cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen and anionic phospholipids share a binding region in the fifth domain of β2-glycoprotein I (apolipoprotein H)

Human beta2-glycoprotein I (beta 2GPI) binds to recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen (rHBsAg), but the location of the binding domain on beta 2GPI is unknown. It has been suggested that the lipid rather than the protein moiety of rHBsAg binds to beta 2GPI. Since beta 2GPI binds to anionic phospholipids (PL) through its lipid-binding region in the fifth domain of beta 2GPI, we predicted that this lipid-binding region may also be involved in binding rHBsAg. In this study, we examined rHBsAg binding to two naturally occurring mutants of beta 2GPI, Cys306Gly and Trp316Ser, or evolutionarily conserved hydrophobic amino acid sequence, Leu313-Ala314-Phe315 in the fifth domain of beta 2GPI. The two naturally occurring mutations and two mutagenized amino acids, Leu313Gly or Phe315Ser, disrupted the binding of recombinant beta 2GPI (rbeta 2GPI) to both rHBsAg and cardiolipin (CL), an anionic PL. These results suggest that rHBsAg and CL share the same region in the fifth domain of beta2GPI. Credence to this conclusion was further provided by competitive ELISA, where CL-bound rbeta 2GPI was incubated with increasing amounts of rHBsAg. As expected, pre-incubation of rbeta 2GPI with CL precluded binding to rHBsAg, indicating that CL and rHBsAg bind to the same region on beta 2GPI. Our data provide evidence that the lipid (PL) rather than the protein moiety of rHBsAg binds to beta 2GPI and that this binding region is located in the fifth domain of beta 2GPI, which also binds to anionic PL.
Signal transduction by tumor necrosis factor mediated by JNK protein kinases.

Abstract JNK protein kinases are distantly related to mitogen-activated protein kinases (ERKs) and are activated by dual phosphorylation on Tyr and Thr. The JNK protein kinase group includes the 46-kDa isoform JNK1. Here we describe the molecular cloning of a second member of the JNK group, the 55-kDa protein kinase JNK2. The activities of both JNK isoforms are markedly increased by exposure of cells to UV radiation. Furthermore, JNK protein kinase activation is observed in cells treated with tumor necrosis factor. Although both JNK isoforms phosphorylate the NH2-terminal activation domain of the transcription factor c-Jun, the activity of JNK2 was approximately 10-fold greater than that of JNK1. This difference in c-Jun phosphorylation correlates with increased binding of c-Jun to JNK2 compared with JNK1. The distinct in vitro biochemical properties of these JNK isoforms suggest that they may have different functions in vivo. Evidence in favor of this hypothesis was obtained from the observation that JNK1, but not JNK2, complements a defect in the expression of the mitogen-activated protein kinase HOG1 in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Together, these data indicate a role for the JNK group of protein kinases in the signal transduction pathway initiated by proinflammatory cytokines and UV radiation.
THE TRANSITION FROM MATHEMATICIAN TO ASTROPHYSICIST

Various landmarks in the evolution of Alexander Dalgarno from a gifted mathematician to becoming the acknowledged Father of Molecular Astrophysics are noted. His researches in basic atomic and molecular physics, aeronomy (the study of the upper atmosphere) and astrophysics are highlighted.
E-Mobility as a challenge for new ICT solutions in the car industry

Future mobility scenarios show a continuous gain in market shares of electric vehicles (EVs) [1]. However, both speed and magnitude of EV market penetration depend on the evolution of critical success factors. Regulatory policy, e.g. CO2 emission targets, and hard constraints like peak---of---oil are some of the factors positively influencing EV market penetration [1]. In contrary, a partial mismatch of consumer expectations and EV realities exists [2], which negatively influences EV market success. Consumer expectations have been co-created with combustion engine vehicles over 125 years. Mostly price and relative resource shortage of EVs are perceived by consumers as a major entry barrier [3]. Breaking the barrier is a question of resource allocation. The resource shortage can be resolved either physically, e.g. by improving energy density of batteries, or by the means of intelligent services such as smart charging, energy routing, car and ride sharing. Both EV and infrastructure resources such as charging stations can be managed temporally, spatially and energetically so that the consumer does not perceive them as being constraint. This paper addresses the challenge of intelligent resource coordination both from a formal modelling perspective and a value---added---service perspective. Firstly, it presents a formal ICT [4] based modelling approach, which is developed within the EU---funded project ASCENS [5]. Secondly, it presents an ICT based value---added---service, namely the EV Daily Travel Planning Service, which has been designed for user---centric resource coordination in the EV domain.
Distal foot segment joint coupling patterns during walking gait

Background Several surface based multi-segment foot models have been developed to investigate distal foot function during gait [1,2]. However, the majority of the models have not defined medial and lateral forefoot or midfoot segments. In addition very little, is currently known regarding the coupling of the distal foot segments [3,4]. The purpose of the current study, therefore, was to utilize a six foot segment model that includes both medial and lateral forefoot and midfoot segments to quantify the coupling between the distal foot segments during walking gait.
Ruthenium red and violet. I. Chemistry, purification, methods of use for electron microscopy and mechanism of action

