cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Teegolf Company: To Exit or Not to Exit—Team 2

Kris Alexander is a newly appointed partner at the private equity firm Kohlberg & Co. Alexander is preparing an exit proposal for one of Kohlberg's portfolio companies, the TeeGolf Company. Alexander believes that TeeGolf has a great opportunity of selling for a purchase price that would achieve a return equal to or greater than the firm's target IRR of 25%. However, Alexander was concerned about the viability of the sale. Specifically, he wondered: would strategic buyers, who would pay premiums to financial sponsors, actually be interested in this business? How would the firm negotiate amongst potential buyers if several submitted bids? What if there was only one buyer interested? Had Kohlberg's valuation accounted for a potential recession? How should he account for the investment banking adviser fees in his recommendation to sell? To answer these questions, students will be required to evaluate different exit strategies from multiple perspectives, understand how to work with a leveraged buyout analysis, a discounted cash flow, and how to add in the effects of synergies. A negotiation exercise between Kohlberg and two potential buyers, private equity firm Leonard Green Partners and a strategic buyer GoGolf, can support the learnings around asymmetric information, ZOPA, and BATNA.This case works well in a module covering firm valuations and financial negotiations. It would complement the HBS note on negotiations and cases such as Kelly Solar and Wrigley/Mars. Excerpt UVA-QA-0895 Rev. May 24, 2018 TeeGolf Company: To Exit or Not To Exit Team 2 As Kris Alexander, a newly appointed partner at the private equity (PE) firm Kohlberg & Co. (Kohlberg), walked out of the firm's Q4 2016 Investment Committee (IC) meeting, he pondered about which Kohlberg portfolio company would be best to sell in the upcoming year. The Kohlberg IC members were pleased with the performance of the acquisitions they had made over the last few years—many of which had two or more years remaining before the firm's planned exit. However, the IC agreed that there was a potential opportunity now to sell some of its investments as the markets were riding at historic highs and the US economy was nearing its longest recession-free streak. The IC had tasked Alexander with presenting an exit proposal for one of its portfolio companies. Specifically, the IC was seeking a company that: (1) had the most to gain in an inflated market (or the most to lose in a recession), (2) had already fully realized any strategic changes or synergies Kohlberg had planned, (3)could be sold in an expedited sales process, and (4) could garner quick interest from strategic and financial buyers. These were all required conditions in order to make an early exit from a portfolio company at this stage. Alexander and his team analyzed their current portfolio companies against the IC criteria and presented their choice, TeeGolf Company (TeeGolf). Alexander strongly believed that TeeGolf had the greatest probability of meeting all four conditions, although it would not be certain until initiating the sales process. . . .
Longitudinal measures of maternal vitamin D and neonatal body composition.

Vitamin D status has been associated with fetal growth and offspring’s bone mass in some observational studies. We characterize the trajectory of total maternal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration by race and examine whether vitamin D status is associated with neonatal anthropometry and body composition as assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Three longitudinal pregnancy samples from the Memphis site of the Calcium for Preeclampsia Prevention trial (1992–1995) were used. Racial differences in total 25(OH)D trajectories (n = 343 women) were tested using an interaction term between blood draw gestational week and race in linear mixed-effects models. Linear regression and linear mixed-effects models estimated the adjusted associations between total 25(OH)D concentration with neonatal anthropometry and body composition (n = 252 with DXA) including interactions with infant sex and serum calcium. Total 25(OH)D concentration increased with gestational age, but its trajectory over pregnancy did not differ between African–American and Caucasian women. Deficient maternal vitamin D (25(OH)D concentration <20 ng/ml) was associated with lower neonatal total bone mineral density (β −0.009 g/cm2; 95% CI −0.016, −0.002). Among male newborns, deficiency was also associated with lower lean mass (−217 g; −391, −43) and birthweight (−308 g; −540, −76). Deficient maternal vitamin D was also associated with lower ponderal index (β –2.3 kg/m3; 95% CI −4.0, −0.5) among those in the lowest calcium tertile. Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy is associated with lower bone density and smaller size at birth in certain subgroups suggesting its importance in fetal development.
The Global-State Algorithms of Reciprocal Behavior

In beginning this chapter, I feel obligated to clarify the meaning of algorithm. Although unfamiliar to many of my generation, the word algorithm has come into popular parlance with the rise of computers and information technology. In a sense it is a buzzword, a word of currency and sophistication. When you use it, you let everyone know that you are “in the know”—technologically “cool,” perhaps. Let’s look deeper.
On the Possible Relationship of Cytochrome P-450 to Alcohol Metabolism: Fundamental Aspects of the Microsomal Hydroxylation System, Including Properties and Interactions of the Components

