cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Substrate specificity of type III flagellar protein export in Salmonella is controlled by subdomain interactions in FlhB.

FlhB, an integral membrane protein, gates the type III flagellar export pathway of Salmonella. It permits export of rod/hook-type proteins before hook completion, whereupon it switches specificity to recognize filament-type proteins. The cytoplasmic C-terminal domain of FlhB (FIhB c ) is cleaved between Asn-269 and Pro-270, defining two subdomalns: FIhB C N and FIhB C C . Here, we show that subdomain interactions and cleavage within FIhB are central to substratespecificity switching. We found that deletions between residues 216 and 240 of FIhB C N permitted FIhB cleavage but abolished function, whereas a deletion spanning Asn-269 and Pro-270 abolished both. The mutation N269A prevented cleavage at the Flh-B C N -FIhB C C boundary. Cells producing FlhB(N269A) exported the same amounts of hook-capping protein as cells producing wild-type FlhB. However, they exported no flagellin, even when the fliC gene was being expressed from a foreign promoter to circumvent regulation of expression by FIgM, which is itself a filament-type substrate. Electron microscopy revealed that these cells assembled polyhook structures lacking filaments. Thus, FIhB(N269A) is locked in a conformation specific for rod/hook-type substrates. With FIhB(P270A), cleavage was reduced but not abolished, and cells producing this protein were weakly motile, exported reduced amounts of flagellin and assembled polyhook filaments.
Formaldehyde Distribution over North America: Implications for Satellite Retrievals of Formaldehyde Columns and Isoprene Emission

Formaldehyde (HCHO) columns measured from space provide constraints on emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Quantitative interpretation requires characterization of errors in HCHO column retrievals and relating these columns to VOC emissions. Retrieval error is mainly in the air mass factor (AMF) which relates fitted backscattered radiances to vertical columns and requires external information on HCHO, aerosols, and clouds. Here we use aircraft data collected over North America and the Atlantic to determine the local relationships between HCHO columns and VOC emissions, calculate AMFs for HCHO retrievals, assess the errors in deriving AMFs with a chemical transport model (GEOS-Chem), and draw conclusions regarding space-based mapping of VOC emissions. We show that isoprene drives observed HCHO column variability over North America; HCHO column data from space can thus be used effectively as a proxy for isoprene emission. From observed HCHO and isoprene profiles we find an HCHO molar yield from isoprene oxidation of 1.6 +/- 0.5, consistent with current chemical mechanisms. Clouds are the primary error source in the AMF calculation; errors in the HCHO vertical profile and aerosols have comparatively little effect. The mean bias and 1Q uncertainty in the GEOS-Chem AMF calculation increase from <1% and 15% for clear skies to 17% and 24% for half-cloudy scenes. With fitting errors, this gives an overall 1 Q error in HCHO satellite measurements of 25-31%. Retrieval errors, combined with uncertainties in the HCHO yield from isoprene oxidation, result in a 40% (1sigma) error in inferring isoprene emissions from HCHO satellite measurements.
Are dental anomalies risk factors for apical root resorption in orthodontic patients

Regression analyses suggest a weak prediction power of identified risk factors for apical root resorption in orthodontic patients, indicating the presence of etiologic or causative factors that have not yet been disclosed. To investigate the possible significance of dental anomalies as risk factors, pretreatment and posttreatment periapical radiographs of 84 patients with presence of at least one dental anomaly and of 84 patients without such anomalies were compared. The patients in the two groups were matched according to age, gender, Angle Class, extraction therapy, overbite, and treatment time. Apical root resorption was calculated by subtracting posttreatment tooth length measurements from the corresponding pretreatment measurements. Two sample t tests revealed no differences in mean root resorption between the patients in the two groups (P = .88). Stepwise regression analyses did not identify any of the individual anomalies as risk factors. In addition, patients with more than one anomaly did not appear to be at increased risk.
Quantum well lasers for microwave/millimeter wave applications

Summary form only given. Developments in high-speed semiconductor lasers have made possible the practical realization of optical/microwave systems as exemplified by applications such as antenna remoting, delay lines, and optically steerable phased-array antennas, to name a few. Present-day laser diodes can attain direct modulation bandwidths of up to 20 GHz. To advance into the higher-frequency and millimeter-wave range, lasers incorporating quantum-well structures should be used. This structure is largely if not solely responsible for recent advances in obtaining ultralow lasing threshold (0.5 mA), ultrahigh modulation speed (30 GHz), and ultrahigh AM and FM modulation efficiency. Recent theoretical predictions and experimental demonstrations also showed that appropriately designed single-quantum-well lasers can be made to mode-lock at millimeter-wave frequencies of 100 GHz or higher. Furthermore, the introduction of strained-layer quantum-well structures has furthered these goals. They will have significant implications not only in the establishment of optical techniques in microwave and radar systems, but also in computer optical interconnects and in telecommunications. >
Dependence of Singular Vector Structure and Evolution on the Choice of Norm

