cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Linear SCR Control Amplifier

A linear general-purpose SCR control amplifier is presented in this paper. This control amplifier is composed of a fire-control circuit and a "bridge" power output circuit. The input signal is used to control the firing angle of the two inverse parallel pairs of SCRs in the full-wave power bridge. The relation between the input signal and the firing angle is designed to be the inverse of the non-linearity introduced by the power circuit. Therefore, the amplifier has an overall linear gain characteristic, it is bidirectional, has a high bandwidth, and exhibits no deadband. The power bridge balancing action is used to absorb the major portion of the negative power pulse caused by an inductive load and therefore improves the efficiency of the amplifier. The linear SCR control amplifier has been built and successfully tested with resistive-inductive loads as well as in a closed-loop positioning servo system. The testing results and the simplicity of instrumentation qualify this control amplifier for industrial applications.
A Negative Regulatory Element (Base Pairs −204 to −177) of the EICP0 Promoter of Equine Herpesvirus 1 Abolishes the EICP0 Protein's trans-Activation of Its Own Promoter

The early EICP0 protein is a powerful trans-activator that activates all classes of equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) promoters but, unexpectedly, trans-activates its own promoter very weakly. Transient transfection assays that employed constructs harboring deletions within the EICP0 promoter indicated that EICP0 cis-acting sequences within bp −224 to −158 relative to the first ATG abolished the EICP0 protein's trans-activation of its own promoter. When inserted into the promoters of other EHV-1 genes, this sequence also downregulated activation of the immediate-early IE(−169/+73), early thymidine kinase TK(−215/+97), and late glycoprotein K gK(−83/+14) promoters, indicating that the cis-acting sequence (−224 to −158) downregulated expression of representative promoters of all classes of EHV-1 genes and contains a negative regulatory element (NRE). To define the cis-acting element(s), three synthetic oligonucleotides (Na [bp −224 to −195], Nb [bp −204 to −177], and Nc [bp −185 to −156]) were synthesized and cloned upstream of the EICP0(−157/−21) promoter. Of the three synthetic sequences, only the Nb oligonucleotide caused the downregulation of the EICP0 promoter. The NRE was identified as a 28-bp element to lie at −204 to −177 that encompassed the sequence of ([−204]AGATACAGATGTTCGATAAATTGGAACC[−177]). Gel shift assays performed with mouse L-M, rabbit RK-13, and human HeLa cell nuclear extracts and γ-32P-labeled wild-type and mutant NREs demonstrated that a ubiquitous nuclear protein(s) (NRE-binding protein, NREBP) binds specifically to a sequence (bp −193 to −183) in the NRE. The NREBP is also present in the nucleus of EHV-1-infected cells; however, the amount of NREBP in EHV-1-infected L-M cells that bound to the Nb oligonucleotide was reduced compared to that in uninfected L-M cells. Transient transfection assays showed that deletions or mutations within the NREBP-binding site abolished the NRE activity of the EICP0 promoter. These results suggested that the NREBP may mediate the NRE activity of the EICP0 promoter and may function in the coordinate expression of EHV-1 genes.
Characterization of a potent antimicrobial lipopeptide via coarse-grained molecular dynamics.

The prevalence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens is a major medical concern, prompting increased interest in the development of novel antimicrobial compounds. One such set of naturally occurring compounds, known as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), have broad-spectrum activity, but come with many limitations for clinical use. Recent work has resulted in a set of antimicrobial lipopeptides (AMLPs) with micromolar minimum inhibitory concentrations and excellent selectivity for bacterial membranes. To characterize a potent, synthetic lipopeptide, C16-KGGK, we used multi-microsecond coarse-grained simulations with the MARTINI forcefield, with a total simulation time of nearly 46 microseconds. These simulations show rapid binding of C16-KGGK, which forms micelles in solution, to model bacterial lipid bilayers. Furthermore, upon binding to the surface of the bilayer, these lipopeptides alter the local lipid organization by recruiting negatively charged POPG lipids to the site of binding. It is likely that this drastic reorganization of the bilayer has major effects on bilayer dynamics and cellular processes that depend on specific bilayer compositions. By contrast, the simulations revealed no association between the lipopeptides and model mammalian bilayers. These simulations provide biophysical insights into lipopeptide selectivity and suggest a possible mechanism for antimicrobial action.
Understanding the role of estrogen on cognition and dementia.

