cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Distant Harrington rod migration 35 years after implantation

Harrington rods have been successfully implanted in thousands of patients for the correction of scoliotic deformity since the 1950s. An exceedingly rare complication of Harrington rod placement is loosening with resultant migration. The authors present a 50-year-old woman who had a single Harrington rod placed when she was 15 years old. Thirty-five years later, she presented with acute sensory changes in her lower extremities. Imaging revealed rod failure and migration of the hardware distally, resulting in penetration of the wall of the rectum. Due to the unique anatomical position of the migrated hardware, sigmoidoscopy was used to directly visualize and remove the rod. The patient ultimately made a full recovery. Rod migration is an exceedingly rare complication that has been described only a few times since the introduction of Harrington rods over 60 years ago. The case herein is particularly unique given the extensive period of time that passed before migration (35 years) and the use of sigmoidoscopy for hardware removal.
Neuro-fuzzy friction compensation to robotic actuators

The main objective of this paper is to propose a new friction compensation mechanism applied to robotic actuators. Friction is a phenomenon that changes with time and with actuator's operational conditions. To deal with these parameters variations, it is proposed a neuro-fuzzy algorithm for friction identification and compensation. A neural network (NN) was trained off line. The NN output (compensation friction torque) is multiplied by a gain, obtained with a fuzzy inference algorithm, to deal with friction parameters variations and to adjust the compensation torque. Experimental results showed good performance, indicating that the actuator becomes approximately linear.
Effect of microstructure on hydrolytic degradation studies of poly (l-lactic acid) by FTIR spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry

Abstract Structural changes during thermally induced crystallization and alkaline hydrolysis of Poly( l -lactic acid) (PLLA) films were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), FTIR spectroscopy, weight loss, HPLC and optical microscopy. It was shown that crystallinity ( χ c ), glass transition temperature ( T g ) and melting temperature ( T m ) were found to be strongly annealing temperature ( T a ) dependent. The FTIR study of PLLA films suggested that the bands at 921 and 956 cm −1 could be used to monitor the structural changes of PLLA. An independent infrared spectroscopic method was developed for the first time to determine crystallinity of PLLA before degradation and it showed good qualitative correlation with DSC crystallinity. The higher crystallinity values determined by FTIR were attributed to the intermediate phase included in the IR crystallinity. Both the weight loss data and the percentage of lactic acid obtained by HPLC showed that the alkaline hydrolysis of PLLA films increased with increasing crystallinity. The DSC observation showed an increase in T g and no significant change in T m and heat of fusion, while IR showed an increase in IR crystallinity with increasing hydrolysis time. The increase in IR crystallinity and T g with hydrolysis time suggested that degradation progressed from the edges of the crystalline lamellas without decreasing lamellar thickness, but increased the intermediate phase and the short-range order.
Theory of binary boson solutions

Abstract The theory of binary boson solutions is derived by an extension of the paired-phonon analysis previously applied to liquid 4 He. The results include expressions for an approximate ground state energy and wavefunction. the latter is composed of a product of a Jastrow factor and the correlation function employed in a correlated basis. The excited state energies are expressed in terms of a two-branch excitation spectrum, which is the generalization of the Bijl-Feynman excitation spectrum to a two-component system. A powerful variational principle satisfied by the optimum ground state solution of the paired-phonon analysis is derived. Techniques are discussed for calculating an interaction function which is necessary to obtain the optimum ground state. Finally, we speculate about the nature of long-range correlations in the results based upon the quantization of density fluctuations and the previous results of the paired-phonon analysis of liquid 4 He.
High-energy neutrinos from astrophysical sources: An Upper bound

We show that cosmic-ray observations set a model-independent upper bound of ${E}_{\ensuremath{\nu}}^{2}{\ensuremath{\Phi}}_{\ensuremath{\nu}}l2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}{\mathrm{G}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{V}/\mathrm{c}\mathrm{m}}^{2}\mathrm{}\mathrm{s}\mathrm{}\mathrm{sr}$ to the intensity of high-energy neutrinos produced by photo-meson (or $p\ensuremath{-}p)$ interactions in sources of size not much larger than the proton photo-meson (or $p\ensuremath{-}p)$ mean-free-path. This bound applies, in particular, to neutrino production by either AGN jets or GRBs. The upper limit is two orders of magnitude below the intensity predicted in some popular AGN jet models and therefore contradicts the theory that the cosmic gamma-ray background is due to photo-pion interactions in AGN jets. The upper bound is consistent with our predictions from GRB models. The predicted intensity from GRBs is ${E}^{2}dN/dE\ensuremath{\sim}0.3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}{\mathrm{G}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{V}/\mathrm{c}\mathrm{m}}^{2}\mathrm{}\mathrm{s}\mathrm{}\mathrm{sr}$ for ${10}^{14}\mathrm{eV}lEl{10}^{16}\mathrm{eV};$ we also derive the expected intensity at higher energy.
Benefits of Autopilot Integration for Enhanced UAS Operations