A diagnosis of singular vector (SV) evolution in the Eady model for the potential enstrophy and energy norms is performed using potential vorticity (PV) inversion and Eliassen‐Palm (E‐P) flux diagnostics, and compared with the SV evolution for the streamfunction variance norm. The diagnostics reveal that the mechanism for SV amplification depends on the initial relative magnitudes of the interior PV and boundary temperature anomalies (BTAs). In addition, the relative magnitudes of the initial PV and BTAs are dependent on the norm chosen, the length scale of the perturbation, and the length of the optimization interval. If the initial contribution of the PV to a given norm is larger than the contribution of the BTAs to that norm, then the SV evolution in that norm is governed by the baroclinic superposition of the interior PV followed by an amplification of the BTAs by winds attributed to the interior PV. In the other case, the mutual interaction of BTAs governs the SV evolution. The initial interior PV is most important for the energy and streamfunction variance SVs, but is less important for the potential enstrophy SVs. Excluding the longwave (i.e., wavelengths longer than the Eady instability cutoff ) enstrophy norm SVs, for the shortwave SVs and for long optimization times, the importance of the initial interior PV is most apparent. In the view of targeted observations, the sensitive regions indicated by the SV analysis can be identified with particular mechanisms for SV development. The forecast measure may be considered sensitive in some regions in the sense that the forecast measure exhibits a large response to small changes in the initial conditions in those regions. The potential enstrophy norm is identified as being dynamically sensitive at the boundaries in contrast to the energy and streamfunction variance norm in the midtroposphere. It is suggested that subjective PV diagnosis of sensitivity may be viewed as being consistent with an objective diagnosis of sensitivity using potential enstrophy norm SVs.
Energy performance of daylight-linked automatic lighting control systems in large atrium spaces: report on two field-monitored case studies

Abstract This paper presents the field-measured energy performance of two common types of daylight-linked lighting control systems, continuous dimming and automatic on/off installed in two existing large atrium spaces located in Canada. The daylighting performance was evaluated based on the daylight contribution to the indoor illuminance and the amount of electrical lighting displaced by daylighting via the daylight-linked lighting control systems. Measured daylighting contribution to the space indicates that significant lighting energy savings can be achieved in atrium spaces if the daylight-linked lighting control system is appropriately selected, installed and commissioned throughout its existence. Results extrapolated from measurements collected during summer and winter indicate that as installed, the continuous dimming lighting control system provides 46% annual savings in electrical lighting consumption, while the automatic on/off saves between 11and 17% in lighting energy. These savings account for 68% of the lighting energy consumed during main occupancy for the continuous dimming system, and 31.5% for the automatic on/off. Operation irregularities such as a reduced dimming linearity and an incorrect adjustment of the phases of the dimming control system, as well as the inadequate location of the photocell controlling the automatic on/off lighting system, the improper maintenance of the skylight during winter and the oversizing of the lighting system reduced the energy efficiency of the lighting control systems by 30–65%.
Gender differences in the performance of activities of daily living.

Abstract Merritt BK, Fisher AG. Gender differences in the performance of activities of daily living. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2003;84:1872–7. Objectives To verify that the activities of daily living (ADL) motor and process skill items and tasks in the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS) are free from gender bias, and to compare mean differences in ADL motor and process ability between men and women. Design Descriptive comparison; convenience sample. Setting Existing data from the AMPS database. Participants Potential participants included nonwell persons (age range, 18–99y) matched within 3 age groups, first by functional level and then by diagnostic category. The resulting sample included 9250 men and 9250 women. Interventions Not applicable. Main outcome measure The AMPS, a standardized observational assessment of the quality of ADL task performance. Results None of the AMPS task calibrations and 1 motor skill item calibration (Lifts) demonstrated an observable difference between men and women. Men had higher ADL motor ability (F 1,18494 =11.58, P 1,18494 =76.18, P Conclusion The results suggest that the AMPS is free of gender bias. Although differences were found between men and women in mean ADL motor and process ability, they were not considered clinically detectable differences.
Enhanced Contractility of Renal Afferent Arterioles From Angiotensin-Infused Rabbits: Roles of Oxidative Stress, Thromboxane Prostanoid Receptors, and Endothelium