There is growing evidence that post menopausal use of estrogen may have a beneficial effect on cognition and may reduce the risk of dementia. In a vast majority of studies, the use of estrogen replacement in the postmenopausal period was associated with a reduced risk of dementia. Meta-analyses of both retrospective case controlled and prospective studies indicate a 30% reduction in the risk of dementia, with larger effect sizes (50% reduction) reported in the latter. Some, but not all, large epidemiological studies indicate that estrogen use is associated with better performance on both verbal and visual memory testing in later life. However, studies of the effect of estrogen on patients with Alzheimer’s disease are less convincing with minimal effects reported in open trials and following brief exposure. Biological mechanisms, which could be responsible for some of these effects, include activation of the cholinergic system, anti-oxidant action, neurotrophic stimulation and anti-amyloidogenic properties. Beneficial effects of estrogen in primary prevention but not secondary prevention of heart disease indicates that the ability to observe beneficial effects may depend on the point at which intervention occurs. Ongoing double-blind randomized clinical trial to determine if estrogen is a safe and effective treatment for the prevention of memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease will be described. Future work will undoubtedly include the identification of specific estrogenic receptors in the central nervous system that can be selectively activated without adverse involvement of other biologic systems.
Latent practice profiles of substance abuse treatment counselors: do evidence-based techniques displace traditional techniques?

Abstract As more substance abuse treatment counselors begin to use evidence-based treatment techniques, questions arise regarding the continued use of traditional techniques. This study aims to (1) assess whether there are meaningful practice profiles among practitioners reflecting distinct combinations of cognitive–behavioral and traditional treatment techniques; and (2) if so, identify practitioner characteristics associated with the distinct practice profiles. Survey data from 278 frontline counselors working in community substance abuse treatment organizations were used to conduct latent profile analysis. The emergent practice profiles illustrate that practitioners vary most in the use of traditional techniques. Multinomial regression models suggest that practitioners with less experience, more education, and less traditional beliefs about treatment and substance abuse are least likely to mix traditional techniques with cognitive–behavioral techniques. Findings add to the understanding of how evidence-based practices are implemented in routine settings and have implications for training and support of substance abuse treatment counselors.
Oxidative Metabolism of the Human Eosinophil

We have compared the oxidative metabolism of human eosinophils (80%-90% purity) to that of neutrophils. Hexose monophosphate (HMP) shunt activity of eosinophils was higher than that of neutrophils under either resting or phagocytizing conditions. Eosinophil HMP shunt activity also was stimulated by phorbol myristate acetate, a membrane-active agent. Eosinophils showed a marked incorporation of 125I into trichloroacetic acid-insoluble material under resting conditions, which increased markedly during phagocytosis. Eosinophils likewise showed a greater reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium dye during phagocytosis than did neutrophils. Measurement of other parameters of oxidative metabolism indicated that eosinophils generated superoxide anion following phagocytosis and also elicited a burst of chemiluminescence similar to that observed during phagocytosis by neutrophils. Measurement of NADPH oxidase activity demonstrated that this enzyme was 3-6 times more active in fractions isolated from eosinophils than in corresponding fractions isolated from neutrophils; this was observed over a range of substrate concentrations. The eosinophil enzyme sedimented differently than the neutrophil enzyme with differential centrifugation; neither showed sedimentation characteristics of peroxidase. These data indicate that eosinophils possess a similar, although in some ways more potent, oxidative burst than neutrophils and are consistent with a role for NADPH oxidase in the initiation of that burst.
Originalism's Perseverance: The Implications of a Faint-Hearted Exception to the Cruel and Unusual Punishments Clause

When Justice Scalia admitted that given the right set of circumstances he would potentially prove to be a "faint-hearted" originalist, he set off another wave of criticism asserting that originalism is an unprincipled theory of constitutional interpretation and construction. Despite the legitimacy to the argument that any theory of interpretation permitting judges to decide cases based on their own preferences is unprincipled, this Paper argues that a limited exception to the Cruel and Unusual Punishments Clause would not undermine the orginalist rule. Instead, this Paper argues . . . .
Analysis of Inverse Scattering Solutions from Single Frequency, Combined Transmission and Reflection Data for the Helmholtz and Riccati Exact Wave Equations

Various numerical methods to solve the exact inverse scattering problem are presented here. These methods consist of the following steps: first, modeling the scattering of acoustic waves by an accurate wave equation; second, discretizing this equation; and third, numerically solving the discretized equations. The fixed-point method and the nonlinear Newton-Raphson method are applied to both the Helmholtz and Riccati exact wave equations after discretizations by the moment method or by the discrete Fourier transform methods. Validity of the proposed methods is verified by computer simulation, using exact scattering data from the analytical solution for scattering from right circular cylindrical objects. (Acoustical Imaging 15, Halifax, Nova Scotia, July, 1986)
A Student-Centered Approach to the Business School Management Science Course

We describe a student-centered approach for the required business school management science course. We articulate three principles for teaching management science to business students: real-world context, spreadsheet-native attitude, and student self-efficacy. We examine the implications of these principles and how they affect course content and delivery. We show how to establish relevance as perceived by business students. We highlight the business analysis lifecycle as a valuable "roadmap" for students and instructors alike. We explain costs, benefits, and techniques for spreadsheet-native modeling. Spreadsheet modeling should be treated as a computer programming process, based on the properties of the spreadsheet programming language. We explain how and why to separate the modeling process from the act of typing into a spreadsheet. Spreadsheets can function as valuable organizational assets. We candidly discuss the challenges faced transitioning from a tools-based teaching approach to a student-centered approach.
Modeling the diurnal cycle of conserved and reactive species in the convective boundary layer using SOMCRUS