The properties of the inorganic dye ruthenium red are presented with emphasis upon its use for electron microscopy of cells and tissues. Although commercial ruthenium red often can be used directly, it always contains various impurities and by-products. One of these, termed ruthenium violet, can be isolated and is useful by itself. Absorption spectra of the ruthenium dyes and common impurities are given so that an assay is possible for any sample. Convenient fixative recipes containing ruthenium red or violet are provided together with constraints necessary for a reliable reaction to label extracellular acidic mucosubstances. Perfusion was not successful. The specificity of the ruthenium red reaction was evaluated by spot testing with 57 substances, and by titration with chemically defined pectins. The results indicate that ruthenium red, as a hexavalent cation, precipitates a large variety of polyanions by ionic interaction, and that its classical reaction with pectin is typical rather than specific. New data are presented regarding its reaction with phospholipids. For electron microscopy, a further reaction with OsO4 amplifies the feeble electron density, which is the counterpart of its intense optical labeling, to a practical level resulting in strong contrast. An hypothesis is presented for the mechanism underlying this intensification.
International Bioethics: West Learns from East

This article reviews the book A Cross-Cultural Dialogue on Health Care Ethics, edited by Harold Coward and Pinit Ratanakul. The work is the product of an interdisciplinary team of medical scientists, sociologists, anthropologists, psychologists, philosophers, nurses, lawyers, and religious scholars in both Canada and Thailand for the Centre for Studies in Religion and Society in Victoria, British Columbia. Through their research, this group has compiled a compelling dialogue that centers on health care, life, living, and dying in various societies around the globe. The end result is to advocate a shared vision of health care for the future that is responsive to the mores and demands of every culture. A Cross-Cultural Dialogue on Health Care Ethics provides a good, yet brief, overview of some of the important issues necessary for future dialogue about health care ethics in a global society. The conscientious reader, however, should be quick to realize this book is just a starting point for discussion and not the definitive answer to the world’s health care problems.
Reconsidering wireless systems with multiple radios

The tremendous popularity of wireless systems in recent years has led to the commoditization of RF transceivers (radios) whose prices have fallen dramatically. The lower cost allows us to consider using two or more radios in the same device. Given this, we argue that wireless systems that use multiple radios in a collaborative manner dramatically improve system performance and functionality over the traditional single radio wireless systems that are popular today. In this context, we revisit some standard problems in wireless networking, including energy management, capacity enhancement, mobility management, channel failure recovery, and last-hop packet scheduling. We show that a systems approach can alleviate many of the performance and robustness issues prevalent in current wireless LAN systems. We explore the implications of the multi-radio approach on software and hardware design, as well as on algorithmic and protocol research issues. We identify three key design guidelines for constructing multi-radio systems and present results from two systems that we have built. Our experience supports our position that a multi-radio platform offers significant ben-efits for wireless systems.
High-Frequency Acceleration Therapeutic Tool to Preserve Bone following Tooth Extractions

A common problem in clinical dentistry is the significant and rapid bone loss that occurs after tooth extraction. Currently there is no solution for the long-term preservation of alveolar bone. Previously, we showed that high-frequency acceleration (HFA) has an osteogenic effect on healthy alveolar bone. However, it is not known if HFA can preserve alveolar bone after extraction without negatively affecting wound healing. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of HFA on alveolar bone loss and the rate of bone formation after tooth extraction. Eighty-five adult Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups: control, static (static load), and HFA. In all groups, the maxillary right third molar was extracted. The HFA group received HFA for 5 min/d, applied through the second molar. The static group received the same magnitude of static load. The control group did not receive any stimulation. Some animals received fluorescent dyes at 26 and 54 d. Samples were collected on days 0, 7, 14, 28, and 56 for fluorescence microscopy, micro-computed tomography, histology, RNA, and protein analyses. We found that HFA increased bone volume in the extraction site and surrounding alveolar bone by 44% when compared with static, while fully preserving alveolar bone height and width long-term. These effects were accompanied by increased expression of osteogenic markers and intramembranous bone formation and by decreased expression of osteoclastic markers and bone resorption activity, as well as decreased expression of many inflammatory markers. HFA is a noninvasive safe treatment that can be used to prevent alveolar bone loss and/or accelerate bone healing after tooth extraction.
Structural Studies of the Human Kappa Opioid Receptor Active State Conformations

The crystal structure of the human kappa opioid receptor (hKOR) in complex with antagonist JDTic had been previously solved to 2.9 A (Wu et al, 2012, Nature 485, 327-332). From this crystal structure, key receptor-ligand interactions were observed and extended via modeling to GNTI, β-NNTA, and other hKOR ligands. However, a major hurdle still remains in elucidating hKOR in different states of activation. Having this information would lead to a more comprehensive understanding of hKOR activation and function, informing design of more efficient analgesics with reduced side effects. Specifically, we seek to utilize selective hKOR ligands to trap hKOR in conformational states that correlate to the properties of each ligand. Here we present our work in progress on the design of novel hKOR constructs and their complexes with agonists, antagonists, and biased ligands.
Insecticide Toxicity in European Corn Borer (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae): Ovicidal Activity and Residual Mortality to Neonates