Recent studies on the cytochrome P-450-containing enzyme system of liver microsomes have shown that the cytochrome is present as a number of distinct isozymes, one of which is induced in vivo by the administration of aromatic hydrocarbons, as well as several forms which are less well characterized and not known to be inducible. The various cytochromes exhibit partially selective but overlapping activities with a variety of substrates. Additional components are NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase, which binds to the cytochrome to form a tight 1:1 complex, phosphatidylcholine, and cytochrome b 5, the role of which is still not clear. Recent evidence indicates that some of the components are mutually beneficial in favoring formation of a functional complex. For example, phosphatidylcholine enhances the binding of substrate and reductase to P-450LM2, reductase enhances the binding of phosphatidylcholine, and substrate (benzphetamine) facilitates the binding of reductase. The possible effect of ethanol on these interactions should be considered in evaluating the reported inhibition by high concentrations of ethanol of reactions catalyzed by liver microsomal cytochrome P-450.
18F-FDG PET/CT for Systemic Staging of Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer in Men

18F-FDG PET/CT has demonstrated substantial value in systemic staging of newly diagnosed breast cancer in women. However, it is not known whether breast cancer in male patients benefits similarly. This study assesses 18F-FDG PET/CT systemic staging in patients with newly diagnosed male breast cancer and determines detection rates for unsuspected distant metastases stratified by pre-PET/CT stage. Methods: In this Institutional Review Board-approved retrospective study, our Health Care Information System was screened for stage I-III male patients with breast cancer who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT before systemic or radiation therapy from 2004 to 2017. Initial stage was determined by mammography, ultrasound, or surgery. 18F-FDG PET/CT was evaluated to identify unsuspected extraaxillary regional nodal and distant metastases, and a post-PET/CT stage was determined. Rates of upstaging to stage IV were determined for each initial stage. Results: During the 14-y period, 10,124 unique patients underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT for breast cancer at our institution. Of these, 106 patients were men, and 39 of these patients were imaged at initial staging and met the inclusion criteria. Median age was 62 y (range, 31-90 y), most had ductal carcinoma (95%), and most were estrogen receptor-positive (97%). In 7 of 39 patients (18%), 18F-FDG PET/CT identified previously unsuspected distant metastases, which increased patient stage to IV. This included 3 of 19 (16%) initial stage IIB patients and 4 of 12 (33%) initial stage III patients. 18F-FDG PET/CT also detected an unsuspected synchronous lymphoma in 1 patient. Conclusion: 18F-FDG PET/CT revealed previously unsuspected distant metastases in 16% of male patients with pre-PET/CT stage IIB breast cancer and 33% of those with stage III breast cancer. These rates are comparable to previously published upstaging rates in female patients. 18F-FDG PET/CT demonstrates value for systemic staging of male patients with breast cancer and should be considered for use in newly diagnosed patients, particularly those with stage IIB and III disease.
Vacuolar hydrolysis and efflux: current knowledge and unanswered questions

Hydrolysis within the vacuole in yeast and the lysosome in mammals is required for the degradation and recycling of a multitude of substrates, many of which are delivered to the vacuole/lysosome by autophagy. In humans, defects in lysosomal hydrolysis and efflux can have devastating consequences, and contribute to a class of diseases referred to as lysosomal storage disorders. Despite the importance of these processes, many of the proteins and regulatory mechanisms involved in hydrolysis and efflux are poorly understood. In this review, we describe our current knowledge of the vacuolar/lysosomal degradation and efflux of a vast array of substrates, focusing primarily on what is known in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We also highlight many unanswered questions, the answers to which may lead to new advances in the treatment of lysosomal storage disorders. Abbreviations: Ams1: α-mannosidase; Ape1: aminopeptidase I; Ape3: aminopeptidase Y; Ape4: aspartyl aminopeptidase; Atg: autophagy related; Cps1: carboxypeptidase S; CTNS: cystinosin, lysosomal cystine transporter; CTSA: cathepsin A; CTSD: cathepsin D; Cvt: cytoplasm-to-vacuole targeting; Dap2: dipeptidyl aminopeptidase B; GS-bimane: glutathione-S-bimane; GSH: glutathione; LDs: lipid droplets; MVB: multivesicular body; PAS: phagophore assembly site; Pep4: proteinase A; PolyP: polyphosphate; Prb1: proteinase B; Prc1: carboxypeptidase Y; V-ATPase: vacuolar-type proton-translocating ATPase; VTC: vacuolar transporter chaperone.
The effect of fluconazole on oral methadone in dogs.

