cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
FcRγ-Chain Signals in GPVI-Deficient Platelets.

The receptor glycoprotein VI (GPVI) is required for hemostasis and collagen-induced platelet aggregation. GPVI and FcRγ-chain form a noncovalent signaling complex. Genetic ablation of murine FcRγ-chain prevents expression of GPVI, and immunodepletion of GPVI removes FcRγ chain from platelet membranes. The GPVI/FcRγ-chain relationship has confounded elucidation of the individual role(s) of GPVI and FcRγ-chain in signal transduction. For example, botrocetin (bt)/von Willebrand factor (vWf) and γ-thrombin induced aggregation of washed platelets each appear to be FcRγ-chain-dependent. However, since FcRγ-chain−/− platelets also lack GPVI, the independent role(s), if any, of these signaling molecules in this aggregation could not be established. But, genetic ablation of murine GPVI does not exclude expression of the FcRγ-chain. Therefore, based on analyses of genetically deficient GPVI platelets that express FcRγ-chain, we demonstrate here that bt/vWf and thrombin-induced aggregation of washed platelets are each dependent on FcRγ-chain thereby demonstrating that FcRγ-chain can function in the absence of GPVI. Presumably, another receptor or receptors is/are able to activate FcRγ-chain in GPVI −/− and GPVI +/+ platelets. GPIb may not directly activate FcRγ-chain because GPIb elicited activation of αIIbβ3 is not FcRγ-chain dependent. The integrin αIIbβ3 appears to be common to the signaling described here because both the non-agglutination elicited bt/vWf-induced, and the γ-thrombin-induced TxA2 production and ATP secretion were β3-dependent. Therefore, αIIbβ3 may have activated this FcRγ-chain-dependent signaling. This hypothesis was tested by investigating the role of FcRγ-chain in αIIbβ3-mediated outside-in signaling induced by a palmitoylated derivative of the peptide KVGFFKR, a peptide which directly activates αIIbβ3 causing β3-dependent signaling that elicits TxA2 production, ATP secretion and platelet aggregation. As with γ-thrombin-treated FcRγ-chain−/− platelets, pKVGFFKR-treated FcRγ-chain−/− platelets did not produce TxA2, secrete ATP or aggregate. But, pKVGFFKR-treated GPVI−/− platelets produced the wild type level of TxA2, secreted the wild type level of ATP, and aggregated normally demonstrating that pKVGFFKR-induced αIIbβ3-mediated outside-in signaling is FcRγ-chain dependent. These results support the hypothesis that activation of FcRγ-chain is αIIbβ3-dependent in the signaling described here. The results of ELISA studies support this conclusion.
Magnetoelastic stress sensors for structural health monitoring of civil infrastructure systems

Abstract In accordance with the theory of magnetoelasticity, the magnetic properties of ferromagnetic materials depend dramatically on the stress level. As an engineering application of the said theory, the magnetoelastic (EM) stress sensor has been used in the stress monitoring of civil infrastructure. In this section, the theoretical background of EM stress sensors is reviewed, its technical methodology is introduced, and the influence of temperature is clarified. Through the application of EM stress sensors in representative infrastructures, their promising engineering advantages have been demonstrated, which is a prelude to a viable application stage.
Infection or Inflammation and Critical Care Seizures

Central nervous system (CNS) infections and inflammatory disease are frequent causes of seizures in the intensive care unit (ICU). Given the high incidence of seizures in these disease states, early recognition and treatment can improve patient outcomes, and should be suspected early in the course of evaluation and treatment. Specific infectious causes of encephalitis such as Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) and Japanese Encephalitis (JE) can present with seizures in up to 34% and 28% of patients, respectively. An infectious etiology is identified in at least 18% of cases of new onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE). Additionally, there are frequent electroencephalogram (EEG) findings that are characteristic of certain infections, such as lateralized periodic discharges in HSV infections. In some diseases, such as JE, the EEG can also be used as an additional tool to aid in prognosis. Given that many viral and inflammatory illnesses that affect the CNS have no specific treatment, the management of comorbid seizures may be one of the few targets that can effectively improve outcomes.
Development of algae biorefinery concepts for biofuels and bioproducts; a perspective on process-compatible products and their impact on cost-reduction

Identifying and addressing critical improvements in biomass, bioproduct and biofuel productivity is a priority for the nascent algae-based bioeconomy. Economic and sustainability principles should guide these developing improvements and help to unravel the contentious water–food–energy–environment nexus that algae inhabit. Understanding the biochemistry of the storage carbon metabolism of algae to produce biofuels and bioproducts can bring to light the key barriers that currently limit the overall carbon efficiency and the photosynthetic efficiency, and ultimately guide productivity and commercial viability in the context of limiting resources. In the analysis reported here, we present different potential pathways for a conceptual algae biorefinery framework, with each pathway addressing one of the main identified barriers to future deployment. We highlight the molecular identification, in the form of an extensive literature review, of potential bioproducts that may be derived directly from both biomass and fractions produced through a conversion pathway, for three important commercially-relevant genera of algae, Scenedesmus, Chlorella and Nannochloropsis. We establish a relationship between each of the potential bioproducts, describe relevant conversion and extraction processes, and discuss market opportunities with values and sizes as they relate to commercial development of the products.
Calculation of radiation transients in direct antenna modulation systems