Field and laboratory studies were conducted using selected carbamate, organophosphate, and pyrethroid insecticides to quantify their toxicity to European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner), eggs and residual mortality to neonates. Field studies included most insecticides currently registered for O. nubilalis on vegetable crops, as well as recently developed pyrethroids. Insecticides with the greatest ovicidal activity in field trials, in decreasing order, included methomyl, encapsulated methyl parathion, permethrin, thiodicarb, zeta-cypermethrin, and lambda-cyhalothrin. With the exception of methomyl, significant larval mortality was also observed for each material. Of all materials tested, only methomyl previously was assumed to have ovicidal activity on O. nubilalis. Laboratory bioassays were conducted to estimate the LC 50 for insecticides showing the greatest ovicidal activity in the field. Insecticides with the greatest ovicidal included, in decrasing order, zeta-cypermethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, permethrin, methyl parathion, esfenvalerate, and methomyl. With the exception of methomyl, all insecticides demonstrated high levels of residual toxicity to neonates. Ovicidal activity of methomyl in the field but low inherent toxicity to eggs in the laboratory bioassay was partially explained by the use of a higher field rate relative to the pyrethroids. Results from this study will be useful for improving the timing of insecticide applications against O. nubilalis and necessary for refinement of an O. nubilalis management model
Immunologic alteration of bacterium typhosum and of bacillus pestiscaviae by growth in sterile fixation abscesses

Recently Blankenhorn, Ecker and King1 described a serum resistant typhoid bacillus from a tibial abscess. This organism was not only poorly agglutinable by heterologous antiserums, but also by homologous antiserum. It readily stimulated the formation of agglutinins, and was capable of specific absorption. We have kept it for a period of 17 months on plain agar, and found that it has maintained its original characteristics. Mcintosh and McQueen2 isolated a similar organism from the blood stream, and in this case the homologous antiserum also failed to agglutinate but did agglutinate ordinary Bacterium typhosum. Their nonagglutinable strain absorbed the agglutinin from homologous antiserum. A similar strain is reported by Toyoda,3 also isolated from the blood stream of the patient. Gay and Claypole4 showed that a typhoid bacillus from the blood of suspected carrier rabbits failed to be agglutinated by strong antiserum, and that passage of a readily agglutinable culture through a rabbit reduced its agglutinability. They further found that even subcultures of typhoid bacilli on rabbit-blood agar or on bile broth led to inagglutinability. The blood and bile cultures, however, are as readily agglutinable as agar strains by the serums of rabbits immunized against blood cultures. In this respect, then, the change of Gay's organism is less profound than that of the organisms described before. The occurrence of serum resistant forms is by no means uncommon, and little is known about conditions under which these variations take place or, as just pointed out by Larson and Greenfield,6 about the nature of the mechanism of the alteration. In view of these facts, it was thought of interest to try to produce these changes by growing, an organism to which the mouse is resistant and an organism to which it is not resistant in sterile fixation abscesses.
Detection of Lipopolysaccharide (LPS): An Improved Method for Isolation of the Limulus Extract

SummaryA modified procedure for obtaining the Limulus extract is described. The main change from the earlier described method involves homogenization of amebocytes. This results in a high yield of a potent extract useful in detection of bacterial lipopoly-saccharide.
A Synopsis of Paleo-Indian Archaeology in Mexico

ABSTRACTDespite several significant discoveries documenting the presence of early man along with extinct Pleistocene fauna during the first half of the 20th century, the Paleo-Indian period in Mexico remains little studied and poorly recognized. This paper provides a synthesis of the presently known data. These data indicate that the Clovis tradition is well-represented in the state of Sonora, but evidence diminishes considerably further to the south. Subsequent Paleo-Indian traditions are scarce, and their chronological and cultural relationships to other North American traditions have yet to be established. However scant, these data also demonstrate their potential for future systematic geoarchaeological research.
Diffusive Instability of Pore Pressure Transients in Deformable Unsaturated Soils

AbstractRapidly changing pore pressures are a major cause of soil instability, especially in the context of large-scale infrastructural collapses and geo-hazards. In this paper, the governing equations that control pore pressure transients in deformable unsaturated soils are studied from an analytical standpoint, with the purpose of connecting the mathematical properties of the field equations to the mechanics of saturation-induced soil instabilities. New criteria are proposed to identify the loss of parabolicity of the differential problem that governs the mass balance of the pore fluids and the temporal dynamics of their pressure evolution. It is shown that the fulfillment of such criteria yields an ill-posed mathematical problem that can be related to singularities of the pore pressure rate, as well as to violations of Lyapunov-like stability principles. It is further demonstrated that these expressions bear resemblance to the conditions of loss of controllability in unsaturated soils, thereby linking ...
A comparative study of point-and-select devices for large screen interaction

