cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Disaster and degradation management: relevance of the concept of flexibility

This paper attempts to present the case that the concept of flexibility is very relevant to the subject of disaster and degradation management in transportation systems. Fundamentally flexibility concepts provide measures of the ability of a system to maintain satisfactory performance when uncontrollable and often unforeseen events (disasters) occur. Thus they provide a basis for planning, design and operation management in a broad sense of systems so that the impact of disasters is minimised. This is argued from a conceptual standpoint, addressing the kinds of issues that disasters create, and the scope of flexibility analysis. Finally, examples of such analyses are given, using the taxonomy of types of system degradation that results from a flexibility perspective.
Multitasking on a Single Device: Arousal and the Frequency, Anticipation, and Prediction of Switching Between Media Content on a Computer

This study measured arousal responses to multitasking by recording switches between content on personal computers over a day. Results showed that switches occurred every 19 seconds, more often than has been reported in previous research. Arousal was highest at the point of a switch with declines in skin conductance afterward. Switches were also preceded by a 12-second period of increasing skin conductance. 2 new methods were used, one an original application that recorded screen shots, and another that measured changes in skin conductance during the day using a wrist sensor. Results are discussed in light of increasing use of single devices displaying multiple types of content, rather than multitasking that occurs when attention is divided between content on multiple devices.
Epigenome-wide ovarian cancer analysis identifies a methylation profile differentiating clear-cell histology with epigenetic silencing of the HERG K+ channel

Ovarian cancer remains the leading cause of death in women with gynecologic malignancies, despite surgical advances and the development of more effective chemotherapeutics. As increasing evidence indicates that clear-cell ovarian cancer may have unique pathogenesis, further understanding of molecular features may enable us to begin to understand the underlying biology and histology-specific information for improved outcomes. To study epigenetics in clear-cell ovarian cancer, fresh frozen tumor DNA (n = 485) was assayed on Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChips. We identified a clear-cell ovarian cancer tumor methylation profile (n = 163) which we validated in two independent replication sets (set 1, n = 163; set 2, n = 159), highlighting 22 CpG loci associated with nine genes (VWA1, FOXP1, FGFRL1, LINC00340, KCNH2, ANK1, ATXN2, NDRG21 and SLC16A11). Nearly all of the differentially methylated CpGs showed a propensity toward hypermethylation among clear-cell cases. Several loci methylation inversely correlated with tumor gene expression, most notably KCNH2 (HERG, a potassium channel) (P = 9.5 × 10−7), indicating epigenetic silencing. In addition, a predicted methylation class mainly represented by the clear-cell cases (20 clear cell out of 23 cases) had improved survival time. Although these analyses included only 30 clear-cell carcinomas, results suggest that loss of expression of KCNH2 (HERG) by methylation could be a good prognostic marker, given that overexpression of the potassium (K+) channel Eag family members promotes increased proliferation and results in poor prognosis. Validation in a bigger cohort of clear-cell tumors of the ovary is warranted.
Predicate rewriting for translating Boolean queries in a heterogeneous information system

Searching over heterogeneous information sources is difficult in part because of the nonuniform query languages. Our approach is to allow users to compose Boolean queries in one rich front-end language. For each user query and target source, we transform the user query into a subsuming query that can be supported by the source but that may return extra documents. The results are then processed by a filter query to yield the correct final results. In this article we introduce the architecture and associated mechanism for query translation. In particular, we discuss techniques for rewriting predicates in Boolean queries into native subsuming forms, which is a basis of translating complex queries. In addition, we present experimental results for evaluating the cost of postfiltering. We also discuss the drawbacks of this approach and cases when it may not be effective. We have implemented prototype versions of these mechanisms and demonstrated them on heterogeneous Boolean systems.
A Reconfigurable Analog Neural Network for Evolvable Hardware Applications: Intrinsic Evolution and Extrinsic Verification

Continuous Time Recurrent Neural Networks (CTRNN) have been proposed for use as reconfigurable hardware for Evolvable Hardware (EH) applications. Our previous work demonstrated a fully programmable hardware CTRNN using off-the-shelf components and provided verification of its utility in extrinsic EH. However, applicability for intrinsic usage was not studied. This work addresses that unanswered issue and demonstrates that configurations evolved in the hardware are behaviorally equivalent to simplified state equation models. Further, this work also provides strong similarity metrics to compare the hardware’s performance with software simulated CTRNN models.
A MODIFIED RESIDUAL METHOD TO ESTIMATE THE ZERO‐ORDER ABSORPTION RATE CONSTANT IN A ONE‐COMPARTMENT MODEL

The objective of this work was to develop a simple residual method to estimate the rate constant for actual or apparent zero-order absorption into a one-compartment model. The method is based on the fact that, in theory, a plot of residuals versus e-Kt is linear for a zero-order absorption process, where K represents the elimination rate constant governing the terminal phase of the concentration-time profile. The apparent absorption rate constant (K0) can be calculated from the slope and intercept of the residual plot. Simulated concentration-time data with superimposed random error (CV = 5, 10, 15%, n = 8), as well as data sets from the literature for hydroflumethiazide and theophylline were analyzed with the proposed method of residuals. Parameters derived with the new technique were compared to both the nonlinear least-squares regression and the Wagner-Nelson method, all of which yield comparable K0 estimates. These results indicate that the proposed method of residuals represents a simple approach for estimating the apparent zero-order absorption rate constant analogous to classic residual analysis for first-order absorption.
Secondary DNA structures as molecular targets for cancer therapeutics.