Abstract. We have developed a one-dimensional second-order closure numerical model to study the vertical turbulent transport of trace reactive species in the convective (daytime) planetary boundary layer (CBL), which we call the Second-Order Model for Conserved and Reactive Unsteady Scalars (SOMCRUS). The temporal variation of the CBL depth is calculated using a simple mixed-layer model with a constant entrainment coefficient and zero-order discontinuity at the CBL top. We then calculate time-varying continuous profiles of mean concentrations and vertical turbulent fluxes, variances, and covariances of both conserved and chemically reactive scalars in a diurnally varying CBL. The set of reactive species is the O3–NO–NO2 triad. The results for both conserved and reactive species are compared with large-eddy simulations (LES) for the same free-convection case using the same boundary and initial conditions. For the conserved species, we compare three cases with different combinations of surface fluxes, and CBL and free-troposphere concentrations. We find good agreement of SOMCRUS with LES for the mean concentrations and fluxes of both conserved and reactive species except near the CBL top, where SOMCRUS predicts a somewhat shallower depth, and has sharp transitions in both the mean and turbulence variables, in contrast to more smeared-out variations in the LES due to horizontal averaging. Furthermore, SOMCRUS generally underestimates the variances and species–species covariances. SOMCRUS predicts temperature–species covariances similar to LES near the surface, but much smaller magnitude peak values near the CBL top, and a change in sign of the covariances very near the CBL top, while the LES predicts a change in sign of the covariances in the lower half of the CBL. SOMCRUS is also able to estimate the intensity of segregation (the ratio of the species–species covariance to the product of their means), which can alter the rates of second-order chemical reactions; however, for the case considered here, this effect is small. The simplicity and extensibility of SOMCRUS means that it can be utilized for a broad range of turbulence-mixing scenarios and sets of chemical reactions in the planetary boundary layer; it therefore holds great promise as a tool to incorporate these processes within air quality and climate models.
Cognitive Science, Bayesian Norms and Rules of Evidence

SUMMARY This paper analyses arguments that Bayesian personalist models should be normative in the formulation of evidence rules for litigation (Fienberg and Schervish, 1986; Lempert, 1986). Relying on research from cognitive science, it concludes that the models are poor sources for such norms because their empirical assumptions about human cognition are inaccurate. A rule, by its nature, implies a decription of violations of it (Wright, 1989). Argu- ments that Bayesian analysis, based on subjective probabilities (personalist analysis), should be axiomatic for the formulation of rules of evidence for litigation fail because they assume that decision-making in limited time may be conformed to Bayesian personalist theory (Fienberg and Schervish, 1986). Humans are not natural Bayesian personalists; nor is it likely that they can be Bayesian agents, at least in limited time (Cherniak, 1986). If empirical behaviour in realtime must deviate from Bayesian personalist models, then any truly Bayesian personalist norm for fact finding cannot distinguish between correct and incorrect fact finding. Courts do often rely on probabilistic evidence, e.g. in cases of alleged discrimina- tion or cases involving testimony based on empirical research about recurrent phenomena, such as blood haplotypes. The evidence in those cases, unlike personalist probabilities, requires enumeration of a group based on easily determinable charac- teristics. Because use of that evidence requires neither conjectural prior probabilities nor assumptions that personalist probabilities can be consistent in realtime, it does not rely on the same empirically inadequate model (Thagard, 1988). So the limited use of statistics in those cases has no normative implications for litigation in general. Bayesian personalists argue that, even if the human decision procedure will never be Bayesian personalist, humans can gain pragmatic benefits from following Bayesian models more closely. They point to research, typically that collected by Kahneman et al. (1982), which purports to show that laypersons systematically ignore the laws of probability. A problem used to determine whether subjects will ignore an obvious logical principle must be amenable to an interpretation which would not entail the use of the principle. Without that ambiguity, the problem would only test subjects' rote know- ledge of the obvious logical principle or of the words used in the problem. That ambi- guity conveys additional information. Under Grice's (1989) maxim of co-operation,
Some Arthropods of the Forest Floor in Pine and Hardwood Forests in the South Carolina Piedmont Region

Soil and litter samples from pine and hardwood forests in the South Carolina Piedmont Region, taken in the summer of 1962, yielded 13 orders of insects plus many pauropods and symphylans. Collembola made up more than 80% of the insects collected in either forest type. Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, and Diptera were more numerous in the soil and litter in hardwood than in pine forests. Arthropod population densities showed no significant correlation with soil temperatures, which were similar in all stands. The population densities were influenced, however, by soil moisture, which was lower in the pine than in the hardwood stands.
Differential Risks and Returns of Citizenship Behaviorfor Women’s Career Outcomes