We tested the hypothesis that cyclooxygenase (COX), thromboxane A 2 synthase (TxA 2 -S), thromboxane prostanoid receptors (TP-Rs), or superoxide anion (O 2 − ) mediates enhanced contractions of renal afferent arterioles (Aff) of angiotensin II (Ang II)-infused rabbits. Rabbits were infused with vehicle (sham), Ang II 60 ng·kg −1 ·min −1 (Ang II 60) or 200 ng·kg −1 ·min −1 (Ang II 200). There was a selective enhanced vasoconstriction of Affs from Ang II 60 rabbits to Ang II (Δdiameter−78±8% versus −43±9%; P P P 2 -S but normalized by antagonists of COX-2 or TP-R. Thus, enhanced Ang II responses in Affs from rabbits infused with slow pressor Ang II are mediated independently by O 2 − in the vascular smooth muscle cells and by an EDCF that is principally a vasoconstrictor prostaglandin generated by COX-2 >−1 activating TP-Rs, whereas enhanced responses in rabbits infused with a lower Ang II dose are dependent on TP-R but not O 2 − .
The palaeopathology of a finger dislocation

The Ruffner collection, a Late Period (AD 500–1800), northern California skeletal sample, was analyzed for osteopathology. A probable fifth-finger dislocation of the right first and second phalanx was observed in a female aged 25–35 years at death. Traumatic adduction forced the second and third phalanges to slip laterally, upward and back about 10 mm, upon the dorsal surface of the first phalanx. Apparently, the medial collateral ligament of the interphalangeal joint was torn, making reduction impossible. As a result of the luxation, the flexor digitorum profundus slipped laterally and was fixed along the lateral surface of the distal end of the first phalanx. Over time, fusion of the joint restricted the flexion movement and left an abnormally aligned finger.
Analysis of a DS/CDMA successive interference cancellation scheme using correlations

Compensating for near/far effects is critical for satisfactory performance of DS/CDMA systems. So far, practical systems have used power control to combat the near/far effect. Another approach, still in the research stage, is multiuser detection. In addition to mitigating the near/far effect, multiuser detection has the more fundamental potential of significantly raising capacity by cancelling multiple access (co-channel) interference. There are serious complexity and implementation issues associated with optimal schemes and also with many suboptimal schemes. We analyze a simple interference cancellation (IC) scheme intended to work with power control and related requirements. The IC scheme operates by successively cancelling user interferences ranked in order of received powers. The ranking is obtained from correlations of each user's chip sequence with the received signal. This is in contrast to an alternative method of ranking based on channel estimates. It is shown that the two methods obtain similar BER performance when channel estimates of the power of each bit have relative errors of around 1 dB if 10 bits are averaged in the correlation method. >
The Dynamic Response of the Hurricane Wind Field to Spiral Rainband Heating

Abstract The response of the hurricane wind field to spiral rainband heating is examined by using a three-dimensional, nonhydrostatic, linear model of the vortex–anelastic equations. Diabatic heat sources, which are designed in accordance with previous observations of spiral rainbands, are made to rotate with the flow around the hurricane-like wind field of a balanced, axisymmetric vortex. Common kinematic features are recovered, such as the overturning secondary circulation, descending midlevel radial inflow, and cyclonically accelerated tangential flow on the radially outward side of spiral rainbands. Comparison of the responses to the purely convective and stratiform rainbands indicates that the overturning secondary circulation is mostly due to the convective part of the rainband and is stronger in the upwind region, while midlevel radial inflow descending to the surface is due to the stratiform characteristics of the rainband and is stronger in the downwind region. The secondary horizontal wind maxim...
MOF Films for Microsensor Coatings

Metal organic framework (MOF) materials are a class of hybrid organic-inorganic crystalline materials whose pore structures and chemical properties can be tailored by the selection of component chemical moieties. Many MOFs have extraordinary intrinsic surface areas, capable of adsorbing large quantities of other chemicals, such as volatile organic compounds or moisture. Upon absorption of guest molecules, many MOFs undergo reversible changes in the dimensions of their unit cells. These properties suggest several routes to chemical sensing in which the transduction mechanisms are: 1) the stress induced at an interface between a flexible MOF layer and a static microcantilever fabricated with a built-in piezoresistive stress sensor; 2) the change in the resonant frequency of an oscillating microcantilever induced by mass adsorption; and 3) the change in the resonant frequency of a acoustic sensor, such as a surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor through changes in mass loading and film moduli. This paper focuses on humidity sensing by SAWs coated with Cu3(BTC)2 (HKUST-1) over a very broad concentration range. Sandia National Laboratories is a multi-program laboratory managed and operated by Sandia Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation, for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-AC04-94AL85000.
Sodium and Potassium in Normal and Paralyzed Chlamydomonas

SYNOPSIS. Rates of penetration of sodium (Na24) and potassium (K/12) into several strains of Chlamydomonas, a flagellated unicellular alga, were studied. Sodium was taken up to a negligible extent by normal, motile cells. Potassium was taken up readily by normal cells and by mutant strains with impaired locomotion. Normal cells tended, during the first hour, to reach equilibrium most rapidly, involving the exchange of TS-of the cellular K. Flagella-less cells approached equilibrium more slowly, involving the exchange of 79′yc of the K. Paralyzed cells gave intermediate values. These results suggest that motile cells may immobilize larger amounts of K than do those with impaired motility.
Use of an Interferon-γ Release Assay To Diagnose Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Foreign-Born Patients

