cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nonlinear control oriented boiler modeling-a benchmark problem for controller design

This paper presents the development of a control oriented boiler model carried out on the basis of fundamental physical laws, previous efforts in boiler modeling, known physical constants, plant data, and heuristic adjustments. The resulting fairly accurate model is nonlinear, fourth order, and includes inverse response (shrink and swell effects), time delays, measurement noise models, and a load disturbance component. The model obtained can be directly used for the synthesis of model-based control algorithms as well as setting up a real-time simulator for testing of new boiler control systems and operator training.
Distribution of Members of the Crypthecodinium cohnii (Dinophyceae) Species Complex1

Crypthecodinium cohnii, a small marine heterotrophic homothallic dinoflagellate, has diversified into a complex of morphologically very similar breeding groups (biological species or sibling species), some of which have become widely dispersed. Membership of two clones in the same sibling species is shown by their sexual compatibility as determined by genetic complementation in zygotes formed from motility mutants derived from the two stocks. Membership in different sibling species may be inferrec when motility mutants of one strain do not complement those of another. Fifty-six clones representing seaweed enrichments from *** geographic sites have been found to belong to 28 sibling species; 35 clones are members of seven wide-ranging biological species, and 21 are single representatives of 21 other breeding groups within the ranges of the others. Of 174 clonal isolates in our possession, 168 conform in size and shape to C. cohnii. Six others which have smaller cells and only one-fifth the standard DNA and chromosome number belong, we believe, to another species. The C. cohnii complex provides a unique opportunity for the study of evolutionary divergence and geographical dispersion of a dinoflagellate.
LACERATIONS OF THE MOUTH

Soft-tissue and bony injuries of the face and oral cavity constitute much of the trauma seen in the emergency department. These types of wounds can be frightening for patients. The management of patients with oral lacerations, including those of the oral mucosa, gingiva, tongue, and lip, is addressed.
Recognizing Women in the Archeological Record

Primary sexual characteristics are usually absent in the archaeological record. The recovered secondary sex markers in bone morphology or mortuary context reflect the lifelong integrated biocultural experience of the individual man or woman. Internal patterns of variability within and between sexes can be recognized but are too frequently masked by traditional descriptive and univariate analyses. Fortunately, a more detailed picture of life experience is gained by analyzing chemical composition (isotopic and elemental) of hard tissues using an analytical anthropology approach and by examining the variation in novel ways. 7 figs.
Multiple scale finite element methods

New temporal and spatial discretization methods are developed for multiple scale structural dynamic problems. The concept of fast and slow time scales is introduced for the temporal discretization. The required time step is shown to be dependent only on the slow time scale, and therefore, large time steps can be used for high frequency problems. To satisfy the spatial counterpart of the requirement on time step constraint, finite-spectral elements and finite wave elements are developed. Finite-spectral element methods combine the usual finite elements with the fast convergent spectral functions to obtain a faster convergence rate; whereas, finite wave elements are developed in parallel to the temporal shifting technique. Therefore, the spatial resolution is increased substantially. These methods are especially applicable to structural acoustics and linear space structures. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of these methods.
Current Regulations and Recommendations Concerning Water Fluoridation, Fluoride Supplements, and Topical Fluoride Agents

In recent years, an increase in the prevalence of dental fluorosis, mostly of the very mild to mild category, has been seen in the United States. This paper therefore discusses the safety of dental fluoride products, primarily with respect to the risk of dental fluorosis due to chronic ingestion of these products by pre-school children. No change is indicated in the optimal fluoride level (0.7 to 1.2 ppm) for water fluoridation. A reduction in the dosage of fluoride supplements is recommended for children aged from three to six years (14.5 to 22 kg body weight) residing in communities with less than 0.7 ppm F. Physicians, pharmacists, and dentists need to be better educated in correctly prescribing fluoride supplements; such prescriptions should be based on the fluoride concentration of the domestic water supply and the child's weight/height/age. No change is recommended in the concentration of fluoride used in dentifrices and mouthrinses. The US Food and Drug Administration should require more explicit labeling of fluoride products with regard to avoidance of ingestion, use of small amounts, and need for supervised use by pre-school children. The efficacy of water fluoridation, fluoride supplements, and topical fluoride agents has been amply documented elsewhere.
Short-Range (0–48 h) Numerical Prediction of Convective Occurrence, Mode, and Location

Abstract A verification of high-resolution (6-km grid spacing) short-range (0–48 h) numerical model forecasts of warm-season convective occurrence, mode, and location was conducted over the Lake Michigan region. All available days from 5 April through 20 September 1999 were evaluated using 0.5° base reflectivity and accumulated precipitation products from the national radar network and the day-1 (0–24 h) and day-2 (24–48 h) forecasts from a quasi-operational version of the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research Mesoscale Model (MM5). Contingency measures show forecast skill for convective occurrence is high, with day-1 (day 2) equitable threat scores and Kuipers skill scores (KSS) of 0.69 (0.60) and 0.84 (0.75), respectively. Forecast skill in predicting convective mode (defined as linear, multicellular, or isolated) is also high, with KSS of 0.91 (0.86) for day 1 (day 2). Median timing errors for convective initiation/dissipation were within 2.5 h for all ...
Epidemiology of Advance Directives in Extended Care Facility Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department.