Viewed from the perspective of social exchange theory, organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) is a form of workplace exchange which can result in many career benefits. An underlying assumption of social exchange theory is that exchanges are balanced in the form of an equivalent quid pro quo exchange, which implies that parties benefit equally from the exchanges. Therefore, it seems that individuals who invest in OCB should receive the same returns on their OCB investment. From a social role perspective, however, women may get lower returns on their investment than men because more OCB is expected of them and because they are punished for not meeting OCB expectations. As such, women face more risk than men in entering into these social exchanges which can make OCB more costly for women in terms of time and opportunity costs, which may result in lower objective career outcomes. However, due to women’s relational orientation, they may actually receive higher returns on OCB in terms of subjective career ou...
Management of Associated Soft-Tissue Injury

Initially, soft-tissue injuries associated with vascular trauma require management according to the general surgical principles of wound care. Antimicrobial prophylaxis should be instituted. The mechanism and extent of injury must be determined, and debridement and irrigation should be completed in the operating room with the intent to preserve vital structures, decrease bacterial contamination, and render the wound free of devitalized tissue. Prompt coverage of exposed vascular repairs is vital in order to minimize the chance for infection and to protect the repair from desiccation and subsequent trauma. Early primary closure of heavily contaminated wounds can have disastrous results. Therefore, questionable wounds should be managed by delayed primary closure after repeated irrigation and debridements, with the definitive decision as to the timing of wound closure being based on quantitative cultures. The plastic and reconstructive surgeon can aid the vascular surgeon in the primary or secondary closure of such wounds by bringing healthy, vascularized muscle to cover the vascular repair. Vascularized muscle has proved superior in the coverage and healing of contaminated wounds. If conditions permit, this can be most readily accomplished by transfer of local muscle. Musculocutaneous flaps are of special value in cases that require increased durability or where extended coverage is necessary. With either of these flap techniques, the surgeon must be thoroughly familiar with the anatomy, blood supply, and function of the local muscles. Free-tissue transfer is to be utilized when local tissue is severely damaged in a way that precludes the use of adjacent muscle or myocutaneous flaps. Strict adherence to the principles and techniques of microsurgery, thorough evaluation of the zone of injury and recipient blood vessels, and understanding of the principles governing local muscle transfer are essential for a successful outcome.
Chapter 4 – In vitro Screening Systems

In vitro screening systems and high-throughput screening are critical aspects of the modern drug discovery process. Prior to the advent of these technologies, screening candidate compounds for biological activity was a major bottleneck in the identification of novel therapeutics. By the turn of the twenty-first century, however, In vitro screening methods had become capable of generating data on hundreds to thousands of compounds per day, greatly enhancing the acquisition of biological data. Detecting the presence of radiolabeled material, as we are monitoring changes in fluorescence or absorbance, can be used in conjunction with microtiter plates, advanced robotics, and sophisticated software to determine the biological activity of a candidate compound. “Label-free” systems have also been developed as a means of identifying potential useful therapeutic agents without the need to perturb the biological systems of interest.
Client history and violence on direct care workers in the home care setting

BACKGROUND: Health care workers providing home care are frequently unaware of their client's history of violence or mental illness/substance abuse disorder, recognized risk factors for workplace violence. This study estimated the associations between these factors and experiencing client violence among direct care workers in the home settings (DCWHs). METHODS: Acts and threats of violence were estimated using data from an anonymous survey among DCWHs (n = 876) working at two large home care agencies. Logistic regressions were performed to produce odds ratios. RESULTS: Physical acts and physical or verbal threats of client violence were associated with providing homecare to clients with a violence history (adjusted ORs = 6.60 and 10.78, respectively), whereas threats of client violence (adjusted OR = 5.80) were associated with caring for clients with a mental illness/substance abuse disorder. CONCLUSIONS: Policy and practices that support the communication of appropriate client risk information may reduce the likelihood of workplace violence among DCWHs. Am. J. Ind. Med. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.© 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Language: en
Stable bipedal walking with a swing-leg protraction strategy

In bipedal locomotion, swing-leg protraction and retraction refer to the forward and backward motion, respectively, of the swing-leg before touchdown. Past studies have shown that swing-leg retraction strategy can lead to stable walking. We show that swing-leg protraction can also lead to stable walking. We use a simple 2D model of passive dynamic walking but with the addition of an actuator between the legs. We use the actuator to do full correction of the disturbance in a single step (a one-step dead-beat control). Specifically, for a given limit cycle we perturb the velocity at mid-stance. Then, we determine the foot placement strategy that allows the walker to return to the limit cycle in a single step. For a given limit cycle, we find that there is swing-leg protraction at shallow slopes and swing-leg retraction at steep slopes. As the limit cycle speed increases, the swing-leg protraction region increases. On close examination, we observe that the choice of swing-leg strategy is based on two opposing effects that determine the time from mid-stance to touchdown: the walker speed at mid-stance and the adjustment in the step length for one-step dead-beat control. When the walker speed dominates, the swing-leg retracts but when the step length dominates, the swing-leg protracts. This result suggests that swing-leg strategy for stable walking depends on the model parameters, the terrain, and the stability measure used for control. This novel finding has a clear implication in the development of controllers for robots, exoskeletons, and prosthetics and to understand stability in human gaits.
Cardiac Size and Sex-Matching in Heart Transplantation: Size Matters in Matters of Sex and the Heart

