cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thermal and urea-induced unfolding of the marginally stable lac repressor DNA-binding domain: a model system for analysis of solute effects on protein processes.

Thermodynamic and structural evidence indicates that the DNA binding domains of lac repressor (lacI) exhibit significant conformational adaptability in operator binding, and that the marginally stable helix−turn−helix (HTH) recognition element is greatly stabilized by operator binding. Here we use circular dichroism at 222 nm to quantify the thermodynamics of the urea- and thermally induced unfolding of the marginally stable lacI HTH. Van't Hoff analysis of the two-state unfolding data, highly accurate because of the large transition breadth and experimental access to the temperature of maximum stability (TS; 6−10 °C), yields standard-state thermodynamic functions (Δ , Δ , Δ , Δ ) over the temperature range 4−40 °C and urea concentration range 0 ≤ C3 ≤ 6 M. For unfolding the HTH, Δ decreases linearly with increasing C3 at all temperatures examined, which directly confirms the validity of the linear extrapolation method (LEM) to obtain the intrinsic stability of this protein. At 25 °C (pH 7.3 and 50 mM K+)...
A review of the biological and geochemical behavior of technetium in the Marine environment

In 1971, the National Academy of Sciences published the review Radioactivity in the Marine Environment [1] which summarised current understanding of the behaviour of radionuclides in the ocean. Notably absent, in the tabulations of organism concentration factors and seawater activity levels, was any reference to 99Tc. The paucity of data, at that time, can most reasonably be attributed to the low total activities expected to be present in the ocean as a consequence of the testing of nuclear devices. For example, Beasley et al. [2] estimated that 160 terabecquerels (TBq) of 99Tc (~ 4300 curies) would have been released into the environment between 1945 and 1963 based on a total of 194-megaton equivalents of fission. By contrast, some 78 × 104 TBq (21 megacuries) of 90Sr and 1·1 × 104 TBq (0·3 megacuries) of 239,240Pu were produced in this same time period.
Muerte, cates / que non cates : El discor 510 de fray diego de Valencia en el Cancionero de Baena

The first half of our essay offers a close reading of a poem by fray Diego de Valencia as a neglected chef d'oeuvre in late medieval Spanish elegiac poetry: his lyrical invective against Death personified in the decir 510 in the Cancionero de Baena . In the second half, we argue that Valencia's special affinity for rhyming homonyms in this elegy and in his other works (even when compared to the poets represented in the Cancionero de Baena ) may reflect the persistent recourse to this rhetorical figure (the Latin traductio ) in medieval Hebrew poetics (a literary tradition whose language he used with great skill as shown in the decir 501).
Pseudostructural inhibitors of G protein signaling during development.

Abstract Heterotrimeric G proteins mediate signal transduction pathways to control development in fungal, plant, and animal cells. A recent study in the July issue of Molecular Cell identifies three proteins that, while not displaying sequence similarity to G protein subunits, appear to act as structural mimics of a Gβγ dimer to negatively regulate pseudohyphal growth in budding yeast.
Complex Carbohydrates: The Science and the Label

On November 2, 1994, the International Life Science's Institute (ILSI) North America Project Committee on Fiber/Complex Carbohydrates (now known as the Technical Committee on Carbohydrates) sponsored a workshop titled Complex Carbohydrates: The Science and the Label. This workshop evaluated the scientific issues associated with complex carbohydrates and, in light of these issues, addressed the rationale for adding complex carbohydrates to the nutrition label. Nutrition Reviews is pleased to publish the summary of this workshop.
Inhibition of U937 Cytokine Secretion by HIV-1 gp120 C4-Derived Peptide Constructs:

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation of the human promyelomonocytic cell line U937 results in interleukin 6 and interleukin 10 secretion. Modulation of cytokine secretion in response to LPS may be possible through bindingof ligands to surface receptors. A peptomer, containing multiple repeat units of the CD4-binding C4 region of HIV-1 gp120, and the monomeric C4 peptide each were investigated for their ability to affect LPS-induced IL-6 and IL-10 secretion. The peptomer inhibited IL-6 and IL-10 secretion, while the monomer inhibited only IL-6 secretion. Larger CD4-binding proteins, specifically gp120 and Leu3A, a CD4-directed monoclonal antibody, had no effect on the LPS response. PMA differentiation to down-regulate CD4 expression did not reverse the inhibitory effect of the peptomer or peptide, suggesting a CD4-independent effect. Bioactivity changed markedly with different constructs in the presence of IFNy with reversal or enhancement of the IL-10 response but not IL-6 production. These results suggest that truncation of a larger polypeptide may result in constructs with novel binding capabilities and bioactivities not seen in parent proteins.
Transcriptional analysis of the Bordetella alcaligin siderophore biosynthesis operon.