Abstract Objective To determine the effects of fluconazole on oral methadone pharmacokinetics and central effects mediated by opioid receptors in dogs. Study design Prospective, incomplete block. Animals A total of 12 healthy Beagle dogs. Methods Dogs were randomly allocated into two groups of six dogs. In total, four treatments (two treatments/group) were administered including: oral methadone (1 mg kg–1); oral fluconazole (5 mg kg–1) every 12 hours starting 24 hours prior to oral methadone (1 mg kg–1); oral fluconazole (2.5 mg kg–1) every 12 hours starting 24 hours prior to oral methadone (1 mg kg–1); and oral fluconazole (5 mg kg–1) every 24 hours starting 12 hours prior to oral methadone (1 mg kg–1). At least 28 days were implemented as a washout period between fluconazole treatments. Rectal temperature (RT), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (fR), sedation scores and blood samples were obtained for 24 hours after methadone administration. Plasma drug concentrations were measured with liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Results Significantly higher maximum plasma methadone concentration (mean, 25–46 ng mL–1) occurred in all fluconazole-administered treatments than in methadone alone (1.5 ng mL–1). The mean 12 hour methadone plasma concentration in fluconazole treatments was 11–20 ng mL–1. Significantly decreased RT and variable sedation occurred in all fluconazole treatments, but no changes occurred with methadone alone. There were no differences in HR or fR among treatments. Conclusions and clinical relevance Fluconazole significantly increases the extent and duration of oral methadone exposure in dogs resulting in significant central opioid effects.
Standardization of pediatric tracheostomy care with "Go-bags".

Abstract Objectives To describe how pediatric tracheostomy emergency supplies and education are standardized with the use of “Go-bags” and to demonstrate how this has impacted tracheostomy-related adverse events. Methods A prospective study was completed at an urban pediatric tertiary care center. Standardized “Go-bags” of tracheostomy supplies were provided to pediatric patients with tracheostomy. All caregivers received standardized tracheostomy education. Check lists were used to monitor contents at return visits or admissions. Tracheostomy related adverse events were tracked on all patients with tracheostomy from July 2016 to May 2018, and rates were compared for patients who had received a “Go-bag” to those who had not. Results 292 “Go-bags” were distributed during the two-year study period. 35% were distributed by inpatient respiratory therapists, 23% by the home ventilation team, and 22% by a tracheostomy clinic nurse. Supply checks have led to more than 185 cases of emergency tracheostomy equipment replacement. 35% of tracheostomy-related adverse event (TRAE) occurred in patients who did not have a “Go-bag”, while 22% of TRAEs occurred in patients who had “Go-bags”. Conclusion Standardized pediatric tracheostomy care is critical to patient safety, both in and out of the hospital. Standardized tracheostomy “Go-bags” are a simple and efficient method to educate caregivers, improve the quality of care for children with tracheostomy, and ultimately reduce tracheostomy related adverse events.
Real-Time Analysis and Signal Optimization for Charge Detection Mass Spectrometry

Charge detection mass spectrometry (CDMS) is an important tool for measuring mass distributions for high mass samples and heterogeneous mixtures. In CDMS, single ions are trapped and their m/z and charge are measured simultaneously. As a single particle technique, the average signal must be optimized to maximize the number of single ion trapping events. If the average signal is too small, most of the trapping events will be empty, and if the average signal is too large, most of the trapping events will contain multiple ions. In recent embodiments, the time domain signal from the trapped ion is analyzed by fast Fourier transforms. The analysis time is much longer that the data collection time which precludes real-time optimization of the experimental conditions. In this paper, we describe the implementation of CDMS with real-time analysis. Processing the data in real time allows the average signal intensities to be dynamically optimized to maximize the number of single ion trapping events. Real-time analysis also allows the experimental settings to be optimized in a timely manner to target specific mass regimes to maximize the useful information content of the measurements.
Isopleth: Supporting Sensemaking of Professional Web Applications to Create Readily Available Learning Experiences

Online resources can help novice developers learn basic programming skills, but few resources support progressing from writing working code to learning professional web development practices. We address this gap by advancing Readily Available Learning Experiences, a conceptual approach for transforming all professional web applications into opportunities for authentic learning. This article presents Isopleth, a web-based platform that helps learners make sense of complex code constructs and hidden asynchronous relationships in professional web code. Isopleth embeds sensemaking scaffolds informed by the learning sciences to (1) expose hidden functional and event-driven relationships, (2) surface functionally related slices of code, and (3) support learners manipulating the provided code representations. To expose event-driven relationships, Isopleth implements a novel technique called Serialized Deanonymization to determine and visualize asynchronous functional relationships. To evaluate Isopleth, we conducted a case study across 12 professional websites and a user study with 14 junior and senior developers. Results show that Isopleth’s sensemaking scaffolds helped to surface implementation approaches in event binding, web application design, and complex interactive features across a range of complex professional web applications. Moreover, Isopleth helped junior developers improve the accuracy of their conceptual models of how features are implemented by 31% on average.
Multivariate data analysis of growth medium trends affecting antibody glycosylation