Objective This study evaluated whether worsened outcomes in sex mismatch are related to mismatch of organ size in heart transplantation. Background Sizing for organ allocation in heart transplantation currently incorporates only body weight differences between the donor and recipient. Weight correlates poorly to cardiac size, and donor–recipient weight differences are not associated with differential survival. Heart size correlates with sex, and donor–recipient sex mismatch conveys worse-than-expected outcomes. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of 31,634 donor–recipient adult heart transplant pairings from the United Network for Organ Sharing transplantation registry. We used predictive models to calculate the predicted total heart mass (pHM) for recipient and donor pairs. We assessed organ size mismatch by calculating the percent difference between the donor and recipient pHM as [(pHMrecipient – pHMdonor)/(pHMrecipient)]*100. Results The most-undersized pHM septile demonstrated higher mortality during the first year post-transplantation (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.27; p l 0.001), which remained robust in adjusted models (HR: 1.25; p = 0.03). Survival did not vary across septiles of weight differences. On univariate analysis, sex mismatch was associated with higher mortality in male patients, but not in female patients. Controlling for differences in pHM reversed these associations. Adjusted models demonstrated worse survival associated with sex mismatch in female patients (1-year HR: 1.28; p = 0.02) but no difference in male patients (1-year HR, 1.00; p = 1.0). Conclusions Differences in donor–recipient pHM modulated the survival associated with donor–recipient sex mismatch and identified donor heart undersizing as an otherwise occult and potentially preventable cause of mortality following orthotopic heart transplantation.
Efficacy of platinum chemotherapy agents in the adjuvant setting for adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas.

269 Background: Pancreatic adenosquamous carcinoma (PASC) accounts for only 1-4% of exocrine pancreatic cancers and carries a particularly poor prognosis. This retrospective study was performed to determine whether inclusion of a platinum agent as part of adjuvant therapy is associated with improved survival in patients with PASC. Methods: Records of all patients who underwent pancreatic resection at our institution from 1986-2012 were reviewed to identify those with PASC. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to assess for significant associations between patient characteristics and survival. Results: In total, 62 patients with PASC were identified among 5,627 cases (1.1%). Median age was 68 (interquartile range [IQR], 57-77) and 44% were female. Multivariate analysis revealed that among all patients (n=62) the following factors were independently predictive of survival: lack of adjuvant therapy (hazard ratio [HR]=3.558, p=0.0002), positive margin (HR=3.466, p=0.0003), lymph node invol...
An improvement on the prediction power of the 3D-QSAR CoMFA models using a hybrid of statistical and machine learning methods: a case study on γ‑secretase modulators of Alzheimer’s disease

A comparative molecular field analysis has been developed to study the three-dimensional quantitative structure–activity relationship of a series of triterpene-based γ-secretase modulators. We have performed the genetic algorithm on a large set of comparative molecular field analysis fields to select the most responsible fields contributing to inhibitory activities of these compounds against Alzheimer’s disease. The genetic algorithm-selected comparative molecular field analysis fields were introduced into the partial least squares and principal component analysis to reduce the dimensionality of the input features. The extracted partial least squares components were used as inputs to build partial least squares regression (genetic algorithm-partial least squares regression), and the extracted principal components were used as inputs for principal component regression (genetic algorithm-principal component regression) and support vector regression (genetic algorithm-principal component analysis-support vector regression). The classic three-dimensional quantitative structure–activity relationship comparative molecular field analysis analysis (partial least squares regression) is also carried out for the sake of comparison. The results show that among the constructed models, in terms of root mean squares and leave-one-out cross-validated R 2(q 2), the combination of principal component analysis and support vector machine can effectively improve the prediction performance (RMSEtrain = 0.231, RMSEtest = 0.360, and q 2 = 0.638) compared with PLSR (RMSEtrain = 0.415, RMSEtest = 0.680, and q 2 = 0.311). The performances of the genetic algorithm-principal component regression and genetic algorithm-partial least squares regression were also comparable but less powerful than genetic algorithm-principal component analysis-support vector regression. Finally, based on the information derived from the comparative molecular field analysis contour map, some key features for increasing the activity of γ-secretase modulators have been identified to design new triterpene-based Alzheimer’s disease drugs.
Malignant pleural mesothelioma: adjuvant therapy with radiation therapy.

The treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) with radiation therapy (RT) has always been a technical challenge. For many years, conventional RT was delivered after extrapleural pneumonectomy with acceptable results. However, the benefit of RT has never been definitively proven. Novel radiation treatment techniques, such as intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) were introduced, but the early experience with IMRT demonstrated troubling toxicity. Recent reports from institutions have demonstrated that with greater experience, IMRT, both in the setting of EPP or pleurectomy, can be delivered safely.
Facile, Fluorogenic Assay for Protein Histidine Phosphatase Activity.

Although the importance of protein histidine phosphorylation in mammals has been a subject of increasing interest, few chemical probes are available for monitoring and manipulating PHP activity. Here, we present an optimized and validated protocol for assaying the activity of PHPT1 using the fluorogenic substrate DiFMUP. The kinetic parameters of our optimized assay are significantly improved as compared with other PHPT1 assays in the literature, with a kcat of 0.39 ± 0.02 s–1, a Km of 220 ± 30 μM, and a kcat/Km of 1800 ± 200 M–1 s–1. In addition, the assay is significantly more sensitive as a result of using a fluorescent probe, requiring only 109 nM enzyme as compared with 2.4 μM as required by previously published assays. In the process of assay optimization, we discovered that PHPT1 is sensitive to a reducing environment and inhibited by transition-metal ions, with one apparent Cu(II) binding site with IC50 value of 500 ± 20 μM and two apparent Zn(II) binding sites with IC50 values of 25 ± 1 and 490 ±...
Non-Absorbing, Point-of-Use, High-Power Laser Power Meter

We have developed a compact, high-power laser power meter in the form of a folding mirror, precluding the need for beam splitters that considerably increase measurement uncertainty. Furthermore, our symmetric design inhibits responsivity to gravity.
Phospholipases C and Phospholipases D of Mammalian Cells

As with Chapters 6 and 7, which covered mammalian acyl hydrolases, emphasis is on the characterization and purification of the mammalian phosphodiesterases; studies on their physiologic roles are covered in Chapter 11.
Vagale Aktivität bei chronischer Bronchitis und Emphysem

Die Anatomie des autonomen Nervensystems in den normalen menschlichen Luftwegen weist darauf hin, das das parasympathisch cholinerge System fur die Regulation des Atemwegskalibers beim Menschen dominant ist. Dies ist bedeutsam fur die Behandlung der chronisch obstruktiven Ventilationsstorung (COPD), zumal der cholinergische Bronchialmuskeltonus den einzigen Behandlungsansatz bei der Atemwegsobstruktion bilden durfte. Wahrend Patienten mit Asthma vielfaltige Ursachen ihrer Atemflusbehinderung aufweisen, scheint bei Patienten mit Bronchitis und Emphysem (COPD) der Hauptanteil der reversiblen Komponente durch den cholinergischen Tonus bestimmt zu werden. Der Atemflus wird am nachhaltigsten mit anticholinergischen Mitteln verbessert. Das Niveau des zugrundeliegenden cholinergischen bronchomotorischen Tonus ist wahrscheinlich bei COPD generell angehoben. Ein gut Teil der von Tag zu Tag zu beobachtenden Variabilitat des Atemflusses kann durch die Variabilitat des cholinergischen bronchomotorischen Tonus erklart werden. Beide Befunde legen nahe, das der dauernde Gebrauch eines anticholinergischen Bronchodilatators eine rationale und uberaus effektive Form der Therapie in der taglichen und Langzeitbehandlung dieser Atemwegserkrankungen darstellt. Die optimale Dosis von Ipratropium ist moglicherweise viermal groser, als jene, die derzeit empfohlen wird (0,16 mg anstelle von 0,04 mg).
Explaining early moral hypocrisy: Numerical cognition promotes equal sharing behavior in preschool‐aged children

Recent work has documented that despite preschool-aged children's understanding of social norms surrounding sharing, they fail to share their resources equally in many contexts. Here we explored two hypotheses for this failure: an insufficient motivation hypothesis and an insufficient cognitive resources hypothesis. With respect to the latter, we specifically explored whether children's numerical cognition-their understanding of the cardinal principle-might underpin their abilities to share equally. In Experiment 1, preschoolers' numerical cognition fully mediated age-related changes in children's fair sharing. We found little support for the insufficient motivation hypothesis-children stated that they had shared fairly, and failures in sharing fairly were a reflection of their number knowledge. Numerical cognition did not relate to children's knowledge of the norms of equality (Experiment 2). Results suggest that the knowledge-behavior gap in fairness may be partly explained by the differences in cognitive skills required for conceptual and behavioral equality.
Resilience and HIV: a review of the definition and study of resilience