This work presents the results of a user study comparing the performance of point-and-select devices for doing selection tasks on a large screen. The performance of a handheld trackball, both in one-handed and two-handed configurations is compared with a standard mouse as a basis of comparison. The results indicate that the two-handed configuration of the trackball is significantly faster than the one-handed configuration with 13% reduction of the movement time. Finally, the mouse is significantly faster than the two other interfaces by almost a factor of two, although it is not well suited for collaborative environments with large screens because of the need for a working surface that blocks freehand movements.
Linear System Models for Ultrasonic Imaging: Intensity Signal Statistics

Despite a great deal of work characterizing the statistical properties of radio frequency backscattered ultrasound signals, less is known about the statistical properties of demodulated intensity signals. Analysis of intensity is made more difficult by a strong nonlinearity that arises in the process of demodulation. This limits our ability to characterize the spatial resolution and noise properties of B-mode ultrasound images. In this paper, we generalize earlier results on two-point intensity covariance using a multivariate systems approach. We derive the mean and autocovariance function of the intensity signal under Gaussian assumptions on both the object scattering function and acquisition noise, and with the assumption of a locally shift-invariant pulse-echo system function. We investigate the limiting cases of point statistics and a uniform scattering field with a stationary distribution. Results from validation studies using simulation and data from a real system applied to a uniform scattering phantom are presented. In the simulation studies, we find errors less than 10% between the theoretical mean and variance, and sample estimates of these quantities. Prediction of the intensity power spectrum (PS) in the real system exhibits good qualitative agreement (errors less than 3.5 dB for frequencies between 0.1 and 10 cyc/mm, but with somewhat higher error outside this range that may be due to the use of a window in the PS estimation procedure). We also replicate the common finding that the intensity mean is equal to its standard deviation (i.e., signal-to-noise ratio = 1) for fully developed speckle. We show how the derived statistical properties can be used to characterize the quality of an ultrasound linear array for low-contrast patterns using generalized noise-equivalent quanta directly on the intensity signal.
On the local solution of the tangential Cauchy-Riemann equations

Abstract We study the solution operators P and homotopy formula introduced by G. M. Henkin for the tangential Cauchy-Riemann complex of a suitable small domain D on a strictly pseudoconvex real hypersurface in complex n-space. The main difficulties stem from the fact that P is an integral operator with a rather complicated kernel. For U ⊂⊂ D, we derive a Ck-norm estimate of the form ∥Pφ∥U, k ≦ K∥φ∥D, k, where the constant K blows up as U increases to D. We obtain careful control of the rate of this blow-up and of the dependence of K on the derivatives of the function defining the real hypersurface. Our estimates are sufficient for application to the local CR embedding problem.
Returning Trafficking Prevalence to the Public Policy Debate: Introduction to the Special Issue

ABSTRACTThe clandestine nature of trafficking for sexual exploitation has prevented the development of reputable prevalence data, resulting in warring factions and battles over data that have hindered efforts to focus on combating trafficking. Articles in this special issue address the problem by discussing data sources and research practices that could help break the log jam. This introduction explains the policy agendas behind the prevalence wars. It also describes the many recent policy battles around legalization/decriminalization of the sex-trade industry that have broken out in the past few years in the European Union, Canada, Scotland, and the United Kingdom, where competing data assertions have been prevalent. Policy proposals made in advance of adequate knowledge about trafficking for sexual exploitation make new and better research a high priority.
IMPELLA OR INTRA-AORTIC BALLOON PUMP SUPPORT IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING HIGH RISK PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION: A REAL WORLD SINGLE CENTER EXPERIENCE

Background: Both Impella and Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) are used to provide hemodynamic support in high risk patients undergoing complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, patterns of use and selection strategies for these devices in routine clinical practice are unclear
Adaptive Control and Identification of Time-Delay Systems

Abstract Parameter identification and model reference adaptive control algorithms based upon stability methods is considered for linear time invariant systems having time delays.
Equilibrium composition variation of Q-phase precipitates in aluminum alloys

Abstract Q-phase precipitation strengthened aluminum alloys have increasing interest in the automotive sector as a means of enabling higher operating temperatures and improved fuel economy. To enable the optimized design of Q-phase strengthened alloys, knowledge of precipitate composition variations is crucial. Here we use atom-probe tomography (APT) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to uncover the near equilibrium compositions of Q-phase precipitates in nine Al-Si-Mg-(Cu) alloys aged for 24 h–1000 h at 473 K. The composition of the Q-phase has been found to vary with bulk alloy composition, particularly in regards to changes in both Cu and Mg content. This composition variation is in contradiction to the stoichiometric line compound Al5Cu2Mg8Si6 typically found in commercially available CALPHAD databases. Our results reveal a common compositional connection between the rod-like Q-phase precipitates and the B′ variant of the β′-phase commonly found in the Cu free Al-Si-Mg system. The presence of small alloying additions of Cu determines stability of either the hexagonal Q-phase or cubic β-phase upon aging to equilibrium conditions. The energetics of Cu variation within the Q-phase has been evaluated using first-principles calculations and demonstrates that interstitial Cu atoms stabilize the metastable B′-phase and that the observed Q-phase composition variation from the ground-state is due to off-stoichiometries in the single-phase field. Our analysis provide new insight into the compositional variation of precipitates formed during aging, having implications on the intended application of the alloy, whether for room temperature applications or castings that may see elevated temperature exposure.
Mechanistic Insights into Dye-Decolorizing Peroxidase Revealed by Solvent Isotope and Viscosity Effects.