The alc gene cluster of Bordetella pertussis includes three genes, alcA, alcB, and alcC, which are involved in alcaligin siderophore biosynthesis in response to iron starvation. The production of AlcA, AlcB, and AlcC in Bordetella cells and the transcriptional organization of alcA, alcB, and alcC were investigated by using a set of three alc′-′lacZ gene fusion constructs that were contiguous with the known promoter upstream of alcA and extended to fusion junctions within each alc cistron. All three alc′-′lacZ fusions exhibited iron-repressible reporter gene expression which was abolished by deletion of the 105-bp alcA promoter-operator region. In an immunoblot analysis using a monoclonal antibody specific for β-galactosidase, the AlcA-LacZ, AlcB-LacZ, and AlcC-LacZ hybrid proteins were detected in Bordetella cells grown under iron-depleted conditions. A B. pertussis mutant in which the 105-bp alcA promoter-operator region was deleted by allelic exchange was unable to produce detectable levels of siderophore. Hybridization analysis using gene-specific probes showed that alc-specific transcript levels in the mutant were negligible compared with those of the wild-type parent. These results confirm that alcA, alcB, and alcC are cotranscribed from an iron-regulated control region immediately upstream of alcA. Transcript analysis using hybridization probes representing regions downstream of alcC demonstrated that alc transcription extends approximately 3.6 kb further downstream from the alcC coding region, suggesting the cotranscription of additional, uncharacterized alcaligin system genes.
Resveratrol Inhibits Development of Experimental Endometriosis In Vivo and Reduces Endometrial Stromal Cell Invasiveness In Vitro

Endometriosis is a common gynecologic disorder characterized by ectopic attachment and growth of endometrial tissues. Resveratrol is a natural polyphenol with antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory properties. Our objective was to study the effects of resveratrol on human endometriotic implants in a nude mouse model and to examine its impact on human endometrial stromal (HES) cell invasiveness in vitro. Human endometrial tissues were obtained from healthy donors. Endometriosis was established in oophorectomized nude mice by intraperitoneal injection of endometrial tissues. Mice were treated with 17β-estradiol (8 mg, silastic capsule implants) alone (n = 16) or with resveratrol (6 mg/mouse; n = 20) for 10-12 and 18-20 days beginning 1 day after tissue injection. Mice were killed and endometrial implants were evaluated. A Matrigel invasion assay was used to examine the effects of resveratrol on HES cells. We assessed number and size of endometriotic implants in vivo and Matrigel invasion in vitro. Resveratrol decreased the number of endometrial implants per mouse by 60% (P < 0.001) and the total volume of lesions per mouse by 80% (P < 0.001). Resveratrol (10-30 μM) also induced a concentration-dependent reduction of invasiveness of HES by up to 78% (P < 0.0001). Resveratrol inhibits development of endometriosis in the nude mouse and reduces invasiveness of HES cells. These observations may aid in the development of novel treatments of endometriosis.
Cell swelling activates the K+ conductance and inhibits the Cl- conductance of the basolateral membrane of cells from a leaky epithelium.

Necturus gallbladder epithelial cells bathed in 10 mM HCO3/1% CO2 display sizable basolateral membrane conductances for Cl- (GClb) and K+ (GKb). Lowering the osmolality of the apical bathing solution hyperpolarized both apical and basolateral membranes and increased the K+/Cl- selectivity of the basolateral membrane. Hyperosmotic solutions had the opposite effects. Intracellular free-calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) increased transiently during hyposmotic swelling (peak at approximately 30 s, return to baseline within approximately 90 s), but chelation of cell Ca2+ did not prevent the membrane hyperpolarization elicited by the hyposmotic solution. Cable analysis experiments showed that the electrical resistance of the basolateral membrane decreased during hyposmotic swelling and increased during hyperosmotic shrinkage, whereas the apical membrane resistance was unchanged in hyposmotic solution and decreased in hyperosmotic solution. We assessed changes in cell volume in the epithelium by measuring changes in the intracellular concentration of an impermeant cation (tetramethylammonium), and in isolated polarized cells measuring changes in intracellular calcein fluorescence, and observed that these epithelial cells do not undergo measurable volume regulation over 10-12 min after osmotic swelling. Depolarization of the basolateral membrane voltage (Vcs) produced a significant increase in the change in Vcs elicited by lowering basolateral solution [Cl-], whereas hyperpolarization of Vcs had the opposite effect. These results suggest that: (a) Hyposmotic swelling increases GKb and decreases GClb. These two effects appear to be linked, i.e., the increase in GKb produces membrane hyperpolarization, which in turn reduces GClb. (b) Hyperosmotic shrinkage has the opposite effects on GKb and GClb. (c) Cell swelling causes a transient increase in [Ca2+]i, but this response may not be necessary for the increase in GKb during cell swelling.
A Reconsideration of the Ministries of the Sacrament of Holy Orders

The purpose of the ministerial structures of the Church is to establish a context by which Christians continue and complete Christ's ministry. Ordained ministers ought to facilitate this in such a way as to collaborate effectively with God in the establishment of the Kingdom. A consideration of the Church's tradition, beginning with Scripture and continuing in its life of faith, suggests that no single form of ministry is normative. The ordination of Christians who make a long-term commitment to what the Church may legitimately recognize as ministry would enhance the Church's life and celebrate the sacramental character of that ministry. Consonant with Gaudium et spes the Church should abandon the distinction between secular and sacred ministry and recognize the sacramental character of ministry wherever it is practiced. Sacramental ordination to ministry is the specification and concretization of Christians' baptismal commitment.
Robustness of suboptimal control: Gain and phase margin