Author(s): Wall, Jessica; Hiestand, Brain; Caterino, Jeffrey | Abstract: Introduction: We conducted an epidemiologic evaluation of advance directives and do-not-resuscitate (DNR) prevalence among residents of extended care facilities (ECF) presenting to the emergency department (ED).Methods: We performed a retrospective medical record review on ED patients originating from an ECF. Data were collected on age, sex, race, triage acuity, ED disposition, DNR status, power-of attorney (POA) status, and living will (LW) status. We generated descriptive statistics, and used logistic regression to evaluate predictors of DNR status.Results: A total of 754 patients over 20 months met inclusion criteria; 533 (70.7%) were white, 351 (46.6%) were male, and the median age was 66 years (IQR 54-78). DNR orders were found in 124 (16.4%, 95% CI [13.9-19.1%]) patients. In univariate analysis, there was a significant difference in DNR by gender (10.5% female vs. 6.0% male with DNR, p=0.013), race (13.4% white vs. 3.1% non-white with DNR, p=0.005), and age (4.0% l65 years; 2.9% 65-74 years, p=0.101; 3.3% 75-84 years, p=0.001; 6.2% g84 years, pl0.001). Using multivariate logistic regression, we found that factors associated with DNR status were gender (OR 1.477, p=0.358, note interaction term), POA status (OR 6.612, pl0.001), LW (18.032, pl0.001), age (65-74 years OR 1.261, p=0.478; 75-84 years OR 1.737, p=0.091, g84 years OR 5.258, Pl0.001), with interactions between POA and gender (OR 0.294, P=0.016) and between POA and LW (OR 0.227, pl0.005). Secondary analysis demonstrated that DNR orders were not significantly associated with death during admission (p=0.084).Conclusion: Age, gender, POA, and LW use are predictors of ECF patient DNR use. Further, DNR presence is not a predictor of death in the hospital.
Repositioning Your EMBA Program and Reinventing Your Brand: A Case Study Analysis.

The purpose of this research is to illustrate how Fordham University, the Jesuit University of New York, repositioned its Executive MBA Program and reinvented its brand, over a ten year period. More specifically, this research will analyze the current state of the Executive MBA market and will discuss the best practices and frameworks implemented during this repositioning process, as supported by the research.
Rethinking Multiracial Formation in the United States Toward an Intersectional Approach

This article forwards an integrative multiracial formation perspective that analyzes race, class, and gender as complex social systems, predicated on racism, patriarchy, and economic exploitation. ...
A Crystal Ball in the Shadows of Nuremberg and Hiroshima: The Ethical Debate over Human Experimentation to Develop a Nuclear-Powered Bomber, 1946–1951

The theme of this volume, and of the conference at which these papers were first delivered, is the interaction of science and technology with the military, especially in the modern arms race. One of the major purposes of the conference was to examine critically “the appearance of an inaccessible and unquestionable scientific rationality” that may result from “a growing scienticization and technization of military policy.” When examined historically, how well do the actual decision-making processes conform to this ideal? To what extent are factors that in theory are excluded by the alleged rationality, in practice actually considered? Often when asking this question people have in mind considerations such as the institutional interests of the armed forces or the financial interests of private manufacturers. However, the claim of rationality also seems to exclude a very different set of concerns: ethical arguments. A breakdown in the claimed rationality need not always signify that forces of narrow interest and greed are let loose; it may also signify the inclusion of important social values in the decision-making process.
On the viability of checkpoint compression for extreme scale fault tolerance

The increasing size and complexity of high performance computing systems have lead to major concerns over fault frequencies and the mechanisms necessary to tolerate these faults. Previous studies have shown that state-of-the-field checkpoint/restart mechanisms will not scale sufficiently for future generation systems. In this work, we explore the feasibility of checkpoint data compression to reduce checkpoint commit latency and storage overheads. Leveraging a simple model for checkpoint compression viability, we conclude that checkpoint data compression should be considered as a part of a scalable checkpoint/restart solution and discuss additional scenarios and improvements that may make checkpoint data compression even more viable.
A Molecular Mechanism of Hydrolysis of Peptide Bonds at Neutral pH Using a Model Compound

The covalent stability of peptide bonds is a critical aspect of biological chemistry and therapeutic protein applications. In this computational study, the hydrolytic reaction of peptide bonds at neutral pH was studied using a model compound, N-MAA. The most probable reaction pathway and intermediate(s) involved are controversial in previous studies. In addition, most previous computational studies focus on the energetics of chemical species involved, rather than providing a dynamic picture of the reaction process in aqueous conditions. However, fluctuations at finite temperatures are quite important, as we show. Thus, a path sampling method was used to generate an ensemble of trajectories according to their statistical weights in trajectory space. An ab initio molecular dynamics technique was applied to advance the time of the reaction in order to collect trajectories. The likelihood maximization procedure and its modification were used in extracting dynamically relevant degrees of freedom in the system,...
Home-Based Direct Care Workers: Their Reported Injuries and Perceived Training Knowledge.