Background The tuberculin skin test (TST) has a low specificity in the setting of bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination. Interferon-γ release assays (IGRAs) appear to be more specific but have not been validated in this population under routine clinical conditions. We sought to validate the routine clinical use of the T-SPOT. TB test (Oxford Immunotec; Oxford, UK), an IGRA, in a predominantly foreign-born population with a high rate of BCG vaccination. Methods We compared the TST and the T-SPOT. TB test in 96 subjects at a New York City Department of Health tuberculosis clinic. We aimed to determine which test better predicted being a close contact of a case of active tuberculosis, a surrogate for latent tuberculosis infection. Results A positive T-SPOT. TB test result was strongly associated with being a close contact of a case of active tuberculosis after adjustment for potential confounders (adjusted odds ratio, 2.9; 95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 7.3; p=0.03). A positive TST result was associated with being a contact only in subjects without BCG vaccination (p = 0.02). The T-SPOT. TB test was more specific for being a close contact than the TST (p TB test (p Conclusions The T-SPOT. TB test is superior in routine clinical use to the TST for identifying high-risk individuals among foreign-born populations with high rates of BCG vaccination.
Evaluation of the failure rates of transmission lines during hurricanes using a neuro-fuzzy system

This paper proposes a method to evaluate the impact of extreme weather on the failure rates of transmission lines. The method is based on a neuro-fuzzy system: adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS). ANFIS is a popular neuro-fuzzy system and it has the configuration of an artificial neural network (ANN) and functions as a fuzzy inference system (FIS). Actually, ANFIS uses an ANN to realize the function of a Sugeno-type FIS (S-FIS). In this way, ANFIS combines the merits of ANN and FIS. It has the learning feature of ANN and retains the interpretability of FIS. Therefore, ANFIS can use the learning ability of ANN to improve the performance of FIS. It is noted that the focus of this paper is the computation of failure rates to be used in reliability calculations in the hurricane environment. The proposed method is demonstrated by using the IEEE reliability test system (RTS).
Electrokinetics and soil decontamination: concepts and overview

Electrokinetic decontamination and extraction have been proven to be one of the most viable, cost effective and emerging techniques in removing contaminants, especially heavy metals from soils for about last five decades. Basic concepts and an overview of the electrokinetic extraction processes and their potential applications in geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering have been reviewed based on the literature and presented in this paper. Primarily, theoretical and laboratory experimental studies related to electroreclamation of soils are summarised in brief with basic concepts of electrokinetic processes. The paper has been divided into different sections that include history of electrokinetics, background and concepts, modelling, parameter effects, instrumentation, contaminant extraction, field applications, and summary and recommendation. Based on the review it is obvious that the field application of electrokinetic technology to remediate heavy metal contaminated soils /sediments is very limited and site specific. Additional laboratory studies and more pilot- and full-scale information from field applications are critical to the further understanding of the technology and to customize the process in different field conditions.
The overview and history of permanent magnet devices in accelerator technology

This paper looks at the early history of accelerator development with a particular focus on the important discoveries that opened the door for the application of permanent-magnet materials this area of science. Researchers began to permanent-magnet materials in particle accelerators soon after the invention of the alternating gradient principle, that showed magnetic fields could be used to control the transverse envelope of charged-particle beams. Since that time, permanent-magnet materials have found wide application in the modern charged particle accelerator. A brief history of permanent-magnet use in accelerator physics and technology is outlined, some of the general design considerations are presented, and several material of concern for particle accelerator are discussed. >
Lifetime reproductive success of territorial Male Yellow-Bellied Marmots

Number of years as a territorial resident, number of adult females in the territory, mean age of the adult females, and mean matriline size were used to evaluate the lifetime reproductive success (LRS), measured as the number of young weaned, of adult male territorial yellow-bellied marmots residing on eight habitat patches (sites). Only mean age of females differed among sites. In univariate analyses, LRS was significantly related to the number of females present and the number of years resident. In multivariate analyses only the number of females present significantly affected LRS. When LRS was measured as the number of yearlings produced, mean matriline size and number of young were significant. Inbreeding, mainly father:daughter matings, did not affect the frequency of weaning or mean litter size, but survival of young was significantly lower. LRS of adult females was significantly related to the number of years a female was resident. Mean LRS was significantly greater in males than females and variance was much greater in males. Males that lived near a site before becoming territorial were significantly more likely to reproduce in their first year of residency than males who did not live near their site of territorial residence. LRS is greater in males that settle quickly with as many females as possible for as many years as possible.
Axial bone–socket displacement for persons with a traumatic transtibial amputation: The effect of elevated vacuum suspension at progressive body-weight loads