Use of multivariate data analysis for the manufacturing of biologics has been increasing due to more widespread use of data-generating process analytical technologies (PAT) promoted by the US FDA. To generate a large dataset on which to apply these principles, we used an in-house model CHO DG44 cell line cultured in automated micro bioreactors alongside PAT with four commercial growth media focusing on antibody quality through N-glycosylation profiles. Using univariate analyses, we determined that different media resulted in diverse amounts of terminal galactosylation, high mannose glycoforms, and aglycosylation. Due to the amount of in-process data generated by PAT instrumentation, multivariate data analysis was necessary to ascertain which variables best modeled our glycan profile findings. Our principal component analysis revealed components that represent the development of glycoforms into terminally galacotosylated forms (G1F and G2F), and another that encompasses maturation out of high mannose glycoforms. The partial least squares model additionally incorporated metabolic values to link these processes to glycan outcomes, especially involving the consumption of glutamine. Overall, these approaches indicated a tradeoff between cellular productivity and product quality in terms of the glycosylation. This work illustrates the use of multivariate analytical approaches that can be applied to complex bioprocessing problems for identifying potential solutions.
Testability and repair of hereditary hypergraph properties

Recent works of Alon–Shapira (A characterization of the (natural) graph properties testable with one-sided error. Available at: ) and Rodl–Schacht (Generalizations of the removal lemma, Available at: ) have demonstrated that every hereditary property of undirected graphs or hypergraphs is testable with one-sided error; informally, this means that if a graph or hypergraph satisfies that property “locally” with sufficiently high probability, then it can be perturbed (or “repaired”) into a graph or hypergraph which satisfies that property “globally.” In this paper we make some refinements to these results, some of which may be surprising. In the positive direction, we strengthen the results to cover hereditary properties of multiple directed polychromatic graphs and hypergraphs. In the case of undirected graphs, we extend the result to continuous graphs on probability spaces and show that the repair algorithm is “local” in the sense that it only depends on a bounded amount of data; in particular, the graph can be repaired in a time linear in the number of edges. We also show that local repairability also holds for monotone or partite hypergraph properties (this latter result is also implicitly in (Ishigamis work Removal lemma for infinitely-many forbidden hypergraphs and property testing. Available at: arXiv.org: math.CO-0612669)). In the negative direction, we show that local repairability breaks down for directed graphs or for undirected 3-uniform hypergraphs. The reason for this contrast in behavior stems from (the limitations of) Ramsey theory. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 2010
Academic Course Evaluations in Health Sciences Can Be a Joke: A Cross-sectional Examination of whether Students Appreciate a Professor’s Sense of Humor

ABSTRACTBackground: There is some evidence that humor can be used effectively in teaching, to maintain student interest in the material and potentially to reduce academic stress. Purpose: To examin...
Restaging Patients with Rectal Cancer Following Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation: A Systematic Review.

In the USA, most patients with clinical stage II/III rectal cancer receive neoadjuvant chemoradiation (chemo/XRT) over 5–6 weeks followed by a 6–10-week break before proctectomy. As chemotherapy is delivered at radio-sensitizing doses, there is essentially a 3-month window during which potential systemic disease is untreated. Evidence regarding the utility of restaging patients prior to proctectomy is limited. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched for studies evaluating the utility of restaging patients with rectal cancer after completion of long-course chemo/XRT, and reporting associated changes in management. Studies that were non-English, included <50 patients, or examining the diagnostic accuracy of imaging modalities were excluded. Study quality was evaluated using the modified Newcastle Ottawa Scale. Eight studies were identified including a total of 1251 patients restaged between completion of chemo/XRT and proctectomy. All studies were retrospective. Restaging identified new metastatic disease in 72 (6.0%) patients, with 4 studies reporting specific sites: liver (n = 28), lung (n = 8), adrenal (n = 1), bone (n = 1), and multiple sites (n = 7). Overall progression (distant or local) was detected in 88 (7.0%) patients and resulted in a change in management in 77 (87.5%) of these patients. Tumor-related prognostic characteristics were inconsistently reported among studies, precluding meta-analysis. Although restaging between completion of neoadjuvant chemo/XRT and proctectomy detects disease progression in only a small percentage of patients, findings alter the treatment plan in the vast majority of these patients. Multi-institutional collaboration with analysis of well-defined prognostic variables may better identify patients most likely to benefit from restaging.
The Chivalrous Bystander: The Role of Gender-Based Beliefs and Empathy on Bystander Behavior and Perceived Barriers to Intervention

Despite substantial evidence demonstrating a relation between gender-based beliefs and violence against women, there has been little research examining whether sexist attitudes are related to prosocial bystander behavior. Understanding psychosocial influences on bystanders' behavior could inform bystander training programs on college campuses, and so the current study examined the unique and joint effects of three gender-based attitudes (rape myth acceptance, hostile sexism, and benevolent sexism) and empathy in predicting bystander behavior and perceived barriers to intervention in situations that undergraduates (N = 500; 70% female; Mage = 18.86 years) had experienced in the prior year. Benevolent sexism was the only gender-based attitude consistently associated with bystander behavior and perceived barriers. After accounting for participant empathy, benevolent sexism uniquely predicted less intervention in post-assault situations, greater perceived barriers in pre- and post-assault situations, and greater Failure to Perceive Responsibility and Skill Deficit barriers across situations. Associations between gender-based attitudes and bystander behavior also differed for men and women, with rape myth acceptance predicting greater Failure to Perceive Responsibility barriers and benevolent sexism predicting greater Skill Deficit barriers for women but not men. These results suggest that existing bystander education programs can be improved by explicitly addressing benevolent sexist beliefs and promoting empathy for victims of assault.
Postnatal β-adrenergic desensitization caused by chronic prenatal hypoxia is linked to anincrease in Gas and decreased β1AR/β2AR ratio