The objectives of the study were to profile occupational injury patterns across home health and hospice care (HHC), organization characteristics, and home health aides’ (HHAs) individual characteristics, and examine how worker training affects HHAs’ risk of reporting an injury using the model of human factors of health care in the home. The authors measured training knowledge using an 11-item scale and conducted univariate and bivariate analyses to describe injury patterns across individual, occupational, and organizational factors using STATA 12.0. The researchers found that work-related injuries and type of injury were associated with increased likelihood of reporting one or more injuries, full-time employment, high hourly pay, and working in an inpatient or mixed setting. Overall, HHAs perceived that they received “excellent” and “good” training on key topics that promoted safety and job knowledge. Furthermore, the results suggested linkages between worker’s complex personal, occupational, and organiza...
The secotioid syndrome

Conference sur les affinites entre les Champignons Secotioides et les Agaricaceae et leurs voies evolutives
Synthesis, Electrochemistry, and Reactivity of New Iridium(III) and Rhodium(III) Hydrides

Two new iridium hydride complexes, Cp*Ir(2-phenylpyridine)H (Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) and Cp*Ir(benzo[h]quinoline)H, and their rhodium analogues Cp*Rh(2-phenylpyridine)H and Cp*Rh(benzo[h]quinoline)H have been prepared from the corresponding chlorides. The X-ray structures of Cp*Ir(2-phenylpyridine)H and Cp*Rh(2-phenylpyridine)H have been determined. The electrochemistry of all four hydride complexes and the corresponding chlorides has been studied by cyclic voltammetry; all exhibit irreversible M(III/IV) (M = Ir, Rh) oxidations. The hydride complexes are more easily oxidized than their chloride analogues, and the rhodium hydrides are more easily oxidized than their iridium analogues. The hydride complexes transfer H– to the N-carbophenoxypyridinium cation at room temperature, giving mixtures of the 1,2- and 1,4-dihydropyridine products. In CD3CN all four hydrides give these products in nearly the same ratio, which results from kinetic control; the thermodynamic ratio of the products has been ca...
Microbial Synthesis of Purine 2′-Amino-2′-deoxyribosides

The microbial synthesis of some purine 2′-amino-2′-deoxyribonucleosides from purine bases and 2′-amino-2′-deoxyuridine is described. Various bacteria, especially Erwinia herbicola, Salmonella schottmuelleri, Enterobacter aerogenes and Escherichia coli, were able to transfer the aminoribosyl moiety of 2′-amino-2′-deoxyuridine to purine bases (transaminoribosylation) in the presence of inorganic phosphate. The optimum conditions for the reaction were pH 7.0 and 63°C. No reaction was observed in the absence of inorganic phosphate and the optimum concentration of it was around 30 mm. Adenine, guanine, 2-chlorohypoxanthine and hypoxanthine were transformed to the corresponding 2′-amino-2′-deoxyribonucleosides by the catalytic activity of the wet cell paste of Enterobacter aerogenes AJ 11125. The enzymatically synthesized purine 2′-amino-2′-deoxyribonucleosides were isolated and identified by physicochemical means. 2′-Amino-2′-deoxyadenosine strongly inhibited the growth of Hela cells in tissue culture, and the...
Quantification of root caries using optical coherence tomography and microradiography: a correlational study.

Purpose The use of transverse microradiography (TMR) to quantify the amount of mineral lost during demineralization of tooth tissue has long been established. In the present study, the use of an en-face Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) technology to detect and quantitatively monitor the mineral changes in root caries was investigated and correlated with TMR. Materials and methods We used an OCT system, developed initially for retina imaging, and which can collect A-scans, B-scans (longitudinal images) and C-scans (en-face images) to quantitatively assess the development of root caries. The power to the sample was 250 microW, wavelength lambda = 850 nm and the optical source linewidth was 16 microm. Results Both the transversal and longitudinal images showed the caries lesion as volumes of reduced reflectivity. Quantitative analysis using the A-scan (reflectivity versus depth curve) showed that the tissue reflectivity decreased with increasing demineralization time. A linear correlation (r = 0.957) was observed between the mineral loss measured by TMR and the percentage reflectivity loss in demineralized tissue measured by OCT. Conclusion We concluded that OCT could be used to detect incipient root caries, and that the reflectivity loss in root tissue during demineralization, measured by OCT, could be related to the amount of mineral lost during the demineralization.
Drug-positive rates for the Army from fiscal years 1991 to 2000 and for the National Guard from Fiscal years 1997 to 2000.