To enhance Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) operation of a small UAS vehicle an autopilot was integrated into the aircraft. The integration allowed the UAS Engineering Laboratory team to fully understand the operation and programming of the autopilot to better utilize its capabilities in a systems engineering approach. The integration process gave the team valuable experience and understanding of the autopilot system, which could later be used in the field to troubleshoot future problems without the need of interrupting a flight day. The payloads, aircraft, and autopilot act as a system rather than as independent components to accomplish specialized missions. This requires a detailed and thorough practical knowledge of the autopilot system to fully exploit its capabilities. Through the knowledge gained, we were able to combine data from the autopilot with payload data to utilize the complete UAS system more efficiently.
Prescription Opioid Use and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease, Stroke, and Cardiovascular Death Among Adults from a Prospective Cohort (REGARDS Study).

Objective. Despite unknown risks, prescription opioid use (POU) for nonmalignant chronic pain has grown in the US over the last decade. The objective of this study was to examine associations between POU and coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) death in a large cohort. Design, Setting, Subjects. POU was assessed in the prospective cohort study of 29,025 participants of the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke study, enrolled between 2003 and 2007 from the continental United States and followed through December 31, 2010. CHD, stroke, and CVD death were expert adjudicated outcome measures. Methods. Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for CVD risk factors were used. Results. Over a median (SD) of 5.2 (1.8) years of follow-up, 1,362 CHD events, 749 strokes, and 1,120 CVD death occurred (105, 55, and 104, respectively, in the 1,851 opioid users). POU was not associated with CHD (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]) 1.03 [95% CI 0.83–1.26] or stroke (aHR 1.04 [95% CI 0.78–1.38]), but was associated with CVD death (aHR 1.24 [95% CI 1.00–1.53]) in the overall sample. In the sex-stratified analyses, POU was associated with increased risk of CHD (aHR 1.38 [95% CI 1.05–1.82]) and CVD death (aHR 1.66 [95% CI 1.27–2.17]) among females but not males (aHR 0.70 [95% CI 0.50-0.97] for CHD and 0.78 [95% CI 0.54–1.11] for CVD death). Conclusion. Female but not male POU were at higher risk of CHD and CVD death. POU was not associated with stroke in overall or sex-stratified analyses.
Integrated effects of multiple modulators on human liver glycogen phosphorylase a

Hepatic glucose production is increased in people with type 2 diabetes. Glucose released from storage in liver glycogen by phosphorylase accounts for ∼50% of the glucose produced after an overnight...
Data-driven Fault Detection and Diagnosis for Complex Industrial Processes

Abstract The objective of this paper is to provide a status report of the methods and applications of data-driven fault detection and diagnosis to the IFAC Safeprocess community. The scope of the problem is described with reference to the scale and complexity of industrial processes, where multi-level hierarchical optimization and control are a must for efficient operation, but are also prone to hard or soft faults that lead to economic losses. Commonly used multivariate statistical tools are introduced to characterize normal variations and detect abnormal changes. Further diagnosis methods are discussed next, with additional topics for rigorous analysis. An application case is presented, and future challenges and opportunities are speculated with the hope to draw more attention from the Safeprocess community.
Solution NMR Studies of an Alternative Mode of Sin3 Engagement by the Sds3 Subunit in the Histone Deacetylase-Associated Sin3L/Rpd3L Corepressor Complex

The Sds3 transcriptional corepressor facilitates the assembly of the 1- to 2-MDa histone deacetylase-associated Sin3L/Rpd3L complex by providing a crucial homodimerization activity. Sds3 engages the scaffolding protein Sin3A, via a bipartite motif within the Sin3 interaction domain (SID) comprising a helix and an extended segment. Here, we show that the SID samples two discrete, substantially populated conformations with lifetimes in the tens of milliseconds range. The two conformations differ via a translation of the main chain and the corresponding side chains in the 5- to 7-A range. Given the close proximity of the SID to other functional motifs in Sds3 at the sequence level, the conformational exchange has the potential to regulate these activities.
Air-Void Characteristics of Concretes in Different Applications

Concrete that can be critically saturated and exposed to cycles of freezing and thawing must be properly air entrained for long-lasting service. Otherwise, cracking occurs, with the resultant deterioration of the concrete. Air voids must be small in size, closely spaced, and uniformly distributed to ensure adequate resistance to freezing and thawing as well as satisfactory strength. An increase in air volume results in a reduction in strength. Air content is affected by material properties, including water and admixture content, and construction practices, including pumping and consolidation. The air entrainment and air-void system in concretes that have a stiff consistency, are pumped, or have a large amount of high-range water-reducing admixture are addressed. Under those conditions an improper air-void system may result and may have an adverse effect on the concrete's resistance to freezing and thawing. Thus, the air-void system must be evaluated and necessary precautions taken. Precautions taken by th...
A non-cooperative power control game for multi-carrier CDMA systems