Transient features of on-off-keyed signals generated by a direct antenna modulation system are examined. Equivalent frequency-domain impressed current sources are used to reveal the interaction between an antenna's broadband input resistance profile and the high bandwidth input current. Two dipole-type antennas are compared using this method.
Activity-Based Probes for Isoenzyme- and Site-Specific Functional Characterization of Glutathione S-Transferases.

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) comprise a diverse family of phase II drug metabolizing enzymes whose shared function is the conjugation of reduced glutathione (GSH) to endo- and xenobiotics. Although the conglomerate activity of these enzymes can be measured, the isoform-specific contribution to the metabolism of xenobiotics in complex biological samples has not been possible. We have developed two activity-based probes (ABPs) that characterize active GSTs in mammalian tissues. The GST active site is composed of a GSH binding “G site” and a substrate binding “H site”. Therefore, we developed (1) a GSH-based photoaffinity probe (GSTABP-G) to target the “G site”, and (2) an ABP designed to mimic a substrate molecule and have “H site” activity (GSTABP-H). The GSTABP-G features a photoreactive moiety for UV-induced covalent binding to GSTs and GSH-binding enzymes. The GSTABP-H is a derivative of a known mechanism-based GST inhibitor that binds within the active site and inhibits GST activity. Validation of...
Long term planning model value of stochastic solution and expected value of perfect information calculations with uncertain wind parameters

The objective of this work is to investigate wind uncertainty within a long term generation and transmission expansion planning framework. Specifically, this work investigates uncertainty associated with wind power within a 2 stage stochastic program and quantifies its importance with the well known quantities “Value of Stochastic Solution” VSS and “Expected Value of Perfect Information” EVPI. Simulations are run on a six bus test system and uncertainties considered include wind power capacity factor, wind power capacity credit, wind power overnight build costs, and demand/peak demand. While demand/peak demand is not an uncertain quantity associated with wind it is insightful to compare the effects of wind power uncertainties to wind power uncertainties plus demand/peak demand uncertainties since load growth is a parameter more traditionally studied in uncertainty analysis and more directly affects most investment and operational decisions. Simulation results are subjected to stability analysis and show reasonably good stability for scenario reductions of up to 70%.
The Role of Pentitols and other Polyols in Evolutionary Development

I am very pleased to have the opportunity to participate in this Symposium and to present the opening paper. Since this will serve as a general introduction to the discussions that follow, I will take the opportunity to indulge in some frank speculation regarding the evolutionary origin of the pathways of carbohydrate metabolism and the possible role of pentitols and other polyols. I have been interested in the metabolism of pentoses and polyols for some time and I believe that this is a good time to review the subject and to examine the present state of our knowledge with respect to the biochemistry and physiology of the pentoses and pentitols, as well as the general role of polyols in carbohydrate metabolism.
When Co-Creation Backfires: The Effect of Disclosing Consumer Source on Advertising Persuasiveness

It is increasingly common for firms to organize contests where consumers are invited to create ads that promote a particular brand. An important consideration in firms’ use of such consumers-generated ads is the expectation that consumers would trust messages created by a fellow consumer and hence be more readily persuaded by them. We test this assumption and examine whether disclosing that an ad was created by a consumer affects its persuasiveness. Our findings show that, counter-intuitively, awareness that an ad is consumer-generated increase skepticism towards the source, and decrease ad and brand evaluations. However, this effect can reversed by factors that increase consumers’ identification with the ad creator. We discuss implications of our research with respect to soliciting consumer input and future research on consumer-generated advertising.
Standardization of in situ techniques for ruminant feedstuff evaluation

Over the last two decades, in situ techniques have been used extensively for measuring ruminal degradation of feedstuffs. Current predictive models put renewed emphasis on the need for quantitative information regarding rates and extents of ruminal degradation. However, in situ techniques suffer from tremendous variation, both within and among laboratories. A considerable number of studies have evaluated the influence of various factors on in situ-derived estimates of ruminal degradation. Factors that should be addressed in a standardized procedure include bag and sample sizes; bag material and pore size; sample processing; animal diet, feeding level, and frequency; bag insertion and removal procedures; location of bags within the rumen and containment procedures for the bags; rinsing procedures; microbial correction; incubation times; mathematical models; and numbers of replicate animals, days, and bags required to obtain repeatable estimates of ruminal degradation. Several recommendations that should increase the precision of in situ measurements are presented. Currently, the lack of standardization in rinsing techniques and the failure or inability to correct for microbial contamination of in situ residues seem to be the major sources of variability with in situ procedures.
The Adult Well-Being of Individuals Reared in Family Foster Care Placements