Prenatal hypoxia leads to growth restriction and increased risk of adult cardiovascular disease. We have previously demonstrated that prenatal hypoxia desensitizes the 5 week chicken heart, but has ...
Supersonic flutter of sandwich panels: effects of face sheet bending stiffness, rotary inertia, and orthotropic core shear stiffnesses

Numerical analysis of supersonic flutter of flat rectangular, biaxilly stressed sandwich panels
Inhibition of RalB geranylgeranylation is required for GGTI suppression of proliferation and induction of apoptosis

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 47, 2006 3800 It is estimated that about one hundred human proteins can be geranylgeranylated by the enzyme geranylgeranyltransferase I (GGTase I). Some of these GGTase I substrates are believed to mediate oncogenesis, invasion and metastasis. Furthermore, inhibition of GGTase I with GGTIs result in G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, but the GGTase I substrates critical in GGTI antitumor activity are not known. In this abstract we provide evidence for the involvement of the geranylgeranylated small GTPase RalB. We have made RalA-F and RalB-F mutants that are exclusively farnesylated and showed that, like their wild type geranylgeranylated RalA-GG and RalB-GG, they localize to membranous cellular components. Treatment with FTIs, but not with GGTIs, mislocalized to the cytoplasm RalA-F and RalB-F but not RalA-GG and RalB-GG. Similarly, treatment with GGTIs, but not with FTIs, mislocalized the geranylgeranylated but not the farnesylated forms of the Ral proteins. Importantly, RalB-F but not RalA-F, rescued cells from GGTI induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. These data strongly implicate inhibition of RalB geranylgeranylation in the mechanism by which GGTIs inhibit proliferation and induce programmed cell death.
Production of immunoreactive growth hormone by mononuclear leukocytes

In the present study, we evaluated whether mononuclear leukocytes could synthesize and secrete growth hormone (GH) in vitro. By using RNA slot blot analysis, we detected maximum spontaneous levels of specific GH mRNA in the cytoplasm of rat leukocytes after a 4-h incubation. Northern gel analysis demonstrated that the specific leukocyte GH RNA was polyadenylated and had a molecular mass of 1.0 kb. Further studies using immunofluorescence, antibody affinity chromatography, and Sephacryl gel filtration indicate that leukocytes secrete a high molecular weight (greater than 300,000) and a low molecular weight (approximately 22,000) immunoreactive GH (irGH). A substantial amount of the high molecular weight irGH can be converted to the lower molecular weight form after reduction with mercaptoethanol. The irGH appeared to be de novo synthesized because it could be radiolabeled with tritiated amino acids and its production could be blocked by previous incubation of leukocytes with cycloheximide. The replication of Nb2 rat node lymphoma cells was stimulated by affinity-purified human lymphocyte-derived irGH. The growth stimulation was blocked by specific antibodies to hGH. We conclude that lymphocytes produce an irGH that is similar to if not identical to pituitary GH in terms of bioactivity, antigenicity, and molecular weight. The findings demonstrate a potential regulatory loop between the immune and neuroendocrine tissues.
Hybrid opportunistic radar over long term evolution networks

Passive radar systems that use an illuminator of choice have been extensively studied over the past decade because they are difficult to detect and cheaper to deploy. Among the signals investigated for passive radar are FM radio, DVB-T and cellular networks. Recently, UMTS and Long Term Evolution (LTE) signals have been considered for passive radar. In this paper we study specific aspects of LTE signals that make them profoundly different from other signals for passive radars. We show that the LTE protocol can be exploited to serve as an active radar when combined with an LTE enabled receiver. We explain how the transmitted waveforms can be controlled by PMI feedback and from the cellular unit to the base station to form an active MIMO radar.
Anion-specific effects on the streptokinase activation of human plasminogen.

Abstract Bicarbonate buffer was found to slow down the rate of human plasminogen activation by streptokinase. Increasing the pH of the activation medium from 7 to 10 or increasing the bicarbonate concentration to 0.3 m not only slowed down the rate of activation, but also gradually transformed the normally first order kinetics to a sigmoid pattern of development. The use of borate, instead of bicarbonate, buffer in the same pH and concentration range produced only insignificant changes in the rate of activation. The pH dependence of the bicarbonate effect suggests that the active ionic species is probably carbonate, rather than bicarbonate. The sigmoid pattern of development is interpreted as resulting from a decrease in the rate of formation of "activator," a hypothetical streptokinase-proactivator complex, thought to be responsible for the catalytic conversion of plasminogen to plasmin. The use of bicarbonate permitted the detection of the process of activator formation separately from that of activator action, thereby lending support to the activator theory of human plasminogen activation by streptokinase. It is also observed that the pH profile of the proteolytic action of plasmin is markedly affected by bicarbonate. In addition, it is shown that, contrary to prevailing notions, e-aminocaproic acid does not prevent completely plasminogen activation by streptokinase, when measured by the casein assay. In the presence of bicarbonate, however, this inhibition is complete.
Structuring Spaces: Oral Poetics and Architecture in Early Medieval England

