cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spatial index and visualization of protein structure

The generation of protein data is increasing exponentially with the rapid development of experimental technology. It is becoming a major issue for bioinformatics scientists to find an efficient method for retrieving and visualizing the protein structures. In this paper, we present a novel approach that uses the dihedral information of a specific protein to query the spatial structures from public databases. Furthermore, we implemented the visualization of the dihedral information of the queried database.
Withdrawal of Life-Sustaining Therapy After Sudden, Unexpected Life-Threatening Illness or Injury: Interactions Between Patients’ Families, Healthcare Providers, and the Healthcare System

BACKGROUND Withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy in intensive care units is increasing. Patients' families are intimately involved in this process because the patients are usually unable to participate. Little is known about family members' interactions with healthcare providers and the healthcare system during this process. OBJECTIVE To describe the interactions between patients' family members, healthcare providers, and the healthcare system during withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy after a sudden, unexpected illness or injury. METHODS The investigation was part of a larger interpretative phenomenological study. Nineteen families (56 family members) who participated in the process of withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy for a family member were interviewed and observed. An inductive approach to data analysis was used to discover units of meaning, clusters, and categories. RESULTS The families' experiences involved a variety of dimensions, including issues with healthcare providers (bonds and consistency with nurses and physicians, physicians' presence, information, coordination of care, family meetings, sensitivity to time, and preparation for the dying process) and issues with the healthcare system (parking, struggles with finding privacy, and transfers of patients). CONCLUSIONS Patients' families need information, guidance, and support as the families participate in the process of withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy. The results of this study have important implications for clinical practice and future research.
Distributed Stochastic Market Clearing With High-Penetration Wind Power

Integrating renewable energy into the modern power grid requires risk-cognizant dispatch of resources to account for the stochastic availability of renewables. Toward this goal, day-ahead stochastic market clearing with high-penetration wind energy is pursued in this paper based on the DC optimal power flow (OPF). The objective is to minimize the social cost which consists of conventional generation costs, end-user disutility, as well as a risk measure of the system re-dispatching cost. Capitalizing on the conditional value-at-risk (CVaR), the novel model is able to mitigate the potentially high risk of the recourse actions to compensate wind forecast errors. The resulting convex optimization task is tackled via a distribution-free sample average based approximation to bypass the prohibitively complex high-dimensional integration. Furthermore, to cope with possibly large-scale dispatchable loads, a fast distributed solver is developed with guaranteed convergence using the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM). Numerical results tested on a modified benchmark system are reported to corroborate the merits of the novel framework and proposed approaches.
Mitochondrial ROS Induces Cardiac Inflammation via a Pathway through mtDNA Damage in a Pneumonia-Related Sepsis Model

We have previously shown that mitochondria-targeted vitamin E (Mito-Vit-E), a mtROS specific antioxidant, improves cardiac performance and attenuates inflammation in a pneumonia-related sepsis model. In this study, we applied the same approaches to decipher the signaling pathway(s) of mtROS-dependent cardiac inflammation after sepsis. Sepsis was induced in Sprague Dawley rats by intratracheal injection of S. pneumoniae. Mito-Vit-E, vitamin E or vehicle was administered 30 minutes later. In myocardium 24 hours post-inoculation, Mito-Vit-E, but not vitamin E, significantly protected mtDNA integrity and decreased mtDNA damage. Mito-Vit-E alleviated sepsis-induced reduction in mitochondria-localized DNA repair enzymes including DNA polymerase γ, AP endonuclease, 8-oxoguanine glycosylase, and uracil-DNA glycosylase. Mito-Vit-E dramatically improved metabolism and membrane integrity in mitochondria, suppressed leakage of mtDNA into the cytoplasm, inhibited up-regulation of Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) pathway factors MYD88 and RAGE, and limited RAGE interaction with its ligand TFAM in septic hearts. Mito-Vit-E also deactivated NF-κB and caspase 1, reduced expression of the essential inflammasome component ASC, and decreased inflammatory cytokine IL–1β. In vitro, both Mito-Vit-E and TLR9 inhibitor OND-I suppressed LPS-induced up-regulation in MYD88, RAGE, ASC, active caspase 1, and IL–1β in cardiomyocytes. Since free mtDNA escaped from damaged mitochondria function as a type of DAMPs to stimulate inflammation through TLR9, these data together suggest that sepsis-induced cardiac inflammation is mediated, at least partially, through mtDNA-TLR9-RAGE. At last, Mito-Vit-E reduced the circulation of myocardial injury marker troponin-I, diminished apoptosis and amended morphology in septic hearts, suggesting that mitochondria-targeted antioxidants are a potential cardioprotective approach for sepsis.
Overview of Chemical Separation Methods and Technologies

Separation processes used historically and presently in processing of irradiated nuclear fuel are discussed. Additional emphasis is placed on separation technologies which are being used or which could be applicable in nuclear waste management systems. Both aqueous and non-aqueous processes are discussed. In addition, a review is provided of a variety of separating agents which are being studied for possible use in separation processes in nuclear wastes. The status of development of those various potential separating systems is discussed.
Response to peer commentaries: prevention for those who can pay.