This article examines the positive rate by drug for all urinalysis specimens tested by the U.S. Army from fiscal year 1991 (FY91) to FY00 and for the Army National Guard (NG) from FY97 to FY00. The average positive rate for the Army from FY91 to FY00 was 0.84%. In FY00, the Army rate reached a 10-year high of 1.04%. From FY97 to FY00, the NG positive rate declined from 3.4% to 2.16% but was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the Army rate during the same period. Marijuana and cocaine are the most abused drugs for both the Army and NG. The positive rate for marijuana in the Army from FY91 to FY00 was 0.51%, and the cocaine rate was 0.19%, The NG marijuana-positive rate from FY97 to FY00 was 1.70%, and the cocaine rate was 0.51%. The positive rate for all other drugs of abuse tested was less than 0.3% for both the Army and NG during the same periods. The overall positive rate for the Army and NG are below those estimated (6.3%) in the civilian population.
The Times They are a Changing: Implications of Workplace Changes for the Development of Selection Examinations

The purpose of this article is to examine how the changes in information technology and the push toward reinventing government affect the merit system and selection within public sector organizations. Information technology is changing rapidly and will lead to modifications in job knowledge and responsibilities resulting in changed organizational structures.
An Electrochemical Impedance-Based Thermal Flow Sensor for Physiological Fluids

A novel electrochemical-thermal flow sensor was developed for use in physiological liquids. The sensor was constructed out of a platinum resistive heater and platinum sensing electrodes on a Parylene C substrate, rendering it flexible and fully biocompatible. During heating, changes in electrochemical impedance across the sensing electrodes were used to detect changes in temperature, and highly sensitive flow measurements were achieved with overheat temperatures of only 1 °C. The sensor’s biocompatibility and low overheat temperature make it an ideal candidate for chronic in vivo applications. [2016-0170]
Nanodomain Regulation of Cardiac Cyclic Nucleotide Signaling by Phosphodiesterases

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) form an 11-member superfamily comprising 100 different isoforms that regulate the second messengers cyclic adenosine or guanosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cAMP or cGMP). These PDE isoforms differ with respect to substrate selectivity and their localized control of cAMP and cGMP within nanodomains that target specific cellular pools and synthesis pathways for the cyclic nucleotides. Seven PDE family members are physiologically relevant to regulating cardiac function, disease remodeling of the heart, or both: PDE1 and PDE2, both dual-substrate (cAMP and cGMP) esterases; PDE3, PDE4, and PDE8, which principally hydrolyze cAMP; and PDE5A and PDE9A, which target cGMP. New insights regarding the different roles of PDEs in health and disease and their local signaling control are broadening the potential therapeutic utility for PDE-selective inhibitors. In this review, we discuss these PDEs, focusing on the different mechanisms by which they control cardiac function in healt...
Case Records of the Massachusetts General Hospital. Case 31-2016. A 53-Year-Old Man with Diplopia, Polydipsia, and Polyuria.

A 53-year-old man was seen in outpatient clinics of this hospital because of a 1-year history of diplopia, polydipsia, and polyuria. Imaging studies showed mucosal thickening of the sphenoid sinus and enlargement of the pituitary gland. A diagnostic procedure was performed.
Induction of oxidative stress by bisphenol A and its pleiotropic effects

Bisphenol A (BPA) has become a target of intense public scrutiny since concerns about its association with human diseases such as obesity, diabetes, reproductive disorders, and cancer have emerged. BPA is a highly prevalent chemical in consumer products, and human exposure is thought to be ubiquitous. Numerous studies have demonstrated its endocrine disrupting properties and attributed exposure with cytotoxic, genotoxic, and carcinogenic effects; however, the results of these studies are still highly debated and a consensus about BPA's safety and its role in human disease has not been reached. One of the contributing factors is a lack of molecular mechanisms or modes of action that explain the diverse and pleiotropic effects observed after BPA exposure. The increase in BPA research seen over the last ten years has resulted in more studies that examine molecular mechanisms and revealed links between BPA-induced oxidative stress and human disease. Here, a review of the current literature examining BPA exposure and the induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or oxidative stress will be provided to examine the landscape of the current BPA literature and provide a framework for understanding how induction of oxidative stress by BPA may contribute to the pleiotropic effects observed after exposure. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 58:60-71, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Young Adults With Type 1 Diabetes: Romantic Relationships and Implications for Well-Being.

Objective. The study goal was to examine whether young adults with type 1 diabetes involve romantic partners in their illness, and, if so, how their involvement is related to relationship quality and psychological well-being. Methods. A total of 68 people (mean age 25.5 years, [SD 3.7 years]) with type 1 diabetes (mean diabetes duration 6 years, [SD 6.7]) involved in a romantic relationship (mean relationship duration 25 months, [SD 27 months]) completed phone interviews. Communal coping (shared illness appraisal and collaborative problem-solving), partner supportive and unsupportive behavior, relationship quality, and psychological well-being were assessed with standardized measures. The study was partly descriptive in identifying the extent of communal coping and specific supportive and unsupportive behaviors and partly correlational in connecting communal coping and supportive or unsupportive behaviors to relationship quality and psychological well-being. Results. Descriptive findings showed that partners were somewhat involved in diabetes, but communal coping was less common compared to other chronically ill populations. The most common partner supportive behaviors were emotional and instrumental support. The most common partner unsupportive behavior was worry about diabetes. Correlational results showed that communal coping was related to greater partner emotional and instrumental support, but also to greater partner overprotective and controlling behaviors (P Conclusion. People with type 1 diabetes may benefit from increased partner involvement in illness. This could be facilitated by health care professionals.
A Gradient-Based Constitutive Model for Shape Memory Alloys