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the gain and phase margin as measures of robustness of suboptimal linear-quadratic regulators. It will be shown that the suboptimal control retains the infinite gain margin of the corresponding optimal system, but that the phase margin and gain reduction tolerance depend on the degree of suboptimality of the nominal optimal control law. This establishes the degree of suboptimality as an index of both the system performance regarding the optimality criterion and the robustness to plant parameter uncertainties and distortions of the optimal control law. It will also be shown that the suboptimal closed-loop systems remain stable despite insertion of memoryless nonlinear gains inside individual feedback loops, thus raising further the confidence in suboptimal designs of linear-quadratic regulators.
Vertebrate Isoforms of Actin Capping Protein β Have Distinct Functions in Vivo

Actin capping protein (CP) binds barbed ends of actin filaments to regulate actin assembly. CP is an alpha/beta heterodimer. Vertebrates have conserved isoforms of each subunit. Muscle cells contain two beta isoforms. beta1 is at the Z-line; beta2 is at the intercalated disc and cell periphery in general. To investigate the functions of the isoforms, we replaced one isoform with another using expression in hearts of transgenic mice. Mice expressing beta2 had a severe phenotype with juvenile lethality. Myofibril architecture was severely disrupted. The beta2 did not localize to the Z-line. Therefore, beta1 has a distinct function that includes interactions at the Z-line. Mice expressing beta1 showed altered morphology of the intercalated disc, without the lethality or myofibril disruption of the beta2-expressing mice. The in vivo function of CP is presumed to involve binding barbed ends of actin filaments. To test this hypothesis, we expressed a beta1 mutant that poorly binds actin. These mice showed both myofibril disruption and intercalated disc remodeling, as predicted. Therefore, CPbeta1 and CPbeta2 each have a distinct function that cannot be provided by the other isoform. CPbeta1 attaches actin filaments to the Z-line, and CPbeta2 organizes the actin at the intercalated discs.
Relation between site of origin of ventricular tachycardia and relative left ventricular myocardial perfusion and wall motion

To assess the relation between the site of origin of ventricular tachycardia (VT) and relative myocardial perfusion and wall motion, 18 patients with a history of recurrent sustained VT underwent cardiac catheterization, invasive electrophysiologic study with endocardial mapping, and resting radionuclide ventriculography. In addition, 6 patients had exercise and redistribution thallium-201 scintigraphy, whereas the remaining 12 patients had resting thallium scans. The site of origin of VT (determined by catheter and intraoperative endocardial mapping) was correlated with relative myocardial perfusion (thallium) and left ventricular (LV) wall motion. All patients had significant (greater than 50% narrowing) coronary artery disease and 16 had LV aneurysms. Twenty sites of origin of VT (28 morphologies) were identified in these 18 patients. Of the 9 patients with multiple VT morphologies, the VT originated at disparate sites in 2 patients. All 18 patients had thallium defects at rest and 3 patients had additional reversible (ischemic) defects on exercise. Of the 20 sites of origin of VT, 16 were at the periphery of the thallium defect, 1 was adjacent to it, and 3 were in the center of it. In the 16 patients with LV aneurysm, there were 18 sites of origin: 15 at the border of the aneurysm, 1 adjacent to it, and 2 within it. The data suggest that in patients with VT and coronary artery disease the site of origin is usually the periphery of a resting thallium defect, and in patients with LV aneurysm the site is the border of the aneurysm.
Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction Method for Differentiating Western and Northern Corn Rootworm Larvae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, and northern corn rootworm, D. barberi Smith and Lawrence, are sympatric species and serious pests of corn cultivation in North America. Comparison of nucleotide sequence of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I and II was used to design polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers that discriminate immature stages of the two species based on differences in amplicon size. Multiplex PCR can be used to give a positive test for each species in a single amplification reaction. This provides a method to identify field caught larvae and facilitates investigations of larval interaction and competition between the species.
Antagonist of the neurokinin-1 receptor curbs neuroinflammation in ex vivo and in vitro models of Lyme neuroborreliosis

Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) can affect both the peripheral (PNS) and the central nervous systems (CNS); it is caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. The neuropeptide substance P (SP) is an important mediator of both neuroinflammation and blood-brain barrier dysfunction, through its NK1 receptor. Increased levels of SP have been shown to correlate with cell death. The present study used both ex vivo and in vitro models of experimentation to determine if the inflammatory mediator production and concomitant cell death caused by exposure of neural tissues and cells to B. burgdorferi could be attenuated by treatment with a NK1 receptor antagonist. We incubated normal rhesus frontal cortex tissue explants (CNS) and primary cultures of rhesus dorsal root ganglia cells (PNS) with live B. burgdorferi and tested the effectiveness of the NK1 receptor antagonist L703,606 in attenuating inflammatory immune responses and neuronal and glial damage. Culture supernatants and tissue lysates were subjected to multiplex ELISA to quantify immune mediators, while the cells were evaluated for apoptosis by the in situ TUNEL assay. In addition, we identified immune mediators and producer cells in tissue sections by immunofluorescence staining and confocal microscopy. Co-incubation of both CNS tissues and PNS cells with the NK1 receptor antagonist attenuated bacterially induced increases in inflammatory cytokine and chemokine production, particularly, IL-6, CXCL8, and CCL2, and reduced apoptosis levels. Confocal microscopy confirmed that neurons and glial cells are sources of these immune mediators. These results suggest that NK1R antagonist treatment is able to reduce downstream pro-inflammatory signaling, thereby indicating that its systemic administration may slow disease progression. We propose that SP contributes to neurogenic inflammation in LNB, and provide data to suggest that an NK1 receptor antagonist may represent a novel neuroprotective therapy.
On the Unloading of Container Cargo in a Seaport and its Inspection for the Presence of Deleterious Invasive Species