DNA sequence information is pivotal to transcription, replication and recombination. DNA structure is dependent upon intracellular conditions such as ion concentration and the presence of proteins that may bind to DNA to facilitate the interconversion between different forms and to stabilize specific secondary structures. Dependent upon the primary DNA sequence, purine- and pyrimidine-rich strands of DNA can adopt four-stranded structures known as G-quadruplexes and i-motifs, respectively. These structures have been proposed to exist in biologically important regions of DNA, e.g. at the end of chromosomes and in the regulatory regions of oncogenes such as c-myc. Proteins such as topoisomerase I and Rap1 can facilitate the formation of G-quadruplex structures, and for transcriptional activation of c-myc, proteins such as NM23-H2 and hnRNP K are required. These proteins bind to the non-duplex forms of the nuclease hypersensitivity element III(1) of c-myc. The design and synthesis of small molecules that target these secondary DNA structures and the biochemical and biological effects of these compounds are of potential importance in cancer chemotherapy.
A Nonlinear Decomposition Principle

A decomposition principle is developed for nonlinear optimization problems. This principle also allows certain classes of problems with convex objective functions subject to concave constraints to be transformed into a problem with convex objective function with convex constraints.
The legacy of WSI research in MCM test/repair strategies

It is pointed out that, as MCMs (multi-chip modules) develop, a suitable design-for-manufacturability strategy will need to emerge, reducing MCM costs while retaining the performance advantages of MCMs. Three issues are considered: (1) a suitable analytic model of defects (and their generation of faults) suitable for application of 'design for defect avoidance' and 'design for fault avoidance' approaches; (2) the detectability of faults and localization of repairable faults; and (3) approaches for in-process physical repair of fault-producing defects. It is noted that MCMs offer conditions quite different from traditional WSI (wafer scale integration), particularly in the absence of active circuitry which may fail. In this sense, techniques which have not yet proved practical for successful production of WSI circuits may have considerable application for MCMs. >
A New Engineering Approach for Converting Vehicle Brake System to Silicone Brake Fluid

Nouvelle methode pour convertir un systeme de freinage de vehicule en vue d'utiliser un autre fluide hydraulique (fluide silicone)
Octahedral metal carbonyls

Abstract Studies of the rates of reaction of the Group VI-B metal hexacarbonyls (M = Cr, Mo, W) with benzylamine, cyclohexylamine and aniline (amine) support a rate law, −d[M(CO) 6 ] /dt = k 1 [M(CO) 6] + k 2 [M9CO)6] [amine]. The rate law is suggestive of two competing mechanisms, with the amine-independent path involving rate-determining dissociation of CO followed by amine uptake (D). The remarkable parallelism in rates for the competing processes for all three metals suggests the same factors to influence the rate of reaction by each path. Activation parameters for reaction of Mo(CO) 6 with benzylamine, and the relative insensitivity of the rate to the identity of a wide variety of incoming nucleophiles for the amine-dependent path support a mechanism (I d , in which M-CO bond breaking is very important. Comparisons of second-order rate constants for reactions of amines, and phosphines and phosphites indicate relatively little τ-interaction in the transition state for substitution reactions of the latter.
Abstract 843: Inhibition of AKT signaling promotes FOXO3a-dependent apoptosis in castration-resistant prostate cancer cells.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC Treatment for aggressive prostate cancers involves hormonal ablation therapy, radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or in combination. Despite their initial sensitivity to these treatments, prostate cancer eventually progresses to castration -resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), which is both aggressive and refractory to current therapeutic modalities. Hence, CRPC demands the identification of novel targeted therapies with minimal side effects. We identified Withaferin-A (WA) a major bioactive compound derived from the medicinal plant, Withania somnifera, is extensively used in Asian herbal medicines to treat a variety of ailments, including cancer. Earlier, we reported that WA induced the pro-apoptotic gene, prostate apoptosis response-4 (Par-4) and apoptosis in CRPC cells. These results encouraged us to determine the mechanism of action of WA on CRPC cells. It is known that activated AKT negatively regulates forkhead transcription factor class O family protein (FOXO3a) that regulates genes involved with tumorigenesis, cell cycle arrest or apoptosis. In the present study, we found that FOXO3a is an upstream of Par-4 signaling which transactivates Par-4 function in CRPC cells. Inhibition of AKT activation by WA facilitates nuclear translocation of FOXO3a which in turn activates Par-4 mediated apoptosis in CRPC cells. Our confocal and immuno-precipitation studies confirmed that upon activation. FOXO3a and Par-4 were co-localized in the nucleus. Similar results were found with overexpression of FOXO3a showing transactivation of Par-4 and growth arrest in CRPC cells. Treatment of actinomycin-D or cyclohexmide along with WA, confirmed that FOXO3a regulation on Par-4 function in CRPC cells. On contrary, inhibition of FOXO3a by siRNA resulted in down regulation of Par-4 and apoptosis by WA in CRPC cells suggesting FOXO3a activation is necessary for the induction of Par-4 mediated apoptosis. Promoter bashing studies suggest a direct interaction of FOXO3a with Par-4 promoter; a sequential deletion of FOXO3a DNA binding sites in Par-4 promoter fails to induce Par-4 activation upon WA treatment in CRPC cells. Overall, our studies conclude that Par-4 is a target of FOXO3a, and Par-4 activation is required for induction of apoptosis in CRPC cells. Activation of FOXO3a is an attractive target for the treatment of CRPC and molecules such as WA can be explored further for the treatment of CRPC. Citation Format: Trinath P. Das, Chendil Damodaran. Inhibition of AKT signaling promotes FOXO3a-dependent apoptosis in castration-resistant prostate cancer cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 843. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-843
Inter‐Rater Agreement of Pressure Ulcer Risk and Prevention Measures in the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators® (NDNQI)