Dye-decolorizing peroxidases (DyPs) are a family of H2O2-dependent heme peroxidases that have shown potential applications in lignin degradation and valorization. However, the DyP kinetic mechanism remains underexplored. Using structural biology and solvent isotope (sKIE) and viscosity effects, many mechanistic characteristics have been determined for the B-class ElDyP from Enterobacter lignolyticus. Its structure revealed that a water molecule acts as the sixth axial ligand and two channels at diameters of ∼3.0 and 8.0 A lead to the heme center. A conformational change of ERS* to ERS, which have identical spectral characteristics, was proposed as the final step in DyPs’ bisubstrate Ping-Pong mechanism. This step is also the rate-determining step in ABTS oxidation. The normal KIE of wild-type ElDyP with D2O2 at pD 3.5 suggested that compound 0 deprotonation by the distal aspartate is rate-limiting in the formation of compound I, which is more reactive under acidic pH than under neutral or alkaline pH. The...
MPLEX: In-Situ Big Data Processing with Compute-Storage Multiplexing

Cloud-based services are increasingly popular for big data analytics due to the flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness of provisioning elastic resources on-demand. However, data analytics-as-a-service suffers from the overheads of data movement between compute and storage clusters, due to their decoupled architecture in existing cloud infrastructure. In this work, we propose a novel approach of in-situ big data processing on cloud storage by dynamically offloading data-intensive jobs from compute cluster to storage cluster, and improve job throughput. However, it is challenging to achieve this goal since introducing additional workload on the storage cluster can significantly impact interactive web requests that fetch cloud storage data, with strict SLA (service-level agreement) for tail latency. In this work, we present MPLEX, a system that augments data analytics-as-a-service by efficiently multiplexing compute and storage cluster to improve job throughput without violating the SLA of cloud storage service in terms of tail response time. It applies an SLA-aware opportunistic job scheduling technique supported by a machine learning based prediction model to exploit the dynamic workload conditions in the compute, and storage cluster. Performance evaluations on an OpenStack Swift cluster, and an OpenStack based virtual cluster of Hadoop VMs built atop NSFCloud's Chameleon testbed show that MPLEX improves the Hadoop job throughput by up to 1.7X, while maintaining the SLA for cloud storage service requests.
The Impact of Financial Conflict of Interest on Surgical Research: An Observational Study of Published Manuscripts.

Substantial discrepancies exist between industry-reported and self-reported conflicts of interest (COI). Although authors with relevant, self-reported financial COI are more likely to write studies favorable to industry sponsors, it is unknown whether undisclosed COI have the same effect. We hypothesized that surgeons who fail to disclose COI are more likely to publish findings that are favorable to industry than surgeons with no COI. PubMed was searched for articles in multiple surgical specialties. Financial COI reported by surgeons and industry were compared. COI were considered to be relevant if they were associated with the product(s) mentioned by an article. Primary outcome was favorability, which was defined as an impression favorable to the product(s) discussed by an article and was determined by 3 independent, blinded clinicians for each article. Primary analysis compared incomplete self-disclosure to no COI. Ordered logistic multivariable regression modeling was used to assess factors associated with favorability. Overall, 337 articles were reviewed. There was a high rate of discordance in the reporting of COI (70.3%). When surgeons failed to disclose COI, their conclusions were significantly more likely to favor industry than surgeons without COI (RR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1–1.4, p < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, any COI (regardless of relevance, disclosure, or monetary amount) were significantly associated with favorability. Any financial COI (disclosed or undisclosed, relevant or not relevant) significantly influence whether studies report findings favorable to industry. More attention must be paid to improving research design, maximizing transparency in medical research, and insisting that surgeons disclose all COI, regardless of perceived relevance.
Gout and Hypothyroidism in the Elderly: an Observational Cohort Study Using U.S. Medicare Claims Data

Given the known association of hypothyroidism and hyperuricemia, a link between gout and hypothyroidism has long been suspected, but rarely investigated. Two small studies in hospitalized patients1 or at a single medical center2 suggested a higher risk of hypothyroidism in people with gout. These studies included small samples, controlled for only select demographic variables and none focused on the elderly, the population at the highest risk of hypothyroidism. Well-designed studies that can control for potential confounders can provide a robust estimate of this potential association are needed. Our objective was to examine whether gout, the most common inflammatory arthritis in adults, was associated with an increase in the risk of incident hypothyroidism in adults 65 years or older.
Detail-oriented visual processing style: Its role in the relationships between early life adversity and hoarding-related dysfunctions.