Genetic testing for medically actionable genetic conditions can potentially limit the incidence and societal burden of disease if asymptomatic individuals can convert knowledge of their risk into preventive ormitigating steps.However, the generally treatmentfocusedUS insurance system complicates reimbursement for preventive interventions. In ‘Prevention for those who can pay’, I examined insurance coverage for preventive interventions following genetic testing in asymptomatic individuals.1 Overall, I highlighted the difficulties these individuals may face in obtaining insurance reimbursement, and I problematized the development of policies that increase access to testing for medically actionable genetic conditions without considering insurance reimbursement for the accompanying interventions.Without comprehensive insurance coverage for interventions across all public and private insurances, these developments will only exacerbate entrenched health disparities. In their respective peer commentaries, both Sarah Malanga and colleagues2 and Sonia Sutter3 elaborate on the complexities of insurance coverage in the liminal state between health and disease. I am grateful to the authors for their thoughtful contributions and for the opportunity to continue this critical dialogue. While both commentaries seek to move the conversation forward, they approach it from different angles. Malanga et al. examine publically available insurance policy documents for interventions recommended for individuals with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) and catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) and conclude
Efficacy of conventional ultrasound therapy on myofascial pain syndrome: a placebo controlled study.

OBJECTIVES Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a complex pain syndrome characterized with trigger points (TP) in skeletal muscles. We aimed to assess the efficacy of ultrasound (US) therapy, which is one of the main devices used in physical medicine and rehabilitation, for the treatment of TP in MPS. METHODS Fifty nine patients (49 females, 10 males) with active TP on the upper trapezius fibers were randomized into the treatment (n=30) and the control groups (n=29). The treatment group received conventional US therapy for 6 minutes, on 1.5 Watt/cm2 dose with 1 MHz frequency for 15 days whereas a placebo US therapy was administered to the control group. Prior to the treatment, immediately and 3 months later pain severity during rest and physical activity was assessed with visual analog scale (VAS), TP tenderness was measured with 0-5 scale, pressure pain threshold (PPT) was analyzed with algometer and the depression level was evaluated with Beck's depression questionnaire (BDP) by a clinician blinded to the groups. RESULTS The mean age of the patients were 37.43±9.07 and 35.83±5.68 years, in the treatment and control groups, respectively. Compared to the pre-treatment values VAS, 0-5 scale and BDP scores decreased (p<0.01) along with an increase in PPT (p<0.01) in both groups at the follow-up visits. 0-5 scales and BDP scores were significantly lower and PPT was significantly higher in the treatment group, compared to the control group (p<0.001). CONCLUSION Our results revealed that US treatment is effective on MPS.
Associations among Performance Appraisal, Compensation, and Total Quality Programs

In a sample of 56 organizations, the relationship between attainment of quality and performance appraisal that was “progressive” in nature was stronger than the relationship between attainment of q...
Psychologically Based Therapies to Improve Lung Functioning in Students with Asthma.

Asthma is a common, chronic respiratory disease that can be costly to both society and the individual. In addition to increased absenteeism, children with asthma may also be at a greater risk for developing comorbid anxiety and depression. Various complementary psychological treatments have been effective at reducing both asthmatic symptoms and psychological distress. Although the research in the area of mind-body treatments as it pertains specifically to persons with asthma is still developing, this article will describe several promising alternative treatment methods, many of which have already been, or could be easily be applied for use in a school setting.
Criticality of Iron and Its Principal Alloying Elements

Because modern technology depends on reliable supplies of a wide variety of materials and because of increasing concern about those supplies, a comprehensive methodology was created to quantify the degree of criticality of the metals of the periodic table. In this paper, we apply this methodology to iron and several of its main alloying elements (i.e., vanadium, chromium, manganese, and niobium). These elements represent the basic metals of any industrial society and are vital for national security and economic well-being. Assessments relating to the dimensions of criticality – supply risk, vulnerability to supply restriction, and environmental implications – for 2008 are made on the global level and for the United States. Evaluations of each of the multiple indicators are presented, with aggregate results plotted in “criticality space”, together with Monte Carlo simulation-derived “uncertainty cloud” estimates. Iron has the lowest supply risk, primarily because of its widespread geological occurrence. Va...
Use of Joint Planes in Constructing a Large Hemispheric-Shaped Chamber in Granitic Rock

Design of an underground complex in granitic rock included a hemispheric chamber that required a near-vertical (±20° from vertical), 70-ft-diameter (21.3-m) unsupported smooth face. The construction procedure decided on was to locate a joint plane along which to mine the hemisphere face. Mapping of joints at the surface, in exploratory oriented cores, and in the access shaft and drifts provided joint orientations which were statistically analyzed by the equal-area net method. The analysis showed the most probable range of joint orientations compatible with design requirements had a strike of N40°E (± 15°) and dipped 70°NW through vertical to 70°SE. An exploratory drift mined at the proposed hemisphere center intersected a continuous joint plane bearing N43°E and inclined 74°SE. This plane was used for the hemisphere face.
Rotor Inflow Noise Caused by a Boundary Layer: Inflow Measurements and Noise Predictions