In the power control game proposed for MC-CDMA systems, each user needs to decide how much power to transmit over each carrier to maximize its overall utility. The utility function considered measures the number of reliable bits transmitted per joule of energy consumed. It is shown that the user's utility is maximized when the user transmits only on the carrier with the best "effective channel". The existence and uniqueness of Nash equilibrium for the proposed game are investigated and the properties of equilibrium are studied. Also, an iterative and distributed algorithm for reaching equilibrium (if it exists) is presented. It is shown that the proposed approach results in a significant improvement in the total utility achieved at equilibrium compared to the case in which each user maximizes its utility over each carrier independently.
Immobilization of immunoglobulins on polystyrene latex beads: Characterization by density gradient centrifugation

Isopycnic banding by density gradient centrifugation was used to measure density changes in complexes formed by the immobilization of each of four different immunoglobulins (IgG) (bovine, dog, rabbit, and sheep) on polystyrene latex beads (0.109 +/- 0.0025 micrometer diameter). Subtractive measurements of density changes allowed calculation of the mass of immobilized IgG under varying experimental conditions. The immobilization data were correlated with adsorption isotherms which incorporated charge repulsion forces. The effects of pH and NaCl concentration on the immobilization were studied for the latex-bovine IgG system. It was found that the mass of immobilized immunoglobulins was increased from 10 to 20% by removing the IgG from its isoelectric range.
Composite Operator Renormalization and the Trace Anomaly

Abstract The general connection between the renormalization of elementary fields and couplings and of appropriate composite operators is discussed. A general method is presented for computing the anomalous dimension matrix of the lagrangian composite operators, to all orders in perturbation theory, in terms of the elementary beta functions and anomalous dimensions. The trace anomaly for a general field theory is determined.
“Coping With Frustration” Classes: Development and Preliminary Outcomes With Women Who Care for Relatives With Dementia

We describe a novel intervention program in which wives or daughters who are caregivers are taught several specific skills to enable them to manage their frustrations more effectively. These skills include learning to relax in very stressful situations and learning to be appropriately assertive with their frail elder and with other family members. Class content and structure are presented, along with preliminary data on class efficacy that is based on an N of 48 caregivers who have currently completed this particular class series. We close by noting that this psychoeducational intervention has been very well received by colleagues in other agencies serving family caregivers. In fact, this class series is now being offered to a broad range of caregivers in the San Francisco Bay area.
Recent advances in the structure and function of the parathyroid gland in animals and the effects of xenobiotics.

Parathyroid glands in animals consist of a single basic type of secretory cell concerned with the elaboration of one hormone. Parathyroid hormone is the principal hormone involved in the minute-to-minute fine regulation of blood calcium in mammals. A larger biosynthetic precursor of parathyroid hormone is first synthesized on ribosomes of the endoplasmic reticulum in chief cells. Pre-proparathyroid hormone is rapidly converted to proparathyroid hormone in the Golgi apparatus. Active parathyroid hormone is packaged into membrane-limited secretory granules that are stored in the cytoplasm until secretion is stimulated. Parathyroid cells in most animals store relatively small amounts of preformed hormone but are capable of responding to minor fluctuations in calcium ion concentration by rapidly alt‘ering the rate of hormonal synthesis and secretion. Recently synthesized and processed active parathyroid hormone may be released directly in response to increased demand and bypass the storage pool of mature secretory granules. Relatively few chemicals or experimental manipulations significantly increase the incidence of parathyroid tumors. Irradiation increases the development of parathyroid adenomas in rats and the incidence is modified by feeding diets with variable amounts of vitamin D. Parathyroid adenomas have been encountered infrequently following the administration of a variety of chemicals in 2-year bioassay studies in Fischer rats; however, the incidence increases dramatically when comparing 2-year studies to lifetime data.
Play Assessments and Developmental Skills in Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Appropriate play behaviors facilitate language skills, increase cognitive skills, and provide opportunity for social interaction. However, play skills often present differently in children with Aut...
Determining protein structure from electron-density maps using pattern matching

TEXTAL is an automated system for building protein structures from electron-density maps. It uses pattern recognition to select regions in a database of previously determined structures that are similar to regions in a map of unknown structure. Rotation-invariant numerical values, called features, of the electron density are extracted from spherical regions in an unknown map and compared with features extracted around regions in maps generated from a database of known structures. Those regions in the database that match best provide the local coordinates of atoms and these are accumulated to form a model of the unknown structure. Similarity between the regions in the database and an uninterpreted region is determined firstly by evaluating the numerical difference in feature values and secondly by calculating the electron-density correlation coefficient for those regions with similar feature values. TEXTAL has been successful at building protein structures for a wide range of test electron-density maps and can automatically model entire protein structures in a few hours on a workstation. Models built by TEXTAL from test electron-density maps of known protein structures were accurate to within 0.6–0.7 A root-mean-square deviation, assuming prior knowledge of Cα positions. The system represents a new approach to protein structure determination and has the potential to greatly reduce the time required to interpret electron-density maps in order to build accurate protein models.
Centrifugal sedimentation immunoassays for multiplexed detection of enteric bacteria in ground water