Background:Elevated vacuum suspension systems use a pump to draw air from the socket with the intent of reducing bone–socket motion as compared to passive suction systems. However, it remains unknown if elevated vacuum suspension systems decrease limb displacement uniformly during transitions from unloaded to full–body–weight support.Objectives:To compare limb–socket motion between elevated vacuum and passive suction suspension sockets using a controlled loading paradigm.Study design:Comparative analysis.Methods:Persons with transtibial amputation were assessed while wearing either an elevated vacuum or passive suction suspension socket. Digital video fluoroscopy was used to measure axial bone–socket motion while the limb was loaded in 20% body-weight increments. An analysis of variance model was used to compare between suspension types.Results:Total axial displacement (0%–100% body weight) was significantly lower using the elevated vacuum (vacuum: 1.3 cm, passive suction: 1.8 cm; p < 0.0001). Total displ...
Oxidation Resistant Coating of TiC-SiC System on C/C Composite by Chemical Vapor Deposition

Oxidation resistance and oxidation mechanism of a carbon/carbon composite (C/C composite), on which inner layer of TiC and outer of SiC were coated by chemical vapor deposition, were investigated. The CVD conditions used were, TiCl4-CH4-H2 or SiCl2-CH4-H2 system, deposition temperatures ranging from 1050° to 1350°C and total gas pressures ranging from 40 to 100 Torr. TiC coating was 7-50μm thick and SiC coating was 70-270μm thick. The oxidation resistance of the coated C/C composite was estimated from room temperature to 1300°C in air using several heating programs. In two layers-coating, the number of thermal cracks which generated on the surface of the coated layer decreased and the oxidation resistance improved depending on the thickness ratio of TiC to SiC coating as compared with SiC monolayer-coating. It is recognized that large compressive stress generated in the outer layer of SiC and TiO2 (rutile) formed along the thermal cracks in the coated layers after the oxidation.
Abstract 1852: A novel role for the 185delAG BRCA1 mutant protein, BRAT, in ovarian cancer pathology

Objective: Familial history is the strongest risk factor for developing ovarian cancer (OC). Studying risk-associated BRCA1 truncation mutations, such as the founder mutation 185delAG, may reveal signaling pathways important in OC etiology. Normal human ovarian surface epithelial (HOSE) cells expressing the 185delAG mutant, BRAT, exhibit phenotypic changes due possibly in part to up-regulation of maspin, a tumor suppressor important in apoptosis, invasion, and metastasis that exhibits unique up-regulation in some cancer types. In the current study, we wish to determine BRAT9s impact on expression and activity of matrix metalloprotease 1 (MMP1), another key player in invasion and metastasis, and the mechanism of this modulation. Methods: HOSE, breast epithelial cells, and breast cancer cells transiently and stably expressing the 185delAG mutation were analyzed for differential target gene expression by semi-quantitative and real time PCR. SiRNA transfection was performed to achieve knockdown of c-Jun. Western blotting was used to evaluate MMP1 and c-Jun protein levels. FRET ELISA was performed on conditioned media to evaluate levels and functionality of secreted MMP1. Cells were treated with cisplatin and subjected to MTS assay to evaluate chemosensitivity. Results: BRAT-expressing HOSE cells exhibited enhanced MMP1 mRNA expression. Higher levels of pro-MMP1 protein were detected by Western blotting of conditioned media. FRET ELISA revealed total MMP1 (pro and active forms) was also higher in BRAT-expressing cells, and that MMP1 in the conditioned media was functional. c-Jun knockdown diminished MMP-1 expression and secretion in HOSE. Expression of BRAT in normal breast and breast cancer cell lines failed to significantly alter chemosensitivity or MMP1 expression levels. Conclusion: Normal HOSE cells expressing the BRAT mutation exhibit c-Jun-dependent changes in expression of MMP1. Further investigation is warranted to elucidate the mechanism of this change since increased expression of this gene may represent an initial step forward on the continuum of malignant transformation. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1852.
Systematic Review of Outcomes Reporting in Professional Baseball: A Call for Increased Validation and Consistency.

Background:Historically, treatment efficacy of professional baseball injuries has been determined by assessing the return-to-play (RTP) rate or using patient-reported functional outcomes scores; however, these methods may not be sensitive and specific enough for elite athletes. As a consequence, performance-based statistics are increasingly being reported in the medical literature.Purpose:To (1) assess how treatment efficacy is currently reported in professional baseball players; (2) examine the variability in the reporting of these measures in terms of frequency, length of time followed, and units of measure; and (3) identify any attempts to validate these performance-based statistics.Study Design:Systematic review.Methods:All studies reporting treatment efficacy in professional baseball in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane were identified. Data collected included frequency and method of reporting: RTP, functional outcomes, and performance-based statistics.Results:Fifty-four studies met all inclusion criteria...
Governors and Partisan Polarization in the Federal Arena