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Lori Ann Garner Year: 2011 Pages: 367 Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press ISBN: 978-0-268-02980-7 (soft cover).
Effect of Gain Length on Hydrogen Fluoride Chemical Laser Amplifier Performance

An amplifier performance model that predicts a device's amplifier performance given the device's oscillator performance as a function of reflectivity was developed. Excellent agreement between single pass model predictions and single pass experimental data was obtained. The model was used to predict amplifier performance as the gain length was scaled from 0.3 to 4 m for three different lasers. When the amplifier performance curve is plotted in terms of nondimensiona l powers font vs ftn, gain length dependent, device independent curves result. The nondimensional amplifier performance curve showed that, with a single pass amplifier, one 0.3-m oscillator may be able to drive three amplifiers and one 4-m oscillator might be able to drive eight amplifiers. These results, which are independent of device, are sensitive to the oscillator power vs reflectivity performance curve in the 0-20% reflectivity range.
Sequence Diversity of Flagellin (fliC) Alleles in Pathogenic Escherichia coli

To study the molecular evolution of flagellin, the protein subunit specifying flagellar (H) antigens, the fliC genes from 15 pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli were amplified by PCR and sequenced. Comparison of fliC sequences of H6 and H7 strains revealed that alleles have a mosaic structure indicating the occurrence of past horizontal transfer of DNA segments between strains. The close similarity of H7 sequences also indicates the exchange of an entire fliC H7 allele between distant clonal lineages. In addition, the ratio of silent substitutions to amino acid replacements suggests that a short segment in the central region of fliC has been under positive selection in the divergence of H6 and H7 alleles. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrates that the fliC sequences of O157:H7 and O55:H7 serotypes are nearly identical and highly divergent from those of E. coli strains expressing H6 and H2 flagellar antigens. A nonmotile clone of sorbitol-fermenting O157 has rapidly accumulated multiple mutations in fliC, presumably as a result of the silencing of flagellin expression.
Defects in insulin receptor signaling in vivo in the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are insulin resistant secondary to a postbinding defect in insulin signaling. Sequential euglycemic glucose clamp studies at 40 and 400 mU · m−2 · min−1 ...
Lidocaine infusions: Effect of duration and method of discontinuation on recurrence of arrhythmias and pharmacokinetic variables

The effect of abrupt versus gradual discontinuation of lidocaine hydrochloride infusion on the incidence of recurrent ventricular arrhythmia and on lidocaine pharmacokinetics was studied. Twenty-nine patients with documented myocardial infarction receiving no other antiarrhythmic drugs and having no evidence of congestive heart failure, liver disease or renal failure were randomly assigned to one or two groups: Group 1--lidocaine infusion was abruptly discontinued after a course of therapy, and Group 2--lidocaine infusion was tapered over a three-hour period. Lidocaine blood levels were measured at the abrupt discontinuation of an infusion or the initiation of tapering and three hours later. Cardiac rhythms were monitored until patients were transferred from the coronary care unit. Three of 18 patients in Group I and two of 11 patients in Group 2 had recurrent ventricular arrhythmias at least 12 hours after idocaine infusion was stopped. The duration of infusion did not correlate with the recurrence of ventricular arrhythmia. In patients infused with lidocaine for 36 hours or less, apparent body clearance was significantly faster than that in patients infused with lidocaine for longer than 36 hours (p less than 0.01). There was no difference in the incidence of recurrent ventricular arrhythmias when comparing abrupt cessation of lidocaine with three-hour tapering. Lidocaine infusion rates may have to be decreased after 36 hours to avoid accumulation of the drug.
Understanding Latent Tuberculosis: A Moving Target

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a threat to the health of people worldwide. Infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis can result in active TB or, more commonly, latent infection. Latently infected persons, of which there are estimated to be ~2 billion in the world, represent an enormous reservoir of potential reactivation TB, which can spread to other people. The immunology of TB is complex and multifaceted. Identifying the immune mechanisms that lead to control of initial infection and prevent reactivation of latent infection is crucial to combating this disease.
What are the Patterns of Prophylactic Postoperative Oral Antibiotic Use After Foot and Ankle Surgery

Background The CDC estimates 23% of healthcare-associated infections to be surgical site infections, with alarming prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms. While there is consensus regarding preoperative prophylaxis, orthopaedic surgeons’ use of prophylactic postoperative oral antibiotics is less defined.
Design of artificial skin with integrated tactile sensors for anthropomorphic robotic hands