Abstract Early life adversity, ranging from material deprivation and parental dysfunction to abusive and life-threatening events, has been associated with hoarding symptom severity. Moreover, both victims of early life adversity and individuals with hoarding disorder have been found to have a higher tendency toward detail-oriented visual processing. This study aimed to investigate the role of detail-oriented visual processing in the relationship between early life adversity and hoarding-related dysfunction. Childhood exposure to life adversity, hoarding symptom severity, and emotional attachment to possessions, a hoarding-related dysfunction thought to be most closely related to adversity exposure, were assessed. Detail-oriented visual processing was evaluated using the Central Coherence Index, which was calculated based on the drawing process during the Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure Test. It was found that detail-oriented visual processing was not significantly associated with hoarding symptom severity, emotional attachment to possessions, or the relationship between early life adversity and hoarding symptom severity. It did, however, act as a significant moderator in the relationship between early life adversity and emotional attachment to possessions. These findings add to the literature by identifying the role of a specific neurocognitive processing style in the mechanism through which early life adversity affects the development of a key hoarding-related dysfunction, elevated emotional attachment to possessions.
Emergency medicine physicians' ability to predict hospital admission at the time of triage.

Abstract Background We seek to determine if experienced emergency medicine physicians can accurately predict the likelihood of admission for patients at the time of triage. Such predictions, if proven to be accurate, could decrease the time spent in the ED for patients who will ultimately be admitted by hastening downstream workflow. Methods This is a prospective cohort study of experienced physicians at a large urban hospital. Physicians were asked to predict the likelihood of admission for patients based only on information available in the EMR at the time of triage. Physicians also predicted the service to which the patients would be admitted. Physicians provided a confidence level of their prediction. Measures of predictive accuracy were calculated, including sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Results 35 physicians evaluated 398 patient charts and made predictions. Sensitivity of determining admission for the entire cohort was 51.8%. The specificity was 89.1%. For those predictions made with a confidence level of >90%, sensitivity was 61.5% and specificity was 95.7%. Among physicians correctly predicting admission, the admitting service was predicted accurately 88.6% of the time. Conclusion Physicians performed poorly at predicting which patients would be admitted at the time of triage, even when they were confident in their predictions. Conversely, physicians accurately predicted who would be discharged. Physicians predicted with reasonable accuracy the service to which patients were ultimately admitted. More research and operational assessment needs to be performed to determine if these predictions can help improve ED efficiency.
Determining Reachable Regions and Optimal Controls

Publisher Summary This chapter presents two methods for the determination of reachable region for control problems. One of these methods is proven rigorously and applies to a certain class of optimal control problems that are singular in the sense that the Pontryagin maximum principle does not characterize the optimal controls completely. This method consists of a geometrical argument based on areas and “generalized centroids” of the areas under the desired control function curves. It determines the reachable regions and the optimal controls. The other method of determining the reachable region applies to a large class of control problems. It is presented in the chapter in the form of a heuristic or plausible argument only, and the steps remaining to be proved are indicated. This method consists in removing the constraints on the control set and introducing a special penalty functional. It is observed that a limiting process with this functional leads back to the original problem and to a Hamilton-Jacobi partial differential equation that describes the reachable region.
SYMBIOSIS AND DICHOTOMY IN THE NAMES OF ANNA AXMATOVA

Intermeshing themes of life and love with fire, grief and song in a recurring basic pattern, the Russian poet Anna Axmatova (1889–1966) concretizes the primal etymological unity in the words ‘fire’, ‘grief’ and ‘song’ to convey simultaneously the dichotomy arising between the Russian words gore (grief) and goret’ (to burn). The present study will explore the revolving pattern of symbiosis versus dichotomy emerging through careful coordination of the instances of dichotomy and symbiosis in the poet’s names of which there are three, her first name, Anna, her inherited surname, Gorenko, and her pseudonym, Axmatova.
SOCIOEMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS IN TODDLERS WITH LANGUAGE DELAY.

Toddlers with language delay are at risk for persistent developmental and behavioral difficulties; however, the association between socioemotional/behavior problems and language in young children is not well understood. This study explored socioemotional/behavior problems in a unique sample of toddlers with language delays using a measure developed explicitly for this age group. Toddlers identified by 18 months with receptive and expressive language delay (LD; n = 30) or typical development (TD; n = 61) were evaluated at 18 and 24 months of age using the Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment (ITSEA) and the Mullen Scales of Early Learning. Compared to toddlers who had TD, toddlers with LD had significantly more concerning scores at 18 and 24 months on all ITSEA domains. The rate of "clinical concern" on most domains was not high in either group, except that >60% of LD toddlers were in the clinical concern range on the Competence domain. Socioemotional/behavioral problems were dimensionally related to receptive and expressive language, with greater language delay associated with more concerning ITSEA scores. Socioemotional and behavioral problems are related to receptive and expressive language abilities in 18- and 24-month-olds, indicating the need for screening of both types of concerns in toddlers identified with potential language delays.
"They Didn't Tell Us How": Teaching High-Ability Students in a Secondary Setting.