Detailed measurements of the four-dimensional space time correlation function of a thick turbulent boundary layer have been made and used as source terms for the prediction of sound radiated from a 10-bladed rotor partially immersed in this flow. This simple configuration recreates in a canonical setting the important physics produced when a rotor ingests inhomogeneous anisotropic turbulence, without many of the complications present in most practical applications. The correlation measurements show substantial turbulence anisotropy in the body of the boundary layer which is characterized by streamwise elongated structures inclined relative to the wall. Translated to the rotor frame this anisotropy leads substantial asymmetry in blade-to-blade upwash coherence. Predictions of radiated sound spectra and directivity are performed for a range of conditions. Sound predictions reveal spectra dominated by ‘haystacking’ - distinct peaks at multiples of the blade passing frequency produced by multiple cutting of the same turbulent structures.
The ‘Daughter’s Construction,’ or what happens to Italian Novels When the Daughter Tells the Story

The present study responds to Zwinger's general question with respect to those Italian female writers who wrote using the novel as a literary construct for family relations, particularly with the father. In fact, the main argument is that a major thematic shift has taken place within the Italian romanzo di famiglia. While the analysis of the family relations in novelistic writing relies on naturalistic effects that depict the most conventional issues at the core of Italian society, the family novel by women writers dealing with the father-daughter relationship opens new areas of reflection on the various forms of psychological dependence, identity formation, subjection to power and authority as potestas, and social construction which define the woman as a whole.
Determination of 32 weedicides and pesticides in foods by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and selected ion monitoring

Objective:To establish a method for determination of organophosphorus,organochlorine,carbamate and weedicide pesticides in foods by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS) and selected ion monitoring(SIM).Methods:The pesticides were extracted with acetone and dichloromethane.The extract was warmed with water at 80℃,circumrotated and evaporated until it was nearly dry.Then it was cleaned-up by Envi-Carb column and Sep-Pak-NH2 column.The analysis was performed by GC-MS and SIM.Retention time and specific ions were used to confirm the pesticides.Results:The calibration curves of 32 pesticides were linear(correlation coefficient r0.99)within the range of 0.05～1.0 μg/ml.The recoveries were 90%～96%,the relative standard deviations(RSD) of the method was 10% for each case,and the limit of determination(LOD),defined in terms of 3 times baseline noise,was 0.005 mg/kg.Conclusion:The method is suitable for determining pesticides in foods with satisfactory sensitivity,accuracy and precision.
Utilizing a TLR5-Adjuvanted Cytomegalovirus as a Lentiviral Vaccine in the Nonhuman Primate Model for AIDS

Despite tremendous progress in our understanding of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) natural history and advances in HIV treatment, there is neither an approved vaccine nor a cure for infection. Here, we describe the development and characterization of a novel replicating vaccine vector utilizing Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and a TLR5 adjuvant. After partial truncation of the central, immunodominant hypervariable domain, flagellin (fliC) from Salmonella was cloned downstream of a codon optimized gag gene from simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) and transiently expressed in telomerized rhesus fibroblast (TeloRF) cells in culture. Lysates generated from these transfected cells induced the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), in a mouse macrophage cell line, in a TLR5-dependent manner. The Gag/FliC expression construct was cloned into a bacterial artificial chromosome encoding the rhesus CMV (RhCMV) genome, and infectious RhCMV was generated following transfection of TeloRF cells. This virus stably expressed an SIV Gag/FliC fusion protein through four serial passages. Lysates generated from infected cells induced TNF-α in a TLR5-dependent manner. Western blot analysis of infected cell lysates verified expression of a Gag/FliC fusion protein using a SIV p27 capsid monoclonal antibody. Lastly, rhesus macaques inoculated with this novel RhCMV virus demonstrated increased inflammatory responses at the site of inoculation seven days post-infection when compared to the parental RhCMV. These results demonstrate that an artificially constructed replicating RhCMV expressing an SIV Gag/FliC fusion protein is capable of activating TLR5 in a macrophage cell line in vitro and induction of an altered inflammatory response in vivo. Ongoing animals studies are aimed at determining vaccine efficacy, including subsequent challenge with pathogenic SIV.
Improving Medication Reconciliation in the Outpatient Setting

Article-at-a-Glance Background A systematic study into outpatient medication reconciliation was conducted to determine if a multifaceted intervention influencing providers and patients reduced discrepancies related to inadequate prescription medication reconciliation in an outpatient setting. Methods A prospective trial was conducted on 104 primary care patients at the Mayo Clinic. Patients in Phase I received standard care. Patients in Phase II received the intervention reconciliation process, which consisted of (1) mailed letters before appointments to remind patients to bring medication bottles or updated medication lists to their visits, (2) verification, and (3) correction of the medication list in the electronic medical record by the patient, and academic detailing and weekly audit and feedback of performance. Results Interventions resulted in a decrease in prescription medication errors from 88.9% of the visits in Phase 1 to 66% of the visits in Phase II (p = .005) and from 98.2% of the visits in Phase I to 84% of the visits in Phase II (p = .0134) when all medications were considered. The average number of discrepancies per patient decreased by more than 50% from 5.24 in Phase I to 2.46 in Phase II. The majority of discrepancies were minor. Discussion A multifaceted intervention including various members of the health care provider team (and the patient) is crucial to enhancing medication reconciliation.
Allergy to insulin.