We use a socioecological model of health to define resilience, review the definition and study of resilience among persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) in the existing peer-reviewed literature, and discuss the strengths and limitations of how resilience is defined and studied in HIV research. We conducted a review of resilience research for HIV-related behaviors/outcomes of antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence, clinic attendance, CD4 cell count, viral load, viral suppression, and/or immune functioning among PLWH. We performed searches using PubMed, PsycINFO and Google Scholar databases. The initial search generated 14,296 articles across the three databases, but based on our screening of these articles and inclusion criteria, n = 54 articles were included for review. The majority of HIV resilience research defines resilience only at the individual (i.e., psychological) level or studies individual and limited interpersonal resilience (e.g., social support). Furthermore, the preponderance of HIV resilience research uses general measures of resilience; these measures have not been developed with or tailored to the needs of PLWH. Our review suggests that a socioecological model of health approach can more fully represent the construct of resilience. Furthermore, measures specific to PLWH that capture individual, interpersonal, and neighborhood resilience are needed.
Deeply inelastic scattering structure functions on a hybrid quantum computer

We outline a strategy to compute deeply inelastic scattering structure functions using a hybrid quantum computer. Our approach takes advantage of the representation of the fermion determinant in the QCD path integral as a quantum mechanical path integral over $0+1$-dimensional fermionic and bosonic worldlines. The proper time evolution of these worldlines can be determined on a quantum computer. While extremely challenging in general, the problem simplifies in the Regge limit of QCD, where the interaction of the worldlines with gauge fields is strongly localized in proper time and the corresponding quantum circuits can be written down. As a first application, we employ the color glass condensate effective theory to construct the quantum algorithm for a simple dipole model of the ${F}_{2}$ structure function. We outline further how this computation scales up in complexity and extends in scope to other real-time correlation functions.
Intermediate-grade carcinoma of the parotid and the impact of adjuvant radiation.

Abstract Purpose To determine the influence of adjuvant radiotherapy on survival in surgically-managed early stage intermediate-grade mucoepidermoid and acinic cell carcinoma of the parotid. Materials and methods The National Cancer Database was reviewed between 2004 and 2015 to identify patients with intermediate-grade, early T-stage, node-negative parotid carcinoma who underwent parotidectomy ± radiotherapy. Results There were 744 patients identified of which 81% had mucoepidermoid carcinoma and 19% had acinic cell carcinoma. Positive surgical margins were identified in 21% and adjuvant radiotherapy was administered in 38% of cases. Of the 159 patients with positive margins, 113 (71%) received adjuvant radiotherapy. Of the 585 patients with negative margins, 173 (30%) underwent adjuvant radiotherapy. In multivariable analysis, age (over 52 years: HR 5.19, 95%CI 2.33–11.57), insurance status (private insurance: HR 0.24 95%CI 0.13–0.43), and extent of parotidectomy (total parotidectomy: HR 2.02 95%CI 1.23–3.31) were significantly associated with overall survival, while adjuvant radiotherapy was not a significant predictive factor (HR 0.81, 95%CI 0.49–1.36). In patients with positive margin resections, however, adjuvant radiation was an independent predictor of improved survival when adjusted for age, insurance status, and extent of parotidectomy (HR 0.34, 95%CI 0.13–0.88). Conversely, in patients with negative margin resections, adjuvant radiation did not influence survival outcomes when adjusted for these covariates (HR 1.02, 95%CI 0.53–1.93). Conclusions and relevance In patients with early stage intermediate-grade parotid carcinoma, adjuvant radiotherapy significantly and independently improves survival in those with post-operative positive margins. Adjuvant therapy, however, does not appear to improve survival outcomes in those with negative margin resections.
Retrospective cohort study of the association between maternal employment precarity and infant low birth weight in women in the USA.

Objectives To investigate the association between maternal employment precarity and infant low birth weight (LBW), and to assess if this association differs by race/ethnicity. Methods Data were collected from 2871 women enrolled in the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 and the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 Children and Young Adult Cohort. Employment precarity was evaluated using a summary variable that combined several employment attributes: availability of employer-sponsored insurance, income, long shifts, non-daytime shifts, availability of employer sponsored training or educational benefits and membership in a union or collective bargaining unit. Employment precarity scores (a sum of the number of negative employment attributes) were categorised into low (0–2), medium (3) and high (4-6). LBW was defined as weight less than 2500 g at birth. Modified Poisson models were fit to calculate risk ratios and 95% CIs and adjusted for maternal age, race/ethnicity, educational attainment, nativity, prepregnancy body mass index, alcohol consumption, smoking during pregnancy and infant year of birth. We assessed effect modification by maternal race/ethnicity using a composite exposure-race variable. Results Women with high employment precarity had higher risk of a LBW delivery compared with women with low employment precarity (RR: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.11 to 1.98). Compared to non-Hispanic/non-black women with low employment precarity, non-Hispanic black women (RR: 2.68; 95% CI: 1.72 to 4.15), Hispanic women (RR: 2.53; 95% CI: 1.54 to 4.16) and non-Hispanic/non-black women (RR: 1.46; 95% CI: 0.98 to 2.16) with high employment precarity had higher risk of LBW. Conclusions We observed higher risk of LBW in pregnancies of women with high employment precarity; this association was stronger among black and Hispanic mothers compared to non-Hispanic/non-black women. Findings of this study can be used to inform antenatal care and identify workplace policies to better support women who work during pregnancy.
Changes to Venous Flow Coupler Signal during DIEP Flap Inset Can Be Predictive of Poor Clinical Outcomes in Autologous Breast Reconstruction.