“We had an in-service training… they told us to make sure that we were differentiating for our high needs learners, but they didn't tell us how.” This was how Victoria, a secondary art educator, an...
Defending Against Voice Spoofing: A Robust Software-Based Liveness Detection System

The recent proliferation of smartphones has been the primary driving factor behind the booming of voice-based mobile applications. However, the human voice is often exposed to the public in many different scenarios, and an adversary can easily "steal" a person's voice and attack voice-based applications with the help of state-of-the-art voice synthesis/conversion softwares. In this paper, we propose a robust software-based voice liveness detection system for defending against voice spoofing attack. The proposed system is tailored for mobile platforms and can be easily integrated with existing mobile applications. We propose three approaches based on leveraging the vibration of human vocal cords, the motion of the human vocal system, and the functionality of vibration motor inside the smartphone. Experimental results show that our system can detect a live speaker with a mean accuracy of 94.38% and detect an attacker with a mean accuracy of 88.89% by combining three approaches we proposed.
Chemoselective Carbonyl Allylations with Alkoxyallylsiletanes

Alkoxyallylsiletanes are capable of highly chemo- and diastereoselective carbonyl allylsilylations. Reactive substrates include salicylaldehydes and glyoxylic acids. Chemoselectivity in these reactions is thought to arise from a mechanism involving first exchange of the alkyoxy group on silicon with a substrate hydroxyl followed by activation of a nearby carbonyl by the Lewis acidic siletane and intramolecular allylation. In this way, substrates containing multiple reactive carbonyl groups (e.g., dialdehyde or triketone) can be selectively monoallylated, even overcoming inherent electrophilicity bias.
Having an Adult Child in the United States, Physical Functioning, and Unmet Needs for Care Among Older Mexican Adults.

Background Migration of adult children may impact the health of aging parents who remain in low- and middle-income countries. Prior studies have uncovered mixed associations between adult child migration status and physical functioning of older parents; none to our knowledge has examined the impact on unmet caregiving needs. Methods Data come from a population-based study of Mexican adults ≥50 years. We used longitudinal targeted maximum likelihood estimation to estimate associations between having an adult child US migrant and lower-body functional limitations, and both needs and unmet needs for assistance with basic or instrumental activities of daily living (ADLs/IADLs) for 11,806 respondents surveyed over an 11-year period. Results For women, having an adult child US migrant at baseline and 2-year follow-up was associated with fewer lower-body functional limitations [marginal risk difference (RD) = -0.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) = -0.26, -0.01] and ADLs/IADLs (RD = -0.08, 95% CI = -0.16, -0.001) at 2-year follow-up. Having an adult child US migrant at all waves was associated with a higher prevalence of functional limitations at 11-year follow-up (RD = 0.04, 95% CI = 0.01, 0.06). Having an adult child US migrant was associated with a higher prevalence of unmet needs for assistance at 2 (RD = 0.13, 95% CI = 0.04, 0.21) and 11-year follow-up for women (RD = 0.07, 95% CI = -0.02, 0.15) and 11-year follow-up for men (RD = 0.08, 95% CI = 0.00, 0.16). Conclusion Having an adult child US migrant had mixed associations with physical functioning, but substantial adverse associations with unmet caregiving needs for a cohort of older adults in Mexico.
Remarks on Paul Dragos Aligica’s Public entrepreneurship, citizenship and self-governance

Public Entrepreneurship, Citizenship and Self-Governance (PECS), is the latest installment of Aligica Aligica’s ongoing effort to clarify and extend the ideas and inquiries of the Bloomington School of Political Economy (e.g., Aligica and Boettke 2009; Aligica 2014). It is a remarkable book. I say that even though there are many points on which Aligica and I disagree, or at least points at which we draw quite divergent inferences from common observations. In these remarks I aim both to underscore points at which Aligica and I agree and to provoke future critical exchanges.
Abstract 4401: Implications of STAG2 loss in Ewing sarcoma

Ewing sarcoma is an aggressive pediatric bone and soft tissue cancer that is driven by a translocation event, predominantly involving the RNA binding protein EWSR1 and the transcription factor FLI1. The resultant fusion transcription factor EWSR1-FLI1 is a potent oncogene and drives dramatic changes in the transcriptional landscape of Ewing sarcoma. Our previous work demonstrated that EWS-FLI1 drives aberrant accumulation of R-loops, increases replication stress and suppresses homologous recombinational repair in Ewing sarcoma. Similar phenotypes were also observed with the loss of wildtype EWSR1. However, surprisingly, Ewing tumors have highly stable genomes. The most common mutation is in the STAG2 gene, a component of the cohesin ring complex. It was recently reported that STAG2-cohesin complexes not only participate in maintaining chromatin architecture but also play a key role in directing tissue-specific gene expression by interacting with transcription factors. In the present study, we evaluate the STAG2 function in R-loop metabolism, replication and repair and attempt to identify the reason for its selective loss in Ewing sarcoma. Using biochemical and biophysical experimental strategies, we observed that STAG2 and EWSR1 both bind R-loop structures with high affinity and are protective against RNaseH-mediated degradation of R-loops to significantly different degrees. We also examine the effect of STAG2 loss on R-loop accumulation and replication stress in Ewing and non-Ewing cell lines. Finally, we evaluate the correlation between STAG2 binding sites and R-loops. We propose that loss of STAG2 alleviates some of the genomic stresses experienced in Ewing sarcoma. Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Aparna Gorthi. Implications of STAG2 loss in Ewing sarcoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4401.
Who’s being left behind? Uninsured emergency general surgery admissions after the ACA