In order to provide anthropomorphic robotic hands with adequate frictional contact and proper tactile sensing during dexterous manipulation it is necessary to develop artificial skin that is easy-to-implement and compatible with existing designs of robotic hands. In this paper, we detail the design of a set of artificial skin pads that can accommodate a complex surface topology for a variety of robotic hands. The multi-layered artificial skin is composed of deformable thermoplastic, 3D printed frame, force sensing tactile element (sensel), and a silicon rubber epidermis. The prototyping process makes the most of 3D printing technology, and takes important factors such as maintainability and modification into consideration. A unique design for the thumb web is proposed, a crucial component for stabilizing tools and trigger operated tasks. We also address the importance of biomimetically replicating the tapered fingertip of the human hand based on an analysis of stiffness at distal joints of a robotic hand while performing a precision grip. Overall, we show our skin design to be adaptable to different design constraints.
1007-21 Effects of Changes in Atrioventricular Gradient and Isovolumic Relaxation Rates on Radionuclide Diastolic Filling in Man

The relative influences of the left atrioventricular gradient (AVG) and the time constant of isovolumic relaxation (TAU) on diastolic filling parameters by radionuclide angiography (RNA) in man are unknown. Therefore, 8 atrially paced patients without coronary artery disease underwent simultaneous RNA with micromanometer measurements of left atrial (LA) pressure, left ventricular (LV) pressure and TAU during baseline and steady-state infusions of nitroprusside (NIP), dobutamine (DOB), and phenylephrine (PHEN). RNA was acquired in 32 frames and Fourier fitted to obtain peak filling rate (PFR) and non-normalized PFR (NNPFR). Results below are % change (Δ%) from baseline ( ± SD). NIP (Δ%) DOB (Δ%) PHEN (Δ%) TAU 4 ± 11 –18 ± 7 * 11 ± 12 * LA pressure –25 ± 13 * –12 ± 11 * 52 ± 35 * AVG –27 ± 18 * –12 ± 29 82 ± 63 * PFR –8 ± 7 * –14 ± 12 * 6 ± 11 NNPFR –28 ± 9 * –21 ± 19 * 29 ± 29 * * p l 005 Despite an augmented active relaxation with DOB, peak filling rate decreased significantly in response to decreased LA pressure. We conclude the RNA diastolic filling indices are critically dependent on the LA component of the AVG.
Complexity of the MSG gene family of Pneumocystis carinii

The relationship between the parasitic fungus Pneumocystis carinii and its host, the laboratory rat, presumably involves features that allow the fungus to circumvent attacks by the immune system. It is hypothesized that the major surface glycoprotein (MSG) gene family endows Pneumocystis with the capacity to vary its surface. This gene family is comprised of approximately 80 genes, which each are approximately 3 kb long. Expression of the MSG gene family is regulated by a cis-dependent mechanism that involves a unique telomeric site in the genome called the expression site. Only the MSG gene adjacent to the expression site is represented by messenger RNA. Several P. carinii MSG genes have been sequenced, which showed that genes in the family can encode distinct isoforms of MSG. The vast majority of family members have not been characterized at the sequence level. The first 300 basepairs of MSG genes were subjected to analysis herein. Analysis of 581 MSG sequence reads from P. carinii genomic DNA yielded 281 different sequences. However, many of the sequence reads differed from others at only one site, a degree of variation consistent with that expected to be caused by error. Accounting for error reduced the number of truly distinct sequences observed to 158, roughly twice the number expected if the gene family contains 80 members. The size of the gene family was verified by PCR. The excess of distinct sequences appeared to be due to allelic variation. Discounting alleles, there were 73 different MSG genes observed. The 73 genes differed by 19% on average. Variable regions were rich in nucleotide differences that changed the encoded protein. The genes shared three regions in which at least 16 consecutive basepairs were invariant. There were numerous cases where two different genes were identical within a region that was variable among family members as a whole, suggesting recombination among family members. A set of sequences that represents most if not all of the members of the P. carinii MSG gene family was obtained. The protein-changing nature of the variation among these sequences suggests that the family has been shaped by selection for protein variation, which is consistent with the hypothesis that the MSG gene family functions to enhance phenotypic variation among the members of a population of P. carinii.
Influence of the Body Sway in Standing of the Change of Visual Information; Fluctuation by View and Saccade.

The present study was designed to investigate the influence on body sway in standing of changes in visual information by view and saccade stimulation. Subjects were seven healthy adults. In Experiment 1, participants maintained standing with legs together on a center of foot pressure platform with 1) central vision, and 2) periphery vision under eyes open conditions for thirty seconds. The central vision value was significantly decreased compared to the periphery vision. This result implies as the influence of the change of visual information by saccadic eye movement. In Experiment 2, participants maintained standing with legs together and tandem on a center of foot pressure platform with 1) natural view, and 2) saccade stare under eyes open conditions for ten seconds. There was no significant difference between natural view and saccade stare under either condition. The cause of the increased sway was not the influence of the change of vision by saccadic eye movement, which suggests a decrease in the relative quality of information of objects in periphery vision.
Feeling like a state: social emotion and identity