The object of the present study was to examine the well-being of adults who were in family foster care placements during childhood. The data for analyses were a part of the National Survey of Families and Households. The study compared the adult well-being of 107 individuals formerly in foster care and 12,910 adults never placed in foster care. It was predicted that former foster care placement would be associated with poorer adult functioning. The results of the study indicate that individuals formerly in family foster care placements did report significantly poorer functioning on five of the seven measures of well-being. The data revealed significantly higher depression scores, lower scores on marital happiness, less intimate parental relationships, and higher incidence of social isolation than adults who were never in foster care placements. These findings persisted after controlling for background variables, socioeconomic status, and marital status. Implications for research are discussed.
Tics and Tourette’s Disorder

This chapter focuses on three forms of childhood psychopathology: transient tic disorder, chronic tic disorder, and Tourette’s disorder. Separately, these disorders occur in children relatively infrequently, but all are particularly troublesome to the children who evince them. Tic behaviors usually develop during middle childhood, and nearly always before adulthood. Within the realm of specific behavioral disorders, tic disorders represent the more general category of childhood habit disorders.
PRIMARY HYPERPARATHYROIDISM: When to Observe and When to Operate

Parathyroidectomy is the definitive therapy for primary hyperparathyroidism. In the hands of the experienced parathyroid surgeon, the procedure is curative in more than 90% of individuals. Recent advances in parathyroid surgery augur for even greater success among surgeons who may not be bona fide parathyroid experts. 33 Nevertheless, the decision to operate on all patients with primary hyperparathyroidism is controversial. 42 First, the operation is not always successful, even when performed by an experienced surgeon. The parathyroid glands are notoriously variable in location and can elude even the most careful search. Second, there are potential complications of parathyroid surgery, such as damage to the recurrent laryngeal nerve, local bleeding, and, rarely, hypoparathyroidism. Third, the clinical spectrum of primary hyperparathyroidism has changed remarkably in the Western world such that most patients are now asymptomatic. 21 In these patients, hypercalcemia is discovered most often in the course of routine blood tests and not in response to a specific search for a set of symptoms. It is not clear which of these asymptomatic patients should undergo surgery. This article focuses on the difficult decision to operate or not to operate, especially in asymptomatic patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.
Using Action Research to Innov8: Facilitating Culture Shifts in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

ABSTRACTThe mission of a community college is distinct from a research one university, where empirical research is valued over investigation of discipline-based teaching and learning. The open-access, affordable, workforce, and transfer emphasis that serves many non-traditional community college students is a rich, meaningful environment for fostering the scholarship of teaching and learning, yet despite an emphasis on best practices and student success outcomes, teaching, and learning in this environment is an underappreciated element of the faculty role. This study explores the use of action research to facilitate engagement in the scholarship of teaching and instructional innovation. The mixed-method action research design incorporated quantitative and qualitative analysis from a wide variety of data sources and triangulated findings through a variation of techniques, including ongoing researcher dialogue and ratings. Action research serves as both the method for this study and the mechanism for facult...
Racial-ethnic differences in chronic kidney disease-mineral bone disorder in youth on dialysis

Studies in healthy pediatric populations and adults treated with dialysis demonstrate higher parathyroid hormone (PTH) and lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in African-Americans. Despite these findings, African-Americans on dialysis demonstrate greater bone strength and a decreased risk of fracture compared to the Caucasian dialysis population. The presence of such differences in children and young adult dialysis patients is unknown. Differences in the markers of mineral and bone metabolism (MBM) were assessed in 661 incident dialysis patients (aged 1 month to < 21 years). Racial-ethnic differences in PTH, calcium, phosphate, and total alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity were analyzed over the first year of dialysis using multivariate linear mixed models. African-American race predicted 23% higher serum PTH (95% CI, 4.7–41.3%) when compared to Caucasian patients, while Hispanic ethnicity predicted 17.5% higher PTH (95% CI, 2.3–38%). Upon gender stratification, the differences in PTH were magnified in African-American and Hispanic females: 38% (95% CI, 14.8–69.8%) and 28.8% (95% CI, 4.7–54.9%) higher PTH compared to Caucasian females. Despite higher PTH values, African-American females persistently demonstrated up to 10.9% lower serum AP activity (95% CI, − 20.6–− 0.7%). There are racial-ethnic differences in the markers of MBM. Higher PTH is seen in African-American and Hispanic children and young adults on dialysis with a magnification of this difference amongst the female population. There is a need to consider how factors like race, ethnicity, and gender impact the goal-targeted treatment of MBM disorders.
Identification of frequent activating HER2 mutations in primary canine pulmonary adenocarcinoma