Waterborne pathogens pose significant threat to the global population and early detection plays an important role both in making drinking water safe, as well as in diagnostics and treatment of water-borne diseases. We present an innovative centrifugal sedimentation immunoassay platform for detection of bacterial pathogens in water. Our approach is based on binding of pathogens to antibody-functionalized capture particles followed by sedimentation of the particles through a density-media in a microfluidic disk. Beads at the distal end of the disk are imaged to quantify the fluorescence and determine the bacterial concentration. Our platform is fast (20 min), can detect as few as ∼10 bacteria with minimal sample preparation, and can detect multiple pathogens simultaneously. The platform was used to detect a panel of enteric bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Shigella, Listeria, and Campylobacter) spiked in tap and ground water samples.
Endothelial fibroblast growth factor receptor signaling is required for vascular remodeling following cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling is cardioprotective in various models of myocardial infarction. FGF receptors (FGFRs) are expressed in multiple cell types in the adult heart, but the cell type-specific FGFR signaling that mediates different cardioprotective endpoints is not known. To determine the requirement for FGFR signaling in endothelium in cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury, we conditionally inactivated the Fgfr1 and Fgfr2 genes in endothelial cells with Tie2-Cre (Tie2-Cre, Fgfr1(f/f), Fgfr2(f/f) DCKO mice). Tie2-Cre, Fgfr1(f/f), Fgfr2(f/f) DCKO mice had normal baseline cardiac morphometry, function, and vessel density. When subjected to closed-chest, regional cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury, Tie2-Cre, Fgfr1(f/f), Fgfr2(f/f) DCKO mice showed a significantly increased hypokinetic area at 7 days, but not 1 day, after reperfusion. Tie2-Cre, Fgfr1(f/f), Fgfr2(f/f) DCKO mice also showed significantly worsened cardiac function compared with controls at 7 days but not 1 day after reperfusion. Pathophysiological analysis showed significantly decreased vessel density, increased endothelial cell apoptosis, and worsened tissue hypoxia in the peri-infarct area at 7 days following reperfusion. Notably, Tie2-Cre, Fgfr1(f/f), Fgfr2(f/f) DCKO mice showed no impairment in the cardiac hypertrophic response. These data demonstrate an essential role for FGFR1 and FGFR2 in endothelial cells for cardiac functional recovery and vascular remodeling following in vivo cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury, without affecting the cardiac hypertrophic response. This study suggests the potential for therapeutic benefit from activation of endothelial FGFR pathways following ischemic injury to the heart.
The Balanced Curriculum Model: Description and Results

The Balanced Curriculum is a web-based tool that school districts use to create, align, assess, and manage their curriculum development and implementation. The courses are divided into time-bound units with significant tasks (or assured activities) that local district teachers develop and promise to teach. The significant tasks are aligned to standards and assessment specifications. District curriculum authors also develop assessments for all to use when implementing the curriculum. Results of more than 15 years of implementation show that all districts that have developed curriculum using this model, and ensured implementation, have had significant improvement on their test scores. Implications for teachers, principals, and central office staff are given at the end of the article.
The Nature of the Silicon–Oxygen Bond

Even though siloxanes form the basis for the entire worldwide silicone industry, the nature of silicon–oxygen bonding has not been well understood. In the present work we employ correlated and highly polarized basis levels and natural bond orbital techniques to analyze the anomalous structural and basicity properties of inorganic Si–O–Si linkages compared to organic C–O–C congeners. We find that vicinal hyperconjugative interactions of nO → σ*XH type are primarily responsible for promoting the increased torsional flexibility and reduced basicity that strongly distinguish disiloxanes from ethers. Paradoxically, the key to enhanced siloxane hyperconjugation lies in the inherently larger X–O–X bond angle for X = Si (consistent with electronegativity and hybridization variations predicted by Bent’s rule), even though such resonance-type corrections are generally stronger in ethers (X = C) at any particular X–O–X angle. These findings have important implications for many aspects of silicone chemistry as well a...
Ionic Stabilization of the Polythiophene-Oxygen Charge-Transfer Complex

A substantial reduction in the rate of irreversible polymer photo-oxidation was observed through the ionic stabilization of the polymer-O2 charge-transfer complex (CTC) in amorphous polythiophene thin films. Through the incorporation of anionic functionality containing mobile cations, it was found that CTC stability increases with increasing cation charge density. This results in an increased rate of electron transfer to molecular oxygen relative to photosensitization and reaction of 1O2, leading to a reduction in the overall rate of polymer degradation. UV–vis and FTIR spectroscopy were utilized to determine the identity of intermediate and irreversible photodegradation products as well as the effect of ion identity on the dominant photo-oxidation mechanism. As polymer-O2 CTCs are common in the photo-oxidation of many conjugated polymers, these results have significant implications for the ongoing effort to produce commercially viable organic electronic and photonic devices.
Prolactin and Growth Hormone Circadian Periodicity in Lactating Cows