In this descriptive multi-site study, we examined inter-rater agreement on 11 National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators(®) (NDNQI(®) ) pressure ulcer (PrU) risk and prevention measures. One hundred twenty raters at 36 hospitals captured data from 1,637 patient records. At each hospital, agreement between the most experienced rater and each other team rater was calculated for each measure. In the ratings studied, 528 patients were rated as "at risk" for PrU and, therefore, were included in calculations of agreement for the prevention measures. Prevalence-adjusted kappa (PAK) was used to interpret inter-rater agreement because prevalence of single responses was high. The PAK values for eight measures indicated "substantial" to "near perfect" agreement between most experienced and other team raters: Skin assessment on admission (.977, 95% CI [.966-.989]), PrU risk assessment on admission (.978, 95% CI [.964-.993]), Time since last risk assessment (.790, 95% CI [.729-.852]), Risk assessment method (.997, 95% CI [.991-1.0]), Risk status (.877, 95% CI [.838-.917]), Any prevention (.856, 95% CI [.76-.943]), Skin assessment (.956, 95% CI [.904-1.0]), and Pressure-redistribution surface use (.839, 95% CI [.763-.916]). For three intervention measures, PAK values fell below the recommended value of ≥.610: Routine repositioning (.577, 95% CI [.494-.661]), Nutritional support (.500, 95% CI [.418-.581]), and Moisture management (.556, 95% CI [.469-.643]). Areas of disagreement were identified. Findings provide support for the reliability of 8 of the 11 measures. Further clarification of data collection procedures is needed to improve reliability for the less reliable measures. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
On the Effect of Collaborative and Antagonistic Interactions on Synchronization and Consensus in Networks of Conspecific Agents

While the vast majority of work on consensus and synchronization considers only collaborative interactions among the agents, antagonistic interactions may play important roles in coordination of social systems. In this work, we define a composite model over a stochastically-switching network capturing both collaborative and antagonistic interactions. We consider a general class of agents, so-called conspecifics, defined in terms of a common distribution for their interaction capacity and the weights they ascribe to interactions. We find closed form expressions for necessary and sufficient conditions for consensus, the rate of convergence to consensus, and conditions for stochastic synchronization. This model is further extended to composite topologies capable of capturing any number of independent interaction modes. Results demonstrate the presence of antagonistic interactions may help the system to achieve consensus and synchronization which is not possible in presence of only collaborative interactions and, at times, enables convergence at a faster rate.
Visualization of Electrolytic Reactions at a Plasma-Liquid Interface

A dc microplasma jet in flowing argon (Ar) gas is used to electrolyte aqueous sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions. Electrolytic reactions at the plasma-liquid interface make the solution more basic and result in H 2 gas evolution. The pH change is visualized using a pH sensitive dye, which becomes dark green under basic conditions. The basic solution created at the plasma-liquid interface is subsequently transported to the bottom of the reactor vessel by an apparent electrohydrodynamic flow.
Social Disparities in Unaided Quit Attempts Among Daily Current and Former Smokers: Results From the 2010-2011 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey.