ABSTRACT Naturally occurring primary canine lung cancers are aggressive malignancies that are increasingly common in pet dogs. They share clinicopathologic features with human lung cancers in never-smokers, but their genetic underpinnings are unknown. Through multi-platform sequencing of 88 primary canine lung tumors or cell lines, we discovered somatic, coding HER2 (ERRB2) point mutations in 38% of canine pulmonary adenocarcinomas (cPAC, 28/74), but none in adenosquamous (cPASC, 0/11) or squamous cell (cPSCC, 0/3) carcinomas. In cPASC, PTEN was the most frequently mutated gene (18%) while one case each bore likely pathogenic HRAS, KRAS, EGFR, MET, TP53, or VHL somatic mutations. In cPSCC, no recurrently mutated genes were identified, but individual somatic coding mutations were found in BRAF and PTPN11. In cPAC, we also identified recurrent somatic mutation of TP53 (13.5%), SMAD4 (5.4%), PTEN (4.1%), and VHL (2.7%). cPACs assessed by exome sequencing displayed a low somatic mutation burden (median 64 point mutations, 19 focal copy number variants, and 1 translocation). The majority (93%) of HER2 mutations were hotspot V659E transmembrane domain (TMD) mutations comparable to activating mutations at this same site in human cancer. Other HER2 mutations identified in this study were located in the extracellular domain and TMD. HER2V659E was detected in the plasma of 33% (2/6) of dogs with localized HER2V659E tumors. HER2V659E correlated with constitutive phosphorylation of AKT in cPAC cell lines and HER2V659E lines displayed hypersensitivity to the HER2 inhibitors lapatinib and neratinib relative to HER2-wild-type cell lines. These findings have translational and comparative relevance for lung cancer and HER2 inhibition.
Experimental Implementation of 8.9Kgate Stress Monitor in 28nm MCU Along with Safety Software Library for IoT Device Maintenance

The on-chip stress monitor was experimentally implemented in a 28 nm automotive micro-controller-unit (MCU) to demonstrate the contribution to long-term fatigue monitoring of the MCU as well as short-term anomaly finding of the system. The monitor comprises of 8.1 Kgate digital soft-macro including four stress counters driven by 0.8 Kgate two dedicated ring oscillators, which automatically convert environmental temperature and voltage stress into oscillation frequency according to Arrhenius and Eyring models. The monitor operates independently in the background of main operations. The safety software library was developed to extract beneficial information from the counters after every power-on reset, including stress age and temporal variations of thermal stress. The functions were confirmed by the MCU measurements. The library also proved to contribute to functional safety of main temperature sensor. Future usage picture of the monitor was discussed including IoT maintenance, system design feedback and used electronics recycling.
Radar Data Cube Processing for Human Activity Recognition Using Multisubspace Learning

In recent years, radar has been employed as a fall detector because of its effective sensing capabilities and penetration through walls. In this paper, we introduce a multilinear subspace human activity recognition scheme that exploits the three radar signal variables: slow-time, fast-time, and Doppler frequency. The proposed approach attempts to find the optimum subspaces that minimize the reconstruction error for different modes of the radar data cube. A comprehensive analysis of the optimization considerations is performed, such as initialization, number of projections, and convergence of the algorithms. Finally, a boosting scheme is proposed combining the unsupervised multilinear principal component analysis (PCA) with the supervised methods of linear discriminant analysis and shallow neural networks. Experimental results based on real radar data obtained from multiple subjects, different locations, and aspect angles (0 $^{\circ }$ , 30 $^{\circ }$ , 45 $^{\circ }$ , 60 $^{\circ }$ , and 90 $^{\circ }$ ) demonstrate that the proposed algorithm yields the highest overall classification accuracy among spectrogram-based methods including predefined physical features, one- and two-dimensional PCA and convolutional neural networks.
The Road to Practical E-Textiles Is Smooth as Silk

The work of Zhang et al. describes a method for 3D-printing a triboelectric generator composed of silk fibroin (SF) and a conductive core of carbon nanotubes (CNT). The resulting SF@CNT fibers offer a roadmap toward energy harvesting fabrics within E-textiles.
Sociodemographic Correlates of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) Use in the United States, 2016-2017.

Objectives. To investigate use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) among priority populations.Methods. Using 2016 through 2017 US nationally representative surveys (n = 11 688), we exami...
Heterogeneity in the regenerative abilities of central nervous system axons within species: why do some neurons regenerate better than others?