SummaryProlactin and growth hormone in serum of 10 lactating cows was measured by radioimmunoassay at hourly intervals on 4 days. Prolactin in lactating cows was released in erratic pulses throughout the day. Serum prolactin concentration followed a 24-hr periodicity (p < .01), with the highest value occurring at 4:00 p.m. (58 ng/ml) and lowest values being recorded between 4 and 10 a.m. (28 ng/ml). However, circadian changes accounted for only 8% of the total variation in prolactin values, differences within cows accounted for 45% and differences among cows accounted for 47%. Serum growth hormone concentration was more stable than prolactin and did not exhibit circadian periodicity.
Signal Transduction by Type I Interferons

The two classes of interferons, type I (IFNalpha, IFNbeta, IFNomega, and IFNtau) and type II (IFNgamma) are pleiotropic cytokines that exhibit antiviral, antiproliferative, and immunomodulatory effects on their target cells. This article summarizes the advances made in elucidating the molecular events that mediate the biological responses to type I interferons.
Schools of Classification

All societies name and classify the world around them. From the 1500s onwards European naturalists integrated classical and local knowledge of organisms, and Linnaeus provided a unified classification of the whole of nature. Naturalists became interested in relationships between organisms, and the comparative anatomy of animals was studied. After Darwin, relationships were interpreted as if they reflected evolution, but the subjectivity of such work was very much evident. Only much later in the 1960s were there new methods that their proponents claimed allowed an objective evaluation of large amounts of data. Soon after, ways for detecting phylogenies were developed; however, the practice of species description hardly changed. In the nineteenth century, the various branches of natural history were studied by quite different groups of people, and tensions and stereotypes developed then affected the development of biology as a whole in the next century.
A Theory of the Multi-Tenant Firm

Modern multi-tenant firms have as their origin the ancient bazaars of the Middle East and include today’s airports, physical and virtual shopping malls, cable television providers, port terminals, trade-shows, sports leagues, and food franchises. The multi-tenant firm operates as a “firm of firms” that benefits from the rents and often a share of the revenues generated by the individual tenant firms. Multi-tenant firms share seven combined characteristics that distinguish them from other forms of business and are each essential to the efficiency of operations. This paper attempts to look inside this institutional form with an eye to understanding why they emerge, how they are structured, and what efficiency they are uniquely able to deliver.
Sexual Dysfunctions and Dissatisfactions Among Middle-Years Couples

AbstractMiddle years marriages and middle years sexuality are areas that have suffered from benign scientific neglect. This clinical study with 30 middle-years couples provides some preliminary hypotheses and tentative conceptualizations. The outstanding characteristic of these couples is that they devoted little time or energy to their marital and sexual relationships. A dysfunctional or dissatisfied sexual relationship can undermine and devitalize the marital relationship. An alternative conceptualization of the role sexuality plays in middle years marriages is presented. The functions of sexuality include: 1) A shared pleasure which serves as a reinforcer; 2) Being emotionally closer and more intimate; and 3) As a tension reducer.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Acute and Chronic Limb Ischemia

Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of central and peripheral vessels is a well-established method. ACC/AHA 2005 Practice Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease recommends that MRA of the extremities should be performed with gadolinium enhancement (class I recommendation). However, due to concerns about the cost and safety of gadolinium-based contrast agents in certain patients, there is significant ongoing development in the field of non-contrast MRA with promising results. Appropriate indications for peripheral MRA include diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), selecting patients for endovascular intervention or surgical bypass of lower extremity PAD, and post-revascularization surveillance of lower extremity PAD. Other indications include assessment of peripheral arterial aneurysms, dissection, and peripheral thromboembolism. The role of MRA in acute critical limb ischemia is limited due to the need for urgent diagnosis and intervention that can be achieved with invasive angiography.
Novel minimally invasive surgical approach using an external ventricular assist device and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in refractory cardiogenic shock.