We use a continuous-time Markov chain model to study the properties of a seaport container cargo unloading and inspection protocol. The purpose of cargo inspections is to detect and thereby eliminate the damage from stochastically arriving invasive species. Our analysis leads to five findings that can be used to, inter alia, optimize unloading and inspection activities. First, we determine the long run fraction of time that the unloading inspector is idle. Second, we compute the long run average number of ships from which cargo is unloaded per unit time. Third, we calculate the long run average number of ships that are waiting to have their cargo unloaded and inspected. Fourth, we ascertain the long run average waiting time per ship in our seaport. Finally, we use a simple numerical example to illustrate the computation of some of the above mentioned metrics.
Abstract WP321: Somatosensory Stimulation Combined with Moderate Intensity Therapeutic Exercise Significantly Improves Motor Function in Chronic Stroke Survivors

Background: Somatosensory stimulation using electrical microcurrents (MSOMA) has proven efficacious for treatment of pain and tissue healing however little is known about its use to augment hemipar...
A Toolbox for Herpesvirus miRNA Research: Construction of a Complete Set of KSHV miRNA Deletion Mutants.

Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) encodes 12 viral microRNAs (miRNAs) that are expressed during latency. Research into KSHV miRNA function has suffered from a lack of genetic systems to study viral miRNA mutations in the context of the viral genome. We used the Escherichia coli Red recombination system together with a new bacmid background, BAC16, to create mutants for all known KSHV miRNAs. The specific miRNA deletions or mutations and the integrity of the bacmids have been strictly quality controlled using PCR, restriction digestion, and sequencing. In addition, stable viral producer cell lines based on iSLK cells have been created for wildtype KSHV, for 12 individual miRNA knock-out mutants (ΔmiR-K12-1 through -12), and for mutants deleted for 10 of 12 (ΔmiR-cluster) or all 12 miRNAs (ΔmiR-all). NGS, in combination with SureSelect technology, was employed to sequence the entire latent genome within all producer cell lines. qPCR assays were used to verify the expression of the remaining viral miRNAs in a subset of mutants. Induction of the lytic cycle leads to efficient production of progeny viruses that have been used to infect endothelial cells. Wt BAC16 and miR mutant iSLK producer cell lines are now available to the research community.
Molecular markers in urologic oncology: prostate cancer.

Purpose of reviewThe increased clinical availability of a wide variety of molecular tests will potentially reshape the care of both men at risk for prostate cancer and men already diagnosed. It is imperative that clinicians be familiar with indications and clinical relevance of these tests.Recent fi
Feeding Preferences of Neonates and Late Instar Larvae of a Lepidopterous Pest Complex (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on Sorghum, Maize, and Noncrop Vegetation in Honduras

Feeding preferences of neonates and late-instar larvae of Spodoptera latifascia (Walker), S. frugiperda (J. E. Smith), and Metaponpneumata rogenhoferi (Moschler) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) were studied in the laboratory using leaf disk choice tests. S. latifascia neonates showed significant preference for Amaranthus sp. L., Portulaca oleracea L., Melampodium divaricatum (Rich. ex Pers.) DC., and Ixophorus unisetus (Presl.) Schlecht over sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, or maize, Zea mays (L.). Ipomoea sp., probably I. purpurea (L.) Jacq., was preferred over sorghum. They showed no marked preference between sorghum and maize. S. frugiperda neonates preferred Amaranthus sp. and I. unisetus over sorghum and maize, but sorghum and maize were preferred over Ipomoea sp. S. latifascia reared on broadleaf species consumed more of the diet on which they were reared than they did of sorghum or maize when given a choice. S. frugiperda exhibited a similar response when reared on M. divaricatum. Induction of feeding preference and aversion learning occurred in both S. latifascia and S. frugiperda larvae when reared on selected hosts. M. rogenhoferi reared on sorghum or maize preferred other species when offered a choice.
Feed/Gain Ratios of White Pekin Ducks as Affected by Age and Environmental Temperature