Allergy to insulin occurs in nearly all insulin-treated patients, is a clinical problem in about 15 per cent of patients, and can be life-threatening in 0.1 to 0.2 per cent of patients. This article summarizes the clinical expression of insulin allergy and reviews some aspects that contribute to our understanding and therapy of this allergy.
Effects of hypothermia on testicular ischemia.

Abstract The ischemic effects of prolonged testicular torsion have been well documented; however, prevention or arrest of the damaging effects of prolonged ischemia has been incompletely studied. Two groups of Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to varying lengths of bilateral testicular ischemia. Group I underwent normothermic ischemia for two, four, and six hours. Likewise, Group II underwent similar time periods of ischemia, however, after thirty minutes of normothermic ischemia the scrotum of each animal was placed into an ice bath maintained at 4 C. Two weeks post-operatively, bilateral orchiectomy was performed. Histology of the testes of the two groups was compared. Neither group revealed significant destruction of the germinal epithelium after two hours of ischemia. Group I revealed only 25% preservation of the germinal epithelium at four hours and only 8% preservation at six hours of ischemia. In contrast, Group II which received ice showed 90% preservation of germinal epithelium at four hours and 85% preservation at six hours of ischemia. We conclude that external ice application significantly preserves seminiferous tubules at four and six hours of ischemic injury in the rat testicle. (J. Urol., 143: 1046–1048, 1990)
An observational study of inhaled-treprostinil respiratory-related safety in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension

Inhaled treprostinil (Tyvaso) has been shown to be a safe and effective addition to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) oral therapies; however, the respiratory-related safety profile of inhaled treprostinil required further elucidation in the setting of routine clinical care. The objectives of this study were to characterize respiratory-related adverse events (AEs) associated with current or recent treatment with inhaled treprostinil and to compare the incidence of respiratory-related AEs in PAH patients treated with inhaled treprostinil with that in patients treated with other Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved PAH therapies. This was a long-term, prospective, observational study. All respiratory-related AEs were recorded during the study. The number of PAH patients enrolled was 1,333, 666 treated with inhaled treprostinil and 667 controls (treated with an FDA-approved PAH therapy other than inhaled treprostinil), for a total of 958 and 1,094 patient-years of exposure, respectively. In the inhaled-treprostinil group, 1,281 respiratory-related AEs were reported in 403 patients (61%), and in the control group, 1,295 respiratory-related AEs were reported in 388 patients (58%). Cough, throat irritation, nasal discomfort, and hemoptysis were the most common respiratory-related AEs (occurring in ≥2% of patients in either treatment group) that demonstrated a higher number of events per patient-year of exposure in the inhaled-treprostinil group than in the control group (risk ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.487 [1.172-1.887], 3.777 [2.050-6.956], 2.039 [1.072-3.879], and 1.957 [1.024-3.741], respectively). Overall, inhaled treprostinil was well tolerated by PAH patients in routine clinical care, with respiratory-related AEs consistent with the known safety profile (trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT01266265).
Descriptive properties of the evolution

A problem of particular interest in telephone traffic is to determine the equilibrium distribution of the number of busy secondary servers Ns (t). To do so, however, one must investigate the joint properties of both N(s; t) and Ns (t).
The Bacillus thuringiensis Genetic Systems

The last few years have seen a major effort to improve the genetics of Bacillus thuringiensis, reminiscent of the tenacity with which Edward A. Steinhaus pursued his early research on this insect pathogen (Steinhaus, 1975). This review is in memory of his dedication to the study of biological control of pests.
Asymmetric parity: US–China relations in a multinodal world

The period 2008 to 2015 is likely to prove a traumatic transition from the post-Cold War era of American unipolar hegemony to a new status quo of asymmetric parity between the US and China. With approximately equal masses of production and one third of the world's total, the relationship of the United States and China will remain the focus of global politics for the foreseeable future. While parity in economic mass makes each the greatest concern of the other, their asymmetry in wealth, developmental levels, and geopolitical concerns makes unnecessary a power transition scenario. Hitherto the analysis of parity has assumed symmetry, and therefore the point of power transition and challenge is highlighted and strategy has focused on relative gain vis-a-vis the rival. With asymmetric parity the transitional moment becomes ambiguous, and it is a reasonable strategy for each side to pursue absolute gain. Sustainable asymmetric rivalry is competitive, but it can also be win-win. Moreover, neither the US nor China-nor the two together-can exercise the kind of hegemonic control that was the premise of earlier bipolar and unipolar eras. The diffuse interdependence created by globalization gives every state broader alternatives and raises the cost of hostility. The US and China do not face each other as hegemon and challenger, but rather as the largest, but quite different, players in a multinodal world that neither controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Microbial, metabolomic, and immunologic dynamics in a relapsing genetic mouse model of colitis induced by T-synthase deficiency