Governors have always had to balance state interests with political party interests. However, governors’ role in the federal arena, which historically has had a significant bipartisan element, has shifted somewhat, today placing a greater emphasis on party interests. This change is one of the degree; it is less a sea change than a change in the salinity of the sea. I provide evidence of this move to more partisan behavior and explore two sets of interrelated factors that have influenced this change: party polarization in Congress and state legislatures and among voters, and the structure, activities and influence of the National Governors Association, Democratic Governors Association, and Republican Governors Association. This article represents an initial effort to tease out some of the varied causal effects and establish a framework for scholars to further explore the dual gubernatorial responsibilities of advancing state interests and party interests.
Failure capacities of cold-formed steel roof trusses end-connections

Abstract The response of cold-formed steel roof trusses undergoing large deformations resulting from unconventional loading is not totally known. Roof truss end-connections are one structural component that can cause premature failure. This paper investigates the failure capacities and the energy absorption capabilities of roof truss end-connections. Experimental tests were performed to obtain the capacities of these connections under quasi-static vertical and horizontal (tension and shear) loadings. Numerical simulations were developed to predict the connection response to failure for any configuration. Implicit and explicit dynamic procedures were used in the analysis of the numerical simulations. A deformable screw behavior with failure criterion was used in the numerical modeling to predict the progressive failure of the connection. The paper includes four verifications that validate the deformable behavior of #10 TEK screw used in the simulations. Results showed that the toughness (energy absorbed to failure) of the end-connection is greatly affected by the screw configuration and the direction of loading.
Micellar interaction of binary mixtures of alpha olefin sulfonate and nonylphenol polyethylene glycol ethers: Length effects of ethylene oxide

Abstract The micellization behavior of binary surfactant mixtures constituted by an anionic surfactant, alpha olefin sulfonate (AOS), and a nonionic surfactant nonylphenol polyethylene glycol ether (NPE) with different numbers of ethylene oxide (EO), namely, NP10EO, NP20EO, NP30EO, and NP40EO was comprehensively investigated by surface tensiometer, conductometer, cloud point measurement, and dynamic light scattering. Theoretical treatments were carried out to explain molecular interaction in the mixed micelles based on regular solution theory of Rubingh, micellization thermodynamics of Molyneux et al. and Maeda, and molecular thermodynamic theory of Pavvada and Blankschtein. Results indicate non-ideal mixing behavior in all AOS-NPE mixtures, where nonionic surfactant EO chain length was found to play critical roles. In the absence of additional electrolytes, NPEs exhibited substantially higher activity in micelles than bulk solution; with growth of EO groups, shrinkage on the scale of synergistic interaction was evidenced. In contrary, with swamping amount of electrolytes, synergistic interactions enlarged with the rise of EO groups, and AOS activity in mixed micelles was found depending on both EO length and bulk mole fraction ( α A ) . These findings are of great significance in mixed surfactant formulation design/optimization to maximize the synergistic efficiency of the system thus to minimize the chemical consumption and cost.
Silverline: data and network isolation for cloud services

Although cloud computing service providers offer opportunities for improving the administration, reliability, and maintenance of hosted services, they also concentrate network resources and data in a small number of cloud service providers. The concentration of data and resources also entails various associated risks, including sharing the underlying infrastructure with unknown (and untrusted) tenants and relying on the availability and security of the underlying infrastructure itself. These security risks represent some of the most significant barriers to the adoption of cloud-based services. To begin tackling these risks, a cloud hosting infrastructure should provide strong guarantees for resource and data isolation. This paper examines data and network isolation problems with today's cloud hosting infrastructures and proposes SilverLine, a collection of techniques to improve data and network isolation for a cloud tenants' service.
Immunohistochemical Diagnosis in Surgical Pathology

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is now firmly established as an intrinsic and essential component of surgical pathology, especially with respect to the diagnosis and classification of tumors. While each and every chapter of this book, arranged by tissue and organ type, includes IHC as an intrinsic part of the diagnostic process, the present chapter looks at the obverse of the coin, focusing primarily on IHC. The first part of the chapter addresses sample preparation, reagents, and methodologic aspects of IHC, emphasizing the “total test” approach and the importance of sound technique throughout the whole procedure, coupled with proper controls for validation of outcome. The remainder of the chapter serves as a mirror or microcosm of the book as a whole, providing synopsis of the IHC features of the major common tumors for each tissue and organ type. Emphasis is given to those IHC stains that are key to the diagnosis and those that assist in discrimination of different tumor types, and tumor subclassification, with the use of panels and tabulated summaries. Prognostic and predictive markers are described only where usage is currently established. Illustrations are used liberally for the purpose of depicting cellular and subcellular localization where this contributes to the diagnosis. While the focus is on those tumors encountered most commonly in practice, rarer entities are described in those cases where IHC staining is key to the diagnosis.
The Effect of School Integration on Community Integration.