Abstract Feed/gain ratios of male and female White Pekin ducks were ascertained on a daily basis during the latter stage of grow-out in order to determine at what age poor feed efficiencies occur. Two temperature regimens were utilized in Trial 1 with the temperature of the control and heated environmental chambers being 18.3 and 29.4 C, respectively. In Trial 2, the ducks were subjected to varying environmental conditions since they were raised in a windowed poultry house during March, April, and May. Body weights and feed consumption were determined weekly up to 35 days of age and then daily from 39 to 52 and 36 to 61 days of age for Trials 1 and 2, respectively. The results of both trials indicate that male and female ducks exposed to environmental temperatures within their comfort zone should be marketed between 48 and 51 days of age when considering feed efficiency only. The earlier age of 48 days would be preferable to 51 days in order to increase the probability of avoiding poor feed efficiencies. If ducks reared during the summer season are exposed to high ambient temperatures, then feed/gain ratios may peak earlier than 48 days of age with losses in weight gains.
Urinary Excretion of Corticosteroids and Neutral 17-Ketosteroids in Adult Female Dogs

SummaryNormal values for neutral 17-ketosteroids and reducing corticoids have been presented for adult female mongrel dogs. Stimulation of the adrenal glands of the dog by continuous intravenous infusion of ACTH increased both the reducing corticoid and neutral 17-ketosteroid excretion. Additional observations are reported regarding factors that influence the excretion of reducing corticoids by the adult female dog.
Analysis on Thunder and Lightning Activity Routines and Lightning Trip-out of Power Transmission Lines in Guangdong

This paper analyzes thunder and lightning activity routines and lightning trip-out in Guangdong province during 2005—2012 and the conclusion indicates that 50%probability lightning current amplitude of each year is concentrating within 26~35 kA.In addition,impact of 50% probability lightning current amplitude on lightning trip-out rate is greater than that of lightning density and simultaneous trip-out rate of multi-circuit power transmission lines is holding 15%~30%among lightning trip-out rate.It proposes lightning protection strategies which require concentrate on crucial points,change ideas and strengthen management.Meanwhile,it requires emphasize for governing important lines and erected lines on the same tower which are easy to be stroke on the basis of paying attention to conventional lightning protection measures in order to improve success rate of lightning trip-out overlap.
Explanation on drafting background of guidance for clinical studies of antibacterial drugs

This article is to describe the causes,procedures,references,and some important consideration in drafting out new guidance for clinical trials of anti-bacterial drugs.
Characterizing Google Hacking: A First Large-Scale Quantitative Study

Google Hacking continues to be abused by attackers to find vulnerable websites on current Internet. Through searching specific terms of vulnerabilities in search engines, attackers can easily and automatically find a lot of vulnerable websites in a large scale. However, less work has been done to study the characteristics of vulnerabilities targeted by Google Hacking (e.g., what kind of vulnerabilities are typically targeted by Google Hacking? What kind of vulnerabilities usually have a large victim population? What is the impact of Google Hacking and how easy to defend against Google Hacking?).
Are we ready for neoadjuvant therapy in potentially resectable pancreatic cancer

Dr Castellanos et al have provided a very comprehensive review of the multimodality therapy of localized pancreatic cancer, with an emphasis on adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapies.
Nondisclosure and emerging autonomy in a terminally ill teenager.

A look at nondisclosure requests, assent, and emerging autonomy in the case of a 14-year-old boy with terminal acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
Document Classification and Information Extraction

In Chapter 4 and 5, we turn our attention to the techniques used for document classification and information extraction [60, 61, 62, 174, 175]. In TEXPROS, the task of document classification is to determine the types of the office documents. That is, given an office document, the document classification subsystem identifies the corresponding frame template of the document. By identifying the defined type of the documents, it is possible to implement efficient storage and access methods to enhance the performance of retrieval. The task of information extraction is extracting from the contents of the document the most relevant information pertinent to the user. That is, given an office document, the information extraction subsystem forms its frame instance by instantiating its corresponding frame template. The document classification and information extraction can be achieved in aid of analyzing the document structures.
Design of distributed controllers for component swapping modularity using linear matrix inequalities

The problem of component swapping modularity (CSM) refers to distributed control design in networks of smart components such that specific design constraints are satisfied. The CSM intends to reduce control design effort and complexity in platform-based systems. Existing CSM methods achieve promising results for low order multi-input-multi-output (MIMO) systems. However, lack of generalization, heavy computational burden, and, to a lower extent, the level of designer involvement limit the applications of the existing CSM methods. Thus, this paper presents a generalized CSM algorithm using linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) such that almost full automatic control distribution is achieved for an arbitrary linear system. The LMI-based CSM is designed to maintain both disturbance attenuation and quadratic stability. Also, it is desired to satisfy specific time response criteria. Thus, the proposed algorithm combines H 2 optimization and robust H ∞ optimization to satisfy given design constraints. The designer involvement is dramatically reduced to iterative tuning of two scalar parameters in the robust H ∞ problem. The proposed algorithm incorporates reference tracking. Also, stability measures and design criteria are checked numerically at each step. The LMI-based CSM algorithm has been numerically verified using an engine idle speed control (ISC) example.
Skeletal assessment and secular changes in knee development: a radiographic approach.