Objectives The use of short-term mechanical circulatory support (MCS) has increased in the treatment of refractory cardiogenic shock (RCS). Percutaneous short-term MCS technology has emerged rapidly; however, limitations in flow and durability remain. We therefore investigated a minimally invasive surgical approach using an external ventricular assist device (VAD) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in patients with RCS. Methods Twenty-five patients underwent minimally invasive external VAD insertion with a magnetically levitated centrifugal pump for various causes of cardiogenic shock between April 2010 and May 2016. An external VAD was established with left ventricular apical cannulation through a minithoracotomy and right or left axillary artery cannulation. In patients with biventricular failure or pulmonary complications, femoral venous cannulation was added as an additional inflow source, and ECMO was spliced into the external VAD circuit. Results Mean patient age was 58 ± 9.1 and 80% were men. All patients were in Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support profile I RCS. The aetiology of RCS was decompensated chronic heart failure in 13 (52%), and acute myocardial infarction in 12 (48%). Twenty-three (92%) received percutaneous short-term MCS prior to surgery. The procedure was performed without cardiopulmonary bypass in all patients. ECMO was added in 17 patients (68%) and explanted after a median of 4 days of support. The average flow obtained was 5.3 ± 1.1 l/min. The median duration of external VAD support was 22 days. Major complications during support included bleeding events in seven (28%) and cerebrovascular events in four (16%). The in-hospital mortality rate was 32%. Seventeen patients (68%) survived to the next destination including myocardial recovery in three (12%), device exchange to a durable VAD in 12 (48%) and heart transplantation in two (8%). The Kaplan-Meier survival rates at 6 months and 1 year were 92% and 77%, respectively. Conclusions Our minimally invasive surgical approach using an external VAD is a feasible strategy for patients with cardiogenic shock who are refractory to percutaneous short-term MCS support.
Simulation and Analysis of the Hybrid Operating Mode in ITER

The hybrid operating mode in ITER is examined with 0D systems analysis, 1.5D discharge scenario simulations using TSC and TRANSP, and the ideal MHD stability is discussed. The hybrid mode has the potential to provide very long pulses and significant neutron fluence if the physics regime can be produced in ITER. This paper reports progress in establishing the physics basis and engineering limitation for the hybrid mode in ITER
Nuclear localization signal sequence is required for VACM-1/CUL5-dependent regulation of cellular growth

VACM-1/CUL5 is a member of the cullin family of proteins involved in the E3 ligase-dependent degradation of diverse proteins that regulate cellular proliferation. The ability of VACM-1/CUL5 to inhibit cellular growth is affected by its posttranslational modifications and its localization to the nucleus. Since the mechanism of VACM-1/CUL5 translocation to the nucleus is not clear, the goal of this project was to determine the role that the putative nuclear localization signal (NLS) we identified in the VACM-1/CUL5 (640PKLKRQ646) plays in the cellular localization of VACM-1/CUL5 and its effect on cellular growth. We used site-directed mutagenesis to change Lys642 and Lys644 to Gly and the mutated cDNA constructs were transfected into COS-1 cells. Mutation of the NLS in VACM-1/CUL5 significantly reduced its localization to the nucleus and compromised its effect on cellular growth. We have shown previously that the antiproliferative effect of VACM-1/CUL5 could be reversed by mutation of PKA-specific phosphorylation sequence (S730AVACM-1/CUL5), which was associated with its increased nuclear localization and modification by NEDD8. Thus, we examined whether these properties can be controlled by the NLS. The mutation of NLS in S730AVACM-1/CUL5 cDNA compromised its proliferative effect and reduced its localization to the nucleus. The immunocytochemistry results showed that, in cells transfected with the mutant cDNAs, the nuclear NEDD8 signal was decreased. Western blot analysis of total cell lysates, however, showed that VACM-1/CUL5 neddylation was not affected. Together, these results suggest that the presence of the NLS, both in VACM-1/CUL5 and in S730AVACM-1/CUL5 sequences, is critical for their control of cell proliferation.
Impact of waiting and provider behavior on surgical outpatients’ perception of care

Abstract Objective To measure impact of waiting and complaints on perception of care. Data sources/study setting Primary data collected. Post-surgery feedback survey of 11,361 elective surgical outpatients (July 2012–October 2014) was linked to day-of-surgery timestamps. Study design Using MANOVA, we compare how waiting affects outpatients' perception of care. Using regression, we analyze how the type of complaint affects patients' perception of care. Data collection/ extraction methods Patients' rating of care was coded (scale of 1–4). Six groups were created based on patient waiting. 8% of survey responders (n=335) provided complaints that were coded for content into five pre-validated service component constructs – communication, concern for patient, care and treatment, access and environment. Principal findings Patients that experienced greatest delays gave lower rating than those that waited the least (p value=0.0 at sig. level=0.05). Service components of communication, care and treatment, and concern for patient were significantly (p value=0.0) associated with patients' perception of care. Conclusions Patients perceive non-clinical care components of healthcare delivery as an integral part of their care. Patients who wait less on the day-of-surgery perceived their care to be better. Healthcare organizations may compensate for delays on the day-of-surgery through proactive communications.
ISIL, the Syrian Conflict, Sexual Violence, and the Way Forward: Syrian Women's Inclusion in the Peace Processes