The evidence presented in this study of 113 school districts in the U.S. from 1964 or earlier to 1975–76 suggests that school desegregation has a disintegrative effect during implementation and an integrative effect in post-implementation years. Although there is white flight from school desegregation in the year of implementation, post-implementation year losses tend to be less than normal. Assessing flight over a five-year period indicates the total loss is reduced to zero or even a benefit in all but city school districts that are 35 percent black or greater. In these school districts, the most extensive plans involving white reassignments to formerly black schools still exhibit an additional white enrollment loss of almost 6 percent over the five-year period. Nevertheless, this is less than half the implementation year loss.School desegregation is related to residential integration. Evidence from previous studies indicates that after school desegregation black parents often move into white neighborhoo...
The migration of propylene glycol, mono-, di-, and triethylene glycols from regenerated cellulose film into food.

Chocolates, boiled sweets, toffees, cakes and meat pies were wrapped in regenerated cellulose films (with or without coatings) that contained various mixtures of glycol softeners and which had been specially formulated for particular food applications. Samples were unwrapped at intervals (up to the end of the usual maximum shelf-life for the food) and analysed for their glycol content. Analysis involved homogenization of the food in hot water, removal of fats with hexane, precipitation of sugars with calcium hydroxide and analysis of the glycols by capillary gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC/ FID) after trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatization. Triethylene glycol was analysed by selected ion monitoring GC/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) as interference problems occurred with the GC/FID approach. The results of the study showed that higher levels of migration occurred for propylene glycol than for triethylene glycol and the presence of a coating reduced the migration of both softeners. Generally, mono- and diethylene glycol levels in the food samples were below 10 mg/kg, although some samples wrapped in polyethylene glycol-softened films contained levels approaching the current statutory limit of 50 mg/kg.
Baricitinib, a Janus kinase inhibitor, in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Janus kinases (JAKs) play an important role in intracellular signaling for multiple cytokines in the pathogenesis of RA. Baricitinib is an oral, selective JAK 1 and 2 inhibitor which has been shown to be effective in the treatment of RA in several clinical trials. This meta-analysis aims to aggregate currently available data to assess the overall efficacy and safety of baricitinib in RA. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL from inception through 09/24/17 with restriction to English language. We excluded meeting abstracts without full text publication. We used RevMan 5.3 to perform meta-analysis between groups on baricitinib (2 and 4 mg daily) and placebo using random effect model calculating odds ratio (OR) as well as 95% confidence interval (CI). Compared to placebo, 2 mg of baricitinib was more effective in achieving ACR20 [54 vs. 36.6%; OR 2.09; 95% CI 1.60–2.71; p < 0.00001; I2 0%], ACR50 [31.6 vs. 10.3%; OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.68–3.15; p < 0.00001; I2 0%], and ACR70 responses [18.7 vs. 5.1%; OR 4.05; 95% CI 2.54–6.44; p < 0.00001; I2 0%]. Similarly, 4 mg of baricitinib daily was more effective than placebo. Baricitinib 2 mg once daily did not increase any adverse events [65.3 vs. 62.4%; OR 1.03; 95% CI 0.80–1.34; p = 0.8; I2 0%], serious adverse events [3.5 vs. 5%; OR 0.68; 95% CI 0.37–1.27; p = 0.22; I2 0%], and herpes zoster [1.2 vs. 0.4%; OR 2.34; 95% CI 0.27–20.47; p = 0.44; I2 37%] as compared to placebo. Similarly, 4 mg of baricitinib did not increase the risk of serious adverse events but increased herpes zoster infection [OR 3.88; 95% CI 1.36–11.06; p = 0.01; I2 0%] when compared to placebo. Baricitinib is effective in treatment of RA, and did not appear to have significant safety concerns during the first 6 months of treatment.
Importance of knowledge in the behavioural treatment of panic disorder

Background Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for panic disorder encourages patients to learn about and make changes to thoughts and behaviour patterns that maintain symptoms of the disorder. Instruments to assess whether or not patients understand therapy content do not currently exist. Aims The aim of this study was to examine if increases within specific knowledge domains of panic disorder were related to improvement in panic symptoms following an intensive 2-day panic treatment. Method Thirty-nine Veterans enrolled in an intensive weekend panic disorder treatment completed knowledge measures immediately before the first session of therapy and at the end of the last day of therapy. Four panic disorder experts evaluated items and reached consensus on subscales. Subscales were reduced further to create psychometrically sound subscales of catastrophic misinterpretation (CM), behaviours (BE), and self-efficacy (SE). A simple regression analysis was conducted to determine whether increased knowledge predicted symptom change at a 3-month follow-up assessment. Results The overall knowledge scale was reduced to three subscales BE (n = 7), CM (n = 13) and SE (n = 8) with good internal consistency. Veterans' knowledge of panic disorder improved from pre- to post-treatment. Greater increase in scores on the knowledge assessment predicted lower panic severity scores at a 3-month follow-up. A follow-up analysis using the three subscales as predictors showed that only changes in CM significantly contributed to the prediction. Conclusions In an intensive therapy format, reduction in panic severity was related to improved knowledge overall, but particularly as a result of fewer catastrophic misinterpretations.
Making Medicines in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda in the AIDS Era: Toward a Sociology of Developmental Foreign Aid