Objectives The purpose of this study is to conduct an analysis of ossification patterns in the distal femoral, proximal tibial, and proximal fibular epiphyses, and the patella. The results generated from this analysis will be compared with previous standards published by Elgenmark (1946) and Garn et al. (1967) to determine if clinical and skeletal age assessment standards should be updated for contemporary Americans. Materials and methods Using the Pediatric Radiology Interactive Atlas (Patricia), a total of 1,317 epiphyses were scored for presence or absence from radiographs of 1,056 white individuals born in or after 1990. Statistical modeling of epiphyseal appearance was conducted for all major percentiles, including the 5th and 95th percentiles through logistic regression. Results Compared with Elgenmark (1946) and Garn et al. (1967), our data suggest that the distal femoral and proximal tibial epiphyses show overall earlier ossification, while the proximal fibular epiphysis shows later ossification. When examining the pooled sex 50th percentile for our data, we found that ossification timing differences are 1.2 weeks earlier in the distal femoral epiphysis, 2.1 weeks earlier in the proximal tibial epiphysis, and 1.4 years later in the proximal fibular epiphysis. Discussion The epiphyses that appear early in life, for example the distal femoral epiphysis, require gestational age information to accurately estimate appearance times. There are considerable differences between the ossification timing patterns presented in this study and those of previous standards, which did not include gestational ages. Several factors may explain the observed differences in the epiphyses of the knee including: the availability of gestational age information, the analysis of longitudinal versus cross-sectional data, differences in socioeconomic status and prenatal care, and secular change. KEYWORDS age estimation, growth standards, ossification, skeletal maturation, subadult/juvenile growth
PhishMonger: A free and open source public archive of real-world phishing websites

The number of active, online phishing websites continues to grow unabated in recent years. This has created an ever-increasing security risk for both individual and enterprise users in terms of identity theft, malware, financial loss, etc. Although resources exist for tracking, cataloguing, and blacklisting these types of sites (e.g., PhishTank.com), the ephemeral nature of phishing websites makes in-depth analysis exceptionally difficult. In order to better understand how these phishing sites exploit user and system weaknesses, we have crafted a platform named PhishMonger for capturing live phishing websites in real-time on an ever-present, rolling basis, which we outline in this paper. Moreover, we present details regarding our growing database of verified phishing websites, which currently encompasses over 88,754 sites, spanning 10,956,415 files and folders, utilizing 108GB of compressed storage. We offer recommendations on how this corpus can be leveraged by the cybersecurity and security informatics research communities to examine several important research problems.
Cardiovascular Safety of Dipeptidyl-Peptidase IV Inhibitors: A Meta-Analysis of Placebo-Controlled Randomized Trials

Large randomized trials have shown conflicting evidence regarding the cardiovascular safety of dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. Systematic reviews have been limited by incomplete data and inclusion of observational studies. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the cardiovascular safety of DPP-4 inhibitors in patients with type 2 diabetes. Electronic databases were searched for randomized trials that compared DPP-4 inhibitors versus placebo and reported cardiovascular outcomes. The main outcome assessed in this analysis was heart failure. Other outcomes included all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction, and ischemic stroke. Summary odds ratios (ORs) were primarily constructed using Peto’s model. A total of 90 trials with 66,730 patients were included. Compared with placebo, DPP-4 inhibitors were associated with a non-significant increased risk of heart failure [OR 1.11, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.99–1.25, P = 0.07] at a mean of 108 weeks. The risk of all-cause mortality (OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.94–1.12, P = 0.53), cardiovascular mortality (OR 1.02, 95% CI 0.92–1.14, P = 0.72), myocardial infarction (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.88–1.09, P = 0.69), and ischemic stroke (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.85–1.15, P = 0.92) was similar between both groups. In patients with type 2 diabetes, the safety profile of DPP-4 inhibitors is similar to placebo. As a class, there is only weak evidence for an increased risk of heart failure.
Early Dramatic Recovery after Endovascular Reperfusion in Acute Ischemic Stroke (P4.290)

Objective: Identify predictors of early dramatic recovery in Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS) post-thrombectomy. Background: Early dramatic recovery (EDR) from AIS after intravenous thrombolytic has been described in the literature and is predictive of a good outcome. Given the debate regarding benefit of intra-arterial therapy, we aim to identify the frequency and factors associated with EDR after endovascular reperfusion in AIS. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of our endovascular interventional database for consecutive patients treated for large vessel occlusion between September 2010 and September 2014.EDR was defined by NIHSS ≤ 2 at 24hs post-thrombectomy. Twenty-six clinical, radiological and outcome variables were included in univariate and multivariate analyses to define independent predictors of EDR. Results: A total of 402 consecutive patients were analyzed and 63 (15.7[percnt]) patients had EDR. The demographics, presence of risk factors for stroke, neurological deficits prior to treatment, rate of administration of intravenous thrombolytic, imaging, location of the thrombus and procedural characteristics of the patients with EDR and non-EDR were similar, with few exceptions. The EDR group was younger (60y/o vs. 65y/o; p=0.002), had a higher rate of ASPECTS蠅7 (66.7 vs. 50.1[percnt];p=0.033), MCA-M2 occlusions (25.4 vs. 13.9[percnt];p=0.036) and successful reperfusion (TICI 蠅2b) (95.1 vs. 77.7[percnt];p=001). Baseline NIHSS was lower (14.2 vs. 19.3;p=0.000) and procedure duration was shorter (1.56 vs. 1.18hs;p=0.042) in patients with EDR. Multivariate analysis revealed that age (OR, 0.973; 95[percnt] CI, 0.950 to 0.997; P=0.028), baseline NIHSS (OR, 0.863; 95[percnt] CI , 0.806 to 0.924; P= 0.000) and procedure duration (OR, 0.589; 95[percnt] CI, 0.360 to 0.961; P=0.034) were independent predictors of EDR. Conclusion: Early dramatic recovery after endovascular reperfusion of large vessel AIS is not uncommon. Lower NIHSS should not necessarily exclude patients from the possibility of IAT. Age and procedural time have a critical importance in the management of large vessel AIS patients. Disclosure: Dr. Lima has nothing to disclose. Dr. Haussen has nothing to disclose. Dr. Belagaje has nothing to disclose. Dr. Anderson has nothing to disclose. Dr. Nahab has nothing to disclose. Dr. Rangaraju has nothing to disclose. Dr. Frankel has nothing to disclose. Dr. Nogueira has received personal compensation for activities with Concentric Medical, Inc., ev3 Neurovascular, Inc., and Coaxia, Inc.
Treatment algorithm based on the multivariate survival analyses in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma treated with trans-arterial chemoembolization.