Abstract Background The Affordable Care Act (ACA) increased Medicaid coverage of Emergency General Surgery (EGS). We hypothesized that despite the ACA, racial and geographic disparities persisted for EGS admissions. Methods The Nationwide Inpatient Sample was queried from 2012 through Q3 of 2015 for Non-Medicare patient EGS admissions. Difference-in-Differences analyses (DID) compared payors, complications, mortality and costs in pre-ACA years (2012–2013) and post-ACA years (2014-2015Q3). Results EGS cases fell 9.1% from 1,711,940 to 1,555,033 NIS-weighted cases. Hispanics were still most likely to be uninsured but had improved coverage (OR 0.92, 95% CI: 0.88–0.96, p Conclusions Post ACA, risk of uninsured EGS admissions remained highest in the South, in males, and Hispanics.
Feasibility of Interferential and Pulsed Transcranial Electrical Stimulation for Neuromodulation at the Human Scale.

Objectives Transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) is a promising tool for modulating neural activity, but tES has poor penetrability and spatiotemporal resolution compared to invasive techniques like deep brain stimulation (DBS). Interferential strategies for alternating-current stimulation (IF-tACS) and pulsed/intersectional strategies for transcranial direct-current stimulation (IS-tDCS) address some of the limitations of tES, but the comparative advantages and disadvantages of these new techniques is not well understood. This study's objective was to evaluate the suprathreshold and subthreshold membrane dynamics of neurons in response to IF-tACS and IS-tDCS. Materials and methods We analyzed the biophysics of IF-tACS and IS-tDCS using a bioelectric field model of tES. Neural responses were quantified for suprathreshold generation of action potentials in axons and for subthreshold modulation of membrane dynamics in spiking pyramidal neurons. Results IF-tACS and IS-tDCS could not directly activate axons at or below 10 mA, but within this current range, these fields were able to modulate, albeit indirectly, spiking activity in the neuron model. IF-tACS facilitated phase synchronization similar to tACS, and IS-tDCS enhanced and suppressed spiking activity similar to tDCS; however, in either case, the modulatory effects of these fields were less potent than their standard counterparts at a matched field intensity. Moreover, neither IF-tACS nor IS-tDCS improved the spatial selectivity of their parent strategies. Conclusions Enhancing the spatiotemporal precision and penetrability of tES with interferential and intersectional strategies is possible at the human scale. However, IF-tACS or IS-tDCS will likely require spatial multiplexing with multiple simultaneous sources to counteract their reduced potency, compared to standard techniques, to maintain stimulation currents at tolerable levels.
Volatilization Behavior of Supported Au Nanoparticle Arrays Under H2 at High Temperature

The fabrication and experimental study of model Au nanoparticle arrays (nanodots) were used to allow a direct comparison of reactive evaporation at elevated temperatures and nonambient H2-containin...
Aminoglycoside Dosing and Volume of Distribution in Critically Ill Surgery Patients.

Background: At a tertiary referral and Level I trauma center, current institutional guidelines suggest initial aminoglycoside doses of gentamicin or tobramycin 4 mg/kg and amikacin 16 mg/kg for pat...
Crystal structures of the cobalt(III), nickel(II), copper(II), and zinc(II) complexes of 2-thio-6-picoline N-oxide

Structures of the following compounds have been solved: tris(2-thio-6-picoline N-oxide)cobalt(III), [Co(6MOS)3], orthorhombic, Pca21, a = 17.871(3), b = 14.061(2), c = 15.964(2) A, V = 4011(1) A3, Z = 8, and μ = 1.193 mm−1; bis (2-thio-6-picoline N-oxide)nickel(II), [Ni(6MOS)2], orthorhombic, Pbca, a = 15.602(8), b = 13.606(4), c = 13.348(8) A, V = 2833(4) A3, Z = 8, and μ = 1.655 mm−1; bis(2-thio-6-picoline N-oxide)copper(II), [Cu(6MOS)2], orthorhombic, Pbca, a = 13.914(5), b = 12.984(5), c = 15.663(6) A, V = 2830(2) A3, Z = 8, and μ = 1.836 mm−1; and bis(2-thio-6-picoline N-oxide)zinc(II), [Zn(6MOS)2], triclinic, P − 1, a = 7.9737(8), b = 11.7786(9), c = 7.9206(8) A, α = 104.502(7), β = 104.495(8), γ = 93.445(8)°, V = 691.3(1) A3, Z = 2, and μ = 2.106 mm−1. The steric effect of the methyl group in the six-position of the N-oxide ring is considered in comparing these structures to complexes of 2-thiopyridine N-oxide.
Patterns of Prescribing Antiretroviral Therapy Upon Discharge to Psychiatry Inpatients With HIV/AIDS at a Large Urban Hospital.

BackgroundHIV infection is more prevalent among people with severe mental illness (SMI) than in the general population. People with SMI may lack access to recommended antiretroviral therapy (ART), ...