Some neurons, especially in mammalian peripheral nervous system or in lower vertebrate or in vertebrate central nervous system (CNS) regenerate after axotomy, while most mammalian CNS neurons fail to regenerate. There is an emerging consensus that neurons have different intrinsic regenerative capabilities, which theoretically could be manipulated therapeutically to improve regeneration. Population-based comparisons between “good regenerating” and “bad regenerating” neurons in the CNS and peripheral nervous system of most vertebrates yield results that are inconclusive or difficult to interpret. At least in part, this reflects the great diversity of cells in the mammalian CNS. Using mammalian nervous system imposes several methodical limitations. First, the small sizes and large numbers of neurons in the CNS make it very difficult to distinguish regenerating neurons from non-regenerating ones. Second, the lack of identifiable neurons makes it impossible to correlate biochemical changes in a neuron with axonal damage of the same neuron, and therefore, to dissect the molecular mechanisms of regeneration on the level of single neurons. This review will survey the reported responses to axon injury and the determinants of axon regeneration, emphasizing non-mammalian model organisms, which are often under-utilized, but in which the data are especially easy to interpret.
Chapter 9 – Nonperturbative Results

Publisher Summary This chapter explains the derivation of the Goldstone theorem using the effective action-generating functional. In the chapter, the method of effective potential is used to determine the conditions under which the scalar fields may develop a nonzero vacuum expectation value. The chapter discusses the examination of spontaneously broken symmetry for the case of a complex scalar field coupled to an abelian gauge field to demonstrate the Higgs–Kibble mechanism. Its extension to the nonabelian case of the Glashow–Salam–Weinberg model is also discussed in the chapter. The chapter also demonstrates the chiral anomaly using path integral techniques and discusses it as an example of an index theorem. In the chapter, the path integral is used to discuss the role of classical solutions to the equations of motion and it is also applied to solitons and to the solutions of the Euclidean equations of motion known as instantons. The chapter also discusses the applications of the effective potential to demonstrate the dynamical breakdown of symmetry and the restoration of symmetry at finite temperature.
Maintaining the Relationship: Relational Schemas and Women’s Intent to Seek Couple Therapy:

Women face more negative health outcomes than men due to relationship distress, but little is understood about why heterosexual women do or do not seek couple therapy. The present study addressed t...
Tissue-Engineered Stromal Reticula to Study Lymph Node Fibroblastic Reticular Cells in Type I Diabetes

Fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs) support and remodel the lymph node (LN), express and present self-antigens to T cells to promote tolerance. In Type 1 diabetes (T1D), decrease in FRC frequency and in their expression of T1D-related self-antigens may hinder tolerogenic engagement of autoreactive T cells. FRC reticular organization in LNs is critical for adaptive immunity. Thus, we engineered LN-like FRC reticula to determine if FRC reticular properties were altered in T1D and to study engagement of autoreactive T cells in vitro. We characterized FRC networks in pancreatic and skin-draining LNs of 4- and 12-week old non-obese diabetic (NOD) and diabetes resistant NOR mice by immunofluorescence. Murine FRCs isolated from NOR, NOD or human pancreatic LNs were cultured in collagen sponges for up to 21 days before immunofluorescence and flow cytometry analysis. NOD FRCs expressing T1D antigens were co-cultured with CellTrace-labeled specific T cells in 2D or in scaffolds. T cell engagement was quantified by CD25 upregulation, CellTrace dilution and by T cell tracking. FRC networks in both 4- and 12-week old NOD LNs displayed larger reticular pores than NOR controls. NOD FRCs had delayed scaffold remodeling compared to NOR FRCs. Expression of the gp38 FRC marker in NOD FRCs was lower than in NOR but improved in 3D. FRC reticula expressing T1D antigens promoted higher engagement of specific T cells than 2D. We engineered LN-like FRC reticula that recapitulate FRC organization and phenotype of T1D LNs for studying tolerogenic autoreactive T cell engagement in T1D.
Edge-Based Intrusion Detection for IoT devices

As the Internet of Things (IoT) is estimated to grow to 25 billion by 2021, there is a need for an effective and efficient Intrusion Detection System (IDS) for IoT devices. Traditional network-based IDSs are unable to efficiently detect IoT malware and new evolving forms of attacks like file-less attacks. In this article, we present a system level Device-Edge split IDS for IoT devices. Our IDS profiles IoT devices according to their “behavior” using system-level information like running process parameters and their system calls in an autonomous, efficient, and scalable manner and then detects anomalous behavior indicative of intrusions. The modular design of our IDS along with a unique device-edge split architecture allows for effective attack detection with minimal overhead on the IoT devices. We have extensively evaluated our system using a dataset of 3,973 traditional IoT malware samples and 8 types of sophisticated file-less attacks recently observed against IoT devices in our testbed. We report the evaluation results in terms of detection efficiency and computational.
Variables, Memory, and Operators

Variables are an important concept in all computer programming languages, but are specially so in C because of its heavily-typed nature. The reader needs to understand how memory space is allocated for variables in C and how the heavy typing imposed by C affects how variables are used. This chapter contains an explanation of these concepts, as well as descriptions of four major variable types in C: integers, floating point, double precision floating point and character variables. How to define and initialize such variables is described in detail and integrated in the hands-on exercises in this chapter. Several fundamental operators such as the assignment operator and various basic mathematical operators (e.g., add, subtract, multiply, floating point division, and the two types of integer division) as well as the increment/decrement operators, Boolean operators, and constants, are also covered. Lastly, this chapter introduces the reader to the printf() and the scanf() input/output functions to allow the reader to write more complex programs.
Transition from Private to Academic Anesthesia Provision Changes Process and Patient Centered Outcomes in an Ambulatory Surgery Center