PURPOSE To develop the treatment algorithm from multivariate survival analyses (MVA) in patients with Barcelona clinic liver cancer (BCLC) C (advanced) Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients treated with Trans-arterial Chemoembolization (TACE). METHODS Consecutive unresectable and non-tranplantable patients with advanced HCC, who received DEB TACE were studied. A total of 238 patients (mean age, 62.4yrs) was included in the study. Survivals were analyzed according to different parameters from the time of the 1st DEB TACE. Kaplan Meier and Cox Proportional Hazard model were used for survival analysis. The SS was constructed from MVA and named BCLC C HCC Prognostic (BCHP) staging system (SS). RESULTS Overall median survival (OS) was 16.2 months. In HCC patients with venous thrombosis (VT) of large vein [main portal vein (PV), right or left PV, hepatic vein, inferior vena cava] (22.7%) versus small vein (segmental/subsegmental PV) (9.7%) versus no VT had OSs of 6.4 months versus 20 months versus 22.8 months respectively (p<0.001). On MVA, the significant independent prognostic factors (PFs) of survival were CP class, eastern cooperative oncology group (ECOG) performance status (PS), single HCC<5 cm, site of VT, metastases, serum creatinine and serum alpha-feto protein. Based on these PFs, the BCHP staging system was constructed. The OSs of stages I, II and III were 28.4 months, 11.8 months and 2.4 months accordingly (p<0.001). The treatment plan was proposed according to the different stages. CONCLUSION On MVA of patients with advanced HCC treated with TACE, significant independent prognostic factors (PFs) of survival were CP class, ECOG PS, single HCC<5 cm or others, site of VT, metastases, serum creatinine and serum alpha-feto protein. New BCHP SS was proposed based on MVA data to identify the suitable advanced HCC patients for TACE treatments.
Solid-Phase Fe Speciation along the Vertical Redox Gradients in Floodplains using XAS and Mössbauer Spectroscopies

Properties of Fe minerals are poorly understood in natural soils and sediments with variable redox conditions. In this study, we combined 57Fe Mossbauer and Fe K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopic (XAS) techniques to assess solid-phase Fe speciation along the vertical redox gradients of floodplains, which exhibited a succession of oxic, anoxic, and suboxic–oxic zones with increasing depth along the vertical profiles. The incised stream channel is bounded on the east by a narrow floodplain and a steep hillslope, and on the west by a broad floodplain. In the eastern floodplain, the anoxic conditions at the intermediate horizon (55–80 cm) coincided with lower Fe(III)-oxides (particularly ferrihydrite), in concurrence with a greater reduction of phyllosilicates(PS)-Fe(III) to PS-Fe(II), relative to the oxic near-surface and sandy gravel layers. In addition, the anoxic conditions in the eastern floodplain coincided with increased crystallinity of goethite, relative to the oxic layers. In the most reduced inte...
Structural MRI-based measures of neuroplasticity in an extended amygdala network as a target for attention bias modification treatment outcome

Abstract Increased attentional bias to threat has been identified as a causal mechanism in the development of anxiety. As such, attention bias modification (ABM) was conceived as a treatment option where anxiety is alleviated through a computerized cognitive training regimen that reduces an individual’s attentional bias to threat. Although ABM appears to be a promising treatment option for anxiety, the mechanism of action by which the treatment is effective is unknown. We hypothesize that effective ABM treatment is associated with neuroplasticity-related structural changes in an extended amygdala – prefrontal cortex network that can be detected with standard T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Literature regarding [1] effects of brain damage on attention bias, [2] functional neuroimaging of attention bias, [3] structural neuroimaging of attention bias, and [4] functional neuroimaging of ABM training all support the role of this network as the underlying mechanism of attention bias behavior and neuroplasticity-related changes in attentional bias. Additionally, we provide proof of principle pilot data that ABM training reduces MRI measures of gray matter volume in the basal forebrain/extended amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex. Greater reduction in gray matter volume corresponds to greater reduction in attentional bias. In addition, level of pre-training bias appears to be a strong indicator of treatment outcome. In short, we provide converging evidence for the hypothesis that the mechanism underlying effective ABM training is reduced gray matter volume in an extended amygdala network. MRI-based measures of neuroplasticity in this network could be an important target outcome for the treatment of anxiety with ABM.
A Proactive Approach to High Risk Delirium Patients Undergoing Total Joint Arthroplasty.