Intestinal dysbiosis is thought to confer susceptibility to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but it is unknown whether dynamic changes in the microbiome contribute to fluctuations in disease activity. We explored this question using mice with intestine-specific deletion of C1galt1 (also known as T-synthase) (Tsyn mice). These mice develop spontaneous microbiota-dependent colitis with a remitting/relapsing course due to loss of mucin core-1 derived O-glycans. 16S rRNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics demonstrated age-specific perturbations in the intestinal microbiome and metabolome of Tsyn mice compare with littermate controls at weeks 3 (disease onset), 5 (during remission), and 9 (after relapse). Colitis remission corresponded to increased levels of FoxP3+RORγt+CD4+ T cells in the colonic lamina propria that were positively correlated with operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in the S24-7 family and negatively correlated with OTUs in the Clostridiales order. Relapse was characterized by marked expansion of FoxP3-RORγt+CD4+ T cells expressing IFNγ and IL17A, which were associated with Clostridiales OTUs distinct from those negatively correlated with FoxP3+RORγt+CD4+ T cells. Our findings suggest that colitis remission and relapse in the Tsyn model may reflect alterations in the microbiome due to reduced core-1 O-glycosylation that shift the balance of regulatory and pro-inflammatory T cell subsets. We investigated whether genetic variation in C1galt1 correlated with the microbiome in a cohort of 78 Crohn's disease patients and 101 healthy controls. Polymorphisms near C1galt1 (rs10486157) and its molecular chaperone, Cosmc (rs4825729), were associated with altered composition of the colonic mucosal microbiota, supporting the relevance of core-1 O-glycosylation to host regulation of the microbiome.
Radiographic Imaging in the Postanesthesia Care Unit is Unnecessary After Partial Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract Background Obtaining routine radiographs in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) after primary uncomplicated partial knee arthroplasty (PKA) is a common practice with unclear utility. The objective of this study is to determine the rate at which immediate postoperative radiographs identify an actionable problem after primary uncomplicated PKA and to determine the potential cost savings associated with foregoing the routine acquisition of these radiographs. Methods This was a retrospective review that assessed a consecutive series of 1366 primary uncomplicated PKAs (including 873 unicondylar knee arthroplasties, 313 patellofemoral arthroplasties, and 180 bicompartmental knee arthroplasties) performed between January 2008 and March 2016. Patients were separated into 2 cohorts: (1) those who had PACU radiographs (n = 1184), and (2) those who did not (n = 182). Operative reports and clinical follow-up records at the initial postoperative visit were reviewed to determine whether patients underwent early reoperation based on radiographic findings. The direct cost of PACU radiographs was estimated to be $33.63 based on average global Medicare payments from our institution. Results The rate of reoperation because of radiographic findings in the PACU or at the first follow-up was 0% (95% confidence interval: 0.0%-0.027%). The estimated direct radiographic expenditure for our 1366 patient cohort was nearly $46,000. Conclusion Routine immediate postoperative PACU radiographs after primary uncomplicated PKA have limited clinical utility. Therefore, delaying postoperative radiographs until the initial follow-up office visit would result in substantial cost-savings without compromising the quality of patient care.
Pore-Spanning PPy(DBS) as a Voltage-Gated Synthetic Membrane Ion Channel

The transport of monovalent cations across a suspended PPy(DBS) polymer membrane in an aqueous solution as a function of its redox state is investigated. Maximum ion transport is found to occur when PPy(DBS) is in the reduced state, and minimum transport in the oxidized state. No deviation in the dynamics of ion transport based on the direction of the applied electrical field is observed. Additionally, it is found that ion transport rates linearly increased proportional to the state of reduction until a steady state is reached when the polymer is fully reduced. Therefore controlled, bidirectional ion transport is for the first time demonstrated. The effect of aqueous Li+ concentration on ion transport in the fully reduced state of the polymer is studied. It is found that ion transport concentration dependence follows Michaelis-Menten kinetics (which models protein reaction rates, such as those forming ion channels in a cell membrane) with an r2 value of 0.99. For the given PPy(DBS) polymer charge density and applied potential across the membrane, the maximum possible ion transport rate per channel is found to be 738 ions per second and the Michaelis constant, representing the concentration at which half the maximum ion transport rate occurs, is 619.5mM.Copyright © 2016 by ASME
POSTER: Intrusion Detection System for In-vehicle Networks using Sensor Correlation and Integration

The increasing utilization of Electronic Control Units (ECUs) and wireless connectivity in modern vehicles has favored the emergence of security issues. Recently, several attacks have been demonstrated against in-vehicle networks therefore drawing significant attention. This paper presents an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) based on a regression learning approach which estimates certain parameters by using correlated/redundant data. The estimated values are compared to observed ones to identify abnormal contexts that would indicate intrusion. Experiments performed with real-world vehicular data have shown that more than 90% of vehicle speed data can be precisely estimated within the error bound of 3 kph. The proposed IDS is capable of detecting and localizing attacks in real-time, which is fundamental to achieve automotive security.
Cytokines and memory-phenotype CD8+ cells.