A recurring concern in the discussion of performance of anesthesia practices is that academic practitioners are slower, less efficient, or produce poorer operational outcomes than their private practice counterparts. A simple overnight ‘swap’ of a private anesthesia practice with an academic anesthesia practice took place in an outpatient surgery center where the case volume, case mix, surgeons, and staff remained the same. Operational and quality measures were analyzed for comparison between the practices over the span of two years. All patients who had a procedure at the outpatient surgery center in the year prior to the takeover and the year after were studied. Post-anesthesia care unit times, hospital transfer data, pain scores at discharge, opioids dispensed, and anesthesia control times were compared over two years. Charts were manually abstracted by non-clinical administrative staff who were unaware of the study hypothesis. Procedure data and clinical outcomes were compared between the two years using standard statistical techniques. After exchange to the academic group, the median (mean) pain score at post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) discharge was reduced from 2 (2.0) to 0 (1.7) (Wilcoxon rank sum test p < 0.001), and the odds of having moderate or severe pain was reduced by 32% (95% CI, 25, 39, p < 0.001) after adjusting for surgery type. The year-on-year average recovery room time was reduced by 13.9 min (95% CI, 12.5, 15.4, p < 0.001) after adjusting for surgery type. There was a significant reduction in hospital transfer rate after changing groups (0.45% vs. 0.07%, Pearson chi square test p = 0.005). Hospital transfer rates, dispensed opioids in PACU, pain scores at discharge, and PACU times were all improved after the conversion from a private practice to an academic one, without a compromise in efficiency or throughput.
Spherically Symmetric Static Solutions of the Einstein Equations with Elastic Matter Source

The Einstein equations for a spherically symmetric static distribution of elastic matter are examined. The existence of regular solutions near the center is proven under a fairly mild hypothesis on the constitutive equation. These solutions are uniquely determined by the choice of central pressure and constitutive equation. It is also shown for a Hookean elastic material that these solutions can be integrated outward till the radial pressure vanishes, thus one can join an exterior Schwarzschild metric to obtain a maximal solution of the Einstein equations.
Punitive ambiguity: State-level criminal record data quality in the era of widespread background screening:

Prior research documents widespread deficiencies in the quality and completeness of official criminal records in the United States. In an era when the social reach of criminal records has expanded ...
Thoracic epidural-based Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathway for Nuss repair of pectus excavatum shortened length of stay and decreased rescue intravenous opiate use.

PCA- and block-based enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways have been shown to decrease hospital length of stay (HLOS) and opiate use following Nuss Repair for Pectus Excavatum (NRPE). No thoracic epidural-based ERAS pathway has demonstrated similar benefits. In this pre-post single-center study, data were retrospectively collected for patients ≤ 21 years undergoing NRPE from May 2015 to August 2019. Univariate and multivariate methods were used to evaluate whether implementation of a thoracic epidural-based ERAS in April 2017 was associated with HLOS, opiate use, or pain scores. There were 110 patients: 35 pre- and 75 post-ERAS. HLOS decreased from median 4.8 (1.1) to 3.3 (0.6) days with ERAS (p 0.05). Implementation of a thoracic epidural-based ERAS following NRPE was associated with decreased HLOS and need for any rescue intravenous opiates without a change in pain scores, ED visits, or readmission.
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Nylon and Chromic Gut Sutures After Minor Hand Surgery.

Purpose We sought to compare overall satisfaction with treatment and satisfaction with initial wound healing after closure of office hand and upper extremity surgery wounds using polyamide compared to Chromic gut sutures. Methods We compared 62 patients randomized to polyamide suture closure of an office hand and upper extremity incision (mostly carpal tunnel release and trigger finger release) to 50 patients closed with Chromic gut suture. Patients rated overall treatment satisfaction, satisfaction with initial healing, pain intensity, and upper extremity–specific activity tolerance. Results Accounting for potential confounding in multivariable linear and logistic regression analysis, we found the following: (1) overall satisfaction with care was unrelated to suture type; (2) satisfaction with initial wound healing and appearance was lower among people with no other comorbidities, but unrelated to suture type; (3) there were no factors independently associated with pain intensity; and (4) excisional biopsy was associated with greater activity tolerance. Conclusions Our findings suggests that Chromic sutures are a viable alternative to polyamide sutures after office hand surgery, provided that the care team anticipates and develops strategies for concerns that may arise if the sutures take an extended period to fall off. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic II.
The maximum expiratory flow-volume in the evaluation of patients with lung disease: A comparative study with standard pulmonary function tests