INTRODUCTION There are well-documented inverse relationships between smoking and smoking cessation with measures of socioeconomic status. This study used nationally representative data to examine unaided quit attempts and their sociodemographic determinants among daily current and former smokers who made a quit attempt in the last 12 months. METHODS We used data from the 2010-2011 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey. We limited the analysis to current daily smokers who made a quit attempt in the past year and former smokers who were daily smokers 1 year prior to the survey (N = 8201). RESULTS Nearly 62% (n = 5078) of the sample made an unaided quit attempt. Adjusted results indicated unaided quit attempts were more likely among males compared to females (P < .001), younger age groups compared to older age groups (P < .001), non-Hispanic blacks compared to non-Hispanic whites (P < .001), among people with lower income compared to people with higher income (P < .001), and among people with lower nicotine dependence compared to those with higher nicotine dependence (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Most quit attempts were unaided and there were significant sociodemographic disparities in unaided quit attempts. Considering that cessation aids enhance the likelihood of quitting, policies and programs should target populations which are more likely to attempt quitting without an aid and encourage them to use or provide subsidized cessation aids. Healthcare providers should advise their patients about approaches to quitting. IMPLICATIONS This study used the most recent nationally representative data for the United States to examine sociodemographic disparities in unaided quitting among current and former daily smokers who made a quit attempt in the last 12 months. Most quit attempts were unaided. People who were male, younger, non-Hispanic black, had lower nicotine dependence, and those who were low income were more likely to make an unaided quit attempt. These results could be used by policy makers and program planners to develop cessation interventions directed at specific populations to improve smoking cessation rates.
Comparison of Modeling Predictions and Experimental Data for He II Flow in Porous Materials

The predictions of a numerical model for the flow of He II are compared with published experimental data. The purpose is to show that the model correctly predicts the flow in narrow channels and porous materials. The model is based on the most widely accepted one-dimensional equations for He II that include the Gorter-Mellink mutual friction term. The results show that the equations and associated parameters, which have been verified in wide channels, lead to agreement for uniform channels as small as 0.3 µm. The bulk value of the Gorter-Mellink parameter is adequate to model all the data. Simulation does show, however, that the internal structure of porous materials is very important in determining the flow. A procedure is described to probe the internal structure using He II flow measurements. Numerical modeling is shown to be sufficiently reliable so that it can be used to design He II systems. This can eliminate much of the costly and time consuming experimental trial and error testing.
Experimental Analysis of Functional Variation within Protein Families: Receiver Domain Autodephosphorylation Kinetics

ABSTRACT Plants and microorganisms use two-component signal transduction systems (TCSs) to mediate responses to environmental stimuli. TCSs mediate responses through phosphotransfer from a conserved histidine on a sensor kinase to a conserved aspartate on the receiver domain of a response regulator. Typically, signal termination occurs through dephosphorylation of the receiver domain, which can catalyze its own dephosphorylation. Despite strong structural conservation between receiver domains, reported autodephosphorylation rate constants (kdephos) span a millionfold range. Variable receiver domain active-site residues D + 2 and T + 2 (two amino acids C terminal to conserved phosphorylation site and Thr/Ser, respectively) influence kdephos values, but the extent and mechanism of influence are unclear. We used sequence analysis of a large database of naturally occurring receiver domains to design mutant receiver domains for experimental analysis of autodephosphorylation kinetics. When combined with previous analyses, kdephos values were obtained for CheY variants that contained D + 2/T + 2 pairs found in 54% of receiver domain sequences. Tested pairs of amino acids at D + 2/T + 2 generally had similar effects on kdephos in CheY, PhoBN, or Spo0F. Acid or amide residues at D + 2/T + 2 enhanced kdephos. CheY variants altered at D + 2/T + 2 exhibited rate constants for autophosphorylation with phosphoramidates and autodephosphorylation that were inversely correlated, suggesting that D + 2/T + 2 residues interact with aspects of the ground or transition states that differ between the two reactions. kdephos of CheY variants altered at D + 2/T + 2 correlated significantly with kdephos of wild-type receiver domains containing the same D + 2/T + 2 pair. Additionally, particular D + 2/T + 2 pairs were enriched in different response regulator subfamilies, suggesting functional significance. IMPORTANCE One protein family, defined by a conserved domain, can include hundreds of thousands of known members. Characterizing conserved residues within a conserved domain can identify functions shared by all family members. However, a general strategy to assess features that differ between members of a family is lacking. Fully exploring the impact of just two variable positions within a conserved domain could require assessment of 400 (i.e., 20 × 20) variants. Instead, we created and analyzed a nonredundant database of receiver domain sequences. Five percent of D + 2/T + 2 pairs were sufficient to represent 50% of receiver domain sequences. Using protein sequence analysis to prioritize mutant choice made it experimentally feasible to extensively probe the influence of positions D + 2 and T + 2 on receiver domain autodephosphorylation kinetics.
Competition Law Compliance in India