Constitutive models are necessary to design shape memory alloy (SMA) components at nano- and micro-scales in NEMS and MEMS. The behavior of small-scale SMA structures deviates from that of the bulk material. Unfortunately, this response cannot be modeled using conventional constitutive models which lack an intrinsic length scale. At small scales, size effects are often observed along with large gradients in the stress or strain. Therefore, a gradient-based thermodynamically consistent constitutive framework is established. Generalized surface and body forces are assumed to contribute to the free energy as work conjugates to the martensite volume fraction, transformation strain tensor, and their spatial gradients. The rates of evolution of these variables are obtained by invoking the principal of maximum dissipation after assuming a transformation surface, which is a differential equation in space. This approach is compared to the theories that use a configurational force (microforce) balance law. The developed constitutive model includes energetic and dissipative length scales that can be calibrated experimentally. Boundary value problems, including pure bending of SMA beams and simple torsion of SMA cylindrical bars, are solved to demonstrate the capabilities of this model. These problems contain the differential equation for the transformation surface as well as the equilibrium equation and are solved analytically and numerically. The simplest version of the model, containing only the additional gradient of martensite volume fraction, predicts a response with greater transformation hardening for smaller structures.
Quantifying a threat: Evidence of a numeric processing bias

Humans prioritize the processing of threats over neutral stimuli; thus, not surprisingly, the presence of threats has been shown to alter performance on both perceptual and cognitive tasks. Yet whether the quantification process is disrupted in the presence of threat is unknown. In three experiments, we examined numerical estimation and discrimination abilities in adults in the context of threatening (spiders) and non-threatening (e.g., flowers) stimuli. Results of the numerical estimation task (Experiment 1) showed that participants underestimated the number of threatening relative to neutral stimuli. Additionally, numerical discrimination data reveal that participants' abilities to discriminate between the number of entities in two arrays were worsened when the arrays consisted of threatening entities versus neutral entities (Experiment 2). However, discrimination abilities were enhanced when threatening content was presented immediately before neutral dot arrays (Experiment 3). Together, these studies suggest that threats impact our processing of visual numerosity via changes in attention to numerical stimuli, and that the nature of the threat (intrinsic or extrinsic to the stimulus) is vital in determining the direction of this impact. Intrinsic threat content in stimuli impedes its own quantification; yet threat that is extrinsic to the sets to be enumerated enhances numerical processing for subsequently presented neutral stimuli.
Two New Tools for Glycopeptide Analysis Researchers: A Glycopeptide Decoy Generator and a Large Data Set of Assigned CID Spectra of Glycopeptides

The glycopeptide analysis field is tightly constrained by a lack of effective tools that translate mass spectrometry data into meaningful chemical information, and perhaps the most challenging aspect of building effective glycopeptide analysis software is designing an accurate scoring algorithm for MS/MS data. We provide the glycoproteomics community with two tools to address this challenge. The first tool, a curated set of 100 expert-assigned CID spectra of glycopeptides, contains a diverse set of spectra from a variety of glycan types; the second tool, Glycopeptide Decoy Generator, is a new software application that generates glycopeptide decoys de novo. We developed these tools so that emerging methods of assigning glycopeptides’ CID spectra could be rigorously tested. Software developers or those interested in developing skills in expert (manual) analysis can use these tools to facilitate their work. We demonstrate the tools’ utility in assessing the quality of one particular glycopeptide software pac...
A Drift-Tolerant Read/Write Scheme for Multilevel Memristor Memory

Memristor based crossbar memories are prime candidates to succeed the Flash as the mainstream nonvolatile memory due to their density, scalability, write endurance and capability of storing multibit per cell. In this paper, we present a memristor crossbar memory architecture that utilizes a reduced constraint read-monitored-write scheme. The proposed scheme supports multibit storage per cell and utilizes reduced hardware, aiming to decrease the feedback complexity and latency while still operating with CMOS compatible voltages. We additionally present a read technique that can successfully distinguish resistive states under the existence of resistance drift due to read/write disturbances in the array. We also provide derivations of analytical relations to set forth a design methodology in selecting peripheral device parameters.
A Review of Writing Centre Tutor Training Materials in the GCC

This chapter seeks to explore how writing centre (WC) tutor training is approached across six countries: Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. The analysis will discuss in-house produced tutor training documents and review their content in terms of training purposes, articulated tutoring goals, the presentation of the positioning of the WC to the larger university, and how the wider goals and assumptions of WC theory are applied locally. Ultimately, the analysis will yield insights into the nature of how Middle Eastern and North African WCs have implemented and adapted WC theory to their local contexts.
The Oxidative State of Cysteine Thiol 144 Regulates the SIRT6 Glucose Homeostat