Today, we face the prospect of a Syrian peace agreement with disappointment at its delay and frustration that, yet again, negotiators embrace a framework that ignores obligations under international law to include the participation of women civil society members. While the international community has mandated women’s full and equal participation in all aspects of peace and security efforts through U.N. Security Council Resolution 1325 and its subsequent resolutions, there remain significant barriers to the comprehensive implementation of the women, peace and security agenda in policy and practice. Superimposed onto the civil war in the Syrian Arab Republic (Syria) is a global battle for influence, with weapons pouring in from multiple countries to the Syrian military, ISIL, and other armed groups. As the international community’s attention inevitably turns to these outside actors, what must not be lost in the geopolitical wrangling, is that the most viable solutions lie within Syrian civil society, and in particular among the organized base of Syrian women’s groups. The international community, however, has marginalized the voices of Syrian women in a faltering peace process that to date shows poor chances of producing a lasting cease-fire, much less signed peace accords. In the midst of the conflict, sustainable measures for the prevention and protection against gender-based violence are at risk of being ignored and forgotten.
Structure of neutron star crusts from new Skyrme effective interactions constrained by chiral effective field theory

We investigate the structure of neutron star crusts, including the crust-core boundary, based on new Skyrme mean field models constrained by the bulk-matter equation of state from chiral effective field theory and the ground-state energies of doubly-magic nuclei. Nuclear pasta phases are studied using both the liquid drop model as well as the Thomas-Fermi approximation. We compare the energy per nucleon for each geometry (spherical nuclei, cylindrical nuclei, nuclear slabs, cylindrical holes, and spherical holes) to obtain the ground state phase as a function of density. We find that the size of the Wigner-Seitz cell depends strongly on the model parameters, especially the coefficients of the density gradient interaction terms. We employ also the thermodynamic instability method to check the validity of the numerical solutions based on energy comparisons.
Association of Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 With Risk of Incident Coronary Heart Disease in Community-Living Adults.

Importance Higher circulating fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) concentrations are associated with cardiovascular disease events linked to heart failure, but associations of FGF23 with coronary heart disease (CHD) have been less consistent. Objective To determine the association of plasma FGF23 concentrations with incident CHD and whether this association differs by race, sex, or chronic kidney disease status. Design, Setting, and Participants We examined the association of FGF23 concentrations with incident CHD risk within the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke study, a prospective cohort of black and white adults 45 years and older enrolled between January 2003 and October 2007 with follow-up through December 31, 2011. Using a case-cohort design, we measured FGF23 concentrations in 829 participants who developed incident CHD and in 812 participants randomly selected from the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke study cohort (cohort random sample). To account for the stratified sampling design, the cohort random sample was weighted back to the original cohort overall (n = 22 127). Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the association of FGF23 concentration with incident CHD, adjusting for CHD risk factors and kidney function. In prespecified analyses, we examined whether race, sex, or chronic kidney disease modified the association of FGF23 concentration with incident CHD. Exposures Plasma C-terminal FGF23 concentrations. Main Outcomes and Measures Investigator-adjudicated incident CHD events. Results Of the 22 127 participants in the weighted cohort random sample, 13 059 (58.9%) were female and 9435 (42.6%) were black, and the mean age was 64.3 (95% CI, 63.7-64.9) years. Greater age, lower estimated glomerular filtration rate, higher urine albumin to creatinine ratio, and female sex were associated with higher FGF23 concentration at baseline. In multivariable models adjusted for established CHD risk factors and kidney function, higher FGF23 concentrations were associated with greater risk of CHD (hazard ratio [HR] comparing fourth with first quartile, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.35-3.42). The magnitude and strength of these associations differed by sex. However, these differences were no longer observed when adjusting for hormone therapy in women (men: HR comparing fourth with first quartile, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.30-4.42; women: HR comparing fourth with first quartile, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.04-5.27) or when using sex-specific FGF23 quartiles (men: HR comparing fourth with first quartile, 2.65; 95% CI, 1.43-4.90; women: HR comparing fourth with first quartile, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.02-5.03). Conclusions and Relevance Higher FGF23 concentrations were associated with greater risk of CHD. Heterogeneity in the association by sex may be caused by differences in the distribution of plasma FGF23 concentrations or the use of hormone therapy in men vs women.
To Screen or Not to Screen: Overreliance on Risk Without Protective Factors in Violence Research.

Partner violence in the United States has received ubiquitous media attention over the past several months, with an overdue sexual assault reckoning unfolding across the country. This stance has resulted in a seismic shift in the cultural acceptance of traditional gender norms and decreased tolerance for dating violence perpetration. Thus, the timeliness of Cohen et al’s1 article, “Predicting Teen Dating Violence Perpetration,” cannot be understated. Their focus on developing an algorithm to identify which adolescents are most likely to perpetrate partner violence has significant ramifications, not only for adolescents but also for their broader social ecology. In this commentary, we draw attention to the risks and benefits of using such a screening process in research and clinical work as well as to the need for a more balanced assessment of multilevel protective factors. Last, we highlight the value of using syndemics2 (ie, the co-occurrence of multiple epidemics) as a guiding theory for future research on teen-aged dating violence. Cohen et al1 are to be commended for their innovative research, in which they used statistically driven methods (ie, net … Address correspondence to Idia B. Thurston, PhD, Department of Psychology, The University of Memphis, 310 Psychology Building, Memphis, TN 38152. E-mail: bthrston{at}memphis.edu
Humanoid Agents as Hosts, Advisors, Companions and Jesters