Although competition law compliance activities take many forms, this article focuses on the compliance function specific to cartel-related enforcement, as cartels and information exchanges between competitors have become perhaps the area of most significant emphasis in recent years in terms of detection of illegal (or potentially illegal) activity and its prosecution worldwide, including India.
Temperature abatement using hollow spheres in liquid piston compressor for Ocean Compressed Air Energy Storage system

This paper deals with a novel technique to curb the temperature raise during compression in a liquid piston compressor used in Ocean Compressed Air Energy Storage (OCAES) system. Hollow spheres made of various materials, viz. Silicon Carbide (SiC), High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), and Polypropylene (PP) were made to float on the top surface of the liquid column. It was observed that the temperature abatement in each of the three cases was very evident. The heat transfer does not depend on the material of the sphere, but the fact that there is a solid surface between water and air itself plays an important role along with the size of the sphere. The heat transfer per unit area from the simulation and the analytical model have been compared and the values are found to be very similar. Also, polytropic index of the compression process was evaluated in case without and with SiC spheres, and it was found to be closer to the isothermal index of 1 when the spheres are used.
Impact of inflammatory bowel disease activity and thiopurine therapy on birth weight: A meta-analysis.

Impact of inflammatory bowel disease activity and thiopurine therapy on birth weight: A meta-analysis
Sexual orientation differences in modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular disease diagnoses in men

Abstract Purpose: Despite higher rates of modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in gay and bisexual men, few studies have examined sexual orientation differences in CVD among men...
Integrating cooperative engagement capability into network-centric information system security

The U.S. military's concept of a Cooperative Engagement Capability should serve as a useful referent for those attempting to design/develop large scale, organization-wide information security systems. This concept involves centralizing command over the entire suite of defensive assets (naval, air, ground) available in some region or locale; whenever a threat is directed against any US force element (a ship, an infantry unit, etc.), this central authority would then be expected to direct the deployment of whatever appears to be the most efficient countermeasure...in light of prospective as well as actual threats. This is a dramatic departure from the traditional decentralized approach, whereby each force element was expected to draw on its own defensive measures to counter any threat directed at it from any source. Industrial/commercial organizations might draw on the logic of the Cooperative Engagement Capability logic in devising a system to secure its informational assets.
Vortex beams with strong longitudinally polarized magnetic field and their generation by using metasurfaces

A novel method of generation and synthesis of azimuthally E-polarized vortex beams is presented. Along the beam axis such beams have a strong longitudinally polarized magnetic field where ideally there is no electric field. We show how these beams can be constructed through the interference of Laguerre–Gaussian beams carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM), and then quantify the longitudinal magnetic field of such beams. As an example, we present a metasurface made of double-split ring slot pairs and report a good agreement between simulated and analytical results. Both a high magnetic-to-electric-field contrast ratio and a magnetic field enhancement are achieved. We also investigate the metasurface physical constraints to convert a linearly polarized beam into an azimuthally E-polarized beam and characterize the performance of magnetic field enhancement and electric field suppression of a realistic metasurface. These findings are potentially useful for novel optical spectroscopy related to magnetic dipolar transitions and for optical manipulation of particles with spin and OAM.
Metastatic Kidney Cancer: Treatment with Infusional Interleukin-2 Plus Famotidine

The administration of high dose continuous infusion Interleukin-2 is able to elicit cytolysis of cancer cells by lymphocytes, predominantly CD56 positive natural killer cells. These Lymphokine Activated Killer cells (LAK) are able to lyse natural killer cell-resistant tumor cells in vitro and renal cancer cells in vivo (Ellis et al. 1988; McMannis et al. 1988; Weil-Hillman et al. 1989; Horton et al. 1990; Dillman et al. 1993). Moderate to high-dose infusional Interleukin-2 (9–18 MIU/m2 /24 h × 72–120 h) yields tumor response rates of up to 26% (Foon et al. 1992; Dillman et al. 1993). Importantly, complete responses have been seen. Numerous trials have sought to increase the response rate for patients with kidney cancer. These have included devising regimens with other immunologic agents and/or cultured effector cells (Sosman et al. 1988; Kradin et al. 1989; Dillman et al. 1991; Figlin et al. 1999). None of these approaches appear to improve response rates compared to Interleukin-2 alone.
Families With Children Diagnosed With Autism: Implications for Counselors

This article explores struggles faced by parents with children diagnosed with autism (ASD). Experiences of parents are examined through identification of stressors, maladaptive coping, and negative...
Prophylactic Measures to Decrease Risk of GI Bleeds in Acute Heart Failure Patients May Decrease Readmissions