In searching for pathogens, T cells migrate continuously between blood and lymph through defined regions of the secondary lymphoid tissues.1 Prior to contact with antigen, T cells are maintained in a quiescent state and rarely divide.2,3 These “virgin” (naive) cells comprise the vast majority of T cells in young life and display a resting phenotype typified by low expression of CD44. With exposure to foreign antigens, specifically-reactive naive CD44lo T cells respond to these antigens and differentiate into T cells with an activated/memory CD44hi phenotype.3-8 At a population level, CD44hi T cells are presumed to carry immunological memory for a wide variety of commonly-encountered environmental antigens. In addition, some memory-phenotype CD44hi T cells may represent the progeny of naive T cells responding to self antigens.9 This process, termed homeostatic expansion of T cells, is prominent when T cell numbers are reduced, e.g. after irradiation, but is generally inconspicuous in normal animals.
The transoral approach to the anterior superior cervical spine. A review of 29 cases

The transoral surgical approach is the most direct operative approach to pathology ventral to the brain stem and superior spinal cord. This approach is useful in the treatment of extradural compressive cervicomedullary lesions in selected patients. Twenty-nine patients with ventral extradural brain stem or cervical cord compressive lesions who were treated via the transoral surgical approach are presented. Their evaluation, treatment, and long-term outcome will be reviewed (median follow-up, 24 months). Specific features of the transoral procedure, including intraoperative monitoring, methods of retraction, and microsurgical techniques that contributed to minimal operative morbidity (3%) and zero operative mortality, will be discussed.
Chapter 2a Glycoproteins of parasites: Glycoproteins of Trypanosoma cruzi

Publisher Summary Trypanosoma cruzi causes a widespread, debilitating, and often fatal disease in millions of people. This chapter discusses the obvious medical significance of T. cruzi that led to intensive study of its cell surface glycoconjugates in hopes of determining the underlying molecular mechanisms of trypanosome-host interactions, and several aspects of the glycobiology of T. cruzi. Perhaps most notable is the description of a cell surface trans-sialidase activity. This unique enzyme transfers sialic acid from host glycoconjugates, rather than from the activated sugar nucleotide CMPNeuAc, to glycoconjugates on the surface of the trypanosome. Another aspect of the glycobiology of T cruzi is their N-linked oligosaccharide biosynthetic pathway. Thus, study of this parasite's glycobiology not only may lead to a cure for this disease, but also provides an exciting paradigm for elucidating novel biochemical reactions and structures. These novel mechanisms exploited by the parasite often are later found to exist in other eukaryotes, including humans.
The Effect of Sacrificing the Posterior Cruciate Ligament in Total Knee Arthroplasties That Use a Highly Congruent Polyethylene Component

Abstract Background There is continued debate regarding retention versus sacrificing of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We sought to determine if there was a difference in range of motion (ROM) after TKA between patients with PCL sacrifice versus PCL retention when using a highly congruent polyethylene insert. Methods We conducted an Institutional Review Board approved retrospective study of consecutive patients receiving TKA using the same implant with a highly congruent polyethylene component implanted by one surgeon from November 2013 to January 2016. Patients were placed in 2 groups based on whether the PCL was intact or released at the time of surgery. Patient charts were reviewed for age, body mass index, PCL status at surgery (incompetent, kept intact, or released), and preoperative/postoperative knee ROM. Results Both groups were similar in average age (60.5 vs 60.6, respectively) and body mass index (33.3 vs 32.6, respectively). Postoperative tibial slope (5.5° PCL release, 6.6° PCL retained, P = .028) was the only alignment variable reaching significance; all other alignment and motion variables were similar. Conclusion Results indicate that the PCL can be successfully retained with the use of a congruent bearing design, with no evident limitation in postoperative ROM or loss of stability due to the bearing in comparison to patients who undergo PCL release.
Challenging Assumptions: A Genetically Sensitive Assessment of the Criminogenic Effect of Contact With the Criminal Justice System

A key assumption underlying various components of criminological thought is the criminogenic effect of involvement with the criminal justice system. Prior assessments of this effect, however, have ...
101. Improvement in multiple domains of functional status with increasing physical activity after lumbar surgery: longitudinal analysis