Abstract The forced expiratory flow-volume curve (EFVC) was used to evaluate physiologic abnormality in thirty-eight patients with chronic obstructive lung disease and twenty-eight with restrictive lung disease. The findings indicate that the flow-volume relationship for each group is distinctive. The EFVC pattern in chronic obstructive lung disease is oriented along the horizontal or volume axis; in fibrosis it is oriented vertically along the flow axis. In some cases in which both obstructive and restrictive impairments occur, the pattern of each abnormality may be discerned and the predominant disturbance ascertained. In obstructive disease the flow-volume curve correlates well with the degree of clinical and physiologic disability. Lack of cooperation and localized airway obstruction produce characteristic patterns.
Proteasomes from Structure to Function: Perspectives from Archaea

Insight into the world of proteolysis has expanded considerably over the past decade. Energy-dependent proteases, such as the proteasome, are no longer viewed as nonspecific degradative enzymes associated solely with protein catabolism but are intimately involved in controlling biological processes that span life to death. The proteasome maintains this exquisite control by catalyzing the precisely timed and rapid turnover of key regulatory proteins. Proteasomes also interplay with chaperones to ensure protein quality and to readjust the composition of the proteome following stress. Archaea encode proteasomes that are highly related to those of eukaryotes in basic structure and function. Investigations of archaeal proteasomes coupled with those of eukaryotes has greatly facilitated our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that govern regulated protein degradation by this elaborate nanocompartmentalized machine.
Great Lakes toxic sediments and climate change: Implications for environmental remediation

Abstract Toxic sediments remediation represents a potentially long-term environmental programme in the Great Lakes Basin. The prospect of declining take levels due to global climate change in coming decades presents challenges to environmental policy makers concerned with choosing appropriate toxics clean-up methods and timing. It is important to integrate the possibility of declining Iake levels into Great Lakes toxic sediments remediation in order to ensure that long-term environmental policy is not in conflict with the potential regional hydrological impacts of climate change.
Simulation of nitrogen in agro-ecosystems: Criteria for model selection and use

Available simulation models for describing nitrogen behavior in agro-ecosystems vary in two characteristics: (i) conceptual completeness in terms of the number of processes considered, and (ii) the level of detail at which each process is modeled. These model characteristics are determined by both the objectives that the model is designed to meet and the current state-of-the-art understanding of the various processes included in the model. The levels of conceptual completeness and detail in a model govern the potential applications for which the model may be used. Applications of models may be research-oriented, management-oriented, or planning-oriented. A model suitable for a given application should have an appropriate level of completeness and detail to accomplish the stated objective.
Long-term results of arterial switch repair of transposition of the great vessels.

The arterial switch operation has become the preferred surgical procedure for transposition of the great arteries worldwide. The low operative mortality at "low-risk" institutions has been well documented. The advantages of the arterial switch compared with atrial-level repairs include a lower incidence of arrhythmias and the likelihood of normal systemic ventricular function over the long term. However, the long-term sequelae of this operation must be continually evaluated, including the fate of the supravalvular pulmonary and aortic anastomoses, growth of the aortic root, competency of the neoaortic valve, patency of the coronary arteries, effects on the conduction system, and adequacy of ventricular function. These anatomic results, as well as the neurodevelopmental outcomes of these patients, are summarized in this review.
Chemostat culture of Escherichia coli K-12 limited by the activity of alkaline phosphatase.

The growth-limiting reaction of a chemostat culture of Escherichia coli K-12 was the hydrolysis of β-glycerophosphate by alkaline phosphatase. The culture was buffered at pH 5.2 where alkaline phosphatase was unable to supply phosphate to the cell at a rate sufficient to sustain the maximum rate of growth. Alkaline phosphatase activity in this system is discussed in terms of the so-called Flip-Flop mechanism.
The Impact of Parental Deployment to War on Children: The Crucial Role of Parenting

It is estimated that approximately 2 million children have been affected by military deployment, yet much of what is known about the adjustment of children experiencing a parent's combat deployment has emerged only within the past 5-10 years. The extant literature on associations of parental deployment and children's adjustment is briefly reviewed by child's developmental stage. Applying a family stress model to the literature, we propose that the impact of parental deployment and reintegration on children's adjustment is largely mediated by parenting practices. Extensive developmental literature has demonstrated the importance of parenting for children's resilience in adverse contexts more generally, but not specifically in deployment contexts. We review the sparse literature on parenting in deployed families as well as emerging data on empirically supported parenting interventions for military families. An agenda for future research in this area is proffered.
Performance comparison of concurrency control protocols for transaction processing systems with regional locality

An examination is made of a system structure and protocols to improve the performance and availability of a distributed transaction processing (TP) system when there is some regional locality of data reference. Several TP applications, such as reservation systems, insurance, and banking, belong to this category. While maintaining a distributed system at each region, a central system is introduced with a replication of all databases at the distributed sites. Specialized protocols can be designed to keep the copies at the distributed and centralized systems consistent without incurring the overhead and delay of generalized protocols for fully replicated databases. The authors study the advantages of this system structure and the tradeoffs between protocols for concurrency and coherency control of the duplicate copies of the databases. An approximate analytic model is used to estimate the system performance and the method is validated through simulations. >
Erosion, isostatic response, and the missing peneplains