Humanoid agents can serve in a variety of activities ranging from hosts, to advisors and coaches, to teachers and to humous companions. This paper explores recent research in humanoid robots and embodied conversational agents to undertand how both of these types of humanoid agents might play a role in our lives.
Probabilistic multi-label classification with sparse feature learning

Multi-label classification is a critical problem in many areas of data analysis such as image labeling and text categorization. In this paper we propose a probabilistic multi-label classification model based on novel sparse feature learning. By employing an individual sparsity inducing l1-norm and a group sparsity inducing l2,1-norm, the proposed model has the capacity of capturing both label interdependencies and common predictive model structures. We formulate this sparse norm regularized learning problem as a non-smooth convex optimization problem, and develop a fast proximal gradient algorithm to solve it for an optimal solution. Our empirical study demonstrates the efficacy of the proposed method on a set of multi-label tasks given a limited number of labeled training instances.
Posttranslational Modifications of Small G Proteins

The numerous biological functions of Ras superfamily small GTPases are highly dependent upon specific posttranslational modifications that guide their subcellular localization and interaction with regulators and effectors. Canonical modifications of their carboxyl termini include prenylation by farnesyl or geranylgeranyl isoprenoid lipids (Ras, Rho, Rab families). These serve as important components of their membrane targeting motifs and promote membrane binding, analogously to the cotranslational amino-terminal myristoylation of Arf family proteins. Reversible carboxymethylation of the prenylated cysteines and reversible acylation by one or more nearby palmitates promote dynamic membrane interactions to complement the permanent lipid modifications. Small GTPases are also regulated in both normal and disease states by several dynamic non-lipid posttranslational modifications. For example, many Ras and Rho family members are phosphorylated in an isoform-specific manner, largely by a select group of serine/threonine kinases such as protein kinase Cα or protein kinase A. Such phosphorylation events, as well as other modifications such as nitrosylation, mono- and di-ubiquitination, peptidyl-prolyl isomerization, acetylation, and oxidation, typically alter small GTPase location and/or interaction with regulatory molecules. By contrast, several distinct E3 ligases posttranslationally regulate small GTPase abundance and function at distinct cellular sites by promoting polyubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation. Finally, numerous pathogenic bacterial toxins disrupt or enhance small GTPase function by a wide variety of posttranslational modifications including ADP ribosylation for which the Arf proteins are named. Here we summarize the rapidly evolving understanding of this fascinating area of small G protein regulation.
The effects of journalistic transparency on credibility assessments and engagement intentions

Transparency is an oft-cited remedy for the public’s lack of confidence in the news media. Yet scant empirical evidence exists to support this claim. This article presents a test of the relationshi...
Federal government-interest patent disclosures for recent top-selling drugs.

Objective: To provide updated evidence on government-interest patent disclosures in US patents for top-selling small-molecule drugs.Methods: IQVIA National Sales Perspectives data identified 300 to...
A Decade of Lessons Learned

We describe our efforts at building programs in Earth and space science over the past decade at four Minority Institutions, Medgar Evers College, Norfolk State University, South Carolina State University and the University of Houston-Downtown. We present our institutional models of success and programmatic outcomes as well as barriers to success and lessons learned. The unique path to success for each school is described, along with experiences common among all four. Since these institutions do not offer graduate programs in the geosciences, they have concentrated on recruitment and retention of students in the K-16 pipeline while preparing them for graduate school and careers in the field. These schools represent a range in size, location, population served and in the type and nature of the Earth and space science programs they offer. As such, the experiences described herein offer a broad perspective on what does and does not work in attracting and retaining underrepresented minority students in the geo...
Modeling neurocognitive and neurobiological recovery in addiction

Abstract Neurocognitive dysfunction associated with alcohol and substance use disorders (SUDs) is the main topic of this book. Neurocognitive changes occurring during abstinence from alcohol and substances have been less frequently covered in the literature. Therefore, we focus here on the neurocognitive recovery and potentially related brain structural and metabolic changes precipitated by abstinence from alcohol and substances, as can be gleaned from morphological and spectroscopic human brain magnetic resonance studies performed over the last 20+ years. Rather than offering a complete review of all available research in this wide research field, we strive to convey the principal findings of the neurocognitive and neuroimaging research. The investigations reveal variable levels of recovery from neurocognitive and neurobiological abnormalities during abstinence. A better appreciation of the specific changes related to abstinence and underlying mechanisms promises to shape further investigations and promote more efficacious interventions for alcohol and SUDs.