BACKGROUND CONTEXT Major goals of lumbar surgery are pain relief and safe and timely restoration of functional status with return to desired roles and responsibilities. In addition to increasing mobility, prudent physical activities, such as walking more in the near-term postop period, may facilitate return to functional status in diverse domains of daily life. PURPOSE To determine if increased physical activity after recuperation from lumbar surgery is associated with improvement in a composite measure of overall functional status STUDY DESIGN/SETTING Secondary analysis, longitudinal cohort, tertiary spine center. PATIENT SAMPLE Pooled sample of 220 patients enrolled during routine 3-month postop visits into a trial to increase physical activity; subsequently followed for an additional 4-6 months. OUTCOME MEASURES RAND-12 composite score, encompassing subscales for daily activities, work and social roles, pain, and mental health. METHODS At enrollment patients completed the RAND-12 (composite score=50 for the general population) and the 3-domain Paffenbarger Physical Activity and Exercise Index (PAEI) measuring number of blocks walked, stairs climbed daily and sports during the past week. Kcal/week were calculated for an overall total. Patients also rated global change in pain since surgery on a 7-point scale. Patients were then assigned into groups receiving different amounts of information about safely increasing physical activity, primarily walking, and follow-ups were conducted at varying time intervals. After 4-6 months, patients again completed the RAND-12 and PAEI. Operative records were reviewed and a surgical invasiveness index value was calculated (maximum 10 points/vertebral level); higher is greater complexity. In multivariable analysis the dependent variable was change in RAND-12 scores, the main independent variable was change in overall PAEI Kcal/week, and analyses were controlled for covariates. RESULTS Group assignments did not affect RAND-12 scores, thus all patients were pooled for this analysis. The mean age was 64, 52% were men, 40% had major comorbidity. The mean time from surgery to enrollment was 2.9±0.4 months, and since surgery, 64% reported a lot of improvement in pain: 25% moderate-little, 11% same-worse. The mean time from enrollment to follow-up was 4.2±0.6 months; at the follow-up, patients reported improvement for both the RAND-12 and PAEI, with enrollment, follow-up and within-patient change mean scores for the RAND-12 of 37±10, 43±10, and 6±10 (paired ttest p CONCLUSIONS Improvement in physical activity, primarily walking more, was associated with improvement in diverse subscales of functional status. Our study showed that in addition to preserving mobility, increased physical activity in the near-term postop period is a gateway behavior with beneficial downstream effects on diverse domains of physical and mental health. FDA DEVICE/DRUG STATUS This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs.
Implementation of a Plan-Do-Study-Act framework to reduce unindicated surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis.

Abstract Purpose The goal of this study was to use a Plan–Do–Study–Act (PDSA) framework to reduce utilization of unindicated surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP) for clean cases without foreign body implantation. Methods This was a pre–post intervention study conducted at a single children's hospital comparing 6 months of retrospective preintervention data to 10 months of prospectively collected postintervention data. Interventions to reduce unindicated SAP included faculty meetings to review guidelines and establish consensus around inclusion criteria, publicizing guidelines with regular email reminders, and conducting ongoing compliance audits to root cause noncompliance. Early unanticipated noncompliant cases were associated with rotating trainees who prescribed SAP routinely without attending knowledge. A second PDSA cycle then included education-based emails targeting residents with mandatory feedback loop closure. Results Preintervention, 40.4% (107/265) of patients received unindicated SAP. Postintervention, the rate of unindicated SAP decreased to 15.4% (6/39) after the first month and 6.2% (20/323) after 10 months, reflecting an 85% reduction across periods (p Conclusions Unindicated surgical antibiotic prophylaxis was significantly reduced by implementing a Plan–Do–Study–Act intervention targeting both faculty and trainees. Level of evidence Prospective comparative treatment study, level II.
Water Heritage and Urban Development: Lessons from Nepal’s Kathmandu Valley:

Residents of the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal face growing water insecurities: too much at times and not enough at others coupled with constant worry about water quality and access. In this rapidly ch...
Longitudinal variability of methane and ammonia bands on Jupiter

Results of a quantitative study of the longitudinal variations of methane and ammonia absorption on Jupiter are presented. A total of 78 high signal-to-noise ratio photoelectric spectra in the range 6000 to 6600 A were obtained on two consecutive nights, with complete longitudinal equatorial coverage each night through 9-min exposures covering a total of over 9 h. Analysis of the equivalent widths of the CH4 6190 A and NH3 6450 A absorption bands by means of a blind, automated, self-consistent method of continuum determination reveals large equivalent widths in both bands near longitudes of 35 and 340 deg and small equivalent widths near 150 deg, with a high degree of correlation between the equivalent widths of the bands. Continuum molecular absorption is found to be slightly negatively correlated with band equivalent widths. Radiative transfer calculations based on the model of Sato and Hansen (1979) using a doubling and adding technique indicate that the observed longitudinal variables of equivalent widths and continuum reflectivity are the results of longitudinal variations in ammonia cloud altitude.
The Effect of Obstructive Sleep Apnea on the Cardiovascular Variability

Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition that influence millions of adults and children in the United States. It is unknown whether or not sleep apnea can cause any abnormalities in cardiovascular variability in patients with no cardiovascular disease. In this study, we investigated new cardiovascular variables which correspond with obstructive sleep apnea. The power spectrum of the electrocardiogram signal (ECG) was studied in healthy aged-matched adults $\boldsymbol{(\mathrm{n}=15)}$ and patients diagnosed with moderate obstructive sleep apnea $\boldsymbol{(\mathrm{n}=15)}$ . The power spectral analysis was divided into three main frequency bands: very low frequency $\boldsymbol{(0.0033\sim 0.04\mathrm{Hz})}$ ; low frequency $\boldsymbol{(0.04\sim 0.15\ \mathrm{Hz})}$ ; and high frequency $\boldsymbol{(0.15\sim 0.4\mathrm{Hz})}$ . Frequency domain analysis revealed that the very low frequency component of the ECG signal was increased in obstructive sleep apnea patients during episodes of obstructive sleep apnea, whereas other frequencies (low and high frequency) showed no significant changes. This new cardiovascular variable can be used as a new important feature in any comprehensive obstructive sleep apnea prediction model (to increase the accuracy of the model) or in any other noninvasive approaches for diagnosing or monitoring obstructive sleep apnea at home.
Challenges of dry hazelnut shell surface for radio frequency pasteurization of inshell hazelnuts