Introduction Reducing hospital readmission in patients with decompensated heart failure is a national healthcare priority. Following a heart failure admission, up to 25% of patients are readmitted within 30 days. Furthermore, studies suggest that as many as 70% of heart failure readmissions are due to non-heart failure etiologies including fluid and electrolyte disorders, chronic anemia, pulmonary disease, other cardiovascular conditions, and infections. In a review in our hospital, patients requiring readmission for non-heart failure related issues include a prevalence of readmissions for acute gastrointestinal (GI) bleed. There is limited data in regards to GI bleed prevention in this population. Method We identified admitted heart failure patients with an elevated risk of GI bleed and those patients were given a GI prevention strategy which included proton pump inhibitor (PPI) initiation prior to discharge and continuation for 30 days post discharge, routine assessment of Hemoglobin/Hematocrit (H/H) levels pre and post discharge, and regimented follow up with a PCP or GI practitioner. Chart review was performed on all patients readmitted within 30 days of heart failure admission to determine rates of GI bleed causing hospitalization before and after this intervention was initiated. Results Between October 2016 and October 2017, 198 patients were readmitted within 30 days of a heart failure admission. When comparing the six months prior to the initiation of the above-mentioned protocol, to the seven months after initiation, readmissions for GI bleeds decreased from 5 patients to zero patients. Conclusion Identifying heart failure patients at high risk for GI bleeding, with subsequent utilization of PPI therapy and monitoring of labs and follow up, may positively impact the high readmission rate seen in the heart failure population. A large randomized trial should be considered to assess the efficacy of this approach.
Insights into the introduction history and population genetic dynamics of the Argentine black-and-white tegu (Salvator merianae) in Florida.

Invasive species are a major threat to global biodiversity. The US state of Florida is especially susceptible to the spread of exotic reptiles due to its subtropical climate, disturbed habitats, and robust pet trade. The Argentine black-and-white tegu (Salvator merianae) is a large, omnivorous lizard currently established in two different regions of Southern Florida. These two populations pose potential threats to sensitive ground nesting species such as gopher tortoises, American crocodiles, and migratory birds. At present, the introduction histories of these populations and the degree to which they are connected by gene flow are largely unknown. To address these issues, we genotyped S. merianae from Hillsborough and Miami-Dade Counties at ten microsatellite loci to assess intrapopulation genetic diversity, the degree of gene flow between populations, and compare the plausibilities of several potential introduction scenarios. Our results indicate that both populations have low genetic diversity [mean number of effective alleles across loci in both populations = 2.09 and are highly differentiated from each other (GST = 0.170; G″ST = 0.545)]. In addition, our results suggest that these populations underwent a bottleneck event prior to their divergence. We discuss what our results suggest about the histories of Florida’s invasive tegu populations, as well as how they inform ongoing management strategies.
Impact on treatment time of MRI-based brachytherapy in two implants (4 doses) compared with CT-based brachytherapy in five implants for cervical cancer.

Abstract Purpose Concurrent chemoradiotherapy and brachytherapy is the standard of care for locally advanced cervical cancer. Brachytherapy is an integral part of treatment and has improved overall survival. Research is needed to ascertain the planning modalities and schedules to best use resources and optimize treatment time course. We hypothesized that MRI-based brachytherapy when delivered with the described regimen would not prolong, and potentially shorten, overall treatment time as compared with CT-based brachytherapy. Methods and Materials This study was a single-institution retrospective review within the years 2008 through 2018. Patients with cervical cancer of any stage who underwent definitive chemoradiotherapy and either CT- or MRI-based brachytherapy were included. The primary outcome variable for this study was time (in days). Overall treatment time was defined as the number of days from the first until the last day of radiotherapy. Univariate analysis was performed using Stata statistical software. Results External beam radiotherapy doses were generally 45–50.4 Gy. CT-based and MRI-based brachytherapy were performed in 55 and 49 patients, respectively. The median treatment time for brachytherapy with CT-based planning was 19.0 days and with MRI-based planning was 9.0 days (p Conclusions This study found that MRI-based brachytherapy, when performed with the proposed regimen, did not prolong overall treatment time and significantly decreased time to complete brachytherapy in comparison with CT-based brachytherapy on nonconsecutive days. This regimen favorably impacts timely completion of treatment and uses MRI resources well within the construct of our institution.
Punishing and toxic neighborhood environments independently predict the intergenerational social mobility of black and white children

We use data on intergenerational social mobility by neighborhood to examine how social and physical environments beyond concentrated poverty predict children’s long-term well-being. First, we examine neighborhoods that are harsh on children’s development: those characterized by high levels of violence, incarceration, and lead exposure. Second, we examine potential supportive or offsetting mechanisms that promote children’s development, such as informal social control, cohesion among neighbors, and organizational participation. Census tract mobility estimates from linked income tax and Census records are merged with surveys and administrative records in Chicago. We find that exposure to neighborhood violence, incarceration, and lead combine to independently predict poor black boys’ later incarceration as adults and lower income rank relative to their parents, and poor black girls’ teenage motherhood. Features of neighborhood social organization matter less, but are selectively important. Results for poor whites also show that toxic environments independently predict lower social mobility, as do features of social organization, to a lesser extent. Overall, our measures contribute a 76% relative increase in explained variance for black male incarceration beyond that of concentrated poverty and other standard characteristics, an 18% increase for black male income rank (70% for whites), and a 17% increase for teenage motherhood of black girls (40% for whites).
Interaction between the BAG1S isoform and HSP70 mediates the stability of anti-apoptotic proteins and the survival of osteosarcoma cells expressing oncogenic MYC