Background Venous flow couplers are typically used to monitor free flaps during the postoperative period, with a continuous venous signal available immediately after completion of the anastomosis. Intraoperative loss of the coupler signal is not uncommon and may require adjustments in free flap inset and even flap thickness to get the venous signal to return. The effects of intraoperative coupler signal loss and the role of this technology on flap outcomes have not been evaluated. We hypothesized that the use of intraoperative coupler can be protective of both early and late flap complications by preventing unfavorable flap insets. Patients and Methods All patients who underwent free flap breast reconstruction between January 2018 and June 2019 by single microsurgery team were included. Flap inset and inset changes based on flow coupler signal problems were reviewed in the procedure notes. Patient demographics data and clinical outcomes were analyzed with comprehensive chart review. Results Forty-four consecutive patients with 69 free flaps were identified. There were no significant differences in patient characteristics or venous coupler size used in venous anastomosis. Although the number of operating room take backs for venous insufficiency was not significantly different between two groups, the free flaps with inset change had significantly higher complications that required later surgical intervention (p = 0.0464). Conclusion Surgeons should be aware that intraoperative coupler signal loss can be associated with poor clinical outcomes postoperatively and these flaps may require more perfusion imaging, flap debulking, or even additional venous anastomosis.
Detection of Oil-Containing Dressing on Salad Leaves Using Multispectral Imaging

There is a need for non-invasive methods for nutritional analysis of food that can address the drawbacks of current methods such as color photography, which cannot distinguish between energy-dense and zero calorie foods. This paper discusses a novel, multispectral approach for the identification of oil, particularly in salads, and defines a pseudo-reflectance term. A custom-made multispectral camera was used to collect a novel, publicly shared dataset of images of untreated lettuce leaves or leaves treated with vinegar, oil, or a combination of these. The camera captured image data at 10 wavelengths $\in $ [380nm,980nm] across the electromagnetic spectrum in the visible and NIR (near-infrared) regions. Imaging was done in a lab environment with the presence of ambient light. Mean spectra were extracted from the regions of interest in the multispectral cube and used to compute pseudo-reflectance. ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) was performed to look for variances in the pseudo-reflectance curves. ANOVA proved that the differences between group means of the four treatment groups (oil, vinegar, oil plus vinegar, control) were statistically significant. Pairs of groups showing the greatest significance were established using a Tukey post hoc test. Sequential Forward Selection (SFS) was used to determine 5 optimal feature wavelengths from the whole feature space (410 nm, 455 nm, 485 nm, 810 nm, and 850 nm). A combination of visible (VIS) and infrared (IR) wavelengths, selected using SFS, showed the greatest potential for discrimination between groups containing oil and groups that do not contain oil with a classification accuracy of 84.20%. The pseudo-reflectance values were statistically proven to be sensitive to the presence of oil as a dressing. This research has demonstrated the feasibility of implementing a multispectral imaging technique for identifying the presence of oil in salads and possibly an energy content detection system.
Winter tourism and climate change: Exploring local and non-local snowmobilers’ perceptions of climate change and adaptation behaviors

Abstract Climate change poses great risks to winter tourism, and snowmobiling is one of the most vulnerable recreation activities under changing climate conditions. Research on climate change and winter tourism primarily focuses on how the winter season changes in different emission scenarios. Little is known about tourists' demands of winter tourism activities under climate change and related adaptation behaviors, especially for snowmobilers. This study collects data from snowmobilers in Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST), and compares local and non-local snowmobilers’ preferences for snowmobiling conditions, perceptions about climate change on VAST trails, and adaptation behaviors to varying scenarios of climate change. Results indicate that the quality of snowmobiling is influenced by four factors (i.e., trail encounters, trail scenic views, trail accessibility/connectivity, and trail feature diversity). Whereas non-local snowmobilers have a higher desirability for the diversity of trail features than local snowmobilers, local snowmobilers are more sensitive to climate change conditions than non-local snowmobilers. Moreover, study results suggest that local snowmobiling markets are more vulnerable than non-local snowmobiling markets to future climate change scenarios. Study findings provide land managers guidance for maintaining high quality snowmobiling experiences and adaptation planning strategies for local and non-local snowmobiling markets under future climate change scenarios.
Dusting Thermoplastic Polyurethane Granules with CarbonNanotubes toward Highly Stretchable Conductive Elastomer Composites

Improving the electrical conductivity of elastomer composites while maintaining their favorable mechanical properties is crucial in a wide range of applications such as strain sensors for wearable ...