Abstract Background Delirium is a common complication among elderly patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty (TJA). Its incidence has been reported from 4% to 53%. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services consider delirium following TJA a “never-event.” The purpose of this study is to evaluate a simple perioperative protocol used to identify delirium risk patients and prevent its incidence following TJA. Methods Our group developed a protocol to identify and prevent delirium in patients undergoing TJA. All patients were screened and scored in the preoperative assessment, on criteria such as age, history of forgetfulness, history of agitation or visual hallucinations, history of falls, history of postoperative confusion, and inability to perform higher brain functions. Patients were scored on performance in a simple mental examination. The patients were classified as low, medium, or high risk. Patients who were identified as high risk were enrolled in a delirium avoidance protocol that minimized narcotics and emphasized nursing involvement and fluids administration. Results Five of 7659 (0.065%) consecutive TJA patients from 2010 to 2015 developed delirium. A total of 422 patients were identified as high risk. All 5 patients who suffered delirium were within the high risk group. No low or medium risk patients suffered a delirium complication. Three (0.039%) patients suffered drug-induced delirium, 1 (0.013%) had delirium related to alcohol withdrawal, and 1 (0.013%) had delirium after a systemic infection. Conclusion This protocol is effective in identifying patients at high delirium risk and diminishing the incidence of this complication by utilizing a simple screening tool and perioperative protocol.
Perceived Value of Health Insurance and Enrollment Decision among Low-Income Population.

The individual mandate is one of the key features of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and has contributed to a substantial decrease in the overall uninsured rate. We examined the relationship between the individual’s insurance status and his/her attitude towards risk and uncertainty among the nonelderly adults, without employer-sponsored insurance (ESI) sources and who are most likely to benefit from the ACA. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted using the 2014 full-year consolidated data file from the Household Component of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey-Household Component (MEPS-HC). This study included 4,848 individuals, aged 18–64 years, with incomes between 138–400 % of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), and without access to public coverage or ESI. We examined the factors associated with the likelihood of being uninsured using a logit model. We found that the proportion of the uninsured among the low-income nonelderly adults without ESI (31.1%) was much higher than the one among the nonelderly adults (14.3%). The uninsured adults were likely to have lower demand for insurance and perceived value of insurance and were less likely to visit a doctor or to fill prescription drugs. More rigorous outreach efforts focusing on increasing perceived value of health insurance could contribute to an increased insurance coverage among low-income populations. Type: Original Research
Optimizing cooperative cognitive search and rescue UAVs

A need exists for a self-forming, self-organizing, cognitive, cooperative, automated unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) network system to more efficiently perform UAV-based maritime search and rescue (SAR) operations. Although current search patterns (e.g., traditional “lawn mower” methods) are thorough, they result in too much time spent searching lowprobability areas. This decreases the chances of a successful rescue and increases the risk of lost recovery opportunities (e.g., death due to hypothermia in the case of human search targets). Our goal is to optimize UAV-based SAR operations. As directed by an onboard computer, UAVs would fly coordinated search patterns based on the target’s last known position and the direction and speed of winds and currents. By enabling the UAVs to act collectively and cooperatively, we can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of a multi-UAV network’s SAR mission. To achieve this, we applied cooperative game theory as an enabling function in the development of a cognitive system encompassing multiple vehicles. Based on simulations, we showed that an optimal dynamic search pattern and vehicle positioning strategy can be realized using decision algorithms based on elements of game theory.
Unit roots test: Spatial model with long memory errors

Abstract A test for unit roots in the autoregressive model Y i j = α Y i − 1 , j + β Y i , j − 1 − α β Y i − 1 , j − 1 + ϵ i j is developed whenever the error structure is assumed to have long range dependence. Whenever α = β = 1 , the limiting distribution of the sequence of normalized Fourier coefficients of the Y − process is shown to be a function of a two parameter fractional Brownian motion process on [ 0 , 1 ] × [ 0 , 1 ] . This result is used to find the limiting distribution of the periodogram ordinate of the Y -process under the null hypothesis that α = β = 1 .
Global Stability of Oscillations Induced by a Relay Feedback

Abstract Sufficient conditions of existence and global asymptotic stability of a limit cycle induced by a relay with hysteresis feedback in a linear time-invariant stable system are derived. The criterion is based on inspection of the open loop step response, combined with estimations of certain measures of its variance. Unlike the well-known describing functions method, the proposed approach yields a rigorous proof of global stability of oscillattory behavior. The criterion can be applied in the cetse of infinite-dimensional and uncertain open-loop response.