Can one use emotion at anything other than the individual level of analysis? Emotion happens in biological bodies, not in the space between them, and this implies that group emotion is nothing but a collection of individuals experiencing the same emotion. This article contends that group-level emotion is powerful, pervasive, and irreducible to individuals. People do not merely associate with groups (or states), they can become those groups through shared culture, interaction, contagion, and common group interest. Bodies produce emotion that identities experience: group-level emotion can be stronger than, and different from, emotion experienced as an individual; group members share, validate, and police each others’ feelings; and these feelings structure relations within and between groups in international politics. Emotion goes with identity.
A two-stage filter for smoothing multivariate noisy data on unstructured grids☆

Abstract Experimental data as well as numerical simulations are very often affected by “noise”, random fluctuations that distort the final output or the intermediate products of a numerical process. In this paper, a new method for smoothing data given on nonstructured grids is proposed. It takes advantage of the smoothing properties of kernel-weighted averaging and least-squares techniques. The weighted averaging is performed following a Shepard-like procedure, where Gaussian kernels are employed, while least-squares fitting is reduced to the use of very few basis functions so as to improve smoothness, though at the price of interpolation accuracy. Once we have defined an n -point grid and want to make a smoothed fit at a given grid point, this method reduces to consideration of all m -point stencils (for a given value of m where m n ) that include that point, and to make a least-squares fitting, for that particular point, in each of those stencils; finally, the various results, thus obtained, are weight-averaged, the weights being inversely proportional to the distance of the point to the middle of the stencil. Then this process is repeated for all the grid points so as to obtain the smoothing of the input function. Though this method is generalized for the multivariate case, one-, two-, and five-dimensional test cases are shown as examples of the performance of this method.
Fire history, related to climate and land use in three southern Appalachian landscapes in the eastern United States

Fire-maintained ecosystems and associated species are becoming increasingly rare in the southern Appalachian Mountains because of fire suppression policies implemented in the early 20th century. Restoration of these communities through prescribed fire has been hindered by a lack of information on historical fire regimes. To characterize past fire regimes, we collected and absolutely dated the tree rings on cross sections from 242 fire-scarred trees at three different sites in the southern Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina. Our objectives were to (1) characterize the historical frequency of fire in southern Appalachian mixed pine-oak forests, (2) assess the impact of interannual climatic variability on the historical occurrence of fire, and (3) determine whether changes in human culture and land use altered the frequency of fire. Results demonstrate that fires burned frequently at all three sites for at least two centuries prior to the implementation of fire suppression and prevention in the early to mid 20th century. Composite mean fire return intervals were 2-4 yr, and point mean fire return intervals were 9-13 yr. Area-wide fires that burned across multiple stands occurred at 6-13-yr intervals. The majority of fires were recorded during the dormant season. Fire occurrence exhibited little relationship with reconstructed annual drought conditions. Also, fire activity did not change markedly during the transition from Native American to Euro- American settlement or during the period of industrial logging at the start of the 20th century. Fire activity declined significantly, however, during the fire suppression period, with a nearly complete absence of fire during recent decades. The characterization of past fire regimes should provide managers with specific targets for restoration of fire-associated communities in the southern Appalachian Mountains. The fire chronologies reported here are among the longest tree-ring reconstructions of fire history compiled for the eastern United States and support the hypothesis that frequent burning has played a long and important role in the development of forests in the southern Appalachian Mountains.
Engineering kinetics for hydrothermal oxidation of hazardous organic substances

Supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) can decontaminate hazardous organic wastes, including mixtures whose constituents vary widely in their susceptibility to oxidation. The SCWO kinetics of complex organic wastes are analyzed using a mathematical model that eliminates the substantial input requirements and computationally demanding mathematics of multistep, component-specific rate expressions. The approach assumes that SCWO occurs by an infinite set of independent, parallel, first-order chemical reactions, with a continuous distribution of activation energies. The resulting model, distributed activation energies model (DAEM), was applied by earlier workers to other kinetics problems of comparable complexity, inter alia, decay of molecular defects in solids, and coal pyrolysis. A three-parameter DAEM is shown to correlate the SCWO kinetics of eight organic wastes, including several complex mixtures. These wastes are: JP-5 aviation fuel, Velsicol H537 hydraulic fluid, aqueous methanol solutions, NaOH and NH4OH hydrolysates of solid rocket propellants, an orange military dye marker, municipal sewage sludge, and alcohol distillery waste water. The model was separately parameterized for each waste by best fitting its predictions of conversion as affected by residence time and/or temperature to experimental data from various investigators. A satisfying correlation resulted for each case. Illustrative reactor engineering calculations demonstrate DAEM's superiority to a single reaction model in sizing a PFR for SCWO of a complex organic mixture. The times required to achieve 99.99% destruction of different wastes depend strongly on the nature of the waste and differ by about three orders of magnitude from the most labile waste to the most refractory waste.