The oncoprotein MYC has the dual capacity to drive cell cycle progression or induce apoptosis, depending on the cellular context. BAG1 was previously identified as a transcriptional target of MYC that functions as a critical determinant of this cell fate decision. The BAG1 protein is expressed as multiple isoforms, each having an array of distinct biochemical functions; however, the specific effector function of BAG1 that directs MYC-dependent cell survival has not been defined. In our studies the human osteosarcoma line U2OS expressing a conditional MYC-ER allele was used to induce oncogenic levels of MYC. We interrogated MYC-driven survival processes by modifying BAG1 protein expression. The function of the separate BAG1 isoforms was investigated by depleting cells of endogenous BAG1 and reintroducing the distinct isoforms. Flow cytometry and immunoblot assays were performed to analyze the effect of specific BAG1 isoforms on MYC-dependent apoptosis. These experiments were repeated to determine the role of the HSP70 chaperone complex in BAG1 survival processes. Finally, a proteomic approach was used to identify a set of specific pro-survival proteins controlled by the HSP70/BAG1 complex. Loss of BAG1 resulted in robust MYC-induced apoptosis. Expression of the larger isoforms of BAG1, BAG1L and BAG1M, were insufficient to rescue survival in cells with oncogenic levels of MYC. Alternatively, reintroduction of BAG1S significantly reduced the level of apoptosis. Manipulation of the BAG1S interaction with HSP70 revealed that BAG1S provides its pro-survival function by serving as a cofactor for the HSP70 chaperone complex. Via a proteomic approach we identified and classified a set of pro-survival proteins controlled by this HSP70/BAG1 chaperone complex that contribute to the BAG1 anti-apoptotic phenotype. The small isoform of BAG1, BAG1S, in cooperation with the HSP70 chaperone complex, selectively mediates cell survival in MYC overexpressing tumor cells. We identified a set of specific pro-survival clients controlled by the HSP70/BAG1S chaperone complex. These clients define new nodes that could be therapeutically targeted to disrupt the survival of tumor cells driven by MYC activation. With MYC overexpression occurring in most human cancers, this introduces new strategies for cancer treatment.
Diagnosing Covariate Balance Across Levels of Right-Censoring Before and After Application of Inverse-Probability-of-Censoring Weights

Covariate balance is a central concept in the potential outcomes literature. With selected populations or missing data, balance across treatment groups can be insufficient for estimating marginal treatment effects. Recently, a framework for using covariate balance to describe measured confounding and selection bias for time-varying and other multivariate exposures in the presence of right-censoring has been proposed. Here, we revisit this framework to consider balance across levels of right-censoring over time in more depth. Specifically, we develop measures of covariate balance that can describe what is known as "dependent censoring" in the literature, along with its associated selection bias, under multiple mechanisms for right censoring. Such measures are interesting because they substantively describe the evolution of dependent censoring mechanisms. Furthermore, we provide weighted versions that can depict how well such dependent censoring has been eliminated when inverse-probability-of-censoring weights are applied. These results provide a conceptually grounded way to inspect covariate balance across levels of right-censoring as a validity check. As a motivating example, we applied these measures to a study of hypothetical "static" and "dynamic" treatment protocols in a sequential multiple-assignment randomized trial of antipsychotics with high dropout rates.
Validating Model-Based Prediction Of Biological Knee Moment During Walking With An Exoskeleton in Crouch Gait: Potential Application for Exoskeleton Control

Advanced control strategies that can adjust assistance based volitional effort from the user may be beneficial for deploying exoskeletons for overground gait training in ambulatory populations, such as children with cerebral palsy (CP). In this study, we evaluate the ability to predict biological knee moment during stance phase of walking with an exoskeleton in two children subjects with crouch gait from CP. The predictive model characterized the knee as a rotational spring with the addition of correction factors at knee extensor moment extrema to predict the instantaneous knee moment profile from the knee angle. Our model prediction performance was comparable to previous studies for weight acceptance (WA) and mid-stance (MS) phases in both assisted (Assist) and non-assisted (Zero) modes based on normalized root mean square error (RMSE), demonstrating the feasibility of joint moment estimation during exoskeleton walking. RMSE was highest in late stance phase, likely due to the non-linear knee stiffness exhibited during this phase in one participant. Overall, our results support real-time implementation of the joint moment prediction model for control of exoskeleton knee extension assistance in children with CP
On a binary additive problem involving fractional powers