Abstract Thermal inactivation kinetics (D and z values) of Salmonella and Enterococcus faecium in fresh hazelnut shell and kernel were determined. Aluminum pouches containing either 1.5 g hazelnut shell powder or 2 g of ground kernel inoculated with either bacterium at their original water activities (aw-shell = 0.91 ± 0.01, aw-kernel = 0.93 ± 0.01) were isothermally treated in a thermal death time (TDT) sandwich at 55, 60, 65, 70 and 75 °C for determining D values. A single layer inshell hazelnuts with one inoculated nut located at the center (cold spot) of a tray was subjected to hot air assisted radio frequency (HARF) heating in a 6-kW 27.12-MHz RF system with hot air temperature at ~75 °C for 10, 15 and 20 min. The log-linear model fits survival data of both Salmonella and E. faecium in hazelnut shell and kernel well. The D-values of both bacteria in hazelnut kernel were higher than those in hazelnut shell. Higher D-values of E. faecium demonstrated that it is a suitable surrogate for Salmonella in both hazelnut shell and kernel. There was a large variation between calculated (based on F-value) and experimental log reductions of Salmonella. Only 1.0 ± 0.1 log reduction of Salmonella was achieved in inshell hazelnut after 20 min of HARF heating. Because the RF pasteurization is a simultaneous drying process, the F-value methodology could not give an accurate and reliable lethality prediction due to the increased thermal resistance of Salmonella caused by moisture loss. Around one log increase in Salmonella inactivation was achieved after spraying 0.1% buffered peptone water (BPW) on inshell hazelnuts for the same RF treatment condition. While the water activity of the ground shell was 0.91 ± 0.01, the water activity of top surface layer of the shell where bacteria were inoculated for the RF treatment was 0.17 ± 0.01 before RF treatment. This very dry shell surface was the major factor for the deviation of calculated F-value from the observed microbial reduction in this RF microbial study. The dry shell surface creates a challenge for thermal inactivation of pathogens on inshell hazelnuts and other nuts with a similar shell structure. An efficient pasteurization protocol for inshell hazelnuts needs to be developed and optimized by combining surface disinfectants/salt solution and RF process conditions to enhance microbial food safety and quality of hazelnuts. This study provides valuable information and direction to the hazelnut industry for improving safety and quality of hazelnuts.
Impact of acute changes in blood pressure and arterial stiffness on cerebral pulsatile haemodynamics in young and middle-aged adults

NEW FINDINGS What is the central question of this study? Does cerebrovascular pulsatility respond differently to acute increases in arterial stiffness in middle-aged compared with young adults? What is the main finding and its importance? Compared with young adults, middle-aged adults exhibited similar changes in cerebral pulsatile damping despite attenuated changes in carotid diameter and cerebrovascular pulsatility during blood pressure-dependent, but not blood pressure-independent, increases in large artery stiffness. ABSTRACT Acute manipulation of arterial stiffness through interventions that increase sympathetic activity might provoke cerebral pulsatility and damping and reveal whether cerebrovascular haemodynamics respond differently to transient elevations in arterial stiffness in middle-aged compared with young adults. We compared cerebral pulsatility and damping in middle-aged versus young adults during two different sympathetic interventions [cold pressor test (CP) and lower-body negative pressure (LBNP)] that increase arterial stiffness acutely. Cerebrovascular haemodynamics were assessed in 15 middle-aged (54 ± 7 years old; 11 female) and 15 sex-matched young adults (25 ± 4 years old) at rest and during the CP test (4 min, 6.4 ± 0.8°C) and LBNP (6 min, -20 mmHg). Mean blood pressure was measured continuously via finger photoplethysmography. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and carotid stiffness were measured via tonometry and ultrasound. Blood velocity pulsatility index (PI) was measured at the middle cerebral (MCA) and common carotid artery (CCA) using Doppler, with pulsatile damping calculated as CCA PI divided by MCA PI. Increases in cfPWV were driven by changes in mean pressure during CP but not during LBNP in both groups (P < 0.05). Pulsatile damping decreased in both groups (P < 0.05) despite reductions in MCA PI and greater carotid dilatation during CP in young compared with middle-aged adults (P < 0.05). Pressure-independent increases in cfPWV during LBNP did not alter pulsatile damping but decreased MCA PI in both young and middle-aged adults (P < 0.05). These data suggest that changes in carotid diameter and cerebrovascular pulsatility differ between young and middle-aged adults despite similar changes in cerebral pulsatile damping during blood pressure-dependent, but not blood pressure-independent, increases in large artery stiffness.