Abstract The peneplain—a low-relief erosional plain worn to near base level—is a venerable concept in geomorphology, geology, and geography. Yet despite more than a century of effort, no convincing example of a contemporary peneplain has been identified, and the identification of relict peneplains is uncertain and controversial. As a peneplain is a logical outcome during a period of long tectonic stability, the paucity or absence of peneplains is problematic. Most explanations are based on the notion that the periods of tectonic stability required for peneplain formation are too long to allow the features to fully develop, or that Neogene tectonics has precluded recent peneplanation. This paper proposes an alternative explanation, generally consistent with those given above, which can also explain the absence of peneplains in regions experiencing long tectonic stability. If erosion or deposition rates are related to elevation and if isostatic response (uplift or subsidence) is related to erosional unloading or depositional loading, the relationship between these components is dynamically unstable. This is demonstrated mathematically. This instability implies that no particular state or mode of topographic evolution, including peneplanation, is likely to persist in the face of variations or perturbations that influence any system component. Thus, formation of a peneplain would require tectonic stability and also relative constancy in sea level (or rates and direction of sea level change), climate, biotic influences on erosion or deposition, and any other factors that modify erosion, deposition, elevation fields, or isostatic responses. This would explain an absence of geologically contemporary peneplains and a rarity of well-developed peneplains in the geologic record.
Intermolecular complementation of the kinase activity of CheA.

Summary CheA is a dimeric autophosphorylating protein kinase that plays a critical role in the signal transduction network controlling chemotaxis In Escherichia coli. The autophosphorylation reaction was analysed using mutant proteins defective in kinase and regulatory functions. Proteins in which the site of autophosphorylation was mutated (CheA48HQ) or missing (CheAs) were found to phosphorylate the kinase-defective mutant, CheA470GK. The kinetics of this reaction support the hypothesis that autophosphorylation is the result of trans-phosphorylation within a dimer. The carboxy-terminal portion of CheA was previously shown to be dispensable for autophosphorylation, but required for regulation in response to environmental signals transmitted through a transducer and CheW. Mixing of CheA48HQ or CheA470GK with a truncated protein lacking this regulatory domain demonstrated that regulated autophosphoryltion requires the presence of both carboxy-terminal portions in a CheA dimer. These results indicate that the dimeric form of CheA plays an integral role in signal transduction in bacterial chemotaxis.
Regression analysis under non-standard situations: a pairwise pseudolikelihood approach

Regression analysis is one of the most used statistical methods for data analysis. There are, however, many situations in which one cannot base inference solely on f(y∣x; β), the conditional probability (density) function for the response variable Y, given x, the covariates. Examples include missing data where the missingness is non-ignorable, sampling surveys in which subjects are selected on the basis of the Y-values and meta-analysis where published studies are subject to ‘selection bias’. The conventional approaches require the correct specification of the missingness mechanism, sampling probability and probability for being published respectively. In this paper, we propose an alternative estimating procedure for β based on an idea originated by Kalbfleisch. The novelty of this method is that no assumption on the missingness probability mechanisms etc. mentioned above is required to be specified. Asymptotic efficiency calculations and simulation studies were conducted to compare the method proposed with the two existing methods: the conditional likelihood and the weighted estimating function approaches.
Flasking for easy deflasking

Abstract The top half of molds for processing dentures is made in sections in the top half of the flask. This technique speeds up the removal of processed dentures from their molds and reduces the possibility of fracturing either the denture base or the teeth.
Measuring individual beliefs about organizational ethics.

This study sought to develop an individual measurement scale for use as a general tool in identifying personal ethical beliefs that could potentially conflict with perceived company interests. A total of 225 employed people ranging from high school graduates to master's degree students responded to a 16-item survey. Two interpretable factor loadings emerged from the factor analysis. The first appeared to be a general "company support" factor and the second a "lie to protect the company" factor. Reliability analysis supported the factor analysis results. This scale represents an employee's beliefs about ethical behavior and could be used in organizational settings to identify potential ethical conflicts.
TRAVEL-TIME CONSTRAINTS ON DESTINATION-CHOICE SETS.

The importance of travel-time constraints in spatial choice is widely recognized in the literature of geography and related disciplines, but little work has been done toward developing operational models of spatial choice wherein these constraints and their effects are made explicit. The purpose of the paper is to test the accuracy of predictions produced by a destination choice model that does not take explicit account of travel constraints under the assumption that observed choices are made from choice sets delineated by a constraint of maximum travel time. Observed choices are generated by simulation from a new random utility model consistent with the constrained nature of individual choice sets. Results show that the characteristics of constraints are a decisive factor in the accuracy of the unconstrained choice model. Choice probabilities of the constrained reality are predicted with a reasonably good accuracy in some instances, but predictions are less impressive, and even poor, in many others.