Abstract We show that, for any given c ∈ ( 1 , 11 10 ) , every sufficiently large integer n can be represented as n = [ m c ] + [ p c ] , where m is a positive integer and p is a prime, and [ t ] is the integer part of the real number t. We also prove that, when c ∈ ( 1 , 1 + 5 2 ) , such representation exists for almost all positive integers n. These respectively improve the results of A. Kumchev [9] , and Balanzario, Garaev, and Zuazua [1] .
HMGB1-C1q complexes regulate macrophage function by switching between leukotriene and specialized proresolving mediator biosynthesis

Macrophage polarization is critical to inflammation and resolution of inflammation. We previously showed that high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) can engage receptor for advanced glycation end product (RAGE) to direct monocytes to a proinflammatory phenotype characterized by production of type 1 IFN and proinflammatory cytokines. In contrast, HMGB1 plus C1q form a tetramolecular complex cross-linking RAGE and LAIR-1 and directing monocytes to an antiinflammatory phenotype. Lipid mediators, as well as cytokines, help establish a milieu favoring either inflammation or resolution of inflammation. This study focuses on the induction of lipid mediators by HMGB1 and HMGB1 plus C1q and their regulation of IRF5, a transcription factor critical for the induction and maintenance of proinflammatory macrophages. Here, we show that HMGB1 induces leukotriene production through a RAGE-dependent pathway, while HMGB1 plus C1q induces specialized proresolving lipid mediators lipoxin A4, resolvin D1, and resolvin D2 through a RAGE- and LAIR-1-dependent pathway. Leukotriene exposure contributes to induction of IRF5 in a positive-feedback loop. In contrast, resolvins (at 20 nM) block IRF5 induction and prevent the differentiation of inflammatory macrophages. Finally, we have generated a molecular mimic of HMGB1 plus C1q, which cross-links RAGE and LAIR-1 and polarizes monocytes to an antiinflammatory phenotype. These findings may provide a mechanism to control nonresolving inflammation in many pathologic conditions.
Self-presentation strategies and narrative identity: A consideration of the linguistic and conceptual content of key scenes

Abstract Narrative identity is most often assessed via prompts for key autobiographical scenes (e.g., turning points). Here, self-presentation strategies were examined in relation to the content and structure of key scenes. Participants (N = 396) provided narratives of life high points, low points, and turning points from within one of four assessment contexts and completed measures of self-deception positivity (SD) and impression management (IM). Narratives were coded for a series of linguistic (e.g., causation words) and conceptual (e.g., redemption) dimensions. Individual differences in IM corresponded with the linguistic and conceptual content of participants’ low points. This effect was particularly evident among females (as compared to males) and the conceptual content of key scenes in conditions in which participants provided written (as compared to spoken) narrative accounts. These results carry implications for the assessment and analysis of narrative identity.
Prophecy and Intuition: Singular Knowledge in Maimonides’ and Spinoza’s Philosophy

This chapter uses the concepts of prophecy and intuition in the words of Maimonides and Spinoza to show how they provide similar characterizations of the achievement of knowledge and intellectual perfection according to the standard of singularity. For both thinkers, the entire structure of knowing is oriented toward generating singular knowledge. Yet, generating singular knowledge requires an incorporation of all the faculties or powers of the embodied knower. Rather than dismissing sensation and imagination as wholly inadequate, both incorporate these faculties or powers in a restrained manner so that intrinsic knowing can manifest itself. As a result, extra-rational tools, primarily ethical-political training, are needed to coordinate imagination and reason so that intellect is generated. This inclusion of concrete activities entails that singular knowledge and perfection, rather than aiming solely at the cognition of metaphysical truths, must focus on the complete individual, including ethical and political conditions.
More Than Meets the Eye: Idiopathic Orbital Inflammation Mimicking Orbital Cellulitis.

An 18-year-old female presented with left eye periorbital swelling, erythema, and pain for three days. Computed tomographic images showed swelling of the medial rectus muscle, and she was diagnosed with orbital cellulitis and initiated on empiric antibiotics. Over the next 48 hours, she did not clinically improve, resulting in an MRI and further workup of infectious, oncologic, endocrinologic, and rheumatologic etiologies was unrevealing and ruled-out malignancy, sarcoidosis, Wegner's, and thyroid eye disease. Given the negative workup, the presentation was determined to be consistent with idiopathic orbital inflammation (orbital myositis variant) via a diagnosis of exclusion. Therefore, the patient was empirically treated with intravenous steroids that produced pronounced improvement within 24 hours. The patient was discharged in improved condition with a prednisone taper and rheumatology follow-up. Idiopathic orbital inflammation is a rare diagnosis of exclusion in pediatrics that merits prompt consideration and work-up if treatment for orbital cellulitis does not progress as expected.
Synthesis and Characterization of Tellurium Catecholates and Their N-Oxide Adducts.

Tellurium catecholate complexes were investigated to probe the redox chemistry of tellurium, whose oxidation state can span from −2 to +6. Treating TeO2 with catechols resulted in tellurium coordin...