Control of glucose homeostasis plays a critical role in health and lifespan and its dysregulation contributes to inflammation, cancer and aging. NAD + dependent Sirtuin 6 (SIRT6) is a glucose homeostasis regulator in animals and humans and its regulation at the molecular level is unknown. Here, we report that a cysteine thiol redox sensor contributes to the role of SIRT6 in controlling glucose homeostasis. Sulfenylation of SIRT6 occurs in THP1 cells and primary human promonocytes during inflammation and in splenocytes from mice with sepsis. Inhibiting xanthine oxidase, a major reactive oxygen species (ROS) contributor during acute inflammation, reduces sulfenylation of SIRT6, glucose transporter Glut1 expression, glucose uptake, and glycolysis. A block in glycolysis associated with monocyte deactivation by endotoxin, a process contributing to immunometabolic paralysis in human and mouse sepsis monocytes, can be reversed by increasing H2O2 and sulfenylating SIRT6. Mutation analysis of SIRT6 Cys144, which lies in its phylogenetically conserved zinc-associated Cys-X-X-Cys motif near the catalytic domain of the protein, decreases SIRT6 deacetylase activity and promotes glycolysis. These results suggest that direct and reversible cysteine thiol 144 may play a functional role in SIRT6-dependent control over monocyte glycolysis, an important determinant of effector innate immune responses.
Cytomegalovirus after heart transplantation. Risk factors for infection and death: A multiinstitutional study

Cytomegalovirus infection is a major cause of morbidity and rehospitalization after heart transplantation. To assess its incidence and risk factors in the current era of heart transplantation, we analyzed cytomegalovirus infection data in 1553 patients from 26 institutions (Cardiac Transplant Research Database Group) undergoing primary heart transplantation between Jan. 1, 1990, and June 30, 1992. There were 230 treated cytomegalovirus infections in 200 patients, of which 16 were fatal (6%; 70% confidence limits 5% to 9%). Actuarial freedom from cytomegalovirus infection was 98% 1 month, 88% 3 months, and 83% 24 months after transplantation, with a peak incidence of initial infection at 2 months. Twenty-five (12%) of 200 patients with cytomegalovirus infection had recurrent cytomegalovirus infection during a mean follow-up of 13.9 months. The primary location of cytomegalovirus infection was blood in 100 infections (43%), lung in 69 (30%), gastrointestinal tract in 54 (23%), and other sites in seven patients (3%). Cytomegalovirus pneumonia exhibited the highest mortality rate (13%). Risk factors by multivariate analysis for earlier development of cytomegalovirus infection included pretransplantation cytomegalovirus serology (positive donor, negative recipient [p < 0.0001]; positive donor, positive recipient [p = 0.0002]; and negative donor, positive recipient [p = 0.02]) and cytolytic induction therapy (p = 0.05). A cytomegalovirus-positive recipient with a cytomegalovirus-positive donor had a 15% chance of having cytomegalovirus infection, whereas a cytomegalovirus-negative recipient with a cytomegalovirus-positive donor had a 24% chance. Ganciclovir treatment was administered in 227 (99%) of 230 infections. By multivariable analysis, the likelihood of a fatal cytomegalovirus infection was increased with a higher number of infections of any type during the first post transplantation month (p < 0.0001). There was no increased mortality rate in cytomegalovirus infections associated with cytomegalovirus-positive donor and cytomegalovirus-negative recipient (6% mortality rate) versus all other cytomegalovirus infections (6% mortality rate) (p = 0.9) or with OKT3 induction therapy (0% mortality rate) versus all others (noninduction and induction with other than OKT3) (1.4%) (p = 0.03). In conclusion, the biggest determinant of cytomegalovirus infection is donor and recipient pretransplantation cytomegalovirus serologic results with cytolytic induction therapy adding a small additional risk. The overall mortality rate from cytomegalovirus infections is low (7%) in the current era with rapid culture techniques and ganciclovir therapy. Cytomegalovirus infections are more likely to be fatal if there are more frequent preceding infections of any type, but mortality rates are not increased by OKT3 induction or with a cytomegalovirus-positive donor organ transplanted into a cytomegalovirus-negative recipient.
Efficient Approximate Eigensolution for Structures Equipped with a Passive Damping Device

AbstractThis article presents an approximate method for the complex eigensolution of nonclassically damped linear systems representing a structure equipped with a passive damping device. The propos...
Evaluation of fetal growth by estimation of neonatal body composition.

To characterize the variation in normal fetal growth by body composition analysis, 188 neonates from uncomplicated singleton term pregnancies were evaluated within 24 hours of birth. Anthropometric measures used to estimate lean body mass and body fat included the following: birth weight 3553 +/- 462 g, lean body mass 3060 +/- 377 g (86.3%), fat mass 495 +/- 196 g (13.7%), and ponderal index 2.65 +/- 0.25. There was a significant linear correlation between birth weight and lean body mass (r2 = 0.83, P = .0001), fat mass (r2 = 0.46, P = .0001), and ponderal index (r2 = 0.22, P = .001). Although the ponderal index has been used as an index of corpulence, the correlation between ponderal index and percent body fat was poor (r2 = 0.15). These results suggest that although neonatal fat mass constitutes only 14% of total birth weight, it explains 46% of its variance. In contrast, the ponderal index explains only 22% of the variance in birth weight and correlates poorly with percent body fat. Body composition analysis explains a significant amount of the variance in normal birth weight.
A learning architecture for automating the intelligent environment

Developing technologies and systems for perception and perspicacious automated control of home and workplace environments is a challenging problem. We present a complete agent architecture for learning to automate the intelligent environment and discuss the development, deployment, and techniques utilized in our working intelligent environments. Empirical evaluation of our approach has proven its effectiveness at reducing inhabitant interactions by 72.2%.
Chapter 18 Philanthropy

Abstract Philanthropy is one of the enduring areas of economic research. Why would people work hard only to give their earnings away? The paper explores the theoretical foundations, as well as the empirical and policy research on philanthropy. This paper reviews over 25 years worth of economic research, and points to the many challenging new questions that remain.
Complications of Nasoseptal Flap Reconstruction: A Systematic Review.