Can foreign aid help the development of local industrial production in poor countries? Studies offer a range of reasons why foreign aid is doomed to fail. Anthropologists highlight the exploitative nature of foreign assistance, while economists emphasize the incompetence of international programs. This paper offers a sociological analysis that identifies specific conditions under which foreign aid can lead to the development and upgrading of local manufacturing. Based on a systematic comparison of local pharmaceutical companies in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, I show that foreign aid contributed to the development and upgrading of a local pharmaceutical industry when it provided three resources in particular: markets, monitoring, and mentoring. When donors were willing to procure local drugs, they created markets, which gave local entrepreneurs an incentive to produce the kinds of drugs donors would buy. When donors enforced exacting standards as a condition to access those markets, they gave local producers an incentive to improve the quality of their products. Finally, when donors provided guidance, it enabled local producers to meet the higher quality standards. Foreign aid has structural limits, however, and it is vulnerable to local conditions; state capacity, in particular, is an important constraint on aid9s effectiveness.
The preservation paradox and natural capital

Abstract Many ecological economists have argued that some natural capital should be preserved for posterity. Yet, among environmental philosophers, the preservation paradox entails that preserving parts of nature, including the items denoted by natural capital, is impossible. The paradox suggests that nature is a realm of phenomena independent of intentional human agency, and that preserving and restoring nature require intentional human agency. Therefore, no one can preserve or restore nature (without making it artificial). While this article argues that the preservation paradox is more difficult to resolve than ordinarily recognized, it also concludes by sketching a positive way forward to understand what it means to preserve natural capital during the Anthropocene.
A Blinded, Prospective Study of Error Detection During Physician Chart Rounds in Radiation Oncology.

Abstract Purpose Peer review during physician chart rounds is a major quality assurance and patient safety step in radiation oncology. However, the effectiveness of chart rounds in detecting problematic treatment plans is unknown. We performed a prospective blinded study of error detection at chart rounds to clarify the effectiveness of this quality assurance step. Methods and Materials Radiation Oncology Incident Learning System publications were queried for problematic plans approved for treatment that would be detectable at chart rounds. A resident physician, physicist, and dosimetrist collaboratively generated 20 treatment plans with simulated errors identical in nature to those reported to the Radiation Oncology Incident Learning System. These were inserted randomly into weekly chart rounds over 9 weeks, with a median of 2 problematic plans presented per chart rounds (range, 1-4). Data were collected on detection, attendance, length, and number of cases presented at chart rounds. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and univariable logistic regression with odds ratios. Results The median length of chart rounds over the study period was 60 minutes (range, 42-79); median number of cases presented per chart rounds was 45 (range, 38-50). The overall detection rate was 55% (11 of 20). Detection rates were higher for cases presented earlier in chart rounds: 75% versus 25% of problematic plans were detected within 30 minutes of start of chart rounds versus after 30 minutes (odds ratio, 0.11; 95% confidence interval, 0.01–0.88; P = .037). Detection rates showed a trend toward increase during the study period but this was not significant: 33% in weeks 1 to 5 and 73% during weeks 6 to 9 (5.3; 95% confidence interval, 0.78–36; P = .08). Conclusions The detection of clinically significant problematic plans during chart rounds could be significantly improved. Problematic plans are more frequently detected earlier in chart rounds and inserting such plans into chart rounds may enhance detection; however, larger studies are needed to confirm these findings. A multi-institutional study is planned.
Re-ACT: Remote Advanced Communication Training in a Time of Crisis.

Abstract Background We used a quality improvement framework to transform two-day and in-person advanced communication training (ACT) course into a remote ACT (Re-ACT) format to help clinicians improve serious illness conversation (SIC) skills. Measures We assessed the reach, impact, and costs of Re-ACT and compared these measures to in-person ACT courses. Interventions About 45–60 minutes of synchronous, remote sessions consisting of a didactic introduction to SIC skills, tailored to the SARS-Cov-2 (COVID-19) crisis, and a live demonstration of SICs with patient-actors. Outcomes The transition to Re-ACT sessions resulted in reaching a greater number of clinicians in less time, although depth of content and opportunities for skill practice decreased. Although both formats were well received, Re-ACT respondents felt less prepared than ACT respondents to use SIC skills. The costs of Re-ACT were significantly less than in-person ACT courses. Conclusions/Lessons Learned We provided effective and well-received SIC training during a time of crisis. Future work should further define the optimal mix of in-person and remote experiences to teach SIC skills.