be of particular interest to researchers who are developing traditional computer-aided instruction programs.Clancey's program will also prove useful to cognitive science researchers in psychology and education who are interested in learning about AI techniques for explanation and student modeling, and to the many people who are currently developing computer-aided instruction programs. The book contains enough technical details for the work to be replicated, but has been generalized so the methods and lessons can be applied to other knowledge representations.William J. Clancey is a Senior Research Associate, at the Knowledge Systems Laboratory, Computer Science Department, Stanford University. "Knowledge-Based Tutoring" is included in The MIT Press Series in Artificial Intelligence, edited by Patrick Henry Winston and Michael Brady.
A calculus of dataflow networks

A CCS-style calculus of dataflow networks with a standard structural operational semantics is defined. A version of weak bisimulation equivalence, called buffer bisimilarity, is defined for this calculus, and its equational theory is investigated. The main result is a completeness theorem for proving equations valid under buffer bisimilarity. The axioms have a familiar, category-theoretic flavor, in which a dataflow process with m input ports and n output ports is represented by an arrow from m to n in a category whose objects are the finite ordinals. >
A case for chemical weathering in soils of Hurd Peninsula, Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica

Abstract The soils of the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica are considered weakly developed. Chemical weathering processes are generally considered to be negligible except in areas that receive large additions of seabird guano. In this paper we describe and analyze 19 soils on Hurd Peninsula, Livingston Island in the South Shetland Island Archipelago. The soils were classified according to US Soil Taxonomy and were generally weakly developed Gelorthents, Humigelepts and Haplorthels. However, B horizon formation, rubification and increases in extractable Fe and Al were observed on toposequences of raised beaches. The deposition of tephra and/or guano is likely responsible for the chemically driven processes. Guano deposits contain phosphates and oxalic acid, causing phosphatization and/or dissolution of silicates. Input of tephra with easily weatherable minerals may account for metastable mineral formation. Tephra deposition in the oldest raised beaches has formed a fine-textured mantle overlying the coarser textured subsoils. Highly weatherable tephra, as opposed to guano deposition, appears to influence soil formation at Hurd Peninsula.