Objective The nasoseptal flap (NSF) is considered the primary vascularized flap for reconstruction of dural defects with endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) of the skull base. However, the complications and morbidities associated with this reconstructive flap are poorly understood. This article presents a systematic review of the complications and morbidities related to the use of the NSF in skull base surgery. Method A systematic review of the literature based on published guidelines was performed to identify potential complications and morbidities related to the NSF. The MEDLINE and Embase databases were searched from January 1, 1950 to February 5, 2018. Results Twenty-seven articles were identified. Reported complications were as follows: NSF necrosis (4 studies; [0–1.3%]), mucocele formation (5 studies; [0–3.6%]), septal perforation (6 studies, [0–14.4%]), nasal dorsum collapse (2 studies, [0.7–5.8%]), effects on quality of life (QoL) (8 studies), and olfactory loss (11 studies). Conclusion Although complications associated with the NSF may be underreported in the literature, the NSF appears to be a safe and reliable reconstructive flap in EES of the skull base.
Health Literacy and Clear Bedside Communication: A Curricular Intervention for Internal Medicine Physicians and Medicine Nurses

Introduction Communication remains the backbone of patient-provider relationships, and many health outcomes have been directly attributed to both effective and ineffective communication. We develop...
Determinants of early discontinuation of first-line chemotherapy, and associated outcomes among elderly with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

9102Background: Chemotherapy is the primary treatment modality in elderly with Advanced-NSCLC (Adv-NSCLC), with ASCO/NCCN guideline recommending First-Line Chemotherapy (FL-Chemo) for at least 4 mo...
THE HUNGER GAMES IS A UTOPIA? THE FEMININE AS A BRIDGE TO THE RETURN TO NATURE IN CONTEMPORARY DYSTOPIA

Contemporary dystopia has distinguished itself from the canonic texts of the genre since it has problematized technology and is permeated by posthumanism. This update in the dystopian genre has a utopic subtext within the narrative. In it, utopia is only achieved by a return to nature; such a connection between humanity and nature will only be restored by the feminine who will work as a bridge to a posthuman relation among species. This paper will start from the contributions of Derrida (1997, 2008), Dunja M. Mohr (2007), Rita Terezinha Schmidt (2017) and Cary Wolfe (2009) to analyze the trilogy Hunger Games (2008, 2009, 2010), aiming to discuss epistemologically the utopic subtext. The paper will show that Rue and Katniss will create a strong bond with nature, being the last female character responsible to lead society to a posthuman utopic place.
An In-Depth Look of BFT Consensus in Blockchain: Challenges and Opportunities

Since the introduction of Bitcoin---the first wide-spread application driven by blockchains---the interest of the public and private sector in blockchains has skyrocketed. At the core of this interest are the ways in which blockchains can be used to improve data management, e.g., by enabling federated data management via decentralization, resilience against failure and malicious actors via replication and consensus, and strong data provenance via a secured immutable ledger.In practice, high-performance blockchains for data management are usually built in permissioned environments in which the participants are vetted and can be identified. In this setting, blockchains are typically powered by Byzantine fault-tolerant consensus protocols. These consensus protocols are used to provide full replication among all honest blockchain participants by enforcing an unique order of processing incoming requests among the participants.In this tutorial, we take an in-depth look at Byzantine fault-tolerant consensus. First, we take a look at the theory behind replicated computing and consensus. Then, we delve into how common consensus protocols operate. Finally, we take a look at current developments and briefly look at our vision moving forward.
Why I Rejected Your R&R Submission and What You Could Have Done to Secure an Acceptance:

Richard Daft’s (1995) now classic chapter from Cummings and Frost’s edited volume, Publishing in the Organizational Sciences, titled “Why I Recommended That Your Manuscript Be Rejected and What You...
It takes a Village to Care for the Mechanical Circulatory Support Device Patient throughout the Care Environment

Purpose Over 23,000 mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices have been implanted since 2006. Survival for patients with MCS at 3 years is approximately 60%. In the hospital environment, there are an increasing number of patients with devices from both index admissions, readmissions and non-device related admissions. Frequently patients in the Progressive and Acute Care settings are required to travel off the unit requiring nurses to leave their other patients while accompanying the MCS patient. Our urban, academic medical center needed a way to support these patients and the team members caring for them. Objectives Creating a safe environment for patients to receive care is of utmost importance in a complex patient population with essential life sustaining equipment. Empowering knowledge to our team members allows for smoother transitions throughout the practice areas and a shared ownership for their safety. Methods A class was developed for support team members and taught by CT Surgery Clinical Nurse Specialists and VAD Coordinators. Transporters, care partners, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech therapists, nurses in procedural/ambulatory areas, and others attended the educational class. The 2 hour class consisted of introduction to MCD devices - Heart Mate II, III / HeartWare and Total Artificial Hearts devices. Opportunities for hands on learning allowed for greater comfort with handling the equipment during everyday care or an emergency. This annual required education was offered monthly. Results Stable ventricular assist device patients are able to travel off the Progressive and Acute care units without a nurse or VAD coordinator due to this collaborative effort. There has not been any serious safety events related to VADs being transported off the units since this practice was implemented in 2013. Conclusions It takes a village to care for patients with Mechanical Circulatory Support and this organization welcomes them throughout the care environment. Non licensed team members in additional to nurses in ambulatory areas can safely care for patients when leaving their primary inpatient units, allowing for greater awareness of the special needs of this complex population. Table/Image: Table/Image: Primary Author Registrant ID: 5632540 First Name: Kimberly Last Name: Nelson Phone Number: (540) 226-7533 E-mail: fullofjoy247@gmail.com Credentials DNP, RN-BC, ACNS-BC, CHFN, CCPC, CCRP, RDCS Affiliation Name: VCU Medical Center Affiliations Address 1: 22 Brown Circle Address 2: City: Fredericksburg State: VA Zip Code: 22405
Teaching a Severely Handicapped Deaf-Blind Young Woman to Prepare Breakfast Foods:

A severely handicapped deaf-blind young woman was taught to prepare three breakfast foods—cereal, chocolate milk, and juice—with an instructional package that consisted of tactile recipe cards, a p...
Computationally efficient Bayesian sequential function monitoring

In functional sequential process monitoring, a process is characterized by sequences of observations called profiles which are monitored over time for stability. The goal is to halt a process when ...
A Sawtooth Relaxation ICO based 1-1 MASH ADC

A novel way of extracting quantization error in a Current-Controlled Oscillator (ICO) based open loop multi-stage noise shaping (MASH) Delta-Sigma ADC is proposed. The ICO is designed as a sawtooth generator with output level sensing to extract the quantization error as an analog voltage at the sampling instance. This voltage is processed by similar successive stages to reduce the effective quantization error, similar to the MASH topology. This open loop architecture alleviates the concerns of instability due to excess loop delays akin to higher order sigma delta ADCs and allows to achieve improved resolution without the need of highly linear Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs). Using identical ICOs with simple phase counters and filtering techniques in digital domain, a higher resolution ADC with a second order noise shaping is conceptually realized. The proposed architecture is also insensitive to ICO mismatches.
Intraperitoneal corticosteroids for recurrent ascites in patients with Fontan circulation: Initial clinical experience

Individuals with single-ventricle congenital heart disease who are palliated to a Fontan circulation are at risk for heart failure and liver disease, with recurrent ascites being a potentially debilitating cause of late morbidity. Although ascites associated with heart failure or liver failure is usually characterized by a high serum-ascites albumin gradient (SAAG), we have observed multiple instances of ascites in Fontan patients with low SAAG, suggesting an inflammatory process. We present three cases in which recalcitrant ascites severely and adversely impacted the quality of life and describe our initial experience with intraperitoneal corticosteroids in this setting.
Development of a Novel SNAP-Epitope Tag/Near-Infrared Imaging Assay to Quantify G Protein-Coupled Receptor Degradation in Human Cells:

We have developed a novel reporter assay that leverages SNAP-epitope tag/near-infrared (NIR) imaging technology to monitor G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) degradation in human cell lines. N-terminal SNAP-tagged GPCRs were subcloned and expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells and then subjected to 24 h of cycloheximide (CHX)-chase degradation assays to quantify receptor degradation half-lives (t1/2) using LICOR NIR imaging-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) analysis. Thus far, we have used this method to quantify t1/2 for all nine adrenergic (ADRA1A, ADRA1B, ADRA1D, ADRA2A, ADRA2B, ADRA2C, ADRB1, ADRB2, ADRB3), five somatostatin (SSTR1, SSTR2, SSTR3, SSTR4, SSTR5), four chemokine (CXCR1, CXCR2, CXCR3, CXCR5), and three 5-HT2 (5HT2A, 5HT2B, 5HT2C) receptor subtypes. SNAP-GPCR-CHX degradation t1/2 values ranged from 0.52 h (ADRA1D) to 5.5 h (SSTR3). On the contrary, both the SNAP-tag alone and SNAP-tagged and endogenous β-actin were resistant to degradation with CHX treatment. Treatment with the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib produced significant but variable increases in SNAP-GPCR protein expression levels, indicating that SNAP-GPCR degradation primarily occurs through the proteasome. Remarkably, endogenous β2-adrenergic receptor/ADRB2 dynamic mass redistribution functional responses to norepinephrine were significantly decreased following CHX treatment, with a time course equivalent to that observed with the SNAP-ADRB2 degradation assay. We subsequently adapted this assay into a 96-well glass-bottom plate format to facilitate high-throughput GPCR degradation screening. t1/2 values quantified for the α1-adrenergic receptor subtypes (ADRA1A, ADRA1B, ADR1D) using the 96-well-plate format correlated with t1/2 values quantified using NIR-PAGE imaging analysis. In summary, this novel assay permits precise quantitative analysis of GPCR degradation in human cells and can be readily adapted to quantify degradation for any membrane protein of interest.